?Chapter 493:


    “I understand, ma’am. I’ll keep this confidential,” the teacher quickly assured Sadie.


    “I appreciate it,” Sadie replied with a grateful smile before crouching down to gently stroke Averi’s hair. “Averi, be good and listen to your teachers, okay?”


    “Okay, Mommy! Don’t worry, I’ll behave!” Averi nodded eagerly.


    “That’s my boy.” Sadie kissed his forehead tenderly. “I’lle pick you up after work.”


    “Alright!” Averi replied obediently.


    With reluctance, Sadie walked out of the kindergarten. Standing at the entrance, she watched as Averi’s small figure disappeared into the ssroom, and a mix of warmth and mncholy filled her chest. He was growing up—sooner orter, he would be independent and no longer need her as much.


    Letting out a quiet sigh, she finally turned to leave.


    Just then, a ck Rolls-Royce Phantom glided to a halt in front of her. Her heart clenched…


    Noah.


    Why was he here?


    She instinctively stopped in her tracks, frozen in ce.


    The tinted window rolled down slowly, revealing Noah’s strikingly handsome features. He sat inside, tilting his head slightly as he studied her with an unreadable expression. His dark eyes betrayed nothing, making it impossible to gauge his thoughts.


    “What are you doing here?” Sadie asked warily.


    “Get in.” Noah didn’t bother answering her question—he simply issued themand in a calm, authoritative tone. His voice was low and maic, carrying an air of control that was impossible to ignore.


    g?lnσν???s?cóm is your escape


    Sadie hesitated but eventually obeyed.


    Inside the car, the familiar scent of Noah’s cologne lingered in the air, a fragrance she had long associated with him.


    The silence was abruptly broken by Noah’s unexpected question. “Where’s Alex?” Hearing this, Sadie tensed immediately. She hadn’t expected Noah to bring up Alex out of the blue. Just moments ago, she had told the kindergarten teacher that Averi’s father was no longer alive. Now, Noah was asking about Alex. What was she supposed to say?


    Her thoughts scrambled for an answer. She lowered her gaze, hoping to mask the panic flickering in her eyes.


    Lies only led to more lies. She hated deception, but more than anything, she couldn’t allow Averi to be part of the Wall family. That cold, unfeeling household would only bring him pain. She had to protect him.


    “He… he had something urgent to take care of and willeter,” she stammered, her voice barely steady. She tried her best to control her emotions, not wanting Noah to see through her.


    “Is that so?” Noah’s sharp gaze flickered with something unreadable. His long fingers tapped rhythmically against the armrest. The soft but deliberate sound filled the quiet car, heightening her unease.


    He didn’t say anything further, simply watching her in silence.


    Just a while ago, Lara Waddy—one of the teachers from the prestigious international kindergarten—had contacted him. After all, the school was funded by the Wall Group.


    “Are you hiding something from me, Sadie?” Noah asked directly, causing Sadie’s heart to plummet.


    Sadie parted her lips but found herself unable to speak.


    What could she possibly say? That Averi was hers alone and had nothing to do with him? That she had fabricated a lie about his father being gone just to keep him away from the Wall family?


    .


    .


    .