Noelle nced at Magnus'' sses. "You''ve been wearing those sunsses all night. Is this your signature look or something?"


    "Ahem, yeah! It''s just for style! Pretty stylish, huh?" Magnus awkwardly adjusted his sunsses and struck a cool pose.


    Grace enthusiastically yed along. "So cool!"


    The group exited the venue.


    Noelle and Grace got into a cab and left, while Magnus stood there waving as the cab drove off.


    Michael walked over with aplicated expression. "Magnus, you have feelings for her, don''t you?


    Magnus had been glued to Noelle''s side all evening and acted like a protector. Anyone could notice his unusual behavior.


    "Nonsense! She''s my future sister-inw!"


    "Your sister-inw? So I wasn''t mistaken when I saw her in Aldoria with Cedric, was I?" Michael had always assumed he''d been mistaken.


    Magnus'' curiosity was piqued. "What was Cedric doing in Aldoria?"


    "I don''t know for sure. I just saw him with Noelle once, and I wasn''t certain it was him." Now Michael was clear that it had been Cedric.


    He raised an eyebrow and asked, "What about those long-standing rumors about Cedric being engaged to Laura, the eldest daughter of the Merlocks? Are they true or not?"


    If the rumors were false, how could they havested for so long?


    "Nothing''s set in stone. It''s all my mom''s wishful thinking. Cedric never acknowledged it, and she thinks he''ll give in if she waits long enough. That''s impossible."


    Magnus knew Cedric well. No one could change his mind once he made a decision.


    Michael suddenly grabbed his sunsses. "Who gave you that ck eye?"


    Magnus snatched them back and quickly put them on. "Cedric of course!" Cedric had punched him under the pretense of training and checking his skills.


    Then, he smacked his forehead as a thought struck him. "I almost forgot something important!"


    He had to tell Noelle about Cedric''s identity. He med Cedric for the countless beatings he endured and felt it was only fair to warn her.


    But since Noelle had left, all Magnus could do was text her. "I have something very important to tell you. Text me as soon as you''re home."


    He had to confess the truth tonight.


    Noelle noticed Magnus'' text in the cab. She couldn''t figure out what he might have to say.


    Grace hesitated before saying, "I think Magnus might have feelings for you, Noelle."


    "You noticed too?"


    "It''s hard not to. He stayed by your side all night, helped smooth things over, and made sure no one had the guts to offend you."


    Noelle felt a headacheing on. She didn''t have feelings for Magnus. Though she wasn''t sure if he was the man from her past life, she felt no romantic feelings for him either.


    Could this be fantasy meeting reality?


    ...


    The cab dropped Grace near the school and sent Noelle back to her apartment.


    Just as she got out of the cab, a sleek ck luxury car pulled up next to her, and ke stepped out. "So this is where you''re staying. Let me guess-did Alfred buy this ce for you?"


    Noelle''s face fell. "Why did you follow me?" Thest thing she wanted was for her address to be exposed to the Liddells.


    "I know you left home out of spite and need money to prove yourself, but you can''t resort to something as disgraceful as being a man''s mistress! You''reing home with me today!"


    Noelle defiantly red back. "Try me."


    ke waved, and a van pulled up at his signal. Several men in ck suits got out and surrounded Noelle.


    "Noelle, listen to me. Don''t go further down the wrong path."