Hendrix sounded calm and serious.At that moment, Noelle suddenly recalled the scene on Serene Street, where Hendrix had mercilessly kicked Maxwell, with his expression just as serious and resolute as it was now.It was only now that she truly understood the madness lurking beneath his calm, composed exterior.He was never a kind or gentle man. For him, the end justified the means. This was who Hendrix truly was.The car soon pulled into the hotel parking lot. Hendrix stepped out, still carrying Noelle in his arms."Let… Let go of me!" Noelle bit her lip, her hands desperately shoving at his chest. "Hendrix, it's over between us! You're the one who said it was over!" Hendrix did not answer.Soon, the elevator door opened. Hendrix had booked the presidential suite, so the elevator brought them straight to his room. When he closed the door, he stopped controlling himself.Noelle was shoved against the door, and her coat was yanked off by him."Let go of me! Hendrix, you basta
Blood quickly seeped through Noelle's skin and hair. Even Hendrix was stunned briefly. It took him a while to recover before he snatched the ashtray from her hand.Seizing the opportunity, Noelle shoved him forward with all her remaining strength. She didn't say another word to him, nor did she spare him a glance. Instead, she turned and steadied herself, reaching for the door and pulling it open.But before she could step out, Hendrix's hand clamped tightly around her wrist from behind."Let me go! Hendrix, fucking let me go!" Noelle started shouting. Seeing that Hendrix didn't intend to let her go, she didn't care anymore and just bit his arm.She was on the verge of collapsing at this moment, so of course, she bit hard. Soon, she could taste the blood on her tongue, but Hendrix did not even make a sound.When Noelle was about to bite him again, his voice came from behind, laced with suppressed pain, "I'll send you to the hospital."…When Noelle woke up, she was in the hosp
When Noelle finished her soup, she saw Oliver, who was standing at the door and hesitating if he should come in.She glanced at him and said, "Come in.""Ms. Swanson, I really had no idea," said Oliver the moment he came in. "Mr. Garcia forced me to leave last night. He said you wanted to talk to Mr. Freeman. I swear I had no idea he would use such a despicable method!"Oliver sounded like he was wronged.Noelle did not blame him, either. She said, "Call Julio and tell him that I want to see him.""Now?""Yes, now." Noelle sounded sure, so Oliver didn't dare to ask anything else.When Julio arrived, Noelle asked Oliver and the caretaker to leave.Julio did not feel like he had done anything wrong. Instead, he seemed to be in a bad mood because his plan did not succeed."Was it you who laced my drinks with drugs?" Noelle asked.Julio glanced at her and just grinned. "I don't know what you mean.""I was admitted to the hospital last night. The doctor is fully aware of my con
Noelle's wound wasn't very serious. So, after the final checkup, she was discharged from the hospital.However, her wound hadn't fully healed yet, and there was a bandage on the corner of her forehead. The doctor said it would leave a scar.Well, Noelle didn't care. She was in the restaurant now, and the people kept giving her second glances. She just sat there silently.Outside the window were the busy streets of Vinton. The red taillights, the glowing lamps of the distant residential area, and the makeshift stalls selling fruits and hotdogs along the street created a city full of life and warmth. It felt much cozier than Coppersville, a place dominated by towering skyscrapers.As Noelle stood there lost in thought, a familiar sound of footsteps reached her ears.That sound—no matter how bustling the restaurant lobby was, she didn't need to turn around to know it was him.She had known him for many years—so many years that Noelle had forgotten when she first began secretly p
Then, Noelle looked at Hendrix. "What do you want to say?" Hendrix asked.This question caused Noelle's lips to press even tighter together. She set down her cutlery and wiped the corners of her mouth. "With this evidence, I can call the police," she said."Oh? Call the police to arrest me?" Hendrix smiled faintly.Looking at his smile, Noelle's brows furrowed even more. "What are you laughing at?""Oh? Should I not be laughing?"As if granting her wish, Hendrix quickly dropped his smile and asked again, "Since you plan to call the police, shouldn't you be at the station now? Why are you sitting here having a meal with me instead?"Noelle fell silent."Are you trying to use this to threaten me?" Hendrix continued, sliding on a pair of gloves as he began peeling shrimp with meticulous care.His actions were elegant, and his expression was composed, as though the two of them were merely on an ordinary dinner date.Then, he asked casually, "So, is this about getting me to hand
"He agreed to it?" Dylan asked.Noelle didn't seem to be in the right state of mind, so Dylan did not rush to push her. He only asked that question when they arrived at Galaxy Grove.Noelle was still in a daze, but she nodded."Are you still feeling uncomfortable?"Dylan reached out to caress her cheeks.This sudden movement spooked Noelle, and her body tensed up. But before she could dodge it, Dylan had already withdrawn his hand."Thank goodness your fever did not come back." Dylan retreated two steps and said, "But still, rest more."Noelle nodded.Before she went to her room, she turned around and said, "Thank you."Dylan raised an eyebrow and asked, "Did you thank Hendrix a lot when you were with him?"Noelle didn't expect him to ask this question, so she didn't know what to say.Dylan continued asking, "I'm actually quite curious. If Hendrix hadn't agreed to your conditions, would you still report him?""I… I will," answered Noelle, but her voice was weak. It was as i
