ã€ŠBeneath His Ugly Wifeâ€™s Mask: Her revenge was her brillianceã€‹


 Chapter 1

    ?Chapter 1:

    ¡°Elliana, remember what I told you. Until you turn twenty, never show your beauty or your talents.¡±

    For fifteen years, Elliana Marsh had lived by her mother¡¯s final words. She kept herself in and acted ignorant¡ªjust to blend into the background. But today was her twentieth birthday. She was ready to let go of the old Elliana and show the world her true self.

    She filled the tub with warm water, added bath salts, and ced her makeup remover nearby. Just as she started undressing for a long, rxing soak to wash off the ugly makeup, a loud knock shattered the peace.

    Irritated, she threw on a robe and opened the door.

    Melody Ahmed, the maid, stood there, her nose in the air as usual. ¡°Elliana, what are you sneaking around in here for? It¡¯s Miss Jones¡¯s wedding day. If you don¡¯t show up, people will start whispering and tarnish the Jones family¡¯s image. Go to the front hall, now!¡±

    Elliana smirked derisively. This maid had never been polite to her. The usation of ¡°sneaking around¡± was hardly urate. In truth, she had been confined to the back room for fifteen years, ever since her mother¡¯s death. After her mother¡¯s passing, her stepmother, Kiara Jones, along with her father and Kiara¡¯s illegitimate daughter, Paige Jones, had swiftly joined the Jones family and taken over everything.

    The worst part? Not even her father, Darin Jones, treated her the way she deserved.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go change,¡± Elliana said calmly.

    Melody scoffed. ¡°What¡¯s the point? With that ugly face of yours, no dress can save you. Move it! The Evans family¡¯s already here. The City Hall staff is on-site to register the marriage between Mr. Evans and Miss Jones. Mrs. Jones wants everyone present for the big moment.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s lips curled into a cold smile.

    The Evans family was the most powerful in Ublento. Cole Evans, their heir, was a business genius. Paige was the city¡¯s favorite socialite. Of course, their engagement had been all over the news. People called them a perfect couple, a match made in heaven. Everypliment in the book was used to describe them. Social media was going wild. Everyone was eagerly waiting for their grand wedding.

    Kiara made it sound proper and grand, but Elliana knew the truth¡ªshe was simply dragged out to watch Paige shine.

    Elliana changed quickly and followed Melody to the front hall.

    The Jones family¡¯s residence looked like a pce, decked out in over-the-top luxury to celebrate Paige¡¯s big day.

    Everyone in the room wore elegant outfits, except for Elliana. She stood out like a sore thumb in a cheap white T-shirt, ripped jeans, and hideous makeup. She didn¡¯t just sh with the scene¡ªshe crashed it.

    Kiara was chatting with Cole¡¯s grandfather, Ruben Evans, when Elliana walked in. Kiara paused and then put on her usual fake smile. ¡°Elliana, I got you a beautiful new dress. Why didn¡¯t you wear it?¡±

    Elliana inwardly rolled her eyes. As if Kiara ever did anything for her. She used to fake being clueless and y along with Kiara¡¯s charade, but now she was done with these games. She didn¡¯t bother replying to Kiara. Instead, she turned to Ruben and gave a polite nod. ¡°Hello, Mr. Evans.¡±

    Ruben chuckled. ¡°Well, Elliana, you¡¯ve certainly got your own style these days.¡±

    Elliana ran a hand through her messy wig. She hadn¡¯t expected him to be so tolerant. At least he wasn¡¯t calling her a disaster.

    Her eyes naturally drifted to the man beside Ruben. She¡¯d noticed him the moment she stepped in. From his posture and presence, she could tell¡ªthis had to be Cole, the mysterious heir rarely seen in public. Seeing him up close was something else. Tall, sharp, and ridiculously handsome. He looked like he¡¯d stepped straight out of a romance novel. She couldn¡¯t help but stare just a little too long.

    ¡°Look at Elliana,¡± Melody sneered, her voice loud on purpose. ¡°Ugly as hell, yet she dares to drool over Paige¡¯s fianc¨¦. What a joke. With that face, even looking at Mr. Evans is a crime.¡±

    Melody was clearly following Kiara¡¯s silent orders.

    Paige leaned closer to Cole, clinging to his arm as though iming her prize. ¡°It¡¯s fine. Cole¡¯s amazing. It¡¯s only natural that other women like him.¡±

    Paige didn¡¯t see Elliana as a threat at all. In fact, she wanted Elliana to chase after him. It made her feel even more superior¡ªlike she had already won.

    Darin¡¯s face twisted in anger as he snarled at Elliana, ¡°What a disgrace. Get out of here!¡±

    Elliana dragged over a chair with one leg and dropped into it casually, right across from Cole.

    Cole didn¡¯t flinch. His face remained nk, cold as stone.

    Ruben cleared his throat awkwardly and turned to the City Hall staff members. ¡°Let¡¯s check if we missed any documents for the marriage registration.¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡± The City Hall members opened theirptops and checked for any missing materials. A momentter, one of them froze and looked at Cole hesitantly. ¡°Mr. Evans¡­ The system says you¡¯re already married. Your wife is listed as Ms. Elliana Marsh.¡±

    ¡°Wait, what?¡± Gasps filled the room.

    Elliana¡¯s eyes went wide. Shock hit her like a p. She was married?

    And to Cole Evans, no less? But she had no idea how.

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 Chapter 2

    ?Chapter 2:

    Kiara rose to her feet in a sh. ¡°How can this even be happening?¡±

    Darin looked equally rattled. ¡°This can¡¯t be right. There¡¯s got to be an error.¡±

    Back in the day, the Jones family thrived off Elliana¡¯s biological mother, Rita Marsh¡¯s brilliance¡ªher medical genius and those rare forms that put them on the map. But after Rita¡¯s passing, the legacy began to wither. Tying themselves to the Evans family was theirst safety. They needed this marriage to work like their lives depended on it.

    Sure, Elliana was also a daughter of the Jones family, but her marriage didn¡¯t carry the same weight as Paige¡¯s. Paige was the one they genuinely held dear.

    Paige tried to y it cool, but her fists were tight enough to crack bone. Still, ever the performer, she put on her poised expression. ¡°This doesn¡¯t make any sense. There has to be a mistake here.¡±

    ¡°But the system shows Mr. Evans¡¯ marital status clearly,¡± the City Hall staff member said firmly.

    The crowd surged toward theptop. Sure enough, the system disyed Cole and Elliana listed as husband and wife. The date went back two years, in another nation¡ªPodgend, when Elliana was eighteen.

    Darin and Kiara stood frozen.

    Paige¡¯s polished mask cracked right then and there. She was at a loss, her elegant fa?ade gone in an instant.

    The room turned its focus on Cole. Ruben narrowed his eyes and asked sharply, ¡°Care to exin, Cole?¡±

    Cole maintained his poker face. ¡°I¡¯m just as confused as you are.¡±

    ¡°Confused?¡± Ruben echoed, his voice climbing with fury, his mustache nearly twitching with rage. ¡°You¡¯re standing there saying you signed off on a marriage and somehow have no idea how it happened?¡±

    Cole¡¯s head slowly turned toward Elliana, his stare sharp enough to cut ss. She hadn¡¯t moved¡ªstill caught in disbelief.

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    The coldness in his eyes pulled everyone else¡¯s gaze to Elliana. Now she was the center of a storm she didn¡¯t seeing.

    Elliana gave a slow blink, shrugged innocently, and said, ¡°Beats me. I don¡¯t know either.¡±

    No one had any real reason to doubt her. She¡¯d grown up invisible¡ªtucked away in the back corner of the house, scraping through grade school, stuck in a storeroom no bigger than a closet, and constantly ridiculed for how she looked. The idea that she could¡¯ve snuck off to Podgend and married Cole in secret sounded impossible.

    ¡°There¡¯s no way this is real! Someone had to mess with the registry!¡± Grinding her teeth in frustration, Kiara instructed, ¡°Sort out the truthter. For now, divorce immediately and get Cole married to Paige today.¡±

    ¡°Right, right, getting Cole and Paige married takes priority!¡± Darin chimed in.

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid Cole couldn¡¯t marry Paige.¡± Ruben exhaled slowly. ¡°The Evans family has strict traditions. A man can only remarry if his wife has passed away. Divorce isn¡¯t even an option. The one walking down the aisle today has to be Elliana.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious!¡± Paige couldn¡¯t take it anymore. She jumped up, herposure crumbling, eyes glistening with rage. ¡°Everyone in Ublento knows I¡¯m the one meant to marry into the Evans family! And now you¡¯re swapping me out for Elliana like it¡¯s nothing? How am I supposed to show my face after this?¡±

    Kiara didn¡¯t bother with the niceties anymore. Her voice turned sharp and poisonous. ¡°Paige is meant to be Cole¡¯s rightful wife! That pathetic brat Elliana doesn¡¯t belong anywhere near him!¡±

    Watching Kiara and Paige¡¯s meltdown was priceless. Elliana could barely hide her amusement¡ªit was better than anything she could¡¯ve nned. She had daydreamed about stealing Cole just to piss them off. But fate? It had gone further. It dropped the marriage in herp without her lifting a finger. Ridiculous or not, she wasn¡¯t giving it up. With a sugar-sweet smile, Elliana looked up at Cole and said, ¡°Darling, sorry about all this drama.¡±

    This was like a p to Paige¡¯s pride. ¡°You bitch! He¡¯s mine! How dare you call him that!¡± she screamed, charging at Elliana in a blind fury.

    Quick on her feet, Elliana ducked behind Cole and clutched his shoulders like a shield. With a teasing glint in her eye, she leaned to the side and said sweetly, ¡°Take a breath, Paige. Where are those polished manners you take pride in?¡±

    Paige stumbled past Elliana, fists clenched and trembling, ready for round two¡ªuntil Elliana¡¯s words froze her mid-step.

    Everything Paige had built¡ªher pristine reputation, her status on Ublento¡¯s social scene¡ªwas slipping through her fingers. She¡¯d wed her way to the top, and one chaotic scene was going to ruin her yearslong effort.

    Everyone stared as Paige, who moments ago had been screaming like someone unhinged, suddenly slipped back into her gentle, wide-eyed act. ¡°Cole, you can¡¯t¡­¡±

    ¡°Leave me. No one loves you more than I do¡­¡±

    Darin and Kiara turned to Cole, silently begging him to say something¡ªanything¡ªthat could change the course of this disaster. Ruben¡¯s reputation was unshakable¡ªhe never bent the rules. Convincing him was a lost cause. If anything was going to change, it had toe from Cole.

    Standing dead center in the storm of voices and tension, Cole looked like a statue¡ªemotionless and untouchable.

    After casting a nce over his shoulder at Elliana, still quietly holding onto him, Cole looked forward again. His voice cut through the air, steady and firm. ¡°As an Evans, I¡¯m expected to uphold my family¡¯s traditions. I won¡¯t be the one to tear them down.¡±

    The words hit like a thunderp. Both Kiara and Paige paled, as if the floor had dropped beneath them.

    Darin¡¯s gaze shot to Ruben, panic bubbling beneath the surface. ¡°Ruben, surely there¡¯s¡ª¡±

    Elliana¡¯s overdone makeup gleamed a nce, but Ruben¡¯s focus lingered on Cole¡ªsteady,posed, unshaken. He exhaled, long and heavy. ¡°This is unfair to you, Cole. But our family¡¯s traditions leave no room for exceptions,¡± Ruben muttered to himself.

    Ruben stared directly at Darin. ¡°Darin, I made a promise to your father, which is the only reason I agreed to this marriage alliance in the first ce. But the engagement never stated exactly which of your daughters would be marrying into my family. Now that Elliana is Cole¡¯s wife, the deal still stands. Don¡¯t push me to go against the traditions my family has followed for generations!¡±

    While Darin was reluctant to ept this, he didn¡¯t dare voice it, since crossing Ruben wasn¡¯t an option. Swallowing his fury, he gave a stiff nod.

    And with that, the switch in brides was sealed for good. Elliana stepped forward without hesitation, slipping into the gown that had been meant for Paige¡­

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 Chapter 3

    ?Chapter 3:

    Nothing about Cole¡¯s wedding whispered subtlety¡ªit shouted luxury from every corner, drenched in diamonds and power.

    A hundred-million-dor gown,ced with over 400,000 diamonds and pearls, was the crown jewel of the ceremony. Paige had fantasized about walking down the aisle in it for as long as she could remember. Aware of the enormous difference between the Jones family and the Evans family, Kiara and Darin had gone to great lengths to maintain appearances. They¡¯d put together five hundred million dors as a wedding gift, aiming to marry Paige off in a grand spectacle that would leave the entire city in awe. But in the end, every bit of it went to Elliana.

    The wedding dress, air-shipped straight from a well-known gown brand overseas, now rested on Elliana¡¯s body. Kiara, Darin, and Paige could only watch as everything they¡¯d sacrificed for sparkled on the wrong girl¡ªrage nearly knocking them off their feet.

    Elliana could barely hold back herughter, but with Cole standing right next to her, she bit it back and kept her expression neutral. There was no mistaking Cole¡¯s reputation¡ªdangerous, decisive, and impossible to predict. She knew better than to get careless. She still had no clue how she became his wife, but she needed answers¡ªand fast.

    A swarm of reporters buzzed outside the Jones family¡¯s mansion, hungry for any crack in the story. Instead of feeding the frenzy, Cole avoided the car altogether and flew off with Elliana in a private helicopter.

    Tears streamed down Paige¡¯s face as the helicopter disappeared into the clouds. ¡°Mom, is my dream of bing the wife of the wealthiest man truly gone?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely not!¡± Kiara¡¯s voice dripped with venom as she said, ¡°Cole won¡¯t tolerate being trapped like this. Elliana was shoved into his life. Who knows? She might not even make it through tonight.¡±

    A spark flickered behind Paige¡¯s tears. ¡°You think he¡¯d actually get rid of her?¡±

    Kiara gave a cold smile. ¡°Once Elliana¡¯s no longer in the picture, Cole will definitelye back to you. Just hold on to your ce as Ublento¡¯s top socialite. You¡¯ll be his wife eventually.¡±

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    Since even those two morons, Kiara and Paige, had imagined Cole might arrange a widower scenario, Elliana, with her sharp mind, had certainly considered that possibility.

    Even though Elliana had never seen Cole in person until today, she had heard every tale. People described him as cold-blooded, even cruel. He was the kind of man who crushed anyone who dared stand in his way. Those who did either vanished or ended up wishing they had never tried. She had no ns to test a man like that.

    Elliana kept her head down throughout the entire ceremony. Once they stepped into the bedroom, she sank onto the edge of the bed and stayed silent.

    Across the room, Cole slipped off his jacket and dropped onto the couch. His eyes locked on her¡ªintense, clinical, like he could read her thoughts with one nce.

    Hours ago, she had looked like a wreck¡ªsmudged eyeliner, tangled hair, makeup that aged her ten years. But now, beneath the soft veil concealing her face, she looked ethereal in the glittering gown. Her skin glowed, her figure delicate andposed. She was stunning.

    Elliana had her own legend, dark and twisted. At five, they said she had lit the fire that killed her mother and melted her own face. Some called her cursed. Others called her a murderer. Either way, no one saw innocence when they looked at her.

    They hadbeled her dumb and called her ugly, but Cole saw none of that. Her eyes¡ªsharp, sly, and full of light¡ªgave her away. She wasn¡¯t clueless. She was shrewd. Whatever her game was, she yed it well. When Paige lunged at her earlier, Elliana had slipped behind him with uncanny ease. Others might have dismissed it as instinct, but he caught the control in her footwork. That kind of precision didn¡¯te from fear¡ªit came from training.

    But all that finesse meant nothing to himpared to the one thing that did matter¡ªhow his name got locked in with hers in a marriage. Someone had pulled strings behind the curtain. Why? What did they stand to gain? And was Elliana really as innocent as she yed?

    ¡°You had no trouble talking earlier. Why so quiet now?¡± Cole¡¯s tone sliced through the quiet like ss.

    Elliana stiffened, a chill rushing up her spine before she could stop it. ¡°It¡¯s not like I nned to marry up¡­ I just can¡¯t shake this bit of unease.¡±

    Living under the Evans family household came with rules, and Elliana understood that fast. A gentle smile here, the right words there¡ªit could be the difference between survival and disaster.

    A dry chuckle slipped past Cole¡¯s lips. She was putting on a show, and he wasn¡¯t buying a second of it. Earlier, she¡¯d called him ¡°darling¡± in front of Paige like it was the most natural thing in the world. There hadn¡¯t been a hint of unease in her voice. He would just wait to see how long she could keep up the charade.

    Elliana knew he didn¡¯t believe her. She didn¡¯t expect him to. She just needed to avoid giving him a reason to strike.

    She was still running through her next move in her head when Cole rose without warning and crossed the room with unhurried, deliberate steps.

    Without a word, he leaned down and swept her into his arms before she had the chance to flinch.

    Being swept into his arms like a bride out of a fairytale made her heart lurch. ¡°Mr. Evans, what¡­ What are you doing?¡±

    Cole nced down at her, a sly smile ying at the corners of his mouth. ¡°Tell me¡ªwhat do you suppose newlyweds ought to be doing on their wedding night?¡±

    Everything tilted as he tossed her onto the bed, his body closing the space between them like a storm cloud rolling in.

    The mattress bounced beneath her, his scent surrounding herpletely, and she went still. With her horrible wig and makeup, was Cole seriously able to go through with it?

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 Chapter 4

    ?Chapter 4:

    There was no denying it¡ªCole¡¯s looks had reeled Elliana in the moment they met. Her mind had gone ces, spinning stories that had no business leaving the realm of fantasy. But the truth? When it came to intimacy, Elliana was a dreamer, not a doer. She might flirt with the idea, but following through had never been her style.

    The moment Cole¡¯s fingers brushed the edge of her gown, instinct took over. Without thinking, sheshed out, aiming a sharp p straight at his face.

    Cole reacted in an instant, his reflexes as sharp as a de.

    In the next breath, Elliana¡¯s bnce slipped and she crashed to the floor, but not before Cole had already plucked off her veil¡ªand her wig¡ªwith surgical ease.

    A river of chestnut hair tumbled down her back, shimmering under the soft lighting like spun silk. In that moment, she didn¡¯t look real¡ªshe looked ethereal.

    The mask she¡¯d worn for years shattered in an instant. For fifteen years, she¡¯d sold the lie¡ªsickly, fragile, a girl with damaged hair and an unattractive face. And now, thanks to Cole, all of it unraveled in seconds.

    One knee nted on the bed, Cole studied her like a puzzle piece he hadn¡¯t expected. Her glossy hair framed her face, still faintly marked from his recent move, and something in his gaze shifted¡ªdeep, unreadable.

    The whispers had made their rounds through all of Ublento. People had imed Ellianayered on makeup to hide her ruined face, and some even imed they¡¯d caught a glimpse beneath it, insisting her skin was scarred and terrifying.

    However, moments earlier, Cole¡¯s fingers had brushed across her cheek, wiping away a smear of foundation. What peeked through wasn¡¯t mangled flesh¡ªit was skin like porcin, soft and smooth, as if even the air might bruise it.

    Looking closely, Cole saw the truth. Her face was a work of quiet beauty¡ªelegant lines, graceful proportions, and eyes that shimmered with depth like stars caught in motion. Underneath all that heavy makeup, she wasn¡¯t just attractive¡ªshe was striking. Without the camouge, her beauty could¡¯ve easily lit up a room.

    Cole lifted an eyebrow, clearly entertained. The unattractive bride who hadnded in his life out of the blue turned out to be a concealed stunner. Now this was getting intriguing.

    Elliana noticed the perilous curl of Cole¡¯s lips, and a sharp wave of regret swept over her. She should¡¯ve yed it safer tonight. Toote.

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    She had first believed that Cole, while dangerous, was the cold and controlled type. She pictured him as aposed man who wouldn¡¯t dare cross the line. But now she saw just how mistaken she had been. This man was wildly unpredictable, swinging between polished gentleman and reckless rogue, impossible to get a read on. He could wear the mask of aposed aristocrat one moment and throw it off to be a reckless storm the next. Whatever scale of danger she¡¯d measured him by¡ªit wasn¡¯t nearly high enough.

    Originally, Elliana thought tonight would be thest time she¡¯d wear this ridiculously heavy and ugly makeup. She was ready to reim her identity and showcase her true self. But after meeting Cole, she knew better. With a man like him, keeping her true face hidden wasn¡¯t a choice¡ªit was survival.

    Cole broke the silence. ¡°Could you exin what you were trying to do?¡±

    Elliana fumbled for words. ¡°I just¡­ I didn¡¯t want to give you a lousy experience.¡±

    ¡°No worries. Your face might be a mess, but that body¡¯s something else. I¡¯ll just switch off the lights and take my time enjoying it.¡±

    Elliana figured he was joking¡ªuntil the room went pitch-ck, and her stomach dropped. He¡¯d actually meant his words. She muttered to herself, ¡°This bastard really has no shame.¡±

    She had barely a moment to respond before the shadow of his figure loomed closer. In a rush of panic, she bolted for the balcony, but the heavyyers of her wedding gown dragged at her steps. Quick and precise, he closed in once more and mmed her down, her back striking the unforgiving floor with a jarring thud.

    Frustration boiled under her skin. Every fiber screamed to tear the dress off, toss it aside, and wrestle him down until one of them surrendered.

    ¡°Have youpletely lost it, Cole?¡± Elliana snapped, her voice fully cracking.

    Most men would¡¯ve run for the hills after seeing her made-up disaster of a face. But Cole? He didn¡¯t even blink. He was clearly wired differently.

    A low chuckle rumbled from his throat as he leaned in, his breath ghosting against her neck like a warning. His tone lowered, rough andced with mischief. ¡°We should make some noise.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me?¡±

    ¡°Grandpa¡¯s panicking that I¡¯ll leave you alone on the wedding night. He nted someone outside to listen in. If we don¡¯t put on a show, they¡¯ll be stationed at our door every night until you¡¯ve got a baby bump.¡±

    ¡°You asshole!¡± Elliana let out a breath of frustration. ¡°If making noise is so important, then go make it yourself!¡±

    The tension in Elliana¡¯s chest was impossible to miss¡ªevery breath sharp with fury. In the shadows, Cole¡¯s grin turned even more devilish as his hand traveled to her waist and gave her a sudden, sharp pinch.

    ¡°Ah!¡± Startled, she jerked beneath him, feeling a mix of pain and tickling.

    Right then, the muffled footsteps outside finally drifted off down the hall.

    Cole, however, showed no intention of letting her go. Instead, he leaned in close, his breath grazing her ear as he said, his tone thick with amusement, ¡°Honey, you certainly know how to make some noise in the bedroom.¡±

    Flushed and fuming, Elliana swung for him again. Sensing she had had enough, Cole lifted his hands in surrender and stepped away with a grin.

    Crossing the room, he flicked the switch, flooding everything in warm light.

    The sudden glow made Elliana squint. Her vision took a moment to adjust, blinking through the haze.

    She couldn¡¯t see herself, but right then, she was sprawled on the floor, hair in disarray, her wedding gown bunched around her. Chaotic, yes. But there was something untamed and maic in that moment.

    Cole¡¯s gaze grew even more intense. ¡°Well, is it your n to keep lying there? You¡¯re beginning to make me wonder if you were just ying hard to get.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s breath hitched, but she didn¡¯t dignify him with a reply. She pushed herself off the floor, hauling the heavy gown with her as she stormed toward the dressing room.

    Dozens of neatly hung outfits greeted her inside. Without hesitation, she locked the door, tore off the suffocating dress, and slipped into a ck tracksuit. It felt like armor¡ªlight, easy to move in, and ready for anything. If Cole tried something now, she¡¯d make him regret it.

    The moment Elliana stepped out, she stopped cold. Whatever she¡¯d expected¡ªthis wasn¡¯t it.

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 Chapter 5

    ?Chapter 5:

    After his shower, Cole slipped into clean pajamas and made himselffortable, stretched out like he owned the bed. The knot on his pajama top hung loose, exposing just enough of his defined chest and lean torso to make it feel intentional. It was hard to look away.

    With how boldly Cole had been teasing her earlier, Elliana started to wonder if he was actually doing this on purpose, trying to tempt her.

    For a moment, Elliana was at a loss for words. When they¡¯d first crossed paths, she¡¯d pegged Cole as distant and above it all, but tonight, he was anything but reserved.

    Cole¡¯s eyes stayed on her, tracking every tiny shift in her expression like he was trying to read her mind.

    There was something maic about Elliana. One moment, she was all charm and softness. The next, she lit up with fire and attitude. And then, without warning, she¡¯d carry herself with a quiet, graceful allure. Every transformation had Cole¡¯s heart kicking faster. He found himself wondering what kind of woman was hiding beneath all that awful makeup¡ªand how stunning she might actually be.

    People liked to treat Cole like he was carved from marble, like he was some wless figure on a pedestal. But underneath it all, he was just a man who appreciated beauty¡ªand a little fire to go with it. As luck would have it, the woman he married by chance might be exactly what he¡¯d always wanted.

    Cole hade to another realization. When it came to anything intimate, Elliana waspletely clueless, turning red and flustered the second things took even the slightest flirtatious turn. That familiar impulse to tease her stirred once more. He gave the empty space next to him a light pat and said, ¡°Honey,e to bed.¡±

    Elliana blinked, stunned. Was he actually serious about sharing the bed? A disbelieving smile tugged at her lips. Did he honestly think he¡¯d get any sleep looking at her horrible makeup? Wasn¡¯t he even a little afraid she¡¯d haunt his dreams?

    She held her tongue instead of calling him insane, deciding it was wiser not to poke the beast unless she had to. With a forced smile, she said, ¡°Well, what do you say we talk for a bit instead?¡±

    Cole raised an eyebrow. ¡°What exactly do you want to discuss? The way you tricked everyone in the Jones family?¡±

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    Unfazed, Elliana retorted, ¡°Or maybe how you mentally embraced marrying someone you can¡¯t even stand before setting off to the Jones family¡¯s residence¡­¡±

    Cole¡¯s eyes narrowed as he studied her, standing there calmly. Did she really catch on to how much he hated Paige?

    A slow, knowing smile tugged at Elliana¡¯s lips. She had noticed plenty of details back at the Jones estate. She remembered how Cole subtly jerked his arm away when Paigetched onto him. Not once did his expression soften when Paige turned on the waterworks¡ªinstead, his eyes shed with nothing but mocking iciness.

    Moreover, right before they took off in the helicopter, he¡¯d changed into a new suit and tossed the one Paige had touched straight into the bin without hesitation. That wasn¡¯t ordinary dislike. That was raw, deep-seated revulsion.

    Ever since then, a single question kept circling in Elliana¡¯s mind. If she hadn¡¯t interfered, would Cole have actually married Paige?

    Elliana proposed, ¡°How about a deal? I¡¯ll keep your annoying admirers away from you, and in return, you don¡¯t mess with my life. Once we straighten out how we tied the knot, I¡¯m gone. Fair enough?¡±

    It sounded fair to her¡ªa clean arrangement that benefited them both. She expected at least a nod. Instead, Cole copsed onto the bed, shut his eyes like she didn¡¯t exist, and flicked the lights off without so much as a nce in her direction.

    Biting back a curse, Elliana trudged toward the sofa, bumping her shin on the edge in the dark. She copsed onto the cushions, too annoyed to care about a shower.

    Hours passed in silence. Elliana drifted into sleep soundly.

    Sometime in the middle of the night, Cole opened his eyes and slipped out of bed. Guided by the dim moonlight, he crossed the room and stopped in front of her, just watching.

    The air carried a hint of Elliana¡¯s scent¡ªclean and natural, untouched by perfume. It eased into his lungs and left behind a quiet, unexpectedfort.

    Cole¡¯s mind wandered back to the feel of her against him earlier. She¡¯d been so soft, her body yielding, and her slender waist had settled into his palm like it belonged there.

    His hand hovered, inches from her cheek, the urge to wipe away the thick makeup growing stronger by the second. But just as he moved in, she shifted slightly.

    Startled, he backed away and returned to bed in silence, closing his eyes and feigning sleep as if nothing had happened. Damn. He didn¡¯t want to admit it, but part of him was genuinely scared of her catching him in the act.

    The next morning, Elliana turned over on the plush mattress and woke up feeling unexpectedly well-rested. She thought she¡¯d toss and turn all night in an unfamiliar ce, but instead, she had knocked out like someone had flipped a switch.

    When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Cole¡ªalready dressed, perched at the edge of the bed, and watching her like she was some kind of mystery he couldn¡¯t crack.

    Elliana blinked, dazed and disoriented. Last she checked, she¡¯d passed out on the couch. So why was she waking up in bed? Panic kicked in fast. She sat up and checked her clothes. The ck tracksuit was still on, neat and untouched. A sigh slipped out before she could stop it. Just as the tension started to fade, a new one crept in¡ªCole was clearly capable of anything, and that scared her more than she liked to admit.

    Elliana usually trusted her instincts. They¡¯d kept her safe more than once. But somehow, Cole had moved her while she was out cold, and she hadn¡¯t sensed a thing. Whatever trick he pulled, it worked¡ªand she knew she¡¯d need to be on guard from now on.

    As if reading her mind, Cole let out a dramatic sigh, his toneced with fake innocence as he said, ¡°Honey, you climbed into bed yourself.¡±

    Elliana narrowed her eyes, not buying a single word of it.

    Cole¡¯s eyes twinkled as he raised an eyebrow and grinned. ¡°Actually, you didn¡¯t stop there. You stripped me down, cuddled up to me, had your hand on my chest, and whispered sweet nothings like ¡®darling¡¯¡­¡±

    ¡°Shut your mouth!¡± Elliana shouted, her temper ring before she could stop it. She could handle him being a smug flirt. But making up lies just to mess with her? That crossed the line.

    Still wearing that grin, Cole reached over and handed her his phone. ¡°I took some videos. If you think I¡¯m lying, go ahead and watch for yourself¡­¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 6

    ?Chapter 6:

    Elliana hesitantly took the phone and pressed y on the video.

    The screen lit up with a recording of Elliana rising from the couch in the dead of night, moving like a sleepwalker before crawling into therge bed.

    In the footage, Cole had rubbed his eyes, his voice heavy with sleep. ¡°Is everything alright?¡±

    ¡°Shhh!¡± Elliana had whispered, pressing a finger to her lips like she was keeping a secret. And then it all went downhill. She yanked off Cole¡¯s pajama shirt, hugged his waist like a stuffed animal, pressed her palm to his chest, and curled up against him with a sweet, sleepy sigh. ¡°Sleep tight, darling.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s face turned red with embarrassment as the video ended. Yesterday at the wedding banquet, she had given in and taken a tiny ss of wine, mostly to shut up one of the younger cousins who wouldn¡¯t stop pestering her.

    Elliana was well aware she couldn¡¯t handle alcohol. Even worse, drinking usually came with the side effect of sleepwalking. She had thought one little drink seemed harmless at the time, but apparently, the effects had kicked in during the night. Trying to exin that ¡°darling¡± was once the name of her childhood cat wouldn¡¯t help. He¡¯d justugh even harder. No way he¡¯d buy the excuse that she thought she was cuddling a tabby in her sleep.

    Elliana shot Cole a sharp look, choosing not to waste her breath trying to exin. ¡°Let¡¯s say I was sleepwalking. Couldn¡¯t you have at least pushed me aside?¡±

    Coleughed under his breath, eyes twinkling with mischief as he nudged the phone back toward her. ¡°You¡¯re not done yet. y the next one.¡±

    A knot formed in her stomach. Still, she tapped on the next clip with dread.

    In this video, Elliana had been practically glued to Cole, limbs draped around him like some lovesick octopus. From the bed, his voice came through the speaker, low and amused. ¡°Honey, don¡¯t you think this is a little excessive?¡±

    And then came the kicker¡ªshe had smacked his rear and said, ¡°One more word and I¡¯ll spank you even harder!¡±

    L?t??t ?h¦Ápt?rs ??n g??l??ov?l??.????m

    As the screen faded to ck, Elliana sat motionless, cheeks zing. All she wanted was to vanish.

    Laughter spilled from Cole as he leaned over her. ¡°You¡¯re adorably fierce. Throwing threats like that¡­ How was I supposed to resist?¡±

    Enough was enough. With a huff,

    Elliana tore off the covers and sprinted out of the bedroom like the ce was on fire.

    Cole was doubled over withughter, his shoulders bouncing with every breathless chuckle. After diving under the covers and faking sleepst night, he had waited for the inevitable scolding. She had woken up, just as he feared. But instead, she¡¯d given him a night full of surprises.

    In a blur of panic, Elliana darted into the bathroom. She mmed the door, threw the lock, and tugged at her hair like she could wring the embarrassment out. She muttered a string of curses under her breath. If anything, this was a brutal reminder¡ªalcohol was never her friend. She had just started pulling herself together when a knock rattled the door. Cole¡¯s voice drifted in, light and teasing. ¡°Honey, time¡¯s ticking. The elders are waiting to meet us. Better get moving.¡±

    The wealthy Evans family had upheld its numerous traditions for generations. One of the most important came the morning after the wedding, when the newlyweds were expected to greet the elders properly¡ªa small but serious tradition that meant respect had been given and approval earned.

    Elliana didn¡¯t need the reminder. She yanked the door open, determined not to react to the humor dancing in Cole¡¯s eyes. Her cheeks burned as she asked, ¡°What do I wear?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got you covered.¡± He handed over a bag.

    Elliana snatched it, shut the door, and got to work. Shower. Outfit change. A freshyer of makeup to seal the deal.

    But her thoughts drifted, uninvited, back to the night before. Cole had made a move on her. Maybe her makeup hadn¡¯t been terrible enough. So today, she dialed it down even harder, dragging the brush like she meant it.

    Once she was finally dressed, she cracked the door open. Spotting Cole just waiting by the door, she asked, ¡°Where¡¯s my wig?¡±

    Cole gave her face one look and nearly lost hisposure. A twitch of the lip, barely suppressed. Without a word, he handed the wig to her. There was no use pretending anymore. Elliana mmed the tousled wig onto her head right in front of him.

    That made Cole¡¯s eye twitch. ¡°Try not to give my grandpa a heart attack. Maybe ease up on the haunted doll look.¡±

    Before Elliana could throw a word back, Cole grabbed her hand and led her straight out the door.

    The hall downstairs stood prim and polished, every detail already in ce.

    At the head of the long room, Ruben upied the central seat, while Jarrett Evans¡ªCole¡¯s father¡ªsat stiffly at his right. The rest of the n had taken their ces,pleting the somber formation.

    Laughter and murmured conversation had filled the hall, but the moment Cole and Elliana stepped in¡ªhands sped together like they had something to prove¡ªthe entire room stiffened.

    Thanks to the eavesdropper fromst night, Ruben already knew their room hadn¡¯t exactly been quiet. Most in the family didn¡¯t buy into the idea that Cole wouldy a finger on a woman they thought was beneath him. Whispers leaned more toward violence than intimacy. They were expecting to see Elliana limping in, bruised and humiliated. Instead, they got a picture of a peaceful couple. Cole was calm, casual, and utterly at ease.

    A silent wave passed through the room as nces darted from one rtive to another. Had the couple actually had sex? The tension deepened. No one had seen thising¡ªthe pride of the Evans family, apparently into women who didn¡¯t match their glossy standards.

    Either oblivious or uncaring, Cole moved forward without hesitation, gently guiding Elliana by the hand as they began greeting the elders. Ruben¡¯s family tree split into four distinct limbs, with three sons and one daughter, all of whom had built families of their own.

    Jarrett, the firstborn and former leader, had stepped back from leadership when his health began to decline.

    Bertram Evans came next, then Emmanuel Evans, and finally their sister, Eva Evans.

    Tradition demanded that the newlyweds start the greeting trip with the patriarch. Ruben received the first greetings, Jarrett the second. Neither looked thrilled to be served by Elliana, but neither made a scene. They nodded politely and went through the motions.

    Once the formalities were done, the whole family moved to the breakfast table.

    Every seat around the oversized table was filled. As Elliana nced from face to face, the stares felt sharp¡ªsome merely curious, others full of judgment or thinly veiled ridicule. Not a drop of warmth in sight. Not that it fazed her. She sat straight, untouched by their stares.

    Just then, Bertram¡¯s wife, Irene Evans, lifted her chin with a proud tilt and said in a smug, cutting voice, ¡°Elliana, do you realize the entire city is practically counting down the days until Cole ends up a widower?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 7

    ?Chapter 7:

    Elliana had spent the day before doing her homework on the Evans n, and it didn¡¯t take long for her to see that Irene wielded considerable influence.

    Jarrett had led the Evans family in those earlier years, and while tradition dictated the role of matriarch should have gone to his wife, she had disappeared fifteen years ago, leaving nothing behind¡ªnot even a reason. Irene had stepped in before anyone could ask who was next, and she never gave the seat back.

    Even in her forties, Irene looked wless. She had the poise of someone used to being admired, her clothes looked expensive and carefully chosen, and her cold, sculpted features hinted at a woman who calcted every move.

    Elliana could immediately sense the hostility that Irene was hiding behind her polished fa?ade. Still, she feigned ignorance and said, ¡°Actually, I haven¡¯t really kept up with the news these days.¡±

    This response knocked Irene slightly off bnce, like she¡¯d taken a swing and hit nothing but air. She¡¯d been counting on humiliating Elliana in front of everyone. If Elliana lost her cool and rubbed Ruben or Jarrett the wrong way, there¡¯d be no chance anyone would support her as the new matriarch. But Elliana¡¯s answer hadpletely thrown a wrench in her n.

    Taking a deep breath, Irene pressed on. ¡°Let me get straight to the point, Elliana. Cole was supposed to marry Paige. You were ast-minute recement, and that caused a storm online. The gossip¡¯s gotten out of hand, and it¡¯s dragging down the Evans Group¡¯s stock price. Paige has a massive fanbase, and they¡¯re tearing you apart on every tform you can think of. Since you¡¯re now officially Cole¡¯s wife, it falls on you to protect the Evans family¡¯s reputation. Wouldn¡¯t you agree that keeping the Evans name clean is the least you could do?¡±

    There was no mistaking Irene¡¯s message. She wanted Elliana to be the one to sweep up the mess.

    Considering how loud the bacsh had gotten, even a statement from the Evans Group might not be enough to silence it. Irene knew that. This wasn¡¯t just a request¡ªit was a setup dressed as responsibility. Irene dressed her maniption with a smile. ¡°Elliana, I¡¯m only trying to help you grow into your new role. You¡¯re the matriarch now, and managing thisrge family is part of your role.¡±

    Just then, a voice chimed in, clearly disapproving, ¡°What makes her qualified to be the matriarch of the family? This family is packed with schrs and high achievers. How¡¯s someone like her supposed to lead anything? All she knows is how to lounge around and be useless!¡±

    L??€$? ¡é??t??§ñ? ?¦Ç ?@ln?¦Í¨ºl?.¡é??

    The speaker, Jeff Evans, Irene¡¯s young son, might¡¯ve only

    He had been eight, but he already acted like the world owed him something. Spoiled to the bone, he strutted around like a pint-sized dictator.

    Irene¡¯s lips curled into a pleased smirk as she gave her son quiet praise¡ªJeff always knew just what to say, like a well-trained echo of her own thoughts.

    As Jeff¡¯s cruel words echoed in the room, a few people exchanged amused looks or muttered under their breath. A poised young woman interjected with a sugar-coated tone, ¡°Jeff, that¡¯s not how we speak to family. Elliana is Cole¡¯s wife, and she deserves our respect.¡±

    Turning to Elliana, she offered a warm, practiced smile. ¡°Please don¡¯t take it personally, Elliana. Jeff is just a kid. He doesn¡¯t know any better.¡± At first nce, it seemed like she hade to Elliana¡¯s defense. But the real move? She had cornered Elliana. Any reaction now would make Elliana look small for pping back at a kid. What a cunning move. This young woman knew exactly how to y the game.

    Elliana turned her gaze toward the voice, steady and unbothered, already knowing who it belonged to. That was Trinity Craig¡ªthe girl the Evans family had taken in as their own. She was a senior at Kant High School, busy getting ready for her SATs.

    Trinity¡¯s grandmother had shared a strong friendship with Ruben¡¯s wife, Diane Evans. Over the years, their families grew tightly connected through business. It wasn¡¯t unusual for them to host events side by side, keeping those ties alive.

    Trinity had been raised like a princess in the Evans home, practically one of their own. She¡¯d grown up with the boys and held a special ce in Diane¡¯s heart, which only made her shine brighter in everyone else¡¯s eyes.

    Everyone knew the whispers. The older generation had always hoped to unite the two families through marriage. All it would take was for one Evans boy to fall for Trinity.

    After years of staying two steps ahead of Kiara and her daughter, Elliana had learned how to catch the smallest signs of a hidden motive. It took her no time at all to see past Trinity¡¯s soft-spoken charm and picture-perfect manners. Trinity had her sights set on Cole. No surprise there¡ªof course, Trinity saw her aspetition.

    ¡°You¡¯re being way too nice, Trinity!¡± Jeff sneered and red at Elliana like she was something stuck to his shoe. ¡°That woman is not good enough to deserve my respect anyway.¡±

    Up until now, Cole had remained silent, his demeanor as icy as ever. At Jeff¡¯s words, his stare turned sharp, and he challenged, ¡°If my wife doesn¡¯t deserve your respect, then maybe I don¡¯t either. Is that what you meant?¡±

    His words weren¡¯t shouted, and his tone stayed calm, but the pressure behind them hit hard. Jeff¡¯s confidence cracked instantly. ¡°C-Cole, that¡¯s not what I meant¡­¡±

    Jeff could talk back to anyone in the family¡ªexcept Cole. That was the one line he never dared to cross.

    Turning to Irene next, Cole said without hesitation, ¡°It¡¯s my job to guide Elliana and help her adapt to the role of the matriarch. All you need to do is take care of the transition. Wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡± He didn¡¯t say the words outright, but the meaning was crystal clear¡ªstay out of it.

    With a stiff smile, Irene replied, ¡°You¡¯re right. I guess I got a little ahead of myself.¡±

    As the chosen sessor and eldest grandson, Cole held the upper hand.

    Every time Irene tried to push back, she ended up biting her tongue, seething beneath aposed face.

    Nobody in that room thought Cole would stand up for Elliana, especially not with that kind of force. The shock was enough to shut everyone up.

    After watching Cole silence the entire table with a handful of sharp remarks, Elliana finally broke her silence. Her voice was calm as she said, ¡°Irene has a point. As the family¡¯s matriarch, I should take charge. I¡¯ll handle the online mess myself.¡±

    Irene smirked derisively while others exchanged scornful looks. Everyone had the same thought¡ªElliana was overtly confident andpletely clueless about the challenge. They were just waiting for her to fail.

    But Cole? He looked genuinely curious. Something in his eyes said he was waiting to see what Elliana would do next.

    Just then, Ruben broke his silence. His voice cut through the tension like a de. ¡°Elliana, there¡¯s something crucial I¡¯m entrusting to you. You can¡¯t afford to fail. Understand?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 8

    ?Chapter 8:

    The second Ruben brought up Elliana¡¯s name, the energy in the room shifted. Conversations quieted, and heads turned. Elliana caught on quickly, setting her utensils down and straightening in her seat, herposure calm and deferential.

    Though his eyes held warmth, Ruben spoke with the kind ofmand that left no room for argument¡ªhis voice carried the weight of years and power. ¡°Elliana, you were pulled into this marriage against your will. The public scandal surrounding the Evans family isn¡¯t something you caused, and it¡¯s not something that can reasonably be ced on your shoulders to repair. You don¡¯t need to carry the weight of that burden.¡±

    Still, Irene did have a point. The matriarch of this family should have both integrity and ability. It can¡¯t be someone who neverpleted elementary school. Because of that gap in your education, I¡¯m giving you one year to catch up. I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re enrolled in the best school, and by next summer, you¡¯ll need to take the SATs and earn a ce at a university.¡±

    The silence that followed was sharp. Eyes flicked across the table, unreadable, cautious. The unspoken thought echoed in every mind at that table¡ªhow could someone with only a primary education pull off SATs in twelve months? Even Trinity, the star student, wouldn¡¯t pull that off in such a short time, let alone Elliana, the seemingly good-for-nothing. This task made their recent PR nightmares look like child¡¯s y. They could practically see the headlines¡ªElliana failing spectacrly, dragging the Evans name through the mud.

    Still, seeing how fiercely Cole had defended Elliana earlier, no one was bold enough to voice their thoughts.

    Even Jarrett, everposed, looked uneasy. ¡°Dad, isn¡¯t that a bit much to expect from her?¡±

    Ruben paused and then gave a slow nod. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s hard. But the woman who leads this family must endure pressure. If she can¡¯t handle this, how will she guide a household asrge andplicated as ours?¡±

    Trinity¡¯s eyes gleamed for the briefest second before she slipped on a sugar-sweet smile. ¡°Elliana, you see, Ruben clearly has faith in you. If you ever hit a wall with your studies, I¡¯d be happy to help anytime.¡±

    Your escape begins with ga ln ov els .

    ¡°I won¡¯t be needing that.¡± Elliana shifted her attention to Ruben, her expression calm and unwavering. ¡°Ruben, I may not have attended school recently, but I¡¯ve been studying on my own. I want to sit for this year¡¯s SATs.¡±

    The room froze. All eyes snapped to her, stunned. With barely a week left before the SATs, was she actually serious? Even Ruben, always the picture ofposure, raised his brows in disbelief.

    Elliana simply gave a quiet smile and added, ¡°You heard correctly.¡± Honestly, the notion that taking the SATs had never crossed Elliana¡¯s mind. But since Ruben had set the challenge, she wouldn¡¯t back down. Thankfully, registration was still open this year¡ªotherwise, she¡¯d be starting high school at twenty.

    Ruben studied her carefully, then gave a slow nod and turned to Cole. ¡°Have her registered to take the SATs at Kant High School.¡±

    ¡°Understood,¡± Cole replied, his eyes settling on Elliana. Something about her quiet confidence lifted his mood¡ªunexpected, but wee. Once the meal ended, Ruben looked over at Elliana with a gentler tone. ¡°Do you have a study n? I could set up a tutor if you¡¯d prefer.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of the studying myself,¡± Elliana replied with quiet assurance. ¡°But today¡­ I want to visit my family.¡±

    Her calm reply surprised Ruben¡ªhe had expected the kind of intensity Trinity showed for the uing SATs. Words almost left his mouth, but he bit them back. Family matters came first, and he understood that much.

    ¡°Considering all that happened yesterday, it¡¯s probably best you go back and smooth things over with your family,¡± Ruben said. ¡°Take Cole with you.¡±

    Ruben didn¡¯t give her time to respond. He called Cole over immediately. ¡°Put together something thoughtful for the Jones family. Make it generous.¡±

    Elliana parted her lips to object, but before she could get a word out, Cole had already reached for her hand. ¡°Come on. Let¡¯s go.¡±

    With no better option, Elliana bid Ruben farewell and followed Cole out the door. The moment they were beyond earshot, she slipped her hand from his. ¡°You don¡¯t need to babysit me. I can grab a cab and go on my own.¡±

    Without warning, Cole¡¯s arm slid around her shoulders, drawing her tightly against him.

    Then, Cole began walking alongside her toward the car. ¡°The agreement, remember? We¡¯ve got to keep up the act. You¡¯ll need to help me keep the other women at bay, and we¡¯ve got to make sure my grandpa stays pleased, too.¡±

    He didn¡¯t wait for a reply¡ªjust opened the door and motioned for her to get in.

    Though his tone rubbed her the wrong way, Elliana let it slide. He had agreed to her conditions, and for now, they seemed to be finding a rhythm that didn¡¯t involve shing swords.

    Soon, the vehicle eased away from the gates of the Evans estate.

    Inside the quiet car, the faint scent of Cole¡¯s cologne lingered between them. It wrapped around Elliana like a memory¡ªone that brought the entire mortifying blur ofst night rushing back, heating her face instantly. Sure, nothing actually happened¡ªbut she had undressed him, curled up against him, and stayed there the whole night. It was beyond embarrassing.

    Wanting to escape the awkwardness, she closed her eyes and faked sleep. But the hum of the engine and the warmth of the seat lulled her. Before long, sleep began to tug at her for real, though her mind stubbornly kept reying scenes from the night before.

    ¡°What¡¯s running through your mind? You¡¯re blushing so much!¡± Cole¡¯s words snapped her eyes open, dragging her back to reality. Only then did she notice¡ªthey weren¡¯t moving anymore. The car had stopped.

    She found herself leaning against him, his hand steady at her waist, one fingerzily tracing the curve of her lip. His voice dipped low, smooth, and full of mischief. ¡°Honey, didn¡¯t you just beg me for hugs, kisses, and to be lifted into the air like a princess? Want me to do so right here?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 9

    ?Chapter 9:

    Elliana was still half-asleep when Cole leaned in and nted a soft kiss on her lips. Her heart did a backflip the moment their lips touched, her longshes fluttering like a startled butterfly. Just like that, her first kiss was history.

    Cole pulled back, locking eyes with her. ¡°Was that enough?¡±

    Elliana¡¯s eyes zed with fury as she shot him a re. ¡°We justid down the rules. Why are you pulling this crap again?¡±

    ¡°Wasn¡¯t it your request?¡± Cole gave her an innocent look and pointed out the window. ¡°I figured you had some big reason, so I yed along.¡±

    Elliana followed his gaze and realized they were already parked outside the Jones family estate.

    She whipped her eyes back to him, still steaming. ¡°Why the heck would I ask for that?¡±

    Without a word, Cole handed her his phone.

    Another video recording? Elliana frowned, baffled by his obsession with recording everything. Grabbing the phone, she hit y.

    The video showed Cole focused on driving while she dozed against the car window. Then, out of nowhere, she mumbled, ¡°Come here, darling, give me a kiss and a hug¡­¡±

    Elliana stared at the screen, stunned into silence. She wanted to exin she was dreaming of her cat, not Cole. But there was no way he¡¯d believe her, so why bother? She could only grit her teeth. Honestly, losing her first kiss like this was what she brought on herself. Still, the more she stewed, the madder she got. Who knew one tiny drink from yesterday would hit her so hard? Even a nap turned into a trainwreck. She shoved the phone back at him and climbed out of the car.

    Cole watched her slender figure walk away, his throat tightening. How could her lips be that soft, that sweet?

    Despite the awkwardness, Elliana forced herself to turn and wave. ¡°Thanks for the lift. Catch youter.¡±

    Quick as a sh, Cole reached through the open window, snagged her phone, tapped a few things, and handed it back. His voice was low and smooth. ¡°Call me if you need me.¡±

    Stay updated g?ln¦Ò¦Íe??s

    Elliana nced at her screen. His number was saved, and he was now her contact on the social tform.

    ¡°I¡¯ll swing by to pick you upter.¡± With that, he sped down the road.

    Elliana pocketed her phone and headed toward the Jones family house. Upstairs, Paige had been glued to the window, watching the whole scene, a storm brewing in her chest. She had stayed up all night, hoping for the news that Elliana had been murdered and Cole had be single again. But instead of a scandal, she saw Cole personally dropping Elliana off, the two of them looking way too chummy. As Cole¡¯s car vanished, Paige¡¯s eyes filled with tears, her nails digging into her palms. She couldn¡¯t make sense of it. Why would Cole go along with this farce? Didn¡¯t he care that Elliana was just average? If he really didn¡¯t mind, then what was she supposed to do now? Panic set in, bubbling just beneath her skin. Paige stormed off in search of Kiara.

    As Paige stomped into the living room, Elliana stepped through the front door. Paige¡¯s face twisted in rage as she hissed, ¡°Elliana, you two-faced snake. What sick game did you y to hook Cole?¡±

    Elliana wasn¡¯t here to trade insults. She had juste to collect her mother¡¯s things. Thus, she chose to throw a quick jab at Paige. ¡°Paige, you must have forgotten. I didn¡¯t lift a finger, and then Cole became my husband. Believe me, I¡¯d love to pull a few tricks, but I just didn¡¯t get the chance¡­¡±

    And with that, she breezed past Paige and started up the stairs. Still, she couldn¡¯t resist twisting the knife. ¡°Oh, and just so you know¡ªCole and I slept togetherst night. What can I say? That body, that strength, those skills¡­ Paige, it¡¯s a shame you¡¯ll never get to experience that.¡± Elliana disappeared around the corner, leaving Paige seething behind her.

    Upstairs, Elliana could still hear Paige¡¯s unhinged scream echoing. Smiling, she stepped into the room where her mother¡¯s belongings were kept. But the sight before her made her heart sink.

    Rita, Elliana¡¯s mother and a medical prodigy, had always been sensible, never one to cause drama. Even when she discovered Darin had an affair and even an illegitimate daughter, she had decided against confrontation, choosing instead to pour herself into researching medical treatments.

    Then one night, a fire had torn through the Jones family home. Acting decisively, Rita had dragged Elliana to safety, whispered a few final words, and run back into the mes, never to return.

    The world had written Rita off as dead, but Elliana didn¡¯t buy it. She knew, deep in her soul, her mother was still out there somewhere. She was determined to find her mother. And she¡¯d uncover the truth behind that fire, no matter how long it took.

    Rita¡¯s keepsakes were few¡ªa photograph and a handful of treasured items.

    Elliana gathered them with care. Nothing would be left behind.

    Meanwhile, downstairs, Paige had found Kiara and burst into tears. ¡°Mom, what do I do now?¡±

    Kiara¡¯s gaze darkened, like a brewing storm. ¡°Be patient. Once we capture thosepromising photos of Elliana and spread them online, let¡¯s see how long the Evans family holds onto those absurd traditions.¡±

    Paige blinked in shock. ¡°What are you nning?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll do this¡­¡± Kiara leaned in and whispered something into Paige¡¯s ear. Paige¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Mom, get more guys involved. I want Elliana ruined. Utterly destroyed!¡±

    Just then, Elliana walked back down the stairs. Kiara was quick to ster on a warm, sugary smile and said, ¡°Elliana, darling, I reserved a private room at the Royal Club. Let¡¯s have a family dinner to celebrate your recent marriage.¡±

    Elliana smiled sweetly, seemingly unaware of the trap beingid. ¡°Sounds wonderful.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 10

    ?Chapter 10:

    In a tucked-away private room of the Royal Club, Cole lounged on the sofa, legs crossed, cool as a cucumber. Across from him, his three friends¡ªAn Shaw, Merlin kely, and Manley Swain¡ªgawked at him, their minds buzzing with thoughts over his recent marriage to Elliana.

    In Ublento, the Evans, Shaw, kely, and Swain families were the big names. Aside from being Cole¡¯s tight-knit crew, An, Merlin, and Manley were the heirs to their respective legacies.

    After watching Cole in silence for a bit, Manley¡¯s eyes sparkled with mischief. ¡°Cole, you¡¯ve been sitting there, not eating, not drinking, and not even sparking up a smoke. Don¡¯t tell me that Elliana, that so-called in Jane, has you in a depressive slump?¡±

    Manley then let out a dramatic sigh. ¡°You¡¯re too straiced, man. All those family rules and traditions are weighing you down. If it were me, no way I¡¯d sign up for that! If they tried to stick me with someone that in, I¡¯d rather have my head lopped off and tossed to my grandpa for a game of kickball!¡±

    An lifted his ss, a sly grin tugging at his lips. ¡°Cole, if you¡¯re really feeling that down, we¡¯ll drink with you until you forget your own name.¡±

    Cole flicked his eyes toward them, hiszy nce screaming, ¡°Why do you guys think I¡¯m down in the dumps?¡±

    Cole hadn¡¯t touched food, drink, or cigarettes because he was still savoring the sweet memory of that kiss lingering on his lips. No way was he washing that away.

    Unlike the mischievous Manley, An had a sleek, polished vibe. He sipped his drink slowly, his smile sharp. ¡°Looks like we got worried for nothing.¡±

    At that, Merlin leaned back on the sofa, eyes shut, stealing a quick catnap. Having retired from the international special forces, he had a frosty, intimidating aura. He wasn¡¯t much for chit-chat, blunt as a sledgehammer, and frankly, not the life of the party.

    Cole didn¡¯t bother to exin anything. As he casually nced over, his eyes caught Elliana strolling in, nked by Kiara and Paige.

    ¡°Is Elliana really that naive?¡± Manley snorted. ¡°Kiara and Paige were out for her blood yesterday, and now she followed them here? Isn¡¯t she worried they¡¯ll sell her down the river? What a dope!¡±

    Manley flicked his cigarette away and stood. ¡°Cole, like it or not, she¡¯s your wife now. If she gets into trouble, it¡¯s your name on the line. I¡¯m going to grab her and bring her over.¡±

    Cole shot him a calm look. ¡°Sit down and mind your own business.¡±

    Manley blinked. ¡°What? You want Kiara and Paige to end Elliana and make you a widower?¡±

    An¡¯s calm voice cut in. ¡°Cole¡¯s not that guy. If he¡¯s staying out of it, he¡¯s got a n. Let¡¯s just kick back and see what happens.¡±

    Manley shrugged. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll check the cameras.¡±

    Merlin didn¡¯t even crack an eye,pletely checked out.

    Elliana, meanwhile, trailed the Jones family into a private room. Darin, who¡¯d always treated Elliana like she was invisible, suddenly turned into Mr. Hospitality. ¡°Elliana, order whatever you want tonight. It¡¯s on me.¡±

    Elliana found itughably ironic. For fifteen years, Darin hadn¡¯t given her the time of day, letting Kiara torment and humiliate her while she was stuck in some crumbling shack out back. She could¡¯ve keeled over and rotted for months before anyone noticed. Now, out of the blue, he was ying doting dad? He just wanted to milk her Evans family connection for all it was worth.

    Kiara slid a cup of coffee her way with a smile faker than a three-dor bill. ¡°Elliana, have some coffee.¡±

    Elliana gave a faint smile. Kiara wanted her six feet under, yet here Kiara was, ying sweet stepmom. Did they really think she¡¯d fall for it and drink?

    ¡°Thanks.¡± As Elliana took the cup, she smoothly nudged another one toward Kiara. ¡°You should have some too.¡±

    ¡°Oh, absolutely,¡± Kiara said, keeping her smile stered on as she sipped from her cup. ¡°This coffee¡¯s pretty good. Elliana, go on, drink yours.¡±

    Elliana smiled and knocked back the coffee in one fluid gulp.

    Paige, watching from the sidelines, was practically vibrating with glee, waiting for the show to start.

    Over in the other room, Manley was glued to the surveince feed. He bolted upright. ¡°Yo, did you see that? Elliana swapped the coffee cups!¡±

    An raised an eyebrow, amused. ¡°Slick move.¡±

    Manley spun toward Cole, eyes gleaming. ¡°Cole, your in Jane might have some brains after all.¡±

    Cole¡¯s lips twitched into a faint smile.

    Merlin, finally curious, sat up and shuffled over to the screen for a better look.

    Just then, on the feed, Elliana pressed a hand to her forehead. ¡°I¡¯m feeling woozy¡­¡± She didn¡¯t even finish before face-nting onto the table.

    Kiara and Paige both smirked, smug as cats who¡¯d just had cream. Darin, still in the dark, frowned. ¡°What¡¯d you give her?¡±

    Kiara tilted her chin up, her perfectly made-up face beaming with pride. ¡°Yup, spiked her coffee. We¡¯re about to send her upstairs with a few guys, snap some juicy photos, and ssh them all over the inte. That¡¯ll sink her for good!¡±

    Seeing Darin¡¯s frown deepen, Kiara pressed further. ¡°Darin, you can¡¯t seriously think she¡¯s gonna bring us any benefit. She¡¯ll only make the Evans family hate us and drag us through the mud! Our future¡¯s riding on Paige. Only Paige can lock down Cole!¡±

    Hearing this, Darin¡¯s doubts melted away. ¡°Alright. Do it neatly. No loose ends. She¡¯s still Mrs. Evans, after all.¡±

    Kiara¡¯s smile turned cold. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve got this handled.¡± Soon enough, Elliana was carted off to a private room.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 11

    ?Chapter 11:

    Elliana didn¡¯t move a muscle, ying the part of a sleeping doll. Only after the soft click of the closing door did she allow her eyes to flutter open. t on her back in a bed that wasn¡¯t hers, she stared nkly at the ceiling, the cruelughter echoing in her thoughts¡ªcold, bitter, and all her own.

    Whatever lingering hope she¡¯d held for Darin had just been snuffed out. She had wasted years longing for fatherly love that had never existed. Each time they met, it felt like reopening the same wound.

    Years ago, Darin had been nothing more than a struggling doctor from a small town, barely making ends meet. Kiara, his first love, hadn¡¯t hesitated to dump him for a man with deeper pockets and a deed to his name.

    Later, Darin had taken Rita¡¯s research¡ªher brilliance¡ªand turned it into an empire. The Jones Group rose on the shoulders of her work. And once he¡¯d made it, he discarded both Rita and Elliana and crawled back to Kiara without shame.

    Not only had Darin been heartless toward Rita, but now he was offering up Elliana like a pawn to be sacrificed. That was the final crack for her. Whatever bond once existed had snapped. She was done calling him ¡°father.¡± If he wanted a show, she¡¯d give them one. And when the curtain fell, she¡¯d make sure they were the ones left scorched.

    The door creaked open again. A group of lecherous men stepped in, each one recoiling in theatrical disgust at the sight of Elliana on the bed.

    ¡°¡®This gig¡¯s a joke. We¡¯re supposed to screw her and snap pictures? That¡¯s trauma I¡¯m not getting paid enough for.''¡±

    ¡°¡®Shut up. The Jones family¡¯s paying three times the usual. Suck it up and think of the cash.''¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s got a decent body at least. Just close your eyes and pretend it¡¯s someone else.¡±

    While crude jokes bounced around the room, belts loosened, and shirts started hitting the floor.

    Keep reading g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    Meanwhile, in another room, Manley shot up from his seat and jabbed a finger at theputer screen. ¡°¡®Cole, are we seriously watching this go down? You¡¯re not going to stop it?''¡±

    Manley waited for a reaction, any reaction¡ªbut Cole only reclined in his chair, expression unreadable, fingers pressed together in thought.

    With a frown and a glint of amusement, Manley flopped back into his seat. ¡°So this is your n? Let your wife get dragged through hell just to cut her loose? Thought you cared about your name. When the headlines crown you the king of cuckolds, how about letting me be the first to sit down with you for the full story?¡±

    Cole shot Manley a re cold enough to freeze him in ce. ¡°Say one more word and I¡¯ll make sure it¡¯s yourst.¡±

    Before anyone could react, loud crashing erupted from theputer speakers. Heads whipped toward the screen¡ªonly to see Elliana explode into motion. In a blur of strikes and counterattacks, she floored every man in the room. Her movements were sharp, fluid, lethal¡ªlike watching a trained operative dismantle a dozen fools in seconds.

    Manley¡¯s mouth hung open. ¡°What the hell? I thought she was some fragile little flower¡ªdoes that look fragile to you?¡±

    An turned to Cole, realization dawning in his eyes¡ªlike he¡¯d just connected a trail of clues that had been in front of him all along.

    Merlin¡¯s eyes sharpened as he watched the screen. Every instinct he¡¯d honed as a soldier roared to life¡ªthis wasn¡¯t just some ordinary woman.

    With thest lecherous man unconscious on the floor, Elliana tilted her head toward the surveince camera. A flicker of realization crossed her face. She reached into her pocket, pulled out her phone, and started typing quickly.

    Within seconds, the screen in the surveince room went pitch ck. ¡°What the¡ª¡± Manley scrambled to the keyboard. ¡°No way. The whole system¡¯s been wiped! Who the hell had the guts to hack into my family business¡¯swork like this?¡±

    Without a word, Cole rose to his feet and strode out, his expression unreadable.

    Back in the room, Elliana slipped her phone back into her pocket and moved toward the door. She paused to check the peephole.

    Sure enough, the hallway was crawling with Kiara¡¯s guards. They weren¡¯t just loitering¡ªthey were stationed. Once she left through that door, they¡¯d know.

    Elliana didn¡¯t waste a second. She hurried back to the bathroom, pushed the window open, and climbed out without hesitation. Her hands gripped the drainpipe as she descended carefully, inch by inch, before sliding herself into a narrow venttion opening on the far side of the building.

    Right as Elliana was about to leap down, she went rigid. Standing in the hallway, tall as ever and twice as furious, was Cole.

    Elliana¡¯s breath caught. ¡°Why are you here?¡± she asked, stunned.

    Cole didn¡¯t bother answering. With a storm brewing behind his eyes, he marched forward, grabbed her by the waist, and lifted her off the windowsill like she weighed nothing.

    Elliana barely had time to catch her breath, let alone speak, before he spun her around and pinned her wrist to the wall. The sudden motion jarred her spine against the cold surface, drawing a sharp inhale from her lips.

    ¡°What is wrong with you?¡± Elliana snapped, ring up at him, irritation sparking in her voice.

    Cole stepped in, his chest nearly flush with hers, the wall at her back, frustration written in every taut line of his body. ¡°Seventeenth floor. Climbing walls like it¡¯s some action film. Have you lost your mind?¡± Getting caught had never been part of Elliana¡¯s n. Judging by the fire in his eyes, he was more than angry¡ªhe was furious. Her teeth caught her lower lip, buying her a second to think. Then, chin high, she looked away from him. ¡°Whatever I do is my own business. You don¡¯t get to interfere. We agreed¡ªyour life, my life, separate. That was the deal.¡±

    Not his business? She actually had the nerve to say that out loud? Cole¡¯s expression darkened, his jaw clenched. He was her husband, damn it¡ªand she expected him to stand by while she dangled off buildings like a lunatic? Unbelievable. The nerve of this woman was almost impressive. Every inch of her screamed defiance. Maybe it was time she remembered what it meant to be his wife.

    Elliana could sense the tension rolling off Cole, his fury almost crackling in the space between them. Her heart gave a nervous jolt. She figured she might have gone a step too far this time and decided it was probably wise not to stir the beast any more than she already had. shing a quick, nervous smile, she tilted her head up. ¡°Let¡¯s just¡­¡±

    Before the sentence even finished, Cole silenced her the only way he knew how¡ªhis mouth crashed down onto hers, wild, forceful, and utterly unforgiving.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 12

    ?Chapter 12:

    Trailing behind Cole were An, Merlin, and Manley. The three of them froze in ce the moment they caught sight of what was happening. Manley could hardly believe his eyes. ¡°Hold on, are my eyes ying tricks on me, or is Cole actually kissing that in Jane? Cole¡¯s never once shown the slightest interest in women for years. And now he¡¯s all over Elliana? This is unreal. It¡¯spletely shattering everything I thought I knew.¡±

    Spinning toward his friends, Manley threw his hands up. ¡°Seriously? Is anyone gonnament, or am I losing my mind alone?¡±

    An loosened his tie, clearly rattled. ¡°Yeah¡­ I didn¡¯t see thising either.¡±

    Merlin said nothing. His gaze, sharp and unreadable, stayed locked on the scene, his thoughts racing.

    Elliana had no chance to brace herself. The kiss wasn¡¯t soft or tentative¡ªCole deepened it before she could react, his tongue slipping past her defenses as if he¡¯d done this a hundred times. Heat surged through her like a shockwave, scattering her thoughts and instincts. It was unfamiliar, intoxicating, andpletely short-circuited her ability to resist.

    By the time her mind caught up, the kiss had already left its mark¡ªher lips buzzed, her breath uneven. Hands shaking, she pressed against his chest and tried to shove him away. ¡°You¡¯re way out of line. Who told you kissing me was okay?¡±

    Cole finally let her breathe but didn¡¯t release her. Holding her close, his voice dropped to a steady, deliberate tone. ¡°Now tell me, honey¡ªdo I have the right to get involved in your business?¡±

    Elliana¡¯s thoughts were still scrambled, but she managed to re at him. ¡°Back off. You¡¯re one step away from pushing me too far.¡±

    Cole chuckled, amused. ¡°Oh? What¡¯s your next move then? nning to knock me out like you did those losers in the other room?¡±

    Elliana stilled, the realization dawning in her eyes¡ªhe¡¯d watched everything from the surveince footage. ¡°If you want to find out firsthand, I¡¯d be more than willing to demonstrate.¡±

    ???? ??????? ?? ?????????.???

    No sooner had the words left her lips than Elliana sprang into motion. She wasn¡¯t naive¡ªCole had skill. That much was obvious from what she¡¯d witnessed the night before. But today gave her a chance to test the waters, to see who truly held the upper hand if they ever went toe-to-toe again.

    Right before things could escte, Manley darted between them, waving his arms like a referee. ¡°Alright, timeout! You¡¯re newlyweds, not cage fighters. Save the tension for a steamy reunion. Let¡¯s go cool off with a drink, yeah?¡±

    Reluctantly, they all headed back to the private room, the tension still crackling in the air. After witnessing everything just now, Manley didn¡¯t dare say another bad word about Elliana. In fact, he suddenly found himself on his best behavior, as if Elliana were royalty. Since Cole was on her side, looks didn¡¯t matter. Affiliation with Cole alonemanded respect¡ªand he wasn¡¯t stupid enough to test that.

    As soon as they sat down, Manley jumped to pour Elliana a drink.

    ¡°Here you go, something to take the edge off.¡±

    Elliana offered a polite smile and lowered her gaze. ¡°I don¡¯t drink.¡± Without a word, Cole reached for the juice, filled a ss, and slid it over to her. She epted it calmly and took a slow sip.

    The men across from them froze, speechless. Cole¡ªMr. Untouchable himself¡ªhad just served someone a drink. Willingly. And not just anyone¡ªElliana, the woman they¡¯d all written off as in and forgettable.

    The couple couldn¡¯t have looked more mismatched. Cole exuded polish and power, while Elliana, in their eyes, looked painfully out of ce. Yet, here they were, sitting together, intimate, aligned, and entirely unfazed by how it looked.

    Grinning now, Manley leaned across the table, curiosity gleaming in his eyes as he said, ¡°So, Elliana¡­ Rumor has it you¡¯ve been stuck in the back room for years. Where¡¯d you learn to fight like that?¡±

    ¡°Self-taught,¡± Elliana said smoothly, her faint smile giving away nothing.

    Not for a second did Manley believe her. That kind of skill didn¡¯te from watching TV or sparring in a basement. But one nce at Cole¡ªand at Elliana¡¯s calm expression¡ªtold him to drop it. This was one mystery better left untouched.

    Without a word, Merlin tilted back his ss and emptied it in a single swallow. The next moment, he snapped his wrist¡ªand the wine ss flew through the air, aimed directly at Elliana¡¯s face.

    An and Manley paled instantly. The move hade out of nowhere, too fast to predict and far too fast to stop.

    Merlin had once ranked among the elite in international special forces, and his aim was nothing short of lethal. If that ss struck Elliana, the oue would be far from pleasant.

    But inches from Elliana¡¯s skin, a hand cut through the air and caught the ss mid-flight.

    Cole had moved first. He always did. No hesitation. He clenched his fist and shattered the ss with a sickening crack, shards cascading to the floor. His re pinned Merlin like a steel de. ¡°What the hell was that?¡±

    They¡¯d been friends since they were kids, bonded through years of battle and blood¡ªbut never before had the air between them been this close to breaking.

    Elliana, meanwhile, stayed perfectly calm. She¡¯d sensed Merlin¡¯s attacking and had every confidence she could¡¯ve dodged it. But deep down, she¡¯d also known Cole wouldn¡¯t let anything happen to her, so she¡¯d stayed right where she was.

    Unbothered by the fury aimed at him, Merlin gave a casual shrug. ¡°Take it easy. Ms. Marsh fights like someone who¡¯s seenbat despite her im of self-teaching. That kind of reflex? Doesn¡¯t just show up on its own. I wanted to test the truth.¡±

    Cole¡¯s jaw tightened. His voice dropped to a growl as he said, ¡°You really expect me to buy that garbage?¡±

    ¡°Cole, she¡¯s dangerous,¡± Merlin said, voice clipped and steady. ¡°My instincts don¡¯t lie, and everything about her sets off rms¡ªsharp and deadly ones. You really believe a person locked in a storage room for fifteen years just happened toe out with that kind of skill? There¡¯s got to be hiddenyers we can¡¯t even begin to guess at! That marriage of yours was suspicious from day one. Keep her around, and you¡¯re practically inviting chaos.¡±

    Merlin paused, his eyes sharp and unyielding. ¡°And let¡¯s not overlook what happened to your father¡­¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 13

    ?Chapter 13:

    The public might¡¯ve been clueless, but Cole¡¯s inner circle knew the real story about his parents.

    Years ago, Cole¡¯s dad, Jarrett, had returned from overseas with a woman named Sophie Seydoux on his arm. He dropped the bombshell¡ªhe was marrying her. Sophie was a knockout, seemingly perfect, but she was a total enigma¡ªno family, no past, a nk te. In the Evans family, an heir¡¯s wife had toe from a solid, traceable background. Ruben and Diane had been dead set against it. But Jarrett doubled down, threatening to walk away from his inheritance if they didn¡¯t approve of Sophie. In the end, Ruben and Diane caved.

    Thankfully, Sophie kept a low profile after the wedding. She ran the household like a pro, stayed out of the spotlight, and was tight with Jarrett. Soon after, they had Cole.

    But fifteen years ago, Sophie vanished into thin air. One day she was there, then the next, poof, gone¡ªlike she¡¯d been erased.

    Jarrett had been gutted. He searched high and low, but she was nowhere to be found. The years of heartache and exhaustion broke him. Now, he was seriously ill.

    After Merlin¡¯s words, Cole¡¯s temper cooled a bit. But he didn¡¯t take Merlin¡¯s advice. His voice stayed steady, unyielding. ¡°That¡¯s thest time.¡±

    With that, Cole grabbed Elliana¡¯s hand and strode off.

    Watching them go, Merlin¡¯s brows knitted, powerless to change Cole¡¯s mind.

    An let out a soft sigh. ¡°Cole¡¯s always marched to his own beat. We can fret all we want, but it¡¯s no use. He¡¯ll sort it out his way.¡±

    Manley, though, shed a grin. ¡°I don¡¯t know, guys. I¡¯m kinda digging this. Haven¡¯t you noticed? Cole¡¯s finally got some spark back.¡± An and Merlin swapped a nce and nodded. Manley had a point. Cole was usually a closed book, cold as stone. But today? Something was different.

    Manley rubbed his chin. ¡°Elliana might not be attractive, but she¡¯s got something. No way Cole would be into her otherwise. I¡¯m dying to figure out her deal.¡±

    An and Merlin didn¡¯t say a word, but deep down, they were just as curious.

    The newest releases are at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    Outside the room, Elliana yanked her hand free. ¡°Enough. We need to talk.¡±

    Cole stopped, his piercing gaze locking onto her determined eyes.

    Elliana held his stare, her voice firm. ¡°What was that kiss about?¡± She couldn¡¯t shake it. That morning¡¯s kiss had been light, all for show, but the recent one? It felt real.

    Cole¡¯s lips curved into a slow, teasing smirk. ¡°You can climb into my bed and snuggle up, but I can¡¯t steal a kiss? Sounds like a raw deal to me. That kiss was just you paying me back.¡±

    He thought it was unfair and did it because of that? Elliana was floored. Of all the things he could say, that was his excuse? She¡¯d never met someone so downright bizarre. Keeping her cool, she forced a tight smile. ¡°Your friend¡¯s right. You should steer clear of me. It¡¯s safer for both of us.¡±

    Cole¡¯s eyes glinted with a dark, yful edge. He reached out and gave her cheek a gentle pinch. ¡°In my world, you could be the most dangerous woman on the and do whatever you damn well please.¡±

    Before she could blink, Cole grabbed her hand again and started walking, tugging her along.

    His strides were long, his grip like iron. Elliana had to hustle to keep up.

    ¡°Where are we going now?¡±

    ¡°Home.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t. I¡¯ve got things to handle.¡±

    ¡°Like what?¡±

    ¡°Cleaning up your family¡¯s PR mess.¡± Cole stopped dead in his tracks.

    Elliana whipped out her phone and started dialing. ¡°Hello? I¡¯ve got a tip you¡¯re gonna want to hear¡­¡±

    Back in a private room, Paige and Kiara were getting antsy. They¡¯d been waiting forever for those scandalous photos of Elliana to drop, but nothing came through.

    ¡°Mom, what¡¯s the holdup?¡± Paige asked, her nerves fraying.

    Kiara frowned, checking her phone. No reply. ¡°I¡¯m going upstairs to see what¡¯s taking so damn long.¡±

    Saying this, Kiara left the room. As she moved, something felt off. A wave of heat hit her, her skin prickling as if it were on fire. Her head spun, and a strange, wired energy coursed through her. She brushed it off, ming stress from Elliana and too many sleepless nights, and kept heading for the elevator.

    The elevator was across the dance floor, forcing her to weave through the crowd.

    The club was dark, sultry, with slow, sensual music pulsing through the air. Couples swayed close, locked in tight embraces, lips brushing skin, whispers trading heat.

    Kiara¡¯s breath caught. Something wild stirred inside her, a hunger she couldn¡¯t quite pin down. Her body burned, her mind fogged, and suddenly, she was gliding through the dance floor like a woman unhinged. Her jacket hit the floor. Her heels clicked faster. Every good-looking guy caught her eye, and she didn¡¯t hold back. She slung her arms around random shoulders, pressing close, her words bold, flirty, downright reckless.

    The whole club froze, eyes glued to Kiara. Whistles and cheers erupted as she turned the ce upside down, every move screaming for attention she couldn¡¯t even exin.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 14

    ?Chapter 14:

    Kiara had always been a head-turner, and she spared no expense keeping it that way. Even in her forties, she exuded a provocative allure¡ªher curves, her painted lips, the tilt of her chin¡ªall meticulously preserved to captivate.

    But tonight, with her outfit barely clinging to decency and her inhibitions long abandoned, the spectacle she made was scandalous even by her standards. A few lecherous men, emboldened by the atmosphere and her open invitation, closed in¡ªgrabbing, groping,ughing.

    ¡°Ma¡¯am, you must be starving for attention. No man at home to keep youpany?¡±

    Kiara spat the words with contempt. ¡°I¡¯ve got a husband, but he¡¯s impotent. I¡¯ve put up with that loser long enough.¡±

    ¡°Well then, tonight¡¯s your lucky break. We¡¯ll turn today into an unforgettable thrill.¡±

    In a digital age where humiliation traveled faster than truth, Kiara¡¯s disgrace exploded across every tform within minutes. News crews swarmed the scene, chasing a story juicier than the Evans family¡¯s headline-grabbing bride swap just the day before.

    Tucked discreetly behind a decorative screen on the second floor, Elliana observed the chaos with icy detachment. Everything was unfolding exactly as she¡¯d orchestrated. She¡¯d already pored over the analytics Irene had gged¡ªthe wave of coverage, thement patterns, the suspicious spikes. Paige was clearly behind the smear campaign, weaponizing her fandom to fan the mes.

    As the city¡¯s reigning socialite, Paige had amassed a staggering eighty million followers online. Under her subtle cues, her army of loyal fansunched relentless verbal attacks on Elliana, dragging her name through the mud without pause.

    ¡°Elliana¡¯s nothing but an ugly nobody! She¡¯s not even worthy of breathing the same air as Paige¡ªyet somehow she stole Paige¡¯s spot and married into the Evans family? This is a pathetic joke!¡±

    ¡°Elliana clearly trapped Cole with some dirty scheme and forced his hand. The Evans family probably had no other option. There¡¯s no way a man like Cole would willingly marry garbage like her!¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s be honest¡ªCole¡¯s the real victim. He and Paige were a perfect match, but that despicable bitch Elliana wormed her way between them. It¡¯s sickening!¡±

    Stay connected at g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s?c?m

    ¡°Paige was sobbing on her livestream tonight. I couldn¡¯t stand it¡ªshe¡¯s way too kind to be treated like this!¡±

    ¡°Elliana is a disgusting tramp! She stole her own sister¡¯s fianc¨¦? That kind of woman deserves to be humiliated publicly!¡±

    The mob of enraged fans kept piling on, an endless flood of vicious remarks targeting Elliana. Even the Evans Group¡¯s official ount was swamped with furiousments, as the mob demanded her removal from the Evans family.

    Their voices were so loud, so relentless, that they drowned out any trace of reason, creating the illusion that the entire city wanted Elliana banished from the Evans family.

    But Elliana had already analyzed the data. To her, the outrage was nothing more than a noisy illusion. All it would take was exposing Paige¡¯s carefully constructed image for the fraud it was¡ªonce her followers saw the rot beneath the gloss, the frenzy would copse on its own.

    And today, the Jones family¡¯s plot had gifted Elliana the perfect weapon. Kiara¡¯s public meltdown had nothing to do with Paige directly, but the connection was close enough to smear Paige by association. Elliana didn¡¯t hesitate¡ªshe seized the moment.

    Standing beside Elliana, Cole observed the unfolding chaos with a mix of curiosity and admiration. The calm, calcting way she turned the tide left him genuinely impressed.

    Meanwhile, Darin and Paige had been holed up in their private room, anxiously waiting for any word from Kiara. But when their messages went unanswered and every call rang through to voicemail, they finally gave up and went looking for her.

    Out in the hallway, they ran into a few familiar executives. Darin, ever the opportunist, immediatelyunched into small talk, trying to fish for investment leads and salvage potential deals.

    Not long ago, the Jones family had made a shy spectacle of announcing a five-hundred-million-dor wedding gift¡ªan aggressive move that gutted their financial reserves.

    Darin had counted on Paige securing her ce in the Evans family to seal those strategic partnerships and bring in fresh capital. But with Elliana suddenly taking Paige¡¯s spot at the altar, everything had unraveled.

    Elliana¡¯s reputation as an unremarkable, in woman with no social standing made her a liability in the eyes of potential allies. No one wanted to tie their future¡­

    To a woman the Evans family might discard at any moment, and that doubt cast a long shadow over the Jones Group.

    Now teetering on the edge of copse, the Jones Group was running out of time. Darin was at his breaking point¡ªexhausted, panicked, and gued by sleepless nights.

    These executives had always kept up appearances with Darin, but today, something about their expressions was off¡ªguarded, amused, almost pitying. One of them, a known troublemaker who¡¯d already seen the footage of Kiara¡¯s disgrace, leaned in with a faux-innocent grin. ¡°Mr. Jones, where¡¯s that brilliant wife of yours today?¡±

    Darin¡¯s smile faltered for a beat before he forced it back into ce. ¡°She had something urgente up. Couldn¡¯t make it.¡±

    The executive nodded, barely hiding his smirk. ¡°Ah, such a shame. Everyone knows your wife is stunning¡ªand daring. You¡¯re a lucky man, Mr. Jones. The rest of us can only envy you.¡±

    The other executives turned away, shoulders shaking as they tried not to burst outughing.

    Darin, still riding high on what he thought were genuinepliments, beamed even brighter and puffed up with pride. ¡°You tter me. How about a drink? My treat.¡±

    But before anyone could answer, Paige tugged urgently at Darin¡¯s sleeve and murmured, ¡°Dad, we¡¯ve got a serious problem.¡±

    Confused, Darin took her phone and nced at the screen. In an instant, his smile vanished. His entire face went stiff. The dots connected all at once¡ªthe sly grins, the mock-ttery. They hadn¡¯t been praising him. They were mocking him, and he¡¯d practically rolled out a red carpet for the humiliation.

    ¡°Seems like you have something urgent to handle, Mr. Jones,¡± one of the executives said smoothly, barely holding back a smirk. ¡°We¡¯ll catch up another time.¡±

    The executives could barely hide their amusement as they quickly walked away.

    Darin stood frozen, humiliated heat creeping up his neck. His fists clenched at his sides as fury surged through him, hot and overwhelming, ready to boil over.

    .

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    .

 Chapter 15

    ?Chapter 15:

    Kiara¡¯s life had always slipped by under the radar. Once word got out she was Paige¡¯s mother, the scandal detonated like a bomb. Within moments, it dominated every trending chart online.

    Social media ignited with ruthlessmentary.

    ¡°Oh my God! Did I seriously just watch that? Paige¡¯s mom is aplete train wreck!¡±

    ¡°Paige always gave off this elegant, wless vibe. Now her mom¡¯s out here acting like trash?¡±

    ¡°As they say, like mother, like daughter. Was Paige¡¯s whole persona a sham? Have we been fooled all along?¡±

    ¡°Is no one gonna talk about Paige¡¯s dad? Since he¡¯s impotent, then he couldn¡¯t me his wife for making out with other men. I mean, she¡¯s still in her forties¡ªit¡¯s not like her sex drive just vanished. His impotence must have left her feeling deeply frustrated.¡±

    ¡°Come on, even if she wanted to cheat, at least have some decency and do it behind closed doors. Groping with a dozen men in public is just gross.¡±

    Darin¡¯s hands shook as he scrolled through thement section, his blood pressure spiking with each new post. The inte wasn¡¯t just mocking Kiara¡ªthey were crucifying him, branding him a weak, impotent joke of a man. He felt utterly exposed, stripped of pride. How the hell was he supposed to show his face in public now?

    Darin¡¯s fury snapped into something colder, sharper. Kiara had dragged his name through the mud¡ªshe was going to pay for it. Paige flinched under his thunderous look.

    ¡°Dad, please, there¡¯s got to be a mistake. Mom wouldn¡¯t¡ªshe wouldn¡¯t do something like that.¡±

    ¡°Get out of my way!¡± With a violent shove, Darin knocked her aside and stormed off toward the main hall.

    Paige staggered, her heel slipping as she nearly lost her footing. A sharp ache spread through her chest. Darin had always doted on her, treated her like a princess¡ªthe family¡¯s shining jewel. She never thought he¡¯d shove her aside like she was nothing.

    Stay tuned for more g¦Áln¦Ò¦Í??s.c¡ðm

    But she didn¡¯t have the luxury of falling apart. Swallowing her hurt, she clenched her jaw and raced after him.

    At the hall¡¯s doorway, her courage wavered. She froze, heart hammering in her chest. The noise, the crowd, the scandal¡ªit all hit her at once. Panic surged, and she ducked into a shadowed corner, too ashamed to step into the chaos.

    Meanwhile, inside a private room, under the effect of the aphrodisiac, Kiara had stripped down to nothing but hercy underthings, a few sleazy men¡¯s hands on her.

    Suddenly, the door exploded open. Darin stormed in, fury etched into every line of his face. The crowd outside shoved forward, hungry for spectacle.

    The men turned, clearly irritated by the sudden intrusion. One of them growled, ¡°Who the fuck are you?¡±

    Without answering, Darin stormed forward and delivered a brutal p across Kiara¡¯s face.

    Kiara yelped, the sharp crack echoing through the room. ¡°Ah!¡±

    The blow jolted her out of her stupor. Dazed, Kiara blinked up at him.

    ¡°H-Honey? What¡¯s happening?¡±

    Darin¡¯s expression was twisted with rage. ¡°You dare ask me that?¡± Kiara¡¯s hands trembled violently as she realized just how exposed she was. A strangled cry escaped her lips as she bolted upright, yanked the nearest curtain from the wall, and wrapped it desperately around her half-naked body.

    ¡°H-Honey, I¡­¡±

    She tried to exin, to insist she didn¡¯t understand what was going on, but before the words could form, vivid shes of the night came crashing down on her. Every sordid detail. Every drunkenugh. Every filthy touch. Her lips parted in horror. The blood drained from her face. She was finished. There was noing back from this.

    By now, the gawking crowd had pieced it together. A hush fell over the room, broken by murmurs snaking through the guests.

    ¡°Wait¡­ That¡¯s Paige¡¯s dad, right? He¡¯s not bad-looking, honestly. You¡¯d never guess he¡¯s troubled by impotence.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be fooled. You can¡¯t judge a guy¡¯s dick by his face. Plenty of pretty ones are just for show.¡±

    The mocking voices around Darin only fueled his shame until it boiled over. His expression twisted as he lunged at Kiara again, no longer theposed, silver-tongued doctor everyone respected. That version of him had vanished, reced by a manpletely consumed by wrath. Kiara¡¯s shrill cries echoed off the walls as she cowered, hands raised in a useless attempt to shield herself.

    ¡°Please, honey¡­¡±

    ¡°Listen to me! It¡¯s not what it looks like¡ªjust let me exin! Don¡¯t do this here. Let¡¯s talk at home!¡±

    But Darin couldn¡¯t hear her. Reason had long since drowned beneath the tidal wave of rage. All he could see was betrayal, and all he wanted was retribution.

    Around them, the spectators stood frozen, not out of concern but perverse fascination¡ªmorbidly entertained by the chaos unfolding before them. It wasn¡¯t until Paige¡¯s call lit up Darin¡¯s screen that a sliver of rationality pierced through his fury. Her calm, steady voice cut through the noise in his head, forcing him to pause. Grinding his teeth, he yanked Kiara toward the door and dragged her out.

    Later, slumped in the passenger seat of their car, Kiara turned her battered face toward Darin, eyes brimming with tears. ¡°Honey, please¡­ I¡¯m telling the truth. I think Elliana drugged me. She must have spiked my coffee.¡±

    Clenching his jaw, Darin¡¯s voice snapped out like a whip. ¡°Stop ming Elliana for everything! Did she whisper in your ear to humiliate me in public? To say I¡¯m impotent?¡±

    Kiara¡¯s breath hitched. Her lips parted, but no words came. She¡¯d vented about Darin a hundred times in private, but never to his face. Not even once. She always wore the mask of the perfect wife, doting and sweet. But now, under the haze of whatever she¡¯d taken, the truth had spilled out. ¡°That wasn¡¯t me,¡± she said shakily. ¡°It was the drugs. I didn¡¯t mean a word of it.¡±

    ¡°Shut your damn mouth!¡± Darin roared, his hand cracking across her cheek again. ¡°You think that dull Elliana¡¯s got the brains to pull this off? You and your scheming daughter have mocked and bullied her since day one, and she never once fought back! I know exactly what you really are.¡±

    Kiara reeled from the p, her ears ringing, but she bit back any response. One wrong word, and Darin might drag out the past she¡¯d spent years trying to bury.

    Years ago, Kiara had ditched Darin for a wealthier man who promised her the world as long as she became his mistress. At that time, Darin had been broke, struggling to build a name for himself. She¡¯d thought she was trading up. But life had looped back cruelly. Even after all these years, her dumping him had still been a sore spot for him. Later, after Elliana¡¯s mother died, Darin had married Kiara, not out of love, but because Paige was brilliant, polished, and a credit to his name.

    Since then, Kiara had bent over backward to keep her spot secure. She gave Darin a son and acted the part of the perfect wife¡ªall just to keep her ce in the family. But now, all of it was unraveling.

    Darin¡¯s voice cut through the air like a de, low and brimming with disgust. ¡°You¡¯vepletely humiliated me, and Paige¡¯s reputation is going to take a hit too. From now on, stay quiet. Don¡¯t embarrass us any further.¡±

    Kiara¡¯s heart mmed against her ribs as she snatched up her phone and frantically checked the news. Her fingers trembled with every swipe. She had nned for Paige to marry into the city¡¯s most elite family. Reputation was everything. If this scandal spiraled any further, it would ruin everything.

    But the moment she refreshed the feed, her breath caught. A new headline had taken over, drowning out her own disaster with something even more explosive¡­

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 Chapter 16

    ?Chapter 16:

    The inte exploded with chatter, and every discussion pointed back to Paige.

    ¡°With everything that¡¯s gone down, I¡¯m starting to think the bride swap wasn¡¯t just sudden¡ªit was strategic. Maybe the Evans family uncovered something sketchy about Paige and needed a quick recement, so they threw Elliana in.¡±

    ¡°Exactly! What other reason would the Evans family have to dump the most talked-about socialite and have Cole marry someone no one¡¯s even heard of? Cole¡¯s not an idiot¡ªhe must¡¯ve had a good reason.¡±

    ¡°Whatever¡¯s happening, I just want to hear Paige¡¯s side. I¡¯ve supported her for years¡ªshe should at least get the chance to tell her story.¡±

    ¡°Just yesterday, Paige had her wedding snatched away. She went livete at night, crying her heart out and garnering the sympathy of her millions of fans, who all went on the attack against Elliana. Now, with Paige¡¯s mom¡¯s drama hitting the news, maybe Paige will go live again to exin everything?¡±

    ¡°Still holding out for Paige to say something!¡±

    Kiara kept scrolling, but the deeper she went, the more anxious she got. Her nerves werepletely shot. Paige still had diehard fans in her corner, but their voices were starting to drown in a sea of bacsh. Her title as the city¡¯s reigning socialite wasn¡¯t exactly secure anymore.

    Across town, Elliana sat with her phone in hand, quietly scanning the chaos unfold. All the drama swirling around had conveniently shifted focus away from the Evans family, and the hate aimed at her was finally cooling off. To be honest, she was more than a little pleased with how it was turning out.

    She never expected to take Paige down with one move, but she could see the cracks forming. Rebuilding that picture-perfect image? Paige was in for a long, messy climb.

    Cole smirked as he looked her way. ¡°You used one disaster to distract the public. That¡¯s some next-level strategy. Honey, should I hand over the PR department to you?¡±

    Giving him a sharp re, Elliana replied, ¡°I don¡¯t have time for your jokes. I¡¯ve got actual work to do. Later.¡±

    With that, she simply spun on her heel and walked away without a nce back.

    As she disappeared into the distance, Cole¡¯s lips tugged into a grin. That fiery spark of hers? He was definitely into it.

    Before he could follow her, a trembling voice rang out from behind. ¡°Cole!¡±

    Tears still clinging to hershes, Paige rushed toward him. Her gaze was drenched in sorrow, hesitation, and something that resembled love. After barely sleeping the night before, she lookedpletely worn out.

    ¡°I understand you were forced to marry Elliana,¡± Paige said, her voice trembling. ¡°I¡¯m not angry¡ªI just¡­ I miss you more than I can exin.¡±

    This vulnerable persona had always drawn sympathy and admiration from men¡ªit was exactly how she had gained such a huge fanbase and so many admirers. But to Cole, it came off as theatrical and irritating. The amusement on his face disappeared instantly.

    Though they had technically been engaged for years, Cole had never made any effort to connect with Paige. Whenever they bumped into each other, he¡¯d ignore herpletely without saying a word. In truth, they were practically strangers.

    The few times they crossed paths, Paige had tried so hard¡ªalways smiling, always eager. But Cole¡¯s indifference chipped away at her confidence, turning her from bubbly to cautious in the blink of an eye.

    Paige pressed on. ¡°None of this would¡¯ve happened if it weren¡¯t for Elliana. She spiked my mom¡¯s drink to humiliate her in front of everyone. Now I¡¯m stuck in the fallout, and my reputation¡¯s gone to hell. I don¡¯t understand why Elliana acted like this. My mom and I treated her nicely, but she¡¯s always been jealous. Of my looks, my grades, everything. She keeps taking things from me¡ªnow even you. Please, Cole, stay away from her. She¡¯s dangerous. If she¡¯d turn on her mother, what makes you think she wouldn¡¯t turn on you too?¡±

    Cole had tuned Paige out at first, tired of the same low trick. But the moment she twisted her words into venom against Elliana, something inside him stirred¡ªsharp and hot. He nearly cut her off right there.

    Just as Cole opened his mouth to respond, Elliana reappeared in the hallway. With a smirk tugging at his lips, he bit back what he was about to say.

    Oblivious to Elliana¡¯s approach and mistaking Cole¡¯s smile for a sign of affection, Paige¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Without hesitation, she dove into his arms. ¡°I¡¯ll wait as long as it takes, Cole. Forever, if I have to.¡±

    But before Paige could even settle into the moment, a slim hand shot between them and tore Cole from her grasp.

    Thrown off bnce, Paige stumbled forward and crashed ungracefully to the floor. Sharp pain lit up her knees, but the fear of being caught in such a humiliating pose sent her scrambling upright. The idea of her fall going viral made her stomach turn.

    Paige spun around and finally caught sight of Elliana. Her entire body went stiff. Her thoughts scrambled to catch up. Elliana had drunk the coffeeced with the drug and should have been unconscious by now, trapped in a room¡­

    By several men. So how on earth was Elliana just standing there, calm and unharmed, like nothing had ever happened?

    Paige had lingered behind, waiting eagerly for Elliana¡¯s copse. Instead, her carefullyid trap hadpletely unraveled before her eyes.

    Elliana wasted no time. She glided forward, looped her arm around Cole¡¯s, and delivered her line like a knife dipped in honey. ¡°Following in your mom¡¯s footsteps, are we? Must be hereditary¡ªthis obsession with other women¡¯s husbands.¡±

    ¡°You¡ªhow dare you!¡± At the mention of her mother¡¯s shame, heat rushed to Paige¡¯s cheeks. ¡°That was low, Elliana! You¡¯re the one who stole Cole from me. He was supposed to be mine!¡±

    With a smug tilt of her lips, Elliana smiled. ¡°I didn¡¯t steal anything. Fate handed me a husband, and I intend to keep him. So don¡¯t set your sights on my husband¡ªhe¡¯s not falling for your tricks. The Evans family has standards, Paige. And Cole doesn¡¯t trade loyalty for drama.¡± Then, Elliana looked up at Cole, eyes glinting with confidence. ¡°Right, darling?¡±

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 Chapter 17

    ?Chapter 17:

    Every time Paige heard Elliana call Cole ¡°darling,¡± it was like a knife twisting in her chest. She¡¯d always believed Cole was hers, but now Elliana was tossing around that pet name, pushing her to the edge of a breakdown.

    Elliana, meanwhile, was having a st. She leaned into ¡°darling¡± a few extra times, just to twist the knife deeper.

    Cole watched Elliana¡¯s bold little performance, his eyes glinting with warm amusement. His voice came out low, almostzy. ¡°Yeah.¡±

    Elliana grinned, thrilled at how smoothly Cole was ying along. She turned toward Paige with a smug smirk. ¡°You hear that? Try hitting on my husband again, and I¡¯ll make sure the whole inte knows what you pulled!¡±

    With that, Elliana grabbed Cole¡¯s hand and gave it a sharp tug. ¡°Come on, darling, let¡¯s head home.¡±

    The six-foot-three CEO, usually colder than a winter night, trailed after Cole like a loyal puppy.

    Paige stood there, frozen, her brain fritzing out. She couldn¡¯t wrap her head around it. Why was Cole indulging Elliana like this? How did that in Jane manage to do so?

    Elliana didn¡¯t let go of Cole¡¯s hand until Paige was out of sight. Only then did she finally release him.

    Cole had been enjoying the warmth of her grip, and when she pulled her hand away, a twinge of disappointment hit. ¡°Weren¡¯t you supposed to be busy? Why did youe back?¡±

    Elliana arched a brow. ¡°Our agreement says I¡¯m supposed to keep those unwanted admirers off you, right? I was just doing my job. How¡¯d I do?¡±

    Cole¡¯s lips quirked into a sly smile. ¡°And who told you I don¡¯t like Paige?¡±

    Elliana blinked, caught off guard. Before she could respond, Cole¡¯s deep voice rolled in again. ¡°I don¡¯t recall ever telling you that.¡±

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    It was like a bucket of cold water to the face. Elliana pressed her lips together. He was right. He had never actually said he disliked Paige. She had just assumed it from how he acted around Paige. Now he was teasing her, and she was left scrambling for aeback.

    Still stewing, Elliana didn¡¯t notice Cole lean in, his teasing smirk growing. ¡°Honey, that excuse is cute, but it¡¯s not hiding the jealous vibes you¡¯re throwing off.¡±

    Elliana nearlyughed out loud. Was he saying she came back because she was jealous? True, it wasn¡¯t about their agreement. If another woman had been all over Cole, she wouldn¡¯t have batted an eye. She only came back to mess with Paige. Anything that wiped that smug grin off Paige¡¯s face was worth her time.

    ¡°So you¡¯re saying you like Paige?¡± Elliana shook her head with a dramatic sigh. ¡°Man, what a waste of those wless Evans family genes. You look all polished and high-ss, but your taste is straight-up garbage.¡±

    Cole coughed, nearly choking on air. He hadn¡¯t braced for that level of shade.

    Elliana shot him a re, her tone sharp. ¡°Sorry for crashing your time with her earlier. But it¡¯s not toote. That fool¡¯s probably still out there, daydreaming about popping out your babies.¡±

    Cole rubbed his temples, a headache brewing. When Elliana opened her mouth again, he stepped forward, backing her against the wall. His voice dropped, low and dangerous. ¡°Elliana, keep talking like that, and I¡¯ll kiss you quiet.¡±

    Her breath caught, and she dialed back the sass fast. ¡°Alright, fine. But you got to tell me who you¡¯re into and who you¡¯re not. How else am I supposed to know who to fend off next time?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t go for fools. And I¡¯m definitely not nning on kids with any of them.¡±

    ¡°Fair enough.¡±

    For a second, they just stared at each other, then burst outughing at how absurd the whole exchange was.

    And their posture wasn¡¯t exactly subtle.

    ¡°Heard a kiss can cut through awkwardness,¡± Cole said, a sly grin on his lips. ¡°Want to test it?¡±

    Elliana shoved him back and turned to leave. Who¡¯d have thought the cold Cole could turn into a full-on flirt in a heartbeat? One minute he was all business, the next he had her against a wall, slinging cheesy lines. She was at her limit. To hide her flushed cheeks, she booked it out of there.

    As Elliana stepped out of the Royal Club, a soft meow stopped her in her tracks.

    She froze. That sound hit her like a memory. Scanning around, she searched for the source.

    Cole, following casually behind her, paused, watching her with curiosity.

    A tiny white kitten sat at her feet, gazing up with bright eyes. ¡°Meow! Meow!¡±

    ¡°Darling?¡± Elliana crouched down, heart racing. After a closer look, she was sure. It was the kitten she¡¯d lost over a year ago!

    Darling had been a gift from Elliana¡¯s best friend, Adah Norris, who had brought the kitten from a small town. When Darling first arrived, it had been a fluffy little thing, and Elliana had raised it with care, showering it with love. They¡¯d been inseparable until Paige, eaten up with jealousy, dumped Darling somewhere far off. Elliana had sobbed her heart out over it.

    Seeing Darling alive and well, tears welled in Elliana¡¯s eyes. She scooped up the kitten, hugging it tight, and kissed its tiny head. ¡°Darling, I¡¯m never letting you go again. Never!¡±

    Cole stood nearby, watching quietly, his expression unreadable. It then hit him who Elliana had been calling for in her sleep.

    Elliana stood, clutching the cat close, and looked at Cole with hopeful eyes. ¡°Can I bring Darling home?¡±

    Cole wanted to say no. His allergies would make him suffer. But somehow, the refusal never slipped out. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s cute.¡±

    ¡°For real?¡± Elliana beamed and shoved the kitten into his arms. ¡°Then you hold it!¡±

    Cole stared at the fluffy bundle, instant regret washing over him. He wished he could rewind and staple his mouth shut. To him, this cat was not cute. He could already feel the miserying. He would deal with a stuffy nose, itchy eyes, sneezing fits, and possibly even wheezing¡­

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 Chapter 18

    ?Chapter 18:

    Cole felt like he¡¯d backed himself into a corner. Ignoring how his family would react if he brought this cat home, he stood frozen, wondering if he should take the cat from Elliana¡¯s grasp and cradle it. Hesitating now would make him look like a fraud¡ªhe¡¯d just praised how adorable it was. Yet, the moment he grabbed it, his allergies would re up.

    Trapped in this whirlwind, Cole sidestepped the whole issue. ¡°This kitten looks like it¡¯s been fending for itself for a while. Let¡¯s take it to a vet, make sure it¡¯s okay.¡±

    Elliana blinked. Cole, CEO of tenpanies and too busy to breathe, was actually volunteering to go to the vet with her? Cole was already sliding into the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°Come on.¡±

    Cradling the cat, Elliana slipped in beside him and gave him a sideways nce. Her voice softened. ¡°Thanks.¡±

    Cole smirked. ¡°How are you nning to thank me?¡±

    Her eyebrow quirked as she asked, ¡°How would you like me to thank you?¡±

    He didn¡¯t miss a beat. ¡°The best kind of thanks a woman can give a man is a kiss, honey.¡±

    Elliana shot him a look and then turned away to watch the scenery roll by. She could tell he was in one of his yful moods again, tossing out flirty lines just to mess with her.

    Cole¡¯s smirk deepened. She was too much fun when she got flustered¡ªhalf exasperated, half blushing. He never got tired of riling her up.

    Meanwhile, back at the event, the lecherous men paid to hurt Elliana were dragged out one by one, their faces bloodied, limbs trembling from the beating they¡¯d received.

    Manley emerged between two lines of towering bodyguards, his features darkened with a wicked smirk. ¡°Pathetic trash. Show your faces around here again, or work for the Jones family, and I¡¯ll see to it you can¡¯t take another step or twitch a muscle!¡±

    The men had no idea who Manley was, but they knew better than to test him again. Whimpering, they dropped to their knees. ¡°We¡¯re done! That¡¯s it for us! We swear!¡±

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    ¡°Then fuck off.¡± Manley¡¯s voice cracked like a whip, and the men bolted, stumbling over each other in their scramble to escape.

    Elsewhere, as Cole¡¯s car pulled into the vet¡¯s parking lot, he nced sideways. ¡°You go ahead. I¡¯ll wait here.¡±

    Just the fact that Cole had driven her to the vet was already beyond Elliana¡¯s expectations. No way was she expecting him to tag along inside. Hugging the cat close, she slipped out of the car and headed for the door.

    Once Elliana disappeared inside, Cole¡¯s phone buzzed with a video from Manley. The screen lit up with Manley¡¯s smug face. ¡°Yo, Cole, I¡¯ve given those creeps a sound beating.¡±

    Cole swiftly tapped out a reply. ¡°Appreciate it.¡±

    About thirty minutester, Elliana stepped out of the vet¡¯s office, cradling the freshly groomed cat. She opened the car door and slid into the seat beside him.

    Darling, the adorable cat, looked pristine and smelled wonderfully crisp.

    Cole¡¯s eyes flicked to Elliana, cradling Darling in her arms. ¡°So, what¡¯s the report?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just a little skinny,¡± Elliana said, beaming. ¡°Some food, some cuddles¡ªit¡¯ll be its adorable self in no time.¡±

    Cole smirked, started the engine, and eased the car back onto the road. Elliana took out her phone, snapped a quick photo of the cat nestled against her chest, and fired off a message. ¡°Adah, I found Darling!¡±

    Adah and Elliana had been inseparable since childhood, bonded not just by age but by shared scars from turbulent upbringings.

    Their mothers had been just as close¡ªbest friends who had vanished together the night the Jones family¡¯s estate burned to the ground. Neither woman was ever seen again.

    Adah¡¯s grandmother had never warmed up to Adah¡¯s mother. Dering Adah cursed, she had shipped Adah off to distant rtives in some rural backwater and never called her back.

    Rumors spread fast after the fire. Whispers had used Elliana of starting the fire and murdering Adah¡¯s mother. But Adah never once believed it. No matter what the world said, her faith in Elliana never cracked.

    Adah texted back in seconds. ¡°Elliana, I heard you tied the knot with someone from the Evans family. You hanging in there all right?¡±

    Elliana smirked and wrote, ¡°Stole Paige¡¯s dream man. What do you think?¡±

    Adah fired off aughing emoji. ¡°Come on, spill it! What¡¯s the story?¡±

    Elliana filled her in on the rundown of the mystery marriage. ¡°Still no idea who signed us up at City Hall. I¡¯m working on tracking it down.¡±

    Adah didn¡¯t miss a beat. ¡°They¡¯re saying Cole¡¯s a total heartthrob¡ªevery girl¡¯s daydream. Is that for real or pure rumor?¡±

    Cole was practically a legend, but impossible to pin down¡ªno photos online, barely any sightings in public. Until the day he rolled up to the Jones estate to im his bride, Elliana hadn¡¯t even known what he looked like.

    Back in the day, Elliana and Adah used to specte about Cole¡¯s looks for fun. Now, with the real deal sitting right beside her, Elliana figured it was time her bestie got a peek.

    With a sly nce at Cole, Elliana tipped her phone to the side, grabbed a quick profile shot, and sent it straight to Adah.

    Adah¡¯s response buzzed back almost instantly. ¡°Damn. He¡¯s even hotter than I imagined. Certified heartthrob. Be honest¡ªare you into him?¡±

    Elliana thought back to the first time sheid eyes on Cole¡ªhow she¡¯d toyed with the idea of snatching him from Paige just for the thrill. She didn¡¯t even try to lie. ¡°Yup.¡±

    ¡°Did you shoot your shot yet?¡± Adah texted back.

    ¡°Not even close,¡± Elliana responded frankly.

    ¡°Why? He think you¡¯re not his type or something?¡±

    Elliana cast Cole a sidelong nce, her lips twitching with amusement. ¡°Apparently, he¡¯s into ugly women. With my terrible makeup, I am far from attractive, but he keeps sneaking in hugs, stealing kisses, whispering sweet nothings¡­ Honestly? I¡¯m convinced he¡¯s got a few screws loose.¡±

    Before Adah could fire back, Cole¡¯s voice cut in, smooth and teasing. ¡°Honey, I noticed you snapping secret pics and side-eyeing me like I¡¯m the main course. Who are you chatting with, huh?¡±

    As he spoke, he reached for her phone, a mischievous glint in his eye¡­

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 Chapter 19

    ?Chapter 19:

    Elliana swiftly pulled her phone out of Cole¡¯s reach, clutching it to her chest like a lifeline. But the damage was done¡ªAdah¡¯s voice message started ying loud and clear in the tense silence of the car. ¡°No way, Elliana! Did Cole steal your first kiss?¡±

    Mortified, Elliana froze. Her cheeks went up in mes as the words hung in the air. She didn¡¯t have to look to know Cole had heard every syble.

    Sure enough, Cole¡¯s grin was smug, his eyes dancing with delight. ¡°Whoops. Didn¡¯t mean to rob you of your first kiss. If you think it¡¯s unfair, go ahead and reim it¡ªkiss me.¡±

    With a searing look, Elliana snapped at Cole, ¡°I¡¯d rather dump a mug of steaming coffee on you!¡±

    Cole threw his head back andughed,pletely unbothered.

    By the time they pulled into the Evans family¡¯s estate, Cole¡¯s phone was ringing. He stepped aside to answer, leaving Elliana to walk into the mansion with the cat curled in her arms.

    Inside, Ruben¡¯s voice rang out in the foyer mid-tirade. ¡°Thank God we didn¡¯t let Paige marry into the Evans family, or the Evans name would be dragged through the mud! Sure, Cole marrying Elliana might seem like a downgrade, but it¡¯s actually a blessing in disguise.¡±

    Jarrett echoed his sentiment with a nod. ¡°You¡¯re absolutely right, Dad.¡± Irene, listening from the sidelines, simmered with frustration. She had counted on negative press to pile pressure on Elliana, but the scandal surrounding the Jones family had diverted attention.

    When Elliana entered the room with the cat, Irene¡¯s expression shifted¡ªher eyes glinting with satisfaction. She knew Cole had a pet fur allergy severe enough to warrant household restrictions. Ruben had explicitly banned furry animals from the premises after a past health scare. Irene was confident that Elliana had just made a critical mistake. The moment the cat was noticed, palpable tension settled over the room.

    Jeff, mid-conversation with Trinity, shot Elliana a disdainful look and remarked, ¡°Seriously? Stirring up drama again? Can¡¯t even handle yourself, and now you¡¯re dragging in a stray? Who said that thing was allowed here?¡±

    Elliana eyed the rude kid and suddenly remembered he¡¯d been the one who had pressured her to drink that ss of wine at the wedding. To be noted, she¡¯d felt dizzy the next morning. That ss of wine must have been spiked. Jeff¡¯s behavior, maniptive and calcting at such a young age, reminded her more of Paige¡¯s bratty brother than what was expected from a member of the prominent Evans family. Still, with Ruben observing nearby, Elliana chose not to engage. She kept herposure and greeted the elders with polite restraint.

    Your favorite tales live on g?ln¦Ò¦Íe??s

    With Cole off the scene, Jeff stepped up his bravado. ¡°Hey, you ignoring me? No furry critters allowed in this family¡ªget that cat out of here this instant!¡±

    Jeff kept yapping about throwing the cat out like it was garbage, and Elliana finally snapped. Her eyes narrowed, her voiceced with frost. ¡°So animals with fur are banned, huh? Why are the bald ones free to roam? Shaving doesn¡¯t make them less of pets, does it?¡±

    Jeff, his hair recently shaved, stiffened, his mindgging behind.

    Everyone else caught on immediately. A few covered their mouths, struggling not tough. Word was Elliana was a little rough around the edges¡ªno filter, no finesse¡ªbut that jab hit squarely.

    It took Jeff a solid five seconds to catch on. ¡°Wait¡­ You¡¯re calling me names? How rude!¡±

    Elliana didn¡¯t flinch. Watching the red creep up his neck, she felt a rush of smug satisfaction. She didn¡¯t care about her image, and it had its perks.

    Trying to make her look nice with a fake attempt to break the tension, Trinity jumped in with a dryugh. ¡°Come on, Jeff. Elliana didn¡¯t mean anything by it. She probably just didn¡¯t know about the no-pets rule.¡±

    Right on cue, Cole stepped through the doorway.

    Jeff sprang to life, pointing an using finger. ¡°Cole! This woman brought a cat! I told her to get rid of it, but she refused¡ªand then she insulted me!¡±

    Trinity bit her tongue and took a step back, silently hoping Cole would scold Elliana in front of everyone.

    Elliana faced Cole directly, the cat still nestled in her arms, her expression uncertain. ¡°I didn¡¯t know. Is raising a cat really not allowed?¡±

    ¡°It is allowed,¡± Cole said with a subtle smile. ¡°The butler has set up a special room for the cat, and we¡¯ve arranged for someone to care for it.¡±

    A ripple of disbelief swept through the room. The no-pets policy existed because of Cole¡¯s severe allergies¡ªwas he seriously tossing that rule aside?

    Trinity¡¯s bitterness surged hot and sharp. She¡¯d been smug when Elliana reced Paige and married into the Evans family, convinced that Elliana would get tossed out fast, clearing the path for her to be an item with Cole. But now Cole was treating Elliana like she mattered. Like she was the one worth making exceptions for.

    Trinity refused to ept this. That was supposed to be her role¡ªthe admired, irreceable woman in Cole¡¯s orbit. No way was she letting Elliana steal that spotlight. She softened her features with a mock concerned look and turned to Ruben. ¡°It¡¯s sweet for Cole to dote on his wife, but his health shoulde first, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    Ruben held absolute sway over the household, and everyone knew his soft spot for Cole ran deep.

    Trinity felt Elliana was dancing on andmine¡ªand she was buzzing with anticipation to see Ruben explode.

    The room tensed as every gaze shifted to Ruben.

    As expected, Ruben¡¯s expression darkened, thunder gathering behind his eyes.

    Jeff seized the moment, eager to stir the pot. ¡°Grandpa, isn¡¯t she putting Cole in danger by bringing that cat in?¡±

    Before anyone could answer, a sharp crack echoed through the room. Ruben had mmed his ceramic mug onto the marble table, the sound ringing like a gunshot.

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 Chapter 20

    ?Chapter 20:

    The grand living room fell so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. Trinity kept up her concerned charade, but inside, she was doing a victory jig.

    Louisa Evans, Emmanuel¡¯s better half, scanned the room without saying a word. Sharp as a tack, she knew it was best to stay out of the fray.

    Irene caught Jeff¡¯s eye, her chest swelling with pride. Her son always had her back when the chips were down.

    Jeff smirked at Irene¡¯s approving look and then shot Elliana a look that screamed, ¡°You¡¯re done for, loser!¡±

    ¡°Get on your knees!¡± Ruben¡¯s roar shattered the silence.

    The whole room jumped at Ruben¡¯s fury. Normally cool as a cucumber, Ruben turned into a fire-breathing dragon when riled up, and the family knew it.

    When Elliana didn¡¯t flinch, Jeff leaped in. ¡°What¡¯re you still standing there for, you eyesore? Grandpa said kneel! You¡­ Owl!¡± With a heavy thud, Jeff hit the floor, knees first.

    Everyone blinked, realizing Ruben had smacked Jeff¡¯s knee with his cane.

    Jeff grimaced, clutching his leg. ¡°Grandpa, why¡¯d you hit me?¡±

    Ruben¡¯s eyes burned like coals. ¡°I asked you to kneel!¡±

    Shock rolled through the room. Jeff, still full of himself, muttered, ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything wrong!¡±

    Ruben snorted. ¡°Elliana is Cole¡¯s wife¡ªthedy of this house! Disrespecting her isn¡¯t just rude. It¡¯s disgraceful. If I don¡¯t rein you in now, this family will look like a circus!¡±

    Jaws dropped around the room. No one had expected Ruben to turn his wrath on Jeff instead of Elliana¡ªthe rule-breaker with the pet. The whole script had flipped.

    Trinity smelled trouble and started inching toward the shadows, trying to fade into the background.

    Irene, gutted for Jeff, spoke up. ¡°Ruben, please, Jeff was just trying to follow your rules¡­¡±

    M¦Òr? ¦Ôpd¦Át?s ¨ªn G¦Áln¦Òv?ls.c¦Òm

    ¡°You kneel too!¡± Ruben thundered before she could finish.

    For years, Irene had walked around with the air of a queen. Now, the thought of kneeling in front of everyone shattered her pride like ss. But Ruben¡¯s steely stare left no room for protest. After a pause, she nced at her husband, hoping for backup. ¡°Bertram¡­¡± But Bertram didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°Dad said kneel, Irene. Do it.¡±

    With clenched teeth and burning cheeks, Irene dropped beside Jeff, the humiliation crashing down on her.

    Ruben¡¯s eyes narrowed at the pair. ¡°Jeff¡¯s insolence is a direct result of your spoiling, Irene. You¡¯re both grounded for three days. Use that time to chew on what you¡¯ve done.¡±

    Tears slid down Irene¡¯s face as she said, ¡°Understood.¡±

    Still nursing his pride, Jeff protested, ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll take the hit for disrespecting Elliana. But she broke the no-pet rule. That¡¯s gotta count for something!¡±

    Before Ruben could respond, Cole smoothly stepped in. ¡°If pets are a problem, Elliana and I can just move out. No need to stir the pot.¡± At these words, everyone froze.

    Jeff shut up instantly. If Cole moved out over this, his punishment wouldn¡¯t stop at being grounded. Ruben would probably tan his hide. ¡°You little brat!¡± Ruben tapped Jeff¡¯s head with his cane. ¡°Cole¡¯s the family lead. If he wants to let Elliana have a pet, he has every right. Who do you think you are to question that?¡±

    Jeff¡¯s face drained of color. ¡°But Cole¡¯s allergic to pet fur.¡±

    Jeff got another cane tap and a re from Ruben, who stated, ¡°He is a grown man. He doesn¡¯t need some snot-nosed kid fussing over his health.¡±

    Chastened, Jeff looked up. ¡°So, can I get a pet too?¡± He¡¯d been dreaming of getting a fierce, majestic skan Mmute. If Elliana was allowed a pet, maybe the door was open for him too.

    Ruben¡¯s expression turned to stone. ¡°One pet is more than enough for this house!¡±

    Jeff¡¯s shoulders slumped in defeat. So much for that dream!

    Across the room, a few exchanged looks. Ruben¡¯s bias was loud and clear¡ªhe¡¯d do anything to keep Cole content.

    Elliana, enjoying the sweet perks of being Cole¡¯s wife, had to stifle herughter.

    Cole felt like chuckling but kept it ssy. After a quick farewell to Ruben, he took Elliana¡¯s hand and led her upstairs.

    Once they were upstairs, Elliana peeked at Cole. He¡¯d let her keep the cat even though it made him sneeze. Her heart melted a little. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ¡°How exactly do you n on thanking me?¡±

    This familiar question made Elliana wary. Wary of another ¡°kiss request,¡± she yanked her hand back. ¡°No kissing. But I¡¯ve got a present for you.¡±

    Cole paused, interest piqued. ¡°What kind of present?¡±

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 Chapter 21

    ?Chapter 21:

    From her shoulder bag, Elliana carefully drew out a small object and extended her open hand toward Cole. ¡°I brought this for you.¡± Resting in her palm was a delicate sachet, its simple cloth stitched by hand and decorated with tiny, ornate flowers¡ªelegant despite its modest material.

    Cole took it gently and lifted it to his nose. A light blend of flowers and herbs drifted up, subtle yet soothing. ¡°You made this?¡±

    ¡°I did.¡±

    ¡°So, what¡¯s the n here?¡± he asked with a teasing glint. ¡°You want me to carry it around and miss you every second I smell it?¡±

    Elliana gave him a small pout, clearly exasperated but still soft-spoken. ¡°It¡¯s meant to help with allergies. If you keep it on you, the pet fur won¡¯t bother you. You let me keep my cat¡ªI figured it¡¯s the least I could do to make sure you¡¯re not suffering for it.¡±

    Without a word, Cole gave a small nod and slipped the sachet into the inner pocket of his suit.

    Cradling her cat, Elliana turned away and made her way toward the bedroom.

    Cole trailed behind, eyes on her as she gently set the cat down on the sofa. ¡°I¡¯m heading out on a business trip tonight,¡± he said quietly. ¡°Not sure when I¡¯ll be back, so if anything gets too much, just call me.¡±

    ¡°Where to?¡± she asked, not turning around.

    ¡°Vand,¡± he answered. ¡°I¡¯m meeting with Dr. Milena Atkinson.¡±

    Wait¡ªhe was going to see her? Elliana had just reached to scratch behind her cat¡¯s ear when the name stopped her cold. Her gaze lifted to the tall man by the door. ¡°Is it for someone close to you?¡±

    The trace of a smile tugging at Cole¡¯s lips faltered, just for a second. ¡°Two years ago, Jeff pulled a reckless stunt that ended with the Henderson family¡¯s third daughter plummeting from the second floor. The injury damaged her spine¡ªshe¡¯s been unable to stand since. Things have only gotten worse, and now her life¡¯s hanging in the bnce. We brought in every top specialist we could find, but none could fix what was broken. Our families used to be close, but that ident drove a wedge between us. If she dies, there¡¯s no repairing what¡¯s left. Right now, everything depends on Dr. Atkinson.¡± Pausing, he added, ¡°I spent a long time trying to locate Dr. Atkinson, but this elusive healer was a master at keeping the location secret, and no one had a clue what Dr. Atkinson even looked like. Tracking¡­¡±

    The towel, already short, barely skimmed her thighs when worn properly. Pulling it upward to hide her face only left more of her bare skin exposed, unintentionally revealing more than it concealed.

    Updates loaded now at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Íe?s

    Cole hadn¡¯t been prepared for what he walked into¡ªhis steps faltered, and for a moment, he just stood there, stunned. She stood barefoot on the velvet rug, her legs drawn subtly together, the curve of her waist hinted at through strands of wet hair. That towel, shorter than any mini-skirt, clung to her like it didn¡¯t want to stay in ce.

    Without theyers of garish makeup, herplexion was wless¡ªsmooth, luminous, untouched. Even with half her face hidden beneath her palm, the curve of her brows, the rity in her wide eyes, and the soft skin of her forehead were enough to steal someone¡¯s breath. It was the kind of vision that could make any man forget his next thought.

    Cole couldn¡¯t look away. His pulse surged, unsteady and fast, betraying the calm exterior he tried to maintain.

    Their eyes locked¡ªjust for a moment¡ªand then, without a word, Cole started moving toward her.

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 Chapter 22

    ?Chapter 22:

    The moment Cole moved toward Elliana, an invisible rm went off in her chest. Every nerve screamed danger. Her first instinct was to bolt¡ªto retreat behind the bathroom door¡ªbut the towel clinging to her body made even a step too risky. One wrong move and she¡¯d reveal more exposed skin.

    She muttered a curse inwardly. Last night she¡¯d been imprisoned by too much fabric¡ªtonight, it was theck of it holding her hostage.

    While she racked her mind for a solution, Cole closed the distance. Her chest tightened as her knees gave way, sending her tumbling back onto the sofa. Cole didn¡¯t stop¡ªhe leaned in, arms braced around her, caging her between his body and the cushions.

    Panic flooded her. She would¡¯ve shoved him off if her hands weren¡¯t otherwise upied¡ªone gripping the top of the towel over half of her face, the other clutching the hem at her thighs like her life depended on it. Trapped beneath his looming presence, escape wasn¡¯t even a realistic option.

    Seeing her curled up beneath him, small and flushed, Cole whispered in a gravelly voice, ¡°Honey, you seem so eager. Wouldn¡¯t it be wrong of me to leave you disappointed?¡±

    His head dipped closer, lips heading straight for hers.

    ¡°Stop right there!¡± she blurted, her voice sharp with panic. ¡°This isn¡¯t what it looks like! I¡¯m not trying to seduce you¡ªI swear!¡±

    Cole halted, lips a breath away. His eyes lingered on her flutteringshes like a predator sizing up whether to pounce. ¡°The agreement, huh?¡± he murmured, eyes never leaving her face. ¡°Yetst night, you showed up in my bed without warning. Tonight, perfect timing again¡ªyou¡¯re wrapped in a single towel the second I walk in. And now you¡¯re iming it¡¯s not what it looks like? Sounds like a ssic case of hard to get, honey.¡±

    He pressed a slow kiss to her forehead, his breath warm against her skin. ¡°You don¡¯t need to y games with me. If you want to getid with me, I¡¯m more than happy to grant your wish. That¡¯s what husbands are for, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    His breath grazed her cheek, sending a wave of heat down her spine. Her heartbeat thundered in her chest. ¡°Can you get up first, and then let¡¯s talk?¡±

    Cole didn¡¯t move off her. Instead, his lips traveled gently¡ªher forehead, then eyelids, then the tip of her nose. One hand moved with purpose toward the edge of her towel, slowly pulling it to unveil the other half of her face.

    Your favorite stories g¦Áln¦Òv???s

    Elliana¡¯s grip on the towel tightened in an instant. ¡°Don¡¯t!¡±

    ¡°Still hiding from me?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not wearing anything on my face¡­ I might terrify you,¡± she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

    She was truly on edge. Her slender frame quivered faintly, and her wide, tearful eyes silently begged him to let her go.

    Something in Cole shifted. Her vulnerability reached ces he didn¡¯t know he had, and for a moment, the thought of scaring her felt unbearable. Still, he didn¡¯t let her go without a tease. His palmnded with a yful smack against her partially exposed bottom, the sound echoing like mischief through the quiet room.

    Heat surged to Elliana¡¯s cheeks in an instant. Her whole face burned red.

    The moment Cole turned his back, she bolted for the bathroom. In record time, she threw on a loose nightgown and pped together a rushedyer of makeup. Sloppy or not, it gave her courage. If he tried that again, she¡¯d fight back with fire.

    Storming out of the bathroom, she shot him a re sharp enough to cut ss. ¡°I thought you were flying out. Why are you back here suddenly?¡±

    Cole stared at her face, now smeared like a wild painting, yet his thoughts remained tangled in the memory of how captivating she looked before. ¡°Well, somehow, I sense your burning excitement calling me back, so here I am.¡±

    ¡°Cut the nonsense and talk straight!¡±

    ¡°Heh¡­¡± Coleughed under his breath. Once she had clothes on, it was like watching someone suit up for battle¡ªher fire returned with a vengeance.

    Raising a folder in one hand, he exined casually, ¡°Just forgot this, I¡¯m out the door in a minute.¡±

    Elliana pressed her lips into a pout, silently wishing he¡¯d hurry up and disappear. Before, a hint of unease had nagged at her for not warning him about his futile trip as she¡¯d chosen to keep her secret identity under wraps. But now? That unease had evaporated. ¡°I¡¯m heading out.¡± With that, Cole really walked right out.

    Elliana rushed to the door and locked it the second it clicked shut behind him, breathing out relief.

    The moment Cole stepped outside, he flung the folder to his assistant and headed straight for another room¡ªcold shower, no hesitation. Teasing Elliana hadpletely backfired, leaving him aroused and barely clinging to hisst shred of restraint.

    After Cole walked out, Elliana kept herself wide awake for a long while, gripped by the fear that he mighte back without warning.

    The memory of their encounter yed on repeat in her head, each scene making her cheeks flush and her heartbeat drum against her ribs. Her phone buzzed abruptly, cutting through the silence. She snatched it up. ¡°Hello?¡±

    Darin¡¯s voice came through sharp and furious, saying, ¡°Elliana, who told you it was okay to take your mother¡¯s things?¡±

    Elliana let out a coldugh. ¡°And why would I need your approval to touch my own mother¡¯s things?¡±

    ¡°Those things carry my memories! They mean nothing to you. Bring them back. Now.¡±

    Memories? Elliana felt a cold wave ofughter rise deep within her chest. ¡°Mr. Jones, have you forgotten how you tossed your vows aside and paraded your mistress around like royalty? Don¡¯t insult my mother¡¯s memory by pretending you cared. If she knew you were still clinging to her, she¡¯d be disgusted.¡±

    The word ¡°Dad¡± no longer belonged to him. Not in her mouth. Not in her memory.

    Darin was struck silent, and Elliana caught the sound of a deep, weary sigh escaping him.

    She kept their conversation curt. ¡°Was that all? Or is there more, Mr. Jones?¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re refusing to hand over her things, then there¡¯s something else you must agree to.¡±

    ¡°And what exactly would that be?¡±

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 Chapter 23

    ?Chapter 23:

    Darin sounded somewhat embarrassed. ¡°Elliana, I want the five hundred million back¡ªthe money I gave you.¡±

    The moment those words left his mouth, Elliana couldn¡¯t help butugh¡ªsharp and biting.

    Ever since Kiara¡¯s scandal exploded, business partners had been fleeing like rats from a sinking ship. Darin, now desperate and discredited, didn¡¯t have the nerve to turn to Cole for help. Still, with the Jones Group bleeding money, he came crawling to Elliana¡ªshamelessly asking for the wedding gift he¡¯d prepared¡ªoriginally for Paige, no less.

    Not a chance Elliana was giving it back. ¡°Mr. Jones,¡± she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Aren¡¯t you even a little embarrassed saying that out loud?¡±

    Darin was a bit flustered and angered. ¡°Elliana, the financial mess the Jones family is in began because of you. As a daughter of the Jones family, you¡¯re ountable for both its rise and its copse. You can¡¯t just stand back and watch the Jones Group fall apart!¡±

    ¡°Mr. Jones, what you¡¯re saying isn¡¯t true. This money was set aside for Paige, and she¡¯s the reason for the financial mess. Be honest¡ªif you¡¯d known I was the one marrying into the Evans family, would you have spent a single cent?¡±

    ¡°Fine, Paige was the cause,¡± Darin said loudly. ¡°But you¡¯re the one who took the funds. The Jones Group is drowning, Elliana. You really want to watch your father¡¯s legacy go down in mes?¡±

    ¡°My mother built the Jones Group with her hands¡ªher forms, her reputation. That money came from her brilliance. I never once reaped the benefits of the family name, so why should I be the one to save it?¡±

    Darin,ing to terms with the failure of this reasoning, shifted his tactics and eased his tone. ¡°Elliana, I know I¡¯ve treated you unfairly over the years. If you¡¯re unwilling to return the money, I understand. But could you speak with Cole about investing in the Jones Group? The Evans family has more money than they know what to do with, and even a small sum from them would be enough to keep the Jones Group afloat.¡±

    Elliana rebuffed his request without hesitation. ¡°Are you being serious, Mr. Jones? I¡¯m nothing more than a worthless, unattractive woman. Do you honestly believe I have any sway over him?¡±

    Darin fell silent. Deep down, he knew she couldn¡¯t change Cole¡¯s mind. He was just driven to the edge by desperation.

    ???? ??????? ?? ?????????.???

    Elliana gave a small, amusedugh. ¡°Honestly, Mr. Jones, your best bet is to dress Paige up and marry her off fast. Maybe she¡¯ll charm some rich fool into saving you.¡±

    ¡°Keep your filthy mouth shut!¡± Kiara¡¯s rage exploded through the speaker, loud enough to make Elliana wince.

    ¡°Elliana, you jealous snake!¡± Kiara shouted. ¡°How dare you plot against Paige? She¡¯s Ublento¡¯s crown jewel, the woman meant to marry the richest man!¡±

    Elliana took her time flicking imaginary dust from her ear. ¡°I gave a suggestion, that¡¯s all. If it doesn¡¯t suit you, throw it out. When Cole finally tosses me aside, you¡¯ll have your golden chance to shove Paige into his arms.¡±

    Without another word, Elliana ended the call. She imagined the Jones household in utter chaos and grinned. Their panic made up for her sleepless night¡ªand for the first time in hours, she felt ready to close her eyes.

    Back at the Jones family¡¯s estate, as soon as the call cut off, Darin spun and struck Kiara across the face with a loud crack.

    ¡°Ah!¡± Hitting the floor, Kiara grabbed her cheek, now red and swollen, and red up at him with fury. ¡°What is your problem? Why did you hit me again?¡±

    Clenching his jaw, Darin jabbed a finger toward her face. ¡°You worthless idiot! We¡¯re in desperate need of Elliana¡¯s help, and you insulted her? Now that you¡¯ve pushed her too far, how exactly do you expect us to deal with the financial crisis in the Jones family?¡±

    Kiara didn¡¯t back down. ¡°Like she¡¯d help even if I begged? Get real! Ever since she took Paige¡¯s ce and married Cole, she¡¯s been ruthless. She¡¯s got a spine now, and she¡¯s not scared to use her words like weapons. She never talked like that before!¡±

    Even Darin couldn¡¯t deny it anymore. Elliana used to keep her head down and bite her tongue, but now her words stung like barbs,ced with sarcasm that made his blood boil. The worst part was, he couldn¡¯t do a damn thing about it. As part of the Evans family, Elliana became untouchable. Whether Cole doted on her or not didn¡¯t matter¡ªdisrespecting her now would be no different than spitting in Cole¡¯s face.

    Paige, who had been silently observing with a frosty gaze, suddenly spoke. ¡°Elliana isn¡¯t wrong.¡±

    Thement hit like a p. Kiara and Darin both turned to her in disbelief.

    Paige¡¯s mind shed back to that awful moment¡ªCole just stood there, letting Elliana tear her down in public. That was when the truth clicked. Cole hadn¡¯t been tricked or swayed. He had hated her all along. Even if Elliana hadn¡¯t stepped in, he would never have made her his bride. She couldn¡¯t even imagine how he would have canceled the wedding if nothing unexpected had happened that day. That title¡ªwife of the wealthiest man¡ªwas out of reach now. Whether Elliana kept it forever or not didn¡¯t matter. It would never belong to her.

    ¡°Don¡¯t stress yourselves, Mom, Dad. I¡¯ll handle the mess the Jones Group is in,¡± Paige said, cool and steady.

    And with no further exnation, Paige turned on her heel and climbed the stairs. But in her heart, she made a promise¡ªshe¡¯d save the Jones Group and crush Elliana beneath her heel when the time came.

    The next few days passed in silence. The Jones family kept their heads down, and no one from the Evans family¡¯s side caused Elliana any trouble. Following Ruben¡¯s wishes, she yed the part of a studious girl, nose buried in SATs.

    On the evening of the third day, she picked up a call thatpletely took her by surprise.

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 Chapter 24

    ?Chapter 24:

    Paige was the one calling. ¡°Morning, Elliana! Hope you¡¯re up and shining!¡±

    Paige sounded like sunshine, as if she hadn¡¯t been embroiled in scandal just days ago. Either she¡¯d done some deep self-reflection or was simply better at bouncing back than anyone gave her credit for. Elliana had expected Paige toy low for a while after the recent upheaval, but she was surprised at how quickly Paige had made aeback.

    After the scandal exploded, the entire inte was waiting for Paige¡¯s response. Her massive following¡ªeighty million strong¡ªswarmed her profiles, demanding answers.

    Silence wasn¡¯t an option if Paige nned to keep her crown as Ublento¡¯s top socialite. That same night, she dropped a statement that set everything aze again: ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry for stirring up public tension like this. I never meant to upset anyone. All I¡¯ll say is, my mother is a good woman¡ªdecent and honest. Someone framed her. I know who it was, but I can¡¯t name names. Maybe I¡¯m just too softhearted to fight back.¡±

    Once that post was live, Paige vanished. No replies. No further rifications. No matter how wild the gossip got, she kept her mouth shut.

    While Paige¡¯s social media stayed quiet, she was anything but idle. Behind closed doors, she fed her inner circle with scripted stories and nted ¡°leaks¡± in fanmunities. One name kept surfacing¡ªElliana¡¯s.

    That was when Paige¡¯s fans lit the inte on fire with fresh usations.

    ¡°Elliana¡¯s nothing but trash. She wrecked Paige¡¯s engagement and dragged Paige¡¯s mother into it. How can someone be so vile?¡±

    ¡°Poor Paige is kind to the core. Even after being harmed by Elliana, she still values their sisterly bond and can¡¯t bear to expose Elliana¡¯s wrongdoings.¡±

    ¡°Word is, Paige and her mom pity Elliana because she was this poor, in girl who¡¯d lost her mother young. They treated her nicely, but she stabbed them in the back.¡±

    ¡°Elliana¡¯s just jealous¡ªPaige is beautiful, smart, everything she¡¯s not. Elliana wanted to pull Paige down out of spite. Such twisted people make you lose faith in humanity!¡±

    Your next story is at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s

    Paige had spent years polishing her reputation, turning herself into Ublento¡¯s undisputed icon. And she¡¯d gotten really good at spinning any story her way.

    After this wave of strategic moves, the harsh remarks aimed at her dropped noticeably. Still, she wasn¡¯t all-powerful and had no way to shape every mind. A few fans had started to see beyond the surface.

    ¡°You all tear down Elliana for being in and unremarkable while lifting Paige up as some stunning prodigy. But if that¡¯s really true, then how on earth did Elliana manage to outsmart both Paige and her mother?¡±

    ¡°Exactly. None of it adds up. I¡¯m starting to think the truth might flip the whole story upside down.¡±

    Most fans stayed loyal to Paige, but a small handful started asking questions¡ªand that was enough to keep the tide from tippingpletely. Neither Elliana nor Paige had imed full victory yet. Elliana hadn¡¯t been crushed, and Paige hadn¡¯t fallen.

    With the focus on Elliana and Paige, the Evans family was removed from the center of the discussion, transforming what began as a debate over a family alliance into a fierce showdown between two women. Despite Paige¡¯s lighthearted tone, Elliana caught the edge behind Paige¡¯s words. That cheerful act didn¡¯t fool her¡ªPaige was hiding something beneath the surface. With a smile that didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes, Elliana asked, ¡°So, Paige¡ªwhat¡¯s this call really about?¡±

    ¡°I wanted to let you know,¡± Paige said brightly, ¡°my engagement party with Ran is tomorrow. You and Cole are invited, of course. The official invite should¡¯ve reached the Evans family¡¯s estate by now.¡±

    This caught Elliana off guard for a second.

    Ran Hudson had once been Elliana¡¯s fianc¨¦, a union brokered by Rita and Lenard Hudson, Ran¡¯s grandfather, during their youth. After Rita¡¯s death, Lenard had tried to honor the old promise. But Ran wanted no part of it. He¡¯d called Elliana ugly to her face and directed all his affection to Paige without shame. But Paige had never returned his interest¡ªnot genuinely, at least. The Hudson family had a decent reputation in Ublento, but their power didn¡¯te close to what the Evans family held. And with Cole avable then, she saw no reason to settle for Ran.

    Even though Paige had no real interest in Ran, she had continued to string him along solely because he was Elliana¡¯s fianc¨¦. Whenever Ran stopped by the Jones family¡¯s home to visit her, she would purposely summon Elliana, forcing Elliana to watch as Ran tried to charm her. Once Ran was gone, she would brag and ridicule Elliana. Elliana had yed along with the act, pretending to be heartbroken and jealous. Once, she¡¯d even staged ate-night river scene¡­

    Threatening to throw herself in. The whole world bought into the idea that she loved Ran more than life. Now that Paige had finally epted Ran, it was obvious she wasn¡¯t after love¡ªit was payback. The thought made Elliana chuckle inwardly, and a yful impulse stirred within her. She put on a show of anguish and cried out, ¡°Paige, how could you marry Ran? Ran is mine!¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 25

    ?Chapter 25:

    Paige couldn¡¯t help but savor the ¡°heartbreak¡± in Elliana¡¯s voice¡ªit was like music to her ears. With a smug smile, she taunted, ¡°You must be feeling pretty miserable knowing Ran¡¯s about to marry me. If you still think he belongs to you,e to my engagement party tomorrow and take your best shot. Try stealing him back.¡± Paige¡¯s voice carried a teasing edge,ced with allure. Clearly, she still believed Elliana was the same ¡°gullible¡± girl from before.

    Elliana was more than happy to y along. Her acting skills kicked in, and she even sounded like she was holding back tears. ¡°I¡¯ll definitely be there. Ran means everything to me, and I won¡¯t let anyone else have him!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting.¡± Once Paige finished speaking, she ended the call without hesitation.

    Kiara, who had been sitting nearby the entire time, could hardly contain her excitement. ¡°Paige, you¡¯re brilliant! That idiot Elliana totally fell for it! If she actually has the guts to crash your engagement party and try to steal your fianc¨¦, I¡¯ll make sure it blows up online, and she¡¯ll be all over the news. And once that happens, Cole will be dragged into it too. By then, Elliana will definitely be kicked out of the Evans family!¡±

    A cold glint passed through Paige¡¯s eyes as she narrowed them. ¡°Tomorrow, Elliana will make herself the biggest fool of the town.¡±

    Right after ending the call with Paige, Elliana heard a knock at the door. When she opened it, she saw Paulina Fletcher, the housekeeper, holding an envelope.

    Elliana took the envelope from Paulina and opened it, revealing a formal invitation. The moment she saw the venue, her lips curled into a smile. The event was scheduled at Ublento Hotel.

    Ublento Hotel sat in the heart of the city, covering over 20,000 square meters. Inside, the decoration screamed luxury, offering every high-endfort imaginable. Their signature cuisine had made a name for itself all across the city. At the center of the venue was an enormous ballroom. It regrly held elite corporate events, extravagant banquets, and some of the mostvish weddings in the city.

    This high-end location didn¡¯te cheap, and everyone knew it. Its guest list regrly included tycoons, celebrities, and the city¡¯s elite. Just receiving an invitation to an event there had be a mark of one¡¯s social standing.

    Knowing how much Paige adored extravagance, it was no surprise that Ran picked this ce for their engagement celebration.

    Stay tuned for more g??lno¦Íe??s.c?m

    A yful idea crossed Elliana¡¯s mind. Since she was actually the mysterious owner of Ublento Hotel, should she treat Paige to an unforgettable surprise?

    Elliana was up early the next morning, already washed and mmed up by the time she stepped into her expansive walk-in closet.

    There had been racks of clothes and shoes waiting for her, handpicked for the wedding day. Over the past few days, Cole had sent over even more outfits, each tailored perfectly to her size and straight off the runways of luxury brands adored by Ublento¡¯s socialites.

    The sparkling dresses lined up like a parade of spotlight-stealers, but none of them fit what Elliana had in mind for her grand ¡°surprise¡± at Paige¡¯s engagement party. She wasn¡¯t looking to stand out. Those shy designerbels were simply too loud for the asion.

    Eventually, she settled on a long-sleeved dress with a quiet kind of elegance. The deep peacock blue didn¡¯t scream for attention, and she even stuck a small sticker over the designer¡¯sbel to keep things discreet.

    The dress wasn¡¯t from any stores. It was a private, high-endmission from Rosa, an international designer whose work didn¡¯t even hit the market. With the logo hidden, there was little chance anyone would notice.

    Just then, Paulina stepped into the room holding a new gift box. ¡°Mrs. Evans, Mr. Evans heard about the engagement party you¡¯re attending today. He picked out some jewelry for you to wear.¡±

    It hadn¡¯t crossed Elliana¡¯s mind that Cole, all the way in Vand, would even think about such details. Her chest tightened a little. ¡°Thanks, Paulina.¡± Elliana flipped open the box. One nce and her lips twitched in shock. Cole definitely didn¡¯t hold back.

    Inside the box was a ne¡ªa stunning piece crafted by Rosa. It was called Endless Love, a design that had recently swept up dozens of international awards and earned Rosa the title of design prodigy. Critics praised Endless Love. Collectors fought over it. Even a handful of major national museums had tried to obtain it for permanent disy, only to be outbid by a mysterious billionaire who shelled out a billion dors without batting an eye.

    Elliana had never once considered that the mysterious buyer might be Cole. What left her even more stunned was realizing that the masterpiece was now hers to wear.

    A flush crept into her cheeks, making her squirm in quiet embarrassment. Because she was Rosa. When sheunched thebel, she had built it on a guiding principle: to make the rich part with their spare wealth, never to take from those who had none to give. That was why the brand¡¯s prices sat firmly at the top of the fashion pyramid. Even with their steep price tags, her designs remained in high demand, bing favorites among affluent women and socialites. Every time a new season¡¯s collectionunched, it would sell out right away and quickly be scarce.

    In addition to the regr seasonal collections, herpany also epted high-end custom orders. The gown she had on today was one of them. It had been tailored specifically for the Evans family¡ªan eight-million-dor design.

    Now here she was, draped in a dress herpany had made for Cole and adorned with jewelry he¡¯d purchased. She had profited handsomely from both. Yet she couldn¡¯t shake the slight unease.

    Noticing the shift in her expression, Paulina approached with careful eyes. ¡°Mrs. Evans, is something wrong?¡±

    Trying to keep her tone light, Elliana offered a wry smile. ¡°This jewelry is just too expensive. I will pass on it.¡±

    Paulina smiled in return after hearing her words. ¡°Mr. Evans thought you might feel that way, so he asked me to deliver a message.¡±

    Elliana looked up with curiosity. ¡°What did he say?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 26

    ?Chapter 26:

    Paulina promptly ryed Cole¡¯s message. ¡°Mr. Evans has said that as his wife, you¡¯re not just attending a party. You¡¯re representing him. That means you should carry yourself with the kind of presence expected from the wife of the richest man in the city.¡±

    That pulled a subtle smile from Elliana. For someone like Cole to care about outward appearances seemedughable, especially since he¡¯d chosen her, a in Jane in the public¡¯s eyes due to the horrible makeup she had deliberately painted herself with. This message was clearly his way of persuading her to wear the ne, probably worried she¡¯d be underestimated at the banquet. Still, she could see the thought behind it.

    Once Paulina noticed Elliana¡¯s reaction soften, she stepped closer and asked, ¡°Mrs. Evans, would you like me to help you put it on?¡±

    ¡°Sure,¡± Elliana replied with a faint nod.

    With a careful touch, Paulina picked up the billion-dor ne as if it were made of spun ss and gently sped it around Elliana¡¯s neck.

    Though Elliana¡¯s dress didn¡¯t boast vivid colors or daring cuts, it was refined. The tailoring hugged her figure just right, and the fabric shimmered subtly under the light. With the ne resting against her corbone, she looked striking in an understated, unforgettable way.

    Unfortunately, the same couldn¡¯t be said for the shocking makeup that shed harshly with everything else.

    Paulina had been about to pay Elliana apliment, but once her eyesnded on Elliana¡¯s face, she swallowed her words.

    Paulina stated, ¡°Mrs. Evans, breakfast is ready downstairs. Hugh will take you to the banquet afterward.¡±

    Reaching for ace shawl, Elliana draped it around her shoulders, letting it fall just enough to cover the glittering ne. ¡°Isn¡¯t Hugh usually with Cole? Why isn¡¯t Hugh in Vand with him?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Evans only brought Myles and Aron with him this time. Hugh and I stayed behind to assist you. If there¡¯s anything you need, we¡¯re here,¡± Paulina replied.

    ???? ??????? ?? ?????????.???

    Elliana paused.

    Everyone knew the Fletcher siblings weren¡¯t just employees¡ªthey were Cole¡¯s inner circle. Paulina, the oldest, had a calm, no-nonsense demeanor and ran Cole¡¯s household like a fortress. Myles, her brother, had a mind like a steel trap and served as Cole¡¯s most trusted advisor. Aron and Hugh, the younger two, were trained in closebat and handled everything from tight security to high-stakes confrontations. No matter where Cole went, the four were never far behind. But this time, he had left Paulina and Hugh at home. For Elliana.

    Once again, Elliana found herself thrown off bnce by Cole¡¯s thoughtfulness.

    After finishing her preparations, Elliana left the Evans family¡¯s estate in a car, with Hugh behind the wheel.

    Elliana¡¯s arrival at Ublento Hotel was quiet and unannounced. But the moment she stepped into the hall, she ran straight into someone she would have rather avoided¡ªVivien Hudson.

    Vivien, Ran¡¯s sister, had always idolized Paige and had never passed up a chance to tear Elliana down. And now, with the engagement party in full swing, Vivien was already spoiling for a fight.

    ¡°Elliana? This is Ran and Paige¡¯s engagement party. What on earth are you doing here?¡± Without even giving Elliana a chance to speak, Vivien jumped straight to usations.

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re still clinging to some fantasy about Ran. For Christ¡¯s sake, this is his engagement celebration, not your personal sob story. He¡¯spletely obsessed with Paige. You? He finds you repulsive, so scram!¡±

    With Vivien¡¯s outburst, a crowd began to form as onlookers gathered to see the scene y out.

    Picking up on the attention, Vivien said, growing louder as she fed off the whispers around her, ¡°Are you ignoring me on purpose, Elliana? If you don¡¯t leave, I swear I¡¯ll get security to drag you out myself.¡± Her threats gave the onlookers something to chew on. Murmurs spread like spilled wine across a white tablecloth.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t Elliana married to Cole, the richest man around? What¡¯s she doing at Paige¡¯s engagement party, acting like she¡¯s here to wreck the whole thing?¡±

    ¡°Sounds like you missed the old gossip. Elliana was so in love with Ran back then that she nearly hurled herself into a river for him.¡±

    ¡°But still, she married Cole. Why would she even nce in Ran¡¯s direction anymore?¡±

    ¡°Just think about her position. She¡¯s a useless, unattractive woman. How could she possibly hold her ce in the Evans family? She probably knows she¡¯s bound to be thrown out someday, so now she¡¯s trying totch onto Ran. Lenard¡¯s fond of her and could back her up.¡±

    ¡°Exactly, I¡¯ve heard the same thing. Lenard¡¯s been¡­¡±

    Pushing Ran to stick to the engagement with Elliana. If it weren¡¯t for that, she would¡¯ve been out of the picture a long time ago.

    ¡°This is going to be gold. A wedding crasher? In public? I¡¯m here for every second of it.¡±

    Completely unbothered by the whispers, Elliana reached into her bag, pulled out her invitation, and waved over the nearest security guard. ¡°I was invited to this event. So why is there a watchdog yapping at me? Is this how you handle security around here?¡±

    ¡°Elliana, you despicable woman!¡± The insult hit hard. Vivien¡¯s face twisted in outrage as she lifted her hand, ready to p Elliana.

    Kiara, observing from a distance, promptly ordered a security guard to step in. She took satisfaction in seeing Elliana being troubled but didn¡¯t want Vivien to mess up Elliana¡¯s supposed attempt to crash the wedding. She had already arranged for someone to secretly capture the scene on camera, fully prepared to turn it into a headline-worthy scandal.

    Moving in swiftly, the security guard stepped between Vivien and Elliana. ¡°Miss Hudson, please calm down. This is Mr. Hudson and Miss Jones¡¯s engagement party. Please don¡¯t make a scene.¡±

    Vivien¡¯s fingers twitched, but she stopped herself. With a sharp huff and a re, she dropped her hand.

    Just then, Paige walked into the hall with Ran on her arm, all eyes swiveling toward the newly arrived couple as if the earlier tension hadn¡¯t existed.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 27

    ?Chapter 27:

    Paige was radiant in a flowing white gown that shimmered under the chandeliers. Hair essories rested on her head, catching the light like stardust. She held herself with the quiet grace of royalty, a gentle smile curving her lips as her eyes scanned the crowd with calm confidence. Beside her, Ran looked every bit the gentleman in a crisp white suit tailored to perfection. Tall and effortlessly handsome, he turned slightly toward Paige, his eyes warm with affection, and a soft smile yed on his lips.

    A hush fell over the crowd before gasps rippled through the room.

    ¡°Look at them! They¡¯re like a royal couple from a storybook.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re perfect together. She¡¯s the most admired socialite in Ublento, and he¡¯s the heir to the Hudson Group. It¡¯s like watching a real-life fairy tale unfold!¡±

    Vivien, eager to make her presence known, stepped forward with a bright smile. ¡°Have you seen Paige¡¯s dress? It¡¯s a custom piece from Emily¡¯s newest collection¡ªworth half a million. Ran bought it for her.¡±

    Emily wasn¡¯t as globally known as elite brands like Rosa, but her designs were still a dream for many in the luxury world.

    Vivien¡¯s eyes gleamed with pride as she added, ¡°And that¡¯s not even the best part. The hair essories, earrings, and ne she¡¯s wearing? All designed by Emily too¡ªtogether they cost thirty million.¡±

    ¡°Wow!¡± The group of young socialites exchanged an envious nce. ¡°Ran must really adore Paige.¡±

    Vivien cast a cold, condescending nce at Elliana and sneered, ¡°Elliana, didn¡¯t you marry the richest man in the city? So why do you look so ordinary? No jewelry at all, and you¡¯ve even covered the logo on your dress. Is life really so bad in the Evans family that you can¡¯t even afford a proper outfit?¡±

    Her words hit their mark, and soon, the others in the room began to notice Elliana¡¯s simple appearance. Compared to Paige¡¯s radiance, her outfit seemed dull and unremarkable.

    The fabric of Elliana¡¯s dress was decent, and the design was creative, but the absence of a visible brandbel was telling. In this circle, it wasn¡¯t just about looking good¡ªit was about showcasing high-end brands. Without a prestigiousbel, something was simply considered worthless.

    All around Elliana, women sparkled with diamonds and luxurybels, their appearances polished to perfection. In contrast, Elliana looked painfully in.

    Even a pair of earrings adorned her ears, making her stand out for all the wrong reasons.

    Whispers of judgment rippled through the crowd, their faces filled with disdain.

    ¡°Seems like the rumors are true. Elliana has no real standing in the Evans family. They don¡¯t even bother to make her look good. It¡¯s clear she¡¯s not treated like thedy of the house.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. She might¡¯ve snatched the marriage, but what¡¯s the use? She¡¯s still living like an outsider in that house.¡±

    ¡°Paige is the real winner here. She didn¡¯t marry into the Evans family, but look at her now¡ªadored by Ran, showered with gifts, living like a queen.¡±

    Paige, standing nearby, couldn¡¯t help but smirk. This was just what she had wanted¡ªlet the world see: even though Elliana had married into a powerful family, Elliana was still beneath her, always would be.

    ¡°Really, Elliana, we should thank you. If you hadn¡¯t shamelessly taken that marriage, Ran might¡¯ve ended up stuck with you. What a tragedy that would¡¯ve been¡ªfor him, of course.¡± Vivien let out a shrillugh, tossing her hair dramatically. ¡°Honestly, Elliana, just ept it¡ªyou¡¯re stuck in a cold, loveless marriage while Paige and Ran are living the dream. It must burn, doesn¡¯t it?¡±

    Elliana¡¯s gaze turned cold as she looked at Vivien with a calm yet cutting expression. ¡°Maybe. But even in a loveless marriage, I¡¯m still Mrs. Evans. That title alone carries more weight than someone who¡¯s been chasing after the kely name for years and still couldn¡¯t get it.¡±

    Vivien¡¯s smile faltered.

    Everyone knew about Vivien¡¯s long-standing crush on Merlin. She¡¯d thrown herself at him for years, but he had never shown an ounce of interest. Elliana had hit where it hurt the most.

    Seeing the amused expressions of those around her, Vivien¡¯s face flushed with embarrassment. Her fists clenched at her sides, and her eyes glistened with tears, but she said nothing.

    Watching Vivien falter, Paige inwardly rolled her eyes. What a useless ally. Vivien can¡¯t even handle a few words from Elliana.

    Just then, Ran¡¯s gentle smile faded. His eyes darkened the moment theynded on Elliana. ¡°Who let this disgrace in?¡±

    Paige ced a delicate hand on his arm, her voice soft and sweet. ¡°Ran, don¡¯t be mad¡­ I was the one who invited her. She¡¯s my sister, after all. I couldn¡¯t just leave her out on a night like this. That would be too cruel.¡±

    Ran sighed and tapped her nose yfully. ¡°You¡¯re too soft for your own good.¡±

    A rosy blush touched Paige¡¯s cheeks. ¡°Will youe with me to say hello? Just for a moment?¡±

    Ran looked annoyed. ¡°Why bother?¡±

    ¡°My father¡¯s watching,¡± Paige said gently. ¡°I don¡¯t want to make the family look divided on such an important day.¡±

    Reluctantly, Ran gave in and walked with Paige. His steps were confident, but his face showed clear disdain the moment they approached Elliana.

    Paige was loving every second of it. The contrast between Ran¡¯s warmth toward her and his coldness toward Elliana made her feel victorious. Her smile was graceful, but her eyes carried a subtle challenge. ¡°Elliana,¡± she said sweetly, ¡°thank you foring to our engagement party. Ran¡¯s been spoiling me so much¡ªhe picked everything for me, from the venue to the gown and even my jewelry. Everything¡¯s perfect. I couldn¡¯t be happier.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 28

    ?Chapter 28:

    Every word from Paige dripped with sweetness, but her smile carried the weight of a challenge. She, much like Kiara, waited with thinly veiled excitement for Elliana to cause a scene.

    Elliana wasn¡¯t fooled for a second. With her voice calm but pointed, she said, ¡°Paige, isn¡¯t it a little eager to get engaged to Ran when the arranged engagement promise between him and me still exists?¡±

    Ran¡¯s face turned cold in an instant. ¡°Paige invited you out of kindness. I only tolerate your presence for her sake. So, think twice before you make a scene, or you¡¯ll regret it.¡±

    He wrapped an arm around Paige like he was shielding her from something dangerous, making a show of his loyalty for everyone to see. A sly smile crept across Paige¡¯s face. Without saying a word, she lifted her hand just enough for the diamond ring to catch the light¡ªand Elliana¡¯s attention.

    From the crowd, someone eximed, ¡°That¡¯s the famous Emily¡¯s signature ring! I saw it online¡ªit¡¯s worth two million!¡±

    ¡°Two million dors? That¡¯s insane! Paige must be living the dream with how much Ran pampers her. With a ring that expensive, the wedding¡¯s bound to be nothing short of a spectacle!¡±

    All eyes darted to Elliana¡¯s empty hands. The silence was brief, but the judgment in their eyes lingered.

    Kiara¡¯s heart practically danced in her chest, though she kept her face as gentle and understanding as ever.

    Kiara said, pretending to be concerned, ¡°Elliana, although you took a marriage that wasn¡¯t yours and are clearly unhappy, it was your choice. You can¡¯t me anyone else. Honestly, I¡¯d be upset too if I were in your shoes. Paige just got lucky with someone who actually knows how to love.¡±

    Ran gazed at Kiara. ¡°Mrs. Jones, don¡¯t waste your time on someone like her. It¡¯s time to get this ceremony started.¡±

    Ran reached for Paige¡¯s hand and guided her as they walked off together.

    New content uploaded g?ln¦Òv??ls?c?m

    Onlookers didn¡¯t hesitate to put space between themselves and Elliana, treating her presence like something contagious.

    ¡°Elliana¡­¡± When Paige looked over her shoulder and spotted Elliana standing alone, something in her chest surged with smug satisfaction, though she kept her expression soft and sympathetic.

    Ran walked Paige to the center of the stage and gently took the microphone from the host. shing a bright smile, he said, ¡°We¡¯re so d all of you coulde to celebrate our engagement.¡±

    The room hung on his next sentence, every eye fixed on him with eager anticipation.

    Clinging to Ran¡¯s arm like she belonged there, Paige soaked up every ounce of the attention, her smile as radiant as her diamond.

    With everyone looking elsewhere, Kiara leaned close to Elliana and whispered, ¡°Watching the guy you love dote on another woman¡ªhurts, doesn¡¯t it? Weren¡¯t you nning to wreck the party today? Well, now¡¯s your chance.¡±

    Afraid Elliana might chicken out, Kiara pushed further, her voice dripping with cruelty. ¡°You¡¯re not scared, are you? I get it, though. You¡¯ve never had the guts to shake things up. Just stand there and let Paige enjoy everything you lost.¡±

    Elliana lifted her head slowly, and a quiet smirk formed as she met Kiara¡¯s eyes. ¡°Brace yourself. I¡¯m about to turn this whole ce upside down.¡±

    Without another word, Elliana started making her way toward the stage, each step deliberate, steady, and unstoppable.

    Kiara could hardly contain herself. Finally, the chaos she¡¯d been craving was about to unfold¡ªand she was ready to watch Elliana fall apart.

    The crowd stirred as whispers spread. One by one, heads turned toward Elliana, dressed in blue, heading for the stage.

    Elliana didn¡¯t need designerbels to stand out. The dress she wore hugged her just right, turning heads with its effortless charm and drawing every eye as she passed.

    The second Elliana stepped near the stage, Ran¡¯s expression hardened like stone. Back when they were kids, Elliana had been the picture of beauty in his eyes. He used to follow her around, certain she was the girl he¡¯d grow up and marry. But everything changed after the fire. She had been left disfigured, her mother gone, and from that moment on, he couldn¡¯t stand the sight of her.

    Even if time had spared her face, he still wouldn¡¯t have chosen her. The past had buried any chance she ever had. To him, a woman without power, connections, or status wasn¡¯t worth marrying. At best, she might be good for a brief distraction¡ªnever a wedding band. Her nerve to show up like this, likely clinging to old feelings, only deepened the revulsion he already carried.

    Ran moved in front of Paige like a wall, eyes narrowing at Elliana as he said, ¡°What are you trying to pull now?¡±

    With a soft smile, Elliana turned to the host and asked, ¡°Mind if I borrow that microphone for a minute?¡±

    Once Elliana had the microphone, she walked to the center of the stage. She cheerfully announced, ¡°Just a little reminder for everyone¡ªRan and I have actually been engaged for quite some time.¡±

    ¡°No way!¡±

    Gasps and whispers rippled through the hall like wildfire.

    ¡°So Elliana actually showed up to ruin the celebration. Things are definitely about to get entertaining!¡±

    ¡°Two women fighting over one guy? On stage? This is pure drama!¡±

    ¡°Sure, it¡¯s juicy, but let¡¯s be real¡ªElliana will only end up humiliated.¡±

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 Chapter 29

    ?Chapter 29:

    Seeing Elliana finally attempt to crash the wedding, Paige¡¯s pulse quickened with excitement, though she carefully arranged her features into a mask of distress. To sell the performance, she discreetly pinched her arm, coaxing real tears to spill down her cheeks.

    Paige stated in a choked voice, ¡°Elliana, must you always act this way? Since childhood, you¡¯vepeted with me for everything. Whatever captures my interest, you immediately covet for yourself¡ªeven my engagement. I embraced you like my own sister, constantly yielding to your desires. Even when you snatched Cole from my grasp, I swallowed my heartbreak, retreating with silent tears. Now, having finally begun healing and daring to start anew with Ran, you appear to stake your im on him despite wearing another man¡¯s ring.¡±

    As the words tumbled out, Paige¡¯s voice cracked with manufactured emotion, tears streaming unchecked down her flushed face.

    Ran, visibly moved by her apparent anguish, squeezed her shoulder and gave her a reassuring nce. Paige melted into his protective embrace, casting a look toward Elliana. ¡°Tell me, what would it take for you to release me from this lifelongpetition?¡±

    Kiara, who had been anticipating this precise moment, swiftly joined the charade. ¡°Elliana, I have loved you as my own daughter all these years, but you¡¯ve tormented Paige at every opportunity. We continuously stepped back, only for you to push forward more aggressively. Now you seek to strip away everything Paige treasures, trampling all moral boundaries. You stand here as Mrs. Evans, yet crash Paige¡¯s engagement celebration to im Ran¡ªwhat does this reveal about your loyalty to Cole? And what does it say about your respect for Ran?¡±

    Paige¡¯s vulnerable demeanor and Kiara¡¯s seemingly righteous fury resonated powerfully with the assembled guests.

    ¡°Such malice from Elliana¡ªutterly selfish and creating a spectacle!¡±

    ¡°Her tactics are both foolish and disgraceful!¡±

    Explore more stories g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í??ls?c?m

    ¡°Someone capture this wedding-crashing fiasco and post it online! Let the intemunity shower her with the shame she deserves!¡±

    Darin rushed forward at that moment. In the aftermath of Kiara¡¯s scandal, he desperately needed this engagement party to salvage the Jones family¡¯s reputation and couldn¡¯t tolerate further disruptions. Spotting Elliana on stage, his expression darkened as he¡­

    Darin clenched his jaw and bellowed, ¡°Elliana, you disgraceful girl, descend the stage immediately and get the hell out of here!¡±

    Kiara had endured Darin¡¯s humiliation and mistreatment in recent days. If not for Paige securing Ran¡¯s investment to alleviate the Jones family¡¯s financial crisis, her future would have remained bleak. This moment presented the perfect opportunity to align herself with Darin, so she delivered another Oscar-worthy performance, copsing tearfully against his shoulder. ¡°Darling, please implore Elliana to spare our poor Paige this torment.¡±

    Darin, still revolted by Kiara¡¯s previous actions and words, had no desire for physical contact. Yet, with countless eyes upon them, he couldn¡¯t reveal their discord, so he reluctantly embraced her, patting her back in feignedfort.

    Witnessing this tableau, the crowd¡¯s hostility toward Elliana intensified.

    ¡°Elliana disrupts Paige¡¯s engagement celebration to torment both Paige and Kiara. What kind of person behaves so cruelly?¡±

    ¡°Paige and Kiara are too forgiving and tolerant. In their position, I¡¯d have security break Elliana¡¯s legs before tossing her into the street.¡±

    ¡°Can someone contact Cole and inform him of his wife¡¯s behavior? I¡¯d wager he¡¯d tear into Elliana himself!¡±

    Overhearing these murmurs, Paige and Kiara exchanged triumphant nces. They had executed their performance wlessly, manipting the scene with precision. Elliana now bore the irrevocablebel of wedding crasher. Once news of this incident spread online, society wouldpletely ostracize her.

    Ran, already inmed by Paige¡¯s tears, suddenly snapped, ¡°Elliana, cease this disruptive spectacle immediately!¡±

    Elliana had observed quietly, allowing them ample time toplete their dramatic production. After they finished their carefully orchestrated parts, she remarked with mock confusion, ¡°I never imed I came to disrupt this party. Why are you all thrusting this usation upon me?¡±

    The crowd faltered. Elliana indeed hadn¡¯t dered intentions to crash the wedding. Had they collectively misinterpreted her intention?

    Paige, gnawed by a sinking feeling, hastily interjected, ¡°Youmandeered the stage and announced your connection with Ran at my engagement party. If that doesn¡¯t constitute crashing the celebration, what does?¡±

    Facing Paige¡¯s tear-streaked usation, Elliana adopted a fake, aggrieved expression. ¡°I truly didn¡¯te to disrupt your celebration, but rather to seize this opportunity to announce something important.¡±

    ¡°Announced something?¡± Whispers rippled through the crowd, curiosity building about Elliana¡¯s true intentions.

    Kiara, sensing their carefully constructed narrative unraveling, quickly countered, ¡°I understand your jealousy and resentment. Why bother with pretense? Seeing how your wedding-crashing has angered everyone, are you now fabricating an alternative reason? Your malice knows no bounds!¡±

    Hearing this, Ran immediately roared, ¡°Security! Remove this contemptible woman at once!¡±

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 Chapter 30

    ?Chapter 30:

    Upon hearing Ran¡¯smand, security guards surged forward to seize Elliana from the stage.

    In that precise moment, Ran¡¯s grandfather, Lenard, appeared. Lenard, who had wielded authority over the Hudson family dynasty for decades, walked over with a presence that instantly silenced the bustling banquet hall. Every whisper died on tense lips.

    Ran moved to descend from the stage, but Lenard raised onemanding hand, freezing him in ce. Lenard turned his prating gaze toward Elliana and dered, ¡°Speak your mind freely, child, I stand behind you.¡±

    ¡°Grandpa!¡± Shock transformed Ran¡¯s features. He¡¯d never understood his grandfather¡¯s inexplicable affection for Elliana or his insistence on their union even after her disfigurement. Today should have cemented his future with Paige, yet here stood Lenard, apparently sanctioning Elliana¡¯s disruption of everything they¡¯d nned.

    Sensing Ran¡¯s rigid posture, Paige felt her stomach plummet. While she desperately wanted to use this event to destroy Elliana¡¯s reputation, she hungered even more desperately for marriage to Ran. Any misstep now could prove catastrophic. Having reconciled herself to the zero chance of being with Cole, she clung to Ran as her final opportunity to marry up. If Elliana demolished today¡¯s celebration, she might never again capture a man of Ran¡¯s caliber.

    Kiara and Darin felt the tension crackling in the air, reminiscent of that fateful day when Elliana had taken Paige¡¯s ce and wrapped up the wedding ceremony with Cole. Having already lost the chance totch onto the Evans family, they couldn¡¯t stomach losing the chance to connect with the Hudsons.

    Both Kiara and Darin opened their mouths to intervene but wilted under Lenard¡¯s formidable gaze, swallowing their protests.

    Elliana acknowledged Lenard with a respectful nod before delivering her message to the public with deliberate grace. ¡°As everyone present knows, Ran and I are bound by an engagement. This arrangement was personally orchestrated by my mother and Lenard.¡±

    Knowing nces ricocheted through the crowd. They¡¯d expected Elliana wouldn¡¯t release Ran without a struggle. Her denial about disrupting the wedding rang hollow¡ªshe was merely employing more sophisticated tactics. Murmurs rippled through the gathering.

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    ¡°I originally believed Ran would surely eject Elliana without hesitation. But now, with Lenard championing her cause, the oue suddenly hangs in bnce. She might actually derail this entire engagement.¡±

    ¡°Her audacity truly confounds me. If she seeds, imagine the rtional carnage that would follow.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m particrly curious about Cole¡¯s reaction to all this.¡±

    Just then, Elliana¡¯s voice cut through the spection. ¡°I stand before you today to announce my intention to dissolve any past connection with Ran Hudson!¡± A profound silence smothered the grand hall. No one had anticipated this stunning reversal.

    After several heartbeats of stunned quiet, conversation erupted with renewed intensity.

    ¡°It appears we misjudged Elliana¡¯s motives entirely. She never intended to disrupt this engagement party¡ªwe¡¯ve wronged her.¡±

    ¡°Wasn¡¯t she supposedly obsessed with Ran? How could she relinquish him so casually?¡±

    ¡°Those rumors originated with the Jones family. Their reliability has always been questionable.¡±

    ¡°The naked panic on Paige¡¯s and Kiara¡¯s faces moments ago¡ªtrulyughable now.¡±

    As these damning observations circted, Paige¡¯s and Kiara¡¯s expressions soured visibly. They had failed to anticipate Elliana¡¯s maneuver. Where was the dramatic disruption they had expected? Ran¡¯s features hardened into cial fury. He had always despised Elliana, dreading her potential entanglement in his life. Yet now, she publicly announced their separation, cunningly repositioning herself as the one rejecting him. This humiliation burned like acid. In a surge of rage, he seized her wrist in a vise-like grip, forcing words through clenched teeth: ¡°Who gave you the audacity to pull this stunt?¡±

    Ellianaughed softly, effortlessly extracting her wrist from his grasp. ¡°Mr. Hudson, please preserve what dignity remains to you. I am a married woman. My husband, Cole Evans, stands as the wealthiest man in Ublento¡ªfar superior to you in every measure. I harbor no desire to trade husbands.¡±

    ¡°You¡ª¡± Ran¡¯s fury choked his words in his throat. Elliana¡¯s calcted statement invited dangerous misinterpretation, implying he pursued her despite her resistance. Infuriating beyond measure! Ignoring his smoldering rage, Elliana turned to offer Lenard a respectful bow. ¡°Sorry for this drama.¡±

    Genuine disappointment shadowed Lenard¡¯s weathered face as he sighed deeply and turned away without another word.

    The moment Lenard disappeared from sight, Paige crumbled into genuine tears. As Ublento¡¯s premier socialite, she expected to receive Lenard¡¯s blessing and acknowledgment for her engagement to Ran. Instead, Lenard had left without saying a word to her, exposing her to public humiliation.

    Each passing second deepened Paige¡¯s resentment, until it erupted in a raw usation. ¡°Elliana, you¡¯re so miserable in your life that you can¡¯t bear to witness my happiness! You deliberately orchestrated this humiliation, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°How could I possibly be unhappy?¡± Elliana blinked in confusion. ¡°My marriage brings me immense joy. I genuinely came to celebrate your engagement.¡±

    ¡°Is that so?¡± Paige¡¯s lips curled into a vicious sneer. ¡°Then let¡¯s show everyone exactly how ¡®happy¡¯ you truly are!¡± With that, Paige lunged forward, violently tearing away thebel Elliana had carefully ced to cover the logo on her dress.

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 Chapter 31

    ?Chapter 31:

    Paige crumbled, her calctedposure falling apart. In her desperate attempt to humiliate Elliana, the engagement party hadpletely faded from her thoughts. She ripped the sticker off Elliana¡¯s dress with a sneer, ¡°Elliana, since you¡¯re so happy, why not share with everyone which designer crafted that dress of yours?¡±

    Every eye in the crowd shifted toward the exposed logo on Elliana¡¯s gown.

    In the prestigious Evans family, the heir¡¯s wife was a reflection of the family¡¯s status. Regardless of her internal position, her public image must remain wless¡ªa living testament to the elite family¡¯s reputation. Earlier, when Elliana concealed the logo, guests had assumed the gown might not bear an illustrious international name. Yet, the exquisite design and sumptuous fabric hinted at a reputable house.

    Now, curiosity spread through the room. Which brand adorned Elliana¡¯s frame, and did it truly match the wife of the wealthiest man in the city? If not, it would signal her precarious position¡ªjust a ceholder who could be discarded at any moment.

    An ufortable silence enveloped the room. When the crowd finally saw the logo, a collective gasp erupted, followed by excited murmurs.

    ¡°Can it be? Is Elliana wearing a custom Rosa creation?¡±

    ¡°It is Rosa! I¡¯ve heard their custom pieces start at a million. The fabric draping Elliana looks impossibly luxurious. Can anyone fathom the price?¡±

    ¡°I recall now! That fabric is woven with actual gold and silver threads¡ªknown in fashion circles for its unmatched opulence and scarcity.¡±

    ¡°No wonder her silhouette captivates. It¡¯s clearly extraordinary, crafted from the finest materials, bearing Rosa¡¯s signature. That gown must cost a king¡¯s ransom!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been in the fashion industry for years, and by my estimation, Elliana¡¯s dress wouldmand around eight million.¡±

    ¡°Eight million? The Evans family allowing Elliana such extravagance? Who dares im shecks favor?¡±

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    ¡°Compared to that, Paige¡¯s five-hundred-thousand Emily dress seems almost pedestrian.¡±

    ¡°The richest irony? Emily¡¯s designs have long been criticized in the industry for allegedly mimicking Rosa. Paige, standing there in Emily, beside Elliana draped in authentic Rosa¡ªPaige appears woefully outssed, several echelons beneath.¡±

    The murmurs cut through Paige like knives as she teetered on the edge of copse. Never had she imagined that beneath that innocuous sticker lurked Rosa¡¯s prestigious mark. The revtion blindsided herpletely. Her scheme to disgrace Elliana had backfired catastrophically, leaving her drowning in her own humiliation. She couldn¡¯t¡ªwouldn¡¯t¡ªept this reversal.

    Paige hissed, ¡°Elliana, if your dressmands such a fortune, why hide the logo?¡± Her voice trembled with barely controlled rage. ¡°Is it a counterfeit you feared would invite mockery?¡±

    Her usation nted seeds of doubt among the whispering guests.

    Elliana regarded Paige with amused detachment, as though observing a particrly entertaining clown. ¡°Paige, why must you always assume the worst? I¡¯m wearing an authentic high-end Rosa creation. I concealed the logo because I didn¡¯t wish to overshadow you, the soon-to-be fianc¨¦e. I aimed for modesty, but after searching my entire wardrobe, I couldn¡¯t find anything simpler than your ensemble. I had no alternative but to select this understated color and mask the logo. Who would have thought my consideration would be rewarded with your suspicion and derision?¡±

    Paige¡¯s imagination spiraled with Elliana¡¯s words, conjuring visions of what Elliana¡¯s wardrobe must contain. It surely represented every woman¡¯s fantasy¡ªracks upon racks of custom designer pieces, each garment more exquisite than thest. Any single item would have eclipsed her entire collection.

    This nearly drove Paige to madness, jealousy corroding her from within. All of it¡ªall of it¡ªshould have belonged to her! Consumed by envy, her rationality disintegrated as rage zed behind her eyes. ¡°I refuse to believe Cole wouldvish such luxury on you!¡± she spat. ¡°That dress must be stolen! If Cole truly valued you enough to spend so extravagantly, where is your jewelry?¡±

    To the onlookers, her argument carried a veneer of usibility. The Evans family vault must overflow with designer creations. How simple it would be for Elliana to pilfer a piece or two for public unting. Elliana¡¯s smile remained innocently serene. ¡°My husband did gift me jewelry, but I deemed it too ostentatious, so I concealed that as well.¡±

    Paige¡¯s gaze darted instinctively to Elliana¡¯s neck. Indeed, through the delicatece shawl, the outline of a ne was faintly visible. Yet, she dismissed the possibility that any ornament Elliana possessed could outshine¡ª

    Her own collection. Elliana appeared almost unadorned from head to toe, save for that single ne. How could that possiblypare to her dazzling array? Her hair essories, earrings, ne, and ring collectively surpassed thirty million. Elliana couldn¡¯t possiblypete with such opulence! She would use her jewels to crush Elliana¡¯s pride once and for all!

    With this vindictive thought zing in her mind, Paige lunged forward and violently yanked away Elliana¡¯sce shawl¡­

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 Chapter 32

    ?Chapter 32:

    When Paige challenged Elliana¡¯s jewelry, the audience leaned forward in collective anticipation. The moment thece shawl was torn away, every eye locked onto Elliana¡¯s neck.

    ¡°Wow!¡± The crowd¡¯s reaction erupted instantly¡ªa symphony of gasps and whispers. The Endless Love ne zed with such extraordinary brilliance that it hypnotized everyone at first nce. Endless Love married diamonds, jade, and citrine in perfect harmony, employing mathematical precision and revolutionary cutting techniques to create an illusion where reality melted into fantasy and fantasy crystallized into reality¡ªan artistic dialogue that transcended both time and space.

    Though Rosa had emerged on the scene merely years ago, the design and craftsmanship of Endless Love stood unrivaled, impossible to duplicate. Only one existed in the entire world.

    The Endless Love adorning Elliana¡¯s throat was unquestionably authentic¡ªthis fact brooked no debate.

    Such a masterpiece rarely graced mortal eyes. Most could only dream of glimpsing it through photographs or whispered legends. Today, Elliana had brought this singr treasure into their midst, casting an almost ethereal spell over the banquet hall.

    ¡°Heaven help me, its radiance is blinding! Is this truly the legendary Endless Love crafted by Rosa¡¯s master artisan?¡±

    ¡°Without doubt! I¡¯ve studied images online. It¡¯s Endless Love incarnate! Word has it a mysterious tycoon imed it at auction for ten billion. Mystery solved¡ªthat tycoon is Cole!¡±

    ¡°Who dares suggest Cole doesn¡¯t cherish Elliana? He entrusts her with a ten-billion-dor masterpiece.¡±

    ¡°I finally understand why Elliana wears no other adornments. Beside Endless Love, any other jewel would be mere trinkets¡ªdistracting clutter.¡±

    ¡°Precisely! Once Endless Love enters the room, what ornament could possiblypete?¡±

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    ¡°Paige¡¯s earlier jewelry parade suddenly seemsughably provincial. Her entire collection totals a paltry thirty million¡ªnot even a whisperpared to Endless Love. Now we see who trulycks refinement.¡±

    She genuinely wished not to eclipse the soon-to-be fianc¨¦e. She deliberately concealed Endless Love. Anyone else would have unted such a treasure to the heavens.

    ¡°How tragic. Despite Elliana¡¯s purest intentions, the Jones and Hudson families misjudged her terribly. Now they face the bitter fruit of their own suspicions.¡±

    As murmurs rippled through the gathering, Vivien¡ªwho had earlier mocked Elliana so ruthlessly¡ªslunk away in mortification, retreating to a shadowed corner to hide her burning shame.

    Paige withered beneath Elliana¡¯s inadvertent triumph, staring at Endless Love with visceral hatred, her body trembling uncontrobly.

    How could this nightmare be reality? How could fate be so cruel? Elliana had no right to such opulence¡ªthese treasures should adorn her neck. This should have been her moment!

    Savage jealousy twisted Paige¡¯s meticulously painted features. Minutes earlier, she had basked in Ran¡¯s devotion, butpared to Elliana, she now felt like a child ying dress-up. What move remained? Madness wed at the edges of her sanity!

    Ran hovered at Paige¡¯s side, witnessing the naked envy and desperation contorting her face. His own expression hardened into grim lines. He hadvished two hundred million on this engagement celebration to elevate Paige¡¯s status, ensuring she could shine among the elite. Instead, all his borate preparations had crumbled beneath Elliana¡¯s unintended brilliance.

    Though the Hudson familymanded respect in Ublento, their wealth paled against Cole¡¯s empire. In this ruthless game of affluence, they couldn¡¯t possiblypete. What Cole bestowed upon Elliana, Ran could never offer Paige!

    Kiara and Darin stood paralyzed, their minds struggling to process this catastrophic reversal.

    Amidst the cruel symphony of whispers, Paige forced her lips into a brittle smile, desperation fueling her words. ¡°Elliana, you stole Endless Love as well, didn¡¯t you? To humiliate me at my engagement party, you¡¯d risk Cole¡¯s wrath and severe consequences. Your audacity knows no bounds!¡±

    Elliana couldn¡¯t suppress an eye roll, concluding Paige was beyond salvation. ¡°Paige, I had Endless Love carefully concealed. You exposed it yourself in your attempt to shame me. Haven¡¯t you engineered your own humiliation?¡±

    Paige floundered, blurting without thought, ¡°You could have chosen not to wear Endless Love at all!¡±

    Elliana merely shrugged, her gesture eloquent in its simplicity. ¡°My husband insisted I wear it. How could I refuse?¡±

    Hearing Elliana invoke Cole as her husband yet again, jealousy threatened to consume Paige entirely. ¡°Elliana, drop this charade! If Cole truly treasures you so dearly, why isn¡¯t he at your side today? Wouldn¡¯t his presence as your husband grant you far more prestige than any ne?¡±

    Elliana prepared to exin Cole¡¯s business trip when amanding voice resonated from the entrance. ¡°Honey, I¡¯m here.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s head snapped up as that towering, maic figure materialized before her.

    The crowd pivoted as one, the air filling with astonished intakes of breath. Cole had arrived¡­

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 Chapter 33

    ?Chapter 33:

    Cole, with his striking good looks andmanding presence, instantly overshadowed Ran, who had, until moments ago, been the center of attention at his own engagement party.

    The grand banquet hall fell into an uneasy silence as all eyes turned to Cole, the atmosphere thick with curiosity.

    Upon his arrival, Ran knew better than to show any sign of disrespect. He quickly descended from the stage, his voice barely masking his nervousness. ¡°Mr. Evans, it¡¯s an unexpected honor to have you here at my engagement celebration!¡±

    Paige hesitated for a moment, then followed Ran, her steps faltering as she moved toward Cole. But Cole regarded Ran with cold indifference, his voice slicing through the tension. ¡°Mr. Hudson, spare me the pleasantries. I¡¯m not here for your engagement festivities. I¡¯m here for my wife.¡±

    Ran¡¯s expression hardened into one of shock.

    In that moment, Elliana stood alone on the stage, and instinctively, every eye in the room shifted toward her. ¡°Is Cole upset with Elliana?¡±

    ¡°Perhaps Paige was right all along. The gown and jewelry were stolen, and now Cole hase to expose Elliana¡¯s deception.¡±

    The murmurs fueled Paige¡¯s confidence. Her excitement swelled as she waited for Cole to publicly humiliate Elliana, or better yet, to punish her severely. Seizing her moment, she pounced. ¡°Cole, you see, Elliana stole such exquisite finery and caused this spectacle at my engagement because she¡¯s desperately in love with Ran. She simply couldn¡¯t bear to watch the man she adores engaged to someone else. Her actions, while inappropriate, stem from heartbreak¡ªso perhaps you shouldn¡¯t be too harsh with her.¡±

    Her words dripped with hypocrisy. What husband would tolerate hearing his wife profess undying love for another man? This wasn¡¯tpassion, but a calcted provocation.

    The crowd exchanged knowing nces, silently scoffing at Paige¡¯s transparent scheme, their eyes alight with anticipation for the drama that was unfolding.

    Paige gazed up at Cole, her charm fully on disy, her eyes betraying unmistakable longing. Despite choosing Ran, she couldn¡¯t help but be drawn to Cole¡¯s maic presence.

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    toward Paige. ¡°Miss Jones, your usation is absurd. My wife wears her own gown and jewelry. How could that possibly constitute theft?¡±

    With that statement, he confirmed that Elliana¡¯s magnificent attire had indeed been provided by him.

    Cole¡¯s voice hardened. ¡°And Miss Jones, let me assure you¡ªwith me by her side, my wife would never lower her standards to desire your boyfriend. She possesses excellent taste!¡±

    Paige felt as though she¡¯d been pped across the face. The sting of humiliation burned her cheeks as the crowd¡¯s whispers grew bolder.

    ¡°Elliana¡¯s finery was truly a gift from Cole himself. She must hold considerable favor in the Evans household!¡±

    ¡°For a woman many consider in to receive such preferential treatment, she must possess extraordinary qualities. I wonder how she secured her position in the Evans family.¡±

    Humiliation dragged Paige into an emotional abyss, her heart churning with resentment, jealousy, and rage.

    But Cole hadn¡¯t finished with Paige. His voice rang out again,manding attention. ¡°I must publicly rify matters today. My grandfather owed Mr. Hilliard Jones a debt of gratitude, hence the promise of a marriage alliance. However, the agreement never specified which daughter of the Jones family would be an Evans bride. The Evans family chose Elliana¡ªa decision both appropriate and justified. The im that Elliana ¡®stole¡¯ Paige¡¯s marriage is patently false. Should I hear anyone spreading rumors that tarnish either the Evans family name or Elliana¡¯s reputation, I will pursue legal action without hesitation!¡±

    His words carried unmistakable authority, sending a chill through the assembly and silencing every whisper. The Evans familymanded the most formidable legal team in the country. Anyone dragged to court by them faced inevitable destruction. Who would dare utter another syble?

    Paige¡¯s nails dug crescents into her palms. She had meticulously crafted rumors, painting Elliana as a maniptive thief who had stolen her marriage. This narrative had made Elliana a target for public scorn while garnering sympathy for herself. But Cole had demolished it in seconds. The Evans family had never officially announced her engagement to Cole. Those online ims had been her own fabrications, now thoroughly debunked by Cole himself, transforming her into an object of ridicule. Standing beneath countless judgmental stares, drowning in embarrassment, she realized she had no ground left to stand on.

    Everyone awaited Cole¡¯s rebuke of Elliana, but instead, he turned his sharp sarcasm toward Paige. ¡°Miss Jones, your usation is absurd. My wife wears her own gown and jewelry. How could that possibly constitute theft?¡±

    With that statement, he confirmed that Elliana¡¯s magnificent attire had indeed been provided by him.

    Cole¡¯s voice hardened. ¡°And Miss Jones, let me assure you¡ªwith me by her side, my wife wouldn¡¯t lower her standards to desire your boyfriend. She possesses excellent taste!¡±

    Paige felt as though she¡¯d been pped across the face, the sting of humiliation burning her cheeks. The crowd¡¯s whispers grew louder.

    ¡°So Elliana¡¯s finery was truly a gift from Cole himself. She must hold considerable favor in the Evans household!¡±

    ¡°For a woman many consider in to receive such preferential treatment, she must possess extraordinary qualities. I wonder how she secured her position in the Evans family.¡±

    Humiliation dragged Paige into an emotional abyss, her heart churning with resentment, jealousy, and rage.

    But Cole hadn¡¯t finished with Paige. His voice rang out again,manding attention. ¡°I must publicly rify matters today. My grandfather owed Mr. Hilliard Jones a debt of gratitude, hence the promise of a marriage alliance. However, the agreement never specified which daughter of the Jones family would be an Evans bride. The Evans family chose Elliana¡ªa decision both appropriate and justified. The im that Elliana ¡®stole¡¯ Paige¡¯s marriage is patently false. Should I hear anyone spreading rumors that tarnish either the Evans family name or Elliana¡¯s reputation, I will pursue legal action without hesitation!¡±

    His words carried unmistakable authority, sending a chill through the assembly and silencing every whisper. The Evans familymanded the most formidable legal team in the country. Anyone dragged to court by them faced inevitable destruction. Who would dare utter another syble?

    Paige¡¯s nails dug crescents into her palms. She had meticulously crafted rumors, painting Elliana as a maniptive thief who had stolen her marriage, making Elliana a target for public scorn while garnering sympathy for herself. Cole had demolished this narrative in seconds. Indeed, the Evans family had never announced her engagement to Cole. Those online ims had been her own fabrications, now thoroughly debunked by Cole himself, transforming her into an object of ridicule. Standing beneath countless judgmental stares, drowning in mockery, Paige wished the floor would open and swallow her whole. With tears welling in her eyes, she looked imploringly at Cole, silently begging to know why he treated her with such cruelty.

    But Cole turned away withplete indifference, addressing Elliana on the stage, ¡°Are you nning to remain there all day?¡±

    Elliana blinked in surprise, never having expected Cole to defend her so publicly. Hearing his impatient prompt, she snapped back to reality, gathered her gown, and hurried down from the stage to join him. As Elliana passed Paige, she offered a bright smile. ¡°Paige, congrattions on your engagement!¡±

    Her words pierced Paige¡¯s heart like a dagger. The engagement celebrationy in ruins, the soon-to-be fianc¨¦ reduced to insignificance, and the soon-to-be fianc¨¦e transformed into the evening¡¯sughingstock.

    Everything had unraveled so swiftly that Paige couldn¡¯t process the reversal. Something inside her snapped.

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 Chapter 34

    ?Chapter 34:

    As Elliana glided away with her hand firmly in Cole¡¯s, humiliation crashed over Paige like a tidal wave. Her once-prized dress and jewelry suddenly felt cheap and garish. With a primal cry of rage, she tore the hair essories from her head and hurled them to the floor, where they shattered with a satisfying crack.

    The sound echoed through the silent hall, destroying thest vestiges of Ran¡¯s dignity.

    Blinded by fury, Paige gave no thought to Ran¡¯s reputation. After demolishing the hair essories, her trembling fingers wed at the ne adorning her throat, desperate to rid herself of another symbol of her shattered pride.

    Kiara lunged forward, capturing Paige¡¯s wrist in a viselike grip. ¡°Paige, control yourself!¡± she hissed through clenched teeth.

    Fearing her daughter beyond reason, Kiara pinched the delicate skin of Paige¡¯s wrist until it nched white. ¡°I understand your rage, but Ran¡¯s reputation hangs in the bnce.¡±

    The sharp pain jolted Paige back to reality. Her eyes instinctively sought out Ran¡¯s face. Hisplexion had turned thunderous. ¡°Ran, I¡ª¡± Paige¡¯s exnation died on her lips, words failing herpletely.

    The room buzzed with vicious whispers.

    ¡°Paige has truly lost her mind. The Evans and Jones families arranged a marriage without specifying the bride, yet she unted her supposed engagement to Cole everywhere. She¡¯s crafted her own humiliation with meticulous care.¡±

    ¡°Did you witness how she pushed Elliana earlier? Pure, undiluted jealousy. Her ims about familial love are nothing but borate lies. One can only imagine the cruelty Elliana has endured behind closed doors.¡±

    ¡°The apple never falls far from the tree. Paige mirrors Kiara perfectly. Their professed love for Elliana masks their wicked hearts. Both women are woven from the same deceitful cloth.¡±

    The cutting remarks sliced through Paige and Kiara, leaving them adrift in their own scheme¡¯s wreckage. What they had orchestrated as Elliana¡¯s downfall had metamorphosed into their own public disgrace. Darin observed the engagement celebration crumbling around him, a dark desire to punish Kiara festering in his chest. Yet, salvaging the engagement remained paramount¡ªpreventing Ran from abandoning Paige in disgust took precedence. Though the Hudson family¡­

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    Forcing a cating smile, Darin addressed Ran with practiced deference. ¡°Ran, this engagement celebration must continue¡­¡±

    Paige, now fully aware of her surroundings,tched onto Ran¡¯s arm with desperate fingers. ¡°Ran, darling, Elliana¡¯s behavior pushed me beyond reason. This outburst doesn¡¯t reflect my true heart. Please, don¡¯t hold this against me.¡±

    Kiara chimed in smoothly, ¡°Ran, you¡¯ve known Paige intimately for years¡ªher character speaks for itself. She¡¯s a simple, good-hearted girl at her core. Elliana deliberately orchestrated this chaos today. Don¡¯t allow her maniption to seed.¡±

    A suffocating silence stretched between them before Ran forced a smile, one that never reached his eyes. To im he was unaffected would have been a lie. But after pursuing Paige relentlessly and finally securing her hand, abandoning her was unthinkable. With reluctance hanging over every move, he agreed to continue the farce.

    Just as he prepared to announce the engagement¡¯s next ritual, the Ublento Hotel manager swept in, nked by a phnx of ck-suited security personnel. Without preamble, they began clearing the room with military precision.

    ¡°Miss Paige Jones,¡± the manager announced, his voice sharp as a de, ¡°you have been permanently cklisted from Ublento Hotel. Your presence is no longer wee at any of our establishments worldwide. Vacate the premises immediately.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± A collective gasp rippled through the assembled guests. Paige stood frozen, her mind refusing to process this final humiliation. ¡°On what grounds?¡±

    The manager¡¯s expression remained ice-cold. ¡°Thises directly from Lexi herself. Depart now, or security will assist your exit.¡±

    Paige scrambled to recall anything she might have done to warrant such treatment. Lexi Hanson, the enigmatic owner of Ublento Hotel, was known for wielding terrifying influence. Paige had always maintained impable behavior during her visits¡ªhow could she have incurred Lexi¡¯s wrath? The fleeting superiority she had felt from securing the prestigious venue, herst remaining source of pride after Elliana had obliterated everything else, now crumbled to dust. Being physically ejected would solidify her total destruction.

    Desperate panic seized Paige as she clutched Ran¡¯s sleeve. ¡°Ran, please intervene!¡±

    Equally bewildered, Ran straightened his spine. ¡°My fianc¨¦e conducts herself with unfailing grace. She could never have offended Lexi. This must be a grievous error. I demand rification!¡±

    Evicting the soon-to-be fianc¨¦e from her own engagement celebration warranted an exnation at the very least, but the manager simply offered a dismissive, ¡°Noment.¡±

    With an imperious flick of his wrist, the ck-suited guards advanced toward Paige.

    Ran¡¯sposure fractured. ¡°You operate a business! How dare you disy such tyranny? Does the Hudson name mean nothing to you?¡±

    The manager¡¯s response dripped with exquisite mockery. ¡°Mr. Hudson, you remain our honored guest. Ublento Hotel will continue to provide impable service to you¡ªbut Miss Jones must exit these premises immediately!¡±

    At this, the assembled crowd struggled to contain their collective amusement. How exactly was Ran supposed to celebrate an engagement party without his girlfriend?

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 35

    ?Chapter 35:

    Seeing that Ran couldn¡¯t turn things around, Kiara roared at the Ublento Hotel manager, ¡°This is a textbook case of a big shot stomping on the little guy! I¡¯m going to blow this wide open and file aint!¡±

    Paige jumped in, adding, ¡°Ublento Hotel has always boasted about its top-notch service. Now you¡¯re throwing the soon-to-be fianc¨¦e out of her own engagement party? Aren¡¯t you worried about dragging your name through the mud?¡±

    Paige and Kiara thought their words would make the manager second-guess his actions, but instead, he let out a mocking chuckle. ¡°Miss Jones, let¡¯s make this quick. Walk out on your own, or should I call security to show you the door?¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Paige was so angry that she started shaking like a leaf. In the past, with her self-acimed title of Cole¡¯s fianc¨¦e and Ublento¡¯s reigning social queen, she had been treated like royalty everywhere she went. She had never been humiliated like this. Today, she was being publicly shamed, and there was nothing she could do to fight back. Biting her lip, she stormed out on her own.

    Once outside the Ublento Hotel, Kiara pounced. ¡°Paige, how did you get on Lexi¡¯s bad side?¡±

    Paige was already crying. ¡°I¡¯ve never even met Lexi. How could I have pissed her off?¡±

    Paige had hoped that this engagement party would mark her grandeback, but instead, her pride was shattered, and the night turned into aplete disaster. She wasn¡¯t about to take this lying down! Choking back tears, Paige said, ¡°Mom, it has to be Elliana pulling the strings. She¡¯s throwing Cole¡¯s name around, and that¡¯s why Ublento treated me like dirt!¡±

    Kiara¡¯s blood boiled at the thought. ¡°Cole wouldn¡¯t fall for someone as in as Elliana, but as long as she¡¯s his wife, he¡¯s forced to back her in public. It¡¯s all about the Evans family¡¯s image. But if she thinks she can bury us with that hollow title, she¡¯s got another thinging! Don¡¯t worry, Paige. Elliana¡¯s days of gloating are numbered. We¡¯ve still got a card to y.¡±

    Meanwhile, after Cole whisked Elliana out of the banquet hall, he didn¡¯t head home. Instead, he led her to the swanky top-floor suite for dinner. Ublento Hotel had twenty floors, each more expensive than thest. Only the cr¨¨me de cr¨¨me got ess to the penthouse suite.

    Inside, Elliana¡¯s phone pinged with a message. ¡°Lexi, the person you can¡¯t stand just got the boot from Ublento Hotel.¡± Elliana smirked and set her phone down.

    Discover tales at g ? ln ¦Ò¦Í?? ?? s,

    Cole handed her the menu. ¡°Order whatever you¡¯re craving.¡± Elliana took it and selected a few of her favorite dishes.

    Watching her navigate the menu with ease, Cole¡¯s lips curved into a smile. She was clearly no stranger to this ce. The ignored, in-Jane daughter of the Jones family, left to rot in a backyard shed, couldn¡¯t possibly afford to dine at Ublento Hotel. She had to be here under some other identity. But who was she, really?

    As he mulled it over, Elliana passed the menu back. ¡°I¡¯m done. Your turn.¡±

    Cole didn¡¯t budge. ¡°I¡¯m good with whatever you like. Just double it for me.¡±

    Elliana caught the glint in his eye and knew he was about to turn on the charm. To avoid any flirty lines that might make her blush, she stayed quiet, duplicated her order for him, and handed it to the waiter. The waiter took the order, slipped out, and shut the suite door with a polite air.

    Now alone in the suite, Cole¡¯s gaze sharpened, raking over Elliana from head to toe, as if he were peeling back her clothes with his eyes.

    Feeling exposed, she coughed lightly, steering the conversation elsewhere. ¡°Uh, this ne is way too pricey. I should give it back now.¡±

    She reached to unsp it.

    But before she could, arge hand closed over hers, firm and unyielding. In a sh, he tugged, and shended on hisp, his strong arms caging her in.

    Her silky dress slipped slightly as she settled, pressing her closer to his chest.

    The heat from his thighs and the tight grip on her waist sent warmth coursing through her, his presence overwhelming.

    Elliana¡¯s face burned with embarrassment. She squirmed to get free, but the more she moved, the tighter Cole held her, locking her in ce. He leaned close, his breath hot against her ear, his voice a low, dangerous purr. ¡°Keep wiggling, and I can¡¯t promise we won¡¯t pick up where we left off the night I was away on business.¡±

    That night? Elliana froze, his words sinking in like a warning shot. Despite his crisp ck suit and cool, detached vibe, she could sense the raw energy coiled inside him, just waiting for a spark to set it off. She wasn¡¯t about to light that fuse. Plus, he¡¯d given her an extravagant gift and stood up for her in the banquet hall.

    ¡°Going back now would be ungrateful,¡± she reasoned, trying to maintainposure. ¡°Please let me up. We¡¯re in a restaurant¡­¡±

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    .

 Chapter 36

    ?Chapter 36:

    Elliana¡¯s cheeks flushed as memories rushed back¡ªthe night they parted, when Cole had caught her stepping out of the bathroom. They had been too close. To her, the closeness between them felt strange, and the whole situation seemed perplexing. They were two strangers, tied by a marriage certificate neither of them truly understood. Married for six days, with four of those spent apart. Despite their limited time together, they seemed to fall into each other¡¯s arms with surprising ease. Though today, they hadn¡¯t kissed yet.

    As the thought crossed her mind, warmth suddenly brushed her lips¡ªCole kissed her, out of the blue.

    Elliana froze. Of course. A hug was never going to be enough for him. Before she could recover, he kissed her again. His deep voice brushed her ear. ¡°Did you miss me?¡±

    Half her body went numb. ¡°Well, have you ever considered that you might not be quite normal?¡±

    Cole raised an amused brow. ¡°Oh? And what makes you think that?¡± Elliana hadn¡¯t meant to say it, but with him constantly teasing and getting handsy, she had to speak up. ¡°You¡¯re a billionaire. You could have any attractive woman, be it a supermodel or an actress. But instead, you¡¯re here, flirting with me. Is that normal?¡±

    Cole shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t care about looks. I go where the chemistry is.¡±

    Elliana kept her thoughts to herself¡ªhe really wasn¡¯t normal. ¡°Whatever your ¡®type¡¯ is, could you at least act a little decent? We¡¯re just husband and wife in name only. Once we figure out how we were brought together, we go our separate ways¡­ Ah!¡± She yelped. He had pinched her.

    Cole¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Ungrateful woman.¡± He hadn¡¯t rushed back just to hear talk of separation.

    Just then, the suite door opened. A waiter walked in with the food. Elliana quickly slid off hisp and returned to her seat, rubbing the sore spot in secret. He had pinched hard¡ªwhat a jerk.

    Once the dishes were served, the waiter left the room.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s???§àm, your fiction hub

    Cole reached out and served her food himself. ¡°Eat quickly. We¡¯re meeting someone after this.¡±

    Elliana looked up. ¡°Who?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve probably heard of Lexi¡ªthe mysterious owner behind Ublento Hotel. In truth, this hotel is just one part of Lexi¡¯s empire. Lexi leads the Star Society. Today, we¡¯re meeting Lexi¡¯s second-inmand, Matthew Santos.¡±

    The Star Society was a shadowywork with ties to both the legal world and the underworld. Lexi was a legend, but no one had ever seen her face. All operations were handled by her right-hand man, Matthew.

    Elliana frowned. ¡°What do you want to see Matthew for?¡±

    Cole sighed. ¡°The trip to Vand was a dead end. I need the Star Society¡¯s help to find the legendary healer, Milena.¡±

    Elliana said nothing. She simply bit her fork and kept quiet.

    After they finished eating, the hotel manager led them into another private room. Matthew was already waiting.

    Seeing Cole, Matthew stood politely¡ªbut the moment he saw Elliana beside him, he stiffened.

    Elliana nced at Matthew. That was all it took. Matthew understood immediately¡ªshe wanted him to pretend he didn¡¯t know her, to keep her discreet identities as Lexi and Milena concealed.

    Matthew was quick-witted and smooth. Gathering himself swiftly, he cheerfully spoke, ¡°Mr. Evans, pleasure to meet you. Please, have a seat.¡± Cole gave a courteous nod and sat with Elliana.

    Matthew didn¡¯t waste time. ¡°Mr. Evans, what can the Star Society do for you?¡±

    Cole ced a check on the table. ¡°I want to find Milena. Five hundred million. Just as a deposit. If you take the job, you can name your price. No limits.¡±

    The Star Society was known for handling high-risk jobs with spotless records. If they failed, they never charged a cent.

    Matthew stared at the check, tempted. It was an easy job. Too easy. Normally, he would¡¯ve taken it on the spot. Elliana seldom asked about the Star Society¡¯s matters, and he made all the calls. But this time, he couldn¡¯t decide since Elliana was involved. Cole was oblivious that the person he searched for was sitting right beside him. It was hrious, really. Who needed such arge amount of money to deliver a message between husband and wife?

    Matthew¡¯s expression grew strange. Cole noticed and frowned. ¡°Mr. Santos, please speak freely.¡±

    Matthew found it amusing internally but maintained aposed exterior. ¡°Mr. Evans, I¡¯ll need to check with Lexi first.¡±

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 Chapter 37

    ?Chapter 37:

    To show respect, Matthew continued exining. ¡°Mr. Evans, you must understand¡ªMilena¡¯s whereabouts are an incredibly guarded secret. Powerful people from all corners of the world are after Milena. If the Star Society were to take this on, it would require Lexi¡¯s direct involvement. And for that reason, I can¡¯t give you a definite answer just yet.¡±

    Cole gave a small nod. ¡°Then, can you arrange for me to meet Lexi?¡±

    Matthew held back augh. ¡°I¡¯m afraid that won¡¯t be easy. Lexi doesn¡¯t meet with outsiders.¡±

    ¡°Then, please pass along a message for me. If Lexi is open to meeting, I¡¯d be d to get acquainted.¡±

    ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll deliver your message.¡± Outwardly, Matthew nodded in agreement. Inwardly, he was amused. Cole wanted him to deliver a message to Lexi? But Lexi was actually Elliana, Cole¡¯s wife. Still, since Elliana had no intention of revealing her discreet identities as Lexi and Milena yet, he wouldn¡¯t tell Cole the truth.

    Oblivious to Matthew¡¯s thoughts, Cole thanked him with a polite smile. ¡°I appreciate it, Mr. Santos. I¡¯ll take my leave.¡±

    With that, Cole took Elliana¡¯s hand and led her out of the room. Once outside, Elliana nced at Cole curiously. ¡°Do you really want to be friends with Lexi?¡±

    ¡°I do.¡±

    ¡°Why? You don¡¯t strike me as someone who enjoys making friends.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I just have this feeling that Lexi¡¯s a good person.¡±

    ¡°You feel some kind of instinctual bond?¡±

    ¡°Maybe. Either way, I like how the Star Society operates.¡±

    Elliana burst intoughter. ¡°Well, next time you go out, leave your eyes at home. Your instincts seem to do all the work.¡±

    ???¨¦?? ???t?€§ñ? ?n Ga?n?¦Í¦Ål?.???

    Elliana was genuinely amused. Cole picked women based on feelings, and now friends too? Were his eyes just decoration?

    Cole chuckled and gently pinched her cheek. ¡°You¡¯re getting bold.¡±

    By evening, they returned to the Evans estate.

    Three days had passed, and Irene and Jeff had been released from confinement. Now they sat quietly on the living room sofa.

    Irene wore a bitter expression, her pride clearly bruised. When she saw Elliana walk in, she shot Elliana a quick re before looking away in silence.

    Jeff, who once acted with arrogance, lookedpletely deted. When he saw Cole, he jumped up immediately. ¡°Cole! You¡¯re finally back! Did you find Milena?¡±

    Ruben and Bertram, seated nearby, paused their discussion to look over, clearly concerned.

    Cole pressed his lips into a straight line. ¡°No.¡±

    The light in Jeff¡¯s eyes faded, and he dropped back onto the sofa. ¡°I¡¯m finished¡­ It¡¯s over¡­¡±

    Bertram let out a heavy sigh. ¡°Miss Henderson fell into aa today. It took ages to revive her. Her mother stormed in, furious. She said if her daughter dies, Jeff must follow her to the grave.¡±

    Offended, Irene snapped, ¡°That was too much! Jeff didn¡¯t hurt Miss Henderson on purpose! Plus, we¡¯vepensated the Henderson family and hired the best doctors¡­ What more do they want? Miss Henderson is just unlucky. It¡¯s been two years¡ªthey¡¯re still making trouble. They¡¯re clearly trying to squeeze more money out of us!¡±

    Bertram turned sharply to Irene. ¡°Watch your words. Regardless of their motives, if Miss Henderson dies, the consequences fall on Jeff. Even if he avoids jail, he¡¯ll carry that stigma for life.¡±

    Irene dropped her head, looking shaken. ¡°So what now?¡±

    Ruben cast a disappointed look at Bertram and Irene before facing Cole. ¡°Ultimately, our family is at fault. If Miss Henderson dies, I won¡¯t be able to live with it. No matter the cost, we have to find Milena.¡±

    ¡°I understand, Grandpa. I¡¯ve already offered a substantial reward to the Star Society to help find Milena. I¡¯m waiting for Lexi¡¯s response. Hopefully, we¡¯ll hear something soon,¡± Cole replied.

    Just then, Elliana¡¯s phone buzzed with a message from Matthew. ¡°Lexi, how should I respond to Cole?¡±

    Elliana texted back without hesitation. ¡°Tell him¡ªno deal.¡±

    What Irene said earlier was too harsh. Elliana refused to offer her help that easily.

    Upon hearing Cole¡¯s words, Irene¡¯s face lit up. ¡°I heard Lexi from the Star Society is incredibly influential. Lexi has never failed a mission. If Lexi takes this on, Milena will definitely be found!¡±

    Right as she finished, Cole¡¯s phone rang. Checking the message, he said calmly, ¡°Lexi declined.¡±

    Irene¡¯s smile froze on her lips. The flicker of hope in Jeff¡¯s eyes vanished again. He slumped further down on the sofa.

    Ruben sighed. ¡°Then we must do everything possible to save Miss Henderson. If not, we must offer enoughpensation to ease the hostility.¡±

    Later that night, Elliana returned to the bedroom. With Cole still in the study, she hurried through her routine and imed the bed first. When he finally walked in, she spoke before he could say a word. ¡°I have to take the SATs tomorrow. I need proper sleep. I¡¯ll take the bed¡ªyou can have the sofa.¡±

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 Chapter 38

    ?Chapter 38:

    Cole nced at Elliana¡¯s adorable expression and smiled quietly. Without a word, he walked into the bathroom.

    Elliana thought his silence meant agreement. Cheerfully, she curled up in bed and turned off the light. She remembered their wedding night¡ªhow rough he¡¯d been¡ªand decided he could stumble around in the dark for the sofa this time.

    Ten minutester, Cole stepped out of the bathroom and paused. The room was dark and quiet. Soft moonlight slipped through the curtains, gently outlining Elliana¡¯s figure on the bed. Her breathing was slow and steady.

    While away on his business trip, he had missed her scent every night. He longed for the feel of her in his arms, the taste of her lips. Thoughts of her, especially the way she looked the night he left¡ªso beautiful, so tempting¡ªhaunted him, leaving him restless and sleepless. Now that they were in the same room, his heart felt settled. But his body told a different story. Heat surged through him, making him ache with a thirst only she could quench.

    The room stayed still.

    Unbeknownst to him, Elliana wasn¡¯t asleep. As he observed her in the darkness, she was secretly watching him too. In the past few days, he used to look at her so openly while she shyly looked away. Tonight, hidden in the dark, her eyes were bold, tracing every inch of him.

    He had just finished showering. A towel hung low around his waist, and the heat from his skin still lingered. His sculpted body radiated strength and raw masculinity. His physique was wless¡ªpowerful, lean, and striking. He looked like he had walked out of a fashion magazine. Any woman would struggle to look away.

    Elliana wasn¡¯t immune to his charm. She enjoyed admiring a handsome man, and Cole was in a league of his own. Watching him in the dark felt like a feast for her eyes.

    But just as she was enjoying her silent delight, Cole tossed the towel aside and strode straight toward the bed. Before she could react, he lifted the covers and slipped in beside her. The next second, his strong arm wrapped around her and pulled her close.

    ¡°Ah!¡± Her heart jumped. Everything changed in a sh. She was content just watching from afar. She didn¡¯t sign up for this close encounter.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s takes you to new worlds

    ¡°Cole, I believe the sofa was your assigned seat tonight.¡±

    ¡°Heh.¡± Cole chuckled and took her small hand, cing it on his waist.

    ¡°Why settle for looking when touching feels even better?¡±

    ¡°Who¡ªwho was looking?¡± she stammered, clearly caught off guard.

    He ignored her denial, moving her hand up to his waist and then his chest. His voice dipped into a teasing murmur. ¡°Feels different touching me awake, doesn¡¯t it? Not like when you were sleepwalking.¡±

    Her face burned with embarrassment. His skin was hot against her palm, like it was searing straight through. She didn¡¯t remember how it felt to touch him while sleepwalking, so of course, touching him while awake felt different. Still, she muttered stubbornly, ¡°No difference.¡±

    ¡°No difference?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Just like touching a mannequin.¡±

    ¡°Tsk!¡± He clicked his tongue. ¡°Honey, stop ying dumb. You want me, and there¡¯s nothing wrong with that. It¡¯s normal for a woman to desire her husband. Why deny it? It¡¯s not like I¡¯m turning you down.¡±

    ¡°Stop talking!¡± Elliana quickly pressed her hand over his mouth. He never knew how to be subtle, always making her blush with his words. It was truly overwhelming.

    She added, ¡°I admit you caught my eye. But that¡¯s all it is. Just a passing thought. Like a girl dreaming of a prince¡ªwhen she wakes up, the dream¡¯s gone. Don¡¯t tease me like this.¡±

    With her hand still covering his mouth, Cole couldn¡¯t reply, so he kissed her palm instead. His lips were hot, making her snatch her hand back. Before she could catch her breath, he leaned in and kissed her, hard. His arms tightened around her, pulling her into his embrace.

    Elliana wanted to push him away, but her body didn¡¯t listen. Her head spun. His scent was clean and addictive.

    She wasn¡¯t wearing her wig. Her long hair spilled over the pillow. Cole gathered a handful, gently brushing it through his fingers. He kissed her lips again, then leaned close to her ear and whispered, ¡°Honey, being attracted to me is a good start. I like where this is going.¡±

    His towel was barely hanging on now. Elliana felt danger closing in. She pressed her hands to his chest, trying to hold him back. But he was unmovable, like a wall of stone.

    He only held her tighter, his voice low and deep. ¡°Honey, don¡¯t you want to have a more intimate connection with me?¡±

    .

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 Chapter 39

    ?Chapter 39:

    Elliana couldn¡¯t tell if Cole meant to confess something or simply charm her, but whatever it was, it was working a little too well. If this went on any longer, she wasn¡¯t sure she¡¯d be able to stop herself from giving in. With her hands pressed against his chest in a futile attempt to create some distance, she said, ¡°I just need some time to figure this out.¡±

    For a moment, Cole didn¡¯t speak. He hadn¡¯t expected her refusal. Weren¡¯t women supposed to be driven by emotion? If the mood was right, shouldn¡¯t everything have fallen into ce on its own? So why did the woman in his arms still need to think things through? Why did she seem calmer than the rest?

    Instead of letting go, he pulled her in just a little tighter and murmured near her ear, ¡°Then think, honey. I¡¯ve got all night.¡±

    Elliana nudged him back, firmer this time. ¡°I¡¯m going to need more than just a few hours to sort this out.¡±

    Still holding her, Cole asked, ¡°And how long is that supposed to be?¡±

    ¡°By the day after tomorrow,¡± Elliana blurted, not really thinking it through. ¡°I¡¯ll have an answer after the SATs.¡±

    Cole let out a long sigh. That long just for an answer? A part of him wanted to deny her the time to think. She was his wife¡ªshouldn¡¯t that mean something? Shouldn¡¯t she already be his? Still, forcing her wouldn¡¯t feel nearly as good as if she came to him on her own.

    With obvious reluctance, Cole stepped back. He got off the bed, changed into a fresh pair of pajamas, and stretched out on the couch. It was the first time he¡¯d ever been banished from his own bed¡ªand by his wife, no less. The thought stung more than he cared to admit.

    Elliana finally exhaled, the weight in her chest lifting just a little. Sleep had nearly taken her earlier, but after everything that happened just now, she was fully alert.

    Neither of them managed to fall asleep, one shuffling on the bed and the other shifting on the couch. The silence between movements only made things more ufortable.

    After a while, Cole was the one who sat up first and said, ¡°Care for a chat?¡±

    G  a lno  ve ls . is where the magic begins

    Still tucked under the covers, Elliana responded softly, ¡°Sure.¡±

    ¡°How do you view the marriage certificate?¡±

    ¡°I heard you sent someone to Podgend to dig into the registration records,¡± she said. ¡°Did theye up with anything?¡±

    ¡°Nothing. Whoever did it wiped everything clean. No names, no paperwork¡ªjust gone.¡±

    Elliana didn¡¯t respond right away. This didn¡¯t surprise her. Whoever had the influence to register their marriage without either of them knowing clearly wasn¡¯t just anyone. Since the mastermind managed to pull that off, all traces had likely been wiped clean, leaving nothing behind for anyone to uncover. With Coleing up empty-handed, it looked like she would have to rely on her own connections to get what she needed¡­

    By morning, Elliana was still in the same bed, wrapped in sheets that felt too soft to leave. She had been awake untilte at night and barely got any rest. Though her eyes were open, she had no desire to leave the bed. But the reminder of her SATs pushed her to force herself up, no matter how much she wanted to stay still.

    Cole, already dressed, sat beside her like he¡¯d been waiting. The moment her eyes met his, he offered a crooked smile. ¡°Feeling nervous?¡±

    Part of her wanted to brush it off and say she had it in the bag, but she nodded instead. ¡°Very much. Barely studied, weak foundation¡ªmightpletely bomb it and embarrass you while I¡¯m at it.¡±

    Cole let out a lowugh. For someone iming to be nervous, she sure looked perfectly calm to him. Truth be told, the nervous one was him. With her promise to give an answer after the exams, he kept imagining the worst¡ªthat the spark would die out by then and she¡¯d decide to reject him.

    Completely unaware of what was spinning through his mind, Elliana found her own thoughts drifting back to the night before. Her face turned warm, and without a word, she tossed the covers aside and rushed into the bathroom.

    After getting dressed, the two of them headed downstairs side by side. Education was sacred in the Evans household. With Elliana and Trinity both sitting for the SATs, Ruben and several rtives were already up, eager to send them off properly.

    A feast of a breakfast awaited at the table, and Ruben, ever the family figurehead, shared words of encouragement meant for both girls. Others chimed in with their good wishes, too.

    Naturally, all the attention centered around Trinity. Elliana barely registered to them, like they¡¯d already made peace with her being the family disappointment.

    Trinity basked in the extra attentionvished on her, so she turned on the charm in earnest. ¡°Thank you so much, Ruben, and thank you all. I promise I won¡¯t let any¡­¡±

    ¡°Of you down.¡± Then, with a nce that carried zero sincerity, she looked at Elliana. ¡°Good luck, Elliana. Let¡¯s both aim to make the Evans name proud.¡±

    ¡°Her? As the pride of the Evans family? What a joke.¡± Jeff couldn¡¯t resist throwing a jab, even if it would earn him another scolding from Ruben. The urge to belittle Elliana was just too strong. ¡°I mean, casting aside her self-taught education andck of any teachers to tutor her, the past week saw her wandering around while Trinity was buried in prep. Do you seriously think she can pull this off?¡±

    Trinity hid a smirk behind her juice ss. Jeff had done exactly what she hoped¡ªhumiliate Elliana in front of everyone without her having to lift a finger.

    Elliana cast a cool, disinterested look in Jeff¡¯s direction and didn¡¯t bother replying. She knew better than to waste words on someone like him. Ignoring him would sting more than any insult.

    And just as expected, theck of reaction lit a fire in Jeff. He was fuming.

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 Chapter 40

    ?Chapter 40:

    ¡°Elliana, don¡¯t think you¡¯re untouchable just because Grandpa¡¯s got your back. You¡¯re nothing but a lowlife¡­ Ow!¡± Before Jeff could finish, a biscuit came flying out of nowhere, smacking him square in the mouth and knocking him off his chair with a yelp.

    Everyone froze, jaws dropping.

    Humiliated, Jeff scrambled up from the floor, ring at Elliana. ¡°What gives you the right to throw stuff at me?¡±

    Elliana took a slow sip of her milk. ¡°Talk smack about me again, and you¡¯ll wish you hadn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Jeff rolled up his sleeves, ready to throw hands, but one look at his seat made him pause. ¡°Pain¡¯s gone, and now you forget the lesson, huh? You deserve a smackdown from your cousin-inw!¡±

    With Jeff handled, Elliana went back to her breakfast, not sparing Trinity a nce.

    Trinity squirmed, her face flushing with embarrassment. She swore to herself that once the SAT results came out, she¡¯d put Elliana in her ce.

    After breakfast, Elliana hopped into Cole¡¯s car to head to school.

    Trinity was itching to ride along but too scared to ask. Cole was obsessive about cleanliness and never let another woman in his car. She shot Elliana a jealous re, cursing inwardly. How did that in Jane get so lucky to get into Cole¡¯s car?

    At the school gate, Elliana thanked Cole, grabbed her bag, and started to climb out when he caught her wrist. She turned, expecting a pep talk, but instead, he said, ¡°Don¡¯t forget our deal. Once the exams are done, think hard about the answer you¡¯re going to give me.¡±

    Elliana was speechless. Shouldn¡¯t he be telling her to keep her cool during the test, not to freak out, and to double-check her work? Nope, all he cared about was his own desires, as if the SATs¡ªhis grandpa¡¯s big deal¡ªwere just a blip on his radar. He wasn¡¯t even worried she¡¯d bomb it and make him 100k bad!

    ¡°Fine,¡± she said tly, then got out of the car.

    The next two days were smooth sailing for Elliana¡ªgrueling exams by day, chilling at the Evans family¡¯s ce by night.

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    By the afternoon of the second day, she¡¯d made up her mind about Cole¡¯s question. She couldn¡¯t say yes. Her mom¡¯s advice from years ago echoed in her head, hinting at some invisible force behind that fateful fire, pulling strings on her and her mother¡¯s fates. She had to track down that puppet master and unravel the truth, or she¡¯d never find her mom. With so much on her te, getting tangled up in romance would only slow her down. Cole was a catch¡ªcharming, tempting, but she had to let it go.

    Her only reason for sticking with the Evans family was to dig into the mystery of that marriage certificate. Beyond that piece of paper, she and Cole had nothing.

    Decision made, she took a deep breath and strolled out of the school gate.

    Cole wasn¡¯t there to pick her up like the day before. Instead, Paulina was waiting.

    Spotting Elliana, Paulina shed a warm smile and opened the car door. ¡°Mrs. Evans, Mr. Evans got tied up in an emergency meeting, so he sent me to get you.¡±

    Elliana nodded and got into the car.

    Hugh, behind the wheel again, shot her a frosty nce, not bothering with a greeting.

    Elliana had noticed his attitude thest time when he drove her to Paige¡¯s engagement party. He clearly had a chip on his shoulder. She cut to the chase. ¡°You got a problem with me?¡±

    ¡°Yup,¡± Hugh said, not sugarcoating it.

    ¡°Because I¡¯m not pretty?¡±

    ¡°Being in¡¯s not your fault, but being in and not knowing your ce? That¡¯s on you. Mr. Evans, with his talent, looks, and family background, deserves someone on his level. What makes you think you cantch onto him?¡±

    Just then, Paulina hopped in and snapped, ¡°Hugh, don¡¯t talk to Mrs. Evans like that!¡±

    Hugh mmed up, clearly intimidated by his big sister, but his stiff neck screamed he wasn¡¯t backing down.

    Elliana smirked. ¡°Rx, I won¡¯t cling to Mr. Evans.¡±

    Paulina¡¯s eyes widened, worried. ¡°Mrs. Evans, don¡¯t let this idiot get to you.¡±

    Paulina wanted to say more, but Elliana¡¯s phone buzzed, cutting her off.

    ncing at the screen, Elliana saw Kiara¡¯s name and picked up. ¡°Hello?¡±

    Kiara¡¯s voice dripped with smugness. ¡°Elliana, think you can overshadow Paige with just an empty title? Keep dreaming! Paige has made a powerfuleback, and she¡¯s unstoppable. Get ready to crash and burn¡ªthis time, you¡¯re going down for good!¡± With that, Kiara hung up.

    Elliana¡¯s lips curled into a knowing smirk. That call was a straight-up battle cry. She hadn¡¯t kept tabs on the Jones family the past two days, so she had no clue how Paige had staged this bigeback.

    Curious, she pulled up Paige¡¯s social media and saw it. Paige had done something that had the whole city buzzing.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 41

    ?Chapter 41:

    Paige unexpectedly posted a photo of herself with Merritt Carman on her social media, with a caption underneath: ¡°From now on, I have a godfather to love me. So much joy!¡±

    This meant Paige had be Merritt¡¯s goddaughter.

    And just who was Merritt, anyway? He was a legendary figure, known for his deep connections to the darker corners of the world.

    Starting as a small-time thug working the docks, Merritt had wed his way to the top, weaving a vast web of influence that stretched far beyond national borders. Back in the day, he had kept a low profile, running quiet maritime operations that only insiders knew about. Most ordinary folks didn¡¯t even know his name.

    Recently, however, he had stepped into the world of show business, and hispany, Royal Entertainment, was home to a constetion of celebrities. As Royal Entertainment¡¯s poprity soared, his own presence had followed, turning the name Merritt into one everyone knew.

    Because of Merritt¡¯s ties to the criminal underworld, various forces kept their distance, and nobody was willing to cross him unless they had no other choice.

    Paige¡¯s return to the spotlight wasn¡¯t just luck¡ªit was strategy. Aligning herself with Merritt gave her an edge no one could ignore. Just two days earlier, she¡¯d taken a hard hit. That engagement party fiasco had gone viral, drawingughs, memes, and public shame.

    ¡°Honestly, Paige caught me off guard. She used to brag about being engaged to Cole, and I once actually admired her. Thought she¡¯dnded a fairytale. Turns out, it was just a story she made up for herself.¡±

    ¡°Since the Evans family never promised to marry off a particr daughter from the Jones family, it means both Elliana and Paige were in the running. Why would the Evans family pick the in-looking Elliana instead of the gifted and stunning Paige? I don¡¯t get it.¡±

    ¡°Come on, it¡¯s clear something¡¯s wrong with Paige. The Evans family probably saw it and decided Elliana was the safer option. For a family like that, personality matters more than charm, and Paige¡¯s little talents just don¡¯t stack up.¡±

    The bacsh had hit fast. Fans had dropped Paige by the thousands, and her title of Ublento¡¯s top socialite had turned into nothing more than an online joke.

    ???¦Å?? ¡é??t?€§ñ? ?¦Ç ?a?§Ú?¦Í¨º??.???

    But the tides turned fast. As soon as Paige introduced Merritt as her godfather, the public¡¯s view of her flipped overnight. Shockwaves rippled through social media. Nobody saw iting¡ªPaige teaming up with Merritt? That wasn¡¯t just aeback. It was a total level-up. Being his goddaughter made her old title lookughably small.

    Sure, Merritt had been surrounded by plenty of women, but he¡¯d never had a child of his own. With Paige stepping into the role of goddaughter, she was now the unofficial heiress of Royal Entertainment¡ªand possibly the one to inherit his empire. If she ended up inheriting his fortune, what would be the point of marrying into wealth? She wouldn¡¯t need a rich husband¡ªshe¡¯d be the rich one.

    Sure enough, stars from every corner of the industry rushed to Paige¡¯s page, filling her feed with praises and congrattions. Their fans did the same, stirring up an extraordinary wave of attention across Paige¡¯s social media tforms.

    Paige¡¯s loyal few, who hadn¡¯t clicked ¡°unfollow,¡± suddenly found themselves riding a wave of vindication and excitement.

    ¡°Paige never stops surprising us! I swear I¡¯ll support her forever!¡±

    ¡°Elliana? That in, washed-up woman might be called Mrs. Evans now, but titles mean nothing when she¡¯s one scandal away from being tossed out. Paige, on the other hand, is a different story entirely. With Merritt behind her, fame isn¡¯t a dream¡ªit¡¯s a guarantee.¡±

    ¡°Is it true Paige has finally made her debut in the entertainment industry? I can¡¯t wait to see her crush the scene and rise like a phoenix.¡±

    The moment Paige publicly announced Merritt as her godfather, the media went into a frenzy. Overnight, every trace of her tainted past seemed to vanish. Her scandals? Forgotten. Her reputation? Rewritten. She was once again everyone¡¯s sweetheart.

    Boredizens, always hungry for drama, quickly chose sides. And naturally, they sang praises for Paige while still hurling criticism at Elliana.

    Naturally, the flood of fresh hate directed at Elliana wasn¡¯t just random¡ªit was Paige pulling the strings from the shadows. The cruelest remarks, calling Elliana ¡°shameless¡± and ¡°worthless,¡± came from burner ounts Paige had crafted herself.

    With calcted sweetness, Paige responded to one of the viciousments she had written in one of those burner ounts. ¡°There¡¯s no point in lingering in the past. I hope peace finds us both someday.¡± This carefully staged reply instantly triggered another surge of public adoration for Paige.

    ¡°Paige is such a gentle soul. Despite everything Elliana¡¯s done to her, she still takes the high road. Meanwhile, Elliana just looks like a joke.¡±

    ¡°Those old scandals about Paige? Lies, obviously. I bet Elliana made them all up.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s clearly more to their history than we know, yet Paige bears the pain in silence. It breaks my heart!¡±

    The inte couldn¡¯t get enough¡ªthe Elliana vs. Paige saga had be the kind of gripping drama that even television couldn¡¯tpete with.

    Elliana skimmed the headlines and let out a dry, amusedugh. Sure, Paige using Merritt as her ace in the hole had caught her off guard, but she wasn¡¯t fazed. The higher Paige soared, the more spectacr her fall would be, and she would make sure of it.

    Right then, Paige sent Elliana a message, saying, ¡°Elliana, do you want to know what really happened with the fire back then? I can tell you the truth¡­¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 42

    ?Chapter 42:

    The mere mention of the fire from the past made Elliana¡¯s chest constrict without warning. Her mother¡¯s warnings and the memory of her mother running straight into the fire circled through her thoughts again and again. That fateful fire years ago was undoubtedly a conspiracy. Her mother¡¯s cryptic advice to conceal her talents and beauty until adulthood had been for survival. Now that she had grown up, it was time to uncover the truth surrounding the fire.

    Keeping her face unreadable, Elliana replied to Paige¡¯s message. ¡°Can you tell me everything?¡±

    Paige¡¯s response came immediately. ¡°Yes, but only if you agree to my terms first.¡±

    Elliana raised an eyebrow and wrote, ¡°And what exactly are you asking?¡±

    Paige fired her response smoothly. ¡°Ever heard of ¡®The Heiress¡¯ Graduation Trip¡¯? Royal Entertainment¡¯s pouring cash into it, and I want you on the cast list.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s eyes narrowed as she read Paige¡¯s message. She didn¡¯t need a second to decode Paige¡¯s angle¡ªthis was a setup, clear as day.

    Paige was riding a wave of poprity at the moment. She had only just finished college and was getting ready to make her official debut in the entertainment world.

    Royal Entertainment had crafted ¡°The Heiress¡¯ Graduation Trip¡± as Paige¡¯s grand entrance into showbiz. Inviting Elliana wasn¡¯t some olive branch¡ªit was a setup, in and simple.

    Paige and Elliana had already sparked two public opinion storms before, which had pulled the powerful Cole into the spotlight. Following Paige¡¯s public deration of Merritt as her godfather, ¡°The Heiress¡¯ Graduation Trip¡± was certain to draw massive attention, packed with enough drama, friction, and buzzworthy moments to keep the audience hooked.

    Just like Kiara warned, losing to Paige in front of millions would be Elliana¡¯s death sentence in the spotlight¡ªnoebacks, no second chances.

    Fearing Elliana might refuse, Paige didn¡¯t stop at one message¡ªshe followed up with more.

    ¡°Elliana, don¡¯t overthink it. I asked you to join the show with a clean heart. I just want to clear up the misunderstandings between us. You don¡¯t want all those wild theories online to keep spiraling, do you?¡±

    ?@?¨¦$? ???t?¦Å§ñ? ¨ª¦Ð ?al¦Ðo¦Í¦Ål?.c??

    ¡°Like it or not, we¡¯re still family. I was heartbroken when you ended up with Cole, but things are different now. I have¡­¡±

    Ran, and I¡¯m on the verge of making a name for myself in the entertainment industry. I¡¯m in a good ce, and I¡¯m ready to let go of what happened before.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re both in the public eye now, and that means we have to consider the message we¡¯re sending. The inte¡¯s a mess, and people are turning our story into some kind of drama. We need to step up and use this show to rewrite that narrative.¡±

    As Elliana scrolled through the messages, she could practically see Paige pacing, racking her mind to persuade her. Her rejection would likely send Paige into one of her signature meltdowns.

    In Elliana¡¯s mind, Paige and Kiara¡ªthis mother-and-daughter pair¡ªwere honestly quite the spectacle. One had just announced a full-blown war, swearing to drag her straight to hell, while the other was suddenly preaching about the importance of family image. Did they forget to rehearse their script before reaching out to her? Clearly, they thought they had the upper hand. Dangling the truth about the fire like a prize, they¡¯did a path full of traps, assuming she¡¯d stumble right into them. Alright then, she would go along with their little game and find out who trulynded in hell when it was all over!

    Elliana texted back, saying, ¡°Sure, I had already been considering a move into the entertainment industry.¡±

    ¡°Great!¡± Paige shot back almost instantly. ¡°Can¡¯t wait to have you on set!¡±

    The moment their chat ended, Elliana¡¯s car rolled to a stop in front of the Evans family¡¯s residence. She stepped out and walked straight into the living room, ready for whatever drama awaited.

    Trinity had beaten Elliana home and was already nestled on the couch, basking in everyone¡¯s attention like it was her rightful throne.

    Among the eager crowd, Jeff was the loudest cheerleader. ¡°Trinity, you¡¯re a lock for top scorer in Ublento. I¡¯d better start thinking of a gift for when the exam results are announced!¡±

    Trinity, clearly delighted, put on a modest front, saying, ¡°Jeff, don¡¯t say that. The results haven¡¯t been released yet, and there¡¯s no guarantee I¡¯lle out on top.¡±

    Noticing Elliana walk in, Trinity threw in a theatrical sigh. ¡°Of course, there¡¯s always a chance Elliana outshined me.¡±

    With both Ruben and Cole out of sight, the room dropped its polite act. Eyes narrowed in Elliana¡¯s direction, and Jeff, never one to hold back, sneered. ¡°You think she¡¯ll outperform you? Please. She¡¯s lucky if she didn¡¯te in deadst.¡±

    Irene shot Elliana a smug look, her smile edged with mockery, before going out of her way to act intimately with Trinity right in front of Elliana, making it seem like they were teaming up to push her out. ¡°So, Trinity, now that exams are behind us, what¡¯s next for you?¡±

    Trinity gave a dramatic little sigh. ¡°Miss Henderson¡¯s condition has been on my mindtely. I¡¯ve decided to apply to Ublento Medical University to see if I can help Jeff with her treatment.¡±

    Jeff¡¯s face lit up with gratitude. ¡°You¡¯re amazing, Trinity!¡±

    With a practiced smile, Trinity added, ¡°I¡¯m not officially enrolled yet, but I¡¯ve been mentored by Professor Murray Sampson for two years. He says I¡¯m his brightest prospect and ns to rmend me to Milena once my scores are in.¡±

    Milena? The mention alone snapped everyone to attention.

    Just as if it had been timed, Ruben came down the staircase, catching the tail end of the conversation. His eyes lit up. ¡°Trinity, are you saying you can actually contact Milena?¡±

    Murray wasn¡¯t just any professor¡ªhe was one of Ublento Medical University¡¯s elite. The Evans family had tried to bring him in for Miss Henderson before, but it had led nowhere. No one had ever heard of him having a direct line to Milena.

    Trinity tilted her head, letting the suspense stretch. ¡°Well¡­¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 43

    ?Chapter 43:

    Once all eyes were on her, Trinity drawled, ¡°Over the past few years, Ublento Medical University has risen through the ranks, catching Milena¡¯s attention in the process. Without dy, she reached out to the university¡¯s president, pitching a coborative venture that sparked immediate interest. The president didn¡¯t hesitate¡ªhe approved the idea wholeheartedly. To facilitate the connection, the president brought in Professor Sampson, a seasoned figure at Ublento Medical University, to serve as the bridge between their team and Milena. Professor Sampsonter informed me that he intended to involve me in the research project, offering me a rare opportunity to gain hands-on experience right at the beginning of my academic path.¡±

    Pleased by the shocked looks, she added, ¡°Professor Sampson said that someone with my potential shouldn¡¯t settle for mediocrity¡ªI should aim higher. With that in mind, he expressed his determination to personally advocate for me, hoping to persuade Milena to ept me under her wing. Should that fall into ce, she would then put forth my name to the International Medical Association, granting me ess to a stage reserved for the elite in global medicine.¡±

    Trinity¡¯s deration left the entire room momentarily speechless, their faces a mix of surprise and admiration. Milena¡¯s name alonemanded global respect in medical circles, and the International Medical Association stood as its crowning symbol. To imagine Trinity, still just a teenager, being associated with that world elevated her in everyone¡¯s eyes, transforming her into someone extraordinary in an instant.

