"I'm sorry, Elle!" Quentin's expression hardened as a wave of guilt washed over him.Noelle lowered her gaze. When she looked up again, she chuckled mirthlessly. "Your apologies are starting to wear on me." His heart sank. She rose to her feet and said, "Anyway, you should go. I'd like you to put yourself in my shoes; If I were the one who kept going back on my word just to be with another man, what would you do?" She looked at him meaningfully.Quentin frowned, and his chest felt stuffy again. He would undoubtedly never forgive her. In fact, he might strangle her and that man!"But weren't you also tangled up with Gabriel?" he shot back. Plus, there was John.Noelle smiled sardonically. "If Mr. Kingston hadn't saved me that night, you'd be looking at a tragically violated corpse right now." She couldn't be bothered to deal with him anymore. She went downstairs to her desk to study for her postgraduate entrance exam. Puzzled, he inquired, "He saved you? What was he doing at y
Noelle's expression turned cold as her gaze landed on the man. "What are you doing here?"Quentin gazed at her pretty face. "I'm looking for a new place for your studio. It's time to move." His dark eyes locked onto hers. Her brows knitted as she couldn't understand what this man was up to again. "Why?""Gabriel's friend's company is here; you know what I'm worried about." He looked at her calmly, and his tone left no room for discussion. First thing in the morning, Martin informed him that Gabriel had visited the building that day to meet with a friend who owned a small business there. Exasperated, she chuckled mirthlessly. "In that case, I think Ms. Cadwell's office building is quite nice. Why don't you talk to her about renting me a space?" Not long ago, Quentin had given Xyla a ten-story office building, which she had proudly flaunted to her. He was stumped because he hadn't expected her to use this against him. Also, he had no idea how she had gotten her hands on those recei
As long as Noelle was happy. "After finishing the paperwork, head to Restaurant Blanc. I'll be waiting for her there," Quentin said before hanging up the phone.An hour later, with all the paperwork done and the workday over, Martin drove Noelle to Restaurant Blanc. Through the car window, she spotted the dashing figure standing beside a Bentley. Clad in a black suit and white shirt, Quentin was shining like the brightest star in the night sky. When he saw her walking over, his eyes lit up. "Were you satisfied with my gift?" he asked.Out of the corner of her eye, Noelle noticed a woman stepping out of a nearby car. "What a coincidence!" she mused.A thought crossed her mind, and she hastily took a step forward, wrapping her arms around Quentin's neck. "Mr. Lowe, the office building you gifted me has five more floors than Ms. Cadwell's. Aren't you worried that she'll be upset when she finds out?" she asked, with a playful smile.He smiled tenderly before wrapping his arms aroun
Quentin found her question a little amusing. "Of course. How could I call myself your husband if I don't protect you and stand up for you?"Noelle smiled, and her eyes twinkled even more brightly. She raised her glass. "Then, here's to a happy relationship!""Cheers!" Quentin raised his glass as well.Just then, there was a knock on the door to the private dining room, and a waitress opened the door. "Ma'am, your friend is asking for you outside."Noelle had a knowing smile on her face. This "friend" had to be none other than Xyla. Perfect timing—she had been waiting for her as well."Excuse me for a moment." Noelle flashed a smile at Quentin. He was awestruck. "Hurry back!" he called after her, annoyed at the person who was interrupting their moment.Noelle left with her phone. Walking through the corridor at the back of the restaurant, she spotted a figure clad in white standing beside the lotus pond, glaring at her. "I didn't think you'd dare to show up, you bitch!" Xyla sai
Xyla abruptly got on her knees before Noelle and sobbed, "I had no idea you and Quint would be here at Restaurant Blanc. If I had known, I would never have come. Noelle, I promise I won't bother Quint anymore. Could you please let me go? I'm begging you, I will never pester him again…"She didn't outright accuse Noelle, but she made it obvious that Noelle was the one who pushed her into the pond. Noelle froze. She was surprised that there really were people who were this good at acting in this world. It made sense, though, since Xyla started out as a starlet. Putting on such a simple act was naturally a piece of cake for her. Quentin's piercing, dark eyes locked onto Noelle. "Why did you push her?" he glowered. He had promised her that he would stay out of Xyla's life after he cured her depression and found a good match for her. So, why couldn't she just leave Xyla alone?Noelle listened to his cold voice and felt its coldness seeping into her soul. So, this was what he called lo
Lorraine snuffed out the cigarette and looked desolate once again.Noelle was aware that beneath her seemingly jovial exterior, there lay a heart beset by sorrow. "Is it because he doesn't want to marry you?" she asked tentatively. Lorraine scoffed. "I won't ever get married! Men are all the same—nothing but trouble!" She had an abortion for him, stood by him for ten years, gave him the best years of her life, and what did she get in return? Noelle couldn't agree more. Men were nothing but trouble! "Here's to the truth we both see!" She raised her glass and clinked it with Lorraine's. …Meanwhile, Xyla's asthma symptoms had been brought under control at the hospital. Yet, tears still streaked her cheeks as she gazed plaintively at the man standing solemnly beside her bed. "Quint, I-I didn't mean to…" she murmured, her face buried in her hands, and her shoulders trembling with each sob.She couldn't believe that Noelle would have the nerve to record their conversation. She woul
In just two months, Noelle had been attacked twice by thugs. When he couldn't find her yesterday, Quentin was beside himself with worry. Yet, she still doubted him!"Mr. Lowe, shouldn't you be worried about your precious little Xy? After all, she suffers from depression and asthma, and she crashes her car every now and then. Who knows, she might just kick the bucket one day." Noelle arched her brow.Quentin was at a loss for words, disliking the sarcasm dripping from her words. With a frown, he grasped her arm, but he didn't appear enraged. "Can we not talk about her?"He was aware that she was upset. If he were in her shoes, he would be upset as well, but he felt that this shouldn't affect their budding relationship.She smiled wryly. "If that's all you had to say, please leave. I need to get some rest now." Then, she turned to go upstairs.Quentin tightened his grip on her, yanking her into his embrace. Her breath hitched in her throat as she fell into his arms. Before she could
Janet ordered the bodyguards, "Get this woman out of here! I don't care where—just get her out of my sight; the further the better!"Instinctively, Xyla had always been scared of Janet. "What are you doing, Madam Burns?" Her voice wavered between genuine fear and a forced act, her body trembling.Janet sneered, "How dare you call Elle a bitch? Obviously, you're the real bitch here! Who else comes back to meddle in their ex's marriage after they've broken up?"She didn't want to waste her breath on Xyla anymore. "Hurry up and get this pile of shit out of here!"Early this morning, a friend of hers sent her a message and told her what had happened at Restaurant Blanc the night before and everything Xyla had said. Janet was so furious that she couldn't even eat her breakfast. Fortunately, her friend added that Noelle had kicked Xyla into a pond, which made her feel slightly better. After breakfast, she still took her bodyguards to the hospital. Her bodyguards each grabbed one of X
"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