Chapter 52

Barry had barely closed his mouth when Tristan's eyes turned cold as ice.

Doran traded a knowing smirk with Rocco.

Neither of them thought Barry had the nerve to go head-to-head with Tristan over Eliana.

"It looks like your ears aren't working too well," Tristan remarked coldly.

Before Barry could respond, Doran, standing at his right, swung his hand in a quick arc and landed a crisp slap across his cheek.

The sound cracked, and Barry's ear rang so hard it felt like it might burst.

Stepping forward with deceptive calm, Tristan asked, "Does that help your hearing any?"

"I... I..." Barry stammered, his eyes darting to Eliana as though she might save him.

Her lips pressed tight, and the insult in her gaze was unmistakable.

"Kindly escort this fool out of here," she told Doran and Rocco, turning away.

"Gladly!" Doran answered. He didn't bother waiting for Rocco, grabbing Barry by the collar and hauling him toward the manor gates.

"Get your hands off me!" Barry squirmed against his grip.

Without warning, Doran's hand shot out and struck the back of Barry's neck, knocking him unconscious.

The air went still again.

Sensing Tristan wanted a private word with Eliana, Rocco quickened his pace to help Doran haul the unconscious body away.

Once they reached the gates, Doran asked,where's the drop-off point for him?" Rocco's gaze swept over Barry with open disgust. "Send him back to wherever he crawled from. Wno does he think hecompeting with Mr.Pearson?"

"1' rough him upfirst, then dump him at the White family's doorstepDoran replied with a short nod.

"Make sure the beating happens far from Ms. Murray's property," Rocco warned. "Her home shouldn't be tainted by this trash."

Eliana still couldn't bring herself to meet Tristan's eyes.

She cleared her throat awkwardly and muttered,"Thanks for stepping in,"then made for the villa.

Their shoulders nearly brushed when Tristan's hand caught her wrist."Ms. Murray, aren't you forgetting to explain something?"

The sudden grip left Eliana with no choice but to turn toward him.

The moonlight painted his features in silver, making him look even sharper.than he had in daylight.

Still, she wasn't admiring him. She was looking for a way out. A pang of regret hit her for lying earlier. Being caught in it now made her stomach twist. She cleared her throat once more and said, "You already figured out my identity, right? Is there something else you need to hear?"

"Was hiding who you are just a way to trick me into ending our engagement?" Tristan asked.

Eliana's brows drew together. "Trick you into backing out? You were ready to call it off yourself."

Tristan froze for a split second before blurting out, "I had no idea you were the one promised to me since young."

The remark made her lips twitch in faint amusement. With a sharp tug, she freed her hand from his hold. Her voice turned cold. "So what? If you'd known it was me, would that have changed anything? Don't forget your girlfriend waiting for you at your place. Or has she slipped your mind already?"

Tristan was taken aback."What girlfriend?" Her contempt only deepened. It seemed every man really was the same, cold and heartless.

Without softening, she fixed her gaze on him. "Do you enjoy pretending you don't have a girlfriend, or is that just second nature by now?"

Tristan's confusion only seemed to grow. "I'm not pretending. I really don't have a girlfriend."

"You-" Eliana's voice faltered, ready to turn sharp.

Before she could finish, Carl's voice rang out from across the lawn. "Lia? Is that really you?"

Eliana stopped mid-sentence and lifted a hand to signal him.

A moment later, Carl closed the gap, a grin on his face. "We've been searching all over. Mom's ready to make the formal introductions..."

Only when he caught his breath did Carl notice the figure standing a step behind her.

Tristan's black suit blended so well with the evening shadows that Carl had nearly missed him. There was something about the man's presence that seemed to pull the air tighter.

Recognition flickered in Carl's eyes. "Mr. Pearson, didn't expect to see you out here."

Tristan's gaze shifted toward Eliana, and he replied, "I stepped out for air and took a wrong turn. Luckily,your sister happened to find me."

He made a point of stressing the words "your sister" when he spoke.

Her shoulders tensed, and she quickly turned to Carl.Mom looking for me?"

"That's right. Nearly everyone's here, and shę's ready to present you," replied Carl.

"Then let's head back," she told him.

Carl agreed with a short nod before turning to Tristan. "Mr. Pearson, come along. We'll lead you there."

Tristan gave a faint nod and trailed after them into the main house.

Sawyer was the first to cross their path. "Lia, there you are. We've been searching everywhere. Where did you Tun off to?"

"Just needed a breath of fresh air. It was getting stifling inside," Eliana answered.

"Feeling any better now?" Sawyer's voice held genuine concern.

"Yes." She gave a brief nod.

"That's good to hear. You'd better go see Mom," Sawyer told her.

Without so much as a glance toward Tristan, she moved off toward Stella.

The two men followved close behind.

Sawyer caught sight of Tristan walking in with them, Leaning closer to Carl, he kept his tone low."Mind telling me why Mr. Pearson was tagging along with you two?"

Carl replied, "He got lost. It's not like this place is a maze, but he still wandered off. Guess a good sense of direction isn't part of that big-shot reputation of his."

"Lost?" Sawyer's brow knit as suspicion flickered in his eyes. He turned his head almost by instinct.

By chance, Tristan was already looking back. Their eyes met, and a subtle weight settled over the air.

Sawyer forced a strained smile and offered a short nod.

Tristan answered with a quiet one of his own.

Looking away, Sawyer couldn't shake the thought that a man like Tristan shouldn't be the type to get turned around so easily.

But with the evening still unfolding, he pushed the thought to the back of his mind.

Not far from them, Stella exchanged a few quiet words with Eliana before guiding her toward the center of the hall.

A raised platform waited, a microphone gleaming under the lights. Stella stepped forward, greeting the guests with a few warm words before her tone softened. °This is my daughter, Eliana. When she was only three, I lost her...

Her voice wavered, emotion catching in her throat.

Eliana rested a gentle hand on her back. Stella drew in a steady breath, smiling faintly before continuing,"But fortune smiled on me, and I was given the chance to find her again. I've dreamed of hosting this welcome-home banquet for so many years, and now that dream is finally real. Lia, from this day on, we will never be apart again."

With a warm smile, Eliana answered,"Yes.We'll stay together forever."

The room filled with applause.

While some offered genuine congratulations, most cast curious glances toward Tristan.

When they saw him clapping, they quickly joined in, the sound swelling as though each wanted to outdo the others.

Soon,the banquet drew to a close, and Tristan made his way toward Stella.