Chapter 261

As Noelle watched Nicolas descend the stairs, her eyes widened in surprise.

“What is it?” Nicolas chuckled when he noticed her wide-eyed stare. “Do I have a flower growing out of my face or something?”

Noelle bounced over and clung to his arm, starry-eyed. “Nicolas, why do you look so good today? I think my heart just skipped a beat.” Today, Nicolas wore a tailored silver-gray suit, perfectly fitted and far more refined than his usual casual or businesswear. The look gave off a composed, mature vibe that only made his already devastating charm even more dangerous in Noelle’s eyes.

“Don’t I look good every day?” he teased with a crooked smile.

“You always look good.” Noelle nodded seriously. “But today’s different. It’s very… formal.”

There’s something about restraint that draws people in. Like monks or saints–those images of purity only make you want to see the mask slip. The more restrained someone is, the more tempting they become.

That’s exactly how Noelle felt looking at Nicolas in that suit.

“Ah, that’s because I’m meeting with members of the business council today,” Nicolas said, adjusting his cuffs with practiced elegance. “I had to dress the part.”

Noelle tilted her head, “Are they important? Should I… not tag along today?”

Lately, she’d been glued to Nicolas’s side–even during meetings. She’d just sit beside him like a quiet little shadow.

“You can come if you want,” Nicolas smiled, pinching her cheek affectionately. “But you’ll need to change. Want to play my secretary for a day?”

Hearing that, Noelle blinked.

Yep, this isn’t some regular meeting. Nicolas usually never asked her to play the role of anything.

Just then, her phone buzzed.

She pulled it out and saw the caller ID. It was Bennett.

Her gut immediately told her this wasn’t going to be good.

“Going to answer?” Nicolas asked, seeing her pause.

Noelle forced a smile. “I’ll pick up.”

After all, Brandon had ordered her to cooperate fully with Bennett.

“Hello,” she answered. “What’s up, Bennett?”

Bennett’s annoyingly cheerful voice came through. “Noelle, got time today?”

“Nope,” she replied instantly and without hesitation.

“Well, that’s fine. Come to the lab later,” he said breezily, completely ignoring her answer.

Noelle rolled her eyes. So asking me was just for show, huh?

“Got it,” she grumbled and hung up, muttering curses at him under her breath.

Turning to Nicolas, she apologized. “I can’t come with you today. Please bring extra security and stay away from quiet places. Don’t talk to strangers either, okay?”

Nicolas grinned, amused by how serious she was. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of myself. But what does Bennett want with you? I’ve never trusted Bennett. The man seems… off.”

“He just wants help with research,” Noelle explained, but Nicolas could sense the coldness underneath. “Apparently, no one else will assist him, so he asked me.”

Nicolas frowned. That already didn’t sound great.

Chapter 262

“Babe, you really shouldn’t be getting involved in his work. Bennett isn’t exactly the warm-and-fuzzy type. If he needs test subjects, let him find someone else. You don’t need to play along."

Noelle pouted. “It’s not dangerous, really. Everyone there’s been treating me well, and I wouldn’t agree to anything if I thought it was risky. Besides, if something happened to me, Bennett would have a hard time explaining it to my parents.”

“Still…” Nicolas looked unconvinced.

Noelle threw her arms around him and beamed up at him. “Don’t worry, Nicolas. I’ll come back safe and sound.”

Seeing her so determined, Nicolas had no choice but to relent.

He gently pinched her cheek. “Just promise me you’ll know your limits. The moment something feels off–you walk away, okay?”

“Got it," Noelle nodded like an obedient little kitten.

Nicolas sighed and pulled her into a hug, his heart still filled with worry. Even so, he couldn’t stop her. All he could do was hope—hope that she would come back to him, just as she promised.