?Chapter 452:


    “I dare you toy a finger on her!” Noah’s voice was icy and authoritative, leaving no room for doubt.


    His sharp gaze swept over the aggressors, his mere presence enough to make them hesitate. Those who had been aggressive moments ago shivered involuntarily under Noah’s gaze and stopped in their tracks.


    K’s face drained of color instantly.


    “N-Noah?” Her voice trembled. “Why are you here?”


    “If I hadn’t shown up, would you have torn this ce apart?” Noah’s voice was frigid, void of any warmth.


    K opened her mouth but found herself at a loss for words.


    Noah’s tone darkened. “This is yourst warning. Stay away from Sadie. Next time, you won’t get off so easily.”


    K trembled, knowing full well he wasn’t bluffing. Gritting her teeth, she spun on her heel.


    “Let’s go!” K stormed off with her followers, humiliated.


    As soon as they disappeared, Noah turned back to Sadie. Seeing how pale she looked, something flickered in his eyes—something almost like pain.


    “Are you alright?” he asked softly.


    Sadie nodded. “I’m fine.”


    Noah hesitated before murmuring, “I should havee sooner.”


    “This isn’t your fault.” She inhaled deeply, pushing down the whirlwind of emotions. “Still… thank you.”


    Noah’s gaze softened. “Do we really need to say that to each other?”


    Sadie looked away, unable to meet his eyes. A simple “thank you” could never solve theplexity between them. She wanted to run, to put distance between them before she got pulled in too deep.


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    But Noah’s presence, his unwavering gaze, wrapped around her like an invisible force, making escape impossible. And she knew—beneath all his kindness, there was danger. K’s insanity, Isabel’s cruelty, and most of all… Noah’s uncertain heart.


    With deliberate steps, Sadie entered the elevator, her thoughts a chaotic swirl. She gripped the handrail tightly, her knuckles turning white under the pressure. She constantly reminded herself to stayposed and think logically. She couldn’t afford to fall for Noah again.


    Upon reaching her apartment, Sadie quickly locked the door, shutting herself away in her small space.


    Outside the building, Noah remained motionless, his gaze fixed on the path she had taken. He stood there, lost in thought. Exhaustion and regret forced a heavy sigh from his lips.


    For him and Sadie, there was no path to reconciliation. The wounds from three years ago had carved a deep divide between them. Despite his efforts, the pain Sadie had endured still lingered.


    Noah pulled out his phone and called Samuel.


    “Samuel, I need you to assign people to watch over Sadie. Make sure she stays safe.”


    “Understood, Mr. Wall,” Samuel responded dutifully.


    Even after hanging up, Noah’s mood remained heavy. His mind wandered back to the warnings from years ago, echoes of advice that now haunted him. “Noah, you’ll regret this. You’ll regret losing Sadie forever.” At the time, he had brushed them off,ughing at the thought.


    Now, he couldn’t deny the truth. The regret was profound.


    Had he not misjudged Sadie three years ago, had he not driven her away, Averi might have been his child, and they could have been a happy family.


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