Chapter 237

“What’s wrong!” Stanley asked when he noticed Noelle’s hesitation.

“Well…” Noelle explained everything that had happened the night before.

The moment she finished, Stanley didn’t hesitate. “Told you. She’s a killing machine. Even without her memories, that instinct to kill is built-in. You’d better tell Adriel to kick her out before someone gets hurt.”

“No way,” Noelle shook her head. “Adriel really likes Elsie. He’d probably kick me out before he kicked her out.”

“Unbelievable,” Stanley muttered, rolling his eyes.

Noelle glanced sideways at him. “Stanley, aren’t you worried?”

“You’re from the same lab as her. Aren’t you scared they’ll punish you for badmouthing one of their own?”

But Stanley shrugged like it was no big deal. “What’s there to be scared of? It’s not like the lab monitors me 24/7.”

“No?” Noelle raised a brow. “I’m always being monitored. Brandon once told me everything I say or do is logged.”

Stanley chuckled, almost smug. “That’s because you’re SS-class. They keep a tighter leash on you than someone like me.”

“Oh.” Noelle’s expression dimmed a bit. She had grown used to being constantly watched, but still, the thought of Brandon knowing everything, even her intimate moments with Nicolas, made her deeply uncomfortable. If only she had more freedom like Stanley.

Stanley, meanwhile, had just wanted to confirm whether Noelle actually knew who Elsie was. Now that he knew she was informed—and that Brandon was, too–he could rest a little easier.

“Whether or not you get rid of her, just watch your back,” Stanley said. “That girl’s dangerous.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Noelle nodded.

“Great. Now take your autographs and go,” he said.

Noelle pouted and nudged his arm. “Hey, at least give me a ride back to Adriel’s place.”

Stanley snorted. “Do I look like your chauffeur?”

“Aren’t we friends?” she shot back, arms crossed.

Stanley blinked at that. “Friends?” He had always thought of Noelle as a partner–someone he worked with, nothing more. But hearing her say that… it didn’t sound too bad.

He raised an eyebrow. “Fine. Give me the address.”

“Yay!” Noelle cheered, delighted at the free ride. “Oh, and join us for dinner!”

“No thanks.”

“Boring.”

When they arrived at the restaurant, Noelle barely got the door open before Stanley sped off like he was being chased.

Watching his taillights disappear, she muttered, “Coward. Is Elsie really that scary?”

To her, Elsie still felt more silly than dangerous–maybe even adorable.

Inside the restaurant, a server escorted her to a private room. The moment the door opened, a familiar figure barreled toward her.

“Elsie?” Noelle instinctively caught the girl in her arms, stunned. Did she just say her name!

“You… can talk now?" Noelle asked, eyes wide with disbelief.

Elsie looked up, those bright blue eyes sparkling. “I… can talk now,” she said slowly, carefully forming each word.

Chapter 237

“How! What happened!” Noelle turned to Adriel in surprise.

Adriel explained. “Right after you left to meet your friend, Elsie suddenly had a bad headache. I was about to take her to the hospital, but then… she just started speaking.”

That made Noelle pause. Right after I left to meet Stanley? Could it be–did Elsie react to hearing Stanley’s voice?

Noelle eyed Elsie carefully and asked. “Do you remember anything from before?”

Elsie shook her head. “No… Can’t remember.”

Noelle observed her closely–her breathing, her eye movement, her muscle tension. Nothing suggested she was lying.

So, she could talk now… but still had no memory of who she was.

Still, Stanley’s words echoed in her mind. What if she gets her memory back? What if she becomes that bloodthirsty monster again? Then what?

What would she do? What would Adriel do!

“Hey, don’t just stand there,” Adriel called. “Come take a seat.”

Noelle snapped out of it and smiled. “Coming. Let’s go, Elsie.”

As they sat down, the rest of the group arrived–Eli, fresh from his student council duties, and unexpectedly, Bennett.

“Bennett? What are you doing here!” Adriel asked, surprised.

Bennett, ever the picture of charm, smiled as he stepped in. “Adriel, you’re really going to dine out with the younger siblings and not invite me! That’s cold.”

Adriel laughed. “How was I supposed to know you were free! You’re always busy.”

“Taking some vacation days. Plenty of time now.” Bennett then turned to Noelle, feigning disappointment. “Noelle, I even went to your school looking for you. Ran into Eli, and he said you were here. But not a word from you! You don’t care about me at all!”

Noelle forced a polite smile. Truth be told, she wasn’t fond of Bennett right now.

Bennett looked warm and gracious on the outside, but Noelle had a feeling his mind was a maze of calculations no one could see through. “What’s wrong, Noelle?” Bennett asked, smiling as her silence stretched on.

“No… nothing,” Noelle said quietly, snapping out of her thoughts.

Bennett saw right through her. Her face always gave her away.

He leaned down suddenly, close enough for only her to hear,

With a charming yet unsettling tone, he whispered near her ear, “After dinner, come with me. I need to take you to the lab.”