Chapter 202 Dinner at Amelia's House.
6:00 PM, Noah's Mansion
Noah leaned back on the sofa in his living room, a glass of water in hand. Glancing at his watch, he realized it was time.
The corner of his mouth quirked upward in a faint smirk. "Time to start making my way," he murmured, setting the glass down on the marble coffee table.
Standing, Noah adjusted the cufflinks on his tailored shirt and grabbed his keys from the keyholder near the door.
His choice for the evening was the Lykan Hypersport. The engine roared to life with a satisfying growl as he turned the key.
Amelia's estate.
The sprawling estate appeared ahead, its grandeur evident in every detail. Soldiers stood near the entrance as usual.
As Noah's Lykan Hypersport purred into the driveway, the soldiers immediately straightened. Noah rolled down the window, offering them a polite smile and a casual nod.
"Evening, gentlemen," he said, his tone calm.
"Good evening, sir," they responded with a nod.
Noah stepped out of his car, his polished shoes crunching lightly against the gravel path. The air brushed against him as he adjusted his shirt and approached the front door.
It opened before he could knock.
Amelia stood there, framed by the warm glow of the chandelier inside. She wore a simple yet elegant dress that enhanced her natural, striking beauty, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.
Her hair was tied back, a few loose strands on her face, giving her a soft, approachable look.
"You're right on time," she said, her voice carrying a mix of excitement and nervousness. Her hands fidgeted slightly before she clasped them together to calm their movement.
"Of course," Noah replied, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "I couldn't keep you waiting."
His tone was smooth and effortless, but his eyes held a glimmer of mischief that made Amelia's blush deepen. For a moment, she was caught off guard, unsure how to respond to his unwavering confidence.
"Come in," she said, stepping aside to make way for him.
As Noah stepped into the mansion, he was hit with the aroma of gourmet cooking wafting through the air.
Amelia walked beside him, her heels clicking rhythmically against the marble. She kept pace with him, her posture graceful but slightly tense as though she were both a host and a guest in her own home.
"The food's ready?" Noah asked, his voice casual as he glanced toward the direction of the dining room.
Amelia nodded, her cheeks pink. "Yes, everything's been prepared right on time. We didn't want to keep you waiting… just in case you were hungry."
Her tone was polite but held a genuine warmth that made Noah chuckle softly. "That's very thoughtful, I am quite hungry."
"Well, you are our guest," she replied quickly, before realizing how formal that sounded. She bit her lip slightly, her gaze darting to the floor as she walked.
Noah tilted his head, a teasing smirk playing on his lips. "Just a guest?"
Amelia faltered for a moment, flustered, before recovering with a smile of her own. "Fine. An important guest."
"That's more like it," he said, his smirk widening as he turned his attention back to the grand surroundings. "Though I have to admit, the smell alone is worth the trip."
She laughed lightly, her shoulders relaxing slightly.
Inside, her mother, father, and grandfather stood near a beautifully set dining table.
Seeing them standing, Noah quickened his pace, a genuine smile breaking across his face. "What are you all doing standing like this? Sit down. There's no need for such formalities," he said, his tone light but sincere.
Adam, let out a hearty laugh. "That would be rude. We have to welcome our guests properly."
Amelia's grandfather nodded in agreement. "Of course. You're not just any guest, Noah. You are also our benefactor."
Noah shook his head slightly, the corners of his mouth quirking upward in a modest smile. "You're too kind, but really, there's no need for all that."
He extended his hand to greet them, shaking hands with Adam and the old man. Carmilla, gave Noah a warm smile, her eyes glinting with approval.
After everyone sat down at the table, Adam leaned forward with a curious expression. "So, Noah, how's everything going with the teahouse? I hear it's doing quite well."
Noah adjusted his seat, his posture relaxed but confident. "It's going great, actually. We're in the process of finalizing a couple of deals that will allow us to expand beyond Birmingham. The plan is to open our first branch in London in the next couple of weeks."
Adam's eyes lit up with interest, and he stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Already? That's impressive. Expanding so soon means you've really struck the right balance."
