When Christian set his sights on someone, they had no chance of escaping.Noelle's face turned an even deeper shade of red. "Everyone's being too kind. Mr. Blackwood and I are just friends."She might see Christian as just a friend, but everyone else in the room knew better.Christian definitely didn't see her that way, so someone chimed in, "No need to be shy. Mr. Blackwood clearly holds you in the highest regard."Noelle felt even more flustered.Dinner was served in the private room, with Christian treating everyone.He spared no expense, ordering the most expensive dishes and bottles of wine that cost hundred of thousand each.Christian sat next to hers, and throughout the meals, his arm would occasionally drape over the back of her chair, almost as if he were holding her.Noelle spent the entire dinner feeling like she was under a spotlight.After dinner, someone suggested playing poker.Noelle had watched others play but had never played herself.Still, she volunteered
Quentin's tall frame swayed as he leaned against the stair railing for support.It took him a long moment to calm the storm raging in his chest.Finally, he composed himself and walked over to the two of them."In broad daylight, have you no shame?"Noelle froze at the sound of that familiar voice, her spine going rigid.She looked up, meeting Quentin's cold, piercing gaze.Christian carefully set Noelle down, his tall figure shielding her from Quentin's intense stare.His expression turned cold as he faced Quentin. "Mr. Lowe, what a coincidence. You weren't watching us the whole time, were you?"Quentin's dark eyes gleamed with frost. "Mr. Blackwood, you do think highly of yourself."As he spoke, his gaze never wavered, fixed on Noelle, who was partially hidden behind Christian's broad shouldersChristian raised an eyebrow, glancing back slightly. "Babe, it looks like Mr. Lowe's eyes have been on you."By this point, Noelle's initial tension had slowly dissipated into indif
Christian's lips curled into a smirk, a playful glint in his eyes. "Want me to carry you?"Noelle pressed her lips together. "I'm not crippled, you know."Just then, a luxury car drove by and stopped next to them."What are you two doing out here?" came a voice from the passenger seat as the window rolled down.Christian glanced over at Danny. "None of your business. Keep driving."Danny Tillery had left the party early due to some family matters.His sister, Adele, was in the back seat.She glanced at Christian, then at Noelle, her lips pressed into a thin line.Danny's car drove off, and Christian moved over to Noelle, a mischievous glint in his eyes.He bent slightly and, without warning, scooped her up into his arms.Noelle's heart skipped a beat, and her hands instinctively grabbed his shirt. "Christian, what are you doing? Put me down!"She couldn't understand why he was so fond of picking her up like this. She was a person, after all, but in his arms, she felt as ligh
Noelle didn't have time to dwell on what Adele's comments meant—she was busy. Before she knew it, it was noon, and Christian had sent flowers again.This time, the bouquet was even more creative—roses with several pens tucked among them.It didn't take long before all the pens were gone, each one claimed by someone.The doctors were more excited about the pens than anything else.Sarah sighed, "I'm so jealous. When will someone chase after me like this?"The male doctor with glasses nearby joked, "I'll chase you!"Sarah shot back, "Yeah, right. I don't want your wife to kill me!"Everyone around them burst into laughter.The male doctor chuckled too. "Just kidding!"Noelle sent a WhatsApp message to Christian. "Stop sending me things. If you've got money to spend, why not use it to improve the meals at the orphanage?"After sending the message, Noelle went back to her work.Meanwhile, at a high-level meeting, Christian heard the buzz of his WhatsApp notification.He glanced
Noelle paused."And how do you feel about it?" she asked.Madison gave a smile, taking her time with her meal. "How could that happen? He doesn't love me."As they talked, the gentle notes of a piano filled the air.A young man was seated at the piano not far away, playing "Melody for Elise" with elegance.Madison's gaze drifted toward him, her expression becoming almost trance-like.Madison, being a piano teacher, often paid extra attention when she heard someone playing well.Noelle didn't think much of it and excused herself to the restroom.At a nearby table, Chance had just sat down with a friend when he noticed that familiar profile.Madison was quietly watching the pianist, her gaze deep and distant as if she were drawn to the young man at the piano—or perhaps looking through him, seeing something or someone invisible to everyone else.There was a sadness in her eyes.Chance frowned.What was she looking at?When the song ended and the pianist stood up to leave, Mad
Quentin's pale lips curved into a faint smile. "If I said I'd willingly give my life for you, would you believe me?"His dark eyes gazed at Noelle, filled with emotions too complex to put into words.Noelle didn't respond.What would she do with his life?Meanwhile, after leaving the dinner, Christian received an update from Julian about the incident at Skyline Dine.Christian's long, defined fingers tightened around his glass, and a dark, menacing look crossed his handsome face."Bring me the manager, the installer, and the supplier!"Julian immediately followed his instructions.Before long, the men were brought in, already trembling with fear once they realized who had been nearly injured by that chandelier.They hadn't expected to face such a powerful and terrifying figure.Christian kicked each of them once.Julian was convinced that if Franconia wasn't so far away, Christian would've dragged the manufacturer over to kick him too.After all, their chandelier had nearly
"Where did you get burned? Let me see!"Noelle's expression was full of concern as she grabbed Christian's hand, wanting to check his injuries.Christian waved it off. "It's nothing, Babe. It'll be fine in a bit."Noelle noticed a few small red spots on his pale hand, likely from the burn.But if she'd looked a moment later, she probably wouldn’t have even seen those.Noelle felt a twinge of irritation—she had worked hard on that handmade pasta!Christian looked genuinely apologetic. "What should we do, Babe? You spent all that time making it."Noelle frowned. "As long as you're okay. It's just a bowl of homemade pasta."Well, maybe Quentin wasn't meant to eat it.Quentin, lying in bed, nearly jumped up in anger when the pasta spilled on the floor, but he held himself back.He sneered, "I've heard of women being two-faced, but I didn't know men could be just as bad! Noelle, can't you see he did that on purpose?"Noelle just raised an eyebrow and shot back at Quentin. "Mr. Lo
Noelle wasn't naive—she could easily see through Christian's little tricks.Christian felt guilty, truly guilty, but the idea of Quentin eating her homemade pasta didn't sit right with him. That would have been too much of a reward."Then how about you slap me?" he suggested, grabbing her hand and trying to guide it towards his face.Noelle pulled her hand back, feeling exasperated. "Just go home, Mr. Blackwood! Don't you have work in the morning?"It was nearly midnight.Christian replied, "I do, but work isn't as important as chasing my girlfriend!"He stepped closer, pulling her toward him by the arm, his glassy eyes locking onto hers. "Tell me when you're leaving. I won't go until you do."At that moment, Christian's usual laid-back demeanor gave way to something sharper, a subtle but undeniable aura of authority and determination.Noelle's breath hitched slightly. "I'll leave after I get him something to eat."Christian released her.Back outside the restaurant, Christia