"Mr. Swanson, it's been a long time,"

The Hawthorne couple, Gregory Hawthorne and Wendy Spencer, exchanged polite handshakes with Craig. Then, their gazes converged on Noelle almost in unison.

Craig glanced at Noelle. After she briefly clenched her hands together, she finally managed to force a smile.

"Let me introduce you to my daughter, Noelle," Craig saidnoveldrama

"She's very beautiful," Gregory responded first, then motioned to his son.

The man across from Noelle then extended his hand. "Helld. I'm Liam Hawthorne."

He was dressed in a crisp suit, with black-framed glasses perched on his nose. His features weren't

striking, but they were well-balanced, and he wore a friendly smile.

Noelle kept her strained smile in place and slowly reached out her hand. "Hello."

"Let's all sit down!" Craig called out.

Everyone settled into their seats, and Craig seamlessly started discussing business matters with Gregory.

If Noelle hadn't been so clearly aware of their intentions, she might have thought this was just a normal dinner gathering.

Liam sat directly across from her, but aside from their brief greeting, he didn't seem to focus much on Noelle. Instead, he naturally joined in on the adults' conversation, is voice calm and steady.

After a few more glances at Noelle, Wendy spoke up, "Ms. Swanson, you're 24 years old this year, right?" "Yes."

"We've actually met before," Wendy continued. "About this time last year at Rosewood Hotel." Her words caught Noelle off guard,

She immediately remembered that event-it was her and Hendrix's first anniversary celebration. That evening, she had dressed to the nines and was the center of everyone's attention. She was the envy of every unmarried woman in Coppersville.

But Hendrix hadn't shown up. His absence had turned Noelle into the laughingstock of the night. Although Beatrice had explained the situation to everyone at the time, it still couldn't hide the fact that Hendrix simply didn't care about her. Even until today, Noelle still didn't know what Hendrix had been doing that night. He had never explained it to her.

Noelle had thought she'd completely forgotten about it. But when Wendy brought it up again, she felt a dull ache in her chest, like an old wound being tom open.

"I never expected that we'd have the chance to meet like this today," Wendy continued.

Her tone was light, but the disdain and mockery in her eyes as she looked at Noelle couldn't be hidden. Gregory glanced over and was about to reprimand Wendy, but Liam interrupted, saying, "By the way, I realize I don't have your contact information, Ms. Swanson. Would it be alright if we added each other as friends?"

His voice was calm but firm, effectively silencing Wendy.

Before Noelle could answer, Craig spoke for her, "Of course"

"Noelle isn't much of a talker, and she's a little reserved. But you have such a pleasant personality, Mr. Liam. You should take her out more and let her get some air. She tends to stay in too much."

Liam only smiled and turned his attention back to Noelle.

She didn't respond to Craig's words, instead quietly placing her phone in front of Liam.

As Liam input her contact information, he took a quick glance at her.

Noelle was quietly sipping her coffee, her gaze cast downward.

To others, her silence might have seemed like she was shy, but Liam could see it clearly-there was no emotion in her eyes.

To her, this social exchange was nothing more than a routine task.