Chapter 2123


    E copsed onto her bed at home after her nightly routine, her phone buzzing with activity from a


    group chat that included Reba. Since Reba''s arrival, the chat seemed toe alive with


    chatter every single day.


    At this very moment, the group was particrly animated, discussing engagement party ns.


    Reba, ever the thoughtful hostess, was inquiring about everyone''s preferred vibe for the event.


    The conversation eventually even steered towards wedding talk.


    The men in the group, eager to please Reba, were surprisingly invested in the discussion—a


    stark contrast to their usual indifference towards their own matrimonial ns.


    E peered at her screen where the messages flied by, a wry smile ying on her lips before she


    exited the chat.


    Let it be.


    After the embarrassment that E had just caused in the afternoon, it was surprising that Reba


    would openly discuss such matters in a ce where she knew E was present.d2


    As a woman, E could sense Reba''s hostility towards her. It was a warning, as clear as the one


    she felt from Noah, telling her to keep her distance.


    She was curious, how Noah had cated Reba so quickly, that she epted a truth that must


    have been shocking for her. Perhaps he held her, whispering reassurances that his rtionship with


    E was nothing more than the well-known fact that they were uncle and niece, and that would


    never change.


    Thinking of Noah''s tender demeanor with other women sent a chill through E''s heart. She couldn''t


    fathom what was going through Noah''s mind.


    Reba was aware of E''s feelings, and tonight, E had certainly returned the favor by


    embarrassing her. Did Noah ever consider how they were supposed to interact in the future?


    As long as she remained within the Tretton family, and under his watchful eye, she was bound to


    encounter Reba, wasn''t she? Or perhaps, he didn''t take her feelings seriously at all? That was


    why he didn''t bother to contemte theplexities?


    Taking a deep breath, E tossed her phone aside. What was the use in overthinking?


    *


    The next day at school, E shared her ns with Paul. "I haven''t told my uncle about my ns to


    study in Y Country yet. I''ve just mentioned a vacation. He''s arranged everything for me—flights,


    hotels, and even two bodyguards. He doesn''t know you''re joining me, so it''s best to keep it that way.


    Otherwise, he''d never let me travel."


    Paul nodded, "We leave on the 5th. So what you''re saying is..."


    "Yes, exactly what you''re thinking. I don''t know how he''d react if I were honest with him. If he says


    no, I''m not going anywhere," E said, her expression stoic.


    Paul''s expression hardened as well, since he didn''t doubt E''s suspicions for a second. Noah,


    though E''s uncle, exhibited a peculiar possessiveness over her. Despite the personal growth


    opportunity at hand, the mere thought of E stepping out from under his watchful eye might lead to


    a refusal. E knew Noah too well after all these years by his side.


    "I understand. But what about the bodyguards?"


    "We''ll see if we can shake them off. It might not matter if theye to Y Country. Once there, he


    can''t do much about it."


    "Alright," Paul said thoughtfully, a small smile creeping onto his face. "I''m looking forward to it. I''ve


    almost finished the itinerary. I''ll send it over. See if there''s anywhere else you''d really like to visit."


    "Sounds good."


    *


    That afternoon, Noah''s car was once again parked outside the school. E, tired of the back and


    forth, approached the vehicle and opened the passenger door, sliding into the back seat.


    "I''m not your chauffeur," Noah''s displeased voice came from the driver''s seat,den with icy


    undertones.


    Without a word, E nced at the queue of cars waiting to pick up students and scooted further


    into the seat before closing the door.


    Noah remained motionless. The honking from behind grew more urgent, and E could almost


    visualize the anger of the drivers through the incessant sound. Yet, looking at Noah through the


    rearview mirror, he was stoic, unmoving. When he caught her gaze in the mirror, he briefly met her


    eyes. "Come sit in the front."


    Gritting her teeth, E retorted, "What''s so bad about ying chauffeur just once?"


    "I don''t want to."


    The honks were starting to rattle E''s nerves. Reluctantly, she moved to the front passenger seat,


    buckling up as soon as she sat down. The car shot forward the moment her seatbelt clicked.


    Upon her return to the vi, the household staff greeted her with concern.


