Chapter 2120


    The craziest thing E ever did in her life was that when she turned twenty, bolstered by alcohol,


    she went into Noah''s room.


    Before she was kicked out of the bed, her cheek stung from a sharp p.


    As she was flung to the floor, the word “slut” crashed into her eardrums.


    After she hit the ground, E was painfully aware that her heart was shattered, lying in ruins


    beneath her, a dignity pulverized by her own doing.


    The air in the room held a frosty chill, oppressive, almost suffocating.


    E had both hands supporting her on the ground, and her disheveled hair almost entirely obscured


    her lowered head, making it impossible to see any expression on her face. "Am I really that bad?"


    she asked, her voice eerily calm, devoid of the expected sobs and trembles.d2


    Noah sat perched on the windowsill armchair, d in dark blue pajamas. Between his fingers, he


    held a cigarette, its pale smoke doing nothing to soften the icy edge on his face. "Do you even know


    who you are?" he asked, his voice sharp.


    E nodded slightly, "Yeah, grandpa’s granddaughter, your niece."


    "So you knew what you were doing. Have you no shame?"


    Her fists clenched on the carpet. "It''s just a title, isn''t it? I share no blood with you all. I''m just the girl


    grandpa took in."


    Noah pressed the cigarette butt into the ashtray with force, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "E,


    over the years, the Trettons have given you more than just a ''title''. Even if it''s just that, you bear the


    Tretton name. Don''t y those trashy games with me. You really think I''m that stupid? I''d advise


    you to get over whatever fantasy you''re harboring, or you can just get the hell out of the Tretton


    family."


    Sitting on the floor, staring at her trembling hands, she couldn''t move.


    He''d used her of ying trashing games more than once. Indeed, she had been ying games.


    There was that one time when she got too close to another boy and incurred his scolding. She


    naively thought it was jealousy, so she tried again, only to be met with his repeated scorn for her


    "trashy games".


    He knew, and in his eyes, she was nothing but a childish clown, deluded and dancing for attention.


    "Get out!" Noah''s voice, heavy with anger, crashed down on her like a lead weight.


    She blinked her dry eyes, and nodded slightly, using almost all of her strength to stand up from the


    ground.


    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    She walked all the way to the door before she paused. "The Tretton family has given me so much,


    and I am very grateful to the Tretton family, grateful to my grandfather, grateful to you. So grateful


    that I am willing to repay it with my entire life."


    Noah''s voice was still chillingly cold, "I don''t need you to repay it in this way."


    "I know." E almost interrupted him, "I never thought of repaying it in this way. I didn''t think clearly,


    and I was ungrateful. It won''t happen again."


    Noah didn''t say anything anymore, E stayed for a few more seconds, then leaned on the door


    frame and stepped out of the room, closing his bedroom door behind her.


    Back in her room, E sat on her bed, hands braced on the mattress, looking around her bedroom.


    Every corner and trinket spoke of luxury.


    She’s an orphan adopted into wealth, treated like a beloved daughter – what more could she ask


    for?


    She’s just being too greedy.


    From Noah''s reaction, she was consumed with a sense of extreme ungratefulness. Taking a deep


    breath, she forced a smile, gripping the bedsheets, reminding herself she had no right to feel hurt or


    cry. Yet the tears wouldn''t stop. Eventually, she gave up trying to hold them back.


    After some time, she pulled herself together and sshed cold water on her swollen eyes in the


    bathroom.


    The next morning, she was awakened by a knock on her door. "Miss, it''s time for breakfast, or you''ll


    bete for school."


    Without looking in the mirror, she could feel her eyes were still puffy. She took a small mirror from


    the bedside table and after a silent moment, she said, "I''m not feeling well. I''ve already informed my


    advisor. I won''t be going to school today."


    The housekeeper asked with concern, "Miss, what seems to be the problem? Shall I have the butler


    call the family doctor toe and take a look at you?"


    "No need," E replied. "I had a bit to drinkst night and have a headache now. I just need some


    rest."


    "Understood. Rest well."


    The housekeeper descended the stairs, and Jon and Noah were in the dining room. "Ms. E isn''t


    feeling well today and won''t be attending school," the housekeeper informed them.


    Jon frowned, "Not feeling well? What happened? Why don’t you call the doctor?"


    "She said it was from drinkingst night, and she just needs more sleep this morning."


    "Drinking?" Jon''s eyes widened with disapproval as he turned to Noah. "And what kind of uncle are


    you? Not keeping an eye on her?"


    Noah continued his breakfast unfazed, "She''s twenty. A little drinking is fine."


    "That''s fine?" Jon''s voice rose. "She''s got a headache from it."


