Hendrix gave Jennifer a number. "At 8:00 am tomorrow, go to Room 1613 and bring the occupant to the hospital."His request confused Jennifer, and she stared at him in confusion."Don't let anyone know about this. Do you know the consequences you will face if this gets leaked?"Hendrix's expression remained unchanged, but the intensity in his eyes grew sharper.Jennifer quickly realized she had misunderstood, and she nodded in response. "Understood.""Leave," Hendrix said, not bothering to look at her again.Jennifer quickly exited the room, and the surroundings returned to their usual quiet.Hendrix didn't think about the situation any further.But that night, as he lay in bed, he suddenly had a dream.He dreamt of… a child.Hendrix didn't have strong feelings toward children. He had always been indifferent to emotions. As a child, he didn't rely on his parents, and his adult life was far from harmonious.However, he didn't completely reject the idea of having a child.Perh
Noelle had already finished her blood test. And now, she was sitting in a chair, waiting for the results. After a night of restless thoughts, her mind still felt a little empty. She wasn't sure whether she was hopeful or fearful.She certainly wanted a child. After all, it would be a living part of herself, something that would be forever connected to her. She had always felt alone in this world, and having a child would mean she would have a family. It was the one thing Noelle had longed for since she was young.But she was also afraid. She feared she wouldn't have the strength to protect the child. Even if she could bring the child into the world safely, what would happen if the Freeman family came to take them?Given Hendrix's attitude, he likely wouldn't allow her to keep the child. In that case, what could she do to fight him for custody?The thoughts from the night before were still vivid in her mind. That was why she had done the test with just water. She had hoped
Noelle looked at Hendrix in confusion.Hendrix didn't say a word. He took out his coat and put it around her waist.This surprised Noelle."What are you—"Before she finished her question, she felt something warm flowing out.This feeling… She was well aware of what was happening. She then looked at Hendrix in a daze.……"You're not pregnant," said the doctor. "Your period came late because you are too stressed. If you are still not reassured, you can do a scan after your period."Although Noelle had already known the answer earlier, hearing the exact news from the doctor made her grip her hands tightly."Are you trying to conceive?" the doctor asked, looking at her with disappointment. "N-No," she replied. However, the doctor ignored her answer and continued, "This kind of thing doesn't happen quickly. The more you care, the harder it gets. You need to relax..." She couldn't remember what else he said.In reality, she should feel relieved about not being pregnant. An
When Noelle walked out of the washroom, Hendrix was still standing there.His coat was still with Noelle, and he was only wearing a shirt. The cufflinks were undone, and he had rolled up the sleeves, revealing his fair and toned forearms.With his distinguished demeanor and striking features, passersby couldn't help but glance his way. But he seemed used to being watched, keeping his eyes fixed on his phone without even lifting his gaze.Noelle watched him. Her steps, which had been headed toward him, came to a halt. Hendrix still kept his head down.Normally, he wouldn't have noticed the attention from those around him, but when Noelle looked at him, it was as if he sensed something. He quickly lifted his head.After biting her lip, Noelle walked over to him."Your clothes got dirty," Noelle said softly. "I'll wash them and return them to you."Hendrix was about to say it wasn't necessary, but after glancing at her, he suddenly changed his mind and just gave a quiet "mm".Th
Hendrix's words stunned Noelle.And he glanced at her suddenly.That look made Noelle tense up instantly. It was as if she were eagerly trying to get involved with him in some way.Noelle bit her lip and was about to say something, but Hendrix spoke first, "I just don't want you getting too close to Brandon. Now that Sandra is engaged to Maxwell, I don't want to become fodder for their gossip or used for publicity. Do you understand?"His analysis remained calm and collected.Noelle wanted to say something else, but Hendrix quickly made the decision for her. "This is how it's going to be. Keep this business card, and if you need anything while you're here, just contact her."Noelle, I only have one request for you right now. Don't cause me any trouble. Understood?"…When Jennifer called, Noelle was on the hotel bed."Ms. Swanson, hello." Jennifer's voice was soft and alluring. "I'm Jennifer Weber, the guide Mr. Freeman arranged for you. I was wondering if you have any plans f
In the days that followed, Noelle didn't see Hendrix at all. Jennifer, however, proved to be a very competent guide. Over the past few days, she had taken Noelle to explore many places in Sintrun. They weren't all the typical tourist hotspots, either. Jennifer arranged the itinerary thoughtfully, with a perfect balance of activity and rest, making the outings enjoyable and never tiring."There's going to be a fireworks show tonight," Jennifer said as they ate. "It's not an everyday event. It's for Thanksgiving. I've reserved a spot for you upstairs—at one of the most famous viewing points. Once we finish dinner, head up there and take a look. It's absolutely spectacular!""Are you not going to be with me?"Jennifer smiled and said, "Ms. Swanson, I have a boyfriend, too. I have been ignoring him the past few days. If I don't go back now, he's going to be mad.""I'm sorry. You…""It's nothing, really. This is my job, and it's what I should do. If you're truly satisfied with my a
