Noelle gritted her teeth, her voice already as raspy as it could be. She thought that she had already walked out of her relationship with Hendrix, but she just realized that she had overestimated herself.Whatever the Swansons did couldn't affect her anymore, but a few words from Hendrix were the sharpest knives, stabbing her deeply.Hendrix sat across from her, holding her gaze. After a while, he sniggered. "Do you feel mistreated? Then, do you think it's an honorable act to go on a blind date less than a week after a divorce?"Noelle was quiet.Reaching out, Hendrix held her chin. "Also, you're the one who climbed into my bed last night. Why didn't you think that you were being cheap at that time?"His eyes turned cold all of a sudden and were so full of disdain that it felt like a slap on her face. She gritted her teeth even harder, but her tightly balled fists slowly relaxed.However, Hendrix didn't have the patience to continue this conversation with her and rose to his feet
Noelle's current address was No. 37, Serene Street, and it was Hendrix's first time there.Despite being a giant in the property industry, Hendrix wouldn't have known that such an area existed in Coppersville if Noelle hadn't shown them the way.Noelle didn't bid him goodbye, merely thanking Levi before hopping off. To her surprise, Hendrix climbed out of the car after her.She stared at him. "What are you doing?""I'm coming upstairs to take a look."Noelle had no idea what he was up to and took a deep breath. "It's not convenient.""Why not?" Hendrix took a glance at the various advertisements glued to the wall next to them and asked, "Is there someone else in your place?""Of course not.""Then, why not?"In an uptight tone, she replied, "I just don't understand the point of you coming upstairs.""I want to check if there's anyone else at your place. That's the point." He shifted his gaze slowly back at her. "During this period, I hope that our relationship will be clean."
Hendrix was mocking Noelle. After all, after giving her all to leave him, she ended up in a place no bigger than a pigeon hole. Noelle wanted to say something, but he didn't give her the chance, turning to leave after a curt answer.At the door, he came to a sudden stop and said, "You should change the lock on your door. The people hanging around here are rather dodgy. It's for your safety."Without waiting for a reply, he continued forward, as stoic as he had always been.Noelle glanced at the door lock and shut the door with a bang in a swift move.Hendrix couldn't help but pause for a split second while going down the staircase, but he didn't turn back and continued downstairs.Levi was waiting for him by the side of the road. The luxurious car and number plate immediately attracted quite a few spectators. Nevertheless, they seemed invisible to Hendrix as he climbed into the car expressionlessly.After closing the door for him, Levi went around to the driver's seat in the fr
"Yes," Noelle answered curtly."So, what right do you have to criticize me, Noelle? Didn't you also resort to underhanded tactics to be with Hendrix?"Noelle's eyes turned solemn at Maxwell's accusations.When she wanted to say something, Maxwell continued, "If you're already over him, why did you choose to get into this car? Why didn't you go to the hospital instead? Wasn't this… your plan?"Noelle, what happened last night… I was wrong. You said that you can't handle my affection, but fundamentally, we're no different from each other."You chose to get into his car last night because you were sure that he wouldn't ignore you. Am I right?"It was midday, and the strong sunshine shone upon them. Their skins were burning, but all Noelle felt was a chill all over her body. Even her balled fist was slowly loosening.Staring at her pasty face, Maxwell reckoned that he had hit the nail on the head, and his smirk deepened. However, the look in his eyes turned sinister at the same time
Noelle no longer had the chance to be with the one she loved as well.To begin with, she barely had any sleep yesterday, and she was exhausted. Now that she was in bed, she kept tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.In the end, she got up and stared out of the window in a daze. There wasn't any spectacular view in such an area. All she could see was packed buildings and the clothes hanging on the balcony next door.Noelle turned around in bed and closed her eyes again. Just when she started to feel a little sleepy, her phone next to her suddenly vibrated a couple of times.She ignored it, but the sender was persistent, continuously sending her a few more texts, which kept her phone vibrating.When Noelle wanted to check the messages, Sandra called. Every time Noelle rejected her call, she would call again. In the end, Noelle blocked her number.It didn't take Sandra long to call her using a different number. Tired of playing this game with her, Noelle was forced to answer
The two words weren't unfamiliar to Noelle.Back when she had been living at Nivis Villa, Hendrix would send her just those two words every time he needed something.As Noelle stared at the words now, her eyes stung unexpectedly.She was still staring at the screen when Levi suddenly called her. "Mrs. Freeman, I'm over on Serene Street. The alley's too narrow to drive in. Could you step out and meet me here?"Noelle pressed her lips together, staying silent."Mrs. Freeman?" Levi called again from the other end."I got it," Noelle finally responded. Then, she changed her clothes and headed out."Mrs. Freeman!"Levi had switched to another car—a sleek, silver Porsche Panamera. It looked glaringly out of place in the cramped, shadowy urban village.As Noelle climbed into the car, she noticed her neighbor.The blonde woman was standing there, biting into a popsicle, her gaze lingering on Noelle with a cryptic expression.Noelle ignored her.After Levi shut the car door for her,
