Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3161

Stepping out of the Lamont family estate, Norah paused in surprise.

Across the street sat a black Wrangler. Gonzalez leaned casually against the heavy door, his head bowed as he took a drag from a cigarette. The glowing ash flickered in the morning mist like a spark of fireworks.

The sight struck Norah with a sudden, eerie sense of familiarity. It felt like a memory she couldn't quite place. As she walked closer, a fleeting image flashed through her mind.

There had been nights, staring out her bedroom window, when she thought she saw someone standing outside the wrought-iron gates, leaning against a car just like that.

The silhouette had been equally blurry, yet strikingly similar.

But she quickly brushed the thought away. She must have been imagining things. Why would Gonzalez Hanson be hanging around her house in the middle of the night?

Hearing her approach, the man looked up and crushed his cigarette. The thin morning mist seemed to reflect in his predatory gaze, making his dark eyes appear even more unfathomable.

He straightened his posture and offered a smooth explanation. "Sara had to take a detour to get here. I was closer, so I came instead."

Norah flashed a polite smile. "Thank you, Uncle Gonzalez."

Gonzalez's lips curved upward. "No need to be so polite. You tutor me every week for free, and you still haven't asked for a dime."

Her eyes were exceptionally bright, sparkling like the morning sun cutting through the fog. "Then I guess we'll both drop the formalities!"

"Get in," Gonzalez instructed. He took her backpack and tossed it onto the backseat, then efficiently loaded her wheelchair and cooler into the trunk before opening the passenger door for her.

"Norah!"

A voice called out from a distance. Norah turned around, her face breaking into a massive grin. "Grandpa!"

Gonzalez immediately stepped forward. "Mr. Lamont."

Geoffrey Lamont had just returned from his morning walk. He gave Gonzalez a brief nod and asked, "Heading out?"

"A few friends and I are going on a trip," Norah explained eagerly. "We're camping out tonight and coming back tomorrow. I already let Grandma know."

Pan-fried dumplings were her absolute favorite. Seeing that they were from her preferred restaurant, she turned to him in pleasant surprise. "How did you know I love the dumplings from this place?"

Gonzalez stared at her bright, expressive eyes. A tidal wave of emotion crashed through him, fierce and suffocating. In a fraction of a second, he ruthlessly buried the profound affection in his chest, forcing his voice into an emotionless drawl.

"I didn't. I just happened to pass by and picked them up."

"Thank you. Have you eaten?"

"I already ate."

Norah popped a dumpling into her mouth. The taste of her favorite food brought an even more relaxed, brilliant smile to her face.

When she finished the dumplings, she grabbed the milk bottle, tilted her head back, and took a large gulp. Out of pure habit, the tip of her tongue darted out to lick the corner of her lips.

Gonzalez's gaze casually drifted to the rearview mirror. His eyes instantly darkened. His throat bobbed as he tightened his grip on the steering wheel, desperately forcing himself to focus on the road.