《Between Ruin And Resolve: My Ex-Husband’s Regret》


 Chapter 1

    ?Chapter 1:


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Sadie Hudson murmured softly, her eyes fluttering open into a drowsy blur, only to be met with the intense gaze of another pair of eyes.


    Her husband, Noah Wall, had quietly returned, his presence subtly marked by the faint scent of alcohol.


    He sealed their reunion with a kiss that was unyielding in its dominance,pelling her into reluctant acquiescence.


    A wave of unease surged through Sadie¡¯s chest, and reflexively, she attempted to withdraw.


    ¡°Stay still.¡± Noah¡¯s voice rumbled, deep and seductive, tinged with apelling charm that was hard to resist.


    For a moment, Sadie¡¯s body tensed, caught in a struggle between resistance and submission.


    Today was significant¡ª it was their second anniversary¡ªand she was determined not to spoil the celebratory mood.


    With a sigh, she closed her eyes, allowing herself to melt into his embrace.


    The robust scent of his cologne masked the alcohol, swirling around her and piercing her heart with its potent allure.


    Noah¡¯s eyes darkened with desire as he observed her yielding, his actions bing bolder and less restrained.


    Just as Sadie was about to regain herposure, she gasped softly, her pleaced with tender fragility. ¡°Please, not too harsh¡­¡±


    She couldn¡¯tplete her revtion of being pregnant. The sharp ring of a phone sliced through the thick tension, abruptly severing the intimate moment between them.


    Noah¡¯s eyes, still aze with longing, flickered as he caught sight of the caller ID.


    He got up and began to dress, his movements betraying none of the fervor that had engulfed him just moments before.


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    ¡°Are you heading out?¡± Sadie inquired, her voice tinged with a mix of confusion and concern as she tightened her grip on her nightgown.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Noah answered, his tone breezy and dismissive, as if evading further inquiry.


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°Go back to sleep,¡± he interjected smoothly, his voice soft yet detached. He leaned forward, his lips briefly caressing her forehead in a fleeting, tender gesture.


    Without a single backward nce, he strode out of the room.


    Sadie¡¯s eyes lingered on the empty doorway, her heart sinking slowly. She convinced herself it had to be an emergency at work.


    Understanding was essential; any sign of displeasure could drive him further away.


    After all, she had loved Noah for over a decade, and bing his wife was a dream realized. She could hardly expect more.


    With a sigh, Sadie quickly freshened up and returned to bed, her hand resting gently on her belly, a hopeful smile ying at the corners of her mouth.


    ¡°Sweetheart, Daddy didn¡¯t mean to leave us by ourselves. Please, don¡¯t hold it against him, alright?¡±


    No sooner had she uttered these words than her phone buzzed with an unexpected news alert, startling her.


    ¡°Wall Group CEO Spotted at the Airport Late at Night, Allegedly Picking Up Mysterious Girlfriend.¡±


    The photo that apanied the headline captured Noah at the airport¡¯s private terminal entrance, d in a ck suit. He stood with impable posture, exuding an undeniable aura of authority. His eyes conveyed a softness, a tender warmth that Sadie had never observed before.


    Shock shed across Sadie¡¯s face as her heart thudded painfully in her chest, the sharp sensation nearly stealing her breath.


    It took a considerable effort for her to regain herposure. Clutching onto a sliver of hope, she clicked on the article, her fingers quivering.


    As she had feared, a familiar face filled the screen¡ªK Wade. The woman Noah had seemingly been unable to forget was evidently back in his life.


    A chill spread through Sadie, a profound sorrow embedding itself deep within her heart.


    She clenched her teeth, forcefully suppressing her cries.


    The memory of how her marriage had begun was too painful to revisit. Two years earlier, just as K and Noah had been nning their future together, K had vanished without a trace.


    At that critical juncture, with Noah poised to secure the position of chairman of the board and in dire need of apliant wife, Sadie, known for her unwavering devotion to him and from a family now in decline, had be the ideal candidate.


    For the past two years, Sadie had been a docile wife, enveloped in a sense of unworthiness, as if the joy she experienced was never truly meant for her.


    That illusion shattered yesterday when she discovered she was pregnant.


    They had always been meticulous in preventing pregnancy, except for that one nightst month. Noah had staggered home, reeking of alcohol after a business dinner, and in his drunken haze, they had lost themselves to passion.


    That fleetingpse had now culminated in her pregnancy.


    Now, Sadie was tormented by uncertainty on how to break the news to Noah.


    She dreaded that Noah would demand an abortion.


    Deep down, she knew she wasn¡¯t the woman he loved.


    When Sadie was still engulfed in a whirlpool of anxious thoughts, her reverie was broken by Noah¡¯s voice echoing from the study.


    Was he already home?


    She rose, pulling a light coat around her shoulders, and made her way to the study.


    Just as she neared the door, the yful tones of Alex Howe, Noah¡¯s friend, reached her ears. ¡°Did you really spend the entire night with K?¡±


    Sadie felt her heart plummet.


    So it was true. Noah had spent the night with K.


    ¡°Mm-hmm,¡± Noah responded, his voice empty of any discernible emotion.


    ¡°What¡¯s your take on Sadie, then? After two years as husband and wife, you can¡¯t possibly say she means nothing to you, can you?¡± Alex¡¯s voice softened with concern. ¡°She¡¯s truly remarkable, you know. If you fail to see her worth, someone else surely will, and you¡¯ll be left with nothing but regret.¡±


    ¡°I only feel a faint stir of guilt,¡± Noah retorted, his voice cold and distant, as if discussing something trivial. ¡°If you¡¯re so taken with her, perhaps I should do the matchmaking. But really, shouldn¡¯t you be getting back to work? Off you go.¡±


    Guilt? Was that the only thing Noah felt towards her? As this stark realization dawned on Sadie, a solitary tear traced a silent path down her cheek. Her hand fell away from the doorknob, trembling.


    It was painfully clear¡ªhe had never truly loved her.


    In the recesses of Noah¡¯s heart, she was just an insignificant trifle he could easily hand off to another.


    A shiver of destion coursed through her.


    With a swift turn, Sadie darted into the sanctuary of the garden, her heart pounding wildly.


    There, she huddled down, burying her face in her knees, her tears distorting the world around her.


    Memories flooded back¡ªthe day she first met Noah, ten years ago. He had been the epitome of charm and vitality, born of privilege, effortlessly stealing the hearts of every girl at school.


    And Sadie, newly vulnerable from her family¡¯s downfall, had been easy prey for ridicule.


    It was Noah who had stepped in like a guardian, his words like shields,manding others to back down.


    In those moments, he had been her savior, her angel.


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 Chapter 2

    ?Chapter 2:


    It was at that time that Sadie fell hopelessly in love with Noah.


    In the days following his departure to study abroad, she immersed herselfpletely in her studies, eventually earning a ce at his university.


    She harbored the belief that excellence could bridge the gap between them.


    Finally, one day, he approached her and proposed marriage.


    She believed her affections had thawed his indifference.


    However, she was mistaken.


    Noah¡¯s heart had always belonged to K.


    To him, she was nothing more than a stand-in.


    Taking a deep breath, Sadie fought to control the whirlwind of emotions threatening to overwhelm her.


    Pregnant and under doctor¡¯s orders to maintain herposure, she knew she had to be strong for her unborn child.


    Brushing away her tears, she rose and made her way back to the bedroom.


    Unprepared for Noah¡¯sck of empathy, she was met with his blunt announcement as soon as he entered the room.


    ¡°K is back,¡± he dered. ¡°I think it¡¯s time we got a divorce.¡±


    The word ¡°divorce¡± struck Sadie with the force of a physical blow, robbing her of breath.


    Until he uttered it, she had clung to a sliver of hope, however frail.


    It took Sadie a painfully long time to muster the courage to speak.


    ¡°You¡¯re leaving me now that she¡¯s returned?¡± Her voice quivered, betraying her attempt to mask her vulnerability.


    Noah¡¯s brow furrowed as he regarded her with evident displeasure.


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    ¡°I was clear from the start when we married¡ªdon¡¯t long for what can never be truly yours. Anything you desire, I¡¯ll ensure you¡¯repensated.¡±


    Those harsh words had been his vow on their wedding night, a night meant only to quell the relentless whispers of the corporate board.


    His heart had never been hers to im.


    Driven by a fool¡¯s hope, Sadie had thrown herself at him, believing she could stir some emotion in him.


    Sadie raised her eyes to Noah¡¯s, a silent plea for truth in her gaze.


    ¡°All those nights we shared¡­ were you imagining I was K?¡±


    Noah was caught off guard by her blunt question. He hesitated, his mouth opening slightly, but no words came.


    Sadie interpreted his silence as the stark admission she had feared, and it shattered her already fragile heart.


    Deep down, she had always understood that Noah¡¯s heart was not in their union.


    Yet, the fleeting moments of happiness during their intimate nights had momentarily blinded her to this brutal reality.


    She had mistaken their physical closeness for emotional eptance.


    But she had been tragically mistaken.


    Throughout their entire tumultuous entanglement, Noah¡¯s heart had remained elusive to her.


    With a profound sigh, Sadie closed her eyes and resigned herself to her fate.


    ¡°Fine, I consent to the divorce,¡± she dered resignedly.


    Turning on her heel, she collected a few personal belongings, deciding to spend the night in the guest room.


    Noah¡¯s gaze lingered on her, his forehead creasing in frustration, a subtle annoyance brewing within him.


    As Sadie brushed past him, Noah reached out instinctively, sping her hand, poised to say something.


    Yet, just as he opened his mouth, K¡¯s call interrupted him. Reluctantly, Noah let go of Sadie¡¯s hand to answer, and Sadie made her way to the guest room.


    ¡°Hello, K¡­ It¡¯s nothing, really¡­¡±


    Sadie couldn¡¯t hear the rest of Noah¡¯s words.


    All she could discern was the unexpected softness in Noah¡¯s voice, a stark contrast to the coldness he reserved for her.


    She shut the door of the guest room, threw herself onto the bed, and mped a hand over her mouth to muffle her cries.


    Even as she grappled with the harsh reality of their impending divorce, the stinging disparity between Noah¡¯s indifference to her and his warmth towards K pierced her heart deeply.


    What was she to do now? And what of their unborn child?


    Sadie waspletely at a loss.


    All she knew was that she felt exhausted, hurt, and desperate to flee from everything.


    The sound of cascading water filled the bathroom as Sadie absentmindedly shed her clothes and stepped into the shower. Although the warm water cascaded over her, it did nothing to thaw the cold grip of sadness clutching her heart.


    She sank down, curling into herself and burying her face against her knees. The relentless roar of the shower muffled her sobs as she finally let go, tears streaming down uncontrobly.


    Why? Why did he have to be so cruel?


    Exhausted from crying, she stood up and got dressed, but suddenly, her foot slipped on the slick surface.


    A jolt of sharp pain surged through her as she couldn¡¯t hold back a pained cry. Instinctively, her hands flew to her lower abdomen, cradling the spot where she felt the impact.


    In the master bedroom, the sound of Sadie¡¯s distress reached Noah. He immediately sprinted toward the source of the noise.


    The bathroom door was ajar, and he caught sight of Sadie crumpled on the floor.


    Herplexion was ghostly pale, a sheen of cold sweat on her skin, her attire in disarray, and her hands fervently guarding her abdomen as if she had taken a hit.


    A sudden pang of concern tightened Noah¡¯s chest.


    He hurried to Sadie, quickly scooping her up from the cold, wet floor.


    ¡°What happened to you? Are you injured anywhere?¡±


    Noah¡¯s voice trembled with a barely detectable undercurrent of panic.


    Sadie¡¯s mind reeled, her vision blurring slightly as she tried to focus on the man before her. It took her a moment to muster a response through the haze of her confusion.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine¡­¡± Her words were barely a whisper.


    She attempted to wriggle free from Noah¡¯s embrace, but he tightened his grip.


    ¡°Stay still,¡± Noahmanded, his voice firm, tinged with urgency.


    Sadie ceased her struggling, subdued by his tone.


    He continued with a softer edge, ¡°Let me make sure you¡¯re not hurt.¡± Gently, heid her onto the bed.


    Leaning over, Noah meticulously examined her for any injuries, his expression a mix of concern and focus.


    This unexpected gentleness rekindled a wavering spark of hope within Sadie.


    She seized his hand abruptly, her voice cracking as she posed a question loaded with fear and desperation.


    ¡°Noah, what if I were to tell you I¡¯m pregnant? Would you still push for a divorce?¡±


    The possibility of keeping their marriage intact for the sake of a child lingered in the air.


    Sadie searched Noah¡¯s eyes for any sign of reconsideration.


    Noah paused, his face unreadable for a brief moment before he replied coldly, ¡°We¡¯ve always been careful. It¡¯s unlikely you¡¯re pregnant. But even if it were true, the situation wouldn¡¯t change¡ªyou¡¯d have to end the pregnancy.¡±


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 Chapter 3

    ?Chapter 3:


    Sadie¡¯splexion drained of color, leaving her ghostly pale.


    Noah had just delivered his harsh decree for her to end the pregnancy. His indifference was a dagger to her heart.


    ¡°Why? Noah, even if you don¡¯t want this child, must you be so merciless?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice trembled, disbelief etching her features.


    Noah returned her gaze with icy detachment, his voice a deep, unwavering growl.


    ¡°Our marriage is merely a contractual arrangement. A child would only make things messy.¡±


    Crushed, Sadie averted her eyes, the sting of rejection too potent to bear. Internally, her sorrow carved through her, deep and relentless.


    After collecting herself, she said, her tone defiant, her resolve firm, ¡°Don¡¯t you worry, Noah. I would never burden you with a child!¡±


    Her decision was made: she would keep the baby, but not for him¡ªfor herself.


    One day, she would tell her child that their father was a part of her past, nothing more.


    Noah¡¯s brow creased slightly.


    ¡°I¡¯m d you see it that way. You¡¯re not feeling great. Take some time to rest. No need to worry about work for now.¡±


    Without another word, he exited Sadie¡¯s room, his silhouette disappearing into the hallway.


    Despite his words, Sadie appeared at thepany the very next day.


    The weight of raising a child alone left no room for weakness. No matter how drained she felt, she had to push through¡ªthere was no luxury of rest.


    She worked at Wall Group. She had joined its secretarial department right out of college to be close to Noah.


    Their marriage was a well-kept secret, hidden from the eyes of the oblivious majority, except for Noah¡¯s assistant, Samuel Ford, and a select few executives.


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    As soon as Sadie stepped into the bustling secretarial department, she noticed a crowd huddled in front of the meeting room, buzzing with hushed, eager whispers.


    ¡°So that¡¯s the woman everyone¡¯s been whispering about¡ªMr. Wall¡¯s rumored girlfriend.¡±


    ¡°Rumored? She¡¯s practically official, okay? Don¡¯t forget she was the reason Mr. Wall spiraled into that slump two years back.¡±


    ¡°Apparently, they¡¯ve known each other since they were just kids in elementary school.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Wall actually held back during the meeting just now¡ªno scolding at all. Guess his sweetheart was watching.¡±


    ¡°And now, Miss Wade¡¯s stepping in as Mr. Wall¡¯s private senior legal counsel. Talk about a power couple.¡±


    Each whispered word struck Sadie like a sharp, icy dagger, slicing through the facade of her calm demeanor.


    The memories of Noah¡¯s enduring affection for K, even remembered vividly by the employees, haunted her.


    She felt utterly insignificant.


    Sadie bit her lip hard enough to draw blood, her nails digging into the flesh of her palms, a physical counter to the emotional pain.


    She forced herself to block out the murmurs, to ignore the stabs of jealousy, and to focus on her tasks as if nothing had disrupted the ordinary.


    But the words clung to her, a relentless echo in her mind, taunting her with their cruel, magical persistence.


    Suddenly, nausea overwhelmed her.


    Sadie stood abruptly, her chair scraping back, and hurried to the restroom.


    To mask her difort, she cranked the faucet to full st, the sound of rushing water a feeble shield against any curious ears.


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 Chapter 4

    ?Chapter 4:


    It wasn¡¯t until after she had vomited nothing but bitter bile that Sadie felt the turmoil inside her subside slightly.


    She sshed her face with cold water, each droplet a small shock to her system, helping her piece herposure back together.


    With a deep breath, she steadied herself and left the restroom. The door to the meeting room was slightly open as she walked by, just enough for her to see Noah and K sitting side by side.


    K tilted her body forward in a pose that spoke of elegance and deliberate grace.


    Her voice was soft, almost a whisper, and her eyes glinted with a mix of allure and subtle seduction.


    They were so close their shoulders almost touched, casting them in the intimate silhouette of a couple deeply in tune with each other. Watching from afar, Sadie felt like a forgotten shadow lingering on the edges of their world.


    In her own marriage, she had always been the one on the outside, peering in, never truly part of the picture.


    Tears welled up quietly, tracing a silent path down her cheeks. As she turned to leave, her elbow caught a potted nt, sending it crashing to the floor with a tter that sliced through the quiet.


    The sudden noise jerked Noah¡¯s attention away from K. His eyes found Sadie¡¯s, locking onto her with a mixture of surprise and something colder, harder.


    Embarrassed by her own clumsiness and overwhelmed by her feelings, Sadie felt frustrated.


    Noah stepped outside, his presence now overwhelming, and K, quick as a sh, appeared beside him.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Noah¡¯s voice was sharp, edged with clear displeasure at the sight of Sadie.


    It didn¡¯t take long for K to figure out Sadie¡¯s identity.


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    Yet, she pretended not to know, shing a sugary smile as she asked, ¡°Noah, who is she?¡±


    And there it was¡ªthe question that hung in the air, heavy and oppressive. Who was she?


    Sadie¡¯s heart ached to know just where she stood in Noah¡¯s life.


    The disdain in her expression was evident, and Noah¡¯s features tightened, a flicker of displeasure crossing his face. He responded curtly, ¡°She¡¯s just an employee.¡±


    Just an employee?


    The phrase echoed mockingly in Sadie¡¯s ears, amplifying her sense of insignificance.


    She felt reduced to nothing¡ªa mere shadow within the cold, unyielding walls of their workce.


    No sooner had Noah finished speaking than he turned around and strode away.


    K paused to shoot Sadie a smug, provocative nce, her eyes gleaming with triumph, before she hurried after Noah.


    Left alone, Sadie felt adrift, as if standing in the midst of a strange, unfathomable world.


    Lost in a haze for the rest of the workday, Sadie was jolted back to reality by an unexpected call from her grandmother, Laura Stewart.


    ¡°Sadie, I¡¯m not getting any younger, and who knows how much time I have left. More than anything, I dream of the day you¡¯re settled, with a loving spouse and children by your side. So, when are you finally bringing your boyfriend to meet me?¡±


    As Laura spoke with warmth and ease, Sadie found herself swallowing hard, emotion creeping up on her.


    Even Laura, the one who had always been there for her, waspletely unaware that she was married.


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 Chapter 5

    ?Chapter 5:


    Noah had set the terms before their wedding¡ªbeyond the board of directors, it was best to keep their marriage under wraps.


    He surely anticipated K¡¯s return, didn¡¯t he?


    Every step of the way, he had been silently working to make things easier for K.


    The moment she hung up was a blur, but one thing stuck¡ªher promise to Laura that she¡¯d bring her boyfriend home this Saturday. But just who was she supposed to show up with?


    Sadie¡¯s mind was in chaos as she hastily collected her things and exited the office.


    As she stood on the curb, her eyes searching the street, a sleek Maybach slid to a stop before her.


    The window descended slowly, unveiling the striking features of a man whose appearance never failed to draw admiring gasps from onlookers.


    It was none other than Noah.


    ¡°Get in,¡± he called out, his voice smooth and authoritative.


    Despite her urge to decline, the memory of Laura¡¯s unsettling phone call earlier made Sadie step into the car with resignation.


    This time, she deliberately chose the back seat instead of the front.


    ¡°I told you I¡¯dpensate you, but don¡¯t think acting pitiful will make me feel sorry for you,¡± Noah remarked, a hint of reproach in his tone.


    ¡°Acting pitiful?¡±


    The irony of his words struck Sadie, and augh, sharp and devoid of any real amusement, escaped her.


    ¡°When are we getting divorced?¡± she asked, her voice tinged with a brittle, hollow quality.


    Noah, puzzled by herughter, replied, ¡°Rx, there¡¯s no need to rush¡ªit¡¯s not the right time.¡±


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    ¡°And where are we going now?¡± Sadie pressed, her frustration mounting.


    ¡°We¡¯re heading back to the family estate¡ªGrandpa wants to see you,¡± Noah exined, his voice softening.


    Noah¡¯s grandfather, Nigel Wall, stood as a pir of warmth in Sadie¡¯s chaotic life, second only to Laura.


    Since her family¡¯s financial copse in middle school and the mysterious disappearance of her parents, kindness had been a rare luxury in Sadie¡¯s life.


    Noah¡¯s presence had once brightened her entire existence.


    Now, everything seemed to be reverting to a gray, mundane reality.


    Sadie remained silent, her quietness an implicit nod of agreement. After a long pause, her voice, barely above a whisper, broke the silence.


    ¡°One month.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Noah¡¯s confusion was palpable.


    ¡°I want the divorce finalized within a month,¡± she dered, her tone resolute yet tinged with a hidden urgency.


    If the proceedings dragged on, Noah might uncover her secret¡ªshe was pregnant.


    Given his attachment to K, he would undoubtedly demand she end the pregnancy, and she was determined not to forsake her unborn child.


    Noah¡¯s brow creased in annoyance. ¡°The decision¡¯s been made, Sadie. Stop ying these mind games with me,¡± he said, his voiceced with frustration.


    He knew all too well how deeply she cared for him, which always left him wrestling with a sense of guilt.


    However, he was adamant that her feelings couldn¡¯t be used as leverage in their strained negotiations.


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 Chapter 6

    ?Chapter 6:


    With a stern tone, he added, ¡°Until the divorce is official, we need to keep up appearances. Let¡¯s not give anything away.¡±


    Sadie felt a sharp sting in her eyes at his harsh words.


    ¡°Noah, you really have a heart of stone when ites to me,¡± she murmured, her voice breaking.


    She slightly lowered the car window, turned her head to gaze out, and let the brisk wind dry her tears.


    Their car wound its way toward the Wall Manor, located on a lush, prestigious hill in Buirhon, a mere half-hour drive from the bustling city center. The car leisurely pulled into the yard, marking their arrival with a gentle halt.


    Noah swung the car door open for Sadie, gracefully shielding her head with his broad palm, a gesture brimming with consideration.


    Despite her knowledge of his theatrical disy, Sadie found herself momentarily captivated by his charm.


    As they strode forward, Noah¡¯s warm grip enclosed her hand. Sadie hesitated, her fingers twitching as she attempted a subtle escape from his sp.


    Unprepared for her sudden resistance, Noah stumbled slightly, turning to face her with a bewildered expression.


    In that unexpected moment, as Sadie looked up to meet his gaze, their lips brushed softly against each other.


    A shiver of surprise raced through Sadie, her eyes reflecting an astonished sparkle.


    ¡°Noah¡­¡± she whispered, her voice trailing off as she stepped back. Her retreat was cut short by the sudden appearance of Nigel emerging from the grand house.


    Caught off guard, Sadie allowed Noah to reim her hand as Nigel tapped his cane with feigned annoyance.


    ¡°Well, well, look who finally showed up! I was starting to think you¡¯d forgotten me.¡± His voice carried a yful rebuke.


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    Under usual circumstances, Sadie would have stepped forward to appease him.


    However, today she stood frozen, uncertain of the role she was supposed to y before Nigel.


    His keen eyes, seasoned by years in the business world, didn¡¯t miss the tension between the young couple.


    ¡°Noah¡¯s being ridiculous, putting you through unnecessary stress,¡± Nigel stated, his gaze softening with empathy towards Sadie while shooting a disapproving re at Noah.


    Noah, lips pressed in a thin line, remained silent, soaking in the weight of Nigel¡¯s words.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Nigel,¡± Sadie murmured, her lips curving into a strained smile that failed to reach her eyes, which shimmered with unspoken loneliness.


    She was aware of Nigel¡¯s genuine concern for her, yet she knew his affection couldn¡¯t alter her situation.


    ¡°Still iming you¡¯re fine?¡± Nigel¡¯s voice was gentle,ced with worry as he took Sadie¡¯s hand in his. ¡°You look pale. Come, let¡¯s have a chess match. It¡¯s been far too long since ourst one.¡±


    With a hesitant nod, Sadie allowed herself to be led into the grandeur of the house.


    From a distance, Noah observed them, his brow creased with a mixture of confusion and concern.


    Although he had mentally prepared himself for the divorce from Sadie, the sight of her finding sce in Nigel¡¯spany stirred an unexpected pang of regret in his heart.


    As Sadie stepped into the living room, her gaze fell upon K. Poised and elegant, K sat on the sofa, a coffee cup in hand,ughing merrily with Noah¡¯s mother, Isabel Wall.


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 Chapter 7

    ?Chapter 7:


    K¡¯s eyes widened in feigned surprise when she noticed Sadie. ¡°Hello, you¡¯re one of Noah¡¯s employees, right?¡±


    Isabel chimed in with a venomous tone, barely disguising her disdain, ¡°Is that how Noah introduced her? Looking at the mess she is, it¡¯s clear why he doesn¡¯t want to admit to their rtionship.¡± She then turned to K, patting her hand with approval. ¡°Fortunately, you¡¯re back, K.¡±


    K cast an apologetic nce at Isabel. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Isabel. Leaving for my studies abroad was a mistake. If I hadn¡¯t, you and Noah wouldn¡¯t have had to worry all this time.¡±


    Isabel huffed dismissively. ¡°Well, it¡¯s a relief you¡¯re back now. Some people who¡¯ve overstayed their wee will finally have to step aside.¡±


    ¡°Enough already!¡± Nigel snapped, his re slicing through the tension as he stared Isabel down, silencing her instantly.