    The Evans family, in particr, was practically glowing with excitement at the prospect of Trinity bing Milena¡¯s student. Ruben eximed, ¡°Marvelous! Trinity, you¡¯re incredible! If you manage to build a connection with Milena, that means our family could speak to her directly, and Miss Henderson¡¯s matter could be taken care of effortlessly. How wonderful!¡±

    With a warm smile, Trinity responded, ¡°I just want to be helpful. Jeff¡¯s burdens are mine to carry as well. I¡¯ll do everything I can to make all of you proud of me.¡±

    Ruben gave an approving nod, visibly moved by her words.

    Unable to contain his joy, Jeff threw his arms around Trinity. ¡°I am so lucky to have you as family, Trinity!¡±

    New updates in g??l¦Ç¦Òv???s

    Elliana stayed silent, but her lips curved ever so slightly. As Milena herself, how could she be unaware of any coboration with Ublento Medical University or that she had reached out to the university president?

    While these thoughts buzzed in her head, Ruben turned to her with a lighthearted tone. ¡°So, Elliana, now that the exams are out of the way, how do you think it went?¡±

    Snapping out of her thoughts, Elliana answered, ¡°I think I did alright.¡±

    ¡°Have you already picked out a university you like? What are you thinking of doing down the road?¡± Ruben pressed on.

    Elliana found herself momentarily thrown off by the sudden questions. She had only sat through the exams to keep Ruben off her back. College? She hadn¡¯t given it much thought. When it came to her future, she had beenying the groundwork since she was a kid. Most of those pieces were already in ce. There wasn¡¯t anything new she needed to figure out.

    Still, one path remained untouched¡ªthe entertainment world. Andtely, it had started to spark her curiosity. Most importantly, if she made a name for herself in this field, her mother, wherever she was, might catch a glimpse of her on screen and learn more about her. That silent hope was why she said yes to Paige¡¯s offer to join The Heiress Graduation Trip.

    Elliana paused for a moment and then said calmly, ¡°I¡¯ve decided to pursue acting. I want to try the entertainment industry.¡±

    ¡°What did you say?¡± Hearing this, the room seemed to tilt off bnce. Jeff, never one to hold back his barbed tongue, sneered, ¡°Seriously, Elliana? Are you delusional? You think someone with your average looks can survive in that industry? Aren¡¯t you afraid of being criticized harshly?¡±

    Irene let out a sharp littleugh. ¡°Don¡¯t take this the wrong way, Elliana, but the entertainment industry isn¡¯t exactly weing to people who don¡¯t fit the ideal. It¡¯s full of stunners, and you¡­ Well, you¡¯re not there. Just think about what kind of embarrassment that could bring to the Evans family.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll be honest, Jeff wasn¡¯t exactly kind, but he¡¯s not wrong. You don¡¯t need a diploma to get into showbiz, sure. And if your scores tank, it might seem like a fallback. But let¡¯s not pretend it¡¯s easy. That industry worships beauty, and it¡¯s brutal to anyone who doesn¡¯t stand out. Maybe think it through before diving in,¡± Trinity interjected.

    Her words implied that Elliana had already given up on higher education and was grasping at ast resortpletely unaware of the storm that world could bring.

    Ruben¡¯s face tightened with unease. ¡°Elliana, did you even talk to Cole about this before deciding?¡± he asked carefully.

    Right on cue, Cole walked in, and every head in the room swung his way.

    Always quick to fan the mes, Jeff eximed, ¡°Cole! Elliana just said she wants to break into the entertainment world!¡±

    Instead of the outrage they had anticipated, Cole simply raised an eyebrow and smiled at Elliana. ¡°If that¡¯s what you want, go for it. Should I back you financially?¡±

    A stunned silence gripped the room¡ªno one had seen thising. Cole¡¯s sharp mind had dulled ever since he married a woman they all quietlybeled as in.

    Even Elliana didn¡¯t see that answering. She gave a small smile and said, ¡°Thanks, but I won¡¯t need your money. I¡¯ll figure it out on my own.¡±

    There were plenty of eye rolls. As far as they were concerned, even with Cole¡¯s wallet wide open, she¡¯d still struggle to get noticed. And now she wanted to do it without any help?

    Ruben looked like he was about to object, but Cole¡¯s unexpected support shut his mouth before the words could leave.

    A long pause settled over the room before Ruben rose to his feet and said, ¡°Elliana, upstairs. We need to talk.¡±

    Without saying a word, Elliana got up and followed him.

    Everyone shot each other knowing looks. No one dared call Cole out for indulging his wife, but they were all convinced Ruben wouldn¡¯t let things slide. They sat back, fully expecting Elliana to get a scolding upstairs.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 44

    ?Chapter 44:

    Elliana shared the same thoughts as those downstairs, assuming Ruben would either use threats or persuasive words to talk her out of joining the entertainment world.

    But when she stepped into the study, Ruben¡¯s behavior took an unexpected turn. He gestured her in with a cryptic wave. ¡°Elliana, shut the door and have a seat.¡±

    Thrown off by his tone, she hesitated, but eventually shut the door behind her, crossed the room, and lowered herself into the chair facing him.

    Ruben straightened his posture, both hands loosely sped over his cane, his expression unusually kind as he studied her. ¡°I need to ask you something important, and I want the truth.¡±

    ¡°Alright. What is it?¡±

    ¡°Have you and Cole slept together?¡±

    Elliana nearly swallowed wrong and coughed, caught off guard mid-breath. Was he seriously asking that? Of all things?

    She gaped at him, too stunned to speak, and Ruben¡¯s genial expression abruptly cooled into disapproval. ¡°I¡¯ll take that as a no, then.¡±

    Elliana offered a strained smile, which Ruben immediately interpreted as confirmation.

    He let out a sharp, irritated grunt. ¡°I knew that rascal Cole was just putting on a damn performance for my sake! Back in the day, he acted like he was too good for everyone¡ªnever spared a second nce for any girl. Now he thinks he can y me for a fool? Not a chance. Don¡¯t worry, Elliana. I¡¯ll make sure everything goes ording to n. Whether he likes it or not, it¡¯s going to happen.¡±

    Elliana reached up and brushed the side of her nose, hesitant to admit that the problem wasn¡¯t Cole¡ªit was her own unwillingness.

    He added, ¡°But Elliana, you can¡¯t expect me to do all the work. You¡¯ve got to step up. Cole¡¯s a proud, hard-headed guy. You¡¯ll have to make him look past the surface and recognize what makes you special. That¡¯s how you build a real bond¡­ And once you give him a child, he won¡¯t stray an inch.¡±

    Elliana stayed silent, offering no opinion, only lowering her head as she listened.

    I?t€$? ¡é§ß?¦Ñ?¦Å?? ?§Ú g??l??ov?l??.??om

    After what felt like forever, Ruben finally ran out of things to say. ¡°You got all that, right?¡±

    Elliana dipped her head with practiced politeness. ¡°I got it, Ruben.¡±

    ¡°Good girl.¡± A satisfied grin crossed Ruben¡¯s face at her demeanor. ¡°You can go now. I¡¯ll handle everything tonight.¡±

    Elliana didn¡¯t know what he intended to ¡°handle,¡± but anything was better than enduring more of his rambling. She stood quickly and slipped out before he could start again.

    Back in her room, she shut the door behind her without a word. Downstairs, a few nosy rtives were still loitering, waiting for the show. They expected her toe storming down in tears, but the next person summoned was Cole.

    Jeff, always sniffing around for gossip, leaned in with a smug grin. ¡°See? Elliana probably got torn to shreds up there and ran off crying. Now it¡¯s Cole¡¯s turn¡ªbet Grandpa¡¯sying into him for not keeping her under control.¡±

    A round of murmurs with nods followed.

    But behind the study doors, the reality was far from what they imagined.

    The moment Cole stepped inside, he was greeted by Ruben¡¯s thundercloud expression. shing a breezy smile, Cole asked, ¡°Grandpa, did Elliana do something to upset you?¡±

    ¡°Elliana? That sweet girl? How could she upset me?¡± Ruben¡¯s voice sharpened. ¡°You¡¯re the one who¡¯s got me fuming!¡±

    Cole blinked, startled. ¡°Me? What did I do?¡±

    Ruben let out a sharp, disdainful huff. ¡°Care to exin why you haven¡¯t consummated your marriage with Elliana?¡±

    Cole¡¯s jaw tightened as he fell silent. The pieces clicked¡ªthis turned out to be what Ruben had grilled Elliana about. But admitting she¡¯d turned him down was out of the question. The humiliation was too much. So he kept his mouth shut.

    To Ruben, though, Cole¡¯s silence reeked of deception, and it only fueled his rage. ¡°You¡¯re the head of the Evans family, and this is how you act? You think responsibility¡¯s optional now? Do you know how heartbroken Elliana looked, crying to me that you pushed her away, insulted her looks, and treated her like a stranger? How can you stand there and act like it¡¯s nothing, after humiliating a girl with such a spotless reputation?¡±

    Cole dragged a hand down his face, his frustration mounting. If he hadn¡¯t spent time with Elliana himself, he might¡¯ve bought it. There was no way she would say any of that¡ªRuben was chewing him out over pure assumptions.

    Just as Cole started to find the whole thing funny, a cane smacked against his shin, and Ruben¡¯s sharp voice rang out again. ¡°Why am I talking to you while you¡¯re staring into space¡ªare you ignoring me now?¡±

    Cole nearly burst outughing. ¡°Ignore you? I wouldn¡¯t dream of it.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I think you would!¡± Ruben shot him a blistering re. ¡°You¡¯ll promise me right now¡ªyou¡¯re going to consummate the marriage with Elliana tonight!¡±

    Cole gave a quick nod. ¡°Fine. It¡¯s happening.¡±

    Ruben¡¯s scowl finally eased. ¡°Good. I¡¯ll have the kitchen prepare a special soup for you to drinkter.¡±

    A special soup? Cole didn¡¯t need to ask what kind. It was obvious Ruben wanted to make sure he didn¡¯t just pay lip service and then wriggle out of it. To keep Ruben off his back, he gave another nod.

    ¡°Alright, alright.¡±

    That was enough to leave Rubenpletely satisfied.

    At dinner, the room stayed quiet as everyone focused on their food. Out of nowhere, the butler walked in carrying a steaming bowl and set it beside Cole.

    Jeff squinted at it in surprise. ¡°What¡¯s that soup? Why¡¯s Cole the only one getting some?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 45

    ?Chapter 45:

    Today, dinner had an oddly tense undercurrent that no one could quite name.

    Everyone had expected Elliana toe down looking rattled after Ruben¡¯s scolding, but she appeared calm, almost serene¡ªand Cole, for his part, acted no differently than usual.

    The contrast between expectation and reality left everyone baffled, each wondering what exactly Ruben had said to the couple behind closed doors. Was Elliana now permitted to join the entertainment industry or not?

    As that silent question hung in the air, the butler arrived with a steaming bowl of soup, which he set down beside Cole with careful precision.

    Jeff, still too young to grasp the full meaning, simply nced at it, but the older family members exchanged knowing looks.

    Years ago, when Bertram had been a college student, he¡¯d fallen for someone else. But his family arranged for him to marry Irene instead. After the wedding, he¡¯d refused to touch her, prompting Ruben to resort to a drastic measure¡ªa bowl of spiked soup and a locked room. The aphrodisiac¡¯s effects had peaked around midnight. Ovee by its influence, Bertram had finally fulfilled his marital duty with Irene. Now, the same kind of soup sat in front of Cole, and its message couldn¡¯t have been clearer. Cole hadn¡¯tid a hand on Elliana on their wedding night, and all his recent tenderness had been nothing more than an act¡ªan attempt to fool Ruben. But Ruben had seen through the performance. After dragging the couple in for a stern warning, Ruben had chosen to resolve things the old-fashioned way: with that fateful bowl of soup.

    Realizing the implication, everyone cast sympathetic nces at Cole. How could any man willingly be tied to someone the world saw as ugly as Elliana? If the aphrodisiac had forced him into it, wouldn¡¯t waking up be a nightmare? Cole¡¯s predicament struck them all as painfully unfair.

    Completely unaware of the tension, Jeff blurted, ¡°That soup smells amazing, Cole! I want some too!¡±

    Trinity, seated next to him, gave his sleeve a discreet tug and murmured, ¡°Jeff, don¡¯t say things like that.¡±

    But Jeff, driven by his bottomless appetite, red up at the rebuke. ¡°What did I say? We can¡¯t even split a bowl of soup? I¡¯m still growing, and I can¡¯t even get a spoonful?¡±

    Check exclusive content g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s

    Bertram, suddenly hit by bitter memories the soup stirred up, snapped. He shoved a chicken leg into Jeff¡¯s mouth and barked, ¡°Shut up and eat what¡¯s on your te! Cole¡¯s out there breaking his back for this family¡ªhe needs the nourishment. You, on the other hand, do nothing but eat and fool around. What the hell do you need supplements for? Just look at you¡ªchubby enough as it is. You take any more, and your nose¡¯ll start bleeding again!¡±

    Jeff shut his mouth at once, cowed by the reprimand and too shaken to argue.

    Irene, who had been eagerly waiting for Elliana to lose face, now ducked her head, cheeks burning with embarrassment, wishing she could vanish into the floor. The steaming bowl sat there like a silent reminder¡ªshe was an unloved wife.

    The grand dining hall fell into a heavy hush, all eyes flicking to Cole, waiting for his response.

    Back then, Bertram had no choice¡ªdefying the Evans family would¡¯ve left him destitute. But Cole wasn¡¯t like Bertram. The family¡¯s sess revolved around him now. Even if he walked away, he¡¯d still rise as a business titan. So if he tly refused, Ruben couldn¡¯t do anything about it.

    Across the table, Trinity bit her lip, dread curling in her gut. She was terrified Cole might actually drink the soup.

    And then Cole did¡ªonce he¡¯d cleared his te, he lifted the bowl with steady hands and drained everyst drop without flinching.

    Shock painted every face in the room. Cole had proven himself worthy of Ruben¡¯s deliberate choice, showing unwavering loyalty to the family¡¯s legacy. To uphold their traditions, he was even prepared to give up his own desires and bind himself to someone the world dismissed as in.

    Everyone¡¯s mood shifted in an instant¡ªadmiring silence reced idle chatter, and their expressions grew reverent. In Cole, they saw a determination and unwavering loyalty that theycked.

    Trinity nearly bit through her lip. Watching Cole drink the soup was like watching him swallow his fate¡ªan unspoken vow to ept Elliana and keep her by his side in the Evans household. What was left for her now?

    But Ruben sat with an air of quiet triumph, entirely satisfied with how things had yed out. To him, Cole marrying Elliana was a tradeoff¡ªbut a smart one, and the best possible resolution. After all, it was because of Cole that he found himself indebted to Hilliard¡ªa debt that, in Ruben¡¯s mind, ought to be settled by Cole himself.

    When Cole was a child, he¡¯d teetered on the edge of death from a vicious illness. His life had only been spared thanks to a miraculous pill Hilliard had delivered at thest moment.

    Muchter, Ruben discovered that the pill had actually been formted by Rita¡ªElliana¡¯s mother and the Jones family¡¯s reclusive daughter-inw, who never showed her face in public. In the end, it was Elliana¡¯s mother to whom the Evans family owed their gratitude. Letting Elliana marry into their family wasn¡¯t just fate¡ªit was how Cole was meant to repay that life-saving debt.

    Cole paid no attention to the sidelong nces around him. After setting his bowl down on the table, he turned and made his way upstairs without a word.

    At first, Elliana hadn¡¯t grasped the meaning behind the soup. But as she caught the furtive looks being exchanged, something clicked. That was what Ruben had meant when he¡¯d said everything would be handled tonight. Wait a second¡­ What was going to happen to Cole now that he¡¯d drunk the soup? She¡¯d been nning to confront him tonight¡ªstraightforward, no holding back.

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 Chapter 46

    ?Chapter 46:

    The Evans family kept a rigid routine, down to the minute. Once the clock struck eight, the house fell into near silence¡ªno loud voices, no thudding footsteps. Over time, the rule became second nature, and by nine, the entire household typically vanished behind closed doors.

    But tonight broke the pattern.

    Everyone headed to their rooms as usual, yet no one truly settled in. Each person lingered in hushed anticipation, ears straining for the faintest noise beyond their walls, wondering what might unfold after Cole finished that bowl of soup.

    Cole, for his part, had an urgent video conference and headed straight to the study after dinner. The meeting dragged on for nearly an hour. By the end of it, a strange heat had crept through his body. He slipped off his suit jacket and tugged at his cor, but the stifling warmth only worsened, making his skin itch with restlessness.

    He knew exactly what this was. Rising from his chair, he stepped into a cold shower, letting the icy water anchor his senses. Afterward, he changed into a fresh set of pajamas and returned to his bedroom.

    Tonight, Elliana was supposed to give him an answer. He didn¡¯t want to rush her¡ªhe wanted something gentler, more deliberate, something threaded with charm. So despite the fire in his blood, he reined himself in and forced his desires back into silence.

    By the time he stepped back into the bedroom, Elliana had already showered and slipped into her pajamas. She sat cross-legged on the bed, idly scrolling through her phone.

    She wore a modest nightgown, her long, damp hair spilling over her shoulders and trailing past her waist. The golden glow of the overhead light softened her silhouette, casting a gentle radiance over her features.

    The moment she heard him approach, she nced up.

    That one look shattered hisposure. He closed the distance in two quick strides, snatched the phone from her hands, and flung it aside. Then, he leaned down, bracing his arms on either side of her, caging her against the headboard.

    L¦Ët??¦Ó §éh¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?r? ¦Én g??l?ov?ls.??????

    Their faces hovered close enough for their air to intertwine.

    Elliana felt the heat rolling off him in waves, and the raw hunger behind his eyes sent a shiver down her spine. Something about this version of Cole made her¡­

    Instinctively, Elliana recoiled. She inched back and turned her face away. ¡°Mr. Evans, maybe you need a cold shower.¡±

    ¡°I already did¡ªand it didn¡¯t do a damn thing.¡± The moment he spoke, Cole angled her chin up to face him squarely. ¡°Honey, where¡¯s that answer you promised me?¡±

    He might¡¯ve been asking a question, but his body betrayed his real intent¡ªedging in closer until his feverish lips hovered a breath from hers. It was as if he expected her to say exactly what he needed to hear, and once she did, he¡¯d im the kiss waiting between them.

    Elliana couldn¡¯t take the blistering heat rolling off him. She pressed her palms lightly against his chest, urging him back. ¡°Please sit down properly.¡±

    To her, pushing him away felt like drawing a boundary in the sand before talking things through with him. After tonight, whatever existed between them needed to be kept clean¡ªno mixed signals, no gray areas. Serious matters called for a serious approach. But with him so near, her resolve threatened to dissolve, the tension gnawing at herposure.

    Cole¡¯s grip on control was slipping fast. Her delicate fragrance curled around him like a whisper, coaxing him closer, urging him to close thest bit of space between them, to fuse together and never pull away.

    He had started out with both feet on the floor, bent at the waist, palms braced t against the headboard. But the second she gave him a shove, he shifted without warning.

    One long leg hooked over hers as he climbed onto the bed, dropping to one knee. He bent his arms and pressed his elbows to the headboard instead, drawing their bodies flush¡ªnearly indistinguishable in the dim light.

    The air between them pulsed with rising heat. Cole¡¯s gaze darkened, a red gleam flickering at the edges, and his voice came low and ragged. ¡°Honey, this is killing me. Please¡ªdon¡¯t push me like this.¡±

    Then, he dipped his head and buried his chiseled face in her hair, his lips ghosting across the curve of her neck.

    Elliana¡¯s pulse stuttered, and she instinctively edged away from the heat of him. The building tension pressed in now¡ªpalpable, inescapable¡ªand this wasn¡¯t the time to worry about a serious approach. If she didn¡¯t speak now, he might never give her another opening. She drew a shaky breath, forced the words past her tight throat, and said, ¡°I refuse.¡±

    Cole stiffened, caught off guard, his eyes narrowing slightly in disbelief. ¡°What did you just say?¡±

    Her fists curled tight at her sides as she summoned everyst ounce of nerve. ¡°I¡¯m rejecting your proposal. I don¡¯t have feelings for you, and I don¡¯t want to be your wife. Once the issue with the marriage certificate is cleared up, I¡¯ll walk away on my own. I won¡¯t get in the way of your future.¡±

    Cole held her gaze, unmoving. ¡°You¡¯re sure about this?¡±

    ¡°I am.¡± Her nod was firm, her voice steady.

    ¡°Even now? You see the agony I¡¯m enduring, and that doesn¡¯t change your answer?¡±

    ¡°If it¡¯s really that unbearable, you have two options.¡± Her tone cooled as she locked eyes with him. ¡°First, I know some treatments that could ease the symptoms¡ªdiscreetly. No one else needs to know, and we can keep up the act tomorrow.¡±

    As she finished, her face lost all softness. Her eyes turned icy and unflinching, cutting through the lingering warmth in the room. ¡°Or, you can step out that door and find someone else to take care of your needs¡­¡±

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 Chapter 47

    ?Chapter 47:

    Heat raced through Cole¡¯s veins, but a cold pressure crushed his chest, snuffing out every spark of warmth. His stance stiffened, shoulders squared like stone, and his eyes locked on Elliana¡¯s, expression unreadable. Bit by bit, his face iced over, freezing into a mask of detachment.

    He hadpletely misinterpreted the situation. She had previously acknowledged her attraction to him, which he had taken as a positive indication. However, now she was merely responding with a firm, unapologetic rejection. And the way she held her ground¡ªcalm, poised, unshaken¡ªunsettled him more than any outburst ever could. Whatever fleeting spark had existed between them clearly hadn¡¯t reached her heart. If she¡¯d felt anything real, she wouldn¡¯t have told him to go find someone else. How could she say that? How could she suggest he find someone else?

    A flicker of rage darkened Cole¡¯s eyes before he straightened abruptly, his spine rigid with tension. Without a word, he rose, turned on his heel, and mmed the door behind him with enough force to rattle the walls.

    The sharp crack echoed through the mansion, making heads snap up. Whispers stilled. A few curious younger rtives crept toward the hallway, nudging the door open to catch a glimpse.

    Cole was already halfway down the stairs, fury radiating off him in waves. His expression was carved from stone, his jaw clenched, eyes glinting with warning. Each step he took reverberated through the floor like a thunderp.

    Those who saw him pass recoiled instinctively, chilled by the storm barely held in check.

    Everyone jumped to the same conclusion¡ªCole had snapped atst. After drinking down that spiked soup and facing Elliana, the ¡°ugly one,¡± he couldn¡¯t take it anymore.

    Ruben had been pacing in the study, tension building with every passing minute. The moment the butler delivered the news, his fury exploded. ¡°Go get Cole. Drag him back if you have to!¡±

    Bertram stepped in, his voice urgent but restrained. ¡°Dad, yelling won¡¯t fix this. Cole¡¯s not some tool we can just order around. He¡¯s his own man. Keep pushing like this, and what if he really walks away from the Evans family and builds something of his own?¡±

    Check what¡¯s new on g@lnov??s.c¡ðm

    The words struck like a p. Ruben stiffened. ¡°Then what do you suggest we do? He¡¯s got a wife, yet he won¡¯t even share a bed with her. What do you think that says?¡±

    Bertram hesitated, his thoughts drifting to his own experience. With a heavy sigh, he remarked, ¡°Try to see it from his perspective. When you were younger, would you have wanted to spend the night with someone you didn¡¯t find the least bit attractive?¡±

    Ruben faltered, clearing his throat with an awkward grunt. The answer was obvious¡ªhe wouldn¡¯t have. The real reason he¡¯d agreed to marry Diane was her beauty. If she hadn¡¯t had a face that turned heads, he wouldn¡¯t have agreed to that deal for anything. Still, pride made his voice ring with false righteousness. ¡°So what if she¡¯s not attractive? Once the lights are out, who even notices?¡±

    Bertram¡¯s lips quirked into a faint, knowing smirk, but he said nothing. Ruben¡¯s earlier bluster began to wane. Though his words had been forceful, a current of unease ran beneath them. The thought of pushing Cole so far that he might walk away from the Evans family entirely gnawed at him. After a moment of brooding silence, he turned back to Bertram. ¡°Where¡¯s Jarrett?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s at the vi again. Still recovering,¡± Bertram quickly answered.

    ¡°Then call him back. Tell him to deal with his son!¡± Rubenmanded firmly.

    Bertram huffed out a dryugh. ¡°So you don¡¯t want to upset your grandson, and now you¡¯re hoping Jarrett will y the viin?¡± He leaned against the desk with casual ease. ¡°Jarrett doesn¡¯t want Cole to suffer, you know. The only reason he¡¯s been keeping quiet is out of respect for you. And now you want him to strong-arm Cole? What if this makes things worse¡ªfor both of them? Aren¡¯t you at all concerned about Jarrett¡¯s health?¡±

    Ruben pressed his lips into a tight line, the sharp retort dying in his throat.

    Jarrett¡¯s health had been steadily declining ever since his wife disappeared. The stress had taken a permanent toll, leaving him gaunt and exhausted. Truth be told, he wasn¡¯t as strong as Ruben anymore. Calling him back now, just to enforce discipline, seemed cruel. With a grudging sigh, Ruben waved the idea off.

    Without warning, Ruben mmed his cane against Emmanuel¡¯s arm. ¡°You¡¯re Cole¡¯s uncle¡ªhow can you just sit there like none of this matters?¡±

    Emmanuel jolted, yanked out of his thoughts. He¡¯d been fully immersed in a piece of code, lost in the quiet rhythm of problem-solving, oblivious to the storm around him.

    He blinked at Ruben and then gave a dry smile. ¡°Dad, let¡¯s be honest. Even my brothers can¡¯t fix this. What can I do?¡±

    Back when Jarrett was at the helm, holding the family business together, Bertram had the freedom to chase rare antiques while Emmanuel buried himself in backend systems and machine logic, far from family drama. After Jarrett stepped down and Cole picked up the reins, neither Bertram nor Emmanuel spent a moment worrying over family affairs. When it came to Cole¡¯s marriage? They¡¯d always kept their distance. That mess was never theirs to touch.

    Ruben knew Emmanuel couldn¡¯t offer any real solutions. He just needed someone to unload on. Once he was done ranting, he huffed his way back to his room, leaving Bertram and Emmanuel exchanging a silent, weary nce.

    Meanwhile, Cole was seething. Blinded by fury, he charged down the stairs and stormed out of the mansion without a backward nce. Not missing a beat, Jeff spun up a group chat with the younger cousins, his fingers flying over the screen. ¡°Told you! No way Cole would ever ept Elliana. This just proves it! How¡¯s Elliana supposed to show her face tomorrow?¡±

    Snarky replies flooded in.

    ¡°Cole resisted Elliana even while drugged. That¡¯s next-level disgust.¡±

    ¡°Forget Elliana¡ªwhat I want to know is, which girl¡¯s about to get the full force of that drug?¡±

    Alone in her room, Trinity scrolled through the messages, her expression unreadable. A momentter, she stood, changed into fresh clothes, and slipped out into the night.

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 Chapter 48

    ?Chapter 48:

    Cole had downed the spiked soup Ruben prepared, gearing up to consummate his marriage with Elliana. The whole Evans family was buzzing about it.

    Paulina, Cole¡¯s ever-diligent steward, had everything locked down, posting Aron and Hugh downstairs to stand guard, ready to jump at a moment¡¯s notice.

    Cole had been pretty sweet on Ellianately, so Aron and Hugh figured the two would smoothly formalize their union, dismissing Paulina¡¯s concerns as unnecessary.

    Hugh, who¡¯d always turned his nose up at Elliana¡¯s in looks, couldn¡¯t stop griping. ¡°How¡¯s someone as ordinary as Elliana good enough for Mr. Evans? The guy stuck with her must feel like he¡¯s drawn the short straw. I feel bad for Mr. Evans just thinking about it¡­ ugh!¡±

    Aron, cooler-headed than Hugh, shut him down t. ¡°You forgetting Paulina¡¯s orders? Our job¡¯s to keep Mr. Evans safe, not to stick our noses in his business.¡±

    As they bickered, Cole strode out of the vi, and they snapped to attention.

    ¡°To the Royal Club!¡± Cole barked.

    Aron and Hugh didn¡¯t dare ask questions. They swung the car door open and tailed him.

    After Cole left, Trinity grinned downstairs and gave the butler a heads-up. ¡°Barney, the Craig family¡¯s throwing a bash to celebrate me finishing exams, so I won¡¯t be back tonight. Can you let the elders know?¡±

    ¡°Of course, Miss Craig,¡± Barney Chavez said with a respectful nod. ¡°Need me to arrange a ride?¡±

    ¡°Nah, the Craigs sent a car for me.¡±

    ¡°Have a great time, then.¡±

    Trinity shed a smile, said goodbye to Barney, and left the Evans estate. But she didn¡¯t head to the Craig residence¡ªshe tailed Cole¡¯s car straight to the Royal Club.

    Latest chapters ?¦Áln¦Ò¦Íe??s

    At the Royal Club, Cole stormed into a private room and flopped onto the sofa, brooding. His whole vibe was off, a feverish heat coursing through him, his cheeks flushed an unnatural red.

    Aron and Hugh stood watch at the door, sneaking nces through the cracked-open door, their nerves on edge.

    Hugh leaned in, whispering to Aron, ¡°Look at Mr. Evans¡ªhe¡¯s in bad shape. Should we, you know, find someone to help him out?¡±

    Aron shot him a cool look. ¡°You¡­¡±

    ¡°Know how Mr. Evans is. He¡¯s got principles. Grabbing some random woman for him? That¡¯s a one-way ticket to trouble.¡±

    Hugh let out a defeated sigh.

    Just then, Trinity walked over, rocking a white chiffon dress, a soft smile on her face. ¡°Is Cole in there?¡±

    Aron and Hugh blinked at her, confused. ¡°Miss Craig, what are you doing here?¡±

    Trinity held up a box. ¡°Ruben sent me to drop off some food for Cole.¡± Since she name-dropped Ruben, Aron and Hugh had no grounds to stop her. They opened the door to the private room, let her in, and shut it behind her. They figured Ruben had sent Trinity with some kind of remedy for Cole. Still, it struck them as odd. Why Trinity, out of everyone in the Evans family? Especially with Cole in this state, it wasn¡¯t exactly the best time for him to be around women.

    Inside the private room, Trinity tugged her chiffon dress down, baring half her shoulder, and gazed at the man sprawled on the sofa with dazed eyes.

    Cole, eyes shut, was breathing heavy and rough. At the sound of her steps, his brow creased. ¡°Didn¡¯t I say no interruptions unless I call for you?¡±

    Trinity¡¯s heart raced, torn between thrill and fear. Biting her lip, she tiptoed closer and murmured, ¡°Cole, it¡¯s me.¡±

    Cole froze and then cracked his eyes open, his cold gazending on her face. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±

    Before stepping into the room, Trinity had spun fantasies¡ªCole seeing her, pulling her into his arms, kissing her senseless, iming her right there. She¡¯d read enough steamy novels to know that guys in his state were supposed to lose all control. But Cole¡¯s voice and gaze were so cold that they sent chills down her spine. ¡°Ruben sent me with some food for you.¡±

    Cole shut his eyes again, his face nk. ¡°Drop the food and get out.¡± He saw through her lie in a heartbeat but didn¡¯t call her out. Ripping off the mask would just stir up drama under the same roof.

    Trinity¡¯s fingers clenched, but she didn¡¯t dare linger. She set the food down and scurried out. She was head-over-heels for Cole¡¯s sharp looks and charm but terrified of his frosty,manding presence. Defying him? Not a chance!

    Getting brushed off like that stung, her face burning with shame. She nned to slip away quietly, but as she stepped out of the room, she ran smack into Manley.

    ¡°Manley!¡±

    ¡°Trinity? What are you doing here?¡±

    Trinity¡¯s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She forced an awkward smile and bolted.

    Manley raised an eyebrow, then turned and strolled into the private room.

    At the sound, Cole shot upright, locking eyes with Manley. ¡°Find me a woman¡­¡±

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 Chapter 49

    ?Chapter 49:

    A single phone call from Cole was all it took to summon Manley here. In the phone call, Cole hadn¡¯t wasted time on pleasantries. ¡°Get to the Royal Club. Now.¡±

    Manley hadn¡¯t even gotten a chance to reply¡ªthe line went dead. Assuming it was an emergency, he raced to the Royal Club. The moment he arrived, Cole hit him with somethingpletely unexpected: he wanted a woman.

    Wait¡ªwhat? Cole asking for a woman? That didn¡¯t line up at all. Cole was practically a monk when it came to women¡ªdistant, cold, and always above temptation. And wasn¡¯t he married to Elliana anyway?

    The whole thing threw Manley off. He couldn¡¯t make sense of any of it. Cole¡¯s eyes burned with urgency. ¡°She needs to be clean. Legal age. Gorgeous,¡± he said through clenched teeth.

    To Aron and Hugh, it made perfect sense. If anyone could handle this kind of bizarre request, it was Manley. He had connections in every corner of the city, and more importantly, he knew how to get things done fast.

    Manley narrowed his eyes, something finally clicking. ¡°Wait¡­ Did someone spike your drink?¡±

    Cole said nothing, just tugged at his cor with a grimace¡ªanswer enough.

    Manley practically erupted. ¡°Who the hell messed with your drink? Point me to them, and I¡¯ll handle them myself!¡±

    Before Manley could storm off, Aron and Hugh pulled him aside and filled him in on everything that had happened.

    The exnation left Manleypletely baffled. So, let him get this straight¡ªCole drank some spiked soup, fully intending to spend the night with his wife, but bailed at thest minute and stormed out instead? That couldn¡¯t be right. It made no sense. He¡¯d just seen Cole wrapped around Elliana like she was the only person that mattered. Why the sudden hesitation now? There was only one thing that made sense¡ªElliana must¡¯ve turned Cole down.

    Manley, never one to miss an opportunity to needle someone, smirked and asked, ¡°Dude, did Elliana turn you down?¡±

    ¡°Bang!¡± Cole grabbed the takeout box left by Trinity and smashed it onto the floor in frustration, food sttering across the floor.

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    Both Aron and Hugh flinched, stunned. The outburst sealed it¡ªManley had guessed right. Elliana had shut Cole down. It was hard to wrap their heads around it.

    Hugh rubbed his nose awkwardly. He used tough at Elliana for not knowing her ce, for wanting something beyond her reach, but now Cole was the one who had been rejected.

    Manley couldn¡¯t hold it in and let out a loudugh. ¡°Alright, Aron, Hugh¡ªout. I need a moment alone with our love-struck friend here.¡±

    Without protest, Aron and Hugh stepped out, pulling the door shut behind them.

    Taking a seat beside Cole, Manley pulled out his phone and tilted it toward him. ¡°Here¡ªscroll through. Anyone catch your eye?¡±

    Cole barely looked at the gallery of morous women before flopping back in irritation. ¡°You pick. I don¡¯t care.¡±

    Manley blinked. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± With a chuckle, he added, ¡°I can promise they¡¯re legal and untouched, but your preferences? That¡¯s a mystery I won¡¯t pretend to understand.¡±

    Cole shot him a look, his voice sharp. ¡°Who said I needed a woman for that?¡±

    Nowpletely thrown off, Manley stared at him. If it wasn¡¯t for that, then what the hell was the emergency?

    Meanwhile, just outside the room, Paulina and Myles had shown up, their timing impable as always.

    Once Paulina got the gist of what was going on, she didn¡¯t hesitate. Her re at Myles was sharp enough to slice ss as she snapped, ¡°Drop to your knees. Now!¡±

    Though utterly baffled, Myles didn¡¯t hesitate¡ªhe dropped to his knees with a sigh. ¡°Okay, but what did I do this time, Paulina?¡±

    Without even ncing at him, Paulina shifted her fury toward Hugh. ¡°How many times do I have to repeat myself? We¡¯re working for Mr. Evans. That means knowing our ce. Why did you run your mouth at Mrs. Evans today? You stirred up trouble between them¡ªnow what? How do you n to fix it?¡±

    Hugh ran a hand through his hair, trying to figure out if Elliana had truly turned Cole down because of what he mentioned before. If that was the case, then yeah¡ªhe¡¯d definitely made a mess of things. But he still believed he had a point. ¡°Paulina, wasn¡¯t I right? Mr. Evans ought to marry someone elegant and well-connected. What makes Elliana qualified to be Mrs. Evans?¡±

    The pieces finally clicked for Myles. He adjusted his sses with a sigh and said, ¡°So Hugh runs his mouth, and I end up on my knees? Paulina, aren¡¯t you aiming at the wrong target here?¡±

    While saying this, Myles made a cautious move to rise.

    Paulina knocked him right back into ce. ¡°I¡¯m punishing you! You¡¯re the oldest, so tell me, is this how you¡¯ve been guiding your younger brother?¡±

    Myles lifted an eyebrow, clearly fed up but not about to argue. Between chasing deadlines and managing Cole¡¯s packed schedule, disciplining Hugh hadn¡¯t exactly made it onto his to-do list. Still, Paulina outranked them all, and defying her wasn¡¯t an option he was brave enough to take.

    Watching from the side, Aron broke into a grin. Hugh messed up, Myles paid for it¡ªsame script every time. Poor guy never caught a break.

    Right when Aron started to feel bad for Myles, Paulina yelled at him, ¡°You get down on your knees too!¡±

    Aron blinked, confused, but his knees hit the floor before his brain could stop them. ¡°Wait, Paulina¡ªwhat did I even do?¡±

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 Chapter 50

    ?Chapter 50:

    Paulina didn¡¯t spare Aron from her wrath. ¡°You¡¯re with Hugh more than anyone else¡ªsame with Mr. Evans. So tell me, how have you let your brother turn out like this?¡±

    Aron¡¯s face shifted into the same fed-up look Myles was wearing.

    The parents of the four Fletcher siblings had been employees of the Evans Group but sadly lost their lives in a car crash. The Evans family, moved by the plight of the four children left behind, took them in and raised them alongside Cole. Gratitude ran deep between the siblings and the Evans family, but their loyalty to Cole was something fierce.

    While Paulina ruled the trio of younger brothers with an iron will, she always had a soft spot for Hugh¡ªthe youngest one when their parents died, and she had practically raised him like a son.

    Myles and Aron were frequently irritated because, back when Hugh was little, Paulina always took his side. If he slipped up or ended up hurt, she would point fingers at them for failing to look after their younger brother. Even now, at twenty-three and running Cole¡¯s personal security, Hugh still managed to drag his older brothers into messes. At this rate, they¡¯d be dealing with his screw-ups until they hit retirement.

    Once her scolding was done, Paulina spun on her heel and stomped out of the room without another word.

    Myles and Aron rose slowly, their eyes locking on Hugh with the kind of look that made grown men sweat.

    Just minutes earlier, Hugh had been soaking in Paulina¡¯s protection like a spoiled cat in the sun. Now, stripped of her shield, he slinked away into a corner and stared at the wall, avoiding their eyes like it might save him.

    Elsewhere, tossing and turning through the night, Elliana couldn¡¯t shake the weight of her argument with Cole.

    By dawn, she was already dressed and downstairs. After a quick breakfast, she informed the butler to let Ruben know she was heading out for the filming of ¡°The Heiress¡¯ Graduation Trip.¡±

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    When the rest of the Evans household finally wandered down, Elliana had long since vanished.

    The younger members of the family, secretly hoping to watch Elliana fall t on her face, were left dumbfounded when the butler casually mentioned that she had already gone off to shoot a television show.

    Most of them had brushed off her showbiz dreams as a phase¡ªor worse, a joke. None had expected her to move so fast. Their curiosity got the better of them, and they started to follow the show just to see her stumble.

    The show wasn¡¯t pre-recorded either¡ªit was airing live.

    Eager to ruin Elliana, Paige had made sure the production team locked in a contract with Elliana right after their chat the day before. By sunrise, a teaser was already making its rounds online.

    The tension between Paige and Elliana was already making waves online, and once the teaser dropped, the views exploded. By morning, the show¡¯s ount had racked up millions of followers¡ªand the numbers just kept rising.

    Curious and discreet, the Evans family pulled up the promo video, only to find over a millionments flooding in. Most were there for one thing¡ªthe unfolding chaos between the two women.

    ¡°Can you believe Elliana, of all people, has the nerve to appear on the same show as Paige? She must not care about being humiliated.¡±

    ¡°Word is, she¡¯s been throwing her weight around as Mrs. Evans, picking on Paige like it¡¯s her full-time job. She¡¯s probably showing up just to take Paige down publicly.¡±

    ¡°Elliana is seriously out of her league. Cole barely acknowledges her, and Paige has Royal Entertainment in her corner. This is a losing game for Elliana.¡±

    ¡°You all believe Elliana joined this show just to take down Paige, but I get the feeling it¡¯s actually Paige who¡¯s using the show to tear Elliana apart. No matter how full of herself Elliana might be, there¡¯s no way she¡¯d choose to put her worst side on disy for everyone to see. She had to have been pushed into it.¡±

    ¡°The sh between them is turning into real entertainment. I¡¯m looking forward to watching them rip into each other on the show.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter who wins. I¡¯m tuning in purely to see if Elliana really looks as bad as people say.¡±

    As if this showdown wasn¡¯t enough, the casting of Kent Todd added a whole newyer of buzz to the show.

    Kent had built his brand as the charming rich boy¡ªan heir who could coast on family money if acting didn¡¯t pan out. Reality, though, told a different story¡ªwhile his family had wealth, he wasn¡¯t exactly in line to inherit any of it. Although he was a well-known actor, he had only taken part in a single project since his debut, and¡­

    His performance on screen wasn¡¯t anything remarkable. He¡¯d built his reputation entirely on his appearance, the very definition of a star who thrived on charm alone.

    Not only did Kent bring his loyal fanbase along, but his connection to Paige added a juicy subplot¡ªturns out, they went to high school together, and he¡¯d nursed a crush on her back then. Naturally, fans were buzzing in thement section.

    ¡°I¡¯m absolutely here for Kent¡¯s first reality show! Let¡¯s go, pretty boy!¡±

    ¡°Wait¡ªis Kent really on this show for Paige? And isn¡¯t Paige¡¯s fianc¨¦ Raning too? This smells like a messy love triangle already.¡±

    ¡°Okay, I know it¡¯s wrong, but part of me is rooting for Paige and Kent to have a moment. Just one!¡±

    While heading to the shoot for episode one, Elliana scrolled through thements and skimmed the cast list¡ªonly to find something so ridiculous that it nearly made herugh out loud.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 51

    ?Chapter 51:

    In Elliana¡¯s opinion, ¡°The Heiress¡¯ Graduation Trip¡± might as well have been renamed ¡°The Heiress¡¯ Dramatic Show.¡±

    With Royal Entertainment backing the project tounch Paige¡¯s debut, it was no surprise that every element of the show was tailored to tter her. Episode after episode, the chosen themes seemed curated to spotlight Paige¡¯s every skill and charm.

    Then came the guests. Paige showed up with Ran, looking every bit like a fairy-tale princess with her prince charming, but out of nowhere, a well-known actor, Kent, was added to the picture.

    As a beloved movie star, Kent¡¯s presence ignited a rivalry with Ran that practically screamed scripted drama¡ªdrama that would only make Paige shine brighter in the public eye.

    To be direct about it, Kent¡¯s purpose was to act as a stepping stone to elevate Paige¡¯s public image.

    Aside from Ran and Kent, the rest of the male guests left much to be desired, ying little more than background roles.

    Among the female guests, besides Paige and Elliana, there were two rich girls from less-than-famous families and one random girl with no industry ties¡ªanother move that conveniently made Paige the uncontested lead.

    Elliana had been boxed into the ¡°unremarkable¡± role, clearly positioned to serve as the show¡¯sic relief, the one meant to falter under Paige¡¯s spotlight.

    Having dissected the setup, Elliana¡¯s lips curled into a cool, amused smile. There was no doubt in her mind¡ªPaige had micromanaged everything. Paige would trample over anyone to stay center stage, no matter how pathetic it made her look.

    At exactly seven a.m., Elliana showed up at the filming site, finding the other guests already assembled.

    Just then, the livestream countdown hit zero. The crew gave the cue, and cameras rolled into live mode.

    Countlessizens had been standing by online, and the moment the live broadcast kicked off, viewers flooded in by the thousands, with the numbers climbing steadily. In just two minutes, the viewership had soared into the hundreds of thousands.

    I@?€$? ¡é??t??§ñ? In ?al¦Ð?¦Í¦Ål?.c?m

    Haley Faulkner, the director, opened the show, her sharp voice cutting clean through the camera feed.

    Full of energy and seasoned with experience, Haley presented the show¡¯s theme and purpose to the audience.

    This program had been co-produced by Royal Entertainment and Ublento Cultural Tourism, aiming to entertain the audience while showcasing Ublento¡¯s scenic attractions. Once the show wrapped up, the production team nned tounch an online vote, givingizens the chance to select one male and one female to serve as cultural tourism ambassadors.

    Although it was an entertainment program, the inclusion of Ublento¡¯s Cultural Tourism promotion gave it a touch of prestige. Being selected as a cultural tourism ambassador through this show and partnering with the official team for the long haul would be a priceless boost to both reputation and poprity.

    The moment the ambassador topic hit the screen, the live chat exploded with excitement.

    ¡°Ahhh, there¡¯s no doubt the final cultural tourism ambassadors will be Ran and Paige¡ªthey¡¯re the perfect pair!¡±

    ¡°Excuse me, but Kent and Paige would be iconic!¡±

    ¡°No matter which of the male guests ends up as the cultural tourism ambassador, the female pick is guaranteed to be Paige!¡±

    Once Haley wrapped up her lively rundown of the show¡¯s format, the lens glided toward the guest panel, signaling the start of the much-anticipated introductions.

    Opening the sequence, the spotlightnded on Ran and Paige. They showed up hand in hand, dressed like the picture-perfect engaged pair¡ªRan in aid-back white suit and Paige glowing in a white floral dress. The warmth between them was undeniable. shing bright smiles, they waved to the camera and said, ¡°Hi everyone! We¡¯re diving into this new journey with nothing but love and courage!¡± Instantly, the live chat lit up like fireworks.

    ¡°This feels like a love storye to life! Ran looks dreamy, and Paige is absolutely stunning. They¡¯re meant to be! I swear, I¡¯m shipping these two till the end of time!¡±

    Next in the lineup was none other than Kent, the heartthrob.

    There was something dangerously charming about Kent. Not rugged, but sleek, with a smirk that could slice through silence and a boyish swagger that didn¡¯t ask¡­

    For attention¡ªit took it. With a twinkle in his eye, he pulled back an imaginary arrow and let it fly toward the camera. ¡°Here¡¯s my motto¡ªmy goddess stays under my protection, always.¡±

    Then, Kent suddenly shifted his gaze to Ran, a sly grin spreading across his face. ¡°Ran, just don¡¯t let me catch an opening!¡±

    The camera whipped back to Ran, just as he wrapped his arm around Paige¡¯s waist and stared Kent down. ¡°My fianc¨¦e will always be in my arms!¡±

    And just like that, thements came in like a tidal wave¡ªno slowing down.

    ¡°Wow! Is the show really this intense right from the beginning? Kent¡¯s being so open about his intentions. It¡¯s honestly pretty daring!¡±

    ¡°A love triangle right out the gate? This show is pure adrenaline!¡±

    ¡°Kent¡¯s got my vote! Take the lead, king!¡±

    ¡°Can we me them? Paige¡¯s charm is working overtime!¡±

    The camera circled back to Kent, who hadn¡¯t broken character for a second. Turning away from Ran, his expression hardened as he turned to the left. ¡°Elliana, whatever drama you had with Paige before? Don¡¯t try it now. Not while I¡¯m watching. I won¡¯t let anyone hurt her.¡± His words hit like a warning shot, and the camera swung toward Elliana, catching her mid-expression,pletely unprepared for the attention.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 52

    ?Chapter 52:

    The moment Elliana appeared on screen, the once-buzzing chat room fell into stunned silence.

    But itsted only a heartbeat¡ªbefore exploding into a frenzy of ridicule.

    ¡°Wait¡­ Is that Elliana? The infamous in Jane?¡±

    ¡°Her makeup¡¯s doing more harm than good¡ªmy eyes!¡±

    ¡°No offense, but this is nightmare fuel¡ªliteral nightmare fuel.¡±

    ¡°Forget the details¡ªjust looking at her, I know she¡¯s the problem in that drama with Paige.¡±

    ¡°Does this show air past midnight? Because honestly, that face is horror-movie material.¡±

    ¡°Who gave her the audacity to appear on a variety show next to someone as stunning as Paige?¡±

    As if pouring oil on the fire, the production team yed into the chaos¡ªcutting to a split-screen of Elliana and Paige standing side by side. The contrast was brutal. And thement section went wild.

    ¡°Props to the editing team! That side-by-side shot is brutal¡ªbrilliantly brutal!¡±

    ¡°The difference is staggering. One looks like a goddess, while the other looks like a ghost that crawled out of a grave.¡±

    ¡°I get it now¡ªPaige is the star, the main act. Elliana? She¡¯s the punchline. The tragic joke everyone tunes in tough at.¡±

    The chat room, restricted to cold, cruel lines of text, could barely contain the flood of reactions. Had the viewers been in the same room, it would¡¯ve sounded like a madhouseughter crashing like thunder, chairs scraping back in shock, people pping tables, wiping tears from their eyes. It was chaos. A circus. And Elliana was the clown who didn¡¯t know she¡¯d stepped into the ring.

    Elliana¡¯s appearance sent the live viewership soaring, skyrocketing from thousands to millions, thrusting the broadcast straight to the top of the trending charts.

    Haley, the immoral director, sensing gold, gave a quietmand to the crew to keep the cameras on Elliana.

    Latest updates only on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í??ls

    Soon, the chat¡¯s tone shifted¡ªbut not toward mercy.

    ¡°What was Elliana thinking, walking out like that? Does she not own a mirror?¡±

    ¡°I heard she burned her house down when she was five. Her mom died in the fire, and she got disfigured.¡±

    ¡°I mean, sure, it¡¯s sad. But sympathy ends when you¡¯re the one who started the fire. She¡¯s no victim. She¡¯s a monster with lipstick.¡±

    A towering screen beside the camera fed a constant stream of the live chat, fully visible to the guests.

    Elliana¡¯s humiliation yed out in real-time, her name dragged through the digital mud by millions. And around her, not a single sympathetic face. Only thinly veiled glee.

    Especially Paige¡ªsmiling sweetly for the camera, but inside, she was reveling in it. This? This was merely the opening act. Elliana would suffer much more before the curtains closed.

    But Elliana didn¡¯t flinch. As the chat dredged up her old scars and the fire that marred her childhood, she simply curled her lips¡ªnot in shame, but in quiet defiance. This was why she hade. To rip open the lies sealed fifteen years ago. To clear her name. And to drag the truth¡ªkicking and screaming¡ªinto the light.

    Haley, handpicked by Royal Entertainment, yed her part like a puppet on Paige¡¯s strings. She let the torment stretch, milking every cruelment, every sneer, before finally speaking in that polished, professional tone. ¡°Elliana, please share your motto with the audience.¡±

    Everyone expected Elliana to crumble¡ªor retaliate in a fit of rage. After Kent¡¯s thinly veiled threats, surely she¡¯d back down.

    But Elliana didn¡¯t even nce at Kent. Her gaze locked onto the camera lens like a loaded gun. ¡°I¡¯m here to uncover the truth behind that fire, and the real culprit should be the one trembling right now.¡±

    The studio froze. Paige and the crew were blindsided. No one had expected Elliana to go there. Not publicly. Not live. But by the time they scrambled to recover, it was toote. The chat had already turned.

    ¡°Wait¡ªElliana¡¯s saying she didn¡¯t start the fire?¡±

    ¡°If she¡¯s this bold on live TV, maybe she really was framed.¡±

    ¡°This just got juicy. From drama queens to criminal cover-ups!¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t Paige¡¯s mom used to be a mistress? What if she wanted Elliana¡¯s mother out of the way permanently?¡±

    The audience had lost interest in pretty faces. Now they wanted blood. And Paige, once worshipped by the crowd, could only watch as the tide swept her under¡ªher mother¡¯s past dragged up like a corpse from deep water.

    Rage and panic red behind Paige¡¯s carefully maintained smile. And then, unable to stop herself, she snapped¡ªblurting out something that would tip everything even further out of her control.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 53

    ?Chapter 53:

    ¡°Elliana, everyone must confront the consequences of their actions. There¡¯s no escape through avoidance or denial. Fortunately, your youth when those mistakes urred means people will forgive you. Simply live honorably from now on.¡± Paige¡¯s words dripped with false concern, each syble striking Elliana like a physical blow.

    Elliana pierced Paige with an icy stare. ¡°The police never confirmed anything back then. What authority grants you the right to judge me?¡± The mysterious fire that year remained unsolved. Though investigators concluded it was arson, they never identified the perpetrator. The usation against Elliana had been maliciously fabricated by the Jones family.

    Elliana¡¯s pointed challenge left Paige scrambling to appear wounded. ¡°Elliana, I speak only for your benefit. I hate seeing you stumble through life, repeating one error after another.¡±

    A harshugh escaped Elliana¡¯s lips. ¡°Are you threatened by my search for truth? Why resist uncovering what really happened? Does guilt haunt you?¡±

    Panic shed across Paige¡¯s face. ¡°Elliana, stop this nonsense! What possible reason would I have for guilt? I was merely eight when the fire urred. How could it involve me?¡±

    ¡°Indeed.¡± Elliana¡¯s lips curved into a dangerous smile, unafraid to expose secrets before millions of livestream viewers. Since Paige was determined to destroy her, she abandoned all pretense of civility. The time hade to shatter this carefully constructed facade. ¡°My parents remained married when the fire devastated our lives, yet you¡¯re three years my senior, being my half-sister. Isn¡¯t that intriguing?¡± The observation struck Paige¡¯s most vulnerable point. Nothing terrified her more than public discussion of her illegitimate birth. Elliana¡¯s calcted revtion forced her to press her lips together in rigid silence, terrified that further conversation would expose even more humiliating truths.

    Though Paige retreated into silence, the livestream chat erupted with spection.

    ¡°I dismissed it as gossip before, but Elliana¡¯s public statement and Paige¡¯s inability to deny it suggest the rumors were urate. Kiara truly was the mistress!¡±

    ¡°Now Elliana¡¯s hostility toward Paige makes sense. Is Elliana avenging her mother?¡±

    . brings magic to life

    ¡°Paige¡¯s mother destroyed Elliana¡¯s parents¡¯ marriage, so Elliana targets Paige¡¯s rtionship. Perfect karmic justice!¡±

    ¡°I loathe home-wreckers and feel zero sympathy for their illegitimate children. Despite Paige¡¯s beauty, she¡¯ll never earn my support!¡± Witnessing public opinion turn viciously against Paige, Haley frantically signaled the camera crew to redirect focus toward the next guest.

    Vivien stepped into the spotlight. The moment cameras captured her, she waved enthusiastically and beamed. ¡°Hello, everyone! I¡¯m Ran¡¯s sister, Vivien. My mission on this show is protecting my brother and his fianc¨¦e¡¯s perfect rtionship from any outside interference!¡±

    Vivien¡¯s rehearsed deration, prepared before Elliana¡¯s explosive revtion about Paige¡¯s illegitimate origin, had been crafted to target Elliana.

    The whole crew¡¯s original strategy involved portraying Elliana as harboring designs on Ran, suggesting she joined the show to steal Paige¡¯s fianc¨¦. However, circumstances had shifted dramatically, and Vivien failed to adapt, inadvertently deepening Paige¡¯s humiliation. The livestream chat immediately reignited discussions about infidelity and homewreckers.

    Paige shot Vivien a venomous re, muttering through clenched teeth that Vivien was an absolute imbecile.

    Oblivious to her blunder, Vivien eagerly anticipated exposing Elliana¡¯s former supposed feelings for Ran, salivating at the prospect of humiliating Elliana before millions.

    Haley, however, dared not risk another disaster and swiftly directed cameras toward the next guest.

    The following introductions proved disappointingly mundane.

    Two freshly debuted male artists, Townsend Herrera and Cesar Chapman, clearly hoped to benefit from proximity to the celebrated actor Kent, yet neither possessed any distinguishing qualities.

    Two rich girls, Nayeli Byrd and Celine Rivera, alongside a loaded guy, Joaquin Fairclough, simrly failed to capture any meaningful attention.

    The final guest, however, offered an unexpected breath of fresh air. Hailee Loftus stood apart¡ªa recent college graduate from modest origins, her background sharply contrasting with the assembled elite. The previously subdued livestream chat suddenly buzzed with renewed interest.

    ¡°Hailee radiates authenticity¡ªgentle, unspoiled, her natural appearance feels refreshingly genuine.¡±

    ¡°Wait, isn¡¯t this program titled ¡®The Heiress¡¯ Graduation Trip¡¯? How did someone ordinary secure a spot? What purpose does she serve?¡±

    ¡°Will a regr person inevitably suffer among these wealthy heirs and socialites?¡±

    With quiet confidence, Hailee smiled and shared her purpose. ¡°My goal is simple: meet diverse individuals, experience new perspectives, and expand my knowledge. I appreciate your understanding.¡±

    The other guests exchanged contemptuous smirks.

    Elliana¡¯s gaze sharpened as she sensed something amiss.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 54

    ?Chapter 54:

    Elliana¡¯s mind raced. The show, pretentiously titled ¡°The Heiress¡¯ Graduation Trip,¡± immediately established its exclusive social hierarchy, leaving no space formoners. Yet, somehow, Hailee¡ªa girl from a remarkably ordinary background¡ªhad inexplicably secured a spot among them. Why?

    From Hailee¡¯s first appearance, Elliana¡¯s mind worked to unravel this puzzle. As contemptuous nces cascaded toward Hailee, Elliana swiftly connected the pieces. Beyond the artists¡ªKent, Townsend, and Cesar¡ªeveryone recognized Hailee, though she remained oblivious to their identities. Her presence couldn¡¯t be coincidental. Some hidden agenda lurked beneath the surface.

    After the final introduction, Haley reimed control with practiced authority and unveiled the episode¡¯s challenge. ¡°Today, we¡¯ll guide our live audience through the Ublento Art Museum, immersing ourselves in masterpieces from renowned artists while experiencing the sublime beauty of refined aesthetics. The evening will culminate on the third floor, where we¡¯ll witness the finale of the Stany Oil Painting Competition. I¡¯m thrilled to announce that we¡¯ve secured legendary oil painter Mr. Luciano Scott as our special guest.¡±

    Before Haley¡¯s final word faded, Vivien erupted with calcted enthusiasm, ¡°Mr. Scott stands as an icon in the oil painting world and currently presides over the Calligraphers and Painters Association. Meeting him has been my lifelong aspiration!¡±

    Haley¡¯s smile glinted with manufactured warmth. ¡°Mr. Scott devotes himself entirely to his craft and rarely entertains strangers. Our show has cultivated this rare opportunity for you all to encounter him personally. Seize this moment¡ªlet¡¯s discover who might earn the privilege of bing his student.¡±

    Paige¡¯s eyshes fluttered dramatically. ¡°Are we all eligible for consideration?¡±

    Haley nodded with theatrical assurance. ¡°Indeed, though bing Mr. Scott¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦ demands extraordinary talent. His artistic pursuit knows no boundaries, and his standards for epting students remain formidably high. Fortune favors you all!¡±

    Paige clutched Ran¡¯s arm with practiced excitement. ¡°What an exquisite artistic journey awaits us! I¡¯ve nurtured a passion for painting since childhood. I simply must excel and secure my ce as Mr. Scott¡¯s student, contributing my vision to the artisticmunity.¡±

    Dive into tales at g¦Á? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s,

    Ran gazed at her with manufactured adoration. ¡°Chase your dream. I stand behind youpletely.¡±

    Vivien chimed in with sharine support, ¡°You¡¯ll triumph, Paige, without question!¡±

    Several guests, self-proimed art enthusiasts, perked up at the prospect of studying under Luciano¡¯s tutge, eagerly anticipating their chance.

    Only Elliana¡¯s lips curled into a knowing, sardonic smile. In her mind, she¡¯d rechristened this farce ¡°The Heiress¡¯ Dramatic,¡± a brutally uratebel for the production¡¯s true nature. Haley and the others dressed today¡¯s spectacle in cultural sophistication, yet every segment had been meticulously engineered to glorify Paige alone.

    The nauseating reverence for Luciano particrly grated against Elliana¡¯s nerves. Luciano was no devoted artistic purist¡ªbehind his cultivated facade lurked countless shadowy transactions entwining money and influence. His appearance undoubtedly came with an exorbitant price tag from Merritt, all calcted to elevate Paige¡¯s social standing.

    Elliana could map theing charade with perfect rity: Luciano wouldvish praise on Paige¡¯s ¡°exceptional talent,¡± proiming her art¡¯s transcendent potential before announcing¡ªwith practiced spontaneity¡ªthat he¡¯d selected her as his final prot¨¦g¨¦. Regarding the evening¡¯spetition, Paige had certainly submitted her entry long ago, with the championship trophy already engraved with her name. Once broadcast, this episode would catapult Paige¡¯s reputation to stratospheric heights, unleashing a deluge of lucrative endorsements. This supposed cultural exploration masked a shameless vanity project funded by wealth and maniption, with Paige as its centerpiece. As for whatever traps Paige had set along this carefully choreographed path, Elliana had yet to uncover them.

    Having dissected these machinations and noting the cameras focused elsewhere, Elliana discreetly messaged Matthew. ¡°Investigate Luciano¡¯s meetings and activities over the past forty-eight hours.¡± Matthew¡¯s response arrived instantly. ¡°Consider it done, Lexi.¡±

    Right then, Haley announced their departure. The production team had arranged transportation to the Ublento Art Museum. At Haley¡¯s signal, everyone gathered their belongings and migrated toward the waiting bus.

    Elliana pocketed her phone and reached for her suitcase.

    In that moment, Vivien approached. With cameras trained on Paige and Ran ahead, this exchange remained unfilmed, revealing Vivien¡¯s authentic, tyrannical nature.

    ¡°Youe here!¡± Vivien jabbed a finger toward Hailee imperiously. ¡°You¡¯re responsible for my luggage!¡±

    Everyone within this privileged circle recognized Vivien¡¯s tyrannical tendencies and wisely avoided confrontation. They silently collected their belongings and departed.

    Humiliation zed across Hailee¡¯s face, yet she swallowed her outrage and reluctantly grasped Vivien¡¯s massive suitcase, struggling under its weight.

    Elliana, witnessing this cruelty, found herself intervening. ¡°Vivien, why should someone else bear your burden?¡±

    Vivien, nearly turned away, froze at these words and slowly pivoted, her eyes hardening to cial points as they locked onto Elliana.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 55

    ?Chapter 55:

    Hearing Elliana¡¯s words, Vivien shot Hailee a look and scoffed, her voice subdued enough not to be caught by the live stream. ¡°She¡¯s just a nobody. She¡¯s lucky we even let her on this show. What does she even bring to the table¡ªfetching water? Collecting freebies? Sucking up paychecks she hasn¡¯t earned?¡±

    With a sharp sneer aimed at Hailee and Elliana, Vivien turned on her heel and stalked toward the bus. ¡°An ugly face and a useless extra,¡± she muttered. ¡°You two really are made for each other.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s eyes narrowed as she watched Vivien strut away, her figure retreating like a shadow that clung too long to the light.

    Beside Elliana, Hailee shifted uneasily. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Marsh,¡± she said softly. ¡°I got you involved in this.¡±

    Elliana turned and gave Hailee a quiet once-over. Hailee looked like someone cut from a different cloth entirely¡ªhonest, untouched by scheming, with eyes too clear for a world this cruel.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you take a regr job after college?¡± Elliana asked, her voice calm but curious.

    Hailee hesitated for only a moment before answering with quiet conviction, ¡°Because this show pays better. My boyfriend¡­ He¡¯s very sick. He needs surgery, and we don¡¯t have time to save up the slow way.¡±

    Then, with a small, grateful smile, she added, ¡°Thank you for speaking up earlier. Really. But I knew what I was signing up for. I¡¯m not one of them¡ªI¡¯m just passing through their world. I had expected the bullying. But if it means I can help the person I love, I¡¯ll take every insult they throw at me and keep going. I just have to make it to the end.¡±

    Hailee¡¯s fear was in to see¡ªbeing kicked off the show halfway through would mean losing her full payout. And without that money, her boyfriend¡¯s surgery might never happen.

    Elliana hadn¡¯t expected this delicate-looking girl to be so quietly tenacious. For just a boyfriend¡ªnot a husband¡ªHailee was enduring public ridicule, emotional strain, and the venom of women like Vivien. Most would¡¯ve walked away by now, found someone new, and cut their losses.

    Hailee reminded Elliana of herself¡ªof the younger version who bore cruelty in silence, who clenched her fists through every indignity and refused to back down. She had once needed someone to stand up for her. Now, she could be that person for someone else.

    ???€?? ¡é?¦Át?¦Å§ñs 1n ga?n?¦Í¦Ål?.???

    Elliana¡¯s gaze flicked toward Vivien, who had just reached the bus steps, all smug confidence and swinging hips.

    A smirk tugged at Elliana¡¯s lips. With a flick of her fingers, a silver needle slipped into the air, invisible to all but her. A beatter, Vivien let out a startled shriek and went crashing backward off the bus.

    Vivien hit the ground hard, her skirt ring up in a humiliating arc. Lacy ck panties¡ªscandalously sheer¡ªshed under the sun, broadcast live to millions. Gasps exploded across the live stream. ¡°What the¡ªdid I just see that?¡± ¡°Vivien¡¯s wearing that on a daytime show?¡±

    ¡°So much for the elegant heiress image¡ªlooks like she¡¯s ready for a midnight rendezvous!¡±

    ¡°Who was she nning to seduce on set, exactly?¡±

    ¡°No wonder she acts so high and mightypensating for something wild under the surface!¡±

    The show had been pushing a love story angle¡ªPaige and Ran as the golden couple. Paige had been basking in the limelight until Vivien¡¯s unfortunate tumble stole the show.

    The chat exploded with Vivien memes, screenshots, andmentary. Paige¡¯s name all but vanished from the feed. Haley, behind the scenes, snapped to action, instructing the crew to pan away from the chaos. But the damage was already done.

    Paige, seething inside, kept her smile frozen in ce. She wanted nothing more than to kick Vivien out of her way¡ªand possibly off the¡ªbut Ran stood beside her, and millions were watching. So, she put on a show of concern and rushed to Vivien¡¯s side, her voice dripping with faux empathy.

    The camera zoomed in as a bodyguard draped his jacket over Vivien¡¯s lower half. Her cheeks burned as red as her exposedce.

    Vivien wailed dramatically on the ground, her voice echoing across the set. ¡°It hurts! Ah¡ªit really hurts!¡±

    Paige clenched her jaw, restraining the fierce urge to kick Vivien. Instead, she bent down with practiced sympathy and said sweetly, ¡°Vivien, hang in there. The doctor¡¯s on the way.¡±

    Right on cue, the show¡¯s apanying physician arrived. A brief examination was all it took. ¡°Severe soft tissue bruising. She needs rest and observation. I rmend hospitalization.¡±

    ¡°No!¡± Vivien sobbed harder, clutching the hem of her designer skirt. ¡°I don¡¯t want to go to the hospital! This is my first variety show! I still have so much to show! My dream of bing a star hasn¡¯t even started!¡±

    But her cries did nothing to change her fate. Momentster, she was whisked away¡ªsuitcase and all¡ªstill crying about lost dreams and camera time.

    With Vivien out of the picture, the filming resumed. Ran, though still by Paige¡¯s side, seemed uneasy. His sister was injured, hospitalized¡ªand it just didn¡¯t feel right to continue with showy romance while she was lying on a stretcher. Paige, stuck ying the grieving girlfriend, wore a mask of polite concern and somber elegance. Internally, she was fuming. This wasn¡¯t how things were supposed to go.

    Elliana, watching the whole thing unfold, barely held back a chuckle. She leaned toward Hailee and said with a grin, ¡°Well, the bully¡¯s off the board. You can breathe a little easier now.¡±

    Hailee nced up at Elliana, and while no one else had noticed Elliana¡¯s little sleight of hand, she had. She¡¯d seen the flick of the fingers. The needle. The smirk.

    Eyes wide with a mix of awe and disbelief, Hailee whispered, ¡°Ms. Marsh, I¡ªI want to tell you a secret.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 56

    ?Chapter 56:

    Gratitude welled within Hailee as she resolved to repay Elliana¡¯s defense with a vital revtion she¡¯d just intercepted. She swept her gaze across the surroundings, verifying no listening ears lurked nearby, and then leaned in with hushed urgency. ¡°Ms. Marsh, I need to warn you. I overheard Haley and Paige whispering about ns to sabotage you during the recording.¡±

    Though Elliana had anticipated such plots, appreciation softened her features. ¡°Thank you for the warning. Let¡¯s go.¡±

    With swift determination, Elliana gripped her suitcase handle and strode toward the waiting bus.

    Hailee hesitated briefly before falling into step behind her.

    After stowing their luggage, the two boarded the vehicle and materialized back into the live broadcast.

    The bus doors sealed shut with finality, and the journey to Ublento Art Museummenced.

    Tension permeated the vehicle¡¯s interior while the live chat spiraled into chaosments veering wildly off-topic,pletely derailing the show¡¯s intended trajectory.

    No one had foreseen such immediateplications. Paige¡¯s expected dominance over Elliana had reversed into repeated failures, and Vivien, meant to be her aplice, had foolishly been whisked out of the scene.

    The livestream couldn¡¯t afford dead air¡ªenthusiasm needed maintaining, or viewers would abandon the broadcast in droves.

    Since Paige and Ran still needed to perform their mncholy scene over Vivien¡¯s injuries, Haley couldn¡¯t ask them to enliven the atmosphere now, forcing her attention elsewhere. Her gazended on Kent first. ¡°Kent, why not entertain everyone with a song?¡±

    Haley surmised that Kent, ying a key role in Paige¡¯s love triangle, seemed the perfect choice. A love bad dedicated to Paige could elevate the broadcast¡¯s mood while refocusing attention where it belonged.

    Yet, the moment the suggestion left Haley¡¯s lips, Kent¡¯s eyes zed with horrified disbelief.

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    Internally, Kent unleashed a stream of curses. What ipetent producer had the show hired? Didn¡¯t they know about his tonedeafness?

    Haley missed his silent panic entirely. ¡°Just perform your hit single, ¡®Irresistible Charm.''¡±

    Kent teetered on the edge of a meltdown. That ¡°hit¡± belonged to another singer entirely¡ªreleased under his name after his ascent to fame, purely for profit. His celebrity status was built on fabrication, every performance merely borate lip-syncing. The prospect of singing live before countless viewers spelled certain catastrophe.

    Oblivious to his distress, Haley beamed with satisfaction and instructed the crew, ¡°Cue Kent¡¯s music.¡±

    Though desperate to verbally eviscerate Haley, Kent found himself trapped as the music began. With no escape, he cleared his throat and braced himself.

    Just as the introduction neared its end, Kent seized a water bottle, and the moment his cue arrived, he erupted into violent coughing. The hacking fit nearly turned him inside out.

    Anticipation dissolved into disappointment as viewers flooded the chat with dissatisfiedments.

    After coughing until crimson stained his cheeks, Kent raised apologetic eyes. ¡°Sorry, I don¡¯t think singing is possible for me today.¡±

    A sardonic smirk curved Elliana¡¯s lips. What a spectacr disaster of a performance¡­ Just then, her phone vibrated against her hip. A message from Matthew illuminated the screen. ¡°Lexi, I¡¯ve forwarded Luciano¡¯splete itinerary from the past forty-eight hours in the attached file.¡±

    Elliana opened it to discover confirmation of Luciano¡¯s visit to Merritt¡¯s exclusive club.

    Matthew continued, ¡°Lexi, we¡¯ve secured surveince footage from Luciano¡¯s other destinations, but Merritt¡¯s club remains imprable. Their cybersecurity exceeds our capabilities.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll handle this personally,¡± Elliana replied.

    With the other guests deliberately shunning her and Hailee momentarily called away, Elliana made use of the istion to infiltrate Merritt¡¯swork through her smartphone. Using Matthew¡¯s timeline, she swiftly located footage of Luciano¡¯s meeting with Merritt¡ªPaige conspicuously present.

    In the footage, Merritt admired a canvas before him with evident satisfaction. ¡°My sincere gratitude, Mr. Scott, for delivering this painting personally.¡±

    In response, Luciano¡¯s smile dripped with obsequiousness. ¡°Serving you is my greatest honor. This represents my finest work yet. With Miss Jones¡¯ name attached, victory at the Starry Oil Painting Competition is assured.¡±

    Nearby, Paige blossomed with delight as she extended a substantial check toward Luciano. ¡°I appreciate your work, Mr. Scott. I anticipate our continued coboration.¡±

    Elliana downloaded the damning evidence, meticulously erased her digital footprints, and exited the system.

    At this time, the bus rolled to a stop at the Ublento Art Museum, where Luciano awaited, dressed in artistic finery and surrounded by an admiring crowd.

    Paige, who had maintained her facade of mncholy throughout the journey, suddenly illuminated with excitement and rose eagerly.

    As passengers disembarked, Paige deliberately lingered behind. Once beyond the camera¡¯s reach, she seized Elliana¡¯s wrist with surprising force.

    Elliana regarded her with unruffledposure. ¡°What do you want?¡±

    Paige arched her eyebrows, undisguised arrogance saturating her expression. ¡°Elliana, I have a few words for you¡­¡±

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 Chapter 57

    ?Chapter 57:

    ¡°Elliana, don¡¯t mistake your temporary victories forsting triumph,¡± Paige hissed. ¡°You stole my rightful marriage, dragged my name through the mud, destroyed my engagement celebration, and disrupted theunch of this show¡ªyet you cannot stop my rise. Watch closely as I soar to stardom while you remain nothing more than a forgotten stepping stone beneath my feet. When I stand bathed in adoration¡¯s spotlight, you¡¯ll be left writhing as the inte¡¯s favorite mockery. Let¡¯s see whom Cole chooses when the dust settles!¡±

    Venom and ice crystallized in Paige¡¯s re, revealing the deep resentment she refused to let go of.

    Elliana¡¯s softughter floated between them as she recognized Paige¡¯s lingering obsession with Cole. This borate production¡ªcarried out with Merritt¡¯s considerable influence¡ªwas nothing more than an attempt to rehabilitate Paige¡¯s tarnished image and recapture Cole¡¯s attention. Ran was nothing but a convenient distraction, a human shield against Paige¡¯s scandals. How tragically pitiful. Years spent meticulously crafting her facade as Ublento¡¯s premier socialite, desperately umting des¡ªall to marry Cole. Such hollow ambition.

    Elliana¡¯s half-smile cut like ss. ¡°I¡¯ll be watching closely¡ªas you remain blinded by others¡¯ brilliance, struggling to escape the judgment you¡¯ve earned.¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Fury drained the color from Paige¡¯s face, but fear of being exposed forced her rage to retreat underground. ¡°What gives you the right to speak to me this way?¡± she seethed. ¡°Remember why you joined this show¡ªto uncover the truth about that fire. Provoke me further, and those answers will vanish forever.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s derisive scoff sliced through Paige¡¯s threats. ¡°Oh, please, don¡¯t make meugh. It¡¯s not like we just met yesterday. Why would I trust anything slithering from your lips?¡±

    Bewilderment flickered across Paige¡¯s features. ¡°You¡¯re not seeking the truth? Then what brings you here?¡±

    ¡°Your downfall.¡±

    ¡°Howughable! With what weapon? Your empty title as Mrs. Evans?¡± Paige¡¯s voice dropped to a venomous whisper. ¡°Word is, Cole fled homest night, too furious to stay under your roof. How much longer can you maintain this charade?¡±

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    With so many people in the Evans household, it was hardly surprising that someone would gossip about this. Paige¡¯s knowledge didn¡¯t shock Elliana in the slightest. She surmised that perhaps this incident exined Paige¡¯s persistent fixation on Cole.

    Elliana decided to let Paige cling to her delusion regarding Cole. The higher her expectations soared, the more devastating their inevitable crash would be.

    Interpreting Elliana¡¯s silence as confirmation, Paige¡¯s satisfaction bloomed into smugness. She delivered a final contemptuous snort before exiting the vehicle.

    Through the window, Elliana watched Paige gravitate toward Luciano, her practiced charm and radiance lighting up as the cameras captured her every move. Elliana stepped out of the bus, a knowing smile ying across her lips.

    The entourage surrounding Luciano made its way to the Ublento Art Museum, with Paige apanying him as part of the show¡¯s orchestrated n, cameras tracking their every step.

    Relegated to the crowd¡¯s periphery, where she had no visibility, Elliana retrieved her phone to monitor the livestream.

    Paige engaged Luciano in an art discourse, reciting clearly rehearsed lines that fabricated an illusion of artistic expertise, especially regarding oil painting.

    Luciano¡¯s arrival electrified thement section.

    ¡°Mr. Scott¡¯s presence elevates everything¡ªinstant cultural refinement!¡±

    ¡°Never imagined I¡¯d witness a master artist up close¡ªthank you, producers!¡±

    ¡°Did you notice? Paige¡¯smentary had Mr. Scott nodding appreciatively, praising her artistic perception. He seems ready to ept her as his prot¨¦g¨¦!¡±

    ¡°Where¡¯s Elliana hiding? Cowering in some corner, crushed by inadequacy before true artistic greatness?¡±

    ¡°The Evans family¡¯s judgment bewilders me. Why choose worthless Elliana when Paige would bring such distinguished pride to their name?¡±

    Elliana savored thesements with quiet amusement, anticipating the mortification that would await Paige¡¯s followers when their goddess¡¯s fa?ade eventually shattered.

    Suddenly, amotion rippled through the crowd.

    ncing up, Elliana realized they had entered the museum¡¯s first exhibition hall, where an oil paintingmanded universal attention. Luciano adopted the posture of artistic royalty as he addressed the gathering. ¡°This masterpiece, titled ¡®Spring Goddess,¡¯es from my idol, Rosa¡­¡±

    The unexpected introduction of her work¡ªLuciano¡¯s im of devoted admiration¡ªcaught Elliana off-guard.

    While she absorbed this ironic turn, Paige¡¯s voice sliced through the moment with calcted precision. ¡°Elliana,e here¡­¡±

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 Chapter 58

    ?Chapter 58:

    Without needing direction, the crowd stepped aside, leaving a clear path that led the camera straight to Elliana.

    With a sharine smile, Paige turned to Luciano and said, ¡°Forgive the interruption, Mr. Scott, but I was hoping Elliana could hear your thoughts firsthand. She should see what new art feels like.¡±

    Luciano returned the gesture, offering a mild smile and a small nod in response.

    Paige lifted her hand in an inviting wave. ¡°Elliana, hurry up and get over here!¡±

    Elliana didn¡¯t have much choice under so many watchful eyes. She made her way forward and stood next to Paige without hesitation. With a sugary tone, Paige made the introduction. ¡°Mr. Scott, meet my sister Elliana. I¡¯d love for you to mentor her too.¡±

    Moments earlier, Paige and Luciano had pretended it was their first encounter, keeping things formal and proper. But once Paige quoted a few lines, Lucianoid on thepliments thick, his praise gentle but overwhelming, slowly coaxing her intofort.

    Their performance was seamless. Everyone in the room assumed that Luciano saw real potential in Paige and was already considering her as a future prot¨¦g¨¦.

    Those trying to grab even a minute of Luciano¡¯s time were left watching in envy, just like the thousands tuning into the livestream. Paige had clearly stolen the spotlight.

    With Paige¡¯s invitation cing her in the spotlight, Elliana suddenly looked like the next chosen one in the eyes of the crowd.

    Online,ments poured in, overflowing with admiration for Paige¡¯s apparent generosity.

    ¡°Unbelievable! After everything, Paige still hands Elliana this kind of chance? That level of kindness is rare¡ªsome people chase this moment for a lifetime.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. Paige has done her part¡ªnow it¡¯s Elliana¡¯s move.¡±

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    Deep down, Elliana wasn¡¯t fooled. She could see the trap dressed up as kindness. Just as she had expected, the moment yed out exactly that way.

    Luciano gave Elliana a once-over and then let out a short, mockingugh. ¡°Is that getup supposed to show us how much you know about art?¡±

    The crowd erupted. Laughter echoed through the space, and every eye turned toward Elliana as if she were the punchline of a long-winded joke.

    Elliana didn¡¯t blink. Her hand went to her untamed wig, and her gaze shifted to the framed photograph of a world-famous artist hanging just behind Luciano. ¡°So tell me, Mr. Scott. Are you saying he doesn¡¯t get art either?¡±

    Everyone turned to see what had caught her eye. On the wall hung a portrait of a legendary artist from the previous century¡ªhis hair just as untamed and his face just as boldly painted as Elliana¡¯s.

    A faint smirk tugged at Elliana¡¯s lips. ¡°When a genius wears it, you call it expression. But when someone like me does the same thing, suddenly it¡¯s ignorance? Tell me, Mr. Scott, do you judge art or the artist?¡±

    The question hit Luciano like a p. Color drained from his cheeks before rushing back in full force.

    On the livestream, the chat exploded withughter.

    ¡°You know, I thought Elliana¡¯s outfit was a bit much at first, but after seeing that artist, she doesn¡¯t seem so out of ce. This isn¡¯t weird¡ªit¡¯s art!¡±

    ¡°LOL, she flipped the script! Mr. Scott definitely came off a little biased there.¡±

    ¡°Weren¡¯t we told Elliana was awkward and clueless? She just wrecked that narrative with oneeback!¡±

    Noticing the livestreamments drifting away from the show¡¯s intended focus, Paige swiftly stepped in to steer the conversation back on track and lighten the moment for Luciano. ¡°Mr. Scott, could you please introduce us to Rosa¡¯s Spring Goddess?¡±

    Thankful for the lifeline, Lucianotched onto the new topic and dove straight into his monologue about Spring Goddess.

    With focus restored to the painting, Paige allowed herself a quiet exhale¡ªthough not without casting a daggered nce in Elliana¡¯s direction.

    What rattled Paige most was how unpredictable Elliana had be. Every word from Elliana now had the potential to knock her off bnce. Elliana tilted her head slightly, a half-smile ying on her lips as she listened to Luciano¡¯s polished introduction of her creation, Spring Goddess.

    ¡°Rosa is widely celebrated across the globe for her brilliance in fashion and jewelry design, but long before sheunched the Rosa brand, her talent first emerged through painting. One of her earliest creations, Spring Goddess, holds a special ce in her artistic journey. The Ublento Art Museum was lucky enough to¡­¡±

    They added Spring Goddess to its collection five years ago, and it has remained one of its most cherished pieces ever since. As someone who deeply admires Rosa¡¯s work, I¡¯ve studied this painting in great detail. I encourage you all to take a closer look. This isn¡¯t merely an oil painting¡ªit¡¯s nature captured through a master¡¯s hand. After witnessing Rosa¡¯s artistry, most other paintings struggle topare.¡±

    While Luciano continued his polished delivery, Elliana couldn¡¯t help but think he and Paige might¡¯ve taken the same drama ss¡ªboth excellent at memorizing their lines.

    With a smile still lingering, Luciano turned toward Paige. ¡°Would you care to share your interpretation of Spring Goddess?¡±

    The question wasn¡¯t spontaneous. It had been nned in advance, scripted to give Paige the spotlight and boost her standing in the viewers¡¯ eyes.

    Paige¡¯s smile radiated confidence as she replied, ¡°I¡¯ll do my best, Mr. Scott. I only hope my reflections do justice to Rosa¡¯s brilliance.¡±

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 Chapter 59

    ?Chapter 59:

    Under Luciano¡¯s approving gaze, Paigeunched into her recitation, her voice gaining confidence with each word. ¡°Actually, I¡¯m also a devoted admirer of Rosa. It¡¯s truly an honor to share the same artistic idol with you, Mr. Scott. I often envision the moment we might meet our inspiration together. I¡¯ve made countless pilgrimages to the Ublento Art Museum to stand before Spring Goddess. Each visit unveils newyers, fresh revtions. Rosa captures the very essence of beauty in her work.

    Nothing I¡¯ve encounteredpares to Spring Goddess¡ªhow it distills the entire essence of spring into a single canvas. With just a handful of masterful strokes, Rosa conjures a breathtaking spectrum of color, while delicate ink touches reveal the goddess¡¯s beauty andpassion. Yet, the true power of Spring Goddess transcends Rosa¡¯s technical brilliance¡ªit¡¯s the artistic vision that moves us. Viewing this masterpiece through different lenses¡ªangles, times, moods¡ªcreates an entirely unique experience each time.¡±

    Her acting skills kicked in, and emotion overtook Paige. Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears. ¡°Spring Goddess holds within it every shade of human feeling¡ªdrawing one into a world overflowing with emotion from the very first nce.¡±

    Her final words hung in the air as two crystalline tears traced paths down her wless cheeks.

    The room erupted with thunderous apuse.

    In the livestream¡¯sment section, praise surged like a tidal wave.

    ¡°Hear, hear!¡±

    ¡°Who knew Paige possessed such profound insight into Rosa¡¯s work? Her art knowledge runs deep. No wonder she reigns as Ublento¡¯s premier socialite¡ªgenuine talent shines through.¡±

    ¡°Paige clearly has the makings of a remarkable orator. Her eloquence astounds me. Many share these feelings butck the vocabry to express them so beautifully.¡±

    Exhaustion crept through Paige¡¯s body after delivering such an extensive monologue. She had feared she would forget lines, but thankfully, she¡¯d managed to wlessly deliver the script prepared by the production team, earning glowing responses.

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    Paige released a hidden sigh of relief while outwardly maintaining her modesty. ¡°I hope my impromptu thoughts weren¡¯t embarrassingly inadequate.¡±

    ¡°Quite the contrary! Your interpretation soared! Such profound understanding¡ªand those tears provide the ultimate proof! Only someone who trulyprehends Rosa¡¯s genius could experience such overwhelming emotion. Magnificent, truly magnificent!¡± Luciano nodded appreciatively. ¡°Paige, with such prating artistic insight, your sess in the art world is inevitable. I have tremendous expectations for you¡ªthemunity will soon wee another brilliant, creative mind!¡±

    Paige ducked her head shyly. ¡°Mr. Scott, you¡¯re far too generous.¡± Following Luciano¡¯svish praise, Paige¡¯s fans ignited thement section with renewed fervor.

    ¡°Did everyone catch that? Mr. Scott just dered Paige a genius artist!¡±

    ¡°Paige defies expectations!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m desperate to see her work! Where can we view it?¡±

    ¡°Word has it Paige¡¯s piece will feature in tonight¡¯s Starry Oil Painting Competition. Our visual feast awaits!¡±

    Elliana surveyed thements scrolling across the massive screen and then shifted her attention to Luciano and Paige, thinking how much of a waste it was that neither had pursued careers in acting.

    While Elliana silently mocked their performance, Luciano¡¯s gaze suddenly locked onto her, his expression hardening to ice. ¡°You seem remarkably articte. Pride must run through your veins. Since Paige requested that I mentor you, I¡¯ll extend one opportunity.¡±

    Luciano gestured toward Spring Goddess. ¡°Why not share your interpretation of this globally acimed masterpiece?¡±

    At his suggestion, every eye in the room swiveled toward Elliana. Haley immediately directed the camera to capture Elliana¡¯s reaction. This segment¡ªmeticulously orchestrated by the production team¡ªaimed to broadcast Elliana¡¯s humiliation live, transforming her into public entertainment. The elegant phrases Paige had delivered were crafted by a consortium of art experts. Elliana, whose education hadn¡¯t even reached elementarypletion, couldn¡¯t possibly produce anything approaching brilliance. Elliana¡¯smentary falling short of Paige¡¯s wouldn¡¯t constitute the greatest embarrassment¡ªit would merely confirm her inferiority.

    The production team anticipated Elliana¡¯s spectacr failure before millions of viewers, leveraging the moment to manipte public sentiment against the Evans family.

    Elliana pierced through their transparent scheme, her gaze sweeping coolly across Paige¡¯s and Luciano¡¯s smug expressions. She lobbed an unexpected question into the tension. ¡°Do either of you actually understand oil painting?¡±

    Her query left the assembled crowd exchanging bewildered nces.

    ¡°Elliana, what could you possibly mean by that?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Scott presides over the Calligraphers and Painters Association, with award-winning works recognized both nationally and internationally. Paige¡¯s eloquentmentary just dazzled everyone present. How dare you suggest theyck understanding of oil painting?¡±

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 Chapter 60

    ?Chapter 60:

    Throughout the crowd, sycophants mingled with Luciano¡¯s devoted prot¨¦g¨¦s¡ªpeople who had tied their fortunes to his reputation. At Elliana¡¯s words, fury rippled through them like electricity, some nearly vibrating with rage as they contemted physical confrontation with Elliana.

    Yet, Elliana stood unwavering, a lighthouse amid stormy seas, her gaze carrying the slightest edge of mockery. The crowd¡¯s usations washed over her like water off ss, the anger radiating from Luciano and Paige barely registering in herposed demeanor. The live stream¡¯sment section exploded with disbelief.

    ¡°Is this happening? Elliana actually challenges Mr. Scott¡¯s oil painting expertise?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Scottmands absolute authority in Ublento¡¯s artmunity, yet thisplete novice disys such audacity!¡±

    ¡°Pure jealousy, nothing more. Paige shines so brilliantly that Elliana can¡¯tpete¡ªso she creates chaos instead!¡±

    Luciano, ustomed to reverence bordering on worship, typically heard nothing but honeyed praise. Today¡¯s double offense¡ªfirst Elliana¡¯s cutting retort, now this questioning of his artistic credentials¡ªtransformed his face into a thundercloud.

    Luciano scowled. ¡°Elliana, since you im Ick understanding of oil painting, you must consider yourself quite the virtuoso. Why not enlighten millions of viewers with your critique of Spring Goddess? Let¡¯s witness your supposed expertise!¡±

    Rage had stripped away Luciano¡¯s carefully cultivated veneer, leaving his true nature exposed.

    Elliana savored the effect of her calcted barb. Rather than retreating, she poured gasoline on the mes. ¡°You¡¯re not qualified to request mymentary!¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Luciano¡¯s face contorted with fury as his handshed out toward Elliana.

    Paige, maintaining a thread of strategic awareness, swiftly intercepted his strike. Elliana¡¯s status as a in Jane married into the Evans family¡ªlong dismissed as impulsive and foolish¡ªafforded her the luxury of arrogance without significant repercussions. But Luciano striking Elliana on camera would ignite a firestorm of controversy.

    News of such an assault would consume social media, derailing his carefully orchestrated ns.

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    Paige hastily said, ¡°Pleasepose yourself, Mr. Scott. Our parents have indulged Elliana since infancy, and I¡¯ve continued this pattern of leniency. Her behavior stems from lifelong spoiling. I offer my deepest apologies on her behalf.¡±

    Paige¡¯s intervention pierced Luciano¡¯s rage-filled haze. Recognizing his near-catastrophic mistake, he released a contemptuous snort before sweeping away with a theatrical flick of his sleeve.

    Paige shot Elliana a venomous re before hurrying after Luciano. Haley barked orders at the camera crew to follow, the entire entourage abandoning Elliana like debris in their wake.

    Though Elliana vanished from the frame after this confrontation, the live stream¡¯sment section continued dissecting her behavior with savage enthusiasm.

    ¡°Did you see how Elliana provoked Mr. Scott? The once-dignified maestro nearly shattered hisposure!¡±

    ¡°Elliana truly embodies her reputation for reckless idiocy¡ªspeaking without a thought for consequences.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard she abandoned education beforepleting elementary school. This behavior confirms her profound ignorance. Thank heavens Paige stepped in to salvage the situation, or the entire broadcast would have crumbled.¡±

    Elliana nced at her phone, scanning the vitriolicments flooding the stream. A smile of satisfaction curved her lips. Perfect. Public sentiment continued fermenting exactly as nned. The higher they elevated Paige now, the more spectacr her fall would be tonight.

    In the subsequent segment, Luciano guided the audience through a series of masterpieces, waxing poetic about artistic nuance while subtly promoting the Ublento Art Museum. Paige orbited him like a dutiful satellite, seizing every opportunity to showcase her rehearsed lines.

    Throughout this carefully choreographed performance, several traps had been set specifically for Elliana, but her ability to derail the program with mere words¡ªpushing each scene toward chaos¡ªhad made Paige too cautious to risk implementing the remaining snares. Elliana luxuriated in her earned freedom, observing Paige and Luciano¡¯s performance from beyond the camera¡¯s predatory eye.

    The broadcast continued uninterrupted, flowing into midday. After the morning exploration of the Ublento Art Museum, the program shifted to an borate luncheon with Luciano.

    Throughout the meal, conversation remained anchored in artistic theory, with Paige¡¯s status now inted to nearly mythic proportions. Thement section unanimously crowned Paige the program¡¯s radiant star¡ªthe perfect amalgamation of beauty and artistic brilliance.

    Following lunch came the moment for participants to demonstrate their creative abilities. Luciano would provide instruction while everyone attempted to create paintings under his guidance. He would then critique the final works, with exceptional performers potentially earning his mentorship.

    To Elliana, this segment represented the most transparent maniption yet. Oil painting required years of disciplined study, not a single televised lesson. True mastery demanded a solid foundation and relentless practice. Those without previous training would inevitably produce childish scrawls within the program¡¯spressed timeframe. The conclusion had been scripted from the start: Paige would dazzle, ascending to be Luciano¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦ amid celestial fanfare, while everyone else faded into insignificant background noise. But contract-bound participants had surrendered their autonomy the moment they signed. They were nothing but corporate chess pieces, moved ording to invisible profit calctions.

    Entering the ssroom, Elliana deliberately selected her painting materials, casting a loaded nce toward Luciano and Paige. Today, she would dismantle the financial empire supporting Paige¡¯s charade¡­

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 Chapter 61

    ?Chapter 61:

    In the opulent, brightly lit CEO¡¯s office, the air was thick with tension. Myles approached the massive desk cautiously, cing a folder down with reverent care. ¡°Mr. Evans, this document needs your signature.¡± But Cole didn¡¯t respond. He sat motionless behind his sleekputer, his chiseled features frozen in an expression of iciness.

    Myles stood awkwardly, not daring to speak again. He simply waited, heart pounding.

    Just outside the door, Aron and Hugh stood with their ears practically pressed to the wood, barely breathing. Minutes passed. Or was it longer?

    Atst, Cole reached for the pen and signed the document with brisk, practiced strokes.

    Myles exhaled, quietly relieved. Perhaps¡ªjust perhaps¡ªthis time would go smoothly.

    Then, with a sudden snarl, Cole grabbed the paper he¡¯d just signed and flung it straight into the trash. ¡°Cruel woman!¡±

    Myles flinched. Outside, Aron and Hugh instinctively jumped back. Here it went again.

    Last night, Cole had spent hours in a cold shower, trying to cool off the effects of the aphrodisiac. He hadn¡¯t said a word in the car this morning. But once he arrived at the office, the roller coaster began¡ªrage, silence, brooding, snapping. At any given moment, Cole could shift from cial calm to stormy outburst. It was hard to say when he¡¯d suddenly scream out loud. ¡°Cruel woman!¡±

    The entire staff tiptoed through the halls, hoping to avoid Cole¡¯s wrath. If anyone was unlucky enough to be called into his office, they would have to cross themselves first.

    The secretarial department had resorted to desperate measures. Myles had already been begged by every secretary on the floor to deliver their documents for them. He¡¯d been back and forth to the CEO¡¯s office so many times that he¡¯d stopped checking his step count.

    And Cole hadn¡¯t even touched lunch. Now, as the sun dipped lower in the sky, his mood had turned even darker.

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    Outside the office, Hugh held up three fingers, whispering to Aron.

    ¡°That makes three hundred ¡®cruel women¡¯ today.¡±

    Aron shot Hugh a scowl. ¡°And whose fault is that?¡±

    Hugh let out a sheepish sigh, his shoulders drooping with the weight of regret. How he wished he hadn¡¯t said those flippant words to Elliana. He never meant for things to go this far. Sure, he¡¯d teased Elliana a little. Maybe even exaggerated a few things. But Elliana¡¯s rejection of Cole¡¯s desire for intimacy? Cole¡¯s full-blown heartbreak? The CEO of the Evans Group turned into a brooding, love-scorned wreck? That hadn¡¯t been part of the n.

    With a groan, Hugh ruffled his hair and whispered a prayer to every deity he could remember, hoping Cole would miraculously recover before he ended up demoted to parking lot supervisor¡ªor worse.

    Inside the office, Myles kept his head down. He moved quietly to the trash can, retrieved the crumpled document, and ttened it with slow, reverent care. He didn¡¯t dare speak. Not after thest time he¡¯d tried to offer Cole advice and had nearly been turned to stone by a single re. Today, Cole was a live wire¡ªvtile, unpredictable, and emotionally radioactive. The best move? Complete silence.

    With the paper in hand, Myles cast a nce at Cole, who sat staring at hisputer screen, unmoved, unspeaking. Myles gave a subtle bow and turned to leave.

    Myles had barely pivoted when Cole¡¯s voice cut through the silence.

    ¡°What is she doing?¡±

    There was no need to ask who ¡°she¡± was.

    A shiver crawled down Myles¡¯ spine.

    All morning, Elliana¡¯s name had been a forbidden word. Anyone reckless enough to mention her in Cole¡¯s presence had paid dearly. Her name was a spark near dry kindling¡ªdangerous and unpredictable. And yet now, Cole was the one asking about her.

    ¡°Mrs. Evans joined a reality show called The Heiress Graduation Trip,¡± Myles replied dutifully, turning back toward Cole. ¡°She left early this morning to begin filming. It¡¯s being streamed live as we speak.¡±

    Cole¡¯s fingers froze over the keyboard. He looked up, a shadow of disbelief flickering in his eyes as he stared at Myles.

    Wordlessly, Myles pulled out his phone,unched the livestream, and ced it on the desk in front of Cole.

    Cole nced down. His expression darkened. ¡°Cruel woman,¡± he grumbled.

    Cole was genuinely pissed. So, Elliana had really done it¡ªstepped into the entertainment world without so much as a backward nce. She had once expressed interest in him, watched him drink that spiked soup, and led him on, only to rip the ground from under him with a simple confession: she didn¡¯t like him and had no intention of being his wife. Cruel. Heartless. Utterly cold.

    Last night, he¡¯d stormed out of their room in fury, resorting to drenching himself in icy water throughout the night to deal with the burning sensation the aphrodisiac had caused. And where was she now? On camera, smiling, as though none of it mattered. As though he had never mattered. So be it. If she wanted to brave the world alone, let her. He was curious to see how far she could go without his protection.

    Myles watched silently, his eyes fixed on Cole¡¯s shifting expressions¡ªrage, disbelief, wounded pride. It was like watching time rewind. The seventeen-year-old version of Cole was vtile, entitled, and emotionally raw.

    Elliana hadn¡¯t just broken Cole¡¯s heart. She had unmade him. She wasn¡¯t an ordinary woman. She was an enchantress¡ªone who could unravel years of maturity with a single choice.

    Then, suddenly, a scream rang out from the livestream.

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 Chapter 62

    ?Chapter 62:

    A theatrical gasp tore through the broadcast room. It came from one of the staff stationed near Luciano, seemingly overwhelmed by the sight of Paige¡¯s painting on disy. ¡°My goodness! Miss Jones, your painting is absolutely stunning. You¡¯re an extraordinary talent!¡±

    As per the n and previous rehearsal, onepliment led to another, and soon the room rippled with enthusiastic voices, each more eager than thest to sing Paige¡¯s praises.

    Haley gave a subtle nod, prompting the crew to zoom in, capturing every elegant detail of Paige¡¯s artwork.

    As the camera panned back, Paige stood surrounded by admirers, her smile radiant and warm. ¡°Everyone here holds deep experience in art. I¡¯d be grateful for any advice you might share.¡±

    One chimed in, reciting the given lines, ¡°Miss Jones, someone with your talent hardly needs pointers from the rest of us. Only Mr. Scott could take you to the next level.¡±

    Luciano¡¯s face lit up with satisfaction at the praise, his eyes fixed on Paige¡¯s artwork while he nodded in approval. ¡°Your technique shows a strong foundation. With a little direction, you¡¯ll be able to make a real breakthrough and rise to an entirely new level.¡±

    Right on cue with the show¡¯s nned segment, Paige stepped forward and smiled. ¡°Ever since I first picked up a paintbrush, my greatest dream has been to be your prot¨¦g¨¦, Mr. Scott. Do you think I might be lucky enough to earn your favor today?¡±

    ¡°Ha-ha¡­¡± Adopting a masterlyposed facade, Luciano gave her a wide, approving grin. ¡°Paige, I¡¯ve appreciated your work for a while now, and I¡¯ve been meaning to take you under my wing. I just wasn¡¯t sure you¡¯d say yes.¡±

    ¡°Thank you so much for the chance, Mr. Scott!¡± Paige said as she gave a deep, grateful bow. ¡°I¡¯m honestly over the moon. You¡¯re a legend, and getting the opportunity to learn from you is more than I ever imagined.¡±

    The crowd erupted into apuse, repeating the lines written in the nned script.

    Feel the thrill at g ¦Á? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s

    ¡°Big congrattions to Mr. Scott! With a prot¨¦g¨¦ like Miss Jones, you two are bound to make waves in the art world!¡±

    ¡°This is a huge moment for Ublento¡¯s art scene! Mr. Scott taking on another prodigy definitely calls for a proper mentorship ceremony.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got it covered. I¡¯ll handle the setup right away so everything wraps up before the Starry Oil Painting Competition tonight.¡±

    Luciano had always been fond of praise and spectacle. Over time, he¡¯d surrounded himself with people who knew just how to stroke his ego, and their over-the-toppliments only made him more full of himself.

    In truth, the mentorship ceremony was a carefully choreographed segment prepared by the program team. The fawning crowd was just part of the performance, staged for the benefit of the live viewers. None of the viewers watching from home had any idea they were being strung along by a chorus of well-rehearsed fakes.

    ¡°Can you believe it? Mr. Scott actually took Paige as his prot¨¦g¨¦. She¡¯s set for life in the art world now!¡±

    ¡°No matter where Paige goes, she always stands out. She¡¯s just got that spark!¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait for the mentorship ceremony. I¡¯ve heard Mr. Scott holds a deep respect for traditional rituals, so I¡¯m sure the entire event will be full of surprises¡ªand maybe even a few jaw-dropping moments.¡±

    At this point, Paige looked like a rising star. Thements were full of praise, and even the guests in the room¡ªwho didn¡¯t know any better¡ªcouldn¡¯t help but feel a bit jealous.

    From his painting station, Ran watched her bask in apuse. A soft, proud grin tugged at his lips, as though her triumph were his own.

    But off to the side, Elliana¡¯s lips twisted into a smirk. She wasn¡¯t buying any of it. To her, the entire show put on by Luciano and Paige was nothing short of cheap. Earlier, when the ss began, she had actually assumed Luciano would give a live demonstration. Instead, he just gave speeches full of ir while using his students¡¯ work as props. Not once did he pick up a brush.

    No one at the scene had the nerve to speak up, while the live chat buzzed with curiosity, wondering why Luciano wasn¡¯t stepping up to paint something himself. For a long while, no one offered an answer to the question, until someone eventually interjected with an exnation¡ªLuciano held such a prestigious position in the art world that his paintings were considered rare treasures, not something he could simply create or reveal without careful consideration. As a true master, he was expected to uphold his own standards and artistic principles. Eventually, that opinion caught on. The more people repeated it, the more it started to sound reasonable. No one questioned it again.

    Others might have bought into Luciano¡¯s performance¡ªboth the viewers online and the guests standing nearby¡ªbut Elliana wasn¡¯t one of them. She could see¡­

    Straight through the act, Luciano hadn¡¯t painted a thing, and every word he taught in ss was just a script he¡¯d memorized. It was almost too absurd to believe. The highly regarded president of the Ublento Calligraphers and Painters Association¡ªa so-called master whose pieces had earned des at home and abroad¡ªwas, in the end, someone who couldn¡¯t even produce a proper painting.

    That raised the obvious question¡ªwhere did all those winning workse from? And how did someone like him con his way into the top seat of the Calligraphers and Painters Association? Since Luciano had been a fraud, there was no way the painting he gave Paige for thepetition was actually his creation. That raised the real question¡ªwho was the true artist working in the shadows?

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 Chapter 63

    ?Chapter 63:

    When it came to devious tricks, Paige could hold her own right alongside Luciano.

    The cameras zoomed in to capture every detail of Paige¡¯s so-called masterpiece, and the audience didn¡¯t hold back their praise. What they didn¡¯t know was that Paige hadn¡¯tid a finger on that canvas. Not once did the camera catch her brush in action, and her easel was angled just enough to keep things hidden. Still, Elliana watched closely¡ªPaige¡¯s every move gave her away. She was putting on a show, not painting a picture.

    The artwork Paige unveiled had been created in advance by an anonymous artist. Whoever painted it had undeniable talent¡ªthe technique alone spoke volumes.

    Elliana didn¡¯t need long to connect the dots. The strokes, the style¡ªit matched the piece Luciano had provided for Paige to enter thepetition.

    What baffled Elliana most was why someone so gifted would bury themselves in anonymity, letting Luciano take credit instead of stepping into the spotlight and earning recognition of their own.

    From the next station over, Hailee noticed the distant 100k in Elliana¡¯s eyes. She leaned in, her voice gentle and curious as she asked, ¡°What¡¯s on your mind, Elliana?¡±

    After spending the morning side by side, the two had warmed to each other, discovering a natural ease in their personalities, and had started calling each other by their first names.

    Hailee knew full well that Elliana was in the producers¡¯ crosshairs, yet she never backed away. While the rest kept their distance, she stayed close¡ªand that simple kindness meant more to Elliana than she could express.

    Ever since her mother left, the world had treated Elliana like an outcast. Genuine people were rare, and Hailee was one of the few who came without an agenda.

    ¡°Just thinking,¡± Elliana replied, keeping it vague.

    Hailee saw the world with a clear heart, always assuming the best in others, blind to the twisted and messy games people yed. Elliana couldn¡¯t bring herself to ruin that innocence by revealing a darker world to Hailee. Very few people still carried the kind of quiet sincerity that Hailee did.

    Every story starts at galn   ovels ;

    Hailee didn¡¯t give it another thought. Her eyesnded on Elliana¡¯s painting, and with genuine admiration, she said, ¡°Elliana, your work is incredible. Honestly, I¡­¡±

    ¡°I think it¡¯s even more impressive than Paige¡¯s.¡± With a soft smile, Elliana looked over at Hailee¡¯s piece. ¡°Yours turned out wonderfully as well.¡±

    That wasn¡¯t just a polite reply¡ªit was genuine. Elliana wasn¡¯t the type to hand outpliments without meaning every word.

    Hailee chuckled and gave a shy scratch to the back of her head. ¡°I really just doodled. My family couldn¡¯t afford art lessons, so I picked up whatever I could from online tutorials.¡±

    The artists behind the online tutorials weren¡¯t especially remarkable in their craft. They were everyday painters, and their videos offered only a foundation, nothing beyond the basics.

    Still, there was no denying that Hailee¡¯s artwork was truly impressive. It was clear she hadn¡¯t stopped at the basics. She¡¯d gone beyond, experimenting, interpreting, and gradually crafting a voice of her own. That kind of instinct¡ªraw, unpolished, but undeniably present¡ªwas what people call talent. Hailee had it, just like Elliana did.

    ¡°I¡¯m kind of nervous about what Mr. Scott will say, though. What if heughs at it?¡± Hailee said, her voice barely above a whisper.

    Elliana didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°It¡¯s honestly excellent. You should consider entering it in the Starry Oil Painting Competition tonight. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if it turned a few heads.¡±

    In Elliana¡¯s opinion, Hailee still had room to grow with her raw skill. She needed proper training to refine her technique. Right now, Hailee couldn¡¯t quite match the finesse of the mysterious painter behind the work Paige imed as her own creation¡ªbut she had the potential.

    Elliana had a strong feeling that Hailee¡¯s piece could earn her a solid spot in the rankings of the Starry Oil Painting Competition¡ªand maybe even some prize money to go with it. She understood that Hailee was in a tough spot financially and desperately needed the money.

    But Hailee shook her head, her voiceced with hesitation. ¡°I don¡¯t belong in apetition like that. I¡¯m just a hobbyist. If I submit anything, I¡¯ll embarrass myself.¡±

    ¡°You won¡¯t know unless you try,¡± Elliana responded, her tone light but firm. ¡°And if you do ce, the prize money¡¯s no joke.¡±

    The mention of prize money lit a spark in Hailee¡¯s eyes.

    Elliana smiled and added, ¡°I heard there¡¯s prize money for the top ten. First ce gets three million, and even tenth ce earns a hundred thousand. If yound in the top ten, you¡¯re guaranteed at least that much.¡±

    Excitement crept into Hailee¡¯s voice. ¡°But this is the final round. Isn¡¯t it toote to enter?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s still a way,¡± Elliana said. ¡°They reserve slots for special entries. If a piece is strong enough, it can bypass the earlier rounds and go straight into the finals.¡±

    ¡°You really think I should submit it?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely.¡± Elliana nodded. ¡°Worst case, you don¡¯t ce. But what do you have to lose?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right, Elliana. If there¡¯s even a chance at that prize, I¡¯ve got to at least try.¡±

    While the two of them talked, Luciano had already started giving feedback on the others¡¯ paintings.

    None of the other works even came close to Paige¡¯s supposed masterpiece in terms of presentation. Luciano barely tried to hide his disinterest, tossing out shallow praise as if he were checking off a list.

    When it came time to critique Elliana¡¯s piece, Luciano didn¡¯t bother hiding his disdain. His eyes flicked to her and then settled on her canvas with a cold stare.

    The others clustered around Elliana as they followed Luciano¡¯s lead, but the camera crewpletely overlooked her painting, skipping any close-up shots¡­

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 Chapter 64

    ?Chapter 64:

    A heavy silence swept across the room the moment eyesnded on Elliana¡¯s painting.

    Beside Luciano, Paige¡¯s smile wavered. She pressed her lips tightly, barely holding the expression together.

    Paige and Luciano had been faking their expertise from the start, but even they couldn¡¯t deny the obvious¡ªElliana¡¯s painting was stunning. Paige could feel jealousy creep in, tangled with disbelief. How could someone like Elliana¡ªtucked away in a forgotten warehouse¡ªpaint this remarkably? She pushed these thoughts aside¡ªthere were more pressing matters. Thest thing she needed was Elliana stealing the scene. When she spotted the photographer about to zoom in, she discreetly gestured toward Haley.

    Haley picked up the cue right away, waving the photographer off. As a result, Elliana¡¯s work appeared in nothing more than a distant, unfocused frame.

    The people standing beside Luciano wore mixed expressions. Some of them clearly had a grasp of oil painting and could see that Elliana had real skill. But with Luciano¡¯s clear disdain for her hanging in the air, none of them risked speaking up. Instead, they kept their thoughts to themselves, choosing silence over trouble.

    Bitterness crept across Luciano¡¯s face, weighed down by irritation. He had nned to tear Elliana down in front of everyone by picking apart her work, but her technique left him speechless. Cornered by the audience¡¯s expectant silence, he found himself with nothing convincing to say.

    Leaning in slightly, Paige lowered her voice and offered a way out. ¡°Mr. Scott, go ahead and criticize her. I already told the crew to avoid zooming in on Elliana¡¯s painting. The viewers won¡¯t catch the details.¡± People in the room had their careers tied to Luciano¡¯s reputation. Even if he blundered, none of them would dare call him out. So long as the livestream audience remained blind to the truth, he had room to maneuver.

    That reassurance settled Luciano¡¯s nerves. He tilted his head, eyes cold as they rested on Elliana. ¡°You sounded so confident earlier. I half expected to see brilliance. But after all that talk, this is what you came up with?¡±

    Predictably, no one stepped up to question Luciano.

    The silence in the studio grew thick, almost stifling.

    Freshly uploaded on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv????s

    A flicker of smugness crossed Paige¡¯s face. Talent meant nothing if she kept Elliana locked in the shadows. Without her approval, Elliana was going nowhere.

    The camera lingered on Elliana, catching every shift in her expression.

    Tension spilled into thement section like a wave.

    ¡°Wait, is Elliana really that bad?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Scott wouldn¡¯t say that unless her work was terrible, right?¡±

    ¡°She acted all high and mighty before. Honestly, it¡¯s good someone finally humbled her!¡±

    People waited for Elliana to crumble under the pressure, but she didn¡¯t flinch. Instead, she stayedposed, meeting Luciano¡¯s re with a look that bordered on smug.

    That expression struck a nerve. Luciano snapped, his voice rising, ¡°Who do you think you are, acting like you¡¯re better than everyone else?¡± The deeper his scowl etched into his face, the heavier the air grew. Tension tightened like a noose.

    Hailee, standing close to Elliana, couldn¡¯t stay quiet any longer. ¡°Mr. Scott, Elliana¡¯s painting really isn¡¯t bad. Honestly, I think it looks pretty good.¡±

    Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Who did this girl think she was, speaking out like that? Was she insane?

    Judgment fell on Hailee like a wave, eyes narrowing with disdain. Though the attention made her shrink inward, Hailee stood her ground, her lip trembling but firm beside Elliana.

    ¡°Hailee, is it?¡± Luciano¡¯s voice turned cold as he nced at her name tag. ¡°Since you¡¯re such a connoisseur, why don¡¯t we take a look at your masterpiece?¡±

    With hesitation, Hailee slowly turned her painting around for him to see.

    Luciano gave it the briefest look before eximing with clear irritation, ¡°It¡¯splete trash!¡±

    Color rushed to Hailee¡¯s cheeks as she looked down, shrinking under the weight of humiliation.

    Not done yet, Luciano sneered, ¡°You can¡¯t even paint properly, and you think you¡¯re qualified to judge someone else? You¡¯re just fishing for attention.¡±

    Tears welled up in Hailee¡¯s eyes as she stood there, humiliated and heartbroken under the weight of his words.

    Elliana stepped forward, voice steady and sharp. ¡°Mr. Scott, I¡¯ll ask again¡ªdo you actually understand oil painting, or are you just pretending to?¡±

    The question hit its mark. Deep down, it always made Luciano¡¯s pulse falter. But after years of wearing the mask of a master, he had perfected the art of appearing unfazed, unease buried beneathyers of practiced arrogance.

    Keeping his posture firm, Luciano let his gaze drift back to Elliana, sharp and calcting. ¡°You¡¯re still young, so let me offer a bit of guidance. Focus on growing your skills and building real talent. Chasing shortcuts, like marrying into money to get ahead, is a cheap tactic¡ªand frankly, it¡¯s disgraceful!¡±

    The insult was aimed straight at Elliana¡¯s marriage to Cole¡ªand everyone knew it.

    Elliana retorted instantly, ¡°I¡¯d also suggest, Mr. Scott, that when someone piles up too many shady deeds, the truth tends to surface¡ªand when it does, you could fall harder than someone who never had a name to begin with.¡±

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 Chapter 65

    ?Chapter 65:

    No one expected Elliana to confront Luciano head-on, leaving everyone a bit stunned.

    Rage darkened Luciano¡¯s features as blood rushed to his face. Had they not been surrounded by cameras broadcasting to millions of viewers, his bodyguards would have swiftly taught Elliana the price of defiance. After decades of unchallenged authority in the art world, someone had actually dared to question him publicly, and his fury was palpable.

    Noticing Luciano¡¯s struggle to keep his fury in check, Paige quickly stepped in. ¡°Elliana, Mr. Scott speaks frankly because he wishes to guide you. You ought to receive his wisdom with gratitude. How dare you respond with such disrespect? With such impulsive behavior, your artistic growth remains impossible.¡±

    Paige acted like Elliana had done something outrageous instead of simply asking a few questions. She pressed further. ¡°Apologize to Mr. Scott immediately!¡±

    Elliana¡¯s lips curled into a dismissive smile. ¡°A self-proimed master whose reputation exceeds his talent has no business offering advice to anyone.¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Luciano sputtered. Elliana¡¯s words stung.

    Humiliated and seething, Luciano stormed out, his entourage scrambling to follow in his wake.

    Since the uing ceremony of officially bing Luciano¡¯s disciple demanded her presence, Paige cast Elliana a venomous nce before hurrying after Luciano.

    The camera crew trailed behind, leaving Elliana and Hailee alone in the sudden quiet.

    Without the oppressive scrutiny of cameras, Hailee¡¯s shoulders rxed as tension drained from her posture. ¡°Elliana,¡± she whispered anxiously, ¡°we¡¯vepletely alienated Mr. Scott. Do you think he¡¯ll retaliate? He strikes me not as a magnanimous master but as someone who nurses grudges.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s softughter surprised her friend. ¡°Don¡¯t fret. His moment in the spotlight is fleeting. By tomorrow, he¡¯ll be ostracized, powerless to harm either of us.¡±

    Confusion flickered across Hailee¡¯s face, questions forming on her lips when sudden movements caught her attention.

    g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s hosts great fiction

    A middle-aged man had entered silently, wearing a ck jacket and cap that shadowed his mncholy eyes and drawn features.

    Both Elliana and Hailee recognized him as one of Luciano¡¯s silent followers, though his exact role remained mysterious.

    Elliana was bewildered. Why had this man returned after departing with Luciano¡¯s group?

    The man locked eyes with Elliana, parted his lips as if to speak, then hesitated and closed them again. With a heavy sigh, he turned to leave.

    ¡°Elliana,¡± Hailee murmured, ¡°he seemed desperate to tell you something but held back, as though afraid.¡±

    Elliana lowered her gaze withoutment, checking her phone to monitor the livestream.

    The broadcast now showed Paige and Luciano proceeding down a corridor, surrounded by admirers, heading toward the ceremony venue. Yet, the chat ovey buzzed with discussions about Elliana instead. Comments about the confrontationpletely overshadowed Paige¡¯s supposedly impressive artwork.

    ¡°Has Elliana lost her mind? This is the second time she¡¯s driven Mr. Scott to storm off.¡±

    ¡°She mightck conventional talent or beauty, but her courage is admirable.¡±

    ¡°They never showed a close-up of her artwork, but from a distance, it looks remarkable.¡±

    ¡°True, it appears impressive from afar. Perhaps the details don¡¯t meet professional standards.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m no expert, but Hailee¡¯s painting looks extraordinary too.¡±

    Elliana tucked away her phone and turned to Hailee. ¡°Time to submit our paintings for thepetition.¡±

    ¡°Are we really going through with this?¡± Uncertainty lingered in Hailee¡¯s voice. ¡°I still don¡¯t understand how we¡¯ll advance directly to the finals¡­¡±

    ¡°Everything¡¯s arranged. Justplete the entry form.¡±

    As though summoned by Elliana¡¯s words, two ck-d attendants entered, bowing respectfully as they presented documents to her. ¡°Ms. Marsh, here are thepetition entry forms for yourpletion.¡±

    Elliana epted both, keeping one and passing the other to Hailee.

    Scanning the form¡¯s contents, Hailee¡¯s heart quickened with excitement. ¡°Elliana, you¡¯re entering too? That¡¯s fantastic! Your painting has a genuine chance of winning!¡±

    Elliana responded with a cryptic smile, ¡°Let¡¯s fill them out.¡±

    Hailee nodded eagerly. She and Ellianapleted their forms. The attendants collected both forms and paintings before departing silently.

    Taskpleted, Hailee and Elliana left the room.

    Upon entering the chamber designated for Paige to be Luciano¡¯s disciple, Hailee and Elliana encountered Haley¡¯s off-camera wrath. Her face contorted with displeasure as she hissed, ¡°Do you have any sense of responsibility as show guests? The ceremony begins momentarily, and you¡¯re tardy. Are you deliberately trying to void your contracts?¡±

    Since the entire production revolved around Paige, with everyone else serving merely as supporting characters, Elliana remained indifferent to threats of contract termination.

    Hailee, however, trembled with concern. She participated in the show out of financial necessity, and premature dismissal would devastate her finances. ¡°I apologize profusely, Ms. Faulkner. It won¡¯t happen again.¡±

    Haley snorted derisively. ¡°Enough excuses. Take your positions.¡±

    Hailee hurried to her designated spot, terrified of causing further dys.

    As Elliana moved to join her, something unexpected caught her eye¡­

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 Chapter 66

    ?Chapter 66:

    The ceremony venue had been crafted with painstaking precision.

    True to the whispers circting in art circles, Luciano insisted on ceremonial grandeur for such asions, and Paige¡¯s induction reflected his exacting standards in every detail.

    Given that millions would witness the event via livestream, no expense had been spared. Each element of the setting exuded opulence and meticulous attention to aesthetic harmony.

    The ceremony would unfold with practiced formality¡ªopening remarks from the host, introduction of distinguished witnesses and speakers, followed by the formal presentation of master and prot¨¦g¨¦.

    Then woulde the pivotal moment: the initiation ritual itself. The master would publicly articte his reasons for epting this particr prot¨¦g¨¦, share wisdom gleaned through decades of artistic exploration, and demonstrate techniques for the novice to emte.

    What should have been a profound artistic exchange struck Elliana as absurdly theatrical, particrly because Luciano hadmissioned a wax figure of Rosa for the asion.

    Paige was bing Luciano¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦, yet he venerated Rosa above all others. Elliana suppressed a bubblingugh at the irony.

    Rosa¡¯s true identity remained one of the art world¡¯s most closely guarded secrets, never revealed publicly. Only a select inner circle knew who truly wielded the brushes behind that name.

    The sole image circting online captured a blurred profile, confirming only that Rosa was female. In that enigmatic photograph, she wore a tailored ck suit with heels, her long hair swept into an elegant high ponytail. Her slender, statuesque silhouette suggested a polished professional rather than the disheveled artist stereotype many expected.

    The mysterious Rosa brand held such cultural sway that this single, indistinct image had proliferated across social media tforms. Various prestigious art institutions included her works in their curriculum, disying this very photograph when introducing her revolutionary contributions.

    Though aware of this phenomenon, Elliana had dismissed it as trivial until witnessing Luciano¡¯s audacity in creating a wax effigy based on that single, ambiguous image.

    Since facial features remained indiscernible in the photograph, the wax figure stood faceless¡ªan artisticpromise disguised as reverence. To maintain the illusion of respect, Luciano had crowned the figure with a dramatic ck round-brimmed hat.

    As Elliana savored the absurdity unfolding before her, the ceremonymenced.

    The host began by introducing the assembled witnesses with practiced gravitas.

    To artificially elevate Paige¡¯s perceived importance, the production team had recruited several aging luminaries from the art establishment. Their significance was emphasized through borate introductions recited by the host with theatrical solemnity.

    These luminaries had clearly been wellpensated for their participation, as their speeches overflowed with extravagant praise for both Luciano and Paige.

    Elliana observed silently, her lips curved in a subtle, knowing smile. So many reputations entangled in this charade¡ªwould they regret theirplicity when the truth emergedter?

    After the witnesses¡¯ exhaustive testimonials, Luciano finally rose to speak. He stood from his chair¡ªpositioned to emphasize his authority¡ªadjusted his sleeves with practiced nonchnce, epted the microphone, and began speaking in deliberately affected tones.

    ¡°As my esteemed colleagues know, I never walked the conventional path of artistic instruction. My distinctive style emerged through personal innovation, yet throughout my creative journey, one mentor has guided my spirit unfailingly¡ªthe iparable Rosa!¡±

    With dramatic flourish, Luciano gestured toward the faceless wax figure.

    ¡°Though fate has denied me the honor of meeting Rosa in person, her works have been my most profound teachers. I can state unequivocally that no influence has shaped my artistic vision more powerfully.¡±

    On cue, assistants wheeled in several canvases¡ªLuciano¡¯s award-winning pieces, the foundation of his reputation and credibility. Precisely speaking, those were the pieces he imed as his own creation, while they were actually drawn by painters who remained in the shadows.

    Luciano described each painting with passionate intensity, repeatedly invoking Rosa¡¯s name as though it were a sacred incantation.

    ¡°Observe the distinctive techniques in my work that echo Rosa¡¯s influence. This harmony of elements¡­¡±

    ¡°Reflects my profound reverence for her genius!¡± Every word dripped with manufactured emotion, his eyes glistening with staged devotion, as though Rosa¡¯s essence had permanently transformed his artistic soul.

    Havingpleted his performance, he returned the microphone to the host and bowed deeply before the faceless wax figure. His expression conveyed absolute solemnity, creating a hushed reverence throughout the room.

    Elliana felt revulsion prickling across her skin. Watching this fraudulent ¡°master¡± perform such borate veneration was simultaneously revolting and darklyical. A spontaneousugh escaped her lips before she could contain it.

    The disruptive sound shattered the ceremonial atmosphere, causing every head in the room to swivel toward her¡­

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 Chapter 67

    ?Chapter 67:

    Laughter spilled from Elliana¡¯s lips the moment Luciano straightened from his theatrical bow.

    The sound hit Luciano like a p. His solemn mask shattered, and fury contorted his face. His eyes darkened, turning red at the edges, rage swelling with every breath. He spun toward Elliana and growled through clenched teeth, ¡°What¡¯s so funny to you?¡±

    A wave of heads turned with Luciano. Eyes widened, unsure whether to be offended or simply baffled. What was Elliana thinking,ughing now of all times?

    Paige¡¯s blood boiled beneath herposed exterior. She¡¯d been waiting for Elliana to slip up¡ªbut not like this, not now, not in the middle of the most carefully nned event of her life. This extravagant ceremony had been designed to boost her social standing and attract prestigious endorsements. But if Elliana stirred up trouble, the whole event would fall t and lose its intended impact.

    Still, with cameras everywhere and eyes locked on her, Paige forced her features into something soft and collected. ¡°Elliana, this is an important moment. How could you treat it with so little respect?¡±

    Elliana hadn¡¯t nned tough. It just slipped out before she could stop it. With a casual shrug, she tapped her nose, a trace of humor still dancing in her eyes. ¡°My bad. It got away from me.¡±

    Paige mped her mouth shut, the tension in her chest making it hard to breathe.

    Luciano looked like he was seconds from exploding. His chest heaved, his eyes wild. All the grand effort he¡¯d put into this ceremony¡ªmeant to solidify his image as a revered master¡ªwas being undercut by Elliana¡¯sugh. He felt his reputation as an art world master had been deeply insulted, and in a fit of fury, he snapped, ¡°You hideous little freak¡ªno manners, no education, no talent, and not a shred of respect! You¡¯re absolutely disgusting!¡±

    Words like that,ing from a so-called master, carried weight¡ªand malice. All eyes shifted to Elliana, while the live chat exploded with franticmentary.

    ¡°What¡¯s up with Elliana? This was supposed to be a dignified event, and she¡¯sughing?¡±

    ¡°Maybe she really is as uncultured as Mr. Scott says. She probably thought his respectfulness was some kind of joke.¡±

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    ¡°Isn¡¯t it clear by now that Elliana is Mr. Scott¡¯s ultimate rival? I was genuinely swept up in the emotion of the ceremony, but the second Elliana startedughing, the whole mood shattered¡ªand honestly, I had to stop myself fromughing too.¡±

    Inside the venue and across the screen, every pair of eyes locked onto Elliana as if a trial against her were about to begin. She, however, remainedposed¡ªalmost amused by the entire ordeal. The more furious Luciano became, the harder she struggled not to grin.

    ¡°Truly, I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Scott. Do carry on with your ceremony.¡±

    Elliana wanted Luciano to keep performing¡ªshe couldn¡¯t wait to see how far he¡¯d go. The deeper he sank into the performance, the harder he¡¯d crash when night came.

    Shaking with fury, Luciano looked ready to explode¡ªElliana¡¯s demeanor was salt in his wounds. Before he could unleash another outburst, Paige reached out and tugged at his sleeve.

    ¡°Please, Mr. Scott,¡± she whispered urgently. ¡°Let¡¯s not ruin the ceremony.¡±

    Though equally furious, Paige recognized that there wasn¡¯t much time left, and any further dy threatened to unravel the whole event. With a sharp inhale and a final, venomous re in Elliana¡¯s direction, Luciano forced himself back into his seat.

    Luciano had started off calm and content, carrying the air of a true master. But after Elliana provoked him, his face tightened with fury, and the entire mood of the apprenticeship ceremony had taken a sharp turn for the worse.

    Inside, Paige seethed. But with cameras rolling and guests watching, she swallowed the humiliation and pushed through the final motions of the ceremony.

    When it finally ended, polite apuse filled the room, apanied by the usual string of well-wishes.

    ¡°Congrattions, Mr. Scott, on gaining another excellent prot¨¦g¨¦.¡±

    ¡°And Miss Jones, what an opportunity! With a master like Mr. Scott, you¡¯re destined for greatness.¡±

    Some color returned to Luciano¡¯s face. Once he dered Paige his official prot¨¦g¨¦, he turned to her and said, ¡°Now, Paige, show your respect to Rosa.¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± Paige said, nodding with poise.

    Elliana¡¯s brows lifted in surprise. Wait¡ªwas Paige actually about to bow to her statue?

    No one caught Elliana¡¯s reaction. The spotlight was fixed squarely on Paige as she glided toward the wax statue, lowered her head, and bowed with exaggerated grace.

    Haley, always alert, signaled for a close-up. The cameras zoomed in, capturing every angle of Paige¡¯s performance. Her face took on an exaggerated seriousness¡ªmore grave than even Luciano¡¯s¡ªclearly meant to impress the audience watching from their screens.

    Across the room, Elliana bit the inside of her cheek, doing everything she could not to burst outughing. She had promised herself she wouldn¡¯t stir the pot again¡ªbut the moment Paige bowed to the statue, that promise flew out the window. A sharp, irrepressibleugh escaped her lips. ¡°Ha-ha!¡±

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 Chapter 68

    ?Chapter 68:

    Elliana¡¯sughter reverberated through the quiet room, sending ripples of tension across the gathering.

    Paige froze mid-bow, while Luciano¡¯s smile vanished instantly. All eyes in the room swiveled toward Elliana in perfect unison. Why did sheugh just now, of all times?

    Paige¡¯s enthusiasm in maintaining her charade evaporated like morning dew under the harsh sun. Her elegant demeanor crumbled as she jerked upright, her eyes hardening into ice as she red at Elliana. ¡°Elliana, what are youughing at this time?¡±

    Paige was genuinely angry. Why couldn¡¯t Elliana simply allow her toplete the ceremony without disruption? How infuriating! Absolutely maddening! This wretched Elliana must be consumed with jealousy¡ªthat exined all her troublemaking!

    Luciano¡¯s features contorted with anger, his piercing gaze drilling into Elliana. ¡°Elliana, how much further will you push your appallingck of manners?¡±

    Fury boiled through his veins. To so brazenly disregard his esteemed position in the art world¡ªhe would certainly teach her a lesson!

    Elliana¡¯s eyes still danced with amusement as she replied with unsettling calm, ¡°Chill out. I¡¯m merely curious. You all worship Rosa so devoutly, but has anyone bothered to ask Rosa herself how she feels about it? What if she disagrees with this whole ceremony? Wouldn¡¯t that put you all in an awkward position?¡±

    Her question struck Luciano and Paige speechless. Naturally, they had never consulted Rosa¡ªthey hadn¡¯t even met her. They merely exploited her name for publicity.

    Luciano¡¯s expression darkened further as he glowered at Elliana. ¡°What right do you have to speak here? Merely witnessing Rosa¡¯s wax statue at today¡¯s ceremony should be considered a tremendous honor for someone like you!¡±

    Paige chimed in, ¡°Elliana, disrespecting me or Mr. Scott is one thing, but how dare you disrespect Rosa? She¡¯s a legendary figure in the art world!¡±

    Elliana chuckled. ¡°Forgive me, I¡¯m simply so familiar with Rosa that such words came naturally.¡±

    Her remark triggered waves ofughter from the audience, while the live chat erupted with mockery and disbelief.

    ¡°Has this Elliana lost her mind? iming intimacy with Rosa? Preposterous!¡±

    ¡°Rosa stands as a legend in the art world. How could she possibly associate with someone like Elliana? Pure fabrication!¡±

    ¡°Elliana is attempting to elevate herself using Rosa¡¯s name, just like Mr. Scott does.¡±

    ¡°People exploiting Rosa¡¯s name for publicity isn¡¯t umon, but Elliana¡¯s excuse isughable. Of all possible lies, she ims friendship with Rosa. How utterly ridiculous!¡±

    Elliana¡¯s casual demeanor inmed both Luciano and Paige, yet despite their simmering rage, they dared not act against her before the millions of viewers watching the livestream.

    Paige, having lost all desire to continue the performance, signaled Haley to pause the broadcast, fearing she might fumble before the massive audience.

    Haley grasped the situation immediately and announced to the camera that the livestream would pause for an hour, allowing guests to dine and rest. The grand finale of the Starry Oil Painting Competition wouldmence afterward, with broadcasting resuming at seven o¡¯clock sharp.

    With the livestream terminated, everyone exhaled in collective relief.

    Luciano¡¯s face darkened like gathering thunderclouds. No longer concerned with maintaining his facade as a distinguished master, he unleashed a torrent of abuse at Elliana. ¡°You shameless woman! Do you believe your prestigious title as Mrs. Evans shields you from consequences?¡±

    Paige red venomously at Elliana, eagerly awaiting Luciano¡¯s harsh retribution that would satisfy her own thirst for vengeance.

    Everyone expected Elliana to cower before Luciano¡¯s wrath. Hailee, trembling with anxiety, tugged at Elliana¡¯s sleeve, whispering urgently, ¡°Elliana, Luciano¡¯s bodyguards surround us. Don¡¯t challenge him directly, or you¡¯ll suffer terribly.¡±

    Elliana gently patted Hailee¡¯s hand before facing Luciano with a subtle smile. ¡°Oh? I¡¯m quite curious to see how you n to deal with me.¡±

    ¡°You¡­¡± Malice flooded Luciano¡¯s eyes, his carefully cultivated artistic personapletely shattered by naked hostility. He smirked, gesturing sharply to the bodyguards looming behind him. ¡°Teach this insolent woman a proper lesson!¡±

    Hearing this, Paige clenched her fists tightly, her eyes gleaming with vicious anticipation. If Luciano administered severe punishment to Elliana, it would mark a tremendous victory for her today.

    Meanwhile, in the Evans Group CEO¡¯s office, the abrupt termination of the livestream left Cole unable to monitor Elliana¡¯s situation at the museum. His expression hardened ominously.

    Myles, standing nearby, felt an inexplicable dread crawling up his spine. Was Cole about to unleash his temper again?

    Having weathered Cole¡¯s foul mood throughout the entire day, Myles flinched like a nervous sparrow at the slightest movement.

    As anxiety gnawed at Myles, he watched Cole manipte his phone, expertly hacking directly into the museum¡¯s surveince system. When the surveince footage materialized on the screen, it revealed Lucianomanding his bodyguards to teach Elliana a lesson¡­

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    .

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 Chapter 69

    ?Chapter 69:

    The moment Myles saw what was happening, he immediately stood up straighter. ¡°Mr. Evans, would you like me to send someone to the museum to protect Mrs. Evans?¡±

    ¡°Leave her be!¡± Cole let out a cold scoff. ¡°She could use a taste of struggle. I¡¯m the one to me for pampering her too much, making her think she¡¯s owed everything. A bit of hardship might finally make her realize the value of what she¡¯s been given.¡±

    Despite Cole¡¯s words, Myles wasn¡¯t entirely convinced. He kept quiet, doubting Cole truly meant what he said. After all, Cole hadn¡¯t looked away from the screen. His eyes remained locked on Luciano¡¯s image, burning with quiet fury¡ªas if sheer focus might be enough to erase Luciano.

    That intensity hadn¡¯t faded when Cole abruptly reached for his phone and began dialing without a word.

    Out of the corner of his eye, Myles caught the name on the screen¡ªCole was calling the director of the museum.

    The line connected almost immediately. A voice came through, cautious but polite. ¡°Yes? Who is this?¡±

    Calm and calcted, Cole replied with a chill that didn¡¯t match his casual tone, ¡°Clement, it¡¯s Cole Evans.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Evans?¡± Suddenly, Clement Morgan¡¯s voice shifted into anxious enthusiasm. ¡°Mr. Evans! What an honor! How can I assist you today?¡± With the Evans family owning a substantial share of the Ublento Art Museum, and Cole poised as the next in line, Clement had every reason to tread carefully.

    ¡°Things are heating up over there,¡± Cole said, his voice like ice breaking over still water. ¡°Might be a good time to tighten security. Just in case something unfortunate happens.¡±

    And just like that, Cole ended the call without waiting for a response.

    Those few cryptic words alone were enough to send a chill crawling down Clement¡¯s spine. The moment the line disconnected, he sprang into action, calling for his assistant. ¡°Find out right now who stepped into the museum today and exactly what went down!¡±

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    He hesitated for a moment and then added, ¡°Pay special attention to anything or anyone connected to Mr. Evans.¡±

    ¡°Understood.¡± Wasting no time, the assistant immediately got to work, fingers already moving across the keyboard.

    Barely thirty secondster, the assistant turned back with a sharp update. ¡°Mr. Morgan, Elliana¡ªMr. Evans¡¯ wife¡ªis currently on-site, filming at our museum. She¡¯s already shed with Mr. Scott multiple times and is now being publicly scolded.¡±

    There was a brief pause. Then came the assistant¡¯s hesitant follow-up,ced with doubt. ¡°From what I¡¯ve heard, though, she¡¯s known for being useless and in-looking. Word is, Mr. Evans doesn¡¯t think much of her. Surely, she wouldn¡¯t be the reason behind Mr. Evans¡¯ call?¡±

    Clement¡¯s brow twitched in annoyance. ¡°Anything else connected to Mr. Evans? Anyone else involved?¡±

    The assistant gave a firm shake of his head. ¡°That¡¯s everything we¡¯ve got so far.¡±

    Without another word, Clement spun on his heel and strode toward the exit, his assistant hustling to keep up.

    The moment Clement stormed into the museum¡¯s exhibition hall, he caught sight of Luciano¡¯s bodyguards closing in on Elliana like wolves. Before they could reach her, Hailee stepped between them with both arms spread wide. Her voice was earnest and strained as she said, ¡°Mr. Scott, please let this go. I know Elliana upset you, but I¡¯m asking for your forgiveness. She¡¯s delicate and can¡¯t withstand your bodyguards¡¯ assault.¡±

    Unfortunately, Hailee¡¯s voice didn¡¯t carry much influence. Nobody in the room took her seriously. She was just another face in the crowd, and her defense of Elliana came off as naive.

    Luciano let out an icyugh. ¡°Young people these days have no sense of respect. Even those with no name or status think they can speak to me like my time means nothing.¡±

    With that, Luciano¡¯s face clouded over. ¡°Put this girl in her ce¡ªand don¡¯t forget the one standing with her!¡±

    The bodyguards lunged without hesitation, aggression radiating from every step.

    Without blinking, Elliana stepped in front of Hailee and threw out an arm to shield her, bracing herself for the iing threat.

    Just then, a voice cut through the tension like a whip. ¡°Stand down! All of you, stop right now!¡±

    Clement barreled into the room, his shirt clinging to his back from the sprint, his forehead glistening with sweat. Luciano immediately straightened, setting aside his hostility to greet Clement.

    Despite his title and fame, Luciano knew how the hierarchy worked. Clement represented the financial backbone of the art world, and deference to that kind of power wasn¡¯t optional¡ªit was survival.

    ¡°Mr. Morgan, I wasn¡¯t expecting you today,¡± Luciano said, shing a well-practiced smile as he weed Clement.

    Clement¡¯s eyes swept across the room, taking in the chaotic scene. Relief washed over his features when he saw that Elliana remained untouched. Once he steadied his breath, he turned toward Luciano with a calm but firm warning. ¡°This is my museum, Mr. Scott. I can¡¯t allow violence under this roof. If something happens here, it falls on me.¡±

    Luciano chuckled, though hisughter felt forced around the edges. ¡°Of course, Mr. Morgan. My apologies. I let my temper get the best of me. These kids are frustrating, but I won¡¯t stir up any more trouble for you.¡±

    ¡°d to hear it. That¡¯s all I ask.¡±

    After trading a few polite formalities, Clement let his gaze linger on Elliana¡ªsubtle, but unmistakable¡ªbefore pivoting to leave.

    Now that Clement had stepped in, Luciano knew better than to press his luck. He shot one final venomous re in Elliana¡¯s direction and exited without another word.

    Paige and the others followed suit, leaving Elliana and Hailee alone in the room.

    Back in the CEO¡¯s office at the Evans Group headquarters, the tension was rising fast. Everyone who had watched the events unfold onscreen could feel it¡ªsomething had shifted.

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 Chapter 70

    ?Chapter 70:

    Right after stepping in to protect Elliana, Cole suddenly became aware of how absurd he might appear to those around him. The contrast between his actions and words struck him, and his gaze snapped toward Myles.

    Sure enough, Myles wasn¡¯t even trying to hide it. His eyes carried that familiar, knowing gleam.

    Even though Myles was technically Cole¡¯s subordinate, they had grown up together. Cole could read that look a mile away¡ªit was silent teasing, in and simple.

    A flush of irritation red beneath Cole¡¯s skin. His voice dropped to a frigid tone. ¡°Why are you still standing there?¡±

    The intensity of that re made Myles shift ufortably. He hadn¡¯t stayed out of choice¡ªhe simply hadn¡¯t been dismissed.

    Clearing his throat, Myles stammered, ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, Mr. Evans, I¡­ I¡¯ll take my leave.¡±

    Without waiting for a reply, Myles made a swift exit.

    Cole kept his eyes trained on the door until it clicked shut. Only then did he shift his attention back to the monitor, his gaze drawn once more to Elliana. He muttered to himself, ¡°Heartless woman.¡±

    Just outside the office, Myles let out a breath he didn¡¯t realize he¡¯d been holding. He wiped the sweat from his brow, feeling like he¡¯d barely dodged a bullet.

    Aron and Hugh approached with hushed voices. ¡°How¡¯s Mr. Evans doing?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s dealing with a brutal case of heartbreak,¡± Myles said tly, his face expressionless.

    Loosening his tie, Myles gave Aron a quick order. ¡°Send a few bodyguards to protect Mrs. Evans discreetly at the museum. Make sure she doesn¡¯t notice them.¡±

    ¡°Wait, that¡¯s from Mr. Evans?¡± Hugh blinked, clearly confused.

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    All day, Cole had been fuming, tossing out bitter remarks about Elliana like confetti. It didn¡¯t make sense for him to turn around and send protection.

    Myles gave Hugh a quick flick on the forehead. ¡°If your brain¡¯s not firing right, then just zip it. Don¡¯t stress over things that are above your pay grade.¡±

    With a sheepish grin, Hugh rubbed the back of his head and wisely kept his mouth shut.

    Without hesitation, Aron made arrangements and sent several bodyguards to the museum.

    Elliana was unaware that Cole had been watching her from afar. Ever since his abrupt exit the night before, he hadn¡¯t reached out, leading her to believe he wouldn¡¯t deal with her anytime soon. In her mind, some distance between them would do them both good.

    After getting under Luciano¡¯s skin again, Elliana felt quite pleased. What lingered even more, though, was the memory of Hailee stepping in to defend her.

    Among the crew, Hailee was practically the doormat. She barely spoke unless spoken to and often folded herself into the background just to make it through the day. But the moment Luciano came at her, Hailee had jumped to her defense without hesitation¡ªbravely, instinctively, and without worrying about the fallout.

    Elliana had made up her mind¡ªshe wasn¡¯t letting this friendship slip away.

    ¡°Hailee, I really appreciate you speaking up for me back there. Come on, dinner¡¯s on me,¡± Elliana said with warmth in her voice.

    ¡°Elliana, please don¡¯t mention it. I didn¡¯t really do much for you. You stood up for me when Vivien picked on me, and that was quite something.¡± Hailee paused, worry etched across her face. ¡°But Luciano seems to have it out for you now. It¡¯s a good thing the museum director stepped in earlier, or Luciano might¡¯veshed out at you. But once you¡¯re outside the museum, things could get dangerous.¡±

    Elliana let out a light chuckle. ¡°I already told you¡ªLuciano is going to be too busy tonight dodging fallout toe after me. Trust me, he won¡¯t have time for revenge.¡±

    Then, taking Hailee¡¯s hand, she added warmly, ¡°Let¡¯s go. I¡¯m treating you, no arguments.¡±

    Hailee didn¡¯t resist. There was something about Elliana¡ªher calm assurance, the way she carried herself¡ªthat made trusting her feel effortless.

    From behind the screen, Cole kept his eyes glued to the surveince feed. The moment he spotted Elliana walking hand-in-hand with Hailee,ughing without a care in the world, a dark shadow flickered across his expression. Not once had she reached for his hand like that. She could offer warmth so freely to others, yet with him, it was always frost and distance. She had no heart. An unspoken bitterness filled the room like smoke clinging to the walls.

    Since there was just an hour left before the show resumed filming, Elliana and Hailee didn¡¯t stray far. They picked a modest restaurant directly across from the museum.

    It wasn¡¯t the fanciest spot around, but for Hailee, it felt like stepping into a different world. The prices alone would¡¯ve kept her out on a normal day.

    ¡°Elliana, eating at this ce must be expensive. How about I treat you instead?¡± Hailee suggested.

    Without hesitation, Elliana shed a grin and opened the menu. ¡°I already said dinner¡¯s on me, so just let it happen. Unless, of course, you¡¯re worried someone might tease you for eating with a so-called in Jane.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous.¡± Hailee chuckled. ¡°Actually, I¡¯ve looked at you closely. You¡¯re not in at all. I think the heavy makeup throws people off. You should try something softer.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m already used to it,¡± Elliana replied with a faint, dismissive smile. Wanting to spare Hailee the awkwardness of scanning an unfamiliar menu, Elliana took charge and ced their order.

    Once the server stepped away, Elliana propped her chin on her palm and turned to Hailee. ¡°So tell me, what¡¯s your dream?¡±

    Beneath the question was a quiet offer¡ªElliana was gauging whether Hailee had ambitions in the art world. If Hailee did, there was a path she could help pave.

    But Hailee¡¯s eyes lit up with a different kind of excitement. ¡°Right now, all I want is to meet Milena¡­¡±

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    .

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 Chapter 71

    ?Chapter 71:

    The moment Hailee¡¯s words sank in, Elliana found herself caught between a smile and a sigh. She had originally nned to step in as Rosa to offer help, but fate had yed a strange trick¡ªHailee¡¯s wish was tied to her other identity.

    Hailee exined, ¡°My boyfriend was born with a heart condition. Treating it is extremely challenging, and the doctors say only a major surgery could give him a real shot at getting better. It¡¯s a highlyplicated procedure, and aside from Dr. Atkinson, the odds of sess with anyone else are very low.¡±

    Hailee¡¯s sentence faded into a breath as she exhaled quietly, the weight of her reality settling in her features. ¡°But they told me Dr. Atkinson doesn¡¯t see ordinary people. She¡¯s too hard to reach, and even if I could find her, I¡¯d never be able to pay what she charges. Her consultation fees start in the millions. For a surgery like his, the bill would be in the tens of millions.¡±

    With a faint, bitter curve of her lips, Hailee pushed through the next part. ¡°Every day, I spend over two thousand dors just on his medicine. I¡¯ve drained everything I have just trying to keep up. How could I ever afford a surgery like that?¡±

    Emotion choked off Hailee¡¯s voice, catching her mid-sentence. ¡°These days, I¡¯m juggling several jobs, barely affording cheap meals for myself. The little I save goes straight to his prescriptions. I¡¯m terrified every moment that I¡¯ll lose one of my jobs, that I¡¯ll fall short and fail him. Therefore, no matter how hard it gets, I can¡¯t stop. I can¡¯t rest. I have to keep working and somehow find a way to earn more. It¡¯s just that I¡¯m exhausted¡­ I¡¯m drowning.¡±

    Tears spilled freely now, her shoulders trembling with quiet desperation.

    Across the table, Elliana said nothing. Her silence wasn¡¯t indifference¡ªit was the stillness of someone listening deeply. Her gaze reflected Hailee¡¯s pain like a mirror. ¡°Doesn¡¯t your boyfriend have family? Someone who could step in?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s an orphan. He grew up in an orphanage,¡± Hailee answered softly, shaking her head.

    This simple reply brought understanding. Elliana didn¡¯t press further. She felt conflicted, uncertain if helping Hailee was the right move. Her identity as Milena was constantly watched by powerful figures and global elites. Some truly needed her skills, but others had darker motives, aiming to exploit her for their own gain. Because of that, exposing herself as Milena wasn¡¯t a choice she could make on a whim. As much as she had the heart of a healer, she had to protect herself first. As if realizing she¡¯d said too much, Hailee quickly dabbed her eyes and gave a sheepish smile. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Elliana. You invited me out for a nice meal, and here I am, dumping my problems on you. I promise I won¡¯t bring it up again.¡±

    Before either of them could say more, the waiter arrived with their food. While arranging the tes, Hailee mustered a smile and gentlydled a portion onto Elliana¡¯s te. ¡°Let¡¯s just eat, okay? Forget all that.¡±

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    With an understanding nod, Elliana picked up her fork and sliced into the steak. Juices spilled across her te with every cut, the first bite melting tenderly on her tongue¡ªbut despite the vor, her chest felt heavy. Hailee had a genuinely kind soul. Even with such a heavy weight on her shoulders, she always kept a smile on her face around others, not wanting to be a burden or make anyone worry. Moreover, the moment someone threatened her friend, she stood without hesitation. Someone like her deserved more than silent sympathy.

    After finishing her first bite, Elliana met Hailee¡¯s eyes. ¡°What about your family? Do they know what you¡¯ve been doing for your boyfriend?¡±

    In response, Hailee gave a subtle shake of her head. ¡°My family is simple, just me and my dad. He raised me by running a tiny diner. Paid for everything¡ªschool, rent, food. After all that, I feel like I¡¯m failing him now.¡±

    Tears were beginning to well again, her voice growing thinner with each word. ¡°I can¡¯t let him find out. He¡¯ll just worry, and I¡¯ve already put enough on his shoulders. But I can¡¯t abandon my boyfriend either. He¡¯s got no one else. I¡¯m all he has. If I let go, he¡¯s alone in the world.¡±

    Elliana wanted to ask what made this man worth such a sacrifice¡ªwhat kind of love could drive someone to give so much¡ªbut the time wasn¡¯t right. A love strong enough to make a woman give up everything had to be a story with manyyers. If she had asked Hailee about it, they¡¯d be talking for hours, and that would have pushed back the evening¡¯s recording session.

    Rather than press further, Elliana tucked her curiosity away. A quiet gesture followed as she gently scooped a bit of food onto Hailee¡¯s te. ¡°Come on, eat something. Things won¡¯t stay like this forever. Who knows¡ªmaybe that unreachable Dr. Atkinson will appear one day and grant every single wish you¡¯ve been holding onto.¡±

    Tears still clung to Hailee¡¯sshes, but a smile managed to break through. ¡°You don¡¯t know how much that means. I know it sounds impossible, but your words make it feel a little less hopeless. Thank you.¡±

    No more words passed between them after that. Their meal continued in calm silence, aforting pause in the chaos of their lives. By the time they stepped outside, the sky had darkened into a velvet curtain. Across the road, the museum glowed beneath golden lights, its entrance nked by polished luxury cars. Guests in tailored suits and floor-length gowns filed inside,ughter and murmurs drifting on the breeze.

    Anticipation buzzed in the air¡ªthe grand finale of the Starry Oil Painting Competition was about to begin, drawing eyes from every corner of the art world.

    With a look that carried more than confidence, Elliana tilted her chin slightly and crossed the street with steady steps. She wasn¡¯t here just topete. Tonight, someone was going to regret crossing her.

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 Chapter 72

    ?Chapter 72:

    The Starry Oil Painting Competition was a big deal, the kind of event that sent shockwaves through the art world. The pieces that made it to the finals were top-notch, and the guest list was a who¡¯s-who of heavy hitters.

    When Elliana and Hailee rolled up to the museum¡¯s entrance, a long red carpet was already rolled out, screaming glitz and mour. Big shots stepped out of their cars, strutting down the carpet into the museum.

    Security was hustling to keep things orderly, while a swarm of media had set up a fortress of cameras and mics, tripping over themselves to snag interviews with any celeb who passed by. The vibe was electric, buzzing with excitement.

    Nobody gave Elliana and Hailee a second nce as they were just two regr folks in a sea of stars.

    Among the media¡¯s darlings were Luciano and Paige, stepping out as the official mentor-disciple duo, soaking up the spotlight.

    Luciano had swapped his usual getup for a robe, looking every bit the art guru.

    Paige, clinging to his arm, rocked a sleek gown, her pricey jewelry sparkling like fire under the camera shes.

    The two made sure to park themselves right in the reporters¡¯ sights,pping up interviews to boost their fame.

    ¡°Miss Jones, you¡¯re absolutely glowing tonight,¡± a reporter gushed. ¡°Word is your painting made the finals. You feeling good about snagging the top spot?¡±

    Paige shed a demure smile. ¡°I¡¯m just a hobbyist. Getting to the finals is already a dreame true. I wouldn¡¯t dare hope for more.¡± She nced at Luciano with a coy grin. ¡°Going forward, I¡¯ll keep learning from my mentor, Mr. Scott, and aim to bring everyone even better work.¡± While Paige yed humble, Luciano piled on the praise. ¡°Paige is selling herself short. Her skills are already top-tier, and I¡¯m betting big on her taking the crown.¡±

    ¡°Whoa!¡± The reporters ate it up.

    ¡°Mr. Scott¡¯s the head of the Calligraphers and Painters Association. Since he says Miss Jones is the real deal, it¡¯s gotta be true. Miss Jones, if you win, don¡¯t dodge our follow-up interviews!¡±

    ¡°Miss Jones, we caught your live show, ¡®The Heiress¡¯ Graduation Trip.¡¯ Looked like Elliana was just green with envy, stirring up all kinds of trouble.¡±

    ??????????? §ã???????????? g?????????????[£®]??????

    Paige¡¯s sweet smile widened, basking in her moment of glory. Spotting Elliana and Hailee walking together, ignored by the press, her ego swelled even more. She was shining brighter than a supernova, while Elliana was left in the dust. It felt good! If she could clinch the Starry Oil Painting Competition tonight, her star would burn even brighter, and she would surely catch Cole¡¯s attention.

    That day at the Royal Club, being humiliated by Elliana while Cole just stood by, Paige had given up on winning his heart. But now, hearing he¡¯d stormed out of the Evans estate, rumoredly fed up with Ruben pushing him to consummate the marriage with Elliana, hope flickered again. She was convinced Cole only kept his distance because of Ruben¡¯s pressure. Deep down, he must have a thing for her. Now that he¡¯d broken ranks with Ruben, he wouldn¡¯t hold back his feelings anymore. Ran was decent, sure, but he couldn¡¯t hold a candle to Cole. If she could win Cole¡¯s affection, that¡¯d be the ultimate victory.

    As Paige¡¯s mind crafted her prospective union with Cole, her eyes gleamed with imaginary triumph, and she shot Elliana a look dripping with challenge.

    Elliana brushed off the silent challenge and strolled into the museum with Hailee. No reporters swarmed them. No celebs tried to chat them up. They walked in without a hitch.

    Inside thepetition hall, they spotted Haley barking orders at the camera crew to set up their shots, while the other guests were nowhere in sight.

    When the two walked in, Haley threw them a cold nce. ¡°Find a seat anywhere. You¡¯re not needed on camera tonight.¡±

    The whole point of the live broadcast was to showcase Paige¡¯s big win in tonight¡¯spetition. Everyone else could take a backseat. Elliana and Hailee didn¡¯t care about being off-screen and headed to the spot Haley pointed out.

    Soon after, Paige walked in, arm-in-arm with Luciano.

    The closer to the front, the bigger the deal you were. Elliana and Hailee didn¡¯t even get proper seats¡ªjust a corner in the left corridor. Paige, riding Luciano¡¯s clout as head of the Calligraphers and Painters Association, scored a prime spot in the front row.

    As Paige passed Elliana, she couldn¡¯t hide her smug grin and put on a fake-sweet act. ¡°Elliana, want me to pull some strings for you to secure a front-row seat?¡±

    Elliana gave a faint smile. ¡°No need to fuss over me. You might want to worry about how long you¡¯ll be sitting pretty up there. Don¡¯t be shocked if you end up not even¡­¡±

    ¡°Fit to sweep the floor hereter.¡± Paige¡¯s face froze, hereback silenced as she walked off.

    At 7 p.m. sharp, the Starry Oil Painting Competition finals kicked off.

    After the opening remarks, the host ran through the rules and introduced the judges. Everything was locked in, and they started announcing the top ten finalists¡­

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 73

    ?Chapter 73:

    As president of the Calligraphers and Painters Association, Luciano held deep influence across the art world. With his ess to insider information, it was no surprise that Paige had secured an early peek at the finalist list for the Starry Oil Painting Competition. Among the ten works selected for the final round, none came close to matching Paige¡¯s submission. Victory wasn¡¯t a matter of chance¡ªit was already a quiet certainty.

    Meanwhile, the host stood center stage, introducing each piece with practiced ir. A massive screen behind him showcased the artwork one by one, while assistants carefully brought the original canvases into the spotlight for the audience to view.

    For nearly ten minutes, this rhythm continued. Lights dimmed across the audience, drawing every eye to the brilliance of the stage, while the host¡¯s voice reverberated through the otherwise silent venue.

    From her seat near the front, Paige sat with her chin lifted, basking in the anticipation. Her expression radiated pride. She could already envision the moment her name would be announced as the winner. After tonight, her life would change forever. She would rise as the newest darling of the art scene¡ªendorsements lining up, invitations flooding in, fame chasing her like a shadow.

    In the back rows, Kiara and Darin watched with equal excitement. Though their seatscked prestige, that didn¡¯t dampen their enthusiasm.

    Kiara¡¯s phone buzzed nonstop with messages¡ªoffers from fashion houses, cosmetics empires, and brands they never imagined woulde calling. Everyone wanted Paige.

    Kiara held her head high, beaming with satisfaction as her daughter had brought her such immense pride. The stain of the past scandal had vanished without a trace. She showed every message to Darin, her voice brimming with pride. ¡°Darin, just look at how extraordinary Paige is. The future honor of the Jones family liespletely in her hands.¡±

    A wide grin spread across Darin¡¯s face. He nodded like a bobblehead. ¡°She really is. Absolutely brilliant.¡±

    Tilting her chin, Kiara allowed herself a hint of arrogance. ¡°And she was raised by me. That kind of excellence doesn¡¯t appear out of nowhere.¡±

    ??????????? ¡é???¦Ñ???????? ?????????????????©q?????

    With Merritt as a powerful ally and Paige shining so brightly, Kiara no longer felt the need to bow to Darin¡¯s authority. For the first time in years, she subtly held herself above him.

    Rather than argue, Darin weed the change. The past¡ªthe scandals, the disgrace¡ªno longer held weight in the face of Paige¡¯s rising fame and the profits it brought. He softened toward Kiara, more indulgent than before. ¡°You¡¯re right. You¡¯ve brought honor to the Jones family.¡±

    He moved closer to Kiara¡¯s ear, his voice low and suggestive as he said, ¡°Get ready for something special tonight.¡±

    A spark lit up in Kiara¡¯s eyes as a rosy flush crept across her cheeks. Since the incident, Darin had avoided her room altogether. But now, things seemed to be shifting in her favor once again.

    Without hesitation, Kiara tapped her screen and sent the avnche of brand offers straight to Paige. ¡°Paige, you¡¯ve got a flood of endorsementsing in. Any idea which one we should go with?¡±

    Rather than ept them immediately, Paige messaged back confidently, saying, ¡°Mom, there¡¯s no need to rush. Once I walk away with the championship tonight, even bigger names will be lining up. These early offers won¡¯t even matter.¡±

    A proud grin tugged at Kiara¡¯s lips. ¡°Your vision is always ahead of the curve, Paige. Alright then, I¡¯ll wait for your cue.¡±

    Conversation ended, and Paige shifted her focus back to the stage. Seated to her left, Luciano kept smiling¡ªhis expression brimming with the same anticipation she felt.

    Victory for Paige wouldn¡¯t just be her moment. It would mark a substantial rise for Luciano. With Paige as Merritt¡¯s goddaughter, he could leverage Merritt¡¯s influence for more benefits in the future.

    Together, the two of them¡ªmentor and disciple¡ªsat poised andposed under the spotlight of the art world, dreaming not of beauty, but of recognition, status, and wealth. The smugness they wore matched in both polish and pride.

    But that confidence cracked the moment apuse echoed across the auditorium, just as the final two artworks appeared on the massive screen. A shared look of rm flickered between them. To their disbelief, the expected list had changed. Two of the previously settled top ten entries had been reced by submissions they had seen earlier in the day during the live-stream broadcast. These artworks belonged to none other than Elliana and Hailee.

    Shock rippled across Luciano¡¯s face, contorting his features in disbelief. The artworks he had openly ridiculed before millions of viewers had advanced to the finals of the Starry Oil Painting Competition, leaving him deeply embarrassed.

    A nervous jolt ran through Paige, her breath hitched. Elliana had humiliated her before, always at the worst possible moments. Now, that same dread crept back in, making her fingers tremble against her gown. ¡°Mr. Scott, what is going on?¡± she whispered shakily, turning toward Luciano.

    Luciano was just as flustered, though he managed to keep his calm facade. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Even though they¡¯ve reached the finals, they don¡¯t have what it takes to challenge you for the championship. You¡¯re still well ahead of them.¡±

    Paige felt a bit more at ease after hearing Luciano¡¯s words of reassurance. She turned to steal a nce at Elliana standing off in the corner, wishing she could call Elliana out right then and there. In her eyes, Elliana should be worthless!

    At that moment, chaos broke out across both the live stream and thepetition venue as Elliana¡¯s and Hailee¡¯s artworks made their appearance¡­

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 74

    ?Chapter 74:

    Online discussions erupted. ¡°Didn¡¯t Luciano call Elliana¡¯s Lonely Sunset and Hailee¡¯s Sunward Bloomplete failures? How did these two paintings end up in the Starry Competition finals? Don¡¯t tell me they rigged the results?¡±

    ¡°My friend works in the art scene, and ording to him, the Starry Oil Painting Competition¡¯s judging is brutal. It¡¯s a panel packed with seasoned pros¡ªno way anyone can sneak in a subpar painting. Only the best of the best stand a chance.¡±

    ¡°Then that means Luciano knew those works had merit¡ªand still tore them down in front of everyone during the live stream earlier!¡±

    ¡°He couldn¡¯t handle Elliana challenging him or Hailee standing up for Elliana, so he twisted the truth and pushed them down. That kind of petty behavior doesn¡¯t belong to someone who calls himself a master¡ªor a leader in the Calligraphers and Painters Association!¡±

    Though Luciano tried to soothe Paige with gentle words, he was falling apart inside. His nerves were stretched thin.

    The news that Elliana¡¯s and Hailee¡¯s paintings had reached the finals struck Luciano like a blow to the ego. Fearing for his public image, he immediately pulled out his phone to monitor the live stream. With the stream flooded by criticism and the nearby chatter turning venomous, he could feel the sweat soaking through his shirt.

    In that moment, he cursed his decision to join The Heiress Graduation Trip. He had epted Merritt¡¯s money to film the show, using his pull to helpunch Paige¡¯s career. While he did want to stay in Merritt¡¯s good graces, what mattered more was building up his own name, not watching it take a hit. But now that he¡¯d made such a fool of himself, how was he supposed to walk back into the art world? And what if this mess blew up into a scandal? What if he lost his spot as president of the Calligraphers and Painters Association? His entire legacy was hanging by a thread.

    Hailey kept darting nces at the live stream chat, her stomach tightening with every newment. As soon as the feed was overrun with doubts about Luciano, her nerves began to panic. Because of how tightly Paige¡¯s name was now tied to Luciano, any damage to his image would reflect directly on her. If he went down, so would Paige¡¯s credibility as a streaming mentor. Everything they¡¯d built could turn into a running joke.

    Feeling overwhelmed, Hailey stopped pretending she could handle this alone. She quickly took a series of screenshots and messaged Paige. ¡°Miss Jones, it¡¯s getting bad out there. Should we shut down the live stream?¡±

    Paige didn¡¯t answer right away. Her brows furrowed as she stared at the screen, unsure whether they were already past the point of saving it. Calling it quits now felt like giving up everything she had fought so hard for. The championship was right there, practically in her hands. Pulling the plug now would feel like throwing it all away. And even if she shut off the cameras, she couldn¡¯t erase the murmurs rising from the crowd just a few feet away. She didn¡¯t have the luxury of time. After a quick breath and a sharp decision, she responded, ¡°Not yet. Hold off for now. Get some paidmenters to stir the chat and buy the negative stuff.¡±

    ??????????? ??????????????? ?????????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°Got it,¡± Haley replied without hesitation.

    Without wasting a second, Haley deployed a wave of burner ounts to stir thement section and guide the conversation.

    For now, the audience was only questioning Luciano¡¯s narrow-mindedness. Luckily, no one had dragged his name through the mud when it came to his reputation in the art world. His credibility and standing remained untouched.

    Off to the side, Hailee stood frozen. Wide-eyed, she grabbed Elliana¡¯s sleeve and leaned in close. ¡°Elliana, did I really make it? I mean, to the actual finals? This feels unreal!¡±

    A grin tugged at the corners of Elliana¡¯s lips as she nodded. ¡°You did it. You¡¯re officially a finalist in the Starry Oil Painting Competition.¡±

    ¡°But how could that even happen?¡± Hailee asked, a little unsure. ¡°I¡¯m nothing more than an artist who taught herself everything!¡±

    ¡°You thought you didn¡¯t belong. Turns out, you were wrong.¡± With a warm smile, Elliana gave her hand a reassuring pat. ¡°I¡¯ve always believed in your talent. Your work speaks for itself. Now, just wait a bit. The final rankings will be out soon, and you¡¯re about to walk away with more than just praise.¡±

    Hailee¡¯s eyes sparkled as she remembered the cash prize. The thought of walking away with at least a hundred thousand made her cheeks glow with excitement.

    Behind the scenes, the judges¡ªseasoned artists who had spent their lives surrounded by oil and canvas¡ªhad wrapped up their deliberation. Their process was methodical, their standards high. After a careful evaluation, the top three were finalized.

    This round hadn¡¯t sparked any disagreement. The distinction in skill was evident, and the remaining seven submissions couldn¡¯t quite measure up to the chosen few.

    Haileended in sixth ce. Even though she didn¡¯t im one of the podium spots, she could barely contain her joy. This oue had already gone beyond¡­

    What she had ever imagined. Turning eagerly to Elliana, she asked, ¡°What¡¯s the prize for sixth ce?¡±

    ¡°Two hundred thousand,¡± Elliana replied.

    Two hundred thousand! Hailee felt like her heart might burst right through her ribs¡­

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 75

    ?Chapter 75:

    Thepetition had entered its final stretch¡ªonly the champion, runner-up, and third ce remained to be named from the top three entries: Elliana¡¯s Lonely Sunset, Paige¡¯s Riding the Waves, and Bentlee Potter¡¯s Brick Bridge.

    Tension crackled in the air as the judges deliberated. Both Luciano and Paige sat stone-faced, their expressions tight with unease.

    For Paige, it was bitterness. The thought of Elliana¡ªher longtime punching bag¡ªrising to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with her at the summit was intolerable. Elliana was supposed to grovel at her feet, not rival her on center stage. The bile of envy burned in her throat. Meanwhile, Luciano was being skewered in real time. The crowd at the venue and online viewers alike were tearing into him.

    ¡°Luciano¡¯s a petty man abusing his title to go after personal enemies. He trashed Elliana¡¯s painting live on air, but now she¡¯s a finalist! Even if she ends up third, that¡¯s still leagues ahead of the garbage he spewed.¡±

    ¡°Anyone surprised? This is textbook Luciano. As president of the Calligraphers and Painters Association, how many brilliant artists has he quietly shut out just for not kissing up to him?¡±

    ¡°He struts around pretending to be some enlightened master, preaching about art and life, but deep down he¡¯s a bitter, petty fraud. Absolutely revolting.¡±

    Hailey had tried to smother the bacsh by flooding the livestream with paid bots, but with millions watching, her efforts were a drop in the ocean. Thements roasting Luciano just kepting, brutal and relentless. The real-time outrage swelled, impossible to contain. Beneath the storm of public scorn, Luciano was unraveling. His grip onposure slipped by the second. Would Elliana be the one to destroy everything he¡¯d built? No. He refused to let that happen. He¡¯d wed his way to the top, forged his name through sheer will. He couldn¡¯t let it all burn now.

    Panic tightening his throat, he leaned toward Paige. ¡°Paige, call Mr. Carman¡ªsee if he can get a handle on this. I can¡¯t let my name get dragged through the mud like this!¡±

    But Paige barely heard him. She was too wrapped up in her own unraveling disaster. Merritt had poured money into the show to boost her stardom, betting on her rise. Too confident in her n, she had dragged Elliana into it without even giving Merritt a heads-up, intending to use the show as a weapon to wipe Elliana out for good. But the n had backfired¡ªElliana wasn¡¯t just surviving. Elliana was stealing the spotlight.

    What kept Paige up at night was the thought of Elliana ranking higher. If that happened, she wouldn¡¯t just lose face¡ªshe¡¯d be the punchline of every gossip reel. And worse, Merritt might pin the failure squarely on her.

    ??????????? ??????????????? ¨À??????¦Í??????©q?????

    ¡°Merritt¡¯s tied up with bigger things. He can¡¯t waste time on this,¡± Paige remarked smoothly, dismissing Luciano without a second nce.

    Luciano swallowed his fury. He didn¡¯t dare go head-to-head with Paige, not with her ties to Merritt. Still, his stomach churned. If anyone had dragged him into this mess, it was her.

    The moment Paige turned away from Luciano, she fired off a message to Hailey. ¡°Shut down the live stream. Now.¡±

    She could no longer risk everything on chance. If the audience caught even a glimpse of Elliana outshining her, she¡¯d be the butt of every joke on the inte by tomorrow.

    Hailey didn¡¯t hesitate. The stream went dark within seconds.

    Across the country, millions of viewers who¡¯d been glued to the broadcast were suddenly met with a nk screen. At first, they thought it was a short-lived malfunction, and the crew was already huddled by the cameras, primed to restart the live feed any moment now. But more than ten minutes ticked by and still no stream. Frustration boiled over. Discussions exploded across social media, forums, and livement sections. Conspiracy theories took off, usations flew, and hashtags surged until the topic rocketed to the top of the trending charts.

    Meanwhile, outside the Evans Group¡¯s conference room, Myles, Aron, and Hugh gathered together, sneakily watching the stream on Aron¡¯s phone. When Elliana¡¯s painting was announced as a top-three finalist in the Starry Oil Painting Competition, all three froze in disbelief.

    Hugh, who had always mocked her behind her back, looked like he¡¯d been punched in the gut. ¡°Hold on¡ªwasn¡¯t Elliana just some talentless eyesore? How the hell did she pull that off?¡±

    Myles and Aron gave him matching side-eyes.

    ¡°I think I finally get why Mr. Evans found Elliana so fascinating,¡± Myles said, rubbing his jaw. ¡°He must¡¯ve seen her potential from the start. He¡¯s got an eye for talent¡ªhe doesn¡¯t judge by surface-level stuff.¡±

    Aron gave a quick, affirmative nod. ¡°She¡¯s full of surprises. Word is, she used to live all by herself in some rundown warehouse in the Jones estate. She waspletely ignored for years. When the hell did she even learn to paint?¡±

    Their questions were piling up just as the screen in front of them glitched and went dark. All three froze, eyes wide, stunned into silence. What on earth was that? They¡¯d been seconds away from finding out whether Elliana had clinched the championship.

    Fueled by growing impatience and a need for answers, the brothers exchanged restless nces.

    Then, without another word, Myles squared his shoulders and marched straight into the CEO¡¯s office. Cole, a world-ss hacker with skills sharp enough to breach military firewalls, must have already been one step ahead and tuned in to the museum¡¯s internal camera feeds, calmly watching the finals from his phone.

    Myles didn¡¯te in to interrupt¡ªjust to watch alongside.

    Catching on fast, Aron and Hugh exchanged a nce and then marched in after Myles without hesitation.

    Sure enough, Cole sat at the desk, legs crossed, phone in hand, eyes fixed on the live security footage ying on-screen¡­

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 76

    ?Chapter 76:

    The moment the racket hit his ears, Cole lifted his eyes with cool detachment, sizing up the trio who¡¯d barged in without so much as a knock.

    The trio and Cole had grown up thick as thieves, their bond a rare thing, giving them more guts than most to face Cole, the man who could freeze a room with a nce.

    Myles, the eldest, was always shoved to the front lines, a role that had molded him into the spearhead for his two younger brothers.

    ¡°Mr. Evans, how about a ss of water? You look parched,¡± Myles offered, shing a polite grin under Cole¡¯s piercing stare. He sauntered to the desk, setting the ss down with a gentle clink. His moves were all respect and sincerity, but his eyes kept sneaking toward Cole¡¯s phone.

    Cole, sharp as a tack, saw right through Myles¡¯ little game.

    For all Myles¡¯ schrly looks¡ªthose sses, that calm demeanor¡ªhis curiosity could rival a nosy aunt at a family wedding.

    Nobody would peg the poised, steady assistant Myles as the guy with a phone gallery stuffed to the brim with juicy gossip: who was sneaking around with whom, who had split up, who had undergone cosmetic surgery¡ªhe had the dirt on everyone.

    In contrast, Aron and Hugh, the younger two, were as guileless as puppies.

    Cole shot Myles a look of quiet disdain but didn¡¯t send him packing. Truth be told, he was feeling a little smug and wanted to unt his brilliant wife.

    Seeing Cole wasn¡¯t kicking him out, Myles visibly rxed and dared to lean a little closer to get a better view of Cole¡¯s phone screen.

    Aron and Hugh took that as their cue and shuffled up to the desk too, craning their necks.

    Cole, mildly amused but keeping up his frosty act, gave Aron and Hugh a side-eye and asked, ¡°And what are you two doing here?¡±

    ¡°Ahem!¡± Aron coughed awkwardly, fully aware his lie wouldn¡¯t hold water, but he pushed through anyway. ¡°We thought you might be bored, so we came to keep youpany.¡±

    ?????????? §ã?????????????? ????????????????[©q]?????

    ¡°Ha-ha!¡± Hugh found the excuse weak, but he had nothing better, so he just chuckled and said, ¡°Yeah, to chat.¡±

    Cole snorted, unimpressed. ¡°Pair of goofballs!¡±

    He threw them a disdainful nce but didn¡¯t make a move to shoo them away, returning his gaze to his phone.

    The four of them could be employer and employee on paper, but they had shared a childhood. Their rtionship had always been moreid-back than formal.

    Myles, the same age as Cole, was the most intelligent of the three brothers. He was well-read and steady in his actions.

    Aron and Hugh, younger than Cole by two and four years respectively, were more muscle than mind¡ªgreat in a scuffle, but hopeless in strategy.

    Naturally, Cole spoke with more respect to Myles and treated Aron and Hugh like overgrown kids who needed regr scolding to stay out of trouble.

    And Aron and Hugh had long gotten used to it. A week without a Cole-style tongueshing felt iplete. Being called goofballs just now? It weirdly warmed their hearts¡ªit almost sounded affectionate. Did that mean they could stick around and gossip? Grinning from ear to ear, they sidled closer to Myles, eager to peek at what Cole was so intently watching.

    Meanwhile, at the museum, thepetition was heating up.

    Elliana¡¯s Lonely Sunset, Paige¡¯s Riding the Waves, and Bentlee¡¯s Brick Bridge were battling it out for the top three spots. But to the seasoned judges, the verdict was all but obvious.

    Compared to the other two, Brick Bridgecked both finesse and depth. It was the clear third-ce pick, no debate needed.

    That left the true showdown between Lonely Sunset and Riding the Waves¡ªElliana versus Paige.

    But even here, the judges didn¡¯t see much of a toss-up. Paige¡¯s work had charm and solid technique, but Elliana¡¯s piece was in a league of its own. The difference was night and day.

    Still, the rules required that the announcement be dyed for dramatic ir. The judges would put on a show, letting the audience soak in every brushstroke and nuance before delivering the final call. As thepetition entered the final showdown, tension crackled through the museum.

    Luciano was drenched in sweat, nerves fried by the suspense.

    Paige gripped the hem of her gown so tightly that it looked like the fabric might tear. Elliana! Elliana! The name buzzed like a broken record in her mind.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 77

    ?Chapter 77:

    Paige¡¯s painting, Riding the Waves, captured a lone white-sailed boat battling a wild, churning sea. It was a masterpiece of detail, with aposition that sang and a vibe that screamed. It was like a pep talk on canvas, radiating ambition and progress. Its direct and striking expression immediately conveyed the artist¡¯s intent.

    Elliana¡¯s Lonely Sunset was a breathtaking autumn scene where the water melted into an endless sky. The setting sun and a single wild goose glided in perfect harmony. The colors were pure magic, wrapping you in a serene, almost otherworldly calm from the first nce.

    As soon as Lonely Sunset was unveiled, the judges¡¯ jaws hit the floor. They zoomed in on their tablets, dissecting every brushstroke, and then shuffled up to the canvas itself, eyes wide with awe. The closer they looked, the more they were hooked.

    The technique felt like it had been touched by the divine¡ªeffortless yet perfectly bnced, flowing like a river. Even the old-timers, grizzled veterans of the art scene, stood there dumbfounded, humbled by its mastery.

    But what really blew their minds wasn¡¯t just the wless craft¡ªit was the painting¡¯s soul. At first, it seemed like a stunningndscape, vividly alive with the autumn sky, the setting sun, and that lone goose soaring in sync. The details popped like nobody¡¯s business.

    But linger a little longer, and it was like diving into an emotional whirlpool. Sorrow, joy, mncholy, exhration¡ªit all crashed over someone, pulling them into a strange, vibrant world of feeling. Some felt likeughing, others like sobbing, and a few wanted to scream at the top of their lungs.

    When the emotions hit their peak and they snapped back to reality, that jaw-dropping scene was still there, staring back at them. It was like a spellbinding work of art, with a depth and uniqueness that left the judges feeling like they couldn¡¯t hold a candle to it.

    The judges dissected Lonely Sunset with their expert eyes, while the crowd just went with their gut. Either way, everyone was floored, caught in a shared state of wonder.

    Nobody saw iting¡ªnot from Elliana, the girl whispered to be a talentless nobody with no charm to speak of. Heads kept turning toward her, sitting quietly in the corner, as the murmurs rippled through the room.

    ???????????? §ã???¦Ñ???????? ????????????????????????

    ¡°I¡¯m no art critic, but my gut¡¯s screaming that Elliana¡¯s piece blows Paige¡¯s out of the water.¡±

    ¡°Same here.¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it wild? Everyone said Elliana was a zero. How¡¯s she pulling off this kind of talent? Did she really paint it herself, or did she pay someone?¡±

    ¡°Nope, it¡¯s all her. I saw the live stream of The Heiress¡¯ Graduation Trip. She painted it right there on camera.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s insane. Who knew Elliana was a secret art prodigy?¡±

    ¡°Anyone catch that broadcast? Luciano tore into Elliana¡¯s work, and Paige didn¡¯t say a peep to back her up. Looking back, that¡¯s pretty low.¡±

    ¡°Bet Luciano and Paige schemed to keep Elliana down, figuring no close-ups on the live feed would bury her. But Elliana flipped the script by entering thispetition.¡±

    ¡°Now they¡¯re eating crow in front of everyone, and they¡¯ve got iting.¡±

    Luciano and Paige, catching the whispers, were on pins and needles, their faces twisted with unease.

    In the back row, Darin¡¯s and Kiara¡¯s smug grins had melted into panic and disbelief. They couldn¡¯t wrap their heads around Elliana suddenly shining in the world of oil painting. No way could they stomach their daughter being outdone by her.

    The room buzzed with a tangled mix of vibes¡ªsome snickering, some fuming, others just soaking in the drama.

    Elliana, the eye of the storm, stayed cool as a cucumber, like the whole circus was just another Tuesday.

    Hailee, meanwhile, was practically bouncing off the walls. ¡°Elliana, you¡¯re unreal! I¡¯m totally fangirling over you right now!¡±

    Elliana shot her a yful nce. ¡°Chill out.¡±

    ¡°Chill? No way!¡± Hailee was hyped, like she¡¯d won the prize herself. ¡°It¡¯s obvious¡ªyou¡¯re taking home the crown. After tonight, you¡¯re gonna be the art world¡¯s new rockstar, and I get to say I¡¯m pals with the champ. How am I supposed to stay calm?¡±

    Then, with a flicker of doubt, she added, ¡°You¡¯re not going to ditch me for being too ordinary, right?¡±

    Elliana chuckled and gave her hand a reassuring pat. ¡°Don¡¯t be silly.¡±

    Hailee, still buzzing, clung to Elliana¡¯s hand. ¡°Oh man, I finally scored an epic friend. No way I¡¯m letting you go!¡±

    Elliana, caught between amusement and not knowing what to say, simply smiled.

    Suddenly, a judge standing by Lonely Sunset let out a shout. ¡°No way! This can¡¯t be real!¡±

    Every head in the room turned toward the judge, eyes locked on the source of the outburst¡­

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 78

    ?Chapter 78:

    The judge gawking at Elliana¡¯s Lonely Sunset had silver-streaked hair and carried the vibe of an old-school artist, his eyes practically glowing with a lifelong love for the craft. This wasn¡¯t just any judge¡ªhe was Luca Wilde, a legend in the art world.

    Luciano, much younger, was from a different camp, a rising star in the art scene¡¯s political jungle.

    Luciano had climbed thedder by snagging the presidency of the Calligraphers and Painters Association, leading the faction that yed the power game. Luca, on the other hand, held no fancy titles¡ªhis clout came purely from his art, honed over decades of devotion.

    When it came to pulling strings and making deals, Luciano was the go-to guy. But when the talk turned to painting itself, Luca was the one everyone looked to, hands down.

    The art world loved to gossip about how both Luciano and Luca swore they were die-hard fans of the iconic Rosa.

    Luciano never missed a chance to name-drop Rosa at big events, piling on the praise with a ir that felt like he was auditioning for her fan club president, even joking he was her ¡°unofficial prot¨¦g¨¦.¡±

    Luca often talked about Rosa, but his way of expressing himself was different from Luciano¡¯s.

    When Luciano talked about Rosa, he used flowerynguage, almost like poetry. In contrast, Luca referenced specific works of hers, using straightforwardnguage to highlight the beauty of her art.

    Over time, the art crowd split them into two camps: Luciano, the dreamy romantic, and Luca, the grounded realist.

    These two heavyweights rarely crossed paths, their orbits barely touching, which led outsiders to think their worlds just didn¡¯t ovep much.

    But those in the know? They¡¯d say Luca wasn¡¯t a fan of Luciano¡¯s shy style and made a point to dodge events where he¡¯d be holding court.

    ??¦Á???????? §ã????¦Ñ???????? ??¦Á??????¦Í??????©q?????

    The Starry Oil Painting Competition finals were the art world¡¯s Super Bowl, and Luca had been roped into judging, even if it meant sharing the spotlight with Luciano.

    Luciano knew full well Luca looked down his nose at him, and it ate him up inside. He was always itching for a chance to put Luca in his ce, but Luca lived like a hermit, consumed by his art, giving Luciano no openings to pounce.

    When Luca let out his stunned exmation, Luciano¡¯s head snapped toward him, a bad feeling crawling up his spine. His pulse kicked into overdrive, and sweat beaded on his brow.

    The host hustled over to Luca, all respect. ¡°Mr. Wilde, got something to share?¡±

    Luca was still reeling, his eyes glued to Lonely Sunset, scanning it with a magnifying ss like he was decoding a treasure map, left to right, top to bottom. After soaking in the painting one more time, he spun toward the host, practically vibrating. ¡°Can we get the artist of this piece up here?¡±

    ¡°You got it.¡± The host didn¡¯t miss a beat, calling out to the crowd. ¡°Miss Elliana Marsh, the genius behind Lonely Sunset! Can you join us on stage? Mr. Wilde¡¯s got something to say.¡±

    Every head swiveled toward Elliana, tucked away in the corner. Hailee yanked at Elliana¡¯s sleeve, buzzing with excitement. ¡°Elliana, they¡¯re calling you up!¡±

    ¡°I heard,¡± Elliana said softly, then rose and walked to the stage, each step steady and sure.

    This was a high-stakespetition, but Elliana kept it low-key, rocking a simple ck tracksuit. Paige, by contrast, was decked out like she was headed to a g, dripping in a glitzy gown and pricey jewels. Elliana¡¯s outfit was in, her makeup a touch bold, but she owned the room with a fresh, maic presence that had everyone¡¯s eyes glued to her as she moved from her seat to the stage.

    Luca¡¯s gaze never left her, and when she stood before him on the disy stage, his voice shook with barely contained awe. ¡°Is Lonely Sunset really yours?¡±

    ¡°Yup,¡± Elliana said with a calm smile and a nod. ¡°I painted it this afternoon during my live-stream ss. Millions of viewers can back me up, so no need to wonder, Mr. Wilde.¡±

    Luca¡¯s lips trembled, and he stared at her, speechless, for what felt like forever. ¡°Elliana¡­ You¡­¡±

    Elliana got it¡ªLuca had clocked Rosa¡¯s style in her work. Unlike Luciano, who was all talk, Luca knew Rosa¡¯s art inside and out.

    ¡°Mr. Wilde, try not to get too worked up,¡± Elliana said with a gentle smile, hoping to dial him back.

    But Luca was too far gone, his excitement spilling over. Without even ncing at the other judges, he turned to the crowd and dered, ¡°Lonely Sunset is hands-down the winner!¡±

    Luciano shot to his feet, his face stormy with rage. ¡°Mr. Wilde, aren¡¯t you jumping the gun here?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 79

    ?Chapter 79:

    Right now, Luciano had only one thing on his mind¡ªElliana must not win the championship. If she outshined Paige, his name would be dragged through the mud.

    Of course, Luca¡¯s bold deration of Lonely Sunset as the winner broke thepetition rules. ording to the guidelines, judges were supposed to deliberate together and vote before announcing a result.

    Luciano jumped at the loophole and went after Luca without hesitation. Paige, too, didn¡¯t want to see Elliana take the crown. She stood up right after Luciano, her tone sharp and biting. ¡°Mr. Wilde, I¡¯ve always admired your ce in the art world. I never imagined you¡¯d toss aside your principles for personal gain. Tell us, how much did Elliana offer you to make you risk your name and break the rules?¡±

    Paige and Luciano cornered Luca with their usations. He realized he¡¯d gone too far¡ªbut he showed no sign of remorse. Instead, heposed himself and answered calmly. ¡°I apologize for my outburst. I spoke out of excitement. What I said earlier was just my personal opinion. Thepetition will go on as nned.¡±

    But everyone knew¡ªthose words were as good as casting a vote.

    After that, Luca turned to Elliana. His tone softened, his eyes sincere. ¡°With my level of skill, I¡¯m not qualified to vote on your work¡­ What made you suddenly decide to enter the Starry Oil Painting Competition?¡±

    The audience stirred. They couldn¡¯t understand why Luca, usually reserved and proud, was now so humble before Elliana.

    ¡°Mr. Wilde is known for his integrity. He never tters anyone. What¡¯s going on?¡±

    ¡°Even if he likes her painting, there¡¯s no need to lower himself like this. She¡¯s a neer. He¡¯s a legend.¡±

    No one could make sense of Luca¡¯s sudden change in tone. Luciano and Paige were just as confused¡ªand furious.

    Luciano, who had always disliked Luca, could barely keep his cool. His jaw tightened, and anger boiled beneath his skin. ¡°What¡¯s gotten into Luca?¡± he muttered under his breath.

    ???????????? §ã?¦Á?????????? ??????????¦Í?????????????

    Paige gave Luciano a side nce, her face clouded with unease. ¡°Mr. Scott, grumbling won¡¯t fix this. We need to stop Luca before he makes things worse.¡±

    Luciano didn¡¯t answer. He took a deep breath and marched toward the stage.

    The host, seeing Luciano approach, quickly introduced him. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, this is Mr. Scott, president of the Calligraphers and Painters Association. He is an expert in oil painting, with numerous awards to his name. Please give a warm wee to Mr. Scott!¡± Apuse followed, though it was lukewarm. Everyone¡¯s focus was still on Luca and Elliana.

    With a grim expression, Luciano took the microphone andunched his attack. ¡°Mr. Wilde, you¡¯ve always presented yourself as a calm and upright man. Today, you¡¯ve made everyone question that. Are you and Elliana more than just judge and contestant?¡±

    Luca didn¡¯t flinch. He didn¡¯t even nce at Luciano. His eyes remained fixed on Elliana, still waiting for her response.

    Being ignored like this stung. Luciano¡¯s pride took a hit. He chuckled coldly and struck even harder. ¡°Everyone knows you and I don¡¯t get along. Still, I¡¯ve always respected your seniority and stayed professional. But today, you¡¯ve crossed a line. If you¡¯re going to disrupt the finals like this, I won¡¯t stand by. Let¡¯s settle this now! Is this really about art¡ªor are you just trying to hurt me by favoring Elliana over my prot¨¦g¨¦, Paige?¡±

    He took a step forward, his voice rising. ¡°You¡¯re a master, a role model for the younger generation. Yet, here you are, misusing your authority out of personal spite. Don¡¯t you feel ashamed?¡±

    The atmosphere thickened. Tension filled the room like smoke.

    The crowd only dared to whisper. No one wanted to step into a fight between two giants. Luca was a respected elder. Luciano held power as president of the Calligraphers and Painters Association. No one wanted to offend either side.

    Seeing Luciano take control of the moment, Paige followed his lead. She lifted the hem of her gown and walked onto the stage. But unlike Luciano¡¯s sharp tone, she yed the victim. ¡°Mr. Wilde, if this is what it takes to ease your tension with Mr. Scott, then I¡¯m willing to step down from thepetition¡­¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 80

    ?Chapter 80:

    From a young age, Paige had turned maniption into an art form, wearing manufactured innocence like a tailored gown. Her tears weren¡¯t just convincing¡ªthey were a performance, expertly crafted to tug at every heartstring in the room.

    Whispers of sympathy began to stir, and one by one, the crowd leaned into her side.

    ¡°Mr. Wilde, personal disputes with Mr. Scott are one thing, but dragging them into thispetition is unfair. As a judge, you¡¯re expected to critique with impartiality, not grudges.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Wilde, even if something¡¯s gone sour between you and Mr. Scott, know that Paige doesn¡¯t deserve the fallout. She just became Mr. Scott¡¯s disciple today¡ªdon¡¯t let your conflict overshadow her chance.¡±

    Seeing the atmosphere shift in her favor, Paige¡¯s heart danced with satisfaction, though she kept her expression wounded and gently touched her dampshes with the edge of a tissue.

    Luca, who had neverpromised his principles, could barely contain his fury. His jaw clenched, and a line of veins red up his temple as he stared Paige and Luciano down. He gave Luciano a hard, frigid stare and said in a steady, low voice, ¡°I don¡¯t care for you. But that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m here to pick a fight or twist the truth just to spite you. If you¡¯re curious about why I chose Ms. Marsh¡¯s painting, then go see it for yourself.¡±

    With that, Luca shifted to the side, making space for Luciano, and pointed at Elliana¡¯s painting. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say Rosa was your muse? Then go on. See it for yourself.¡±

    The mention of Rosa¡¯s name hit Luciano like a cold wind. He didn¡¯t know where Luca was going with this, but his gut told him it wasn¡¯t headed anywhere good. Still, with eyes watching from every direction, he couldn¡¯t afford to flinch. He stepped forward, forcingposure, and turned his attention to Elliana¡¯s Lonely Sunset.

    Back during the live ss, Luciano had barely given Elliana¡¯s work a nce. It was decent, maybe even impressive¡ªbut he¡¯d mocked it anyway, hiding behind the excuse of being honest while really just ying to the cameras. But this time, Elliana¡¯s painting was a finalist. It wasn¡¯t some throwaway disy anymore. He had to show at least a pretense of serious critique.

    Luciano pretended to admire the artwork for a moment, then straightened up with the smug confidence of a self-proimed expert and said with exaggerated ir¡­

    ???????????? §ã???¦Ñ???????? ??¦Á??????¦Í??????©q?????

    ¡°Elliana¡¯s piece has its strengths, sure, but when ced beside Paige¡¯s, it clearly doesn¡¯t measure up.¡±

    Once heid down his critique, he turned to Elliana, wearing the kind of expression meant to pass as wise and well-meaning. ¡°Elliana, I did call you out during the live session this afternoon, but it wasn¡¯t without cause. You treat your instructor and the craft itself too lightly. Without genuine respect for both, even a good painting won¡¯t take you very far. What I said wasn¡¯t meant to tear you down. It was simply guidance, one artist trying to steer another in the right direction. There¡¯s no need for resentment, is there?¡±

    Elliana couldn¡¯t hide the amusement curling at her lips. If he wanted to keep up the charade, she was more than happy to let him. The further he went, the harder he¡¯d fall.

    A scornfulugh escaped Luca before he could stop it. He no longer had doubts¡ªLuciano clearly knew nothing about oil painting. Anyone with real knowledge wouldn¡¯tpare Paige¡¯s Riding the Waves to Elliana¡¯s Lonely Sunset, let alone call the former superior.

    Another truth settled in Luca¡¯s mind¡ªLuciano¡¯s admiration for Rosa was nothing but an empty im. If Luciano genuinely admired Rosa¡¯s work, he wouldn¡¯t overlook the distinct traces of Rosa¡¯s influence in Elliana¡¯s Lonely Sunset. Even if he couldn¡¯t name the artist right away, he should¡¯ve at least noticed how closely it mirrored Rosa¡¯s style. Luca¡¯s disdain deepened with every breath. To think that the president of the Calligraphers and Painters Association was nothing more than a fraud¡ªit was both ridiculous and revolting.

    ¡°Tell me, Luciano. Did you actually look at Ms. Marsh¡¯s Lonely Sunset, or were you just pretending again?¡± Luca asked, his voice sharp.

    The moment Luca pressed him, dread wed at Luciano¡¯s spine. He hated being cornered like this¡ªunder scrutiny, with sweat trickling down his back, terrified of slipping up in front of a crowd that wouldn¡¯t miss a beat.

    Wanting to avoid further scrutiny, Luciano pulled a long face and snapped, ¡°Mr. Wilde, must you insist on challenging me like this?¡±

    ¡°Ha!¡± A single, bitingugh shot from Luca¡¯s throat.

    With a chilling smirk, Luca said, ¡°Luciano, a hypocritical scoundrel like you isn¡¯t worth my time!¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Luciano was seething, his chest rising sharply as his face contorted with fury. ¡°Mr. Wilde, I¡¯ve held back out of respect for your reputation and seniority in the art world. But don¡¯t test my patience, or I won¡¯t bother with pleasantries next time!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not interested in your so-called pleasantries,¡± Luca retorted. ¡°You think Paige¡¯s piece deserves praise? Fine. Let¡¯s see what the rest of the panel thinks.¡±

    As sparks flew between the two titans, the host stood frozen¡ªcaught between awe and panic, unsure whether to interrupt or let the storm y out.

    Snapping out of his daze at Luca¡¯s cue, the host scrambled to regain control, ushering the other judges forward to cast their votes.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 81

    ?Chapter 81:

    The entire panel of judges, much like Luca, were devoted enthusiasts of oil painting. They shared his peculiar passion. In their world, prestige and social ties held little sway¡ªwhat truly mattered was the art itself.

    That was why no one cared that Luciano was the president of the Calligraphers and Painters Association, or that Paige had connections to Merritt. All that mattered was which painting genuinely stood apart.

    Therefore, when Luca expressed such unrestrained admiration for Lonely Sunset, the other judges took notice. One by one, they drifted toward the piece, their eyes narrowing with curiosity and quiet reverence.

    Rosa was a legend¡ªan innovator whose work these judges had studied for decades. And Lonely Sunset carried echoes of her unmistakable style. It seemed likely Elliana was a devoted student of Rosa¡¯s craft, perhaps emting her technique in admiration. That might¡¯ve been what first captured Luca¡¯s attention¡ªwhat left him so awestruck.

    But as the judges brought out their magnifying sses and subjected the painting to close inspection, a hush fell over the room. ¡°Hold on¡­ This can¡¯t be,¡± one of them murmured, voice wavering.

    They exchanged astonished looks and then turned as one to face Elliana.

    These were not just any judges¡ªthey were some of the most respected authorities in oil painting, regrly called upon to authenticate masterpieces. And now, each of them had arrived at the same, almost unthinkable conclusion. It was an original Rosa. Since Elliana had painted it live¡ªon camera¡ªthere was only one possible exnation. Elliana was Rosa.

    What followed was nothing short of surreal. Just like Luca, the rest of the judges surged toward Elliana, their expressions a blend of awe and exhration as they bowed with deep reverence. They echoed Luca¡¯s question with near breathless wonder. ¡°What inspired you to submit a piece to the Starry Oil Painting Competition?¡±

    Thepetition was meant for rising talents¡ªfor neers. For Rosa, a globally celebrated master, to enter such a contest was inconceivable. It was like a world champion stepping into a local amateur ring. The idea was so oundish that it defied logic. The judges¡¯ reverent reaction sent the audience into a frenzy.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    L?????????? §ã????????????? ??¦Á?n??¦Í??????£®?????

    ¡°What¡¯s so special about Elliana¡¯s painting?¡±

    ¡°Why are they treating her like royalty?¡±

    Confusion rippled through the crowd, but no one was more lost than Luciano. The sense of being utterly in the dark gnawed at him like a parasite. Frustration overtook him, shattering his carefully curated poise. ¡°What the hell are you old geezers doing?¡± he bellowed, abandoning all sense of decorum.

    Gasps echoed throughout the hall. No one could believe what they were witnessing¡ªLuciano, usuallyposed and dignified, reduced to an angry, red-faced caricature.

    Luca scoffed and turned away, letting him unravel in public without a shred of sympathy.

    The other judges saw it clearly now. Luciano wasn¡¯t just clueless about oil painting¡ªhe was a fraud. He had been abusing his title, stifling true talent while elevating his own prot¨¦g¨¦s. This kind of petty tyrant was everything they despised. Luca¡¯s earlier disdain now made perfect sense.

    With unspoken agreement, the judges turned their backs on Luciano, and though Luciano burned with the need to understand what was happening, their silence was deafening¡ªintentional, calcted, and absolute.

    ¡°You¡­ You¡¯ve crossed the line!¡± Luciano choked on his own fury, his jaw clenched so tightly that it looked ready to snap. His hands trembled at his sides, veins bulging, face flushed an rming crimson¡ªhe was moments from imploding.

    Surrounded by the cold, imprable silence of the judges, Luciano exploded, ¡°You dare insult me¡ªthe president of the Calligraphers and Painters Association? Then you insult every artist under its banner! This is outright insolence. Do you all want to be cklisted from the art world?¡±

    The room held its breath, but Paige saw opportunity in the chaos. With Luciano unraveling in real time, she slid in like a vulture sensing weakness, her expression painted with faux concern. ¡°Please,¡± she said sweetly, cing a steadying hand on Luciano¡¯s arm, her voice just loud enough to carry. ¡°Let¡¯s not make a scene.¡±

    Then, she pivoted, eyes shing as she faced the judges, her voice suddenly razor-sharp. ¡°I¡¯m shocked. Truly. I never thought the Starry Oil Painting Competition¡ªa ce where rising talent could shine¡ªwould be this tainted. An entire panel reduced to puppets, bought off to champion a fraud.¡±

    She didn¡¯t say Elliana¡¯s name. She didn¡¯t need to. The usation hung in the air like smoke from a fire everyone could smell.

    ¡°You, the revered pirs of this industry, falling over yourselves for some no-name. Or is it because she has the Evans family pulling strings behind the curtain?¡± In Paige¡¯s mind, the final blow hadnded.

    She pictured headlines, scandal, Elliana¡¯s reputation in tatters.

    But reality didn¡¯t bend to her narrative.

    The judges didn¡¯t flinch. These weren¡¯t amateurs easily rattled by cheap theatrics¡ªthey were titans, long weathered against storms far more vicious than this.

    They looked at her not with anger, but with quiet disbelief. And something worse¡ªpity.

    A slow, amused grin crept across Luca¡¯s face as he stepped forward, his voice a velvet dagger. ¡°The only fraud in this room is Luciano.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 82

    ?Chapter 82:

    Luca¡¯stest jab hit its mark, and Luciano¡¯s patience snapped, his rage rising like a tide ready to crash. ¡°Luca! What is that supposed to mean? How exactly am I the fraud here?¡±

    Luca didn¡¯t flinch. He lifted a brow, voice drenched in sarcasm. ¡°Come on, Luciano. You know exactly what you pulled. Why act dumb now?¡±

    While Luciano seethed, barely keeping himself together, Luca lounged in ce, unbothered and smug. Luca¡¯s taunting stare bore down on Luciano like a weight, making it harder to breathe with each second.

    Luciano shifted ufortably. Had the truth slipped through, exposing his act? Impossible. He¡¯d covered every angle¡ªno one could¡¯ve found out! The ghost painter he controlled was paralyzed with fear, far too scared to ever expose him.

    Just as Luciano tried to steady his racing thoughts, Elliana spoke in an even, unshaken tone. ¡°People keep asking why I decided to join the Starry Oil Painting Competition. The answer¡¯s simple¡ªI refuse to stay silent while frauds in the art world keep lying to the public and abusing their influence.¡±

    A murmur of confusion spread through the crowd, but the judges exchanged knowing looks¡ªthey understood immediately.

    Luca let out a heavy breath. ¡°You always kept your distance from Ublento¡¯s art circle. I hate that its filth is what finally pulled you in.¡± The other judges gave solemn nods, their faces tight with embarrassment. ¡°It never urred to us that you¡¯d be the one forced to clean up the mess guing Ublento¡¯s art world¡­¡±

    Seeing these revered judges bow their heads to Elliana, the crowd exchanged baffled looks, struggling toprehend the shift. Was this the same Elliana who¡¯d once been cast aside as worthless? When had she be a figure these titans of art treated with deference?

    Luciano, cornered and unraveling, lost his grip and hissed at the judges, ¡°Enough with your cryptic games, you old fools! If you¡¯ve got something to say, say it!¡±

    The judges answered as one, their eyes sharp with contempt.

    Luca let out a derisive snort. ¡°Luciano, the truth is right there in Lonely Sunset. If you can¡¯t recognize it, then there¡¯s only one exnation¡ªyou¡¯ve never understood oil painting at all. You¡¯re aplete fraud.¡±

    ???????????? §ã???¦Ñ???????? g???????¦Í??????[.]?????

    The crowd burst into chaos.

    ¡°Hold on¡ªwhat? Luciano knows nothing about oil painting?¡±

    ¡°But he¡¯s won dozens of awards!¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s the president of the Calligraphers and Painters Association! He¡¯s supposed to be a master! What the hell is Luca saying?¡±

    ¡°Luca pointed to Lonely Sunset¡ªbut what answer is he even talking about?¡±

    The growing murmurs swept through the crowd like a tide, prickling down Luciano¡¯s spine.

    Noticing the shift, Paige gently released Luciano¡¯s sleeve and inched backward, quietly creating space between them as if distancing herself from a crumbling monument.

    A voice suddenly rang out from the crowd¡ªsharp, impatient. ¡°Mr. Wilde, what is it? Just spit it out already and end the suspense!¡±

    ¡°Come on, out with it already!¡±

    Luca flicked a nce at Elliana. When she gave no sign to stop him, he stepped forward and dered, ¡°The answer is simple. Lonely Sunset is an original Rosa piece.¡±

    The crowd exploded¡ªlouder, more chaotic than ever.

    ¡°What the hell?¡±

    ¡°Wait¡ªhold on. If Lonely Sunset is a Rosa original, and we all saw Elliana paint it, does that mean Elliana is Rosa?¡±

    ¡°No way! This is unreal! How does aplete nobody suddenly turn into a legend?¡±

    The audience¡¯s reaction was electric. Luciano and Paige stood rooted to the spot, faces nk with shock.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding!¡± Paige broke the silence first, yelling over the uproar. ¡°Elliana¡¯s been rotting away in some dusty shed behind the Jones family¡¯s house! She¡¯s a dropout who¡¯s never touched a paintbrush in a ssroom. There¡¯s no way in hell she¡¯s Rosa!¡±

    The crowd froze, stunned into silence by her outburst.

    Luca responded with aposed smile, ¡°I won¡¯t specte on how Ms. Marsh came to be Rosa, but I¡¯ll dly stake my reputation on this¡ªLonely Sunset is undeniably a Rosa original.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re in full agreement. There¡¯s no doubt Lonely Sunset was painted by Rosa,¡± the other judges chimed in, their voices steady and certain. The crowd stirred again, a wave of murmurs spreading as excitement reignited.

    ¡°Every single judge confirmed it¡ªElliana really is Rosa!¡±

    ¡°No way! That girl the Jones family always called worthless turned out to be a world-ss artist?¡±

    ¡°My daughter absolutely adores Rosa¡ªshe¡¯s obsessed!¡±

    Elliana didn¡¯t move, her gaze fixed on Luciano with a half-smile that shimmered with quiet triumph.

    Luciano still hadn¡¯t recovered from the blow.

    Elliana¡¯s voice cut through the silence like a de. ¡°Mr. Scott, you¡¯ve gone on and on about how I¡¯m your favorite artist. So why is it that you couldn¡¯t recognize one of my paintings?¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 83

    ?Chapter 83:

    Luciano¡¯s mind was a storm of static¡ªthoughts collided, fragmented, and then vanished before he could grasp them. He could see, hear, feel everything, but none of it made sense. His body stood frozen, his brain adrift in fog. He stared at Elliana like she was an illusion. Her? This in, forgettable woman was Rosa¡ªthe legendary Rosa he had worshipped from afar, name-dropped in speeches, and exalted as the pinnacle of artistic brilliance? Unthinkable. How could someone like Elliana be the same person whose work had hung in international galleries, whose brushstrokes had inspired movements?

    Luciano reeled. His years in the art world meant nothing now. He hadn¡¯t painted a thing in his life, yet had wed his way up to the presidency of the Calligraphers and Painters Association through charm, ttery, and carefully chosen alliances. Not talent. Never talent. And now, all of it was crashing down.

    If he had known from the beginning¡ªif he had even suspected Elliana was Rosa¡ªhe would¡¯ve bowed at her feet, flung open doors for her, begged to be her apprentice. Just one nod from her could¡¯ve inted his reputation tenfold. His status, his power, his reach¡ªit would¡¯ve all soared. But instead, he¡¯d insulted her. Mocked her. Rejected her work with smug contempt. He hadn¡¯t missed an opportunity. He¡¯d set fire to the very bridge that could have carried him to immortality in the art world. And it was all Paige¡¯s fault.

    Fury simmered beneath his shock. He had backed Paige to cozy up to Merritt¡¯s wealth and influence. He had imagined cash flowing in, exhibitions in his name, his legacy carved in gold. Instead, he was standing in the wreckage¡ªhumiliated, exposed, and circling the drain. His presidency? As good as gone. His standing in the art world? Shattered. Worse than being ruined, he was on the verge of bing a punchline¡ªa cautionary tale whispered at galleries and gs, a fallen fraudughed out of every room he entered.

    Though Luciano¡¯s thoughts were screaming copse, his pride refused to yield. His voice, sharp and defiant, cut through the tension. ¡°There¡¯s no way this nobody is Rosa! This is a setup¡ªyou¡¯re all conspiring to make me look like a fool!¡±

    The judges had confirmed, without hesitation, that Elliana was none other than Rosa, the elusive icon of the oil painting world.

    Paige, struck by the weight of it, staggered backward, her knees nearly buckling. She gripped the edge of the table for bnce, wide-eyed, and then turned her gaze to Luciano. She silently begged him to pull out ast-minute miracle. Anything.

    ??????????? §ã???¦Ñ???????? ??????????????????©q?????

    But Luciano looked anything butposed. Desperation clung to him like sweat as heshed out, wild-eyed and cornered. ¡°What proof do you even have that Elliana is Rosa?¡± he shouted, his voice cracking. ¡°You can¡¯t just p a legendary name on some random amateur and expect us to swallow it!¡±

    To the audience below, the scene was equal parts surreal and pathetic. The Starry Oil Painting Competition¡¯s judging panel wasn¡¯t just a group of experts¡ªit was a cross-section of the Ublento art establishment. Their authority was irond. Since they said Elliana was Rosa, then she was Rosa.

    Luciano¡¯s outburst wasn¡¯t righteous indignation. It was a tantrum. A drowning man iling in public. The judges didn¡¯t even bother replying. Their silence said it all¡ªhe wasn¡¯t worth the energy.

    That was when Clement rose. ¡°Let me verify the authenticity!¡±

    A murmur rippled through the crowd as Clement stepped forward.

    The Starry Oil Painting Competition was the museum¡¯s crown jewel, and Clement had attended every final round since its inception. He¡¯d expected tonight to be just like any other¡ªanointing fresh talent, celebrating youthful ambition. What he hadn¡¯t expected was all the drama that was unfolding before him.

    Hearing Elliana¡¯s name spoken¡ªconfirmed by the panel as Rosa¡ªhad nearly made Clement drop his ss. He¡¯d needed a moment. Several, in fact, to wrap his head around what he¡¯d just heard. Finally, he snapped out of his shock.

    Dressed in a crisp ck suit and tie, Clement exuded a quiet authority. Each step he took toward the stage was deliberate, heavy with expectation.

    Everyone knew Clement was a devoted Rosa schr. He had studied her works obsessively, analyzing her brushwork, color choices, even the way she signed her name. If anyone could speak on the authenticity of Lonely Sunset, it was him.

    Reaching the stage, Clement gave Elliana a polite nod, greeted the judges with professional reverence, and epted the mic from the stunned host. Then, he turned to Luciano, voice calm and precise. ¡°If I personally verify Lonely Sunset, will you ept the result, Mr. Scott?¡± Clement¡¯s neutrality gave his words weight. He had no stake in this scandal¡ªonly a devotion to truth and art.

    Luciano, sensing the room closing in, gave a hasty nod. ¡°Fine. Yes.¡±

    ¡°Good,¡± Clement replied, allowing a small, knowing smile to tug at the corner of his lips. He then turned to the crowd. ¡°Anyone here object to me taking the lead on this?¡±

    ¡°No objections!¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s hear it, Mr. Morgan! Give us the truth!¡±

    The audience erupted in encouragement. They trusted Clement. If he gave the word, it would be final.

    With a nod of acknowledgment, Clement turned to Lonely Sunset. He approached the painting with reverence, as though he were standing before a sacred relic. Then, like the judges before him, he produced a magnifying ss from his coat pocket and leaned in. He began his examination¡ªinch by inch, stroke by stroke.

    The room held its breath. No one dared to speak. Even the smallest sound felt like an interruption.

    Clement took his time. He wasn¡¯t rushing for drama¡ªthis was how he worked. Thorough. Precise. Meticulous. And then, finally, he straightened.

    The pause was unbearable. Anticipation tightened like a noose.

    The entire hall waited, but Clement didn¡¯t speak. Not right away.

    Instead, he ced the magnifying ss down with careful precision, then adjusted the cuffs of his suit jacket and smoothed back his neatlybed hair¡­

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 84

    ?Chapter 84:

    Once heposed himself, Clement turned to Elliana, his posture crisp, voice steady. He bowed his head slightly and said, ¡°Rosa, thank you for gracing the Starry Oil Painting Competition with your presence. It¡¯s an honor¡ªfor this museum, and for the art world.¡±

    His deration echoed like a final verdict. There was no room left for debate. No cracks left to pry open.

    The crowd didn¡¯t erupt this time. Instead, they murmured with quiet awe, heads nodding as though they¡¯d known all along.

    ¡°Knew it. No way a panel like that would mess up.¡±

    ¡°Since even Clement confirmed it, Luciano¡¯s got nothing left to say.¡±

    On the sidelines, Paige¡¯sst flicker of hope died. Jealousy burned like acid in her chest. Elliana was actually Rosa? She couldn¡¯t ept it¡ªit felt like a cosmic joke. But there was nothing she could say. No move left to make. Her voice would only betray the panic rising in her throat.

    Meanwhile, Luciano looked like a man who had aged a decade in a minute. Gone was the bluster, the pomp. Hisplexion was ghostly, lips pressed into a thin, bloodless line. The fall from power had stripped him bare, and the crowd could see it¡ªhow small he truly was beneath the titles and bravado.

    Luciano stumbled backward, like the weight of the moment had knocked the breath out of him. Then, with onest gasp of pride, he raised his head and spat venom toward Elliana. ¡°You hid who you were on purpose, didn¡¯t you?¡± he shouted. ¡°You couldn¡¯t stand me basking in your glory, so you strung me along just to humiliate me. Some legend you are, Rosa¡ªpetty and vindictive!¡±

    Elliana, mid-conversation with Clement, slowly turned to Luciano. Her smile was razor-thin and cold as frost. ¡°Luciano,¡± she said, her voice calm butced with steel, ¡°whether you were a fan or a parasite doesn¡¯t matter to me. I¡¯m not here to cater to egos¡ªor clean up your mess.¡± Her voice wasn¡¯t raised, but it struck like a hammer¡ªmeasured, controlled, and unshakably firm.

    ¡°What bothers me,¡± Elliana said, her eyes locked on Luciano, ¡°isn¡¯t that you climbed thedder. It¡¯s how you did it. Pretending to understand art, rigging awards, and then shing those credentials to secure the top spot in the Calligraphers and Painters Association.¡± She took a step forward, unblinking. ¡°You¡¯ve used that position to crush fresh talent, silence innovation, and polish your ego with other people¡¯s work. Normally, I wouldn¡¯t care. Your dirty games didn¡¯t¡­¡±

    ¡°Touch me. But then you picked a fight you couldn¡¯t win. And I can¡¯t just let that slide.¡±

    ???????????? ¡é???¦Ñ???????? g??????????????£®?????

    Luciano¡¯s pride wouldn¡¯t let him stay silent. Even with his back to the wall, he bristled. ¡°So what if I¡¯m not your fan?¡± he snapped. ¡°Yeah, I pulled some strings and yed the system. Who hasn¡¯t? Don¡¯t you dare say I don¡¯t know art, I¡¯ve won awards!¡±

    Elliana arched an eyebrow, amused at his defiance. ¡°Oh, right¡ªGolden ins, wasn¡¯t it?¡± she said coolly. ¡°That was your magnum opus. How about you recreate just a portion of it? Nothing fancy. Just enough to prove you painted it.¡±

    Luca chuckled, sensing blood. ¡°Excellent idea. Let¡¯s see those legendary brushstrokes in action, Mr. Scott. We¡¯re all eager for a little live demonstration.¡±

    Clement, catching on, gestured to the crew. In moments, a fresh canvas, oils, and brushes wereid out center stage. It was checkmate.

    Luciano stiffened, his pulse thudding in his ears. He hadn¡¯t seen thising¡ªhow quickly the tide had turned. Surrounded, exposed, and under the spotlight. Every award he¡¯d ever unted was the work of hired talent. If he so much as touched that canvas, the farce would copse in front of the entire art world.

    Luciano didn¡¯t move. Seconds dragged like hours.

    Luca tilted his head with mock concern. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? You were so proud a minute ago. Cat got your brush?¡±

    And then¡ªjust as the silence thickened¡ªa figure in a ck hoodie stepped calmly onto the stage.

    Elliana¡¯s expression shifted. Recognition red in her eyes. Back during the afternoon¡¯s livestreamed workshop¡ªright after Luciano had stormed off in a rage¡ªthis same man had returned, like he wanted to reveal some secrets to her, but something had stopped him. He¡¯d vanished again before saying a word.

    But now, with the spotlight burning and the stakes sky-high, the man strode onto the stage with purpose in his steps and something heavy in his eyes.

    The moment Luciano caught sight of the man, his expression curdled into panic. ¡°Ethan! You better think twice. You open your mouth, and you¡¯ll regret it.¡±

    Ethan Brooks halted mid-step, caught in the heat of Luciano¡¯s re and threat. His lips parted, but no words came. He looked like a man wrestling with a decision that could crack his entire world open.

    Clement stepped forward with practiced calm. ¡°And you are?¡±

    Before Ethan could answer, someone in the crowd blurted, ¡°That¡¯s Luciano¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦!¡±

    Ethan¡¯s face twisted in disgust. ¡°I am not his prot¨¦g¨¦!¡± he snapped, his voice cracking with emotion. ¡°He used me. Forced me to go along with his scams. Everything about him is a lie!¡±

    The words exploded across the room, sending shockwaves through the audience. Whispers erupted instantly.

    Clement offered Ethan a mic, his voice steady. ¡°You¡¯ve got the floor now. No one here¡¯s going to silence you¡ªnot with the whole art world watching. Say what you came to say.¡±

    Luciano¡¯s face turned to stone. ¡°You want to ruin your life, Ethan? Go ahead.¡±

    That venomced threat made Ethan visibly recoil. For a breathless moment, it looked like he might fold. But then¡ªslowly¡ªEthan raised the mic. His hand was trembling, but his eyes had hardened with resolve.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 85

    ?Chapter 85:

    As soon as Ethan lifted the mic, silence swept through the room¡ªevery face turned toward him, expectant.

    Ethan drew in a slow, steadying breath before letting the words pour out. ¡°A decade ago, I walked out of Ublento Art Academy as the top graduate. Rosa was my hero. I had big dreams, ready to shake up the art world¡ªuntil that scumbag Luciano blindsided me. Luciano was nothing at the time. Just a glorified security guard at the academy, barely literate. But he conned his way into my life, got close to my sister, then kidnapped her and took disgusting, ckmail-worthy photos.¡±

    Ethan¡¯s voice faltered, his jaw tense as he fought to keep hisposure.

    Gasps rippled through the crowd like a wave of disbelief.

    ¡°Wait¡ªLuciano was only a guard? No college degree at all?¡±

    ¡°He kidnapped a girl? Took ckmail photos? That¡¯s beyond messed up.¡±

    ¡°And he fooled everyone into thinking he was a brilliant artist? What a sick fraud!¡±

    The color drained from Paige¡¯s cheeks as the whispers closed in, her breath catching in her throat. She stood frozen, her mind reeling. The man she¡¯d bowed to, ttered, and treated like a legend¡ªjust a damn security guard in disguise? The absurdity of it all mmed into her like a punch, and her face flushed hot with shame. Luciano had strung her along like some gullible fool, and now the world had front-row seats to her humiliation.

    Paige leveled a seething re at Luciano, jaw locked, every muscle in her face tight with fury.

    But Luciano wasn¡¯t even looking her way¡ªhe was too busy calcting his escape, drowning in panic, and blind to the wreckage he¡¯d left behind.

    Clement picked up on Luciano¡¯s unease and discreetly motioned to security. Guards moved into position, sealing off every exit from the stage. Luciano was cornered, with nowhere left to run.

    Ethan took a breath to steady his voice and pressed on. ¡°Luciano threatened to expose those photos unless I painted for him in secret. If I refused, he swore he¡¯d leak them and destroy my sister¡¯s future. She was only sixteen. I couldn¡¯t let that happen. So I agreed. Every masterpiece he bragged about? That was my work. For a decade, I painted in the shadows while he soaked up the glory.¡±

    ???????????? ????¦Ñ???????? ?????n??¦Í????????????

    I didn¡¯t just paint while Luciano reaped the glory and rose through the ranks of the Calligraphers and Painters Association¡ªhe also tormented me behind the scenes, treating me like filth beneath his boots. What cut deeper than the abuse was how he twisted something sacred. He knew how much Rosa meant to me¡ªhow her brushwork shaped my own¡ªand he faked devotion to her legacy just to cash in.

    Luciano didn¡¯t just ruin my life¡ªhe dragged my sister down with me. Watching him exploit my idol for his dirty schemes made my skin crawl. I can¡¯t stay silent any longer. Rosa¡¯s paintings were the onlyfort I had in those bleak years¡ªher art kept me breathing through night after night of despair.

    Atst, Elliana understood why Ethan had lingered near the livestream¡¯s end, torn between speaking up and walking away. Ethan had probably seen Lonely Sunset and finally put the pieces together¡ªshe was Rosa. He¡¯d nearly intended to confess everything but lost his nerve, still haunted by Luciano¡¯s grip on him through those damning photos.

    Hearing Ethan say her art had saved him¡ªit struck something tender and aching in Elliana¡¯s heart.

    ¡°You stayed silent for ten whole years. What changed today?¡± Elliana asked softly.

    Ethan stared at her, reverence clouded by sorrow in his gaze. ¡°Because my sister just died.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Gasps rippled through the room. The crowd and everyone on stage froze¡ªstaggered, silent, devastated.

    Ethan¡¯s voice cracked as he fought to keep it together. ¡°Luciano¡¯s kidnapping shattered her. After what he did with those photos, she was never the same. Her health spiraled. Then this morning, the doctor called. She didn¡¯t make it.¡±

    ¡°She¡­¡± Ethan copsed to his knees, shoulders heaving. ¡°She would¡¯ve turned twenty-six today.¡±

    Ethan¡¯s wails echoed through the room, wrenching sobs from the crowd.

    ¡°You monster, Luciano!¡± One man shot to his feet, seething, and hurled an object straight at Luciano.

    That broke the dam¡ªoutrage surged through the crowd as they flung anything within reach, their fury erupting in a storm of vengeance. Luciano scrambled across the stage, flinching and dodging like a cornered rat in a circus ring.

    Paige shrank into a corner as the uproar intensified. None of the flying objects were meant for her, yet the shame clung to her just as fiercely as it did to Luciano.

    ¡°Please¡ªeveryone, calm down! I¡¯ve already notified the police!¡± Clement¡¯s voice boomed over the frenzy.

    Momentster, the police stormed in and escorted Luciano off the premises.

    The chaos subsided, but as thepetition resumed, all eyes turned on Paige¡ªresentful, using. Just like that, she became the crowd¡¯s new target.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 86

    ?Chapter 86:

    Luciano was hauled off by the police, with Ethan close behind, ready to cooperate in the investigation that was about to rip through the art world¡¯s underbelly.

    The grand event, however, had descended into chaos. The once elegant stage looked like a battlefield. Just minutes earlier, the furious crowd had erupted into a frenzy, hurling anything they could get their hands on¡ªsoda bottles, half-eaten apples, even a lone sneaker. It was open season on Luciano.

    But the most wild part? Someone had thrown a diamond ring! Elliana stared at it where it hadnded, glittering on the floor like a defiant symbol of excess. Whoever tossed that must¡¯ve had money to burn.

    After the storm passed, Clement took the mic, calm andposed, his voice anchoring the room. ¡°I know you¡¯re angry¡ªand rightly so,¡± he said, sweeping his gaze across the furious audience. ¡°But we can¡¯t let one fraud ruin what thispetition stands for. The show must go on.¡±

    His words hit home. Heads nodded in agreement. These weren¡¯t just spectators¡ªthey were oil painting fanatics, drawn here by the promise of brilliance. Especially now, with Rosa¡¯s identity revealed and her masterpiece on full disy, no one wanted the night to end in scandal. Some were already gearing up to bid on Elliana¡¯s Lonely Sunset. This wasn¡¯t just a painting. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Rosa¡¯s work rarely hit the market¡ªand when it did, even money couldn¡¯t always secure it.

    But as thepetition resumed, there was one more entry left to face judgment. Paige¡¯s Riding the Waves was next. And the room, still charged with energy, turned to watch her.

    After settling the crowd, Clement turned sharply to the corner of the stage, where Paige hovered like a shadow trying to disappear. ¡°Miss Jones,¡± he said, calm yetmanding, ¡°please step to the center.¡± The spotlight shifted. So did the target of the fury. Until now, the crowd had been too focused on Luciano to notice Paige. But with Clement¡¯s simple call, their anger swung her way.

    ¡°Paige is no different from Luciano!¡±

    ¡°Throw her out too! They were in it together!¡±

    ??????????? ????¦Ñ???????? ?????????¦Í????????????

    The bacsh hit like a wave, and Paige felt herself drowning in it. Her jaw clenched. She wanted to scream. This wasn¡¯t fair. She wasn¡¯t Luciano¡¯sckey. At least, that wasn¡¯t how she saw it.

    They¡¯d just used each other for leverage¡ªmutual maniption, not mentorship. Yet, here she was, dragged into the mes alongside him. Resentment surged in¡­

    Her chest tightened. What burned most was the memory of being tricked into bowing three times to that ridiculous wax statue of Elliana. If she had known who Rosa really was, she would¡¯ve rather bowed to a pile of trash. Now, as she lifted her gaze, she caught Elliana¡¯s expression¡ªamused,posed, almost smug.

    That look scraped across Paige¡¯s pride like a de. The shame was unbearable. Hot tears welled up and spilled before she could stop them.

    ¡°I know you¡¯re angry,¡± she said, her voice shaking, barely above a whisper.

    ¡°But don¡¯t turn on me. Luciano fooled me too. I didn¡¯t know¡­¡±

    She broke off, choking back sobs. ¡°I¡¯m just¡ªjust another victim.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right! Don¡¯t gang up on Paige!¡± Haley¡¯s voice rang out as she stepped forward, shielding Paige. ¡°Luciano was brought in by the organizers to hype up Ublento¡¯s art scene. Paige only trained under him because she¡¯s passionate about painting! What¡¯s she done that warrants this hate? Luciano¡¯s the real viin here¡ªPaige got caught in the storm.¡±

    Her logic seemed solid, and for a beat, the crowd mulled it over. There¡¯d never been much chatter linking Paige and Luciano before today.

    The crowd¡¯s fury began to flicker out, like a fire starved of oxygen.

    Sensing the shift, Paige exhaled a sigh of relief discreetly, swiped away her tears, and stepped in close to Elliana with a forced grin. She wrapped her arm through Elliana¡¯s, striking a sisterly pose. ¡°Elliana, I¡¯m shocked! You¡¯re Rosa? That¡¯s incredible! I¡¯m so proud! As your sister, I mean it from the heart. You¡¯ve got to teach me your secrets now¡ªwe¡¯re family, right? You can¡¯t say no!¡±

    Elliana gave a sideways smile, thin and unreadable. She had to give Paige credit¡ªthe girl could pivot faster than a weather vane in a hurricane. Just a moment ago, Paige had practically been out for blood. Now Paige was clinging to her like a long-lost twin, acting as if the past never happened. Unbelievable.

    Elliana gently slipped her arm free, no words, no fuss¡ªjust quiet dismissal.

    Then, without warning, the massive screen behind the stage flickered to life. A video began to y.

    Luciano, caught on camera, was shown handing a painting over to Merritt in a dim back room. The footage made everything clear¡ªMerritt¡¯s calction, Luciano¡¯s brown-nosing, and worst of all, Paige¡¯s fake-as-hell antics and sly cooperation. The sound was crisp. The actions, damning. Gasps filled the air.

    Seconds ago, the crowd had begun to cool toward Paige. Now? All hell broke loose. Rage poured out like fuel on a me.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 87

    ?Chapter 87:

    ¡°Paige, get off the stage!¡± someone shouted from the crowd.

    The shout pierced the air, and in seconds, the whole crowd had taken up the chant, their voices rising in a unified roar, demanding Paige leave.

    If Luciano¡¯s disgrace hadn¡¯t erupted first, Paige¡¯s forgery might¡¯ve drawn nothing more than smirks and side-eyes. But with tempers already ring, the audience turned vicious.

    Paige¡¯s connection to Merritt¡ªthe city¡¯s notorious underworld leader¡ªusually kept people quiet. No one dared stir up trouble with someone under his protection. But Luciano¡¯s disaster stirred the crowd into such a frenzy that they didn¡¯t care Paige was tied to Merritt¡ªthey just wanted her out, right along with Luciano.

    This was precisely why Elliana had taken down Luciano first¡ªwaiting for him to crash and burn before unleashing the damning video. Every move had been deliberate.

    Paige had tried to sabotage Elliana with The Heiress¡¯ Graduation Trip, but Elliana flipped the whole thing on her, leaving her no exit, no cover.

    The fury in the crowd caught Paigepletely off guard, her back to the on-stage screen and thus oblivious to the video. She¡¯d just finished milking Luciano¡¯s scandal to paint herself as the innocent party¡ªhow had the crowd turned on her so suddenly?

    From the sea of faces, Haley frantically waved both arms, jabbing her finger toward the massive screen lighting up behind Paige.

    Paige froze, slow to register what was happening. But the moment she turned and caught sight of the video, her legs gave out and she copsed onto the stage in a heap. This wasn¡¯t supposed toe out¡ªhow had it leaked? The deal happened inside Merritt¡¯s exclusive club¡ªwho in their right mind would risk leaking that footage? Whoever it was clearly didn¡¯t care about the fallout.

    Her mind reeled, too rattled to make sense of anything. The roar of the crowd gave her no space to breathe. Trash and debris were already flying at the stage.

    ¡°What are you waiting for, Paige? Get off that stage!¡±

    ¡°Get off the damn stage!¡±

    ???????????? §ã??¦Á¦Ñ???????? g??????????????©q?????

    The crowd¡¯s fury surged like a stampede. A few people even lunged for the steps, ready to drag Paige down themselves, but security blocked them just in time¡ªone¡­

    A secondter and she¡¯d have been tackled. Still, the damage was done. Even without a single blow, Paige¡¯s dignity had been torn to shreds.

    Fueled by fury, some people ripped off their reeking socks, jammed them with whatever they could find, andunched them at Paige. Then things got ridiculous: someone¡¯s underwear sailed onto the stage, and more followed.

    Within moments, Paige was drowning in chaos. Her designer gown was soaked in sticky soda, and a rogue stiletto had left a bruise blossoming across her wless makeup. Curled into herself, she trembled violently, hands locked over her head, shrieking in panic.

    Elliana stood back, expression unreadable, as memories surged¡ªevery taunt, every cruel prank Paige had ever thrown her way. Now, it was alling back with interest.

    The judges and Clement just sat there, stone-faced. Art purists to the end, they couldn¡¯t bring themselves to intervene while their beloved arena was defiled by the likes of Paige.

    Paige¡¯s very public downfall served as a thunderous message: no one could w their way to the top with lies and walk away unscathed. When the chaos broke out, Haley immediately dispatched bodyguards to protect Paige, but the crowd was too packed and wild. The bodyguards couldn¡¯t push through and had no choice but to watch her take the full brunt of the fury.

    By the time the bodyguards finally reached her, Paige was a mess¡ªhair matted, makeup streaked, eyes ssy with shock.

    Ever since Merritt had be her godfather, Paige¡¯s confidence had inted beyond reason. She kept up a polished front, but deep down, she believed she was invincible. Backed by Merritt¡¯s influence, she assumed she ruled Ublento. Even the city¡¯s heavyweights would start treating her like royalty, and she would drink it in like it had her name on it. She never imagined her fall would be this brutal¡ªor this public.

    Paralyzed with fear, Paige didn¡¯t resist as the bodyguards grabbed her and rushed her off the stage, shielding her as best they could. Even during the escape, angry crowds kept hurling disgusting trash at her and the bodyguards protecting her.

    The chaos didn¡¯t ease up until Paige and her crew werepletely out of sight. What was supposed to be a refined art venue now looked like a war zone straight out of a busted street fair. Sticky soda streaks clung to walls and floors alike.

    The venue was strewn with a chaotic mess of odds and ends, like a storm had swept through a junk drawer.

    The crowd looked just as foolish in the wake of the chaos.

    One man had gotten so worked up that he lost all sense. Out of things to hurl at Paige, he yanked off his own shirt and lobbed it like a man possessed. But that didn¡¯t cut it¡ªso off came his pants, leaving him strutting around in just his boxers. Good thing Paige had already been dragged out, or he might¡¯ve flung those boxers too in his madness.

    Now, standing in the wreckage and half-naked, the adrenaline drained fast. A chill swept over him as reality hit, and he broke into a panicked sweat.

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    .

    .

 Chapter 88

    ?Chapter 88:

    The real spectacle wasn¡¯t just the guy stripped to his boxers¡ªit was the other one, equally underdressed, grabbing him and shrieking like a lunatic.

    The second guy, clearly furious, had ripped off his own clothes in the heat of the moment. d in nothing but his underwear, he lunged at the first man, screaming and wing like a madman, leaving angry red welts across his chest and back.

    To anyone watching without context, it looked disturbingly intimate.

    During the earlier chaos, the bizarre brawl had gone unnoticed. But now, with Paige gone and the room settling, everyone¡¯s attentionnded squarely on the sight of two nearly naked men locked in a desperate embrace.

    ¡°Oh my God!¡± The crowd gasped, recoiling in horror and confusion.

    ¡°Ahhh!¡± Both men screamed in sync, shoved each other away, and bolted out of the venue like their lives depended on it¡ªhowling the entire way. Laughter and secondhand embarrassment rippled through the room.

    Onstage, Clement wiped a hand across his sweaty brow and shot Elliana a sheepish nce. ¡°Sorry you had to witness that, Rosa.¡±

    Elliana let out a softugh. ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡± She brushed it off, but inside, she was cracking up. When she¡¯d dropped that video, she hadn¡¯t anticipated it would trigger this level of chaos. It was absurd and absolutely hrious.

    Even the judges looked stunned, their faces flushed. This was, without a doubt, the most chaotic day of their professional lives.

    The host stood frozen, clearly at a loss on how to steer the finals back on track.

    Thankfully, Clement stepped forward to take the reins. He surveyed the wreckage of the hall and then forced a smile that barely masked his nerves. ¡°Alright, everyone, let¡¯s take a breath. A couple of idiots tried to steal the spotlight, sure¡ªbut with Rosa here, this is still the brightestpetition we¡¯ve ever had. Please, take your seats.¡± His voice was steady, soothing¡ªlike a breeze that cut through the lingering tension. Slowly, the crowd settled. People exchanged sheepish nces, as if waking from a shared delirium.

    One brave soul sat down. Then another. Before long, the hall had mostly returned to order.

    With the chaos behind them, it was finally time to get back on track¡ªto name the champion and runner-up.

    ??¦Ñ??¦Á?????? ?????? ???? ????????¦Í????????????

    Clement took the mic again, now assuming full hosting duties. He turned toward the judges. ¡°Shall we proceed with selecting the winners?¡±

    The judges gathered briefly before Luca stepped forward as their spokesperson. ¡°Rosa¡¯s oil painting skills are frankly beyond us.

    Evaluating her work feels almost out of ce in thispetition¡­¡± Luca paused, ncing at Elliana, clearly deferring to her decision.

    Elliana spoke up without hesitation. ¡°I never intended topete. I only entered to expose Luciano¡¯s fraud. I¡¯m withdrawing Lonely Sunset from the running. Let the contest y out as it should.¡± The judges let out a collective sigh of relief. A visible wave of relief passed through the judges.

    Clement gave a respectful nod. ¡°Rosa, do you have any advice for thepetition?¡±

    Elliana¡¯s gaze shifted to Riding the Waves, credited to Paige. Her voice was calm but pointed. ¡°The brushwork is unmistakably Ethan¡¯s. He¡¯s been through a lot. Art should be something that helps him heal.¡± The judges exchanged thoughtful looks and nodded in agreement.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Rosa. Even with Paige disqualified, Riding the Waves stays in the running and will be judged fairly. I¡¯ll personally verify the true artist and make sure the prize money ends up in the right hands,¡± Clement assured her.

    Elliana gave a small nod. ¡°Thanks, Clement.¡±

    He waved it off with a modest smile. ¡°Just doing my job. Come on, Rosa¡ªjoin us in the VIP seats for the rest of the show.¡±

    Elliana wasn¡¯t particrly eager to stay. But with Lonely Sunset still on disy, walking out felt like abandonment. So, she epted his invitation and took her seat beside him in the VIP section. With Lonely Sunset officially withdrawn, the rest of thepetition progressed without a hitch.

    After thorough deliberation, the panel unanimously awarded Riding the Waves the top honor at the Starry Oil Painting Competition. Brick Bridge by Bentlee, which had originally ced third, was elevated to runner-up.

