Chapter 2122


    The gathering at Academic Bridges had everyone in high spirits—and more than a little tipsy. E,


    buoyed by the joy of the asion and the persistent toasts from well-meaning friends, had


    overindulged. Her head felt heavy, but her mind was surprisingly alert.


    As more revelers approached to offer her drinks, it was Paul who stepped in to intercept them. The


    teasing started soon after, hinting at a budding romance between E and Paul.


    "You two have been the talk of the campus love watch. Come clean, are you guys dating?"


    "Yeah, both of you jetting off to Y Country together. Was that a secret rendezvous nned?"


    "It''s just so sweet, two high-achievers studying abroad together. You''re giving us serious couple


    goals."


    "Don''t go eloping and surprise us with a wedding once you''re back, alright?"d2


    As the conversation became more and more absurd, E felt helpless. "There''s nothing going on.


    And even if there was a wedding, I''de back to collect your gifts." she joked.


    "Ooh, sounds like there might be a little truth behind the teasing after all?" someone chimed in,


    sniffing out the gossip with a grin stered on their face.


    E shook her head with a chuckle, stood up with her ss in hand—slightly unsteady—and raised


    it for a toast. "Last one for the night, folks. Here''s to sess in our studies and a future bright as the


    stars."


    *


    Paul had thoughtfully arranged for his family''s chauffeur to wait outside, ready to escort E back to


    her apartment near the campus. He nced at E, who rested her head against the car window,


    her brows knit together as if in difort, and asked, "Feeling rough?"


    "No," she shook her head.


    "Have you talked to your grandfather, or your uncle about this?" Paul seemed hesitant but broached


    the subject nheless.


    E''s posture didn''t change, but she slowly opened her eyes. "Not yet. My uncle''s engagement is


    the priority right now, and I doubt they''ll have time for my issues." Her voice was calm, devoid of any


    emotional tremor.


    Paul continued, "You might miss your uncle’s engagement party..."


    "I won''t," she replied calmly, cutting him off. "As inappropriate as it may sound, I''d rather not attend,


    so I won''t postpone my departure."


    Paul nodded, a slight relief washing over his face. After a brief silence, he suggested, "Since we


    have some time over the summer, why not travel a bit before the term starts?"


    E paused, then looked up at him.


    Paul smiled. "I''ve always wanted to tour Western Europe. With a few free days over the summer, we


    could see as much as we can. Care to join? We could start in the Nethends."


    E pursed her lips, her gaze drifting to the fleeting colors outside the window. When the car


    stopped at her building, E stepped out on her own but immediately felt a wave of dizziness and


    nausea.


    She rushed to the nearby flower bed, bent over, and Paul was right there, supporting her. After


    holding it in all evening, she couldn''t keep it down any longer.


    Paul gently patted her back as the driver handed her a bottle of water. Without having eaten much


    earlier, she felt utterly drained after vomiting and slumped into Paul''s embrace.


    He opened the water for her, and E took a few sips, rinsed her mouth, and then drank again, her


    hand trembling around the bottle.


    "I''ll walk you up," he offered.


    E could only murmur an acknowledgment, too weak to nod.


    Paul decided to carry her upstairs, and they reached her apartment door. E pressed her


    fingerprint on the smart lock, and with a click, Paul kicked the door open with his foot.


    Inside, the lights were all on, revealing a tall, stern man in the living room, exuding an imposing


    aura.


    E, sensing the tension, lifted her head from Paul''s arms and locked eyes with the man, her brow


    furrowing. "What are you doing here?"


    "Put her down,"manded Noah, ignoring her question and fixing his gaze on Paul.


    Paul remainedposed. "She''s had too much to drink."


    As Noah approached, the tension became palpable. "Give her to me," Noah insisted, brooking no


    argument.


    "Paul, put me down," she requested, feeling the awkwardness of the situation.


    Paulplied, and as E''s feet touched the floor, she swayed but managed to stabilize herself


    with Paul’s support. "Why are you here? Didn''t you say this apartment was a gift for me? How can


    you just walk in whenever you want?"