    Jon''s every word dripped with favoritism for E. Noah was used to it. "Maybe she''s building her


    tolerance. It could help her protect herself if needed."


    Jon was silent, his expression shifting subtly before he finally sighed, "Just make sure you keep an


    eye on her. She''s at an age where it''s easy to make mistakes."


    "I know," Noah responded, his indifference apparent.


    Jon''s face darkened, "She''s at a delicate age. If something happens, no one can undo it."


    "I understand."


    With a hint of impatience in his eyes, Noah set down his utensils, grabbed his jacket, and left.


    As the sound of the car engine faded into the distance, Jon resumed eating, then turned to the


    butler with a stern expression, "What exactly happened?"


    The butler approached respectfully, "Ms. E went into Mr. Noah''s roomst night and got quite the


    scolding."


    Jon''s expression darkened, and after a moment, he sighed, "E''s a good kid."


    The butler agreed, "Indeed."


    *


    E didn''t go back to sleep. She stood by the window, watching as Noah, with a coat draped over


    his wrist, casually opened the car door and got in.


    His face was always adorned with that kind of icy indifference, a look that seemed to push people


    miles away. Even the aura he exuded was the same.


    However, when he was with her, he a,ways showed unconditional adoration. She had even believed


    that he had reserved all his gentleness and patience just for her, that she was special to him. Only


    now did she realize that she had been too full of herself.


    It was nothing more than an uncle''s favoritism towards his niece, and she had mistaken it for love.


    She made her way back to bed, called her advisor to excuse herself from sses, and then


    burrowed back under the covers to sleep. It wasn''t until noon that she finally descended the stairs.


    What she hadn''t anticipated was that there would be a visitor at home at this hour.


    "E, you are up?" Jon''s voice was warm and weing as he looked up at her descending the


    staircase, "Heard you were under the weather, so Paul swung by to check in on you."


    At the mention, the man on the sofa stood up and turned, shing her a smile. "Our advisor


    mentioned you were ill, so I thought I''de see how you''re doing."


    "I''m much better now." E scratched her head, slightly embarrassed, "Thanks foring by. It was


    just a hangover from drinkingst night."


    Paul paused for a moment, then chuckled, "d to hear you''re okay."


    "E, you should cut back on the booze, don''t listen to your uncle about building your tolerance. If


    you really needed that, what use would he be?" Jon''s yful scolding warmed her heart.


    "I got it. Grandpa, it won''t happen again."


    "Good. Lunch will be a bit yet, Paul, you''ll stay for a meal. If you''re bored, you two can take a walk


    in the yard, we''ll call you when lunch is ready."


    E hesitated for a moment, her gaze lingering on Jon''s face before she smiled, nodding in


    agreement, "Alright."


    The Tretton family were originally from P City. The ce where they lived now was an old estate on


    the outskirts of town, handed down from their ancestors. As the city grew and changed, many


    properties were lost to development and demolition. A century passed, and only this plot ofnd


    remained intact. After several renovations, the Tretton family''s vi still retained an air of antiquity.


    Passing through the arched corridors and several round gates, they came to arge backyard


    garden with a man-madeke.


    The two chatted as they walked, mostly about school life. They were in the same finance program,


    of the same age, and their families had always been close. Their rapport at school was solid, and


    both were top students in their department, standouts that the school took pride in. On the school''s


    forum for couple pairings, it was no surprise that they were both listed.


    However, there was plenty of gossip about E as well. Like how she was only an adopted daughter


    of the Trettons and didn''t have the pedigree of a true-blue heiress. Or how she didn''t seem that


    smart, but had somehow gotten into Summit Ridge University''s finance program with outstanding


    grades, and despite not seeming to try as hard as others, consistently ranked at the top of her


    ss.


    Shecked a morous pedigree but had an enviable upbringing and an academic prowess that


    was the envy of many.


    At school, opinions about her were split down the middle, which was part of why she was such a


    notable figure.


    "Have you heard about the Academic Bridges program the school''s offering this year?"


    E shook her head, "What''s that?"


    Paul exined, "The university has partnered with Golden University in Y Country. Each


    department will send two exchange students. You spend two years here and the remaining two


    abroad, with the chance to earn dual bachelor''s degrees. And if you want to advance further, you


    can stay at the foreign university."


    E slowed her pace, and they came to a stop on a white bridge over theke. "So, you''re thinking


    of going?"


    Paul nodded, "I was hoping we could go together."


    E froze, surprised by his suggestion.


    Paul took a deep breath, "Don''t feel pressured. I admit I like you, but I won''t do anything you''re not


    comfortable with. Going to Y Country with me doesn''t mean you''re agreeing to anything else. I just


    think with your credentials, you''d have no problem getting into the program. It just so happens to


    align with my own wishes because once we''re abroad, I''ll be the only one you can really rely on. If


    you ept my feelings then, great; if not, I won''t press you. Regardless, this program seems like a


    win-win for me, but it ultimately depends on you."


