Quentin had never picked Noelle up from work before, so she was still in a daze after his car had driven away. Yvette nudged her shoulder. "That's so sweet of him!"Noelle snapped out of it. Embarrassed, she playfully punched her in the arm. "As if!"Yvette was well aware that she was just shy and ran off, giggling. After Yvette left, Noelle started to feel annoyed with herself again. All he did was offer to pick her up after work, yet here she was, over the moon. Noelle thought she was truly pathetic!As the afternoon wore on, she completed her tasks at hand and took out a medical textbook from her drawer, studying it carefully. She remembered what Quentin had said; if she wanted to continue her studies, she could apply for a postgraduate program at Dragfort Medical School. She had always wanted to become a doctor who saved lives and healed the wounded. She shouldn't let that person erase her childhood dream. Noelle couldn't help but glance at her phone again. Quentin said he'd
"Exactly!"Quentin's guilt deepened. He took a step forward and extended his arms to Xyla. "Xy, come home with me!" Xyla turned her head, as if she had just heard him. After a long while, she seemed to have recognized him, as she called out softly, "Quint…"He scooped her up in his arms and strode toward his brand-new Bentley that was parked nearby. Her slender arms wrapped around his neck, and her cheek pressed against his chest. She looked so docile and obedient that it made his heart ache. It was his fault; he had been overly careless. How could he have left her behind at the restaurant?"We're going to the hospital!" Quentin told Martin as he walked. Martin couldn't help but feel exasperated. He didn't believe that Xyla was depressed; he thought she must be faking it! No matter what, he just couldn't wrap his head around the fact that the same person who had been bossing him around the other day could be struggling with depression. Nonetheless, he opened the car door for them
Xyla's lips curled into an almost imperceptible smile. "Did you hear that, Noelle? There was no way you could win!" she thought.…It was already 8:00 pm, and all of the employees had left work. Noelle was the only one left in the studio. "Quentin said he'd come pick me up, so why hadn't he arrived yet?" she wondered. Noelle walked to the window and looked down, hoping to see his car parked downstairs and his tall figure getting out of the vehicle. But the street below was bustling with traffic, and no one had stopped for her. Disappointed, she turned around. Her hair stood on end when she noticed two unexpected guests in the studio. The two thugs ransacked the studio. Then, their eyes landed on Noelle, as if they had just noticed her. The thugs started walking toward her with grins on their faces. "Well, well, well, what do we have here? A pretty little dame! It's awfully late to be out, doll. Were you waiting for us?" The other chimed in, "Of course she is. Hello there, cut
Quentin was just about to borrow a nurse's phone to make another call when he noticed the door to Xyla's ward open, and her slender figure emerged."Quint, I want to go home. I always feel like a patient when I stay here." Her eyes held a silent plea, and she looked pitiful. Mulling it over, he nodded. "Alright." Indeed, she would only be constantly reminded that she was a patient while she stayed in the hospital. Xyla might be able to gradually recover after leaving this environment.Quentin asked Martin to handle the discharge procedures and helped Xyla leave the hospital.…Meanwhile, with Gabriel's help, Noelle took the elevator up to her ward at another hospital. As soon as they walked in, the cops arrived. Noelle recounted the incident in detail, and the officers left after taking her statement.Gabriel reassured her, "Don't worry. It was self-defense. You'll be fine."Noelle, too, knew that she would be fine, but she couldn't stop wondering why Quentin had gone back on h
Xyla heard the sound of the phone being hung up and grinned. Then, she heard the sound of the door lock turning from outside. Squatting on the floor, she sobbed. Quentin returned with some frozen food. Since Ava wasn't around that day, he didn't dare to leave Xyla alone at home and decided to stay with her. Also, both of them hadn't eaten yet."What's wrong?" His breath caught in his throat when he noticed her huddled on the floor, her head buried in her knees, and her shoulders shaking with each sob. Xyla looked extremely pitiful. He immediately set the groceries down and strode over. "Are you feeling unwell?" Quentin crouched down and held her shoulders. His face was filled with worry and concern. Xyla raised her tear-stained face. "Yvette just called, Quint. You weren't around, so I answered it for you, but… she yelled at me; she called me a little tramp who seduced you, said that I ruined your marriage with Noelle and that I deserved to go to hell…" It seemed as if she could
"I'd like to be alone for a while, Yvette. Please, don't follow me!" All Noelle wanted was to find a quiet place where she could be by herself for a while. Ignoring the pain all over her body, she walked out of her ward.Yvette cried out in panic, "Don't go, Noelle! Your hand is bleeding!" But Noelle didn't seem to hear her. Her heart was in so much pain that she couldn't feel the pain in her body and hands."Leave me alone, Yvette. I want to be alone." Noelle hailed a cab, opened the door, and, with great effort, got in. Yvette was worried, so she hastily got into her car and followed after them. Noelle had no idea where to go either. She just felt so upset and wanted to find a place where she could be alone for a while. So, she ended up at Cedarfield. But she didn't have a dime on her. Noelle slipped her wedding ring off her finger and left it in the cab as payment before getting out and walking away. The cab driver picked up the diamond ring in confusion and exclaimed in sur
