Winter could not help smirking, though she put on a surprised face. "A fountain pen? Noelle's so thoughtful, knowing how much grandpa loves his pens. She's on the same wavelength as me. Luckily, our gifts didn't overlap."Winter was not wrong. The crowd started to piece together the sisters' gifts, weighing their significance. They looked at Noelle with new eyes. ‘Winter went for the obvious, thinking Grandpa would love some art, but she didn't see the pen coming.’Noelle watched Winter's dramatic display, her feelings a tangled mess. She just did not know how to react, being the center of attention like this.Charles squinted and shot Ronald a quick look.Ronald felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him. How had he never noticed his boss loved to stick his nose into everyone's business?Ronald might have been grumbling inside, but he knew better than to slack off. He cleared his throat and put on a look of mock surprise. "Hey, isn't that the pen we saw the other day at Curio Cor
"Shh!"Charles's eyes narrowed. In a swift motion, he grabbed Noelle's hand. Before she could even process what was happening, he yanked her arm, spun around, and whisked her behind a pillar.His strong arms encircled her waist, pulling her close into his protective hold.Noelle was puzzled and tried to push Charles away. Despite her efforts, his arms held her tight, his finger pressed gently against her lips, signaling her to keep quiet."You promised that you'd make Grandpa and Noelle see that Xavier and I are meant to be today. It still hasn't happened yet." Winter, fuming after her clash with Noelle, pulled Jade to the back garden. "Mom, did you see Noelle earlier? She was so full of herself, making me look bad on purpose. She knows Xavier and I are the real deal. Why is she being so difficult?""Don't worry, honey," Jade reassured her, scanning the area before speaking. "When have I ever let you down? I've got this." She continued, "Just stick with Xavier, okay? I'll handle t
"That's enough. You're my dad, and she's my sister, which means I can't really do anything. But it doesn't mean I have to forgive her or accept what happened." Noelle took a sip of her tea, grimacing at the bitterness. "New tea, huh? Mom probably never even thought about giving me the good stuff. It's always Winter this, Winter that. She never cares about how I feel. What about you, Dad?""Noelle..." Julian looked at her, his eyes filled with a hint of disappointment, and he shook his head, pained. "I've tried to get through to you, but you're still not getting it. How has your sister been to you all these years? Remember it was your sister who saved you when you were kidnapped. How can you be ungrateful enough to compete with her for your boyfriend?""Dad, what are you saying?" Noelle stood up abruptly, her body trembling, her face turning ghostly pale as she stared at Julian.She could not believe her father felt the same way about the situation. Sure, Winter had saved her back t
It was like being in an oven, heat blasting from every direction, frying Noelle's brain. Through the haze, she thought she saw someone. A cool touch on her cheek, a moment of relief, made her grumble in protest. Blinking hard, the figure looming over her took her by surprise. She felt like she was floating on a cloud, then suddenly, she was free-falling.Snapping back to reality, Noelle's eyes flew open to an unfamiliar face. "Who are you?" she croaked, shocked at the sound of her own voice. She shoved the guy away and bolted from the bed. "What did you do to me?"The man ran his fingers along his jawline, his gaze sharp and calculating. "Are you just playing dumb, or do you really have no clue?"Noelle's legs gave out. She stumbled into the coffee table before collapsing to the floor. The man watched her with a hint of amusement, his eyebrow arching slightly as he said with a smirk, "Your folks told me you were still a virgin when they gave you to me.""What did you just say?" Noe
"Interesting... you..." As Simon turned his back, Noelle seized a vase and hurled it at his head with all her might. The vase crashed against his forehead, and as he slumped to the ground, his eyes locked on Noelle's. "How dare..."Noelle had given it her all, and now she was totally wiped out, slumping to the floor in a heap. Outside, Winter's voice mixed with the others, worried because they could not find Noelle. They were outside the only locked room in the house, talking about busting the door down. Noelle's heart sank. She thought she was a goner for sure. Then, like a shadow slipping through the night, Charles appeared out of nowhere. His face, all sharp angles and soft skin, came into view as she looked up. She bit her lip so hard it turned a deep, enchanting red. Desperate, she grabbed onto Charles's pants and pleaded, "Charles, save me!" Charles narrowed his eyes, a fierce look flickering across his face as he took in Noelle's flushed cheeks and the figure on the floor.
"That little troublemaker could..." Jade started to say before she caught a stern look from Julian and quickly backpedaled, "Where could she have gone? She's probably off messing around somewhere!"Jade grumbled, though she could not shake off her concern as she glanced around. "Did you guys check the whole room? Since it's Noelle's room, maybe she's hiding in here. Keep looking!"Jade, determined, flung open the wardrobe. However, it was empty.In the bathroom, the pair were as silent as graves, barely breathing. Noelle, in particular, was like a coiled spring, her hands gripping Charles tightly. She bit down hard, fighting to keep the turmoil inside her at bay.The drug's grip proved too strong, and soon Noelle was struggling, her body burning up with heat.Charles knew exactly what was happening to Noelle. After all, he was a guy who understood the powerful effects of the drug coursing through her. He gripped her shoulders firmly, trying to snap her back to reality. Noelle, str
Noelle clung to Charles, her lips finding the curve of his neck, an oasis in the desert she felt lost in. His coolness was the perfect contrast to her fiery need. She was drawn to him, time and time again, desperate for a taste of his refreshing calm.Charles's gaze grew more intense as he gently caressed Noelle's cheek with his cool hand. "Wake up!" he urged.Noelle could not hear him. She just wanted to be close to him. "Don't push me away, it aches so much!" she pleaded.Charles caught his breath, his self-control nearly shattering at the sound of Noelle's soft, seductive voice.He was no saint, especially not when it came to Noelle. With her, he had always been a little more patient. Now, with this beautiful woman in his arms, willingly embracing him, he could not just stand there unaffected."Charles, it aches," Noelle's faint voice echoed in his ear. Her fiery lips brushed against his earlobe, nibbling with impatience. Charles's eyes darkened, his hand cradling the back of h
A chill flickered in Charles's gaze as he glanced at Ronald, who promptly stood up straighter and let out a nervous laugh. "Where to now, Mr. Hoffman?""To the Phoenix Tree Residence!" Charles gently settled Noelle into the car as if she were a delicate treasure. Ronald could not help but stare until a piercing look from Charles snapped him back to reality, and he hurriedly got the car going. The sleek black Maybach vanished into the cloak of the night.The drug coursing through Noelle seemed too potent. She feverishly tugged at her clothes and whimpered softly, even though Charles had covered her with his suit jacket.Even Ronald, who was usually oblivious, could tell something was off with Noelle. However, he resolutely focused on the road ahead and did not dare sneak a peek at her. Angering Mr. Hoffman was the last thing he wanted.Noelle was in agony, her body burning up. She clutched at Charles's hand, pressing herself against him, and her lips found his in a clumsy, desperate