Chapter 130

Cole staggered backward as Elliana yanked his collar, nearly throwing him off balance.

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 collar 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 penetrating 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 a complete fool of yourself.”

With that declaration, 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 spectacularly. 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, yet commanded respect as the lady of the Evans household on his own turf. She’d refused his apology but still accepted the candy he’d offered as reconciliation. She wasn’t just hard to please—she 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 into laughter. 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—antagonizing others first, then attempting to smooth ruffled feathers with honeyed gestures.

However, flattery, 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—universally despised. Trinity’s the real treasure. Everyone adores her. Go seek her company instead.”

Jeff scratched his head sheepishly. “Elliana, I’m not fooled anymore.”

Elliana froze momentarily, then dissolved into laughter 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 glance 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 proclaimed 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 villa 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 noncommittal 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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