    Sadie and Isabel had never gotten along.


    Isabel, always looking down her nose at Sadie, considered her as nothing more than a bankrupt heiress trying to w her way into the Wall family¡¯s vast fortune.


    In the past, Sadie had to navigate these treacherous waters with grace, swallowing her pride even when she felt deeply aggrieved.


    But now, with divorce proceedings looming on the horizon, she no longer feltpelled to humble herself before Isabel.


    Brushing off the chilly atmosphere, Sadie strode confidently across the room to where Nigel sat, taking a seat beside him.


    At that moment, Noah pushed the door open and stepped inside. The moment he walked in, K sprang up and approached him, looping her arm around his.


    ¡°Noah, you¡¯re finally back,¡± she cooed, her voice dripping with the honeyed tones of a wife who had awaited her husband¡¯s return for long.


    Noah¡¯s reaction was swift and cool. He slipped his arm away, his eyes narrowing slightly. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± he asked, his tone icy.


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    Before K could muster a reply, Isabel interjected smoothly, ¡°She¡¯s here because I invited her. It¡¯s been too long since herst visit, so I thought we¡¯d catch up.¡±


    Two years earlier, Isabel had fallen victim to a disastrous investment scam, losing a substantial sum. It was K who had stepped in to untangle the mess, a deed that had quietly solidified her status in Isabel¡¯s eyes as the preferred daughter-inw.


    K cast a sorrowful nce at Sadie, her voice trembling slightly. ¡°Maybe I shouldn¡¯t havee. It might be best if I leave now. I don¡¯t want to cause any trouble for you, Noah.¡± She turned dramatically towards the door.


    Noah, visibly annoyed yet restrained, stopped her and said, ¡°No, don¡¯t overthink things. Stay.¡±


    Sadie observed their interactions from the sidelines, her heart sinking with a bitter sense of irony.


    Officially, she was Noah¡¯s wife, yet she sat there, feeling more like an unwee intruder in his life.


    Restlessness crept up on her, making it impossible to remain passive any longer.


    ¡°Shall we go to the study now, Nigel?¡± Sadie suggested, her voice steadier than she felt.


    Nigel, leaning heavily on his cane, responded with a sneer, ¡°I may be old, but I¡¯ve still got some fight left in me! As for my granddaughter-inw, Sadie is the only one I acknowledge. The others don¡¯t evene close!¡±


    He paused for emphasis, his tone hardening. ¡°And let me be clear¡ªif I hear of anyone here hurting Sadie, they can kiss my shares goodbye.¡±


    At this deration, K clenched her fists, her nails almost digging into her palms, a clear sh of jealousy sparking in her eyes.


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 Chapter 8

    ?Chapter 8:


    Isabel, visibly upset, bit her lip, holding back her words.


    Noah bristled at the confrontation, loathing the sensation of being cornered, especially by Nigel.


    ¡°Then go ahead and donate your shares,¡± he retorted sharply, tugging at K¡¯s arm to leave.


    ¡°What did you just say, you ungrateful brat¡­¡± Nigel¡¯s voice trembled with fury, his body shaking as he struggled to maintain hisposure. Quickly, Sadie offered support as she guided him into the sanctuary of the study.


    Once inside, she spoke, her tone low and filled with weary eptance. ¡°Don¡¯t bother forcing him¡ªhis heart was never mine to begin with.¡±


    Watching herposed demeanor, Nigel exhaled a heavy sigh, a mix of admiration and sorrow. ¡°It¡¯s truly Noah¡¯s loss, not yours.¡±


    He knew deep down that no matter how much he wanted to, he couldn¡¯t steer the lives of the younger generation.


    It pained him to see Sadie mistreated.


    With a resigned air, he pulled a document from his drawer andid it before her.


    ¡°Sadie, please, sign this.¡±


    The moment Sadie spotted the word ¡°shares¡± on the contract, a sudden, piercing tension gripped her head.


    With a firm hand, she slid the document across the table, her voice steady butced with resignation. ¡°This isn¡¯t mine to take. I married Noah knowing full well he had someone else in his heart. Now that she¡¯s here, it¡¯s only fitting that we put an end to our marriage.¡± With a solemn expression, Nigel ventured cautiously, ¡°Sadie, do you ever regret marrying Noah?¡±


    His question, unexpected and direct, made Sadie pause. She was momentarily taken aback, then offered a bitter smile as she shook her head. ¡°No, I don¡¯t regret it,¡± she admitted, her voice tinged with a sorrowful resolve.


    Despite the searing pain, her love for Noah was something she could never regret.


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    Yet, this love had grown too burdensome, teetering on the brink of crushing her.


    Sadie refused to sign the document.


    Nigel, seeing he couldn¡¯t sway her, handed her a card instead. As she stood to leave, he told her that if it became unbearable, she had no reason to keep suffering.


    He cared for Sadie with the affection one might show a beloved granddaughter, even if it meant standing against his own grandson.


    After she stepped away from the grandeur of the Wall Manor, Sadie didn¡¯t return to the home she still shared with Noah.


    Instead, she found sce in a modest, serviced apartment managed by a hotel.


    It had a bedroom and a living room, fully furnished, offering her solitude at an affordable price.


    Sadie grew to cherish this small, cozy sanctuary.


    Most importantly, it was free from Noah¡¯s presence and the excruciating memories that lingered around him.


    After a refreshing rinse, Sadie scrolled through her contacts, a pang of helplessness washing over her.


    No matter how she looked at it, she had no one to pretend to be her boyfriend.


    What excuse could she possibly give Laura for showing up alone? A wave of frustration crested within her, prompting her to run her fingers agitatedly through her hair.


    epting the inevitable, she surrendered to whatever happened next. If pressed, she¡¯dy out the truth for Laura¡ªin and simple.


    With her mind somewhat settled, Sadie busied herself with tidying the space.


    Thankfully, the little one nestled within her was cooperative today, not stirring up any difort.


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 Chapter 9

    ?Chapter 9:


    Just as she was lost in her cleaning frenzy, her phone buzzed to life.


    Noah was calling.


    Sadie¡¯s heart skipped. She was torn between answering and ignoring the call, but ultimately, she picked up.


    Noah¡¯s voice, icy and sharp, cut through the silence. ¡°Where the hell are you, Sadie? Why aren¡¯t you home? You¡¯re not causing trouble again, are you?¡±


    ¡°Me? Causing trouble?¡± Sadie¡¯sugh was tinged with bitterness. ¡°Considering we¡¯re getting a divorce, I don¡¯t see how my whereabouts are your concern.¡±


    ¡°Listen,¡± Sadie interjected, her tone firm yet cool, ¡°I¡¯ve epted this divorce. I won¡¯t be clinging to you. And I¡¯d appreciate it if you¡¯d refrain from bothering me further, Mr. Wall.¡±


    With a decisive click, Sadie ended the call, leaving Noah to stew in silence on the other end.


    His face twisted in anger as the line went dead. How dare this woman hang up on him!


    In the days that ensued, Sadie meticulously dodged any encounters with Noah.


    Since they both worked at Wall Group, it was almost unbelievable how their paths never crossed.


    Sadie worked tirelessly, determined to finish the project at hand. Once it was wrapped up, she¡¯d make sure the divorce was final, then hand in her resignation and leave Wall Group behind.


    As the week spiraled into a brisk Saturday morning, Sadie, clutching a box of Laura¡¯s favorite pastries, made her way to the old, familiar teacher¡¯s apartment building.


    Laura, a dedicated elementary school teacher of many years, still resided within the modest confines of the apartment building.


    Just as Sadie was navigating the leaf-strewn path from the school grounds to the apartment building, she was startled by Alex¡¯s voice, tinged with surprise.


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    ¡°Sadie? What brings you here?¡± he inquired, his eyebrows arching in curiosity.


    Sadie turned around to look at him, her face mirroring his surprise. ¡°Oh, my grandmother lives here. How about you?¡± she replied, her tone a mix of astonishment and curiosity.


    Alex¡¯s eyes widened even further, his face a canvas of shock. ¡°Really? I¡¯ve never seen you around. Noa¡ªuh, I mean, I used to go to school here.¡±


    He stumbled over his words, waving a sheaf of documents. ¡°I¡¯m currently involved in some ns for expanding the school.¡±


    Nodding with a newfound understanding, Sadie offered a smile. ¡°I only came here once or twice a year during my childhood, so it¡¯s likely we just missed each other,¡± she exined, her voice steady andposed.


    As Sadie prepared to bid Alex farewell and continue on her way, Laura emerged from the apartment building with a bright, weing smile. Her eyesnded on Alex, and she radiated warmth as she approached him,ying a gentle hand on his shoulder.


    ¡°Young man, what¡¯s your name?¡± she asked with a tone of friendly curiosity.


    Alex, a touch bewildered by Laura¡¯s fervent greeting, cautiously responded, ¡°Oh, you¡¯re Sadie¡¯s grandmother, right? Pleased to meet you, I¡¯m Alex Howe.¡±


    His charm was enough to make Laura¡¯s smile bloom effortlessly.


    Meanwhile, Sadie lingered in the background, her intuition telling her that this cheerful encounter might soon take an awkward turn.


    ¡°No, Grandma, you¡ª¡± she interjected, tugging at Laura¡¯s sleeve.


    Yet, Laura shot her a yful, teasing look and chuckled. ¡°What do you mean, ¡®no¡¯? You¡¯ve brought him here, and now you¡¯re getting all flustered?¡±


    Confusion clouded Alex¡¯s features.


    It took him a moment to catch on.


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 Chapter 10

    ?Chapter 10:


    Did Laura take things the wrong way?


    ¡°No, I¡ª¡± he said, attempting to clear the air, but Laura cut him off before he could continue.


    ¡°Come on in, Alex,¡± Laura said, her voice warm and inviting as she ushered them into the building. Their path was marked by lively exchanges with a few of Laura¡¯s old friends.


    Laughingly, Laura dered, ¡°My granddaughter¡¯s boyfriend, isn¡¯t he a fine young man?¡±


    Sadie and Alex exchanged a look of mutual reluctant resignation, a silentmunication filled with both amusement and a touch of distress.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Sadie whispered to Alex, her apology tinged with embarrassment. ¡°I mentioned to Grandma a few days ago that I¡¯d bring my boyfriend over¡­¡±


    Surprisingly, Alex took it more gracefully than she anticipated. With a gentle reassurance, he murmured, ¡°It¡¯s fine. Let her enjoy her misunderstanding for now. Anyway, you¡¯ve¡­¡± He trailed off, but Sadie understood the implication.


    Alex let out a weary sigh, his voice softening with concern. ¡°If you ever need help, just let me know.¡±


    Sadie had once been a vibrant part of their youthful social circle, her eyes shimmering with a bright, infectious spirit every time he met her. However, as the Hudson family fell from grace, she gradually faded from the gatherings that had once bound them together.


    Over time, Sadie¡¯s life took another unexpected turn as she became Noah¡¯s wife.


    ¡°Sadie, I can finally rest easy now,¡± Laura murmured, gesturing for Sadie to take a seat, emotion flickering in her gaze.


    In the cozy embrace of Laura¡¯s apartment¡ªa modest two-bedroom with an invitingly spacious living room¡ªAlex didn¡¯t feel his tall frame confined at all.


    ¡°Make sure to cherish each other and live well,¡± Laura remarked, her hands wrapped around theirs as she continued chatting.


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    Sadie wanted to speak up, to exin everything, but watching her grandmother glow with happiness for the first time since her mother was gone, she chose to hold her tongue.


    Later, sitting in Alex¡¯s car, Sadie felt an awkwardness creeping in. ¡°I hope you don¡¯t mind¡ªmy grandma absolutely loves to chat. And thank you for everything today¡ªseeing her this happy means a lot,¡± she said, her voice tinged with gratitude and relief.


    Alex chuckled, his tone light. ¡°Yeah, your grandmother is quite a character. I remember hearing tales of the strict ¡®Iron Lady¡¯ teacher back in elementary school, though I never had the chance to meet her.¡±


    Their conversation flowed seamlessly until they reached Sadie¡¯s apartment building.


    As a gentleman, Alex escorted Sadie to the entrance of the building.


    As she was about to express her thanks and head up the stairs, a sudden misstep caused her to twist her ankle, a sharp pain nearly drawing tears.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are you hurt?¡± Alex¡¯s concern was palpable as he quickly stepped forward to support her, ready to assist her upstairs.


    But before they could take another step, an unexpected fist swung through the air, cutting the night with startling abruptness.


    ¡°Are you fucking insane, Noah?¡± Alex¡¯s voice was sharp, his disbelief clear as he confronted Noah.


    Without thinking, he returned a punch, driven by a rush of anger. Noah, with reflexes quick as a whip, sidestepped, his eyes narrowing into slits as he fixed a piercing gaze on Alex. ¡°Why are you with Sadie?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡± Alex started, his tone hesitant, but before he could stitch his words into an exnation, Sadie cut him off.


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 Chapter 11

    ?Chapter 11:


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to exin, Alex. I have nothing to do with him anymore,¡± she dered firmly, her voice tinged with finality. ¡°Does it hurt? Do you need some medicine?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s concern was evident as she leaned closer, inspecting Alex¡¯s face for injuries. Relief washed over her when she found none. The possibility of Alex getting hurt because of her filled her with a deep, unsettling guilt.


    But for Noah, witnessing this tender exchange was like a match to kindling. A fierce ze of jealousy ignited within him.


    He reached out abruptly, grabbing Sadie¡¯s wrist with a grip that was both sudden and forceful, and pulled her toward the elevator.


    ¡°What the hell are you doing? Let me go!¡± Sadie¡¯s protest was sharp as she struggled against his hold, but her efforts were in vain.


    ¡°Noah, calm down!¡± Alex stepped forward, his voice a mix of concern andmand, attempting to defuse the escting situation.


    Yet, he was met with nothing but a chilling re from Noah that made him halt in his tracks.


    Noah¡¯s anger didn¡¯t wane as he dragged Sadie through the hallway to her apartment door.


    Releasing her abruptly, he kicked the door open with such force that it swung wildly on its hinges, barely holding together.


    Rubbing her wrist, Sadie red at the damaged door, then turned her fiery gaze to Noah.


    ¡°What the fuck is wrong with you?¡± she demanded, her voice rising with both anger and hurt.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with me?¡± Noah echoed her words mockingly, his sneer sharp as broken ss. ¡°Why are you with him?¡±


    Noah¡¯s sudden closeness, mixed with the intoxicating trace of his cologne, snapped Sadie back to reality.


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    ¡°Are you following me?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice carried a sharp sting as she narrowed her eyes menacingly.


    Instead of giving an answer, Noah scoffed. ¡°Why, feeling guilty?¡±


    ¡°Why should I feel guilty?¡± Sadie retorted with a sneer, her defiance clear. ¡°We¡¯re on the brink of divorce. Who I spend my time with is none of your business. Haven¡¯t you moved on as well?¡±


    ¡°Divorce?¡± Noah¡¯s voice dripped with disbelief, as if the idea was ludicrous. ¡°Sadie, I¡¯ve already told you¡ªuntil those papers are signed, everything stays the same.¡± A chill spread through Sadie¡¯s heart.


    ¡°Why the hell should I care about what you have to say?¡±


    ¡°Well.¡± Noah edged closer, his body pressing hers against the door, an unyielding barrier. ¡°Because I¡¯m still your husband!¡±


    With those words, he imed her lips in a fierce, punishing kiss.


    His kiss was relentless¡ªrough and demanding.


    Sadie pushed against him with all her strength, but his arms remained locked around her.


    ¡°Noah, are you out of your damn mind?¡±


    She managed to push him away and quickly ran her tongue over her swollen lips.


    Noah¡¯s eyes burned with an intensity that felt almost inescapable. ¡°Sadie, you¡¯re ying a dangerous game,¡± he murmured, his voice rough like gravel, his hand lingering possessively on her lower back. The air between them was charged, a silent acknowledgment of the storm that was about to break.


    Sadie¡¯s heart skipped a beat, a rush of emotion flooding her veins.


    ¡°Noah,e to your senses. You¡¯re in love with K. She¡¯s back in your life, and yet, here you are, trying to hold on to me. What do you take me for?¡±


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 Chapter 12

    ?Chapter 12:


    Her voice quivered as she spoke, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.


    The mention of K seemed to jolt Noah out of his reverie.


    He reached out, cradling Sadie¡¯s face in his hand, his thumb tenderly wiping away her tears. His voice was a soft whisper, trying to soothe her. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s just go home.¡±


    ¡°Go home to what? To watch you y the devoted lover to her?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice cracked, her resolve crumbling.


    She stepped closer, her gaze locked onto his, a silent plea in her eyes.


    ¡°Noah, I¡¯ve loved you unwaveringly for ten years! Yet, I¡¯ve never had a ce in your heart. I¡¯ve sacrificed my dreams, my self-respect¡­ I know I can¡¯t demand your love, but do you really have to be this cruel? I hurt too, you know.¡±


    Her tears cascaded down her cheeks, each drop reflecting her broken heart.


    Noah, caught off-guard by her raw vulnerability, found himself at a loss.


    A heavy weight seemed to press on his chest, stealing his breath.


    ¡°Sadie¡­¡±


    His heart ached to console her, but no matter how hard he tried, the words refused to leave his lips.


    ¡°Noah, please, just leave. I can¡¯t bear to look at you right now.¡± Sadie¡¯s voice wasced with a palpable hurt. She turned her back to him, a clear dismissal.


    Noah lingered, his gaze fixed on her rigid shoulders, the silence stretching painfully between them.


    After a moment that felt like an eternity, he turned away, his footsteps echoing down the hall.


    The sound of the door closing behind him felt final, a resolute click severing their ties.


    Leaning against the wall, Sadie slid to the floor, her face buried in her knees as sobs wracked her body.


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    The harsh truth settled in her heart; Noah would never truly grasp the depth of the pain he had inflicted on her.


    Outside, the crisp night air did little to clear Noah¡¯s troubled thoughts. His phone rang, K¡¯s voice floating through with a teasing undertone. ¡°Noah, can you spend the night with me, please?¡±


    The fact that he hadn¡¯t made a move on her was what unsettled her the most.


    Despite her obvious intentions, Noah responded firmly, ¡°Get some rest, K. We¡¯ll talk at the office tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°But Noah¡­¡±


    K¡¯s voice was a mix of disappointment and persistence.


    ¡°I¡¯m driving right now. We¡¯ll catch upter,¡± Noah interjected, ending the call briskly.


    On the other end, K¡¯s eyes narrowed, the message from the private investigator she had hired burning in her mind. A dangerous n was forming.


    The following morning, upon arrival at the office, Sadie was immediately met with curious nces and whispered murmurs from her colleagues.


    Her connection with them paid off when one of them pulled her aside and whispered, ¡°Sadie, you should see what¡¯s been sent to thepany group chat.¡±


    Trepidation gripped Sadie as she lifted her phone. Among the flood of messages, she found the anonymous email¡ªimages that captured moments between her and Noah, and shockingly, one with Alex.


    As whispers swirled around her, Sadie felt the sting of each word like a p. Colleagues she barely interacted with were painting her as the viin in a scandalous love triangle,beling her a seductress and side chick. Thements were biting, filled with contempt.


    Grateful for the heads-up, Sadie gave a quick thanks and wasted no time heading straight to Samuel.


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 Chapter 13

    ?Chapter 13:


    ¡°Samuel, can you take care of this? I can¡¯t have my personal life disrupt my professional environment,¡± she implored, her voice steady yet edged with urgency.


    Knowing exactly who she was, Samuel made sure to treat her with the respect she deserved.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already silenced the group chat. We¡¯ll wait for Mr. Wall¡¯s guidance on how to proceed,¡± he assured her, his demeanorposed but sympathetic to her plight.


    Keeping Sadie¡¯s identity as his wife hidden had always been part of Noah¡¯s n.


    Though he understood Sadie¡¯s situation, Samuel, bound by his position, dared not intervene.


    Trying to maintain herposure, Sadie nodded and excused herself, her facade uncracked as she moved through the office towards the break room.


    There, she encountered thest thing she needed¡ªa group of usual detractors, casually tossing around theirtest spections about her.


    ¡°Who would have thought the quiet and reserved Sadie had such a scandalous side?¡±


    ¡°Right? Just look at her¡ªtrouble from the start. It¡¯s clear she¡¯s not as innocent as she seems.¡±


    ¡°And bold enough to y the seductress right under the real girlfriend¡¯s nose. She¡¯s cunning, I¡¯ll give her that.¡±


    Sadie tried to steady her trembling hand around her cup.


    The irony twisted deep into her heart¡ªshe, the legitimate wife, now misjudged as the other woman.


    Unable to correct the narrative without exposing more of her private life, she took a deep, steadying breath, steeling herself against the nder.


    ¡°Sadie!¡±


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    She was about to walk away when a familiar voice called her name, stopping her in her tracks.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Feeling upset?¡± K¡¯s voice dripped with a taunting smugness as she sauntered closer.


    The white dress she donned today only amplified her deceptively innocent allure, making her seem as pristine as a freshly bloomed lily.


    Sadie stopped dead in her tracks, her gaze turning frosty as she met K¡¯s eyes. ¡°Was it you?¡± she demanded, her voice a mix of disbelief and usation.


    The thought of K ndering her was iprehensible.


    Didn¡¯t she fear that Noah might just expose their marriage?


    K¡¯s lips curled into a sly smile, and instead of a straightforward answer, she leaned closer, her whisperced with contempt. ¡°I heard you¡¯ve been in love with Noah for a decade, but funny thing¡ªhe¡¯s been in love with me just as long. So, tell me, when pushes to shove, do you think he¡¯ll side with you at the brink of a divorce, or will he just discard you like a used-up toy?¡±


    Augh, bitter and incredulous, escaped Sadie. She fixed K with a steely look. ¡°Are you so certain he¡¯ll choose you? I¡¯ve shared his bed for two years. Do you honestly believe his desires mean nothing?¡±


    Sadie knew Noah had never truly been intimate with K, at least not before he confessed as much to her.


    ¡°You¡ª¡±


    K¡¯s face twisted with hurt and anger. Her hand flew up, poised to strike, but a sudden glimpse of a familiar ck suit in her peripheral vision made her hesitate.


    Quickly masking her fury with a look of feigned sorrow, she lowered her hand and sighed, ¡°It¡¯s not Noah¡¯s fault¡ªit¡¯s all on me. Coming back was a mistake.¡±


    ¡°What bullshit did you just say, Sadie?¡± Noah¡¯s voice suddenly cut through the tension.


    He strode into the room just as K¡¯s words reached his ears. His gaze, heavy with disapproval,nded on Sadie.


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 Chapter 14

    ?Chapter 14:


    She returned his look with a frosty silence before turning sharply and exiting the break room.


    The wave of emotions surging through her was too much to bear; her stomach twisted into knots,pelling her to gag.


    Stumbling into the restroom, Sadie leaned over the sink, her body convulsing as she retched, each heave leaving her more lightheaded than thest.


    ¡°Sadie!¡± Noah called out, his voice echoing slightly off the restroom tiles.


    He had seen her storm away with such resolve that he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling something was terribly wrong. His instincts had guided him here, to find her in distress.


    She was sick, and it was more serious than he had realized.


    Sadie¡¯s recent mood swings suddenly made sense to him, but she remained oblivious to his thoughts, her mind screaming for solitude.


    In her desperation, Sadie retched even more, and she couldn¡¯t get a word out. She could only weakly wave her hand, signaling him to leave.


    Noah¡¯s expression darkened with worry, and without hesitating, he reached for her trembling hand.


    ¡°You¡¯re not okay! Let me take you to the hospital!¡± he dered, his voice a blend ofmand and concern, leaving no space for her to argue.


    As she slowly regained someposure, thest thing Sadie wanted was for Noah to uncover her pregnancy.


    Pulling her hand away, she responded in a strained voice, ¡°I¡¯m fine. Probably just some bad food, no big deal. Mr. Wall, please, a little decency¡ªwe¡¯re nearly divorced!¡± Her words seemed to float past Noah, who was focused on the gleaming cleanliness of the sink.


    Sadie didn¡¯t vomit anything. Was she really pregnant? No, that couldn¡¯t be.


    He was meticulous, always cautious with timings and protection. The very thought seemed ludicrous.


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    Just then, his phone shattered the silence, its ring slicing through the tension like a knife. The call was from K.


    ¡°Noah, where are you? You disappeared without a word! There¡¯s an important contract waiting for you. Can youe and take a look?¡±


    Noah¡¯s eyes flickered to Sadie, who managed a weak, reassuring smile.


    ¡°No need to dy business for my sake, Mr. Wall.¡±


    ¡°Take care of yourself,¡± Noah muttered, pocketing his phone and reluctantly turning to leave.


    Sadie¡¯s gaze followed him until he was out of sight, her legs buckling beneath her as she copsed to the floor, gasping for air.


    A sense of urgency washed over her. She couldn¡¯t waste any more time¡ªshe had to get divorced and walk away soon.


    If she stayed, if Noah ever discovered the child¡¯s existence, it would all be toote.


