Hugh wore his usual serious, professional look, but the moment his eyes met Heather’s, it slipped. His composure cracked, and a sudden blush flushed his cheeks all the way to the tips of his ears.

Kieran and Damian, clearly aware of the backstory, exchanged glances and fought hard not to laugh.

Elliana, unaware of last night’s romantic chaos, raised an eyebrow at Hugh’s blush. She mistook his flushed face for embarrassment over the absurdity playing out around them. “Did Cole send you?” she asked casually.

“Y-yeah,” Hugh stuttered, his face turning an even deeper shade of crimson. Heather shook with silent laughter, her eyes gleaming with amusement, while Kieran and Damian did their best not to crack up.

Elliana sighed inwardly. What a hopeless idiot Hugh was. Pushing the thought aside, she fixed him with a steady gaze. “Alright then—why exactly did Cole send you?”

“Uh… to deliver these gifts,” Hugh said, motioning toward the crates.

Her gaze swept over the line of crates. “And what’s inside?”

Hugh looked like he was battling his own thoughts before finally forcing his gaze away from Heather. “M-Mr. Evans said they’re all your favorites. H-He thought you might like them…”

Losing patience, Elliana sprang to her feet. Without a word, she strode to the nearest crate and lifted the lid without hesitation. A strong, sugary scent immediately floated out, wrapping around her like a sweet fog. The crate was overflowing with mango-flavored milk candies—her all-time favorite.

She inhaled deeply, eyes fluttering shut. That smell alone was enough to lift the exhaustion from her body. For a moment, she let herself soak it in, feeling a quiet joy rise in her chest. When she finally opened her eyes, they sparkled with something close to wonder. The weight of her sleepless night had lifted.

Unable to help herself, she reached into the crate, plucked a piece of candy, unwrapped it slowly, and slipped it into her mouth. Creamy mango with a hint of milk melted on her tongue. A soft sigh escaped her lips. Okay… maybe this wasn’t the worst gift ever.

Then Hugh took a step closer. “Mr. Evans also said you should try the other flavors. Who knows? You might find a new favorite.”

Right on cue, the men in black opened their crates in flawless unison. A rush of rich, sugary aromas exploded into the air, flooding the living room with irresistible sweetness. Each crate was a feast for the eyes, brimming with candies wrapped in vibrant, eye-catching packaging.

Everyone’s taste buds stirred to life, their gazes locked on the colorful treasures. Heather, in particular, looked as though she might melt on the spot. Apparently, no woman was immune to the charm of sugar and shine.

Despite the overwhelming delight of standing before a mountain of candy, Elliana couldn’t help but notice how ridiculous it all was. How was she supposed to eat this much? She’d need an entire room—maybe two—just to store it all.

While she was still mentally spiraling over the sheer volume, Hugh suddenly blurted out, “Mr. Evans was worried you might run out, so he bought the candy company last night. It’s in your name now. You officially have a lifetime supply.” He gestured grandly to the crates. “They’ll design new flavors just for you. Hundreds of workers will be assigned to produce only what you love. Think of it as your personal candy empire.”

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