The rooftop grew increasingly crowded, with the sound of fireworks blooming above adding to the chaos. But for some reason, Noelle suddenly felt as if everything around her had gone quiet. It was as if the entire world had faded away, leaving just the two of them.The people, the noise, even the fireworks overhead, all seemed to vanish.Then, the words Jennifer had told her some time ago began to echo in her mind. At the time, she hadn't reacted to Jennifer's words. On the surface, she had even dismissed them as nonsense.After all, Hendrix didn't seem like someone who would ever do such a thing. Even if he did, it wouldn't be toward her. However, those words had been like a stone dropped into the calm surface of her heart. It hadn't caused a storm, but it had left ripples that lingered. Those ripples hadn't faded, even until tonight.And now, Noelle saw Hendrix's steps shifting forward one step closer. That single step felt like a jolt of adrenaline, shooting straight into her
The snow outside the window continued to fall. Inside, the heating was on full blast, and Noelle didn't feel cold at all.In fact, she thought the room's temperature might be too high, leaving her emotions feeling overly saturated.It wasn't just her. Hendrix felt the same. Only a month ago, they had been arguing. She had even resolved never to see him again in this lifetime. Yet, she always found it so easy to forgive him. He was like a persistent illness lodged in her heart. She had tried countless times to heal it. Yet, it kept flaring up again and again.The step he took toward her on the rooftop earlier had been enough to give her boundless courage. After all, he was someone she had loved for so many years.No one could resist imagining being with the person they loved. What one couldn't have would always leave regret. No one would want to live with regret.Noelle turned her head to look at the snowflakes falling softly outside, paired with the glittering night view of Sint
Hendrix didn't reply. Instead, he simply tossed the folder in his hand to Dylan.Dylan glanced down at the folder. Something flickered across his eyes, but in the end, he reached out and took it.The moment he skimmed the first few pages, his face turned as pale as a sheet, and his grip on the documents tightened instinctively.After a moment, Dylan finally looked at Hendrix. "What's the meaning of this?"Hendrix let out a soft laugh. "What do you think it means?"Dylan quickly regained his composure and asked, "Where did you get these?""That's not something you need to concern yourself with.""So? What do you want?"Sitting on the couch, Hendrix leisurely poured him a glass of wine and took a sip. Throughout the entire process, he maintained his usual elegance and composure, whereas Dylan's expression grew darker and darker.Finally, Hendrix said, "What do I want? I thought I'd already made it very clear.""Mr. Freeman, we're both men. Don't you think using tactics like thi
Hendrix grew exasperated. When he heard the sound of the door lock turning, he lifted his head and barked, "Get lost!"The single, decisive shout silenced everything outside instantly. Even the woman in his arms went completely still.Noelle seemed to realize that her resistance was futile. The hands she had been pressing against his chest slowly dropped away, and even the tears in her eyes vanished in that moment.She slowly sank back and tilted her head upward. Then, she simply stared at the glaring incandescent light with eyes filled with emptiness.Hendrix stared at her for a while before suddenly laughing. "Are you really that upset? Or do you feel wronged? Does it really hurt you so much to leave him?"He was smiling, even forcing a mocking tone into his words, but his hands were trembling uncontrollably. It was a pain that started deep in his chest, spreading through his bloodstream until it reached his fingertips.Noelle didn't answer him, but her expression was as good a
Hendrix reached out and gripped Noelle's chin. In a deep voice laced with a clear trace of anger, he asked, "You've fallen for Dylan, haven't you?"Noelle didn't answer, but she pressed her lips tighter and tighter. Her eyes still brimmed with tears, but the moisture only made them shine more brightly, more vividly. In their reflection, Hendrix could see himself clearly, and he could also see the unmistakable hatred within them.She hated him. Hendrix knew that, of course. From the moment he decided to take this path, he had already anticipated how she would react.But so what? Was he supposed to stand by and watch as they became nothing more than strangers who had nothing to do with each other?If that were the case, Hendrix would rather she hated him.He could live with that outcome—it wasn't something he couldn't accept. But the one thing he absolutely couldn't tolerate was her heart belonging to someone else.She could hate him because of the incident with Elm Group, beca
