Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 2717

“Go public with what?” Xavier frowned. “The fact that your feelings are one-sided and you insist on pestering me?”

Norah froze, a flicker of hurt crossing her eyes. It was like a pebble dropped into a clear lake, shattering the calm she had been trying to maintain, sending silent, wound-like ripples spreading outward.

Xavier felt an inexplicable irritation, but his expression grew even more detached. “Still want to go public?”

“Of course!” Norah gave a short, sarcastic laugh and lifted her chin defiantly. “So what if I'm the one chasing you? It's not immoral, and it's not illegal. What are you going to do about it?”

“You—” Xavier's face tightened.

Before he could finish, Norah propped her arms on the island behind her and hopped up to sit on it. Her almond eyes shimmered as she stared at him intently. “Don't change the subject, and don't think you can just get rid of me like this!”

“What?” The man furrowed his brow, confused.

“You kissed me. So, tell me, how are you going to take responsibility?” Norah said, as if she had nothing left to lose.

Xavier's dark eyes fixed on her as he posed the soul-crushing question,

“Who kissed whom?”

His serious expression made Norah laugh. “Fine, then I'll take responsibility for you. I can't let you be bullied for nothing!”

Xavier wasn't in the mood for jokes. “Get out, now. I need to change, and we've been in here for too long.”

Norah feigned nonchalance. “We've already kissed and hugged. What's there to be shy about you changing? Don't be so prudish.”

Xavier stared at her, seemingly agreeing with her words. He nodded slowly and, without another word, turned around and started to undress.

First the vest, then the shirt. One by one, the buttons came undone. Then, with a swift pull, he shrugged it off, revealing his entire back to Norah.

...

Just then, a conspicuous Rolls-Royce pulled up outside the Lamont family's estate. Manley Scott took off his sunglasses and said to the person in the passenger seat, “We're here. Get out.”

Lambert Brennan looked around. Seeing the lush greenery behind the flower-covered walls and the faint outline of a winding veranda, he looked like he understood. “You brought me to see a garden? I know, J City is famous for its gardens.”

Manley glanced at him and smirked. “The main event today isn't touring the garden. It's watching a show.”

Lambert nodded immediately. “I understand. Gardens often have theaters. My grandmother likes to watch operas, too, though I can't understand them.”

Manley held back a laugh and said with mock seriousness,

“With your IQ, of course you can't understand it.”