Chapter 134

Meanwhile, Noelle and El returned home, and Kimberly, spotting them, greeted them with a warm smile. "Noelle, you're back! Are you feeling better?" she asked, her voice full of concern.

"Yep!" Noelle beamed at her mother, her smile sweet and radiant. "I'm all good now!"

Kimberly reached out to feel Noelle's forehead, relieved to find her temperature normal. "It seems Nicolas's doctor really did the trick. Your fever's gone."

Kimberly had been worried sick yesterday, but seeing Noelle so lively and energetic now put her mind at ease.

Not long after, Damon rushed home upon hearing that Noelle had returned. He was shocked to see her sitting on the couch, cracking walnuts like nothing had happened. "Noelle, you're okay?"

"Hey, Damon!" Noelle waved at him cheerfully. "Want some walnuts? I've cracked a bunch!"

"No, thanks…" Damon stared at her, his expression a mix of disbelief and confusion.

Is this some kind of joke? Damon thought, bewildered. Noelle had been shot less than two days ago, yet here she was, bouncing around like nothing had happened. If he hadn't seen her injury with his own eyes yesterday, he would've sworn it was all just a bad dream.

Just then, a servant walked in and asked, "Mr. Damon Anderson, should we bring in the things from your car?"

Damon's expression turned awkward, and he didn't respond.

Curious, Noelle asked, "Damon, what did you buy?"

Damon, feeling cornered under Noelle's eager gaze, stiffened and mustered, "Nothing."

His reaction only made Noelle more suspicious. She covered her mouth with a mischievous grin. "Oh, is it something you can't show us! I get it. Damon's all grown up now, with his own little secrets."

Eli, intrigued, chimed in with a teasing smirk. "Damon, what's with the mystery? Did you buy something… sex toys?"

Damon's face turned red with anger. "Eli, get your mind out of the gutter!"

"Am I wrong?"

"Dead wrong!"

"Then what's the big secret?"

"There's no secret!"

"Then why won't you tell Noelle what you bought?"

Damon was so frustrated he could scream. Finally, he snapped, "Fine! I bought some health supplements, okay? Stop making it sound like something shady!"

"Health supplements?" Eli blinked, confused. "Why? Mom and Dad have their own specially prepared supplements. They don't use the stuff you buy off the shelf."

"Who said they're for Mom and Dad?" Damon retorted.

"Then who are they for?"

Damon hesitated, then glanced at Noelle. "Well, they're for you, obviously! Go get them yourself if you want them!"

"Wait, what?!" Noelle's eyes widened in surprise. "Damon, you bought all that for me!"

"Who else?" Damon grumbled, his face darkening.

He had been worried about Noelle's condition after her injury, thinking she must be weak and in need of nourishment. So, he had gone out early and bought a mountain of protein powder, hoping it would help her recover.

But just as he was about to bring everything home, he got a call from the house staff saying Noelle had already returned. So, he rushed back, only to be teased by this little troublemaker. Damon was beyond annoyed.

If he had known she'd recover so quickly, he wouldn't have bothered.

Noelle stared at Damon, her heart swelling with warmth. She couldn't believe that taking a bullet for him had led to such a dramatic change in his attitude. He was actually worried about her! He even went out of his way to buy her supplements!

Overjoyed, Noelle felt like she was on the verge of fully winning Damon over. She jumped up from the couch and threw herself at him, exclaiming, "Damon, you're the best! I'm so happy! Thank you! I'll finish every last bit of that protein powder!"

Caught off guard, Damon stumbled back as Noelle clung to him. Embarrassed, he tried to push her away. "Noelle, what are you doing? Let go!"

"Nope! I want a hug!" Noelle giggled, wrapping her arms around him like a koala.

"Noelle…" Damon tried to shake her off, but he was careful not to hurt her, given her recent injury. He could only scold her half-heartedly.

But Noelle was like superglue – once she latched on, there was no getting rid of her. She hung onto Damon's neck, her feet dangling in the air, and grinned. "Damon's such a tsundere! He acts all tough, but he's really soft inside. I love you, Damon!"

Damon's face was red from embarrassment, his voice tight. "What nonsense are you talking about? Noelle, get off me now!"

"Nope! Not happening!"

"Come on, Noelle!"

Kimberly, who had been watching the sibling drama unfold, couldn't help but laugh. Eli, though surprised by Damon's sudden change in attitude toward Noelle, was glad to see another family member warming up to her.

Just then, Eli glanced upstairs, his eyes narrowing with a sudden realization.