All Noelle felt now was a biting chill in her heart."Why?" she asked Hendrix.Hendrix didn't like being pressed like this, and a trace of irritation flickered in his eyes.Noelle didn't wait for him to respond. She continued, "Is it because we were married for two years, and you think you understand me and trust me? Or is it because… you had something to do with last night's events?"Hendrix had no reaction to the first half of her sentence. But when he heard the latter part, his expression darkened instantly. "What are you trying to say?""No, you probably didn't orchestrate it," Noelle went on, speaking more to herself than to him. "After all, you're such a high and mighty man, Mr. Freeman. You wouldn't stoop to such methods. But you must've known about it, didn't you?"Her voice grew colder, steadier. "That includes the time William showed up at that restaurant. It wasn't a coincidence, was it?"Until now, Noelle hadn't considered the possibility. But Sandra's phone call ear
Noelle didn't want to cry.She had learned from a young age that tears only worked on people who loved her, and Hendrix clearly didn't fall into that category. Right now, her tears would only disgust him.Quickly, Noelle raised her hand and wiped them away.Hendrix stood across from her, watching her movements. His brows furrowed slightly, but she didn't notice.Instead, she pressed on, "Where were you that night?""What?""The night I miscarried. Where were you?"Hendrix didn't answer.Noelle's voice softened even more, almost a whisper, as she said, "Sandra told me you were at an auction. Buying her a birthday present. Is that true?""She'd mentioned wanting it before. As for what happened to you… It was an accident," Hendrix explained.He said it as if that could even be called an explanation.Noelle couldn't help but laugh. It was as if she had just heard the punchline to the cruelest joke. Her body trembled with laughter, and her eyes were red-rimmed. However, not a sin
Hendrix hadn't planned on telling Noelle all of this. As the doctor had said, once the blood clot dissipated, she might remember everything on her own. So, he didn't want to push her.And if she never remembered, that was fine, too. He had come to think that staying here for a while longer might not be a bad idea because Noelle could get the maternal love she had always longed for from Irene.As for their relationship… Well, it had been an arranged marriage from the start. The moment she was of age, they had wed without hesitation. Even their first kiss had happened during their wedding photoshoot.So Hendrix thought, if she had forgotten all of that, he could just court her again. It would be a chance to make up for the romance they had missed out on before.But now, he had no choice but to tell her. He had finally found her, and it would be the biggest joke of all if she ended up marrying someone else because of what others said. There was no way he would ever allow that to happe
Noelle couldn't help but frown.But before she could say anything, Hendrix suddenly asked, "Why didn't you come?""What?""I'm asking why you didn't come to the hospital. Was it because you were too busy getting married?"As Hendrix spoke, he took a step closer to her. His intense gaze felt as if he were trying to pull something out of Noelle.Noelle froze for a moment but quickly replied, "I never said I would definitely go.""You said you'd take care of me.""I didn't say that. That was your own assumption," Noelle quickly retorted. Then, she looked up at him. "Besides, I'm pretty sure you have plenty of people taking care of you.""What do you mean?""You've definitely had a lot of women before, right?" Noelle forced a smile. "I don't know why you're staying here, but I'm not like those women. So, if you're just looking for some fun, don't waste your time on me."Noelle's voice was laced with sarcasm. But her eyes were slightly red, and her throat moved as if she was tryin
The woman who had shouted was about to continue making a scene, clearly intent on drawing the entire neighborhood's attention. But Hendrix quickly turned around.To her, a thief should have looked guilty. Yet, when he looked at her, his eyes were sharp and piercing. That gaze made the woman swallow her words before they could leave her mouth.Just then, Irene came out, holding something in her hand. When she saw Hendrix, her expression darkened. "How dare you show your face here again, you scoundrel? Do you have a death wish or something? Fine. I'll send you straight to hell right now!"As she spoke, she raised the object in her hand, ready to strike Hendrix—just like she had done several times before.But this time, Hendrix didn't dodge. Instead, he expressionlessly grabbed her hand. One of his arms was still in a splint. But even so, it was enough to stop Irene completely. Her eyes widened in shock.Noelle also came out from inside. When she saw Hendrix, she was momentarily stun
