Chapter 4The Heir's Secret Obsession: He Played It Cold, But Begged Me Not to Leave

Oliver's pupils shrank instantly. His voice grew tight, dripping in disbelief. "Girlfriend?"

"That's right."

Noah Harrison walked over, gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear, and asked softly, "Are you okay, Lily?"

I shook my head.

Noah wrapped an arm around my shoulder, a polite smile on his face. "Lily just moved back. She doesn't know all the rules of the city yet, so please forgive her, Mr. Sinclair."

Oliver lifted his gaze, his pitch-black eyes locking onto me. "Girlfriend?"

My silence served as a confirmation.

The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.

Ready to detonate.

A long moment passed.

Oliver let out a mocking scoff, his eyes drifting lazily between me and Noah. "Well, isn't that nice. You two are a perfect match."

Noah took my hand and smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Sinclair."

Oliver pulled out a cigarette and lit it.

He brushed past Noah.

"Lily," he stopped and looked at me over his shoulder, his brow arched, enunciating every word. "Welcome back."

Before I could even react, he disappeared down the hallway.

Noah let go of my hand, looking apologetic. "Lily, it was the heat of the moment. I hope you don't mind."

I shook my head. "Thank you, Noah."

Noah wasn't my boyfriend.

When I almost died in London, Noah was the one who saved me.

I looked at him, worried. "Noah, Oliver holds grudges. You just moved back, and you haven't even secured your footing in your family yet—"

He cut me off, gently ruffling my hair.

Like a warm spring breeze, he said, "I know what you're going to say. It's okay. I'll be careful."

When Noah and I returned to the private room, the group was playing Truth or Dare.

Oliver sat right in the center.

As we walked in, Bella called out, "Lily, come join us!"

I waved my hand. "No, thanks, you guys go ahead."

Bella turned, noticed Noah standing behind me, and teased, "No wonder you've been so distracted. The person you were waiting for finally showed up."

Oliver's hand, which was spinning the bottle, paused.

I quickly explained, "No, I just wasn't feeling well today."

Noah pressed the back of his hand to my forehead. "What's wrong?"

The crowd started cheering and whistling.

"Oh my god, feeding us dog food the second he walks in! Give us single people a break!"

My face instantly burned. I brushed Noah's hand away and shook my head. "I'm fine."

CRASH. A glass bottle shattered.

"Oliver, your hand is bleeding!"

The girl's shriek shifted everyone's attention.

Oliver said casually, "My bad. It slipped."

"There aren't any pharmacies nearby. Let's order some first-aid stuff on Postmates."

Bella called out to me, "Lily, you usually carry band-aids, right?"

Oliver was practically royalty, but when we were together, he loved doing little DIY projects to make me smile, and he always ended up clumsily cutting his hands.

Over time, carrying band-aids became a habit for me.

I hesitated, then nodded.

"Yeah, I have some."

I held the band-aid out to Oliver, but he didn't take it.

"My hand hurts. I can't put it on myself."

He stared straight at me.

He had drank a lot tonight. His face was flushed, and his eyes were damp.

I didn't say a word. I just handed the band-aid to the girl sitting next to him.

Her face lit up. "Oliver, I'll do it for you—"

"I don't need it." He stood up abruptly.

The table shook, and a glass bottle clattered to the floor.

His gaze shifted between me and Noah. "She's not playing, so are you?"

I nervously grabbed the hem of Noah's shirt and shook my head.

Noah patted my hand and looked at Oliver. "Mr. Sinclair, you should really take care of that wound first."

Oliver's eyes darkened. His lips pulled into a sneer. "What? Too scared?"

Noah smiled. "As you can see, my girlfriend won't let me. I have to pamper her, right?"

Noah paused and looked at Oliver. "If she breaks up with me over this, what am I supposed to do?"

Oliver glared at me, his eyes burning with intensity.

I turned my head, avoiding his gaze.

"You guys are together?! Since when?!" Bella jumped in, looking shocked. "We're friends, and you didn't even tell me."

"It's been a while," Noah said, glancing at me. "When we have the time, Lily and I will treat everyone to dinner."

Oliver lowered his eyes.

The blood from his fingers seeped into the pure white napkin. He radiated an icy chill.

Bella wanted to gossip more, but I squeezed Noah's hand and whispered, "Noah, I don't feel well. Take me home."