Chapter 14 Yvette seemed loyal and insisted on leaving with Sadie , but in truth , she was worried Sebastian's temper might turn on her next . So , the two of them unhappily left the Cole residence , leaving only Noelle and Sebastian in the corner of the hall . Tension swirled in the air around them . Noelle held up her gift and was the first to speak . " Mr. Cole , these are gifts from me and my mom . Happy birthday , and thank you for helping my dad . " It was their first proper meeting , and Noelle believed that formality and politeness were necessary . But to Sebastian , Noelle's courteous and distant tone felt too formal , and he didn't like it . Upon noticing the subtle changes in his expression , Noelle immediately wondered if she'd said something wrong . This was a reflex she'd honed after staying with the Ashfords for so long . Having been widowed young , Yasmine was sensitive , and an unintentional , misplaced word could easily sour her mood . Just as Noelle was searching for a way to ease the tension , Sebastian took the gift from her like nothing had happened . Then , he took her hand and guided her toward the inner hall . " There are too many people right here . Let me take you somewhere quieter . It won't be long . " In the end , Noelle uneasily settled in the lounge . She was fine with meeting Sebastian alone , but being here in the Cole residence meant his parents were around , and the both of them were known for being unpredictable . Noelle understood that power bred temper , but the more she thought about it , the more nervous she grew . Just then , a belated realization struck her - would the Coles see her abrupt gift as desperation to marry Sebastian ? Sadie's words from earlier in the yard lingered in her ears . Infertile divorcee … Noelle frowned . Perhaps abruptly coming over was a mistake and an awkward burden to both families . She figured that since the gift was delivered , perhaps she should simply inform a housekeeper and leave . However , just as she got up , a group of three people appeared at the front of the lounge and stopped her in her tracks . Chapter 14 2/2 An elegantly dressed lady was in the lead . Her steps quickened as she approached Noelle with a warm smile on her face . " Noelle, right ? My goodness … You've only grown lovelier . What a little darling . " Noelle felt an unexpected sense of friendliness in the way the lady had just called her name . Few people besides her parents talked to her with such affection , and now , being addressed as " darling " at her age . sent an embarrassed flush creeping up her neck . The lady came up and took her arm . " Don't just stand there . Take a seat . We've had so many guests today , and William and I may not have hosted you as well as we should've . " Then , she glanced at the middle - aged man behind her with Sebastian at his side . The two surely were Sebastian's parents , William Cole and Denise Blake . Noelle hadn't expected such warmth from them . It was a little too overwhelming , and it made her shift uneasily . Perhaps wearing an enthusiastic smile for a first meeting was simply the way the elite world worked . Sebastian caught Noelle's unease right away . So , he went over , sat beside her , and gave his parents a helpless glance . " Mom , Dad , you're scaring Noelle . " Noelle's breath caught in her throat .