After all, Noelle already knew.In a way, it was better this way. Everyone else only saw Hendrix's gentle, polished facade, but Noelle was the only one who knew this side of him.And that was how it should be. After all, she was his wife—the only person in the world who had the right to grow old with him.Letting her see this "true self" was only fitting. It was just that Hendrix hadn't anticipated it happening in this way, under these circumstances.After a night that teetered on the edge of madness, Hendrix woke up. He had only slept for two hours, but his energy was surprisingly intact. Noelle was still sound asleep beside him. Her eyelids were slightly swollen, and her body below the neck was covered in mottled marks, with even a bite mark on her shoulder that he had left.As for when he'd bitten her, Hendrix couldn't remember, nor did he care.While getting dressed, he called the hotel front desk to have ointment delivered to the room, then personally applied it to Noelle'
Hendrix had noticed the scratches while getting dressed earlier. He hadn't thought much of it—after all, during Noelle's earlier phase of slapping him, he'd often walked into the office with a bright red cheek. But for some reason, being stared at by Erwin at that moment made him feel a bit uncomfortable."I've heard that women from your side of the world are all about being demure, virtuous, and gentle," Erwin remarked. "But your wife doesn't seem to fit that mold. So, why did you marry her?"As Erwin spoke, his curiosity about Noelle seemed to grow.Hendrix adjusted the collar of his shirt, and deflecting the question, he asked, "How's the negotiation with Sokay Group going?""Not well," Edwin replied.Hendrix's tone was curt, but Edwin didn't mind. He quickly picked up the conversation and continued, "That old fox David Stokes still refuses to budge. You might need to make a trip yourself."Hendrix chuckled lightly. "Wouldn't you be a better fit for the job? Didn't he always w
Besides the essential glass of water, Noelle noticed there was also a variety of food on the table. It was almost all bread—the kind that could be stored for an entire day.A sudden realization struck her, and she quickly moved toward the door. As expected, it was locked from the outside.Furious, Noelle pounded hard on the door. "Let me out!"No response came.She then tried calling Hendrix, but his phone was turned off.Noelle then called the hotel front desk, but they informed her that they didn't have the authority to unlock the door for her. Even after repeatedly threatening to file a complaint, it proved futile.Left with no other choice, she returned to the room. She assumed she would be stuck there for the entire day. But as evening approached, the sound of the door unlocking suddenly echoed from outside.At first, Noelle thought Hendrix had returned. She had no intention of giving him a warm welcome. Grabbing the ashtray from the table, she prepared to hurl it at him th
Erwin's tone was unnervingly calm, as if he were merely discussing the weather with Noelle. For a moment, she couldn't quite process what he had just said. It wasn't until Erwin turned to her with a smile that the weight of his words began to sink in.Noelle had only met him once. Back then, although Erwin had maintained the demeanor of a well-mannered gentleman and greeted her out of respect for Hendrix, his gaze had still carried an unmistakable arrogance and disdain toward Noelle.Now, his expression was no different.But it seemed he realized this wasn't the attitude he should have in the current moment. So, he made an effort to adjust, attempting to present a more "amiable" appearance. But instead, his smile appeared distorted, almost grotesque.Clearly, he failed.Erwin didn't give her much time to think. He quickly added, "You like this painting, don't you? I'll give it to you.""That's not necessary," Noelle replied without hesitation. "I don't know much about oil paintin
Erwin frowned impatiently but ultimately held back his irritation, reminding himself that Noelle was, after all, a guest he had personally invited. "Don't you understand? When a man says he's interested in a woman, it means exactly what you think it does," Erwin replied.Noelle let out a cold laugh, which made Erwin raise an eyebrow."You don't actually like me," Noelle said. "Even now, talking to me, you're clearly struggling to hold back your impatience. So, why force yourself?"Erwin clicked his tongue. "So, you do notice.""Yes, I do. So, whatever it is you want, why not just say it outright? Let's not waste each other's time."Erwin stared at Noelle for a moment before suddenly laughing. "No wonder Hendrix married you. You are very interesting, indeed. You're right. I'm a very busy man, so I'll be straightforward—I want to sleep with you."If Noelle had anything in her mouth at that moment, she would have spit it out instantly. Even without that, her stunned expression sai
Hendrix's negotiations went smoothly.However, as expected, David was unwilling to give up so easily. After signing the contract, he insisted on having dinner with Hendrix, during which he tirelessly introduced his daughter. Even after Hendrix mentioned that he was married, David remained undeterred, saying it didn't matter.David went on to emphasize how obedient his daughter was, adding that she could stay here while Hendrix visited her whenever he had the time. Of course, Hendrix didn't take any of it seriously.After some back-and-forth, it was past midnight by the time Hendrix boarded his flight. Once he landed, he immediately headed back to the hotel.During this time, Noelle had called him twice. The first call came while he was in a meeting, and the second while he was on the plane, so he hadn't been able to answer either.Hendrix called Noelle back, but this time, she didn't answer. He knew she was likely angry—after all, he had locked her in the hotel room for an entire