"What do you mean? Are you saying Noelle really got it by…""How else? Didn't she use the same tricks to secure deals with Mr. Russo and the others before?""And Mr. Freeman doesn't mind? Wait. Isn't she Mr. Freeman's ex-wife?""Seems like it. Maybe this time she played the sympathy card. Poor Mr. Freeman, still stuck dealing with a woman like her..."The chatter abruptly stopped.The one speaking the most enthusiastically suddenly caught sight of Noelle stepping out of the elevator.Her face was expressionless, giving no clue as to how much she might have overheard. All they could do was awkwardly greet her.Noelle gave them a polite nod and, with the confident click of her high heels, headed toward the director's office, as though nothing had happened at all.…Noelle spent the entire day in the meeting room. Due to the cold air conditioning, her throat became a little painful again.When she went back to Galaxy Grove, it was already late at night.Dylan wasn't around, but
The cooperation agreement for the Continental Reach project was quickly drafted. Noelle had initially thought there would be many complications along the way, but there were none. Everything went surprisingly smoothly, and even when it came to the profit points, Hendrix had no intention of pushing them. Everything was based on market standards.After signing the contract, Hendrix suggested having dinner together. Normally, Noelle would have agreed with any other partner. She still maintained good relationships with other clients up until now. So, when Oliver heard his suggestion, he was already about to pull out his phone to make a reservation. But Noelle quickly said, "Sorry. I have other plans tonight, so I won't be going."Hendrix narrowed his eyes, and Oliver looked at Noelle, about to ask what she had to do tonight.Noelle continued, "Oliver, go ahead and make a reservation for a restaurant. Please stay with Mr. Freeman tonight.""Huh?" Oliver blurted out but quickly rep
The last time Dylan saw Noelle was at the Swift family residence. She had tried to threaten him with a phone recording, and of course, Dylan wasn't going to let her have her way. He had every intention to talk things out with her properly. But unfortunately, Noelle wouldn't listen.During the struggle over the phone, she fell down the stairs. By the time the Swift family found her, blood had already pooled on the ground. But they didn't call the police. Instead, they helped Dylan load Noelle into a car.Dylan had planned to hide her away somewhere. In fact, he had already arranged everything in advance. Even if Noelle hadn't been unconscious, he would have taken her away that night.Once in the car, he transferred her to another vehicle in a spot out of the surveillance cameras' view. That car's destination was Leah's hometown. There, he had already arranged for someone to take care of Noelle.He had everything perfectly planned, and by the time Hendrix returned to Coppersville, it
"Of course, if you ever get tired of the city and want to come back for a visit, I'll keep that room ready for you," Irene said.With that, she stood up.Hendrix watched her leave and quietly said, "Thank you."Irene paused in her tracks for just a second but didn't say anything else.She was gone, yet Hendrix remained seated, unmoving. He tilted his head back, staring at the dark sky.Compared to Coppersville, the economy and development here were certainly not worth mentioning. But the air here was clean. In Coppersville, looking up only showed endless skyscrapers—even the moonlight seemed hazy. Here, though, the moon shone bright and clear.After staring for a long time, Hendrix finally stood up and slowly walked toward the house across from him. What he didn't know was that while he was talking to Irene, someone had been secretly standing behind the door the whole time.Noelle had heard every word of their conversation. She didn't say anything, but her cheeks were cold, al
Irene had never been well-liked in the village. The other women claimed she'd brought misfortune to her husband, and in her younger days, they accused her of seducing their husbands.After earning her reputation as a shrew, no one would even speak to her.Truthfully, she held no attachment to this village. She had stayed at first to wait for her husband and later to wait for Nelly.But after that, none of it mattered anymore. Yet tonight, for the first time, she found someone to tell these things to.Hendrix sat quietly and listened. He'd never been good at comforting people, so after a long silence, he finally said, "When I thanked you earlier, it wasn't just for saving Noelle. It was also because you gave her things she's always wanted."Irene looked at him, puzzled.Even with her limited understanding of the outside world, she could tell Hendrix was wealthy. Which meant that everything he gave Noelle must have been the best. And what could she possibly offer Noelle?"When s
