Noelle walked over to the front of the desk. "I did find a small issue. We''ll need to have a meetingter to fix it."


    Cedric tapped the desk. "Come over and take a look. Let me see if the issue I found is the same as yours."


    Was he testing it, too?


    Noelle walked around the desk and moved to his side.


    Cedric stood up and stepped aside to make room for her, then poured a ss of water and ced it beside her.


    Noelle moved the mouse and nced at the error he had identified. "It seems like you noticed the same thing. I wasn''t entirely sure about it earlier."


    She had to admit that Cedric was more skilled than she was in this area.


    He leaned over to look at theputer. "Actually, this one''s easy to spot..."


    He ced one hand on the edge of the desk, calmly exining the problem with patience.


    At first, Noelle was focused on his exnation, but then she suddenly turned her head and noticed how close they were.


    He had leaned in so close that it almost felt like he was enveloping her in a loose embrace.


    For a moment, Noelle found it hard to concentrate. She grabbed the cup beside her and took a few sips, feeling slightly thirsty.


    Cedric paused, ncing at the cup in her hand. "Are you thirsty?"


    Noelle nodded.


    He smiled lightly. "That''s the cup I used."


    He had used this cup?


    Noelle''s face flushed with warmth, and she quickly set the cup down. "Then I''ll pour you another one."


    "No need," Cedric said as he straightened up, creating some distance between them. He acted as though the brief moment of awkwardness hadn''t happened. "Let''s go eat something."


    Noelle stood up from the chair. "It''s gettingte. I should head back to the dorm, or I''ll miss curfew."


    The dorm had a curfew.


    Cedric nced at the time. It was indeed gettingte, and he remembered that the Yole University dorms closed at 11:00 pm.


    "I''ll drive you back," he offered.


    Noelle left the office with Cedric and sat in the front passenger seat.


    The car was quiet, and Noelle felt a bit ufortable. She decided to break the silence. "Didn''t Alfrede today?"


    "Why do you want to see him?"


    "He brought in thatwyer to handle the case. Did you know? Mr. Rodrick, the famous one!" she responded.


    Cedric''s tone was calm. "Yes, I know."


    "What''s the rtionship between Alfred and Justin?"


    She knew Alfred was wealthy but didn''t realize he had ties to the Greene family in Yasnia.


    Cedric''s car stopped at a red light. "Why do you ask?"


    "Justin went to the courthouse with Xenia today," Noelle continued. "He said something strange. He implied that Mr. Rodrick could take on the case because of his cousin."


    She didn''t mention the remark Justin had made about her supposed affair.


    Cedric knew the truth couldn''t stay hidden any longer.


    He paused for a moment before answering, "He is indeed Justin''s cousin."


    Noelle was a bit surprised. "Alfred is the heir to the Greene family in Yasnia?" She hadn''t realized how powerful his background was.


    She nced seriously at the man beside her. "I didn''t know your buddy was so rich."


    Cedric seemed slightly guilty. "He''s doing alright."


    "Then why didn''t you tell me sooner?"


    "There was no need."


    Noelle thought about it for a moment. It didn''t seem important, and Alfred probably didn''t want his identity revealed either.


    Before long, the car stopped outside the university.


    After Noelle got out, she waved at him. "Drive safely."


    "Noelle, you''re not with your sugar daddy tonight? Going on a date with this poor


    guy instead? Aren''t you afraid Mr. Parham will find out you''re ying both sides and dump you?"


    Xenia reeked of alcohol and perfume. She clearly just came from a bar.


    Cedric''s expression darkened instantly.