Erwin's voice rang out quickly, "Hendrix, you're here."Hearing the voice, Hendrix immediately looked up. When he saw Erwin standing there in a loosely draped robe, its belt barely tied, his expression turned grim."Where's Noelle?" he asked in a tense voice."What?""I asked you—where is Noelle?"Hendrix strode forward in a few quick steps and grabbed Erwin's collar with both hands."Calm down. Don't worry. She's fine. In fact, she just fell asleep," Erwin replied, then smiled smugly.Hendrix's mind went blank for a moment. He didn't say a word, simply releasing Erwin's collar before dashing upstairs.Just then, Noelle, seemingly alerted by the commotion, stepped out of her room.When Hendrix saw her standing there unharmed, he could no longer hold back. In a few quick strides, he closed the distance and wrapped her tightly in his arms.She was safe.That single thought flooded his mind, instantly outweighing everything else in importance.On the way here, he had considere
Hendrix's entire body was tense. In the end, it was Noelle who practically dragged him out by sheer force. If she hadn't, he would've undoubtedly started another fight with Erwin right then and there. She knew Hendrix was skilled, but Erwin had plenty of bodyguards at his disposal.And no matter how much she disliked Hendrix at that moment, she couldn't stand the thought of him dying in a place like this.Finally, they returned to the hotel.Noelle hadn't forgotten how Hendrix had locked her in the room earlier. The moment they entered, she quickly let go of his hand. But before she could take another step, Hendrix grabbed her wrist and pulled her straight into the bathroom.At first, Noelle was confused, until he started roughly yanking at her clothes with an almost frantic urgency.Her mind flashed to Erwin's earlier words. She couldn't help but smile mockingly. "Isn't it a little too late to check now?"Her words made Hendrix's hands falter, his movements stiffening."I sle
When Noelle stepped out of the bathroom. Hendrix was still on the balcony, speaking on the phone. His voice sounded calm, but he was talking quickly, so Noelle couldn't make out what he was saying. Not that she wanted to anyway.She went straight to the bedroom. Once there, she collapsed onto the bed and closed her eyes, replaying the events of the day in her mind.Noelle knew that Erwin wasn't interested in her—not really. What intrigued him was the version of her in Hendrix's mind.Erwin believed that Hendrix was just like him. But as someone of the same kind, Erwin himself would never consider marriage, much less choose someone like Noelle. That was why he was so curious about Hendrix's decision.His line of thinking was undoubtedly insane. What was even more insane, however, was that Noelle could actually understand his logic and reasoning. That was what truly unsettled her.Sure enough, spending too much time around madmen had started to warp her own sense of normalcy. As the
"I've told you. This isn't your fault," Hendrix interrupted her again.This time, Noelle fell completely silent."It wasn't your fault then, and it's not your fault today," Hendrix continued, his jaw tightening with every word. "Don't worry. I won't let anyone who's hurt you off the hook. Not a single one of them.""Oh, really? But isn't Erwin your partner? Won't it be difficult for you if you turn against him?"That shut Hendrix up real quick.Noelle thought he had finally realized the weight of the situation—proving, once again, that profit always came first to him. The thought made her lips twitch slightly. She was about to speak again when Hendrix said, "He's not my partner. Even if he was before, he's not anymore.""But don't you still share mutual interests?" Noelle pressed. "If you offend him, aren't you afraid that—""This is Mondivera, not Coppersville," Hendrix replied. "The foundation of Amity Group is in Coppersville, so I can give up everything here."Noelle said
Hendrix's entire body was tense. In the end, it was Noelle who practically dragged him out by sheer force. If she hadn't, he would've undoubtedly started another fight with Erwin right then and there. She knew Hendrix was skilled, but Erwin had plenty of bodyguards at his disposal.And no matter how much she disliked Hendrix at that moment, she couldn't stand the thought of him dying in a place like this.Finally, they returned to the hotel.Noelle hadn't forgotten how Hendrix had locked her in the room earlier. The moment they entered, she quickly let go of his hand. But before she could take another step, Hendrix grabbed her wrist and pulled her straight into the bathroom.At first, Noelle was confused, until he started roughly yanking at her clothes with an almost frantic urgency.Her mind flashed to Erwin's earlier words. She couldn't help but smile mockingly. "Isn't it a little too late to check now?"Her words made Hendrix's hands falter, his movements stiffening."I sle
