Chapter 36
“Hey, did you hear? The record–breaking winner this time was a petite girl, and apparently, she’s super cute.”
I saw bert She’s like a real–life doll–absolutely stunning”
“No way! Is she really that pretty!”
“Think she flirted her way through the game?”
“Actually, people suspected cheating and demanded footage. Guess what happened!”
“What
“Turns out, she’s a beast. On the seventh floor, there was this two–meter–tall bodybuilder. The guy charged at her, and she took him down with a single shoulder throw.”
“No way!”
Yep. That dude weighs at least 300 pounds, and she flipped him like it was nothing.”
“That’s insane.”
Im genuinely impressed”
Leia and Connor sat in the waiting area after being eliminated, waiting for Noelle and Harley to come down.
As players filed in, the buzz about Noelle’s performance filled the air. Leia sat stiffly, her face frozen as if someone had stolen her sense of reality.
Noelle really he
Could
really be that good? Leia thought.
The final results confirmed two winners: Noelle, with a record–breaking time of 15 minutes and 2 seconds, and Harley, clocking in at and 52 seconds
When the game officially ended, Noelle and Harley emerged from the elevator together.
Noelle was carrying a gleaming gold trophy, bouncing happily. She practically radiated joy.
401
minutes
Harley walked beside her, exuding his usual cool demeanor. But his head was tilted slightly, his gaze never leaving Noelle. The subtle smile on his lips betrayed a warmth that made his interest clear.
“Harley, Noelle, you’re finally back!” Connor sprang to his feet, waving at them.
Connor Sorry to keep you waiting Noelle replied, her voice bright and sunny as she smiled at him.
*Noelle, you’re amazing, Connor gushed. “Fifteen minutes to clear all fifteen floors? You’re the fastest player in the history of The Escape. I’m in
Noelle tilted her chin up proudly. “Of course! I’m super awesome
She wasn’t the type t
to downplay her achievements. Compliments were like fuel to her fire–she thrived on them.
Leia, meanwhile, seethed internally. “What’s there to brag about?”
Sure, Noelle might have some physical talent, but she was so tacky about it. There wasn’t a shred of grace or decorum in her behavior.
“Noelle, now that we’ve finished this game, should we check out another activity?” Harley asked, his tone warm.
“Sure!” Noelle nodded enthusiastically
Leia couldn’t hold back. “Wait, you’re playing more?” she blasted.
Harley turned his cold gaze on hier. If you’re tired, feel free to rest,”
Leia’s chest tightened at his dismissive tone, but she forced a smile and said softly, “You misunderstood me, Harley. I’m not tired; I’m just worried about Noelle. She’s already climbed fifteen floors–I don’t want her to overdo it”
“Really?” Harley’s lips curved into a mocking smile. He didn’t believe her for a second.
9:28 АМ
Chapter 36
Leia batted her lashes innocently. “Of course! Noelle is my sister. I’m just looking out for her.”
Connor chimed in. “Leia’s right. Noelle might be tough, but she’s still a girl. It’s better to rest a bit before starting another game.
Connor looked at Leia with admiration and said, “Leia, you’re a girl after all. You’re more thoughtful than us boys.”
Leia shot Connor a grateful smile, then turned to Noelle. “What do you think, Noelle?”
Tim fine either way. Noelle replied nonchalantly. She suddenly perked up and handed her phone to Harley. “Harley, can you take a picture of me?”
Harley blinked, caught off guard. “Uh, sure.”
Noelle struck a simple pose: holding her trophy in one hand and flashing a peace sign with the other. It was a cliche, but her radiant smile and doll- like features made the shot irresistibly cute.
Harley’s heart skipped.
She was adorable.
“Is it done?” Noelle asked.
Harley snapped back to reality and clicked the shutter. Yeah, got it.”
“Let me see!” Noelle ran over, beaming as she reviewed the photo. “Wow, Harley, you’re such a good photographer!”
Harley stared at her, speechless. How is she getting cuter by the second?
Connor leaned in, grinning. “Noelle, taking a picture to commemorate your win”
No Noelle replied cheerfully. “I just want to show Nick my trophy.”
The atmosphere shifted.
“Nick” Connor repeated. “Oh, you mean Nicolas You guys seem close.”
Harley’s expression darkened.
Leia seized the moment.
Linking arms with Noelle, she giggled and said, “Oh, Connor, you don’t know the half of it. Noelle is crazy about Nicolas. Dad wasn’t keen on their engagement, but Noelle insisted on marrying him”
Connor looked uneasy. He glanced at Harley, whose clenched fists and stormy expression screamed displeasure.
Harley’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. “Noelle, do you really like Nicolas that much?”
“Super like!” Noelle chirped without hesitation, her eyes sparkling.
“Is that so? But from what I know, Nicolas has had plenty of women around him. It seems like he’s never been without one
Although Harley wasn’t very close to Nicolas, his reputation as a ladies‘ man was well–known in Reniam City.
“So?” Noelle tilted her head, genuinely confused.
“Doesn’t that bother you! Don’t you think he’s… dirty?” Harley
ey asked bluntly.
Noelle blinked. “Dirty? That’s easy. Just clean him up.
Harley. Conor, and Leia were speechless.
Before anyone could recover, Noelle’s phone buzzed.
It was Nicolas.
Nicolas: [Elly, are you at Star Club?]
Noelle: [Wow, Nick! How did you know?]
9:28 AM ch
Chapter 36
Nicolas: [That trophy in your hand–only escape game winners get that.]
Noelle: [You’re so smart, Nick! You figured it out right away:
Nicolas [Nothing smart about it. I own Star Club. Of course I’d know.]
Noelle. [This is your place!
Nicolas [Still there?]
Noelle: [Yep!]
No wonder
Nicolas: Is that so? I’m here too, do you want to come over?]
Noelle: [Yes! Nick, where are you? I’m coming to find you]
Nicolas: [Come find me in the lobby. Bryan will bring you up.
Noelle: [Great!
Noelle tucked her phone away, her eyes sparkling. “Nick’s here! I’m gonna go find him. You guys have fun!”
Connor gaped. “Wait, you’re leaving?”
“Uh–huh! Bye–bye!” Noelle waved, already dashing off
Noelle was always someone who did things her own way, and now that her mind was completely on Nicolas, she didn’t care about what the others thought. Without a second thought, she bolted for the door, waving as she ran. Tim off, bye!”
Before her words even finished, she was already a blur, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
Harley and the others were l
left standing there in stunned silence.
Leia was overjoyed. Finally, she’s gone.
Feigning concern, she turned to Harley. “With Noelle gone, it’s just us now, Harley. Shall we keep playing?”
But Harley wasn’t having it. His voice was icy as he said. “Play by yourself. I have something to do.”
Without sparing her another glance, he left.
Leia stood frozen, her smile faltering as fury boiled beneath her polite façade.
Elsewhere in Star Club, Bryan led Noelle to a grand conference room.
As the doors opened, Nicolas stepped out, surrounded by an entourage.
Spotting him. Noelle’s eyes lit up like fireworks.
Without hesitation, she sprinted toward him and threw herself into his arms.
“Nick” she exclaimed, hugging him tightly in front of everyone,
