Noah stared at Cassie, torn between thoughts he couldn't untangle. He had no idea what the right thing to do was.
Sheldon's voice echoed in his ears, one word after another, like a spell wrapping around his mind, dulling his ability to think.
"Noah, if you want the wedding to go smoothly, you need to forget everything that happened today."
He pulled Noah to his feet. "If I hadn't brought you here, you would've never found this place, no matter what you suspected. So forget it. Forget everything you've seen and heard today. Consider this a personal request from me."
Noah returned to his senses, and he looked at Sheldon in a daze.
Sheldon gently patted his shoulder. "Go back now."
"Don't go. If I die, Sheldon will die too. So don't leave," Cassie cried. "You know what's happening. If you pretend you don't, can you live with your conscience?"
"Now you're talking about conscience? Are you serious?" Sheldon said with a laugh. "Even now, you're still trying to manipulate him? Cassie, look at yourself. You're pathetic."
Cassie refused to give up. She couldn't move her limbs, and though Sheldon had kept her fed, it was just enough to keep her alive.
"Noah, you don't want to see Sheldon lose his life because of me, do you?" She looked up at him again, desperate. "He's old. He should be enjoying his retirement. If he dies because of me, is that really worth it?"
"Noah, don't listen to her. She's a bad person," Sheldon said calmly.
He grabbed Noah's arm. "You know my secret now. It's time to rest. Now, if you had to choose between me and Cassie, who would you choose?
"I'd choose you, Mr. Phelps," Noah answered quietly.
His face had gone pale. He didn't even need to think to answer the question. Cassie could never compare to Sheldon.
"Good. Then let's go."
With that, Sheldon turned and led him out of the basement.
They stepped out of the small villa, and a cold wind swept over them. It was only then that Noah realized his entire body was soaked in sweat.
"Stop thinking about it. Go take a shower. Get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow, everything will feel different," Sheldon said gently.
"Mr. Phelps, I—"
"Don't speak." Sheldon interrupted before he could finish. "I know what you want to say, but you don't need to say anything. Just rest."
Sheldon's tone left no room for argument. Noah couldn't resist. He gave a small nod and returned to his room.
Sheldon stood in place, watching him leave. A sharp glint passed through his eyes. Cassie could no longer stay here. She had to be moved. There was no room for delay.
He drew in a deep breath and returned to his own room. But he didn't sleep. He waited until the house was completely silent, then quietly slipped out and made his way back to the small villa.
At the same time, Noah lay awake in bed, tossing and turning. He didn't know if he had made the right choice. His thoughts were a mess. He couldn't find peace.
On one hand, he didn't want Sheldon to suffer for someone like Cassie. On the other hand, he feared that revealing the truth would ruin Marcus and Natalie's wedding.
Wesley and Marcus had both been searching for Cassie. If they found out she was in Sheldon's hands, they would take revenge. That was exactly the outcome Sheldon wanted to avoid.
He didn't want them to be stained by blood. Sheldon's loyalty to the Holden family had never been in question.
Noah replayed everything in his head until his mind felt like it was unraveling. In the end, he sat up, letting out a long breath.
"No. I have to tell Mr. Marcus. Even if Sheldon resents me, I can't watch him put himself at risk," he mumbled, then got out of bed and put on his shoes.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus)
This one gets us readers asking for more! Excellent story, great twists......
Hope Grandpa Charles lives long enough to see Marcus and Nat's children, please. It will make him happy to see life is still worth living and that he didn't fail raising Marcus at least. Let him be happy at least in this aspect. Thanks...
Finished till 538....Waiting for more...
This really hurts. I am confused if Yvette sent a msg saying old love to Charles through Charlene. Why isnt it in her confession. Or did she actually set vivian up into sleeping with that man? And later blackmailed vivian with it till vivian commited suicide? Did Yvetty yhinks Charles would marry her after vivians death but he remained loyal. Hence her anger?...
Hope Nat can cure Marcus' mom. Looking forward to new updates. Thank you...
When will other chapters be updated...
Every chapter gets sweeter..and oh! I'm sure Nat's new patient is Marcus' mom - though the illness is quite intriguing....anyway, looking forward for the next updates! Thank you...
What an ending to the chapter...nice one..hoping for more updates...thank you...
OMG, OMG, OMG, this is getting better and better. Nat and Marcus are getting married!!!!! Yehey! Please update more..after a big drama ot is really nice to have love and a little happy events in between. Pretty please, update more. Can't wait!! Thank you so much!...
Recent updates are so good. Natalie's and Marcus' love story is also progressing...so, so good and exciting. Please update more. Thank you...