?Chapter 329:


    “Sadie, you bitch!” K growled, throwing her phone onto the sofa.


    She began to pace, agitation mounting with each step. “No, I can’t just sit here and do nothing!” K stopped abruptly.


    “Noah is mine—mine alone! No one will ever take him from me!”


    Seizing her handbag, she stormed out of the door, driven by rage.


    At KFC, while Noah and Averi were still enjoying their meal, a figure approached their table.


    “Noah, what a coincidence—you’re here too,” K said, her smile strained, her eyes fixed intently on Averi.


    Noah’s brow furrowed slightly as he responded coolly, “Mm.”


    Ignoring Noah’s reserved reaction, K walked straight up to Averi, crouched down, and spoke in an overly sweet tone. “Hey there, little one, what’s your name?”


    Averi eyed her warily and moved closer to Noah without responding.


    “Don’t be scared. I’m a friend of Noah,” K continued, still smiling as she reached out to pat Averi’s head.


    Averi ducked away from her hand, gripping Noah’s arm tightly, and stated in a small, firm voice, “I don’t like thisdy.”


    For a moment, K’s smile froze, but she quickly recovered, masking her irritation. “Oh, you’re such a shy little one.”


    She then pulled a neatly wrapped toy from her purse. “I brought you a gift. Do you like it?”


    Averi nced at the toy but shook his head and retreated behind Noah, his voice soft yet resolute. “My mom said not to take things from strangers.” K’s expression darkened momentarily. She hadn’t anticipated such a direct rejection from Averi.


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    Attempting to maintain herposure, she insisted, “I’m not a stranger.”


    “Anyway, I don’t know you!” Averi retorted loudly, his face flushing with emotion.


    Noah, observing Averi’s defensive reaction, felt a surge of protectiveness. He tousled Averi’s hair affectionately and addressed K firmly. “We’ve got to go.”


    With that, he took Averi’s hand and swiftly exited KFC.


    K stood frozen for a moment, watching their retreating backs, her forced smile dissolving into a look of sheer venom. “Sadie, just you wait!” K hissed through clenched teeth, her fist so tightly balled that her fingernails dug into her palm.


    Noah, with Averi’s hand securely in his, walked out of KFC with deliberate, long strides.


    Behind them, K’s resentful gaze followed, igniting a flicker of annoyance within him.


    “Thatdy is so scary,” Averi murmured in a small, frightened voice, gripping Noah’s hand more tightly.


    As Noah looked down at the child, his expression softened.


    He offered a reassuring smile and said gently, “Don’t worry, I’m here.” Just as he spoke, a sharp cry cut through the air.


    Noah quickly turned around to see K copsing to the floor. Her high heelsy askew beside her, and blood flowed from a gash on her forehead down her cheek—a startling sight.


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