Noelle was also caught off guard by Quentin's sudden appearance. Under the streetlights, she noticed the menacing aura emanating from the man and the icy look in his eyes. Then, without a word or backward glance, he turned around and left.Noelle bit her lip and felt as though her heart was bleeding. "I've indeed fallen in love with the wrong person," she lamented."Seriously, this cousin of mine…" Gabriel shook his head in exasperation. While carrying Noelle to the car, he continued, "He's never treated Xyla like this."He was undoubtedly rubbing salt into her already wounded heart. "Mr. Kingston, please put me down. I can walk on my own." Noelle didn't want Gabriel to carry her anymore. He put her down. "Are you sure?""Yeah," she responded. However, her body was too weak to hold up. Fortunately, Yvette arrived just in time to steady her.Noelle got into Yvette's car and returned to the hospital. After all the commotion, she felt strangely calm. She no longer dwelled on Quenti
"Are you tired? If you are, just go to sleep. I'll stay here and watch over her." John loosened his tie and sat down in the chair.Yvette nodded. "Alright, then I'll go to sleep now." Without further ado, she lay down on the folding bed and drifted off.John gazed intently at the woman on the hospital bed. His expression hardened once again. The woman he held dear in his heart had been repeatedly treated with great disregard and neglect. His heart ached, and he felt extremely angry. He vowed to himself that he must help Noelle escape from this sea of suffering.Noelle was awakened by the pain all over her body. She grunted and woke up. In her hazy vision, she noticed someone sitting by the bed. As her vision cleared, she recognized John's figure. "Jo..." she called out, surprised, propping herself up. John gently inquired, "How are your wounds? Do they hurt?" Noelle nodded. "I never thought something like this would happen to you. I've already asked someone to have the judge
"Sorry, but if I ever get married, it definitely won't be to either of you."Noelle had originally come to visit Christian, but now she didn't feel like staying anymore. She was beyond frustrated.Christian's sharp, dangerous eyes narrowed in an instant, brimming with hostility as he locked his gaze on Noelle. Quentin's handsome face darkened as well, his mood turning stormy.Noelle spun around and walked out."We'll see about that," Quentin muttered, getting up to leave as well.As he passed by the clinic where Noelle worked, he cast a glance in that direction before heading out.Near the end of the workday, Russ called. "Ms. Xanthos, Mr. Xanthos has arranged for you to meet a boxing champion. Are you free now? I can take you to meet him."Noelle couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and bitterness. She had lived 24 years, and only now did he care about whether she had any self-defense skills. Isn't it a little late for that?Still, she went.After one session, she was dr
Noelle quietly closed the door behind her. Leonard glanced over, saw it was her, and put away his phone. "He just fell asleep. Ms. Xanthos, you should head home and rest. I'll keep watch tonight," he said softly.Noelle shook her head. "He took the knife for me. How could I go home? I wouldn't be able to sleep anyway. I'd rather stay here and keep an eye on him."She sat down on the couch, her gaze heavy with concern as she looked at Christian sleeping.Leonard nodded. "Alright, you stay here. I'll step out for a bit," he said before leaving the room.Noelle nodded.Christian's phone, sitting on the nightstand, pinged with a WhatsApp notification.Noelle walked over, picked up the phone, and saw a message from someone with the nickname "The Blomming Fifties.""What a flashy name," she thought with a faint smirk.But for some reason, curiosity tugged at her—she suddenly felt a strong urge to peek into Christian's private world as if she might uncover something hidden beneath t
Noelle remained silent.In Dragfort, ever since Quentin had learned early that morning about Christian taking a knife for Noelle, he had locked himself in his office. It had been three hours now.The morning executive meeting was canceled, and his client appointments were rescheduled. Senior staff members who needed his signature on documents stood hesitating at the door, feeling the oppressive atmosphere even from outside the office.Department heads waiting to give their reports also lingered at the door, too intimidated to enter.In the end, they all turned their pleading eyes toward Martin.But even Martin was hesitant to go in.After all, he had witnessed the weight of Quentin's emotions—shock, frustration, and a deep sense of defeat—that had cast a heavy, oppressive mood over the office.Martin made a call to Dennis, knowing only he could possibly get through to Quentin now."Mr. Jackman, you need to come over," Martin said quietly, making sure to step into a quieter co
