It was only then that Noelle understood what he meant. Cedric was so wealthy


    that he could arrange something like this with ease.


    He walked toward her, dressed casually in workout clothes.


    Noelle asked, "Did you arrange for the new trainer?"


    "It''s not important," Cedric replied casually.


    "No? Why isn''t it important?"


    Cedric climbed onto the boxing ring and put on his gloves. "How about we spar a bit?"


    Noelle stared at him, suddenly tempted to throw a few punches at his handsome face. She stepped into the ring. "Sure, but have you trained before?"


    "yed a few times," he replied.


    "That works," Noelle said. "I wouldn''t want anyone to say I''m bullying you, and my coach says I''ve got talent."


    Noelle put on her gloves, eager to see if she could take him down. It would feel pretty satisfying if she did.


    Cedric took a step forward. "Come on."


    Noelle charged at him immediately, but Cedric dodged easily. She started to take


    it more seriously. But every time she attacked, Cedric seemed to anticipate her


    moves.


    Noelle was taken aback.


    Cedric''s expression darkened. "Focus; I''m about to start."


    Before Noelle could react, Cedric delivered a punch, knocking her to the ground.


    Noelle was frustrated but fought back with everything she had. She had considerable strength, so she could still gain the upperhand.


    However, no matter what she did, Cedric always managed to knock her down. She was exhausted, but he seemed as rxed as ever. When Cedric pinned her down for the final time, Noelle gave up struggling.


    "It''s so tiring! Cedric, are you sure you''ve only done this a few times?" she asked. He smirked, pressing her wrist into the mat. "Yeah."


    "You''re lying."


    He chuckled. "My skills are better than yours. It''s normal that you can''t beat me."


    Noelle felt a little defeated. Then, she nced behind Cedric. "What''s that over there?"


    Cedric nced behind him, and she used the chance to try and attack. However, Cedric quickly caught her wrist. He shifted his weight and pinned her down on top of him.


    Noelle felt her breath quicken as Cedric drew closer. The two of them were so close now that they could feel each other''s breath and the heat of their sweaty bodies pressing together.


    She quickly pulled her hand away, and Cedric sat up, lying beside her. There was a brief pause, and neither of them said a word. Noelle''s heart raced, unsure whether it was from the intense workout or something else entirely.


    As she shifted slightly, her hand brushed against his arm. Noelle quickly withdrew her hand, but she couldn''t ignore the heating from his arm.


    Cedric stared at the ceiling, sweat trickling down the side of his face. He could hear the rapid rhythm of her breath beside him. Thest time he had heard this was when she was drugged.


    Cedric clenched his fists involuntarily, trying to steady his racing thoughts.


    After a few moments, their breathing slowly steadied. As Noelle turned around,


    she noticed the sun had set, casting a soft glow through the window.


    She couldn''t help but say, "Cedric, look at that sunset over there." He sat up. "Where?"


    "Over there..." Noelle turned to point, but as she did so, she found herself face-to- face with Cedric. Their faces were so close that they nearly kissed.


    Noelle''s mind went nk. Her pulse thundered in her ears, drowning out all other sounds. The rapid pounding of her heart felt like a drum.


    In Cedric''s dark eyes, everything else faded, and all that remained was her presence.