?Chapter 769:


    “Compared to you, I’m honestly nothing. I don’t understand business at all. I leave all of that to my husband. He insists I don’t trouble myself with anything, and I suppose I’m just spoiled. All I do is stay home and enjoy a life offort.”


    She gave a small, bashfulugh, her voice growing softer, more sharine.


    “He says I shouldn’t have to lift a finger for anything.”


    It was a perfectly crafted jab—each word designed to unt her position, her rtionship with Noah, and her supposed blissful life—all while wearing the mask of casual conversation.


    Sadie’s grip on her wine ss tensed, her fingers going pale around the stem. Yet her expression remained as smooth as still water, her smile no less refined than before.


    “Is that so?” she said evenly, her voice light and unbothered, betraying nothing beneath the surface.


    Hailey’s smile widened, as if a delightful thought had just urred to her. Her voice lowered into something more intimate, honeyed with false sincerity.


    “Oh, Ms. Hudson, there’s something I almost forgot to mention. Patrick and I are nning to hold our wedding ceremony here soon. And we would be honored if you would attend as our witness.”


    The absurdity of it struck Sadie so suddenly, it almost made herugh.


    She looked at Hailey—at that face that mirrored hers too closely. A familiar beautyced with a foreign smugness, each word calcted, each smile sharpened like a de. And Sadie understood exactly what Hailey was doing.


    Before Sadie could respond, a familiar presence interrupted. Noah.


    He stepped into the moment like a dark current, his gaze sweeping over both women. There was a subtle tension in his posture—an alertness that hinted he already sensed the tension in the air.


    “What are you two discussing?” he asked, his voice quiet but probing.


    Hailey turned to him, slipping her hand around his arm with practiced ease. She looked up at him with soft, shining eyes.


    “I was just asking Ms. Hudson to be the witness in our wedding.”


    ???????? ???????? ????: ?????????ν?????????????


    Noah’s brows furrowed beneath his silver mask.


    His gaze moved to Sadie, searching her face, bracing for a reaction—displeasure, pain, indignation. But she gave him none.


    Sadie stood perfectlyposed, her expression unreadable, her eyes calm. Whatever flicker of emotion might have stirred within her was locked away behindyers of control.


    Noah felt a strange, hollow ache in his chest. Something tight and unspoken. Something like… disappointment.


    Then Sadie lifted her gaze and met his squarely. Her voice was steady, professional, detached.


    .


    .


    .