Carol barely managed to squeeze out a "Thank you" from her throat.
Pouring herself a cup of tea, she flashed an innocent and kind smile, "Mr. Hanson's niece and nephew are quite good-looking, are they his direct relatives?"
Xavier Flemmings said, "No, they're the kids of my dad's friend."
Carol realized, "Oh, then your families must be very close."
Norah Lamont chuckled, "Yes, Mr. Hanson is really good at taking care of people."
Carol tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, with a shy smile, "Is that so?"
Norah continued, "He once had one hundred and twenty-nine girlfriends who all said the same."
Xavier, "......"
Carol was stunned, "Mr. Hanson dated that many girlfriends? You must be joking!"
Norah turned to Xavier, "Are you joking?"
Xavier glared at her, "No, and you’re off by a hundred!"
This time, Norah was the one taken aback, ignoring him to continue talking to Carol, "How many boyfriends have you had, Mrs. Carol?"
Carol awkwardly said, "Well, that's kind of personal, isn't it?"
Henson Lamont said, "There's nothing wrong with sharing. My uncle's been open about it, you should be too!"
Carol laughed modestly, holding up a finger, "Just one."
"Ah?" Norah expressed her sympathy, "Then you're missing out!"
"Not really, the past is the past, and the future holds new beginnings." Carol looked at Xavier, her smile genuine.
Norah pursed her lips, "Carol, that's beautifully said!"
Carol felt embarrassed, "Just call me Carol."
Norah, "Alright, Carol."
Carol, "......"
Carol covered her mouth to hide her laughter, "Mr. Hanson has a dry sense of humor."
Norah, huh!
She had experienced the 'dry' part, but the humor was yet to be discovered.
Henson, listening by the side, struggled to hold back his laughter.
Xavier, understanding Henson's struggle, suggested softly, "How about we go for a walk?"
Carol immediately agreed, "Yes, the scenery outside looks lovely."
Feeling the pressure of their gazes, she was on pins and needles.
The four of them got up and headed downstairs, with Henson and Norah trailing behind. Henson gave Norah a thumbs up, whispering, "Well done, quite the talker!"
Norah, full of fighting spirit, "I must defend my love!"
Henson, hands in his pockets and shaking his head coolly, "It's only love when it's mutual. What you have is more like defending your unrequited love!"

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Norah took Estelle to tutor her brother. Both of them are around the same age. So why is Janice and Xavier father feel that there's an age gap for Norah and Xavier. L I know they will be together....
Norah isn't a girl, but a twenty -five year old beautiful woman that loves Xavier Fleming/Gonzalez/Hanson....
Update 3103 hasn't been received and it hold pertinent information. Please fix it for us. Thank you....
This is great! I love the updates....
Now Xavier needs to call in the reinforcement, Gabriel and Jonathan to settle this. Thank you for the updates....
May we please have updates. Thank you...
Xavier will always protect Norah he must admit this to himself and Norah. I believe after they return from this , he'll need to approach Norah 's parents and he'll get support from Jonathan and Ella....
I like how you are getting all the different love interest committed, thank you for the updates....
Hoping Manly have his own love story here, atleast a short one...
Emily has finally stood up for herself. Now with Charlie's support, her mother and sister in law will be as quiet as church mice....