Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3175

Gonzalez let out a disdainful scoff, his eyes raking over Adrian's dripping form. "Look at what a mess you are."

Adrian flushed with embarrassment and opened his mouth to fire back, but Norah had already walked over, fully dressed in her shoes and socks. She tugged on Adrian's arm. "Stop arguing. Just take the water back to Sara!"

Since they were supposed to be having fun, Adrian didn't want to ruin the mood. He grabbed the bucket and headed back to the tents.

Gonzalez cast his gaze down at the sliver of fair skin exposed by Norah's rolled-up pants. He frowned. "It gets freezing in the mountains once night falls. Roll your pants down."

Norah squatted down to unroll them, muttering under her breath, "You micromanage me more than my dad does!"

Gonzalez clenched his jaw, taking a slow, deep breath.

As they walked back to camp, Norah turned to him with a deadpan expression. "Uncle Gonzalez, I know you're my elder, but you really don't need to treat me like your niece."

Gonzalez stared into her clear, frustratingly oblivious eyes, nearly laughing out of pure aggravation. "I have never seen you as a niece."

Norah's brow furrowed. "Then why do you always boss me around?"

"I am thinking about your safety," Gonzalez replied with utter seriousness.

Norah rolled her eyes. 'Thanks a lot!'

She forced a polite smile, trying to negotiate. "I am perfectly safe. Can you please stop policing my every move?"

She was a full-grown adult. Why was she constantly being monitored by an uncle she wasn't even blood-related to?

Gonzalez stared at her fake, overly sweet smile and flashed a dangerous one of his own. His dark eyes were bottomless as his lips parted.

"No."

Norah was speechless.

Sara laughed. "I'm leaving the cooking to you!"

"You got it!"

Although Adrian came from old money, he had lived abroad with his mother for a few years during his childhood. Influenced by her, he had learned how to be fiercely independent. He was the furthest thing from a spoiled, useless trust-fund baby.

After graduating, he hadn't even taken a moment to relax before diving headfirst into taking over the family business. He was driven, hardworking, and radiated a natural, sunny charisma. That was exactly why Norah respected him so much and had agreed to help out at his company.

The rich aroma of roasted meat drifted through the valley. The smell of good food always had a way of triggering dopamine, instantly banishing all traces of exhaustion and foul moods.

The group sat around the roaring fire, tearing into the barbecue and knocking back cold beers. Nestled in the embrace of the mountains and blanketed by a sky full of stars, all of their worries melted away. In that moment, all that mattered was enjoying the incredible food and the serene silence.

Gonzalez sat slightly apart from the three of them. He leaned back lazily in his camp chair, his tall, imposing figure looking even more strikingly handsome—and slightly brooding—in the dim, flickering light.