Noelle rested on Hendrix's back, but as soon as the elevator doors closed, she said, "Put me down." Her tone was composed, completely devoid of the playful cryness she'd shown earlier when complaining about her foot.

Hendrix had already figured out she was faking it. Still, he adn't called her out on it. Instead, he had gone along with her act, playing his part in the script she had set up.

Even though Noelle had asked him to put her down, Hendrix showed no intention of letting go.

After waiting for a moment, Noelle repeated impatiently, "Hendrix, put me down!"

"Didn't you say your foot hurt?" Hendrix countered casually. "We're almost there."

"You saw it earlier, didn't you?" Noelle wasn't about to let him feign ignorance, "Sandra was hiding in the parking lot."

"Yeah, I saw her."

"That's why I suddenly asked you to carry me."

"Yeah, I know."

Noelle laid out her intentions plainly, but even so, Hendrix showed no sign of letting her down. She bit her lip. So, do you get it now? I was just using you.

"Yeah, I got it. But I don't mind," replied Hendrix without hesitation.

Even though Noelle had suspected he might have figured it out, his candid acknowledgment still left her momentarily stunned.

Just then, the elevator doors opened, and Hendrix carried her out. Once inside the apartment, he immediately crouched down and helped her remove her high heels.

The scenes from the car earlier flashed vividly in Noelle's mind, and she instinctively tried to pull her foot back. But Hendrix's grip tightened, holding her firmly in place.

"Let go," Noelle said through gritted teeth.

"I'll help you apply some medicine."

"I can do it myself!"noveldrama

Hendrix paid no attention to her protests. He simply brought over the first aid kit. Then, he pressed her foot into place and began treating her wound.

Though it had already scabbed over, the cotton swab's touch still brought a faint sting, mingled with an indescribable itch.

Noelle couldn't help but lift her eyes. Hendrix knelt on one knee before her, cradling her foot with one hand and holding the cotton swab in the other. He meticulously tended to her wound, and in that moment, he looked almost

reverent.

Noelle watched him for a moment before asking, "Were you aware of Sandra and Javier's relationship?" Hendrix's hand paused slightly, evidently not expecting the question. Then, he replied, "No, I wasn't." "Really?"

Noelle's skeptical tone made Heu

Chuckle softly.

Lifting his gaze to meet hers, he asked, "Why would I need to know?"

"You and Javier are close, aren't you? And Sandra is your... childhood friend. How could you not know?"

As Noelle finished speaking, Hendrix's grip on her foot suddenly tightened. The unexpected pressure made Noelle gasp softly in surprise.

Hendrix quickly loosened his hold and spoke again, "Javier and I are just business associates. What do his mistresses have to do with me?"

"But Sandra is Maxwell's wife, no?"

"Oh, so this whole roundabout way was just to say you're bothered by Sandra cheating on Maxwell?" Noelle didn't respond, but her gaze turned noticeably colder.

Hendrix, of course, noticed the shift. Then, it struck him-Maxwell and Noelle's relationship had long since fallen apart. It was unnecessary for him to get jealous.

Thus, he quickly added, "Maxwell's still a marginal figure within his family. If he wants to prove himself, he has to produce results. Sandra is tied to him-they're a team, so it's not surprising she'd help him."