    "I bought it, so why can''t Ie in as I please? E, you''ve got some nerve, getting drunk and


    bringing a guy home with you?"


    E staggered toward the sofa, then Noah pulled her back. "Didn''t you hear me talking to you?"


    "What''s it to you?!"


    "I''m your uncle—does that answer your question?!"


    The living room fell silent.


    After a moment, E took a deep breath and nodded. "Fine, Uncle. I''m not feeling well. Can I rest


    now?"


    Noah''s expression softened slightly as he saw her weary face, and his tone mellowed. "Need a


    shower?"


    The familiar gentleness in his voice made E''s heart twinge. She nodded, "Yes."


    "Go lie down. I''ll run a bath for you."


    "I can just take a quick shower."


    "Can you even stand properly? Go lie down." His words left no room for debate, and E,


    ustomed to obedience, simply nodded.


    The next moment, Noah carried her straight to the bedroom, a rare physical closeness that had


    be umon in recent years.


    He gently ced her on the bed, looking down at her coldly. "Don''t think we''re done discussing


    tonight''s events," he said before leaving the room.


    Noah then faced Paul, still standing in the living room, and his presence chilling the air further. "Are


    you not leaving?"


    Paul stood his ground. "Isn''t it inappropriate for you to enter E''s ce like this?"


    A dangerous glint appeared in Noah''s eyes. "Are you lecturing me?"


    "It could harm E''s reputation. Besides, you''re about to be engaged."


    Noah''s expression was ice-cold. "So what? And what right do you have to talk to me about this? If


    you want E, you''ll have to get my approval first."


    Paul''s lips curled into a sardonic smile. "Actually, that''s not the case. Grandpa Jon has no


    objections to me pursuing her. All I need now is for E to say yes. And you might want to


    remember, she''s just your niece. You don''t have that many rights to meddle in her life."


    A vein throbbed dangerously on Noah''s forehead.


    Paul continued, "Besides, you''re only her uncle in name."


    It felt as if a rational cord inside Noah snapped under the weight of his rage. "Paul..."


    "Paul, why don''t you head out?"


    A voice from behind cut through just as Noah''s anger was about to erupt.


    "Go get some rest. I''ll see you at school tomorrow."


    Paul stared at her for a long moment before nodding. "Alright, make sure you rest up too."


    E watched Paul close the door behind him before turning to Noah. "Uncle Noah, you should head


    out too. I''m feeling much better, just need a quick shower."


    "E," Noah said heavily, "can''t you see he''s got designs on you?"


    E pursed her lips, surprised he would stay to question her after she''d asked him to leave. "I can


    see it, but there''s no need for you to worry. I had a few too many drinks at the dinner. He was just


    seeing me home, and it won''t happen again. And don''t think I''m ying some game. This is my


    apartment, after all. I wasn''t expecting you to show up tonight."


    "Why don''t you keep your distance if you see his intentions?"


    "Why should I?" E frowned. "He''s a ssmate, a friend. He has his sights on me, but he hasn''t


    done anything inappropriate. How else am I supposed to find out if he''s worth my trust if I keep him


    at arm''s length?"


    Noah''s pupils dted as the air around them seemed to freeze. "What did you say?" He stepped


    close, his grip on her chin was menacing, and his dark eyes churned with a chilling sternness.


    "Worth your trust? What are you thinking, huh?"


    "Thinking about giving it a try with him." E was brutally honest. "There''s no better candidate than


    him for now. We''re of the same age, share the same major, and have a lot inmon. I''ve seen his


    character over the years; there''s nothing to pick at. Only a fool would keep distance from such an


    outstanding guy who likes me, right?"


    Her words only tightened his grip on her jaw. "E, I''m wondering what I need to do to teach you a


    lesson and get rid of these thoughts."


    His voice was so cold that E shivered. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, then suddenly


    said, "Uncle Noah, I''m sorry."


    Her tone shifted, adopting the same apologetic and aggrieved demeanor she used in the past when


    scolded by him. "I shouldn''t have drunk. I shouldn''t have let a drunk man into my ce. It won''t


    happen again."