Even though Christian was in obvious pain, he forced himself not to make a sound.Such a stubborn fool.The door knocked twice, and Leonard walked in. Seeing Noelle, he greeted her, "Ms. Xanthos."Noelle's eyes were red, but she didn't respond.Christian opened his eyes slightly and said, "Don't tell anyone I'm injured."Leonard nodded."Tell them I'm on a business trip," Christian added.Leonard raised an eyebrow, "Bro, with a wound like that, how long do you think this 'trip' will last before people catch on?"Christian shot him a cold glare, and Leonard quickly relented, "Okay, okay, I get it. I'll handle it."Christian closed his eyes again, waves of pain crashing over him like a relentless tide.Suddenly, he opened his eyes once more. "Silly girl."Noelle paused, her tear-filled eyes looking at him.A smile tugged at the corner of Christian's mouth. "Get out for a bit. You look terrible."Noelle's lips twitched as her damp lashes fluttered, and a surge of unexplainabl
Just as the man raised the knife for a second strike, the security team arrived and swiftly pinned him down.Noelle heard a low grunt behind her, followed by Christian's pained chuckle. "Good thing it wasn't him."Noelle's heart clenched as she turned to see Christian, clutching his shoulder, slumped against her legs.He was wearing a beige coat, now stained with a large patch of blood around his shoulder.Christian was rushed to emergency surgery, but Noelle remained frozen in her chair, her mind replaying his words, "Good thing it wasn't him."Who wasn't it? Quentin?Why did he say that? Why did he act this way?The image of Christian's blood-soaked coat lingered in her mind. The wound—how deep was it?Noelle sat there, numb and lost in thought for an unknown period, until Michael appeared.He glanced at her through the doorway, but without a word, he continued walking past.A little while later, Kara gently patted her shoulder. "They've moved him to a room. You should go s
Emmie smiled and placed a few more ravioli on Noelle's plate. "Then eat a little more. It's your mom's first time cooking, and once you're in the Utopia States, you won't have this."It wasn't like she had never cooked before—she had made instant noodles when she was alone.Noelle ate a small bowl of ravioli without pausing, her stomach now full and round. Her eyes welled up with tears, though whether it was from happiness or something else, no one could tell.After dinner, Noelle stayed for a bit before leaving.Emmie watched Noelle's car disappear down the driveway before finally going upstairs.Michael, leaning back on the bed, heard her soft footsteps approaching and lifted his eyelids.The bedroom was dark, and when Emmie stepped in, her gaze met Michael's dark, piercing eyes. She paused at the doorway, and he continued watching her."Lia must be blind. She couldn't tell if it was you or the driver," Emmie said coldly, walking straight to the other side of the bed and pulli
Emmie was at a loss for words.Michael said, "Your daughter's leaving for the Utopia States soon. You should take this time to spend with her."Emmie's breath hitched. "Elle agreed?"Michael nodded. "Yes."It was the best way for Noelle to get away from those two men and focus on her own growth.After a night's rest, Noelle felt much better the next morning. Emmie called her, inviting her to Gentle Glades after work.What Noelle didn't expect was to see Michael there as well.He was lounging on the couch in casual clothes, flipping through a medical journal. Emmie, wearing an apron, seemed to be busy in the kitchen. When Noelle walked in, Emmie immediately came out."Elle!" Emmie's gentle face was filled with warmth as she took Noelle's hand.Noelle felt a bit disoriented.In her memory, Emmie's life was filled with books and work, never with the kitchen. And Michael—she hadn't seen him so relaxed and calm, casually reading a magazine on the couch, in over a decade.It felt
Michael couldn't forget the look Elijah had given him that day—a mocking smile, full of meaning. Elijah slowly pulled back, revealing Emmie's curled-up body underneath him.Without a word, Michael opened his phone and pulled up a social media app. He tossed the phone to Emmie. "Take a look for yourself."Emmie looked down and saw a video posted by Elijah just minutes earlier. It was of her feeding him. She watched in disbelief, then replayed it. The account was undeniably Elijah's."Scroll down. There's more," Michael's voice drifted from the couch.Emmie's fingers moved down the screen, her peripheral vision catching a glimpse of Michael sitting with his legs crossed, taking a sip of coffee handed to him by the housekeeper.Further down, she found a photo posted by Elijah a month ago, showing her preparing his medicine. The footage seemed to be taken from security cameras.But none of these posts had appeared on her social media feed.She had never seen them on her phone.Mich
Quentin didn't deny it.Noelle's chest tightened as she remembered that day in Ocean City when Christian had said Gillian deserved to be slapped. Now, it all made sense.At the time, she had sarcastically asked him if he would treat her the same way once he got tired of her.His response had been, "Do you think I'm tired of her, and that's why I did it?"Now she understood. Christian had known all along that it was Quentin who had called Gillian to Ocean City.A wave of frustration swelled in Noelle's chest. Her fingers clenched tightly as the memory of Christian's sweet words clashed with the thought of him being with Gillian. Bitterness gnawed at her.Just then, the door opened again, and a strong, steady figure entered. His gaze swept silently over the two men in the room before he walked straight to the bed."Elle?""Clement!" At the sight of him, Noelle's eyes brimmed with tears."Let's go home," Clement said as he turned and carefully lifted her onto his back. Noelle res