Chapter 231
Despite the recent chaos in the Anderson household, life went on. Those who needed to study went back to their books, and those with jobs
returned to work.
Noelle thought Ebie would insist on sticking to her today and follow her to school like usual. Surpriungly, though. Elsie chose to tag along with Adriel to the company instead.
So she really is more attached to Adriel, Noelle thought. That at least ruled out the possibility that Elie was pretending to get close to her for some ulterior motive. Still, Noelle wasn’t about to let her guard dowen.
She made a mental note to report everything that happened last night to Brandon as soon as she had a free moment.
At school, Noelle had expected Leia’s sudden “medical leave” to stir up gossip. Hot to her surprise, the class reacted with eerie calm. No one even asked about Leia, much less showed any concern.
At lunch, she brought this up with her best friend Tina.
“You’re surprised?” Tina rolled her eyes. “You really thought Leia was well–liked?”
“Wasn’t she?” Noelle asked, genuinely puzzled. There were always tons of girls around her.”
Oh, those fake friends Tima scoffed. “Sure, they stuck around when it was convenient. But Leia’s gone now, and none of them care. You think they were genuinely invested in her!”
She leaned in and added. “Ever since that whole ‘illegitimate daughter rumor got debunked–thanks to your brother Eli, by the way–people started seeing Leia for who she really was. Then she went all high and mighty after becoming Reyna’s prized student, refused to sign autographs, kept everyone at arm’s length. Meanwhile, you’re approachable, funny, and actually nice. Anyone with half a brain knows who’s worth talking to
“So that’s how it is Noelle said, suddenly enlightened.
“You’re a bit slow sometimes, Tina teased, then extended her band expectantly.
“You forgot already?” Tina arched a brow. “You promised to get me 100 autographed photos of The Legend’s lead singer. I’m still waiting”
“Oh, right” Noelle smacked her forehead. “Sorry, I completely forgot. Things have been crazy lately. I’ll call Stanley later and ask him to sign them and bring them over
Tina’s glasses glinted as her eyes lit up. “Wait. You can get Stanley to personally deliver them?”
sadral
“Sure,” Noelle said casually. “It’s not that big a
She remembered Nicolas telling her Stanley had already made a hundred million dollars and was technically on vacation.
As a “transformer, running a few errands was nothing.
“Then its settled, Tins grinned, clearly already planning how she’d profit from this
Across the table, Harley had been silently watching the entire exchange. His brows creased. He stepped closer and pulled Noelle toward him, whispering with concern. “Noelle, don’t overpromise. Stanley’s still a public figure. If people see him delivering autographs in person, it could cause a media frenzy”
Tina turned to him with a mocking smile–three parts disdain, three parts sass, and the rest pure indifference.
Harley narrowed his eyes right back. This woman. She’s obviously trying to exploit Noelle. There’s no way I’m letting her Treat walking ATM
her like some
“You get what I mean? Harley asked, hopeful. Maybe she’d finally
lly listen to reason
Tina burst out laughing and gave her a thumbs–up. “Genius”
Harley’s face darkened immediately. He wanted nothing more than to crack open Noelle’s head and see what kind of brain let Tina have this much
I was here first, be fumed. But in her eyes, Fan not even second place!
And as if that wasn’t enough, Tina shot him a smug, taunting look—as if to say, ‘She likes me more, what are you gonna do about it?”
Harley’s hands clenched ‘Goddamn it. This woman’s dead meat.
