“Understood.”

Bertram and Emmanuel slipped out of the room, moving quietly so as not to disturb him.

Elsewhere, over at the villa, Jarrett was still smiling from the phone call when the door banged open, letting a rush of cold wind sweep inside.

The villa lay tucked away from the city, a quiet haven to escape the summer’s heat. But now, with autumn’s chill setting in, the mountain winds cut straight to the bone. ?s s Find[?]ovel.net

The door swung open, and a blast of icy air struck Jarrett’s back, making him flinch. He turned sharply to see Diane standing in the doorway. Jarrett frowned. “Mom, what are you doing here?”

Diane’s face was stormy. She swept inside, sat down, and fixed him with a glare. “Your father is old and addled. What’s your excuse for being such a fool?”

Jarrett stood frozen, his confusion deepening.

Diane scoffed, her voice sharp. “Cole was once such a fine young man. But you and your father made him a fool. First, you two made him marry that ugly woman, Elliana, rendering him the laughingstock of the town. Then, she finally died, and now he’s the subject of town gossip over some woman named Lilah. Look at this whole mess surrounding him!”

Diane had been born into wealth and married into the prestigious Evans family. In her eyes, the Evans name carried weight. Its heirs were superior by birth. Women were supposed to chase them, not the other way around. An Evans heir should never have to pursue anyone. And this Lilah was nothing short of unbearable.

“Mom, Lilah is Elliana,” Jarrett said patiently. “She’s the one who cured Cole’s schizophrenia. Elliana gave everything for him. Even now, when he’s forgotten her, she still keeps her promise and has come back for him. We should be thankful and help them reunite.”

Diane’s eyes widened. “Lilah is Elliana?”

Let your mind wander with g?lnσν?s﹒

Jarrett nodded. “Yes. Elliana was never plain. She only plastered on heavy makeup to look ugly and pretended to be dull to protect herself in the harsh world she grew up in. Now she’s free of that disguise, and the truth is, she’s remarkable and dazzling.”

Diane’s face twisted with confusion. “But you told me it’s Milena who cured Cole. When did it become Elliana?”

“Mom, Elliana is Milena,” Jarrett explained.

Diane fell silent, stunned. Cole had suffered with schizophrenia since childhood, a shadow that haunted the whole family. If Elliana had truly cured him, then she was nothing less than their savior.

For that reason alone, Diane couldn’t bring herself to criticize Elliana. Yet, discomfort lingered. She hated the thought of her proud grandson lowering himself for a woman…

Jarrett had already ruined his life by loving Sophie too deeply. She would not watch her grandson walk the same path.

Meanwhile, Arthur felt entirely different about Cole and Elliana.

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