Chapter 96 James's Birthday Party and the Troublemaker Noah: Sofia's Blatant Seduction

Elena Garcia's POV:

After Albert left, Noah looked at me embarrassed and asked why I hadn't given him a heads-up.

I shrugged and said, "I figured since you met him at the party, you'd know who he was. He was sitting right next to me, after all."

Noah huffed, "That guy screams playboy, and as a single dude, I can't stand those flashy types! My jealousy got the best of me; it's only natural I ignored him!"

I couldn't help but tease him, "Is that why you lumped him in with the 'shameless Garcias'?"

Noah threw up his hands in defeat, his voice dripping with resignation. "Come on, Elena, I didn't mean it. Albert's so handsome and charming, he won't mind me blabbering nonsense, right?"

I laughed, "You can butter him up next time; maybe he'll let you off the hook because of your sweet talk."

After our chat, my mind wandered to the Garcia family and my dad's birthday party.

Isabella had ordered me to come back before the party to apologize to Sofia and seek her forgiveness. I flat-out refused, but I didn't say no to going home for my dad's birthday.

Even though Isabella's attitude towards me had turned sour, I still wanted to make an effort with my dad. I had to admit, I still had a tiny bit of hope for my parents.

I hoped James would see through Sofia's act and make a change.

This tiny hope was why I didn't tell Albert my plans before he left.

"So, are you heading back to Garcia Manor this week? Need me to get in touch with Marco for you? You might need a guy to go with you." Noah blinked at me, trying to smooth things over between Marco and me.

"My poor brother, I can tell things are still tense between you two, or he wouldn't have let someone else take you back to school."

"I don't know what went down, but wouldn't you want to have him back you up when you head to Garcia Manor? With Marco there, you won't have any problems for sure!" Noah tried to persuade me.

But I couldn't take it, especially since one of the reasons Marco and I fought was that he only considered my feelings, not his own.

Noah's words made me feel a strong sense of resistance, and if I needed to bring a guy, it definitely wouldn't be Marco.

I shook my head and turned down Noah's suggestion. With a bit of emotion, I said, "If it's to avoid trouble from my family, inviting you would work just as well, Noah."

I was trying to make a point about not using Marco and hint to Noah that my issues with Marco weren't so easily fixed.

But Noah didn't get it. He looked stunned for a second, then his face lit up with excitement.

"Are you asking me to be your date, Elena? This is awesome! Even if Marco gives me a hard time, I don't mind! Plus, I can't wait to see Marco's face turn green with jealousy!"

Noah's words were full of bravado, showing none of the usual fear he had of Marco.

Seeing the excitement in his eyes, I couldn't bring myself to tell him I was just joking.

So, I reluctantly agreed to let Noah be my date for my dad's birthday party.

It probably wasn't a big deal, just bringing Noah to the Garcia Manor as a guest.

Noah even wanted to get my dad a birthday gift. He picked out a book called "Cognition, Brain, and Consciousness," edited by top cognitive neuroscience scholars Bernard J. Baars and Nicole M. Gage. It explained the basics of cognitive neuroscience in a unique way.

Noah suggested that James and the rest of my family, who still trusted Sofia, should read it. "Maybe this book will clear their heads a bit."

If James saw this gift, he'd probably blow a fuse.

Noah secretly suggested I sneak the well-wrapped gift into the pile of presents.

He said, "No one will know it's from us. Don't you want a little revenge for their misunderstandings about you? Don't worry, I'll also get a normal gift!"

I was convinced by Noah and agreed to his mischievous plan.

James's birthday party came up quickly, and he even emailed me to remind me to come back.

His tone was kinder than Isabella's, and knowing what Sofia had done, he didn't go off on me, which gave me a bit of hope.

On the day of the party, I brought Noah back to the Garcia Manor with me.

Noah had gone all out, wearing an expensive suit, slicking his hair back, and even spraying some cologne. He looked pretty mature, and when he didn't smile, he even resembled Marco a bit.

He now looked like a handsome, mysterious, and charismatic man.

