Even until now, Hendrix hadn't admitted to liking her—not even once. But then again, even if he did, Noelle wasn't sure she'd believe him, and that made her desire an answer even more.Hendrix glanced at her briefly before asking, "What do you think?"Noelle pressed her lips together. "If you don't want to say it, forget it." She tried to pull her hand away again, prompting Hendrix to tighten his grip even more."It seems your temper has grown sharper these days," he said with a soft chuckle."My temper has always been like this, Mr. Freeman," Noelle retorted with a thin, sarcastic smile. "But of course, it's nothing compared to Sandra's and Ms. Wright's delicate charms."Her words caused Hendrix to pause for a moment. Then, he unexpectedly laughed. Without warning, he turned the steering wheel sharply and pulled the car over to the side of the road. Before Noelle could process what was happening, Hendrix leaned over her. "'Mr. Freeman'? Sounds like a certain Ms. Swanson is stil
Noelle had just returned to her flat on Serene Street when she received a call from Beatrice."Are you free?" Beatrice's tone was as clear and decisive as ever. "Let's meet."Noelle knew she couldn't avoid this meeting. And, truth be told, there were things she wanted to ask as well. So, she didn't hesitate to agree.Beatrice suggested meeting at an exclusive café, and by the time Noelle arrived, she was already settled in a private room. Beatrice was wearing a white dress as usual with her hair elegantly styled up. The passing of time seemed to have left no mark on her face—it was still as smooth and flawless as ever.As Noelle entered the private room, Beatrice smiled and gently set a cup of coffee in front of her. "Try this. It's a new batch of Blue Mountain for this year. I remember you've always liked it."Noelle thanked Beatrice. She picked up the cup and took a sip of the hot coffee."So, when did you and Hendrix get back together?" Beatrice's question came out of the bl
"Oh, are you referring to the rumors about what your adoptive father did to you? Well, yes. I've heard about them," admitted Beatrice, unperturbed. "People say all sorts of things. Besides, I've known you long enough to know exactly what kind of person you are."Her voice remained as calm and composed as ever.Noelle felt something warm slowly spreading within her chest. She couldn't help but clench her fists, and then she whispered, "Thank you.""Now that we've talked about you and Hendrix, it's time to focus on me." With a sudden shift, Beatrice's tone changed. "Thank you for what you did today.""T-There's no need to thank me."Beatrice couldn't help but laugh at Noelle's stunned reaction. "What's the matter? Did I surprise you?""No, not exactly. It was just unexpected.""Why, though? It is because you're used to seeing me as Hendrix's mother and forget that I'm just an ordinary woman, too?"Noelle found herself at a loss for words. She lowered her gaze, and after a long si
"Noelle."Noelle paused mid-stride when she heard a crisp voice calling out from behind her. But then, she quickly pretended she hadn't heard anything and continued on her way.Seeing this, Sandra rushed up and grabbed Noelle's hand just as she was about to get into the elevator. "Noelle, why are you ignoring me? Is this where you live now? Why do you put yourself through all this suffering? If you need—""Let go," Noelle ordered, her face devoid of any emotion.Standing there, Sandra locked eyes with Noelle for a second before breaking out into a smile. "Noelle, don't be like this. Do you know what the situation at home is right now? Mom has fallen ill, and things in the company aren't that great, either. It's all because—""Weren't you the one who set all of this up?" asked Noelle, cutting in mid-sentence."I…" Sandra wanted to defend herself, but Noelle continued to say, "Do you remember the talk we had in the car that night? Well, I had secretly recorded everything you said
Noelle and Hendrix were already divorced. How could there still be any contact between them? After all, Hendrix wasn't crazy. And with Noelle stuck in her current mess, who in their right mind would want to be associated with her?After waiting for a few more minutes, Sandra felt her worries leaving her completely. She glanced toward the driver and said, "Let's go.""Sure. Where to?" the driver asked briskly, but his question was met with silence. When he glanced back curiously, he noticed her staring fixedly out the window."Wow! Is that a Maserati? Fancy car for this part of town," the driver mused.Sandra, however, didn't react. Her eyes stayed glued to the vehicle. She was biting her lips so hard that the skin had split, leaving a faint trace of blood. Yet, she didn't feel the pain at all.It couldn't be Hendrix. It was impossible. There was no way he would come here. No way he'd have anything to do with Noelle again.Her gaze faltered, losing focus, and her clenched jaw sudd
Three days after Sandra's visit, Noelle finally went to the hospital.She had a mask over the lower half of her face. Through a quick conversation with one of the nurses, she was able to confirm that Matilda was indeed hospitalized. However, when she pressed for details about the illness, the nurse refused to provide any further information.Left with no choice, Noelle silently stepped into the elevator and rode it to the designated floor. As she approached the hospital room, she heard Matilda and Sandra talking."I think Maxwell is a good match. After marrying him, I'm sure you—""But Mom, I don't even like him!" whined Sandra, close to tears. "And he doesn't like me, either. Did you know that he didn't get his injuries from a car accident at all? It was because—"She abruptly stopped speaking."Because of what?" pressed Matilda."In any case, he doesn't love me, and I don't want to marry him, either!"Matilda fell silent.Sensing an opening, Sandra clutched Matilda's hand ti