    The reshuffle nudged Hailee¡¯s piece from sixth to fifth ce. That boost came with a thirty-thousand-dor bump in prize money¡ªraising her winnings from two hundred to two hundred thirty grand.

    To Hailee, it felt like manna from heaven. Still dazed from the revtion that Elliana was actually Rosa, the unexpected windfall only added to her mental whish.

    But her quiet meltdown went unnoticed¡ªovershadowed by the bigger headline.

    Just as the final apuse settled, someone from the audience stood and shouted, ¡°Rosa, I¡¯ll give thirty million for Lonely Sunset! Will you sell it?¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 89

    ?Chapter 89:

    Rosa¡¯s paintings were the stuff of legend¡ªexceptionally rare and fiercely coveted. Besides two early pieces floating around, there was nothing else out there. Her focus had long shifted to jewelry and fashion, leaving the art world starving for her canvas pieces. That scarcity drove collectors wild.

    Lonely Sunset was a jewel in its own right. Still, since Elliana had painted it quickly during a livestream workshop, some collectors assumed itcked the refined depth of her earlier masterpieces. The man who opened the bidding thought thirty million was a fair starting point.

    But before the offer could hang too long in the air, Clement spoke up with a polite but pointed correction. ¡°Sir, just for context¡ªthe museum currently holds Spring Goddess, one of Rosa¡¯s early works. It sold at auction for one hundred million.¡±

    The implicationnded with weight. If an early Rosa piece couldmand nine figures, what made anyone think hertest, painted with honed skill and confidence, was worth less? Put inly: thirty million wasn¡¯t going to cut it.

    The original bidder blinked, momentarily stunned. He¡¯d watched Elliana¡¯s livestream¡ªseen her paint Lonely Sunset with effortless grace, like it was just another day in the studio. Could it really surpass Spring Goddess?

    He wasn¡¯t the only one wondering. Other collectors, on the verge of jumping in, hesitated. Was thistest piece truly that valuable?

    Luca rose from his seat, his expression warm but authoritative. ¡°Lonely Sunset is a leap beyond Spring Goddess. The brushwork, the ideorealm¡ªit¡¯s on another level entirely.¡±

    The judges around him nodded in quick agreement.

    ¡°No doubt about it,¡± one judge added. ¡°This piece elevates Rosa to a new tier in the art world.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s continued to grow, even without releasing anything new for years. This proves it¡ªRosa¡¯s untouchable now.¡±

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    ¡°Collectors, take note¡ªLonely Sunset is a stronger acquisition than Spring Goddess.¡±

    With Ublento¡¯s top art authorities backing the painting, the room shifted. The bidders finally grasped what they were looking at¡ªnot just a painting dashed off on a whim, but a masterwork that marked the evolution of a legend. And Elliana¡ª

    Rosa¡ªhad conjured it like it was nothing. A few strokes. A live demo. And she¡¯d shaken the entire art world.

    A voice rang out from the crowd, loud and clear. ¡°I¡¯m bidding one hundred twenty million!¡±

    With Spring Goddess having fetched one hundred million, and Lonely Sunset being deemed an even greater work, the opening volley had tond high.

    The sheer number was enough to thin the herd. Most collectors, no matter how desperate to own a Rosa original, knew their bank ounts couldn¡¯t keep up. Now, it was a high-stakes duel between the deep-pocketed elite.

    ¡°One hundred thirty million!¡±

    ¡°One forty!¡±

    ¡°One fifty!¡±

    Thatst bid hit the room like a gong. The crowd fell still. For most here, one hundred fifty million wasn¡¯t just steep¡ªit was astronomical. After all, the Starry Oil Painting Competition was meant to spotlight emerging artists, not trigger bidding wars for icons. Rosa¡¯s presence had upended expectations. And most collectors here weren¡¯t as deep-pocketed as Cole¡ªthey had limits. One fifty was already jaw-dropping.

    Clement turned toward Elliana, about to ask if she was ready to part with the piece, when another voice boomed from the back. ¡°I¡¯m going one eighty!¡±

    Exmations tore through the hall. ¡°Is this for real?¡±

    Heads whipped toward the man who¡¯d casually tossed in an extra thirty million like he was paying for lunch.

    The way he smirked, it was as if Lonely Sunset was already hanging in his private gallery.

    For a moment, it looked like no one could touch him. Then came a low, gravel-edged voice¡ªtight with resolve. ¡°Two hundred million.¡±

    Gasps rippled through the crowd as they turned again. The bidder¡¯s tone was fierce, all-in, like he¡¯d just wagered his entire empire on Rosa¡¯s genius.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go two-twenty!¡± The one-eighty bidder fired back, refusing to blink. His face was flushed, jaw tight¡ªhe was clearly at his ceiling.

    The room buzzed with whispers, the tension thick. Was that the final blow?

    And then, a voice floated from the back¡ªsmooth, assured, and devastatingly calm. ¡°One billion.¡±

    Silence mmed down like a hammer. Time seemed to stop. Hearts pounded. One billion. Who was this person? What kind of titan casually dropped a billion like pocket change? No one couldpete with that.

    Slowly, almost reverently, every head turned to glimpse the man who¡¯d just nuked the bidding war in one sentence.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 90

    ?Chapter 90:

    The guy who ced the billion-dor bid looked nothing like what anyone expected¡ªjust a quiet guy in sses, more like a librarian than a billionaire. He didn¡¯t fit the image at all.

    Someone dropping that kind of money should have arger-than-life vibe. This guy? He looked like he was running an errand for someone powerful. So, who was the real yer behind the curtain, chasing Elliana¡¯s Lonely Sunset?

    The room was buzzing. Everyone was dying to know.

    The man in sses stayed cool as ice, a slight smirk on his face. He didn¡¯t walk like a tycoon, but the confidence rolling off him spoke for the mystery mogul behind him.

    Elliana was stunned. She never imagined someone would throw a billion at her painting. Was it really worth that much? Or was this buyer just so rich that he needed ways to burn his money? It reminded her of the madness during the Endless Love auction.

    Back then, the crowd had gone wild. Someone had shouted five hundred million, and everyone thought that was the winning number¡ªuntil a mystery bidder doubled it. That was game over. A billion? No one could top that.

    That bold bid had smashed through the room like a wrecking ball. No one stood a chance in the face of that kind of wealth.

    Lately, at Paige¡¯s engagement party, Elliana had found out who the bidder of Endless Love was. It had been Cole. But today¡¯s mystery man? It certainly wasn¡¯t Cole. If anything, he probably hated her right now. He wouldn¡¯t go near her, let alone buy her work. If he ever found out she was Rosa, he¡¯d probably call her a jerk. He had spent a billion on Endless Love, only for it to end up back in her hands. It was like she¡¯d swiped his billion for nothing. She never meant to hurt him. But if he ever called her a snake, she wouldn¡¯t have a solid defense.

    As the unease crept in, Elliana pressed her lips together. Her cheeks burned.

    Clement, clueless about her thoughts, practically bounced with excitement. ¡°Rosa, you okay selling Lonely Sunset for a billion?¡±

    Okay with it? Elliana was more than okay. In her head, she was screaming yes. If a few brushstrokes could bring in a billion, she¡¯d be crazy to say no. She loved money. Always had. But she couldn¡¯t show it. Out here, she was a respected artist, not a money-chaser.

    ???????????????? ????????????: g????????¦Í????????????

    Elliana gave a calm smile. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect a collector toe in this strong. I¡¯d look petty if I didn¡¯t let it go.¡±

    Right after saying it, she winced inside. That line sounded so fake. Clement beamed, ¡°Exactly! The guy¡¯s clearly obsessed. Must be your number-one fan.¡±

    Elliana just smiled. Words failed her.

    Clement took care of the paperwork himself. The man in sses walked away with Lonely Sunset, and Elliana walked away with a billion-dor check.

    Across town, in the Evans Group CEO¡¯s office, Cole watched everything on the museum¡¯s security feed. When Elliana stepped out of frame, he tossed his phone aside and muttered, ¡°Heartless woman.¡±

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh all raised their brows at once. Cole had just trashed his wife¡ªright after spending a billion to buy her painting. They couldn¡¯t tell if this was love or bitterness.

    The room went still until Cole snapped, ¡°Send someone to follow Elliana. I want to know where she goes.¡±

    ¡°Got it.¡± Myles jumped into action without a second¡¯s pause.

    Elliana, totally in the dark about Cole¡¯s moves or his muttering, slipped out of the museum. The museum¡¯s front door was chaos¡ªreporters everywhere, cameras shing nonstop. Now that her identity as Rosa was out, she would be swarmed. Therefore, she slipped out through the back door.

    It was exactly nine. The air was crisp and cool. The street was quiet, lit by flickering neon signs in the distance.

    Elliana suddenly remembered Hailee was still inside. She pulled out her phone to send a text. ¡°Hailee, I¡¯m at the back door. You still inside?¡± Hailee replied in seconds, full of excitement, ¡°Elliana, I thought you¡¯d be big one day¡ªbut this? You¡¯re already a legend! Are you sure I¡¯m still cool enough to be your friend?¡±

    Elliana smirked, fingers flying across the screen. But then she froze. A shadow was creeping closer. Her eyes narrowed. A cold edge shed in them.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 91

    ?Chapter 91:

    A figure loomed for only a moment before melting into the darkness, its purpose as unreadable as ever. Elliana didn¡¯t flinch. She tracked it sidelong, her posture easy, her fingers never pausing on her phone. Just as silently as it had emerged, the figure slipped away¡ªvanishing the instant it reached within five meters.

    Elliana tilted her head down, flicked away the unease, and resumed her text. ¡°Rosa¡¯s just a name. Don¡¯t let it mess with your head. You and I? Nothing changes.¡±

    Hailee¡¯s response buzzed through almost immediately. ¡°Can Ie over now?¡±

    Elliana smiled faintly and typed back. ¡°Absolutely. I¡¯m starving. Let¡¯s grab something to eat.¡±

    Hailee¡¯s bubbly reply came. ¡°Sure! I¡¯m on my way!¡±

    True to her word, Hailee burst in minutester, slightly winded but glowing with excitement. She waved a bank card like a victory g. ¡°Elliana! Dinner¡¯s on me tonight!¡±

    Only after Elliana¡¯s encouragement had Hailee submitted her painting, and to her shock, it had snagged a prize. Now, she wanted to celebrate the win with the person who¡¯d pushed her to try. With a grin, Elliana agreed without hesitation. ¡°Deal.¡±

    Hailee linked arms with her. ¡°Alright, your pick then. Where do you want to eat?¡±

    Elliana tilted her head thoughtfully. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say your family runs a diner? Let¡¯s head there.¡±

    Hailee blinked in surprise. ¡°Wait¡ªseriously? Our diner¡¯s in a rough part of town, on Old Willow Lane. It¡¯s in a sketchy neighborhood and, trust me, far from morous. I wouldn¡¯t take you there.¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t bother me,¡± Elliana replied. ¡°Spaghetti with red sauce, the kind your dad¡¯s been making forever. I want thatfort food magic. Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Despite her reservations, Hailee gave in, and the two gged down a cab and set off.

    Elliana genuinely craved a taste of the local specialty¡ªbut that wasn¡¯t the whole story. She wanted a chance to meet Hailee¡¯s family, perhaps even a glimpse of her elusive boyfriend. She would assess his condition firsthand and then decide whether to reveal her discreet identity as Milena to treat him. Even though her¡­

    ???????????????????? ?????????????????? ???? g??????¦Í?????????????

    Although her feelings toward Hailee were sincere, she needed the full picture before deciding how far to involve herself.

    Back at the street corner, after the cab vanished, the figure reemerged and quietly tapped out a message to Myles.

    In the CEO¡¯s office of the Evans Group, Myles¡¯s phone buzzed. He nced down and immediately turned to Cole. ¡°Mr. Evans, your wife just left with Hailee. They¡¯re heading to a diner on Willow Lane.¡±

    Cole gave a coldugh, lips curling with disdain. ¡°She walks off with a billion of my money, and now she¡¯s dining in some rundown joint? Has she no sense of ss? What a disgrace.¡±

    Myles, unfazed by the rant¡ªhe¡¯d long grown used to Cole¡¯s whish moods¡ªresponded with an easy grin and a hint of mischief in his tone. ¡°Willow Lane might be a little rough around the edges, sure, but the vibe¡¯s unbeatable. The food¡¯s great¡ªrealfort stuff. I¡¯ve eaten there myself. Best red sauce in the city.¡±

    Cole lifted an eyebrow skeptically. ¡°You went to a dump like that?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely!¡± Myles responded, lying as smoothly as he breathed. ¡°It¡¯s worth the trip. Their red sauce hits like nostalgia. That kind of vor? You don¡¯t get it in those overpriced five-star restaurants. And I¡¯m not the only one¡ªAron and Hugh are hooked too.¡±

    Cole¡¯s gaze shifted to Aron and Hugh, cold and unreadable. ¡°Is that so? You like that ce too?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve never be¡ª¡±

    ¡°Ow!¡± Hugh yelped as Aron jabbed a sharp pinch into his ribs, cutting him off before he could blurt out the truth.

    Aron, unfazed, mustered a wide, sheepish grin. ¡°We¡¯re huge fans, actually. Myles got it exactly right¡ªthe food¡¯s incredible. We were just saying we might swing by after work tonight.¡±

    Cole had clearly caught the pinch but didn¡¯tment. He simply let it slide.

    Myles shot Hugh a pointed re, silencing him, then turned smoothly back to Cole. ¡°Mr. Evans, you¡¯ve been cooped up in your ivory tower too long. You should really get a taste of the streets¡ªfeel the pulse, try some local cuisine, and reconnect with the city.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± Aron chimed in, jumping into the conversation. ¡°You¡¯ve been working nonstop. Come kick back with us at Willow Lane, grab a bite, maybe rx a little.¡±

    ¡°No!¡± Cole refused tly with a sharp shake of his head. ¡°You said she¡¯s there, didn¡¯t you? I¡¯m not going anywhere near that woman.¡±

    ¡°You won¡¯t see her,¡± Myles pressed on, his voice dripping with false assurance. ¡°The ce is bigger than you¡­

    ¡°Think¡ªdozens of tables and an endless stream of people. The chance of running into her is next to nothing.¡±

    Cole didn¡¯t respond and just pressed his lips into a thin line.

    Sensing the hesitation, Aron seized the moment. He pped a hand on Cole¡¯s arm, his voice warm with insistence. ¡°Come on. The weather¡¯s perfect. Don¡¯t waste the night sulking in here.¡±

    Before Cole could object, Aron hauled him to his feet and steered him out the door.

    Still bewildered, Hugh mumbled, ¡°Why are you and Aron feeding him that lie?¡±

    Myles gave him a swift kick without thinking twice. ¡°If you¡¯re too dumb to help, then shut up!¡± He shot Hugh onest scathing re before jogging to catch up.

    Grumbling under his breath, Hugh chased after them, his face a storm of annoyance and confusion.

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    .

 Chapter 92

    ?Chapter 92:

    Rather than heading straight to Willow Lane, Elliana took a sharp detour, guiding Hailee toward a nearby hotel instead.

    ¡°Wait¡ªwhy are we pulling into a hotel?¡± Hailee asked, squinting in confusion.

    Elliana shoved her fingers through the tangled mess of her wig and let out a sigh. ¡°I need to pull myself together. If your dad catches me like this, he¡¯s bound to think you¡¯re hanging around with the wrong crowd.¡±

    A grin tugged at Hailee¡¯s lips. ¡°Sure, my dad¡¯s got outdated ideas, bute on¡ªyou¡¯ve got that ¡®cool but dangerous¡¯ thing going. He¡¯ll love you once he sees past the mascara.¡±

    Despite Hailee¡¯s reassurance, Elliana wasn¡¯t taking chances¡ªshe needed to dial it down. Now that her discreet identity as Rosa was out, walking around like a neon sign wasn¡¯t smart. And dragging Hailee into unwanted attention? That was off the table.

    While Elliana disappeared into the bathroom for a fast rinse, Hailee made herself at home on the couch, scrolling idly and waiting. Thirty minutester, the bathroom door creaked open, and Elliana emerged like a different woman.

    Hailee nearly fell off the couch. She jumped up, eyes wide. ¡°Girl, you look unreal!¡±

    Elliana hadn¡¯t changed her outfit¡ªa simple ck tracksuit still hugged her frame¡ªbut the transformation was in the details. Her tangled mop had been tamed into sleek waves, and with the heavy makeup gone, her skin glowed with a soft, natural shine.

    Wanting to keep things low-key, Elliana added a quirky touch¡ªa pair of oversized gold-rimmed sses with no lenses, just enough to veil her face and give her that subtle mystery.

    The transformation was striking. The girl who used to stick out like a sore thumb now looked effortlessly cool¡ªpoised, polished, and maic.

    ¡°You¡¯re a total babe! Why would you ever cover that up? Ditch the disastrous makeup forever!¡± Hailee eximed, halfughing at the end. Twenty was the age to unt one¡¯s youth, not bury it beneathyers of entricity. But Elliana had her reasons¡ªher sudden marriage to Cole had flipped her world and forced her into hiding. Without that curveball, the disguise would¡¯ve been ancient history.

    Of course, none of that made it to Hailee¡¯s ears. Elliana simply gave a nonchnt shrug. ¡°Habit I never quite dropped,¡± she said with a casual smile.

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    Hailee gave Elliana a yful look, puffing out her cheeks in disbelief. While most girls would die for even a fraction of Elliana¡¯s looks¡ªsome even chasing it with surgery¡ªhere Elliana was, hiding it under quirky camouge.

    Hailee chuckled to herself. Elliana was truly something else.

    Elliana and Hailee stepped out of the hotel and hopped into a cab bound for Willow Lane.

    About an hourter, they reached the entrance to thene, which was bursting with life. Crowds wove between stalls, and the air was thick with the scent of grilled meats and spices, a rhythm of chatter and tter filling the space.

    With energy in their steps, Elliana and Hailee jumped out and began weaving through the lively crowd, heading straight for the Loftus family diner.

    Though both turned heads, their vibes couldn¡¯t have been more different. Hailee gave off wholesome sunshine, the ssic sweetheart charm. Elliana, on the other hand, carried herself like a heroine out of a high-stakes drama¡ªstriking, maic, unforgettable.

    Side by side, they stole the spotlight¡ªlike two stars casually strutting through a movie set lit by neon and streetlights.

    A couple hundred feet in, Hailee lit up and pointed down thene. ¡°That¡¯s it! My family diner, right there.¡±

    Elliana followed her gaze to a cheerful, glowing sign that proudly read Loftus¡¯s Comfort Eats in bold block letters.

    Squeezed between neighboring eateries, the diner gave off an inviting warmth. The smell of something delicious wafted into the street, and through the pristine windows, Elliana spotted a bustling crowd. Clearly, this ce was a local favorite.

    Inside, a man in a spotless chef¡¯s coat moved like a whirlwind, bouncing between the kitchen and dining area with practiced urgency. ¡°That¡¯s my dad,¡± Hailee said with pride, motioning toward the man. ¡°All our recipese straight from the family vault. Way better than the usual stuff¡ªand they won¡¯t burn a hole in your wallet. That¡¯s why people never stoping.¡±

    ¡°Looks like I¡¯m about to have the best meal of the week,¡± Elliana said, grinning as the taste yed out in her imagination.

    With a bright smile lighting up her face, Hailee pushed open the door and guided Elliana into the warm, inviting diner.

    Behind the counter, Hailee¡¯s father, Briggs Loftus, was juggling tes when he caught sight of Hailee. His tired eyes lit up instantly. ¡°Hey there, sweetheart!¡±

    When he caught a glimpse of Elliana next to Hailee, he paused midstep and blinked. ¡°Well, now¡ªwho¡¯s your stunning friend?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s Elliana Marsh,¡± Hailee replied, nudging her with a grin. ¡°She came for the food everyone keeps bragging about.¡±

    Waving them over, he motioned to a booth near the back corner. ¡°You¡¯ll like this spot¡ªquiet, cozy, and perfect for first-timers. I¡¯ll cook up something real good for you.¡±

    ¡°Appreciate it,¡± Elliana remarked, her smile both warm and polite. Hailee¡¯s dad let out a soft chuckle and disappeared behind the swinging kitchen doors.

    Before heading off, Hailee leaned down and said, ¡°Sit tight. I¡¯m gonna lend my dad a hand in the back.¡±

    Elliana gave her a simple nod, her smile lingering.

    Once Hailee was alone, Elliana sank into the booth and nced around. The air buzzed with casual conversation and the clink of utensils. From the nearby murmurs, she gathered that Hailee¡¯s dad had a good reputation¡ªfriendly, steady, the kind of guy who got along with just about anyone. Hearing that only made things click¡ªof course Hailee was so grounded. She¡¯d been raised right.

    A few minutester, Hailee returned, bncing two tes piled high with food. ¡°Alright, Elliana, time to feast!¡±

    ¡°Perfect,¡± Elliana said, already reaching for her fork. But just as she was about to taste the first bite, a burst of shouting erupted from the street outside¡­

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 93

    ?Chapter 93:

    A burst of noise echoed from the street, but neither Elliana nor Hailee paid it any attention. It felt distant, and neither of them had a taste for unnecessary drama.

    Wearing a small apron dusted in flour, Hailee looked every bit the hardworking chef¡¯s daughter¡ªher cheeks still warm and rosy from her time in the kitchen.

    As Elliana reached for her fork, Hailee flopped into the seat across from her, clearly ready to eat and gossip in peace.

    Before they could dive in, Hailee suddenly jumped to her feet. ¡°Hold up,¡± she said, grabbing an apron from the counter. ¡°It gets hot in here, and food tends to fight back. Better cover up.¡±

    Elliana chuckled at the thoughtful gesture and tied it around her waist without protest.

    Once Elliana was geared up, both women settled in again, tes steaming, conversation ready to flow.

    But before Elliana could taste her first bite, the earlier noise came crashing through the front door like a storm.

    Elliana¡¯s eyes darted to the entrance¡ªand there Myles was, dressed to impress in a crisp, tailored suit. He stormed in, trailed by bodyguards dressed head-to-toe in ck. Among the easygoing regrs, they looked like they¡¯d wandered in from a movie set.

    Confusion flickered across Elliana¡¯s face. What the hell was Myles doing in this ce?

    Before she could piece anything together, Briggs¡ªcheerful and ever the host¡ªhurried over with a weing grin. ¡°Looking to eat, gentlemen?¡± With a cold glint in his eye, Myles adjusted his sses and spoke like it was business as usual. ¡°Our boss wants this spot cleared. Everyone else¡ªout. We¡¯re taking over the diner.¡±

    Elliana stared, dumbfounded, her fork frozen in midair. Cole was really clearing out an entire diner for a meal? Had he lost it? Cole was Ublento¡¯s top dog, the kind of guy who dined at a swanky private restaurant. What business did he have showing up at a family-run eatery on Willow Lane? If Cole felt like mingling with the locals, why not do it subtly¡ªblend in, eat quietly, and leave like a normal person? Reserving the entire diner like it was somerge event? He had clearly taken a detour into madness.

    Myles¡¯s request backed Briggs into a corner. Briggs¡¯ modest diner thrived on familiar faces and returning customers. High-profile customers didn¡¯t just stroll in and call for a private event.

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    ¡°Uh, sir, I¡ª¡± Briggs said, his voice unsure.

    Before Briggs could finish, two more suits¡ªAron and Hugh¡ªstrode in like they owned the block. ¡°All clear outside,¡± one of them said. ¡°Just need this ce cleared.¡±

    A flicker of disbelief curled at the edge of Elliana¡¯s mouth. Out of every corner joint in the city, Cole chose this one. Was that a coincidence, or was he here because of her? She adjusted her gold-rimmed sses, her fingers trembling slightly. No way he¡¯d recognize her¡ªhe¡¯d never seen her without theyers of her usual disguise.

    As her thoughts spiraled, Myles gave a subtle nod, and the bodyguards sprang into action¡ªsilently slipping thick bundles of cash into each patron¡¯s hand like it was a nned ritual.

    ¡°Our boss will be here soon,¡± Myles announced, his voice loud and t. ¡°Take the money and grab dinner somewhere else.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s eyes flicked to the wads of cash¡ªeasily ten grand a bundle. Cole probably spent more on neckties. But to these locals, it was rent, bills, maybe even a fresh start. The room shifted from grumbles to quiet gratitude as they took the cash and slipped out with hesitant smiles.

    Momentster, the once-bustling diner stood hollow¡ªemptied out like a stage waiting for its lead actor.

    Part of Elliana wanted to slip out before things escted, but the untouched meal in front of her said otherwise. She¡¯d waited too long for that food to just walk away. Anyway, she would linger to figure out what kind of game Cole was trying to pull.

    Just as her fork hovered over the te, Hugh swaggered up and tapped her shoulder. ¡°Hey, you waitress, break time¡¯s over. My boss is on his way. Tables need clearing. Chairs need wiping. Let¡¯s go!¡±

    The food was right there¡ªone bite away¡ªbut Elliana sighed and set her fork aside, irritation bubbling under her calm. As much as she wanted to snap, this wasn¡¯t her turf, and she wasn¡¯t about to stir up trouble for Hailee¡¯s family. With the diner¡¯s apron on, it made sense they¡¯d mistake her for a waitress.

    With a resigned shrug, Elliana stood up and began stacking tes and wiping surfaces.

    Hailee rushed over, trying to intervene. ¡°Elli¡ª¡±

    A quick raise of Elliana¡¯s hand cut Hailee off. She didn¡¯t want her name to fly around¡ªnot now.

    Puzzled, Hailee leaned in close and whispered, ¡°Elliana, you¡¯re not staff. You¡¯re here to eat. I¡¯ll tell them¡ªonce they know, they¡¯ll leave you alone.¡±

    Before Elliana could even reply, Hugh shouted, ¡°What¡¯re you two waitresses yapping about? Hurry up and clean!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Elliana murmured, gently squeezing Hailee¡¯s hand. ¡°Let¡¯s just roll with it.¡±

    With a breath and a quiet huff, Elliana rolled up her sleeves and got to work, clearing tes like she¡¯d done it a hundred times.

    Briggs, realizing this crew meant business, mmed up and joined the cleanup.

    Throwing an apologetic nce Elliana¡¯s way, Hailee grabbed a tray and fell into step beside her.

    Once Elliana, Hailee, and Briggs had every table gleaming, Cole walked in with his usual shine, bodyguards trailing behind him. At his side was a woman who carried herself with a kind of charm that didn¡¯t have to try.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 94

    ?Chapter 94:

    With thest table wiped down, Elliana considered slipping into the kitchen to avoid attention¡ªbut one step into that oven-like heat had her retreating. Instead, she quietly slid behind the counter, hoping to stay unnoticed.

    The moment Cole entered, Elliana lowered her gaze, her hair falling like a curtain to shield her face. But curiosity got the better of her when she caught a glimpse of a striking woman hanging off his arm. Dressed in tailored ck cks and a sleek shirt to match, Cole moved like a storm wrapped in silk. His tall silhouette and sharply cut features carried an unmistakable chill that instantly stole the room¡¯s attention.

    Elliana could tell something was off about him. His appearance hadn¡¯t changed, but the energy around him was no longer familiar¡ªit pulsed with something bolder, darker. She remembered him as calm, a little rebellious maybe, but subtle¡ªnever one to unt his power. He was the type to fly under the radar, not show up with fanfare and bodyguards at a diner tucked into a working-ss street.

    Today, though, Cole¡¯s eyes held a dangerous gleam¡ªcarefree and arrogant. He walked like the world was his and no one could tell him otherwise.

    Elliana couldn¡¯t pinpoint what had flipped the switch in him, but every instinct screamed that this version of Cole spelled nothing but trouble. Best to keep her distance.

    Clinging to Cole¡¯s side, the woman was all curves and confidence, barely covered in a tight red tank and shorts that left little to the imagination, strutting in heels like she was walking a runway straight into chaos.

    Where others might¡¯ve fallen under the woman¡¯s spell, Elliana felt only difort. The woman¡¯s overpowering perfume smothered the air, making her stomach turn. This was Cole¡¯s type now? She nearly rolled her eyes.

    In Elliana¡¯s mind, she was already tearing him apart with relentless sarcasm.

    Loftus¡¯s Comfort Eats stood right in the center of blue-cor Willow Lane. The tables and chairs, while clean as could be, clearly wore the marks of time.

    The woman gave the ce a single nce and curled her nose in distaste. ¡°Mr. Evans, don¡¯t you think this ce is a little shabby?¡± she asked, her voice dripping with so much fake sweetness that Elliana got goosebumps.

    ?????????? ???????????????? ????????????: g????????¦Í??????[?]??????

    After everything that had happened the night before, Elliana couldn¡¯t help but wonder¡ªhad the drugged Cole been with this woman and fallen for her?

    As Elliana continued firing silent daggers with her eyes, Cole and the woman made themselvesfortable at a table.

    Cole¡¯s tone was oddly gentle, the kind of calm that didn¡¯t match the chaos. ¡°All that luxury stuff is sh and noise. This ce? It¡¯s got soul. Feels good to change it up.¡±

    With a honey-sweet smile, the woman leaned closer, her voice a silky purr as she said, ¡°Didn¡¯t peg you for the humble type, Mr. Evans. But if you¡¯re around, even diner food tastes like heaven.¡±

    Mid-sentence, the woman made a show of adjusting her top, lowering it even further¡ªas if she were inviting Cole to admire the view. There was zero shame in her game. She yed to the crowd and dared them to look.

    The bodyguards dropped their gazes to the floor, steering clear of the moment like that was part of the assignment.

    Nearby, Aron and Hugh shared a split-second grimace, while Myles just arched an eyebrow, clearly wondering what this woman came from.

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh had assumed Cole¡¯s visit to Willow Lane was all about finding Elliana. But then, out of the blue, Cole had phoned Manley with a request to send a woman over. Then, this woman had arrived, wrapped in red and attitude, and left the whole team quietly stunned. Seriously? This type? None of them thought Cole would give her the time of day. Yet, there she was, not just tagging along¡ªseated beside Cole like she belonged.

    Trying to read Cole was like chasing smoke¡ªno one had the slightest clue what he was ying at.

    Elliana, still camped behind the counter, had the misfortune of witnessing every exaggerated pout, every eysh flutter from the woman, and the asional smirk from Cole. It was stomach-turning.

    As the woman leaned in again, clearly angling for more attention, Cole gave a slow smile and murmured, ¡°Let¡¯s eat first. I¡¯ll get us a hotel after.¡±

    The meaning behind that line wasn¡¯t lost on anyone.

    The woman shifted in her seat with giddy energy, her eyes lighting up like she¡¯d just won a prize.

    Elliana couldn¡¯t help the eye-roll. Seriously? Cole was actually buying into all that fake sweetness? Pathetic.

    ¡°Hey, you,e over!¡± Cole¡¯s voice sliced through the diner¡¯s low hum like a de¡ªsharp, direct, impossible to ignore.

    Elliana¡¯s head jerked up instinctively, realizing he was calling her. What the hell did he want now?

    Elliana froze for a second, caught between ying along and vanishing into the kitchen.

    As always, Hugh skipped finesse and stomped over. ¡°Did you not hear him? Get over there!¡±

    With a quiet exhale of frustration, Elliana approached the table, casually cing the menu in front of him without a word.

    Cole didn¡¯t bother looking at the menu. Instead, he leaned back in his seat, watching her with unsettling ease¡ªhis stare slow, steady, and impossible to read.

    Elliana¡¯s pulse stumbled. That look¡ªit almost felt like recognition. Was he starting to put the pieces together? No. She shut the thought down before it could grow roots. For fifteen years, not a single person hadid eyes on her true face. There was no chance Cole could recognize her.

    Across the room, heads turned toward Elliana¡ªMyles, Aron, Hugh, even the guards couldn¡¯t help it. A gorgeous, poised waitress in a ce like this? Total surprise.

    Hailee and Briggs stood off to the side, tight-lipped and visibly uneasy, caught between worry and confusion.

    The silence stretched, heavy and disorienting. Elliana finally broke it, tapping the menu with practiced calm. ¡°We¡¯ve got ten house specials today, sir. What can I get started for you?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 95

    ?Chapter 95:

    Elliana wished Cole would just look at the damn menu already. Anything to get those sharp eyes off her. But Cole didn¡¯t budge. He just kept staring at Elliana¡ªsilent, unreadable, and relentless.

    A fluttering drum in Elliana¡¯s chest sputtered into an uneven pause. Suspicions of him recognizing her flooded her mind, but she quickly dismissed them. There was no way he could recognize her, so she coaxed her heart back to a steady rhythm. Still, his gaze bore into her like a physical force, making her too tense to even draw a full breath. Antagonizing him was thest thing she needed. After he stormed outst night, their dynamic was already strained. Now wasn¡¯t the time to push her luck. ying it cool, keeping her distance¡ªthat was her only safe bet.

    The diner felt oppressively quiet, like the air had gone stale. Myles, Aron, Hugh, and even the bodyguards¡ªthey were all side-eyeing the tension, utterly baffled by Cole¡¯s intense fixation on a mere waitress. Off to the side, Hailee and Briggs looked like they were bracing for a bomb to go off, nerves fraying for Elliana¡¯s sake.

    Seated opposite Cole, the woman felt a sense of threat at how this stunning waitress had attracted Cole¡¯s attention. Her lips tightened. But Cole couldn¡¯t have cared less about what others thought. His gaze lingered on Elliana as if drawn by a ma. Because to him, she was breathtaking¡ªundeniably, aggravatingly beautiful. She drove him out of his mind. She¡¯d yed him, kept him at arm¡¯s length with that icy attitude¡ªbut damn it, he couldn¡¯t stop wanting her.

    Bathed in the diner¡¯s soft, golden light, Elliana looked even more luminous¡ªlike a spotlight had chosen her and refused to move.

    Cole remembered the first time he¡¯d glimpsed her real face: long hair tumbling loose, that fierce makeup stripped away, a towel hiding most of her features except her eyes and brow. Now she stood before him with sleek sses veiling her upper face, her mouth and nose fully revealed. Between the two moments, Cole had assembled her like a puzzle¡ªhalf of her face at a time. Just like he¡¯d guessed on their wedding night, Elliana was drop-dead gorgeous.

    Last time, even with only the upper half of her face visible, her vivid and shimmering eyes had mesmerized him, tugging at his attention with a spark.

    Now, it was her lips that held him spellbound. Full and delicately curved, they looked soft enough to bruise at the slightest touch, flushed a rosy pink like they¡¯d been kissed by summer fruit.

    The urge to press his lips to hers raced through Cole¡¯s mind nonstop. He¡¯d kissed her once, and that thrilling spark had reyed in his mind repeatedly. Seeing her now brought it all rushing back, a pulse of heat that bloomed in his chest and tingled on his tongue.

    ?????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????? ??????????¦Í??????©q??????

    Moments crawled by until the woman finally lost her cool. ¡°Mr. Evans¡­¡± she cooed. ¡°I¡¯m so hungry.¡±

    Only then did Cole peel his eyes off Elliana.

    Cole tilted his head toward the woman, a teasing glint in his eye and azy smirk curling at the corner of his mouth. ¡°Hungry, huh?¡±

    ¡°Uh-huh,¡± the woman purred, lips pushing into a pout as she leaned in with a practiced flick of hershes.

    Cole didn¡¯t bother replying. Instead, his eyes slid down to the menu, dismissing her with a flicker of disinterest.

    Taking advantage of this brief moment, the woman shot Elliana a hateful re, her warning crystal clear. A lowly waitress trying to steal her man? How ridiculous!

    Elliana didn¡¯t flinch. She¡¯d seen this brand of pettiness before and refused to entertain it.

    ¡°Rmend me something,¡± Cole said suddenly, his eyes on Elliana, his voice slicing through the tension.

    Elliana¡¯s eyes shifted toward Cole before she could stop them¡ªand crashed straight into his. A bolt of heat raced through her chest. She looked away fast, pulse stammering in her throat. She had no idea what this ce¡¯s best dish was. Her mind nked¡ªuntil she remembered Hailee dropping off a te of creamy chicken spaghetti earlier, proudly calling it the house special. With that, she tapped the menu with a steady finger. ¡°This one¡¯s always a hit.¡±

    Cole gave a faint nod¡ªthen, with a casual smirk, lobbed that unexpected question. ¡°So, what do you think of my date?¡±

    Elliana stiffened. Her mind nked. Did he really just ask that?

    Around the table, the Fletcher brothers and the bodyguards looked like they¡¯d just witnessed a car crash in slow motion. Shock rippled through them. Asking a¡­

    Waitress toment on his own date like this? What was Cole thinking? He had never pulled something this wild before. What was up with him today?

    Elliana¡¯s fingers tightened around her notepad as she fought the urge to fire back. What the hell was wrong with this guy?

    But before she coulde up with a response, Cole leaned back with a smirk and answered his own question, ¡°She¡¯s not as pretty as you.¡±

    The woman stiffened, her nerves splintering into panic. She darted a look at Elliana and then back at Cole, freaking out. Was this waitress about to ruin her shot with Cole? She hadn¡¯t even sealed the deal yet¡ªjust barely gotten her toe in the door¡ªand now this waitress was about to m it shut.

    Cole didn¡¯t spare the woman a nce. His voice remained calm, smooth, and cutting. ¡°But she¡¯s got one thing going for her.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s gaze tightened, her eyebrows pulling together. She couldn¡¯t care less whether this woman possessed any merit. And why was he telling her this?

    ¡°She¡¯s upfront about being a seductress. No pretending. Unlike some people who look all sweet and innocent but are stone-cold inside, reeling guys in and then ghosting them¡­¡± His gaze lifted to meet Elliana¡¯s, a half-smile tugging at one corner of his mouth, equal parts amused and dangerous. ¡°So tell me, are you one of those heartbreakers?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 96

    ?Chapter 96:

    Something in Cole¡¯s tone sent a jolt through Elliana, her pulse kicking up without warning. A part of her couldn¡¯t help but wonder¡ªhad he recognized her? Was this his twisted way of calling her out? Then again, the odds were slim. It just didn¡¯t add up. In his mind, she had been the quirky girl with the loud clothes and too much eyeliner. The heartbreaker he was dissing was some pure, pretty type. He didn¡¯t refer to her. It seemed getting rejected by her wasn¡¯t the only hit to his ego. Some other beauty must¡¯ve strung him along, dangled a promise, and then walked off without looking back.

    Elliana had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep fromughing.

    Seriously? Mr. Billionaire brooding over heartbreak like a lovesick teen? All that money, all that charm¡ªand still couldn¡¯tnd a steady win? Ragging on a random waitress like this? Just how many heartbreaks had it taken to turn Cole into this bitter, dramatic mess?

    Meanwhile, the woman,beled a seductress by Cole, didn¡¯t seem fazed. Instead, she giggled and turned the heat up even more. ¡°Mr. Evans, I only wanna be your seductress¡­¡±

    With her words still hanging in the air, the woman slipped off one heel and let her foot wander beneath the table¡ªslowly tracing its way up Cole¡¯s leg in a not-so-subtle tease.

    From her awkward spot at the table¡¯s edge, Elliana took in every second of the cringe-worthy performance. She couldn¡¯t help but flick her gaze toward Cole, waiting for his reaction. Her mind tossed her back to that time Paige brushed his sleeve, and he¡¯d recoiled so hard that he tossed his jacket straight into a trash bin. If that didn¡¯t scream germaphobe, nothing did. Any unwanted touch was met with instant rejection. So what exactly was Cole supposed to do with this woman¡¯s foot sliding around in his pant leg?

    Elliana spotted the shift¡ªhis jaw tensed, brows narrowed¡ªbut just as quickly, he smoothed it over like nothing had happened.

    Cole¡¯s gaze met the woman¡¯s with a teasing glint, a half-smile tugging at his lips. ¡°Steady, tiger. Wrong setting for that kind of y. Save it forter tonight.¡±

    The woman withdrew with an exaggerated pout, practically vibrating with anticipation. ¡°Let¡¯s eat fast, Mr. Evans. Nights like this shouldn¡¯t be wasted on small talk.¡±

    ?????????????? ?????????? ?????? galn??v??????£®??????

    ¡°Whatever you say,¡± Cole replied with casual ease.

    Without warning, Cole turned his attention back to Elliana, his voice shifting as he said, ¡°Some women don¡¯t know a good thing when they¡¯ve got it. They push away their nice husbands and then cry when thetter are sweet on someone else.¡±

    The words hit Elliana like a p¡ªsuddenly, everything snapped into focus. No more guessing¡ªCole recognized her. This wasn¡¯t some random stop. He¡¯de to this diner gunning for her. Getting tossed out the night before had clearly bruised his ego, and now he was back, arm-in-arm with another woman, his way of getting back at her.

    She narrowed her eyes. Unbelievable, he really went this far?

    Without warning, Cole grabbed a menu and thrust it at Elliana. ¡°Whip me up a creamy chicken spaghetti,¡± he instructed coldly, his eyes locked on hers. ¡°And I mean you. Personally.¡±

    Before Elliana could speak, Hailee interjected, trying to defuse the situation, ¡°Sir, she¡¯s not one of our cooks¡ªjust helps out front. I¡¯ll take care of your order.¡±

    ¡°I said I want her to do it,¡± Cole retorted, never taking his eyes off Elliana. ¡°If she doesn¡¯t, this diner¡¯s done for tomorrow.¡±

    No sugarcoating that one¡ªit was a threat, in and sharp.

    The image kept looping in Elliana¡¯s mind¡ªCole sitting still, unfazed, while stilettos turned into bare feet under the table. Maybe he really was into that woman. Oddly enough, a flicker of irritation sparked in her chest. She was the one who turned him away, who made it clear she wanted nothing to do with the whole ¡°Mrs. Evans¡± package. So why did watching him flirt with someone else feel like a punch to the gut? Could that twist in her chest actually be jealousy?

    Elliana quickly brushed the thought aside. Cole was old news¡ªsomeone she¡¯d already crossed off the list.

    Shaking off the weird emotions, Elliana pped on a yful smile. ¡°Got it. One creamy spaghettiing right up.¡±

    Without another nce, Elliana spun on her heel and sauntered toward the kitchen like she owned the ce.

    Still stunned, Hailee scrambled to follow close behind.

    Inside, the kitchen looked like controlled chaos¡ªpans nging, steam hissing. Elliana paused at the threshold, clearly overwhelmed.

    ¡°Elliana, seriously¡ªleave it to me,¡± Hailee said as she grabbed ingredients like it was second nature. ¡°This whole thing¡¯s ridiculous. I¡¯m sorry it got dumped on you.¡±

    A quiet sigh escaped Elliana. ¡°No, Hailee, this is on me. You and your dad are caught in my mess.¡±

    And it wasn¡¯t just this diner. The guards posted outside meant the whole block was probably losing customers. The guilt sat heavy on Elliana¡¯s shoulders.

    As Elliana and Hailee kept chatting, the crisp sound of heels striking the floor rang out behind them. Then, the woman strutted in like she owned the ce.

    Hailee held her ground, her voice calm but resolute as she said, ¡°Sorry, ma¡¯am, customers aren¡¯t allowed back here. I¡¯ll have to ask you to return to the front.¡±

    ¡°Back off!¡± the woman shouted.

    Moments ago, the woman had been sugar and silk. Now, she was all ws. Without a second thought, she shoved Hailee hard, knocking her straight to the floor.

    A chill settled behind Elliana¡¯s eyes, her gaze narrowing like twin des drawn in silence.

    The woman missed the warning signs, storming over in her heels with her chin lifted high. ¡°You pathetic little waitress, actually thinking you can take my man? You done with life or what?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 97

    ?Chapter 97:

    Elliana didn¡¯t bother wasting breath on the woman¡¯s words. Instead, she slipped off her apron with the calm precision of someone about to unleash hell.

    Despite the heat¡ªsteam rising from the pot of boiling spaghetti and the fan whirring overhead¡ªa chill danced down the woman¡¯s spine as Elliana stood her ground.

    Rubbing at her arms like the air had turned cold, the woman said to Elliana, ¡°What, cat got your tongue? Trying to flirt your way into Mr. Evans¡¯ life?¡±

    With a sharp jab to Elliana¡¯s chest, her perfectly polished nail digging in, the woman added, ¡°Let¡¯s be real, you¡¯re kind of attractive, but not in his league. Get lost, or you¡¯re finished!¡±

    With one swift motion, Elliana knocked the woman¡¯s hand aside. Her words came out cold and razor-sharp. ¡°Say sorry to my friend. Or I¡¯ll make sure you regret not doing it.¡±

    Elliana had no interest in getting into it with this shy woman. The woman had shown up on Cole¡¯s arm, and she wasn¡¯t about to kick up more dust between them. But the woman shoved Hailee. That crossed a line she didn¡¯t tolerate.

    Hailee, now back on her feet, brushed herself off, still shaken. Worried Elliana might make things worse with the powerhouse waiting outside, she gently tugged Elliana¡¯s arm. ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± she said to the woman. ¡°Please, just wait out front.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s cold aura had thrown the woman off¡ªbut Hailee¡¯s soft approach brought her swagger back. ¡°Who do you think you are, telling me what to do?¡±

    Right then, the woman¡¯s hand shot up, ready to strike.

    Elliana moved like lightning, catching the woman¡¯s wrist mid-air before the pnded.

    With a subtle twist, Elliana applied just enough pressure to make the woman wince. ¡°Let go of me, you crazy freak!¡± the woman screamed. Unmoved, Elliana locked eyes with her. Her voice didn¡¯t rise¡ªand it didn¡¯t need to. ¡°Say you¡¯re sorry to my friend.¡±

    Refusing to retreat, the woman let loose a flood of nasty insults. ¡°Apologize to that nobody? Please. She¡¯s nothing. I shoved her. Big deal! If I feel like stepping on her face next time, I will. You two are bottom-feeders. How dare you demand an apology?¡±

    ???????? ?????????? ???????? ???? ?????????¦Í??????©q?????

    ¡°¡®Bottom-feeders?¡± Elliana¡¯s voice dropped as she echoed. Her eyes sharpened instantly, the glint behind them nowced with something meaner¡ªsomething ready to bite. She¡¯d heard that insult one too many times¡ªPaige and Kiara had weaponized it back then, and it had scarred her deeply. Hearing it now lit a fuse she barely kept in check.

    Elliana¡¯s fingers clenched tighter, this time with full intent.

    ¡°Ow¡ªhey!¡± the woman shouted, her confidence cracking.

    The woman shed her teeth, wordsced with venom, as she blurted out, ¡°You pitiful little waitress, you¡¯re doomed! Do you even have a clue who¡¯s sitting out there? He¡¯s in a whole different world than you. Cross him, and you¡¯re toast! I¡¯m his woman. Come at me, and he¡¯ll make you regret ever showing your face! Let go, you psycho waitress!¡±

    Elliana¡¯s smile was cold, her voice colder. ¡°No, sweetheart. You¡¯re the one who is finished.¡±

    No amount of screaming helped. Elliana¡¯s grip was locked in ce, unshaken and merciless.

    ¡°Can¡¯t wait to see how he reacts once I¡¯m finished putting you in your ce,¡± Elliana remarked, her eyes glowing with fire.

    With one swift yank, Elliana tore straight through the woman¡¯s fabric¡ªclean, brutal, and loud enough to echo off the kitchen walls. What was left behind was bare skin and stunned silence¡ªthe woman stood stripped of everything but her humiliation.

    Elliana hadn¡¯t stopped at the dress¡ªnothing was spared, underwear included.

    The nude woman copsed in a frantic heap, screeching as she scrambled to cover herself. ¡°You¡¯re out of your mind! How dare you!¡±

    Hailee stood frozen, eyes wide, struggling to process what had just happened.

    Without blinking, Elliana reached for the nearest pot¡ªhot, bubbling chicken soup¡ªand calmly tipped it right over the shrieking woman¡¯s head.

    Steam hissed from the woman¡¯s skin as the boiling soup hit, instantly blooming red across her arms and shoulders. ¡°Ah!¡± she screamed, writhing in pain.

    Screaming and wild-eyed, the woman tore out of the kitchen like a woman on fire¡ªnaked, humiliated, and oblivious to everything but pain.

    Hailee could only gape¡ªoutside waited a crew of hardened men, and this woman had just exploded into their midst wearing nothing but steam.

    ¡°Elliana¡ªgo! Use the back door!¡± Hailee shouted, panic rising fast. Hailee grabbed Elliana¡¯s hand and tried to pull her toward the back, her heart pounding. ¡°Please! If he sees this, you¡¯re screwed!¡±

    But Elliana yanked her hand free and walked toward the front entrance without a word.

    ¡°Elliana, what are you¡ª?¡± Hailee called after her, confused.

    Hailee didn¡¯t understand the n, but she followed. She always did.

    Themotion had already drawn the attention of everyone outside. And then¡ªbam¡ªout came the woman, screeching, naked, and iling like a banshee let loose. All eyes were locked on her. The stunned silence was deafening. It looked like she¡¯d gone swimming in a soup cauldron¡ªand left her dignity behind.

    Then came Elliana, emerging calmly like a queen exiting a war zone.

    She flicked a nce around and shrugged. ¡°Yep. That was me.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 98

    ?Chapter 98:

    The woman, now stripped bare, had shed every trace of her seductive allure. No one was eyeing her hungrily anymore¡ªjust grimacing.

    Elliana, however, remained effortlesslyposed. Tossing aside her apron revealed a knockout silhouette so breathtaking that it froze every gaze in ce.

    A ripple of bewilderment passed through the crowd as people exchanged looks¡ªwhat the hell had just happened?

    Myles was the first to recover, snatching a tablecloth and rushing over to shield the woman.

    Blindsided by Elliana¡¯s fearless confession, the woman crumbled, her pride in shreds. She turned toward Cole, her voice shrill and desperate as she whimpered for sympathy, ¡°Mr. Evans, that lowly waitress just snapped¡ªshe¡¯s trying to steal you from me! Out of pure jealousy, she tore my dress and threw boiling soup on me! You have to do something about this!¡±

    Gasps rippled through the crowd as all eyes swiveled to Elliana. No one expected the gentle waitress to turn savage like that. Over a man, no less. She¡¯d just gone full rogue. Then again, who could me her? Cole was rich, ruthless, and infuriatingly handsome. Women going unhinged for a guy like that? Par for the course.

    The crowd swallowed the woman¡¯s sob story whole¡ªeveryone except Cole. He wasn¡¯t fooled for a second. He knew Elliana far too well. He still remembered the night he¡¯d tried to sneak into her bed stark naked, only for her to boot him out like yesterday¡¯s trash. She¡¯d made it brutally clear she didn¡¯t want him.

    As far as he was concerned, the woman had earned her public takedown the moment she decided to mess with Elliana. He saw straight through the drama, but instead of calling the woman out, he turned to Elliana with a knowing smirk. ¡°Mind telling us what really happened, miss?¡±

    Elliana gave Cole a slow once-over, a teasing smirk ying at the corners of her mouth. ¡°Your date warned me you¡¯de after me if Iid a finger on her. I¡¯m the curious sort, so I decided to test her theory. Figured I¡¯d find out just how far you¡¯d go.¡±

    Gasps rippled through the crowd. That was her exnation?

    Cole let out a lowugh. His wife was truly something else. She was sassy and fiery¡ªand he couldn¡¯t get enough.

    ???? ???????? ??????¡¯???? ?????????????? ???????? ?????????¦Í??????£®??????

    Elliana cocked her head, her gaze sharp and unflinching. ¡°You asked what I thought of your date earlier. Well, here it is. She¡¯s absolute garbage.¡±

    Elliana snapped, her voice sharp enough to draw blood. ¡°Some cheap whore who runs her mouth like it¡¯s worth something. That¡¯s the kind of woman you unt in front of me? What the hell is wrong with you? Scraping the bottom of the barrel, or just having such lousy taste?¡± She tilted her head with a venomous smile. ¡°Or maybe your instincts led you to this specific type?¡±

    Cole¡¯s expression turned thunderous, but Elliana kept going, unfazed. ¡°Didn¡¯t even blink when she slid her foot up your leg. Wow. You are really into her. Gotta say, that¡¯s pathetic. Your taste is disastrous.¡±

    The crowd froze, stunned into silence, their wide eyes fixed on Elliana. No one had ever dared speak to Cole that way before. She was done for. After this, she might not walk away whole.

    Cole¡¯s jaw clenched, his features hardening into something cial and dangerous, the kind of look that could make a room go still.

    The diner fell into a stunned hush, the tension so dense that it felt like trying to breathe underwater with no way up.

    Hailee and Briggs stood stock-still, pulses thudding in their ears.

    Elliana, riding the rush, was in fullmand now¡ªferocious, untouchable, and far from finished. ¡°You sound like some washed-up ex whining about women leading you on and walking away.¡± She scoffed, her voice sharp as shattered ss. ¡°Men like you¡ªignorant, oblivious¡ªget exactly what they earn. The woman you fantasize about wouldn¡¯t even look your way.¡±

    She let the silence simmer and then struck the final blow. ¡°I¡¯m guessing even your own wife¡¯s sick of the sight of you. Even if you slipped some love potion and crawled into her bed buck-naked, she¡¯d still kick your sorry ass.¡±

    Aron and Hugh both inhaled sharply, their eyes bugging. How the hell did this woman know about Cole¡¯s most embarrassing screw-up? Could she read minds?

    Myles pushed his sses up the bridge of his nose, gaze sharpening like he was connecting dots no one else saw.

    Meanwhile, the woman blinked in disbelief, her outragepletely forgotten. She¡¯d expected Elliana to only throw shade at her and not take on Cole. Was Elliana reckless or just suicidal?

    ¡°You done?¡± Cole asked in a quiet, dangerous tone.

    Elliana lifted her chin, eyes locked on his, defiant to the core. She¡¯d braced for this the moment she tore into the woman¡ªif Cole came at her, she¡¯d go blow for blow without hesitation. It wasn¡¯t like she wanted a war with him, but now that¡­

    With everything out in the open, she had no reason to hold back. If it came down to a brawl, she was dying to see who¡¯d walk away standing.

    Cole¡¯s gaze dropped to Elliana¡¯s balled-up fists, his expression impossible to read. Without warning, he closed the distance, seized her chin, and tilted her face to his.

    Everyone tensed, ready for Cole to snap at her. But he did the opposite. He leaned in, his gaze burning into hers, his mouth so close that it made her breath hitch. What came out of his mouth left everyone stunned.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 99

    ?Chapter 99:

    Elliana braced herself, ready for Cole to fire off some warning shots. Instead of backing down, she cocked her head and met his stare head-on, not a flicker of fear in sight.

    The second their eyes met, a teasing grin tugged at Cole¡¯s lips. He let out a slow breath and said, ¡°Well now, you¡¯ve definitely caught my eye, honey.¡±

    Even though his tone was gentle, his words struck Elliana like a jolt of lightning straight to the brain. Her pulse faltered, missing a few beats as her brain tried to keep up. What on earth was he trying to say with that?

    Cole looked at her with a mix of charm and danger, the kind of stare that could spark nerves in the bravest soul.

    Elliana had no clue what to make of him¡ªhe was a closed book with a mischievous smile.

    Even Myles, Aron, and Hugh¡ªCole¡¯s longtime crew¡ªlooked like they¡¯d been hit with a plot twist they hadn¡¯t seening.

    Confusion drifted over the diner like mist rolling in on a still morning. The woman, makeup smudged and hair a disaster, blinked like she¡¯d just woken up in a different reality. Was Cole not on her side anymore? And what was that nonsense about this attractive waitress having his attention?

    Before anyone could figure out what was happening, Cole strode over and picked Elliana up like she was the lead in some rom movie. That one bold move spelled it out for the whole room¡ªhe was smitten with her.

    The woman looked like her eyeballs were about to fall out. Was she seriously being outdone by some waitress?

    Hugh tugged on Myles¡¯s sleeve and whispered, ¡°Has Mr. Evanspletely lost it? First, he brought that shy chick into a tiny diner on Willow Lane. Now he¡¯s chasing a waitress? Should we step in or what?¡±

    Myles gave Hugh a side nce and responded, ¡°Did you already forget what I drilled into you? If your brain¡¯s not catching up, then keep your mouth shut.¡±

    Hugh, feeling the sting of the rebuke and still itching to know more, murmured, ¡°I¡¯m just concerned Mr. Evans is making a mess of things. They told us to watch him closely. If he slips up, it¡¯s our job to take over.¡±

    ???????? ???????? ???????????? at galn??v??????£®?????

    With zero patience, Myles flicked him on the forehead. ¡°That¡¯s my job. Leave it to me, genius.¡±

    As the two kept squabbling, Elliana finally shook off her daze and began twisting in Cole¡¯s arms, trying to break free.

    Cole didn¡¯t ease his hold. He said in a calm voice that held something deadly beneath the surface, ¡°One more move, and this whole ce gets wiped off the map.¡±

    Elliana came to a standstill, her entire body tense. There was no chance she¡¯d let Hailee¡¯s family take the hit for something she could fix. She¡¯d settle it herself, as soon as they got out of here.

    Once Elliana stopped struggling, Cole gave a smug grin and strode out of the diner, effortlessly carrying her in his arms.

    ¡°Wait!¡± Hailee dashed after them. ¡°Please, let her go! I¡¯ll take the me for everything. Just put her down!¡±

    Cole didn¡¯t even blink in her direction. He moved like she wasn¡¯t there. Over his shoulder, Elliana gave Hailee a quick look and said, ¡°It¡¯s alright. Don¡¯t stress.¡±

    But Hailee still seemed shaken, so Elliana pulled out her phone and sent her a message, saying, ¡°He is Cole Evans.¡±

    The second Hailee read the text, she froze mid-step. She had never met Cole in person, but his name carried a reputation of its own. He was the billionaire leader of the Evans family. Elliana¡¯s wedding to him had made headlines everywhere. So, the two of them were husband and wife.

    Hailee let out an exasperated breath and a shortugh. Seriously? A power couple picking a fight in a quiet little diner? Was this their idea of a romantic outing?

    Clueless and jittery, Briggs leaned toward Hailee and asked, ¡°Do you think we should call the police?¡±

    With a calm smile, Hailee shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Dad. Elliana¡¯s not in danger.¡±

    Not long after, Cole strode toward the car with Elliana still tucked tightly in his arms.

    After dispatching two guards to handle the woman, Myles slid into the passenger seat. He was about to give the order to move but hesitated, ncing over his shoulder. ¡°Where to, Mr. Evans?¡±

    Without loosening his grip on Elliana, Cole replied, ¡°Regal Grove.¡±

    Regal Grove served as Cole¡¯s personal retreat, tucked away from the public eye.

    ¡°Understood.¡± Myles nodded, instructed the driver, and then reached forward to raise the privacy screen.

    They were riding in a sleek stretch limo¡ªMyles and the driver up front, Aron and Hugh at the rear, while Cole and Elliana sat cocooned in the center. With the partition drawn, the middle seat felt like its own private world.

    The sleek ck convoy pulled away from Willow Lane with quiet authority.

    Still grumbling under his breath, Hugh leaned toward Aron and whispered, ¡°Mr. Evans is really bringing that waitress to Regal Grove. You think he¡¯s trying to make her his mistress?¡±

    When Aron didn¡¯t respond, Hugh gave him a nudge. ¡°Come on, man, say something! The Evans family has rules¡ªno mistresses allowed. If Ruben hears about this, Cole¡¯s toast!¡±

    With a knowing smirk, Aron finally said, ¡°Still clueless? Mr. Evans is not sneaking around. That¡¯s his wife he¡¯s got in his arms.¡±

    Hugh stared at him, stunned. ¡°Wait, what? I thought Elliana was supposed to look awful?¡±

    Aron simply leaned back and let the silence confirm everything.

    Meanwhile, Cole kept Elliana firmly seated on hisp, his fingers casually tracing the curve of her waistpletely unbothered by the world outside their tinted windows.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 100

    ?Chapter 100:

    Elliana sat stiffly, irritation bubbling up as Cole¡¯s wandering hands tested her patience and left her speechless. After everything that happenedst night, she had expected some distance¡ªmaybe silence and awkward politeness. Instead, Cole was getting bolder, touching her as though nothing had changed.

    ¡°Keep your hands off me!¡± Elliana hissed, the words sharp enough to cut through the tension but quiet enough not to echo. She had deliberately lowered her voice, mindful of the other upants in the car¡ªeven with the privacy screen up, voices had a way of slipping through.

    Apparently, a whisper wasn¡¯t enough to stop Cole. Instead of backing off, his hand slipped beneath her shirt, his fingers finding her side and giving it a yful, infuriating pinch.

    ¡°You absolute jerk! What part of ¡®stop¡¯ do you not get?¡± Elliana¡¯s self-control snapped, and an unfiltered curse escaped her lips. Instant regret followed. She pressed her lips together, knowing that the outburst probably painted the wrong picture for anyone listening. But the moment had already slipped¡ªtoo loud, toote. There was no taking it back.

    Startled, the driver jerked the wheel before steadying it again. No one had ever dared call Cole a jerk before. What on earth was going on in the back seat?

    From the passenger seat, Myles lifted one brow and said, ¡°Eyes on the road.¡±

    With a stiff nod, the driver quickly corrected himself, gaze fixed dead ahead.

    Meanwhile, Aron and Hugh looked like someone had cranked up the heat¡ªfaces flushed, ears red,pletely out of their depth with this kind of tension. For as long as anyone could remember, Cole had been strictly off-limits when it came to women. They had followed his lead, swearing off even casual touches like hand-holding. That was why Cole¡¯s sudden shift in behavior rattled them. He wasn¡¯t just bending the rules¡ªhe was tearing them up.

    Hugh, especially, took it the hardest. He¡¯d pegged Elliana as the desperate type, clinging to Cole ambitiously. He¡¯d even mocked her for chasing after someone way out of reach. But now? It was Cole chasing her¡ªand getting called a jerk in return. What the hell was happening? He felt like his brain had short-circuited.

    The Cole Hugh looked up to was actingpletely out of character, and it rattled something deep in him.

    Unbothered by others¡¯ thoughts, Cole kept his gaze on Elliana. Her blushing face captivated him, and he chuckled low, pleased. His hand lingered, fingers tracing her waist again, drawn back to her soft skin like it was a reflex.

    ???????? ?????????????? ???????? ??????????¦Í??????©q??????

    That was it¡ªElliana had had enough. Without thinking, she snatched his wrist and sank her teeth into his hand. She bit him. Full stop. No hesitation. She¡¯d never bitten anyone before, but if pain was the lesson, she wanted him to remember it.

    Instead of flinching, Cole let her bite down, eyes gleaming like he was indulging some scrappy little pup that had no real bite.

    The second her teeth left his skin, regret hit her hard. A p might¡¯ve sent a message¡ªthis just turned into some twisted flirting game. She wanted to shrink into the seat. Biting him? What had gotten into her? Elliana couldn¡¯t stop regretting that she¡¯d bitten him. She had never done something so downright humiliating.

    ¡°Put me down already!¡± Elliana insisted and shoved his hand away, doing her best toe off strong even though her cheeks were flushed. Cole, of course, didn¡¯t blink. That smug look said loud and clear¡ªhe¡¯d do whatever he wanted.

    Before, Cole had at least tried to mask his overbearing nature with charm. He¡¯d butter her up, sprinkle inpliments, and act like he was some refined gentleman. But now, he ignored her protests and did what he pleased, cocky to the max, tantly mischievous and unapologetic.

    Elliana swore at him inwardly with every curse she knew. That whole gentleman act was garbage. He was nothing but a sleazy liar with a pretty face.

    Before she could explode, his fingers found her cheek and gave it a bold pinch. ¡°Bad-mouthing me again in that head of yours?¡±

    She turned her re on him, eyebrows raised. Was he psychic now, or just that annoying? ¡°Are you nning to hold me hostage all night?¡± Elliana questioned, her patience spent.

    With a yful gleam in his eye, Cole tugged her closer. ¡°You trashed my date and ruined my night. Feels like you owe me something sweet in return, doesn¡¯t it?¡±

    Elliana sneered, ¡°Maybe try keeping your attack dog on a leash next time instead of letting her crash the kitchen like she owned the ce!¡±

    Cole chuckled at the memory of the woman¡¯s meltdown and then gave Elliana¡¯s cheek a squeeze. ¡°You feisty little spitfire.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s eyes rolled so hard that it almost hurt. In the underworld, she was known as Death Thorn. Being called ¡°spitfire¡± felt like an insult straight out of a high school drama.

    Cole had no clue about her thoughts. He leaned in and added, ¡°You went nuclear on my date. Come on. Was it really about her attitude, or were you just a little jealous?¡±

    With her re sharp enough to cut ss, Elliana responded, ¡°Jealous? You? I tossed you aside like spoiled leftovers. Why would I be jealous of anything involving you?¡±

    Her words struck him sharply. A shadow fell over his features, his gaze turning as cold as steel.

    Silence thickened in the confined limo, tension snapping in the air like static.

    Right when Elliana braced herself for Cole to snap, he ended up saying something that sounded more like aint than an outburst instead.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 101

    ?Chapter 101:

    ¡°You¡¯re heartless, you know that? I was falling apartst night, and you still kicked me out. Not even a little scared I might just end up in someone else¡¯s bed?¡± Cole said, eyes narrowing.

    Elliana didn¡¯t think he¡¯d y victim. She rolled her eyes. ¡°Oh please, weren¡¯t you already drooling over that whore?¡±

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t!¡± Cole retorted, his voice cracking under the weight of frustration. ¡°I spent the entire night freezing under a shower, trying to get my head straight!¡±

    Caught off guard, Elliana opened her mouth, but no words came. He would rather soak in a cold shower all night than hook up with someone else. He had more self-control than she ever realized. At her silence, Cole reached over and gave her waist a sharp pinch. Her tiny flinch gave him the tiniest win.

    The truth? He¡¯d had his share of reckless thoughtsst night. But he had shut every one of them down. He was scared that if he slipped up, Elliana would think he was tainted when she finally came around. By then, he¡¯d have no way to fix it.

    ¡°That woman in red? She was a prop, nothing more,¡± Cole exined. ¡°I just wanted to get under your skin. We didn¡¯t do a damn thing.¡±

    Elliana narrowed her eyes. ¡°Oh please. Her foot went right up your leg and you didn¡¯t even twitch. You were loving it.¡±

    Cole retorted, ¡°I struggled to rein it in. I felt like dislocating her knee!¡±

    ¡°Wow. Okay,¡± Elliana replied, eyebrows lifting. Then, she cracked up,ughter spilling out before she could stop it.

    Cole finally smiled, rxing a little. ¡°She barely touched my sock, not even skin contact. I am still clean. When we get back, I¡¯ll toss those socks and hit the shower like I¡¯m prepping for surgery. That work for you?¡±

    She believed Cole was like a whirlwind of ups and downs. One minute, he came off like some bold big shot. The next, he turned into an anxious boy, caught up in every single thought.

    Crossing her arms with a flick of defiance, Elliana sneered, ¡°What do I care if you¡¯re clean? I said itst night¡ªI don¡¯t like you, and I sure as hell don¡¯t want yourst name.¡±

    ???????????????? ?????????? ???? g???????????????????????

    ¡°I know you didn¡¯t mean your words,¡± Cole remarked, tilting his head with a sly smile tugging at his lips.

    Without waiting for a reaction, he dipped in and stole a kiss that was anything but subtle. The move stunned her¡ªshe was moments fromshing out, but the sudden weight in his expression made her freeze.

    ¡°I blew it yesterday,¡± Cole said, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°I rushed in like a fool, expecting something real to grow out of thin air. We barely know each other. You¡¯re into me, but not enough to wear my name yet¡ªam I right?¡±

    Elliana didn¡¯t reply, but the faint nod and tight press of her lips said it all. That first meeting? It hit her like static¡ªbrief, sharp, and impossible to ignore. Everything about him drew her in, just like he¡¯d guessed. Raw maism. Nothing more. His looks, his sharp suits, the effortless charm¡ªyeah, she noticed all of it. Hard not to. Still, being impressed wasn¡¯t the same as falling. She never let herself blur that line. To her,mitment wasn¡¯t casual¡ªit meant forever, or not at all.

    ¡°How about we don¡¯t rush it this time?¡± Cole leaned in, a softer look in his eyes now. ¡°People don¡¯t just fall in love overnight. It takes time, and I¡¯m okay with that. If you¡¯re not ready, then I¡¯ll take it slow. I¡¯ll win you over the long way.¡±

    Elliana stared at him, stunned. From a man like Cole, this wasn¡¯t what she expected. Her throat tightened, but no words came. A silence hung before she finally whispered, ¡°What if I¡¯m never ready?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll wait as long as it takes,¡± he said, no hesitation in sight.

    ¡°And what if I ultimately decide to walk away?¡± she asked, her voice barely audible.

    ¡°That choice is yours to make,¡± he said simply.

    The words stopped Elliana in her tracks¡ªit wasn¡¯t the kind of sweeping line she¡¯d seen y out in dramas. Guys in dramas would¡¯ve dropped to one knee by now or thrown out some desperate plea not to leave. They¡¯d promise the stars, the fight, the forever. But Cole? He gave her calm permission. No begging. No grand act. Maybe that meant he didn¡¯t love her as deeply as she thought. Or maybe he just wasn¡¯t the reckless, hearts-on-sleeves type. He was measured. He was proud.

    She grasped that real love wasn¡¯t scripted. No sweeping soundtrack, no perfectly timed tears. For someone like Cole to admit he¡¯d chase her and build something real? That already felt like his version of a deration. She wanted to ask for space. Just a little time to figure things out.

    But Cole didn¡¯t wait. ¡°You don¡¯t owe me anything,¡± he said, voice low and certain. ¡°If you need to go, go. Anywhere. Just let me be the one beside you. I¡¯ll fund the trip, do the dirty work, and raise the kids if we have any. You won¡¯t lift a finger.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s palm flew to her chest before she even realized it. Her heart pounded like it had caught up to a moment her brain hadn¡¯t processed yet. Just a second ago, she was thinking Cole was far too logical and full of himself. Now, a singlement from him had herpletely thrown off, herposure nowhere in sight. This man was dangerously smooth, and she was slipping fast.

    Elliana sat frozen, dazed, watching as he leaned in. Everything around her faded into a blur. Then came the heat of his lips¡ªfirm, certain. He pulled her into him, and just like that, her instincts to resist vanished.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 102

    ?Chapter 102:

    One smooth line from Cole, and Elliana melted. She let him steal kiss after kiss all the way home, knowing she should stop him¡ªbut not wanting to.

    Cole¡¯s lips wandered¡ªlips grazing hers, gliding along her jaw, teasing her ear, trailing down her neck. He explored every inch with quiet intensity.

    Completely captivated, Elliana gazed at that maddeningly perfect face. His breath, warm and shallow, filled her ears. asionally, he¡¯d draw a breathy gasp from her lips, making her skin buzz.

    Only when the car turned into Regal Grove and stopped outside that massive mansion did reality finally cut through the haze. As soon as Cole¡¯s hand moved toward her sses, instinct kicked in. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± she blurted out, sharper than she meant. Her fingers caught his just in time, halting the motion.

    Cole didn¡¯t push. His eyes softened as they took in her blushing face. ¡°You¡¯re still not ready to let me look, huh?¡± he asked gently.

    Still catching her breath and tasting his kisses on her lips, Elliana gave a small shrug. ¡°I¡¯ve always kept my disguise up. I¡¯m not ready to reveal my whole face yet.¡±

    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll wait,¡± Cole said, letting her go without a flicker ofint in his voice. Even though every cell in his body screamed for more, he felt nothing but grateful that she¡¯d let him kiss her for so long, and that was more than he expected. There was no rush. If she needed more time, she¡¯d have it. He didn¡¯t need to see her bare face to know he was already all in¡ªshe checked every box that mattered.

    Realizing Cole wouldn¡¯t push her, Elliana finally rxed. She straightened in her seat, fingers smoothing down her tangled hair and wrinkled clothes.

    Cole didn¡¯t say much¡ªjust watched her quietly, that tender grin never fading as he helped fix the little things she missed.

    Out of nowhere, a thought smacked her like a p. She turned toward him fast. ¡°Wait¡­ How did you recognize me?¡±

    Her mind buzzed with questions. Wasn¡¯t he supposed to believe she was in, even ugly? Her look today was miles from that image¡ªyet he¡¯d recognized her without hesitation. That could only mean one thing: he¡¯d known the truth long before today. But how long had he been hiding it?

    ???????? ???????? ?????????????? ???? gal????¦Í??????©q?????

    ¡°I figured out a while ago you weren¡¯t nearly as unattractive as you pretended to be,¡± Cole said without blinking.

    Elliana¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°So it was my face that reeled you in, huh? One nce and suddenly you couldn¡¯t keep your hands to yourself?¡± For a moment, she had genuinely believed he was drawn to who she was¡ªnot just what she looked like. Maybe he was just superficial.

    Picking up on her tone, Cole let out a softugh. ¡°I didn¡¯t fall for a pretty face. On our wedding day, I really thought you weren¡¯t much to look at. But your demeanor? That fierce spirit? That¡¯s what got me.¡±

    Now that? That she could live with. Makeup and outfits were fine, sure. But deep down, she wanted someone who could see past the surface and still stay.

    ¡°So when exactly did you realize I wasn¡¯t ugly?¡± Elliana asked, raising an eyebrow.

    ¡°On our wedding night. I identally brushed off your veil and wig. Some of that thick makeup smeared, and I caught a glimpse of your real skin. Your face was breathtaking. The makeup had only been covering it up,¡± Cole exined.

    Cole paused and then added with quiet certainty, ¡°From that, I could picture the real you. Gorgeous, exactly my type.¡±

    She raised an eyebrow. So, Cole had seen through her disguise all along, yet still teased her about it. That realization made her jaw clench. But when he called her his type, it hit deeper than she expected. Her nce toward him wasn¡¯t something she meant to give away.

    She had no clue what that look did to him. One secondter, he leaned in, lips finding hers again as he pulled her closer like he couldn¡¯t help it.

    Earlier, as soon as the car came to a stop, Myles, Aron, Hugh¡ªand yes, even the driver¡ªhad scrambled out like the car was on fire. Once outside, none of them dared to interrupt. They kept their heads down and their mouths shut, giving the couple space like their lives depended on it. Every single one of them looked like they¡¯d just escaped a fire.

    Cole and Elliana had set off a firestorm in that backseat. While Myles and the others couldn¡¯t see much, the breathy murmurs and barely-there moans? Absolute torment. They were still just young men. And Aron and Hugh especially? Way too innocent for this. Their faces were zing red as they practicallyunched themselves out of the car, arms crossed like they were freezing, though it was clear the shivers had nothing to do with the weather.

    Once far enough away from the car, Hugh leaned in and said, ¡°I hadn¡¯t expected Mr. Evans to try something like this in the car, even with us on board.¡±

    Aron didn¡¯t bother answering¡ªjust gave a half-smile and kept his thoughts to himself.

    Myles adjusted his tie like it might restore his dignity. But Hugh, still hopelessly clueless, jogged over and asked, ¡°So, um, are they going to keep making out forever or what?¡±

    ¡°Shut up,¡± Myles snapped without looking at him.

    Defeated, Hugh dragged himself back toward Aron, eyes on the ground. Meanwhile, the air inside the car was thick with heat, and it wasn¡¯t from the engine.

    Cole couldn¡¯t get enough. Like a sugar-high kid with no brakes, he kept finding Elliana¡¯s lips, again and again. Every time she tried to speak, he silenced her with another kiss.

    Elliana was losing itpletely overwhelmed by his persistence and charm. Out of breath and out of patience, she finally pushed him off. ¡°Hold up¡ªI just realized something and it¡¯s not making sense.¡±

    Though reluctant to stop, Cole leaned back slightly, his gaze still burning. ¡°What¡¯s bothering you?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 103

    ?Chapter 103:

    ¡°I haven¡¯t agreed to anything yet!¡± Elliana snapped, her voiceced with exasperation. Sure, Cole had tossed out that whole ¡°take it slow¡± idea, but she hadn¡¯t signed off on any of it. And still, he¡¯d gone and kissed her¡ªwhile she just let it happen. Now that she thought about it, that long, possessive kiss had crossed way too many lines.

    With a grin that screamed confidence, Cole leaned back. ¡°Honey, you can always say yes now.¡±

    Elliana felt her cheeks burn under Cole¡¯s smug grin. He looked like a man who thought the game was already won. That cocky attitude was grating.

    ¡°Even if I give this a shot, we¡¯re still just figuring things out!¡± Elliana retorted. ¡°Who said you could treat me like I¡¯m already yours with all that kissing and hugging?¡±

    Elliana¡¯s fiery re and indignant tone only made Cole¡¯s grin stretch wider¡ªhe was clearly enjoying this too much.

    Closing the gap, Cole kissed her again, bold and unyielding. ¡°How do you expect us to build anything if I can¡¯t even touch you?¡± he murmured against her lips.

    Elliana threw up words like roadblocks, but he steamrolled right over them with kiss after kiss. He kissed her like it was a normal part of the morning routine.

    ¡°I need a minute,¡± she said, breath uneven.

    With more force than finesse, Elliana pushed herself out of his embrace. No bluffing¡ªshe honestly needed time to get her head straight. Cole had the full package¡ªmoney, looks, and the kind of charm that made her heart skip. If she took the plunge, there¡¯d be no easing in. She¡¯d fall fast and hard. Agreeing to this thing with him? It felt like handing him the keys to her heart, no backup n. That kind of surrender scared her. It was a gamble with no guarantees. She needed to be sure she could handle the emotional storm that came with someone like Cole.

    The second her warmth left his arms, something in Cole tugged. Instinctively, he reached out to draw her in again.

    ¡°Stop¡ªjust don¡¯t.¡± Just as he moved, Elliana¡¯s hand shot out, halting him in an instant.

    Cole¡¯s fingers stiffened mid-air before falling away, unwilling but obedient. With frustration simmering beneath the surface, he met her gaze. ¡°How long am I supposed to wait?¡± he asked, quieter than before.

    ???????? ?????????????? ???????? ???? ??????????¦Í??????[.]??????

    Elliana paused to think for a moment. ¡°No idea. Maybe a day, three days, six months, a year¡­¡±

    Or maybe a lifetime, though she chose not to say that out loud. Most women would¡¯ve already caved to someone like Cole, who practically oozed charisma and dominance.

    Normally, Elliana prided herself on making bold moves decisively without second-guessing. But now? She waspletely paralyzed. Walking away would tear at her, and the idea of him with another woman made her stomach twist. But diving in headfirst? That could cost her everything. For now, time was her only safety. She wasn¡¯t going to force it. The answer woulde when it was ready.

    ¡°Are you ying games with me?¡± Cole asked, his voice sharp, his eyes darkening like a brewing storm. That wasn¡¯t just irritation¡ªthat was real, quiet fury.

    The way he looked at her sent a chill crawling up her spine. ¡°I¡¯m not ying with you,¡± she said quickly. ¡°I¡¯m being honest.¡±

    In a blink, his armshed out and pulled her straight into hisp like she weighed nothing.

    Pressed tight against him, she could feel his rage pulsing beneath his skin. His arms wrapped around her like bands of iron, refusing to let her go.

    Cole¡¯s eyes locked on hers¡ªdark, heavy, endless. Like they could pull her under if she looked too long.

    Something in her stomach flipped. She shifted in his arms, trying to wriggle free from the rising heat between them.

    ¡°Stay still!¡± Cole¡¯s hold mped tighter as his tone turned cold. ¡°One more twitch, and I won¡¯t be responsible for what happens next.¡±

    Elliana wentpletely still, afraid even the slightest twitch might set him off. Moments ago, he had been all tenderness and charm. Now he radiated pure dominance, like a storm that had snapped without warning.

    Cole¡¯s eyes stayed locked on hers, sharp and unblinking, until her skin prickled from the weight of it.

    Part of her was rattled, but the rest? Furious. ¡°What¡¯s with the forceful approach? Is this how you win women over?¡±

    ¡°And if it is?¡± Cole retorted without a second thought.

    Elliana had nothing to throw back. When someone like Cole pushed forward, convinced he was right, resistance felt like trying to stop a freight train. The sting of his intensity made her voice crack slightly. ¡°You¡¯re being unfair to me!¡±

    What threw her off was the sh of real hurt in his eyes. ¡°Tell me what I¡¯mcking. I¡¯ve done everything I can. And still, you hesitate. Why? What¡¯s there to think about?¡±

    That sulky expression of his nearly broke her¡ªshe had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop the grin from escaping. Still, she kept her amusement buried, not wanting to spark another emotional re-up.

    Elliana took a breath and chose to level the tension. ¡°It¡¯s not because there¡¯s something wrong with you. It¡¯s the opposite. You¡¯re more than I expected. And something that good deserves real thought, not just impulse.¡±

    Her honesty didn¡¯t soothe him¡ªit sparked something else entirely. Her logic made no sense to him. If something felt right, why wouldn¡¯t she just grab it and hold on? To him, it wasn¡¯t hesitation¡ªit was leading him on without giving him any serious thought, in and simple. Without warning, the car door swung wide. The next thing she knew, Cole had thrown her out like he was done ying nice.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 104

    ?Chapter 104:

    Before Elliana could react, Cole had tossed her out of the car with startling speed.

    Instinct kicked in¡ªElliananded on her palms and knees, barely managing to stop herself from mming into the ground. Still, hernding wasn¡¯t exactly graceful¡ªshe ended up crouched like a startled cat, breath short and pride bruised.

    The driver and the three men outside stood frozen, their eyes darting from Elliana¡¯s crumpled form to Cole¡¯s thunderous expression inside the car. What just happened? One minute, the two were all over each other like teenagers sneaking kisses in the back row of a movie theater, and now this? Cole had literally thrown Elliana out? Clearly, something had gone down¡ªand judging by the looks on their faces, it wasn¡¯t pretty.

    As Myles and the others debated helping Elliana up, she sprang to her feet with surprising grace.

    Standing tall, her posture sharp and fearless, Elliana¡¯s re could have shattered ss. Her fists clenched at her sides as though she was ready to throw the first punch.

    Cole stared back at her, unflinching. His gaze was cold, his face carved into something cruel.

    The atmosphere was thick, heavy enough to snap. Every man present held their breath, silently wishing to disappear into the background. Just as Elliana seemed ready to charge at Cole, his voice sliced through the silence.

    ¡°Go think it over, damn it! You¡¯ve got three days. If I don¡¯t get an answer that pleases me, you¡¯re going to regret wasting my time.¡±

    The second those words left Cole¡¯s mouth, Myles, Aron, and Hugh blinked like they¡¯d been dragged straight back to the past. That tone¡ªsharp, raw, straight from Cole¡¯s reckless teen days¡ªhadn¡¯t surfaced in years. But there it was again, out in the open.

    By the time Cole hit seventeen, he¡¯d refined himself into the image of restraint. His friends used to joke he looked like one of those stone gods in a museum¡ªperfect, polished, untouchable. But Elliana? She unraveled that statue in minutes, drawing out a temper he¡¯d buried years ago.

    Whatever judgment lingered in the eyes of Myles and the others didn¡¯t faze Elliana. Cole¡¯s smugness, his nerve¡ªit made her blood boil.

    ?????????????? ?????????? ?????? ?????? ???? gal????¦Í??????£®??????

    ¡°I don¡¯t need three days!¡± she shouted, her rage rising with each word. ¡°I¡¯ve decided now!¡±

    That stopped Cole cold. His gaze locked onto hers, unreadable and rigid. With venom in her voice, Elliana sneered, ¡°I don¡¯t like you. I¡¯ve never loved you. And if the world were empty and you were thest one breathing, I still wouldn¡¯t choose you.¡±

    She spun on her heel and stormed off without hesitation. Her eyes caught sight of a motorcycle in the courtyard. Without pause, she snatched the helmet, climbed on, and kicked it to life¡ªtearing off with a roar of defiance and dust.

    Myles, Aron, Hugh¡ªeven the driver¡ªstood frozen, mouths agape as the scene unfolded. There was no sugarcoating it. Cole¡¯s pursuit had crashed and burned, and Elliana had torn into him.

    Never in Cole¡¯s life had he been rejected like this. Women usually begged for his attention¡ªElliana had thrown it aside without a second thought.

    Myles and the others started silently sweating, wondering if witnessing this moment would put a target on their backs. With that thought, they threw nervous nces toward Cole¡ªhis expression looked like it belonged to a man about to tten an entire city block.

    Not even registering their presence, Cole stepped out of the car with fire in his eyes, tracking Elliana¡¯s retreat like a predator on the hunt.

    On the roaring bike, Elliana raised her hand high, her middle finger extended, slicing the air like a final word Cole couldn¡¯t respond to. That wasn¡¯t just a rejection¡ªit was a full-on gut punch.

    Cole¡¯s jaw clenched so tightly that it felt like his mrs were trying to start a fire. Every muscle in his body screamed to go after her, to haul her back and remind her exactly who he was.

    The crew stood frozen, mentally kicking themselves for witnessing Cole¡¯s embarrassment. Part of them wondered if they¡¯d live to regret having eyes at all.

    With a growl and no warning, Cole sent a heavy nter flying. His voice cut through the silence, ¡°Heartless woman!¡±

    That woman had no mercy. She reeled him in with those wide, sweet eyes¡ªand then sliced him to pieces. She took it all¡ªhis wallet, his kisses, and his affection. To top it off, she rode away on his four-million-dor bike like she¡¯d just pulled off a heist.

    After smashing the nter, Cole caught sight of his crew watching him. His gaze sharpened. ¡°What¡¯re you looking at?¡±

    Instantly, a cold dread crept down the crew¡¯s spines, as if a knife had been pressed to each of their necks.

    Myles pushed up his sses with deliberate caution. ¡°As far as we¡¯re concerned, nothing happened.¡±

    ¡°Totally blind!¡± the driver interjected, his panic mode fully activated.

    Cole sneered, ¡°Since you all have energy to stand around staring, how about you burn it off with an all-night marathon? Go on!¡±

    Before he finished his sentence, the crew scattered like terrified pigeons. Only Myles, Aron, and Hugh remained rooted to the ground. Running until their legs gave out seemed far preferable to facing Cole¡¯s fury head-on.

    Left behind, Myles, Aron, and Hugh stood stiff as statues, their nervousness palpable as Cole¡¯s re bore into them. They might as well have painted bullseyes on their chests.

    Just as the tension reached its peak, Cole¡¯s phone buzzed¡ªcutting through the silence like a de.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 105

    ?Chapter 105:

    The iing call came from Manley.

    Cole tapped the answer button, and Manley¡¯s familiar, yful tone filled the line. ¡°Cole, I hope I¡¯m not interrupting anything? I just have to ask¡ªhow did you like the woman I picked out for you?¡±

    Cole¡¯s expression darkened instantly, his face stormy and unreadable. Every fiber of his being wanted to chew Manley out. All he had asked was for Manley to find him apanion, mainly to provoke Elliana. Who could¡¯ve guessed Manley had such a horrendous sense of taste?

    From the second Cole saw the woman in the red dress, he had wanted her gone. But there hadn¡¯t been enough time to make a change. He was stuck bringing her along, showing her off in front of Elliana. While he¡¯d meant to get a reaction out of her, he ended up hating himself in the process. Looking back now, he had to admit that Elliana¡¯s teasing about his awful taste was well deserved.

    Oblivious to the storm brewing on Cole¡¯s end, Manley was clearly fishing for praise. ¡°Hey, I followed your criteria perfectly¡ªmature, elegant, beautiful. Meagan fits it all.¡±

    Meagan Pierce was the woman¡¯s name.

    ¡°Ha-ha,¡± Manley chuckled with a sly grin. ¡°Isn¡¯t she just adorable? So sweet, so captivating? Bet you couldn¡¯t pull yourself away from her, huh? Come on, admit it¡ªI nailed it, right?¡±

    Cole¡¯s eyes narrowed into icy slits, and his jaw clenched tight. ¡°Get lost!¡± he snapped, ending the call abruptly.

    Seeing the fury written all over Cole¡¯s face, Myles, Aron, and Hugh felt a chilling wave rush over them. They already knew this was going to be a brutal night.

    As expected, Cole¡¯s frigid voice sliced through the air. ¡°What are your ns for tonight?¡±

    Neither Aron nor Hugh dared to open their mouths. Myles, left with no option, stumbled out a reply. ¡°We¡­ we don¡¯t have anything nned for tonight.¡±

    ???????? ???????????????? ???????????? ???? ?????????¦Í?????????????

    The only thing they truly wanted was to sink into their beds. The day had already drained every ounce of energy from them. After a full workload, they had been roped into following Cole to Willow Lane. First, they¡¯d witnessed the awkward spectacle of two women seemingly fighting over Cole. Then, they¡¯d been subjected to an overdose of sweet, nauseating affection. To top it all off, the entire situation had spiraled into chaos, leaving thempletely rattled. The emotional rollercoaster had taken a toll¡ªthey were hanging by a thread.

    Had they known things would take such a turn, they wouldn¡¯t have pushed so hard to analyze Cole¡¯s intentions or encouraged the trip to Willow Lane. Now, all they felt was regret. Still, none of them dared voice those thoughts. All they could do was stand still, the picture of obedience under Cole¡¯s prating gaze.

    Cole¡¯s eyes locked onto them, his stare carrying a sharp glint of malice. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll be the one to make ns for tonight.¡±

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh flinched at his words. They didn¡¯t even want to guess what he had in store.

    Meanwhile, Elliana had already left Regal Grove and returned alone to the Evans family¡¯s estate, her bold makeup reapplied to look as unpleasant as ever. Regardless of what had happened, she was still Cole¡¯s wife¡ªand with that title came responsibilities. Besides, Ruben had never treated her unfairly.

    It was almost midnight by the time she approached the estate. Wanting to avoid waking anyone, she parked the motorcycle far from the vi and walked the rest of the way on foot.

    She expected quiet, perhaps evenplete stillness, but the sight that greeted her in the living room caught her off guard.

    The Evans household followed a firm rule about keeping quiet after 8 p.m., and most of them usually headed to their rooms before the clock struck 9. Therefore, it was out of the ordinary to see the whole family still gathered in the living room at such ate hour.

    But tonight was different. The entire family was there. Even Ruben, who was always disciplined with his schedule, hadn¡¯t gone to bed. To be noted, uneasiness was written across every single face in the room.

    Ruben kept shifting his gaze toward the wall clock, letting out a sigh each time. ¡°When is sheing back?¡± he murmured. ¡°Or is she noting home at all tonight?¡±

    Bertram and Emmanuel sat close by, clearly wanting to ease Ruben¡¯s worry, yet neither could find the right words. They just remained seated, silently sharing in his restlessness.

    Elliana lingered in the doorway, taking in their anxious expressions. She moved forward, ready to speak. But before she could say anything, Ruben looked up and spotted her.

    ¡°Elliana!¡± Ruben called out, his voice bursting with relief, cutting her off before she could even open her mouth. ¡°There you are! I¡¯ve been waiting so long that I thought I¡¯d sprout gray hair! Comee sit right here beside me!¡±

    He enthusiastically patted the cushion next to him.

    Hearing Ruben¡¯s joyful words, the rest of the Evans family members turned to look at Elliana, their eyes wide with curiosity, as though something remarkable had just happened.

    Only then did Elliana realize what this was. They had all been waiting for her. Such a dramatic reception¡ªwas it because they wanted to bring upst night¡¯s disaster? Were they really nning to ask about the humiliating failure to consummate the marriage with Cole? Oh no. That was thest thing she wanted to revisit. Not in front of the entire Evans family.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 106

    ?Chapter 106:

    If Ruben so much as mentioned the disastrous failure to consummate the marriage the other night, Elliana wouldn¡¯t know where to begin.

    Elliana knew the whole family had assumed Cole couldn¡¯t bring himself to touch her¡ªthat he¡¯d run off out of disgust. No way could she exin that she¡¯d been the one to push him away. And after the fiery showdown with Cole moments ago, she had no idea where things stood¡ªor if they could stand at all.

    After a brief pause to gather herself, Elliana moved toward Ruben and sat down, doing her best to look calm and agreeable.

    But to her surprise, Ruben skipped over what she dreaded. Instead, his face lit up with admiration. ¡°Elliana, you¡¯re actually the famous Rosa? How could you keep such a big deal from us? That¡¯s humility taken to the extreme!¡±

    Only then did it click for Elliana. She had let her identity as Rosa slip earlier while dealing with Paige.

    ¡°It¡¯s really not a big deal, Ruben,¡± Elliana said with a modest shrug. ¡°I just design a few things¡ªsome clothes, some jewelry. Nothing that stacks up next to the Evans legacy.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re downying it way too much!¡± Ruben looked at her like she¡¯d hung the stars. ¡°Rosa may not be as big as the Evans Group, but building an empire by twenty? That takes brilliance and backbone.¡± His words carried more weight as his eyes drifted toward the younger Evans n. ¡°Honestly, not many of our descendants have done anything close to that. You¡¯ve made me proud to call you my granddaughter-inw.¡±

    Not long ago, Elliana had been theughingstock of the Evans family. Now that her identity as Rosa was out? Some felt outssed.

    Rosa wasn¡¯t just a name¡ªit was a global fashion giant, pulling in massive revenue year after year. Ironically, the Evans women had been drooling over her designs without knowing Elliana was the one behind them.

    At that very moment, Irene, Louisa, and Trinity were literally draped in Rosa originals¡ªhead to toe.

    ???????? ???????? ?????????? ???????????????? ???? g????????¦Í??????£®??????

    Elliana¡¯s bank ount could humble half the room¡ªand that was being generous.

    Sure, the Evans name came withfort and money, but not all of them were self-made. A good number relied on generous monthly allowances to stay afloat. And while the allowances were the kind people would kill for, beside Elliana¡¯s personal¡­

    Fortune, they lookedughable. Jeff had once mocked Elliana for adopting a stray cat, iming she couldn¡¯t even afford to feed herself. Who wasughing now?

    Previously, Irene had made sly jabs about Elliana being unfit to be the Evans matriarch, while Trinity had dished out faux kindness just to feel superior.

    Now the three of them¡ªJeff, Irene, and Trinity¡ªsat there red-faced, swallowing every smug word they¡¯d ever said.

    Elliana could easily fund a nationwide rescue mission for stray cats and still have change to spare. The idea that she couldn¡¯t support herself wasughable.

    Running Rosa like a global powerhouse proved one thing¡ªElliana had more than enough backbone to lead the Evans family.

    When Elliana was already a globally recognized design force, who really cared about her SATs or which college she would get into? From the moment the truth about Elliana being Rosa hit the air, Trinity had been silentlybusting with envy. Year after year, she had shelled out thousands on Rosa¡¯stest collections, bragging to her socialite friends and iming Rosa as her ultimate idol.

    Now that Rosa had a face¡ªand that face was Elliana¡¯s¡ªTrinity felt humiliated, like she¡¯d been duped. If only she could rewind time and take back every word of praise. Elliana was supposed to be ordinary¡ªugly, even. How did that nobody turn out to be the brain behind an empire?

    Trinity¡¯s grip on the spotlight felt like it was slipping. How was she supposed to outshine Elliana now? What if the admiration she¡¯d soaked up all her life started shifting in Elliana¡¯s direction? Cole still wasn¡¯t hers, and if she lost her audience now, what was left? Being adored was her lifeline. Watching it slip through her fingers wasn¡¯t something she could stomach. Jealousy twisted in her chest, tight and bitter, as if the ground beneath her was tilting.

    Unbothered by the silent war breaking out around him, Ruben kept singing Elliana¡¯s praises like she was the most precious thing he¡¯d ever seen¡ªuntil he nearly lost his voice.

    The longer he went on, the more Elliana shifted ufortably. She almost reached over to tell him to take a break¡ªit was gettingte. Out of nowhere, Louisa chimed in with a warm smile, ¡°Elliana, do you mind if I ask you a favor? I hope it¡¯s not a bother.¡±

    That got Elliana¡¯s attention. She nced over, curious. Louisa was usually the calm one¡ªgraceful, polished, never ruffling feathers.

    Hearing her speak up like this? That was unexpected.

    ¡°Of course,¡± Elliana said, offering a polite smile. ¡°What do you need?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 107

    ?Chapter 107:

    ¡°You probably don¡¯t realize it, Elliana, but Rosa¡¯s clothes are basically our family¡¯s holy grail. Every season, it¡¯s a mad dash to grab the newest drops,¡± Louisa said, her warm smile making the words feel like a hug.

    While Irene came off like a walking eye-roll, Louisa carried herself with the ease of a kind soul.

    Elliana offered a polite smile, quietly encouraging Louisa to continue.

    With a sweep of her hand toward Irene and Trinity, Louisa added, ¡°Check us out, Elliana. Head to toe in Rosa. You¡¯ve got yourself a loyal fan club right here.¡±

    At Louisa¡¯s words, a jolt of difort ran through Irene and Trinity like static.

    Word had just gotten out that Elliana was Rosa, and Ruben had wasted no time gathering everyone before Irene or Trinity could change out of their Rosa gear. If Irene and Trinity had had time, they would¡¯ve burned the tags¡ªanything to keep Elliana from basking in their unintended endorsement. Louisa¡¯s praise turned the air thick with secondhand embarrassment for them.

    Trinity swallowed her annoyance since Louisa was older. Irene, about the same age as Louisa, wasn¡¯t so subtle. Her icy stare cut straight through Louisa, silently ordering her to zip it.

    Back when Irene ran the household, Louisa hadn¡¯t dared make a peep, always ying meek. But now, Louisa was getting bold, and Irene was itching to shut her down.

    Louisa didn¡¯t even flinch at Irene¡¯s re. She kept smiling at Elliana like nothing had happened, her voice still as sweet as syrup. ¡°Who would¡¯ve guessed Rosa¡¯s actually one of us? I can¡¯t contain my excitement! Elliana, any chance we get first dibs on Rosa¡¯s new seasonal drops? That¡¯s not too much to ask, right?¡±

    Elliana smiled and said, ¡°Of course. If everyone in the family¡¯s such a big fan, I¡¯ll make sure you get early ess to whatever Rosa puts out next. And if anyone needs something custom, just reach out. I¡¯ll throw in a 20% discount, no strings attached.¡±

    Louisa pped her hands with glee. ¡°That¡¯s awesome!¡±

    ¡°Really appreciate that, Elliana,¡± Trinity chimed in. Even though she was fuming under the surface, she managed to keep her act together. She¡¯d never openly beefed with Elliana before, so she had to y nice. But Irene was a whole different¡­

    ?????????????? ????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ???? ?????????¦Í??????£®??????

    Days of bad blood with Elliana made it impossible to pretend. Her scowl could curdle milk.

    Jeff noticed Irene¡¯s sour expression and let out a snort. ¡°Charging your own family? That discount¡¯s a joke. I don¡¯t know how you say that with a straight face.¡±

    Jeff barely got the words out before a cane came swinging and smacked his shin. Whatever support he thought he¡¯d gain? Nothing.

    ¡°You absolute blockhead!¡± Ruben shouted, scowling. ¡°Elliana is world-renowned. People throw money at her just for a chance at a fitting. And here she is, cutting us a deal, and you¡¯re whining for freebies?¡± Pain red through Jeff¡¯s leg, and he shut his mouth fast. One more word, and that cane would probably find his ribs next.

    Jeff figured the beating was over, but just as he started to rx¡ªwhack, another hit came out of nowhere.

    ¡°Ouch!¡± Rubbing his leg, Jeff eximed, ¡°Come on! I didn¡¯t say anything! What was that for?¡±

    ¡°You fool!¡± Ruben huffed. ¡°You didn¡¯t flinch the first time. It appeared I went easy. So, I had to hit harder to ensure you learn a lesson. Next time, maybe you¡¯ll think before you speak.¡±

    Jeff¡¯s eyes stung, but no tears came¡ªjust a lump in his throat and frustration pounding in his chest. That first strike had stung like hell, but he¡¯d swallowed the pain to save face. He hadn¡¯t wanted to seem soft, but if he had known that acting tough would earn him a second beating, he would¡¯ve screamed at the first hit.

    Jeff¡¯s thoughts were scrambled, bitterness and frustration bubbling under the surface. With his head low, he stayed frozen, not daring to act recklessly anymore. Ever since Elliana stepped into the picture, it felt like he¡¯d be public enemy number one. Every mistake, every snidement¡ªhe took the fall. It was eating him alive.

    Irene¡¯s chest tightened when she caught Jeff¡¯s defeated look. Her instincts screamed at her to jump in, to defend him, but thest time she opened her mouth, she paid for it too. So, she stayed silent, fists clenched.

    Once Ruben was doneying into Jeff, he turned with a full-face smile toward Elliana. ¡°Now, Elliana, tell me. Life with the Jones family hadn¡¯t been smooth sailing. How did you manage to turn all that into Rosa?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been curious too,¡± Louisa chimed in, jumping in with wide-eyed interest. ¡°Elliana, that first piece you released¡ªSpring Goddess¡ªI went back and checked. You were just ten years old when it came out! How did you even create something that incredible at that age and know to submit it to apetition that big?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 108

    ?Chapter 108:

    Ruben and Louisa¡¯s curiosity radiated through the room, drawing everyone¡¯s attention to Elliana.

    The Evans family boasted exceptional talent, but making significant achievements at just ten years old? That had been Cole¡¯s domain. Until now, no one else had reached such heights.

    Who would have imagined that Elliana, once dismissed as an ugly nobody, would aplish such an impressive feat?

    Unable to reveal the authentic story behind everyone¡¯s inquiries, Elliana kept her exnation simple. ¡°I just enjoy sketching and experimenting with different drawings. Never thought much about it, really. A family friend, Mr. Norris, submitted my work to the contest.¡± The Mr. Norris that Elliana mentioned was actually Leonel Norris, Adah¡¯s father.

    Elliana¡¯s mother, Rita, and Adah¡¯s mother, Sally Norris, had been close friends years ago, which meant Leonel and Rita knew each other well, and their families maintained strong connections. After both Rita and Sally passed away, Leonel asionally visited the Jones estate to check on Elliana¡¯s well-being.

    Now that Elliana had attributed her sess to Leonel¡¯s intervention, none of the Evans family questioned her exnation.

    After hearing Elliana¡¯s ount, Ruben nodded with genuine admiration. ¡°No mentor, difficult upbringing, and yet you¡¯ve achieved remarkable sess at ten through sheer determination. You¡¯re truly extraordinary!¡±

    Noticing Jeff¡¯s sullen expression, Ruben struck him lightly with his cane. ¡°Elliana became a star at ten years old. You¡¯re eight, doing nothing but eating, sleeping, and ying around. What a disappointment!¡± Jeff was stunned. How had he be the target of criticism simply for remaining quiet?

    Ruben showed no concern for Jeff¡¯s wounded feelings. He turned toward Irene, his voice firm and unwavering. ¡°Tomorrow, transfer all your responsibilities to Elliana. She manages a major brand. She¡¯s more than capable of leading our household. No need for an extensive transition period.¡±

    Upon hearing this directive, Irene¡¯s heart sank with reluctance, but she dared not object, responding obediently, ¡°Yes.¡±

    Irene had managed the Evans household for years. Now, surrendering control to Elliana, someone she had always looked down upon, felt like a bitter pill to swallow.

    ?????????????? ?????? ?????????¦Í????????????

    Elliana swallowed. She would have to follow her own instructions, and the mere thought constricted her chest.

    Elliana felt no enthusiasm about assuming leadership, but Irene had been a constant source of aggravation since day one. To prevent further conflict, she preferred not to leave Irene in a position of power, so she epted the offer without resistance.

    After settling the leadership transition, Ruben smiled warmly at Elliana. ¡°Come upstairs with me, Elliana. I have several private matters to discuss.¡±

    ¡°Certainly,¡± Elliana replied. She rose from her seat and assisted Ruben up the stairs.

    Once Ruben departed, Irene exhaled deeply and immediately shot Louisa a venomous re.

    Louisa had previously avoided Irene¡¯s wrath, but today she responded with a sly smirk. ¡°Why are you looking at me that way, Irene?¡±

    ¡°Hmph!¡± Irene scoffed derisively. ¡°Do you think you can suddenly disrespect me now that I¡¯ve lost my position?¡±

    ¡°Where is this hostilitying from?¡± Louisa asked, feigning innocence.

    ¡°Drop the pretense! I may have lost the matriarch title, but I can still put you in your ce. Mind your behavior, or you¡¯ll face consequences.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s rather harsh,¡± Louisa remarked with coolposure. Unlike the temperamental Irene, Louisa maintained herposure, choosing her words carefully.

    Even threatened by Irene, Louisa avoided direct retaliation. Instead, she turned toward Bertram. ¡°You witnessed everything, Bertram. I never disrespected Irene, yet she¡¯s attacking me unprovoked. Are you going to allow this behavior?¡±

    Bertram had never appreciated Irene¡¯s blunt, argumentative manner. Shecked the refinement and elegance of his first love.

    Being called out by Louisa before everyone made Bertram flush with embarrassment. He directed an icy stare at Irene. ¡°If you¡¯re restless, go take an evening jog. Stop creating drama like somemon fishwife!¡±

    Irene began to protest, but Bertram¡¯s severe expression silenced her instantly.

    Louisa had clearly identified Irene¡¯s vulnerabilities and exploited them masterfully, leaving Irene defenseless. Bertram offered no support whatsoever.

    Humiliated by Bertram¡¯s cutting remarks, Irene fought back tears as she hastily retreated upstairs.

    Louisa allowed herself a subtle, satisfied smirk. After enduring years of Irene¡¯s mistreatment, this moment of retribution felt particrly gratifying.

    She recognized that Irene harbored intense dislike for Elliana and resented relinquishing control. With Elliana¡¯s Rosa revtion, Louisa seized the perfect opportunity to deepen Irene¡¯s wounds, and her strategy seeded brilliantly.

    Everyone observed the power struggle between Irene and Louisa, yet nobody dared toment.

    ¡°I wonder how Cole is managing. Did he encounter any difficultiesst night?¡± Trinity suddenly interjected.

    Trinity, unwilling to let Elliana bask in her Rosa fame, cleverly mentioned Cole to redirect everyone¡¯s attention.

    Humiliated by Bertram¡¯s cutting remarks, Irene fought back tears as she hastily retreated upstairs.

    Louisa allowed herself a subtle, satisfied smirk. After enduring years of Irene¡¯s mistreatment, this moment of retribution felt particrly gratifying.

    She recognized that Irene harbored intense dislike for Elliana and resented relinquishing control. With Elliana¡¯s Rosa revtion, Louisa seized the perfect opportunity to deepen Irene¡¯s wounds, and her strategy seeded brilliantly.

    Everyone observed the power struggle between Irene and Louisa, yet nobody dared toment.

    ¡°I wonder how Cole is managing. Did he encounter any difficultiesst night?¡± Trinity suddenly interjected.

    Trinity, unwilling to let Elliana bask in her Rosa fame, cleverly mentioned Cole to redirect everyone¡¯s attention.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 109

    ?Chapter 109:

    The room was buzzing with chatter about Elliana¡¯s story of rising from hardship, but when Trinity dropped Cole¡¯s name, it was like someone flipped a switch. The vibe went cold in a heartbeat.

    ¡°Cole got suckered into tying the knot with Elliana. Talk about a rotten deal!¡± Jeff sneered. He was already stewing, and Trinity¡¯s jab gave him the perfect opening to tear into Elliana, letting his resentment pour out. ¡°Cole¡¯s always been a straight shooter, never chasing skirts. If he got desperatest night and tangled with someone who wasn¡¯t his wife, he¡¯s probably gutted. He might never set foot in the Evans house again.¡± Jeff snorted, rolling his eyes. ¡°So what if Elliana¡¯s the brains behind Rosa? Her art¡¯s a knockout, her clothes and jewelry are pure fire, but that doesn¡¯t erase the fact that she¡¯s ugly and barely made it past grade school. She¡¯s no match for Cole.¡±

    Jeff went on. ¡°I can¡¯t wrap my head around what Grandpa¡¯s thinking. The Evans family doesn¡¯t need some artsy type or designer. Why did he so appreciate Elliana? She¡¯s driven Cole to storm off, yet she¡¯s still ted to call the shots as matriarch. That¡¯s just upside-down!¡±

    With Ruben out of the room, Jeff cut loose, and nobody pped back. Honestly, Jeff was just voicing the thoughts simmering in the minds of half the room. Even though Elliana was Rosa, she was still too unattractive in their eyes. If given the choice, the Evans family wouldn¡¯t trade their golden boy for her talents. At the end of the day, Elliana¡¯s looks were her Achilles¡¯ heel in their book. Despite her jaw-dropping wins in art and design, to the high-and-mighty Evans family, it was chump change¡ªnot enough to gloss over her appearance.

    Jeff¡¯s griping doused the admiration and warm fuzzies Elliana had sparked. Some even pointed fingers at her for Cole¡¯s absence from home.

    Cole was the Evans family¡¯s bedrock. They wouldn¡¯t let some unattractive woman break him down.

    This was the exact vibe Trinity was gunning for. Jeff had done her dirty work. Watching the crowd turn, she felt her nerves cool like a summer breeze.

    ¡°Elliana, that nobody, thinking she can swipe my spot as the Evans family¡¯s darling with her Rosa street cred? Fat chance!¡± Trinity smirked to herself.

    ?????????? ?????????????? ???? ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Meanwhile, upstairs in the study, Ruben sank into a cushy leather chair, hands gripping his cane. He opened his mouth a few times but mmed up, like he was wrestling with a thorny question.

    ¡°Ruben, something eating at you?¡± Elliana prodded.

    Ruben hesitated and then chose his words carefully. ¡°You and Cole¡­¡± He let out a sigh, switching tracks. ¡°Elliana, don¡¯t take Cole¡¯s sharp edges to heart. He¡¯s got a fierce sense of duty. Give him time to get his head straight, and he¡¯lle around.¡±

    Elliana raised an eyebrow. So that was what was gnawing at Ruben¡ªhe was worried she was hurting over Cole¡¯s cold shoulder. For a moment, she didn¡¯t know how to answer. Ruben cared so deeply, but she was holding her cards close to her chest, and the unease was eating her alive.

    ¡°I¡¯m okay,¡± Elliana said, her voice barely above a whisper.

    ¡°That¡¯s a relief,¡± Ruben nodded. ¡°As long as I¡¯m breathing, you¡¯re the Evans matriarch, no matter who¡¯s got a bone to pick. Just settle in and take it easy.¡±

    Elliana managed a crooked smile,pletely tongue-tied.

    He smiled back. ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. Go hit the hay.¡±

    ¡°Alright. Night.¡±

    Leaving the study, Elliana went back to her room. The empty bedroom, with Cole¡¯s stuff strewn about, dragged her back to their earlier shouting match.

    Elliana couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. Man, they¡¯d both acted like hotheaded kids during that fight.

    After a goodugh, Elliana headed to the bathroom for a steamy shower to wash the day away.

    Stepping out, she felt like she¡¯d shed a heavy skin¡ªno caked-on makeup, no wig, just her real self shining through.

    Elliana figured Cole would stay gone for a bit. She¡¯d shot him down twice, and his pride wasn¡¯t exactly made of rubber. For now, she had this plush room all to herself, and honestly, she was pretty jazzed about it.

    Cole was getting all bossy and hard to predict. She wasn¡¯t sure she could handle him. Keeping her distance felt like the smart y. Drying her damp hair with a towel, Elliana sauntered into the walk-in closet to snag some cozy pajamas.

    But once inside, she didn¡¯t change right away. She parked herself in front of the mirror, giving her reflection a long, hard look.

    She¡¯d been trapped in that in-Jane disguise for so long that she had almost forgotten what her real face looked like. With no one around to cramp her style, she felt free to let her guard down.

    In the mirror, she saw a tall, graceful figure, long hair cascading down her back, skin smooth as ss, and sharp, delicate features. She was the spitting image of her mom, Rita, in her glory days, but there wasn¡¯t a trace of her dad, Darin.

    Thinking of Rita sent a pang through Elliana¡¯s chest. Why had Rita run back into that fire, and where was she now?

    Just then, a knock at the door made Elliana¡¯s heart do a flip. Could that be Coleing back?

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 110

    ?Chapter 110:

    The mere thought that Cole might be the one knocking, with his arrogant and domineering presence, sent Elliana¡¯s heart racing.

    The persistent knocking left her no time for contemtion. She hastily threw on clothes, secured her wig over her hair, and applied thick makeup to dull her natural beauty before rushing to answer the door.

    However, outside stood Jeff, the little troublemaker, glowering at her with his freshly buzzed head gleaming under the hallway lights. ¡°What brings you here?¡± Elliana asked, maintaining a carefully neutral expression.

    Jeff scrutinized Elliana¡¯s deliberately tacky makeup, his lip curling with disdain before he delivered his message. ¡°Let me make something perfectly clear¡ªeven though you¡¯re the famous Rosa, I still can¡¯t stand you. I¡¯ll always prefer Trinity over you!¡±

    Elliana¡¯s lips curved into a subtle smirk, finding Jeff¡¯s dramatic outburst utterly pathetic. ¡°Message received,¡± she replied with deliberate calm. ¡°Anything else you¡¯d like to add?¡±

    Her unruffled response caught Jeffpletely off-guard. He had anticipated anger or perhaps even hurt, but certainly not this dismissive indifference. He stood frozen for several seconds, visibly processing her unexpected reaction before finally muttering, ¡°No¡­ Nothing else.¡±

    With startling force, Elliana mmed the door shut.

    Jeff, standing dangerously close, barely dodged it, leaping backward with a startled yelp. ¡°Hideous weirdo with zero manners!¡± he grumbled under his breath as he stormed away. Inside, Elliana released a frustrated curse. That insufferable child had forced her to wash her face all over again.

    After securing the lock, Elliana scrubbed away the thick makeup in the bathroom before finally copsing onto the luxurious, inviting bed.

    ncing at her phone, she realized midnight had already arrived. Not remotely sleepy, she debated texting Adah, uncertain whether her friend would still be awake at this hour.

    Just then, her phone illuminated with a message from Adah. ¡°I can practically feel you itching to talk to me right now.¡±

    ???????? ???????? ????????????????????????

    Elliana typed back, ¡°Our minds must operate on the same wavelength, huh?¡±

    ¡°Called it perfectly!¡±

    Secondster, Adah¡¯s iing call appeared on Elliana¡¯s screen.

    Elliana answered promptly.

    ¡°So, what¡¯s the aftermath like after dropping your Rosa bombshell today?¡± Adah asked, her curiosity evident.

    ¡°Nothing particrly dramatic,¡± Elliana replied with measured casualness.

    Heeding Rita¡¯s warning, Elliana had kept her discreet identity as Rosa under wraps before turning twenty. Now, at twenty, she saw no issue in revealing her Rosa identity to deal with Paige, especially since this move might even let Rita, wherever she was, witness more of her life¡¯s journey.

    ¡°And how are things progressing with your husband?¡± Adah pressed, her voiceced with intrigue.

    Elliana hesitated momentarily before divulging the full situation between herself and Cole.

    Adah erupted into loudughter. ¡°You¡¯re kidding! The high-and-mighty Mr. Evans actually has an endearing side beneath all that arrogant exterior?¡±

    Adah¡¯s characterization of Cole as ¡°endearing¡± triggered Elliana¡¯s ownughter. ¡°Enough about him already. What¡¯s happening in your world? How much longer will you remain in Apricot Blossom Vige?¡±

    Like Elliana, Adah enjoyed tremendous independence, living ording to her own rules without constant supervision.

    Technically, Adah had been fostered by a family in Apricot Blossom Vige, but that family merely collected payments from the Norris family while barely checking on her. She could disappear for extended periods, and they wouldn¡¯t express the slightest concern. Whatever she got up to out there, they were clueless about it.

    Throughout the years, Elliana and Adah had orchestrated numerous ndestine meetings, embarking on countless adventures together without anyone ever discovering their escapades.

    Back when Adah was initially sent away, her grandmother had established strict parameters. No one was permitted to retrieve Adah or visit her in Apricot Blossom Vige without explicit approval. Consequently, Adah¡¯s visits to Ublento had been conducted with utmost discretion, never alerting her family to her presence.

    Recently, Adah had been residing in Apricot Blossom Vige longer than usual, primarily to recover afterpleting an exhausting project that had drained her energy.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be returning to Ublento soon,¡± Adah revealed with unmistakable determination. ¡°This time, I¡¯m making a proper reappearance as my family¡¯s eldest daughter.¡±

    ¡°The Norris family is actuallying to collect you?¡± Elliana asked, surprise evident in her voice.

    ¡°Yup,¡± Adah replied, a hint of cynicism coloring her tone. ¡°Not from any sudden wellspring of familial affection, mind you. The Shaw family patriarch is demanding my return to honor a marriage arrangement, so my family has been cornered into action.¡±

    Elliana was familiar with Adah¡¯s childhood engagement to An, the Shaw family heir¡ªan arrangement orchestrated by Adah¡¯s mother and An¡¯s grandfather. The situation paralleled Elliana¡¯s childhood betrothal to Ran with remarkable simrity.

    Years ago, Elliana and Adah had often joked about their mothers¡¯ inexplicable determination to secure these arranged marriages.

    Following Adah¡¯s mother¡¯s passing and Adah¡¯s subsequent exile to Apricot Blossom Vige, Elliana and Adah had assumed Adah¡¯s engagement to An had been forgotten. Yet now, An¡¯s grandfather was resurrecting the arrangement.

    An¡¯s grandfather¡¯s actions stirred memories of Ran¡¯s grandfather¡¯s simr persistence.

    Neither Elliana nor Adah could fullyprehend why both elders remained so steadfastlymitted to these arrangements. Nevertheless, both women weed the opportunity to finally associate openly in Ublento¡ªan undeniable positive development.

    Elliana mentioned with calcted casualness, ¡°I¡¯ve actually encountered your fianc¨¦, An. He moves in the same circles as Cole.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Adah responded, genuine interest animating her voice. ¡°Paint me a picture of him. What sort of man is An?¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 111

    ?Chapter 111:

    Elliana conjured An¡¯s essence and offered Adah a few choice descriptors. ¡°Handsome, steady, ssy.¡±

    Elliana paused thoughtfully and then borated, ¡°He projects this polished, suave exterior, but beneath that facade? Complete control freak. Possibly even a charismatic rogue with questionable intentions.¡±

    Adah cracked up. ¡°Your assessment couldn¡¯t be further from my preference,¡± she replied, amusement still dancing in her eyes. ¡°You know I gravitate toward those tender-hearted, affectionate men who cherish me like royalty.¡±

    Adah exuded confidence and spirit, her personality aze with determination.

    The two had once discussed their ideal partners extensively. Elliana remained ambiguous during that conversation, while Adah articted her desires with remarkable precision. She yearned for a gentle soul who would adore her unconditionally. By those standards, An missed Adah¡¯s romantic criterion by miles.

    ¡°What¡¯s your next move?¡± Elliana inquired.

    ¡°I¡¯ll return to Ublento and navigate the situation as it unfolds,¡± Adah responded, dismissing concerns with a casual shrug. ¡°The Shaw family engagement serves as my dignified reentry into Ublento society. I can¡¯t abandon it immediately. Once my position solidifies, I¡¯ll consider withdrawing from the arranged marriage.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll await you in Ublento, ready whenever you need me,¡± Elliana promised.

    ¡°Perfect.¡±

    Rita and Sally had vanished in that devastating fire years earlier, yet Elliana and Adah remained convinced their mothers still lived. They had investigated this possibility discreetly for ages. Reuniting openly in Ublento would significantly advance their search efforts.

    After concluding her conversation with Adah, Elliana felt a wave of exhaustion and surrendered to sleep.

    Meanwhile, Irene tossed restlessly in her room, fury keeping slumber at bay. Her altercation with Louisa had infuriated Bertram so intensely that he departed the Evans estatete, leaving her isted in their bedroom.

    ???????? ???????????????? ???? ????????????????????????

    No longermanding respect as the family matriarch, coupled with Bertram¡¯s cold shoulder and even Louisa¡¯s disrespect, Irene seethed internally. Every moment stretched interminably.

    After an eternity of resentful contemtion, Irene suddenly straightened and contacted her eldest son, Jason Evans, who was currently overseas.

    When the connection was established, Irenemented dramatically, ¡°Jason, if you don¡¯te back soon, I¡¯m going to get trampled!¡±

    Jason was merely two years younger than Cole. Hemanded tremendous respect among the younger generation, rivaling even Cole¡¯s standing.

    Though Cole had been groomed for leadership, Jason excelled in tactical skills. He supervised the Evans family¡¯s security apparatus, maintaining authority over their extensive covert protectionwork. His influence and status loomedrge.

    Jason had been abroad for specialized training over the past two months, missing even Cole¡¯s wedding ceremony.

    Devoted to his motherpletely, Jason grew concerned immediately. ¡°Mom, what¡¯s transpired?¡± he asked urgently.

    Irene embellished shamelessly, weaving a narrative about Elliana being an insufferable tyrant who systematically disrespected her at every opportunity. She emphasized how everyone had bullied her after her downfall. Essentially, she painted Elliana as the quintessential viin.

    Jason listened attentively before reassuring her, ¡°Don¡¯t distress yourself. My return is approaching quickly. Despite Elliana¡¯s position as matriarch, I won¡¯t permit her to dominate our family.¡±

    Irene¡¯s heart swelled with triumphant satisfaction. ¡°That¡¯s precisely why I rely on you, Jason. You¡¯re my steadfast support.¡±

    ¡°Rest well,¡± Jason said softly.

    ¡°Goodnight, my son,¡± Irene responded.

    After disconnecting, Irene¡¯s lips curved into a calcting smile. Though Bertram might disregard her entirely, she possessed an exceptional son. With Jason supporting her cause, she would maintain control within the Evans household. If Elliana anticipated a smooth tenure as matriarch, she would first require Irene¡¯s blessing.

    Meanwhile, chaos engulfed the Jones residence.

    Paige had returned from the gallery battered, her face bruised and her attire disheveled. She had fled to the Jones estate and remained secluded since.

    Currently, Paige slumped dejectedly on the sofa, still wearing her damaged clothing, tears streaming unchecked. Her customary elegance and confidence had vanishedpletely. She resembled someone utterly defeated.

    Darin paced relentlessly, radiating frustration with eachbored exhtion.

    Kiara attempted repeatedly to reach Merritt without sess. Eventually, she hurled her phone down, eximing bitterly, ¡°Where has that wretched Merritt disappeared to?¡±

    Darin halted abruptly at Merritt¡¯s mention, directing a hostile re toward Kiara.

    Merritt had previously worked as a rough-edged dockworker, employed by a wealthy older gentleman with whom Kiara maintained a liaison while simultaneously conducting affairs with Merritt himself.

    Following that man¡¯s demise, Merritt and Kiara had conspired to secure a portion of his substantial estate, providing Merritt with his initial financial windfall.

    Therefore, when Kiara requested his assistance with Paige¡¯s predicament, Merritt had readily agreed, even referring to Paige as his goddaughter¡ªa gesture repaying his long-standing debt to Kiara.

    Any reference to Merritt affected Darin profoundly, resurrecting memories of Kiara¡¯s questionable history. Though it revolted him deeply, Merritt¡¯s considerable influence and potential benefit to the Jones familypelled his silence.

    But now, with circumstances deteriorating rapidly, Darin¡¯s suppressed anger threatened to erupt uncontrobly¡­

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 112

    ?Chapter 112:

    Kiara frantically tried reaching Merritt when a sudden, frigid sensation washed over her. She nced up to discover Darin¡¯s murderous re boring into her.

    Kiara instinctively recoiled in fear. She had strutted confidently under Merritt¡¯s protective influence, unting her advantage over Darin. But with Paige¡¯s entertainment aspirations copsing and Merritt¡¯s sudden disappearance, her power had evaporatedpletely. Should Merritt abandon her permanently, her existence within the Jones household would transform into unbearable torment.

    ¡°Darin¡­¡± Kiara manufactured a feeble smile, desperately attempting to diffuse the tension.

    Darin wasn¡¯t cated. He surged forward, rage emanating from every pore, and struck Kiara¡¯s face with devastating force.

    ¡°Ah!¡± Kiara stumbled backward, disoriented as crimson droplets escaped her split lip.

    ¡°You maniptive viper!¡± Darin growled through clenched teeth. ¡°Don¡¯t delude yourself into thinking I¡¯m blind to your sordid rtionship and machinations with Merritt!¡±

    Fury consumed Darin entirely. ¡°I¡¯ve tolerated your presence solely because you convinced Merritt to advance Paige¡¯s professional prospects. Now that everything has disintegrated spectacrly, you still parade around with unearned entitlement?¡±

    ¡°I¡ªI wasn¡¯t¡ª¡± Kiara faltered, cradling her scorching cheek. Her voice trembled as she attempted to pacify him. ¡°Darin, please calm down. I¡¯ll continue trying to reach Merritt. He¡¯ll rectify this situation, I promise you.¡±

    He retorted, ¡°Merritt just messed with you. By dawn, tabloids will dissect our family mercilessly. He¡¯s deliberately ignoring your calls because he¡¯s abandoned this catastrophe. He avoids controversy at all costs!¡±

    Kiara¡¯s gaze dropped dejectedly. Deep down, she recognized Darin¡¯s assessment as urate. Merritt prioritized self-preservation above everything. When ventures soured, he vanished without hesitation.

    Darin fixed Kiara with contemptuous eyes before striking her again, the impact reverberating throughout the room.

    ???????????? ?????????? ???? ??????????¦Í?????????????

    Kiara¡¯s arrogant demeanor, sustained through Merritt¡¯s influence, had tormented Darin endlessly. Right now, Darin refused to restrain himself any longer, desperate to expel days of umted resentment.

    Understanding she was out of moves, Kiara didn¡¯t fight back. She simply shielded her face while retreating, tears streaming uncontrobly. ¡°Darin, I beg you, restrain yourself¡­¡±

    Yet, his rage had merely begun to surface, fueled by long-suppressed grievances. ¡°You¡¯ve systematically destroyed everything worthwhile!¡± he exploded. ¡°I¡¯ve warned you about Elliana¡¯s intelligence, which reminds me of Rita herself. But you just dismissed Elliana as inconsequential and poisoned my perspective against her! Look at the consequences! Elliana has emerged as an internationally acimed designer without us even knowing! Her connections could have elevated the Jones Group immeasurably. Thanks to your interference,munication between us barely exists. How are we supposed to capitalize on her sess now?¡±

    Seething with uncontrolled wrath, Darin violently kicked Kiara, sending her crashing across the floor. ¡°You¡¯ve contaminated every potential opportunity!¡±

    Kiara copsed painfully. ncing at Darin, she saw his preparation for continued violence. Desperately, she scrambled upright and confronted him with raw desperation. ¡°Darin, confront reality! Is your fractured rtionship with Elliana entirely on me?¡±

    Darin halted mid-motion.

    Kiara regarded him with a twisted, sardonic smile spreading across her battered lips. ¡°Stop projectingplete responsibility onto me, Darin. Your psychological damage runs deeper! Elliana¡¯s the daughter of the woman you adored, yet she isn¡¯t yours biologically. You harbor resentment that Rita rejected you and jealousy toward Elliana¡¯s biological father. You¡¯ve always resented Elliana¡¯s very existence, which exins why you permitted my mistreatment of her, doesn¡¯t it?¡±

    Darin¡¯spressed lips betrayed his unspoken unease.

    Kiara released a hollow, hauntingugh. ¡°Despite your profound devotion to Rita, she chose another. Elliana shines brilliantly, but shares none of your DNA. I provided you with two children, imperfect though they may be. What justification supports your treating me with such contempt?¡±

    ¡°Mom, what did you just say?¡± Paige leaped up, her voice quavering with disbelief. ¡°Elliana isn¡¯t Dad¡¯s biological daughter? Then whose child is she?¡±

    Horror nched Kiara¡¯s features as she realized her catastrophic revtion.

    Darin had guarded Elliana¡¯s parentage zealously, repeatedly warning Kiara against disclosure. However, blind fury had loosened Kiara¡¯s tongue. Fortunately, only Paige had witnessed this revtion. Nevertheless, Darin exploded with renewed ferocity, as though Kiara had deliberately reopened a profound emotional wound.

    ¡°You witch!¡± Darin roared, viciously kicking Kiara down once more. He then stormed out, abandoning her crumpled form.

    Paige rushed to assist Kiara. ¡°Mom, what¡¯s happening? Tell me everything.¡±

    Kiara¡¯s face had swollen dramatically. She exhaled painfully. ¡°I¡¯ve only gathered fragments from Darin during intoxicated moments. Theplete narrative eludes me. But avoid mentioning this subject again. It triggers extraordinary sensitivity in him.¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± Paige murmured, nodding hesitantly.

    Meanwhile, tension permeated the atmosphere at the Hudson family estate. Lenard berated Ran mercilessly¡­

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 113

    ?Chapter 113:

    Ran upied an unremarkable position among the Hudson family¡¯s younger generation. Lenard had selected him as heir primarily to atone for the tragedy that befell Ran¡¯s father, Orion Hudson.

    During Orion¡¯s childhood, Lenard¡¯s carelessness had triggered an ident that condemned him to a wheelchair for the remainder of his days.

    The weight of that guilt had shadowed Lenard throughout his life,pelling him tovish attention on Orion and bestow the heir position upon Ran as a form of karmic restitution.

    Yet, Ran had consistently faltered, never measuring up to the lofty standards Lenard had envisioned.

    Now, Ran¡¯s fixation on marrying Paige and diving into the realm of reality television with her had ignited a wildfire of gossip, further infuriating Lenard.

    ¡°You¡¯ve dragged the Hudson name through the gutter, you imbecile!¡± Lenard¡¯s voice thundered across the room, berating Ran before the entire assembled family.

    Ran stood motionless, eyes fixed on the floor.

    Due to Orion¡¯s circumstances, Ran had received an abundance of affection during his formative yearspared to his cousins, which had cultivated a sense of entitlement. Therefore, even when Lenard explicitly forbade his rtionship with Paige, Ran had defiantly gotten engaged to her anyway.

    Yet, with the scandal surrounding Paige exploding into public view and the Hudson family caught in its fallout, Ran found himself too mortified to offer any defense.

    ¡°I¡¯ve warned you countless times! Hudson men avoid troublemakers, steer clear of the entertainment industry, and absolutely refuse to associate with dubious characters. Yet, you persistently ignore me! Are you trying to piss me off?¡± Lenard¡¯s words hung heavy with disappointment as he castigated Ran. Ran maintained his silence, still as a statue.

    Lenard¡¯s fist crashed against the table, sending a jolt through everyone present.

    Finally raising his gaze, Ran murmured weakly, ¡°Grandpa¡­¡±

    ???????? ?????????????? ?????????? ?????????? ???? ??????????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°You will terminate your engagement with Paige immediately!¡± Lenardmanded. ¡°She¡¯s all facade, no substance. A marriage to her will devastate everything we¡¯ve built!¡±

    Though Ran listened with apparent submission, internal resistance simmered beneath hispliance. Paige had been his childhood infatuation, viewed through the distorted lens of youthful adoration. Plus, she had always portrayed herself as virtuous in his presence, so despite her scandals, she remained blind to her true nature.

    Ran spoke up. ¡°Grandpa, Paige is a sweet girl. There must be some confusion. I¡¯ll investigate the matter, vindicate her reputation, and shield the Hudson family from further tabloid spection.¡±

    ¡°Fool!¡± Lenard erupted. ¡°She¡¯s got you wrapped around her finger! Kiara was nothing but a fortune hunter in her day, ingratiating herself with a wealthy old man while carrying on affairs with Merritt. Do you truly believe someone of her character could raise a paragon of virtue?¡±

    ¡°Grandpa, that¡¯s ancient history! Mrs. Jones shouldn¡¯t be judged by her past indiscretions. She¡¯s established herself legitimately as thedy of the Jones family. And Paige? She shines as Ublento¡¯s premier socialite!¡±

    Ran couldn¡¯t suppress his defense of them.

    Lenard fixed Ran with a prating stare, his fury rendering him momentarily speechless, his icy re pinning Ran for what seemed an eternity.

    The tension in the room crystallized into something almost tangible. Not a soul dared disturb the silence.

    Kristen Hudson, Ran¡¯s mother, eventually ventured to break the suffocating quiet,ing to her son¡¯s defense. ¡°Lenard, show some leniency. Ran is still finding his way. It¡¯s perfectly natural to develop feelings for someone as captivating and aplished as Paige. She possesses more redeeming qualities than you acknowledge. Certainly, she surpasses Elliana in every respect.¡±

    With this remark, Kristen took aim at Lenard¡¯s previous insistence that Ran marry Elliana, whom they all regarded as an unattractive nobody.

    Lenard directed a cial look at Kristen, his words dripping with contempt. ¡°Ran holds the position of my favored grandson. I¡¯ve bestowed everything upon him, yet he remains a thankless ignoramus. And you? Your blindness knows no bounds!¡±

    Kristen was irritated by his verbal assault but remained silent.

    Lenard exhaled deeply, his spirit evidently burdened. He had concluded that neither Kristen nor Ran possessed the acumen to uphold the Hudson legacy.

    His painstaking efforts to cultivate Ran as his sessor now seemed utterly wasted.

    ¡°Ran, you¡¯ve proven incapable of managing the legacy I intended to pass on to you,¡± Lenard remarked, exhaustion permeating his voice. ¡°Very well, I¡¯ll cease my attempts to guide you.¡±

    After a pause, Lenard continued, ¡°Live your frivolous existence as a rich guy. Wed whomever you desire and dabble in entertainment if that appeals to you. But the position of heir? Consider it forfeit.¡±

    Ran¡¯s head jerked upward. ¡°Grandpa¡­¡±

    Kristen¡¯s expression transformed into one of shock. ¡°What?¡±

    Since childhood, Ran had been groomed as the designated heir, always assuming the Hudson empire would inevitably be his domain. The prospect of losing it now seemed inconceivable. Kristen had married Orion, banking on Lenard¡¯s partiality toward Ran. If that advantage dissolved, what purpose remained in tethering herself to a wheelchair-bound husband?

    Lenard, exasperated by Ran and Kristen¡¯s protestations, dismissed them. He turned his attention to his youngest son, Quentin Hudson. ¡°Quentin, should I prepare you to assume the mantle of the Hudson heir, would you rise to the challenge?¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 114

    ?Chapter 114:

    Sharing his birthday with Ran by coincidence of fate, Quentin had arrived as Lenard¡¯s twilight child from his second marriage.

    Though both Quentin and Ran had reached twenty-four years, Quentin towered above Ran in every measure that mattered. Ran had stumbled through a mediocre educational institution, emerging with a degree in interior design¡ªa qualificationughably inadequate formanding the family¡¯s vast empire.

    Quentin, by stark contrast, had earned a doctorate in business from a prestigious global university, leaving Ran intellectually diminished byparison.

    Beyond his academic prowess, Quentin possessed a temperament forged in steel¡ªhis unppable demeanor and incisive mind dwarfed Ran¡¯s emotional vtility. The disparity between their capabilities stretched beyond measurement.

    It was an open secret throughout the family that Quentin embodied the authentic qualities of leadership. Yet, Lenard had consistently favored his first wife¡¯s lineage, anointing Ran as heir from the beginning. Despite Quentin¡¯s manifest superiority, his birth had relegated him to secondary status.

    Quentin had endured this inequity withoutint, executing his responsibilities with impable precision.

    Now, when Lenard suddenly proposed Quentin for the position of heir, it floored everyone present, including Quentin himself. Yet, he refused to let this opportunity slip through his fingers. His previous equanimity had stemmed from the presumed impossibility of iming the mantle. Now that it dangled within reach, legitimately offered, Quentin intended to seize it without hesitation.

    Why should someone of Quentin¡¯s caliber submit to Ran¡¯s authority when he could wield power directly?

    ¡°I¡¯ll abide by whatever decision you make, Dad,¡± Quentin replied with characteristicposure.

    While Ran and Kristen recoiled as though physically struck, Quentin maintained his unruffled poise. Even amidst this monumental shift in fortunes, his dignified bearing never wavered.

    ?????????????? ?????????? ???? ??????????¦Í??????©q?????

    Lenard, visibly impressed by Quentin¡¯s steadfast demeanor, acknowledged him with an approving nod. ¡°I¡¯ve neglected your potential, Quentin, which was unjust. Have you harbored resentment toward me?¡±

    Quentin¡¯s lips curved into a subtle smile. ¡°Dad, your acumen surpasses anyone I¡¯ve encountered. Every action you take serves a purpose. My only aspiration is to leverage my abilities to elevate our family¡¯s standing. I¡¯ve never entertained loftier ambitions.¡±

    Lenard, savoring Quentin¡¯s tactful response, nodded again with unmistakable satisfaction.

    Kristen, however, seethed with skepticism. In her estimation, Quentin¡¯s affable facade concealed ruthless ambition. He might say he never wanted the heir spot, but she suspected he had long schemed to usurp Ran¡¯s birthright. Contemptible opportunist!

    Witnessing Ran¡¯s inheritance evaporating before her eyes, Kristen erupted. She leapt to her feet, eximing, ¡°Lenard, this is utterly uneptable!¡±

    Lenard, having anticipated Kristen¡¯s outburst, allowed her to continue, fixing her with a prating, cial stare.

    ¡°Ran will abandon his rtionship with Paige. I implore you to grant him another opportunity,¡± Kristen beseeched.

    Lenard withheld immediate judgment. Instead, he shifted his attention to Ran, arching an eyebrow.

    Ran faltered in his response. The prospect of relinquishing his position as heir filled him with dread, yet Paige had captured his soul. His infatuation had persisted for years, making the thought of severing their connection almost unbearable.

    In Ran¡¯s estimation, Paige¡¯s fraudulent actions during thepetition weren¡¯t unforgivable. Perhaps she had merely exercised poor judgment, or perhaps Merritt had manipted her into transgression. Either way, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to abandon her over this single indiscretion.

    Observing Ran¡¯s indecision, Lenard¡¯s expression darkened with unmistakable disappointment.

    Kristen, now frantic, rushed to Ran¡¯s side and delivered a stinging blow to his face. ¡°Imbecile! What causes your hesitation? Inform your grandfather immediately that you¡¯re severing ties with Paige!¡±

    Ran nced at his mother, withering under her scorching re. Reluctantly, he addressed Lenard, ¡°Grandpa, I behaved inappropriately earlier, blinded by emotion. I¡¯ll resolve matters with Paige and terminate our rtionship promptly.¡±

    Lenard remained silent. In truth, he had mentally dismissed Ran¡¯s candidacy. However, upon noticing Orion¡¯s pleading expression, his resolve weakened. The weight of guilt regarding Orion once againpelled him to yield.

    ¡°Very well,¡± Lenard exhaled heavily. ¡°Since you¡¯ve demonstrated willingness to rectify your mistakes, I¡¯ll extend one final opportunity. Address the situation with Paige swiftly and definitively.¡±

    ¡°I understandpletely,¡± Ran said.

    Kristen released a profound sigh of relief and then directed a triumphant nce toward Quentin.

    Quentin merely offered a cryptic smile, his handsome features betraying no distress. He exuded an aura of supreme detachment, as though the prospect of inheriting the family empire held no particr significance.

    Lenard suddenly interjected, ¡°Ran, assuming the mantle of Hudson heir demands more than merely discarding Paige. There remains one additional obligation.¡±

    Lenard¡¯s prating gaze locked onto Ran. ¡°I¡¯ve selected Elliana as the future matriarch of our family. You must reim her affections. Are you prepared to undertake this challenge?¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 115

    ?Chapter 115:

    The instant Lenard dropped that bombshell, Ran¡¯s expression darkened to match a gathering tempest. Abandoning Paige, painful as it might be, was one thing¡ªbut pursuing Elliana, that ¡°ugly nobody¡±?

    The very thought twisted his stomach into knots.

    ¡°Grandpa, why are you so dead-set on me marrying Elliana?¡± Ran challenged, his voiceced with unmistakable contempt. ¡°She didn¡¯t even finish primary school! What qualifications does she possess to be the Hudson matriarch? If this stems from your ancient promise to her mother, remember she¡¯s already bound to the Evans family. That deal¡¯s off, so why this insistence?¡± Frustration saturated every syble as Ran spoke.

    Lenard released a derisive snort. ¡°I assumed Elliana¡¯s revtion as the mastermind behind Rosa¡¯s fashion empire would have illuminated your perception. Yet, here you stand, utterly oblivious! A woman capable of orchestrating a global brand hardly qualifies as insignificant!¡±

    Ran faltered, momentarily stunned by Lenard¡¯s cutting retort. ¡°Perhaps she¡¯s not entirely inconsequential. But must the Hudson heir settle for someone so¡ªso aesthetically challenged? You¡¯re condemning me to wake beside her every morning. Have you considered my feelings in this arrangement?¡±

    Witnessing Ran¡¯s anguish, Kristen intervened swiftly. ¡°Ran¡¯s a catch. Forcing him to bind with Elliana borders on cruelty. If you value her so highly, we could show care without forcing matrimony. Why insist she be his wife?¡± Perceiving Lenard¡¯s unwavering resolve, she pressed further. ¡°Besides, Elliana now answers to ¡®Mrs. Evans.¡¯ Wouldn¡¯t Ran¡¯s pursuit antagonize Cole unnecessarily?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve deliberated on thatplication,¡± Lenard replied with cialposure. ¡°Cole harbors no affection for Elliana. Word is, he¡¯s evaded their marital obligations by abandoning their home. He¡¯d likely remain indifferent to Ran¡¯s advances and might even wee such intervention.¡±

    Lenard lifted his gaze meaningfully toward Ran. ¡°Iprehend your position, Ran. I too experienced youth¡¯s folly, chasing pretty faces. But as the heir, the Hudson family¡¯s interest must supersede desire. Sometimes duty eclipses personal preference. Understood? If family obligation proves too burdensome to you, relinquish the inheritance. Pursue your carefree existence and wed some vapid beauty devoid of intellect as you wish. I won¡¯t impede you.¡±

    Ranpsed into contemtive silence, absorbing Lenard¡¯s weighted words. Though the logic proved irrefutable, the implementation remained daunting. His visceral aversion to Elliana¡¯s appearance created an almost insurmountable barrier.

    ???????????? ???????????? ???? ??????????????????£®??????

    ¡°Grandpa, even acknowledging Elliana¡¯s business acumen, her fashion and jewelry expertise offer minimal benefit to our interests. Why mandate this particr union?¡± Ran pressed, searching desperately for escape.

    Lenard, exhausted by fruitless debate, pivoted toward Quentin. ¡°Would you wed Elliana for the family¡¯s advancement, Quentin?¡±

    Ran tensed visibly, stealing a nce at his uncle. He anticipated simr resistance from Quentin¡ªsurely no man, especially one of Quentin¡¯s caliber, would willingly bind himself to someone as unattractive as Elliana.

    But Quentin shattered Ran¡¯s assumptions, offering a serene smile. ¡°Dad, your experience surpasses mine immeasurably. Since you perceive exceptional qualities in Elliana, I defer to your judgment. I would marry her without hesitation.¡±

    Ran¡¯s mouth fell open in naked astonishment.

    Kristen, seething with indignation, emitted a bitterugh. ¡°Quentin, your transparent desperation to usurp Ran¡¯s position drives you to such obvious lies? No way you¡¯re cool spending your nights with that ugly woman!¡±

    Quentin¡¯s smile remained undisturbed, his gaze profound and unwavering. ¡°You possess no insight into my thoughts. Spection serves no purpose.¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Kristen felt like she¡¯d swung and missed, her anger fizzling into frustration.

    After a calcted pause, Kristen forced an artificial smile and addressed Ran, ¡°Your grandfather has a point. The heir cannot prioritize personal desires. Since he recognizes value in Elliana, exceptional qualities must exist. Marry her.¡±

    ¡°Mom, you¡¯re pushing me too?¡± Ran¡¯s voice emerged as a pained groan. ¡°Didn¡¯t you consistently proim that only a ravishing, aplished socialite deserved my hand?¡±

    Kristen, bereft of alternatives, drew Ran aside, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. ¡°Don¡¯t you understand what¡¯s at stake? Refuse Elliana, and Quentin ims the heir position. Marry her now, and you can always ditch herter when the time¡¯s right.¡± Kristen¡¯s words hit home for Ran.

    ¡°Fine.¡± Ran conceded with a curt nod.

    Ran pivoted to face Lenard. ¡°Grandpa, I shall reim Elliana and make her my bride.¡±

    ¡°Good. I¡¯ll be monitoring your approach closely,¡± Lenard dered, his tone brooking nopromise.

    Meanwhile, Elliana, oblivious to the machinations unfolding within the Hudson dynasty, slumbered peacefully in her luxurious bedroom. As dawn broke, Elliana was violently thrust from her slumber by the heart-wrenching sound of uncontroble sobbing¡­

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 Chapter 116

    ?Chapter 116:

    Elliana had gone to bed far toote, so waking up at the crack of dawn instantly soured her mood. All she wanted was to stay cocooned in her nkets. However, the crying echoing from downstairs was too unsettling to ignore. It kept escting in volume until her head throbbed, forcing her to snap out of her grogginess.

    As she focused on the noise, it became clear¡ªit was Jeff wailing like a maniac.

    Elliana rolled her eyes in pure irritation. Whatever emotional mess Jeff was stuck in, she couldn¡¯t have cared less. Trouble or not, she had no intention of stepping in.

    Yet, the relentless noisepletely shattered any hope of falling back asleep. With a heavy sigh, she gave in, reached for her phone, and began scrolling through thetest headlines.

    The night before, she had blown the lid off Paige and Luciano¡¯s shady antics, and she couldn¡¯t wait to see the digital world explode over it. But to Elliana¡¯s absolute disbelief, the inte was a ghost town. There was nothing¡ªno buzz, no gossip about Luciano¡¯s sketchy past or Paige¡¯s sneaky cheating during thepetition. The trending clips and stream highlights had vanished. Not a single media outlet had picked it up.

    Without thinking, Elliana bolted upright. Something was definitely off. The chaos that eruptedst night had lit up the livestream, and fans were going wild. There was no way things would go radio silent like this by morning. Someone had clearly worked overtime to erase every shred of Paige¡¯s scandal and muzzle the press. Whoever pulled it off had strong influence.

    A sly grin tugged at Elliana¡¯s lips as one name popped into her mind¡ªMerritt.

    Being Paige¡¯s godfather, Merritt had his hands dirty too, rigging the entirepetition alongside Luciano. Most likely, he had flexed his power to cleanse the inte and keep the media under control.

    Right now, no one could find a single trace of Elliana¡¯s Rosa persona online, and any evidence tying Paige to her scandals had vanished just as thoroughly. It was as if the entire showdown had been erased from existence.

    To the artmunities, Paige had be a running gag. Yet, to her online followers, she was still wrapped in digital perfection.

    ???????????????????? ???? ?????????¦Í??????[?]??????

    With a bitingugh, Elliana flung her phone aside and rose with deliberate ease, heading toward her clothes. Nothing could stop her from exposing Paige¡¯s meltdown from the night before¡ªone post, and it would be all over. Still, she wasn¡¯t¡­

    Elliana wasn¡¯t ready to end the game just yet. Making Paige and Kiara flinch with every move was far more satisfying than delivering a single knockout.

    Rather than ending their little charade, Elliana watched them scramble to control the narrative. Every misstep they made gave her another reason to strike¡ªand she never missed.

    Dressed in her usual pped-together outfit, Elliana shuffled into the bathroom to rinse off the night and smear on her grotesque version of makeup.

    Annoyingly, the weeping from downstairs had only intensified, echoing through the walls like some private apocalypse was unfolding. Ignoring it was no longer an option. Elliana was irritated but intrigued. Was Jeff seriously falling apart down there, or did something worse happen?

    Dragging her feet, she nudged her door open, ready to investigate the mess herself.

    Paulina was waiting outside, clearly expecting her.

    ¡°Good morning, Mrs. Evans,¡± Paulina said, her voice sweet and polished like a hotel concierge. Offering her a crooked smile, Elliana asked, ¡°Any reason it sounds like someone¡¯s dying downstairs?¡±

    ¡°They brought Miss Henderson¡¯s body over this morning. The Hendersons are falling apart. Now they¡¯re ming Jeff, saying he¡¯s responsible and should cover everything,¡± Paulina exined, her tone caught between pity and exasperation.

    Whatever drowsiness Elliana felt evaporated in an instant. Wait¡ªBarbara Henderson was dead? The words didn¡¯t line up in her head. While Elliana had asked Matthew to ry her refusal of Cole¡¯s request to seek Milena¡¯s treatment, some part of her still felt for Barbara. The part that couldn¡¯t watch a young woman fade away without trying to help. Thus, during some free time when she took the SATs, she had snuck into the hospital in disguise¡ªjust to check on Barbara in secret.

    The fall Barbara suffered two years ago had damaged her nerves, leaving her unable to walk. But that wasn¡¯t supposed to be fatal. What had really been killing Barbara was something far more sinister¡ªa rare, slow-moving toxin called Scorpion King, festering in her system for years.

    Most would barely find a whisper of Scorpion King in ancient medical texts. It was almost a myth.

    It was said that the Scorpion King had not been seen for ages, and even the most seasoned doctors couldn¡¯t identify it anymore.

    A toxin like that didn¡¯t just show up by ident. Someone with power¡ªand serious malice¡ªhad to be behind it. Who had the Henderson family crossed to earn that kind of enemy?

    Because of the wrong diagnoses from clueless doctors, Barbara had been treated for everything but the real threat. And that gave Scorpion King all the time it needed to rot her from the inside out.

    Elliana remembered Scorpion King well¡ªit wasn¡¯t new to her. She¡¯d first learned about it when she was just five.

    Rita had once gone behind the Scorpion King¡¯s back, digging through her research until she pieced together a remedy of her own. That little pill she crafted in secret eventually made a name for itself across Ublento,ter known as Venacure.

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 Chapter 117

    ?Chapter 117:

    Elliana had been captivated by medicine since childhood, always watching Rita concoct new remedies. Rita had never stifled Elliana¡¯s curiosity, instead imparting vast medical knowledge to her eager daughter.

    Years ago, before stepping into that fateful fire, Rita had entrusted Elliana with a sh drive containing all her groundbreaking medical research. This became the foundation of Elliana¡¯s medical expertise. Rita possessed unparalleled genius, her medical prowess ranking among the finest worldwide.

    With her intellect, Rita could have effortlessly established her own empire. Yet, she chose to marry Darin, an ordinary man, maintaining a subdued existence and standing by him even through his infidelities. She endured it all in silence.

    As a child, Elliana had failed toprehend her mother¡¯s decisions. Even in adulthood, she still grappled with understanding why her mother would deliberately subject herself to such sacrifices.

    Emerging from her reverie, Elliana redirected her focus to Barbara¡¯s predicament. Upon discovering the sinister poison¡ªScorpion King¡ªin Barbara¡¯s system, yet without Venacure pills at her disposal that day, she had discreetly employed treatments to contain the toxin. That intervention should have stabilized Barbara, not elerated her demise. Something wasn¡¯t right.

    ¡°I¡¯m heading downstairs to investigate,¡± Elliana announced.

    Paulina attempted to dissuade her, her tone gentle. ¡°Mrs. Evans, everything¡¯s chaotic down there. You should remain here and rest. I¡¯ll arrange for breakfast to be delivered to your room.¡±

    Elliana paused, perplexed. ¡°Paulina, I assumed the responsibilities of being matriarch of this householdst night. With such a crisis today, sequestering myself upstairs with breakfast creates a poor impression, doesn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°You make a valid point,¡± Paulina acknowledged with a nod. ¡°But this situation isplex. It involves longstanding animosity between the Henderson and Evans families, plus a death. You¡¯re unfamiliar with our history. It¡¯s overwhelming, and the Hendersons are extremely agitated. I fear you might be entangled in their wrath if matters deteriorate. Please stay uninvolved. Mr. Ruben Evans is addressing it downstairs with his legal team¡¯s assistance. I¡¯ve summoned Mr. Cole Evans to return immediately. Please remain here for now.¡±

    Paulina¡¯s expression conveyed genuine concern, her eyes reflecting worry. She was truly looking out for Elliana.

    ???????????????? ?????????????? ???? ?????????????????©q?????

    Elliana recognized Paulina¡¯s good intentions, understanding there was no malice behind them. However, she was already deeply embroiled in the situation and couldn¡¯t simply withdraw. ¡°Paulina, I can manage this. Don¡¯t worry yourself.¡±

    With that, Elliana descended the staircase.

    Paulina offered no further persuasion and followed quietly behind Elliana.

    The borate spiral staircase curved gracefully. As Elliana navigated the bend, the scene in the living room unfolded before her. What she witnessed left her utterly stunned.

    The room was a zoo, crammed with two families facing off.

    An imposing ck coffin dominated the center of the room. Barbara¡¯s photograph rested on the table. The Henderson family, attired in somber funeral garb, disyed reddened, swollen eyes. They had transformed the Evans family¡¯s living room into an impromptu memorial.

    The atmosphere hung heavy, bordering on eerie.

    Eloisa Henderson, Barbara¡¯s mother, clutched Jeff¡¯s arm with fierce intensity, her voice hoarse as she shrieked, ¡°My daughter was merely eighteen, and you murdered her, you worthless boy! Today you¡¯ll pay with your very life!¡±

    Eloisa then began forcibly pulling Jeff toward the coffin.

    Irene seized Jeff¡¯s other arm, her voice equally strained. ¡°Release him! It was unintentional! Jeff never meant harm, and we¡¯ve alreadypensated you generously. What additional restitution do you seek?¡± Jeff, trapped between the two women, trembled violently. Then, he lost control of his dder. ¡°No! I refuse to get close to that coffin! Someone help me!¡±

    With each powerful tug from Eloisa, Jeff¡¯s cries intensified, as though being dragged toward certain doom.

    Elliana couldn¡¯t suppress a slight smirk at the unfolding pandemonium. Jeff, that arrogant youth who had behaved as though the world could barely contain him, now cowered in abject terror, confronted by someone demanding retribution.

    Themotion proved so intense that nobody noticed Elliana observing from the staircase.

    Ruben slumped dejectedly on the sofa, exhaling repeatedly, while the remaining Evans family members stood in silence. None dared intervene.

    Bertram, Jeff¡¯s father, appeared at a loss, uncertain what to say.

    The Evans family possessed wealth and influence. Ordinarily, anyone creating disturbances here would face swift repercussions. But the Hendersons weren¡¯t just anybody.

    In years past, Barbara¡¯s grandfather and Ruben shared a profound bond, their families practically one.

    While Barbara was still alive, the two families could talk things out through dialogue. But with her apparent passing, the Evans family could only attempt to cate the grieving Hendersons. The Evans family¡¯s prestigious attorneys proved ineffective in this deeply personal conflict.

    After prolonged arguments yielded no resolution, Eloisa¡¯s frustration peaked, and she redirected her wrath toward Ruben¡­

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 Chapter 118

    ?Chapter 118:

    Eloisa¡¯s devastation had plunged her into a state of utter delirium. Whether confronting the Evans family or the president himself mattered not¡ªshe had transcended concern.

    ¡°Ruben Evans!¡± She jolted everyone by directly bellowing Ruben¡¯s full name. ¡°I once respected you as an elder, believing you embodied fairness and decency. Now your true nature stands revealed. You¡¯re nothing but a corrupt old scoundrel, a callous beast! You permitted your grandson to kill my daughter!¡±

    Eloisa¡¯s voice intensified, her eyes glowing crimson with unbridled fury. ¡°You brandish your wealth and influence, behaving as though my daughter¡¯s existence were inconsequential! If we cannot reach you through justice, I¡¯ll ensure this opulent residence of yours is painted with blood!¡±

    With that deration, Eloisa hurled herself headfirst toward the table¡¯s jagged edge.

    Ruben¡¯s eyes widened in horror. ¡°Restrain her!¡±

    But the intervention came toote. Eloisa had resolved to make her statement through self-sacrifice. She crashed her forehead against the table with terrible force, blood cascading from the wound as she copsed to the floor, unconscious.

    ¡°Mom!¡± Charles Henderson, Eloisa¡¯s firstborn son, struggled to maneuver his wheelchair toward his fallen mother.

    ¡°Eloisa!¡± Gatlin Henderson, Barbara¡¯s father, sprinted to Eloisa¡¯s side. Elliana, still positioned on the staircase, scrutinized Charles in his wheelchair with a furrowed brow.

    Cole had once revealed that when Barbara plummeted from that building, Charles had positioned himself directly below. His attempted rescue resulted in his own crushing injuries, robbing him of lower limb function. The wheelchair had been his prison for two years.

    Charles had once stood as the Henderson heir, handsome and intellectually gifted. That catastrophic ident had decimated his potential.

    Cutler Henderson, Eloisa¡¯s second son, had gone missing as a child and was never found. Chances were, Cutler was long gone.

    ?????????????? ?????? ?????????¦Í?????????????

    With Barbara¡¯s demise and the remaining younger generation either presumed dead or irreparably damaged, the Henderson legacy had crumbled to dust.

    Eloisa¡¯s mental deterioration suddenly becameprehensible. For someone bereft of all hope, no financialpensation could mend her fractured spirit.

    Eloisa¡¯s desperate action silenced the entire assembly.

    Irene, who had been verbally assaulting Eloisa moments before, slunk back into the background. Should Eloisa expire here, the implications could be catastrophic.

    Ruben summoned the family physician to examine Eloisa. Upon receiving assurance of her survival, he exhaled profoundly with relief. Turning to Gatlin, Ruben said, ¡°Mr. Henderson, our families share generations of history. Barbara¡¯s passing torments me deeply, and I seek atonement. State your conditions¡ªanything within my power.¡±

    Gatlin¡¯s lipspressed, his expression a tableau of sorrow and uncertainty.

    Ruben had watched Gatlin grow up, their families intricately connected. Gatlin acknowledged Ruben¡¯s fundamental decency, yet with the Henderson lineage literally extinguished, he could pacify neither Eloisa nor his own torment.

    What request could Gatlin possibly articte when his hearty in fragments? No fortune would restore his tranquility.

    Suddenly, Eloisa¡¯s eyes flew open. She emitted a causticugh. ¡°Atonement? Preposterous! Can you resurrect my daughter? Can you restore my son¡¯s ability to walk?¡±

    Ruben found himself rendered mute. Barbara¡¯s death had created an irreversible void.

    Eloisa, disregarding the crimson rivulets streaming from her head wound, staggered upright and lunged for Jeff. ¡°I don¡¯t want any financialpensation! I demand this demon pay the price for my daughter¡¯s life!¡±

    ¡°Ah!¡± Jeff attempted to flee in panic.

    Desperately, Jeff clutched Trinity¡¯s arm. ¡°Trinity, protect me! I beg you!¡± Eloisa, with disheveled hair and bloodshot eyes, resembled someone possessed¡ªferocious and utterly terrifying.

    Trinity, fearing entanglement in this vtile situation, wrenched her arm free and retreated hastily.

    Jeff, having counted on Trinity as his salvation, froze in disbelief at her abandonment. In that momentary paralysis, Eloisa captured him.

    ¡°You worthless miscreant! Enter that coffin, kneel, and implore my daughter¡¯s forgiveness!¡± Eloisa¡¯s voice pierced the air like a banshee¡¯s wail. She dragged Jeff toward the coffin, hauling him to its edge with surprising strength.

    Consumed by vengeful rage, Eloisa failed to notice that Elliana had quietly approached the coffin.

    Eloisa thrust the coffin lid open, seized Jeff¡¯s cor, and prepared to hurl him inside.

    Withiny Barbara, motionless, eyes sealed. Her emaciated frame and ashenplexion, worn by prolonged illness, were horrifying. Jeff glimpsed the still form and trembled violently. ¡°No! I refuse confinement with a deceased person! I¡¯m petrified!¡±

    Jeff struggled desperately against Eloisa¡¯s grip, but terror hadpletely drained his physical strength.

    In his frantic thrashing, Jeff inadvertently grasped Elliana¡¯s leg. ¡°Help me, Elliana! Rescue me! As matriarch, you must ensure my protection!¡±

    Elliana nearly erupted inughter. Jeff finally spoke sensibly when his survival hung in precarious bnce.

    Eloisa, immersed in grief for years and barely paying heed to the outside world, remained clueless about Elliana¡¯s recent marriage to Cole. ¡°Identify yourself,¡± she demanded, fixing her gaze on Elliana with suspicious intensity.

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 Chapter 119

    ?Chapter 119:

    Consumed by guilt, Ruben had allowed Eloisa to haul Jeff away without intervention. He even prevented the other Evans family members from stepping in, reasoning that Eloisa needed to vent her bitterness to facilitate an easier resolutionter.

    However, at merely eight years old, Jeff failed toprehend Ruben¡¯s strategic thinking. To him, it felt as though everyone had abandoned him while his world disintegrated around him. He clutched Elliana¡¯s leg desperately, ready to do anything and dismiss any previous animosity just for her intervention.

    Elliana ignored Jeff, instead reaching for Barbara¡¯s wrist to check her pulse before lowering the arm with careful precision.

    Eloisa stared, bewilderment crossing her features. ¡°Who are you? Why are you touching my daughter?¡±

    Suspecting something, Elliana offered a subtle smile. ¡°Mrs. Henderson, I¡¯m Elliana Marsh, Cole¡¯s wife. I now serve as the matriarch of this family.¡±

    Eloisa blinked. Though she typically avoided gossip circles, she had caught wind of the Evans heir¡¯s extravagant wedding. She had heard rumors that Cole¡¯s wife was unattractive, but Elliana¡¯s appearance surpassed her expectations. Had grief not overwhelmed her, she might have recoiled in shock.

    ¡°What¡¯s your angle here? Are you attempting to persuade me into pardoning this child?¡± Eloisa snapped. ¡°Let me make this abundantly clear¡ªthat¡¯s impossible!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re overthinking this. I have no intention to entangle myself in Jeff¡¯s predicament,¡± Elliana responded coolly.

    In stark contrast to Eloisa¡¯s unrestrained fury, Elliana maintained the serenity of a blooming rose, her voice flowing like honey.

    Elliana went on. ¡°Justice must prevail. Jeff injured your daughter and paralyzed your eldest son, so your pursuit of Jeff is warranted. I support your cause. However, rather than forcing him to kneel in a coffin, I suggest administering a more severe punishment.¡±

    Jeff, still gripping Elliana¡¯s leg, gazed up with terror-stricken eyes at her chilling suggestion. He had found Eloisa frightening, but Elliana existed in an entirely different realm of intimidation. The mere thought of Elliana¡¯s idea of ¡°more severe punishment¡± sent tremors through his small frame. Traditional disciplinary methods paled inparison. This must be pure vengeance.

    ???????????? ?????????? ???????????? ???? ?????????¦Í??????©q??????

    A wail erupted from Jeff as he released Elliana¡¯s leg as though it had scorched his skin. ¡°No! Put me in the coffin to kneel instead! I reject any harsher lesson!¡± he sobbed uncontrobly.

    No one could decipher Elliana¡¯s true intentions. Puzzled nces were exchanged before all eyes gravitated toward Ruben.

    Ruben had officially appointed Elliana as matriarch the previous night.

    With her startling pronouncements, everyone waited anxiously for Ruben¡¯s reaction.

    Yet, Ruben remained impassive, observing Elliana silently, permitting herplete control of the situation.

    Without Ruben¡¯s intervention, not a single person dared voice opposition.

    ¡°Elliana, have you lost all reason?¡± No longer hiding in the background, Irene burst forth from the crowd,unching into a tirade against Elliana. ¡°As the Evans family¡¯s matriarch, your duty is to shield our family and resolve conflicts. You cannot terrorize a child with such rhetoric! What qualifies you for leadership?¡±

    Elliana fixed Irene with an icy stare. ¡°What impropriety have I spoken? Your son¡¯s reckless behavior ruined two lives. As his mother, you should be offering apologies, not asserting dominance. Do you even qualify as human?¡±

    Irene stood paralyzed. Elliana¡¯s retort rendered her speechless.

    Elliana maintained her authoritative presence as she eviscerated Irene¡¯s character. ¡°Had you properly instructed Jeff in appropriate conduct, this catastrophe would never have urred. Had you swallowed your pride and apologized to Mrs. Henderson afterward, her hatred wouldn¡¯t have run so deep. You stand in error, Irene, yet parade around with unwarranted superiority, as though others¡¯ lives hold no value. You¡¯ve tarnished the Evans name irreparably. The true deserving recipient of punishment isn¡¯t Jeff¡ªit¡¯s you, for your maternal failures.¡±

    Being publicly castigated by someone she looked down on struck Irene profoundly. Her face flushed crimson, teeth clenched tightly, yet no rebuttal materialized. Without allies to defend her, she remained rooted in ce, absorbing the verbal onught.

    Detecting Irene¡¯s mounting fury, Elliana stepped closer. ¡°Irene, do you understand what distinguishes humans from animals?¡±

    Irene blinked rapidly, disoriented by Elliana¡¯s unexpected inquiry.

    Others appeared equally confounded. Elliana¡¯s previous statements had been righteous and severe, so why introduce such a seemingly trivial question?

    With all attention focused on her, Elliana spoke deliberately. ¡°The crucial distinction is that animals remain consistently animals, whereas humans sometimes behave worse. When people abandon their humanity, they descend beneath animal status.¡±

    A profound silence enveloped the room. Direct insultscked the precision of Elliana¡¯s subtle barb, and she wielded it masterfully. Irene¡¯s body quivered with unbridled rage¡­

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 Chapter 120

    ?Chapter 120:

    After unleashing days of pent-up fury on Irene, a delicious sense of triumph rippled through Elliana¡¯s chest. Since the day she¡¯d married into the Evans n, Irene had been a relentless storm¡ªspitting venom, weaving petty schemes, and making her life a daily battle. But today, she had finally turned the tables and served her tormentor a long-overdue dose of her own cruelty.

    It was, without question, the worst day of Irene¡¯s life. No one had ever dared speak to her with such cutting disregard¡ªnot even Bertram, who¡¯d barely disguised his contempt for her over the years, had ever gone this far. But Elliana had. And that was what made it burn. Worse still, Irene couldn¡¯t strike back¡ªnot here, not now. All she could do was stand there, seething in silence, swallowing the humiliation like poison.

    Elliana took a moment to savor the sight¡ª Irene¡¯s clenched jaw and trembling fingers. Then, she turned her attention to Eloisa.

    Surprisingly, the fire had gone out of Eloisa. Even Ruben¡¯s earlier attempt to calm her had failed. But somehow, Elliana¡¯s words¡ªsharp, precise, and deeply honest¡ªhad pierced through her fury and defused it.

    Each sentence Elliana had hurled at Irene echoed in Eloisa¡¯s heart,ncing the pressure she¡¯d been holding in for too long. Now, her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, the fury reced by something far gentler: gratitude toward Elliana. She felt like a coiled spring finally released, the tension melting away and bringing a sudden sense of relief.

    ¡°Elliana, thank you,¡± Eloisa said, her voice trembling with emotion.

    Elliana offered a soft, almost serene smile. ¡°I only spoke the truth. There¡¯s no need to thank me.¡±

    Eloisa let out a heavy, trembling sigh. ¡°The Evans family is lucky¡ªtruly lucky¡ªto have you.¡± Her voice faltered. ¡°If only¡­ If only my Charles¡­¡± She couldn¡¯t finish. The words crumbled on her tongue, and she turned away, broken by grief.

    Across the room, Trinity stiffened. Eloisa¡¯s praisended like a p, and a surge of dread knotted in her chest. Her eyes darted from face to face, silently gauging their reactions. Were they all beginning to see Elliana in a different light?

    In Trinity¡¯s mind, Elliana¡¯s ce in this family should have been considered a stain¡ªnot a badge of honor. Only she was the Evans family¡¯s shining pride, not Elliana.

    ???????????? ???????????????????? ???? ?????????¦Í????????????

    Jealousy tightened around Trinity like a noose. She couldn¡¯t stand being sidelined while Elliana soaked in admiration. She had to act¡ªhad to be seen.

    Only minutes ago, Trinity had shrunk in fear under Eloisa¡¯s fury, blending into the background. Now, she stepped forward with a poised, practiced smile.

    ¡°Eloisa,¡± she said softly, slipping her hand around the grieving woman¡¯s arm. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry for your loss. We can¡¯t bring the dead back¡ªbut you must look after yourself. Seeing you like this breaks my heart.¡±

    But the moment her fingers touched Eloisa¡¯s skin, Eloisa¡¯s eyes ignited with fresh rage.

    ¡°You!¡± With a cry of fury, Eloisa shoved Trinity away¡ªhard. ¡°Get away from me!¡±

    Trinity let out a gasp as she tumbled backward, hitting the floor with a thud.

    ¡°Trinity!¡± Lance was at her side in an instant, helping her up as she clutched his arm like a fragile porcin doll. ¡°Are you alright?¡± he asked, his face tight with concern.

    Trinity nodded, her eyes ssy with tears. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she whispered, her voice trembling.

    Lance turned on Eloisa, indignation burning in his gaze. ¡°Out of respect for our families¡¯ long history¡ªand knowing you¡¯re grieving¡ªwe¡¯ve tried to be understanding. But Trinity was only offeringfort. Don¡¯t you think this was a bit excessive?¡±

    ¡°Me? Excessive?¡± Eloisa gave a bitterugh, sharp as shattered ss. ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask her what she did?¡±

    Eloisa¡¯s words sent a shiver of unease through Trinity.

    Others might be confused by the outburst, but Trinity knew exactly what Eloisa was referring to.

    Over the past two years, as Barbara¡¯s health had seesawed between hope and despair, Eloisa had often turned to the Evans family to voice her anguish. One day, in a moment of deep vulnerability, she¡¯d confided in them¡ªonly to be met not withpassion, but cruelty. That day, only Irene and Trinity had been home. And Trinity, desperate to win Irene¡¯s approval, had said things that cut deep¡ªcallous, cold-blooded things that no grieving mother should ever hear. Eloisa hadn¡¯t forgotten. Not a single word.

    Trinity felt the past slither up her spine like ice. If Eloisa chose to expose what had happened that day, the polished image she had so painstakingly built would¡­

    Trinity¡¯s world seemed ready to crumble in seconds. Thinking quickly, she tightened her grip on Lance¡¯s sleeve, her voice trembling just enough to sound sincere. ¡°I¡¯m really okay,¡± she murmured. ¡°Eloisa¡¯s in so much pain¡­ I understand. Please, drop this and don¡¯t make it worse for her.¡±

    But Lance wasn¡¯t letting it go. ¡°Eloisa,¡± he said, his tone steely, ¡°Trinity practically grew up in this house. Everyone knows her¡ªhow kind she is, how bnced, howposed. So why don¡¯t you tell us exactly what she did?¡±

    Trinity¡¯s heart dropped. She wanted to scream at him¡ªfor his stubbornness and ignorance. ¡°Lance, please, don¡¯t make it a bigger issue because of me.¡±

    ¡°Trinity, don¡¯t be afraid,¡± he said gently. ¡°Even if the Evans family shares some responsibility for what happened with Barbara, that doesn¡¯t give Eloisa the right to attack you¡ªor make false usations.¡± Then, he looked Eloisa dead in the eye. ¡°If you really believe there¡¯s a case here, then take it to court. We¡¯ll face whatever thew decides. But if you keep throwing baseless me around, don¡¯t expect me to stay silent.¡±

    His words were gasoline on open me.

    ¡°Fine!¡± Eloisa snapped, eyes zing. ¡°Your family loves to throw your weight around, don¡¯t you? Well, guess what? I¡¯m not afraid of you!¡± And with that, Eloisa surged toward Lance.

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 Chapter 121

    ?Chapter 121:

    Elliana had managed to calm Eloisa, and for a moment, it felt like the storm had passed. The Evans family exhaled in relief, thinking they could finally settle things with reason. But just as the tension began to ease, Eloisa¡¯s gaze locked onto Lance with pure fury, her body coiled like a spring.

    Before Eloisa could move, Ruben stepped in. With surprising speed, he swung his cane and struck Lance hard across the back. ¡°You arrogant brat!¡± he snapped. ¡°On your knees. Now!¡±

    Eloisa halted, stunned.

    Lance didn¡¯t protest. Without a word, he dropped to his knees, embarrassment and fear written all over his face.

    Ruben turned to Eloisa, his voice low and remorseful. ¡°I¡¯ve been soft on this kid. He has no respect and no manners. I¡¯m sorry, Eloisa. He crossed the line. Please just let this go.¡±

    But Eloisa said nothing. Her lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes cold and unreadable. Inside, her fury was far from settled. Ruben¡¯s apology was like tossing a ss of water on a raging fire.

    Lance¡¯s cruel words hadn¡¯t only hurt Eloisa. They¡¯d lit a fire in Gatlin and Charles, too¡ªthe kind that didn¡¯t burn out quickly.

    A thick silence settled over the room.

    Trinity, worried the mess might drag up her past of joining Irene in uttering those harsh words against Eloisa, edged to the back of the crowd, trying to fade from view.

    Everyone stood frozen, unsure of what to say. One wrong word could set Eloisa off all over again.

    Finally, Bertram stepped forward. As Jeff¡¯s father, he couldn¡¯t stay silent anymore. He said carefully, ¡°My son caused this mess. Whatever you need¡ªwhatever you want¡ªI¡¯ll take full responsibility. Just name it.¡±

    Eloisa let out a bitter, humorlessugh. ¡°Oh, you want to know what I want?¡± Her voice cracked as she reached for a fruit knife on the table. Her hand trembled, but her anger was unwavering. ¡°Fine. Here it is! I don¡¯t want your money! No amount of it will bring Barbara back! And it sure won¡¯t fix Charles¡¯s legs! And don¡¯t worry¡ªI¡¯m not taking you to court either. You people own Ublento. Who could possibly win against you in a courtroom?¡±

    ???? ?????? ???????? ???????????? ¡ª ???????? ???? ?????????¦Í??????©q??????

    Eloisa¡¯s smile twisted into something dark and chilling. Her entire presence shifted¡ªcold, unstable, and terrifying. ¡°I want Jeff to pay for what he did to my daughter with his life!¡± she said, her voice low and chilling. ¡°And anyone who stands in my way will fall with him!¡±

    Without warning, she lunged at Jeff, the knife in her hand shing under the lights.

    Jeff, frozen in fear on the floor, screamed in panic, ¡°No¡ªno! Somebody help me!¡±

    The Evans family had never imagined she¡¯d actually attack. Panic erupted as they scrambled to stop her, but Eloisa was beyond reason now, shing wildly at anyone who dared to get close. The room exploded into chaos¡ªshouting, gasps, the scrape of chairs, the thud of feet.

    Ruben stood frozen, unable to bring himself to call for security. He just exhaled deeply and shook his head, overwhelmed.

    Then, cutting through the madness, Elliana stepped forward with quiet focus. She grabbed Eloisa¡¯s wrist, steady and firm. ¡°Please stop. Barbara¡¯s not gone forever.¡±

    The room went still. Everyone blinked, unsure if they¡¯d heard her right. Eloisa froze mid-swing, staring at Elliana like she¡¯d just spoken anothernguage. ¡°What did you just say?¡±

    Elliana met her gaze, calm and clear. ¡°I said Barbara can still be saved.¡±

    Silence gripped the room. All eyes turned to Elliana¡ªeven Jeff, still trembling on the floor, looked up at her in disbelief.

    Gatlin stepped closer, his voice unsteady. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Charles rolled forward in his wheelchair, his voice quiet but firm. ¡°Please don¡¯t mess with us or give us false hope. My mom¡¯s barely holding it together.¡±

    Trinity saw a chance to knock Elliana down a peg and jumped in.

    ¡°Elliana, even top doctors couldn¡¯t save Barbara. You¡¯re not a surgeon. I get it¡ªyou want Cole to notice you¡ªbut don¡¯t spread lies.¡±

    Irene, pale and rattled, held Jeff tightly. ¡°What is this, Elliana? Are you trying to make things worse?¡±

    ¡°Enough!¡± Ruben¡¯s voice boomed across the room. He then turned to Elliana with firm eyes. ¡°Keep going.¡±

    Elliana took a breath. ¡°Barbara¡¯s not truly gone. There¡¯s still hope¡ªVenacure.¡±

    Her words dropped like a stone in water.

    Ruben¡¯s face lit up. ¡°Venacure? Yes¡ªyes! That¡¯s a miracle. It brought Cole back from near death as a child. If anything can save Barbara, it¡¯s Venacure.¡±

    For the first time since the chaos began, Eloisa¡¯s wild gaze softened.

    Her eyes shimmered with fragile hope.

    Gatlin and Charles shared a quick, hopeful look.

    But just as quickly, Charles¡¯s face fell. ¡°But Venacure disappeared over ten years ago. No one¡¯s seen or heard of it since.¡±

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 Chapter 122

    ?Chapter 122:

    Venacure originated from Elliana¡¯s mother, Rita. Following the devastating congration at the Jones estate fifteen years ago, Rita had disappeared, taking the Venacure form with her. Production ceased entirely thereafter. Any remaining Venacure existed solely in the possession of fortunate individuals who had acquired it fifteen years prior.

    Moreover, theponents required for Venacure were exceedingly scarce, and its production demanded extraordinary patience. The annual yield remained minimal, with each pillmanding exorbitant prices. Anyone who possessed it would guard the pharmaceutical treasure with unwavering vignce. Even if Venacure remained in cirction, acquisition proved virtually impossible. Possessors preserved it exclusively for dire emergencies, categorically refusing mary offers.

    Charles¡¯s deration extinguished the nascent hope that had momentarily illuminated everyone¡¯s countenance.

    Elliana was just about to reveal her possession of Venacure when Jeff¡¯s expression brightened dramatically.

    ¡°I know where to find Venacure!¡± he eximed emphatically.

    All attention pivoted toward him.

    Irene inquired with palpable eagerness, ¡°Where might it be?¡±

    Though Irene harbored minimal concern for Barbara, the deteriorating circumstances ced both her and Jeff in a precarious position. She desperately anticipated Barbara¡¯s recovery to defuse the vtile situation.

    Jeff darted toward Trinity, seizing her hand. ¡°Trinity, you possess a Venacure pill, correct?¡±

    When Jeff proimed his knowledge of Venacure¡¯s whereabouts, Trinity¡¯s internal rm activated immediately. She indeed possessed a single pill, bequeathed by her deceased grandfather. To impress Jeff, her devoted admirer, she had previously boasted about this possession. Now, regret consumed her for this indiscretion. Venacure¡¯s incalcble value prevented her from expending it on someone as inconsequential to her as Barbara.

    ¡°Jeff, I sincerely apologize,¡± Trinity offered, manufacturing an apologetic expression. ¡°I¡¯ve already utilized it.¡±

    ???????? ???????? ???? ???????? ??????????¦Í??????[?]??????

    ¡°Utilized it?¡± Jeff raised an eyebrow.

    ¡°Indeed, recall that hiking expedition when I sustained an ankle injury? I administered it for pain management.¡±

    ¡°I see¡­¡± Jeff¡¯s shoulders slumped as he retreated dejectedly to Irene¡¯s proximity.

    Jeff¡¯s faith in Trinity disintegrated irreparably. When Eloisa confronted him earlier, he had implored Trinity for assistance, only to face abandonment. Now, requesting Trinity¡¯s contribution of Venacure to preserve Barbara, she refused again. He recognized her deception. He had observed her handling the pill¡¯s container merely days before. Trinity had consistently professed to regard him as her own brother, yet it proved to be mere titudes. When confronted with critical circumstances, she had demonstratedplete indifference to his predicament. He acknowledged his foolishness in defending her blindly in the past.

    Collective sighs of disappointment permeated the atmosphere as resolution seemed increasingly unattainable.

    Ruben addressed Paulina purposefully, ¡°Paulina, how long until Cole¡¯s back? Instruct him to exploit every avable connection to secure a Venacure pill, regardless of cost!¡±

    ¡°Understood, initiating contact immediately.¡±

    As Paulina extracted hermunication device, Elliana interjected, ¡°Such borate measures are unnecessary. Barbara¡¯s condition cannot withstand protracted dy. Even if Cole sessfully procures a pill, transportation logistics would render it ineffective for her salvation.¡±

    Paulina suspended her actions.

    Elliana confronted Eloisa, whose gaze reflected profound desperation, and offered apassionate smile. ¡°Please maintain your optimism. I possess a Venacure pill.¡±

    Collective astonishment greeted Elliana¡¯s pronouncement.

    Eloisa appeared instantaneously revitalized, her eyes igniting with renewed expectation. ¡°Does sincerity underlie your im?¡±

    ¡°Indisputably.¡± Elliana unfurled her fingers, revealing an obsidian pill thatmanded universal attention.

    Ruben leaned forward, barely containing his exhration. ¡°That¡¯s unmistakable! That¡¯s authentic Venacure. Its appearance perfectly mirrors the one Cole consumed years ago!¡±

    After momentary contemtion, Rubenmented, ¡°Though its olfactory properties seem slightly altered¡­¡±

    ¡°This originated from my mother¡¯s collection. After fifteen years, minor aromatic variations are anticipated,¡± Elliana spoke smoothly. Of course, this exnation deviated from factual reality. The scent diverged because she had modified Rita¡¯s¡­

    Fundamental formtion, enhancing the pill¡¯s efficacy. She deliberately withheld this information, avoiding unnecessaryplications.

    Ruben epted Elliana¡¯s exnation without reservation. ¡°You have a point.¡±

    Eloisa¡¯s gaze glistened with restored optimism, fixated on the pill in Elliana¡¯s grasp as though contemting an invaluable treasure. ¡°Can this diminutive object genuinely bring my Barbara back?¡±

    ¡°Unquestionably,¡± Elliana affirmed with unshakeable conviction.

    Elliana¡¯s certainty infused Eloisa with renewed vitality, overwhelming her emotional restraint.

    ¡°Mrs. Evans, throughout years of research attempting to ameliorate Barbara¡¯s condition, I¡¯ve umted substantial pharmaceutical knowledge. Iprehend Venacure¡¯s extraordinary rarity. During its production era, one single pillmanded millions. Currently, with a negligible supply remaining, its value transcends mary assessment. Are you genuinely prepared to give it up for Barbara¡¯s benefit?¡±

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 Chapter 123

    ?Chapter 123:

    Elliana¡¯s voice was calm but unwavering. ¡°Mrs. Henderson, I offered Venacure to save Barbara. Of course, I¡¯m ready to part with it.¡±

    Tears spilled from Eloisa¡¯s eyes as she sped her hands to her chest. ¡°Mrs. Evans¡­ I can¡¯t thank you enough!¡±

    Gatlin was too choked up to speak at first. After a pause, he finally managed, ¡°Please, let us repay you. Whatever you want, consider it done. Just say the word.¡±

    Ruben¡¯s expression softened as he looked at Elliana, pride shining in his eyes. He hadn¡¯t expected her to pull the Evans family out of this mess. ¡°This all started because of Jeff, so it¡¯s only fair we all take responsibility. Elliana, whatever it costs, say the word¡ªI¡¯ll write the check myself.¡±

    Before Elliana could answer, Jeff rushed to her side, eyes pleading. ¡°Elliana, I have five million saved up. It¡¯s yours¡ªtake it. Just bring Barbara back.¡±

    Elliana looked down at Jeff, surprised by the sudden maturity in his voice. For once, he wasn¡¯t acting spoiled¡ªjust sincere. Maybe the day¡¯s events had finally knocked some sense into him. She gently shook her head. ¡°This is the Evans family¡¯s burden. And as the matriarch, it¡¯s my ce to use the pill to help Barbara. I won¡¯t be taking any payment.¡±

    A stunned silence fell over the room. They¡¯d expected Elliana to cash in big, but instead, she gave the pill away for nothing.

    Ruben broke the silence, his voice full of quiet awe. ¡°Mrs. Henderson was right. We struck gold with you joining this family, Elliana.¡± He nodded, deeply moved. ¡°I owe you, big time.¡±

    Off to the side, Trinity was fuming. Elliana had once again taken the spotlight¡ªthis time by giving up something as rare as Venacure. Trinity¡¯s stomach twisted with envy. She wouldn¡¯t just stand by and let Elliana bask in all the praise.

    ¡°Elliana¡­¡± Trinity forced a concerned tone. ¡°You¡¯re not a doctor. What if Venacure doesn¡¯t work on Barbara? She¡¯s already gone. Trying to reverse that is unnecessary. And frankly, it might be disrespectful.¡±

    But Elliana didn¡¯t flinch. She knew exactly what Trinity was trying to do. Instead of engaging, she turned to Eloisa. ¡°Mrs. Henderson, are you willing to give it a shot?¡±

    ???????????????? ???? ?????????¦Í????????????

    Eloisa didn¡¯t hesitate for a second. ¡°I trust you.¡±

    Then, Eloisa turned to Trinity with a re sharp enough to cut steel. ¡°I trust Mrs. Evanspletely. Those with twisted hearts can keep their opinions to themselves.¡±

    Trinity¡¯s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. If she¡¯d known things would spiral like this, she never would¡¯ve mocked Eloisa with Irene.

    Elliana gave a small smile and stepped back. ¡°Then let¡¯s not waste time. Let¡¯s get Barbara out of the coffin. I doubt she¡¯d want to wake up in it.¡±

    A ripple of hope passed through the Hendersons. Their faces, once sunken with grief, lit up with renewed life.

    Gatlin wasted no time, immediately ordering his security team to lift Barbara up andy her carefully on the sofa.

    Elliana immediately knelt beside Barbara. She checked Barbara¡¯s pulse and then lifted her eyelids to examine her condition. After a moment of silent observation, she stood up and handed the pill to Eloisa. ¡°Dissolve half of the Venacure in water. Once she regains consciousness, give her two days to rest, and then administer the second half.¡±

    Elliana diagnosed that Barbara¡¯s condition was far too weak to handle the full strength of the medication all at once.

    Eloisa took every word to heart. She crushed half the pill, stirred it into water, and helped the liquid down Barbara¡¯s throat.

    Everyone stood in a tight circle around the sofa, eyes glued to Barbara¡¯s still form.

    One minute passed. Nothing. Ten minutes. Still no change.

    By the thirty-minute mark, the atmosphere had shifted from hope to doubt.

    Trinity¡¯s eyes sparkled with glee as she whispered to Irene, ¡°Told you. Elliana¡¯s just experimenting now. The Henderson family will never forgive her for disrespecting Barbara¡¯s body like this.¡±

    Irene, catching Trinity¡¯s cue, tore into Elliana. ¡°You¡¯ve gone too far, Elliana. You¡¯re tampering with a corpse, trying to win favor? Is this some twisted move to secure your spot in the Evans family?¡±

    Elliana¡¯s eyes flicked up, cold and calm. ¡°You know, Irene, animals¡¯ dumbness could be seen as adorable, but humans¡¯ ignorance would only be annoying.¡±

    The insult hit its mark. Irene¡¯s face flushed with fury. ¡°How dare you!¡±

    Trinity stepped forward with a fake sense of concern. ¡°Look, maybe Irene came on too strong, but she has a point. You can¡¯t use Barbara¡¯s body to y your games.¡±

    Elliana turned her icy gaze on Trinity, a small, knowing smile forming. ¡°Didn¡¯t you once say you¡¯re training under Professor Sampson at Ublento Medical University? That he¡¯s so impressed that he¡¯s referring you to Dr. Milena for the International Medical Association?¡±

    Trinity lifted her chin, clearly proud. ¡°Correct. My medical skills let me see through the nonsense. Elliana, quit acting for your own gain and show some respect for Barbara.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s smile deepened, almost yful. She reached out and took Trinity¡¯s arm, gently pulling her toward the sofa. ¡°Then, by all means, Doctor Craig, tell us¡ª is Barbara dead or not?¡±

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 Chapter 124

    ?Chapter 124:

    Trinity regarded Elliana¡¯s ims with utter disbelief. How could Barbara, pronounced deceased by leading physicians, possibly retain any spark of life?

    ¡°Elliana, would you kindly cease this preposterous spection?¡± Trinity orchestrated a performance of genuine worry. ¡°I understand your desperate need to validate yourself and capture Cole¡¯s attention, but death remains irreversible. Regardless of Venacure¡¯s exceptional properties, it cannot resurrect the departed. If such a pharmaceutical miracle existed, society would descend into chaos!¡±

    With an exaggerated exhale, Trinity concluded, ¡°Elliana, this fabrication stretches beyond all credibility!¡±

    Elliana observed Trinity¡¯s theatrical disy in contemtive silence, detecting the same calcting undertones she¡¯d previously sensed from Paige. She reflected that maniptive women seemed to materialize wherever she turned.

    During her time with the Jones family, Paige had been her adversary, while now, within the Evans household, Trinity assumed that role. She considered herself an unfortunate attractor of such melodrama.

    ¡°Trinity, I never suggested Venacure could resurrect the deceased,¡± Elliana countered, a knowing smile ying at the corners of her mouth.

    Trinity¡¯s gaze sharpened. ¡°Then you¡¯re confessing to deception and exploiting Barbara¡¯s remains as a prop?¡±

    Lance interjected heatedly, ¡°Elliana, you¡¯ve transgressed all boundaries! Just because you¡¯re Rosa doesn¡¯t mean you can do whatever you want. The Rosa brand¡¯s got some clout, but it¡¯s nothingpared to the Evans family!¡±

    Elliana directed a measured nce at Lance. He¡¯d perpetually rushed to Trinity¡¯s defense, as though he couldn¡¯t tolerate her experiencing even minimal critique. Evidently, he appeared determined to establish matrimonial connections with Trinity.

    Lance, blessed with the Evans family¡¯s distinctive attractiveness, presented a handsome figure, recently graduated with an intellectual aura about him. Perhaps attributable to his tech-industry demeanor, hemunicated with particr bluntness.

    ¡°Is Elliana really Rosa?¡± Irene questioned mockingly. ¡°None of us attended the art museum yesterday. All this spection about Rosa amounts to unsubstantiated gossip. Such a momentous revtion, yet no media coverage today? I¡¯m expressing profound skepticism.¡± Irene fixed Elliana with a scrutinizing stare.

    ???????? ???????? ???????????????? ???? ?¦Á??????¦Í??????£®??????

    ¡°Certain individuals fabricate with remarkable fluency, regardless of how oundish their assertions be.¡±

    Trinity piled on. ¡°Elliana, we recognize your attempts to secure Cole¡¯s attention, but falsehoods of this magnitude? They pose significant dangers and could potentially entangle the Evans family in controversy.¡±

    The contentious exchange fostered universal uncertainty. Was Elliana really Rosa, or was everything an borate charade?

    Elliana remained unperturbed by their suspicions. She never concerned herself with others¡¯ eptance of her Rosa identity. If they rejected her ims, it would actually be a good thing for her, as she wouldn¡¯t feel obligated to offer them preferential pricing for her creations.

    Rather than engaging with their provocations, Elliana focused intently on Trinity. ¡°Trinity, let¡¯s maintain our focus. Demonstrate your medical expertise now. Provide a diagnosis for Barbara, immediately.¡±

    ¡°But medical professionals already confirmed Barbara¡¯s dead. Why necessitate additional verification?¡± Trinity retorted.

    Elliana released a sardonicugh. ¡°So, merely because certain mediocre physicians made such an announcement, you didn¡¯t doubt a thing?¡±

    ¡°Are you implying the hospital¡¯s medical staffcks qualification?¡±

    ¡°Every profession harbors individuals who advance through charm rather than merit. You profess healing abilities, yet with a patient before you, you refuse secondary verification? Where is your professional thoroughness?¡± Elliana established unwavering eye contact with Trinity, her expression subtly mocking. ¡°Or perhaps, Trinity, you represent those very chatans, too apprehensive to demonstrate your capabilities before everyone?¡±

    ¡°You¡­¡± Trinity faltered, herplexion flushing with indignation.

    Lance intervened impulsively. ¡°Elliana, cease these insinuations! Trinity studied under the renowned Professor Sampson at Ublento Medical University. She distinguished herself as his exemry pupil. This remainsmon knowledge. Youck standing to question her credentials!¡±

    ¡°Then why does Trinity hesitate to examine Barbara?¡± Elliana inquired with calctedposure.

    Trinity expelled a resigned breath. ¡°Very well, if you insist on involving me in your diversionary tactics, I¡¯ll amodate your request.¡± With that deration, Trinity positioned herself beside Barbara andmenced her examination.

    Initially, Trinity had approached the task nervously, concerned Elliana might have orchestrated some deception. After a thorough assessment, however, her apprehension subsided. Her medical proficiency might have fallen short of her proimed excellence, but she certainly possessed the ability to differentiate between life and death. Furthermore, with official hospital documentation confirming Barbara¡¯s death, she harbored no doubts regarding Barbara¡¯s condition. Everyone observed the proceedings in absolute stillness.

    Trinitypleted her evaluation and regarded Elliana with condescending sympathy. ¡°Elliana, this charade must conclude. Barbara has expired. Allow her peaceful transition.¡±

    The Hendersons, already emotionally fraught, sank deeper into despair, their collective attention shifting toward Elliana. Without verbalmentary, Elliana extracted a slender medical instrument and inserted it precisely into Barbara¡¯s chest. In the next moment, something extraordinary transpired¡­

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 Chapter 125

    ?Chapter 125:

    When the slender medical instrument prated Barbara¡¯s skin, the room collectively gasped as she visibly began to draw shallow breaths¡ªundeniably alive!

    Trinity gaped in astonishment, instinctively seizing Barbara¡¯s wrist to reassess her vital signs.

    ¡°How¡­ How can this be possible?¡± After verification, Trinity¡¯s expression darkened considerably. ¡°How is she still alive? I just conclusively determined she was deceased!¡±

    The assembled crowd reacted with stunned disbelief, their whispered spections filling the room.

    ¡°Is Barbara really still alive?¡±

    ¡°How could hospital physicians dere her dead, nearly resulting in premature burial? This is outrageous!¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t Trinity simrly pronounce Barbara dead? What exactly transpired here?¡±

    Jeff regarded Elliana with newfound admiration. ¡°Elliana, I never anticipated your medical expertise would prove so extraordinary!¡±

    Elliana cast a mischievous nce toward Trinity. ¡°My medical knowledge is rudimentary at best. I merely absorbed fragments from my mother during childhood. It pales inparison to Dr. Craig¡¯s ¡®mastery.''¡±

    Her statement dripped with unmistakable derision, causing Trinity¡¯splexion to flush crimson with humiliation.

    ¡°Stand aside!¡± Eloisa forcefully shoved Trinity aside. ¡°You chatan pretending to be skilled. Keep your distance from my daughter!¡±

    Trinity tumbled to the floor but dared not feign distress this time. She scrambled upright and retreated hastily.

    Witnessing her daughter¡¯s miraculous ¡°revival,¡± Eloisa experienced overwhelming tion. She yearned to embrace Barbara but hesitated, fearing any contact might jeopardize Barbara¡¯s precarious condition. Barbara appeared devastatingly fragile, as though the slightest pressure might shatter her.

    ?????????? ?????????????? ???????????? ???? ?????????¦Í??????©q?????

    ¡°Mrs. Evans, what course of action should we pursue now?¡± Charles inquired.

    ¡°Barbara has endured prolonged illness. Her organs have weakened considerably, and her medicinal absorption rate is diminished. She¡¯ll likely remain unconscious for a while,¡± Elliana exined. She then carefully extracted the slender medical instrument before examining Barbara¡¯s eyes. ¡°Simply administer the remaining Venacure portion, and she¡¯ll awaken naturally after sufficient rest.¡±

    Eloisa nodded fervently. ¡°Should we provide nourishment during her unconscious state?¡±

    ¡°Water alone will suffice,¡± Elliana replied. ¡°Venacure contains highly concentrated nutritional elements, adequate to sustain Barbara throughout her sleep without additional nourishment.¡±

    The Henderson family acknowledged her guidance with repeated nods.

    ¡°Mr. and Mrs. Henderson, Barbara requires absolute tranquility now. Please discontinue this confrontation at the Evans residence. Transport Barbara home for recovery, and I shall conduct a follow-up examination at your dwelling tomorrow. Would this arrangement be eptable?¡± Elliana proposed.

    Although Barbara had miraculously returned from death¡¯s threshold, Jeff¡¯s transgressions against the Henderson family remained irreparable. Gatlin and Eloisa harbored lingering resentment, yet their gratitude toward Elliana prevented any discourteous response.

    ¡°Agreed, we shall return Barbara home immediately for recuperation,¡± Gatlin conceded.

    Eloisa addressed Ruben. ¡°Mr. Evans, we sincerely apologize for today¡¯s disruption.¡±

    This marked Eloisa¡¯s first civilmunication with Ruben since the catastrophic incident involving Barbara and Charles.

    Ruben responded with evident relief. ¡°No apology necessary. The fault lies with my family. We will intensify our search for Milena to ensure Barbara¡¯s full recovery.¡±

    Eloisa said no more, simply directing that Barbara be transported home. Gatlin and their entourage subsequently departed, removing the ominous ck wooden coffin from the Evans property.

    Though Eloisa and Gatlin recognized the challenges in locating Milena and acknowledged Barbara might remain bedridden indefinitely, having confronted Barbara¡¯s ¡°death¡± recently, they dared not entertain extravagant hopes. Simply having Barbara alive and their family intact provided sufficient constion.

    The Evans family butler promptly instructed the household staff to restore order to the disheveled living room.

    Following the tumultuous scene, tranquility gradually returned to the Evans household.

    Ruben settled onto the sofa, his countenance severe as he scrutinized each family member. ¡°You all witnessed today that this crisis found resolution exclusively¡­¡±

    Through Elliana¡¯s intervention, Ruben¡¯s voice cut through the room with authority. ¡°Anyone who demonstrates disrespect toward her henceforth will face severe repercussions!¡±

    No one ventured to speak. They collectively lowered their gazes in submission. Irene silently wished for invisibility.

    Trinity experienced particr difort. Though not officially part of the Evans family, shielding her from Ruben¡¯s direct censure, his prating gazemunicated unmistakable displeasure regarding her earlier treatment of Elliana.

    ¡°Grandfather, my previous actions stemmed solely from overzealous concern for resolving our family¡¯s predicament. I harbored no intentional disrespect toward Elliana,¡± Trinity proimed tearfully, before regarding Elliana with calcted vulnerability. ¡°Elliana, offer my sincere apologies. Please forgive my blunders despite my attempts to assist.¡±

    Elliana merely cast an indifferent nce in her direction, deliberately withholding any response.

    Trinity mirrored Paige precisely¡ªruthlessly undermining others one moment and then tearfully apologizing when circumstances shifted unfavorably, projecting herself as the victimized party.

    Elliana mentally cursed when Cole abruptly burst into the living room. Every head swiveled toward him, wondering what caused his dy. Elliana raised her gaze, and instantly, her eyes widened with astonishment. What extraordinary ordeal had Cole endured overnight to emerge in such a shocking condition?

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 Chapter 126

    ?Chapter 126:

    Cole always made a point of maintaining a pristine image. Before every single meal, he had to take a shower. Skipping it meant he couldn¡¯t bring himself to eat. His grooming habits were relentless. Not even a strand of hair was out of ce, not a speck of dust dared tond on him, and his clothes looked like they came straight from the store. After each shower, he changed into a clean set of clothes and never repeated an outfit back-to-back.

    But today, the man known for treating cleanliness like a religion walked in wearing what he had on yesterday. His skin looked drained of color, dark shadows clung to the skin under his eyes, and his hair¡ªusually neat to the point of obsession¡ªwas a wild, tangled mess. Elliana only needed a second to realize Cole hadn¡¯t gotten any sleep. He must¡¯ve dropped everything and rushed back the moment Paulina called earlier this morning, not even bothering to clean himself up first. Whatever he had donest night must¡¯ve been a serious mess.

    Her attention shifted past him to the three men following close behind¡ªMyles, Aron, and Hugh. Under Cole¡¯s usual iron-fisted standards, these three never showed up looking less than wless. They always wore ck suits paired with crisp white shirts, everything from their cors to their shoces perfectly in sync.

    Today, though, the trio looked just as wrecked as their boss. Pale faces. Wrinkled suits. Hair like it had lost a fight with the wind. Even their dark under-eye circles matched Cole¡¯s, as though they were part of some team uniform.

    There was no doubt in Elliana¡¯s mind¡ªthe trio hadn¡¯t slept a minute either. Whatever happenedst night had hit all of them hard.

    And now Elliana had even more questions. What in the world had the four gotten themselves into? Had they spent the whole night being chased through the city by a gang of wild dogs? The image was so ridiculous that it nearly made herugh out loud. She managed to keep it together.

    Others in the room were equally stunned by Cole¡¯s appearance. He had always been known for being a neat freak. But today, he left everyone stunned and questioning their perception of him.

    Even so, the attention in the room didn¡¯t stay on Cole¡¯s messy appearance for long. Most of the focus had shifted to the chaos caused by the Henderson family, who had arrived at the Evans estate with a coffin and stirred up a storm.

    Without seeming the least bit bothered by how he looked, Cole walked into the living room and gave the space a quick once-over. When he didn¡¯t spot anyone from the Henderson family, his brow lifted in clear confusion.

    ?????????????? ???????????? ???? g???????¦Í?????????????

    Paulina rushed over, eager to fill him in on what had happened.

    Once Paulina finished exining, Cole¡¯s eyes drifted over to Elliana, who was seatedfortably on the sofa.

    As for Elliana, she had been quietly entertained by the single tuft of hair sticking straight up from the top of Cole¡¯s head. But the second she noticed his eyes on her, she quickly turned her gaze away. Sitting nearby, Ruben stayed quiet, though the hard look on his face made it clear he wasn¡¯t pleased with Cole at all.

    Trinity, who had been carefully acting the part of a fragile and wounded soul, kept a sharp watch on Cole¡¯s every move. When she saw him looking at Elliana, she stepped forward at once, her voice shaking as she begged, ¡°Cole, please, I need you to talk to Elliana for me. I never meant to upset her. I was only trying to help, but everything just went wrong.¡±

    As she spoke, two thick tears slid down her cheeks, making it seem like she was the most pitiful person in the world. Every bit of it was staged to earn sympathy.

    Just as Cole was about to say something, Lance interjected, his voice soft and reassuring, ¡°Trinity, don¡¯t me yourself too harshly. Everyone here knows you had no bad intentions. Barbara¡¯s misdiagnosis wasn¡¯t your responsibility. Even the top doctors believed she was gone. Her condition was just too strange.¡±

    Trinity felt a flicker of annoyance rise inside her. Although she usually weed Lance¡¯s attention, this wasn¡¯t the moment for him to speak up. Right now, all she wanted was Cole¡¯s focus. Still, she didn¡¯t let that irritation show.

    Trinity nced at Lance with teary eyes before slipping right back into her performance. ¡°Thank you for trusting me,¡± she murmured. ¡°But I¡¯m terrified that Elliana will get the wrong idea and start resenting me. If she refuses to forgive me, I honestly don¡¯t know how I¡¯ll continue living with this family.¡±

    There was a quiet usation hidden in her words, one that suggested Elliana intended to push her out of the Evans family. Right now, if Elliana didn¡¯t graciously say that it was all fine, she would be instantly branded as petty and intolerant.

    ¡°If Elliana thinks I don¡¯t belong here, then I¡¯ll just pack up and return to the Craig family,¡± Trinity added, sobbing again as if the world had turned its back on her. She made herself look like a meek girl who had been wronged but chose to leave without causing trouble.

    Elliana looked at Trinity, a mocking smile pulling at her lips. She could never figure out how women like Trinity and Paige, who dripped with fake sweetness, managed to charm the people around them. What was their secret recipe?

    But the moment Trinity mentioned going back to the Craig family, Lance immediately lost his cool. He swung toward Elliana, sounding like he was about to burst. ¡°Elliana, everyone here knows how much you¡¯ve done for the Evans family with the Venacure. No one¡¯s questioning that. But it doesn¡¯t give you the right to be petty and force Trinity out!¡±

    Elliana turned her head slowly and gave him a look as if he hadpletely lost his mind. Then, without a word, she reached for the steaming cup of coffee on the table and hurled it at his face. The hot coffee hit him squarely, soaking his face and leaving him frozen in shock.

    ¡°You!¡± he shouted, furious and dripping. ¡°What the hell was that for?¡±

    Elliana batted hershes and mimicked Trinity¡¯s syrupy voice, soft and dripping with fake regret. ¡°Oops, I¡¯m so sorry,¡± she said sweetly. ¡°I saw a mosquito on your face and got a little carried away trying to drive it away. I didn¡¯t mean any harm. It was just an honest mistake. I hope you can forgive me for having such good intentions.¡±

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    .

 Chapter 127

    ?Chapter 127:

    Elliana had a real gift for mimicry. The gentle, innocent expression she wore now looked nearly identical to Trinity¡¯s usual act. But Lance saw through the fake apology without even trying.

    ¡°Elliana, this is no ident. You¡¯re clearly doing this on purpose. Why are you pretending to be all sweet and harmless?¡± Lance snapped.

    Right then, tears sprang to Elliana¡¯s eyes as if on cue. ¡°If you won¡¯t forgive me, then I guess you just don¡¯t want me to live here with the Evans family anymore. That¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll go pack my bags and leave. That way, you won¡¯t have to say it out loud.¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Frustration boiled over as Lance clenched his teeth. ¡°When did I ever say I wanted you gone? You¡¯re twisting everything! Are you seriously trying to fool everyone with this little act?¡±

    Hearing this, Elliana swiped at her tears in a dramatic flourish, then gave him a wicked smile before heading up the stairs.

    Lance stood frozen, something clicking in his mind a moment toote. Embarrassment crept over him as he turned his head toward Trinity. A bright red flush spread across Trinity¡¯s cheeks. Now she didn¡¯t know what to do. Slipping back into her usual act confirmed her employment of those low tricks, but dropping the act was out of the question. Elliana had backed her into a corner and made her look ridiculous. At this point, nobody could ignore thebel stuck on Trinity¡ªmaniptive and two-faced.

    ¡°Trinity, don¡¯t take it too seriously. I know you¡¯re not that kind of person,¡± Lance said awkwardly.

    Trinity pressed her lips together, nearly tempted to cut Lance out of her life entirely. Still, she swallowed the irritation bubbling inside her and kept up the appearance of a fragile, wounded woman. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Lance. I know you didn¡¯t mean any harm. But Elliana still sees me the wrong way. What can I do to make her forgive me?¡±

    ¡°Ha!¡± Jeff let out a sharpugh. The same kiddo who had always stood up for Trinity now stared at her with pure disdain. ¡°Lance, maybe it¡¯s time you started looking at yourself for once.¡±

    Lance narrowed his eyes and snapped, ¡°What are you even talking about now?¡±

    ?????????????? ???????????????©q?????

    Lifting his chin, Jeff met Lance¡¯s re with a look full of contempt. ¡°Elliana couldn¡¯t have made things clearer, and you still don¡¯t get it? Such a moron.¡±

    ¡°¡¯You!¡± Lance clenched his jaw, furious, but couldn¡¯t do anything to Jeff. Trinity poured more emotion into her performance, tears running freely down her face. ¡°Jeff, you used to care about me so much. Why have you suddenly misunderstood me so deeply?¡±

    Before, seeing her cry would have made Jeff rush to her side. But now, he gave her a look full of disgust and rolled his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s not that I suddenly misunderstood you. I just finally woke up and saw your true colors.¡±

    He turned his attention to Lance with a re that made his opinion crystal clear. ¡°Too bad some people still choose to fall for the obvious maniption like fools. If that¡¯s what you want, go ahead. It¡¯s your decision.¡±

    Without waiting for a reply, Jeff turned on his heel and walked up the stairs, leaving Trinity and Lance standing in a silence that neither of them could shake.

    ¡°Trinity, do you want to move out of the Evans residence?¡± Cole asked out of nowhere. His voice stayed steady and emotionless, but something about it weighed heavily in the room.

    Trinity¡¯s body went rigid as her posture straightened. A strained smile stretched across her tear-streaked face. ¡°Not at all, Cole. I¡¯m fine living at the Evans residence.¡±

    Cole¡¯s face didn¡¯t shift. His eyes remained fixed on her as he replied, ¡°Anyway, you¡¯re always free to return to the Craig family¡¯s residence.¡± The words hit her like a p across the face. Heat rushed to her cheeks as the sting of humiliation settled in. Coming from the heir of the Evans family, that statement felt like a formal dismissal. But walking away wasn¡¯t what she wanted. If she nned to stay, the only option left was to bite her tongue and swallow the shame.

    Trinity bowed her head, keeping her lips sealed.

    Without another nce at her, Cole turned toward Ruben and said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Grandpa. Please forgive me foring home sote.¡±

    ¡°I thought you weren¡¯ting back at all. I assumed you had given up your ce in this family,¡± Ruben said, his voice cold and his expression even colder.

    Cole understood the anger in his grandfather¡¯s words, though he couldn¡¯t offer a proper exnation. All he could do was soften his tone as he said, ¡°Grandpa, that was never my intention.¡±

    Ruben narrowed his eyes at Cole and, after a pause, lifted his cane and brought it down on Cole¡¯s leg. ¡°You ungrateful brat! You abandoned Elliana without a second thought.¡±

    ¡°Thought. And yet, she¡¯s the one who stood up and saved the Evans family when we needed it most!¡±

    Cole stood there in silence, quietly brooding over how unfair the scolding felt. This wasn¡¯t about him abandoning Elliana. She had rejected him¡ªtwice. But he couldn¡¯t say that out loud.

    ¡°Elliana sacrificed her treasured Venacure, a keepsake from her mother, to help the Evans family through this crisis. Venacure was priceless and held deep sentimental value for her. Do you understand the magnitude of her sacrifice?¡± Ruben raised his cane and struck Cole again. ¡°Do you have any sense of gratitude?¡±

    Cole lifted an eyebrow, his frustration barely contained. He wasn¡¯t blind to what Elliana had done. He understood it all. But knowing didn¡¯t change the fact that she didn¡¯t want anything to do with him. With a stern re, Ruben asked, ¡°After all she¡¯s done, don¡¯t you think the very least you can do is consummate the marriage with her?¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 128

    ?Chapter 128:

    Cole found himself at a loss for words when Ruben threw the question his way. Even if Elliana hadn¡¯t done a single thing for the Evans family today, he would still have been more than happy to kiss her. But what did his feelings matter if she rejected him? Moreover,st night, he had kicked that little firecracker out of his car, leaving her fuming with rage. That re she threw his way downstairs was still burning in his memory. He hadn¡¯t even figured out how to make it up to her yet.

    ¡°Is your heart really that shallow? Do appearances mean everything to you?¡± When Cole stayed quiet, Ruben mmed his cane against the floor with frustration. ¡°Elliana might not turn heads, but she¡¯s got more character than most. Can¡¯t you grow a little substance in that soul of yours? Or are you the clueless type Jeff mentioned?¡± The room went still. Nobody expected Ruben to go that far¡ªa scolding just to bring Cole closer to Elliana.

    Cole¡¯s mouth twitched, his patience finally reaching its limit. Without saying another word, he turned on his heel and walked away toward the stairs.

    ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± Ruben snapped, his eyes locked onto Cole¡¯s back.

    ¡°I¡¯m going upstairs to grow a little substance in my soul, Grandpa,¡± Cole shot back without breaking stride.

    Ruben let out a huff, ring at him until he vanished around the staircase. Then, turning to look at the others in the room¡ªmost of whom were trying not tough¡ªRuben shouted, ¡°None of you is any better!¡± With that final grumble, Ruben stood and headed up the stairs as well. Those left behind couldn¡¯t help but twitch their lips. Ruben wasn¡¯t holding back today.

    On the upper floor, inside the bedroom, Ellianay stretched out on the balcony sofa, letting the sunlight warm her skin as if she hadn¡¯t a single worry in the world. She took slow bites of her sandwich, sipped on her milk, andzily scrolled through her phone.

    The incident downstairs had already slipped from her mind. She didn¡¯t see any reason to dwell on it.

    What truly upied her thoughts was the search for her mother and the truth buried in this marriage. As for those scheming, double-faced girls, she had only dealt with them while she was at it.

    ?????? ???? ?????????? ???????????????????????

    Finding her mother remained aplicated and twisted endeavor¡ªone that couldn¡¯t be rushed. Elliana knew she had to take things slow. For now, the more pressing issue was uncovering the real story behind her marriage to Cole, that maddening man. The sooner she figured it out, the sooner she could walk away and return the title of ¡°Mrs. Evans¡± to him. That alone would save her from the constant headache of dealing with him.

    With that in mind, she tapped out a message to Matthew: ¡°Any updates on the marriage registration between me and Cole in Podgend?¡± Matthew replied quickly, ¡°I¡¯ve found a few things, but it¡¯s a bit messy. We should talk face-to-face.¡±

    Elliana answered, ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll meet you at Ublento Hotel.¡±

    After hitting send, she stuffed the rest of the sandwich into her mouth, cheeks puffed out like a little chipmunk, and downed thest of the milk in one swift gulp. She stood up, ready to head out. At that exact moment, Cole opened the door and walked in.

    Elliana froze, not expecting to be alone with him. Memories of the previous night rushed back¡ªhow things had gone from intimate to explosive in no time. The awkward tension made her ufortable, so she turned around and flopped back down on the sofa.

    Cole, standing with a rxed posture, had both hands tucked into the pockets of his crisp cks. He looked at her chipmunk-like cheeks and let out a light chuckle. ¡°Wow, a chipmunk there?¡± He¡¯d never met a girl who ate with such little grace.

    Elliana gave him a sharp look, refusing to take the bait. But before she could say anything, a sudden hup escaped her lips¡ªloud and unexpected. She was choking. And this time, it wasn¡¯t mild.

    The urge to spit it out nearly overwhelmed her, but the thought of doing that in front of Cole made her stomach twist even more. Instead, she squeezed her eyes shut and forced the bite down. Sadly, that only made things worse. Her throat tightened, and the choking grew more intense.

    Seeing her in distress, Cole rushed forward and began patting her back. As soon as she showed signs of calming down, he turned and poured her a ss of water without a word.

    Elliana no longer cared about appearances. She snatched the ss and drank the water in one long gulp.

    Once she could breathe again, Cole tilted his head and asked, half-teasing, ¡°Have I been starving you or something?¡±

    Mortified beyond belief, Elliana refused to answer. She threw him a re that could¡¯ve frozen the air between them.

    Cole didn¡¯t need to ask. He could already tell that she hadn¡¯t forgiven him for what happened the night before. He didn¡¯t know what to say to make things better. So instead of trying and making it worse, he stayed quiet and just stood there watching her. After a long stretch of silence, when it became clear she still had no ns of speaking to him, he walked over to the rocking chair across from her and lowered himself into it.

    The chair, made of fine woven rattan, felt cool against his skin. He leaned back slowly, letting it sway as he kept his eyes on Elliana. She gave him nothing¡ªnot a nce, not a word. He just sat there and watched her.

    Truthfully, he had no clue how to pacify a woman. He had never dated anyone before. He had never been drawn to anyone before. He had zero experience in this kind of situation.

    Reaching twenty-seven this year, his being seven years her senior made him a little self-conscious. He sometimes worried that she saw him as too old. And whenever she got upset, hepletely froze, afraid that anything he said might make things worse.

    Silence lingered between them. Elliana sat on the sofa with her head down, scrolling aimlessly through her phone. Across from her, Cole rocked gently in his chair, eyes never leaving her.

    After a few more back-and-forth messages with Matthew, Elliana locked her phone and stood up to leave.

    Watching her rise sent a wave of panic through Cole. He opened his mouth but couldn¡¯t find the right words. His hand brushed something in his pocket¡ªsomething small and smooth. It was a piece of candy. On impulse, he pulled it out and held it out to her. ¡°Honey, have a candy.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 129

    ?Chapter 129:

    Elliana stiffened halfway through standing, irritation flickering across her face. How immature could Cole be? First, he picked a fight, and now he was offering candy as if she were a child to be bribed. She leveled him with a re.

    But then her eyesnded on the candy in his hand, and her breath hitched before she could stop it. Mango milk candy. Her all-time weakness, ever since she was little. She had no defense against that sweet, creamy taste.

    Still, there was no way she was going to eat Cole¡¯s candy. He was aplete jerkst night, dumping her curbside after kissing her like she was nothing. There was no way she would let him off the hook so easily.

    But barely a heartbeatter, her resolve wavered. She snatched the candy from his hand, peeled off the wrapper, and let it melt on her tongue.

    The sugary mango mingled with creamy milk, flooding her senses with pure bliss. She tilted her head back, eyes fluttering shut, letting the vor wash over her.

    Cole kept his gaze locked on her, a spark of triumph flickering in his eyes, as though he¡¯d stumbled upon buried gold. It hit him¡ªElliana had a weakness for mango candy. Getting it right by chance sent a jolt of giddy satisfaction straight through him. The discovery cheered him up in an instant.

    To Cole, Elliana wasughably easy to win over. One piece of candy, and she lit up like a kid at Christmas. He made a mental note to always keep a few on hand for the next time she threw a tantrum. Picturing more moments like this, Cole grinned, the curve of his lips and that effortlessly handsome face radiating charm.

    Breaking the silence, Cole¡¯s smile widened. ¡°Well, honey, first you¡¯re a design hotshot under the name Rosa, now you¡¯re flexing medical know-how? What other surprises are you hiding?¡±

    Elliana, savoring thest trace of sweetness on her tongue, froze. She cracked one eye open and shot him a frosty side nce. Did he truly believe a piece of candy could magically wipe away his rudeness? Did he take her for someone so easily won over? A single piece of candy to smooth over how he¡¯d treated her the night before, and now he dared to use that tone, like they were suddenly cozy again? The audacity of it made her blood boil.

    When her frosty, sarcastic re locked onto him, Cole¡¯s cocky grin faltered, stiffening awkwardly on his face. He questioned whether he¡¯d badly misjudged how to handle Elliana.

    Before Cole could open his mouth, Elliana shed him a sly smirk. ¡°You think you can treat me like dirt and then wave a piece of candy in my face like I¡¯m some kid?¡±

    ???????? ???????????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????????

    Cole arched a brow, the swagger draining from his expression. ¡°So you¡¯re saying a candy¡¯s not enough to make things right?¡±

    Elliana shot back, her tone razor-sharp. ¡°Do I strike you as someone that easy to cate? You really think my pridees that cheap?¡±

    Cole swallowed the retort on his tongue, quietly admitting to himself that, yeah, maybe a single candy had been aughable offer. He gave a short nod, acknowledging his mistake.

    After a tense moment, Cole pulled out his checkbook, scribbled a nk check, and extended it toward Elliana. ¡°I was out of linest night. Put down any number you think makes us even.¡±

    Elliana spared the check a frosty nce, her lips curling into a scornful smile, but she made no move to take it. He treated forgiveness like a transaction, dangling money as his apology.

    Seeing her icy indifference, Cole continued, his tone softening. ¡°And about the Venacure you gave out for the sake of the Evans family today, you deserve something for that, too. Write whatever figure you want. If it¡¯s in my power, you¡¯ll have it, even if it wipes me out.¡±

    Elliana fixed her gaze on Cole, searching his face for any sign he was serious. He was Ublento¡¯s wealthiest man, sitting on a fortune worth billions, but she knew better than to think he¡¯d let her drain him dry without a brutal fight. She wasn¡¯t naive. If she pushed too far, she had no doubt he would snap and show his ugliest side.

    ¡°You really think I¡¯m the kind of woman who cashes in on her own sacrifice and mistreatment?¡± Elliana¡¯s voice sliced through the air, brittle andced with frost.

    Cole blinked, caughtpletely off guard by her cutting words, leaving him dumbstruck.

    Without hesitation, Elliana seized the check and hurled it at him. ¡°I can make my own living the right way. Don¡¯t trade my self-respect.¡± Thoroughly dismissed, Cole looked beaten down, his face ghostly, his eyes dull and sunken, and his hair unkempt. He had the sorry look of someone who¡¯d just been handed a hard lesson.

    Elliana fixed him with a hard, unflinching re, her entire posture radiating defiant pride.

    Then, without warning, Cole lurched forward, seized her wrist, and pulled her toward the towering ss window that stretched from floor to ceiling.

    He pushed open the ss door, letting the wind rush in, tousling their hair and tugging at their clothes as they stood by the towering window. The sudden gust made Elliana squint, wary of whatever stunt Cole had in mind. Still gripping her wrist, he gestured toward the window below. ¡°Go ahead. Shove me out the window. After that, you can make it up to me with a smile. No candy needed. I¡¯m super easy to cate.¡±

    Elliana followed his gesture and spotted a cluster of potted cacti directly beneath them. If she actually gave him a push, he¡¯d wind up skewered from head to toe. The absurdity of it left her staring at him, utterly dumbfounded. Did he honestly expect her to go along with this? If she shoved him, he would probably lose it and chase her down like a maniac.

    With an exaggerated eye roll, Elliana pivoted, ready to walk away. But before she could take a step, Cole¡¯s voice followed, low and provoking. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll do it myself if you can¡¯t handle it.¡±

    He surmised that if it helped ease her anger, he had no problem putting on a show and pretending to jump.

    Without warning, he tilted forward, his body leaning dangerously over the edge.

    Elliana¡¯s pulse lurched. She seized his cor and hauled him backward, her grip tight and unflinching.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 130

    ?Chapter 130:

    Cole staggered backward as Elliana yanked his cor, nearly throwing him off bnce.

    When Cole regained his footing, he turned to face Elliana, an unexpected warmth blooming in his chest. The sensation wasn¡¯t limited to his heart alone. A lingering heat remained where her fingers had inadvertently slipped past his cor and brushed against his skin. That fleeting contact left Cole with an intimacy that caught him by surprise. He locked eyes with Elliana, his voice dropping to a husky murmur, ¡°Couldn¡¯t bear the thought of me getting hurt, could you?¡±

    Elliana hadn¡¯t expected her reflexive action would elicit such a smoldering look from Cole. He¡¯d read too much into a simple gesture. Under his prating gaze, she felt scorched, as if the intensity in his eyes might leave a mark.

    As she mentally dismissed his presumption, he captured her hand and brushed a kiss across her fingertips.

    The warmth of his touch sent her pulse racing. She wrenched her hand away. ¡°I wasn¡¯t worried about you getting hurt, and I haven¡¯t forgiven you. I just thought you were making aplete fool of yourself.¡±

    With that deration, Elliana pivoted and strode away. She needed to meet Matthew urgently to untangle the bizarre marriage registration predicament. She had no patience for Cole¡¯s theatrics.

    Cole hadn¡¯t anticipated his peace offering would fail so spectacrly. He watched her retreating silhouette with a sigh. When the door closed behind her, erasing her from view, he exhaled softly. She was proving tough to win over. She¡¯d rejected him outright, yetmanded respect as thedy of the Evans household on his own turf. She¡¯d refused his apology but still epted the candy he¡¯d offered as reconciliation. She wasn¡¯t just hard to please¡ªshe had a knack for being boldly, unapologetically fierce.

    Elliana cared nothing for Cole¡¯s opinion. Exiting the room, she headed straight downstairs.

    The living room stood vacant save for Jeff, absorbed in his iPad game on the couch.

    Elliana didn¡¯t bother acknowledging him as she swept toward the exit since he¡¯d always treated her with icy contempt.

    ???????????? ???????????? ????????: ??????????????????[?]??????

    ¡°Hi, Elliana!¡± Jeff sprang up enthusiastically at her appearance.

    Elliana halted and turned, startled by his unexpected enthusiasm. He abandoned his iPad and scurried toward her, eyes bright with eagerness. ¡°Elliana, where are you headed?¡±

    ¡°Out to handle some business,¡± she replied with detachment.

    Jeff tilted his head, examining her expression before asking cautiously, ¡°You seem troubled. Everything alright?¡±

    Elliana arched an eyebrow, wondering what scheme he was plotting now.

    Before she could respond, Jeff added, ¡°Did Cole upset you again? Don¡¯t let it affect you. You¡¯re incredible. If Cole can¡¯t see that, he¡¯s truly blind.¡±

    Elliana nearly burst intoughter. Since when had Jeff developed such silver-tongued charm? It seemed her offer of Venacure to rescue Barbara had transformed his perception. He now regarded her with admiration. She realized the Evans men shared a peculiar habit¡ªantagonizing others first, then attempting to smooth ruffled feathers with honeyed gestures.

    However, ttery, even from a child, didn¡¯t sway Elliana. She decided to challenge his sincerity. With an exaggerated frown, she countered, ¡°Incredible? Me? I¡¯m nobody¡ªuniversally despised. Trinity¡¯s the real treasure. Everyone adores her. Go seek herpany instead.¡±

    Jeff scratched his head sheepishly. ¡°Elliana, I¡¯m not fooled anymore.¡±

    Elliana froze momentarily, then dissolved intoughter when his meaning registered. He possessed an endearing quality now that he¡¯d experienced his change of heart.

    Seeing her amusement, Jeff beamed. ¡°I was blinded before, but you¡¯ve enlightened me. From now on, I¡¯ll stick by you through anything!¡±

    Elliana rolled her eyes and moved toward the exit. Only the truly exceptional earned the chance to remain by her side. Jeff fell woefully short of her standards.

    Her dismissal didn¡¯t deter him. He called after her, ¡°Elliana, go handle your business! I¡¯ll care for Darling. That cat is absolutely adorable!¡±

    She didn¡¯t nce back, though a subtle smile crept across her lips. Before, when Jeff behaved cruelly, his words had cut like razors. She had often fantasized about silencing him permanently. Now that he¡¯d softened, his sentiments flowed like honey. The same boy who once derided Darling as a mangy nuisance now proimed the kitten the world¡¯s most precious feline.

    With an amused headshake, Elliana mounted her motorcycle and roared away from the Evans estate.

    Jeff lingered at the vi entrance, watching her diminishing figure with wistful eyes. Once she vanished from sight, he turned back to check on Darling.

    Just then, Cole descended the staircase.

    ¡°Hey, Cole,¡± Jeff ventured.

    Cole responded with a nomittal grunt. He brushed past Jeff toward the exit.

    Jeff clenched his fists, mustered his courage, and chased after Cole.

    ¡°Cole, I¡¯ve got something to tell you about Elliana¡­¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 131

    ?Chapter 131:

    Cole never had much patience for shooting the breeze with Jeff. The neen-year gap between the cousins was like a chasm, and Jeff, spoiled to the core by Irene, didn¡¯t exactly make Cole eager to bridge it. But when Jeff dropped Elliana¡¯s name, Cole paused. He doubted this little punk had anything nice to say about Elliana. Likely, Jeff was gearing up to trash-talk her again.

    Cole saw a chance to put the kid in his ce and make it stick. He shot Jeff a sideways nce, cool as a cucumber. ¡°Got something to say? Let¡¯s hear it. I¡¯m on a clock.¡±

    Jeff craned his neck to look up at Cole, perplexed. Cole, usually as approachable as a brick wall, was oddly open today.

    A spark of nerves flickered in Jeff¡¯s chest as he mulled over what he intended to say. As the youngest one of the Evans n, he was the resident troublemaker, untouchable to most. But Cole? Cole was the family¡¯s big dog. He knew better than to test Cole. No one got away with mouthing off to Cole.

    The words Jeff wanted to unload kept rising to his lips, only to get swallowed back down. His face even turned beet red from the effort. He was scared stiff that one wrong move wouldnd him in the backyard pond, courtesy of Cole¡¯s tough love.

    Cole nced down at the pint-sized pest, his brows knitting. ¡°If you¡¯re too chicken to speak, don¡¯t waste my time!¡± With that, he turned to walk away.

    Jeff, in a panic, scrambled after him. ¡°Cole, hold up! I just got to say¡ªhow could you mistreat someone as awesome as Elliana?¡±

    Cole stopped dead, his eyes narrowing as he studied Jeff¡¯s face, utterly thrown. What was up with this kid?

    Jeff misread Cole¡¯s look, thinking Cole was about to chew him out for sticking his nose where it didn¡¯t belong. He flinched, stepping back, but then rallied, puffing himself up like a brave little soldier.

    ¡°Cole, Elliana might not be a knockout, but she¡¯s a diamond in the rough. Marrying her¡¯s the best thing you¡¯ve ever done!¡± Jeff dered, stretching to meet Cole¡¯s gaze.

    Cole arched a brow, a faint grin dancing in his eyes. ¡°What¡¯s this, pigs flying? Jeff, aren¡¯t you Trinity¡¯s number-one fan? You sure you didn¡¯t get your wires crossed?¡±

    ???????? ???? ?????????????????????

    ¡°There¡¯s no mix-up here!¡± Jeff shot back, dead serious. ¡°From now on, I¡¯m Team Elliana¡ªride or die!¡±

    Cole thought it over, the pieces clicking into ce. What went down this morning must¡¯ve flipped Jeff¡¯s script. The kid went from loathing Elliana to stanning her harder than anyone.

    Cole released a quiet sigh. Good thing Jeff was just an eight-year-old twerp, or he would¡¯ve felt a prick of jealousy, wondering if Jeff was nning to steal his wife. Since there was no real threat, he was cool with another Evans treating Elliana right. With that thought, he found Jeff somewhat adorable. He reached out, giving Jeff¡¯s buzzed head a rare, brotherly ruffle.

    Jeff, clueless, took it as Cole being at a loss for words, still not sold on Elliana and just too polite to argue with a kid. This assumption left Jeff a little rattled.

    As Cole started to walk off, Jeff shouted after him, ¡°Cole, if you¡¯re not into Elliana, then¡­ then you ditch her! I¡¯ll marry her myself!¡±

    Cole froze mid-stride, turning around to re at the chest-high punk. His stare could¡¯ve sliced through metal. ¡°Come again?¡±

    Jeff quailed under Cole¡¯s intensity, stumbling back a step. But then he squared his shoulders, locking eyes with stubborn grit. ¡°I¡¯m eight. Ten years from now, I¡¯ll be grown. When that dayes, I¡¯m marrying Elliana!¡±

    Cole had half a mind to ground Jeff for eternity! This kid was trying to steal his wife?

    ¡°Grandpa said Elliana did the Evans family a solid with that Venacure. He told you to repay her by being all-in, but you¡¯re not feeling it. So I¡¯ll step up. I¡¯m the one who stirred up today¡¯s mess, after all,¡± Jeff continued.

    The more Jeff talked, the cockier he got, already dreaming up the future. ¡°Ten years from now, I¡¯ll be a man. I don¡¯t care about looks or age. I¡¯ll keep her safe¡­¡±

    ¡°Enough!¡± Cole boomed, his voice like a thunderp.

    Jeff froze, a chill shooting through him, too stunned to move. ¡°Uh?¡±

    Cole¡¯s eyes narrowed to slits. ¡°Jeff Evans, you better drop that idea right now. Not in this life, not in the next!¡±

    Jeff just gaped, so Cole barked, ¡°Scram!¡±

    Jeff bolted, tail tucked.

    Elliana, blissfully unaware of the absurd showdown Jeff had sparked, had already left the Evans estate for the Ublento Hotel. Matthew was waiting for her in a private room.

    The second Elliana sat down, she leaned in, eager. ¡°What¡¯d you dig up?¡±

    Matthew, always on point, slid a tablet across the table without a word.

    ¡°Lexi, check this guy out. Ring any bells?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 132

    ?Chapter 132:

    Elliana nced at the iPad Matthew slid her way. The screen showed a grainy surveince video, but it was still clear enough to make out a man in his fifties, though his face remained a blur.

    Elliana racked her brain, but the man didn¡¯t ring any bells. She had zero recollection of ever crossing paths with him. ¡°Who¡¯s this?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Victor Stone,¡± Matthew answered. ¡°While poking around your marriage registration with Mr. Evans in Podgend, we stumbled onto Victor. He¡¯s probably just a middleman, though. Someone with deeper pockets is likely pulling the strings.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s brow shot up, caught off guard. ¡°How¡¯d you even find him?¡± Before she¡¯d sent Matthew to Podgend, Cole had already put his own crew on the case, and they¡¯de up empty. Matthew¡¯s unearthing of Victor was a curveball.

    Matthew exined, ¡°All the records tied to your marriage with Mr. Evans in Podgend were wiped clean long ago. And the folks who processed it? Poof¡ªgone, vanished without a trace. Digging into what went down back then has been like chasing shadows. We¡¯ve burned the midnight oil, sifting through a mountain of data, until we finally hit paydirt: a snippet of old surveince footage pointing to Victor. We know he was in the mix, but what he did or how deep he was in? Still a ck hole.¡±

    Elliana listened, soaking it all in, her gaze drifting back to the iPad. She studied the image, letting it simmer.

    Matthew sat quietly, giving her space to think.

    After about ten minutes, a spark shed in Elliana¡¯s eyes. It hit her. Fifteen years ago, Victor was there the night the Jones family mansion went up in mes.

    Fifteen years could change a person¡¯s look, but Elliana had a gift for pegging people by their frame. She was dead certain the Victor on the screen was the same guy she¡¯d seen back then. When the Jones fire zed, a crowd had gathered to rubberneck, with Victor among them. Just five at the time, Elliana had been scared out of her wits in the chaos. With people milling about, most faces would¡¯ve faded into the noise. But Victor? He¡¯d stood out like a sore thumb. Tall, looming over the crowd, with a sharp, hawk-like stare that burned into her memory. That kind of face stuck with a kid.

    Back then, Victor was just another face to five-year-old Elliana. But now, knowing he was tangled up in her marriage registration with Cole, she had to rethink everything. Who was Victor, really? And who was the puppet master behind him?

    Why go through the hassle of secretly tying her and Cole together in Podgend? And was the Jones family fire connected to Victor¡ªor his shadowy boss?

    ?????? ???????? ????????????????: g??????¦Í?????????????

    Questions swirled in Elliana¡¯s head like a storm, but answers were nowhere in sight.

    After chewing it over, she grabbed a pen and paper. From memory, she sketched Victor¡¯s face as she¡¯d seen it that night. When she was done, she handed the drawing to Matthew. ¡°Fifteen years ago, during the Jones fire, I saw Victor. This is what he looked like. Use it to dig deeper and track him down.¡±

    ¡°On it,¡± Matthew said, taking the sketch.

    He nced at the drawing and let out a low chuckle. ¡°Lexi, you were five, and it was pitch-dark when you saw this guy. You can still draw him from memory? What are you, part cyborg?¡±

    ¡°Quit yapping,¡± Elliana shot back, giving him a sharp look. ¡°Keep this on the down-low. Don¡¯t let anyone catch wind.¡±

    She hadn¡¯t yet figured out why someone had orchestrated her marriage to Cole, but her gut screamed it was part of a bigger game. Whoever was behind this wasn¡¯t small-time. They had the kind of clout that could shake the world.

    She was hardly surprised they¡¯d gotten hold of her basic info. Her public story¡ªan unloved daughter who¡¯d lost her mom ages ago¡ªwas low-hanging fruit for anyone snooping. But Cole¡¯s info? That was a whole other beast. Cole was a titan, his personal details locked down tighter than Fort Knox. Yet, someone had cracked that vault. And not just that. They¡¯d picked Podgend for the marriage stunt, pulled it off without a hitch, and erased every trace. That kind of influence in a ce like Podgend was mind-boggling.

    Facing a yer this heavy, Elliana knew she had to move like a ghost. Until she had solid intel, she couldn¡¯t risk tipping their hand.

    ¡°Got it,¡± Matthew said with a nod.

    Elliana paused and then switched tracks. ¡°Any word from the old man?¡±

    ¡°Nope,¡± Matthew replied, shaking his head.

    Elliana let out a frustrated huff. ¡°Goddamn it! He saddles me with the Star Society and then jets off to y world traveler. Five years, not a single word. How long am I supposed to keep running the show as Lexi?¡±

    Then, like a bolt from the blue, something clicked, and Elliana¡¯s expression shifted.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 133

    ?Chapter 133:

    The Star Society wasn¡¯t Elliana¡¯s brainchild¡ªit was the legacy of her mentor, Donovan Pearson. And Lexi wasn¡¯t a name she picked out of a hat. It was the title passed down from the leader of the Star Society. When Donovan passed the reins to her, the title of Lexi came with the gig.

    To the outside world, Lexi was the big boss of the Star Society. What they didn¡¯t know was that Lexi wasn¡¯t a person¡ªit was a role, like the president of a country, always there no matter who sat in the chair.

    Elliana had griped to Matthew about this before, and when she brought it up again, he just shed a small grin. ¡°You¡¯re Mr. Pearson¡¯s one and only prot¨¦g¨¦. Of course, the Star Societynded in yourp. No one else could fill Lexi¡¯s shoes but you.¡±

    His words only made Elliana¡¯s frustration bubble over. Bing Donovan¡¯s student wasn¡¯t something she¡¯d signed up for. When she was six years old, Donovan had crept into the Jones family¡¯s backyard shed one night, snatched her up, and dered she was his apprentice. She¡¯d said no way, but he didn¡¯t care. And just like that, she had been made his sessor.

    Back in the day, the Star Society had been all about mastering elite martial arts, cherry-picking only those with raw, exceptional talent. It had flown under the radar, unknown to most folks. It was like Merritt, who¡¯d once ruled the underground shipping world, yet barely anyone outside that circle knew his name.

    Later, when Elliana took the helm from Donovan, she had shaken things up. She branched out into bounty hunting, traded in herbal medicine, and even opened the Ublento Hotel. Only then did the Star Society start turning heads.

