Chapter 30

Two years ago, I worked as an instructor for Thunder Unit. Once, the unit was tasked with providing special training for students from a prestigious school. Unexpectedly, during a wilderness exercise, the group was ambushed by a gang of roaming kidnappers. That man was taken hostage, and it was me who rescued them from the captors.

Seated in the car, Noelle casually recounted her past encounter with Harley. Nicolas, sitting beside her, turned to study the petite, soft-spoken Noelle with an amused glint in his eyes.

"Elly, you were an instructor for Thunder Unit! Thunder Unit was renowned globally as a militarized elite force, funded by international alliances and known for producing top-tier personnel who often went on to serve in key roles within national armies."

"Of course?" Noelle replied, proudly lifting her chin. "I was so impressive back then that I was specially approved as the youngest and most skilled instructor in Thunder Unit's history. Everyone said so."

Nicolas chuckled at her smug expression, his heart warming with amusement. At first, when Noelle had spoken of her past accomplishments, he'd thought she was simply making up stories. But now, anything she said felt entirely plausible because it was Elly. She was just that extraordinary.

"You're amazing," Nicolas said softly, his voice laced with a deep, magnetic warmth that carried a touch of affection. Each word seemed to resonate deeply, wrapping Noelle in a cocoon of comfort and sweetness.

Her heart skipped a beat, then began pounding furiously as she looked up at his strikingly handsome face. How can Nick be this good looking? she thought, her mind spinning. And that voice, so mesmerizing! Without thinking, she threw herself into Nicolas's arms, wrapping him in a tight hug. Resting her head against his chest, she murmured softly, her tone sweet and sticky like honey, "Nick… Nick… Nick…"

Nicolas, feeling her softness against him, was filled with an unfamiliar yet pleasant emotion. He wrapped his arms around her, his hold gentle but firm. Then, as if remembering something, he warned her in a serious tone, "Elly, from now on, don't casually share details about your past roles or experiences with others. Understand?"

"Why not?" Noelle asked, tilting her head in confusion.

"You don't realize how sensitive some of your identities are. It could bring you unnecessary trouble." Nicolas's tone was calm but carried a hint of protectiveness. "You've been lucky so far; most people just think you're exaggerating. But if word spreads, someone might actually dig deeper, and that could lead to problems."

"Okay," Noelle agreed, though she seemed only half convinced. Her bright, cat-like eyes blinked up at him, and in a soft, obedient voice, "If Nick says so, I'll listen."

"You little rascal," Nicolas said, unable to suppress a laugh. "How did I get so lucky to find someone as sweet as Elly?"

Meanwhile, Harley and Connor were walking through the underground parking lot.

"Why suddenly pick a fight?" Connor glanced at Harley's stormy expression, the frosty air around him unmistakable. "What's going on, Harley? Why'd you suddenly go off on Nicolas? Don't tell me you're into his girl? The dynamic earlier had looked suspiciously like a love triangle."

"Noelle isn't his girl," Harley snapped, his tone so sharp it made Connor flinch. Yan Qing's expression suddenly became as ferocious as an evil spirit, and he retorted sharply.

"Whoa, okay! Got it," Connor stammered, raising his hands in mock surrender. Then, his curiosity piqued, he asked, "But what did you mean earlier - Two years ago, Dalneau Bay? Isn't that where you were kidnapped?"

Harley's brows furrowed at the memory. After a deep breath, he said, "I told you before, didn't I? The person who saved me was about my age… a young instructor."

"Oh, yeah," Connor nodded. "I remember you saying that you wanted to thank her, but by the time you tried to reach out, she had already left Thunder Unit. You've been searching for her ever since."

"I found her today," Harley said, his voice low but steady.

"Seriously?" Connor's face lit up. "Where? Who is she?"

Harley gave Connor a long, almost pitying stare.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Connor asked, his mind racing as he connected the dots. His eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, you're not saying that young instructor is Nicolas's girl... Noelle?"

Harley remained silent, his expression grim.

"That's crazy!" Connor exclaimed, his voice rising. "She looks like a delicate flower raised in a greenhouse. And she was a Thunder Unit instructor? Thunder Unit, Harley!"

"You don't need to remind me," Harley muttered, his mind flashing back to that fateful day. Back then, he hadn't thought much of the petite girl his age, until she singlehandedly descended like a storm, dismantling a group of ruthless kidnappers with chilling precision. She was a legend in the making... the strongest instructor in Thunder Unit's history.

Connor's voice broke his reverie. "So, what now? Noelle's clearly with Nicolas, and they look pretty close. Do you think Nicolas is tricking her? He's not exactly known for being trustworthy."

"That's exactly what I'm worried about," Harley replied, his irritation mounting. But then he remembered something Noelle had said earlier, something that unsettled him deeply: She called Nicolas her fiancé. If his memory served him correctly, Nicolas's fiancée was supposed to be Leia, the youngest daughter of the Anderson family.

Harley's gaze darkened as a thought struck him. If anyone could shed light on this, it was Leia. With newfound determination, he pulled out his phone and began scrolling through his contacts.

At the Anderson family residence, Eli stared in disbelief at the luxurious gift boxes being carried inside, one after another. When Kimberly and Leia returned, he immediately confronted them.

"Mom, did you seriously buy all this today?"

Damon, standing nearby with a scowl, added, "You never splurged like this on gifts for Leia, but now, for a girl we've barely known, you spend a fortune. Is blood really that important to you?"

"These aren't from me," Kimberly said with a sigh, her voice tinged with exasperation. "They're from Nicolas. He bought them all for Noelle."

"What?" Eli's voice rose an octave. "Why would Nicolas buy so much for Noelle?"

Damon sneered. "Great. Accepting such lavish gifts so soon after meeting him? If this gets out, people will think we're selling our daughter. Mom, you should've stopped her."

Kimberly frowned. "Damon, that's enough."

Eli, however, was already seething. "Is Noelle with Nicolas right now? She's clinging to him like a leech."

Kimberly hesitated.

Before she could answer, Damon scoffed, "Of course she is. Probably thrilled out of her mind, clinging to him. Who cares if he's a playboy, as long as he's spending money on her, right?"

"Damon, that's enough," Kimberly repeated, her tone sharper.

Eli's face darkened further. "Noelle doesn't listen, does she! I told her to stay away from Nicolas!"

Kimberly watched helplessly as her two sons were already convinced that Noelle and Nicolas were together. She had no idea how to keep fooling them. Leia, however, felt a sense of satisfaction in her heart.

She walked over and, with exaggerated care, said to Damon and Eli, "Damon, Eli, don't be angry with Noelle. She's just young and hasn't developed a proper sense of values yet, so she keeps relying on men. You can teach her slowly; it's not too late. She's still young."

Damon sneered, his face full of disdain. "Leia, you're still defending her! Noelle's the same age as you, but can you even compare! The environment shapes a person. She grew up in the gutter, and she's already set in her ways. Don't think a little teaching will make her anything like you."

"Ah, Damon, don't say it like that." Leia feigned helplessness, but inside, she was grinning like a Cheshire cat. Noelle, so what if Nicolas is looking after you? The closer you get to him, the more the brothers will despise you. Without any family support, see how long you'll be basking in Nicolas's favor, Leia thought.

Just as Leia was about to stoke the fire further, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the name Harley Parker.