The Billionaire Who Stole My Heart (Brittany and Isaac)
Chapter 1040

"Collaborate?"

Shock flickered briefly across Tallulah's face.

"Yeah, you've been with me for years, and I don't dislike you." Noel was, in fact, notoriously elusive.

Growing up dependent on distant relatives, even though his uncle and grandfather were kind to him, the absence of his parents' love left him with a deep-seated insecurity.

Over time, this bred in him a devil-may-care attitude and a penchant for living in the moment.

Tallulah had followed him for five years, step by step, to become the heir to the Salter family. She knew better than anyone the loneliness deeply ingrained in Noel, as well as his wild nature. The more she understood him, the more she found herself drawn to him.

As if bewitched.

Noel had never been in a relationship; his world revolved around racing, work, and his brother.

Isaac's departure hit him hard.

Others might only see Noel's decisive and ruthless side as the head of the Salter family, but Tallulah had seen him drunk in the dead of night, sobbing over a photo of Isaac.

She had also seen him challenged by shareholders, spending nights by Isaac's grave in silent conversation, as if speaking volumes without uttering a single word. Logic told her to refuse.

Because Noel didn't love her, he just thought she was suitable... He didn't even bother to deceive her; he bluntly told her it was a transaction.

But when she looked into Noel's eyes, the words of refusal on her lips changed meaning: "Noel, I'm quite fond of money."

"Name your price."

Noel seemed to have anticipated this: "I can promise to have no contact with other women. Whether you want a relationship or marriage, I can provide it."

If she were to spend her lifetime with someone, Tallulah would not mind it being Noel.

It was as if a breeze blew past Tallulah's ear, leaving behind a deafening roar that paralyzed her.

She remembered the first time she met Noel, then a race car driver, full of vitality and untamable spirit.

In the blink of an eye, he had become a shrewd businessman, always talking about profits and collaboration.

At first, she thought working alongside Noel would be enough.

But she was too greedy.

The more she understood Noel, the closer she wanted to be.

Now that Noel was even offering her a relationship, a marriage, how could she not be moved?

She licked her lips, her voice nearly hoarse: "Noel, I love money, and I have a sick brother..."

"Half a million a month."

"I'll replace the best doctor for your brother."

Noel saw no issue with this, "Any other conditions?"

Hearing her response, Noel felt a warmth flow into his hollow heart, reviving it.

He could even hear its beat, growing stronger.

After a moment, he grabbed an umbrella: "Let's go."

Tallulah looked at his hand, thinking of the warmth from the umbrella handle he had held, making her eyes well up, barely daring to look at Noel's face. Silently, she accompanied him back to the hotel.

At the suite door, Tallulah handed over the umbrella, its handle still warm.

"Noel, you rest for half an hour, I'll go arrange the dinner details."

Hearing her call him "Noel," he frowned slightly: "We're not in a boss-employee relationship now, in private, you can call me Noel."

"Alright, Noel."

Tallulah complied smoothly.

Noel looked at her face, his mood visibly brightening: "You'll accompany me to a dinner tonight."

"Of course."

Tallulah had accompanied him to many dinners, already well-acquainted with the routine.

But this time, her status had changed.

When Noel and Tallulah arrived at the dinner venue, the event had already started.

Noel was now a renowned figure in the city, and the hosts hurried over when they saw him arrive.