    During her years under Donovan¡¯s tutge, her primary focus had been martial arts.

    Donovan was a force of nature¡ªa martial arts master who carried himself like he could take on the world. Everything he taught her was the distilled essence ofbat.

    Even now, Elliana couldn¡¯t crack the mystery of why Donovan had picked her as his prot¨¦g¨¦, or why, when she hit sixteen, he¡¯d hurriedly dumped the Star Society on her and vanished, iming he was off to see the world. Donovan was an enigma, to say the least.

    ¡°Matthew, it¡¯s been five years since my mentor went radio silent. You think something¡¯s happened to him?¡± Elliana asked, worry creeping into her voice.

    ?????????????? ????????: g???????????????????????

    Matthew hesitated. ¡°Nah, not likely. Mr. Pearson¡¯s a beast¡ªnobody¡¯s taking him down easily.¡±

    But his face betrayed a flicker of doubt. Even the toughest could trip over a pebble. Donovan was a legend, but he wasn¡¯t untouchable.

    ¡°Matthew, why don¡¯t you take over as Lexi?¡± Elliana tossed out, half-serious.

    Matthew blinked and then shook his head with a wry chuckle. ¡°Come on. Mr. Pearson raised me to back you up, not wrest the power from you. Your prot¨¦g¨¦ is the next Lexi.¡±

    ¡°Then I¡¯ll make you my prot¨¦g¨¦ and train you to take my ce,¡± Elliana shot back.

    Matthewughed. ¡°You¡¯re still young, and all you can think about is kicking back? What kind of talk is this even?¡±

    He genuinely found her words amusing. The truth was, she had already pawned off most of the Star Society¡¯s day-to-day responsibilities to him. She barely lifted a finger. And now she wanted to ditch the Lexi title altogether? She was the poster child for cking off!

    She stared him down for a moment before dropping it. Matthew had been an orphan, taken in by Donovan. Matthew and she had grown up like siblings. Forcing him to be her prot¨¦g¨¦ would mess with that dynamic.

    ¡°Fine,¡± she said. ¡°Then find me a worthy sessor.¡±

    Matthew patted her forehead yfully. ¡°Finding someone to fill your shoes isn¡¯t that simple. You¡¯re a rare breed, and even Mr. Pearson spent a decade molding you. Even if I scout a promising candidate, you¡¯re not handing over the keys anytime soon. Stop daydreaming, alright?¡±

    Elliana tipped her head back, staring at the ceiling like it held all her answers. Who could possibly understand what it was like to be stuck with a title she never wanted?

    Meanwhile, the only folks more miserable than Elliana were Myles, Aron, and Hugh¡ªthe three brothers.

    Last night, Cole, nursing a broken heart and acting like he¡¯d lost his marbles, had gone off the deep end. He¡¯d ordered his bodyguards to run a hundred kilometers in the dark and then dragged the three brothers to a cliffside for a martial arts showdown. The result was a bloodbath for the three brothers!

    The three brothers had been trained to the teeth in the Evans family since they were kids, each able to take on a small army. But against Cole? They were likembs to the ughter. Last night, even teaming up and throwing everything they had, they had still gotten crushed.

    In the end, they¡¯d copsed, t-out refusing to go another round.

    They¡¯d thought Cole¡¯s bizarre rampage was over. But no¡ªhe¡¯d suggested killing time with cash-based card games. And so, they¡¯d sat on a cliff, ying cards to keep Cole entertained.

    It had been even more humiliating for the three brothers. Even pooling their brainpower, they had failed to match Cole¡¯s sly cunning and lost every single round. When their cash ran dry, Cole had them bet their clothes. By the end, they were down to their boxers.

    With nothing left to strip, Cole had upped the ante: lose a round, stick a paper note on their faces. By sunrise, the three had been stered with paper slips, looking like human pi?atas.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 134

    ?Chapter 134:

    The Evans family was buzzing with whispers, scratching their heads over why their golden boy, Cole, looked like he¡¯d been dragged through a hedge backward today. Something wild must¡¯ve gone downst night to leave him in such a state.

    But Myles, Aron, and Hugh knew the whole messy story. And all they could say was¡ªwhen Cole lost his marbles, he didn¡¯t just go off the deep end. He dove in headfirst! Making them spar with him was no big deal. They¡¯d been trading punches with Cole since they were knee-high to a grasshopper¡ªthey could handle a few bruises. But Cole had even hauled them into high-stakes card games, and not some friendly round with peanuts. Oh no, he made them bet cold, hard cash. What kind of billionaire shook down his own crew for their lunch money?

    The three of them had grown up tight with Cole, so their vibe was more like brothers than boss-and-underlings. The three had been treated like gold, pulling in seven-figure paychecks yearly, and over the years, they¡¯d squirreled away a nice little nest egg. But when Cole¡¯s mood took a dark turn due to his recent argument with Elliana, all those perks had vanished faster than a magician¡¯s rabbit. Heck, after the cliff card games, even the clothes on their backs were technically ¡°borrowed¡± from him!

    Once returned to the Evans estate, Cole had bolted upstairs to track down Elliana, while Myles, Aron, and Hugh made a beeline for Paulina, desperate to borrow some cash.

    The four siblings had all been raised under the Evans roof. They weren¡¯t the big shots of the house, but Ruben had hooked them up with their own courtyard when they were kids¡ªa cozy little corner to call their own.

    Finally back in their private hangout, Myles, Aron, and Hugh let their guards down a bit. But none of them dared mention the money issue, terrified of Paulina¡¯s sharp tongue.

    Paulina plopped into her chair, eyeing the three like a hawk. ¡°What in the world did you three get up to with Mr. Evansst night? You look like you¡¯ve been through the wringer, and Mr. Evans didn¡¯t even bother changing his clothes. Is this how you look after him?¡±

    Myles and Aron exchanged a nce. Spilling Cole¡¯s ridiculous antics was not on the table.

    ???????????????? ?????????????? ? ?????????????????????????

    But Hugh, always the baby spoiled rotten by his big sis, just waved her off. ¡°Can¡¯t talk about Mr. Evans¡¯s business, Paulina. Just drop it. Uh¡­ can you spot us some cash? It¡¯s urgent.¡±

    After a beat, he added, ¡°We¡¯ll pay you back next month when our paychecks hit.¡±

    Paulina¡¯s brows shot up. ¡°All three of you need a loan?¡±

    Hugh nodded first, and Myles and Aron followed suit.

    Paulina¡¯s jaw practically hit the floor. ¡°You¡¯re each raking in millions a year. Where the heck did all your money disappear to?¡±

    Hugh, never one to filter his thoughts, blurted, ¡°We blew it all gamblingst night.¡±

    Myles and Aron shot daggers at him. Seriously? Couldn¡¯t he have sugarcoated it a little? Had he forgotten the Fletcher family¡¯s iron rule¡ªno boozing, no fooling around, no gambling, no trouble?

    Before they could kick Hugh under the table, Paulina¡¯s voice cut through the room. ¡°Myles. Aron, on your knees. Now!¡±

    Myles and Aron dropped to the floor like soldiers following orders. In their family, Paulina¡¯s word wasw. When she said kneel, one knelt, no ifs, ands, or buts.

    Hugh, standing off to the side, gave them a pitying look. As the most pampered, he rarely had to face the music¡ªwhen he screwed up, Myles or Aron usually took the heat for him.

    ¡°How dare you drag your little brother into gambling? Do the family rules mean nothing to you?¡± Paulina snapped.

    Myles pushed his ck-framed sses up with a weary sigh. ¡°Paulina, there¡¯s a story behind it¡­¡±

    ¡°No circumstances justify taking your brother gambling!¡± Paulina roared, cutting him off. ¡°How many times have I drilled it into your heads: no drugs, no gambling, no vices! Did my words just go in one ear and out the other?¡±

    Not giving them a chance to plead their case, Paulina took the ruler off the table and marched toward Myles and Aron. ¡°Hands out!¡± she barked.

    That ruler had been her go-to discipline tool since they were kids. Even now, full-grown and towering over her, the rule hadn¡¯t changed.

    Just the sight of it made Myles¡¯ and Aron¡¯s palms tingle with phantom pain. Their sister didn¡¯t mess around when it came toying down thew.

    Myles looked up, almost pleading. ¡°Paulina, can¡¯t you at least hear us out first?¡±

    ¡°Punishment first, then you talk,¡± she shot back firmly.

    Her word was final. Knowing they were out of moves, Myles and Aron stuck out their hands. Whack! Whack! Whack! Three sharp strikes each, stinging like a swarm of bees.

    As Paulina turned back to her seat, Myles and Aron threw Hugh a look that screamed, ¡°This is on you, jerk!¡±

    Hugh rocked on his heels, barely hiding a smirk.

    Paulina settled back into her chair, fixing Myles and Aron with a steely re. ¡°Alright. Now tell me why you dragged your brother into gambling.¡±

    Myles let out a long breath and told the whole story fromst night,ying out every detail.

    When he was done, Aron chimed in, ¡°Paulina, we¡¯re not the ones who went off the rails. Mr. Evans was in full-on lunatic mode, and we got caught in the crossfire!¡±

    Paulina¡¯s hard expression finally softened. ¡°God! Why didn¡¯t you just say that from the start?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 135

    ?Chapter 135:

    Paulina wrapped up her speech, and Myles and Aron exchanged a quick nce, their lips twitching with unsaid words. She hadn¡¯t left them a moment to speak up or exin themselves.

    ¡°Alright, up you get,¡± Paulina said with a wave.

    With a few silent grumbles, Myles and Aron stood, resentment simmering just beneath the surface, but they bit their tongues.

    At that moment, Cole strolled in. Still wearing yesterday¡¯s clothes and rocking a tangled mop of hair, he looked like he hadn¡¯t taken a shower.

    Paulina jumped to her feet. ¡°Mr. Evans, you could¡¯ve just sent a text. Whye all the way here?¡±

    ¡°I was just drifting around and ended up here,¡± Cole said, flopping onto the couch. His gaze slid over Myles and Aron, and without missing a beat, he added, ¡°Caught you two getting chewed out again, huh? You really know how to keep your sister on her toes.¡±

    Myles and Aron stiffened, their jaws twitching again¡ªboiling mad but doing their best to keep theirposure. That was riching from Cole. The mess that had gotten them in trouble? That was all thanks to his dramatic antics that had dragged them in.

    Paulina¡¯s brows furrowed as she nced at Cole. ¡°You look wrecked, Mr. Evans. Did you pull an all-nighter? I¡¯ll have the kitchen throw together some pasta. You need to eat, shower, and hit pause for a bit.¡±

    ¡°No need,¡± Cole muttered.

    He hesitated for a moment before his eyes turned toward Paulina with a hint of awkwardness. Paulina, three years his senior, had always yed the role of the protective older sister long before job titles had evere into y. Even with their work dynamic, he still saw her as family.

    ¡°Something on your mind, Mr. Evans?¡± she asked.

    Cole nodded. ¡°What kind of romantic moves do women usually go for?¡±

    ???????? ?????????? ? ????????????????£®?????

    Paulina immediately caught on. Elliana, again. Cole was clearly striking out and hade fishing for advice.

    She paused, unsure how to answer. Having lost her parents young, she had been thrust into the role of caregiver early on¡ªraising her three younger brothers and keeping the ship afloat. It had made her take charge, no-nonsense, and more focused on getting things done than on romance.

    At thirty, she was happily unattached¡ªand frankly clueless about her own romantic preferences, let alone anyone else¡¯s.

    Still, she couldn¡¯t just wave Cole off. She leaned on her secret arsenal: romance novels. She¡¯d read enough to fill a library and figured she could piece together something half-decent.

    ¡°Every woman¡¯s different,¡± she began. ¡°Different strokes, different vibes. There¡¯s no one-size-fits-all. You¡¯ve gotta really see her¡ªpick up on what she likes, what makes her tick.¡±

    Cole nodded, finding her words reasonable.

    Paulina rxed a little and added, ¡°But here¡¯s something pretty universal. Don¡¯te on too strong. If you box her in, she won¡¯t have room to breathe¡ªand that¡¯s when people panic and bolt.¡±

    Her wordsnded. Hard. Cole winced inwardly. Had he been doing exactly that with Elliana? The more he thought about it, the clearer it became. Yeah, he¡¯d been way too intense. Maybe it was time to ease up and give her some space to find her footing.

    Just then, Myles¡¯s phone chimed. He nced at the screen and turned to Cole. ¡°Mr. Evans, we¡¯ve got a new lead on that marriage investigation.¡±

    Cole shook off his thoughts and refocused.

    Myles stepped forward and handed him the phone. ¡°Take a look. Afterbing through a mountain of data, we finally found someone connected.¡±

    The info Myles showed Cole matched what Matthew had given Elliana.

    Both teams had hit the same wall, unable to dig deeper.

    ¡°Victor Stone?¡±

    Cole read, racking his memory, but the name rang no bells. The truth was still out of reach.

    ¡°Keep digging. I want everything we can find on this guy,¡± Cole ordered.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Myles replied.

    ¡°Oh, and get this,¡± Myles added. ¡°Lexi¡¯s crew is sniffing around too.¡±

    Cole¡¯s gaze sharpened. ¡°Lexi Hanson from the Star Society?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Myles said. ¡°They¡¯ve always kept to the shadows, but this case shows they¡¯ve got reach way beyond home turf. We can¡¯t afford to sleep on them.¡±

    Cole leaned back, deep in thought. ¡°No one knows much about Lexi¡¯s background. But with a track record like the Star Society¡¯s, I¡¯ve got to admit¡ªI respect Lexi¡¯s game. Makes you wonder who hired them for this mess.¡±

    ¡°Could it be Mrs. Evans?¡± Paulina asked.

    Myles shook his head quickly. ¡°No shot. If she wanted info, she¡¯d just ask Mr. Evans straight up. She wouldn¡¯t need to hire Lexi. The Star Society doesn¡¯te cheap.¡±

    Aron chimed in, ¡°Yeah, and even though Mrs. Evans is a big deal as Rosa, after team expenses, her worth¡¯s maybe a billion tops. This is international drama. The Star Society¡¯s price tag would be nuts. No way she could swing it.¡±

    Cole went silent again, wheels turning fast, about to speak.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 136

    ?Chapter 136:

    ¡°Let¡¯s just sit back and see how this ys out,¡± Cole said.

    Lexi had always been a bit of a puzzle to Cole¡ªequal parts intriguing and maddeningly distant. He¡¯d once earnestly spoken to Matthew, admitting that he wanted to break through Lexi¡¯s walls and build a friendship. But after that, there was only radio silence. Nothing.

    Cole often wondered whether Lexi was simply wired to keep people at arm¡¯s length, or if he looked down on him altogether.

    Now, with their paths crossing again due to the marriage investigation, Cole saw a golden opportunity to peel back theyers and figure out what made Lexi tick.

    Myles, however, wasn¡¯t buying Cole¡¯sid-back approach. ¡°Mr. Evans,st time, Lexi blew off our request to track down Milena, but he jumped at the chance to dig into you for someone else. That¡¯s a p in the face to the Evans family. Shouldn¡¯t we hit back at the Star Society?¡±

    ¡°No need to stir the pot just yet,¡± Cole replied. ¡°I¡¯ve never met anyone with the guts to thumb their nose at me while pulling strings behind my back. Well, hats off to Lexi¡ªhe¡¯s got my full attention. Let him keep ying his little chess game for now.¡±

    ¡°Understood,¡± Myles responded.

    Cole shot a yful nce at Myles, Aron, and Hugh. They had been close since childhood¡ªthick as thieves. Despite their efforts to y it cool, Cole could read them like an open book. They probably thought he had lost his marbles. He had to admit, though, thatst night had been a bit of a wild ride. Looking back, a pang of remorse mixed with embarrassment tugged at him.

    ¡°Myles, you knocked this one out of the park,¡± Cole said.

    Myles blinked, caught off guard. Praise from Cole was rarer than a blue moon, especially for something as routine as this.

    Feeling a bit sheepish, Cole added, ¡°Whoever¡¯s pulling the strings here is a real heavy hitter. Tracing that lead to Victor in the wild,wless mess of Podgend¡ªwith every scrap of evidence wiped clean? That¡¯s no small feat.¡±

    ???????? ?????????????? ???????? ???? ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Myles pushed up his ck-framed sses, squirming slightly under thepliment. Truth be told, he didn¡¯t feel he deserved the credit.

    When Cole and Elliana¡¯s marriage first hit the rocks, Myles had gone to Podgend himself ande up empty-handed. The Victor lead? That had been the follow-up team¡¯s doing. If anyone deserved a pat on the back, it was Cole, for building the intelligencework that had made it all possible.

    Myles opened his mouth to downy his role, but before he could, Cole whipped out his checkbook. With a dramatic flourish, he scribbled a check for ten million and slid it across the table.

    ¡°You¡¯ve earned it. Go treat yourself,¡± Cole said, shing the check.

    Myles froze, dumbfounded. Ten million? For that?

    Aron and Hugh, meanwhile, looked like they¡¯d just won the lottery. Ten million was ten years of Myles¡¯ sry! Justst night, Cole had been pinching pennies from their pockets like a broke college kid, and now he was tossing around millions?

    Paulina, quick on the uptake, nudged Myles. ¡°Mr. Evans is rewarding you. Take the check already!¡±

    Snapped out of his daze, Myles epted it with both hands. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Evans.¡±

    ¡°Ahem!¡± Cole cleared his throat, a touch awkward. ¡°As the eldest, make sure you look out for your little brothers, yeah?¡±

    That line flipped a switch in Myles¡¯ head. This wasn¡¯t a reward. It was Cole¡¯s way of making amends forst night. Too proud to say sorry, Cole had cooked up this ¡°reward¡± to return the money he¡¯d swiped from the three brothers inst night¡¯s antics, with a little extra aspensation.

    Myles bit back a smirk. Working for a boss as stubborn and entric as Cole was like riding a runaway train¡ªthrilling, but not for the faint of heart.

    Aron and Hugh, still clueless, exchanged giddy looks. Cole had just handed Myles ten million and told him to take care of them. Did that mean Myles was splitting the cash? Three million each would mean no more borrowing money from Paulina.

    Cole turned to Paulina. ¡°I¡¯m crashing somewhere else for a bit. Stick with my family and keep an eye on Elliana. Call me if anything pops up.¡±

    ¡°Understood,¡± Paulina replied.

    Cole stood and made for the door.

    Myles started to follow, but Aron and Hugh grabbed his arms.

    ¡°Myles, didn¡¯t Mr. Evans say to take care of us?¡± Aron said.

    ¡°Exactly!¡± Hugh chimed in.

    Myles, stone-faced, dug into his pocket and pulled out two coins. He pped one into each of their hands, shook them off, and strode after Cole.

    Aron and Hugh stood there, jaws on the floor. The real shark wasn¡¯t Cole¡ªit was their own big brother!

    While this si-worthy scene yed out, elsewhere, Elliana had just stumbled onto a secret that threw her off¡­

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 Chapter 137

    ?Chapter 137:

    The Scorpion King was a ghost of a poison, so rare and ancient that it had nearly faded into myth.

    Elliana¡¯s only encounter with the Scorpion King was years ago when her mother, Rita, had studied it. Since then, Elliana hadn¡¯t heard a whisper of it and hadn¡¯t dug into it herself, the memory barely a flicker in her mind.

    She had always chalked up Rita¡¯s work on the Scorpion King and her creation of the antidote, Venacure, as just a nerdy deep dive into some old toxin.

    But now, with Barbara poisoned by the Scorpion King, Elliana¡¯s gut was telling her that Rita¡¯s research might have been more than a hobby. What was Rita really chasing?

    The Scorpion King wasn¡¯t a run-of-the-mill poison. Even back in the day, it was a weapon for the elite, far out of reach for the average person. Nowadays, anyone wielding it had to be a big yer. Who could have poisoned Barbara? And what tied Rita to the Scorpion King?

    Questions swirled like a storm in Elliana¡¯s head as she buried herself in research, finally uncovering some solid leads.

    The Scorpion King went back two thousand years¡ªa chameleon of a poison that shifted with dose and timing. A little at a time, it spread out. It was a slow, creeping killer¡ªexactly like Barbara¡¯s symptoms. But one big dose? Lights out¡ªinstant death.

    Its terrifying flexibility once made it infamous, but it eventually slipped into obscurity, thought to be extinct in the concrete jungles of today. Or so it seemed. It hadn¡¯t vanished¡ªit had been taken to the Delta by shadowy yers.

    The Delta was a strange ce, unlike anywhere else. It bowed to no nation, ruled instead by ancient, secretive dynasties with no government or sharedws.

    It was a wild mix of mercenary crews, martial arts ns, and groups so out there that they defied logic. The deals made there? Most people couldn¡¯t wrap their heads around them. It was a boiling pot of crime lords, big shots, and those straddling both worlds, carving out a brutal code over time, far from the civilized ybook.

    Those ruling families kept their cards close. Books barely mentioned them, and the media wouldn¡¯t touch their stories, leaving most people ignorant of the Delta¡¯s existence.

    ?????????? ???????? ???????? ???????????? ¡ª ????????????: ????????????????©q??????

    Still, those families pulled strings across the globe, quietly shaping economies and power ys. Put simply, the Delta was their fortress, but their influence reached every corner of the world. Any random bridge, highway, skyscraper, or mega-corp could carry the shadow of their money.

    In essence, the Delta was a one-of-a-kind, shadowy, downright spine-chilling ce. It mixed ancient power with modern schemes. Legends were forged there, fortunes grabbed, along with blood and betrayal. Anyone or any group holding their own in the Delta was a heavyweight, a name that could make anyone flinch.

    Piecing this together left Elliana stumped. The Hendersons in Ublento ran a small-time coffee business, as local as it gets, with no global ties. How could they have crossed someone from the Delta?

    Those from the Delta were known for brutal, straight-to-the-point hits. Think knives or bullets. Poisoning a young woman like Barbara with a slow-acting toxin? That wasn¡¯t their style. Since Barbara¡¯s poisoning traced back to the Delta, could Cutler¡¯s disappearance be their handiwork too?

    After chewing on the Hendersons, Elliana¡¯s mind looped back to Rita. How had Rita even heard of the Scorpion King? Was her research tied to the Delta? And when Rita vanished from Ublento years ago, could the Delta have had a hand in it?

    These questions gnawed at Elliana, her brow furrowing in frustration. Growing up, she knew next to nothing about Rita¡¯s roots, only that she wasn¡¯t from Ublento. Nobody ever said where Rita came from.

    Elliana decided it was time to track down Darin and ask for answers about Rita¡¯s past. Right as Darin crossed her mind, her phone buzzed with his call.

    Elliana answered, keeping her tone cool as ice. ¡°Hello?¡±

    ¡°Elliana!¡± Darin¡¯s voice burst through, way too chipperpared to her chill vibe. ¡°I miss you, kid. Want to grab dinner with your old man?¡± Elliana¡¯s lips curled into a sly half-smile. ¡°Yeah, sure.¡±

    She needed to grill Darin about Rita, and here he was, practically serving himself up on a silver tter!

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 Chapter 138

    ?Chapter 138:

    Darin never dreamed Elliana would actually ept his invitation. He was equal parts stunned and ted. ¡°Elliana, how about dinner at the Ublento Hotel? My treat,¡± he offered.

    Elliana raised an eyebrow. Now, the Ublento Hotel wasn¡¯t just any ce¡ªit was a gold-ted wallet-drainer. This was the first time Darin had ever splurged like this on her. Her smile grew sharper, edged with irony. ¡°Sure.¡±

    Conveniently, she was already at the Ublento Hotel. No need to lift a finger¡ªjust a trip downstairs.

    ¡°Where are you now? I¡¯ll swing by and pick you up,¡± Darin added eagerly.

    ncing down coolly, Elliana replied, ¡°No need. I¡¯ll get there myself.¡± After all, it was just a matter of going downstairs.

    Darin was quick to agree. ¡°Alright, great! I¡¯ll reserve a private room so we can talk in peace.¡±

    Once the call ended, Elliana turned to Matthew, who lounged beside her. ¡°When Darin gets here, if he asks for a standard private room, tell him they¡¯re all booked. Make him take the most expensive one instead.¡± That would be the hundred-thousand-per-hour luxury suite. Since Darin had decided to y the generous host, she figured she¡¯d let him go all in.

    ¡°Got it,¡± Matthew replied with a smirk, already texting the hotel manager to arrange that.

    Meanwhile, Darin strolled into the Ublento, clueless that his bank ount was about to bleed.

    As expected, he asked the front desk for a standard private room¡ªten thousand per hour.

    The receptionist, polite but firm, broke the bad news: only the hundred-thousand-per-hour room was still avable.

    Darin¡¯s heart clenched. The Jones Group was a sinking ship¡ªhemorrhaging money day by day. Ran¡¯s recent investment had bought them some breathing room, but the outlook was still grim. Every coin mattered now. Still, with no other choice, he swallowed the pain, gritted his teeth, and booked the high-end room.

    ???????????????? ???????? ????????????????£®??????

    Settling in, he texted Elliana. ¡°Elliana, I¡¯m already at the Ublento Hotel. I booked the most luxurious private suite just for you.¡± He then sent her the room number.

    Meanwhile, Elliana was still kicking back in a swanky top-floor room, shooting the breeze with Matthew. When she read Darin¡¯s message, a sly smirk crept across her face. She stood, stretched, and sauntered downstairs. Usually, she moved like she was on a mission, but today? She was taking her sweet time. The Ublento Hotel charged by the hour, after all. Every minute she dawdled was another chunk of change out of Darin¡¯s pocket. No need to rush this party!

    Darin, on the other hand, was antsy as a kid on Christmas morning, checking his watch frequently. Every second felt like dor bills fluttering out the window. He was dying to text Elliana to hurry up, but he didn¡¯t dare risk ticking her off.

    Finally, after what felt like a lifetime, Elliana breezed in. She needed to pry some information out of Darin today, so she didn¡¯t want to sour the vibe too much. Spotting him, she picked up her pace just enough to look like she cared.

    Darin, all smiles, practically tripped over himself to pull out a chair. ¡°Elliana,e on, take a seat.¡±

    Elliana slid into the seat across from him, a faint smile ying on her lips. ¡°Sorry for keeping you waiting, Mr. Jones.¡±

    Darin, mid-pour of her water, froze like a deer in headlights. His face stiffened. ¡°Elliana, you still sore at me? Come on, no bad blood between a dad and his girlsts forever. ¡®Mr. Jones¡¯ sounds so cold. Just call me Dad, like old times.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s smile didn¡¯t budge, but she didn¡¯t bite. She wasn¡¯t about to argue, but she sure wasn¡¯t choking out ¡°Dad¡± either. After all the times he¡¯d let her down, that word felt like a bad taste in her mouth. Darin handed her the menu. ¡°Elliana, go wild¡ªorder whatever catches your eye.¡±

    She didn¡¯t need to be told twice. Flipping through the menu, she went to town, picking out the priciest dishes like she was born to it. In no time, she¡¯d rung up a tab that topped a million.

    Darin caught a glimpse of the order and felt his heart sink like a stone. But he stered on a grin, not daring to let his pain show.

    Elliana saw right through him, of course, but yed dumb. After wrapping up hervish order, she leaned back and tossed out casually, ¡°So, what¡¯s the big idea inviting me here?¡±

    ¡°Oh, nothing major. Just wanted to share a meal with my girl and see how you¡¯re holding up,¡± Darin replied insincerely. Truth was, he was terrified that if he spilled his real motives too soon, Elliana could bolt. His game n was to let her enjoy the food first and then ease into the ask.

    Elliana knew exactly what he was up to. But since he wanted to y the doting dad, she was happy to y along. Anyway, it wasn¡¯t her cash going up in smoke¡ªshe was profiting off his dime. She was the owner of the Ublento Hotel, after all.

    When the food arrived, Elliana dug in, savoring every bite while giving Darin¡¯s questions half-hearted, barely-there answers.

    As the meal wound down, Darin finally mustered the nerve to test the waters. ¡°Elliana, did you enjoy the grub?¡±

    ¡°Loved it,¡± she said with a nod. The Ublento Hotel¡¯s food was always a home run for her.

    Seeing her in a good mood, Darin tiptoed into his pitch. ¡°Elliana, could I ask you for a little favor?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± she asked, cool as a cucumber.

    ¡°Elliana, I never would¡¯ve guessed you¡¯re actually Rosa, the artist whose paintings go for billions! You¡¯re rolling in more dough than the Jones family could ever dream of now!¡± Darin shed a grin. ¡°Elliana, could you help the Jones Group? After all, part of it is your mom¡¯s legacy.¡±

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 Chapter 139

    ?Chapter 139:

    Staring at Darin¡¯s syrupy grin, Elliana shed a smile. ¡°We¡¯re family, right? It¡¯s no biggie.¡±

    Darin let out a breath and eagerly topped off Elliana¡¯s champagne ss. Suddenly, this pricey dinner felt like money well spent.

    Elliana lifted the ss, took a dainty sip, and sidestepped any talk of sinking cash into the Jones Group. Instead, she threw a curveball. ¡°Where¡¯s my mom from?¡±

    Darin froze, caught off guard. What he wanted was to finalize the investment in the Jones Group, not go into Rita¡¯s past. But with Elliana holding the cards as Rosa, he couldn¡¯t afford to tick her off. He had to y along.

    ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t know where your mom¡¯s from,¡± Darin admitted.

    Elliana¡¯s brows shot up. ¡°You were married to her. How do you not know where she¡¯s from?¡±

    Darin pursed his lips like he was wrestling with a secret too heavy to tell. ¡°She never told me. I had to pull some strings and pay a guy to set up her identity in Ublento.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s mind reeled. So now her mom¡¯s identity was a fake? That didn¡¯t add up. ¡°Then how did you two even meet?¡± she questioned.

    Darin¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°Elliana, why¡¯re you suddenly so curious about this?¡±

    ¡°Everyone else gets to hear their parents¡¯ mushy love story. Why shouldn¡¯t I know mine?¡± she shot back, cool as a cucumber.

    Darin gave a small nod, like he couldn¡¯t argue with that.

    ¡°Where¡¯d Mom learn her medical chops? Why¡¯d shee to Ublento? And why¡¯d she pick you to marry?¡± Elliana rattled off questions like a machine gun.

    Darin¡¯s face grew even more troubled, and after a long pause, he mumbled, ¡°Believe it or not, your mom was the one chasing me.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s eyes narrowed. Was he serious? Rita chasing Darin? That sounded like a bad punchline. To her, Darin was as average as they came¡ªnothing special in medicine or business. No way he was in her mom¡¯s league.

    ???????????????? ?????????????? ????????: g??????????????©q??????

    ¡°Mr. Jones, you banking on Mom not showing up to call you out on this?¡± Elliana quipped, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

    Darin¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Elliana, get it¡ªyou think I wasn¡¯t good enough for her. But it¡¯s the truth. She was the one who pursued me.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± Elliana pressed. ¡°What did she see in you?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°Do you love her?¡±

    ¡°More than anything.¡±

    ¡°Then why did you cheat on her and even have children with Kiara?¡±

    ¡°Elliana, that¡¯s between me and your mom. I¡¯m not getting into it, so drop it,¡± Darin said, his voice firm as steel. ¡°All I¡¯ll say is this: your mom showed up in Ublento alone, no identity, no past. I got her the Rita Marsh name. She married me and helped me build my pharma business. That¡¯s all you¡¯re getting.¡±

    Elliana frowned but didn¡¯t press further. So, her mom was a walking enigma. No identity, no backstory, just raw talent. She¡¯d rolled into Ublento, chosen Darin of all people, had a kid, and then poof¡ªvanished into thin air. Who was she, really? Elliana¡¯s thoughts drifted, lost in the mystery.

    ¡°Elliana, how much can you pump into the Jones Group?¡± Darin¡¯s voice yanked her back to reality.

    After a beat, she said, ¡°Sure, I can sell a painting for a billion, but I¡¯ve got a whole Rosa brand team to keep afloat. Haven¡¯t saved much. If you¡¯re strapped, I can give you a hundred grand.¡±

    ¡°A hundred grand?¡± Darin was furious. That wouldn¡¯t even cover the tab for this swanky private dining room. The room alone ran a hundred grand an hour, and they¡¯d been here for three hours! Elliana didn¡¯t bat an eye at his meltdown. She stood and left.

    Only after she was gone did Darin realize he¡¯d been yed like a fiddle. Fury surged, and he grabbed the ss on the table, ready to chuck it. But mid-swing, he stopped. The Ublento Hotel¡¯s tableware was fancy, handpicked, and stupidly expensive. Smashing that ss would cost him a fortune.

    After a second, he set it down, his chest heaving with rage he couldn¡¯t unleash.

    Elliana left the Ublento Hotel and headed back to the Evans family estate.

    On the drive, her phone buzzed. The production team for ¡°The Heiress¡¯ Graduation Trip¡± was on the line. They informed her that the show was canceled. In other words, there would be no more filming. The show was officially dead.

    Elliana hung up and let out a dryugh.

    She¡¯d nned to use the show to clear her name from those arson rumors. Who¡¯d have thought her first move would be so brutal that it¡¯d kill the whole program?

    In showbiz, one needed a bulletproof public image. Paige¡¯s scandal of cheating in the Starry Oil Painting Competition had been buried for now, but it could resurface if her rivals decided to stir the pot. That was why Paige had ditched her dreams of stardom.

    Crushing Paige¡¯s Hollywood hopes felt good, but it left Elliana with a twinge of remorse about Hailee. Hailee had been banking on the show¡¯s cash to cover her boyfriend¡¯s medical bills. After a quiet moment, Elliana dialed Hailee¡¯s number.

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 Chapter 140

    ?Chapter 140:

    Hailee picked up the phone, her voice bright and easy. ¡°Elliana.¡±

    ¡°Hey, Hailee¡ªdid the crew from The Heiress¡¯ Graduation Trip hit you up?¡± Elliana asked.

    ¡°Yeah, just heard from them,¡± Hailee replied. ¡°They¡¯re shutting down the show.¡±

    Elliana sighed. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, Hailee. My drama with Paige has tanked your shot at making bank on this gig.¡±

    ¡°Elliana, seriously?¡± Hailee was surprised by her words. ¡°Sure, the show¡¯s canned, but meeting you? Total game-changer.¡±

    Her voice sparkled¡ªno gloom, no me. Just genuine cheer. ¡°If you hadn¡¯t nudged me into joining the Starry Oil Painting Competition, I¡¯d never have won that two hundred thirty grand prize! That¡¯s way more than what the show was paying. And guess what? I¡¯ve got even more good news!¡±

    Hailee¡¯s energy was contagious. Elliana¡¯s lips curved into a grin. ¡°Okay, spill. What is it?¡±

    ¡°I justnded a new job!¡± Hailee practically sang. ¡°My performance in the Starry Oil Painting Competition caught a publisher¡¯s eye. They offered me a book illustrator gig¡ªgreat pay, benefits, the whole package. Honestly, it¡¯s better than all eight of myst side hustlesbined!¡±

    Elliana¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Hailee, that¡¯s incredible. Huge congrats.¡±

    ¡°Elliana, I owe you big time. Thatpetition helped me cover my boyfriend¡¯s treatments and evennded me this job, which meant less financial pressure overall. You¡¯ve seriously been my lucky charm.¡±

    The mention of Hailee¡¯s boyfriend gave Elliana pause. While she hadn¡¯t known Hailee long, Hailee¡¯s warmth had quickly earned her trust. She couldn¡¯t ignore Hailee¡¯s troubles.

    She decided she¡¯d make time soon to meet Hailee¡¯s boyfriend and check out his condition.

    ¡°I¡¯ll swing by in a couple of days,¡± Elliana said.

    ???????? ???????? ???? ??????????¦Í????????????

    ¡°Awesome!¡± Hailee chirped. ¡°I still owe you spaghetti fromst night. You didn¡¯t even get a bite! When youe over, I¡¯m making you a huge te. No backing out.¡±

    Ellianaughed. ¡°My bad for not keeping my husband in check. He totally hijacked dinner.¡±

    Hailee giggled. ¡°Still can¡¯t believe I met the Ublento¡¯s top dogst night. For everyday folks like me, Cole¡¯s basically a legend I only hear about, never actually¡­¡±

    see.¡± Then, with a teasing lilt, she added, ¡°I always figured Cole was some cold, brooding tycoon. But he¡¯s kinda cute. You can tell he¡¯s seriously into you. Thatdy in the red dress? That was definitely a move to make you jealous.¡±

    Elliana rolled her eyes skyward, flustered and at a loss for words. Cole¡¯s performance the night before had left her mortified. He¡¯d been so extra, so smug, so overwhelmingly Cole that she could barely imagine setting foot in Hailee¡¯s diner again.

    As the call wrapped up, Elliana pulled into the driveway of the Evans estate. Night had already nketed the sky. She parked her motorcycle just as Paulina greeted her with a warm smile. ¡°Wee home, Mrs. Evans.¡±

    Elliana nodded. After a pause, she asked, ¡°Is Cole home?¡±

    Truth be told, Elliana was hoping he wasn¡¯t. She wasn¡¯t in the mood for awkward silences or another showdown.

    ¡°Mr. Evans is away. Work¡¯s keeping him busy¡ªmight be gone for a few days,¡± Paulina exined.

    Elliana let out a quiet breath, almost a sigh of relief, and then headed toward the vi.

    Inside, most of the family had gathered in the living room. The only one missing was Ruben. Trinity was front and center, handing out gifts. Each box was wrapped to the nines. Trinity turned on the charm, sweet-talking everyone as they tore into their gifts with wide, happy smiles. She was clearly trying to make up for the mess she caused this morning, using charm and goodies to win back everyone¡¯s goodwill.

    Elliana paused near the foyer, a crooked smile tugging at her lips. Just then, Trinity offered a box to Jeff. ¡°Here, Jeff! Got you a super realistic SA24 submachine gun replica!¡±

    While the others were stoked about their gifts, Jeff didn¡¯t even reach for it or smile¡ªnothing. ¡°Thanks, but no. Give it to someone else.¡± Trinity¡¯s smile wavered.

    ¡°But Jeff, I thought you were all about guns?¡± she asked.

    Jeff shrugged, his voice dry. ¡°Yeah, when I was a clueless kid. I¡¯ve grown out of that phase. Stuff like that? It¡¯s just junk now.¡±

    The jab hit hard. His words were a p in the face¡ªhe was clearly calling her out.

    Trinity stood there, her fury bubbling.

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 Chapter 141

    ?Chapter 141:

    Trinity burned with quiet fury at Jeff¡¯s sudden cold shoulder. She cursed him in her head a hundred times over, but on the surface, she had to maintain appearances and y the victim. After all, she was supposed to marry one of the Evans sons. Sooner orter, she¡¯d be part of this family. At least, that¡¯s what she¡¯d thought all along. Jeff, despite being too young to be her intended, wasn¡¯t someone she could afford to dismiss. He was still part of the Evans family.

    Before, Irene had been the matriarch of the Evans family. To stay in Irene¡¯s good graces, Trinity had made it a point to stay on Jeff¡¯s good side. Now that Irene no longer held the matriarch¡¯s authority, Trinity still had to stay on Jeff¡¯s good side since he was Jason¡¯s younger brother.

    Jason was second only to Cole in status and influence among the younger Evans men. If she couldn¡¯tnd Cole, Jason was still a solid win. In short, she couldn¡¯t afford to lose Jeff, her little admirer.

    ¡°Jeff, I¡¯m really sorry,¡± Trinity said in a syrupy tone. ¡°I guess I didn¡¯t pick the right gift. Just tell me what you¡¯d like, and I¡¯ll get it for you tomorrow.¡±

    Even after Trinity lowered herself so much, Jeff still wasn¡¯t swayed. He didn¡¯t say a word¡ªjust turned his back to her,pletely unmoved. Trinity pressed on, her voice quivering with just the right hint of sorrow. ¡°I know you¡¯re upset about what happened this morning. If I had known the Venacure could¡¯ve helped Barbara, I would¡¯ve given it to you in a heartbeat instead of taking it myself the other day. I would¡¯ve endured the pain, no matter how bad it got.¡±

    Before, Jeff had been easy. One tear, one kind word, and he¡¯d be putty in her hands. But this time, he was cold. Her teary eyes and trembling voice didn¡¯t move him an inch. Instead, he threw her a cold, mocking nce.

    Trinity was seething inside but at a loss on how to salvage the situation.

    That was when Irene chimed in, feigning disapproval. ¡°Jeff, how could you be so rude when Trinity¡¯s trying to apologize with a gift?¡± Jeff didn¡¯t reply. He just stood up and walked to a seat farther from Trinity without saying a word.

    ¡°Jeff¡­¡± Trinity¡¯s tears finally spilled over, streaming down her cheeks. Lance had had enough.

    ???????? ???????? ???????? ?????????????????¦Í??????????????

    ¡°Jeff, she already exined everything. What more do you want? It¡¯s not like she can turn back time and un-take the Venacure. Stop being so unreasonable.¡±

    That did it. Jeff¡¯s head snapped toward Lance, and he shot Lance a sharp, scornful look. ¡°Idiot!¡±

    ¡°You little¡­¡± Lance¡¯s face turned crimson with rage. ¡°You think I won¡¯t teach you a lesson?¡±

    ¡°Try me!¡± Jeff stood up, spine straight, eyes locked in a defiant re.

    ¡°Enough!¡± Louisa tugged at her son¡¯s arm. ¡°What are you doing, picking fights with a kid? Sit down!¡±

    Grumbling under his breath, Lance finally sank back into his seat.

    Jeff let out a scoff and was just about to sit when he caught sight of Elliana at the doorway. His entire face lit up like a kid spotting his favorite snack. He sprinted over. ¡°Elliana! You¡¯re back!¡±

    His sudden warmth was aplete 180 from his earlier attitude toward Trinity¡ªand it left the whole room feeling a little unsettled. Especially since Jeff had been one of Elliana¡¯s loudest critics. Even Elliana was taken aback. Though she¡¯d braced herself for his recent change in behavior, it still felt¡­ weird.

    Before she could react, Jeff had already taken her hand and led her to the couch. ¡°You must be tired after being out all day. Come, sit here and rest,¡± he said, gently guiding her down. He then poured her a ss of water and handed her a te of fruit. ¡°You must be thirsty. Here, drink up and have some fruit!¡±

    It was like the frosty teen from five minutes ago had been reced by a puppy-eyed assistant. Caught off guard but unable to reject his genuine enthusiasm, Elliana took a sip of water and nibbled on some fruit. Jeff beamed, his goofy smile making him look both ridiculous and sweet.

    Elliana couldn¡¯t help but sigh inwardly. What a whimsical teenager.

    The rest of the room? Speechless.

    Trinity¡¯s fists clenched as her eyes burned with envy.

    Irene, watching her son cozy up to someone she barely tolerated, felt her stomach churn. But with everyone watching, she couldn¡¯t say a word. She had to swallow her displeasure and keep smiling.

    After dealing with Jeff, Elliana finally had a moment to greet the family members in the room.

    Bertram offered her a polite smile. ¡°Elliana, I never got a chance to thank you. That Venacure really helped us.¡±

    Elliana returned a faint smile. ¡°No need to thank me, Bertram.¡±

    Right at that moment, Trinity handed a beautifully wrapped box to Elliana¡­

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 Chapter 142

    ?Chapter 142:

    ¡°Elliana, I¡¯ve prepared a gift for you too,¡± Trinity said brightly, her smile radiant and polished.

    Elliana hesitated for the briefest moment, her instincts whispering caution¡ªbut she reached for the box nheless. After all, she was the new matriarch of the Evans family now. The position demanded grace under pressure, poise in the face of veiled barbs. Unlike Jeff, who often charged ahead recklessly, she understood the quiet power of restraint.

    All eyes followed Elliana as she lifted the lid. Inside, nestled in tissue paper, was a sleek ss jar of beauty cream.

    Trinity leaned in slightly, her tone chipper but precise. ¡°I had a friend specially source this for you. It¡¯s made using traditional techniques¡ªreally good for skincare and scar fading. If it works, I¡¯ll have her send more. That way, you won¡¯t have to rely on heavy makeup to cover up anymore.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s eyes rose to meet Trinity¡¯s¡ªcalm, unreadable. Trinity was calcting to the core. Cloaked in sweetness, Trinity¡¯s ¡°gift¡± was nothing more than a dagger wrapped in silk¡ªnot to show care, but to subtly humiliate her, to remind everyone that she¡¯d once been deemed ugly.

    The cream came in an ornate jar¡ªluxurious, refined, the kind that whispered of prestige. But Elliana, with her background in medicine, only needed a single breath to catch the truth. Beneath the perfumed exterior, the concoction was utter garbage. Worse, it was harmful.

    ¡°Miss Craig, thank you,¡± Elliana said with a soft smile. ¡°This cream looks divine. Far too generous for me alone. Let¡¯s experience its magic together.¡±

    Before Trinity could react, Elliana had dipped a finger into the cream and, with graceful precision, smeared it across Trinity¡¯s cheek.

    Trinity recoiled with a shriek. The cream seared instantly, like acid on delicate skin. ¡°What the¡ªAh!¡±

    Trinity clutched her face and bolted from the room, the sound of running water soon echoing from the bathroom.

    ?????????? ???????? ???? ????????¦Í????????????

    The room exchanged confused nces. What just happened?

    Elliana returned to her seat and gently ced the jar on the table, a cool smirk ying at her lips. Since Trinity wanted to y dirty, she would respond with elegance and precision, letting the whole room witness who woulde out on top.

    Momentster, Trinity reappeared, her skin flushed and inmed despite her frantic efforts to rinse it off. She looked like a wilted flower¡ªfragile, blotchy, and on the verge of tears.

    Jeff¡¯s voice cut through the tension. ¡°Trinity, what the hell did you give Elliana? Beauty cream or acid? Were you trying to hurt her?¡±

    ¡°N-NO!¡± Trinity stammered, trembling. ¡°I¡ªI didn¡¯t know the cream would be so harsh! I swear, I spent a fortune on it! My friend must¡¯ve tricked me¡ªor maybe it¡¯s just my skin. Maybe I¡¯m allergic¡­¡± Tears spilled down her cheeks as she turned desperately to Elliana. ¡°Please, you have to believe me. I wasn¡¯t trying to hurt you. I just made a mistake. I really only wanted to help¡­¡±

    Elliana didn¡¯t spare Trinity a nce. She rose, calm andposed, and made her way toward the stairs.

    Jeff shot Trinity a disgusted look and followed Elliana.

    Left behind, Trinity stood trembling, searching the room for support. ¡°I¡ªI didn¡¯t mean for this to happen. I really didn¡¯t¡­¡±

    Lance, ever clueless, stepped forward and ced a hand on her shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s alright, Trinity. We know your heart. No one here doubts your intentions.¡± But the others remained silent.

    Elliana didn¡¯t return to her room right away. Instead, she slipped into the quiet sanctuary of the pet room, where her beloved cat, Darling, was curledzily atop a velvet cushion.

    She crouched beside the feline, gently running her fingers through its soft fur. The tension of the evening melted away with each purr. Jeff trailed after her, lingering at the door before stepping inside.

    ¡°Elliana,¡± he began, his voice more solemn than usual, ¡°you don¡¯t have to worry about being thrown out of the Evans residence anymore. I had a talk with Cole this morning.¡±

    Elliana raised an eyebrow at him. ¡°What kind of talk?¡±

    Jeff rubbed the back of his buzzed head, suddenly shy. ¡°I told him that if he really doesn¡¯t like you, he should divorce you. Then I¡¯ll marry you.¡±

    Elliana blinked. For a moment, her brain refused to process the words. Was this kid seriously out of his mind?

    ¡°Elliana, I know the Jones family treated you horribly, and if Cole kicks you out, you¡¯ll have nowhere to go. But don¡¯t worry¡ªif he doesn¡¯t want you, I do. Just give¡­¡±

    Ten years. I¡¯ll be eighteen by then. Tall, good-looking, strong. I¡¯ll protect you from anyone who tries to hurt you.

    Then, more hesitantly, he added, ¡°You don¡¯t mind an age gap, right?¡±

    Elliana stared at him, and then slowly, her lips twitched¡ªhalf amusement, half disbelief. ¡°I do mind.¡±

    Jeff froze, like a puppy who¡¯d just been gently swatted with a rolled-up newspaper.

    Before Jeff could fully register her answer, Elliana reached out and smacked him on the head.

    She stared at him like he¡¯d just announced he nned to fly to the moon using cardboard wings. ¡°What on earth is going through that head of yours?¡± she snapped. ¡°You¡¯re just eight years old! Have youpletely lost your mind?¡±

    Without waiting for a reply, she spun on her heel and walked off.

    Jeff scrambled after her. ¡°Wait! I meant¡ª¡±

    ¡°Get lost!¡± Her voice cracked like a whip.

    Jeff stopped dead in his tracks, stunned into silence. He hadn¡¯t meant to upset her. He just wanted to show he cared¡ªthat he wasn¡¯t like the others who only made things worse for her. Why did she and Cole both react as if he were the viin? What had he done that was so wrong? But Elliana didn¡¯t look back. She didn¡¯t consider his feelings or his confusion. She¡¯d said her piece and left it at that.

    Back in her bedroom, Elliana shed the weight of the day beneath a steaming,forting shower. The hot water dulled the tension in her shoulders and cleared the fog from her mind. Tomorrow, she¡¯d be visiting Barbara for a follow-up consultation¡ªand she still had to dig deeper into the mystery of the Scorpion King.

    Outside, the cityy cloaked in darkness. And in one of its many hidden corners, a dangerous scheme was quietly taking shape, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 143

    ?Chapter 143:

    Last night, Kiara and Paige had failed to get a hold of Merritt no matter how hard they tried, and it felt like the rug had been yanked out from under them. Without his clout to protect them, they were sure they¡¯d been hung out to dry. Gutted and scared stiff, they holed up indoors all day, too spooked to even peek at the news online.

    But then, out of the blue, as evening rolled around, Merritt had sent someone to pick them up, inviting them to his private mansion for a chat.

    The sudden attention hit Kiara and Paige like a bolt from the blue. On the ride over, they gingerly checked the inte, bracing for the worst. To their shock, the web was spotless¡ªno whispers of Paige¡¯s cheating at the Starry Oil Painting Competition. The final results hadn¡¯t even dropped, and Elliana¡¯s secret identity as the famous artist Rosa was still under wraps.

    It didn¡¯t take a genius to figure out Merritt had scrubbed the inte for them.

    Relief washed over the mother-daughter duo, and they couldn¡¯t hold back their tears of joy. They hadn¡¯t been ditched by Merritt after all!

    When they rolled up to Merritt¡¯s swanky mansion, Paige was all over him¡ªpouring his water, kneading his shoulders, tending to his every whim like he was royalty. Merrittpped up the attention, grinning ear to ear like a kid in a candy store. Back in his rough-and-tumble days as a dockside brawler, he had taken enough hits to leave him unable to have kids of his own. Paige wasn¡¯t his flesh and blood, but as the daughter of an old me, her beauty and sharp wit had won him over.

    After shooting the breeze with Paige for a bit, Merritt¡¯s eyes slid to Kiara.

    ¡°Did Dariny hands on you again?¡±

    Kiara¡¯s face was a mess of bruises, puffy and discolored. Despite her best efforts to cake on the foundation, the marks still stuck out.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± she admitted, not daring to lie. Merritt wasn¡¯t the small-time crook he used to be¡ªhis wealth and power demanded respect, and she knew better than to y fast and loose with him.

    ?????????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????¦Í?????????????

    Merritt let out a cold snort and mmed his cup down.

    ¡°What¡¯s so special about that deadbeat Darin? Why stick around and put up with this humiliation? Dump him already! You and Paige can move in with me. I¡¯ll take care of you both!¡±

    Sure, Merritt had run through plenty of women over the years, but those flings were never more than a sh in the pan. Now, getting on in years, he was craving the warmth of a real family. He had big ns to groom Paige as his heir, and having her and Kiara under his roof would make his life feel a whole lot fuller.

    ¡°That¡¯s kind of you, but it wouldn¡¯t be right,¡± Kiara replied politely.

    ¡°With your status, you¡¯ve got women lining up around the block to be with you. I¡¯m past my prime¡ªhow could I ever measure up? I¡¯m just grateful you still look out for my girl.¡±

    Her words were as smooth as butter, but deep down, she was gagging at the thought. Sure, she and Merritt had a fling back in the day, but now? The sight of him made her stomach churn. Merritt had wed his way through the underworld, racking up scars from bloody brawls. One eye was gone, and his rough, intimidating vibe screamed trouble. The idea of climbing into bed with him? No thanks.

    Darin, for all his temper, still had that movie-star charm. Back in school, he¡¯d been the guy every girl swooned over. Even now, despite the bruises she¡¯d suffered at his hands, Kiara couldn¡¯t shake her foolish pull toward his good looks and the fleeting moments of tenderness he offered during intimacy.

    Merritt, not one for reading between the lines, ate up Kiara¡¯s ttery like it was gospel. He genuinely thought she was singing his praises, and his mood perked up like a sunny day. ¡°Kiara, you were always such a sweet, gentle thing back in the day. Now, with a few years on you, you¡¯ve only gotten wiser and kinder,¡± he said with a satisfied smile.

    Kiara shed a flirty smile. ¡°I¡¯m just speaking from the heart. You¡¯re loyal, generous, and I¡¯m beyond thankful for all you do. I wouldn¡¯t dream of stepping out of line, a move that would potentially tarnish your good name.¡±

    Merritt nodded, buying her logic hook, line, and sinker. With his clout, snatching another man¡¯s wife would definitely stir up some gossip. Plus, Kiara and Darin had a young son, so cutting ties wasn¡¯t exactly a walk in the park. ¡°Do as you see fit,¡± he said dismissively.

    Paige jumped in, quick to keep the good vibes going. ¡°Thank you so much for wiping the inte clean for me. Without you, I¡¯d be toast by now.¡±

    Merritt¡¯s face suddenly darkened, like a storm cloud rolling in. ¡°Scrubbing the web was no big deal. What¡¯s got me worried is something else entirely.¡±

    Paige and Kiara exchanged nervous looks, totally in the dark about what he meant. If something was rattling Merritt, it had to be bad. Their stomachs started tying themselves in knots.

    ¡°Our meeting with Luciano went down on my private turf, and I¡¯ve got John, a world-ss cybersecurity guru, locking down mywork. Normally, it¡¯s tighter than a drum.¡± His expression grew grimmer. ¡°But this time, someone took the video, and John didn¡¯t even catch a whiff of it.¡±

    Paige¡¯s and Kiara¡¯s faces matched his, heavy with worry. John Welch wasn¡¯t just some keyboard warrior¡ªhis hacking skills were among the top ten on the. For someone to get past John¡¯s defenses without a trace, they had to be a ghost in the machine, as elite as it got.

    ¡°That¡¯s downright terrifying,¡± Merritt said, his voice thick with dread.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 144

    ?Chapter 144:

    Merritt¡¯s words lingered in the room like smoke¡ªsuffocating, ominous. A chill traced its way down Paige¡¯s and Kiara¡¯s spines. This was Merritt¡ªthe man who had wed his way through blood and fire, a legend forged in chaos, someone who had never flinched in the face of danger. If he called something terrifying, it had to be monstrous.

    ¡°Do you know what this really means?¡± Merritt asked, his voice low and deliberate.

    Paige and Kiara exchanged a nce and shook their heads, silent and uneasy.

    Merritt exhaled slowly, his eyes momentarily drifting shut as if weighing the gravity of what he was about to say. ¡°John told me something¡ªsomething he¡¯s never admitted to anyone else. Officially, he¡¯s ranked ninth among the world¡¯s elite hackers. But in truth, he¡¯s easily top three.¡± He paused, letting the weight of that sink in. ¡°He was taken down by Interpol after orchestrating one of the most catastrophic breaches in modern history. Served five years. Disappeared after that. No activity, no digital footprint. As far as the world knows, he vanished.¡± Pausing, he added, ¡°But prison didn¡¯t break him. It honed him. He kept evolving in silence. By the time he was released, his skills had reached an unimaginable level. In today¡¯s hacking world, only two people could rival him now¡ªQuinn and Jody.¡±

    Paige and Kiara stiffened at his words. Whatever they thought they were dealing with, this wasn¡¯t it.

    ¡°This leads us to a disturbing conclusion,¡± Merritt said, his voice taut with gravity. ¡°The person who wiped the surveince footage must be either Quinn or Jody. Either one is a phantom on the global stage. But here¡¯s the real problem¡­¡±

    Merritt leaned forward, his gaze darkening. ¡°Quinn and Jody are known for their arrogance. They don¡¯t lift a finger unless it¡¯s for someone with serious pull¡ªsomeone with international clout and leverage. This is no longer just about being hacked. This is a warning. Someone with the power tomand either of them has decided to make me their target. I may be facing a storm that could wipe me out entirely.¡±

    Paige¡¯s blood ran cold. Kiara clutched her sleeve without realizing it. To them, Merritt was already a towering figure¡ªuntouchable, dangerous, unyielding. If someone above him had now stepped into the shadows, what hope did they have?

    Merritt¡¯s piercing gazended on Paige. ¡°Tell me, Paige¡­ Do you think this incident could be connected to Elliana? Is it possible that she is getting help from someone very powerful?¡±

    Paige immediately shook her head, the idea too absurd to entertain. ¡°That¡¯s impossible! Elliana¡¯s just nobody, ugly, ipetent, and without any connections. How could she possibly have someone like that backing her?¡±

    ???????? ???????????? ???? ?????????????????????????

    ¡°Exactly!¡± Kiara jumped in, eager to reinforce her mother¡¯s dismissal. ¡°I practically raised her. The only reason she ever gained any recognition was because of Leonel. If she hadn¡¯t be Rosa under his wing, she¡¯d still be a nobody. Trust me, this is way beyond her.¡± Seeing that Merritt remained thoughtful, Kiara added hastily, ¡°If Elliana really had someone powerful protecting her, do you think she would¡¯ve lived in a filthy storage room for fifteen years, letting us treat her like dirt?¡±

    Merritt slowly nodded, the logic lining up. If someone like Quinn or Jody truly were backing Elliana, the Jones family would have ceased to exist long before.

    ¡°So, this was just a coincidence. Nothing more. Elliana just happened to benefit from someone else¡¯s interference.¡± But even as he said it, something in his eyes suggested he wasn¡¯t entirely convinced. Paige and Kiara nodded in unison. It was the only exnation that made sense to them.

    Merritt fell silent, his fingers drumming against the armrest as he mulled it over. Then, in a low voice, he said, ¡°If someone that dangerous is operating from the shadows, I need to prepare. I¡¯ll need an ally¡ªsomeone powerful enough to match them.¡±

    ¡°Why not Cole?¡± Paige suggested quickly.

    In Ublento, no name carried more weight than Cole Evans. His influence stretched far beyond city lines¡ªhe was practically untouchable. If Merritt could secure his favor, there would be nothing to fear.

    Paige figured if she yed it right, she could use that alliance to worm her way back into Cole¡¯s world.

    She waited, certain her idea would impress. But Merritt gave her a cold, amused nce. ¡°Paige, you were once engaged to him. Surely you know how difficult that would be. Why would Cole ever stoop to forming alliances with the likes of us?¡±

    ¡°I do know,¡± she said, recovering smoothly. ¡°But I¡¯m not talking about an alliance. I¡¯m talking about leverage. Make Cole owe you. That way, if things go south, you¡¯ll have a favor to cash in.¡± Merritt¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Oh? What are you proposing?¡±

    ¡°Get rid of Elliana,¡± Paige said without hesitation. She leaned forward, voice steady. ¡°Cole can¡¯t stand her. Everyone knows it. He left the Evans mansion just to avoid consummating their marriage. She¡¯s nothing more than a blemish on his reputation.¡± Merritt gave a slow nod. He¡¯d heard the rumors.

    Paige pressed on. ¡°He¡¯s under pressure from Ruben. If you make Elliana disappear¡ªquietly, cleanly¡ªCole will undoubtedly appreciate it¡­¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 145

    ?Chapter 145:

    Merritt paused, unsure of how to respond to Paige¡¯s suggestion. For years, he had been trying to find a way into Cole¡¯s world. He¡¯d tried everything to get closer to him, but no matter what he did, he was always kept at arm¡¯s length. Cole came from the squeaky-clean Evans family, and Merritt was always kept on the outside, never truly part of their circle.

    Paige¡¯s idea seemed simple enough, though. Getting rid of someone like Elliana wouldn¡¯t have been much of a challenge for him. He hesitated, not because he feared the act itself, but because of what might follow. Cole might despise Elliana, but in the eyes of the world, she was still his wife. If Merritt moved against her and Cole took it the wrong way, things could spiral quickly.

    Paige noticed the hesitation in Merritt¡¯s eyes and began to panic. Her main wish was simple: she needed Elliana out of her life for good. The only n that made sense to her was getting rid of Elliana with Merritt¡¯s help. He was her best shot, and if he refused, she¡¯d be stuck dealing with Elliana¡¯s smug face¡ªsomething that made her blood boil just thinking about it.

    ¡°Why the dy?¡± Paige asked, her voiceced with uncertainty.

    Kiara, catching on to what Paige was hinting at, jumped in without hesitation. ¡°If there¡¯s something bothering you, don¡¯t hold back. Let¡¯s figure it out together. Maybe I can help.¡±

    Merritt fell silent, considering the idea. In his mind, Kiara had always been sharp. Back in his street-level days, she¡¯d given him advice that had helped him climb higher, and that trust had never faded. Once Kiara spoke up, she gave him a sly smile.

    ¡°This isn¡¯tplicated,¡± she said. ¡°Just pretend to kidnap Paige along with Elliana. That way, no one will trace it back to you. We¡¯ll watch Cole¡¯s reaction. If he doesn¡¯t care, we stay hidden. If he gets suspicious, we decide what to do next.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s brilliant!¡± Paige eximed, eagerlytching onto the n.

    Merritt didn¡¯t need more convincing. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s make it happen.¡±

    ?????????? ????????: g???????????????©q?????

    The next morning, Elliana woke up just as her rm rang. The night before, she had spent considerable time thinking about the Scorpion King. Podgend wasn¡¯t far from the Delta, and over time, it had be a breeding ground for criminals. Law enforcement was practically nonexistent, and justice had be a puppet show controlled by the rich and corrupt.

    Delta¡¯s elite had long turned Podgend into their personal chessboard, pulling strings behind the scenes through bribed politicians and fake reforms. In reality, Podgend had be a stage for power ys, fueled by Delta¡¯s interests.

    Her marriage to Cole had been legally recorded in Podgend. That couldn¡¯t be a coincidence. Whoever had orchestrated the situation¡ªcould they also be tied to Delta? If so, what was the purpose of Delta¡¯s forces meddling in Ublento and arranging her marriage to Cole?

    Elliana couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that both her marriage to Cole and the chaos surrounding the Henderson family were threads pulled from the same web¡ªthe Delta¡¯s web. That connection was enough to push her into action. She didn¡¯t have any better leads, and this one felt urgent. Determined to follow through, she headed downstairs for breakfast. Her n was simple: eat and then visit the Henderson family to check on Barbara¡¯s condition.

    Stepping into the dining room, she was caught off guard. Every seat was already taken. The whole Evans family had risen early. Even Ruben had shown up, which almost never happened.

    Though surprised by the full table, Elliana brushed aside her curiosity. She greeted the elders politely and quietly took her seat. As she brought her ss of milk to her lips, she paused. Every pair of eyes in the room was fixed on her. That¡¯s when it hit her¡ªthey hadn¡¯t just woken up early. They were waiting for her. ncing around at the strange tension in the air, she turned her gaze to Ruben. ¡°Is something going on?¡± she asked, keeping her voice light.

    Instead of answering right away, Ruben leaned forward. ¡°Are you heading to the Henderson residence today to check on Barbara?¡± he asked.

    She gave a small nod. ¡°Yes. I promised Mrs. Henderson I would stop by.¡± His expression tightened instantly. His brow furrowed, as if something about her answer made him uneasy.

    Noticing the shift, she asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Ruben didn¡¯t reply immediately. He seemed to weigh his words carefully before asking, ¡°Elliana, are you confident in treating Barbara?¡± The questionnded like a cold ssh. She hadn¡¯t expected him to go there. Any good doctor knew never to promise perfection. No matter how skilled or famous¡ªeven someone like Milena would hesitate to speak in absolutes. Each patient was different. Each illness had its own personality. Treatments worked differently depending on the person. Predicting the oue was never a sure thing.

    Although she felt confident in her approach, she understood that she couldn¡¯t give Ruben the kind of certainty he seemed to want. Medicine didn¡¯t work that way.

    Her moment of hesitation made everyone at the table assume shecked confidence.

    Ruben¡¯s concern deepened. ¡°Elliana, if you aren¡¯tpletely sure, then don¡¯t go. You¡¯ve already done more than enough by pulling Barbara back from death with the Venacure. Let¡¯s wait until Milena contacts us. There¡¯s no need to take unnecessary risks.¡±

    Elliana understood exactly what Ruben was afraid of. He didn¡¯t want a misstep to escte into something worse. If things went south, the Henderson family mightsh out¡ªand that kind of fallout wouldn¡¯t be easy to fix.

    Bertram chimed in, ¡°Elliana, what you did yesterday was incredible. No one¡¯s questioning your skill. But this situation is delicate. We can¡¯t afford even a minor setback. It¡¯s best we hold off until Milena responds.¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± Elliana said with a nod, avoiding an unnecessary argument. But deep down, her decision had already been made. Once breakfast was over, she would still make that trip to the Henderson family¡¯s residence.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 146

    ?Chapter 146:

    The Henderson household was buzzing with happiness today.

    Since Barbara came home yesterday, her breathing had steadied, and her face had taken on a lively glow. This morning, for the first time in years, she had woken up from a deep, restful sleep.

    For two years, Barbara had been more ghost than person, lost in aa most days. Even when she did wake up, she was too frail to string words together. But today? She woke up, shed a smile at her family, and said, ¡°I feel like a new person. That was the best sleep I¡¯ve had in forever.¡±

    Her family was still reeling from the shock when Barbara hit them with another surprise. ¡°Got any food? I could eat a horse right now!¡±

    ¡°Sweet mercy, Barbara¡¯s hungry!¡± Eloisa cried, her voice shaking with joy.

    For two years, Barbara¡¯s appetite had been nonexistent, surviving on nutrient drips alone. Her craving for food was a neon sign screaming recovery.

    The whole family was over the moon, practically tripping over themselves to tell the kitchen to whip up a hearty bowl of soup. While they waited, Eloisa filled Barbara in on the whirlwind of the day before.

    ¡°So, Mrs. Evans is the one who saved me?¡± Barbara asked.

    Eloisa nodded enthusiastically. ¡°You bet! Mrs. Evans is something else¡ªsharp as a tack, kind as can be, a medical wizard, and get this¡ªshe¡¯s the world-famous designer Rosa. Only downside? Her looks are a bit understated.¡±

    ¡°Understated? Nah, she¡¯s got a charm all her own,¡± Charles chimed in, grinning. ¡°Some folks might call her in, but they¡¯re missing the point. Her features are delicate, and those eyes? They¡¯re like a lily in bloom, full of wisdom and grace. shy types like Trinity, with their overdone looks, don¡¯t hold a candle to her.¡±

    ¡°Couldn¡¯t have said it better myself!¡± Eloisa agreed, nodding in agreement.

    Gatlin, standing nearby, let out a soft chuckle, clearly on the same page.

    Hearing her family sing Elliana¡¯s praises, Barbara¡¯s eyes sparkled with curiosity. ¡°I¡¯ve got to meet this Mrs. Evans.¡±

    ???????? ???????????? ???? ??????????¦Í????????????

    Eloisa nced at the clock. ¡°She said she¡¯d swing by today to check on you. Wonder when she¡¯ll show.¡±

    No sooner had the words left her mouth than the butler hustled in. ¡°Mrs. Evans is here.¡±

    Gatlin and Eloisa shot to their feet, practically vibrating with excitement.

    Charles, sitting in his wheelchair, sat up a little straighter.

    The trio headed downstairs to greet their guest.

    Elliana, guided by the staff, stepped into the living room just as Gatlin, Eloisa, and Charles arrived. They weed her as if she were royalty.

    After some warm small talk, Elliana got down to business. ¡°Has Miss Henderson woken up?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s up!¡± Eloisa said, beaming. ¡°Her color¡¯s back, and she even asked for food!¡±

    Elliana gave a calm nod, as if she had expected nothing less. ¡°I¡¯ll head upstairs to check on her.¡±

    The three Hendersons clustered around her like eager pups, escorting her up.

    Barbara, still weak, couldn¡¯t sit up on her own. Propped up slightly, her eyes lit up with anticipation when Elliana walked in.

    ¡°Barbara, Mrs. Evans is here to see you,¡± Eloisa said, making the introduction.

    Barbara studied Elliana and smiled. ¡°Mrs. Evans, Charles was just saying your features are refined, your eyes are wise, and you¡¯ve got the elegance of a lily. He said those showy types out there can¡¯t touch you. Now that I see you, I¡¯m with him.¡±

    Elliana nced at Charles and then ran a hand through her wild, frizzy wig, thinking his taste was truly one of a kind.

    Charles met her gaze with a genuine smile. He meant every word.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± Elliana said, returning the smile.

    After her thank-you, she settled by Barbara¡¯s bedside to check her over. The adjusted Venacure pills were working like a charm. The toxins in Barbara¡¯s body were slowly clearing out, but she¡¯d need more time and rest to fully bounce back.

    With the checkup done, Elliana stood.

    Gatlin, Eloisa, and Charles watched her, waiting for her next words.

    ¡°Mr. Henderson, Mrs. Henderson, do you trust my medical know-how?¡± Elliana asked.

    ¡°Absolutely!¡± Gatlin and Eloisa said in unison.

    After a beat, Eloisa added, ¡°So many doctors wrote Barbara off as a lost cause, but you saw she was still kicking and even woke her up. That alone puts you leagues above those so-called experts.¡± ¡°Spot on,¡± Gatlin said with a nod. ¡°You had us sold yesterday. Whatever¡¯s on your mind, Mrs. Evans, just say it. And name your price for the treatment¡ªany amount, we¡¯ll cover it.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile. ¡°I won¡¯t take a dime for treating Miss Henderson, but there¡¯s some stuff I¡¯d like to talk about. It might touch on some sensitive business in this family. I¡¯m hoping you¡¯ll level with me.¡±

    Gatlin and Eloisa exchanged a quick nce before turning back to her. ¡°Ask away. We¡¯ll spill whatever we know.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 147

    ?Chapter 147:

    The weight of Elliana¡¯s words settled heavily over the room. One by one, their smiles vanished.

    Too drained to sit upright any longer, Barbara slowly eased back onto the bed.

    Taking a moment to study each face around her, Elliana finally spoke. ¡°Yesterday, Barbara was hanging by a thread. If I hadn¡¯t used the Venacure in time, we¡¯d be mourning her now. But whatever pushed her that close to death¡ªit wasn¡¯t Jeff¡¯s fault.¡±

    This statement sent ripples of confusion through the room.

    Eloisa looked from one family member to the next before speaking up.

    ¡°What do you mean? Two years ago, Barbara was perfectly healthy. After Jeff pushed her off that balcony, everything started falling apart. Her nervous system was damaged. That¡¯s when she started to decline.¡±

    Elliana patiently exined, ¡°You¡¯re right about the fall. The injury to her nervous system is what left her unable to walk. But that alone wouldn¡¯t have killed her. What nearly took her life was something else entirely. She was poisoned.¡±

    ¡°Poisoned?¡± The Henderson family found themselves in an even deeper state of puzzlement, unable to make sense of any of it. Before the fall, Barbara had been in perfect health, with not a single trace or symptom that pointed to poisoning. Without their deep trust in Elliana, they might have suspected she was trying to clear the Evans family¡¯s name.

    ¡°The toxin that nearly killed Miss Henderson is an ancient one,¡± Elliana said, her voice steady. ¡°It¡¯s called Scorpion King. This toxin was introduced into her body when she was a kid in small doses, spaced out over time. It¡¯s designed to destroy her system slowly, so no one will notice until it¡¯s toote.¡±

    Elliana paused, watching the Henderson family closely. Not a flicker of recognition passed through their expressions. Clearly, none of them had even heard of the Scorpion King before.

    After a beat of silence, Eloisa asked quietly, ¡°Scorpion King? What kind of poison is that? We¡¯ve never heard of it.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not something most people would know. The Scorpion King is one of those poisons that¡¯s wrapped in mystery. Its origins go back more than two thousand years. People thought it had disappeared, but it didn¡¯t. It just moved. A secretive organization took it with them to a ce called the Delta. Have any of you heard of¡­?¡±

    ???????? ???????? ???????? ???? g?????????????¦Í??????????.????????

    ¡°Is it?¡± Elliana replied. For most people, the Delta was just as unfamiliar as the Scorpion King. So it came as no shock that the Henderson family might¡¯ve gone their whole lives without ever hearing of the ce.

    Neither Gatlin nor Eloisa offered an answer. They simply shook their heads, clearly lost.

    Charles, seated in his wheelchair, hesitated for a moment before saying, ¡°I think I¡¯ve seen that name in a novel once. The Delta. I thought the author made it up. Are you saying it¡¯s real?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s very real,¡± Elliana confirmed.

    A sickly pallor washed over Charles¡¯s face. ¡°Are you saying someone from the Delta poisoned my sister?¡±

    Without hesitation, Elliana gave a small nod. ¡°I can¡¯t confirm it beyond all doubt, but everything I¡¯ve found suggests that Scorpion King is only ever handled by people from the Delta.¡±

    Both of Charles¡¯s hands clenched the sides of his wheelchair. ¡°But we¡¯re just a family with a few coffee shops. We¡¯ve never even brushed shoulders with the Delta. Why would anyone go after Barbara with something that lethal?¡±

    That question seemed to trigger something. His head jerked up as a new possibility came to him. ¡°Wait¡ªcould my brother Cutler¡¯s disappearance be connected to those from the Delta too?¡±

    Cutler had vanished at the age of two, leaving behind nothing but grief and spection. The wound had never closed.

    At the sound of his name, Gatlin¡¯s mouth tightened. Eloisa¡¯s eyes welled with tears.

    ¡°Charles, what exactly is the Delta? What kind of ce is it?¡± Eloisa asked softly.

    Drawing a slow breath, Charles took a moment before speaking. ¡°In the book I read, the Delta was described as a maze of shadows¡ªdangerous, secretive, and soaked in blood.¡±

    Word for word, he repeated the passages he remembered, painting a vivid picture that had once seemed like fantasy.

    Elliana didn¡¯t interrupt. Most of it matched what she already knew, so she let him continue.

    Once he fell silent, Eloisa looked shaken. ¡°That¡¯s horrifying. We¡¯ve lived honest lives. We treat everyone with decency. Why would something so dark be tied to us?¡±

    Gatlin looked just as shaken, his voice quiet. ¡°If Cutler really ended up in a ce like that, I don¡¯t even dare imagine what kind of life he¡¯s had. Or if he¡¯s even still alive.¡±

    The tension snapped. Eloisa buried her face in her hands and sobbed. ¡°Why is all this happening to us?¡±

    Though Elliana had hoped their memories might shed some light, it was bing clear that they didn¡¯t know any more than she did. A long silence passed before she turned her attention back to Charles. ¡°Mr. Henderson, do you remember the name of the book that mentioned the Delta?¡±

    Charles drawled, ¡°I was about ten. I found an old book tucked away on my grandfather¡¯s shelf. It talked about the Delta in strange detail. At the time, I thought it was just fiction, something a writer made up.¡±

    ¡°Do you still have it? Would you mind if I took a look?¡± Elliana leaned forward slightly.

    Regret crept into Charles¡¯s expression. ¡°I wish I could help, but I can¡¯t. That book was buried with my grandfather. He asked for it specifically before he passed.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 148

    ?Chapter 148:

    Elliana¡¯s lips tightened slightly after hearing what Charles had shared. Mentioning the Delta in print was almost unheard of. The topic was so forbidden that no publisher would dare touch it. However, somehow, Charles¡¯s grandfather had gotten his hands on a copy. Who had written the book? And how had it ended up in the possession of a Henderson? Elliana¡¯s curiosity was piqued. She found herself wishing she could flip through the pages herself. But any hope of that vanished¡ªthe book had been buried with Charles¡¯s grandfather. Digging up a grave for the sake of information was out of the question.

    After a long pause, Elliana turned to Charles. ¡°Do you have any idea where your grandfather got that book?¡±

    A slow shake of the head was Charles¡¯s only answer. ¡°He never spoke about it. Not once did he exin where it came from. And he never talked to any of us about the Delta either.¡±

    Gatlin jumped in, his voice thoughtful. ¡°That¡¯s true. As far back as I can remember, my father never mentioned anything like that. I figure he just thought the book was fiction.¡±

    Elliana gave a small nod but didn¡¯t press the issue. There was nothing more the Henderson family could give her. The lead ended here, so she let it go and turned her attention to Barbara instead.

    ¡°Venacure is doing its job neutralizing the Scorpion King in Miss Henderson¡¯s body, but because the poison has been building up in her system for years, the damage is already severe. Full recovery won¡¯t be quick. She¡¯ll need constant care, and you¡¯ll have to be diligent during her rehabilitation,¡± Elliana exined.

    Both Gatlin and Eloisa gave a nod, but the motion came off stiff¡ªnearly robotic. They looked like people standing on a thin sheet of ice, fully aware that it could crack beneath them at any second. Whoever had poisoned Barbara had done it under their noses. If that same person struck once, pulling off another strike would be very much possible.

    ncing at the couple, Elliana recognized the anxiety behind their silence. ¡°You should stay on guard. We still don¡¯t know who¡¯s responsible. Until we do, you¡¯ll need to be extremely cautious.¡± She knew that her advice, while reasonable, wasn¡¯t exactly reassuring. Even with their best efforts, the Henderson family wasn¡¯t equipped to handle enemies from the Delta. Against a force like that, they were painfully outmatched. So, she added something she knew they wanted to hear, ¡°I¡¯ll keep checking in on Miss Henderson. You won¡¯t be on your own.¡±

    That promise brought a bit of color back to Gatlin¡¯s and Eloisa¡¯s faces. The tension in their shoulders eased ever so slightly.

    ?????????????? ?????????????????? ????????: g???????????¦Í???????????????????

    Elliana continued, ¡°Besides cleansing the poison, the Venacure also helps regenerate nerve tissue. If she keeps improving, she¡¯ll eventually be able to walk again. For now, just help her rebuild her leg strength through consistent therapy and movement.¡±

    The possibility that Barbara might one day walk again left Gatlin and Eloisa stunned with joy. Their eyes lit up, and Eloisa spoke first.

    ¡°Mrs. Evans, we can¡¯t thank you enough!¡±

    Gatlin quickly followed with sincerity in his voice. ¡°Please, allow us to pay you for everything you¡¯ve done. It¡¯s the least we can do.¡±

    Elliana shook her head gently. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary. I¡¯m not doing this for recognition or money. I just want to ease the tension between the Evans and Henderson families. I hope the two of you can let go of the past. As for Jeff, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll make sure he behaves himself from now on.¡±

    Though the circumstances surrounding her marriage to Cole were still murky, Elliana had already epted the role that came with it. As long as she held the title of his wife, she would take full responsibility for the weight that came with it. That was simply her way of life.

    Gatlin exhaled. ¡°There was a time when our two families were as close as kin. If not for what had happened to Barbara and Charles, we wouldn¡¯t have thrown a tantrum at the Evans residence. Looking back now, I truly regret it all.¡±

    Eloisa lowered her voice, remorse flickering in her tone. ¡°Over the past two years, I¡¯ve said a lot of awful things. I¡¯ve acted out of grief, but that¡¯s no excuse. I¡¯ll visit Ruben personally to offer him a proper apology.¡±

    Eloisa¡¯s eyes drifted toward Charles, still seated in his wheelchair. In that moment, the warmth in her expression gave way to sorrow. Joy had returned to her life with Barbara¡¯s recovery, but her heart still ached every time she looked at her son and the wheelchair he could not leave behind. Even if she chose to make peace with the Evans family for Elliana¡¯s sake, the bitterness in her heart hadn¡¯t fully faded.

    Elliana caught the shift in Eloisa¡¯s mood and turned her attention to Charles. She walked over and said, ¡°Would you mind if I take a look at your legs?¡±

    Startled, Charles lifted his head, his voice rushing out with hope. ¡°You mean¡­ Are you thinking of treating me?¡±

    A small smile curved Elliana¡¯s lips. ¡°I¡¯d like to try.¡±

    Without needing another word, Gatlin and Eloisa jumped to help. They carefully rolled up Charles¡¯s pant legs with trembling hands.

    ¡°Everything above his knees works fine. But below that¡­ There¡¯s no feeling. Nothing at all,¡± Eloisa exined quickly.

    Dropping to a crouch, Elliana began inspecting Charles¡¯s lower legs with precise focus. After a few moments, she spoke. ¡°I need to see his medical records.¡±

    Eloisa didn¡¯t hesitate. She immediately sent someone to retrieve the documents.

    Elliana flipped through them page by page, her eyes scanning every detail. Once she reached the final sheet, she closed the file and looked up. ¡°I can treat his legs,¡± she said inly.

    The room fell into stunned silence before erupting with barely contained relief. It was like a floodgate had opened, and for the first time in years, hope had spilled in.

    Charles stared at Elliana, wide-eyed and overwhelmed. Gratitude radiated from his face, mingled with disbelief. Living with that wheelchair had be his quiet burden, but he¡¯d never stopped dreaming of standing again.

    Elliana leaned in slightly and said, ¡°There¡¯s just one condition I need to make clear first.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 149

    ?Chapter 149:

    ¡°I need you guys to keep my treatment for Mr. Henderson¡¯s legs under wraps,¡± Elliana said.

    Countless top-notch doctors had thrown in the towel on Barbara¡¯s treatment, but Elliana had pulled it off, cleverly attributing the sess to the Venacure to keep her persona as Milena confidential. Charles¡¯s legs had been written off as a lost cause by specialists, branded permanently damaged. If she could fix him too, it would shine a spotlight on her medical expertise¡ªand perhaps expose her as Milena, the legendary healer. But her Milena identity had to remain secret. Too many people were hunting her down, including some dangerous underground crews in Delta. She wasn¡¯t about to paint a target on her back.

    ¡°Mrs. Evans, rest assured, we will keep this a secret.¡± The Hendersons didn¡¯t fully understand why she was so keen on secrecy, but they weren¡¯t about to argue.

    Elliana added, ¡°If you hear anything about Cutler or anything tied to the Delta, I need you to loop me in right away.¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± Charles said without hesitation. He¡¯d already connected the dots. Elliana had some kind of link to the Delta. Out of trust, he was all in on sharing whatever intel came their way. Gatlin and Eloisa exchanged a quick nce before giving Elliana a nod. Whatever she was investigating, it was clear she meant no harm to them. Passing on information could only be a win, not a loss.

    ¡°Then we¡¯re all set. I¡¯ll start treating Mr. Henderson¡¯s legs now,¡± Elliana said. She dug into her bag, pulling out her treatment gear. ¡°The n is electrotherapy paired with meds. First up, seven straight days of electrotherapy. After that, we¡¯ll tweak things based on how it¡¯s going.¡± The Henderson family followed her instructions without hesitation.

    Elliana got to work, her technique a blend of precision and something almost otherworldly. The Henderson family watched, jaws practically on the floor, marveling at the spectacle.

    The whole process took an hour.

    As Elliana peeled the gear off Charles¡¯s legs, he lit up like a kid on Christmas. ¡°I can feel warmth in my calf!¡±

    ???????????????? ???????? ?g???????¦Í?????????????

    Since the injury, his lower leg had been dead to the world. That tingle of warmth was proof she wasn¡¯t just talking a big game¡ªshe could actually fix him.

    Gatlin, Eloisa, and even Barbara, propped up in bed, broke into wide grins.

    ¡°Doctors swore my leg was a goner. They said only Milena, the famous healer, might have a shot. I never dreamed Mrs. Evans would have skills to rival Milena¡­¡± Charles said.

    But mid-sentence, he froze, a lightbulb flickering on. His eyes turned to Elliana, suspicion creeping in. Could she be Milena?

    Gatlin and Eloisa caught on, their heads turning toward Elliana, faces a mix of shock and wonder.

    Elliana, cool as a cucumber, packed up her gear, meeting their stares briefly before dropping her gaze to focus on her bag. She knew what they were thinking, but she didn¡¯t confirm or deny it.

    The Hendersons were sharp¡ªthey got the hint. With just a nce, they pieced it together. The woman standing in their home was Milena. She wanted her identity to be kept quiet, which exined the secrecy request. The realization hit like a thunderbolt, and the three shared a look, barely containing their excitement.

    The Hendersons felt like they¡¯d won the jackpot! Milena, the healer everyone chased but never found, had waltzed into their lives to treat them for free.

    Elliana finished packing, scribbled a prescription, and handed it over. ¡°Get these meds as listed. I¡¯ll be back tomorrow, same time, for more electrotherapy for Mr. Henderson.¡±

    ¡°Understood,¡± Eloisa said, clutching the paper like it was gold.

    Elliana picked up her stuff and made for the door.

    ¡°I¡¯ll see you out,¡± Charles offered, quick on the draw.

    Elliana didn¡¯t say no. They hopped in the elevator and headed downstairs.

    Outside the mansion, Charles shooed away the butler and staff, turning to Elliana. ¡°The Hendersons owe you big time, a debt I can¡¯t ever repay. If you need anything, anything at all, just say the word.¡±

    Elliana matched his straight-up vibe. ¡°When the timees, I won¡¯t hold back.¡±

    Charles cracked a small smile. ¡°Take care, then.¡±

    ¡°See you!¡± With that, Elliana swung onto her motorcycle and roared away from the Henderson estate.

    Her next stop was the Ublento Hotel. This time, though, she wasn¡¯t there for Matthew. She was on the hunt for books about the Delta. The Star Society¡¯s HQ used to be a courtyard on the city¡¯s edge, where Donovan had kicked things off. For fifteen years, Elliana had been trained there under him, honing her martial arts.

    After taking the reins of the Star Society, she had established the Ublento Hotel as the new HQ, rarely visiting the courtyard anymore.

    Matthew, ever the thoughtful one, had built her a massive study on the Ublento Hotel¡¯s top floor, crammed with books.

    Upon arriving at the Ublento Hotel, Elliana rode her motorcycle straight into a private elevator made just for her, keeping things low-key. The elevator, spacious enough for her and her bike, shot up to the top floor, separate from the rest of the hotel.

    When the elevator doors slid open, Matthew was already there, waiting. The second he saw her, he shed a warm grin. ¡°Lexi, we¡¯ve got news about Victor¡­¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 150

    ?Chapter 150:

    The moment Victor¡¯s name was mentioned, something flickered in Elliana¡¯s eyes. Without hesitation, she revved the engine and drove her motorcycle straight into the study.

    Matthew followed closely behind, not wasting a second to catch up. Once Elliana brought the bike to a stop, she removed her helmet and nced at him sideways. ¡°Spill it.¡±

    Matthew didn¡¯t pause. ¡°Fifteen years ago, Victor was living in Ublento, but he kept a low profile. He owned a small restaurant not far from the Jones family estate.¡±

    The words hit Elliana like a brick wall. She froze, her eyebrows lifting in surprise. ¡°A restaurant?¡±

    He gave a slight nod, handing her a folder. ¡°Yeah. These are photos from that time. The ce was tiny, only about fifty square meters. He made a modest living¡ªroughly a hundred thousand dors a year.¡±

    Perched on her bike, Elliana flipped through the file. Her eyes scanned each page with growing intensity. ¡°How long did he keep it running? What happened after?¡±

    Matthew answered with precision. ¡°He ran it for just over five years. Then came the fire at the Jones estate. Shortly after that, the restaurant shut down. And Victor? Gone. No records, no trail.¡±

    The timeline hit her hard. A man with such an unassuming past disappearing right after her mother vanished¡ªand then showing up yearster in Podgend, right in the middle of her and Cole¡¯s marriage registration? It didn¡¯t add up. His life had changed too dramatically to ignore.

    Elliana pressed her lips into a thin line, her mind racing with questions.

    The file Matthew handed her contained a series of photos of Victor, each one capturing his face in sharp, unmistakable detail.

    Victor had a thick build, heavy brows, and eyes that held an unsettling sharpness. There was something about him¡ªtoo poised, tooposed for a man who supposedly spent years flipping noodles in a cramped eatery. This wasn¡¯t just a humble business owner. That restaurant had to have been a cover. He was hiding behind it, masking something far moreplex.

    ?????????? ????????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    She couldn¡¯t help but wonder¡ªwas Victor an operative from Delta, nted in Ublento on assignment? And if so, who sent him? What mission could he possibly have been on?

    Elliana¡¯s gaze sharpened. The more she thought about it, the more the puzzle began to shift. Victor¡¯s involvement in her marriage registration with Cole couldn¡¯t be dismissed. That detail made everything personal. There was no way this was just a coincidence. Finding Victor could be the key to unlocking both her mother¡¯s disappearance and the real reason she was bound to Cole.

    ¡°Mobilize every branch of the Star Society,¡± she ordered, not looking up. ¡°I want Victor found. Now.¡±

    Matthew gave a crisp nod. ¡°Right away.¡±

    Operating quietly under Donovan¡¯s leadership, the Star Society had once kept a low profile throughout Ublento. Things had started to shift when Elliana stepped in at just sixteen. Though the organization stayed subtle on the surface, it had rapidly expanded its reach across borders and even pushed into the Delta¡¯s territory. That entire expansion had one driving purpose: finding her mother. And now, it felt like those years of effort were finally starting to yield something real.

    Some timeter, tucked away in the study of her suite, Elliana lost herself in paperwork and research until sunset. She took a break to eat the meal Matthew had left for her. Afterward, she finally rose to leave. Darkness had already settled over the Evans family¡¯s estate when she returned.

    Inside, the dining room had fallen quiet, and the family had migrated to the living room, lingering over drinks and conversation. Trinity¡¯s voice stood out from the rest, brimming with pride. ¡°Professor Sampson said he¡¯s heading out soon on a confidential trip. It¡¯s all part of a medical coboration with Milena. He asked me to apany him.¡±

    Elliana had nned to offer a quick greeting and head upstairs. But at the mention of her own name¡ªone the others didn¡¯t know belonged to her¡ªshe paused by the stairs and listened closely. She hadn¡¯t scheduled any meeting with Murray. There was no n, no invitation.

    ¡°That¡¯s incredible, Trinity!¡± Lance eximed, clearly impressed.

    Looking over at Ruben, Lance added with excitement, ¡°Grandpa, we should prepare a handwritten note. Trinity can deliver it when she meets Milena. I bet Milena would agree to treat Barbara and Charles if the Evans family made the request directly.¡±

    Ruben didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°We¡¯ll rely on you for this, Trinity. Bring our words to Milena.¡±

    With a soft, graceful nod, Trinity smiled. ¡°I¡¯ll do what I can, Ruben. I¡¯ll make sure she listens.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re like a lucky star for the Evans family, Trinity.¡± One of the older rtives chuckled warmly.

    A light blush touched Trinity¡¯s cheeks. ¡°You¡¯re all too generous. Professor Sampson holds a prominent ce in Ublento¡¯s medicalmunity. He runs several hospitals and research centers. Milena respects his expertise, which is why she¡¯s open to coborating. I just happen to be tagging along. This opportunity came through Professor Sampson, not me.¡±

    Even while keeping her tone modest, Trinity couldn¡¯t quite hide the pride shimmering beneath the surface. The more she spoke, the more the Evans family seemed enchanted by her charm.

    Someone added, ¡°It¡¯s not luck¡ªit¡¯s your talent, Trinity. That¡¯s why Professor Sampson trusts you.¡±

    ¡°Trinity really is the pride of the Evans family,¡± another said, as the room continued to echo with admiration.

    Amid the ttery, Trinity noticed Elliana standing quietly by the staircase. With a subtle tilt of her chin, she threw Elliana a smug little nce, basking in the glow of her imagined superiority.

    But Elliana didn¡¯t blink. Instead, she cut through the room¡¯s warmth with a voice as cold as steel. ¡°Miss Craig, you might want to tread carefully¡­ Sounds like someone¡¯s setting you up.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 151

    ?Chapter 151:

    Trinity¡¯s smile faltered the moment Elliana¡¯s words sank in.

    Before Trinity could recover, Lance jumped to her defense. ¡°So, Elliana, you think one Venacure pill makes you queen of the world? That attitude just screams jealousy. Trinity¡¯s clearly out of your league, and you can¡¯t stand it.¡±

    ¡°Out of her league how, exactly?¡± Jeff¡¯s voice cut clean through the tension. ¡°Wasn¡¯t it just yesterday morning that Barbara was still breathing, and Trinity called her dead? Everyone saw it. If Elliana hadn¡¯t stepped in, that coffin prepared by the Hendersons would have still beenid in the Evans family hall.¡±

    That hit Trinity squarely in the pride. Her cheeks reddened under the weight of the memory. Misdiagnosing someone alive as dead wasn¡¯t a mistake that faded with time. It lingered.

    Lance was momentarily silenced. Then, stubborn as ever, he said, ¡°All the professional doctors dered Barbara dead. Trinity wasn¡¯t wrong!¡±

    Jeff scoffed, folding his arms. ¡°All that proves is Elliana¡¯s ten steps ahead of Trinity¡ªand those ¡®professionals¡¯ you¡¯re defending.¡± No response came from Lance. His silence said everything.

    But Jeff wasn¡¯t ready to let it slide. ¡°You really think someone like Elliana has to envy Trinity? She¡¯s in a league of her own.¡±

    Trinity burned on the inside but kept her outer shell polished. Her voice was honeyed, smooth as ever. ¡°You¡¯re right, Jeff. Elliana is brilliant. I should be learning from her.¡± As always, she yed her part perfectly¡ªhumble, gracious, and untouchable.

    Trinity had mastered the art of wearing masks. Her words painted her as thoughtful and kind, but Jeff wasn¡¯t fooled for a second. He didn¡¯t bother acknowledging her. Instead, he turned to Lance and muttered, ¡°Idiot.¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Lance nearly exploded, his chest rising with restrained fury. Still, he bit his tongue. In this house, Cole was the only one able to rein Jeff in.

    Trying to brush off her irritation, Trinity turned her focus back to Elliana. ¡°You said I should be cautious¡ªthat I might be getting used. Care to exin?¡±

    ???????????? ????????: ???????????????¦Í??????????©q?????????

    With a calm expression, Elliana gave a casual shrug. ¡°Just a little advice. Word is, Milena doesn¡¯t affiliate with institutions. She keeps a low profile and works alone. Her sudden connection to a university feels off.¡±

    A faint smirk tugged at Trinity¡¯s lips. ¡°That sounds like idle gossip. Have you even met Milena yourself?¡±

    There was a bite beneath the sweetness, but Elliana didn¡¯t flinch. She offered a quiet smile in return, saying nothing.

    Trinity leaned in, emboldened. ¡°Professor Sampson¡ªmy mentor¡ªis one of the most respected figures in Ublento¡¯s medical world. He owns hospitals and pharmaceuticalpanies¡­ His reach is far beyond anything the Jones Group has ever managed. Why would he be wrong about this?¡±

    Trinity¡¯s meaning couldn¡¯t have been clearer¡ªElliana was jealous. She believed Murray¡¯s sess had outshone the Jones name, and Elliana just couldn¡¯t handle it.

    ¡°I get it¡ªevery medical family in Ublento dreams of working with Milena. You¡¯re the Jones heiress, so wanting the same makes sense.¡± Trinity¡¯s voice was soft, but her words carried the weight of her usation.

    Not wanting to be left out, Lance added with a smirk, ¡°Jealousy really scrambles people¡¯s brains, huh?¡±

    Elliana hadn¡¯t spoken out of spite. She¡¯d issued that warning because someone was clearly tossing her name around for their own gains. Deep down, she also suspected someone was impersonating her, and this whole setup might be bait from an enemy in the shadows. There was a good chance that a more dangerous organization was trying to draw her into a trap. But since Trinity didn¡¯t want to heed the warning, she resolved to let the pieces fall on their own.

    With that thought, Elliana smiled at Trinity. ¡°Well, good luck.¡± Without waiting for a response, she turned and made her way up the stairs.

    Jeff, never one to miss an opportunity, stuck out his tongue at Trinity and Lance like a mischievous child before bolting after Elliana. By the time Elliana reached her bedroom door, Jeff was already behind her.

    ¡°Elliana!¡±

    Elliana nced back, her expression unreadable.

    With hesitant steps, Jeff approached. His usual energy dimmed a bit. ¡°Where¡¯ve you been all day?¡±

    Elliana let out a shortugh. ¡°Did I miss the part where I started reporting to you?¡±

    ¡°N-No, I mean¡­ I was just worried,¡± he mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck.

    Lifting his phone awkwardly, he asked, ¡°Hey, um¡­ Can I add you on WhatsApp?¡±

    Afraid she might refuse, he quickly shed her a ttering smile. Elliana didn¡¯t say no. She reached into her pocket, pulled out her phone, and added him without a word.

    That small act alone made Jeff light up like a kid in a candy store. ¡°Yes! Now I can message you whenever I want!¡±

    Whatever excitement he felt quickly fizzled when Elliana said coolly, ¡°Only if it¡¯s important. I¡¯m usually swamped.¡±

    Jeff¡¯s smile slipped for half a second before he forced it back into ce, as though nothing had happened.

    ¡°Do you need anything else?¡± she asked.

    He shook his head. ¡°Nope, that¡¯s it.¡±

    With that, Elliana stepped into her room and closed the door behind her.

    Jeff lingered outside for a moment, feeling just a little deted. Still, the thought of having her contact brought a smile back to his face. Tucking his phone into his pocket, he headed off to his own room.

    Meanwhile, Elliana had already moved on from the encounter. Later that night, she opened herptop in the quiet of her room and hacked into the Evans Group¡¯s internalwork, silently and undetected.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 152

    ?Chapter 152:

    The mystery of how Victor was linked to Cole still gnawed at Elliana¡¯s thoughts. That lingering question was exactly why she decided tonight would be the night to breach the Evans Group¡¯s database. Her goal? To ess Cole¡¯s confidential records and trace the truth.

    Confidence was something she nevercked. And why would she? She wasn¡¯t just talented¡ªshe was Quinn, ranked among the top three hackers on the. Not a single firewall had managed to stop her yet.

    Across the global hacking scene, there was only one name ever spoken in the same breath as hers¡ªJody, the one hacker capable of matching her stride for stride. But the idea of encountering Jody during this particr mission felt far-fetched. Besides, there had never been any whispers about Jody being tied to the Evans Group.

    Five years ago, the tech world had trembled under the chaos unleashed by a digital menace named John. A failure in the traditional academic system, John had flunked out of school and couldn¡¯tnd a job no matter how hard he tried. When rock bottom finally broke him, his bitterness had mutated into full-blown vengeance.

    Socially inept he might have been, but when it came to hacking, he was a genius. He¡¯d built a virus named Bad Boy¡ªa monster of code that swept across the globe like wildfire. In just eight weeks, billions of devices had been infected.

    What made Bad Boy so terrifying wasn¡¯t just its speed. It was the damage it left behind. Entire systems had copsed, programs corrupted beyond repair, and global losses spiraled into the billions. Panic had spread. Governments had scrambled. Reports hadbeled it the worst virus outbreak in digital history.

    Despite the virus¡¯s rampant spread, no one had seeded in tracking down its creator, John. He remained elusive¡ªtoo slippery, too skilled. Cybersecurity experts from every continent had tried to catch him, and each one had failed miserably.

    As the weeks dragged on, John¡¯s arrogance had exploded. Since then, he had attacked a new country almost daily, leaving behind digital graffiti that mocked every failed attempt to stop him.

    Just as the world appeared defenseless against the chaos this madman unleashed, two fresh figures had stepped onto the global hacking stage¡ªone known only as Q, the other as J.

    ?????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???? g????????¦Í?????????????

    As John unleashed yet another strike on a foreignwork, Quinn and Jody had moved in at the same moment, cutting him off mid-attack. Working with lightning precision, they dismantled his breach and unmasked his real identity for the world to see.

    In the end, John had been arrested by Interpol and thrown into prison. But Quinn and Jody? They¡¯d vanished the moment the dust settled, slipping out of the spotlight like shadows at dawn. No photos. No names. No trace of their origins. The world was left to wonder who they were and where they went.

    Now, yearster, Elliana¡ªas the legendary hacker Quinn¡ªsat at her desk with her fingers flying across the keyboard, breaking through the Evans Group¡¯s security nonchntly. But only two seconds passed before something made her freeze.

    She hade face-to-face with Jody, their paths crossing in a way she hadn¡¯t seening. The same ghost who had vanished five years ago was suddenly alive and blocking her path. Talk about a twist of fate. A ping appeared on her screen. Jody had reached out. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect to bump into you here.¡±

    Elliana froze for a second before replying, ¡°Yeah, I wasn¡¯t counting on this either.¡±

    From there, the chat flowed easily, almost like catching up with an old friend. Despite their brief history, there had always been a mutual admiration. In a world where most were beneath them, crossing paths with someone on equal footing was rare.

    Jody didn¡¯t waste time. ¡°So, what brings you snooping around the Evans Group?¡±

    Elliana didn¡¯t lie. ¡°Just grabbing a file I need.¡± She tossed in a winking emoji. ¡°Thought it¡¯d be a smooth job until you showed up.¡±

    With his signature dry humor, Jody replied, ¡°Terribly sorry.¡± He added a matching emoji.

    That made her grin. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard as she clicked her tongue.

    Actually, five years ago, she had wanted to spar with Jody properly, to see who would actually emerge as the top. But he¡¯d vanished too quickly after the John incident, leaving nothing but polite farewells and an empty chat box behind. Now that Jody had resurfaced, the itch returned. That restless curiosity. That pull she couldn¡¯t quite ignore. She needed to see just how much Jody had improved over the past five years. But excitement wrestled with caution. This wasn¡¯t about fear¡ªnot of losing anyway. The issue was the setting. If she and Jody went full throttle inside thiswork, there was no way Cole wouldn¡¯t find out. And if Cole did¡­

    Things would get ugly. Fast. He would know she was Quinn. He¡¯d know she¡¯d broken into the Evans Group systems just to snoop through his personal files. That wasn¡¯t a conversation she wanted to have.

    Before she could decide, Jody messaged again. ¡°You¡¯re being awfully quiet. Debating your next move?¡±

    Clearly, Jody wasn¡¯t making a move either. Neither of them had so much as poked around each other¡¯s digital trail. They were holding back¡ªboth of them. They knew what would happen if one of them made a move. It wouldn¡¯t just be a casual skirmish. It would be a legendary sh¡ªone that might overshadow the John takedown five years ago. Neither of them liked that kind of attention. Not anymore.

    After a long pause, Elliana¡¯s fingers finally danced across the keyboard as she began to type her next message.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 153

    ?Chapter 153:

    Cole had taken Paulina¡¯s advice and decided to steer clear of the Evans family estate for now, giving Elliana some room to cool off. Last night, he¡¯d burned the midnight oil at the office, crashing in the CEO¡¯s swanky private suite when the hours got toote.

    Tonight was shaping up to be more of the same. Just as he was about to power down hisputer and call it a night, a red g popped up¡ªthe Evans Group¡¯swork had been breached.

    In today¡¯s world, cybersecurity was no joke, especially for a titan like the Evans Group. They had a crack team of cyber pros who could sniff out even the tiniest glitch in the system.

    But tonight? Someone had gotten into thework like a ghost, and the cybersecurity crew was none the wiser.

    Cole was ready to blow a gasket, itching to grill the team on how they¡¯d dropped the ball so hard. But then he saw the intruder¡¯s handle¡ªQuinn¡ªand his anger fizzled out.

    He knew Quinn¡¯s reputation. The Evans Group¡¯s cyber team was top-tier, but next to Quinn? They were small potatoes. Quinn¡¯s hacking skills were like something out of a sci-fi flick¡ªno surprise the team hadn¡¯t caught a whiff of the breach.

    Instead of sounding the rm, Cole¡¯s curiosity got the better of him. He plopped down, ready to tango with this intruder. He sent a message under his hacker handle¡ªJody¡ªasking about Quinn¡¯s motives, and got a quick reply. ¡°How much does Cole pay you to work for him?¡±

    Cole smirked, typing back. ¡°What do you reckon he shells out for me?¡±

    On the other end, Elliana¡¯s brow furrowed as she read the response. Five years ago, her run-in with Jody was short but left a mark. Jody was all business¡ªcool, direct, no fluff. No way they¡¯d be trading yful jabs like this. Had five years turned Jody into some bored, chatty loner looking to chat?

    She wasn¡¯t here to waste time, so she cut to the chase.

    ?????????????? ???????? ?????????? ???? ??????????¦Í????????????

    ¡°With your skills, Cole¡¯s gotta be paying you a fortune. No shade. I just want to make a deal.¡±

    Cole replied, ¡°Oh? Lay it on me.¡±

    Elliana said, ¡°Whatever Cole¡¯s paying, I¡¯ll double it. All you gotta do is step aside and let me grab what I need.¡±

    Cole shot back, ¡°What, you some kind of big-shot tycoon now?¡±

    Elliana paused, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. No way could she admit to being a tycoon¡ªthat¡¯d risk blowing her cover.

    ¡°My boss is the big shot. If you stay out of my way, he¡¯ll pay whatever you want.¡±

    Cole asked, ¡°Your boss got deeper pockets than Cole?¡±

    Elliana froze, stumped. Was she richer than Cole? Not likely. Cole¡¯s wealth was like an ocean¡ªshe couldn¡¯t swim in that league.

    Cole added, ¡°If your boss can¡¯t outspend Cole, why would I ditch him for you?¡±

    Elliana stayed quiet.

    Cole pressed, ¡°Why don¡¯t you jump ship? Come work for my boss, Cole. He¡¯s got an eye for talent and would match any offer you¡¯ve got.¡±

    Elliana gritted her teeth. Jody was slippery as an eel! She shot back, ¡°I don¡¯t betray my boss.¡±

    Cole replied, ¡°Sorry, pal. I¡¯m not the backstabbing type either.¡±

    Elliana asked, ¡°So, we¡¯re settling this with a showdown?¡±

    Cole said, ¡°Bring it on!¡±

    Elliana muttered a curse under her breath and unleashed her attack.

    The city slept, its usual hustle drowned in the quiet of the night. Nobody knew two world-ss hackers were locked in a digital cage match inside the Evans Group¡¯swork. No rms went off, but the duel was pure fire. Their moves were lightning-fast, fueled by the thrill of facing a real rival. Eyes zing, they traded blows with relentless determination.

    After an hour of all-out warfare, neither had the upper hand. It was a textbook stalemate¡ªtwo masters perfectly matched.

    Elliana was the first to tap out. The second she paused, Cole followed suit.

    Cole, still raring to go, typed, ¡°Round two?¡±

    Elliana replied, ¡°Nah.¡±

    Jody asked, ¡°What¡¯s the holdup?¡±

    Elliana said, ¡°I¡¯m beat.¡±

    Jody shot back, ¡°Fair enough. Catch some Z¡¯s. Night.¡±

    Elliana texted, ¡°Goodnight.¡±

    After exchanging goodnights, Elliana bolted from the Evans Group¡¯swork. In truth, she flopped onto her bed, exasperated. If it hadn¡¯t been for the risk of tipping off Cole, she would have gone toe-to-toe with Jody until sunrise¡ªor until one of them came out on top.

    But she couldn¡¯t afford to y fast and loose. With Cole lurking behind Jody, one wrong move could spell trouble.

    After logging out, she mmed herptop shut and copsed onto her bed, frustration bubbling over. She hadn¡¯t expected the Evans Group to have a cyber guard dog like Jody. Snagging Cole¡¯s personal data was turning into a real headache.

    It only deepened her confusion. As Quinn, even she couldn¡¯t easily crack Cole¡¯s info. So how the heck had the mystery mastermind behind their marriage registration pulled it off? The more she chewed on it, the more it gnawed at her.

    Unable to resist, she flipped herptop open and dove back into the Evans Group¡¯swork.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 154

    ?Chapter 154:

    Cole sat motionless in front of his monitor long after Quinn logged off. Something felt off¡ªhe couldn¡¯t exin the sudden heaviness pressing down on him. Elliana had made it perfectly clear she didn¡¯t want him around. Every word, every look from her screamed distance. He hadn¡¯t set foot in the Evans estate for days.

    Before, he had taken refuge in his office instead. The silence, onceforting, now felt like it was swallowing him whole.

    That brief exchange with Quinn earlier had been a rare flicker of interest in an otherwise empty night. But now that the screen had gone dark, boredom crept back in, followed quickly by the familiar sting of loneliness.

    He stared at the blinking cursor before finally reaching for his phone.

    Maybe there was a message waiting. But there wasn¡¯t. No missed calls. No texts. Nothing from Elliana. Not even a single emoji.

    Paulina had mentioned Elliana was fine¡ªtoo fine, in fact. Eating without issue. Sleeping like a baby. Not the slightest trace of emotional turmoil. Meanwhile, he was drowning in the silence she¡¯d left behind.

    The more he thought about it, the more it stung. His grip tightened around the phone before he hurled it onto the desk in frustration. ¡°Heartless woman,¡± he muttered under his breath. Would she ever think of him on her own? Would she even notice if he disappeared for good?

    Pushing away from his desk, he stood up, ready to copse in the lounge and sleep off the ache.

    Then, something blinked on the screen. Quinn had resurfaced. The moment felt surreal¡ªhe blinked and then leaned in. She was back in the Evans Group system. His interest immediately piqued. With quick fingers, he typed, ¡°Didn¡¯t expect to see you again so soon.¡±

    Quinn¡¯s reply was direct. ¡°I have a question.¡±

    Cole responded almost instantly, ¡°Ask away.¡±

    ¡°When did you start working for Cole Evans?¡±

    ???????????? ????????????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    There was a short pause before Cole answered, ¡°We¡¯ve known each other since childhood.¡±

    The message hit Elliana like a bolt out of nowhere. Since childhood? That narrowed things down dramatically. Jody had to be someone deeply embedded in Cole¡¯s life. Her mind raced through every possibility. Could Jody be someone from the Evans family?

    Family? Could Jody be one of the Fletcher family? Maybe An, possibly Merlin, or even Manley.

    While Elliana ran through the names in her head, a new message from Jody appeared on her screen. ¡°Got anything else you want to ask?¡±

    She didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Let¡¯s swap some personal details. I¡¯ll go first¡ªto show I¡¯m serious. I¡¯m a man.¡±

    His reply came quickly. ¡°Same here.¡±

    Her fingers flew across the keyboard. ¡°Goodbye.¡±

    Without a second thought, Elliana logged out.

    Back in his office, Cole stared at the nk screen, one brow twitching upward.

    Quinn imed to be a man? Something was off. Something about Quinn¡¯s texts struck him as feminine, and he couldn¡¯t shake that feeling. Was Quinn lying?

    With Quinn¡¯s sudden reappearance after they¡¯d first crossed paths online five years ago, he had this weird idea that Quinn might actually be Elliana. If Quinn was actually Elliana, what was she digging for? What exactly did she hope to uncover in his private files?

    Across town, Elliana sat back in her chair, head tilted in thought. Jody imed to be a man, but how much of that could be taken at face value? There was no telling where the truth ended and the lies began. Was it possible he¡¯d been feeding her a lie all along?

    Her instincts red, but after reviewing every message they¡¯d ever exchanged, she leaned toward believing him. He spoke with a directness that felt unmistakably male¡ªconcise, no-nonsense, not the kind of subtlety she usually encountered from women in the hacking scene.

    Assuming he was telling the truth, that gave her a clearer field to work with. An, Merlin, and Manley were easy to cross off. Each one of them was tied up with their own high-profile family legacies. None of them would waste their time moonlighting in the Evans Group¡¯s cybersecurity. Aron and Hugh? Definitely not. Neither of them could crack a firewall if their lives depended on it.

    Myles, on the other hand, was still on the table. A top-tier graduate from a globally elite university, he had both the brainpower and the digital dexterity.

    But if Myles didn¡¯t check out, then she was down to two possibilities. Either Jody was someone nted deep within the Evans family, or he was a key yer in the Evans Group¡¯s cybersecurity department.

    If she could figure out who Jody really was¡ªand if she could find a way to put him to sleep, even briefly¡ªit might give her the opening she needed to slip into the¡­

    Evans Groupwork undetected and retrieve Cole¡¯s files. Rather than diving in recklessly, she nned to start by probing Myles first.

    With her strategy mapped out, Elliana sank into bed, but rest didn¡¯te easily. Her mind refused to quiet down. One question kept resurfacing. Jody had guarded the Evans Group¡¯s system for years. So then¡ªwho on earth had the ability to slip past Jody and pull Cole¡¯s private data?

    The thought refused to fade, circling her brain like a storm until exhaustion finally pulled her under.

    The following week passed in a blur of nonstop motion. Each morning, Elliana visited the Henderson estate to continue Charles¡¯ treatment. By midday, she¡¯d be at the top floor of the Ublento Hotel, digging into books and records that chronicled the Delta¡¯s rise over hundreds of years. Her evenings were spent at the Evans family¡¯s estate, but only long enough to rest. Her days allowed no room for anything beyond that.

    Throughout those seven days, Cole had never set foot in the Evans family¡¯s estate. Not a word from him. No calls. No texts. To Elliana, he seemed to have erased her from his orbit entirely.

    When the eighth day arrived, two things aligned. Charles¡¯ initial treatment cycle wrapped up sessfully, and Elliana finally reached thest page of the Delta¡¯s historical archives.

    But Elliana hadn¡¯t forgotten Hailee. Now that her schedule had cleared a little, she picked up the phone and dialed Hailee. She¡¯d assumed Hailee was doing fine. No news usually meant no trouble.

    But the voice that came through the receiver shattered that illusion. It trembled with exhaustion, drenched in quiet despair. ¡°Elliana¡­ I don¡¯t understand. No matter what I do, I can¡¯t seem to escape this life. I feel like I¡¯m suffocating. Like the world is closing in, and I¡¯m too weak to push back.¡±

    rm surged through Elliana as she immediately asked, ¡°Hailee, what happened?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 155

    ?Chapter 155:

    In the midst of Hailee¡¯s emotional breakdown, the full scope of her troubles finally became clear to Elliana.

    Throughout thest week, Hailee¡¯s boyfriend had copsed from a sudden heart attack and had been immediately taken to the emergency room for urgent care. The cost of that single life-saving procedure had drained the entirety of the 230,000 prize money she had won from the Starry Oil paintingpetition.

    With her financespletely wiped out and more hospital bills piling up, Hailee had been pushing herself beyond her limits. She¡¯d spent her days working at a publishingpany and juggled three more part-time jobs after hours. In her desperation, she¡¯d even epted a job serving at the Imperial Lounge just to get fast cash.

    Her daily routine had be a constant whirlwind of fatigue, leaving her no time to eat properly. She often managed only a quick piece of bread between job shifts. Even though she had a solid educational background and a stable full-time position, her world had spiraled into chaos, all because of her boyfriend, who had be both a financial burden and an emotional weight.

    Hailee had always been a woman of fierce resilience. No matter how overwhelming life became, she kept going, driven by sheer willpower. But today, she had finally reached her breaking point. Her boyfriend had once again fallen critically ill and was back in the emergency room. His condition was still hanging in the bnce.

    Once Elliana ended the call, she wasted no time and hurried straight to Skyflower Hospital.

    Upon arrival, Elliana spotted Hailee curled up just outside the emergency doors, her arms wrapped around her knees and her face hidden against them. Her slight frame trembled with uncontroble sobs.

    ¡°Hailee,¡± Elliana called out softly.

    Hailee froze for a second and abruptly raised her head, her face tear-smeared. Agony rendered her momentarily mute.

    ???? ?????????? ???? ???????????? ¡ª ???????? ???? ?????????¦Í????????????

    Elliana walked over, helped Hailee up carefully, and guided her toward a bench nearby. ¡°Can you tell me what¡¯s happening?¡± she asked with quiet concern.

    With a shaky voice, Hailee responded, ¡°The doctor said my boyfriend¡¯s heart isn¡¯t the only problem. His kidneys are shutting down, too. They said he needs a¡­¡±

    ¡°Transnt right away. I happen to be apatible match, and I want to donate one of mine to him. But I¡¯m terrified my dad won¡¯t ept my decision.¡±

    A slight frown tugged at Elliana¡¯s expression. How had the situation taken such a devastating turn so quickly? She stated, ¡°Hailee, there¡¯s something I¡¯ve been wanting to ask. Are you truly that emotionally tied to your boyfriend? You¡¯ve endured so much suffering for him, and now you¡¯re ready to give up a kidney? Is he genuinely worth everything you¡¯re sacrificing?¡±

    Elliana remembered Hailee once mentioning how long she had known her boyfriend. By her calctions, their rtionship hadsted no more than a year. From what Hailee had said before, her boyfriend had been hospitalized just three months into their rtionship due to a recurrence of his heart condition. That didn¡¯t leave much time for blissful memories. Could a connection formed in such a brief time run that deep?

    ¡°My boyfriend came into my life because of a car crash,¡± Hailee replied with a strained smile. ¡°I was walking along the street when a speeding car swerved out of control and came straight at me. At thest possible second, he threw himself forward and pulled me out of the way. He ended up seriously hurt while saving me.¡±

    Elliana gave a slow nod, piecing it all together. ¡°So part of the reason you¡¯ve stayed by his side is because you feel you owe him your life?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Hailee answered. ¡°He was already living with a congenital heart defect, and the injuries he took on that day worsened his condition. I just can¡¯t leave him behind. I wouldn¡¯t be able to live with myself.¡±

    After a moment of silence, Hailee added, ¡°He¡¯s also the first man I¡¯d ever loved. Back when he was still healthy, we¡¯d go shopping, enjoy meals together, watch the ocean waves, and admire blooming gardens. Those were some of the most joyful moments I¡¯ve ever known. Even if I wasn¡¯t driven by gratitude, I could never turn away from someone who gave me such unforgettable memories.¡±

    Elliana quietly sighed, thinking how Hailee¡¯s kindness was both a gift and a curse.

    Right then, the emergency room doors burst open.

    Hailee sprang up from her seat and darted toward the doctor leading the team. ¡°How is my boyfriend doing?¡± she asked, her voice tight with anxiety.

    The doctor exhaled wearily. ¡°Ms. Loftus, your boyfriend¡¯s situation remains critical. Although we¡¯ve been able to stabilize him temporarily, his kidneys are failing. Without a transnt soon, his condition could worsen again at any moment.¡±

    Hailee¡¯splexion drained of all color, and her head drooped in despair.

    At that moment, a group of nurses wheeled a hospital bed out of the emergency room.

    Without hesitation, Hailee rushed toward the bed to check on her boyfriend, while Elliana stayed close behind her.

    Lying atop the bed was a young man dressed in standard hospital attire. His eyes remained shut, an oxygen mask covering the lower half of his face, and his tousled hair added to his fragile appearance. His skin looked ghostly pale, and each breath he took was faint andbored.

    Elliana examined him with a careful eye, her brows pulling together. With her years of medical experience, she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this young man didn¡¯t look like someone who had just survived a life-or-death emergency. Instead, his appearance reminded her of an actor, styled to perfection by a professional makeup team just to appear fragile.

    The doctor spoke up. ¡°Ms. Loftus, your boyfriend should wake up shortly. You¡¯ll be able to talk to him once he¡¯s in the ward.¡±

    Hailee gave a quick nod and immediately stepped aside to allow the nurses room to pass.

    The nurses pushed the bed toward the ward, and Hailee followed closely, never leaving the bedside. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, Elliana trailed after them.

    After Hailee¡¯s boyfriend was settled into the ward, the doctor turned back to Hailee. ¡°Ms. Loftus, please decide soon regarding the kidney transnt. There isn¡¯t much time left.¡±

    With those words, the doctor and the nurses quietly exited, leaving the room engulfed in stillness.

    Elliana¡¯s eyes remained on Hailee¡¯s boyfriend. There was something uncannily familiar about him.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 156

    ?Chapter 156:

    Elliana couldn¡¯t make out Hailee¡¯s boyfriend¡¯s face at first¡ªthe oxygen mask blurred his features. But as she studied him more closely, a chill ran down her spine. His facial features bore a striking resemnce to Trinity¡¯s.

    ¡°Hailee,¡± Elliana said slowly, not taking her eyes off Hailee¡¯s boyfriend. ¡°What¡¯s your boyfriend¡¯s name?¡±

    Hailee nced at her boyfriend, her expression frozen in disbelief. Her voice was barely a whisper. ¡°His name is Boris Craig.¡±

    Hearing this, Elliana¡¯s gaze sharpened. One could have dismissed the resemnce as a coincidence, but his surname was Craig¡ªand that changed everything. There was no doubt that Boris was somehow tied to Trinity. But then why had Hailee mentioned that Boris grew up in an orphanage, alone in the world with no family ties? Something didn¡¯t add up.

    With suspicion tightening in her chest, Elliana fired off a quick message to Matthew. ¡°See if there¡¯s a Boris Craig listed in the Craig family registry in Ublento.¡±

    Matthew¡¯s reply came in seconds. ¡°Got it.¡±

    Not long after, Elliana¡¯s phone buzzed again¡ªthis time with Boris¡¯s full profile. The file listed his name, age, and background in crisp, clinical detail. At the bottom, a photo stood out.

    Elliana studied the photo and then looked at the man lying seemingly unconscious in the hospital bed. The match was undeniable. Boris was the heir to the Craig family and Trinity¡¯s elder brother. And most damning of all? He was perfectly healthy. Exactly as she had suspected the moment sheid eyes on him¡ªhis so-called illness was nothing but a sham.

    Elliana narrowed her gaze, lips curving into a frosty, contemptuous smirk as she looked down at Boris. The Craig family had spent the past few years rising fast, thanks in no small part to their strategic alliance with the Evans family. Their partnership had funneled resources and power in both directions, catapulting them into the ranks of Ublento¡¯s six most powerful families. So what reason could a man like Boris¡ªwealthy, aristocratic, and privileged¡ªpossibly have for lying to a girl like Hailee? What game was he ying?

    As Elliana mulled over the implications, she caught the faint flicker of Boris¡¯s eyshes¡ªhe was stirring. She slipped out of the room without a sound, not¡­

    Hailee leaned in just beyond the door, watching through the narrow slit as events unfolded, not wanting to disrupt the performance she suspected wasing.

    ???????????????? ???????????? ???? g????????©q???

    Inside, Boris¡¯s eyelids fluttered open. His voice came out faint, barely more than a breath. ¡°Hailee¡­¡±

    Hailee instantly sped his hand, her face alight with relief. ¡°Boris, you¡¯re awake! Are you in pain? Is something making you uneasy?¡±

    ¡°I heard what the doctor said,¡± Boris whispered, a note of feigned sorrow in his voice. ¡°You should walk away, Hailee. I don¡¯t want to be a burden to you.¡±

    Her grip on his hand tightened. ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere,¡± she said softly, her eyes fierce with conviction. ¡°We¡¯re a match, Boris. I can donate one of my kidneys to you.¡±

    Boris blinked at her and blurted, ¡°You¡¯d really give me one of your kidneys?¡±

    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right,¡± Hailee answered with a firm nod. ¡°I¡¯ve already consulted the doctor. Humans have two kidneys, and I can live a normal life with just one.¡±

    Silence stretched for a beat. Then, Boris added with calcted hesitance, ¡°But the surgery costs a lot.¡±

    ¡°Leave the money to me¡ªI¡¯ll handle it,¡± Hailee stated with forced cheer, trying to sound confident for Boris¡¯s sake. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, okay?¡±

    She nced at the screen of her old phone and then looked back at him. ¡°I¡¯m heading out now to raise the funds. The doctors and nurses will take good care of you. Just focus on resting¡ªdon¡¯t think about anything else.¡±

    Boris gave a faint nod and let his eyes drift shut, as if sleep had reimed him.

    Hailee gently pulled the nket up to his chest, smoothing it with quiet care before rising to her feet. She stepped out into the hallway, easing the door shut behind her. The moment she was alone, the facade cracked. Her shoulders sagged, and a long, weary sigh slipped out. ¡°Half a million for the surgery¡­¡± she murmured, a deep sigh escaping her lips. ¡°Where am I supposed to find that kind of money?¡±

    As Hailee brushed a tear from her cheek, her eyes caught a flicker of movement. It took her a moment to realize she was staring at Elliana, the famed Rosa. Elliana could easily afford to lend her half a million dors. But they¡¯d only known each other a handful of days. Could she really ask? She hesitated, every instinct screaming at her to stay silent. She bit her lip, torn between desperation and pride.

    Elliana had sensed Hailee¡¯s intentions. She said nothing, merely pressed her lips into a neutral line and looked away, giving Hailee space to wrestle with herself.

    After a long silence, Hailee finally found her voice. ¡°Elliana, could you lend me five hundred thousand dors?¡± she asked, her tone trembling with both anxiety and resolve. ¡°I swear I¡¯ll pay you back. As soon as the transnt is done, I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to earn the money¡ªeven with interest.¡±

    ¡°Money¡¯s not the issue,¡± Elliana replied calmly. ¡°The question is¡ªhave you really thought this through? You¡¯re seriously nning to give a kidney to Boris?¡±

    Hailee¡¯s gaze dropped. ¡°I don¡¯t have another option. If I don¡¯t do it, he¡¯ll die. I can¡¯t just let that happen. He saved me once¡ªhow could I turn my back on him now?¡±

    Elliana tilted her head slightly. ¡°And what about your father? Have you thought about how he¡¯d feel if he knew?¡±

    ¡°I have,¡± Hailee responded, her voice barely a whisper. ¡°I¡¯m his only child. I know how much I mean to him. That¡¯s exactly why he can¡¯t ever find out. If he knew I gave up a kidney, it would destroy him.¡±

    A beat of silence stretched between them before Elliana spoke again¡ªgently, but with grave insistence. ¡°Hailee, even the simplest surgery carries risks. If something happens to you, and if you don¡¯t make it through¡ªhow do you think your father will survive that?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 157

    ?Chapter 157:

    Hailee crumpled to the floor, curling into a tight ball, her knees tucked close. She was at a loss for what to do, her inner turmoil evident on her face. Boris, her first love, the guy who¡¯d once saved her life. How could she turn her back on him? But the thought of her aging dad, left alone without a child because of her pigheadedness, gnawed at her. In the dim corridor, shadowy figures lurked, stealing sneaky nces. Elliana flicked her eyes toward them before focusing on Hailee, her voice steady as a calm sea.

    ¡°This is a big decision, Hailee. You can¡¯t keep Briggs in the dark. You¡¯ve got to hash this out with him.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Hailee said, nodding. ¡°I¡¯m heading home to talk to Dad now.¡±

    Hailee got to her feet. She and Elliana stepped into the elevator together.

    The second the elevator doors slid shut, the lurking figures slinked into Boris¡¯s hospital room.

    When the elevator hit the ground floor, Elliana turned to Hailee. ¡°I¡¯ve got something to handle, so I can¡¯t keep youpany. Let me know how it goes with the surgery money after you talk to Briggs.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± Hailee said, and they went their separate ways.

    Once Hailee was gone, Elliana rode the elevator back up, creeping quietly toward Boris¡¯s ward.

    Peeking through the cracked door, her gut feeling was spot-on. The shadowy figures were now crowded around Boris, whooping it up like it was New Year¡¯s Eve.

    Party poppers burst, champagne corks flew, and every face glowed with wild excitement. Boris, no longer the frail patient, sat propped up in bed, a smug grin stered on his face like he¡¯d won the lottery.

    ¡°Bottoms up, Boris,¡± purred a guy in a slick gray suit, holding out a flute of champagne with a flourish.

    Boris took a sip.

    ?????????????? ???????????? ? g?a?l?n?o?v?e?l?s?.?c?o?m

    ¡°You¡¯re a genius, Boris,¡± the guy continued, eyes shining with admiration. ¡°You¡¯ve got that gullible Hailee wrapped around your finger. She¡¯s so smitten that she¡¯s ready to hand over her kidney! You¡¯re a regr Casanova!¡±

    The others joined in, their cruelughter bouncing off the walls.

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see Hailee¡¯s face when she¡¯s down a kidney and realizes the love she poured her heart into was all a sham. She¡¯ll be crushed! Ha-ha¡­¡±

    Boris smirked, savoring his champagne. ¡°I didn¡¯t think she¡¯d be that easy to fool. All I did was y the hero, and she ate it up like candy. She¡¯s ready to do anything¡­¡±

    ¡°For me¡ªeven give up a kidney. Honestly, I¡¯m almost touched. If she wasn¡¯t so beneath me, I might¡¯ve actually considered keeping her around.¡±

    Saying this, he downed his ss with a cocky chuckle.

    ¡°By the way, Boris, saw Elliana with Hailee earlier. Think she¡¯ll rat us out?¡± someone piped up.

    Boris waved it off like swatting a fly. ¡°No chance. That ugly woman doesn¡¯t even know me.¡± His face hardened. ¡°Trinity said Elliana¡¯s been stirring up trouble for her. Once I¡¯ve got Hailee¡¯s kidney, I¡¯ll put that ugly woman in her ce and settle the score for Trinity.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s lips curled into a sneer at his words. The scene before her triggered a memory. During the filming of ¡°The Heiress¡¯ Graduation Trip,¡± she¡¯d noticed Vivien and the other socialites eyeing Hailee with strange looks. Now it all clicked. Boris¡¯s twisted game with Hailee was an open secret among the elite. For a whole year, Hailee had been the butt of their jokes.

    Boris and his crew had no qualms about shredding someone¡¯s dignity and health just for kicks. If Elliana hadn¡¯t been there, Hailee would¡¯ve lost a kidney, her life derailed forever.

    ¡°Lowlifes!¡± Elliana muttered, slipping her phone into her pocket and heading downstairs. She¡¯d recorded the whole thing and was ready to show Hailee, to rip the mask off Boris¡¯s ugly scheme.

    Outside the hospital, Elliana dialed Hailee.

    The call was picked up quickly, Hailee¡¯s voice heavy with sorrow. ¡°Elliana, hey.¡±

    ¡°Hailee, I¡¯ve got something big to tell you. Meet me at the caf¨¦ across from the hospital.¡±

    ¡°On my way,¡± Hailee said.

    After hanging up, Elliana headed to the caf¨¦.

    Hailee rushed in minutester. ¡°Elliana, what¡¯s up?¡±

    ¡°Take a seat,¡± Elliana said, nodding to the chair across from her. This wasn¡¯t going to be easy. Hailee was in deep with Boris¡¯s lies, and the truth would hit like a freight train. Elliana braced herself to break it gently and stick around for the aftermath. Just as Hailee settled in, Paige walked in.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 158

    ?Chapter 158:

    Paige strolled into the caf¨¦ with Vivien hobbling at her side.

    After the injury during the show¡¯s recording, Vivien had beenid up in the hospital. Today was her first outing, but her leg was still healing, making her limp like a wounded bird.

    Paige had shelled out a small fortune to lift Vivien¡¯s spirits, hoping to pry out the Hudson family¡¯s reaction to her humiliating flop at the Starry Oil Painting Competition.

    Vivien, Paige¡¯s loyal fangirl, was more than happy to dish the dirt after being showered with perks.

    When Paige heard Lenard had pressured Ran to break off their engagement and pursue Elliana instead, her blood boiled with hatred. Elliana again! It only hardened her resolve to use Merritt to wipe Elliana off the map. Sure, she was still holding out for Cole, but she wasn¡¯t about to toss Ran aside as her backup n until Cole was locked in.

    ¡°Paige, you¡¯re too good to me! I¡¯m having the best day!¡± Vivien gushed, practically bouncing despite her limp.

    Paige shed a sweet smile. ¡°We¡¯re besties. Who else would I spoil?¡±

    Vivien¡¯s face lit up, but her mood soured the second she spotted Elliana. Fury red like a matchstick, and she stormed over, venom dripping from her voice. ¡°Elliana, you hideous nobody! Did you show up here to ruin our vibe because you knew Paige and I would be here?¡±

    Vivien was green with envy ever since learning Elliana was the famous Rosa. She¡¯d dropped a fortune on Rosa¡¯s designer clothes and jewelry, but now felt too humiliated to wear them. At first, she¡¯d been spooked by Elliana¡¯s status as Cole¡¯s wife, but word was Cole was dodging the family estate to avoid sealing the deal with Elliana. That washed away her concerns.

    ¡°Miss Hudson, you¡¯ve got it all wrong. Elliana and I had no clue you¡¯d be here,¡± Hailee jumped in, quick to defend Elliana.

    Vivien shot Hailee a look that could curdle milk and sneered, ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you. Shouldn¡¯t you be racing to hand over your kidney to Boris? Why¡¯re you sticking your nose in here?¡±

    With a nasty grin, Vivien added, ¡°Wait, I get it. Ugly freaks and fools stick together. No wonder you two are pals!¡±

    ?????????? ???? ??????????????: ?????????????????????????

    Elliana¡¯s face stayed cool as ice. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a coin flying through the air, hitting Vivien¡¯s calf.

    The coin was tiny, and Elliana¡¯s move was lightning-fast. Nobody caught it. Vivien¡¯s pained yelp rang out as she crumpled to the floor. Her injury was still raw, and the fall left her soaked in cold sweat, unable to stand.

    Elliana smirked, unfazed. Dealing with a clown like Vivien took nothing more than a well-aimed coin¡ªno need for words.

    Paige missed Elliana¡¯s sleight of hand and figured Vivien had just tripped over her own feet.

    Seeing Vivien writhing on the floor, Paige couldn¡¯t help but think what a total klutz she was!

    Still, Paige put on a worried face and knelt beside Vivien. ¡°Vivien, hang tight. I¡¯ll call an ambnce.¡±

    Just as Paige reached for her phone, a man in ck darted over and snatched it from her hand.

    ¡°Ah!¡± Paige yelped, seemingly startled. ¡°Who are you? What do you want?¡±

    The guy didn¡¯t even nce her way. In a sh, the caf¨¦ door mmed shut, and more men in ck materialized from the shadows, each gripping weapons that screamed trouble.

    Their vibe was pure menace, like wolves circling prey.

    The caf¨¦ had been dead quiet earlier, and Elliana had chalked it up to a slow day. But now it hit her. A trap had been set from the jump. She just hadn¡¯t pinned down whether they were after her or Paige. Paige appeared paralyzed, her face white as a sheet, rooted to the spot while Vivien trembled on the floor.

    ¡°Elliana, what do we do?¡± Hailee asked nervously.

    Elliana pulled Hailee behind her. ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡±

    The men all wore ck masks, hiding their faces, but their eyes glinted with cold, practiced malice¡ªmarks of men who lived by the de.

    Elliana¡¯s eyes narrowed, biding her time for the right move. Were these professional hitmen? Or maybe a seasoned mercenary crew, no strangers to spilling blood?

    The leader of the ck-d crew zeroed in on Elliana. ¡°Sorry, Mrs. Evans. We¡¯re here to nab you and squeeze the Evans family for ransom.¡±

    ¡°y nice, and you won¡¯t get hurt.¡±

    Elliana wasn¡¯t fazed. So, she was the target. Now it was clear.

    Vivien, desperate, shouted, ¡°We don¡¯t know her! We¡¯re just here for coffee, minding our own business. Let us go!¡±

    The leader sneered, his voice dripping with scorn. ¡°Connected or not, you¡¯re in the wrong ce at the wrong time.¡± He waved a hand at his crew. ¡°Grab ¡¯em all!¡±

    The men in ck surged forward like a tidal wave¡­

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 159

    ?Chapter 159:

    The kidnappers secured Paige¡¯s wrists behind her back, the coarse rope biting into her skin. Then, with calcted menace, they turned their attention to Vivien.

    ¡°Please!¡± Paige pleaded, her voice quivering with mock panic. ¡°She¡¯s already injured¡ªdon¡¯t hurt her anymore. I¡¯m begging you.¡±

    Vivien¡¯s face had gone pale. Her words tumbled out in a rush. ¡°I¡¯m Vivien Hudson. My brother Ran is the heir to the Hudson family. He¡¯ll pay whatever you ask¡ªjust don¡¯t hurt me. And don¡¯t touch her either!¡± She jerked her chin toward Paige. ¡°She¡¯s his fianc¨¦e. Ask for double if you want¡ªhe¡¯ll give it to you.¡±

    At that, the kidnappers traded greedy looks, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.

    ¡°Well, well,¡± one of them drawled with a crooked grin. ¡°Two golden tickets in one night? Looks like it¡¯s our lucky day.¡±

    ¡°Be good, sweetheart,¡± another chuckled darkly. ¡°Behave, and maybe we won¡¯t be so rough.¡±

    Vivien¡¯s wrists were soon bound, and she was shoved down beside Paige. The ropes cut into her just as cruelly.

    Then, the leader¡¯s cold gaze shifted to Elliana. He stepped forward slowly, every inch of him radiating threat. ¡°Mrs. Evans,¡± he said, his voice like gravel. ¡°Are you going to y nice and let us tie you up, or do I have to let the boys get rough with you?¡±

    ¡°You really think you can pull that off?¡± Elliana sneered, her voiceced with scorn as she shot them a withering look.

    Then, without urgency, she let her eyes drift downward and slowly began rolling up her sleeves, each movement deliberate and unhurried. It had been too long since she¡¯d had a proper fight, and her limbs ached for action. A warm-up with these pathetic guys might be just what she needed.

    But the second her gaze caught the glint of metal¡ªck, matte, unmistakably a handgun¡ªbeing drawn from the leader¡¯s coat, her fingers stilled in mid-roll. A gun? That possibility hadn¡¯t crossed her mind. If it were just her, she¡¯d charge in without blinking. Firearms didn¡¯t scare her. Not in the hands of amateurs like these. But with Hailee by her side, overlooking her well-being was out of the question. Hailee, with no training and no instincts, had no way to dodge a bullet. Were tensions to boil over and a stray bullet to catch her, the result would be catastrophic.

    Elliana exhaled slowly and let her arms fall back to her sides. Her tone cooled to something measured but firm as she faced the leader directly. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll go with you. But the girl behind me? She¡¯s just a civilian. She¡¯s not worth anything to you. Let her go.¡±

    ???????????????? ?????????????? ???????? g???????????????????????

    The leader sneered, his expression unreadable. ¡°Sorry, Mrs. Evans. We can¡¯t take any risks. Your friend¡¯sing too.¡±

    With a curt wave of his hand, the leader barked at his men, ¡°Take them!¡±

    A secondter, Elliana and Hailee were bound and shoved into the back of a ck van, tossed beside Paige and Vivien like cargo.

    Elliana didn¡¯t resist. Not yet. She wasn¡¯t reckless enough to make a move without knowing what they were dealing with. These men were efficient, coordinated, and well-armed¡ªthis wasn¡¯t some small-time grab-and-run. Whoever had orchestrated this wasn¡¯t just bold; they were powerful. And she was determined to find out who¡¯d dared toe after her.

    Meanwhile, at the Royal Club, in avishly decorated private suite, Cole, An, Merlin, and Manley convened for a cash-based card game. Of the four, Manley was always the first to throw himself into these games¡ªhe relished every match and usually wrangled the others into joining.

    But tonight, the invitation hadn¡¯te from Manley. Cole had been the one to call them together, a rare move that sent a ripple of surprise through the group.

    As soon as they got Cole¡¯s message, everyone abandoned their ns and hurried over, unable to ignore the unusual summons. Despite the grand setting, a heavy tension hung in the air, making every breath feel thick and uneasy.

    Cole sat at the table, his jaw locked tight, eyes simmering with barely restrained anger. Each time he pped a card down, itnded with a sharp snap, his knuckles white from the force¡ªone wrong move and he seemed on the brink of snapping.

    No one could shake the sense that Cole might leap up and hit someone without warning.

    A few of them eyed the door, tempted to slip out and corner one of Cole¡¯s right-hand men¡ªMyles, Aron, or Hugh¡ªfor an exnation, but Cole yed with such relentless focus that no one dared move.

    Outside, Myles, Aron, and Hugh hovered anxiously by the door, every muscle tense. The possibility of being called in by Cole was enough to make their stomachs twist. They¡¯d rather face a firing squad. They could only thank their luck that Cole had chosen An, Merlin, and Manley for tonight¡¯s game¡ªthose three had the money to lose, while the rest would be ruined in a single hand.

    Cole¡¯s luck¡ªor perhaps his menace¡ªcontinued unchecked, cleaning everyone out again and again. Finally, after another punishing loss, Manley couldn¡¯t take it anymore. He mmed his cards on the table and fixed Cole with a pointed stare. ¡°Alright, Cole, what¡¯s going on with you tonight? You¡¯re ying like a man possessed. If something¡¯s up, just say it¡ªwe might even be able to help.¡±

    An and Merlin paused, their attention sharpening with intrigue. Cole, usually the picture of cool restraint, seemed like a different man altogether. The unppable leader they knew had vanished, reced by someone bristling with barely contained frustration.

    Cole stayed silent, so Manley tried to break the tension with a forced grin. ¡°What, don¡¯t tell me a woman¡¯s got you like this?¡±

    His attempt at humor backfired. Cole¡¯s scowl deepened, and the mood in the room grew heavier.

    An and Merlin traded nces, silently agreeing¡ªManley had struck a nerve. This was indeed about a woman. But neither could recall a single time when a woman had ever thrown Cole so off bnce.

    Whoever she was, she clearly meant more to him than anyone else ever had.

    Then, all three instantly thought of Elliana.

    Manley, growing bolder, pressed on. ¡°Let me guess¡ªyou and Elliana had another fight?¡±

    That did it. Cole¡¯s patience snapped. He mmed his cards onto the table, his voice thunderous. ¡°Don¡¯t mention that woman¡¯s name in front of me!¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 160

    ?Chapter 160:

    The moment Cole finished speaking, he violently kicked the table aside and slumped back into the sofa, shutting his eyes in quiet rage. Elliana. That infuriating woman. He had spent an entire week waiting for her to reach out, and yet nothing came of it.

    No text, no call. ording to Paulina, she hadn¡¯t even mentioned his name once. She acted as if he no longer existed. She¡¯d said she didn¡¯t want him, and clearly, she wasn¡¯t bluffing. So what was the point of that confession she made about being drawn to him?

    Stunned by Cole¡¯s reaction, An, Merlin, and Manley remained silent, not daring to speak. It made no sense. What kind of strange power did Elliana, who wasn¡¯t even striking in appearance, have to make someone like Cole¡ªproud and emotionally distant¡ªfall for her so hard?

    While the three of them pondered this mystery, Myles stepped into the room. The heavy tension hit him instantly, and he approached Cole with care before saying, ¡°Mr. Evans, something happened. Mrs. Evans has been kidnapped. The kidnappers sent a message asking for a ransom or else¡­¡±

    This made An, Merlin, and Manley go stiff, their faces losing all color. Who would be reckless enough to kidnap someone tied to Cole and go as far as to demand a ransom?

    Though Cole¡¯s eyes stayed shut, he momentarily froze at the news. Then, without opening his eyes, he let out a cold, sharpugh. ¡°Ha! That vile woman finally ran out of luck.¡±

    For a moment, Cole felt Elliana deserved it. She had rejected him and refused to cherish him, and now she suffered. She hadn¡¯t so much as batted an eyelid when he¡¯d stormed off. Afterward, in his absence, she¡¯d yed the role of the matriarch of the household without bothering to text or call him. Now, she wasnded in danger because some morons assumed he didn¡¯t care about her. This might serve as a harsh lesson¡ªthat falling out of his grace and not being protected by him would make her a prime target.

    Myles stood frozen,pletely thrown by Cole¡¯s response and uncertain of his next move.

    ¡°Cole, aren¡¯t you going to rescue Elliana?¡± Manley asked hesitantly. Given Cole¡¯s personality, even if his feelings for Elliana wereplicated, the moment someone threatened her while she carried the name Mrs. Evans, he would defend her. Besides, his feelings for her weren¡¯t exactly subtle. Plus, Cole loathed being¡­

    Anyone who had ever pulled that off before had learned the hard way that it never ended well. What on earth was making him act like this today?

    ???????? ???????? ?????????? ???? g????????¦Í????????????

    ¡°Why should I rescue her?¡± Atst, Cole opened his eyes and cast a look at Manley. ¡°She pushed me away. So why should I waste even a dime on someone who clearly doesn¡¯t want me? Do I look that desperate to you?¡±

    He wasn¡¯t about to humiliate himself by pouring his resources into a woman who had already rejected him. That would be absurd. The air in the room grew heavy. Nobody dared utter a single word. Cole straightened his posture. ¡°Let¡¯s pick up where we left off with the card game.¡±

    Without a word, he lifted the overturned table and began gathering the scattered ying cards.

    Right as An, Merlin, and Manley braced themselves to sit back down and continue, Cole abruptlyshed out and sent the table flying once more.

    With a deafening crash, the table mmed across the room. Everyone jumped at the sound.

    ¡°Damn it!¡± Cole stormed toward the door, his eyes cutting through the room like des. The sheer intensity in his presence chilled the room.

    ¡°Forget the cards. I¡¯m going to make those morons pay!¡±

    Myles stood frozen for a few moments before hurrying after Cole.

    Merlin, having once served as an international special forces soldier, picked up on the danger instantly. The moment Myles shared the details, his instincts kicked in, and he strode after them without hesitation.

    Manley rubbed the bridge of his nose and said, ¡°I see a storm of emotions brewing in Cole.¡±

    An let out a quietugh. ¡°Let¡¯s catch up. I want to see how this ys out.¡±

    Manley and An immediately followed behind Cole.

    At the same time, Elliana and the others had already been forced aboard a private aircraft. The quiet caf¨¦ had served as nothing more than a carefully set trap, and the abduction had been executed so quietly that it left no trace. The captives were shoved into a ck van, driven to the shoreline, and then loaded onto a private ne that soared out over the ocean.

    As the coastline disappeared behind them, Vivien¡¯s sobs grew louder.

    ¡°Paige, where are they taking us? I¡¯m really scared¡­¡±

    In a gentle tone, Paige replied, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Vivien. I¡¯ll protect you.¡± Without warning, Vivien whipped around and shouted at Elliana, her eyes zing, ¡°This is all your fault, you walking curse! You¡¯ve dragged us into this!¡±

    Elliana¡¯s gaze remained frosty as she stared at Vivien and Paige. Since when did Paige have suchposure and courage? Back at the art gallery, Paige had been practically trembling when a few shoes were thrown onto the stage. Now, while being hauled onto a private aircraft by kidnappers, she kept her cool and evenforted someone else. Had she magically turned into someone brave?

    Elliana knew there was no sudden transformation. That much was certain. Only one exnation made sense¡ªPaige had been part of this whole kidnapping from the beginning. Since Paige was coborating with the kidnappers, the person capable of organizing their transport via a private ne had to be Merritt. Vivien was merely a pawn in this conspiracy.

    The moment that truth settled in, Elliana cast Vivien a sideways nce filled with sarcasm. ¡°You¡¯re the type who gets stabbed in the back and still thanks the one holding the knife.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Vivien¡¯s brow furrowed.

    Elliana didn¡¯t bother answering. Instead, she turned to Hailee with sincerity in her voice. ¡°Hailee, I¡¯m really sorry for pulling you into this. But I promise I¡¯ll protect you.¡±

    Hailee quickly shook her head. ¡°Don¡¯t say that, Elliana. You¡¯re not to me.¡±

    The aircraft soared through the night sky for six full hours before finally descending onto a luxury yacht drifting in the middle of the ocean under the cloak of darkness.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 161

    ?Chapter 161:

    The nended smoothly on the yacht¡¯s deck, its doors swinging open as the staircase was lowered.

    The men in ck led Paige and Vivien down first, then turned back to bring Elliana and Hailee down.

    A strong breeze swept across the sea,shing against their faces and causing their clothing to flutter wildly.

    Without resisting, Elliana followed the group of men, all the while carefully studying the yacht and its surroundings.

    This vessel was clearly a private luxury yacht, towering five stories high and styled like a sleek ck swan, dripping with opulence and power.

    The ship had ventured deep into international waters¡ªno man¡¯snd¡ªsurrounded by endless sea, with not a single other vessel in sight.

    Up ahead, Paige and Vivien walked ahead with the men in ck. Vivien, gripped by fear, kept edging closer to Paige, visibly shaking. Paige mumbled a few empty words offort and then turned her head to nce back.

    When locking eyes with Paige, Elliana saw a bold mix of smugness and triumph.

    That expression confirmed what Elliana had already suspected: Merritt was the mastermind behind her kidnapping. Merritt, once a dockside hustler who had wed his way to fortune through maritime trade, had since expanded his grip into show business. Yet, his real strength remained in controlling the seas.

    It didn¡¯t take long for Elliana to figure out the motive behind Paige and Merritt¡¯s scheme. They hated her guts and wanted to eliminate her, but because they feared Cole¡¯s wrath, they used this kidnapping as a way to test his response. Should Cole show concern, Merritt would vanish from the scene, shifting the me onto anonymous criminals. Should Cole react indifferently, they would ensure she was lost forever beneath the waves.

    As for Vivien, Elliana figured Paige nned to stage a heroic rescue, a strategic move to win the Hudson family¡¯s gratitude and stop them from calling off the engagement.

    Holding Paige¡¯s challenging gaze, Elliana responded with a cool, almost amused smile.

    Merritt had risen from street-level thug to feared figure in the criminal underworld, leaving a trail of blood behind. Elliana had long intended to bring him down. She just hadn¡¯t found the perfect opening¡ªuntil now.

    ?????? ?????????? ???? g???????¦Í??????£®?????

    Paige had believed that with Merritt shielding her, she could act without consequence. But Elliana had other ns. Today, she intended to bring Merritt down once and for all and put an end to his reign of terror. She was curious to see what desperate move Paige would attempt next.

    Once inside the cabin, the group was escorted by the men in ck to the top floor via elevator.

    ¡°Separate them into two rooms!¡± instructed the man in charge. Paige and Vivien were assigned to the room on the left, while Elliana and Hailee were ced in the room on the right.

    Without resistance, Elliana moved toward the door on the right.

    ¡°Elliana,¡± Paige called out.

    Elliana paused, turning her head.

    A slow, knowing smile curved across Paige¡¯s lips. ¡°Farewell.¡±

    Elliana sneered inwardly. Paige was convinced this would be her final day alive.

    ¡°Move!¡± One of the men in ck gave Elliana a harsh shove into the room. Hailee was pushed in right after.

    A loud ¡°click¡± echoed as the door locked behind them.

    The room was pitch ck, with no windows or lights to speak of. Though the shove had been aggressive, Elliana quickly regained her bnce after a few firm steps.

    Hailee, however, stumbled forward, crashing into Elliana, her arms tightly bound behind her, making it nearly impossible to steady herself. In the pitch-ck room, Elliana guided Hailee by relying solely on the sound of Hailee¡¯s movements.

    A gasp escaped Hailee as she asked in disbelief, ¡°Elliana, how did you manage to get your hands free?¡±

    ¡°Keep your voice down,¡± Elliana said gently while working on loosening Hailee¡¯s bindings.

    Once Hailee¡¯s wrists were released, she massaged them gingerly and whispered, ¡°Elliana, that was incredible! How did you undo the ropes?¡± A slight smile tugged¡­

    At Elliana¡¯s lips. Truthfully, ropes like those posed no real challenge to her. Even metal chains couldn¡¯t keep her restrained. But there was no way she could tell Hailee that, so she simply said, ¡°They didn¡¯t tie me tightly. I just moved a little, and the knots slipped off.¡±

    ¡°I see,¡± Hailee replied,pletely convinced. ¡°So, what should we do next?¡±

    By now, Elliana¡¯s eyes had adjusted to the darkness. She slowly turned, taking in their surroundings. Despite the overall darkness, two small vents in the walls allowed a sliver of light to pass through, giving her just enough to make out the room¡¯syout.

    What they had been locked in was clearly a storage space. The walls were bare, the floor cluttered, and metal shelves lined one side of the room.

    Elliana¡¯s eyes stopped on the contents of those shelves, and a grin began to form. This wasn¡¯t just any storage room¡ªit was a full-blown weapons stash. The shelves were packed with des, daggers, and an assortment of guns.

    Those men in ck must have assumed that two unarmed women wouldn¡¯t dare touch any of it. Or if they did, they¡¯d be too unskilled and frightened to use any of the weapons properly. So, they¡¯d carelessly locked them inside without a second thought. They had no idea that with just a few of these tools, Elliana could wipe out every single one of them aboard the yacht.

    Still smiling, Elliana turned to Hailee and said, ¡°Listen closely to what I¡¯m about to tell you. I need you to focus¡­¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 162

    ?Chapter 162:

    Hailee couldn¡¯t quite exin it, but being near Elliana gave her a sense of unwavering security. It was as though Elliana¡¯s presence alone promised protection, anchoring her in trust and calm.

    ¡°Elliana, I¡¯ll do whatever you say,¡± Hailee responded with firm determination.

    Lowering her voice, Elliana leaned in close and whispered, ¡°Very soon, there might be serious fighting aboard this yacht. I¡¯m going to find a secure ce to hide you. No matter what you hear or what happens, if I don¡¯t return, stay hidden. Don¡¯te out, do you understand?¡±

    Hailee nodded instinctively, but her eyes soon widened in panic. ¡°What about you? Where are you going? Aren¡¯t you staying with me?¡±

    Without replying immediately, Elliana moved toward the shelves, carefully scanning the weapons arranged there.

    Nervously, Hailee followed a few steps behind. The faint light had kept her from noticing earlier, but now the sharp des and cold steel guns were in full view, making her flinch. Her chest tightened with unease.

    ¡°Elliana, why are there so many deadly weapons in here? Are the people who took us actually pirates?¡± Hailee asked, her voice quivering.

    Elliana picked up a curved de, testing its weight in her palm. Her tone was steady as she answered, ¡°Those men belong to an international crime syndicate. They¡¯re involved in everything¡ªpiracy, assassination, armed robbery, abduction, and ckmail. Nothing is off-limits for them.¡±

    Hailee¡¯s fear only grew stronger. ¡°But you still haven¡¯t said¡ªafter you hide me, what are you going to do?¡±

    To calm Hailee, Elliana gave a reassuring smile and softened her tone. ¡°Don¡¯t you remember? They captured me because they want to use me as leverage against Cole. For that, they¡¯ll need me alive. They won¡¯t harm me until negotiations begin.¡±

    In reality, Elliana had no intention of waiting around. Once Hailee was safe, she nned to tear this ce apart and bring everyst criminal down with it. She knew the battle ahead would be savage¡ªand far too horrific for Hailee to witness.

    ¡°Oh,¡± Hailee murmured, epting Elliana¡¯s exnation without question. After a brief pause, she looked at Elliana again, hesitation flickering in her eyes. ¡°But I want to stay with you. If something terrible happens, maybe I can protect you! I know I¡¯m not very strong, but I¡¯d give up everything for my friends. If anything happened to you, I couldn¡¯t go on living like nothing happened.¡±

    ?????? ?????? ???????? ????????: g???????¦Í????????????

    Elliana turned toward Hailee, smiling warmly. This was exactly why she held her friendship with Hailee so close to her heart. In all her life, she had never met anyone as sincere, gentle, and kind as Hailee. In a world filled with deceit andplexity, a friend like Hailee felt like a rare treasure.

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about me. Cole will protect me. What I need from you is to stay hidden,¡± Elliana said firmly, leaving no room for argument.

    Hailee gave a small nod, though uncertainty lingered in her voice. ¡°Elliana, do you really believe Mr. Evans wille for you?¡±

    Would Cole trulye for her? Elliana didn¡¯t answer right away, her thoughts drifting. Since the day they argued and parted ways, he hadn¡¯t shown up at the Evans family¡¯s residence, nor had he reached out to her. She had a gnawing feeling that he had already given up on her and might have spent the past seven days in the arms of another woman.

    ¡°He¡¯lle,¡± Elliana said, her tone unwavering. Even if he no longer cared for her and didn¡¯t feel like rescuing her, he would stille. His pride wouldn¡¯t allow anyone to threaten him. She had heard stories about him¡ªstories of those who crossed him and ended up ruined or begging for mercy. So yes, he woulde, if only to settle the score and reim his dominance. In that way, their objectives were aligned. They both wanted to reduce this yacht to nothing.

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 Chapter 163

    ?Chapter 163:

    Watching Elliana speak with such confidence, Hailee finally rxed. ¡°There have been rumors going around saying Mr. Evans doesn¡¯t want you anymore¡ªthat he¡¯s been avoiding the Evans estate just so he wouldn¡¯t have to see you. But I never believed them. I¡¯ve seen the way he looks at you. He really cares.¡±

    Elliana offered a slight smile but chose to remain silent, turning her attention to selecting the weapons she needed.

    d in a ck tracksuit, Elliana had the freedom to move easily, though it wasn¡¯t ideal for hiding weapons. Without hesitation, she reached for a ck trench coat hanging nearby, stuffing the inner pockets with loaded magazines and fastening two curved des along the inner lining.

    Unsure of what Elliana was preparing for, Hailee stayed quietly off to the side, observing her movements without interrupting.

    After some time had passed, the sudden thunderous whir of helicopter des tore through the silence above them.

    Elliana halted her actions immediately, pulling adder from the corner of the room and positioning it beneath the venttion holes. She quickly climbed up and pressed her eyes to the small openings in the wall.

    Night had already begun to fall, casting the sea in a deep crimson glow under the setting sun.

    The vents provided a direct view of the yacht¡¯s deck, allowing Elliana to take in the unfolding scene outside.

    Lined up on the deck were two rows of men dressed in ck, each holding an assault rifle, their weapons aimed at a ck helicopter descending steadily toward the yacht.

    Within seconds, the helicopter touched downpletely.

    The cabin door swung open, and a gangway unfolded. From within, a tall man dressed head to toe in ck stepped out, his presence striking and impossible to ignore. As he walked forward, the very air seemed to grow heavier, as if the atmosphere itself recognized his dominance.

    Elliana narrowed her eyes, her heartbeat quickening. It was him. Cole hade.

    ?????????????? ???????????? ????: g????????¦Í??????©q?????

    Cole stepped off the helicopter with purpose, his gaze sharp and ice-cold, radiating an authority so intense that it seemed to thicken the air around him.

    Without needing a word, the armed men dressed in ck instinctively backed away by two steps. Even though they had the home-ground advantage, greater numbers, and rifles in hand, none of that erased the dread creeping over them. Standing in Cole¡¯s presence felt like confronting an entire army alone.

    Trailing behind Cole were Myles, Aron, and Hugh.

    Under normal circumstances, Aron and Hugh, as the heads of Cole¡¯s security team, would have led the way, checking every corner for safety before allowing Cole to step out with Myles.

    But today was different. Fueled by unrelenting rage, Cole had no time for protocol. The moment the aircraft doors opened, he shoved Aron and Hugh aside and stormed out ahead of everyone.

    That single move made Myles tense up, his heart skipping a beat. He quickly turned to Aron and Hugh and instructed, ¡°Don¡¯t leave Mr. Evans¡¯ side for a second!¡±

    When they left Ublento, the kidnappers had set strict terms¡ªno bodyguards, no weapons. Any vition would put the hostage¡¯s life at risk. For that reason, only Myles, Aron, and Hugh had apanied Cole on this mission.

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 Chapter 164

    ?Chapter 164:

    Surrounded by armed men in such a vast andwless sea, danger hung in the air like a loaded weapon. Myles remained hyper-alert, dreading a single mistake that could cost Cole his life.

    Fully understanding the stakes, Aron and Hugh wasted no time. They leapt from the aircraft and took their positions beside Cole.

    ¡°Mr. Evans has brought the ransom, and this is your idea of a wee?¡± Myles shouted, his tone sharp as steel. His eyes, framed behind sleek ck sses, zed with intensity, a stark contrast to his usual calm and intellectual appearance.

    Watching from her hidden spot, Elliana couldn¡¯t help but be impressed. Myles wasn¡¯t just eloquent¡ªhe was capable andmanding. A huge asset in any situation. Could he actually be the mysterious hacker known as Jody?

    Unbeknownst to the men standing on deck, Elliana was witnessing every move from afar.

    Once Myles finished, the leader of the men in ck struggled to ovee his fear of Cole and raised his voice. ¡°Hands up! We need to search all of you!¡±

    Hearing this, Cole let out a coldugh. ¡°You worthless scum think you have the right to search me?¡± His face hardened in an instant, and his formidable aura swept over them like a storm. ¡°Go get your boss. I¡¯m not here to y your stupid games!¡±

    Shaken by Cole¡¯s intimidating presence, the leader stiffened like a statue. Without another word, he motioned for a subordinate to scan Cole and his crew with a handheld device. Only once the scan confirmed they carried no weapons did he begin to ease.

    Right then, An, Merlin, and Manley stepped off the aircraft, joining the group on the deck.

    ¡°Why are there extra people here?¡± the leader asked, his voiceced with unease. ¡°Weren¡¯t you instructed not to bring any bodyguards?¡±

    ¡°Are you blind or something?¡± Manley retorted without hesitation.

    ?????????????????? ?????????????? ??????????: ?????????¦Í???????????????

    The leader examined the three neers more closely.

    Dressed in a crisp white suit, An looked every bit the gentleman¡ªpolished and graceful. Manley, with his bold floral shirt, had a carefree charm that shed with the image of a hired guard. Neither gave off the slightest hint of being dangerous.

    Although Merlin¡¯s eyes were sharp and his presence unmistakably powerful, he wore sleek ck casualwear that spoke more of wealth than of security detail.

    All three, much like Cole himself, possessed a natural air of superiority that suggested they came from prestigious circles.

    ¡°Who exactly are you people?¡± the leader asked, trying to mask his growing tension.

    With a grin full of disdain, Manley answered, ¡°You nobodies aren¡¯t qualified to know us. If you¡¯re curious, ask your boss. Just tell him we came to watch how this unfolds, so he better not push his luck.¡±

    Inside the surveince room, Merritt watched the scene on the deck and abruptly sat upright, his body tightening the moment he recognized An, Merlin, and Manley. He had never imagined that this situation would attract such high-profile figures. What happened next could take a dramatic turn¡ªeither for the better or the worse. If he managed to gain favor with Cole, it might open doors to powerful families like those of An, Merlin, and Manley. But if he provoked Cole and his scheme got exposed, his downfall would be inevitable and absolute.

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    .

    .

 Chapter 165

    ?Chapter 165:

    After an initial wave of panic, Merritt forced himself to calm down and issued a set of rapid instructions to the leader on deck. First, he ordered immediate action.

    Merritt quickly issued a set of rapid instructions to the leader on deck. First, he ordered reinforcement of security measures, as the danger level on the yacht had now increased. Second, he emphasized the need for extreme caution, warning all men in ck not to offend Cole and his crew. Third, hemanded all men in ck to remain adaptable and carry out his orders without hesitation.

    After receiving thesemands, the leader had An, Merlin, and Manley scanned. Once the scan confirmed they carried nothing dangerous and that the aircraft held no additional passengers, he bowed respectfully to Cole and said, ¡°Mr. Evans, please step inside.¡±

    Cole flicked the droplets of water off his coat and walked confidently toward the entrance of the yacht¡¯s cabin, the others moving in step behind him.

    Typically, when the family members of hostages entered their of the captors, they would tread lightly, doing everything in their power to appear submissive. Every word was carefully chosen out of fear that a single misstep might endanger the hostages¡¯ lives.

    But Cole entered the scene as if he owned it. With one hand casually tucked into his trouser pocket, he strode in tall andposed, his gaze distant and full of authority. He didn¡¯t look at people so much as he looked past them, each step exuding a cold, untouchable presence. Cole¡¯s presence turned the men with assault rifles into nothing more than clumsy amateurs.

    Instead of maintaining control, the armed captors were nearly trembling, while the hostages¡¯ family members seemed unfazed. Once everyone entered the cabin, Elliana could no longer see what unfolded on the dock. She quietly climbed down from thedder.

    Hailee, who had been waiting nearby, lifted her head in curiosity. As soon as Elliana¡¯s feet touched the floor, she leaned in and whispered,

    ¡°Elliana, what¡¯s going on outside?¡±

    ?????????????? ???????????????????? ???????? g???????¦Í??????©o?????

    ¡°Cole¡¯s here,¡± Elliana replied, her voice calm and confident.

    Without wasting a second, Elliana dropped to the floor, sat cross-legged, and pulled her phone from her pocket. After a few taps and swipes, she began essing the yacht¡¯s satellite systems.

    Because they were in the middle of open waters, far from any coastal signal towers, there was no regr phone reception. That was why the kidnappers hadn¡¯t bothered taking their devices. What they didn¡¯t realize was that Elliana was none other than the legendary hacker known to the world as Quinn.

    For someone like Elliana, breaching the yacht¡¯s exclusive satellitework was almost effortless.

    In moments, her phone disyed the live surveince feed of Cole and the others as they moved across the vessel.

    Hailee watched in stunned silence, unable to believe her eyes. It felt like witnessing magic. Since crossing paths with Elliana, her life had taken on the speed and unpredictability of a bullet train, bringing her face-to-face with people and events she never imagined encountering.

    After a brief pause, Hailee quietly¡­

    Settled beside Elliana, Hailee¡¯s eyes were fixed on the surveince feed ying on the screen.

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 Chapter 166

    ?Chapter 166:

    In the room next door, following Paige¡¯s orders, the kidnappers had injected Vivien with a sedative. Now, shey motionless on the floor, unconscious andpletely unaware.

    Paige lounged on the sofa, casually sipping from a cup of coffee, her eyes locked on the surveince footage streaming from her own phone. The moment Cole¡¯s tall, maic figure appeared on the screen, her heart skipped a beat. Her gaze softened, filled with longing and admiration. Every time sheid eyes on him, she found herself even more captivated by his charm.

    Although Paige had once imed herself as Cole¡¯s fianc¨¦e, she had never earned even a flicker of his attention. She had never been allowed into his inner circle. Watching An, Merlin, and Manley now trailing behind Cole like trusted allies, she felt a wave of discontent rise within her. Ran seemed entirely unremarkable. Even though the Hudson family held a respected name in Ublento, they were nothingpared to the Evans, Shaw, Swain, and kely families. Cole stood at the pinnacle of Ublento¡¯s elite, and his friends were far more remarkable than Ran. As the city¡¯s most celebrated socialite, Paige believed she shouldn¡¯t settle for the likes of Ran. With every passing thought, her frustration with her current situation only intensified.

    As her frustration grew, so did her resentment toward Elliana in the room next door. Had Elliana not disrupted her ns, she would have already be Cole¡¯s wife, enjoying her rightful status among the elite. Whatever the oue today, one thing was certain¡ªElliana had to disappear. She would not stand by and watch Elliana im the life that was meant to be hers.

    Meanwhile, guided by the men in ck, Cole and his group entered a grand hall.

    The hall was furnished with extreme extravagance, featuring plush sofas and tables sourced from elite global luxury brands.

    Though the decor screamed opulence, the mood in the room was anything but rxed¡ªtension hung in the air like a storm about to break.

    ???????????? ???? ??????????: ??????????????????©q?????

    The ceiling stretched up to the second floor, leaving the hall feeling wide and open.

    At ground level, every corner was guarded by men dressed in ck, each holding an assault rifle, and in the shadowed sections above, even more gunmen stood ready. Together, they formed ayered, inescapable trap. If things went south, Cole and his group would be torn apart in seconds by a rain of bullets.

    While anyone else might have been paralyzed by fear in such a situation, Cole remained entirelyposed. His gaze held an edge of arrogance, even a glimmer of dark amusement.

    Trailing closely behind him, Myles, Aron, and Hugh stood like seasoned warriors, every inch of them alert and battle-tested. Their presence alone sent a clear message¡ªCole was well-guarded.

    An, Merlin, and Manley, each a dominant force in his own right, appearedpletely unbothered. They moved with ease, like spectators at a high-stakes game rather than yers caught in danger. Manley, in particr, looked the most rxed, his hands casually tucked into his pockets, gum between his teeth, and his grinced with mischief.

    After scanning the entire space with a sharp nce, Cole made his way to the center and settled onto the grand sofa.

    Behind him, Myles, Aron, and Hugh naturally assumed their protective positions, standing like sentinels.

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 Chapter 167

    ?Chapter 167:

    With effortless calm, An, Merlin, and Manley dropped into their seats on the sofa beside Cole.

    The leader of the men in ck looked at these imposing figures, his chest tightening with unease. His pulse raced wildly. He had followed Merritt into all kinds of shady dealings, but never had they taken a gamble this foolish¡ªgoing up against the Evans, Shaw, Swain, and kely families all at once. It felt like Merritt was flirting with death.

    Momentster, a middle-aged man wearing a mask stepped into the hall¡­

    The man behind the mask wore a ck casual ensemble, his broad frame intimidating, resembling the kind of underworld boss often portrayed in gritty crime shows. As he moved forward, his shoulders swung with heavy purpose, drawing every eye in the room.

    Without hesitation, he dropped onto the sofa opposite Cole, letting out a gravellyugh. ¡°Mr. Evans, I never imagined you¡¯d care so deeply for that ugly wife of yours. Not only did you respond, but you showed up in person to collect her.¡±

    Although the masked man and Cole now sat across from one another, a notable gap remained between them.

    Cole cast a frigid nce at the masked man before shifting his gaze downward again, his silence tightening the atmosphere like a noose.

    From her screen, Elliana continued to observe. Her lips curved into a cold, mocking smile as her eyes remained fixed on the masked man. Right now, Merritt was still testing the waters. Too cautious to appear himself, he had chosen to hide in the shadows, sending ackey to y the frontman while he monitored Cole¡¯s reactions from a safe distance. It remained unclear whether Cole had already seen through this flimsy act.

    Just as the thought crossed her mind, she watched Cole slowly raise his eyelids and lean back into the sofa, his stare turning cold. ¡°Stop wasting my time.¡±

    The masked man hesitated briefly beforeughing again. ¡°Mr. Evans, you really don¡¯t like to dance around. Fine, let¡¯s talk business.¡± Raising three fingers, the masked man said clearly, ¡°We want three billion as ransom.¡±

    The second those words left his mouth, the room tensed visibly. That amount was outrageous. Not even a bank robbery could bring in three billion so easily.

    ???????????? ???????????? ???? ?????????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°Mr. Evans, we¡¯re holding your wife. That should be a fair amount, right?¡± the masked man added with a smug grin.

    ¡°My wife¡¯s value rests entirely on how I feel about her,¡± Cole sneered. ¡°If she means something to me, then three billion wouldn¡¯t even scratch the surface. But if she doesn¡¯t, then even three dors would be a stretch.¡±

    There was a brief pause before the masked man asked, ¡°Then tell me, Mr. Evans, how much do you think she is really worth?¡±

    Cole reached into his pocket and pulled out a coin, letting it spin effortlessly between his fingers. ¡°You¡¯re asking about her? She¡¯s worth exactly this¡ªjust a single coin.¡±

    Every person in the room heard the words loud and clear.

    From her hidden spot, Elliana caught the sentence too, her eyes fixed on the surveince feed.

    In their separate rooms, Merritt and Paige also caught every word. But their interpretations could not have been more different.

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 Chapter 168

    ?Chapter 168:

    The moment Merritt heard those words, the tight knot in his chest finally loosened. ¡°Seems like luck¡¯s on my side today,¡± he said. Yet, almost immediately, his brows drew together in doubt. ¡°Still, I need to observe further. Maybe Cole is just lying. He could be ying down Elliana¡¯s value to keep us from harming her.¡±

    Paige¡¯s reaction was theplete opposite¡ªshe was overjoyed. She sprang to her feet and began pacing in excitement. Everything finally made sense to her. How could a man like Cole ever be interested in a woman as ugly as Elliana? That settled it. Elliana would be eliminated today. With Elliana out of the picture, no obstacles would remain. The title of Mrs. Evans would soon fall right into her hands.

    The more Paige thought about it, the more thrilled she became. Suddenly, she halted mid-step and turned sharply toward one of the ck-d men standing nearby. ¡°Has Merritt given the signal to kill Elliana yet?¡±

    ¡°Not yet,¡± the man in ck replied tly.

    A cold glimmer sparked in Paige¡¯s eyes. ¡°Take a few men and head to the room next door. Kill Elliana immediately.¡±

    The man in ck looked stunned. ¡°Apologies, Miss Jones, but without direct orders from Mr. Carman, I can¡¯t act.¡±

    ¡°You idiot!¡± Paige pped him hard across the face, her expression twisted with fury. ¡°I¡¯m Merritt¡¯s only sessor. Everything he owns is destined to be mine. When I speak, it¡¯s as good as hismand. If you dare to defy me, I¡¯ll personally make sure your life bes unbearable!¡±

    His gaze flickered nervously before he finally lowered his head. ¡°Understood.¡±

    With a satisfied smirk, Paige added, ¡°Make sure to record it. I want a video of Elliana¡¯s terror right before she dies, something to entertain me when I¡¯m bored.¡±

    ¡°Copy,¡± the man in ck replied and turned to leave without another word.

    ???????? ???????????????? ???????????????????? ???????? g???????¦Í????????£®?????

    As Paige basked in her delusions, Elliana remained perfectlyposed in the room next door,pletely unaffected by what Cole had said earlier.

    Hailee, however, sat frozen in disbelief. ¡°Elliana, how could Mr. Evans say something like that? Doesn¡¯t he care about you at all? Just a few days ago, he was so affectionate. And now he says you¡¯re worth nothing more than a coin? That¡¯s insane!¡±

    Elliana offered a calm smile. ¡°Stay calm. Just keep watching.¡± Even though Hailee couldn¡¯t understand why Elliana wasn¡¯t angry, she continued staring at the screen silently.

    After a short silence, the masked man finally spoke again, this time testing the waters. ¡°Since you have no emotional attachment to your wife, there¡¯s no point in keeping her alive. How about I dispose of her now?¡±

    The moment the wordsnded, a fierce glint of murder surged in Cole¡¯s eyes. ¡°You¡¯re wee to try. But if anything happens to her, I¡¯ll turn this entire yacht into a graveyard.¡±

    Myles adjusted his sses slowly and chimed in casually, ¡°Just so you know, thest person who made the mistake of threatening Mr. Evans didn¡¯t survive to regret it.¡±

    The masked man suddenly froze,pletely unsure of what to believe. Did Cole care about Elliana or not?

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 Chapter 169

    ?Chapter 169:

    The masked man struggled to decipher Cole¡¯s feelings toward Elliana, and Merritt, watching closely through the monitors, found himself equally confused. For a moment, he didn¡¯t know what move to make. At that exact moment, Paige¡¯s call came through.

    ¡°I¡¯ve already had Elliana killed.¡±

    ¡°What did you just say?¡± Merritt¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°Paige, how could you act without checking with me first? If Colepletely loses control and retaliates here on the yacht, none of us will make it out alive!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re overthinking it,¡± Paige replied, her tone full of confidence. ¡°Didn¡¯t Cole just say Elliana means nothing to him? So what are you so afraid of?¡±

    ¡°But just now, when my deputy suggested killing Elliana, Cole got furious.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s just putting on a show because his grandfather forced him into that unwanted marriage with Elliana. If you reveal yourself now and handle things head-on, he might even feel he owes you a favor.¡±

    ¡°But¡­¡± Merritt was still hesitant.

    Growing impatient, Paige pressed him harder. ¡°There¡¯s no time to waste! Cole hasn¡¯t figured out yet that you¡¯re the one behind this. Right now, he probably thinks it¡¯s some petty gang trying to extort him. If we let him keep thinking that, he might actually go on a rampage. But if you step forward now, he¡¯ll have no choice but to show you respect. You¡¯re still a major force in Ublento. Nobody wants you as an enemy.¡±

    Merritt had wed his way up from a lowly dock thug to the feared boss he was now, all because of his ruthless mind. Yet, when faced with Cole¡ªand the unexpected appearance of An, Merlin, and Manley¡ªhe found himself shaken. Paige¡¯s persistent arguments chipped away at his judgment, clouding his ability to think clearly.

    With no children or rtives of his own, Merritt had taken Paige in as his goddaughter and genuinely saw her as the closest person in his life, cing his trust in her without question. Caught in the pressure of the moment, he made a swift decision. ¡°Alright, Paige. I¡¯ll take your advice.¡±

    Once the call ended, Merritt, nked by his guards dressed in ck, made his way toward the main hall.

    ???????????????????? ?????????????? ???????? g????????¦Í?????????????

    Tension filled the air as Merritt entered. The masked man, who had been visibly floundering, spotted Merritt and quickly stepped aside like a drowning man finding a lifeline.

    Without hesitation, Merritt sat down on the same sofa the masked man had just vacated. Wearing a polite smile, he looked at Cole. ¡°Mr. Evans, my subordinate spoke out of turn and disrespected you. I apologize for that.¡±

    Cole showed no surprise at Merritt¡¯s appearance. Like Elliana, he had long pieced things together and figured out that the mastermind behind it all was Merritt.

    While Merritt tried to appear friendly, Cole¡¯s gaze held a shadowed edge, and his voice cut through the air with a cold sharpness. ¡°So you¡¯ve finally decided to show yourself, Merritt.¡±

    Merritt was caught off guard that Cole had already deduced he was pulling the strings. Thankfully, he had chosen to reveal himself now¡ªanyter, and Cole¡¯s patience might have snapped.

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 Chapter 170

    ?Chapter 170:

    With that realization, Merritt humbled himself even further. ¡°Mr. Evans, please don¡¯t be upset. I only arranged Elliana¡¯s kidnapping to ease your burden and to build a partnership with you.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Cole sneered. ¡°You took someone from my family, demanded three billion as ransom, and you call that easing my burden?¡± Not daring to dodge the subject, Merritt jumped in to rify. ¡°I¡¯ve wanted to forge a connection with you for a long time, but never had a proper channel. Then, I heard rumors that Elliana was clinging to you and causing problems, so I figured I¡¯d lend a hand in removing her.¡±

    Cole¡¯s eyes narrowed as he finally understood Merritt¡¯s twisted reasoning behind taking Elliana. Of course, he had no intention of disclosing the truth about his connection to her, so his face remained emotionless as he asked, ¡°Where is she?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s gone,¡± Merritt said, his voice t, as if the weight of it had already settled long ago.

    Elliana was gone? The expressions on Myles, Aron, and Hugh shifted instantly, their faces hardening in disbelief.

    Sitting nearby, An, Merlin, and Manley turned their gazes toward Cole. Every one of them knew just how deeply Cole valued Elliana. Cole had thrown himself into danger, boarded this hostile yacht, all with one goal¡ªto bring Elliana back alive. And now Merritt imed she was dead? That changed everything. There was no longer any reason to negotiate. Each of them was already bracing to help Cole turn this yacht into rubble.

    ¡°Mr. Evans, you can rest easy. My team is very efficient. Her body was dealt with at sea¡ªno evidence left behind.¡±

    Still blind to the storm he had unleashed, Merritt¡­

    Merritt kept speaking. ¡°None of my men will reveal a thing. We¡¯ll pin it all on some foreign crime syndicate. That way, you¡¯ll have a clean report for your grandfather.¡±

    Elliana had been killed, her body disposed of at sea? Cole remainedpletely still, saying nothing. His silence stretched on, and the look on his face grew colder by the second, so icy that it could make the blood run dry. He had not moved a muscle, but the atmosphere began to twist, thick with the pressure of something about to explode.

    ?????????? ????????????????????: g?????????????????????

    Finally, Merritt sensed something was off. His smugness vanished, his grin faltered, and his voice stumbled. ¡°Mr. Evans, is something bothering you?¡±

    In the next breath, Cole¡¯s eyes lit with rage, and his presence shifted¡ªnow it was pure, lethal wrath. His entire being radiated a deadly stillness that made the air feel like it could shatter. A heavy silence hung in the hall¡­

    Cole¡¯s icy silence hung in the air, rattling everyone in the room.

    A nervous tension crept over Merritt, his nerves stretched taut. Watching from the surveince feed, Paige felt a prickling chill crawl up her spine.

    In the next room, Hailee turned to Elliana, her eyes wide with confusion. ¡°Elliana, what¡¯s happening with Mr. Evans?¡±

    Elliana¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. She didn¡¯t reply¡ªher gaze stayed glued to the screen, tracking the slightest twitch of Cole¡¯s expression. His anger simmered beneath a mask ofposure, so fierce that it seemed ready to break loose. This wasn¡¯t real calm¡ªit was the hush before a storm, the air heavy with threat. A single spark could set off the explosion building inside him. Was it her supposed death that had pushed him this far?

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 Chapter 171

    ?Chapter 171:

    Suddenly, Cole¡¯s voice shattered the stillness, t and utterly devoid of warmth. ¡°Merritt, I¡¯ll ask you one more time. Did you really kill Elliana?¡±

    Oblivious to the danger, Merritt nodded without hesitation. ¡°Yes, Mr. Evans. Everything¡¯s been taken care of. You have nothing to worry about¡ªthere won¡¯t be any trouble.¡±

    As soon as the words left Merritt¡¯s mouth, Cole¡¯s lips twisted into a cold, mocking smile.

    That single smile seemed to suck all the warmth from the room, plunging the hall into an arctic chill.

    ¡°No one was more dear to me than she was. No matter how much trouble she caused, or how boldly she acted, I could never bring myself toy a hand on her. Even when she was in the wrong, I¡¯d go out of my way tofort her, not scold her. But you? You actually tossed her into the sea like garbage¡ªlike she was nothing? You had the nerve to throw away someone so irreceable?¡± Cole¡¯s tone stayed icy and measured, every word slicing through the tension.

    Merritt stood frozen,pletely stunned by Cole¡¯s confession. Was Elliana genuinely the one Cole loved above all? No matter her actions, he couldn¡¯t bring himself toy a hand on her?

    Those words spun in Merritt¡¯s head, each one hammering in the truth until it finally hit him. Murdering the wrong person had nailed shut the lid on his fate. That fucking Paige!

    ¡°Mr. Evans¡­¡± Merritt stuttered, his voice trembling, but he couldn¡¯t string together another word. For years, he¡¯d ruled Ublento¡¯s criminal underworld, but he¡¯d never¡­

    No one ever dared to challenge Cole, especially not with An, Merlin, and Manley present to back him up.

    Meanwhile, tucked away behind the surveince monitors, Paige could barely process what she was hearing. Her mind wentpletely nk. What the hell was going on? Didn¡¯t Cole say earlier that Elliana was only worth a coin to him? Why, all of a sudden, was Elliana the woman he cared about most? How could ugly, ordinary Elliana inspire this kind of fierce devotion from Cole?

    In the next room, Elliana¡¯sshes trembled, her pulse racing as Cole¡¯s deration echoed in her mind¡ªshe was the person he cherished above all. That sent a flood of emotion through her, leaving her shaken and breathless. It was infuriating. She had already decided not to want him, yet here he was, shattering her resolve in one reckless moment. What was she supposed to do?

    ???????? ?????????? ?????????????? ???? ?????????¦Í??????©q?????

    No matter how she tried to harden her heart, every instinct screamed at her not to push Cole away¡ªnot now, not after hearing those words. Hailee, catching Elliana¡¯s dazed, smoldering stare at Cole, nearly blurted out her amazement but thought better of it. She swallowed her words, shrinking back as the tension in the hall coiled even tighter, like a storm about to break.

    Desperation twisted Merritt¡¯s features. ¡°Mr. Evans, this is all a huge misunderstanding¡ªplease, you have to believe me!¡±

    Cole¡¯s re burned hot with barely controlled fury, his bloodshot eyes boring into Merritt. ¡°Merritt, I¡¯ll make sure your blood spills for her sake. You¡¯ll pay with your life!¡±

    ¡°Mr. Evans¡­ Ah!¡± Merritt¡¯s voice broke into a frantic wail.

    Before Merritt could get another word out, Cole flicked his wrist, sending the coin at his fingertips flying like a bullet. In a blink, it tore through the air and struck Merritt squarely in the forehead.

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 Chapter 172

    ?Chapter 172:

    The metallic crack echoed through the room just as Merritt crumpled, dead before he hit the floor. Crimson blood gushed from the neat hole in his forehead, sttering across the gleaming marble floor and pooling beneath his body.

    His eyes, still open in death, were frozen wide with terror and disbelief. Once just a lowlife from the docks, he¡¯d wed his way through countless bloody brawls and near-death scrapes, carving out a name for himself on the wrong side of thew. All those years, he¡¯d epted that a violent end was waiting¡ªjust not like this. He¡¯d braced himself for a hail of bullets from rival gangs, a knife in the dark from a hired killer, or maybe a ss of poisoned whiskey served up by a backstabbing friend. But thest thing he ever expected was to be taken out by a coin¡ªsomething so small, yet lethal in Cole¡¯s hand.

    A coin, flicked with the speed and force of a bullet¡ªhe¡¯d only heard of such things in pulp fiction. Now, Cole had brought that impossible story to life.

    Merritt, a man who thought he¡¯d seen it all, had finally witnessed something that defied every rule of the streets¡ªand it was thest sight he¡¯d ever see.

    Shock rippled through the room. The masked man standing at Merritt¡¯s side stood rooted to the spot, frozen by the sudden, surreal violence. The scan had indicated that Cole and his men hadn¡¯t brought any weapons. However, Cole had needed nothing more than a coin to send Merritt to his grave.

    With Merritt dead, the men in ck descended intoplete disarray, their hierarchical structure crumbling around them.

    These hardened criminals, ustomed to living precariously under Merritt¡¯s ironmand, now stood directionless. Who would fill the leadership vacuum?

    All eyes instinctively turned toward the second-inmand¡ªthe masked man whose authority had ranked just beneath Merritt¡¯s. A henchman sidled up to the masked man, voice tight with tension. ¡°What should we do now?¡±

    The masked man snapped from his momentary stupor, scanning the room as a calcting smile twisted his features.

    History would repeat itself. Just as Merritt had once betrayed his employer to make his fortune, so too would the masked man seize this opportunity. If he could navigate today¡¯s chaos sessfully, Merritt¡¯s entire empire would fall into his hands.

    ?????????? ???????? ??????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°Kill them all! Avenge Mr. Carman! Leave no survivors!¡± the masked man bellowed, his voice reverberating through the hall. His n crystallized with brutal simplicity¡ªughter everyone present, sink the yacht into the ocean¡¯s depths, and bury the truth forever. Then, he would return to im Merritt¡¯s legacy as his own.

    Decision made, the masked man retreated strategically toward the edge of the hall as his subordinates raised their assault rifles, targeting Cole and hispanions.

    Yet, the bloodbath the masked man anticipated never materialized.

    Cole¡¯spanions moved with astonishing precision, diving behind pirs with fluid grace while simultaneously disarming the nearest gunmen and appropriating their weapons.

    What began as an ambush against unarmed targets transformed within seconds into a bnced firefight.

    Throughout the first-floor hall, men in ck copsed in rapid session. Those positioned on the second floor were picked off methodically, their bodies tumbling to the level below.

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 Chapter 173

    ?Chapter 173:

    The masked man watched in stunned disbelief, his eyes widening as his certainties crumbled. In his head, Cole and hispanions were supposed to drop like flies. Instead, they were dancing through bullets and mowing down his men like seasoned warriors. Cole and his crew were supposed to be pampered elites¡ª

    Silver-spoon types with manicured hands. So, how in the world did they fight like this? Their aim was ruthless, their reflexes razor-sharp.

    Merritt¡¯s men weren¡¯t amateurs¡ªthey were trained, hardened, and utterly merciless. Yet somehow, they were being outssed at every turn.

    Recognizing the turning tide, the masked man slipped away through the chaos.

    Paige, who had been watching the surveince feed on her phone, froze when Merritt was shot dead. Now, witnessing the escting gunfight, she stood paralyzed with shock. How could this happen? It wasn¡¯t supposed to deviate from her expected oue. Shouldn¡¯t Cole and Merritt forge an alliance following Elliana¡¯s death, allowing her to leverage Merritt¡¯s position to grow closer to Cole?

    The yacht now resonated with the deafening roar of gunfire.

    In the adjacent room, Hailee¡¯s face had drained of color as she stared at Elliana¡¯s phone screen. ¡°Elliana, what should we do now?¡± she whispered, her voice trembling.

    The door to their room suddenly burst open with a violent crash. The lights red on as several men in ck rushed in, assault rifles raised, firing wildly at Elliana and Hailee.

    Their leader had previously received Paige¡¯s orders to eliminate Elliana but hesitated, fearing repercussions if he acted without Merritt¡¯s explicit approval. He had been deliberately dying. While he hesitated, the masked man¡¯s order reached him¡ªkill everyone aboard the yacht, leave no witnesses. Only then did he finally lead his team to breach Elliana¡¯s room.

    Elliana had anticipated this threat. As the door splintered open, she pulled Hailee behind a protective barrier of debris. When the men in ck opened fire, she responded with calcted precision, her finger steady on the trigger.

    While her attackers sprayed bullets wildly, Elliana¡¯s shots found their marks with devastating efficiency. Within seconds, six ck-d figuresy motionless on the floor, their weapons silent.

    ???????????????? ????????: g????????¦Í????????????

    With the immediate danger neutralized, Elliana turned to check on Hailee.

    Hailee trembled uncontrobly, her face ashen in the harsh light.

    Elliana gestured toward a substantial iron box tucked in the corner. ¡°Hailee, get inside that box. I need to eliminate the remaining threats, or danger wille again at any moment.¡±

    ¡°Oh, okay,¡± Hailee whispered, rising obediently and attempting to cross the room. But her legs betrayed her, weakened by shock, causing her to stumble with each step.

    Seeing Hailee¡¯s struggle, Elliana sprang forward and guided her to the iron box with gentle firmness. ¡°Hailee, remember what I¡¯m telling you,¡± she instructed, her voice low and urgent. ¡°No matter what happens, don¡¯t emerge until I return.¡±

    Hailee nodded, her eyes wide with newfound understanding. Witnessing Elliana¡¯s marksmanship had shattered her previous perception of Elliana. Elliana possessed a strength that defied herprehension¡ªa deadly capability hidden beneath herposed exterior.

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 Chapter 174

    ?Chapter 174:

    After ensuring Hailee was securely hidden, Elliana sealed the iron box and methodically camouged it with surrounding debris, rendering it invisible to casual observation.

    Elliana then retrieved the long ck overcoat she had strategically positioned earlier, slipped it on with practiced ease, and dashed out of the room like a shadow¡­

    Elliana burst out of her room and collided straight into another wave of armed men d in ck. They had been storming down the hall toward the staircase just outside her door, obeying orders from the masked man to reinforce the fight below.

    The moment their eyesnded on Elliana, their movements came to a sudden halt. ¡°Why is she still alive?¡± one of them blurted, clearly shaken.

    In a heartbeat, their eyes flicked to the fallen bodies at her door and then to the weapon clenched in her grip. The truth hit them hard and fast.

    ¡°She¡¯s armed¡ªand she¡¯s already killed our people!¡± one of them warned, panic rising. But the warning came a breath toote.

    Without wasting a second, Elliana lifted both pistols and fired. The men at the front dropped before they could even raise their weapons.

    Bullets whizzed through the air as the rest scrambled to shoot back, but Elliana was already gone from sight, diving behind the nearest pir, their bullets hitting nothing but air.

    From the safety of cover, she twisted her body sharply and emerged on the other side. Her fingers tightened on both triggers. The synchronized shots tore through thest of the men with ruthless precision. As the final body hit the floor, silence swept through the corridor like a nket.

    A quick scan of her surroundings confirmed there were no more enemies left standing. Not pausing for long, she made her way toward Paige¡¯s room. There was no forgetting Paige¡¯s scheme. Paige had used Merritt to have her kidnapped. Whatever the plot was, it had included orchestrating her death. What she wanted now was to watch Paige¡¯s expression when Paige found herself staring down the barrel of a gun. Would Paige panic? Would she break?

    Taking no chances, Elliana pressed herself t against the wall beside the doorway. Her fingers curled tighter around the pistols as she leaned in, listening for any sign of movement from inside the room. With a sharp kick, she sent the door swinging open. Her arms lifted in perfect sync, both pistols raised, her gaze scanning the room in an instant.

    There was no Paige. There were no armed men. Only Vivien remained, unconscious on the floor, her body limp and unmoving. Paige had already made her escape, leaving Vivien behind like discarded trash. Elliana stepped in carefully, kneeling to check Vivien for signs of life. A quick inspection told her Vivien had been sedated. A humorlessugh escaped her lips.

    ???????? ???????? ???????????????????? ? ??????????¦Í??????©q??????

    Elliana¡¯s mind was set on wrecking the yacht and tracking down Paige to make sure Paige learned her lesson. With her ck trench coat flowing behind her and her pistols loaded, she swept through the corridors. One room at a time. One floor after another. All five levels would be cleared.

    Elsewhere, the fighting on the first floor hade to a temporary standstill.

    The ck-d men who had made it that far were all down. The aftermath left the ce in ruin. Blood pooled beneath shattered furniture. The walls were shredded by bullets. Smoke lingered in the air.

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 Chapter 175

    ?Chapter 175:

    Amid the wreckage, Cole moved like a storm made flesh. He seized a wounded man who was crawling across the blood-slick floor. Fury burned behind his eyes. ¡°Talk,¡± he said, yanking the man up. ¡°Where did you kill Elliana?¡±

    Terror washed over the injured man. His pain was nothingpared to the fear wing at him. One look at Cole¡¯s face told him this wasn¡¯t someone he could lie to. ¡°I¡ªI didn¡¯t do it!¡± the man gasped, eyes wide with panic. ¡°She was taken to the fifth floor, that¡¯s all I know. If she¡¯s dead, it must¡¯ve happened there!¡±

    Without another word, Cole shoved him aside and turned toward the stairs. Five full levels stood between him and the answers he needed. ck-d mercenaries were sure to be lurking on every floor. Charging headfirst meant walking straight into the line of fire. Escaping by air would¡¯ve been the smarter move.

    But Cole had no intention of running. No matter the risk, he needed to see the truth with his own eyes. Even if Elliana was already gone, her body thrown into the ocean, leaving him with nothing but bloodstained memories, he had to go to the ce where she might have taken herst breath¡ªand drag the truth out of whoever he found there.

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh didn¡¯t say a word. They¡¯d known Cole since they were kids. They could read his silence better than words, and they stuck to him like shadows.

    An, Merlin, and Manley followed as well. None of them questioned Cole. Not one of them flinched.

    Among them, Merlin moved with a focused calm that bordered on excitement. Five years buried in the world¡¯s deadliest corners as part of a special ops unit had rewired something deep inside him. The thrill of violence, the scent of danger¡ªit all felt like home. If it weren¡¯t for his family dragging him back to inherit a legacy he never asked for, he¡¯d still be out there chasing chaos.

    By the time the group reached the second floor, they were met with exactly what they expected¡ªa wave of armed men storming into view. Gunfire erupted in an instant, loud and chaotic.

    From somewhere above, another volley of shots rang out, this time echoing from the fourth floor.

    Dodging behind cover, Manley edged closer to Merlin and muttered, ¡°You hearing that? There¡¯s a whole other fight breaking out upstairs. Could there be others opposing Merritt besides us?¡±

    ???????? ???????????? ???? ??????????¦Í?????????????

    Merlin didn¡¯t answer right away. He paused, tilted his head slightly, and listened through the gunfire. ¡°Can¡¯t say for sure,¡± he replied. ¡°But we¡¯ll know soon enough.¡±

    With that, they pushed forward, rejoining the fray without missing a beat.

    After a punishing series of attacks and counterattacks, they finally brought down thest of the ck-d men on the second floor. Bodies littered the floor as the group moved up to the third floor. Gunfire still thundered above, steady and relentless.

    ¡°Listen up,¡± Merlin said, tightening his grip on his weapon. ¡°That shooting sounding from upstairs? Whoever¡¯s up there isn¡¯t just some hired gun. That¡¯s a professional. Someone rare. Someone dangerous.¡± His voice dropped to a serious tone. ¡°Don¡¯t let your guard down. We¡¯re not the only wolves in this fight.¡±

    Five years as a global special forces operative had honed Merlin into a weapon¡ªone who had faced elite killers without flinching. He moved like a shadow, struck with the force of a sledgehammer, and left only silence in his wake. When Merlin called someone dangerous, it meant they weren¡¯t just tough¡ªthey were the stuff of nightmares.

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 Chapter 176

    ?Chapter 176:

    At Merlin¡¯s words, Myles, Aron, and Hugh closed in around Cole, their shoulders tensed and eyes scanning the hall, every sense on high alert. No one doubted Cole¡¯s brawling skills, but even the fiercest legends could fall to a cheap shot¡ªand they had no intention of allowing that. Protecting Cole wasn¡¯t just their job¡ªit was non-negotiable. An and Manley exchanged a loaded nce, both immediately heightening their guard.

    With everyone on edge and ready for anything, the group rushed up the stairs to the third floor.

    Gunfire erupted on the third floor, sparks flying off steel beams as chaos descended.

    At the center of the madness, a lone figure in a ck trench coat cut a path of destruction¡ªher wild, spiked wig catching the flicker of muzzle shes, both hands firing relentlessly from twin pistols.

    She moved like a phantom, slipping through the turmoil with predatory grace, each shotnding with precision. Goons copsed in her wake, their bodies strewn across the deck as she advanced.

    The group soon realized this was the elite fighter Merlin had warned them about. She wasn¡¯t just skilled¡ªthe onught she unleashed crashed over enemies like a tidal wave. Her rapid-fire agility made it clear that wiping out every threat on this yacht was a walk in the park.

    At first, Elliana¡¯s trench coat and new wig, along with the chaos and distance, kept her identity concealed.

    None of Cole¡¯s crew recognized her. They hesitated, wary and tense, uncertain whether she was an ally or a threat.

    Suddenly, both of Elliana¡¯s pistols clicked empty. Unfazed, she snapped her wrists, letting the spent guns fall, then drew two fresh ones from inside her coat with practiced ease. Gunfire erupted again, cutting down another wave of goons.

    The way she drew those new weapons exuded pure swagger. As her coat red open, Cole and the others caught a fleeting glimpse of her entire figure.

    ???????????? ???? ????????????: ?????????¦Í????????????

    Elliana¡¯s arsenal¡ªfirearms lined up across her chest, a wickedly curved knife, and a gleaming dagger strapped to her waist¡ªwas now fully visible. The bulky coat had concealed her figure until now, but as it billowed with her movements, her slender, poised silhouette emerged. That¡¯s when the realization hit¡ªthis unstoppable force was a woman.

    ¡°Damn, that was unreal!¡± Manley burst out, his eyes wide. ¡°I¡¯ve seen tough women before, but nobody this fierce. She¡¯s like something out of an action movie¡ªhell, better!¡±

    ¡°Seriously, she¡¯s next-level,¡± An gasped, unable to look away.

    Merlin didn¡¯t speak, but the approving nod he gave spoke volumes. Even for someone as battle-tested as him, she was in a league of her own.

    Elliana¡¯s dramatic flourish¡ªditching her empty pistols and drawing fresh ones with a flick of her coat¡ªwas pure action-movie magic, the kind of stunt that¡¯d have directors reying the footage on loop for years.

    While the crew was still reeling, Cole¡¯s bloodshot gaze sharpened with sudden rity. In a sh, he lunged forward, charging toward the woman. As he sprinted through the chaos, he opened fire alongside her, his shots perfectly synchronized with hers. Together, they cleared thest of the goons in a hail of bullets.

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 Chapter 177

    ?Chapter 177:

    ¡°That¡¯s Mrs. Evans!¡± Myles shouted, his voice brimming with excitement.

    Just moments earlier, Elliana had shot them a nce, and Myles had caught a glimpse of her distinctive makeup. It was dramatic¡ªborderline theatrical, unmistakable, and nothing like anyone else in the room. There was no doubt. It had to be her.

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh surged after Cole, plunging straight into the fray.

    Momentster, the final goon hit the floor, and the relentless gunfire faded into stunned silence.

    Manley stood frozen, his mouth agape. ¡°No way. That badass is Elliana?¡± He swung around, searching An¡¯s and Merlin¡¯s faces, as if he needed confirmation that he wasn¡¯t dreaming.

    An stared,pletely stunned, while Merlin¡¯s scowl deepened, the lines on his face cutting sharp.

    After dispatching thest goon, Elliana¡¯s sharp eyes darted across the chaotic room to confirm the danger had passed. Only then did she pivot, catching sight of Cole racing toward her.

    Before Elliana could utter a single word, Cole swept her into a fierce embrace. His bloodshot eyes shimmered with pent-up emotion, his entire frame trembling as if the shock of nearly losing her was still rattling his bones. Relief and fear tangled inside him, a raw and overwhelming mix.

    Cole clutched Elliana tightly, desperate hands skimming over her¡ªshoulders, arms, waist¡ªsearching for wounds, refusing to believe she was truly safe until he¡¯d checked every inch.

    When he finally convinced himself she was unharmed, he let out a shaky breath and drew her into an even tighter hug, his arms encircling her as if he could keep her from ever slipping away again.

    ¡°I¡¯m alright,¡± Elliana whispered gently, hoping to steady him.

    Seeing the torment etched across Cole¡¯s face, unease twisted in Elliana¡¯s chest. She reached for aforting word, but her thoughts scattered as he abruptly leaned in, crushing his lips to hers in that instant.

    ?????????????? ???????? g???????¦Í???????????????

    The kiss burned with an urgency that left no room for doubt or restraint. He poured everything into it¡ªfear, love, longing¡ªas if he could stitch their souls back together with sheer will.

    Elliana melted against him, swept up in the rapid thunder of his heartbeat and the frantic rhythm of his breath, the rest of the world fading until nothing remained but this desperate, electric connection.

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh blushed as they watched Cole and Elliana locked in a passionate kiss. Their hearts raced¡ªhalf from embarrassment, half from worry. They¡¯d seen this before. One moment, Cole and Elliana were all over each other, making everyone cringe with their PDA. But the next, they were throwing harsh words at each other, storming off, and dragging everyone into their drama.

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh exchanged uneasy nces. They wondered if this kiss would end just like thest one¡ªthrowing shade and leaving innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire.

    Manley let out a yful whistle and elbowed An with a smirk. ¡°An, first time I¡¯ve seen Cole go that hard for a girl. He¡¯s whipped, huh?¡±

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 Chapter 178

    ?Chapter 178:

    An raised an eyebrow, a faint grin ying on his polished, handsome face.

    Manley rubbed his chin. ¡°Guess Cole¡¯s got more taste than us. He doesn¡¯t care about looks. If the vibe¡¯s right, he dives in headfirst. Me? I need a stunner. If she¡¯s not drop-dead gorgeous, I¡¯m not kissing her.¡±

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh threw Manley a look, then turned away, smirking to themselves. Without Cole¡¯s go-ahead, they weren¡¯t spilling Elliana¡¯s secret. Still, deep down, they were itching to tell Manley that Cole still cared about looks. Manley might turn down a girl who wasn¡¯t pretty enough, but Cole? He¡¯d run the second something felt off. He was pickier than Manley could ever be.

    The truth? Cole was kissing Elliana like that because she was stunning¡ªa real head-turner. If Elliana weren¡¯t that beautiful, no matter how sweet she was, Cole wouldn¡¯t have kissed her like that. At best, she¡¯d get a polite nod.

    Clueless to Elliana¡¯s disguise, Manley kept chatting with An. ¡°So, An, word is your fianc¨¦e¡¯s back from the countryside. What¡¯s the deal with that?¡±

    An¡¯s smile faded, his mood shifting rapidly. He wasn¡¯t just annoyed¡ªhe was furious. His grandfather had forced him to marry a girl from a backwater vige, and he¡¯d never even met her.

    ¡°I want nothing to do with her. I won¡¯t follow in Cole¡¯s footsteps and marry her just because of some stupid promise,¡± An said, his voice ice-cold.

    Cole, the Evans heir, had bent over backward to carry the family¡¯s weight and married Elliana, the so-called unattractive woman, as per the promise his grandfather had made. That was his business.

    But An wasn¡¯t about to follow in Cole¡¯s footsteps. As the Shaw heir, he was willing to handle family duties¡ªbut he would neverpromise when it came to marriage. That line wasn¡¯t getting crossed. He had nothing inmon with Adah, the girl he was supposed to marry. Their minds, lives, and goals were worlds apart. There was no bridge to build between them. Marriage? Out of the question.

    An had been trained as an heir, attending elite schools filled with top-tier talent. Any woman by his side had to match that level. He¡¯d heard that Adah had been in Apricot Blossom Vige since she was five. She was a known dropout, hadn¡¯t even finished middle school, and was always ying instead of studying. There was no way he was letting his grandfather push this wreck of a match into his life.

    Manley caught An¡¯s foul mood but couldn¡¯t resist teasing. ¡°An, I saw Adah when we were kids. She was cute back then. Bet she¡¯s the prettiest girl in the whole vige.¡±

    ?????????????? ?????????????? ???? g????????¦Í??????©o?????

    An shot Manley a cold re, one step away from telling him to shut it.

    Before An could snap, Manley grinned again. ¡°Come on, An. I hear the cider in Apricot Blossom Vige is amazing. Just marry her already¡ªI¡¯ll swing by for drinks when I¡¯m bored.¡±

    ¡°Get lost!¡± An barked.

    Sensing An was about to explode, Manley backed off, scratching his nose before turning to Merlin. ¡°Merlin, when are you giving up the single life?¡±

    Merlin¡¯s answer came cold and sharp. ¡°Never.¡±

    Manley¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Never? But you¡¯re the heir! No wife, no kids¡ªwhat about your family line? Your folks okay with that?¡±

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 Chapter 179

    ?Chapter 179:

    Merlin gave him a t look. ¡°With today¡¯s tech? I don¡¯t need a woman to have a kid.¡±

    ¡°Fair point.¡± Manley nodded slowly. ¡°But still, Merlin, what¡¯s life without a woman to spice it up?¡±

    Manley pointed at Cole, still wrapped around Elliana. ¡°You telling me you don¡¯t feel even a little jealous, seeing that? No itch to find someone to hold onto like that?¡±

    Merlin¡¯s history as an international special forces operative had left an indelible mark on his soul. Every fiber of his being remained entrenched in the relentless rush of high-stakes missions and life-or-death decisions. His face was a mask of ice¡ªunyielding and emotionless¡ªand his eyes never lingered on a woman. He didn¡¯t merely reject the idea of marriage; he dismissed all desire. No one had ever cracked the frozen fortress guarding his heart.

    Watching Merlin, Manley¡¯s concern deepened. Spotting an opportunity when Cole kissed Elliana passionately, he decided to break through Merlin¡¯s stubborn armor and shed light on the intricate dance between men and women¡ªperhaps to awaken something long dormant.

    ¡°Disgusting!¡± Merlin retorted sharply, his voice cold and harsh.

    Manley stared, dumbfounded. Such a passionate, yearning kiss would have left anyone else flushed and breathless, yet Merlin dismissed it with disdain? Truly, he was as frigid as an iceberg.

    After releasing his silent frustration, Manley¡¯s stubborn resolve red. Unwilling to concede, he pressed harder. ¡°Merlin, have you ever stopped to consider that maybe there¡¯s an issue with your repulsion of women and long-time abstinence? Perhaps you ought to consult a doctor.¡±

    ¡°Get lost!¡± Merlin bellowed, his voice booming like thunder, spittle flying andnding squarely on Manley¡¯s face.

    Manley wiped his face, muttering, ¡°Shit! Shouldn¡¯t have brought this topic up.¡±

    Manley now realized that attempting to discuss romance with Merlin was like reasoning with stone¡ªclearly a pointless endeavor. If Merlin insisted on remaining oblivious to matters of the heart, he resolved he¡¯d stop wasting his time and concern.

    ???????? ???????????????? ? ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Manley had somehow managed to irritate both An and Merlin within minutes.

    Across the room, Cole clung to Elliana as if he feared she might vanish at any moment. His kiss was wild, almost desperate, a torrent of longing pouring into every touch as if he could bridge every moment lost between them and pull her irrevocably close.

    Elliana could only endure Cole¡¯s fervent embrace and kisses, her body trapped beneath his burning touch. His lips scorched with heat, and his entire presence radiated intensity. She tried to push him away, pressing her hands firmly against his chest, but he stood immovable, solid as a wall.

    The harder Elliana tried to push away, the tighter Cole¡¯s hold became. He pinned her against the wall, his kisses raining down relentlessly on her face, overwhelming and unyielding.

    She wished to plead for restraint, to remind him this wasn¡¯t the right moment, but he refused to relent. Each time she parted her lips to speak, he imed them once more, his fiery tongue sweeping over hers with relentless fervor. All that escaped her were soft, breathless gasps, fragmented and tender.

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 Chapter 180

    ?Chapter 180:

    The intensity of the scene left Aron and Hugh thoroughly flustered. Faces ame, the two young men quickly turned away, pretending to study the far wall as if it were the most fascinating thing in the room. Myles, always striving forposure, pushed his sses up the bridge of his nose and lowered his head, doing his best to maintain a calm, detached demeanor.

    Even An and Merlin diverted their eyes, retreating into silent difort, unwilling to confront the passion unfolding.

    Only Manley remained captivated, amusement and envy flickering across his expression. ¡°What a stunning, blissful moment,¡± he breathed dramatically. ¡°It stirs something in me¡ªa yearning to fall in love again.¡±

    Elliana finally yielded to Cole¡¯s fierce embrace, surrendering to the unexpected tenderness beneath hismanding kisses. Though assertive, he remained mindful of her feelings, transforming the experience into something exquisitely pleasurable.

    Time seemed to slip away, and when it ended, her body felt soft and pliable, like a kitten curledfortably in a warm embrace.

    Atst, Cole broke off the kiss but held her close, his lips lingering mere inches apart, their breaths mingling in the stillness.

    ¡°Elliana,¡± he whispered gently, then fell silent, releasing a soft sigh.

    Elliana immediately grasped the weight of Cole¡¯s sigh. It conveyed everything left unspoken¡ªrelief, affection, the dread of loss, and the overwhelming happiness of reunion. She sensed the profound care radiating from him.

    Gently, Elliana buried her face into Cole¡¯s chest, surrendering fully and relinquishing all resistance. In that quiet moment, a deep realization unfolded within her. The initial attraction was merely the first step toward true love. Withoutpletely embracing one another¡¯s souls, escape from the ensuing whirlwind was impossible.

    From their very first encounter, that subtle current of desire had determined her path¡ªshe had been bound to Cole from the start. Denial was pointless; if she pushed him away, she knew regret would haunt her for years toe, and the impression he¡¯d left would linger forever. So, why hold back any longer? If there was real affection between them, why not let it flourish? Only time would reveal whether their story was meant tost, but for now, nothing mattered except the vibrant rush of the present.

    With that thought, Elliana slipped her arms around his waist, finally returning his embrace.

    ???????? ?????????? ????????: g????????¦Í????????????

    Her unexpected response left Cole momentarily stunned, his breath caught in his chest. For a heartbeat, time stood still. Then, joy washed over him¡ªa happiness so profound that it made his pulse race. He could feel her eptance, the way she nestled willingly into his arms, abandoning any trace of hesitation.

    ¡°¡¯Liana,¡± Cole whispered, her name trembling on his lips, each syble steeped in yearning and adoration. The emotion in his voice ran so deep that only he could truly grasp its significance¡ªa silent vow and a plea all at once.

    Just then, an abrupt gunshot shattered the quiet and sweet moment¡­

    The shot came from a man in ck¡ªsomeone who had passed out but regained consciousness recently, burning with revenge. Quietly, he picked up a handgun and fired at Elliana.

    Even without seeing it, Elliana and Cole sensed the danger. Their instincts kicked in like lightning.

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 Chapter 181

    ?Chapter 181:

    In that split second, acting decisively, Cole spun around with Elliana in his arms. The bullet missed her and hit his shoulder instead. He used his body to shield her, as there was no time to think.

    Others reacted quickly and returned fire. The threat was neutralized.

    Blood poured from Cole¡¯s shoulder.

    Elliana¡¯s face turned pale as she hurriedly checked his wound. ¡°How are you holding up?¡±

    The pain was unbearable, but Cole didn¡¯t flinch since he didn¡¯t want her to worry. He even managed a smile. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Didn¡¯t hit the bone. We¡¯ll take the bullet outter.¡±

    Still anxious, Elliana tore open his shirt to examine the injury. As a doctor, she confirmed it hadn¡¯t hit the bone. Only then did she exhale. But then, a storm was brewing inside her¡ªfear, sympathy, and heartache. Her eyes reddened. If she¡¯d ever doubted Cole¡¯s feelings for her, she couldn¡¯t anymore. In that moment of danger, he hadn¡¯t even hesitated and shielded her with his own life. On what grounds could she question his affection anymore?

    Her chest tightened. The urge to cry overwhelmed her. Since her mother¡¯s death, no one had ever risked their life for her¡ªuntil now. She bit her lip hard, unable to speak, tears shimmering in her eyes. Quietly, she lifted her shirt and tore off a strip of cloth, wrapping it around his wound to stop the bleeding.

    Cole watched her in silence. When she finished, he gave her a faint smile, warmth glowing in his eyes. That warmth came from the heart¡ªa sweetness he couldn¡¯t hide. Because in her face, he saw something new¡ªcare. Real, honest care. Was she finally letting him into her heart?

    Just then, a shadow crept outside the yacht¡¯s window. A hand holding a ck handgun aimed straight at Cole¡¯s back. It was the masked man. Earlier, he had ordered his men to leave no survivors. While they fought and fell, he¡¯d tried to¡­

    Escape to the rooftop. But when he reached the third floor, a skilled fighter had descended from above, cutting down everyone.

    Terrified, the masked man had slipped outside and clung to a pipe along the outer wall. He¡¯d nned to wait until the fight was over and walk out a winner. But all his subordinates were eliminated. And the one who had killed them all¡ªthe so-called weak and ugly girl¡ªwas Elliana, their captive. How ironic. If he had known how dangerous she was, he would¡¯ve stopped Merritt from taking her. But it was toote.

    ???????????? ???? ?????? ???????? ??????????: ?????????¦Í???????????????

    Merritt was gone. The yacht was a wreck.

    The masked man knew he wouldn¡¯t be let off the hook. Cole and his crew were furious. Jump and die, or wait to be caught and beaten to death¡ªthose were his choices. He chose neither. He¡¯d take someone down with him. If he was going out, he¡¯d make it count. So, he recklessly stuck his head out, aiming his gun at Cole. Cole was rich, powerful¡ªtaking him down would make a statement.

    Elliana spotted the masked man first. She grabbed Cole and yanked him aside. In one smooth motion, she drew a curved de from her waist and hurled it toward the window. Her de flew as fast as a bullet. She was sure it would kill the masked man.

    But just as the de raced toward its target, a door burst open. ¡°Cole, watch out!¡± Paige shouted.

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 Chapter 182

    ?Chapter 182:

    Bang! The masked man fired. Simultaneously, the de struck his neck. He dropped from the window.

    Paige let out a cry and copsed. The bullet had hit her in the back. Blood pooled around her on the floor.

    Elliana frowned deeply. She had noticed Paige earlier, hiding behind the door, but had been too busy fighting to deal with Paige. She never imagined Paige would leap out like that¡ªto take a bullet for Cole.

    Elliana was curious. What would Cole do now that a woman had risked her life for him? With that thought, she turned to nce at the man beside her.

    Paige crumpled to the floor, her eyes locked on Cole, pain etched across her face. Still, she mustered the strength to say, ¡°Cole, your safety¡¯s everything to me¡ªI¡¯d trade my life for yours in a heartbeat. Don¡¯t let it weigh you down.¡±

    With that, her eyes fluttered shut, and she went still.

    Elliana nced at Cole beside her, catching the frown creasing his brow as he stared at Paige. No warmth, no trace of being touched¡ªnot even a flicker of surprise. Instead, a hint of irritation danced across his face. Was he ticked off by Paige¡¯s dramatics? It made sense. From the moment she met him, Cole¡¯s loathing for Paige had been crystal clear, as if Paige were a bad smell he couldn¡¯t escape. Owing a debt to someone he despised was undoubtedly annoying.

    The truth was, Paige didn¡¯t have to step forward. Cole had already been yanked out of harm¡¯s way¡ªthe masked man¡¯s bullet wouldn¡¯t have touched him. Paige¡¯s big hero act, while noble, was about as useful as a screen door on a submarine.

    The others stood rooted, gawking at Paige like they¡¯d just seen a ghost, totally unprepared for the scene.

    Cole let out a quiet sigh, saying nothing.

    Elliana stepped up, kneeling beside Paige to check her wounds. Meanwhile, Myles, Aron, and Hugh fanned out, sweeping every nook and cranny to make sure no more ck-d goons were lying in wait. When the trio gave the all-clear, Elliana finished her check on Paige.

    ?????????? ?????? ?????????? ?????????? ¡ú g????????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°The injuries aren¡¯t life-threatening,¡± Elliana said, already working to staunch the bleeding. Sure, she and Paige had their share of bad blood over the years, and Paige¡¯s recent stunt trying to use Merritt¡¯s connections to kidnap and eliminate her was outrageous. But right now, Elliana wasn¡¯t about to let Paige bleed out¡ªnot under these circumstances. Even if Paige¡¯s shield-the-hero move was overkill, she¡¯d still taken a hit for Cole. He couldn¡¯t just shrug that off. By saving Paige, she was doing Cole a solid.

    Cole got where Elliana wasing from. As soon as she stopped the bleeding, he pulled her close and instructed Aron and Hugh, ¡°Get that woman to the ne.¡±

    Aron and Hugh shared a quick look and then stepped up to carry Paige downstairs.

    Elliana¡¯s mind shed to Hailee, still stashed in the big iron box on the fifth floor. She turned to Cole. ¡°My friend Hailee¡¯s still up there. I need to go get her.¡±

    But Cole gripped her hand, not budging. After that brush with death, he wasn¡¯t letting her out of his sight for a second. He turned to Merlin. ¡°Can you grab her for me?¡±

    Merlin was scrutinizing Elliana with a furrowed brow. At Cole¡¯s request, he asked tly, ¡°Where¡¯s she hidden?¡±

    Elliana didn¡¯t love the idea of Merlin stepping in¡ªshe¡¯d promised Hailee she¡¯de for her herself. But Cole¡¯s pleading look tugged at her heart. He¡¯d just been shot. Dragging him to the fifth floor wasn¡¯t fair. So, she told Merlin, ¡°In therge iron box in Room 1 on the fifth floor, there¡¯s a young girl named Hailee, fragile-looking.¡± Merlin made for the stairs.

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 Chapter 183

    ?Chapter 183:

    ¡°Oh, hang on,¡± Elliana called after him. ¡°Vivien¡¯s in the room next to Room 1, out cold. Someone¡¯s got to carry her down.¡±

    Elliana didn¡¯t care much for Vivien¡¯s fate, but Lenard had always been kind¡ªa steady ally. For his sake, she couldn¡¯t let Vivien die here.

    Saving Vivien now would square things with Lenard.

    At Vivien¡¯s name, Merlin froze, his face twisting with disgust.

    Pretty much everyone in Ublento¡¯s high society knew Vivien was head-over-heels for Merlin, pulling every trick in the book to win him over. Too bad for her, Merlin was allergic to romance and sick to death of her antics. He dodged her like the gue. Getting tangled up with her? Not on his watch.

    With Vivien in the mix, going upstairs was a hard pass. Merlin knew if he hauled her down today, she¡¯dtch onto him like a leech¡ªa shadow he¡¯d never shake.

    After a beat, Merlin spun to Manley, his face colder than a winter night. ¡°You go get her.¡±

    Manley¡¯s eyes lit up, clearly enjoying Merlin¡¯s difort. ¡°You can¡¯t stand Vivien, but I¡¯m not exactly her fan either. Asking me to lug around a woman who¡¯s got it bad for my buddy? That¡¯s a good one, huh?¡±

    Cole turned to Myles. ¡°You go bring Vivien down.¡±

    ¡°Fine,¡± Myles muttered reluctantly. He disliked Vivien as well, since he wasn¡¯t thrilled about her antics, but Cole¡¯s word wasw.

    Walking past Merlin, Myles said, ¡°Mr. kely, I can¡¯t carry two women solo. You¡¯ll need toe with me to the fifth floor to grab Mrs. Evans¡¯s friend.¡±

    Merlin didn¡¯t argue and followed Myles upstairs¡­

    Merlin and Myles had barely cleared the next level when Cole, who only moments ago looked carved from steel, began to sway as if he might drop at any second. ¡°Ugh, I feel awful,¡± he muttered, his voice barely audible.

    ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????? g???????¦Í?????????????

    Before Elliana could ask what was wrong, Cole slung an arm across her shoulders and leaned on her like a sack of bricks.

    The sudden weight caught Elliana off guard, making her stumble before she instinctively straightened up to catch Cole. Quick hands moved across his body as she checked him over, fingers searching for injuries she might have missed.

    Once done, she paused and studied his face, trying to make sense of his sudden weakness. Nothing seemed critical. He had been shot earlier, yes, but the bleeding had already been stopped. The wound wasn¡¯t deep enough to leave him this drained.

    While she stood there trying to piece it together, Cole tilted his head and shot her a tired, exasperated look. ¡°Are you just going to stand there gawking? Help me down already. Or would you rather watch me die of pain right here?¡±

    That snapped Elliana out of it. ¡°Right,¡± she said quickly, and without another beat, she slid an arm around his waist to help bnce his weight.

    With each step they took, Cole kept thementary going. ¡°Honestly, I¡¯ve seen rookies handle pressure better than you. Clumsy hands. Slow feet. You¡¯ve got the grace of a drunk duck.¡±

    The re Elliana gave him could have melted steel. She didn¡¯t say a word. She didn¡¯t need to. For a fleeting second, she wanted to let him fall. But concerns won out. He¡¯d been injured protecting her. The least she could do was not shove him down the stairs.

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 Chapter 184

    ?Chapter 184:

    At the top of the stairwell, An and Manley watched the whole scene unfold, exchanging looks that said everything.

    Manley blinked in disbelief. ¡°That¡¯s Cole? I didn¡¯t think he had such a side.¡±

    A low chuckle escaped An. ¡°Guess maybe that¡¯s just his way of flirting.¡±

    Laughing under their breath, the two men trailed after the pair down the stairs.

    While all that yed out below, Merlin and Myles reached the fifth floor and followed Elliana¡¯s directions to a door marked Room 1. Next door, they found a room left wide open¡ªand Vivien lying unconscious on the cold floor.

    A grimace twisted Merlin¡¯s face as he looked over the scene. ¡°You grab her,¡± he said with a flick of his hand. ¡°I¡¯ll check Room 1 for the girl named Hailee.¡±

    ¡°On it.¡± Myles gave a quick nod.

    Without wasting time, Myles stepped over the threshold, bent down, and hoisted Vivien onto his back before heading for the stairs.

    Meanwhile, Merlin slipped into Room 1 and began surveying the space. Dim lighting and scattered clutter made it hard to see, but something caught his eye in the far corner. Elliana had mentioned a heavy metal box buried beneath all that clutter.

    Despite the chaos Cole and his crew had already unleashed across the yacht, Merlin didn¡¯t let his guard down. He spotted a long de on a shelf nearby and snatched it up before stepping toward the clutter. Piece by piece, he began moving aside the items on the box with care, his eyes scanning for any movement. Eventually, the edge of the box came into view, just like Elliana had described.

    Once close enough, he crouched and pried open the lid.

    As the metal creaked, his grip on the long de tightened. He was ready for anything, just in case something¡ªor someone¡ªexploded out with teeth or a weapon. But there was no danger.

    Nestled inside, just as Elliana had said, was a petite young woman curled into herself. She shook like a leaf in the wind, trembling so violently that it looked like she might break apart.

    ???????????? ???? ?????? ????????: ?????????¦Í????????©q?????

    Their eyes met for half a second. Then, with a flicker of dread, she mmed her eyes shut, clearly trying to convince herself that maybe, just maybe, he¡¯d vanish if she refused to look.

    A shortugh escaped Merlin before he could stop it. Her reaction was almost childlike. He didn¡¯t need an exnation to understand her fear. A strange man opening her hiding ce instead of Elliana? Of course, she panicked. So small. So fragile. Tucked in like a doll that had been abandoned in a box. He felt like he could crush her just by breathing wrong.

    Without hesitation, Merlin dropped the long de. The ng echoed off the metal walls. ¡°Out. Now,¡± Merlin said, his voice firm but not unkind.

    Hailee didn¡¯t move. Her body shrank even deeper into the box, her eyes shut so tightly that it was a miracle her face didn¡¯t cave in.

    Hands on his hips, Merlin let out a breath, his tone turning sharper. ¡°I¡¯m not the patient type. You¡¯ve got three seconds before I pull you out myself.¡±

    He believed the threat would shake her, yet all it did was make her draw in tighter, folding into herself even more.

    Reaching down, Merlin grabbed for her cor, ready to haul her out whether she liked it or not.

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 Chapter 185

    ?Chapter 185:

    But the second his fingers brushed the fabric, she snapped. ¡°Ah!¡± A shriek ripped through the air.

    Without warning, she lunged, clutching his wrist with a death grip, her fingernails digging in like ws. Before Merlin could jerk away, her teeth sank into his flesh. It was fast. Violent. Sharp.

    That familiar jolt of pain triggered a sh of memory¡ªhe¡¯d been bitten by a stray dog once, and the sensation was disturbingly simr.

    ¡°God¡ªdamn!¡± Merlin hissed, inhaling through his teeth. Despite the pain, he didn¡¯t pull back. He stared at her instead. There she was, clinging to his wrist like a cornered animal, her mouth stained red from the bite. She had no idea who she was up against. And she wasn¡¯t holding back, either.

    She sank her small, pointed teeth into his wrist, ripping through skin until blood rose and smeared across her lips.

    Merlin was, without question, an anomaly among men. While others his age brimmed with restless vigor¡ªchasing romance, dreaming of love¡ªhe felt nothing but an instinctive revulsion. It was as if his very wiring rejected the notion of intimacy with women.

    Just minutes ago, he¡¯d watched Cole kiss Elliana and had recoiled in visible disgust¡ªnot out of jest, but with genuine loathing. The mere thought of skin brushing skin in tender affection made his stomach churn.

    Vivien had once made the grave mistake of brushing her hand against his. The result was catastrophic. In an instant, the polite veneer had shattered, and rage consumed him. He had kicked her with such unrestrained fury that her body crashed across the room like a rag doll, blood spilling from her nose and mouth.

    Everyone who had witnessed it was shaken to the core. No one had seen a man unleash such unfiltered violence on a woman before.

    From that day forward, Merlin¡¯s name had be synonymous with danger. Women who had once entertained fanciful dreams about him now shrank from his presence, whispers of his temper trailing in his wake. Even those with no romantic designs treaded carefully around him, fearing that the slightest idental touch might provoke another storm.

    And yet¡ªHailee had just bitten his wrist. He should have hurled her away, just as he had Vivien. His instinct should have red like wildfire. But instead, nothing. No, not nothing. Something stirred. Something maddeningly unfamiliar. He didn¡¯t want to strike her. He didn¡¯t even want to move. There was an odd warmth swelling in his chest¡ªinfuriatingly tender, strangely sweet.

    ?????????????? ????????????: g??????¦Í??????????????

    His arm tingled where her teeth had sunk in, an electric buzz spreading under his skin. It coursed through him, numbing and paralyzing him. His legs wouldn¡¯t obey. His body, once so quick to recoil, now refused to respond.

    Even his voice¡ªhis sharp,manding voice¡ªfailed him. He opened his mouth tosh out, to demand she stop whatever madness this was, but not a single word escaped.

    And just like that, the moment hung in suspension¡ªfrozen in time. Merlin stood stock-still, his entire body locked in a rigid trance as the reckless girl clung to his wrist, her teeth buried deep.

    At first, he felt pain¡ªsharp, searing¡ªbut it ebbed quickly, reced by an eerie numbness that spread like wildfire through his nerves. The jolt that followed was

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 Chapter 186

    ?Chapter 186:

    Unbearable. It felt as though lightning had struck him square in the arm, and even someone of his strength couldn¡¯t keep the tremor from showing. Sweat glistened on his brow. His tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth, dry as bone. And for a terrifying breath, he even wondered if he was going to die there.

    Even he deemed the thought ludicrous. He¡¯d survived wolves tearing at his flesh, battles that left him soaked in his own blood, and never once had death whispered in his ear. But now? One small girl. One bite. So, this was what they meant when they said that women were dangerous.

    Thoughts collided in Merlin¡¯s head like shing swords, wild, tangled, and unrelenting.

    Meanwhile, Hailee, entirely unaware of the chaos unraveling inside him, remained locked in her mission¡ªbiting down with every ounce of strength she had. Her jaws clenched tighter, her teeth digging in deeper, unaware that the skin had broken and blood now stained her lips.

    Her fear had pushed her past the edge¡ªso far past that it no longer registered as fear. All that remained was instinct. If this man stood in her way, she would tear through him tooth by tooth if it meant seeing Elliana again. She had made a promise. She had told Elliana she¡¯d wait. And if it meant biting this man to death to keep that promise¡ªso be it. Her n was simple: kill him, crawl back into the iron box, and wait. Just wait. Elliana woulde.

    But time dragged mercilessly on. Her jaw ached. Her cheeks burned. Her entire body trembled with the effort. And still¡ªhe did not fall. He didn¡¯t even flinch. Air became scarce in her lungs. Her vision blurred. If she didn¡¯t breathe soon, she¡¯d be the one to die.

    Finally, she let go¡ªgasping, panting, her chest heaving with exhaustion. Her face was flushed, her limbs weak, as though she¡¯d just fought a war with her own body.

    Merlin looked down at her in silence. It was the first time in his life he¡¯d seen someone wear themselves out from biting another person. She truly was a delicate creature¡ªas delicate as blown ss, shimmering and fragile, as though the gentlest touch might shatter her.

    Reflecting on how roughly he¡¯d tried to seize her earlier, Merlin felt a chill of unease. Had he seeded in grabbing her, would he have broken her without meaning to? She was more brittle than porcin¡ªmore vulnerable than anything he¡¯d ever encountered. And once again, his mind spiraled¡ªan avnche of fragmented thoughts crashing through his head in the blink of an eye.

    ???????? ???? ???????????????? ???????? ?g???????¦Í?????????????

    Hailee, still breathless from her earlier effort, finally lifted her head with what little strength she had left.

    Their eyes met¡ªhers ssy and confused, his strangely unreadable.

    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you down yet?¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible.

    A softugh escaped Merlin, curling at the edge of his lips into something that might have been a smile. ¡°Was I supposed to be dead?¡± he replied, amused. She had gone for his arm, not his throat. How could that kill him?

    But Hailee¡¯s muddled mind couldn¡¯t process his words. She was running on empty. Between the gunfire and her desperate escape from the iron box, everyst shred of her energy had been poured into that bite. Even the simple act of breathing now felt like a battle.

    Her knees buckled. Her body swayed. She was falling¡ªand in that instant, Merlin snapped back to reality.

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 Chapter 187

    ?Chapter 187:

    The haze that had gripped him vanished, and instinct took over. He lunged forward, catching her before she hit the floor, pulling her close into his arms.

    Merlin didn¡¯t bother asking for permission¡ªhe swept Hailee into his arms without hesitation. Judging by her fragile look, she had no chance of walking on her own.

    Even though Hailee¡¯s limbs had given out, her re burned with stubborn fire. ¡°You vile bastard! If you¡¯re going to kill me, just get it over with! Quit ying with me!¡± she snapped, her voice hoarse but fierce.

    That outburst, though meant to intimidate,nded with all the weight of a kitten¡¯s hiss.

    Looking down at her, Merlin¡¯s lips curled into a grin, amusement flickering in his eyes. This girl could barely hold herself up, yet she was still trying to bare her ws. The contradiction didn¡¯t escape him. Blood from his wrist still painted her mouth, turning her lips a striking shade of crimson. It should have looked gruesome. Instead, it had a strange allure.

    ¡°I¡¯m not here to kill you,¡± Merlin said calmly. ¡°My name¡¯s Merlin kely. I¡¯m a friend of Cole¡¯s, and I¡¯m here on Elliana¡¯s behalf to pick you up.¡±

    Suspicion lingered in her eyes as she studied him. Her breathing had slowed, but her mistrust hadn¡¯t faded. After several tense seconds, her voice came quieter this time. ¡°How do I know you¡¯re telling the truth?¡±

    He said tly, ¡°Believe what you want.¡±

    No further exnation came. He simply kept walking. Whether she busted him or not didn¡¯t matter anymore¡ªshe didn¡¯t have the energy to resist him, let alone escape from his grip.

    As they stepped into the hallway, her eyes fell on the blood-soaked bodies strewn across the floor. She flinched at the sight, then shut her eyes tight and pressed herself closer to Merlin, hiding her face against his chest. The motion was instinctive. She looked like a cornered kitten seeking shelter.

    Merlin nced down at the girl curled in his arms and couldn¡¯t hold back a quiet chuckle. She was scared to death, didn¡¯t trust him for a second, and still, she clung to him like he was her only lifeline. The irony made him shake his head.

    Held tightly in his arms, she didn¡¯t make another sound as he carried her down each set of stairs, the weight of her body light but constant. They reached the deck atst, and a strong gust of sea air greeted them. The cold wind cut through her haze, snapping her eyes open. Blinking rapidly, she lifted her head and looked around. Then, her gaze shifted to the man holding her.

    ???????? ???????????? ????????: g???????¦Í????????????

    In the distance, an aircraft waited, its doors open. A handful of men stood nearby, watching them approach.

    Though most were strangers to Hailee, a few faces stood out. Recognition dawned when she spotted Myles, Aron, and Hugh. She had seen them once¡ªon the day Cole showed up at her family¡¯s diner looking for Elliana. They weren¡¯t random strangers. They worked for Cole. So, it turned out the man holding her hadn¡¯t been lying after all¡ªhe really hade on Elliana¡¯s behalf to get her out.

    The realization struck her with a wave of regret. A guilty weight settled in her chest as her eyes dropped to the injury on his wrist. Bright red and still raw, the wound made her wince before she lifted her gaze toward his face.

    From where she was nestled against him, she couldn¡¯t see much¡ªjust the sharp edge of his jaw, clean and angr. Back on the yacht, panic had clouded her senses. She hadn¡¯t even registered what he looked like. Now that things had calmed, she realized she couldn¡¯t recall his features at all.

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 Chapter 188

    ?Chapter 188:

    That jawline, though¡ªit was almost too defined. Like something off a movie poster. His arms held her like she weighed nothing, muscles flexing with each stride as he walked, his legs easily outpacing the length of her own. The rise and fall of his chest against her side felt steady, powerful, grounding in a way that made no sense. Everything about him gave off the kind of presence that demanded attention, the kind that made a person feel protected even when they didn¡¯t want to admit it.

    A thought crept into her mind¡ªridiculous, maybe, but strangely fitting. He reminded her of the fierce warriors from those fantasy novels she devoured as a kid. The kind who never lost battles, who always arrived just in time, who stood tall above the fray while chaos burned around them. And yet, this same man hade up five floors for her. All because someone asked. In return, she had rewarded him by tearing into his wrist like a rabid animal.

    The memory made her stomach turn, and the faint metallic tang still lingering in her mouth wasn¡¯t helping. Instinctively, she brought her fingers to her lips. Red stained the tips. Seeing the smear of blood sent a jolt through her. What was she even thinking when she bit him like that? Why had she reacted like a vampire fresh off a horror flick? Her thoughts spiraled the longer she stared. That rusty vor wouldn¡¯t leave her tongue, and the wind off the sea only made things worse. The salt in the air curled through her nose, mixing with the taste of blood, sending her stomach into revolt. A gag slipped out before she could stop it.

    ¡°Ugh¡ª¡± Hailee mped a hand over her mouth, horrified at the idea of throwing up all over the man who¡¯d just saved her. Red flushed across her face, more from embarrassment than anything. Noticing her shift, Merlin cast a nce down, his brow arching.

    Finally, Hailee got a clear look at his face. And the view stunned her. He wasn¡¯t just attractive¡ªhe was distractingly handsome. The kind of handsome that didn¡¯t feel real, like something airbrushed onto aic book page and brought to life.

    While she was still reeling, Merlin mistook her silence and the flush in her cheeks for something else entirely¡ªrepulsion. A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. ¡°Wow. Didn¡¯t think being carried by a man would turn you into a blushing mess,¡± he said, his voice dripping with yful sarcasm.

    The moment Merlin finished speaking, a brighter flush crept up Hailee¡¯s cheeks. She had just been quietly fantasizing about him, imagining him as some fearless warrior, only to be blindsided by his sharp tongue. If not for the fact that he had rescued her, she might have sunk her teeth into his arm all over again. His name finally clicked in her memory¡ªMerlin kely. That was how he had introduced himself.

    ???????????? ???????? ???? ?????????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°Could you, um, let me down, Mr. kely?¡± Hailee murmured, her cheeks burning.

    With a sidelong nce at Manley and An, who were loitering near the cabin door like curious spectators, Merlin gently lowered her.

