Episode 12

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Two pairs of eyes, one gray and the other black, met in the distance. Noah was the first to look away, trying to regulate his breathing and hoping his face looked as indifferent as he imagined.

Thus, in less than five minutes, the remains of the broken arrangement were collected and replaced with a new one.

It was then that the guests remembered that it was a birthday banquet, but it seemed that after the revelations, confrontation, and so on, the festive atmosphere was gone. Many wanted to go home, it's just that the young leader of the most influential family had arrived, who would want to leave? They could miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to network with the man!

Needless to say, people tried their best to ignore recent events, as if nothing had happened, and began to congratulate the newly discovered Victor on the spot, in addition to Noah - even though the same ones who were effusively saying "happy birthday" again had already said it once when they arrived.

The boy was disgusted by everyone's cynicism, but people surrounded him with smiles and congratulations, preventing him from walking away.

But then, just when he was getting desperate, the people seemed to part like a tide, making way for Hugo and his small group.

As he watched him walk directly towards him, Noah thought he had returned to a past he didn't miss. He saw the beta, in his gray suit, his hair covering his forehead, and those glasses... The image was so similar to the version from his first life that it made him remember things he wanted to forget.

Always waiting for a husband who wouldn't come home, talking to his secretaries, getting to know her husband through that multiple human barrier.

Feeling uncomfortable, he looked at the beta and remembered several similar scenes. It was almost a ritual for them that Noah would wait for hours; Hugo would arrive and give him plausible excuses; and when the boy got bored, he would torment him with personal questions that were rarely answered.

Even, on one occasion when he had nothing better to do and had already grown tired of waiting - during the only date he had previously arranged with her husband - he dared to ask him why he hid his face in that strange way being so handsome, but he did not get a clear answer from the man. It was obvious that he didn't like to talk about it, and Noah was only asking out of curiosity, not out of genuine interest, so he let it go after a couple of minutes.

Lost in those memories, Noah was startled when a hand reached out to his and took it cautiously. With some surprise, he looked to his right, only to see Aleida beside him. The woman was trying to smile and pretend nothing happened, but they both knew a lot had happened.

"Let's talk later. It's not the time," she said softly.

The boy wanted to laugh. Not even twenty minutes had passed, but the woman could already pretend to tolerate him. This was much faster than in his first life. And it was all just to impress the Barlovento heir.

Ignoring Aleida, Noah just silently withdrew his hand. He didn't pull away, but he didn't let her touch him again.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Carlos the butler escort Victor to a private room. The alpha was removed from the public eye.

Noah didn't care what Aleida decided to do next, but he had to wait for the opportunity to escape.

That's how his gaze reached Hugo.

The man noticed his gaze and nodded in his direction. The boy could only respond in the same way, feeling lost. The people around them noticed the actions of both and almost at the same time, hundreds of rumors and doubts began to circulate in their minds.

Why did Leader Barlovento come? What is the relationship between the two? What will happen between the two families? Alliance, breakup, cold war? Wasn't the young Leader engaged to the youngest son of the Crasos? If so, then why doesn't he even look in his direction? Does he already know about the omega's infidelity?

And most importantly, how would the possible societal changes affect them and their families?

With the last question gnawing at their hearts, each of the guests stepped aside, allowing the group of four to advance without a hitch, and most importantly, giving them a close-up view of what would happen next. Every little detail, movement and word would enter their eyes to be analyzed.

Hugo gave a working smile in thanks, even though he knew the old foxes' intentions in showing such kindness, and led the way to a young Noah, whose nervousness only increased.

For some unknown reason, the black-haired boy's heart began to race when, to one side behind Hugo, he caught sight of the edge of a wheelchair being brought closer by the second. Suddenly, he had the urge to run away without looking back, but his feet wouldn't obey him and he stood frozen, watching as Hugo continued to approach.

The boy could only clench his hands into a fist and wait for the beta to reach his side. And thanks to everyone's help, it was sooner than he wanted.

"Young Ballestero." Hugo greeted. Noah wanted to prolong the formal greetings with the secretary, but he seemed to see his intentions and without warning, stepped aside, revealing the alpha who was sitting in the wheelchair.

"Noah," he called, looking at him intently. Almost piercing him.

"Leader Barlovento," Noah nodded, avoiding the man's gaze. He felt strange seeing him so close and so vivid, when in his own perception, he had died in the other's arms just minutes ago.

"You're not an employee of my group, you don't have to be so formal with me," the other said in a deep, somewhat amused voice. "Besides, you make me feel too old when there's only a seven-year age difference between us."

Noah had the urge to say "that's too much of a difference," but he bit his tongue before the words left his pretty mouth.

In the current timeline, this was the first time they had seen each other in a family setting. Their interactions could be counted on one hand; moreover, all meetings were always held with Noah accompanying his father to business meetings, seeking to "learn". So it would be strange for him to be impudent in front of the other now.

"Then how should I address you?" he asked, pretending to be a bit docile. The appearance displayed was unconsciously charming and sweet, even if it was not his original intention.

More than one guest was surprised again by the boy's second-to-second change in attitude, but who could blame him?

In front of the newly nineteen-year-old beta was the legendary young Leader of Barlovento Corporate Group. Who would dare be disrespectful? Everyone understood his actions and did not judge, least of all when they themselves had feigned smiles and congratulations in the last sixty seconds.

In front of such a character, personal problems were the least of one's worries. If they could please the volatile man, it would be enough to live well for the rest of their lives.

And with the recent revelations, many believed that young Noah sought to please the fearsome man with his abrupt change of attitude. A thought that in their reasoning, had quite a bit of logic, although it was an extremely dangerous play.

The man was in a wheelchair, but his cruelty and sharpness were well known throughout high society in City H. Everyone wanted to get close, but very few dared. So, in secret, they applauded the boy's attempts, whether they had any effect or not.

The old foxes, with several years of experience, stepped aside, leaving the boy with him.

It's just that the black-haired boy did not appreciate "their sacrifices" by taking a step back and loathed them all for being such cowards.

...

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