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 place, the shock landing like a blow. Her eyes darted back to Elliana, now wide with disbelief.
Elliana let out a soft laugh. “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 was completely spellbound. It finally all made sense.
Trying to recover, Paulina quickly stepped forward and pulled out a chair. “Mrs. Evans, please—come sit.”
Elliana sat down gracefully and then turned to Cole with a playful glint in her eye. Her next remark had the entire room torn between laughter and disbelief…
“Everyone must be so accustomed 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 discomfort.
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—merely caught off guard for a moment.”
: ν
Elliana’s soft laughter filled the room as she decided to release Paulina from her gentle teasing. Even someone as composed and dignified as Paulina was left completely at a loss for words by her antics.
Suddenly, Cole collapsed dramatically onto the table.
Alarm flashed 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 slack-jawed and utterly speechless.
After a moment’s hesitation, Paulina exchanged meaningful glances with her brothers and then pivoted toward the exit. Myles, Aron, and Hugh trailed behind her without delay. None wished to intrude upon the couple’s intimate moment.
.
.
.