Billionaire's match novel

---- Chapter 855 Noah knew it perfectly well-that he would always be an outsider. And yet, some emotions still took root without reason, growing wild and uncontrollable. "I'm fine," Noah said lightly. He pushed his hand deeper into his pocket, as if there had never been a wound there-nor any expectations that shouldn't have existed. "You weren't hurt?" Charlotte's eyes searched him intently. Noah smiled. "Of course | was.

I'm not a god." Seeing her expression tighten with concern, he added, " Barehanded against a blade-getting a few superficial cuts is normal." "Just superficial wounds?" "Mhm." Noah nodded. The night wind lifted the collar of his jacket, making him seem even more untethered, more free. "I'm sorry," she said suddenly, her voice soft. Noah paused. "Why are you apologizing?" "That night... | was only focused on Ethan." Charlotte stepped in ---- front of him, tilting her head up to meet his gaze, her eyes earnest under the streetlight. "| should've checked whether you were hurt too.

But | was really panicked-my mind was completely blank..." Something in Noah's chest stirred, as though a string had been lightly plucked. He hadn't expected her to notice. He certainly hadn't expected her to apologize for it. For a moment, he didn't know how to respond. "| don't care about things like that," he said, looking away toward the empty street ahead. "The more seriously injured person comes first. And besides... Ethan seems to treat you pretty well." "Don't misunderstand!" Charlotte rushed to explain, flustered. " Ethan and | are just...

just colleagues." She faltered, unsure how to put it, growing more anxious. " Anyway, there's really nothing between us. | don't like him at all." The moment the words left her mouth, even she seemed startled. Why was she explaining this to Noah? Noah was taken aback as well. "You don't like him?" ---- "I don't." An awkward silence settled between them. Charlotte lowered her head. "Honestly, | really dislike him." Noah's curiosity piqued. "Dislike him? Why?" "You remember the friend | told you about?" Charlotte said. "He hurt my friend.

Just for that alone, I'll never forgive him." "And if he hadn't wronged your friend..." "1 still wouldn't like him." She cut him off, her tone firm, almost like a declaration. "Ethan just isn't my type." Something flickered in Noah's eyes. At that moment, a car sped out from the intersection. Instinctively, he pulled Charlotte into his arms. Startled, Charlotte's hands came up, pressing against his waist. Just as she regained her senses and tried to pull away, his grip didn't loosen. He lowered his head, his breath brushing her forehead. "Then...

what kind of person do you like?" ---- Charlotte felt her heartbeat quicken all at once. But looking at him, her mind went blank, her words refusing to come together. In that fleeting instant, Noah remembered Spence's warning, ' They'll do whatever it takes to eliminate you. Even the people around you won't be spared.' The muscles in his arm tensed slightly. Then abruptly, he let go. The warmth vanished in an instant, and the chill of the night wind wrapped around Charlotte. She looked at him, a little dazed, as he stepped back half a pace, putting distance between them once more.

"This is where we part ways." Noah lowered the brim of his cap again, shadowing most of his face. "I should go." "Noah!" Charlotte called out immediately. A hollow ache spread through her chest, mixed with a grievance she couldn't quite name. Noah stopped, but didn't turn back