Chapter 441 What Should Be Done
The moment Maddox gave the order, his rainbow-haired thugs leaped off their motorcycles and charged toward Noah.
"Noah!" Hugo's face twisted with worry. Though they'd just met, he'd feel responsible if this stranger got hurt because of him.
Facing the mob of attackers, Noah remained perfectly still, hands clasped behind his back, expression unchanged.
In a blur, three dark figures moved to shield him—the men from Respect Noah Pavilion. Without hesitation, they launched themselves at the gang. The sound of fists connecting with flesh filled the air.
Despite their menacing appearance, Maddox's crew fought like amateurs. Like tigers among sheep, the three bodyguards tore through the crowd. In less than two minutes, all twenty-plus thugs lay groaning on the ground.
Maddox stood frozen in shock. His entire crew taken down by just three men.
Lila and her friend were equally stunned.
"That was incredible," Hugo whispered, eyes wide. "No wonder he was so calm. Anyone with bodyguards like that must be somebody important."
"Who the hell are you? At least have the guts to give me your name!" Maddox clutched his knife tighter, eyeing Noah warily. His legs trembled slightly with fear.
He had no intention of attacking now. Twenty men couldn't handle three—only a fool would try his luck alone.
"I told you," Noah replied coolly. "You don't deserve to know."
"Fine! You've got balls!" Maddox backed away. "Without your bodyguards, my guys would have broken your legs! This isn't over. You better watch your back!"
With that, he jumped on his motorcycle and roared away. His battered followers scrambled after him.
"Hugo, that million will be mine eventually!" Lila called out with a sneer. "Someone might protect you today, but they can't be by your side you forever!" She climbed into the Passat and sped off.
When they were gone, Hugo approached Noah with a grateful smile. "Thank you so much. If you hadn't been here, I'd have lost that million to Maddox today."
"Don't mention it. It's what I should do," Noah waved dismissively.
"What you should do?" Hugo was puzzled. They were strangers—why would Noah feel obligated?
Just then, Jagger and Cressida emerged from the house. They'd witnessed everything, and knew without Noah, disaster would have struck.
"Thank you!" "You're our family's savior!" They began to bow in gratitude, but Noah quickly stopped them. "Please, there's no need. I'm just doing what I should."
"Noah, why do you keep saying that?" Hugo finally asked.
"As I mentioned, I'm North's friend. I came to deliver... news," Noah paused, then continued solemnly. "North is dead. He died protecting me."
"...What?" "North is dead?" "North is..." The words hit them like lightning. All three paled, their bodies trembling in shock.
"That's impossible," Hugo shook his head violently. "He sent me a million dollars just days ago!"
"Are you lying to us?" Jagger stepped forward urgently. "North was only in his twenties. How could someone so young just die?"
"North was perfectly fine. He can't be dead!" Cressida's eyes were vacant with denial.
Seeing their reactions, Noah felt a pang of guilt, but he knew this wasn't something he could hide.
"I'm truly sorry. North really is gone. I've... brought his ashes so he can rest in his hometown."
Noah took a deep breath. North had died saving him, and though Noah had been preoccupied lately, saying it aloud brought fresh pain. North never needed to take that bullet for him.
Ethan retrieved an urn from the car, with North's photo attached to it.
"My son!" Cressida collapsed, shaking with violent sobs as she clutched the photo of the familiar, smiling young man. "How could this happen? Why? North!"
Jagger's tears flowed uncontrollably, his grief overwhelming.
"North..." Hugo stared at the photo, his chest heaving with sorrow, voice choked with emotion.
"North!" Cressida wailed. "How could you leave without letting me see you one last time?" The shock was too much—she fainted, collapsing to the ground.
---
By eight that evening, darkness had fallen.
Inside the earthen house, Hugo and Jagger sat in sorrowful silence. Cressida was resting in the bedroom. Noah had explained the circumstances of North's death.
"I bear responsibility," Noah said, his voice heavy with remorse. "If I had planned better, this wouldn't have happened. North was a true friend."
"I don't run from my responsibilities. I've caught the person responsible—I brought his ashes too, so he can accompany North. And if you ever face any difficulties, please tell me. I'll help you unconditionally. It's the least I can do."
"Compensation?" Jagger shook his head. "Will your compensation bring North back to life?"
"I raised him with all my heart, only to see him die. I don't want compensation. I just want my son back."
As he spoke, Jagger broke down, his voice cracking with pain.
Noah remained silent. Jagger was right—no compensation could resurrect North.
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