Chapter 33

"Damon, don't say that about Harley," Leia snapped, annoyed by her brother's blunt criticism.

Damon cast her a disdainful glance, his tone cutting. "He's barely even your boyfriend, and you're already defending him?"

Leia faltered, biting back her retort. Damon was good at everything except keeping his mouth in check. He was always so rude, completely disregarding others' feelings. Sometimes, she found her eldest brother downright insufferable.

Kimberly stepped in to ease the tension. "Let's not argue, Damon. Maybe Harley invited Noelle along as a gesture to Leia. There's no need to overanalyze."

Damon snorted, setting his knife and fork down. "Whatever. I'm done. The team's been hounding me to return, so I'm heading back to the track. I'll be gone for about two weeks."

"Really?" Kimberly smiled encouragingly. "Another race? Do your best and bring home another championship, Damon."

At that moment, Noelle finished her seafood porridge. She set the bowl down and beamed brightly at Damon, her voice crisp and cheerful. "Good luck, Damon! When's your race? I'll come cheer for you!"

"Who asked for your cheer?" Damon scoffed, though his gaze softened slightly. He glanced at Leia, who was still stewing over his earlier comment about Harley. She forced a polite smile as Damon's attention shifted to her. "Good luck, Damon."

"Damon," she said, her tone flat. Damon wasn't fooled.

"Even Noelle shows more enthusiasm than Leia, just because I said one bad thing about Harley?" A pang of frustration jabbed at his chest, but he said nothing more and left the room with a tight expression.

Around 9:30 AM, Harley texted Leia that he was almost at the Andersons' front gate. Seeing the message, Leia practically leapt off the couch, her heart racing with excitement.

"Leia, is Harley here already?" Kimberly asked with a knowing smile.

"Yes," Leia replied, her cheeks flushed with happiness.

"That's fast! Well, Lei, shall we head out?"

To Leia's irritation, Noelle stood up as well. She couldn't help but frown inwardly. If only Noelle weren't coming, everything would be perfect.

When the two reached the front door, Harley's car was already waiting outside. The moment Harley saw them, he stepped out of the car. He was dressed casually in a loose-fitting white shirt, the sleeves rolled up effortlessly to his elbows, revealing his sculpted forearms. The open collar gave a teasing glimpse of his collarbones. Paired with gray-blue jeans that accentuated his long, lean legs, Harley exuded a natural charm. Even the way he shut the car door was elegant, radiating an air of aristocratic ease.

Leia's heart shuddered in her chest. After two and a half years, seeing Harley in person again felt like a dream. He's perfect, she thought, her admiration bubbling over. Only a man like Harley could match my taste!

"Harley, long time no see! You look taller, are you 185cm now?" Leia said, trying to sound casual but enthusiastic as she stepped forward. Seeing him approaching, Leia quickly greeted him and pretended to be friendly.

"Long time no see, Leia," Harley replied politely before turning his gaze to Noelle. A faint smile softened his typically aloof expression. "You go by Noelle now? Do you really not remember me?"

"I remember now," Noelle chirped. "When you mentioned two years ago, I figured it out."

"Good," Harley said, his lips curving slightly.

So she does remember me? Leia blinked, stunned. She looked from Harley to Noelle, her mind racing. "Harley... you know Noelle!"

"Yes," Harley's eyes remained fixed on Noelle as he answered. "She saved my life."

"What?" Leia exclaimed, gaping at Noelle. "You saved Harley's life!"

Noelle raised a finger to her lips, shushing Harley.

"What's wrong?" Harley asked, puzzled.

How clueless is he? Noelle thought with a sigh. She straightforwardly grabbed Harley's arm, pulling him to one side. But because he was much taller than her, she had to tug at him, saying, "Lower down a bit."

"Oh." Harley obediently bent down, bringing his ear closer to her.

Noelle leaned in and whispered, "Don't tell anyone about my time at Thunder Unit."

"Why not?"

"Because my identity is sensitive, and it could cause trouble if word gets out." This was what Nick had told her. Noelle had promised Nicolas she wouldn't casually disclose her past, so she figured it was best to warn Harley too.

"Alright," Harley said after a moment. He realized she was right; sharing her Thunder Unit affiliation could indeed create complications.

"Good," Noelle said with a satisfied nod. "Don't forget."

As Harley studied her up close, he realized this was his first time seeing her in such detail. Two years ago, she'd always been clad in the stark black uniform of a military instructor, her hair hidden beneath her cap. Back then, she was just a sharp, capable young girl. Now, her features had matured slightly, though they retained a youthful charm. Her delicate face was framed by soft waves, and her blue and white Lolita dress made her look like a doll straight out of a glass display case.

She's adorable, Harley thought, his chest tightening with an unfamiliar emotion. Is this my type?

Seeing the way Harley and Noelle were getting along, Leia's hands, which hung at her sides, clenched so tightly that it almost felt like she was going to tear her skirt apart.

How did things end up like this? Leia thought. She had thought that Harley was only bringing Noelle along because of her, but now, with their intimate interaction, it seemed like she was the one who had been tagged along as an afterthought. Her face twisted with frustration, and a dark, venomous gleam flashed in her eyes.

Damn Noelle. She was becoming more and more of an eyesore.

Leia forced a smile and stepped closer. "Noelle," she said in a sweet but pointed tone, "don't forget you're Nicolas's fiancée. You shouldn't be getting so close to other men. If Nicolas finds out, he'll be upset."

"You're right," Noelle said, immediately stepping back to put some distance between herself and Harley. She had promised Nick she wouldn't get too close to other men, and she intended to keep her word.

While Leia felt triumphant at Noelle's compliance, Harley's face darkened.

Leia, oblivious to his reaction, batted her lashes at him and asked, "Harley, you said Noelle saved your life. What happened!"

Harley had never thought much about Leia before, but now her presence grated on his nerves. Why does she have to be so annoying?