No longer a pushover (Noelle and Cedric)

Noelle's heart skipped a beat at the thought of sleeping in Cedric's room.

"Isn't Alfred coming back?" she asked, knowing there were only two bedrooms and no spare room for guests. "His room is a complete mess. Trust me. You don't want to risk it," Cedric said.

After a moment's thought, Noelle suggested, "Actually, I can just sleep on the couch. I won't be in any trouble."

"Just take my room," Cedric insisted. "I've got some work to finish tonight anyway, so I probably won't be sleeping." His tone was steady. Though there was something slightly off in his expression-he hid it well.

Eventually, Noelle went back to her place next door to grab a change of clothes while Cedric waited by the door. When she came out and saw him standing there, an unexpected wave of security washed over her. She entered Cedric's bedroom and found it simple and clean, much tidier than she'd expected.

Cedric brought in a fresh blanket. "Here, use this."

"Thank you," she replied.

After placing the blanket down, Cedric left the room without lingering. With just the two of them in the apartment, it didn't feel appropriate for him to stay.

Noelle glanced back and saw him standing in the doorway. The light from the living room cast his figure in a long, shadowy silhouette.

"Get some rest. If you need anything, just call me," he said, his gaze steady and unreadable. With that, he closed the door behind him.

Noelle stood there for a moment, taking in the room. Cedric's bedroom was sparsely furnished but immaculately clean-nothing like the stereotypical messy bachelor pad she'd heard about.

After a shower and a change into fresh clothes, she settled into the bed. That was when she noticed it a faint scent on the blanket.

The scent was subtle but familiar, just like him. It gave her an odd, indescribable feeling, as if he were right there, wrapping her in his presence.

Her cheeks flushed at the thought.

Pulling her head out from under the blanket, she took a deep breath and tried to steady her thoughts. She had to stop overthinking before things got weird.

Though she had expected to spend the night wide awake, the sense of security she felt here surprised her. Before she realized it, she had fallen fast asleep. Meanwhile, Cedric entered the study and powered his computer. With a quick system switch, his tone turned icy. "Have you tracked down that creep yet?"

"Found him-Peter Todd," Alfred's voice came through. "Damn, that scumbag lives right in our building He's been stealing underwear from clotheslines and even has a

telescope set up on his balcony for spying!"

Cedric's expression darkened. "What floor?"

"I just sent you the address. Make sure to kick his ass for me!" Alfred added.

Cedric shut the computer, sent a quick message, and lingered for a moment outside his bedroom before leaving the apartment.

In the hallway, a line of men in black waited silently. They wore white gloves, baseball caps, and masks, blending seamlessly into the shadows.

Cedric's face was unreadable; he led them into the elevator. Without a word, they ascended to Peter's floor.

At the target unit, one of Cedric's men swiped an electronic key card on the door lock. The door clicked open.

Inside, faint moaning sounds

emanated from the study. Following

the noise, Cèdric found the

middle-aged man, Peter, engrossed in watching adult content,

swn yelme

completely unaware of the intruders.

Peter froze in shock when he finally noticed the strangers in the doorway. "W-Who are you?" he stammered.

Cedric turned away, raising his hand in a calm, deliberate motion. The men in black surged forward to the study, closing the door behind them.

Cedric stepped onto the balcony, gazing at the starry sky. His lips curled with icy disdain.noveldrama

After a while, the study door opened. Cedric walked back inside to find Peter kneeling on the floor, battered and trembling with fear.

"P-Please, sir, I don't know what I did to offend you!" Peter pleaded. "If it's money you want, my safe is yours!"

Cedric towered over him, his gaze sharp and unrelenting.

Peter's back was drenched in cold sweat. He dared not utter another word.

Cedric took a pair of gloves and slapped Reter's face with them, "What's the matter? Didn't you just claim + was keeping a young female student as a mistress? Lost your memory already?"

He had already uncovered the part of the story Noelle had intentionally left unsaid.