As Hugh watched the taillights fade, a flicker of irritation rose in his chest. Cole had been fine with his relationship with Heather before—so why was he suddenly angry now that things were official? Cole must be jealous.

The thought lifted Hugh’s mood instantly. Imagine—a billionaire like Cole, jealous of him. That said everything about how happy he was. A goofy smile spread across his face. He looked up at Heather’s window and caught her watching him. When their eyes met, she made a teasing little gesture. His heart pounded like a drum. Color rushed back to his cheeks, turning them crimson. A wave of heat swept through him until he thought he might just explode.

Unable to take her teasing any longer, Hugh gave a quick wave and dashed off in the direction of Cole’s car.

From the window, Heather leaned against the frame, laughing softly. “So cute,” she murmured fondly.

After leaving Rosewood Villa, Elliana and Cole put Hugh out of their minds. An hour later, they arrived at the Evans family estate. It was already eleven, and they had expected the place to be quiet. But to their surprise, the entire house was bright and buzzing.

The moment they walked into the living room, they were met with a crowd. Several young people were gathered around the sofas, all craning their necks like curious birds—though it wasn’t clear what they were waiting for. Jeff, especially, had stretched his neck so far that he could have passed for a giraffe. Just as Elliana was about to ask what was happening, Jeff came darting over like a rocket. He threw his arms around her with a joyful cry. “Elliana!”

He didn’t even notice Cole, the world’s most jealous man, standing right there. Jeff had long known that “Lilah” was really Elliana. But since Cole had lost his memory previously, Ruben had ordered Jeff to keep his distance from Elliana. It had been torture.

Now that Elliana’s identity was out in the open, all that pent-up affection burst free. Jeff could finally call her by her real name and stand by her side, and not pretend anymore. Everyone in the Evans family already knew how much he adored her, so there was nothing to hide.

Elliana, touched by his warmth, smiled and patted his smooth head, finding his excitement sweet.

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Cole, however, grew dark immediately. He grabbed Jeff by the collar, lifted him like a kitten, and set him aside. “Stay away from her,” he warned coldly.

Jeff, smarting from being roughly shoved aside by Cole, was a ball of pure defiance. He puffed up and took a bold step toward Elliana, only for Jason to grab the back of his shirt and yank him back.

“Hey, easy there, Jeff,” Jason said, his voice warm but not giving an inch. “You have to be careful. Elliana is pregnant. You wouldn’t want to hurt her, would you?”

The weight of Jason’s words finally reached Jeff, making him still. He stopped fighting his way forward, though his jaw set stubbornly, every inch of him radiating frustration. ?s s F?nd-Novel.net

Cole looked as if he hadn’t moved an inch, all composed strength, but underneath that mask he was being childish. He soaked in the thrill of seeing Jeff defeated. He would never let anyone see that side of him, of course. Cole hadn’t forgotten what Jeff had once said about marrying Elliana. Never mind that Jeff was only eight—Cole held a grudge. Anyone trying to win Elliana’s favor, whether as a friend or anything else, became the enemy. Even the idea of someone else holding a corner of her heart got under his skin.

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