    Paul''s candor and directness left E at a loss for words.


    "E, I hope you''ll think it over carefully. This opportunity is too good to miss. Don''t reject the


    program just because of me. Like I said, agreeing to go to Y Country doesn''t mean you''re agreeing


    to anything with me. I respect your decision."


    "I''ll think about it." She seemed eager to break the awkwardness of the moment and quickly added,


    "Lunch should be ready by now. Let''s head back."


    Saying so, she turned away. After a few steps, Paul''s voice called out from behind her. "E!"


    Reluctantly, she turned around. There was aplex expression on Paul''s face, which made her


    curious, "What''s up?"


    His lips were tightly pressed, and after a moment, he said slowly, "Maybe, this choice is a win-win


    for you too."


    E didn''t quite understand, and soon a servant''s voice was calling them in the distance.


    *


    After lunch and seeing Paul off, the butler intercepted E with a smile. "Miss, it''s a fine day, and Mr.


    Jon is waiting by thekeside gazebo for a game of chess with you."


    "Of course." She rarely spent a whole day at home and hadn''t yed with her grandfather in quite a


    while.


    The gazebo was being set up for tea, with several tes of fruit alreadyid out.


    "Grandpa." E ran over with a smile and nced at the chessboard. "We''re ying chess today, I


    see."


    "Come on, you may not be the sharpest yer, but I''ve been missing our games."


    E pouted, "I am not that bad at chess."


    "Let''s see. Show me how much you''ve improved." Eager to y, Jon barely could contain his


    excitement. E huffed lightly, rolled up her sleeves with confidence, and took her seat across from


    him.


    "Watch me win a game and show you what I''ve got."


    Jon couldn''t help butugh at her enthusiasm. And she did win the first game. He nodded


    approvingly, "Not bad, you''ve gotten better. This time you only took back one move."


    E shrugged off the defeat, herpetitive spirit undiminished. "Anyway, I won this time. To beat


    you, Grandpa, I''ve been nagging Uncle Noah to teach me chess," she said with a yful grin.


    Jon chuckled, "All right, let''s go another round."


    As they set up the pieces for the second game, Jon''s tone shifted, losing the light-hearted banter.


    Even his smile had faded.


    E felt a sudden tightness in her chest. "What''s wrong, Grandpa?"


    "Did your Uncle Noah scold youst night?"


    E''s face turned ghostly pale; her lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out.


    Jon sighed deeply. "You''re still young, E. Your thoughts on love aren''t mature yet. I should have


    noticed your feelings sooner. I''ve never liked to force anyone''s hand, including the romantic lives of


    you youngsters. Unless the person''s character is in question, I wouldn''t interfere. So even if you


    have feelings for him, if Noah isn''t interested, I can''t force him to ept you. That wouldn''t be good


    for you either. Do you understand, E?"


    E nodded, "I understand, Grandpa. Thank you for thinking so much about me."


    Jon nced at the chessboard, where E''s strategy seemed to crumble under pressure. A silent


    head shake and a pang of empathy were all he could afford her. "E," he pressed on, "I''m going to


    ask you again, can you give up on Noah?"


    Clutching a pawn in her hand, E remembered the unkind words Noah had uttered the night before


    and shook her head faintly. "I got it wrong," she whispered. "Uncle Noah has been nothing but kind


    to me. I''ll act as though I never had those feelings. Grandpa, the wise cut their losses early, right?"


    Jon nodded, his expression even more stern. "Good. If that''s how you feel, then I''ll pretend this


    never happened. And from now on, I won''t allow such things to ur again, understand? If you slip


    up, don''t me me for being heartless."


    E felt as if something sharp had scooped out half of her heart. She knew the ouest night,


    but hearing it from her grandfather today made it suffocatingly painful, even more so than the night


    before.


    She understood that her grandfather wanted to crush her hopespletely. Though it was harsh,


    she also knew that he probably wanted to spare her from future hurt. Or perhaps, he was just trying


    to tell her that she and Noah were not meant to be.


    *


    E and Noah lived in a convenient city vi, suitable for the young and vibrant life they both led.


    The weekend tradition was to return to the family estate.


    Typically, Noah would drop E off at school on his way to work, and they''d stay in the city during


    the week.


    Noah didn''te homest night. The next day, E was driven to school by a driver arranged by


    her grandfather.


    At school, she faced unusual res of defensiveness and hostility. She didn''t even need to guess to


    know that the news about the Academic Bridges program had spread, making her the target of envy


    and resentment.


