Chapter 141

Meanwhile, Noelle was being dropped off at school by Nicolas. As she opened the car door, she turned to him and said, "Nick, I'm heading back to school now!"

"Alright. If anything comes up, just call me," Nicolas replied, his voice calm and tender, laced with affection.

"Got it!" Noelle nodded, about to step out of the car.

But then, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Nicolas sitting in the driver's seat, his handsome face softened with adoration as he watched her. The warmth in his expression made her heart skip a beat.

Suddenly, Noelle slid back into the car.

"What's wrong?" Nicolas asked, puzzled, thinking she might have forgotten something.

But instead, she turned to him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and planted a quick, playful kiss on his lips.

Nicolas froze, his dark eyes widening in surprise. Noelle’s eyes sparkled like stars as she grinned at him. "Nick, that’s a goodbye kiss!"

Before he could react, she darted out of the car and ran toward the school gates. After a few steps, she turned back, waving enthusiastically. "Bye, Nick!"

The sunlight bathed her delicate face, making her smile even brighter and more radiant, almost blinding in its brilliance.

Nicolas leaned against the car window, silently watching her retreating figure. A soft smile tugged at his lips, and his chest swelled with emotion.

He mused to himself, Noelle might be a bit clueless when it comes to love, but maybe, just maybe, she’s starting to feel something for me now.

On the other side, Noelle strolled through the campus, her heart still fluttering from her time with Nicolas. She was practically glowing, surrounded by an invisible cloud of pink bubbles.

She was over the moon. Being with Nicolas made everything feel right. No matter what came their way, as long as they were together, she felt invincible. "This is so perfect. I wish I could stay with Nick forever," she thought, a smile tugging at her lips.

Noelle was lost in her daydreams, imagining a future with Nicolas, when suddenly, the necklace around her neck emitted a faint blue glow. Then, a clear, melodious voice came through the necklace, "Noelle, good afternoon."

Noelle froze mid-step. She looked down at the necklace, confused. 'Did the necklace just talk?' she wondered, a mix of confusion and disbelief crossing her face.

But the voice was different from the ones she’d heard before. It felt familiar, like something from a distant memory.

The voice chuckled softly, "What's wrong? Don't you remember me?"

When Ying Nuo heard the girl’s puzzled voice, he could not help but chuckle and ask, "Why? Don’t you remember me?"

"Hmm," Noelle grabbed the necklace, tilting her head. "I think I do… Let me think!"

The voice – Brandon – was surprisingly patient. He rested his chin on his hand, smiling as he said, "Take your time."

"Okay!"

Noelle's brain went into overdrive. A few seconds later, she gasped. "Ah!"

"Did you remember?" Brandon asked, amused.

"Yeah!" Noelle held the necklace up, her eyes wide with excitement. "You’re Brand, right? The Brand who used to do experiments with me!"

The assistant standing across from Brandon broke into a cold sweat. Noelle was bold enough to call the Commander by his nickname so casually!

But Brandon didn’t mind. His lips curved into a smile, his emerald green eyes fixed on the silver orb in front of him. "I'm glad you remember me."

"Of course I remember!"

Running into an old friend, Noelle was visibly thrilled. She ducked into a quiet corner and finally spoke up, her voice bubbling with excitement. "It's really you, Brand! I’m so happy! You have no idea how undone I was when you left."

Back in the labs, Noelle had many companions, but none stayed for long. Brandon had been her longest-lasting friend. They’d endured experiments together, shared pain, cried, and even slept side by side.

During the brain development experiments – the darkest period of Noelle’s life – Brandon had been there. When the pain became too much, and Noelle would cry, Brandon was the one who comforted her.

Noelle believed that without him, she wouldn’t have made it through.

She thought they’d always be together. But after the brain experiments, Brandon was taken away, and she never saw him again.

"I’m sorry, Noelle, for leaving you alone for so long," Brandon said, a faint smile playing on his lips as he listened to her. "But it’s okay. I’m back now."

I fought my way out of hell to see you again, he thought. And by "fought," he meant it quite literally.

"I’m so surprised! Brand, how can your voice come through the necklace?" Noelle asked. Only the men in white coats from the lab had ever used the necklace to communicate. Hearing Brandon’s voice through it was unbelievable.

Brandon patiently explained, "Because I’m now the Commander of the regional lab, I oversee everything, including your management."

Noelle gasped. "Brand, did you become one of the men in white coats!"

"Something like that," Brandon chuckled. "Noelle, are you happy?"

Having her old friend in charge instead of the cold, distant scientists made Noelle’s face light up with a goofy smile. She nodded eagerly. "I’m happy! Brand was always so good to me. Having you in charge is the best!"

Hearing her innocent, straightforward words, Brandon couldn’t help but laugh. "Noelle, I’m happy too."

"Then, Noelle, will you listen to me?"

"Of course!" Noelle answered without hesitation. She was bound to follow orders from the necklace – it was an unbreakable rule. But even if it weren’t, she’d still listen to Brand. He’d always been so good to her.

"Good." Brandon’s smile deepened, his emerald eyes glinting with an unreadable emotion. "Then, Noelle, I’m going to give you a command now."

"Go ahead, Brand!" Noelle chirped eagerly.

And then, she heard Brandon’s voice, calm and commanding, as he said, "Noelle, I want you to…"