Chapter 121

Damon’s reaction left everyone speechless. He actually worried about Noelle; for a second, they wondered if the world was ending.

Everyone in the Anderson family knew Damon had always been loyal to Leia. Before Noelle even stepped foot in their house, he had already made it clear he wanted nothing to do with her. When she finally returned, he ignored her, mocked her, and acted like she didn’t belong. Even on the night she was being celebrated, he got into a fight with the family because of Leia.

So if anyone had asked, they would all say the same thing: Damon would never accept Noelle. No matter what, he would always side with Leia.

Yet here he was, looking completely panicked over Noelle.

Eli, still shocked from being shoved, finally snapped. His expression darkened as he stepped forward. “Damon, what the hell is wrong with you! Why did you push me?”

Damon shot him a glare. “Are you seriously asking? What’s wrong with you? Why did you smack Noelle so hard?”

Damon knew Eli was a total idiot when it came to controlling his strength. He had probably smacked Noelle right on her injury.

Had her wounds reopened? He wanted to ask, but Noelle clearly didn’t want to talk about it, and he couldn’t just bring it up in front of everyone.

Now he was just standing there, tense and pissed off, with no clue what to do.

Eli blinked, confused. “Huh? I was just excited for her, so I patted her. What’s the problem?”

“You don’t have to hit people just because you’re happy! And that wasn’t a pat, it was a damn slap,” Damon snapped.

Eli stared at him like he’d lost his mind. “Why are you making such a big deal out of this? Since when do you even care about Noelle? Haven’t you always been on Leia’s side? What’s with the sudden act? And Noelle didn’t even say anything, so why are you losing—“

“Dammit!” Damon clenched his fists, barely holding himself back from decking him.

Eli wasn’t any calmer. He had just wanted to congratulate Noelle, and now Damon was acting like he committed a crime.

Just as Damon and Eli were about to go at it again, Noelle grabbed Damon’s hand. She looked up at him with a smile. “Relax, Damon. I’m fine. But I have to admit, it’s kind of nice seeing you worry about me.”

Damon didn’t look convinced. His gaze stayed locked on her, full of concern. “Noelle, are you sure?”

She was putting on a brave face, but he wasn’t buying it. Her complexion was way too pale, and she was clearly not as okay as she claimed to be.

Eli was starting to catch on too.

Noelle had always been full of energy, but now she looked weak, almost sickly. He had been too distracted arguing with Damon to notice at first, but now that he was paying attention, it was obvious.

His brows knitted together. “Noelle, why do you look so pale? Are you feeling okay!”

Hearing that, Kimberly rushed over.

One look at Noelle, and her stomach dropped. Her daughter’s forehead was damp with sweat, her lips almost colorless. Alarmed, Kimberly took Noelle’s arm. “Sweetheart, are you not feeling well? Should I call the doctor?”

She reached out, touching Noelle’s forehead, only to find her skin ice cold.

By then, Vincent and Charlie had also gathered around, their faces full of concern.

Noelle, still trying to play it cool, gave them all a weak smile. “I’m fine! I was just out in the heat too long, then blasted the AC when I got inside. Probably just a little cold.”

“You sure?” one of them asked, eyeing her wryly.

Noelle was a great liar, and most of them seemed to believe her. But Kimberly wasn’t so easily fooled. She turned to Damon, narrowing her eyes. “Damon, is that really what happened!”

Damon clenched his jaw.

Chapter 121

Not even close. Noelle was seriously injured and needed surgery. But instead of going to the hospital, she had barely gotten her wounds cleaned. The fact that she was even upright right now was a miracle.

“Damon,” Kimberly’s voice cut through his thoughts. When he didn’t answer, she asked again, firmer this time. “Damon, Mom is talking to you?” Noelle nudged him, throwing him a quick wink, clearly telling him to just go along with it.

Damon opened his mouth, but for some reason, the words wouldn’t come out. His throat felt dry, like something was stuck there. After a brief pause, he gave a small nod. “Yeah... just like Noelle said?”

That was all Kimberly needed to hear, so she let out a relieved breath.

Then, she gave Noelle’s cheek a gentle squeeze. “You, young lady, need to take better care of yourself. You’re not a kid, but you act like one. Alright, I’ll have someone bring you some cold medicine later. Make sure you take it properly.”

“I will,” Noelle beamed, her usual bright smile in place.

Eli, who had been watching, finally relaxed. “Seriously, Noelle? You’re strong enough to beat people up, but a little cold gets you? What a joke. Hang on, I’ll grab you some medicine.”

“Thanks, Eli!” she grinned.

When Eli returned, Noelle swallowed the medicine without hesitation. Then, turning to Kimberly, she said, “Mom, I’m feeling a little tired. I think I’ll head to my room and rest for a bit.”

“Alright,” Kimberly nodded. “Get some rest. I’ll have someone wake you up for dinner.”

“Okay,” Noelle mumbled as she stood up. However, before she could take a step, Damon was suddenly beside her.

She blinked at him. “Damon…?”

Without a word, he reached out and steadied her with a firm grip. His voice was calm as he said, “I’ll help you up.”