Noah instinctively stepped back, his shoulder pressing against the nearby digital billboard.

Shock flickered through his dark eyes as he reached out to push her away, but Ella leaned in again, nibbling at his lips.

A tremor ran through Noah’s heart as he lowered his eyelashes, shock mingling with the sight of the girl’s delicate face. Her eyes were tightly shut, but her long lashes quivered.

She was nervous and scared. The moment her lips touched his, her heart ached fiercely. She truly loved him.

She yearned for more of this touch, but sadly, he could never be hers.

Her kiss was clumsy, retreating one moment and pressing harder the next. Finally, she slowly lifted her eyelids, her dazed eyes glistening with tears.d2

“Uncle Noah, I like you. But this is enough. Let’s pretend I had you just this once. When we meet again, you’ll just be my uncle and I’ll be your niece for the rest of our lives.”

After she spoke, she pushed him away forcefully, as if afraid he’d lose his temper, and then she hurried toward the security checkpoint.

Noah, coming back to his senses, could still feel the lingering warmth and softness on his lips. After the initial shock, he shoved aside the hint of longing in his heart, his brows furrowing deeply as he turned to look at the girl who had already reached the security area.

She had just passed through the manual check, grabbed her bag without looking back, and ran off.

Her figure and her actions, especially those resolute eyes and words, tightened his heart suddenly. The emotions he had been holding back these days surged once again.

He detested this persistent feeling, his face cold as he walked out of the airport terminal.

Outside, the chauffeur stood by the car, chatting with another driver. Seeing Noah, the chauffeur quickly ended the conversation and opened the car door for him.

As the chauffeur circled to the driver’s side, he bid the other driver farewell.

“I guess I’ll have an easier time without having to chauffeur him around; we should grab a beer sometime.” The other chauffeur patted the chauffeur on the shoulder, “Hit me up with a call.”

“Sure thing!” The chauffeur agreed cheerfully, smiling as he hopped into the car.

“Sir, shall we head straight to the office?”

It was still early to head to the office, and he could easily go home or leisurely enjoy a breakfast instead, but Noah simply hummed in affirmation. The chauffeur wasn’t surprised.

Noah looked unwell, his mind replaying Ella’s words and gaze at the airport, and that unexpected kiss.

“Sir, are you concerned for the young lady’s safety traveling alone?” The chauffeur hesitated before speaking. The entire Tretton family, even the whole of P City, knew how Noah doted on his niece. And Miss Ella was indeed smart and lively, endearing to all.

Noah didn’t respond, his eyes closed, his slender fingers pressing against his forehead, his ring finger brushing his lips, feeling again that tender sweetness.

Unaware of what had transpired between them, the chauffeur thought Noah was just worried about Ella’s safety. So he continued, “You don’t have to worry too much, sir. We’ve arranged bodyguards, haven’t we? If you’re really concerned, why not call Mr. Paul? I heard from his driver that he’s also heading to Western Europe.”

Noah’s fingers stiffened, and he suddenly looked up at the rearview mirror, his voice cold and ominous. “What did you say?”

The driver flinched at Noah’s tone and his intimidating look. “I just said not to worry too much.”

Noah cut him off, “Which Paul?”

“Well, Mr. Paul from the Reeves family. If I remember correctly, he’s quite close with Miss Ella.”

In a flash, Noah’s eyes flickered with numerous thoughts, and then a tide of rage surged in his chest.

She deceived him?

She wasn’t going on a trip alone. She had planned to go with Paul. They had kept their overseas trip a secret from him?!

“Turn back.”

The chauffeur’s hand trembled, “What?”

“Back to the airport!” He nearly roared those three words.

The chauffeur fell silent.

When the car continued on straight for a while longer, Noah took a deep breath, his voice now seemingly calmer than before, but even more chilling. “Didn’t you hear me say back to the airport?”

“Sir, we are on the overpass…”

A vein throbbed on Noah’s forehead.

Noah pulled out his phone and dialed Ella’s number. The call was met with a cold female voice indicating the phone was switched off.

few days, her actions at the airport today, the oversized, heavy suitcase, her demeanor with Jon, and even the looks and actions of

it was just a trip abroad for a few days. Even if she went

feeling in his chest suddenly surged, doubling in

to admit, and thought it impossible, that the unnamed emotion

dialed Paul’s number. The

brewing. He then made another call, “Delay the next flight to the Netherlands

“I believe Miss Ella’s flight might have already taken

minutes since the

he had arranged, only to find their

moment, he let out a low

tone sent a shiver

“Proceed to the office.”

The chauffeur: “Yes.”

you’re back, I’ll deal with you properly.” He murmured lowly, as if only meant for himself to

his throbbing temples, his hand clutching the

days. That was all the liberty he had given her. He’d let her gallivant abroad

even prepared himself for the possibility

chauffeur had also already given Jon the lowdown on the day’s events. From the driver’s shaky voice, Jon could imagine

delay an international flight. What was he

Noah behaved as

night, but never once mentioned to his

to dilute more than just her own feelings. Jon had a hunch that it was his seemingly indifferent son who was in

days? You shouldn’t leave all the engagement party planning to Rebecca. Women

eyelids lifted, his gaze piercing as he stared down his father before retracting his eyes just as discontent appeared on his father’s face. “Once

nobody forced you into marriage. Now, whatever’s on your mind, you must ensure

Leaning back on the couch, Noah’s gaze once again settled on his father, his

me, you ought to

Ella wants to have fun, right? After her little jaunt, she can continue to enjoy herself at the party. To

his tea nonchalantly, unfazed. “The engagement party is for your future

both a

you mean by ‘pleasing both’? What nonsense are you

Noah suddenly clench his

as he realized he’d been baited into this

Such a convoluted ruse…

weariness washing over him, and then he shut his

Jon before he

didn’t check into the hotel arranged by Noah. They bought new SIM cards and checked into

they contacted the travel agency set up by

catching on too soon. If his

her grandfather had been pressuring him at work, but she needed to keep him at

home,

was waiting, gambling. He was sure that Ella would return as promised and when she did, he wouldn’t let her off

outwardly calm as he dealt with an

Everything continued smoothly.

he arrived at

grabbed his jacket and drove straight to the airport. The return ticket he had booked for Ella was

underground parking lot all day, and as the hand struck four, he stepped out and stood at the arrivals gate, his gaze heavy

and imposing, he stood motionless,

terminal, and as the

clenched white in his pocket. He waited stubbornly

every incoming flight,

hadn’t thought or asked about anything, just gambled that Ella was merely hiding

give her a good scolding. All the suspicions that had unsettled him before were deliberately pushed aside. He believed that teaching her a lesson about deceiving him on this matter would be

deceive him again, that she didn’t have the

that moment, Noah answered, and Jon’s words were direct, “Come home. Ella

do you mean she isn’t coming back?” Noah’s voice was ice as he turned and strode towards the airport’s main

family?” His tone was heavy, resonating with an

angry voice followed, “What are

he? I’ll make the Reeves cough her up. And as for your little matchmaking plans with Ella and Paul, you can forget it. I

a deep breath, his voice raspy with exertion.

abruptly, and drove straight to the Reeves’

at the disconnected call, Jon’s face was a mask of shock. Had his son lost

The butler stood by, equally shaken

handed his phone over and, with a heavy heart, ordered, “Get the car ready. We’re heading

“Yes, sir.”

gates of the Reeves’ mansion by Jon’s arriving vehicle.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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