"Here."noveldrama

Once inside the study, Beatrice handed Noelle an envelope.

Noelle was puzzled but took it anyway. When she opened it she found a check and a small note that contained flight details.

A shiver ran down her spine. She looked up sharply. "What."

"My private plane," Beatrice said. "The flight's already booked. To Nestville. But once you arrive, you can take a car somewhere else. If you have another place in mind, let me know, and I'll arrange it for you." Her voice was steady, and each word was crystal clear.

However, Noelle felt like she couldn't understand what Beatrice was saying.

"Don't you want to leave?" Beatrice asked. "Elm Group's situation has been settled. Nothing is keeping you here anymore."

"But..."

"Don't worry. I'll take care of Hendrix. He won't stop you."

It was only then that Noelle truly understood what she meant. Her voice quavered as she asked, "What are you planning to do?"

Beatrice merely smiled.

Noelle bit her lip. "I don't know what's going on between you and Hendrix, but... this is between him and me. I don't want anyone else involved."

With that, she handed the envelope back.

Beatrice's expression faltered bit by bit. But soon, she smiled again. "Alright. That's your choice. I won't interfere. But remember. This is a one-time opportunity. If you miss it, there won't be another."

"Mrs. Freeman," Noelle suddenly called.

Beatrice looked at her but said nothing.

"Did something happen?" Noelle asked.

Beatrice chuckled. "What could possibly happen to me?"

Noelle pursed her lips before saying, "You know, every time I think about our last conversation before your accident, I regret it. Like Sandra said, I wasn't careful enough. I didn't notice something was wrong.

"Even if knowing wouldn't have changed anything, what if it had? What if I had done something? Would things be different now? So please... tell me this time. I don't want to regret it again."

Beatrice's expression shifted, but she quickly averted her gaze. "There's no reason. I just got tired of this life." "Then, why don't you leave?"

"How?" Beatrice scoffed. "You know what Hendrix is like. Do you think he'd let me go?"

Noelle wanted to say more, but Beatrice cut her off, "It doesn't matter. I've already made up my mind. You were right. I shouldn't interfere in what happens between you and him. But at the same time, what happens between us

should be ours to resolve."

"But you're his mother."

"I don't need you to remind me of that!" Beatrice's voice suddenly turned sharp.

"I'm his mother, so what? Does that mean I have to dedicate my entire life to him? I've stayed here for 30 years because of him. Is that still not enough? I don't even know who I am anymore, and yet you all expect more from me? What more do you want from me?

"Lloyd died because of him! As if that wasn't enough, he can't even spare his own parents! Is that supposed to be my son? No. He's nothing but a cold-blooded monster!"