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Chapter 107
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The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 108
Hendrix never brought up that night again, and Noelle didn't, either.Two days later, Clark asked her out again, saying he wanted to grab some sliders.It was the first time Noelle realized asking someone out could be that simple.Clark was fun to be around. He loved a good time and always knew how to make it happen. He grew up in Coppersville, where nearly everyone in his circle knew him. Yet he wasn't drawn to flashy, extravagant clubs or bars. Instead, he preferred taking Noelle down old alleyways. Sometimes, they'd try a local delicacy, and other times, they'd pick up quirky trinkets.Hendrix, who also grew up in Coppersville, never took Noelle to places like that. They went out alone only a few times, and when they did, it was always to high-end restaurants.The only exception was when Noelle took him to a barbecue joint, though they didn't even manage to finish their meal that time.Clark was the complete opposite of Hendrix. He didn't carry the aloof, superior attitude t
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 109
Noelle didn't answer. She slowly took the stuffed animal from Clark's hands.Clark immediately noticed something was off. "What's wrong?"Noelle didn't respond. She lowered her eyes and murmured, "It's nothing. Let's go.""What happened?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.She took a deep breath. "Someone bumped into me just now."Clark froze for a second. Then, as realization sank in, his expression shifted. "Which one?""What?""I said, which one?" His voice was sharp, and without waiting for her answer, he turned, scanning the crowd.At that moment, the man who'd bumped into Noelle walked up to another girl, still wearing that same sleazy grin."Is that him?" Clark asked, eyes narrowing.Before Noelle could respond, he had already rushed forward and punched the man in the nose."How dare you?" he yelled...."Mr. Freeman, the painting's been delivered. Here's the acceptance form," Dan said, handing Hendrix the paper.Hendrix nodded without a word.Dan hesitated.
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 110
Clark's jacket was draped over Noelle's shoulders, and she sat with her head lowered.She held the steaming cup of coffee the officer had given her, yet her body trembled uncontrollably.Clark had suffered a severe beating, outnumbered by the group. At first, he had held his own, but once they surrounded him, the fight quickly turned in their favor.Noelle had tried to step in, but Clark had blocked her way. No one could've imagined what might have happened if the arcade staff hadn't intervened so quickly."I'm fine. Don't worry," Clark said, still giving his statement to the police. When he noticed how pale Noelle looked, he gently took her hand.Noelle finally lifted her gaze, intending to say something. Yet, she froze as if she'd seen something too terrifying to process. Her already pale face drained further, and her fingers turned icy cold.Clark noticed and started to turn around, but a hand landed on Noelle's shoulder before he could check."I'm here to bail her out," Hend
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 111
Dan felt like he was uncovering something significant with Noelle standing beside Hendrix.His mind raced, but he forced himself to step forward. "Mr. Freeman."Hendrix barely glanced inside, and Dan understood immediately. "Don't worry. I'll handle it."Hendrix didn't say anything more. He practically threw Noelle into the car first, then tossed the teddy into a nearby trash can.Noelle watched his every move from the car. She opened her mouth to speak but ended up saying nothing.Hendrix quickly got in, and the car sped off. Noelle's heart raced as she turned to fasten her seatbelt. He didn't so much as glance at her.The scenery blurred as they drove, becoming more and more unfamiliar. Noelle frowned and was about to ask where they were going when Hendrix suddenly slammed on the brakes. The jolt threw her forward. Her seatbelt yanked her back, but her head slammed into the seat, sending a sharp pain through her head.She winced and turned toward Hendrix. His hand gripped th
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 112
"Hendrix, Clark is my friend. I just don't want you talking about him like that," Noelle said. She bit her lip and added, "He got hurt because of me tonight. I—"Hendrix laughed suddenly, his smile sending a shiver through Noelle."Noelle, have you forgotten the agreement we made?""I've told you. Clark and I are just friends. I—""If you're just friends, why lie?" Hendrix's voice grew colder, his gaze fixed on her.Noelle was about to deny it, but Hendrix cut her off, "Last week, the night you were late, you were with him, right?"Her words were caught in her throat, and Hendrix didn't give her a chance to answer. "If I'm not mistaken, you showered before going to Percy Gardens. What was it that made you need to shower?""We were just walking around the food festival!" she said quickly."So, you were with him," he said, his smile returning.Noelle's throat tightened, and she was speechless.Hendrix's smile grew wider as he watched her reaction. He reached for the cigaret
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 113
"But did you manage to keep your end of the bargain? Did you have fun at the ball? At the food festival? At the arcade? What other social rights do you have?" Hendrix questioned.He chuckled while adding, "Noelle, do you really think you're irreplaceable?" Having known him for so long, this seemed to be the most Noelle ever heard Hendrix say to her. However, each word seemed like a sharp knife, piercing directly into her heart. Noelle had known from the beginning that Hendrix was haughty and aloof, but he usually concealed that side of him. But at that moment, he was no longer hiding it. His disdainful gaze kept reminding her that they weren't in an equal relationship from the beginning until now. That was why she didn't have the so-called right to make friends. Noelle was just an accessory to Hendrix. Naturally, he didn't want her anymore since she was already considered filthy. "Get out. Don't make me say it for the fourth time," Hendrix said again.Noelle met his gaze fo
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 114
It was Noelle's first time seeing Hendrix like that. In fact, his current expression was far more interesting than his typical calm and composed demeanor.Noelle also finally realized at that moment that his emotions were triggered due to her. That was really interesting. But it made sense. Any man who heard what she said earlier would be enraged. In contrast, she was feeling extremely at ease. She met his gaze for a moment before asking, "Didn't I make it clear earlier? I said…"Before she could finish speaking, Hendrix suddenly raised his hand. Noelle was very familiar with that movement. After all, she had experienced slaps often since she was a child. She even shut her eyes subconsciously, waiting for his slap. Yet the expected sting did not happen for a long time. She slowly blinked open her eyes. Hendrix's hand still hung in midair. His brows were still furrowed, and she noticed that the vein on his temple was throbbing. Noelle ended up laughing after looking at him.