    Even though her fear had subsided, her body hadn¡¯t caught up. Her legs buckled the moment they met the floor, and the salty wind did her no favors as she tilted dangerously.

    Merlin didn¡¯t hesitate¡ªhis hand darted out to catch her around the waist. The contact surprised him. Her waist felt delicate, almost silken, and it startled him how pleasant the touch was.

    His touch only deepened Hailee¡¯s embarrassment. She immediately pulled away, summoning all her willpower to stand on her own. Once steady, she nced up, mortified. ¡°Thank you for helping me, Mr. kely,¡± she murmured, nearly under her breath.

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 Chapter 189

    ?Chapter 189:

    Instead of a gracious nod, Merlin gave her a pointed look and sneered, ¡°That¡¯s an interesting way to show gratitude.¡±

    He raised his arm, blood still trailing faintly from her bite mark, and added with a smirk, ¡°Is this your idea of a thank-you? Biting your savior?¡±

    Hailee turned red again. It was mortifying¡ªabsolutely mortifying. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. kely. I was scared out of my mind and thought you were someone I needed to run from,¡± she said, biting her lip as she threw a nervous nce at Merlin. ¡°I honestly have no idea what to say to make things right or get you to forgive me.¡±

    She considered inviting him to a meal, hoping it might be a way to show her thanks and offer a proper apology. Just as the idea of inviting him out started to form in her mind, she remembered he was friends with Cole¡ªand everything about him screamed money. There was no way she could afford a dinner that would meet his standards. He probably dined in restaurants that only existed in her daydreams, the kind where a single meal might equal everything her father made in a year running that modest corner shop.

    No matter how hard she tried, she couldn¡¯te up with anything that felt like a real way to repay him. Her options were painfully limited.

    As she stood there, visibly troubled, Merlin found himself oddly entertained. For someone who usually paid women no mind, he was unexpectedly intrigued. ¡°You¡¯re really serious about making this up to me, huh?¡± he said, halfughing, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

    Hailee didn¡¯t hesitate¡ªshe gave a small but sincere nod.

    Without a second thought, he locked eyes with her and said, ¡°Then be mine.¡±

    ¡°What¡­ What did you just say?¡± Hailee froze. Her gaze snapped to his face, certain she must¡¯ve misheard him. Maybe the wind had jumbled his words, or maybe she was just imagining things.

    ¡°I said, if you¡¯re looking for a way to repay me, then be with me,¡± Merlin said, his voice calm. ¡°I¡¯m twenty-seven, and I¡¯ve never been with a woman. I used to dismiss the notion of intimacy as boring, but now, for some reason, it feels like it might actually be quite interesting after all.¡±

    ?????????????????? ???????? ???? ???????? g???????¦Í??????????????

    For the first time, the idea hadn¡¯t sounded ridiculous to him. It sounded kind of nice. He hadn¡¯t flinched when she bit him. In fact, her lips brushing against his skin had sent a jolt through his system. It wasn¡¯t unpleasant¡ªit was electric. He wanted to feel that spark again. Asking for another bite would be absurd, but if she became his woman, then those moments wouldn¡¯t need an excuse.

    Merlin didn¡¯t see anything wrong with his suggestion. But Hailee? She was shocked. Her brain struggled to process his words, and all she could think was¡ªthe thinking of the rich was beyond herprehension.

    After what felt like forever, she finally spoke up, her voice quiet but clear. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t agree to that, Mr. kely¡­ I already have a boyfriend.¡±

    Merlin¡¯s expression shifted the moment the words left her lips. A boyfriend? Seriously? It hit him like an unexpected wave, washing away the reckless thoughts that had started to take root in his mind. Without offering another word, he turned on his heel and walked off. Crossing that line¡ªtaking someone who already belonged to someone else¡ªjust wasn¡¯t in him.

    As Hailee watched him leave, her shoulders rxed. A quiet sigh escaped her lips before she made her way toward the ne.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 190

    ?Chapter 190:

    Back at the cabin entrance, Manley narrowed his eyes and leaned toward An, lowering his voice. ¡°What¡¯s going on between Merlin and Hailee?¡±

    The whole thing didn¡¯t sit right. Merlin had carried Hailee off the yacht like some kind of hero. Since when had he ever touched a woman, let alone carried one? Hadn¡¯t he always said he found physical contact with women disgusting? Then, after they talked, his mood had suddenly turned sour, and he walked away like someone had just insulted his entire bloodline.

    An didn¡¯t have an answer. Merlin¡¯s behavior today felt off to him too. As confusion clouded both their faces, Merlin stormed past them at the bottom of the gangway without so much as a nce. He disappeared into the cabin, radiating a tension that warned them to keep their mouths shut.

    One look between Manley and An was all it took. Neither of them dared to speak. No one messed with Merlin when he was in a mood¡ªnot unless they wanted to get burned.

    Just as the silence settled in, Hailee reached the gangway steps herself. Manley¡¯s gaze shifted to her face, studying her carefully. A thought suddenly crossed his mind, piecing together something unexpected.

    Cole had traveled from Ublento to Merritt¡¯s yacht, which was anchored in international waters. He had arranged for a sizeable security detail, cleverly splitting them between two flights to keep the kidnappers off bnce. His own ne arrived at the yacht first, while the other¡ªpacked with bodyguards¡ªremained in the area, circling over the waters and awaiting his signal.

    Back when Merlin fetched Hailee, the second aircraft descended onto the deck, swiftly picking up Paige and Vivien before immediately departing for Ublento.

    All the while, Cole¡¯s ne waited in readiness, prepared for Merlin and Hailee¡¯s return.

    As Hailee reached the boarding ramp, Manley immediately recognized her. Recently, she had started working overnight shifts as a server at the Royal Club to supplement her ie. Manley, as the club¡¯s owner, had crossed paths with her on two asions, though she had never noticed him.

    ???????? ???????? ???????????????????? @ g?????????¦Í????????©q??????

    The Royal Club was expansive, and normally, Manley wouldn¡¯t spare a thought for new staff. However, Hailee had caught his attention after he overheard whispers among the employees. She was the subject of gossip¡ªdescribed as both pitiable and naive.

    Despite being an academic standout from a prestigious university, earning des in the Starry Oil paintingpetition, and holding a respectable position at a publishing house, her current circumstances were bewildering. By all rights, she could have enjoyed afortable, independent life based solely on her achievements. Instead, for a boyfriend she¡¯d only known a few months, she had willingly embraced hardship¡ªjuggling multiple jobs, enduring exhaustion, and surviving on little. What shocked everyone most was the rumor circting among the staff that she was preparing to donate a kidney to him.

    When Manley first heard those rumors, he hadughed them off. A woman that devoted? In this world? He found it hard to believe. He had met too many women who only cared about money. In his eyes, innocence was just an act¡ªuntil he met Hailee at the Royal Club. She stood out in a ce drowning in greed. Her calm presence, the way she carried herself¡ªit all seemed pure. That was why he remembered her. So, seeing her again today on the yacht took him by surprise. He never imagined she¡¯d be connected to Elliana.

    Though Manley recognized her instantly, he yed it cool, pretending not to know her. There was no point stirring up old memories or inviting awkwardness.

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    .

    .

 Chapter 191

    ?Chapter 191:

    Hailee had only just started at the club. She didn¡¯t know Manley owned it. In fact, she had never even noticed him before. And she had no idea that whispers about her had already begun to swirl among her coworkers. She had always drawn a line between her personal life and her job.

    She always kept her head down, always focused on work.

    She hadn¡¯t wanted a job at a ce like the Royal Club¡ªnot really. But the pay was good, and her boyfriend¡¯s supposed medical bills weighed heavily on her. With her education, natural charm, and professional attitude, she cleared the interview with ease. Once hired, she worked hard, spoke little, and kept to herself.

    Still, her private life had be a favorite topic of gossip. And behind it all was Boris. He had carefully nted the rumors to make things ufortable for her.

    It was the same scheme Boris had used to manipte Hailee into joining The Heiress¡¯ Graduation Trip. The name said it all. A morous getaway meant for the rich and privileged. Not someone like Hailee.

    But Boris had connections. He used them to push her into the spotlight, not to help her, but to watch her struggle in a world that wasn¡¯t hers. Oblivious to his schemes, Hailee had attended, all for earning money for his so-called surgery.

    Her pain had be his entertainment. The more she sacrificed, the more it proved her profound love for him¡ªand, in his twisted mind, his power over her. He fed off the admiration of his shallow friends, feeling important with every sacrifice she made.

    Myles stood at the base of the gangway, waiting as instructed by Elliana. When Hailee approached, he gave her a respectful nod and said, ¡°Ms. Loftus, the ne is ready. Pleasee aboard.¡±

    Hailee paused for a moment. ¡°How¡¯s Elliana? Is she doing okay?¡± she asked softly. Though she knew Elliana was tough, she couldn¡¯t shake the concern gnawing at her.

    Myles offered a polite smile. ¡°Mrs. Evans is already on board. She¡¯s doing just fine.¡±

    Only then did Hailee exhale, her shoulders rxing. She followed Myles onto Cole¡¯s private jet without another word.

    ???????????? ?????????????? ???????? ???? g???????¦Í????????????

    A few momentster, An and Manley boarded, too. Once the cabin doors closed, the engines roared to life, and the ne lifted off the yacht.

    Inside, Elliana sat on a plush sofa, curledfortably in Cole¡¯s arms. Their closeness was clear.

    Merlin lounged on another couch while An and Manley took seats across from him.

    Hailee lingered near the aisle, unsure of where to sit. Everything about the luxurious cabin made her uneasy. She wasn¡¯t used to this world. Private jets, designer interiors, and elitepany¡ªit all felt far from the modest life she¡¯d known. Worse, she had just shed with Merlin. That tension still clung to her, making her feel even more out of ce.

    Ellianapletely understood what Hailee was feeling and had every intention of sitting with her to help her feel less alone. However, Cole hadtched onto her like a second skin, his arm securely fastened around her waist, leaving her with little room to move, let alone join Hailee. Calling Cole out didn¡¯t feel right, especially since he had taken a bullet for her earlier. So, for now, she let him cling without protest.

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 Chapter 192

    ?Chapter 192:

    Catching Hailee¡¯s uncertain nce, Elliana offered a reassuring smile and gestured to the couch across from her. ¡°Hailee,e sit over here.¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± Hailee replied, making her way over.

    Among this intimidating circle of wealth and status, Elliana was the only familiar face, and sticking close gave Hailee a small sense offort. But the moment she eased into the seat opposite Elliana, she felt the tension. One nce at Cole, and it was obvious¡ªhe wasn¡¯t thrilled. Embarrassment crept up her neck. It was clear she had interrupted something, and now she wished she¡¯d picked a different spot.

    Elliana gave Cole a quick look, half-amused, half-annoyed. He was being ridiculous, like some over-possessive teenager, and she honestly didn¡¯t know what to do with him. With a resigned sigh, she turned to Myles. ¡°Could you get a room ready for my friend?¡±

    ¡°Of course, Mrs. Evans,¡± Myles replied, offering a polite nod.

    Looking back at Hailee, Elliana softened her tone. ¡°You look exhausted. Why don¡¯t you lie down for a while?¡±

    Relief washed over Hailee¡¯s face, and she nodded. ¡°Thanks. That actually sounds perfect.¡±

    Without dy, Myles guided Hailee to a quiet room at the back of the cabin, where she could finally rest in peace.

    Once Hailee left the room, Manley loosened up, his attention swinging between Elliana and Merlin like a pendulum. Both of them intrigued him, but he wasn¡¯t sure who would be more fun to poke at.

    Noting the way Cole was practically wrapped around Elliana like a vine, Manley figured it was smarter not to test those waters. That left Merlin¡ªsilent, stiff, and sitting like he¡¯d been carved from ice, every muscle locked in ce and his eyes glued to the floor.

    Curiosity got the better of Manley. ¡°Hey, Merlin. What happened to your wrist?¡± he asked.

    Without blinking, Merlin replied, ¡°Got bitten.¡±

    ???????????????? ????????: g???????¦Í?????????????

    That answer stopped Manley cold. ¡°Bitten? By what? Don¡¯t tell me there was a dog onboard. Was there? No way, right?¡±

    As soon as the words left his mouth, Manley realized how stupid that sounded. Even if there had been a stray somehow, there was no universe in which it could¡¯veid a tooth on Merlin. Merlin had once taken down a dozen armed men without breaking a sweat. A dog wouldn¡¯t dare. Hell, a lion might think twice. He¡¯d survived gunfire and hand-to-hand brawls, yet somehow, after fetching a gentle-looking woman, a mark was left on him? That didn¡¯t add up¡ªand that made it even more interesting.

    Manley leaned in, peering at the injury. The closer he looked, the more obvious it became¡ªthose weren¡¯t animal marks. That was a human bite. And judging by the shape, it came from a woman.

    Manley pieced together the truth, so did everyone else in the room. Considering the only woman Merlin had been close to was Hailee, it wasn¡¯t hard to connect the dots.

    Elliana¡¯s eyes widened slightly, taken aback. Hailee? Really? She looked more like someone who¡¯d cry over a stubbed toe¡ªwhat the hell had made her bite?

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    .

    .

 Chapter 193

    ?Chapter 193:

    Across the room, An and Manley nced at Merlin and then exchanged a look between themselves. No words needed. Their expressions said it all¡ªwhat in the world had just happened? Merlin had a well-known rule¡ªhe didn¡¯t do physical contact with women. But when Hailee bit him, he didn¡¯t throw her away and even carried her. That was odd.

    Right on cue, Hailee emerged from the room, tentative steps announcing her arrival.

    Every pair of eyes in the room turned toward her like she was walking onto a stage.

    With a small first-aid kit clutched tightly in her hands, Hailee made her way toward Merlin, her voice barely above a whisper as she asked, ¡°Mr. kely, would it be okay if I treated your wound?¡±

    Merlin, all icy detachment, cast her a sideways nce and then looked away just as fast. ¡°Not necessary,¡± he replied, his voice cold enough to frost ss.

    The rejection hit Hailee hard. Her cheeks turned pink as silence settled between them. Merlin¡¯s indifference was like standing outside in a snowstorm with no coat.

    Cold. Sharp. Unweing. She wanted to walk away, but the guilt gnawed at her¡ªshe¡¯d bitten him, and now his wrist was still bleeding. Letting it go untreated didn¡¯t sit right.

    ¡°Mr. kely, I get that you¡¯re angry and want nothing to do with me. But please, let me wrap it up. I¡¯ll feel terrible if I walk away without helping,¡± Hailee said, her voice nearly pleading. ¡°After that, I¡¯ll leave you alone and won¡¯t bother you again.¡±

    Without saying a word, Merlin grabbed the kit from Hailee¡¯s hands. He opened it with mechanical precision, applied antiseptic like he¡¯d done it a thousand times, pped some gauze over the bite, and closed the box with a snap¡ªbarely putting any care into it. Once finished, he leaned back on the couch like none of it mattered. ¡°You can go now.¡±

    Thrown off by his bluntness, Hailee nodded and walked back to her room with quiet steps, wanting nothing more than to vanish.

    The rest of the room sat in stunned silence. Merlin had just had a full-blown conversation with someone who bit him¡ªand didn¡¯t break anything in the process. His tone might¡¯ve been distant, but anyone who knew him well could tell he was being lenient. The same man who had once roundhouse-kicked Vivien for identally brushing his sleeve.

    ???????? ???????? ???????? ???? g????????¦Í??????©o?????

    ¡°Be honest, Merlin¡ªare you into Hailee or what?¡± Manley asked, leaning forward with a grin, never one to keep his mouth shut.

    Manley¡¯s question struck a chord¡ªbecause it echoed Elliana¡¯s own growing unease.

    Elliana resolved to intervene if Merlin truly had his sights set on Hailee. Despite her limited interactions with Merlin, she had an unfavorable impression of him since his infamy preceded him. Whispers of his temperament floated through every corner of this world¡ªmost notoriously, the tale of himunching Vivien clear across a room. There were several versions, each more colorful than thest, but the core of the story remained the same: Merlin was no gentle soul. He was blunt, distant, andpletely oblivious to the concept of tenderness. Charm wasn¡¯t just missing from his arsenal¡ªit might as well have been a foreignnguage. Any kind of rtionship with him promised nothing short of a storm.

    If Hailee were just a stranger, Elliana might have paid this issue no heed. But Hailee was a dear friend¡ªthe same friend who¡¯d stumbled into this world because of her. She couldn¡¯t allow Merlin to bulldoze his way into Hailee¡¯s life unchecked.

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 Chapter 194

    ?Chapter 194:

    So, when Manley voiced the question, Elliana¡¯s eyes immediately sought out Merlin¡¯s face. He scowled, clearly annoyed, but held his tongue. She furrowed her brows. Was that a silent admission? ¡°Wait, no way, Merlin. You¡¯re not serious, are you?¡±

    Manley blinked, torn betweenughter and disbelief. ¡°Seriously, Merlin? You? Just minutes ago, you were practically preaching about bachelorhood¡ªhow romance was repulsive, how you couldn¡¯t fathom any sort of physical closeness with women. And now you¡¯re suddenly interested in Hailee?¡±

    Merlin¡¯s face burned with a sh of embarrassment, his mouth twitching, ready to respond¡ªbut Manley beat him to it.

    ¡°Before you say anything, there¡¯s something you need to remember,¡± Manley said, his voice steady but edged with warning.

    That stopped Merlin cold.

    Manley went on, ¡°Hailee works at the Royal Club as a hostess. I know a little about her situation. She¡¯s got a boyfriend¡ªand she¡¯s head over heels for him. You have no idea how much.¡±

    Merlin¡¯s brows drew tighter, his lips thinning as displeasure rippled across his face. After years of feeling nothing for any woman, suddenly he found someone who stirred something in him, only to discover she already belonged to someone else. It was a cruel twist.

    ¡°I heard they¡¯d only been dating three months when he fell gravely ill. Since then, she¡¯s been working nonstop to pay for his treatment. And now, she¡¯s nning to donate a kidney to him,¡± Manley continued, spilling out everything he knew.

    He let the weight of those words hang before turning to Elliana. ¡°I¡¯m right, aren¡¯t I?¡±

    Elliana¡¯s lips tightened, but she said nothing. She didn¡¯t owe them an exnation, and Hailee¡¯s story wasn¡¯t hers to share. But her silence was taken as confirmation by the others.

    Merlin¡¯s face darkened.

    ???????? ???????? ???????????? ????????????: ?????????¦Í???????????????

    He hadn¡¯t expected Hailee to be the type to give so much of herself, especially for someone she¡¯d known for not too long. That kind of love, that level of devotion, was foreign to him. And it burned. Jealousy reared its head, sharp and sudden. Just how deeply did she love this man to make such sacrifices?

    The thought twisted inside Merlin like a de. He yanked at his cor, irritation evident, and muttered coolly, ¡°Her affairs have nothing to do with me.¡±

    That was his way of saying he was giving up on Hailee.

    Elliana felt an immediate rush of relief. Hailee was far too gentle, too pure, too naive for the cutthroat world of Merlin¡¯s circle. The idea of Merlin¡ªcold, unpredictable¡ªdisrupting Hailee¡¯s life had left her uneasy. His decision to back off was the best oue.

    Just as Elliana let out a quiet breath, she noticed something¡ªMerlin¡¯s piercing gaze had turned on her.

    Elliana¡¯s frown deepened, subtle but sharp. Merlin had never shown her kindness¡ªnot once. Their first encounter at the Royal Club had been nothing short of cold. He¡¯d even urged Cole to divorce her. Now, with that same piercing stare fixed on her, she couldn¡¯t help but wonder what game he was ying.

    There was a weight to Merlin, the kind that only came from years on the battlefield. His past in international special forces clung to him like a shadow¡ªhard, disciplined, and dangerous. When he looked at someone, it wasn¡¯t just a nce. It was an assault. Most people buckled under that pressure.

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 Chapter 195

    ?Chapter 195:

    But Elliana didn¡¯t. Her spine held steady, her expression calm, though it still made her ufortable. After a few moments of that silent interrogation, she finally broke the tension. ¡°Why are you looking at me like that?¡±

    Merlin didn¡¯t bother cloaking his tone. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be exining something?¡±

    She arched a brow, cool andposed. ¡°About what, exactly?¡±

    He let out a mirthless chuckle. ¡°During the yacht incident, you singlehandedly defeated everyone around. Don¡¯t you think you owe us an exnation for how you have such formidable skills? Who are you, Elliana? And why the hell are you pretending to be a nobody?¡±

    The air inside the cabin thickened with silence.

    Merlin¡¯s usation hadnded like a thunderp, drawing everyone¡¯s attention. Back at the Royal Club, they¡¯d watched her handle a few thugs and rappel down from the seventeenth floor¡ªimpressive, but still within the realm of possibility. This? This was something else entirely. One woman bringing down an entire crew aboard a yacht? That wasn¡¯t bravery. That was tactical precision. A woman like that¡ªskilled, secretive, and hiding in in sight¡ªposed an unspoken threat. Especially to someone like Cole.

    Merlin¡¯s interrogation wasn¡¯t personal but driven by his concern for Cole. And the grim expressions on An¡¯s and Manley¡¯s faces made it clear they shared his concerns.

    Now, all eyes were on Elliana. But she didn¡¯t respond. Instead, she turned her head and looked at Cole, whose opinion mattered most to her in that moment. What did he think of all this?

    Elliana didn¡¯t hold Merlin¡¯s skepticism against him. Being one of Cole¡¯s closest allies, it made perfect sense that he¡¯d step in to scrutinize anyone who got close. Loyalty like that was rare¡ªCole was lucky to have someone who didn¡¯t sugarcoat the truth.

    Still, Elliana had no ns to clear things up. Her personal life wasn¡¯t up for discussion, especially not in a room full of people she didn¡¯t trust. At first, Cole¡¯s judgment hadn¡¯t mattered to her. But when he called her ¡°the one I treasure most,¡± something shifted¡ªhis words lingered, tugging at her emotions.

    The moment Merlin unleashed his rapid-fire questions, Cole slowly pulled his arm away from Elliana¡¯s waist. When she nced at him, the warmth that once lived on his face had vanished, reced by something distant and cold. He looked like a man who¡¯d suddenly been forced to reevaluate everything.

    ?????????? ???????????? ????: ??????????¦Í?????????????

    A bitterugh echoed inside Elliana¡¯s mind. Even Cole¡ªwho had stood between her and danger¡ªwas beginning to question who she really was. He might even believe she¡¯d forged that strange marriage certificate herself, ying a long game with hidden motives. Love, she realized, was far more fragile than it seemed.

    She no longer doubted that Cole had feelings for her. Someone who threw himself in harm¡¯s way without hesitation wasn¡¯t indifferent. But emotions alone couldn¡¯t override caution¡ªnot for a man like Cole. If she ever became a threat in his eyes, he wouldn¡¯t hesitate. Whatever tenderness he felt could be extinguished in a heartbeat. That was the kind of man he was¡ªcapable of choosing logic over sentiment when it counted. And she¡¯d never been naive enough to think he¡¯d bend too far for her.

    Merlin¡¯s barrage of pointed questions cast a heavy silence over the room. Every gaze turned toward Elliana, waiting for her response.

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 Chapter 196

    ?Chapter 196:

    Elliana gazed at Cole, but he kept his head lowered, his eyes focused¡ªnot on her¡ªbut on the ck pistol resting silently on the table.

    ¡°Ms. Marsh, I think it¡¯s time you gave us a reasonable exnation,¡± Merlin said, his voice slicing through the silence.

    Rather than answer immediately, Elliana nced at Cole, hoping for even a flicker of reassurance. But his expression was unreadable, and the disappointment settled in her chest like a weight. She turned her attention to Merlin instead, meeting his sharp gaze. There was no mistaking the threat behind those eyes¡ªif he believed she was endangering Cole, he¡¯d pull the trigger without a second thought.

    Everything about Merlin radiated cold precision, a man born for split-second violence.

    But Elliana didn¡¯t flinch. Her voice rang out, sharper and more resolute than his. ¡°My life isn¡¯t a courtroom, and I owe you no testimony. You don¡¯t get to demand answers.¡±

    ¡°You!¡± For the first time, a crack appeared in Merlin¡¯s cold demeanor. He couldn¡¯t keep the violent urge buried any longer. He shot to his feet without warning.

    His sudden movement stirred the room. Tension rolled in like a tide, and the energy turned sharp, brimming with confrontation.

    With a coin gripped tightly in her hand, Elliana sat still. Her face was far calmer than Merlin¡¯s, but the calm was misleading. Anyone who truly knew her could see that if Merlin moved an inch too fast, that coin would be sailing at him like a bullet. It was quite a coincidence that both she and Cole had mastered the deadly art of using a coin as a weapon.

    She might have had feelings for Cole. She might have known how close Merlin was to Cole. Still, none of that would stop her from doing what she had to do to survive.

    That was when Cole finally broke the silence, turning to Elliana. ¡°Please go back to your room.¡±

    There was a quiet stillness in his voice, so smooth that it gave away nothing at all.

    ???????????????? ????????: g????????¦Í?????????????

    Myles, who had been keeping a tense posture the whole time, suddenly stepped forward. He looked at Elliana and said, ¡°Mrs. Evans, allow me to take you back to your room.¡±

    For a brief moment, Elliana stayed still. Then, she got to her feet and walked out with Myles. She had no real desire to treat these people like enemies. If Cole chose not to believe her, then ending the marriage would be the cleanest option. If he preferred to speak with his friends in private, she would not stand in the way.

    After Elliana stepped into the room, Myles remained by the doorway to guard it.

    The door separated the two spaces, keeping every word and sound from passing through.

    Merlin walked over and sat down across from Cole. An and Manley followed and took their seats as well.

    Cole kept his eyes down. Whatever he was feeling stayed buried deep.

    ¡°What¡¯s going through your head, Cole?¡± Merlin asked.

    When Merlin saw Cole¡¯s mouth mped shut, refusing to give a reply, his voice sharpened. ¡°When did you be so indecisive? I doubt you haven¡¯t thought about what we¡¯re all worried about.¡± Still, Cole said nothing.

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 Chapter 197

    ?Chapter 197:

    Merlin continued, ¡°Everything that happened today proves my point. Elliana isn¡¯t safe to keep around. I even think this sudden marriage wasn¡¯t random. It could¡¯ve been her plot all along.¡±

    Watching Cole stay silent and stone-faced, Merlin raised his voice even more. ¡°Keeping her close is like holding onto a fuse that¡¯s already lit. That kind of risk will only keep growing. If you don¡¯t let her go now, you¡¯ll always be one step away from disaster!¡±

    With every word Merlin threw into the room, the pressure inside thickened, like a storm cloud settling over their heads¡­

    The tension in the room had grown suffocating, and Manley was the first to crack under its weight. He nced at Cole¡ªstill silent, unreadable¡ªand then shifted his eyes to An, seated beside him. Usuallyposed and soft-spoken, An now wore a grave expression, his gentle demeanor stripped away by the seriousness of the moment.

    ¡°Cole, I may not understand what draws you to Elliana, but I can see that your feelings for her are real. Still, that doesn¡¯t change the fact that Merlin has a point¡ªand this time, I¡¯m with him.¡±

    An leaned forward, his tone taking on an almost pleading quality. ¡°There are all kinds of women in the world. Finding someone you care about is rare, I get that. But caring about someone shouldn¡¯t mean gambling with your life. What we witnessed today¡­ Elliana isn¡¯t just impressive¡ªshe¡¯s frightening.¡±

    Across the room, Aron and Hugh exchanged uneasy nces. Though their time with Elliana had been limited, she hadn¡¯t struck them as dangerous¡ªat least, not toward Cole. Yet, after what they¡¯d seen, they couldn¡¯t ignore the possibility. For Cole¡¯s safety, they too found themselves aligning with Merlin¡¯s judgment, however reluctantly.

    Manley spoke up. ¡°Cole, I think Elliana is nice. I really do. Butpared to your safety, that doesn¡¯t carry weight.¡±

    Now, every pair of eyes in the room was trained on Cole. But he remained still.

    Then, without warning, Merlin reached out and slid the ck handgun resting on the table toward Cole. ¡°If you¡¯re serious about eliminating the threat,¡± he said, ¡°this is the time. The ce. The stars have aligned.¡± No one spoke¡ªbut everyone knew exactly what Merlin meant. If there was ever a perfect time to end Elliana¡ªit was now.

    ???????????? ?????????????? @ ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Atst, Cole lifted his head. His gaze swept across the room, sharp and unwavering. ¡°Is that what you all want?¡± he asked, his voice quiet but cutting. ¡°For me to kill her¡ªright here, right now?¡±

    A suffocating silence followed. No one dared to answer. No one dared to breathe.

    Manley was the first to crack. He shifted ufortably, scratching the back of his neck. ¡°I don¡¯t think it has to go that far,¡± he said, his voice strained. ¡°Just divorce her. Cast her out of the Evans family. That alone would neutralize the threat. If she turns troublesome after that, then maybe you can take harsher steps.¡±

    An and Merlin exchanged nces but said nothing. They didn¡¯t disagree. Killing Elliana was overkill. Effective, yes¡ªbut brutal. Unnecessary, if exile would suffice.

    A soft, mirthlessugh escaped Cole. ¡°I know your concernes from loyalty¡ªand for that, I appreciate it. But my marriage, my wife¡­ Those are my decisions. I don¡¯t appreciate outside interference. Let this be thest time this subjectes up.¡±

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 Chapter 198

    ?Chapter 198:

    Without waiting for a reply, Cole reached down, grabbed the gun from the table, and walked toward the room where Elliana was waiting.

    The others were left staring after him, baffled. What was going through his mind? His words suggested he had no intention of severing ties with Elliana. He seemed angry at their suggestion. But then why take the gun?

    Aron and Hugh tensed, instincts ring. They hurried over to Myles, worry etched across their faces.

    ¡°Myles, what do we do now?¡± Hugh whispered urgently.

    Myles stared at the shut door, tension etched deep in his face. ¡°We wait,¡± he murmured. ¡°If we hear gunfire¡ªwe go in.¡±

    It wasn¡¯t just Elliana¡¯s safety they were worried about. She was no damsel. If things turned violent, Cole might note out unscathed either.

    An, Merlin, and Manley shared the same uneasy weight in their chests¡ªa gnawing sense that no oue in that room would be clean.

    Cole stepped into the room, handgun at his side, just as Elliana emerged from the bathroom.

    She had taken her time to shower. Despite knowing what might be discussed outside¡ªher death¡ªshe couldn¡¯t ignore the difort of bloodstained clothes and dried sweat from the chaos on the yacht. With nothing else to wear, she¡¯d slipped on one of Cole¡¯s ck shirts. It hung loosely on her slender frame, brushing the tops of her thighs like an oversized nightgown.

    The fake afro wig was gone, her long hair cascading freely down her back. The grotesque disguise had been washed away, but her real face was still hidden behind those custom-made sses. She halted when she saw Cole¡ªand the weapon in his hand.

    He paused at the doorway. Elliana¡¯s fingers tightened around the coin she always kept on her. Ast resort. Her mind spun.

    If he pulled the trigger, should she strike with the coin? Why did it have toe to this? Why now¡ªjust when she had started to fall for him?

    ?????????????? ?????????????????? ????????: ?????????¦Í??????©q?????

    The silence stretched like a de between them. Neither moved. Neither spoke.

    Then, after what felt like hours, Cole broke the stillness with a quietugh. He said dryly, ¡°You still found time for a shower?¡±

    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I?¡± Elliana met his gaze coolly.

    Once Elliana¡¯s words trailed off, Cole slowly lifted his arm and pointed the gun directly at her.

    Elliana kept her gaze steady on him, her body motionless. But Cole, ever observant, had already noticed the coin nestled between her fingers at her side. Given her precision, throwing that coin would carry the same weight as pulling a trigger. He saw it, yet he acted as though he hadn¡¯t. Instead, he gave her a quiet, unreadable smile.

    ¡°With how clever you are, honey, I doubt you¡¯re unaware of what we were talking about just now.¡±

    ¡°You all decided to kill me here after your little chat?¡± Elliana asked, matching his tone with one of her own.

    There was no reply from Cole. He simply moved his thumb, clicking the safety off.

    That faint click echoed softly, signaling that the gun was now armed and ready to shoot.

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 Chapter 199

    ?Chapter 199:

    Every ear in the room caught it. The tension thickened.

    Yet Elliana remained still, her calm unshaken.

    Cole kept the gun trained on her as he said, ¡°Honey, this is your chance. Tell me the truth. Who exactly are you?¡±

    Without hesitation, Elliana replied, ¡°I¡¯ve already told you. I don¡¯t owe you any exnation about my private affairs.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re seriously refusing to talk?¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡±

    Cole gave a slight nod as he observed her closely. After a brief pause, he spoke again. ¡°Then let me ask you something else. I want you to think carefully before you answer, honey.¡±

    Elliana listened in silence.

    ¡°Did you n our marriage registration from the start?¡± Cole asked.

    Elliana¡¯s answer came firm and swift. ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Honey, do you really want that to be your final answer?¡± Cole asked, his eyes narrowing. ¡°I did tell you to think it through.¡±

    A faint smile tugged at Elliana¡¯s lips, one edged with amusement. ¡°Then what exactly were you hoping I¡¯d say?¡±

    ¡°I want the truth!¡± he snapped, sounding more like a child throwing a tantrum than a man in control.

    Elliana stared at him, momentarily at a loss for words. ¡°That¡¯s what I already gave you. So what¡¯s upsetting you so much?¡±

    When she noticed the doubt in his expression, she rified, ¡°Let me make this perfectly clear. Even if I had bad intentions toward you, I would never have involved my marriage. I respect marriage deeply. There¡¯s no need for you to waste time on this.¡±

    Strangely enough, her exnation only seemed to deepen the grimness on Cole¡¯s face. Confused by the shift in his mood, Elliana furrowed her brows.

    ???????????????? ??????????: ???????¦Í?????????????

    Then, in the next breath, Cole asked sharply, ¡°Do you have anyst words, honey?¡±

    Elliana¡¯s heart stumbled in her chest. So this was it. He had made up his mind. Men truly were merciless. They could whisper sweet promises while chasing after someone, but the moment they gave up, their coldness could freeze the soul.

    Elliana¡¯s expression remained unchanged, but she tightened her grip on the coin in her hand. Her mouth pressed into a firm line as disappointment settled deep in her chest. She had always been warned not to trust men, yet she had foolishly believed the tender words Cole once spoke to her. Looking back, it felt pathetic.

    With a bitterugh in her mind, Elliana lifted her breathtaking face and stared him down with a cold, mocking smile. ¡°You don¡¯t deserve to hear myst words!¡±

    In truth, she did havest words. If his bullet ended her life, all she wished for was that fate would never let her cross paths with him again in the afterlife. Because if they met once more, there was a chance she¡¯d fall for him all over again¡ªdrawn in by that face and the sweetness of his lies, repeating every foolish mistake from this lifetime. No matter how much she hated him, she had to admit that his charm still had a grip on her.

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 Chapter 200

    ?Chapter 200:

    Whatever emotion had lingered on Cole¡¯s face vanishedpletely. His finger tightened around the trigger, as though the decision had already been made.

    Elliana tilted her chin slightly upward, locking eyes with him and studying his face with precision. In that same moment, the coin in her hand remained poised, ready to fly. She clung to life with everything she had. From the moment she was a child, even during her darkest days, she had never once thought of surrendering.

    Making it this far had been a battle in itself. Her mother was still out there, waiting to be found. Donovan still hadn¡¯t answered why he was so determined to make her his prot¨¦g¨¦. Adah was somewhere in Ublento, waiting for their reunion. With so much left unfinished, she couldn¡¯t afford to die now. If he chose to shoot, then she would strike. Letting him take her life without a fight wasn¡¯t an option. No amount of affection would stop her from fighting back.

    There had always been a quiet question in her heart¡ªbetween the two of them, who was stronger? The moment to find out had finally arrived. She would make sure to learn which of them was meant to survive and which one wouldn¡¯t make it out.

    In the stillness between them, it felt as though death and survival bnced on a single thread.

    Then, without warning, Cole pulled the trigger.

    At that exact instant, Elliana¡¯s hand shot forward, sending the coin flying¡­

    Cole did pull the trigger. However, the room stayed silent because the chamber had been empty from the very start.

    Elliana¡¯s arm had swung forward in response, but just before she let go, the coin remained pressed between her fingers. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to hurt Cole. She couldn¡¯t deny it anymore¡ªloving someone came with its own kind of weakness. Even after watching him point a gun at her and fire without hesitation, she still couldn¡¯t force herself to retaliate.

    Once she made up her mind, she shut her eyes tight, fully expecting to feel a bullet strike her between the eyes.

    But the sound never came. She was still standing,pletely unharmed. She knew what she had seen. He had pulled the trigger. So why hadn¡¯t there been a single sound?

    ?????????? ????????: ?????????¦Í??????©q??????

    Elliana froze for a moment. Then, she opened her eyes and gazed at Cole. That infuriating man smiled from ear to ear. In that instant, everything clicked. His gun had been empty. He never intended to shoot her. He had only wanted to scare her. No, it wasn¡¯t just to frighten her. He had been watching¡ªtesting her. He wanted to know whether she would actually try to hurt him. And she, like a fool, had walked right into it. Now that he knew the truth, he looked incredibly pleased.

    Cole looked like he could burst with joy. He blew gently over the gun¡¯s barrel and said with a teasing grin, ¡°Honey, didn¡¯t think you loved me this much.¡±

    Elliana turned red with a mix of anger and embarrassment. Her cheeks puffed up as she red at him. ¡°Love you? Don¡¯t delude yourself! My hand cramped, that¡¯s all. I couldn¡¯t throw the coin just now. But it¡¯s fine now!¡±

    Right after saying that, she hurled the coin at him.

    Cole made no move to duck. He simply stood still, that same smile never leaving his face.

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 Chapter 201

    ?Chapter 201:

    The coin smacked lightly against his cheek and bounced to the floor with a soft, clear clink. It didn¡¯t hurt at all. Elliana still couldn¡¯t do it. No matter what, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to hurt him.

    Cole tossed the gun aside without hesitation, stepped closer, and wrapped her in his arms. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, his voice low and smooth. ¡°Are you mad?¡±

    Her eyes narrowed with irritation. Both hands pressed against his chest, trying to put space between them, but he stayed exactly where he was. Of course, she was mad. She couldn¡¯t stand that he had used such a cruel test. She hated that he had pointed a gun at her just to prove a point. But what stung most of all was her own weakness. She had rejected him several times, iming she didn¡¯t want him. Still, when it came down to it, she had exposed her heart without even meaning to. And there he was, wearing that smug expression as though he¡¯d won something.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be angry,¡± Cole cooed, his voice like velvet as he kissed her lips with slow, burning softness.

    The fire inside her hadn¡¯t gone out. The moment he kissed her, she bit down on his lip with sudden force, even grinding her teeth.

    A low, muffled sound escaped his throat, but he didn¡¯t pull away. He let her bite him, and from the look on his face, he didn¡¯t seem to mind at all.

    Eventually, Elliana stopped. The memory of the bullet still lodged in his arm shed through her mind, and she couldn¡¯t bring herself to hurt him further.

    The second she let up, Cole leaned in again. This time, his kiss wasn¡¯t wild or demanding. His lips brushed hers gently, each movement slow and full of care. It was nothing like the fierce kiss he had given her on the yacht. Now, he kissed her like she was something fragile. Something valuable he couldn¡¯t risk breaking.

    After what felt like forever, he pulled back. His eyes lowered as he took in every feature of her soft, lovely face. Then, with careful fingers, he reached up to take off her sses. He had seen her upper face before. He had seen her lower face. But never her entire face¡ªnot all at once.

    Today, he wanted to see herpletely, without anything in the way. But before he could finish, her small hand reached up and grabbed his.

    ¡°Still refusing to let me see?¡± Cole asked.

    ???????????? ???????? ??????????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Elliana pouted in mock defiance. ¡°I was going to let you. But now I¡¯m annoyed. So no, you¡¯re not allowed.¡±

    Right after that, she tossed his hand aside, let out a sharp little breath, pulled away from his arms, and dropped onto the bed with a bounce.

    Cole let out a long, tired sigh. He had gotten her to admit her feelings, but it hade at a cost. She was angry now and had taken back the chance to see her real face. Gains and losses¡ªlife was full of them. That was fine. If she didn¡¯t want to show him yet, he would wait. He already knew how stunning she was, anyway.

    Right then, Elliana turned her head and looked at him. ¡°All your friends think I¡¯m some kind of threat. Aren¡¯t you scared?¡±

    Without missing a beat, Cole crossed the room and sat beside her. He wrapped his arms around her, pressed a kiss to her ear, and said in a voice thick with charm, ¡°Even if you were a dangerous criminal, I¡¯d still risk it. You¡¯re far too beautiful to resist.¡±

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 Chapter 202

    ?Chapter 202:

    Hearing this, Elliana raised her hand and tapped his chest with a light punch. ¡°Such a flirt.¡±

    She couldn¡¯t help but remember their first meeting. Back then, he had been soposed, so distant¡ªlike something carved from stone. And now? She could hardly reconcile that version of him with his current self.

    Cole gave a softugh. ¡°Honey, you ought to rx a bit and enjoy the little tricks between a couple.¡±

    Elliana pressed her lips together, though part of her had to agree. If he could remain cool and reserved in front of everyone else but chose to act this way only with her, then maybe she truly did mean something to him. The thought brought a warm and bright smile to her face. She nced up at him, but a flicker of concern swept across her face as she suddenly noticed hisplexion looked terribly pale¡­

    Cole gave Elliana a soft smile, though his face had gone pale, and the weariness on his brow was hard to miss. His eyes betrayed the pain he had been quietly enduring.

    That bullet he had taken for her was still lodged in his arm, untreated. It hadn¡¯t shattered any bone, but he had lost a dangerous amount of blood. The pain hadn¡¯t eased at all.

    Watching him like this made Elliana¡¯s chest tighten. She said softly, ¡°Let me get that bullet out. If it stays in there, it could tear through the muscle or end up infected.¡±

    Inside the ne, there was a medical kit fully stocked with antiseptics and clotting agents.

    Milena, Elliana¡¯s discreet identity, had been known across the world for her skill in the operating room. Removing a bullet was something she could do in her sleep. Very few ever got the privilege of being treated by her personally. Cole was in better hands with her than any hospital could offer.

    Cole lifted a brow, clearly surprised by the offer.

    ???????? ???????? ???? ??????????????: g?????????¦Í????????????

    ¡°What? Don¡¯t you trust me?¡± Elliana asked, catching the look he gave her.

    Cole stared at her, eyes locked with hers in quiet intensity. ¡°I trust youpletely. You¡¯re my wife. I¡¯m just surprised surgery¡¯s in your bag of tricks too. How many surprises are you hiding?¡±

    Rather than answer, Elliana moved in and began to undo his shirt.

    ¡°Honey, are you nning to have sex with me after stripping off my shirt?¡± Cole asked, leaning in with a grin. His voice was yful, full of teasing intent.

    Elliana gave him a sharp nce but kept her hands steady on the buttons. ¡°Don¡¯t be a dick.¡±

    Cole chuckled but let it drop, watching Elliana undo each button until his shirt was off.

    The moment tugged at something in his memory. He remembered their wedding night¡ªhow she¡¯d wandered in half-asleep, climbed into bed, stripped him without a word, and curled up beside him until morning. That memory sent a dry heat down his throat, making it hard to swallow. He couldn¡¯t help himself. His head turned, and he stole a quick kiss on her cheek.

    Elliana tossed his bloodstained shirt straight into the trash and then whipped around, giving him a sharp re. ¡°Keep flirting with your doctor, and I swear you¡¯ll regret it once I start cutting.¡±

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 Chapter 203

    ?Chapter 203:

    That made Coleugh. He pulled her onto hisp and kissed her fiercely, his arms wrapping tightly around her waist to hold her close.

    ¡°Knock it off. We gotta do this surgery,¡± Elliana said, shoving at Cole. The moment her hands brushed against his bare skin, she jerked them back like she¡¯d touched something burning.

    Cole didn¡¯t seem to care one bit. He kissed her again, long and deep, holding on until he finally let her go.

    Elliana¡¯s pout spoke volumes, her lips swollen and pink from his kisses. ¡°You are seriously the worst¡­¡±

    She couldn¡¯t believe how reckless he was. No sense of timing. No clue when to stop. She¡¯d never in her life met a patient who would try to make out with their surgeon right before going under the knife.

    ¡°Sit still!¡± Elliana¡¯s voice snapped through the air as she pulled herself together. With a satisfied grin, Cole sank into the chair and did exactly what she told him.

    Elliana opened the medical kit and started setting everything up¡ªtools, medicine, everything she¡¯d need.

    Cole didn¡¯t say a word. He just sat there watching her, eyes deep in thought.

    Back when she had saved Barbara using a Venacure pill, most people figured she had just gotten lucky. They assumed she knew a little bit about medicine, but nothing serious. He had believed that too. But everything looked different now.

    Her movements were steady and confident. And the way she carried herself, cool and in control, screamed pro surgeon.

    Cole was burning with curiosity. Rumors had it that Elliana had been ced in the Jones family¡¯s shed since the age of five, practically raised like an animal. So, how had she ended up with skills like this? While his thoughts spun in every direction, Elliana finished cleaning her tools and started preparing the anesthesia.

    ¡°No anesthesia,¡± Cole dered, his tone firm and final.

    Elliana gave him a quick look. ¡°I¡¯ve checked the wound. The bullet isn¡¯t lodged deep, but taking it out will hurt. A local anesthetic is best.¡±

    ?????? ???????? ?????????? ????: g????????¦Í????????????

    ¡°I¡¯m good without it,¡± Cole said, stone-cold serious. ¡°I can handle it.¡± He had always hated the numbness that came with anesthesia. He would rather feel pain than feel numb.

    Seeing his firm resolve, Elliana sighed. ¡°Fine. But don¡¯t startining halfway through.¡± Without wasting any more time, Elliana started.

    Her hand moved steadily as she cut through the skin, zeroing in on the bullet buried in the muscle, and pulled it out without a hitch. She then stitched the wound, cleaned it thoroughly, and wrapped it tightly.

    In her hands, the surgical tools looked like they belonged there. Each motion was precise, graceful, and smooth, like a practiced rhythm.

    Cole couldn¡¯t believe what he was seeing. This wasn¡¯t just basic medical skill. Elliana moved like she had been born to do this. He had never witnessed anyone work with such speed and control. The way she handled him, he hardly even felt the pain. Or maybe she was so fast that the pain never got a chance to catch up.

    Elliana, oblivious to Cole¡¯s thoughts, tied off the final bandage and lifted her eyes. What she saw made her freeze, her eyes going wide in surprise¡­

    Cole¡¯s expression caught Elliana off guard. She knew her surgical skills were precise¡ªmeticulous enough to minimize pain, but pain was still inevitable. Yet, there he sat, unflinching, not a flicker of difort on his face. He watched her with unnerving calm, his gaze fixed and unreadable. No flinching. No grimacing. Not even a drop of sweat on his brow. Was he really human?

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 Chapter 204

    ?Chapter 204:

    ¡°Hey, are you okay?¡± she asked cautiously, waving a hand in front of his face.

    Without warning, Cole caught her hand in his own and raised it to his lips, pressing a feather-light kiss to her fingers.

    Elliana exhaled, finally letting go of the tension in her chest. She stared at him in surprise¡ªhow could someone endure this kind of pain so effortlessly? And without anesthesia, no less.

    She was just about tomend his astonishing pain tolerance when he groaned dramatically, doubling over. ¡°Ow¡ªow! It hurts! God, it hurts so bad!¡±

    Elliana blinked, stunned. Wasn¡¯t that cry of pain just a little too dyed? The worst part of the procedure had been earlier¡ªwhen she sliced open his skin and fished the bullet out with a pair of tweezers. But back then, he hadn¡¯t so much as flinched. Now, with everything cleaned, stitched, and bandaged, he suddenly felt pain?

    As she pondered how to respond, Cole buried his face against her chest, wrapping his uninjured arm around her waist like a sulking child seekingfort.

    Elliana sighed and rolled her eyes, stifling augh. Who would¡¯ve guessed? The infamous Cole Evans¡ªstone-faced, razor-sharp, feared in boardrooms and battlefields alike¡ªwas aplete baby in private.

    And just when she thought it couldn¡¯t get more ridiculous, he mumbled against her chest in a pitiful tone, ¡°I feel so weak, like my heart¡¯s copsing and I might die.¡±

    She stifled augh. ¡°Then maybe you should lie down and rest.¡±

    But Cole tightened his grip, refusing to let her go. ¡°Resting doesn¡¯t help. What I need is affection. Hugs. Kisses. That¡¯s the real medicine.¡±

    Elliana shook her head, amused by his plea. ¡°You really don¡¯t quit, do you?¡± she muttered under her breath.

    Still, her tone softened. ¡°Lie down properly. I¡¯ll get some water and help you change into clean clothes.¡±

    ?????????? ?????????? ????: g???????¦Í????????£®??????

    At that moment, she felt more like a patient, older girlfriend coaxing her clingy younger boyfriend than a woman tending to a dangerous, unpredictable man.

    ¡°Okay,¡± Cole said, shing a boyish smile as he allowed her to help him lie down on the bed.

    She fetched a basin of water from the bathroom and began wiping down his upper body with a towel, methodically and gently.

    Coley back in silence, watching her every movement like she was something rare and exquisite. He¡¯d seen her fierce. He¡¯d seen her cold.

    But this version¡ªquiet, gentle, attentive¡ªmade his heart stir. Elliana tried to ignore the weight of his stare and, once finished, turned to take the basin away.

    That was when his hand suddenly shot out and caught hers.

    She turned back toward him. ¡°What is it now?¡±

    ¡°Is that it?¡± Cole asked with a pout that didn¡¯t suit a man of his stature. Elliana narrowed her eyes. ¡°What else do you want?¡±

    He pointed unashamedly toward his lower half. ¡°You missed a spot. I¡¯m sweaty all over, you know.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s cheeks immediately flushed. Was he seriously turning this into that kind of situation?

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 Chapter 205

    ?Chapter 205:

    Without a hint of embarrassment, Cole continued, ¡°Come on, you¡¯re the one who insisted on proper aftercare. I nearly bled out saving you. A full wipe-down doesn¡¯t seem unreasonable.¡±

    Elliana stared up at the ceiling in disbelief, inhaling deeply through her nose. This man was impossible. To shut him up, she set the basin back down with a tter and yanked off his pants in one swift motion.

    Cole grinned devilishly. ¡°Wow. You¡¯ve done this before, haven¡¯t you?¡±

    She shot him a re that promised retribution once he was no longer wounded. If not for the stitches, she might¡¯ve socked him just for the satisfaction.

    Trying to maintain herposure, she moved on to wiping down his legs. Just as she was getting into the rhythm, he tilted his head and gestured at his boxers. ¡°You¡¯re stopping there? That¡¯s not very thorough.¡±

    ¡°Cole, don¡¯t push your luck,¡± Elliana gritted through her teeth, her voice low and dangerous.

    Cole wisely shut his mouth. He could tell Elliana was close to snapping, and he knew better than to test her patience further. Sometimes, survival meant knowing when to quit while ahead.

    ¡°Thanks for taking care of me, honey,¡± he said with a boyish smile.

    Elliana shot him a sharp re, her cheeks still tinged pink as she finished wiping his legs.

    She couldn¡¯t stand looking at his bare form for another second. With an irritated huff, she tossed the towel aside and yanked the nket over him in one brisk motion¡ªlike sealing away a national threat. Then, just for good measure, she threw him another scowl before stomping off to the bathroom with the basin.

    Coley there, absolutely beaming, like a kid who¡¯d gotten away with sneaking dessert before dinner.

    A few momentster, Elliana returned and made her way to the wardrobe, pulling out a fresh set of pajamas for him. One look at his limp posture and ssy eyes, and she knew there was no chance he could change on his own.

    Resigned, she walked over and lifted the nket with a sigh. She began slipping one pant leg onto him, but before she could finish, he caught her wrist and gave it a gentle tug.

    ???????????? ???????????????? ???????? g???????¦Í??????©q??????

    She gasped as he pulled her down onto his chest, and in the next second, the nket was drawn up and over both of them.

    The warmth of his body, the strength of his arm around her, the intimate cocoon of the nket¡ªit was overwhelming.

    ¡°Don¡¯t move,¡± he whispered, his voice low and soothing as it rumbled against her ear. ¡°Just stay like this. For a moment.¡±

    Elliana refused to remain motionless merely because Colemanded her stillness. The two of them shared a single nket, their closeness electrified with unspoken tension. Considering Cole¡¯s typically tactile nature, she anticipated the inevitable eruption of chemistry between them. When he instructed her not to move, she deliberately shifted even more.

    ¡°You must release me. Your injury has left you vulnerable and weakened. You require proper rest rather than entertaining frivolous thoughts, or you¡¯ll exacerbate your condition!¡± she earnestly advised him.

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 Chapter 206

    ?Chapter 206:

    Nevertheless, Cole exhibited no willingness to let her go. Each time she stirred, he would exim dramatically, ¡°Ah, the agony! It¡¯s intolerable! My breathing falters, and my heart feels as if it¡¯s ceasing to beat!¡±

    Upon hearing his theatricalmentations, Elliana genuinely hesitated to move further. She tilted her head to scrutinize his expression, attempting to discern the authenticity beneath his performative distress.

    Outside the room, Myles, Aron, and Hugh anxiously monitored the sounds emanating from within.

    An, Merlin, and Manley stood nearby, their countenances equally grave.

    They all remained vignt for any indication of peril. Should they detect anything rming, they were prepared to breach the door. They couldn¡¯t permit Elliana to harm Cole. Her capacity for destruction terrified them.

    Unfortunately, the door¡¯s soundproofing proved effective. Despite pressing their ears against it, they distinguished little beyond faint rustling.

    Just as their unease peaked, Cole¡¯s anguished cries prated the barrier. ¡°Ah, the agony! It¡¯s intolerable! My breathing falters, and my heart feels as if it¡¯s ceasing to beat!¡±

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh instantly tensed, poised to kick down the door and charge inside.

    An and Merlin likewise stepped forward, braced for unforeseen circumstances.

    Manley swiftly darted ahead, halting everyone with an urgent whisper.

    ¡°Stop, stop, stop!¡±

    Hugh, the most impetuous among them, questioned with bewilderment. ¡°Mr. Swain, why impede us? Didn¡¯t you hear Mr. Evans¡¯s cries of suffering? Elliana¡¯s terrifying nature suggests torture. We must intervene and rescue him!¡±

    Hugh¡¯s statement revealed his lingering naivet¨¦¡ªhis failure to recognize that certain vocal expressions between intimate partners might reflect yful dynamics rather than genuine distress.

    ???????????? ???????????????? ?????? ????????: g???????¦Í????????????

    ¡°Ahem!¡± Manley cleared his throat and dabbed his forehead, amusement dancing in his eyes. ¡°With my extensive romantic expertise, I assure you Cole faces no authentic danger. We should continue observing.¡±

    ¡°But Mr. Evans wails in agony. How does that not signal danger?¡± Hugh furrowed his brow. ¡°Mr. Evans epitomizes toughness. Even a bullet wound wouldn¡¯t elicit such cries. If he¡¯s vocalizing now, his suffering must be extreme!¡±

    Unable to articte the nuance to Hugh, Manley nced around at the others, astonished to discover identical expressions of concern. They all genuinely believed Cole was imperiled. Manley¡¯s lips twitched involuntarily. These gentlemen desperately needed education in romantic subtleties.

    ¡°Ahem!¡± After silently appraising their innocence, Manley awkwardly cleared his throat and suggested, ¡°Consider this carefully. Despite Cole¡¯s apparent suffering, didn¡¯t his tone carry undertones of yfulness and pretense?¡±

    His observation precipitated momentary silence.

    ¡°Indeed, that¡¯s urate,¡± Myles acknowledged. Having grown alongside Cole, he recognized Cole¡¯s behavioral patterns intimately. Never had he witnessed such theatrical vocalization from Cole.

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 Chapter 207

    ?Chapter 207:

    ¡°Exactly,¡± Manley continued. ¡°Cole¡¯s uncharacteristic manner clearly indicates the absence of danger. He¡¯s either engaging in a calcted performance or flirtatiously ying with Elliana while disregarding any potential threat from her.¡±

    He concluded emphatically, ¡°Therefore, our intervention remains premature.¡±

    Following this analysis, Myles, Aron, and Hughpsed into contemtive silence.

    An and Merlin shifted ufortably. Despite their status as heirs to prestigious families and rumors of their prolific romantic conquests, reality marked them as rtive novices in matters of intimacy. Before Manley¡¯s seasoned perspective, they experienced profound embarrassment.

    Observing the difort on An¡¯s and Merlin¡¯s expressions, Manley swelled with unprecedented pride. Among the fourpanions, he¡ªthe youngest¡ªoften perceived his character and wisdom as inferior. Today, however, he radiated the authority of a natural leader, a sensation he found exhrating.

    Within the room, neither Elliana nor Cole suspected the eavesdropping ensemble outside.

    Elliana regarded Cole with speechless incredulity and challenged him. ¡°Are you fabricating your distress?¡±

    Cole met her prating gaze and, rather than responding directly, posed his own question. ¡°I sustained this injury protecting you. Don¡¯t you believe such a sacrifice merits some modestpensation?¡±

    Cole looked like a kid eagerly waiting for his favorite treat.

    Elliana was both amused and exasperated by his reaction. For someone who carried himself with such authority in public, he turned surprisingly childish behind closed doors. Still, given that he was hurt, she figured she could cut him some ck.

    ¡°I¡¯ll give you a reward, but just so we¡¯re clear¡ªyou¡¯re injured. No touching, no funny business.¡±

    Cole let out a quiet chuckle. ¡°Alright.¡±

    ???????????????? ???????????? @ g???????¦Í?????????????

    He found himself genuinely curious about what kind of reward she had in mind.

    ¡°Close your eyes,¡± Elliana said, her voice calm.

    Without hesitation, Cole shut his eyes.

    Taking a slow breath, Elliana steadied herself and gently removed her sses. Since she had chosen to ept his proposal and see where their rtionship could go, showing him her real face felt like a necessary step. After all, what kind of rtionship would they have if she couldn¡¯t even let him see her as she truly was? Not to mention, he was her husband now.

    She ced the sses carefully on the table and turned back to him. ¡°You can open your eyes now.¡±

    Cole opened his eyes slowly, anticipation flickering across his face. In that tiny pause before he saw her, his mind ran through all kinds of possibilities. Maybe she had a gift waiting for him. Maybe she would finally break her usual reserve and give him a sweet kiss.

    But nothing could have prepared him for this¡ªfor her to take off her sses and let him see her entire face so openly, sopletely.

    Earlier, she had told him that since he¡¯d annoyed her, she wasn¡¯t going to let him see her full face today. But now, her earlier words no longer held any weight. What mattered in this moment was that he was finally seeing what he had longed to see.

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 Chapter 208

    ?Chapter 208:

    All at once, her beauty dazzled him. He had seen each half of her face on two separate asions. In his mind, he had tried tobine the pieces and picture what she looked like in full.

    Yet, what he had imagined didn¡¯te close. The real thing was something else entirely, and it had everything to do with the energy she carried.

    The true version of her was far more dazzling than any image he had ever pictured. She wasn¡¯t just beautiful¡ªshe was ethereal. The longer he looked, the more entranced he became.

    His eyes stayed fixed on her face, scanning it again and again, as if trying to memorize every delicate line.

    Under his unwavering stare, Elliana grew flustered. Her cheeks warmed with color. ¡°Are you going to stare at me forever?¡±

    A soft smile tugged at Cole¡¯s lips as he reached out, brushing her cheek with gentle fingers. ¡°Honey, you really know how to drive a man crazy.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Elliana blinked in confusion. Wasn¡¯t he the one begging her nonstop to show him her face? Now that she had, why was he acting like she had done something wrong?

    While she tried to make sense of it, Cole¡¯s voice dropped, his tone thick with desire. ¡°You told me not to touch you or think anything inappropriate. Then you go and show me your pretty face. Are you trying to test my self-control?¡±

    That made her flush even harder, heat rushing to her ears. As soon as she noticed the hunger in his gaze, she jumped off hisp and quickly created some space between them. She hadn¡¯t expected that trying to make him happy wouldnd her in such a tricky situation.

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m thirsty. I need some water,¡± she stammered, grabbing at the excuse like a lifeline to get away from the bed.

    But she didn¡¯t get the chance to take even one step before he pulled her right back.

    This time, his arms locked around her tightly, holding her so close that she ended up sprawled across his body,pletely stuck.

    ???????? ???????????????? ???????? g???????¦Í?????????????

    She could feel every beat of his heart pounding faster, the heat radiating from his skin, and his breath turning heavy and uneven. Everything about him screamed danger.

    ¡°Please, calm down,¡± Elliana hastily said, clearly panicked as she tried to shove him away. ¡°I showed you my face today because I wanted to say I¡¯m willing to give this rtionship a real shot. We can take it slow and figure things out together. But I¡¯m not okay with being rushed. You have to give me time!¡±

    She meant it. He couldn¡¯t push her. Especially not while he was still injured. If anything happened, she wouldn¡¯t even know how to begin dealing with it.

    Watching her flustered and flushed, Cole felt like he was losing his grip on reason. ¡°Honey, when you say no pushing, what exactly are we talking about here? Does¡­¡±

    ¡°That includes no kissing or hugging?¡± Elliana¡¯s teeth sank into her lip as she struggled to figure out how to answer. After all, she had agreed to give their rtionship a shot. Could she really say no to something as basic as a kiss or a hug? Could two people even grow close without sharing those small, intimate moments?

    Before she could decide, Cole leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. Then, with one swift motion, he turned them over. She ended up beneath him, his body holding her in ce as he steadied himself with his uninjured arm beside her head, and kissed her with fiery, unrestrained passion.

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 Chapter 209

    ?Chapter 209:

    Cole was ted. It felt like today¡¯s kiss finally counted¡ªthis time, it came after Elliana had agreed to give their rtionship a shot. In the past, he would either force a kiss or catch her off guard by stealing one, and she would just endure it passively. But now, there was something different. She had finally warmed up to him.

    That was why Cole was on cloud nine, kissing Elliana with unrestrained enthusiasm.

    Elliana endured his overwhelming kisses, secretly rolling her eyes at him in her mind.

    Out of nowhere, a sharp stingnded on her lower lip.

    ¡°Ouch!¡± she blurted out and then looked at him with a hint of grievance. ¡°Why did you bite me?¡±

    Cole narrowed his eyes, clearly displeased. ¡°You zoned out during our kiss!¡±

    With a tiny pout, she admitted to herself that she had, in fact, been yfully scolding him in her mind. To make up for it, she leaned in and gave him a soft kiss on the lips. Her voice turned gentle as she said, ¡°Forgive me, okay? I was just worried about your health. You really need to rest instead of overexerting yourself.¡±

    But instead of calming him, her kiss lit a spark. Her concern didn¡¯t slow him down at all; it only stirred something deeper in him, and he kissed her again, more hungrily than before.

    All of a sudden, a loud crash rang out. The medicine box near the bed had been knocked to the floor.

    Elliana started to sit up, reaching to grab it, but Cole pressed her back against the mattress.

    ¡°Leave it,¡± he said, his voice low and rough.

    Right after the words left his mouth, the door mmed open with a harsh kick, and a rush of footsteps stormed inside.

    ?????????????????? ?????????? ????: ????????¦Í????????????

    Both Elliana and Cole froze,pletely caught off guard.

    Cole¡¯s instincts kicked in fast. He turned toward the door while pulling the nket up to cover Elliana, shielding her from whoever had barged in.

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh were the first ones to storm through the door, with An, Merlin, and Manley right behind them.

    Their faces were drawn tight with concern, but the second their eyesnded on the scene in front of them, they stopped cold.

    From outside, they had been keeping a close eye on things, anxious that Elliana might do something to harm Cole. When the loud crash echoed through the room, Hugh couldn¡¯t stay put any longer¡ªhe kicked the door open and charged inside. The rest had followed him without hesitation. But now, standing there, none of them knew what to say.

    The nket covered Cole from the waist down, while his bare chest waspletely visible. His lips looked kissed raw, and his gaze burned with something fierce. Beside him, fully wrapped in the nket, was a slender figure pressed tightly against him.

    Even someone with no imagination could tell exactly what they had walked in on.

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 Chapter 210

    ?Chapter 210:

    Hugh, who had been the first to rush in, turned bright red.

    Both Myles and Aron clenched their jaws, silently cursing Hugh and wishing they could throw him into a ditch. Couldn¡¯t he have at least warned them or asked before kicking the door open and barging in? Now they had barged in and ruined Cole¡¯s private moment. That was definitely going to cost them.

    Cole¡¯s expression shifted¡ªhis face darkened with a dangerous edge, and his rage was impossible to miss. ¡°What¡¯s the meaning of this? Do you all make a habit of barging in and watching a couple make out?¡± Cole shot them a re sharp enough to cut stone.

    Manley nced sideways at An and Merlin, the corner of his mouth twitching. His face said it all¡ªhalf mortified, half smug that his earlier guess had been spot on.

    An and Merlin looked like they wished the floor would open up and swallow them whole. They had been bracing themselves outside, ready to jump in and protect Cole from Elliana, only to walk in on the two of them sharing a private, intimate moment. How embarrassing.

    An and Merlin couldn¡¯t stand the secondhand embarrassment. Without saying a word, they turned around and exited the room, their faces burning red.

    Manley let out a few stiff chuckles. Hoping to smooth things over, he said awkwardly, ¡°Cole, Elliana, carry on¡­ I¡¯ll just get out of your way, ha-ha!¡±

    After that, he slipped out too, wearing a thoroughly sheepish expression.

    The Fletcher brothers were left standing there like kids caught red-handed.

    Elliana peeked out from under the nket. Deep down, she felt a rush of gratitude. If they hadn¡¯t shown up when they did, she wouldn¡¯t have known how to calm Cole¡¯s fiery momentum. Now, thanks to the interruption, Cole lookedpletely deted¡ªhis desire doused by pure frustration.

    Elliana gave Cole a cautious nce. His face looked sour enough to curdle milk, and the sight made her want tough. To keep herself from losing it, she quickly ducked back under the nket and covered her face.

    ?????????? ???? ???????? ??????????: g???????¦Í????????©q?????

    Cole¡¯s jaw tightened as he red at the three brothers. His voice came out low and sharp. ¡°Are you nning to stand there all day?¡±

    Without missing a beat, Myles and Aron spun around and headed for the door, each grabbing one of Hugh¡¯s arms to drag him along.

    Once the door clicked shut, the room finally went still again.

    ¡°Complete morons,¡± Cole muttered, his expression stormy.

    The second the words left his mouth, he noticed the nket shaking behind him.

    He turned, confused, and pulled it down¡ªonly to find Elliana underneath, her whole body trembling withughter, her face flushed from trying to hold it in.

    ¡°Honey, is it really that funny?¡± Cole asked, clearly annoyed.

    Elliana could tell Cole was overwhelmed by frustration, and though she knew better than tough, it just bubbled up and burst out of her anyway. Try as she might, she couldn¡¯t stop herself. She ended upughing far longer than was decent.

    Cole didn¡¯t say a word. He simply watched her with a gaze that was half affectionate, half exasperated. When herughter finally subsided, he released a gentle chuckle, tapped her forehead yfully with his fingertip, and murmured tenderly, ¡°You naughty thing.¡±

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 Chapter 211

    ?Chapter 211:

    Drawing her into his embrace, Cole shut his eyes with contentment. ¡°Join me for some sleep. You¡¯re forbidden to leave until I awaken.¡±

    Relief washed over him. She had atst warmed up to him and given their rtionship a shot. The fear of her evicting him from her bed had vanished.

    Elliana, however, squirmed with difort. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you put on some attire before sleeping?¡±

    His shirtless form pressed against her so intimately¡ªdifort bloomed within her.

    ¡°Nope. I prefer sleeping unclothed,¡± Cole responded withnguid indifference.

    Elliana¡¯s rosy lips formed a delicate pout. ¡°That verges on impropriety.¡±

    Cole¡¯s eyes sparkled with mischief. ¡°Honey, on our wedding night, you stripped me naked to the waist and clung to me for a whole night. Have you forgotten? This hardly marks our first intimate slumber. Why such primness now?¡±

    Elliana found herself speechless. Despite her sleepwalking that fateful night¡ªacting without conscious intent¡ªthe undeniable truth remained: she had indeed stripped him bare and embraced him throughout the night.

    Her arguments dissolved, yet his teasing tone kindled rebellion. For retribution, she stealthily extended her fingers and administered a sharp pinch to his waist.

    ¡°Ouch!¡± Cole emitted a stifled groan, swiftly capturing her mischievous hand. The conflicting sensations of difort and ticklishness left him simultaneously amused and exasperated.

    Having exacted her small vengeance, satisfaction washed over Elliana¡ªher demeanor transforming to sweetness andpliance. Since he desired to hold her during his slumber, so be it. She nestled her delicate cheek against his chest.

    Yielding and docile as a kitten, Elliana rested peacefully, her body wrapped in warmth. As Cole¡¯s steady breathing resonated above her, tranquility enveloped her, and she surrendered to sleep.

    Outside the bedroom, Myles and Aron each delivered a swift kick to Hugh. This impetuous fool! He perpetually instigated trouble, entangling them in the aftermath. The urge to thrash him pulsed through them.

    ???????????? ???? ???????? ?????????????? @ ?????????¦Í??????©q?????

    Hugh, acutely aware of his recklessness, endured the punishment in silence. He meekly retreated to the corner for contemtion. Meanwhile, An, Merlin, and Manley imed the furthest sofa from the bedroom entrance.

    Upon sitting, An immediately extracted his phone, scrolling through news articles to mask the profound awkwardness permeating his being. Merlin, visibly irate, mmed his fist against the table, his countenance cold with displeasure.

    Manley, conversely, convulsed withughter, gasping between breaths. ¡°Gentlemen, let this serve as our education. Cole harbors a genuine devotion for Elliana. Her potential danger matters nothing to him. We must cease our interference.¡±

    An and Merlin concurred wholeheartedly. Even if Cole eventually suffered consequences through his association with Elliana, the choice remained his alone. Their meddling would constitute the true transgression.

    After a momentary silence descended, Manley scrutinized Merlin¡¯s stormy face. ¡°Merlin, what¡¯s with that face? Are you unwell?¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 212

    ?Chapter 212:

    Merlin offered no response. Instead, he reclined against the sofa and sealed his eyes against the world.

    That suffocating sensation enveloped Merlin again after witnessing Cole and Elliana¡¯s intimate moment. His mind reyed Hailee¡¯s teeth sinking into his wrist, refusing release. The whisper of her lips against his skin had ignited a fever throughout his body, like poison coursing through his veins. He couldn¡¯t possibly vocalize this affliction. Manley would subject him to merciless ridicule if he ever confessed.

    The next day, the aircraft descended upon Regal Grove¡¯s helipad as the first light fractured the horizon.

    Cole and Elliana remained entwined in slumber, and not one soul dared disturb their sanctuary.

    An, Merlin, and Manley disembarked silently, departing for their respective residences.

    Myles arranged an escort to convey Hailee safely to her dwelling.

    Subsequently, Regal Grove surrendered to profound stillness. The Fletcher brothers and security personnel maintained their positions by the aircraft, awaiting directives.

    Cole had previously mandated absolute confidentiality regarding Elliana¡¯s abduction by Merritt. The public remained unaware of Merritt¡¯s demise, and knowledge of Cole¡¯s injury was restricted to their intimate circle.

    Light flooded the sky when Cole¡¯s eyes finally opened. He had slumbered deeply, content with Elliana nestled against him.

    Elliana had been conscious for some time but hesitated to disturb his repose. She had remained motionless within his embrace, anticipating his awakening. Unlike him, rest had eluded her. His body emanated excessive warmth, and his grip was so unyielding that she felt subjected to slow immtion throughout the night.

    Detecting his consciousness, she immediately attempted to create distance between their bodies.

    ?????????????? ?????????? ????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    But before she could savor even a moment¡¯s reprieve, powerful arms reimed her. Her fleeting liberation vanished as his heated embrace enveloped her once more.

    ¡°Honey, you attempt to escape the instant I regain consciousness. What justification do you offer?¡± Cole inquired, evident displeasure infusing his tone.

    Elliana¡¯s lips formed a pout. Unable to articte her difort, she pivoted the conversation. ¡°Merritt has expired. What strategy will you implement going forward?¡±

    Even though Merritt was gone, his underground operations in Ublento hadn¡¯tpletely vanished. With no one left in charge, the entirework had likely crumbled into chaos¡ªbroken apart and scattered. If anyone tried to rally them, they could easily im they were seeking justice for Merritt just to stir up trouble for the Evans family.

    Cole, however, didn¡¯t seem the slightest bit concerned. ¡°Merritt made plenty of enemies while he was alive. Now that he¡¯s dead, those same people will be scrambling to snatch up whatever power he left behind. His time is over. No one would be foolish enough to reveal what really happened, much less go after the Evans family.¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 213

    ?Chapter 213:

    Elliana gave a small nod. ¡°Where did you send Paige and Vivien?¡±

    ¡°I had them taken to the hospital,¡± Cole replied.

    A brief silence followed before Elliana said, ¡°Paige got injured saving you. Knowing her, she¡¯s not going to let that go without asking for something in return.¡±

    Cole gave a coldugh. ¡°I¡¯d actually like to see what kind of reward she thinks she¡¯s entitled to.¡±

    Meanwhile, at the hospital, Paige began to stir, slowly waking up after a two-hour operation.

    Kiara and Darin stood close by, both visibly tense. The moment they saw Paige¡¯s eyes flutter open, they rushed to her side.

    ¡°Paige, what happened to you?¡± Kiara asked, her voice full of urgency. After Merritt¡¯s men took Elliana, Kiara had prepared herself for the news of Elliana¡¯s demise. But instead of tragic news about Elliana, she got word that Paige had been seriously wounded.

    Paige¡¯s eyes filled with panic. ¡°Mom, is this real? Am I actually alive?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re still alive!¡± Kiara said again and again, her voice trembling with relief. ¡°You¡¯re back in Ublento now. The surgery went well, and you¡¯re going to be okay!¡±

    Paige looked around the hospital room, her tension slowly fading. After a moment, she let out a long breath. Then, a weak sob escaped her lips. It really felt like she had brushed shoulders with death.

    Yesterday, after Merritt¡¯s death, panic hadpletely taken over. The moment gunfire erupted on the yacht, Paige had run in circles, terrified and directionless. And when she saw Elliana taking down everyone in her path, the fear had struck so hard that her knees gave out. Terrified that Elliana mighte for her next, she made a split-second decision¡ªshe threw herself in front of Cole and took the¡­

    Bullet. She had made a desperate gamble, risking her life to earn Cole¡¯s gratitude, hoping he¡¯d feel obligated to protect her afterward. So far, it looked like her n had worked.

    Thinking back on the blood-soaked chaos that unfolded on the yacht, Paige started to shake again. ¡°Mom, Merritt is dead!¡±

    ?????????????????????????? @ ???????¦Í????????????

    ¡°What did you just say?¡± All color drained from Kiara¡¯s face. Merritt had been her biggest pir of support. Without him, what would she do now?

    Darin stood just as stunned. Even though he¡¯d never liked the shady ties between Kiara and Merritt, Merritt had been useful. His involvement had brought serious advantages to the Jones Group. He had tolerated Kiara¡¯s connections with Merritt for the sake of profit.

    ¡°How did Merritt die?¡± Darin asked.

    ¡°He was killed by Cole,¡± Paige exined. ¡°Cole thought Elliana had been murdered, and in a fit of rage, shot Merritt. Then, he turned on everyone else and killed them too.¡±

    That made something click in Darin¡¯s head. He spun toward Kiara. ¡°Why was Elliana even on Merritt¡¯s yacht? Did you have him kidnap her? Were you nning to get rid of her?¡±

    Kiara¡¯s whole body tensed. Realizing there was no way to cover it up, she lifted her chin and confessed, ¡°Yes, I asked Merritt to do it, but¡ª¡±

    Smack! Before she could say another word, Darin raised his hand and struck her across the face. ¡°You wicked woman! Who said you could do something like that? I warned you before¡ªyou can bully Elliana if you must, but you are never to put her life in danger!¡±

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    .

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 Chapter 214

    ?Chapter 214:

    Darin had once made a promise to Rita¡ªhe might never be the best father, but he would make sure Elliana stayed alive. At the very least, her death would nevere by his hands. Breaking that vow to Rita was not something he could live with.

    Now that Merritt was gone, Kiara¡¯s arrogance seemed to shrink. She clutched her cheek, still smarting from the p, and cried out, ¡°But if Elliana stays alive, Paige will never know peace. What¡¯s wrong with what I did?¡±

    ¡°Enough! Stop arguing!¡± Paige snapped, irritation ring in her voice.

    Kiara and Darin ceased their quarrel.

    Paige turned her eyes on them and said slowly, emphasizing every word, ¡°Dad, Mom, all of us have been deceived by Elliana. While we kept her locked in the shed all those years, she wasn¡¯t some unloved nobody. She¡¯s dangerous. And ruthless.¡±

    Darin¡¯s brows pulled together in puzzlement. ¡°Paige, what are you trying to say?¡±

    ¡°Elliana¡­ She¡¯s terrifying,¡± Paige¡¯s voice trembled. The image came rushing back¡ªElliana on that yacht, armed with two guns, walking calmly through pools of blood. The memory sent chills down her spine. ¡°Dad, Mom, she killed everyst person on Merritt¡¯s yacht. She handled the weapons like she was trained. With the kind of skill she showed, if she ever chose to wipe out our family, none of us would stand a chance. All this time, she¡¯s been ying nobody just to mess with us. And if the dayes when she gets bored, there¡¯s no telling how far she¡¯ll go to destroy us.¡±

    That revtion left Kiara and Darin speechless.

    Paige looked between them, her face set and her tone deadly serious¡­

    ¡°Dad, Mom, we either take Elliana out for good or find someone even more powerful than Merritt to protect us. If we don¡¯t, we¡¯re finished,¡± Paige said.

    Darin sat there,pletely stunned. He had watched Elliana grow up without a mother from the time she was five. She¡¯d been kept in that back room of the Jones family estate, constantly pushed around by Kiara and Paige. How had she turned into someone this dangerous?

    Kiara wasn¡¯t ready to believe any of it. ¡°Paige, are you sure you didn¡¯t get it twisted? Elliana¡¯s just a nobody. There¡¯s no way she¡¯s some cold-blooded killer.¡±

    ???????????????? ???? ????????: ??????????¦Í??????©q?????

    ¡°Mom, I saw it with my own eyes!¡± Paige snapped back. ¡°You weren¡¯t there. I saw how scary she¡¯s be. I thought I was going to die. That¡¯s why I threw myself in front of Cole¡¯s bullet. I had to, just to survive and make it back to Ublento.¡±

    Darin finally began to grasp the gravity of it all. He sank back in his seat,pletely shaken.

    Kiara, after a moment of silence, suddenly lit up with a n. ¡°Cole never liked Elliana to begin with. Now that he owes you his life, we can use that. We can get him to take care of her for us!¡±

    Paige stared at Kiara like she was missing the point entirely. ¡°Mom, were you even listening? Cole thought Merritt had killed Elliana, and that¡¯s what made him snap. He gunned down Merritt and wiped out everyone else on that yacht. He¡¯s obsessed with her!¡±

    She could still hear his voice from that moment, filled with raw emotion, calling Elliana his everything.

    Kiara muttered to herself, ¡°Cole¡¯s into that ugly woman? That doesn¡¯t even make sense.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter why he¡¯s into Elliana. What matters is how we deal with this situation!¡± Paige said sharply, her frustration boiling over.

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 Chapter 215

    ?Chapter 215:

    Darin snapped himself out of his daze. ¡°If Elliana¡¯s really as dangerous as you say, and Cole¡¯spletely devoted to her, what choice do we have but to beg for her forgiveness?¡±

    Kiara clenched her jaw. ¡°Beg Elliana? I¡¯d rather drop dead.¡±

    Paige¡¯s gaze turned icy. She had no intention of lowering herself either. To both Kiara and Paige, Elliana had always been the family¡¯s punching bag. Groveling to her wasn¡¯t something either of them could stomach.

    Right then, a knock sounded at the door of the hospital room.

    Kiara quickly pulled herself together and walked over to open it.

    Standing in the hallway was Vivien, nked by Lenard and Ran. ¡°Mrs. Jones, is Paige awake yet?¡± Vivien asked, her toneced with concern.

    Kiara stepped to the side and gestured for them toe in. ¡°She just woke up.¡±

    Vivien hurried to the bedside, tears spilling as she said, ¡°Paige, you got hurt because you were trying to protect me, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    Paige went still for a moment before offering a gentle smile. ¡°Vivien, you¡¯re my friend. I¡¯d never hesitate to keep you safe.¡±

    On the yacht, Vivien had been out cold because of sedatives,pletely unaware of what had gone down. Since Vivien believed she had taken the bullet for her, Paige decided to run with it. She knew if the Hudson family believed that, they¡¯d owe her big time.

    Vivien broke down into sobs, clinging tightly to Paige¡¯s hand. ¡°You¡¯ve always been there for me. I won¡¯t ever forget this. I promise I¡¯ll repay you.¡±

    Paige leaned into the moment, letting out a soft wince as if in pain before pushing through with a smile. ¡°Come on now. Don¡¯t get all dramatic.¡±

    Ran, eyes rimmed with red, took the seat beside her. ¡°Vivien told me what happened. You got dragged into Elliana¡¯s mess, taken to that yacht, and got shot while protecting Vivien.¡±

    ???????????????????? ???????????? ???????? ¡ú g???????¦Í?????????????

    Cole¡¯s people had dropped Vivien off at the hospital, telling the Hudsons to keep her safe, but they¡¯d kept quiet about the details. Vivien¡¯s version of the story had been jumbled and full of gaps, which only fueled the misunderstanding.

    Lenard¡¯s expression was serious. ¡°Miss Jones, we owe you more than we can say. Just tell us what you want.¡±

    That was exactly what Paige had been waiting to hear. She kept her tone modest, her voice calm as she said, ¡°I am Ran¡¯s fianc¨¦e and will be his wife someday. Vivien¡¯s like a sister to me. I didn¡¯t do it for a reward. I did it because I care.¡±

    Her words sounded humble, but the message behind them was loud and clear¡ªshe was staking her im as Ran¡¯s future wife.

    Lenard didn¡¯t reply right away. His face gave nothing away.

    Ran took hold of Paige¡¯s hand. ¡°Paige, I¡¯m going to marry you. That¡¯s not even up for debate.¡±

    Ran turned to Lenard, eyes steady. ¡°Grandpa, you see, Paige has been nothing but genuine with me. I can¡¯t walk away from that.¡±

    Lenard let out a quiet breath and finally gave a nod. ¡°If the two of you are serious, then don¡¯t wait. Get married soon. And the wedding will be nothing short of grand.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 216

    ?Chapter 216:

    With those words, the decision was made. The Hudson family would give Paige a wedding fit for royalty.

    Kiara and Darin traded looks, barely managing to contain their happiness.

    Paige couldn¡¯t hide her smug smile. Once she became Ran¡¯s wife, she was certain Elliana wouldn¡¯t dare cross her again.

    At that moment, the hospital room door opened, and Paulina stepped inside¡­

    Kiara and Darin were practically glowing after hearing Lenard¡¯s promise, floating on a cloud of excitement. The Hudson family might not have reached the same level as the Evans family, but they were a heavyweight name, right up there with Merritt¡¯s. Landing a connection with them felt like winning the jackpot. From now on, the Jones family¡¯s future was tied to the Hudson family.

    Back when Paige¡¯s scandal from the Starry Oil Painting Competition came to light, Kiara and Darin had heard that Lenard had pressured Ran to end things with Paige. That news had kept them up at night. But now, all that fear had melted away.

    Paige felt the same thrill. When she dragged Merritt into the scheme to kidnap Elliana, she¡¯d made sure Vivien got pulled in too. It had been risky, chaotic¡ªbut her gamble had paid off in the end.

    While Kiara, Darin, and Paige were silently congratting themselves, the sight of Paulina entering the room sent a jolt of panic through their veins.

    Paulina worked for Cole. That much was clear. If she revealed that Paige¡¯s injury was tied to Cole, everything they had just pulled with the Hudsons could fall apart in seconds.

    Before Paulina could get a single word out, Paige quickly turned to Ran. ¡°Honey, Vivien¡¯s still healing. You should take her home to rest. She shouldn¡¯t be pushing herself.¡±

    Vivien immediately shook her head. ¡°Paige, I¡¯m alright. I¡¯ve been knocked out since boarding the yacht and just woke up. No way I¡¯m wiped out. I want to stay with you.¡±

    Inwardly, Paige groaned at Vivien¡¯s cluelessness. But her face stayed bright and sweet. ¡°If you¡¯re feeling good, how about helping me pick out a wedding dress? I¡¯ve got to look like the hottest bride Ran¡¯s ever seen.¡±

    ?????????? ?????? ?????????? ????????: ????????¦Í?????????????

    Vivien lit up, nodding eagerly. ¡°Sure! I¡¯ve got amazing taste. I¡¯ll find the perfect one for you!¡±

    Paige turned her attention to Ran, putting on a caring tone. ¡°Ran, your grandpa¡¯s not young anymore. Hospitals are full of germs. Get him home to rest.¡±

    Ran looked like he didn¡¯t want to go, and the reluctance to part with her was written all over his face. But Paige¡¯s words gave him no room to argue. He gave her a small grin. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll get Grandpa home ande back to check on youter.¡±

    Paige nodded with a warm smile and then looked to Lenard. ¡°Have a safe trip home.¡±

    Before walking out, Lenard gave Paulina a subtle but telling nce.

    Not long after, Ran and Vivien followed Lenard out of the room. The second the door shut behind them, Paige exhaled slowly, the weight of tension slipping from her shoulders.

    Kiara moved quickly, walking over to close the door tightly and turn the lock, making sure no one could walk in or overhear anything by ident.

    .

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    .

 Chapter 217

    ?Chapter 217:

    Darin, all grins, eased up beside Paulina. ¡°Ms. Fletcher, to what do we owe the pleasure?¡±

    Everyone in the room knew the Fletcher siblings were close with Cole. Paulina might have beenbeled a housekeeper, but her influence was undeniable. People like Darin had no choice but to stay on her good side.

    Paulina, calm and unreadable, saw right through the Jones family¡¯s performance, but her face didn¡¯t give away a thing. ¡°Mr. Evans asked me toe by and check on Miss Jones.¡±

    The corners of Paige¡¯s lips curled into a satisfied smile upon hearing this. Taking that bullet had turned out to be the smartest move she¡¯d made. Now that Cole owed her, she was no longer someone he could simply brush aside. If she couldn¡¯t win his heart, tying him down with a life-debt felt like the next best thing.

    ¡°Ms. Fletcher, please let Cole know I¡¯m alright,¡± Paige said cheerfully. ¡°Tell him he doesn¡¯t need to worry.¡±

    Paulina had already been briefed by the doctors about Paige¡¯s condition, so she wasted no time. ¡°Mr. Evans sent me to ask what sort ofpensation you¡¯re hoping for. He doesn¡¯t like to owe anyone.¡±

    Paige¡¯s smile froze in ce, her expression stiffening.

    Kiara and Darin also looked ufortable, unsure how to react. Cole didn¡¯t bother sugarcoating anything. To him, a life-saving favor was nothing more than a transaction. Wasn¡¯t he supposed to be showering Paige with gratitude and promising to protect her forever? Treating it like a business deal felt like a p in the face.

    Paige forced a shaky grin, though her insides burned with frustration. ¡°Cole¡¯s the guy I¡¯m crazy about. I saved him because I care about him. I didn¡¯t expect anything in return.¡±

    Paulina¡¯s gaze turned sharp, a glint of mockery in her eyes. ¡°Miss Jones, maybe think before you speak. Didn¡¯t I just hear you¡¯re head-over-heels for Ran and getting married soon? So how exactly is Mr. Evans the one you¡¯re crazy about?¡±

    The words hit Paige like a p, draining the color from her face.

    ?????????? ?????? ???????????????????? ¡ª ?????????? g???????¦Í??????©o??????

    Darin and Kiara looked equally awkward.

    Paulina pressed on. ¡°At that time, Mrs. Evans had already moved Mr. Evans out of danger. Your little act wasn¡¯t necessary. You got hurt because you threw yourself into the situation. Let¡¯s not twist it into something it wasn¡¯t.¡±

    Her tone was direct and sharp as ss as she added, ¡°But Mr. Evans is a fair man. He won¡¯t leave debts hanging, so he¡¯s offering a clean payout. Just don¡¯t turn around and pretend you¡¯ve been wronged after milking his generosity.¡±

    Paige hadn¡¯t seen any of thising. Cole had actually gone as far as sending Paulina to put her in her ce like this. Paige¡¯s heart broke apart, her entire world falling to pieces¡­

    Paige truly adored Cole. After all, he possessed extraordinary brilliance and charm. Though her emotional depth might have seemed shallow to some, her appreciation for his exceptional masculine qualities felt both genuine and instinctive.

    After falling for Cole, Paige found herself unable to love another man. The experience resembled someone who had gazed upon a perfect diamond¡ªevery other stone, no matter how closely it resembled the real thing, failed to capture her attention.

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    .

    .

 Chapter 218

    ?Chapter 218:

    Unfortunately, Cole¡¯s feelings, delivered through Paulina¡¯s careful mediation, shattered the warmth in Paige¡¯s heart.

    The bitter truth struck Paige: Cole felt nothing for her, not even the smallest spark. Despite their near-marriage, he remainedpletely detached. She could discuss anything with him except emotions. Her feelings registered as nothing more than entertainment in his eyes.

    This realization made Paige draw a sharp breath, her heartache threatening to suffocate her. Cole¡¯s indifference made it clear that pursuing any romantic conversation would only bring more pain. Under these circumstances, she decided that seizing this moment to demand concrete benefits represented her best strategic move.

    Having made her choice, Paige offered Paulina a calcted smile and dered, ¡°Since we¡¯re being direct, I¡¯ll skip the pleasantries. I have three conditions.¡±

    Paulina¡¯s lips curved upward. ¡°Please, Miss Jones, continue.¡±

    As Paige gathered her thoughts, Kiara rushed forward, lowering her voice to whisper urgently, ¡°Paige, think carefully before you speak. Given Cole¡¯s cold attitude, if you don¡¯t make the most of this chance, you¡¯ll never get another opportunity to negotiate for advantages.¡±

    ¡°Mom, I understand what¡¯s at stake,¡± Paige replied with quiet confidence.

    Seeing Paige¡¯sposed demeanor, Kiara stepped back without furtherment.

    Paige turned her attention to Paulina and announced, ¡°First, I need Mr. Evans to invest two billion in capital into the Jones Group.¡±

    ¡°Agreed,¡± Paulina responded without hesitation. Before arriving at the hospital, Cole had instructed her to resolve any problem that money could fix, ensuring all ties with Paige were severed quickly.

    At Paulina¡¯s immediate agreement, Darin¡¯s eyes sparkled. This massive financial injection would enable his remarkable corporateeback.

    Kiara caught Darin¡¯s eye, her expression glowing with pride. Their daughter certainly knew how to create winning situations.

    ?????????? ???? ????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Darin read Kiara¡¯s silent message perfectly and returned a measured smile.

    Paige ignored her parents¡¯ exchange and stated her second demand.

    ¡°Next, before I be part of the Hudson family, Mr. Evans must guarantee my safety. No harm muste to me or my family¡ªby anyone.¡±

    This second condition held crucial importance for Paige. Back on the yacht, Elliana¡¯s threatening presence had terrified her, creating persistent anxiety about possible revenge. Before gaining the Hudson family¡¯s protection, she needed an intermediary power capable of neutralizing Elliana¡¯s threat.

    This time, Paulina didn¡¯t respond immediately. Instead, she pulled out her phone to text Cole.

    Meanwhile, Cole lounged luxuriously on a sofa at Regal Grove, enjoying Elliana¡¯s devoted attention. When he craved grapes, she prepared and fed them to him personally. When heined of stiff limbs, she massaged them with her own hands. She fulfilled his every request with meticulous care, awakening unexpected feelings of being treasured within him. The woman who had once dismissed his presence now treated him like royalty, having discovered her newfound affection.

    Recliningzily, he watched Elliana¡¯s attentive efforts with sweet contentment. These moments represented the peak of satisfaction in his twenty-seven years. The universal male dream of marriage suddenly made perfect sense. Having a devoted wife truly brought iparable joy.

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    .

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 Chapter 219

    ?Chapter 219:

    His blissful thoughts were interrupted by his phone¡¯s buzz. He nced at the screen, read Paulina¡¯s message, and casually beckoned Elliana over. ¡°Honey,e here.¡±

    Elliana, who had been slicing apples nearby, moved closer and tilted her head curiously. ¡°What do you¡ª¡±

    Cole¡¯s expression softened as he held out the device.

    Elliana set down her knife, took the phone, and scanned the message. ¡°What do you think?¡± Cole asked.

    Elliana¡¯s face suddenly lit up with amused understanding. ¡°Paige fears I might retaliate against her. Before she gets the Hudson family¡¯s protection, she wants yours. Go ahead and agree.¡±

    Elliana had never considered giving Paige a quick and painless end. Rather thaning for Paige¡¯s life directly, she preferred psychological destruction tactics. Cole easily grasped Paige¡¯s reasoning and shared in her amusement.

    ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll do as you suggest.¡±

    He then typed back to Paulina. ¡°Approved.¡±

    After receiving Cole¡¯s instruction, Paulina looked back at Paige and conveyed, ¡°Mr. Evans has no objections to your second condition.¡±

    The breath Paige didn¡¯t realize she was holding came out in a quiet rush.

    Kiara and Darin, sensing the shift in atmosphere, visibly rxed.

    ¡°Miss Jones, shall we hear the third condition?¡± Paulina prompted.

    Kiara and Darin found themselves wrestling with disappointment. Three conditions weren¡¯t nearly enough to cover the wishlist they had been secretly nursing.

    Paige remained calm, unshaken. She said simply, ¡°The third condition¡­¡±

    ???????? ?????? ?????????????? ????????: g???????¦Í????????????

    Kiara and Darin kept darting nervous nces at Paige, silently worrying whether her final demand would be valuable enough. Paulina stood calm andposed, fingers poised over her phone, waiting in perfect silence.

    Then, Paige smiled. ¡°I haven¡¯t decided on the third condition yet. I¡¯ll let Cole know once I¡¯ve figured it out.¡±

    In that moment, a calcting light shed in Paige¡¯s eyes. Three conditions weren¡¯t enough¡ªnot for what she really wanted. If she rushed to name thest one, she¡¯d be severing the final thread that still linked her to Cole. And she wasn¡¯t ready to give that up. Not yet.

    Paulina nced at Paige, a flicker of surprise at Paige¡¯s cunning shing in her otherwise unreadable expression. Without saying a word, she looked down and typed, calmly reporting every detail to Cole. Meanwhile, at Regal Grove, Cole read the update and immediately shared it with Elliana.

    Elliana, familiar with Paige¡¯s schemes, couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. ¡°Paige is ying the long game,¡± she said, amused. ¡°Tell her we ept.¡±

    Cole¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile and replied to Paulina, ¡°Agree to her terms.¡±

    Then, after a pause, he added another message. ¡°And tell the Jones family to stop acting like we¡¯re close. It¡¯s distasteful.¡±

    Paulina read the message with the barest trace of amusement tugging at her lips. Still, she kept her tone polished and professional. ¡°Miss Jones, take your time. Contact me whenever you¡¯ve decided on the third condition.¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 220

    ?Chapter 220:

    Paige¡¯s heart skipped. Cole had actually agreed! That meant there was still a connection between them¡ªone she could use to reach him again, to stay tethered to his world.

    Just as Paige allowed herself a quiet thrill, Paulina¡¯s voice rang out, smooth as silk yet sharp as a de. ¡°Oh¡ªand Mr. Evans also said this: the three of you are not to act like you¡¯re close with him anymore. He finds it distasteful.¡±

    The words hit like a p. Paige froze, her smile vanishing.

    Darin and Kiara both pursed their lips awkwardly. Before Cole had married Elliana, they¡¯d treated him casually as inws-to-be. Now, they were being curtly told to drop that familiarity. The shift in status was hard to ignore.

    Paulina, having delivered the message with unshakable poise, didn¡¯t spare them another nce. She turned on her heel and left with the same elegance with which she arrived.

    The door had barely clicked shut before Kiara exhaled sharply. ¡°The nerve!¡± she snapped. ¡°She¡¯s just one of Cole¡¯sckeys, strutting around like she owns the ce!¡±

    Darin quickly shot a nce toward the door, then turned back and scolded her in a low voice. ¡°Watch your mouth. Paulina was raised by the Evans family¡ªCole sees her as a sisterly figure. Her position isn¡¯t low.¡±

    Kiara stiffened, and no retort came. She bristled with frustration and then turned her ire on Paige. ¡°I mean, three conditions? Why didn¡¯t you ask for more? And honestly, your demands are too soft. You should¡¯ve gone all in¡ªforced Cole to divorce Elliana and marry you. That would solve everything!¡±

    Paige gave her mother a lookced with irritation and contempt. ¡°Mom, do you really think Cole is someone who can be pressured like that? If I overy my hand, he won¡¯t negotiate¡ªhe¡¯ll retaliate. He has the power to crush the Jones family without blinking.¡±

    Darin sighed and shot Kiara a cold look. ¡°So thick-headed!¡±

    Kiara, chastened, lost her temper and then asked, ¡°So, what are you nning to ask for as your third condition?¡±

    ?????????????? ????????????: ?????????????????????????

    ¡°I don¡¯t know yet. I need to be smart about it.¡± Paige crossed her arms, her expression unreadable.

    Darin gave a firm nod. ¡°Yes, Paige, you¡¯re right. You need to think carefully. The third condition mustn¡¯t be squandered.¡±

    Paige shifted her gaze to him, her tone measured but pointed. ¡°Dad, do you acknowledge that the Jones family¡¯s current prestige exists because of me¡ªand that Elliana has contributed nothing?¡±

    Darin nodded. ¡°Paige, that¡¯s why you¡¯re the daughter I¡¯m most proud of.¡±

    A faint, bittersweet smile touched her lips. ¡°Then I have one request,¡± she said, voice softening. ¡°I want you to treat Mom better. I know some of the things she did made you resent her, but¡ªfor my sake¡ªcan we let the past go?¡±

    Kiara¡¯s breath hitched. ¡°Paige¡­¡± Her voice broke as tears welled up in her eyes.

    Paige looked at her father, her tone calm but carrying weight. ¡°If you can truly let go of your prejudice toward her, then I¡¯ll make sure the third condition brings even greater advantages to the Jones family.¡±

    Darin¡¯s expression shifted. ¡°Alright, Paige,¡± he said, managing a smile. ¡°I promise. As a family, we¡¯ll put everything behind us.¡±

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    .

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 Chapter 221

    ?Chapter 221:

    But inwardly, resentment still coiled in his heart. Words were easy. Letting go wasn¡¯t.

    Kiara, however, believed every word. Tears streamed down her face as she clung to Darin¡¯s arm.

    For once, Darin didn¡¯t push her away. He merely endured it, his smile frozen, hollow.

    Paige let out a quiet sigh and closed her eyes.

    At the same time, at Regal Grove, Elliana sat beside Cole, feeding him thin slices of apple, one small piece at a time.

    There were no outsiders here¡ªonly Cole¡¯s most loyal aides. When he had stormed into Willow Lane to retrieve her that night, they had seen through the facade. They knew she wasn¡¯t the in, awkward woman she¡¯d once pretended to be. Today, she wore no heavy makeup¡ªher features were clean,posed, effortlessly beautiful.

    As they spoke quietly, sharing this rare moment of intimacy, the mood was warm and unhurried. Then, without warning, two unexpected guests arrived at Regal Grove.

    Killing time in the courtyard, Myles, Aron, and Hugh sprawled across the stone benches, doing their best not to interrupt Cole. The maids, butler, and security had all adopted the same strategy, drifting through their chores in near silence, hoping to stay invisible.

    There was no urgent crisis behind their collective disappearing act. The truth was embarrassingly simple. None of them wanted front-row seats to Cole and Elliana¡¯s endless parade of lovey-dovey nonsense.

    In the past, Cole had carried himself as an unppable leader¡ªsharp, stoic, impossible to shake. Lately, though, he was utterly insufferable, always trailing after Elliana, murmuring sweet nothings, clinging to her hand like a teenager with his first crush.

    They¡¯d gotten used to Cole¡¯smanding presence, his icy detachment. Watching him now, hopelessly lovestruck, was enough to make their skin crawl.

    ???????????????? ?????????????? ????????: ?????????¦Í????????©q?????

    Not to mention, everyone was still shell-shocked from thest time they¡¯d stumbled into one of Cole and Elliana¡¯s affectionate sprees¡ªan afternoon that had dissolved into a thunderous fight and left the entire staff on edge for days.

    Lesson learned. This time, unless Cole specifically summoned them, nobody was risking an appearance. Thest thing they wanted was to witness another meltdown, or worse, get caught in the st radius if things exploded again.

    Sick with boredom, Hugh couldn¡¯t help grumbling under his breath as he slouched further down the bench. ¡°Aron, when exactly did Mr. Evans turn into such a lovesick disaster?¡±

    Aron¡¯s eyes narrowed with a chill that could freeze rain. He spun away, making it clear he wanted no part in that conversation.

    Hugh shot Aron an exasperated look¡ªhonestly, the guy had no chill. Giving up on him, Hugh wandered over to the stone table where Myles was busy sifting through a messy stack of paperwork.

    Hugh pestered Myles with a dramatic groan. ¡°Seriously, Myles, how long do you think Mr. Evans will continue to act like some lovesick puppy?¡±

    Without missing a beat or ncing up, Myles shut him down. ¡°Go bother someone else.¡±

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    .

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 Chapter 222

    ?Chapter 222:

    Miffed, Hugh trudged back toward Aron, sulking.

    Just then, Jason and Trinity appeared at the edge of the courtyard.

    The second Myles noticed them, he bolted upright. ¡°Good afternoon, Miss Craig, Mr. Evans.¡±

    Jason, freshly back from an intensive stint training in Delta, had only just checked in with Ruben before heading here to see Cole.

    Trinity tagged along, iming she had her own reasons to meet with Cole.

    Jason¡¯s presence was daunting¡ªtall and rock-solid, the embodiment of a battle-scarred sentinel. His sharp gaze missed nothing, and there was a coiled tension in the way he moved, like a predator ready to strike.

    Most striking of all, he wore a half-ck mask that deepened the aura of danger around him, making anyone with sense keep their distance. Merlin radiated the hard-edged grit of a man shaped by years on the front lines. That raw, battle-born energy clung to him, impossible to miss. Jason, in contrast, masked his power beneath a calm exterior¡ªhis reputation built on outmaneuvering the Evans family¡¯s enemies from the shadows, not brute force. The two couldn¡¯t have been more different.

    Where Merlin¡¯s ruthlessness shed in his eyes, Jason¡¯s deadliest moves came hidden behind sharp strategy and subtle cunning. They were predators of entirely separate breeds.

    Within the Evans family¡¯s younger ranks, Cole stood unchallenged at the top¡ªan heir who wielded real authority. Jason worked as his silent enforcer, the iron fist keeping order, his loyalty never in doubt. Just by standing nearby, Jasonmanded a respect that silenced the room.

    Cole¡¯s men¡ªMyles, Aron, and Hugh¡ªknew better than to cross Jason. No matter their loyalty to Cole, Jason¡¯s presence alone kept them in line.

    Meanwhile, Trinity had clearly made an effort that day. Her makeup was wless, and her white dress rippled around her with every step. Loose strands of her hair fluttered in the gentle breeze, a faint trace of lotus perfume following her. Next to Jason¡¯s imposing frame, she looked almost ethereal, fragile as a flower beside a towering oak.

    Jason gave Myles a curt nod, those razor-sharp eyes scanning the courtyard and reading the tension immediately. ¡°What¡¯s with all those expressions and silence?¡± he asked, his voice steady and low. ¡°You all look like you¡¯re hiding from something.¡±

    ?????????????????? ????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Myles hesitated, mouth quirking, unwilling to confess that they were simply avoiding another episode of Cole and Elliana¡¯s rollercoaster romance.

    Myles shrugged off the truth. ¡°Mr. Evans got roughed upst night. He needs some downtime, so we¡¯reying low.¡±

    Jason epted that exnation with a nod. ¡°Heard Merritt tried to snatch Elliana. That¡¯s why I hustled back to Ublento. I¡¯ll go find Cole now.¡±

    Catching Jason¡¯s intent, Myles darted a nce at Aron, silently signaling him to step in.

    When faced with outsiders, Elliana would slip into her full disguise, making every bit of her look ugly and ordinary, but now she¡¯d dropped the facade. If Jason or Trinity caught a glimpse, her secret would be toast.

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    .

    .

 Chapter 223

    ?Chapter 223:

    Reading the cue, Aron took off at a sprint toward Elliana. He crashed through the doors and found Cole and Elliana tangled together, whispering tender words on the couch.

    Flushing, Aron forced himself to deliver the news. ¡°Sorry to interrupt, but Mr. Jason Evans and Miss Trinity Craig are here.¡±

    Elliana bolted upright, escaping Cole¡¯s arms and tearing up the stairs in a blur.

    Aron just stared after her, ck-jawed. He couldn¡¯t get over how fast she moved¡ªlike she¡¯d flipped a switch, vanishing before his eyes.

    Cole sat frozen for a moment, Elliana¡¯s warmth barely faded from his embrace. Suddenly, the room felt emptier than ever.

    When Jason and Trinity walked in together, Cole quickly straightened up and pulled himself together.

    At once, Myles, Aron, and Hugh noticed the shift in Cole. The man who had just been rxed and yful in front of his wife now sat tall and serious. In an instant, he slipped into the role of the Evans family¡¯s head¡ªcalm andmanding.

    ¡°Cole,¡± Jason greeted.

    Cole gave a slight nod, his eyes resting on Jason¡¯s face. ¡°When did you get back?¡±

    Jason replied, calm and steady, ¡°I arrived in Ublento two hours ago. I paid my respects to our grandpa and came straight here to see you.¡± His eyes quietly scanned Cole. ¡°I heard you were injuredst night. How are you feeling now?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just a minor injury. Nothing serious,¡± Cole said with a careless shrug.

    Trinity spoke up, her voice sweet and sunny. ¡°Cole, we were really worried when we heard you got hurt.¡±

    Since Trinity had walked in, Cole hadn¡¯t looked at her. But when she spoke, he nced her way for a moment and asked coolly, ¡°Why are you here?¡±

    ???????????????? ???????????????? @ g??????¦Í??????©q?????

    Trinity¡¯s smile wavered slightly under his cold tone, but she held her poise as always¡ªgraceful and gentle, just as she had trained herself to be. ¡°I was truly worried when I heard you were injured. Jason wasing, so I asked toe along. I just wanted to see how you were doing,¡± she said softly.

    Any other man might have been charmed by her warmth, but Cole remained unreadable. He nced at her briefly and then lowered his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m fine. If you¡¯ve got other things to do, you can go.¡±

    Trinity¡¯s hands tightened slightly where they rested in front of her. Every time she reached out to Cole, she hit a wall. His coldness left her feeling awkward and small. She found herself in a dilemma, unsure whether to stay or leave.

    Just as the silence stretched, Jason stepped in. ¡°Trinity came with me. I¡¯ll be taking her back. And Cole, she also has something she¡¯d like to discuss with you.¡±

    At that, Trinity quietly let out a breath. Though Cole never showed her the warmth she longed for, Jason¡¯s thoughtfulness was a smallfort.

    In her mind, the Craig and Evans families were set to be united through marriage, and she would marry into the Evans family one day. She never said it aloud, but in her heart, she had weighed the Evans men carefully. In the end, she only had eyes for one.

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 Chapter 224

    ?Chapter 224:

    For Cole. He was the family head. Marrying him would give her the highest ce among the women of the Evans household.

    She had considered Jason. Butpared to Cole, Jason seemed less ideal. Jason, while powerful and capable, still answered to Cole. If she married Jason, her status would be respectable, but not top-tier. She¡¯d always be second to thedy of the Evans household.

    Besides, Jason had a major w¡ªhe couldn¡¯t live in the light. Cole was the face of the family, admired and known. Marrying him would bring status, recognition, and a wide, bright world. But Jason operated behind the scenes. For the family¡¯s safety, he stayed hidden. He rarely appeared in public, and few even knew what he looked like.

    She knew that if she married Jason, she¡¯d live in the shadows as well. There¡¯d be no grand disys, no public title. Even their children might have to be given to another couple, just to stay safe. But she loved the spotlight. She wanted to be known, respected, and admired.

    While people thought she was favored in the Evans family, her life was far from easy. It was filled with silent frustration and quiet pain. No other suitor in the family held a candle to Jason or Cole. In the end, she had only two real choices. But the one she wanted didn¡¯t want her. And the one who wanted her wasn¡¯t who she truly desired.

    All these thoughts clouded Trinity¡¯s mind, but none of them showed on her face.

    Even though Cole disliked the drama caused by Irene, he still respected Jason. As the heir, he expanded the family¡¯s power openly. Jason, just two years younger, protected it from the shadows¡ªand yed a vital role.

    Seeing Jason step in to defend Trinity, Cole eased up slightly. ¡°Take a seat,¡± he said.

    Jason and Trinity took seats on the sofa.

    Just then, Elliana came down from upstairs, her full disguise back. Her wig was styled in a wild afro, her makeup bold, and she wore a ck casual outfit.

    ?????????????? ????????????: ?????????¦Í???????????????

    With her grotesque disguise in ce, Elliana descended the stairs and settled herself beside Cole with casual grace.

    Cole cast an adoring nce at Elliana before turning to Jason, saying, ¡°This is my wife, Elliana.¡±

    Jason¡¯s expression transformed into a chaotic blend of astonishment and difort. His eyes darted between Elliana and Cole, his lips repeatedly parting but then pressing shut, words perpetually trapped at the threshold of utterance.

    Cole, the undisputed crown jewel of the Evans dynasty and Ruben¡¯s selected sessor, had consistently remained unparalleled. Jason, who had shadowed him throughout childhood, regarded him with nearly reverential admiration.

    Back when most assumed Cole was engaged to Paige, Jason had considered her wholly inadequate and fundamentally unworthy of Cole. In his estimation, Cole merited someone truly exceptional. Yet, Jason never anticipated Cole would ultimately bind himself to someone as strikingly unattractive as Elliana.

    Rumors characterized Elliana as intellectually deficient, and Irene¡¯s recent vitriolic phone tirades had already cultivated a deep-seated animosity in Jason toward Elliana.

    While harboring contempt for Elliana, Jason simultaneously felt profound sympathy for Cole.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 225

    ?Chapter 225:

    Two hours earlier, upon arriving at the Evans estate, Jason had checked in with Ruben and conversed casually with various family members. They unanimously informed him that Cole had abandoned the family residence to avoid intimacy with Elliana.

    Consequently, in Jason¡¯s understanding, Cole should have developed an aversion to Elliana. However, this current dynamic contradicted all expectations. The tenderness with which Cole had just regarded Elliana radiated authentic affection¡ªimpossible to fabricate such genuine warmth.

    As Jason remained bewildered, Trinity tugged at his sleeve, silently reproaching his discourtesy.

    Jason snapped to attention and reluctantly muttered to Elliana, ¡°Hi, Elliana.¡±

    While enduring Jason¡¯s scrutiny, Elliana conducted her own assessment, a knowing smile threatening to emerge.

    To observers, this appeared as a mundane introduction, yet to Elliana, this marked a meeting between unequivocal adversaries. Despite Jason¡¯s half-mask, she immediately identified him as Moonveil¡¯smander, Sombra.

    Naturally, with Elliana¡¯s borate cosmetic concealment, Jason had no possibility of recognizing her.

    Jason and Elliana weren¡¯t born into antagonism. Their mentors¡¯ conflict had inexorably drawn them into this entanglement.

    Elliana¡¯s mentor, Donovan, harbored an irreconcble enmity toward Seth Moon. The two would exchange verbal hostilities from a distance and escte to physical confrontation within moments of meeting. Their ipatibility was absolute. The origins and timeline of their hostility remained shrouded in mystery.

    Donovan had established the Star Society, prompting Seth to replicate the framework with Moonveil, eternally positioning themselves as rivals.

    Donovan¡¯s loathing for Seth had evolved into a lifelong crusade to dismantle Moonveil. Seth matched this determination with equal resolve to destroy the Star Societypletely.

    The dilemmay in Donovan¡¯s and Seth¡¯s equivalent capabilities, preventing either from gaining supremacy.

    ?????????????????? ???????? ???? g???????¦Í?????????????

    Later on, when Donovan had departed Ublento, Seth soon vanished, transferring their unresolved conflict to Elliana and Jason.

    Ellianacked alignment with Donovan¡¯s vendetta against Seth and felt no particr urgency to obliterate Moonveil, perpetually deferring action. Jason, simrly disinclined, made no aggressive moves against the Star Society.

    Yet, this apparent tranquility masked deeper tensions. Their organizations remained locked in irrevocable opposition.

    Upon identifying Jason as Sombra, Elliana experienced internal amusement. Her sworn enemy was actually Cole¡¯s rtive. This presented a significantplication.

    Absorbed in contemtion, Elliana¡¯s gaze lingered excessively on Jason. Jason, growing ufortable, contracted his brows in evident displeasure.

    Cole, sumbing to jealousy, reached across and gently pinched Elliana¡¯s cheek, reiming her attention.

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    .

 Chapter 226

    ?Chapter 226:

    Elliana flinched momentarily and then offered Cole a mischievous smile to defuse the tension.

    Trinity, witnessing Cole and Elliana¡¯s intimate exchange, experienced a surge of envy. She manufactured a smile and addressed Elliana, ¡°Elliana, the entire family has heard about Merritt kidnapping you. Are you recovering adequately?¡±

    ¡°Thank you for your concern. I¡¯m fine,¡± Elliana replied with deliberate detachment.

    Receiving no warmth from Elliana, Trinity redirected her attention to Cole. ¡°Cole, I¡¯m departing overseas tomorrow with Professor Sampson to arrange a confidential meeting with Dr. Atkinson. Your grandfather requests that youpose a personal letter to Dr. Atkinson. Something heartfelt, you understand? It might persuade Dr. Atkinson to ept Barbara¡¯s case.¡±

    Trinity cast a surreptitious, triumphant nce toward Elliana, implicitly broadcasting her significance. She craved universal recognition that she contributed far more value to the Evans family than Elliana.

    Elliana intercepted Trinity¡¯s look but simply averted her gaze.

    Since Ruben had mandated it, Cole couldn¡¯t refuse. He signaled to Myles for writing materials, crafted a formal invitation, and delivered it to Trinity.

    Trinity epted the letter, dering, ¡°Rest assured. I¡¯ll employ every conceivable strategy to get Dr. Atkinson on board with Barbara¡¯s case, thus permanently resolving the family¡¯s difficulties!¡±

    ¡°Exercise caution regarding international swindlers, Miss Craig,¡± Elliana, the actual Dr. Atkinson, remarked with subtle sarcasm.

    Elliana¡¯s pointed remark froze Trinity¡¯s smile in ce. This was the second time Elliana had challenged her so publicly, and fury burned through her chest.

    Trinity felt certain that Elliana was consumed with jealousy over her chance to meet Milena and potentially be the Evans family¡¯s most valuable asset. This bitter envy, she assumed, drove Elliana¡¯s cutting remarks.

    ¡°Elliana, do you secretly long to witness Dr. Atkinson¡¯s legendary brilliance yourself?¡± Trinity asked, masking her anger behind sugary sweetness. ¡°If you want toe with us, I could speak with Professor Sampson. Change your look a little, and you might join us as a medical assistant.¡±

    ?????????????? ???????? ???? ????????: g???????¦Í????????????

    ¡°I appreciate the offer, but no, I¡¯ll pass,¡± Elliana replied with the faintest smile.

    Trinity kept up her righteous act. ¡°We¡¯re family now. No need to be shy. If something¡¯s bothering you, just say it outright. Don¡¯t make things moreplicated than they need to be.¡±

    Trinity¡¯s words carried a hidden usation¡ªthat Elliana¡¯s pride kept her from admitting she wanted to participate, so she resorted to passive-aggressivements instead.

    After speaking, Trinity shot a calcted look toward Cole and Jason. Jason¡¯s gaze turned colder as he looked at Elliana, his already poor opinion of her worsening thanks to Trinity¡¯s clever maniption. Trinity savored Jason¡¯s obvious reaction. But Cole¡¯s response caught herpletely off guard.

    Instead of looking embarrassed by Elliana, Cole watched her with growing fascination, as if he¡¯d discovered something unexpectedly impressive about her.

    Trinity¡¯s mind raced. What was driving Cole¡¯s reaction?

    While Trinity puzzled over this development, Elliana¡¯s lips curved into a knowing smile. ¡°I already said no to the offer. I¡¯m not speaking in riddles. I¡¯m warning you to be careful about potential deception. That¡¯s all I¡¯m saying, nothing more.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 227

    ?Chapter 227:

    Trinity¡¯s expression shifted from smug satisfaction to open annoyance. ¡°Elliana,¡± Jason cut in with clear frustration, ¡°you¡¯ve been warning Trinity about possible fraud during her trip with Professor Sampson. What¡¯s behind this concern of yours?¡±

    Jason¡¯s question functioned as an usation, implying jealousy and questionable motives on Elliana¡¯s part.

    Elliana met his suspicious stare without flinching, her smile so genuine that it seemed to sparkle. ¡°I¡¯ve said exactly what I mean. Why keep grilling me?¡±

    ¡°So you¡¯re just worried about Trinity being deceived?¡± Jason¡¯s words dripped with doubt.

    ¡°Exactly!¡± Elliana dered with sincere conviction. ¡°That¡¯s my only reason, nothing else!¡±

    Jason dismissed her apparent honesty with a scoffing sound and then looked away, ending their exchange.

    Elliana shrugged withplete indifference. If Jason refused to believe her exnation, that was his problem. As the real Milena, she had done her duty by offering the warning. When they ran into troubleter and came looking for sympathy, they couldn¡¯t me her for not warning them.

    Jason turned his attention back to Trinity. ¡°Trinity, please wait in the car. I need to talk privately with Cole.¡±

    Trinity hesitated about leaving. She hadn¡¯t seen Cole for an entire week while he was away from the Evans estate, and she missed him desperately. She wanted to treasure every precious moment with him. But with Jason requesting private time with Cole, she couldn¡¯t reasonably stay.

    Though Trinity couldn¡¯t remain close to Cole, she wanted to linger in his space a little longer. This estate was Cole¡¯s private sanctuary, carefully secured. She had never gained ess before. Today¡¯s visit only happened because she tagged along with Jason.

    ¡°All right, I¡¯ll walk around for a bit. I¡¯ve never seen Regal Grove up close,¡± Trinity spoke to Jason with calcted brightness. She nned to familiarize herself with the property. Expecting to marry Cole eventually, she figured her future management duties justified this early scouting mission.

    Jason nodded his approval. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll send someone to get you when we¡¯re ready to leave.¡±

    ???????? ???????? ????????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Trinity turned toward Cole, her smile zing with exceptional radiance. ¡°Cole, could you provide a guide? This is my first visit, and the property looks enormous. I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll get lost.¡±

    Cole nced meaningfully at Myles.

    Myles caught the unspokenmand, bowing respectfully. ¡°Miss Craig, please follow me.¡±

    Seeing Cole approve her exploration and assign his head assistant as her escort, Trinity felt overwhelming joy, her face glowing with pure happiness. ¡°Thank you, Cole!¡±

    She then turned to address Elliana. ¡°Elliana, I¡¯m leaving to tour the estate.¡±

    Elliana responded with a slight smile. Trinity¡¯s performance outdid even Paige¡¯s dramatic skills. While Trinity¡¯s pointed look might have escaped others, Elliana caught the underlying challenge with perfect rity.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 228

    ?Chapter 228:

    Trinity stood and left with Myles at her side.

    Jason turned to Elliana. ¡°Elliana, would you mind giving us privacy as well?¡±

    Elliana rose and climbed the staircase. When she reached her room and looked through therge window, she spotted Trinity in the garden, practically vibrating with agitation as she argued with Myles.

    Elliana couldn¡¯t hear clearly through the window, so she slid it open. Trinity¡¯s sharp voice came in with the breeze.

    ¡°Myles, do you even know what you¡¯re doing?¡± Trinity¡¯s tone was cutting,ced with anger.

    Myles answered with a calm smile, ¡°Sure do, Miss Craig.¡±

    Trinity¡¯s chest rose with fury. ¡°Cole told you to show me around, and now you¡¯re stopping me? What¡¯s going on?¡±

    Myles gave a polite nod. ¡°I must rify that Mr. Evans didn¡¯t say anything about me showing you the garden. Before you came, he made it clear¡ªno one steps into his private grounds without his say-so.¡±

    Trinity froze, her face tightening with embarrassment. She had assumed Cole¡¯s nce at Myles back in the living room meant it was fine for her to explore the garden. But clearly, Myles saw it differently. While Trinity fumed, Myles stayed cool as ever. The contrast was maddening. He pressed on. ¡°Miss Craig, if you really want to see the garden, maybe ask Mr. Evans directly. That¡¯d save me the trouble.¡±

    Trinity was so choked up with rage that she couldn¡¯t speak. There was no way she¡¯d go bother Cole again over something so small. Cole had a short fuse, and she didn¡¯t want to light it.

    Then, it hit her¡ªMyles was blocking her because Cole told him to.

    In front of Jason, Cole couldn¡¯t reject her outright, so he had given Myles the signal. Myles was just doing his job.

    Realizing this, Trinity took a shaky breath. Her heart felt heavy. She couldn¡¯t believe Cole was so done with her that he wouldn¡¯t even let her wander around his estate.

    ???????????? ???? ????????: ??????????????????©q??????

    She stared at the lush backyard, blooming with flowers. The beauty only made her feel more jealous. She had grown up with the Evans family, lived under the same roof as Cole for years. And now, she wasn¡¯t even wee for a stroll. But Elliana? She lived here, free as a bird.

    With these thoughts, Trinity looked up toward the second-floor bedroom¡ªand locked eyes with Elliana, who was standing by the window. Elliana¡¯s arms were crossed, her lips curled into a smug smile. She had definitely heard everything.

    Trinity¡¯s face turned red with embarrassment. Just minutes ago, she had thrown Elliana a smug look before leaving the room. Now, the joke was on her.

    Burning with humiliation, Trinity stormed to Jason¡¯s car, yanked the door open, got in, and stayed put.

    With the drama over, Elliana shut the window and dropped onto the sofa. She spotted the mango candies Cole had left for her on the table. She unwrapped one and popped it into her mouth, letting the sweetness spread through her like sunshine.

    As she savored the vor, she rested her elbows on the table and cradled her face, smiling softly. Maybe Cole had kept Trinity out of the garden for her sake. He could be surprisingly sweet sometimes.

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 Chapter 229

    ?Chapter 229:

    Downstairs, now that the others were gone, Jason didn¡¯t hold back. ¡°Cole, you see, Elliana¡¯s rough, loud, and jealous. She¡¯s not fit to be your wife.¡±

    Cole raised a brow but didn¡¯t say a word. Elliana was still ying the frumpy, ditzy act, so it wasn¡¯t shocking that people like Jason got the wrong idea. He figured there was no point in defending her or trying to exin. People like Jason needed to see for themselves, and Elliana could handle anything thrown her way. So, he stayed quiet.

    Jason mistook the silence for agreement and pressed on. ¡°Even our grandpa¡¯s insistence shouldn¡¯t have swayed you. You shouldn¡¯t have thrown away your happiness just for that stupid promise!¡±

    Cole took a sip of the coffee Elliana had made and then said calmly, ¡°Actually, I¡¯m doing just fine. Happier than you think.¡±

    Honestly, ¡°happy¡± was an understatement. Since Elliana gave her heart to him, life had felt like a dream. She was thoughtful, caring, and full of surprises. He couldn¡¯t have asked for more. But he couldn¡¯t go around bragging; he had an image to keep up.

    Jason clearly didn¡¯t get it. Hearing Cole¡¯s words only made him more frustrated. ¡°Come on, Cole. No man wants to end up with someone like Elliana. You¡¯re just enduring it, and that kills me. You should divorce¡ª¡±

    ¡°Enough,¡± Cole cut in. ¡°This marriage is set. It¡¯s not changing. Period.¡± Then, he shifted gears. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about you. You nning to put a ring on Trinity¡¯s finger or what?¡±

    Jason froze for a split second after hearing Cole¡¯s question. He did want to marry Trinity¡ªbut not out of some deep, burning passion. It simply felt like the right match.

    His unique role within the Evans family meant he couldn¡¯t live openly like most others. As long as he continued managing the family¡¯s hidden operations, he had to keep a low profile. This position came with expectations. He had to be extremely selective about marriage. Love alone wouldn¡¯t cut it. The woman he married had to understand the weight of his responsibilities and the silence that came with them.

    Trinity had spent her childhood in the Evans family¡¯s residence. She knew the rules, understood the environment, and her soft-spoken nature matched the quiet life he led.

    ?????????? ?????????????? ??????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Truthfully, if the idea had onlye from him, he might¡¯ve let it go. But what pushed him toward it was the way Trinity treated him. In every conversation, her eyes showed a blend of affection and quiet admiration. She knew what he was and what that meant. Still, she chose to love him. That meant she had considered the risks and was still willing. Because of that, he believed they were on the same page. After running through it all in his head, Jason finally asked, ¡°Do you think it¡¯s okay, Cole?¡±

    ¡°Only you can answer that,¡± Cole replied. ¡°It depends on what you really feel.¡±

    Jason thought about it for a moment and then gave a quiet nod. ¡°If Trinity agrees to marry me, I¡¯ll marry her.¡±

    Cole studied him for a long moment but chose not to say anything else. Their conversation moved on to other topics before Jason eventually excused himself.

    Not long after, Myles stepped into the room with urgency written all over his face. ¡°Mr. Evans, there¡¯s a message from the Delta. Death Thorn shed with our side again over the diamond mines. This time it turned violent¡ªthere were actual fights.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 230

    ?Chapter 230:

    Cole¡¯s expression darkened with frustration as soon as he heard the news. Death Thorn continued to be a hindrance on his side, often keeping him up at night with worry.

    Fifteen years earlier, Cole¡¯s mother, Sophie, had disappeared without a trace. Cole¡¯s father had searched tirelessly, but as the years passed and his health began to fail, the responsibility eventually fell on Cole¡¯s shoulders.

    Ten years ago, Cole had finally caught wind of a lead¡ªrumors that Sophie had been spotted in the Delta. Determined to find her, he had quietly expanded his influence into the region, building from the shadows. That effort gave rise to ze Wildfire.

    Through his remote leadership, ze Wildfire had grown into a powerful force, now holding significant influence in the Delta. Things had been going smoothly¡ªuntil five years ago. That was when Thorn Rose had entered the scene, a rival organization that constantly challenged them at every turn. They¡¯d shed over everything¡ªresources, trade routes, territory. There wasn¡¯t a single inch of the Delta where their rivalry hadn¡¯t left its mark.

    In the beginning, Cole had wanted to stamp Thorn Rose out with brute strength. But Death Thorn, the one calling the shots at Thorn Rose, proved to be far more clever than expected. Taking them down wouldn¡¯t be so simple.

    Death Thorn wasn¡¯t alone. They had a brutal second-inmand known as Doomsday Rose¡ªsomeone equally feared. It was likely that the name Thorn Rose came from these two enigmatic figures. No one had ever uncovered a thing about them. No name, no age, no gender. Not even a photograph.

    Over the years, the fight between Thorn Rose and ze Wildfire had seesawed back and forth. Sometimes one side gained ground, other times they were pushed back. Here and there, their people would sh in smaller confrontations, each side testing the other¡¯s limits. If the leaders on both ends hadn¡¯t been so careful to keep the tension from boiling over, a full-scale war would¡¯ve already erupted. And if that ever happened, all of the Delta would be caught in the fallout.

    ¡°What was the result this time?¡± Cole asked.

    Myles pushed his ck-rimmed sses up the bridge of his nose and let out a weary sigh. ¡°Death Thorn¡¯s people took the diamonds.¡± In in terms, ze Wildfire had taken the loss.

    ???????? ???????????????? ???????? g???????¦Í????????©o?????

    Cole didn¡¯t respond right away. He pressed his tongue against his cheek and stayed silent, letting the weight of the news settle in. This was seriously irritating.

    On the surface, Cole wore the title of the Evans family heir in Ublento. Behind the scenes, though, he had his hands in several different ventures. And out of everyone he¡¯d faced, no one had ever gotten under his skin quite like Death Thorn. The urge to crush that opponent, only to fall short every time, had driven him to sleepless, teeth-grinding nights.

    ¡°Mr. Evans, do you want us to strike back?¡± Myles asked carefully.

    Cole took a moment to think it through before shaking his head. ¡°Let it go. It¡¯s just a minor trade, worth a few billion at most. This round, we let Death Thorn have it. There are¡­¡±

    ¡°Plenty of outsiders are just waiting for us to start a war so they can profit from the chaos. We¡¯re not giving them that chance.¡±

    ¡°Got it,¡± Myles said with a respectful nod.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 231

    ?Chapter 231:

    Silence settled again for a moment before Cole let out a short, frustratedugh. ¡°I¡¯ve got to admit, I¡¯m getting more and more curious about Death Thorn. I¡¯d love to see who this person really is.¡±

    A grin tugged at the corner of Myles¡¯s mouth. The entire underground scene in the Delta shared that same curiosity. Yet, no one hade close to uncovering the truth about Death Thorn¡¯s identity.

    Elliana was upstairs in the bedroom when a message from Adah popped up. ¡°Elliana, good news! We won! I can just imagine ze Wildfire¡¯s boss, ze Wraith, losing his mind right now, ha-ha¡­¡±

    After reading Adah¡¯s message, Elliana smiled faintly. A wave of satisfaction washed over her, like a long-awaited victory. She hated ze Wraith with every fiber of her being.

    Five years ago, Elliana had taken Adah to the Delta. Together, they had secretly formed Thorn Rose. Their main goal was to build a strong undergroundwork and search for their missing mothers. Elliana went by the codename Death Thorn, and Adah was Doomsday Rose. They created the group¡¯s name bybining parts of their codenames.

    They never meant to sh with any other group, but fate had other ns. Thorn Rose had locked horns with ze Wildfire not long after its foundation.

    It was as if ze Wraith had made Thorn Rose his enemy, fighting for everything¡ªresources, territory, business. Nothing was off-limits.

    Still, Elliana had held her ground. Despite the constant attacks and pressure from ze Wraith, she had grown Thorn Rose into something powerful. It wasn¡¯t easy. In fact, she barely kept it afloat more than once. She dreamed of catching ze Wraith alive, of destroying his group, draining the life from him, hanging him up like dried meat, and bottling him like a cursed artifact¡ªjust so she could pull it out and curse him whenever she felt like it.

    But deep down, she knew it was only a dream, a bitter fantasy. ze Wraith was terrifying¡ªtoo terrifying to feel human. To keep up, she had to use every ounce of her strength and cunning. The bnce between them was delicate. One wrong move, and everything she built would fall apart.

    Right now, both sides were holding back. Neither wanted an all-out war that could destroy them both.

    But Elliana never rxed. One slip, and ze Wraith would pounce. She couldn¡¯t let that happen.

    ???????????? ???????? ¡ú ?????????¦Í??????©q??????

    Snapping back to the present, Elliana chuckled softly and then typed her reply to Adah. ¡°pping ze Wraith in the face feels good, but this deal¡¯s just a small one¡ªonly tens of millions. Don¡¯t get carried away. Tell our people to stay sharp and not push ze Wraith too far.¡±

    Adah replied, ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll keep you posted. Ugh! Just thinking about how we¡¯ve been hunted by ze Wraith all these years makes my blood boil. I wish we could just go all out and wipe ze Wraith off the map.¡±

    Elliana responded, ¡°I wish for that too. But that monster¡¯s no joke. We have to be careful.¡±

    ¡°Realistic. For now, we protect what we have¡­ and pray something awful takes ze Wraith out.¡±

    Adah fired back, ¡°Ha-ha! I feel inspired now. I¡¯m going to hunt down a secret cult and have them curse ze Wraith every single day.¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 232

    ?Chapter 232:

    Elliana chuckled and typed back, ¡°Don¡¯t be naughty.¡±

    Just then, the door to her room opened, and Cole walked in.

    Elliana quickly ended her chat with Adah and cleared their conversation history to avoid any idental leaks.

    Cole sat beside her, slipping his arm around her. He kissed her ear softly and asked, ¡°Who were you chatting with?¡±

    ¡°My best friend, Adah,¡± she answered.

    The name made Cole pause. It rang a bell. After a moment, realization hit. An¡¯s fianc¨¦e¡ªthe one returning from some backwater town¡ªwas also named Adah.

    Unaware that Elliana¡¯s best friend and An¡¯s fianc¨¦e were the same person, Cole chuckled and remarked, ¡°Adah¡¯s a prettymon name. Seems like there are tons of them around.¡±

    Elliana caught the meaning behind his words right away. She looked at him with a knowing smile. ¡°Maybe. But not in our circle.¡±

    Cole blinked. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Elliana leaned back slightly. ¡°I mean¡­ The Adah I know is probably the same one you¡¯re thinking of.¡±

    Cole froze. ¡°You¡¯re saying your best friend Adah is that Adah? An¡¯s fianc¨¦e?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Elliana replied with a nod.

    Cole stared, lips twitching in disbelief. What a small world. His wife¡¯s best friend was the woman his buddy was being forced to marry. On the surface, it seemed like a happy coincidence. But he remembered An¡¯s strong feelings¡ªhow much he hated the idea of being forced to marry Adah. An had even threatened to go against his family over it. Of course, Cole couldn¡¯t say any of that to Elliana. He didn¡¯t want to upset her. Instead, he asked, ¡°What does your friend look like? Got any photos? Maybe I¡¯ll take a peek¡ªjust helping out An.¡±

    Elliana grinned, picked up her phone, and texted Adah. ¡°Adah, my husband wants to see your face on An¡¯s behalf. Send a fresh selfie¡ªno filters, no edits.¡±

    Adah replied, ¡°Hold on. Let me fix myself up first.¡±

    ?????????? ???? ???????? ????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Elliana didn¡¯t bother hiding her phone from Cole, allowing him to see the entire exchange. After reading Adah¡¯s message, she smiled at Cole. ¡°You know how we¡­¡±

    ¡°Girls are. Gotta look perfect, even in a selfie.¡±

    Cole nodded with a small smile, understanding all too well.

    It didn¡¯t take long before Adah¡¯s photo came through. There were no filters, no edits, nothing touched up¡ªit was raw, straight from her front camera.

    The moment Ellianaid eyes on it, her eyelid twitched. Adah had really outdone herself this time.

    For someone so stunning, Adah had made herself look like a total disaster in the photo, just to scare off An and sabotage the engagement. She was clearly pulling out all the stops.

    In the picture, her hair looked like it hadn¡¯t been brushed in days, and she was wearing a tacky, outdated jacket while feeding pigs. Whatever she did to her face was beyond belief. Her skin looked pale and lifeless, her cheeks sunken, and her eyes dull. And she didn¡¯t stop there. When she smiled, there was a front tooth missing.

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 Chapter 233

    ?Chapter 233:

    Elliana bit the inside of her cheek to keep fromughing and then turned toward Cole. ¡°Did you get a good look?¡±

    Cole waspletely thrown, his face a perfect mix of confusion and disbelief. ¡°Your friend¡­ Is she also into this odd habit of looking hideous on purpose?¡±

    ¡°Not at all,¡± Elliana answered smoothly, keeping her face serious. ¡°See, my ugliness is artificial. But Adah? She was born with it.¡±

    Cole gave her a skeptical look. ¡°Honey, are you being honest with me right now?¡±

    Elliana didn¡¯t hesitate, her lies flowing smoothly. ¡°How could I lie to the man I married? When ites to love andmitment, I¡¯m as genuine as it gets. If I¡¯m not in love, I don¡¯t even try. But once I am? I give everything. No lies, no secrets. My whole heart belongs to my husband.¡±

    Her answer made Cole visibly happy. He smiled and leaned forward, nting a soft kiss on her lips. ¡°You really are something else.¡±

    Cole nced back at the photo and frowned slightly. ¡°What happened to her tooth?¡±

    Elliana didn¡¯t flinch as she continued spinning her tale. ¡°Apparently, she had a run-in with a cow on the farm. Got kicked in the mouth. She didn¡¯t have much money, and she never had it fixed. But when she gets back to Ublento, I¡¯ll take care of the dental bill.¡±

    She even gave Cole¡¯s shoulder a firm poke to drive her point home. ¡°Honey, you absolutely have to say something to An for my friend. No matter what, you¡¯ve got to help make this match work.¡±

    Cole swallowed hard. He didn¡¯t dare make any promises. Adah and An couldn¡¯t be more mismatched. There was no version of reality where An would willingly go along with this.

    Elliana kept up her act, her tone taking on a pleading softness. ¡°My friend had no clue there was a marriage arrangement between the two families. She honestly thought she¡¯d end up with some grumpy old man from her vige. Now that she knows there¡¯s a chance with the heir of the Shaw family, she¡¯s over the moon. She hasn¡¯t slept since. If An backs out now, it¡¯ll break her heart!¡±

    She gave Cole¡¯s shoulder another jab, piling on the pressure. ¡°I¡¯m counting on you. You have to make it happen for them!¡±

    ???????? ???????? ???? ????????: g???????¦Í????????????

    Cole brought a hand to his forehead, rubbing it in quiet defeat. He still couldn¡¯t bring himself to make any promises.

    No sane man would willingly tie himself to a wife he found unattractive. Whether they admitted it or not, most men leaned toward physical beauty. Cole was no different. He had always been drawn to what pleased the eye¡ªand An shared that same instinct.

    The only reason Cole hadn¡¯t rejected Elliana on that fateful day at the Jones family¡¯s estate was that their names were already on the marriage certificate. Whether he epted it or not, the paperwork had sealed the deal. Plus, their marriage gave him the perfect excuse to cut Paige out of his life. It had felt like a win on all fronts.

    When Cole first encountered Elliana, he had found her personality easy to like, her presence warm and interesting. But back then, he had no ns to treat her as his wife. Even with his promise to Ruben to honor the family customs, he had made up his mind to quietly change the rules. He fully intended to allow divorces in the case of an unwanted marriage. He wasn¡¯t going to let old traditions decide his future.

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 Chapter 234

    ?Chapter 234:

    But then everything had shifted when he stumbled upon the truth: Elliana wasn¡¯t ugly at all. She was a hidden gem, a striking beauty who had kept her true self disguised. And the more he saw her, the more drawn to her he became. Her charm had pulled him in deeper each day.

    Cole grasped that trying to talk An into marrying Adah would be asking him to walk straight into disaster. ¡°Honey, this might take a little time,¡± he said with a strained smile.

    Elliana stuck out her lower lip in a yful pout, pretending to sulk. She let out a cold little sigh. ¡°I knew it. I knew you wouldn¡¯t help. But it¡¯s fine. I¡¯ve heard the Shaw family¡¯s patriarch is famous for keeping his word. Since there¡¯s already an engagement in ce, An won¡¯t have a choice. Whether he likes it or not, that wedding¡¯s happening.¡±

    Cole stayed silent, ying it safe. Whether An ended up marrying Adah or not was his own business. He didn¡¯t want to betray An by¡­

    Helping Elliana set up a n was one thing, but he couldn¡¯t afford to piss her off either.

    He offered her a light, diplomatic smile. ¡°Honey, it¡¯s best to stay out of other people¡¯s love lives.¡±

    Elliana thought it over for a moment before giving a small nod. ¡°Fair enough. You¡¯ve got a point.¡±

    Cole let out a quiet breath, relieved she hadn¡¯t pushed the issue. At least she still had her reasonable moments. While they were talking, he casually snapped a photo of Adah¡¯s over-the-top picture with his phone.

    Wanting to lighten the mood, Cole said, ¡°Honey, I¡¯ve got an urgent meeting to handle. I¡¯ll be in the study for about half an hour. Once I¡¯m done, I¡¯lle right back to spend time with you. Sound good?¡±

    ¡°Sure,¡± Elliana said sweetly.

    Cole stood up and made his way out. The door shut gently behind him. The second he was gone, Elliana pulled out her phone and messaged Adah. ¡°Cole has left. You can talk freely now.¡±

    ???????? ???????? ????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Adah replied, ¡°So? Did it work? Did you manage to fool him?¡±

    At Adah¡¯s question, Elliana tilted her head slightly, thinking it over. For now, it seemed like Cole was fooled by her words. Her earlier performance had been wless,plete with sweet words and practiced smiles to throw him off track. He hadn¡¯t questioned a thing, caught up in his feelings.

    But she didn¡¯t expect the illusion tost for long. He was bound to snap out of it soon. After all, he wasn¡¯t the type to stay blind for long. Once the haze lifted, he¡¯d put the pieces together¡ªand then the anger would follow.

    Elliana shot a text to Adah. ¡°I think I pulled it off, but who knows how long the lies will hold?¡±

    Adah responded right away, ¡°How¡¯d you manage that?¡±

    ¡°With sweet nothings,¡± Elliana replied, keeping it short.

    Adah texted. ¡°I¡¯ve got a genius n! When he figures out the truth, just kiss him. He¡¯ll be so dazzled that he won¡¯t even care about the lie!¡±

    Elliana let her lips curl into a crooked smile but didn¡¯t bother replying to that one.

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 Chapter 235

    ?Chapter 235:

    At the same time, in the study, Cole wasn¡¯t in any meeting like he¡¯d said. Instead, he quietly forwarded Adah¡¯s photo into a private group chat.

    That group had only four members¡ªhimself, An, Merlin, and Manley.

    The second the imagended in the chat, everything went quiet. Neither An nor Merlin responded.

    After a beat of silence, Manley finally typed. ¡°Cole, is now really the time to be sending memes? You should be resting.¡±

    Cole lifted a brow, his face showing a trace of resignation. Adah¡¯s selfie was so unconventional that his friends had mistaken it for a humorous meme.

    Cole tagged An. ¡°This might feel like a nightmare, but it¡¯s real. And you¡¯ve got to face it.¡±

    An replied immediately, ¡°What are you even talking about?¡±

    Manley sent aughing emoji. ¡°Cole, are you running a fever or just losing it?¡±

    Merlin chimed in with nothing more than a line of ellipses.

    Cole ignored Manley and tagged An once more. ¡°Her name is Adah.¡±

    Those four words dropped like a thunderp. No one could tell what An was thinking, but Manleypletely lost it, flooding the chat.

    ¡°Cole, you can¡¯t be serious, right?¡±

    ¡°You mean this¡­ This farm girl who looks like a piglet standing in a flower shop¡­ That¡¯s Adah?¡±

    ¡°Are we really talking about the Adah An¡¯s supposed to marry?¡±

    Cole typed just one word. ¡°Yes.¡±

    Then, he followed up. ¡°This Adah has been best friends with my wife since they were kids. The photo was taken just now¡ªstraight from Apricot Blossom Vige. No filters. No edits.¡±

    ?????????????? ????????: g???????¦Í?????????????

    Because Cole carried himself with steady control and a solemn demeanor, the kind of man who barely slipped up and rarely joked around, nobody thought to doubt what he said.

    The photo and the details that came with it were epted without hesitation, treated as fact simply because they appeared toe straight from Cole. It never crossed anyone¡¯s mind that even a man like him could have fallen under his wife¡¯s spell, misled by the gentle allure of her lies.

    Manley¡¯s reaction was immediate. He sent a vomiting blood emoji without hesitation. Then, he tagged An and wrote teasingly, ¡°An, you lucky bastard!¡±

    A second message from Manley came right after, saying, ¡°Go marry her now! Start a family! Have a dozen kids while you¡¯re at it!¡±

    Merlin answered with nothing more than a dry, ¡°Cut it out!¡±

    And then, a system notification popped up, showing An had left the group chat.

    Despite An¡¯s dramatic exit, Manley wasn¡¯t finished. He kept going like a runaway train.

    ¡°This is pure cruelty! Did we allmit some great sin in a past life? Is this karmaing back to bite us?¡± First it¡¯s genius Cole marrying someone ugly, now An¡¯s headed down the same path?¡±

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 Chapter 236

    ?Chapter 236:

    ¡°I can¡¯t take this! What if I¡¯m next? I swear, I can¡¯t do it. I¡¯m all about the face. I¡¯d rather drop dead than marry someone unattractive!¡±

    Manley was spiraling. Soon, both Cole and Merlin had reached their limit.

    Two notifications popped up in quick session, suggesting Cole and Merlin had left the group chat.

    Manley stared at his screen in disbelief. ¡°One hideous selfie just tore our group chat apart.¡±

    Meanwhile, Cole emerged from the study and returned to the bedroom. Elliana was sitting on the couch, deep in thought, her chin propped in her hands. She was¡­

    Elliana slowly rolled one of the mango candies he¡¯d left for her around in her mouth. The juice left a glossy sheen on her lips, making them look like soft peach petals kissed by morning dew.

    Cole¡¯s entire demeanor softened the moment he saw her. He walked over, scooped her up into his arms, and kissed her gently. He murmured, ¡°What¡¯s on your mind, honey?¡±

    Elliana didn¡¯t flinch or push him away. She had long grown used to his habit of sneaking in kisses. Truth be told, she had made her peace with it. Rtionships without kissing? That didn¡¯t seem very realistic. Comining about it felt pointless. And honestly? He was good at it. She didn¡¯t mind at all.

    She shifted the candy with her tongue and then looked up into his face. ¡°Something¡¯s been bugging me, and I need to ask you about it. But you¡¯ve got to promise me you¡¯ll tell the truth.¡±

    Cole met her gaze, his voice filled with warmth. ¡°Ask whatever you want. I¡¯ll give you nothing but the truth.¡±

    That was all she needed to hear. She took a breath and then asked the question that had been weighing on her mind. ¡°I want to know why you acted that wayst night.¡±

    ¡°Acted like what?¡± Cole was momentarily puzzled by Elliana¡¯s question and cast her a questioning nce.

    ???????? ?????????????? @ ?????????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°Last night, you asked if I was the one who secretly arranged our marriage registration. I told you it wasn¡¯t me. So why did you get so upset?¡± Elliana asked.

    Cole¡¯s expression shifted slightly. A flicker of awkwardness crossed his face, mixed with a hint of wounded pride. ¡°At that time, I was injured, and I felt terrible. Would it have killed you to say something sweet to lift my spirits?¡±

    Elliana blinked, trying to understand. What exactly was he trying to say with that? This time, it was her turn to be baffled.

    Cole continued, his voice softer this time. ¡°If you had nned it all just to marry me, I would¡¯ve been thrilled. It would¡¯ve meant you¡¯d fallen for me first, and that you¡¯d gone out of your way to make me yours.¡±

    That made Ellianaugh. Cole could be so childish sometimes. Just to feed his pride, he would¡¯ve preferred a lie.

    Letting the matter drop, Cole moved on to the question that had been on his mind. ¡°Honey, do you know Milena? Or do you know something about her?¡±

    Elliana hesitated. ¡°Why are you asking?¡±

    Cole met her eyes. ¡°I just can¡¯t believe you¡¯d warn Trinity so many times just out of the goodness of your heart.¡±

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 Chapter 237

    ?Chapter 237:

    Elliana shot him a sharp nce, then turned away with a haughty flick of her chin. ¡°I don¡¯t feel like exining.¡±

    Cole reached out and gently pinched her cheek, a yful gesture full of fondness. He didn¡¯t press her any further. She remained an enigma to him, and he was in no rush to unravel her secrets. He¡¯d get there¡ªlittle by little.

    At that moment, a knock echoed at the door.

    Once they gave the go-ahead, Paulina stepped inside. ¡°Mr. Evans, Mrs. Evans, dinner is ready.¡±

    Paulina had always been Cole¡¯s trusted housekeeper. During Elliana¡¯s stay at the Evans estate, she had been the one to look after her. Now that Elliana lived with Cole in Regal Grove, Paulina had moved in with them as well.

    Cole nced at Elliana. ¡°Are you hungry?¡±

    Elliana gave him a nod.

    ¡°Want to head downstairs for dinner now?¡± Cole asked.

    ¡°Sure, but you go ahead. I¡¯ll take a shower first,¡± Elliana replied.

    With that, she turned and made her way into the bathroom. The heavy makeup and hastily tied bun wig had started to feel suffocating. She needed a quick refresh before sitting down to eat.

    Once she stepped into the bathroom, Cole made his way downstairs, with Paulina following close behind, exuding the care and attentiveness of a trusted confidant.

    After finishing her shower, Elliana towel-dried her hair and slipped into a soft nightgown before heading downstairs.

    She hadn¡¯t expected to find a fully stocked wardrobe waiting for her at Regal Grove. Every single outfit she pulled from the closet fit her perfectly. Obviously, Cole had nned ahead, down to the smallest detail. That realization brought a gentle warmth to her chest. She made her way down the staircase and walked straight toward the dining room.

    As she reached the doorway, she caught sight of Cole seated at the head of the table, casually reading a newspaper. Paulina stood nearby, chatting with him, while Myles, Aron, and Hugh stood in a quiet row, listening in. The group carried a natural ease around each other, the kind that only came from years of shared history.

    ?????????????????? ???? ???????????????? ¡ú g???????¦Í????????????

    Elliana couldn¡¯t stop the flicker of envy she felt toward Cole. No matter how rich or influential a person might be, it was rare to have people nearby who were both loyal and close, and he was undeniably lucky.

    ¡°Hi there,¡± Elliana said, her smile soft and inviting. Wanting to match the rxed energy in the room, she deliberately lowered her voice, letting it take on a gentler, more yful tone.

    Cole looked up at the sound. His eyes swept over her flowing gown and long, damp hair, and something in his expression quietly melted. Myles, ever calm behind his signature ck-rimmed sses, gave a small nod, keeping his usual refinedposure.

    Aron and Hugh, on the other hand, went bright red. The two of them had always been shy around women, and now, faced with someone as breathtaking as Elliana, stripped of any disguise, they stood frozen, hands twitching slightly.

    Paulina¡¯s expression shifted in an instant. Her brows drew together, and she moved instinctively to stand in front of Cole. Her tone sharpened. ¡°Who are you? How did you get inside Regal Grove?¡± Paulina had never seen Elliana¡¯s real face before and still imagined her as the in woman from before.

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 Chapter 238

    ?Chapter 238:

    Before Elliana could get a word in, Paulina turned her frustration toward Aron and Hugh. ¡°You two are the heads of Mr. Evans¡¯ security. How did a stranger walk in without either of you noticing?¡±

    Even though Elliana looked like she¡¯d stepped out of a dream, Paulina stayed grounded. She wasn¡¯t the type to be swayed by appearances. Her loyalty was to Cole, and that always came first. In her mind, the prettier a woman was, the more dangerous she could be. This gorgeous ¡°stranger¡± might be an assassin sent by one of Cole¡¯s enemies. Aron and Hugh looked like someone had dumped cold water over their heads. A stranger? What stranger?

    Myles quickly stepped forward, his voice calm. ¡°Paulina, this is Mrs. Evans.¡±

    Just in case Paulina didn¡¯t catch on, Myles added gently, ¡°Elliana.¡± Paulina froze in ce, the shocknding like a blow. Her eyes darted back to Elliana, now wide with disbelief.

    Elliana let out a softugh. ¡°Sorry about that, Paulina. I didn¡¯t put on any makeup after showering. Didn¡¯t mean to catch you off guard.¡±

    Paulina¡¯s lips twitched, unsure of how to respond. The transformation was stunning. Who could¡¯ve guessed that the woman everyone had once written off was hiding a face more captivating than any celebrity on a screen? No wonder Cole waspletely spellbound. It finally all made sense.

    Trying to recover, Paulina quickly stepped forward and pulled out a chair. ¡°Mrs. Evans, pleasee sit.¡±

    Elliana sat down gracefully and then turned to Cole with a yful glint in her eye. Her next remark had the entire room torn betweenughter and disbelief¡­

    ¡°Everyone must be so ustomed to seeing me with makeup that my bare face caused such a wave of shock! I might as well put the makeup back,¡± Elliana remarked with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. Myles, Aron, and Hugh shifted slightly, their expressions betraying a peculiar blend of amusement and difort.

    Cole, however, gazed at Elliana with undisguised adoration, his smile tender and warm.

    Paulina¡¯s cheeks flushed crimson with embarrassment. ¡°Not at all, Mrs. Evans! Please don¡¯t misunderstand. You should embrace whatever makes you feel at ease. I wasn¡¯t frightened¡ªmerely caught off guard for a moment.¡±

    ???????? ???????? ????????: ?????????¦Í????????????

    Elliana¡¯s softughter filled the room as she decided to release Paulina from her gentle teasing. Even someone asposed and dignified as Paulina was leftpletely at a loss for words by her antics.

    Suddenly, Cole copsed dramatically onto the table.

    rm shed across everyone¡¯s faces, and Elliana darted forward. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Cole rested his head on his uninjured arm, turning to her with exaggerated weakness in his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m absolutely famished and too weak to move¡­ Someone must feed me.¡±

    Paulina, who had begun to step forward, halted abruptly.

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh, having just sprung to attention, now stood ck-jawed and utterly speechless.

    After a moment¡¯s hesitation, Paulina exchanged meaningful nces with her brothers and then pivoted toward the exit. Myles, Aron, and Hugh trailed behind her without dy. None wished to intrude upon the couple¡¯s intimate moment.

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 Chapter 239

    ?Chapter 239:

    Once beyond the dining room threshold, Hugh shivered theatrically, rubbing his arms as if to dispel an eerie sensation. Turning to Aron, he whispered, ¡°Cole breaks new boundaries of brazenness daily!¡± Aron wordlessly mimicked the gesture, offering noment. Paulina and Myles struggled valiantly to contain their bubblingughter.

    Back in the dining room, Elliana cast Cole a look of fond exasperation before silently taking up her knife and fork. She sliced the steak into delicate morsels, offering them to him one by one.

    Cole propped his chin on his palm, watching her intently. He epted each bite with deliberate gratitude, savoring both the food and her attentiveness. ¡°Honey, you truly embody the essence of a wless wife,¡± he murmured appreciatively between bites.

    Elliana¡¯s eyes flickered toward him, but she chose silence over response.

    Without warning, Cole leaned across and captured her lips in a tender kiss.

    The taste of steak and peppery sauce lingered on his lips, unexpectedly invading her senses. The sensation left her momentarily breathless. She swallowed thoughtfully. Was this the vor of love?

    Observing her dazed expression, Cole¡¯s heart surged with affection. Unable to resist, he showered her with several swift, gentle kisses before leaning close to whisper, ¡°I possess the potential to be an exemry husband.¡±

    With that, he selected a morsel of fish, meticulously removed every bone, and offered the piece to her.

    Elliana parted her lips, epting his offering.

    Cole¡¯s smile deepened as his gaze caressed her face. ¡°Honey, we¡¯ve already mastered the art of being the perfect wife and husband. When might we begin practicing for parenthood?¡±

    Elliana raised an eyebrow. Was he subtly suggesting she bear his child? Her lips curved into a delicate pout, her tone both yful and resolute. ¡°That entirely depends on your performance. Should you show off as excellently, I might consider carrying your child.¡±

    ???????? ???????????? ????????: ????????¦Í??????£®?????

    ¡°I shall strive for excellence beyond measure,¡± Cole replied, his eyes dancing with devilish charm.

    Without hesitation, he leaned forward and brazenly stole another intoxicating kiss.

    Elliana stifled an exasperated sigh. This man clung to her like morning dew to a leaf. If they maintained this lovey-dovey dynamic daily, would her career ambitions slowly dissolve into nothingness? After their excessively tender dinner, they retreated to their shared bedroom.

    Despite Cole¡¯s notorious workaholic tendencies, an unusual drowsiness seemed to im him tonight. While he¡¯d certainly exaggerated his weakness earlier, genuine fatigue lingered beneath the performance¡ªhis injuries demanded proper recuperation.

    Elliana guided him through his evening routine before helping him into bed. Honoring his soft-spoken request, she slipped beneath the covers beside him, mirroring their arrangement from the previous night.

    Cole surrendered to slumber almost immediately.

    Once his breathing settled into the deep rhythm of genuine sleep, Elliana delicately extracted herself from his encircling arm and eased out of bed. She glided across the floor with practiced stealth, easing the door shut behind her with barely a whisper. She needed to find Myles. Though her rtionship with Cole had evolved into something intimate, certain secrets remained hers alone. Uncovering the truth behind their marriage certificate required continued ndestine investigation.

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 Chapter 240

    ?Chapter 240:

    Tonight, while Cole drifted through dreams, she intended to temporarily neutralize Myles and once again prate the Evans Group¡¯swork. She needed confirmation whether Jody¡ªthework¡¯s enigmatic guardian¡ªwould materialize. If Jody appeared, Myles couldn¡¯t possibly be Jody, and she¡¯d redirect her investigation elsewhere.

    Elliana descended the stairs and stepped into the night air. There, in the garden, Myles hunched over his work beneath the warm glow of a solitarymp. She approached with calcted casualness.

    ¡°¡®Mrs. Evans.¡± Myles acknowledged, rising immediately with proper deference.

    ¡°¡®Please, don¡¯t trouble yourself,¡± Elliana said with an easy smile, her hand making a dismissive gesture. ¡°I¡¯m simply seeking some night air. Continue your work¡ªpretend I¡¯m not even here.¡±

    She settled beside the table as she spoke.

    Myles epted her presence without suspicion and returned to his papers.

    After a measured nce in his direction, Elliana discreetly uncorked the tiny vial concealed in her palm.

    Five secondster, Myles copsed against the table, consciousness fleeing.

    A hint of satisfaction curved her lips. Her specialized sleeping powder never disappointed¡ªundetectable by color or taste, guaranteed to render its target unconscious within moments.

    With Myles effectively neutralized, Elliana extracted her phone and initiated her infiltration of the Evans Group¡¯swork. After navigating several digital barriers, she finally breached Jody¡¯s sophisticated firewall. Just as she prepared to delve deeper into protected files, Jody¡¯s familiar digital presence emerged.

    Jody¡¯s firewall wasn¡¯t just good¡ªit was elite. The kind of system that could frustrate even the most seasoned hackers.

    Even Elliana had to admit it was a challenge. She¡¯d been working on it for quite some time. And the whole time she was cracking away at the system, Jody never showed. That only boosted her confidence. Maybe her hunch was right¡ªmaybe Myles really was Jody. She had made Myles unconscious, which might suggest the Evans Group¡¯s most important gatekeeper was basically disarmed.

    But just as she reached the finalyer, ready to ess the Evans Group¡¯s database, Jody appeared out of nowhere.

    ?????????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???? g????????¦Í?????????????

    Though they couldn¡¯t see each other, Elliana felt like she¡¯d been caught in the act. Her heart stuttered. It was the exact feeling of a burr getting caught mid-heist.

    Jody¡¯s message came through, smooth and calm, almost teasing. ¡°Back again?¡±

    Elliana let out a nervousugh and typed back. ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°Persistent, aren¡¯t you?¡± he asked, amused.

    Sheughed again¡ªawkward, fake, and flustered. ¡°Ha-ha¡­¡±

    So much for her theory. Myles clearly wasn¡¯t Jody. And now wasn¡¯t the time to push her luck. If she triggered any rms, it could disturb Cole. He needed his rest.

    After a brief pause, she sighed and logged off, quietly backing out of thework of the Evans Group.

    She slipped her phone into her pocket and tiptoed upstairs. Gently, she pushed open the bedroom door, careful not to make a sound.

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 Chapter 241

    ?Chapter 241:

    But her steps froze. Cole was already awake, sitting up in bed, his eyes locked on her. Even in the dim light, she could feel the chill of his displeasure.

    ¡°Where were you?¡± he asked firmly. ¡°Slipping out while I¡¯m asleep¡ªso this is what you meant by keeping mepany?¡±

    Elliana rushed to him, forcing a sweet smile. She leaned in and kissed him softly. ¡°I was just thirsty,¡± she said quickly. ¡°Went down for a ss of water. I came right back.¡±

    The kiss seemed to work its magic. His expression softened, the tension leaving his shoulders.

    Pulling her into his arms, he whispered, ¡°Silly girl¡­ There¡¯s a dispenser right here in the room. You didn¡¯t have to go anywhere.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± Elliana gave a quiet nod and slipped beneath the covers, returning to her usual ce beside him.

    Cole said nothing more. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her like a warm, protective nket as they both drifted off to sleep.

    Though Elliana still hadn¡¯t uncovered Jody¡¯s true identity, she knew better than to risk another infiltration of the Evans Group servers¡ªnot while everything remained uncertain. So, she stayed in Regal Grove over the next few days, watching over Cole as he slowly healed.

    On the fifth day, Elliana¡¯s phone lit up with an unexpected call from Hailee.

    They hadn¡¯t spoken since the yacht trip, and Elliana immediately sensed what this was about. It had to be about Boris.

    Hailee had always been considerate¡ªnever one to interrupt without a good reason. She knew Elliana was at Cole¡¯s side, helping him recover. So, if she was reaching out now, something had to be urgent.

    When Elliana answered, Hailee started with small talk, asking how Cole was doing. But there was a strain in her voice, a telltale hesitation.

    ¡°Hailee,¡± Elliana said, cutting gently through the silence. ¡°If you¡¯ve got something to say, just say it.¡±

    ?????????????? ????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    There was a pause. Then, Hailee blurted out, uneasecing her tone, ¡°I¡¯m really sorry to ask this now, Elliana. I know the timing¡¯s awful, but¡­ I don¡¯t have anyone else. You said you¡¯d help with the five hundred thousand for Boris¡¯ surgery. Could you transfer it to me now?¡±

    Elliana¡¯s voice remained steady. ¡°Is his surgery urgent?¡±

    Hailee hesitated. Then, almost in a whisper, she replied, ¡°Yes. The doctor said I have toe up with the surgery money in the next couple of days. My boyfriend doesn¡¯t have much time left¡­ His condition worsened.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s gaze flicked to an invitation card lying on the table. Her expression shifted as an idea slowly took shape.

    ¡°Hailee,¡± she said thoughtfully, e with me to a banquet tonight. I¡¯ll bring the money and hand it to you there.¡±

    Though confused by the unexpected request, Hailee didn¡¯t question it. She trusted Elliana. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll be there.¡±

    After ending the call, Elliana opened the invitation and read the golden embossed text carefully.

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 Chapter 242

    ?Chapter 242:

    It was an invitation to Boris¡¯s engagement party. The Craig family was hosting a grand celebration tonight, filled with high-profile guests. Because of their long-

    With his longstanding rtionship with the Evans family, Cole had naturally received an invitation. But Cole was still recovering, and he had no ns to attend.

    Neither had Elliana¡ªuntil now. This time, she would go. And she would take Hailee with her.

    Elliana had never cared to keep up with the Craig family gossip. She had no clue who Boris was marrying. Her eyes trailed down the card,nding on the name written in ornate gold: Hester Sampson.

    Just then, Cole walked into the room. Elliana looked up from the card. ¡°Do you know who Hester Sampson is?¡± she asked calmly.

    Cole sat down beside her, his voice steady. ¡°Yeah. She¡¯s the daughter of Professor Sampson¡ªthe one Trinity mentioned.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. Now everything made sense. No wonder someone with Trinity¡¯s mediocre medical skills had somehow earned endless praise from Murray. It wasn¡¯t about talent¡ªit was about family ties. His daughter was marrying Trinity¡¯s brother, Boris. Murray wasn¡¯t just any professor¡ªhe was a well-known figure at Ublento Medical University and also the chairman of Skyflower Hospital. The same hospital where Boris was currently being ¡°treated.¡± It was all connected. The lies, the maniption, the cover-ups. Hester must¡¯ve known about everything. About Boris using Hailee, deceiving her, and even plotting to take her kidney. Worse, Hester had helped him.

    They had treated Hailee like a game, yed with her heart, lied to her face, and then tried to cut her open for a piece of herself. And now they wanted to celebrate their happily-ever-after with champagne and smiles?

    Elliana¡¯s expression darkened. If they were so cruel and shameless, then they deserved a little surprise of their own.

    Elliana wasn¡¯t the type to meddle in other people¡¯s problems, but when it involved someone she cared about, she never held back. This whole situation with Hailee was messy. It was tied to Boris, and the Craig family had a long-standing history with the Evans family, which made everything even moreplicated.

    ?????????????? ???????? ????: ?????????¦Í????????©q?????

    As the matriarch of the Evans family, Elliana understood that every move she made could stir up trouble between the two families. Just then, Cole nced her way. ¡°Why are you suddenly so interested in Boris¡¯s fianc¨¦e?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m thinking of attending their engagement party,¡± Elliana answered without hesitation.

    Cole turned to her, clearly puzzled. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you were going to stay with me at Regal Grove? What changed?¡±

    Elliana hesitated for a second and thenid it out clearly. ¡°The guy Hailee intended to donate a kidney to is actually Boris.¡±

    Cole¡¯s eyes narrowed, his sharp mind connecting the dots in an instant. The change in his expression was immediate¡ªhis whole face darkened.

    Elliana didn¡¯t stop there. ¡°Hailee called me earlier today. She was sobbing, begging to borrow some money. She said Boris¡¯s ¡®surgery¡¯ couldn¡¯t wait. Cole, if she hadn¡¯te to me first, just imagine what would¡¯ve happened.¡±

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 Chapter 243

    ?Chapter 243:

    Cole¡¯s eyes went cold. The anger in him was obvious. If the Evans family hadn¡¯t been so closely tied to the Craig family, maybe he would¡¯ve brushed it off. But knowing the Evans family had supported the Craig family for years¡ªonly to find out their heir was nothing but a con artist¡ªfelt like a p in the face.

    Cole could picture the whole thing in his head. If Hailee hadn¡¯t called Elliana, she would¡¯ve drained her savings, handed over a kidney, and ruined her future for a man who was lying to her the whole time.

    Silence settled over the room like a heavy nket.

    ¡°So, what are you nning to do next?¡± Cole asked quietly.

    Elliana didn¡¯t hold back. ¡°I usually mind my own business, but Boris is ying my friend. I¡¯m not about to just let that slide. He needs to be held ountable.¡±

    Cole gave a calm nod. ¡°Then handle it your way.¡±

    Elliana raised one brow. ¡°You¡¯re seriously not going to try to stop me?¡±

    Cole met her eyes without flinching. ¡°Why would I stop you? You¡¯re doing what¡¯s right.¡±

    She looked at him for a moment, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. The more she watched him, the more she realized his charm wasn¡¯t just skin-deep¡ªit came from who he was at the core. A quiet warmth spread through her chest.

    Elliana said with quiet seriousness, ¡°I am the Evans family¡¯s matriarch. If I stand up for Hailee, it might shake things up between the Evans family and the Craig family. Are you really okay with that?¡±

    Cole shed a grin and reached out to ruffle Elliana¡¯s hair. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I be? The Evans family has been friendly with a rotten apple this whole time without realizing it. You¡¯re setting things right. That makes you the hero in this story.¡±

    Elliana probed, ¡°And your grandfather? Won¡¯t he have a problem with this?¡±

    Cole didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Not a chance.¡±

    ???????????????? ???????????????? ????????????: g????????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°And¡­¡± Elliana opened her mouth to say more, but then stopped. Someone else came to mind¡ªDiane. The woman had been resting at the hillside vi and hadn¡¯t yet met up.

    Elliana had heard that the bond between the Craig and the Evans families went way back, mostly because Boris¡¯ grandmother and Diane had been inseparable since childhood. The two women had pushed hard for Trinity to join the Evans family. Apparently, Diane doted on Trinity like her own blood, and she¡¯d always had a soft spot for Boris too.

    ¡°And your grandmother?¡± Elliana asked, cautiously feeling out his response.

    Cole picked up on Elliana¡¯s hint right away and gave her a steady look. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about anything. Just follow your gut. I¡¯ll deal with the consequences.¡±

    That single line said everything¡ªif Diane decided to push back, Cole would be the one taking the heat.

    Elliana lifted her chin, leaned in, and ced a quick kiss on his lips. Her eyes sparkled as she teased, ¡°Darling, you¡¯re seriously getting cuter by the day.¡±

    Cole felt his throat tighten at the sight of her grin. In that moment, if she¡¯d asked for his heart, he might¡¯ve handed it over without blinking. Elliana noticed something shifting in Cole¡¯s gaze, the heat behind it unmistakable. She opened her mouth toe up with an excuse, but he closed in, his kissesnding fast and deep, like waves crashing down on her.

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 Chapter 244

    ?Chapter 244:

    Before she could react, the room tilted, and she found herself lying t on the bed with him above her.

    This had be a patterntely. They¡¯d start with a simple conversation, and then Cole would snap¡ªshowering Elliana with kisses until she was breathless and spent.

    He never held back when moments like this took over. She was truly overwhelmed by him.

    Another deep, lingering kiss followed. And if Elliana hadn¡¯t drawn a clear line about slowing things down, there was no doubt he would¡¯ve taken things even further.

    Cole eventually leaned away, but he still kept Elliana in his arms. With his face pressed into the curve of her neck, he said in a low, slightly sulky voice, ¡°Keep that up, and I won¡¯t be able to stop myself.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s face turned bright red. Cole had thrown that line at her so many timestely, always muttering about how she left him hanging, stuck in that frustrating in-between. She gently pressed a hand to his chest. ¡°Darling?¡±

    ¡°Stay still!¡± Cole blurted out, his voice strained and gravelly. ¡°If you move even a little more, I don¡¯t know if I¡¯ll be able to hold myself back.¡±

    Elliana froze on the spot, hands tucked neatly against her sides, not daring to breathe wrong. When it finally felt safe to speak, she tried again, her voice cautious as she said, ¡°I¡¯ve got something important to talk to you about¡­¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear it!¡± Cole muttered, his voice darkening with each syble.

    Elliana gazed resignedly at the ceiling, frustration etching lines across her forehead. Ever since they¡¯d started dating,pleting a simple conversation with Cole had felt like scaling a treacherous mountain.

    A one-minute chat would veer off course the moment Cole decided her lips demanded his immediate attention. No matter how urgent the topic, itnguished in waiting while he satisfied his craving for connection. He rarely allowed her toplete even two coherent sentences.

    Even after Cole finally withdrew from a passionate kiss, she couldn¡¯t always pick up where they had left off. His mood would inevitably shift, clouding the air between them with brooding silence.

    ?????? ???????????????? ???????? ¡ú g???????¦Í?????????????

    As a doctor, Elliana recognized the physiological reasons behind Cole¡¯s emotional turbulence. She could read his physical responses like a familiar medical chart¡ªthe tension that built when desire remained unfulfilled.

    Their rtionship had developed its own peculiar rhythm, tinged with an endearing absurdity. A minor issue raised over morning coffee might remain unresolved until stars dotted the night sky, progressing at the deliberate pace of a sloth contemting its next branch. Elliana had surrendered to this cial tempo ofmunication. Now, mid-sentence about Hailee, Cole had already descended for another kiss.

    After an exhaustive exploration of each other¡¯s lips, Elliana¡¯s nerve endings hummed with electricity, while Cole retreated into sullen silence, thoroughly disinterested in anyone else¡¯s concerns.

    Patience was her only recourse. She would wait until Cole emerged from his emotional cocoon, ready to absorb her concerns about others. Theyy entwined on the bed, his arms creating a fortress around her frame. He inhaled the delicate fragrance at her neckline while she synchronized with the steady percussion of his breathing and heartbeat.

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 Chapter 245

    ?Chapter 245:

    After what seemed an eternity, his pulse and breath finally evened out. Elliana prodded his arm yfully and whispered, ¡°Darling?¡± Atst, his mood seemed to improve.

    Cole nuzzled the sensitive skin of her neck before lifting his gaze to meet hers. ¡°What¡¯s on your mind, honey?¡±

    Elliana nestled closer, her fingers dancing across the buttons of his cor. With honeyed softness, she murmured, ¡°I gotta head out to meet Hailee.¡±

    That single sentence copsed his newfound cheer, shadows reiming his features.

    Elliana recognized the source of his distress. Since his injury, Cole had transformed into a portrait of dependency, bristling at even her briefest absences. She proceeded with gentle persuasion. ¡°I promised to escort Hailee to Boris¡¯s engagement celebration tonight. I need to brief her first, strategize, and help her prepare. She¡¯s never navigated an event of that caliber before¡ªshe¡¯spletely adrift. The moment everything¡¯s arranged, I¡¯ll rush straight back to you.¡±

    Anticipating resistance, Elliana tilted her face upward, pecked his lips, and fluttered her eyshes deliberately. ¡°Don¡¯t sulk, please? Even when I¡¯m physically absent, my heart remains here at the estate with you. You¡¯ll upy my every thought.¡±

    Elliana once cringed at such sharine derations. Whenever Adah binged roms and the leads spouted mushy stuff, she would squirm with vicarious embarrassment, baffled by such dialogue, and mock the writers for their sentimentality. Now, submerged in love herself,prehension dawned. After surrendering to romance, syrupy expressions flowed naturally, as if encoded in human DNA.

    After days immersed in affectionate exchanges, Elliana delivered sweet nothings to Cole without a trace of self-consciousness. In truth, she¡¯d begun to savor the experience.

    Having unleashed this torrent of sentiment, Elliana initiated another kiss, tugging at Cole¡¯s cor with yful rhythm. ¡°Come on, my fiery Coley, say yes? Pretty please?¡±

    That tender nickname dissolved the shadows from Cole¡¯s face like morning mist under sunlight. His lips curved into a devastatingly seductive smirk, voice dropping to a whisper that caressed her skin. ¡°Want me to apany you?¡±

    ?????????????? ???????????? ????????: ?????????¦Í??????©o??????

    Elliana shook her head, concern etching her features. ¡°Your injuries haven¡¯t fully mended. I couldn¡¯t bear watching you strain yourself. Just chill at home and wait for me.¡±

    Honestly, the real reason was that Cole¡¯s presence at the party would shatter her carefully orchestrated strategy. As the Evans family¡¯s head, he would be expected to step forward and intervene should anyplications arise. The responsibility to

    The cleanup would fall squarely on his shoulders¡ªa burden she refused to allow him to carry. She needed him safely distanced from tonight¡¯s events.

    ¡°Then you go.¡± He conceded,pletely disarmed by her concern. ¡°Just return to me quickly.¡±

    Elliana sprang from the bed, energy pulsing through her limbs. ¡°Deal! I¡¯ll be back before you know it!¡±

    A thought crystallized in her mind, pulling her back. She leaned down, capturing his mouth in a lingering, deliberate kiss. ¡°Coley, every moment away will feel iplete without you. Promise you¡¯ll miss me just as fiercely.¡±

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 Chapter 246

    ?Chapter 246:

    Cole maintained hisposed exterior, but crimson betrayal crept across his ears. His expression suggested volumes of unspoken poetry, yet all he managed was a breathless, ¡°Okay.¡±

    Elliana¡¯sughter spilled forth like wind chimes, her eyes illuminated with mischief and affection. With a final farewell pressed against his lips, she glided from the room with ethereal lightness.

    Cole remained sprawled across the mattress, listening to the percussion of Elliana¡¯s footsteps cascading down the staircase. His fingers drifted to his mouth, still electrified from her touch. Her kisses had transferred the subtle essence of the mango candy she¡¯d savored.

    He traced his tongue across his lips, capturing that lingering sweetness¡ªa forbidden indulgence that awakened his senses.

    As he prepared to rise and approach the window for a final glimpse of Elliana¡¯s departure, thunderous footfalls pounded up the stairs. Within heartbeats, Elliana burst through the doorway, panic radiating from her posture. ¡°Honey, we¡¯re facing a catastrophe!¡±

    Cole stood up slowly, his eyes sweeping over Elliana¡¯s flushed face, still red from her rush back upstairs. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Your grandpa called. He wants us to head back to the family estate together. He said it¡¯s something important,¡± Elliana replied.

    Since returning from the yacht, Elliana and Cole hadn¡¯t swung by the Evans family estate. They had only made a quick phone call to update their safety. Ruben, wanting to give the newlyweds room to grow closer, hadn¡¯t pressured them toe back.

    Cole¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. ¡°Did he say what it was about?¡±

    Elliana shook her head. ¡°Not a word. But from how he sounded, it¡¯s serious.¡±

    Cole gave a quick nod. ¡°Alright then, let¡¯s go now.¡±

    ???????????????? ?????????? ????: ?????????¦Í????????£®??????

    With a cheerful ¡°Got it,¡± Elliana darted off to the bathroom to do her makeup.

    Elliana had nned to meet Hailee without the disguise, but heading back to the Evans estate with Cole meant putting the mask back on. While Elliana touched up in the bathroom, Cole got dressed and stretched out on the bed, waiting patiently for her to finish.

    Before long, Elliana emerged, confidently rocking the messy wig and over-the-top makeup.

    Cole looked her over and let out augh. ¡°How long are you nning to keep this circus act running?¡±

    Elliana gave a casual shrug, as if it were no big deal. ¡°I was going to drop it once I turned twenty. But then I learned about our married state. So, I figured I might as well stick with it. Now I¡¯m kind of enjoying the effect.¡±

    To Cole, there was something about Elliana¡ªalways calcting, always a few steps ahead, like she was ying a game only she understood. He found it oddly entertaining. He had no problem with the strange disguise, and he wasn¡¯t in any rush to make her take it off. Deep down, Cole knew the truth¡ªhis wife was drop-dead gorgeous, and that was all he needed. She could parade around in public looking like chaos on two legs, but at home, she was pure beauty, reserved just for him. That alone made him feel like the luckiest man alive.

    Once everything was ready, Cole and Elliana got into the car and headed for the Evans family estate.

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 Chapter 247

    ?Chapter 247:

    As they stepped into the opulent living room, it was immediately clear¡ªevery member of the family had been summoned.

    Trinity had just returned from her overseas trip with Murray, supposedly to meet the renowned Milena. She was holding court in the corner, chatting nonstop, glowing as if she¡¯d just walked off a red carpet.

    Jason, still wearing his ck half mask, sprawled across the sofa, his calm yet dominant presence instantly silencing the younger crowd nearby. Irene sat proudly beside him, radiating smug satisfaction, acting as though her son¡¯s return had bumped her up the socialdder.

    The moment Cole and Elliana stepped through the doorway, the room wentpletely still. Everyone¡¯s eyes zeroed in on the two of them¡ªhands sped like the picture of newlywed bliss¡ªand jaws nearly hit the floor. What on earth was happening? Not long ago, Cole had stormed out of this very estate, fed up with the idea of getting intimate with Elliana.

    From what they learned, Elliana had been wandering around without a single bodyguard and ended up kidnapped by a group of lowlifes. Cole had gotten injured while saving her. The whole thing had been a mess. By logic, he should¡¯ve cut ties for good. So why were they now walking in hand in hand, like nothing had happened? Was this some dramatic stunt to impress Ruben? But that theory didn¡¯t make sense. When Cole left the estate, he had made it crystal clear¡ªhe wasn¡¯t interested in ying nice. If he wanted to fake anything, this wouldn¡¯t be the time.

    While everyone buzzed with confusion, Cole and Elliana made their rounds, greeting the elders with polite warmth.

    At the center of it all sat Ruben, nted in the grand chair like the patriarch he once was. He gave them both a slow once-over before shing a knowing grin. Then, his gaze settled on Cole. ¡°How¡¯s the injury holding up, Cole?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s healed up just fine,¡± Cole answered, keeping it brief.

    Ruben gave a nod, clearly satisfied. ¡°Paulina said Elliana¡¯s been taking great care of you. Looks like your fast recovery is mostly thanks to her.¡±

    ?????????????????? ?????????? @ g???????¦Í????????????

    ¡°You bet,¡± Cole said, grinning. ¡°Elliana¡¯s got talent, a gentle touch, and checks every box for the perfect wife.¡±

    As Cole said it, his eyes drifted toward Elliana, filled with warmth that left no room for doubt.

    Elliana,pletely caught off guard by thepliment, turned to nce at him before quickly looking away, her cheeks tinted pink.

    The moment left everyone in the room with the same thought: Elliana had somehow pulled off a miracle. After just a few days ying caretaker, she had Cole wrapped around her finger.

    It seemed fate had a strange way of evening the score. One door might m shut, but somewhere else, a window quietly opened. Elliana might not have been blessed with ssic beauty, and her personality could be a little odd, but her quiet, capable kindness had clearly hooked the brilliant Cole.

    Unaware of the ripple she¡¯d caused, Elliana sank into the couch beside Cole like she belonged there, every movement in sync with his.

    Seeing how smoothly Elliana and Cole moved together, Ruben¡¯s mood lifted even more. Sure, they looked mismatched¡ªone practically born for magazine covers, the other in and unassuming¡ªbut if they connected this well, that was what really mattered.

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 Chapter 248

    ?Chapter 248:

    Jeff, who had been hoping to sneak in a word with Elliana, leaned back with a sigh. With Elliana and Cole acting like soulmates, his far-off dreams just crashed and burned.

    Nobody really noticed Jeff sulking in the corner. His quiet crush didn¡¯t hold much weight in this room.

    Trinity looked like she was about to explode. Watching Elliana¡¯s fingersced with Cole¡¯s had her practically shaking with envy.

    Irene wasn¡¯t far behind. She narrowed her eyes and then tossed out a sarcastic remark, her voice sharp and dripping with attitude¡­

    Irene had beenying lowtely, licking her wounds, but now that Jason was back, she slipped right back into her past antics. ¡°Elliana, there are some things you need to learn, and you¡¯d better pay attention.¡±

    Elliana lifted an eyebrow and gave azy half-smile. ¡°Go ahead, I¡¯m listening.¡±

    With her chin lifted high, Irene sent a sideways nce in Elliana¡¯s direction. ¡°You¡¯re the matriarch of the Evans family now. That rolees with power, but also with limits. You can¡¯t just do whatever you want or you¡¯ll end up creating trouble.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s mouth twitched, more amused than annoyed. ¡°And what kind of trouble do you mean?¡±

    Irene¡¯s voice sharpened like a knife. ¡°You ran around without bodyguards, that¡¯s what. If you¡¯d acted like someone with your status, you wouldn¡¯t havended on Merritt¡¯s radar. No kidnapping. No putting Cole at risk.¡±

    Nobody else jumped in, but Elliana could tell from the room¡¯s silence that most of them agreed with Irene.

    The Evans family wasn¡¯t some ordinary wealthy n. With their kind of fortune, they were walking targets. Almost every member rolled with protection. The only exception was Elliana, who refused to y by the rulebook.

    Cole had been groomed to lead, to be the best of the best. If something happened to him, it¡¯d be a gut-punch to the whole family, maybe even tank the Evans empire.

    ?????????????? ??????????????: g??????¦Í????????????

    This time, Cole made it back alive. But if he hadn¡¯t, Elliana would¡¯ve been med without hesitation.

    Ruben didn¡¯t speak up to stop Irene. That alone said where he stood. He might be fond of Elliana, but when it came to protecting Cole, there were no favorites. His tone wasn¡¯t sharp like Irene¡¯s, but it carried weight. ¡°Elliana, now that you¡¯re this family¡¯s matriarch, you¡¯ve got to let go of the freedom you used to have.¡±

    Elliana wasn¡¯t about to exin that bodyguards only slowed her down, or that moving alone made her faster, smarter, and harder to trace. Instead, she kept her expression polite and gave a respectful nod. ¡°Understood.¡±

    Ruben seemed satisfied and continued, ¡°Jason¡¯s in charge of our security. Talk to him when you get the chance. He¡¯ll assign a team to keep you safe. Just let him know what you need.¡±

    Elliana flicked her gaze toward Jason, looking more indifferent than interested.

    Even if Jason decided to act as her bodyguard, Elliana wouldn¡¯t be the least bit impressed. His personally chosen guards would only be a nuisance, getting in her way when she needed room to make bold moves. On top of that, letting Jason¡¯s crew follow her around was pretty much the same as handing him a front-row seat to monitor her every step.

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 Chapter 249

    ?Chapter 249:

    But there was no way she could say that in front of the whole family. No point in picking a fight with Ruben now. So, she smiled, nodded, and kept the performance going. ¡°Of course.¡± Seeing her cooperate, Ruben let it go.

    Irene, though, wasn¡¯t finished. She pressed harder, her voice sharp. ¡°Do you even understand how much damage your reckless behavior has caused this family?¡±

    Elliana didn¡¯t flinch. She arched a brow, giving Irene the floor to keep going.

    With Jason back in the room, Irene leaned into her role like she was royalty. ¡°Forget about how the whole family panicked over Cole¡¯s safety because of you. Now we¡¯re tangled up in a feud with the underground. You have any idea what kind of bacsh coulde from that? Do you even grasp how serious this mess is, Elliana?¡± Irene¡¯s words struck a chord with the others. Sure, Merritt was gone and Cole came back in one piece, but that didn¡¯t mean the storm had passed. Merritt had ties that stretched everywhere. His death, especially at Cole¡¯s hands, might have already set a chain reaction in motion¡ªand no one knew where it would end.

    ¡°You stepped into this family with a reputation as some awkward, unattractive nobody. That was already enough of a problem. But instead of staying quiet and blending in, you stirred the pot. You jumped into showbiz, picked a fight with Merritt, and now we¡¯re all in the st zone. You call that matriarch behavior? You¡¯ve brought this family consequences we can¡¯t undo. So if you want to carry the title, you¡¯d better take the heat and show us what owning your mistakes looks like.¡±

    Irene wasn¡¯t holding anything back now. Her voice carried the weight of upying the moral high ground.

    Everyone else in the room stayed quiet, watching the scene unfold like a live performance.

    Trinity, in particr, looked delighted. Her eyes sparkled with the kind of joy only someone who enjoyed seeing others fall could wear.

    ¡°What kind of twisted nonsense is that, Irene?¡± Cole finally snapped, his tone sharp and frosty, slicing through the tension in the room.

    ?????????????? ???????????????????? ???????? g???????¦Í????????????

    Until now, Cole had kept quiet out of respect. Irene was still Jason¡¯s mother, still one of the elders. But her rant had gone too far. She wasn¡¯t speaking from concern anymore. She was piling me on Elliana, and he wasn¡¯t going to stand there and let it happen.

    Irene had been gearing up for more when Cole¡¯s voice shut her down on the spot. She hadn¡¯t seen iting. She figured with Ruben staying silent, she had full license to unload on Elliana. She didn¡¯t expect Cole to be the one to stop her cold.

    ¡°Cole, I¡¯m only doing this for the good of the family,¡± Irene retorted, scrambling to reframe her rant.

    Cole let out a short, scornfulugh. ¡°Is that so? Since when did you be the family¡¯s noble protector? Today, you¡¯re pretending to care, but all I see is someone trying to paint the rest of us as weak or looking for a reason to drag Elliana through the mud.¡±

    Irene reeled from the unexpected rebuke, her mind spinning. She had always been intimidated by Cole, and now hismanding presence and razor-sharp words left her paralyzed, unable to formte any response.

    Cole¡¯s cold re pierced through Irene as he pressed his point further.

    ¡°Elliana was targeted by those criminals precisely because she¡¯s the Evans matriarch. She endured undeserved torment. This family entangled her in this situation, not the reverse. So tell me, Irene, why are you distorting reality and ying these underhanded games?¡± He wasn¡¯t finished. ¡°Merritt had the audacity to abduct our matriarch in broad daylight. That demonstrates hisplete disregard for the Evans name¡ªhe was already targeting us. We demolish vermin like that. So why, Irene, are you trembling at the thought of retribution, ready to surrender like a coward? If you were kidnapped someday, should we abandon you? Refuse to defend you, but instead berate you for venturing out without adequate protection? Should we condemn you for provoking trouble and insist you ept the consequences?¡±

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 Chapter 250

    ?Chapter 250:

    His relentless interrogation crushed Irene¡¯s spirit entirely.

    ¡°I¡­¡± She floundered, opening and closing her mouth repeatedly without producing a single coherent word.

    Heat zed across her face as she silently begged for the floor to open and swallow her whole. Had she anticipated Cole would defend Elliana with such ferocity, she would never have attempted to assert herself. She ducked her head, hoping her submission would persuade Cole to relent and spare her further humiliation.

    But Cole showed particr ruthlessness today, denying her even a shred of dignity.

    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you answering my questions, Irene?¡± Cole¡¯s demand hung in the air as he fixed her with an unrelenting stare.

    Irene nced up at him before quickly lowering her gaze again.

    ¡°You find yourself absurd now, don¡¯t you?¡± Cole released a frigid chuckle, his voice dropping to cial temperatures. ¡°You opted against condemning the perpetrators, yet you ragged on the victim,pounding their suffering. What depraved, contemptible reasoning is that?¡±

    For a younger family member like Cole to use an elder like Irene of possessing an inferior mentality struck with devastating force.

    Irene teetered on the edge of tears. She instinctively sought out Jason beside her, silently pleading for him to intervene and persuade Cole to cease his attack.

    Jason shifted ufortably, trapped in an impossible position. Catching Irene¡¯s desperate look, he nced toward Cole.

    But Cole dismissed Jason entirely, wielding his authority to continue hammering Irene. ¡°If this represents the extent of your understanding, Irene, you have no ce in family discussions. You might as well confine yourself to your room and twiddle your thumbs.¡±

    Atst, Irene¡¯s tears spilled over. Never before had she endured such scathing criticism. Previously, she had always retaliated or at leastined when someone crossed her boundaries. But Cole¡¯s onught rendered her as defenseless as a stray cat caught in a torrential downpour.

    Bertram, who had always harbored distaste for Irene, remained silent, offering no defense. He concluded she had brought embarrassment upon herself and him.

    ?????????? ???????? ???? ????????: ?????????¦Í????????????

    ¡°Cole,¡± Jason shifted awkwardly as he spoke in hushed tones. ¡°Could you show some mercy and let this matter rest?¡±

    Satisfied he had made his point, Cole acknowledged Jason¡¯s request with a slight nod, withdrawing his icy re from Irene.

    Cole¡¯smanding presence saturated every corner of the room like an impending storm.

    Silence descended, absolute and oppressive. Everyone sat ramrod straight, not daring to disturb the stillness.

    Trinity, who had earlier radiated smugness about her visit to the so-called Milena and her hopes of outshining Elliana, now kept her head bowed, utterly silent.

    The room¡¯s previous energy evaporated beneath Cole¡¯s frigid tirade, the atmosphere plummeting to subzero temperatures.

    Through the whole showdown with Irene, Ruben stayed mum.

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 Chapter 251

    ?Chapter 251:

    Cole now held the position of Evans patriarch, and when he disciplined a family member, Ruben refused to interfere, showing his respect for Cole¡¯s ruling.

    Moreover, Ruben wholeheartedly endorsed Cole¡¯s words. The Evans family had preserved their wealth and influence across generations through intelligence, courage, and refusal to yield to any contemptible threat. Irene embodied narrow-mindedness and empty bluster, behaving foolishly before Cole. Hereuppance was inevitable.

    ¡°Return to your room immediately!¡± Bertram¡¯smand at Irene sliced through the air, his voice low and cutting.

    Too ashamed to remain, Irene rose and retreated upstairs.

    Only then did Ruben break the silence. ¡°Cole, I summoned you back to discuss Dr. Atkinson.¡±

    Upon hearing this, Cole shifted his attention to Trinity and inquired calmly, ¡°Did you meet with Dr. Atkinson?¡±

    Finally granted her moment, Trinity inwardly thrilled at the opportunity. Still shaken by Cole¡¯s devastating takedown of Irene, Trinity contained her excitement, managing only a polite smile. ¡°Yes, I did.¡±

    ¡°And?¡± Cole asked, his tone unreadable. ¡°How did it go?¡±

    ¡°Dr. Atkinson agreed toe treat Barbara!¡± Trinity beamed, her eyes glowing with excitement.

    Trinity tried to stay cool, but her pride was impossible to miss. It radiated from her like heat from sunbaked pavement. ¡°At first, Dr. Atkinson wasn¡¯t into it. I showed him the invites from Ruben and Cole, begged like crazy, and Professor Sampson helped talk Dr. Atkinson into it. In the end, Dr. Atkinson gave in.¡±

    Lance watched Trinity,pletely taken. The moment she paused, he jumped in. ¡°Trinity, you really made the family proud this time.¡± Everyone nodded, fully agreeing. Cole had once tried to get Dr. Atkinson himself but hit dead ends. Somehow, Trinity pulled it off without breaking a sweat.

    ¡°Trinity, what¡¯s Dr. Atkinson like?¡± Louisa asked, smiling. She already knew Lance liked Trinity. She hadn¡¯t said it out loud, but she was quietly rooting for him.

    The Craigs were rising fast, and Trinity was Diane¡¯s favorite. If Lance ended up with Trinity, he¡¯d be backed by both the Evans and Craig families. That kind of support could take him ces. So, Louisa made sure to keep things warm with Trinity. A little kindness now could pay offter, just in case they became inws in the future.

    ?????????? ???????????????? ???? g???????¦Í?????????????

    Trinity wasn¡¯t blind. She knew Lance was sweet on her, and Louisa was nudging it along. But she had no ns to marry Lance. While Lance had just graduated from a top university and stood out among his peers,pared to Cole and Jason, he didn¡¯t measure up. He didn¡¯t make her heart race.

    Trinity wouldn¡¯t pick Jason either¡ªbut she didn¡¯t want him falling for anyone else. She loved being the center of it all. So, she kept Jason hanging with a little charm, yed hot-and-cold with Lance, and wore her sweetest mask¡ªlike she hadn¡¯t noticed Lance¡¯s lovesick stares. Her act was wless. Louisa and Lance were none the wiser and never saw through her game.

    When Louisa tossed her that question, Trinity saw a golden opportunity to show off. Her face lit up. ¡°He¡¯s got grey hair, a mustache, and this calm, wise vibe¡ªlike he stepped out of an old ssic.¡±

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 Chapter 252

    ?Chapter 252:

    Trinity had already bragged about meeting Dr. Atkinson, getting along, and winning him over. But this was the first time she¡¯d described him.

    As she painted the picture, the room fell silent. Everyone leaned in. Even Ruben stayed quiet and listened.

    When she finished, Ruben gave a nod, and the others figured her description checked out. Her description rang true.

    They pictured the kind of wise, old figure one would see in a movie¡ªcalm, grey-haired, maybe even saintly.

    ¡°Now I really want to meet him.¡±

    ¡°Who wouldn¡¯t?¡±

    ¡°Too bad we¡¯re not Trinity. No way he¡¯d show up for us.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s so lucky.¡±

    Trinity soaked it in¡ªthe admiration, the envy. Her pride swelled. This was her moment in the spotlight. After all, she¡¯d done what even Cole couldn¡¯t¡ªshe met the great Dr. Atkinson and brought him to their door.

    But Elliana wasn¡¯t buying it. She¡¯d listened closely to Trinity¡¯s story, curious about who had faked being her. Turned out, it was some old guy. She couldn¡¯t help but wonder if this guy was a legit old man or just someone in a costume.

    Her thoughts were spinning when she noticed someone watching her. She turned. It was Cole. He was staring, a small smile tugging at his lips.

    Elliana shifted, uneasy under his gaze. ¡°Why are you looking at me like that?¡± she whispered.

    Cole chuckled softly and leaned in. ¡°I saw that look in your eyes. You don¡¯t believe her story, do you? You know it¡¯s fake.¡±

    Elliana blinked, surprised. Cole was sharp. Too sharp. She¡¯d let her mask slip for a second, and he¡¯d caught it. It was almost scary. Cole saw the flicker in her eyes and smiled wider¡ªlike he was in on a private joke.

    ?????????? ???????? ????????: g???????¦Í????????????

    To the rest of the room, it didn¡¯t look like a smart exchange. It looked like in old flirting. Everyone watching thought the same thing¡ªwhat was going on with Cole?

    No one could really make sense of Cole¡¯s affection toward Elliana. They were buzzing about Trinity pulling off the impossible¡ªbringing in Dr. Atkinson. But there was Cole, acting all sweet with his oddball wife. Was he forgetting the family business?

    If Cole had married some drop-dead gorgeous beauty, they might have understood why he was acting like a lovesick fool. History had enough examples of men throwing away empires for a pretty face, and he would just be another one lost in love. But Elliana? She was as in as toast. What was Cole even seeing in her?

    The room was filled with silent judgment. Cole and Elliana were getting roasted in everyone¡¯s heads.

    Trinity kept her faceposed, but deep down, her chest burned with envy and disappointment. She was hurt. She had pulled off something huge for the Evans family. She got Dr. Atkinson toe. Why wasn¡¯t Cole praising her? Why wasn¡¯t he even looking her way? How did Elliana¡ªin, awkward Elliana¡ªalways steal the moment? Was Elliana some kind of witch, casting spells on Cole or something?

    Even Ruben, who had supported Cole¡¯s marriage to Elliana from the start, was confused. He had hoped Cole and Elliana would grow closer, but seeing them so touchy right in front of him? That was something.

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    .

 Chapter 253

    ?Chapter 253:

    What really shocked Ruben was how fast it all happened. Just ten days ago, Cole couldn¡¯t even look at Elliana. He had stormed out of the estate, refusing to share a room with her. But now, he couldn¡¯t keep his hands to himself. And he wasn¡¯t even trying to hide it. It seemed too bizarre.

    Ruben had once asked Cole to be nicer to Elliana. But this? This sudden lovesick act? It felt like watching a car crash in slow motion.

    ¡°Ahem.¡± Ruben gave a dry cough twice to pull Cole back to earth. He was reminding Cole to dial it down. He had called them in to discuss Dr. Atkinson, not to witness a romantic drama.

    Cole looked at Ruben, calm and unbothered. He straightened up like nothing happened. Elliana, however, felt the heat. Her cheeks turned red, but the makeup masked most of it.

    Cole turned to Trinity, his voice even and cool. ¡°Did Dr. Atkinson mention when he¡¯sing to treat Barbara?¡±

    Trinity lit up, her smile flirty and full of sparkle. ¡°He said he¡¯ll drop by Ublento soon. He ns to talk with Professor Sampson and check on Barbara while he¡¯s here.¡±

    ¡°How soon is soon?¡± Ruben asked, worry creeping into his voice. He knew the Venacure pill Elliana had provided wouldn¡¯t hold Barbara for long. If Dr. Atkinson dyed, Barbara mightnd back in the ICU. He needed answers¡ªfast.

    Trinity replied, ¡°It won¡¯t be long. I gave him all of Barbara¡¯s records. He said the timing¡¯s under control. Barbara will be fine until he arrives. You can breathe easy.¡±

    Ruben finally let out a breath he¡¯d been holding.

    Then, Trinity gave a soft, bashful smile. ¡°Actually¡­ The real reason Dr. Atkinson¡¯sing? It¡¯s me.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s head snapped up, eyes sharp. She had been half-listening, but Trinity¡¯s little spotlight moment pulled her in.

    ????????????¡¯?? ????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    The others also perked up, curiosity shing across every face.

    ¡°Trinity, spill it. What¡¯s the real story?¡± Lance asked.

    Trinity cast a nce at Elliana¡ªsubtle, butced with smugness. Elliana saw it for what it was.

    This time, Elliana yed along. With a sweet grin, she said, ¡°Come on, Miss Craig, don¡¯t keep us hanging. I¡¯m all ears.¡±

    Trinity gave a lightugh. ¡°I get it, Elliana. You¡¯ve got a thing for medicine, so you¡¯re curious.¡± She turned her attention to the group, eyes gleaming. ¡°Meeting Dr. Atkinson was pure luck. But we clicked. He was so impressed that he asked to take me on as his prot¨¦g¨¦.¡±

    ¡°No way! Dr. Atkinson picked Trinity as a prot¨¦g¨¦?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s amazing!¡±

    ¡°Trinity¡¯s always stood out, but now she¡¯s glowing.¡±

    ¡°If she¡¯s his prot¨¦g¨¦, getting his help next time will be a breeze!¡± The admiration in the room was thick. Even Ruben looked stunned. ¡°Wait, Trinity¡­ You¡¯re really bing his prot¨¦g¨¦?¡± he asked.

    Trinity nodded proudly. ¡°Yep. He wasn¡¯t even nning toe to Ublento. But now? He¡¯s making the trip just to host a mentorship event for me. He¡¯ll stay for a few days.¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 254

    ?Chapter 254:

    Elliana reached up and rubbed her ears, visibly irritated by Trinity¡¯s nonsense. The audacity of Trinity¡¯s words left her stunned. Never before had Elliana encountered someone who could spew such outrageous lies just to inte their own importance.

    The entire world buzzed with spection about Milena¡¯s elusive identity. Even the wealthiest power yers couldn¡¯t secure a single meeting with Milena. And yet here was Trinity, boldly iming that Milena would travel all the way to Ublento to host a mentorship ceremony¡ªfor her? Please. Since when did Milena stoop to that level? Elliana felt the urge to expose her true identity as Milena growing stronger by the second. She could hardly tolerate Trinity dragging her name through the mud. But in the end, she held back. Revealing that she was Milena wasn¡¯t a decision to make on a whim. Besides, a part of her was curious. She wanted to know exactly who this impostor was. For now, she would watch and wait.

    As soon as Trinity noticed Elliana lower her head and massage her ears, she assumed the gesture was one of shame and defeat. A smug smile crept onto her face. ¡°Elliana, anything else you¡¯re dying to ask?¡± she baited.

    Elliana lifted her head slowly, a subtle smirk tugging at her lips. Her eyes met Trinity¡¯s with calm amusement. ¡°Miss Craig, I must say, your aplishments are beyond impressive. I never imagined Milena would show such favor.¡±

    ¡°I was just as shocked. Honestly, I didn¡¯t believe it at first either,¡± Trinity replied, her tone dripping with self-satisfaction. Her gaze swept over Elliana with an unmistakable air of superiority she didn¡¯t bother to hide.

    ¡°Milena said that after decades of practicing medicine and traveling to the farthest corners of the world, he never met anyone worthy of inheriting his legacy. But then he met me. He said I had something rare in me. Talent, intuition¡ªsomething that couldn¡¯t be ignored. That¡¯s why he chose me to carry on everything he knows.¡± Trinity lifted her chin slightly and straightened her posture, carrying herself with a quiet, unmistakable pride.

    Elliana didn¡¯t return the praise with admiration. Instead, she offered Trinity a faint smile, one tinged with dry amusement.

    That reaction unsettled Trinity more than she let on. Still, she kept her tone bright with pride as she said, ¡°Milena told me I might be the only prot¨¦g¨¦ he ever chooses. That¡¯s why he treasures this so deeply and is willing toe all the way to Ublento just for the mentorship ceremony.¡±

    Lance looked thoroughly convinced, his face lighting up with admiration. ¡°Trinity, that¡¯s incredible! Milena must have crossed paths with countless brilliant minds over the years, and for him to pick you? That says everything. Your talent must be unmatched!¡±

    ???????? ?????? ???????? ???? g???????¦Í??????©o?????

    Trinity gave him a bashful smile. ¡°Lance, you¡¯re making me blush. I wouldn¡¯t go so far as to call myself talented. Milena probably just saw howmitted I am and how I push through every challenge. Maybe that¡¯s what made him choose me.¡±

    Every word was carefully chosen¡ªa subtle invitation for more ttery. And Lance,pletely unaware, took the bait without hesitation. ¡°Trinity, your passion for medicine and your determination are obvious to anyone who¡¯s met you. Milena is no fool¡ªhe saw exactly what you¡¯re capable of. Don¡¯t sell yourself short. You¡¯ve earned every bit of this.¡±

    A soft pink colored Trinity¡¯s cheeks. ¡°Lance, you really need to stop. I¡¯m not nearly as impressive as you say.¡±

    Still unaware, the rest of the group joined in, each voice adding to the wave that echoed Lance¡¯spliment. Before long, the living room buzzed with admiration for Trinity¡¯s many qualities.

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    .

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 Chapter 255

    ?Chapter 255:

    Elliana sat through it, finding the scene more ridiculous by the second. She rubbed at her ears again, wondering how these people had grown so numb to Trinity¡¯s transparent games after all these years.

    While she rolled her eyes in silence, she caught Cole watching her with a quiet, knowing smirk. Her hand froze in mid-air. She leaned over and poked him in the side, lowering her voice to whisper sharply, ¡°Why are you always staring at me like that? If you keep it up, people will think we¡¯re flirting. Then, Ruben would clear his throat to keep us in line, and I¡¯d rather not be publicly humiliated, thanks.¡±

    Cole chuckled under his breath and finally looked away, clearly entertained.

    Trinity didn¡¯t miss their brief exchange. Jealousy red up in her chest, pushing her to speak again. ¡°Milena told me that once I get epted into Ublento Medical University, he¡¯lle to Ublento in person¡ªnot just for the mentorship ceremony, but to treat Barbara while he¡¯s here.¡± With only two weeks left until admission results were due, she added quickly, ¡°That means in only two weeks, we¡¯ll finally have the chance to meet Milena!¡±

    Ruben paused to calcte the timing, and his entire face lit up with joy. ¡°Trinity, you were raised by the Evans family. Milena epting you as his prot¨¦g¨¦ is a huge honor for all of us. I¡¯ll take care of the arrangements myself. The ceremony will be grand, and I¡¯ll be there to celebrate every moment.¡±

    The younger rtives all burst in at once, their voicesyered with genuine excitement. ¡°I want to be there too!¡±

    ¡°Count me in!¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no way I¡¯m missing a chance to see Milena. This might never happen again!¡±

    Only Jason stayed where he was, arms crossed and face unreadable. His usual cold expression never shifted. No one questioned it. That was just how he always looked.

    Ruben let out a warmugh. ¡°I can see how excited everyone is about meeting Milena. But keep in mind, word is he¡¯s not too fond of big groups. We¡¯ll need Trinity to talk to Milena first and make sure he¡¯sfortable with that many people being there.¡±

    ???????? ???????? ????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Immediately, every head turned to Trinity. In that moment, she became the one everyone looked to, their only bridge to Milena.

    Trinity didn¡¯t answer right away. Instead, her eyes slid toward Cole¡­

    Trinity¡¯s gaze slid over to Cole, and without realizing it, everyone in the room followed her line of sight and turned to stare at him.

    But Cole, true to form, was already lost in his own world, eyes fixed on Elliana with the dazed look of a hopeless romantic.

    With no other choice, Elliana leaned over and gave his side a quick pinch, snapping him back to the moment. Once again, they were stealing the spotlight.

    Cole jerked slightly at the sting, his brow twitching, but he brushed it off smoothly. His attention shifted to Trinity as he said, ¡°Yeah? What is it?¡± His tone was cold as ever.

    Trinity forced her features into stillness, doing her best to mask the storm raging beneath the surface. Frustration and hurt churned just beneath her smile. She hade here hoping to dazzle Cole with her sess and knock Elliana down a few notches in the process. But Elliana hadn¡¯t batted an eye, and Cole hadn¡¯t changed¡ªnot even a little. Where did things go wrong? Why didn¡¯t anything she said shake Elliana or impress Cole?

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    .

    .

 Chapter 256

    ?Chapter 256:

    Though Trinity¡¯s chest felt ready to burst, she kept her tone light. ¡°Cole, I¡¯ll convince Dr. Atkinson to allow everyone in the Evans family to attend the mentorship ceremony. You and Elliana can finally see for yourselves how incredible he is.¡±

    Trinity was determined to make sure Cole saw her shining at center stage, all while Elliana slowly slipped out of the spotlight.

    However, thanks to Elliana, Cole was almost certain this Dr. Atkinson Trinity mentioned was aplete fake. He had no intention of showing up. What was the point of meeting a fraud?

    But before Cole could shut it down, Elliana interjected cheerfully, ¡°That sounds amazing! Cole and I will be there to support you, Miss Craig.¡±

    Cole turned his head, eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at Elliana. Right away, he spotted the gleam in her eyes¡ªsharp and yful, full of quiet intent.

    It reminded him of the time she effortlessly outyed both Kiara and Paige. It seemed she was cooking up something again. And honestly, he was all in. If she wanted to stir things up, he was more than happy to y along.

    With that, Cole turned toward Trinity and said, ¡°Alright.¡±

    Trinity looked like she might fall over from shock, but then her face lit up with a radiant grin. This was the very first time Cole had epted one of her invitations. In the past, he had always brushed off whatever she proposed, citing his packed schedule as an excuse. Now that he¡¯d agreed, she was determined to use this chance to shine like never before in his eyes.

    And just like that, the topic of Dr. Atkinson was shelved¡ªfor now.

    Elliana had seen enough of Trinity¡¯s performance for one evening. Her mind was already elsewhere, eager to catch up with Hailee.

    Cole picked up on her shift in mood and rose to his feet, bringing her up along with him. ¡°Grandpa, I¡¯m tired. We¡¯re heading back to Regal Grove.¡±

    ???????? ???????? ???? ???? ????????????????: g????????¦Í????????????

    Everyone in the room remembered Cole was still recovering and needed his rest.

    Ruben didn¡¯t protest, offering a firm nod. ¡°Go on, Cole. And Elliana, stay close to him. He¡¯s still healing, so keep him from overdoing it.¡± Cole gave a courteous goodbye before walking out with Elliana at his side.

    Jeff, who hadn¡¯t had a chance to talk to Elliana all evening, jumped off the couch and hurried after them toward the vi entrance.

    ¡°Elliana!¡± Jeff shouted as she walked ahead.

    Elliana paused and turned around. ¡°What is it, Jeff?¡±

    Jeff¡¯s eyes lit up right away. He looked ready to ask how she¡¯d been and catch up. Elliana hadn¡¯t visited the Evans family¡¯s estate in days, and he¡¯d been missing her like crazy.

    But just as Jeff opened his mouth, Cole¡¯s cold voice interjected, ¡°What does a little runt like you want? Scram!¡±

    Jeff flinched, startled, and swallowed whatever he was about to say. He cast a wary nce at Cole, the big bad wolf, before mumbling a quiet farewell to Elliana.

    Then, without another word, Jeff turned and shuffled back indoors, his posture heavy with defeat.

    Even from a distance, Jeff¡¯s small frame seemed to carry the weight of heartache. The same kid who used to be a walking menace now looked like a pitiful, sad cartoon with his feelings hurt.

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 Chapter 257

    ?Chapter 257:

    Elliana shot Cole an exasperated look. ¡°Did you really have to be that harsh with a kid?¡±

    Cole let out a dry snort. ¡°Kid? That so-called kid¡¯s already plotting to swipe his cousin¡¯s wife ten years from now. That little troublemaker¡¯s got ambition and a ybook to match!¡±

    Elliana¡¯s lips twitched, but she didn¡¯t bother replying. Instead, she climbed into the car without a word. There was no point arguing when Cole was on a roll. Plus, she couldn¡¯t care less about his rant about Jeff. Not far off, Myles, Aron, and Hugh tilted their heads skyward, trying hard to keep fromughing out loud.

    Cole sent a sharp re in their direction before sliding into the car beside Elliana.

    Myles caught the cue and quickly stepped up, shutting the door behind them before iming the passenger seat up front. Aron and Hugh followed without dy, squeezing into the back with practiced ease.

    As soon as everyone was settled, Myles flipped up the privacy divider. The space where Cole and Elliana sat now felt like its own quiet cocoon. Without a word, Cole scooped her up and dropped her right onto hisp.

    After days of being dragged around like luggage, Elliana barely reacted. The moment shended, she leaned into him, curling up against his chest like it was second nature.

    Cole had always been drawn to Elliana¡¯s fire¡ªbold, spirited, and unapologetically her. She had turned him down not long ago, leaving him restless, frustrated, and muttering curses about her being a heartbreaker. But when she finally said yes to him, everything shifted. The walls came down. She let him hold her close and kiss her, and sometimes, she even made the first move.

    Cole had to admit that, annoying as Jeff could be, he had been right about one thing¡ªElliana was a treasure. Winning her over hadn¡¯t been easy. It was like chasing a wild spark in the wind. But now that she was his, he felt like he¡¯d stepped into a dream¡ªa soft, golden haze of joy he never wanted to leave.

    Lost in thought, Cole suddenly felt a soft warmth on his lips¡ªElliana had kissed him out of nowhere. Her kiss was light and sweet, carrying the faint scent of flowers. Every time her lips touched his, it unraveled something deep inside him.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Elliana murmured, her voice a soft whisper, almost shy. Cole gazed at her, his eyes filled with nothing but her. His voice was hoarse as he asked, ¡°For what?¡±

    ?????????????????? ??????????????: g??????¦Í??????©q?????

    She nestled closer, resting her palms against his chest and tilting her face up to meet his gaze. ¡°For standing up to Irene for me,¡± she said. ¡°And foring with me tough at Trinity. That meant a lot.¡±

    Cole¡¯s arms wrapped instinctively around her waist, pulling her in. The silence between them was warm, full of unspoken things.

    ¡°So¡­¡± he said, tilting his head slightly. ¡°How exactly are you going to thank me?¡±

    Before he could even finish the sentence, she leaned in and kissed him again.

    This time, she took her time. Her kiss was unpracticed¡ªsweet, a little unsure¡ªbut filled with intention. She mimicked the way he kissed her, lingering longer, growing bolder with each touch.

    Cole didn¡¯t rush her. He stayed still, letting her explore. But soon, her soft kisses awakened a hunger in him that her delicate pace couldn¡¯t satisfy. His need red.

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 Chapter 258

    ?Chapter 258:

    He pulled her gently into his arms, one hand behind her head, and deepened the kiss with aching tenderness.

    That was when she pulled back abruptly. ¡°Hey! Don¡¯t move,¡± she said sharply, eyes narrowed in mock annoyance.

    Cole blinked, slightly breathless, leaning back into the seat with his hands raised in surrender. His gaze stayed locked on her flushed cheeks and pouty lips.

    ¡°I¡¯m the one saying thank you,¡± she remarked, her voice full of attitude. ¡°So why are you kissing me back?¡±

    Heughed, low and amused. ¡°Alright, alright. I¡¯ll behave,¡± he said, smiling at her with yful affection. ¡°Go on. I¡¯m all yours.¡±

    Elliana beamed at his obedient stillness. Cradling his face in her hands, she leaned forward and kissed him again.

    But this time, it wasn¡¯t just a kiss¡ªit was a quiet outpouring of affection. She pressed her lips softly to his¡ªthen to his forehead, the corners of his eyes, and the bridge of his nose. Her mouth trailed delicately down to his jawline, each kiss lingering just a heartbeat longer than thest. Her touch was slow and tender, each movement deliberate and gentle.

    Cole usually craved passion¡ªheat and urgency¡ªbut there was something about her soft, careful kisses that stirred something deeper inside him. A yearning he couldn¡¯t quite put into words. Still, he kept himself in check, soaking in her warmth and affection like sunlight on bare skin.

    When she kissed his eyes, he shut them, surrenderingpletely to the moment.

    As she reached his jawline, he tilted his head ever so slightly, making it easier for her.

    He thought she might kiss the hollow of his throat next. Maybe even his Adam¡¯s apple. He¡¯d heard it was a sensitive spot for men, and he wondered what her touch there would feel like. But nothing came. The warmth of her lips disappeared, reced by stillness. He waited a few more seconds. Still nothing.

    ???????????? ???? ?????? ???????? ¡ú g???????¦Í???????????????

    He opened his eyes slowly, only to find her distracted, fingers idly ying with the buttons of his cor. He frowned. ¡°Why¡¯d you stop?¡± His voice was soft, but his expression held the unmistakable pout of a child denied their favorite treat.

    Elliana looked up, amused by his reaction. ¡°That is it,¡± she said with a mischievous smile. ¡°I¡¯ve finished kissing you.¡±

    Cole¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, a sulky edge slipping into his tone. ¡°That¡¯s all your gratitude amounts to?¡±

    ¡°That was a very generous thank-you,¡± she replied, lightly tapping his chest. ¡°Don¡¯t get greedy now.¡±

    Cole¡¯s expression darkened with quiet disappointment. He wanted more¡ªspecifically, her lips brushing against his neck, maybe even that sensitive spot on his Adam¡¯s apple¡ªbut he couldn¡¯t bring himself to say it aloud. Instead, he¡­

    Elliana clenched her jaw, swallowed her frustration, and shut her eyes tight, choosing to stay silent.

    Elliana watched him closely, biting her lip. His quietness made her uneasy. Was he upset because her kisses hadn¡¯t pleased him? Was she really that bad at it? A sinking feeling settled in her chest. He used to call her a heartbreaker. Now, he must be scolding her for being terrible at kissing. Her cheeks warmed with embarrassment.

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 Chapter 259

    ?Chapter 259:

    Suddenly, Cole¡¯s voice cut through the silence. ¡°Get off.¡± His tone was tense, strained. Holding her like this was testing his limits, and he wasn¡¯t sure how much longer he could resist. If she stayed, his self-control might snap.

    Without protest, Elliana slowly slid off hisp and returned to her seat beside him.

    Cole leaned back against the car seat, eyes still closed, his expression closed off and unreadable.

    Elliana looked at him and then away, shrinking into the corner like a scolded child. A quiet sigh escaped her lips. This was her first time trying to please a man, and she had failed. Miserably. How humiliating.

    Why did he have to be so difficult? He used to brag about how easy he was to cheer up. Now? He acted like nothing was ever good enough. Liar.

    Meanwhile, the passengers in the seats ahead and behind the couple sat stiffly, eyes glued to the windows. After thest time Cole and Elliana had gotten cozy in the backseat, everyone was bracing themselves for a repeat performance.

    Just as the tension thickened, Cole¡¯s voice snapped through the air like a whip. ¡°Stop the car!¡±

    Cole gave the quietmand for the car to stop.

    The driver blinked, unsure if he¡¯d heard correctly, and threw a confused nce toward Myles sitting up front.

    Myles stared for half a second before jolting upright and signaling the driver to pull over.

    Without missing a beat, the driver eased the car toward the side of the road.

    A few momentster, the vehicle rolled to a gentle stop.

    Myles leaned toward the back and asked through the partition, ¡°Mr. Evans, is everything alright?¡± No answer came from Cole.

    ?????????????? ????????????: ????????¦Í??????©q??????

    The silence settled like fog¡ªthick, tense, and downright eerie. The driver shifted ufortably, stealing a look at Myles, who was now loosening his tie with a stiff hand.

    Aron and Hugh, seated in the back, exchanged nces, frozen in ce and too nervous to even breathe loudly.

    Something must have happened between Cole and Elliana again, but none of them could quite figure out what had triggered it. Only minutes earlier, the couple had been giggling over kissing techniques like everyone else didn¡¯t exist. Now, Cole looked ready to blow. Was a fight brewing? And if it exploded like thest time, would the rest of them get caught in the crossfire again?

    The driver kept his cool. Every time Cole lost his temper, the driver somehow managed to sidestep those strange punishments. A shaken driver meant shaky steering, and no matter how furious Cole got, he wasn¡¯t reckless enough to gamble with that.

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh didn¡¯t have that luxury. Thest punishment still haunted them¡ªbeing forced to y card games while teetering on a cliff edge was not something they¡¯d soon forget. As Cole¡¯s assistant and bodyguard captains, they all knew one thing¡ªwhatever Cole stirred up, their paychecks weren¡¯t big enough to make it worth it. Every second that ticked by only made the tension worse. At this point, Myles, Aron, and Hugh¡¯s collective anxiety was so obvious that anyone looking at them could see the twitch in their foreheads.

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    .

 Chapter 260

    ?Chapter 260:

    Elliana turned and stared at Cole, her face pinched in confusion. Why had he stopped the car out of nowhere? Was Cole really throwing a fit over her subpar kissing skills?

    Cole leaned back in his seat, eyes closed, his expression as unreadable as stone. Without warning, his voice rumbled low through the silence. ¡°You getting out or what?¡±

    Elliana¡¯s brows pulled together. Who was he even talking to? Before she could figure it out, all four doors popped open. Myles, Aron, Hugh, and the driver bolted out like the vehicle had just caught fire. Elliana looked through the window and spotted the four of them standing in a neat row, heads lowered like soldiers awaiting orders. A flicker of irritation crossed her face. She turned back toward Cole.

    ¡°Why¡¯d you kick everyone out?¡±

    Cole said nothing. His lips remained sealed.

    ¡°Even if you¡¯re fed up with them, at least keep the driver. Who¡¯s gonna drive now?¡± Elliana murmured.

    Cole finally opened his eyes and looked straight at her. ¡°I wasn¡¯t talking to them. I was talking to you. I said you need to get out.¡± Elliana¡¯s mind went nk for a second,pletely caught off guard. She stared at him in disbelief. What happened to the doting husband role he¡¯d been ying? Anger red in her chest. Was this really happening? Was he seriously ditching her because her kisses weren¡¯t top-notch?

    ¡°You¡¯re such a jerk!¡± Elliana huffed, her voice sharp with frustration. ¡°So what if I¡¯m not an expert kisser? You¡¯re seriously gonna kick me to the curb over that? Nobody¡¯s a pro from the get-go! I¡¯m not some kiss genius, okay? Let me practice first. I promise I¡¯ll improve.¡±

    Cole let out a lowugh that shook the silence in the car. He looked genuinely entertained by her re-up. ¡°If you¡¯re asking for more practice, I¡¯m game. You set the pace and choose the ce. Noints here. But don¡¯t you have somewhere to be? Wasn¡¯t meeting Hailee on the agenda?¡±

    The sudden reminder knocked the wind out of her mood. She had been so caught up that she almost forgot she was supposed to meet Hailee. Cole, on the other hand, had kept her schedule in mind. Feeling a little awkward, she gave a quick farewell. ¡°Alright, I¡¯m heading out.¡± Elliana¡¯s hand reached for the door, but before she could open it, Cole tugged her back in.

    ???????????????? ??????????????: ??????????¦Í????????????

    Without warning, he lifted her onto hisp, narrowing his eyes in mock irritation. ¡°You were really just gonna leave like that?¡±

    Elliana caught on right away and leaned forward, nting a quick kiss on his lips. So that was what he was after¡ªa proper goodbye. But just as she began to pull¡­

    Away, Cole deepened the kiss, pressing in with force. When he finally let up, his voice dropped low. ¡°Call me if anythinges up.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± Elliana whispered, her voice soft and a little breathless.

    Cole loosened his grip, allowing her to go.

    She stepped out of the car, adjusting her posture as she closed the door behind her.

    Standing by the roadside, Myles, Aron, Hugh, and the driver stared at her like she¡¯d just walked out of a movie. None of them could figure out why Elliana was the one getting out now.

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 Chapter 261

    ?Chapter 261:

    As they stood there frozen in confusion, the car window rolled down.

    Cole¡¯s face appeared in the opening, sharp and visibly irritated.

    ¡°What are you all gawking at?¡±

    The four men snapped to attention, eyes wide with rm.

    Cole¡¯s tone dropped colder. ¡°What is going on here? The driver abandons the wheel, Myles wanders off, and Aron and Hugh decide to join the audience. You all trying to get fired today?¡±

    The four exchanged baffled nces, not grasping the situation.

    Among the crew, Myles was usually the one who kept his head clear¡ªhe had the degree, the sharp instincts, the answers.

    As expected, Aron, Hugh, and the driver all turned to Myles for direction.

    But today, even Myles looked nk.

    Cole narrowed his eyes at them, his voice dripping with dry sarcasm as he asked, ¡°Why are you all eyeballing Myles? You wanna go work for him instead?¡±

    Before Myles, Aron, Hugh, and the driver could fully grasp what had just happened, Cole¡¯s gaze snapped to Myles¡ªcold and sharp as a de. ¡°So, Myles,¡± Cole said, his voice low but cutting, ¡°thinking about ditching me to start your own thing? nning to steal my crew while you¡¯re at it?¡±

    The driver froze for a heartbeat, shock hitting him like a brick. Then, without thinking twice, he darted to the driver¡¯s seat, threw open the door, and jumped in. His hands gripped the wheel tightly, like it was his lifeline. Work for Myles? What a joke. Sure, Myles had brains, degrees, and skills. Butpared to Cole, the billionaire boss, he was nowhere close. Driving for Cole wasn¡¯t just a job. It was a status symbol, something to brag about. Driving for Myles? That was like getting demoted to the minor leagues.

    Aron and Hugh snapped out of their daze just as quickly. They exchanged a quick look, then, in perfect sync, spun around, yanked open the back doors, and climbed inside the car. With a loud m, they shut the doors, leaving Myles out like yesterday¡¯s news. Myles was their older brother, but when push came to shove, they¡¯d rather stick with Cole as his bodyguard chiefs.

    Aron and Hugh weren¡¯t fools. Myles could unt his ten million in the bank, but that was chump changepared to Cole¡¯s fortune. What was there to protect, anyway? Besides, Myles could be stingy sometimes.

    Thest time Cole handed Myles a ten-million-dor bonus, right in front of Aron and Hugh, he told Myles to share it with them. But Myles had only handed Aron and Hugh a single dor coin. Aron and Hugh knew that Cole could be unpredictable, but when he was in a good mood, he threw cash around like it was nothing. Even the smallest tip from him was a windfall. So when it came down to it, Cole came first¡ªeven ahead of family.

    ???????? ?????????? ???? g??????¦Í????????????

    With the driver, Aron, and Hugh moving fast, Myles was left standing alone beside the car. One minute, he was the backbone of the crew. The next, he was a captain with no ship.

    Just then, a sudden gust of wind swept past, sending a chill through Myles. Though the sun zed overhead, a strange cold crept through him. He looked around, confused. What had he done to end up like this?

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 Chapter 262

    ?Chapter 262:

    Cole¡¯s eyes locked onto Myles, full of disdain.

    Myles pushed up his thick ck sses and forced a shaky smile. ¡°Mr. Evans, I¡¯m not trying to start my own thing.¡±

    He meant it. Being Cole¡¯s assistant was far better than running some small-time startup. And even if he wanted to branch out, he¡¯d never dare steal Cole¡¯s team.

    But Cole raised an eyebrow, as if he wasn¡¯t buying it. With a half-smile, he pressed on. ¡°Don¡¯t chicken out now, Myles. You want to try? I won¡¯t stop you. Hell, for old times¡¯ sake, I might even toss you some startup cash.¡±

    Myles mped his mouth shut, choosing silence over saying something he might regret. He knew exactly what this was¡ªCole wasn¡¯t being serious, just using him as a punching bag to let off steam. Cole added with a sharp edge in his voice, ¡°Cat got your tongue, Myles?¡±

    Myles adjusted his sses calmly, refusing to let it rattle him. ¡°Mr. Evans, I¡¯m not nning anything. I¡¯m happy working for you.¡±

    Cole gave a cold, dismissive snort. ¡°Oh? Don¡¯t deny it. How about I fund you with a hundred million? That enough?¡±

    Myles didn¡¯t flinch. He wasn¡¯t stupid enough to rise to that bait. But Cole wasn¡¯t done. His words came soaked in sarcasm. ¡°Go ahead and pick any of my guys. You can borrow them. On the house.¡±

    Myles met Cole¡¯s eyes, a mix of frustration and lingering loyalty in his gaze. He couldn¡¯t help but remember the old Cole¡ªthe sharp, focused leader who inspired confidence. Back then, working for him had been an honor.

    Before, Cole had been like a general straight out of a war movie, and Myles, along with Aron and Hugh, had been his elite squad¡ªproud, disciplined, and loyal. But things had changed. Ever since Cole got married, he had be vtile, and his actions had turned unpredictable. Now, instead of a fearlessmander, Cole seemed more like a loose cannon. And the crew? Just coteral damage in whatever chaos came next.

    Lost in thought, Myles didn¡¯t notice Cole¡¯s growing irritation. ¡°What are you staring at?¡± Cole snapped. ¡°Got some secret n you¡¯re cooking up?¡±

    Myles let out a slow breath and then leaned into the moment with measured calm. ¡°Mr. Evans, my loyalty to you has never wavered. I¡¯ve got nothing but respect. Always have. Always will.¡±

    ???????????? ????????: ?????????¦Í????????©q??????

    A brief silence followed. The wind howled softly, filling the space between them.

    Cole cracked a smirk. ¡°Then what are you waiting for? Want me to carry you into the car myself?¡±

    Myles didn¡¯t need to be told twice. He climbed into the car without another word. Once inside, he reached for the partition controls and lowered them, giving Cole a full view of the front and back of the vehicle.

    Just as Myles settled in, something caught his eye. Elliana. She was still standing outside the car. He froze, momentarily thrown off. Trying to make sense of the situation, he looked to Cole and asked carefully, ¡°Mr. Evans, what about Mrs. Evans?¡±

    Myles wasn¡¯t usually this jittery, but after Cole¡¯s scolding, he took it harder than expected. He was typically poised and sharp, yet now he lookedpletely thrown off, frozen in ce and unsure what to do next.

    A storm of thoughts started brewing in Myles¡¯ head within seconds. From the way Cole was acting, he didn¡¯t need a detailed breakdown to guess what had happened. It looked like another round of friction between Cole and Elliana. Just likest time, Cole had booted Elliana out of the car when his temper snapped.

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 Chapter 263

    ?Chapter 263:

    Even then, Myles knew Cole hadn¡¯t truly wanted Elliana to go. That much had been obvious. Figuring someone had to y the peacekeeper, he thought it might as well be him. If no one stepped in soon, things could spiral. Elliana might throw another verbal jab, and Cole¡ªalready at his limit¡ªmight snap all over again.

    Choosing his words carefully, Myles said, ¡°Mr. Evans, would you like me to go get Mrs. Evans? I could ask her to return.¡±

    Cole¡¯s eyes turned to ice as he gave Myles a cutting nce. The sarcasm followed right behind. ¡°Myles, are you actually trying to stick your nose in my marriage now? You think just because I¡¯m recovering from my injuries, you get to run wild?¡±

    No further encouragement was needed. Myles swiveled forward and bowed his head, saying nothing more. It was clear. The more he said, the deeper the hole he dug. Staying silent was his safest bet.

    The tension in the car could¡¯ve cracked ss.

    The driver kept ying the role of the dutiful chauffeur, eyes on the road and lips sealed.

    In the back, Aron and Hugh were trying not tough out loud. They looked like they were on the verge of choking from holding it in. Usually, they were the ones catching heat from Cole while Myles got off easy. But today? Watching Myles take the verbal beating was its own kind of entertainment.

    Meanwhile, outside the vehicle, Elliana stood quietly, watching the scene unfold with a mix of irritation and amusement. Cole was clearly making trouble for no reason. A frustrated man, especially with his desire unfulfilled, really acted irrationally. Alright, maybe she was partly to me. She hadn¡¯t managed to calm him down earlier, and now everyone else was paying the price for it.

    That thought barely finished forming before Elliana turned on the charm. Her expression bloomed into a bright smile as she waved sweetly at Cole through the car window. ¡°Darling, goodbye for now¡ªtry not to miss me too much, alright?¡±

    As expected, the sparkle in her eyes and sweet tone worked like magic. Whatever storm had been brewing on Cole¡¯s face vanished in an instant. Resting his arm along the window frame, he gave her an almost shy wave. ¡°Don¡¯t take forever. Come home soon,¡± he said, his voice noticeably lighter.

    ¡°Got it,¡± Elliana said with a cheerful grin. Without warning, she leaned toward the car window and nted a kiss on his cheek¡ªfirm, sure, affectionate. ¡°And you, Coley, better behave while I¡¯m gone. Eat something real, get some actual sleep, and stop overthinking everything for once, okay?¡±

    ?????? ?????????????? @ ?????????¦Í??????©o?????

    ¡°Coley?¡± That nickname hit like a brick. Every single person inside the vehicle stiffened. The collective silence was deafening. No one knew what to make of the two of them. One minute, they were throwing daggers. The next, they were drowning the air in affection so thick that it felt suffocating. It was chaos. Exhausting, irrational, andpletely absurd.

    But Cole couldn¡¯t care less about his subordinates¡¯ feelings. In fact, he was thoroughly enjoying his unique rtionship with Elliana. Still staring at her like he couldn¡¯t quite let go, he reached through the open window, tilted her chin with the gentlest touch, and gave the order to the driver. ¡°Drive.¡±

    The driver didn¡¯t hesitate. He mmed his foot down like his job depended on it.

    Even as the car rolled forward, Cole kept his gaze fixed on Elliana through the ss, that trace of longing still lingering.

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 Chapter 264

    ?Chapter 264:

    Elliana stood her ground, arm lifted in another enthusiastic wave, refusing to look away until the car was out of sight.

    Inside the vehicle, the tension gave way to collective disbelief. Seriously, it was just a few hours apart. Why was this couple behaving as if they wouldn¡¯t see each other again for ten whole years? Love really had a way of making people lose their minds.

    Elliana wasn¡¯t the least bit bothered by what others might¡¯ve thought about her and Cole. As soon as the car turned the corner and disappeared from view, she grabbed her phone and dialed Hailee. The line barely rang before a weary voice came through. ¡°Hey¡­ Elliana?¡± Hailee sounded half-awake.

    ¡°What are you doing right now?¡± Elliana asked, wasting no time.

    At that moment, Hailee was chewing on a stale piece of bread while weaving through a side street near the city center. Her pace was brisk, her focus split.

    She¡¯dnded a job at a publishing house recently, and while her lunch break technically stretched over two hours, she wasn¡¯t using it to rest. Instead, she hustled over to a dessert shop a few blocks away. Packing pastries for impatient customers had be her go-to side gig. Half an hour. That was all she had to make the trip, work her shift, and grab something to eat. Most days, a cheap loaf of bread was the only thing she could scarf down on the move.

    ¡°Heading to the dessert shop,¡± Hailee answered, her words muffled between bites.

    Elliana already knew about Hailee¡¯s part-time job, so she didn¡¯t press.

    ¡°Forget the dessert shop today. Go wait for me at the Starshine Hotel. It¡¯s just around the corner from the publishing house.¡±

    Hailee didn¡¯t hesitate. She trusted Elliana more than anyone. ¡°Alright. I¡¯m on my way,¡± she said.

    The call ended, and Elliana stepped off the curb to hail a cab. The moment one stopped, she climbed in and gave the driver the hotel¡¯s name without a second thought.

    Not long after, Elliana stepped through the ss doors of the Starshine Hotel. Hailee was already in the lobby, standing the second she spotted Elliana.

    ?????????? ?????????? ????????: g???????¦Í????????????

    ¡°Hey, Elliana,¡± Hailee said, brushing crumbs off her jacket.

    Without pausing, Elliana took the lead and walked them toward a room she had booked in advance.

    Once they were inside, Elliana didn¡¯t bother with small talk. ¡°Hailee, there¡¯s something you need to see. I want you to know what¡¯s really going on.¡±

    Never in her life had Hailee seen that look on Elliana¡¯s face. Even back on the yacht, when fists were flying and the air was thick with danger, Elliana had still worn that same cool smirk, unbothered and untouchable. In her mind, Elliana wasn¡¯t someone who tightened up. If Elliana looked this shaken now, then something serious must be brewing beneath the surface.

    Elliana¡¯s stiff, almost haunted expression made Hailee¡¯s stomach twist like a wet towel. ¡°Elliana, what¡¯s going on?¡±

    For a second, Elliana didn¡¯t say a word. She clutched her phone, knuckles pale, eyes far away. This wasn¡¯t just surface-level tension. Every part of her posture, breath, and silence was locked down in full intensity.

    Elliana couldugh in the face of danger, but when it came to Hailee, she was a bundle of nerves. She worried the truth might break Hailee. Hailee had gone all-in for Boris. Time, energy, pride¡ªshe¡¯d poured every bit of herself into him. Over the years, that devotion had fused with her identity, bing muscle memory. If the truth behind all that effort turned out to be something hollow or worse, cruel, it would crush her.

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 Chapter 265

    ?Chapter 265:

    ¡°I need you to brace yourself,¡± Elliana said atst, her voice low and steady. ¡°What I¡¯m about to tell you about Boris¡­ It¡¯s not easy to hear. But you¡¯ve got to promise me you¡¯ll stay strong. No running, no breaking. Just look it in the eye and take it.¡±

    The weight in Elliana¡¯s words made Hailee¡¯s pulse spike. After a year of exhaustion and emotional knots, anything with Boris¡¯ name on it triggered her like a tripwire. Her fear had always lived in the same room as love¡ªafraid that any day, Boris¡¯ health would fall off a cliff. So, the second Elliana spoke, her thoughts spiraled. Her voice cracked. ¡°Did the doctors say something? Is it getting worse? Is Boris past saving?¡± A quiet sigh slipped from Elliana¡¯s lips. While Hailee sat there unraveling over Boris¡¯ well-being, Boris was off nning an engagement bash with another woman, partying like a king without a care in the world. The contrast was staggering. Pure-hearted devotion pitted against shameless betrayal.

