The two words weren't unfamiliar to Noelle.

Back when she had been living at Nivis Villa, Hendrix would send her just those two words every time he needed. something

As Noelle stared at the words now, her eyes sting; unexpectedly.

She was still staring at the screen when Levi suddenly called her. "Mrs. Freeman, I'm over on Serene Street. The alley's too narrow to drive in Could you step out and meet the here?"

Noelle pressed her lips together, staying silent.

Mrs. Freeman?" Levi called again from the other end.

tit," Noelle finally responded. Then, she changed her clothes and headed out.

"Mrs. Freeman!"

Lavi had switched to another car-a sleek, silver Porsche Panamera. It looked glaringly out of place in the cramped, shadowy urban village.

As Noelle climbed into the car, she noticed her neighbor.

The blonde woman was standing there, biting into a popsicle, her gaze lingering on Noelle with a cryptic expression

Noelle ignored her.

After Levi shut the car door for her, he walked around to the driver's seat.

"Apologies, Mrs. Freeman. I didn't mean to trouble you. I just heard there might be a route up ahead that the car can get through. Next time, I'll-"

"Hendrix and I are divorced," Noelle interrupted, correcting him, "You can just call me Noelle."

"It was Mr. Freeman who asked me to pick you up," Levi replied, sidestepping her statement. "And honestly, I think Mr. Freeman still cares about you. Otherwise, why would he have sent me?"

He added sincerely, "And he was genuinely worried last night. If you hadn't come out when you did, he probably would've gone upstairs to find you himself.

Noelle suddenly sensed something was off. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Levi.

"What do you mean? Hendrix being near the hotel last nigh wasn't a coincidence?"

"Of course not. Mr. Freeman was having dinner with Ms. Sandra last night. I'm guessing she mentioned something about what happened to you. You might not know this, but at that time..."

Levi kept talking, but Noelle couldn't hear a word he said.noveldrama

She didn't even remember how the journey to Percy Gardens went. It wasn't until the elevator doors opened and she punched in the code Hendrix had given her to unlock the door that she realized he wasn't home.

Noelle walked around the place to confirm he wasn't there. Once she was certain, she didn't bother calling him. Instead, she found a spot on the couch and sat down

Her mind was tangled with all kinds of thoughts-like invisible ropes tightening around her neck, choking her. Just as she was struggling to unravel those ropes, Hendrix returned.

Noelle looked up at him.

Her being here, "waiting" for him, seemed to please Hendrix quite a bit. H you eaten yet?

Noelle didn't respond

even took the initiative to ask, "Have

Hendrix loosened his tie and tossed it aside, then said, "Let's go. I'll take you out to get something."

His tone was calm, but there was an unmistakable arrogance in his attitude-like he was bestowing some kind of favor on her.

But Noelle just stared at him without moving.

Hendrix waited for a moment, and his brows furrowed when it became clear she wasn't

"I have something to ask you," Noelle finally said.

Hendrix didn't reply. He simply stood there, waiting for her to continue.

"Did Maxwell call you this afternoon?"

"Yeah"

"Don't you have anything you want to ask me? Like whether I set you up on purpose?" "I know you didn't."

Hendrix's response came without a moment's hesitation.

Noelle froze for a beat. Then, unexpectedly, she laughed.

In the past, she would have felt deeply moved if he had answered her so decisively. in to get