    Sadie took a deep breath, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest.


    The taxi driver caught a glimpse of her pale face in the rearview mirror. His brow furrowed with concern as he asked, ¡°Miss, are you alright? Should I take you to the hospital?¡±


    ¡°No, thank you,¡± Sadie replied, her voice barely above a whisper as she forced a feeble smile.


    The very thought of the hospital sent a chill through her bones. It was too dangerous. Going there could unravel her secret.


    The sudden ring of her phone cut through the silence, making her heart skip a beat.


    The call was from Noah.


    The sight of his name on the disy sent a jolt of fear through her. Her heart stumbled over its next beat. She was torn between dread and the urge to disappear.


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 Chapter 15

    ?Chapter 15:


    With a hand that shook slightly, Sadie hesitated, then pressed the answer button.


    ¡°Hello¡­¡± Her greeting was timid,ced with a hoarseness born of her anxiety.


    ¡°Sadie, where on earth are you?¡± Noah¡¯s voice came through, icy and sharp with anger.


    Clutching the phone with both hands now, Sadie tried to steady her voice. ¡°I¡ªI¡¯m heading home.¡±


    ¡°Get back here right now¡ªwe¡¯re going to the hospital!¡± With amanding edge in his voice, Noah made it clear¡ªthis wasn¡¯t up for debate.


    Going to the hospital?


    The very idea sent a shiver down Sadie¡¯s spine¡ªshe couldn¡¯t possibly.


    But something in Noah¡¯s tone hinted at concern, sparking a tiny me of hope in her chest.


    With her heart pounding, Sadie ventured, her voice barely audible, ¡°Are you¡­ worried about me?¡±


    But before Noah could answer, a sugary, flirtatious voice cut through the silence, dripping with intimacy.


    ¡°Our friends are hosting a party for me tonight, Noah. I¡¯d love it if you came with me.¡±


    K¡¯s voice was sweet, yet her words crashed down like a steel fist, snuffing out Sadie¡¯s lingering hope.


    A vice tightened around Sadie¡¯s heart, the agony breathtaking.


    How naive she had been!


    A bitter chuckle escaped her as she realized the truth. Noah¡¯s concern wasn¡¯t for her well-being; he was simply worried she might be pregnant¡ªaplication for him and K.


    Unable to bear another second, Sadie abruptly ended the call.


    Tears betrayed herposure, cascading freely down her cheeks.


    She mped a hand over her mouth, muffling the heart-wrenching sobs that threatened to overwhelm her.


    A flicker of Sadie¡¯s reflection in the rearview mirror caught the driver¡¯s eye, prompting a soft, thoughtful sigh. He remained silent, the only sound the soft hum of the engine as he pressed down on the elerator with deliberate heaviness.


    Sadie, leaning against the cool window, watched the world blur past. A deep, throbbing ache filled her chest, her heart squeezed by the relentless grip of realization.


    She had once believed that two years of marriage would at least forge some semnce of sincerity, even if love remained elusive.


    But now, faced with the stark truth, she realized how stupid she had been.


    Noah had only harbored disdain, cloaked in the guise of indifference, while she¡ªfoolishly, hopelessly¡ªhad clung to a fraying thread of hope.


    Self-pity washed over her as she allowed the tears to escape, tracing wet paths down her cheeks, mourning the love she had imagined.


    Meanwhile, Noah stood firmly as he addressed K¡¯s request. ¡°No, I have ns for tonight,¡± he stated tly, his voice a mix of resolve and detachment.


    K¡¯s eyes momentarily lost their sparkle, her smile waning slightly, but she nodded with a feigned understanding, her voice tinged with disappointment. ¡°I see. Alright then.¡±


    Her fingers delicately gripped her purse as she turned to leave. Noah¡¯s gaze lingered on K¡¯s retreating figure, his eyes shadowed with aplex, unspoken turmoil.


    After she had gone, he reached for his phone, intending to ask Sadie what she had said earlier.


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 Chapter 16

    ?Chapter 16:


    But as he saw the dark screen, he realized the call had ended long ago. The phone¡¯s screen reflected his darkening expression.


    Frustration boiled inside him as he flung the phone onto the table, unable to make sense of the emotions churning within him.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Noah grumbled through clenched teeth.


    Just then, the soft murmur of whispers slipped through the thin walls of his office.


    ¡°Did you see the pictures? Sadie was getting cozy with two men at the same time.¡±


    ¡°Is that so? That¡¯s hard to believe. She¡¯s always seemed so upright and polished to me.¡±


    ¡°Well, appearances can be deceiving, can¡¯t they?¡±


    As these snippets of conversation reached his ears, Noah¡¯s face clouded over, a storm brewing in his eyes.


    With a sudden, forceful motion, he flung the office door open, his eyes piercing as they swept over the group of gossiping women outside. His voice sliced through the air, icy and sharp.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you all have actual work to do?¡±


    The women nched, a wave of fear washing over them as they lowered their heads, hardly daring to draw breath.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, we¡¯re truly sorry. It won¡¯t happen again!¡±


    Noah gave a dismissive snort, his silence as condemning as any words. Turning on his heel, he retreated back into the sanctuary of his office. Even when he was back at his desk, his anger continued to simmer, barely contained.


    He snatched up the phone and dialed a number.


    ¡°Samuel, get over here. Now.¡±


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    Samuel knocked lightly on the door before stepping inside.


    ¡°Is there something you need, Mr. Wall?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the deal with those pictures?¡± Noah¡¯s voice cut through the air, a hint of barely contained rage threading through his words.


    Samuel hesitated for a moment, his mind racing to catch up with Noah¡¯s query. Realization flickered in his eyes, and he quicklyposed himself.


    ¡°I only just found out about this matter myself, sir, and I was on my way to inform you.¡±


    He extended his phone towards Noah.


    ¡°I¡¯ve sent the photos to your phone as well.¡±


    Noah epted the phone with a swift motion, his gaze narrowing as he scrutinized the image disyed.


    It was him and Sadie in the picture. The background left no doubt¡ªit had been taken covertly from outside Sadie¡¯s apartment building. In the photo, Sadie clung to him tightly, her posture tender, while he gazed down at her, their closeness undeniably intimate.


    A shadow passed over Noah¡¯s face, his brow knitting together as his eyes turned stormy and imprable.


    Observing Noah¡¯s troubled expression, Samuel tread carefully.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, should we take this opportunity to make your marriage¡ª¡±


    ¡°No need.¡± Noah cut him off sharply, his voice resonating with authority.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care how¡ªjust figure out who took those photos and who posted them online.¡±


    He tossed the phone onto the desk with a tter, the haunting image of Sadie¡¯s ghostly, distraught face lingering in his mind.


    As the finality of their divorce loomed, he desperately wished to avoid any moreplications.


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 Chapter 17

    ?Chapter 17:


    With a small nod, Samuel responded in a calm, respectful tone, ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall.¡±


    Meanwhile, Sadie dragged herself through her front door, her body heavy with exhaustion.


    She copsed onto the sofa, rummaging through her bag for her phone. The bright screen red to life, causing her to squint against the harsh light.


    Her attention was quickly captured by K¡¯stest Instagram post¡ªa ck Bentley parked under the soft glow of streetlights, its license te familiar, stabbing at her heart with a sharp pang of recognition. In the photo, K was the picture of contentment, her makeup impable and her smile gentle, as she yfully shed a peace sign at the camera.


    The caption beneath the photo struck even deeper.


    ¡°I told him it waste, and next thing I knew, he was driving across the city to get me.¡±


    Those words sliced through Sadie¡¯s heart with cruel precision.


    Indeed, Noah had chosen to be with K.


    A wave of nausea overwhelmed her as her vision blurred and her stomach twisted violently.


    mping a hand over her mouth, Sadie stumbled to the bathroom, her other hand bracing against the wall as she lurched forward, sumbing to her sickness and retching miserably into the toilet.


    But no matter how hard Sadie gagged, only the bitter taste filled her mouth.


    Overwhelmed, she slumped against the wall, sliding helplessly to the floor as tears cascaded down her cheeks.


    Her heart was shattered, each shard throbbing with a deep, relentless pain.


    She had braced herself for the divorce, believing she was prepared. Yet, the instant she glimpsed K¡¯stest post, the harsh reality hit her¡ªshe hadpletely overestimated her tolerance.


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    On the ring phone screen, K¡¯s smug expression seemed to mock her, taunting her frailty and her misced confidence.


    Sadie¡¯s fingers whitened around her phone, her grip tightening with resolve.


    She couldn¡¯t stomach another second with that scumbag.


    A divorce was the only way to rid herself of his bullshit.


    This conviction swelled within her, filling every corner of her mind, leaving no room for rest.


    That night, sleep eluded her entirely.


    The next morning, Sadie dragged herself out of bed, the toll of the night evident in the dark circles branding her under-eyes.


    Her reflection in the mirror was ashen, the very image of exhaustion. She reached for her makeup bag, attempting to mask the signs of her sleepless night withyers of foundation.


    Yet, no amount of cosmetics could veil the profound exhaustion and despair that had seeped into her very bones.


    That insufferable post from K was all it took¡ªSadie¡¯sst bit of restraint snapped like a brittle thread.


    It dawned on her with painful rity that some things were simply beyond redemption, no matter how fervently she wished otherwise.


    Drawing in a steadying breath, Sadie ced thepact on the table with a soft click.


    Divorce was her only option now.


    It was time to forge a new path¡ªfor her own sake and for the unborn child she nurtured within her.


    As she walked into the office, Sadie¡¯s day took an immediate downturn as she stumbled upon K.


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 Chapter 18

    ?Chapter 18:


    Their encounter felt like the universe¡¯s cruel joke.


    d in a pale yellow dress that entuated her porcin-like skin, K epitomized deceptive innocence.


    But behind that seemingly harmless facade, Sadie was keenly aware of the conniving spirit that dwelled.


    ¡°Hello, Sadie,¡± K began, her voice dripping with feigned concern, a mocking smile curling her lips. ¡°You look absolutely worn out. Didn¡¯t get much sleep, did you?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s hand instinctively clenched into a tight fist, a sharp painncing through her palm.


    She remained silent, casting a frosty re at K before trying to brush past her.


    K¡¯s voice spiked with deliberate provocation as she called out, ¡°Well, yeah. Any woman would be restless if they knew their man was in another woman¡¯s bed, wouldn¡¯t they?¡± Her words echoed with malice.


    Stopping dead in her tracks, Sadie lifted her head abruptly, her eyes zing as she met K¡¯s challenging gaze.


    Rage zed inside her, searing through her like wildfire.


    ¡°So what?¡± she hissed, her words slicing through the tense air like shards of ice. ¡°In the end, you¡¯re nothing but a pathetic mistress.¡±


    For a fleeting moment, K¡¯s confident smile wavered, but she quickly masked her momentary doubt.


    Leaning in close, she whispered into Sadie¡¯s ear, her voice a venomous hiss only the two of them could hear, ¡°Talk all you want, but at the end of the day, it¡¯s Noah¡¯s feelings that decide everything.¡±


    A chill ran down Sadie¡¯s spine, a foreboding feeling washing over her. K¡¯s words struck like a dagger, twisting deep in her heart.


    She couldn¡¯t bring herself to dwell on what Noah might be thinking or the disaster that could follow.


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    As K observed Sadie¡¯splexion turn ghostly pale, her lips curled into a smug smile.


    This was precisely the reaction she sought¡ªto see Sadie tormented, pushed to the brink of despair,pelled to retreat.


    Brushing off the confrontation with a dismissive flick of her wrist, K dered, ¡°I have things to do, so I¡¯ll be off.¡±


    She then turned sharply and walked away, her heels clicking ominously against the hard floor.


    Sadie sank into her chair, a whirlwind of emotions leaving her unsettled.


    The moment she walked into the office, an awkward silence settled over her colleagues, their eyes darting away as if that could undo the whispers from before.


    Distracted by the whirlwind of her thoughts, Sadie barely registered the shift in the office¡¯s mood.


    It wasn¡¯t until a colleague¡ªnervous and fidgety¡ªmade her way to her desk that Sadie snapped back to reality. With a hesitant cough, the colleague seemed to struggle with words, her difort palpable in the thick air.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice cut through the silence, her brow furrowed in concern.


    The office felt suddenly smaller as her colleagues exchanged uneasy looks. Finally, one of them stepped forward, her face flushed with embarrassment. ¡°Sadie, we owe you an apology,¡± she said, unable to meet Sadie¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°We got it all wrong. We shouldn¡¯t have jumped to conclusions,¡± another colleague said.


    ¡°We thought that you and Mr. Wall¡­ well, that you were the other woman¡­¡±


    ¡°It was wrong of us to assume without knowing the whole story. Please forgive us.¡±


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 Chapter 19

    ?Chapter 19:


    Sadie¡¯s mouth fell open in shock. ¡°What happened?¡± she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.


    ¡°You should check the group chat,¡± a colleague said, pointing towards Sadie¡¯sputer with a sheepish expression.


    As Sadie turned to her screen, a cautious hope began to bubble inside her. Could it be that Noah had made their marriage public?


    Was he ready to embrace their rtionship openly, to dere their bond to the world?


    Heart pounding with a mix of nerves and urgency, Sadie started herputer, clicking into the work group chat without hesitation. For a brief, hopeful second, her lips curved into a tentative smile.


    But it faltered, then froze entirely.


    The pinned message wasn¡¯t the happy announcement she had longed for.


    Instead, it was a somber rification.


    Her eyes scanned the lines quickly; they were penned by a colleague from the marketing department, one with whom she had previously shed. The colleague confessed to having taken those photos with the sole intent of tarnishing Sadie¡¯s reputation.


    An official notice from thepany swiftly followed, denouncing the colleague¡¯s actions and imposing a strict penalty, while also issuing a stern warning against the spread of rumors.


    So, it wasn¡¯t what she had thought.


    Disappointment crashed over Sadie like a cold wave, leaving a sting as if she had been pped hard across the face. The sensation seared her, sinking ws deep into her flesh.


    ¡°Talk all you want, but at the end of the day, it¡¯s Noah¡¯s feelings that decide everything.¡± K¡¯s words haunted her, tightening around her heart like a steel vice.


    Was it possible? Noah preferred pinning the me on an innocent colleague rather than making their marriage public, simply to shield K from the scandal of being the other woman?


    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????


    Sadie¡¯s hands balled into fists at her sides, her nails digging crescents into her palms. Yet, she felt numb to the physical pain.


    The ache in her heart dwarfed any physical difort, a deep, throbbing wound far more grievous than any cut could ever be. The realization pierced her heart like a shard of ice, chilling and sharp, drawing forth a silent, seething agony.


    Sadie had given everything to this marriage, putting her own dreams on hold just to stand by Noah¡¯s side, unseen but unwavering.


    Yet, this was her bitter reward.


    A hollowugh escaped her lips, tinged with the taste of disillusionment.


    As the sun dipped below the horizon and the office buzz dwindled to a hushed stillness, Sadie lingered at her desk, lost in thought. The soft luminescence of herputer screen cast ghostly shadows across her features, underscoring the turmoil within.


    She marveled numbly at her ability to endure the day¡ªeach sidelong nce and hushed murmur from her colleagues felt like a de twisting in her already wounded heart.


    She had believed herself resilient, armored against the slings and arrows of fate. But the harsh light of truth unveiled her fragility, a delicate ss figure on the verge of shattering.


    ¡°Sadie, why are you still here?¡±


    The sudden intrusion of a familiar voice jolted her from her reverie. It was Tina Delgado, a beacon of kindness in the often indifferent sea of their corporate world.


    ¡°I¡¯m just¡­ trying to wrap my head around the new project,¡± Sadie replied, mustering a feeble smile to mask her inner chaos.


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 Chapter 20

    ?Chapter 20:


    Tina eyed Sadie with concern, her brows knitting together. ¡°Work¡¯s still on your mind even now? You really should take it easy and rest,¡± she advised softly. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go home together.¡±


    ¡°No, I still have a few things to wrap up,¡± Sadie responded, her voice tinged with exhaustion.


    She craved some solitude, a moment to untangle her thoughts. After Tina¡¯s departure, Sadie lingered in the quiet office for a while before she finally stood to leave.


    Outside, darkness had enveloped the city. Despite the vibrant lights and the incessant hum of traffic, a sharp pang of loneliness sliced through her.


    She meandered through the streets, the sharp click of her heels on the pavement echoing around her. The fading light of the sunset stretched her shadow long and thin across the ground.


    Suddenly, the harsh screech of brakes rang out near her, and an unseen force mmed into her, sending her crashing to the sidewalk. A jolt of pain seared through her ankle, drawing a sharp gasp from her lips.


    ¡°Are you blind? Watch where you¡¯re going!¡± The voice came from a young man perched on a motorcycle, his hair dyed a striking shade of yellow. He red down at her, his ck leather jacket catching the dim light.


    Gritting her teeth against the pain, Sadie attempted to rise, her hands trembling.


    ¡°This day is an absolute train wreck,¡± the young man grumbled, his voice dripping with disdain as he revved his engine and sped off into the night.


    Sadie sat on the chilly pavement, her tears carving wet trails down her cheeks. She feltpletely forsaken, as if the world had turned its back on her. Her ankle pulsed with a sharp, insistent pain. She reached for her phone, her heart sinking as she realized the battery was dead.


    At that moment, the purr of an engine drew her attention. A ck Bentley glided to a stop before her, its presence almost surreal in the dim streetlight.


    The window descended smoothly, revealing a man with striking features and an air of unmistakable elegance¡ªit was Noah.


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    What the hell was he doing here?


    Sadie¡¯s mind raced, her heart fluttering with a mix of dread and unexpected hope.


    ¡°Get in,¡± Noahmanded, his voice deep andpelling, resonating with a familiar authority that sent shivers down Sadie¡¯s spine.


    As Sadie hesitated, her thoughts shed to K¡¯s recent Instagram post¡ªthe very car Noah was driving now had been used to escort K just the night before.


    Could he be here for K again?


    The possibility stung, sending a wave of sorrow through her already fragile emotions.


    With a defiant bite of her lip, she turned her head away, unwilling to let Noah see the vulnerability in her eyes.


    ¡°I said, get in,¡± Noah repeated, his impatience tinged with a sharper edge.


    Taking a deep, steadying breath, Sadie pushed herself to her feet, her injured ankle protesting as she limped slightly.


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary, Mr. Wall. I can manage on my own,¡± she dered, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside.


    Whatever they had was over¡ªshe wanted him out of her life for good. But after just a few steps, a tight grip locked around her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.


    She nced back¡ªNoah had left the car and wasn¡¯t letting her go. His imposing figure loomed, his voice carrying a quiet hint of annoyance. ¡°Sadie, what¡¯s the drama about this time?¡±


    A pang of sorrow tightened around Sadie¡¯s heart.


    Jerking her hand away, she straightened her posture and masked her pain with a veneer of cool detachment. ¡°You really think too highly of yourself, don¡¯t you? We¡¯re getting divorced, and thest thing I need is any drama that might confuse your precious sweetheart.¡±


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 Chapter 21

    ?Chapter 21:


    Noah¡¯s expression faltered, a trace of difort shing across his features.


    ¡°It¡¯ste, and it¡¯s not safe for you to walk home alone. K would understand; she won¡¯t get the wrong idea.¡±


    So, he acknowledged that K was his precious sweetheart. The ache in Sadie¡¯s chest grew until it was nearly unbearable.


    With a forceful twist, Sadie freed her wrist and pivoted sharply to walk away.


    The pain from her earlier injury was momentarily forgotten until she misstepped.


    Her ankle buckled under her weight, and a sharp cry of pain escaped her lips as she stumbled. ¡°Ah!¡±


    Sadie tumbled gracelessly onto the cold ground. Instantly, Noah¡¯s face twisted with concern, and he hastened to her side with long, urgent strides, sweeping her into his arms effortlessly.


    ¡°Let me down! I can manage on my own!¡± Sadie insisted, her voice thick with defiance as she wriggled in his grasp.


    But Noah was unyielding. With a determined grip, he carried her to the ck Bentley parked nearby. He settled her gently into the passenger seat, securing the seatbelt around her with a click that echoed her confinement, before slipping behind the wheel.


    The Bentley sliced through the night, its engine a low growl against the silence. Outside, thendscape merged into a blur of shadows and fleeting lights, reflecting Sadie¡¯s tumultuous emotions. She peered out, feeling adrift in a sea of confusion.


    They navigated into an upscale residential area, the car¡¯s headlights casting eerie shadows until they halted in front of a grand vi.


    Sadie¡¯s eyes widened in shock and a flicker of nostalgia. It was their former shared home.


    Noah¡¯s movements were tender yet firm as he carried Sadie into the living room and eased her onto the plush sofa. His brow furrowed as he observed her swollen ankle, his concern palpable in the quiet space.


    Feeling uneasy, Sadie instinctively tried to retract her foot, but Noah gripped it firmly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t move,¡± hemanded, his voice a blend of firmness and underlying warmth, leaving no room for protest.


    Sadie¡¯s heart fluttered with unease as she followed the instruction. With a swift motion, Noah pulled out his phone and promptly dialed a number.


    The urgency in his voice was unmistakable as he stated sharply, ¡°Jim, you have thirty minutes to make it to the Myrtlewood Estate.¡±


    On the other end, a groggy Jim Archer struggled to gather his wits. He attempted to ask a question, but Noah briskly cut him off and ended the call.


    With a heavy sigh of resignation, Jim reluctantly swung his legs out of bed. As he dressed in the dim light of his bedroom, he grumbled under his breath, ¡°It¡¯s the dead of night. Why can¡¯t these emergencies ever wait until morning?¡±


    But he knew all too well that when Noah called, refusal wasn¡¯t an option¡ªnot when his $200,000 monthly sry came from a man as powerful as Noah.


    Half an hourter, Jim arrived at the estate, his hair tousled and his eyes bleary. He briefly vented his frustration to Noah before turning his attention to Sadie¡¯s injury.


    Examining her carefully, he concluded, ¡°This ankle sprain is quite severe. You¡¯ll need to stay off it and rest for a few days.¡±


    His skilled hands were gently securing a bandage around her swollen ankle.


    ¡°Thank you, Dr. Archer,¡± Sadie murmured, her attention fixed on the throbbing ache in her ankle.


    Jim waved off her gratitude with a casual flick of his wrist. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s nothing. With what your husband pays, it¡¯s the least I can do.¡± His tone held a hint of cynicism that didn¡¯t go unnoticed.


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 Chapter 22

    ?Chapter 22:


    At the mention of ¡°your husband,¡± Sadie felt a sharp sting of bitterness surge through her. She managed a strained smile, masking the turmoil that the phrase evoked within her.


    Jim had just finished tending to Sadie¡¯s injury when he sought out Noah to discuss some necessary precautions. As he ryed the information, his gaze asionally drifted toward Sadie, whose distant expression tugged at his curiosity.


    Something about the evening¡¯s atmosphere felt unsettlingly amiss.


    Jim leaned closer to Noah under the guise of confidentiality, his voice dropping to a whisper. ¡°Did you and your wife have a fight? She seems a bit¡­ distant tonight.¡±


    Noah paused, a shadow crossing his features. After a moment, he responded in a hushed tone, barely audible, ¡°I¡¯m nning to divorce her.¡±


    Shock flickered across Jim¡¯s face as he stared at Noah, his eyes wide with disbelief.


    The silence stretched between them, heavy and ufortable. Observing Noah¡¯s stern countenance, devoid of any humor, Jim let out a heavy sigh, tinged with regret.


    ¡°It¡¯s your choice,¡± he finally said, his voice low and somber as he began to pack up his medical kit. ¡°Just don¡¯t do something you¡¯ll wish you could take back.¡±


    Noah, taken aback, felt a stab of irritation.


    Why did everyone assume regret would follow his decision? Didn¡¯t they understand? The love of his life had finally returned to him. He remained silent, lost in his thoughts, not fully grasping that some choices, once made, were irrevocable.


    As Jim zipped up his kit, he turned to Sadie, offering her a gentle smile. ¡°Take care, and try to get some rest,¡± he advised softly, his toneced with concern. ¡°I¡¯ll be on my way.¡±


    At his words, Sadie¡¯s head snapped up, her eyes locking onto his with a desperate sharpness, as if she were grasping at a lifeline in a stormy sea.


    Sadie knew seizing this moment was crucial for her escape.


    ¡°Wait, Dr. Archer!¡± she eximed suddenly, determination lighting her eyes. ¡°I¡¯ming with you.¡±


    She scrambled to slip back into her shoes, fumbling and hopping on one foot in her haste to catch up to Jim.


    ¡°Hey, slow down there!¡± Jim called out, surprised. He extended his hand to steady her, his eyes wide with concern.


    As she made for the door, Sadie stumbled yet again, her foot twisting awkwardly.


    ¡°Ow¡­¡± she muttered, grimacing as a sharp pain shot through her. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes, but she blinked them back fiercely. The only thing on her mind was getting out.


    She just needed to escape, away from this suffocating ce.


    Just then, Noah snapped out of his reverie, catching the tail end of her frantic movements. His heart clenched with worry, propelling him forward. He reached her just in time to prevent another fall.


    ¡°Sadie!¡± he bellowed in anger. ¡°I told you to rest, and here you are, disregarding your own health! Are you trying to worsen your injury?¡± His voice was thick with worry and frustration, his brow furrowed as he looked at her intently.


    Sadie blinked at him, caught off guard by the sudden re of anger in his eyes.


    As Jim realized his presence was unnecessary, he silently retreated, melting into the shadows.


