"No," Noelle rejected without hesitation. "Why should I agree to this?"

"See? You know it. She doesn't love me," Hendrix replied.

"I just don't want to make a pointless bet with you."

"If you're really that confident, why not take me up on the bet? After all, in your eyes, you're guaranteed to win. You could get me to do something for you. Doesn't that sound like a pretty good deal for you?"

Noelle still wanted to refuse, but when she met his gaze, she suddenly hesitated. Maybe it was because the Hendrix of that night reminded her of her past self.

And that was when she thought about what Beatrice would feel a biological child, whose relationship with her wasn't exactly close, compared to someone with no blood relation to her who appeared so obedient. Noelle bit her lips and asked, "If you win, what will you ask me to do?"

Hendrix just chuckled and said, "You don't have any faith i yourself, huh?"

"Forget it." Noelle regretted her hesitation, turning away. I don't want to know, and I won't bet with you." Hendrix didn't respond to her words. Instead, he pulled out his phone and dialed Beatrice's number.

Noelle watched his actions clearly, about to tell him she hadn't agreed to any bet when Hendrix glanced at her. Her mouth immediately shut.

Soon, Beatrice's voice came through the speakerphone, "Hello?"

"It's me," Hendrix said.

"Mm-hmm."

"Was tonight's situation all part of your plan?"

Hendrix slowly released his grip on the steering wheel, originally planning to light a cigarette, but quickly thought of something. His hand dropped back down.noveldrama

He continued, "You knew I wouldn't show up if you simply told me it was a family dinner, so you tricked Noelle into coming first, then informed me, right?"

"You're overthinking it," Beatrice responded, her voice carrying a hint of sarcasm. "Noelle came on her own. I didn't expect that you two wouldn't even be in contact."

Hendrix didn't mind her tone, continuing, "Hinm, maybe I was overthinking it. But when it comes to Nathan's return, you can't tell me you didn't know, right? Acting without consulting me first. That's quite interesting, isn't it?"

Beatrice fell silent. Her silence clearly indicated she was tacitly acknowledging what Hendrix had said. Hendrix turned his gaze toward Noelle, who was frowning deeply. He knew well enough that with just this exchange, Noelle wouldn't admit she'd lost.

So, after closing his eyes for a moment, he asked again, "Why? I'm your son."

Hendrix himself would never have asked such a question. Because it was meaningless. If Beatrice truly cared about their bond, she wouldn't have done what she did.

But since she did, what could asking for the reason possibly change?

"Hendrix, I just want you to understand th...

everything in this world goes the way you want it to. And, you

have everything you have today not because you're so smart or capable, but because..."

"Because I was born into the Freeman family," Hendrix interrupted her and laughed. "I've heard that line a thousand times since I was a child. Anyway, thank you for your guidance, both then and now, Mom."

With that, Hendrix hung up the phone.