Hendrix had no intention of riding in the other car, so he chose to drive to Freeman Manor himself, with Noelle naturally accompanying him. He was in an exceptionally good mood along the way, one hand on the steering wheel while the other held hers tightly. By now, Noelle couldn't even be bothered to resist. As the car neared Freeman Manor, she finally asked him, "Has Nathan officially joined Amity Group? Will it affect you?"Hendrix raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by her sudden question. Then, he replied, "If I say it won't affect me, would you believe it?"Noelle was momentarily stunned. Hendrix glanced at her, then patiently explained, "The shares were given to him, but he holds no real power. Even if he joins Amity Group, he won't be able to stir up much trouble.""But Mrs. Freeman Senior—""If she truly wanted to support him to rise to power, then yes, it could be a problem. But if she really cared about him, she would've brought him into the fold long ago. To her,
As soon as Beatrice finished speaking, Hendrix clenched his fists.Noelle, seated beside him, could clearly hear the grinding of his teeth and see the bulging veins on the back of his hands. She knew that Hendrix wasn't afraid of competing with Nathan. What really set him off was that the one helping Nathan would be Beatrice.For some reason, she felt an urge to reach out and hold his hand. However, after her fingers twitched slightly, she ultimately decided against it.Hendrix quickly regained his composure and said, "Since you've already made your decision, what's the point of telling me now?""It's only right to inform you. After all, you're the company's general manager," Beatrice replied, her tone as calm as ever.Hendrix let out a laugh, but this time, it was cold. "Well, then, thank you ever so much for the heads-up."With that, he stood up abruptly. "I take it you've said everything you needed to? So, can we leave now?""If you're busy, you can leave first. I still have
Noelle's expression changed multiple times. "What do you mean by this?""Exactly what I said. Don't you want to leave him?" Beatrice asked, her tone almost urgent.Noelle stared at her for a moment before replying, "But this is between him and me. You're his mother, so no matter what, you should be on his side."Her words seemed to momentarily silence Beatrice.Noelle thought that her words had sunk in, but then, Beatrice laughed and asked, "So, are you pitying him now?"Noelle felt that something about Beatrice's demeanor was off. Just as she was about to say something, Beatrice beat her to it."Noelle, you've gone soft on him."That light, casual remark left Noelle stunned. She opened her mouth, but no words came out.Beatrice stood up. Crossing her arms, she gazed out at the yard for a moment before finally speaking again."But that's fine. This is between you and him and also your personal choice. If you want to continue living like this, I certainly won't interfere. But N
By the time Hendrix caught up to Noelle in the pharmacy, he arrived just in time to hear her ask for a pregnancy test.The store assistant immediately acknowledged her request, then noticed Hendrix entering. She asked, "Sir, is there anything you need?"Hendrix didn't respond. The store assistant found his silence odd at first but quickly realized he was staring intently at Noelle. Understanding the situation, she said nothing more and simply retrieved two boxes of pregnancy tests for Noelle.The entire time, Noelle didn't look at Hendrix—not even when paying at the counter. As he reached out to take the items, she swatted his hand away with a loud, crisp smack.The store assistant was startled by the sound but had no time to react before Noelle picked up the items and walked out. Hendrix immediately followed after her. To his relief, she still got into his car.During the drive, Hendrix wanted to explain himself.Should he say he did it for her health? Then, why hadn't he take
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
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
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
"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
"Do you not trust me?" Noelle asked.Hendrix was momentarily stunned, then he slowly frowned. "What did you say?""Do you not trust that I can protect myself or that I can help you? Or do you think I'm just a burden?""Of course not," Hendrix immediately denied it, his expression growing darker. "How could you think that of yourself? If I thought that, why would I bring you here?""Since it's not that, then why don't you want to—""Because I don't want you to be in any danger," Hendrix said in a low voice. "Clearly, we could have used other methods, couldn't we?""But right now, this one is the fastest and most convenient, right?"Hendrix couldn't answer.Noelle smiled. "See? You're admitting it, too. And honestly, you don't have that much time, either. So, weighing the pros and cons, doesn't it make the most sense to choose the most efficient option right now?""No," Hendrix said through gritted teeth.Yet, he couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong.After meeting his gaze
"I know things aren't that simple," Noelle said quietly.Her sudden change of topic caused Hendrix to furrow his brows slightly.He wanted to say something, but Noelle continued, "If it were that simple, you wouldn't have agreed to let me use this method to lure Dylan out from the start. This isn't Coppersville, and more importantly, the people around you now are only driven by self-interest."So, it would be impossible for them to help you find Dylan and make him lose everything. That is—unless he makes a move against you first. But in that case, Dylan would definitely be extra cautious. He might even hide for years or decades."As Noelle spoke, Hendrix suddenly laughed. "So what? You think I can't wait?""I know you won't wait." Noelle looked up at him. "I know you're not as indifferent as you appear to be about what happened to the Swifts. If I don't do this, you'll definitely think of other ways, right?"And I also know that those ways of yours would be even more dangerous tha