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 115
Hendrix never liked using such tactics, especially for someone like Noelle. She wasn't even worth it. But he suddenly found it amusing after seeing her reaction. How long had she even known Clark? If the information Hendrix received was accurate, Noelle must have met Clark for the first time at the previous ball. Were they that close already? What did Noelle just say—Clark was more thoughtful and caring than Hendrix? That notion sounded ridiculous.Hendrix never expected that he would be compared in such a manner.Clark? Truthfully, Hendrix found it annoying to even give Clark a second glance. Yet, Noelle mentioned he wasn't even on the same level as Clark. She currently seemed like an anxious prey that was ready to bite Hendrix, and the person she defended was Clark. The more Hendrix thought about it, the more he found it hilarious.At that moment, Noelle's phone suddenly rang. She and Hendrix turned their heads at the same time. Both their expressions changed at the same t
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The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 827
It took a while for Noelle to realize this was the Swift residence. Logically speaking, she shouldn't have had any memories of this place. After all, she had never come here since her return.But the body remembered things the mind could not lie about.Seated behind the wheel, Noelle could almost see glimpses of her past self walking through the gates. Back then, the Swift household must have been filled with laughter. Yet, how much time had passed since then?The desolation before her was jarring. She didn't know how long she had been staring when her phone rang. It was Hendrix."Where are you?" His voice was tight, filled with worry.Noelle paused before answering, "The Swift residence."A heavy silence followed on the other end. Then, as if he couldn't believe what he had just heard, he asked again, "What did you say?""The Swift residence," Noelle repeated. "But the villa has been sealed by the court, so I can't go in."This time, Hendrix heard her clearly, and he believed
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 826
"Marla hasn't done anything out of the ordinary. She just sits there all day in a daze, silent and motionless," the doctor said as he led Noelle forward.Even though it was the best psychiatric hospital available, its core nature remained the same. As they walked, Noelle couldn't help but feel a heavy sense of oppression in the air.The corridor was lined with locked doors—not regular hospital doors, but ones reinforced with metal bars. It looked less like a medical facility and more like a prison.The deeper they went, the more tightly Noelle's brows knit together.Marla was in the room at the very end. She was sitting with her back to the door, staring blankly at the small window above, lost in thought.Just the sight of her silhouette made Noelle feel as if she had been dealt a heavy blow to the chest."Marla," the doctor called her name.But she didn't offer any response.So, he tried again, "Marshall Swift."This was the only name that had elicited any reaction from her r
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 825
"I'll go with you," Hendrix said as he tried to get out of bed, but Noelle quickly pressed him back down."The bathroom is just inside the room. Why are you getting up?" she said with a frown, her tone tinged with displeasure."Oh, right," Hendrid replied. Only then did Noelle release her grip on him and get up.By the time she came back from the bathroom, Hendrix was fast asleep again.Noelle, however, still didn't feel sleepy. After taking a look out of the window at the pitch-black sea, she decided to go to the deck for some fresh air.Hendrix had only shown her the way once, but Noelle remembered it instantly. However, her timing was unfortunate, as someone was already on the deck.A man stood there smoking. The smoke rings left his lips, dissipating in the sea breeze before they could fully form.Noelle stood behind him, and the scent drifted over—pungent and sharp. She couldn't help but sneeze.The man immediately turned around. His body had been tense, his eyes sharp
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 824
"Perfect timing. You can explain things to Noelle," Hendrix said, standing in front of Erwin.Erwin stared at him in disbelief. "What did you say?"He came to settle a score with Hendrix, not to patch up their relationship."You're the one who caused this mess, so don't you think you should help me out here? Or is it that you're happy to see me struggling?" Hendrix asked.Of course, Erwin was happy. After all, he had always been on his own. Moreover, he believed that people like them didn't need a partner. They could have female companions or go on dates, but nothing deeper than that.There wouldn't even be any real emotions involved. What existed between them was merely a transaction. Their inner worlds were something no one could understand, nor did they need anyone to understand.But now, Hendrix was clearly going down a completely different path. Not only was he now bound by those things, but he even expected Erwin to help him out? It was pure insult!"Do you still want your
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 823
"Why are you with these people?" Noelle finally asked.It was the first thing she had said since they entered the room.Hendrix knew his answer was crucial, as it would decide whether she could accept what she had seen and heard. More importantly, it might decide the fate of their future together.So, he didn't hold back. He told her everything about Erwin, those people outside, and his connection to them.As Noelle listened, her brows drew closer and closer together.At the end, Hendrix emphasized, "I really don't hang out with them anymore. Back then, it was because everything in the country felt meaningless. I couldn't really find any real challenges. But now, I have something better to pursue. So, I barely touch those things anymore. And besides…"He looked at her then. "You already knew about all of this.""I did?""Yeah. You and Erwin know each other, too.""So, I knew you were messing around at their parties?""I never messed around," Hendrix denied without hesitation.
