"Yes. I'm happy," Hendrix replied without hesitation.

"I can leave now, right?" Noelle said as she stood up to leave before his voice rang out again the next moment.

"Noelle, do you think being drugged absolves you of the responsibility for what happened last night?" His words left her stunned.

Noelle slowly turned to look at him, her mind racing with different thoughts in the brief following seconds. What kind of price was he expecting him to pay? Was he planning to use this as leverage against her? Or was it only an excuse because he couldn't let her go?

She instinctively tried to suppress the last thought that sunced in her mind before he spoke again, asking, your adoptive mother staying in the hospital?"

"Isn't

"What are you trying to do?" Noelle's expression immediately shifted, and her eyes filled with vigilance and anger.

Hendrix merely glanced at her. "I can arrange for her to be transferred to a better hospital. You won't have to worry about the medical expenses. I'll take care of it."

"You... What's the meaning of this?"

"What do you think?"

"I think someone of your stature wouldn't need anything from someone like me, Mr. Freeman." Her voice was strained.

Hendrix laughed and swirled the coffee in his cup before replying, "I think we're quite compatible in certain ways.

H

Noelle was stunned at his words.

It took her a moment to realize exactly what he was referring to.

Her grip immediately tightened. "You're the CEO of Amity Group. You're a man of prestige and admirationnoveldrama

in Coppersville. Countless women would line up for you. Why bother entangling yourself with someone like me?"

"Oh, so you do know that."

She was stunned at his response.

Hendrix laughed before Noelle could figure out what he meant. "I thought I was no different from Liam the cripple or Maxwell that bastard in your eyes."

She couldn't tell if it was her imagination. She thought she detected a hint of bitterness in his voice for a moment.

Hendrix continued before she could grasp that fleeting emotion, "I have no plans to date anyone at the moment, nor do I intend to sink into self-indulgence.'

"So..."

"Noelle, I'm a normal man."

Her expression turned blank as his words fell. She would truly be a fool if she still didn't understand.

He merely wanted a physical relationship. He chose her because he wasn't ready for a serious relationship or marriage and didn't want to get entangled with other women.

Noelle might not even qualify as a sex partner. She was probably nothing more than a tool for him to vent his

desires.

"In exchange, I'll ensure your mother receives the best care with the best doctors and hospital

arrangements." Hendrix continued, "I know you're working, but you can't afford those medical costs with your current income.

"What if I refuse?" Noelle asked.

Her refusal was almost inconceivable in his mind.

Therefore, Hendrix was slightly surprised at her words. He frowned and asked, "Why:

"Why? Hendrix, am I truly that pathetic in your eyes?"