Chapter 27
“Me! Regret?”
Leia Blinked, then playfully fluttered her lashes at Kimberly, her lips curling into an amused smile. “Mom, what are you talking about?”
Kimberly sighed. “I remember when you first met Nicolas, you seemed to like him. But after you found out about his playboy reputation and his endless string of women, you flatly refused any talk of marriage to him”.
She paused, her tone thoughtful “But today, Nicolas is nothing like the man we thought we knew. He’s courteous, refined, and exudes a grace that’s far from the wild, imresponsible heir we’d imagined. Seeing this side of him… I just wondered if you might regret not agreeing to marry him back
then”
Mom, you’re overthinking it Leia interrupted before Kimberly could finish.
Leia’s smile softened as she added, “Til admit, when I was young and naive, I had a fleeting crush on Nicolas. But that was in the past. You know full well the person in my heart now is…..
Her voice trailed off as a faint blush dusted her cheeks. She lowered her head shyly, her coy demeanor making Kimberly suddenly recall something
“Oh, right” Kimberly exclaimed, chuckling at her own forgetfulness. “How could I forget you’ve been smitten with Harley Parker all this time! Speaking of which, I heard from Mrs. Parker that he’s coming back to the country soon.”
“Yes.” Lea’s eyes brightened, her voice soft and tinged with delight. “He mentioned in our old class group chat that he’s planning to attend university here, at Eston University.”
“Really?” Kimberly’s surprise turned into a delighted smile. Then you and Harley will have plenty of chances to see each other again!”
Harley Parker was the only son of the prestigious Parker family in Reniam City, a paragon of nobility and achievement. He was widely admired in their social circles, his name synonymous with excellence.
Leis and Harley had shared a classroom during high school, but their connection had been limited to fleeting interactions before Harley left for overseas studies during their first year. Since then, they had only exchanged the occasional holiday greeting
Despite this, Harley had left a deep impression on Leia. Compared to Nicolas’s wild, untamed charm, Harley’s composed elegance and clean reputation made him Leia’s ideal partner.
“That’s wonderful,” Kimberly said, clearly pleased. “If things work out between you and Harley, it would be such a lovely match.”
Her joy was tempered by a lingering curiosity. Kimberly glanced at Leia again, her tone tentative. “But Leia, maybe it’s just me, but it seems like you don’t really like Noelle spending time with Nicolas?
Leia’s expression didn’t waver. She admitted with apparent sincerity, “Mom, you’re right. I do have some conce
concerns about Noelle and Nicolas”
“Not out of jealousy, of course, Leia added quickly, her tone measured. “But don’t you think Noelle relies on Nicolas too much? Women today should be independent and self–reliant, yet she always seems to cling to him, expecting him to solve everything for her. That’s not acceptable behavior for a daughter of the Anderson Family,”
Kimberly sighed. “When you put it that way, I suppose you’re right.”
Leia potiond the shaft in Kimberly’s stance and pressed on, her voice heavy with a resigned wisdom. “Even if Nicolas appears to be a gentleman now, his reputation as a womanizer isn’t unfounded.
“Sure, he’s indulging Noelle now, but what happens when he loses interest Ill be Noelle who gets hurt in the end. That’s why I hope she can learn To stand on her own two feet and not let herself be led around by a man”
“You’re such a considerate sister, Leia Kimberly said, her face softening with affection. I only hope Noelle can learn from you and katrinoor just as independent and level–headed”
grow into
“Don’t worry, Moin” Leigently looped her arm through Kimberly’s. “Im sure Noelle will mature in time. But when it comes to her relationship with Nicolas, I think you should have a talk with her
Kimberly nodded decisively. “I will. They’re not even
even married yet
can’t keep clinging to him like this? *Exactly, Leia replied with a satisfied smile, Iser eyes glining with triumplu.
1/2
Chapter 27
Meanwhile, Miles and Notte had just finished their moral
Hearty reverindulged, wadded to the restaurant with one arm heared as her had veched her stars as the
Merdar’s. Her other
proaned dramatically
“Truck. I’m ay fall” i feel like my foods about to come back up the whimpered, her fare wore bed.
not the
Survilas shock file heart, half repeated, half amused. “I warned you over. You didn’t have to finish everything you know?
Nicolas took Noelle to earlier
Greedy are. Noelle undered two massive crale, weighing over ten perends in coral
the hard harely finished one before she started feeling full, but still, she insisted on finishing the second one. Now, she’s definitely paying the price
our
Tour Irdnt waste Noelle shot hark baking up at him with a determined pour “Those crabs grew so big–it would’ve been disrespectful no
- couldn’t at looking
thes, yes, you respected the crabs Nicolas said with a chuckle. He placed a large, steady hand on her soft, round belly and began gently massaging ith this helpin
Noelle admitted, her face relaxing Térolas worked his magle. His hand was warm, firm, and soothing and she found herself
swd we walk around a bit to help you diger Niedas suggested.
Cory
bette chirped, perking upo
They wandered to the entertainment section of the mall. Nicolas was about to suggest bowling or billiards, but as they passed a row of clas
wich plush toys, Noelle frove
Nuk What’s that? the asked, her eyes wide with childlike wonder
Nas followed her you and couldn’t help but smile. Despite everything, she was still just a young girl at heart.
s a clew machine,” be explained, his tone indulgent. “Haven’t you ever played one?
Do you want to my
“Yes
luking her heard.
Not far away, 11 › young men descended the escalator
of them sported the law machines and it up with excitement. He tugged at the sleeve of his companion, a tall, aloof figure dressed in black nael wear, with earbuds in and a look that serrated “eave me alone”
“Hadley Look, thew machines! Let’s go playe
9:26 AM c
