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Novel Catalog
Chapter 27
Ellison to the world of elite coffee production.
The coffee beans Jared’s family produced had always been exclusive, shared only among their closest connections.
It was highly unusual for someone outside that circle to know so much about it.
Nicole noticed the flicker of curiosity in Jared’s eyes, but she wasn’t about to reveal more than she had to.
She didn’t want to explain her entire backstory to him, especially not now.
The less he knew about her foster father, the better.
“Yes, Mr.
Ellison and I worked together a few years ago,” Nicole replied with a calm smile, her voice steady.
“He’s the one who introduced me to the coffee.”
Jared’s gaze lingered on her for a moment, analyzing her every word.
The girl was clever, he had to give her that.
She managed to sidestep the question without raising suspicion.
“Interesting,” Jared mused, leaning back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Nicole’s.
“It seems there’s more to you than meets the eye, Miss Riddle.
I must admit, I didn’t expect this.”
Nicole shifted slightly, uncomfortable under his intense scrutiny but maintaining her composure.
“I’m just someone who enjoys good coffee,” she replied simply, brushing off his lingering gaze.
Jared’s expression softened, as if coming to a realization.
“I suppose it’s not every day you meet someone with a genuine appreciation for something like this,” he said with a hint of respect.
“Most people only know what’s popular or trendy.
But you…” he paused, as if weighing his words.
“You seem different.”
Nicole didn’t respond immediately.
She wasn’t sure how to take his compliment.
Instead, she took a sip of her coffee, her fingers gently tapping on the edge of the cup.
It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate the recognition, but she was still trying to figure out what Jared’s true intentions were.
Before she could think further, Jared broke the silence again.
“I’m curious, Miss Riddle.
You don’t strike me as the type to seek out attention.
So why are you here, at this school, in San Joto?”
Nicole’s mind raced.
Her answer had to be carefully chosen.
“I’m here for a fresh start,” she said slowly, looking him in the eye.
“To learn, to grow.
I don’t have any grand ambitions…
just a quiet life.”
There was a slight shift in Jared’s eyes, a hint of intrigue.
“A quiet life, huh? I don’t think I’ve met anyone with that goal in mind before.” He smiled, almost knowingly.
“Well, whatever your reasons, I’m glad you’re here.
It’s not often we have someone who can truly appreciate the finer things in life, like you do.”
Nicole didn’t respond, instead letting the silence fill the room.
Her thoughts were still on the conversation with Mr.
Ellison, and how everything seemed to be connected, but she didn’t want to delve too deeply into that just yet.
She needed to stay focused on the present, especially now that Jared seemed so invested in her.
Finally, Jared stood up, breaking the moment.
“I’ll let you get back to your coffee, Miss Riddle,” he said with a casual nod, his tone returning to its usual polite warmth.
“But I’m sure we’ll meet again.
Don’t be a stranger.”
Nicole nodded politely, watching as Jared left the room.
As soon as the door closed behind him, she exhaled a breath she didn’t realize she was holding.
She had managed to avoid revealing too much, but she knew things weren’t going to be so simple from here on out.
The questions Jared had raised about her connection to Mr.
Ellison were only the beginning.
There was more to her past that she needed to keep hidden, and Jared was proving to be more perceptive than she had anticipated.