"Did your dad mention my identity to you?"
Noah is disappointed in Alan Caldwell; he ensured Alan kept the company’s purchase a secret, but now Emma knows.
Emma shook her head.
"No, my father didn’t say anything, but I figured it out on my own, Noah." She quickly explained after seeing Noah’s unhappy expression.
Noah felt relieved that Alan had kept his promise.
"What do you know about me?" he asked, eager to discover what she had figured out.
"Everything," Emma smiled before she continued. "You know, Noah, I felt like something was off with you ever since the attack on our office. Then yesterday, when the news came out that Anderson Morgan had a son whose identity remains a mystery, I realized it was you."
Emma stifled her laughter when she saw Noah smiling and shaking his head slowly as if he were embarrassed that his secret had been revealed.
"And this morning, I confronted my dad about you. I asked him if you were the one who helped our company get out of bankruptcy..."
Emma took a moment to breathe deeply before she continued, "While my dad didn’t say it outright, I understand you are the one who assisted us by purchasing the company. It’s amusing because my dad warned me..."
"Warned you?"
"My dad warned me to let go of my feelings for you, Noah. He insisted I forget you, believing you weren’t the right match for me. He said you were just too unattainable!" Emma wanted to express that, but all those words never left her lips; they only played in her mind and fueled her frustration.
"What did your father warn you, Emma?" Noah asked again after waiting for her to say something, but no words escaped her lips; she only stared at him. It made him confused.
"My dad warned me to let go of my doubts about you." And that was all she said before a long silence.
Noah hesitated for a moment before deciding to break the silence and be honest with her. He realized it was pointless to hide the truth; this girl was too smart to be misled. Moreover, she could see his change.
"Yes. What you are thinking is right." Noah smiled when he saw her smile, pleased that her guess was correct.
"I knew it!" Emma whispered, but Noah could faintly hear her.
"Emma, you really don’t need to give me this pricey gift." He felt inclined to return it, but Emma promptly shoved it back into his hands.
"Just think of it as a little gesture of gratitude for helping my father and the others keep their jobs. It would mean so much to me, Noah..." She pleaded with a warm smile.
Noah feels reluctant, but seeing her beg like that makes him have no choice but to accept it.
"Alright, I will accept it, but you have to promise to take care of the company for me."
"Absolutely, I will!" Emma replies, though soon, a flicker of concern crosses her face. "Noah, is it okay if I call you? I mean, if... I have something important to discuss, or when I plan to visit you... I mean, the capital?"
"Of course you can, Emma. We’re friends! Just give me a quick call whenever you need anything or whenever you come to the capital."
Emma said nothing more but smiled happily upon hearing his words. She stood up, ready to leave, but Noah’s voice stopped her.
"Emma, wait a second..." He quickly stood, moving closer, "My sister wants to meet you. If you don’t mind, would you meet and greet her? She’s with Jason..."
"Alice!? Of course, I wouldn’t mind! I love to see her. What is she doing here? I thought she should be in Green Lake Town, accompanying your mother, right?" Emma asked, bewildered.
Noah forced a bitter smile as he explained his mother’s sudden death to her. And his sister would have to move with him to the capital.
Emma was shocked to hear, "Oh, Noah, I’m so sorry for your loss..."
"Thanks!"
...
The sky had already turned dark when Noah left the mall after bidding farewell to Emma.
Noah walked to the apartment with Alicia and Jason, their hands full of shopping bags.
However, as they crossed the apartment parking lot toward the building, a woman called his name from behind.
He was shocked to recognize the familiar voice. He quickly turned around and saw Julia Hart emerge from the car nearby.
’My lord! What on earth happened here? Why does this woman know I’m here?’ He couldn’t believe that today was truly his unlucky day.
"I finally found you, Noah. Please, we need to talk..." Julia said softly as she approached him.
Noah clenches his hand tightly. He wanted to ignore her, but he knew just how capable Julia Hart was; she might cause a commotion in this place.
He didn’t answer her right away, but he turned to see Jason and Alicia.
"Alice, Jason, you can head back first. I need to speak with her first."
"Noah, it’s fine; we can wait for you here." Jason was reluctant to leave him alone, worried that this woman would harm him.
"Brother, let us stay..." Alicia whispers; she worries about leaving her brother alone, recalling what happened at the shoe store today.
Noah smiled warmly at them and said, "It’s fine. She is my colleague’s friend!"
He needs them to leave him alone, fearing that Julia will recognize his sister.
After seeing Jason and Alicia leave him, he finally turned to see Julia. She was standing two steps away, looking beautiful as always, but her gaze was no longer as confident. Instead, fright and despair flashed in her eyes.
"What do you want?" he asked coldly. "Speak up now or leave this place!"
Julia smiled ruefully at Noah’s question.
She scanned him from head to toe, confused by his sudden change in appearance since they last met a few days ago.
"Noah, seeing how much you’ve transformed is truly amazing! You carry yourself with such confidence now, and I can’t help but think it makes you even more handsome in my view."