The blunt dismissal was not the response Hendrix had expected. His expression darkened instantly. Just then, Noelle's phone rang. She paused her search to answer it. But before she could pick it up, Hendrix suddenly strode forward and grabbed her wrist.

Her phone fell to the floor, the caller ID clearly visible to Hendrix. It was Seline who was calling. Hendrix's smirk deepened when he saw the name. "You and Ms. Swift seem quite close. If I'm not mistaken, she's the one who got this place for you, right? How did you end up like this? I thought once you left me, you'd immediately find some rich guy to shack up with.

"Oh, if I'm not mistaken, there was one, wasn't there? A minor celebrity, I heard? Too bad, though. Why didn't he say a word in your defense when his fans insulted you in hordes?"noveldrama

As he spoke, the mockery in his eyes intensified, but Noelle remained unmoved.

Anger? Indignation? Sadness? There was none of it.

Hendrix stared intently into her eyes, searching for even a hint of emotion. But there was truly nothing. Noelle simply stood there, listening quietly until he finished, then said, "Are you done? If so, please let go of my hand."

Hendrix fell silent, but his grip on her wrist tightened.

She looked at him and suddenly laughed.

"What answer are you hoping to get from me? Do you want me to cry and say I was wrong and that I regret leaving you? Just what are you trying to prove in order to satisfy some need in you?

"Hendrix, you're very successful now-that's something everyone knows and acknowledges. So, you shouldn' need this kind of validation, right? As for me, yes, my life isn't that great right now. But what does that have to do with you?

"Aren't you about to start a new life? Or did you come here specifically to get my blessing? Fine. I'll give it to you. Congratulations on your happy

life, and may everything 9 EL.P

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ways that enough?" Noelle mechanically answered all

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Hendrix's questions in one go with no emotion in her voice.

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Hendrix stared at her, his grip on her wrist finally loosening. Suddenly, he laughed and said, "Yes, thank you. You're right. I am about to start a new life. I'm getting married soon. Even though you didn't want the title of Mrs. Freeman, there are plenty of women fighting for it."

"Congratulations," Noelle replied expressionlessly, bending down to pick up her phone.

But the next moment, Hendrix spoke again, "We'll also have our own children soon. Noelle, everything I once promised to you and your child, I'll give it all to them.'

Noelle thought she was past the point of being affected. But the moment she heard that, she felt like getting stabbed in the heart.

Her hands started trembling uncontrollably. Her hand froze in midair as she slowly turned to face Hendrix. "Get out."