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 822
Noelle had already sensed it earlier. That whole excuse about not letting Hendrix go home—he wasn't a child, and Erwin wasn't his father, so why would he stop him from leaving? Unless there was something else going on.So, Hendrix definitely hadn't been alone in that room earlier.Noelle's expression dimmed little by little, and she moved to pull her hand away. But Hendrix had already sensed the shift in her mood, and instead of letting go, he tightened his grip and pulled her straight into his arms.Then, he looked at the man across from them and said, "She's my wife."The man, clearly drunk, was still letting his gaze roam all over Noelle. He completely ignored what Hendrix said. In fact, he even looked upset when he saw Hendrix hold Noelle like that."Hendrix, why are you being so possessive? Aren't we supposed to share everything?""Shut up!" Hendrix cut him off without a second thought, then turned back to Noelle. "Let's go back to the room first."Noelle didn't respond, bu
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 821
Noelle frowned, finally piecing it together. "He's your friend?""No," Hendrix denied it without hesitation. "I don't have friends this stupid."As he spoke, he signaled a crew member to fetch a gangplank to help Noelle step up onto the yacht.Meanwhile, the safety team had already fished Erwin out of the water. Drenched from head to toe, he had been cursing nonstop until the frigid temperatures sent him into a sneezing fit, forcing him to retreat inside with assistance.Hendrix paid him no mind. Instead, he tossed a stack of cash to the fisherman before leading Noelle away."So, you two know each other?" Noelle asked again."Yes," Hendrix admitted. Then, he quickly added, "But I had no idea he called you. At the time, I was locked in a room by him, I swear.""Why did he lock you up?""I wanted to go home to you, but he wouldn't let me."His answer came naturally, yet Noelle's expression turned oddly pensive.She wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but she felt someth
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 820
It was the dead of winter. The howling sea winds tangled Noelle's hair, her slender figure appearing even more fragile against the night's desolation. Frowning, she studied the figure before her with wariness and unfamiliarity. Erwin had originally planned to have someone put on an act for Noelle—just as he had told Hendrix earlier—to test her. But Hendrix had outright rejected the idea."I know she would risk everything for me, but I don't want her to. And I especially don't want her to later find out it was just a farce. What we have doesn't need to be proven like this."Hendrix had spoken with absolute certainty, yet that only made Erwin want to punch him more. He knew that the real reason Hendrix said that was to show off. Because the crux of his words lay in that first line—he knew Noelle would risk everything for him.So, where did this unshakeable confidence and boldness come from?Only seeing Noelle in front of him now did Erwin realize Hendrix's confidence wasn't due to
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 819
If it had been any other time, Erwin might have thought that Hendrix was simply being stubborn. But at that moment, Hendrix's gaze was deadly serious. There wasn't even a hint of evasion.Erwin stared at him for a while before chuckling coldly. "You're that confident, huh? But she's just a delicate woman.""It has nothing to do with whether she's delicate or not. All I know is she will come.""And what if she doesn't?""I will transfer all my shares to you."Hendrix's response stunned Erwin once again.His lips parted slightly, but it took him a moment to find his voice. "Are you serious?""Of course."Erwin studied him for a beat before suddenly laughing. "You're not just using this as an excuse to leave, are you?""Didn't you say it was a bet?" Hendrix countered. "If I win, what will you give me?"Erwin hadn't expected him to ask that. But honestly, this bet seemed like a guaranteed win for him.He knew why Hendrix liked Noelle. After all, men tend to like demure and beaut
