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Chapter
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[EVE]
The n's faces paled as the realization of their situation slapped them on their faces.
Between the fancy private room, the ten people in attendance, the expensive dishes, and the rare wine they'd been ordering without restraint, the total had climbed to an astronomical amount.
The girls exchanged relieved glances, grateful they weren't footing the bill. The guys, however, looked like they were ready to fake a sudden ergency to escape.
Before anyone could spiral further, Cole casually reached for the bill. Without a word, he pulled out a sleek card—no, not just any card. A
diamond card
.
The room fell silent as everyone stared. It wasn't just prestigious; it was legendary, the kind of card owned only by the wealthiest of old-money families. The kind of card that scread,
"I could buy this restaurant and still have change for a small country."
"It's on ," Cole said simply, handing the card over with a faint smile.
The silence stretched for a mont before the room collectively exhaled.
I couldn't help but think that, with just that one move, he'd managed to outshine every single person in the room without even trying.
The n cleared their throats, suddenly finding their drinks or shoes fascinating. No one dared to et Cole's icy stare. George shifted uncomfortably, his frown deepening like he'd just bitten into a lemon.
Finally, the mixer wrapped up, and the guests began heading ho. Most left with their new dates, chatting and laughing. Others, like Riri, left solo.
Not that it bothered her. She skipped along the sidewalk next to , her cheeriness unshaken.
Riri leaned closer, her eyes darting toward Cole. "I take it back," she whispered conspiratorially. "Your bodyguard isn't just hot—he's a
legend
."
I groaned to the side. "You have no idea."
"But smart move letting him borrow your card," she added with a sly grin.
I blinked at her. "Huh?"
"That diamond card. It's yours, right? You're a Rosette, after all. Old money. Your dad probably has, like, ten of those."
"Wait, what?" I sat up straighter, confused. "My dad?"
"Sinclair Rosette. Co on, Eve," Riri said, giving an exasperated look. "You
do
know who your father is, right?"
"Oh," I said, chuckling awkwardly. "I'm actually adopted."
Riri waved that off like it was the least important detail in the world. "Yeah, yeah, legally you're still a Rosette. That's all that matters." She suddenly grabbed my hands, her big puppy-dog eyes locking onto mine. "Thank you, Eve! Don't worry, I'll keep this whole thing a secret. Promise!"
"Uh-huh . . ." I muttered, half-dazed. Riri could be so sharp one second and then completely oblivious the next. "Anyway, it didn't look like things went so well with your date."
A flicker of sadness crossed her face before she bead again. "Oh, you know how it is. You can't win
everything."
I couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Riri. She'd really tried to make things work with her date tonight. She was all charm and bubbly energy, putting in the effort to keep the conversation flowing.
But I'd noticed the guy barely looked her in the eye, far too busy sneaking glances at her cleavage instead of actually getting to know her.
It was infuriating, honestly. Riri deserved better.
Still, she walked beside , her usual sunny deanor intact. If she was upset, she hid it well. "I'll just try harder next ti!"
I raised an eyebrow. "Wait, there's going to
be
a next ti?"
Riri laughed, brushing it off. "Of course! But don't worry—I won't bother you again. Especially since . . ." She leaned in closer, whispering, "your bodyguard might actually kill with his death glares."
My eyes shifted to Cole, who was, indeed, glaring daggers at Riri. The mont he caught looking, though, he imdiately averted his gaze, pretending to study a random lamppost like it was the most fascinating thing he'd ever seen.
I couldn't stop the smirk tugging at my lips. "Yeah, good call."
"Bye, Eve! See you at the school festival next week!" Riri called out, waving enthusiastically before hopping into her car. In seconds, she sped off, leaving just and Cole behind.
"Let's go. I'll take you ho," Cole said, already walking toward my car.
I was too tired to argue, so I handed him the keys and followed. Once we were inside, I buckled in and glanced at him. "What about your car?"
"I'll have Zen pick it up later," he said, starting the engine smoothly.
"Wait," I frowned. "Isn't he your bodyguard?"
Cole's lips twitched, his face darkened. "Not right now. He's been demoted to errand boy for the rest of the month." Experience exclusive tales on empire
"Demoted?" I blinked. "Is that . . . allowed? Isn't he also your assistant?"
Cole shrugged, utterly unfazed. "I can handle myself. Besides, I cleared my schedule for the rest of the month
(thanks to Lina)
so I don't need him hovering around. He's lucky I didn't ship him off to a warzone for retraining after what he pulled off in the cave."
"What he pulled?" I repeated, and then it hit .
The cave. That
mont.
My face grew hot as realization dawned, and I snapped my mouth shut before I said sothing stupid.
Unfortunately, the silence between us only seed to amuse Cole more. I could practically feel his smirk without even looking at him.
Why had I sat in the passenger seat? I should've just climbed into the back.
"You're thinking about it, aren't you?" His voice broke the silence, teasing and far too deep and husky for my liking.
"Will you
stop
?" I groaned, glaring at him. "Are you going to bring up what almost happened in the cave every ti I say sothing remotely related to it?"
"Yes," Cole replied, completely serious, his expression stoic. "Yes, I am."
I gaped at him, utterly floored, but then imdiately regretted it when I saw the way his features softened—the way his gaze lted into sothing so warm and intimate that I felt like I might combust.
Cole wasn't just teasing anymore. He was
in love with .
Madly, unapologetically in love. And he wasn't even trying to hide it.
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