"Yes. I'm happy," Hendrix replied without hesitation."I can leave now, right?" Noelle said as she stood up to leave before his voice rang out again the next moment. "Noelle, do you think being drugged absolves you of the responsibility for what happened last night?"His words left her stunned.Noelle slowly turned to look at him, her mind racing with different thoughts in the brief following seconds.What kind of price was he expecting him to pay? Was he planning to use this as leverage against her? Or was it only an excuse because he couldn't let her go?She instinctively tried to suppress the last thought that surfaced in her mind before he spoke again, asking, "Isn't your adoptive mother staying in the hospital?""What are you trying to do?" Noelle's expression immediately shifted, and her eyes filled with vigilance and anger.Hendrix merely glanced at her. "I can arrange for her to be transferred to a better hospital. You won't have to worry about the medical expenses. I'
The passionate lovemaking in the bedroom finally came to an end two hours later. Soon, there was the sound of water splashing on tiles coming from the shower. After resting for a few minutes, Noelle Swanson got out of bed with trembling legs as she picked up her clothes from the floor.Hendrix Freeman had been rougher than usual today, so she felt a little bewildered. She fumbled with the buttons of her pajamas several times but couldn't get them done up. Soon, Hendrix came out of the shower. He was tall, with strong, handsome features. He'd just showered, so he only had a towel wrapped around his waist at the moment. Droplets of water trickled down his abs. When he noticed that Noelle was still there, he frowned a little. Noelle didn't look at him. She kept her head down and continued to struggle with the buttons. "Sandra will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow," Hendrix suddenly said as he walked past her. "Go pick her up. I've already promised your mother that she c
The person speaking was Sandra's good friend, Ruth Upton. She was a heiress of a wealthy family. Ruth and Sandra had grown up together. She had always been the biggest supporter of Hendrix and Sandra's relationship. Now that Noelle had become Hendrix's wife instead, it came as no surprise that Ruth was unfriendly toward her.Even when she noticed Noelle standing at the door, she didn't feel the least bit embarrassed or uneasy about what she'd said.It was Sandra who greeted her first. "You're here, Noelle."Noelle nodded. "I'm here to take you home. Have you packed your things?""Yes. I'm all set. Let's go," Sandra replied good-naturedly. Ruth couldn't help but ask, "Where's Mr. Freeman? Sandy is being discharged today. Isn't he coming to pick her up?""He's gone to the office," Noelle replied."Oh, he seems really busy. I wonder if he's too busy to come or if you didn't let him come," Ruth conjectured with disdain.Before Noelle could respond, Sandra interrupted softly, "Ru
At 7:00 pm, Hendrix returned to the villa right on time. Sandra happened to be in the living room when he returned. The moment she saw him, she walked over excitedly to greet him. "You're back, Hendrix!"Hendrix gave her a slight smile as he looked up at her. Noelle pursed her lips and stepped forward to take his coat. She said to him, "Dinner is ready."…"I'm sorry, Hendrix. Am I encroaching on you and Noelle by staying here?" Sandra asked quietly at the dinner table. She snuck a glance at Noelle before continuing, "I told Mom I could stay home on my own, but she insists that she doesn't feel at ease if I'm alone at home…""It's fine. Stay as long as you like. If you need anything, just ask," Hendrix replied."Really? I don't want to be too much trouble.""It's no trouble at all.""Ms. Sandra, it's better that you're staying here," Mabel chimed in as she served the dishes. "It's been a long time since this house has felt so lively."Upon hearing that, Noelle's hand that w
Noelle's body stiffened. Her eyes flew open, and she tried to push Hendrix away with all her strength. However, Hendrix acted as if he hadn't heard anything. He gripped her wrists effortlessly and pressed her against the wall. His movements were as forceful as ever.Noelle wanted to cry out, but she quickly remembered that Sandra was right outside. She bit her tongue and swallowed the helpless whimper that was about to escape her lips just in time. The sound of the water from the shower continued. With the door between them, Sandra seemed to be unaware of what was happening inside. She called out again, "Hendrix?"Noelle turned her head to look at Hendrix. Her face was flushed, possibly due to anger or some other intense emotion. Her eyes were opened wide as she glared at Hendrix. In contrast to her usual quiet and withdrawn demeanor, she looked far more animated at that moment. Her expression caused Hendrix's movements to become bolder. It was almost as if he were venting. The
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
