Chapter 58
The momem Noelle threw herself into Nicolas’s arms, he instinctively wrapped her in a warm embrace. Her petite, soft frame carried a delicate. sweet fragrance unique to girls, tickling Nicolas’s senses and stirring something deep within him.
Noelle hadn’t expected to run into her Nick here. Overjoyed, she muzzled her head against his chest like an affectionate kitten, her voice sweet and soft as she kept repeating. “Nick, Nick_”
“Alright, Elly, if you keep this up, you’re going to set my chest on fire,” Nicolas teased, his deep voice tinged with indulgent warmth. Gently, he cupped her head to stop her from moving-
I’m just so happy to see you!” Noelle grinned, her delight evident in her crescent–shaped eyes.
Nicolas’s heart melted at the sight of her radiant smile. He couldn’t resist reaching out to pinch her delicate earlobe and softly asked, “Elly, it’s so late. Why are you out here all alone? Didn’t you say you were going to cheer for Damon today!”
“I did cheer for him! But now he’s off to pick up Leia, Noelle explained candidly, without the slightest trace of concealment.
Hearing this, the smile on Nicolas’s face faded slightly.
His lips pressed into a thin line, and his grip on Noelle’s hand tightened imperceptibly. “He left you, a girl, alone on the street this late, just to pi
pick up Leis?”
“Yeah, Leia showed up to see him, so he went to meet her, Noelle nodded, tugging playfully at Nicolas’s sleeve. She tilted her head and pouted, “Nick. I ran out of money. Will you take me home**
Seeing how unbothered Noelle was, Nicolas feh both amused and heartbroken.
The Anderson family really doesn’t deserve her, he thought
He released her momentarily, then clasped her hand again and asked, “It’s pretty late to head back to Reniam City. I have a place nearby–why don’t you stay at my house tonight?”
“Really?” Noelle’s eyes lit up with excitement.
200
Seeing her reaction, Nicolas’s eyes softened even more. With a charming smile, he quipped. “You’re going to be Mrs. Nicolas soon, aren’t you? Going home early shouldn’t require permission, should it?”
His words sent warmth blooming in Noelle’s chest, like countless tiny fireworks bursting into life.
She clung to his arm and leaned against him, looking up with a mischievous grin. “Nick, if we go home, can we do grown–up things in advance!”
Nicolas’s face froze for a moment
Noelle’s knack for bringing up that topic was truly unparalleled.
He flicked her forehead lightly and said, “What are you even thinking? You’re too young for that.”
“But I’m already an adult!” Noelle puffed her cheeks in dissatisfaction.
“Could it be Nick’s not capable?‘ Noelle thought.
The thought earned her a more solid tap on the head.
“Ow!” Noelle yelped, clutching her forehead. “Nick, you hit me again!”
Leading her toward the car, Nicolas said calmly. “That’s because I could tell you were having naughty thoughts” “No, I wasn’t!
Nicolas said, “Yes, you were. Now get in the car,”
Nicolas opened the door and placed his hand over the top of the frame to make sure she wouldn’t bump her head.
Once inside, Noelle, still brimming with excitement, rolled into Nicolas’s lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Nick…” “What now?” Nicolas asked lazily, glancing down at her.
1/3
934 AM
Chapter 58
just realized that whenever I’m with you, everything goes right,” Noelle said with a giggle.
She recounted how she’d been unable to find a ride home earlier until Nicolas appeared, as if he were her guardian angel.
Nicolas chuckled and teased. “So I’m your lucky charm now!”
“Absolutely Noelle nodded earnestly,
Overcome by a sudden impulse, she propped herself up and planted a quick kiss on his lips. Her eyes sparkled, and she said with a bright smile. Nick. I really like you”
Meanwhile, Damon rushed to the location Leis had given him, only to find not just Leia but also his younger brother, Eli, waiting there.
“Damon, congratulations!” Leia, holding a bouquet of fresh flowers, greeted him with a radiant smile as soon as he arrived,
“Thanks, Leia” Damon accepted the flowers, still a bit dazed. His gaze shifted to Eli. “Eli, what are you doing here?”
“I couldn’t let Leia come out this late on her own, could I?” Eli said nonchalantly
If he had known Eli was also here, he would have gone back and picked up Noelle
Eli said, “It’s so late, Leia said she wanted to see you, how could I not bring her?”
Eli’s eyes swept over Damon’s shoulder.
Not seeing Noelle, his brows furrowed. “Where’s Noelle? Mom said she came to cheer for you and even attended your celebration party. Why are you here alone?”
“Noelle” Damon hesitated, his expression shifting awkwardly.
Eli’s tone sharpened, “Damon, where is Noelle! What happened to her?”
Leia, standing nearby, watched the exchange, relieved to see that Noelle wasn’t with Damon. However, she feigned concern, asking. “Yeah, Damon where’s Noelle? Why isn’t she here?”
Cornered, Damon’s irritation flared. “I told her to go home on her own What’s the big deal?
“You let her go home alone this late at night?” Eli’s voice rose in disbelief. “Damon, are you out of your mind? Do you even know what time it is! Do you realize how far it is to Reniam City? How could you be okay with leaving Noelle on her own?”
Damon’s irritation boiled over. “Why wouldn’t I be okay with it! She tagged along uninvited–I’m not responsible for her?”
“Damon!” Eli’s voice was filled with anger. “Sure, Noelle’s skilled enough to defend herself. But she’s also ridiculously naive! If someone with bad intentions tricked her, she’d probably hand them her money and thank them for it.”
Damon opened his mouth but found himself unable to refute Eli’s words. Everyone in the family had tacitly acknowledged Noelle’s guileless
nature
“Damn it… Eli muttered, raking a hand through his hair before pulling out his phone to call Noelle.
“I thought you might at least take care of her since she came to support you. But no, you’ve outdone yourself, Damon. Unbelievable.”
For once, Damon was too ashamed to talk back.
It was obvious to everyone that Noelle wasn’t the sharpest tool in the
the shed.
“Damn it” Eli ruffled his hair in frustration and pulled out his p phone to call Noelle.
As he duled, he said, “I know you’re not fond of Noelle, but considering she came to cheer you on today, I thought you’d at least show her some kindness. I didn’t expect you to leave her out there alone so late.”
Damon, with his fiery temper and sharp tongue, couldn’t
a single word in his dea
in his defense as Eli scolded him.
ilty. If I’d know
known this would
Leia, standing behind Damon, chose to keep quiet, though she felt a twinge of irritation.
“Was it really necessary for Eli to fuss so much over Noelle, that wild woman? she thought. “Now Damon’s feeling all guilty. If luppen, I wouldn’t have let Eli come over in the first place!
2/3
9:34 AM c
Chapter 58
Before long, the call connected.
“Hello?” Noelle’s bright, crisp voice came through. She asked cheerfully, “Eli, why are you
calling me so Late? Shouldn’t you be sleeping“”
“Noelle, where are you right now?” Eli asked urgently.
“Huh?” Noelle was caught off guard.
Eli, noticing her cluelessness and slow reaction, grew even more irritated. He repeated sharply. “I’m asking you–where are you? Tell me your location and stay put. Don’t wander around. 171 come pick you up.
Noelle sighed, exasperated.