    ¡°Hailee, before I show you anything, I need your word¡ªyou¡¯ll hold it together, no matter what,¡± Elliana said, her voice firm but not unkind. She needed that promise.

    Elliana wanted Hailee to finally wake up, to cut herself loose from Boris¡¯ maniptions and start living for herself again. But that didn¡¯t mean she wanted to watch Hailee crumble under the weight of it all. Hailee wavered for a second, teeth sinking into her lip. ¡°I swear, Elliana. Whatever it is, I¡¯ll deal with it. I won¡¯t fall apart.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s all I needed to hear,¡± Elliana replied, her shoulders easing slightly as a flicker of relief touched her lips. Without another word, she passed her phone to Hailee. ¡°Watch this.¡±

    The screen lit up, and a paused video appeared, footage Elliana had quietly recorded during her visit to the hospital on that fateful day. Hailee gave Elliana a puzzled nce before tapping the y button.

    The clip sprang to life. Boris lounged in his hospital bed, grinning like a yboy, surrounded by his usual sleazeball friends. Laughter filled the ward as sses clinked, the whole scene reeking of celebration.

    Everything inside Hailee seemed to freeze. Her body locked up, breath stalled, eyes glued to the screen like she couldn¡¯t believe what she was seeing.

    Hailee locked her eyes on the screen, watching Boris lift a champagne ss with an infuriating smirk stered across his face. His every word sliced straight through her. ¡°She¡¯s just something I mess around with when I¡¯ve got nothing better to do. Saving her from the rushing car? Please. That was just a little stunt I pulled for kicks.¡±

    ???????????? ???????????? ??????: g???????¦Í????????????

    As the video came to a jarring stop, Hailee felt the floor fall out from under her. Up until this moment, her life had been simple¡ªquiet, untouched by this level of cruelty. She¡¯d never stood face-to-face with malice so raw. Even the darkest shows she¡¯d binge-watched hadn¡¯t prepared her for something this vicious. A spoiled heir, bored out of his mind, had manipted her into almost giving away a piece of herself¡ªa literal piece. A kidney.

    Hailee couldn¡¯t fathom the depravity. Her mind rejected it. ¡°This¡­ This can¡¯t be happening,¡± she murmured, her head moving back and forth as if she could shake the truth out of existence.

    Everything in her screamed denial. She couldn¡¯t believe a person, any person, could be this grotesque. She especially couldn¡¯t reconcile it with the image she¡¯d built of Boris. The apparently sick man she¡¯d nursed and worried over was now bouncing around with a champagne flute, joking like the world was his stage.

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 Chapter 266

    ?Chapter 266:

    Hailee tried to convince herself her eyes were ying tricks on her. Maybe it was just the fatigue. Maybe her brain had conjured up a cruel illusion, something born from stress and overthinking. None of it could possibly be real. Gripping tightly to that illusion, she shoved the phone back into Elliana¡¯s hand without looking and turned her back. ¡°Elliana, I¡¯m dead tired. I need sleep. We¡¯ll talkter.¡±

    Not saying a word, Elliana simply watched her.

    As Hailee moved to leave, Elliana caught her wrist. ¡°Hailee, don¡¯t run from this,¡± she said quietly. ¡°Pretending it didn¡¯t happen won¡¯t fix anything. You swore you¡¯d face it¡ªno matter what.¡±

    Before watching that footage, Hailee had been exhausted, but she¡¯d still carried a fire. She¡¯d gritted her teeth and marched forward, fueled by love and stubborn hope. But now, all of that was gone. Her face had gone colorless. Her posture sagged. Something inside her had gone silent.

    ¡°I¡¯m not running away,¡± Hailee whispered, her eyes averted. ¡°I just¡­ I just need to lie down.¡±

    She made another move toward the door.

    But Elliana yanked Hailee back, harder this time. Her fingers dug in, pinching Hailee¡¯s wrist with sharp intent. ¡°Do you feel that? That sting?¡±

    Hailee flinched, her face tightening as fresh tears spilled over¡ªbut they had nothing to do with the throbbing pain in her wrist. It was heartbreak, raw and jagged, ripping through her chest and leaving her breathless. Still, even now, denial was her armor. She forced herself to look away, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Elliana, what is all this? Why are you showing me this nonsense? I have too much on my te to watch dramas with you. Watch them on your own.¡±

    With a quiet sigh, Elliana eased Hailee down onto the sofa, her movements gentle, almost motherly. ¡°Hailee, I get it. I know you¡¯re hurting. It¡¯s easier not to believe it¡ªbut you need to see the truth for yourself.¡±

    Elliana angled her phone so Hailee couldn¡¯t look away from the screen. Pointing at Boris¡¯ image, she said, ¡°This scumbag who conned you into almost giving up your kidney? His name is indeed Boris. But he¡¯s not some pitiful orphan¡ªhe¡¯s the Craig family¡¯s heir. He¡¯s been lying to you from the start.¡±

    Hailee remained frozen, her entire body stiff, her gaze empty and unfocused as she stared straight ahead.

    ???????????????? ??????????????: ?????????¦Í??????©q?????

    Elliana watched her carefully and then pressed on, her voice low and careful. ¡°You¡¯ve heard of the Craig family in Ublento, right?¡±

    Hailee¡¯s head moved in a slow, numb denial. The name ¡°Craig¡± meant nothing to her¡ªshe couldn¡¯t recall meeting a single person by that surname.

    Elliana drew in a steadying breath and stated, her tone gentle but unyielding, ¡°The Craig family is one of the six most powerful in Ublento. They¡¯ve been allied with the Evans family for years. With the Evans family¡¯s protection, the Craig family¡¯s business soared¡ªnow they¡¯re a billion-dor empire. Boris isn¡¯t just anyone, Hailee. He¡¯s their firstborn. The heir of the Craig family.¡±

    Elliana pronounced every word with care, as if the truth were a stone she hated to throw, but she feltpelled to let Hailee know Boris¡¯ true identity.

    Hailee¡¯s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she looked up at Elliana, her gaze dazed and unfocused. The Boris Elliana described felt impossibly distant, a stranger from a world she had never even glimpsed. She was just a woman scraping by. The circles of power in Ublento¡ªthe elite families, their secretive alliances¡ªfelt as unreachable as the moon.

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 Chapter 267

    ?Chapter 267:

    Hailee¡¯s voice trembled as she remarked, ¡°Elliana, you have to be wrong. The Boris you¡¯re talking about¡­ There¡¯s no way he¡¯s the same person I know. He can¡¯t be.¡±

    Hailee clung to that desperate thread, determined to believe in the man she loved rather than the ruthless world Elliana had just revealed. She would rather drown in bills and heartache than ept she¡¯d been yed for a fool.

    But Elliana¡¯s expression turned fierce, her eyes bright with urgency. ¡°Hailee, you can¡¯t keep lying to yourself. No matter how much it hurts, I have to break this illusion. You deserve the truth.¡± With that, she tapped another face on the screen and probed further, her voice calm but cutting. ¡°Do you know who this man really is?¡±

    The person Elliana pointed to was the same individual who¡¯d served Boris champagne and led with the cheeky tease.

    Hailee¡¯s eyes dropped as she studied the photo. ¡°That¡¯s Dunn. He grew up with Boris at the orphanage. He¡¯s barely scraping by¡ªhis sry hardly covers his rent and groceries. There¡¯s no way he can help with Boris¡¯s hospital bills.¡±

    A sharp, humorlessugh slipped from Elliana as her gaze swept over the group of lowlifes clustered around Boris on the screen, all of themplicit in the charade.

    ¡°Hailee, his name¡¯s Dunn, sure¡ªbut he never set foot in an orphanage, and he¡¯s definitely not broke. The truth? He spends his days surrounded by opulence. Lavish parties, bottomless champagne, designer everything¡ªhis entire life is one endless spree,¡± Elliana stated with crisp, unwavering frankness.

    Hailee turned to Elliana in stunned silence, unable to process what she was hearing. The revtion sounded absurd, almost surreal.

    Elliana met Hailee¡¯s stare and spoke slowly, refusing to let Hailee escape the facts. ¡°He¡¯s Dunn Sampson¡ªthe son of Skyflower Hospital¡¯s chairman.¡±

    Hailee¡¯s mind reeled. Skyflower Hospital? That was the very ce where Boris had spent weeks as a patient. If Boris was close with Dunn¡ªthe chairman¡¯s son¡ªthen he¡¯d always had powerful connections at that hospital. And yet, he¡¯d never breathed a word. All those desperate nights she spent begging the staff for mercy, humiliating herself for another day¡¯s stay for Boris¡ªBoris had let her do it, every single time, standing back in silence, watching her struggle.

    A jaggedugh escaped Hailee, sharp with self-mockery as her lips twisted into a bitter smile.

    ???????? ???????????? ????????: ??????????¦Í?????????????

    Elliana pressed on, relentless, determined toy bare every ugly truth. She nudged her phone over so Hailee could see the others in the photo. One by one, she named each person, methodically exposing their true identities. Each face belonged to someone privileged, coddled by wealth, another yer in this borate charade. They¡¯d all gathered to amuse themselves, treating Hailee as little more than a naive pawn.

    Elliana¡¯s voice dropped, cold and precise. ¡°Hailee, from the very beginning, you never stood a chance. Every moment with Boris¡ªthe so-called saving you in the car crash, his supposed heart condition¡ªwas all staged. Everyone in his circle, and even the so-called hospital staff, all yed their part in this cruel farce.¡±

    Hailee¡¯s legs buckled. She crumpled to the floor, both hands flying up to shield her face. Not a single tear would fall. Her anguish had gone beyond tears¡ªher heart felt hollow, as if grief had wrung her dry and left her numb, barely able to breathe.

    A sudden jolt snapped Hailee from her stupor¡ªher phone lit up with a familiar name. It was Dunn. Every time Boris had a medical emergency or the bills became urgent, it was Dunn¡¯s name that appeared. His calls were never kind¡ªalways sharp, always demanding, always another reminder that she ¡°owed¡± Boris more than she could ever pay.

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 Chapter 268

    ?Chapter 268:

    Now, frozen in ce, Hailee stared at her phone as Dunn¡¯s name shed insistently. The sound of it made her heart pound with dread. She didn¡¯t know if she could bear to answer, or if picking up would only pull her deeper into the nightmare.

    Whenever Dunn¡¯s name lit up Hailee¡¯s screen, it meant only one thing: another demand to shell out money fast, always framed with Boris supposedly teetering on the edge of death.

    For months on end, Hailee had endured Dunn¡¯s relentless tirades, each call heavier than thest.

    Yet, somewhere deep within, she had held a strange sense of gratitude toward Dunn. She had convinced herself that Dunn¡¯s harshness was rooted in concern for Boris, not some simmering resentment aimed at her. While she ran herself ragged trying to scrape together funds, she tookfort in the idea that Dunn was taking care of Boris.

    But everything had changed the moment Elliana dropped the truth bomb¡ªa revtion that shattered the illusion. Seeing Dunn¡¯s name pop up on her phone now felt like being kicked while already down. The cruelty of it all hit her like a p.

    As the phone buzzed endlessly in Hailee¡¯s hand, Elliana¡¯s voice cut through the tension. ¡°You need to answer that.¡±

    A tremble in her voice, Hailee nced up. ¡°Didn¡¯t you just say Dunn¡¯s part of Boris¡¯s con? What¡¯s the point in talking to him now?¡±

    ¡°I want to know why Dunn¡¯s reaching out right this second,¡± Elliana replied, her tone calm butced with curiosity. Given that Dunn was the brother of Hester¡ªBoris¡¯s bride-to-be¡ªand that the engagement party was tonight, he should¡¯ve been neck-deep in chaos. So why call Hailee now?

    ¡°Just pick up, Hailee. Let¡¯s see what game he¡¯s ying,¡± Elliana said, her voice unwavering.

    Running on empty and emotionally frayed, Hailee gave in. Her fingers moved on autopilot as she swiped to ept the call.

    The phone had been buzzing for ages by that point. No sooner had the line connected than Dunn¡¯s irritated voice burst through. ¡°What the hell, Hailee? Took you long enough!¡±

    ???????? ???????????? ?????????? ????: g???????¦Í????????????

    Tears welled up in Hailee¡¯s eyes as she bit hard on her lip, too choked up to speak.

    Dunn didn¡¯t let up for a second. His voice hit like a hammer. ¡°You got the cash yet? Boris was screaming in pain¡ªthey rushed him to the ER again. The transnt can¡¯t be pushed back any longer. If it is, he¡¯s done!¡±

    Holding back the flood, Hailee blinked rapidly and kept her silence. ¡°You there, Hailee? Don¡¯t act deaf!¡± The harshness in Dunn¡¯s tone only deepened. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you still haven¡¯t scraped together the cash. What, you don¡¯t care about saving Boris? Are you really that cold? Boris got sick saving you. You owe him everything, and you better start acting like it!¡±

    Every syble poured out of Dunn¡¯s mouth like venom, and Elliana heard all of it loud and clear. But something else caught her attention¡ªthe background noise on Dunn¡¯s end. A moment¡¯s focus, and she nailed it. Laughter, clinking sses, flirtatious banter¡ªDunn was at a high-end nightclub.

    Anger surged through Elliana¡¯s veins. This jerk was out partying at a club and still had the nerve to call Hailee to y his sick games. Without hesitation, she fired off a message to Matthew. ¡°Track down Dunn Sampson¡ªthe Skyflower Hospital chairman¡¯s brat. I need his exact location, now.¡±

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 Chapter 269

    ?Chapter 269:

    After hitting send, Elliana gave Hailee a subtle nod, telling her to stayposed and y along.

    Taking the cue, Hailee steadied herself and spoke into the phone. ¡°I¡¯m doing everything I can.¡±

    ¡°Then move your ass!¡± Dunn shouted. ¡°If you can¡¯t scrape it up yourself, beg your dad to sell that rundown diner. Boris doesn¡¯t have time!¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± Hailee said quietly, her voice drained of all emotion.

    That seemed to satisfy him, at least for now. ¡°Once you¡¯ve got the cash, head to the hospital immediately. Talk to the doctors about the transnt,¡± he added before abruptly ending the call.

    As the line went dead, Hailee couldn¡¯t hold it in any longer. Her tears spilled over, falling fast and hard.

    She could barely wrap her mind around the depth of their cruelty. These entitled rich kids weren¡¯t just bleeding her dry¡ªthey were scheming to steal her kidney and now had their sights set on her father¡¯s humble diner, his only lifeline. What kind of monsters operated without a shred of empathy?

    Once, Hailee had believed in kindness¡ªthat the world rewarded honesty, that neighbors looked out for one another. But thanks to Elliana¡¯s revtion, that illusion had shattered. The truth hit like a punch to the chest: the world could be vicious.

    Suddenly, Hailee flung her phone across the room and copsed, burying her face in her hands. Her voice broke as she trembled on the floor. ¡°No, Elliana. I refuse to¡­¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe this is real. This can¡¯t be my life. I¡¯m not part of something this disgusting¡ªI¡¯m not!¡±

    Just as Elliana moved to reach out and steady Hailee, her phone buzzed with a message.

    It was Matthew texting back. ¡°Dunn¡¯s holed up in a private VIP suite at the Royal Club. Boris Craig is right there with him.¡±

    ????????????¡¯?? ??????????????: g???????¦Í?????????????

    Attached was an image that confirmed everything¡ªBoris and Dunn in full celebration mode, surrounded by their obnoxious crew, drinks flying, and arrogance practically dripping from the frame.

    Elliana¡¯s jaw tightened as fury surged through her veins. There was no doubt in her mind¡ªDunn¡¯s call had been nothing but a twisted group joke, with Boris ying puppet master for their cruel entertainment. Inside, she cursed them all.

    At that moment, Hailee sprang to her feet, her expression transformed by fierce determination. ¡°I¡¯m going straight to the hospital. Boris owes me an exnation, and I¡¯m going to get it!¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s not at the hospital,¡± Elliana said, her voice firm and unwavering, halting her in her tracks.

    Elliana¡¯s words made Hailee freeze in ce, her bitterugh tumbling out with a harsh edge.

    All these years, Hailee¡¯s memory of Boris had been shackled to the scent of antiseptic and the chill of hospital sheets¡ªso ingrained that any thought of him conjured up sickness and suffering without fail.

    Yet now, Elliana was ripping that illusion apart, iming Boris had never been truly ill at all. He wasn¡¯t some helpless orphan but the pampered heir of the Craig family in Ublento. How could it be possible, then, that she could see him at the hospital whenever she went? ¡°He¡¯s over at the Royal Club, having a good time,¡± Elliana dered tly.

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 Chapter 270

    ?Chapter 270:

    Hailee whipped around, disbelief and outrage burning in her eyes. Of all ces, Boris was having a st at the Royal Club. She had spent countless nights working herself ragged there, pouring drinks for entitled men and scraping together every dor for Boris¡¯s endless ¡°hospital bills.¡±

    At that nightclub, she¡¯d endured every kind of humiliation. Her looks drew leering stares and unwanted hands¡ªnight after night, she dodged drunk, grabby patrons, forced to keep her guard up just to survive the shift. Through it all, she had smothered her humiliation in silence, thinking it was all for Boris¡¯s sake. But now, the bitter truth hit her¡ªBoris lounged there drinking and reveling.

    That club was a glittering yground for the wealthy and spoiled. She never belonged to that world¡ªhad never even wanted to. But for Boris, she¡¯d choked down her pride and stepped straight into the lion¡¯s den. All her sacrifices, every degrading night in that ce¡ªhad it all been for nothing but a cruel, borate joke?

    Hailee squeezed her eyes shut, grief carving deep lines into her face.

    Tears traced silent paths down her cheeks, refusing to stop.

    Elliana¡¯s voice was soft but resolute. ¡°Let me take you to him.¡±

    A bitter shake of the head was all Hailee could manage. ¡°No. If this were nothing but a twisted game for him, then it ends now. I never want toy eyes on him again.¡±

    Elliana studied Hailee for a long moment, her expression unreadable. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to fight back? Even just a little?¡±

    A hollow ache flickered in Hailee¡¯s chest as she shook her head. ¡°What would be the point? I¡¯m nobody. He¡¯s untouchable¡ªa rich man¡¯s son with the world at his feet. I could throw myself into the fire, but I can¡¯t risk dragging my father in with me.¡±

    Boris had sunk so low that he¡¯d tricked her and schemed to take her kidney without a shred of remorse. If she ever tried to hold him ountable, there was no telling what he¡¯d do in retaliation. She could handle whatever Boris threw at her, but she couldn¡¯t risk putting her father in harm¡¯s way.

    Her father had spent his whole life running Loftus¡¯s Comfort Eats, hustling day and night just to put food on the table and send her to college. Yet, every dime she¡¯d made after graduation had vanished into Boris¡¯s sick, twisted scam. Not once had she set aside anything for her father¡ªno gifts, no token of thanks. The weight of that regret gnawed at her now, sharp and inescapable.

    ?????????? ???? ?????? ????????????: g???????¦Í????????????

    ¡°Elliana, I mean it¡ªthank you for telling me the truth. If it weren¡¯t for you, I might have lost more than my dignity. I¡¯m exhausted. I just want to go home and be with my dad for a while. I¡¯m done with all of this.¡± Hailee turned away, shoulders hunched in defeat, her heartbreak carved into every step as she started to leave.

    Elliana stayed back, silent but watchful, reading the storm of pain Hailee was trying to bury for her father¡¯s sake. She knew Hailee was only holding herself together out of love for Briggs, not because she was ready to forgive or forget.

    Elliana couldn¡¯t stand by and let Hailee swallow this kind of injustice, not when the wounds ran so deep. Without hesitation, she strode over and caught Hailee¡¯s wrist. ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want to see the real Boris for yourself?¡±

    Hailee faltered mid-step, the question hanging between them. She¡¯d spent a long time clinging to the image of Boris as gentle and selfless¡ªa fragile man who always put her first, even as he suffered from ¡°pain.¡± Up until that moment, Boris¡¯s true self had remained hidden from her. Now, she was determined to see who he was without her presence. She needed to burn the image of that fucking scumbag into her mind, so she¡¯d never fall for a lie like this again.

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 Chapter 271

    ?Chapter 271:

    With a fresh surge of resolve, Hailee met Elliana¡¯s gaze, her eyes suddenly steady. ¡°Elliana, take me to him.¡±

    Elliana squeezed her hand in silent support. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Together, they walked out of the hotel and stepped into the waiting city.

    The two women caught the next taxi, tense and silent, the city rushing by in a blur.

    Upon arrival, Elliana led Hailee down a gilded corridor and stopped in front of a private room, guided by the address Matthew had provided. Through the narrow¡­

    Through the gap of the half-open door, they caught sight of Boris and Dunn at the center of avish scene¡ªsurrounded by elegantly dressed men and women, theirughter echoing off the walls, champagne sses clinking in their hands.

    Just moments ago, Hailee had tried to convince herself to walk away¡ªfor her father¡¯s sake, she¡¯d resolved to bury her anger and avoid Boris forever. But the instant she glimpsed Boris¡¯s flushed, jubnt face, any trace of restraint shattered. She couldn¡¯t forget the endless nights she¡¯d spent in agony, sacrificing everything for him, while he reveled here infort and excess.

    Inside, Boris looked nothing like the frail patient she¡¯d once cared for. He exuded vitality and arrogance, basking in the adtion of his peers as hezily swirled champagne in a crystal flute. A gleaming, world-famous watch hugged his wrist, the kind she¡¯d only seen in glossy magazines. And on her arm¡­

    Hailee yanked up her sleeve, exposing awork of stark track marks etched into her pale skin. Tears spilled down her cheeks before she could stop them. How many times had Dunn called, his voice tight with calcted urgency, telling her Boris was on the brink of death and the hospital ount was out of funds? How many times had she trudged to that donation room, trading away her own blood just to buy Boris another day? The injustice hit her all at once.

    Hailee fixed her gaze on Boris, her voice low but seething with rage. ¡°Boris, you¡¯re not getting away with this!¡±

    With trembling resolve, Hailee made a move to shove open the door.

    Hailee¡¯s fingers had barely brushed the doorknob before Elliana¡¯s firm grip yanked her back.

    ???????? ?????????????? ????????: ?????????¦Í??????©q??????

    Perplexed, Hailee turned to Elliana. ¡°Elliana, I have to go in. I need Boris to exin why he¡¯s treating me like this!¡±

    ¡°Charging in won¡¯t help,¡± Elliana said with gentle firmness. ¡°A cad like him won¡¯t suddenly feel remorse just because you confront him. He¡¯ll mock you, call you naive, and me you for spoiling his fun.¡±

    Anger rippled through Hailee. How could someone as ordinary as she demand answers from a man of Boris¡¯s standing? Was she meant to swallow this mistreatment in silence?

    Elliana squeezed Hailee¡¯s hand, signaling her to keep watching the scene inside the room. ¡°You came here to see the real Boris, didn¡¯t you? Stay and watch.¡±

    Hailee, following Elliana¡¯s advice, continued to peer through the slightly ajar door.

    Just then, a low chuckle drifted from Dunn¡¯s lips. ¡°Boris, guess what that fool Hailee¡¯s doing right now?¡±

    Boris¡¯s voice was casual. ¡°What else? After your call, she¡¯s probably grinding herself into the ground¡ªmaybe even trading off her blood for my ¡®treatment.''¡±

    Hailee¡¯s vision blurred with tears. She¡¯d donated blood to ¡°buy¡± another day for Boris and even made it a point to keep it from him, not wanting her sacrifices to weigh on him. Yet, only now did it dawn on her that he¡¯d been observing her every move, treating her desperation as entertainment.

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 Chapter 272

    ?Chapter 272:

    Dunn clicked his tongue and shook his head dramatically. ¡°Hailee never surprises us. It¡¯s always extra shifts or donating blood. When will she stoop to be a prostitute?¡±

    A young man sneered from the circle¡¯s edge. ¡°She won¡¯t go that far¡ªafter all, she¡¯s hopelessly in love with Boris and wants to stay pure for him.¡±

    A ripple of cruelughter washed over the group.

    ¡°Hailee¡¯s a riot¡ªthinks she can keep her purity for Boris. He¡¯d never stoop to touch someone as ordinary as her.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d pay good money to see her hawk her body before she donated a kidney to Boris. Otherwise, no man in his right mind would want her after that.¡±

    ¡°Hey Boris, tonight¡¯s your engagement party with Hester. Why not push Hailee harder¡ªmake her sell herself this afternoon? That¡¯d really spice up the celebration, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    Hearing this, Hailee¡¯s eyes widened in shock. Boris was getting engaged tonight? So he¡¯d been manipting her into a kidney donation all the while nning to marry someone else?

    Elliana pressed close and murmured, ¡°His fianc¨¦e is Hester¡ªDunn¡¯s sister.¡± She flicked her phone around, showing Hailee a photo. ¡°Does she look familiar?¡±

    Hailee stared at the image, fists clenching until her nails cut into her palms. ¡°I once saw her. Boris said they grew up at the orphanage together¡ªand that she was Dunn¡¯s girlfriend.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s lip curled in disgust. These scoundrels had twisted the truth so shamelessly¡ªiming a sister as a ¡°girlfriend¡± just to toy with Hailee. They were beyond contemptible.

    Dunn¡¯s grin widened. ¡°I like that idea. Hester would get a real kick out of watching Hailee sell herself.¡± He turned to Boris. ¡°So¡ªhow do we make her do it?¡±

    Boris leaned back, cool as ever, but said nothing at first. After a pregnant pause, he lifted his gaze and quietly warned, ¡°Don¡¯t bring up forcing Hailee to be a prostitute again. Once she¡¯s lost her dignity, there¡¯s no point teasing her.¡±

    ?????????? ???????????? ????????: ????????¦Í????????????

    ¡°Right. If she actually took to it for the easy money, we wouldn¡¯t have any show left.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. If she starts enjoying the quick money, she might stick with it and stop working hard. We wouldn¡¯t have any fun.¡± A chorus of agreement rippled through the group.

    Dunn narrowed his eyes, studying Boris. ¡°You¡¯re not falling for Hailee, are you?¡±

    Boris hesitated only a heartbeat before meeting Dunn¡¯s gaze. ¡°No.¡± A relieved sigh escaped Dunn. ¡°Good. We¡¯ve all been in on this charade for fun, but if you start developing feelings for Hailee, that¡¯d be a problem. Hester¡¯s my sister, after all.¡±

    Boris¡¯s expression softened briefly as he looked away. ¡°Hester and I have been together for years. Our families match socially, and both sets of parents fully back us. I¡¯d never forsake her for a simple-minded girl.¡±

    ¡°Exactly what I needed to hear,¡± Dunn said, tension draining from his shoulders.

    Meanwhile, beyond the door, Hailee¡¯s face hardened. Without a backward nce, she strode down the hallway, her steps quickening until she was sprinting away.

    At the end of the corridor loomed a staircase.

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 Chapter 273

    ?Chapter 273:

    Hailee bolted down the steps, tears streaking down her cheeks. Elliana¡¯s revtion had shattered herposure, sending her emotions into a tailspin. She had been torn¡ªhalf of her aching to confront Boris and demand answers, the other half paralyzed with worry for her father¡¯s safety. Ultimately, she bit her tongue and chose silence over a storm.

    But moments ago, just outside that private room, she¡¯d witnessed Boris speaking about messing with her without a hint of shame or gratitude for her year-long sacrifices. The fury that welled inside her had almost tipped her over the edge¡ªshe was seconds from bursting in and doing something reckless. If she hadn¡¯t turned heel and run, she could¡¯ve been tangled in a web far too dangerous to escape.

    With onest shred of reason, she knew she couldn¡¯t afford to go down with a man like Boris. Not when her father still needed her. So, to keep herself from crossing a line she couldn¡¯t uncross, she ran.

    Elliana didn¡¯t immediately give chase. She stood still for a moment, letting Hailee put some distance between them. Hailee needed space to cool down, after all.

    As Hailee rounded the corner of the stairs, she mmed right into someone. Her tear-blurred eyes couldn¡¯t make out his face, only his imposing frame and the chill that clung to him like a second skin. Whoever he was, he radiated a don¡¯t-mess-with-me vibe and clearly wasn¡¯t pleased with the collision.

    But Hailee, drowning in heartbreak, barely registered it. She muttered a quick apology and kept going, vanishing down the next flight of stairs. She never looked back. She never saw his face.

    Fate, however, had a strange sense of timing¡ªit was Merlin. The jolt of someone crashing into him made his brow knit in irritation. He hated being touched unannounced. But when he turned to scold the clumsy person, recognition hit him like a sucker punch. It was Hailee. The same woman who¡¯d sunk her teeth into his wrist, leaving behind a scar that hadn¡¯t fully faded. The same woman who¡¯d turned him down t, saying she already had a boyfriend. The same woman who haunted him with a quiet ache every time she crossed his mind. What were the odds of running into her here?

    He opened his mouth to speak, but the words withered when he saw her face¡ªred eyes, cheeks slick with tears, pain etched into every feature. She didn¡¯t even spare¡­

    His words got stuck in his throat. Whatever had happened, it had gutted her.

    ?????????? ????????????: g??????¦Í?????????????

    Before he could make sense of it, she was gone, her apology trailing behind her.

    Merlin stood frozen, staring after her, mind spinning. Then, Elliana came down the stairs. ¡°You came here with Hailee?¡± he asked¡ªsurprisingly civil, given that he usually wouldn¡¯t initiate a conversation with her.

    Elliana didn¡¯t break stride. She gave a curt nod, eyes cold, and brushed past him without a word.

    Merlin watched her go. Then, after a moment¡¯s hesitation, he followed. He kept his distance, careful not to be seen.

    Once Hailee burst out of the Royal Club, she didn¡¯t stop. She ran until her legs gave out, lungs burning, heart pounding against her ribs like a war drum. A year of juggling jobs and skipping meals had taken its toll, and this sudden dash drained thest drops of energy she had.

    When she finally stopped, she found herself beside a circr fountain at a street corner. With the gentle ssh of water as her backdrop, she let gopletely. Her sobs erupted like a dam breaking, hidden behind the sound of the fountain. All the heartache, all the pressure, all the fear she¡¯d bottled up for the past year¡ªshe poured it out like poison.

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 Chapter 274

    ?Chapter 274:

    Elliana stayed back, watching silently. Now wasn¡¯t the time forfort. Sometimes, one had to let the storm rage to find peace on the other side.

    Merlin stood farther behind, half-hidden behind a stone pir, his gaze fixed on Hailee. He¡¯d always kept people at arm¡¯s length, uninterested in the drama of others. But tonight, that rule had an exception as it involved Hailee. He heard her voice rise, trembling with rage and anguish. ¡°Boris Craig, you scoundrel! You bastard!¡±

    Boris Craig? Merlin¡¯s eyes narrowed. So, she knew Boris? What had Boris done to her? Was her crying all because of him?

    Without a second thought, Merlin pulled out his phone and called his assistant. ¡°Dig into Boris Craig¡¯s connection with a woman named Hailee Loftus. I want everything¡ªfast.¡±

    As he hung up, he saw Hailee wiping her face angrily with her sleeve. Elliana stepped in and murmured something to Hailee, and together, they walked away.

    Merlin hesitated and then moved like a shadow behind them. He didn¡¯t want to be seen, so he kept hidden¡ªjust close enough to keep them in sight. Ten minutester, the two women sat down on a roadside bench.

    Behind them stretched a wall of green bursting with flowers, their golden heads swaying in the breeze, filling the air with a gentle sweetness.

    To catch their conversation, Merlin circled around and quietly settled on the other side of the flower wall.

    Just then, his phone buzzed. The report had arrived.

    Merlin¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits of ice as he processed his assistant¡¯s report. The revtion about Boris¡¯s outrageous behavior struck him like a physical blow.

    Though their interactions had never extended beyond cursory greetings, whispers of Boris¡¯s underhanded dealings had reached Merlin¡¯s ears. Today¡¯s discovery of Boris¡¯s mistreatment of Hailee ignited a simmering fury that set Merlin¡¯s jaw clenching.

    ?????????? ???????? ????????: g???????¦Í??????©o?????

    Such depravity from Boris couldn¡¯t be tolerated. Merlin¡¯s past as an international special forces soldier had instilled in him an unshakable moralpass that demanded action, not passive observation. Merlin¡¯s contemtion was shattered when the two women¡¯s voices drifted over the flower wall separating them.

    Hailee, unaware of her eavesdropper, continued her conversation openly.

    Elliana, however, had detected Merlin¡¯s presence from the beginning. She figured Merlin and Hailee had met during their yacht encounter and, sensing no malice in his concern for Hailee, she chose not to alert Hailee.

    ¡°Hailee, what¡¯s your next move?¡± Elliana asked, her voice gentle yet direct.

    Hailee¡¯s once-vibrant face bore the ravages of heartbreak¡ªswollen eyes, ashenplexion, and cracked lips testifying to her pain. A weary sigh escaped her. ¡°Boris is the Craig family heir with unimaginable influence. People like us¡ªfrom humble origins¡ªcan¡¯t afford to challenge someone like him.¡± She pressed her bloodless lips together. ¡°Being deceived and wounded by him leaves me no choice but to suffer in silence. Any retaliation from him would crush mepletely.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re worried he¡¯ll harm your father?¡± Elliana probed, understanding flickering in her eyes.

    Hailee nodded, the simple gesture conveying volumes. Her father remained her sole vulnerability. For his sake, she would swallow this bitter injustice. The pain tore at her insides, hatred threatening to consume her, yet she saw no alternative.

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 Chapter 275

    ?Chapter 275:

    ¡°Elliana, thank you.¡± Hailee forced the corners of her mouth upward. ¡°Your revtion of the truth before it is toote means everything.¡± She dropped her gaze, battling fresh tears. ¡°At least I learned the truth now and haven¡¯t sacrificed my dignity or donated a kidney. Just wasted a year and endured needless suffering. I¡¯ll chalk it up as tuition for adulthood.¡±

    Elliana absorbed her words in silence, understandingpletely why any ordinary woman would choose submission for her family¡¯s sake. But then¡ª

    ¡°Hailee, you stand apart from other women who cannot challenge the powerful,¡± Elliana stated with quiet conviction.

    Confusion crossed Hailee¡¯s features. ¡°How am I different?¡±

    A subtle smile curved Elliana¡¯s lips. ¡°Other women don¡¯t have Elliana as their friend.¡±

    Hailee froze, her gaze locked on Elliana¡¯s face asprehension dawned. Elliana was offering to champion her cause. Emotion welled within her chest.

    Growing up with only her father in modest circumstances had taught Hailee to tread carefully, never daring to antagonize those with power. They¡¯d never had influential allies¡ªuntil now. Though she couldn¡¯t fully grasp the extent of Elliana¡¯s connections, she recognized Elliana possessed considerable standing. Having such a formidable ally filled her with both pride and gratitude. Yet, concern shadowed her relief.

    ¡°Elliana, I can¡¯t let you be entangled in my problems,¡± Hailee protested. It was the truth. Thest thing she wanted was to involve Elliana in her problem. She recalled Elliana mentioning the cordial rtionship between the Evans and Craig families. As the Evans matriarch, Elliana might strain those ties and even risk being targeted within the Evans family should she intervene.

    Elliana squeezed Hailee¡¯s hand reassuringly. ¡°Despite your ordinary background and Boris¡¯s power, one thing remains absolutely equal between you.¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡± Hailee asked, bewilderment evident in her voice.

    Elliana¡¯s gaze intensified. ¡°Thew.¡±

    ?????????????? ??????????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Thew? Hope kindled in Hailee¡¯s eyes, small but persistent.

    ¡°You don¡¯t need me to fight your battles,¡± Elliana continued. ¡°You need only thew to deliver the justice you deserve.¡±

    The despair clouding Hailee¡¯s expression gradually lifted. ¡°Can thew truly hold Boris ountable?¡±

    ¡°Without question,¡± Elliana affirmed. ¡°We all exist within thew¡¯s framework. No one stands beyond its reach.¡±

    She added with emphasis, ¡°Using legal means against Boris won¡¯t create problems for me. Pursue your rightful justice without concern for my situation.¡±

    A surge of determination coursed through Hailee¡¯s veins. No one willingly epts injustice, and she was no exception. Leaving Boris unpunished would haunt her.

    ¡°Forever. Yet, amid her newfound resolve, uncertainty lingered. ¡°I don¡¯t know how to navigate the legal system. What¡¯s my first step? Should I go straight to the police?¡±

    Hailee hesitated at the thought of calling the police. ¡°Elliana, if I report this, I have nothing to prove my case. Boris and Dunn have tricked me and would undoubtedly lock me out of the hospital¡¯s cameras and medical records.¡± She let out a frustrated sigh. ¡°I feel so powerless. Like I have nothing on my side.¡±

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 Chapter 276

    ?Chapter 276:

    A soft smile touched Elliana¡¯s lips. ¡°But you have me.¡± Hailee turned slowly to look at her.

    Elliana gently patted her hand. ¡°I¡¯ve already gathered all the evidence. What you need now is courage. Stand your ground and fight. I¡¯ll back you up, no matter what.¡± She reached into her bag and pulled out an envelope, handing it to Hailee. ¡°This is an invitation to Boris and Hester¡¯s engagement party tonight. Do you have the guts to crash it, expose them, and watch them get dragged off in handcuffs on their big night?¡±

    Hailee¡¯s heart raced. She had never done anything so bold in her life. Ruin someone¡¯s engagement party? The thought sent a thrill down her spine. The idea of seeing Boris and Hester end their night behind bars was too satisfying to ignore. And if the whole thing went public, it would shine a spotlight on them. Boris wouldn¡¯t daree after her. If anything ever happened to her, everyone would point straight at him. Elliana¡¯s n was wless. It protected her and gave her a chance to fight back.

    The more Hailee thought about it, the more her nerves turned to excitement. She gave a firm nod. ¡°Elliana, I¡¯m in!¡± But then doubt flickered across her face. ¡°Elliana, what if the Craig family finds out you¡¯re helping me? Could it make things difficult for you in the Evans household?¡±

    ¡°It won¡¯t.¡± Elliana¡¯s voice was calm and sure. ¡°I¡¯ve already talked to my husband. He¡¯s furious about what Boris did. He¡¯spletely on board.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Evans is amazing,¡± Hailee said with admiration.

    Then, Hailee added, ¡°But you¡¯re even more incredible. When I had no idea what to do, you came up with the perfect solution. How do you do it?¡±

    Elliana chuckled softly. ¡°Silly girl. It¡¯s not that I¡¯m smarter than you. It¡¯s just that we¡¯re standing in different ces.¡± She looked at Hailee kindly. ¡°I have power and resources. That gives me the room to think clearly and take action. But you¡¯ve been stuck in fear, feeling like there¡¯s no way out. It¡¯s not about brains¡ªit¡¯s about perspective.¡±

    Hailee nodded slowly. She and Boris were like a mouse against a mountain. A mouse could never imagine toppling a mountain. But Elliana was¡­

    ???????? ???????? ??????????: ?????????¦Í????????£®??????

    She was different. She was a hunter staring down a rabid dog. If it dared to bite, she had the means to end it in a sh.

    In that moment, Hailee understood. Elliana was showing her that kindness alone wasn¡¯t enough. She needed strength behind it. She needed a sharp edge when things got ugly. And she knew she had to grow that edge, too.

    ¡°Thank you, Elliana. From now on, you¡¯re my role model. I¡¯ll keep learning and growing until I am no longer a doormat,¡± Hailee said, her voice filled with emotion.

    Elliana smiled warmly. ¡°I know you will.¡± She truly believed in Hailee because she saw Hailee¡¯s potential. This was the same girl who taught herself to paint and made it to the finals of the Starry Oil Painting Competition. That kind of talent didn¡¯t lie.

    Then, Elliana looked at her closely. ¡°Hailee, one more question.¡±

    Hailee¡¯s eyes were bright now, full of new fire. ¡°Go ahead.¡±

    Elliana studied her expression before asking, ¡°Do you love Boris?¡±

    On the other side of the flower wall, Merlin¡¯s body stiffened, his ears straining to catch every word.

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 Chapter 277

    ?Chapter 277:

    A long silence followed.

    The silence stretched on so long that Merlin felt like he might pass out waiting.

    Finally, Hailee¡¯s voice broke through. ¡°Now that I think about it¡­ I don¡¯t think I ever loved him.¡±

    Relief swept through Merlin¡¯s body. Good. If she had fallen for someone like Boris, he would¡¯ve scolded her on the spot.

    ¡°Looking back, if he hadn¡¯t pulled that stunt with the car, I probably wouldn¡¯t have given him the time of day. He was never my type. After that, I felt sorry for him. I thought I owed him something. Then I got caught up trying to help with his treatments. I didn¡¯t even stop to think.¡± Hailee took a deep breath and let it out slowly, a smile breaking through. ¡°Now that the fog¡¯s cleared, I feel nothing but disgust for that scumbag. No pain. No heartbreak. Just relief.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what I wanted to hear!¡± Merlin, who had been eavesdropping the whole time, blurted it out before he could stop himself.

    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± Hailee¡¯s voice cut through the silence as she peered over the flower wall.

    But no answer greeted her persistent inquiry. Suspicion flickered across her features¡ªperhaps Boris had dispatched someone to eavesdrop. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, she darted around the flower wall to investigate.

    Elliana remained behind, a knowing smirk ying on her lips as she cast a sardonic nce at the flower wall. She had misjudged Merlin entirely. His perpetually frigid demeanor and quick resort to violence had once led her to dismiss him as heartless. Yet, here he was, crouching to hear them talk the whole time. How absorbed must he have been to blunder into their conversation?

    On the flower wall¡¯s opposite side, Merlin jolted at Hailee¡¯s questioning voice. He froze, breath suspended, hoping silence would discourage her curiosity. Instead, the sound of her determined footsteps approaching sent panic coursing through him. Discovery would be mortifying. He leapt to his feet, seeking escape.

    Thewn stretched before him, barren of hiding ces, with Hailee¡¯s footsteps growing louder. Desperation drove his gaze to severalrge trash bins at thewn¡¯s edge. Without hesitation, he lunged for one and plunged inside. Putrid stench enveloped him, but humiliation proved a stronger deterrent than disgust.

    Hailee arrived to find only emptiness and the row of bins.

    ??????????????????????????: g???????????????????¦Í??????????????????????

    Elliana sauntered up behind her, unhurried.

    ¡°I swear someone spoke to us,¡± Hailee insisted, scanning the area with bewilderment. ¡°They couldn¡¯t have vanished so quickly¡ªthere¡¯s nowhere to conceal oneself here.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s gaze drifted to the bins, amusement dancing in her eyes. ¡°I heard nothing, Hailee. Perhaps your imagination is ying tricks.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Certainty wavered in Hailee¡¯s voice. ¡°I must have been mistaken.¡±

    If someone as perceptive as Elliana detected nothing, Hailee reasoned, the voice must have been illusory.

    Having sessfully misled her friend, Elliana casually retrieved a substantial stone and hurled it at Merlin¡¯s sanctuary.

    The attack caught Merlin utterly unprepared. Out of nowhere, something heavy came hurtling down from above. He barely registered the movement before instinct took over. He jerked his head to the side just in time¡ªbut the trash bin was¡­

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 Chapter 278

    ?Chapter 278:

    Far too cramped to dodge properly, the stone still clipped him. Hard. Not his face, thankfully¡ªbut it struck the back of his skull with a sickening thud.

    Pain red instantly. His vision pulsed, and a dull, throbbing ache radiated through his head. He clenched his jaw to stifle a cry.

    Then, above him, Hailee¡¯s voice floated over, curious and oblivious. ¡°Elliana, why did you throw a rock?¡±

    Elliana gave a nonchnt shrug and brushed her hands clean as if she¡¯d merely swatted a fly. ¡°Oh, that bin was bothering me. Problem solved. Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Elliana looped her arm through Hailee¡¯s and steered her away, not once looking back.

    Inside the bin, Merlin seethed. So, Elliana had known. That throw wasn¡¯t random. It was calcted. Precise. Payback. It was tant revenge. She¡¯d held onto that petty grudge from earlier¡ªwhen he¡¯d badmouthed her to Cole¡ªand now she¡¯d found the perfect chance to strike back. That woman was dangerous. And vicious. Throwing such a boulder at his head? What was her goal¡ªknock him out cold? Give him amnesia? If not for his reflexes¡ªand his years of physical conditioning¡ªshe might¡¯ve sent him straight to the ER.

    He waited until their footsteps faded into the distance before climbing out of the bin, scowling. His fingers found a lump the size of a golf ball on the back of his head. Elliana, that vengeful demoness!

    Dark curses tumbled from his lips as he walked back to the Royal Club, dignity in tatters. His belongings were still in the private room where he and Manley had been drinking earlier¡ªand after what he¡¯d just been through, he needed out of this ce.

    Inside the room, Manley was still sprawled out, drink in one hand and game console in the other. He barely looked up as Merlin entered. ¡°Took you long enough. Did the restroom swallow you?¡±

    Then, Merlin nced up properly and blinked. ¡°Wait a second.¡± He squinted. ¡°Did you fall into a trash can?¡±

    Merlin didn¡¯t respond. His jaw was set, his eyes dark, and he moved with a kind of stormy silence as he collected his things.

    ??a????????¦Í???????????????

    That only fueled Manley¡¯s curiosity. He hopped up and trailed Merlin like a shadow. ¡°Okay, hold on¡ªwhat happened to you? Whoa! Is that a bump? Dude! Did you get into a fight?¡±

    He leaned closer, inspecting Merlin like a detective. ¡°Wait¡­ Who¡¯d be dumb enough to pick a fight with you? No one in Ublento¡¯s got a death wish. Unless¡ªdid you run into some foreign assassin?¡±

    Merlin¡¯s patience finally snapped. ¡°Will you shut up already?¡±

    Manley reeled back, hands raised. ¡°Whoa, chill! I¡¯m just worried about you!¡±

    Merlin shot Manley a death re, slung his bag over his shoulder, and stalked toward the door.

    ¡°Where are you even going?¡± Manley called after him, still baffled.

    Merlin¡¯s face darkened with every step he took. His pace was sharp, and the air around him felt like ice. Without slowing down, he threw a response over his shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ve had it. Someone¡¯s about to pay miserably.¡±

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 Chapter 279

    ?Chapter 279:

    Manley blinked,pletely lost. It took him back to when Cole found out Elliana had been kidnapped. Cole had gone ballistic, storming out with fire in his eyes, yelling about setting someone straight. And right now? Merlin looked exactly like that. Cole had been livid because his wife had been kidnapped. But what had pushed Merlin over the edge? Burning with curiosity, Manley trailed close behind, pestering him with questions. ¡°Hey, Merlin, who¡¯s the ¡®lucky¡¯ soul you¡¯re gonna deal with? Was it the guy who gave you that nasty bump? Want backup?¡± Manley figured he was being supportive, but Merlin didn¡¯t see it that way.

    Merlin halted so fast that Manley nearly bumped into him. He turned with a scowl and snapped, ¡°Why do you care? Mind your own business.¡±

    Manley grinned, scratched his nose, and then pointed straight at Merlin¡¯s lump. ¡°Come on, I¡¯m just trying to help. Wouldn¡¯t it look way cooler if your friends jumped in with you?¡±

    That was when Merlin caught on. Manley thought he¡¯d lost a fight. The idea made him cringe. A man like him¡ªonce special forces elite, undefeated, feared across borders¡ªwould lose a fight? Not a chance. He felt the need to clear things up. With an annoyed grunt, he said, ¡°I didn¡¯t lose a damn fight. I got clobbered by a mule. Literally.¡±

    Manley¡¯s lip twitched. Yeah, like that made any sense. Where in Ublento would a mule evene from? And what kind of mule couldnd a blow like that? This was the same guy who had taken down men in battle and wrestled wolves out in the wild. If anything, Merlin would be the one doing the kicking.

    Manley couldn¡¯t help thinking back to that chaotic night on Merritt¡¯s yacht¡ªthe one where Hailee had sunk her teeth into Merlin¡¯s wrist, leaving him bleeding. When asked what happened, Merlin had brushed it off, refusing to borate. It was onlyter when Hailee showed up with a first-aid kit that the group realized she was the one who had left a mark on him.

    That memory sparked a new theory in Manley¡¯s head. Maybe the fresh lump on Merlin¡¯s head had Hailee written all over it. The idea took hold fast. Before he could stop himself, he called out, ¡°Wait¡ªdid you bump into Hailee just now?¡±

    Merlin didn¡¯t even bother replying. He shot a look sharp enough to kill and kept moving.

    This time, Manley stayed rooted to the spot. He didn¡¯t need words. That re told him everything he needed to know. Hailee had definitely done it.

    ?????? ???????????????? ????????????: gal?no?vels?co?m

    The realization left Manley stunned. Hailee really didn¡¯t hold back! First, she¡¯d gone after Merlin¡¯s arm. Now, she¡¯d gone for his head. At this rate, it felt like messing with him had be her personal hobby. Meanwhile, Merlin had no clue that Manley¡¯s imagination was running wild. He had more pressing things on his mind¡ªnamely, preparing a huge ¡°surprise¡± for Boris and Hester¡¯s engagement partyter that night. He left the Royal Club in a hurry.

    Elsewhere, Elliana had already escorted Hailee away, heading back to their hotel. She couldn¡¯t stop thinking about the stone she hurled at Merlin. Just remembering it made her want tough. From the moment they met, that man had done nothing but find fault with her. He¡¯d thrown a cup at her, tried to drive a wedge between her and Cole, and kept pushing Cole to cut ties with her. Now, she¡¯d finally evened the score. Maybe now he¡¯d think twice before sticking his nose in someone else¡¯s rtionship.

    Her satisfaction kept bubbling up. By the time they were in the taxi, she was humming one of her favorite pop songs.

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 Chapter 280

    ?Chapter 280:

    Hailee, who had been a little gloomy, nced over and couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°What¡¯s got you in such a good mood?¡± she asked.

    At first, the driver seemed annoyed by the sight of someone he found in-looking. But Elliana¡¯sughter was oddly infectious, and before long, even he couldn¡¯t help cracking a smile.

    Right after Hailee finished talking, the driver chuckled and asked, ¡°You¡¯re in such high spirits. Don¡¯t tell me¡ªyou¡¯re finally getting married?¡±

    The driver had no clue that the woman sitting behind him was married to the richest man around. All he saw was a frizzy-haired girl¡¯s challenge to get hitched. So in his mind, her joy could only mean one thing¡ªsomeone had finally agreed to marry her.

    Sharp as ever, Elliana figured out what he was thinking almost instantly. Still, his assumptions didn¡¯t bother her. She was in too good a mood to care. With a yful grin, she fluffed her untamed wig and replied, ¡°Nope. It¡¯s even better than that.¡±

    That made Haileeugh. ¡°Now I¡¯m seriously curious. What happened?¡±

    Elliana¡¯s voice took on a teasing edge. ¡°I finally got payback on that walking headache!¡±

    Yes, she was referring to Merlin¡ªthe same man who had made her life difficult since day one.

    The driver gave a small shake of his head, chuckling quietly. Hailee nudged Elliana with a smirk. ¡°You¡¯re so funny.¡± After that, the car ride went quiet.

    Once back at the hotel, Hailee noticed a neat stack of elegant boxes arranged on the table¡ªdeliveries Elliana had ordered earlier. She nced over, curiosity getting the better of her. ¡°Elliana, what¡¯s inside these?¡±

    ¡°Open them and see for yourself,¡± Elliana replied, nodding toward the boxes with a sly smile.

    Hailee didn¡¯t hesitate. She walked up and flipped the lids open one by one¡­

    ???????????? ?????????? ?????? g??????©q???????©q?¦Í??????????©q??????©q???

    Inside the boxy a stunning crimson evening gown, apanied by elegant heels and a perfectly matched set of jewelry.

    One nce at the logo was enough¡ªHailee immediately recognized the pieces as part of Rosa¡¯s exclusive line. Her eyes widened as she turned to Elliana. ¡°Wait¡­ Is this one of yourtest designs?¡±

    Holding the gown up against Hailee¡¯s frame, Elliana nodded, assessing the fit. ¡°Custom-made. I designed it just for you. Now hop in the shower and change into it.¡±

    Hailee blinked. ¡°What?¡± Shock spread across her face. ¡°Elliana, this stuff costs a fortune. I can¡¯t just throw it on like it¡¯s no big deal.¡±

    A sly smile yed on Elliana¡¯s lips. ¡°You can when it¡¯s a gift. And you will. We¡¯re crashing that engagement party tonight, and if we¡¯re going to make waves, you need to look like you own the room.¡±

    Realizing Elliana¡¯s intent, Hailee let the protest die in her throat. She gave a small nod and headed for the bathroom.

    Tonight¡¯s engagement party would be a runway of glitz and status. The women in attendance would be dressed to impress¡ªespecially Hester, who would be draped in the kind of elegance meant to steal every nce in the room. Elliana refused to let Hailee blend into the background.

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 Chapter 281

    ?Chapter 281:

    Steam drifted from the bathroom as Hailee stepped out, skin glowing, hair slightly damp, and the bold red gown hugging her form.

    Hailee had never worn anything so vivid before. Everything about her shifted¡ªthe way she stood, the look in her eyes, the quiet confidence in her steps. Crimson, with all its fire and defiance, transformed herpletely.

    Elliana hadn¡¯t picked the gown at random¡ªevery detail had been chosen with care, like armor stitched in silk.

    Elliana guided Hailee to the vanity, gently eased her into the chair, and then began sweeping her long hair up, securing it with a delicate clip etched with Rosa¡¯s signature emblem.

    With each motion, Elliana studied Hailee¡¯s soft, refined features¡ªher luminous skin like porcin untouched by time. She began brushing on a hint of makeup. Even with the lightest touch, the effect was transformative.

    Hailee, once the picture of sweetness and innocence, now carried something sharper. With a careful flick, Elliana arched her brows, giving Hailee¡¯s makeup just¡­

    Enough edge tomand attention. Toplete the look, Elliana fastened a slender ne around Hailee¡¯s neck, the Rosa logo gleaming like a seal of elegance.

    ¡°There, perfect,¡± Elliana dered, stepping back to admire her work.

    Hailee turned toward the mirror, and for a second, she didn¡¯t recognize the woman staring back at her. She usually stepped out barefaced in in clothes. This was the first time she¡¯d ever dressed up. She hadn¡¯t known she could shine like this and that she could be bold and graceful all at once, with just a touch of polish and purpose.

    Elliana gazed at Hailee¡¯s reflection and smiled. ¡°So? What do you think?¡±

    Heat crept up Hailee¡¯s cheeks. ¡°Elliana, are your hands magic or something? How did you pull this off?¡±

    A burst ofughter escaped Elliana as she stood and gently tugged Hailee to her feet. ¡°It¡¯s not magic, sweetheart. It¡¯s your natural beauty. You¡¯ve always had this. You just never dressed up like this before.¡±

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    Then, crouching slightly, Elliana ced a sleek pair of silver heels with Rosa¡¯s emblem at Hailee¡¯s feet. Her voice softened. ¡°Go on. Try these shoes.¡±

    Without hesitation, Hailee slid her feet into the heels, the final piece falling into ce. Wearing high heels for the first time felt strange¡ªunsteady at first, yet oddly intriguing. The added height gently pulled her posture upright without effort.

    With a nce, Elliana offered immediate encouragement. ¡°That¡¯s it. Keep your spine tall, chin slightly up. You look sharper already. The right posture feeds your confidence, and with that energy, you¡¯ll be unstoppable tonight.¡±

    It really did feel like the shoes held some kind of magic.

    As Hailee caught her reflection in the mirror, something shifted inside her. Her shoulders drew back, her eyes gleamed. ¡°Elliana, I swear, I¡¯ll pursue justice for myself and lead a much better life!¡±

    A knock on the door cut through the moment.

    Elliana crossed the room and opened it to find Paulina waiting with a soft smile.

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 Chapter 282

    ?Chapter 282:

    ¡°Mrs. Evans, I¡¯ve been sent to assist you,¡± Paulina said politely. ¡°There¡¯s a car waiting downstairs, courtesy of Mr. Evans.¡±

    A flicker of delight passed through Elliana¡¯s eyes. She had just been thinking of texting Matthew to make arrangements, only to find Cole had already anticipated her needs. Her heart swelled with affection. Without hesitation, she pulled out her phone and typed a message with a grin, saying, ¡°Coley, thank you for thinking¡­¡±

    Ahead and arranging the ride. Love you! Kisses! Can¡¯t wait to see you tonight once I return!¡± Soon, she received a reply from Cole, a simple, ¡°Okay.¡±

    Elliana didn¡¯t mind the brevity of his response. After their little exchange, she went on to other things.

    Back at Regal Grove, Cole sat casually on the couch, his fingers flicking over his phone, while Myles, Aron, and Hugh stood nearby, each man silent and still, waiting for whatever came next.

    Without warning, Hugh gave Aron¡¯s sleeve a tug and leaned in to whisper, ¡°Aron, check out Mr. Evans.¡±

    Lifting his gaze, Aron nced over¡ªand Myles, curious, did the same a beatter.

    What met their eyes had them both startled: Cole¡¯s face was visibly flushed, the tips of his ears glowing red like a schoolboy caught passing notes.

    ¡°Mr. Evans, what exactly are you looking at that¡¯s got you blushing like that?¡± Hugh blurted out, as direct as ever.

    Instantly, Myles and Aron shot him looks of exasperation. This guy never learned, always poking where he shouldn¡¯t, dragging everyone else into the fallout.

    Just as they finished their silentints, Cole¡¯s irritated voice snapped through the room. ¡°All of you¡ªout. Now.¡±

    Myles and Aron didn¡¯t need to be told twice. They spun around and made for the exit without a word.

    Hugh, though, still hadn¡¯t mastered the art of silence. As he lingered in the doorway, he turned back and muttered, ¡°Was it Elliana again? Did she send you something flirty?¡±

    ?????? ???????????????? ????????????: g?????????¦Í????????????

    Cole lifted his eyes and fixed Hugh with a stare as t as ice, his voiceced with cutting sarcasm. ¡°You really must have an abundance of free time.¡±

    There was no denying it¡ªHugh had made a habit of dissecting every twitch of Cole¡¯s expression like it was some kind of mystery novel, convinced he was unraveling deep marital secrets.

    That level of scrutiny didn¡¯t sit well with Cole. The irritation simmered, darkening his mood on the spot. With a grin that looked more like a threat, he said, ¡°Since you¡¯ve got all this time to spare, let me give you something useful to do.¡± He jabbed a finger toward the floor. ¡°Six hundred push-ups. Right here. Don¡¯t keep me waiting.¡±

    ¡°Wait¡ªwhat?¡± Hugh blinked, stunned, as though he hadn¡¯t heard correctly.

    Having turned toward the exit, Myles and Aron had their ears tuned to every word. As soon as Cole¡¯s punishment hit the air, their footsteps picked up speed, driven purely by self-preservation.

    Unfortunately, luck wasn¡¯t on their side. Just as they reached the doorway, Cole¡¯s voice cut through like a de. ¡°Myles. Aron. Both of you¡ªback here. Now.¡±

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 Chapter 283

    ?Chapter 283:

    Their bodies went stiff. Without turning, they exchanged looks that said it all. If murder were legal, they might¡¯ve buried Hugh under the rug and called it a day. Dragging their feet like men headed to the gallows, they turned and trudged back toward Cole.

    Cole¡¯s smile was barely there, but the mischief in his eyes said enough. ¡°It¡¯d be dull watching Hugh il around on his own. Why don¡¯t you two jump in and make it a group activity?¡±

    Resigned to their misfortune, Myles and Aron sank to the floor and started their push-ups in sync.

    Still not ready to back down, Hugh threw Cole a challenging look. ¡°Mr. Evans, what rule did I even break? Is it so wrong that I show a little concern for you? Isn¡¯t this just you trampling all over my feelings?¡±

    Gazing at Hugh, Cole let azy smile form. ¡°And I care about you, too. I¡¯m just helping you toughen up a bit. Since when is that a crime?¡±

    That seemed to make sense to Hugh. ¡°Okay.¡± No further questions asked, he willingly did push-ups, finallypliant.

    Beside him, Myles and Aron looked as though their souls were crying. If reincarnation were real, they were convinced their mother must¡¯ve eaten¡­

    Something questionable while pregnant with Hugh. It was the only exnation for why he was still this dense at twenty-two. As all three focused on their push-ups,pletely absorbed, no longer pestering him or reading his every twitch, Cole felt an odd wave of peace settle over him.

    With a quiet sigh, he looked back down at his phone, where Elliana¡¯s message still glowed on the screen. The second he read it again, the tips of his ears burned red all over once more. There was no denying it¡ªhis wife was truly an enchantress.

    Back when she had no interest in him, he used to tease her on purpose just to get a reaction. And she¡¯d always blush and turn away, flustered and iling. But ever since she agreed to be with him, she had unleashed a full arsenal of seductive charm, showering him with sugarced texts, sultry nces, and teasing words at every turn.

    Her boldness left him constantly flustered, his face heating up and his heartbeat tripping over itself more times than he could count. Inparison, he feltpletely outssed. For all his practiced confidence, his flirtation tactics felt clumsy next to her effortless allure. No other woman had ever rattled him like Elliana. She didn¡¯t just flirt¡ªshe wove temptation into every breath, every gesture, until he was teetering on the edge.

    ???????????????? ????????: g??????????¦Í???£®????£®???£®??

    And the most maddening part? She made it a point to keep things slow. Her teasing knew no limits, but her boundaries were firm. Hugs and kisses, that was the line. Anything beyond that was forbidden¡ªand he, left burning with unfulfilled desire in frustration, could only obey.

    Elliana had no idea that one yful message, casually sent without a second thought, had sent Cole into a full emotional tailspin. Once she finished getting ready, she headed out with Hailee by her side.

    Upon arriving at the banquet venue, Elliana asked Paulina to stay behind in the car with Hailee while she stepped into the banquet hall alone.

    Over time, the Craig family had prospered significantly thanks to the backing of the Evans family. With that support, their business had flourished, their social reach expanded, and they climbed swiftly up Ublento¡¯s elitedder. Naturally, those in power lined up to stay in their good graces. So, it came as no surprise that Boris and Hester¡¯s engagement party was a grand spectacle, packed with dignitaries and power yers.

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    .

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 Chapter 284

    ?Chapter 284:

    Inside the hall, everything gleamed. The men wore sharp suits tailored to perfection, and the women dazzled in designer gowns and glittering gemstones, turning the room into a living portrait of excess and elegance.

    Yet, even among all that mour, Elliana stood apart. While the rest unted statement dresses and shimmering makeup, she wore something intentionally muted¡ªmodest colors, soft lines, and makeup that downyed rather than enhanced, her beauty still concealed behind her disguise. Despite being the force behind the Rosabel, not a single element on her outfit bore the brand¡¯s signature. She didn¡¯t even wear the smallest piece of jewelry. Because today wasn¡¯t about her. The spotlight was meant for Hailee, and she had no intention of casting a shadow over it.

    Even without the sh and mour, her identity as Rosa needed no introduction. The crowd recognized her instantly, and not a single soul dared make light of her unattractive look. On the contrary, those she passed offered respectful nods and warm greetings.

    To each one, Elliana returned the gesture with aposed smile and a courteous dip of her head.

    As she moved deeper into the hall, her gaze caught on Ruben, who was mid-conversation with Bonnie Craig¡ªTrinity¡¯s elegant, silver-haired grandmother.

    At first, Ruben had been adamantly opposed to attending. At his age, he valued quiet evenings far more than loud, glittering events filled with forced pleasantries. But Diane, still recovering at the hillside vi, had insisted and made it clear that representing their family at this event mattered, and he hadn¡¯t been able to refuse her.

    Stopping for a moment, Elliana let herself breathe, collecting her thoughts. Then, with quiet purpose, she began walking toward Ruben.

    Elliana hadn¡¯t made it far across the room when she spotted Trinity holding court like a seasoned queen. A circle of finely dressed socialites clung to her every word,ughing far too loudly at nothing in particr.

    Being raised by the Evans family since childhood had ced Trinity at the top of the socialdder. No one in this crowd dared challenge her authority.

    ???????? ????????: ???????????????????????????????

    Once upon a time, Paige had paraded around, pretending she was Ublento¡¯s reigning socialite. Her fans even dubbed her the city¡¯s ¡°it girl.¡± But next to Trinity, Paige¡¯s reputation looked flimsy at best.

    Tonight, Trinity looked like she had stepped straight out of a luxury magazine¡ªher gown was one-of-a-kind couture, her jewelry dazzling and unmistakably expensive. She stood tall, effortlessly outshining most women in the room. All around her, the socialites glimmered in gold and silver, their diamonds catching the chandelier lights like frost on crystal.

    Even so, there was something different about Trinity tonight. The edge she once carried had dulled.

    Back when Rosa was her go-tobel, she had been unstoppable. Every outfit turned heads. Every event, she was the center of attention. That obsession with Rosa had turned her into an icon¡ªmostly because no one else in their circle could afford the brand. She had soaked in their envy like sunlight.

    But that was before Trinity learned the face behind Rosa¡¯s empire was none other than Elliana. After that bombshell, Trinity had quietly purged her closet of Rosa¡¯s collection¡ªevery gown, every essory.

    Sure, Trinity¡¯s outfit tonight still carried a luxury tag, but itcked Rosa¡¯s prestige. She could feel the shift. It wasn¡¯t just in her wardrobe¡ªit was in how people looked at her.

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 Chapter 285

    ?Chapter 285:

    The socialites buzzing around Trinity had caught wind of the scandal. Rumors whispered that Elliana had started to outshine Trinity within the Evans family. There was talk of tension. Talk of rivalry.

    And now that Trinity had ditched Rosa, it didn¡¯t take a genius to figure out why. Still, the socialites were too wise to say anything outright.

    Now that the socialites had noticed Elliana, desperate to win Trinity¡¯s favor, they began whispering insults and casting sly jabs at Elliana the moment she turned away.

    ¡°Elliana has no ce here, showing up at this high-profile Craig family engagement party. With Cole out of the picture, she should¡¯ve just kept to herself instead of turning herself into a spectacle.¡±

    ¡°So what if she¡¯s Rosa? That doesn¡¯t change the fact that she¡¯s still a joke with a face only pity could love.¡±

    ¡°The most ridiculous part? Elliana never stops giving our Trinity a hard time in the Evans household. What makes her think she can stroll in here and act like she¡¯s royalty in the Evans family?¡±

    Trinity listened, letting their words wash over her. She didn¡¯t respond. She didn¡¯t need to. A small, satisfied smile curled on her lips while she continued to y the part of elegant royalty.

    Elliana¡¯s kidnapping case had been buried deep beneath the Evans family¡¯s polished surface. No one outside their circle knew the truth, and for good reason¡ªif the socialites got wind of it, they¡¯d chew up her reputation and spit it out with glee.

    While Trinity burned with the urge to exploit the incident, she wasn¡¯t reckless. No matter how much affection the Evans family had shown her or how bitter she felt toward Elliana, even she knew better than to use that scandal as ammunition.

    With a delicate smile and a tone dripping in false warmth, Trinity said, ¡°Let¡¯s not badmouth Elliana.¡± Her words were sweetened with theatrical grace. ¡°She¡¯s the Evans matriarch, after all. The fact that she came to celebrate my brother¡¯s engagement means a lot to us. I¡¯m honestly grateful.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re way too gracious. Elliana doesn¡¯t belong here. What¡¯s she got besides being Cole¡¯s wife?¡±

    ???????? ???????? g?????????¦Í???????????????

    ¡°You¡¯ve been putting up with her ever since she married into the Evans family. She¡¯s clearly threatened by you. I mean, you¡¯re smart, stunning, and poised. No wonder she¡¯s bitter.¡±

    ¡°Word is Cole bailed to Regal Grove just to dodge her. Then, she chased after him like a lovesick puppy, pretending to y nurse when he fell ill. Shameless.¡±

    ¡°And don¡¯t get me started on that marriage license. She waves it around like she earned it. I give it a month before Cole dumps her for good. Let¡¯s see how long she clings to her title then.¡±

    The gossip swirled like cheap perfume, cloying and loud. Trinity listened quietly, letting their venom fuel her satisfaction. For too long, Elliana had been the thorn in her pride. But right now, with every petty jab aimed at Elliana, she felt vindicated.

    Still, she didn¡¯t drop the act. ¡°You girls are too much,¡± she said with a soft chuckle. ¡°I don¡¯t mind being misunderstood, as long as the family¡¯s at peace.¡±

    That single line sent the socialites into a frenzy of ttery. Compliments rained down, all about how unfairly Trinity had been treated and how noble she was for rising above it all.

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 Chapter 286

    ?Chapter 286:

    From across the hall, Elliana couldn¡¯t hear the words, but the sidelong nces and smug grins told her plenty. She didn¡¯t flinch. Petty talk didn¡¯t bother her. Without missing a beat, she kept walking, chin high. Once she reached Ruben, she offered a poised nod. ¡°Ruben.¡±

    Then, she turned toward the woman beside him and greeted her just as politely. ¡°Mrs. Craig.¡±

    But Bonnie wasn¡¯t having it. She scoffed¡ªloud and sharp¡ªand dropped the maskpletely. Whatever manners she had flew right out the window as she began tosh out at Elliana¡­

    ¡°You must be Elliana.¡± Bonnie¡¯s words dripped with sarcasm. ¡°I heard your mother used to cower at home all day, as if bearing some terrible shame. Yet you, quite the opposite, seem to revel in attention and stirring up trouble.¡±

    Before Elliana could muster a response, Bonnie pivoted toward Ruben, jabbing a finger at Elliana. ¡°You cling far too rigidly to principles and family traditions. How could you force Cole to marry a woman like her? Cole possesses remarkable talent. Even if he doesn¡¯t wed a beauty, must he truly be shackled to someone so ugly?¡±

    Bertram and Emmanuel shifted ufortably beside Ruben, exchanging tense nces before their eyes inevitably drifted to Elliana. But despite the tant insult, Elliana remainedposed, her expression betraying nothing of her inner thoughts.

    After an awkward pause hung in the air, Ruben¡¯s face softened as he addressed Elliana. ¡°Since Cole is unwell and couldn¡¯t attend, why aren¡¯t you at Regal Grove tending to him?¡±

    Elliana¡¯s lips curved into a gentle smile, her voice melodious and warm. ¡°I came to keep youpany, Ruben. I worried you might find the event tedious without family present.¡±

    ¡°Ha-ha¡­¡± Ruben¡¯sughter resonated with genuine affection. ¡°Bertram and Emmanuel are already at my side. Your attention is better directed elsewhere. Perhaps Mrs. Craig deserves yourpany instead.¡± With that deration, Ruben rose from his seat. ¡°Bertram, Emmanuel, help me take a walk elsewhere.¡±

    Bertram and Emmanuel exchanged puzzled nces, bewildered by Ruben¡¯s decision to abandon Elliana to Bonnie¡¯s venom. It struck them as callous, even cruel. Yet, knowing Ruben¡¯s unwavering authority over his children, they dared not question his judgment. They hastily bid Bonnie farewell and escorted Ruben from the ufortable scene. Once they¡¯d created sufficient distance, Emmanuel finally voiced his concern. ¡°Dad, Mrs. Craig clearly harbors contempt for Elliana. How could you leave Elliana to face that viper alone? Elliana bears our family name now. Shouldn¡¯t we shield her from the Craig family¡¯s malice?¡±

    ????????????????: g??????????¦Í?????????????

    Ruben cast Emmanuel a look of amused pity, as though he had missed the obvious. ¡°Have you already forgotten Elliana¡¯s sharp tongue? Remember the day the Henderson family caused a scene at our house? She gave Irene a memorable lesson.¡±

    At this reminder, Bertram¡¯s face flushed with embarrassment. That fateful day, his wife Irene had been thoroughly humiliated by Elliana, and as Irene¡¯s husband, the shame had cut him doubly deep.

    Emmanuel¡¯s eyes widened with suddenprehension. ¡°You¡¯re orchestrating an opportunity for Elliana to put Mrs. Craig in her ce? But Mrs. Craig¡¯s social position is quite untouchable¡ªmight this prove too challenging for Elliana?¡±

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 Chapter 287

    ?Chapter 287:

    Ruben snorted derisively. ¡°Challenging, perhaps, but hardly impossible for someone of Elliana¡¯s caliber. Now, let¡¯s secure a discreet vantage point to enjoy the spectacle! Bonnie has presumed too much on her friendship with your mother. It¡¯s high time someone reminded her of her boundaries.¡±

    Ruben¡¯s gaze swept the room before settling on a secluded sofa. ¡°That spot will serve perfectly. Help me over.¡±

    Ruben had transformed, before their eyes, into a mischievous elder orchestrating entertainment at another¡¯s expense.

    Bertram and Emmanuel silentlyined about being made aplices but dutifully guided Ruben to his chosen observation post. Meanwhile, Elliana watched Ruben¡¯s strategic retreat with knowing eyes before turning back to Bonnie with a measured smile. She recognized Ruben¡¯s subtle gift¡ªspace to handle Bonnie without interference. His absence meant he wouldn¡¯t be forced to rebuke her should she offend Bonnie. He had essentially granted her free rein to respond as she saw fit.

    With Ruben¡¯s tacit permission to seek justice, Elliana felt no need for restraint. Bonnie had just insulted her mother¡ªan offense she couldn¡¯t possibly overlook. This malicious hag needed to understand the consequences of her careless cruelty.

    ¡°You hideous creature!¡± Bonnie hissed, her eyes narrowing to slits. ¡°I was just contemting how to teach you humility, and here you deliver yourself to me!¡±

    With Ruben no longer present, Bonnie¡¯s facade of civility evaporated, revealing naked hostility. ¡°Word has reached me that you¡¯ve made Trinity¡¯s life difficult in the Evans household. Do youprehend whom you¡¯re antagonizing? Let me enlighten you¡ªTrinity is precious to me, and I tolerate no one mistreating her! Diane and I share decades of friendship, and my influence within the Evans family runs deep. If you fail to recognize your ce, you have only yourself to me for what follows!¡±

    Bonnie¡¯s tirade poured forth in a torrent of barely contained fury. Her antipathy toward Elliana stemmed not merely from conflicts between Elliana and Trinity within the Evans residence. More fundamentally, Elliana upied the coveted¡­

    Position of Evans family matriarch¡ªa role Bonnie had long envisioned for Trinity, whom she had strategically ced in the Evans household since childhood. Now, Elliana, whom she deemed unworthy based on appearance alone, had imed that prized position, bing a thorn in her side.

    Elliana listened with unwavering patience until Bonnie exhausted her venom. She then regarded Bonnie with eyes that glinted with mockery. Bonnie¡¯s argumentative skills proved remarkably pedestrian¡ªher threats tant and crude,cking any semnce of subtlety.

    ????????¡¯?? ?????? ?????????? g?.????.???????.????¦Í?.???????.????.???????.???

    Since Bonnie opted for such basic tactics, Elliana decided sophisticated countermeasures would be wasted. Better to speak in terms this hag would understand.

    Decision made, Elliana lifted her overly made-up face, her lips curling into a dangerous smile as she prepared to meet Bonnie¡¯s crudeness with precision and devastating effect¡­

    ¡°Tell me something, Mrs. Craig. If your granddaughter means so much to you, why didn¡¯t you raise her yourself? Why pawn her off to another family and parade her around like she¡¯s some prize animal waiting to be imed? Honestly, it felt like watching a wildlife documentary.¡± There was no mistaking the venom in Elliana¡¯s voice¡ªevery word dripped with deliberate hatred.

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 Chapter 288

    ?Chapter 288:

    Completely blindsided, Bonnie could only gasp, her mouth hanging open in disbelief. Never in her life had she expected Elliana to speak so brazenly, let alone throw insults with that level of precision.

    Years ago, Bonnie had orchestrated Trinity¡¯s cement in the Evans family¡¯s household, convinced that proximity would breed love¡ªand eventually, marriage. The idea had been praised as clever, strategic even. But Elliana had just dismantled it in front of everyone, turning it into a public humiliation.

    One hand flew to Bonnie¡¯s chest as tremors ran through her frame, her breath turning shallow and uneven.

    Across from Bonnie, Elliana remained stone-cold. There wasn¡¯t a flicker of sympathy in her eyes, only the shadow of a smug grin. This wasn¡¯t just payback for the crude words Bonnie had made earlier about her mother¡ªit was her delivering justice, in and personal.

    While Bonnie swayed on the edge of copse, Elliana dipped into a sarcastic bow. ¡°Pardon me,¡± she said casually, then turned and walked off like she owned the floor.

    Bonnie slumped back into her chair, soaked in cold sweat, her fury drained into sheer exhaustion.

    From the sidelines, Ruben was practically glowing. ¡°Did you see that? Elliana just sliced Bonnie into pieces with her words and didn¡¯t even blink!¡±

    Bertram and Emmanuel stood frozen, mouths agape, unable to process what just happened. They hadn¡¯t caught the exact words that flew from Elliana¡¯s mouth, but judging by Bonnie¡¯s unraveling, it must¡¯ve been a verbal knockout. One sharp line from Elliana, and Bonnie¡ªonce loud and smug¡ªwas left looking like she¡¯d been hit by a freight train. Hands gleefully rubbing together, Ruben practically smiled as he said, ¡°God, I need to know¡ªwhat did Elliana say to knock Bonnie t like that?¡±

    Without missing a beat, Bertram and Emmanuel exchanged a look, both of them dying for the details too.

    Letting out a quietugh, Emmanuel turned toward Ruben. ¡°You were right, Dad. Elliana is no pushover. Doesn¡¯t matter if it¡¯s someone Bonnie¡¯s age¡ªif they cross her, she¡¯lle swinging.¡±

    ¡°Exactly!¡± Ruben let out a bark of triumph, his chest puffed up with pride. ¡°I chose Elliana for a reason. She might not be some wless beauty queen, but she¡¯s got backbone, and that¡¯s what matters. The Evans heir doesn¡¯t need a trophy¡ªhe needs amander.¡±

    ???????? ?????????? ¡ú g??????????¦Í?????????????

    Laughter broke out between Bertram and Emmanuel, both of them amused by how smug their father sounded.

    Not far away, Trinity had been watching the whole exchange y out. The moment she saw Bonnie looking rattled, she rushed over. ¡°Grandma, what happened? Are you okay?¡± Trinity asked, crouching down with a look of concern.

    Bonnie wheezed, her voice hoarse with rage. ¡°That wretched girl had the nerve to mouth off to me! I swear, I could drop dead from the fury!¡± Without warning, she mped her hand around Trinity¡¯s wrist, her grip stiff and urgent. ¡°Go find your father. I want him to put that insolent brat in her ce!¡±

    A nce toward the crowd told Trinity her parents were locked in conversation with Murray and his wife, far from avable. Trying to keep the moment from exploding, she bent closer and whispered, ¡°Grandma, Dad¡¯s busy right now. And this is Boris¡¯s engagement, remember? Let¡¯s not stir up trouble. Just breathe and let it go¡ªfor now.¡±

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 Chapter 289

    ?Chapter 289:

    ¡°Let it go? I¡¯m supposed to let Elliana walk away like she won?¡± Bonnie snapped, her words sharp and bitter.

    With a steady hand, Trinity gave her grandmother¡¯s fingers a light pat. ¡°Rx, Grandma. I¡¯m not letting her off the hook. She¡¯s going to regret this.¡±

    Watching Bonnie¡¯s chest rise with uneven breaths, Trinity quickly reached for a ss and pressed it into her hand.

    Trinity¡¯s voice dropped lower, but her words cut with purpose. ¡°Once those SAT resultse in, I¡¯ll be sitting at the top of Ublento¡¯s rankings. My name¡¯s going straight to the top of Ublento Medical University¡¯s eptance list¡ªfull schrship, mentorship under Dr. Atkinson, the whole deal. And when that happens, I¡¯ll have plenty of ways to put Elliana in her ce.¡±

    Hearing that, something shifted in Bonnie¡¯s eyes. The tension in her shoulders began to ease. She gave Trinity¡¯s hand a tight squeeze, her voice thick with emotion. ¡°You¡¯ve always been exceptional. Ever since you were little, I knew you¡¯d be the one to carry the Craig name forward. We need you to take back everything we¡¯ve lost. I want you to marry into the Evans legacy and snag the Evans family¡­¡±

    ¡°Matriarch.¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t lost sight of that,¡± Trinity replied, her tone like steel. ¡°You can bet on me.¡±

    A proud nod from Bonnie followed, her expression cooling into satisfaction. ¡°When the scorese out and you¡¯re Dr. Atkinson¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦, it¡¯ll be our moment. I¡¯ll throw a grand celebration, and Elliana will be front and center¡ªto watch you rise while she chokes on envy.¡±

    Trinity¡¯s eyes lit up, ambition zing beneath the surface. She could already picture it¡ªthe apuse, the admiration, the victory. That vision didn¡¯t feel far away. Elliana¡¯s time at the top was ticking down fast.

    Right at that moment, the sound of music rose and swept through the venue.

    On the stage, the emcee appeared with a microphone in hand, his voice booming through the hall. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, the time hase! Please wee today¡¯s hero and heroine!¡±

    ????????¡¯?? ?????? ??????????: ???????????¦Í??????????????

    As the final word echoed, the grand doors swung open with perfect timing.

    Little girls in white scattered rose petals across the carpet, clearing the way for Hester and Boris as they walked forward arm in arm. Apuse filled the space as guests leaned in from both sides of the aisle, offering cheers and well-wishes.

    Without missing a beat, Elliana slipped out her phone. Her fingers flew across the screen as she sent a short message to Hailee, saying, ¡°Get ready. Your moment¡¯s about to start.¡±

    Seated in the back of the car, Hailee felt her heart drum against her ribs, her mind running ahead to what awaited inside.

    Coming from an ordinary background, she¡¯d never set foot in a high-society event, let alone nned to stir things up. Nerves were inevitable.

    Just then, her phone buzzed, snapping her out of her thoughts. She grabbed it in an instant. The message was from Elliana. After skimming it, she let out a slow breath and turned to Paulina in the front seat. ¡°I¡¯m going in.¡±

    Paulina nced at the girl in the striking red dress and offered a kind smile. ¡°Would you like me to join you in?¡±

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 Chapter 290

    ?Chapter 290:

    Hailee gave a small shake of her head. ¡°No need.¡± She held up her invitation, her grip steady. ¡°I¡¯ve got it from here.¡±

    Even with the anxiety twisting inside her, Hailee remembered the promise she¡¯d made¡ªto Elliana, and to herself. She wouldn¡¯t back down. Walking into a banquet hall that held the people who had nearly shattered her wasn¡¯t easy. But this? This was her beginning. ¡°Thank you, Paulina. I¡¯ll see youter.¡± With that, Hailee gathered the hem of her gown and stepped out into the night.

    Every inch of Hailee was wrapped in Rosa¡¯s signature design, and it didn¡¯t go unnoticed. The security detail stationed at the entrance straightened at once. ¡°Miss, may I see your invitation?¡± Hailee handed it over without hesitation.

    The guard nced at the card and then bowed slightly. ¡°Wee, ma¡¯am. Please, this way.¡±

    No questions. No resistance. No dy. Hailee walked forward, her silence speaking louder than words, ushered inside like someone who belonged.

    Within the grand hall, Boris and Hester had already taken center stage, guided there by the event¡¯s poised emcee.

    Dressed in a wless, tailor-fitted white suit, Boris looked every bit the polished gentleman, while Hester shimmered beside him in an elegant white gown, diamonds cascading from her neckline to her crown¡ªan image of wealth and sophistication.

    Praise flowed freely from every direction, voices rising in admiration. ¡°Hester looks breathtaking!¡±

    ¡°And Boris¡ªso dashing! They really are the picture of a perfect couple!¡±

    ¡°With the Evans family backing the Craig family and the Sampson family dominating Ublento¡¯s pharmaceutical sector, this alliance is practically legendary.¡±

    ¡°They didn¡¯t just look the part¡ªthey actually fell in love on their own. This isn¡¯t just an arrangement. It¡¯s the real deal.¡±

    ?????????? ???? ????????????: ????ln??ve???s. c?????

    With a confident smile, Boris took the mic from the emcee, his eyes sweeping across the room. ¡°Thank you all for being here tonight, to witness this moment of joy with us¡­¡±

    The crowd responded with spirited apuse, their cheers echoing beneath the ornate ceiling.

    Standing closest to the stage, the Sampsons and Craigs basked in the spotlight, their faces glowing with pride as they took in the apuse and adoration surrounding the couple.

    Trinity made her way toward the front, carefully guiding Bonnie to the edge of the stage.

    Because Trinity was mentored by Murray, who introduced her to ¡°Milena,¡± thus supposedly earning her the approval of ¡°Milena,¡± her future in medicine had quickly be something to watch. The Craig family was particrly grateful to Murray.

    ¡°We¡¯re so grateful, Mr. Sampson. You¡¯ve done so much for Trinity. I truly don¡¯t know how to thank you,¡± Trinity¡¯s mother, Joslyn Craig, said with a warm, glowing smile.

    Trinity¡¯s father, Norwood Craig, quickly added, ¡°Trinity is still so young, yet her achievements in medicine are remarkable. That she¡¯s won over Milena speaks volumes. We owe it all to your guidance. You¡¯ve done our family a great honor.¡±

    Hearing the flurry of praise, Murray¡¯s smile deepened with satisfaction. ¡°Soon we¡¯ll all be one family. No need for formalities.¡±

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 Chapter 291

    ?Chapter 291:

    Dunn leaned in with a casual grin. ¡°Exactly. My sister¡¯s marrying into the Craig family¡ªlet¡¯s not stand on ceremony.¡±

    Joslyn joined in, her tone warm and bright. ¡°Yes, from now on, it¡¯s all in the family. No need to be so courteous.¡±

    Norwood added with practiced charm, ¡°Mr. Sampson, we ce Trinity¡¯s medical future fully in your care. We trust you without question. And as for Hester, please rest easy¡ªwe¡¯ll wee her like our own daughter.¡±

    At this, Murray chuckled heartily. ¡°Trinity¡¯s got a sharp mind and a hunger to learn. I¡¯ll make sure she thrives. As for Hester¡­ she¡¯s been pampered since she was¡­¡±

    Little, so you may need to indulge her a bit.¡±

    Joslyn responded with yful deflection,ughter in her voice, ¡°Oh, you¡¯re too kind. Trinity¡¯s the one who¡¯s been spoiled by us. She¡¯s far more stubborn than Hester. We¡¯re the ones asking for your understanding!¡±

    ¡°Ha-ha¡­¡± Laughter rippled through the group. The air around them shimmered with false warmth and polished smiles, the kind of picture-perfect scene that made onlookers sigh with envy at the seemingly seamless union between two powerful families.

    But not everyone bought into the charade. From the sidelines, Elliana watched with a cold twist in her smile. The disy was sickening, like a y full of actors convinced of their own lies. She wondered how they would react when the truth surfaced¡ªwhen Boris and Hester finally faced justice and the police came knocking. Would the Craig family and the Sampson family still toast andugh then? Would they still pretend everything was perfect?

    Right at that moment, the emcee¡¯s voice rang out again, full of enthusiasm. ¡°Esteemed guests, let us join the happy couple in reliving their beautiful journey together¡­ All eyes to the big screen, please!¡±

    Laughter and light chatter paused as heads turned toward the glowing projection above.

    Boris and Hester followed suit, both smiling as they turned to face the screen, poised andposed.

    ???????????? ?????????? @ g???????¦Í?????????????

    But the moment the footage yed, smiles faded. In seconds, warmth vanished, leaving stunned silence and uneasy faces.

    Before turning everyone¡¯s attention to the screen, the emceeunched into a sweeping, heartfelt monologue. His words wereced with so much emotion that several guests found themselves wiping away unexpected tears.

    The moment the emcee lifted his hand and gestured toward the screen, the entire hall seemed to hold its breath. Faces lit up with anticipation, all eyes eager to witness a tale of romance¡ªthe love story of Boris and Hester.

    But what followed shattered every expectation. Instead of a polished montage of shared memories, the screen flickered to life with the image of a girl working behind the counter at Loftus¡¯s Comfort Eats.

    A quiet narration apanied the footage. ¡°This is Hailee. She was born on Willow Lane. Nothing about her childhood stood out, but she carried ambition in her heart. That drive led her to a top university, and with it, a future full of hope.¡±

    Without warning, the scene jumped to a gritty clip of a busy street corner. Hailee stood alone, waiting by the curb.

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 Chapter 292

    ?Chapter 292:

    Unlike the earlier footage, this clip had the grainy quality of a surveince camera¡ªlikely taken from a nearby storefront, not filmed with any intent to impress.

    As the view lingered, the voiceover returned. ¡°But everything changed the moment she was swept into a carefully orchestrated setup, one that would alter the course of her life significantly.¡±

    A ripple of confusion stirred through the room. How did someone unknown to most like Hailee end up being the leading figure in the love story video of Boris and Hester?

    Before anyone could voice their questions, a ck car shot across the screen, barreling toward Hailee.

    ¡°Oh!¡± A collective gasp rose from the crowd.

    On-screen, Boris appeared out of nowhere, grabbing Hailee and shoving her out of the car¡¯s path. In the same instant, the vehicle struck him. The screen captured the brutal impact, followed by blood spreading beneath his crumpled body.

    Whispers exploded across the room, voicesyering over one another in disbelief.

    ¡°Wait¡­ What is this?

    ¡°Boris saved this girl named Hailee and got seriously injured?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t recall anything like that ever happening. The video shows a timestamp from a year ago, but there was never any mention of Boris getting hurt during that time.¡±

    ¡°Sure, the injury looks bad enough to justify a hospital stay¡ªbut Boris was never admitted anywhere during that time.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s be honest. Boris isn¡¯t exactly known for putting others first. That kind of heroism? Doesn¡¯t suit him. This whole video feels staged.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. That¡¯s not his style at all. So what¡¯s really going on here?¡±

    ???????????? ????????: g????????¦Í???????????

    The banquet hall, once glowing with celebration, now buzzed with tension as doubts settled like fog.

    On the stage, Boris and Hester shared a fleeting look. In that single nce, they saw the same thing¡ªpanic. This wasn¡¯t supposed to happen. The footage, the timing¡ªnone of it made sense. Who created it? And why now?

    From his seat near the center, Dunn stared at the screen, frozen. He couldn¡¯t believe what he was seeing. His gut reaction pointed straight to Hailee. Maybe she¡¯d uncovered something¡ªmaybe she¡¯de here to blow everything apart. He searched the crowd, head swiveling, hoping to catch a glimpse of her¡ªbut she was nowhere in sight.

    Secondster, it hit Dunn. Hailee wouldn¡¯t have had the resources. She was just a regr girl. No ess to old surveince tapes. No power to sneak something into a high-profile event like this. This had to be the work of someone else¡ªsomeone with motive and influence, someone who wanted to tear this engagement apart. Given the stature of the Craig and Sampson families, enemies weren¡¯t hard toe by. A moment like this? The perfect chance for revenge.

    Dunn clenched his jaw. He couldn¡¯t allow this to spiral any further. Fueled by urgency, he stormed toward the video control room. mming the door open, he shouted at the staff, ¡°Who gave permission for that footage to air? Cut it off¡ªright now!¡±

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 Chapter 293

    ?Chapter 293:

    Panic had already overtaken the control room. One staff member stammered, ¡°M-Mr. Sampson, it wasn¡¯t us. We didn¡¯t load that video. Something¡¯s wrong with the system¡ªwe can¡¯t shut it down.¡±

    ¡°What the fuck?¡± Dunn rushed to the console, quickly scanning every input and control. No matter what buttons he pressed or switches he flipped, nothing worked¡ªthe screen wouldn¡¯t go dark, and not even a full shutdown was responding. ¡°This is insane! Who¡¯s pulling the strings behind this mess?¡±

    Frustrated and furious, Dunn mmed his fist against the control panel before storming out. By the time he made it back to the banquet hall, the final frame had already faded from the screen.

    Unbeknownst to anyone in the room, the video had been cut, spliced, and crafted by Elliana herself. Rather than going for a formal documentary style, she¡¯d leaned into the trending short-episode format, breaking it into scenes with carefully ced narration. Hailee stood at the heart of it all, and the video captured every moment from her initial meeting with Boris to everything that followed, recreating their entire journey from start to finish.

    Every clip in the video came straight from reality¡ªnothing was staged, nothing embellished. By diving deep into private systems, Elliana had unearthed hours of hidden surveince footage and transformed it into a hauntingly honest visual narrative. Rather than dramatizing the story, she let the raw truth do all the talking. What made it powerful wasn¡¯t shy editing¡ªit was the sincerity that poured from every frame.

    Inside the banquet hall, not a single guest remained untouched by what they saw. Eyes welled up the moment Hailee appeared on screen, scarfing down a piece of bread while dashing between jobs, too rushed to sit, too tired to care.

    A collective hush fell over the room when the footage showed Hailee rolling up her sleeve at a blood bank¡ªagain and again¡ªjust to cover Boris¡¯s medical bills.

    And by the time Hailee softly told the doctor she was willing to give up a kidney for Boris, an unmistakable tension gripped the crowd. Fists clenched. Jaws tightened.

    When the videos ceased ying, the banquet hall plunged into absolute silence, as if someone had severed sound itself. A suffocating tension descended upon the gathering, palpable and oppressive. Dunn, slipping right back into the hall, clenched his eyes shut in a surge of white-hot rage. He couldn¡¯t fathom how this sordid affair had been exposed so publicly. It wasn¡¯t ssified information. Among their circle of privileged, carousing heirs, it circted asmon knowledge, a source of callous amusement. But this was an engagement celebration. Broadcasting such a scandal across the massive screen at this prestigious event delivered a devastating blow to both the Craig and Sampson dynasties, with consequences that would undoubtedly prove catastrophic.

    ???????? ???? ???????? ???????? ¡ú ??a???????¦Í???????????????

    The Craig and Sampson family members standing beneath the stage appeared shattered, their expressions frozen in mortified disbelief. Trinity especially felt her heart convulsing with panic. The Craig and Sampson families¡¯ influence had secured her position within the Evans household. If both families faltered, where would that leave her precarious standing? The Evans family members prided themselves on integrity, abhorring anything dishonorable. If these revtions proved authentic, they would inevitably withdraw support from the Craig family, dragging her status down into oblivion alongside them.

    Trinity had always known Boris was a wild card, but could the damning evidence disyed in that video possibly be genuine? If so, Boris was about to demolish everything she had meticulously cultivated.

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 Chapter 294

    ?Chapter 294:

    On the stage, Hester felt countless usatory eyes boring into her. She frantically scanned the room before finally settling her desperate gaze on Boris, silently pleading for direction. But when she glimpsed his face, she froze in astonishment.

    Boris actually wept. He stared at the enormous screen, motionless as marble, tears welling in his eyes, cascading down his cheeks, and sttering onto the polished floor. It seemed as though he had immersed himself in the footage, utterly detached from the chaos erupting around him.

    Hester, thoroughly bewildered, tugged urgently at his sleeve. ¡°Boris,¡± she whispered.

    Yet, Boris remained unresponsive, his gaze locked on the screen as tears flowed with increasing intensity.

    ¡°Boris, what¡¯s happening to you?¡± Hester pressed more insistently.

    Boris turned toward her with excruciating slowness, fixing her with a vacant stare before returning his attention to the screen. He squeezed his eyes shut, anguish etched across his features, his fists clenched so tightly that the knuckles bleached white.

    Unbeknownst to the gathering, Merlin observed the unfolding disaster with calcted interest. Since the party¡¯smencement, he had stationed himself in an adjacent lounge, aptop disying live security camera footage of the entire proceedings.

    As Merlin witnessed the video¡¯s conclusion on the massive screen, even he, a battle-hardened man, felt an unexpected sting behind his eyes.

    Lucas Smith, Merlin¡¯s assistant, stood silently nearby.

    After the footage concluded, Lucas exhaled deeply. ¡°Miss Loftus possesses too much goodness, too much blind faith. Thank heaven she crossed paths with Mrs. Evans, or she would have sacrificed a kidney to that contemptible Boris without hesitation.¡±

    Merlin¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously, his jaw clenched with such ferocity that it resembled forged steel. His hand resting on the table curled into a fist powerful enough to pulverize stone. Suddenly, the banquet hall¡¯s deafening silence shattered.

    ??????????????????: g????????¦Í??????????????

    ¡°What in God¡¯s name is happening here?¡± someone demanded, piercing the stunned atmosphere.

    That single question breached the dam, unleashing a torrent as guests bombarded the Craig and Sampson families with usations. ¡°Exin yourselves! Did Boris truly conspire with Dunn and Hester to defraud Hailee?¡±

    ¡°The evidence clearly shows Boris fabricating illness at Skyflower Hospital, with medical staffplicit in the deception. Mr. Sampson, as chairman, don¡¯t you owe society an exnation?¡±

    ¡°Precisely! Healthcare professionals should embodypassion, not assist wealthy maniptors in deceiving innocent souls. How can anyone ever trust Skyflower Hospital again?¡±

    The crowd encircled the Craig and Sampson families, hemming them in, hurling questions with relentless intensity.

    Norwood stood genuinely perplexed. He recognized Boris¡¯s reckless tendencies but had deliberately maintained ignorance about Boris¡¯s activities, and Boris certainly volunteered nothing.

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 Chapter 295

    ?Chapter 295:

    Blindsided by the onught, Norwood¡¯sposure crumbled as he shouted toward the stage, ¡°Boris! Exin this immediately!¡±

    But Boris remained entranced by the screen, utterly disconnected, deaf to his father¡¯s desperatemand.

    Murray whirled toward Dunn, teeth grinding audibly. ¡°You worthless troublemaker, ount for this disaster!¡±

    Like Norwood, Murray had always acknowledged Dunn¡¯s malicious streak without ever attempting to curb it. Had this scandal not erupted during the engagement celebration, he would have dismissed it as inconsequential.

    Though celebrated as a medical visionary and prestigious professor at Ublento Medical University, Murray regarded lives like Hailee¡¯s as utterly insignificant. Ordinary people existed beneath his consideration. His rage stemmed solely from the public nature of this exposure. Media coverage would devastate Skyflower Hospital¡¯s reputation, fueling his volcanic fury.

    Trinity, clutching at evaporating hope, rushed to Dunn¡¯s side. ¡°Dunn, please, resolve this misunderstanding immediately. Don¡¯t allow these people to form the wrong impression¡­¡±

    When questioned by Murray, panic flooded Dunn¡¯s eyes as he struggled for a response. Trinity¡¯s urgent whisper, ¡°Don¡¯t let everyone misunderstand,¡± sparked an ingenious solution in his mind. He manufactured a smile and addressed the crowd, ¡°Everyone, please settle down. This video was merely a bit of entertainment with Boris. Short dramas are trending these days, so we decided to participate in the phenomenon.¡±

    Skepticism rippled through the restless crowd.

    ¡°Just entertainment? Is Boris trying to break into the entertainment industry?¡±

    ¡°A wealthy heir starring in amateur videos? Preposterous!¡±

    ???????? ???????? ? g???????????¦Í??????????????????

    ¡°Even for amusement¡¯s sake, shouldn¡¯t he portray someone admirable? Why cast himself as the viin?¡±

    ¡°Dunn and Hester embraced viinous roles too. Are they all aspiring to be antagonists in the entertainment world? How absurd!¡±

    ¡°Indeed, this exnation stretches believability beyond its limits!¡±

    Trinity hastily stepped forward with practiced poise, defending the prestigious Craig and Sampson families. ¡°I implore you to trust our word. Both the Craig and Sampson families uphold rigorous standards. Boris, heir to the Craig legacy, has endured meticulous training since childhood and would never stoop to such disgraceful behavior.¡± She paused strategically before continuing, ¡°Though this incident isn¡¯t authentic, Boris¡¯s decision to film such a tasteless drama for entertainment certainly tarnishes the Craig family¡¯s reputation. I extend my sincerest apologies on Boris¡¯s behalf. My father will undoubtedly impose strict discipline to prevent future indiscretions.¡±

    Sensing an opening, Dunn hastily interjected, ¡°Absolutely correct¡ªwe crossed boundaries. The me doesn¡¯t rest solely with Boris. I participated and share equal responsibility. I vow to exercise better judgment and avoid such foolish antics henceforth.¡±

    Their coordinated defense pierced through Hester¡¯s fog of confusion. rity suddenly dawned in her eyes as she chimed in, ¡°Indeed, our yfulness created an unfortunate impression. We deeply regret this, and I pledge never to participate in such inappropriate productions again.¡±

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 Chapter 296

    ?Chapter 296:

    Following their statements, Norwood mustered a strained smile and addressed the audience, ¡°Rest assured, I shall exercise stricter guidance over Boris moving forward, preventing such reckless behavior from recurring.¡±

    Murray swiftly jumped in. ¡°Please understand, Skyflower Hospital maintains an impable reputation. No medical professional of such disreputable character as depicted would ever serve at our institution. Patients seeking care at Skyflower will always receive treatment aligned with the highest ethical standards.¡±

    The orchestrated performance from both families gradually quieted the room¡¯s suspicious murmurs. Whispered conversations reced outright usations.

    Trinity clutched Norwood¡¯s sleeve, her voice barely audible. ¡°Dad, proceed with the engagement ceremony immediately and move past this disruption. Regardless of what truly happened, let¡¯splete the engagement first and addressplications afterward.¡±

    Norwood nodded tersely and moved to ascend the stage, intending to announce that the ceremony would resume.

    At that precise moment, a voice cut through the tense atmosphere. ¡°Skyflower Hospital serves countless patients daily. This concerns numerous lives and cannot be dismissed so casually. A thorough investigation is essential.¡±

    Norwood froze mid-step, silently cursing the unwee intervention. As he contemted intimidating tactics, additional voices joined the chorus of concern.

    ¡°Precisely¡ªlives hang in the bnce. This requiresplete transparency!¡±

    ¡°Whether the mistakenly broadcast video was merely entertainment requires verification. Hailee must be summoned for confrontation.¡±

    ¡°Absolutely¡ªthe primary victim from the footage, Hailee, must testify!¡±

    As debate intensified, someone suddenly demanded, ¡°Who can bring Hailee here?¡±

    ???????????????? ??????????: ?????????¦Í??????????????

    The banquet hall doors swept open with theatrical timing, and Hailee glided in with devastating confidence. Her fiery red dress hugged her figure as she advanced, each feature exquisitely defined, each step igniting invisible mes in her wake.

    Mere moments earlier, Hailee had trembled outside those same doors, her heartbeat thundering, hands quivering with apprehension. But upon hearing her name called, she¡¯d thrown the doors open and strode inside, banishing every trace of uncertainty.

    Her eyebrows arched imperiously, her crimson lips set in determination, her gaze slicing through pretense like a polished de¡ªshe embodied vengeance personified. Her presencemanded attention, icy yet mesmerizing in its breathtaking beauty.

    Witnessing Hailee¡¯s entrance, Elliana arched an appreciative eyebrow, impressed by the wless performance.

    In the private lounge, Merlin bolted upright, his attention riveted to the scarlet figure dominating the screen, utterly captivated. He could never have imagined that the frightened girl who had once cowered in an iron box aboard the yacht, terrified by gunfire, could transform into thismanding, formidable presence. The metamorphosis defied all expectations.

    Beside him, Lucas remarked admiringly, ¡°Miss Loftus has undergone a remarkable transformation¡ªfrom delicate blossom to a fierce, thorned rose. Truly extraordinary!¡±

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 Chapter 297

    ?Chapter 297:

    At Lucas¡¯s observation, Merlin turned sharply toward him¡­

    Merlin parted his lips to speak¡ªbut the words evaporated before they formed. Damn it. That familiar sensation welled up again. Whenever Hailee provoked something inside him, it felt as if he were fracturing, his mind locking up¡ªand now even his memory was slipping away. Lucas hovered nearby, silent until the pause stretched too long. ¡°Mr. kely, do you need anything?¡±

    Merlin paused, searching for the thought that had fled him¡ªand gave up. With a tight line pressing his lips, he swung back to the screen, his attention consumed once more by the scarlet figure pulsing across it. In the banquet hall, every gaze snapped to Hailee as she strode forward. ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± Hailee announced, her voice ringing through the room. ¡°I am the one you¡¯ve all been so eager to see!¡±

    Boris, who¡¯d been staring nkly at the screen, jerked upright at her voice. His eyes locked onto her, redness ring as if something lodged in his throat, his Adam¡¯s apple trembling.

    Hester, standing rigid beside Boris, snapped. She stormed down the stage, teeth clenched. ¡°Hailee¡ªdid you do this? Did you hack the big screen?¡±

    Hailee, a good half-head taller than Hester, zed before the crowd like living me¡ªwhile Hester¡¯s white dress made her seem pale and wan.

    The earlier fear had left Hester¡¯s hair tousled and herposure in tatters. By contrast, Hailee stood transformed: serene, frigid, and razor-sharp, regarding Hester without a word as though she were a queen observing a trembling jester.

    Fury boiled in Hester¡¯s chest. ¡°Hailee, you wretch!¡± she shouted. ¡°How dare you ruin my engagement celebration? Have you forgotten your ce?¡± In her world,moners existed only to endure abuse in silence, and now this lowlife was daring to disgrace her at her own party.

    Hester¡¯s hand shot up, poised to strike Hailee until the glitter of Hailee¡¯s Rosa gown and jewels caught her eye. This ordinary girl had poured all her savings into Boris¡¯s cruel game, so how had she suddenly acquired luxury brands? A hidden benefactor, no doubt. Only that could exin Hailee¡¯s audacity.

    Boris shared the same thought and felt a stab of jealousy twist his heart. He strode down the stage and closed the distance between them, voice low and sharp. ¡°Hailee, who provided your clothes and jewelry?¡±

    Hailee lifted her chin, lips curving into a cold, mocking smile. ¡°And what¡¯s it to you?¡± she replied, her tone icy.

    ???????? ???????????????? ???? g???????¦Í?????????????

    Boris¡¯s hand at his side clenched tighter.

    In that instant, Dunn lunged forward. ¡°Who let you crash this engagement party? You weren¡¯t invited¡ªleave immediately!¡±

    Watching Boris, Dunn, and Hester bristle, Trinity finally connected the dots. The footage on the big screen wasn¡¯t a prank¡ªit was proof of their cruel collusion to humiliate Hailee.

    Hailee was resplendent in Rosa¡¯s brand-new line, pieces so exclusive that even Trinity had never seen them before. Only someone with direct ess to thetest collection could wear those designs. A sudden realization struck Trinity, and she pivoted to Elliana, who had been lurking at the edge of the crowd, absorbing every moment. Trinity closed the distance and whispered sharply, ¡°Elliana, did you provide Hailee¡¯s clothes and jewelry?¡±

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 Chapter 298

    ?Chapter 298:

    Elliana met her gaze coolly. ¡°Yes,¡± she said. ¡°Hailee¡¯s my friend. I gave her the Rosa pieces. Any objections?¡±

    Trinity¡¯s hands curled into fists as she stifled her outrage. ¡°Why are you so determined to undermine me? What do you gain from sabotaging this union between the Craigs and the Sampsons?¡±

    A softugh drifted from Elliana¡¯s lips. ¡°Miss Craig, please refrain from making baseless usations here. Instead of demanding answers from your own brother about how he ruined an innocent girl¡¯s life, you throw stones at me, someone entirely unrted. Have you lost your mind?¡±

    With so many witnesses, Trinity dared not raise her voice. Rebuffed by Elliana, she shot onest re before retreating to her ce.

    Desperate to regain control, Trinity turned to Hailee and stered a false smile on her face.

    Trinity didn¡¯t even flinch as she lied through her teeth. ¡°Miss Loftus, I just found out my brother¡¯s assistant totally dropped the ball on getting your paycheck out. You¡¯re here to collect, right?¡±

    Before Hailee had the chance to speak, Trinity steamrolled ahead, all sugar and fake sympathy. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. Boris has been buried in nning this engagement party, and his assistant haspletely spaced. It¡¯s a mess, and you got caught in it. Let me fix that right now.¡± Trinity didn¡¯t wait for a response. She just reached into her purse and pulled out a check.

    Hailee nced down at the check and then met Trinity¡¯s eyes with a look so dry that it could¡¯ve sucked the moisture out of the room. She hadn¡¯t seen Trinity before, but from the way she talked, she figured out who Trinity was. Still, she asked anyway, ¡°And you are?¡±

    Trinity¡¯s mouth curled into a smug little smirk. ¡°I¡¯m Boris¡¯s little sister. He handed me the reins on this, so I¡¯m handling it for him.¡± Without warning, she shoved the check into Hailee¡¯s hand. ¡°It¡¯s supposed to be a hundred grand. I made it two. Consider the extra a ¡®sorry for the hassle,¡¯ Miss Loftus. Just take it.¡±

    Trinity figured two hundred thousand was life-changing money for someone like Hailee, but pocket change for her to make a nuisance disappear.

    Hailee let out a sharpugh, half-amused, half-disgusted, and started to give the check back.

    ore c??apters @ g???????¦Í?????????????

    That wiped the fake charm right off Trinity¡¯s face. Her expression darkened as she leaned in, voice low and biting. ¡°You think you can mess with the Craigs? You¡¯re a nobody. You¡¯ve got no power. What makes you think you stand a chance?¡±

    The threat mmed into Hailee. Her whole body stiffened, and her stare went cold.

    But Trinity didn¡¯t stop. Her voice dipped even lower, each word heavy with warning. ¡°Maybe you¡¯re not scared of what we could do to you. Fine. But what about your father?¡±

    At that, something shifted in Hailee¡¯s expression. The mention of her dad hit the nerve Trinity was aiming for.

    Just as Hailee had feared, the Craig family was already dragging her family into it. They were ying dirty. Real dirty.

    Believing she¡¯d rattled Hailee enough, Trinity leaned in and whispered, ¡°Take the money and vanish. Otherwise, when wee for you, we won¡¯t show any mercy.¡± With her threats out of the way, she snapped back into her wless persona, flipping on that high-society grin like a switch. ¡°Honestly, Miss Loftus, I feel like we¡¯ve got a bond now. Let¡¯s keep in touch. Who knows? Maybe we¡¯ll end up best friends.¡±

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 Chapter 299

    ?Chapter 299:

    Trinity¡¯s performance was convincing. Her polished act had the guests eating out of her hand. People around the room began murmuring, most of them assuming Hailee was just another woman chasing a big payout. The video made her look like a nobody from some sleepy street in Willow Lane. But standing in that upscale banquet hall, draped in Rosa, she exudedposure and poise. She didn¡¯t just wear the look¡ªshe owned it.

    Now, the story was flipping. Some began to wonder if her onscreen persona had been just another act. Whispers circled. Everyone figured she¡¯d snatch the check, thank Trinity with a smile, and disappear without another word.

    But Hailee stunned the room. She hurled the check straight at Trinity¡¯s face, cold and deliberate.

    Trinity¡¯s eyes widened in shock.

    Without missing a beat, Hailee raised her voice, every syble ringing through the room. ¡°You think throwing money at me will make me stay quiet about your brother¡¯s misdeeds? Never!¡±

    The crowd exploded with hushed voices, each whisper adding fuel to the fire.

    ¡°What just happened?¡±

    ¡°Wait¡ªis Trinity trying to silence her? That check wasn¡¯t for work?¡±

    ¡°No way! Trinity¡¯s always been the perfect sweetheart. What the hell is this?¡±

    Trinity couldn¡¯t believe it. A woman like Hailee¡ªsomeone no one had heard of¡ªhad the nerve to shrug off two hundred thousand like it was garbage.

    While Trinity scrambled toe up with a solution, Dunn marched over and pped a check worth five million into Hailee¡¯s hand. He then shouted, ¡°Hailee, just because we¡¯re ying nice at the engagement party, don¡¯t start thinking you¡¯ve got the upper hand. I¡¯m offering you fifty times your pay. Take the check and walk away, or you¡¯ll wish you had.¡±

    Shock rippled through the room as every pair of eyes locked on Dunn. Instead of subtlety, he went full-blown drama¡ªwaving the check in one hand and brandishing threats with the other.

    Whispers flew as attention shifted back to Hailee. Everyone waited to see if she¡¯d fold or fire back. Five million dors wasn¡¯t just a hefty offer. It was enough to rattle.

    ???????? ???????????????? ??? g???????¦Í?????????????

    Anyone who didn¡¯t already have a fortune tucked away would find that kind of cash unimaginable. For the average person, five million felt like a fantasy¡ªsomething they would never see in an entire lifetime. If Hailee had been the type to fold under pressure, the deal would have shut her up without a second thought.

    All eyes were on her. Hailee nced at the check and then shot Dunn a look so sharp it could cut ss.

    Dunn squirmed under Hailee¡¯s stare, his voice dropping to a growl. ¡°Quit the act, Hailee! Five million could set your dad up with a whole chain of spaghetti joints. Take the money and walk out smiling. Don¡¯t, and I¡¯ll make damn sure you regret it!¡±

    Before he could say another word, Hailee¡¯s hand flew. The pnded with a loud smack.

    ¡°Oh my!¡± Gasps swept through the crowd like a wave. No one had everid a hand on Dunn in public¡ªespecially not a woman.

    A bright welt bloomed across Dunn¡¯s cheek, proof that Hailee didn¡¯t pull back.

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 Chapter 300

    ?Chapter 300:

    Everyone froze. The air felt thick as they stared at Hailee, wide-eyed.

    She was fearless. But did she even realize the mess she¡¯d just walked into?

    Hailee didn¡¯t blink. With a smirk that could freeze blood, she tossed the check right at his face and shouted, ¡°Crawl back to whatever hole you came from!¡±

    The crowd was stunned. Even five million bucks couldn¡¯t sway Hailee. Her grit and backbone left everyone in awe. She¡¯d clearly been mistreated¡ªhurt so badly that no amount of cash or perks could buy her silence.

    Then, a voice cut through the crowd, demanding justice. ¡°Hailee, talk to us. We¡¯re all here to back you up.¡±

    The chorus of voices grew louder, echoing the same call.

    ¡°Yeah,y it all out. This mess is out in the open now. The public¡¯s got a right to know.¡±

    ¡°The Craig and Sampson families run the show in Ublento. They don¡¯t get to hide from the spotlight, especially not the Sampsons with their Skyflower Hospital, touching so many lives. People deserve the truth.¡±

    The Craig and Sampson ns were starting to sweat. That video looping on the giant screen? Probably the real deal. Why else would Dunn have thrown five million at Hailee to hush it up? But even that kind of money couldn¡¯t close the deal. Hailee was a brick wall.

    Norwood, thinking about the Craig family¡¯s name going down in mes, shot a death re at Boris. But Boris? He was lost in his daze, staring at Hailee like a lost puppy.

    ¡°What an idiot!¡± Norwood grumbled under his breath.

    Joslyn, out of moves, tugged at Trinity¡¯s sleeve and whispered, ¡°Trinity, get Cole on the phone, quick. Beg him to cool down.¡±

    Trinity¡¯s lips curled in annoyance. The Craigs knew she was the apple of the Evans family¡¯s eye, but they didn¡¯t get that Cole wasn¡¯t one of her fans. She had zero pull with him. Still, she had to save face. Turning to Joslyn, she said, ¡°Mom, Hailee¡¯s got Elliana in her corner. And since Elliana¡¯s married to Cole now, he can¡¯t step in. You¡¯d better ask Grandma to sweet-talk Ruben.¡±

    More ???????????????? ???? g???????¦Í????????????

    ¡°What?¡± Joslyn gasped. ¡°You¡¯re saying Elliana¡¯s the one egging Hailee on to stir up trouble?¡±

    Trinity nodded. ¡°Yup. Didn¡¯t you see Hailee decked out in Rosa brand clothes and bling? Those were provided by Elliana. Bet Elliana even slipped Hailee the invite. No way a regr girl like Hailee could¡¯ve crashed this party otherwise.¡±

    The rest of the Craig and Sampson families overheard this and threw hateful looks Elliana¡¯s way.

    Elliana, cool as a cucumber, just flicked her ear and ignored them.

    The Craig and Sampson families snapped back to the crisis at hand. Now wasn¡¯t the time to pick a fight with Elliana. They had a bigger problem to solve.

    Norwood leaned toward Bonnie. ¡°Mom, swallow your pride and ask Ruben for help.¡±

    Bonnie nodded. She and Diane were tight, so she figured Ruben wouldn¡¯t turn her down. But when she nced at Ruben¡¯s seat, it was empty. A quick scan of the room¡ªno Ruben in sight.

    ¡°Humph!¡± Bonnie huffed. ¡°Looks like Ruben¡¯s dodging the drama and has slipped out.¡± She realized even if she rang Diane now to lean on Ruben, it¡¯d be toote.

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 Chapter 301

    ?Chapter 301:

    Without Ruben¡¯s clout, the Craig and Sampson families were up a creek without a paddle. Kicking Hailee to the curb would¡¯ve been a piece of cake¡ªshe was just a nobody. They had a million ways to shut her up. But with Elliana backing her? That was a whole different ballgame. Word on the street was Elliana wasn¡¯t someone anyone messed with.

    As the Craig and Sampson families scrambled, Hailee suddenly raised her voice, addressing the room like a thunderp, ¡°The truth you¡¯re all moring for? It¡¯s already up there on the screen. That¡¯s real surveince footage, every second of it!¡±

    Hailee¡¯s words hit like a sledgehammer, nailing the coffin shut on the whole fiasco. Boris, Dunn, and Hester had toyed with an innocent girl, nearly conning the poor soul into giving up a kidney. Those three were wolves dressed asmbs.

    The crowd¡¯s faces twisted with rage. Sure, plenty in this high-society crowd looked down on regr folks and wouldn¡¯t be caught dead hanging with them. But stooping so low as to trick someone into donating an organ? That was a bridge too far. At least they had some respect for human life.

    In a sh, the crowd backed away from the Craig and Sampson families, like they were radioactive. These two families were monsters ¡ª what else might they have done to the people around them? Who¡¯d risk getting cozy with that kind of crew?

    The Craig and Sampson families were left red-faced, their pride in tatters. Just minutes ago, they were the toast of the town. Now? They were the viins everyone shunned. If this scandal kept snowballing, their businesses would take a nosedive.

    In ast-ditch effort, Joslyn tore into Hailee. ¡°You snake! Couldn¡¯t snag Boris, so you crash this engagement party to make a scene. We offered you money to walk away, but you got greedy. Don¡¯t cry when I rip off your mask and show everyone who you really are!¡±

    Joslyn¡¯s misleading words rippled through the crowd, creating an air of confusion. ¡°What exactly is Mrs. Craig implying here? Is Hailee merely nursing wounds from some rejected advances, showing up to sabotage the Craig-Sampson engagement celebration?¡±

    ¡°That would exin a lot. Look at Hailee¡¯s outfit¡ªhead-to-toe Rosa Couture. No ordinary person could afford that kind of luxury. Maybe she¡¯s not as innocent as she wants us to believe.¡±

    ¡°We should withhold judgment for now. If this situation reverses itself, we¡¯ll look foolish for jumping to conclusions too quickly.¡±

    ???????? ???????? ???????????????? ???? ?????????¦Í????????????

    Joslyn¡¯s lips curled into a satisfied smirk as she absorbed the murmurs of doubt spreading through the crowd, relishing the seeds of uncertainty she had carefully nted.

    Confident that Hailee¡¯s entrance, aided by Elliana and the dramatic video revtion, couldn¡¯t possiblypete with the Craig family¡¯s masterful ability to reshape any narrative to their advantage, Joslyn¡¯s voice rose several octaves, each word dripping with venomous contempt.

    ¡°Hailee, you¡¯re nothing more than a struggling actress scraping together a living from cheap web series productions. You thought your pretty face could somehow ensnare Boris, and when he rightfully rejected your advances, you decided to orchestrate this pathetic revenge scheme at his engagement celebration? The audacity is truly breathtaking!¡±

    Her manicured finger stabbed toward the massive screen dominating the room as she continued her relentless attack. ¡°You actually think you can cobble together some poorly edited dramatic scenes to destroy Boris¡¯s sterling reputation and execute your vindictive little plot? How utterly delusional!¡±

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 Chapter 302

    ?Chapter 302:

    Joslyn¡¯s masterfully distorted version of recent events ignited a desperate spark of hope in Hester, who had been steadily crumbling under the mounting pressure of public scrutiny.

    Hester released a cold, calcted sneer and immediately joined the assault. ¡°Hailee, you spent every single day on set trying to push me aside, constantly throwing yourself at Boris with such obvious desperation. But he remainedpletely devoted to me, and you failed spectacrly. Now you¡¯re standing here hurling these vicious usations? Your true nature is absolutely revolting.¡±

    Dunn eagerly threw himself into the verbal battleground, his tone thick with disdain. ¡°Hailee, I genuinely tried to maintain some civility earlier out of respect for this engagement celebration. I even offered you a substantial sum to leave quietly, but you threw it back in my face like some righteous martyr. What¡¯s your game? Was the amount insufficient? Are you holding out for an even more generous payoff?¡±

    Joslyn, Hester, and Dunn unleashed their coordinated verbal barrage on Hailee, and theirbined efforts appeared to sessfully sway the crowd¡¯s sympathies back toward their side.

    The distinguished guests exchanged increasingly skeptical nces, their confidence in any version of the truth wavering with each new usation. Once again, the actual truth became frustratingly elusive in the chaos.

    While Hailee endured this relentless verbal assault, Trinity maintained her unwavering focus on Hailee¡¯s every reaction. She had fully expected Hailee topletely fall apart under such intense pressure and retreat into stammering silence. Yet, Hailee remained remarkably serene and unshakeable, her dark eyes holding just a hint of amused mockery.

    Trinity found herself questioning whether this could really be some ordinary person who had simply gotten in over her head. Hailee¡¯s unppable confidence possessed a quality that even the most experienced society women couldn¡¯t hope to replicate.

    An unexpected chill of unease crept through Trinity¡¯s carefully maintainedposure. For reasons she couldn¡¯t fully articte, she detected distinct echoes of Elliana¡¯s presence in Hailee¡¯s demeanor. But where Elliana¡¯s confidence zed with bold, unrestricted freedom, Hailee¡¯s radiated a quiet, immovable strength that seemed unbreakable.

    As Trinity¡¯s nerves began to fray despite her best efforts, Norwood seized what he perceived as the perfect opportunity and barked sharpmands at the security personnel, ¡°Remove this disruptive troublemaker from the premises immediately!¡±

    ???????? ???????????????? ?????? g???????¦Í?????????????

    A formation of ck-suited guards advanced with purposeful steps, prepared to physically escort Hailee from the venue.

    Elliana¡¯s eyes narrowed into dangerous slits, and she prepared to intervene when Hailee¡¯s clear voice cut through the tension. ¡°I¡¯ve already involved the police!¡±

    Hailee¡¯s unexpected announcement froze everyone in their tracks like statues. She had actually called the authorities? If she possessed enough courage to involvew enforcement, she clearly wasn¡¯t afraid of intensive scrutiny and investigation. And someone who weed official investigation probably wasn¡¯t fabricating her usations.

    Every guest¡¯s attention snapped to Hailee withser focus, while visible panic flickered across the faces of both the Craig and Sampson family members.

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 Chapter 303

    ?Chapter 303:

    Hailee swept her gaze across the Craig and Sampson families with deliberate mockery before addressing the captivated audience. ¡°Whether those videos contain truth or lies, the police will determine that through proper investigation. This isn¡¯t about which sidemands more supporters or who can shout the loudest. Facts don¡¯t bend to anyone¡¯s will.¡±

    After letting her eyes linger meaningfully on Boris and Hester, Hailee¡¯s voice turned arctic and razor-sharp. ¡°People whomit crimes face consequences today. Thew treats everyone with equal measure. Are you two prepared to spend your engagement night behind bars?¡±

    Hester¡¯splexion drained of all color, and she cast a desperately pleading look toward Boris.

    Boris finally emerged from his stunned stupor, no longer staring at Hailee with that pathetic, lovesick expression.

    Moving forward with calcted steps, he gently captured Hailee¡¯s hand in his, his eyes heavy with what appeared to be genuine remorse and longing. ¡°Hailee, please consider withdrawing that police report. Go home now, and after I handle theseplications here, I¡¯lle to you, alright?¡±

    Hailee had fallen victim to Boris¡¯s masterful emotional maniption countless times in the past, allowing him to draw her into his borate web of deception, surrendering everything she had to give. She had nearly sacrificed a vital organ for his sake. But today, she refused to be anyone¡¯s fool.

    ¡°Ha!¡± Hailee released a sharp, bitterugh that cut through the air and wrenched her hand free from his grasp.

    Then, Hailee seized a crystal ss filled with deep red wine, raised it high above her head, and poured the entire contents over Boris¡¯s unsuspecting head.

    Hailee¡¯s eyes remainedser-focused and unblinking throughout the entire deliberate act. She felt absolutely nothing for Boris anymore.

    The crimson wine cascaded down Boris¡¯s forehead in rivulets, staining his aristocratic features and transforming the once-charming Craig heir into a drenched, pitiful figure.

    ???????? ???????????????? ???????? ????????: g???????¦Í????????????

    When thest drops finished falling, Boris dragged a hand across his wine-soaked face and offered Hailee a crooked, almost admiring smirk. ¡°Do you feel satisfied now? If you¡¯ve sessfully vented your frustrations, please drop that report and wait for me at your ce, okay?¡±

    Hailee held the empty crystal ss aloft like a trophy, her voicepletely devoid of emotion as she delivered her final words to Boris.

    ¡°Boris, you wielded your wealth and influence like weapons against me. Now I¡¯m wielding thew in return¡ªseems perfectly fair to me. I won¡¯t be withdrawing that police report. You and your beloved fianc¨¦e can start nning for your new amodations behind bars!¡± Hailee dered with unwavering conviction, her steady gaze never leaving Boris¡¯s wine-stained face.

    Boris studied Hailee intently, a thousand unspoken thoughts swimming in his eyes, yet he found himselfpletely unable to voice even one of them.

    Standing rigidly beside Boris, Hester¡¯sposure finally shatteredpletely. She unleashed a hysterical shriek that echoed through the grand hall. ¡°Hailee, you destructive witch! You¡¯ve demolished my engagement celebration, and now you want to see me rotting in prison? Well, if I¡¯m destined for hell, you¡¯reing straight down with me!¡±

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 Chapter 304

    ?Chapter 304:

    Hailee slowly shifted her attention to Hester, allowing a knowing smirk to dance across her lips. ¡°Really? I¡¯d be absolutely fascinated to witness exactly how you intend to make that happen.¡±

    Hester responded with a venomous sneer that twisted her once-beautiful features into something truly ugly. Then, she whirled dramatically to face the captivated audience, her voice dripping with pure malice. ¡°Fine, you want theplete truth? Yes, we manipted Hailee, and she yed the perfect victim. But she¡¯s transformed into something far worse during this sick game¡ªa woman who¡¯s been passed around by countless men like some worthlessmodity!¡±

    Elliana¡¯s eyes contracted into dangerous slits as fury coursed through her veins. She recognized Hester as the absolute bottom of humanity¡¯s barrel. Caughtpletely red-handed and facing inevitable imprisonment, Hester was desperately attempting to destroy Hailee¡¯s reputation with fabricated poison.

    Certainly, the assembled crowd found Boris and Hester morally reprehensible, but tantalizing rumors about Hailee¡¯s supposed moral downfall? That delicious scandal held them absolutely spellbound. Hester¡¯s calcted words ignited something primal in the guests, their eyes sparkling with perverse curiosity as they shifted into full gossip-hunting mode.

    This reaction was precisely what Hester had been counting on. Since Hailee considered sabotaging her engagement party some kind of victory, she would ensure they both crashed and burned together in spectacr fashion.

    Wearing a truly vicious expression, Hester continued her relentless character assassination. ¡°That video footage you witnessed? Barely scratches the surface of the real story. Hailee waspletely obsessed with Boris. She juggled multiple¡­¡±

    ¡°Jobs and even sold her own blood to scrape together enough money for his medical bills. And here¡¯s the truly sordid detail¡ªshe sold her body at Royal Club, that exclusive establishment for the wealthy elite!¡±

    Hester¡¯s venomous usations dramatically shifted the crowd¡¯s emotional temperature, their expressions morphing into pure disgust as they regarded Hailee like something contaminated they needed to scrape from their designer shoes.

    Elliana gripped her champagne flute with such intensity that her knuckles turned bone-white, preparing to leap to Hailee¡¯s defense. But observing Hailee¡¯s remarkably calm and controlled demeanor, she forced herself to remain still.

    ?????????? ?????????????? ???????? ???? ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Elliana suddenly understood that Hailee wasn¡¯t crumbling under Hester¡¯s fabricated character assassination. Hailee possessed a strategic counterattack ready to deploy, and this moment belonged entirely to her. Elliana decided not to steal her well-deserved spotlight.

    Hester practically glowed with malicious satisfaction as she continued her vicious assault. ¡°Hailee spent every single night at Royal Club, entertaining different men with disgusting intimacy. Who could possibly count how many patrons she had apanied? This woman, despite her polished appearance, is nothing more than a glorified prostitute!¡±

    ¡°Stop this immediately!¡± Boris suddenly erupted with surprising fury, his voice cutting through Hester¡¯s tirade. ¡°Keep your filthy mouth shut this instant!¡±

    Boris knew the absolute truth about the situation. He had maintained surveince on Hailee throughout their rtionship, and she remainedpletely untouched by anyone. Hester¡¯s usations were nothing but pure, calcted venom.

    Hester cast Boris a bewildered expression. Hailee was actively working to imprison them both, so why was he suddenly defending Hailee?

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 Chapter 305

    ?Chapter 305:

    Boris sharply averted his gaze, refusing to meet Hester¡¯s questioning stare. After all, it had been Hester who originally proposed exploiting Hailee as their entertainment. He had simply agreed to participate in order to please Hester¡¯s twisted desires.

    ¡°You done?¡± Hailee inquired, her voice carrying the temperature of winter frost as she fixed Hester with an unblinking stare.

    Hester, too consumed by her burning hatred to notice Boris¡¯s strange behavior, red back at Hailee with eyes zing like hellfire.

    ¡°If you¡¯ve exhausted your supply of hot air, then it¡¯s my turn to speak,¡± Hailee announced, allowing a subtle smile to y across her lips while maintaining her perfectlyposed demeanor. ¡°Yes, I did work at Royal Club as a server to supplement my ie. But that establishment maintains the highest¡­¡±

    ¡°Standardspletely legitimate, absolutely high-ss. No questionable activities, no selling of personal favors. I¡¯ve never participated in that world.¡±

    Hailee retrieved an official document from her elegant purse and held it aloft for the entire crowd to examine. ¡°Interesting coincidence¡ªI visited the hospital this morning for a thorough gynecological examination because of my menstrual cramps. This medical report states unequivocally that I remainpletely untouched by any man.¡±

    The assembled guests stretched their necks and craned forward to verify Hailee¡¯s medical documentation, and itpletely substantiated her ims. Understanding slowly dawned across their faces. Hester had been weaving malicious lies from start to finish, spreading deliberate poison about Hailee¡¯s character.

    Elliana¡¯s lips curved into a satisfied smile. No wonder Hailee had maintained such remarkableposure. Hailee possessed irond proof, and Hester was about to consume her own venomous words. The crowd pointed at Hester and began murmuring among themselves, systematically tearing apart her credibility.

    ¡°Hester¡¯s got incredible nerve, lying so smoothly and convincingly. I nearly believed every single word she said.¡±

    ¡°She spun that fabrication like she was reciting absolute gospel truth. That level of deception is genuinely terrifying. We need to distance ourselves from people capable of such maniption.¡±

    ?????? ???????? ???????????????? ???? g???????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°Professor Sampson presents himself as such a moral authority. How did he manage to raise a daughter who sank this low?¡±

    Murray¡¯s face flushed deep crimson, overwhelmed byplete humiliation.

    Hester, boiling with uncontroble rage and crushing shame, refused to ept defeat. ¡°Hailee, I¡¯ll destroy youpletely!¡± she screamed with primal fury,unching herself toward Hailee in a blind rage.

    Elliana prepared to intervene and shield Hailee when the massive doors to the banquet hall suddenly burst open with dramatic force.

    A frigid, razor-edged male voice resonated through the entire hall with unmistakable authority. ¡°I¡¯m here to protect Hailee. Who¡¯s got the guts toy a finger on her?¡±

    The crowd pivoted toward the entrance, their collective attention maized by the sound echoing through the banquet hall. A sharp intake of breath swept across the room like wildfire. Merlin had arrived! Merlinmanded a reputation built on ice and steel¡ªhis piercing gaze carved distance between himself and others, while his notorious absence from social gatherings transformed his rare appearances into events of profound significance.

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 Chapter 306

    ?Chapter 306:

    At this moment, his imposing frame cut through the doorway, silhouetted against the brilliant light streaming behind him. Each deliberate step stretched his shadow across the marble floor, as if a figure from ancient legend had materialized to im dominion over the room. The very air seemed to crystallize under the weight of his presence. A single nce from those prating eyes could freeze blood in veins.

    When measured against the kely empire¡¯s staggering wealth and influence, both the Craig and Sampson families resembled mere drops in an ocean. The instant Merlin¡¯s arrival registered, representatives from both ns surged forward like eager courtiers seeking royal favor. Even Boris, whose shoulders had sagged under mounting pressure mere moments before, swallowed his hesitation and stepped into the advancing throng.

    Abandoned in the sudden exodus, Hailee¡¯s eyshes fluttered with nervous energy. Merlin¡¯s presence invariably unsettled her¡ªevery encounter dragged her thoughts back to that mortifying yacht incident. The memory left her scrambling for solid ground, uncertain how to navigate their next inevitable meeting. Guilt carved hollows in her chest. For countless sleepless nights, she had tormented herself wondering whether the wound on his wrist had mended properly, yet cowardice had sealed her lips against asking anyone for updates. Now, watching Merlin¡¯s confident stride carry him deeper into the room, Hailee¡¯s gaze automatically sought his wrist. The ck fabric of his tailored suit concealed everything, offering no glimpse of healing flesh or lingering damage. Within heartbeats, the crowd had consumed himpletely, erasing even the faintest outline of his figure from her view.

    While Hailee stood suspended in bewilderment, Elliana materialized beside her like a phantom.

    ¡°Elliana,¡± Hailee whispered, her voice barely audible above the surrounding chatter, ¡°what brings Merlin here tonight?¡±

    Elliana¡¯s lips curved into a knowing smile. ¡°How wonderfully naive you are. He came for you, obviously.¡±

    Hailee¡¯s eyes widened as she mentally rewound the evening¡¯s events. The pieces aligned with disturbing rity¡ªhis intervention did seem specifically orchestrated around her presence.

    ???????? ???????????????? ????????: g???????¦Í?????????????

    Moments earlier, when Hester¡¯s palm had arced toward Hailee¡¯s cheek, Merlin had burst through like an avenging angel, dering, ¡°No one dares to harm her under my protection.¡±

    The realization struck Hailee like lightning¡ªshe was the person Merlin had sworn to shield. Her heart executed an erratic dance against her ribs. ttery and panic waged war in her chest, sending her pulse into a chaotic rhythm while heat flooded her cheeks.

    The yacht deck¡¯s memory crashed over her in vivid waves. His blunt proposition echoed in her ears¡ªhe had wanted her to be his woman, speaking with the casual authority of someone ustomed to iming whatever captured his interest. She had rejected him then, citing her rtionship with Boris. Did he still harbor those intentions despite her refusal?

    The flood of recollections left her drowning in emotional turbulence. She pressed trembling fingers against her sternum, struggling to regte her ragged breathing. Yet, beneath the chaos, rity emerged like a lighthouse beacon cutting through storm clouds. She could never surrender to Merlin¡¯s will, regardless of his methods or persistence. Boris had taught her devastating lessons about the true nature of privileged heirs. To them, ordinary girls represented nothing more than temporary diversions¡ªentertaining toys to be discarded when novelty faded. The only variabley in their approach to conquest. Boris had wielded deception like a master craftsman, while Merlin brandished his dominance like a gleaming sword.

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 Chapter 307

    ?Chapter 307:

    Once her thoughts crystallized into rational order, her heartbeat gradually found its natural rhythm. Armed with unwavering resolve, she could avoid repeating history¡¯s cruel patterns. Surely, even someone as powerful as Merlin couldn¡¯t simply bend her to his will through sheer force of authority, could he?

    Elliana had positioned herself as a silent observer, cataloging each micro-expression that flitted across Hailee¡¯s face like pages turning in an open book.

    Elliana asked, her voice threading through the air with deliberate care, ¡°Hailee, something transpired between you and Merlin on that yacht, didn¡¯t it?¡±

    The question hung between them, weighted with Elliana¡¯s genuine concern rather than idle curiosity. Merlin¡¯s vtile nature, coupled with the vast chasm separating his social position from Hailee¡¯s, had nted seeds of worry that now bloomed into protective instincts. Hailee¡¯s trust in Elliana ran bone-deep, dissolving any¡­

    Barriers between them dissolved. She chose honesty, her words carrying the weight of remembered shock. ¡°He wanted me to be his woman, not asked but told.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s eyes contracted into sharp points, absorbing this confirmation of her darkest suspicions. So her instincts had struck true¡ªMerlin had been circling Hailee like a predator selecting prey.

    ¡°And what did your heart tell you?¡± Elliana probed, her tone deliberately neutral. Personal autonomy deserved respect above all else. She wouldn¡¯t y puppet master in Hailee¡¯s life, regardless of her own protective urges.

    Hailee¡¯s head moved in decisive negation. ¡°I wanted nothing to do with him. Made that crystal clear on the spot.¡±

    Relief escaped Elliana¡¯s lips in a barely audible exhale. ¡°Understoodpletely. Should he ever attempt to override your choices through force, you have an ally in me.¡±

    Hailee¡¯s nod carried profound gratitude. ¡°I¡¯ll remember that.¡± Elliana¡¯s pledge wrapped around Hailee like armor, transforming anxiety into steadied resolve.

    Hailee had witnessed Elliana¡¯s formidable capabilities with her own eyes¡ªfew adversaries could match that particr brand of fierce loyalty.

    ???????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????? ????: g???????¦Í?????????????

    While their hushed conversation continued, the Craig and Sampson families maintained their suffocating circle around Merlin, pouring honeyed words over him like sacrificial offerings. Merlin absorbed their praise with the enthusiasm of granite facing rain, utterly unmoved by their desperate attempts at ingratiation.

    Boris approached with practiced diplomatic grace, his movement calcted to project confidence despite the tremor in his hands. Merlin¡¯s response shattered the evening¡¯s carefully maintained veneer. His fist crashed into Boris¡¯s jaw with the precision of a sledgehammer meeting ss.

    ¡°Ugh!¡± The sickening sound of impact reverberated through the hall as collective gasps erupted from the witness circle. Bodies instinctively retreated, creating a widening arena around Boris¡¯s crumpled form.

    Years of disciplined training had transformed Merlin¡¯s hands into weapons that could splinter bone. The single blow left Boris retching crimson onto the pristine marble, his body convulsing in waves of agony.

    ¡°Boris!¡± Bonnie¡¯s anguished wail sliced through the stunned silence, her voice fracturing under the weight of maternal terror.

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 Chapter 308

    ?Chapter 308:

    Norwood¡¯splexion had drained to parchment white as he ventured forward on unsteady legs. ¡°M-Mr. kely, perhaps Borismitted some inadvertent transgression?¡± he stammered, his usual authority reduced to trembling uncertainty.

    Merlin¡¯s gaze carved through Norwood before sweeping the assembled crowd like a scythe cutting wheat. The very air seemed to thicken under his scrutiny, transforming breathing into a conscious effort. When he finally spoke, his words carried the weight of absolute decree. ¡°Hailee exists under my personal protection now. Anyone foolish enough to target her will discover precisely how seriously I take such affronts.¡±

    As soon as Merlin¡¯s wordsnded, the entire banquet hall plunged into a silence so thick that it felt like the air had been sucked out of the room. Even the sound of breathing seemed to vanish.

    Tension rippled through the crowd. Shock, confusion, and disbelief flickered across every face. No wonder Hailee, who seemed like a nobody, had walked in with such quiet confidence. Dressed in Rosa from head to toe, she hadn¡¯t flinched in front of the city¡¯s elite¡ªor even at the mention of a five-million-dor offer. Now they understood. She wasn¡¯t standing alone. She had Merlin behind her. And when Merlin stood behind her, the game changed. Compared to Merlin, Boris was nothing.

    The Craig and Sampson families were stunned into silence. Never in their wildest thoughts had they imagined that this ¡°ordinary¡± woman would be connected to a man of Merlin¡¯s caliber. If they had known, they would have rolled out the red carpet. But now? Now, the damage was done. They had mocked her. Dismissed her. Offended someone they should have feared. Fear crept into their eyes as the weight of their mistake sank in. Their hands trembled, and their throats went dry.

    Around them, the guests began to quietly reflect on their own actions. Had they somehow offended Hailee? Had they said something wrong? Those who had joined the Craig and Sampson families in insulting Hailee now felt a chill crawl down their spines.

    Meanwhile, a few who had chosen to support Hailee breathed easy, silently relieved they had ended up on the right side.

    Hailee, the woman at the center of it all, was stunned. She stood frozen, her heart pounding, trying to process what Merlin had just said. Her chest rose and fell unevenly as she stared at him.

    ???????????????? ???????????????? ????????: g???????¦Í????????????

    Beside Hailee, Elliana watched with narrowed eyes, her thoughts racing. Merlin¡¯s behavior was the definition of dominance. Why hadn¡¯t he bothered to ask Hailee if she wanted this? Did he think about her wishes before stepping in like this?

    But Merlin didn¡¯t care what anyone thought. He simply did what he wanted to do. He stood tall, calm, andmanding. His presence alone was enough to silence the room. No one dared look him in the eye, let alone speak.

    Then, from the side, Boris slowly pushed himself to his feet. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he wiped it away with the back of his hand, fury zing in¡­

    His eyes narrowed. He red at Hailee and barked, ¡°Hailee, when did you meet Mr. kely? Are those clothes and jewels from him?¡±

    Boris¡¯s eyes were bloodshot as he hurled those questions at Hailee. No one else could see the storm raging inside him¡ªjealousy and fear twisting together until he felt like he was unraveling. He was seething with envy, furious that another man had stepped into Hailee¡¯s life. And worse¡ªthis man wasn¡¯t just anyone, but Merlin kely, a force he could never hope to match.

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 Chapter 309

    ?Chapter 309:

    Despite having treated Hailee like a toy he could toss aside at will, Boris had always felt she belonged to him. No one else was supposed to touch her. No one else was supposed to have her heart.

    And just now, watching that damning video sh across the banquet hall¡¯s massive screen, Boris was forced to relive every moment he¡¯d shared with Hailee¡ªeach scene reying in his mind like a cruel montage. It hit him, sharp and unforgiving: in his entire twenty-six years of life, no one had ever loved him the way she had. And he doubted anyone ever would again.

    When Hailee walked into the banquet hall in that bold red gown, looking more radiant than he¡¯d ever seen her, something inside him snapped. It was like his chest had been ripped open. He couldn¡¯t look away. At that moment, all he wanted was to keep her right there, beside him, forever. He missed her loyalty. Her blind devotion. The way she used to put him first, always.

    But the past had slipped out of his grip. And the present refused to obey him. The woman standing in front of him wasn¡¯t the Hailee he used to know. She had changed. She no longer loved, feared, or missed him. She hade here tonight for one reason¡ªto end things once and for all.

    And just when Boris thought things couldn¡¯t get worse, Merlin had arrived. One word from Merlin, and he realized it was over. Whatever hope he¡¯d been clinging to was gone. Panic wed at him now, cold and merciless. He was losing Hailee. Losing the only person who had ever truly seen him. And there was nothing he could do to stop it.

    Still stunned by Merlin¡¯s public deration, Hailee barely registered Boris¡¯s outburst. Her mind went nk for a moment before she snapped instinctively, ¡°And what does that have to do with you?¡±

    Boris¡¯s heart shattered with those cold words. There was a time when everything about Hailee belonged to him¡ªher gaze, her thoughts, her entire world had orbited around him. But now? Nothing she did, nothing she felt, had anything to do with him anymore. She refused to share even a fragment of herself.

    ¡°Hailee!¡± Boris¡¯s voice cracked as he grabbed her shoulders, desperation raw in his eyes. ¡°Please, listen to me! I¡¯ve made mistakes¡ªlots of them¡ªbut don¡¯t turn your¡­

    ¡°Back like this. Don¡¯t make a scene here. Just go back and wait for me. I swear, I¡¯lle find you.¡±

    ?????????????? ???? ?????????? ???????? ???? g???????¦Í????????????

    Hailee frowned at his touch, her face twisting with disgust. She struggled to break free, but his grip was irond. No matter how much she twisted or pulled, she couldn¡¯t escape. Just as she opened her mouth, eyes zing with fury, ready to curse him for the scumbag he was, Merlin strode over. Without hesitation, he delivered a brutal kick to Boris¡¯s side.

    The impact sent Boris flying.

    Years ofbat training made Merlin¡¯s strength overwhelming for a man like Boris, who had spent his life wrapped in luxury and self-indulgence.

    Boris crashed into a nearby table, sending it crashing down with a loud noise. He copsed onto the floor in a crumpled heap. Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth as hey motionless, unable to rise.

    The entire room fell deathly silent, frozen in shock. Not a single guest dared move forward to help Boris.

    Bonnie, watching her grandson cough up blood, trembled in silent agony. But fear held her tongue¡ªshe dared not offend a man as powerful as Merlin.

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 Chapter 310

    ?Chapter 310:

    Trinity stood pale and still, too frightened to draw any attention to herself.

    Norwood and Joslyn, drained of color, bowed to Merlin, the shock knocking the breath out of them.

    Fear gripped everyone in the room. Merlin¡¯s presence alone was enough to unnerve even the boldest of men¡ªbut it wasn¡¯t just his demeanor. Stories of his past as an elite international special forces operative were known far and wide.

    Most people believed Merlin could kill with the ease of snapping a twig. Since retiring, he had returned to Ublento to helm a billion-dor family empire. Though he kept a low profile, his name never faded from conversation. People spoke of him in hushed tones, calling him death in a tailored suit.

    ¡°I failed as a father, Mr. kely. My son made a mistake. Please, let¡¯s not escte this¡­ I¡¯m begging you.¡± Norwood¡¯s voice cracked as he pleaded, his pride buried under fear.

    Beside him, Joslyn choked on her sobs. ¡°Boris didn¡¯t mean to offend you, Mr. kely. I¡¯ll make sure he knows his ce. He¡¯ll never cross you again. Please show some mercy.¡±

    Merlin didn¡¯t bother acknowledging either of them. Silent and unshaken, he kept his eyes trained on someone else¡ªDunn, who had foolishly tried to disappear into the crowd.

    Terror had stripped Dunn of his usual arrogance. His limbs trembled, and the shy confidence he paraded around clubs was nowhere in sight. Not once had he imagined that the woman they mocked would turn out to be Merlin¡¯s weakness¡ªor worse, his everything. If he had known Hailee mattered to Merlin, he would¡¯ve run the other way. But hindsight meant nothing now. Each second ticked by like a de counting down to the strike.

    ¡°Get over here,¡± Merlinmanded, his tone cold and final.

    Three words. That was all it took to send Dunn into a state of panic. His heart pounded so violently that he thought it might burst through his chest. He wanted to run. He wanted to vanish. But disobeying wasn¡¯t even an option. Reluctantly, he started moving, dragging his feet as though he were marching to an execution.

    No one missed the slow crawl. Irritation flickered in Merlin¡¯s eyes as he snapped, ¡°I¡¯m not here to watch you crawl. Move.¡±

    ?????????? ???????? ???? g???????¦Í?????????????

    That did it. Dunn stumbled the rest of the way, stopping just shy of Merlin¡¯s feet. He stood with his head lowered and whispered, ¡°M-Mr. kely, what can I do?¡±

    For a moment, Merlin just stared at Dunn. Then, in a voice sharp as broken ss, he asked, ¡°Which hand do you use to make your calls?¡±

    Dunn blinked in confusion. He didn¡¯t understand, but he didn¡¯t dare dy. Slowly, he raised his right hand. ¡°T-this one.¡±

    Without warning, Merlin seized his wrist, the motion clean and swift like a de through air.

    Dunn let out a scream, his entire body jolting as a searing shock ripped through his arm.

    Murray couldn¡¯t take it. He begged, eyes wide with panic, ¡°He¡¯s my only son, Mr. kely! I should¡¯ve stopped him. I failed. He didn¡¯t know who he was dealing with. Please, give him one more chance. I¡¯ll make sure he changes.¡±

    Not once did Merlin acknowledge Murray¡¯s plea. His attention stayed locked on Dunn, and his voice came out like ice dragged over steel. ¡°You used this hand to stir trouble. Consider this your lesson.¡± Then came the crack. One sharp twist, and Dunn¡¯s wrist shattered like brittle wood.

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 Chapter 311

    ?Chapter 311:

    ¡°Ah!¡± Dunn copsed, clutching his arm as pain tore through him in waves. Not a single person stepped forward to help¡ªjust like what had happened to Boris earlier.

    Murray trembled, beads of sweat dripping down his temples and soaking his cor.

    The entire banquet hall turned to stone. No whispers. No movements. Just fear hanging in the air like smoke.

    Many in the room couldn¡¯t make sense of Merlin¡¯s actions, but Hailee knew exactly why it had happened. Merlin was avenging her. Back then, Dunn had followed Boris¡¯s lead, dialing her just to pressure, threaten, and insult her. So, Merlin crushed Dunn¡¯s hand to make him pay.

    Eyes sharp and unreadable, Merlin shifted his attention to the next target¡ªHester. She immediately started retreating, her voice shaking. ¡°P-please don¡¯t! I won¡¯t bother Hailee again, I swear it!¡± Panic took over, and Hester turned, ready to flee.

    But her escapested less than two steps¡ªLucas and a wall of bodyguards blocked her like a closing gate.

    ¡°You¡¯re not finished here, Miss Sampson. Mr. kely hasn¡¯t dismissed you,¡± Lucas said, calm and steady.

    Her face drained of color as she slowly pivoted back to face Merlin. ¡°I know I crossed the line,¡± she stammered. ¡°I was wrong.¡±

    Merlin didn¡¯t blink. His expression stayed unreadable, but his words were chilling. ¡°I don¡¯t strike women. Handle it yourself.¡± Then, Merlin gave Lucas the faintest nod.

    Without dy, Lucas reached for a vase and extended it toward Hester. ¡°Mr. kely enjoys a bit of theater. Go on¡ªsmash it against your head.¡±

    The reaction was instant. Gasps rippled through the crowd. Some recoiled. Others simply stood frozen, unable to believe what they were hearing. Even Merlin¡¯s subordinates carried a grim, deadly edge. Though Lucas spoke with the same polished tone he always used, themand he delivered couldn¡¯t have been more ruthless. A blow to the skull wasn¡¯t just humiliating. It was brutal. If Hester went through with the vase, she¡¯d be a bloody mess. Beauty meant everything to women. Her appearance was a currency she clung to in high society. Smashing a vase on her own head? That was a price she couldn¡¯t bring herself to pay.

    Hester¡¯s gaze darted between the vase Lucas held and the unreadable coldness etched into Merlin¡¯s expression. Then, with a sharp, earsplitting cry, she broke down sobbing.

    ?????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ???? g???????¦Í??????????????

    On most days, Hester looked lovely, and with her engagement makeup done to perfection, a gentle sob might have made her seem fragile and sympathetic. But this time, panic twisted her crying into something almost monstrous. Her jaw dropped wide, and tears poured uncontrobly like water from a broken pipe, turning her grief into something exaggerated and absurd.

    Her wailing echoed off the walls, filling every inch of the space. However, that piercing sound was abruptly silenced by a sudden, crisp smack¡ªthe unmistakable crack of a p.

    The room fell dead quiet. A simple gesture from Lucas had sent one of the bodyguards forward, and thetter delivered the strike without a word.

    Merlin¡¯s men were known for their size and strength, their hands hitting like steel. Hester¡¯s cheek puffed up instantly, her face swelling in a horrifying, unnatural way. Her teeth shifted painfully in her gums. Every person in the room sat frozen, stunned by how swiftly and mercilessly it had been carried out.

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 Chapter 312

    ?Chapter 312:

    Too scared to even whimper, Hester shrank into herself.

    Lucas gazed at Hester with a smile that glowed with fake warmth and held out the vase once again. ¡°Ms. Sampson,¡± he said in a syrupy tone. ¡°Would you kindlyplete your act?¡±

    That charming smile was sharper than a knife coated in sugar. Beneath his refined surface, Lucas was as dangerous as they came. At that chilling moment, everyone present understood something with terrifying rity: anyone in Merlin¡¯s orbit was not to be crossed.

    No one dared rise in Hester¡¯s defense. Even she knew resisting would only make things worse. Shaking with fear, she reached for the vase, holding it against her forehead. The sting in her skull hadn¡¯t yetnded when the ache in her chest had already begun. After a brief hesitation and two shaky breaths, she clenched her eyes shut and mmed the vase against her head.

    Bang! Fragments exploded everywhere. Hester copsed instantly, knocked unconscious. A deep cut on her head began bleeding across the gleaming floor.

    Nobody rushed to her aid. The banquet hall stayed eerily quiet, as if the very air had frozen. Everyone¡¯s eyes darted cautiously toward Merlin. Whispers about his cold heart and quick temper had always floated around, but this moment made those whispers feel terrifyingly real. One shared thought swept through the crowd¡ªit was safer to provoke a monster than to challenge Merlin.

    At that exact moment, the banquet hall doors flew open once more, revealing several uniformed police officers. After conducting a quick investigation, they detained Boris, Dunn, and Hester, along with the medical personnel who had helped falsify documents.

    In a panic, Murray raised his voice at the officers, shouting, ¡°I didn¡¯t know anything! Our hospital hasn¡¯t done anything wrong!¡±

    None of the officers acknowledged his defense. One handed him an official notice. ¡°Because of major criminal vitions by employees at Skyflower Hospital, all operations must cease immediately until further review.¡±

    Once the authorities left, Murray slumped into a chair, his face drained of color.

    ?????????? ???????? ???????????????? ???? g???????¦Í?????????????

    Bonnie lost consciousness and had to be carried out.

    Norwood and Joslyn remained locked in ce, too shocked to make a sound or move.

    Just minutes ago, Trinity had been basking in the glow of attention from every corner of the room. Now, she stood alone, deserted by the very people who had been hanging on her every word. No one wanted to be caught in the fallout. The swift turn of events made her clench her jaw with rage. She cast a poisonous stare at Elliana, who didn¡¯t even bother to look in her direction.

    Merlin stepped up to Hailee and asked in a gentle voice, ¡°Are you heading out? I can drive you.¡±

    Even though he had stood up for her, Hailee couldn¡¯t shake the difort stirred by his violent streak. Her body reacted before her mind could catch up, backing away two steps while keeping a cautious eye on him.

    A frown tugged at Merlin¡¯s brows. Why was she shrinking away from him again? Her bravery was unpredictable, bouncing between fierce defiance and sudden fragility¡ªas if even a harmless sigh from him might send her copsing. It fascinated him.

    Under his unrelenting stare, Hailee felt a wave of unease and stammered, ¡°I-I appreciate it, but¡­ I¡¯ll go with Elliana.¡± Merlin shifted his attention toward Elliana.

    .

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 Chapter 313

    ?Chapter 313:

    Elliana let out a crooked smile, her voiceced with mockery as she said, ¡°Why don¡¯t you worry about the lump on your skull first? Stay out of our business. Do you ever realize how irritating your white knight act is?¡±

    Merlin¡¯s expression turned grim. Her sharp words echoed in his head, triggering a fresh pulse of pain at the back of his skull. But because she was the woman Cole loved, all he could do was shoot her a venomous re before storming off in silence.

    As soon as he disappeared from sight, Hailee let out a quiet breath of relief.

    Elliana reached out and gently took her hand. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go.¡± While they stepped out of the banquet hall, Hailee turned to her. ¡°It¡¯s still early, just past eight. How about I buy you dinner at my family¡¯s diner? Last time, you didn¡¯t even get to eat because Cole showed up just to pick a fight.¡±

    Elliana nodded without hesitation, unaware that this small, innocent choice would soon pull her into serious trouble.

    Elliana had been craving the spaghetti from Hailee¡¯s family restaurant for days. That night, she¡¯d only managed to catch a fleeting trace of the rich, savory aroma before being whisked away¡ªshe never actually got to taste it. The regret lingered, surfacing at odd moments and making her stomach grumble in protest. So, when Hailee floated the idea of heading over for spaghetti tonight, her craving exploded into full-blown obsession. Just the thought set her mouth watering, and nothing was going to quiet her hunger until she finally had that te in front of her. If she didn¡¯t get her fill tonight, she doubted she¡¯d sleep a wink.

    Slipping into the car, Elliana turned to Paulina without preamble, her tone leaving no room for debate. ¡°Paulina, take me to Willow Lane. I need that spaghetti tonight.¡±

    Paulina hesitated for a heartbeat, her reluctance flickering in her eyes. She was keenly aware of how much Cole hoped Elliana woulde home early, but her instructions from him were clear¡ªwhatever Elliana wanted, she was to make it happen.

    After a brief pause, Paulina¡¯s lips curled into a polite smile. ¡°Of course, Mrs. Evans.¡± She leaned forward and quietly told the driver to head for Willow Lane. The engine purred to life, and they were off.

    ???????? ???????????????? ????????: g???????¦Í????????????

    As the car rolled away from the curb, Elliana quickly tapped out a message to Cole. ¡°Coley, I¡¯m heading to Hailee¡¯s for spaghetti. I¡¯ll be home a littlete.¡±

    She half-expected his usual prompt reply¡ªa teasing quip or an emoji sent in seconds. But tonight, her screen stayed stubbornly nk. Minutes ticked by with no response. Shrugging it off, she figured he was probably swamped with paperwork or trapped in some endless meeting. He always texted back when he could. He¡¯d see her message and reply soon enough.

    With her phone tucked away, Elliana turned her attention to Hailee, theirughter filling the car as they sped down Willow Lane. But what she didn¡¯t realize was that her casual text had sent ripples through Regal Grove.

    Cole, who had been waiting for Elliana to return since she left, hadn¡¯t budged from the living room sofa.

    After Myles finished his lengthy report on the engagement banquet and casually mentioned that Elliana had already slipped out of the banquet venue¡ªCole¡¯s mood had soared. He stepped outside, settling on the front steps of the vi, eyes fixed on the winding driveway, heart full of restless anticipation. But then, her messagended. Just a simple note about spaghetti and being homete, but it blindsided himpletely.

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    .

    .

 Chapter 314

    ?Chapter 314:

    His joy evaporated, reced by a cold, sullen quiet. The world around him seemed to darken, every shadow in the night deepening with his disappointment.

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh¡ªstill aching from six hundred grueling push-ups¡ªfroze at the sight of Cole¡¯s thunderous expression. Not one of them dared move a muscle. After all, thest thing they needed was to be his next set of punching bags.

    A heavy silence pressed down on the night. Only the faint whisper of wind and the distant chirping of insects slipped through the open windows.

    Without warning, Cole sprang to his feet and stormed back into the vi. He dropped onto the sofa with a heavy, frustrated sigh. Myles, Aron, and Hugh followed quietly, each man hoping to blend into the wallpaper.

    Once seated, Cole unleashed the storm bottled up inside him. ¡°Tell me, do you think Elliana even understands what it means to be a wife? Even at this hour, she refused toe back home, choosing instead to hang out and eat with whoever she wants¡ªdoes she even care about her husband? Or this family?¡±

    His voice rose, sharp with frustration. ¡°Maybe I¡¯ve been too easy on her. I just let her do whatever she pleases. If this keeps up, where is it going to lead? Do you think I need to set some ground rules? Maybe it¡¯s time I taught her how to behave.¡±

    The living room fell into a bone-chilling hush. Not a single word slipped from anyone¡¯s lips. Even Hugh, normally the first to crack a joke or offer an opinion impulsively, stood stone-faced, wisely keeping his thoughts to himself.

    The uneasy quiet stretched on until Cole finally lifted his gaze, his eyes glinting with ice as he fixed the three men in ce. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did your tongues all fall out?¡±

    Aron and Hugh stared at the floor, rigid with dread, not daring to even breathe too loudly.

    Only Myles managed to gather his wits, forcing a shaky smile. ¡°Mr. Evans, your wife is only twenty¡ªshe¡¯s so young, brimming with energy and curiosity. It¡¯s normal for her to want to have some fun. Maybe you could be a little more understanding?¡±

    Cole¡¯s stare sharpened, his voice dropping to a cutting chill. ¡°Oh? So you think I¡¯m just some out-of-touch old man now?¡± Panic flickered across Myles¡¯s face. He shook his head frantically. ¡°No, that¡¯s not what I meant! What I¡¯m saying is, Mrs. Evans loves you¡ªshe¡¯s always with you. But she still needs her own friends and space. If you try to keep her too close, she might end up feeling suffocated.¡±

    ???????????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ????????????????: g???????¦Í????????????

    Cole fell into brooding silence, weighing those words. After a long pause, he finally nodded. ¡°Fine. You make a fair point.¡±

    Then, with no warning, he shot Myles a look and snapped, ¡°Go fetch me a whip.¡±

    Myles froze in confusion for a heartbeat, but quickly scrambled to obey, hurrying out and returning with a whip clutched in his trembling hands.

    Cole bnced the whip in his palm, a steely glint in his eye as he spoke with icy amusement. ¡°If she walks through that door by ten, I¡¯ll let this slide. But if she dares show upte, I¡¯ll make sure she remembers tonight¡ªright down to the sting.¡±

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh all grimaced in perfect sync, exchanging resigned nces. The couple was at it again¡ªanother round of marital fireworks was about to explode.

    Meanwhile, Elliana strolled through the evening without a care in the world, ignorant of the brewing storm back home. At Loftus¡¯s Comfort Eats, she dug into a heaping te of spaghetti, savoring every bite of Hailee¡¯s father¡¯s secret recipe. Theirughter mingled with the gentle tter of dishes, and the hours slipped away faster than she realized.

    .

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    .

 Chapter 315

    ?Chapter 315:

    When Elliana finally pushed back her chair, the night outside had deepened to pitch ck. By the time she pulled into Regal Grove, the clock had just struck midnight. A strange hush enveloped the entire estate.

    Assuming Cole had already fallen asleep, Elliana slipped out of the car and padded quietly toward the vi, doing her best not to make a sound.

    Just as her hand reached the door, the butler darted into her path, his face drawn with concern. He leaned in and whispered, ¡°Mrs. Evans, I suggest you tread very carefully tonight¡­¡±

    Elliana arched a brow, thrown by Barney¡¯s urgent expression, and murmured, ¡°Barney, what¡¯s going on?¡±

    Barney leaned in andid out the whole mess in a few words, his voice low and fraught with anxiety. ¡°Mr. Evans is utterly furious. He¡¯s been on a warpath since ten o¡¯clock¡ªsnapping at everyone in sight. Except Myles, Aron, and Hugh, nobody else dares breathe near him.¡±

    With a nervous gesture, Barney spread his hands apart. ¡°He¡¯s got this long whip¡ªsays he¡¯s going to teach you a lesson when youe home. Maybe you should steer clear for a while? Let him cool off before heading inside?¡±

    Elliana pressed her lips together, disbelief flickering in her eyes. All this, just for herte return home over some spaghetti?

    Paulina, hovering just behind her, caught every word and jumped in, worry creasing her brow. ¡°Did Mr. Evans eat dinner at all?¡±

    Barney shook his head as he replied, ¡°Nope. He said he¡¯d wait for Mrs. Evans and have ate-night snack together. But it¡¯s nearly midnight, and you¡¯re only just back. He¡¯s been starving this whole time.¡± Looking embarrassed, Barney hesitated. ¡°And, um¡­ Mr. Evans also said¡­¡± He trailed off, clearly mortified to repeat Cole¡¯s words.

    Confusion tightened Elliana¡¯s expression. ¡°What exactly did he say?¡±

    Letting out a dry chuckle, Barney answered, ¡°He said if he starves to death, it¡¯s all on you for ignoring him. And he added you¡¯d better n to stay single forever after his demise, because if you marry someone else, he¡¯ll haunt you even as a ghost.¡±

    ???????? ???????????????? ????????  g???????¦Í?????????????

    Elliana rolled her eyes so hard that she nearly saw her own brain. Honestly, where was the cold, mysterious Cole she¡¯d first met? All that icy dignity had melted into childish melodrama.

    Beside her, Paulina pressed a hand to her mouth, barely suppressing augh. Post-marriage, Cole¡¯s temperament had unraveled into something not far from a spoiled toddler¡¯s.

    Barney nudged Paulina, lowering his voice. ¡°Maybe you should take Mrs. Evans to a hotel for the night. Give Mr. Evans until morning to cool his jets. Otherwise¡ªwho knows what disaster¡¯s waiting inside?¡±

    But before Paulina could answer, Elliana broke into a run and dashed straight for the front door.

    ¡°Mrs. Evans, wait!¡± Barney yelped as he darted after her, but he came up toote.

    Left blinking at the doorway, Barney¡¯s nerves frayed. He shot Paulina a panicked look. ¡°What now? If Mr. Evans loses it and gets physical, Mrs. Evans isn¡¯t the type to forgive and forget. By the time hees to his senses, it¡¯ll be toote for sorry.¡±

    Paulina¡¯s heart twisted with anxiety. ¡°We¡¯d better hurry.¡±

    Together, they raced inside¡ªstraight into the living room brimming with tension so thick that it was almost suffocating.

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    .

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 Chapter 316

    ?Chapter 316:

    Cole brooded on the sofa, his gaze thunderous and unyielding. Gripping a long whip, he seemed to radiate an icy, suffocating energy that drove everyst servant to scatter like leaves in a storm.

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh stood rigid to the side, hardly daring to breathe.

    The living room had sunk into a heavy silence, thick with tension.

    Suddenly, Elliana crashed into the scene like a bolt of lightning. Ignoring the uneasy stares, she barreled straight for Cole and, without hesitation, threw herself into his arms. ¡°Coley, my love, I missed you so much! Gimme that gorgeous face¡ªI need some kisses!¡± she dered, her tone dripping with yful sweetness.

    Before Cole could react, Elliana seized his cheeks in both hands and peppered kisses across every inch of his face¡ªforehead, eyelids, nose, lips, and jaw.

    Paulina and Barney charged in just in time to witness the spectacle; both frozen mid-step, eyes wide with disbelief.

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh could only gawk in shock, jaws practically on the floor.

    nting one knee boldly on the sofa and keeping her other foot anchored to the floor, Elliana boxed Cole in, looming over him with the swagger of a CEO who owned the ce. Her confidence was absolute, daring anyone to challenge her im.

    ¡°Coley, I thought about you every single minute I was out,¡± Elliana teased, breezing past the tension as if nothing had happened. ¡°Did you miss me at all?¡±

    Cole shot her a wounded look, his eyes dark with usation. ¡°Why did youe back sote?¡±

    shing a mischievous smile, Elliana shrugged, her gaze bright and yful. ¡°Come on, Coley. Sure, a good wife spoils her man, but I can¡¯t just let my whole life revolve around you. I¡¯ve got to spend time with my friends, too¡ªkeep a little freedom, right?¡±

    She leaned in, pressing her lips firmly to his. ¡°Sorry for making you wait, my love. Don¡¯t stay mad, alright?¡±

    Everyone in the room held their breath, eyes glued to Cole, waiting to see if he¡¯d explode or let it slide.

    ?????? ?????? ?????????????????? ??????????: g???????¦Í??????????????

    To their amazement, Cole¡¯s frigid expression melted the moment Elliana kissed him. The tempest in his gaze faded, reced by a rare warmth that softened every sharp edge.

    Everyone was stunned. Had Elliana really cated Cole just like that? Just moments ago, he¡¯d been all fire and thunder, but now she had him utterly charmed¡ªlike she¡¯d snapped her fingers and the storm inside him dissolved.

    Cole couldn¡¯t care less about the onlookers. He licked his lips where Elliana¡¯s kiss had grazed, azy grin tugging at his mouth. ¡°Creamy spaghetti marinara, huh? That what you had tonight?¡±

    ¡°Mm-hmm.¡± Elliana nodded, still perched in hisp. ¡°Was it good?¡±

    He shot her a heated look, his voice turning rough with longing. ¡°Could¡¯ve used more vor. I didn¡¯t really get to savor it. Think you could let me have a real taste this time?¡±

    Elliana justughed softly and pressed another kiss to his lips¡ªslow, sure, and impossibly sweet.

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 Chapter 317

    ?Chapter 317:

    Cole slouched into the cushions, letting Elliana shower him with kisses, his bad mood dissolving beneath her touch. Everyone else watched in mute disbelief, the whole scene feeling almost surreal.

    Just hours before, the air inside the vi had been so charged with Cole¡¯s anger that nobody dared breathe. Now, a handful of sweet words from Elliana had himpletely tamed. Did he have any idea how whipped he looked?

    Of course, no one was bold enough to say it out loud. They just swallowed theirments and exchanged silent, exasperated nces. As the couple¡¯s kiss deepened and lingered, Paulina and Barney slipped out as quickly as possible, eager to escape the awkwardness.

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh followed soon after, creeping away like prisoners released from a long interrogation. Ever since Cole¡¯s marriage, daily life in the Evans family¡¯s household had felt like a nonstop emotional thrill ride¡ªanyone faint of heart wouldn¡¯tst a week with this couple.

    Once they were safely outside, Hugh couldn¡¯t hold back his frustration. He grumbled to Aron, ¡°Honestly, I never imagined Mr. Evans could be this shameless. But Elliana? She¡¯s on a whole different level.¡± Aron shot him a cold, warning look, clearly uninterested in engaging.

    Undeterred, Hugh turned to Myles, desperate for someone tomiserate with. ¡°Myles, how long do you think Mr. Evans can keep acting this crazy?¡±

    Myles just red, his voice t and final. ¡°Fuck off.¡±

    Shut down once more, Hugh¡¯s head hung low as he made his way back to Aron, wordlessly sulking. His position beside Myles and Aron was sliding downhill, leaving himpletely exasperated.

    Back in the living room, Elliana finally calmed Cole down with a long, lingering kiss that left him breathless and dazed.

    Nestled in his embrace, she let her voice drift over him, gentle and coaxing. ¡°Coley, Barney told me you skipped dinner. Why don¡¯t you eat a little something now?¡±

    Cole eyed her with azy, indulgent smile. ¡°Only if you¡¯ll eat with me.¡± A mischievous light sparkled in her eyes. ¡°Of course! I just had a quick catch-up with my friends. From here on out, you¡¯ve got my full attention, my love.¡±

    ???????? ???????????????? ???? g???????¦Í?????????????

    Her syrupy words sent his heart into freefall. He finally relented, agreeing to eat just to keep her close.

    Soon enough, they were seated across from each other in the dining room.

    Cole twirled his pasta with deliberate care, every move unhurried, while Elliana rested her chin in her palms and gazed at him like he was a work of art.

    ¡°Somehow, a man eating pasta looks especially handsome,¡± she mused,yering on the ttery without missing a beat.

    Cole looked dangerously close to floating off his chair, so intoxicated by her sweetness that he could barely remember the days when she treated him with nothing but cold indifference. Back then, a singlepliment was rarer than gold. Now, he felt as if he were drowning in sugar, every sugary word melting thest of his resistance.

    All the while, the housekeepers stood at a polite distance, doing their best to ignore the couple¡¯s affectionate disy.

    Meanwhile, Elliana¡¯s thoughts kept circling back to Jody¡¯s true identity.

    While Cole lounged on the couch, she quietly nned her next move. With a sh of inspiration, she ventured a cautious step forward. ¡°Coley, how about I tag along to the Evans Group tomorrow?¡± she asked, her tone casual but her eyes sparkling with intent.

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 Chapter 318

    ?Chapter 318:

    Cole nced over, his eyebrows lifted. ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you? Why do you want toe to the office all of a sudden?¡±

    Without hesitation, Elliana spat out her lie with practiced ease, ¡°Well, I am the CEO¡¯s wife, aren¡¯t I? If I never show my face, how will your employees know who Mrs. Evans is? I have a reputation to uphold. And honestly, I need to remind all those shameless flirts outside that you¡¯re strictly off the market.¡±

    Cole clearly liked the sound of that. His lips curled into a rare, satisfied smile. ¡°If you want toe, thene.¡±

    Elliana beamed, satisfaction flickering in her gaze. With Myles already ruled out as Jody, she turned her attention to the Evans Group¡¯s head of cybersecurity. Her n was in motion.

    Just then, her phone vibrated with a new message from Matthew.

    ¡°Lexi, we¡¯ve got a lead on Victor.¡±

    Elliana swiftly responded, ¡°Go ahead.¡±

    Matthew informed her, ¡°Our guys spotted Victor in a small town in Podgend. He¡¯s opened a restaurant.¡±

    A slight twitch crossed Elliana¡¯s lips as she read the text. What was¡­

    Victor¡¯s obsession with running a restaurant, anyway? She asked, ¡°Anything off about the restaurant or the businesses nearby?¡±

    Matthew answered, ¡°Nothing so far. We¡¯ve gone through all the shops around here¡ªnothing¡¯s out of the ordinary.¡±

    Elliana instructed, ¡°Don¡¯t make any moves yet. Just keep an eye on him. No one tips him off.¡±

    Matthew fired off his reply. ¡°Got it. While we were watching Victor, we noticed at least three other groups tailing him, too. No clue who they are yet.¡±

    Elliana stole a nce at Cole, her mind spinning with questions. Was it possible one of the mysterious groups shadowing Victor had ties to Cole? If she wanted answers, she¡¯d have to dig through Cole¡¯s private files¡ªwhatever secrets he was hiding, they were tangled up with Victor, and she had no intention of letting the trail go cold.

    ?????????????? ???????? ???? g???????¦Í?????????????

    Trust between them had nevere easily. Even now, with their rtionship on the surface, total honesty remained out of reach. Cole would nevery all his cards on the table for her, and she had secrets of her own she¡¯d never be able to confess. They were both creatures of shadow and half-truths, and some of the secrets they carried would stay locked away forever, even though they were husband and wife.

    Pushing those thoughts aside, Elliana dropped her gaze to her phone and typed a brisk message to Matthew. ¡°Keep watching. Blend in. Don¡¯t let anyone notice you¡¯re there.¡±

    A momentter, Matthew¡¯s reply pinged back. ¡°Copy that.¡±

    She set her phone aside and nced up. Cole had already cleared his te, his expression unreadable.

    The two of them climbed the stairs together, went through the familiar motions of getting ready for bed, and finally curled up in each other¡¯s arms, drifting off to sleep beneath the quiet hum of the air conditioner. The next morning found them at the breakfast table, sharing a meal before heading out to the Evans Group.

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 Chapter 319

    ?Chapter 319:

    Elliana made zero effort to tone herself down. She strutted out in her trademark entric style¡ªwild curls bouncing, temporary tattoos scattered across her cheeks, and a head-to-toe ck ensemble that radiated bold defiance. Next to her, Cole looked every inch the sophisticated CEO¡ªsleek, polished, and devastatingly handsome.

    A sleek Rolls-Royce came to a smooth stop at the entrance of the Evans Group headquarters. Elliana emerged from the luxury vehicle with Cole at her side, and together, they made their way straight to the executive elevator, heading up to the highest floor without pause. Upon stepping into the CEO¡¯s suite, the pair vanished from sight, choosing to keep their presence under wraps for the rest of the day.

    Even their attempt at secrecy couldn¡¯t keep the rumor mill quiet for long.

    Hardly had five minutes passed before talk of Elliana swept through the office like wildfire.

    Elliana¡¯s reputation preceded her at the Evans Group. Even the janitors whispered stories about Cole¡¯s ¡°ugly¡± wife.

    For ages, gossip painted Cole as desperate to avoid Elliana, iming he had even abandoned the family mansion for his bachelor pad at Regal Grove. No one had imagined he would openly escort Elliana to work.

    Reception staff were buzzing¡ªapparently, Cole had marched in with Elliana¡¯s hand in his, strolling across the marble lobby. During that brief walk, they radiated such affection as if the office had been transported into a romantic film, leaving witnesses wide-eyed and speechless.

    Thepany was thrown for a loop. Every nasty rumor was suddenly upended. Cole treated Elliana as if she were the center of his universe. Realization hit, and the news sent shockwaves from floor to floor. Most employees never pictured their charming, sophisticated CEO falling for someone considered ugly by their standards.

    The heartbreak spread fast among women in the building who¡¯d invested countless hours and a small fortune on beauty regimens, hoping to catch Cole¡¯s attention. Those who had spent fortunes on facials, high-end clothes, and perfect makeup¡ªbraving rain and sun just to catch Cole¡¯s eye¡ªfelt their dreams shatter in a single morning. All that effort, wasted, now that Cole clearly preferred ¡°ugly¡± women. If only they¡¯d known, they wouldn¡¯t have emptied their wallets on beauty routines.

    In less than thirty minutes after Elliana¡¯s arrival, a new craze took hold among Cole¡¯s admirers. Those female staff who had been desperate to impress Cole suddenly ditched their cosmetics, parading their bare faces in solidarity with Elliana. Bathrooms were packed as employees scrubbed awayyers of makeup. Some went a step further, dusting on mismatched colors or even streaks of dirt, trying to imitate what they believed was Elliana¡¯s signature look.

    ???????? ???????? ???????????????? ???? g???????¦Í?????????????

    Before long, every corner of thepany¡¯s towering 68 floors was alive with women showing off exaggerated ugly appearances, transforming the corporate headquarters into an unpredictable spectacle.

    No one was quicker on the uptake than Myles, Cole¡¯s right hand.

    Hearing the wild reports, he could only smirk, caught somewhere between disbelief and amusement.

    Aron and Hugh, standing nearby, listened as the entire episode unfolded.

    Hugh couldn¡¯t contain augh. ¡°Have those women lost all sense?¡±

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    .

 Chapter 320

    ?Chapter 320:

    Aron shook his head. ¡°They really think a stunt like this is their ticket to the top. These trends have a way of backfiring in the worst ways.¡±

    While the two shared their skepticism, Helga Garza, the imposing head of the secretarial department, marched into view. Shock shed across the men¡¯s faces as she approached.

    Around the office, Helga¡¯s reputation as a stunner was practically legendary¡ªher runway-ready figure, striking features, and glossy hair never failed to turn heads. Impable suits and heels made her the center of attention wherever she walked. Even Aron and Hugh, who imed they were immune to workce crushes, often found their eyes following her.

    No one was prepared for Helga¡¯s transformation this morning. Wild, untamed hair framed her face, which was smeared with streaks of dirt, and her outfit looked as if she¡¯d pulled it from aundry basket. She looked more like someone who¡¯d survived a tornado than the department¡¯s fashion icon.

    Myles and the others exchanged bewildered nces, struggling to keep straight faces. Never in a million years would they have pegged Helga as someone who¡¯d jump on this ridiculous trend.

    A file clutched in her hands, Helga breezed past the trio toward the CEO¡¯s office. She greeted them with a beaming wave and an even wider grin.

    That smile almost made Myles, Aron, and Hugh lose theirposure all over again. Helga took the ugly trend to heart, shing a set of oversized, clunky braces that made her grin look straight out of a Halloween special.

    Adjusting his sses, Myles couldn¡¯t help but call out, ¡°Ms. Garza, you really nning to walk into Mr. Evans¡¯s office looking like that?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the issue?¡± Helga shot back, all confidence. She fluffed her tangled hair, convinced her new ¡°Elliana 100k¡± was a stroke of genius. She was certain Cole would be charmed.

    Augh escaped Myles. ¡°You¡¯re in charge of the secretarial pool, and this is your big style statement?¡±

    ???????? ???????????????? ???? g???????¦Í????????????

    Helga gave him a look full of mischief. ¡°Worried I¡¯ll catch Mr. Evans¡¯s eye and leapfrog you in thepany ranks, Mr. Fletcher? Don¡¯t be so nervous.¡±

    Silence seemed the safest option, so Myles wisely zipped his lips. Some folks were set on their own disasters, and no warning could talk them out of it.

    Lifting her chin, Helga strutted confidently to the CEO¡¯s office door, knocked, and, after a nod of permission, swept inside.

    All three men watched her go, quietly counting down the seconds to the inevitable fallout.

    After days holed up in Regal Grove nursing an injury, Cole finally returned and was swallowed whole by the mountain of work waiting on his desk.

    Without saying a word, Elliana imed a spot on the sofa, thumbing through her phone. She stayed quiet, not wanting to pull him away from the mountain of paperwork he¡¯d already begun tearing into.

    It was Helga¡¯s entrance that pulled Elliana¡¯s eyes up, confusion flickering across her face like a warning light. She couldn¡¯t make sense of what she was seeing. In a ce as polished as the Evans Group, Helga¡¯s unkempt appearance felt like a glitch in the system.

    In Elliana¡¯s mind, a top-tierpany should have no tolerance for employees who didn¡¯t match the brand¡¯s polished image. Sloppy didn¡¯t make the cut. Was the Evans Group¡¯s culture just weirdly chill, or what?

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 Chapter 321

    ?Chapter 321:

    Elliana¡¯s gaze dropped to the name tag pinned neatly on Helga¡¯s chest. Thebel gave her pause¡ªHelga was no bottom-rung staffer. She headed the secretarial department. That detail hit hard. This woman reported directly to Cole. Was Cole really this rxed about his team¡¯s professionalism?

    Still processing, Elliana barely registered Helga¡¯s movement until they made brief eye contact. Helga¡¯s smirk came sharp and smug, like a challenge tossed into the ring without warning.

    With an almost theatrical turn, Helga strolled toward Cole¡¯s desk, her confidence practically leaving footprints on the floor.

    Cole, however, remained focused on his documents, his head never lifting.

    Helga stopped at his side, offering a file with the exaggerated grace of someone serving tea to royalty. Her tone was thick with sweetness. ¡°Mr. Evans, this one¡¯s waiting on your signature.¡±

    Not bothering to look up, Cole reached for the file, scrawled his name across the bottom, and pushed it back in her direction¡ªall without blinking.

    Helga epted it with a tight grip, but the way her lips ttened said enough. His indifference had clearly struck a nerve.

    Determined not to walk away empty-handed, Helga pivoted. ¡°Mr. Evans, we¡¯ll be cing a new order for staff uniforms soon. Got any preferences?¡±

    Eyes still on his papers, Cole dismissed her with a t reply. ¡°You handle it as you see fit. If you can¡¯t make the call, ask Myles.¡± She hovered near his desk, clearly out of professional reasons to stay but unwilling to walk off just yet.

    A beat passed before Cole, still immersed in his files, asked under his breath, ¡°You need something else?¡±

    Helga clenched her jaw. An ache of annoyance bloomed quietly inside her. All she wanted was for Cole to look at her, just once, but he never did.

    Off to the side, Elliana had seen enough to piece it together. With a mischievous spark in her voice, she chimed in, ¡°Mr. Evans, Ms. Garza¡¯s makeup is intense. Is this the Evans Group¡¯s new image campaign?¡±

    ?????? ???????? ????????????: g???????¦Í????????????

    That cracked Cole¡¯s focus. His head finally lifted. The second his eyesnded on Helga¡¯s overdone look, his whole expression shifted to ice. ¡°What kind of circus is this, Helga? You¡¯re a director of the secretarial department, not a backup dancer. You think this is eptable?¡±

    Thementnded like a p. Helga instinctively recoiled, thrown off by the sudden bite in Cole¡¯s voice. She had taken a gamble by mimicking Elliana¡¯s style to impress, but it looked like she had just stepped into a bear trap. Fast on her feet, she scrambled for a save.

    ¡°Mr. Evans, here¡¯s what happened. A few of the women saw Mrs. Evans and thought she looked so bold and stylish. They wanted to try something simr¡­ I just joined in, that¡¯s all.¡±

    Elliana didn¡¯t bother hiding her amusement. A smirk tugged at her lips. If Helga was really such a fan, then why did Helga¡¯s eyes throw daggers at her the minute she walked in? She didn¡¯t need long to figure out what Helga was really up to.

    Elliana could read Helga like an open book, and clearly, Cole could too. His reply cameced with venom. ¡°My wife? She¡¯s cool, sharp, and effortless. You¡¯re not even in the same universe. Your mimicking is pathetic.¡±

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 Chapter 322

    ?Chapter 322:

    Heat flushed Helga¡¯s face, her nerves unraveling as she stammered, ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Evans. I¡¯ll fix everything right away.¡±

    ¡°Toote.¡± Cole¡¯s voice turned cial. ¡°Head to finance, pick up yourst check, and don¡¯t show your face in Ublento again.¡±

    Her panic red instantly. ¡°Please, Mr. Evans, I know I screwed up. Don¡¯t fire me. I need this job.¡±

    Landing the secretarial lead at the Evans Group wasn¡¯t just a promotion. It was the kind of role people fought for and almost never got. Losing it meant falling hard, and she knew she wouldn¡¯t be climbing back to this height anytime soon.

    Cole wasn¡¯t feeling generous. His words hit like a mmed door. ¡°Myles, get her out of here.¡±

    Having anticipated the meltdown from the start, Myles walked in calmly and guided the trembling Helga out of the room.

    From her spot on the couch, Elliana watched it all y out like front-row drama. Once the door closed behind Helga, she leaned toward Cole with a crooked smile. ¡°Yikes! All that effort just to get your attention. You really gave her the blizzard treatment.¡±

    Cole raised a brow. ¡°Honey, don¡¯t get cheeky.¡±

    Meanwhile, just outside the office, Helga clutched at thest shred of hope she had. ¡°Myles,e on. Talk to Mr. Evans for me. Mr. Evans listens to you. I can¡¯t lose this job.¡±

    But Myles didn¡¯t offer so much as a nod. Without a word, he signaled security and then watched silently as they walked her down to collect her final paycheck and straight out the front doors of the Evans Group.

    Word of what happened flew through the building faster than a group chat rumor. Women who had been mimicking Elliana¡¯s look in hopes of turning Cole¡¯s head rushed to the restrooms in a silent stampede, scrubbing their faces like they were erasing evidence. When they reappeared, not one dared meet anyone¡¯s gaze. Their once-bold strut had shriveled into a sheepish shuffle. None of them wanted to be the next cautionary tale.

    Unaware of the chaos she¡¯d identally triggered, Elliana remained out of the loop about her unintended influence on office fashion. With Cole still buried under a mountain of paperwork, she took the moment to quietly sift through the Evans Group¡¯s cybersecurity team lineup¡­

    ???????? ????????????????: g???????¦Í?????????????

    Elliana spent the entire morning sifting through the Evans Group¡¯s internal database until she finallynded on the cybersecurity department director¡ªa man named Wesley Vance. She tapped open his employee profile and studied the photo on file.

    Wesley appeared sharp and impably groomed, the type who probably aced every interview in his life. A quick scan of his credentials revealed a glittering academic record from a world-renowned university. Elliana¡¯s instincts red¡ªthis guy had to be the elusive ¡°Jody.¡±

    Armed with her new lead, she turned to Cole, the gears in her head already spinning. ¡°Darling, other than Myles, Aron, and Hugh, do you have any other old friends working at the Evans Group?¡±

    Cole barely looked up, still hammering away at hisptop, his attention divided between a dozen urgent emails. ¡°Plenty of my rtives are here. Why do you ask?¡±

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 Chapter 323

    ?Chapter 323:

    She kept her tone breezy but pressed on. ¡°I mean anyone outside your family. Old friends, maybe?¡±

    Cole flicked his eyes toward her and then returned to his screen with a faint smile. ¡°The cybersecurity director¡¯s an old ssmate of mine. We¡¯ve known each other since elementary school.¡±

    That was all the confirmation she needed. Jody had once let slip that he and Cole went way back to childhood. And now, the dots finally connected. Wesley, the tech genius running the Evans Group¡¯s digital fortress, had to be Jody.

    Elliana¡¯s heart thudded with anticipation. If she knocked Wesley unconscious during lunch break, she just might find a way to slip through the Evans Group¡¯s irondwork. Unable to hide the thrill coursing through her, she practically hummed with excitement, a spark lighting up her eyes.

    Cole caught the glimmer in Elliana¡¯s eyes and couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°What¡¯s got you grinning over there?¡±

    Elliana flicked her finger at Wesley¡¯s photo on the roster, mischief in her smile. ¡°Your old school buddy? He¡¯s got that rockstar swagger¡ªbet he could charm anyone just by shing a grin.¡±

    Cole¡¯s hands stilled on hisptop, his jaw tightening as he shot her a sour look. ¡°Seriously? You¡¯re really going to hype up another guy in front of me?¡±

    Elliana let out a breath, fighting the urge to roll her eyes. Cole¡¯s jealousy was back, simmering just beneath the surface. He always managed to pick the worst moments for his petty streak, and she was fresh out of patience. Shutting the roster with a sharp snap, she strolled over and looped her arms around his neck, leaning in close. ¡°Coley, I¡¯m starving. Come have lunch with me?¡±

    His stormy re didn¡¯t budge. ¡°Thought Wesley was so hot? Why not eat with him?¡±

    ¡°No way!¡± Elliana shook her head fast. ¡°Please. At first nce, maybe he seemed like he had something going on. But honestly? The longer I looked, the more of a mess he became. Total flop. You, on the other hand, just keep getting hotter. Every time I look at you, I want to stick by your side.¡±

    That finally chipped away at Cole¡¯s scowl, his eyes softening despite himself. He knew Elliana was just spinning sweet talk¡ªprobably barely thinking before the words tumbled out¡ªbut he couldn¡¯t help soaking it in. ¡°Fine,¡± he murmured, pulling her closer. ¡°What are you in the mood for?¡±

    ???????? ???????????????? ????????: g???????¦Í?????????????

    Elliana¡¯s lips curled into a mischievous grin. ¡°Let¡¯s hit the employee cafeteria. What do you say?¡±

    Cole shot her a skeptical look. ¡°Seriously? What¡¯s good about that ce?¡± He¡¯d never been a fan of the cafeteria¡ªtoo loud, too crowded, definitely not hisfort zone.

    Elliana leaned in, undeterred, pitching her idea with a glimmer of excitement. ¡°Trust me, there¡¯s an energy down there. We¡¯ll get to experience life alongside the staff, maybe win some goodwill, and it¡¯ll show everyone that I¡¯m not just the CEO¡¯s wife in name¡ªI¡¯m really part of thispany.¡±

    Cole¡¯s lips quirked into a grin, her enthusiasm breaking through his reserve. ¡°Alright. Cafeteria it is.¡±

    With that, he took Elliana¡¯s hand and led the way out of his office, pausing only to tell Myles where they were off to.

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 Chapter 324

    ?Chapter 324:

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh nearly lost it¡ªCole voluntarily going to the cafeteria? That was unheard of. The mere idea would send shockwaves through the building, especially with Elliana at his side. Unbothered by their disbelief, Cole pressed the elevator button, still holding Elliana close.

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh, stunned but obedient, hurried to follow, trailing after the couple.

    Riding the CEO¡¯s private elevator, Cole and Elliana shot up to the tenth floor in no time.

    The Evans Group didn¡¯t do anything halfway¡ªthepany cafeteria was a gleaming showpiece, boasting a gourmet spread that could put high-end restaurants out of business.

    At the height of lunch rush, the room buzzed with energy, chatter ricocheting off ss and tile as employeesughed and dug into their meals.

    That was, until Cole and Elliana stepped inside. Just as Myles had feared, the entire cafeteria froze, conversations dying mid-sentence. Heads snapped around. Wide-eyed staff stared in silent panic, as if a single misstep might cost them their jobs. Even the employees behind the serving counter fumbled, hands trembling so badly that a spoon nearly ttered to the floor.

    Most days, Cole was practically a ghost¡ªonly the top execs ever saw him in the flesh. For the rest of the staff, catching a glimpse of their CEO was like spotting a celebrity at the annual g and never again. So when Cole strolled in today, wife on his arm, the entire cafeteria seemed to hold its breath in disbelief. Whispers rippled through the crowd, tension crackling in the air.

    A senior executive rushed over, all nerves and forcedposure. ¡°Mr. Evans, is there anything you need?¡±

    Cole didn¡¯t even blink. ¡°Just grabbing lunch with my wife. Everyone can rx.¡± With a dismissive flick of his wrist, he brushed off the formality.

    The executive visibly exhaled, fumbled through a few polite phrases, and then quickly retreated.

    ???????? ???????????????? ???????? g???????¦Í????????????

    Elliana¡¯s eyes sparkled with anticipation, already scoping out the cafeteria¡¯s spread, when a familiar voice suddenly called from behind, catching her off guard. ¡°Elliana?¡±

    Elliana turned toward the source of the familiar voice. It was actually Lance.

    Lance had just entered the employee cafeteria, and Elliana¡¯s bold makeup made her impossible to miss. He snorted, a derisive smirk on his lips as he was about to taunt her. But then, he noticed Cole nearby, so he quickly walked over and greeted him politely. ¡°Cole.¡±

    Cole¡¯s expression turned cold. ¡°What¡¯s with that look when you spotted my wife here?¡±

    Lance froze, caught off guard. He quickly shifted his demeanor toward Elliana. ¡°Sorry for that.¡±

    Elliana hummed in response and looked away, brushing him off like he didn¡¯t exist. Clearly, Lance only showed her an ounce of respect due to Cole¡¯s imposing presence. Once Cole was not around, Lance would undoubtedly pick a fight with her. The look in his eyes said it all¡ªhe loathed her. She didn¡¯t need to guess why. The answer was obvious¡ªTrinity. Just yesterday, she and Hailee had caused a stir at the Craig-Sampson engagement party, and Trinity had probably gone crying to him. Now, Lance¡ªblinded by feelings¡ªhade to confront her.

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 Chapter 325

    ?Chapter 325:

    Elliana moved toward the food counter to pick her meal, leaving the tension behind. Lance turned to Cole. ¡°Cole, her appearance ispletely unfit for a professional setting. Why did you bring her here?¡±

    Cole shot him a cold re. ¡°Do I need you to tell me how to handle my own business?¡±

    Lance fell silent instantly. He had noeback.

    Cole walked off without another word and joined Elliana at the counter.

    Despite her dramatic makeup, Elliana¡¯s gentle, friendly manner stood out. She chatted easily with the cafeteria staff, with no trace of arrogance. Her presence gradually lightened the atmosphere. Once she and Cole sat down at a nearby table with their meals, whispers began to float among the employees.

    ¡°Our CEO¡¯s wife is really something, huh?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s so easygoing. I was tense for nothing.¡±

    ¡°She may not be the ssic beauty type, but she¡¯s impressive. I heard she¡¯s that famous designer¡ªRosa.¡±

    ¡°No wonder Mr. Evans dotes on her. He must really admire her talent.¡±

    Elliana had no idea they were speaking kindly of her. As she ate with Cole, she noticed Lance sitting not far off, asionally throwing her a re. Amused, she smiled faintly, curious about what Lance intended to say to her.

    As they neared the end of their meal, Elliana leaned closer and said, ¡°Coley, go ahead and head back to your office. I want to take a short walk around.¡±

    ¡°Want me toe with you?¡± he offered.

    She quickly shook her head. ¡°No need. Can¡¯t you see how everyone stiffens up when you¡¯re around?¡±

    Cole let out a small chuckle. ¡°Then how about I send Myles with you?¡±

    ?????????? ???????????? ????????: g???????¦Í?????????????

    She shook her head again. ¡°I just want a moment alone. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be back soon. Let¡¯s nap togetherter.¡±

    Cole nodded and left.

    As soon as she was alone, Lance stormed over, his face dark. He sat across from her, full of spite. ¡°Elliana, who do you think you are, walking around like you belong? You really think you fit in at the Evans Group?¡±

    Elliana replied coolly, ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I? I married Cole in a ceremony arranged by your grandfather, flew in on a private jet, and became Mrs. Evans fair and square. If you have a problem with that, take it up with them. Don¡¯te here looking for drama.¡±

    Lance clenched his jaw, at a loss for words for a moment. Then, he barked, ¡°Why do you always have to cause trouble for Trinity?¡±

    Elliana stayedposed. ¡°You mean yesterday¡¯s engagement party?¡±

    ¡°You know exactly what I mean!¡± Lance snapped. ¡°You could¡¯ve handled him quietly. But no¡ªyou had to ruin the whole engagement celebration. You¡¯re just jealous of Trinity. Her background, her aplishments. You wanted to shame her and embarrass the Craig family!¡±

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 Chapter 326

    ?Chapter 326:

    Elliana set her utensils down, her gaze sharp. ¡°Have you lost your mind? Why keep spouting nonsense like some drunkard?¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Lance¡¯s face turned red. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare mock me! I graduated from a top university! I¡¯m an AI development expert with an IQ of 130! Don¡¯t talk like I¡¯m beneath you!¡±

    Elliana raised an eyebrow and smirked. ¡°An AI expert? Well, if you hadn¡¯t said that, I wouldn¡¯t have connected you with the sophisticated AI development at all.¡±

    ¡°Elliana!¡± he roared. ¡°Don¡¯t think that just because you¡¯re Rosa, you can look down on me. To real technical experts like me, designers like you are nothing but low-level thinkers!¡±

    Then, he added, almost without thinking, ¡°You¡¯re just jealous because exceptional men like me fall for Trinity instead of you!¡±

    Elliana stared at him, mockery dancing in her eyes. ¡°Where does your confidencee from, Lance? Are you seriously suggesting I have feelings for you? Ha! Why don¡¯t you turn on your charm and chase after me? If I so much as nce your way, I¡¯ll consider myself a fool.¡±

    Lance had spoken without thinking. The words had slipped out, and he hadn¡¯t meant them. But after Elliana mocked him, embarrassment hit him like a wave. He wished the floor would just open up and swallow him whole. His face turned from pale to stormy in seconds.

    Elliana chuckled as she watched him squirm. ¡°Come on, Lance, finish your meal. Once you¡¯re full, get back to work. I¡¯ll be visiting your departmentter this afternoon.¡± Sheughed even harder. ¡°Let¡¯s see just how brilliant you really are. Don¡¯t mess up, or I might start questioning your capabilities.¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Lance¡¯s anger boiled over. ¡°Elliana, who gave you the right to inspect our department? Who do you think you are? A fool like you has no business setting foot in our AI Research and Development Department!¡±

    Elliana answered coldly, ¡°I¡¯m the CEO¡¯s wife, that¡¯s who. So you¡¯d better show some respect, or I¡¯ll make sure you regret it. I¡¯ll spot every slip-up you make and have you kicked out.¡±

    Lance gave a derisiveugh. ¡°I¡¯m part of the Evans family, with their blood running through my veins. What right does an outsider like you have to fire me?¡±

    ???????? ???????? ???????????????? @ g???????¦Í???????.c????

    Elliana looked at him like he was hopeless. ¡°Didn¡¯t I already say it? I¡¯m Cole¡¯s wife. If you¡¯ve got a problem, ask him to divorce me. But until then, firing you would be as easy as snapping my fingers.¡±

    Lance was fuming. Words failed him.

    Elliana felt pleased with herself. She stood, shing him a sweet smile. ¡°Goodbye, Lance. When I show up this afternoon, do try to behave. I¡¯d hate for your slip-ups to cost you your job.¡±

    Without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked away.

    Lance stared at her retreating figure, teeth clenched in silent fury. He had serious reservations back when she married into the Evans family. To him, she had no brains, no looks, and no real value. So she could design a few clothes and paint some pictures¡ªbig deal. That didn¡¯t make her worthy of power. Wanting him to show respect to her since she was the Evans family matriarch and the CEO¡¯s wife? That was not going to happen. He refused to acknowledge her marriage to Cole or her position in the Evans household. Plus, she wasn¡¯t River, his role model. So why should he bow down to her?

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 Chapter 327

    ?Chapter 327:

    Just thinking of River lit up Lance¡¯s face.

    River was a legend in the world of AI. Back in college, Lance had looked up to River more than anyone. His professors, seniors¡ªeveryone saw River as a genius. River was the god of AI research in their eyes.

    But River was hard to reach, like a star in the sky. Lance, still young in the field, never had the chance to meet him. If he ever did, he would give anything for even one conversation. If River ever took him in as a prot¨¦g¨¦, it would be the biggest honor of his life.

    With that thought, Lance sighed deeply and left the cafeteria.

    After finishing her showdown with Lance, Elliana headed upstairs to find Cole. She had purposely sent Cole away to give Lance the chance to confront her. Now that it was done, it was time to move forward with her n. First, she had to put Cole to sleep. While he napped, she would use the time to get closer to Wesley and infiltrate the Evans Group¡¯swork. With her ns set in motion, she took the CEO¡¯s private elevator straight to his office.

    Cole was behind his desk, going through some documents. He looked up, surprised to see her back so soon. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you were taking a walk? Why are you back already?¡±

    Elliana answered sweetly, ¡°Because I missed you. I couldn¡¯t enjoy the view. All I could think about was you, so I rushed back.¡±

    She walked over, sat on hisp, and wrapped her arms around his neck. ¡°You¡¯re the most handsome man I¡¯ve ever seen. So charming, so irresistible. I could stare at you all day.¡±

    Cole was used to her sweet words by now. He smiled and slid an arm around her waist. ¡°Then look all you want. I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡±

    Elliana snuggled into him, tugging yfully at his shirt cor. Her voice turned soft and tender. ¡°It¡¯d be perfect if you took a nap with me.¡±

    Cole didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Your wish is mymand.¡±

    ????? ?????????????????? ????????: g???????¦Í??????.con

    Before she could react, he scooped her up and started walking toward the lounge.

    Elliana panicked. ¡°Put me down! Your arm¡¯s still healing. You shouldn¡¯t be carrying me.¡±

    Cole said nothing. He just carried her into the lounge and gentlyid her on the soft bed, his body atop hers.

    Elliana didn¡¯t get a word out before a storm of kisses poured down on her face. Her n was simple¡ªsweet-talk Cole until he fell asleep, and then sneak off. But who would¡¯ve guessed he was that easy to charm? A few gentle words and he was already asking for kisses. And once he started, there was no stopping him.

    In broad daylight, his deep, lingering kisses left herpletely breathless. And soon, things had definitely heated up.

    ¡°Darling, you should get some rest now,¡± Elliana said, trying to put the brakes on.

    Cole paused kissing but stayed atop her. He nuzzled into her neck and let out a whine. ¡°Honey, when can we take things further, hmm?¡± She nced at him, reading the frustration all over his face. He was clearly holding back his burning desire. Choosing her words carefully, she murmured, ¡°I¡¯m just not used to rushing things.¡±

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 Chapter 328

    ?Chapter 328:

    At this, Cole let out a dryugh. ¡°But don¡¯t you think we¡¯re actually taking things far too slowly here? What kind of man gets to hold and kiss his wife but can¡¯t¡ª¡± He stopped himself and then groaned. ¡°Honey, you¡¯re driving me crazy.¡±

    Elliana pouted, unsure what to say. He always grumbled about how slow things were between them. But honestly, they were speeding. She had just agreed to give their rtionship a shot less than a week ago. Yet, here they were¡ªhugging, kissing, sharing a bed every night. Most couples would still be testing the waters. Some waited months¡ªyears even! Of course, she didn¡¯t dare say that out loud. If she did, he¡¯d sulk even more.

    Thankfully, Cole had amazing self-control. As long as she didn¡¯t give her consent, he wouldn¡¯t force himself upon her. After a bit more grumbling, he finally rolled to the side, putting some space between them. He was clearly sulking, eyes closed, face turned away, silent treatment in full swing.

    ¡°Darling?¡± she called out gently, tugging at his arm to cheer him up.

    He cracked one eye open, his gaze sharp. ¡°Honey, if you don¡¯t want things to go too far, then don¡¯t tease me. If you keep this up, I might just lose control.¡±

    Elliana quickly let go. ¡°Then sleep well!¡±

    He gave her onest look full of mock resentment. ¡°Don¡¯t leave before I wake up. If I open my eyes and you¡¯re gone, there will be consequences.¡±

    After a beat, he added, ¡°If you misbehave, I will spank you.¡±

    Elliana stifled a giggle. ¡°Okay, Coley. I¡¯ll be good. I won¡¯t leave until you wake up.¡±

    Cole didn¡¯t reply. A few momentster, his breathing turned deep and steady¡ªhe was asleep. His injuries had mostly healed, but his body still needed rest.

    Ellianay beside him in silence. When she heard his breathing even out, she tentatively called out, ¡°Darling?¡±

    No response.

    Nore chatpers ?????????¦Í??????.c0n

    She tried again. ¡°Coley?¡±

    Still nothing. He seemed to be out like a light.

    Smirking, Elliana slipped quietly out of bed and left the lounge.

    At the CEO¡¯s office door, she found Myles, Aron, and Hugh standing guard. She stated, ¡°Cole is resting¡ªdon¡¯t disturb him. I¡¯m stepping out for a bit. I¡¯ll be back soon.¡±

    ¡°Understood,¡± they replied in unison.

    She walked past them, stepped into the elevator, and rode straight to the 30th floor¡ªthe Cybersecurity Department.

    No one had expected the CEO¡¯s wife to show up right now. The second she entered, the room froze. Then, in a flurry, everyone scrambled to their feet.

    Wesley, the department head, rushed out of his office. ¡°Mrs. Evans? What brings you here?¡±

    Elliana shed a sweet smile. ¡°Just came for a little chat.¡±

    Wesley blinked, clearly puzzled. He barely knew her. This was practically their first real interaction. He had no clue what she wanted to talk about.

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 Chapter 329

    ?Chapter 329:

    While Wesley was still racking his brain, Elliana had already walked into his office.

    Wesley hesitated and then followed her in.

    She sat on the sofa and gestured casually. ¡°Have a seat.¡±

    He shut the door, poured her some drink, and sat across from her. ¡°So, what would you like to discuss?¡±

    ¡°Wesley, are you married?¡± Elliana asked out of the blue.

    He blinked, thrown off. ¡°I¡­ No.¡±

    ¡°Do you have a girlfriend?¡± Elliana probed.

    Still baffled, he shook his head. ¡°No, not yet.¡±

    Elliana grinned and quietly opened a small porcin vial in her hand. ¡°Then how about I set you up with someone nice?¡±

    Before Wesley could even answer, a wave of dizziness crashed over him. Two secondster, he slumped back on the couchpletely unconscious.

    Elliana had knocked Myles out before with a quick sleep dart. They were close, so there was no need for much talk. But today was different. She was meeting Wesley for the first time. Knocking him out right away might raise suspicions. Yet, she had no other options since time was not on her side. Lunch break was ticking, and Cole could wake up any second.

    Once Wesley was out cold, Elliana slipped her vial away, pulled out her phone, and started hacking into the Evans Groupwork. As she expected, Jody¡ªthe system¡¯s watchdog¡ªwas nowhere to be seen.

    Elliana nced at Wesley, passed out on the couch. Her heart did a little happy flip. It seemed her hunch had been right. Wesley was Jody. With him knocked out, no one would catch her sneaking into the Evans Group¡¯s system.

    Just as she was about to reach thepany¡¯s core database, Jody popped up out of nowhere.

    Elliana froze. Her fingers hovered over the screen. She quickly looked at Wesley. Still fast asleep. Deeply out. s! Another wrong guy she had knocked out. She sighed in frustration.

    Mor shapters on ?????????¦Í. ?o??

    Just then, Jody pinged her. ¡°Hey, afternoon vibes.¡±

    Already annoyed, Elliana snapped back. ¡°Vibes, my ass.¡±

    ¡°Ha, chill.¡±

    Typing fast under her alias, Quinn, she replied, ¡°Are you stalking me or what? Every damn time I log in, you¡¯re already here. Don¡¯t you eat, pee, or sleep?¡±

    Jody shot back, ¡°You¡¯re sounding a bit pissed off.¡±

    ¡°You bet I am! You drive me nuts!¡±

    Jody replied, ¡°Says the one who always logs in when I¡¯m napping. I swear, the second I doze off, you show up. You got a radar for my sleep or something? You hit it dead-on every time!¡±

    Elliana smirked. ¡°Please. As if I care about you, you self-obsessed jerk!¡± And just like that, she logged out of the Evans Group system. She nced at Wesley onest time, still knocked out, and then slipped out of the cybersecurity department.

    In the elevator, Elliana started wondering¡ªcould Lance be Jody? It seemed quite possible. Even though she had mocked Lance during their earlier argument, deep down, she knew he was a top-tier IT guy. She was heading to the AI Research and Development department next.

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    .

    .

 Chapter 330

    ?Chapter 330:

    The Development Department meeting was this afternoon. Perfect time to test her theory¡ªknock out Lance and see what happened.

    Smirking to herself, Elliana returned to the top floor. There stood Myles, Aron, and Hugh, looking like nervous sentries outside the CEO¡¯s office. She walked up to them. ¡°What¡¯s with the long faces?¡±

    Myles adjusted his sses and whispered, ¡°Thank God you¡¯re back. Mr. Evans woke up, saw you were gone, and now he¡¯s pissed.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Already? He woke up that fast?¡±

    Myles nodded. Without a word, she pushed the door open and went in.

    Once she disappeared inside, Hugh peeked through the crack and muttered, ¡°Is Elliana some kind of witch? Cole loses it if she¡¯s gone for five minutes. It¡¯s crazy.¡±

    Aron shot him a re. ¡°Shut up.¡±

    Hugh approached Myles with a sigh. ¡°Should we get Cole a new hobby or something? This Elliana obsession is getting wild.¡±

    Myles wasn¡¯t having it either. ¡°Beat it!¡±

    Hugh sulked, falling back beside Aron, clearly fed up.

    Myles and Aron were always on his case, shutting him down. Their big sister told them to look out for him, but seriously¡ªthis was their idea of looking out for him? He clenched his jaw in silence.

    Meanwhile, Elliana stepped into the lounge and saw Cole on the bed, brooding with a face like a thundercloud.

    He didn¡¯t wait a second. ¡°Honey, what had you promised me before we crashed? You forget already?¡±

    Elliana gave him a sheepish grin. ¡°Coley¡­¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t even try it!¡± He cut her off, clearly furious. ¡°Don¡¯t think you can talk your way out this time!¡±

    C?ntent ?riginally fr?m g?l????¦Í?????????????

    Elliana pouted and said nothing.

    Cole went on, his tone sharp. ¡°You told me you were serious about this marriage. That you¡¯d never lie to your husband. And now look at you.¡±

    Elliana rubbed her nose, unease spreading across her face.

    Cole¡¯s anger boiled over. ¡°You make those sweet promises, then turn around and break every single one. Do I even matter to you?¡± He pointed at the bed. ¡°Get on your stomach.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s lips twitched. Was he seriously about to spank her? She pursed her lips together. ¡°Cole, why are you acting like this?¡± Hands on her hips, she snapped, ¡°Yeah, I broke my promise. But this is your fault too!¡±

    Cole blinked. ¡°My fault? How¡¯s it my fault you couldn¡¯t keep your word?¡±

    Elliana¡¯s temper exploded, and without realizing it, Cole¡¯s cool, tough-guy act started to unravel.

    The calmer he became, the louder Elliana got. She crossed her arms, stepped forward, and said sharply, ¡°You know what? This is all your fault. Every bit of it.¡±

    Cole blinked. ¡°What did I even do?¡±

    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t y innocent!¡± Elliana fired back. ¡°You walk around with that unfairly perfect body,pletely shirtless, and then sleep without clothes like it¡¯s no big deal! You have no idea what that does to me!¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 331

    ?Chapter 331:

    Cole¡¯s mouth parted slightly. Words failed him.

    Elliana stepped closer, her voice rising with every word. ¡°You¡¯re knocked out, sleeping like a baby, and I¡¯m wide awake, fighting the urge to pounce on you! What do you think happens if I lose control, huh? What if I mess up and ruin your precious boundaries?¡±

    Cole stood frozen,pletely thrown off by her outburst.

    Neither of them realized the lounge door was wide open, and her words echoed loud and clear into the outer office.

    In the outer office, the slightly open door gave Myles, Aron, and Hugh front-row seats to the drama.

    Myles fiddled with his tie, clearly ufortable.

    Aron looked like he might pass out from embarrassment, his face bright red.

    Hugh rubbed his ears like he could wipe the words out of his memory. Then, he crouched down and whispered, ¡°Oh man¡­ I did not need to hear that.¡±

    Back in the lounge, Elliana was still locked onto Cole, her hands on her hips,pletely unaware of the audience.

    Cole finally broke intoughter. His whole body shook with it. Then, still chuckling, he tossed aside the covers, walked over, and wrapped his arms gently around her. Pulling her close, he whispered in her ear, ¡°Babe, you can do whatever you want with me. Anytime you want. No need to stress yourself out.¡±

    Elliana let out a dramatic sigh and turned her face away, clearly not ready to let him off the hook.

    Cole just smiled, moved to her other side, and nted a kiss on her cheek. ¡°Okay, okay, my fault. Don¡¯t be mad, alright?¡± But Elliana held on to her pout, arms still crossed.

    Cole wasn¡¯t giving up. He kept whispering sweet apologies, and when she least expected it, he popped a mango candy into her mouth. She tried to resist, but the taste got her. A small smile crept onto her lips.

    F??rst ????en ??n ????????: g?????????¦Í?????????????

    Cole let out a long breath. Thank God. One emotional rant from Elliana, and he was toast. She could be warm and affectionate when she wanted¡ªbut when she got fired up, she was fire and fury. And strangely enough, he kind of loved that about her. Even after her rant, he felt amazing, like he was on cloud nine. Newlyweds, right? They fought like thunder and made up like sunshine. A few minutester, they were back to snuggling, sharing quiet kisses and smiles.

    By the time work hours rolled in, Cole settled at hisputer, focused on emails and reports. Ellianay sprawled on the sofa, casually scrolling through her phone. After a few minutes, she looked up and said, ¡°I¡¯m thinking of paying a little visit to the AI Research and Development Department.¡±

    ¡°What for?¡± Cole asked, ncing up from his screen.

    Elliana didn¡¯t skip a beat. ¡°That jerk Lance keeps giving me the stink eye. I¡¯m going to put him in his ce.¡±

    Cole chuckled. ¡°Go get him, tiger.¡±

    Grinning, Elliana bounced over, nted a quick kiss on his cheek, and chirped, ¡°Catch yater, Coley!¡±

    Before he could respond, she was out the door. He sat there, frozen, the warmth from her kiss lingering on his cheek like a spark he didn¡¯t want to lose. He stared at the now-empty couch, feeling an odd hollowness settle in his chest. They hadn¡¯t even been married a full month, but somehow, she had be his gravity, pulling him in, steadying him, and changing everything. He hadn¡¯t nned on falling for someone until she showed up¡ªfierce, funny, impossible not to love. He waspletely smitten.

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    .

 Chapter 332

    ?Chapter 332:

    Just then, a knock snapped him out of his daze. He straightened up, adjusted his cor, and quickly nced in the mirror to check for any lipstick marks. ¡°Come in,¡± he called out.

    The door opened, and to his surprise, Wesley stepped inside. Cole raised a brow. ¡°Wesley? Everything okay?¡± Wesley rarely showed up unless it was urgent. And right now, he looked rattled.

    Wesley nced around nervously. ¡°Uh, Mr. Evans¡­ Where¡¯s Mrs. Evans?¡±

    Cole¡¯s brows drew together. ¡°Why? What¡¯s going on?¡±

    Wesley shifted on his feet, wringing his hands. ¡°Mrs. Evans came by the cybersecurity wing earlier and stopped in to chat. But as she was talking, I¡ªI don¡¯t know what happened. I suddenly got so drowsy that I passed out right there on the couch. I just woke up and heard she¡¯d already left. I rushed here to say I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean any disrespect. I must¡¯ve been exhausted from workingtest night, but still¡ªit was wrong. I totally messed up. You can punish me however you think is fair.¡±

    But Cole didn¡¯t respond with anger. Instead, he watched Wesley quietly, his expression unreadable. After a moment, something thoughtful flickered in his eyes.

    Wesley possessed boundless energy. Even after several days of nonstop work, he never faltered like this.

    Cole knew this intimately. So, when Wesley finished exining, he immediately suspected that Elliana had knocked him out with a sleep dart. But why would she take such action? True, Elliana had once remarked on Wesley¡¯s handsome features, stirring a flicker of jealousy in him. Yet, he wasn¡¯t foolish enough to believe she¡¯d approach Wesley merely to admire his looks. She clearly had something else in mind. Typical¡ªwomen and their borate deceptions.

    Elliana constantly professed that there were no secrets between them, yet she never revealed her genuine thoughts. Contemting this, Cole released a bitterugh.

    Wesley misinterpreted the sound, assuming Cole was displeased with his work performance. He quickly said, ¡°Mr. Evans, I deeply regret my¡ª¡±

    ¡°What exactly did my wife discuss with you?¡± Cole cut him off.

    F??rst ??pp??ared ??n g?????????¦Í???????????

    Wesley hesitated before answering truthfully, ¡°Mrs. Evans inquired about my marital status and whether I had a girlfriend. After I confirmed that I am still a bachelor, she mentioned wanting to introduce me to someone.¡± He paused, color rising to his cheeks. ¡°That¡¯s all we discussed before I somehow drifted off.¡±

    Cole¡¯s lips twisted into a coldugh. ¡°My wife delights in her little games. Don¡¯t take her words to heart.¡±

    Wesley¡¯s expression clouded with confusion.

    Cole maintained hisposed facade. ¡°It¡¯s nothing to worry about. Return to your duties.¡±

    Still bewildered, Wesley departed the CEO¡¯s office, unable to decipher why Cole dismissed Elliana¡¯s words so casually and hadn¡¯t reprimanded him.

    After Wesley¡¯s departure, Cole sank into contemtion. Elliana had never encountered Wesley before, yet today she¡¯d deliberately sought him out, even offering matchmaking services. He wasn¡¯t naive enough to believe she¡¯d done this out of mere boredom. She had obviously grasped at random conversation topics to conceal her true intentions¡ªdrugging Wesley. But what had driven Elliana to drug him? After a moment¡¯s reflection, Cole¡¯s lips curved into a meaningful smile. Meanwhile, Elliana remained oblivious that Wesley had visited the CEO¡¯s office to apologize, unwittingly exposing her use of drugs to Cole. She sauntered confidently into the AI Research and Development Department.

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    .

 Chapter 333

    ?Chapter 333:

    The Evans Group had ventured into artificial intelligence research during Jarrett¡¯s leadership, a field they had pursued for over a decade without any significant breakthroughs.

    Jarrett had initially authorized the AI R&D Department primarily to support Emmanuel¡¯s aspirations. Emmanuel had developed a passion for AI development since childhood and had majored in the subject at university. After graduating, he decided to carve out a career in the field. To support this ambition, Jarrett allocated two entire floors of the Evans Group headquarters to Emmanuel¡¯s projects, giving him the freedom to experiment and innovate.

    Unfortunately, despite Emmanuel¡¯s enthusiasm, his skills fell short. Over the years, he not only failed to achieve anything remarkable but also drained substantial funds from the department. Under his leadership, the AI R&D Department became the only division in the Evans Group operating at a loss. This failure deeply hurt Emmanuel¡¯s pride.

    Perhaps influenced by his father¡¯s interests, Lance had developed a strong passion for AI research and pursued the same major in university. During his college years, Lance began working alongside Emmanuel¡¯s team on an ambitious AI project called Seek.

    After graduation, Lance transitioned smoothly into full-time work and quickly ascended to the role of project director. Emmanuel pinned his final hopes on the Seek project, determined to end his career with a breakthrough. Lance matched his intensity, pouring all his energy into the work, eager to establish his name in the AI field.

    Whispers began to circte that the project was nearingpletion, stirring excitement throughout the entire department.

    Elliana, however, remained unimpressed by their technological ambitions. Originally, her purpose for visiting the AI R&D Department had been to confront Lance about his persistent disrespect. She had nned to teach him a lesson in humility but had since shifted her focus. Now, suspecting that Lance might be Jody, she sought an opportunity to drug him and confirm her theory.

    She had imagined the AI R&D Department as a serene sanctuary¡ªquiet spaces where brilliant minds stared at screens, either hunting elusive bugs or lost in deep thought. Instead, she was met with chaos that rivaled an emergency room.

    C????ck ?uthor¡¯s ?o???? h??r??: g???????¦Í?????????????

    The department hummed with frantic energy, like a beehive under siege. Everyone moved with tense urgency, rushing between stations with wild-eyed focus. Even after standing at the entrance for several minutes, not a single person acknowledged the stranger in their midst.

    Elliana made no attempt to disrupt their rhythm. She remained still, observing the chaos with a clinical interest. After ten minutes of careful observation, she finally pieced together the unfolding drama. The Seek project¡ªtheir collective obsession¡ªhad revealed a critical w just as it nearedpletion. Without a solution, years of meticulous work would crumble to dust. The implications weighed heavily in the air. It would mean countless hours, endlesste nights, and passionate debates¡ªall rendered meaningless. No wonder anxiety coursed through the department like electricity.

    Word had spread that the project had already consumed two billion dors in funding. Failure now wouldn¡¯t just disappoint¡ªit would transform their magnum opus into an industry-wide cautionary tale.

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 Chapter 334

    ?Chapter 334:

    As the project director, Lance bore the weight of the entire Al R&D team¡¯s failures on his shoulders, stress radiating from every tense muscle in his body. He hunched over hisputer like a man possessed, fingers dancing frantically across the keyboard as he cycled through solution after solution.

    The rest of the team formed a tight circle around him, their voices weaving together in nervous whispers about potential fixes.

    ¡°¡®This bug has haunted us since the earliest design stages. We discovered it now, at the final hour. Fixing it won¡¯t be a walk in the park.¡±

    ¡°¡®Challenging or not, we must crack this code or watch everything we¡¯ve built crumble into dust!¡±

    ¡°¡®Everyone understands the stakes, but here¡¯s the brutal truth¡ªnobody has the faintest idea how to tackle this monster. Theplexity is staggering!¡±

    Elliana absorbed every word of their frantic chatter from the sidelines. She glided closer and positioned herself behind the group, watching the pandemonium unfold with quiet fascination. The Seek project had never captured her attention before, but the whisper of a major bug ignited something fierce within her. She thrived on wrestling with impossible puzzles.

    So, Elliana nted herself there inplete silence, observing every desperate gesture for thirty uninterrupted minutes. Not one soul registered her presence.

    At the room¡¯s epicenter, Lance teetered on the edge of aplete breakdown, his mind grasping for solutions that remained maddeningly out of reach.

    Emmanuel¡¯s voice suddenly thundered across the space as he swept in with several senior executives trailing behind him. ¡°¡®What chaos is this?¡± Every head swiveled toward the entrance. That¡¯s when Lance¡¯s gaze finallynded on Elliana¡¯s still figure. His expression transformed into something dark and menacing.

    ¡°¡®Elliana, who granted you permission into this ce?¡±

    Elliana met his re with casual indifference. ¡°¡®Didn¡¯t I mention over lunch that I¡¯d swing by this afternoon? What¡¯s got you so worked up?¡±

    S??e original v??rs?????? ??t g???????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°¡®You actually dared to show up here?¡± Lance¡¯s mood had already soured beyond repair. His frustration erupted like a volcano at her presence. ¡°¡®How long have you been lurking? What did you witness?¡±

    ¡°¡®I¡¯ve been standing here for roughly thirty minutes,¡± Elliana replied with ice-coldposure. She studied him with a smirk, each word calcted to pierce straight through his armor. ¡°I witnessed everything¡ªwhat I was meant to see and what I wasn¡¯t. The project that devoured twenty billion of thepany¡¯s¡­¡±

    Fortune has a fatal weakness running through its core. Sadly, none of the employees here possess the skill to repair it. You¡¯re about to be the industry¡¯s favorite cautionary tale.¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Lance thrust his finger toward the Al R&D Department¡¯s exit, his voice booming with rage. ¡°Disappear! You¡¯re not wee here!¡±

    Before Elliana could respond, Emmanuel surged forward and pped Lance across the face. ¡°You fool! Is this how you address your cousin¡¯s wife?¡±

    The humiliation of being struck in front of the crowd washed over Lance like a tidal wave. Already drowning in frustration, he discarded all diplomatic restraint. ¡°Dad, do you see what¡¯s happening here? The Al R&D Department is inplete chaos, and this ugly woman shows up just to taunt us. Why shouldn¡¯t I demand her removal?¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 335

    ?Chapter 335:

    Emmanuel¡¯s mood soured. He had poured years of money into this department, only to see no returns. The board members and family shareholders were already voicing theirints more loudly with each passing day. He had ced all his hopes on the Seek project as his path to redemption, and now this devastating setback. It felt like a crushing blow to his legacy¡ªwatching it dissolve into smoke.

    Deep down, Emmanuel found himself agreeing with Lance¡¯s words. This was the worst possible time for a visit from the CEO¡¯s wife, someone who had no understanding of artificial intelligence.

    He fought to maintain his diplomatic facade. ¡°Elliana, the department is drowning in chaos right now. This is the worst possible time for a visit. Perhaps you could return once we¡¯ve untangled this nightmare?¡±

    Elliana, however, turned and gracefully settled into a nearby chair, her intentions clear. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me, Emmanuel. I¡¯ll remain here in perfect silence. I won¡¯t create any interference. Simply pretend I¡¯ve vanished into thin air.¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Lance¡¯s fury bubbled to the surface, barely contained.

    Emmanuel pursed his lips, frustration building. ¡°Lance, enough. Since Elliana chooses to upy that chair, let it be. Now stop wasting precious time. Tell me what progress has been made?¡±

    Lance ran both hands through his disheveled hair, a man on the edge of defeat. ¡°Nothing. Zero. This isn¡¯t just some surface bug that can be patched with clever code. It¡¯s a foundational w running through the entire structure. We should have caught it during the design phase. Now? We might have missed our window entirely.¡±

    Emmanuel¡¯s expression hardened into granite. ¡°You¡¯re telling me we¡¯re about to destroy the project that consumed twenty billion dors of thispany¡¯s resources and demanded five years of our blood, sweat, and dreams?¡±

    Lance remained frozen in silence. The words simply wouldn¡¯te, trapped somewhere between his throat and the crushing weight of reality.

    The rest of the team let their heads fall like wilted flowers, their faces drained of color, painted with the ashen hue of despair.

    R?????? f????m ???????? ?t g???????¦Í?????????????

    Nobody had the courage to face this devastating truth, yet it stood before them like an immovable mountain. There was no magical path to resurrection, no hidden door leading back to salvation.

    Emmanuel¡¯s palm crashed against the table with the force of thunder. ¡°No. I refuse to entertain such surrender. I won¡¯t tolerate this defeatist poison spreading through my team, either. Figure. It. Out.¡±

    The silence that followed engulfed the room, thick and suffocating. Not a single soul dared to breathe, let alone respond to Emmanuel¡¯s volcanic eruption. The atmosphere pressed down on them like lead weights, crushing all hope beneath its merciless grip.

    After what felt like an eternity, Lance finally whispered, ¡°I could try reaching out to my senior in college, Alonso Robles.¡±

    The room seemed to snap back to life. That name electrified every nerve in the space, sending shockwaves through their collective despair.

    ¡°Alonso is one of the brightest stars in the AI development world right now. He¡¯s woven his genius through countless major projects across the industry. Maybe he really does have the power to illuminate a path through our darkness!¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 336

    ?Chapter 336:

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard whispers that Alonso¡¯s fees are legendary, though.¡±

    Emmanuel¡¯s eyes lit up with a rare glimmer of hope. ¡°Lance, if there¡¯s even the slightest chance that he can rescue us from this abyss, pay whatever he demands. Just bring him into our world.¡±

    Lance nodded sharply, already pulling his phone from his pocket, fingers dancing toward Alonso¡¯s contact information.

    Alonso was a legend in the world of AI. Stories about him floated through the industry like folklore.

    Like Lance, Alonso had graduated from Ublento University¡ªbut a decade earlier.

    After graduation, Alonso furthered his studies in AI technology abroad. Upon returning from overseas, he established his own studio, taking on high-level projects and achieving remarkable results. As his reputation soared, so did his fees. Today, his studio was the priciest in the industry. Most couldn¡¯t afford his services.

    Still, whenever a big project hit a dead end, Alonso was the one everyone called. He never let anyone down. In the field, people believed he could solve any problem.

    Alonso was one of the top talents¡ªsomeone others only dreamed of meeting. But Lance had a rare connection. Thanks to their school ties and his family background, he had Alonso¡¯s contact information. Even so, Lance rarely called. Alonso was always swamped, and Lance didn¡¯t want to bother him.

    Today, Lance made the call. The line rang and rang. No answer. As the seconds passed, hope drained from the room. Then came the dead tone¡ªcall unanswered. Thest spark of hope faded.

    ¡°Lance, maybe Alonso changed his number. Or¡­ maybe he doesn¡¯t want to take your call?¡± Emmanuel asked, concerned.

    Lance pressed his lips together, unsure how to respond. Yes, he had Alonso¡¯s number, but they weren¡¯t exactly close. Alonso¡¯s studio was always booked. No one could say for sure if Alonso would agree to help. Meanwhile, Elliana leaned back, her chin resting on her hand as if she were enjoying the show.

    ???????????? ?????????????? ?g???????¦Í?????????????

    Lance, already frustrated, couldn¡¯t stand her presence. To him, it felt like she was mocking him. Unable to hold back, he snapped at her, ¡°Can you stop being such an eyesore?¡±

    Elliana, unfazed, curled her lips into a faint smile. ¡°You should be nicer to me. You might need my helpter.¡±

    Lance scoffed. ¡°Need your help? For what? To design a jacket? Or sketch some portraits for my team? Don¡¯t parade your basic skills here. This room¡¯s full of real talent¡ªno one¡¯s pping for you.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s smile widened. ¡°Alright. Just don¡¯te beggingter.¡±

    Lance shot her a re, thinking she was ridiculous. Just then, his phone rang. He looked down¡ªand his eyes lit up. ¡°It¡¯s Alonso! He¡¯s calling me back!¡±

    Everyone perked up instantly.

    ¡°Hurry, answer it!¡± Emmanuel urged, as if a second¡¯s dy would blow their chance.

    Lance picked up quickly. ¡°Hello, Alonso!¡±

    Alonso¡¯s calm voice came through. ¡°Lance, what¡¯s going on?¡±

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 Chapter 337

    ?Chapter 337:

    Lance quickly exined the situation. ¡°Alonso, do you have time to help me out?¡±

    To his surprise, Alonso agreed easily. ¡°Actually, I¡¯m near the Evans Group building right now. I¡¯ll drop by and take a look.¡±

    Lance nearly burst with joy. ¡°Thank you so much, Alonso! I¡¯lle down to meet you right away!¡±

    Lance ended the call and rushed out, barely hiding his excitement.

    Emmanuel lit up. He pped his hands and told the team, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect Alonso to be so approachable. Everyone, be on your best behavior. We need to make a great impression.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mr. Evans! We¡¯ll give him the warmest wee!¡±

    Most of the team admired Alonso and were clearly thrilled to meet him. Elliana, on the other hand, stayed in her seat. Chin still resting on her hand, she quietly watched the unfolding scene.

    Soon, Lance returned with Alonso by his side.

    Emmanuel, along with the rest of the team, rushed forward to greet Alonso with cheerful hellos and warm smiles.

    Alonso was friendly and polite, hisid-back vibe quickly putting people at ease. He told Emmanuel, ¡°No need to be so formal. I¡¯ve actually been wanting to work with the Evans Group. And Lance is a friend¡ªof course, I¡¯m happy to help.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re truly grateful, Alonso. Thank you,¡± Emmanuel said, bowing his head slightly. He gave Lance a look of quiet approval, silentlymending him for forging such a valuable connection.

    That one nce made Lance feel ten feet tall.

    Then, Alonso noticed Elliana sitting quietly in the corner. Her bold makeup stood out. He frowned slightly. ¡°And who¡¯s this?¡± he asked.

    Alonso¡¯sst word barely hung in the air when Lance interrupted, stealing Elliana¡¯s chance to respond. ¡°Don¡¯t bother with her¡ªshe¡¯s not worth your time.¡±

    ?????????? ???????????? ??????? g???????¦Í?????????????

    Without another nce at Elliana, Lance motioned for Alonso to join him by theputer. ¡°Come on, Alonso. Over here.¡±

    Alonso didn¡¯t press for details. He just nodded and followed, the rest of the team trailing along like obedient shadows.

    Emmanuel hung back for a moment, sending Elliana an apologetic look. ¡°Sorry about Lance. He¡¯s still young and doesn¡¯t always think before he speaks. Once we sort this out, I¡¯ll set him straight.¡± Elliana simply smiled. ¡°It¡¯s alright, Emmanuel.¡±

    She settled against the table, tolerating Lance¡¯s disrespect for now, watching silently as Lance assumed Alonso could solve the problem. The more Lance dismissed her now, the harder he¡¯d be devastatedter. She would just wait for him to eat his arrogant words and beg for her help.

    Emmanuel didn¡¯t stick around. His mind was already back on the project as he joined the others clustered around the monitor.

    Left alone, Elliana absently toyed with her fingers, stifling a yawn as boredom crept in.

    At theputer, Alonso got right to work, focusing his attention on the w Lance had gged.

    The whole room went still, tension thick in the air¡ªno one dared break the silence.

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 Chapter 338

    ?Chapter 338:

    Roughly an hour slipped by before Alonso finally broke the silence with a weary sigh. ¡°I really want to help, but I can¡¯t fix this.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Faces froze as they took in Alonso, disbelief written across every brow. When even Alonso failed to fix it, there was no saving this project.

    Emmanuel¡¯s features tightened, defeat carving fresh lines across his face.

    Lance forced a lopsided grin, trying to inject some hope into the tension. ¡°Alonso, you don¡¯t have to rush to a conclusion. It¡¯s only been an hour. If you keep at it, maybe something wille to you.¡±

    But Alonso¡¯s answer was firm, his voice steady and unyielding. ¡°This isn¡¯t a problem that can be solved with time. The real issue is buried in the very framework. If it was something superficial, maybe we could p on a fix. But when the core is wed, there¡¯s nothing to be done.¡± He paused, searching for the right words.

    Alonso paused for a moment, searching for the right words, and then continued, ¡°Picture it like a skyscraper¡ªif the foundation is crooked or the support beams are set wrong, there¡¯s no fixing it. The only real solution is to tear it down and rebuild from the ground up.¡±

    Alonso¡¯s analogy hit home. The weight of the situation settled over everyone, leaving no room for denial. One by one, heads dropped in resignation, the fight draining from their posture.

    Emmanuel exhaled. For him, a man well into his forties, the copse of the Seek project wouldn¡¯t just be a professional setback¡ªit would spell the end of his reputation, theughingstock of every family gathering for years toe.

    Across the room, Lance looked stricken, hisplexion drained of color. ¡°Alonso, you have to find a way. Years of work and billions of dors have gone straight into this venture. We¡¯re right at the finish line. I can¡¯t ept that it¡¯s all for nothing!¡± His voice broke, desperation leaking through every word.

    Everyone else nodded, silently begging for a miracle. Their hopes¡ªnervous, vulnerable¡ªrested entirely on Alonso¡¯s next move.

    Cornered by the room¡¯s collective despair, Alonso softened, finally offering a sliver of hope. ¡°All right. I¡¯ll reach out to my mentor for help. He¡¯s far more experienced than I am¡ªthere¡¯s a chance he might see something we¡¯ve missed.¡±

    ????? ??erfe???? check g???????¦Í???????????m

    ¡°Your mentor?¡± Lance echoed, disbelief flickering in his eyes.

    Alonso¡¯s reputation had long eclipsed those professors who once taught him in school, so the mentor he spoke of had to be someone else entirely¡ªa figure few had even heard of.

    Alonso exined, ¡°The mentor I¡¯m talking about once worked at a national research institute for decades. He¡¯s the kind of expert nobody talks about because hardly anyone even knows his name. But in this field, there¡¯s no one better. His skills put mine to shame.¡±

    A hush of anticipation swept through the room, quickly giving way to an electric buzz of excitement. Hope had been reignited¡ªthis time, brighter than before.

    Emmanuel hesitated, doubt flickering in his eyes. ¡°Alonso, if your mentor is such a top-tier expert, isn¡¯t his information supposed to be highly confidential? Would he even be willing to get involved with us?¡±

    Alonso shook his head, his tone reassuring. ¡°He¡¯s retired now¡ªhe does whatever he wants.¡±

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 Chapter 339

    ?Chapter 339:

    Relief washed over Emmanuel¡¯s face. He sped his hands together. ¡°Then please, Alonso, introduce us. Whatever he needspensation, amodations¡ªwe¡¯ll take care of it!¡±

    Without another word, Alonso pulled out his phone and stepped away to make the call. After a tense few minutes, he returned, a small, satisfied smile on his lips. ¡°I filled my mentor in. He¡¯s interested¡ªhe loves a real challenge. I¡¯ll head to his ce to pick him up.¡±

    Lance, barely containing his excitement, blurted out, ¡°Let mee with you, Alonso!¡±

    Alonso waved him off. ¡°My mentor values his privacy. He won¡¯t want others to know where he lives. I¡¯ll go alone.¡±

    No one argued. With so much at stake, they respected Alonso¡¯s mentor¡¯s wishes.

