Noelle's grip was light, but when she tugged at Hendrix, he immediately stopped in his tracks. Hendrix turned to look at her. "Yes?"

"Are you heading out?" Noelle asked.

"Yeah, to the construction site. It's not a good place for you right now. Just stay here and rest." "But I'm bored. I want to watch a movie," she said. "Find me a tablet or a laptop to use."

Hendrix didn't respond right away. Instead, he stood there staring at Noelle, his sharp gaze like a blade poised to pierce right through her.

Time stretched on. Just as Noelle started to feel suffocated under his scrutiny, he finally let out a quiet chuckle and replied, "Alright. I'll get you a tablet."

He left the room and returned shortly after, handing her a tablet.

Noelle recognized it instantly. It was the one he used all the time.

"You can watch anything on here," Hendrix said while passing it to her. "The passcode is still yournoveldrama

birthday. But don't stare at the screen too long. Call me if you need anything."

"Okay," Noelle responded without hesitation.

Hendrix glanced at her one last time before turning and walking out.

Dan was already waiting outside. When he noticed that Hendrix hadn't taken his tablet with him, he asked, "Mr. Freeman, don't you need your tablet?"

"I gave it to Noelle. Find a new one later and transfer the data over."

Dan's eyes widened. "But... that tablet has a lot of important data on it."

"I know," Hendrix answered calmly.

After that, the two of them stepped into the elevator. Just before the doors closed, Hendrix glanced once more at the tightly shut office door, then lowered his gaze.

The wedding band was still on his finger. Time had passed, but its shine remained as striking as ever. Yet to Hendrix, it felt almost mocking at that moment.

He knew Noelle was putting on an act. Even though she seemed composed, Hendrix understood she was simply forcing herself to be.

She hadn't truly accepted him or the child she was carrying

Her patience... Was it a prelude to retaliation? Was getting her hands on his tablet just the first step?

Even though Hendrix was aware, he hadn't refused when she asked for it.

He knew it was a trap. He knew the cup she was offering was poisoned. And yet, he drank from it anyway. He wanted to see just how far she would go.

Noelle wasn't sure if Hendrix had surveillance set up in the room, but she knew him well enough to understand that if he was handing over his tablet this easily, he had something else planned.

So, she didn't act recklessly. Instead, she opened the tabler

Two hours passed quickly. Hendrix still hadn't returned.

Noelle didn't keep watching. She simply turned off the dev

While the room had been set up for convenience, it was ob and Noelle could still catch the fresh, sun- dried scent ling

The smell reminded her of her childhood.

Before William laid his hands on her, life hadn't been luxu spotless. Whenever the sun was bright, she would take No

The scent... was exactly the same.

A sudden ache welled up in Noelle's nose at the thought.

So, she didn't act recklessly. Instead, she opened the tablet and started watching a movie.

Two hours passed quickly, Hendrix still hadn't returned.

Noelle didn't keep watching. She simply turned off the device and went to sleep.

While the room had been set up for convenience, it was obvious Hendrix rarely used it. Everything was brand new, and Noelle could still catch the fresh, sun-dried scent lingering on the sheets and blankets. The smell reminded her of her childhood.

Before William laid his hands on her, life hadn't been luxurious. Still, Cynthia had always kept their home spotless. Whenever the sun was bright, she would take Noelle's blanket outside to air it under the sun. The scent... was exactly the same.

A sudden ache welled up in Noelle's nose at the thought.

Not interesting at all

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