Chapter 281
“Noelle.”
Hearing the familiar voice behind her, Noelle turned around and smiled brightly. “Brandon! You came? She waved at him cheerfully
“Am I too late?” Brandon asked with a smile, holding a bouquet of white roses. As he approached, he handed them to her. “These are for you, Noelle. Happy 19th birthday
“Thank you, Brandon, she replied with a smile. Glancing down at the white roses, she tilted her head curiously. “Why white roses?”
“Because I think they suit you perfectly” Brandon replied, still smiling.
“Really?” Noelle didn’t have a strong preference for flowers and wasn’t sure if they suited her or not–but a gift was a gift, and Brandon’s thoughtfulness warmed her heart. She accepted them happily. “Well, I’ll take them then. Thank you, Brandon. It’s freezing out here. Let’s go inside.”
Brandon nodded. “Sure.”
Before following her in, his eyes swept to Nicolas, and although his lips curved into a smile, there was no warmth in it—just cold hostility.
“Nicolas?” she tugged on Nicolas’s hand when she noticed him frozen in place, distracted.
He blinked, snapped out of his thoughts, and met her worried gaze. Smiling gently, he said, “It’s nothing. Let’s head inside.”
No matter what Brandon was planning, Nicolas had to trust Noelle. She had promised she wouldn’t follow the lab’s orders–not against him, and not against the Anderson family. As long as she stayed true to that, Brandon’s presence meant little.
Still, to be safe, Nicolas had stationed a special ops team nearby, ready to act in case anything went wrong.
As Nicolas and Brandon flanked Noelle on either side and walked into the Anderson family’s main hall, they drew plenty of attention
Many guests already knew of Noelle through “The Legend” and as the hit songwriter behind Reyna’s iconic track The Shadows. But few realized she was actually the long–lost biological daughter of the Anderson family. This birthday party wasn’t just a celebration–it was a public acknowledgment of her identity,
As for Nicolas, once dismissed as a playboy, he was now known as the sharp businessman who single–handedly took over the Sawyer Group–a man who could turn the world upside down if he wanted to. And yet, in front of Noelle, all his edge melted away. He looked at her with nothing but warmth and devotion.
On Noelle’s other side, Brandon–though unfamiliar to most–carried an unmistakable aura of nobility and danger. His striking looks and elegant demeanor made it clear he wasn’t ordinary.
A group of well–dressed socialites gathered around Kimberly, all full of admiration.
“Mrs. Anderson, you’re truly blessed,” one of them gushed. “Such an exceptional daughter–and so many remarkable young men surrounding her. We’re all jealous!
Kimberly, practically glowing with pride, beamed as she looked at Noelle between the two men. Thank you. Honestly, it’s all Noelle. I don’t deserve the credit–she’s always been so thoughtful and kind. I’m not exaggerating when I say having Noelle as my daughter makes me prouder than anything else in this world.
The ladies exchanged glances, seeing the genuine affection in Kimberly’s expression. It was obvious–she adored Noelle, perhaps even more than she had ever adored Leia. After all, nothing compares to the bond with your own flesh and blood.
Elwhrer, Stanley had just escaped a swarm of overly friendly girls when he noticed his terrifying bass walk in. He was debating whether to go say hello when something–or someone–made his blood run cold.
Wait isn’t that the chief commander of Atoraka Nowedon Laboratory? What the hell is he doing here?
He wasn’t alone in his shock. He glanced at Elsie and saw the same panic flash across her face. She was clearly just as uneasy
“Elsie?” Adriel, standing next to her, isoticed how tense she was. Her whole bly was trembling, and her eyes were locked onto the man standing beside Noelle Frowning, he reached out to hold her hand. “What’s wrong?”
2:26
Chapter 281
Even though Elsie didn’t remember her fight with Brandon–at least not consciously–some buried instinct still screamed danger at the sight of him. She shook her head quickly and leaned closer to Adriel, whispering, “It’s nothing”
Adriel, of course, didn’t buy it. But instead of pressing her or taking her over to Noelle, he quietly led her away to a different part of the
JOGIL
Noelle, meanwhile, had brought Brandon over to introduce him to her friends,
With a bright smile, she said, “Harley, Tina, Stanley–this is Brandon, a close friend of mine.”
Brandon, polite and charming as always, greeted them with a warm smile. “Hello, I’m Brandon. Nice to meet you.”
Harley gave a polite nod. “Hi, I’m Harley. But his eyes lingered on Brandon for a moment. Seriously? Why are all the guys around Noelle this ridiculously good–looking? No wonder I never stood a chance,
Tina’s gaze flicked over Brandon with interest. This guy is drop–dead gorgeous. If he ever becomes famous, I need to get a few autographed photos while I still can!
Meanwhile, Stanley… was panicking
“Why is the high–ranking freak from the lab here?!‘
He was already trying to stay under the radar, and now Brandon was standing right in front of him, smiling like a gentleman but radiating danger.
Brandon took a leisurely glance at the three of them.
His smile was easy and refined, but in his mind, it was a different story altogether. So these are Noelle’s friends? Interesting. The bonds of friendship have already formed. Should I just kill them all now!!
And right then, Stanley felt it.
An icy chill ran down his spine. He shivered involuntarily and glanced at Brandon, who was now looking straight at him–still smiling. but it made Stanley want to cry.
I just want to go home,’ Stanley thought miserably.
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