Chapter 14
Yvette seemed loyal and insisted on leaving with Sadie, but in truth, she was worried Sebastian’s temper
might turn on her next.
So, the two of them unhappily left the Cole residence, leaving only Noelle and Sebastian in the corner of
the hall.
Tension swirled in the air around them.
Noelle held up her gift and was the first to speak.
“Mr. Cole, these are gifts from me and my mom. Happy birthday, and thank you for helping my dad.”
It was their first proper meeting, and Noelle believed that formality and politeness were necessary.
But to Sebastian, Noelle’s courteous and distant tone felt too formal, and he didn’t like it.
Upon noticing the subtle changes in his expression, Noelle immediately wondered if she’d said something
wrong.
This was a reflex she’d honed after staying with the Ashfords for so long. Having been widowed young, Yasmine was sensitive, and an unintentional, misplaced word could easily sour her mood.
Just as Noelle was searching for a way to ease the tension, Sebastian took the gift from her like nothing had happened. Then, he took her hand and guided her toward the inner hall. “There are too many people right here. Let me take you somewhere quieter. It won’t be long.”
In the end, Noelle uneasily settled in the lounge.
She was fine with meeting Sebastian alone, but being here in the Cole residence meant his parents were around, and the both of them were known for being unpredictable.
Noelle understood that power bred temper, but the more she thought about it, the more nervous she grew.
Just then, a belated realization struck her–would the Coles see her abrupt gift as desperation to marry
Sebastian?
Sadie’s words from earlier in the yard lingered in her ears.
Infertile divorcee…
Noelle frowned.
Perhaps abruptly coming over was a mistake and an awkward burden to both families.
She figured that since the gift was delivered, perhaps she should simply inform a housekeeper and leave. However, just as she got up, a group of three people appeared at the front of the lounge and stopped her
in her tracks.
Chapter 14
2/2
An elegantly dressed lady was in the lead. Her steps quickened as she approached Noelle with a warm smile on her face. “Noelle, right? My goodness… You’ve only grown lovelier. What a little darling.”
Noelle felt an unexpected sense of friendliness in the way the lady had just called her name. Few people besides her parents talked to her with such affection, and now, being addressed as “darling” at her age. sent an embarrassed flush creeping up her neck.
The lady came up and took her arm. “Don’t just stand there. Take a seat. We’ve had so many guests today, and William and I may not have hosted you as well as we should’ve.” Then, she glanced at the middle–aged man behind her with Sebastian at his side.
The two surely were Sebastian’s parents, William Cole and Denise Blake.
Noelle hadn’t expected such warmth from them. It was a little too overwhelming, and it made her shift
uneasily.
Perhaps wearing an enthusiastic smile for a first meeting was simply the way the elite world worked.
Sebastian caught Noelle’s unease right away. So, he went over, sat beside her, and gave his parents a helpless glance. “Mom, Dad, you’re scaring Noelle.”
Noelle’s breath caught in her throat.