Chapter 270 Chapter 270 The moment Noelle responded , Bennetts expression shifted .
He stared at her pale face and opened his mouth to speak .
Noelle , you a warm smile , But before he could finish, Brandon had already stepped forward and wrapped his arm around Noelles shoulders .
With a w he said .
Thats more like it .
I knew you were the best .
Noelle said nothing In front of Brandon , she didnt really have a say in anything .
Whether she could or couldnt he always had the final word .
That afternoon , the second round of endurance testing began ..
Compared to the morning session , this one required Noelle to push 45 minutes beyond the previous limit .
When the researchers heard the news , they were shocked and pulled Bennett aside .
Bennett , is Noelle really going to do another round today ? And for even longer ? Isnt that pushing her too hard ? Bennetts face was grim .
He didnt answer .
When he first learned of Brandons request for another test , his instinct had been to go straight to the institute director and protest .
After all , as Noelles brother and a lead researcher , he had some pull around here .
But the directors response was clear for the sake of scientific progress and the future of humanity , some sacrifices were necessary .
And now that it had come to light that Noelle was a product of a human experimentation lab with physical capabilities far exceeding a normal person her involvement in the project was seen as a once in a lifetime breakthrough .
The director had been under pressure from higher ups for lack of progress . Noelles arrival had solved everything .
So even knowing the risk , he still backed Brandons decision .
Bennett had also received a chilling warning : if he couldnt accept this direction , he was free to walk away .
And if he dared leak anything to the outside world ... hed be silenced before he ever had the chance .
With even the director siding with Brandon , Bennett had no choice but to fall in line .
Sull , he walked over to Brandon and eyed him coldly .
Half joking , he said , Forty five extra minutes ? Are you sure this isnt an attempt on Noelles life ? Brandon shot him a glance , lips curling into a smile .
Mr.
Anderson , you must be joking .
How could I ever hurt Noelle ? Brandon met his gaze , looking surprisingly innocent .
I dont expect you to believe me , but Noelle is more important to me than myself .
Bendes , you dont have to worry so much shes stronger than you think .
Shes a miracle , really Then his eyes fell to the girl strapped into the test chair below , gleaming with something dangerous an obsession that burned just beneath the surface .
Just watch Shell pass this test flawlessly Bennett caught that look- wild , fervent , almost unhinged and for the first time , he felt a chill .
There was love in Brandons eyes ... but it was terrifying ( the end , Brandon Norte stod through and completed the extended session .
rond the announcement came through the test was complete , she collapsed , crumpling to the floor , too weak to move Noelle Bennett rushed from the observation deck in a panic .
Brandon , however , stayed calon Ite walked up to the intercon pressed the button , and asked , Noelle , can you hear me ? Her body barely stirred , but she turned her head toward the voice and , barely conscious , whispered , Brandon ... .
? 2:24 PM c c · Chapter 270 You did it , Brandon said , smiling .
You were amazing .
At this rate , in less than a week , we can begin the full memory read write testing .
Congratulations .
Noelle .
Noelle , however , couldnt find it in herself to feel proud .
Her entire body was in agony .
Her head throbbed so violently she thought it might split open .
And knowing this was only the beginning that it would get even worse made her want to give up entirely .
Maybe that was fine .
After all , she was just a tool .
Brandon told her to endure , and so she would .
Noelle closed her eyes , letting the darkness take over .
Meanwhile , back in Reniam City , Nicolas returned and went straight to the research institute to find N Noelle .
She hadnt answered his calls , and his team reported she hadnt left the facility .
That alone gave him a terrible feeling Every time she got involved with these labs , it ended badly .
As soon as the car pulled up outside the institute , he stepped out and saw a petite girl being helped toward the exit by a tall man .
The girl was Noelle .
And the man , Nicolas guessed , had to be Brandon .
Noelle ! he called out .
Though her mind was foggy and her body weak , the second she heard his voice , her head snapped up . Nicolas? she breathed , not trusting her ears .
But when her eyes met his , everything inside her crumbled .
Every ounce of pain and misery came flooding out at once .
Without another thought , she tore herself away from Brandon and stumbled toward the gates .
Nicolas ! Nicolas ! Nicolas ! The gate was tall and heavy , but she didnt care .
With one leap , she cleared it and landed unsteadily on the other side .
Nicolas was already there , catching her in his arms .
Noelle , he murmured , pulling her close as she buried her face in his chest , trembling and clinging to him like her life depended on it , He didnt know what she had been through but the way she clung to him made it clear ; she was hurting .
Tve got you , sweetheart .
Youre safe now .
Im here .
He gently rubbed her back , whispering soft reassurances , not daring to make a sound louder than a breath Back at the gate , Brandon stood silently , watching the scene unfold .
He saw everything the way she ran to Nicolas , the way her eyes lit up , how she seemed to find strength again just from being near him .
She had forgotten about him entirely Brandons gaze darkened .
So thats how it is .
Noelle .
He loved her o someone els Braculous sonide slowly faded , replaced by an icy stillness .
Nurtle he thought , youve made me angry .
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