No longer a pushover (Noelle and Cedric)

Noelle felt Cedric's gaze and blushed. Cedric turned to her as his gaze darkened. "It's late. Do you know what it means to invite me to your place?"

Noelle could feel the atmosphere in the car shift. She rubbed her ear and replied, "It was just a casual invitation."

A deep chuckle came from beside her. When she turned, Cedric leaned in closer.

Her heartbeat quickened, and her back stiffened as he approached. As their eyes met, their breaths intermingled in the dimly lit car.

The faint glow from outside accentuated his sharp features, and for a moment, Noelle was completely mesmerized. Her heart pounded so loudly that she wondered if he could hear it.

Click! The sound of the seatbelt unlocking snapped her out of her daze. Her face burned hotter as she realized what he'd done.

She'd thought he would kiss her; that was how it usually played out in dramas and novels, after all. Had she misunderstood?

Cedric lowered his head and locked his gaze on Noelle's while she tried to suppress her racing heart and stammered, "Y-You..."

Before she could finish, he captured her lips in a kiss, and his uneven breath brushed against her skin.

Noelle's eyes widened in shock as she hadn't expected a surprise attack. But in the next moment, she instinctively wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Sensing her response, Cedric deepened the kiss by pressing his hands firmly against her waist.

When they finally pulled apart, Noelle was breathing heavily. Cedric paused to catch his breath. His lips brushed against hers as he murmured hoarsely, "I've been holding back for too long."

Noelle's eyelashes fluttered as her face was flushed embarrassingly red. Cedric's dark eyes studied her, and he asked, "So... do you still want me to come up and sit for a bit?"

"You're my boyfriend. What's wrong with you coming up for a bit? I trust you."

Cedric's Adam's apple bobbed as if her words had scratched at his heart. He reached out and lightly traced the corner of her lips with his thumb.

His voice was hoarse as he uttered, "But I don't trust myself."

Noelle was flustered. He hadn't been like this before.noveldrama

Cedric withdrew his hand and explained, "We were just friends, but now, you're my girlfriend. No man can stay that calm in front of his girlfriend."

Noelle finally understood what he meant. He chuckled. "It's late. Get some rest, and text me when you're home."

"Okay." Still flushed, Noelle nodded, opened the door, and walked into the elevator. As the elevator doors closed, she pressed her hands to her burning cheeks. The kiss in the car replayed vividly in her mind.

She glanced at her reflection in the mirror and couldn't resist touching her lips. Her mood had never been better.

After returning to the apartment, she stood by the window and sent Cedric a picture. "I'm home."

"Alright. Good night."

Cedric's car remained parked by the side of the road. Seeing the lights in her apartment turn on, he picked up the phone and called his secretary. "Schedule a meeting with Mrs. Cantrell tomorrow. There's something I need to discuss."

Since he'd run into Salena at L Bistro today, he had to make some preparations. Then, he drove away after taking one last glance at Noelle's apartment window.

Noelle stood by the window and let the cool breeze brush against her face. She was evidently in high spirits.

Her phone buzzed with several notifications from the family group chat. She glanced at the texts. It was Wyatt making a scene and demanding that Donovan split the family's assets and shares.

That was interesting.

After thinking, Noelle typed and

tagged Xenia, saying, "The police will investigate tomorrow. Remember to return all the money you embezzled from the foundation unless you want to spend the rest of your life in prison!"

She knew Xenia had no money.

Sure enough, Wyatt immediately typed a furious response: "What's ten million? I

have 99 million dollars ready for Xenia's wedding gift!"