Noelle's curiosity grew. "What is it? Why are you beating around the bush?"Quentin finally found his voice. "Did you send someone to slap Xyla last night?" His tone was gentle, yet his dark eyes were piercing, as if he were attempting to see through her. After saying that, he pressed his lips together and waited for her response.Noelle was caught off guard. Her brows drew together as she asked, "What are you on about, Quentin? Don't you know who I was with last night? Do you think I can be in two places at the same time?"He called her over and sat her on his lap, only to say something that cut deep. Noelle felt hurt and upset.His expression darkened. "Xyla was slapped multiple times last night, and her face is severely swollen. I was just asking; I didn't mean anything else. I just need you to be honest with me. If it were you, I'd understand and forgive you. After all, that's what I promised you."Her breath caught in her throat. Her eyes were filled with disbelief and anger
After he arrived at the hospital, Quentin immediately spotted Mitchell stepping out of the elevator. His head was hung low, and he looked rather upset, as if he were mad at someone. He didn't notice Quentin and walked straight out of the elevator.Quentin proceeded straight to the security department. He had already called the director of the hospital beforehand, and the head of security was waiting for him at the door. When the latter spotted the former, he greeted him respectfully, "Mr. Lowe."Quentin handed him a cigarette. "Help me check the surveillance footage from the tenth floor of the inpatient department last night."The head of security shook his head when he heard Quentin's request, declining the cigarette. "I'm afraid I can't check the surveillance footage there, Mr. Lowe. The system was down last night.""It was down last night?" Quentin asked, surprised.The head of security confirmed. "Yes, it was.""What a coincidence," Quentin thought. "Alright then, don't let m
Noelle tugged at the corner of her lips, and she felt her heart beginning to soften. "Why didn't the mosquitoes eat you up?" she asked irritably.Quentin chuckled. "Maybe they tried and thought I tasted bad!"Noelle couldn't help it; she burst out laughing. Her mood, which had been gloomy all night, lifted a bit thanks to his humorous remark. She reached into her backpack, pulled out a bottle of mosquito repellent, and tossed it to him. "Spray it on yourself!"Quentin took the bottle, sprayed it on the spots that had been itching all night, and was greeted by the pleasant fragrance of honeysuckle. "Thank you." He handed the mosquito repellent back to her. Noelle took it and said, "You should go. I'm heading to the library." She stuffed the bottle back into her backpack and started to leave.He inquired, "Are you still mad at me?"Noelle stopped in her tracks. Was she still mad at him? Of course, how could she not be? But his words had taken the edge of her anger."No." Without
Xyla's expression changed dramatically. "I admit that you did help me, Mr. Kingston, but it was a win-win situation for both of us the first time! Besides, your attempt to drive a wedge between them didn't work!"Gabriel's patience had run thin. "That's none of my concern. Just tell me, when can you get me what I want?""In three days!" she said through gritted teeth. He hung up the phone.Her heart was pounding in her chest. Gabriel wanted the bid price for a project from Stille Industries, and it wouldn't be easy for her to get her hands on it; she needed to find the right opportunity.…Meanwhile, Noelle arrived at the library. Sawyer waved at her from his seat from a distance, and she walked over. "Hello."Sawyer appeared very excited as he whispered, "I thought you weren't coming." He was a full-time student who only had time to visit the library in Dragfort on weekends. The last week had felt like a month to him."I bought this for you!" He pulled out a popular cartoon plu
Large rocks tumbled down from the mountaintop unexpectedly. It crashed into the bus, which Noelle Xanthos happened to be in, and the two cars ahead. The cars were buried beneath the rubble right away. Meanwhile, the bus got struck so hard that it jerked violently before flipping onto its side."Wren, we encountered a landslide! I'm going to die!" A woman on the bus bawled while shrieking into her phone.With trembling hands, Noelle fished her phone out and sent Quentin Lowe a voice message. "I'm scared, Quentin… Can you come and get me?"The shivering in her voice made it evident that she was crying.Yet, there was no response from the other end.Noelle sat near the window, so her head smashed into the glass when the bus flipped over. The girl sitting beside her also crashed into her. When everything finally stilled, Noelle could no longer move one of her arms.Pain, chaos, stuffiness, fear, and helplessness overwhelmed the small, cramped space. Noelle felt as if she were drown
Noelle had an incomplete business contract discussion with a client yesterday. The client had to leave abruptly, so they needed to continue their discussion today.Two dolled-up women walked over from not far away. One said, "I heard that Xyla got into a car accident while shopping yesterday. She had a minor injury on her forehead, but Mr. Lowe spent all afternoon accompanying her for a full body check-up! He treats her so well!""Yeah! I don't know where Xyla got all her luck from," replied the other.The two were wives of wealthy families and donned stylish outfits. They gossiped about yesterday's scandal while walking by.Noelle's mind went blank as the pair's words stabbed slowly but deeply into her heart. As she was unloved in her marriage, she had to face her fears and pains alone. Meanwhile, Quentin kept Xyla company and cared for her even though she only had a mild injury.Tears welled in Noelle's eyes as she had never experienced such sorrow. The thick, overwhelming
Of course, Noelle's text went unanswered.The next day, she went to John's villa with two dark circles around her eyes. She was halfway through dealing with work when Yvette came looking for her.Yvette drove a trendy red Porsche, and she donned a fashionable, neat outfit. She brought Noelle to watch a movie. Noelle couldn't refuse her, so she had no choice but to go along. After the movie, Yvette treated her to Frosan cuisine. She couldn't help but ask, "Have you heard any news about your cousin?""Why don't you call Quentin if you miss him that much?" asked a giggling Yvette. She took her phone from her bag, dialed Quentin's number, and shoved the phone to Noelle. "Go on, talk to him!"Noelle was only worried Quentin would get scammed in a foreign country and never asked to speak with him. So, at that moment, she was at a loss. The phone was like a ticking time bomb in her hands."Yes?" A calm voice rang out from the other end of the call.Noelle's heart skipped a beat, and s
Noelle was speechless.Quentin continued to walk away without stopping once.Noelle's heart sank into her stomach as she wondered whether she had to do with Quentin's sudden departure. Unease filled her chest as she finished the chess match and stood to leave, too.She had just arrived at the yard when a blinding beam of light shined at her, so she covered her eyes. That was when a deep voice rang out from behind the light. "Get in."Noelle frowned. The Maybach's headlights had switched off when she approached it. She got into the backseat. She once saw Quentin driving and Xyla sitting in the front passenger seat. Due to that, she never sat in the front with Quentin.Quentin's threatening voice sounded from the driver's seat. "Did you tell my mother?""Tell her what?" Noelle was confused.Quentin scoffed lightly. He was evidently feeling infuriated by her innocent reaction. "I gave Xy a diamond necklace worth one million for her birthday. "It seems you, my wife, got jealou