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. You comprehend 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 maintained complete silence since entering the room.”
Elliana released a heavy sigh and retreated to her adjacent room. Her fingers trembled slightly as she composed 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 impenetrable barrier against the outside world.
Within this self-imposed tomb, Cole occupied the sofa like a statue carved from shadow, his anguished features nearly invisible in the gloom. His stare penetrated the darkness as his mind replayed that horrific night when his mother had an episode. The serpent totem materialized in his memory like a monstrous claw, its grip tightening around his throat. Pain, suffocation, and the promise of complete 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 that lasted 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 blank. No messages. Not a single reply from Cole.
F ? ? gov.
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 uncomfortable. “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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