Noreen seized the opportunity to break free from his grasp.


    She calmly straightened her disheveled dress.


    Outside, she heard footsteps again, and someone calling her name.


    It was Castle.


    The sound of his voice snapped Seth back to reality.


    Noreen opened the door and left without a second nce at him.


    The stinging pain from his bitten tongue and scratched skin finally registered, but it was nothingpared to the agony in his chest.


    So this is what it felt like to be told you weren''t loved anymore.


    When Castle found Noreen, he noticed something was off.


    And... the red mark on her shoulder.


    He didn''t ask any questions, simply took off his jacket and draped it over her. "Let''s go home."


    "What about the party?" Noreen was worried it would be rude to leave so abruptly. "It''s not important," Castle said.


    He didn''t even say goodbye to Jaxon, just escorted Noreen out.


    Sue''s fall into the pond brought the birthday banquet to an early close.


    Jaxon''s face was grim. Back in their room, he dismissed the servants.


    Once they were alone, he finally let his anger show. "What was that little stunt you pulled? Have you forgotten what I told you?"


    Sue''s eyes were red and she looked utterly wronged. "I was just jealous! I can''t stand to see another woman near him!"


    Jaxon pointed a finger at her. "Look at yourself! What man would want you, acting like this?"


    Sue''s mother, Jaxon''s current wife Brianna, knocked and entered. "Oh, stop scolding her. She''s had a rough night."


    "Here, drink this warm soup. We don''t want you catching a cold," Brianna coaxed gently.


    Sue sniffled. "Dad, did you find the person who pushed me into the pond?"


    "I did," Jaxon said.


    "Then have him arrested! Beat him to a pulp first, then hand him over to the police! I want him to rot in jail!" Sue seethed.


    "No," Jaxon stated tly.


    "Why not?" Sue couldn''t believe it.


    "This man could be useful."


    After Sue''s persistent questioning, Jaxon showed her the security footage.


    When she saw who it was, she


    erupted in fury. "It''s him again! He''s the one who broke four of my fits


    "Don''t be ridiculous. This is Harborview City, not the wild west," Jaxon reminded her. "If you still


    want to marry Castle, you will d


    exactly as I say from now on. Do not make a single move without my permission."


    Sue immediately nodded. "Fine. If it means I can marry him, I''ll do anything."


    "You will continue to imitate Harriet''s style of dress, and most importantly, her tone


    of voice and expressions! As long as Castle isn''t over Harriet, you still have a chance."


    "And one more thing: do nothing! This is Harborview City, Castle''s territory. You can''t do anything without him finding out. Didn''t you see how many bodyguards he has around Noreen? You won''t even be able to get near her, let alone harm her! Don''t give Gastle anymore ammunition against you. I might not be able to get you out of a mental hospital a second time."


    Sue''s face went pale with fright, and she shook her head frantically. "I understand."


    A mental hospital was no ce for a human being. The thought terrified her.


    "As for the man who kicked you into the pond, he has his uses. I''ve looked into him. He''s the heir to the Harcourt Group from Rivercrest City."


    "And he''s Noreen''s ex-boyfriend."


    Sue gritted her teeth. "No wonder! Last time, he broke my ribs because of Noreen,


    and this time he kicks me into a pond because of her!"


    "If he and Noreen get back together, then her engagement to Castle is off."


    "So, we can''t touch him."