?Chapter 697:

    She reminded herself of the promise she’d made—if he ever forgot her, she would never give up on him. She would pursue him relentlessly, reim his love, and awaken their shared memories. She had given her word—how could she retreat now over a minor obstacle, especially when her love burned so fiercely?

    She couldn’t ignore Cole’s genuine love for her. The image of him shielding her from gunfire remained seared into her memory. How could she doubt the feelings of the man who had taken a bullet for her? Perhaps the medicine had tampered with his memories, or maybe he had once cared for Wanda in the past. But what did that matter? The past was dead, and she refused to surrender him without a fight.

    With this newfound resolve, Elliana’s lips curved into a faint smile.

    Just then, Jarrett burst into Ruben’s room, shouting, “Dad, disaster! Cole says he wants to fly overseas immediately to visit Wanda and propose!”

    Jarrett’s voice carried clearly enough for Elliana to hear every word through the phone. The smile that had begun to bloom on her lips turned to stone. How desperately did Cole love Wanda to rush toward a proposal, unable to wait even a single moment?

    “Dad, you have to do something. Wanda already adores Cole. If he proposes, marriage will surely follow. What bes of Elliana then?” Jarrett pleaded anxiously.

    Ruben, forgetting his ongoing call with Elliana, barked at Jarrett immediately, “Quick, stop Cole!”

    But as soon as he spoke, helicopter rotors thundered outside the mansion.

    “Toote,” Jarrett whispered, stunned. “Cole has already departed the ind.”

    Ruben paced frantically before finally remembering Elliana remained on the line. He froze mid-step. “Elliana, did you hear everything?”

    “Yes, Ruben,” Elliana replied with measured calm. “Please don’t interfere. Given Cole’s condition and my own dignity, silence serves us best right now. Let’s simply watch how events unfold.”

    With that, Elliana severed the connection. Tears spilled from her eyes instantly. Though shemanded the formidable Thorn Rose syndicate, fearless even when…

    Facing death, Cole’s situation truly wounded her, leaving her feeling betrayed. He remembered everything except her. Not only had he forgotten her, but he was also consumed with passion for another woman. How could he be such a bastard?

    Despite her heartbreak, urgent matters demanded her attention. After wiping away her tears, she continued her journey. By evening, she reached a secluded forest on Blehstin’s outskirts, following the note’s directions, and unearthed the metal box Dobbs had concealed there.

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    Insidey the form—the form that could tip the bnce of power at Jones Pharmaceuticals—and a smaller, more delicate box her mother had left for her.

    Elliana tucked the form away and then turned her attention to the delicate box. As Dobbs had described, the box bore unique craftsmanship and exceptional durability. Moreover, it contained mechanisms that would obliterate its contents if opened by force. The only safe route in was through thebination lock.

    After careful examination, Elliana realized that breaking this lock demanded extraordinary hacking skills. This wasn’t something any amateur could aplish. Only those with elite hacking expertise could even attempt it. Now it made sense why her mother had trusted Dobbs with that cryptic message. If she could unlock the box, then she was meant to follow whatever led her ahead. If not, she should turn away, live her life, and never look back.

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