    Noah scooped Sadie up in his arms, and she was immediately enveloped by theforting, familiar scent of him¡ªa scent that evoked memories of intimate nights they had once shared.


    Despite the warmth of his embrace, Sadie was keenly aware that soon, he would no longer be hers.


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 Chapter 23

    ?Chapter 23:


    The realization sent a sharp ache through her heart, prompting her to wriggle desperately, trying to escape his hold.


    ¡°Let me go! I can walk on my own!¡± she asserted defiantly, her voiceced with frustration.


    Her vigorous struggle irked Noah, and in response, he tightened his grip, his resolve firm.


    ¡°And risk you hurting your foot again?¡± He chided her softly, his voice a blend of reprimand and tenderness.


    Sadie¡¯s resistance faded; she reluctantly ceased her efforts and settled down.


    Noah¡¯s gaze softened as he looked upon her calm, delicate features, stirring a storm of emotions within him.


    He carefully lowered her onto the sofa, his movements tender and deliberate, and he knelt to examine her swollen ankle.


    His fingers, articte and precise, brushed against her skin with a gentleness that contrasted with his earlier firmness.


    Sadie cast her gaze downward, her eyes settling on the crown of Noah¡¯s head, momentarily adrift in thought.


    These instances of tenderness from Noah were few and far between.


    Every gesture he made seemed to strum a chord deep within her heart. Once Noah confirmed her ankle was fine, he carefully ced her feet on the sofa and draped a nket over them with a soft touch.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t had anything to eat yet, have you? I¡¯ll whip up some m chowder to fill you up,¡± he offered, his voice soft and filled with concern.


    At his words, a surge of warmth fluttered through Sadie¡¯s chest. She raised her eyes to meet his, her gaze lingering on his striking features, rendered speechless.


    She meant to insist that it wasn¡¯t necessary, yet before the words could leave her lips, Noah said firmly, ¡°Just rx,¡± and made his way to the kitchen.


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    The kitchen¡¯s openyout allowed Sadie a clear view from the sofa. She watched as Noah rolled up his sleeves, exposing his muscr, well-toned forearms.


    The way he chopped ingredients was pure artistry¡ªfluid, precise, and nearly enchanting to watch.


    Sadie¡¯s thoughts swirled in chaos¡ªshe just couldn¡¯t make sense of him. They were on the brink of divorce; why then did Noah continue to perform these thoughtful, intimate acts that only fueled her confusion?


    Before she could delve too deep into her thoughts, Noah returned, setting a steaming bowl of m chowder before her with a gesture that suggested she enjoy it while it was hot.


    The enticing aroma of the m chowder wafted through the air, but to Sadie, it was more of an assault than afort, making her stomach twist in revolt. She instinctively pped a hand over her mouth, her eyes widening as she fought the urge to gag.


    Noah¡¯s brow furrowed in concern. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± he asked, his voiceced with worry.


    Sadie shook her head and mustered a feeble smile. ¡°Nothing, just not feeling very hungry,¡± she responded, hoping her voice sounded convincing enough. She desperately wanted to keep her difort hidden from Noah, to mask the turmoil that churned within her.


    Noah¡¯s expression softened, though his concern didn¡¯t wane. ¡°Sadie, it¡¯s your own body,¡± he reminded her gently, his voice tinged with a mix of exasperation and tenderness. ¡°You know about your stomach issues. If you don¡¯t eat on time, you¡¯re the one who¡¯s going to sufferter.¡±


    His words were firm, underscored by a palpable sense of concern that seemed to fill the room.


    Sadie felt a sudden pinch at her nose, and before she could stop them, tears began to stream down her cheeks. Memories flooded back¡ªof years ago when she first started working at Noah¡¯spany, of the countless nights spent toiling away, skipping meals in a vain attempt to gain his approval. It was during one of those grueling nights that her neglect had caught up with her, her stomach condition ring up so severely that she had copsed and curled in on herself on the floor, pain clouding her vision. In her haze, she vaguely remembered being lifted, carried with a steadiness that had felt strangelyforting at the time.


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 Chapter 24

    ?Chapter 24:


    When she hade to, it was to find Noah by her bedside, his face etched with worry as he gently offered her water and medication.


    ¡°It¡¯s your own body. Don¡¯t treat it so poorly.¡±


    Though his tone had been calm at the time, it etched itself into her memory. Those words had spurred her to take better care of herself, ensuring she ate regrly, no matter the circumstances. What once feltforting now sliced through her, leaving an aching wound.


    Noah observed Sadie, who was gazing vacantly at the floor, seemingly lost in a world of her own. Minutes ticked by without a single change in her expression. He knitted his brows, concern slowly morphing into irritation. Just as he was about to confront Sadie, she lurched forward, her movements abrupt as she seized the bowl and scooped a spoonful of m chowder into her mouth.


    The soup¡¯s robust seafood vor bombarded her senses immediately, too potent for her liking. Her face contorted in disgust as her stomach revolted against the taste. With a swift motion, she set the bowl aside and brushed past Noah, hopping on one foot as she rushed toward the bathroom.


    Her fingers dug into the toilet seat as she bent over, vomiting until nothing was left. Noah lingered at the doorway, his initial annoyance fading into a shadow of concern as he watched her trembling form. He stepped closer, tentatively extending a hand tofort her, but she pped it away with a weak, yet determined, gesture.


    ¡°Sadie¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch me!¡± Sadie¡¯s voice was ragged, strained from the force of her retching.


    Noah halted, his hand suspended in the air, his features clouding over with a mix of hurt and confusion.


    ¡°Let me take you to the hospital,¡± he hastily suggested.


    ¡°No!¡± The refusal came sharp and instinctive from Sadie as she braced herself against the cool bathroom wall, her arms protectively wrapped around her abdomen. Her eyes, filled with a mix of fear and defiance, locked onto his.


    The air between them thickened with unspoken words, and Noah¡¯s suspicions crept back into his mind, the idea that she might be hiding a pregnancy gnawing at him. His eyes narrowed, the weight of his fears and frustrations making his next words heavy and resolute.


    ¡°You don¡¯t get to decide this time!¡±


    His voice was unyielding, shutting down any chance of protest. Just as Noah was about to step forward and scoop Sadie up, his phone erupted into a jarring ring. The name ¡°K¡± shed urgently across the screen.


    Without a second thought, Noah answered. K¡¯s voice, soft and frail, seeped through the receiver.


    ¡°Noah¡­ Something feels off with my heart¡­ I think my old condition is ring up again. Can youe get me and take me to the hospital?¡± There was a soft, nasal sweetness to K¡¯s voice, making it hard not to feel for her.


    Noah¡¯s eyes darted towards Sadie. She sat curled up in the corner, her posture reminiscent of a kitten deprived of safety, her arms wrapped tightly around herself.


    Her pallid face, lips pressed into a thin line, and eyes brimming with unease and defensiveness painted a picture of vulnerability that could soften the hardest heart.


    A wave of difort washed over Noah, causing his grip on the phone to tighten. He found himself caught in a moment of deep hesitation, torn between two calls for his attention.


    K¡¯s voice, threaded with a hint of fragility, broke the silence once again, followed by two soft coughs.


    ¡°Well, if it¡¯s too much trouble for you, that¡¯s okay. After all, it¡¯s quitete. I can wait until tomorrow to see a doctor. It¡¯s not urgent.¡± Her words were polite but carried an unspoken usation of neglect, wrapped in quiet endurance.


    Noah felt as though an invisible fist had clenched around his heart. His earlier hesitation melted away instantly. ¡°I¡¯ll be right there,¡± he dered, his voice firm, offering no room for doubt.


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 Chapter 25

    ?Chapter 25:


    Hastily, he strode out of the bathroom, the sound of his footsteps fading away, followed by the decisive click of the door closing behind him.


    In the now-quiet room, Sadie¡¯s tension unraveled suddenly.


    She sat on the cold floor, clutching her stomach tightly.


    Although she had anticipated this oue, a sharp pang of pain still shot through her heart.


    In K¡¯s shadow, she felt endlessly sidelined, like nothing more than a disposable object¡ªcherished only when needed, then carelessly cast aside.


    Despite it all, she clung to a foolish sliver of hope, hoping that perhaps, one day, her presence might mean more.


    With an empty, aching stomach from skipping dinner and earlier bouts of nausea, Sadie managed a rueful grin.


    She braced herself against the wall, awkwardly hopping on one foot as she made her way outside.


    Determination etched her features. She had to step away from it all¡ªresign, leave Noah, and never look back.


    The stiff sofa and biting cold made for a miserable night, forcing her in and out of light, uneasy sleep.


    As shenguished in a groggy haze, the room seemed to grow colder, hinting at an intrusion.


    A draft whispered through the room, and Sadie sensed the presence of someone else. Her eyelids, heavy as lead, fought against her efforts to see who it was.


    ¡°Don¡¯t move.¡± A low, mesmerizing voice brushed against her ear,ced with quiet gentleness.


    Hisrge hand rested gently on her forehead, the heat from his touch making his features crease with concern.


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    With a smooth motion, she was lifted, the refreshing scent of mint enveloping her like a fleeting breeze.


    Almost instantly, however, the invasive aroma of medicinal bitterness overwhelmed her senses, pungent and overpowering, making her recoil.


    She coughed violently, her body rejecting both the strong smell and the notion of treatment. With a feeble hand, she pushed away the proffered bowl of medicine. ¡°I don¡¯t feel well. I really can¡¯t take this,¡± she whispered hoarsely.


    ¡°Just try,¡± the man insisted softly, his voice firm yet threaded with concern. His fingers tenderly grasped her chin, coaxing her to face him, his expression unwavering with patience.


    ¡°Noah¡­¡± she murmured in a daze, her voice trailing off as if clinging to the threads of her fading consciousness.


    The man paused mid-motion, a storm of unspoken emotions swirling in his profound gaze.


    Eventually, Sadie meeklyplied, the bitter medicine coursing down her throat.


    As her world blurred into shadows, she felt a gentle pressure as he carefullyid her on the bed, the sheets rustling softly around her.


    Even as she drifted off, the room clung to a faint aroma of tobo¡ªa lingering trace of his presence, mingled with an elusive,forting reassurance.


    Morning light spilled across Sadie¡¯s face as she stirred awake. As her eyes fluttered open, she realized she was resting on a soft bed, the aches in her body now a distant memory.


    ¡°Could Noah have returned?¡± she whispered to herself, pushing herself up against the plush pillows, her mind reying the fragmented memories of the night before.


    That familiarmanding voice, those gentle, searching eyes¡ªcould it really have been him?


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 Chapter 26

    ?Chapter 26:


    The mere thought sent a thrill of excitement through her, a tender sweetness blossoming silently in her chest.


    A low, insistent buzz filled the air as the phone on the bedside table rattled against the wood, breaking the quiet.


    Sadie reached out, her hand trembling slightly as she answered.


    On the other end of the line, a warm, motherly voice spoke with gentle concern. ¡°Mrs. Wall, I¡¯ve prepared some chicken soup for you. Be sure to have some once you¡¯re up; it will help you recover faster.¡±


    The voice belonged to Rosa Barrett, the devoted housekeeper who had faithfully served Sadie and Noah for years.


    ¡°Thank you, Rosa. I appreciate your concern,¡± Sadie replied, her voice polite but tinged with unmistakable disappointment.


    As she set the phone down, her face drained of all color.


    So, it wasn¡¯t Noah.


    The faint spark of hope that had flickered to life in her chest was ruthlessly snuffed out.


    A self-deprecatingugh escaped her lips; she had let her imagination run wild again.


    How could Noah, with his life of privilege, ever stoop to care for her¡ªthe wife he was nning to leave behind?


    No doubt he was with K now,vishing her with affection and warmth.


    Sadie sipped her steaming chicken soup, a semnce offort seeping into her weary bones.


    She applied some blush to mask her pallor, grabbed her bag, and made her way to work.


    As soon as she entered the office, Tina immediately came over, her expression clouded with worry.


    g ¦Á? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s takes you away


    ¡°Sadie, are you alright?¡± she inquired, her brow furrowed.


    ¡°Just a slight cold. I¡¯ll be fine after some rest,¡± Sadie replied, managing a weak smile.


    ¡°But you look terribly pale,¡± Tina noted, setting a cup of hot apple cider on Sadie¡¯s desk. ¡°Drink this; it¡¯s great for boosting your immune system and fighting off colds¡ªit¡¯s amazing!¡±


    With a genuine smile and an enthusiastic thumbs-up, Tina warmly rmended the concoction.


    Amusement flickered in Sadie¡¯s eyes as a soft warmth filled her heart. ¡°Thank you,¡± she murmured, her voice a gentle whisper.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. We¡¯re colleagues after all, and it¡¯s only right we look out for each other,¡± Tina responded, giving Sadie¡¯s shoulder aforting pat.


    Sadie nodded her head in acknowledgment, her heart caught in a tangled mix of emotions.


    Despite her marriage, it was a colleague, not her husband, who offered her sce and concern.


    And then there was Noah¡ªwhere was he right now? And who was he with?


    Just then, a soft, apologetic voice drifted from the hallway, halting Sadie¡¯s spiraling thoughts.


    ¡°Noah, I didn¡¯t mean to take up so much of your time¡ªsorry about that.¡±


    There was no mistaking that voice¡ªit could only be K.


    A chill ran through Sadie as she instinctively turned, her eyes meeting the silhouette of the woman. Her body tensed, herplexion paler.


    Tina, noticing the sudden shift in Sadie¡¯s demeanor, followed her gaze and caught sight of a sophisticated woman facing away from them. The woman slightly tilted her head, exposing the graceful curve of her slender neck, her lips curled into a radiant smile directed at the man before her.


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 Chapter 27

    ?Chapter 27:


    That smile, bright and seemingly innocent, stung Sadie¡¯s eyes like a shard of ss.


    With the notion that Sadie was unaware of K¡¯s identity, Tina chimed in helpfully, her voice low and tinged with intrigue, ¡°Sadie, that¡¯s the CEO¡¯s rumored girlfriend, K Wade.¡±


    ¡°They do seem quite close,¡± Sadie replied, her voice t.


    ¡°I heard that K had a heart attackst night. The CEO was so concerned he whisked her to the hospital and remained by her side the whole night. He only returned this morning,¡± Tina whispered, cautious of eavesdroppers.


    A sharp pang of jealousy jabbed at Sadie¡¯s heart, spreading a numbing ache.


    So, her memories had been nothing more than a fanciful illusion.


    With unwavering devotion, Noah stayed with K at the hospital, keeping herpany through the long night.


    How could he possibly have found the time to check on her at home? Despite the turmoil swirling inside her, Sadie¡¯s exterior remained unppable. All she wanted was to leave the scene.


    Yet, unexpectedly, K appeared beside her. With a fake smile stered on her face, she greeted Sadie.


    ¡°Good morning, Sadie. I¡¯m sorry, but Noah was overly concerned about me and spent the entire night by my side at the hospital. Now, he¡¯s fetching a ss of water for me. It¡¯s rare to find someone so thoughtful.¡±


    Sadie responded with a frosty smirk, her voice a whisper meant only for K¡¯s ears,ced with scorn. ¡°Tell me, K, if the whole world knew you were the homewrecker in my marriage with Noah, could you still parade around as Mrs. Wall in the future?¡±


    The Wall family prized their reputation above all else.


    At Sadie¡¯s insinuation, K¡¯splexion drained to a ghostly pale.


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    Sadie, that miserable bitch, actually had the audacity to threaten her! Seething, K watched as Sadie turned sharply and strode away, not once ncing back.


    Noah, returning with a ss of water, looked up just in time to catch a glimpse of Sadie¡¯s retreating form.


    A wave of inexplicable unease washed over him, leaving him restless and concerned.


    Like sand slipping through his fingers, Noah felt something essential drifting away from him.


    Without hesitation, he buried the unsettling feeling deep inside.


    With an indifferent nce at K, he said in a t, unyielding tone, ¡°Alright, I¡¯m heading back to the office.¡±


    K gave a small,pliant nod, her expression docile.


    Yet, as she watched Noah¡¯s imposing silhouette recede down the corridor, her lips twisted into a smug, victorious smirk.


    In her eyes, it was clear¡ªshe still had a firm grip on his heartstrings.


    With just a touch of her cunning, she had ensnared him once again.


    But beneath that triumph, a bitter seed of resentment towards Sadie, Noah¡¯s legal wife, sprouted. K¡¯s thoughts darkened.


    If only Sadie hadn¡¯t left for overseas, she wouldn¡¯t have had the chance to wedge herself into Noah¡¯s life.


    Now was the perfect moment¡ªK was dead set on making sure Sadie ended up divorced and discarded.


    With a scheme brewing in the depths of her twisted heart, K¡¯s heels clicked authoritatively against the floor as she entered the secretarial office.


    Her eyes sparkled with maniptive delight as she addressed the room, her voice dripping with condescension. ¡°There¡¯s an important dinner tonight, and I need two of you to join me. Who¡¯sing with me?¡± She scanned every face with a predatory grin.


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 Chapter 28

    ?Chapter 28:


    ¡°So, who would like to do me the favor?¡± Her tone,den with arrogance, left no doubt that refusing her request was not an option. As Noah¡¯s rumored girlfriend, K was someone that many sought to ingratiate themselves with.


    Her voice barely carried over the crowd when a flurry of volunteers sprang forward, vying for her attention. ¡°Miss Wade, allow me to apany you!¡±


    K¡¯s lips curled into a knowing smirk, her satisfaction palpable. Yet, with a shrewd glint in her eyes, she ignored the eager faces and fixated on Sadie, who remained nestled in the¡­


    Solitude settled in the corner as Sadie remained still, her gaze fixed on K, who now addressed her with a provocative undertone. ¡°You, Sadie,¡± she dered, her red lips parting slightly.


    Sadie¡¯s head snapped up, her eyes locking with K¡¯s chilling stare. The message was clear.


    As if on cue, the room¡¯s attention shifted towards Sadie, spotlighting her with an intensity that felt almost palpable.


    ¡°Why so quiet? Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re unwilling to do me this favor,¡± K continued, her voice sweet, yet beneath the honeyed tonesy an unmistakable edge of coercion.


    Fists tightening subtly at her sides, Sadie wrestled with the urge to decline. Now, more than ever, with her pregnancy, staying away from such dinners was the wiser choice. But before she could voice her objection, K¡¯s attention snapped to another male colleague.


    ¡°Mack, why don¡¯t you join us as well?¡±


    Her voice was smooth and undeniably enticing as she addressed the male colleague with effortless charm.


    Mack Walsh, who had been dozing off, jerked to full alertness. A hint of eagerness lit his eyes as he responded, his voice a mix of surprise and delight, ¡°Absolutely, Miss Wade. It would be a pleasure.¡±


    As Sadie watched the exchange, a cold realization washed over her. K was orchestrating a spectacle, a deliberate move to corner her into submission, to strip her of the option to decline. It was a power y meant to showcase dominance, and Sadie was the chosen pawn.


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    Forcing a calm facade, she took a deep breath and curved her lips into a smile at K. ¡°I¡¯m grateful for the opportunity to support thepany, Miss Wade.¡±


    Together, the three of them made their way to a private room at a restaurant. Mack took the lead, his steps brisk with newfound importance, while K and Sadie followed, their pace more measured. Sadie could feel K¡¯s eyes on her, studying her, dissecting her every move with a mix of curiosity and a subtle glint of victory.


    As they approached the door, K halted abruptly, wearing an apologetic smile that didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes.


    ¡°Mack, Sadie, I apologize for imposing this social obligation on you both. As you¡¯re aware, I¡¯ve just returned from the hospital due to my heart condition, and the doctor has expressly forbidden me from drinking. However, this coboration is vital, and if the asion calls for a toastter, I¡¯ll have to rely on you,¡± K stated with a charming smile, her toneced with subtle persuasion.


    Mack immediately thumped his chest with a reassuring grin. ¡°No worries at all, Miss Wade. You¡¯re a valued guest of ourpany, and it¡¯s admirable that you¡¯re still pushing through for us despite your illness. Managing the drinks is the least we can do to help!¡±


    K nodded appreciatively, her satisfaction clear. However, her smile waned as she turned to Sadie, her voice adopting a slightly sharper tone. ¡°Sadie, your dedication precedes you. Even before I came aboard, I heard tales of how you immerse yourself in work, earning quite the ¡®workaholic¡¯ badge. I trust you¡¯ll handle this situation with your usual ir, right?¡±


    The term ¡°workaholic¡± struck Sadie like a sharp jab to the heart. It was clear that K was intentionally putting her on the spot, trying to rattle her in front of Mack.


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 Chapter 29

    ?Chapter 29:


    Before Sadie could respond, K casually shifted her gaze away and dismissed the tension with a wave of her hand. ¡°Let¡¯s head inside.¡±


    Mack, noticing the subtle shift in Sadie¡¯s demeanor, leaned closer and whispered, ¡°Sadie, don¡¯t stress over the drinking or what Miss Wade said. Being new to thepany, she might not fully understand how things work yet.¡±


    Sadie forced a strained smile as she murmured, ¡°Thank you, Mack.¡±


    As they opened the door to the secluded room, they were immediately enveloped by an air of sheer luxury. Above them, a crystal chandelier cast a cascade of twinkling lights across a table heaped with gourmet treats and bottles of fine wine. The room was heavy with the rich aromas of costly perfumes, subtly blending with a lingering trace of tobo smoke.


    K entered with an elegant glide, her voice soft yet clear. ¡°Mr. Valdez, Mr. Crawford, I hope I didn¡¯t keep you waiting too long.¡±


    The two men, previously engaged in light-hearted banter with their femalepanions, ceased their flirtations and rose promptly. Their expressions shifted to one of courteous eagerness.


    ¡°Oh, not at all, Miss Wade, you¡¯ve arrived just in time,¡± replied one of them, his tone infused with gentle admiration.


    ¡°Indeed! Considering your hectic schedule, it¡¯s truly a privilege that you¡¯ve spared a moment to dine with us,¡± added the other, his smile broadening in genuine delight.


    K responded with a radiant smile that lit up the room, her eyes twinkling mischievously. ¡°You tter me, gentlemen. Truly, it is a pleasure to work alongside you.¡±


    After exchanging a round of warm pleasantries, they all settled into the plush sofas.


    tt Crawford¡¯s gaze then drifted over to Sadie and Mack, pausing with a hint of undisguised interest.


    ¡°And who might these two be?¡± tt inquired, his curiosity piqued.


    .c¨®m is the source


    K, putting on a fleeting act of modesty, swiftly handled the introductions. ¡°Oh, these are my colleagues. Noah was concerned that drinking might not be the best idea for me while I¡¯m still recovering, so he let me bring two assistants instead. Hope that¡¯s alright!¡±


    She emphasized the name ¡°Noah¡± with a hint of pride, as if to underscore her special connection to him.


    A shadow of difort briefly crossed Sadie¡¯s features, her pupils narrowing as a subtle wave of bitterness washed over her.


    In K¡¯s narrative, Noah was someone she spoke of with endearing familiarity, while Sadie was relegated to the role of a mere assistant.


    The two men, skilled in the art of reading between the lines, exchanged knowing nces. tt let out a heartyugh, his voice filling the room. ¡°I¡¯ve often heard rumors of how close you and Mr. Wall are,¡± he said lightly. ¡°Now that I see it for myself, I totally get it¡­ Haha, should we start picking out gifts for the wedding?¡±


    K basked in the warm glow of the spotlight, her eyes briefly flicking to Sadie, who appeared lost and dejected. A sly smirk yed at the corners of K¡¯s lips as a sense of victory surged through her.


    She leaned in slightly, her voice dipping into a yfully ambiguous cadence as she addressed tt. ¡°You must be kidding. Mr. Wall would extend his concern to any colleague, wouldn¡¯t he?¡±


    She paused, letting the words linger, her toneced with teasing suggestiveness. ¡°After all, his kindness towards his team is quite legendary.¡±


    Her carefully chosen words danced around the truth, insinuating yet never confirming her rumored ties to Noah. This veiled implication left room for rampant spection, stirring the imaginations of her listeners.


    The more experienced members of the group, seasoned in corporate subtleties, caught the drift of her insinuations and shared knowing nces, their smiles crinkling at the edges of their eyes. As the conversation turned to more pressing matters, Mack shifted his focus, his voice imbued with a supportive undertone.


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 Chapter 30

    ?Chapter 30:


    ¡°Sadie, would you do us the honor of presenting the project to Mr. Valdez and Mr. Crawford?¡± His gaze fell encouragingly on Sadie, who inhaled deeply, her demeanor shifting as she steeled herself against the emotions from earlier.


    With a newly minted smile of confidence, she nodded. ¡°Certainly, Mack.¡±


    As she stepped into her professional role, Sadie seemed to transform before their eyes. Her stance became poised, her eyes sharp and focused. Her voice resonated with rity and conviction as she detailed the project¡¯s merits and potential. Each movement she made was charged with assurance, painting her as the epitome of a driven and formidable leader.


    K¡¯s look of slight disdain towards Sadie gradually shifted to one of seriousness. As Sadie¡¯s presentation unfolded, K was forced to acknowledge the talent Sadie disyed, a talent that clearly justified Noah¡¯s high opinion of her. This recognition stoked a fire of jealousy in K, simmering with quiet intensity that threatened to engulf her.


    As Sadie wrapped up her detailed presentation, the room erupted into enthusiastic apuse.


