+35 BONUS

Noelle hadn't actually drunk that much tonight. It wasn't noticeable during the event, but after everything was over, the itch in her throat became unbearable. As she wallord, she couldn't stop coughing

And as soon as she stepped outside the hotel, the wind made her throat itch even more. Her driver seemed to be off doing something, and no matter how many calls she made, there was no answer. Just as she was about to call Oliver, she suddenly heard someone calling her from behind.

"Ms. Swanson!"

The crisp voice made Noelle feel uneasy. When she turned around, she indeed saw Lana walking toward her.

"You're still here?" Lana asked with a smile.

Noelle nodded at her.

"Your driver hasn't arrived yet? How about I give you a ride"

"No, it's okay," Noelle quickly declined. "He should be here any moment."

"It's fine. It's getting late anyway, so let me give you a ride,' said Lana, linking arms with Noelle as if they were already familiar with each other.

Noelle frowned and was about to pull her hand away when Lana suddenly spotted something. She excitedly waved at someone across the street.

"I'm over here!" she called out excitedly.

Noelle had already guessed the identity of the person approaching, causing her frown to deeper. She wanted to say something, but as soon as she opened her mouth, a cough escaped uncontrollably.

"What's wrong? Are you sick?" Lana asked with a concerned expression. "Do you need me to take you to the hospital?"

Noelle couldn't even get her words out, so she turned her back to Lana and kept waving her hand in refusal. In the meantime, Hendrix had already walked up to them.

"Hendrix, shall we send Ms. Swanson home? She seems to be unwell, and her driver seems to have disappeared,

said Lana.noveldrama

Noelle kept her head lowered with one hand over her mouth, but she could still feel Hendrix's gaze sweeping over her. Then, she heard him say softly, "Okay."

Noelle struggled to suppress her cough, then lifted her head. "That won't be necessary. My driver will be here

soon."

"But-" Before Lana could finish her sentence, Noelle finally managed to pull her hand away.

In order to prevent herself from coughing again, Noelle deeded to keep her mouth shut. She simply gave them both a nod before turning and walking away.

Although it was already early summer, she was still wearing a coat. It seemed like it wasn't enough, so she tightened it around herself as she walked forward. Her intermittent coughing gradually faded into the distance.

Lana had already averted her gaze, but it was a different story for Hendrix. While his body remained next

to her, his mind and eyes were fixed on Noelle's retreating figure. In his deep, intense gaze was an emotion that Lana could never quite comprehend.

"Hendrix?" Lana called him softly.

It seemed that Hendrix had just snapped back to reality as he shifted his gaze toward her.

"Let's go," he said, nothing else apart from that. Then, he simply turned and headed toward the car with Lana following closely behind.

Once they arrived at the hotel where Lana was staying, she extended her usual invitation. To her surprise, after a brief moment of looking at her, Hendrix took her up on her invitation.

Lana was momentarily stunned, but she quickly smiled with excitement and stepped out of the car. "Well, then..."

Hendrix didn't say anything, simply striding ahead.

The crystal chandeliers in the hotel lobby were brilliantly bright. This was the best hotel in Vinton City, with excellent confidentiality measures, so Lana didn't need to put on any disguise here.

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