The text message Hendrix had received just now was from Noelle. It contained the motel's address and the room number she had booked.The two of them hadn't seen each other at all these past few days—not even a phone call. Noelle wasn't sure if Dylan had sent anyone to watch them, and even the slightest trace of contact could become the reason everything fell apart.Noelle knew she wasn't clever enough to cover every detail flawlessly, so instead she put on a performance so convincing, even she almost believed it.She understood that in Dylan's mind, he always believed himself to be a noble man. The belief came from the way his family had raised him and the public image he maintained.Dylan and Hendrix were completely different. Hendrix had never cared about what others thought of him. Even in public, if he disliked someone or found them disgusting, he wouldn't bother pretending otherwise. The fact that he didn't humiliate someone outright was already the limit of his courtesy.Wh
Amy figured that maybe Hendrix had somehow found out what she had been thinking earlier and wanted to kill her now to keep her quiet. After all, no one who could survive in that circle was really normal.She knew how this worked. To people like him, women like her weren't even human. If he was in a bad mood and decided to use her to vent, that would be totally normal to him.She licked her lips, just about to try explaining, when she realized that he wasn't even paying her any attention. He got out of the car without a word and walked straight inside.That reaction left Amy completely thrown. For a moment, she was at a loss for what to do.Should she follow him? But what if he really was planning to do something to her? If someone like her died here, no one would even notice.But if she didn't follow, and he wasn't planning anything, wouldn't she be missing a golden opportunity?Amy felt completely torn.As she watched him disappear into the motel, she threw all her concerns away
This was the second time Amy had seen Hendrix. The last time, he had picked her out of a group—and today, he did the same.More importantly, Amy was now wearing the jewelry he had bought her. That piece alone had cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and he hadn't even blinked at the price.From that alone, Amy was certain that she had won. She had stood out among the prey and become the object of his favor. The only thing she wasn't sure of was how long his interest toward her would last.In the social circles of Nuvark, women like Amy had their own internal rankings—a list sorted from most to least desirable targets. Hendrix wasn't on that list, but Amy knew that he was easily one of the top players in the game.She could tell that just by how Erwin and the others treated him. So, the fact that she hadn't hesitated and went straight for the win was the right call. And now, all the others could only look at her with envy and jealousy.The uniquely styled sports car sped down the
Then, Dylan hesitated a little. "Are you pitying me?""No, no!"Noelle quickly shook her head. "I just feel like I dragged you into this. It's like because I almost married you back then, Hendrix has been targeting you ever since. If not for that, you'd probably still be doing fine back home, and the Swift family wouldn't have ended up like this. So, I feel guilty."Her voice grew more hoarse as she spoke.Dylan stared at her for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter. He laughed like he had just heard the funniest thing in the world, completely delighted."So, now you finally see Hendrix for who he really is?" he asked. "I told you before—he's never treated you right. Otherwise, why would you have taken Rosie and run to another city in the first place?"And back then, if it hadn't been for me, you never would've been forced to marry him. So, Noelle, have you remembered now? The one you actually love is me."Noelle stared at him, stunned.Dylan stood up at that moment, closin
As soon as Noelle asked that, the man across from her clearly froze for a moment. Then, he chuckled softly.Noelle didn't say anything else. She just stared at him, steady and sure. There was something in her gaze—something unmistakably certain.Dylan no longer tried to keep up the act. He simply raised a hand and took off his sunglasses.His appearance had changed a bit since the last time. His beard was longer, his eye sockets deeper, and his overall presence had taken on a sharper, more dangerous edge.But when he looked at Noelle now, he smiled slightly. "So, you remember me?"Noelle didn't respond. Of course, Dylan hadn't forgotten the last time they had seen each other. And he wasn't sure if Noelle actually remembered everything, which made his smile a little stiff.But the next moment, Noelle asked, "Why are you here?""I'm working here. I couldn't survive in Coppersville anymore, remember?" Dylan replied.As he spoke, he kept his eyes on her, clearly watching for her r
Erwin was even beginning to wonder if Hendrix had actually lost his mind.But Hendrix just looked at him and countered, "Weren't you always the one telling me to live this way? Now that I'm finally enjoying it, why are you calling me crazy?"Erwin had no comeback for that.Hendrix glanced at him, then suddenly slung an arm around Erwin's shoulders and pointed at a woman up ahead. "Check her out. What do you think?"…Noelle spent three days alone in the hotel. During those three days, Hendrix never came back.She ate alone and sat alone in a hotel lobby, staring blankly into space. In the end, she decided to book an early flight home.Just as she lowered her head to check flights on her phone, someone suddenly sat down across from her.It was still bright outside. The hotel lobby lights were on, and a hanging lamp above them cast the man's shadows long across the floor.Noelle kept her head down. But the moment the man sat down, it was as if she could sense something. Her hand
Noelle hadn't gone far. When Erwin came downstairs, she was standing at the entrance of the hotel, lost in thought.This wasn't Coppersville. Even in a place this well-lit, as a woman, she was still in danger. Moreover, she had obvious traits that made her an easy target—an innocent face, small frame, and delicate appearance.Hendrix had brought Noelle to Nuvark before. But at that time, he treated her like a fragile porcelain doll. Wherever she went, he followed closely, as if terrified that the slightest accident might befall her.But tonight…Erwin felt the situation was a bit too complicated. This, he thought, was more complicated than having to analyze hundreds of data sets at work.However, he didn't say much. As a host, he simply walked over to Noelle and told her he would have someone send her back to the hotel.Upon hearing his voice, Noelle slowly turned her head to look at him. When their eyes met, Erwin immediately frowned."Thank you," Noelle said softly, her eyes ev