?Chapter 512:


    Ruben’s face tightened, though he kept his thoughts to himself.


    Cole, sitting quietly in his wheelchair, set a crisp divorce decree on the table. His face was unreadable as he exined, “Elliana and I are officially divorced. She’s noting back. I want everyone to keep her out of the family’s business from now on.”


    An uneasy silence fell, leaving the others too shocked to speak. With the exception of Ruben, Bertram, and Emmanuel—who had learned the news earlier—everyone else stared at Cole in disbelief. At that moment, Trinity and Lance stepped inside.


    Everyone had watched Cole dote on Elliana—most considered her in, even unattractive—so news of their sudden splitnded like a thunderp.


    Shockwaves raced through the family, leaving a stunned hush in their wake as everyone tried to absorb the news. When the first wave of disbelief faded, curiosity swept the room, every gaze settling on Ruben to see how he would respond. Reputation mattered most to Ruben, and his loyalty to the family’s tradition was legendary. ording to the Evans family’s tradition, men could suffer the loss of a spouse, but divorce was an unthinkable disgrace—so with Cole, Ruben’s chosen sessor, breaking this iron rule, everyone waited for Ruben’s fury to erupt.


    Surprisingly, Ruben remained calm, his face an unreadable mask—almost as if he’d expected this, or perhaps even sanctioned it himself. Confusion only deepened. Nothing made sense. Before, Ruben had demanded that brilliant, promising Cole marry Elliana, clinging tightly to tradition. What could possibly make him support the idea of a divorce now? No one found the courage to speak up, so wild spection spread quietly from corner to corner.


    Tucked away from the crowd, Irene’s lips curled in satisfaction. She didn’t care why the marriage was over. Elliana’s exit felt like her personal triumph. With Elliana out of the picture, she saw herself sliding back into her ce as the Evans matriarch, her grip on the family’s power finally within reach.


    Near the doorway, Trinity remained rooted to the spot. For weeks, she’d decided to pour her hopes into Jason after witnessing Cole and Elliana’s picture-perfect affection, convinced she’d lost any chance with Cole. But just after she confessed her feelings to Jason, Cole was suddenly back on the market. To make matters worse, Jason had turned her down t. Caught in a hopeless tangle, she wondered what move she could make next. Chasing after Cole now would only make her look desperate—and would ruin any standing she had left with Jason.


    But childhood memories were full of Cole—Trinity had adored him for as long as she could remember, and now, fate had cracked open an unexpected door. Ignoring such a chance was unthinkable. All these conflicting feelings threatened to unravel herpletely. Fixing her gaze on Cole’s striking profile, she found a new determination blooming inside her. Winning him over became her single, burning goal.


    L?t?st ?h??ρt?rs ιn g??l??ov?ls.??0??


    To capture his attention, she needed to outshine everyone and make him notice her—perhaps even pursue her. An ideal moment to impress was just on the…


    The horizon loomed ahead. Tomorrow would bring SAT results, and Trinity was already nning her wless debut as a top schrship recipient.


    .


    .


    .