Hendrix initially planned to drop Noelle off at Nivis Villa. However, for some reason, he changed his mind and took her to the company instead.This wasn't Noelle's first time at Amity Group, but it was the first time she'd walked into the building hand in hand with Hendrix.This bold gesture of his naturally drew attention. Nearly everyone they passed turned to look at them. But because of Hendrix's status, no one dared to stare openly. Instead, those furtive glances inevitably landed on Noelle.Feeling discomfited by their gazes, Noelle instinctively tried to pull her hand away. But Hendrix seemed intent on challenging her. The more she struggled, the tighter his grip became.Noelle knew she couldn't keep struggling with him, not when they were out in public. Thus, she had no choice but to give up, choosing instead to ignore the stares and follow him quietly into his office.Hendrix's excuse to Beatrice about being busy wasn't just a pretext. After being away on a business trip
Noelle rarely was called by her nickname, especially by someone who bore such a striking resemblance to Hendrix.Nathan was wearing a white shirt today and no tie, with the sleeves casually rolled up. On his wrist was a watch of an unknown brand, clearly aged, with the leather strap showing signs of wear and cracking.He was smiling gently as always. "I saw you just now but wasn't sure it was you. What are you doing here all alone?""I… uh… came down for a walk."This was their second meeting.Noelle still vividly remembered the awkward scene at Freeman Manor last time, but Nathan seemed entirely unbothered by it. He nodded earnestly at her response."Is that so? Have you had dinner yet? Hendrix has been in meetings nonstop since he got back to the office. I'm guessing he hasn't had time to look after you?"Noelle had intended to lie, but before she could say anything, her stomach growled audibly.Nathan clearly heard it, too, and his smile broadened instantly.Noelle suddenly
Nathan reacted quickly. The moment Hendrix began walking over, he released his grip on Noelle.Having leaned her full weight against him just moments ago, Noelle stumbled again as Nathan suddenly withdrew his hands. But Hendrix didn't give her a chance to steady herself. He grabbed her firmly and pulled her back to his side. "Hendrix, it's not what you think," Nathan said. "Elle got startled by the fountain just now. I was afraid she'd get wet, so I pulled her out of the way. Please don't misunderstand."Hendrix didn't say anything. He simply stared at her, his gaze cold and unrelenting.Noelle had never seen him look so furious before—not even when he had confronted Dylan. But as she observed him, another thought quickly crossed her mind.The man standing before her wasn't just anyone—it was Hendrix's half-brother, Nathan.He was the same brother who had recently claimed a portion of his shares and joined Amity Group. So, what truly angered him must have been this.Hendrix did
Noelle's voice rang out loud and clear in the elevator. Hendrix, however, had gone completely silent.At that moment, Noelle pried his last finger off her wrist and took a step back.Hendrix suddenly felt an emptiness in his palm. His fingers instinctively curled slightly before he seemed to snap out of it.He turned toward her and, with some difficulty, said, "I didn't."That feeble explanation drew a faint laugh from Noelle. Of course, she wouldn't believe his excuse. After all, the words that came out without thinking were often the truest.In his eyes, she was nothing more than someone who went around flirting with others. Noelle hadn't forgotten—this wasn't the first time something like this had happened. He had accused her of the same thing before, even dragging up the past with William to humiliate her.Just then, the elevator let out a crisp ding.Hendrix took a deep breath and said, "Come with me first.""Forget it. I want to go back." Noelle stayed rooted in place. "I
Hendrix stood silently by her side, watching.It wasn't until Noelle had finished throwing up that he finally thought to pour her a glass of water. He handed it to her so she could rinse her mouth, to which she accepted without looking at him."Do you need to go to the hospital?" Hendrix asked in a voice that carried a hint of tension.After rinsing her mouth, Noelle calmly replied, "No.""But—"Noelle frowned and shot him a glance. "If you hadn't carried me like that earlier, would I have thrown up?" But Hendrix wasn't thinking about that. Since Noelle clearly didn't dwell on it, either, he chose not to press the matter.After taking a moment to recover, Noelle looked at him and asked, "Don't you still have work to do?"Hendrix stared at her in silence."I think I'll head out first," she said, standing up to leave.But Hendrix grabbed her hand. "Just wait a little longer. I'll be quick."Without giving her a chance to respond, he turned and headed straight to his desk.No
Hendrix didn't say anything further, but as they passed a dessert shop, he suddenly pulled over.Noelle had an idea of what he was planning and didn't stop him at first. However, when he handed her the cake, she said, "I'm not eating it.""Just have a little," Hendrix insisted. "Doesn't it look delicious to you?"Noelle glanced down at the beautifully crafted cake and suddenly smiled. "Alright. I'll eat it if you eat it first."Hendrix narrowed his eyes.But Noelle smiled back at him sweetly. She knew perfectly well that Hendrix absolutely loathed sweets. He barely tolerated plain milk on a good day, let alone dessert.The moment she said it, she knew he'd never actually eat it, so she was about to push the cake back toward him when Hendrix suddenly said, "Alright. I'll eat it if you feed me."Noelle was stunned by his unexpected reply.Taking advantage of her brief pause, Hendrix quickly placed the cake in her hand. He then started the car and said with righteous certainty, "I
