Chapter 69

Eliana turned toward the voice.

Right-Celine Oliver. Rupert's daughter.

The very same woman Tristan had asked her to help keep at arm's length.

Eliana hated situations like this one.

Once, a guy from the Onyx Syndicate had begged her to pretend to be his girlfriend just to shake off a clingy admirer.

It had worked-the woman left him alone-but then the trouble had landed squarely on Eliana instead.That had only ended when Eliana got tired of the nonsense and took matters into her own hands.

Now here she was again, walking straight into déjà vu.Her first instinct had been to say no. But she owed Tristan, and she'd promised to help.

If she'd known she had to help him get rid of an admirer, she'd have told him to forget it. She would have preferred to repay him in some other way. Now, she could only hope Celine wasn't the unreasonable sort.

Meeting Celine's gaze, Eliana gave a polite nod. "Yeah,I'm Eliana Murray."

Celine let out a drawn-out, almost amused,"Alright,"and slid into the seat beside her.

"My dad's been working nonstop on a case lately," she began.'"It involves someone with the last name Murray... I wonder if that person might be related to you,Ms.Murray?"

Eliana's eyelids twitched. "What's his name?"

Celine held her gaze deliberately. "Louis Murray.Chairman of the Murray Group."

Eliana's grip on her coffee cup tightened.

Her silence was all the confirmation Celine needed-or at least thought she needed. But she kept going anyway, voice syrupy sweet. "The surname Murray isn't exactly common, especially among Qidence.I was just curious, so I asked. I hope you don't mind."

"I don't mind," Eliana replied evenly.

"And Louis... is he related to you?" Celine pressed.

Eliana didn't bother dodging it. "He's my father." Celine's brows arched. She'd suspected, sure-but hearing it out loud still made her pause. Not because Louis was Eliana's father, but because Tristan was engaged to Louis's daughter.

Everyone in Qidence knew the Murrays were in shambles. Louis was facing sentencing any day now.

In Celine's mind, Tristan was far too shrewd to actually marry into that mess.

She assumed he was just temporarily dazzled-after all, Eliana was undeniably beautiful.

Outwardly, Celine's face stayed warm and pleasant.She reached over to take Eliana's hand, wearing a smile that didn't touch her eyes "I'm sorry, Eliana. I didn't mean to stir anything up-it just felt like such a coincidence.I didn't expect..."

Eliana calmly pulled her hand back. "No need to apologize. You didn't know."

Celine nodded, then-just as quickly-took her hand again. "Now that we've met, we're friends. I'll mention your dad's case to my dad. Maybe we can help...within legal limits, of course."

Her lips curved kindly, but there wvas a chill in her gaze.

Eliana's expression iced over. She yanked her hand away and narrowed her eyes at her. "Let me make one thing clear-l've got a temper. If anyone dares to mess with me, my family, or my friends, I won't let it slide."

Celine blinked, taken aback. "Have you got the wrong idea? I'm being sincere here. I said that because I care."

"Then I'll pretend I heard nothing," Eliana said evenly."And you'd better act like you know nothing either.Otherwise, I won't hesitate to take action."

Celine's face crumpled into an even more aggrieved expression. "Eliana, you've really misunderstood me.I feel a connection with you, and I genuinely want to be friends. I have no ill intentions-I'd never mess with you,your family, or your friends..."

She suddenly leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper right by Eliana's ear. "I think you understand me perfectly. You've got two choices-either break up with Tristan right now, or I'll have your dad do it for you. What do you think?"

Her tone was heavy with threat.

But before Celine could blink, Eliana suddenly-tipped her coffee cup-splashing the drink all over herself.

The coffee wasn't hot,bout Eliana still cried out in pain,tears instantly welling and spilling down her cheeks Tristan's head snapped toward her. The moment he saw her crying, he crossed the room in long strides."What happened?"

Eliana kept her gaze fixed on Celine. Her voice trembled as she spoke. "Ms. Oliver, I know you like Tristan, but how could you... not only splash coffee on me, but threaten me with my father's case?"

Celine froze, caught off guard by the accusation.

A faint, cold smile flashed in Eliana's eyes. If Celine wanted to act, she would match her scene for scene.After all, she was here to put on a performance-and she didn't mind adding an extra act.

"Celine, what's going on?" Rupert's voice cut through the tension as he approached, his expression grim.

One by one, the others in the room gathered around.

"She splashed coffee on herself and accused me of it!"Celine ground out through clenched teeth.

Rupert's gaze sharpened on Eliana. "Ms. Murray, you do realize slander is a criminal offense?"

As Eliana's tears flowed even more freely. Her voice trembled as she turned pleading eyes to Tristan. "1didn't slander her... She whispered to me that if l didn't break up with you, she'd have her father go after mine. I refused, and then she splashed coffee on me. Tristan, you have to believe me. If you don't,we can check the surveillance!"

She had already noticed when she walked in that there were no cameras in the room.

With the kind of people present here, surveillance was deliberately avoided.

"I didn't do it! You're lying! I won't let you get away with this!" The gentle mask Celine had worn earlier was gone,replaced by raw fury.

Eliana flinched, curling closer to Tristan as if seeking protection. "Tristan, I can take her bullying and slandering me-but please don't let her hurt my father..."

Her tear-streaked face was the picture of delicate beauty, tugging at the heartstrings of everyone watching.

Tristan's expression frosted, his eyes glinting with an icy resolve.

He gently took Eliana's hand-the supposedly scalded one-and said in a low, steady voice, "Don't worry.I won't let anyone touch you or your father."

Then he looked over his shoulder. "Doran,take Eliana and treat her hand." "Understood!" Doran stepped forward without delay,moving to shield Eliana from the crowd. "Ms. Murray,please,this way."