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—only to find out their heir was nothing but a con artist—felt like a slap 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 blanket.

“So, what are you planning to do next?” Cole asked quietly.

Elliana didn’t hold back. “I usually mind my own business, but Boris is playing my friend. I’m not about to just let that slide. He needs to be held accountable.”

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—it 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 flashed 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.”

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“And…” Elliana opened her mouth to say more, but then stopped. Someone else came to mind—Diane. The woman had been resting at the hillside villa 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—if Diane decided to push back, Cole would be the one taking the heat.

Elliana lifted her chin, leaned in, and placed 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 to come up with an excuse, but he closed in, his kisses landing fast and deep, like waves crashing down on her.

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