Chapter 372


    Noelle had an ‘aha!‘ moment. Sean and Bob were rted. That was why Charles had figured it out


    earlier.


    “But if Bob is your cousin, howe…” Noelle was still a bit confused. She had not heard the name


    Bob around Brookville. If he was someone important, she thought she would have known about


    him.


    Sean smiled and gestured for her to sit. “Noelle, have a seat!” He seemed totally at ease as he


    made her a cup of coffee. “He’s my aunt’s son, and he’s actually named Andy. You’ve probably


    heard of him. My aunt married into the Jones family in Cascade City a long time ago, and my cousin


    is the heir to the Jones family.”


    Noelle understood a little bit. “Andy? So why does everyone call him Bob?” She was still puzzled.


    Sean continued, “That’s an old story. My aunt cut ties with the Jones family a long time ago. My


    cousin visits every year, and everyone calls him Andy there. But you know how it is with us Smiths–


    if I don’t take charge, then it falls to my cousin. Grandpa was so set on him changing his name!”


    Sean finally cleared up the mystery of the name Bob. “Hardly anyone in Brookville knows who my


    cousin really is, so you’ve got to keep it a secret, okay?”


    “Of course,” Noelle replied. Then, she frowned. “Did I hear my mom say she’s close friends with


    your aunt?


    “1


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    She could not shake the feeling that Jade was not as kind–hearted as she seemed. She probably


    was not


    setting up this blind date because she thought ‘Bob‘ would treat her daughter right.


    “They go way back. My aunt was once kidnapped and got hurt, and your mom saved her. My aunt


    owed her a big favor,” Sean exined casually. “So she came up with the idea for my cousin.”


    “So there’s more to your visit today than just Charles?” Noelle pieced it together and understood.


    “You probably know what my mom is like. Please apologize to your cousin for me. I feel terrible


    about this!”


    Sean gave her a small, harmless smile. “Don’t worry about it. I know my cousin well. He can’t stand


    being pushed into things. Looks like your mom managed to rub him the wrong way this time,” Sean


    said. “But this puts you in a tough spot with her, doesn’t it?”


    Noelle forced a smile, a mix of resignation and bitterness in her eyes. “You don’t have to worry


    about me!” She might be Jade’s daughter, but Jade had never really seen her as one. Besides, it


    did not matter who her mother chose. She would not agree to anything, especially now that she was


    married to Charles.


    Noelle was sitting with Sean in the lounge when Charles’s call came through. She gave Sean a


    quick look before answering, “Charles!”


    “Where are you?” came Charles’s deep voice. Noelle nced at Sean again. “I’m with Mr. Smith in


    the lounge. Are youing?”


    “No. You two cane hereter,” Charles said. Sean leaned in. “Charles, what’s up? You’re the


    one who told me toe. Are you worried I’ll do something to my sister–inw? Why the call to


    check in?”


    Noelle was taken aback and was about to respond when she heard Charles say, “Sean, you’re not


    a threat.”


    Sean’s mouth twisted in anger, his face turning stormy. Noelle quickly ended the call. “Mr. Smith, we


    should go now.”


    However, as they stood up, they heard soft, suggestive sounds. Noelle turned, puzzled, and caught


    Sean’s