Chapter 20

Noelle managed to get rid of Larisse and rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. She had been putting on a brave face all week, but seeing Xavier and Joseph in the meeting room today hit her hard.

Joseph had shared a meal with her in secret just a year ago, hinting that he hoped she would end up marrying Xavier. Noelle could never have guessed that things would spiral into the mess they were in now.

"Ms. Shaw, Mr. Harris would like to see you," Joseph's secretary said through the phone, catching Noelle off guard. She quickly recovered. "Sure, I'll head over now."

After tidying up her papers, Noelle made her way to the president's office.

She rapped lightly on the door and heard Joseph's voice from inside. "Come in." Pushing the door open, Noelle found Joseph lounging on the couch, flipping through a financial magazine. He looked up and gestured for her to come closer. "Ah, Noelle, you've arrived!"

"Mr. Harris!" Noelle's tone was polite but distant, a clear sign she was n