Noelle was still caught in her surprise from moments earlier, so when Hendrix suddenly kissed her, she didn't react immediately. Her slightly parted lips gave him the perfect opportunity. The lingering taste of the cake was still present on his lips, and the rich, sweet aroma of mango instantly filled her mouth.Perhaps it was the overwhelming sweetness of the flavor, but Noelle didn't push Hendrix away. She just sat there, completely still, letting him kiss her.After a while, Hendrix finally pulled back. Looking at her, he asked in a raspy voice, "Why didn't you move?"He was so close that Noelle's reflection was clear in his deep, dark eyes.Noelle met his gaze and replied, "The cake might fall."Her response left Hendrix momentarily stunned. It was then he realized that, all this time, she had been holding the cake in her hand.He was initially quite tempted to take things further. After all, the street was quiet, and the spot he had chosen was secluded enough. But seeing Noe
But now, Hendrix was no longer used to sleeping alone. In fact, he couldn't fall asleep unless he was holding Noelle in his arms.Sometimes, in the middle of the night, she would push his arm away and move to the other side of the bed. After waking up in panic, Hendrix would immediately pull her back and lock her firmly in his embrace. Only then would he feel at ease again.Yet, that night, Hendrix didn't wake up once. Six hours of uninterrupted sleep left him feeling completely satisfied.Noelle was still nestled in his arms. She looked peaceful in her sleep, with her long lashes resting softly and her lips pressed together.Hendrix gently brushed away the strands of hair clinging to her face. He then leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, trailing downward as he went.By the time Noelle woke up, it was already too late. Hendrix was already holding onto her calf, and when he noticed she was awake, he gave her a smile before leaning down to kiss her.Noelle immediately turned her
Hendrix agreed to hand over the Continental Reach project to Nathan. Moreover, during the board meeting, he affirmed Nathan's capabilities, putting on an act of brotherly affection.Nathan seemed a little surprised but only responded with a shy smile.Once the meeting was over, Hendrix returned to his office.Nathan followed him in."These are all the documents related to the Continental Reach project. Mr. Vance has already taken over. He's very experienced. If you have any questions, just ask him directly.""Alright. Thanks… Hendrix."Hendrix's lips curled up a little. "In the company, you should address me as Mr. Freeman.""Oh, alright." Nathan nodded immediately.Just then, Craig's call came through. Hendrix waved to dismiss Nathan before picking up the call. "Hello?""Hendrix." Craig's voice was warm and friendly. "Have you been busy lately?"Hendrix sneered silently. It was only natural for Craig to be friendly with him.Not long ago, Hendrix had personally covered th
Hendrix did not call Noelle out. Instead, he walked over and loosened the tie a little.Their cold fingers came into contact.Noelle was accustomed to that, but Hendrix flinched, his finger recoiling a little. Soon, he acted as though nothing had happened and adjusted the tie."Didn't you say you'd bring me for a prenatal checkup? When is that?" asked Noelle.He slowly turned toward her. They stared at each other. This time, her eyes were calm and peaceful, devoid of the anger and resentment from yesterday.He broke into a smile and replied, "Let's do that another day. I've been busy these few days.""I could go to the hospital by myself—""No," he cut her off. Bending over, he stared at her with piercing eyes. "Penny, you know I can't set you free right now.""How long are you going to keep me here?""Until you're willing to stay." While speaking, he gently placed a hand on her cheek. "I know you're faking it now, but that's okay. I won't hold it against you."You don't have
Noelle woke up and found herself in the bed, but this time, her right hand was cuffed to the bed instead.Hendrix, perhaps noticing the red marks on her hand due to the struggle, changed the handcuff into a tie. The expensive tie had turned into a tool to subdue her.She reached out to remove the tie, but somehow, she only managed to make it tighter. But she didn't give up. Like crazy, she wouldn't stop pulling and tugging at the tie.When she realized that using her hand was ineffective, she started using her teeth to bite off the tie.Alas, the fabric was of premium quality. It did not give way, even after her skin started to bleed from an accidental bite.She pulled with increasing force until her hand rammed against the bed frame. The maids immediately barged in when they heard the sounds.Noelle demanded, "I need a pair of scissors!"The maids did not answer. They stood there in fear."How much are you paid? I'll double the amount of what Hendrix pays you! Give me the sc
