LOGINNoah finally lifted his gaze to meet Charlotte's. Their eyes locked, both shimmering with unspoken emotion.Charlotte's brow was furrowed, tense with thought, but Noah's lips held a gentle, quiet smile."Maybe in times of crisis, you've felt some reliance on me," he began. "I know I seem stronger than most men, more reliable…"Charlotte suddenly understood the direction he was heading. She didn't speak, only watched him, waiting.He continued, "But I have many flaws. My education isn't extensive. I'm not as smart as a university graduate like you. I don't know much about social etiquette, and I've never worked in society or learned how to earn a living the hard way."Sure, I can handle myself physically, but that doesn't mean I'd be good at taking care of someone, or being a good partner, or a husband.""Noah, I understand what you're saying…"Charlotte's expression darkened. Suddenly, she didn't want to hear any more. She rose to leave, but Noah caught her arm firmly."No, you
Charlotte froze. It seemed Ethan had heard Noah's voice as well.There was nothing to feel guilty about, yet just his presence made her chest tighten with an inexplicable weight.Seeing her rise and approach, Noah hesitated for a moment, then gently took her hand."Was that Ethan?" she asked."Mm. He just asked about my leave. Fairly reasonable, even gave me three days off proactively," Charlotte replied with a small smile. She hadn't waited for Noah to ask, as if anxious he might overthink it.Noah had stayed behind for her sake, and she didn't want him to carry any concerns.He saw through her thoughts and shook his head gently. "I know Ethan is a good person, and he treats you well. You don't need to worry that I'd mind any of this.""I wouldn't mind… but even if Ethan were pursuing me, you wouldn't be jealous at all?"Charlotte blurted out the question, tossing a challenge at him. Inside, she was conflicted—part of her feared Noah might care about Ethan, while another part
Silently, Noah and Charlotte's intimacy was fully laid bare before Ethan.He felt a sinking weight in his chest, the pain from his waist and abdomen now pressing against his heart. Yet the corner of his mouth curled into a faint, almost mocking smirk."Sir—"His assistant had just opened her mouth to speak when Ethan silenced her with a single glance.He took the health supplements she was holding, gently placed them by the door, straightened his suit, lifted his chin, and walked out.The assistant cast a glance at the slightly ajar room door and quickly hurried after him.By evening, Ethan had returned home and finally called Charlotte.By then, Charlotte had been discharged and was back at home with Noah.In the kitchen, Noah had transformed into the devoted cook, preparing dinner, while Charlotte rested on the sofa.He had hoped she might take a short nap or watch some television to relax, but she wasn't interested in anything. She simply watched his back, her heart swellin
"Don't worry," Noah said softly. "I'm using a cover identity. The focus isn't on me."Hearing that, Charlotte finally felt a deep sense of relief."But… I thought you left," she murmured.Noah didn't answer immediately. He simply looked at her.He had left.Neither Ethan nor Khloe could keep him.Yet, Charlotte's heart had pulled him back.Noah suddenly understood what Spence had once said: the heart's resting place is often where one is willing to be buried. But to live without regret—that is life's meaning."Charlotte… I want to stay," he said.Charlotte froze, stunned, thinking she hadn't heard him correctly."You… said what?"Noah no longer avoided her gaze. His eyes, usually calm and unreadable, now shimmered with gentle waves that seemed ready to swell into a tide."I said… I want to stay. In Goldmont City."He repeated the words, voice soft but deliberate, each syllable weighted with meaning.Charlotte clenched the edge of the blanket in her hands, fingers tighteni
Ethan's account wasn't high-level by any means.Of course, he hadn't logged in to show off.The chat interface that appeared was the one between Charlotte and… "him." As he scrolled through the messages, Ethan realized something startling: Charlotte had been treating him as Noah."I had wanted to pursue her seriously," Ethan murmured to himself as he put the phone away, "but I was already out before I even started… because of you."He had noticed Charlotte opening a particular game on her phone when she was caring for him, but only later did he learn that it was Noah's only remaining point of contact.From that moment, Ethan had understood Charlotte's heart.Yet, he couldn't give up.He didn't believe that someone who had already left could compare to the person in front of him. Ethan wanted to try, to take it slow.That night, Charlotte had left her phone unlocked in the kitchen, and he had caught a glimpse of her game account. He had initially intended to tease her, to make h
Ethan handed his phone over to Noah immediately after speaking."Noah, talk to Khloe," he said. "If you consider her and Nick your friends, you should at least hear a friend's advice."His words left both Khloe on the line and Noah beside her momentarily speechless."Noah?" Khloe called out, realizing he was there."Mm," Noah replied, taking Ethan's phone as he stepped out of the car.Ethan stayed behind, watching Noah walk a short distance away to speak with Khloe. Inside, his chest felt as if it were being split in two.He could probably guess what Khloe would say. She cared about Charlotte, so naturally, she wouldn't want the two of them to hurt each other. But with Khloe's pragmatic style, even if she had a personal preference, she would weigh the pros and cons.Her solution would almost certainly align with Ethan's own thinking.And indeed, it did.Khloe, now happily married and emotionally secure, would never want Charlotte to be upset. Moreover, Noah had saved both her
It was Angela calling.Seeing that Trey hadn't reached out, she could no longer sit still. She had already arranged for Pete to stay with her, yet Trey seemed to have completely forgotten both of them.Trey didn't want to pick up, but as soon as he rejected the call, the call came through again.
Khloe said, "Pete wants Angela to be his mom. If that's the case, I can't force it. You see, it's either you marry Angela, or sever the adoption relationship with Pete and let him go completely to her."Khloe's voice was calm but sharp, cutting straight to the core of Trey's guilt. Her gaze on him
"Mind if I use your bathroom to freshen up? And…" Nick said, glancing toward the kitchen, "…I'm a little hungry. Might I have the honor of tasting your cooking again?""Of course," Khloe nodded, then went to fetch a fresh towel for him.Soon, Nick emerged from the shower just as Khloe finished pre
Trey called out Khloe's name almost without thinking.It was only a glance, a fleeting sight, yet the woman disappeared from view almost immediately, escorted by others."Khloe? Why are you still thinking about her at a time like this?"The name made Angela's nerves tense instantly. But Trey, poi