    "Miss, have you been eating well these past few days? You look like you''ve lost weight."


    "Please change your clothes first. Mr. Noah has specifically ordered your favorite dishes for tonight."


    "Why stay by yourself? It''s so inconvenient. No more tantrums. In the few days you were gone, I


    could tell Mr. Noah was moody. He''s definitely not used to you being away from home."


    E cracked a yful smile, sticking out her tongue as she held Lora''s hand. "I have to learn to live


    on my own eventually. I won''t being back here so much in the future."


    Lora didn''t catch on at first, but after seeing E''s wink, she realized somwthing. "Why wouldn''t it be


    convenient? Your uncle adores you. If you crave my cooking, he wouldn’t stop you froming


    back."


    E just smiled, "I''m starving. I''m going up to change."


    "Alright, hurry up. Dinner is almost ready."


    E''s clothes in the bedroom closet were untouched; Noah never skimped on anything for her. The


    things he had moved to her apartment were almost all newly purchased. The clothes in this closet


    were what she was ustomed to wearing, most of which he had bought for her.


    How could she remain indifferent to a man who cared for her so meticulously in every aspect of life?


    Pushing aside the flood of emotions threatening to surface, she picked out a few of her regr


    outfits and tossed them onto the bed.


    When she returned from the walk-in closet with a suitcase, she ran into Noah in the hallway. His


    eyes briefly swept over the luggage in her hand, his expression darkening. "What are you doing?"


    E looked unfazed, "Summer break is almost here. I''ll probably head straight home. I figured I''d


    just pack now so I can leave from there when I go on my trip."


    Her exnation was wless.


    Noah replied, "There are clothes for you back home."


    "These are my favorites," E said.


    Noah''s gaze lingered on her for a moment before he pressed his lips together and descended the


    stairs.


    E breathed a sigh of relief.


    For the next few days, E maintained herposure. In truth, she and Noah didn''t spend much


    time together.


    Noah often didn''t have dinner at home, usually because he came back toote after having eaten


    out. They used to have breakfast and dinner together, whether at home or out, but things had


    changed. He had someone else to apany now.


    July had just begun, and summer vacation was hot on its heels.


    E couldn''t quite figure out if Noah had noticed something. He used to pick her up from school only


    asionally due to workmitments, buttely, he seemed to have more free time, asking her


    every day when her sses ended and waiting at the school gates without fail.


    How could he not be busy, with a fiancée to attend to, an engagement party to n, and a never-


    ending workload?


    However, now, picking her up seemed to be his top priority. It was going to be thest time, though.


    They drove straight to the family estate. Throughout the journey, E kept looking out the window,


    not initiating any conversation. There was an inexplicable tension in the atmosphere inside the car.


    Noah wasn''t blind to the fact that without her initiating conversation, they seemed tockmon


    ground, just like he did with anyone else outside of formalities.


    His irritation grew inexplicably. In the past, her chatter about trivial matters could be annoying, but


    now her silence felt even more ufortable.


    Since she had made her feelings known, the distance between them seemed to grow, despite her


    physical proximity.


    Suddenly, E reached into her pocket, pulled out a pair of earbuds, and put them in.


    "There''s music in the car," he pointed out, clearly disturbed by her shutting him out. "This music is


    all your doing."


    She nced at the car screen and finally put away her headphones, ying a song.


    Indeed, everywhere she looked, there were traces of Noah indulging her. The music in his car was


    all downloaded to her taste. He seldom listened to music, preferring ssical ones, while she


    enjoyed current pop hits, catchy tunes, and remixed DJ tracks.


    Sometimes she would even dance wildly in his car, and he would let her be, except for the


    asional scolding.


    The sweet voice of a female singer filled the car, prompting E to lower her head and immerse


    herself in a guide to European tourist spots and must-see attractions.


    The music didn''t lighten the mood, and the atmosphere turned even heavier. Thankfully, they


    reached the estate soon enough, thanks to his fast driving and her distraction with the travel guide.


    As soon as the car stopped, E unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out without a word.


    "Grandpa, I''m home." she called out with a cheeriness that belied the tension from the car ride.


    Noah''s gaze darkened a shade.