As she spoke, Beatrice's lips curled up into a small smile. She seemed to see someone else in Hendrix.Hendrix fell silent for a while and nodded. "So, you side with neither Nathan nor me."Beatrice did not reply, which was an answer in itself.Hendrix turned around without hesitation. "If that's the case, it makes things easier for me."He had visited that night in search of an answer, holding onto a sliver of hope. He didn't mind if Beatrice lied, as long as it was a reason that could convince him—that she did it for his own good, or she wanted the couple to be honest with each other.Those reasons would sound ridiculous and hard-pressed to him, but he would force himself to believe in Beatrice if she said so.But she was unwilling to even lie to him.Nothing held him back now. To him, his mother was a distant stranger. It was easy to take her down when she made him her enemy.It didn't bother him because he grew up all alone anyway. He was accustomed to a lonely life.…
A car screeched to a brake in the yard. Grant hurried out, and his face changed. "Mr. Freeman, what brings you here at this hour…"Before he was done speaking, Hendrix had walked past him with such a terrifyingly grim face. Grant tried to stop him, but he spat, "Get lost!"As Hendrix had always presented himself as calm and collected, this was Grant's first time seeing him so out of control.Beatrice descended the stairs calmly. "You're here."Staring at her from below, he replied, "Seems like you are anticipating me."He didn't even bother to greet her. She didn't mind it, though.Turning around, she suggested, "Come on. Let's go to the study."Hendrix followed behind her. The door shut behind them, trapping both in the huge study."What have you said to Noelle today?" he asked directly without beating around the bush."Nothing."He sneered and lowered his voice. "I don't understand. Do you hate me so much that you don't want me to live well? I thought a mother's love wa
"You didn't even do it for your family. You did it for personal gains. To me, you will never compare to Dylan. Never!" Noelle stated.Truthfully, Noelle did not have much feelings for Dylan in the beginning. He just happened to show up in her life at a time when she needed someone by her side the most. Since she trusted and depended on him, she took the hand he extended to her.Hendrix's multiple interferences only served to deepen her feelings for Dylan. In other words, she decided firmly that she would love Dylan in that moment, even if it were to spite Hendrix.As expected, Hendrix's expression soured after he heard her words. Gritting his teeth, he tightened his grip on her chin until his knuckles turned white.Suddenly, he let out a laugh. "Is it? Do you trust that I could make Dylan kneel before me and cry for mercy in two days? Hm? Why don't you come and spectate when that happens? I'd like to see if you'll still love him when he—""I will love him regardless. No—I'll love
Noelle had no idea how she managed to get through that day.The two ladies, whom Hendrix had mentioned, showed up to look after her, but they did not have the key to the handcuffs.One of her hands was cuffed to the bed frame. She spent the whole day in bed, feeling like a farmed animal. Her thoughts did not matter. After all, she was just a tool to them."Mrs. Freeman, why don't you have something to eat?" one of the ladies suggested cautiously.Noelle ignored her and did not look up.The maids helplessly exchanged a look before they quietly left the room. Noelle lay in the bed motionlessly.A while later, she heard the familiar sounds of a car engine from the first floor—something she had heard of multiple times.Those sounds once brought her joy, but she had to conceal her emotions from everyone else. Now, all that was left was despair and chill.Soon, she heard Hendrix and the maids talking. The maids seemed to be telling him about the fact that she refused to take any
Noelle sneered. "Who said I wanted to keep the baby? Tell you what, Hendrix Freeman—I won't give you a chance to tie me down."Once you step away, I'll get rid of the baby!"Hendrix had thought he was heartless enough. He was on the top of the world last night and this morning, only to find that he was a fool.Even so, he still couldn't make himself any more emotionless. He was overcome by sadness after hearing her words.Till now, he could still remember the first time he saw Noelle crying. She was alone on a hospital bed at that time, having just lost their first child.He had never doubted for a second that Noelle would make a good mom. He also knew how much she wanted a child.When they attended an orphanage event in the past, he witnessed her comforting the kids. The tenderness she exuded mesmerized him.But now, she was threatening to kill that baby.He turned around slowly to stare at her. As if she wanted to make good on her threat, she immediately walked to the kitchen
Hendrix suddenly fell silent.Noelle realized she had said the wrong thing. No matter what, the cruelest thing one could do during an argument was attacking the other person's deepest vulnerabilities. No matter how much resentment or anger she held toward him, she shouldn't have said that.Especially since Hendrix had just lost control of his emotions earlier that morning because of Beatrice's "betrayal". And yet, Noelle had still blurted it out."Oh, so that's what she told you," Hendrix finally said after a long moment.Noelle said nothing in response.Hendrix suddenly laughed. "Well, it's not surprising. In her eyes, I really am a monster. If she could, I think she'd want to go back in time and strangle me at birth. If it weren't for me, she wouldn't have been tied to the Freeman family all these years. Maybe she could have been with her true love instead."His voice grew colder and more mocking with every word.Noelle pressed her lips tightly together, saying nothing.As He