Noah gave a small shrug, his smile widening. "It's all about the team. My dad's been managing the teahouse exceptionally well, and we've managed to create a loyal customer base. That gives us the confidence to take the next step."
Adam grinned, raising a glass of water in an informal toast. "Well, here's to continued success. I have no doubt you'll pull it off."
As Noah nodded in acknowledgement, Richard leaned forward, curiosity glinting in his eyes. "The high school exams just ended, right? Have you decided which university you'll attend?"
Noah's smile turned thoughtful as he placed his glass down. "I might not go to university," he began, his tone measured.
"I'm seriously considering entering the military. If I do decide on university, it will probably be part-time, just to take exams and get the degree without committing to full-time study."
The room fell silent for a moment.
Amelia's grandfather, who had been leaning back in his chair, straightened slightly, his eyes narrowing with interest.
There was a faint glow in his gaze. "I see," he said simply, his voice steady, though a flicker of approval played across his expression.
Adam raised his eyebrows, surprised but not disapproving. "The military? That's quite a shift. What's made you think about taking that path?"
Noah's gaze was calm as he responded. "It's not entirely a shift, really. Discipline, leadership, and strategy have always been things I respect, and the military sharpens those qualities in a way nothing else can. If I'm serious about making a lasting impact in this world, I need to understand its structures from the inside out."
Caroline, who had been quiet until now, smiled softly. "That's a very thoughtful way to look at it, Noah. But it's not an easy life."
"Nothing worthwhile is," Noah replied with a faint smirk. "Besides, I'm not looking for the easy way. It's about preparing myself for challenges."
"Nothing worthwhile is," Noah replied with a faint smirk. "Besides, I'm not looking for the easy way. It's about preparing myself for challenges, for leadership—on every level."
Adam's faint smile deepened as he leaned forward slightly. "And leadership comes with its own costs, doesn't it?"
Noah met the old man's gaze, and for a brief moment, it felt as though an entire conversation passed between them without words. "It does," Noah said simply.
Amelia, sitting beside Noah, frowned slightly, her tone tinged with concern. "But why the military? You're doing so well in business and your studies. Why would you risk all that?"
Her father, Adam, who had been quietly observing the conversation, let out a chuckle, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "So, are you saying that your dad became a lieutenant because his grades were bad?" he teased, arching a brow at his daughter.
Amelia's face turned crimson as the hidden meaning of her words hit her.
She immediately waved her hands in front of her. "No! That's not what I meant at all!" she blurted, her voice slightly higher-pitched from embarrassment. "I just meant... Noah doesn't need to put himself in danger when his life is already going so well. That's all."
The room filled with soft chuckles, except for Amelia, who sank slightly in her chair, clearly flustered.
Sitting beside Adam, Caroline leaned toward him, her voice low enough to escape the attention of the rest. "She's worried for him," Grace whispered, a knowing smile on her face. "The girl's clearly in love, Adam. You were the one who told me that last time, weren't you? Don't tell me you've forgotten."
Adam's smirk grew wider as he tilted his head, glancing at Amelia from the corner of his eye. "I didn't forget," he murmured in response, his tone amused. "But it's fun watching her squirm."
Meanwhile, Noah leaned slightly toward Amelia, his expression teasing. "So, you're worried about me, huh?" he asked, his tone light but with a hint of sincerity behind the words.
Amelia turned her gaze to Noah, her blush deepening as she stammered. "I mean... of course! It's not like—" She caught herself, realizing she was about to dig herself deeper. "I just think it's... unnecessary."Nôv(el)B\\jnn
Noah leaned back, crossing his arms with a faint smirk. "Noted," he said simply, his tone warm.
Amelia pursed her lips, her eyes flickering with a mix of frustration and worry. "Just don't do anything reckless," she finally said, her voice soft but firm.
Caroline exchanged a glance with Adam, her smile widening. "She's definitely in love," she whispered again, nudging him slightly.
Adam chuckled under his breath, giving a small nod of agreement. "No doubt about it."