    ¡°Absolutely brilliant! Miss Hudson, your insight was not only enlightening but also instills a solid confidence in our future coboration!¡± tt eximed, leading the apuse. His admiration wasn¡¯t just professional¡ªhis eyes briefly betrayed him, lingering appreciatively on Sadie¡¯s poised figure.


    Feeling a wave of satisfaction from the reception, Sadie was nheless eager to conclude the meeting. The tension with K hung heavily in the air, making her want to escape the charged atmosphere. ¡°With this in mind, concerning our coboration¡­¡± she began, aiming to steer the conversation towards finalizing their agreement.


    However, tt interrupted, his tone taking on an unsettling quality as his eyes roamed over Sadie. ¡°Miss Hudson, while signing the contract is certainly crucial, let¡¯s not overlook the importance of building stronger personal connections while we¡¯re all here,¡± he suggested, his gaze overtly sweeping across her and pausing suggestively at her waist with a sleazy grin.


    ¡°Miss Wade said you¡¯re the kind of person who gives it their all for work. That¡¯s exactly what apany needs. Let¡¯s drink to that!¡± he dered, picking up a bottle of red wine from the center of the table. ¡°We just received this incredibly strong wine¡ªone sip, and you might feel it right away. Why not give it a shot?¡±


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    Sadie¡¯s gaze shifted to the bottle of red wine. The liquid¡¯s deep, dark red hue was mesmerizing under the soft glow of the overhead lights¡ªa rich color that hinted at a dangerously high alcohol content.


    ¡°You tter me, Mr. Crawford, but I must confess, my tolerance for alcohol is embarrassingly low. I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll bring the mood down instead of adding to the fun tonight,¡± Sadie replied.


    ¡°Oh,e now, Miss Hudson! Don¡¯t sell yourself short,¡± tt insisted, a yful edge to his voice. ¡°Everyone harbors hidden strengths. How will you discover your limits if you never test them? Surely, you wouldn¡¯t want to make me think you¡¯re doubting mypany, would you?¡±


    tt¡¯s stare bored into Sadie, his eyes shimmering with undisguised greed, as if she were a trophy awaiting his im.


    Under the weight of his gaze, Sadie shifted ufortably, her voice faltering as she attempted another refusal. ¡°Well, Mr. Crawford¡­¡±


    ¡°How about this, Miss Hudson,¡± tt cut in, his voice dripping with allure. ¡°I¡¯ve got a major government project in the works. Drink this, and not only will I partner with yourpany, but I¡¯ll also put you in charge. What do you say?¡±


    The proposition hung in the air, tantalizingly within reach. Landing this project could secure a heftymission and a much-needed bonus.


    With her divorce from Noah looming and the financial strain of her baby¡¯s future pressing on her mind, Sadie¡¯s resolve hardened. ¡°I¡¯m in,¡± she dered, nodding with determination.


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 Chapter 31

    ?Chapter 31:


    With a shaky hand, Sadie reached for the bottle and poured herself half a ss of wine. Normally, wine was a familiarfort, but tonight, with the flutter of nerves in her stomach and the knowledge of her pregnancy, it felt like a betrayal.


    The scrutinizing eyes of the onlookers burned into her, spotlighting her every move.


    K watched from across the room, her chin propped on her entwined fingers, a sly smirk curving her lips. Her eyes sparkled with mockery, enjoying the unfolding drama with a predatory glee.


    A deep crease formed on Mack¡¯s forehead as he paused, clearly torn on whether to speak.


    tt, however, watched with anticipation, as if waiting for the main event to begin.


    Under the intense scrutiny of those around her, Sadie drew a deep, steadying breath and tipped the ss back, the wine disappearing in a single, determined gulp.


    The moment the liquid scorched her throat, a fierce burning sensation erupted, sending her into a fit of violent coughing. Her body bent over in response, hands clutching the edge of the table for support, her posture a stark disy of agony.


    ¡°Oh dear, Sadie,¡± K eximed, her voice thick with mock concern as she delicately covered her mouth with a slender hand, her eyes twinkling maliciously. ¡°Is that truly the extent of your tolerance? Surely, you¡¯re not pretending?¡±


    Mack¡¯s expression softened, concern washing over his features. ¡°Are you alright, Sadie?¡± he asked gently, his voice low and filled with worry.


    Sadie waved her hand, a feeble attempt to dismiss their concern. Words failed her as the turmoil churned in her stomach, leaving her nearly voiceless.


    ¡°Really, Miss Hudson, if you didn¡¯t wish to drink, you could have simply said so. But to drink and then cause such a spectacle? What are you trying to prove? Are you challenging me?¡± tt¡¯s expression darkened, his displeasure palpable as he took in Sadie¡¯s disheveled state.


    The atmosphere in the private room grew thick with tension, the air charged with an ufortable silence.


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    Amidst this, K cleared her throat with an uneasy giggle, then turned apologetically toward tt. ¡°Mr. Crawford, I¡¯m truly sorry for thispse. It seems I haven¡¯t disciplined my team well enough. Please, don¡¯t take it to heart.¡±


    K turned sharply to Sadie, her demeanor shifting to one of stern reproach. ¡°Miss Hudson, what has gotten into you today? You¡¯ve never behaved this way before. Quickly, apologize to Mr. Crawford¡ªhe¡¯s one of our key clients!¡± Her words cut through the silence, sharp and usatory, piercing Sadie¡¯sposure.


    After battling a wave of nausea, Sadie managed to steady herself. She raised her pale face, eyes narrowing as she caught the flicker of smug satisfaction dancing in K¡¯s eyes. With a cold, mocking sneer, Sadie retorted, ¡°K, is this the best you can do¡ªresorting to such petty schemes?¡±


    Her voice, though soft, carried a chilling undertone that instantly wiped the smugness off K¡¯s face. K, taken aback, struggled to respond.


    Ignoring K¡¯s flustered state, Sadie pushed herself to her feet. She knew she needed to leave¡ªnow more than ever.


    With shaky steps, she made her way out of the private room, each step echoing her resolve to escape the stifling atmosphere.


    As Sadie rushed for the elevator, her thoughts collided with each other like a storm, but one resolve cut through the chaos¡ªshe would no longer tolerate being pushed around or bullied, especially not by K.


    Just as this determination solidified, the elevator chimed open.


    In her haste, Sadie rushed inside, colliding with a man exiting the elevator. The impact sent a jolt through her body. Through the thin fabric of his shirt, Sadie could feel the firm contours of his muscles, a clear indication of his physical strength.


    The man¡¯s face twisted into a frown, an irritated grunt escaping him as he prepared to scold the careless intruder. However, his reprimand faltered as his gaze fell upon Sadie¡ªthe very woman who was supposed to be resting at home. A surge of frustration built within him, threatening to overflow.


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 Chapter 32

    ?Chapter 32:


    With a firm grip, he seized Sadie¡¯s shoulders, his brow furrowing deeper. ¡°Sadie, what the hell are you doing here?¡± he demanded sharply. As he leaned closer, the unmistakable sharp scent of alcohol hit him, and his frown deepened into a scowl. ¡°Have you been drinking?¡± he asked, his displeasure unmistakable.


    The moment their bodies collided, Sadie immediately recognized him by his signature cold, woody fragrance¡ªNoah. The realization only fueled her desire to flee.


    She believed, deep down, that if Noah hadn¡¯t been supporting K, K wouldn¡¯t have dared target her so tantly.


    At that moment, Sadie was overwhelmed by difort, her senses heightened to an unbearable intensity. Though Noah¡¯s touch had been gentle, a dull pain throbbed in her shoulders.


    ¡°Get your hands off me! Let me go!¡± she cried out, her voice trembling with desperation.


    Her plea seemed only to provoke Noah, whose grip tightened in response. He pulled her flush against his chest, his hold unyielding as he spoke in a chilling tone. ¡°Can¡¯t resist making a mess, can you, Sadie? You¡¯re not holding back anymore, huh?¡±


    Noah¡¯s imposing presence surrounded Sadie, and her heart squeezed painfully, as if trapped in a vice, stealing her breath away.


    For a fleeting second, Sadie ceased her struggles, allowing herself to feel the confinement of his embrace. Her voice, when she spoke, was shaky and heavy with tears.


    ¡°What did I do to deserve this?¡± she asked, her voice breaking. ¡°Since the love of your life came back, I didn¡¯t stand in your way¡ªI agreed to the divorce. I even left our home to keep the peace, yet it seems you and she just can¡¯t let me be!¡±


    In the midst of her emotional turmoil, Sadie unleashed a torrent of pent-up feelings.


    A twisted sense of triumph flickered through Noah as he listened. Could her recent erratic actions be a sign of her love for him, still burning too fiercely to extinguish?


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    Thinking of the years of deep affection Sadie had shown him, Noah found it wasn¡¯t so easy to simply let go. Perhaps his approach had been too harsh.


    He exhaled a heavy, resigned sigh, signaling a reluctantpromise. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s put the brakes on the divorce for now. Take all the time you need to adjust, but know that I won¡¯t stay forever.¡±


    Sadie felt a sharp pang in her heart upon hearing his words. Did he really believe she needed time to adjust to the idea of their separation?


    A bitter smile twisted her lips as tears cascaded down her cheeks.


    ¡°Noah, your cruelty knows no bounds,¡± she said, her voice cold and detached as she turned her head away, shutting her eyes to block out the sight of him. ¡°I don¡¯t need time to adjust. You can vanish from my life whenever you please¡ªit would be better if you never returned!¡±


    A shadow fell over Noah¡¯s expression, his aura turning icy and menacing. He couldn¡¯t believe she would dare speak to him like that.


    Seizing her chin, he forced her to look at him, his voice sharp andmanding. ¡°Sadie, don¡¯t you forget¡ªyou are still my wife!¡±


    ¡°Wife?¡± Sadie¡¯s lips curled into a bitter smile as she confronted Noah. ¡°Tell me, Noah, am I really your wife? Or just another possession you think you can throw away when you¡¯re done with it?¡±


    ¡°Noah!¡± At that moment, a soft, melodious voice echoed down the hallway.


    Noah¡¯s gaze shifted upwards, catching sight of K emerging from the other end of the corridor. She was d in a flowing white gown, her figure ethereal, almost like a porcin doll brought to life.


    As Sadie had stormed off earlier, K had trailed behind, her steps light with the anticipation of witnessing Sadie¡¯s misery, ready to add fuel to the fire. However, the scene that unfolded before K was not the debacle she had envisioned. She was shocked by the sight of Sadie, now cradled securely in Noah¡¯s arms.


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 Chapter 33

    ?Chapter 33:


    The intimacy of their embrace, the tender way Noah held her, sparked a seething rage within K. They were so close, so entwined, that it seemed as though the world around them had dissolved.


    Jealousy wed at K¡¯s heart, fierce and unrelenting. She couldn¡¯tprehend it all. Why did Sadie, of all people, receive such affection and tenderness from Noah?


    As K approached, her smile softened even further, her hand extending warmly toward Noah. Her voice, infused with tender concern, broke the tension. ¡°Noah, why don¡¯t you let me take care of Sadie?¡±


    There was a softness in her voice, wrapped in just enough worry to make it seem like she was the only one who genuinely cared for Sadie. Yet, instead of releasing his hold, Noah clutched Sadie tighter to his chest, his brows knitting together in a mix of confusion and slight irritation.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± he demanded, his voice edged with mild annoyance.


    K¡¯s outstretched hand closed on empty air, and she paused, her face a mask of fleeting confusion before she smoothly retracted her hand. With a casual flick, she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, concealing her momentary embarrassment. Maintaining herposed demeanor, she replied softly, ¡°Noah, don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s already slipped your mind? I brought this upst night. You were overwhelmed, so I offered to handle the contract negotiations with Mr. Crawford from Sky Tech.¡±


    Noah¡¯s mind flickered with a vague memory of that conversation. After he had dropped K off at the hospital, his thoughts had been overwhelmingly upied with Sadie¡¯s health, only half-hearing K¡¯s words. He had nodded absentmindedly, his attention already elsewhere as he rushed off. That casual dismissal, though unintentional, had pierced K like a dagger, wounding her deeply.


    Still oblivious to the depth of K¡¯s hurt, Noah asked, ¡°And Sadie? Why on earth is she here with you?¡±


    With a casual ease, K spoke as if she were merelymenting on a sunny afternoon. ¡°Noah, you know there¡¯s always drinking at these gatherings, and with my heart condition, I simply can¡¯t drink. I heard that Sadie is exceptionally diligent at work, so I figured she could handle it. That¡¯s why I asked her to step in.¡±


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    She studied Noah¡¯s face intently, her eyes searching for the usual gentle understanding he had shown so many times before¡ªhoping he would let the issue pass without fuss, as he always did. However, this time, his response was unexpectedly icy. ¡°Sadie¡¯s not feeling well either,¡± he stated tly.


    What?


    K stood rooted to the spot, shocked. For a fleeting moment, she questioned whether she was trapped in some surreal dream. Wait¡­ was he seriously defending Sadie?


    The thought pierced through K like a sharp thorn, igniting a wild ze of jealousy within her. She lifted her eyes, only to meet Noah¡¯s intense, unwavering stare. There was a chilling coldness and an unspoken warning in his eyes that she had never seen directed at her before.


    Feeling a tight knot in her chest, K fought back any show of displeasure. Instead, she clenched her fist so tightly that her nails dug into her palm, and with a voice tinged with innocence yetced with self-reproach, she murmured, ¡°I had no idea about Sadie¡¯s condition¡­ I never would have involved her had I known. Remember, after I saved you and barely escaped those kidnappers, I was left with this heart condition. You promised, Noah¡ªyou said you¡¯d always look after me.¡±


    Noah remained silent, his deep eyes fixed on K with an intensity that seemed to pierce through her very soul.


    After a prolonged silence, he averted his gaze, his features shadowed by a mix of emotions¡ªunreadable and foreboding.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t forgotten¡ªI don¡¯t break my promises. The Wall Group is the only thing keeping Sky Tech from sinking,¡± he said, his voice low and steady. ¡°You don¡¯t need to be so deferential toward its CEO. When ites to the partnership, he¡¯s not our only choice. And you had no right to involve Sadie.¡±


    K¡¯s heart thudded painfully against her chest.


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 Chapter 34

    ?Chapter 34:


    A wave of irritation crashed over her as she pressed her lips together and murmured, ¡°Noah, I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t think it through.¡±


    Noah ignored K¡¯s apology and shifted his focus to Sadie, who looked half-conscious and pale in his arms. His eyes darkened with concern as he gently guided her toward the private room.


    K watched Noah¡¯s figure, her fists clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palms, drawing pain without her noticing.


    K was determined to win against Sadie no matter what it took.


    Inside the private room, an opulent yet eerie atmosphere enveloped the space. The crystal chandelier cast a ghostly glow over the polished mahogany table, intensifying the room¡¯s unsettling aura.


    ¡°People rave about Miss Hudson¡¯s brilliance at the Wall Group, but today, I see she¡¯s nothing special.¡±


    tt, his ample stomach brushing against the edge of the table, spoke with palpable disdain and a mocking tone.


    Marvin Valdez, who was perched next to him, eagerly joined in, his eyes gleaming with amusement.


    ¡°I heard she¡¯s closed million-dor deals on her own¡ªshowing the world she¡¯s just as ruthless and sharp as any man in the game! For all her reputation, she can¡¯t even hold her liquor! Ha! Women belong at home raising kids, not sticking their noses where they don¡¯t belong in the business world. She wants to y with the big leagues, yet one drink has her tapping out? Pathetic!¡±


    Mack, who had been quietly simmering with irritation, couldn¡¯t hold back any longer. His voice cracked with emotion as he interjected, ¡°Mr. Crawford, please watch your words!¡±


    tt, unfazed, gave Mack a condescending look and waved him off dismissively. ¡°Oh,e on, Mack. I get it, a man¡¯s instinct to defend a woman he admires, but don¡¯t let that blind you to reality. Spoil a woman too much, and she¡¯ll crumble the moment reality hits.¡±


    He leaned closer, and his voice dropped to a sly whisper, heavy with insinuation. ¡°And let¡¯s not forget, some women are masters of maniption¡ªmaintaining an innocent facade while cunningly advancing their own agendas behind the scenes.¡±


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    Laughter rippled through the group, yet Mack¡¯s expression didn¡¯t waver.


    ¡°Mr. Crawford is absolutely right. These days, a pretty face isn¡¯t just a blessing; it¡¯s a stepping stone. Makes you wonder what underhanded tricks they resort to for climbing thedder so swiftly.¡±


    ¡°Couldn¡¯t agree more! Some women pretend to be saints in the daylight, but once the doors shut, they know exactly how to seduce their prey!¡±


    As theirughter grew louder and more obnoxious, a piercing, cold voice sliced through the cacophony.


    ¡°Let me get this straight¡ªording to you, Mr. Crawford, the women at Wall Group are just eye candy?¡±


    tt¡¯s smirk froze on his face as he swiveled toward the door. Standing there was Noah, his figure outlined by the sleek, tailored lines of a dark suit that entuated hismanding presence. His features were sharp, his expression icy as he surveyed the room with a gaze so frigid it seemed to lower the temperature.


    The sheer force of his arrival sent a palpable chill across the gathering.


    What left them truly speechless was the fact that he was standing there, holding Sadie¡ªthe same woman they had just belittled. With her cheeks burning red, Sadie leaned hazily against his chest, their proximity exuding an undeniable intimacy.


    Murmurs filled the room, the previous arrogance turning into whispers of confusion.


    Wasn¡¯t K the one everyone imed to be Noah¡¯s girlfriend?


    Why the hell was he suddenly ying hero for a damn secretary?


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 Chapter 35

    ?Chapter 35:


    Under the impression that K would be Noah¡¯s future bride, tt had no qualms about conspiring with her to humiliate Sadie. However, if he had misjudged the situation, the consequences would be disastrous¡ªhe¡¯d be as good as dead. As these thoughts churned through his mind, tt rose, his face breaking into an ingratiating smile directed at Noah.


    ¡°Please, forgive my earlier oversight in properly weing you,¡± he said, his voice carrying a tone of deference.


    Immediately, the room buzzed to life as everyone stood, shuffling chairs and clearing the way to honor their guest. The seat of honor and its adjacent chair were conspicuously left vacant.


    Noah watched the orchestratedmotion silently, his expression unreadable. Only after thest murmurs had settled did he gracefully take the chair reserved for him.


    K, poised to sit beside him, paused mid-step as Noah, in a surprising move, gestured for Sadie to sit next to him instead. The room filled with whispered spections and furtive nces towards K, whose ns seemed to unravel before her eyes.


    ¡°K, what¡¯s the deal with Miss Hudson? Why is Mr. Wall acting like she¡¯s someone important?¡± A woman, dressed in eye-catching, over-the-top clothing, covered her mouth with a delicate hand, her voice a syrupy blend of curiosity and scorn.


    A man joined in, skepticismcing his tone. ¡°Miss Wade, weren¡¯t you just telling us how Mr. Wall¡­¡±


    K inhaled sharply, quelling the storm inside her. She put on a forced smile and replied, ¡°Mr. Wall has always been exceptionally attentive to every member of his staff. With Sadie drunk, he¡¯s obviously going to ensure she gets the care she needs.¡±


    ¡°Oh, is that so?¡±


    The crowd murmured, their disbelief thinly veiled by nodding heads, their expressions etched with doubt. But wasn¡¯t this care unusually personal?


    It was clear to anyone observing that there was something more to it. And Noah¡ªknown for his indifference towards romantic entanglements and his cutthroat decisiveness¡ªsince when did he exhibit such warmth and concern for a woman?


    Yet, no one dared to call out K¡¯s bluff.


    With her facade intact, K moved to another seat, sitting ramrod straight, fully aware of the curious nces thrown her way. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment.


    Her hands clenched into fists under the table, nails digging painfully into her flesh, yet she remained outwardlyposed, oblivious to the physical difort her own body inflicted.


    The spacious private room was engulfed in a stifling silence. Everyone present was on edge, scarcely daring to draw a deep breath for fear that even the slightest noise might provoke the formidable man seated in the chair of honor.


    Noah¡¯s piercing eyes swept across the room, and wherever his steely gazended, it seemed to exert an invisible, crushing weight. People instinctively lowered their heads, shunning his scrutiny as if the mere act of meeting his eyes could spell disaster. His gaze, sharp and discerning, seemed to slice through the tense atmosphere, sending a chill skittering across everyone¡¯s skin.


    Just as the room¡¯s anxiety was teetering on the brink of unbearable, Noah broke the silence. His voice was calm, almost disinterested, as his thin lips parted slightly to deliver two simple words: ¡°Mr. Crawford.¡±


    Despite the casual delivery, those wordsnded with the explosive force of a thunderp, echoing ominously in the tense air.


    At the mention of his name, tt felt an icy dread snake down his spine, his back slick with cold sweat. He shot up from his seat as if jolted by an electric current, snapping to attention like a soldier heeding a general¡¯s call. Standing ramrod straight, his hands aligned precisely along the seams of his trousers, he leaned forward in a deferential bow and asked with a tremulous voice, ¡°Mr. Wall, what can I do for you?¡±


    Noah let the question hang in the air, his response dyed as he turned his attention to Sadie. She reclined in her chair, her head resting against the high back, eyes half-lidded and herplexion ghostly pale, a picture of distress. A shadow crossed Noah¡¯s features, and the oppressive atmosphere thickened palpably around him.


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 Chapter 36

    ?Chapter 36:


    He slowly redirected his gaze towards tt, allowing a small, chilling chuckle to escape his lips¡ªa sound deceptively gentle yetden with an unspoken threat.


    ¡°You sure have a thing for drinking, don¡¯t you? Well, today you¡¯re in for a treat,¡± Noah dered with a sly grin. He snapped his fingers, the sound crisp and resonant in the hushed confines of the private room.


    At his signal, Samuel, who had been poised just outside, swung the door open. Waiters strode in one after another, their movements smooth and precise. They filed in two neat rows, each carrying bottles of wine that gleamed under the soft lighting. One by one, they set the bottles before tt, each cement marked by the soft chime of ss meeting wood¡ªa sound ominously reminiscent of a tolling bell in tt¡¯s increasingly anxious ears.


    Hisplexion drained to a ghostly pallor. A fine sheen of sweat beaded on his brow, and his difort was palpable in the thickening silence. The entire spectacle wrapped up in five minutes.


    Finally, as thest bottle was ced, the lead waiter stepped forward, his voice breaking the suspense. ¡°Mr. Wall, all the wine is here,¡± he announced, his tone formal yet tinged with a hint of disbelief. The room held its breath. The extent of Noah¡¯smand¡ªevery bottle in the restaurantid out before them¡ªwas staggering.


    Was he trying to make tt drink himself to death?


    Noah¡¯s gaze swept over the assembly,nding with icy finality on tt. His lips barely moved as he spoke, but the word ¡°Enjoy¡± fell from them like a verdict, resonating with a chilling authority that sent a shiver down tt¡¯s spine.


    tt¡¯s breath hitched, unease settling in as he stared at the mountain of wine bottles. He conjured a smile, more like a strained grimace, as he stammered, ¡°Well, Mr. Wall, th-this is¡­ it¡¯s rather excessive.¡± He flicked a desperate nce towards K, silently pleading for intervention from the normally eloquent diplomat.


    Catching his cue, K nodded subtly. She gracefully swept a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she chimed in, her voice deliberately softened to convey concern. ¡°Noah, forcing down this much wine could be deadly¡ª¡±


    Her words wereced with a feigned fragility, designed to evoke Noah¡¯s protective instincts.


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    Yet, before she could borate, Noah cut her off with a stern,manding tone. ¡°So, you¡¯re aware of the risks, then?¡±


    His voice, though not raised, carried a potent, resonant force that filled the charged silence of the room.


    His sharp gaze swept across the faces before him, resting on K with a glint of sarcasm and unmistakable chill.


    His insinuation was clear, and it struck K directly.


    A storm of emotions whirled within her, herplexion paling. It never crossed her mind that Noah would go to such extremes for Sadie.


    The weight of it hit so hard, it felt like the air had been sucked from her lungs.


    Beneath the table, her fingers gripped her handbag with such intensity that her knuckles whitened.


    The gentle mask she had so meticulously maintained began to fracture, revealing a hint of the turmoil within.


    tt, too, understood the gravity of the situation. He recognized that he had provoked someone truly formidable. Consequences loomed over him, inevitable and severe.


    Trapped with no escape, he sank to his knees with a resounding thud, his hands sped before him, the very picture of desperation. With urgencyced in his tone, his words shattered the tense stillness surrounding them. ¡°Miss Hudson, I was foolish to cross you, and I sincerely regret it. Please, show some mercy and convince Mr. Wall to let me off just this once!¡±


    The room was enveloped in a palpable silence, every attendee frozen, their breaths held as they witnessed the unfolding drama.


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 Chapter 37

    ?Chapter 37:


    Who would have thought that tt, a dominant force in business, would be reduced to pleading for mercy from a woman who appeared so fragile?


    Sadie, her eyes slowly fluttering open, fixed a weak yet resolute gaze on tt. Her voice, though soft, was infused with an unwavering resolve. ¡°Mr. Crawford, when I continuously declined your request, neither you nor Miss Wade showed me any leniency. You branded me a workaholic, so devoted to thepany that I¡¯d overlook personal boundaries. You dismissed my refusal to drink, insisting that without mypliance, you wouldn¡¯t work with Wall Group.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Crawford, were those your words?¡± Sadie pressed, her voice dripping with sarcasm, which visibly darkened tt¡¯s expression.