"If I had known what you would go through, I would've kept you by my side, never letting you stray even a step away from me. But Noelle, as hard as those years were for you, they weren't any easier for me. "You once nearly became a mother yourself. Surely, you can understand the love a mother has for her child, can't you?"Tears streamed down Matilda's face.Noelle stared at her for a long moment. "Just say it. What is it that you want from me?"Her voice was unnervingly calm. It was clear she refused to pay along with Matilda's charade.Matilda looked up at her in disbelief. "H-How could you speak to your own mother like that?""Did I guess wrong?" Noelle smiled faintly. "If this isn't about anything, that's even better. I'll be on my way, then."Seeing Noelle actually stand to leave, Matilda couldn't hold back any longer. "Wait!"It was exactly as Noelle had expected. She didn't respond right away. Instead, she turned and looked at Matilda with mockery in her eyes.Matilda
Noelle had long grown accustomed to the Swansons' cursing at her. In the past, it often felt like a sharp sting, but it no longer affected her at all. She could even smile as she turned to face Matilda."It's a shame you didn't do that back then because you're incapable of doing anything now."Matilda was left stunned, unable to find her voice. It wasn't because of Noelle's words but the way she had looked down at her arrogantly. Before this, Noelle had always looked at her with a timid, almost fearful expression, so when had things between them turned into this?Matilda didn't know. All she could feel now was the blood in her veins slowly freezing, rendering her motionless.However, Noelle didn't look back. She felt no regret for coming here today. After all, if she hadn't overheard the conversation between Matilda and Sandra earlier, she wouldn't have been so thoroughly disappointed in them.And it was this "test" that confirmed what she had already suspected—she was truly don
A sharp pain shot through Dylan, forcing him to his knees. Gritting his teeth, he looked up, only to see Hendrix already standing and shielding Noelle behind him.Hendrix locked his gaze onto Dylan. His eyes were full of disdain, like Dylan was beneath him."You should be explaining yourself to Mr. Swift right now. Why don't you tell me what really happened?"As he spoke, his eyes flicked toward Marshall.By then, Marshall's expression had already turned ashen, and his chest was rising and falling violently. He looked as if he might pass out any second.But Hendrix didn't care. He just grabbed Noelle's hand and walked out.Noelle glanced back at Dylan one last time.He was staring straight at her.That look felt strangely familiar to Noelle, like she'd seen it somewhere before. She tried to catch a glimpse of Marla and Marshall, but before she could, Hendrix yanked her out of the private room.Noelle couldn't help but ask, "Will they be okay in there?""Relax. I told the staf
After taking another sip of wine, Hendrix turned to Marshall. "Mr. Swift, you didn't invite us here today just to exchange pleasantries, did you?"His words made Marshall pause. He then slowly pressed his lips together."I'm well aware of Amity Group's current situation," Hendrix continued. "We all know survival of the fittest is the law in the world of business. But have you ever considered whether your business partners are truly reliable?"Dylan's expression darkened instantly. But then, he quickly scoffed and said, "Mr. Freeman, are you trying to drive a wedge between me and Mr. Swift?""Drive a wedge?" Hendrix's smile deepened. "You flatter yourself too much. After everything you've done, do I really need to do that?"Dylan clenched his fists.Just as he was about to retort, Hendrix shifted his attention back to Marshall. "Mr. Swift, you must be confused at what I'm talking about right now, but tomorrow's headlines will make it clear. The Amity Group shares you've acquired a
Hendrix's attitude was uncharacteristically deferential—enough to arouse suspicion and anxiety.But Marshall remained far calmer than Marla. He raised his glass without hesitation and said, "No need for apologies. What matters is that Noelle's been found.""Thank you for your concern, Mr. Swift," Hendrix replied.The two men conversed pleasantly, and after downing his drink in one gulp, Hendrix turned to look at Noelle.Noelle was frowning at the Swift couple, as if something had just occurred to her—or perhaps she was simply trying to recall a memory.But even that small action was enough to make Marla visibly uneasy.Clutching her wine glass, Marla hesitated for a moment before asking Noelle, "But why was there no news from you during that time? You have no idea how frantic Mr. Freeman was searching for you here. Were you unreachable, or was there another reason?"Marla probed carefully, her eyes fixed on Noelle, searching for something in her expression.Though she had alrea
