Chapter 2

The person speaking was Sandra's good friend, Ruth Upton. She was a heiress of a wealthy family.

Ruth and Sandra had grown up together. She had always been the biggest supporter of Hendrix and Sandra's relationship. Now that Noelle had become Hendrix's wife instead, it came as no surprise that Ruth was unfriendly toward her.

Even when she noticed Noelle standing at the door, she didn't feel the least bit embarrassed or uneasy about what she'd said.

It was Sandra who greeted her first. "You're here, Noelle."

Noelle nodded. "I'm here to take you home. Have you packed your things?"

"Yes. I'm all set. Let's go," Sandra replied good-naturedly.

Ruth couldn't help but ask, "Where's Mr. Freeman? Sandy is being discharged today. Isn't he coming to pick her up?"

"He's gone to the office," Noelle replied.

"Oh, he seems really busy. I wonder if he's too busy to come or if you didn't let him come," Ruth conjectured with disdain.

Before Noelle could respond, Sandra interrupted softly, "Ruth, stop it."

Ruth chuckled coldly. "Why can't I talk about this? Did I hit the nail on the head?"

Noelle didn't argue with her. Instead, she unlocked her phone and scrolled to Hendrix's number in her contacts. Then, she handed the phone to Ruth.

"What do you mean by this?" Ruth asked.

Noelle replied seriously, "Aren't you curious whether I'm preventing him from coming? Call him and ask him yourself."

"You…" Ruth was about to lose her temper, but Sandra hastily grabbed her hand and shook her head.

She pleaded, "Don't argue with Noelle."

"You're just too nice." Ruth gritted her teeth. "That's why others climb over your head!"

Noelle didn't bother responding to Ruth's remarks. She grabbed Sandra's suitcase and walked ahead. As soon as she got into the car, her phone rang.

It was Matilda calling. "Did you pick up Sandy?"

There was a noticeable tension in Matilda's voice when she spoke to Noelle.

"Yes," Noelle replied.

"Is she alright? The doctor said her irregular eating habits were the cause. Your father and I are overseas and aren't back yet. After you bring her home, make sure you take good care of her, okay?"

"Okay," Noelle answered calmly.

Matilda seemed to realize her tone had been a bit harsh, and after a brief pause, she added, "You're her older sister, after all."

Noelle's grip on the steering wheel tightened. A swirl of emotions rose inside her, but she suppressed it and responded softly, "I understand. Is there anything else?"

After a moment of silence, Matilda said, "Give the phone to Sandy."

"Alright." Noelle handed the phone to Sandra, who was sitting in the back seat.

"Hey, Mom," Sandra spoke to Matilda in a soft and sweet voice. It was the kind of girlish voice that a daughter used when speaking to her mother affectionately.

The stark contrast with Noelle's cold and formal tone was apparent.

Noelle didn't turn around to look. She simply fastened her seatbelt and started the car with a composed expression.

"You're here, Ms. Sandra!" As soon as Noelle's car stopped in front of the villa, Mabel Kirk, the housekeeper, rushed over. Her face lit up immediately when she saw Sandra.

"Mabel, it's been a long time." Sandra greeted her with a beaming smile.

"Yes, indeed! You've grown even more beautiful. I made your favorite barbecued ribs today. You must try them later." Mabel had already led Sandra inside as she spoke.

Compared to Sandra, Noelle's presence as the lady of the house seemed far more negligible.

Still, Noelle was used to this kind of life. She simply instructed the house helper to bring Sandra's suitcase to the guest room. Then, she returned to her own room.

She had just taken out her tablet when Sandra's voice sounded from the door, "So this is where you live."

Noelle whipped her head around.

Sandra's gaze wandered around the room before she asked, "Noelle, do you and Hendrix… sleep in separate rooms?"