Chapter 996
Chapter 995:
His response came back almost immediately. “You’re my sister—you don’t need to thank me. By the way, I went ahead and told Dad that you’re Death Thorn. When he found out that your biggest enemy is Blaze Wraith, he was absolutely furious and officially declared war on the entire Blaze Wildfire organization p>
At Milton’s revelation that the Campbell family had officially thrown down the gauntlet against Blaze Wildfire, Elliana’s gaze drifted to Cole behind the wheel, her mind reeling at the sheer absurdity of this mess.
Cole noticed her stare and started to turn, curiosity flickering in his eyes, when his phone shattered the silence with Paulina’s ringtone.
Since Myles had been banished to Sundara, Paulina had emerged as Cole’s indispensable right hand, delivering critical intelligence with unwavering precision.
Cole snatched up the phone. Without hesitation, he activated the speaker—no secrets between him and Lilah, he decided. Though their romance had ignited only recently, leaving them virtual strangers, something deep within him rebelled against hiding anything from her. Even if Paulina bore news that could destroy him, his instincts demanded complete transparency with the woman beside him.
The connection crackled to life, and Paulina’s voice cut through the air with her report about the Campbell family’s war declaration against Blaze Wildfire.
Elliana absorbed every word, her shock growing with each passing second. The declaration itself didn’t shock her—but Cole’s still remembering his organization, Blaze Wildfire, left her stunned. Last night, she had fumbled and dropped the ring that commanded Blaze Wildfire’s loyalty in his very car. He had discovered it, returned it to her, and even demanded jealously whether some ex-lover had bestowed it upon her.
At that time, she had been baffled by his reaction. As Blaze Wildfire’s supreme leader, shouldn’t Cole have seized the ring the moment he found it in her possession? Why had he handed it back like some meaningless trinket? Wasn’t he terrified that such a powerful artifact in a stranger’s hands could spell his destruction?
And this mysterious ex he’d mentioned—who did he imagine was her ex, and what brutal fate had Cole already sealed for this phantom rival?
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While these thoughts churned through Elliana’s mind, Cole finished absorbing Paulina’s intelligence and responded with deadly calm, “I’ll eliminate this threat personally. Stand down p>
“Understood,” Paulina replied.
Cole severed the connection and fixed Lilah with an intense stare. “You heard everything. I command Blaze Wildfire, and your father has suddenly declared me his enemy. Do you know why p>
Elliana knew exactly why. Her father had learned her identity as Death Thorn, recognizing Blaze Wildfire as her sworn nemesis. He was protecting his daughter the only way he knew how. But revealing this truth was impossible. Cole remained oblivious to her role as Thorn Rose’s leader, and she couldn’t simply confess to being his former adversary—any explanation would inevitably expose the name Elliana and unravel everything.
She shook her head with practiced innocence. “I have no idea p>
Cole accepted her words without question and even offered comfort. “Don’t torment yourself over this. I won’t force you to choose sides. I’ll talk to your father p>
Elliana bit back laughter, maintaining her facade of ignorance as she nodded. “All right p>