"I'm sorry, Elle!" Quentin's expression hardened as a wave of guilt washed over him.Noelle lowered her gaze. When she looked up again, she chuckled mirthlessly. "Your apologies are starting to wear on me." His heart sank. She rose to her feet and said, "Anyway, you should go. I'd like you to put yourself in my shoes; If I were the one who kept going back on my word just to be with another man, what would you do?" She looked at him meaningfully.Quentin frowned, and his chest felt stuffy again. He would undoubtedly never forgive her. In fact, he might strangle her and that man!"But weren't you also tangled up with Gabriel?" he shot back. Plus, there was John.Noelle smiled sardonically. "If Mr. Kingston hadn't saved me that night, you'd be looking at a tragically violated corpse right now." She couldn't be bothered to deal with him anymore. She went downstairs to her desk to study for her postgraduate entrance exam. Puzzled, he inquired, "He saved you? What was he doing at y
Noelle's expression turned cold as her gaze landed on the man. "What are you doing here?"Quentin gazed at her pretty face. "I'm looking for a new place for your studio. It's time to move." His dark eyes locked onto hers. Her brows knitted as she couldn't understand what this man was up to again. "Why?""Gabriel's friend's company is here; you know what I'm worried about." He looked at her calmly, and his tone left no room for discussion. First thing in the morning, Martin informed him that Gabriel had visited the building that day to meet with a friend who owned a small business there. Exasperated, she chuckled mirthlessly. "In that case, I think Ms. Cadwell's office building is quite nice. Why don't you talk to her about renting me a space?" Not long ago, Quentin had given Xyla a ten-story office building, which she had proudly flaunted to her. He was stumped because he hadn't expected her to use this against him. Also, he had no idea how she had gotten her hands on those recei
As long as Noelle was happy. "After finishing the paperwork, head to Restaurant Blanc. I'll be waiting for her there," Quentin said before hanging up the phone.An hour later, with all the paperwork done and the workday over, Martin drove Noelle to Restaurant Blanc. Through the car window, she spotted the dashing figure standing beside a Bentley. Clad in a black suit and white shirt, Quentin was shining like the brightest star in the night sky. When he saw her walking over, his eyes lit up. "Were you satisfied with my gift?" he asked.Out of the corner of her eye, Noelle noticed a woman stepping out of a nearby car. "What a coincidence!" she mused.A thought crossed her mind, and she hastily took a step forward, wrapping her arms around Quentin's neck. "Mr. Lowe, the office building you gifted me has five more floors than Ms. Cadwell's. Aren't you worried that she'll be upset when she finds out?" she asked, with a playful smile.He smiled tenderly before wrapping his arms aroun
Quentin found her question a little amusing. "Of course. How could I call myself your husband if I don't protect you and stand up for you?"Noelle smiled, and her eyes twinkled even more brightly. She raised her glass. "Then, here's to a happy relationship!""Cheers!" Quentin raised his glass as well.Just then, there was a knock on the door to the private dining room, and a waitress opened the door. "Ma'am, your friend is asking for you outside."Noelle had a knowing smile on her face. This "friend" had to be none other than Xyla. Perfect timing—she had been waiting for her as well."Excuse me for a moment." Noelle flashed a smile at Quentin. He was awestruck. "Hurry back!" he called after her, annoyed at the person who was interrupting their moment.Noelle left with her phone. Walking through the corridor at the back of the restaurant, she spotted a figure clad in white standing beside the lotus pond, glaring at her. "I didn't think you'd dare to show up, you bitch!" Xyla sai
Xyla abruptly got on her knees before Noelle and sobbed, "I had no idea you and Quint would be here at Restaurant Blanc. If I had known, I would never have come. Noelle, I promise I won't bother Quint anymore. Could you please let me go? I'm begging you, I will never pester him again…"She didn't outright accuse Noelle, but she made it obvious that Noelle was the one who pushed her into the pond. Noelle froze. She was surprised that there really were people who were this good at acting in this world. It made sense, though, since Xyla started out as a starlet. Putting on such a simple act was naturally a piece of cake for her. Quentin's piercing, dark eyes locked onto Noelle. "Why did you push her?" he glowered. He had promised her that he would stay out of Xyla's life after he cured her depression and found a good match for her. So, why couldn't she just leave Xyla alone?Noelle listened to his cold voice and felt its coldness seeping into her soul. So, this was what he called lo
Lorraine snuffed out the cigarette and looked desolate once again.Noelle was aware that beneath her seemingly jovial exterior, there lay a heart beset by sorrow. "Is it because he doesn't want to marry you?" she asked tentatively. Lorraine scoffed. "I won't ever get married! Men are all the same—nothing but trouble!" She had an abortion for him, stood by him for ten years, gave him the best years of her life, and what did she get in return? Noelle couldn't agree more. Men were nothing but trouble! "Here's to the truth we both see!" She raised her glass and clinked it with Lorraine's. …Meanwhile, Xyla's asthma symptoms had been brought under control at the hospital. Yet, tears still streaked her cheeks as she gazed plaintively at the man standing solemnly beside her bed. "Quint, I-I didn't mean to…" she murmured, her face buried in her hands, and her shoulders trembling with each sob.She couldn't believe that Noelle would have the nerve to record their conversation. She woul
In just two months, Noelle had been attacked twice by thugs. When he couldn't find her yesterday, Quentin was beside himself with worry. Yet, she still doubted him!"Mr. Lowe, shouldn't you be worried about your precious little Xy? After all, she suffers from depression and asthma, and she crashes her car every now and then. Who knows, she might just kick the bucket one day." Noelle arched her brow.Quentin was at a loss for words, disliking the sarcasm dripping from her words. With a frown, he grasped her arm, but he didn't appear enraged. "Can we not talk about her?"He was aware that she was upset. If he were in her shoes, he would be upset as well, but he felt that this shouldn't affect their budding relationship.She smiled wryly. "If that's all you had to say, please leave. I need to get some rest now." Then, she turned to go upstairs.Quentin tightened his grip on her, yanking her into his embrace. Her breath hitched in her throat as she fell into his arms. Before she could
Janet ordered the bodyguards, "Get this woman out of here! I don't care where—just get her out of my sight; the further the better!"Instinctively, Xyla had always been scared of Janet. "What are you doing, Madam Burns?" Her voice wavered between genuine fear and a forced act, her body trembling.Janet sneered, "How dare you call Elle a bitch? Obviously, you're the real bitch here! Who else comes back to meddle in their ex's marriage after they've broken up?"She didn't want to waste her breath on Xyla anymore. "Hurry up and get this pile of shit out of here!"Early this morning, a friend of hers sent her a message and told her what had happened at Restaurant Blanc the night before and everything Xyla had said. Janet was so furious that she couldn't even eat her breakfast. Fortunately, her friend added that Noelle had kicked Xyla into a pond, which made her feel slightly better. After breakfast, she still took her bodyguards to the hospital. Her bodyguards each grabbed one of X