Chapter 228

When Vincent asked, Adriel didn’t hesitate to answer. He glanced down at Elsie by his side, ruffled her hair, and gave a rueful smile as if confessing to his father, “Yes, Elsie suffered brain damage. She’s mentally impaired now and can’t speak.”

Kimberly, who had noticed something was off with Elsie since she walked in, sighed in realization. “I thought something was wrong with her. Guess I wasn’t mistaken.”

Vincent fell silent. He had come to terms with the fact that, as long as his children were happy, even without a marriage… But this… he hadn’t expected it. Not only was Elsie not from a prestigious family. He had just mentioned that he supported his children and their choices, but he couldn’t flip his stance immediately.

After a long pause, Vincent reluctantly asked. “Adriel, is there any chance she can be treated?”

Adriel shook his head, “Elsie resists going to the hospital, so she hasn’t been checked by a doctor.”

Vincent’s expression shifted. “Not getting her checked isn’t an option! What if we miss the best opportunity for treatment?”

Before he could say more, Elsie suddenly bared her teeth and let out some unintelligible sounds, clearly irritated.

Vincent recoiled in surprise.

Adriel quickly placed his hand on Elsie’s head, as if scolding her. “Elsie, be good. No showing your teeth. Be polite, alright?”

Elsie still wasn’t happy. She shook her head and tried to dodge Adriel’s hand, but he kept his grip firm, his tone growing sterner, “Elsie, are you going to be naughty now?”

Feeling the change in Adriel’s tone, Elsie quieted down, tugging Noelle’s arm and burying her head in her back, looking as though she felt wronged.

Noelle, understanding that Elsie, a “transformer,” was instinctively reluctant to disclose anything about her body, especially to doctors, gently patted her head. “Don’t worry, Elsie. We won’t make you go for an exam. Be good.”

Elsie leaned into Noelle’s comfort, rubbing against her affectionately, then softly responded. “Ee–ee.”

Vincent and Kimberly, seeing how much Elsie clung to Noelle, were surprised. Kimberly couldn’t help asking, “Adriel, did Noelle and Elsie know each other before?”

“That’s a question for Noelle, right?” Adriel replied, curious as to why Elsie seemed so attached to Noelle.

Noelle, sensing everyone’s eyes on her, quickly smiled and explained, “I hadn’t met Elsie before. But it’s like we clicked immediately. We just had a special connection when we saw each other.”

“Really?” Kimberly smiled, “A good connection is great. Many sisters-in-law and younger sisters don’t get along, but you two seem to get along so well. Adriel can rest easy.”

Noelle nodded, pleased that Kimberly wasn’t suspicious.

Vincent, smiling, added, “I think these two girls do get along. They seem very much alike – both innocent and carefree.”

“You mean they both look silly?” Kimberly teased her husband.

Elsie seemed to agree, nodding in approval, “Mi–limm.”

Noelle turned to Adriel, asking. “Adriel, do we really look silly?”

Elsie might be silly, but Noelle definitely didn’t want to admit it. She hadn’t lost her mind, after all. Elsie also believed she wasn’t silly – she was quite clever, and Noelle was the one who looked it.

Adriel, seeing the two Noelles stare at him, smiled, thinking they both had the same look of innocence. “Alright, you two… you both look like you’re one step away from causing trouble.”

“No response, Adriel?” Noelle asked, a little impatient.

Adriel, blinking, had no idea how to respond. If he called them silly, they would definitely protest. If he said they weren’t, well, that would also lead…

In the end, he sighed deeply and said, “I refuse to answer that question.”

Noelle stared at him for a while before nodding. “Alright.”

Elsie, however, wasn’t satisfied, nagging at Adriel’s shirt and making blurred noises.

“Elsie,” Adriel gave her a warning.

Noelle, seeing the situation, gently held Elsie’s hand and said, “Elsie, let’s not bother Adriel.”

Elsie glanced back at Noelle, who smiled reassuringly.

Adriel, seeing Noelle act as the peacemaker, was secretly relieved. It seemed like Noelle wasn’t as helpless as he thought.

“You know,” Noelle said thoughtfully, “Adriel is a good son. Even if he knows we’re not silly, he can’t go against his parents’ wishes.”

Elsie seemed to understand, and finally stopped pestering Adriel. She even flashed him a bright smile.

Noelle smiled proudly at Adriel, giving him a thumbs up. It was clear to her now she was good at something!

Adriel, a little stunned, thought, What does she know!

Later, back at the Anderson family home, Elsie naturally went to sleep with Noelle.

“No worries. Let Elsie sleep with me,” Noelle said, not minding at all.

Adriel sighed and said. “I won’t let you do it for nothing. If you want a reward, just ask.”

Noelle grinned. “Adriel, why so formal? We’re siblings. I’m just sleeping with my future sister-in-law. No reward necessary. But if you want to treat me, just get me some ice cream.”

Adriel looked at her radiant smile, feeling a flutter in his chest. He realized, while he’d always been close to Leia, there was something completely different about Noelle. She had no boundaries, no hesitation.

“You’re not actually a sister-in-law yet,” Adriel corrected with a smile.

“No, but it’s just a matter of time,” Noelle replied, playfully.

Adriel smiled. “Alright, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

After washing up, Noelle jumped onto the bed and cheerfully said, “Elsie, you sleep here. I’ll sleep on the other side. If you need anything just ask. Don’t be shy, though I may not understand everything.”

Elsie climbed onto the bed too, lying obediently on her side as Noelle had suggested.

Noelle watched Elsie’s calm demeanor and felt an overwhelming sense of joy. Despite Brandon’s words about Elsie not being a typical “transformer,” Noelle considered her a companion. Now, being able to live in harmony with her made Noelle feel truly happy.

As she turned off the light and lay in bed, Noelle whispered, “Elsie, goodnight.”

Elsie responded, “Er–re, ya–ya.”

“Is that your way of saying goodnight?”

“Ya–ya.”

“Got it. Goodnight, Elsie.”

“Ya–ya.”

In the middle of the night, as the two girls slept quietly, the core Elsie had thought was broken suddenly flickered with a blue light.

At the same moment, Elsie, who was supposed to be fast asleep, opened her eyes.