Chapter 27 1/2 Mary was in disbelief . She stammered , " S - Sebastian ? " Sebastian nodded with a smile . " Mrs. Spencer , it's been a while . " Could the period of time that she hadn't seen him really just be described as " a while " ? After giving it some thought , Mary realized that the last time they'd met was indeed about 20 years ago . Back then , Sebastian had only been seven years old . Yet , even with his childlike face , there was an indescribable sense of maturity about him . Despite being just a kid , he'd sit at the dinner table and wear a perfectly pressed suit . He'd also put on a serious expression and would show no interest in food or drinks . One thing was certain though - his gaze would always be intently fixed on Noelle . As he sat across several people at the table , he had asked Noelle , " What's your name ? How old are you ? " His interrogating manner made all the adults at the table burst into laughter . Meanwhile , sweet little Noelle blinked her big , round eyes and said , " My name is Noelle , and I'm six years old ! " She even held up one little hand , her chubby palm showing five fingers . Sebastian , with his slicked - back hair perfectly in place , frowned . " That's five , not six , silly ! " Mary still remembered how Noelle had sulked for a long time after being called silly . The little girl had mumbled , " I'm not silly . I just counted slowly ! " Even though she was upset , Noelle didn't cry . She had just nestled in Mary's arms making soft whimpering sounds . In the blink of an eye , 20 years had passed . The little girl who used to whimper in her arms had now grown into a graceful young woman . Upon thinking of the past , Mary's face lit up with a smile . What was even more amusing was that after that dinner , little Sebastian had seriously told William , " Dad , when I grow up , I'm only marrying Noelle . " Back then , everyone had thought that it was just an innocent child's talk . No one would've expected it to actually come true . Mary held Sebastian's hand with a joyful look on her face . " Hello , Sebastian , my wonderful son - in - law ! " Noelle nudged Mary's arm and whispered , " Mom , Mr. Cole and I aren't married yet . " Mary was usually reserved , but she was being unusually enthusiastic with Sebastian . She asked , Chapter 27 Sebastian , what a coincidence it is to have run into you here ! Are you shopping too ? " Sebastian's eyes held a barely noticeable hint of amusement as his gaze drifted to Noelle . Even while talking to Mary , he would glance at Noelle from time to time . He replied , " It was a coincidence . I just happened to be here for some business negotiations . " 2/2 Despite being unaware of Sebastian's glances , Noelle could feel that she was being watched and linked . arms with Mary . She then looked around but couldn't spot anything unusual . How strange . Mary then said to Sebastian , " When you were seven , Patrick and I knew you'd take over Cole Group someday , but we never thought you'd grow the Cole family business so successfully ! " Sebastian smiled and humbly replied , " You're too kind . My father laid a solid foundation . I'm just following his lead . " Mary patted the back of Sebastian's hand as she held it . " You're being too modest . You clearly have talent , and you still carry that same air as when you were little . " Noelle stared at Mary's hand and softly cleared her throat . Then , she whispered into her ear , " Mom , isn't it inappropriate to keep holding onto Sebastian like this ? " Only then did Mary realize she'd reacted too enthusiastically . She quickly released Sebastian's hand with an embarrassed smile . " I was just so happy to see you , Sebastian . I might have gotten a little carried away . I hope you don't mind . " Sebastian chuckled . " Not at all . " Just then , Jessica approached them with the manager , Eric Jeeves . With that , their small reunion was cut short . Enjoy Ad - Free Reading >> Go Chapt 1/2 C