Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)

Carol barely managed to squeeze out a "Thank you" from her throat.

Pouring herself a cup of tea, she flashed an innocent and kind smile, "Mr. Hanson's niece and nephew are quite good-looking, are they his direct relatives?" Xavier Flemmings said, "No, they're the kids of my dad's friend."

Carol realized, "Oh, then your families must be very close."

Norah Lamont chuckled, "Yes, Mr. Hanson is really good at taking care of people."

Carol tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, with a shy smile, "Is that so?"

Norah continued, "He once had one hundred and twenty-nine girlfriends who all said the same."

Xavier, "......"

Carol was stunned, "Mr. Hanson dated that many girlfriends? You must be joking!"

Norah turned to Xavier, "Are you joking?"

Xavier glared at her, "No, and you're off by a hundred!"

This time, Norah was the one taken aback, ignoring him to continue talking to Carol, "How many boyfriends have you had, Mrs. Carol?"

Carol awkwardly said, "Well, that's kind of personal, isn't it?"

Henson Lamont said, "There's nothing wrong with sharing. My uncle's been open about it, you should be too!"

Carol laughed modestly, holding up a finger, "Just one."

"Ah?" Norah expressed her sympathy, "Then you're missing out!"

"Not really, the past is the past, and the future holds new beginnings." Carol looked at Xavier, her smile genuine.

Norah pursed her lips, "Carol, that's beautifully said!"

Carol felt embarrassed, "Just call me Carol."

Norah, "Alright, Carol."

Carol, "......"

She poured Norah some tea, "And how should I address you?"

"Thank you!" Norah accepted the tea, "Just Norah is fine."

Carol nodded, turning to Xavier, "What does Mr. Hanson usually like to do?"

Xavier spoke softly, "Nothing special, really."

Norah looked at him, "Dated two hundred and twenty-nine girlfriends and claims he has no special interests?"

Xavier nearly choked on his tea, experiencing Norah's sharp wit for the first time; it seemed she was genuinely upset.

Seeing Xavier's discomfort, Carol

quickly tried to smooth things over, "Norah and Mr. Hanson must be very close, hence the candid conversation. My uncle and Dare the same."

en FindNovel

Norah said, "I care for him, but he doesn't feel the same, so it's not really close."

Carol hurriedly said, "Men's feelings are usually deep and not always expressed openly."

"Is that so!" Norah realized, asking Xavier, "Mr. Hanson, are your feelings also deep and hidden?"

Xavier stared at her, "Not at all!"

Norah looked at Carol, feeling wronged, "See!"

Carol covered her mouth to hide her laughter, "Mr. Hanson has a dry sense of humor."

Norah, huh!

She had experienced the 'dry' part, but the humor was yet to be discovered.

Henson, listening by the side, struggled to hold back his laughter.

Xavier, understanding Henson's struggle, suggested softly, "How about we go for a walk?"

Carol immediately agreed, "Yes, the scenery outside looks lovely."

Feeling the pressure of their gazes, she was on pins and needles.

The four of them got up and headed downstairs, with Henson and Norah trailing behind. Henson gave Norah a thumbs up, whispering, "Well done, quite the talker!"

Norah, full of fighting spirit, "I must defend my love!"

Henson, hands in his pockets and shaking his head coolly, "It's only love when it's mutual. What you have is more like defending your unrequited love!"