    Alonso left the building, leaving the team stewing in suspense. The wait was agonizing. At first, everyone had pinned their hopes on Alonso. Now that he¡¯d admitted he couldn¡¯t solve the problem, theirst hope rested on his mysterious mentor. But even that hope was tinged with fear¡ªwhat if this legendary expert failed as well?

    Lance paced the length of the room, his agitation growing with every step. Across the room, Elliana sat calmly, idly toying with her fingers. The sight of her soposed while he was unraveling pushed him over the edge. ¡°Elliana, did you deliberately stay just to get under my skin?¡± he snapped.

    With an icy look, she retorted, ¡°You¡¯re busy wrangling your own team. I¡¯m merely keeping to myself. Unless you¡¯re nning to start a fight, we¡¯re not interfering with each other, are we?¡±

    Lance¡¯s anger toward Elliana simmered beneath the surface, yet he felt powerless to act. Finally, with a sneer curling his lips, he shot at her, ¡°Elliana, you just want to watch me fail, don¡¯t you? Well, I¡¯ll prove you wrong. The Seek project will be a triumph, and when I rise to legendary status in the AImunity, you won¡¯t even be worthy of ncing my way.¡±

    Elliana continued to toy with her fingers, amusement flickering in her expression. ¡°Even if you fix all the issues and the Seek project seeds, turning you into a legendary figure in the field, you still won¡¯t earn my respect.¡±

    Arguing with Elliana seemed to fuel Lance¡¯s frustration, yet it also provided a strange release. His energy intensified as he pulled up a chair and sat beside her, eyes narrowing with disdain. ¡°Elliana, what makes you so arrogant?¡±

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    Elliana nced at Lance as if he were a simpleton, her fingers never ceasing their subtle movements. Her voice remained casual,ced with indifferent confidence. ¡°My abilities, naturally.¡±

    Lance scoffed, incredulous. ¡°What abilities? Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s all about your persona as Rosa. Let me remind you¡ªthough you¡¯ve earned some money designing clothes and jewelry, to those of us in the tech world, that¡¯s just ie from less demanding skills. We don¡¯t even consider it a real achievement.¡±

    He expected these words to wound her pride, but instead, her contemptuous gaze cut deeper than any insult. The sharpness in her eyes only fueled his fury further.

    Lance had always been exceptional¡ªtop grades, a spot at a prestigious university, and director of the twenty-billion-dor Seek Project straight out of graduation. Yet, no one had ever dismissed him with such tant disregard as Elliana did. Blessed with a privileged background, striking looks, and undeniable talent, he had been the object of admiration from elementary school through university, drawing the attention of countless girls. So how could Elliana¡ªa girl with an unremarkable appearance¡ªlook down on him?

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 Chapter 340

    ?Chapter 340:

    Sensing the challenge in Lance¡¯s gaze, Elliana responded with blunt confidence, ¡°To me, you¡¯re nothing more than an immature boy¡ªnot even worthy of my attention.¡±

    ¡°Immature boy?¡± Lance¡¯s brow furrowed sharply. ¡°Elliana, why do you act like you¡¯re superior? I¡¯m older than you!¡±

    She was barely twenty, while he was three years her senior. Though she had built the Rosa brand and achieved sess, it paled inparison to his status as a rising elite in the AI world.

    Unfazed, Elliana met his anger with candid conviction. ¡°Age doesn¡¯t measure a person¡¯s value. Intelligence and skill do. Only someone like Cole is worth my attention. You¡¯re nowhere near that level.¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Lance¡¯s face flushed crimson with frustration. Her words shattered his pride, leaving a hollow ache of defeat. Damn it¡ªhe actually felt beaten. Watching Elliana belittle him with such ease yet remain indifferent and unbothered stirred a painful lump in his chest, one he couldn¡¯t shake.

    Suddenly, he stood up and pointed at Elliana. ¡°Keep being arrogant all you want. But when I make the Seek Project a sess, let¡¯s see if you still have the guts to talk like that!¡±

    Without waiting for a response, Lance stormed off, refusing to look back.

    Elliana regarded him with a cool, calcting gaze, already weaving a n in her mind. He had just pointed at her with that arrogant finger¡ªsoon enough, he would pay for that insolence.

    About an hourter, Alonso returned to the Evans Group¡¯s AI R&D Department, apanied by his mentor.

    Emmanuel, Lance, and the entire team greeted Alonso and his mentor warmly, their enthusiasm filling the room.

    Elliana remained seated with an air of casualposure, her eyes drifting toward Alonso¡¯s mentor. To her surprise, she recognized him immediately. The man was Dillen Perez¡ªa prot¨¦g¨¦ of one of her own prot¨¦g¨¦s, which meant Alonso, a figure respected by Lance, was indirectly connected to her. This realization brought a subtle smile to her lips.

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    Just then, Dillen¡¯s gazended on Elliana. Like Alonso, he found himself captivated by her overdone makeup and couldn¡¯t resist asking, ¡°Who is she?¡±

    Lance shot Elliana a sharp, displeased look before turning to Dillen with practiced politeness. ¡°Mr. Perez, she¡¯s insignificant¡ªno need to concern yourself with her.¡± With a courteous gesture, he motioned forward. ¡°Please, follow me this way.¡±

    Dillen, poised and steady in his forties, wasn¡¯t as quick to be distracted as Alonso. He ignored Lance¡¯s attempt to change the subject and continued to study Elliana intently.

    Lowering her eyes slightly, Elliana allowed Dillen to take in her appearance. They had crossed paths once before, but her current look was so different that he might not recognize her.

    Deeply engrossed in AI research, Dillen seldom noticed the world beyond his studies and likely remained unaware that she was now Cole¡¯s wife. After a thoughtful pause, Dillen finally said, ¡°Youngdy, you seem familiar¡­ Have we met somewhere before?¡±

    Dillen¡¯sment sent a ripple through the room.

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    ?Chapter 341:

    Lance¡¯s expression faltered for a brief second. There was no way Elliana could¡¯ve met someone like Dillen. Dillen was a top-secret national asset, a government-trained AI expert whose background was so tightly guarded that even seasoned researchers only heard whispers of his existence. Most people in the field had never heard of him. And Elliana? She hardly knew a thing about AI development and definitely couldn¡¯t have met Dillen.

    Regainingposure, Lance smiled and said dismissively, ¡°Mr. Perez, you must be mistaken. There¡¯s no way she¡¯s ever met you.¡±

    But Dillen didn¡¯t buy it. He kept his eyes on Elliana, his brows drawn together thoughtfully. ¡°There¡¯s something familiar about her. She reminds me of a master I admire deeply. The sharpness in her eyes, that sense of rity¡­ It¡¯s uncanny.¡±

    Lance almost snorted. Sharpness in Elliana¡¯s eyes? He thought her expression was as in as her looks¡ªnothing particrly ¡°uncanny¡± about her, at least not in any ttering way. But he kept that opinion to himself, especially with Dillen present.

    Sensing the tension, Emmanuel stepped in smoothly, offering a diplomatic bridge. ¡°Mr. Perez, her name is Elliana. She¡¯s Cole¡¯s wife and the internationally renowned designer Rosa. Perhaps that¡¯s who she reminds you of?¡±

    Recognition lit up Dillen¡¯s face. ¡°Rosa? Ah! That makes perfect sense! My daughter absolutely adores your work¡ªshe calls you her idol.¡±

    Elliana gave a polite smile. ¡°Thank you. That¡¯s kind of her.¡±

    Dillen opened his mouth to continue the conversation, but Elliana gently redirected. ¡°Mr. Perez, let¡¯s focus on the project for now. We can talk more once we¡¯ve tackled the technical side of things.¡± Her tone remained respectful but firm. She was genuinely curious to see if Dillen had made any progress after all these years.

    Elliana remembered Dillen from years ago. At that time, he had tagged along with his mentor during a particrly thorny AI project. Dillen¡¯s attitude had been earnest and humble, and she had offered some guidance that clearly left an impression. She had appreciated his dedication then. Now, she was eager to see if her advice had borne any fruit.

    While everyone in the room swarmed around Dillen with admiration, Elliana remained where she was, rxed and detached. Her disinterest was subtle but unmistakable.

    The tension in the room was noticeable enough to make Dillen feel a little awkward. Still, he didn¡¯t press and followed Lance to the workstation. The rest of the team gathered behind him, watching with hopeful eyes. Dillen sat down and began examining the code and system architecture. Minutes passed. Then more. Over an hour ticked by. The room remained hushed, every breath held in anticipation.

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    Finally, Dillen leaned back with a heavy sigh, his expression apologetic. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he said honestly. ¡°This issue is beyond my scope. In all my years working with AI, I¡¯ve nevere across a configuration like this. I don¡¯t have a solution.¡±

    The hopeful energy that had surged just moments ago copsed in an instant. Disappointment hung thick in the air.

    Elliana let out a soft sigh and shook her head. So, Dillen hasn¡¯t improved much after all these years. Her precious guidance had been wasted.

    Alonso, clearly unwilling to give up, furrowed his brows and looked at Dillen. ¡°Mr. Perez, does this mean we need to scrap the project entirely and start over?¡±

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 Chapter 342

    ?Chapter 342:

    Dillen nodded solemnly. ¡°From what I see, restarting the project is the only viable option.¡±

    Alonso turned to Lance with an apologetic expression. ¡°Mr. Perez and I did all we could.¡±

    Lance exhaled slowly, his face lined with frustration. ¡°We¡¯ve long known that this w was nearly impossible to fix. We have no choice now but to ept the oue¡ªscrapping the project.¡±

    Lance bitterly epted the oue. After all, Dillen wasn¡¯t just any expert. He was a government-developed elite. If he said the issue was beyond repair, then it truly meant the problem had reached a dead end. Across the room, Emmanuel slumped into a nearby chair, buried his face in his hands, and let out a string of defeated sighs. The rest of the team stood frozen, faces pale and shoulders drooping in shared dismay.

    After a long pause, Dillen spoke again, his tone more thoughtful this time. ¡°I heard the investment in this project reached twenty billion. Scrapping it would be a massive loss¡ªnot just in money, but in time, talent, and hope. It would be a tragedy to watch the efforts of hundreds of people vanish into dust.¡± He turned toward Emmanuel. ¡°Mr. Evans, if you permit, I¡¯d like to bring in my mentor. Perhaps he can give it a shot.¡±

    Elliana, still seated calmly, smirked to herself. Calling for another mentor? Seriously?

    But unlike her, Emmanuel looked up, his eyes flickering with a renewed spark. ¡°Mr. Perez, may I ask who your mentor is?¡±

    Dillen answered without hesitation, ¡°Hutton Tucker. He once led teams at the National AI Research Institute and is widely considered one of the sharpest minds in the field today. His skills far surpass mine. If anyone can salvage this project, it¡¯s him.¡±

    He paused and then added, ¡°And there¡¯s one more important thing¡ªMr. Tucker was once a prot¨¦g¨¦ of River.¡±

    ¡°River?¡± Lance repeated, his eyes lighting up. ¡°Do you mean River, whose theories shaped modern artificial intelligence? The legend in the AImunity?¡±

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    Dillen smiled and nodded. ¡°Yes. That River.¡±

    Lance lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. ¡°River is my lifelong idol! Even if I never get the chance to meet River, meeting River¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦ would be an honor. Mr. Perez, please introduce us to Mr. Tucker.¡±

    With every eye in the room fixed on him, Dillen pulled out his phone, stepped away from the group, and quietly made a call. A few minutester, he returned, looking pleased. ¡°I exined everything to Mr. Tucker,¡± he said. ¡°He¡¯s intrigued. He loves a good challenge, and lucky for us, his schedule¡¯s clear. He¡¯s on his way now. Let¡¯s hang tight.¡±

    That bit of news lit a spark among the group. Their excitement erupted as they waited for Hutton¡¯s arrival with growing anticipation.

    Today marked an unusual day for the AI R&D Department of the Evans Group. Leading figures in the field hade over one after another. Alonso¡¯s presence had already been a major win. His involvement brought in Dillen, and now, thanks to Dillen, they were about to receive none other than Hutton himself¡ªa towering figure in the AI world.

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 Chapter 343

    ?Chapter 343:

    But what made this moment feel almost unreal was the fact that Hutton had studied under River. That alone carried the weight of legend. For them, it felt like brushing against the summit of AI research. The stakes were clear. If even Hutton couldn¡¯t identify a fix for their project¡¯s w, there was no hope left to cling to. After all, if even River¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦ failed, then there wasn¡¯t much they could do. It would be pure fantasy to believe they could garner River¡¯s expertise on their problem.

    As the group waited for Hutton to arrive, Lance kept ncing at Dillen, unable to hold back his curiosity. ¡°Mr. Perez, you may not know, but back in college, River was already a legend to us. Professors, ssmates, even visiting lecturers¡ªeveryone admired River. Meeting River is my dream. I never thought I¡¯de even this close. Meeting you, someone connected to River, feels like fate doing me a favor.¡±

    Dillen chuckled, his tone light. ¡°Honestly, I felt the same way. River¡¯s been an idol of mine too. I never imagined I¡¯d get to meet River. But Mr. Tucker pulled it off¡ªhe was River¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦. Thanks to Mr. Tucker, I got the chance.¡±

    At the mention of River¡¯s name, Alonso leaned in with sudden enthusiasm. ¡°You never told me any of this, Mr. Perez! If I¡¯d known you had ties to River, I would¡¯ve begged for an introduction long ago.¡±

    A smallugh tugged at Dillen¡¯s lips as he shook his head. ¡°River isn¡¯t the kind of person you bump into on the street. River is a titan in AI, far beyond our reach. I only caught a glimpse of River when I tagged along with Mr. Tucker. Don¡¯t pin your hopes on meeting River.¡±

    That much made sense to both Lance and Alonso. Neither of them argued.

    After thinking for a bit, Lance asked, ¡°So, what¡¯s River like, Mr. Perez?¡±

    A flicker of memory crossed Dillen¡¯s face before he spoke. ¡°About two years ago, Mr. Tucker hit a wall on a project and went to see River for help. I was on the team, so I went with Mr. Tucker. River wore a hat¡­¡±

    And a mask the whole time. I never saw her face, but her eyes¡ªthose were unforgettable. Sharp. Brilliant. The kind that let you know she wasn¡¯t like the rest of us.¡±

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    The room fell still. Every person leaned in, drawn closer by the weight of River¡¯s name.

    Alonso, unable to hold back, blurted out, ¡°Does she strike you as some middle-aged woman?¡±

    That got augh out of Dillen. ¡°River¡¯s a young woman, barely eighteen when I met her. I¡¯m not kidding. Standing in front of her made me feel dwarfed. Talent like that? Age has no say.¡±

    The air shifted. The group was stunned into silence.

    Lance sat there ck-jawed, struggling to make the image fit. He had always pictured River as a middle-aged person with decades of experience and a permanent seat at the table of geniuses. It never once crossed his mind that River could be a girl younger than him. A real-life prodigy. That¡¯s what she was. To rise to the top of the AI world before even hitting twenty¡­ Just how gifted did she have to be?

    Lance¡¯s gaze drifted across the table, settling on Elliana. She was absently running her fingers along the edge of the table, seemingly lost in thought. ording to Dillen¡¯s description, Elliana was the same age as River, but theparison felt absurd now. Elliana might carry the persona Rosa in the arts, but River? River had carved her ce in a realm where brilliance reigned. In his eyes, no artist could rival that. Not even close.

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 Chapter 344

    ?Chapter 344:

    Casting onest disdainful look at Elliana, Lance turned his attention back to Dillen. ¡°Mr. Perez, what kind of person is River beneath the brilliance?¡±

    Without hesitation, Dillen answered, ¡°We didn¡¯t speak for long, so I can¡¯t pretend to know her well. But the impression she left was powerful, sharp-minded, and serene. She shared a few thoughts that day, and I still carry them with me. It felt like being handed ten years¡¯ worth of insights in a single moment.¡±

    The weight of his words settled over the group like a hush. Everyone looked thoughtful, moved by the idea of such wisdom.

    Lance let out a soft sigh. ¡°If there were even the slimmest chance I could hear River¡¯s advice face to face, I¡¯d trade anything I had, all my wealth included.¡±

    At that, Elliana gave him a sideways nce and smirked. ¡°Anything? You sure you¡¯ve even got enough to bargain with?¡±

    He shot her a look, not bothering with a reply.

    Elliana pouted but didn¡¯t press further, thinking that if he had little money, she wouldn¡¯t even consider it.

    Alonso leaned forward, curiosity written all over his face. ¡°Mr. Perez, how did Mr. Tucker manage to be River¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦ in the first ce?¡± Everyone was eager to hear the answer. After all, Hutton was an established expert already past sixty, while River had only been a teenager at the time. The sheer difference in age made the whole situation feel surreal¡­

    Dillen couldn¡¯t help butugh when the topic of Hutton asking River to be his mentor came up. ¡°It¡¯s a funny story, but also kind of inspiring. Mr. Tucker is truly passionate about AI. To push past technical limits, he¡¯s willing to learn from anyone, no matter their age or position.¡±

    Pausing for a beat, Dillen continued, ¡°The director of his institute is friends with River. As soon as Mr. Tucker found out, he kept pestering the director for an introduction. Eventually, the director gave in. But when Mr. Tucker finally met River, he was stunned¡ªshe was just a teenager. Still, her intelligence and skills dazzled him. He asked her to guide him in his research, saying he wanted to be her prot¨¦g¨¦. River, of course, turned him down. She told him he was too old, and he was left feeling pretty embarrassed.¡±

    Dillen chuckled, and the others joined him. Even without meeting Hutton, they were already picturing him as an endearing elderly man. He had a deep love for AI, and he didn¡¯t care about status or appearances. To him, age was just a number. Though the story was kind of humorous, everyone admired his determination and humility.

    After theughter died down, Dillen added, ¡°Even after being rejected, Mr. Tucker didn¡¯t give up. He used the same persistence he showed the director. Eventually, River gave in and agreed to take him on¡ªthough not very willingly.¡±

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    The room filled with excited chatter.

    ¡°I really respect Mr. Tucker. That kind of persistence and modesty is rare.¡±

    ¡°Honestly, if I had the chance to work with River, I¡¯d do it in a heartbeat.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d follow every one of her instructions, no matter what.¡±

    Lance raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Deep down, he knew he would¡¯ve done anything to learn from River, just like Hutton, if given the chance.

    ¡°Mr. Perez, did Mr. Tucker improve much after bing River¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦?¡± Alonso asked.

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    ?Chapter 345:

    Dillen nodded. ¡°Absolutely. Even before that, Mr. Tucker was already a professor¡ªbrilliant and respected. Most people thought he had reached his peak. But after learning from River, his skills soared. He always says that being her prot¨¦g¨¦ is the proudest moment of his life.¡±

    Elliana let out a small sigh. She remembered when Hutton had pestered her nonstop just to be her prot¨¦g¨¦. It had been equal parts funny and frustrating. It reminded her of her childhood, when Donovan had forced her to be his sessor to the Star Society. Bing Hutton¡¯s mentor wasn¡¯t her choice either. She¡¯d been pushed into it.

    Back then, Hutton had been relentless. When he couldn¡¯t find her, he bombarded the director with calls, day and night, interrupting meals and ruining his sleep. Eventually, the director begged her to take Hutton on. Worn out, she had finally said yes. Luckily, Hutton had turned out to be serious and hardworking. He made real progress under her guidance. At least her effort hadn¡¯t gone to waste.

    While she was grumbling to herself, Hutton entered the room with his assistant.

    Elliana quickly dropped her head onto her arms, pretending to sleep so he wouldn¡¯t recognize her. No one noticed her actions. They were all too busy rushing over to greet Hutton.

    Compared to Dillen and Alonso, Hutton was much more direct. He didn¡¯t care for pleasantries. After a brief nod in response to everyone¡¯s greetings, he got straight to the point.

    Seeing that, Lance didn¡¯t waste a second. He led Hutton straight to theputer.

    Elliana lifted her head slightly, peeking at Hutton as he focused on the screen.

    At this point, night had already fallen.

    Elliana¡¯s phone buzzed. It was a message from Cole. ¡°Honey, are you still dealing with Lance?¡± She texted back, ¡°Yep.¡±

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    ¡°It¡¯s way past working hours. Aren¡¯t you hungry?¡±

    ¡°I am,¡± she replied.

    ¡°What about I have someone bring you food?¡±

    ¡°Sure.¡±

    A little whileter, Myles arrived carrying a container box from an upscale restaurant.

    Without caring what others thought, Elliana opened the container. The rich aroma quickly filled the air.

    Hutton didn¡¯t even notice¡ªhe was too absorbed in his work. But Lance did. His stomach growled loud enough to turn heads. He looked over and saw Elliana happily biting into a drumstick. Irritation red in his eyes. He stood up, walked to her table, and questioned in a low voice, ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡±

    Elliana lifted her gaze from the drumstick, her bright eyes connecting squarely with Lance¡¯s. She paused mid-chew, arching an eyebrow at him. ¡°Am I really bothering you that much just by eating?¡±

    The rity in her expression made Lance pause, and a flicker of self-doubt crossed his mind. Was he actually being too harsh?

    After swallowing deliberately, Elliana continued with a dramatic sigh, ¡°Honestly, Lance, it feels like you¡¯re just picking fights for the sake of it. You nitpick everything I do. First, I¡¯m not attractive enough, and now even my chewing irritates you. What¡¯s next? Should I hold my breath around you?¡±

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 Chapter 346

    ?Chapter 346:

    Lance parted his lips to retort but found no words forting. A brief pang of unease jabbed at him unexpectedly. Was he truly treating her unfairly? Yet, quickly shaking off the feeling, he hardened his stance and said, ¡°Don¡¯t twist this around, Elliana. You¡¯re constantly causing trouble, and now you¡¯re ying innocent to make me feel bad. It won¡¯t work!¡±

    Elliana resumed her eating, unbothered. She cast him a casual nce. ¡°Trouble? What exactly did I do?¡±

    ¡°You genuinely have no idea?¡± Lance stared at her incredulously. ¡°The entire team is swamped with work, Mr. Tucker is right there, and yet you¡¯re casually enjoying avish meal. Can¡¯t you see how disrespectful that looks? Everyone¡¯s trying to concentrate, and your food smells incredible!¡±

    ¡°What do you expect me to do? Offer you some?¡± Elliana asked, tilting her head as she held out the half-eaten drumstick.

    Lance just stared at it, caught off guard. ¡°You!¡± He was so exasperated that he didn¡¯t know what to say.

    Elliana blinked at him, wide-eyed, like she had no clue why he was speechless. ¡°You¡¯re choosing not to eat, and that¡¯s on you. Don¡¯t go around iming I don¡¯t share food with you. I¡¯m trying to be generous here, and you¡¯re the one turning it down.¡±

    She shrugged and resumed eating without a care in the world.

    Lance sighed, feeling utterly defeated. Gathering hisposure, he said earnestly, ¡°Elliana, could you please eat somewhere else? I really don¡¯t have the energy or time to bicker right now. If you have issues with me, let¡¯s deal with them after working hours, okay? Please?¡±

    Elliana leaned back, a yful smile tugging at her lips.

    ¡°Nah. If I leave now, I bet you¡¯ll need my helpter on, and I¡¯ll have to return despite my reluctance. You know, for the sake of Cole. Might as well sit right here and save the trip.¡±

    Lance stood there, dumbfounded by everything she had just said. After a long pause, he let out a heavy sigh and said, ¡°Fine, have it your way!¡± Without another nce, he spun on his heel and headed toward Hutton. As he walked off, he muttered to himself, ¡°She¡¯s absolutely out of her mind, that one.¡±

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    Elliana happily returned to her meal, ignoring his muttered frustration. After she finished, Hutton exhaled loudly in frustration at theputer. ¡°I hate to say it, but this is beyond even me.¡±

    The room plunged into a familiar silence, heavy with disappointment, mirroring their earlier setbacks. This time felt like a final blow. If even Hutton couldn¡¯t solve it, there wasn¡¯t much hope anyone else could¡ªunless, by some chance, River stepped forward to help. The problem was that River stayed far too elusive and was clearly not someone they could simply call in.

    Following all the earlier failures, Emmanuel had managed to calm down a great deal. When he heard Hutton¡¯s words, he let out a long sigh, choosing not to respond at all. It seemed everything he¡¯d worked for was crumbling. From this moment forward, his name would carry nothing but shame. People would speak of him with contempt, iming he had squandered his life and left no mark worth remembering. Even his family would likely look down on him, scoffing at how he drained the fortune without offering a single thing in return.

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    ?Chapter 347:

    Lance, too, had steadied himself more than before. After hearing Hutton dere that the problem couldn¡¯t be solved, he said nothing. There was no use fighting it¡ªhe had no choice but to let it sink in. A brief silence settled over the room before Lance managed a strained smile. ¡°Mr. Tucker, the entire department already feels incredibly honored that you graced us with your presence today.¡±

    Emmanuel gave a solemn nod. ¡°No matter how things turn out, we truly appreciate youing by. The evening is drawing in, and I would be honored to host you for dinner, Mr. Tucker.¡±

    ncing at Dillen and Alonso, Lance said, ¡°And I owe both of you a thank you as well. If it weren¡¯t for you, we never would have brought Mr. Tucker here or learned anything about River. Please, both of you, join us for dinner.¡±

    Dillen and Alonso exchanged a nce and then turned toward Hutton. But Hutton didn¡¯t move. He stayed seated, eyes locked on the screen in front of him. With a heavy sigh, he finally said, ¡°Letting this go isn¡¯t something I can do. This project had¡­¡±

    ¡°Twenty billion invested in it, and so many people have given everything they had, only for it all to fall apart at the veryst stage. Thinking about it hurts.¡±

    Everyone in the room felt the weight of his words. Both Emmanuel and Lance struggled to hold back their tears. Emmanuel had pinned all of his dreams to the sess of this project, while Lance had dedicated years of tireless effort, only to watch it copse. The pain was worse than losing a limb.

    Refusing to give up, Hutton continued, ¡°But I¡¯m not giving up. I refuse to believe there isn¡¯t a way forward. Here¡¯s what I¡¯ll do. I¡¯ll take it upon myself to contact my mentor, River, for advice.¡±

    Lance¡¯s face brightened. ¡°Mr. Tucker, are you really able to ask River for help?¡±

    Hutton quietly nodded and took out his phone, sending a message to River.

    Just then, Elliana¡¯s phone began to ring.

    Read more at g???????¦Í????????o??

    Elliana had intentionally turned her phone¡¯s volume up. Even though it was just a short notification chime, the sound echoed loud enough for everyone to hear.

    Hutton¡¯s head whipped around at once, his eyes widening in shock. He immediately recognized the alert. That specific tone was one-of-a-kind, personally designed by River. If that was true, then who exactly was this shy, overdone woman in front of him? Could she really be River? Despite being River¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦, Hutton had never seen her real face. For years, that unique notification sound had been his only way to verify her identity¡ªit had been burned into his memory.

    Before Hutton could fully process what he¡¯d just heard, Lance came stomping over, frustration boiling over as he shouted, ¡°Elliana, can you just go already?¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± Elliana said with a shrug, her voice t and detached. Then, she rose to her feet and quietly walked away.

    That response threw Lance off bnce. He couldn¡¯t understand why the same Elliana who had refused to leave earlier was now giving in so easily.

    While he stood there puzzled, Hutton had already jumped up from his seat and was hurrying after Elliana, visibly thrilled.

    For a man over sixty years old, Hutton¡¯s sudden burst of energy left the whole room stunned. They watched in disbelief as the aging schr jogged after her. No one had a clue what was going on.

    Whatever anyone thought didn¡¯t matter to Hutton in the slightest. As soon as he caught up, he bowed his head and greeted her with full respect. ¡°What brings you here?¡±

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 Chapter 348

    ?Chapter 348:

    Elliana turned slightly, gave him a cool look, and said tly, ¡°I came to see how ¡®well¡¯ you¡¯re managing things.¡±

    At that, Hutton¡¯s expression shifted ufortably, and he lowered his gaze like a prot¨¦g¨¦ being lectured.

    The entire room fell into stunned silence. Why in the world was Hutton acting so intimidated by Elliana?

    Elliana ignored the others¡¯ reactions and asked Hutton in a chilly tone, ¡°So, you really can¡¯t solve this?¡±

    Hutton lowered his head, embarrassment written all over his face.

    A scoff escaped Elliana as she threw her words at him without mercy.

    ¡°You can¡¯t even handle a problem this basic? Did you forget everything I taught you? You¡¯ve got people singing your praises left and right, and with your level of skill? Aren¡¯t you even a little ashamed?¡±

    Beads of sweat formed on Hutton¡¯s forehead, and he quickly wiped them away, humiliated.

    But Elliana wasn¡¯t finished. ¡°You still go around telling people you¡¯re my prot¨¦g¨¦? Do you know how embarrassing that is for me?¡±

    Gasps filled the room as everyone looked around in stunned silence, certain they¡¯d misunderstood what they just heard. What did Elliana just say? Did she really mean that Hutton was her prot¨¦g¨¦?

    Lance, especially, looked like he¡¯d seen something that defied logic. He knew both of them¡ªElliana, the overly shy girl he¡¯d always looked down on, and Hutton, the respected giant in the AImunity. How could that same girl scold Hutton so casually? None of this made sense. Lance couldn¡¯t wrap his mind around the unfolding scene, his thoughts tangled and confused by everything happening. He took an instinctive step forward and scolded Elliana, ¡°How could you talk to Mr. Tucker that way?¡±

    Elliana didn¡¯t even nce in his direction. Her frustration remained aimed at Hutton. ¡°I warned you from the very beginning that your brain wasn¡¯t cut out for this. But no, you kept bugging me to take you on. And now, look. Wasn¡¯t I right?¡±

    Hutton, lookingpletely defeated, nodded like a scolded child. ¡°Yes, yes, you¡¯re right. Please don¡¯t be angry.¡±

    The rest on g?l????¦Í?????????????

    Lance stood nearby, watching the exchange with wide eyes, darting back and forth between the two of them. He looked absolutely lost. ¡°Elliana, have youpletely lost it?¡± he finally asked, still struggling to make sense of what he was seeing. He had the urge to ask whether Hutton had lost his mind too, but the words never made it past his lips. Elliana shot him a sharp re before turning and walking off without a word.

    Hutton turned to Lance and asked seriously, ¡°Mr. Evans, may I ask what kind of rtionship you have with her?¡±

    Lance was momentarily at a loss for words. He hesitated, unwilling to admit in front of everyone that Elliana was his cousin-inw.

    Before the silence stretched too long, Emmanuel stepped forward and answered clearly, ¡°Mr. Tucker, she is the wife of our family head, Cole, and also the matriarch of the Evans family.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± That left Hutton momentarily speechless. His eyes widened in disbelief before his expression twisted into frustration. ¡°You had someone that capable in your family and still went looking for help elsewhere? Are you joking?¡±

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 Chapter 349

    ?Chapter 349:

    Lance blinked, confused, and asked, ¡°Mr. Tucker, I don¡¯t understand. What do you mean?¡±

    Hutton looked at him as if he were a fool. ¡°Mr. Evans, you were standing right here when I spoke with my mentor. And you¡¯re telling me you still don¡¯t get it?¡±

    Though Hutton understood that River¡¯s true identity was meant to stay under wraps, Elliana¡¯s public scolding made it clear that she wasn¡¯t hiding anything from these people today. That gave Hutton the confidence to speak so directly to Lance. But Lance¡¯s brain was still spinning. Even with all the cluesid out in front of him, he lookedpletely lost and kept asking pointless questions.

    Hutton could only shake his head, convinced there was no saving Lance. Noticing that Elliana had walked farther down the hall, he hurried after her. It had been ages since hest saw his mentor. Now that she was here, he didn¡¯t want to waste a second. If they could share a meal, that would be the perfect chance to catch up.

    Lance stood frozen, watching Hutton eagerly rush after Elliana, still struggling to make sense of everything. He couldn¡¯t tell whether they were crazy or if he was missing something huge.

    ¡°You idiot!¡± Emmanuel finally reacted, shoving Lance hard in the shoulder. ¡°Elliana is River! Go after her now!¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Lance froze in ce, staring nkly at Emmanuel like he hadn¡¯t heard him correctly.

    The words had reached Lance¡¯s ears, and they had even echoed in his mind, but they made no sense at all. Elliana was River? That couldn¡¯t be real. He had always mocked her, calling her dull and unpleasant to look at. How could the woman he thought of as a clueless nuisance turn out to be the person who mentored someone like Hutton? How could the one he found irritating actually be the person he admired most?

    While Lance stood frozen in disbelief, Emmanuel let out a tired sigh. He gave up on waiting for Lance to process things and decided to go after Hutton and Elliana himself.

    Elliana, knowing full well they woulde chasing, had slowed her steps on purpose. She hadn¡¯t yet exited the private corridor of the AI R&D Department.

    Hutton reached Elliana first, and not long after, Emmanuel caught up as well.

    Continue reading on g???????¦Í?????c????

    ¡°Elliana, I want to apologize on Lance¡¯s behalf. Could I ask you to stay and help me with the issue we¡¯re facing?¡± Emmanuel said, his expression marked by a courteous smile.

    Because Emmanuel had always treated her with respect, Elliana saw no reason to turn him down and came to a stop.

    Just then, Lance also caught up. His mind seemed to have cleared during the walk over. His cheeks were red with embarrassment, and he kept his gaze anywhere but on Elliana. He opened his mouth like he had something to say¡ªbut no words came out.

    Elliana studied Lance with a knowing smile, then turned to Emmanuel and deliberately said in an aloof tone, ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to help, Emmanuel. But Lance thinks I¡¯m too dumb to be useful. I wouldn¡¯t want to force my help on someone who doesn¡¯t value it.¡±

    Hutton, having just been scolded by Elliana moments ago, now stood silently off to the side, his posture straight and manner subdued like a well-mannered elder.

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 Chapter 350

    ?Chapter 350:

    Emmanuel gave Lance a kick and murmured, ¡°What are you waiting for? Go apologize to Elliana!¡±

    That made Lance flinch, and he nced at Elliana, his voice unsure. ¡°Are you really River? The one I admire?¡±

    Turning toward him, Elliana answered with a calm, measured tone, ¡°I do go by the alias River. But whether I¡¯m the version of River you¡¯ve idolized, I wouldn¡¯t know. The one you admire is a legend. I¡¯m just the dim-witted eyesore you alwaysin about.¡±

    Lance blinked. With those words, she confirmed her identity without dancing around it.

    Hutton¡¯s respectful silence and obedient stance left no room for doubt¡ªElliana was, without question, the River Lance had idolized for years. A deep wave of regret washed over Lance, and he kept wiping his forehead in a useless attempt to hide his embarrassment. He remembered how furious he¡¯d been when Jeff called him an idiot for taunting Elliana. At the time, he thought Jeff was being dramatic¡ªbut now, he knew better. Even someone like Jeff, impulsive and wild, had recognized Elliana¡¯s worth long before he had. The realization stung worse than any insult.

    Everything finally clicked for Lance. Now it made perfect sense why Cole always treated Elliana with such care. It wasn¡¯t just affection¡ªit was respect. What had won Cole over must have been her mind, not just her heart.

    Men of real substance cared more about a woman¡¯s intelligence and abilities than how she looked on the surface.

    And now, knowing Elliana was River, Lance didn¡¯t see her as unattractive anymore. There was something brilliant in her gaze, the very quality Dillen had mentioned before.

    Lance stammered, ¡°I-I am sorry. I didn¡¯t see clearly before. I waspletely out of line. Please give me a chance to make it right. I swear I¡¯ll stop acting like an idiot and show you due respect.¡± Hutton stood there, a smile on his lips as he saw Lance finallye around.

    Both Elliana and Emmanuel cracked intoughter.

    Check out more on g???????¦Í?????????o??

    Lance felt his face burn even more under their amusement and wiped his forehead once again,pletely flustered.

    Still in a teasing mood, Elliana turned to Hutton and asked with a yful smirk, ¡°So, Hutty, should we take on this project?¡±

    Hutty? The nicknamended with a thud. Emmanuel and Lance both winced slightly, their eyes twitching, unsure if they had just misheard. Hutton, however, didn¡¯t mind in the slightest. Just minutes earlier, he had stood before the crowd with theposure of a seasoned Al master. Now, he looked more like a cheerful schoolboy eager to impress.

    ¡°Everyone makes mistakes now and then. Why not give Mr. Evans a shot?¡± Hutton said with a grin.

    Elliana gave a small nod. ¡°Alright. Lance, for the sake of Hutty, I¡¯ll give you a chance to ask for my help properly.¡±

    After saying that, she turned on her heel and headed back into the Al R&D Department, calmly returning to her original seat.

    Hutton stayed close behind her, going so far as to pick up her lunchbox and tidy it neatly.

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 Chapter 351

    ?Chapter 351:

    Watching all this unfold, Lance quickly stepped forward. He grabbed a cup, filled it with coffee, and held it out to her with both hands. ¡°Elliana, would you like some coffee?¡±

    Taking the cup from him, Elliana brought it to her lips and took a slow, deliberate sip.

    Every person in the room had their eyes locked on her, gazes full of awe, as though they were witnessing something divine. After all, she wasn¡¯t just anyone¡ªshe was River. The most revered name in the entire field of AI. For everyone present, this was a rare moment. Most of them never expected to meet her in person, let alone discover her true identity.

    Standing at the front of the group, Dillen and Alonso exchanged looks of pride. Compared to the others, their bond with River felt more personal.

    Elliana epted the admiration without fuss, and with an easy smile, she looked toward Lance.

    Seeing Elliana raise her head to speak to him, Lance quickly adjusted his posture, eager to listen attentively.

    ¡°Lance, even though we don¡¯t get on well, we still need to keep work and personal matters separate, don¡¯t you agree?¡± Elliana said, her voice steady andposed.

    Lance quickly nodded, responding, ¡°Yes, Elliana. You¡¯re absolutely right.¡±

    Lance couldn¡¯t help but feel grateful that Elliana was being so professional. If she had taken things personally, he probably never would¡¯ve had a shot at securing her expertise in AI development in the first ce. But what she said next hit him like a punch.

    Elliana said without hesitation, ¡°I don¡¯t usually take jobs like this, and when I do, I stick to my rules. If I fail, I won¡¯t charge you a single cent. But if I seed, the fee is set¡ªone billion for the Seek project.¡±

    One billion? The sound of shocked gasps rippled through the room. Emmanuel¡¯s jaw dropped, and he wiped his forehead with a nervous hand.

    Lance gazed at her, his voice cautious as he said, ¡°Elliana, I know exactly that your expertise as River is top-notch, and I also understand how serious the ws in this project are, but don¡¯t you think one billion is a little excessive?¡±

    The rest on g???????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°If you think my price is too high, then feel free to find someone else,¡± Elliana replied without the slightest pause.

    That left Lancepletely stunned. He knew better than anyone that aside from River, there wasn¡¯t another person out there who could fix their technical problem. Now he was stuck between two impossible choices¡ªeither agree to pay Elliana a billion and salvage the twenty-billion-dor project, or refuse and watch the Seek project fall apart. In that moment, the answer became painfully clear. Anyone in his shoes would choose to pay her.

    Trying onest time, Lance begged, ¡°Elliana, we¡¯ve already poured twenty billion into this project and haven¡¯t seen a single return. Our funding is stretched thin. Can you at least offer us a discount¡ªfor the family¡¯s sake?¡±

    ¡°For the family¡¯s sake?¡± Elliana looked at him with a teasing smile. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll give you a family discount¡ªtwenty percent off.¡±

    That small reduction meant the price tag stood at eight hundred million. Even with the discount, the amount was staggering.

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 Chapter 352

    ?Chapter 352:

    A memory shed in Lance¡¯s mind¡ªback when Elliana¡¯s hidden identity as Rosa had been freshly revealed, the Evans family women had begged Elliana to design clothes. She had given them the same discount. Apparently, she had a thing for shaving twenty percent off.

    Lance didn¡¯t dare agree to the fee by himself, so he turned to Emmanuel for guidance.

    Emmanuel nodded calmly. ¡°True knowledge has no fixed price, and skill like this is rare. River is the best in the AI world. One billion is more than fair. That two hundred million discount? That¡¯s the family rate.¡±

    Elliana gave him a warm smile. ¡°You¡¯re wise, Emmanuel.¡±

    Without missing a beat, Emmanuel answered, ¡°Thank you for stepping up to save the project.¡±

    Once that was settled, Emmanuel went straight to Cole to get approval for the payment.

    Back at the workstation, Elliana sat down in front of theputer and immediately began working to repair the ws in the project.

    The team gathered around, their faces filled with a mix of awe and curiosity. They couldn¡¯t believe how easily River breathed life back into the failing project. But at the same time, they werepletely lost watching her process. Even Lance, who led the project, couldn¡¯t follow what she was doing.

    Still, that didn¡¯t matter. Thirty minutester, Elliana had resolved every issue buried in the system.

    Watching theponents running without a hitch, Lance finally let out the breath he¡¯d been holding and broke into a wide grin.

    The department burst into spontaneous apuse.

    ¡°River is a genius. She fixed what none of us could even touch.¡±

    Keep reading at g???????¦Í???????co??

    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen anything like that in my life. She¡¯s on another level!¡±

    ¡°Witnessing River¡¯s skills is something most people only dream of.¡±

    Everyone crowded around Elliana, their voices buzzing with excitement and admiration.

    Once themotion began to settle, Elliana calmly said, ¡°I¡¯d appreciate it if you could all keep my identity as River confidential.¡±

    ¡°We get it, we get it!¡± Every single person nodded earnestly in agreement. They knew River rarely made public appearances.

    Appearances. Today¡¯s encounter was nothing short of fortunate. Had Elliana not married into the Evans family, Lance probably wouldn¡¯t have had the slightest chance of reaching someone like her.

    While that moment was unfolding in the Al R&D Department, Emmanuel sat in the CEO¡¯s office recounting everything to Cole in vivid detail.

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh were nearby, listening intently to the entire story. When Emmanuel finally revealed that Elliana was, in fact, River, the three men were left inplete disbelief. Their eyes widened, and their jaws nearly dropped.

    Since the Evans family had raised Myles, Aron, and Hugh, they feltfortable enough to show their genuine reactions around Emmanuel.

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 Chapter 353

    ?Chapter 353:

    Unable to hold back, Hugh said, ¡°Mr. Evans, are you saying Mrs. Evans is actually River¡ªthe top figure in the Almunity? Are you absolutely sure?¡±

    A chuckle escaped Emmanuel as he nced at Hugh. ¡°Caught you off guard, huh? I was floored when I found out. But yes, it¡¯s true. Hutton Tucker confirmed it. If that weren¡¯t the case, I wouldn¡¯t have dared toe to Cole asking him to sign off on an eight-hundred-million fee.¡±

    Eight hundred million? The number alone was enough to make Myles, Aron, and Hugh turn green with envy. Having that kind of talent really did make earning money look effortless.

    At that moment, Cole remained frozen, still trying to process the truth. Just hours ago, he had been suspicious that Elliana might be Quinn¡ªone of the world¡¯s top three hackers¡ªand was preparing to test her. But before he could even act, she had already unmasked herself as River.

    Cole was left speechless when the truth hit him¡ªElliana was actually River. Her pretty face instantly filled his thoughts. There was always something about her that caught him off guard. How many sides of her did he still not know?

    After collecting himself, Cole took Emmanuel¡¯s request and signed the approval for the eight hundred million payment without hesitation. Then, without another word, he wrote a personal check for one billion and passed it to Emmanuel. Looking down at the check, Emmanuel blinked and asked, ¡°Cole, what¡¯s this one billion for?¡±

    A faint smile touched Cole¡¯s lips. ¡°Emmanuel, I¡¯d like you to ce a special order with River for me.¡±

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh turned to look at Cole, all three visibly confused. What exactly was Cole ordering from his own wife?

    Even Emmanuel paused, clearly unsure what Cole was up to.

    With a quiet voice, Cole exined, ¡°Please tell River to schedule a little more time for her husband in between building her career.¡±

    Full chapters on g???????¦Í?????c????

    At that, Myles, Aron, and Hugh couldn¡¯t stop themselves fromughing. The idea of Cole, a man with billions at his fingertips, spending a fortune just to ask his wife for attention was too good. Still, wasn¡¯t he being a little greedy? From what they¡¯d seen, Elliana already spent most of her time with him. What more could he possibly want?

    Even Emmanuel, normally soposed, turned slightly red at the request. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll make sure the check¡ªand the message¡ªgets to her.¡±

    With a small shake of his head and a grin, Emmanuel turned around and left the office.

    Cole didn¡¯t return to his paperwork. Instead, he sat quietly, eyes fixed on the desk in front of him. His thoughts were a blur. His wife was exceptional¡ªso exceptional that it left him feeling uneasy. There was an eight-year gap between them, and the thought lingered in his mind. Would she one day grow tired of him? Would someone younger, brighter, and equally brilliant manage to steal her attention?

    Elliana had no idea what kind of storm was brewing in Cole¡¯s mind. She had already finished fixing the project and was now quietly waiting for Emmanuel to return with her payment.

    While she waited, a crowd gathered around her, their eyes filled with admiration. Despite her status, she remained approachable, chatting easily with everyone and showing no trace of arrogance.

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 Chapter 354

    ?Chapter 354:

    Among the group, no one looked more thrilled than Dillen and Alonso. Hutton had been trained by River. Dillen had learned from Hutton. And Alonso had studied under Dillen. That made all of them part of River¡¯s academic lineage¡ªand they couldn¡¯t have been prouder.

    As Dillen and Alonso stood talking with Elliana, a sense of pride lit up their faces. Their smiles outshone everyone else¡¯s.

    A few steps away, Lance watched Dillen and Alonso in silence, feeling more than a little envious. He too wanted to be River¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦! But that dream felt out of reach. Whether Elliana would even consider it was aplete mystery. Still, she was married to Cole, which technically made her his cousin-inw. That meant they were family¡ªeven if only by marriage.

    None of this internal conflict showed on Lance¡¯s face, and no one around him seemed to notice. The room remained filled with cheerful conversation until Emmanuel returned and everything quieted down.

    Without wasting a second, Emmanuel walked straight up to Elliana and handed over the check. ¡°Elliana, thank you so much. Here¡¯s your payment. Please keep it safe.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Emmanuel.¡± Elliana took the check, tucked it into her small leather bag, and smiled. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll take my leave.¡±

    And just like that, she turned and exited the AI R&D Department.

    Emmanuel stepped out and followed behind her.

    ¡°Is there something else, Emmanuel?¡± Elliana asked, ncing back at the sound of his footsteps.

    Without saying much, Emmanuel handed over another check, this one for one billion. ¡°This is the order Cole asked me to ce with River.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°What kind of order did he ce?¡±

    Read the next part at ?????????¦Í??????o??

    A softugh escaped Emmanuel. ¡°Cole said River should keep excelling in her field, but she ought to make time for her husband too.¡±

    At that, Elliana burst intoughter. She never would have guessed Cole could be so childish. Wait¡ªno. There was nothing childish about him. Starting with a billion-dor ¡°order¡±? That wasn¡¯t just sweet. It was extravagant, endearing, and absolutely husband-of-the-year material!

    Elliana epted the check with a bright grin. ¡°Please tell this top¡ª

    Elliana turned with a smile, her tone light and cheerful as she said, ¡°Please tell this top-tier client that I¡¯ve epted the order and will deliver exceptional results. Goodbye, Emmanuel!¡±

    With her steps light and cheerful, she walked off, carrying 1.8 billion worth of checks in her bag.

    Emmanuel stood there watching her go, shaking his head as a quiet smile spread across his face.

    Back when Ruben had first pushed Cole into marrying Elliana, the elders had all voiced their concerns and felt bad for Cole. Who would¡¯ve imagined that Elliana would turn out to be such a gem, and that their marriage would grow into something so affectionate and genuine?

    Lost in thought, Emmanuel turned around¡ªonly to find Lance standing nearby, his eyes fixed on Elliana¡¯s fading silhouette, full of longing.

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 Chapter 355

    ?Chapter 355:

    The sight made Emmanuel¡¯s patience snap. Without hesitation, he lifted his hand and pped the back of Lance¡¯s head. ¡°You idiot! Always zoning out, nearly messing up everything. You better remember this¡ªnever judge someone by how they look. Got it?¡±

    Lance rubbed the spot where he¡¯d been hit and nodded quickly. ¡°Yes. I¡¯ve learned my lesson.¡±

    That answer took some of the fire out of Emmanuel¡¯s temper, but he wasn¡¯t finished yet. He straightened his posture.

    ¡°Lance, you should take a cue from Cole. When choosing a partner, don¡¯t focus only on looks. Character matters most. When the timees, use Elliana as your standard. Got it?¡± Emmanuel said.

    Lance gave a faint smirk. ¡°Dad, that kind of girl isn¡¯t easy to find. Elliana is one of a kind. She excels at everything she does. Girls like her aren¡¯tmon.¡±

    Emmanuel nodded. ¡°True.¡± Then, without beating around the bush, he asked, ¡°Do you like Trinity?¡±

    Lance froze, surprised that his father had already figured it out. He didn¡¯t know what to say. ¡°Dad, I¡­¡±

    ¡°Drop it,¡± Emmanuel cut him off sharply. ¡°Yes, Trinity was raised by the Evans family, and I shouldn¡¯t speak ill of her. But the truth is, she¡¯s very ambitious. Your current status and career won¡¯t impress her. She won¡¯t wait around for you to climb up. The two of you won¡¯tst.¡±

    Lance felt uneasy. ¡°But Trinity treats me well.¡±

    Emmanuel gave a shortugh. ¡°You¡¯re still too green. Trinity is nice to everyone in the Evans family. Even Jeff once fell for her charms. You¡¯re not special to her.¡±

    Lance pressed his lips together and said nothing.

    Discover the full story at g?l????¦Í????????o??

    Emmanuel went on. ¡°If she had to pick one of the Evans sons to marry, do you think you could beat Jason?¡±

    Lance went quiet. Jason had the upper hand in both talent and position. And Jason also seemed to like Trinity. He knew he didn¡¯t stand a chance.

    Emmanuel ced a firm hand on Lance¡¯s shoulder. His voice softened. ¡°As your father, I see things you don¡¯t. Trinity isn¡¯t as simple as she seems. I don¡¯t want you to end up with someone like her. Give up on her.¡±

    ¡°Dad, you can say we¡¯re not a match, or that she doesn¡¯t like me. But don¡¯t say she¡¯s not a good person. Trinity is kind, pure, and exceptional,¡± Lance replied.

    Emmanuel let out a sigh. ¡°Alright. No matter what I say, it won¡¯t change anything. See for yourself. Time will show the truth.¡±

    Unaware of the conversation between Emmanuel and Lance, Elliana left the AI R&D Department and headed straight to the elevator, eager to see Cole.

    She didn¡¯t notice the three people following her until she reached the executive elevator. She turned around. ¡°Why are you following me?¡±

    Hutton smiled. ¡°It¡¯s been a while. I just wanted to talk with you a little more.¡±

    Dillen and Alonso stepped forward. ¡°Us as well. Just a little more time.¡±

    Elliana frowned slightly. ¡°Didn¡¯t we already talk for quite a while?¡±

    ¡°That was different. There were too many people around. Now we want to talk about something private,¡± Hutton said.

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 Chapter 356

    ?Chapter 356:

    Dillen and Alonso nodded in agreement. By discussing private matters, they hoped to create a sense of special connection with her.

    ¡°Private matters?¡± Elliana looked at them and asked, ¡°Alright. What private matters do you want to talk about?¡±

    Hutton was taken aback by her quick agreement but then smiled. ¡°We were thinking of inviting you to our ce to chat over some coffee. We¡¯d love to hear more of your guidance to improve our skills.¡±

    Elliana didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°I don¡¯t have the time. I just epted a billion-dor project and need to focus on that.¡±

    Another billion-dor project? The three men were stunned. She made it sound so easy¡ªno wonder she was the top name in the AImunity. Hutton looked disappointed but managed a weak smile. ¡°Then we won¡¯t hold you up. I¡¯ll reach out another time.¡±

    Elliana smiled and waved. ¡°Bye.¡±

    She stepped into the elevator, and the doors closed.

    The three of them stood there, watching their idol disappear.

    The elevator reached the top floor. As soon as the doors slid open, Elliana rushed out. Without pausing, she made a beeline for the CEO¡¯s office. Usually, Myles, Aron, and Hugh would be stationed in the outer office area, ready to assist Cole. But today, the area was empty. She didn¡¯t stop to think and pushed open the office door.

    Once inside, she went straight to Cole and called out sweetly, ¡°Coley, I¡¯m back!¡±

    Cole looked up, but before he could react, she threw herself into his arms. His arms instinctively wrapped around her waist to steady her. Before he could say a word, her lipsnded on his. The kiss was firm and sudden, leaving a warm tingle on his lips.

    Without hesitation, Elliana pressed Cole against the chair and kissed him. As she drew back, her lips curved mischievously, and she asked, ¡°So, Coley, does this meet your expectations for the one-billion-dor deal?¡±

    The next chapters are on ?????????¦Í??????o??

    Cole had to fight back a grin. ¡°Honey, I¡¯m more than satisfied with how you¡¯re handling things with this much energy. Still, shouldn¡¯t you ensure we¡¯re alone before being this enthusiastic?¡±

    Alone? His office hardly seemed like a ce for surprises. Elliana hesitated, nced around, and it finally dawned on her that Cole wasn¡¯t the only one in the room.

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh were also there. She felt no embarrassment about their presence. Back at Regal Grove, she¡¯d teased Cole shamelessly, never once caring if the three were watching. However, one thing threw her off bnce. Why on earth was Jason here?

    Across the room, Jason fixed his eyes on her, half of his face hidden behind a mask. Though the mask concealed most of his face, there was no mistaking the astonishment in his gaze.

    ¡°Ahem!¡± A cough slipped out of Elliana as she tried to recover herposure. Quickly, she slid off Cole¡¯sp and moved to the sofa. She dropped into the cushions, seized the nearest ss, and drained the water in a single go. Watching the scene unfold, Myles, Aron, and Hugh lookedpletely fed up. This scene¡­

    Jason fiddled with his cor, outwardly calm, yet inwardly, his emotions churned in chaos. Nothing in recent memory had unsettled him quite like what he¡¯d just witnessed. To him, Cole had always seemed aloof around women, but watching that wild-haired, less-than-morous woman throw caution aside and kiss Cole in front of everyone was unthinkable. Worse still, he could hardly believe that Cole actually looked pleased about the whole thing. Had Cole lost his mind?

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 Chapter 357

    ?Chapter 357:

    Seeing the usuallyposed and steady Jason now at a loss, Myles, Aron, and Hugh were secretly amused. They had survived the daily torment of witnessing the couple¡¯s affectionate disy back at Regal Grove, so it delighted them to see someone else caught off guard for a change.

    Suppressing a smirk, Cole finally broke the heavy silence. ¡°Jason, what did you want to discuss with me?¡±

    However, the sharpness Jason was known for abandoned him. His mind went utterly nk, embarrassment written across his features.

    It took a painfully long pause before Jason finally recalled his purpose. ¡°It¡¯s about Hailee. Merlin has been making aggressive moves against the Craig family¡¯s business today. They¡¯re struggling, and Bonnie had to go to the Evans home to ask for help. Our grandfather sent me to get your take on the situation.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s hand froze mid-sip, her ss hovering in the air. She hadn¡¯t counted on Merlin showing such resolve for Hailee¡¯s sake. Yesterday at the engagement party, he¡¯d publicly called out Boris, Dunn, and Hester, and now he was going after the Craig family¡¯s business interests as well.

    Cole, turning to Jason, asked, ¡°What does Grandpa want to do?¡±

    Nothing but honesty colored Jason¡¯s words. ¡°Grandpa is furious with Boris, and he¡¯d rather stay out of it. But with Grandma¡¯s friendship with Bonnie, and Trinity living under our roof, saying no isplicated.¡±

    Raising his gaze, Jason added, ¡°Grandpa told me that as the Evans family¡¯s head and a friend of Merlin¡¯s, you¡¯re the one who should make this call.¡±

    ¡°What about you, Jason? How do you see it?¡± Cole asked.

    A calm resolve shaped Jason¡¯s answer. ¡°I know my boundaries. My job is to keep the Evans family safe. Everything else falls to you. I have no business meddling in the family business.¡±

    Yet, Cole wasn¡¯t convinced by words alone. ¡°Despite your words, you want me to persuade Merlin to let the Craig family off. You wouldn¡¯t have brought this to me yourself if otherwise.¡±

    Read more on g???????¦Í???????co??

    Without uttering another word, Jason bowed his head, his silence saying everything. He was doing all this for Trinity.

    Back at the Evans residence, he¡¯d watched Bonnie sigh in frustration, Norwood and Joslyn plead with Ruben, and Trinity weep quietly in the corner until her eyes were puffy. Jason, who had set his heart on marrying Trinity, couldn¡¯t just watch her fall apart. He would have stepped in himself if it hadn¡¯t involved Merlin. But with things as they were, only Cole could help.

    Cole shifted his gaze from Jason to Elliana, who was sitting on the sofa.

    Her attention was already fixed on him.

    ¡°How about you? What do you think?¡± Cole asked.

    Elliana set her ss aside before speaking up. ¡°Hailee counts as a friend to me, so I stepped in to help her seek some fairness. Now that the culprits have faced¡­

    ¡°Consequences, I consider my part finished. Whatever happens between Merlin and the Craigs isn¡¯t my concern. I have nothing more to say about it.¡±

    At that exact moment, Lance appeared in the doorway.

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 Chapter 358

    ?Chapter 358:

    Cole wasted no time, asking, ¡°What are you doing here?¡±

    Casting a cautious nce at Elliana, Lance answered, ¡°I just wanted to check if you¡¯re heading back to the Evans house today. If you are, would you mind if I tag along?¡±

    Cole leveled an unimpressed stare at him. ¡°What happened to your own car?¡±

    A hint of embarrassment shed across Lance¡¯s face. ¡°It broke down.¡±

    Without missing a beat, Cole looked Lance up and down and gave a t reply. ¡°You¡¯re out of luck. My car¡¯s full.¡±

    Cole didn¡¯t miss a thing. One nce at Lance¡¯s eager looks toward Elliana, and he was already connecting the dots. That whole story about the broken-down car? It reeked of a weak excuse to ride with them, and he knew exactly who Lance had been hoping to sit near. Thanks to Jeff, who had developed feelings toward Elliana and even considered marrying her in ten years, Cole had developed a sixth sense for sniffing out his wife¡¯s admirers.

    There was no denying Elliana¡¯s natural charm, and people always seemed to gravitate toward her. Cole couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that Lance, much like Jeff, was harboring his own motives¡ªmaybe even trying to edge in and steal Elliana away. That was why he made up his mind to stay alert, refusing to give his wife¡¯s admirers even the slightest chance to slip through and take what wasn¡¯t theirs.

    Even after being turned down, Lance was persistent. ¡°Come on, Cole. I¡¯m not that big. I can just squeeze in with Aron and Hugh. Besides, I¡ª¡±

    ¡°Ride with Jason,¡± Cole replied, cutting him off without the slightest hesitation.

    Only then did Lance realize Jason had been standing nearby the entire time. He¡¯d been soser-focused on Elliana that he hadn¡¯t registered Jason¡¯s presence until now. Embarrassed, he turned to Jason and forced a grin. ¡°Oh¡ªuh, didn¡¯t notice you there. What brings you around?¡±

    Jason didn¡¯t offer much. Just a calm, clipped response. ¡°Had some things to go over with Cole.¡±

    Finish reading at ?????????¦Í????????????

    Cole didn¡¯t wait for any more chitchat. He stood, took Elliana¡¯s hand, and headed straight for the door. ¡°Let¡¯s go. We¡¯re heading back to the Evans family estate.¡±

    With that, Myles, Aron, and Hugh fell in line behind them, leaving Lance to trail after Jason like the stray that didn¡¯t get picked.

    The return drive had a quiet rhythm to it. Cole¡¯s car took the lead while Jason¡¯s followed a few lengths behind.

    In the passenger seat of Jason¡¯s car, Lance sat stiffly, his eyes fixed on the lead vehicle with a look that gave everything away. Bing River¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦ was all he wanted¡ªbut the path there felt blocked, and he hadn¡¯t found the right way to bring it up.

    Jason noticed where Lance¡¯s attentiony from the corner of his eye. He kept his eyes on the road, but his tone turned curious. ¡°What changed? You were never this interested in Elliana before.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s¡­¡± Lance nearly blurted out the truth¡ªthat Elliana was actually River, his longtime idol. But her request for secrecy echoed in his mind, and he bit the words back.

    ¡°She¡¯s incredibly skilled,¡± Lance said instead, choosing the safer route.

    Jason shot him a sideways nce. ¡°Skilled how, exactly?¡±

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 Chapter 359

    ?Chapter 359:

    There was a beat of silence before Lance responded, ¡°Come on, Jason. You seriously didn¡¯t know? Elliana¡¯s Rosa¡ªyeah, that Rosa. The international design powerhouse. Isn¡¯t that wild?¡±

    Jason gave a thoughtful nod. ¡°It is. Wild and impressive. But let me ask you this¡ªdidn¡¯t you already know that months ago? Funny how you¡¯re only acting impressed now. You used to talk down on designers, remember? Said they couldn¡¯t hold a candle to your genius-level tech crowd.¡±

    That hit like a p. Lance had nothing to say. He mped his mouth shut and stared ahead.

    Jason didn¡¯t follow up. He just studied Lance for a long moment and then turned his attention back to the road.

    Meanwhile, in the lead vehicle, Myles wasted no time once everyone was inside. He hit the control panel, raising the privacy partitions at both ends of the car.

    Cole didn¡¯t wait either. He pulled Elliana onto hisp like it was the most natural thing in the world. His voice dropped to a firmmand as he said, ¡°Don¡¯t entertain Lance anymore. Not one word.¡±

    Elliana blinked at him, a little thrown by his tone. But truth be told, she hadn¡¯t nned on chatting with Lance anyway. She gave a light nod. ¡°Sure thing, Coley.¡±

    That easy agreement caught him off guard. A grin tugged at his lips as he nted a kiss on her cheek. ¡°Honey, you used to fight me on everything. Who knew you¡¯d turn so sweet today?¡±

    ¡°Well, you just ced a big deal. I figured I should offer some premium service,¡± Elliana said with a cheeky smile and a shrug.

    A low chuckle escaped Cole as he leaned in close, brushing his lips near her ear. ¡°What do you say we have sex tonight?¡±

    Without missing a beat, Elliana shook her head. ¡°Not happening. That billion-dor package doesn¡¯t include any extended services.¡±

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    Cole pressed a kiss to her ear, his tone dipping into something far smoother, darker. ¡°Then let¡¯s negotiate. Name your price¡ªI¡¯ll cover it.¡±

    Still unshaken, Elliana gave another firm shake of her head.

    ¡°Absolutely not. You can¡¯t buy your way into that, Cole. I already told you¡ªwe¡¯re not rushing this.¡±

    Cole¡¯s yful mood soured just a touch. He nipped at her earlobe and pinched her side with just enough pressure to earn a reaction. ¡°You¡¯re ruthless.¡±

    ¡°Aah! Cole, you scoundrel!¡± Elliana shouted, caught betweenughter and a wince as the sudden touch both stung and tickled.

    That sound was mistaken for something else entirely by the others in the car.

    Aron, sitting in the backseat, turned crimson while Hugh pped both hands over his ears. ¡°Seriously? I didn¡¯t sign up for this!¡±

    Up front, the driver and Myles exchanged a nce and then returned their gazes forward like nothing had happened. Still, the corners of their mouths twitched¡ªjust slightly. Being around Cole came with the constant need to grow ustomed to scenes like that¡ªopen, unfiltered bursts of affection that popped up when one least expected them.

    Roughly an hourter, both vehicles rolled through the towering gates of the Evans estate, finallying to a stop in front of the vi.

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 Chapter 360

    ?Chapter 360:

    But Cole didn¡¯t move. Instead, he pulled out his phone and fired off a message to Merlin. ¡°The Craig family showed up at my family¡¯s estate asking for help. What¡¯s your move?¡±

    Merlin quickly replied, ¡°I know how deep the ties run between the Craig family and the Evans family. If they approach you, turning them downpletely would put you in a tough spot. I¡¯ve always meant to leave you a way to save face.¡±

    Cole texted. ¡°Spare me the theatrics and get to the point. Are you actually set on taking down the Craig family, or is this just your way of pushing them to bend on a few issues?¡±

    Merlin responded, ¡°I get that you¡¯re caught in the middle, so I won¡¯t tear the Craig family down right away. I¡¯ve got just one condition. If they can meet it, I¡¯ll let things rest for now. But if they fall short, they¡¯ll have no one to me but themselves when Ie down hard.¡±

    Cole and Merlin exchanged messages across the glowing screen, their digital conversation unfolding without any attempt at concealment from Elliana. Every word they traded danced before her eyes as she maintained her position nestled against Cole¡¯s side.

    When Merlin mentioned having just one condition, Elliana felt curiosity bloom within her chest like wildflowers after rain. She pressed her elbow gently into Cole¡¯s ribs and whispered, ¡°Go ahead and ask him what he¡¯s demanding.¡±

    Cole would naturally inquire, though he hadn¡¯t anticipated his wife¡¯s impatience would eclipse his own burning need to know.

    A knowing smile curved Cole¡¯s lips as he nced down at Elliana, whose head had found its familiar resting ce against his shoulder. His fingers moved across the keyboard with purpose. ¡°What¡¯s your condition?¡±

    Merlin¡¯s response materialized on the screen like ink spreading through water. ¡°I¡¯ve known for a while that Boris was up to some shady stuff, but his scheming never concerned me until he decided to target someone who matters to me deeply. When the rest of the Craig n rallied around him to bury his wrongdoings, they transformed themselves into willing participants in his corruption. Now I¡¯m bringing the entire house of cards crashing down around them.¡±

    Cole¡¯s fingers flew across the keys with sharp precision. ¡°Why wrap this in so much theatrical mystery? Your condition centers around Hailee, don¡¯t they?¡±

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    Merlin¡¯s confirmation arrived swiftly. ¡°Absolutely right. Every ounce of my anger toward the Craig family flows from what they¡¯ve done to Hailee.¡±

    Cole typed with growing intrigue. ¡°Fair enough, so what¡¯s your endgame here?¡±

    Merlin¡¯s exnation unfolded across the screen like a battle n drawn in digital ink. ¡°You must have caught wind of the spectacle at yesterday¡¯s banquet. Norwood, Joslyn, and Trinity joined forces to smear Hailee¡¯s reputation just to bury Boris¡¯s misdeeds. I refused to let that slide, so I made them pay miserably.¡±

    As Elliana absorbed Merlin¡¯s passionate deration, her internal perspective shifted like tectonic tes finding new alignment. Perhaps Merlin possessed more honor than she had previously credited him with. True, Merlin could manifest as an ice-cold troublemaker when the mood struck him, particrly where she was concerned, but when Hailee entered the equation, his loyalty burned with the intensity of forged steel.

    Cole typed. ¡°Your reasoning resonates with mepletely, and you have my full support. So tell me, how do you intend to make this right for Hailee?¡±

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 Chapter 361

    ?Chapter 361:

    Merlin¡¯s strategy emerged with crystalline rity. ¡°I demand that Norwood, Joslyn, and Trinity present themselves before Hailee and offer their apologies with genuine remorse. Should Hailee choose to extend her forgiveness, then we can consider the matter resolved. However, if her heart still carries the weight of their wrongdoings and plots, the Craig family will continue to feel the full force of my displeasure. I¡¯ll maintain relentless pressure until Hailee feels she has finally gotten her justice.¡±

    Cole responded with businesslike efficiency, ¡°Understoodpletely. I¡¯ll deliver your terms to the Craig family without dy.¡±

    Then, Cole¡¯s tone shifted toward the personal as he fired off another message. ¡°Now that we¡¯ve settled the pressing matters, I find myself curious about something more intimate.¡±

    Merlin¡¯s reply carried an undertone of cautious interest. ¡°Go ahead and ask.¡±

    Cole¡¯s fingers hesitated briefly before typing his burning question. ¡°You¡¯ve always carried yourself as someone carved from granite,pletely untouchable by romantic entanglements. What exins this sudden transformation where Hailee is concerned?¡±

    Merlin¡¯s response crackled with barely contained emotion. ¡°We¡¯re both men, and you¡¯ve experienced the depths of marriage. How can you possibly im confusion about this?¡±

    Cole pressed deeper into uncharted territory. ¡°If we were discussing An or Manley, everything would make perfect sense. They¡¯d simply be smitten by Hailee¡¯s charms. But you? Something about this doesn¡¯t align with everything I thought I knew. Are you driven by some noble quest for justice, or is there something more primal at work here?¡±

    Merlin¡¯s words carried the weight of revtion. ¡°Why is it so odd that I developed feelings for a woman?¡±

    Cole¡¯s skepticism sharpened like a de finding its edge. ¡°Aren¡¯t you the guy who swore off rtionships? Didn¡¯t you once proim that intimacy made your stomach turn with disgust?¡±

    Merlin¡¯s response flowed with quiet conviction. ¡°Human hearts possess the remarkable ability to transform. From the moment Hailee entered my world, my entire perspective began shifting like sand in an hourss. Intimacy no longer seems so bad.¡±

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    What Merlin carefully concealed from Cole was the thunderous way his pulse hammered against his ribs whenever Hailee drew near, as if his heart might burst from the confines of his chest. This secret remained locked away in the deepest chambers of his being. Merlin found himself wondering whether other men experienced this same overwhelming tsunami of sensation when destiny introduced them to someone truly special, but he had no reliable way to measure his experience against others. True to his nature, he wasn¡¯t about to hand over those feelings on a silver tter. He kept them buried, tucked away in silence, hoping he¡¯d eventually make sense of the chaos they brought with them.

    Yesterday, when Merlin encountered Hailee again beneath the banquet¡¯s glittering chandeliers, that untamed sensation had crashed over him like a rogue wave against rocky shores. Drawing close enough to catch the subtle notes of her perfume during their conversation, he felt mes kindle beneath his skin, his thoughts grew thick as honey, and his legs transformed into something resembling overcooked pasta.

    The symptoms mirrored a brewing illness, yet he remained utterly bewildered by their mysterious origin.

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 Chapter 362

    ?Chapter 362:

    Merlin possessed nopass for navigating what their next encounter might bring. Each meeting with her unfolded like unwrapping an enigmatic present, its contents forever shrouded in delicious uncertainty until the final moment of revtion.

    Throughout his existence, Merlin had cultivated himself into a master architect of control, sketching blueprints for every corner of his destiny. His vision crystallized around a solitary existence, unmarred by romantic entanglements or matrimonialplications, maintaining the pristine simplicity of independence.

    His meticulous nning had even extended to selecting his eternal resting ce. Such was the thoroughness of his life¡¯s choreography.

    But then Hailee had materialized like morning mist, and from that inaugural moment when their eyes met, both his rational mind and physical form had staged aplete rebellion against his carefully constructed authority. The mutiny left him reeling in uncharted waters. Since Hailee¡¯s entrance into his carefully ordered universe, his masterfully crafted life blueprint had dissolved into scattered fragments, carried away by unpredictable winds. Now, he wandered through each day without knowing which horizon would eventually im his journey¡¯s end.

    Completely oblivious to the tempest raging within Merlin¡¯s mind, Cole¡¯s fingers danced across his phone¡¯s surface. ¡°But surely you still maintain your stance against marriage, correct? Please tell me you¡¯re not simply toying with Hailee¡¯s affections like some careless predator.¡±

    ¡°Consider this your official warning, Merlin,¡± Cole¡¯s message read, his tone protective, like a storm ready to break. ¡°With any other woman, I¡¯d maintain diplomatic neutrality, but Hailee holds a cherished ce in Elliana¡¯s circle of friendship. Should Elliana¡¯s fury ignite over your actions, don¡¯t expect me to serve as your shield. If she decides your destruction is necessary, I¡¯ll likely hand her the weapon myself.¡±

    Merlin fired back, ¡°Look at you! Now fully house-trained by a woman who¡¯s not even good-looking. You probably can¡¯t keep your hands off her at home¡ªand hey, that¡¯s your business. But now you¡¯d throw me under the bus for her? Some friend you turned out to be.¡±

    Cole didn¡¯t miss a beat. ¡°What can I say? Friends are great, but my wife? She¡¯s the whole damn universe. If ites down to choosing, I¡¯d rather lose a buddy than lose her.¡±

    Elliana, still leaning on Cole¡¯s shoulder, read his message and burst intoughter. Her giggles shook her body, which in turn made Cole bounce with her. He looked at her and couldn¡¯t help butugh along¡ªsometimes joy was just that contagious.

    Find the next part on g??????¦Ï¦Í??????.??????

    Then, as theirughter quieted down, another message from Merlin lit up the screen.

    Merlin texted, ¡°Your wife is something else. What do you even see in her?¡±

    Cole replied immediately, ¡°That¡¯s none of your business, Merlin.¡±

    Merlin¡¯s response came just as quickly, ¡°Then you stay out of my business. If your wife has a problem with me, let her say it to my face. I want to see if she¡¯s got anything more than throwing a rock my way.¡±

    Cole raised an eyebrow as he read the message. He nced at Elliana, who was resting against his shoulder. ¡°What¡¯s this about you throwing a rock at Merlin?¡± he asked, confused.

    Elliana blushed and let out a dryugh. Then, she told him the whole story.

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 Chapter 363

    ?Chapter 363:

    Cole couldn¡¯t help butugh. He gently pinched her nose and said, ¡°Honey, you really know how to stir things up.¡±

    Then, he texted Merlin again, ¡°I¡¯m off to meet the Craig family now. I¡¯ll let you know how it goes.¡±

    After that, Cole opened the car door and helped Elliana out.

    Just then, a high-pitched, excited voice rang out from behind them. ¡°Elliana!¡±

    Cole didn¡¯t bother turning around. He frowned instead. That voice could only belong to one person¡ªJeff. That little rascal had a way of showing up everywhere.

    Before Cole¡¯s car had even arrived at the Evans estate, Jeff had been on the third-floor balcony, holding Elliana¡¯s kitten, Darling. He was staring at the gates like a heartbroken puppy. As it seemed to be another night without Elliana¡¯s return, he couldn¡¯t help but sigh. ¡°Darling, Elliana¡¯s been gone forever. Do you think she still remembers us? Still cares about this family?¡±

    No sooner had Jeff spoken than he spotted Cole¡¯s car rolling into the estate. His eyes lit up. He bolted downstairs, still clutching Darling. The living room was full, but Jeff didn¡¯t care. He dashed through the crowd, kitten in hand, and ran out of the vi.

    Just then, Cole¡¯s car pulled up right in front of the house.

    But Jeff didn¡¯t go near. He hid behind a pir and peeked around it. He was scared of Cole. Ever since he voiced his desire to marry Elliana in ten years, Cole had been giving him looks that chilled him to the bone. He wasn¡¯t about to walk into that.

    Jeff stood frozen, watching the car from a distance, unsure whether Elliana was inside. His frustration simmered, but without a solid reason to act, he stayed put, squinting and stretching his neck, trying to catch a glimpse. The tinted windows of the car kept everything hidden.

    Then, one by one, the others¡ªassistant, driver, and bodyguards¡ªstepped out. But Cole remained in the car, and that made Jeff uneasy. He was about to lose his patience when Jason and Lance got out of the car behind them.

    Without hesitation, Jeff rushed to Jason, Darling still in his arms. ¡°Jason, is Elliana back?¡± he whispered eagerly.

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    Jason, always soft on his younger brother, smiled and ruffled Jeff¡¯s buzzed hair. ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s in Cole¡¯s car.¡±

    Jeff¡¯s face lit up like a child on Christmas morning. After so many days apart, he was finally going to see Elliana again.

    While Cole and Elliana remained in the car, talking, Jason and Lance started heading toward the vi.

    But Jeff didn¡¯t move. He stood there, hugging Darling tightly. Jason turned back, puzzled. ¡°Why are you just standing there, Jeff?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m waiting for Elliana,¡± Jeff said, his tone serious.

    Jason shook his head and chuckled, not stopping Jeff. He knew about theplicated history between Jeff and Elliana. While Jeff could be reckless, his heart was in the right ce. He was deeply grateful to Elliana for her sacrifice of Venacure on his behalf. In Jeff¡¯s eyes, she was a hero¡ªmaybe even greater than anyone else.

    Jason kept walking with a smile on his face.

    But suddenly, Lance stopped. ¡°Jason, go ahead. I¡¯ll wait here for Elliana too.¡±

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 Chapter 364

    ?Chapter 364:

    Jason turned sharply, bewildered. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you? She and Cole are having a private moment in the car.¡±

    Lance shrugged. ¡°If Jeff can wait, why can¡¯t I?¡±

    Jason didn¡¯t hold back. ¡°Aren¡¯t you the one always bragging about your 130 IQ and tech genius stuff? So why are you acting like a child now? Jeff¡¯s eight. What¡¯s your excuse?¡±

    Lance¡¯s face turned red.

    Jason wasn¡¯t finished. He smirked. ¡°Didn¡¯t Cole snap at you just now when you tried to ride in his car? He doesn¡¯t want you near his wife. Are you really trying your luck again?¡±

    ¡°Cole¡¯s not that petty,¡± Lance muttered weakly.

    At that moment, Cole stepped out of the car and helped Elliana down.

    ¡°Elliana!¡± Jeff¡¯s eyes sparkled. He ran straight to her, grinning from ear to ear.

    Before Elliana could say a word, Cole¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Why are you always everywhere? Get lost!¡± he barked.

    Jeff¡¯s smile faltered. He lowered his head, hugged Darling tighter, and slowly walked back to the vi.

    Lance shot a nce at Jeff, who was retreating with his head lowered like a scolded dog. Then, his eyes flicked to Cole, whose jaw was clenched in fury. Without a word, Lance turned and quietly followed Jeff into the vi.

    Elliana stood silently, gazing up at the sky. The conflicts between the Evans cousins were family matters, and she had no ce to intervene.

    Jason smirked and turned to Cole. ¡°Jeff¡¯s always been a bit of a wild card, but you used to cut him some ck. Now you raised your voice at him. What did he do to tick you off so bad?¡±

    Cole¡¯s face remained impassive as he replied, ¡°Good thing you¡¯re back, Jason. Maybe you can straighten Jeff out. That kid is barely out of the sandbox and already dreaming of stealing my wife a decade from now. Time he snapped out of that delusion.¡±

    Check full story at g??????¦Ï¦Í??????. ?????

    With that, Cole took Elliana¡¯s hand with cool finality and strode off toward the vi.

    Jason stood there for a moment, stunned, before letting out a dry, incredulousugh. Had Jeff lost it?

    The thought of Jeff going toe-to-toe with Cole for Elliana¡ªten years from now or not¡ªwasughable. And truth be told, Jason couldn¡¯t even understand the appeal. Elliana, to him, was no beauty.

    Jason could only wonder what kind of disaster Jeff would grow into, given that Jeff¡¯s taste already seemed tragically misguided at the tender age of eight.

    But then Jason hesitated. Maybe he was being too harsh. Lance was three years older than Elliana, and even he looked like he¡¯d take a bullet for her. What was it about Elliana? Almost every Evans male seemed to be tripping over himself for her.

    Jason gave up trying to figure it out and headed for the vi, shaking his head.

    Inside the vi¡¯s dimly lit living room, Ruben sat slouched in the main armchair, his grip tightening around his cane like it was the only thing keeping him grounded. Worry weighed heavily on his face, but he remained silent.

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 Chapter 365

    ?Chapter 365:

    The other Evans family members circled Ruben, cloaked in the same uneasy hush.

    Bonnie dabbed at her eyes with a crumpled tissue, barely holding herself together. Beside her, Trinity sat with her shoulders trembling, eyes swollen and rimmed with red.

    Nearby, Norwood and Joslyn bowed their heads, desperation etched into every line of their faces.

    ¡°Please, Mr. Evans,¡± Joslyn said to Ruben, her voice trembling. ¡°You have to help us. Merlin ising at us full force¡ªwe can¡¯t hold him off. If you don¡¯t step in, the Craig family is finished.¡±

    Norwood and Joslyn had begged Ruben for help countless times.

    Ruben¡¯s expression deepened with concern. The Evans n had a long history of shielding the Craigs, but even loyalty had its limits. The kely family, though not as influential as the Evans family, was still one of Ublento¡¯s top four families. Picking a fight with them wouldn¡¯t just be risky¡ªit could be ruinous.

    Then, there was Cole¡¯s friendship with Merlin, whichplicated everything even more. Ruben found it difficult to intervene, knowing that what Boris and his crew had done was far beyond eptable. Tricking a woman into giving up a kidney¡ªhow despicable! That wasn¡¯t just immoral; it was vile. The Craigs were the architects of their own downfall.

    Ruben studied Norwood and Joslyn for a long moment before speaking. ¡°That¡¯s enough. I¡¯ve already called Cole. He¡¯s close with Merlin¡ªmaybe he can talk some sense into him and find a peaceful way out.¡±

    But Norwood and Joslyn weren¡¯t ready to give up. They continued to plead. The likelihood of Cole refusing to challenge Merlin for the Craig family was high, and they needed to ensure the Evans family stepped in for the sake of their survival. Pride had long been left at the door.

    Seeing her son and daughter-inw falter, Bonnie stepped in. Her voice wavered as she lowered herself even further¡ªboth figuratively and literally. ¡°Ruben, for the sake of the friendship I¡¯ve shared with your wife all these years¡­ please, you have to help us.¡±

    Diane¡ªRuben¡¯s wife, and Bonnie¡¯s best friend¡ªwas currently at a wellness retreat with their eldest son, Jarrett, focusing on recovery and rest. Ruben couldn¡¯t help but feel relieved that Diane wasn¡¯t here. If Bonnie had gone crying to Diane, she would have intervened without hesitation. Then, Ruben would have had no choice but to act, family politics be damned.

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    After Bonnie¡¯s heartfelt plea, Ruben turned to her. His eyes lingered, heavy with unspoken conflict.

    On the sidelines, Trinity watched the scene unfold, her stomach in knots. There was a time¡ªwhat felt like another lifetime¡ªwhen she had been the Evans family¡¯s crown jewel. Cherished for her talent and adored as one of the rare women in this world, she had once basked in the glow of admiration.

    But now, Trinity could barely hold her head up. The Craig name, once her pride and power, was crumbling. Merlin¡¯s siege had reduced her family¡¯s legacy to ashes, and with it, the ground beneath her future had copsed. It all traced back to Boris. Her hatred for him was blistering¡ªpoisonous and absolute.

    Just then, the front doors creaked open, and in walked Cole, hand-in-hand with Elliana.

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 Chapter 366

    ?Chapter 366:

    The room turned as one, every gaze drawn to them.

    Trinity looked over¡ªand the sight of their fingers intertwinednded like a p across the face. She couldn¡¯t understand it. Elliana, in her eyes, was awkward and in, a nobody. In contrast, she had beauty, poise, talent¡ªshe had everything. And yet here she was, unraveling at the seams, while Elliana glided through the Evans¡¯ territory like she belonged there.

    Cole¡¯s expression didn¡¯t flicker. He gave the Craig family members a passing, unreadable nce before focusing on Ruben. ¡°Grandpa, I¡¯m back,¡± he said with coolposure.

    Ruben didn¡¯t waste a second. ¡°You know what¡¯s happening at home,¡± he said bluntly. ¡°What¡¯s your n to deal with it?¡±

    Trinity was on edge, frantic to fix the Craig family¡¯s mess. But the moment she saw Cole and Elliana together, her focus snapped. Just the thought of Elliana bringing Hailee to the Craig family¡¯s engagement party made her blood boil. She wanted Elliana gonepletely. To Trinity, everything falling apart was Elliana¡¯s fault. If not for Elliana, someone like Hailee¡ªa nobody¡ªcouldn¡¯t have shaken up the Craig family, even if Boris¡¯ misdeeds had exploded. Elliana hadn¡¯t just stolen the man she wanted. Elliana had also dragged the Craig name through the dirt. To her, Elliana was a thorn in the side¡ªand she wouldn¡¯t rest until Elliana was gone.

    Still, Trinity knew how to put on a show. Even with rage bubbling inside her, she kept up her sweet act, looking like the poor soul caught in the middle of family drama.

    Cole didn¡¯t answer Ruben right away. Instead, his eyes locked on Norwood and Joslyn. His voice was t. ¡°Mr. Craig. Mrs. Craig. Got anything to say?¡±

    Back in the day, Norwood and Joslyn treated Cole with polite distance, always with an air of seniority. Now, they were bowing, faces full of desperation.

    Joslyn pleaded, ¡°Cole, for the sake of the old friendship between our families, please help us this time.¡±

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    Norwood jumped in. ¡°You¡¯re friends with Merlin, right? Can you talk to him for us?¡±

    Bonnie chimed in, ¡°Cole, your grandmother and I go way back. I used to sneak you candy when you were little. You won¡¯t turn me down and just watch my family crumble, will you?¡± She was tugging at old ties, hoping nostalgia would soften Cole¡¯s heart.

    But Cole had had enough. The Craig family¡¯s emotional ckmail only made his blood boil.

    ¡°I can speak to Merlin. But before I do, I have a question. Have you reflected on what really happened?¡± Cole asked in a cold voice.

    Bonnie froze and then muttered, ¡°Boris never meant to upset Merlin. If Boris had known Hailee meant something to Merlin, he wouldn¡¯t have touched her. Please, tell Merlin to let it go.¡±

    Cole let out a cold, sharpugh. He pulled Elliana gently down to sit beside him and then looked Bonnie in the eye. ¡°So if Hailee wasn¡¯t connected to Merlin, it would¡¯ve been okay to treat her like dirt? That¡¯s what you¡¯re saying?¡±

    Joslyn jumped in. ¡°Boris was just ying around with Hailee. He didn¡¯t really want her kidney. She¡¯s the one who took it too far.¡±

    Norwood nodded. ¡°Exactly! Boris¡ª¡±

    He didn¡¯t mean any harm. He just got carried away with a prank. He¡¯s already paid for it. There¡¯s no need for Merlin to go after the Craig family.

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 Chapter 367

    ?Chapter 367:

    Trinity stayed quiet, her eyes fixed on Cole¡¯s face, trying to gauge his response.

    Cole¡¯s voice grew even colder. ¡°If that¡¯s how you see it, let me spell it out for you. Merlin is going toe down on your family like a hammer, and there¡¯s nothing I can do to stop it.¡±

    Earlier, when Cole walked in, his face had been neutral. Now, it was frozen in a hard, icy stare. The atmosphere in the room felt as if the temperature had dropped with his words.

    After a moment of silence, Norwood spoke cautiously, ¡°What exactly does Merlin want from us?¡±

    Cole looked straight at him, his eyes sharp. ¡°Before I tell you that, let me make one thing clear. Everyone¡¯s equal. Having money doesn¡¯t give you the right to trample on other people¡¯s dignity or treat their lives like they¡¯re worthless. Got it? Tricking someone into almost donating a kidney for fun is disgusting. And instead of owning up to it, all of you are standing here making excuses for Boris. That¡¯s just as shameful.¡±

    His voice rang through the room, cutting through the air like a de. No one dared speak.

    Trinity, who had been quietly sniffling earlier, now sat frozen, her lips pressed tightly together.

    Cole¡¯s gaze swept across every face in the room before he continued, ¡°At yesterday¡¯s engagement party, everything you said and did showed everyone exactly what kind of people you are. Filthy. Shameless. Disgraceful. As the head of the Evans family, I want nothing to do with you. Just being connected to you is a stain on our family.¡±

    His words hit like a punch to the gut. The Craig family members stood silent, humiliated, their heads bowed. No one dared to bring up Diane again. No one even moved.

    No one saw Cole¡¯s harsh dressing-down of the Craigsing.

    The Evans family had swallowed their displeasure toward the Craig family for years, keeping quiet for the sake of Diane¡¯s friendship with Bonnie. Even Ruben, though boiling inside, kept things polite on the surface. But Cole¡¯s outburst felt like breaking a dam, and all of them let out a long sigh as they no longer needed to keep up the peaceful charade.

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    Ruben didn¡¯t step in. He sat there, praising Cole in his mind. Cole was bolder than even he had ever dared to be. Choosing Cole as the family head had been the right call.

    Every cutting word Cole threw at the Craigs was exactly what Ruben had longed to utter. Hearing those truths spoken out loud felt like a weight lifting off his chest.

    Bonnie, who had tried to manipte the Evans family into defending the Craig family, now couldn¡¯t even lift her head. Her pride was crushed beneath Cole¡¯s words.

    The once-proud Craigs now looked like lost mutts¡ªexposed, disgraced, and humiliated.

    Trinity was mortified. She had always kept up a perfect image in front of Cole. But now, she felt like a wilted flower crushed underfoot, her pride in ruins. To cling to what little favor she had left in the Evans family, she couldn¡¯t keep quiet any longer. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she said, ¡°Cole, I knew I was wrong to believe lies without bothering to check the truth yesterday. I hurt Hailee, and I regret it. I want to apologize to her in person.¡±

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 Chapter 368

    ?Chapter 368:

    The rest of the Craigs knew better than to defend themselves. Cole would tear apart any excuse in seconds. They had two choices¡ªconfess or walk away from the Evans family and face Merlin¡¯s fury. For the sake of their own survival and their n¡¯s fate, they swallowed their pride and gave in.

    After her apology, Trinity nudged Bonnie.

    Bonnie got the message. She turned to Cole and said, ¡°Your words made me realize my mistake. I want to apologize to Ms. Loftus as well.¡± With Bonnie leading, Norwood and Joslyn had no choice but to follow. Joslyn spoke up, bowing her head. ¡°I was wrong. I spoiled Boris. His arrest was fair. As his mother, I want to apologize to Ms. Loftus.¡± Norwood chimed in, ¡°I failed as a father. I also want to apologize to Ms. Loftus in person.¡±

    The room shifted. Just moments before, they had used Diane¡¯s name like a shield, trying to guilt the Evans family into saving them. Now, with their pride torn down by Cole¡¯s sharp words, the Evans family finally breathed easy. Only Cole could have handled this so perfectly. Elliana pulled out her phone and secretly sent Cole a message.

    The vibration against his palm drew his gaze downward. A soft smile touched his lips as he read, ¡°Darling, you were absolutely amazing! I¡¯m so proud of you!¡±

    He gave her hand a gentle squeeze before turning back to the Craigs. ¡°This is exactly what Merlin wanted,¡± he said.

    The room went still as the truth of his words sank in. Every move Merlin had made had been designed to force the Craigs to bow their heads to Hailee.

    Cole continued, ¡°Merlin could have crushed the Craig family without blinking. But out of respect for the long-standing ties between the Evans and Craig families, he¡¯s showing you a drop of mercy. That mercyes with a price¡ªyou must apologize to Hailee in person and earn her forgiveness.¡±

    The Craigs dered quickly, their voices full of urgency. After all, if swallowing their pride was the price to pay, it was a bargain for the safety of their family.

    ¡°We¡¯ll apologize to Ms. Loftus!¡±

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    ¡°Yes, absolutely!¡±

    However, their relief was short-lived. ¡°Don¡¯t celebrate just yet. An apology doesn¡¯t mean this is over,¡± Cole warned.

    Their stomachs dropped.

    ¡°Merlin was clear. If Hailee forgives you, that¡¯s the end of it. But if she doesn¡¯t, whatever awaits you will only be more severe.¡±

    Ignoring their fear, Cole picked up his phone and sent Merlin a message. ¡°The Craigs are ready to apologize to Hailee in person. Where would you like them to meet her?¡±

    Merlin¡¯s reply came instantly. ¡°Can I use your home?¡±

    ¡°Sure,¡± Cole responded.

    ¡°Tell them to wait there. I¡¯m on my way to get Hailee.¡±

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 Chapter 369

    ?Chapter 369:

    Since the Craig family wished to apologize to Hailee, it was only natural for them toe to her doorstep. However, for them to visit Hailee¡¯s home would create unnecessaryplications in her otherwise peaceful life.

    Hailee¡¯s dwelling was nestled along Willow Lane, in a humble neighborhood where themunity remained unaware of the storm that had erupted between Hailee and Boris. If the Craig family descended upon that ce and unleashed their dramatic gestures, they would shatter the tranquility that Hailee and her father cherished, stirring whispers that would spread like wildfire through every doorway and garden gate.

    Simrly, orchestrating the Craig family¡¯s apology within the walls of Hailee¡¯s workce would prove equally disastrous. The bitter discord between Hailee and the Craig family had remained confined to the exclusive circle of guests who had witnessed yesterday¡¯s engagement party debacle¡ªthe broader world remained unaware of these private conflicts. If this dispute seeped into Hailee¡¯s professional environment, it would poison her career prospects and force her into ufortable exnations with colleagues who deserved no part in this messy affair.

    Thus, Merlin chose the Evans family residence as the setting for this crucial apology. This carefully selected venue, with Ruben acting as an influential witness, would leave an indelible impression on the Craig family¡¯s conscience, ensuring they would never dare repeat their grievous mistakes.

    Cole understood Merlin¡¯s strategic reasoning immediately and fully agreed.

    While Merlin and Cole exchanged tactical messages, Elliana positioned herself beside Cole, her sharp eyes absorbing every detail of their correspondence. When she saw Merlin¡¯s mention of personally retrieving Hailee, surprise spread across her face, and her lips parted in genuine astonishment. Hailee was spending her day assisting her father at Loftus¡¯s Comfort Eats on the familiar stretch of Willow Lane. Was Merlin truly nning to go there and collect her himself?

    Elliana wondered how Hailee would react. After the initial wave of shock subsided, she decided to watch patiently as these intriguing events unfolded before her eyes.

    Though Hailee remained one of her dearest friends, Elliana knew she could not meddle in Hailee¡¯s personal affairs, especially those that teetered along¡­

    The delicate edges of romance. If Hailee and Merlin were destined to share some profound connection written in the stars, any interference would be a grave mistake.

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    As long as Merlin had no intentions of harming Hailee, Elliana chose to embrace the role of a silent, watchful observer. Given the delicate circumstances surrounding them all, Merlin¡¯s thoughtful approach deserved genuine admiration. He had developed true feelings for Hailee and chose neither coercion nor deception as his means to achieve his goals. Instead, he had stepped forward openly and protectively, even considering the most appropriate venue for this necessary apology with meticulous care.

    Merlin, who typically seemed oblivious to subtleties and carelessly navigated life¡¯splexities, had suddenly revealed remarkable tenderness and extraordinary attentiveness when it came to matters concerning Hailee. So far, Elliana couldn¡¯t identify a single aspect of his behavior that warranted criticism.

    After concluding his strategic online conversation with Merlin, Cole turned his attention to the Craig family and delivered his instructions with quiet authority. ¡°Remain here and wait patiently. Merlin will escort Hailee over shortly.¡±

    The Craig family didn¡¯t dare show even the faintest objection and nodded their eptance silently. If enduring this ufortable wait to apologize to Hailee could somehow appease Merlin¡¯s righteous anger and guarantee their family¡¯s safety, then waiting represented the smallest possible sacrifice¡ªthey would dly endure far greater hardships if circumstances demanded it.

    While the Craig family settled into their anxious vigil at the Evans residence, Merlin, who was preparing to journey to Willow Lane to collect Hailee, suddenly found his confidence wavering beneath an unexpected tide of anxiety.

    The Craig family worried that their uing face-to-face apology to Hailee might fail to resolve this crisis with perfect satisfaction. At the same time, Merlin found himself tormented by the possibility that Hailee might reject his approach.

    Precisely speaking, Merlin had encountered Hailee on only two asions¡ªonce aboard the yacht and again at yesterday¡¯s disastrous engagement party. During both of these meetings, he had searched desperately for any spark of joy or interest in Hailee¡¯s expressive eyes, yet instead of warmth, he had witnessed only her apparent eagerness to escape his presence as quickly as possible.

    This painful realization left him drowning in waves of self-doubt. Perhaps his physical appearance had failed to create any positive impression upon Hailee¡¯s discerning sensibilities?

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 Chapter 370

    ?Chapter 370:

    After concluding his strategic chat with Cole, Merlin began pacing around his living space with nervous energy, his usually sharp mind feeling strangely adrift and uncertain.

    Lucas, who had been standing attentively nearby, noticed his employer¡¯s unusual behavior and inquired with genuine concern threading through his voice, ¡°Mr. kely, are you searching for something specific?¡±

    ¡°I need to go upstairs and take a refreshing shower,¡± Merlin replied, his voice carrying an odd tension.

    Lucas felt confusion settle over his features as he nced meaningfully at Merlin¡¯s still-damp hair and offered a gentle reminder, ¡°Mr. kely, youpleted your shower just a short while ago.¡±

    Merlin froze mid-step, the realization striking him like cold water. After finishing his work responsibilities today, he had indeed returned to his mansion and immediately stepped into a steaming shower. He hadn¡¯t even bothered to properly dry his hair before descending to meet Lucas, since an urgent document had demanded his immediate attention and review. Just after hepleted that essential paperwork, Cole¡¯s message had materialized on his phone,unching them into their detailed discussion about the Craig family situation, which had stretched uninterrupted until this very moment.

    Merlin nced down at hisfortable bathrobe and issued new instructions with determination, ¡°I¡¯ll change into appropriate clothing. Please prepare the car immediately¡ªwe¡¯ll be departing for Willow Lane very shortly.¡±

    ¡°Certainly,¡± Lucas responded promptly, efficiently arranging both the vehicle and the necessary security detail before positioning himself in the living room to await Merlin¡¯s descent.

    However, thirty long minutes crawled past, and Merlin still hadn¡¯t appeared on the stairs.

    Lucas found himself checking his watch repeatedly, genuinely puzzled about what could possibly be requiring so much time for a simple clothing change.

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    Just as his bewilderment reached its peak, his phone burst to life¡ªMerlin was calling.

    Lucas answered with practiced speed, his voice maintaining its respectful tone, ¡°Mr. kely, do you have specific instructions for me?¡±

    ¡°Lucas, I need you toe upstairs immediately.¡± Merlin¡¯s voice carried an unusual edge of frustration.

    Lucas bounded up the stairs without a moment¡¯s hesitation. Upon stepping into Merlin¡¯s spacious bedroom, he felt his breath catch as the chaotic scene before him registered fully.

    Expensive clothingy scattered like fallen leaves across every surface¡ªthe polished floor, the perfectly made bed, the elegant chairs¡ªwhile Merlin sat rigidly on the plush sofa, his expression darker than a gathering storm, his intense gaze boring into Lucas with unsettling focus.

    ¡°Mr. kely, wh¡ªwhat exactly is happening here?¡± Lucas stammered, his usualposure crumbling as words seemed to abandon him entirely.

    Merlin, his fury radiating through every tense muscle, demanded with barely controlled anger, ¡°Lucas, why are all the clothes you¡¯ve prepared for me so ugly?¡±

    Lucas felt his heart hammering against his ribs as both grievance and frustration washed over him in equal measure. Weren¡¯t these very clothes all personally selected by Merlin himself, chosen ording to his own preferred styles and trusted brands?

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 Chapter 371

    ?Chapter 371:

    Lucas had handled the purchase of Merlin¡¯s clothes and shoes, but he had never chosen the style or brand. Season after season, he simply followed Merlin¡¯s rigid standards, purchasing identical recements. Merlin had always been cold and uninteresting, his fashion sense frozen in time¡ªck shirts forever paired with ck suits. His wardrobe stretched like a funeral procession: endless rows of ck suits, ck shirts, ck leather shoes, and ck socks, all bearing the same brandbels and cuts.

    Merlin¡¯s clothing ritual resembled a machine recing worn parts with identicalponents, ensuring his appearance never wavered by a thread.

    Right now, the clothes Merlin had hurled across the floor, bed, and chairs formed a sea of sameness¡ªck suits and ck shirts, all bearing familiarbels.

    Lucas couldn¡¯t fathom why Merlin kept trying on outfits when they were indistinguishable from one another.

    But that wasn¡¯t the real puzzle. The mysteryy in why Merlin suddenly despised his beloved style and brand and then med Lucas for ipetence.

    Lucas¡¯s mind raced. Had Merlin¡¯s aestheticpass suddenly spun in a new direction?

    ¡°Mr. kely, are you considering a change in style or brand?¡± Lucas ventured, his voice carefully measured.

    Merlin¡¯s troubled expression deepened as he fixed Lucas with a cold stare. ¡°What sort of clothes do you think would tter me?¡±

    Lucas opened his mouth, searching for words, when Merlin added with calcted casualness, ¡°What kind of outfit would make me more appealing to women?¡±

    Lucas¡¯s mouth fell open as understanding crashed over him like a wave. Merlin feared Hailee might find himcking.

    Augh bubbled up in Lucas¡¯s chest, but he swallowed it whole, knowing that even a chuckle now could earn him his boss¡¯s wrath. After a strategic pause, Lucas deployed his smoothest ttery. ¡°Mr. kely, if I might speak inly, your looks and build already surpass most men. You could wear a potato sack and still turn heads.¡±

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    Merlin¡¯s eyes narrowed with uncertainty. ¡°Is that so?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely!¡± Lucas nodded with theatrical conviction. ¡°Have you forgotten how women used to flock to you, drawn like moths to a me? Especially Vivien¡ªshe practically worshipped at your feet!¡±

    Yet, doubt still clouded Merlin¡¯s features. ¡°Then why does Hailee look at me as if I¡¯m invisible?¡±

    Lucas chose his words carefully, like a chess yer selecting his next move. ¡°Ms. Loftus was still under Boris¡¯s shadow before. Now that his influence has lifted, she¡¯ll recognize your worth soon enough.¡±

    This answer struck gold with Merlin. The man who had been cold and stern moments before now had a smile tugging at his lips.

    ¡°Ahem!¡± Merlin cleared his throat softly and then pointed toward the door. ¡°Wait outside. I will get changed.¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡± Lucas exhaled with relief and quickly left the room. He positioned himself by the door, counting heartbeats.

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 Chapter 372

    ?Chapter 372:

    Minutester, Merlin emerged wearing his signature ck suit and ck shirt,plete with ck leather shoes.

    Lucas nced up at his boss and felt his eye twitch involuntarily. Merlin, who typically scorned shy essories, had adorned his outfit with a zing red pocket square. He was clearly desperate to catch Hailee¡¯s attention!

    Catching Lucas¡¯s gaze, Merlin asked with studied nonchnce, ¡°How do I look?¡±

    Lucas summoned his most natural praise. ¡°Mr. kely, you wear clothes like they were tailored by angels. This ck suit and shirtbination suits you wlessly, and that red pocket square provides the perfect ent.¡± He arranged his features into sincere admiration. ¡°You look devastatingly handsome today. Hollywood would crown you their king within hours.¡±

    Merlin shot Lucas a sideways nce, his lips curving into a mocking smile. ¡°I never realized you possessed such talent for smooth talking!¡± With that barb delivered, Merlin strode toward the stairs.

    Lucas felt heat rise in his cheeks at the mockery, but as Merlin brushed past him, he caught the subtle upward curve of Merlin¡¯s mouth. Merlin had savored every word of praise! He exhaled as he realized he had yed his part perfectly!

    After Merlin disappeared down the hall, Lucas raised an amused eyebrow. His typically aloof boss was now experiencing love¡¯s first stirrings, bing increasingly vain and hungry forpliments about his appearance.

    Lucas filed this revtion away¡ªhe would need to keep praising Merlin¡¯s looks!

    Merlin remained unaware that his image in his subordinate¡¯s mind had transformedpletely. Apanied by Lucas and bodyguards, he traveled by car to Willow Lane.

    At nine o¡¯clock, Willow Lane zed with light, teeming with people and saturated with the rich aromas of street food.

    The luxurious ck Bentley glided to a stop before Loftus¡¯s Comfort Eats, instantly maizing a crowd.

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    ¡°Another luxury car has graced Willow Lanee witness this spectacle!¡±

    ¡°Last time, some big shot with a Rolls-Royce reserved the entire restaurant, and now we have a Bentley owner!¡±

    ¡°Has Hailee¡¯s father¡¯s cooking be legendary among the wealthy elite?¡±

    The sleek Bentley drew a crowd on Willow Lane, and Merlin¡¯s stomach twisted with regret. He cursed his poor judgment¡ªarriving in luxury with an entourage when he should have slipped in unnoticed, dressed like any other customer. Now, it was toote, and there was no turning back from this spectacle.

    While Merlin wrestled with how to extract himself from the car before finding Hailee in Loftus¡¯s Comfort Eats, eager locals had already burst through the restaurant doors with breathless news. ¡°Hailee, drop everything and get out here! Another big shot¡¯s rolled up to your ce! Your dad¡¯s cooking has put him on the map¡ªrich folks are making pilgrimages just for his spaghetti. Move!¡±

    The announcement electrified the restaurant. Ever since Cole booked the entire restaurant and pressed ten thousand dors into each customer¡¯s hand aspensation for their inconvenience, Loftus¡¯s Comfort Eats had be a goldmine of hope. Every patron nursed the fantasy that another wealthy benefactor would appear and rain money on them. Today felt like their lucky day.

    ¡°Sweet mercy, we hit the jackpot again! Time to cash in on another VIP visit!¡±

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 Chapter 373

    ?Chapter 373:

    ¡°I¡¯m calling my wife before this guy clears us out. More bodies mean more money!¡±

    The restaurant hummed with anticipation as people positioned themselves for Merlin¡¯s generosity.

    Steam rose from the kitchen where Hailee was perfecting a batch of spaghetti. When themotion reached her ears, she bolted from her station, and upon learning about the VIP¡¯s arrival, she rushed out of the restaurant to investigate.

    The human wall around Merlin¡¯s Bentley parted like the Red Sea as Hailee approached.

    Hailee¡¯s face lit up with excitement as she assumed Elliana had arrived. She jogged toward the vehicle with infectious enthusiasm.

    As she approached, the tinted car window descended with mechanical precision.

    ¡°Ell¡ª¡± The name died on Hailee¡¯s lips. Merlin¡¯s familiar features materialized where she¡¯d expected to see her friend. Her radiant smile crumbled into confusion, and heat flooded her cheeks as she stood frozen, wondering what force had brought him here. Merlin studied her through the ss barrier, words forming and dissolving on his tongue as the crowd pressed closer.

    Tension stretched between them like a taut wire.

    The locals grew restless around them.

    ¡°Hailee, what¡¯s the holdup? Roll out the red carpet for our guest!¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve been cooling our heels forever, and finally, another deep pocket shows up at your joint. Get him inside so he can start handing out thepensation for the inconvenience his booking the whole restaurant costs!¡±

    Embarrassment painted Hailee¡¯s face crimson. She had no script for this moment, no way to exin theplicated history that made this encounter so charged. Her gaze darted between the expectant faces and Merlin¡¯s prating stare before she leaned closer to ask why he¡¯de.

    But Merlin spoke first, his voice carrying genuine curiosity. ¡°What¡¯s thepensation about?¡±

    Hailee dropped her voice to barely above a whisper. ¡°Mr. Evans once showed up hunting for Elliana a while back. He slipped everyone ten grand to clear out and give them privacy.¡±

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    Understanding dawned in Merlin¡¯s eyes, and he nodded slowly. He turned to Lucas in the passenger seat with quiet authority. ¡°Handle it the same way.¡±

    Lucas emerged from the vehicle with military efficiency, nked by two stone-faced bodyguards who retrieved a bulging suitcase from the trunk.

    Cash filled every avable inch of the case.

    Lucas addressed the gathered crowd with practiced professionalism. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, my employer would appreciate some privacy to sample your local cuisine. Perhaps you could find alternative dining arrangements for this evening?¡±

    Hungry eyes tracked the suitcase as the bodyguards positioned themselves, and the crowd practically vibrated with anticipation.

    ¡°You bet! Rich folks need their space¡ªwe¡¯ve been through this dance before!¡±

    ¡°Absolutely, we know the drill. VIPs always appreciate those who understand the game.¡±

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 Chapter 374

    ?Chapter 374:

    Lucas¡¯s smile was all business. ¡°Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.¡±

    He signaled the bodyguards, who moved through the crowd with choreographed precision.

    Each person received a crisp bundle of cash¡ªten thousand dors¡ªand the distribution flowed like water.

    Over a hundred people had gathered outside the restaurant, and within minutes, more than a million dors had changed hands with breathtaking efficiency.

    Hailee watched the disy with her mouth slightly open, unable to process the casual distribution of wealth happening before her eyes. Before she could gather her thoughts, the street had emptied aspletely as if a magician had waved a wand.

    Lucas shook his head in amazement at the locals¡¯ refreshing honesty¡ªthey¡¯d taken their money and vanished without drama or demands for more. He led his team through the restaurant¡¯s front door to finish the job.

    Inside, a mix of regr customers and opportunists waited with barely contained excitement.

    Lucas surveyed the room and began announcing, ¡°Everyone, my employer would like to¡ª¡±

    ¡°Skip the speech, buddy! Your boss wants the ce to himself, and we¡¯re totally cool with that!¡±

    ¡°Yeah, we get it. Just pass out the cash and we¡¯ll make ourselves scarce!¡±

    The interruption caught Lucas off guard, and he simply gestured for the bodyguards to proceed.

    Money exchanged hands with remarkable speed as each person imed their bundle.

    When thest dor left the suitcase, the restaurant had transformed from a packed house to an empty shell.

    Full story on ga???????¦Í????s.??????

    Lucas surveyed the deserted Loftus¡¯s Comfort Eats and chuckled. ¡°These people are refreshingly direct!¡±

    After sharing his observation, he returned to the car to brief Merlin on their sess.

    Merlin felt a surge of satisfaction at how smoothly money had solved their privacy problem, and he pushed open the car door to step into the quiet restaurant¡­

    Hailee stood rooted to the spot, her mind struggling to process what had just unfolded.

    Loftus¡¯s Comfort Eats normally seated thirty peoplefortably, but today it had been crammed with over a hundred bodies, many standing shoulder-to-shoulder without chairs.

    Anyone with eyes could see that most were opportunists masquerading as customers, drawn by the promise of easy money. Yet, Merlin hadn¡¯t batted an eye¡ªhe¡¯d distributed cash to every single person present, burning through over two million dors in mere minutes. That sum could purchase dozens of small eateries like theirs. Hailee was still stunned. Merlin had treated two million dors like pocket change, all for a ten-dor te of spaghetti. The universe of the ultra-wealthy remained iprehensible to her.

    Lost in these thoughts, she barely noticed Merlin stepping out of the vehicle. He positioned himself beside her, his height casting her in shadow.

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 Chapter 375

    ?Chapter 375:

    His proximity sent her pulse racing, and she jerked back to the present moment, retreating two quick steps to establish breathing room. Heat climbed her neck and bloomed across her cheeks. On the yacht, Merlin hadid his intentions bare¡ªhe wanted her as his woman. Though she¡¯d rejected him without hesitation, she couldn¡¯t erase what had transpired between them. Standing face-to-face with him again made her skin crawl with difort.

    Honestly, she wished she could avoid him entirely, sever any connection before it deepened. Yet, their brief history told a different story¡ªtwice they¡¯d crossed paths, and twice he¡¯d be her unexpected savior. He¡¯d carried her down five flights on that yacht, and yesterday at the Craig family¡¯s engagement celebration, he¡¯d shielded her from humiliation with fierce determination.

    She owed him everything and had repaid him with teeth marks on his wrist. Turning him away now would brand her as the worst kind of ingrate. Despite her internal turmoil, she forced her features into a strained smile. ¡°Mr. kely¡­ Please,e inside.¡±

    Merlin studied her with eyes that seemed to see straight through her facade. When she extended the invitation, he inclined his head with quiet grace. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    He moved toward Loftus¡¯s Comfort Eats with measured steps. Hailee maintained her careful distance, trailing behind him like a reluctant shadow.

    Once they stepped inside, Briggs appeared from the kitchen¡¯s steamy depths. The sight of Merlin in his impable attire prompted an immediate bow of respect. ¡°Sir, have youe for our spaghetti?¡±

    Merlin had arrived with ns to whisk Hailee away, but stepping into the cozy restaurant awakened an unexpected hunger that made his stomach contract with longing. He offered Briggs a polite nod. ¡°I have.¡±

    Briggs puffed up with pride, convinced by neighborhood chatter that his culinary reputation had reached the city¡¯s elite circles, drawing powerful men to sample his humble creations at this modest establishment.

    ¡°Hailee, get these tables and chairs sorted immediately!¡± Briggsmanded with newfound authority.

    More chapters avable at g?????????¦Í????s.???????

    Hailee chose not to enlighten her father about Merlin¡¯s identity, simply murmuring her acknowledgment before beginning to work.

    Merlin cut an incongruous figure against the restaurant¡¯s worn furnishings, his tailored suit worth more than most people¡¯s annual sry. He watched Hailee navigate between tables, fighting the urge to assist her directly, and instead caught Lucas¡¯s attention with a subtle gesture.

    Lucas read the signal perfectly, rolled up his sleeves, and joined Hailee¡¯s efforts without hesitation.

    Hailee startled at his approach. ¡°Please, sir, be careful not to dirty your clothes!¡±

    Lucas shed her a disarming grin. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, Ms. Loftus. Many hands make light work, and Mr. kely prefers efficiency.¡± He turned to the bodyguards with mock severity. ¡°What are you waiting for? Lend a hand!¡±

    The security team descended upon the scattered chairs and tables with military precision.

    With so many helpers, Hailee found herself redundant, reduced to watching Merlin¡¯s entourage transform chaos into order.

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 Chapter 376

    ?Chapter 376:

    Briggs stood ck-jawed in bewilderment. In decades of operating Loftus¡¯s Comfort Eats, he¡¯d never encountered customers who brought their own cleaning crew. He pulled Hailee aside and dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, ¡°Last time, that wealthy fellow was hunting for his runaway wife after some domestic dispute. Could this gentleman be in the same predicament?¡±

    Hailee couldn¡¯t suppress augh at her father¡¯s wild theorizing. ¡°Dad, look around¡ªI¡¯m the only woman here. Where exactly is his missing wife? Your imagination is running away with you.¡±

    Briggs chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. ¡°I suppose you¡¯re right. Got carried away there.¡±

    Within minutes, Lucas and the bodyguards had restored perfect order to the dining room. Merlin selected the central table and settled into his chair with elegantposure.

    Hailee approached with the menu, her voice barely above a murmur, ¡°What style of spaghetti appeals to you, Mr. kely?¡±

    Merlin¡¯s eyes skimmed the offerings before finding her face again. ¡°What would you suggest?¡±

    Her finger traced a line on theminated menu. ¡°The marinara represents our family¡¯s signature¡ªit¡¯s crafted from a recipe passed down through generations. Most customers consider it our crown jewel.¡±

    ¡°Then marinara it shall be.¡± Merlin decided without hesitation. After a pregnant pause, he added with careful casualness, ¡°Would it be possible for you to prepare it personally?¡±

    Hailee retrieved the menu from his hands. ¡°Of course. I¡¯ll start immediately¡ªit won¡¯t take long.¡±

    She then disappeared into the kitchen¡¯s organized chaos.

    Briggs found himself disced, relegated to hovering behind the counter like furniture. Frustration gnawed at his chest with sharp teeth. Hadn¡¯t the neighbors proimed his cooking skills legendary among the city¡¯s power brokers? Then why did every wealthy patron who graced his establishment specifically request someone else handle their meal? Cole had insisted Elliana work the stove, and now Merlin demanded Hailee¡¯s touch. What did that make him¡ªdecoration?

    Read it now at g??l??¦Ï¦Í????s.??????

    No one noticed the quiet storm brewing in Briggs¡¯ chest.

    While Hailee disappeared into the kitchen to prepare the spaghetti, Merlin found himself trapped in an impossible situation. He desperately wanted to connect with Briggs¡ªafter all, winning over the father was crucial if he hoped to pursue the daughter. But the problem was that Merlin possessed all the social grace of a brick wall.

    Years of avoiding meaningless chatter had left Merlin¡¯s conversational muscles severely atrophied. He searched frantically formon ground with Briggs, but their worlds couldn¡¯t have been more different. What could a wealthy man possibly discuss with a humble restaurant owner? Minutes crawled by as Merlin¡¯s mind remained frustratingly nk.

    Unable to summon even the most basic small talk, yet determined to show goodwill, Merlin resorted to the most primitive form ofmunication known to mankind. He smiled.

    Briggs, ever polite, responded with a respectful bow and returned the gesture.

    The cycle repeated itself with mechanical precision, transforming what should have been a simple interaction into an excruciating disy of social ipetence.

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 Chapter 377

    ?Chapter 377:

    Lucas and the bodyguards positioned nearby fought valiantly not tough out loud, their faces contorting with the effort of suppression. Never before had they witnessed their formidable boss reduced to such pathetic attempts at charm, only to achieve the exact opposite effect.

    While Briggs maintained his courteous facade, his internal monologue ran wild with spection. What exactly was wrong with this wealthy, Bentley-driving entric? Why did he keep shing those unsettling grins at a simple old man?

    That awkward, almost predatory smile sent chills down Briggs¡¯ spine. Dark thoughts crept into his mind¡ªperhaps this powerful man harbored unusual preferences for elderly gentlemen. But logic quickly dismissed the notion. If that were the case, surely someone of Merlin¡¯s stature would have ess to more refined options than a humble restaurant owner.

    After extensive mental deliberation, Briggs reached the only reasonable conclusion: Merlin hadpletely lost his marbles.

    Meanwhile, Hailee remained unaware of theedy of errors unfolding in the dining room as she worked diligently in the kitchen. Questions swirled through her mind like autumn leaves in a storm. What had really brought Merlin here tonight? Surely he hadn¡¯t traveled across town just to sample her spaghetti. A man of his means could indulge in the finest cuisine the world had to offer¡ªwhy would he lower himself to visit this modest establishment?

    The ufortable thought began to crystallize in her mind. Had hee for her? Anxiety flooded her system like ice water through her veins. If he asked her again to be his woman, her answer would remain unchanged. She had sworn a sacred oath never to entangle herself with wealthy men again. Not just wealthy men¡ªno men at all. Boris had carved out a piece of her soul when he betrayed her, leaving behind a wound that refused to heal. Love had be a foreign concept, marriage an impossibility. She had built walls around her heart that no man would ever breach again. The only guarantee against heartbreak wasplete emotional istion.

    Then, fear crept in. What if her rejection ignited Merlin¡¯s fury? What if humiliation transformed him into something dangerous? If he dared to force herpliance, she would fight with every breath in her body¡ªthough the thought of her father bing coteral damage in such a confrontation terrified her beyond measure.

    The spiral of worry consumed her thoughts until she could bear it no longer. Her trembling fingers found her phone, and she dialed Elliana¡¯s number with desperate urgency.

    The connection sparked to life almost instantly, Elliana¡¯s melodic voice floating through the speaker. ¡°Hailee, darling, what¡¯s happening?¡± Hailee pressed the phone closer to her ear, her voice dropping to barely above a whisper to avoid detection. ¡°Elliana, Merlin just walked into my dad¡¯s eatery for spaghetti.¡±

    Find it at g?a??????¦Í????s.???????

    ¡°I¡¯m already aware,¡± Elliana replied with surprisingposure. Confusion painted itself across Hailee¡¯s features. ¡°How could you possibly know? Did he inform you beforehand?¡±

    Elliana¡¯s gentleughter rippled through the phone as she unraveled the entire situation, her exnation culminating in reassurance. ¡°So you can breathe easy now, sweetheart. Merlin has no intention of harming you. He¡¯s there to help you reim your dignity in front of the Craig family.¡±

    Relief crashed over Hailee like a tidal wave. After ending the call, she peered cautiously toward the dining room, her heart hammering against her ribs like a caged bird. She had never imagined Merlin would orchestrate such borate ns on her behalf. The realization struck her with ufortable rity¡ªdespite their

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 Chapter 378

    ?Chapter 378:

    Brief acquaintance, she had somehow umted a substantial debt to him. How could she possibly repay such kindness?

    Her thoughts became a tangled mess of gratitude and confusion, causing her to lose focus on the task at hand. When awareness finally returned, she discovered her spaghetti had transformed into an unrecognizable paste. ¡°No, no, no!¡± she cried out, frantically shutting off the burner.

    The damage was irreversible¡ªthis culinary disaster couldn¡¯t possibly be served to anyone, let alone her benefactor. Merlin had honored her humble establishment with his presence, and she had repaid him with what amounted to edible cement. But preparing a fresh batch would require significant time. Would his patience extend that far?

    While she wrestled with this dilemma, Briggs materialized in the kitchen doorway. ¡°Hailee, what¡¯s the holdup? Why hasn¡¯t the spaghetti made its appearance yet?¡±

    Heat flooded Hailee¡¯s cheeks as embarrassment consumed her. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Dad. My mind wandered, and I forgot to monitor the pot. The spaghetti is overcooked.¡±

    Briggs clicked his tongue in disapproval. ¡°Good heavens, child! How does one be distracted during such a simple task? That important gentleman is still waiting out there. You¡¯re damaging our family¡¯s business¡¯s reputation!¡±

    With practiced efficiency, Briggs gently moved his daughter aside. ¡°Go offer our apologies to the gentleman. I¡¯ll handle preparing a fresh batch.¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± Hailee murmured, turning toward the dining room with leaden feet.

    But she had barely taken three steps when amanding presence filled the kitchen doorway.

    Her movement ceased abruptly as she found herself face-to-face with the uninvited Merlin, his imposing figure dominating the cramped space.

    The instant Hailee saw Merlin, her body stiffened, and a deep blush spread across her cheeks from pure embarrassment.

    Read the rest on g??l????¦Í????s?.?o??

    Briggs spun around to see what had startled his daughter and immediately tensed up. ¡°Oh my! Sir, what are you doing in the kitchen? It¡¯s all smoke and oil in here¡ªyou¡¯ll ruin that nice suit! Please head back to the dining room.¡±

    Merlin offered Briggs a small, reassuring smile before shifting his gaze to Hailee. His voice was gentle but probing. ¡°What took so long?¡±

    Hailee fumbled, her voice barely above a whisper. It wasn¡¯t like she wanted to impress him or be involved with him. Still, her pride was bruised. Being the daughter of a spaghetti shop owner, she should¡¯ve nailed a simple te of spaghetti. Overcooking it was downright embarrassing. It made her feel like some rich girl pretending to help in the kitchen¡ªclueless and coddled. She didn¡¯t want to look like that.

    Briggs, unaware of his daughter¡¯s inner turmoil, hurried to apologize. ¡°I¡¯m terribly sorry, sir! I may have pampered my girl too much. She overcooked your spaghetti. Give us a moment, and I¡¯ll prepare a fresh te myself.¡±

    Merlin nodded slowly and stepped toward the stove. He bent down to take a look at the pot and then turned back to them. ¡°It¡¯s okay. It¡¯s still edible.¡±

    Without hesitation, he scooped the mushy spaghetti into a bowl,dled some warm chicken broth from a nearby pot, and¡ªafter a quick nce around¡ªadded a sprinkle of chopped scallions and a handful of fresh greens. Carrying the bowl, he headed directly to the dining room.

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 Chapter 379

    ?Chapter 379:

    Hailee and Briggs watched him, stunned and speechless. They had never served anyone this important before, but they had seen such scenes on television. None of those people acted like Merlin. By the time they came back to their senses, Merlin was already gone.

    ¡°Oh no!¡± Briggs gasped and rushed after him.

    Hailee blinked and then hurried to follow.

    When they got to the dining room, Merlin was already sitting at a table, quietly savoring his spaghetti. Though the spaghetti was so overcooked that they fell apart at the slightest touch, ruining the texture, he seemed to enjoy every bite. Finding the vor a little nd, he even added two extra spoonfuls of chili oil to give it a kick.

    The simple, unpretentious way he ate left both Hailee and Briggs utterly baffled.

    Briggs hurried over, bowing his head in apology. ¡°Sir, I am so sorry. You came all this way for our spaghetti, even booked the entire restaurant, and yet we¡¯ve disappointed you.¡±

    Merlin smiled warmly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. When I was on missions, I ate tougher things¡ªlike roots. Trust me, this is luxury.¡±

    ¡°On missions?¡± Briggs repeated, puzzled.

    Merlin gave a small chuckle. ¡°I was once in the military. Went through harsh training and faced plenty of hardships. I¡¯m no spoiled rich kid, so really, don¡¯t stress about it.¡±

    Briggs let out a deep sigh of relief, a flicker of admiration now lighting up his face as he looked at Merlin. Just moments ago, he¡¯d been grumbling about how this guy must¡¯ve been out of his mind¡ªbut now, all those doubts were gone. This big-shot boss was surprisingly humble and down-to-earth. Honestly, he seemed like a genuinely good person!

    Merlin easily picked up on the change in Briggs¡¯ demeanor, and it amused him. He gave Briggs a friendly smile before turning toward Hailee, eyes twinkling with humor. ¡°Let¡¯s call this one a practice round,¡± he said yfully. ¡°But next time Ie by, I expect the real deal¡ªgot it?¡±

    Hailee gave a sheepish nod, flustered and apologetic. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, Mr. kely. After everything you¡¯ve done for me, I couldn¡¯t even manage a proper te of spaghetti. I¡ª¡±

    g???????¦Í??????.??????,  ???????? ???????????????? ????

    Finally, it clicked for Briggs. His eyes widened as he looked at Hailee. ¡°Wait¡ªyou know this gentleman?¡±

    Hailee nodded. ¡°This is Mr. kely. He¡¯s a friend of Elliana¡¯s and has helped me out a lottely.¡±

    She didn¡¯t go into detail, especially not about the whole kidnapping ordeal. She¡¯d never wanted her father to worry, so she kept that chapter quiet.

    Merlin, reading the situation perfectly, kept silent on the matter.

    Briggs¡¯ expression softened with realization and then turned deeply sincere as he looked back at Merlin. ¡°Mr. kely, I had no idea. Thank you for helping my daughter. I really appreciate it. I¡¯m not even sure how to repay you.¡±

    Merlin gave a lightugh. ¡°Just don¡¯t mistake me for a shady character, and we¡¯re good.¡± He paused and then added, ¡°Actually¡­ Once I finish this bowl, I was hoping¡­¡±

    ¡°To borrow Hailee for a little while. Need her help with something. Is that okay with you?¡±

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 Chapter 380

    ?Chapter 380:

    Briggs tensed, concern flickering across his face. Sensing it, Merlin quickly added, ¡°Don¡¯t worry¡ªElliana will be there too.¡±

    Still, no father would be entirelyfortable letting his daughter go off somewherete at night¡ªespecially with a man he¡¯d just met, no matter how kind the man appeared.

    Briggs hesitated. Merlin¡¯s smile faltered slightly.

    Before Briggs could answer, Hailee stepped in. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Dad. Mr. kely is someone I trust. And I already talked to Elliana about it. You don¡¯t need to worry.¡±

    Briggs looked at her for a moment and then nodded slowly. He¡¯d always believed in her judgment. ¡°Alright then¡­ I¡¯ll leave her in your hands, Mr. kely,¡± he said, polite but firm.

    Merlin¡¯s grin returned in full force. ¡°You¡¯ve got nothing to worry about. As long as I¡¯m around, no one¡¯sying a finger on her.¡±

    With Briggs¡¯ permission secured, Merlin seemed visibly lighter. He finished the rest of his spaghetti in record time and stood up, motioning for Hailee to follow. Together, they headed out of the restaurant.

    At Hailee¡¯s family¡¯s little spaghetti joint, Merlin was on his best behavior. He cleaned his te spotless¡ªevery strand of spaghetti, every drop of sauce, even slurping thest bit with a quiet hum. As Merlin walked out with Hailee, he tossed Briggs yet another smile.

    Lucas and the bodyguards watched the whole scene in stunned silence. Never in their lives had they seen Merlin act like this. Polite. Respectful. Almost too humble. The man in front of them was a far cry from the wild, cocky version they knew. It was honestly hard to watch. They¡¯d lost count of how many times Merlin smiled at Briggs. Was he cashing in a lifetime¡¯s worth of smiles all at once? Of course, not that any of them would dare say that out loud. No one wanted to set him off.

    Once outside the cozy restaurant, Hailee slipped into Merlin¡¯s car. They were headed to the Evans family estate.

    The car was a stretched luxury ride with three rows.

    Lucas, ever the discreet one, raised the partitions, cutting Hailee and Merlin off in the middle row.

    ?????????¦Í??????.??????, ???????? ???????????????? ????

    Hailee was already nervous. Now, wrapped in silence, her nerves kicked into overdrive. She sat stiffly, hands curled into gentle fists on herp, eyes locked downward.

    Merlin turned toward her, his gaze roaming over her without restraint. It was their third meeting, and his body reacted before his mind could catch up.

    The first time they met, when she¡¯d bitten his wrist, the overwhelming sensation had caught him off guard.

    The second time, just standing close as they spoke, he had felt dizziness all over him like he had the flu.

    Now, with her beside him and only inches of air between them, he felt all that again¡ªplus a deep, aching thirst. The kind even water couldn¡¯t fix. It was strange. It was maddening. And he was quietly falling apart.

    After watching her for a long second, he licked his dry lips. His voice came out rough. ¡°You seem scared of me.¡±

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 Chapter 381

    ?Chapter 381:

    Hailee had been sitting like a rabbit caught in headlights. She felt his stare but kept her head low, determined to stay quiet. But then he spoke. His voice hit her like a¡­

    Hailee jolted, flinching slightly. She wanted to lie. She really did. But honesty beat her to it. ¡°I¡¯m a little scared of you.¡±

    Merlin raised an eyebrow. ¡°Do I look scaly?¡±

    ¡°No!¡± She shook her head quickly. ¡°You¡¯re handsome. And charming. But your presence¡­ It¡¯s sharp. Like you¡¯d cut me just by looking.¡±

    Merlin gave a slow nod. Fair enough. Five years in the special forces had carved him into something sharp. It was natural that he gave off that kind of edge. ¡°I mighte off a bit lethal, but I don¡¯t hurt people without reason. And never the innocent. You don¡¯t need to be afraid of me.¡±

    Hailee nodded.

    Merlin softened his voice. ¡°If you don¡¯t like this part of me¡­ I¡¯ll change it. For you.¡±

    Even steel could bend for the right reason. He¡¯d spent years being nothing but iron, but for her, he¡¯d learn to ease the edge.

    Hailee, of course, didn¡¯t see how deep those words ran. To her, his offer felt heavy. He didn¡¯t need to change. They weren¡¯t close, and she didn¡¯t n on letting them get close.

    Trying to draw a line, she took a deep breath and looked up at him. She found him already watching her. Their eyes locked, her heart skipped. But she didn¡¯t look away. ¡°Mr. kely, there¡¯s something I need to make clear.¡±

    Merlin already sensed her next words. His eyes flickered with annoyance, but he let her continue.

    Hailee said slowly, ¡°You¡¯ve done so much for me. I¡¯m really grateful. Truly. But I have nothing to offer in return, and I¡ª¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re worried I¡¯ll expect you to repay me by being my woman,¡± Merlin interjected tly.

    g???????¦Í??????.??????, ???????? ????????????????

    Hailee bit her lip, her cheeks burning.

    Merlin sighed. ¡°Rx. I won¡¯t force you to be my woman unless you want to.¡±

    Hailee let out a quiet breath, her shoulders loosening just a little. Then, her eyes dropped to his sleeve. It had ridden up, exposing the angry scab on his wrist. Guilt tugged at her. ¡°Mr. kely, how¡¯s your injury?¡± she asked gently.

    Merlin nced at it. ¡°Doctor said it¡¯ll scar,¡± he replied with azy shrug.

    Her guilt deepened. She didn¡¯t know how to respond. Merlin looked at her again. Then suddenly, he narrowed his eyes slightly.

    ¡°Since you¡¯ve already admitted you owe me,¡± Merlin said, his voice silk-smooth but unmistakably pointed, ¡°even if you¡¯re not ready to be my woman aspensation, surely there¡¯s another way you could settle the debt.¡±

    Another way? Hailee stared at him, caughtpletely off guard. ¡°What exactly could I do for you?¡±

    He didn¡¯t skip a beat. ¡°I¡¯ve reviewed your credentials. Ublento University, Secretarial Studies, top of your ss. Not exactlymon. I must say, I¡¯m impressed. And coincidentally, I happen to be in need of a secretary.¡±

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 Chapter 382

    ?Chapter 382:

    Hailee blinked, unsure if she¡¯d heard him right. ¡°You¡­ You want me to work for you? As your secretary?¡±

    ¡°Is that an issue?¡± Merlin asked coolly, already moving forward as if her answer never mattered in the first ce. ¡°Sure, you did well in the Starry Oil Painting Competition, but painting¡¯s just a side hobby for you. That illustrator gig at the publishing house fell into yourp by chance. If I had to guess, what you really want is a job that actually lines up with your major, right?¡±

    Hailee mped her lips shut, saying nothing. But silence was admission enough¡ªhe¡¯d read her like an open page. Back in high school, she¡¯d aced her SATs and filled out her applications on her own, choosing Ublento University¡¯s Secretarial Studies program as her top pick.

    Back then, she hadn¡¯t known any better. Just a small-town girl from Willow Lane with big dreams and little direction. What had nudged her toward secretarial studies wasn¡¯t practicality or family advice¡ªit was morous Secretaries, a TV drama she¡¯d devoured religiously. The show followed four ambitious women who started as office assistants, battled corporate chaos, and rose to power through sheer grit and grace.

    She¡¯d idolized them¡ªsmart, stylish, unstoppable. They made her believe that if she studied hard and stayed the course, she could build a life like theirs: sharp suits, high heels, corner offices. So when it came time to choose a major, she didn¡¯t second-guess. If it hadn¡¯t been for the mess with Boris after graduation, she might¡¯ve already been living that dream. She¡¯d imagined herself at a prestigiouspany, gradually working her way up to be a top-tier executive assistant¡ªjust like her on-screen heroes.

    And now, out of nowhere, Merlin was handing her that very dream on a silver tter. This wasn¡¯t just a job¡ªit was her original ambition, resurrected.

    The keley Group wasn¡¯t some run-of-the-mill business. It was a global titan, the kind of ce people spent years trying to get a foot in the door. And her entry? Instant¡ªbecause Merlin said so.

    Most employees would spend decades climbing the ranks and still never glimpse the man at the top. But she? She¡¯d be stationed right beside him from day one. By all ounts, fate had just handed her a winning ticket. The sheer improbability of it all left her reeling. Her thoughts spun in disarray, too jumbled for rity, let alone a decision.

    g???????¦Í??????.??0??, ?????????? ?????????? ????

    Merlin watched her closely, his voice soft but edged with irony. ¡°What now? Turning this down too? First, I¡¯m not worthy of being your boyfriend¡­ and now, I¡¯m not even qualified to be your boss?¡±

    Hailee¡¯s head snapped up. She shook it furiously. ¡°No, no! That¡¯s not what I meant at all! It¡¯s just¡ªI¡¯m fresh out of school. I don¡¯t have real-world experience. What if I screw everything up?¡±

    A small, knowing smile curved Merlin¡¯s lips. ¡°Rx. I¡¯ll make sure someone trains you properly. You don¡¯t need to worry about that. The only thing you should be thinking about is this¡ªare you willing to repay your debt this way?¡±

    She blinked. It didn¡¯t sound like a demand¡ªit felt like a gift. A rare, golden chanceid before her with deliberate care. And not just any chance. The chance. The dream she¡¯d quietly nurtured for years. The one she never thought would find her again. It was everything she¡¯d once hoped for, served up with impossible timing and irresistible promise. How was she supposed to say no?

    Her heart thundered in her chest, her nerves fluttering wildly. Without thinking, she blurted, ¡°I¡ªI need to ask Elliana.¡±

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 Chapter 383

    ?Chapter 383:

    She reached for her phone in a panic, but Merlin was quicker. He snatched it before she could even unlock the screen, his mood shifting like a sudden storm. ¡°Why do you have to consult Elliana for everything?¡± he asked, his eyes sharp. ¡°You¡¯re an adult. A college graduate. You¡¯re even two years older than her. Can¡¯t you make your own decisions?¡±

    His words stung, and she flinched inwardly. He wasn¡¯t wrong. Elliana was only twenty¡ªbarely out of SATs¡ªwhile she was twenty-two, a degree-holder, technically the one who should be giving advice, not seeking it.

    But Elliana was different. Always had been. Sharp as a tack, confident beyond her years, and uncannily intuitive. Somewhere along the way, Hailee had started leaning on her, not just as a friend, but as apass.

    As Hailee hesitated, Merlin¡¯s gaze bore into her, unrelenting. No way was he letting her call Elliana. That venomous Elliana had always had it out for him¡ªif she even¡­

    Hailee fidgeted under the weight of Merlin¡¯s gaze. The offer seemed too good, too surreal. Her instincts screamed at her to think it through, but her mouth moved faster than her mind. ¡°Okay,¡± she heard herself say. ¡°I¡¯ll do it. I¡¯ll be your secretary.¡±

    Merlin¡¯s lips curled into a slow, satisfied smile. Without a word, he tapped lightly on the partition between them and the driver. The partition slid down almost immediately.

    ¡°Yes, Mr. kely?¡± Lucas asked, his eyes flicking to Merlin.

    ¡°Prepare an employment contract,¡± Merlin said smoothly. ¡°Her title is Executive Secretary to the CEO.¡±

    ¡°Right away,¡± Lucas replied without missing a beat.

    Secondster, he handed Hailee a sleek tablet. ¡°Ms. Loftus, please review the terms. If everything¡¯s in order, you can sign right here.¡±

    Hailee stared at the screen, blinking. So, this was how things worked in the upper echelons¡ªswift, paperless, clinical in its efficiency. No hoops, no waiting. Just instant results. Still, wasn¡¯t this moving a little too fast?

    g???????¦Í??????.??????, ¨C ???????? ???????????????? ????

    Hailee epted the tablet from Lucas, her hands heating up as if she were holding something far more dangerous than a device. It felt less like a contract and more like signing her life away.

    Her heart fluttered nervously as she began scrolling through the contract, scanning every use while Merlin sat beside her in silence, his eyes locked on her every move.

    Inside the vehicle, the atmosphere was tense and still¡ªnot a single word was spoken.

    Everyone in the car, from Merlin¡¯s driver to the assistant and the bodyguards, knew what was unfolding. Their boss was quietly luring the clueless Hailee into his web, while she naively believed she was simply returning a favor.

    When Hailee hit the use detailing the sry, she nearly dropped the tablet.

    ¡°Something wrong?¡± Merlin asked smoothly, timing his question with uncanny precision.

    Hailee looked up at him, eyes full of disbelief. ¡°Mr. kely, my sry¡­¡±

    ¡°Not enough?¡± Merlin asked, his tone unreadable.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 384

    ?Chapter 384:

    Hailee shook her head so quickly that her ponytail swayed. ¡°No! That¡¯s not it at all! This number¡ªit¡¯s too much! Did you maybe mean one hundred thousand a year, and Lucas just identally added an extra zero?¡±

    Before Merlin could say anything, Lucas interjected, ¡°Ms. Loftus, I¡¯ve been working for Mr. kely for a long time. I don¡¯t make errors like that.¡±

    Hailee looked at Lucas in stunned silence and then turned her confused gaze back to Merlin.

    A slow, amused smile crept across Merlin¡¯s face. ¡°Hailee, do you perhaps misunderstand what it means to be the personal secretary to the CEO of kely Group?¡± He leaned in just slightly, his voiceced with yfulness. ¡°You believe my standing only calls for a secretary earning a mere one hundred thousand yearly? Is that what I¡¯m worth in your eyes?¡±

    Her mouth opened to reply but then closed again,pletely speechless. That wasn¡¯t what she meant at all! What she had been trying to say was¡ªshe didn¡¯t think she was worth that much! She was fresh out of university with no experience.

    How had she, of all people, been offered a seven-figure sry? Her conscience was practically shouting at her.

    ¡°M-Mr. kely, you¡¯re clearly on a whole different level,¡± she stammered, fumbling with her words. ¡°But I¡¯m not qualified for that kind of pay. I haven¡¯t earned it yet. You¡¯d be losing money if you hired me with that amount of sry.¡±

    Merlin let out a lowugh, clearly amused by her flustered state. She was unbelievably cute. So sincere, so unguarded¡ªlike a cluelessmb that had wandered into a pack of wolves. In this cutthroat world, most people wed for every raise and title they could get. But here she was, panicking because the sry was too generous.

    After a brief pause, Merlin finally replied, ¡°Everyone in my core team earns at least a million a year. If you try to negotiate for lower pay, you¡¯d be disrespecting the standard I¡¯ve set¡ªand by extension, me. So, rather than worrying about whether or not you deserve it, focus on showing me that you¡¯re worth every cent as my secretary.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± Hailee nodded shyly, her voice barely above a whisper. But as those words sank in, a heavy weight settled on her shoulders. He was the CEO of an empire worth trillions, always surrounded by top-tier employees who earned impressive sries. His secretaries had to be sharp-minded and exceptionally skilled. She couldn¡¯t help but wonder if she could even match their pace.

    Noticing her hesitation, Lucas offered a kind smile and reassured her in a gentle tone, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Ms. Loftus. Mr. kely is very patient with new hires. He gives everyone room to grow. The whole team is supportive too. If anything bes overwhelming, someone will always step in to help.¡±

    g???????¦Í??????.??0??; ???????????????? ?????????? ?????? ????????????

    Hailee felt a small sense of relief and managed a grateful smile before reaching for the stylus and signing her name on the tablet. As soon as she finished, Merlin¡¯s expression shifted, a subtle smile of satisfaction forming on his lips. Without skipping a beat, he took the tablet from her hands and passed it over to Lucas.

    Lucas took the tablet with both hands, looking every bit theposed assistant. Inwardly, he was celebrating¡ªhis boss¡¯s little crush had officially stepped into the trap.

    Meanwhile, Hailee couldn¡¯t shake the strange sense of unease creeping into her chest. Had she just signed herself away? And for a hefty sum, no less.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 385

    ?Chapter 385:

    Unaware of the storm brewing in her mind, Merlin¡¯s voice broke the silence,ced with light amusement. ¡°Now that the paperwork¡¯s done, you¡¯ve officially be mine. From here on, make sure you follow my instructions carefully, alright?¡±

    Hailee found herself puzzled by the way he phrased it. Be his? She could not make sense of what he was even suggesting. She looked up at him, ready to speak, but his face was calm and unreadable¡ªno lecherous grin, no inappropriate smirk. If she made a fuss now, it would seem like she was reading too much into it. He probably just meant she was now part of his staff.

    Her lips parted and then closed again. In the end, she simply nodded. ¡°Understood, Mr. kely.¡±

    Merlin reached out and gently tousled her hair, his tone turning even softer as he said, ¡°That¡¯s my girl.¡±

    The unexpected gesture sent a strange chill down Hailee¡¯s spine. All she had done was sign a job contract¡ªso why did it feel like she had just been imed?

    Lucas, sensing the awkwardness, stiffened and quickly fixed his posture, eyes locked ahead like a statue.

    From the outside, Lucas appeared every bit the perfect assistant. Inside, though, he was silently judging his boss. Merlin had always been distant and cold, and any woman who attempted to make a move on him quickly backed away from the chill in his stare. Most people believed he would remain alone for the rest of his life. Who would¡¯ve thought that Merlin would suddenly turn into a romantic with strategies that could put anyone to shame?

    Merlin remained oblivious to his assistant¡¯s internalmentary. All he cared about was that the contract was signed, which gave him one more way to keep Hailee close. And if she ever got the idea of backing out? Well, escaping wouldn¡¯t be so simple anymore. That thought alone had him in such high spirits, even as the car pulled into the Evans family estate, his eyes still sparkling with satisfaction.

    Waiting was its own special kind of torture¡ªevery second stretched and twisted into an eternity for those left hanging.

    At the Evans residence, the Craig family was nearing their breaking point. They¡¯d been expecting Merlin for what felt like forever, and every passing minute only turned the heat up higher under their collective impatience.

    g??????0¦Í??????.??????; ???????????????? ???????? ??????????¦Í??????

    Merlin¡ªCEO of the mighty keley Group¡ªwasn¡¯t exactly known for squandering time. His schedule ran like clockwork, his minutes worth more than most people¡¯s paychecks. And yet, today of all days, he¡¯d frittered away time like it grew on trees.

    After finishing his chat with Cole, Merlin should¡¯ve gone straight to Willow Lane, no detours. But no¡ªhe lingered, indecisive, obsessing over what to wear.

    Then came the stop at Hailee¡¯s dad¡¯s humble little spaghetti shop. It was supposed to be a simple pick-up, a quick word with Briggs. Instead, he sat down and ordered a full te¡ªtwirling pasta like he had all the time in the world.

    As if that wasn¡¯t enough, the drive to the Evans estate turned into an extended sightseeing tour under his order. The car crept along at a cial pace while Merlin casually lured Hailee into signing an employment contract.

    By the time Merlin finally stepped through the doors of the Evans mansion, the clock had struck 11 p.m.

    The Evans family looked half-dead with fatigue. Ruben¡¯s strict house rule¡ª¡±no noise after 8¡å¡ªhad clearly been sacrificed. Normally, they¡¯d all be tucked in hours ago, but tonight, no one dared retreat to bed. Not when something intriguing was in the air. Everyone was on edge, eyes red-rimmed from yawning but too wired to sleep.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 386

    ?Chapter 386:

    Merlin had been notorious for his cold detachment toward women and legendary aversion to marriage. The upper crust of Ublento had long since given up hope that he¡¯d ever settle down. Even his parents hade to terms with that. So for him to finally show interest in a woman and even publicly shield her was nothing short of shocking.

    And the burning question on everyone¡¯s mind? Who was this woman who had cracked the uncrackable man? They were dying to see her for themselves.

    The Evans household was practically humming with burning curiosity¡ªRuben included.

    The waiting scene in the living room could¡¯ve passed for aedy sketch. The Craig family sat stiff and visibly ufortable, while the Evans side tried to mask their own fatigue. Yawns rippled through the room like waves, but no one dared tear their eyes from the doorway¡ªnot even Ruben, who¡¯d momentarily set aside his usual stern airs.

    On one side of the couch, Cole lounged with Elliana, whispering flirtatious nonsense in her ear as if the entire room didn¡¯t exist. In a corner of the sofa, Jeff was curled up with a tiny white cat cradled in his arms. He kept low, avoiding Cole¡¯s line of sight while sneaking nces at Elliana, mentally counting the reasons why he¡¯d never get her alone long enough to say what he wanted to say.

    Next to him sat Lance, also sneaking looks at Elliana¡ªbut his thoughts weren¡¯t romantic. His mind was churning with ns on how to convince her to take him in as an apprentice.

    And then finally came the moment they¡¯d all been waiting for. When the butler swept into the living room to announce Merlin and Hailee¡¯s arrival, every head lifted, every back straightened. Even Cole finally paused his murmured conversation with Elliana.

    And just like that, Merlin strolled in, exuding effortless confidence, with Hailee trailing quietly behind him.

    Hailee had never stepped foot inside a mansion so grand, and facing a room full of curious strangers made her feel microscopic. She instinctively shrank behind Merlin, her footsteps hushed, her shoulders tight.

    g????????¦Í??????.??0??; ?????? ??????c ??????b????????

    Merlin, on the other hand, looked like he was walking on air. Calm,posed, and even radiant. As he crossed into the living room, he gave Ruben a respectful nod and dipped into a slight bow. ¡°My sincerest apologies for keeping you waiting,¡± he said smoothly. ¡°I¡¯m prepared to ept whatever punishment you deem necessary.¡±

    Ruben, who had always admired Merlin¡¯s poise and principles, showed not a trace of annoyance. He let out a warm chuckle. ¡°Merlin, my boy, you look sharper every time you walk through that door.¡±

    ¡°Your words are too kind,¡± Merlin replied, his tone polished, his posture unshakably poised.

    Ruben gave an approving nod and then leaned slightly to the side, trying to catch a better glimpse of the girl behind Merlin. ¡°And that must be Hailee? Come now, let us have a proper look at you.¡±

    Given how guarded Merlin had been around Hailee, it wasn¡¯t hard to guess¡ªthis young woman could very well end up the futuredy of the keley estate. And with that possibility hanging in the air, everyone instinctively adjusted their demeanor, softening their gazes and straightening their postures. Courtesies were in order.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 387

    ?Chapter 387:

    As Ruben¡¯s words lingered, all eyes shifted toward Hailee, still half-tucked behind Merlin like a startled deer.

    Merlin, ever smooth, simply smiled and reached for her hand, coaxing her gently to his side. ¡°Come,¡± he said, voice warm, almost teasing. ¡°Say hello to Ruben.¡±

    The way he said it, the way he held her hand with such casual intimacy¡ªit all felt like a man proudly introducing his bride-to-be. Hailee winced inwardly, heat flooding her cheeks. Mortified. She didn¡¯t dare call him out on it¡ªnot with all those eyes watching. So instead, she gave a polite bow and murmured, ¡°Hello, Mr. Evans.¡±

    She¡¯d chosen her words carefully, sticking to formality. Addressing Ruben by his name during their first encounter would¡¯ve crossed a line.

    She knew better. Respect had its boundaries, and titles carried weight. As discreetly as she could, she slipped her fingers out of Merlin¡¯s grasp. Ruben¡¯s eyes crinkled with approval. She might¡¯vee from modest beginnings, but she clearly had poise. Mannered, thoughtful, soft-spoken¡ªhe liked her already.

    Across the room, Cole let out a soft, amused chuckle¡ªnot at Hailee, but at Merlin. This was the same Merlin who once imed to have an allergy to romance and a deep loathing for public disys of affection. And now here he was, practically parading some poor girl like a prize. Elliana, meanwhile, sat stiffly, a muscle twitching in her cheek. If she had a rock handy, she might¡¯ve hurled it at Merlin¡¯s smug face without a second thought.

    Elliana clenched her jaw, seething at Hailee¡¯s uneasy, evasive behavior under Merlin¡¯s overbearing, husband-like demeanor.

    Elliana had always found Merlin cold, boring, and irritatingly nosy, but his shameless behavior, acting like Hailee¡¯s husband in front of everyone, was a new low. Hailee, clearly ufortable, kept trying to distance herself, yet Merlin carried on as if they were already wed, oblivious to her difort.

    Unable to bear seeing them together any longer, Elliana stood, gently pulling Hailee to her side, and started introducing her to the others.

    Once away from Merlin, Hailee visibly rxed, greeting everyone Elliana introduced with effortless grace and courtesy.

    g?????0¦Í??????.??????. ?????????????? ???????????????? ?????????? ?????? ??????????????

    Merlin, meanwhile, stood off to the side, ring at Elliana with discontent. Yet, he was too intimidated by her now to challenge her directly. Since provoking Elliana wasn¡¯t an option, he sidled up to Cole, lowering his voice toin, ¡°Can¡¯t you do something to keep your infuriating wife in check?¡±

    To his surprise, Cole had no intention of holding Elliana back. He gave Merlin a mocking nce and snapped, ¡°After that ridiculous show you just put on, acting like Hailee¡¯s your woman? I¡¯m tempted to throw something at you for Elliana¡¯s sake.¡±

    Merlin¡¯s face burned with embarrassment, his ego thoroughly bruised. At that moment, Elliana finished introducing Hailee to the group. The pleasantries were over. Now it was time for the real business¡ªgetting the Craig family to apologize to Hailee in person.

    Elliana guided Hailee to a single armchair and then fixed her gaze on the Craigs. They understood her signal immediately.

    Norwood and Joslyn stepped forward first, cutting through the tense silence as they approached Hailee and bowed deeply.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 388

    ?Chapter 388:

    ¡°Ms. Loftus,¡± Joslyn said earnestly, ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry. I didn¡¯t raise my son properly, and I mishandled things afterward, causing you pain. I deeply regret it.¡±

    Norwood spoke up. ¡°Ms. Loftus, I¡¯m to me for raising such a reckless son. Then, I made it worse by trying to cover up Boris¡¯s actions and ndering you. I know I deserve harsh judgment, but I ask for your forgiveness.¡±

    After their apologies, they bowed again, eager to secure her forgiveness. Hailee, who had been reserved and timid earlier, now faced the Craigs with a cool, firm demeanor.

    Elliana had no reason to feel nervous¡ªshe was in control, and the apologies were the least the Craigs owed her. Given the suffering they had caused, mere words seemed like a small price to pay. Once Norwood and Joslyn finished speaking, Trinity helped Bonnie forward to face Hailee.

    Seeing Hailee seated there, receiving apologies from their entire family, only fueled Trinity¡¯s resentment, though she kept it hidden. She had no choice today¡ªshe had to swallow her pride and speak.

    Bowing deeply beside Bonnie, Trinity remained silent as Bonnie spoke first. ¡°Ms. Loftus, the Craig family has wronged you. We ask for your forgiveness and a chance to make things right. We will learn from this and do better.¡±

    Hailee said nothing, her sharp gaze fixed on Trinity. She remembered it all¡ªhow Trinity had badmouthed her at the engagement banquet, acting innocent while whispering threats in her ear. Hailee despised people like Trinity, who yed two-faced games, more than she despised outright wrongdoers.

    Catching Hailee¡¯s cold stare, Trinity quickly looked down, her voice soft and pleading. ¡°Ms. Loftus, please forgive my minor mistake. I¡¯m really a good person¡ªI was just misled by my brother yesterday.¡±

    Hailee, raised by a gentle father who always forgave easily, usually let grudges slip away. But today, she wasn¡¯t ready to let Trinity off the hook. To her, Trinity was the worst of the Craigs¡ªmore despicable than even Boris.

    Elliana had once advised Hailee, ¡°Stay kind, but don¡¯t let anyone think your kindness means you¡¯re a pushover.¡±

    g???????¦Í??????.??????, ?????????? ???????????????? ???????? ????????????????

    Hailee sliced through Trinity¡¯s facade with precision. ¡°Miss Craig, you weren¡¯t ¡®misled,¡¯ and it wasn¡¯t some minor mistake. You¡¯re rotten through and through.¡± Her words were sharp, tearing away Trinity¡¯s mask. ¡°You spun those lies about me extorting money right on the spot¡ªno one handed you a script. And I haven¡¯t forgotten a single one of those threats you hissed in my ear.¡±

    Trinity hadn¡¯t braced for Hailee¡¯s boldness. Under the piercing gazes of the Evans family, a cold unease slithered down her back.

    Hailee pressed on, unrelenting. ¡°Miss Craig, yesterday, you threatened me. You said, as a moner,¡¯ I¡¯d better know my ce, take the money, and disappear¡ªor the Craig family would squash me like a bug.¡±

    As Hailee¡¯s wordsnded, the Evans family turned to Trinity, their faces etched with shock. Could such vicious words truly havee from their beloved princess?

    Lance, in particr, gaped at her, stunned. Trinity had always been his vision of kindness and elegance¡ªhow could she¡­

    With the weight of the Evans family¡¯s scrutiny pressing down on her, Trinity felt as though she¡¯d been hauled in front of a firing squad¡ªher nerves strung tight, threatening to snap at any second.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 389

    ?Chapter 389:

    For years, Trinity had perfected the role of a good girl, piecing together an immacte persona and basking in the glow of their affection. But with just a few cutting remarks, Hailee had stripped her facade bare, scattering her painstaking efforts like ash in the wind. Panic surged¡ªshe couldn¡¯t let everything unravel now. The unblemished reputation she¡¯d worked so hard to maintain in their eyes couldn¡¯t be allowed to crumble, not like this.

    Teetering on the edge, Trinity forced herself upright, every instinct urging her to fire back, to refute Hailee¡¯s ims with venom and denial. Yet, as her gaze brushed over Merlin¡¯s expression, all her fury withered, snuffed out in an instant. She knew better than to cross Merlin.

    Hailee had spoken nothing but the truth. And with Merlin present, even if Hailee¡¯s words had been pure invention, Trinity understood she¡¯d have no choice but to bow her head and shoulder the me. To protest now would only drag the entire Craig family down with her. Trinity¡¯s eyes turned red and ssy. She pressed her eyelids together for a moment, fighting to keep herposure, then blinked back tears and managed another apology, her voice trembling with raw sincerity. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Loftus. I know I was in the wrong. Truly.¡±

    Hailee stood across from Trinity, radiating unshakeable calm. Not a single emotion flickered in her eyes, her lips curved in a faint, icy smile. ¡°Miss Craig, I sincerely hope you¡¯ll start behaving like a decent person from now on,¡± she replied, her voice gentle butced with unmistakable contempt.

    Though the words came quietly, their impact cut deeper than anything she¡¯d said before. In front of everyone, she had just reduced Trinity to something less than decency.

    A sharp, wrenching pain tore through Trinity¡¯s chest. Would the Evans family still ept her after tonight¡¯s disgrace? Did she have any hope left of marrying into their family? Hailee had ripped her carefully built image to pieces. Bitterness boiled inside her. She loathed Hailee, the woman from humble beginnings who refused to show an ounce of leniency even after crushing her.

    Still, rage gave way to cold necessity. Trinity bowed her head, her voice quivering. ¡°Thank you for your advice, Ms. Loftus.¡±

    Heavy tears tracked down Trinity¡¯s face, washing away thest remnants of her pride. As she cried, she darted a covert nce at Lance. What was running through his mind now? After all, he had once adored her without question.

    g??????0¦Í??????.??????; ?????????????? ?????? ???????? ????????????????

    Lance furrowed his brows, his eyes fixed on her with a shocked, disappointed expression that twisted the knife deeper.

    Crushed, Trinity tore her gaze away from him and sought out Jason. Did the Evans family¡¯s esteemed second son see her as pathetic too? What judgment lingered in his eyes?

    Jason, half of his features obscured by the mask, dropped his gaze and kept his expression shuttered, giving nothing away.

    Trinity pulled her eyes from him, anxiety wing at her chest. Jason was simply unreadable¡ªhis silence imprable, his thoughts a ck box.

    As tense words passed between Hailee and Trinity, Elliana remained on the sidelines, quietly taking in the spectacle.

    Watching Trinity unravel with no hope of redemption, Elliana cheered for Hailee in her heart. Atst, Hailee had found the steel within her softness¡ªherpassion now edged with resolve.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 390

    ?Chapter 390:

    The Craig family stood exposed, their defeat written in the slump of their shoulders and the embarrassment clouding their faces.

    Hailee cast a level look across the Craig family before addressing them with calmposure. ¡°You¡¯ve all wounded me before, and I can¡¯t tell if any of you mean it when you apologize. Still, I¡¯ll let this go. I won¡¯t pursue this further.¡±

    A collective breath escaped the Craig family. Yet, the bitter aftertaste lingered. Their pride had been ground mercilessly beneath Hailee¡¯s heel.

    Once Hailee¡¯s verdict was final, Merlin rose from his seat, his presence looming above the defeated Craig family. ¡°Since Ms. Loftus has spoken, I¡¯ll let this matter end here as well. But take this to heart¡ªlet today¡¯s humiliation remind you to tread carefully from now on.¡±

    ¡°Understood, Mr. kely,¡± the Craig family members answered in unison, theirplexions drained of all color.

    Merlin pivoted to Ruben, his demeanor softening as he offered a courteous farewell. ¡°Ruben, I¡¯m sorry for themotion tonight. I¡¯lle by another time to make things right. It¡¯s gettingte¡ªI shouldn¡¯t intrude any longer. Goodnight.¡±

    Ruben responded with an easy, genial smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±

    Hailee bent in a small bow. ¡°Thank you and goodnight, Mr. Evans.¡±

    Elliana, fearing Merlin might sweep Hailee off to some distant ce, quickly interjected, ¡°Ruben, you see, Hailee¡¯s my closest friend¡ªI¡¯ll walk her out.¡±

    Rubenughed, thoroughly charmed. ¡°Go on, then. I¡¯ve grown fond of Hailee¡ªmake sure you invite her over more often.¡±

    ¡°Will do,¡± Elliana said with a bright smile. She slipped her arm through Hailee¡¯s, and the pair strolled out of the vi, theirughter trailing behind them.

    Merlin¡¯s frosty gaze lingered on their backs, his displeasure obvious.

    Cole moved to his side, tone quiet but unmistakably sharp. ¡°That¡¯s enough. Stare at my wife like that again and you¡¯ll be barred from the Evans estate for good.¡±

    g???????¦Í??????.??0??; ???????? ????????????????

    Merlin answered with a scornful sneer and then swept past him without another word.

    Cole trailed behind at an unhurried pace.

    Once outside, Merlin red after Elliana, annoyance crackling in his voice. ¡°Are you incapable of reining in that infuriating wife of yours? Does she need to be glued to Hailee every waking moment?¡±

    ¡°What exactly do you mean by my wife bothering Hailee?¡± Cole raised an eyebrow, his voice thick with sarcasm as he looked at Merlin. ¡°They¡¯re best friends. Hailee¡¯s known my wife long before you even showed up. And let¡¯s be clear, Hailee never agreed to be your girlfriend, so if anyone¡¯s being bothersome, it¡¯s you.¡±

    Merlin¡¯s cheeks reddened at the remark, but before long, a confident smirk returned to his face. ¡°Okay, maybe Hailee hasn¡¯t agreed to be my girlfriend in the usual sense. But she did sign up to be my secretary, my personal assistant around the clock.¡±

    Cole raised an eyebrow, staring at him for a moment before letting out a shortugh. ¡°Wow. Didn¡¯t expect you to y it this smoothly. You really lured that innocent girl into your trap already?¡±

    Merlin didn¡¯t answer. He just smirked and walked away, heading straight toward Hailee.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 391

    ?Chapter 391:

    Meanwhile, Hailee was walking beside Elliana, their conversation hushed and serious.

    ¡°Elliana, I need to tell you something,¡± Hailee said, her voice hesitant.

    Elliana nced at her, catching the unease in her eyes. ¡°What is it? You look worried.¡±

    Hailee hesitated and then exhaled slowly. ¡°I just signed an employment contract with Merlin. I¡¯m officially his secretary now.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Wait¡ªseriously? Was that your choice?¡±

    Hailee nodded firmly. ¡°Yes, no pressure. He¡¯s helped me a lot, and I wanted to repay him somehow. When he asked me to be his secretary, I epted. It¡¯s actually a great opportunity.¡±

    Elliana pressed her lips together, forcing a smile. That cunning jerk. Merlin needed a secretary? Please. If he posted a job ad, qualified candidates would be fighting for the spot. This wasn¡¯t about work. It was just a clever excuse to keep Hailee close after she turned him down.

    But Elliana didn¡¯t say any of that. Instead, she smiled and squeezed Hailee¡¯s hand. ¡°If you¡¯re happy with it, that¡¯s what matters. Just remember¡ªyou can alwayse to me if anything feels off.¡±

    Before Hailee could respond, Merlin appeared beside them. ¡°Hailee, ready to leave?¡± he asked casually.

    Without missing a beat, Hailee straightened up, slipping into a more professional demeanor. ¡°Yes, Mr. kely.¡±

    Merlin gave Elliana a smug little nce before heading to his car.

    ¡°Elliana, I¡¯ve got to go,¡± Hailee said quickly, offering Elliana a small wave as she followed after Merlin.

    Momentster, Merlin¡¯s car pulled away from the Evans estate, disappearing down the road.

    g?????0¦Í??????.??????, ???????????? ???????? ???????? ??????

    Elliana stood still, watching the taillights fade into the distance. She let out a slow, worried sigh. Hailee had certainly grown¡ªshe was gentle yet wiser now, no longer the naive girl who let others walk all over her. But deep down, she was still too trusting, unaware that she had stepped into Merlin¡¯s trap.

    Cole walked over and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much,¡± he said gently. ¡°Merlin can be a pain, sure, but he¡¯s not a bad person. He won¡¯t hurt Hailee.¡±

    Elliana looked up at him, her expression sharp. ¡°You better be right. Because if he ever hurts Hailee, I¡¯m holding you responsible.¡±

    Cole gave her a soft smile.

    At that moment, Paulina appeared and bowed to Cole. ¡°Your grandfather wants you to stay the night. The whole family will be having breakfast together in the morning.¡±

    Cole nodded and guided Elliana back toward the mansion.

    Now that everything had been resolved, the Craig family had no reason left to stick around. After exchanging a few polite words with Ruben, they quietly took their leave.

    Trinity, however, remained behind. Though thoroughly humiliated earlier, the Evans family hadn¡¯t officially cast her out¡ªso she clung to thest shred of her dignity by staying under their roof.

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 Chapter 392

    ?Chapter 392:

    When Elliana and Cole returned to the living room, they found Ruben deep in conversation with Trinity.

    ¡°You were raised by the Evans family,¡± Ruben said patiently. ¡°So if you made mistakes, part of the me falls on us too. No one¡¯s perfect. What matters now is that you learn from this and do better.¡±

    Trinity¡¯s eyes were red and swollen. She nodded quickly. ¡°I understand, Ruben. I won¡¯t make the same mistake again.¡±

    Ruben¡¯s tone softened even more. Trinity had already been through enough tonight. ¡°It¡¯ste. Go rest now.¡±

    Grateful for an escape, Trinity turned and hurried upstairs without another word.

    Once she was gone, Ruben turned to the rest of the family. ¡°You all head to your rooms. Let¡¯s have no more drama tonight.¡± With that, he made his way upstairs.

    The others quietly followed, disappearing one by one down the halls.

    The moment Cole stepped into the bedroom, his phone rang. A nce told him it was urgent¡ªhe had to attend a video conference immediately. Without a word, he stepped out and headed to the study. With nothing else to do, Elliana decided to unwind. She took a long, soothing shower, scrubbing off the heavy makeup and finally removing the itchy wig. Dressed in a sleek white nightgown, she sank onto the bed, letting out a sigh of relief.

    Just as she picked up her phone to scroll through messages, a message from Ruben popped up. ¡°Elliana,e to the back garden. Now. It¡¯s urgent. Don¡¯t let anyone see you.¡±

    Elliana sat up straight, her heart skipping a beat. What could possibly be so urgent at this hour?

    Ruben¡¯s urgent messages to meet in the back garden came through with such intensity that Elliana didn¡¯t dare hesitate. She tossed aside the nkets and jumped out of bed, quickly slipping back into her usual disguise before heading to meet Ruben.

    But trouble struck almost immediately. Her wig, still dripping from a recent wash, hung uselessly by the sink. There was no way she¡¯d waste time with the blow dryer, so she decided to forgo it tonight. In her haste, changing her clothespletely slipped her mind. She only managed a quick swipe of foundation across her face, barely blending it before dashing out.

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    Ruben had stressed that she needed to keep this quiet and not attract any attention. She nudged her bedroom door open, eyes darting up and down the hallway before stepping out and padding softly downstairs.

    It seemed she¡¯d caught a break. No one else was awake on the lower level, either. She hurried through the living room, slipped out the vi¡¯s back entrance, and bolted toward the garden with barely a nce behind her.

    The streetlights felt like spotlights, so she kept to the shadows, weaving between bushes and thick patches of greenery.

    As she moved, she sent off a quick text to Ruben. ¡°I need your exact location. Where are you?¡±

    Ruben¡¯s response was nearly instantaneous¡ªa map pin popped up on her screen.

    Nerves set her feet flying as she sprinted in the direction Ruben had given. Her heart thudded harder with each step, anxiety spiking. Ruben was a man of strict routine¡ªnormally, he¡¯d be fast asleep by 9 p.m. But tonight, because of the chaos with the Craig family and Merlin, his schedule had been thrown off. Given thete hour¡ªwell past midnight, no less¡ªRuben should be resting now. But instead, he¡¯d reached out to her, and the urgent, secretive way he¡¯d called for her left her deeply unsettled. What had happened to pull him out of sleep, and why summon her in such a hurry?

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 Chapter 393

    ?Chapter 393:

    Although Elliana had married into the Evans family for a while, the back garden of the Evans estate waspletely unfamiliar to her. She clung to the directions Ruben sent, following them until the path led into a thick stand of trees.

    Out here, darkness reigned. The only light came from pale strips of moonlight sneaking through the leafy branches. The world seemed to hold its breath. Only the asional chirp from a distant insect or the gentle rustle of leaves broke the stillness.

    Every step seemed too loud in the hush of the night.

    Grass brushed against her ankles as she made her way forward, not stopping until she finally reached the location Ruben had sent. She spotted him up ahead, sitting by himself on a broad, t rock. His head was tilted toward the sky, letting the moonlight wash over him like a quiet blessing.

    Ruben snapped his head around the instant her footsteps reached him. ¡°Rub¡ª¡± Ruben didn¡¯t let Elliana finish. Instead, he let out a scream so sharp and terrified that it punched through the still night. ¡°Ah!¡± Before she could say a word, he toppled backward and hit the ground with a thud,pletely out cold.

    ¡°Ruben!¡± She bolted toward him without thinking, caught him under his arms, and hoisted him upright with every ounce of strength she had.

    When she pressed her fingers to his wrist, she exhaled a sigh of relief. His pulse was racing like a runaway horse. It was the fright that had knocked him unconscious.

    And just like that, Cole¡¯s warning echoed back to her¡ªsomething he¡¯d said the morning after their wedding. He had told her Ruben had a fragile heart and that she should tone down her horrible makeup disguise before meeting him. She¡¯d brushed Cole off at that time, certain he was just teasing her. But right now, the weight of that warning hit her square in the chest. She¡¯d really messed up. If she¡¯d actually scared Ruben to death, she¡¯d be in deep trouble.

    Luckily, she had some knowledge of medicine. She fished out a heart pill, slipped it between Ruben¡¯s lips, and massaged his chest to bring his system back into bnce.

    A few tense seconds passed. Then, Ruben twitched, groaned, and slowly opened his eyes.

    Without wasting a beat, Elliana pped a hand over them. ¡°Ruben, it¡¯s me! Elliana! Please don¡¯t freak out,¡± she hastily said.

    g??????0¦Í??????.??????, ?????????? ??????????????????

    While Ruben had already regained consciousness, his voice still quivered as he whispered, ¡°Elliana, when did you arrive? I thought I saw something¡­ Was there a ghost?¡±

    ¡°No ghosts here, Ruben. It¡¯s just the two of us,¡± she said, keeping her voice gentle.

    Still breathing hard, Ruben waved his hand in protest. ¡°Don¡¯t try to trick me. I saw it. Long hair. White robe. Face like a corpse!¡±

    One hand flew to his chest as he said, ¡°I nearly dropped dead on the spot!¡±

    Elliana pressed her lips together, trying not tough. Apparently, he¡¯d mistaken her for some wandering spirit. And yet, she couldn¡¯t help wondering¡ªif he was this much of a scaredy-cat, why would he be sitting out here by himself at this hour?

    ¡°Ruben, that ¡®ghost¡¯ you saw was actually me,¡± she said, her wordsing out slowly.

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    .

    .

 Chapter 394

    ?Chapter 394:

    Ruben froze. ¡°That long-haired, white-robed thing was actually you?¡±

    Elliana nodded vigorously. ¡°Yes! That was me!¡±

    ¡°But your hair¡¯s usually big and curly!¡± Ruben retorted, his eyes narrowing.

    She almost failed to stifle augh. ¡°Right. I figured that wild hair might actually scare you in the dark, so I threw on a wig.¡±

    That did it. Ruben gave a long sigh, peeled her hand off his eyes, and flicked her on the forehead. ¡°You little brat! I¡¯m used to your wild hair. But this spooky getup? You trying to kill me?¡±

    There wasn¡¯t much she could say. A sheepish grin was all she had left.

    Ruben didn¡¯t let up. He jabbed a finger toward her face. ¡°And what¡¯s with the ghostly white makeup?¡±

    ¡°You hurried me so much that I barely had a chance to finish my makeup!¡± Elliana exined smoothly, her tone caught somewhere betweenughter and frustration. ¡°So, what made you call me over in such a rush?¡±

    When Elliana asked her question, Ruben didn¡¯t answer right away. Instead, he muttered with a hint of mischief, ¡°Help me up first.¡±

    ¡°Oh. Right,¡± Elliana said. She gently pulled him up and then helped him back onto the t rock he¡¯d been sitting on.

    Ruben¡¯s moody face softened into a grin. He patted the empty space beside him. ¡°Come sit, Elliana.¡±

    She nodded and sat beside him.

    Ruben pointed up at the sky. ¡°Doesn¡¯t the moon look extra beautiful tonight?¡±

    Elliana tilted her head back.

    g???????¦Í??????.??????, original website

    The sky was clear. The full moon glowed brightly and cast jagged shadows across the tree branches. It was breathtaking.

    ¡°It¡¯s really pretty,¡± she said softly. She turned to face him, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Ruben, what was so urgent that you had to call me out here?¡±

    Ruben blinked, as if the answer was obvious. ¡°To watch the moon with me, of course.¡±

    Elliana stared at him. She¡¯d rushed all the way here like some runaway, heart pounding the whole time¡ªonly to find out he just wantedpany under the stars. He was quite whimsical. A crooked smile tugged at her lips. ¡°Ruben, if that¡¯s all you wanted, you could¡¯ve just said so. I thought we were gearing up for some top-secret mission.¡±

    Ruben shook his head. ¡°No way! If that little pest Jeff found out, he¡¯d tag along. I wouldn¡¯t get a moment¡¯s peace!¡±

    Just then, a rustling sound came from behind.

    They turned and saw a bald teenager sprinting toward them, a fluffy white kitten cradled in his arms, grinning from ear to ear. ¡°Elliana!¡± he called out before he even got there.

    Of course, that was Jeff.

    Ruben¡¯s face fell. ¡°Elliana, did you tell him you wereing?¡±

    She waved her hands. ¡°No, Ruben! I was super careful¡ªnobody saw me!¡±

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 Chapter 395

    ?Chapter 395:

    At this point, Jeff had already flopped down beside Elliana, kitten purring in his arms.

    Ruben scowled. ¡°Jeff, how the hell did you find us?¡±

    Jeff shrugged. ¡°When I peeked through the door crack, I saw Elliana sneaking out, so I followed her.¡±

    Elliana blinked. This kid¡¯s hobby was spying through door cracks? Seriously? What she didn¡¯t know was that Jeff had been hanging around on purpose, hoping to catch her sneaking out. And tonight, luck had been on his side.

    Ruben groaned but gave up. Jeff was already here¡ªno getting rid of him now. ¡°Fine. But no noise. Sit still. If you disturb me, I¡¯m sending you back.¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡± Jeff beamed. As long as he got to stay near Elliana, he didn¡¯t mind ying statue.

    Then came another rustle behind them.

    All three turned. This time, it was Lance.

    Ruben¡¯s face soured even further. Great. Another nuisance.

    Jeff wasn¡¯t thrilled either. He¡¯d been watching Lancetely and had noticed that Lance had developed feelings toward Elliana. He didn¡¯t want topete with Lance for her attention.

    Elliana didn¡¯t want to see Lance, since Cole had warned her to keep her distance from him, and she didn¡¯t want trouble.

    Clueless to the collective rejection, Lance walked up cheerfully. ¡°Ruben, Elliana, Jeff!¡±

    Jeff narrowed his eyes. ¡°Lance, what are you doing here?¡±

    Lance shrugged. ¡°I saw you sneaking out and got curious. Didn¡¯t expect to find this¡­¡±

    g?????0¦Í??????.??0??, the orgnal wbsite

    He didn¡¯t say the rest out loud, but inwardly, he was thrilled. He got to see River¡ªhis idol¡ªin the flesh.

    Ruben rubbed his temples, clearly done with the night. ¡°If you¡¯re here to look at the moon, sit down and shut up. One word, and you¡¯re out.¡±

    Lance zipped his lips and sat beside Jeff.

    And just like that, the night froze in silence¡ªfour figures under the stars, staring up at the moon.

    Time passed. Elliana¡¯s neck began to ache. She rolled her shoulders and nced sideways¡ªonly to find Ruben had dozed off, stretched out on the rock.

    Her movement caught the attention of Jeff and Lance, who then noticed Ruben was fast asleep.

    Ruben was in his seventies, and catching a cold from sleeping out here without a nket would undoubtedly take a toll on his condition.

    The three exchanged nces.

    Elliana whispered, ¡°Lance, cover Ruben with your jacket.¡± Lance quietly pulled off his coat and draped it over Ruben.

    ¡°Phones on silent,¡± she added.

    Lance and Jeff quickly pulled out their phones and muted them. With everything settled, Elliana looked at Ruben and sighed. Just how long was he nning to sleep out here?

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 Chapter 396

    ?Chapter 396:

    Bringing his voice down to a soft murmur, Lance leaned in and whispered, ¡°Elliana, I need to speak with you.¡±

    Elliana shot him a sharp, questioning look as she replied, ¡°What is it now?¡±

    Lance faltered, his gaze darting over to Jeff¡ªclearly, this wasn¡¯t something for Jeff to overhear.

    ¡°Then keep it to yourself,¡± Elliana said tly, her patience thin.

    Flustered, Lance forced a smile and turned to Jeff. ¡°Hey buddy, hang out here and keep an eye on Grandpa, okay? Elliana and I need to talk over there.¡±

    Jeff started to object, but before he could even finish a word, Lance had already seized Elliana by the wrist and hurried her off.

    They barely made it twenty steps before Elliana wrenched her arm away, ring at him.

    ¡°Sorry, Elliana. I wasn¡¯t trying to upset you,¡± Lance hastily said, retreating a step, palms up.

    She crossed her arms, her eyebrow raised. ¡°Just say whatever you came here to say.¡±

    He rubbed the back of his neck, an awkward grin flickering across his face. ¡°So, would you consider, I don¡¯t know, maybe taking me on as your apprentice? I¡¯d really like to learn tech from River.¡±

    Elliana wasn¡¯t surprised. She¡¯d seen thising for weeks. Still, she¡¯d never brought it up, waiting to see if he¡¯d ever ask outright. Now, seeing him finally work up the nerve, she didn¡¯t even blink before shutting him down.

    ¡°No.¡±

    Lance stiffened, stunned. ¡°Why?¡±

    Elliana fired back, her words sharp as broken ss. ¡°You think you¡¯re anywhere near Hutton¡¯s level? Don¡¯t kid yourself.¡± She didn¡¯t bother softening the blow. ¡°It¡¯s already more work for me because Hutton is my apprentice. If I had to take you on¡ªsomeone not even close to his league¡ªI¡¯d never have a moment¡¯s peace.¡±

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    Her blunt rejection hit Lance like a punch to the gut, leaving him reeling and speechless.

    With a final, icy re, Elliana spun on her heel and strode away, not sparing him a second nce.

    Lance remained rooted in ce, feeling like a leaf tossed around in the wind.

    Elliana¡¯s swift return prompted Jeff¡¯s eyes to brighten with delight.

    ¡°Elliana! Want to pet the cat with me?¡±

    She nodded, and the two started to y with the cat together.

    Meanwhile, as his video call ended, Cole didn¡¯t retreat to his room. Instead, he picked up his phone and dialed Jason. ¡°Come to my study. NOW.¡±

    Jason arrived a few minutester, curiosity written on his face.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on, Cole?¡± he queried.

    Cole wasted no time and got right to the point. ¡°After everything that went down tonight, are you still thinking about marrying Trinity?¡± Tonight¡¯s debacle had exposed Trinity for who she truly was¡ªa conniving little snake.

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 Chapter 397

    ?Chapter 397:

    Jason hesitated, his jaw clenched. ¡°There¡¯s no denying she crossed a line with Hailee. That really did reveal some unttering aspects of her character. But I¡¯m not giving up on marrying her. With my background, finding a suitable wife isn¡¯t easy.¡±

    Cole studied Jason, his voice even. ¡°So what¡¯s your next move?¡±

    Jason¡¯s answer was calm but resolute. ¡°I¡¯ll just have to shape her into the kind of wife I need¡ªteach her until she measures up.¡±

    Cole exhaled, rubbing the bridge of his nose. ¡°It¡¯s your life. I won¡¯t butt in, but do us a favor¡ªdon¡¯t let your mess spill over onto the family. Understood?¡±

    Jason inclined his head as he responded, ¡°I get it, Cole.¡±

    When the conversation ended, Cole left the study and made his way to the master bedroom, picturing nothing but a quiet night curled up beside his stunning wife. But the room was empty¡ªno sign of Elliana. He searched every corner of the room, but she was nowhere to be found.

    With a flicker of worry, Cole fired off a text. ¡°Honey, where are you?¡±

    Elliana answered with her location right away. ¡°Gazing at the moon with your grandpa.¡±

    Cole¡¯s brow knit with confusion, and he hurried downstairs in search of her.

    Expecting Cole toe searching, Elliana kept her gaze fixed on the pathway. The moment she caught sight of his figure in the moonlight, she turned to Lance and Jeff. ¡°Cole¡¯s on his way. Are you two going to hide or what?¡±

    Startled, Lance and Jeff scrambled into the bushes, tripping over each other in their hurry.

    The scene nearly sent Elliana into a fit ofughter.

    Cole soon reached Elliana, casting a nce at Ruben, who was sprawled out and snoring atop arge stone b. Turning to Elliana, he inquired, ¡°Whye to a ce like this to watch the moon?¡±

    g???????¦Í??????.??0??, ?????????? ???????? ????

    Elliana, crouched beside Ruben, propped her chin on her hands and replied, ¡°Your grandpa wouldn¡¯t take no for an answer. He ims it¡¯s the only ce left without interruptions.¡±

    Cole knew Ruben had been regressing into childish habitstely, so he let it go. Leaning down, he gently shook Ruben¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Come on, Grandpa, let¡¯s get you back inside. It¡¯s cold¡ªyou¡¯ll catch something if you stay out here.¡±

    But Ruben stubbornly refused to budge.

    Having run out of options, Cole carefully lifted Ruben onto his back, reached for Elliana¡¯s hand, and took them both back to the vi. Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows, Lance and Jeff watched the scene unfold with bated breath, tension etched across their faces.

    Jeff¡¯s re toward Lance sliced through the night. ¡°Weren¡¯t you all about Trinity? Didn¡¯t you im Elliana drove you nuts? Why are you suddenly stuck to her like glue?¡±

    Lance shot back with a scoff. ¡°Oh, please, like you¡¯re one to talk. Didn¡¯t you once go against Elliana every chance you had?¡±

    Jeff¡¯s jaw clenched. Without another word, he turned on his heel and stomped off, the cat tucked protectively in his arms.

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 Chapter 398

    ?Chapter 398:

    Lance hesitated, but after a beat, he followed, his steps softer, pride wounded.

    Cole remained utterly oblivious that during Elliana¡¯s quiet, moonlit stroll with Ruben, Lance and Jeff had joined in, only to hide when he appeared.

    Later that night, after Cole settled Ruben back in bed, he swept Elliana away to their room, not letting go of her hand for a second.

    By then, it was well past two in the morning¡ªlong overdue for sleep. They washed up in a drowsy haze and copsed into bed together, exhaustion pulling them under.

    The next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains by the time Elliana finally woke. Cole was nowhere to be found.

    Still groggy, she rolled over, only for her phone to buzz with a call that made her blood run cold¡­

    A call from Matthew shed on Elliana¡¯s screen, and she wasted no time answering. ¡°Yeah?¡±

    Static colored Matthew¡¯s voice. ¡°Star Society and Moonveil shedst night. The fallout¡¯s still ongoing.¡±

    A crease appeared between Elliana¡¯s brows. ¡°Tell me what really went down.¡±

    Matthew didn¡¯t sugarcoat it. ¡°Some of Star Society¡¯s recruits crossed paths with Moonveil¡¯s crew at a bar. Words flew, tempers snapped, and fists followed. Moonveil ended up on the losing side. Now, one of their top instructors showed up at our door this morning, bringing backup and demanding answers.¡±

    Rivalries between Donovan, who built Star Society from scratch, and Seth, Moonveil¡¯s leader, had always boiled beneath the surface. Fights like these were practically routine, so Elliana wasn¡¯t surprised. Petty fights usuallynded on Matthew¡¯s te and rarely reached her. The urgency of his call meant things were escting fast.

    ¡°You need me to step in?¡± Elliana asked, her tone steady.

    Matthew spoke with confidence. ¡°Sombra from Moonveil hasn¡¯t shown his face yet, so there¡¯s no need for you to jump in. I¡¯ve got things handled. Still, Moonveil isn¡¯t ying around¡ªthey might be looking for a chance to finish Star Society. If things get out of hand, I¡¯ll let you know right away.¡±

    g?????0¦Í??????.??????, ?????????? ???????????????? ????

    ¡°Alright,¡± Elliana replied. ¡°Keep me in the loop.¡±

    After ending the call, Elliana dressed herself up and headed out. She wanted to check on what Jason was up to. She had already deduced that Jason was Sombra from Moonveil. Therefore, knowing his next move was the key to outmaneuvering Moonveil. Right now, only a senior instructor from Moonveil had stepped out to intervene in the situation, and as Star Society¡¯s second-inmand, Matthew could manage the fallout. But if Jason made a move, she¡¯d have to act before things spun out of control.

    Once out of her room, Elliana nearly collided with Paulina, who had been waiting by the door.

    ¡°Mr. Evans had urgent matters and left for the office early. He asked me to stay behind to assist you if you needed anything,¡± Paulina exined with a respectful smile.

    A subtle nod was Elliana¡¯s reply before she leaned closer. ¡°Paulina, has Jason already left?¡±

    Paulina, who kept a close watch on everyone¡¯s movements, leaned in and whispered, ¡°No. He is in his mother¡¯s room right now.¡±

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 Chapter 399

    ?Chapter 399:

    A quiet smile touched Elliana¡¯s lips, and she made her way downstairs to have breakfast.

    Upstairs, the air in Irene¡¯s room was charged with tension.

    Sprawled across the sofa, Jeff clung to his white kitten, a stubborn scowl shadowing his features.

    Irene¡¯s voice rang out, sharp and relentless. ¡°Jeff, you know pretty clearly that Elliana lives to make my life miserable. I can¡¯t bear the sight of her. And now you¡¯re siding with her? Tell me, do you even remember you¡¯re my son?¡±

    A re shot from Jeff¡¯s eyes as he lifted his chin. ¡°Mom, you¡¯re just not being fair. Elliana¡¯s done nothing wrong. Maybe you should take a look in the mirror before pointing fingers at her.¡±

    Rage climbed up Irene¡¯s cheeks, leaving her face crimson. ¡°Listen to yourself! Are you trying to make me lose my mind? That girl¡¯s been going against me from day one. Cole called me out in front of everyone just to defend her. Now my own son¡¯s turning his back on me? Maybe a good p will smack some sense into you!¡±

    Just as she raised her hand to strike, Jason¡ªwho had been silently watching¡ªstepped in, catching her wrist before itnded.

    A steady, even tone marked Jason¡¯s words. ¡°Take a breath, Mom. Jeff¡¯s still a kid. Don¡¯t forget, it was Elliana who saved him from trouble with Venacure. He¡¯s grateful to her, that¡¯s all.¡±

    Wide-eyed, Irene stared at Jason, disbelief and anger mixing in her expression. ¡°So, you¡¯re on her side too? Are you going to turn your back on me, after all these years? I waited for you toe back from abroad and defend me. Instead, you¡¯re breaking my heart.¡±

    A heavy sigh escaped Jason, his gaze unwavering. ¡°Mom, I¡¯m your son. Of course, I¡¯m on your side. But standing with you also means helping you see what¡¯s really happening¡ªwhat matters, what¡¯s right. I can¡¯t just fight all your battles blindly.¡±

    ¡°Go on, enlighten me. What big picture am I missing? What rules of right and wrong am I too blind to see?¡± Irene retorted.

    Jason remained calm. ¡°Since I came back, I¡¯ve watched everything closely. Let¡¯s be honest, Mom. The real reason you can¡¯t stand Elliana is that she took over this household and became the matriarch, a role you had once held for so long. Am I wrong?¡±

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    For a moment, Irene faltered, his words hitting their mark. Embarrassment flickered in her eyes, but defiance quickly followed. ¡°Yes, I hate handing over the power thates with the role of the matriarch. Is that a crime? Cole¡¯s mother left years ago, and who¡¯s held the family together? Me. I¡¯ve given everything, made this ce run, and earned every bit of respect.¡±

    She continued, ¡°So tell me¡ªwhy could I possibly ept that some nobody like Elliana just walked in and pushed me aside? Is that even fair? How can the Evans family just ignore everything I¡¯ve done?¡±

    She looked directly at Jason, her voice quivering but strong. ¡°Let¡¯s not kid ourselves¡ªyou¡¯re the one who keeps us all safe. Out of everyone, you know what I¡¯ve given. Tell me, as your mother, don¡¯t I deserve a little respect?¡±

    After enduring Irene¡¯s cascade of grievances, Jason exhaled softly. ¡°Mom, do you know why, after all these years, you never managed to win Dad¡¯s love?¡±

    The question hit Irene like a p.

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 Chapter 400

    ?Chapter 400:

    She had sacrificed her youth to the Evans family, borne Bertram two sons¡ªone of them the very man now confronting her. She had poured everything she had into this household. Yet, the one thing she craved most, Bertram¡¯s love, had always been out of reach. It remained her most bitter failure¡ªthe wound that never healed.

    Jason didn¡¯t stop. ¡°It¡¯s because you dreamed too big. Dad hated the weight of your ambition. That¡¯s why, no matter how much you gave up for him, he never loved you.¡±

    Irene said nothing. Because he was right. She had always wanted more. Years back, after Cole¡¯s mother abruptly vanished, Irene had stepped into the vacuum, running the Evans estate with ruthless precision as the acting matriarch. But just being the acting matriarch wasn¡¯t enough for her. Watching Jarrett sink into despair over his missing wife, she¡¯d pushed Bertram again and again to seize the reins of the Evans family, to overthrow the broken Jarrett and be the family¡¯s patriarch. She wanted to stand beside a man who ruled.

    But Bertram had never bitten. He lived for antiques, not dynasties. Every time she brought up power, he¡¯d shut her out¡ªemotionally, physically¡ªsometimes banishing her to sleep alone for weeks.

    When it became clear Bertram would never involve himself in power struggles, Irene had shifted her sight onto Jason, molding him into the future heir. But Ruben had already chosen his sessor, and it wasn¡¯t Jason. It was Cole. Her n copsed like sandcastles in a rising tide. Now, stripped of her role as the acting matriarch after ten long years of service, Irene stood alone in the grand house she had helped sustain. Unseen. Unwanted. Thus, she had pinned all her hopes on Jason.

    ¡°Is it so wrong to have ambition? Who doesn¡¯t want to better their own lives?¡± Irene¡¯s voice cracked, equal parts defiance and heartbreak. ¡°Why is it so wrong for me to want more in life?¡±

    Jason¡¯s response came steady and deliberate, each sybleced with quiet intensity. ¡°Mom, whether it¡¯s a country or a family, the deadliest threat neveres from beyond¡ªit festers within. Those meant to stand together pull in different directions; no enemy is needed. The copse bes inevitable. And if the Evans family falls, where will your dreamsnd then? In rubble?¡±

    Irene¡¯s jaw clenched, her silence sharp as a de. She grasped the logic in his words. She always had. But logic was a far cry from surrender. She couldn¡¯t yield. Not to Jarrett. Not to Cole. Not to some noble ideal of harmony that never once fed her hunger to matter.

    g?????0¦Í??????.??????, ???????????? ????????

    Jason softened, his voice losing its edge but not its conviction. ¡°Dad never wanted power. He let Jarrett lead, not out of weakness, but because he didn¡¯t care for power. And I¡¯ve never had any desire to push Cole aside. Weplement each other¡ªwe¡¯re building something together. You don¡¯t need to keep tearing at the foundations to prove your worth. You could just breathe and enjoy what¡¯s already here.¡±

    The look Irene gave Jason was carved from frustration¡ªpiercing, pained. Then, without a word, she turned around, her back to him. Back then, she had staked everything on Bertram, hoping to ascend through him as the Evans matriarch. That dream had crumbled in his apathy. Now, she had thrown her hopes onto Jason, herst bid for power through legacy. But he had refused the crown she so desperately wanted him to wear. Twice she had tried. Twice she had been denied. And now, there was nothing left to chase but the bitter taste of defeat.

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 Chapter 401

    ?Chapter 401:

    Jason didn¡¯t follow. He knew some battles lived too long in the heart to be undone by reason.

    After a beat of silence, Jason turned to Jeff. ¡°Go outside and y for a while.¡±

    Jeff didn¡¯t wait to be told twice. Already fed up with the tense air and endless scolding, he scooped the cat into his arms and vanished without a word.

    Once the door clicked shut behind him, Jason faced Irene again. ¡°Mom,¡± he said quietly, ¡°I may not fight Cole for power like you want me to¡ªbut when ites to dealing with Elliana, I¡¯m with you.¡±

    Irene spun around, eyes narrowing. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Jason¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t waver. ¡°Honestly? I can¡¯t stand her. She¡¯s not good enough for Cole¡ªnever was. Watching Cole get entangled with someone so beneath him? It¡¯s maddening. And worse, she¡¯s a stain on the Evans name. So yes, I¡¯ll find a way to get her out of the picture.¡±

    Irene¡¯s expression lit up, her earlier anger reced with a flicker of vindictive joy. She didn¡¯t care what fueled Jason¡¯s disdain¡ªas long as it led to Elliana¡¯s downfall. Elliana had humiliated her too many times and made her look small in the eyes of the very family she had fought to rise in. Only by erasing Elliana could she begin to feel whole again.

    ¡°There¡¯s one thing we can¡¯t ignore,¡± Jason added, his tone turning firm. ¡°She did contribute the Venacure. Without that, Barbara might not have survived. We owe her. That means we keep our hands clean. No public scenes, no reckless attacks. Understood?¡±

    Irene bristled. ¡°She didn¡¯t give that cure out of kindness! She was trying to curry favor with Ruben and Cole¡ªsecuring her ce in this family.¡±

    Jason raised an eyebrow. ¡°Whatever her motives, the fact remains¡ªwe benefited. And that carries weight. Whether we like it or not.¡±

    Irene said nothing, but the stiffness in her jaw told him she¡¯d swallowed the bitter pill.

    g???????¦Í??????.??0??; ???????????? ??????????

    Jason didn¡¯t linger. His mind was already pulled toward another storm¡ªthe simmering tension between Star Society and Moonveil. Without another word, he left.

    Downstairs, the sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled light across thewn. There, beneath a canopy of green, sat Elliana¡ªalone, quietly admiring the bloom ofte-spring flowers.

    Jason approached her, his voice low but direct. ¡°Elliana, there¡¯s something we need to talk about.¡±

    Elliana woke up that morning to find the dining room shrouded in silence,pletely deserted. She quickly crafted a sandwich, filled a ss with milk, and then carried her makeshift breakfast outside to a towering oak at the vi¡¯s perimeter.

    Although the spot appeared idyllic for a peaceful meal, Elliana had chosen it with calcted precision. The tree offered a perfect view of the main drive, revealing every person who entered or left ¡ª particrly Jason.

    Moonveil had always sought to devour Star Society whole, and Elliana harbored deep suspicions that members of Moonveil had orchestrated the recent sh, using it as a weapon for justified aggression. If her instincts proved right, Jason had pulled every string from the shadows. And the moment this crisis escted into chaos, he would step out of hiding.

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 Chapter 402

    ?Chapter 402:

    When that inevitable moment came, Elliana knew confrontation would follow like thunder after lightning. This battle wasn¡¯t just about social positioning¡ªJason was a dangerous adversary. Matthew would crumble under such pressure.

    Seth, Moonveil¡¯s visionary founder, had possessed extraordinary martial prowess, earning recognition as Donovan¡¯s equal¡ªthe very man who had founded Star Society.

    Jason, carefully chosen as Seth¡¯s sessor, had absorbed every lesson Moonveil had to offer. His full potential remained a mystery that demanded respect. Though Elliana had encountered Jason before, their meetings had been brief, tense, and never revealing the true depth of their respective strengths. She wrestled with uncertainty about hisplete capabilities, and that unknown factor warned her to proceed with caution. A single misstep could expose Star Society to Moonveil¡¯s meticulously nned conquest.

    Lost in thought, Elliana was halfway through her sandwich when Jason appeared. His voice cut through the morning air as he demanded her attention for a conversation.

    She maintained herposure, taking another deliberate bite before lifting her eyes to meet his. ¡°Speak your mind.¡±

    They had exchanged very few words since his return to the Evans dynasty, always surrounded by watching crowds.

    Even without direct dialogue, Elliana sensed the waves of his disapproval washing over her. Now, his hostility zed openly. He couldn¡¯t even pretend to offer basic manners. She mirrored his coldness, barely acknowledging him.

    Jason remained still, his gaze fixed on her. ¡°Elliana, do you think you deserve the title of matriarch of the Evans family?¡±

    Elliana hesitated, surprised by the bluntness of his contempt. Yet, her expression remained serene, as if his words had evaporated in the morning breeze. Her voice came out t and emotionless. ¡°Your tone suggests you think I don¡¯t deserve it?¡±

    ¡°Precisely,¡± Jason replied, his face expressionless, as though carved from stone. ¡°In every measurable way¡ªstatus, lineage¡ªyou are unworthy of Cole. Though circumstances forced this marriage upon you, I trust you are wise enough not to cling to Cole because of it.¡±

    g?????0¦Í??????.??????; ?????????? ????????

    Elliana had heard this sentiment before. Not long ago, Hugh, in a fit of rage, had screamed the same usations at her.

    Jason continued, ¡°Cole possesses exceptional brilliance and deserves a superior woman at his side. Just do the right thing¡ªdisappear.¡± He handed her a check, extending it toward her. ¡°Five hundred million, for your ¡®contributions¡¯ to the Evans family¡ªthe Venacure.¡±

    Jason, wielding immense influence within the Evans family andmanding vast portions of their assets, had wealth that was nearly unimaginable. His control over Moonveil only added to his already deep pockets.

    Elliana eyed the check but kept her hands firmly at her sides. Five hundred million offered so casually¡ªit was generosity wrapped in condescension. But what authority did he have to dictate her life? She finished her sandwich, then met his gaze with a slight smile, amusement flickering in her eyes. ¡°And what if I refuse?¡±

    Jason¡¯s expression hardened, as though his patience was at its breaking point. ¡°Then don¡¯t me me for employing more forceful methods.¡±

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 Chapter 403

    ?Chapter 403:

    Forceful methods? Now he was resorting to outright intimidation. She nced at him with a sideways look, sarcasm dripping from her tone. ¡°Since when do you dictate Cole¡¯s love life? Last time I checked, your responsibilities were about protecting the family, not overseeing his marital choices.¡±

    ¡°Cole is the Evans family head,¡± Jason said, his voice calm but firm. ¡°His wife bes our family¡¯s public representative. Therefore, his marriage transcends personal preference¡ªit¡¯s a family necessity. As someone who upies a crucial position within¡ª¡±

    ¡°The Evans structure, I possess absolute authority to intervene,¡± Jason proimed, as though reciting fundamentalw.

    ¡°Fair enough.¡± Elliana acknowledged with a casual shrug. A wicked smile blossomed across her features. ¡°But Cole adores me. I have no intention of leaving him and n to cling to him with desperate determination. I will remain his wife, regardless of your disapproval. What power does your objection truly hold?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare!¡± Jason¡¯s legendary self-control finally shattered. Given the extraordinary demands of his position, he had spent years forging his emotions into steel, training himself to respond with calcted calm to any provocation. Only a rare few had the ability to pierce his armor. Yet Elliana, with nothing more than a handful of carefully chosen words, had seeded in breaking hisposure.

    Elliana relished watching him struggle to contain his burning rage, her provocations slipping out smoothly, almost effortlessly. ¡°Please, demonstrate these ¡®forceful methods¡¯ you mentioned!¡±

    As Elliana finished speaking, Jason¡¯s hands curled into tight fists at his sides.

    Elliana raised an eyebrow. Was he actually about to hit her? A cold smile touched her lips. She doubted he had the guts. This was the Evans estate, and she was still Cole¡¯s wife. With Ruben just upstairs, would Jason really dare toy a finger on her? Unshaken by his re, she pressed on. ¡°Not only will I hold on to Cole, I¡¯ll give him a house full of little troublemakers¡ªand raise every one of them to carry the Evans name with pride.¡±

    ¡°Elliana!¡± Jason snapped, trembling with rage. ¡°Don¡¯t push me, or you¡¯ll regret it!¡±

    g???????¦Í??????.??0??¡ä ?????????? ???????? ????????

    She met his fury with calm. Her voice was light, almost bored. ¡°How exactly will you make me regret it? What happens between me and Cole is none of your business. Who do you think you are?¡±

    Jason¡¯s jaw clenched. His knuckles cracked. He couldn¡¯t remember thest time he¡¯d felt this angry. Now he understood why Irene had been driven to her limits¡ªElliana had a gift for cutting deep with words.

    Silence stretched between them, thick with tension.

    Then, Jason spoke, his voice low and dangerous. ¡°Don¡¯t think you can talk big just because Cole¡¯s backing you. If I want you gone, I¡¯ve got a thousand ways to make you vanish¡ªwithout a trace. Take Rosa with you, for all I care.¡±

    He brushed past her, tossing onest warning over his shoulder. ¡°You¡¯ve got three days. Think carefully.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s eyes narrowed as she watched him leave. That bastard was threatening her now. If she didn¡¯t put him in his ce, things would only escte in three days.

    Once his car disappeared from view, she grabbed her phone and sent a message to Matthew. ¡°No more being nice to Moonveil. If they set foot in Star Society territory, push them out hard¡ªpreferably provoke Sombra into showing himself.¡±

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    .

 Chapter 404

    ?Chapter 404:

    Matthew replied almost instantly. ¡°That¡¯s a sudden shift. Weren¡¯t you the one telling me to avoid conflict unless it was life or death?¡±

    It was true. She had always urged caution. Moonveil and Star Society were evenly matched. Any confrontation would only hurt them both. It was the same delicate bnce between Thom Rose and ze Wildfire. For now, holding the line had been the smart move. But things had changed. Now that she was Cole¡¯s wife, and Moonveil¡¯s head had just threatened to make her vanish, she had to make a move.

    She typed slowly. ¡°I just found out Jason is actually Sombra. We can¡¯t share space anymore.¡±

    Matthew didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Understood.¡±

    After their exchange, Elliana left the Evans estate without dy.

    From behind a tree, Trinity stepped out, a sly smirk on her face. She had heard everything¡ªJason¡¯s hatred for Elliana and his ns to drive her out. A quiet thrill rushed through her. This was the kind of advantage she needed.

    Just then, Lance walked out, ready to head to thepany. He spotted Trinity under the tree and approached her. ¡°Trinity, what are you doing here?¡±

    Instantly, her smugness disappeared, reced by a picture of sadness, her eyes teary.

    Lance¡¯s heart tightened. ¡°Are you still upset aboutst night?¡±

    ¡°Do you dislike me now, Lance? Will you never like me again?¡± Her voice cracked.

    He sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t dislike you. Yes, you made a mistake. But Grandpa was right¡ªnobody¡¯s perfect. As long as you learn from it, the Evans family¡ªand I¡ªwill still care about you.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Lance.¡± Trinity looked up at him, her eyes shining. ¡°But I¡¯m so worried¡­¡±

    ¡°About what?¡± he asked gently.

    g?????0¦Í??????.??????¡ä ?????????? ???????? ????????

    She bit her lip. ¡°The truth is, I didn¡¯t mean what I said about Hailee. I just panicked when I saw her tear my family apart. Plus, Elliana pushed her to cause that scene at the party. I never would¡¯ve acted like that if it weren¡¯t for Elliana¡ª¡±

    Lance frowned but said nothing.

    Trinity pressed on. ¡°Elliana hates me. She¡¯s using Hailee to get revenge on my family. I¡¯m afraid she¡¯ll find more ways to ruin us. I don¡¯t know how to make her stop. I¡¯m living in fear every single day.¡±

    ¡°Trinity,¡± Lance¡¯s voice was firm as he cut her off.

    She froze, stunned. He had changed. He wasn¡¯t the same Lance who used to hang on her every word and defend her no matter what. Now, his eyes held something else¡ªdisapproval.

    ¡°Trinity, please don¡¯t overthink it. Elliana is nothing like what you¡¯re imagining.¡± After a brief silence, Lance continued, his voice sincere. ¡°In truth, Elliana is a remarkable woman. She¡¯s smart, kind, and warm-hearted. She would never go after your family over minor conflicts.¡±

    Lance meant every word he spoke. Even though he had shed with Elliana on more than one asion, she had stepped up and helped him pull the Seek project back from the edge when things got tough, showing that she never held a grudge. He found himself genuinely impressed by her sharp mind and hoped to pick up some of her wisdom. He shared these thoughts with Trinity, hoping she would see Elliana¡¯s virtues and perhaps be inspired by her brilliance.

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 Chapter 405

    ?Chapter 405:

    However, Trinity failed to grasp his intentions. Hearing his words, her face clouded over. She couldn¡¯t speak ill of Elliana anymore, but a deep sense of bitterness took root in her heart. She couldn¡¯t understand why Elliana seemed topete with her for everything. First, Cole, the man she had dreamed of marrying, was snatched away. Then, Jeff, who had followed her around loyally for so long, no longer sided with her. Now, even Lance, who had admired her for years, seemed to be drifting away. Each new thought only added to her growing frustration.

    With a cold smile, Trinity asked, ¡°Lance, it sounds like your opinion of Elliana has changed a lot. Did something happen that made you see her differently?¡±

    There was a lot Lance wanted to say, but since Elliana had asked him to keep her identity as River a secret, he couldn¡¯t tell Trinity what had transpired at thepany. After a pause, he sincerely said, ¡°Trinity, I got to know Elliana better because of some things that happened. If you give her a chance, you might see how wonderful she is. Who knows? The two of you could even be friends.¡±

    Trinity¡¯s difort grew with every word, though she made sure to hide her feelings.

    Just then, a sudden cough sounded from behind, breaking the moment.

    It was Louisa.

    With a polite nod, Trinity said, ¡°Hello, Louisa.¡±

    Offering a gentle smile, Louisa nodded at Trinity and then addressed Lance, ¡°Weren¡¯t you supposed to head out to work? Why are you still here? You might end up beingte.¡±

    Without missing a beat, Lance replied, ¡°I¡¯m going now.¡± He then turned to Trinity. ¡°I¡¯ll see youter.¡±

    ¡°Take care, Lance,¡± Trinity said with a smile as she waved her hand in farewell.

    Heading off, Lance walked toward his car.

    g???????¦Í??????.??0??, ????????  novels

    Louisa gave Trinity a pleasant smile before following Lance.

    Watching Louisa walk past, Trinity¡¯s friendly expression faded as she sensed that Louisa¡¯s warmth was just for show.

    Compared to Irene, Louisa¡¯s personality was quite different. Irene never hid how she felt, greeting those she cared for with real warmth and turning cold toward people she disliked. Louisa, on the other hand, preferred to keep a smile for everyone, never letting her real thoughts slip through. She avoided getting tangled in small matters and managed not to offend anyone, but there was always a careful calction behind her actions.

    Living with the Evans family for years, Trinity had be skilled at reading the smallest cues in people, especially Louisa. There had been a time when Louisa had encouraged Lance to pursue her, but after what happenedst night, Louisa seemed to have changed her stance. The realization left Trinity feeling even more troubled. Even though she had never pictured a future with Lance, she couldn¡¯t shake the sting of being cast out of their options.

    Without knowing what was on Trinity¡¯s mind, Lance reached his car. Just as he went to open the door, he realized Louisa hade after him. ¡°Mom, did you want something?¡± he asked.

    Facing her son, Louisa dropped her smile. With a firm expression, she said, ¡°I want you to keep your distance from Trinity from now on. I do not support the two of you together.¡±

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 Chapter 406

    ?Chapter 406:

    Lance frowned slightly. Only yesterday, his father had given him simr advice, and now his mother¡ªwho once encouraged him to pursue Trinity¡ªhad changed her tune. He began to wonder if maybe there really was no future for him and Trinity.

    Louisa did not hold back. ¡°I have seen problems in Trinity¡¯s character for a while, but I allowed you to chase after her because she had influence in both the Evans and Craig families. She could have helped you seed. But that is no longer the case. Her standing has dramatically fallen, and she holds no value. It¡¯s best to let go of her to avoid endlessplications.¡±

    Choosing not to respond, Lance simply waved goodbye and drove off.

    Meanwhile, after leaving the Evans household, Elliana made her way to the Ublento Hotel without dy. About thirty minutester, she emerged from the hotel,pletely transformed. Gone were the wild hair and tattooed face. Instead, she now looked like a young man dressed in ck satin casual clothes, with short hair and a visible scar on her left cheek. This was the look Lexi was known for.

    When it came to disguises, Elliana¡¯s skills were unmatched. No one would suspect that she was a woman beneath the convincing exterior. Once everything was in ce, Elliana took the ck SUV Matthew had arranged for her and drove from the hotel¡¯s underground lot to the Star Society headquarters.

    At the same time, under Elliana¡¯s instructions, Matthew continued to stir up trouble, intensifying the feud between the Star Society and Moonveil.

    Perched atop Crossvista Mountain, a hundred kilometers west of Ublento, the Star Society¡¯s headquartersmanded sweeping views and an air of rare seclusion.

    When Donovan established the Star Society, he envisioned a sanctuary devoted solely to the practice of martial arts. He invested his fortune into acquiring the entire mountain andmissioned awork of elegant, old-world courtyards, each resonating with the thud of practice mats and the crisp air of discipline. Only the most promising students were ever invited inside.

    Crossvista Mountain was not just the birthce but the very soul of the Star Society¡ªa stronghold that clung fiercely to its roots, even as Elliana expanded the Society¡¯s reach into other lucrative ventures. No matter how sessful these side businesses became, the mountain always preserved the traditional values, standing as a living monument to martial excellence.

    Through the years, the Star Society and its longtime rival, Moonveil, had vied for dominance, their reputations spreading across borders. Both factions produced prodigies¡ªstudents who went on to shine in countless arenas, with a select few achieving true fame.

    g?????0¦Í??????.??????; ???????????? ????????

    Though many of Ublento¡¯s archaic customs had faded with time, one tradition remained entrenched in the city¡¯s martial arts circles: the right to challenge. To promote the relentless pursuit of excellence, any base could issue a challenge to another, demanding an open contest of skill. Victory in these bouts depended entirely on whether the challenger could overpower their opponent. If martial arts enthusiasts came knocking, the defending base was obligated to respond. A loss meant more than just bruised egos¡ªit was a public humiliation that could destroy a base¡¯s reputation and force it to shut its doors for good.

    Tensions between martial arts factions were notoriously vtile, so no one initiated a challenge lightly. A single loss could spark grudges, forge lifelong enemies, and drag a base into a spiral of retaliation and disgrace.

    However, the Star Society and Moonveil had never tiptoed around this tradition. Their respective founders, Donovan and Seth, had been locked in a decades-long rivalry, trading challenge after challenge in a stubborn stalemate that left neither base victorious nor defeated.

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 Chapter 407

    ?Chapter 407:

    Eventually, as time passed and new blood took over¡ªElliana rising as Lexi of the Star Society, Jason stepping into Sombra¡¯s shoes at Moonveil¡ªthe fierce tradition of regr challenges cooled, reced by an uneasy truce.

    But that fragile peace shattered the moment Jason spoke out. Provoked by his arrogance, Elliana decided it was time to force him into a formal showdown on Crossvista Mountain. She was determined to put him in his ce and see just how far his skills had developed.

    As Elliana made her way to Crossvista Mountain, Matthew moved swiftly on her orders, confronting Moonveil¡¯s representatives who hade to demand an exnation.

    The previous night¡¯s altercation at the bar had already tilted the scales. Star Society¡¯s junior students had walked away with only minor scratches, while Moonveil¡¯s recruits limped home, nursing bruises and battered egos.

    Fuming, the Moonveil instructor¡ªa man notorious for his short temper¡ªstormed toward Crossvista Mountain, dragging an outraged group of students behind him. He didn¡¯t even bother to seek approval from his superiors. This had be a matter of personal pride, and he wanted payback.

    Normally, if the opposing side sent only a mid-tier instructor, the Star Society would respond in kind, matching rank for rank. But today, under Elliana¡¯s direct orders, Matthew took charge.

    As Matthew stepped onto Crossvista Mountain, he found the Moonveil instructor ranting at the gates, demanding the Star Society surrender the students involved inst night¡¯s brawl so Moonveil could take their revenge.

    Matthew didn¡¯t waste time with pleasantries. He shut down the instructor¡¯s demands with a steely re and a forceful kick. ¡°I¡¯m Matthew Santos, second-inmand of the Star Society,¡± he dered, his voice echoing through the courtyard. ¡°If Moonveil wants answers, then tell Sombra toe himself!¡±

    The instructor, no match for Matthew, left pale and breathless. Without hesitation, he rushed back to report the confrontation to his superiors. Within the martial artsmunity, Matthew¡¯s power was well known¡ªhe spoke for Lexi, and when he drew a line, it mattered. His challenge was quickly ryed to Jason.

    On his way to Moonveil¡¯s base, Jason was blindsided by the report. He hadn¡¯t expected the Star Society to go this far¡ªto send Matthew himself and so boldly challenge him. He narrowed his eyes. Was this just posturing, or was the Star Society looking to use this sh as an excuse to swallow Moonveil whole?

    g???????¦Í??????.??0??. ???????????? ????????

    Either way, Jason knew he couldn¡¯t afford to make a misstep. Bracing himself, he rallied his top students and headed straight for Crossvista Mountain, ready for whatever came next.

    When Jason finally pulled up to Crossvista Mountain, Elliana was nowhere in sight¡ªonly Matthew and his squad stood guard at the base¡¯s imposing entrance.

    Momentster, the thunder of engines echoed up the winding road as a convoy of sleek ck vehicles surged into view. Tires crunched on gravel as a dozen cars rolled to a halt before the gate.

    Uniformed guards immediately spilled out, moving in perfect formation to nk both sides of the driveway. Tension crackled in the crisp air. Atst, a man in ck strode over to the central luxury car and, with stiff ceremony, opened the passenger door.

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 Chapter 408

    ?Chapter 408:

    From within emerged a striking young man, tall and self-assured, dressed in a sleek ck satin jacket with casual elegance. A silver mask concealed the upper half of his face, lending his every movement a subtle, dangerous mystique. He carried himself like a man born tomand¡ªevery gesture precise, every step deliberate. It was none other than Jason.

    Nobody outside these circles realized Sombra was actually part of the Evans family. Just as Elliana adopted her own careful disguise, Jason¡¯s Sombra was a study in calcted deception: poised, imprable, unreadable.

    As soon as Jason appeared, the atmosphere grew electric¡ªhis presence suffocating, daring anyone to meet his gaze.

    Matthew¡¯s shoulders stiffened. Eyes narrowed, he discreetly tapped out a quick message to Elliana.

    The Moonveil instructor, still nursing bruises from the kick before, scurried over with anxious deference. ¡°Sombra, what brings you here?¡± he ventured, his voice trembling.

    Jason¡¯s lips curled with irritation. He swept a disdainful nce over the instructor, appraising the instructor¡¯sck of self-control. That the instructor had led a team up the mountain without approval from above was a reckless breach, and Jason had every intention of making him pay for it.

    Handling disciplinary issues was a matter for internal affairs, settled within the walls of Moonveil. Here, under the watchful eyes of the Star Society, Jason had to stand up for his subordinates. He cast a nce at the instructor standing beside him before turning his focus to Matthew.

    ¡°Mr. Santos, you wished to speak with me?¡± Jason said.

    ¡°That¡¯s correct,¡± Matthew responded, his tone measured andposed. Though Matthew had encountered Sombra twice before during Elliana¡¯s presence, only now did he realize that Sombra was none other than Jason himself. This newfound awareness made him weigh his words carefully.

    Jason¡¯s gaze sharpened. ¡°Well, here I am. Speak your mind.¡±

    g?????0¦Í??????.??????; ?????????? ???????? ????

    A faint, calcting smile curved Matthew¡¯s lips. ¡°I¡¯d like to request that you control your subordinates.¡±

    Jason let out an icyugh. ¡°Oh?¡±

    Matthew pressed on, undeterred. ¡°With youmanding Moonveil, it¡¯s expected that both instructors and trainees conduct themselves with discipline. Yet, why does this instructor behave like a petnt child merely because his trainees were defeated fairly?¡±

    The instructor¡¯s body trembled subtly as he sensed Sombra¡¯s fury simmering beneath that poker face. He acknowledged that he was at fault. He had marched into Star Society territory without seeking permission from above, all to chase revenge. Had he won, perhaps some would have overlooked it. But instead, Matthew had sent him sprawling with a single decisive kick. Now, branded as a sulking child, he had not only humiliated himself but sullied the honor of Moonveil. The thought of the severe repercussions awaiting him back at base sent a shudder through him. Sombra would exact a harsh price for this failure.

    Fixing Matthew with a steely stare, Jason spoke with icy resolve. ¡°Apologies on behalf of my subordinates, Mr. Santos. However, you appear overly confident as you specifically requested my presence. How about I unravel Star Society¡¯s esteemed reputation as a gesture?¡± The unspoken threat hung thickly between them. To forgo pleasantries and dere an intention to dismantle the Star Society was tantamount to a deration of war.

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 Chapter 409

    ?Chapter 409:

    Matthew met Jason¡¯s gaze, eyes narrowing slightly. But he didn¡¯t respond. He recognized he was no match for Jason and dared not escte the confrontation further. All their hopes now rested on Elliana¡¯s timely arrival.

    Jason cracked his knuckles deliberately. ¡°So tell me, Mr. Santos¡ªdo you n on fighting me yourself? Or should we drag Lexi into this?¡± Before Matthew could utter a reply, a brazen car horn shattered the mountain¡¯s stillness. All eyes snapped toward the winding road where a sleek ck SUV thundered down at a reckless pace.

    It reached them in seconds. Tires screamed against the ground as the vehicle spun sharply,ing to amanding halt with twin arcs of scorched rubber marking the earth beneath.

    The disy was brazen,manding, and unmistakably domineering. The crowd fell silent, caught between shock and awe. Yet, Jason remained unmoved, his face a mask of inscrutable calm.

    Matthew¡¯s lips curved into a knowing smirk as he stepped forward and swung open the SUV¡¯s door. ¡°Lexi¡ªright on time.¡±

    The name resonated through Moonveil¡¯s ranks, drilled into every member¡¯s mind, though few had ever glimpsed the elusive figure. At Matthew¡¯s announcement, all heads turned, curiosity and disbelief flickering in their eyes, waiting for whoever emerged from the vehicle. The door swung open to reveal a young man d in simple ck attire, his short hair framing a pronounced scar that was etched across his face.

    As a woman, Elliana had been tall and striking¡ªa true embodiment of beauty. But now, disguised as a man beside the towering and powerfully built Jason, she seemed almost delicate, her frame noticeably slimmer and more fragile inparison.

    Quiet whispers snaked through the crowd, undercutting the aura of power they had been expecting. ¡°That¡¯s Lexi? He looks like a kid.¡±

    ¡°Not even that tall.¡±

    g???????¦Í??????.??0??; ????????  novels

    ¡°Sure, he¡¯s got presence, but he doesn¡¯t look like he could take on Sombra.¡±

    Elliana dismissed the whispered doubts, nting her feet firmly and fixing Jason with an unyielding re. ¡°I heard someone¡¯s eager to dismantle Star Society¡¯s legacy.¡±

    Her voice was steady, deep, and masculine. Years of voice training made it effortless. At that moment, no one would suspect that the figure standing before them was actually a woman.

    Jason studied her with a calcting smirk. ¡°Lexi, let¡¯s find out what you¡¯re truly made of.¡±

    ¡°With pleasure,¡± Elliana responded coolly.

    Nothing more needed to be said. The unspoken deration ofbat settled heavily between them.

    Both Elliana and Jason bore faces as stoic as the jagged terrain encircling them, yet the charged atmosphere thickened with anticipation.

    It had been years since the sessors of Moonveil and Star Society had stood face-to-face in open conflict. Not since Donovan and Seth had left. No one knew who truly held the upper hand. That uncertainty would end today. Should Lexi falter, Star Society¡¯s honor would shatter. If Sombra fell, Moonveil would bear an indelible mark of disgrace.

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 Chapter 410

    ?Chapter 410:

    Elliana and Jason barely exchanged a word beforeunching straight into their confrontation, neither interested in wasting time on pleasantries.

    The instructors and trainees from both sides hastily fell back, arranging themselves into a wide circle that gave the twobatants an enormous arena.

    Be it Lexi of the Star Society or Sombra of Moonveil, their names alone inspired genuine dread. Tales of their prowess bordered on the unbelievable. Some imed they could end a life with nothing more than a stray blossom or the flick of a leaf. Victory or defeat hardly mattered¡ªtoday¡¯s showdown would echo through the ages, certain to be the stuff of legend. Everyone lucky enough to be present knew they were witnessing history in the making, a collision between icons that would be retold for generations.

    Long before the first blow was struck, tension electrified the air. Instructors and trainees from both factions vibrated with anticipation, their nerves taut but their eyes shining with awe.

    In truth, Elliana herself could feel her hands trembling, a knot of anxiety tightening in her chest. Her nerves had nothing to do with a fear of failure or a tendency to panic. She and Adah had charged into Delta together, founded Thorn Rose from scratch, and shed with the infamous ze Wraith in a ruthless contest of intellect and nerve¡ªshe¡¯d seen it all before.

    Facing Jason today unsettled her for one reason alone: the possibility of defeat meant tarnishing the name of Donovan, her mentor. It wasn¡¯t Donovan¡¯s pride she feared losing most. The real terror was the thought of Jason crushing the Star Society¡¯s reputation and undoing everything Donovan had built over a lifetime. Letting Donovan down was unthinkable. That was why she hadn¡¯t rushed into this fight¡ªtoday¡¯s showdown was the result of painstaking deliberation, and she¡¯de ready for anything.

    Jason¡¯s mentor, Seth, carried a legacy of her own¡ªa legend known as the Mistress of Death, undefeated and formidable. Even Donovan had never bested her.

    Jason had trained under Seth¡¯s strict tutge since he was a child, but no one knew whether he had truly absorbed her ruthless techniques¡ªor if he¡¯d already surpassed his mentor.

    Jason¡¯s true strength remained a mystery, but one thing was clear: he was a dangerous adversary, and Elliana knew she couldn¡¯t afford even the slightest mistake.

    g?????0¦Í??????.??????, Perfect Read

    Despite the tension churning in her chest, Elliana betrayed nothing on her face. Once she readied herself, she fixed Jason with a steely re, her scar-disguised features twisting into something downright intimidating.

    Jason, for his part, battled his own nerves. Before leaving Ublento, Seth hadid down hermand¡ªhe was to fulfill her dream and swallow the Star Society whole. He had agreed without hesitation, vowing to see her will done.

    But five years hade and gone, and he had yet to make a single move, gued by uncertainty over whether he could actually defeat Lexi, the Star Society¡¯s living legend. If not for today¡¯s formal challenge, he might have lingered in the shadows even longer. The Star Society had forced his hand and dragged him into the arena.

    Although forced to appear, Jason hadn¡¯te unprepared. Years of anticipation for this showdown meant he could snap into battle mode at a moment¡¯s notice. So, even with tension coiling inside him, nothing betrayed his nerves. A cial mask settled over his features, his eyes slicing through the air, his presence radiating a chill that met Elliana¡¯s intensity head-on.

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 Chapter 411

    ?Chapter 411:

    Two towering opponents¡ªone wiry, the other powerfully built¡ªstood toe-to-toe at the heart of the arena.

    Elliana tilted her chin up just enough tomand attention. ¡°Sombra, let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got.¡±

    Jason¡¯s mouth twisted in a sneer. ¡°With that delicate frame of yours, I¡¯ll let you take the first three shots.¡±

    Elliana burst intoughter, her voice ringing out as if she¡¯d just heard the punchline to a ridiculous joke. ¡°No need for that, Sombra. If I put you down in that window, everyone will im I took advantage, and I don¡¯t want that kind of talk.¡±

    Jason¡¯s lips curled into a disdainful smirk. ¡°If that¡¯s how you want it, then forget it.¡±

    Without another word, they lunged at each other in perfect sync. Their strikes blurred together¡ªblindingly fast, every blow charged with raw force, the tension between them almost suffocating.

    All around the arena, instructors and trainees from both sides watched with ragged breath, gripped by the sheer unpredictability of how it might end. To them, this showdown could drag on for three relentless days without a victor. In the end, either Lexi or Sombra would push the other to the brink of exhaustion or leave the ring bloodied and broken¡ªthere seemed no other possible ending.

    After all, the fights between Donovan and Seth had ended like that. Now, their respective star apprentices¡ªLexi and Sombra¡ªstepped onto the battlefield. Echoing the legacy of their mentors with every move, their fight was destined to end simrly.

    Deep down, Elliana expected the same oue, not entertaining any notion of besting Jason outright. She¡¯d only issued the challenge to wear him down, hoping to sap his strength before he carried out his threat three dayster.

    Yet, everything veered off her expectations¡ªthe drawn-out duel she¡¯d imagined, spanning thousands of blows, ended shockingly fast after just a few dozen exchanges.

    Both Jason and Elliana blurred across the arena, trading blows with relentless force, their abilities perfectly matched. Then, the briefest gap appeared. She aimed a kick squarely at Jason¡¯s chest, half-expecting a counter. To her astonishment, he stood his ground and took the full force of her attack, flying backward without so much as an attempt to evade¡­

    g???????¦Í??????.??0??? ????????  novels

    No one could have foreseen Elliana, deceptively slight in stature, delivering a kick so powerful that itunched the towering Jason a full ten meters through the air.

    Even above the roaring wind, the sickening crack of splintering bone rang out across the arena.

    Jason had endured countless brutal trainings, his physique honed to endure blows few could withstand¡ªso the fact that his bones actually fractured spoke to the sheer, staggering force behind that kick.

    Jason spun helplessly, his body carving a sharp arc beneath the bright sun before mming into the earth with a bone-jarring thud, a thick cloud of dust billowing up in his wake.

    For a moment, the entire arena went silent. Jasony sprawled in the dirt, unmoving, the severity of his injuries sending a chill through the crowd.

    All around the arena, instructors and trainees from both factions gaped in disbelief, frozen in ce. Not a single person moved to check on Jason. Instead, silent confusion rippled through the crowd as they tried to process what they¡¯d just witnessed. This battle was meant to be an epic confrontation¡ªan endless duel with no obvious victor. They had braced themselves for a grueling standoff, certain Lexi and Sombra were on par. Yet somehow, Sombra had been toppled in the blink of an eye, his defeat abrupt and almost surreal. Doubt crept in: was that truly Sombra lying there, or had someone swapped in a decoy?

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 Chapter 412

    ?Chapter 412:

    Even members of the Star Society found themselves questioning reality. Though Lexi¡¯s win ignited a rush of excitement among them, they struggled to ept that Lexi had toppled Sombra so effortlessly. This battle was a far cry from the epic showdown they had anticipated.

    Elliana stood rooted to the spot, eyes fixed on Jason sprawled in the dust, too shocked to make sense of what she¡¯d just done. A victory this quick had never crossed her mind. She realized now that all her careful preparations and anxious calctions had been for nothing¡ªJason hadn¡¯te close to matching the threat she¡¯d imagined.

    Jason¡¯s earlier bravado¡ªoffering her three free attacks¡ªechoed in her mind, and she nearlyughed aloud at the memory. Had he known he¡¯d wind up defeated and humiliated like this, he would have swallowed those words. His pride had taken a brutal hit.

    After a brief pause, the realization clicked for Elliana. Jason had acquired genuine techniques from Seth and grown into a daunting fighter in his own right, yet he¡¯d never managed to eclipse his mentor¡¯s legacy. She, on the other hand, hadn¡¯t just absorbed Donovan¡¯s teachings¡ªshe¡¯d advanced past him, forging her own innovative style that no longer relied solely on his methods. This put her leagues ahead of Jason in terms of raw talent and adaptability, creating an unmistakable gulf in their abilities. Given this disparity, her decisive win over Jason no longer seemed surprising.

    Still, by all ounts, Jason¡¯s reputation alone suggested he wasn¡¯t supposed to go down so fast, regardless of the difference in their skills. But the reality was, after only a few dozen rounds, he had been thoroughly beaten.

    Elliana¡¯s swift instincts had carried her¡ªher edge in battle had never been about fancy techniques, but pure, unbridled speed. Her attacks came in rapid session, each move seamlessly shifting into the next, leaving Jason struggling to keep up. He moved fast, but not fast enough. She seized on his hesitation and drove her foot straight into his chest. Nothing couldpete with blinding speed in a fight. Against overwhelming quickness, even the finest techniques and raw power faded into irrelevance.

    Right then, Jason stirred, forcing his face up from the dust. Just as everyone expected him to struggle back to his feet, he doubled over and coughed up a thick mouthful of blood.

    ¡°Sombra!¡± Atst, the Moonveil members snapped out of their shock and hurried over, crowding around him in a panic as they tried to assess the damage.

    g?????0¦Í??????.??????! Continue reading

    Elliana awkwardly rubbed the bridge of her nose. She had regarded Jason as a true rival¡ªhis relentless, aggressive attacks had forced her to stay on high alert, and that tension had driven her to fight with a brutal edge. Because of that, her blows hadnded harder than intended, leaving Jason seriously hurt.

    The moment her foot struck his chest, she had sensed the unmistakable give¡ªat least three of his ribs had snapped under the force. Now, watching blood spill from Jason¡¯s lips, she realized his internal injuries had to be severe. Then, without warning, her mind shifted to Cole. If Cole ever found out she¡¯d beaten his cousin this badly, would he resent her for it? If she¡¯d seen how easily Jason would crumble, she would¡¯ve gone easier on him. But there was no undoing it now. Jason was fortunate just to be alive, though he¡¯d be bedridden for weeks.

    Matthew sidled over and lowered his voice. ¡°Lexi, is it possible this isn¡¯t the real Sombra?¡±

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 Chapter 413

    ?Chapter 413:

    ¡°He¡¯s the real one,¡± Elliana answered, her voice unwavering. No matter how Jason disguised himself, she could recognize him.

    Matthew¡¯s jaw dropped in disbelief before he let out a quietugh. ¡°Honestly, Jason¡¯s not as legendary as everyone says, huh?¡±

    A small grin yed on Elliana¡¯s lips. ¡°We definitely gave him too much credit.¡±

    Matthew leaned in, his tone conspiratorial. ¡°So, are you saying we could waltz right into Moonveil, issue a challenge, and drag their name through the mud? Make them eat their own arrogance?¡±

    Elliana absently brushed her fingers along her cheek, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. ¡°Technically, it¡¯s the perfect moment to honor my mentor¡¯sst wish. But things are messier now¡ªJason¡¯s part of my family. If I humiliate him any further, what if my husband starts taking it personally?¡±

    Matthew¡¯s lips quirked, and he was utterly speechless. Who would have thought that Lexi, so famously fearless, would end up with such an obvious weakness? Love, as it turned out, couldplicate everything¡ªespecially with Cole in the picture. Lexi had no hope of pulling off her grand scheme to take over Moonveil.

    As if reading Matthew¡¯s thoughts, Elliana shot him a sharp, sidelong look and demanded, ¡°You¡¯re not secretly mocking me, are you? Thinking it¡¯s hrious that I¡¯m letting my emotions trip me up?¡±

    The moment Elliana¡¯s sharp gaze locked onto him, Matthew instinctively stumbled back two steps, his face twisting with unease as he hastily shook his head. ¡°No, not at all! Your decision makes perfect sense. Even the mightiest heroes stumble when charm is involved. Who could me you?¡±

    His tone wasced with forced cheer, but the ridicule behind his words clung to every syble.

    Elliana¡¯s eyes narrowed in disapproval before she let out a weary sigh. In truth, she couldn¡¯t fully defend her choices either. She loathed the part of herself that had allowed emotion to cloud reason¡ªhad let Cole, with his dangerous allure, slip past her defenses.

    Just then, Jason¡ªbruised and barely upright, propped up by his subordinates¡ªrose to his feet with effort.

    g???????¦Í??????.??0??? Next part

    The defiance he had once worn so proudly had dissolved into something brittle and broken. His mind reyed his own arrogant deration¡ªto give Elliana the first three moves¡ªand shame hit him like a crashing wave. He hadn¡¯t ruled out defeat, but he never imagined it woulde so swiftly, so devastatingly. The gap between him and Lexi was now undeniable. If he had recklessly challenged the Star Society before, Moonveil might have been nothing more than a memory by now.

    Dragged into today¡¯s battle, he had lost not just the match¡ªbut the dignity of Moonveil itself, now teetering at the edge of ruin. The thought that his poor leadership might bring about Moonveil¡¯s copse gnawed at him, and his unease grew heavier with every breath.

    Jason thought of Seth, his mentor, the formidable fighter who had seen potential in him years ago. Seth had imparted all her knowledge and entrusted him with the task of overtaking the Star Society. And now, standing broken before Lexi, Jason felt he had betrayed it all. He closed his eyes, sadness tightening his chest.

    ¡°My apologies for wounding you, Sombra,¡± Elliana said tly, her voice carefully distorted to avoid recognition.

    Because of her connection to Cole, Elliana couldn¡¯t bring herself to kill Jason today¡ªnor could she march to Moonveil and raze it to the ground. She needed a reason, any reason, to gracefully end this charade.

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 Chapter 414

    ?Chapter 414:

    As Jason slowly opened his eyes to meet her gaze, she spoke again, her tone tinged with indifference. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect the sessor of Moonveil to fall so short of¡­¡± ¡°Mastering the founder¡¯s legacy. I must say, today¡¯s performance was underwhelming.¡±

    Jason¡¯s pallor deepened, shame flooding his features.

    Elliana let out a soft, amusedugh. ¡°My mentor, Donovan, made it clear¡ªonly when I¡¯ve used his teachings to defeat Ms. Moon herself or a worthy sessor who has fully inherited her skillset, will it count as a true victory over Moonveil.¡±

    Jason blinked, his brows furrowing in confusion.

    With an elegant flick of her wrist, Elliana brushed imaginary dust from her sleeve. ¡°So rest easy, Sombra. I won¡¯t being for Moonveil¡ªat least, not yet. I¡¯ll wait until you¡¯ve actually mastered Ms. Moon¡¯s techniques. Then we¡¯ll settle this properly.¡±

    She tilted her head slightly, her smile yful yet cutting. ¡°Of course, if you¡¯re not sharp enough to unlock the heart of herbat philosophy, perhaps Moonveil needs a new head. Or better yet, let Ms. Moon herself step forward. I¡¯m after a real fight.¡±

    Jason stood in silence, her words sinking deep. His emotions twisted¡ªa storm of relief and humiliation. Moonveil had been spared, for now. But the sting of her condescension¡­ That was a wound he¡¯d carry for a long time.

    Despite the sting of humiliation, Jason forced himself to stand tall. He wouldn¡¯t let a single defeat shatter him. One loss wasn¡¯t the end¡ªit was the beginning of a reckoning. He had to get stronger. He would.

    Elliana¡¯s voice rang out, cool andmanding. ¡°Sombra, please leave. The Star Society isn¡¯t epting guests today.¡±

    Jason dipped into a slight bow¡ªan unspoken gesture of gratitude for her decision to spare Moonveil, if only for now. He turned and headed toward his car. But after only a few steps, a wave of dizziness surged through him. Blood pounded in his ears. His vision swam. His body faltered, and his steps wavered.

    Several instructors and trainees rushed to catch Jason, but he shoved them off with a grunt, insisting on walking on his own. He forced his legs forward, spine rigid, each step an act of sheer will. He would not show weakness. Not here. Not now. He climbed into the car without another word.

    g?????0¦Í??????.?????? ¨C Continue reading

    One by one, the rest of Moonveil¡¯s members followed him, and soon their convoy was winding down the narrow mountain road.

    At the gates of the Star Society, Elliana and Matthew remained still, watching in silence as the vehicles disappeared into the distance.

    Inside the car, Jason clutched his side, his breath uneven. Then, he couldn¡¯t hold it anymore. A violent cough erupted, and with it, a mouthful of blood sttered onto his sleeve.

    ¡°Sombra!¡± Gasps of rm erupted from his subordinates. ¡°We have to get you to a hospital!¡±

    ¡°No!¡± Jason snapped, teeth gritted. ¡°We can¡¯t.¡± He drew in a shuddering breath. ¡°I lost to Lexi today, but the world doesn¡¯t know that. As long as my injuries remain a secret, our enemies will hesitate. But if word gets out, Moonveil won¡¯t survive the night.¡±

    With trembling fingers, he pulled out his phone and typed a quick message to Cole. ¡°I¡¯m badly hurt. Need your help.¡±

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 Chapter 415

    ?Chapter 415:

    Cole was in the middle of a meeting when his phone buzzed with a message from Jason.

    Mild shock registered on Cole¡¯s face upon reading it. Jason was undeniably a master of deadly skill¡ªso skilled that even the world¡¯s most elite assassins struggled to harm him. But now, hearing that Jason was seriously injured, he instantly understood how dire the situation was.