    His lips quivered as he struggled with the weight of her words. After a painful pause, he managed a reply, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Miss Hudson, I messed up¡ªplease, give me this one chance to make it right.¡±


    K, who had never imagined she¡¯d witness Sadie¡ªthe typically reserved woman¡ªconfronting someone, felt a sudden urge to defend tt. She almost rose to speak on his behalf, but Noah¡¯s frosty stare rooted her to the spot.


    ¡°Mr. Crawford, since you hold such contempt for Wall Group, I believe it¡¯s best we sever our ties now.¡± Noah¡¯s tone was as cold as the arctic, leaving no room for tt to argue.


    Overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation, tt copsed to the floor, his face the picture of despair. Despite all efforts, hispany had never risen beyond mediocrity. A massive conglomerate like Wall Group, built on generations of sess, could bankrupt hispany without even breaking a sweat. In ast-ditch effort to salvage the situation, tt grabbed a bottle of wine and dered, ¡°Mr. Wall, I¡¯ll drink!¡± He then took a desperate gulp, hoping against hope to mend the irreparable rift.


    The fiery liquid scorched its way down his throat, causing his eyes to water, yet tt persisted, knowing this momentary agony was trivialpared to the devastation of bankruptcy.


    One bottle, two bottles, three bottles¡­


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    No one dared to make a sound, their eyes fixed on tt as he drowned himself in liquor, each bottle tipping back like the final act of a doomed man.


    tt¡¯s torment dragged on, bottle after bottle, until the fifth sealed his fate. His body failed, his world spun, and in the next second, he copsed¡ªnothing but dead weight on the cold floor.


    Noah, his face twisted in a grimace of revulsion, turned to Samuel with icy detachment. ¡°I¡¯ll leave the rest to you,¡± hemanded, his voice brooking no argument.


    ¡°Absolutely, Mr. Wall,¡± Samuel responded with a deferential nod. Disregarding the shocked faces around him, Noah snatched up his coat and strode out, Sadie in tow.


    The chill of the night air greeted them, cutting through the stench of alcohol that clung to their clothes. It was a wee, cleansing breeze that seemed to clear Sadie¡¯s senses slightly. She shook her head vigorously, trying to shake off the lingering haze of alcohol. She needed to get away, to find sce in the quiet of her own space.


    She walked straight to the roadside, intending to hail a taxi home. There was something unsettling about the way Sadie ignored him, leaving Noah with a vague but persistent difort he couldn¡¯t put into words. He approached her and grasped her hand, his voice tinged with irritation. ¡°After everything I did for you tonight, Sadie, do I not even get a word?¡±


    Sadie turned to face him, her eyes wide with a mix of surprise and indifference. ¡°Oh, thank you,¡± she murmured, her tone t.


    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± Noah chuckled dryly, his frustration bubbling to the surface. ¡°Just a ¡®thank you¡¯?¡±


    ¡°What more do you expect?¡± Sadie retorted, her confusion evident. ¡°What else should I say?¡±


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 Chapter 38

    ?Chapter 38:


    Noah paused, caught off guard by his own escting annoyance. He didn¡¯t really know what he expected her to say; it was her nonchnt demeanor that irked him.


    Seizing the moment, he pulled her a bit closer, his expression serious. ¡°You never fail to stir things up, do you, Sadie? You knew you were sick, but that didn¡¯t stop you from showing up at this dinner anyway. So, you think thepany¡¯s incapable of closing a deal unless you¡¯re involved?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re being unreasonable, Noah!¡± Sadie snapped, her frustration ring. Noah had heard K admit she practically dragged her to this event. Yet here he was, conveniently overlooking the real culprit, cing all the me directly on her. Was he really using her of bringing this on herself?


    Exasperated and done with the confrontation, Sadie broke away from his grasp, gged down a taxi, and disappeared into the night without a backward nce.


    As the taxi disappeared into the night, Noah¡¯s face twisted into a terrifying grimace. The anger radiating from him was palpable, his frustration boiling over as he delivered a sharp kick to the railing. The sound of leather mming into metal pierced the quiet, reverberating ominously.


    From a distance, K had observed every moment of the altercation, her eyes fixed on the unfolding drama. As Noah and Sadie parted ways under a cloud of discord, a smug smile slowly spread across K¡¯s face.


    After allowing Noah some time to cool down, K approached him with deliberate steps, her voice dripping with feigned remorse. ¡°Noah, you can¡¯t hold Sadie responsible for her reaction. It was my fault¡ªI made a mistake today, and it upset her. I¡¯ll make it right tomorrow; I¡¯ll apologize to her first thing at the office.¡±


    She lowered her gaze, letting the shadows of hershes fall over her cheeks, her voice soft.


    ¡°No need,¡± Noah snapped, his voice icy, tinged with an irritation that was almost imperceptible. ¡°She¡¯s the one who put herself in this mess. She could¡¯ve just spoken up if she wasn¡¯t feeling well, couldn¡¯t she?¡±


    K¡¯s expression tightened, her features hardening. Though Noah seemed to be chastising Sadie, it was clear that concern, not disdain, colored his words.


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    She stole a nce at her phone. The call had ended. A cold smile curled her lips again. The dim light from the screen highlighted her wless skin, but it failed to mask the cunning glint in her eyes.


    Minutes ago, in the back seat of the taxi, Sadie had every intention of closing her eyes and finding a moment of respite. But the shrill ring of her phone shattered the silence.


    It was K calling.


    With annoyance knitting her brow, Sadie instinctively reached for the reject button. However, in her haste, her finger grazed the touchscreen, inadvertently epting the call instead.


    Noah¡¯s voice burst through the speaker, his words hitting her like a cold, unexpected p. The raw usation in his tone left her stunned, a chill creeping down her spine. So, he truly believed that all her misfortunes were solely her own making!


    A sharp pang of betrayal twisted in her chest, as if her heart had been cleaved in two, bleeding out silently. Her grip on the phone tightened, her knuckles whitening with the strain, yet her eyes remained dry. She stubbornly refused to spill any tears.


    The following day, Sadie walked into the Wall Group offices as if nothing had changed. Yet, as she settled into her routine, Tina approached her with a probing stare.


    ¡°Sadie, what exactly is your rtionship with Mr. Wall?¡± Tina¡¯s voice wasced with curiosity, her gaze piercing.


    Sadie felt a knot tighten in her chest, but she masked her difort with a casual shrug and questioned, ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±


    ¡°Mr. Wall whisked you away like a knight in shining armor!¡± Tina dered, her voice rising with theatrical ir as she mimicked Noah¡¯s tone. ¡°You¡¯ve got two options, Mr. Crawford. Drink yourself to death or sit back and watch yourpany copse! How amazing is that?¡± Her eyes sparkled with unabashed admiration as she blinked rapidly, clearly enthralled by the story.


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 Chapter 39

    ?Chapter 39:


    Sadie hadn¡¯t anticipated that the rumors would circte through the office so swiftly, thrusting her once again into the relentless whirl of office gossip. Back when she married Noah, only a select few were privy to their union. Now, with K¡¯s return, Noah must be even more determined to distance himself from any association with her.


    ¡°It¡¯s strictly professional¡ªa ssic boss and subordinate dynamic,¡± Sadie asserted, her voice a soft murmur as she cast her eyes downward, veiling the flicker of sadness that threatened to surface. ¡°Mr. Wall is renowned not just for his generosity but also for his unwavering loyalty. Were any of youpelled to drink against your will, he¡¯d undoubtedly defend you, too.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Tina¡¯s jaw dropped, her expression morphing into one of incredulity. She searched for something to counter Sadie¡¯s impable defense, but finding none, she hesitantly backed down, her skepticism lingering in the tense air.


    Sadie sank into her seat, her mind swirling with chaotic thoughts. Could Noah possibly harbor lingering feelings for her? This tantalizing possibility fluttered through her consciousness briefly before she firmly squashed it. No, Noah didn¡¯t love her; she couldn¡¯t let herself sumb to baseless daydreams.


    Inside the CEO¡¯s office, Samuel dutifullypleted his rundown of the day¡¯s agenda for Noah. Then, he hesitantly broached the subject of thetest office whispers that were circting.


    Noah¡¯s face remained impassive, his features set in an icy mask that seemed to chill the very air around him. The atmosphere grew heavy,den with tension. Samuel, standing rigidly before him, felt a nervous sweat bead on his forehead, his hands slightly trembling.


    ¡°Do I seriously have to tell you how to deal with these simple matters?¡± Noah¡¯s voice sliced through the silence, sharp and unforgiving, without even a nce in Samuel¡¯s direction.


    Disappointment crept into Samuel¡¯s heart. It appeared that Noah was truly indifferent to his wife, Sadie. Samuel realized there was little he could do to mend the fissures in their rtionship.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, please be at ease; your wife has already cleared up the misunderstandings,¡± Samuel hastily assured, adopting a professional demeanor to mask his inner turmoil.


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    As Samuel was about to depart, Noah¡¯s voice halted him abruptly. ¡°What did she say?¡±


    Noah¡¯s inquiry was t, emotionless, yet Samuel detected an underlying current of something intense, something not quite definable.


    ¡°Well, she said¡­¡± Samuel paused, scrutinizing Noah¡¯s stoic facade as he chose his words carefully. ¡°She said that the two of you have nothing more than a typical boss-subordinate rtionship. She praised yourpassion and protective nature, insisting that you¡¯d defend any employee just as fiercely against injustices.¡±


    With each word, Samuel¡¯s enthusiasm grew; he couldn¡¯t help admiring Sadie¡¯s tactful maneuver¡ªit was a masterstroke, painting Noah as an approachable and benevolent leader. However, Noah¡¯s countenance abruptly shifted; his mood soured as he mmed a pen against the desk with a sharp crack. ¡°Get out!¡± he bellowed, his voice booming with authority.


    Samuel recoiled, wasting no time as he made his exit from the ominous atmosphere of the office. Left alone, Noah slumped into his expansive chair, his features twisted into an ominous scowl.


    Outside the office, the echo of high heels on the polished floor signaled someone approaching. K, donned in a sleek Chanel suit, paused at the doorway of the CEO¡¯s office. ¡°Samuel, is Noah inside?¡± she inquired with a knowing smirk, her voiceced with yful tease, already aware of the answer.


    When K appeared, Samuel¡¯s face lit up with relief, as though he had just spotted a lifeline. His smile was wide, almost ingratiating. ¡°Miss Wade, perfect timing! Mr. Wall¡¯s in a foul mood. You¡¯re the only one who can handle him. He could use your soothing presence.¡±


    After a soft knock on the door, Noah, mistaking the visitor for Sadie, adjusted his tone to something moremanding. ¡°Come in,¡± he called out.


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 Chapter 40

    ?Chapter 40:


    However, it was K who sauntered in, her presence marked by a wave of her potent perfume. As the fragrance enveloped him, Noah¡¯s expression shifted subtly; his brow creased slightly, betraying a sh of irritation. He had always had an aversion to strong perfumes, deeming them somewhat pretentious.


    ¡°What brings you here?¡± Noah questioned, his voice cool, masking his growing annoyance. Despite his cool demeanor, his thoughts inadvertently wandered to Sadie¡ªthe simple, refreshing scent of her shower gel lingering in his mind, sharply contrasting with the perfume now filling his office.


    K, sensing the tension, swept a strand of hair behind her ear and offered a soft, reassuring smile. ¡°Noah, Samuel mentioned you were feeling out of sorts, and I couldn¡¯t help but worry,¡± she said, her voiceced with concern. ¡°Is it still about the incident with Sadie and the drinking? I messed up. I wasn¡¯t thinking straight. I¡¯m really sorry,¡±


    Her words were smooth, her demeanor empathetic, yet internally, she harbored a flicker of resentment towards Sadie. It was Sadie, after all, who had inadvertently cast a shadow over her standing with Noah. At her words, Noah¡¯s frown only deepened.


    ¡°Don¡¯t stress over it. Nobody¡¯s perfect¡ªwe all mess up now and then,¡± Noah stated, his voice steady, betraying not a trace of emotion.


    K¡¯s smile faltered, her heart sinking as she realized he hadn¡¯t denied her assumption about his reason for being upset. A sense of rm echoed through her thoughts¡ªNoah¡¯s affection for Sadie was evidently more profound than she¡¯d anticipated. No, she couldn¡¯t stand by and watch Sadie im everything that was hers!


    Masking her turmoil, K adopted a morepassionate demeanor. ¡°Even so, I should show Sadie my sincerity through actions. Since Sadie hasn¡¯t been feeling well, perhaps it¡¯s best if she takes some time off to recover, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    Noah paused, considering her suggestion with a thoughtful frown before nodding in agreement. ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll follow your advice.¡±


    In the bustling secretarial office, Sadie was immersed in her tasks, organizing piles of documents with diligent focus. It was her duty day, and she was responsible forpiling all the office documents and delivering them to Noah.


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    Contemting the recent tensions with Noah, Sadie felt a pang of unease. After much deliberation, she approached Samuel with a tentative air, her voice low and respectful. ¡°Samuel, could you please assist me in delivering these documents to the CEO¡¯s office? I just¡­¡±


    Samuel cut her off, his expression ufortable. ¡°I¡¯m afraid that¡¯s not going to happen. Mr. Wall prefers not to have others handle his documents, especially the crucial ones that need his personal approval.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s expression froze, her disappointment palpable. Struggling to find the right words, she stood there, momentarily lost. Despite the turmoil swirling within her, she recognized the importance of professionalism. With a resigned sigh, she inhaled deeply, mustering her resolve, and strode towards the CEO¡¯s office.


    Just as her hand was poised to knock, the door swung open with a soft ¡°click.¡± The immediate waft of perfume enveloped Sadie, causing her to lift her gaze abruptly. There, framed in the doorway, stood K, her features enhanced by wless makeup. Dressed in an impably tailored Chanel suit, K exuded an aura of sophistication. Yet, her smug expression was particrly ring. Sadie¡¯s hand hung suspended in the air, her face draining of color.


    K, oblivious to Sadie¡¯s reaction or choosing to ignore it, strode confidently to the heart of the secretarial office. With a brisk p that sliced through the murmurs, she beamed a practiced smile and announced, ¡°Everyone, may I have your attention, please?¡± The office fell into a curious hush, all eyes drawn to K.


    ¡°Here¡¯s the situation,¡± K began, her smile unwavering and her voice dipped in a soothing cadence. ¡°I realize now that my decisions yesterday may have unintentionally slighted both Sadie and Mack. To convey my genuine regret, I¡¯ve ordered milkshakes for everyone. I hope this can smooth over any hard feelings.¡±


    Her words were met with a ripple of cheers, the office buzzing with appreciative murmurs for K¡¯s thoughtful gesture.


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 Chapter 41

    ?Chapter 41:


    Meanwhile, Tina leaned closer to Sadie, her voice a hushed undertone. ¡°Sadie, doesn¡¯t it seem like K is a bit cunning? If she truly meant to apologize to you and Mack, wouldn¡¯t a private moment have been more appropriate? It¡¯s pretty obvious she¡¯s turning your struggles into a publicity stunt to make herself look good.¡±


    Sadie managed a wry smile in response, her eyes narrowing slightly. True to her style, K knew exactly how to put on a performance, shaping the story to fit her needs.


    As if on cue, four burly bodyguards dressed in ck uniforms made their entrance, carrying two enormous tubs of milkshakes. The spectacle drew intrigued nces and whispered spections from every corner of the room.


    K lingered at the threshold of the secretarial office, her smile radiant and warm as she oversaw the bodyguards cing an array of colorful milkshakes on the desk. With a flourish, she began distributing the sweet treats gracefully.


    ¡°Thank you, K!¡±


    ¡°K, you¡¯re an absolute treasure.¡±


    ¡°K, this is beyond thoughtful of you.¡±


    As she basked in the glow of admiration, K¡¯s smile widened, her eyes twinkling with the pleasure of being the center of attention¡ªthe puppeteer in her own grand y.


    As the milkshakes dwindled to just two remaining cups, she scanned the room and asked with a soft, inviting voice, ¡°Is there anyone who hasn¡¯t received their milkshake?¡±


    Tina exchanged a hesitant nce with Sadie, her expression torn.


    The weight of loyalty tugged at her heartstrings. Sadie had be more than just a colleague; she was a friend, someone Tina was inclined to support without hesitation.


    Yet, the prospect of being the only rebel to decline K¡¯s offering hung over her like a dark cloud¡ªa mark of defiance that could iste her in this tight-knit office environment.


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    Sadie caught the flicker of conflict in Tina¡¯s eyes and felt a surge of warm gratitude mixed with concern.


    She treasured Tina¡¯s support but was keenly aware of the potential repercussions it could bring upon her friend in such a scrutinizing setting.


    Sadie nudged Tina¡¯s arm just enough to get her attention and said softly, ¡°Go grab the milkshake. I¡¯m fine, really. Don¡¯t trouble yourself over me.¡±


    Tina hesitated, her lip caught nervously between her teeth, before her hand shot up with a reluctant, ¡°Me!¡±


    K passed the frosty drink to Tina, her gaze drifting leisurely toward Sadie, her smile unwavering and radiant. ¡°And Sadie, this one¡¯s for you.¡± She offered thest cup with warmth, as if they were long-lost friends reunited.


    Sadie eyed the creamy concoction, the pungent aroma of fresh milk hitting her hard, the sugary scent nearly overpowering, churning her stomach.


    With a subtle step back, she lowered her voice and gently declined. ¡°No, thank you. I¡¯m actually allergic to milkshakes.¡±


    A hush fell over the room as curious eyes darted between Sadie and K.


    Sadie¡¯s refusal, meant to be discreet and polite, seemed to strike a nerve.


    K¡¯s expression shifted subtly, her eyes downcast as hershes cast shadows across her porcin cheeks. Her voice was tinged with hurt, almost too faint to catch.


    ¡°Sadie, it seems you¡¯re still holding a grudge. Why else would you make up such ame excuse like a milkshake allergy just to turn me down?¡±


    That single, biting sentence drew a clear line between Sadie and everyone else in the room.


    As expected, a wave of criticism swiftly followed, targeting Sadie with sharp, unsparing words.


    ¡°Sadie, that was uncalled for. K admitted her mistake and genuinely apologized¡ªdon¡¯t make this tougher on her than it needs to be!¡±


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 Chapter 42

    ?Chapter 42:


    ¡°Come on, it¡¯s just a cup of milkshake. Is it really that big of a deal?¡±


    ¡°K has good intentions. How could you be so harsh?¡±


    Each syble of reproach sliced through Sadie like shards of ice, her heart sinking with every word.


    She mustered a brittle smile, her face a mask of forcedposure. Drawing in a deep breath to quell the tempest of emotions churning inside her, Sadie fixed her gaze on K.


    ¡°K, this is what you wanted, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Her response was measured and firm, the rity of her tone cutting through the murmurs of the office.


    The office fell silent, all eyes darting between the two women. K¡¯s response was not one of irritation, but of increased radiance; her smile widened, tinged with a provocative and triumphant gleam.


    It was as if she was silently proiming her victory, suggesting that Sadie was no match for her cunning.


    With a sly smirk, K leaned in, her crimson lips hovering near Sadie¡¯s ear, whispering just loud enough for her alone to hear. ¡°That¡¯s right. I¡¯m telling you that if I wanted to strip you of everything, it would be as easy as pie.¡±


    The heat of her breath tickled the sensitive skin behind Sadie¡¯s ear, sending an involuntary shiver cascading down her spine. Her fists clenched tightly, nails digging into the flesh of her palms.


    Sadie fought the fierce urge to strike K.


    But this was their workce, after all. Noah was just next door, separated only by a thin wall. Acting on impulse now would do nothing but backfire on her.


    K took silent pleasure in the way Sadie kept herself in check, as if savoring a secret triumph.


    There was something deeply gratifying about seeing Sadie so visibly disturbed yet utterly powerless; it affirmed K¡¯s dominance,plete and undisputed.


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    Straightening up, K smoothly transitioned back to her usual poised and polished demeanor. She cleared her throat slightly and raised her voice, ensuring everyone could hear her.


    ¡°Sadie, I understand you haven¡¯t been feeling greattely. Noah and I decided it would be best for you to take a break and focus on recovering.¡±


    Her voice was dripping with sweetness, her tone so tender, as if she genuinely cared for Sadie¡¯s well-being.


    Yet, a cold shiver crawled down Sadie¡¯s spine as anger surged within her, bubbling dangerously close to the surface.


    Her eyes widened in sheer disbelief as she fixed her piercing gaze on K, her wordsing out sharply through clenched teeth.


    ¡°Who do you think you are to decide for me?¡±


    The fury in Sadie¡¯s eyes burned brightly.


    She was baffled by K¡¯s audacity to interfere in her life, boldly taking it upon herself to dictate her actions at work!


    Meanwhile, K adopted the facade of an aggrieved innocent. Her eyes were tinged with red, yet her tone stayed soothing and calm.


    ¡°Sadie, don¡¯t take this the wrong way. I¡¯m only doing what¡¯s best for you. You¡¯ve been sick and overworking yourself. I just don¡¯t want you to copse from exhaustion. ¡°Noah and I talked it over, and this is what we decided. Isn¡¯t that right, Noah?¡±


    As the words left her lips, she nced at Noah with feigned helplessness, as if seeking support, though no one had realized when he had arrived at the door.


    Noah, distinguished in a sharply tailored ck suit that highlighted his stern posture and cold aura, gave a nomittal ¡°mm-hmm¡± before advising, ¡°Pushing yourself while you¡¯re unwell won¡¯t do anyone any favors¡ªit¡¯ll just add to thepany¡¯s burden.¡±


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 Chapter 43

    ?Chapter 43:


    Sadie cast her gaze downward, masking the bitterness and despair swirling in her eyes, and murmured in a hushed tone, ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall.¡±


    Observing her distress, Tina quickly closed the distance between them, tenderly grasping Sadie¡¯s hand and whispering, ¡°Sadie, it¡¯s really okay to take a break. Don¡¯t overthink it. Remember, your healthes first.¡±


    With a strained smile, Sadie tightened her grip on Tina¡¯s hand, expressing her gratitude. ¡°Thanks, Tina. I appreciate your concern.¡±


    With no further obligations at work, Sadie decided it was time to leave for her grandma¡¯s ce, where she would stay for a while. In a world that often felt lonely, Laura was her only family and the only light that kept her heart warm.


    As she gathered her things, memories of the earlier confrontations haunted her¡ªNoah¡¯s aloofness, K¡¯s gloating, and the inquisitive stares from her colleagues felt like daggers to her soul, suffocating her spirit.


    ¡°Sadie?¡± Laura¡¯s eyes widened in surprise as she saw Sadie. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    Having just wrapped up a line dancing ss with her close friends, Laura entered her kitchen to find Sadie unexpectedly standing there, holding a spat.


    Sadie mustered a strained smile as she arranged the stir-fried vegetables on the te, her movements deliberate, aiming to project calm. ¡°Grandma, I made some dishes for you! Come taste them and tell me what you think.¡±


    Laura regarded Sadie with a gentle, perceptive look as she ced her palm fan beside her on the table. She hadn¡¯t even touched her food when she pinned Sadie with a deep, prating stare, as though she could unravel all the secrets Sadie was trying to hide.


    Feeling a tingle of unease under Laura¡¯s intense scrutiny, Sadie maintained her poise. She served a bowl of shrimp and grits¡ªLaura¡¯s favorite¡ªand attempted to steer the conversation away from the tension. ¡°Grandma, please have some. I remember how much you used to enjoy my shrimp and grits.¡±


    Yet Laura wasn¡¯t swayed by the diversion. She continued to study Sadie with a solemn expression, and her voice was slow and measured when she finally spoke. ¡°Sadie, did something happen between you and that young man, Alex?¡±


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    At the mention of Alex, a flicker of difort crossed Sadie¡¯s face, and her grip on the fork tightened imperceptibly. She conjured a light, dismissive smile and reassured Laura. ¡°Grandma, everything¡¯s fine. Please, don¡¯t worry about it.¡±


    ¡°Sadie,¡± Laura responded with a mix of firmness and affection, ¡°I might not be as sharp or as capable as I once was, and there¡¯s only so much I can do for you, but promise me this¡ªdon¡¯t ever let anyone hurt you. If your heart is heavy, juste home. I¡¯m always here, waiting.¡±


    Instead of challenging Sadie¡¯s pretense, Laura simply extended her hand and sped Sadie¡¯s, her fingers warm against Sadie¡¯s chill. Her voice was soft yet unwavering, a testament to her unconditional support.


    Overwhelmed, Sadie could no longer contain her emotions. Her nose tingled as tears surged, blurring her vision, and she choked out a barely audible, ¡°Grandma¡­¡±


    Laura, her heart swelling with tenderness, drew Sadie into a warm embrace, her hand gently patting her back in aforting rhythm reminiscent of Sadie¡¯s childhood. Softly, she murmured, ¡°Look at you, my dear, still so quick to cry just like when you were a little girl.¡±


    Nestled against Laura¡¯s shoulder, Sadie found sce in the familiar, soothing scent ofvender soap, a fragrance that always seemed to calm her storms.


    She took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to still the chaotic whirlwind of her emotions.


    Now wasn¡¯t the time to break¡ªshe had to stay strong.


    For her unborn child¡¯s sake, Sadie knew she had to act fast to secure the funds needed for a safe delivery and a fresh start.


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 Chapter 44

    ?Chapter 44:


    Leaving Wall Group was a move she had to make.


    The painful memories and the shadows of a fractured family that clung to this city were too much to bear.


    There was no way in hell Noah would ever ept the existence of her child!


