A dense, uneasy stillness settled in his wake.

Paulina, alarmed by the tension, caught Hugh just outside the study. “What’s wrong with Mr. Evans?”

Hugh didn’t bother sugarcoating. He relayed the entire episode at Nightfall, finishing with a weary sigh. “The whole thing was ridiculous. Mr. Evans and Ms. Marsh were bickering like children.”

“It wasn’t ridiculous,” Paulina said quietly, her expression grave. “Ms. Marsh’s heart is genuinely broken. It sounds like she’s finally done chasing Mr. Evans.”

Hugh blinked. “She’s giving up?”

His heart skipped a beat. How on earth would he ever see Mabel again if Elliana gave up on Cole?

Of course, Hugh wouldn’t voice his concern—not to Paulina. Instead, his brow tightened, worry etched deep across his face. “So what do we do now?”

Paulina looked stricken, her voice low and heavy. “I don’t think there’s anything we can do. As long as Mr. Evans hasn’t reclaimed his memories of Ms. Marsh, he’ll keep wounding her without even realizing it. And Ms. Marsh is starting to build walls. Once they’re up completely, there’s no mending what’s broken.”

Hugh was left visibly agitated, as there was nothing he could do to fix the situation.

Then, from behind the study door, Cole’s voice rang out, deep and commanding. “Get in here!”

Paulina spun around instantly and hurried inside.

Hugh, his mind still reeling over the fate of Cole and Elliana’s relationship, followed close behind.

They entered the study quietly and shut the door behind them.

“Mr. Evans?” Paulina asked gently. “You called?”

Cole’s expression was a thunderous mask of irritation, but now there was a sharp edge of alarm in his eyes. He fixed his gaze on Paulina.

“My ring. Where is it?” he said, each word clipped and charged. Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n find[?]ovel.net

The ring that bound all of Blaze Wildfire to his command was missing. Of course, Cole was rattled.

Paulina and Hugh exchanged a glance. They knew exactly where the ring was—Elliana had it. But Cole, without any memory of Elliana, had no idea he’d once placed it in her hands. How were they supposed to answer him now?

“Well? Why aren’t you speaking?” Cole’s eyes narrowed, his frown deepening as he took in the tangled expressions on Paulina’s and Hugh’s faces. “That ring is vital. I always keep it locked in the safe right here. I opened it just now, and it’s gone. Did someone barge in and steal it while I was away?”

“Impossible!” Paulina answered quickly, her voice steadier than she felt. “No one has entered this room. I’ve kept a close watch.”

Cole’s eyes sharpened into slits. “Then explain how my ring disappeared into thin air.”

Paulina’s pulse pounded in her ears. “You might not recall,” she said, keeping her voice as composed as possible. “You entrusted it to Blaze Wildfire’s second-in-command. It was a classified directive. Myles delivered the ring on your orders to grant temporary authority while you recovered.”

Cole stared at Paulina, silent for a long moment. He’d given the ring to Blaze Wildfire’s second-in-command? He had absolutely no recollection of it. Sensing his hesitation, Paulina eased her tone, threading warmth into her words. “The accident affected more than just your body. Memory loss is common after trauma, but it’s usually temporary. It’ll return slowly, bit by bit.”

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