    She leaned her head against his shoulder, her voice carrying a hint of coquetry, "I feel awful now,


    and I know I was wrong. Please, let''s forget about tonight."


    Noah''s rising anger crumbled at her sudden change of heart. He was at a loss for how to react.


    E truly felt miserable and exhausted. The alcohol took effect, blurring her consciousness, leaving


    her without the strength to stand off with Noah any longer.


    She softened her stance and simply apologized. In the past, whenever she did something wrong


    and admitted it with good grace, ying the pitiful card, she always managed to get off the hook. It


    never failed.


    Though she couldn''t bring herself to think about it, it seemed to have worked once again.


    Letting out a long sigh, she instinctively snuggled closer into his embrace.


    The weather had been gloomy all day, with low-hanging fog and a dampness in the air. E had


    dressed simply in jeans and a hoodie.


    She was usually a peaceful sleeper, even when drunk, she didn''t thrash about, just slept quietly. But


    this time, as heid her in bed, she frowned and squirmed restlessly, her face showing difort


    and impatience.


    Noah sat by the bed, watching her for a while, his hand hovering over the hem of her shirt. Finally,


    as she twisted again in difort, he lifted her shirt.


    Summer attire was light and simple. Beneath the hoodie, she wore nothing but a bra. Her skin was


    glowing and wless, her delicate curves barely concealed by the pale lingerie.


    The once sweet and innocent girl had grown into a woman.


    Lust filled his eyes as he fought the shadows rising within him. Taking her into his arms, he ignored


    the boobs against his chest and quickly removed her hoodie over her head. She quieted down after


    that.


    Covering her with a nket, he stood up in the temperature-controlled room, drenched in sweat.


    *


    E was roused by her rm in the morning. Despite a pounding headache, she forced herself up.


    These were herst few days at Summit Ridge University, and the closer she got to the end, the


    more she didn''t want to leave.


    After freshening up, she stepped out of the bedroom just as Noah exited the adjacent room. She


    paused. "You stayed herest night?"


    She vaguely remembered Noah''s shirt from the night before.


    Noah''s face was etched with displeasure. "Is that a problem?"


    E closed the door behind her. "No, it''s just that I''m not sure what the point was of you buying this


    apartment for me anymore."


    Noah was silent for a moment. "You''re moving back tonight."


    E fell silent. Was he crazy?


    "There''s no need," she refused without a second thought, "Summer break is just a few days away,


    and this ce is indeed convenient. I don''t want to hassle with moving again."


    Noah''s brows furrowed. "Did I make your life that inconvenient?"


    If it came to it, E couldn''t answer. After all, Noah had always taken care of her every need, down


    to the smallest detail. She hadn''t felt inconvenienced at all.


    "Things are different now."


    E was about to grab her book from the living room coffee table but found it empty.


    Just then, Paul''s call came through.


    "Hello? Just about to eat... Thanks... Oh, you have my book fromst night? Great, I''lle down


    and get it."


    After hanging up the phone, E had already reached the entrance. There was a half-length mirror


    in the entrance area, and E bent down to apply some lipstick, carefully adjusting her hair. "Uncle


    Noah, I''m heading out. Drive safe, and don''t forget to lock up."


    "I''ll drop you off at school." Noah''s tone was as decisive as ever, his expression had turned


    inexplicably grim.


    "No need, I''m going to school with... a ssmate."


    "E!"


    "Bye, Uncle Noah."


    E seemed to fear Noah might say more. She rushed through her goodbye and disappeared in the


    blink of an eye as she opened the door and left.


    Noah''s anger swelled within him, finding no outlet for release. Almost reflexively, he moved to the


    living room window and watched as E hurried down to where a man stood waiting by the grove of


    trees at the downstairs of her apartment building.


    The man smiled as he saw her approach, then handed her a paper bag he had been holding. E


    took it eagerly, pulling out a carton of almond milk with a straw, and began drinking it as she walked


    away.


    This only reinforced Noah''s belief that letting her live on her own was not a good idea. As he


    watched their retreating figures, Noah''s gaze darkened even further.