    In the chaos of her mind, a sudden idea struck Sadie like lightning.


    The Maple Group¡¯s coboration project¡ªthis could be her lifeline!


    That project was highly profitable, and the nning department had been unable to secure it. If she could secure this project, it could mean not just a significant bonus, but also a chance to break away from Wall Group and rebuild her career in design.


    A resolute spark ignited in Sadie¡¯s eyes as she flung open herptop, plunging into the depths of research about the Maple Group. The bluish hue from the screen bathed her face, casting her determined features in sharp relief.


    ¡°Got it!¡± she eximed triumphantly, her voice slicing through the silence as she snapped theptop shut. The light flickered across her sharp, intent gaze, a testament to her sudden insight.


    The morning whirled by as Sadie pieced together bits of intel on Roy Dominguez, the enigmatic CEO of Maple Group.


    Her breakthrough came just before noon: Roy was ted for an afternoon of golf, aiming to unwind at a local club.


    With no time to spare, Sadie threw essentials into her bag and darted out, her heart pounding with anticipation.


    Her arrival at the golf course was perfectly timed, just minutes before two.


    She exhaled a deep breath of relief and surveyed the upscale surroundings, yet Roy was nowhere to be seen.


    Just as she stepped forward, a skeptical voice halted her. ¡°Miss, do you have a reservation?¡±


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    The staff member¡¯s eyes swept over Sadie¡¯s casual attire¡ªa in white T-shirt and jeans¡ªlookingpletely out of ce amid the venue¡¯s usual mour.


    Sadie drew in a deep, steadying breath, steeling herself against any sign of vulnerability.


    ¡°I am Mr. Noah Wall¡¯s secretary from Wall Group,¡± she dered, her voice a calm blend ofposure and firm conviction. ¡°He has sent me to discuss a potential coboration with Mr. Dominguez from Maple Group.¡±


    The staff member¡¯s expression shifted dramatically, the initial wariness melting away to be reced by respectful acknowledgment.


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re with Mr. Wall. I apologize for missing that.¡± With newfound courteousness, the staff member beamed and gestured ahead. ¡°Right this way, please.¡±


    Releasing a hushed sigh of relief, Sadie followed, her heart lightening with each step.


    The golf course sprawled before her, andscape tinged with familiarity¡ªshe had traversed these greens before alongside Noah, lending her aforting sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu.


    Choosing a secluded bench, she settled down, extracting a meticulously prepared business proposal from her bag. She scanned the surroundings with practiced ease, her anticipation building quietly. Roy showed up soon after, apanied by just a secretary. His arrival confirmed the intelligence she had gathered.


    With no clients in sight, Roy appeared to be here purely for a leisurely day on the course, making her job a breeze.


    Sadie drew a deep breath, steeling herself as she made her way toward Roy, who was leisurely sipping his coffee.


    She offered him a measured smile, the kind meticulously practiced for professionalism.


    ¡°Hello, Mr. Dominguez. I¡¯m Sadie Hudson, Mr. Wall¡¯s secretary.¡± She introduced herself with a calm, dignified air.


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 Chapter 45

    ?Chapter 45:


    Roy nced up, his eyes momentarily lighting up with an unspoken appreciation for Sadie, before he swiftly masked it with a neutral expression.


    After all, Sadie was no stranger; she had been a constant, though subtle, fixture by Noah¡¯s side for the past two years, her presence as elegant and unobtrusive as a finely crafted piece of decor.


    With a nonchnt smile, Roy responded, ¡°Ah, Miss Hudson, what a pleasant surprise. Is Mr. Wall apanying you today?¡± His eyes flicked around the ce, feigning casual interest in the area, but secretly searching for Noah.


    Maintaining herposed facade, Sadie was ready with her response. She extended the business proposal¡ªa document she had refined tirelessly¡ªto him. Her voice was firm, perfectly bnced between respect and assertion.


    ¡°Mr. Dominguez, I¡¯m here to present this business proposal on Mr. Wall¡¯s behalf. He values our prior cooperation highly. He mentioned concerns about the nning department¡¯s ws in details, prompting him to send me personally to ensure you receive this,¡± she exined, her gaze steady.


    Roy gave the business n a brief nce, his expression unreadable, before setting it aside without opening it. His smile was thin, almost forced, as he responded, ¡°Miss Hudson, I came here today to unwind, not to get tangled up in business talks.¡±


    His gaze lifted, sharp and assessing, as he subtly dismissed her efforts. ¡°And please tell Mr. Wall that it¡¯s best to leave bygones as bygones. There¡¯s no point in lingering on it.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s heart skipped a beat, but she wasn¡¯t ready to back down. Drawing in a steady breath to calm her rising nerves, she proactively dove into Maple Group¡¯s current dynamics.


    ¡°Mr. Dominguez, our partnership for this quarter is nearing its conclusion, and Maple Group is actively exploring alliances that align better with your vision,¡± she stated, maintaining a poised, professional demeanor. Her eyes, however, flickered with a hint of desperation. ¡°Given Wall Group¡¯s solid infrastructure, it¡¯s ideally suited to bolster Maple Group¡¯s ambitious expansion strategies.¡±


    She paused for effect, her tone earnest. ¡°Mr. Dominguez, I urge you to consider our proposal. I¡¯m confident it could shift your perspective.¡±


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    Sadie knew this moment was pivotal¡ªnot just for her, but for Wall Group as well.


    The line between sess and failure was perilously thin.


    Sadie articted her thoughts with such precision and conviction that Roy, previously dismissive, now appeared markedly taken aback.


    His slender fingers drummed a steady, rhythmic beat on the tabletop, each tap echoing in sync with Sadie¡¯s own pulsing heart.


    Roy finally opened the business proposal and skimmed through its contents. While the proposal was generally in line with his expectations, it was much more detailed and presented numerous insightful rmendations that would undoubtedly benefit Maple Group.


    With each page he turned, his eyebrows drew together tighter, signaling his escting skepticism.


    This proposal showcased an intricate understanding of Maple Group¡¯s operations and astutely forecasted potential partnerships, a level of insight not typically expected of an average secretary.


    ¡°Well, about this proposal¡­¡± Roy began, hesitating as he closed the document. His sharp eyes locked onto Sadie¡¯s. ¡°Did you put this together by yourself?¡±


    Remaining outwardlyposed, Sadie felt her heart pounding fiercely beneath her chest.


    She clenched her delicate fingers so tightly that a thinyer of sweat dampened her palms.


    Originally, she had devised this proposal to lighten Noah¡¯s burden.


    With the invaluable insights she had gathered from him about the Maple Group, she managed to assemble a detailed and strategic n. Yet, she had never dared to present it to Noah, held back by the fear that he might view her initiative as presumptuous.


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 Chapter 46

    ?Chapter 46:


    Now, lured by the promising bonus tied to the project, she feltpelled to dive headfirst into the challenge.


    Roy mulled over the situation briefly, his fingers drumming a thoughtful rhythm on the polished tabletop before he addressed her with a measured calmness. ¡°Please, take a seat, Miss Hudson. Did Mr. Wall himself put this proposal together?¡±


    The slight arch of his eyebrow betrayed his surprise, offering Sadie a moment of relief as she felt a burden lift from her shoulders. She sensed the odds were finally tilting in her favor this time, yet, given the circumstances, she was well aware that the biggest share of credit had to be Noah¡¯s.


    It was absurd to think a mere secretary could stand for the entirety of the Wall Group.


    With a restrained smile, Sadie nodded in acknowledgment. ¡°Mr. Dominguez, your discernment ismendable. Yes, Mr. Wall did this personally. Unfortunately, he¡¯s not feeling well today, so he sent me in his ce. I trust everything is to your satisfaction?¡±


    Her voice maintained itsposure, but beneath the surface, a subtle bitterness simmered.


    For Noah¡¯s sake, she had set aside her own ambitions, satisfied with lifting him up from behind the scenes. Yet, when all was said and done, she remained unnamed, her contributions silently acknowledged but never celebrated.


    Roy gave a small nod, gently returning the proposal to the table, his expression betraying a hint of admiration as he regarded Sadie.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, with someone as capable as you by Mr. Wall¡¯s side, things must run a lot smoother. I¡¯m inclined to take a closer look at this project. Could you walk me through it in more detail?¡±


    The knot of anxiety in Sadie¡¯s stomach loosened at Roy¡¯s encouraging tone.


    She shed him aposed, confident smile and replied smoothly, ¡°Absolutely, Mr. Dominguez. Let me delve into the specifics of our proposal.¡±


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    Her voice was soft but clear, her words meticulously chosen as she unfolded the intricacies of the proposal, sprinkling her exnation with insightful observations that seemed to resonate with Roy, who nodded appreciatively at her points.


    As Sadie reveled in her growing sense of aplishment, she remained blissfully unaware of two familiar figures gradually closing the distance behind her.


    ¡°Noah.¡± K¡¯s voice floated in the air, tinged with excitement. ¡°I heard there¡¯s a new restaurant over at Elmsgate. Shall we try it tonight?¡± She clung affectionately to Noah¡¯s arm, her tone yful and inviting. Noah¡¯s response, however, was absent. His gaze was intensely fixed on the graceful figure a short distance away.


    Sadie was dressed in a chic, understated professional suit, her long hair swept up into an elegant bun that entuated her delicate neck. She radiated a poised blend ofpetence and grace.


    At that instant, she sat partially turned away, a slight confident smile ying at the corners of her mouth as she engaged in a spirited exchange with Roy.


    This was a side of Sadie that Noah had never witnessed before.


    K¡¯s eyes darted covertly towards Sadie, a sly smirk barely visible on her face.


    She brought a hand to her mouth, feigning shock. ¡°Noah, are my eyes deceiving me? Is that Sadie? What on earth is she doing here?¡±


    Noah remained silent, his intense gaze fixed on Roy, who was engaged in an eager conversation with Sadie. A shadow of doubt flitted across his expression.


    K¡¯s jealousy surged unchecked when she saw Noah¡¯s attention so fixed on Sadie. Her emotions morphed into simmering anger.


    She grasped Noah¡¯s arm, her voiceced with feigned surprise. ¡°Noah, is Sadie really discussing business with Mr. Dominguez? But I thought Wall Group wasn¡¯t coborating with Maple Group right now, or am I mistaken?¡±


    ¡°K.¡± Noah¡¯s brow furrowed, the displeasure in his tone unmistakable.


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 Chapter 47

    ?Chapter 47:


    K, seemingly unaware of his growing irritation, leaned in with a teasing smirk. ¡°Could it be there¡¯s something between Sadie and Mr. Dominguez?¡±


    She paused dramatically, her voice dripping with insinuation. ¡°But isn¡¯t Mr. Dominguez quite a bit older? Does that really not bother Sadie?¡±


    The air around Noah seemed to chill, his eyes narrowing into icy slits as he fixed a stern look on K. ¡°Enough with the nonsense.¡±


    Despite the warning, a thrill ran through K, her pulse quickening.


    She stifled a giggle, her hand lightly covering her mouth as she hurried to keep pace with Noah¡¯s brisk strides, her high heels clicking against the floor. Her eyes twinkled with mischief, as she relished the stir she¡¯d caused.


    Roy caught sight of them first. Despite his fifty-plus years, his presence was distinguished and vibrant. He stood gracefully, greeting Noah with a warm, calcted smile and an outstretched hand.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, I thought you were not feeling well. Why did youe in person?¡± Sadie hadn¡¯t anticipated running into these two, and her features twisted into an awkward mask of surprise.


    Noah¡¯s eyes briefly scanned the business proposal sprawled across the table before settling on Roy, who maintained an inscrutable facade. In that instant, Noah¡¯s sharp instincts kicked in, whispering that the situation wasced withplexity.


    He parted his lips to speak, but Sadie, quick on the uptake, interjected, ¡°Mr. Wall, how are you feeling today?¡± Her voice wasced with a genuine tint of concern. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you toe in person. It seems you hold the partnership with Maple Group in high regard.¡±


    Her words cleverly offered Noah a hint, as she acknowledged that her own bold moves had orchestrated today¡¯s meeting. Nheless, if this secured the partnership with Maple Group, Wall Group would benefit just as much.


    Noah, ever the astute businessman, caught her implications without missing a beat.


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    He nodded, his response firm yet infused with undeniable gravitas. ¡°My apologies, Mr. Dominguez, for not arriving sooner.¡±


    K¡¯s lips curled into a tight, almost imperceptible sneer, her eyes glinting with a flicker of disdain. She had seen through the charade; today¡¯s high-stakes negotiation was all Sadie¡¯s doing.


    And now, Sadie was deftly passing the responsibility, forcing Noah to untangle the web she had woven¡ªwhat a strategic move.


    K watched as Noah maintained a stoically indifferent facade. There was no sign he intended to derail Sadie¡¯s n, and K couldn¡¯t help but smirk inwardly.


    It appeared Sadie had managed to coax even the typically calcting Noah into bending the rules just for her.


    Roy and Noah had already taken their respective ces on the plush sofas, poised to dive into their business discussion.


    Roy leaned forward with a warm smile, his eyes twinkling with genuine admiration. ¡°Mr. Wall, I must say, your secretary is quite remarkable. So young, yet she grasps the intricacies of the project like a seasoned pro. It¡¯s a rare find,¡± he noted, his voice rich with sincerity as he nodded towards Sadie. ¡°You¡¯ve reallynded yourself an extraordinary talent there!¡±


    Sadie allowed herself a small, humble smile in response. Her voice was soft yet confident as she replied, ¡°Mr. Dominguez, you¡¯re too kind. I¡¯m just fulfilling my responsibilities and continually learning from Mr. Wall.¡±


    Her posture remained impable, a testament to her professionalism, as she anticipated the sessful closure of their discussion, which would, in turn, secure her a well-deserved bonus.


    The mere thought sparked a subtle gleam of anticipation in her eyes.


    On the sidelines, K observed the exchange, her heart simmering with envy.


    There was no way in hell she was going to stand there and let Sadie steal the spotlight!


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 Chapter 48

    ?Chapter 48:


    Taking a deep, calming breath to quell the rising storm of indignation, K masked her frustration with a practiced, serene smile and sat next to Noah with graceful nonchnce. Her voice was light, almost airy, as she chimed in, ¡°Mr. Dominguez, perhaps there¡¯s been a slight misunderstanding. In truth, Noah was the one behind this proposal. Sadie was merely assisting in its delivery. The main thing, of course, is your satisfaction with the work.¡±


    Her words, wrapped in a veil of politeness, were designed not just to set the record straight but to subtly diminish Sadie¡¯s role to that of a simple intermediary.


    Roy, a seasoned judge of character from years of encountering diverse personalities, swiftly grasped the hidden intentions in K¡¯s cautious words. With a discerning nce, his features subtly shifted to a frown, reflecting his displeasure.


    He was no stranger to whispers of K¡¯s past with Noah, and her recent reappearance had already sparked rumors among their circles. Despite Noah¡¯s lingering affection for his former lover, Roy was resolute in disregarding her.


    Roy cleared his throat pointedly, his gaze piercing as it swept across Noah and K, finally anchoring on Noah with a significant weight. ¡°Mr. Wall, I would appreciate a moment to discuss our potential coboration in private at your earliest convenience. Given that you havepany today, perhaps we should postpone our conversation.¡± His words hung heavy in the air, amplifying the tension.


    K¡¯s expression hardened, a mix of regret and embarrassment crossing her features as she realized her misstep had soured the mood. Just as she was gearing up to defuse the tension, Roy abruptly stood and exited the room.


    Sadie¡¯s voice faltered. ¡°Mr. Dominguez¡­¡± She watched, a blend of anxiety and frustration brewing within her, as her chance to secure the deal seemed to vanish with his departure. Yet she restrained her emotions before Noah. Powerless, she could only look at Roy¡¯s retreating figure.


    When Roy was out of sight, Sadie turned towards Noah, her expression one of bewilderment. She ventured cautiously, ¡°Mr. Wall, this moment could be crucial for finalizing our cooperation. Perhaps you could still¡­¡±


    She was cut off mid-sentence by Noah¡¯s frosty voice. ¡°Sadie, who authorized you to approach Mr. Dominguez on your own?¡±


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    Stunned, Sadie felt a tight grip around her heart, a creeping dull ache spreading across her chest.


    ¡°Noah, please, don¡¯t be too harsh on Sadie,¡± K remarked, her voice a gentle murmur, seemingly protective yet tinged with a hint of criticism.


    As she spoke, she edged closer to Noah, her arm lightly brushing against his, suggesting intimacy as she added, ¡°She meant well for thepany, though perhaps her methods strayed from our usual protocols, right?¡±


    Noah¡¯s brow creased with a slight frown, and though he subtly shifted away from K¡¯s touch, he remained silent, not contesting her statement.


    Turning away, Sadie averted her eyes, unable to bear the difort of the exchange.


    The fierce sunlight enveloped her, but failed to thaw the coldness seeping into her soul.


    While Sadie buried herself in the proposal, pouring her heart and soul into the work, Noah was busy enjoying himself with the love of his life. The absurdity of the situation wasn¡¯t lost on her.


    Taking a measured breath to quell the storm raging inside, Sadie addressed him with a veneer ofposure. ¡°Mr. Wall, ourpany has always ced great importance on the Maple Group project. When we manage to secure the deal, I trust you¡¯ll remember the bonus you promised.¡±


    Noah¡¯s gaze turned sharp, his eyes a deep abyss, difficult to read.


    So, it all boiled down to the bonus for Sadie. Was this her calcted move to cut ties? To think she nned her exit with such meticulous care!


    Unable to bear the sight of Noah and K¡¯s closeness, Sadie decided to leave.


    She swiftly picked up the proposal document from the table, tucked it into her bag, and turned to leave.


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 Chapter 49

    ?Chapter 49:


    ¡°Sadie!¡± The authority in Noah¡¯s voice echoed in the tense air.


    Sadie stopped dead in her tracks, inhaled deeply to steady her nerves, and turned around. Her lips, a striking shade of red, parted ever so slightly. With a voice that carried a steady resolve, yet trembled ever so subtly, she asked, ¡°Mr. Wall, is there anything else you need?¡±


    K cast a wary nce at Noah, trying to gauge his thoughts. His rage was palpable, radiating in waves that filled the room. She surmised it was sparked by Sadie¡¯s daring behavior.


    ¡°Sadie, every organization abides by its own set of rules. I trust you¡¯ll refrain from disregarding ourpany¡¯s guidelines in the future,¡± K said, her voice soft yet imbued with an authoritative firmness. It looked like she already considered herself the CEO¡¯s wife. ¡°As a consequence of your actions, your bonus for this project will be withheld.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s response was swift and fierce. She jerked her head up, her gaze icy as she fixed K with a cold, challenging stare. Her delicate features were twisted in fury, her teeth gritted. ¡°What right do you have to make this decision?¡± she demanded sharply.


    Ignoring the tension, K subtly leaned against Noah, her posture feigning vulnerability. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she looked up at him imploringly. ¡°Noah, did I do something wrong? Imagine the chaos if everyone at Wall Group behaved as she did.¡±


    Noah¡¯s response came as a dismissive snort, his voiceced with a clear edge of impatience. ¡°I have to agree with K¡ªSadie, you really did mess up here.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s fingers clenched around her bag, the sharp press of her nails against her palm unnoticed in her rising agitation.


    She had poured her heart into this project, aiming to impress Roy and shift the tide in her favor. Yet here she was, on the brink of losing everything because of K¡¯s remarks.


    ¡°Noah, it appears Sadie is opposed to this punishment,¡± K murmured, her voice a mask of regret, though her eyes told a different story. ¡°However, without it, we risk setting a precedent that might lead others to disregard our policies.¡±


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    ¡°Mr. Wall,¡± Sadie interjected, her restraint evaporating as she faced Noah directly. Her features hardened with resolve, each word tinged with a quiet ferocity. ¡°If I¡¯m denied the bonus for this project, then consider the proposal for Mr. Dominguez withdrawn. If he pushes for more details, don¡¯t expect me to back you up.¡±


    In that moment, Sadie realized she would rather face the repercussions than watch Noah reap the benefits of her diligence. Why should she be the one to endure such injustice? All she desired was a modest bonus to ease her and her child¡¯s life after the divorce.


    Why the hell couldn¡¯t Noah just let her have this one?


    With a heavy heart and no desire to linger, Sadie turned and walked away, each step echoing her profound disappointment.


    Sadie¡¯s high heels clicked sharply against the floor, each step echoing like a mockery of her misced confidence.


    K watched as Sadie walked away, a smug smile curling the corners of her lips. Her eyes and brows sparkled with uncontained triumph, as if she was savoring a small but sweet victory. ¡°Noah, how could Sadie say that?¡± she asked, her voice tinged with grievance and usation. ¡°She works for Wall Group, so naturally, her project proposal belongs to thepany.¡±


    Noah¡¯s gaze followed Sadie¡¯s departure, his expression inscrutable. He gently removed K¡¯s hand, containing his inner conflict, and said softly, ¡°K, go home.¡±


    K¡¯s smile faltered, her perfectly groomed eyebrows knitting together in frustration. She wasn¡¯t ready to leave, not like this. It had taken so much effort to convince Noah to spend time with her, only for Sadie to ruin everything.


    Suppressing her irritation, K leaned in close, her arm wrapping around Noah¡¯s with feigned tenderness. ¡°Noah, let me stay with you. It¡¯s been so hard for us to get back together¡­¡± Her voice was sweet but carried a hint of reproach, as if ming Noah for their scarce moments together.


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 Chapter 50

    ?Chapter 50:


    Noah deftly stepped away from her touch. ¡°I¡¯ll make time for us soon,¡± he assured her, his tone even and firm.


    Before K could say anything more, Noah walked away, his silhouette merging with the golden sunset, his presence marked by a cool detachment.


    K¡¯s lips quivered slightly as she pressed her nails into her palm, seemingly unaware of the pain. She hadn¡¯t anticipated suchplications; Sadie was indeed a relentless problem!


    Meanwhile, Sadie stepped out of the golf course, only to find herself surrounded by silence. The area was deste, with no taxis in sight; it felt like a forgotten corner of the world.


    Sadie¡¯s stomach churned painfully, a stark reminder that the single piece of bread she¡¯d eaten for lunch had done little to sustain her. The confrontation with Noah and K had left her emotionally and physically drained, her body trembling with dizziness and exhaustion.


    As she thought about her lost bonus, a fresh wave of frustration crashed over her. Her vision blurred, her legs buckled, and before she could steady herself, she copsed onto the ground. Tears spilled down her cheeks, hot and unbidden.


    What had she done to deserve this? She was bewildered by the harshness of her situation.


    As Noah stepped outside, he instantly noticed Sadie¡¯s plight. A flicker of surprise crossed his usually stern face, and his eyebrows furrowed involuntarily. ¡°What is she doing now?¡± he muttered.


    But as Noah took in Sadie¡¯s pale face and her lips pressed tightly together, as though she were fighting to hold back the pain, something inside him softened. Almost instinctively, he found himself walking toward her. Before he could second-guess his actions, he stood right before her.


    Sadie¡¯s stomach lurched painfully, and before she could stop herself, she bent over, retching violently and spitting out a mouthful of stomach acid.


    Noah¡¯s frown deepened, an unfamiliar emotion tightening his chest, something he couldn¡¯t quite ce.


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    Noah crouched beside Sadie, his brows drawn together. ¡°Sadie, what¡¯s wrong?¡± His voice was steady, but a faint, almost hidden hint of concern was beneath it.


    Sadie fought to raise her head, her surroundings spinning as her vision blurred. She could barely make out Noah¡¯s face through the fog of dizziness, but his features were still as perfect as ever, like a precision-made sculpture. But this time, his expression had an unfamiliar softness, a hint of concern that confused her.


    ¡°Noah¡­¡± Sadie¡¯s voice trembled, barely audible.


    Feeling a clench in his heart, Noah didn¡¯t hesitate; he lifted Sadie into his arms.


    As the world seemed to whirl around her, Sadie soon found herself cradled in a warm, yet strange, embrace.


    She inhaled deeply, a blend of perfume and a trace of tobo filling her senses ¡ª a scent that was unmistakably Noah¡¯s.


    ¡°Noah, what are you doing?¡± Sadie asked, trying to wriggle free, but his grip only tightened.


    ¡°Stay still. We¡¯re heading to the hospital,¡± Noahmanded, his expression severe, tolerating no opposition.


    Confusion swirled within her once more, deep and perplexing. ¡°I don¡¯t want to go to the hospital!¡± The word ¡°hospital¡± alone set Sadie on edge. She shoved hard against Noah¡¯s chest. ¡°Put me down!¡±


    Without hesitation, Noah lifted her into the car and said to the driver, ¡°Take us to the hospital.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to go to the hospital! Let me out!¡± Sadie cried out, her voice edged with desperation and despair.


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 Chapter 51

    ?Chapter 51:


    Observing her ashen face and the defiant look in her eyes, Noah felt a surge of frustration. He firmly grasped her shoulders, his voice stern and urgent. ¡°Sadie, stop this nonsense! If you felt unwell, why did you even meet with Roy?¡±


    Pinned by his firm hold, Sadie ceased her struggles.


    A sarcasticugh escaped her, filled with self-derision. ¡°What does it matter at this point? Wasn¡¯t my bonus already cut? Today was just a futile effort on my part. So tell me, are you pleased now?¡±


    Noah noticed the bitterness in Sadie¡¯s gaze, and without thinking, his hold grew firmer, his tone colder. ¡°Is your rush to umte wealth tied to your eagerness for a divorce?¡±


    The pain in Sadie¡¯s heart intensified as she looked into the eyes of the man she once adored, now confronting her so harshly. It felt as if needles were piercing through her heart, causing a deep, persistent ache.