Hendrix returned just before dinner. Ophelia was naturally all smiles when she saw her grandson. She held Hendrix's hand and asked him about his day."Look at you. You've lost weight again," Ophelia said with displeasure. "How is it that you've gotten even thinner after getting married? How has your wife been taking care of you?"Her criticism was directed at Noelle. Before Noelle could respond, Sandra spoke up, "Grandma Ophelia, please don't scold Noelle. She's been very busy lately. I heard she has another comic that is about to be published. Didn't you notice that she's also lost a lot of weight? I felt so bad for her when I saw her yesterday."Sandra's words seemed to be in Noelle's defense, but something about them felt off. Of course, only Noelle could fully grasp the hidden jab in them.After hearing what Sandra said, Ophelia's displeasure deepened. "Bah, comics! Those worthless things can't even be called art. You—"Ophelia was about to lecture Noelle when Hendrix interr
"Hendrix, thank you for speaking up for me earlier," Sandra said from the back seat on the way home.After that, she continued yammering nonstop, "I had no idea Mom would talk to Madam Freeman about this. I was so scared! Luckily, you stepped in, or I wouldn't have known what to do. I don't want to get married so soon."Hendrix was driving. He merely said a faint "hmm" in response. He seemed to be flippant toward her, but Sandra knew that was just the way he was. So, she didn't mind. She turned her attention to Noelle, who was in the passenger seat. "By the way, what did Madam Freeman say to you when you both went upstairs?""Nothing," Noelle replied dismissively, not even bothering to entertain Sandra at all.Sandra pursed her lips in slight dissatisfaction but quickly changed the subject. "Oh, right. Did you know that Max is coming back to the country?"Noelle's composed expression shifted slightly at those words.At that moment, the traffic light ahead turned red. Hendrix sm
"Yes. I'm happy," Hendrix replied without hesitation."I can leave now, right?" Noelle said as she stood up to leave before his voice rang out again the next moment. "Noelle, do you think being drugged absolves you of the responsibility for what happened last night?"His words left her stunned.Noelle slowly turned to look at him, her mind racing with different thoughts in the brief following seconds.What kind of price was he expecting him to pay? Was he planning to use this as leverage against her? Or was it only an excuse because he couldn't let her go?She instinctively tried to suppress the last thought that surfaced in her mind before he spoke again, asking, "Isn't your adoptive mother staying in the hospital?""What are you trying to do?" Noelle's expression immediately shifted, and her eyes filled with vigilance and anger.Hendrix merely glanced at her. "I can arrange for her to be transferred to a better hospital. You won't have to worry about the medical expenses. I'
Noelle had no idea where she had headed afterward.It felt as though her world had shrunk to house only Hendrix. She clung to him throughout the time as though she could not stand on her own, surrendering entirely to his demands.…The unrestrained indulgence took a toll on Noelle's body, leaving her feeling as though she had been run over by a truck when she woke up the next day. Her throat was parched and burning.A sharp pain shot through her calf as soon as she tried to move.She couldn't help but let out a soft groan, lying still on the bed for a moment before slowly lifting her head.The room looked unfamiliar to her. It wasn't her tiny rental apartment, nor was it Nivis Villa.However, Hendrix owned numerous properties in Coppersville, so it didn't surprise her that he owned a place like this.Noelle didn't have the time to dwell on it at the moment. She bent down to pick up her clothes from the floor before putting them on slowly and carefully.Her phone had finally po
Noelle straightened her back and lifted her head to kiss Hendrix on the lips.However, Hendrix quickly turned his head and evaded her attempt.Her body stiffened for a brief moment before she lowered her head and extended her tongue to trace it lightly over the sharp line of his Adam's apple without hesitation.Hendrix's body tensed instantly. He then grasped her chin and forced her to look up at him.Her eyes were already reddened, and her loose hair framed her face in damp strands. She looked like a helpless kitten caught in a stormy night.Hendrix frowned slightly.However, Noelle paid no heed to his reaction and extended her hands to tug at his belt without hesitation.He had intended to stop her before her phone rang. He glanced at it and caught Maxwell's name displayed on the screen.The familiar sound of the ringtone seemed to jolt her back to her senses. Her body stiffened slightly before Noelle turned to reach for the hand gripping her chin.Yet, Hendrix's warm hand c
"Ma'am, please calm down. Let's find a place to talk this through…" The hotel staff desperately tried to restrain Ruth when the door in front of them suddenly opened.Noelle was indeed inside. Her hair was slightly disheveled, and her cheeks were unnaturally flushed, yet her gaze was icy."Well, well! So you are here! Where's your lover? Is Maxwell hiding inside? Let me…"Noelle ignored Ruth entirely and strode over to Sandra in just a quick few steps.Her movement was so swift that Sandra barely had the time to react before Noelle snatched the phone from her hand."Noelle…" Sandra was about to say something when Noelle deleted the video she had recorded and smashed the phone without hesitation."What are you doing?" Ruth had intended to barge in to find Maxwell before she was startled by the commotion. She immediately rushed forward to protect Sandra.However, Noelle didn't give them a chance to recover. She raised her hand and delivered a crisp slap across Sandra's face."S
