Chapter 8 Take The SATs This Year

The second Ruben brought up Elliana's name, the energy in the room shifted. Conversations quieted, heads turned. Elliana caught on quickly, setting her utensils down and straightening in her seat, her composure calm and deferential.

Though his eyes held warmth, Ruben spoke with the kind of command that left no room for argument-his voice carried the weight of years and power. "Elliana, you were pulled into this marriage against your will. The public scandal surrounding the Evans family isn't something you caused, and it's not something that can reasonably be placed on your shoulders to repair. You don't need to carry the weight of that burden.

Still, Irene did have a point. The matriarch of this family should have both integrity and ability. It can't be someone who never completed elementary school. Because of that gap in your education, I'm giving you one year to catch up. I'll make sure you're enrolled in the best school, and by next summer, you'll need to take the SATs and earn a place at a university."

The silence that followed was sharp. Eyes flicked across the table, unreadable, cautious. The unspoken thought echoed in every mind at that table-how could someone with only a primary education pull off SATs in twelve months? Even Trinity, the star student, wouldn't pull that off in such a short time, let alone Elliana, the seemingly good-for-nothing. This task made their recent PR nightmares look like child's play. They could practically see the headlines-Elliana failing spectacularly, dragging the Evans name through the mud.

Still, seeing how fiercely Cole had defended Elliana earlier, no one was bold enough to voice their thoughts.

Even Jarrett, ever composed, looked uneasy. "Dad, isn't that a bit much to expect from her?"

Ruben paused and then gave a slow nod. "Yes, it's hard. But the woman who leads this family must endure pressure. If she can't handle this, how will she guide a household as large and complicated as ours?"

Trinity's eyes gleamed for the briefest second before she slipped on a sugary smile. "Elliana, you see, Ruben clearly has faith in you. If you ever hit a wall with your studies, I'd be happy to help all the time."

"I won't be needing that." Elliana shifted her attention to Ruben, her expression calm and unwavering. "Ruben, I may not have attended school recently, but I've been studying on my own. I want to sit for this year's SATs."

The room froze. All eyes snapped to her, stunned. With barely a week left before the SATs, was she actually serious? Even Ruben, always the picture of composure, raised his brows in disbelief.

Elliana simply gave a quiet smile and added, "You heard correctly."

Honestly, the notion that taking SATs had never grazed Elliana's mind. But since Ruben had set the challenge, she wouldn't back down. Thankfully, registration was still open this year-otherwise, she'd be starting high school at twenty.

Ruben studied her carefully, then gave a slow nod and turned to Cole. "Have her registered to take the SATs at Kant High School."

"Understood," Cole replied, his eyes settling on Elliana. Something about her quiet confidence lifted his mood-unexpected, but welcome.

Once the meal ended, Ruben looked over at Elliana with a gentler tone. "Do you have a study plan? I could set up a tutor if you'd prefer."

"I'll take care of the studying myself," Elliana replied with quiet assurance. "But today... I want to visit my family."

Her calm reply surprised Ruben-he had expected the kind of intensity Trinity showed for the upcoming SATs. Words almost left his mouth, but he bit them back. Family matters came first, and he understood that much.

"Considering all that happened yesterday, it's probably best you go back and smooth things over with your family," Ruben said. "Take Cole with you."

Ruben didn't give her time to respond. He called Cole over immediately. "Put together something thoughtful for the Jones family. Make it generous."

Elliana parted her lips to object, but before she could get a word out, Cole had already reached for her hand. "Come on. Let's go."

With no better option, Elliana bid Ruben farewell and followed Cole out the door. The moment they were beyond earshot, she slipped her hand from his. "You don't need to babysit me. I can grab a cab and go on my own."

Without warning, Cole's arm slid around her shoulders, drawing her tightly against him.

Then, Cole began walking alongside her toward the car. "The agreement, remember? We've got to keep up the act. You'll need to help me keep the other women at bay, and we've got to make sure my grandpa stays pleased, too."

He didn't wait for a reply-just opened the door and motioned for her to get in.

Though his tone rubbed her the wrong way, Elliana let it slide. He had agreed to her conditions, and for now, they seemed to be finding a rhythm that didn't involve clashing swords.

Soon, the vehicle eased away from the gates of the Evans estate.

Inside the quiet car, the faint scent of Cole's cologne lingered between them. It wrapped around Elliana like a memory-one that brought the entire mortifying blur of last night rushing back, heating her face instantly. Sure, nothing actually happened-but she'd undressed him, curled up against him, and stayed there the whole night. It was beyond embarrassing.

Wanting to escape the awkwardness, she closed her eyes and faked sleep. But the hum of the engine and the warmth of the seat lulled her. Before long, sleep began to tug at her for real, though her mind stubbornly kept replaying scenes from the night before.

"What's running through your mind? You're blushing so much!"

Cole's words snapped her eyes open, dragging her back to reality. Only then did she notice-they weren't moving anymore. The car had stopped.

She found herself leaning against him, his hand steady at her waist, one finger lazily tracing the curve of her lip. His voice dipped low-smooth and full of mischief. "Honey, didn't you just beg me for hugs, kisses, and to be lifted into the air like a princess? Want me to do so right here?"