As Sandra spoke, she slowly slid her shoulder strap off. Herskin seemed to glow under the dim light.

But Hendrix only glanced at her briefly before saying firmly and coldly, "I thought I made myself very clear the last time we were at Freeman Manor."

Sandra froze. She couldn't help but recall that moment when he had pushed her away after she tried to kiss him at the entrance of Freeman Manor.

This time, she cast away all of her dignity and threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around him tightly. "Rix, I really, really like you. Even if we don't get married, I just want to do it once with you. I want to give my most precious first time to the man I love the most. So Rix, please take me!"

Sandra's eyes were filled with tears. Her tear-streaked face made her look so delicate and pitiful that anyone who saw it would find it hard to remain unmoved.

However, after glancing at her, Hendrix calmly pushed her away. "I only see you as a sister."

"Impossible! You were so kind to me before! If it weren't for Noelle, we would already be married. If you didn't like me, why did you shower me with so many expensive gifts? If you didn't like me, why did you hold me?

Rix, you can fool me, but can you really fool yourself? You-"

"Even without Noelle, I still wouldn't marry you," Hendrix interrupted her.

Sandra looked at him in disbelief. "What did you just say?"

"Because I have no desire for you. That's why we'll never be husband and wife," said Hendrix, delivering the final

blow.

Humiliation! It was absolute and utter humiliation! Sandra felt as if her dignity had been crumpled up and thrown roughly on the ground.

She knew she wasn't really a Swanson. That was why she worked so hard to please Craig and Matilda. In fact, she had always put her real self on the back burner when it came to interacting with those around her.noveldrama

But she also knew she was beautiful. She maintained a strict fitness routine, worked hard to lose weight, and even resorted to aesthetic treatments to perfect her appearance. She did all that because she was keenly aware that her beauty was her only leverage.

Yet now, Hendrix told her that he had no desire for her?

Sandra was rendered speechless. She fixed her eyes on Hendrix's retreating figure.

It wasn't until he walked out that she suddenly yanked the flowers beside her, sending them scattering, and began screaming hysterically, "Noelle! You bitch! It's all because of you, you bitch!"

Noelle still hadn't gotten back home by the time Hendrix arrived at her apartment. But he didn't call her. Instead, he sat expressionlessly on her couch, staring straight ahead

When Noelle entered, the lights in the room were all off. She first placed the items she had bought from the convenience store on the table, and as she bent down to change her shoes, she saw the figure sitting on the couch.

At first, Noelle didn't recognize Hendrix and was so startled that she let out a scream. It wasn't until she turned on the light next to her that she saw him clearly.

Hendrix raised his eyes to look at her. "You're back."

His voice was calm, and his gaze toward Noelle was just as steady, but it still a moment, she quietly acknowledged him with a soft hum.

"Where did you go?" he asked.

"I went out to dinner with a friend."

"Oh? Was it Evelyn?"

made Noelle's heart skip a beat. After

Noelle was a little surprised that he knew Evelyn's name, but she didn't deny it. Instead, she just nodded.