Chapter 272
Noelle froze. What kind of question was that?
“Nicolas, what are you talking about?” she said, stunned,
“There’s no way I’d ever kill you” she said firmly, without hesitation. “You’re the most important person in the world to me. I couldn’t do
She wouldn’t even hurt him–how could she ever kill him?
Nicolas stared at her, unreadable. Then, softly, he asked, “But what if the person asking you to do it… is someone you can’t say no to?”
At that, Noelle’s body stiffened.
A name surfaced in her mind immediately: Brandon
What if Brandon did order her to kill Nicolas?
At first, her feelings for Nicolas had been shallow–just a crush on a face too handsome to be real. He was nice to her, too, so naturally, the liked him. But back then, if the labs had ordered her to kill him, she would’ve obeyed without blinking
But now… now everything had changed.
These days, she liked Nicolas so much it scared her. He always put her first, always paved the way for her, always treated her like she was precious Since meeting him, she’d felt like she was living in a dream.
She’d never known someone like him. Never known this kind of gentle love.
Everyone else in her life had mocked her, used her, or treated her like a tool.
But not Nicolas
From the moment they met, he had treated her with kindness–without expecting anything in return. Even her own blood relatives hadn’t done that
How could she kill the one person who had loved her so unconditionally?
Noelle didn’t even want to imagine hurting Nicolas. The thought alone made her chest ache so badly she felt like she couldn’t breathe.
She took her head fiercely, then looked up at him with eyes filled with unshakable conviction.
“No,” she said. “Nicolas, no matter who it is no matter what they say I will never hurt you. I swear it. I won’t. Ever.”
–
Nicolas stared at her, taking in the determination etched across her face, and in that moment, it was like a weight had been lifted from
his shoulders
He smiled softly, then pulled her tightly into his arms.
I believe you, Noelle, he whispered. “That’s all I need.”
And with that, the storm in his heart finally settled.
next morning. Noelle was already bouncing back to li
to her cheerful self. After a full night’s rest, ber energy had somewhat returned.
Nicolas rupper her face and said, “Finish up your test early today. I’ll cook something for you myself”
selle’s eyes widened. “Wait–you can cook?
house, thed only ever seen the housekeeper or chief do the cooking. Nicolas had never touched a pan.
“A” he said, chuckling “But nothing compared to Chef Noelle
laugland. “Won’t that be unfair to your taste buda?”
tastes terrible, | eat every last bite—because it’s from you?
Chapter 272
“If it’s from you, it’s never unfair.
After their little morning cuddle session, Nicolas insisted on personally driving her to the lab.
But as they stepped outside the villa, they y saw a sleek black car parked nearby.
And leaning against it, like something out of a movie, was Brandon–stunningly beautiful, aloof, and ice–cold. When alone, he radiated a chilling distance that made people afraid to get too close.
But the moment his emerald green eyes landed on Noelle, something sh
Then he waved and called out. “Noelle.”
Noelle blinked, surprised. “Brandon?”
shifted
He straightened up, walking toward her with a smile. “I came to pick you up.
Gone was the icy veneer. Now, Brandon seemed more… human.
- More alive.
But Noelle didn’t notice the change. All she saw was the end of her peaceful morning with Nicolas. She had hoped to spend a bit more time with him on the drive, just the two of them.
She looked over at Nicolas, conflicted.
She didn’t want to disappoint him.
But Nicolas, ever gentie, smiled and said. “It’s fine. If Brandon came to pick you up, go with him”
“Nicolas… she murmured, guilt welling in her throat
“I’m okay.”
Noelle wanted to say something–but what could she say? This wasn’t her choice.
So she gave in, climbing into Brandon’s car.
Brandon shut the door, then looked back toward Nicolas with a smile.
His emerald eyes glinted with malice–mocking, taunting.
He gave a little nod… and drove away.
Nicolas watched the car disappear with a dry chuckle..
How childish,‘ he thought. Was that supposed to be some kind of declaration? A show of power!
“Alright then, Brandon,” he murmured. “Let’s see who laughs last.”“
As Nicolas turned to head back inside, his phone buzzed.
A call from an unknown number.
But the location? Kory’s estate.
Nicolas eyes narrowed
wer yet. So this was probably his w
way of following u
cred “Hello”
They had only met last night And Rory already knew?
I do is under this man’s surveillance, Nicolas thought grimly. Heil have to be
nore careful going forward
Sell, he played dumb “The meeting? Oh, not hard He seemed pretty polite
Kory scoffed. “Pulite! Are you blind or just pretending! Tui your lare purifical–h
outlity toward
tically overflowed. He’s not just interested in.
“Maybe.” Nicolas replied coolly
213
775PM
Chapter 272
But Rory wasn’t calling to banter.
He got straight to the point. “So! I gave you a day to decide. What’s your answer?”
“Will you marry Angeline and protect Noelle? Or walk away, and leave yourself at the mercy of the very girl you love? In Rory’s mind, the answer should’ve been obvious. Any smart man would know which path to choose.
But all he heard on the other end… was Nicolas chuckling-
宙