"I even padded my shoulders to make myself look more dashing!" Noah boasted proudly.

"I also came up with a backstory. Since you're with Marco, I can't pretend to be your boyfriend, but I can be your admirer—Marco's brother, secretly in love with you! Let's give your snobby sister a shock! You're way better than her!" Noah said, clearly excited.

"Noah, this seems a bit over the top." I felt both speechless and amused, but I let Noah continue his little charade.

When we arrived at the gate of the Garcia Manor, Noah got out of the car gracefully after the servant opened the door. He then gentlemanly held my hand with one hand and shielded the car door frame with the other to prevent me from bumping into it.

His serious demeanor was indeed very convincing. I saw the surprise and a bit of nervousness in my family's eyes, especially when Noah just nodded at them as a greeting. His posture was extremely arrogant, and with his attire, James immediately signaled me to introduce my date.

But before I could speak, Albert, who was also standing at the door, spoke first, "Noah Bianchi, Marco's brother, nice to see you here."

The smile on Albert's face was a bit subtle, and I thought if there were no other people around, he would definitely grab Noah by the collar and ask what he was trying to do.

Albert extended his hand, and so did James, but Noah only shook Albert's hand. I wasn't sure if it was because of Albert's threatening look.

After they shook hands, James awkwardly withdrew his hand. He then treated Noah with more caution and respect.

I saw Sofia next to James almost fuming with anger. She was dressed very lavishly today, wearing new expensive jewelry; it seemed my parents had put a lot of effort into making her look like a real princess.

James even brought her along to greet the guests, introducing her to those famous families they cooperated with.

But now, the attention that should have been on her was completely stolen by Noah's grand entrance. And with Noah standing beside me, those gazes were also directed at me.

Noah said, "I'm here with Elena. She told me she wanted to attend her father's birthday party. I just didn't feel comfortable letting her come back alone."

Noah's attitude made James show an awkward smile, while Albert secretly rolled his eyes at me.

Noah's arrogant attitude made me feel so awkward that I stiffened up. To stop him from saying anything strange, I quietly reached out and pinched his waist.

Noah flinched and shut his mouth. But even though he stopped talking, a lot of people wanted to greet him.

I figured some of them knew the Bianchis because they were as enthusiastic as James, way more than their enthusiasm for the birthday party's host, James, today.

Noah joked to Albert, "I feel like I've become a delicious turkey, and it seems everyone wants a bite."

"I just don't know why Elena brought you along. Thank goodness these people don't know your true nature," Albert said, holding a wine glass and helping Noah fend off some toasts.

I almost laughed out loud beside them. "Isn't this fun? Noah didn't lie to anyone."

"Yeah, well, I have to admit, seeing these people buzz around like flies and act all sycophantic is pretty entertaining." Albert shrugged, with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "But you're going to get yourself into trouble, Noah."

Noah asked, puzzled, "What trouble?"

Albert said, "You should really see Sofia's eyes. Your identity makes her covetous. She failed to seduce Marco before, I bet she'll try every means to get close to you."

Noah showed a bit of panic and helplessness, looking like he wanted to run away immediately.

But just as Albert said, Sofia came over with a wine glass, holding James's arm. James's expression was a bit nervous but more determined; they seemed well-prepared.

After a brief greeting, James immediately stated his purpose. He leaned close to Noah's ear and whispered, "Mr. Bianchi, do you have someone you like? This is my daughter Sofia. She really likes you and wants to talk to you. Can you give her a chance?"

This sentence was from Noah's retelling; Albert and I didn't hear it clearly at the time. But James and Sofia's subsequent attitude proved the truth of this sentence.

Sofia put on an extremely shy look, holding a wine glass, standing very close to Noah, almost throwing herself into his arms.

"Mr. Bianchi, can I talk to you alone?" With that, she looked at me with a bit of provocation.

I looked at Noah's pleading eyes and took a sip of wine to conceal my nearly escaping laughter.

I deliberately frowned, my tone mocking, "Do you mean you want to be his mistress? Sofia, you're making it difficult for Noah."