Babel Novel
Chapter 111 A Good Husband
Chapter 111 A Good Husband
Chapter 111 A Good Husband
Noah responded silently, mouthing, "You are asking for trouble."
Audrey burst into laughter, savoring cranberry cookies heartily.
Cookie crumbs were scattered all over the place.
Stella had headed to the garden to tend to the flowers while Noah approached his sister, his expression
quite serious.
"Clean up the floor after you're finished eating!"
Audrey was startled by this sudden command.
She gulped down the mouthful of food. Despite her reluctance, she complied with her brother's
directive and took the broom from his hand, cleaning up her mess slowly.
"Noah, you've really come a long way." She playfully teased as she swept the floor. "Have you now
mastered all the qualities of the perfect man and an ideal husband?"
Noah cast a sidelong glance at her.
Smiling, she covertly stashed the remaining cookies in a bag after tidying up the mess.
"Who are you planning to give those to?" he asked suddenly.
Audrey was caught off guard, clutching the edge of the bag tightly with her petite hand.
Oh, no, he's onto me. Since when did he become so perceptive? It seems like I can't hide anything
from him.
"I..."
She desperately tried to concoct a white lie, but Noah saw right through her and interjected, "Surely,
you're not planning to eat them all yourself!"
After a brief moment of hesitation, Audrey relented with a forced smile and admitted. "I'm taking some
for Horace to try."
Horace Hand? Why is it him again?
His gaze took on a subtle chill, and a trace of doubt crossed his brows.
During her visit to the hospital the last time, she had casually mentioned that Horace had accompanied
her to Eldoria.
At that moment, the name Horace Hand meant nothing to Noah in connection to the Martinez family.
Upon closer thought, Noah remembered that Horace's grandfather had been a laborer working in the
Martinez estate for an extended period. These laborers usually undertook cleaning and other
maintenance duties, hardly ever crossing paths with him.
Even so, Noah could not help but wonder how this person had become so significant to Audrey.
He remained composed and indifferently asked, "Hasn't he gone back yet?"
"Of course not! How can he leave me all alone in Eldoria without any worries?"
"He... worries about you?"
"Well... yes!" Audrey looked somewhat embarrassed. "He initially came to... protect me."
"Out of all the bodyguards you could have had on your trip, you chose a lawnmower?"
"Noah!"
"Audrey!" Noah's expression turned serious. "You need to set boundaries and keep your distance from
Horace!"
"Why?"
"Because you might get hurt." He stressed each word. "He's not the right match for you, so you should
stay away from him."
"Are you implying he has a humble background?" Audrey pouted. "And what about you and Stella?
You've been living discreetly in Eldoria, concealing your true identity and being a good husband. Yet,
you have the nerve to lecture me-"
"I'm not like you!" Noah was furious, and his voice turned hoarse as he roared his response.
She always seemed to know exactly where to hit him, mentioning the things he least wanted to hear.
He suspected she was doing it on purpose!
"Audrey, I'm warning you. You're only eighteen! Yet, you're getting involved in romantic nonsense
instead of focusing on your studies? You need to sever ties with that guy quickly. Otherwise, I'll handle
this Horace myself once I return to Emberfall!"
"You-" Audrey was taken aback, her eyes filling with tears. She felt wronged but dared not to respond,
muttering, "Don't you dare!! If you lay a finger on him, I'll reveal your true identity to Stella!"
Noah's furious glare left Audrey utterly speechless.
She continued to wipe away her tears, murmuring, "I'm eighteen, and what's the big deal? Who says
you can't have a relationship at eighteen? Didn't Gwen also pester you relentlessly when you were
eighteen?"
"Audrey, that's enough."
His overpowering anger filled the room, and she could only hear the sound of her own heart racing.
Timidly, she lowered her head, fidgeted with her fingers, and bit her lip, too afraid to say another word.
At that moment, Stella walked in with Mia, Aiden, and Caleb, who had come to celebrate the successful
opening of the new store.
Taking a deep breath, Noah made a conscious effort to put on a more relaxed smile as he welcomed
them.
He engaged in pleasant conversation, embodying the graciousness of the host.
Stella stood by his side, wearing an affectionate and admiring expression, which caused Mia to burst
into laughter. Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
Her laughter finally brought Stella back to reality. With a slight blush, Stella pursued her lips and
promptly retreated behind the bar to attend to her responsibilities.
"You've been around him every day, and you're still not tired of it?" Mia followed Stella with a smile.
"But I have to say that Liam has become a trustworthy man indeed. I'm impressed! As long as he's
willing to do anything for you and stop being a playboy, he will have my approval!"
"Cut it out." Stella smiled and handed her a menu. "Anything you'd like to drink?"
"Not for now. Is everyone else here?"
"Samuel has his cram school today. He'll join us after that. As for the rest... they should all be here."
At Stella's remark, Caleb chuckled.
Right at the next moment, his phone rang, and he left the room to answer. The call made him break
into an even broader smile.
On the other end of the line was Oliver, who was currently absent.
"Caleb, do you think it's fair for Noah to treat me this way?" He complained loudly as soon as the call
connected. "Am I really that unlikable that I can't even attend the grand opening?"
Caleb suppressed his laughter and kindly consoled. "Try to understand Noah. After all, you were once
dubbed a 'pervert' by Stella, and you were involved in her car accident. If she met with you, who knows
how she'd react!"
Oliver felt gloomy and cast his fishing rod far into the distance, letting out a long sigh.
"In short, Noah places higher importance on personal relationships than friendships."
"Well, you can't put it exactly like that..." Caleb suppressed his laughter. "Noah has been quite
thoughtful. He even allowed you to stay at his family's homestay for a vacation!"
Oliver was on the verge of howling. A vacation? It feels more like exile!
It was precisely because Noah knew Oliver so well and knew that he loved to be part of the excitement
despite being warned not to show up on the opening day that he sent him away. Thus, there was no
guarantee that he would not do something unexpected.
To avoid startling Stella, Noah decided to keep Oliver away, even if it meant sacrificing his buddy.
He diplomatically referred to it as a vacation at Emberfall, where Oliver could enjoy a homestay, savor
the finest food and drinks, and even have the Royals' exclusive service.
But in reality...
Oliver tightened his grip on his fishing rod and let out a shout to the sky. "If he's so capable, he should
publicly reveal his true identity! Let's see who will scare Stella more!"
"Shh! Can't you hold your tongue for a second?"
"He likes to please her with these fish, huh?" Oliver gritted his teeth. "I'm going to catch all of those
mudfish under his Evergreen Mountain right now and see what he'll use to appease Stella-"
"Ah!"
Caleb was taken aback as Oliver suddenly let out a loud yell for no apparent reason.
"Oliver?" Caleb became concerned. "What's wrong?"
"Oliver? Oliver! What's going on there?"