Hendrix's blunt question left Sandra hesitant.She lowered her head and nervously fidgeted with the hem of her dress for a moment before softly replying, "I'm not entirely sure. But he and Noelle were very close back when we were in school."Hendrix remained silent.Sandra was worried he might misunderstand and quickly explained, "But Maxwell went abroad to study not long after. I'm sure there's nothing between them. I feel like I shouldn't be engaged with him even if that's the case. "Rix, do you think I'm being selfish? Am I a terrible person? My family needs me now more than ever, but I…"Her eyes reddened as she spoke.Hendrix remained silent. He merely lowered his gaze and was lost in thought.Sandra bit her lips and continued, "Rix, what did you talk to my dad about last time? I… I really don't want to get married now. Can you help me?"She extended her hand and was about to tug at his sleeves as she spoke before her phone suddenly rang. She startled at the sound of the
Maxwell said without waiting for Noelle to respond, "Have you heard about it? I'm getting engaged to the Swanson family."Noelle had just picked up her fork and taken a bite of the cake. She slowly set her fork down at his words and nodded."To Sandra," she replied. "I know.""I heard you've severed ties with the Swansons." Maxwell lowered his gaze and said, "We would have been engaged now if that didn't happen."He laughed this time, though the smile never reached his eyes no matter how hard he tried. The corners of his lips carried an endless bitterness.Noelle paused momentarily before saying, "You can talk to them if you don't want to…"He shook his head. "They brought me back just to squeeze every ounce of value out of me. I've met over a dozen people in just over 20 days.""Value?" She frowned. "Wouldn't a successful marriage alliance be a threat to them? Why would they…"He cut her off, "You don't know, do you? Gabriel's crippled after the last car accident. It means he
Noelle collapsed onto her bed and fell asleep almost instantly before she was unsurprisingly caught in a nightmare.Half of her pillow was soaked with tears when she woke up. The sky outside had brightened with the arrival of dawn.She sat on the bed momentarily before she reached for her phone.She had anticipated a flood of messages and calls. However, there were surprisingly none. There wasn't a trace of news online, nor even the faintest whisper within their circle.Ruth would normally have seized the chance to mock and ridicule her if she had caught wind of such a thing. However, she hadn't made her move yet. This could only mean that someone had suppressed the news.The person who was capable of doing that was self-evident.However, Noelle immediately dismissed the thought when it crossed her mind. After all, how could that be possible?She couldn't think of any other explanation apart from that.She kept an eye out for related rumors for the next few days, but nothing ab
Hendrix's question caught Noelle off guard. She thought she had misheard him for a moment.It took her several seconds to regain her senses. A faint smile curled at the corners of her lips. "Mr. Freeman, don't you think it's too late to ask this question now?"Hendrix narrowed his eyes slightly. He assumed she was just throwing a tantrum the first time when she brought up divorce.He could only tolerate her whims once. Therefore, he agreed without hesitation the second time when she mentioned it.Was it out of spite? It probably was.However, he was even more certain that she would regret it. Yet, it seemed that he was wrong now.He had learned about her past just two days ago. Her adoptive father, William, was sentenced to prison, while her adoptive mother, Cynthia, was in a coma and lying in a hospital.She had never mentioned any of it to him.Only then did he realize that he might never have truly known her."But whatever the reason is, it doesn't matter now." Noelle's voi
"Noelle, how could you speak to Mom like that?"Before Matilda could say anything, Sandra had already rushed over, looking at Noelle with reddened eyes. "She genuinely cares about you. You can't misunderstand her like this!"Noelle no longer wanted to be entangled with them. She only felt disgusted looking at them now. Without answering Sandra, she turned to leave."Noelle!"Sandra wanted to chase after her, but Matilda stopped her and shouted at Noelle, "Fine! Noelle, once you walk out the door, don't even think about coming back. You can starve out there for all I care."Hearing this, Noelle paused for a moment.Matilda thought she had reconsidered her actions, but to her surprise, Noelle turned around and said, "Then, I thank you for that."She was calm as ever, but this was seen as indifference to Matilda. It was like a venomous snake watching its prey while flicking its tongue ominously.Matilda couldn't help but take two steps back, her face turning pale.Sandra quickly