Hours later, Elena found herself standing quietly inside the massive dining hall while helping the other servants prepare dinner.
The chandelier above the dining table glowed softly, casting golden light across the luxurious room. Expensive silverware reflected beautifully against the polished marble surface while soft classical music played quietly in the background.
The atmosphere looked elegant.
But tension filled the air heavily.
Elena carefully placed another dish onto the table before stepping back silently beside the other workers.
That was when Vanessa finally entered the dining hall.
Elena's eyes lifted immediately.
Vanessa Cole was beautiful.
Very beautiful.
She wore a fitted dark red dress that perfectly hugged her figure, while expensive jewelry sparkled around her neck and wrist.
Everything about her screamed elegance, wealth, and pride.
Yet the moment Vanessa sat down, the coldness surrounding her became obvious.
She picked up her wine glass elegantly before taking a small sip.
"You're late again," she said coldly without even looking up properly.
Elena instinctively turned toward the entrance.
A tall man walked calmly into the dining hall.
Adrian Cole.
For a brief second, Elena froze slightly.
The rumors truly did not exaggerate his appearance.
He looked calm, cold, and intimidating without even trying.
His dark suit fit him perfectly, and his sharp features carried the kind of authority capable of making people nervous instantly.
Adrian removed his suit jacket calmly before taking his seat.
"I was working," he replied simply as he unfolded his napkin.
Vanessa scoffed lightly.
"You're always working."
Nobody spoke after that.
The servants quietly continued serving dinner carefully, avoiding eye contact completely.
Even the sound of footsteps became softer.
Vanessa leaned back lazily in her chair with visible annoyance.
"Do you even know we have the Harrison gala this weekend?" she asked sharply. "Or are you planning to embarrass me again by showing up late?"
Adrian finally looked at her.
His expression remained unreadable.
"I already said I'll attend."
"Yes," Vanessa replied bitterly, "after forcing me to remind you three times."
Adrian said nothing afterward.
The silence between them felt uncomfortable.
Cold.
Distant.
Like two strangers forced to live inside the same mansion instead of husband and wife.
Elena quietly observed everything while pretending to focus on her duties.
This marriage was worse than she imagined.
Vanessa suddenly placed her fork down with irritation.
"And I need a new car."
The workers immediately lowered their heads further.
Vanessa continued casually, "The white one is already becoming outdated."
Adrian continued eating calmly.
"You bought it four months ago."
"And?" Vanessa replied without shame. "People move on quickly these days. I can't keep driving the same thing everywhere."
Her tone carried complete arrogance.
Adrian looked entirely uninterested in the conversation.
"I'll have my assistant handle it."
Vanessa's lips curved slightly with satisfaction.
"Good."
Elena quietly tightened her fingers around the tray she held.
Not once since dinner started had Vanessa asked Adrian how his day went.
Not once had she asked if he was tired.
Or whether he had eaten earlier.
Everything revolved around herself.
Her appearance.
Her lifestyle.
Her image.
Meanwhile Adrian simply sat there silently, almost as though he no longer expected care from anyone anymore.
Elena quickly pushed the thought away.
Why should she care?
She came here for revenge.
Nothing else.
Vanessa suddenly frowned after cutting into her steak again.
"This steak is too dry."
One of the younger maids instantly panicked.
"I-I'm sorry, Madam—"
Vanessa pushed the plate away carelessly.
"Do your jobs properly. Is that too difficult?"
The young maid's face immediately turned pale.
Before Vanessa could continue, Adrian finally spoke.
"That's enough."
The entire dining hall fell silent instantly.
Vanessa slowly turned toward him in disbelief.
"Excuse me?"
"She apologized already," Adrian said calmly. "There's no need to humiliate her over food."
Vanessa laughed dryly.
"So now you care about servants?"
"I care about unnecessary noise during dinner."
His tone remained calm, but the tension between them sharpened immediately.
Vanessa's face hardened slightly.
"You always do this," she muttered bitterly.
Adrian ignored her completely and continued eating.
The silence afterward became painfully uncomfortable.
Elena lowered her gaze quietly while observing everything carefully.
This marriage was already cracking badly.
Vanessa suddenly pushed her chair back loudly before standing.
"I'm no longer hungry."
Without another word, she grabbed her phone and walked away angrily, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.
The moment she disappeared upstairs, the servants quietly released the breaths they had been holding.
The young maid beside Elena looked close to tears.
"It's okay," Elena whispered softly.
The girl nodded gratefully.
Adrian remained seated alone at the table for several quiet seconds.
Then he finally stood from his seat.
The servants immediately straightened nervously.
But Adrian simply adjusted his sleeves before speaking calmly.
"Everyone can rest early tonight."
"Yes, sir," the workers replied quietly.
Adrian walked past Elena without sparing her a glance before leaving the dining hall silently.
The moment he disappeared, whispers slowly filled the room.
"They argued again."
"When do they not argue?"
"I heard Madam Vanessa threw a glass at him last week."
"Quiet," another servant warned nervously. "Someone might hear you."
Elena silently listened while helping clear the table.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
The perfect marriage shown to the public was completely fake.
Behind expensive clothes and glamorous appearances, bitterness filled this mansion heavily.
And somehow…
that made Elena satisfied.
Because broken homes were easier to destroy.
A few minutes later, Martha entered the dining hall again.
"Finish cleaning quickly," she instructed firmly. "Mr. Cole dislikes unnecessary noise at night."
"Yes, ma'am," the servants answered together.
Elena quietly picked up several plates before walking toward the kitchen.
But inwardly, her thoughts remained restless.
Tonight confirmed one important thing.
The Cole mansion was already filled with cracks.
And Elena planned to make those cracks even deeper.