The Billionaire Who Stole My Heart novel 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.