Chapter 38
Zij sock spent the cistine day glued to Nicolas, only returning home late into the night.
pod out of the car, she turned to wave at him with her signature sunny smile. “Nick. I’m heading in. Don’t forget to text me when you get
mectical, his expression soft and indulgent. “Got it. You had a late night, so don’t dawdle. Go wash up and get to bed early. I’ll text you once
1–Noche Chirpol, her agreement immediate and obedient
like this–whenever Nicolas told her to do something, she’d listen without question.
class heart every single time. Watching her now, looking so sweet and docile, he felt a familiar, warm ache in his chest.
Rosing moment, he had to resist the urge to pull her back into the car, just to hold her close a little longer.
Nicolas suddenly piped up, as though a thought had just struck her. “Did the Anderson family finish sorting out your school
- nu. Noodle confirmed a trace of amusement tugging at the corners of his lips.
e starting soon! Nicolas exclaimed. “Remember, don’t tell anyone about your past. You promised me, Okay? You have to stay low-
me” Noelle said. “Even Leia tried to fish for details, but I didn’t say a word.”
Nicolas praised, ruffling her hair affectionately. “But remember–be extra careful around Leia. She doesn’t like you, and she’ll do
100 cause trouble. Don’t get too close to her
an eyebrow, a cold chuckle escaping his lips. “Family? Leia’s no family of yours. She’s just a thief who stole your life and doesn’t want Blood doesn’t lie, Elly–and she doesn’t have it”
andened as though Nicolas had just delivered a divine revelation. “Nick, you’re amazing! You figured that out so quickly!”
evened genuinely in awe, as if this realization hadn’t crossed her mind until now,
dior“ Meolas muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You really didn’t figure this out before?”
Metle and brightly, her honesty as sharp as ever.
the corners of his mouth twitching upward despite himself. Her bluntness was both maddening and endearing
seringed “don’t make the mistake of turning her into an enemy. The Anderson family still dotes on her, and if you openly clash with her,
her tint.”
then Noelle tilted her head, utterly lost. “Am I supposed to stay close to her or not?”
temples. Why is she so clueless?
the surface,” he said patiently. “Don’t actually trust her. Don’t do what she
at she tells you to do, and definitely don’t parrot her
saïd again, his voice softening. “Now, get inside.”
the skipped toward the mansion.
returned her wave, his gaze lingering on her retreating figure.
clad been silently olnerving from the driver’s seat, finally broke the silence with a teasing grin. “You know, the way you handle Miss
mit to him, Falung an eyebrow, “Hilarious! How!
wirdened ““Most couples look like…well, couples. But you two? You look like a father doting on his clueless kid. It’s kind of sweet, really”
9:29 AM
Chapter 38
Nicolas was still reminding Miss Anderson to go to bed early and teaching her who the good guys and bad guys were, and how to outsmart the bad
That’s not something a couple should be doing, right? Nicolas thought.
It felt more like a fatherly kind of care.
Thinking of Noelle’s clueless expression, Bryan couldn’t help but laugh.
“Is that funny to you?” Nicolas asked, his voice deceptively calm.
Bryan swallowed hard, a nervous smile plastered on his face. “Uh… no, sir. Not funny at all”
“Drive, Nicolas ordered, his tone cold enough to send shivers down Bryan’s spine.
As the car pulled away, Nicolas rolled down the window, letting the cool night air brush against his face.
look like a father he thought, almost bitterly,
It wasn’t like he wanted to micromanage Elly’s life. But what choice did he have? She was sweet, naive, and utterly oblivious to the complexities of relationships.
And then there was the Anderson family. Leia was a conniving snake, and the family’s loyalty still leaned toward her. If Nicolas didn’t guide Noelle. she’d be eaten alive in that house.
Fatherly or not. Nicolas knew he couldn’t let that happen
i and a faux–innocent Leia.
Meanwhile, back at the Anderson estate, Noelle was greeted by a stormy–faced Eli a
“Noelle,” Eli snapped, his tone sharp and accusing “you still remember where home is, huh?” “Oh, this again…” Noelle muttered under her breath, already sensing where this was going.
Leia stepped forward, her expression the picture of contrition. Tm so sorry, Noelle. I didn’t mean to tattle, but I just couldn’t stand by while you stayed out so late with Nicolas. It’s really not proper
“What’s improper about it?” Noelle replied flatly. “Nick’s my fiance. Isn’t it normal for me to spend time with him? And Leia, if you didn’t mean to tattle, then why did you?”
Le blinked, her face falling into a well–practiced look of hurt. “Are you blaming me?” she asked softly, as if she were the victim.
“Yeah” Noelle said simply. “Just don’t do it:
again.”
“Alright…
Elis scowl deepened. “Noelle Leia was just worried about you. And this is how you talk to her?”
“I don’t get what the big deal is, Noelle retorted. “Nick’s not some monster who’s going to eat me
“You’ll regret it when something bad happens!” Eli barked, his voice rising-
Eli’s voice grew sharper as he said, “I heard from Leia that Nicolas was at Star Club today. Didn’t you say he wouldn’t flirt around? Then why was he there! Do you still dare say he’s not messing around?”“
The’s not inessing around Noelle pouted
Star Club was Nicolas’s lasiness, and he was there for a routine inspection. She’d wanted to go to the adult section, but Nick had dragged her away. There was nothing like what Eli was imagining.
But since Nicolas had kept his role as the owner of Star Club a secret, Noelle couldn’t explain it to Eli.
“You’re will making excuse for it I think you’ve been brainwashed”
Star Clubes adult section was well–known, and although there was a clean area, Nicolas going to Star Club didn’t scream “going to the clean zone. It clearly looked like he was up to no good.
“so annoying” Frustrated that she couldn’t explain, Noelle felt like her head was about to explode.
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Chapter 38
She snapped, “Dad doesn’t care about me being with Nick, so why do you keep pestering me about it, El? You’re so nagging, it’s driving me crazy
“What did you say Eli froze, as if struck by something.
Leia, seeing her chance, immediately stepped in with a feigned sigh. “Noelle, how can you speak to Eli like that? Of all the people in the Anderson family. Eli cares the most about you.
“He doesn’t want you getting close to Nicolas because he’s worried about you. But now you’re turning on Eli for an outsider? That’s too much.”
Tm not turning on Eli Noelle was starting to get confused.
Eli was just being so annoying, always following her around and arguing. She’d only spoken the truth.
“Fine, I get it. I’m the one who’s clueless”
Eli sneered, his eyes filled with a mix of hurt and self–mockery. “From now on, you can be with whoever you want. I won’t interfere. I won’t care
anymore.”
With that. Eli stormed upstairs without looking back.
“Eli” Noelle called after him, but he ignored her.
Once he was out of sight, Leia walked up to Noelle, acting all sympathetic. “Noelle… you really hurt Eli’s feelings. You’d better be more careful in the future
Noelle stared at Leia, speechless.
In her mind, Noelle thought, ‘If it wasn’t for you snitching, would Eli even know about me and Nick? And now you’re saying all this? Leia, you’re so annoying
