Paulina wondered if she made up a story now, would she ruin everything Elliana had planned?

Cole’s voice sliced through her silence. “What? You don’t know about it either?”

Paulina said quickly, “No, it’s not that. The hummingbird… You got it one night after drinking. You called in a professional artist to the house.”

It was the safest version of the truth she could give. She didn’t mention why he got it or who he was with. It wasn’t a lie—he had been drinking with Elliana that night—but it was a dangerous omission.

Cole, unaware of the thoughts tumbling in her head, took her words at face value. He figured he’d done something foolish while drunk—had a bird he couldn’t stand tattooed on his skin.

Was he really that reckless when he drank? A deep frown settled over his face. “Find that tattoo artist. I want this thing gone. Now,” he said, his voice cold.

Cole wanted the tattoo gone? Both Paulina and Hugh stared at Cole in disbelief. How could he want to erase the mark he once got for Elliana? If he ever regained his memories, he might spend his life regretting it.

“Please don’t do this, Mr. Evans,” Paulina hastily said, her voice low. “The doctor said you’re still recovering. What you need is rest, not this.”

Hearing this, a scowl appeared on Cole’s face, signaling his frustration. Just thinking about that hated hummingbird tattoo on his body for another minute made his blood boil. He shot a glare at Paulina. “Why didn’t you stop me from making such a ridiculous decision?”

Before Paulina could get a word in, Hugh spoke up. “You’re serious? Stop you? Who on earth could have done that?”

The tattoo was a symbol of Cole’s love for Elliana, for God’s sake. Cole had been so taken with Elliana that a simple tattoo was nothing—he might have gone even further if she’d asked. No one could have talked sense into him back then.

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Hugh grumbled silently to himself.

Unaware, Cole assumed Hugh was blaming his reckless, drunken behavior.

Irritation pulsed through him. He’d never felt so thoroughly exasperated.

After a heavy pause, Cole dismissed them. “That’s it. You’re both free to go.” Paulina and Hugh practically fled, anxious to escape before Cole could fire off more questions, especially about Regal Grove.

Regal Grove had once been Cole’s pride—a lavish estate he built with no expense spared, a place he considered his own private retreat. But the deed had long since been handed over to Elliana, who’d sold it later on. If Cole ever demanded to visit, they’d have no idea how to explain.

Luckily, the subject never came up. Since waking up, Cole had first proposed to the Campbell daughter and then buried himself in the endless work waiting for him in Ublento.

Once they were gone, Cole retreated to his bedroom in search of sleep. He switched into pajamas and stretched out on the bed, but his mind refused to settle. Every time he tried to rest, Lilah’s face flashed before his eyes—stubbornly vivid, impossible to block out.

Thoughts churned endlessly, leaving him wide awake. Eventually, he threw off the covers and muttered, “That woman is driving me crazy.”

Meanwhile, Elliana spent the night sleeping soundly at Rosewood Villa. In Ublento, she oversaw the powerful Star Society. For an organization like hers, tracking down a license plate was almost too easy.

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