Chapter 507:

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“Do you really think I’d behave like that?” Noel’s scoff traveled clearly across the line. “The moment I held her in my arms, I was ready to be with her forever. I was even going to tell you that, so you’d stop holding out hope for me.”

Thea laughed out loud. “When have I ever wanted to be with you?”

He was assuming she had some hidden crush on him. That was absurd.

“Hey,” Noel said, his voice teasing and unrepentant, “I just didn’t want you to fall for me. I had every intention of making it clear to you that I’m off limits. If you’re not interested in me, perfect. But here’s a tip: don’t fling yourself into another man’s arms just to spite Jerred.”

He paused, lowering his voice. “Because I’m about to snatch his fiancée from him soon.”

Thea chuckled, shaking her head. She glanced at the house.

Through the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, she could see Jerred and Gerda seated on the sofa, framed by the gleaming crystal chandelier and surrounded by the Dawsons and a cluster of Clara’s socialite friends, all chatting and laughing.

Jerred looked impeccably handsome, while Gerda glowed like a star. Side by side, they looked like a perfect couple.

“Wow, someone’s full of confidence,” Thea teased, a sly smile tugging at her lips. “You really think you can do that? What if Gerda only likes Jerred? Then what?”

“Only likes him? Give me a break,” Noel scoffed, utterly convinced. “You had no idea, did you? Gerda has been my fan for two years, two entire years, Thea!”

R𝗲𝖺𝘥 𝘧𝘳ee 𝗇𝘰𝘷𝗲𝘭𝘀 o𝘯 𝘨𝘢l𝗇о𝘃е𝗅𝘀.𝖼o𝗆

He continued after a pause, “And yesterday at the auction, when she bid against you for that painting? She wasn’t trying to annoy you. She wanted Jerred to win, just so she could steal ten minutes alone with me!”

His voice grew confident. “She’s already head over heels for me. Winning her heart will be easier than a stroll in the park.”

Thea arched an eyebrow, skeptical. “You’re really sure about that? I heard your vanishing act at the farm left her pretty heartbroken.”

Noel exhaled with resignation at that. “I didn’t disappear. I had a commercial shoot, a big one. Things went sideways, the crew was panicking, and my agent was breathing down my neck. I didn’t know when she’d be done showering, and I had to leave. So I told Jerred about it and then left. I just wrapped up filming five minutes ago. Tried to call her, but then I remembered her phone was gone. That’s why I called you.”

He let out an impatient huff. “So… where exactly are you?”

Thea decided to cut to the chase. “We’re at the Dawson Estate.”

“What are you doing there?”

“Just setting the stage for a little show,” Thea said, a mischievous glint in her voice. “If you hurry, you might still get to watch it.”

“Is something exciting going to happen?” The moment Thea said that, Noel instantly brightened. “Wait for me, I’m coming right now!”

Just before ending the call, he hesitated, as though a thought had just struck him. “Is Jerred looking particularly handsome tonight? What’s he wearing? How’s his hair?”

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