Chapter 256 Chapter 256 Noelle returned home once more this time with Brandon still holding her hand .
te all her recent lessons in social etiquette , worldly wise Noelle didnt think much of it .
After all , Brandon had already kissed her the cheek ; holding hands seemed harmless enough for someone who was her best friend .
As she stepped through the front door , she called out cheerfully , Mom , Dad , Im back ! Kimberly looked up in surprise .
Noelle? You just left and But her voice trailed off as she caught sight of the handsome young man by her daughters side .
Not only had he returned with Noelle , but the two were holding hands fingers interlocked The sight stunned everyone in the room , including Kimberly and the rest of the Anderson family .
Brandon , unbothered by the shocked stares , stepped forward with a polite smile .
Hello .
Im Brandon , a close friend of Noelles , he smoothly , offering a small gift bag to Kimberly .
I brought a few presents .
I hope youll accept them .
Ah ... thank you .
Kimberly was still trying to process the scene .
Huh ? Just an old friend .
Noelle replied casually , skipping over at any lab related backstory .
Huh Just an old friend , Noelle replied casually , skipping over any lab related backstory .
Eli narrowed his eyes .
And how long have you two known each other ? A few years That long So hes basically your childhood sweetheart ? Eli shot another glance at Brandon , clearly on high alert .
Youre not ... two- timing Nicolas , are you ? Two timing ? Noelle blinked .
Whats that mean ? said Eli sputtered . It means Before he could dig himself deeper , Bennett cut in .
Enough with the nonsense .
Stop st p stuffing her head with drama Its not nonsense ! That guy literally v Bennett shot him a look .
We have a guest .
Try acting like a walked in holding her hand , grumbled a civilized person Still .
Bennett couldnt help observing Brandon closely himself .
The moment Brandon felt his gaze , he turned around and met Bennetts with a polite smile , something unreadable flickering in his emerald irises .
Bennett was momentarily caught off guard ... and then returned the same ambiguous smile .
So this is Brandon , he thought .
Definitely not an ordinary guy .
It was Brandon who gave Noelle permission to tell me about the lab .
And Brandon who let her cooperate with me on the experiments .
But what exactly is he after ? Cearly nveniation between the two of them inevitable .
underly .
titi slightly randed by Brandons unexpected closeness with her daughter , kept her tone warm but probing .
So , Brandon , the gentleman .
She smiled , eyes narrowing slightly .
You and Noelle seem very close .
How did you two meet ? were in the same program a few years back .
Brandon replied smoothly .
I was pretty reserved dont thank Id have made it though .
Me means a giral deal to mur That so Kimberly kept smiling , but inwardly she was taking mental bars .
A great deal ! How great ? She glanced at Brandon again .
You daoine young mann surely you have a girlfriend ? Brandon chuckled , sily catching on to where that was going .
I do If it werent for Noelle l PM d Chapter 256 Oh , wonderful ! Kimberly visibly relaxed .
Good .
That means I dont need to worry about a love triangle situation .
Noelle , on the other hand , was wide eyed with surprise .
She bounced over , beaming .
You have a girlfriend ? Since when ? You never told me ! Who is she ? You have to bring her to visit sometime ! Brandons lips curved slightly .
You already know her .
I do ! Noelle blinked , now even more curious .
She ran through names in her head .
Leias in jail , Elsie likes Adriel ... That just leaves- Tina ? No way .
Could it really be Tina ? Brandon only smiled , keeping his cards close .
Ill tell you later .
Wh by not now ? Noelle poured Youre so stingy .
You know everything about me , and I dont even know who your girlfriend is ? The rest of the Anderson family , overhearing , finally let out a collective breath of relief except Bennett , who narrowed his eyes slightly .
He glanced between Brandon and Noelle .
The way Brandon looked at her with indulgence , intensity , and something almost possessive set off every internal alarm Bennen had Brandon didnt stay long .
After some polite small talk , he announced he was heading off . Noelle offered to walk him out partly to say goodbye , partly because she wasnt done digging for gossip .
He glanced sideways at her , amused .
That curious , huh ? Of course ! Youve been secretly dating someone I know ? Thats totally not fair .
I should at least get a free meal out of it when I find out who she is .
Brandon chuckled .
Still as ll as transparent as ever .
Quit teasing me .
Noelle tugged his sleeve .
Tell me ! I promise I wont tell anyone .
Scouts honor .
You really havent figured it out ! he asked, feigning surprise .
No ! Thats why Im asking , Noelle huffed .
She mentally narrowed the list : Leia nope .
Elsie nope .
Tina could it be ? Just as she was spiraling into speculation , Brandon came to a stop .
He set down her suitcase , then leaned down .
gently cradled her face in one hand , and looked her dead in the eyes .
Noelle , he said softly , you still havent figured it out ? She blinked .
Figured what- Before she could finish , his lips brushed against hier Her eyes flew wide open .
She froze Brandon pulled bark slightly , emerald eyes locked on hers .
He smiled with wicked warmth and whispered , Who else could it be ? prifriend could only ever be you *