Chapter 88 The Protector and the Suitor

Name:Rebirth: Love me Again Author:


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[EVE]

That morning, I was jolted awake by the commotion outside.

Groggily, I made my way to the window and peeked out to find a van parked in the driveway, unloading boxes of photo shoot equipment.

That's when it hit me—today was the magazine shoot day!

Élysée Luxe!

Of course, just as I was processing that, a light knock came at the door.

I opened it to see Victor standing there, his face fresh and cheerful, while I probably looked like I'd just crawled out of bed.

"Good morning, Eve," he greeted, his tone warm and slightly amused. "Sorry if we woke you."

"No, no, I was already up," I said, stifling a yawn. "What's up?"

Victor lifted a garment bag with a hint of excitement. "Sinclair picked out a dress for you for today's shoot. Thought I'd bring it over."

I glanced at the bag, my eyes lighting up at the luxurious fabric peeking through the protective cover.

"Thanks," I said, reaching out for it.

Seconds passed and Victor still didn't budge from the doorway, just lingering there with an odd look on his face.

"Need something else?" I asked, raising a brow.

He blinked, looking a bit flustered as he finally shook his head. "Oh, no . . . it's just . . . you've got something in your eye."

He gestured, and I instinctively rubbed my face, hoping to get rid of whatever

Standing a few feet away was Cole, his expression unreadable but his gaze intense.

Victor's face cooled instantly, shifting into a more guarded, serious demeanor. "You're still here?" he asked, tone low and direct. "Seems you have a lot of free time for a Fay."

Cole's eyes narrowed, a flash of irritation evident, and the temperature between them drop several degrees. "What are you doing in front of Eve's room this early?" he asked, his voice like ice.

Victor's smile returned, but it was edged with mockery. "I don't answer to you, Cole."

"You do if it concerns Eve. I'm her head of security, and I don't trust you hanging around her door."

Victor laughed, a sharp, mirthless sound. "Of the two of us,

you're

the real danger to her," he said, his tone cutting. "Or have you forgotten how you've hurt her all these years?"

Cole's jaw tightened, but he kept his tone steady. "That's in the past, now I will never do anything to hurt Eve."

"Oh, really?" Victor raised a brow, voice taunting. "Because from where I stand, you've already done a fine job of it. And now, here you are, playing the protective act to keep anyone else away from the one who would truly love her. Pathetic."

Cole's gaze darkened, the threat unmistakable. "Stay away from her, Victor."

Victor's smile dropped, his expression turning deadly serious. "No,

you're

the one who needs to stay away. I'm here to heal what you've broken, and I won't let you get in my way."

Cole took a step forward, standing nose to nose with Victor, his height matching the older man's and his voice as cold as stone.

"I don't care who you are," he hissed. "If you so much as think of hurting Eve, I'll stop you—whatever it takes."

Victor chuckled again, but this time, there was no amusement in it. "You're no threat to me, Cole. Unlike you, I know what I want, and I'm not a foolish boy who strings her along. I intend to make her mine. Officially."

Cole's expression cracked a little, his fists clenching. His eyes sharpened, dangerously intense, but Victor wasn't intimidated the least.

"That's right," Victor said, leaning in closer, his voice a low whisper. "I intend to court her—with marriage in mind. Unlike you, I'm a man who knows exactly what he wants. And I won't let you, or anyone else, get in my way."

Cole's lips pressed into a thin line, his glare unrelenting, but for once, he seemed to lack a retort.

Victor held his gaze for a beat longer, then turned away, glancing over his shoulder with a final, taunting smile.

"Just thought you should know." And with that, he walked off, leaving Cole fuming in his wake.