As soon as Hendrix finished speaking, Noelle suddenly stepped forward and raised her hand. But her slap never landed. Hendrix had caught her wrist, his face completely expressionless."You're crazy!" Noelle said.Hendrix smiled faintly. "Yeah, I know."Noelle didn't say another word, but she trembled even more violently as tears began to fall. Still, it seemed she refused to show any weakness in front of Hendrix. So, she quickly wiped away her tears."Dylan's grandfather is sick," she finally told Hendrix. "Alzheimer's. His condition is deteriorating quickly, and he might not remember anything soon. That's why Dylan proposed to me."But when she finished speaking, the answer she wanted never came.Hendrix's gaze remained cold as he looked at her. When he noticed Noelle was still staring at him, he even asked, "So? What does that have to do with me?"Noelle took a deep breath. "So, could the wedding—""No," Hendrix cut her off without hesitation, and Noelle's question was left u
Noelle's expression changed as she heard Hendrix's words, and she turned to look at him.Her expression made Hendrix feel like something was stabbing into his heart. It seemed like he was right.That contractual relationship seemed more than that now. Noelle had fallen for Dylan. If not, what could explain the look in her eyes now?Noelle didn't even react this way when he brought up her and Elm Group.The dull pain quickly spread across Hendrix's chest, accompanied by a familiar metallic taste. His Adam's apple bobbed a few times, and after taking several deep breaths, he finally managed to suppress the feeling and said, "It seems like you really care about him.""Hendrix, this is between us. Can you stop being so despicable and dragging innocent people into this mess?""Innocent?" Hendrix chuckled. "It seems like you really don't know much about your fiancé. Do you know what he's been doing behind your back?"Before Noelle could respond, Hendrix handed her a file. "Take a look
"That's right." Hendrix nodded satisfactorily. "We already had bad blood, so why bother with fake pleasantries now?"He continued as he picked up the coffee cup in front of him. "You must really wish for my death right now, don't you?"Hendrix's voice was calm, with a faint smile on his lips, but the words he spoke were enough to leave Noelle speechless.She paused for a moment, but she quickly responded with a smile, "Yes, so you know.""Mm, but unfortunately, I'm still sitting here just fine," Hendrix said, showing no concern. He met her gaze with a cold stare. "And based on the current situation, I doubt I'm the one who's going to be ending things first."Noelle couldn't reply. Although Hendrix had treated her with this kind of attitude before, she still remembered clearly the taste of the drinks he forced upon her that night in Vinton City. At this moment, all she could see in his eyes was an endless coldness.Noelle's voice grew hoarser. "If that's the case, Mr. Freeman, w
Noelle subconsciously glanced at the person in the hospital room after hearing the secretary's words.Dylan was sitting quietly there.Looking at him, Noelle suddenly remembered the hug he gave her that morning. She knew that her relationship with him was purely contractual, including their marriage, but all she wanted at that moment was a hug.She knew this went beyond the scope of their agreement, but Dylan didn't bring it up, and neither did she.Perhaps Noelle had been looking at him for too long. Dylan sensed something unusual and immediately looked over at her.Noelle took a deep breath. "I need to go back to the company for a while. I'll arrange for a nurse to come over. As for here…""It's fine. Go ahead," Dylan quickly replied. "I don't have much to do today anyway.""But…""Have you forgotten? We're getting married soon, so your father is my father-in-law. Isn't it normal for me to take care of him?" Dylan's words rendered Noelle speechless.It was clearly not appr
"Noelle, I'm just an ordinary friend of his. I don't have that kind of influence." Sandra laughed, then added, "Actually, if you want to meet Mr. Mueller, maybe you should have Dylan…"Dylan, who had been sitting nearby, finally lifted his head when Sandra mentioned his name.But Noelle didn't pay him any attention. She grabbed Sandra's hand and pulled her out of the room."What's this about, Noelle? You're hurting me!" Sandra still spoke in a sweet tone, but as soon as Noelle dragged her to an isolated spot, she immediately yanked Noelle's hand away, her voice turning cold as she asked, "What do you want?""I should be asking you that," Noelle replied. "You should know very well what's going on with the family right now. If I could contact Javier myself, that'd be one thing, but the problem is now…""Now what? Noelle, I never thought I'd see the day when you'd be the one asking me for help." Sandra laughed, raising her chin and looking at her. "So, go ahead. Ask away. If it's a r
Noelle looked at Dylan for a long while, then smiled. "No need. Just stay with me like this." Dylan reached out and pulled her into his arms. His hug wasn't tight, and the faint fragrance on his body instantly filled Noelle's nose. Noelle made no effort to resist but slowly reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist. "How's your father?" Dylan asked her. "Acute stroke," she said softly. "But we got to the hospital on time, and the doctor said that as long as he wakes up, everything will be fine." "Mm, how about you go back and rest? I'll keep an eye on things here." "No. I won't be able to sleep even if I go back. Haven't you noticed my phone hasn't stopped ringing?" Dylan didn't reply. Noelle didn't know if he was feeling guilty for being unable to help her, so she said, "The wedding doesn't need to be postponed. Your grandfather has been looking forward to it for so long, so we can't disappoint him." "But…""Don't worry. I can still spare a day, and with Elm