Matilda's words prompted Noelle to descend into utter silence.

The already cramped room seemed even more suffocating with her en silence. Matilda's heart couldn't help

but race when Noelle's calm eyes fixed on her.

She knitted her brows and uttered, "L..."

"Please leave," Noelle stated.

Her request stunned Matilda in place. After a while, she questioned in disbelief, "What did you say?" "Please leave and never come here again."

Noelle spoke confidently, "If I wasn't clear enough, I'll inform the media and make a public statement that I'll sever ties with the Swansons. Therefore, you don't have to worry about me humiliating your family." Matilda sprang up at her words before delivering a harsh slap across Noelle's face. She had done a new set of manicures a few days ago, with diamonds inlaid on her nails.

When her long nails slashed across Noelle's cheek, they tore up her flesh before blood slowly emerged from the

However, Noelle barely flinched from the pain. Instead, she stared as calmly as always at Matilda. "You... You think you're all tough now, don't you? You're my daughter, Noelle. How dare you be so defiant

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but you're making me marry the Hawthorne family for your benefit, aren't you?" Noelle interrupted her. "Otherwise, you guys wouldn't be so eager to see me.'

She asked, "Did something happen to the company? Never mind. I don't care. It's not like I want anything from the Swansons, anyway."

"How mighty of you! Let me remind you that we were the ones who raised and nurtured you. Where did you think that money came from?"

Matilda became bold. "And that woman lying in the hospital? If it weren't for us, she would've died a long time ago!"

She continued, "I know you never see me as your mother. Instead, you've long regarded that woman as your family. I bet you would've lived at the hospital if we hadn't stopped you from seeing her.

"What can she even offer you? She's nothing but an illiterate country bump-noveldrama

"She gave me love. A lot of it," Noelle interjected. "If she hadn't protected me with her life, I would've been assaulted by that bastard. Now, my biological mother, what did you do at that time?

"You can argue that we were separated. I don't blame you for that. But all I ever did upon returning was try to please you and mend our relationship. What about you?"

Noelle chuckled. "What you did was suspect that I carried IV. You were damn scared to be infected, weren't you?"

Her voice was as calm as the sea, yet her fists were clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palms. The sharp pain served as a constant reminder not to back down or yield

At this point, It was better to tear open the wound than to let it fester and rot.

Her words clearly hit a nerve with Matilda, leaving her momentarily frozen.

"Please leave. I know you don't love me." Noelle smiled wryly. "They say blood is thicker than water, but some bonds are gone for good once broken. That... is something you and I know."