But in the end, he decided not to risk it. He wasn’t entirely sure where that breaking point might be, and what if he pushed too hard and ended up pushing away the girlfriend he’d just worked so hard to win over?

Instead, Cole simply draped his arm around her shoulders in a casual but possessive gesture and began guiding her toward the school’s main entrance. He stayed quiet, projecting an air of confident coolness as they walked together through the parting crowd.

Elliana slipped perfectly into her role as the devoted girlfriend. She tucked herself against his side, walking in perfect rhythm with his steps. To anyone watching, they looked like the ideal couple.

Cole couldn’t quite identify what he was feeling, but underneath his composed exterior, he was practically radiating satisfaction. The way Lilah had shown him respect in front of all those people fed his ego in the most incredible way. He felt victorious, cherished, and completely spoiled all at once.

They strolled together along the tree-lined campus walkway, aware of the countless eyes following their every move. The attention continued until they finally passed through the school gates and slipped into Cole’s sleek car waiting at the curb.

Cole had come alone today—no assistant hovering nearby, no bodyguards flanking him. For someone of his wealth and status, traveling without a full security detail was almost unheard of.

But Elliana wasn’t the least bit surprised by this. Cole was the legendary Blaze Wraith, after all. His combat skills were so exceptional that he had complete confidence in his ability to handle any situation solo. Any unfortunate criminal who tried to rob him would be the one ending up bruised and beaten on the pavement. His usual parade of assistants and security guards was nothing more than an impressive show for the public. Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n f?ndnovel.net

Without his entourage around, their date could actually feel like a real, intimate experience.

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Once she had settled comfortably into the passenger seat, Elliana clicked her seatbelt securely and turned to face Cole with an expression of perfect, sweet compliance.

Cole was already buckled in behind the wheel, but when he glanced over at her, those dark sunglasses remained firmly planted on his face. They were just a fashion statement. He was desperately trying to hide the telltale signs of a completely sleepless night—the dark shadows under his eyes and the bloodshot look that would immediately give away how much he’d been brooding over her.

Elliana watched him carefully for a moment, her head tilted with curiosity. “Why are you still wearing those sunglasses?” she asked innocently.

The last thing Cole was going to do was confess the embarrassing truth and hand her perfect ammunition to tease him with. He let out a dismissive sound. “What, are you that eager to stare at my devastatingly handsome face? Well, tough luck. I’m in a rotten mood right now.”

Elliana felt that familiar surge of irritation rising in her chest. He had just kissed her passionately in front of the entire student body, essentially announcing their relationship to the world, and now he was treating her coldly the moment they were alone? She would absolutely not allow this to continue.

She had played the part of the sweet, accommodating girlfriend long enough for the public show. Now that they were in private, it was time to set some clear boundaries. She wouldn’t let him think this was how their relationship was going to operate moving forward.

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