Chapter 489

Chapter 489:

Sadie, feeling a sudden unease, instinctively took a step back, trying to create some distance. But Noah moved forward, closing the gap in an instant. The faint scent of his cologne—warm, deep, unmistakably his—drifted toward her, wrapping around her senses. Her pulse quickened.

Sadie steadied herself, meeting Noah’s gaze head-on, though a flicker of wariness lingered in her eyes. “Is there something else you want to talk about?”

Noah studied her for a moment, then let a slow, knowing smile tug at the corners of his lips. “Well, I’m sure you haven’t forgotten what Averi said.”

Sadie felt warmth creep up her neck. Of course. She should have known Noah wouldn’t let this go so easily.

“And how exactly would you like me to thank you, Mr. Wall?” Taking a measured breath, she lifted her chin slightly, forcing herself to hold her ground.

Noah’s gaze flickered—just for a moment—before a trace of admiration passed through his eyes.

“Shouldn’t you be the one deciding that?” His voice was low, husky, edged with playful teasing.

Then, he stepped closer. The space between them disappeared in an instant, and suddenly, Sadie was hyper-aware of the warmth radiating from his body, the quiet intensity in his gaze, the way the air between them seemed to shift. Her heart pounded even faster.

The logical part of her brain told her to move, to step back. But she didn’t. Instead, she forced herself to remain still, to appear unfazed—even as her breath grew unsteady.

“What happened that night… I’m willing to move past it. Let’s just pretend it never happened.”

She turned her head away, refusing to meet Noah’s gaze, as if this would make the conversation easier. Noah’s expression darkened. He knew exactly what she was referring to.

“Move past it?” His voice, once teasing and controlled, turned cold. “Sadie, do you really think you can just erase something like that from your heart?”

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Sadie’s breath caught in her throat. Why was he reacting like this? Shouldn’t he be relieved that she was willing to let it go? To not dwell on the past?

Then—an unexpected voice drew their attention away from their conversation.

“Mrs. Wall, Mr. Wall… dinner is ready!”

At the door of the dining room, a maid spoke, her posture stiff, clearly uncertain whether she had chosen the worst possible time to speak. Perhaps she had, indeed, interrupted something she shouldn’t have.

Sadie grasped the moment as though her life depended on it, quickly responding, “Alright. We’ll be there right away.” She pushed Noah away forcefully and rushed out of the living room, unable to endure another second. Noah watched her depart; the smile on his lips slowly vanished. His expression turned dark and unreadable.

At the dining table, a heavy silence hung between Sadie and Noah. Averi had finished his meal and retreated upstairs, leaving them alone. Sadie ate in silence, her gaze fixed on her plate, lacking the courage to meet Noah’s eyes. Her heart raced uncontrollably, and she struggled to find calm. Noah remained silent as well. He simply stared at Sadie, his piercing gaze unsettling her.

“I’m done eating, Mr. Wall,” Sadie announced, placing her fork down and standing to leave. She was eager to escape Noah’s presence.

“Hold on, Sadie,” Noah called out, halting her. She paused, turning slowly to face him, her expression one of confusion and apprehension. She wondered what he could possibly want now.

Noah retrieved a white envelope from his suit jacket and presented it to her.

“What’s this?” Sadie asked, eyeing the envelope with suspicion. The plain, unmarked envelope offered no hints of its contents. Noah remained silent, merely holding the envelope closer to her. His inscrutable gaze revealed nothing.

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