    *


    In the afternoon, E had just stepped out of the school gate when she saw Noah''s car. He was


    leaning against the car door, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a smartphone, busily tapping


    away. His casual stance had already attracted quite a few stares and whispers.


    E even thought that there seemed to be more students hanging around the north gate than usual.


    "E, is that your uncle?"


    "Did your unclee to pick you up from school?"


    "He''s so handsome, no wonder you haven''t had a boyfriend for two years. With such an impressive


    man close by, it''s no surprise you''re picky."


    E offered a strained smile.


    Noah seemed to sense something amiss and looked up directly at her. His gaze lingered for a


    second before he spoke in a deep voice. "Come here."


    Taking a deep breath, E put on a brave face and walked over to him. "Uncle Noah, what brings


    you here?"


    Noah nced at her, "Get in the car."


    E instinctively looked at the passenger seat. "Where are we going?"


    Noah remained silent.


    E suddenly remembered what she had said to him earlier in the morning, "I''m about to have my


    summer break..."


    "E." Noah''s voice was stern. "Are you avoiding me deliberately? To spite me, you''d pick any


    random guy to be your boyfriend. That''s irresponsible towards your own life. As long as you''re part


    of the Tretton family, and under my watch, some decisions are not yours to make. I don’t want to tell


    you a third time. Get in the car."


    In that moment, E felt a mix of panic and helplessness. In the end, her recent actions, in his eyes,


    were just another tedious game.


    Yes, she couldn''t deny she''d been avoiding him deliberately. Her feelings for him weren''t something


    that could just disappear overnight. God knows how torturous these past few days, putting on a


    brave face, had been for her.


    "Maybe you''re right. So tell me, how should I act around you so it doesn''t seem deliberate?"


    "You don''t have to do anything."


    Tired of overthinking, E yanked open the rear car door and got in, mming it with force.


    Noah frowned slightly, ncing at the passenger seat before letting her be. He was used to this.


    E had expected him to take her back to his vi, but instead, he drove her to meet Reba. They


    arrived at a wedding nning studio, decorated in a dreamy and luxurious style, with white being


    the dominant color and dazzling chandeliers everywhere.


    Reba was sitting in the VIP area on a white fluffy carpet, surrounded by notebooks and


    paperwork. She sat barefoot, leaning over a crystal coffee table, engrossed in her nning.


    Upon seeing them, Reba greeted E with a smile and waved her over. "There you are. I just


    can''t decide. Everything looks so good. E,e and help me choose."


    E suddenly felt a chill. A creeping coldness started at her feet and spread to every corner of her


    body, every drop of blood, every cell, and every pore.


    She stood there, her face pale, her lips quivering.


    Her emotions were too apparent, and Reba''s words trailed off as she looked between Noah and


    E, confused and uncertain. "Noah, what''s wrong with E?"


    Hearing this, Noah turned to E, and upon seeing her ashen face and the tremble in her lips, his


    expression stiffened. "What''s wrong?"


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    E let out a coldugh, suddenly swatting Noah''s hand away.


    The room went still.


    E closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she opened them again, her clear eyes were


    filled with sadness and irony.


    "Is this what you meant when you said I don''t have to do anything?"


    Noah''s gaze turned icy, like a bottomless abyss. "What are you ying at now?"


    "ying?" E chuckled bitterly as tears fell. "What counts as not ying? If I get close to


    someone, you say I''m doing it to spite you. If I avoid you, you say I''m being deliberate. What does it


    mean to be non-deliberate? You know exactly how I feel, but you bring me here to n your


    engagement party with her. Tell me, how am I supposed to not be deliberate? Now you''re saying I''m


    making a scene. If I don''t, you call it deliberate. What exactly do you want from me? As long as I''m


    with the Tretton family, and I''m under your watch, do I have to follow your script step by step?"


    E wiped her tears fiercely, her gaze piercing him. "Don''t worry, that won''t be for much longer. You


    won''t have to go out of your way to make sure I give up hope once and for all." With that, she


    pushed past Noah and ran out of the studio.


    Caught off guard, Noah stumbled backward a few steps but quickly regained hisposure and


    started to follow her.


