That huge pot of pasta was not only too much, but it was also terribly bad. Noelle couldn't remember ever having eaten something so awful. In the end, she couldn't help but turn the stove back on and cook him a new bowl.

Hendrix just stood next to her, watching.

Noelle turned around, about to tell him to leave, but Hendrix seemed to know what she was thinking, so he said, I want to watch, so I'll know how to cook it next time.'

"Mr. Freeman, this doesn't suit your status," Noelle said flatly. "If you want, there are plenty of women who would be willing to cook for you."

"I know," answered Hendrix simply, but that answer seemed to lead to another one.

Noelle fell silent. She didn't say anything else. Instead, she simply placed the plate of pasta on the table and turned to leave.

"Did you tell Dylan tonight?" Hendrix suddenly asked. "About us.

"Yeah.

"Did he agree?"

"Yeah."

Noelle's response was simple, with a touch of indifference.

Hendrix didn't say anything more.

Soon, her bedroom was closed again.

The corner of Hendrix's lips tightened involuntarily. But when he turned around and looked at the

steaming bowl of pasta in front of him, he suddenly smiled happily again.

He knew that Noelle still had her guard up with him, and he didn't blame her. After all, he had indeed hurt her in the past. But the fact that she was hurt meant she cared about him. Hendrix wasn't afraid of her hating him- what he feared more was her indifference toward him.

As for their current situation, it was only temporary.

Predators always stayed quiet and hidden while hunting, watching their prey and waiting for the perfect moment to strike without fail. On the plains, staying upwind gave away the predator's scent and scared off the prey, So, really, being downwind was the best spot to lie in wait.

ing tonoveldrama

After finishing the entire plate of pasta, Hendrix even went to the kitchen to wash the dishes before returning his room. That night, he didn't bother Noelle anymore, and the two of them spent the evening in peace.

The meeting that was supposed to happen yesterday was postponed until that morning.

Hendrix had originally planned to go out with Noelle-after all, they were bound to run into each other at the office later. But Noelle didn't hesitate to shut him down, reminding him that she now had a publicly acknowledged boyfriend.

He seemed to keep forgetting this, so Noelle had no choice but to remind him over and over again. Finally, she made it clear-if he needed yet another reminder, their relationship would come to an end. As soon as Noelle finished speaking, the elevator doors opened, and she stepped out first. She was dressed in a

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standard business suit today, with her hair tied up in a ponytail. The sound of her high heels echoed crisply in the parking lot.

Hendrix watched her back and felt as if she were meticulously drawing a clear boundary between them, firmly shutting him out and warming him to stay away.

Hendrix, however, remained much calmer. He didn't challenge her repeated reminders about his status and simply got into his car quietly.

The meeting went smoothly. Throughout the entire process Hendrix maintained his usual calm and composure, and anyone observing him and Noelle would have seen nothing out of the ordinary between them.

After the meeting. Hendrix suggested having dinner together, saying, "I've already made plans with Mr. Mueller Ms. Swanson, are you available to join us?"

If it were just the two of them for dinner, Noelle would have simply declined. But when Hendrix mentioned Javier Mueller, she couldn't help but hesitate for a moment.