    Her concerns were confirmed when her advisor called her in to discuss the very program. "This


    opportunity isn''t just about good grades, E. Many are vying for this. Two years abroad can change


    everything, and thebined degrees would turn anyone green with envy. You realize how rare this


    is, right?"


    So many people wanted this chance, but her advisor had to spend so much time persuading her.


    Even so, E still felt conflicted. "Can I have some time to think about it?"


    The advisor sighed. "I hope you make up your mind quickly. These things can change at any


    moment."


    "Okay, I understand. Thank you."


    Exiting the office, she bumped into Paul waiting outside.


    "How did it go?" he asked anxiously.


    "I need to think it over."


    Disappointment shed in Paul''s eyes, but he quickly masked it with a smile. "No worries. You didn''t


    say no, so there''s still a chance."


    E forced a smile, finding it difficult to look at him.


    After school, she wandered aimlessly before eventually returning to the city vi. It wasn''t toote


    when she arrived, but she walked in on a scene that made her heart skip a beat – Noah hade


    home.


    As she stepped in, the smell of alcohol hit her. She found him in his bedroom, eyes closed, lying on


    the bed, with a woman by his side, unbuttoning his shirt.


    Frozen at the doorway, her mind detonated with shock.


    The woman, noticing E, retracted her hand with a natural grace and smiled politely. "Hello."


    E nodded mechanically, "Hi."


    The woman was made up, strikingly pretty in that effortlessly radiant kind of way, making E feel


    instantly inferior.


    "You''re his niece, right?" the woman continued with a warm smile.


    E nodded again.


    "He''s been insisting he can''t drink much because there''s a kid at home. We all know he has a


    beloved niece he dotes on. Considering how long he''s been single, it''s probably you he''s referring


    to."


    Despite the woman''s words painting a picture of Noah''s affection for her, E felt no joy.


    Without waiting for a response, the woman added, "Could you get him a ss of water? He''s been


    asking for it."


    "Sure."


    E fetched the water, feeling like an outsider in her own home. When she returned upstairs, Noah


    was awake, propped up against the headboard, his shirt unbuttoned, hair slightly disheveled.


    The woman took the ss from E and handed it to him.


    Standing there, E didn''t know what to do until Noah''s cold voicemanded her attention. "What


    are you waiting for? Go get some rest."


    She hurried out of his room, clutching her shirt over her heart, closing her eyes tightly. So, was that


    woman staying in his room tonight?


    *


    She didn''t know how she had slept through the night. When the rm clock woke her up the next


    day, her thoughts came back, and her first reaction was heartache. She got up and headed for the


    shower.


    You had to get through the tough times, she told herself. There were things she needed to clear up


    with Noah, too.


    But she didn''t expect to see him waiting in the living room, as if he had something to say to her, as


    she descended the stairs. Pausing momentarily, she decided to take the initiative.


    She strode down the stairs and blurted out, "Uncle Noah, I was impulsive before, and I understand


    your stance now, but you didn''t have to go through the trouble of bringing a woman home just to


    remind me."


    The sharp sound of a p cut her off mid-sentence. Her gaze fell on a set of keys that Noah had


    tossed onto the coffee table moments ago, leaving her puzzled. "What''s this?"


    Noah dropped his hand from his forehead, his voice cold and unyielding, "I bought an apartment


    near your college, a fancy one. You''re going to live there from now on."


    E staggered slightly, "You... you think I might still..."


    Noah''s face was stern as he cut her off coldly, "You''re an adult now. Besides, there will be ady of


    the house moving in here. It would be awkward for you to stay. It''s not convenient."


    Without regard for her feelings, he stood up, "And as for what you said, you''re overthinking it. I''m


    not that petty."


    "I''ll have someone move your stuff to the apartment. Let me know if you need anything."


    E didn''t respond until long after Noah had left. Only then did she pick up the set of keys from the


    coffee table and after a while, let out a light chuckle.


    The first thing E did when she went to school was head to the office. She agreed to go to the Y


    Country.


    Paul was right; leaving was the best solution for her too. She needed to get both her domestic and


    international bachelor''s degrees, and she had to put some distance between herself and Noah to


    get over himpletely. She desperately needed a way to manage the jumbled mess of emotions


    she was feeling.


    She let Noah arrange for her belongings to be moved from his vi to the apartment here, and she


    moved into the apartment that very day.


    Two weeks before the summer break, her project application was sessful, and it was highly likely


    she would depart for the Y Country on one of those summer days.


    He was right. She really couldn''t stay at his ce any longer. And he was also right to do what he


    did. Who would want a woman who harbored feelings for him living under the same roof?


    It was just an unstarted affair; it was better for her to give up on it early.


    Maybe that was for the best.