Chapter 332

Edward opened the passenger door for Katrina, gesturing for her to get in.

Just as Katrina was about to climb in, Noah stepped forward and pulled her back, guiding her into the rear seat instead. He slid in beside her, blocking her from the outside, and shut the door.

All in one smooth motion.

Edward stood there awkwardly, his hand still holding the door open.

"Sorry about that, Instructor Edward. My bodyguard takes his job very seriously..." Katrina wished the ground would swallow her whole. She secretly pinched Noah hard.

Edward gave a good-natured laugh and closed the door before getting in. "No worries. It's good, actually. Let's get going."

The atmosphere in the car grew tense.

To ease the awkwardness, Katrina asked Edward what training everyone had been doing lately, worried she might not be able to keep up.

"We've been doing mostly physical conditioning these past few days, along with some basic self-defense techniques. Nothing too difficult. Ms. Fontaine, you're so smart—I'm sure you'll have no trouble keeping up. Don't worry." Edward glanced at Katrina in the rearview mirror, his smile warm.

When he smiled, shallow dimples appeared on both cheeks.

Warmth spread through Katrina's chest. "Thank you. That makes me feel better."

Before she could finish speaking, someone grabbed her hand, holding it firmly in place.

Katrina's smile froze. She pinched the back of Noah's hand with her free hand.

What was he doing? They were just having a conversation. Was this really necessary?

She should never have brought this jealous fool along.

Half an hour later, they arrived at the hotel. Edward even offered to arrange accommodations for Noah.

Noah said he'd just stay in Katrina's suite—there were two bedrooms anyway, which would let him protect her more closely.

Edward's gaze shifted uncertainly to Katrina.

"Uh... he can stay with me. Actually, he's my cousin. We've known each other since we were kids. It's fine." Forced into a corner, Katrina had no choice but to lie.

Edward studied them both for a moment, clearly skeptical, but ultimately chose to respect her decision.

Before leaving, he had food delivered to her room and reminded her not to forget to report in the next morning. Katrina thanked him repeatedly and walked him out.

When she returned, Noah sat on the sofa, glaring at the food on the table as if he wanted to throw the whole spread out the window.

Katrina's anger, which she'd been holding back the entire ride, finally exploded. She grabbed his ear.

"What exactly do you think you're doing? You promised not to interfere with my work. I can't believe you. He's just my instructor, and you have to pick a fight with him? What's your problem?"

Noah let her twist his ear without resistance, muttering sullenly, "I have to be on guard against any man who gets close to you."

Good thing he'd come along. If just one instructor treated her this well, what about the other colleagues or guests?

"You—don't cause me any more trouble. If something like today happens again, you're going back to Kingyard City!" Katrina glared at him in exasperation. She meant it this time.

Noah fell silent, though it was obvious he wasn't convinced. He simply didn't dare talk back under the weight of her authority.

"All right, all right. Let's eat. I'm starving." Katrina reached for the food containers on the table.

Noah batted her hand away, a hint of disdain in his voice. "I'll do it."

Katrina was truly speechless.

Halfway through their meal, someone knocked on the door. Katrina peered through the peephole and saw Helena and Sierra.

Sierra was also an actress, strikingly beautiful in an aggressive way.

Her outspoken personality had gotten her labeled as "tactless and airheaded" by rival camps, leaving her without work for quite some time.

Katrina had heard, though, that Sierra came from money—which was probably the main reason she could participate in this reality show.

What surprised Katrina was that in just a few short days, Sierra had already gotten chummy with Helena.

Katrina didn't want to let them in, but they were already here. She couldn't just shut the door in their faces.

She gave Noah a look, signaling him to wait in the bedroom until she got rid of these two.

Katrina opened the door. Helena plastered on a bright smile. "Katy, Sierra and I heard you were back. We wanted to check on you."

So familiar already.

Katrina smiled without warmth. "Is there something you need?"

"Katy, I've always admired you. I want to be friends. Actually, I only signed up for this show because I heard you'd be on it. I brought you some snacks—tasty but low-calorie." Sierra produced a bag from behind her back like a magician, stuffed full of colorful treats.

Katrina's head throbbed.

What were they playing at?

"You don't have to—"

"Don't have to what? Let's eat together! You're training with us tomorrow. Don't you want to know what we've been doing? What you should watch out for?" Before Katrina could refuse, Sierra squeezed past her into the room.

Helena followed suit. She was sharper than Sierra, immediately noticing the two sets of utensils on the dining table.

Her eyes gleamed as she scanned the bedroom. "Katy, do you have someone else here?"

Hearing that made Katrina's skin crawl. She didn't bother responding.

Sierra, however, came over to inspect the food on the table. "Hey, this looks like what Instructor Edward just went out to buy. I saw him getting it. I didn't realize it was for Katy. Wow, could he have a thing for you? Why else would he be so attentive?" Sierra gave a knowing smile, her expression loaded with innuendo.

"He was just being nice." Katrina's voice turned deliberately cold and distant.

If Noah heard what Sierra just said, she'd have to waste energy explaining herself again.

These two must have come here just to annoy her. What lunatics.

"No, no, Katy, you don't know. I accidentally saw once that Instructor Edward's phone chat background is your photo. I was shocked. Who would've thought such a cool guy was actually a celebrity fan!" Sierra kept piling it on, her voice loud and grating.

Katrina's smile cracked.

She didn't respond. The room temperature seemed to drop.

Sierra acted as if she hadn't noticed anything wrong, babbling on like she'd discovered some earth-shattering gossip.

Finally, Helena tugged at her sleeve, signaling her to stop. Only then did she drop the subject.

"Uh... I think I talked too much. Sorry, Katy. I didn't mean anything by it. I just wanted to..." She just wanted to use it as a conversation starter to get closer. She hadn't meant to overstep.

"It's fine. I'm tired. If you don't have anything else, please head back." Katrina's tone was flat.

Sierra looked embarrassed, glancing at Helena. The latter, however, dropped a bombshell:

"Katy, don't let the online stuff bother you. He's just a man. If you want, you can replace him with someone better anytime."