Chapter 1
Chapter 1 The servant pushed open the door with a creak .
Miss Anderson , this is where youll be staying from now on The stench hit Noelle Anderson like a punch to the gut .
Damp , musty , and roming- the air was thick with decay , rolling out in waves , practically choking her .
The room itself was a disaster an abandoned storage space shoved into the farthest , gloomiest corner of the Anderson estate .
It was dark and interly lifeless , as though even sunlight had decided it wasnt worth the effort .
Noelle stood quietly beside the servant .
She was petite , almost delicate , but her bright , clear eyes sparkled with intelligence and quiet determination .
Her features were impossibly doll like : a high nose , sofly upturned lips , and a face so perfect it looked unreal .
Yet , as her gaze swept over the shubby linle room , she didnt flinch Instead , she turned to the servant with a radiant smile , warm enough to light up even this miserable space .
Got it .
Thanks she said , her voice soft and honey smooth , as if she hadnt just been shown what was essentially a glorified broom closet .
That smile it could ve melted stone The servants chest ughtened .
Such a sweet , kind girl … but what a shame .
Noelle had returned at the absolute worst time , shattering the fragile peace the Andersons had spent years desperately trying to maintain .
Noelle Anderson the true heir to the Anderson fortune hadnt exactly been given a warm welcome .
A hospital mix up years ago had robbed her of her rightful place in the family .
Instead , the Andersons had poured their love a girl , Leia Anderson , who theyd believed was their daughter all this time .
But fate had a twisted sense of humor, and Noelles sudden reappearance had sent shockwaves through the household .
and care into another For the Andersons , her return wasnt a happy reunion , it was a disaster .
Leia , devastated by the truth , had collapsed and was now in the hospital The family was torn between two daughters one , the biological child theyd never known , and the other , an adopted daughter who had been their everything It wasnt even a contest .
They sided with Leia , clinging to her and blaming Noelle for everything .
The servant still remembered the fury in Damon Andersons voice , the fourth heir of the family , as he practically shook the walls with his rage : Why the hell did she come back ? If shed just stayed gone , Leia wouldnt be in this mess ! And if anything happens to Leia , 1 swear to God .
Ill make her pay for inf Snapping back to the present, the servant forced a small smile .
Miss , Ill leave you to settle in .
Call me if you need anything Thank you Noelle replied sweetly , her tone as cheerful as ever .
Once the servant had gone .
Noelle stepped into the room and quietly closed the door behind her .
She scanned the room , ensuring she was alone , before reaching up to press the small button on the pendant of her platinum necklace .
A faint blue glow appeared , and a calm , almost chipper male voice rang out .
Good morning , Noelle .
Congratulations on finding your biological family : From now on , you will live with them and your five older brothers Mission activated : Earn their trust and love .
Deadline : six months Understood , she murmured .
Before she could take another breath , the door burst open with a deafening bang In strode a tall man , his presence commanding and his expression full of disdain .
He was undeniably handsome , with sharp features and a smirk that oozed arrogance .
Leaning casually against the doorframe , he looked her over with the air of someone inspecting a broken toy So , Noelle , he drawled , his voice sharp and cutting , how do you like your new kennel ! County enough for you ? I It was Eli Anderson , her fifth brother .
And if anyone in this family wanted her gone , it was him 1/3 Chapter 1 ler her eyes linger on her brother , Eli the tall , striking one with that infuriating air of smo She studied him for a ment before breaking into a bright , daring mile .
I not bad Honestly , Ive lived in way worse plices .
Compared to those this in banically the Rit ? Her mind Eickered to her time as a mercenary particularly that one mission where the spe Jone in the rainforest bed , na klinket .
Just a relentless barrage of mosquitoes , venomous sakes , ar ous snakes , and the occasional hungry predator lurking in Eli let out a sharp , humorless laugh .
Yeah , okay To him , her words were just a pathetic attempt to save face Who wouldnt feel pissed being dumped into a storage room so grim even the tuff wouldnt use if he thought .
Arms crossed , he leaned against the men of his mouth twisting into a scieer .
Let i get something straight he said , his tone stripping with disdain .
Tonly have one sister Leia .
You ? Youre just son stranger who happens to share our DNA .
Dont kid yourself into thinking Ill ever treat you like I treat her .
