Chapter 47

Noelle was slightly stunned when Cedric said her hands weren’t meant for cooking. She’d thought he’d be happy she could cook.

Cedric stood calmly, saying, “You don’t need to do such things to please me.”

A heavy, suffocating feeling filled Noelle’s heart. She’d acted on instinct, wanting to do something for him, but he seemed to see right through her.

She tucked her hair behind her ear awkwardly and said, “Alright then.”

“A housekeeper will drop by to make us some food,” Cedric said.

Noelle didn’t insist, secretly glancing at Cedric. He seemed amazing, reminding her of a man she’d had a crush on in her previous life. That man had also tried to make her see how poorly her brothers treated her. She’d refused to accept the truth, leading to her tragic demise.

Cedric’s way of speaking was similar to that man, making her wonder if he was the same person. A dilemma arose. If only she’d met him face-to-face in her last life, she’d recognize him now.

Soon, a housekeeper arrived, quickly preparing a table full of food. Noelle drooled, realizing the table held her favorite dishes: spicy marinara chicken and grilled beef.

She lowered her head and ate earnestly.

Cedric watched her eat and asked, “Did you not have these dishes while living with your family?”

Noelle paused. “Xenia doesn’t have the best health, so she can’t eat spicy food. That’s why meals at home are always bland.” She rarely ate what she liked.

Cedric’s Adam’s apple bobbed, a dull ache in his chest constricting his breathing. Noelle, a wealthy socialite, lived worse than an ordinary girl. He should have looked for her sooner.

Noelle was stuffed after finishing. She wiped her mouth and glanced at Cedric, who sat eating elegantly and gracefully. She froze, realizing how different their eating styles were. The stark contrast stunned her. How could someone look so good while eating?

Cedric leisurely set down his cutlery. “Are you done staring?”

Noelle quickly collected her gaze. “How would you know I was looking at you if you weren’t looking at me?”

After their meal, Noelle went to her study to work on homework. Cedric sat in the living room before heading to the balcony to make a call. He placed his hand on the railing. “Go find out who confessed to Noelle this afternoon at her school gates.”

“Ced, someone confessed? Isn’t that good?” Alfred asked.

Cedric’s voice was cold. “He’s from the private school next to hers. He’s famous for his looks and comes from Yasnia.”

Alfred replied, “Oh, him. You don’t need to look into it. I know who he is. He’s Justin Parham, one of my cousins. He caused a commotion in Yasnia, forcing him to transfer here.”

Cedric was annoyed. “Warn your family to stop bothering Noelle.”

“Really that protective? Everyone has youthful moments. She’ll be in college soon and will eventually have a boyfriend.”

“Shut up. She can’t afford to be distracted right now.”

Cedric glanced toward the study, seeing Noelle studying diligently.

Alfred said, “Fine. I’ll talk to my uncle. But Ced, aren’t you being overbearing? What if she actually likes Justin? That guy has a face girls swoon over, and he definitely knows how to charm them. Maybe Noelle has feelings for him too.”

Cedric’s voice was filled with annoyance. “If your intelligence matched your ability to run your mouth, your mother would feel much more assured.”

Alfred exclaimed, “Damn, Ced. No need to get so mad! Don’t forget you’re an engaged man. Remember who you had dinner with yesterday.”

“My private matters are none of your business,” Cedric said, ending the call.

He paused before heading into the study, glancing at her homework. “You’re a bit slow. Can’t you even solve this?”

“Well, I’m trying,” Noelle said. Her stomach felt uncomfortable, making it harder to focus.

Chapter 48