Hendrix grasped her meaning immediately. "What you're saying is you want me to be the one without the official acknowledgment, right?"

"Something like that. After all, we're still business partners, and it wouldn't be appropriate for us to be overly showy with our relationship. How would others see you? So, I think it's best-"

Before she could finish, Hendrix suddenly strode forward and punched the wall right beside her. The sudden movement startled Noelle, cutting off whatever she'd been about to say.

"Noelle, are you kidding me? Who the hell do you take me for? In your eyes, am I really that pathetic and lacking in dignity?"

Hendrix found the whole thing utterly absurd. Who would have thought that he would one day be asked to become a lover hidden in the shadows, someone who couldn't even be acknowledged publicly? Why should he let her reduce him to that? And more than that, how could she reduce herself to this? Hendrix clenched his teeth tightly, and the veins on his forearm and temple were bulging and pulsing visibly with restrained fury. He leaned down, his gaze locking onto Noelle. At that moment, he had an inexplicable urge to bite

her.

Her lips, her neck, or even her shoulder-it didn't matter.

His jaw ached with the tension, every nerve in his body urging him to do it. Only then could Noelle truly understand what it felt like to hurt.

But in that moment, Noelle's calm gaze was like a blade, piercing straight into Hendrix's chest. As he leaned closer, she didn't flinch or retreat. Even her tone was calm as ever when she said, "Alright. Forget it, then."

Forget it? Those two simple words instantly made Hendrix pause.

he finally asked, his voice strained.

"Why what?"

"Why are you doing this? We could have-

"Because you're not worth breaking my agreement with Dylan," Noelle interrupted. "He's helped me a lot, and this is the only way I can repay him. I won't let him down no matter what."

"So, you're choosing to let me down instead? Haven't I done enough for you? The Continental Reach project-"

"The project?" Noelle cut him off directly. "Wasn't that part of the deal you agreed to? We settled this already, and now, you're bringing it up again? Hendrix, since when did you become so petty?" Hendrix couldn't find a response.

Noelle pushed him away. "If you can't agree, then there's nothing left to talk about between us. Please leave."

She didn't have much strength, but somehow, Hendrix stumbled back several steps under her push. It took him a moment to steady himself, and when he did, he slowly looked back at her.

Noelle had already walked to the door and opened it, her intent to send him away unmistakably clear. Hendrix didn't linger and headed straight for the door. But as he passed by Noelle, he couldn't help but stop and glance back at her.

At that moment, he desperately hoped she would say something. If she softened, even just a little, or said a few

kind words to coax him, he might have agreed.

But she didn't.noveldrama

Hendrix remembered-back when they were together, she had never gone out of her way to cheer him up. And now, she was treating him like a dog, trampling on whatever dignity he had left.

Without another glance, Hendrix turned and walked out.

The moment his foot crossed the threshold, Noelle shut the door behind him with a bang. The sound was crisp and final.

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