Chapter 16 Chapter 16 Ti Noelle blinked and saw the furious Eli standing in her room.
Beside him was Leia, who appeared concerned, though her eyes betrayed a gleam of sening satisfaction. Leia was secretly thrilled.
She thought staying up all night with Eli had been worth it.
Last night, unable to sleep after siewing over Noelles recording, Leia had gone to the balcony for sair.
That was when she spotted a small figure sneaking out through the back door of the villa.
It was Noelle.
Drias heart leaped.
That shameless Noelle ! She speaks out in the dead of night.
If Mom, Dad, and the brothers find out, theyll definitely think shes up to no good and hate her even more, she thought But after weigh after weighing her options, Leia decided to tell only Eli After the recording incident, dragging the rest of the family into this would seem petty.
But Eli was openly biased against Noelle .
Telling him alone was perfect it made Leia look considerate for not spreading the news while turning Eli against Noelle.
A win win Now, Leia was eagerly waiting to see how Noelle would explain speaking out at 10 p.m.
and returning at 5 am But to Leias disappointment, Noelles face showed neither guilt nor panic.
Instead, Noelle blinked her wide eyes innocently and asked.
Eli Leia, why are you in my room without permission! Thats not very polite, you Eli, already furious, nearly exploded.
Noelles calmness and deflection only his anger.
Cut the crap! he growled, striding toward her.
His towering frcast a shadow over her small figure.
What were you doing out in the middle of the night? Dont you realize youre an Anderson heiress now? Everything you do represents the family! Do you want everyone to despise you even more than they already do by acting recklessly like this? he asked.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtLeia stepped forward, and her voice was soft and seemingly concerned.
Eli, dont be so hard on Noelle.
Im sure she had a reason for going out late.
Maybe she just wanted to catch up with sold friends.
Old friends! Elis glare intensified.
What kind of friends meet up in the middle of the night and cback just before dawn? Leias words only poured fuel on the fire.
Turning back to Noelle.
Eli barked, Explain yourself! Where were you I were you last night? Who did you meet? His anger wasnt unfounded.
Noelle already had a shaky reputation with the family.
Instead of trying to improve it, shed snuck out without a word, returning just before sunrise.
Fortunately, Leia had discovered this in tand informed Eli first.
If anyone else in the family had caught wind of Noelles late night escape, shed surely be kicked out.
Noelle looked at the furious Eli and the concerned Leia, thinking.
Wow, Nick was spot on.
The Andersons really would flip if they knew I snuck Noelle, are you are you mute ? Eli snapped, his frustration n mounting.
Noelles silence only deepened his suspicions.
His mind began to wander as he wondered if Noelle had really been sneaking around with sm behind their backs Leia tried her best to keep a straight face, but the corners of her Ther mouth twitched with satisfaction.
e put on a pained expression and said, Noelle, did you really do something reckless out there! I get th now that youre back with the Anderson family, you cant just act however you want, okay? 1 wasnt fooling around, Noelle shot back, her tone steady as she met Leias gaze.
in that your past environment wasnt great, but Really! Leias voice was alry, her disbelief thinly veiled.
Then what exactly were you doing out all night? She couldnt imagine any legitimate reason for Noell Noelle sneaking out like that.
Without hesitation, Noelle reached into her pocket, pulled something out, and handed it to Leia .
1/2 to Leia.
Here, this is for you DreRead Bounce 9:25 AM c Chapter 16 Huh? Leia blinked, caught off guard.
She opened her hand to find an amulet resting in her palm I heard the amulets from Saint Margarets Church on the outskirts of Reniam City are supposed to be really effective, Noelle said matter of factly.
Youve been in poor health, Leia, so I thought Id get one for you to pray for a quick recovery. Leias expression froze.
She went out in the middle of the night for me? she wondered Ell standing nearby, looked equally shocked.
He frowned at Noelle.
Wait, are you saying you went out last night just to pray and get an amulet for Leia huh? Thats right. Noelle nodded firmly In reality, the amulet had been prepared in advance by Nicolas, whod anticipated the Anderson familys reaction.
He had insisted on having at backup plan just in case they noticed Noelles late return.
Noelle recited the explanation Nicolas had coached her on, I heard that getting an amulet there early in the morning shows the most sincerity.
But by the tI got it, there werent any taxis around, so I had to walk a long way through the mountains. Thats why I got back so late.
Nicolas had instructed Noelle to make herself sound as pitiful as possible to gain sympathy.
Sure enough, her words had the desired effect .
Elis stem expression softened, his anger giving way to guilt.
Are you out of your mind! he scolded, his voice thick with concern.
Why didnt you just tell me? Why sneak off alone like that? This reaction was exactly as Nicolas had predicted.
Noelle blinked, her face the picture of innocence As if delivering a well rehearsed line, she said.
Everyones so busy during the day.
I didnt want to bother anyone.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
Since I have nothing to do, I thought I m could handle it myself Elis chest eT tightened at her response. He stared at her, his throat constricting as a lump of emotion formed.
His lips pressed into a thin line before he reached out and roughly ruffled her hair.
What kind of nonsense is that ? he muttered.
His eyes reddened, and his voice grew hoarse.
Im your brother.
Letknow if you need anything.
What if something had happened to you out there! Do you know hown that wouldve caused us much trouble that wouldve ?Tim sorry, Eli, Noelle said softly, her tone obedient. Ill tell you next time, I promise.
Hmph.
Youd better.
With that, Elis frustration completely dissipated.
After a pause, he glanced at Leia, who was still reeling from shock.
Leia, Noelle went out to pray a and get an amulet for you.
She meant well, but if anyo anyone else finds out, they might not understand.
Lets keep this between us to avoid any unnecessary , okay?m Leias face burned with frustration, though she tried to hide it. What should have been a great opportunity to get r turned around by her .
rid of Noelle had somehow been Now, Eli wants to keep this quiet, she thought.
If I spill the truth, he might distance himself from me.
Damn it.
If I had known it would turn out like this, I should have just told everyone in the morning.
This whole night was a wastef