âIâve left the villa.
I canât stand being at Cyrusâs place anymore, and I donât want to return to the Shaw family either.
â
Her mental state had reverted four years back, leaving her without the social skills she once had.
âYouâve left the villa?â Lucinda asked, a sigh in her voice.
âWhere are you now? Iâm coming to you.
â
Glancing around, Noelle realized she was lost in the unfamiliar surroundings of Stastle.
Their conversation went on for a while, but Lucinda couldnât pinpoint Noelleâs location.
She instructed Noelle on how to share her location via MSN.
Rushing to change her clothes, Lucinda briefed Nathan.
âNoelle might be having issues with Cyrus.
Sheâs upset.
Iâm going to find out whatâs happening and will be back soon.
â
Nathan responded with calm understanding, âOkay, love.
Please be careful.
â
Once Lucinda had departed, Nathan wasted no time contacting Cyrus, his tone grave.
âWhatâs happening between you and Noelle? How did you let her leave your villa? Now sheâs seeking Lucindaâs help.
â
âNoelle left the villa?â Cyrus was caught off guard, swamped with work and unaware of the situation at
home.
He didnât end the call with Nathan; instead, he dialed his villaâs security team on another line.
They confirmed Noelle was missing, but they couldnât say when she had slipped away Cyrusâs concern escalated, his work forgotten.
He was upset.
âIâve been kind to her lately.
We havenât argued.
How could this happen?â
The two men exchanged a few more words.
*
Lucinda navigated to a secluded area, the darkness enveloping her.
Flicking on her flashlight, she eventually spotted Noelle crouched beside a boulder.
Approaching, Lucinda crouched to Noelleâs level, her voice gentle.
âWhy are you out here? Whatâs going on? Talk to me.
Iâm here to help.
â
Noelle, head bowed, appeared utterly defeated.
âCyrus has been pressuring me about my postgraduate studies.
He scrutinizes my progress nightly.
My basics are weak, and I falter daily.
Iâm losing faith in myself.
What should I do?â
Lucinda remained silent for a moment.
She understood that high expectations often drove Cyrusâs strict approach.
He believed that pushing Noelle would lead to her success.
However, knowing Noelleâs humble beginnings in the Forden welfare house, Lucinda was aware of her shaky academic foundation.
With Noelleâs mind having regressed four years, self-doubt came easily to her.
It was clear to Lucinda that Cyrus was demanding too much.
Gently patting Noelleâs hand, she offered some comfort.
âYou really should have told someone before leaving.
Can you imagine how worried Cyrus will be when he finds you gone?â
Noelleâs response was feeble.
âBut⦠this isnât really running away, is it? Cyrus and I are just engaged.
His place isnât truly my home.