When Hendrix left earlier, Irene had been asleep inside the house.But now, it was like she suddenly remembered something. Sitting there with a flashlight in hand, she seemed to be waiting for someone.But who could she possibly be waiting for? After all, the person she most wanted to see would never come back.After pressing his lips together, Hendrix finally walked outside.Irene heard his footsteps but didn't turn around. She just kept sitting there, stubborn."Can you tell me about Nelly?" Hendrix asked.Irene looked up at him, surprised.Hendrix's expression was awkward. This wasn't something he usually did. He hadn't even managed to get along with his own mother, Beatrice. Irene was practically a stranger to him. Well, not completely a stranger. After all, he had her to thank for the wound on his hand.If he had a choice, Hendrix wouldn't have wanted anything to do with her. But he knew Noelle cared about Irene.Even without a blood connection, Irene's care for Noelle
Noelle had expected Irene to be furious. After all, Irene had never had a good impression of Hendrix to begin with. And after Noelle ran off to find him last night, she'd assumed the resentment would only deepen.But to her surprise, it didn't happen like that.Irene simply stood there, her eyes flickering between the two of them before uttering, "Let's eat."The words were so light and calm that Noelle froze. For a moment, she couldn't even process it.Hendrix, however, tightened his grip on her hand and replied smoothly, "Thank you."Irene said nothing else. She just turned and walked inside.The small dining table, usually set for two, now had an extra seat for Hendrix.His injured hand hadn't fully healed yet, but he'd already mastered eating with his left. The only problem was the table was too cramped for his long legs, leaving him awkwardly squeezed in. But instead of complaining, he just ate in silence.Irene suddenly turned and brought out a bowl of minestrone soup. Th
Noelle froze for a second before yanking her hand back without a second thought."What nonsense are you spouting?" she asked through gritted teeth. "This is all your fault!""My fault?" Hendrix was still grinning. "I tried waking you up multiple times, but you refused to get up.""If it weren't for you—" She wanted to keep arguing, but she forced herself to swallow back the words just as they were about to leave her lips.Hendrix seemed amused by her reaction. "What about me?"Noelle refused to engage further. Biting her lip, she propped herself up and got out of bed."You didn't finish your sentence. What about me?" Hendrix followed her, pestering her with questions.Ignoring him, she marched into the bathroom and slammed the door shut, cutting his voice mid-sentence.But she could still hear his low, pleased laughter from the other side. Annoyance prickled at her, but thoughts of Irene pushed it aside. Right now, she was in no mood to bicker with him. After quickly freshening
Hendrix knew what Noelle was thinking, of course.From the moment she heard about his fate, her eyes had turned red. And though she had tried to pull away, she had ultimately held back.She probably thought she was hiding it well, but to Hendrix, every little thing she did was as clear as glass. But that was fine. If not for that, how else would he have had the chance or excuse to bring her to this hotel?Originally, he had wanted to take things slow with her and date her properly. But now, she already knew and acknowledged their marriage.Thus, it would just be stupid of him if he still took it slow. Besides, there was no law saying that he couldn't date someone after sleeping with them. If anything, this was the most crucial step.Noelle had clearly forgotten some things, including the fact that at his core, Hendrix was anything but kind.Even if she really had been pitying him just now, it didn't matter. Only the weak would resent someone's pity, seeing it as condescension or
And even if Noelle said no, would Hendrix really stop?However, she couldn't bring herself to say yes, either. In the end, she could only frown at Hendrix, frustration simmering in her chest.But in Hendrix's eyes, that look carried a different kind of vulnerability. He cupped her cheek as he asked again, "Should I keep going?"Noelle stayed silent and turned her face away.But Hendrix, ever the tease, refused to let her off so easily. He caught her chin between his fingers, forcing her to look back at him. "Why aren't you saying anything? So, you don't want me to keep going?""Ugh, you're so annoying!" Noelle finally snapped. "If you don't want to continue, just get off me!"There was anger in her words. But after everything that had just happened, her tone carried an unintended, breathy softness. In this moment, it almost sounded like she was flirting with him.Hendrix's smile deepened. "Ah, so that means we can keep going," he murmured, as if talking to himself.Noelle didn'
When vision was stripped away, the other senses became acutely heightened. At this moment, Noelle's hearing was especially sharp.As the approaching footsteps grew closer, her grip tightened instinctively. Her nails dug into her palm, but the sting was insignificant compared to everything else she was feeling.She had no idea how much time had passed. Maybe it was a few minutes, or maybe mere seconds. But to her, every moment felt endlessly stretched. Each breath she took felt as if it spanned a century.Like fleeting memories flashing by in a film, she barely had time to process how to face him before Hendrix had already laid down beside her.The queen-sized bed suddenly felt suffocatingly small. She could feel the heat of his body and smell the crisp scent of his shower gel.Then, his hand settled lightly on her waist. That single touch was enough to make Noelle go entirely rigid. Her already clenched fists tightened even more.And at that moment, Hendrix pulled back her blanke