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Chapter 496
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The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 497
Noelle knew that Hendrix had never lacked admirers. She had seen plenty of them before. Even just recently, hadn't he gone grocery shopping with another woman?So, as long as Hendrix wanted, there were countless women eager to throw themselves at him. He had endless choices, and she would never be the "right" one. She wasn't before, and she certainly wasn't now.At this moment, Noelle could clearly sense Hendrix's stiffness and the way his gaze lingered on her scar. She suddenly felt like laughing."So, are you sure you want to continue?" she asked with a smirk.When she finished speaking, Hendrix finally raised his head and looked at her. His eyes were still as deep as ever, betraying no hint of emotion.Noelle was about to say something else, but before she could, he lowered his head. Then, his lips landed softly on her scar.The gentle touch made Noelle's expression change instantly. She struggled, trying to get up. But Hendrix quickly pinned her down."You—" She tried to say
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 498
"Noelle? Noelle!"It wasn't until Seline called her that Noelle finally snapped out of her thoughts. She looked at her in a daze."What's the matter with you? You look like you're in a trance," Seline said with a frown."I-I'm fine.""And your dark circles are so heavy. Didn't you say you were going home to rest last night? Why do you look worse than when you were staying overnight at the hospital?""I didn't sleep well last night," Noelle said with a forced smile. "Maybe it's because I couldn't see Rosie, so I was worried.""What's there to worry about? There are so many medical staff here. Besides, the doctors said that as long as the transplant surgery goes smoothly, Rosie will be out of here in no time. Speaking of which, when is Hendrix going to sign the surgery consent form?"Noelle felt a stab in her heart at the question, and her expression visibly changed.Seline immediately noticed. "What's wrong? Did Hendrix go back on his word?""No…""Wait. He didn't come to the
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 499
"He's doing this just because he's unwilling to let go," Noelle interrupted Seline. "He felt defeated and disappointed because of me, and now, he just wants to make me feel the same way.""But I think—""If he really still loved me, he should know that no matter what, he shouldn't use Rosie as leverage against me," Noelle said. "The only reason I'm doing what he says now is to give Rosie a chance at the surgery."Our relationship isn't one of meaningful connection. So Seline, it's really impossible between me and him."…Night fell quickly once again.To be honest, Noelle was a little afraid of this time of day. She kept looking at her phone, afraid that Hendrix might send her a message but also fearing he wouldn't send anything at all. After all, he still hadn't signed the surgery consent form. But nothing happened that night.The next day, Noelle finally found out why Hendrix hadn't contacted her the day before.There was a news feature of him attending a banquet. In the p
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 500
Hendrix's hand remained suspended in midair. When he realized Noelle had no intention of taking the keycard, he immediately frowned.But Noelle acted as if she hadn't noticed and simply pulled out the documents she had prepared. "Rather than that, let's talk about the terms of our deal first."Hendrix didn't respond, his eyes fixed on the papers in her hand."This is the surgery consent form. Please sign it," Noelle continued.Last time, he had claimed he hadn't agreed to her terms, and she had no way to argue. So this time, she came prepared.Hendrix was a businessman, and as a businessman, he valued tangible, signed documents above all else. In addition to the consent form, Noelle had prepared another contact—one outlining the nature of their… relationship.It stated that she would fulfill Hendrix's need, but only during Rosie's recovery period. Once the surgery was successful and Rosie was fully healed, their relationship would end immediately, with no further ties.The terms
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 501
But in the next moment, Hendrix turned away again.Seeing this, Noelle instinctively reached out and grabbed his hand. It was a gentle gesture, and she had even prepared herself for him to shake her off, but he didn't.He simply turned his head and looked down at her hand."I'm sorry," Noelle said again. "I shouldn't have thought of you that way last time. I was wrong, but Rosie is innocent. Can you please help her?"She carefully chose her tone, her voice dry and hoarse. If there had been any other choice, she wouldn't have wasted a single second here with him. But she truly had no other way.She also knew that Hendrix wanted to see her like this. He wanted her to beg him and humble herself before him.When she finished speaking, Hendrix was finally willing to look at her. Then, he gently gripped her chin, forcing her to look up at him.Their eyes met.Her eyes were slightly red, her lips trembling. Coupled with her face, which was noticeably thinner from the stress, she looke
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 502
Hendrix had held back. After all, back then, he was the one who had been abandoned. For the one who was left behind, chasing after Noelle to ask why felt like admitting defeat.So, since their reunion, Hendrix had never asked her this question. But now, he couldn't hold back any longer because he really wanted to know.Noelle's actions back then had seemed contradictory to him. She said she didn't want to suffer with him, yet she refused to take anything that belonged to him.At the time, he had given her so many things. Just taking one or two would have been enough to ensure her a comfortable life, but she had taken nothing.So, the reason she gave was just an excuse to deceive him. Then, why did she really leave?Hendrix stared at Noelle, desperate for an answer.Noelle stood there, her eyes meeting his for a moment before she softly said, "Because I was pregnant at the time.""What?""Had I not been pregnant then, I might have been able to stay with you. But I had a baby to
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 503
"Hating your own child and even wanting to watch her die?" Noelle shouted."Yes, I did say I'd try to be a good father, but it's obvious I can't do it." Hendrix's tone was calm and direct. He was plainly telling Noelle that he had gone back on his word. He simply couldn't do it.But, so what? The hospital required the consent form to be signed in person. The decision was in Hendrix's hands, and as long as he refused, no one could force him to sign it.Honestly speaking, Noelle had never anticipated such an outcome. In her mind, no matter how cruel Hendrix could be, she always believed there was still a shred of humanity in him. So surely, he wouldn't just stand by and watch his own child die, right? But reality proved her wrong. As it turned out, he truly could be that cold-blooded.Suddenly, Noelle found herself at a loss for words. Her mind was completely blank. Her lips trembled, but no sound came out.Finally, she said, "Hendrix Freeman, I will hate you for the rest of my li
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 504
After Noelle finished speaking, Seline was visibly stunned. Clearly, her mind was struggling to process what Noelle had just said.After several seconds, she finally asked again, "What did you just say?""Hendrix said he doesn't want to go through with the surgery anymore," Noelle repeated in a hoarse voice.Seline immediately yanked off her headphones. "Has he lost his mind?"Her voice was sharp, loud enough to wake Rosie, who had been sleeping in the hospital bed.Rosie blinked sleepily at them. "Mommy…"Noelle quickly stepped forward and took Rosie's hand. "Did we wake you? I'm sorry."Rosie looked at her, then at Seline. The latter's face was still flushed with anger."Mommy, are you and Seline fighting?" Rosie asked."No, we're just discussing something. It's okay. Go back to sleep, Rosie," Noelle replied while gently stroking Rosie's cheek.Rosie wanted to say more, but Noelle quickly changed the subject. It took a while, but after some coaxing, Rosie eventually drifted
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The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 842
"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
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 841
"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 Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 840
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
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 839
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
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 838
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
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 837
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
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 836
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
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 835
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
The Sway and Slide of Love Chapter 834
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
