CHapter 116


    Noe was about to add something more when she saw Palmer had already taken the quilt from


    Maddox’s hands and made her bed first, before casuallyying out his own sleeping spot on the


    floor.


    The more Maddox observed Palmer, the more he liked him. Just look at how he took care of Ms.


    Noe! If Old Mrs. Lambert could see this from the heavens, she would surely rest in peace!


    Holding a kerosenemp and rubbing his hands together, Maddox spoke up. “Ms. Noe, there’s


    something else: the upstairs bathroom is out of order, so you and the young master will have to go


    outside for showers and… well, you know.”


    As a child, Noe had lived in a poor area where every household’s outhouse was located. outside,


    often sharing space with the pigsty. Later, Old Mrs. Lambert, citing the inconvenience of having to


    go outside for such needs, had a bathroom built upstairs just for her.


    “Out of order?”


    “Not exactly, just a small leak. I’ve got some cement and called the crew, but they haven’t arrived


    yet.”


    Indeed, there were several unopened bags of cement by the bathroom door.


    Noe nodded. “Got it, Maddox. You should get some rest too.”


    Maddox left with a beaming smile, casting several nces back at Palmer and Noe’s little


    room.


    This gentleman, with his high status and a fortune worth billions, was still willing to stay with Ms.


    Noe in such a humble abode. It seemed his heart truly belonged to Ms. Noe!


    Wiping away a tear, Maddox stepped out to the main hall to pay respects to Old Mrs. Lambert.


    “Harriet, rest easy now; your granddaughter is in good hands!”


    The courtyard gate shut, and all was silent save for the rustling of the night breeze.


    Noe, feeling a bit embarrassed, turned to Palmer. “Is it okay with you to shower in the little shed


    outside?”


    Palmer, rising from his makeshift bed, answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “No


    worries. It’s actually better than staying at the hospital. I’ve got some spare clothes in the car; I’ll go


    grab them.”


    “I’lle with you.” Thinking she might as well take a shower after grabbing the clothes, Noe


    decided not to go back downstairs.


    Palmer smiled, the corners of his lips lifting gently as he took her hand. “Watch your step, I’ve got


    you.”


    The old house had once been inhabited only by Old Mrs. Lambert and Noe, and since Noe had


    grown up, she rarely visited. The once spacious staircase now seemed narrow.


    Palmer led the way, holding Noe’s hand firmly, each step steady and secure.


    Noe recalled her childhood, when she had been nearly poisoned by candy from the Fuller family,


    Old Mrs. Lambert had carried her up and down these stairs to see the doctor, frantic with worry.


    Those hands had been just as warm and steady, bringing warmth to her heart…


    During the days waiting for Hollis to wake up, Noe had stayed at the hospital, with Palmer


    asionally leaving to handle other matters but also spending nights there with her. Compared to


    the cold hospital, Verdant Garden at least retained some scent of home.


    After fetching their clothes, Noe approached the shaky wooden door of the little shed in the yard,


    speechless.


    Hadn’t that door been perfectly fine in the afternoon? Why did it now look like it was about to give


    way at any moment?


    One corner of the shed’s door couldn’t close properly and needed someone to lean against it from


    the outside to prevent the night wind from blowing it open.


    Noe looked at the door, feeling it might just retire if she attempted any repairs.


    Palmer leaned against the door, bowing slightly to look at her, his forehead almost touching the top


    of her head. “Go ahead, I’ll keep watch outside. No one wille, and the door won’t open. His


    voice was low and seductive, causing a blush to spread across Noe’s ears. Fortunately, it was


    dark enough that her flushed face went unnoticed.


    She patted her cheeks, clutching her clothes tightly. “Alright, I’ll be quick.”


    “Don’t rush, I’ll be right here. I won’t leave.”


    It wasn’t that she was in a hurry.


    Thankfully, Verdant Garden still had a water heater, making showers somewhat convenient.


    Noe turned on the shower, and soon the sound of water filled the small shed, its thin walls doing


    little to muffle the sound for Palmer’s attentive ears.


    So that was Maddox’s n all along!


    Palmer’s hand against the door blocked even the slightest draft. His heart, however, was aloft. as if


    he could see all her movements.


    In the quiet of Glen Vige, with no nightlife to speak of, every sound seemed amplified. He could


    almost picture her every move, suddenly feeling a dryness in his throat.


    Even Palmer, who prided himself on his self–control, found himself a bit flustered.


    Thank goodness for the deep night, which had hidden the flush of his ears from view!


    Soon, the rustling sound of Noe dressing reached him, the fabric against her skin nearly


    unbearable, making Palmer swallow hard.


    Noe was quick with her shower, emerging just minutester. Her skin still steaming slightly, her


    cute face flushed, and her hair damp with droplets glistening at the tips.


    “Thanks, your turn now. I’ll keep watch.”


    “Alright.”


    Entering the bathroom, he was greeted by the scent of her floral shower gel, still lingering in the air,


    mingling with her unique fragrance.


    Palmer turned the tap to the cold side. He needed to cool down!


    Leaning against the door, Noe wiped her damp hair with a towel while listening to the sound of


    water inside.


    This ce was her home, yet she was with a man she barely knew. Staying with him at Verdant


    Garden, forced to listen to him shower outside, stirred a strange sensation in Noe’s heart. It was


    as if her grandmother were watching, leaving her bashfully aware.


    Palmer quickly finished his shower and, taking Noe’s hand, guided her upstairs.


    Noe nced at him, her voice tinged with a hint of irony. “Do you not find the conditions here


    rathercking?”


    “It’s not so bad. We both know what life is like out here on the international warzone.”


    Those days could be as unpredictable as the weather, and now with her by his side, how could he


    possiblyin about the simplicity of their surroundings?


    Noe settled onto the tiny bed, and Palmery down beside her.


    As she predicted, his frame barely fit on the narrow mattress, leaving him no room to turn over.


    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    “Maybe I should check out the Grandma’s room? It can’t be toofortable for you


    here.”


    If there really were mice, she would just take care of them.


    Palmer wrapped an arm around her wrist and gently pulled, drawing her into his embrace.


    Noe lost her bnce and tumbled onto him, suddenly enveloped by his scent. It was a blend of


    vani and cedarwood, the signature fragrance he always wore.


    “What are you doing?” she protested.


    Palmer’s arm encircled Noe’s waist, and he chuckled softly, his voice rich and seductively


    charming. “Just let me hold you for a bit, no need to go anywhere.”


    His hearing was always sharper than most, and so far, he hadn’t detected any sign of mice in the


    neighboring room.


    Maddox probably just made up an excuse to give them some private space.


    Noe’s cheeks flushed with warmth. “Let go of me.”


    *Just for a moment, consider it a token of appreciation for all the times I’ve yed chauffeur. Think


    of it as interest.”


    Interest for a hug? She wondered what his terms would be when he decided it was time to collect


    on the principal.