Chapter 221
Once Damon made sure everything had settled down, he called Noelle out for a private talk.
Noelle tilted her head curiously. “What is it? Just say it."
Damon hesitated. It was Leia who exposed her, yes – but Leia was the one who had done something unforgivable. He was going to apologize.
He thought of Roxy Eberks and couldn’t help but recall that terrifying scene when she’d been hurt. It was the first time he’d ever seen her like that. It had scared the hell out of him.
"How's your wound?" The question came out of nowhere.
Noelle blinked in surprise, then realized he was talking about the bullet wound from that night. Her expression softened.
She gave a slight smile. “That healed ages ago. Why bring it up now?”
But Damon looked pale. Lowering his gaze, he said quietly, almost like it pained him, “You have the right to know…”
“What is it?” Noelle asked, intrigued.
“The truth… so I need to tell you something.” Damon hesitated for a beat, then said, “The assassin from that night, it was Leia. She was the one who sent them after you.”
Damon continued, “You’re okay now, but you were hurt. If you want to press charges, that’s completely your right– I won’t stop you. But if it's at all possible, I hope you’ll consider letting her go.”
He knew how selfish that sounded. She almost died that night.
And now here he was, shamelessly asking her to spare the person who wanted her dead. If she yelled at him or cursed him out, Damon would accept it.
Noelle crossed her arms and eyed him, amused by his inner conflict.
“Well, if you really want me to let Leia off the hook…” she said, tilting her head. “Then I won’t report it. Problem solved, right?”
Damon blinked. He hadn't expected her to agree that easily.
“You’re sure?” he asked, searching her face.
“Totally," Noelle nodded. "And here I was thinking you called me out to yell at me for ratting Eria out.”
“What? Why would I yell at you?” Damon looked half-exasperated, half-amused. “You did nothing wrong. You were right to expose her."
Noelle chuckled and covered her mouth. “A few months ago, I bet you would have yelled at me. You used to be sooo protective of Leia.”
Damon didn't deny it. “She’s been like a sister to me for eighteen years. I raised her, basically. You and I might be related by blood, but we're strangers. Of course I protected her more.”
Then she suddenly cupped her face and leaned in close to Damon, smiling mischievously. “So what about now? Am I your sister yet?”
Damon squatted, uncomfortable, and pushed her face away. “Noelle…”
“Why not?” Noelle pouted. “Would you push Leia away if she got this close? You’re playing favorites.”
She flared her temper, "To people like you, shove her off paranoid. Well do and Impol you answer. Am your blood, be true to Taylor Tocking to you all day. "
"You are annoying,” Damon phrased.
"Now?" Noelle needled sweetly, not budging.
"I’m telling you, if you weren’t my sister, and anyone else acted like you, I swear I’d have already punched you.”
Noelle beamed. "So yes! You finally admit it!"
Damon sighed. "Can you leave me now?”
“Nope. I’m your sister. Big brothers are supposed to be patient.”
“You are seriously unbearable.”
Later that afternoon, Damon returned from the police station.
Leia had been officially taken into custody. But her sentencing would depend partly on the Anderson family’s stance.
Since Adriel was on his way back, Damon decided they should wait and discuss it together as a family.
“We’ll talk once Adriel gets back,” Eli muttered.
Rubbing his head, he trudged upstairs. “I’ve been up all night– I’m gonna crash for a bit before heading to see Dad.”
Charlie and Noelle followed him upstairs as well. Noelle was planning to tell Damon everything once she was back in her room.
After everyone else had gone up, Bennett–who hadn't moved–looked over at Damon with a faint smile. “Not heading up to rest?”
“Yes,” Bennett replied politely.
Damon’s expression turned serious.
“I need to ask you something.”
Bennett’s eyes flickered. He seemed to know exactly what Damon was getting at. But he just kept smiling pleasantly. “Of course. Let’s talk in the study.”
The two of them entered the study and closed the door.
5:58 AM
Chapter 221
Damon didn’t bother with small talk. He went straight in.
“When Leia poisoned Dad, the power went out. The electrician said it was because the main breaker tripped. But there was no sign of a short circuit. So that leaves only one explanation–someone shut it off manually.”
Bennett’s expression didn’t change.
He grinned and said smoothly, “And what exactly does that have to do with me?”