"Yes, Daddy promises you," Hendrix replied.He had initially felt unfamiliar and uncomfortable with this identity. But at this moment, he spoke that work with complete naturalness. His voice even carried a tenderness he hadn't even realized was there.After receiving his confirmation, Rosie finally hung up the phone.Hendrix put down his phone but remained in a daze for a long time. When he finally came back to his senses, a slow smile spread across his lips. Then, he turned to look out the window.Although it was already late summer, he felt the weather today was unusually perfect.…However, Hendrix's happiness didn't last long. Because the next day, Noelle didn't come to see him. Not just the next day, but also the third and fourth days.Hendrix couldn't sit still any longer. Ignoring the doctor's objections, he went ahead and arranged for his discharge. He didn't inform anyone else, simply hiring an unlicensed car in town to take him back to the village.He didn't even both
Hendrix's request for discharge was denied. This wasn't entirely unexpected.After all, with Austin personally instructing the hospital to take good care of Hendrix, they wouldn't dare make the slightest mistake.However, Hendrix soon realized that staying in the hospital wasn't without its benefits. After all, the signal here was significantly better than in the village.Although he had handed over matters in Coppersville to Erwin, he still had to keep a close watch. After all, Erwin had no sense of restraint, and Hendrix didn't want things to escalate into an ugly mess.More importantly, he didn't want Noelle to find out he had taken actions against the Swift family. He still wasn't sure what exactly happened to her that night. But he knew the Swift family was definitely involved.The Swift family's attitude toward Dylan had reached a point that was almost incomprehensible. Hendrix even wondered if Dylan had cast some kind of spell on them.Otherwise, how could someone who had
Hendrix slipped his hand effortlessly under her clothes, tracing up along Noelle's waist, inch by inch. He was more than familiar with this motion by now. After all, he had done this countless times in the past.He knew Noelle's body better than she did herself. But in the heat of the moment, he forgot one crucial thing—Noelle had lost her memories.She hadn't shown any resistance toward him, but that was only because she still had some lingering feelings for him. Some habits of hers—almost like subconscious reactions—remained. But those habits clearly didn't include being intimate with him right now.When Hendrix touched a certain spot, Noelle reacted like a startled cat—her eyes flew wide open. The next second, she shoved him away. And as a bonus, she slapped him across the face. Now that was her true instinctive reaction.Her slap wasn't particularly strong, but the crisp sound rang out loud and clear—especially in the silence of the hospital room.Hendrix, however, didn't reac
"Mr. Freeman, it's time to change your dressi—" The doctor's voice suddenly broke the silence.The unexpected interruption sent a jolt through Noelle. It was as if she had suddenly snapped back to reality. In a flurry, she pushed Hendrix away.She looked as though she had been caught doing something wrong. She stumbled backward several steps, her hands rising and falling repeatedly. Her lips quivered as if she wanted to speak but couldn't find the words. Panic filled her eyes, unmistakable and clear.The doctor, however, was tactful. "My apologies. I didn't mean to interrupt," he said quickly before excusing himself and leaving.Noelle's face turned an even deeper shade of red at this. She wanted to chase after the doctor, but Hendrix grabbed her hand again."Let go of me," Noelle said when she finally managed to find her voice.She had intended to reprimand him. But after the kiss and the nervous tension, her voice came out slightly hoarse, sounding almost alluring. Even Noelle
Noelle hadn't expected Hendrix to bring this up, so she was stunned for a moment. Then, she looked at him with confusion."I wanted to use the bathroom," he answered with a cheeky grin."Oh." Even though Noelle felt flustered, she still quickly stepped aside.Hendrix, however, remained seated. Noelle looked at him, puzzled.He chuckled and said, "My arm is injured. I can't even feed myself—do you think I can go to the bathroom on my own?"Noelle's expression changed instantly. "W-What do you mean?"Hendrix reached out and took her hand. "Help me," he said in a low and raspy voice.Noelle immediately shook her head. "No way!"As she spoke, she tried to pull her hand away.But even with only one good hand, Hendrix's grip was still strong.Not only did he not let go, but he slid his fingers through Noelle's and pressed his palm firmly against hers. The dry, burning warmth of his hand made Noelle's cheeks flush instantly. It was as if, at this moment, she wasn't holding his hand
Inside the bag was a thermos of soup she had made that morning. It was made with chicken and mushrooms she had bought early at the market. She had simmered them for half an hour, and as soon as she opened the lid, the rich aroma of the soup spread throughout the hospital room.Hendrix suddenly remembered the bowl of soup Noelle had given him late that night two days ago. Good food was never something he lacked. In fact, to him, food was just a necessity for survival. But that night, something about that simple bowl of soup had brought him to the brink of tears.He had found her. There had been a time when he truly believed she had vanished from this world. He thought he would never see her again. It was also in that moment that he fully understood what Noelle meant to him.After all, he had seen the light, so how could he ever return to the darkness? His life had been set on a certain path. Even Beatrice had never cooked him a bowl of soup before, and he had accepted that kind of li