Chapter 283

Upstairs, Adriel was still holding Elsie in his arms, trying to soothe her. “Elsie, what’s wrong? What are you so afraid of?”

Elsie clung tightly to him, refusing to let go. No matter how he asked, she just shook her head again and again, holding onto his arm like her life depended on it. In a pleading voice, she whispered, “Don’t… don’t go out.”

The man Noelle had brought home–he was dangerous. Elsie didn’t know what exactly was going to happen, but something inside her screamed that if Adriel went out there, he would get hurt. And she couldn’t let that happen.

“Elsie?”

“Please don’t go,” she murmured again, trembling.

Meanwhile, Noelle was searching all over the villa for Nicolas but found Stanley instead.

“Stanley!” she greeted him with a smile. “Sorry I’ve been so busy–I kind of left you hanging. Oh right, where are Harley and Tina?”

Feigning calm like nothing was wrong, Stanley replied, “I sent them home already.”

“Already?” Noelle blinked. “Why didn’t they say goodbye?”

“You were swamped. We didn’t want to bother you.”

“You still could’ve said something.” Noelle pouted, clearly unhappy with how casually they’d left.

Stanley ignored her. After glancing around to make sure Brandon wasn’t nearby, he suddenly said, “You should keep your distance from him.”

“Keep my distance? Why?” Noelle frowned.

Even though she’d sensed Brandon had changed, she still saw him as a friend, someone who’d once brought light into her dark childhood.

But Stanley’s expression was dead serious, and that set off alarms in her mind.

“It’s complicated,” Stanley muttered, raking a hand through his hair. “Just trust me on this one.”

“Okay,” Noelle said uncertainly, sensing he wasn’t going to explain more.

Then she asked, “Do you know where Nicolas is?”

“Oh, he’s with the military-“ Stanley began, then stopped himself abruptly.

But it was too late.

“The military?” Noelle’s entire body tensed. She grabbed Stanley by the collar. “Why? Why is he contacting the military?”

Stanley tried to deflect, but Noelle wasn’t letting him off the hook. She shook him hard. “Answer me, Stanley! What is Nicolas doing with the military!”

Panicked, Stanley looked around and hissed, “Keep your voice down! Do you want to cause a panic?”

“Then tell me the truth,” she demanded. “What are you all hiding from me?”

Seeing that she wouldn’t drop it, Stanley finally gave in. “Look, it’s because-”

But just as he was about to spill the truth, a familiar voice cut in from behind.

Stanley froze.

He turned slowly. Brandon stood there, smiling faintly, eyes gleaming with something unreadable.

Stanley instinctively took a step back.

“Brandon,” Noelle’s voice came out low, her face pale. She didn’t know what exactly was coming, but her instincts told her something was very wrong.

Chapter 283

Brandon’s smile deepened. “Let’s talk, Noelle.”

Stanley immediately stepped in front of her. “Don’t go.”

Brandon’s gaze slid to him, mocking. “Since when did you become Nicolas’s lapdog?”

Stanley didn’t even know why he was still here. He could’ve left with Harley and Tina–but after overhearing Brandon’s ominous exchange with Nicolas, he just couldn’t bring himself to leave Noelle alone.

Noelle looked at Brandon’s cold, commanding eyes, then at Stanley’s clearly terrified face. After a moment of hesitation, she stepped forward and said. “It’s okay, Stanley. I’ll go.”

Stanley tried to stop her again, gripping her arm. “Don’t.”

But Noelle gently shook her head.

If Brandon had truly decided to do something, staying away wouldn’t change anything. She might as well face him head-on and figure out what exactly he wanted.

She followed Brandon out of the villa.

Stanley, unable to follow, could only stay behind and figure out a way to evacuate the Anderson family if things went south.

Outside, Noelle and Brandon walked to the garden pavilion.

Once they were alone, she cut straight to the point. “Brandon, what are you trying to do?”

She had too many questions. Why had Nicolas been so busy all day? Why was Stanley so tense?

But Brandon didn’t answer. Instead, he turned the question around. “Do you like the Andersons?”

“Yes,” Noelle replied without hesitation, eyeing him warily. He’d asked her this before–why bring it up again?

“What about Nicolas?” he asked.

“I like him too,” she said plainly.

“And Harley? Tina? Stanley?”

“I like them all.”

Brandon chuckled. “Amazing. In just six months, you’ve gained a family, a lover, and friends.”

But his smile was cold. There was no warmth, no sincerity. Just the kind of chill that crawled up your spine and sank into your bones.

“Brandon, what are you trying to say?” Noelle asked, uneasiness growing in her chest.

He gave a small, almost tender smile. “No…. that’s not the right question.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s not about what I’m going to do,” Brandon said softly. “It’s about what you’re going to do.”

“Mel?” Noelle’s heart skipped a beat. A sudden urge to run surged through her.

Before she could move, Brandon placed his hands on her shoulders. She flinched, instinctively trying to pull away–but he firmly turned her around.

Just ahead, Damon stood in the distance, unaware of their presence. He was holding his phone, seemingly deep in a call.

Thanks to her enhanced hearing, Noelle could make out the conversation.

“Happy birthday, Leia,” Damon said calmly.

Leia’s voice came through, soft and bitter. “Damon, I bet Mom and Dad are throwing Noelle some huge birthday party right now, aren’t they?”

Chapter 283

Leia laughed, but it was cold. “I’m rotting in prison, and she’s being pampered like a princess. Don’t you think that’s unfair! Why do I have to suffer like this?”

Damon paused before replying. “You know exactly why.”

Leia’s voice trembled. “I regret it. I really do, Damon. I don’t want to stay here. Every day feels like hell.”

“There’s nothing I can do about that,” he said flatly.

“You just don’t love me anymore,” she accused. “I heard about the dress you got Noelle for her party. You never spent that kind of money on me.”

“She never went through the things you put her through,” Damon said quietly.

“You see? You’re doing it again–always taking her side.”

“I think we should end this call,” Damon said gently. “You’re not in a good headspace right now.”

“Wait–don’t hang up! Damon, it’s Noelle’s birthday, I just want to say happy birthday-”

“No,” Damon interrupted. “I know what you’re trying to do. And I won’t let you ruin her day.”

Leia’s voice turned sharp. “Damon-”

“Goodbye, Leia.” He ended the call without another word.

Noelle had heard everything. Her chest felt warm. Was Damon… protecting her? He didn’t even entertain Leia’s request.

It wasn’t right to be happy about someone else’s pain, but… something about it made her feel oddly cherished.

And yet, the fleeting moment of comfort was shattered as Brandon leaned in.

His lips brushed her ear, voice low and ice-cold.

“You asked what I want you to do?” he murmured. “Then listen closely, Noelle. Right now… I want you to kill Damon.”