Chapter 5

A lightbulb went off in Martin's head, and he spoke confidently. "I bet you fought with your wife, right, Mr. Lowe? A man should set aside his pride to appease his woman whenever she's angry. Your wife is more important than your pride, background, and status!"

After all this time, he realized that Noelle was waiting for Quentin at the courthouse because she wanted to threaten him with a divorce. As for why Quentin suddenly had a business trip, he did it to avoid the divorce.

"Is that so?" Quentin shot a stern and pointed look toward Martin. Martin jolted and stopped talking.

Martin recalled how the elders of the Lowe family had arranged the marriage between Noelle and Quentin. Like everyone else, he knew Quentin only had eyes for Xyla. So, he couldn't believe he had made such a blind assumption.

Quentin readjusted his eye mask and looked like he was about to rest. Alas, he couldn't fall asleep. He couldn't believe Noelle was that adamant about divorcing him when all he did was say she was imitating another woman.

He had noticed how Noelle seemed to imitate Xyla's appearance at the time. So, he mindlessly voiced it to vent his frustrations. He never expected Noelle's explosive rage to follow. It all seemed unreasonable to him.

…

Noelle had to temporarily delay the divorce since Quentin had gone on a business trip.

She focused all her attention on work instead.

After a week of working overtime, she offered to buy some of her colleagues supper. They headed to Bellagio Bistro for their meal.

Noelle went to pay the bill while everyone was halfway through eating. That was when a man bumped into her and caused her to crash into the booth table beside her.

The man reeked of alcohol. He suddenly grinned when he noticed Noelle's attractive face. With a tut, he remarked, "Aren't you pretty? Come over here! Let me have a taste of those lips! I'll pay you for a kiss!"

He took his wallet from his pocket and fished out some cash. Then, he threw the money at Noelle while reaching for her face with his other hand.

"What are you doing?" a voice rang out. Then, a manly, big hand grabbed the drunk man's collar and yanked him aside.

The drunk man turned around and saw a handsome but furious face staring at him. Before he could react, the latter slapped him.

It felt like being slapped by a metal paddle, which caused the drunkard to fall to the ground at once. Blood leaked out from his nose and mouth.

"You must have a death wish. How dare you touch my woman!" Quentin casually rolled up his sleeves. He squatted, grabbed the drunkard's collar, and lifted the drunkard off the ground. Then, he hit him again.

The drunkard's nose seemed crushed as he lay on the ground. He groaned and couldn't get up. It appeared that Quentin had broken the drunkard's nose bridge.

Noelle watched the scene in shock. Her gaze ultimately settled on the tall and charming but aloof Quentin. She mused, "So, he's already back from his business trip, huh?"

The phrase, "How dare you touch my woman," echoed in her ear. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized it was the first time he had confirmed their relationship to an outsider. She pursed her lips and couldn't help but tear up.

Her emotions in that instant were indescribable.

Quentin recalled something after straightening his back. The realization caused his shoulders to stiffen. He turned around and happened to meet Noelle's clouded, teary, and complicated gaze that focused on him. That left him frozen.

"How dare you mess with my friend's wife, you punk?" Dennis Jackman's gaze sharpened like a merciless blade as he approached to kick the drunkard. After that, he turned to ask Noelle, "Are you hurt, Noelle?"

Noelle shook her head while her eyes moistened so much that tears almost poured out. Yet, she didn't say a word and only turned to leave.

Dennis shot a confused look at Quentin.

A ding rang out just then. Quentin received a WhatsApp notification, so he clicked on it, only to see a text from Noelle. It read, "Meet me tomorrow at the courthouse in the morning. Please don't forget, Mr. Lowe."

Quentin's heart sank all at once. It had been days, but Noelle was still hung up over the incident.

…

Noelle paid the 300-dollar bill to Wren, an employee at Bellagio Bistro. After that, she headed home to Windsor District.

…

A confusing mix of emotions weighed down her chest as she squatted on the floor and stared at the half-packed suitcase. She couldn't file for a divorce since Quentin was away these past few days, so she wasn't rushing to pack her things.

A loud thud sounded from outside. It was as if something had gotten knocked over.

Noelle was startled but quickly got up to check.

Downstairs, Quentin swayed as he walked into the living room. Shattered vase shards littered the ground near the front door. It was evident he had knocked the vase over.

Noelle frowned before instinctively rushing to help him. Little did she expect Quentin to lose control of his body and crash down onto her. He towered over her at six feet two inches, so he nearly crushed her against the staircase railing.

His dark eyes focused on her, and the scent of alcohol lingered in his breath as he exhaled onto her face. "Why are you in such a rush to get divorced? Is it because of your old flame?"

Noelle could barely breathe from being crushed by him. With her brows furrowed, she snarled, "What are you talking about?"

She had been in love with him since she was 15 years old. Why was he talking about an old flame that was non-existent?

Quentin snorted, released her from his hold, and went upstairs.

The upstairs bathroom suffered from his drunken wrath.

Noise filled the air as Quentin knocked over the shampoo bottle, toothbrush holder, and toothbrush.

Noelle arrived upstairs and saw Quentin squeezing the contents of a face wash onto his toothbrush. He was about to clean his teeth with it.

Noelle stopped him at once. "That's not toothpaste!"

She bent down to pick up the toothpaste. She intended to squeeze it onto his toothbrush for him.

That posture exposed the smooth skin on her waist. It also emphasized the curves of the bottom half of her body. She had a slim waist and wide hips, which made her bum look great.

Quentin couldn't help recalling the night he struggled to keep himself under control. His body heated up as his lust grew.

Noelle had just picked up the toothpaste and stood when she noticed the growing arousal in his eyes. It made her freeze. In the next second, Noelle felt herself being lifted.

Quentin had grabbed her by the waist and set her on the edge of the sink.

Noelle yelped. Before she could react, Quentin kissed her. Frustration and anger brimmed in her then.

She mentally cursed him out for being a pervert. At the same time, she wished she had just allowed Quentin to brush his teeth with face wash instead. She couldn't believe he was getting horny so randomly.

Noelle fought back with all her might. She did not want him to have his way. Alas, no matter how hard she resisted, her efforts were no match for the taller, more powerful Quentin.

Quentin soon gained control over everything.

…

Once they wrapped things up, Quentin carried a worn-out Noelle back to her bed like she was a child. Noelle fell asleep once she touched the bed.

Quentin didn't look one bit drunk by then. In truth, he was only pretending to be drunk earlier to avoid Noelle's demand to get a divorce. He lit a cigarette while lazily leaning against the balcony to smoke.

Thunder rumbled continuously from afar.

Tensing, Quentin recalled something and put out his cigarette.

Noelle slept peacefully under the moonlight. She stayed in whatever position he had left her in on the bed.

Quentin thought, "I bet she wouldn't even notice if someone abducted her in her sleep."

His once-nervous heart settled as he wanted to stay on the balcony longer.

That was when thunder rang out loudly outside the window.

Noelle, still sound asleep moments ago, jerked upward and screamed.

Quentin bolted over to Noelle, who was about to cry from fear. He wrapped his arms around her. "Don't be afraid! I'm right here!"

Noelle feared thunder. She had been this way since the day they met.

…

When Noelle awoke, she realized she had sprawled all over Quentin. His massive palm was pressing against her butt, and they were both naked.

Noelle's cheeks heated up as she carefully removed herself from Quentin. Alas, she had only moved a little when he opened his eyes. He seemed wide awake all of a sudden.

"You slept all over me for the night and flattened me. Yet, you plan to just leave like this?" Quentin spoke. His voice sounded crisper and more pleasant to the ear this morning.