Just as Oliver had implied, the "review" Javier mentioned turned out to be nothing more than a formality. In less than five business days, the funds Noelle had requested were approved without issue.

However, securing the funds was only the first step. To ensure everything proceeded smoothly, Noelle made a point of visiting the construction site for an inspection today.

By now, Vinton City had officially entered summer. Noelle ore a hard hat during her site visit, and as it was a formal inspection, carrying a sun umbrella was out of the question. By the end of the day, her arms and the back of her neck were noticeably red from the sun.

On her way home, she stopped to buy some ointment. Just as she was about to apply it after getting home, Hendrix walked in.

Hendrix had been out for a dinner engagement tonight, but it was clear he had slipped away early. In his hand, he carried the takeout he brought back for Noelle, with the most eye-catching item being a small cake nestled beside the food.

Noelle paused mid-motion at the sight of him. Hendrix's gaze quickly landed on her arm.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Nothing. It's just a sunburn," Noelle replied casually.

Since she couldn't reach the back of her neck to apply the ointment, she handed it to him, as if the request were the most natural thing in the world.

Hendrix quickly took the ointment, but as he looked at the state of her sunburn, his frown deepened. "Shouldn't you go to the hospital to have it checked?"

It's fine. I asked the pharmacist, and they said applying this would be enough.'

Noelle finished speaking only to notice that Hendrix still hadn't moved. Growing impatient, she reached out to take the ointment back and do it herself. But before she could, Hendrix had already unscrewed the сар.

The cool ointment quickly touched Noelle's skin. The area, which had been burning, immediately felt much better as the soothing effect of the medicine took hold. In the next moment, Hendrix unexpectedly leaned closer and began gently blowing on the spot.

His breath traveled from her nape to just behind her ear, causing Noelle to tremble slightly. A layer of goosebumps rose on her arms as an involuntary reaction. Instinctively, she tried to pull away, but Hendrix quickly pressed down on her shoulder to keep her firmly in place.

"Aren't you done yet?" Noelle asked, her voice unconsciously tinged with a husky, alluring softness that even she hadn't anticipated.

Hendrix's fingers paused. Whatever thoughts might have crossed his mind were quickly suppressed when his gaze fell on her sunburned, reddened skin.

He was just about to stand and suggest she eat when Noelle suddenly grabbed his arm. Before Hendrix could react, she leaned in and kissed him.

Her kiss was unusually intense and assertive, her tongue quickly slipping past his lips, playful and teasing. The movements stirred Hendrix's emotions, making his breathing grow heavier. His hands wrapped around her waist, pulling their bodies closer together.

But Noelle seemed far from satisfied. While she kept kissing him, she began working on his clothes with her

wwwww

hands. She tugged his tie loose before moving to unbuckle his belt.

Hendrix hadn't expected her actions.

Noelle lowered her head, he immediately pulled her back up.

"Why?" Noelle asked, her gaze lifted to meet his. Usually bright and sharp, her eyes now seemed veiled

in a misty sheen. Paired with her husky, almost teasing tone, she was like a poppy flower-intoxicating, addictive, and utterly heart-stirring

Faced with her serious question, Hendrix hesitated before finally replying, "It's not... appropriate."noveldrama

"Why not? You can do it, but I can't?" Noelle asked, her brows furrowing slightly in a way that resembled a child demanding candy.

Hendrix chuckled softly. "Yu

It's fine if I do it for you, whereas you don't need to do anything like this."

Noelle fell silent and simply stared at him intently.