Chapter 5

Sandra had grown up with Hendrix, so she was even more familiar with Freeman Manor than Noelle. As soon as she entered the house, she walked over to the elderly lady while exclaiming, "Grandma Ophelia!"

"Oh, it's Sandy!" Hendrix's grandmother, Ophelia Jones, was overjoyed. "Let me take a look at you. Have you lost weight again?"

"Not really. Look! I made some crab cakes for you," Sandra replied.

"You sweet girl! How thoughtful of you," Ophelia praised.

The two of them chatted affectionately, and Ophelia was all smiles. However, the moment Noelle approached, her smile faded significantly.

Noelle acted as if she hadn't noticed anything and respectfully greeted, "Grandma."

Ophelia glanced at her and was about to say something, but Noelle shifted her attention to the top of the stairs and called out, "Mom."

"Madam Freeman," Sandra greeted, straightening up. She had been leaning on Ophelia's shoulder just a moment ago. She became timid the moment she saw the person at the top of the staircase.

"Hello, Sandra." Beatrice Robertson, Hendrix's mother, acknowledged her with a nod. Her attitude was somewhat distant but still polite, making it impossible to fault her.

Then, she turned to Ophelia and greeted, "Mom."

Ophelia merely responded with a slight hum, her expression even icier than Beatrice's.

Nevertheless, Beatrice didn't seem to mind. She glanced at the food Sandra had brought and commented, "The doctor said Mom has been having indigestion lately. Crab cakes are too oily. They're not suitable for her consumption."

After a slight pause, she instructed their butler, Grant Earle, to take the snacks away, "Take them to the kitchen, Grant."

Throughout the entire exchange, Beatrice didn't bother to consult Ophelia or even look at Sandra.

Sandra was very good at winning people over. But no matter how hard she tried, Beatrice never seemed to like her.

Beatrice had always maintained a cool, distant demeanor. She treated people with grace and elegance, never extending any hospitality deeper than general courtesy.

It had been Beatrice who insisted on fulfilling her late husband's wish. She insisted that if Noelle had truly gone missing and could no longer be found, then the prearranged engagement would naturally fall through.

But since Noelle had returned to the Swanson family, she was the one who should marry Hendrix. If it weren't for Beatrice's insistence, Noelle wouldn't be Mrs. Freeman now.

Of course, Sandra felt resentful toward Beatrice. But then, she never dared to show it openly.

Beatrice, on the other hand, paid no mind to how Sandra felt. After giving her instructions to Grant, she turned to Noelle and said, "Come upstairs with me."

"Sure," Noelle replied, making her way up the stairs.

Once they reached the tea room, Beatrice handed Noelle a business card. "I found an old alternative medicine practitioner through some connections. Go see him tomorrow and let him assist you with your health."

Noelle pursed her lips, and she didn't reach for the card.

Almost as if she could tell what Noelle was thinking, Beatrice continued, "You and Hendrix have been married for two years now. It's time to start thinking about having children.

"Sandra was raised by Ophelia, so she may be a little biased toward her. But once you have a child, she won't trouble you anymore."

It was rare for Beatrice to speak so much to Noelle.

Noelle kept her head lowered and didn't utter a word.

Upon seeing this, Beatrice added, "What happened last time was just an accident. It's been over a year since then. You need to move on."

Beatrice's words caused Noelle to shudder, and she clenched her hands tightly by her sides. Her lower abdomen even ached reflexively.

Was it an accident? Of course… It wasn't.

Despite what everyone said to comfort her, Noelle knew better than anyone that it wasn't an accident at all.

Sandra had deliberately caused her to fall down the stairs!