Chapter 524 Many Thoughts
Noe's ears perked up at her words.
He shot a look at Daphne, wondering if she really had the hacking chops.
"Come on," Diana nudged him, batting her pretty eyes.
Lon's eyes drifted to Diana's tiny hands gripping Noe's arm, feeling a bit... something.
Neither Diana nor Noe noticed.
After a beat, Noe caved.
Diana, all smiles, clapped and went to get Hestia. She figured it was smarter to win over the kids first, then the grown-ups.
Hestia already knew her and Louis, and she was super grateful to them for confronting Gilbert, so she was in.
One car couldn't fit everyone, so Hestia and the kids took one, while Daphne and her crew took another.
In the car, Diana couldn't stop giggling. She was over the moon.
Seeing her like that, Louis didn't hold back, "Didn't you notice your buddy seems kinda bummed?"
"Which buddy?" Diana asked, eyes wide with curiosity.
Louis knew Diana had a memory like a sieve, but this was next level.
"You mean the new guy?" Diana guessed since he didn't answer, "He's probably just not used to us yet. Once he gets to know us, he'll be all smiles."
"I'm talking about Lon," Louis reminded her gently.
Diana looked puzzled. "He's not bummed."
"You sure?" Louis pressed.
"What are you talking about?" Diana said, all innocent, "Don't I know Lon's personality?"
Seeing her so confident, Louis wisely shut up.
When they got home, Daphne and Benjamin had laid out snacks and treats for Hestia and the kids, and of course, the birthday cake was ready.
Diana saw the cake and immediately grabbed Noe's hand, dragging him towards it, calling back to Lon, "Lon, come on, let's celebrate!"
Lon's eyes landed on Diana holding Noe's hand.
His handsome brows knitted slightly. He was clearly a bit annoyed.
Diana didn't catch it. In her mind, Lon was already a close friend, but Noe was still new.
As the hostess, if she didn't step up, Noe might feel awkward.
"Here are your birthday hats," Diana said, putting the hats on them herself, grinning ear to ear.
Then came the candles, the birthday song, and blowing out the candles.
Diana was having a blast, totally in her element.
Later, she kept bugging Daphne and the others to snap pics of them.
Seeing Noe still a bit out of place, Diana grabbed his little hand, taking pics and goofing around with him.
Noe had never met such an enthusiastic girl, it took him a while, but by the end, the kids were all playing together.
Well, except for Louis.
Louis was genuinely more aloof and way mature for his age.
When Daphne saw Diana and the others playing outside, she walked over to Louis and asked, "Not gonna join them?"
"Nah," Louis said, totally uninterested. "Diana's got it covered."
Even with just a couple of kids, Diana could turn the place into a party.
Her energy could light up any room.
"I'm heading upstairs to read," Louis said, seeing the birthday stuff was winding down. "Holler if you need me."
Daphne opened her arms. "Give me a hug."
Louis's eyes lit up, and he happily hugged Daphne.
Only in Daphne's arms did he seem like a regular four-year-old.
After the hug, Louis headed upstairs.
When Benjamin came over, Daphne sighed, a bit worried. "Louis seems too grown-up. Will he think his childhood was boring when he grows up?"
Childhood was supposed to be the most carefree time, full of fun and no big worries.
But Louis...
"Nah," Benjamin said, knowing Louis well. "He grew up naturally, not forced. No need to stress."
"Really?" Daphne asked, still unsure.
"When have I ever lied to you?" Benjamin said, sitting next to her and pulling her into his arms.
Daphne thought for a moment. Yeah, Benjamin hadn't lied.
While they were chatting, Diana was playing with the two kids in the yard, and Hestia was on the phone nearby.
"Noe, are your grades good?" Diana asked, using her usual trick.
Noe paused, then replied, "They're okay."
"Can you help me with my homework? Louis gave me some assignments, and there are a few questions I don't get," Diana said, not hesitating to cheat a little. "I'm scared to ask him; he's kinda scary."
Noe thought for a moment and said, "He doesn't seem scary."
"That's 'cause he's around you guys. When it's just me and him, he's really scary," Diana said, not worried about getting caught. "Every time I ask him something, he calls me an idiot."
Noe instinctively looked at Lon.
Lon didn't say anything. Since Noe showed up, Diana had ignored him a bunch today.
"Just help me with my homework," Diana said, wanting to get to know Noe better.
Noe still had that cold look but agreed, "Alright, let's go."
"Sweet!" Diana said, excited.
She took Noe and Lon to the study area on the second floor.
When they walked in, Louis was there reading a book, looking like a gentleman.
Diana felt a bit guilty but still pulled out the exercises from her drawer and handed them over. "I don't know how to do these."
"These aren't kindergarten questions," Noe said, recognizing them as third-grade stuff.
"I know," Diana glanced at Louis, her heart racing. "But Louis wants me to learn stuff for the future. These are the assignments he gave me."
Noe took a look and then went to ask Louis.
Louis didn't like lying.
But since Diana's lie only affected him, he didn't call her out right then and planned to deal with it later.
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