    Reba stood rooted to the spot for a moment before, in a panic, she reached out and grabbed


    Noah''s arm. "Noah!"


    Noah stopped and turned to her, his face still clouded with unresolved anger and frustration.


    Reba''s heart skipped a beat, but she held on to his arm tighter, her expression stiff. "What did


    E mean by that? What feelings?"


    Noah''s gaze grew colder still. He said nothing, yet Reba understood the devastating truth.


    "Noah, she''s your niece."


    "So it''s us who are getting hitched."


    Noah dropped the emotionless bomb and brushed off her hand, turning his back and striding away.


    *


    E hadn''t run far before Noah caught up with her with ease. Her arm was yanked with such force


    that the momentum nearly toppled her, but instead, she crashed into the solid embrace of the man.


    That familiar scent required no second thought. E didn''t hesitate as she began to struggle. "Let go


    of me!"


    "Where do you think you''re running off to, E? I''m giving you a minute to cool off and talk to me,


    properly."


    No matter the circumstance, he was all too ustomed to chastising her like an elder, to


    commanding her. And now was no different.


    Even her sorrow had a time limit. He wanted a say in everything about her, to critique, and to n


    her life. She wasn''t allowed to love him, nor to fancy anyone else.


    "Talk about what? What could I possibly say to you? Does what I say even matter?"


    Noah''s arm tightened around her waist as he demanded, "Exin what you just said. What do you


    mean by ''not for long''?"


    E paused briefly, "Nothing."


    "You bettere clean with me."


    E calmed down, straightened up, and her voice steadied. "Aren''t you the one who says my


    studies should be my focus right now? I think you''re right, so I''ve decided to dedicate myself to


    learning."


    "What does that have to do with what you said?"


    "It does. If I immerse myself in my studies, then naturally I won''t have to think about you anymore,


    so you don''t need to go out of your way to make me give up."


    Her answer wasn''t particrly convincing, but the logic was there. Still, it wasn''t what Noah wanted


    to hear, but it was all he could ept.


    "And..." E''s voice was faint, "I''m going to travel abroad as soon as summer break starts."


    Noah narrowed his eyes, "I won''t be around to take you."


    "I know, you''ll be busy with your engagement party." E took a deep breath, "I don''t want to see


    you preupied with that, and I don''t want to be part of it. Out of sight, out of mind. Better to be


    abroad than sulking at home."


    Noah watched her for a long moment before nodding, "Fine. Where are you nning to go, and for


    how long? I''ll make the arrangements."


    "Western Europe, starting with the Nethends, about two weeks."


    "No way." Noah''s words cut through like thunder, "Two weeks is too long."


    "Then ten days."


    "One week, tops. Otherwise, forget it."


    E''s heart sank, the same old story. She closed her eyes momentarily, reining in her feelings, then


    nodded, "Alright, one week it is."


    Noah nodded, "When do you n to leave? Best if it''s before the 9th. You know my engagement


    party is on the 16th."


    E forced a smile, "The 5th."


    "Good."


    He was always quick to act, immediately dialing his assistant to book E''s flight to the Nethends


    for the 5th, arrange the hotel, and even set up a couple of bodyguards to apany her.


    E frowned, wanting to refuse, but considering the inevitable oue, she let it be.


    After hanging up, Noah nced at her, "Come on, I''ll take you home."


    E paused, "What about Reba?"


    Noah gave her a sidelong nce, "You still remember her, how touching."


    E pursed her lips, "You should go check on her first. I can take a cab."


    "Don''t worry about things you shouldn''t," Noah said, picking up his phone again and gesturing to


    her, "Go wait in the car."


    E did as told, heading back to where Noah''s car was parked by the studio. Before she left, she


    overheard his call being answered, "Still at the studio?"


    *


    In the end, Noah did manage to drop her off at her college dormitory.


    Before getting out of the car, E said, "I won''t be able to return to the family home this weekend."


    "Come stay at the vi tomorrow."


    E said nothing, opened the car door, and stepped out. She had thought he was there to take her


    back to the vi today. He took her on a long detour and bringing her back here. It didn''t take much


    to guess that he probably had someone to soothe tonight.