?Chapter 174:


    “Hello?” Noah spoke into the phone.


    K’s frail voice responded, her tone quivering with distress, “Noah, I… I’m feeling terrible…” She gasped, her voice breaking. “My chest… it hurts so badly… Can youe and take me to the hospital?”


    Noah hesitated for a moment, his indecision palpable even over the phone. K, sensing his hesitation, sounded even more aggrieved. “Noah, have you forgotten what you promised me?” Noah took a deep breath. “I’ll be back right away.” He ended the call and turned to Sadie. “K isn’t feeling well. I have to go back.”


    Sadie remained silent, her gaze steady on him. She felt no need to respond. K’s wellbeing was not her concern.


    “Sadie…” Noah started, as if he wanted to exin further, but then he stopped himself. He stood up, collected his coat, and left the restaurant without another nce.


    Sadie watched him leave, feeling a chill settle over her heart. It was clear as ever; K was always his priority. And she, Sadie, was just a temporary fill-in.


    With Noah gone, the fine dishes before her lost all appeal. She took a sip of water, settled the bill, and left.


    Meanwhile, Noah drove back to the Wall Group headquarters. In the CEO’s office on the top floor, K was anxiously waiting on the sofa. Her face brightened when Noah entered. She rushed to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Noah, you’re back!” But Noah’s face was grim.


    He gently but firmly pushed K away. “What’s going on?”


    K, taken aback by his stern tone, faltered and said, “I… I wasn’t feeling well earlier…”


    “Go to the hospital,” he said coldly.


    K’s expression revealed her guilt as her eyes darted around nervously. “Noah, actually… I’m feeling much better now. No need for a hospital visit.”


    Your storytelling begins at g α? ησ ν?? ??s,


    She watched Noah’s expression carefully, her voice tentative. “I—I hope I didn’t interrupt your meal with Sadie, did I?”


    Noah’s brow furrowed, and he gripped her wrist a bit too sharply. “K, I’ve tolerated a lot from you, but don’t cross my bottom line.” K stiffened. Bottom line? Did he mean Sadie? K’s heart burned with resentment. Tears welled up in her eyes as she whispered, “Noah, you’re hurting me.”


    Noah abruptly released her wrist. “If you pull that stunt again, you won’t have a ce here.”


    K’s face flushed with a mix of anger and humiliation. “Noah, I’m sorry…” Her voice trembled, and tears filled her eyes. “I promise it won’t happen again.”


    Despite her tearful, pitiful appearance, Noah remained stoic. He didn’t spare her another nce as he turned and walked out of the office.


    Bang! The door mmed shut behind him.


    K clenched her fists tightly. “Sadie! Always Sadie!” she hissed through gritted teeth, her voice seething with venom. “Why did youe back? How do you always manage to survive?”


    She abruptly stood up and began pacing the office in agitated steps. “And that child…” K suddenly stopped. “Noah must never find out about that child’s existence! Absolutely not!”


    Sadie returned to her studio. Pierre immediately approached her. “Miss Hudson, are you okay?”


    Sadie offered a faint smile. “I’m fine. The partnership is secure.”


    “That’s great,” Pierre said, relief evident in his voice.


    Sadie walked over to her desk and sat down, starting to pack up. “Starting tomorrow, I’ll be at Wall Group for a while. If there’s anything you’re unsure about, just call me anytime.”


    Sadie rubbed her temples after giving her assistant instructions, trying to soothe the persistent ache. The fatigue from the recent days overwhelmed her, urging her just to go home and copse. She picked up her bag and left the studio.


    .


    .


    .