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
Xyla fell and couldn't get up, appearing utterly miserable. Quentin scooped her up and called out, "Doctor! It's an emergency!" When she noticed the worry and tension that marked her son's face, Janet took a sharp breath. That wretched woman, Xyla, had her foolish son completely under her spell!She turned around and left the ward, seeking her friends' help in finding someone's phone number. By the time Quentin had gotten Xyla settled in, it was already noon. He told the bodyguards, who were previously tasked with protecting Xyla, to continue their duties. "Keep watch outside. If my mom shows up again, call me immediately!"Behind him, Xyla smirked. So what if Janet was Quentin's mother? She couldn't possibly do anything when her son was so protective of her! Xyla was feeling pleased with herself when she heard Quentin's gentle voice from above. "I've hired a few experts from the Utopia States to help treat your depression. They'll arrive in about a week. Don't worry, they wil
Noelle's studio had been running smoothly for three years; nothing like this had ever happened before. Quentin ruffled her hair and cupped her face. "I'll get to the bottom of this for you, okay?"There was something about the way he spoke and looked at her that soothed her rattled heart, and she couldn't help but nod. He then noticed the injury on her palm and frowned. "You're hurt?" A chilling air emanated from his body. "It's just a small cut, nothing serious." Noelle pulled her hand back and turned to check on her injured employees. Fortunately, her employees' injuries weren't serious. It seemed as though the mob's main goal was to cause as much damage as possible, almost as if they were attempting to destroy the place on purpose. Quentin thought of something and whispered a few words to Martin, who nodded and left. Quentin then called a few people over to help clean up the studio and replace everything that had been damaged. In the evening, the couple received an
Janet's voice was gentle. "Come over to Restaurant Blanc later, Elle. I want to introduce you to a friend."Noelle had no idea who Janet wanted to introduce her to, but she nodded. "Okay, Mom."She had always been gentle and considerate when she was dealing with Janet. Even though her eyes were clearly brimming with tears, she didn't say a single word against him.Quentin's heart skipped a beat. Had he truly wronged her? But before he could dwell on it any further, his phone rang. There was an emergency at work, and he had to deal with it immediately. He glanced at Noelle before leaving. …As evening fell, Noelle arrived at Restaurant Blanc. After pushing the door open to the private dining room, she was taken aback. "Johnnie? Mom?" She wondered why John was sitting with Janet. Dressed in an elegant light-colored suit, John was seated across from Janet. His demeanor was very refined. When he saw Noelle, his eyes lit up, and his expression softened. "Noelle."He also had no ide