Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3282

There was a heavy two-second pause on the other end of the line before Gonzalez replied, "I'll be right there."

"Great! We'll be waiting!" Sara chirped.

She hung up and set her phone down, pointedly ignoring Adrian's thunderous expression. She turned exclusively to Norah. "Mr. Hanson said he's on his way. Looks like he was home after all."

Norah bit her lower lip, a sudden wave of nerves washing over her. She had no idea what to say to him when he walked through that door.

It was true what they said—once certain lines were crossed, things could never go back to the way they used to be.

Minutes later, a knock echoed through the apartment. Sara nudged Norah to get it. After a brief moment of hesitation, Norah forced herself to walk over and turn the handle.

The door opened, revealing the man's familiar, towering frame.

It had barely been a week since they last saw each other, yet it felt like a lifetime. The moment their eyes met, Norah involuntarily held her breath.

Gonzalez looked as if he had just gotten off work, dressed in a crisp white button-down and dark trousers. The usual aloof edge he carried was softened tonight, making him look exceptionally striking. His dark, predatory gaze was as intense as ever, but there was a new, smoldering undercurrent to the way he looked at her.

He held up a bottle of wine, a teasing lilt in his voice. "Are you going to let me in?"

Norah's cheeks flushed a delicate pink. She quickly took a step back. "Of course!"

Sara walked over with a bright, welcoming smile. "Mr. Hanson!"

Gonzalez gave a faint nod, his tone perfectly polite. "Hello."

The group migrated to the dining area. The two-thousand-square-foot apartment boasted a massive dining room, easily accommodating a dinner party of a dozen people.

Sara introduced Gonzalez to Khloe and Julia, completely ignoring Adrian. When everyone took their seats, Sara subtly—but deliberately—maneuvered Norah into the chair right next to Gonzalez.

Adrian let out a cold, humorless scoff, convinced Sara was doing everything in her power to spite him.

"Mr. Hanson brought a very expensive bottle," Sara announced, heading into the kitchen to grab a corkscrew. "We're all riding Norah's coattails tonight, getting to taste a wine with a four-figure price tag!"

Seeing his calm, unfazed demeanor made Norah feel as though the chaotic events of that night had just been a fever dream.

She handed him a napkin, her smile as clear and innocent as always. "It was just a little something for Circe. No need to thank me!"

Gonzalez noted how she deliberately tried to keep things platonic. His expression cooled a fraction, but he didn't say a word, simply returning to peeling more shrimp for her.

Seeing this, Adrian stubbornly grabbed a bowl of crab meat, mixed it into a portion of pasta, and placed it in front of Norah.

Beside them, Sara let out a mocking snort.

Adrian's brow furrowed aggressively. "What's so funny, Sara?"

Sara casually picked up a small crab claw with her fork and flashed Adrian a saccharine smile. "I was just laughing at how immature this little crab is. Oh, wait, I mean... how young and soft it is. Absolutely no meat on its bones!"

Adrian's face darkened instantly. If he snapped back, he'd look like a petty man lacking basic manners. If he didn't, he had to swallow his pride and let her insult slide.