    Jon hadn''t seen E over the weekend and had been looking forward to her return. "You''ve finally


    home," he said cheerfully.


    "Yes, Grandpa. I''m going to spend lots of time with you at home and beat you in ten games of


    chess," she replied with a bold challenge.


    "That''s big talk," Jonughed heartily.


    E was especially affectionate with Jon this visit, more so than usual. Everyone attributed it to the


    longer-than-normal separation. However, E''s thoughts were on giving as muchpanionship as


    possible topensate for the two years she''d be away.


    Noah only stayed for dinner at the estate before leaving. E didn''t question it, and everyone knew


    the situation. He had his own life now, almost as if he were already married.


    E was aware of her ce and didn''t try to hide her feelings in front of her grandfather. After Noah


    left, she felt a pang of sorrow but remained silent, her emotions evident to Jon.


    As she ate her fruit in silence, Jon sighed. "E."


    "Grandpa," E interrupted, setting down her fork and swallowing the fruit in her mouth. She turned


    to smile at him, taking his withered hand in hers. "I told Uncle that I''d be traveling abroad. You


    understand that staying by his side wouldn''t allow me to remain indifferent. To let go of these


    feelings, I need time and space without him."


    Jon narrowed his eyes slightly and patted her hand with his other hand. "You''re right. Since it''s


    vacation time, if you want to travel abroad to clear your mind, go ahead. Has your uncle made


    arrangements for you? If not, I will."


    E shook her head gently. "Grandpa, I''m not just talking about this summer vacation."


    Jon gripped her hand tighter. "E."


    "One summer is too short for me, grandpa." She couldn''t help but feel a burning sensation in her


    eyes, "I don''t want to attend his engagement banquet. I don''t want to see him with another woman. I


    can''t bear this kind of situation without feeling sad and upset. In fact, I have already got the


    exchange student spot with Y Country''s Golden University, as has Paul. After graduation, we will


    get dual bachelor''s degrees from home and abroad. If possible, I can continue to stay there for


    further advancement..."


    E clearly felt the grip of the old man on her hand bing more and more forceful, even


    trembling slightly. She suppressed the sourness in her heart and continued, "I only told my uncle


    about my n to go to Western Europe, and he wanted me toe back before his and Reba''s


    engagement ceremony, but I don''t want to. I can''t, so what I''m considering is going straight to Y


    Country from Western Europe, and noting back..."


    "Uncle Noah has arranged everything for me, even two bodyguards. I hope you''ll help me when the


    timees, not to let the guards stop me or to tell Noah too soon. I''m not sure how he''ll react when


    he finds out I''ve deceived him."


    Jon''s face, lined with the marks of time, trembled slightly. "A student exchange program? That


    sounds wonderful. Your uncle won''t stop you."


    E shook her head. "I don''t want to tell him. If he disagrees, I won''t be able to leave. Please,


    Grandpa, help me."


    Tears welled up in Jon''s eyes, and his lips quivered. Clutching E''s hand tightly, he struggled to


    speak. "But E, even if you go abroad for two years, won''t youe back? Not even for holidays


    or to visit me?" The plea in his voice echoed the unspoken fear of their long separation, revealing


    the love and the pain of an impending goodbye.


    Tears streamed down E''s cheeks as she pressed her forehead against the back of her


    grandfather''s hand. "I''m sorry, Grandpa. While I''m away, you must take care of yourself. Don''t worry


    me. Don''t make me feel even more guilty."


    "My dear child..." Jon shook his head, his eyes brimming with murky tears.


    "Grandpa, I''m so sorry, truly sorry."


    *


    Noah had a cocktail party that evening and came home slightly tipsy to an empty mansion.


    In the past, no matter if he drank or not, came home early orte, she would always run to him,


    chattering nonstop, bustling around him. Since she left the vi, he just couldn''t get used to it. He


    tried to adapt for a few days, but he still couldn''t.


    Thinking of her recent changes, he cursed under his breath and irritably yanked off his tie. He


    resented his current way of life for no reason. He had never thought about changing his usual


    lifestyle, but now, for the first time, he felt as though things were no longer under his control. There


    were things, it seemed, that he could no longer grasp.


