Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3073

Norah's cheeks flushed pink as she glared at him playfully. "Even if they were orchids, they were the most common kind! There's no way they were worth five thousand dollars. You sure like throwing your money around, Mr. Flemmings!"

Xavier arched an eyebrow. "What does my money have to do with it? That five thousand is coming straight out of your paycheck."

Norah's eyes widened in sheer horror.

Xavier couldn't hold it in any longer. He laughed out loud, his chest rumbling, his dark eyes crinkling with genuine amusement.

Norah had been genuinely upset—mad at herself for being so foolish and annoyed at Xavier for teasing her. But seeing him laugh so freely, all her frustration evaporated into thin air.

She bit her lower lip, offering a solemn promise. "I won't touch anything else without asking."

She was determined not to be a burden anymore.

Xavier's laughter faded into a soft, unreadable gaze. He wanted to tell her she hadn't done anything wrong, and that he didn't see her as a burden at all. But those were words he couldn't allow himself to say.

Instead, he simply murmured, "They were just wild weeds anyway."

It was only human nature to mistake weeds for treasure.

Norah looked confused for a second, but then a slow, radiant smile spread across her face, sweet and entirely captivating.

*

For lunch, the Donovans served up their prized free-range chicken along with a spread of local specialty dishes to treat Xavier and Norah.

It was humble, home-cooked food, and the silverware was a bit mismatched. Despite being born into immense wealth, Norah didn't show a hint of snobbery. She couldn't stop praising Mrs. Donovan's cooking, raving about how incredible the chicken was and how rich the soup tasted.

Mrs. Donovan was glowing from the compliments. Thrilled, she kept adding more food to Norah's plate. "Eat up if you like it so much!"

Norah enthusiastically piled food onto Xavier's plate as well. "This is amazing, you have to try it!"

Xavier watched her. "Just focus on your own food. Don't worry about me."

As he cut through the backyard on his way back, Mrs. Donovan walked up, holding a bowl of freshly washed wild berries. She offered him a warm, affectionate smile. "Give these to your girlfriend. You can't find these in the city. Let her try something fresh."

"Thank you, Mrs. Donovan," Xavier said, taking the bowl before casually correcting her. "But she's not my girlfriend."

Mrs. Donovan gave him a knowing smile. "That girl clearly adores you. It won't be long until she is!"

She chuckled softly. "Even though we only met yesterday, you were my son's friend, so I consider you family. Let me give you some honest advice—she's a wonderful girl. You need to cherish her."

Xavier's heart tightened. It was exactly because she was so wonderful that they could never be together.

There were things he simply couldn't explain. Knowing Mrs. Donovan meant well, he just nodded politely in agreement.

Mrs. Donovan beamed, looking incredibly relieved.

Xavier carried the berries back to the front yard, where Dylan and Leila were now sitting and chatting with Norah.