Noelle looked calm.Honestly, Hendrix suddenly thought that her memory loss might not be such a bad thing.If this had been the old Noelle—given her feelings for Seline—she might not have been able to stay this composed."What do you want me to do?" Hendrix countered.Noelle met his gaze for a moment before slowly lowering her eyes.Outside the car window, the world blurred past as neon lights flickered across her face. Hendrix could see the faint crease between her brows. He tightened his grip on her hand unconsciously."If I'm guessing correctly, you're planning to take revenge against them, aren't you?" she asked.Though she'd forgotten the past and didn't know Hendrix well, she was inexplicably certain.And she had guessed right, of course.Hendrix paused for a moment but didn't deny it. "Yeah," he uttered softly."I see."Her response surprised him."But you wouldn't take a life, would you?" she asked."Of course not.""Alright."Even after her answer, Hendrix kept
On the way to the restaurant, Noelle asked Hendrix, "Who's Mrs. Swift? Didn't you say before that I didn't need to know these people?"Though she didn't want to stay cooped up at home every day, Noelle found herself inexplicably resistant to people from her past ever since running into Dylan at the hospital. She didn't know what kind of attitude she should take toward them."Do you remember Seline Swift?" Hendrix asked her.Seline Swift? The name gave Noelle a strange feeling—one that sent a faint, electric jolt through her, stopping her in her tracks.It was similar to what she had experienced when she first saw Hendrix. She knew she had met Seline before and that Seline might have been someone very important to her."Swift… So, is Mrs. Swift Seline's mother?" Noelle asked. "Was Seline someone I knew?""Yeah, she was your friend.""Friend?" Noelle froze, then frowned. "I had a friend? Then, why didn't you tell me about her before? I still haven't seen her until now. She—""She
People always subconsciously justified their past actions when recounting events, positioning themselves as morally righteous. Dylan had done it earlier, and now, Hendrix, too.The same incident became two entirely different stories when told by different people.But Noelle didn't press further. After all, no matter what, she had ultimately chosen Hendrix in the past.Moreover, she now knew that the reason Hendrix had gone to the village back then and gotten injured was all because of her. However others might judge it, his feelings for her were indeed genuine.Therefore, she should trust her feelings in this moment, and she should also trust the choices she made in the past.Choosing not to dwell on it any longer, she simply looked up at Hendrix. After meeting his gaze for a moment, she nodded. "Okay."Hearing that, Hendrix finally breathed a sigh of relief. Then, he offered her a smile.Noelle had already seen Cynthia. Just as Hendrix had warned, Cynthia's condition was dire.
"Why?" Noelle asked."What do you mean why?" Hendrix's voice carried an edge of irritation. "How would I know he's not a good person?"Noelle shook his head. "What I mean is, if he's not a good person, why was I going to marry him in the first place? And he mentioned I lived in Stormridge before. Were we divorced then?"Now that the questions had started, she might as well get everything out in the open.The moment she finished speaking, Hendrix's expression darkened further.Noelle wasn't in a rush. She simply waited, watching him expectantly."Yes," Hendrix finally answered her. "You almost did marry him. But then he betrayed you, so you broke it off.""Betrayed?""Yes. To secure an investment, he slept with his ex-wife. And that ex-wife ended up dead overseas because of him. You even suspected he was involved. Because the moment she died, Dylan inherited her money. His company was saved overnight. And you don't remember this, but his ex-wife—""Hold up." Hendrix had said to
Dylan went on, "Later, we got together. We were going to get married. But then Hendrix used underhanded tactics to target my company, and you chose to go back to him because you didn't want to drag me down."And I don't think he even loves you. The only reason he's so obsessed with keeping you is because he can't stand losing. It's just possessiveness. He—"Dylan never got to finish. Someone slammed into him from behind, shoving him hard enough that he staggered back several steps before crashing to the floor.But he barely registered the pain. Slowly, he lifted his head.Hendrix stood shielding Noelle, his expression thunderous.Instead of responding with anger, Dylan laughed softly. "There's no need to get so worked up, Mr. Freeman. I was just so happy to see Noelle that I might have let something slip out of excitement. Or are you feeling guilty about something?"Hendrix didn't dignify that with a response. He didn't even spare Dylan another glance. Instead, he just grabbed No
Dylan had imagined a thousand ways Noelle might respond to him, but he had never expected her to ask, "Who are you?"He stood frozen in place, momentarily questioning whether he had misheard her. Or had he mistaken someone else for her?"I should know you, right?" Before he could react, Noelle spoke again, "But I'm sorry, I can't remember who you are."She couldn't remember? Dylan almost laughed. And then he did.What was this? Was she trying to tell him that she no longer had any feelings for him? That now, she had even forgotten who he was?His jaw clenched, his gaze locking onto her.Noelle sensed his anger. Realizing she might have misspoken, she quickly explained, "I'm sorry. I was injured before, so I forgot some things. If I said something wrong, please forgive me."At that, Dylan loosened his fists. Then, he looked at her in disbelief. "What did you just say?""I said I forgot some things, so—"Noelle wasn't even sure if she should know him. But the way Dylan was looki