    A follow-up text from Jason arrived. ¡°I was hurt while operating as Sombra. I cannot risk going to a hospital.¡±

    Few were privy to Jason¡¯s true identity as Sombra of the Moonveil, even within the Evans family. But as the family¡¯s head, Cole was among the select few who knew the truth.

    Cole typed back. ¡°Head to Regal Grove. I¡¯ll meet you there shortly.¡±

    After sending his reply, Cole swiftly ended the meeting and summoned Charlie Hoffman, the Evans family¡¯s trusted private physician, instructing him to prepare for immediate treatment at Regal Grove. Apanied by Myles, Aron, and Hugh, Cole hurried to Regal Grove. Upon arrival, they found Jason sprawled weakly on the living room sofa, blood staining his lips as he coughed repeatedly.

    Once exuding vitality and maism, Jason now appeared fragile¡ªhis strength nearly drained, as if he might shatter at any moment. Cole¡¯s gaze hardened with concern. ¡°What happened?¡±

    Too overwhelmed by pain to respond, Jason remained silent while his assistant, Lanny Watts, quickly briefed Cole on what had happened.

    As Cole absorbed the details, a deep frown crept across his brow. He was well aware that the founders of the Star Society and Moonveil were sworn enemies, their rivalry steeped in decades of distrust and hostility. But he hadn¡¯t anticipated Lexi¡¯s audacity to inflict such grievous harm on Jason. Still, there was no time to ponder the implications¡ªthe immediate priority was to treat Jason¡¯s wounds.

    ¡°Where is Charlie? Why hasn¡¯t he arrived yet?¡± Cole demanded.

    As if on cue, hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway.

    g???????¦Í??????.??0?? ¨C Next part

    A middle-aged man in a white coat rushed in, carrying a medical bag.

    ¡°Mr. Evans! I came as fast as I could.¡±

    Cole said, ¡°Charlie, Jason¡¯s condition is critical. Examine him now.¡±

    ¡°Right away,¡± Charlie responded, his expression grave as he took in Jason¡¯s pallor. He wasted no time beginning a thorough examination. After a few tense minutes, Charlie looked up, face tight. ¡°He has three fractured ribs and internal bleeding. It¡¯s severe. He needs surgery¡ªimmediately. We have to get him to a hospital.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Jason groaned, trying to sit up. ¡°I can¡¯t go to a hospital.¡±

    Cole¡¯s eyes flicked between Jason and Charlie, his own worry deepening. ¡°There has to be another way.¡±

    Charlie shook his head, resignation etched across his face. ¡°I¡¯m afraid this is beyond my ability. Without major surgery, Mr. Evans could bleed out. He needs a hospital, or he won¡¯t survive.¡±

    Just then, Elliana burst into the living room, her signature disguise¡ªher wild wig and tattooed face¡ªimpossible to miss. ¡°Coley, I¡¯m back!¡± she eximed with a lively grin.

    Suddenly, Elliana froze, her eyes locking onto Jason. ¡°Oh no, what happened to him?¡± she asked, her voice tinged with mock concern.

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 Chapter 416

    ?Chapter 416:

    Elliana was a natural actress, and no one could sense the unease simmering beneath her calm facade. Back on Crossvista Mountain, she had already noticed the seriousness of Jason¡¯s condition. His injuries weren¡¯t the kind any regr doctor could handle, and she had known she¡¯d have to step in herself. So, the moment Jason left the mountain, she followed his car from a distance. When he arrived at Regal Grove, she changed back into her familiar disguise and slipped inside after him.

    Cole didn¡¯t suspect a thing. In fact, his eyes lit up the second he saw her. ¡°Elliana! Come here!¡± he called out.

    Elliana walked over casually.

    Cole took her hand, his voice hopeful. ¡°Elliana, you¡¯ve studied medicine too, haven¡¯t you? Help him, please.¡±

    Cole remembered she had once skillfully removed a bullet from him, and from the precision of her technique, he knew her medical abilities were exceptional.

    Jason frowned, his voice firm and wary. ¡°I don¡¯t trust her.¡±

    Elliana tilted her head toward Cole. ¡°When a patient doesn¡¯t trust the doctor, there¡¯s no use forcing treatment. Might as well drag him to the hospital, slice him open, bandage his wounded organs, and hope for the best while stitching him back up.¡±

    Her words made Jason¡¯s expression darken further. The thought of undergoing such an invasive operation¡ªone that could jeopardize everything he stood for¡ªwas unbearable. He clenched his jaw, silently rejecting the very idea.

    Charlie stepped forward, trying again to reason with Jason. ¡°Mr. Evans, I know surgery isn¡¯t ideal, but it¡¯s your only chance. The bleeding won¡¯t stop on its own.¡±

    But before Jason could respond, Elliana interjected, ¡°You¡¯re wrong. The surgery is not the only way. There are methods to stop internal bleeding without opening someone up. But you didn¡¯t know that, did you? You¡¯re just a textbook doctor.¡±

    Charlie bristled at the insult. As the Evans family¡¯s private physician, he had over a decade of wless service under his belt. He was respected and trusted¡ªand had never once been used of ipetence. Yet, here was this entric woman, belittling his knowledge in front of everyone. But since Elliana was Cole¡¯s wife, he held back any protest. Instead, he offered a calm smile and asked, ¡°Mrs. Evans, do you have a way to stop his internal bleeding?¡±

    Discover updates g?l¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s

    Elliana arched a brow. ¡°Obviously. Would I speak up otherwise?¡± Then, she nced at Jason and shrugged dramatically. ¡°But since Jason doesn¡¯t trust me, there¡¯s no point wasting my energy. You all figure it out. I¡¯m going upstairs for a nap.¡±

    She turned on her heel and headed for the stairs. But Cole caught her gently by the arm, pulling her into his embrace. ¡°Come on, sweetheart,¡± he said softly, trying to soothe her. ¡°Don¡¯t be like that. Please. Just treat him. For me.¡±

    Elliana understood there was no time to waste with Jason¡¯s injuries, so when Cole urged her, she responded without a second thought. ¡°I¡¯d never want to make things difficult for you, Coley. I¡¯ll do whatever you ask, but if Jason refuses to cooperate, there¡¯s only so much I can do.¡± She then gestured toward Jason as she continued, ¡°Coley, you¡¯re the only one he listens to. Talk some sense into him, and I¡¯ll treat him immediately.¡±

    Cole gave her a yful pinch on the cheek before shifting his attention to Jason. ¡°Do you trust me, or not?¡±

    ¡°Of course, I do,¡± Jason answered without hesitation.

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 Chapter 417

    ?Chapter 417:

    ¡°Then let Elliana help you,¡± Cole said, giving him a reassuring nod. ¡°She knows what she¡¯s doing.¡±

    Unable toe up with any more excuses, Jason looked at Elliana, resignation written all over his face. ¡°Alright, Elliana, I¡¯ll leave it to you.¡±

    Elliana nearly broke intoughter at the sight of Jason¡¯s obviously reluctant expression. This was the same man who, just hours ago, had threatened to kick her out of the Evans family. Now he needed her help. How ironic! Still, there was no time for jokes. Jason¡¯s life came first.

    While injuries and even death were part of the routine amid fights, Jason mattered to Cole, and that was enough for her.

    Elliana reached for Jason¡¯s arm, carefully checking his pulse, and then moved her hand to his chest, feeling around to determine which ribs were broken and how serious the damage was. Once she was sure, she shot up, leaned in, and pressed down firmly on both sides of the injury.

    ¡°Ah!¡± Jason let out a sharp cry, pain etched across his face. Beads of sweat immediately appeared on his forehead.

    From the sidelines, Charlie watched in disbelief. ¡°Mrs. Evans, his ribs are already broken! If you press that hard, aren¡¯t you just making it worse?¡±

    Elliana didn¡¯t waste time trying to justify herself. She simply shot Charlie a scornful look and muttered under her breath, ¡°Ipetent doctor!¡±

    Charlie seethed inwardly at the jab, but his position left him no choice but to stay silent.

    Jason¡¯s pain finally began to subside. Still grimacing, he shot Elliana a suspicious re. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re actually helping me and not just getting payback?¡±

    A sly grin yed on Elliana¡¯s lips as she answered, ¡°You could say it¡¯s a little of both. My method reconnects your ribs with one press, so you won¡¯t need surgery. That¡¯s the good news. But I skipped the anesthesia¡ªthat¡¯s my way of revenge.¡±

    Jason¡¯s jaw dropped, caught between amazement and skepticism. Could she really have fixed his ribs that easily?

    g???????¦Í??????.????n ¨C ???????? ???????????????? ????

    Charlie, who remained unconvinced, stepped over to examine Jason himself. After a quick check, his eyes went wide. ¡°It¡¯s true! They¡¯re back in ce!¡±

    Jason stopped ring at Elliana, stunned by Charlie¡¯s words. Disbelief flickered in his eyes. Even a specialist like Charlie couldn¡¯t fix him, but Elliana made it look easy. No wonder Cole put so much faith in her.

    While Jason was still lost in thought, Elliana forced his jaw open and slipped a pill past his lips. He didn¡¯t even have time to protest as the medicine melted away the moment it hit his tongue, sliding straight down to his stomach. A cool, soothing feeling washed through his body almost immediately.

    ¡°What did you just make me take?¡± Jason managed to ask.

    Elliana brushed the leftover powder from her fingers and answered with a shrug, ¡°That was my own special form. It¡¯ll stop your internal bleeding in no time.¡± She gave him a pointed look. ¡°By the way, that pilles with an expensive price tag. So, don¡¯t forget to settle your bill.¡±

    A faint twitch pulled at the corners of Jason¡¯s mouth. ¡°How much do you want?¡±

    ¡°Ten million,¡± Elliana said as she held up a single finger, her expression unwavering.

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 Chapter 418

    ?Chapter 418:

    Jason shot her a dry, incredulous look. ¡°Why not just go rob a bank while you¡¯re at it?¡±

    He was astonished by her audacity in demanding such a hefty amount. What kind of pill could possibly cost that much? Even if it was wrapped in gold, it wouldn¡¯te close.

    Elliana shrugged,pletely unfazed. ¡°My husband¡¯s the wealthiest man around. If I needed cash, I¡¯d just ask him. I don¡¯t have to resort to robbing banks. I treated you, so you pay up. That¡¯s how it works. And don¡¯t forget, this isn¡¯t some off-the-shelf remedy. Additionally, I have already offered you the family discount. Anyone else would pay twice as much, if they even got a shot at this pill at all.¡±

    Cole couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at her bluntness toward Jason. ¡°If Elliana says you owe her, you owe her. Don¡¯t waste your breath arguing.¡±

    Jason could only stare at Cole, lost for words. He¡¯d never seen anyone indulge his wife this much.

    To Jason, it felt like Elliana was tantly overcharging him, and yet, instead of stepping in, Cole was happily backing her up. If anything, this only made Jason more determined to drive Elliana out of the Evans family for good. Cole¡¯s excessive indulgence of his unremarkable wife was puzzling to everyone around him. Clearly, someone needed to rescue him from his misguided feelings.

    ¡°Lanny, bring me my checkbook,¡± Jason said to his assistant without furtherint.

    Lanny hurried over and handed it to him.

    Jason quickly scribbled his signature across a check for ten million and then passed it to Elliana without so much as a nce. Although he felt Elliana was overcharging him, he was willing to give her the ten million aspensation for when he would expel her from the Evans family. Without hesitation, Elliana took the check and slipped it into her pocket.

    Then, out of the blue, Cole asked, ¡°By the way, Jason, do you need my help dealing with Lexi from the Star Society?¡±

    Upon hearing Cole¡¯s words, Elliana froze momentarily, feeling a sudden rush of nervousness. If Cole got involved in her conflict with Jason, it could blow her cover. Her secret identity as Lexi might not hold up under scrutiny. After all, now that they were married, Cole wouldn¡¯t need much effort to start connecting the dots once he suspected her.

    g???????¦Í??????.?????? ¨C ?????????? ???????? ????

    Jason responded calmly, ¡°No need for you to get involved, Cole. This is between the Moonveil and Star Society¡ªit¡¯s better if the Evans family stays out of it.¡±

    Cole nodded. ¡°Your call. But if you ever need help, I¡¯m just a message away.¡±

    Elliana quietly exhaled, relieved that Jason had drawn a line. He was keeping Cole out of it¡ªfor now.

    While they spoke, Charlie checked Jason¡¯s condition again and eximed, ¡°His internal bleeding has actually stopped! Mrs. Evans¡¯ pill¡­ It¡¯s like a miracle cure! I¡¯ve never seen anything work so fast!¡± Jason turned to Elliana in quiet awe. He hadn¡¯t expected her to be capable of something so impressive.

    Cole, on the other hand, looked pleased. His wife never failed to amaze him.

    Elliana gave a small shrug and tossed a box of pills to Jason. ¡°Get some rest. Take one pill a day until they¡¯re gone.¡± Jason epted them gratefully. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    .

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    .

 Chapter 419

    ?Chapter 419:

    ¡°I didn¡¯t sleep wellst night. I¡¯m heading upstairs to rest,¡± Elliana said, stifling a yawn.

    Soon after, Jason returned to his ce to recuperate.

    Cole followed Elliana upstairs and found her already in bed. He leaned down, brushed a kiss against her lips, and whispered, ¡°Sweetheart, I¡¯ve got to head to the office. Rest up, and call me if you need anything.¡±

    ¡°Got it, Coley,¡± she mumbled, eyes closed.

    He smiled, kissed her forehead, and quietly left Regal Grove.

    As soon as he was gone, the softness on Elliana¡¯s face disappeared. She sat up, eyes sharp, and messaged Matthew. ¡°Any movement from Victor?¡±

    Matthew¡¯s reply came almost instantly. ¡°No. He¡¯s eerily calm. He knows people are watching but doesn¡¯t react¡ªjust runs his restaurant like nothing¡¯s wrong.¡±

    Elliana typed. ¡°I don¡¯t want to wait any longer. Set up a team. I¡¯m confronting him.¡±

    Matthew responded with caution, ¡°Understood. Just be careful¡ªPodgend may be small, but it¡¯s crawling with hidden factions. If you make a move on Victor, others in the shadows will be alerted.¡±

    She wrote, ¡°I¡¯m aware.¡±

    Then, Matthew added, ¡°Also¡ªabout the Lunathorn. It suddenly surfaced today. The Crown Auctions in Podgend somehow got their hands on one and n to put it up for bidding.¡±

    At the mention of the Lunathorn, Elliana¡¯s eyes lit up. Though Barbara had taken Venacure and the Scorpion King¡¯s venom had slowly lost its effect, years of exposure had donesting damage. Barbara still needed the Lunathorn to recover fully.

    The Lunathorn wasn¡¯t just any herb¡ªit was rare to the point of legend, appearing only once every few years. And every time it did, fiercepetition drove its price sky-high.

    Elliana was determined to get it for Barbara¡¯s sake. Her investigation into the Henderson family, who had ties to Delta, was already leading her down a dangerous path. She needed Barbara at full strength if she was going to get answers about her mother.

    g???????¦Í??????.????n ¨C ?????????? ???????? ????????

    Matthew sent another message. ¡°ze Wildfire is after the Lunathorn, too. If Crown Auctions goes through with this, you and ze Wraith will likely sh. And that might get ugly.¡±

    Elliana rubbed her temples. That name again¡ªze Wraith. Just thinking about him gave her a headache. That man was a walking nightmare¡ªruthless, unpredictable, and hard to counter. Every encounter with him had pushed her to her limits. They¡¯d shed many times before, with mixed oues. But this time, she couldn¡¯t afford to lose. She had to be the one to walk away with the Lunathorn.

    She messaged Adah without a second thought. ¡°Return to Ublento immediately. I need to go to Podgend for two major reasons¡ªand I¡¯ll need your help.¡±

    ¡°What reasons?¡± Adah asked.

    ¡°I¡¯ll exin when you get here,¡± Elliana replied.

    ¡°Alright. I¡¯m on my way.¡±

    After ending the chat, Elliana¡¯s expression turned serious. Though she hadn¡¯t yet set off for Podgend, a sense of determination was already growing within her.

    .

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    .

 Chapter 420

    ?Chapter 420:

    Just then, her phone buzzed again. She nced down and saw an unfamiliar number calling her.

    Only a few people had her number. Figuring this was probably a spam call, she declined. But a few secondster, the same number called again.

    Elliana narrowed her eyes and answered. ¡°Hello?¡±

    A man¡¯s voice came through, light and amused. ¡°Miss Marsh, good afternoon.¡±

    She frowned as she didn¡¯t recognize the voice. ¡°Who is this?¡±

    The man chuckled. ¡°My name is Carlos Gomez¡­¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve never crossed paths before, so stop trying to connect me to anyone in your circle. It¡¯s a dead end,¡± Carlos remarked, his tone nonchntly detached.

    A brief silence lingered between them. Elliana analyzed his voice, estimating him to be in histe twenties, perhaps barely thirty. Then again, judging age by a voice alone was a risky game, and she knew it. Still, the impression lingered.

    ¡°How did you get my number? And what exactly do you want?¡± Elliana demanded, her tone even but sharp.

    Carlos¡¯s reply came with a low, amusedugh. ¡°That¡¯s not something you need to worry about. There¡¯s only one question you should be asking yourself: Do you really want to know about your mother, Rita? About her background and the reasons she came to Ublento to give birth to you and then vanished without a trace?¡±

    His wordsnded like a blow. Elliana¡¯s face hardened, surprised that Carlos was somehow connected to her mother. Instead of rushing to answer Carlos¡¯s question, she quietly turned on herptop, fingers moving swiftly as she tried to track his number. In seconds, the result shed back¡ªCarlos¡¯s call came from Delta, exactly as she¡¯d suspected. Elliana¡¯s gaze sharpened. ¡°Who are you really?¡± she probed, her voice tightening. ¡°And how do you know so much about my mother¡¯s past?¡±

    Carlos maintained his enigmatic tone, threaded with hints of amusement. ¡°I¡¯m not ready to tell you who I am. Do what I ask, and I¡¯ll give you everything you want to know about your mother.¡±

    Elliana met his cryptic reply with a cold edge. ¡°And why would I trust anything you say?¡±

    He let out a soft, mockingugh. ¡°You don¡¯t really have a choice, do you?¡±

    g???????¦Í??????.?????? ¨C ???????????? ????????

    A harsh reality cut through her like icy wind. She hated how right he was. After all these years of digging through dead ends, chasing shadows, anding up empty, she¡¯d all but lost hope. Then, out of nowhere, this stranger emerged with the one thing she couldn¡¯t ignore¡ªa link to Rita. Even if he was lying, she couldn¡¯t risk turning away. She swallowed her frustration, pressing forward. ¡°What is it you want from me?¡±

    He didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°The SAT resultse out in two days. With your skills, I have no doubt you¡¯ll top the list. I want you to enroll at Ublento Medical University. Once you¡¯re in, you¡¯ll need to steal something from the library.¡±

    He paused, letting the weight of his words settle before continuing, ¡°It¡¯s connected to you¡ªsomething your mother donated to the university. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll find it fascinating.¡±

    Elliana furrowed her brow. ¡°What exactly am I supposed to steal?¡±

    ¡°A book,¡± Carlos answered, his tone dropping lower. ¡°The Medical Codex.¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 421

    ?Chapter 421:

    Elliana¡¯s brows drew together. She knew that book well¡ªher mother had left her a chip containing its electronic version, which she¡¯d already mastered, page by page.

    ¡°The Medical Codex¡± was an ancient, enigmatic text shrouded in legend, its origins lost to the mists of time. The manuscript had been carefully split into two distinct tomes: the ¡°Medical Volume¡± and the ¡°Poison Volume.¡±

    The ¡°Medical Volume¡± brimmed with secret techniques, invaluable prescriptions, and intricate methods for refining medicine, each entry gleaned from centuries of umted wisdom. Every page held stories of miraculous recoveries, rare herbs, and bold cures¡ªsecrets passed quietly from healer to healer across generations. ¡°The Poison Volume¡± documented poison refining techniques throughout history.

    The original author of ¡°The Medical Codex¡± was veiled in legend, but the book¡¯s renown as a medical masterpiece was unquestioned.

    Those who mastered the ¡°Medical Volume¡± were hailed as peerless healers, while anyone who unlocked the secrets of the ¡°Poison Volume¡±manded fear as a poison master. To conquer both was to be a rare dual authority¡ªwielding life and death with equal skill.

    Anyone who fully grasped either volume would be a force to be reckoned with, their knowledge capable of shaking the very foundations of society.

    That was precisely why Elliana had always kept her true identity as Milena buried so deeply. Every bit of her medical prowess stemmed from ¡°The Medical Codex.¡± She alone had unlocked both volumes¡¯ mysteries. If those lurking in the shadows discovered this truth, they would stop at nothing to seize control of her for their own sinister ends.

    Before vanishing in that devastating fire, Rita had pressed upon Elliana the gravity of ¡°The Medical Codex,¡± urging her to master its teachings, guard the chip with her life, and let no one ever learn the truth.

    Over the years, Elliana had adhered to her mother¡¯s advice, never breathing a word about ¡°The Medical Codex.¡± She never imagined that a paper version of the legendary book still existed in the world.

    In that instant, everything clicked into ce. Elliana finally grasped the weight behind Rita¡¯s endless warnings. If Rita had left the original manuscript in her hands, it would¡¯ve painted a target on her back. Instead, Rita had subtly donated¡­

    g???????¦Í??????.????n ¨C ?????????? ???????????????? ????

    The book was donated to Ublento Medical University, and then painstakingly scanned, page by page, into a digital file, sealing it into a chip for her alone.

    Questions popped up in Elliana¡¯s mind. Who, exactly, was her mother? And how had shee into possession of ¡°The Medical Codex¡±¡ªa work so shrouded in myth that most believed it lost to time?

    And then, Elliana sensed something amiss from Carlos¡¯s unwavering confidence in her. He spoke as if her top score in the SATs was a foregone conclusion, making her question just how much of her carefully crafted disguise he¡¯d seen through. Had all her efforts hiding behind a mask of inness and mediocrity been nothing but a child¡¯s game to him? Had he been watching her all along?

    Feigning ignorance, Elliana queried, ¡°I¡¯ve always been just a in, unremarkable girl. Why are you so convinced I¡¯ll be at the top of the rankings?¡±

    Carlos let out a quiet, amusedugh, his voice curling with dark amusement. ¡°Your mother was an extraordinary woman¡ªmeticulous, cunning, and fiercely protective. She spun a web so convincing that even we had once believed you were ordinary. But we never stopped keeping an eye on you, and eventually, we discovered you are remarkably gifted.¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 422

    ?Chapter 422:

    Elliana¡¯s eyes narrowed as she pressed further, her voice steady but guarded. ¡°How much do you really know about me? Was it your hand behind Cole and me being registered as a married couple, too?¡±

    Carlos offered a calm smile. ¡°Miss Marsh, you really don¡¯t need to be on edge,¡± he assured her. ¡°You know exactly what you¡¯re capable of. There¡¯s no way we could keep tabs on you every second, even if we tried. All we¡¯ve figured out is that you¡¯re much more capable than the rumors say. As for how many secrets you¡¯ve got tucked away? We¡¯re still in the dark.¡±

    Elliana found his words believable. She¡¯d spent years slipping in and out of the Jones family¡¯s backyard warehouse, always making sure her activities stayed under the radar. If anyone had been following her that closely, she would have caught on a long time ago.

    Carlos shifted the conversation. ¡°Regarding your marriage to Cole, that wasn¡¯t our doing. What we want is simple: ¡®The Medical Codex.¡¯ If you¡¯re willing to take it for us, I¡¯ll exchange the knowledge about your mother¡¯s past for it.¡±

    ¡°And what exactly do you want with ¡®The Medical Codex¡¯?¡± Elliana asked without hesitation.

    A slyugh escaped Carlos. ¡°That¡¯s not for you to worry about. Your mother is a legend in medicine because she grasped the core of that book. If you¡¯ve inherited her wisdom and can fully understand the book, then we have a reason to work together.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s eyes narrowed with suspicion. Even though Carlos¡¯s true intentions remained hidden, it was obvious from his words that they didn¡¯t just need ¡°The Medical Codex.¡± They needed someone who could truly unlock its power. That meant Milena was what they really came after. Was Carlos a force for good, or something darker?

    Across the world, powerful groups and covert organizations had their eyes on ¡°The Medical Codex,¡± each driven by a different agenda. Some saw it as the key to groundbreaking cures and unimaginable profits. Others dreamed of harnessing its knowledge to concoct rare poisons, even using its secrets to manipte humanity and grab power. There were also those who were simply obsessed with the art of healing, hoping to master the rare techniques hidden within its pages.

    Depending on who held it, ¡°The Medical Codex¡± could either save lives or bring catastrophe. In the hands of someone righteous, it was a blessing. Under the control of the corrupt, it spelled disaster. For that reason, every sessor who inherited ¡°The Medical Codex¡± made sure to stay hidden, quietly protecting its legacy from the shadows.

    Elliana¡¯s mind raced. Was it the presence of ¡°The Medical Codex¡± that had brought so much chaos into Rita¡¯s life? Had she handed¡­

    g???????¦Í??????.?????? ¨C ?????????? ???????? ????????

    The manuscript over to Ublento Medical University as a way to protect herself? What made Ublento Medical University the ce of choice? Did someone pull the strings from the shadows, or was it entirely Rita¡¯s call? Maybe there was an undisclosed tie between her and the university?

    Who had been safeguarding ¡°The Medical Codex¡± since it was donated to Ublento Medical University? Had anyone managed to grasp its content?

    One question after another raced through Elliana¡¯s mind, fueling her determination to dig up the truth. No matter what Carlos¡¯s real motives were, she knew she had to get into Ublento Medical University if she wanted answers about ¡°The Medical Codex.¡±

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    .

 Chapter 423

    ?Chapter 423:

    ¡°I¡¯m in,¡± Elliana told Carlos, her voice steady. ¡°But don¡¯t forget what you promised me. If I get you that manuscript, you owe me the truth about my mother. If you go back on your word, I¡¯ll burn it.¡±

    Carlos didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°You have my word, Miss Marsh. We don¡¯t intend to hurt you. Our interest is only in ¡®The Medical Codex.''¡±

    ¡°How do I reach you from here on out?¡± Elliana asked. She¡¯d already figured out the number Carlos was using was just a throwaway, one that would vanish the moment their chat ended.

    A sly grin appeared as Carlos revealed a username on the dark web. ¡°Contact me through that. Add me as a friend and message me whenever you need. I¡¯ll be waiting for you there.¡±

    Elliana wasn¡¯t new to the world Carlos was referring to. Without wasting a second, she logged into her ount and sent Carlos a friend request.

    As soon as Carlos epted her friend request, he wasted no time and ended the call. Momentster, he messaged her on the dark web. ¡°Miss Marsh, I look forward to working with you.¡±

    Elliana couldn¡¯t help but let out a small, wry smile, choosing not to reply. Something in her gut warned her that Carlos¡¯s intentions were far from innocent, and she doubted he wanted ¡°The Medical Codex¡± for any reason that would benefit others. She wondered what secrets woulde to light once she got her hands on ¡°The Medical Codex¡± and started digging into Carlos¡¯s true motives.

    After logging off the dark web, Elliana sat quietly, taking stock of her next moves. At the top of her mind was the link between Cole and Victor. But the problem was, the Evans Group¡¯s internal systems were fiercely guarded by Jody, and breaking into Cole¡¯s private records had always been a losing battle. Still, today felt like the right time to make another attempt.

    Elliana had been suspecting that Jody might actually be Lance, and this was her chance to find out. That thought sent her straight to the Evans Group headquarters.

    Upon arriving, instead of looking for Cole, she made a beeline for the R&D Department, determined to track down Lance.

    Lance¡¯s face lit up with genuine surprise when he saw her. ¡°Elliana? What brings you here today?¡±

    ga????¦Í??????.k??n ¨C ???????? ???????????? ???????? ????

    To dispel Lance¡¯s doubts, Elliana decided to sweeten the deal. ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking it over, and I figured taking you in isn¡¯t such a bad idea¡­¡±

    Upon hearing Elliana¡¯s words, Lance widened his eyes, wondering if he had heard her right. River, his idol, was really going to take him in as a prot¨¦g¨¦? He was buzzing with excitement. ¡°Wait¡ªare you serious? You¡¯re not pulling my leg, right?¡±

    Elliana deliberately schooled her expression into a stern frown. ¡°What, you¡¯re not interested? Fine. If you¡¯re not up for it, forget it.¡± She spun around and made a move to head for the door.

    Lance panicked and rushed after her. ¡°No, no, no! I¡¯m in! A thousand times yes! I¡¯m just stunned and find it hard to believe it.¡±

    Elliana smirked, continuing to bait him. ¡°Well, I¡¯ve thought it over. Your talent might be a bitcking, but since we¡¯re family now, it¡¯s only fair I look out for you.¡±

    ¡°Yes, exactly!¡± Lance nodded vigorously. ¡°You¡¯re wise and thoughtful. Honestly, you¡¯re one in a million.¡±

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 Chapter 424

    ?Chapter 424:

    Elliana gave a light shrug. ¡°When I took Hutty in, we did a proper ceremony. But since you¡¯re Cole¡¯s cousin, just buy me lunch. That¡¯ll do.¡±

    Lance¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Done! Where do you want to eat?¡±

    She pointed to the left. ¡°Let¡¯s keep it close. How about that Ublento Hotel branch?¡±

    Ublento Hotel had several branches across the city, and one was conveniently just behind the Evans Group. Any branch was her yground. It gave her the perfect chance to knock Lance out and then infiltrate the Evans Groupwork.

    Lance, oblivious to her n, beamed. ¡°Perfect! It¡¯s almost lunchtime anyway. Let¡¯s go.¡±

    He motioned for her to walk with him, but Elliana stopped him with a raised hand. ¡°Wait. I¡¯ll go first. You follow a littleter.¡±

    Lance frowned, confused. ¡°Why?¡±

    Elliana gave him a look. ¡°You really don¡¯t know how jealous Cole gets?¡±

    Realization hit him. ¡°Oh! Right. Got it. Go ahead. I¡¯ll wait ten minutes.¡± And just like that, Elliana walked off. She came to and left thepany without Cole seeing a thing.

    But luck wasn¡¯t fully on her side¡ªMyles happened to spot her on her way out. During a routine work update, he casually said, ¡°Elliana dropped by earlier. She spoke with Lance for a bit and then left.¡±

    Cole raised an eyebrow. Why would his wife visit and speak to Lance, but not him? Why did she leave without bothering to see him?

    Myles added, ¡°Maybe she was updating him on the Seek project. She left not long after.¡± Cole nodded, finding the exnation usible. ¡°Have someone follow her. I want to know where she goes next.¡±

    ¡°Right away.¡± Five minutester, Myles came back. ¡°She¡¯s at the Ublento Hotel branch behind the Evans Group for a meal.¡±

    A flicker of annoyance crossed Cole¡¯s face. Why hadn¡¯t she asked him to join her? Could it be that she intended to pack up some food there to dine with him in his office? The thought softened him a little, and he leaned back to wait.

    g???????¦Í??????.?????? ¨C ?????????? ????????

    But thirty minutes passed, and still no sign of her.

    Cole called Myles again. ¡°Check what she¡¯s doing now.¡±

    Myles had his subordinates keep an eye on the situation, and the update came quickly. ¡°She¡¯s in a private dining room with Lance. The doors are closed. We can¡¯t see in.¡±

    Cole¡¯s face darkened like storm clouds gathering. He¡¯d told her clearly¡ªstay away from Lance. And now she was not only meeting Lance in secret but having lunch behind his back. What was going on? Was she actually interested in that pretty face of Lance, who was several years his junior?

    Cole¡¯s anger boiled just beneath the surface. He was seconds from storming over there when his phone buzzed. It was a system alert¡ªEvans Group¡¯swork had just been breached.

    Cole had built that firewall himself. Normal hackers couldn¡¯t get close. So if the alert had reached his personal phone, it could only mean one thing¡ªa top-tier hacker had slipped past his defenses.

    He grabbed his phone and scanned the logs. Then, a slow, knowing smile crept onto his face. He recognized the hacker¡¯s signature¡ªQuinn. Suddenly, it all clicked. That was why Elliana had gone out with Lance. He could almost see it¡ªLance, unconscious at the table, drugged like Wesley had been.

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 Chapter 425

    ?Chapter 425:

    Now understanding the situation, Cole turned to Myles. ¡°Leave. No one is to enter without my express permission.¡±

    After dismissing Myles, Cole quietly observed the Evans Group¡¯s digital traffic, letting Quinn¡¯s intrusion run unchecked.

    Elsewhere, Elliana moved quickly¡ªLance had been knocked out cold by her little trick, and she wasted no time diving into the Evans Group servers. The search for Jody came up empty, and with not a single rm raised as she sifted through the database, she was sure she¡¯d finally cracked the puzzle. No doubt remained¡ªLance was indeed Jody. It was almostughable. Who would have guessed that, despite flopping in the world of AI, he¡¯d make a name for himself as a hacker?

    Digging through every folder, she scoured the database for any trace of Cole¡¯s personal details, but it was a total dead end.

    Right as her patience wore thin, the screen shed with a mocking note from Jody. ¡°Searching for something, Mrs. Evans? Maybe I can lend a hand.¡±

    Elliana froze. Her gaze snapped to Lance¡ªhe hadn¡¯t stirred, still sprawled out and oblivious. Realization dawned on her. She¡¯d chased the wrong suspect again. Jody had addressed her as ¡°Mrs. Evans,¡± meaning he¡¯d seen through her disguise. Just who was this man, anyway?

    Another message from Jody popped up. ¡°Honey, you only had to ask if you wanted ess to those files. As your husband, I¡¯d have handed them over without all the cloak and dagger¡ªno need for all this sneaking around.¡±

    He continued, ¡°Tell me, if I hadn¡¯t caught on today, would you have gone through everyst person at the Evans Group with your knockout routine just to flush me out?¡±

    A flush of embarrassment burned in her cheeks, but her eyes widened as the truth hit her. Cole was actually Jody. Every digital sparring, every trace she¡¯d followed¡ªit had been her own husband on the other end. The realization left her stunned. Worse, she¡¯d lied about being a guy online. He¡¯d never let her live it down. ¡°Little liar¡± was definitely going to be his new favorite nickname.

    Right on cue, a message from Jody lit up her screen, saying, ¡°Get your cute self over here. And bring food. I¡¯m starving.¡±

    With a sigh, she replied with a simple ¡°Okay¡± and closed out of the system.

    ga??????¦Í??????.k??n ¨C ???????? ???????????????? ????

    After a nce at Lance¡ªstill knocked out cold¡ªshe slipped from the private room, grabbed some takeout, and returned to the Evans Group headquarters to face Cole. Inside the CEO¡¯s office, she spotted Cole lounging on the couch like he owned the ce¡ªbecause, well, he did. He nced up the moment he heard the door.

    Without a word, Elliana set the food down on the table and took the seat across from him, tension hanging thick in the air. Despite being married to him, the humiliation of being caught hacking into hispany¡ªand blowing her own cover¡ªmade it nearly impossible to speak.

    Cole patted his thigh, a low chuckle escaping him. ¡°Come sit.¡±

    Without protest, she rose and settled carefully on hisp.

    One arm wrapped around her, and his voice softened as he said, ¡°So tell me, what were you hoping to find?¡±

    Her gaze stayed low as she answered, ¡°I wasn¡¯t afterpany secrets. I just wanted to see your personal files.¡±

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 Chapter 426

    ?Chapter 426:

    Not even blinking, Cole replied, ¡°If there¡¯s anything you want to know about me, all you have to do is ask. I¡¯ll always tell you the truth.¡± From the corner of her eye, Elliana studied his face. ¡°You¡¯ve probably run background checks on Victor, too. I wanted to understand if you two were connected somehow.¡±

    Cole¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Never met him. Didn¡¯t know he existed until his name showed up on the report for getting involved in our marriage registration. I still don¡¯t get his intentions.¡±

    He looked at her, something thoughtful in his eyes. ¡°You¡¯ve been looking into our marriage registration all along, haven¡¯t you?¡±

    She gave a firm nod. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

    Curiosity sharpened Cole¡¯s gaze. ¡°So, what have you managed to dig up?¡±

    Elliana didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Victor once ran a restaurant on Ublento¡¯s main strip before vanishing fifteen years ago. Now he¡¯s running a little diner in Podgend, and several different groups seem to be keeping tabs on him.¡±

    ¡°Matches what my sources uncovered,¡± Cole said, showing no sign of surprise. A gentle touch to her arm turned her so they were face to face. ¡°This marriage¡ªit¡¯s a partnership in every way, especially when ites to chasing down answers. Wouldn¡¯t we make more progress if we joined forces?¡±

    Augh bubbled up from Elliana, and she grinned. ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± Working in tandem, she realized, would prove more efficient than them searching for the truth behind each other¡¯s backs.

    With a fond grin, Cole pinched her cheek. ¡°Tell me, what¡¯s your next move?¡±

    ¡°Podgend is my destination. I n to confront Victor there,¡± she said.

    His mouth curved in agreement. ¡°Podgend, huh? I was nning to go there too. How about we set off together?¡±

    g???????¦Í??????.?????? ¨C ?????? ?????????????? ????????

    Elliana gave a quick, enthusiastic nod. ¡°Of course.¡±

    But this journey wasn¡¯t just about Victor¡ªze Wraith was in the mix, and the Lunathorn was on the line. She¡¯d have to be sharp to beat ze Wraith, and if things got tough, having Cole at her side would tip the scales. With both of them working together, ze Wraith¡¯s odds looked slim.

    Cole¡¯s spirits visibly lifted as he gazed at her. ¡°So let me get this straight¡ªyou¡¯re Rosa, a legendary designer, a top-tier fighter, the AI genius River, and somehow you¡¯re also a brilliant doctor¡­ How do you manage to be all that?¡±

    He leaned in, kissed her softly, and then murmured against her lips, ¡°What other secrets are you hiding from me?¡±

    Rather than give up her secrets, Elliana threw him a question instead. ¡°Tell me this¡ªwhy do you think Victor picked us for that marriage registration in the first ce?¡±

    Why Victor registered her and Cole as husband and wife was a question that ate away at Elliana. She had a feeling it was tied to her mother, Rita¡ªespecially since Victor had shown up the night the Jones estate burned. But if Rita was the reason, why drag Cole into it? Cole was dangerous. Provoking him was like kicking a ho¡¯s nest. Victor and his people couldn¡¯t be clueless about that.

    When Elliana brought it up, Cole¡¯s brow creased. ¡°I¡¯m not sure it has anything to do with my mother,¡± he said.

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 Chapter 427

    ?Chapter 427:

    ¡°Your mother?¡± Elliana repeated, startled.

    Cole gave a small nod. ¡°We¡¯ve been married all this time, and I haven¡¯t even told you much about her. That¡¯s on me. Let¡¯s eat first. I¡¯ll tell you everything after lunch.¡±

    Elliana slid off hisp and joined him at the table. No one had ever spoken of his mother since they got married. Her own research hadn¡¯t turned up any record of her death either. She¡¯d been curious¡ªbut never brave enough to ask. Now that Cole had brought it up, she was ready to listen. Maybe it was just her imagination, but the air around him felt heavier the moment his mother came up.

    After lunch, they went to the lounge and stretched out on the plush, king-sized bed.

    Lying side by side, Cole stared at the ceiling and began. ¡°My parents met while my dad was studying abroad. It was love at first sight. He brought her home with him, promising to spend the rest of his life with her. Mom was smart, beautiful, and kind. She was perfect for him. But she never said where she was from or talked about her past. My grandparents werepletely against their rtionship.¡±

    Pausing, he continued, ¡°But Dad didn¡¯t care. He loved her so much that he threatened to give up his ce in the Evans family if they didn¡¯t ept her. Eventually, they gave in. Mom shunned the spotlight. At their wedding, she wore a veil. Hardly anyone outside the family ever saw her face. After that, she stayed indoors most of the time, managing the house quietly. A yearter, I was born. Dad was over the moon, convinced their happiness wouldst forever. But when I turned twelve¡ªfifteen years ago¡ªshe vanished without any warning. No note. Nothing. She never came back.¡±

    Elliana had been listening closely. But when he said his mother vanished, her eyes flew to his. ¡°Vanished? What do you mean?¡± she asked.

    Cole let out a soft breath. ¡°It looked like she left on her own. She just vanished without a word, leaving my dad and me behind. We never heard from her again.¡±

    Elliana blinked, stunned. ¡°Why would she do that?¡±

    ga??????¦Í??????.k??n ¨C ?????????? ???????? ????????

    Cole shook his head slowly. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Not knowing has been the hardest part. My dad spent years chasing shadows. Now he¡¯s sick and worn out. Mom was different. No one really understood her. She¡¯s still a mystery.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s heart ached. Their mothers were so alike. Both had disappeared fifteen years ago and left behind a trail of unanswered questions. But she had at least been given a goodbye. Her mother had warned her, advised her, and given her something to hold on to. Cole, though, had been left with silence. She heard the longing in his voice and saw the worry in his eyes. Her heart ached for him.

    She rolled onto her side and rested her head on his shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t be sad, Cole. I believe you¡¯ll find her someday.¡±

    He smiled faintly and pulled her closer. ¡°When I do, I¡¯ll take you to meet her right away. I¡¯ll tell her all about my amazing wife¡ªhow beautiful and smart you are.¡±

    His words filled her heart with warmth. And she knew¡ªif she ever found her mother, Cole would be the first person she¡¯d bring along. She wanted her mom to see who she married. A strong, remarkable man.

    After a brief silence, Elliana spoke. ¡°Fifteen years ago, the night the Jones estate caught fire, Victor had shown up. I think he¡¯s somehow connected to my mother.¡±

    Cole turned to her sharply. ¡°Your mother?¡±

    Cole¡¯s openness encouraged Elliana to confide in him. She said quietly, ¡°I have this feeling that my mother is still alive. Back when the fire swept through the Jones estate, she hadn¡¯t been trapped inside. She had hidden me somewhere safe and then walked straight into the mes herself. I think she used the fire as a distraction so she could get away from whoever was after her.¡±

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    .

 Chapter 428

    ?Chapter 428:

    Surprise flickered across Cole¡¯s face. After their wedding, he had made sure to look into everything about Elliana¡¯s past. His research showed that her mother kept to herself, and most people thought she was just a regr woman who did not measure up to Darin. That belief made sense since Darinter had an affair with Kiara. Yet, hearing Elliana im that her mother was running from someone did not add up. Most people never found themselves in that kind of danger. Maybe her mother, just like his own, had secrets no one ever saw.

    Elliana continued, ¡°People always say my father created Jones Pharmaceuticals, and my mother was just a quiet wife. That is not true. Every bit of his sess came from my mother¡¯s medical work and her knowledge. She built the foundation of Jones Pharmaceuticals.¡±

    ¡°Now it makes sense why thepany has struggled since she vanished,¡± Colemented thoughtfully.

    Elliana nodded. ¡°Yes, exactly. The Jones family has been coasting on her legacy. I doubt they can keep it going much longer.¡±

    After a pause, she added, ¡°I know nothing about my mother¡¯s past either. She was truly remarkable. I have been searching for her all these years.¡±

    Cole gently reached over and pulled her into his embrace. ¡°It¡¯s strange to realize how much our stories ovep.¡±

    Neither said anything after that. Both still carried secrets they were not yet willing to reveal.

    Elliana left out any mention of ¡°The Medical Codex.¡±

    Cole kept quiet about the schizophrenia gene that came from his mother. Very few people in the world even knew about it, a rare gic disorder set off by a particr toxin, causing terrifying symptoms whenever it red up.

    Back when Cole was only three years old, his mother had an episode that nearly tore their home apart and left his father with serious injuries. If his grandfather and a team of bodyguards had not shown up when they did, she might have taken her husband¡¯s life. Thankfully, her lucidity returned after that, and she never had another episode until she disappeared yearster.

    Still, the Evans family would never fully recover from what had happened that night. Charlie had run every test and eventually confirmed that Cole had the Psychephrenia gene.

    g???????¦Í??????.?????? ¨C ?????????? ???????? ????????

    The knowledge felt like a hidden time bomb, something Cole could never stop dreading. If he were on his own, he might have faced the illness without a second thought, perhaps even daring it to happen. However, his mother was still missing, and his father¡¯s health had be fragile. He knew he could not risk losing himself to the disorder. And with Elliana, the woman he loved, in his life, he couldn¡¯t bear the notion of himself having an episode. The weight of it all was crushing. He held Elliana tightly, almost desperately, as if trying to meld their bodies together.

    He knew that, logically speaking, he shouldn¡¯t have married with such a gic predisposition, but Elliana had burst into his life, and he¡¯d fallen hopelessly in love with her. He knew he¡¯d been selfish in love. He could not let her go. The idea of Elliana ever belonging to another man was more than he could stand.

    In the days that followed, Elliana found a sense of peace she hadn¡¯t known in a long time.

    After threatening to expel Elliana from the Evans family, Jason chose to retreat in silence, taking refuge in a private vi where he could nurse his injuries.

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    .

    .

 Chapter 429

    ?Chapter 429:

    Ever since Cole had called her out, Irene had scarcely left the sanctuary of her own room.

    Trinity had learned her lesson from the Boris incident and now kept out of trouble altogether.

    Jeff showed unwavering support for Elliana, and even Lance began to regard her with open admiration.

    Within the Evans household, Elliana needn¡¯t concern herself with anything else. The freedom allowed her to quietly make arrangements for her uing journey to Podgend.

    Once Adah returned from Apricot Blossom Vige, Elliana met her discreetly at the Ublento Hotel and held a meeting with the team who would join her for the trip to Podgend.

    Cole made sure to push aside every urgentmitment, so when the seventh evening arrived, he swept Elliana away under the pretense of a business trip to Podgend. The stated purpose was to handle negotiations.

    Their private jet waited for them at Regal Grove. Right before they were about to board, several uninvited guests made their appearance.

    Jason arrived first.

    At the sight of himing closer, nked by men in ck, Elliana could not hold back a slight smirk. Whether it was the effect of the medicine she had given him, or perhaps just his strong body built up over years, he managed to recover with surprising speed in only a week.

    ¡°What brings you here?¡± Cole asked, turning to face him.

    Behind the mask, Jason answered, ¡°It is my responsibility to keep the Evans family head safe. Podgend is not without its dangers. I should go with you.¡±

    ¡°You still haven¡¯t fully recovered. You should stay here and rest. I have already set everything up,¡± Cole said, frowning slightly at Jason.

    g???????¦Í??????.k??n ¨C ???????? ??????????

    Jason shook his head, firm in his stance. ¡°Nobody outside knows about my injuries. I might not be in the best shape, but I can still lead my team and hold off any rivals.¡±

    Afraid that Cole might refuse, Jason added quickly, ¡°Besides, I want to see the Crown Auction for myself and maybe try to bid on a few things I want.¡±

    With Jason¡¯s insistence, Cole finally agreed and let him board the ne.

    Once the group found their seats, An and Manley showed up. Upon boarding, Manley shed them a bright grin. ¡°Cole, I heard you were heading to Podgend for business. We¡¯re here to hitch a ride.¡±

    ¡°Why the sudden interest in Podgend?¡± Cole asked, his brows furrowing as he looked over.

    ¡°The Crown Auctiones around just once every four years, and there are always rare treasures,¡± Manley answered. ¡°An and I thought we¡¯de for the fun.¡±

    There was no more arguing, and Cole only asked, ¡°What about Merlin? Isn¡¯t he joining us?¡±

    Manley, already sprawledfortably on the sofa across from Cole, replied, ¡°Merlin¡¯s noting this time. From what I heard, he took his new secretary, Hailee, to a coastal city for some ¡®business meetings.''¡±

    Everyone exchanged a knowing look and tried not tough. It was no secret that Merlin never brought a female secretary on business trips. It was clear he was trying to win Hailee¡¯s heart.

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    .

 Chapter 430

    Chapter 430:

    An, always calm and polite, usually greeted everyone with a soft smile and quiet confidence. Today, though, he stared out the window with a long face, not saying a word.

    Cole shot him a curious look and teased, ¡°What¡¯s bothering you, An?¡±

    Manley chuckled and said, ¡°You better not poke at An right now. He could go off at any second.¡±

    Manley looked over at Elliana and said in a teasing tone, ¡°Elliana, your friend is the one to me! An used to be lively and polite. Ever since he saw your friend¡¯s photo, he¡¯s been moping around.¡±

    Elliana curled her lips in mild annoyance and gave An a look. ¡°Is it really that bad, Mr. Shaw?¡±

    An kept staring through the window and didn¡¯t bother responding.

    Unable to help himself, Manley jumped in on An¡¯s behalf. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t it be? Elliana, your friend isn¡¯t An¡¯s type at all. And that isn¡¯t the worst part. The worst? His grandfather even threatened to go on a hunger strike unless he married Adah. That¡¯s a lot of pressure for An!¡±

    Everyone broke outughing at the same time.

    With an annoyed look, An turned and snapped at Manley, ¡°Can¡¯t you stay silent for once, for Christ¡¯s sake!¡±

    At that, Manley immediately mped his mouth shut.

    Discreetly, Elliana raised her phone and took a quick picture of An before sending it to Adah. ¡°Just so you know, your fianc¨¦ is heading to Podgend for the Crown Auction too, and he¡¯s flying on my husband¡¯s private jet.¡±

    Adah¡¯s response came instantly. ¡°So I¡¯ll run into him in Podgend? He does 100k good, but honestly, I don¡¯t like his personality. Didn¡¯t you once say he acts all polished but is actually bossy, maybe even sneaky? To me, he just seems spaced out.¡±

    Elliana typed. ¡°You should me that picture you sent. After seeing it, he has been in a slump.¡±

    g???????¦Í??????.k???? ¨C ???????????????? ????????

    ¡°Seriously? Just over one single picture?¡± Adah texted, sending a speechless emoji right after.

    Their conversation wrapped up just as the ne prepared for takeoff.

    The flightsted more than ten hours. When itnded safely in Podgend, everyone made their way to the mansion that had been arranged for them.

    Because of the timeg, darkness had already fallen by the time they reached Podgend.

    The mansion sat about a hundred kilometers away from Victor¡¯s town.

    Jason joined the trip mostly to lend his support, but his weak health left him exhausted. He made his way straight to his room to rest right after stepping off the ne.

    An and Manley came along for the Crown Auction, which would not start for another three days. With no pressing ns, they headed out to a well-known local club to enjoy some drinks and entertainment. After catching their breath, Elliana and Cole put on disguises. They slipped into the night, determined to find Victor in town.

    .

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    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Have a great weekend dear ones. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. (? ?? ? ¨C ? ) ?

    .

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 431

    ?Chapter 431:

    Since Victor¡¯s eatery had several groups keeping watch, Cole decided to bring only Myles, Aron, and Hugh with him. The rest of the bodyguards stayed back at the mansion to ensure their movements wouldn¡¯t arouse suspicion.

    An ordinary ck car had already been arranged for them. They sped along the road toward town and reached their destination two hourster.

    For the sake of caution, they parked several hundred meters from Victor¡¯s eatery and sat in silence as they waited.

    Night had turned the town quiet, and heavy clouds gathered above, pressing down until the air felt suffocating. Rain was on its way.

    That was exactly what they needed. Back in Podgend, they had checked the forecast and nned to use the downpour as cover to slip into Victor¡¯s eatery unnoticed. They had learned from their investigation that Victor¡¯s eatery had a small courtyard at the back, which also served as his home.

    At precisely ten o¡¯clock, rain began to pour, covering the entire town in a sheet of darkness. All at once, they left the car and rushed toward the eatery.

    Sheets of rain blurred everything, turning the world into a gray haze and leaving the security cameras blind. Moving quickly through the downpour, the group slipped behind the restaurant and climbed the wall with practiced ease.

    A heavy iron gate blocked their path, but the lock was picked in seconds, and they slipped inside.

    What looked like an ordinary house doubled as Victor¡¯s restaurant in front, with his private quarters hidden in back.

    The courtyard door creaked open, letting the group into a pitch-dark living room.

    Rain dripped from their clothes as they blinked into the darkness¡ªno lights, nothing but the sound of the storm.

    Suddenly, thunder cracked, and lightning shed, lighting up the space for a single, electric heartbeat.

    g???????¦Í??????.????n ¨C ???????? ????????????????

    In that instant, the group saw a silhouette on the living room sofa. There was no mistaking that it was Victor, even in the fleeting burst of light.

    Without hesitation, Myles, Aron, and Hugh drew their guns, sights locked on him.

    A quiet click echoed as Victor flicked on a small tablemp. Its soft glow did little to reach the windows, but it cast enough light for everyone to see. Victor had clearly heard them enter the courtyard but hadn¡¯t bothered to run. With nowhere left to go, he just waited for the confrontation.

    Elliana and Cole fixed their eyes on Victor, who returned their gaze, unflinching.

    The standoff stretched out until Victor finally broke the silence. ¡°I figured you¡¯d show up some day.¡±

    Despite their soaked and battered appearance, Victor recognized every face in the room.

    Elliana didn¡¯t waste any time. ¡°You were expecting us, weren¡¯t you? Let¡¯s skip the small talk. You already know what we want.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re here to find out who I am, who I answer to, and why someone went to such lengths to register you two as husband and wife using forged documents. Isn¡¯t that right?¡± Victor replied in an even tone.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 432

    ?Chapter 432:

    Cole¡¯s lips curled as he sneered, ¡°You know what¡¯s at stake. Start talking, or you¡¯re done.¡±

    Unfazed by Cole¡¯s threat, Victor gazed at him with a gentle, nostalgic look before releasing a soft, thoughtful sigh. ¡°How time flies. The clever kid I once knew has grown into a man, while I¡¯ve simply aged along the way.¡±

    There was a strange tenderness in his tone, pride in the younger generation¡¯s growth, tinged with regret for his own fading years.

    Cole¡¯s brow furrowed, his voice icy. ¡°I¡¯m not here for a trip down memoryne, Mr. Stone. Cut to the chase.¡±

    A quietugh escaped Victor as he nced from Elliana to Cole. ¡°It¡¯s such a long story. If you want the full story, I¡¯d need all night just to scratch the surface. Give me a moment to prepare myself, will you?¡± He nodded toward the bathroom. ¡°May I freshen up first? After that, you¡¯ll get your answers.¡±

    Cole gave Myles a pointed nce, who instantly understood.

    Myles crossed the room, threw open the bathroom door, and quickly checked every corner to ensure Victor had no chance to slip away. No windows broke up the bathroom¡¯s solid walls¡ªthe door stood as the sole entrance or exit. There was no way Victor could slip out unseen.

    Myles signaled Cole that the area was secure.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got sixty seconds,¡± Cole warned.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Victor replied, a note of formality in his voice. He turned to Elliana with a faint smile. ¡°My, you¡¯ve grown up. Not quite the beauty your mother was, though. Still, you got her eyes¡ªsharp and bright as ever.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s lips thinned. So, he did know her mother. Frustration simmered beneath her calm exterior. He was stalling, keeping control of the room with every pause and request.

    ¡°Enough stalling, Mr. Stone,¡± Elliana said, her impatience breaking through.

    Victor¡¯s smile lingered as he nodded and disappeared into the bathroom. The door shut with a quiet click, leaving Elliana and Cole staring at it, every muscle tense as they waited.

    g???????¦Í??????.k???? ¨C ?????????? ??????????

    Thunder rattled the ss, the storm¡¯s fury never letting up outside. A momentter, they heard the faucet running, and then everything went quiet.

    They stood ready for Victor¡¯s return, but the minutes dragged on with no sign of him.

    Elliana nced down at her watch. One minute had stretched into three.

    Cole shot a sharp look at Myles. ¡°You¡¯re absolutely sure there¡¯s no exit?¡±

    Myles nodded. ¡°No windows, nothing but concrete. The only way out is that door. He must still be in there.¡±

    Cole didn¡¯t waste another second. ¡°Kick the door open.¡±

    Myles¡¯s boot mmed against the door, bursting it open as Aron and Hugh rushed in behind him.

    Once inside, all three stopped cold, their eyes widening as they took in the unexpected sight.

    ¡°Mr. Evans, Victor¡¯s gone!¡± Myles shouted, his voice echoing down the hall.

    Cole and Elliana rushed into the bathroom, only to be met with emptiness. Victor was nowhere in sight.

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 Chapter 433

    ?Chapter 433:

    The bathroom, as Myles had pointed out, was sealed off on all sides with thick walls, no windows anywhere, and a single door serving as the only entrance or exit. No one had seen Victor leave, yet somehow, he¡¯d vanished into thin air.

    Elliana¡¯s mind worked overtime. ¡°There¡¯s no way Victor just disappeared. There must be a hidden passage, maybe a trapdoor, something that leads out of here.¡±

    Cole immediately agreed. ¡°Let¡¯s tear this ce apart if we have to. There¡¯s got to be a secret exit somewhere.¡±

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh wasted no time starting a methodical search around the bathroom.

    Meanwhile, Elliana kept still, her gaze sweeping the room before settling on the sink. She remembered hearing the water running while Victor was inside. Her gut told her the answer was right there.

    With that idea in mind, Elliana moved closer, tapped her fingers on the sink, and crouched down to inspect the cab below. Her mind raced through everything she¡¯d ever learned about hidden mechanisms.

    Donovan hadn¡¯t just trained Elliana how to fight. He¡¯d taught her how to spot mechanical tricks and secret contraptions. She had soaked up plenty of know-how from him.

    Back when Donovan had pushed her to study, Elliana had teased him, asking if he was secretly preparing her for some treasure-hunting adventure in forgotten ruins, as she didn¡¯t see any point in learning all these obscure tricks.

    Donovan had shot back, ¡°Don¡¯t ever treat knowledge like a burden. One day, when you¡¯re in a bind, you¡¯ll be d you listened.¡±

    At the time, Elliana had shrugged off Donovan¡¯s words, but she still put in the work and learned everything he taught her. Never in a million years did she imagine those lessons would actuallye in handy now.

    Taking a breath, Elliana wrapped her hands around both sides of the sink and gave it a firm twist, hoping she¡¯d found the answer.

    g???????¦Í??????.????n ¨C ?????????? ????????????????

    A soft mechanical click broke the silence, and the sink began to rise, inch by inch.

    Cole¡¯s attention snapped to the movement, and the rest of the team¡ªMyles, Aron, and Hugh¡ªhalted their search, all eyes on the unfolding scene.

    Up the sink went, bringing part of the floor with it, until a perfectly square opening was revealed beneath, about a yard across.

    Nobody would have guessed that such an ordinary-looking sink concealed a hidden entrance right under their feet. A narrow staircase descended into the opening, illuminated by light seeping up from below.

    ¡°Victor must have slipped down here,¡± Elliana concluded. ¡°He probably turned on the faucet to muffle the sounds and buy himself a few extra seconds.¡±

    Elliana wasted no time and dropped down into the hidden passage. Cole, Myles, Aron, and Hugh were right behind her, diving in after her without a second thought.

    From above, it just looked like a simple hole in the ground, but once they were inside, they saw the space was more than a tunnel. It opened up into a full basement, roomy and well-lit. At the far end, a heavy door beckoned, most likely leading out to the courtyard.

    Elliana moved quickly toward the exit, her footsteps echoing.

    .

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 Chapter 434

    ?Chapter 434:

    Just as she reached for the handle, a firm grip closed around her waist.

    Cole pulled her aside, keeping her out of the line of danger.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go first,¡± Cole dered, his voice low but resolute.

    Their eyes met for a brief moment, and Elliana immediately understood that if anything dangerous was waiting, Cole would take the risk. This was his way of shielding her.

    Before she could protest, Cole was already through the door, clearing the way.

    Elliana hurried after him, not wanting to fall behind.

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh barreled in right after, edging past Cole so they could lead the way. They understood their role well. Being part of Cole¡¯s team meant stepping up to face whatever came next before anyone else.

    Instead of another basement, the door revealed a narrow tunnel stretching far into darkness, its end impossible to see.

    With no other way out, Victor must have used this path. Cole and the others had no choice but to follow wherever it led.

    They marched forward, step after step, until one by one, their phones lost all signal. Even so, they kept going, the tunnel winding on without any hint of daylight.

    The air grew heavier as they moved deeper, shadows closing in and dampness clinging to their skin.

    It took six exhausting hours before a faint shimmer finally appeared in the distance. A sure sign that Cole and the rest of the group were close to finding their way out.

    Pushing forward, they quickened their pace, heading straight for the glow until atst, they emerged above ground.

    Morning was just beginning to chase away the night, and the world outside was washed in pale, pre-dawn light.

    Stepping out, Cole took in the sight of a thick, tangled forest all around them. Victor was nowhere in sight.

    g???????¦Í??????.k???? ¨C ???????????? ???? ????

    Elliana wasted no time pulling out her phone and checking their GPS. ¡°Cole, we¡¯re only about twenty-five miles from our mansion,¡± Elliana remarked, reading the coordinates.

    But Cole didn¡¯t respond. When Elliana turned to him, she found his attention glued to the trunk of a nearby tree. Something about it had himpletely absorbed.

    Unable to help herself, Elliana moved closer, tracing his line of sight to a rough carving etched into the bark¡ªa venomous serpent symbol. She wondered why Cole was so fixated on a simple drawing. It seemed like it was just the work of a bored kid.

    ¡°Does this symbol mean something?¡± Elliana asked.

    Cole stood frozen, his eyes locked on the serpent carving, as though it had cast some kind of spell over him.

    Elliana stepped closer, her fingers brushing his sleeve as she spoke softly, ¡°Darling?¡±

    Cole blinked, snapping back to the present, and shot her an unreadable nce. A shadow had settled over his features, making his expression unusually severe.

    Elliana studied his face, her confusion deepening. ¡°What is it? Why does that symbol bother you?¡±

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    .

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 Chapter 435

    ?Chapter 435:

    She half-expected Cole to open up, but he just gave a tight, closed-mouth smile. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Let¡¯s get moving.¡±

    Without another word, Cole set off down the path, leaving Elliana to cast onest searching look at the mysterious serpent carving on the tree before hurrying to catch up.

    The mansion they had been staying at was a solid twenty-five miles away¡ªfar too far to hike on foot. Myles pulled out his phone and called for the security team, asking them toe pick everyone up.

    Thirty minutester, a car finally arrived to collect Cole and the rest of the group.

    Jason hade along, and as soon as he spotted Cole, he didn¡¯t waste time with pleasantries. ¡°Cole, what were you all doing out here at this hour?¡±

    No response came from Cole. He simply climbed into the car, his face an unreadable mask.

    Elliana couldn¡¯t shake her curiosity. Whatever that carving meant, it had clearly rattled Cole, as he¡¯d barely acknowledged anyone since. Myles, Aron, and Hugh had also noticed the shift in Cole¡¯s demeanor, but were just as baffled.

    Jason turned to Myles with a frown. ¡°Do you know what¡¯s eating at Cole?¡±

    Myles could only shrug. ¡°I¡¯m in the dark, too.¡±

    Jason¡¯s concern deepened. ¡°Then what exactly happenedst night?¡± There wasn¡¯t much reason to keep it from Jason. The Evans family¡¯s investigation of the enigmatic marriage registration between Cole and Elliana was practically an open secret. Myles exined, ¡°We tracked down a lead about the marriage registration between Mr. and Mrs.¡±

    Evans, sost night we went to investigate.¡±

    Jason took it all in and then turned to gaze at Elliana.

    After a night spent drenched in rain and crawling through a muddy tunnel, Elliana looked even more disheveled than usual. Her wild wig and smeared makeup made her impossible to miss.

    g???????¦Í??????.????n ¨C ??????????????????????

    Jason shot Elliana a sharp nce, his expression turning disapproving. ¡°Why did you insist oning in the first ce?¡±

    Jason had no idea about Elliana¡¯s fighting skills. To him, she was just an ordinary woman in over her head, and it seemed reckless for Cole to bring her along to a dangerous ce like Podgend. He assumed she had probably pleaded her way onto the trip, forcing Cole¡¯s hand. As far as he was concerned, she would only end up being a burden andplicating things.

    As these thoughts churned in his mind, Jason¡¯s stare became even colder, his eyes practically dripping with disdain when he looked at Elliana. Sure, she had once contributed that Venacure for Jeff and even patched up his own injuries not long ago, but none of that changed his mind. He was still determined to see her out of the Evans family.

    Elliana, sharp as ever, saw right through Jason¡¯s thoughts. Still, with her mind tangled in the sudden shift in Cole¡¯s demeanor, she had no energy left for Jason¡¯s silent scorn. Without so much as a nce at him, she slipped into the car and sat beside Cole.

    Cole kept his thoughts to himself, remaining silent all the way back. The drive was uneventful, the car filled with unspoken questions as they headed back to the mansion.

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 Chapter 436

    ?Chapter 436:

    Inside the mansion, An and Manley were sprawled on the living room couch, deep in conversation. Their jaws dropped when they saw the group.

    ¡°Cole, where have you all been? You look like you¡¯ve been through a war,¡± Manley asked, eyeing their messy appearance.

    Cole didn¡¯t so much as nce in Manley¡¯s direction, his expression stormy as he made his way upstairs alone.

    Manley stared after him, bewildered by his silent retreat. Once Cole disappeared upstairs, he turned to the others and asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on with him?¡±

    No one had an answer. Not a soul understood what was weighing on Cole¡¯s mind.

    Elliana lingered for a moment in the entryway before quietly heading up the stairs after Cole.

    She had nned to head straight to their room and ask Cole what was going on, but just as she reached the door, a bodyguard stepped in her way. ¡°Mr. Evans requested not to be disturbed. Please use another room.¡±

    Elliana blinked in disbelief. It was hard to believe that Cole wouldn¡¯t even let her in. Not long ago, he always seemed to want her nearby. With no other choice, she slipped into the room next door.

    In the bathroom, Elliana stripped off her muddy clothes and let the hot water wash away the grime and exhaustion of the night. Freshly showered, she changed into clean clothes, ran a brush through her wig, and applied some makeup to maintain her disguise before stepping back out.

    She wanted to check on Cole, maybe invite him to eat with her. Her stomach was growling after the endless trek, and she figured he had to be just as exhausted and hungry.

    But when she reached his door again, the bodyguard was still there, blocking her path. ¡°Mr. Evans said no one¡¯s to disturb him unless he calls for them.¡±

    ¡°Did he eat yet?¡± Elliana asked.

    g???????¦Í??????.k???? ¨C ???????? ???????? ?????? ????????

    The guard shook his head. ¡°Not yet.¡±

    Realizing Cole was skipping breakfast, Elliana headed downstairs alone with a sigh. She found Jason waiting in the dining room, sitting as if he¡¯d been expecting her.

    Elliana didn¡¯t say a word, just took a seat and helped herself to a piece of toast.

    ¡°Elliana, do you realize how much trouble you caused Cole by following him to Podgend?¡± Jason asked, his irritationing through loud and clear.

    Elliana paused mid-bite and then leveled him with a calm, steady gaze.

    ¡°What kind of trouble are you talking about?¡±

    Jason¡¯s words cut through the morning air like a de. ¡°You married Cole and transformed him into the family¡¯s greatest embarrassment. Now you¡¯ve recklessly followed him to Podgend, igniting fresh waves of condemnation.¡±

    The usation struck Elliana, and her brow furrowed deeply. The logic escaped her¡ªhow could apanying her husband on a business venture possibly warrant such fierce opposition?

    Jason studied her bewildered expression before pressing forward. ¡°The Evans family sprawls across generations like a vast web. Ruben has seven brothers, each spawning their own dynasties. The inheritance flowed from him to Jarrett, and now rests with Cole¡­¡±

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 Chapter 437

    ?Chapter 437:

    ¡°Spare me the family tree. What¡¯s your point?¡± Elliana¡¯s interruption sliced through his exnation.

    Jason¡¯s gaze intensified, boring into her. ¡°In empires this size, warfare never ceases. Countless vultures circle the family head¡¯s throne, waiting to strike. Cole¡¯s every breath faces examination, and every decision endures judgment from the family tribunal. Do you grasp the weight of this burden?¡±

    Elliana¡¯s eyes dropped, her expression cooling to marble. ¡°Stop dancing around your message.¡±

    Her indifference ignited Jason¡¯s frustration, but he continued, ¡°Ruben thrust you into Cole¡¯s life, wielding family tradition as his weapon. The whole family erupted in mockery¡ªCole bound himself to an ipetent, hideous creature. Even when you wereter revealed as the legendary Rosa, shedding your reputation for ipetence, the Evans n remained unmoved. Your very existence continues to drag Cole through humiliation.¡±

    Impatience flickered across Elliana¡¯s features. ¡°Exin how my presence in Podgend supposedly drew condemnation to Cole.¡±

    ¡°Your appearance alongside Cole in public settings devastates the Evans reputation¡ªthat¡¯s the first catastrophe. Second, this region thrives on chaos and violence in business dealings. Your presence transforms Cole from predator into protector, multiplying his vulnerabilities. The elder generation now brands you a poison in his veins, dering Cole an ipetent leader. One has even pronounced Cole unworthy of leading the family! Right now, Ruben faces assault from all sides¡ªhis brothers and their offspring circle like wolves. He¡¯s drowning under their attacks. Are you blind to this destruction?¡± Jason¡¯s usations poured forth like venom.

    Elliana¡¯s lips twitched. Had the situation truly reached such theatrical heights? Reputation destroyer, toxic influence, ipetent leadership¡ªshe recognized the game these ancient schemers yed. They wielded her name as their excuse to seize the throne.

    ¡°Elliana, when Cole loses everything because of you, including his current role as the family head, will guilt consume you then?¡± Jason¡¯s question hung in the air like an executioner¡¯s de.

    Elliana dismissed Jason entirely, savoring her bread and draining her milk with deliberate calm.

    ?????????? ?????? ?????????????????? ?????????????????? ???? g????????¦Í??????.??????

    She possessed intimate knowledge of Cole¡¯s true nature. He ruled the business battlefield like a conquering general, transforming enemies into cautionary tales. If these decrepit patriarchs yearned for war, he would deliver annihtion beyond their nightmares. Furthermore, her own facade of weakness remained just that¡ªa carefully constructed illusion. When the moment demanded, she could shatter their preconceptions and blind them with her true capabilities.

    Jason¡¯s frown deepened as he watched her methodical breakfast ritual. When she rose to depart, his voice cracked with indignation. ¡°What kind of attitude is that?¡±

    The sound escaped Elliana¡¯s lips like a dismissive breath. ¡°Oh.¡± She pivoted to face him, her gaze sharp as winter steel. ¡°Listen up, I will live well with Cole. Abandon your pathetic dreams of banishing me from the Evans legacy.¡±

    With that, Elliana ascended the staircase, leaving Jason to choke on his rage.

    Jason¡¯s fury manifested in violent coughing fits as he stared at her retreating form.

    Once Elliana vanished from sight, Jason¡¯s assistant, Lanny, materialized in the dining room. His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. ¡°Mr. Evans, why waste energy on that walking disaster? Your mother believes Cole¡¯s being condemned by the family elders creates the perfect opportunity for your ascension.¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 438

    ?Chapter 438:

    Jason¡¯s expression transformed into something dangerous. ¡°Inform my mother that her delusions end now!¡±

    He stormed from the dining room like a man possessed.

    Lanny¡¯s fingers moved swiftly across his phone screen, delivering a detailed report of Jason¡¯s reaction to Irene.

    Irene¡¯s response arrived with chilling swiftness. ¡°Jason resists ambition for now. But if Cole perishes in Podgend, hunger will awaken within Jason. Youprehend my meaning?¡±

    Lanny typed back. ¡°Perfectly understood.¡±

    Cole¡¯s well-being consumed Elliana¡¯s thoughts. She climbed the stairs and approached the bodyguard stationed outside Cole¡¯s room. ¡°Has Cole summoned anyone in?¡±

    The guard¡¯s head moved in a subtle negative. ¡°No. Mr. Evans has maintainedplete silence since entering the room.¡±

    Elliana released a heavy sigh and retreated to her adjacent room. Her fingers trembled slightly as sheposed a message. ¡°Cole, tell me what¡¯s bothering you.¡±

    The text vanished into the digital void, met only by crushing silence.

    She waited anxiously, unable to sleep despite her exhaustion.

    Beyond the thin wall separating them, Cole¡¯s room existed in absolute darkness. Heavy curtains formed an imprable barrier against the outside world.

    Within this self-imposed tomb, Cole upied the sofa like a statue carved from shadow, his anguished features nearly invisible in the gloom. His stare prated the darkness as his mind reyed that horrific night when his mother had an episode. The serpent totem materialized in his memory like a monstrous w, its grip tightening around his throat. Pain, suffocation, and the promise ofplete destruction coursed through his being in endless, torturous waves¡­

    Elliana rested on the bed, hoping to hear from Cole, but somewhere along the way, she dozed off. The weariness from the night before had finally caught up to her, pulling her into a heavy sleep thatsted well into the afternoon.

    When she finally stirred, she blinked a few times, still disoriented, and then quickly rolled over to grab her phone. Even in her sleep, her thoughts had been tied to Cole. Now that she was awake, her pulse quickened. But the screen was nk. No messages. Not a single reply from Cole.

    F???????? ???????????????? ???? g??????ov?????.??????

    Elliana swung her legs over the side of the bed, stood up, and stepped into the hallway.

    When she reached Cole¡¯s door, she spotted Aron and Hugh stationed there like guards, both of them stern and unflinching.

    ¡°Has Cole asked anyone to go in?¡± Elliana asked as she came near.

    Aron answered, ¡°Myles is inside.¡±

    Just as she opened her mouth to press for more, Hugh interjected, ¡°Mrs. Evans, Mr. Evans made it clear he doesn¡¯t want to see you. It¡¯s best if you don¡¯t try to enter.¡±

    That made Elliana¡¯s brow tighten. ¡°Why doesn¡¯t he want to see me? What did I even do?¡±

    Aron shifted, clearly ufortable. ¡°Mrs. Evans, we honestly don¡¯t know. Mr. Evans gave a direct order. We¡¯re just doing what we were told. Please don¡¯t put us in a tough spot.¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 439

    ?Chapter 439:

    Elliana¡¯s anxiety, which had already been simmering, red into something sharper. Fine, if Cole didn¡¯t want to see her, she wouldn¡¯t show her face!

    Fueled by that frustration, she marched down the stairs, still concerned about Cole and puzzled by his sudden coldness. Back in the hidden passage, he had treated her with care. Yet, after they stepped outside and his gaze locked onto the snake emblem on that tree, he had shut her out without a word. What was the significance of that snake symbol to him? Why couldn¡¯t he just exin it to her? Dodging her and hiding things¡ªhow was this supposed to be a real marriage?

    Down in the living room, An and Manley were sipping coffee and chatting, while Jason sat off to the side, silent and cold.

    When Manley noticed Ellianaing down, he greeted her warmly.

    ¡°Elliana,e have a seat with us.¡±

    Elliana had intended to ask about Cole, so she took the open spot. Before she could get a word out, Manley handed her a fresh cup of coffee and asked, ¡°Elliana, what¡¯s going on with Cole? He¡¯s locked himself in since morning. No meals, no water. Did something strange happenst night?¡±

    Elliana bit back her thoughts and answered with a slight shake of her head. ¡°I have no idea why he¡¯s acting this way. Last night was unusual, yes, but there wasn¡¯t any real danger or anything that should¡¯ve triggered such a change.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d bet it has to do with the family elders questioning his decisions,¡± Jason interjected, his voice dry.

    Manley turned to him, frowning. ¡°Those old schemers in the Evans family are stirring up trouble for Cole again?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Jason said, not blinking. ¡°They¡¯re furious with Cole for dragging his unattractive wife into the spotlight, convinced it¡¯s brought shame to the family and made them aughingstock. They im it¡¯s damaging their standing and putting their interests at risk. And taking his fragile and in wife to a vtile ce like Podgend for business only made things worse in their eyes. Now they¡¯re calling him reckless, saying he¡¯s no longer suited to lead the family. Some of them are even pushing for him to step down on his own.¡±

    Jason shifted his gaze to Elliana, his tone measured. ¡°Cole was groomed by Ruben to take over the family. Cole has poured everything into bing the family head. There¡¯s no way he¡¯d walk away from it willingly.¡±

    T???? ???????? ???????? ???????? g???????¦Í??????.??????

    Though Jason¡¯s words came across as impartial, every syble carried a hidden message, all directed at Elliana. He implied that if she stepped away from the Evans family, Cole¡¯s troubles would vanish.

    An and Manley exchanged awkward nces. Both of them were aware that Elliana wasn¡¯t as fragile as she looked. Still, that wasn¡¯t something they could say out loud. And truth be told, there was weight behind Jason¡¯s usation. Elliana¡¯s presence had indeed created waves. In Ublento, heads of wealthy families usually had wives who were elegant and breathtaking, their appearances contributing to the family¡¯s prestige and reputation.

    Another woman might have faltered under the sting of Jason¡¯s words. But Elliana held her ground and met him head-on. ¡°Jason, I¡¯ve said it once, and I¡¯ll say it again. Stop pushing this. I¡¯m not leaving Cole.¡±

    Jason stared at her for a long moment, then looked away, the defeat heavy in his expression. He was truly worried about Cole. But if Cole was choosing to stay with a wife who didn¡¯t fit the mold, there was nothing left to say.

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 Chapter 440

    ?Chapter 440:

    At that moment, the sound of footsteps echoed down the staircase.

    Every head turned toward the stairs as Myles appeared, holding a folder in his hand. Since he had just emerged from Cole¡¯s room, it was clear he had news. All eyes were fixed on him, waiting for something that might exin Cole¡¯s behavior.

    Myles stepped closer, his gaze flicking nervously to Elliana before he extended the file and said quietly, ¡°These are the divorce papers. Mr. Evans asked you to sign them.¡±

    The mention of divorce papers detonated through the room like a silent explosion.

    An and Manley exchanged bewildered nces¡ªthey had witnessed Cole¡¯s devotion to Elliana with their own eyes and seen how it consumed himpletely. On Merritt¡¯s yacht, Cole had transformed his own flesh into her shield, willing to absorb a bullet meant for her heart. That singr act revealed everything¡ªhe would sacrifice his life without hesitation to preserve hers. Such profound love didn¡¯t simply vanish overnight. What force could possibly shatter such dedication?

    Jason remained oblivious to these deeper currents. In his mind, the family elders¡¯ relentless pressure had finally broken Cole¡¯s resolve, forcing him to discard his unsightly wife like a burden he could no longer bear.

    This interpretation filled Jason with quiet satisfaction.

    ¡°Elliana, release Cole from the prison you¡¯ve created,¡± Jason dered. ¡°Cole bleeds loyalty to the Evans family¡¯s bloodline. The sessor¡¯s mantle was ced on his shoulders as a child, and every breath he¡¯s drawn since has served our family¡¯s glory. He cannot surrender his position as the family head for any woman.¡±

    Pausing, Jason added, ¡°Nothing¡ªabsolutely nothing¡ªsupersedes Cole¡¯s duty as the Evans family head. He would sacrifice his own existence before abandoning that sacred responsibility.¡±

    His message crystallized with brutal rity. He surmised that to Cole, the family head¡¯s position transcended even his own mortality. Naturally, discarding an unattractive wife to preserve that status seemed entirely reasonable.

    Before Elliana could process this assault, Jason pressed his advantage. ¡°Cole is never a stingy one. If he seeks divorce, he¡¯ll surelypensate you financially. Sign these documents, and you¡¯ll possess enough wealth to live in luxury until your dying breath.¡±

    R?????? ???????? ???????????????? ???? g??????ov?????.?????

    Elliana had maintained her mask of indifference throughout Jason¡¯s verbal assault, dismissing his words as meaningless noise. But at the sight of these divorce papers, herposure shattered. Cole wanted to divorce her? Why? When she had rejected him, he had pursued her with relentless determination. Now that her heart had finally opened to him, he sought to cast her aside like discarded refuse? Could her very existence truly threaten his position so profoundly that he feltpelled to abandon herpletely?

    Her eyes devoured the legal document¡¯s contents. The dissolution¡¯s justification read ¡°irreconcble differences,¡± while thepensation figure matched Jason¡¯s promise¡ªa sum that defiedprehension: ten billion dors.

    Most souls would never glimpse such wealth in their entire existence.

    If she possessed the heart of a mercenary, willing to trade dignity for currency, she might indeed ept this blood money and vanish from the Evans dynasty forever.

    But greed had never poisoned her spirit! Cole believed he could divorce her with the pathetic excuse of ¡°irreconcble differences?¡± She would never grant him such an easy victory! Irreconcble differences? Howughable. The previous night aboard his private aircraft, he had cradled her against his chest, imed her lips with desperate hunger, and whispered promises that set her soul aze.

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 Chapter 441

    ?Chapter 441:

    She had stressed the magnitude of her emotional investment, made clear that her heart didn¡¯t bend to financial maniption. This marriage wasn¡¯t some trinket he could treasure or discard ording to his whims. Until he provided genuine exnations and offered reasonable justification, her signature would remain forever beyond these divorce papers!

    Rage ignited within Elliana¡¯s chest like wildfire. She mmed the divorce papers against the table with explosive force and surged toward the staircase. Cole would face her wrath directly!

    ¡°Ms. Marsh!¡± Myles¡¯s voice cracked like a whip behind her.

    Elliana froze, bitterughter escaping her throat. Myles had always honored her with ¡°Mrs. Evans,¡± but now he stripped away even that title when Cole desired a divorce. How swiftly allegiances crumbled when things shifted!

    Watching her rigid spine, Myles delivered his calcted blow. ¡°Mr. Evans refuses all contact with you.¡±

    Elliana whirled around, her eyes zing with fury. ¡°His refusal means nothing to me! Does he believe I¡¯ll obey his everymand like some trained animal? He pursued me with obsessive determination, and now he discards me like rotting garbage? Who does he think he is? If he craves a divorce, he¡¯ll deliver that message himself, face to face!¡± She pivoted and continued her ascent.

    Myles materialized before her like a sentinel, his body blocking her path. ¡°Ms. Marsh, Mr. Evans swore he never wants to witness your face again. If you force entry into his room, he¡¯ll destroy his own eyes rather than endure the sight of you¡­¡±

    Agony pierced Elliana¡¯s heart like a dagger of ice. Cole would mutte himself rather than look upon her again? She stared at Myles with hollow eyes, her voice barely audible. ¡°Why? What transformed him into this stranger overnight?¡±

    Myles¡¯s features tightened with apparent reluctance, but he steeled himself for the killing blow. ¡°Mr. Evans discovered he had loved the wrong woman entirely. You were never his intended choice¡ªeverything between you two was built on catastrophic error.¡±

    Jason approached like a vulture sensing weakness. ¡°Cole was blinded by archaic family traditions, trapped in this doomed marriage with you. Now that rity has returned to him, stop clinging to false hope, or you¡¯ll forfeit even my basic respect!¡±

    ?????? ???????????? ?????????????????? ???? g??l??ov¨¨????.??????

    Elliana¡¯s eyes narrowed into lethal slits. ¡°Jason, disappear from my sight before I make you regret existing!¡±

    Sensing Elliana¡¯s volcanic rage building toward eruption, Myles gestured with practiced diplomacy. ¡°Ms. Marsh, an aircraft is ready to transport you back to Ublento. Mr. Evans expects to find your signed divorce papers upon his return, ensuring no dys in the legal proceedings.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s lips curved into a smile sharp enough to draw blood. Such desperate haste to leave her, such calcted cruelty. What a magnificently heartless creature he had revealed himself to be! ¡°Keep your escorts. I¡¯ll leave on my own!¡±

    She snatched the divorce papers from the table like a weapon and stormed from the mansion.

    An and Manley sat frozen, stunned by the sudden turn of events. As Elliana strode out of the mansion, they sprang to their feet and hurried after her.

    Myles and Jason followed close behind.

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    .

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 Chapter 442

    ?Chapter 442:

    ¡°Ms. Marsh!¡± Myles called out firmly as she reached the mansion¡¯s entrance. ¡°Podgend isn¡¯t like Ublento. The political winds here shift dangerously, and this region is no ce to take risks. You should board the private ne and let our people escort you safely back to Ublento.¡±

    Elliana halted abruptly, pivoting with a sardonic smirk directed at Myles. ¡°Do you take me for someone who needs your useless subordinates to escort me?¡±

    Myles bit his lip in frustration, speech caught in his throat. They had all witnessed firsthand Elliana¡¯s formidable prowess¡ªshe truly needed no escort. Should trouble arise, those sent to protect her might only end up being liabilities.

    But Jason, unaware of her capabilities, frowned and warned, ¡°Don¡¯t assume that being stubborn will soften Cole¡¯s heart enough toe see you. Podgend is far more perilous than you realize. Don¡¯t y fast and loose with your life.¡±

    Elliana ignored Jason¡¯s warning and turned to leave.

    Myles opened his mouth to persuade her once more, but she snapped coldly, ¡°Don¡¯t follow me.¡±

    Myles had no choice but to halt on the spot.

    An and Manley exchanged uncertain nces, hesitant about how to step into the brewing tension.

    Jason¡¯s eyes narrowed as he watched Elliana¡¯s retreating figure, his brows knitting in concern. Though his words had been sharp, his intentions were genuine¡ªhe wanted her to leave the Evans family, not to risk her life.

    As Elliana crossed the mansion grounds, Jason leaned toward Lanny beside him. ¡°Take a few men and shadow her discreetly. Keep her safe. If anything beyond your control happens, report to me immediately.¡±

    ¡°Understood,¡± Lanny replied, promptly leading his men in pursuit.

    Elliana stormed off, quickly pulling out her phone to contact Adah, instructing her to send a pick-up.

    C???????? ???????????????? ???? g??????ov?????.??om

    Once Elliana hung up, she sensed someone following her. A mischievous grin tugged at her lips as she darted sideways.

    Lanny underestimated Elliana, dismissing her as fragile. At first, he followed casually, smirking with condescension when she broke into a run. But after she rounded a corner and vanished, his pace quickened. He convinced himself she couldn¡¯t have gone far, yet when he and his men swept around the bend, she was nowhere to be found.

    Secretly, Lanny had been carrying out Irene¡¯s orders to ensure Cole met his end in Podgend, and thus, he cared little for Cole¡¯s estranged wife. But now, with Jason¡¯s directmand to protect Elliana, he dared not afford a slip-up so soon. Panic set in. ¡°Search everywhere! We cannot let that troublesome woman fall into harm¡¯s way!¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± The bodyguards scattered in every direction.

    Lanny remained where he stood, tense and waiting.

    After nearly ten minutes, all the bodyguards regrouped, breathless but empty-handed. ¡°Sir, she¡¯s nowhere to be found,¡± they reported in unison.

    Lanny¡¯s brow furrowed deeply. ¡°How is that possible? She¡¯s delicate¡ªshe couldn¡¯t have gotten far. Did you even search properly?¡±

    ¡°We searched thoroughly, sir. No corners were cut,¡± the bodyguards replied firmly.

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 Chapter 443

    ?Chapter 443:

    Anxiety gnawed at Lanny¡¯s insides. Podgend, a region bordering Delta, was rife with dangerous factions. Kidnappings ranked among the highest worldwide. Elliana¡¯s sudden disappearance spelled trouble. His heart pounded as he imagined Jason¡¯s wrath. Though dreading Jason¡¯s fury, he knew he couldn¡¯t bear the consequences of losing track of Elliana. Without hesitation, he reported to Jason.

    Meanwhile, inside the mansion, Jason sat silently on the living room sofa.

    An and Manley were pressing Myles for updates on Cole¡¯s status.

    After hearing Lanny¡¯s report, Jason¡¯s face twisted with anger. ¡°What? You lost her already? You can¡¯t even keep up with a delicate woman? Are you all utterly useless?¡±

    Lanny remained silent, cowed by the rebuke.

    Jason mmed the phone down, restless and agitated. He had dispatched Lanny, expecting Elliana to vent her anger briefly and then return willingly to ept Myles¡¯ n to fly her back to Ublento. He never anticipated losing track of her. But he couldn¡¯t spare more men to search for her. Cole had a critical meeting tomorrow.

    The bodyguards¡¯ main duty was his protection. Diverting forces now would leave Cole vulnerable to sudden threats.

    Besides, Jason was injured. As long as no one knew, he could still wield authority through intimidation¡ªotherwise, the risks would multiply exponentially.

    Seeing Jason¡¯s tense demeanor, Myles hesitated, unsure how to reassure him. He couldn¡¯t reveal Elliana¡¯s skills openly, yet he hated to see Jason so on edge.

    Finally, Myles chose to soothe Jason with a lie. ¡°Please don¡¯t worry. Elliana is someone Mr. Evans has decided to cast aside. He no longer values her. She made her choice¡ªMr. Evans won¡¯t shed a tear if anything happens to her.¡±

    Jason looked up sharply, surprised by Cole¡¯s apparent ruthlessness. Regardless, Elliana had once done favors for the Evans family, and that fact lingered in his mind.

    Myles couldn¡¯t bear Jason¡¯s intense gaze and let out a dry chuckle. ¡°I¡¯m going upstairs to check on Mr. Evans,¡± he said, trying to escape the tension.

    ???????? ???????????????????? ???????? g??l??ov??????.??om

    ¡°Hold on, Myles,¡± Manley called after him. ¡°You still haven¡¯t said why Cole suddenly wants a divorce from Elliana.¡±

    Myles paused, his expression tight. ¡°I honestly don¡¯t know. Mr. Evans called me in, handed me the divorce papers, gave me a few instructions on what to say to Elliana, and that was it. He didn¡¯t exin anything.¡±

    An frowned, concern lining his face. ¡°Why¡¯s Cole acting like this all of a sudden?¡±

    Myles shook his head slowly. ¡°I wish I knew. He¡¯s just been sitting there on the couch, saying nothing and refusing to see anyone.¡±

    The group fell silent, all of them equally confused. None of them could understand what had gotten into Cole. There was nothing they could do now¡ªexcept wait and hope he came back to himself.

    Meanwhile, a sense of unease gnawed at Jason. The weight of the debt to Elliana pressed on his conscience. She had once contributed Venacure, solving Jeff¡¯s problem, and more recently, she had treated his own injuries. He had never repaid her kindness, and if she were to meet her end in Podgend, he knew he would never find peace.

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 Chapter 444

    ?Chapter 444:

    After shaking off Lanny and the others, Elliana stood waiting for the car to pick her up.

    Soon, a red sports car pulled up with a roar. Adah was behind the wheel.

    Dressed in a striking fiery red leather jacket, with ck wavy hair flowing around her, and makeup that emphasized her sharp features, Adah exuded boldness and confidence. Her lips, painted in a vivid red,pleted the look. She drove like she owned the road¡ªfast, fearless, and full of ir.

    Thankfully, the streets were mostly empty. Had there been more people, her audacious driving might have drawn more than a few stares.

    With a screeching drift, the car slid gracefully to a halt beside Elliana. The window rolled down, and Adah leaned out, shing a grin that was as dazzling as fireworks. She whistled loudly before calling out, ¡°Hey, beauty queen! Hop in!¡±

    Elliana didn¡¯t smile. She quietly opened the door and slid into the passenger seat, her face gloomy and her eyes heavy.

    Adah nced at her, surprised. ¡°You okay? You look like someone kicked your puppy.¡±

    Elliana exhaled.

    Adah rolled the window back up and looked at her more closely. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen you like this. Did something happen? Did someone break your heart or something?¡±

    Elliana nodded. ¡°Exactly.¡±

    Adah raised her eyebrows. ¡°Wait¡ªwhat are you saying?¡±

    Elliana handed her the divorce papers. ¡°Cole wants a divorce.¡±

    Adah grabbed the papers and skimmed through them. She stared at Elliana in disbelief. ¡°What the hell? Weren¡¯t you two all lovey-dovey just yesterday? Now it says irreconcble differences? Seriously? What kind of differences could you two possibly have?¡±

    M?????? ???????????????? ???????? g????????¦Í??????.??????

    Elliana took a deep breath and told her everything that had happened the night before. When she finished, she stared down at her hands. ¡°I don¡¯t get it,¡± she whispered. ¡°He changed overnight. And it seems he really wants this divorce. He even said he never wants to see me again.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s absurd,¡± Adah muttered, shaking her head. ¡°So, what? You¡¯re really going to divorce him?¡±

    Seeing the heartbreak written all over Elliana¡¯s face, Adah mmed her palm against the steering wheel in frustration. ¡°Ugh! Forget him! So what if he¡¯s the richest man in the city? Big deal! Sign the papers, take your ten billion, and walk out with your dignity and virginity intact. You¡¯lle out winning!¡±

    Her voice rose with each word. She was practically vibrating with rage now. ¡°I¡¯ve said it a hundred times¡ªthere¡¯s no such thing as a ¡®good man.¡¯ Believing their sweet talk? It¡¯s like believing in unicorns! Who needs love anyway? Who needs a perfect husband?¡±

    Adah¡¯s hands flew around as she ranted, her lips moving faster than her thoughts. ¡°Women like us? We¡¯re independent, smart, and strong. You know what we need? A cute little boy toy¡ªsomeone who listens, looks good, and knows how to please us. When we get bored, we toss him out like expired milk. That¡¯s the way to live!¡± Her eyes narrowed. ¡°Cole¡¯s nothing special. Sure, he¡¯s hot and rich¡ªbut that¡¯s it! Totally useless beyond that. Don¡¯t waste your tears on him. If you want revenge, I¡¯ll help you knock him out cold, and you can sleep with him before you walk away.¡±

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 Chapter 445

    ?Chapter 445:

    At first, Elliana could hardly hear through her sadness. But Adah¡¯s chaotic energy slowly swept her along. Before she could stop herself, she found her thoughts drifting in the same wild direction. With wide eyes, she blinked and asked, ¡°Wait¡­ Why have sex with him before divorcing him?¡±

    Adah gave her a wicked grin. ¡°Babe,e on. Do you really think you¡¯ll ever find another man who looks that good? He might be your soon-to-be ex, but it¡¯d be a waste not to taste the goods before letting him go.¡±

    Elliana narrowed her eyes and growled, ¡°Just drive!¡±

    Adah flinched at the outburst and then stomped on the gas pedal. The car surged forward like a rocket.

    About an hourter, they reached their hidden lodging¡ªa sleek mansion tucked away in the hills.

    They had another major task in Podgend: attending the Crown Auction andpeting with ze Wraith for the Lunathorn.

    That was why their team¡¯s mansion wasn¡¯t far from Cole¡¯s¡ªonly about twenty-five miles away.

    Adah pulled the car onto the frontwn and turned off the engine. But instead of getting out, she nced at Elliana with curiosity still burning in her eyes. ¡°You haven¡¯t answered me. Are you really going to go through with the divorce?¡±

    Elliana, who had always possessed an unwavering decisiveness, found herself trapped in an unfamiliar web of hesitation when it came to divorcing Cole. Her pride had always served as herpass¡ªshe would vanish without a backward nce the moment rejection darkened her doorstep. Yet, Cole¡¯s abrupt demand for a divorce had blindsided herpletely, leaving her unable to stomach the thought of abandonment without dragging answers from him in a face-to-face confrontation.

    ¡°Absolutely not! I am not divorcing Cole!¡± Elliana¡¯s voice cut through the air with razor-sharp finality. At least not now.

    Before Adah could summon a single word of response, Elliana had already escaped the confines of the car.

    Adah lingered for a heartbeat before emerging herself, recognizing the storm clouds gathering in Elliana¡¯s demeanor and wisely choosing silence over interrogation.

    F???????? ???????????????? ???????? g???????¦Í??????.?????

    Side by side, they crossed the threshold into the vi.

    The living room buzzed with tension as a man and woman faced off beside the table, their argument crackling like electricity.

    Heather Byrd, devastatingly beautiful in her flowing blue chiffon dress, jabbed an usatory finger at her opponent while her voice dripped with disdain. ¡°Damian, are you even a man? Engaging in petty squabbles with a woman¡ªaren¡¯t you terrified you¡¯ll spend eternity as a bachelor?¡±

    Damian Chapman, his blond hair catching the light, radiatedplete indifference as his gaze swept over Heather with calcted dismissal. ¡°Heather, you expect men to hand you victories at cards like charity? Do you actually possess the skill topete? If gambling exceeds your abilities, admit defeat and retreat from the table!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m done!¡± Heather hurled her cards down with explosive fury, her re boring into Damian like molten steel. ¡°You cold-hearted miser! Beauty means nothing to you, and greed consumes your very soul. Mark my words¡ªyour obsession with money will be your downfall!¡±

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    .

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 Chapter 446

    ?Chapter 446:

    Whenever Elliana witnessed these two subordinates in action,ughter threatened to escape her lips despite herself. Heather perpetually schemed to extract wealth from unsuspecting men, while Damian worshipped money with religious devotion. Their encounters inevitably erupted into battles worthy of mortal enemies.

    Elliana¡¯s attention drifted to the remaining duo positioned nearby.

    Kieran Lloyd had surrendered to slumber on the sofa, his handsome features softened by exhaustion, wearing that familiar expression of perpetual weariness that seemed permanently etched into his bones.

    Meanwhile, Clifton Wilde upied the opposite end of the sofa, his brilliant mind lost somewhere in distant realms of imagination. Despite possessing an intellect that could shame schrs, he frequently appeared to drift through reality like a ghost.

    Who could possibly believe that these four seemingly ordinary individuals actuallyprised the legendary Four Guardians under Death Thorn, each one a weapon capable of reshaping destinies?

    The moment Heather¡¯s eyes found Elliana, her entire demeanor transformed into radiant wee. ¡°Elliana, you¡¯ve finally graced us with your presence! My heart has ached with longing for you!¡±

    This promation jolted Kieran from his dreams, snapped Clifton back to the present moment, and caused Damian to abandon his money-counting ritual with startling enthusiasm.

    ¡°Elliana!¡± they chorused in perfect unison, their voices ringing with the devotion of disciples greeting their messiah, their eyes zing with unmistakable reverence.

    Elliana had always maintained an atmosphere of casual camaraderie with these loyal souls, but today¡¯s tempest of emotions left her capable of only the briefest acknowledgment.

    Heather studied Elliana¡¯s expression with the careful attention of a detective examining evidence before venturing cautiously, ¡°Elliana, has something wounded your spirit?¡±

    Elliana allowed the question to dissolve into silence as she advanced toward the sofa.

    C???????? ?????????? ?????? ?????????????????? ???? g??????ov??????.?om

    Clifton and Kieran sprang into action, frantically clearing away scattered clothing and abandoned newspapers before polishing the cushions with their sleeves. ¡°Take a seat.¡±

    Elliana settled into the offered seat and fixed them with her prating stare. ¡°Have youpleted every preparation I instructed the other day?¡±

    Clifton, who bore the mantle of leadership among the Four Guardians, responded with a firm nod of confirmation. ¡°Every detail has been executed to perfection.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s expression hardened as she leaned forward. ¡°This confrontation with ze Wraith promises to test our limits like never before. Keep your senses razor-sharp and your defenses imprable¡ªdo you understand me?¡±

    ¡°Your concerns are groundless. We stand ready like sentinels in the night,¡± Clifton pledged with unwavering conviction.

    Having delivered these crucial instructions, Elliana retreated into brooding silence, her interest in conversation extinguished.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 447

    ?Chapter 447:

    Clifton and hispanions exchanged meaningful nces, their curiosity about their leader¡¯s troubles burning like embers, yet none possessed the courage to voice their questions.

    Adah materialized at Elliana¡¯s side, capturing her hand with gentle insistence as she spoke. ¡°Tomorrow night¡¯s auction approaches swiftly. You¡¯ve surrendered the entire day to sleep, which means rest will elude you tonight. Let me escort you into the world for some desperately needed joy and restoration!¡±

    Before Elliana could mount any resistance, Adah had already begun guiding her toward the exit, her determination to resurrect her friend¡¯s spirits zing like a beacon.

    The Four Guardians harbored displeasure about Adah¡¯s bold intervention. Ever since Elliana had bound herself to the Evans family through marriage, she had maintained her distance from their operations, leaving them starving for her presence. Now that fortune had finally delivered her back to them, she was being spirited away once again.

    Heather bounded toward Adah with infectious enthusiasm. ¡°Adah, where are you taking Elliana for fun? Mind if we tag along?¡±

    Adah¡¯s expression transformed into granite severity. ¡°Why did you want toe as well? nt yourselves exactly where you stand and await furthermands!¡±

    Heather retreated as if struck, while her threepanions, who had been preparing to follow, froze like statues in mid-motion.

    Elliana served as the beating heart of the Thorn Rose organization, though her legendaryziness meant she surfaced only when crises demanded her attention. During ordinary times, Adah wielded absolute authority over them as the second-inmand, and her reputation for merciless punishment inspired genuine terror.

    Once inside the car, Elliana turned to Adah with curiosity. ¡°Where are you taking me?¡±

    Adah responded with a mischievous wink that sparkled with promise. ¡°Darling, I¡¯m about to introduce you to the art of living without boundaries!¡±

    The carunched forward like a released arrow, devouring the distance ahead.

    R?????? ???????????? ????????ov?????.??o??

    Thirty minutester, they found themselves before the most opulent spa that graced the entire region.

    Adah gestured toward the establishment with theatrical ir. ¡°Elliana, feast your eyes! This represents the pinnacle of luxury in all of Podgend! I guarantee you¡¯ll discover such profound rxation that the memory of that worthless Cole will evaporate like morning mist¡­ Come, let¡¯s step into paradise!¡±

    Suddenly, a thunderous ¡°bang¡± shattered the moment as another vehicle crashed into their rear bumper.

    The rear-end collision struck with devastating force.

    Their car lurched and bucked like a wild animal, sending both Elliana and Adah careening forward until they nearly hit their heads. Fury ignited in Adah¡¯s veins like wildfire. ¡°What blind fool operates a vehicle without using their eyes?¡±

    She had already begun her assault on the door handle, ready to unleash hell upon the ipetent driver, when Elliana¡¯s backward nce froze her blood. Her hand shot out, capturing Adah¡¯s wrist in an iron grip. ¡°I strongly advise restraint.¡±

    ¡°Restraint?¡± Adah¡¯s voice cracked with disbelief. ¡°They¡¯vemitted vehicr assault against us. Why should I swallow my rage?¡±

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    .

 Chapter 448

    ?Chapter 448:

    Elliana¡¯s finger cut through the air toward the figure emerging from the offending vehicle. ¡°Take a good look. It¡¯s your fianc¨¦, An.¡±

    Time suspended itself as Adah processed this revtion and then slowly rotated to confirm the impossible. ¡°The universe certainly enjoys its cruel jokes.¡±

    At this moment, An had already walked up to their vehicles, his knuckles rapping against the driver¡¯s window with deceptive politeness.

    Terror of recognition seized Elliana¡¯s throat. She tore away her wig with desperate fingers, allowing her natural hair to cascade like a waterfall while a wide-brimmed hat swallowed her features in shadow. Only after Ellianapleted her transformation did Adah emerge from their car.

    An retreated two calcted steps, granting her space with gentlemanly courtesy.

    Adah stepped into the afternoon light, her wavy locks catching fire in the sunshine as she fixed An with a withering stare. ¡°Sir, how does one manage to destroy another vehicle on a road this expansive? Did alcohol cloud your judgment behind the wheel?¡±

    An¡¯s gaze devoured her like a starving man encountering a feast. She zed with otherworldly beauty. Her featuresmanded attention with their sculptural perfection, and even her hands possessed an elegance that bordered on artistic masterpiece. When she swept those raven waves from her shoulders, her crimson-painted fingernails caught the light like drops of fresh blood, mesmerizing in their vivid intensity. Women like her set his soul aze¡ªbrilliant, fearless, and burning with the intensity of captured lightning.

    ¡°Forgiveness, please¡ªyou escaped my noticepletely,¡± An offered, his apology wrapped in silk. ¡°Your ent suggests Ublento origins, am I correct?¡±

    Adah¡¯sugh carried the sharpness of shattered ss. ¡°Sir, trying to buddy up won¡¯t work. Shared geography means nothing when you¡¯ve rear-ended my car. You bearplete responsibility for this collision and must providepensation ordingly. That¡¯s fair, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Something lifted from An¡¯s chest¡ªa weight that had pressed against his ribs for countless days suddenly evaporated. This woman wielded beauty like a weapon while speaking with the directness of a de thrust. Her personality ignited something primal within him.

    ?????????????????? ?????? ???????????????? ???????? ???? g????????¦Í??????.??o

    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s fair,¡± he replied. He produced his phone with a theatrical flourish and extended it toward Adah. ¡°Your contact information would expedite the damage assessment process. Once professionals calcte the costs, I¡¯ll transfer the money to you instantly.¡±

    Adah curled her lips mockingly. Men had pursued her contact information through every conceivable deception since her beauty had first bloomed. An¡¯s transparent trick held all the subtlety of a charging rhinoceros. He would taste nothing but disappointment today. ¡°Absolutely unnecessary,¡± she dered with finality.

    Her heels clicked against the asphalt like gunshots as she approached her vehicle¡¯s wounded rear, examining the destruction with professional assessment before wheeling back toward An. ¡°Seven hundred thousand dors.¡±

    Before An could react, her hand had already imed his wristwatch like a conquering general seizing enemy territory. ¡°This timepiece will serve as perfectpensation. Its million-dor value exceeds my car¡¯s damage by exactly three hundred thousand¡ªconsider that premium payment for the inconvenience you¡¯ve inflicted upon my day.¡±

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    .

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 Chapter 449

    ?Chapter 449:

    Without granting An the courtesy of a response, she swept past him with imperial authority, her fingers finding Elliana¡¯s hand as they advanced toward the spa like queens approaching their pce.

    An remained frozen in the aftermath of her hurricane. This woman didn¡¯t merely speak with directness¡ªshemanded reality itself, reshaping circumstances through sheer force of will, transforming even extortion into an art form.

    Manley had observed the entire spectacle from the sidelines like a theater patron enjoying premium entertainment. Once Adah had imed Elliana as her prize and departed, he approached with a grin that threatened to split his face. ¡°An, that woman just scorched the earth beneath your feet. Did she leave you speechless?¡±

    An grinned. ¡°Fascinating beyond measure¡­¡±

    Manley¡¯s attention tracked the women¡¯s retreat. ¡°Herpanion possesses an ethereal quality¡ªthat slender silhouette and waist-length hair suggest angelic purity. Unfortunate that her face remained hidden. I wonder what treasures lie beneath that hat.¡±

    ¡°Your curiosity burns bright?¡± An inquired.

    Manley¡¯s chuckle held wicked anticipation. ¡°Like a me consuming dry timber.¡±

    An began walking toward the spa entrance. ¡°Then let¡¯s unveil these mysteries firsthand.¡±

    When the two men prated the lobby¡¯s sanctuary, their quarry had already vanished into the building¡¯s depths.

    An approached the reception desk like a hunter tracking prey, learning that the women had secured a deluxe suite and disappeared into its private realm.

    Though An and Manley had originally intended nothing more than therapeutic hot spring indulgence, the possibility of the women¡¯s escape nowmanded theirplete attention. They imed a strategic booth, nursing their beverages while maintaining vignt watch.

    Their chosen fortress provided perfect surveince of the lobby while rendering them invisible to casual observation.

    ?????????? ???????????????? ???? g??????ov?????.???? m

    Elliana and Adah remained ignorant of their watchers¡¯ presence. Within their private sanctuary, conversation flowed as freely as the heated waters that embraced their bodies.

    Adah¡¯s voice carried frustration like poison. ¡°I had envisioned perfect rxation for both of us, but running into An has contaminated everything. Lingering here invites awkward encounters that could shatter our peace. Let¡¯s soak for a bit and then leave to find another ce for fun.¡±

    ¡°Sounds good,¡± Elliana agreed. She didn¡¯t want to run into An and Manley, who could unravel her carefully maintained disguise.

    Thirty minutes marked the extent of their aquatic therapy. When Elliana emerged, her artificial ugliness had dissolvedpletely, reced by a pristine white dress that transformed her into something celestial. Her movements created poetry¡ªlong hair and flowing fabric dancing together like captured moonbeams.

    Adah had abandoned her crimson leather armor for an elegant gown, though she maintained her signature scarlet like a warrior¡¯s banner.

    Hand in hand, they crossed the lobby toward freedom.

    An and Manley, concealed within their booth like predators in tall grass, absorbed every detail as their targets glided past the revolving door and vanished into the world beyond.

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    .

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 Chapter 450

    ?Chapter 450:

    Elliana and Adah walked back to the car, where An¡¯s vehicle remained exactly where they had left it.

    Adah cast a contemptuous nce at An¡¯s sleek sedan before sliding behind the wheel of her own car.

    Elliana settled into the passenger seat beside her.

    ¡°How about we hit the Will Bar?¡± Adah proposed, her fingers drumming against the steering wheel.

    Elliana shook her head firmly. ¡°Not tonight. Take me back.¡± An inexplicable unease had settled deep in her chest, like a stone dropped into still water. The ripples of apprehension made any thought of entertainment impossible.

    Recognizing the genuine reluctance in her friend¡¯s voice, Adah started the engine without argument and pulled away from the curb.

    The moment their taillights disappeared around the corner, An and Manley stepped out of the spa¡¯s marble entrance and hurried toward their waiting car.

    An imed the driver¡¯s seat with practiced ease.

    Manley studied his friend¡¯s determined profile. ¡°An, you¡¯re actually going through with this chase? We¡¯re strangers in Podgend, where the rules bend differently than back home. This could spiral into something we can¡¯t control.¡±

    ¡°Get out if you¡¯re having second thoughts,¡± An replied without breaking his stare ahead.

    Manleyughed, the sound rich with familiar camaraderie. ¡°Since when do I back down from anything? I¡¯m simply suggesting you keep your head clear. Sure, it¡¯s remarkable that someone finally caught your attention, but I worry you¡¯re walking straight into quicksand.¡±

    An¡¯s jaw tightened with resolve. ¡°How can I discover if it¡¯s quicksand without testing the ground myself?¡±

    Manley nodded slowly. ¡°Fair enough. Tonight, I¡¯m riding this adventure with you to the end.¡±

    M?????? ???????????????? ???? g????????¦Í?????? dot con

    An fired up the engine and pulled into traffic, following the distant glow of his target¡¯s brake lights.

    They had barely traveled two blocks when Manley¡¯s phone erupted into urgent ringing. Myles¡¯s name shed across the screen. ¡°Mr. Swain, you and Mr. Shaw must return immediately. We desperately need your assistance!¡±

    The panic threading through Myles¡¯s usuallyposed voice sent ice through Manley¡¯s veins. His entire demeanor shifted to steel. ¡°What¡¯s happened?¡±

    Myles¡¯s words came rapid-fire. ¡°It¡¯s Mr. Evans. Something catastrophic has urred!¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re already turning around!¡± Manley snapped.

    An caught the gravity bleeding through his friend¡¯s tone and pressed for details. ¡°Tell me what¡¯s going wrong.¡±

    Manley¡¯s knuckles whitened around his phone. ¡°Cole¡¯s in serious trouble, and Myles is asking for our help. We need to move now!¡±

    An¡¯s gaze flicked once more toward Adah¡¯s car, torn between desire and his friend¡¯s safety, before he yanked the wheel hard left and elerated back toward Cole¡¯s ce. Colemanded respect as one of their most lethal operatives, backed by Myles, Aron, Hugh, and an entire squadron of elite bodyguards, with Jason personally supervising operations. For Myles to sound this desperate meant they faced something truly catastrophic.

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 Chapter 451

    ?Chapter 451:

    Meanwhile, Elliana and Adah returned to their mansion, where the Four Guardians waited with weing smiles.

    They approached, clearly hoping for conversation, but Elliana¡¯s mood had darkened beyond social pleasantries. She fixed them with a sharp stare. ¡°I¡¯m battling serious anxiety right now and need absolute silence. Stay vignt, but don¡¯t interrupt me.¡±

    Without waiting for acknowledgment, she climbed the stairs with measured steps.

    Adah followed closely until they reached Elliana¡¯s door, where Elliana turned with a raised hand. ¡°Adah, I need to face this alone.¡±

    Adah searched her friend¡¯s troubled expression. ¡°Elliana, what¡¯s eating at you?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve survived countless separations and hardships before, Adah, but this feeling is different. Something massive approaches¡ªI can sense it building like pressure before a storm. I need space to think it through properly,¡± Elliana exined, her voice carrying unusual vulnerability.

    Adah¡¯s brow creased with concern. ¡°Are you dwelling on the uing confrontation with ze Wraith over the Lunathorn? Worried we might not just lose, but lose everything¡ªincluding our lives?¡±

    Elliana¡¯s head moved slowly from side to side. ¡°I wish I could pinpoint it that easily. My thoughts feel scattered and chaotic. I need to find my center again.¡±

    Adah reached for the door handle. ¡°Then rest and restore yourself. I¡¯ll stand guard right here. One word from you, and I¡¯m inside.¡±

    Elliana managed a grateful nod before disappearing into her room. Adah pulled the door shut and positioned herself like a sentinel, her expression hardening into marble determination.

    Elliana possessed an almost supernatural intuition that had guided them through dangerous waters countless times before. Adah had learned to trust those instinctspletely. Perhaps they stood on the precipice of something far worse than they had anticipated.

    Inside her room, Elliana remained motionless for several heartbeats, attempting to wrestle her racing thoughts into submission, but the restlessness wed at her from within.

    ?????? ?????? ???????????????? ???????? ???? g????????¦Í??????.??o m

    The air felt thick and oppressive, driving her toward the floor-to-ceiling windows where she released thetches with trembling fingers.

    Night air rushed past her, catching her long hair and sending her dress billowing like dark wings, while warmth crept across her skin in gentle waves.

    Heavy rain had hammered the city the previous night, and brilliant sunshine had dominated the day, yet now clouds massed overhead once again.

    The gathering darkness promised another deluge building with inevitable force.

    Podgend seemed perpetually caught in this cycle of storms, each one more relentless than thest.

    The room¡¯s stuffinesspeted with the muggy outdoor air, neither offering the relief she desperately craved.

    Frustration mounting, Elliana sealed the windows again, activated the air conditioning, and copsed onto her bed, squeezing her eyes shut in search of the meditation that usually brought peace.

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 Chapter 452

    ?Chapter 452:

    Exhaustion from recent days apparently ran deeper than she had realized, because despite sleeping through most of the day, consciousness slipped away from her once more.

    Even in sleep¡¯s embrace, her mind refused to quiet. Dreams filled with strange, disjointed images gued her rest¡ªdetails remained maddeningly unclear, but tension coiled through every moment like a live wire. Then, Cole¡¯s face materialized before her, his body painted crimson with blood.

    ¡°Cole!¡± Elliana shot upright, gasping for air as she jolted awake from the nightmare. Her body was soaked in cold sweat, her heart hammering in her chest.

    The door creaked open, and Adah stepped inside, her eyes filled with concern. ¡°Elliana, are you alright? I heard you shouting Cole¡¯s name.¡±

    Elliana blinked, her mind still caught between the dream and waking reality. It took her a moment to realize¡ªit had only been a nightmare. But why had it felt so real? Cole had always been her rock¡ªstrong, steady, never fragile. Seeing him hurt, even in a dream, was unsettling. Was it just her imagination, or was her heart sensing something her mind couldn¡¯t exin? Was that why he¡¯d asked for a divorce¡ªso suddenly? Maybe he was trying to protect her.

    Her eyes widened. She had to find him.

    Without saying a word, Elliana threw the covers aside and rushed out of the room.

    Adah quickly followed her.

    Downstairs, Clifton and the others stood at their posts. The moment they saw Elliana¡¯s tense expression, they straightened instinctively, prepared for orders. But she said nothing. She just stormed past them and headed out the door.

    Heather turned to Adah, who was right behind. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± Adah said. ¡°Stay alert. I¡¯ll go with her.¡± With that, she hurried after Elliana.

    Outside, Elliana had already climbed into the driver¡¯s seat. Adah slipped into the passenger side just as the engine roared to life.

    ?????????? ?????? ?????????? ?????????? ???????? g??????ovels;c o m

    ¡°Where are we going?¡± Adah asked, fastening her seatbelt.

    ¡°I need to see Cole,¡± Elliana replied, her eyes locked on the road.

    ¡°Did something happen? Is he okay?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Elliana said quietly. ¡°I just had a terrible dream.¡± With that, Elliana focused intently on driving, and Adah refrained from asking further questions.

    The car sped into the night. The roads in Podgend were bumpy and uneven, and the dim streetlights barely lit the way. Darkness wrapped around them like a thick curtain, but Elliana kept her focus steady¡ªher only thought was getting to Cole.

    After a rough, hour-long drive, the car finally pulled up outside Cole¡¯s ce.

    Elliana leaned forward, peering through the intricate iron gate. The yard beyond was cloaked in darkness¡ªno lights, no movement. The private jet was gone, and¡­

    The house sat in eerie silence. Her brows furrowed in confusion. Something didn¡¯t feel right.

    Adah scanned the scene. ¡°The gate¡¯s locked. Looks like they¡¯ve already left.¡±

    Left? Elliana¡¯s thoughts stumbled. That didn¡¯t make sense. After all, Cole was scheduled to meet with an important client for negotiations the very next day. It seemed improbable that he would leave Podgend and return to Ublento now. Could it be that he had moved to another property? But even if that were the case, this ce shouldn¡¯t bepletely abandoned. There should at least be staff or security around.

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    .

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 Chapter 453

    ?Chapter 453:

    The unease from the recent nightmare lingered, and Elliana felt an overwhelming need to investigate further. Without hesitation, she climbed out of the car and approached the gate. Though it was locked, it barely slowed her down. With practiced ease, she climbed the wall andnded quietly inside.

    Adah hesitated, then followed her over.

    Elliana wasted no time and rushed straight to the house. She pushed open the door and stepped into the darkened space. Just as she had feared, there were no lights, no sounds. The air was still and empty.

    Elliana sprinted up the stairs to Cole¡¯s bedroom. The door swung open into silence. She stared at the bare room, her chest tightening. Where could he be?

    Adah stepped in behind her and gently said, ¡°Elliana, I think you¡¯re overthinking this. He¡¯s probably fine. Maybe he just moved, maybe to avoid you.¡±

    Elliana didn¡¯t respond, though the exnation seemed usible. The estate showed no signs of struggle¡ªno overturned furniture, no broken ss. It looked like a deliberate departure. Everything important had been taken.

    This estate had long been managed by a butler and servants. Before Cole stayedst night, he had given them a few days off for privacy reasons. It was possible that, in light of some shift in his business dealings, he had temporarily relocated.

    With this thought in mind, Elliana let out a small, sarcastic smirk. Men really could be that cold. When Cole had been enamored with her, he would have done anything for her, even risked his life. But now, when he no longer cared, she meant nothing to him. And yes, she was capable, but had he never once considered the dangers she might face on her own in Podgend? Not even a hint of concern for her well-being?

    Sadness surged within her, sharp and painful, as she swallowed the lump in her throat. Was that how easily she had be nothing to him?

    Adah ced a hand on her shoulder. ¡°Elliana, he¡¯s not worth the pain. A man who can be this cold-hearted doesn¡¯t deserve your sorrow. We¡¯ve got bigger things to focus on.¡±

    ¡°Focus on the task at hand. The Crown Auction is tomorrow, and we¡¯ve got to stay sharp if we¡¯re going to beat ze Wildfire.¡±

    S???? ???????????????? ???? g??????ov?????.con

    Elliana gave a silent nod, then turned on her heel and walked away without looking back. There was no point in shedding tears for a man who had already closed his heart. If he could be so indifferent, why should she hold on to him? She had more important things to do¡ªmissions that demanded her focus, strength, and rity. No man, no matter who he was, would stand in her way.

    Back at their mansion, Elliana showed no signs of weariness. She had already rested earlier, and now her mind was too restless for sleep. Needing an outlet, she asked Heather to bring her painting tools. With every brushstroke, she poured her emotions onto the canvas¡ªgraceful, precise, and full of quiet intensity. Slowly, the chaos in her heart began to settle as she lost herself in the rhythm of creation.

    By the following afternoon, the painting was done. She stepped back, gazing at her work. For the first time in hours, her mind had felt calm. Setting down the brush, she changed into fresh clothes and headed downstairs. Adah and the Four Guardians stood ready, waiting for her instructions.

    Elliana met their eyes and said evenly, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Within minutes, the six of them exited the mansion¡ªfocused and prepared.

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    .

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 Chapter 454

    ?Chapter 454:

    Podgend, shaped under the shadow of the Delta, grappled with weak legal systems and faltering public safety. Yet, amid this instability, Crown Auctions flourished spectacrly, drawing elites from every corner of the globe to spendvishly at its grand events. The reason was straightforward¡ªhere, rare and priceless treasures could be acquired, items unobtainable anywhere else.

    Crown Auctions never failed to dazzle and astound. Countless expedition teams hadbed treacherous mountains and uncharted wilderness hunting for the elusive Lunathorn in vain, yet Crown Auctions had somehow secured it.

    The auction house had once captivated worldwide attention by unveiling an ancient pearl, its current owner unknown.

    Attending a Crown Auction was a worthy experience. Even those leaving empty-handed carried memories worth more than gold. Over time, the Crown Auction had be the jewel of Podgend¡¯s social calendar, each event avish spectacle.

    The ability of Crown Auctions to procure such extraordinary relics spoke volumes about its formidable influence. The enigmatic owner behind these wonders was unquestionably powerful, though their identity remained tightly guarded. Rumors whispered of a prominent figure from the Delta pulling strings, but with so many power yers present, no one could say for sure who. Simply put, crossing Crown Auctions was a fool¡¯s game. They held firm principles¡ªno trouble at the auction meant no interference beyond it.

    The event was staged aboard the Crown yacht, anchored in theke¡¯s heart, every four years, following a meticulous ritual.

    The venue choice was no ident. Podgend¡¯sx legal climate gave Crown Auctions apetitive edge, allowing the free trade of items banned elsewhere and sidestepping bureaucratic hurdles.

    But such liberty came with risks. Podgend¡¯s vtility and chaotic security made it a powder keg. Here, it was a cutthroat world. Thosecking funds could resort to violence, threatening to turn the auction into a bloodbath.

    Thus, the yacht featured a single entry point from shore, where every visitor endured strict security checks to bar dangerous weapons, safeguarding the event from disaster.

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    Once the auction ended and bidders safely returned ashore, Crown Auctions disimed all responsibility. Exiting Podgend safely with the treasure they had¡­

    Bidding was a personal challenge. Naturally, those unting wealth here were no ordinary souls. They arrived backed by elite security details.

    Elliana was resolute¡ªthis time, she would obtain the Lunathorn. But she faced fiercepetition from ze Wildfire. If ze Wildfire was equally intent, she might face ze Wraith head-on, igniting a brutal battle¡ªthus her cautious approach.

    Alongside Adah and the Four Guardians, many Thorn Rose operatives remained discreetly stationed nearby.

    Upon arrival, they adhered to Crown Auction protocols, passed rigorous security, and boarded the yacht.

    Many attendees concealed their true selves, and Elliana was no exception. d in simple ck with a mask, she veiled her infamous identity as Death Thorn.

    Adah and the Four Guardians also wore masks, silent and unobtrusive. Seated in the auction hall, they appeared rxed but vigntly scanned the crowd, hoping to spot ze Wraith amid the cloaked faces. ze Wraith was their main rival. Other factions mattered little. Yet, as the auction began, there was no sign of ze Wraith or any suspected ze Wildfire affiliates.

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 Chapter 455

    ?Chapter 455:

    The auctionunched officially, each item sparking waves of excitement and fierce bidding wars.

    True to form, Crown Auctions unveiled treasures more astounding than those from four years prior. Here, money flowed like water¡ªfinal bids soaring beyondmon reckoning.

    Elliana remained calm, indifferent to all but Lunathorn. At the host¡¯s announcement of Lunathorn, she straightened, bracing for a storm of bids.

    Adah handled the bidding, while the Four Guardians stayed alert for threats. Elliana, as mastermind, orchestrated their moves.

    Once bidding opened, the starting price was $100 million, with increments of $10 million.

    Elliana watched silently,posed and calcting.

    When bids reached $180 million, a sudden voice pierced the room. ¡°$500 million!¡±

    Elliana turned, her eyes narrowing to catch the challenger¡¯s face.

    The bid leapt from $180 million to a staggering $500 million in a single breath¡ªclearly, the person behind it wasn¡¯t just wealthy. They were in a league of their own.

    Every eye in the room turned toward the source. A young man stood tall in a crisp suit, his face streaked with paint like a phantom, masking his true identity.

    Adah leaned in close to Elliana and murmured, ¡°Could he be from ze Wildfire?¡±

    Elliana¡¯s lips curved slightly, but she shook her head. ¡°No. If ze Wraith were involved, we¡¯d see the price soar to around 3 billion for this Lunathorn. It¡¯s far too soon for them to make a move.¡±

    No sooner had the words left her mouth than another offer sliced through the air. ¡°$510 million.¡±

    Adah rolled her eyes and let out a dry chuckle. ¡°Really? Just ten million more? At this pace, we¡¯ll still be here by sunrise.¡±

    Elliana said nothing. She knew better. In a game like this, patience was armor. One impulsive bid could expose too much, too soon.

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    The numbers climbed slowly, steadily, until the price finally hit 1 billion.

    To Elliana¡¯s quiet astonishment, the room fell still. No new offers came. The auctioneer scanned the crowd. ¡°Do I hear more than 1 billion?¡± Silence. He asked again. And again. Still, no one spoke.

    The auctioneer lifted his gavel. ¡°Going once¡­ Going twice¡ª¡±

    Before he could bring it down, Elliana¡¯s voice rang out. ¡°1.1 billion!¡± A spark ignited in the auctioneer¡¯s eyes. ¡°Do I hear a bid higher than 1.1 billion?¡± he called out eagerly.

    He repeated the question three times, but the silence held firm. Atst, with finality, he dered, ¡°Sold¡ªfor 1.1 billion!¡±

    Elliana had been waiting for those from ze Wildfire to fiercelypete with her, but despite her expectations of a 3 billion bid, she won the bid at 1.1 billion. That didn¡¯t sit right. Could those from ze Wildfire have skipped the auction entirely? But that couldn¡¯t be. Matthew¡¯s intel had been rock-solid. ze Wildfire had been scouring the world for Lunathorn¡ªthey wouldn¡¯t just back down. So what happened?

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 Chapter 456

    ?Chapter 456:

    Even as Crown Auctions¡¯ staff respectfully handed over the precious item, Adah and the Four Guardians exchanged puzzled nces. Something was off. Since the¡­

    Since the inception of their group, they had always locked horns with ze Wildfire during critical events. This was the first time the rival organization had failed to appear. Perhaps ze Wildfire wasn¡¯t aiming to win the auction¡ªthey were saving resources to seize the prize by forceter. It was a chilling possibility.

    Once they reachednd, the group moved with heightened awareness. Elliana was prepared to face ze Wraith head-on.

    But strangely, nothing happened. Even after driving dozens of kilometers ind, no ambush awaited them.

    Then, a message came through¡ªAdah¡¯s subordinates reported that ze Wildfire¡¯s men had indeed been present the day before, fully intent on iming the Lunathorn. But inexplicably, they had withdrawn the previous night.

    Adah ryed the update to Elliana. ¡°Could something internal have shaken ze Wildfire? Maybe ze Wraith was forced to pull out?¡±

    Elliana nodded, her eyes narrowing. ¡°It¡¯s entirely possible. But we can¡¯t afford to rx. Keep digging.¡±

    ¡°Understood,¡± Adah passed on themand.

    Suddenly, a jolt of pain gripped Elliana¡¯s chest. She raised a trembling hand to her heart, her breath catching.

    ¡°Elliana, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Adah asked, rmed.

    Elliana hesitated. A haunting memory surfaced¡ªthe nightmare fromst night, drenched in unease. She couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was wrong with Cole. ¡°Send word. I want Cole¡¯s location confirmed¡ªimmediately.¡±

    Adah didn¡¯t question it. She nodded and carried out the order.

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    Cole was notoriously elusive, his movements like smoke in the wind. But Elliana¡¯s clues, paired with Thorn Rose¡¯s unmatched intelligencework, cut through the fog. News came fast.

    Adah returned with a grim update. ¡°Whispers say Cole copsed this afternoon¡ªsuddenly and without warning. He¡¯s unconscious. His security detail tried to rush him back to Ublento, but the private jet suffered a critical malfunction midair. They were forced into an emergencynding in Riverbend. That¡¯s where the Phantom Mercenaries ambushed them. Current status: unknown.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s brows drew together in a sharp line. None of it made sense. Cole had been perfectly healthy¡ªno signs, no symptoms. His jet was routinely checked, meticulously maintained. And Riverbend? Of all ces¡ªhow convenient that theynded in the jaws of one of the most feared mercenary groups on the continent.

    The Phantom Mercenaries weren¡¯t ordinary thugs. They were a brutal patchwork of international killers: elite ex-special forces, former aristocratic enforcers, and¡­

    The battlefield ghosts who had abandoned gs for blood money. Their reputation in the Delta region was carved in screams and scorched earth.

    With Cole unconscious and Jason recently injured, the odds of survival were slim. Too slim. The coincidences were stacking too neatly. Elliana¡¯s gut twisted. This wasn¡¯t an ident¡ªit was a setup. There was a traitor embedded in Cole¡¯s ranks, and someone had bought the Phantom Mercenaries¡¯ des to make sure Cole never left Podgend alive. But there was no time to dig for motives. At that very moment, only one thing mattered¡ªCole¡¯s safety.

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 Chapter 457

    ?Chapter 457:

    ¡°Ready the gear,¡± Elliana said coldly. ¡°I¡¯m heading to Riverbend¡ªas Death Thorn.¡±

    Adah stared at Elliana, disbelief ring in her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re going to save Cole? Elliana, he has already proposed divorce. Why risk your life for him?¡±

    Elliana¡¯s voice cut through the room like a de. ¡°Until that paper is signed and sealed¡ªhe¡¯s still mine to protect.¡±

    Noticing Elliana¡¯s unwavering determination, the group swiftly changed into uniforms bearing the Thorn Rose emblem and set out for Riverbend.

    The Phantom Mercenaries¡¯manders had reputations forged in blood¡ªruthless and shrewd, leading a unit famed for lethal efficiency. Anyone marked by this organization faced a nightmare with no easy escape.

    While the Thorn Rose name inspired dread throughout the Delta, its leaders never picked fights carelessly. Even for them, it was wise to steer clear of the Phantom Mercenaries.

    With ze Wildfire already locked in a bitter fight against Thorn Rose, it was not a wise call for Thorn Rose to sh with the Phantom Mercenaries. If ze Wildfire and the Phantom Mercenaries ever decided to join forces, Thorn Rose would be crushed in their jaws. Still, Elliana discarded all her reservations since Cole¡¯s life was at stake.

    During the tense drive to Riverbend, anxiety kept Elliana on edge, desperate for any scrap of news about Cole. But the Phantom Mercenaries had cordoned off the area for ten kilometers in every direction, cutting off all information. She had no choice but to race there, hoping she wasn¡¯t already toote.

    Meanwhile, at Riverbend, Cole¡¯s private jet now sat on a deserted stretch of grasnd, the darkness soplete that it swallowed all trace of light.

    The operatives from the Phantom Mercenaries closed in, their presence pressing from every direction, tension hanging heavy over the field. Cole sprawled across the ne¡¯s plush sofa, eyes mped shut, his shirt drenched with dark, spreading bloodstains.

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh nursed their own wounds nearby, every movement sluggish and pained from exhaustion.

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    Jason scanned the battered group, his jaw clenched, a gnawing despair settling in his chest. Since stepping up as the Evans family¡¯s chief of security, he¡¯d never known dread like this¡ªcornered, hunted,pletely at the mercy of the Phantom Mercenaries¡¯ advancing noose. Justst night, minutes after Elliana¡¯s departure, An and Manley had left. Then, Cole had abruptly summoned Myles upstairs to inquire about Elliana¡¯s reaction. The instant he learned Elliana had left on her own and vanished off the grid, his temper had exploded. ¡°I told you to get her back to Ublento safe and sound, and you just let her walk out alone? What if she runs into trouble out there?¡±

    The realization hit Myles hard, panic crashing over him in a wave. Without warning, Cole¡¯s fury erupted. ¡°Dispatch everyone to locate her¡ªnow! If you don¡¯t bring her back, none of you are walking away alive.¡±

    Myles hadn¡¯t dared argue. He sent every bodyguard to scour the city for Elliana, leaving just himself, Aron, Hugh, Jason, and Jason¡¯s men to keep Cole safe. They spent the entire night searching, but Elliana had vanished without a trace.

    Consumed by profound concern for Elliana, Cole hadn¡¯t slept for a second. He paced restlessly in the courtyard, the air around him bristling with mounting fury that kept everyone at a distance.

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 Chapter 458

    ?Chapter 458:

    Ever since emerging from the secret passage, Cole had seemed off¡ªand now, he appeared ready to snap at any minute, his self-control hanging by a thread. He was like a runaway car, seconds away from barreling toward a cliff with no brakes in sight.

    With Elliana still missing, Myles had been concerned that Cole mightpletely lose his cool, so he¡¯d quietly called An and Manley for help. Oddly enough, neither An nor Manley hade back after their agreement over the line.

    By sunrise, there had still been no trace of Elliana.

    As soon as Cole got word, he abandoned everything and stormed out to search for her himself. But out on the hunt, something inside him finally snapped. This wasn¡¯t just another outburst¡ªhepletely lost it. His eyes zed a vicious red, his face contorted with a fury so violent that it seemed like he might tear the world apart. More terrifyingly, he suddenly failed to recognize anyone,shing out at every person in sight.

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh, caughtpletely unprepared, were all sent sprawling to the ground. Jason and his men rushed in to help, only to be knocked aside and left battered by Cole¡¯s blows. Jason, still battered from his previous injuries, took the brunt of Cole¡¯s attack and ended up coughing up blood.

    Nobody could figure out what had triggered Cole¡¯s rampage.

    Right when it looked like Cole was about to massacre everyone in sight, he suddenly turned on himself. Snatching up a curved de, he plunged it into his own chest with brutal force and copsed in a heap. The shock left everyone frozen in ce, but there was no time to process it¡ªthey scrambled to rush Cole to the nearest hospital.

    Unfortunately, Podgend¡¯s medical center was nowhere near equipped for a crisis like this. They had barely managed to stem the bleeding but couldn¡¯t perform the lifesaving surgery Cole needed.

    Desperate, the group had bundled Cole onto the private jet, racing to get him back to Ublento for proper treatment. But halfway there, the ne sputtered and broke down, forcing them into a rough emergencynding in Riverbend.

    As if fate hadn¡¯t dealt them enough blows, now the Phantom Mercenaries had marked them for death.

    ???????? ???????????????? ga l no v els .co m

    Earlier that evening, the Phantom Mercenaries had merely hemmed them in, but as midnight pressed on, their true assault began. Jamming equipment had snuffed out every phone signal, isting the grouppletely. There¡¯d be no backup, no way to call for help¡ªjust suffocating silence as they waited in the dark.

    Myles, jaw clenched against the pain, forced himself to turn to Jason. ¡°What¡¯s our next move, Mr. Evans?¡±

    Jason¡¯s eyes were cial, his hand wrapped so tightly around his gun that it threatened to snap. ¡°Prepare for the worst. If ites down to it, we fight until the end.¡±

    Their only hope was ast-ditch battle to escape¡ªotherwise, they¡¯d go down together. But with each of them bloodied and battered, breaking out felt like a pipe dream.

    With Jason¡¯s words, Myles¡¯s knuckles turned pale as he squeezed his fists. ¡°This ambush was clearly organized and premeditated. Their information was so precise, which means there¡¯s a traitor in our ranks. Who¡¯s leaking information?¡±

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 Chapter 459

    ?Chapter 459:

    A cold smirk tugged at Aron¡¯s lips. ¡°Whoever hired the Phantom Mercenaries isn¡¯t just rich. They¡¯re powerful. People like that don¡¯te around often.¡±

    Jason¡¯s brow creased. ¡°Plenty of groups want to bring down the Evans family, and Cole¡¯s the biggest target now that he¡¯s the family head. We have to find whoever¡¯s feeding them intel. Even if I don¡¯t make it out tonight, that traitor won¡¯t outlive me.¡±

    Without another word, Jason turned around, his eyes scanning each person in the room.

    None of the bodyguards assigned to track down Elliana had reported back, and the only people left were the ones Jason personally trusted. Every one of them bore some injury from facing off with Cole. Jason¡¯s piercing stare swept over the group, and tension settled over them. Frantic voices filled the room as everyone tried to clear their name.

    ¡°I swear, I would never cross the Evans family. Please, believe me!¡±

    ¡°My family¡¯s served the Evans family for generations. Betraying you isn¡¯t an option for me!¡±

    ¡°My whole life is in Ublento, my wife and kids too. I wouldn¡¯t risk everything on something like this!¡±

    Lanny, choosing his words carefully, spoke up. ¡°Mr. Evans, you trained every one of us. We¡¯ve followed you through hell and back. If someone is used unfairly, it would tear us all apart.¡±

    Jason understood this. He wasn¡¯t eager to cast suspicion without reason. He only wanted to see how people would react.

    Lanny continued, ¡°Maybe the real problem is with those who were tasked with locating Elliana.¡±

    Jason weighed this suggestion in his mind but said nothing.

    A sudden, rhythmic thudding of boots sounded nearby.

    ?????????? ???????????????? ??????????????: ??????????¦Í??????.??????

    Dropping the investigation for now, Jason shot to his feet, his eyes sweeping the shadows.

    Nightfall kept everything hidden, and before Jason could make sense of it, something soared overhead,nding with a heavy thud just a few steps away.

    Shock shed across Jason¡¯s face. ¡°Down! Everyone, hit the floor!¡± The object detonated with a thunderous boom, flooding the darkness with brilliant light.

    It was just a re.

    Relief barely touched Jason¡¯s face before it vanished. Figures in ck¡ªoperatives of the Phantom Mercenaries¡ªhad already closed in, weapons raised and ready. They wasted no time. Anyone who so much as twitched was staring down the barrel of a rifle.

    The showdown Jason had braced himself for came to a halt before anyone could even react. With one side battered and injured, and the other fully armed for battle, there was no doubt who had the upper hand.

    But defeat didn¡¯t sit well with Jason. He rose to his feet, eyes as cold as steel, and shot a mocking re at the leader of those operatives. ¡°So what is it you want from us?¡±

    Their leader, Daniel Hewitt, leaned back with the air of someone who¡¯d seen it all. As a weapons fanatic and abat veteran from a noble military family, he had a reputation that made people think twice about crossing him.

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 Chapter 460

    Chapter 460:

    Reclining with a careless ease, Daniel released a quietugh. ¡°You really do live up to your honor as the Evans family¡¯s chief guardian. Even with the odds stacked against you, you¡¯re still cool under pressure. That takes real nerve.¡±

    Jason snarled, voice sharp and impatient. ¡°If you¡¯re here for small talk, save it. Get to the point.¡±

    With azy nce, Daniel shrugged. ¡°This isn¡¯t personal. We don¡¯t have any grudge with the Evans family. It¡¯s simple¡ªwe get paid, and we get rid of a problem. Today, that problem is Cole Evans.¡±

    ¡°Who brought you onto this?¡± Jason pressed.

    Another quietugh escaped Daniel. ¡°You already know how these things work, Mr. Evans. We get paid for our silence. If we started naming our clients, nobody would hire us again.¡±

    Jason gave up on that line of questioning and changed tactics. ¡°Fine. Then at least tell me, who¡¯s been feeding you information from inside our ranks?¡±

    Behind Jason, Lanny¡¯s fists tightened, unnoticed by the rest.

    ¡°That¡¯s another thing I can¡¯t give away,¡± Daniel replied, cool as ever. ¡°If we exposed our sources, no one would ever work with us again.¡±

    A blond mercenary to Daniel¡¯s left grew restless. ¡°Sir, what¡¯s the point in dragging this out? Let me finish them off¡­¡±

    ¡°And we can all go home.¡± The man on Daniel¡¯s right, his face marked by an ugly scar, nodded eagerly. ¡°Once we take down the Evans family head, our reputation¡¯s going through the roof. Let¡¯s not waste any more time.¡±

    Daniel¡¯s attention returned to Jason. ¡°You hear that, Mr. Evans? We haven¡¯t had a job this big in a while, and my guys are hungry for action. Since you¡¯ve got guts, I¡¯ll let you pass on anyst words to your family.¡±

    A smirk yed at Jason¡¯s lips. ¡°Think it through, Daniel. If Cole dies tonight, my family won¡¯t stop until everyst one of you is buried. You might get your wealth, but you won¡¯t live long enough to spend it.¡±

    A low chuckle escaped Daniel as he heard Jason¡¯s words. ¡°Everybody knows the Evans name carries weight across the globe, but from what I¡¯ve heard, their influence in the Delta isn¡¯t much to talk about, is it, Jason?¡±

    ?????? ???????? ???????????????? ??????????¦Í??????.??????

    Silence hung between them as Jason held his tongue. No words came to challenge Daniel¡¯s im. Years had passed without the Evans family establishing a true foothold in the Delta, leaving Jason and his men with no ground to stand on.

    ¡°No sugarcoating here,¡± Daniel continued, his voice confident and assertive. ¡°The only names that make the Phantom Mercenaries cautious in this region are ze Wildfire and Thorn Rose. The rest are just background noise.¡±

    A sly grin spread across Daniel¡¯s face as he added, ¡°If ze Wildfire and Thorn Rose stay out of our business today, the Evans family head isn¡¯t walking away alive.¡±

    His eyes locked onto Jason¡¯s, cold and unflinching. ¡°It¡¯s nothing personal, Jason. The deal¡¯s for Cole, not for you. Feeling generous today, I¡¯m not looking to spill unnecessary blood. Walk away now, and you won¡¯t have to keep looking over your shoulder.¡± His nce swept to Myles, Aron, and Hugh. ¡°Same goes for you three¡ªno one¡¯s forcing you to die here.¡±

    Disgust shed in Hugh¡¯s eyes before he spat on the dusty ground. ¡°If you¡¯re itching for a fight,e get it! I don¡¯t run from anyone.¡±

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    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Hope you have a great day dear readers. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. (?O?=)? ?

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    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 461

    ?Chapter 461:

    Aron followed with a cold, dismissive snort. ¡°You¡¯ll have to get through me before you even touch Cole!¡±

    Myles didn¡¯t need words. His sharp gaze, gleaming behind his sses, conveyed his determination clearly¡ªstronger than any spoken deration. The sight of his defiance made Daniel raise an eyebrow, surprised. ¡°Rumor has it that Cole has three loyal dogs who won¡¯t run from a storm. Seeing you all stand firm today, I believe every word of it. I¡¯ll give credit where it¡¯s due¡ªyou¡¯ve all got grit.¡±

    Turning back to Jason, Daniel¡¯s tone shifted to something almost conversational. ¡°Those three are ready to go down swinging, loyal to the end. That¡¯s rare. Still, let¡¯s be honest¡ªyour lives don¡¯t weigh much in the bnce. But you, Jason, carry the Evans blood. If Cole disappears, you¡¯re next in line. Is this really the hill you want to die on?¡±

    Jason¡¯s scoff was filled with contempt. Fury ignited in his eyes. His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white, rage radiating from every inch of him. ¡°The Evans family doesn¡¯t raise cowards. I carry that name, and you think I¡¯d turn and run?¡±

    Slow, deliberate apuse filled the air as Daniel grinned wider. ¡°You keep a low profile, Jason, but the stories in the underworld paint you as the real deal¡ªloyal, tough, stubborn as theye. Meeting you in the flesh, I see those tales weren¡¯t exaggerated.¡±

    A voice rang out from Daniel¡¯s group, impatience dripping from every syble. It was a woman in a figure-hugging blue dress, stamping her foot. ¡°Sir, I¡¯m about to burst here. Can we wrap this up before I embarrass myself in front of everyone?¡±

    For a split second, her looks could have fooled anyone into mistaking her for Heather, Elliana¡¯s trusted right-hand. The illusion ended the moment she spoke. No one who knew Heather would believe she¡¯d blurt out something like that, especially not in a crowd of men.

    A second crew member, looking half-asleep, stretched with a yawn. ¡°Let¡¯s not turn this into an all-nighter. I need to find a bed soon.¡±

    Those familiar with Thorn Rose¡¯s legacy would catch on right away. Daniel¡¯s team of four wasn¡¯t just a bunch of braggarts¡ªthey were openly trying to y copycat with the famous Four Guardians who served under Death Thorn.

    ???????????????? ???????? ??????????¦Í??????.??????

    Stories about Death Thorn haunted the Delta region. Her right hand, Doomsday Rose, was nearly as legendary. Together, theymanded the Four Guardians¡ªfighters feared and admired by all who heard their names.

    Thorn Rose¡¯s reputation inspired respect from friends and enemies alike. Imitation became a trend. Some chased the mystique of Death Thorn, while others echoed Doomsday Rose¡¯s fierceness. Daniel¡¯s own crew chose to mimic the Four Guardians, hoping to borrow a little of their legendary aura.

    Pressure mounted as Daniel¡¯s crew grew restless. He checked the time, realizing that the standoff had dragged on far too long. With a decisive wave, he shouted, ¡°Enough stalling! Let¡¯s get this over with!¡±

    Excitement shed across the faces of his crew. Every one of them shifted into a fighting stance, ready for action.

    A blond man, clearly trying to channel Damian, rushed ahead with a cocky grin. ¡°These guys are half-dead already. No need to waste a bullet on them. I¡¯ll finish them off with a few kicks.¡±

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 Chapter 462

    ?Chapter 462:

    Support came instantly. The rest of Daniel¡¯s crew moved in with wicked smiles, surrounding Jason and his battered allies.

    There was no hesitation from Jason and the others. Despite their wounds, every one of them sprang forward to meet the threat head-on. But the odds were stacked against them.

    Against them, Daniel¡¯s team fought like a pack of wolves. In moments, Jason and his group were overwhelmed, bodies hitting the ground one after another.

    No one from Cole¡¯s side was left standing. Daniel¡¯s people gathered at the cabin¡¯s entrance, their eyes narrowing as they spotted the battered Cole stretched out on a sofa.

    Without a word, Daniel¡¯s right-hand man slid a pistol from his belt and leveled it at Cole¡¯s forehead. ¡°So, this is the Evans family head everyone¡¯s talking about. He¡¯s worth at least one shot, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    Daniel¡¯s right-hand man, Andre Rayne, was another bloodthirsty maniac. He held his pistol steady, imagining the mess he would make of Cole¡¯s skull. In his mind, blood sprayed across the floor, pieces of bone and gray matter scattered everywhere. The bloodier the vision, the more it thrilled him.

    Andre almost squeezed the trigger when the woman in a blue dress drifted into view. Her hips moved with practiced rhythm. ¡°Andre, sweetheart, let me have a go at Cole before you finish him off. Such a handsome man shouldn¡¯t go to waste. Let him serve some purpose before his demise, right?¡±

    ¡°Ha-ha.¡± Daniel¡¯s crew burst outughing, their voices echoing in the room.

    Andre curled his lip in disgust and shoved her aside. ¡°Out of my sight!¡± He wasted no time before taking aim again. This time, his sights lined up perfectly with Cole¡¯s forehead. He pulled the trigger.

    A shot rang out. But the st that tore through the air wasn¡¯t from his weapon. It came from above.

    A bullet crashed through Andre¡¯s left temple and punched out the right, obliterating bone on its way through. Blood pooled instantly, bits of brain leaking onto the floor. His body gave out and dropped. Even in death, his finger refused to let go of the trigger.

    R?????? ???????????????? ???????? g??l????¦Í??????.??o??

    ¡°Who¡¯s up there?¡± Daniel shouted, scrambling to his feet. Fear drained the color from his face.

    His subordinates scattered backward. Theughter died instantly. Panic crept across their faces as they desperately searched every shadow, yet the marksman remained invisible. A cold fear took hold, thickening the tension until it pressed down on everyone in the room. They all knew¡ªa careless twitch might make them the next target. This was no ordinary enemy.

    These operatives of Phantom Mercenaries were elite. But someone had managed to take down Daniel¡¯s most trusted subordinate with a single, clean shot¡ªno warning, no trace. Not knowing where the bullet hade from sent shivers down their spines. There was only one conclusion to draw: they had stumbled into a living nightmare.

    Daniel¡¯s expression tightened, his jaw set as he tried to regain control. ¡°Who¡¯s out there? Come out where I can see you!¡± he screamed, forcing his voice to sound bold.

    His words had barely faded when a gentle mechanical whir echoed above. A small drone dipped gracefully into view, catching everyone off guard.

    .

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    .

 Chapter 463

    ?Chapter 463:

    Dangling from its underside, an ornate bamboo basket swung gently. Wicked thorns curled along its edges, but brilliant scarlet roses bloomed among them¡ªa disturbing mix of threat and allure. Nobody in the Delta mistook that basket for anything other than a warning.

    Stories¡ªsome whispered in the dead of night, others passed down by those who had barely escaped¡ªtold of the dreaded symbol: Thorn Rose.

    ¡°T-Thorn Rose?¡± Daniel¡¯s voice cracked, fear making his words tremble.

    While the Phantom Mercenaries inspired fear wherever they went, Thorn Rosemanded something moreplete and unyielding dominance. No one dared provoke them.

    Death Thorn, the figure at the heart of the legendary Thorn Rose, was shrouded in rumor and terror. Anyone marked by her signature knew what awaited them. Escape was a fantasy.

    Only one blemish marred Thorn Rose¡¯s otherwise perfect record¡ªseveral defeats at the hands of ze Wildfire. Even the prominent families of the Delta, powerful for generations, kept their distance from Thorn Rose. They knew better than to test fate.

    Death Thorn¡¯s very name could wipe out squads of Phantom Mercenaries as easily as erasing chalk from a ckboard.

    A wave of dread washed over Daniel, draining the color from his face and leaving him shaking from head to toe.

    Only moments before, Daniel and his crew had treated Cole¡¯s side as helpless victims, convinced their victory was guaranteed. Suddenly, everything reversed. They had be the hunted, with Thorn Rose looming over them, ready to strike.

    Silence swept through Daniel and his crew. Eyes darted into every dark corner, nerves stretched thin. The unknown danger gripped them so tightly that Cole and his bruised allies faded into the background. On the ground, Jason¡¯s eyelids fluttered as he came to. Hearing the name Thorn Rose sent a jolt through his battered body.

    The Evans family had never crossed paths with Thorn Rose, and the mystery surrounding their arrival left only more questions¡ªmaybe they had their own agenda, just like the Phantom Mercenaries.

    ?????????? ?????????????? ???????? ????????: ??????????¦Í??????.??????

    Meanwhile, Myles, Aron, and Hugh made a feeble attempt to stand. Their injuries pinned them down, helpless as the drama unfolded before them.

    Having ousted the attack from the Phantom Mercenaries, nobody could say if they¡¯d survive what came next.

    As the tension stretched taut, engines roared in the distance, drawing every eye to a narrow gap in the hills where two ck SUVs barreled into view, dust swirling in their wake.

    Despite the Phantom Mercenaries¡¯ roadblocks, these vehicles had somehow navigated the treacherous terrain undetected and taken a shortcut to arrive here.

    A storm of questions spun through Daniel¡¯s thoughts. Were those people really with Thorn Rose? Or were they impostors, throwing the name around to send a chill through the crowd? He didn¡¯t make a move¡ªnot until he was sure who was inside the SUVs.

    Daniel¡¯s men stayed close, just as tense, crowding around him with their eyes locked on the approaching vehicles.

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 Chapter 464

    ?Chapter 464:

    The two SUVs thundered into view, tires screeching as they mmed to a halt. Like racecars grinding their brakes to a sudden stop, they carved deep ruts into the grass beneath them.

    The air fell unnervingly still, broken only by the whisper of the wind. A heavy tension nketed everyone present.

    The drone that had hovered overhead abruptly veered andnded on the hood of the lead SUV.

    Under watchful gazes, the front and rear doors of the first SUV swung open, and four figures stepped out.

    Their outfits mirrored those of Daniel¡¯s crew, but these neers wore masks thatpletely hid their faces. Their audacious, unmistakable style broadcast one truth: these were Death Thorn¡¯s Four Guardians!

    There was Clifton, whose gaze seemed perpetually adrift, lost in some distant reverie; Kieran, who looked like he¡¯d never gotten a full night¡¯s sleep; Heather, her hips swaying with the confidence of a runway queen; and Damian, sporting striking blonde braids.

    No one could say for certain if these four were the authentic guardians or mere imposters, but theirmanding presence made Daniel¡¯s copycats appear amateurish byparison.

    Having disembarked, the quartet cast a dismissive nce toward the gathered crowd before moving toward the second ck SUV. Their movements were respectful yet assertive as they opened the driver and passenger doors.

    From the driver¡¯s seat emerged a woman draped in a fiery red chiffon gown, masked, her dark, wavy hair cascading in dramatic waves.

    Her dress was a showstopper¡ªadorned with massive roses whose red petals fluttered in the breeze, radiating a sultry, maic mour. Despite her breathtaking beauty, an aura of razor-sharp intensity and intimidation radiated from her. This was Doomsday Rose, the right hand of Death Thorn.

    Next, a figure in a flowing ck dress slipped out of the passenger seat. Also masked, her long, jet-ck hair tumbled like a silken waterfall down her back, exuding the mystique of an enchantress. Her gown was equally striking¡ªck fabric embroidered with golden thorns that sent chills through anyone who dared look. This was the legendary Death Thorn herself.

    ????????????????? ????????: website ??????????¦Í??????

    No one had ever glimpsed the true faces behind Death Thorn and Doomsday Rose, but judging by their figures, they seemed quite young. Yet, these two young women had turned Delta upside down, their names whispered in fearful awe across thend.

    In the tense silence that followed, Doomsday Rose and the Four Guardians nked Death Thorn as they approached the assembled group.

    No one dared break the silence¡ªexcept for the woman in the blue dress beside Daniel, who let out a recklessugh. ¡°Well, well, look who decided to show up! Another crew trying to steal our spotlight!¡± She pointed mockingly at Heather. ¡°I¡¯ll admit, you do a decent job copying Heather, but I pull it off with way more style! I hate it when people bite my vibe. One of us isn¡¯t walking away today!¡±

    No one stopped the woman in blue from running her mouth. Everyone was riveted, eager to see how the showdown would unfold and to discern if these neers were truly the Thorn Rose crew. The woman in blue had a sharp tongue, but she was also a top-tier international assassin¡ªnot someone to be taken lightly.

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 Chapter 465

    ?Chapter 465:

    Heather¡¯s eyes locked onto the woman in blue, and she let out a sulky chuckle. ¡°Funny how that works¡ªyou hate being copied, and I hate being used of copying Heather. Today, I¡¯ll make an example of you to set the record straight.¡±

    The woman in blue smirked, stepping forward with confidence. ¡°Alright then, let¡¯s see who gets thestugh!¡±

    But before she could take another step, she froze mid-stride, letting out a piercing scream.

    The crowd gasped. Closer inspection revealed a small, curved de embedded deep in her throat, blood spraying like a crimson fountain. Before anyone could react, she clutched her neck and crumpled to the ground¡ªdead before she hit the earth.

    Daniel¡¯s crew, hardened killers ustomed to violence, stepped back, shaken to their core. A cold shiver crawled down their spines. It was terrifying¡ªthey hadn¡¯t even seen the attack itself. The speed and ruthlessness were breathtaking.

    It was Heather who had thrown the de. The real Heather was here.

    They¡¯d only heard whispers of Thorn Rose¡¯s deadly prowess, but now, they had witnessed it firsthand. If even one of Death Thorn¡¯s guardians was this lethal, then Death Thorn herself was beyond reckoning. Any one of them could vanish in an instant, just like the woman in blue.

    A chilling silence settled over the crowd.

    Jasony sprawled on the ground, shaken to the core. He had no idea where Death Thorn stood with the Evans family¡ªor what fate awaited them.

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh watched warily, hardly daring to breathe¡ªlike prey beneath a lion¡¯s piercing gaze, forced to acknowledge its dominion.

    Daniel was drenched in cold sweat. He nced nervously at Elliana, his voice trembling as he asked, ¡°I don¡¯t know how we crossed you, Death Thorn¡­ Please, enlighten us.¡±

    Watching the operatives from Phantom Mercenaries visibly unravel, Elliana could tell her presence had rattled them to their core. She leaned slightly, peering through the open cabin doorway.

    ???????? ?????? ???????????????? ???? g????????¦Í??????.??o

    What caught her eye made her stomach tighten¡ªblood soaking through Cole¡¯s shirt. Didn¡¯t they say he copsed from some sudden illness? Then what was with all the blood? Was he actually hurt? How did that happen? Who could¡¯ve done this to him? Still, now wasn¡¯t the moment to chase answers. First, she had to deal with the threat standing right in front of her.

    Refocusing, Elliana shifted her gaze to Daniel and offered him a smirk that could freeze mes. ¡°Wow, Daniel. So you¡¯re really gonna gamble your life for some money? Going after the Evans family head¡ªis that what you call ambition?¡±

    Though Elliana¡¯s tone was even, every word oozed menace.

    Stiffening, Daniel kept his posture straight, his voice low and measured. ¡°Death Thorn, what brings you here today?¡±

    ¡°You think I owe you an exnation?¡± Elliana retorted without missing a beat.

    Panic flickered across Daniel¡¯s face as he lowered his head in a rush. ¡°No, of course not. I¡¯d never presume!¡±

    Lifting her hand into the light, she casually inspected her wless ck manicure and said as if discussing the weather, ¡°I¡¯m here for Jason Evans. He¡¯s caught my attention.¡±

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    .

 Chapter 466

    ?Chapter 466:

    The moment hung in the air like a drawn breath. Shock rippled through the room. Jason caught the attention of the infamous leader of Thorn Rose? What exactly did she mean by that? Was it just a harmless crush, or was she plotting to drag Jason away for some shady experiment behind closed doors?

    t on his back, Jasony motionless in the grass, eyes locked on her, too blindsided to make sense of any of it.

    Daniel gave a shaky chuckle, raising both hands in surrender. ¡°We¡¯re not here to mess with your guy. Our orders were clear¡ªCole¡¯s the target. Jason? He¡¯s all yours.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not how this ys out.¡± Elliana¡¯s voice was low and deliberate, her wordsced with finality. ¡°Jason¡¯s the one I¡¯ve chosen. If I want to keep him happy, then no one touches his cousin. When I im someone as under my protection, not one soul will cross that line.¡±

    ¡°Even a scratch is allowed.¡± The realization settled like fog across the field¡ªDeath Thorn wasn¡¯t bluffing. She was into Jason.

    Jason, for his part, waspletely thrown. He¡¯d never even met Death Thorn¡ªso why this sudden interest? What did she see in him? What the hell was her endgame?

    Elliana, meanwhile, couldn¡¯t care less about the crowd¡¯s confusion. Her deration served a purpose. Even if the Phantom Mercenaries failed to finish the job this time, whoever pulled the strings could always bring in a new team toe after Cole. Therefore, she had to make it clear that anyone thinking of taking on the task would regret it. She had almost said she was protecting Cole¡ªbut then the memory of the divorce papers red hot in her mind. That bitterness pushed her to pivot and use Jason¡¯s name instead.

    Daniel didn¡¯t know the full picture. All he understood was that this mission had gone south fast. Missing out on that hefty payout definitely hurt, but not enough to risk his neck.

    ¡°We had no idea Jason meant something to you when we agreed to the job. Didn¡¯t mean any disrespect. We won¡¯t cross you again. We¡¯re walking away.¡± With that, Daniel prepared to leave with his men.

    Elliana¡¯s voice rang out. ¡°Wait a second!¡±

    ?????????????????? ?????????????????????? ??????????¦Í??????.??????

    Daniel froze, uneasy, and then turned around slowly. ¡°Is there more?¡±

    Elliana withdrew her hand from the sunlight, her voice dropping to a deadly chill. ¡°You think you can hurt the man I¡¯m interested in and walk off like it¡¯s just another job?¡±

    A sheen of sweat broke out across Daniel¡¯s forehead, as if an invisible de were dangling inches from his neck.

    Behind him, Daniel¡¯s men stiffened, terror settling deep in their bones. With a slow turn of her head, Elliana scanned them all, her words hitting like frostbite. ¡°Everyone here cuts off a pinky. Do that, and we¡¯re square. Refuse, and I¡¯ll hunt you down personally.¡±

    No hesitation followed¡ªElliana began the countdown. ¡°Three¡­ two¡­¡± Elliana didn¡¯t even reach one. Knives shed in the sunlight, and one by one, Daniel and his crew gritted their teeth and hacked off their pinkies. The sharp, metallic tang of blood thickened the air.

    A smirk curled on Elliana¡¯s lips. ¡°Let that sink in. If anyone even breathes near the Evans family again, I won¡¯t be this generous. Now scram.¡±

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 Chapter 467

    ?Chapter 467:

    Daniel and his crew didn¡¯t need to be told twice¡ªthey bolted like frightened prey.

    Adah¡¯s voice rang out after them,ughter bubbling up. ¡°You losers better rebrand! Phantom Mercenaries? Please. Try the Pinky-Less Posse!¡± Not one of them dared to nce back. They vanished like shadows at sunset.

    After watching Daniel¡¯s crew disappear, Elliana finally let her eyes drift elsewhere.

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh turned their gaze to Jason, all of them silently wondering how he felt about being spared thanks to a woman¡¯s very public interest.

    Jason, thinking fast, mped his eyes shut and yed dead. Faced with Death Thorn¡¯s sudden deration of her feelings, he had no idea how to handle it¡ªand no interest in figuring it out on the spot.

    Meanwhile, Elliana never even looked in his direction. Assuming he was unconscious throughout the whole ordeal, she didn¡¯t suspect a thing. After onest nce at Myles, Aron, and Hugh, she spun on her heel and stepped onto the ne without another word.

    Elliana had stared down the operatives from Phantom Mercenaries with a devil-may-care grin, radiating defiance¡ªbut beneath that facade, anxiety gnawed at her over Cole¡¯s condition. Once she was inside the ne, she sprang into action, seizing his wrist to check for a pulse and hastily undoing his shirt to examine the bleeding wound on his chest.

    Once Elliana finished her inspection, worry washed over her features like a crashing tide. Cole looked rough. Blood poured from a deep gash, soaking through the fabric without slowing down. Without quick treatment, he could be in serious danger. With Cole¡¯s state, even if the Phantom Mercenaries operatives hadn¡¯t tried to finish him off, just stalling could¡¯ve been enough to let him bleed out.

    Thankfully, she had gotten here in the nick of time. She couldn¡¯t operate here, but her medical knowledge would at least buy him a little more time. She rifled through her pack, snatched up a small white pill, and slipped it between his lips.

    A thousand thoughts collided in her mind, each one more frantic than thest. Just who in the world had managed to harm him this badly? What had really transpired?

    Still, now wasn¡¯t the moment to dwell on all these questions. Saving Cole was the top priority. She needed to get him back to Ublento for treatment¡ªfast.

    A???????????? ????????: ga l no v els .co m

    With determination tightening her jaw, Elliana¡¯s eyes darted toward the cockpit.

    The captain was visibly struggling, caught in a battle against a malfunction that threatened them all.

    Elliana pushed to her feet and strode forward.

    Earlier, even in the face of the threats from Phantom Mercenaries operatives, the captain had racked his mind on how to fix the ne. Trained by the Evans family, the captain wasn¡¯t just dedicated¡ªhe was unwavering in his loyalty andposure.

    Stepping into the cockpit, Elliana took in the sight of the captain holding two frayed, broken wires.

    ¡°Is it unfixable?¡± Elliana asked, her voice slicing through the tense silence.

    The captain jolted, startled by her sudden presence. Eyes wide with surprise, he nced at Elliana and replied, ¡°The wires are toast. I can¡¯t patch them back together. We¡¯re not going anywhere.¡±

    Instead of wasting time with words, Elliana stepped forward, gently eased the captain aside, and dropped into the seat without hesitation to assess the damage.

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    .

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 Chapter 468

    ?Chapter 468:

    Though uncertainty shed in his eyes, the captain didn¡¯t dare question her. After all, this wasn¡¯t just anyone¡ªthis was Death Thorn. He stood back, silently watching.

    His skepticism turned to stunned disbelief when Elliana calmly untangled the wires and reconnected them with practiced precision, coaxing the system back to life.

    The captain¡¯s mind reeled. He hadn¡¯t expected that the feared Delta queen knew her way around aircraft repairs. Aside from saving them all just now, she had resurrected a dead aircraft. She was the real deal.

    Elliana nced back and said tly, ¡°It¡¯s good to go. We can take off.¡± Not waiting for praise or a thank-you, Elliana rose from the seat and walked away.

    Just as she reached the open hatch, ready to hop down, a fierce wind whipped through, scattering dust and grit through the air like a storm of needles.

    Clothes pped, hair flew wildly, and in the chaos, her mask loosened as she turned. It slipped. Lightning-fast, she snatched the mask midair and pressed it back onto her face.

    The wind kicked up a swirl of dust, forcing everyone outside the ne to turn their faces away, missing the briefest moment of Elliana¡¯s mask slipping.

    But Jason, stretched out on the grass and too hurt to move, saw it happen. Back when she stepped onto the ne, he had tried to rise, hoping to check on Cole, but his body refused to cooperate.

    Myles, Aron, and Hugh hadn¡¯t fared any better. They stayed where they were, unable to help, eyes fixed on the ne¡¯s doorway, silently willing her to step back out.

    Tension clung to the group like static, each of them silently wondering what Death Thorn was doing behind those closed doors.

    The moment she emerged, a sudden burst of wind swept over them, and sandshed at them, forcing Myles¡¯, Aron¡¯s, and Hugh¡¯s eyes shut¡ªnone of them noticed her mask drop.

    ????? ????????????????????????????????: ??????????¦Í??????.????

    But Jason, positioned perfectly with the wind at his back, had caught an unobstructed view. Even though itsted only a blink, that glimpse was crystal clear.

    From years of training under Seth¡¯s unforgiving eye, Jason had developed the sharpest vision and an unerring memory. And now, etched into that memory like fire across parchment, was Death Thorn¡¯s face. Then, something strange happened¡ªhe heard his own heartbeat pounding in his ears.

    Jason had neverid eyes on anyone like Death Thorn. Plenty of women had crossed his path, all hoping to win favor with the powerful Evans family. Some wore elegance like armor, others relied on effortless charm. But none of them couldpare to the enigma that was Death Thorn. Finally, the old stories made sense. She didn¡¯t just wear danger like a crown¡ªshe had a beauty that could leave a man breathless.

    Seeing her face, even through the swirling dust, Jason thought of a lily blooming through the chaos¡ªdelicate, radiant, unforgettable. Then, countless questions popped into his mind. Could someone so stunning truly care for him? Was her affection real, or just a passing emotion? Would she be willing to marry him? Would she ever see them building a family together?

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 Chapter 469

    ?Chapter 469:

    Jason¡¯s thoughts raced ahead of reason, tumbling one over the other in a rush that left no doubt¡ªhe had fallen fast and fallen hard.

    Soon, the wind eased, and the dust began to clear.

    Elliana leapt from the ne and came walking straight toward Jason.

    Jason could feel his pulse quicken, hammering harder with every inch Death Thorn closed between them. With his face flushed and ears burning, he found it harder to breathe each time she drew nearer. Elliana didn¡¯t know¡ªcouldn¡¯t possibly guess¡ªthat Jason would take her offhand words seriously. All that mattered to her right now was stabilizing Jason quickly so Cole could get the treatment he needed in Ublento.

    Once beside Jason, she wasted no time, examining him for anything serious. To the eye, he looked fine. But the damage inside¡ªexacerbated by that recent strike¡ªwas what had drained him.

    From her pouch, she retrieved a small pill and ced it gently at his lips.

    Jason epted it without protest. The moment it dissolved, a cooling sensation spread down his throat, pooling in his core like warmth after a storm. His strength began to rally fast.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± he whispered, his eyes lingering on hers.

    With a practiced motion, Elliana wiped her fingers clean and straightened. ¡°Try to stand, Mr. Evans. See what your legs can handle.¡±

    Pushing himself upward, Jason braced for weakness¡ªbut to his surprise, his body responded. He was still unsteady, sure, but the pain had faded to a manageable throb. Whatever she gave him was nothing short of incredible. The moment took him back to thest time Elliana had treated him¡ªher medicine had worked like a miracle then, too. A twist of self-reproach curled in his stomach. He wasn¡¯t even sure Elliana had survived.

    Meanwhile, Elliana was already moving, wasting no time as she turned to tend to Myles, Aron, and Hugh, handing them each a pill in turn.

    Rooted to the spot, Jason didn¡¯t speak. He simply watched her, a quiet warmth spreading through his chest, steady and undeniable. The woman who had once turned Delta upside down was going out of her way to protect him and his crew¡ªall because of a supposed crush on him.

    Right then, the captain approached with a wide grin and a spring in his step. ¡°Mr. Evans! Death Thorn patched up the ne. We¡¯re good to fly back to Ublento!¡±

    ?????? ???????????????? ????????: ga l no v els .co m

    Gratitude swelled in Jason¡¯s chest like a rising tide. He made his way toward Death Thorn, meeting her gaze with sincerity. ¡°Listen, I¡¯ve gotta get my cousin back for emergency care. But I¡¯lle find youter to properly thank you for what you did.¡± A pause lingered before he added, almost shyly, ¡°Would you mind giving me your number?¡±

    There wasn¡¯t a chance in the world Elliana would hand over Death Thorn¡¯s contact details to Jason. But she wasn¡¯t about to contradict the bold request.

    The ¡°confession¡± of feelings¡ªobviously a lie¡ªshe¡¯d made earlier in front of everyone lingered in the air. Instead of acknowledging it, she leaned in smoothly, letting the lie breathe a little more. ¡°You don¡¯t need my number. Just let it be known that you want to see me, and I¡¯lle find you¡ªno matter where you are.¡±

    Jason didn¡¯t take it as a brush-off. In his mind, it made sense. Someone like her probably didn¡¯t settle in one ce long enough to hand out a phone number. ¡°Got it,¡± he replied, nodding with understanding.

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 Chapter 470

    ?Chapter 470:

    Jason scribbled his own digits on a scrap of paper and handed it to her. ¡°Here¡¯s my number. If you need anything, hit me up anytime.¡±

    Truthfully, Elliana had zero intention of ever dialing that number. The memory of Jason¡¯s earlier sass lingered in her mind, and though she wanted to scoff, she kept her expression neutral and epted the paper with feigned interest. Not wasting another second, she turned serious. ¡°Mr. Evans, I checked on your cousin. He¡¯s not doing well. You need to get him to Ublento fast or you¡¯ll lose him.¡±

    ¡°Take care,¡± Jason said simply.

    A faint smile tugged at Elliana¡¯s lips. ¡°Goodbye,¡± she said softly. Jason lingered for a heartbeat, his gaze locked on her as if recalling her face, before he finally turned and boarded the ne.

    One by one, Myles, Aron, Hugh, and the rest followed behind, filing in without a word.

    Momentster, the engines roared to life, and the ne lifted off into the sky.

    Elliana stood still, watching it shrink against the horizon, catching sight of Jason waving at her through the window as it climbed higher. Just as the silhouette disappeared into the clouds, Adah elbowed Elliana with a smirk. ¡°You saw how he looked at you, right? Pretty sure he bought every word you said.¡±

    Without looking away from the sky, Elliana gave a casual shrug. ¡°Doesn¡¯t change a thing. He¡¯s never seen my real face. I could walk past him without any disguise, and he wouldn¡¯t know I¡¯m Death Thorn. That chapter¡¯s closed.¡±

    ¡°But what if he can¡¯t stop thinking about you?¡± Adah teased, raising an eyebrow.

    Elliana let out an embarrassed grin. ¡°He has no clue whether I¡¯m even attractive. There¡¯s no reason for him to be fixated on me. And honestly, judging by the way he looks at Trinity¡ªthat cunning tramp¡ªhe¡¯s probably already halfway in love with her. If she so much as hinted at marriage, he¡¯d likely be dragging her to city hall before she finished the sentence.¡±

    ¡°Seriously?¡± Adah raised an amused brow. ¡°I figured Jason was solid. He stood toe-to-toe with Daniel¡ªdidn¡¯t think he¡¯d fall for a snake like Trinity. Guess judgment¡¯s not his strong suit.¡±

    ??????? ???? ???????????????? ga l no v els .co m

    ¡°Enough gossip,¡± Elliana remarked, the tension creeping into her voice. ¡°Cole¡¯s hurt bad, and I¡¯m worried sick. I¡¯m heading back to Ublento now. Youing?¡±

    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t miss it,¡± Adah replied with a wicked grin. ¡°Time to check in on my darling family and that fianc¨¦ of mine, An.¡±

    Elliana and Adah returned to Ublento together.

    Elsewhere, Jason had wasted no time. After ensuring Cole was safe, he passed responsibilities to Myles and headed straight for Podgend with Lanny in tow¡­

    Despite his injuries, Jason returned to Riverbend in Podgend. Only Lanny, the captain, and the pilot apanied him on this journey. Their private jet descended through darkness to the exact coordinates where the Phantom Mercenaries operatives had staged their brutal ambush.

    Throughout the ten-hour flight, Jason maintained absolute silence, his face carved from shadow and storm.

    Lanny remained at Jason¡¯s side, questions burning behind his lips, but terror sealed his mouth shut.

    When the aircraft finally settled onto the tarmac, Jason emerged with an expression that revealed nothing and promised everything. Lanny followed him down the metal steps and couldn¡¯t hold back any longer.

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 Chapter 471

    ?Chapter 471:

    ¡°Mr. Evans, what drove you back to this cursed ce?¡±

    Jason lifted his gaze to the moon-drunk sky and released a breath that carried the weight of unfinished business. ¡°There was something I should¡¯ve handledst night, but Cole¡¯s condition couldn¡¯t wait, so I put it off until now.¡±

    Jason¡¯s eyes fell from the heavens and fixed on Lanny with pregnant intensity. ¡°Do you recall how many years you¡¯ve worked beside me?¡±

    ¡°Twenty years,¡± Lanny replied. ¡°I¡¯ve remained at your side since you turned six.¡±

    Jason offered the faintest acknowledgment. ¡°My mother selected you as my childhoodpanion and then elevated you to personal assistant. I¡¯ve always treasured what existed between us.¡±

    Warmth bloomed across Lanny¡¯s features at these words. ¡°I entered this world with nothing. If your mother hadn¡¯t rescued me from that orphanage, I¡¯d have vanished into obscurity. My loyalty to you runs deeper than blood¡ªeternal and unbreakable.¡±

    Jason¡¯sughter emerged cold and sharp as winter steel. ¡°Loyal to me? No, Lanny. Your loyalty belongs entirely to my mother.¡±

    Ice crystallized in Lanny¡¯s veins as he stumbled over his response. ¡°But¡­ y-you and your mother share the same blood, the same cause. Serving her means serving you.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re mistaken.¡± Jason¡¯s stare could have cut a diamond. ¡°She birthed me, and I would sacrifice everything for her protection. But we don¡¯t march as one army. Her desires don¡¯tmand my soul.¡±

    Lanny finally sensed something was off. His¡­

    Jason¡¯s sharp mind quickly pieced together the fragments, forming a horrifying picture. Under Jason¡¯s relentless scrutiny, Lanny¡¯s body betrayed him, shaking violently.

    ¡°Jeff is still too young to understand,¡± Jason said, his voice thick with desperation. ¡°Your mother invests all her hopes in your sess. Every move she makes is for your ultimate triumph! Just as everything I¡¯ve done has been to elevate you!¡±

    ?????????????? ???????????????? ga l no v els .co m

    Desperation sharpened Jason¡¯s voice as he added, ¡°Just as I¡¯ve sacrificed everything to make sure you seed!¡±

    Jason¡¯s boot mmed into Lanny¡¯s chest, sending him crashing to his knees with bone-crushing force. His gaze turned into two unyielding ciers of judgment.

    ¡°Lanny, don¡¯t mask your betrayal with noble intentions and expect my gratitude,¡± Jason¡¯s voice was cold and merciless. ¡°I feel no appreciation for your treachery¡ªonly fury that burns like acid in my veins.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Evans¡­¡± Lanny¡¯s eyes lifted, pleading desperately, but Jason remained unmoved, a mountain of unshakable resolve.

    ¡°If Death Thorn hadn¡¯t intervened at the crucial moment, Cole would be rotting in the ground,¡± Jason continued, his voice hardening with every word. ¡°My mother orchestrated the entire plot, and you were her weapon. If you seeded, did you expect me to live with that guilt and self-reproach for the rest of my life?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Evans, please don¡¯t think like this,¡± Lanny urged, pressing forward with renewed desperation. ¡°Your brilliance is undeniable, your talents unmatched. You could im the role of the head of the Evans family without question. Why stay in Cole¡¯s shadow? If you took control, your mother would be the most respected woman in the family.¡±

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 Chapter 472

    ?Chapter 472:

    Jason¡¯s expression shifted to one of cold calction. He smiled, a predator¡¯s grin. He drew the pistol from his waist and pressed its cold muzzle against Lanny¡¯s forehead.

    Lanny¡¯s words died in his throat as sweat ran down his spine like melting ice.

    Jason¡¯s voice remained calm, almost detached, as he continued his verdict. ¡°When I was six years old, my grandfather asked me a question that would define my entire existence: Did I want to be the eternal guardian of the Evans family, cing its welfare above all else and serving whichever heir imed the throne? I answered without hesitation¡ªyes. From that moment, my grandfather dedicated the best resources to forge me into the weapon I¡¯ve be. My whole existence revolves around protecting the Evans legacy and ensuring Cole¡¯s rightful ce in it. No force on earth will change that.¡±

    Jason¡¯s gaze never wavered as he added, ¡°Lanny, it¡¯s been twenty years since you joined my ranks. You know the code I live by. And yet, you betrayed me. You nearly set a disaster in motion that could have destroyed everything. I cannot permit¡ª¡±

    ¡°Your continued existence¡­ For the memories we once shared, I¡¯ll grant you a single final request. If it¡¯s reasonable, I¡¯ll make it happen.¡±

    Terror paralyzed Lanny¡¯s thoughts as Jason¡¯s pronouncement echoed like a funeral bell. His disbelieving stare searched Jason¡¯s face for mercy that no longer existed. ¡°Mr. Evans, are you truly going to end my life with your own hands?¡±

    Jason¡¯s voice carried the finality of a judge delivering a sentence. ¡°I¡¯ve spoken these words before, and they remain unchanged. The Evans family¡¯s interestes first. My sworn duty demands the elimination of every threat that dares challenge its supremacy.¡±

    Lanny¡¯s survival instincts wed at his throat as he gasped, ¡°I merely followed your mother¡¯smands! That doesn¡¯t constitute betrayal!¡±

    Jason¡¯s sneer could have curdled blood. ¡°I¡¯ve already made my position crystal clear¡ªnot even my mother possesses the authority to override my will. You deceived me, executed actions that vite everything I represent, and now the price must be paid in full.¡±

    As Jason spoke these words of damnation, he disengaged the safety with an audible click and positioned his finger against the trigger¡¯s edge.

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    Upon hearing the pistol¡¯s safety click into release, Lanny¡¯s words tumbled out in desperation, ¡°Mr. Evans, I have ast wish!¡±

    ¡°Speak.¡± Jason¡¯s expression remained carved from stone.

    Lanny¡¯s voice fractured with trembling. ¡°As an orphan, I¡¯ve viewed your mother as family. Before I die, I want to have a video call with her.¡±

    The request masked Lanny¡¯s true intention¡ªhe wasn¡¯t seeking final words with Irene, but hoping she would talk to Jason for his sake. This gamble represented his sole thread of survival.

    Given Jason¡¯s merciless demeanor, Lanny expected swift rejection, and the refusal would seal his fate.

    To his surprise, Jason agreed. ¡°Okay.¡±

    Lanny¡¯s eyes widened, disbelief flooding his features as he stared up at Jason.

    Jason¡¯s gaze remained distant and cold as he withdrew the pistol from Lanny¡¯s forehead.

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 Chapter 473

    ?Chapter 473:

    Clutching this unexpected lifeline, Lanny fumbled for his phone with shaking hands and dialed Irene for a video call.

    Elsewhere, anxiety consumed Irene as she waited for any updates on the situation.

    News of Cole¡¯s encounter with the Phantom Mercenaries operatives in Podgend had rippled through the Evans family like wildfire, igniting chaos. Ruben¡¯s fury burned white-hot, and the family elders had assembled for an emergency session.

    As the architect of Cole¡¯s almost-seeded elimination, Irene suffered through every passing second. Sleep abandoned her, food turned to ash in her mouth, and terror gnawed at her¡ªthe exposure of her involvement loomed like a guillotine above her neck. Worse, Lanny remained unreachable, Jason¡¯s whereabouts unknown. She could only wait for Lanny¡¯s report, trapped in her web of dread.

    When Lanny¡¯s video call finally came through, Irene snatched up the phone with desperate excitement. ¡°Lanny, how did everything unfold? Where is Jason?¡±

    Seeing Irene¡¯s face on the screen shattered Lanny¡¯sposure. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he sobbed, ¡°Mrs. Evans, please save me!¡±

    Irene¡¯s brows knitted together in sharp concern. ¡°Exin yourself immediately! Where are you, and what has happened?¡±

    Lanny rotated the camera toward Jason, revealing Jason¡¯s deadly expression to Irene. ¡°Mrs. Evans, he uncovered our involvement and dragged me back to Podgend to execute me!¡±

    Jason did not shy away from the camera¡¯s scrutiny. Instead, he lifted his cold gaze and met Irene¡¯s stare through the screen with unflinching intensity.

    Irene had sacrificed half her life¡¯s savings to hire the Phantom Mercenaries for Cole¡¯s life, convinced the n was foolproof. She had intended to confess everything to Jason after Cole¡¯s death, believing Jason would then have no choice but to im the role of the head of the Evans family. But the n¡¯s spectacr failure and Jason¡¯s discovery of her actions had never entered her calctions.

    Even now, facing exposure, Irene felt no shame¡ªonly righteous indignation burning in her chest. ¡°Jason, throughout the years, Lanny has devoted his loyalty to you andbored tirelessly in your service. How can you show such cruelty toward him?¡±

    ¡°Are you suggesting I should tolerate someone who nearly murdered my family?¡± Jason¡¯s voice cut like a de. ¡°Would you expect gratitude if someone harmed Jeff while iming to help me?¡±

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    ¡°That¡¯spletely different!¡± Irene¡¯s shout cracked with fury. ¡°You and Jeff are brothers, while Cole is just your cousin¡ªan enemy who stole the inheritance that belonged to you!¡±

    Jason¡¯s response was swift and sharp. ¡°Cole stands as the eldest grandson, chosen by my grandpa as his sessor. His abilities and wisdom eclipse mine. How dare you im he stole what was never mine to begin with?¡±

    Irene¡¯sugh dripped with bitter mockery. ¡°Only because you are ignorant of Cole¡¯s secret. Once you learn about it, such thoughts will never cross your mind! You are the most qualified heir of the Evans family. Your grandfather¡¯s bias has blinded him!¡± Her agitation painted her eyes crimson.

    Witnessing Irene¡¯s unraveling, Jason¡¯s confusion deepened into a frown as he demanded in a voice heavy with foreboding, ¡°What secret does Cole harbor?¡±

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 Chapter 474

    ?Chapter 474:

    ¡°He carries the seeds of madness!¡± Irene dered with venomous triumph. ¡°His mother suffers from a gic curse called psychephrenia, which breeds mental chaos, and Cole inherits this poisoned legacy. When he loses control, the destruction bes catastrophic!¡±

    Pausing, she added, ¡°Twenty-four years ago, I witnessed his mother¡¯s descent into madness firsthand. She nearly demolished the estate in her rage, and Jarrett and Cole barely escaped with their lives. If your grandfather hadn¡¯t arrived with his¡­¡±

    Bodyguards in time, the carnage would have been unthinkable! Lanny has already informed me that Cole showed dangerous instability upon reaching Podgend. Andter, Cole erupted without warning, injuring all of you and even turning violence upon himself. I believe he¡¯s experiencing another episode!¡±

    The revtion struck Jason like a physical blow.

    When Cole was three years old, his mother Sophie had suffered her breakdown. Jason, barely two at the time, had been absent during the incident, and Ruben had buried the truth so deeply that Jason had been ignorant of its existence until now.

    Hearing Irene¡¯s words now, Jason struggled to reconcile the image of his brilliantly gifted cousin with that of a carrier of such a devastating condition.

    As Jason wrestled with this earth-shattering information, Irene pressed on. ¡°Jason, your talents shine so brightly. Are you truly content to serve beneath a madman¡¯s shadow?¡±

    Lanny chimed in, ¡°Mr. Evans, your cousincks the stability to lead the Evans family. Your grandfather has treated you unfairly. You should honor your mother¡¯s expectations and im the position that rightfully belongs to you!¡±

    Silence descended upon the room like a shroud.

    Jason lowered his gaze, his mind churning, while Irene and Lanny held their breath, waiting for his response with their hearts hammering against their ribs.

    The stillness of the midnight wilderness felt suffocating, a heavy weight draped over the world.

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    Jason remained silent, locked in thought, before finally lifting his head. Irene¡¯s and Lanny¡¯s eyes snapped to him in perfect sync, tension crackling like static.

    Without a word, Jason took the phone from Lanny¡¯s trembling grasp and hooked it onto a nearby branch. Now, both he and Lanny stood clearly in view, framed for Irene to see through the screen.

    ¡°Mr. Evans?¡± Lanny¡¯s voice was a brittle whisper, frayed with fear. He had no idea what Jason intended, only that dread was coiling tighter in his gut.

    Irene, too, was stunned¡ªJason¡¯s face was a mask she¡¯d never seen before, a void of intent she couldn¡¯t decipher.

    After tilting the camera for a better angle, Jason lifted his arm with chilling precision, the pistol once again pointed at Lanny¡¯s skull.

    Recognition hit both Irene and Lanny like a thunderp.

    ¡°Jason!¡± Irene¡¯s scream from the other end shattered the silence, raw and ragged. ¡°Lanny was trained by me¡ªhis loyalty is unshakable! You can¡¯t do this!¡±

    Lanny was quivering, eyes brimming with tears. ¡°I don¡¯t want to die!¡± he said, barely audible.

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 Chapter 475

    ?Chapter 475:

    But Jason¡¯s gaze was icebound. Once his mind settled on a choice, no force could unmake it. ¡°Lanny, anyst words?¡± he asked tly.

    Lanny¡¯s mouth moved¡ªopen, close, open again¡ªbut no sound came. He¡¯d never once pictured death arriving like this¡ªon his knees, in the dead of night, staring into the eyes of a man he¡¯d once followed without question.

    On the screen, Irene paced like a caged animal, panic etched into every movement. ¡°Jason, stop this insanity! Are you even hearing me?¡± she cried out.

    But Jason remained motionless, as if carved from stone. His voice, when it came, was devoid of warmth, sharp and cold as a winter de. ¡°Mom, I¡¯m doing this to prove my resolve to protect the Evans family and to ensure you never repeat this mistake.¡±

    He turned to Lanny, his eyes t and merciless. ¡°Lanny, rest in peace,¡± he said, each syble deliberate and lethal.

    A gunshot cracked through the night, thunderous and final. The bullet struck dead center, and Lanny copsed where he knelt, lifeless on the grass.

    ¡°Ahhh!¡± Irene¡¯s scream tore through the feed, a wail of grief and fury twisted together. ¡°You heartless brat! How dare you!¡±

    Jason¡¯s gaze wavered, his eyes darkening with a crimson grief. Even steel could feel the heat of loss. Lanny had been more than a subordinate¡ªhe had been a good pal. And now, Lanny¡¯s blood was on his hands. The act carved deep into his soul like a jagged de. But Lanny¡¯s transgression had been too severe, forcing his hand. To spare Lanny would be to embolden Irene¡ªshe would continue to target Cole¡¯s life. The potential consequences were too dire to risk.

    ¡°Do you even have any respect left for me¡ªyour own mother?¡± Irene¡¯s voice rose in a crescendo of anguish.

    Jason turned back to the camera, his voice eerilyposed. ¡°Lanny will be given a proper burial.¡±

    With that, Jason ended the video call, cutting off Irene mid-scream. Only then did his tears fall. He stood under the pale moonlight, eyes locked on Lanny¡¯s still form. He didn¡¯t move for a long time, frozen in grief, the weight of what he¡¯d done pressing down like stone.

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    When the first hints of dawn bled into the sky, Jason knelt and buried Lanny himself.

    But Jason didn¡¯t return to Ublento. Not yet. Instead, he remained in Podgend, determined to find Elliana. She was still Cole¡¯s wife. Any harm that came to her would bring shame to the Evans name, a disgrace he refused to allow. He owed it to Cole, to the family, to himself¡ªto bring her home safely.

    Yet, as Jason scoured Podgend, little did he know that Elliana was already back in Ublento.

    Haunted by concern for Cole¡¯s life, Elliana had gone straight from the airport to the hospital. But when she arrived, breathless and tense, she was met with bittersweet news: Cole had survived the critical post-surgery phase, but he was no longer at the hospital. He¡¯d been brought back to the Evans family estate. Without pausing to catch her breath, she made her way there.

    Meanwhile, the Evans family estate loomed like a monument to silence, shrouded in a heavy, suffocating stillness.

    Inside, Coley unconscious in his bed, pale and unmoving, his eyelids clenched shut as if warding off the world. There was no hint he¡¯d awaken anytime soon.

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 Chapter 476

    ?Chapter 476:

    Ruben had cleared the room, sending the others downstairs. Only Bertram, Emmanuel, and Myles remained by Cole¡¯s bedside. Turning to Myles, Ruben asked, his voice low and solemn, ¡°Myles, what in God¡¯s name happened?¡±

    Myles didn¡¯t flinch. He met Ruben¡¯s gaze and, with a steady voice, unraveled the entire chain of events¡ªeach detail measured, every truthid bare. By the time he finished, Bertram and Emmanuel stared at him in mute disbelief.

    Ruben exhaled slowly, the sigh pulled from the depths of years lived. ¡°I never thought this day woulde. Not so soon.¡±

    The Evans empire had once thrived in the heart of Blehstin, a shining pir of power and prestige. But after Cole¡¯s mother, Sophie, suffered her first breakdown, Ruben had uprooted everything, moving the family to quiet Ublento¡ªfar from scrutiny, far from scandal. He wanted peace for Cole. A clean te.

    Since his childhood, Cole had shone with rare brilliance, his mind as sharp as it was intuitive. Ruben had seen it early and nurtured it, doting on him. Even when theyter discovered Cole carried the gene for Psychephrenia¡ªpassed down from Sophie¡ªRuben had made his choice. Cole would be his sessor. Bertram and Emmanuel had agreed, quietly and without resistance. They, too, recognized Cole¡¯s exceptional abilities.

    For years, hope had lived beside fear¡ªa fragile dream that maybe Cole would not have an episode. But now, that illusion had been shattered. None of them could predict what state Cole¡¯s mind would be in when he awoke. Psychephrenia offered no mercy. No cure for now.

    Ruben closed his eyes, sadness carved into every line of his face. Then, after a long pause, he turned back to Myles. ¡°Is it true that Cole intends to divorce Elliana?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. Mr. Evans wrote the divorce papers himself and asked me to deliver them to Mrs. Evans. He told me to make it clear he doesn¡¯t want to see her again,¡± Myles answered truthfully.

    ¡°s! Cole must have realized his illness was catching up with him and didn¡¯t want Elliana to suffer because of it. While he¡¯s still in control, he¡¯s trying to cut her loose,¡± Rubenmented in despair.

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    Bertram added, ¡°When Sophie had an episode all those years ago, sheshed out at everyone close. Jarrett had nearly lost his life back then. Cole¡¯s probably terrified that he¡¯ll hurt Elliana the same way when he¡¯s not in his right mind.¡±

    Emmanuel shook his head. ¡°Cole has been perfectly fine all these years. Why did his illness suddenly erupt?¡±

    Bertram shook his head. ¡°Nothing surprising here. Sophie¡¯s illness showed up out of nowhere, too. One day she was fine, but the next everything changed.¡±

    The revtion about Elliana being River, the legendary AI master, had sparked a fondness in Emmanuel¡¯s heart. Now, news of Cole¡¯s intentions to divorce Elliana filled him with concern for her.

    Emmanuel waited in silence for a beat before asking, ¡°And Elliana? Where is she at this moment?¡±

    ¡°Actually, there hasn¡¯t been any word from the bodyguards we sent out to locate Mrs. Evans. They still haven¡¯t reported back yet,¡± Myles said, faltering as he struggled to find the right words.

    ¡°Still no news?¡± Emmanuel asked, rising to his feet in concern. ¡°Elliana is out there on her own in Podgend, a region already teetering on political unrest. It¡¯s far too dangerous!¡±

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 Chapter 477

    ?Chapter 477:

    Ruben¡¯s anxiety got the best of him. ¡°Where¡¯s Jason? Somebody find Jason, now!¡±

    However, no one knew where Jason had gone. Even Bertram, his father, couldn¡¯t reach him by phone.

    Ruben¡¯s frustration boiled over. ¡°Jason knows about all this chaos, yet he didn¡¯te straight to me after getting back to Ublento. Where could he have disappeared to?¡±

    After letting out his annoyance, Ruben made his way downstairs and called for Toby Rogers, head of security detail for the Evans family.

    Years of loyalty defined Toby¡¯s service¡ªhe had be one of Jason¡¯s trusted assistants, on equal footing with Lanny, though their origins were very different. Unlike Lanny, whose position was a result of Irene¡¯s arrangement, Toby had wed his way up through sheer merit. Toby held his own in the Evans family politics, never deferring to Irene¡¯s authority the way Lanny sometimes did. He understood exactly where true power rested.

    The living room was filled with anxious voices as the rest of the Evans family gathered, each person desperate for answers. Words swirled about Cole and his crew being attacked by the Phantom Mercenaries in Podgend, but details remained scarce.

    Both Lance and Jeff paced, eager to see Elliana, but she was nowhere in sight.

    Only Irene couldn¡¯t care less about Cole¡¯s condition, as she was the architect of the ambush aimed at him. She sank quietly into the sofa and did her best to keep her face neutral, fearing any unwitting exposure of her actions.

    The restlessness in Ruben¡¯s heart left him blind to others¡¯ emotions. As soon as Toby appeared, Ruben ordered, ¡°Toby, I want you to take a team to Podgend. Find Elliana¡ªwhatever it takes. Keep me updated every step of the way!¡±

    Before Toby could even reply, Jeff bolted upright. ¡°Grandpa, you mean Elliana¡¯s still out there in Podgend?¡±

    A surge of rm followed as Lance chimed in, ¡°Grandpa, are you saying Elliana has gone missing?¡±

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    Only then did it ur to Ruben that he¡¯d blurted out too much in front of everyone, failing to protect the secrecy of the situation.

    Ruben¡¯s intention had always been to keep everything under wraps, afraid that word of Cole¡¯s illness¡ªPsychephrenia¡ªmight spread and damage his reputation.

    A heavy silence fell over the room as Lance and Jeff stared at Ruben, both of them demanding answers with anxious eyes.

    Curiosity outweighedpassion among most family members. Elliana¡¯s vanishing mattered only because she carried the Evans name as Cole¡¯s wife and the family¡¯s matriarch. Trouble in Podgend was a stain no one could ignore.

    So many eyes boring into him left Ruben feeling cornered. Hiding the truth any longer would only spark more gossip, but honesty seemed just as risky.

    The room thickened with tension, the air practically buzzing.

    A sudden sob broke the silence¡ªJeff¡¯s voice trembled. ¡°Podgend is a mess. What if something bad happens to Elliana? Does she have any cash? What if she can¡¯t find food?¡±

    Irritation already simmered in Irene¡¯s chest, and her patience snapped at the sound of Jeff¡¯s wailing. Jeff had once been her fiercest ally, always quick to defend her and take her side, badmouthing Elliana with her. Lately, though, he did nothing but get under her skin. She couldn¡¯t wrap her head around why this once-loyal child had be so fiercely concerned and defensive about Elliana!

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 Chapter 478

    ?Chapter 478:

    Meanwhile, Trinity was quietly thrilled at the notion that Elliana might be in danger. Her glee bubbled up so strongly that she couldn¡¯t control her expression¡ªher lips lifted into a visible smile. A chill abruptly crawled down her spine as she turned and caught Lance¡¯s piercing re fixed on her.

    Scrambling, Trinity erased the smile and put on a mask of concern. ¡°Lance, you¡¯re right. Podgend is so dangerous. I¡¯m terrified for Elliana¡¯s safety.¡±

    Instead of answering, Lance turned away, his expression as frosty as his silence. Elliana had been right all along¡ªTrinity was deceitful, and he hadpletely misread her character before.

    With spite in her heart, Trinity muttered to herself bitterly, ¡°If only Elliana would meet her end in Podgend!¡±

    Yet, the very moment that evil thought surfaced, Elliana stepped into the living room with effortless poise.

    ¡°I¡¯m back!¡± Elliana announced, her smile glowing with warmth.

    Heads turned, breaths caught, and for a heartbeat, the room fell still.

    Jeff, cradling a snow-white cat in his arms, gawked at Elliana as though he were seeing a ghost. Then, without warning, he erupted into loud, aching sobs that tore through the silence. Tears streamed freely as heunched himself into Elliana¡¯s embrace, gripping her tightly, his emotions crashing down like a tidal wave. Her shirt was instantly soaked, but she didn¡¯t flinch.

    In his excitement, Jeffpletely forgot about the cat in his arms. As he threw himself at Elliana, the poor thing was tossed aside.

    The cat, Darling, flew from his grasp like a startled fluffball, thudding softly against the floor and rolling to a stop.

    With a grumpy flick of her tail, Darling stood, gave an indignant meow, and red daggers at Jeff¡¯s back. With a swift pounce, she hurried to Elliana andtched onto her leg.

    ¡°Meow! Meow!¡± The soft cries wereced with yearning.

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    Darling had always been a clever, fiercely loyal little soul. Even after Paige had heartlessly abandoned her, she¡¯d never once forgotten Elliana, the woman who truly loved her.

    Jeff had tried¡ªtreats, toys, endless belly rubs¡ªbut Elliana was the one Darling waited for.

    When everyone was talking about Elliana¡¯s disappearance earlier, Darling had picked up on the bad vibes, pacing, restless and wide-eyed. Now, with Elliana stepping into the house, safe and sound, Darling couldn¡¯t get close fast enough.

    Elliana nced down at Jeff, still clinging to her like a lifeline. His shoulders shook with the force of his sobs. She remembered this kind of crying¡ªshe¡¯d only seen it once before, during that terrible showdown with the Hendersons.

    ¡°I thought you were gone forever,¡± Jeff said, trembling. ¡°I thought Podgend swallowed you whole. I thought I¡¯d lost you.¡± His voice cracked beneath the weight of his grief.

    Jeff¡¯s words weren¡¯t fancy, but the raw sincerity behind them struck a chord with everyone in the room. This wasn¡¯t just concern¡ªit was the kind of deep,

    Unwavering emotion came from truly loving someone. Once her sharpest critic, Jeff now looked at Elliana like she hung the stars.

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 Chapter 479

    ?Chapter 479:

    Elliana felt it¡ªthe sincerity radiating from him like sunlight¡ªand it melted away any remnants of the past. She reached up and gave his shiny head a gentle pat, grinning. ¡°Okay, tough guy, enough with the waterworks. See? I¡¯m back in one piece.¡±

    Jeff sniffled and blinked up at her, his face red from crying. ¡°But¡­ how¡¯d you make it back on your own? No sketchy weirdos gave you trouble? Nobody tried to mess with you? You didn¡¯t starve or anything?¡±

    Elliana chuckled and dabbed at his cheeks with her sleeve. ¡°No weirdos, no drama, and I definitely didn¡¯t starve. I caught a cab, headed straight to the airport, and hopped on the next flight. But not before tasting some amazing food and checking out the sights in Podgend.¡±

    Jeff blinked. That was it? No gritty street fights, no shady characters, no desperate escape? He¡¯d imagined Podgend as a war zone¡ªnot a foodie¡¯s paradise. Was she sugarcoating it just to ease his mind?

    Elliana caught the suspicion flickering across his face and gave him a light flick to the forehead. ¡°Hey! I¡¯m telling the truth. It was a breeze. Look at me¡ªnot even a paper cut. You gotta trust me.¡±

    Lance stepped forward, calm and confident. ¡°She¡¯s telling it straight, man. She looks solid.¡±

    Jeff gave Elliana one more once-over, and then his frown melted into a huge, relieved grin. ¡°I knew it. You¡¯re the luckiest person I know, Elliana!¡±

    Elliana burst outughing and gave his head another affectionate pat. Just then, Darling let out an even louder cry. ¡°Meow!¡±

    The little cat was clearly not having it, clinging to Elliana¡¯s leg like a jealous toddler.

    With a chuckle, Elliana bent down and scooped the cat into her arms. ¡°Oh, Darling, I missed you so, so much,¡± she murmured, pressing a kiss to the fluffball¡¯s tiny face.

    ¡°Meow!¡± Darling purred contentedly, burying her head against Elliana¡¯s chin, tail flicking with joy.

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    Ruben watched the tender moment unfold, his lips curling into a smile. Around the room, the others breathed easier, their shoulders rxing. But not everyone was pleased. Off to the side, Irene and Trinity simmered with silent rage, their jaws tight and eyes narrowed. They¡¯d whispered, hoped, and even prayed that Elliana would vanish for good in Podgend. What stung them most wasn¡¯t Elliana¡¯s return¡ªit was Jeff. The same Jeff who once adored Trinity¡¯s every word and followed Irene like a¡­

    The loyal puppy now clung to Elliana as if she were his entire world. After soothing Jeff with one final head-pat, Elliana gently ced Darling back in his arms. Then, she turned and walked toward Ruben.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I made you worry,¡± she said softly.

    Ruben¡¯s eyes met hers, warm and brimming with unspoken emotions. She wasn¡¯t a pleasant sight to behold, but her grit, loyalty, and strength made her more radiant than any polished beauty. He had long seen her as the granddaughter he never had. And now, with Cole nning to divorce her, his heart ached with sympathy and concern.

    He remembered the storm of whispers when Elliana first entered the Evans family. She had faced every judgmental stare, every cutting remark. Now, barely into the marriage, she was soon to be tossed aside, likely drawing more ridicule. He felt like they had failed her.

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 Chapter 480

    ?Chapter 480:

    Elliana, ever perceptive, said nothing of the concern she sensed. Instead, she smiled gently. ¡°I¡¯m gonna check on Cole.¡± With grace, she turned and headed upstairs.

    Cole¡¯s room remained under the watchful eyes of Paulina and Myles, while his doctor, Charlie, stood ready nearby.

    Elliana swept into the room and made her way directly to Cole¡¯s bedside. Her fingers found his pulse, and her trained gaze assessed each of his wounds with practiced precision. Only after confirming that Cole had stepped back from death¡¯s threshold did she allow herself to exhale the breath she hadn¡¯t realized she¡¯d been holding.

    Charlie seized the moment to speak up. ¡°Mrs. Evans, your husband should have regained consciousness hours ago, yet he remains locked in this state. My professional assessment suggests he¡¯s deliberately choosing to stay under¡ªas if he¡¯s running from something that terrifies him. Do you have any insights into what that might be?¡±

    Elliana¡¯s head moved in a slow nod. ¡°Dr. Hoffman, your instincts are absolutely correct.¡±

    She had reached the same devastating conclusion. Cole was deliberately keeping himself trapped in unconsciousness, fleeing from some demon that haunted the corners of his mind.

    Ever since their escape from that undergroundbyrinth, something fundamental had shattered within Cole. Elliana couldn¡¯t unravel what had triggered such a profound transformation in him, or understand why he clung so desperately to this artificial sleep. What terror was Cole so determined to avoid confronting? Questions multiplied in her mind like storm clouds gathering.

    Desperate for answers that only Myles could provide, Elliana addressed Charlie with forcedposure, ¡°Dr. Hoffman, let me handle things from here. Please, take some time to rest.¡±

    ¡°Of course. Don¡¯t hesitate to summon me if anything changes.¡± Charlie gathered his medical instruments and departed, leaving them in tense silence.

    With no outsiders left, Elliana fixed her attention on Myles like a predator cornering its prey. ¡°Exin to me exactly how Cole sustained these injuries.¡±

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    Myles met her gaze briefly before his eyes darted away, his internal conflict written across his features. Cole had been absolutely resolute about the divorce, clearly determined to extract Elliana from the poisonous web of the Evans family secrets. He didn¡¯t dare spill the truth.

    ¡°What is this nonsense? Just because Cole has decided to discard me, you think you can dismiss me as well?¡± Elliana¡¯s stare could have cut through steel, her voice¡­

    Elliana¡¯s voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. ¡°Myles, you switched sides faster than a pancake! Don¡¯t forget¡ªI remain the matriarch of this household. I have every right to know what has happened.¡±

    ¡°Mrs. Evans, that wasn¡¯t my intention at all,¡± Myles protested, his brow furrowing with genuine distress.

    Elliana fixed him with a relentless gaze, her eyes turning into arctic pools of determination. ¡°I¡¯ll ask you again, and I expect the full story. How did Colee to be so severely injured?¡±

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 Chapter 481

    ?Chapter 481:

    Myles adjusted his sses, his hands trembling slightly as he struggled to find the right words. ¡°Sorry, but I cannot reveal that information.¡±

    Elliana sprang from her chair, fury radiating from every part of her being. During the entire agonizing journey from Podgend to Ublento, she had been consumed by worry for Cole, her mind spinning with a desperate need to understand the full picture. Myles¡¯s refusal to speak felt like salt being rubbed into an open wound.

    Recognizing the dangerous edge to Elliana¡¯s rage, Paulina stepped forward with diplomatic grace. ¡°Mrs. Evans, I understand your concern for Mr. Evans runs deeper than words can express, but Myles is bound by strict orders. He cannot share this information without explicit authorization.¡±

    Elliana let out a bitterugh, devoid of warmth. She understood that perfectly, butprehension did nothing to quench the fire burning inside her. ¡°Very well, let me pose a different question,¡± she said, her voice deceptively calm. ¡°What drove Cole to suddenly demand a divorce from me?¡±

    Paulina and her three siblings knew well that Cole carried the burden of a rare gic condition known as Psychephrenia. This was the Evans family¡¯s most closely guarded secret, hidden even from their extended rtives. They could not afford for it to be exposed.

    Myles attempted a smile, but it didn¡¯t fool anyone. ¡°Mrs. Evans, that decision belongs entirely to Mr. Evans. I have no insight into his reasoning.¡±

    Elliana¡¯s hands clenched into fists at her sides, her voice trembling with barely contained fury. ¡°So, you expected me to believe that I entered this family blind, only to be cast out without a reason? Why should I tolerate such outrageous treatment?¡±

    Both Paulina and Myles shifted ufortably, their difort evident in every nervous gesture. They genuinely sympathized with Elliana¡¯s growing frustration, but their loyalty to the Evans family had bound their tongues entirely.

    At that precise moment, Ruben appeared in the doorway. ¡°Elliana, ease up on them. If you¡¯re seeking answers, I¡¯ll provide them myself. Come with me to the study.¡±

    Without waiting for her response, Ruben turned and strode purposefully toward his private sanctuary.

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    Elliana wavered for several heartbeats before following in his wake.

    Once inside the study, Ruben settled into his chair with deliberate movements, both hands resting on his walking cane while gravity settled across his features like a shroud.

    Elliana sealed the door behind her and approached with measured steps. ¡°Ruben, tell me truthfully¡ªwhat caused Cole¡¯s injuries to be so severe?¡± she demanded, her voice tight with urgency.

    Ruben delivered his answer without hesitation or softening. ¡°He inflicted every wound upon himself.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± The word escaped Elliana¡¯s lips, her eyes widening with shock.

    ¡°Why would Cole deliberately harm himself?¡±

    Ruben drew in a breath that seemed to carry the weight of years. ¡°Elliana, what I¡¯m about to share represents a family secret that has never been spoken beyond these walls. But as Cole¡¯s wife, you possess the absolute right to understand the truth. I¡¯ll reveal everything.¡±

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 Chapter 482

    ?Chapter 482:

    Ruben proceeded to exin the burden Cole carried¡ªhis status as a carrier of Psychephrenia, a gic condition so rare that most medical professionals had never encountered it.

    When Ruben finished his exnation, his voice grew heavy. ¡°Cole must have sensed an episode approaching like a gathering storm. He couldn¡¯t bear the thought of dragging you into his darkness or allowing you to be harmed by what he might be. That¡¯s precisely why he demanded the divorce and spoke those calcted, cruel words¡ªto drive you far from the danger he might unleash.¡±

    The final pieces of the puzzle clicked into ce within Elliana¡¯s mind with devastating rity. However, the revtion about Psychephrenia failed to shake herposure or fill her with the horror Ruben had expected.

    As a physician at the pinnacle of her profession, Elliana maintained her clinical objectivity when confronted with rare conditions. Moreover, Psychephrenia was not entirely foreign territory for her. Hidden within a data chip that represented her mother¡¯s final legacy, she had discovered extensive research on this very condition.

    Her mother had devoted countless years to pursuing a cure for Psychephrenia but had been forced to abandon her work when circumstances drove her away from Ublento. Nevertheless, the chip contained detailed research notes, and driven by scientific curiosity, Elliana had absorbed every word, conducting her own in-depth investigation into the mysteries of Psychephrenia.

    Elliana devoted countless hours to understanding Psychephrenia. Even so, she had only read about it in journals and had never encountered a real case¡ªuntil Cole.

    Elliana had barely opened her mouth to press Ruben for specifics on Cole¡¯s condition when an uproar echoed up from the foyer.

    Not a minute passed before Bertram appeared at the doorway and knocked. ¡°Dad, Carter¡¯s downstairs. He brought people with him, and they¡¯re all insisting we hold a family meeting. Their goal? They want to remove Cole from his position as the family head.¡±

    Letting out a long breath, Ruben shook his head. ¡°Does Carter ever tire himself out with all this nonsense?¡± A sharp ncended on Bertram. ¡°Take everyone to the conference room on the first floor. Tell them I¡¯ll join them soon. I¡¯m curious to see what scheme they¡¯ve cooked up this time.¡±

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    ¡°Alright, Dad.¡± Bertram didn¡¯t waste a second before slipping out. Ruben remained seated, his hands resting on his cane, a frown creasing his brow.

    Anyone could see it¡ªthe endless plotting of Carter Evans, Ruben¡¯s brother, was eating at Ruben, no matter howposed he tried to look.

    Jason had already shared the basics with Elliana back when they were still in Podgend. She¡¯d heard how Carter had stirred up trouble for Cole, criticizing Cole for bringing her along to the trip to Podgend.

    Standing in the middle of the storm, Elliana felt obligated to speak up. ¡°Is all this bacsh against Cole because of me?¡±

    Ruben met her eyes and didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°No. That¡¯s not it. You¡¯re just a convenient excuse. Carter is determined to secure the leadership for his grandson, and he¡¯s been watching Cole like a hawk for years, waiting for any slip-up he can use.¡±

    Every word lined up with Elliana¡¯s suspicions. ¡°Does this weigh on you?¡± she asked, her voice soft.

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 Chapter 483

    ?Chapter 483:

    A heavy sigh escaped Ruben. ¡°If I¡¯m honest, yes. Carter¡¯s my little brother. How am I supposed to be ruthless with him? He¡¯s always been a handful ever since we were kids. It¡¯s impossible not to be bothered.¡± Bitterness crept into his smile. ¡°Elliana, would you like to hear how the Evans family ended up like this?¡±

    With genuine warmth, Elliana nodded. ¡°I¡¯d like that.¡±

    The floodgates opened. Ruben¡¯s longing for a willing ear was obvious, and now that he had one, the memories came quickly.

    ¡°I have seven siblings. Carter and I were rivals from the start, both fighting for the leadership of this family. When I won, Carter never really epted it. He¡¯s never given up on securing the role of the family head. After I handed down the leadership to Jarrett, Carter had wanted his son, Conway, to take the ce of Jarrett. But Conway couldn¡¯t keep up, not in talent or intelligence. Jarrett eclipsed him in every way. Now, with Cole running the family, Carter has been pushing hard to have his grandson, rence, take Cole¡¯s ce. Carter is using Cole¡¯s trip with you to Podgend as more fuel for his schemes.¡±

    A weight seemed to settle on Ruben¡¯s shoulders. ¡°At my father¡¯s deathbed, he¡¯d made me swear I¡¯d always look out for my brothers. I¡¯ve tried to keep the peace, but Carter¡¯s never been willing to ept that leadership forever fell out of his or his descendants¡¯ reach.¡±

    From where Elliana stood, Ruben¡¯s situation looked impossible. Family business wasn¡¯t her battlefield, but her resolve was irond¡ªif Carter dared toy a finger on Cole, she wouldn¡¯t hesitate to retaliate. Ruben¡¯s tolerance stemmed from the deep bond of brotherhood, but for Cole¡¯s generation, the ties of kinship were considerably weaker.

    One thing nagged at Elliana¡ªher gut told her that Carter might have been behind the Phantom Mercenaries¡¯ attack on Cole. She wasn¡¯t the type to make empty threats. If she ever uncovered hard evidence, Carter would regret attempting to eliminate Cole for the rest of his days.

    All those rtives had pegged Elliana as a failure, unable to help Cole in any way. Now, while Coley unconscious, they were circling like vultures. Elliana decided to let those morons think what they wanted. She¡¯d make sure they learned not to underestimate her.

    At that moment, Ruben nted his cane on the floor and rose, intent on facing the gathering downstairs.

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    Elliana moved in and supported him. ¡°Let mee with you,¡± she insisted, her tone leaving no room for argument.

    Ruben paused, studying her carefully. ¡°Elliana, Cole¡¯s condition is still uncertain. Honestly, you should consider letting him go and building a life for yourself. You don¡¯t have to carry the Evans family¡¯s burdens.¡±

    Her answer came instantly. ¡°If I were no longer his wife, I¡¯d stay out of it. But as things stand, I¡¯m still married to Cole, and he¡¯s still lying unconscious. I have to stand up for him. I won¡¯t let them¡­¡±

    ¡°Trample us.¡±

    For a brief moment, something like pride flickered in Ruben¡¯s eyes. ¡°That¡¯s the spirit, Elliana. Let¡¯s go¡ªsay your piece. I¡¯ll back you up.¡±

    A real smile appeared on her lips. ¡°That¡¯s what I appreciate you for. Unwavering support for what I have in mind.¡± A low chuckle escaped Ruben.

    Side by side, they made their way to the first-floor conference room.

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 Chapter 484

    ?Chapter 484:

    The moment they got close, Carter¡¯s booming voice cut through the air, dripping with scorn. ¡°I hear Cole nearly got himself killed all because of that worthless and ugly wife of his. If we care about the Evans family¡¯s future, we need to handle her once and for all!¡±

    At Carter¡¯s jab, a dry, sardonic smile flickered across Elliana¡¯s face. She¡¯d expected him to dissect Cole¡¯s every action, but to turn and hurl such an outrageous usation about her? Now that was rich. This meeting just got interesting. She almost looked forward to whatever grand spectacle he¡¯d call ¡°punishment.¡±

    ¡°Ahern!¡± Ruben¡¯s deliberate cough cleaved through the rising storm.

    Carter¡¯s tirade abruptly halted, and he turned toward the door, followed by the rest of the room. The once-raucous conference room dropped into stunned silence.

    As Ruben entered, the room scrambled into order. Chairs scraped back, and voicesced with deference greeted him.

    Carter stood, stiff and sulky, the gesture more out of obligation than respect.

    With a brisk nod, Ruben acknowledged their greetings, leaning on Elliana¡¯s arm for support as he walked to the head of the table and lowered himself into the seat of authority.

    Elliana stood beside him, calm,posed, and unshaken.

    Carter flopped back into his chair with a scowl aimed at Elliana. ¡°Ruben, we¡¯re here to discuss serious family issues. Why is that worthless woman even in this room?¡±

    ¡°Show some due respect. Elliana is Cole¡¯s wife and the Evans family¡¯s matriarch,¡± Ruben replied coolly. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t she be?¡±

    Before Carter could respond, a sneering voice cut in from his side. ¡°But we¡¯ve never acknowledged her as the matriarch of this household. She has no ce here.¡±

    Elliana turned her head, unsurprised to find the speaker was Derek Evans¡ªCarter¡¯s youngest grandson. A pampered yboy with more ego than sense, Derek was around her age and wore his arrogance like cologne¡ªloud and suffocating.

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    Derek¡¯s older brother, rence Evans¡ªthe one Carter was grooming to usurp the throne and seize control of this family¡ªsat nearby, calm and collected, a stark contrast to Derek¡¯s immaturity.

    Elliana let her gaze drift over Derek with cool detachment before addressing him, her voice crisp and clear. ¡°Kindly exin why you refuse to acknowledge me as the matriarch of this household when I am the wife of the family head. Why do you think this isn¡¯t my ce?¡±

    Derek scoffed, his lip curling in open contempt. ¡°First of all, your ugly face alone disqualifies you for the matriarch role. We need one to¡­

    ¡°Bring grace and glory to this family, rather than shame and gossip. Second, word has it that back in Podgend, you¡¯ve caused nothing but trouble¡ªyou picked fights with Cole, threw tantrums, and ran off like a child. He had to send nearly all his guards just to locate you, which made him easy prey for the Phantom Mercenaries¡¯ ambush. Your reckless behavior endangered him and caused enormous problems for the Evans family. And now you dare parade around as his wife?¡±

    Elliana¡¯s expression didn¡¯t flinch, but her eyes narrowed, razor-sharp. So this was the narrative they¡¯d spun. If this twisted version of events stuck, she¡¯d be painted as the root of the chaos. A scapegoat. And Carter? He¡¯d seize the opportunity, punish her publicly, and then pivot to me Cole for letting his judgment be clouded by a woman. It was an elegant little trap, engineered to strip Cole of his leadership. And Derek? Just a puppet on Carter¡¯s string.

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 Chapter 485

    ?Chapter 485:

    Elliana¡¯s voice dropped, low and precise. ¡°Tell me, Derek¡ªwho fed you that story?¡± The room stilled.

    Derek blinked, caught off guard. He floundered for a reply. Only Cole¡¯s most trusted allies had apanied him to Podgend¡ªJason, his elite team, and a few handpicked loyalists. No leaks. No way that kind of information had slipped unless it was nted deliberately.

    What Derek had heard wasn¡¯t fact but rumors spread by Irene, who had fabricated them to destabilize Elliana. And now, these very rumors were being repeated by Carter¡¯s camp to serve their own agenda.

    Right now, under Elliana¡¯s unrelenting stare, Derek faltered. He opened his mouth but then shut it again. No answer came. He had expected her to crack under the weight of scrutiny¡ªto shrink, maybe cry. But instead, she stood like iron¡ªcold, unyielding. Her gaze pinned him like a knife to the chest, and he couldn¡¯t hold it.

    Elliana noted every twitch of Derek¡¯s jaw, every darting nce¡ªa guy unraveling beneath the intensity of her scrutiny. And she wasn¡¯t about to let up. ¡°Cat got your tongue?¡± she taunted, leaning in just enough to unnerve him. ¡°If you can¡¯t name a source, Derek, that makes this nder. And in this family, nder doesn¡¯te without consequences.¡±

    ¡°I¡ªI heard it from the servants!¡± Derek blurted, iling for cover.

    Elliana¡¯sugh sliced through the room like a de. ¡°Let¡¯s suspend disbelief for a moment and pretend your little tale holds water. Even then, most of the household staff have never set foot in Podgend. So you expect us to treat gossip from people miles away as fact?¡± She tilted her head, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. ¡°Tell me¡ªare you naturally this dim, or just another fool dressed in designer threads?¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Derek¡¯s face turned beet red, a mix of fury and embarrassment flickering across his features. Just moments ago, he had been the self-assured user. Now, he stood exposed, unraveling under her questioning like a poorly stitched suit.

    rence stepped in smoothly, ying the diplomat to Derek¡¯s firebrand. ¡°Elliana,¡± he said with a cool smile, ¡°Derek meant no harm¡ªhe¡¯s just fiercely protective of the family. Please don¡¯t take his words too harshly. He¡¯s just impulsive.¡± He turned to Derek, his tone firm. ¡°That¡¯s enough. Stand down.¡±

    Chastened, Derek began to retreat behind Carter¡ªuntil Elliana¡¯s voice rang out, sharp andmanding. ¡°Hold on.¡±

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    Derek froze, his spine stiffening as hisposure drained away, leaving him uneasy.

    Elliana¡¯s gaze locked onto Derek, her eyes narrow and piercing. ¡°If anyone can throw around baseless usations and hide behind so-called good intentions, what happens to order? What happens to truth? Rules exist for a reason. Without them, what would be the point of all this?¡±

    Derek never expected Elliana to cling to this issue so fiercely. He had intended to back down, but now his anger was surging. ¡°Elliana, don¡¯t push your luck!¡± he snapped, jabbing a finger at her, full of arrogance. ¡°You think that just because I don¡¯t have solid proof, you can say whatever you want? Just wait. I¡¯ll uncover the truth¡ªand when I do, you¡¯ll regret every word!¡±

    Derek thought his outburst would shake Elliana, but instead, she stared at him like he was a fool and let out a cold, mockingugh. ¡°Derek, that¡¯s a cute threat.¡±

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    ?Chapter 486:

    While Derek seethed, Elliana remainedposed. Her voice was steady, with a touch of mockery. ¡°Whatever you n to doter is your business. But today, with no proof, you¡¯ve insulted, ndered, and threatened me. That alone deserves punishment¡ªording to the family code.¡±

    She didn¡¯t give Derek a chance to respond. Her gaze shifted to Paulina. ¡°Paulina, under the Evans family code, what¡¯s the penalty for ndering and disrespecting the matriarch?¡±

    Earlier, Paulina and Myles had been in Cole¡¯s room, keeping watch. But when they heard Elliana was heading to the conference room with Ruben, they followed, expecting trouble from Carter¡¯s camp. Now, they stood quietly by Elliana¡¯s side, ready to act.

    Myles, though still pale and weak from serious injuries, stood tall and firm. Paulina, on the other hand, was brimming with energy. She might have been Cole¡¯s butler by title, but she had trained alongside Myles and the others since childhood. Her strong build and sharp instincts made her a force to be reckoned with.

    Standing beside Elliana, Paulina¡¯s presence gave weight to every word Elliana spoke.

    Toby was here too, with a team of bodyguards. He stood by the door, silent and unmoving, like a wall, keeping watch over the room.

    As Elliana and Derek exchanged verbal blows, Paulina kept herposure, but deep down, she was in awe. Now, she finally understood why Cole had fallen so hard for Elliana. It wasn¡¯t just Elliana¡¯s beauty beneath her disguise. It was her fire, courage, and poise.

    Elliana could be sweet and yful when things were calm, teasing Cole with charm. But when it mattered, she didn¡¯t flinch. She stood firm and took control. She was everything a perfect wife should be. Paulina was still cheering Elliana on silently when Elliana¡¯s voice snapped her back.

    ¡°If a family member nders and disrespects the matriarch, they receive twentyshes as a warning,¡± Paulina said clearly.

    Elliana nodded slightly, her expression calm andposed. ¡°Then let¡¯s follow through with the code.¡±

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    ¡°Understood,¡± Paulina replied, handing Toby a quick 100k.

    Toby and his men moved instantly, grabbing Derek and forcing him down.

    Derek panicked and yelled at Carter, ¡°Grandpa, help me!¡±

    Theshes wouldn¡¯t kill Derek, but they would leave him bruised and bedridden for weeks. As a spoiled heir used to a soft life, he couldn¡¯t handle that kind of pain. But worse than the pain was the shame. Getting whipped in front of everyone would crush his pride¡ªand Carter¡¯s too.

    Carter had started this whole mess, rallying the family elders to the estate and demanding a new family head. But now, before the meeting had even begun, his grandson was about to be punished in front of them all. It was like a p to his face.

    Carter leapt to his feet, furious, pointing at Elliana. ¡°You vicious woman! Over something this small, you¡¯re punishing my grandson? Even Irene, as fierce as she was, never did something so cruel when she was in charge!¡±

    Everyone knew Irene was sharp-tongued and cunning, a real schemer. But even she had never dared punish Carter¡¯s family, often bending over backward to keep them happy and avoid conflict.

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 Chapter 487

    ?Chapter 487:

    Elliana¡¯s firm stance today caught Carterpletely off guard.

    But Elliana didn¡¯t budge. Cool as ever, she fired back, ¡°Carter, are you saying the Evans family no longer values order and respect? If that¡¯s the case, can I just use you of hiring the Phantom Mercenaries to take out Cole?¡±

    Elliana¡¯s words hit the room like a bombshell, leaving everyone stunned. The expressions of the family elders shifted dramatically as all eyes turned to Carter. Elliana¡¯s usation wasn¡¯t baseless. Everyone knew Carter had his eye on the family head¡¯s seat. It wasn¡¯t a secret¡ªjust something no one dared to say aloud.

    Carter had tried to crush Elliana, but with one bold sentence, she turned the tide. Now he was on the defensive, his face twisted with fury and panic. His pride had taken a heavy blow.

    Carter was flustered. If the usation of hiring hitmen to kill Cole stuck, the damage would be devastating. At best, he would be kicked out of the Evans family and erased from the family records. At worst, he¡¯d end up behind bars.

    Agitated, Carter jabbed a trembling finger at Elliana and shouted, ¡°nder! This is pure, vicious nder! What proof do you have to throw that at me?¡±

    Elliana gave him a sly half-smile. ¡°None.¡±

    ¡°No proof? Then how dare you use me?¡± Carter barked.

    Elliana chuckled softly. ¡°I was only giving a what-if. But wow, you¡¯re already losing your mind over it. Yet, Derek had the nerve to nder me based on some random gossip. Doesn¡¯t that break the family code and deserve some punishment?¡±

    Carter had no response. His words crumbled. He knew that if he kept backing Derek, he¡¯d only dig himself deeper into the usation. Even if he was innocent¡ªand even if no evidence ever surfaced¡ªhis image would be forever stained.

    Grumbling, Carter slumped back in his chair and snapped at Derek, ¡°You reckless fool, talking without facts! If Elliana¡¯s giving out punishment, then you¡¯ve earned every bit of it. Take it like a man.¡±

    Derek froze in shock. Carter and rence had told him to say those things. Now he was about to receive twentyshes, and no one was stepping in?

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    In a heartbeat, Toby¡¯s men pinned Derek to the floor. A man in ck stepped forward, whip in hand. Without a word, he brought it down hard on Derek.

    Eachsh tore into Derek¡¯s back, leaving bloody streaks behind. Derek screamed, his cries echoing through the conference room. Blood hit the floor. Some family members looked away. A few trembled. Carter and rence sat stiffly, fists clenched, faces pale. They were too shaken to speak.

    After twentyshes, Derek¡¯s back was a bloody mess¡ªand Carter¡¯s and rence¡¯s pridey in tatters. Every scream from Derek felt like a blow to their chests.

    Through it all, Elliana stayed calm. Her expression never wavered. When it was over, Carter and rence finally rxed a little. Derek had passed out from the pain.

    ¡°Take Derek to a doctor. Make sure it¡¯s the best one,¡± Elliana said coolly.

    Toby¡¯s men quickly lifted Derek and carried him out.

    Just then, Irene appeared in the doorway. She¡¯d been eavesdropping outside and knew the full story. Still, she gasped dramatically at the sight of Derek¡¯s bloodied back. ¡°Oh my gosh! What happened? How did Derek end up like this?¡±

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 Chapter 488

    ?Chapter 488:

    No one answered. The room was silent.

    Irene strolled in, pretending to be clueless. ¡°Why¡¯s everyone so tense? Did something happen?¡±

    Her timing gave Carter an opening. ¡°Irene, I heard Jason was the hero against the Phantom Mercenaries.¡±

    Irene lit up. ¡°You¡¯re absolutely right, Carter. Lanny texted me that the Thorn Rose leader stepped in to help. Apparently, she has a soft spot for Jason. That¡¯s how we made it out in one piece.¡±

    Lanny was already dead, but no one in the family knew. Irene kept using his name to sell her story.

    ¡°What? The Thorn Rose leader has a crush on Jason?¡±

    The family elders were all stunned. The Evans family hadn¡¯t broken into Delta yet, but everyone knew Thorn Rose was a major force. ¡°I heard she¡¯s loaded and calls the shots in the Delta. If Jason married her, it¡¯d be a game-changer for us.¡±

    ¡°With her by Jason¡¯s side, we¡¯d break into the Delta easily. Business would explode.¡±

    ¡°Word is, she¡¯s young, stunning, and powerful. She and Jason would make a killer pair.¡±

    ¡°Jason¡¯s a real catch. No wonder she¡¯s smitten. He¡¯s a credit to the Evans name!¡±

    Elliana rubbed her temples, half-amused, half-exasperated by the elders¡¯ chatter. She couldn¡¯t believe her offhand lie had turned into a full-blown family fantasy.

    Irene, on the other hand, was loving it. Cole had always been the center of attention. Jason, though loyal, had been in the background. She hated that. But now, her son was finally in the spotlight.

    Grinning, Irene said, ¡°So you all think Jason and the Thorn Rose leader make a good match? I was thinking the same. That¡¯s actually why I came to talk¡­¡±

    Irene radiated with a triumphant pride that was impossible to miss. Every movement she made was charged with a quiet arrogance, her satisfaction shining through. She didn¡¯t bother to hide her delight¡ªin fact, she shot Elliana a sharp, mocking nce, as if Jason¡¯s future as head of the Evans family was already decided, and with it, her own position as the family¡¯s queen.

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    Right now, to Irene, Elliana was nothing more than a trivial annoyance, barely worth her notice.

    Elliana¡¯s lips twitched, holding back a chuckle. If Irene knew the truth¡ªthat she was Death Thorn herself¡ªwould Irene faint on the spot? Not that she had any ns of revealing herself. She would just let Irene enjoy her little fantasy while itsted.

    Across the room, Bertram cast Irene a disapproving nce, his features tightening at her shallow disy of pride. He remained silent, though. In truth, he understood the strategic advantage of a bond between Jason and the enigmatic leader of Thorn Rose. It was a union worth considering.

    Eavesdropping just beyond the door, Trinity stood frozen, her breath caught in her throat. Her nails dug into her palms as anxiety surged through her like a current. She had strung Jason along but nevermitted, viewing him as just a backup n to fall back on, all the while clinging to the hope of marrying Cole once he divorced. But now? Jason was being seriously considered for marriage. And not just to anyone, but to the elusive, powerful leader of Thorn Rose. And worse, everyone in the family was supporting it. Her stomach twisted. It felt like something precious was being torn right out of her hands.

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 Chapter 489

    ?Chapter 489:

    Trinity shook her head. No. Losing Jason was not an option. What if Cole stayed distant forever, and Jason was gone too? She had to hold on to at least one of them, no matter what. The idea of both men falling for others was a torment she wasn¡¯t prepared to face¡ªthe humiliation would be unbearable.

    Inside the room, unaware of Trinity¡¯s silent unraveling, the discussion continued. One voice after another echoed agreement, each carrying a tone of certainty.

    ¡°A union between Jason and the Thorn Rose leader would be a major gain for the family. I back itpletely.¡±

    ¡°I agree. It¡¯s a brilliant opportunity. We¡¯d be fools not to support it.¡±

    It was a rare sight: unity within the Evans family. Normally, they shed over the most trivial matters. But today, they were surprisingly in sync regarding Jason¡¯s match.

    Irene¡¯s grin grew wider. Everyone¡¯s reaction was better than she had hoped. If the Death Thorn leader married Jason, he would have a better chance at seizing control of the Evans family. She turned to Ruben, a gleam in her eye. ¡°Well, Ruben? What¡¯s your take?¡±

    Ruben didn¡¯t like Irene¡¯s tone, but he gave the question proper thought. As annoying as Irene was, she wasn¡¯t wrong. Jason marrying the leader of Thorn Rose was a game-changer.

    Ruben had heard plenty about the Thorn Rose leader. Though she operated within the dark and treacherous depths of the Delta¡¯s underworld, her name was whispered with respect. She was renowned for her unwavering integrity and legendary achievements that perfectly aligned with the values held dear by the Evans family. Her talents were beyond doubt. Tomand the Delta¡¯s realm demanded extraordinary skill, and forging an alliance with her promised nothing but gain¡ªpure profit without any trace of risk.

    ¡°It¡¯s indeed a favorable match,¡± Ruben said finally, his voice calm but assured.

    Irene beamed. ¡°Wonderful,¡± she said smoothly. ¡°Then we¡¯re in agreement. I¡¯ll speak with Jason as soon as he returns. It¡¯s time this union moved forward.¡±

    Ruben gave a firm nod. ¡°We¡¯ll go over the detailster. For now, rest assured¡ªyou have our full support. If Jason is to marry the leader of Thorn Rose, the Evans family will spare no effort or expense in honoring such a powerful union.¡±

    The rest of the chapters at g??ln o vels.???? ??

    ¡°Perfect,¡± Irene said with a radiant smile, shooting another pointed, smug nce at Elliana.

    Elliana, however, didn¡¯t even acknowledge her.

    Trinity bit her lip and slipped away quietly. She had to flood Jason with sugary words of her supposed feelings toward him. She had to reach him before Irene had the chance to bring up the alliance. Time was slipping through her fingers, and if she didn¡¯t act now, it might be toote.

    Trinity¡¯s quiet movements wentpletely unnoticed.

    Back inside the conference room, Irene basked in the glow of admiration as everyonevished her with praise.

    ¡°Irene, you¡¯ve done a marvelous job raising Jason. He¡¯s truly a credit to the family¡ªyou¡¯re a hero to us all.¡±

    ¡°When Jason marries the Thorn Rose leader, the family stands to gain enormously. Both you and Jason deserve special recognition for that.¡±

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 Chapter 490

    Chapter 490:

    Settling gracefully onto the sofa, Irene feigned modesty. ¡°The credit should all go to Jason. I just gave birth to him¡ªit¡¯s hardly an achievement.¡±

    ¡°Nonsense, Irene. Raising such an exceptional son is no small feat. You¡¯ve made a huge contribution to the family.¡±

    ¡°Indeed! If every woman who joined the Evans family possessed your brilliance, our fortune and legacy would be nothing short of extraordinary.¡±

    For a brief moment, Irene basked in the glow of praise, while Elliana stood quietly in the corner, unnoticed and forgotten.

    Carter spotted the perfect moment and cut in with a sly grin. ¡°Honestly, why not just strip Cole of his role and make Jason the new family head?¡±

    The room instantly fell silent. All eyes swung toward Carter.

    Irene saw Jason¡¯s potential marriage to the Thorn Rose leader as her ticket to elevate him above Cole, bringing him closer to the family head¡¯s seat. She never imagined things would progress so quickly and certainly didn¡¯t expect Carter to make such a bold suggestion now.

    Carter¡¯s reputation for plotting behind the scenes was no secret, especially since he¡¯d always pushed for his grandson, rence, to be the family head. For him to suddenly throw his weight behind Jason left everyone stunned.

    Irene struggled to make sense of it all, excitement and doubt tangled together inside her. She couldn¡¯t deny how thrilling it was to finally hear someone say what she¡¯d been quietly hoping for, yet she found Carter¡¯s motivations impossible to trust. After all, Carter was notorious for orchestrating borate schemes. What if this was one of his traps? The rest of the family was just as baffled, most unable to hide their shock at Carter¡¯s sudden shift in allegiance. Everyone knew that once an Evans family head had been chosen, it was almost impossible to reverse that decision unless the head made such massive mistakes that the entire family had to call a formal meeting to discuss their removal.

    Cole had excelled in his role ever since he stepped up, pushing the Evans family business into new markets and umting impressive achievements. His sharp mind and bold actions earned widespread respect. Even Jason¡¯s potential connection to Thorn Rose wouldn¡¯t be enough to justify stripping Cole of the title.

    Bertram, Jason¡¯s father, had never once believed his son would rece Cole. Carter¡¯s newfound support felt more like a setup than genuine help. Still questioning Carter¡¯s true intentions, he nced over at Ruben.

    Ruben stayed silent, only shifting his attention to Elliana with a slight tilt of his head.

    Additional chapters at g ??ln ov els .???? ??

    Elliana, as Cole¡¯s wife, stood to lose the most if Cole were dethroned. If anyone should have looked rattled, it would be her, yet she remained calm and unruffled, asposed as the delicate vase beside her. Whatever she was thinking, nobody could read it from her expression. After dropping his bold proposition, Carter turned his focus to Elliana, clearly hoping she¡¯d finally lose control. Her steady demeanor left him visibly unsatisfied.

    The entire family knew about the feud between Irene and Elliana. Carter, sensing an opportunity, was eager to use their tension to push Cole out of the picture. Only by pulling Cole down from his pedestal could rence have a chance.

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    .<hr>

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