Noelle's phone rang. It was Janet calling."Elle, are you okay?"Just moments ago, Quentin had informed Janet that Noelle had returned. Upon hearing Janet's voice, Noelle felt a lump in her throat."I'm fine, Mom," Noelle answered.Janet breathed a sigh of relief and ordered, "Bring Quentin and drop by later. I've got some great healing ointments here. I'll apply them for you."Noelle replied, "Okay."After ending the call, Noelle exited the courthouse lobby. Quentin unlocked the Maybach's door, expecting her to join him. But without a word, she hailed a taxi instead.Quentin's heart sank.They soon arrived at the Lowe Mansion. From a distance, Noelle spotted Janet waiting at the entrance. As Noelle drew closer, Janet reached out, taking her hand and giving her a thorough once-over."Elle, did Michael do anything to you?" Janet asked."No, Mom," Noelle replied, shaking her head.Janet visibly relaxed. She guided Noelle inside the house and passed her the ointment bought from
"Mom, what's wrong?"Noelle's heart skipped a beat.Emmie softened her tone and continued, "I'm fine. I'm just about to head to the work site. Don't worry, I'm okay."Noelle breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "He ... hasn't been hard on you, has he?""Not at all, Elle." Emmie coughed again. "I'm about to leave. Get in touch later."Emmie hung up. The chilly weather from last night had given her a headache and a bit of a cough.As Emmie turned around, she found Michael staring at her intently. Emmie froze."Are you trying to become sick by taking a cold shower just so I can't touch you?"Michael drew near, his voice low and frigid. They were both dressed in pajamas.Emmie's slim ankles and calves were visible, while Michael's chest muscles were on display due to his pajama sleeves hanging carelessly. Emmie averted her gaze."You've already got Lia. Why bother chasing after me? If I'm not mistaken, Lia ought to be in Dragfort City as well."She's been with you for so many ye
Janet glanced back, her tone firm. "You've brought this upon yourself. You have a good wife waiting at home, yet you insist on pursuing other women."With a dismissive air, Janet turned away, making her way upstairs without sparing her son another glance. Quentin felt increasingly uneasy. It was as if everyone was targeting him.Just then, Dennis called. "Care to join me for a drink at noon?"Feeling despondent, Quentin agreed without hesitation. After three drinks at Bellagio Bistro, Dennis leaned back in his chair and carelessly loosened his tie."I heard Xyla had another medical emergency yesterday. Why does she keep getting sick? Why won't she kick the bucket already?" Dennis remarked casually.Quentin shot Dennis a sharp look and responded, "Watch what you say. She was spooked by Michael."Dennis continued, unfazed, "Why doesn't Michael go scare someone else?"Quentin was left speechless, wondering whether Dennis had intentionally called him out to upset him."How would I
Noelle could not believe Quentin had the nerve to accuse her of seducing him.Quentin's large hands firmly gripped Noelle's waist, the warmth of his palms seeping through the thin silk pajamas and onto her skin. His gaze lingered somewhere on her body. Noelle noticed his stare and quickly pulled up her pajamas to conceal her chest."Hadn't you had enough of Xyla?" she asked disgustingly.Quentin remained silent, frustrated by Noelle's constant mentioning of Xyla. With his hands still holding her waist, Quentin lifted Noelle and placed her on the bed. His towering figure loomed over her, his handsome eyes burning."I've never seen her naked. I only see her as a sister," Quentin declared. As Noelle lay beneath Quentin, her silky hair cascaded like a waterfall. The contours of her body were visible through her pajamas.Quentin's mind drifted back to when their bodies had been intertwined. A surge of desire coursed through him as he leaned in to kiss her. But Noelle quickly covere
Xyla stood by the window in a hospital gown, her hair disheveled. The window was open, and her fragile form seemed unsteady. Quentin dashed over to the window and drew Xyla down into his arms.Tears welled up in Xyla's eyes as she cried, "Quint, please let me die. There's no point in living anymore. Let me be reunited with my brother..."Quentin furrowed his brow and gently laid Xyla on the bed."What are you saying? It's just asthma. You'll be fine with proper care."Quentin took out a handkerchief and wiped away Xyla's tears. His gaze was compassionate, and his voice was soothing."Your brother will blame me if you reunite with him."Quentin felt a sense of sadness at the mention of the person who had died so young. Hence, he treated Xyla even more tenderly.A glimmer of resentment flashed in Xyla's eyes at Noelle's words. "Darling, don't stop", reverberated in her mind. The thought made her feel so disgusted that she gritted her teeth tightly.Xyla had never experienced an
Noelle and Lorraine met two years ago when Lorraine had a miscarriage. Noelle happened to pass by and took her to the hospital.Noelle offered to help Lorraine contact her family, but Lorraine said she had none. Noelle couldn't help but imagine a typical love story gone wrong—a woman pregnant, and a man abandoning her.Noelle felt terrible for Lorraine and dropped by the hospital daily to see her. She would occasionally bring supplements with her and give them to Lorraine.Soon, they became friends. Lorraine opened the bar with the money she received as compensation from the man after being discharged from the hospital. It was at a prime location worth millions of dollars.In Dragfort City, Noelle failed to locate the man with a history with Lorraine. The man was rich, handsome, in his thirties, and a heartbreaker. Now that Lorraine was single, it was inevitable that she would have physical needs.Noelle thought she had acted rashly and embarrassed herself when she almost barged i
Quentin's sarcasm was evident on his face. After speaking, he released Noelle and strode down the steps toward the Maybach parked under the moonlight. "Your mother got injured. She's in the hospital!" he said before promptly getting into the car. Noelle's breath caught in her throat. She immediately quickened her pace toward the Maybach."When did it happen? How is she?"After Noelle settled into the car, she closed the door behind her. An invisible force tightened around her chest, making it hard to breathe.Quentin glanced at her and answered, "Five hours ago. Her arm got fractured." An accident occurred at the excavation site, resulting in Emmie injuring her arm. Quentin searched for Noelle for three hours, but she didn't answer her phone, and he couldn't find her anywhere. Noelle's chest tightened once more. Quentin had tried to call her numerous times, but she couldn't shake off the feeling of disgust whenever she saw his number and ignored his calls.If it hadn't been
Noelle took a moment to collect herself, dried her tears, and dove headfirst into the cleaning.Emmie was switched to a private room upstairs due to Quentin's connections. Otherwise, Emmie would have had to wait three days for a private room. Emmie sent her two students to rest and then turned to Quentin."Quentin, you should go home now. Elle is here with me. And don't tell your mother about my injury."Emmie did not want Janet to worry. She owed her dear buddy a great deal after all these years.Quentin smiled faintly and insisted, "I'll stay with you together with Elle." Emmie countered, "You shouldn't. You've already stayed up for hours. It's almost dawn." Quentin shrugged and took a seat on a chair. "Mom, we're all family here. No need to treat me differently. I'm your son-in-law. You can boss me around like a son." Noelle rolled her eyes at his remark. Everyone knew Quentin wished he were Xyla's family instead. But what did Emmie mean when she said Quentin had stayed up