Huh ? Noelle tired her head , her expression all wide eyed innocence .
Why not , Eli You could treat me like Le I mean .
Im your sister blinked at her , momentarily stunned by her audacity , before letting out a sharp bark of laughter .
Youve got some fucking nerve .
What makes you think you deserve that ! You think youre on Leias level ? Get real Of course I deserve it Noelle wid , her tone light but firm , as if she was stating an obvious fact .
I am your sister Elis laugh this time was harsher , almost a growl Sister ! Dont make me To Ei Leia was the only sister that mattered smart , kind , elegant , everything a proper Anderson should Noelle She was nothing more than a shameless stray , a girl whod dropped out of school and run off with some lover Does the really think Id ever claim her in public ! Shed be a fucking embarrassment , he thought .
The air between them felt heavy , tense .
Eli couldnt stand another second in the same room on his heel to leave Noelles voice stopped him mid step .
Theres a spider on your mas her .
With a frustrated shake of his head , he turned What ? El froze , his entire body going rigid .
His voice climbed several octaves as he whipped his head around in panic .
Where Get it off me His eyes widened in terror as he caught sight of an eight legged nightmare crawling up his shirt toward his neck .
His composure thanered as he le out a full -throated scream .
Wh Get it off ? Get inødt before he could completely lose it .
Noelle stepped forward , her hand darting out to grab the spider with a speed that left.
El gaping Got it she chirped , holding up the wriggling spider for him to see .
Her grin widened as she teased .
Wow .
Eh , youre scared of spiders ! Thats kinda cute Ili stared at her like shed grown a second head .
Are you insane ! You grabbed it with your bare hands ? If it bites you , dont even think about blaming met Noelle laughed , casually waving the spider around like it was a toy .
This little guy ! Totally harmless .
You shouldve seen the ones in the rainforest .
Some of them were as big as my face Jesus Christ , stop talking ) Just get rid of it Eli practically shouted , his face pale and his voice tinged with desperation .
Alright , alright Noelle said with a shrug .
She tossed the spider onto the ground and stomped on it with a decisive crunch .
Eli stared at her , completely dumbfounded .
What the hell is wrong with this girl ! Most women wouldve been screaming bloody murder at the sight of a spider , but her ? She just grabbed it like it was a damn toy And when he insulted her ? She didnt back down the just kept uniling Before he could process the whirlwind that was Norte , a loud growl broke the silence .
Noelle rubbed her stomach sheepishly , her shoulders slumping as she looked at him .
Eli the said , her voice small and pitiful .
Tm starving The moment Eli saw Noelle , his heart started pounding in his chest .
Without thinking , he blurted out , Hold on a sec , Ill grab you something to 2/3 D Dreame Read Romance .
Download 977AM Chapter 1 She nodded , all sweet and innocent , but Eli couldnt shake the feeling that something was off .
Without another thought , he turned and bolted , completely forgetting about the food he promised to bring her .
The day Noelle returned home was also the day Leia was getting out of the hospital .
While the rest of the family went to pick her up .
Eli stayed behind to look after Noelle .
Once he made sure Noelle was settled .
Eli took off for the hospital in a hurry .
He was just about to reach Leias room when he overheard her voice , full of emotion , as she spoke Mom , Dad , Brothers Im done with this family .
Please , stop being nice to me or Noelles gonna flip out .
The words hit hard .
Kimberly , their mom , sounded crushed .
Leia , dont talk like that .
Youll always be my daughter Her big brother Adriels voice was cold and sharp .
Leia , to me , youre the only sister Ill ever have .
Bennett , the second brother , just laughed it off Dont worry : Leia .
When the times right , get someone to to deal with that crazy bitch for you .
Charlie , the third brother , cut in with a calm but firm voice .
Bennett , chill .
Is she really worth causing all this drama ! We get the hint and leave .
Ve just cut her off , and shell Damon , the fourth brother , was fuming What , so we just let her get away with it ? That little bitch put Leia in the hospital shes gonna pay for that .
Enough Their dad , Vincent , barked , and everything went quiet instantly .
Then , in a commanding tone , he added , Actually , this works out pretty well .
We had that deal with the Sawyer family , remember ? We were supposed to marry Leia off to their youngest heir , Nicolas .
She didnt want him because she thought he was a player , right ? Fine , let Noelle marry him instead .