Chapter 271

Nestled in Nicolas’ arms, Noelle suddenly felt an intense gaze pierce through her. She shuddered, then turned around to look.

Brandon stood just on the other side of the institute gates. He wore his usual elegant smile, perfectly composed—but in his calm eyes, Noelle caught a glimpse of something far more dangerous lurking beneath the surface.

She hadn’t even said goodbye. She had just… run.

Instinctively, she stepped in front of Nicolas, as if to shield him, her voice trembling as she called out, “Brandon…”

Before she could say anything more, Nicolas gently took her hand.

“Huh?” Noelle blinked.

Nicolas stepped up beside her, no longer behind her but standing shoulder to shoulder. With a polite smile, as if unaware of any tension, he looked Brandon in the eye and asked Noelle, “Is this your friend?”

“Uh… yeah…” Noelle stammered.

Brandon was still technically her friend… right?

But now they were face to face—Brandon and Nicolas. Was that really a good idea!

The institute gates creaked open.

Brandon walked through slowly, with calm, deliberate steps. He had reined in his aura, adopting a courteous air, and extended a hand with a smile. “Nice to meet you. I’m Brandon, a friend of Noelle’s.”

Nicolas returned the smile just as calmly. “Pleasure. I’m Nicolas—Noelle’s partner.”

That line made Brandon’s eye twitch ever so slightly.

Noelle’s partner? What a bold claim.

Nicolas had seen it in an instant—Brandon had feelings for his girl. So, of course, he chose that moment to make things crystal clear.

And judging by the sudden shift in Brandon’s expression, the hit landed right on target.

Nicolas smirked inwardly. So that’s all it takes to shake him?

The two men locked eyes—calm on the surface, but sharp tension crackled in the air between them.

Even Noelle, usually oblivious to these things, could tell they were at odds.

“Nicolas,” she whispered, tugging gently at his sleeve. She didn’t want them to fight.

Nicolas glanced down at her.

In her bright, innocent eyes, now clouded with unease, he could see it—she was afraid of this man.

Nicolas’ eyes narrowed.

His fearless, firecracker of a girl actually afraid of someone!

Brandon was stronger than her, or he had a way of controlling her.

No point pushing this further.

Nicolas smiled again and gently asked, “Noelle, are you done for the day? It’s getting late—let’s go home.” He reached for her hand.

“Okay…” Noelle murmured, casting a hesitant glance at Brandon, waiting for his approval.

Brandon didn’t make things difficult. He smiled and said, “It is getting late. Go on home, Noelle. Mr. Sawyer.”

“Okay!” she said quickly, grabbing Nicolas’ hand like a lifeline. “Let’s go.”

“Mm,” Nicolas pulled her close and walked away with her in his arms.

Even as the car drove off, Brandon’s eyes didn’t leave its trail.

Hands in his pockets, posture relaxed and poised, he stood silently under the night sky—his smile unreadable, somewhere between amusement and rage.

One more week.

In one week, Noelle would be ready for the full memory read-write test. After that, none of this would matter.

But then…. her birthday was coming up.

The Anderson family would definitely throw her a party. And Nicolas would be there.

Wouldn’t it be fun, Brandon thought, to turn that into a blood-soaked celebration!

He could already picture it: the shock on the Anderson family’s faces, the devastation in Nicolas’ eyes.

Brandon laughed aloud, delighted by the vision.

He really couldn’t wait for Noelle’s 19th birthday.

Nicolas held her close, heart aching as he looked at her—completely drained, so unlike her usual lively self.

“Tired?” he asked softly.

“Mm,” she hummed, too worn-out to lift her head. “So tired.”

“Then stop going to Bennett’s lab,” Nicolas said gently.

He’d noticed it too—every time she came back, she was exhausted. The girl who used to light up at the mention of food could barely eat now. Even her appetite was disappearing.

That wasn’t a good sign.

“I can’t,” Noelle murmured, shaking her head.

“Why not?” he asked.

But she didn’t answer.

Nicolas’ jaw tightened.

Was it really that she couldn’t say no—not even to Bennett?

Then he thought of Brandon.

Noelle had flinched at the mere sound of his voice.

What happens when the lab gives the order? Will she really…

Just because they told her to...

“Nicolas?” she called his name softly, sensing his shift in mood.

He turned to her, brow still furrowed.

She reached up with a shaky hand and gently smoothed his creased forehead. “Don’t frown, Nicolas. You’re not handsome when you frown. You have to smile… you look better that way.”

And just like that, she smiled at him—so brightly it almost hurt to look at.

Nicolas stared down at her.

She was exhausted. Her eyes were dull. Her body was shaking.

And yet she still tried to make him feel better.

Idiot, he thought, why do I love you so much?

There was no way a girl like this—this sunshine in human form—could kill him over a command.

A tool? No.

She wasn’t a tool. She was Noelle.

And she was his.

Suddenly, a thought struck him—sharp and terrifying.

He had to know.

Nicolas tightened his arms around her, looked deep into her eyes, and said quietly, “Noelle, I need to ask you something. Think carefully before you answer.”

“Okay,” she nodded sleepily, resting her head back on his chest. “Ask away.”

Nicolas exhaled slowly, then asked, very clearly. “If someone told you to kill me… would you do it?”