"Are you asleep?"

"I got you something. I left it by the door. Remember to grab it."

The other messages were from Evelyn. She had an argument with the editor-in-chief that day. She still couldn't get the right to continue the serialization and was saying she was sorry for not being able to help.

Noelle replied to the messages as she walked over to the door.

When she opened it, she saw the cake hanging there. It was covered in chocolate-her favorite flavor.

As she stood staring at the cake in a daze, Maxwell called.

"Are you awake?"noveldrama

"Yeah."

"Did you get the cake?"

"I got it."

"Put it in the fridge. I'm on my way over now. We can...

"Maxwell," Noelle interrupted him. "Thanks for today, but I'm fine now. You don't have to do these things for me anymore."

After she finished speaking, she heard a laugh on the other end of the line. "What's this? Are you trying to distance yourself from me? You told me before that you were married and didn't want me near you, but now...

"I've already left the Swanson family," Noelle continued. "Right now, I'm not even the so-called "young lady' of the Swanson family anymore. Do you think your family would accept us being together? "It wasn't e

teasy for you to come back this time, and I know you have your ambitions, so... don't waste your time on

me.

Maxwell didn't respond.

After a long silence, he finally said, "Elle, you haven't changed. You're still as calm as always. But do you know what I really want?

Noelle stared at the cake. "If it's something else you want, then I can't give you that."

Those words from Noelle left Maxwell utterly speechless.

Finally, he said, "So, you still love Hendrix."

Without waiting for Noelle to respond, he ended the call.

Noelle stood frozen in place for a long time, holding her phone. When she snapped back to reality, she opened the chat with Maxwell, wanting to tell him that she had stopped loving Hendrix.

But no matter how she typed it out, the words seemed insincere and forced. In the end, she gave up and set her phone back to silent.

Perhaps it was because she had a good sleep in the afternoon, but Noelle found herself wide awake that night. She had planned to use the time to sketch some designs.

But no matter how hard she tried, her mind couldn't focus. Even though she felt a blank emptiness, it was as if

#

something was growing rapidly inside her. Eventually, she shut her laptop and crawled back into bed. She spent the night in a restless haze, and the next morning, she was woken by a knock on her door. "Ms. Noelle." Alfred stood outside, looking at her respectfully. "Mr. Swanson sent me to bring you to him." Noelle pressed her lips together. "I already made myself clear yesterday."

"Don't worry, Ms. Noelle. Mr. Swanson understands your feelings. He didn't ask me to bring you back by force. He just mentioned he would like to have a meal with you and have a proper conversation."

"I have nothing to discuss with him."

She was about to close the door when Alfred quickly pressed his hand against it.

"Ms. Noelle, you know Mr. Swanson's temperament. Please don't make this harder for me."

There was a hint of pleading in his voice.

After a moment of silence, Noelle finally relaxed her grip on the door..

Alfred's face brightened, but before he could say anything more, Noelle said, "Where are we eating? I'll. myself."

there

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