Chapter 2167


    As he stood there in front of Jonathan, a sudden wave of understanding crashed over him. He got


    why Xavier was fretting over their rtionship. If they really ended up together, things would get a


    tad messy. What was Xavier supposed to think of Jonathan?


    As his uncle-inw?


    A smile suddenly tugged at the corners of Gabriel''s stern face.


    Climbing the stairs, they found Xavier on the balcony, taking a drag of his cigarette. He broke into a


    grin at their arrival, "Hey, you made it!"


    Without thinking, Norah blurted out, "Didn''t I tell you no smoking? The minute I step out, you''re at it!"


    Her words hung in the air, and then she remembered Jonathan was right behind her.


    She took a cautious nce back and met Jonathan''s meaningful gaze. A shiver ran down her spine,


    and she wished she could just burrow a hole through the second floor and tumble down to the first.


    Estelle chimed in, "I knew he couldn''t resist!"


    Xavier''s expression remained easygoing, "The wound''s all healed up. No need to fuss."


    He then looked to Jonathan and Gabriel, "Gab, Mr. Lamont, make yourselves at home!"


    Gabriel responded, "Your injuries are severe. It''s only right toy off the smokes. Keep yourself in


    check!"


    Xavier chuckled, "Alright, I''ll listen."


    Norah gazed at Gabriel in admiration, "You''re amazing. A simple word and Mr. Flemmingsplies.


    We could talk ourselves blue in the face and get nowhere!"


    Gabriel offered a nd smile, "If he steps out of line, he''s in for five hundred push-ups!"


    Xavier quipped, "Suddenly, I''m feeling very obedient!"


    Estelleughed, "Out of all of us, I''ve gotten off the lightest, right?"


    "Don''t remind me. Wolf took plenty of hits for you!" Xavier scoffed yfully.


    As they reminisced, the atmosphere softened. Norah asked, "You guys haven''t eaten yet, right?


    What''s on your mind?"


    Estelle suggested, "How about a barbecue? I''m dying for one of Zachary''s secret sauce. You just


    can''t find that vor anywhere else."


    "Done!" Norah said with a grin, "I''ll go tell Zachary. Just hang tight." And with that, she bounded


    downstairs.


    Jonathan stood up, "I''ll be back in a bit. Carry on without me."


    The unspoken understanding let Estelle know what Jonathan was probably going to do, but she just


    nodded without interfering, "Okay."


    Jonathan headed down to the kitchen and found Norah chatting with Zachary. His voice was calm,


    "Norah, out to the yard."


    Norah felt her heart skip a beat, knowing the inevitable was upon her. She took a deep breath and


    followed him to the backyard.


    The winter yard was bare, save for the stark fence and the sweet osmanthus tree.


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    The cat growled at the stranger''s approach, but quieted down after one stern look from the man,


    sitting there with a confused expression.


    As Norah approached, the cat whined softly, a bit hurt for being spooked.


    Norah fetched a bone for the dog, patted its head tofort it, and then turned to Jonathan, "Even


    the dog is scared of you!"


    Jonathan settled into a wicker chair, surveying the surroundings before asking, "Did you nt the


    sweet osmanthus and those flowers?"


    Norah''s yful smile returned, "Yep!"


    Jonathan''s retort was tinged with sarcasm, "What, setting up house here?"


    Norah detected the displeasure in Jonathan''s voice and straightened up, the smile fading, "It''s just


    some flowers; that''s all."


    Jonathan lounged back, his presence as chilling as the winter air, "We''re short on gardening space


    at home?"


    Norah bit her lip and whispered defensively, "Jonathan, didn’t you eventually agree to let me help


    out at the restaurant? What, now that you''ve got Estelle, you''re gonna kick down thedder?"


    Jonathan''sugh was cold, "What use is thisdder to me?"