Chapter 271 Chapter 271 Nestled in Nicolas arms , Noelle suddenly felt an intense gaze pierce through her .
She shuddered , then turned around to look .
Brandon stood just on the other side of the institute gates .
He wore his usual elegant smile , perfectly composed but in his calm eyes , Noelle caught a glimpse of something far more dangerous lurking beneath the surface .
She hadnt even said goodbye .
She had just ... run .
Instinctively , she stepped in front of Nicolas , as if to shield him , her voice trembling as she called out , Brandon ... Before she could say anything more , Nicolas gently took her hand .
Huh ? Noelle blinked .
Nicolas stepped up beside her , no longer behind her but standing shoulder to shoulder .
With a polite smile , as if unaware of any tension , he looked Brandon in the eye and asked Noelle .
Is this your friend ? JUh ... yeah ... Noelle stammered .
Brandon was still technically her friend ... right ? But now they were face to face Brandon and Nicolas .
Was that really a good idea ! The institute gates creaked open .
Brandon walked through slowly , with calm , deliberate steps .
He had reined in his aura , adopting a courteous air , and extended a hand .
with a smile .
Nice to meet you .
Im Brandon , a friend of Noelles .
Nicolas returned the smile just as calmly .
Pleasure .
Im Nicolas Noelles partner .
That line made Brandons eye twitch ever so slightly .
Noelles partner ? What a bold claim .
Nicolas had seen it in an instant Brandon had feelings for his girl . So , of course , he chose that moment to make things crystal clear .
And judging by the sudden shift in Brandons expression , the hit landed right on target .
Nicolas smirked inwardly .
So thats all it takes to shake him ? The two men locked eyes calm on the surface , but sharp tension crackled in theair between them .
Even Noelle , usually oblivious to these things , could tell they were at odds .
Nicolas she whispered , tugging gently at his sleeve .
She didnt want them to fight .
Nicolas glanced down at her .
In her bright , innoceat eyes , now clouded with unease , he could see it she was afraid of this man .
Sacolas eyes narrowed .
Hu fearless , firecracker of a girl actually afraid of someone ! Father Brandon was stronger than her Or he had a way of controlling her .
no point pushing this further .
sied again and gendy asked .
Noelle , are you done for the day ? tring late let a go home He spurrand for hand .
2:25 PM c d Chapter 271 Okay ... Noelle murmured , casting a hesitant glance at Brandon .
Waiting for his approval .
Brandon didnt make things difficult .
He smiled and said , It is getting late .
Go on home , Noelle .
Mr.
Sawyer .
Okay ! she said quickly , grabbing Nicolas hand like a lifeline .
Lets go .
Mm Nicolas pulled her close and walked away with her in his arms .
Even as the car drove off , Brandons eyes didnt leave its trail .
Hands in his pockets , posture relaxed and poised , he stood silently under the night sky his smile unreadable , somewhere between amusement and rage .
One more week .
In one week , Noelle would be ready for the full memory read write test .
After that , none of this would matter .
But then ....
her birthday was coming up .
The Anderson family would definitely throw her a party .
And Nicolas would be there .
Wouldnt it be fun , Brandon thought , to turn that into a blood soaked celebration ! He could already picture it : the shock on the Anderson familys faces , the devastation in Nicolas eyes .
Brandon laughed aloud , delighted by the vision .
He really couldnt wait for Noelles 19th birthday .
Nicolas held her close , heart aching as he looked at her completely drained , so unlike her usual lively self .
Tired ? he asked softly .
Mm , she hummed , too worn out to lift her head .
So tired Then stop going to Bennetts lab , Nicolas said gently .
Hed noticed it too every time she came back , she was exhausted .
The girl who used to light up at the mention of food could barely eat now .
Even her appetite was disappearing .
That wasnt a good sign .
â cant Noelle murmured , shaking her head .
Why not ? he asked .
But she didnt answer .
Nicolas jaw tightened .
Was it really that she couldnt say no not even to Bennett ? Then be thought of Brandon Noelle had flinched at the mere sound of his voice , thought of training him dropped what happens when the lab gives the under Will she really Just because they told her to the twound painfully an has go 225 PM Ä Ä Â· Chapter 271 Noelle ? she called his name softly , sensing his shift in mood . He turned to her , brow still furrowed .
She reached up with a shaky hand and gently smoothed his creased forehead .
Dont frown , Nicolas .
Youre not handsome when you frown .
You have to smile ..
you look better that way .
And just like that , she smiled at him so brightly it almost hurt to look at .
Nicolas stared down at her .
She was exhausted .
Her eyes were dull .
Her body was shaking .
And yet she still tried to make him feel better .
Idiot , he thought , why do I love you so much ? There was no way a girl like this this sunshine in human form could kill him over a command .
A tool ? No.
She wasnt a tool .
She was Noelle .
And she was his .
Suddenly , a thought struck him sharp and terrifying .
He had to know .
Nicolas tightened his arms around her , looked deep into her eyes , and said quietly , Noelle .
I need to ask you something .
Think carefully before you answer .
Okay , she nodded sleepily , resting her head bAsk away ack on his chest .
Nicolas exhaled slowly , then asked , very clearly .
If someone told you to kill me ... would you do it ? ff