    These past few days, E had been keeping her grandfatherpany, ying chess, going for


    walks, and even trying to cook her grandfather''s favorite dishes herself. Noah hade back once,


    leaving right after dinner.


    Jon had kept his promise not to mention E''s ns to study in Y Country to Noah.


    The day before E left, Noah came back early.


    After dinner, they sat on the living room sofa. Jon''splexion was off, and he sat in silence, his


    face stern as he fiddled with the tea set on the nearby coffee table.


    E held a fruit bowl, non-stop talking, her gaze fixed on her grandfather''s tea-making technique.


    The atmosphere in the living room was oppressive due to the silence.


    Noah''s gaze shifted from the tea set andnded on E. "Got everything ready?"


    Jon''s hand paused in the midst of making tea.


    E nodded, "Yeah, all set."


    "I''ll drive you to the airport tomorrow."


    "No need to bother, you''ve provided me with bodyguards, haven''t you?"


    Noah was adamant, "I''m driving you."


    E didn''t speak, her brows furrowed as she thought about how to keep Paul from being


    discovered.


    "What’s the matter?" Noah squinted at her for a long while, a nameless emotion swirling in his heart.


    E blinked innocently and took a bite of fruit. "It''s nothing. Thanks, Uncle Noah."


    *


    The next day, when Noah saw E''s 26-inch suitcase, he frowned. "Are you nning to pack


    yourself in there and ship it off?"


    E felt a bit guilty, "I''m actually worried I won’t have enough space to buy things."


    The driver took her suitcase and loaded it into the trunk, exhaling heavily. That suitcase was not


    light.


    Having settled everything, E watched Jon standing at the entrance hallway. Suppressing the


    difort in her heart, she ran over and hugged him, choking up as she whispered in his ear.


    "Grandpa, take care of yourself."


    Jon, leaning on his cane, responded with a gentle smile, "Be safe out there."


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    "I will."


    She held back the tears welling up in her eyes, adjusted her emotions, and then, with gritted teeth,


    jumped into the car without looking back.


    The car slowly turned and left the estate, the ce filled with her childhood memories, the ce


    that had given her so much affection, the ce she never thought she would leave, the ce where


    she was thedy of the manor, and yet she was now leaving it behind, temporarily.


    When she returned, everything would be different. It would be the starting point of another woman''s


    life. And for her, it was the end.


    She didn''t continue to watch Jon who still stood in ce, watching them leave. Her selfishness had


    hurt someone who cherished her so much.


    The emotions she had been suppressing were still discovered. "It''s just a few days away, is it worth


    being this upset?" Noah said.


    E looked out of the car window, not turning back, "Maybe it''s because I''ve never been this far


    away for so long."


    "Then cut the trip short."


    E closed her eyes and said nothing.


    The car finally stopped at the airport entrance. E opened her eyes and saw the bustling crowd,


    her expression tightening slightly.


    Noah got out of the car first, took the suitcase from the driver, and watched as E slowly exited the


    vehicle. "Let''s go."


    "Uncle Noah." E reached out and grabbed Noah''s arm. "I can go in by myself."


    Noah was resolute, "I''ll see you through check-in and then leave."


    Her grip on his arm unconsciously tightened a few notches, then slowly loosened. Just as she was


    about to pull her hand away, Noah suddenly caught her hand, and to her surprise, led her into the


    airport terminal.


    E''s palm was sweaty, but she let herself be led all the way to the check-in counter. Then,


    following his instructions, she took out her documents and watched as he finally loaded her suitcase


    onto the conveyor belt. The weight made him frown slightly.


    The two stopped in front of an electronic disy, and Noah, with a furrowed brow, asked what


    exactly she had packed.


    E shook her head and said softly, "Uncle Noah, congrattions on your engagement. I hope you


    and Reba have a happy life together."


    Noah''s brow furrowed deeply, the nameless emotion in his heart growing more intense. "Isn''t that a


    bit premature?"


    Suddenly, E flung herself into his arms, her arms tightly encircling his waist. "Can''t a goodbye be


    a bit dramatic?"


    She squeezed her eyes shut tightly, then looked up, her gaze filled with a resolute determination


    that left no room for turning back.


    Before Noah could react, she lifted her head and kissed his lips.