Erwin's voice rang out quickly, "Hendrix, you're here."Hearing the voice, Hendrix immediately looked up. When he saw Erwin standing there in a loosely draped robe, its belt barely tied, his expression turned grim."Where's Noelle?" he asked in a tense voice."What?""I asked you—where is Noelle?"Hendrix strode forward in a few quick steps and grabbed Erwin's collar with both hands."Calm down. Don't worry. She's fine. In fact, she just fell asleep," Erwin replied, then smiled smugly.Hendrix's mind went blank for a moment. He didn't say a word, simply releasing Erwin's collar before dashing upstairs.Just then, Noelle, seemingly alerted by the commotion, stepped out of her room.When Hendrix saw her standing there unharmed, he could no longer hold back. In a few quick strides, he closed the distance and wrapped her tightly in his arms.She was safe.That single thought flooded his mind, instantly outweighing everything else in importance.On the way here, he had considere
Hendrix's negotiations went smoothly.However, as expected, David was unwilling to give up so easily. After signing the contract, he insisted on having dinner with Hendrix, during which he tirelessly introduced his daughter. Even after Hendrix mentioned that he was married, David remained undeterred, saying it didn't matter.David went on to emphasize how obedient his daughter was, adding that she could stay here while Hendrix visited her whenever he had the time. Of course, Hendrix didn't take any of it seriously.After some back-and-forth, it was past midnight by the time Hendrix boarded his flight. Once he landed, he immediately headed back to the hotel.During this time, Noelle had called him twice. The first call came while he was in a meeting, and the second while he was on the plane, so he hadn't been able to answer either.Hendrix called Noelle back, but this time, she didn't answer. He knew she was likely angry—after all, he had locked her in the hotel room for an entire
Erwin frowned impatiently but ultimately held back his irritation, reminding himself that Noelle was, after all, a guest he had personally invited. "Don't you understand? When a man says he's interested in a woman, it means exactly what you think it does," Erwin replied.Noelle let out a cold laugh, which made Erwin raise an eyebrow."You don't actually like me," Noelle said. "Even now, talking to me, you're clearly struggling to hold back your impatience. So, why force yourself?"Erwin clicked his tongue. "So, you do notice.""Yes, I do. So, whatever it is you want, why not just say it outright? Let's not waste each other's time."Erwin stared at Noelle for a moment before suddenly laughing. "No wonder Hendrix married you. You are very interesting, indeed. You're right. I'm a very busy man, so I'll be straightforward—I want to sleep with you."If Noelle had anything in her mouth at that moment, she would have spit it out instantly. Even without that, her stunned expression sai
Erwin's tone was unnervingly calm, as if he were merely discussing the weather with Noelle. For a moment, she couldn't quite process what he had just said. It wasn't until Erwin turned to her with a smile that the weight of his words began to sink in.Noelle had only met him once. Back then, although Erwin had maintained the demeanor of a well-mannered gentleman and greeted her out of respect for Hendrix, his gaze had still carried an unmistakable arrogance and disdain toward Noelle.Now, his expression was no different.But it seemed he realized this wasn't the attitude he should have in the current moment. So, he made an effort to adjust, attempting to present a more "amiable" appearance. But instead, his smile appeared distorted, almost grotesque.Clearly, he failed.Erwin didn't give her much time to think. He quickly added, "You like this painting, don't you? I'll give it to you.""That's not necessary," Noelle replied without hesitation. "I don't know much about oil paintin
Besides the essential glass of water, Noelle noticed there was also a variety of food on the table. It was almost all bread—the kind that could be stored for an entire day.A sudden realization struck her, and she quickly moved toward the door. As expected, it was locked from the outside.Furious, Noelle pounded hard on the door. "Let me out!"No response came.She then tried calling Hendrix, but his phone was turned off.Noelle then called the hotel front desk, but they informed her that they didn't have the authority to unlock the door for her. Even after repeatedly threatening to file a complaint, it proved futile.Left with no other choice, she returned to the room. She assumed she would be stuck there for the entire day. But as evening approached, the sound of the door unlocking suddenly echoed from outside.At first, Noelle thought Hendrix had returned. She had no intention of giving him a warm welcome. Grabbing the ashtray from the table, she prepared to hurl it at him th
Hendrix had noticed the scratches while getting dressed earlier. He hadn't thought much of it—after all, during Noelle's earlier phase of slapping him, he'd often walked into the office with a bright red cheek. But for some reason, being stared at by Erwin at that moment made him feel a bit uncomfortable."I've heard that women from your side of the world are all about being demure, virtuous, and gentle," Erwin remarked. "But your wife doesn't seem to fit that mold. So, why did you marry her?"As Erwin spoke, his curiosity about Noelle seemed to grow.Hendrix adjusted the collar of his shirt, and deflecting the question, he asked, "How's the negotiation with Sokay Group going?""Not well," Edwin replied.Hendrix's tone was curt, but Edwin didn't mind. He quickly picked up the conversation and continued, "That old fox David Stokes still refuses to budge. You might need to make a trip yourself."Hendrix chuckled lightly. "Wouldn't you be a better fit for the job? Didn't he always w