"So, no matter what it takes, you have to try for him. Even if it means stabbing me in the heart. Noelle, you're truly ruthless," Hendrix concluded.

With that, Hendrix walked past her without another word.

The white waves continued to roll in, and on the vast stretch of beach, only Noelle was left standing alone.

That night, Noelle and Hendrix lay back-to-back. By now, she had grown accustomed to having someone else in bed with her. Previously, when they slept together, they would usually do something before sleep. If not, Hendrix would at least hold her as they drifted off.

But tonight, he did nothing. His back toward her seemed to carve a deep chasm between them. Noelle didn't turn around, either.

Before long, the night passed.

When Noelle woke up, daylight had already filled the room

Hendrix was gone. Noelle had no idea whether he had gone to work or to the party Erwin had mentioned, nor did she have any interest in finding out.

The surrounding scenery held little appeal. Noelle had no desire to return to the beach, and the other spots seem worth visiting either. So, she spent the entire day in the hotel watching movies. didn't

She didn't even step out of her room, ordering all her meals from the hotel restaurant and having them delivered.

As night fell, there was still no sign of Hendrix returning. Noelle knew well enough that those kinds of parties were far from wholesome. By now, there were probably other women keeping him company. Even though this wasn't Coppersville, Hendrix was still at the very top. Many people were drawn to him, swarming around like moths to a flame. So, Noelle didn't bother waiting for him. She simply turned off her phone and got ready for bed.

Having the entire large bed to herself was a rare comfort, and she quickly fell asleep. But in the haze of her dreams, she felt as though she couldn't quite catch her breath.

15

It was as if something heavy was pressing down on her chest. And beneath her, something seemed to be sliding upward, cool and tickling against her skin.

At first, Noelle thought she was dreaming. But as she grogirly opened her eyes, she realized it wasn't a dream. There really was someone pressing down on her.

In the darkness, she couldn't make out the person's face, but the overpowering presence told her one thing-it

was an unfamiliar man.

Panic surged through her, and she screamed instinctively. But before her voice could carry, the man clamped a hand over her lips, and he seized her arm with his other hand, pinning it down forcefully. He was strong-far too strong his palm pressed so tightly over her mouth that Noelle felt like she was suffocating.

Noelle kept screaming, but all that came out were muffled sounds. Her struggling legs only gave the man an opening to pin them down further. Her eyes widened in terror. Then, a thought flashed through her mind- Hendrix had just told her yesterday that it wasn't as safe here as it was back home.

Could it have been because the person who delivered her meals today noticed she was alone in the room? Was this man a hotel staff?

Noelle didn't know. Her thoughts were a chaotic mess, and her mind was consumed by terror. She shook her head desperately, tears streaming down her face as she tried to plead silently for the man to let her go. But her vulnerability only seemed to excite him further..noveldrama

He quickly unfastened his belt. The sharp click of the buckle echoed crisply in the dark night. Today's Bonus Offer