Noelle's heart pounded. "Isn't Alfred coming back?" she asked, glancing at the single other bedroom – a disaster zone.

Cedric smirked. "His room's a wreck. Trust me, you don't want that."

"I'll sleep on the couch," Noelle offered.

"Take my room," Cedric insisted. "I've got work. Won't be sleeping." His tone was even, but a flicker of something else crossed his face, quickly masked.

Noelle retrieved a change of clothes from her apartment. Returning, she felt strangely safe seeing him waiting. Cedric's room was surprisingly tidy. He produced a fresh blanket. "Here."

"Thank you," she murmured.

He left, but she saw his silhouette in the doorway. "Rest. Call if you need anything," he said, his gaze unreadable, then closed the door.

The room was simple, clean—not the bachelor pad she'd imagined. After showering, she snuggled into the bed. A faint, familiar scent, like Cedric himself, clung to the blanket, sending a surprising warmth through her. She blushed, shook her head, and finally drifted off.

Meanwhile, Cedric, in his study, switched on his computer. His voice turned icy. "Found the creep, Peter Todd?"

Alfred’s voice crackled through. "Yeah. Lives in our building! Stealing underwear, spying with a telescope!"

Cedric’s face hardened. "What floor?"

"Sent you the address. Kick his ass for me!"

Cedric shut down the computer, sent a message, and paused outside Noelle’s door before leaving. In the hallway, men in black—gloves, caps, masks—waited silently. Cedric led them to the elevator.

They reached Peter's floor. A key card opened the door. Faint moaning came from the study. They found Peter watching adult content.

He froze, staring at the intruders. "W-Who are you?" he stammered.

Cedric raised a hand. The men moved. Cedric stepped onto the balcony, gazing at the stars, his lips curled in disdain.

The study door opened. Peter knelt, battered and trembling. "P-Please, sir! I don't know what I did!"

Cedric loomed over him. Peter was drenched in sweat. Cedric slapped him with a glove. "What's the matter? Didn't you just claim you were keeping a young female student as a mistress? Memory lapse?" He'd already learned what Noelle had carefully omitted.