    Could it be that his frustration stemmed from a reluctance to end their marriage? Unlikely, considering K was anxiously awaiting her turn to be his wife. How could Noah stand to disappoint the woman he loved?


    As these thoughts raced through her mind, any faint hope Sadie clung to crumbled to nothing.


    With a bitter chuckle and tears welling up in her eyes¡ªyet defiantly not spilling over¡ªSadie forcefully removed Noah¡¯s hands.


    Her voice was steady and resolute, each word pushed out between gritted teeth. ¡°Why deceive yourself? You¡¯re just as keen for this divorce, aren¡¯t you? Here¡¯s your chance, right before you.¡±


    The certainty in her eyes pierced Noah, kindling an unexinable wave of irritation within him.


    ¡°Halt the vehicle,¡± Sadiemanded. Her tone was not loud, but unmistakably firm.


    The driver caught Noah¡¯s reflection in the rearview mirror. With no sign of dissent from Noah, he pulled the car over to the roadside. Sadie didn¡¯t hesitate; she opened the door and exited the car immediately.


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    ¡°Sadie!¡± Noah called out as he watched her resolute departure, feeling a rush of anger swelling in his heart.


    She didn¡¯t turn back. With purposeful steps, Sadie reached the curb, gged down a taxi with quick, sure motions, and climbed in without a backward nce.


    As the taxi blended into the night, Noah¡¯s expression darkened significantly. He had always expected her to softly plead with him as she used to, but this time, she had not!


    The cold within the car was evident, as Noah¡¯s cold aura unsettled everyone.


    In the passenger seat, Samuel sat rigid, acutely aware that any word from him could provoke Noah¡¯s anger due to his terrible mood.


    Silence hung heavy until Samuel tentatively broke it, saying, ¡°Mr. Wall, should we continue on to Maple Group? I have already made an appointment with Mr. Dominguez.¡±


    Noah, feeling a throb in his temples, gave a brief nod and muttered, ¡°Drive.¡±


    Samuel exhaled quietly in relief and signaled to the driver to move forward.


    Meanwhile, Sadie, afraid of worrying Laura with her condition, returned to her apartment.


    As soon as she exited the vehicle, a wave of nausea struck her hard, making her head spin.


    Her sickness was more intense today, possibly aggravated by her scant lunch, unsettling the baby.


    Supporting herself against the wall, Sadie retched a few times but didn¡¯t vomit anything; she only felt painful cramps in her stomach. Gradually, she regained some bnce and walked weakly to her apartment.


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 Chapter 52

    ?Chapter 52:


    The tiny apartment had barely any furniture, but it was spotless and neatly kept.


    Still, an undeniable loneliness hung in the air, echoing Sadie¡¯s mood. Shaking off the feeling, she headed to the kitchen and made a bowl of mac and cheese.


    The dish was nd, and the sauce was dull, but consuming the warm meal slowly helped her feel slightly better.


    Sadie reclined in her chair, one hand resting on her still-t belly as a wry smile touched her lips.


    The light outside began to fade as the night deepened.


    Then, a sharp ringtone pierced her reverie.


    It was the unique ringtone she had set for Laura.


    Swiftly, Sadie picked up the call. ¡°Hello, Grandma?¡±


    Instead of Laura, an unfamiliar voice, urgent and slightly panicked, responded, ¡°Is this a family member of Mrs. Stewart? She has suffered a sudden heart attack and is now in critical condition at the hospital. You need toe immediately!¡±


    Sadie¡¯s mind turned to white noise. The phone fell to the floor,nding with a soft thud.


    Her grandma had a heart attack? How was that possible?


    Momentster, Sadie snapped back to reality. She quickly picked up her phone, slipped into her shoes, and rushed out of her apartment.


    On the way to the hospital, the doctor¡¯s urgent message reyed incessantly in her head, constricting her heart like a vice, making it hard to catch her breath.


    Laura was everything to her, her only family, her pir in life. Nothing could happen to her, nothing at all!


    Sadie¡¯s high heels echoed sharply against the hospital¡¯s polished floors as she raced through the corridors, her heartbeat thundering just as wildly.


    ¡°Grandma! Grandma!¡±


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    She surged forward, gasping for air but not slowing down, and headed towards the nurse¡¯s station. Grasping a nurse¡¯s arm with shaking hands, her voice thick with tears, she pleaded, ¡°Excuse me, my grandmother, Laura Stewart, was just brought in by ambnce. Where is she? I¡¯m her granddaughter!¡±


    The nurse, skilled in handling such crises, maintained a stoic expression, her voice even and professional as she responded with a slight furrow of her brow, ¡°Please try to remain calm. Your grandmother is in critical care, and things aren¡¯t looking great right now.¡±


    As the nurse¡¯s words sank in, Sadie¡¯s vision blurred, each syble like a hammer blow shattering the fragile hope she clung to.


    Just then, the resuscitation room doors burst open, and a grave-looking doctor d in a white coat stepped out, clutching a document. Sadie instantly knew what it was¡ªa Critical Condition Notice. Darkness clouded her vision, and she nearly copsed, but the alert nurse at her side caught her in time.


    The doctor, his face somber as he lowered his mask, spoke with deep regret. ¡°Your grandmother¡¯s pre-existing health conditionspounded the severity of this attack. We¡¯ve exhausted all our options¡­¡±


    ¡°Doctor, please, there must be something you can do to save her,¡± Sadie pleaded desperately, her hands sping the doctor¡¯s arm as if it were herst strand of hope. ¡°I¡¯ll cover any cost. Just please, save her!¡±


    The doctor¡¯s eyes softened with sympathy for a moment before he shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s not a question of money. She¡¯s in a precarious state unless¡­¡±


    He hesitated, searching for the right words. ¡°If we could bring in a top specialist to attempt the surgery, there might still be hope.¡±


    A top specialist.


    Noah immediately sprang to mind.


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 Chapter 53

    ?Chapter 53:


    With his extensive connections as CEO of Wall Group, securing a top surgeon should be feasible.


    Sadie¡¯s heart clenched painfully as panic set in.


    She fumbled for her phone and dialed Noah¡¯s number, her fingers shaking.


    Each ring echoed like a tolling bell in her ears, every tick of the clock magnified.


    Atst, the call connected.


    ¡°Noah, be gentle¡­¡±


    The voice that floated through the phone was sultry, infused with azy allure that sank Sadie¡¯s heart into despair.


    It wasn¡¯t Noah on the line¡ªit was K!


    Sadie¡¯s mind wentpletely nk.


    After a while, K spoke into the phone. ¡°Sadie, calling at this hour? Is there something you needed to discuss?¡±


    Sadie inhaled sharply, fighting to stabilize the emotional storm brewing inside her. ¡°I need to speak with Noah. Could you please hand him the phone?¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± K chuckled, her voice dripping with taunting. ¡°Noah, your phone.¡±


    But all Sadie heard was silence.


    K¡¯s voice turned yful and teasing. ¡°Noah¡ª¡± Yet again, there was no reply.


    ¡°My apologies, Sadie,¡± K said, her tone superficially regretful yet tinged with evident delight. ¡°Noah¡¯s currently in the shower. We¡¯ve just finished¡­ Well, he¡¯s exhausted now. If there¡¯s something urgent, you can tell me, and I¡¯ll make sure he gets the message.¡±


    Sadie felt a crushing wave of despair wash over her. She grasped the subtext in K¡¯s remarks instantly.


    Shower? Exhausted?


    K¡¯sments were a clear disy of her closeness with Noah, meant to emphasize that Sadie was someone insignificant.


    Yet, with her grandmother¡¯s critical condition looming in her mind, Sadie couldn¡¯t afford to lose any hope.


    ¡°Miss Wade, it¡¯s really important. Could you please let Noahe to the phone?¡± Sadie pleaded, mustering every bit of her resolve to speak. Her voice was tinged with desperation, a far cry from her typically assertive demeanor.


    K¡¯s sense of triumph intensified when she heard Sadie¡¯s earnest request, her smile widening. ¡°Sadie, haven¡¯t you realized yet? Noah isn¡¯ting to the phone because he doesn¡¯t want to speak with you. Why continue bothering him?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­¡± Sadie began, but was cut off by the call ending abruptly with a beep.


    K swiftly erased the call log and set the phone down before heading downstairs.


    She had merely used Noah¡¯s bathroom and coincidentally picked up the call.


    It seemed destiny had yed its hand perfectly!


    ¡°Miss Hudson, please ensure the Critical Condition Notice is signed promptly,¡± said the nurse, her voiceden with urgency.


    Yet Sadie barely registered the nurse¡¯s words, her eyes fixed on the resuscitation room¡¯s sealed doors, lost in memories of Laura¡¯s warm, reassuring smile.


    As Sadie signed the Critical Condition Notice, her hands shook visibly.


    The cold feeling started at her fingertips and spread through her entire body, as if a cold winter wind had swept through her. Laura represented herst remaining family connection.


    Without Laura, istion would envelop Sadiepletely.


    She felt as though she had reached a dead end.


    Just as despair started to take over, Alex¡¯s words suddenly rang in her mind. ¡°If you ever need help, just let me know.¡±


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 Chapter 54

    ?Chapter 54:


    With thisst sliver of hope, Sadie hurriedly dialed Alex¡¯s number.


    ¡°Alex, are you familiar with any specialists in cardiac surgery?¡±


    The conversation ended, and Sadie found herself curled up on a hospital bench, her tears blurring her view until everything melded into indistinct shapes.


    She barely noticed when someone gently ced a warm suit jacket over her. Looking up, she found Alex standing there, concern furrowing his brow.


    ¡°You came,¡± Sadie said, her voice breaking with emotion. ¡°It¡¯s my grandma. She¡¯s¡­¡±


    A shadow of sorrow passed over Alex¡¯s face as he softly patted her head,forting her as one would a distressed child.


    ¡°Everything will be fine,¡± he assured her with a deep, soothing voice. ¡°I¡¯ve brought along a doctor.¡±


    He shifted slightly to present the individual next to him to Sadie. ¡°Here is Jim Archer, a renowned cardiologist and a leading expert in Helva.


    He¡¯s well-equipped to ensure your grandmother¡¯s well-being.¡±


    Startled, Sadie turned her attention to the man Alex indicated.


    At that moment, Jim also nced her way.


    Simultaneously, they both eximed, ¡°It¡¯s you?¡±


    Seeing their surprise, Alex was confused. ¡°You two have met before?¡±


    Jim started to speak, but Sadie quickly interjected, ¡°Just once, briefly.¡± She spoke with a tone of detachment, showing no interest in delving deeper into the topic.


    Jim seemed poised to say more, his mouth partway open, yet he merely replied, ¡°I¡¯ll go to the sterilization area and then head straight to the operating room. We don¡¯t have much time. We¡¯ll talkter.¡± With a light nod from Sadie, he moved to leave.


    Alex firmly grasped Jim¡¯s hand, his expression earnest. ¡°Bro, she¡¯s in your hands.¡±


    Jim wore aplex look, caught between various emotions.


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    He knew the significance of Alex¡¯s gesture.


    As he made his way to the sterilization area, Jim pondered whether Noah, if he realized that the woman he dismissed was cherished by someone else and on the verge of being imed, would lose hisposure.


    Sadie watched Jim depart, feeling a surge of warmth soothe her. She turned to Alex, her voice filled with earnest gratitude. ¡°Thank you, Alex¡­¡±


    Words seemed insufficient to convey the depth of her gratitude.


    But before she could continue, Alex offered her a tissue. ¡°Here, dry your eyes. We wouldn¡¯t want your grandma to see you upset,¡± he said gently, yet with an assertive undertone.


    Sadie epted the tissue, dabbing gently at her eyes.


    The relief was so profound that it momentarily overwhelmed her, causing her to sway a bit from dizziness.


    Alex acted quickly to stabilize her.


    His hands, firm and warm, conveyed aforting strength as they made contact through her clothing.


    To an onlooker, their interaction might have seemed like an embrace.


    Just as Sadie was about to step back and regain herposure, a sharp voice cut through the silence of the corridor. ¡°Oh, Sadie, this is a hospital, not a dating spot.¡±


    Sadie was rooted to the spot.


    She swiveled toward the source of the voice to find K and Noah a short distance away.


    K, d in a delicate white dress, seemed almost ethereal, as if a mere breeze could shatter her.


    Her eyes brimmed with tears, looking as though they could soften the hardest of hearts.


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 Chapter 55

    ?Chapter 55:


    Beside her, Noah stood impably dressed in a tailored suit, his handsome features set in a stoic mask.


    Confusion clouded Sadie¡¯s thoughts.


    What were they doing here?


    To Noah, her confusion mirrored guilt.


    He approached with a grave expression and said sharply, ¡°I kept trying to get you to the hospital, but you resisted. It seems it wasn¡¯t that you didn¡¯t want toe, but rather that you wanted someone else to be here with you.¡±


    His piercing gaze swept from Alex back to Sadie.


    Feeling the growing strain, Alex instinctively positioned himself between Sadie and Noah. ¡°Noah, this isn¡¯t what it looks like. You¡¯re misunderstanding¡­¡±


    But Noah didn¡¯t let him finish, pushing him aside with a brisk movement.


    Alex staggered, catching himself after a few unsteady steps.


    Holding back his frustration, Noah seized Sadie¡¯s wrist firmly. ¡°You¡¯reing with me now.¡±


    He assumed he was emotionally detached from Sadie.


    Nevertheless, witnessing her closeness with another man unexpectedly irked him. Noah held onto Sadie¡¯s wrist tightly, causing her to grimace as she attempted to break free.


    ¡°I¡¯m not leaving with you! Go alone if you must!¡± she said firmly.


    Her voice was unwavering and clear.


    Noah¡¯s temper red at her words.


    He stepped forward, seized her waist, and held her close, saying, ¡°You¡¯reing with me, whether you like it or not!¡±


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    Despite her forceful attempts to escape, Sadie was unable to break his hold.


    ¡°Noah! Remember, our divorce is imminent. Soon, there will be nothing between us!¡± she yelled out.


    Her deration momentarily pained Noah, but his anger quickly submerged that sensation.


    With a stern expression, he lifted her over his shoulder. ¡°Stop talking! We¡¯ll figure out the future when ites!¡±


    The pressure of his shoulder against her abdomen sent a jolt of pain through Sadie, causing her to wince.


    As Sadie thought of the child she was carrying, her face drained of color.


    The way Noah was carrying her posed a risk to the baby.


    Realizing the danger, Sadie stopped struggling.


    She softened her voice and pleaded, ¡°Set me down, Noah. I promise I¡¯ll follow on foot.¡±


    Seeing Noah¡¯s concern for Sadie sparked a flicker of envy in K, yet she masked it with worry. ¡°Yes, this is a hospital. It wouldn¡¯t look right if people saw.¡±


    K¡¯s remark snapped Noah out of his rage.


    He was reminded that he would be divorcing Sadie soon.


    Having this scene captured on camera would certainly cast a negative light on him.


    After a brief pause, Noah carefully lowered Sadie to the floor, his voice distant and cold. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Surprisingly, Sadie swiftly stepped away, saying, ¡°I can¡¯t go.¡±


    Noah¡¯s irritation red again. ¡°Sadie!¡±


    He advanced to pull her back, but paused as he encountered her pleading look.


    Her voice was quiet, almost delicate, as she pleaded, ¡°Noah, please let me go. My grandmother¡¯s surgery is starting soon. Please, let me stay.¡±


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 Chapter 56

    ?Chapter 56:


    At her words, Noah stopped abruptly and looked at her.


    For the first time, he noticed how fragile she seemed, her typically steadfast gaze now brimming with concern.


    For a moment, Noah hesitated, his voice tightening as he said, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you¡­¡±


    He was cut off before he could finish by K, who suddenly gripped her chest and eximed, ¡°Ah¡ªNoah, my chest is in so much pain¡­¡± Her brows furrowed slightly, as if she was enduring immense pain, trying hard to mask it.


    Noah¡¯s concern instantly shifted towards her. He rushed to her side, urgently inquiring, ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    ¡°It hurts,¡± K whispered faintly, copsing weakly into Noah¡¯s arms, gasping for air.


    Without a second thought, Noah lifted K and quickly headed for the director¡¯s office.


    Originally, Noah¡¯s visit to the hospital was meant to be for K¡¯s diagnosis.


    The encounter with Sadie was not nned.


    K had secretly taken Sadie¡¯s call to Noah and couldn¡¯t let any quick resolution of their misunderstandings happen.


    As Noah carried K away, Sadie watched, her heart sinking into deep bitterness. Overwhelmed and drained, she couldn¡¯t afford to ponder their situation any further.


    Alex, who had been quietly observing for some time, noticed Sadie¡¯s forced strength, and his heart went out to her.


    He gently suggested, ¡°Sadie, it¡¯s alright to cry if that¡¯s what you feel like doing.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m okay,¡± Sadie replied, shaking her head while her eyes lingered on the operating room¡¯s newly illuminated red light.


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    She sat back on the bench, silently waiting for the surgery to be over.


    Time seemed to blur until Noah and K appeared again.


    Noah noticed Sadie from afar, her figure small and delicate on the bench, like a leaf that might be swept away by the wind.


    ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡± His voice, cool and detached, reached her. Sadie offered him a brief nce before diverting her eyes, offering no response.


    Despite being ignored, Noah didn¡¯t react with his usual irritation. Instead, he chose a spot nearby to sit down, clearly intending to stay. Seeing this, K became anxious. She snuggled closer to Noah, her voice tender. ¡°Noah, it¡¯s really cold. Can we go?¡±


    He nodded briefly, but his gazended on the tightly closed doors of the operating room. ¡°I¡¯ll get the driver to take you home,¡± he responded without emotion.


    K¡¯s smile froze, the tension visible in her expression.


    Was he nning to stay here with Sadie?


    A re of jealousy ignited within her, but it was quickly concealed as she rose with practiced elegance, her posture unsteady as though she might faint.


    ¡°Then, I¡¯ll head back now. It¡¯s cold here. Look after yourself,¡± she said softly.


    Her light coughs added to the fragile illusion she projected.


    Noah offered a nomittal ¡°Hmm,¡± his gaze never wavering from the operating room¡¯s doors. Reluctantly, K turned to leave.


    Sadie, absorbed in her own thoughts, overheard every word they exchanged.


    She couldn¡¯t help butugh at the absurdity.


    Their open discussion unfolded as if she didn¡¯t exist, as though she were just part of the background.


    Her hands clenched into fists, fingernails digging into her palms, yet this physical pain was trivialpared to the emotional turmoil within.


    She stroked her abdomen gently, a soft warmth spreading under her fingertips.


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 Chapter 57

    ?Chapter 57:


    In her mind, she hoped her unborn child would understand that their father was not the man they should look up to, and she resolved to leave him before her pregnancy showed.


    Catching a glimpse of K lingering in the corridor, Sadie finally broke her silence. ¡°You should go with K.¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression tightened, his eyes flicking to Alex with a derisive edge. ¡°Am I disrupting your moment with your beloved?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s emotions red, a surge of irritation flooding through her.


    ¡°Noah, I¡¯m not at fault here. I called¡ª¡± she began.


    ¡°OUCH!¡± Her statement was abruptly interrupted by a sharp cry. K had stumbled and fallen, her palm scraping against the floor, turning bright red from the abrasion.


    Her ankle had twisted, and tears promptly pooled in her eyes, naturally drawing sympathy.


    Noah quickly moved to help her, scolding, ¡°Why weren¡¯t you more careful?¡±


    ¡°It stings a bit, but I¡¯ll handle it. I¡¯ll just use some ointment when I get home¡­¡± K managed a weak smile through the pain.


    Kneeling beside her, Noah checked the injuries on her palm and her ankle.


    His brow furrowed in confusion.


    What had caused her sudden fall?


    While he considered this, K¡¯s gentle voice floated to him. ¡°Noah, don¡¯t be concerned. The doctor did say that the stress on my heart has been causing insufficient blood flow, which leads to dizziness now and then¡­¡±


    Noah¡¯s doubt faded after he heard her exnation, reced by feelings of responsibility.


    He recalled that K¡¯s heart issues stemmed from a time when she had saved him.


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    He felt a debt of gratitude.


    ¡°I¡¯ll drive you home,¡± he suggested gently.


    K put on a remorseful act, saying, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Noah. You were supposed to spend time with Sadie. My clumsiness has caused this¡­¡± She subtly bit her lip, tears filling her eyes, casting a pitiable figure.


    Noah¡¯s gaze darkened as he instinctively looked toward Sadie. Their eyes connected, and Sadie felt a tight clutch around her heart, her breathing stifled.


    Determined to avoid being let down by Noah again, she quickly interjected, ¡°You should leave with K.¡± Her delivery was even and detached.


    Noah¡¯s expression tightened, a spark of annoyance flickering.


    But considering K¡¯s injuries, he didn¡¯t think twice and said, ¡°Alright.¡± His reply was brief and cold,cking any emotional warmth.


    Before departing, Noah unexpectedly removed his suit jacket and ced it over Sadie, after smoothly taking Alex¡¯s coat off her shoulders. Sadie¡¯s expression tightened slightly, but she remained silent. With a tender manner, Noah assisted K to the car, his actions gentle, and his look filled with care.


    K, supported weakly by Noah, allowed a sly smirk to cross her face. Once settled in the car, Noah pulled out his phone and sent a quick text.


    Shortly after, Alex¡¯s phone buzzed.


    He checked the message, his expression changing slightly.


    ¡°Alex, what¡¯s wrong?¡± inquired Sadie.


    ¡°My grandfather needs me back home immediately,¡± Alex exined. He hesitated, throwing a concerned look back at Sadie, but he left nheless.


    Sadie scanned the deserted corridor, feeling a deep sense of solitude envelop her, as though there was no one left in the world she could lean on.


    Just when she felt she might give in to despair, the doors to the operating room swung open.


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 Chapter 58

    ?Chapter 58:


    Sadie surged forward instinctively, but her legs, stiff from long hours of sitting, nearly buckled beneath her.


    Just in time, a strong, warm hand grasped her arm.


    It was Jim.


    ¡°How is my grandmother?¡± Sadie asked, her voice shaking heavily with barely contained emotion.


    She fixed her gaze on Jim, observing his every gesture and expression.


    ¡°She¡¯s out of immediate danger,¡± Jim responded wearily, his voice conveying relief. ¡°However, she needs to stay in the istion ward for now and cannot have visitors.¡±


    When Sadie received the update, relief washed over her, tears of happiness streaming down her face as she felt a burden lift.


    Jim found it difficult to witness such raw emotion.


    He averted his eyes, seemingly pained by the sight.


    ¡°I need to make a call,¡± he muttered.


    He walked briskly towards the sterilization room.


    Jim removed his gloves and coat before he called Noah.


    ¡°Sadie¡¯s at the hospital. You might want toe.¡±


    Jim believed that as Sadie¡¯s husband, Noah should be there to provide support.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already been there,¡± Noah replied tly.


    Jim was momentarily surprised.


    Noah had been here? Why hadn¡¯t he noticed him?


    ¡°Sadie¡¯s grandmother just made it through a critical procedure, and Sadie¡¯s quite upset¡­¡±


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    He was about to stress Sadie¡¯s need forfort when he was interrupted by a woman¡¯s voice through the phone,ining of pain.


    ¡°Ouch¡­ it hurts¡­¡±


    The flirtatious tone from the other end caused Jim¡¯s thoughts to scatter.


    He knitted his brows tightly.


    Was that K?


    A wave of irritation surged through him.


    ¡°Noah,¡± Jim said coldly, ¡°you maye to regret your choices today.¡± He ended the call abruptly.


    Damn it!


    Cursing under his breath, Jim mmed his fist against the wall. How could he have ended up being friends with someone so oblivious to matters of the heart?


    On the other end, Noah was left listening to a dial tone, his expression clouding with confusion.


    What had he done? Why was Jim so upset?


    K watched with barely concealed satisfaction, her voice tender but rough. ¡°It hurts¡­¡±


    She delicately touched her swollen ankle, feigning a grimace of pain. Noah dismissed his lingering doubts and moved toward K, his voice filled with concern. ¡°Are you still feeling pain?¡±


    K lightly shook her head, her eyes tinged red, portraying a visage of vulnerability and distress.


    ¡°Thank you, Noah. I feel much better now,¡± she murmured appreciatively.


    In the meantime, Jim had changed his attire and made his way to the corridor, only to realize Sadie had left.


    Sadie, unaware that Jim had sought her out, was preupied with the daunting thoughts of Laura¡¯s hospital costs.


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 Chapter 59

    ?Chapter 59:


    The harsh fluorescent lighting outside the operating room did little to brighten her deste mood.


    For Sadie, Laura was herst remaining rtive, indispensable and irreceable.


    The anticipated bonus from the Maple Group project was her final lifeline.


    Regardless of Noah¡¯s decisions concerning the bonus, Sadie was resolved to secure it.


    She dried her tears, inhaled deeply, and called Roy.


    ¡°Mr. Dominguez, is now a good time? I¡¯d like to discuss the project with you again.¡±


    The voice that answered Sadie¡¯s call had a sleazy quality, a far cry from Roy¡¯s usual professional tone.


    ¡°Ah, anotherdy eager to make a deal! Why don¡¯t you drop by the Night Owl Bar, Room 317? Impress us here, and the contract¡¯s as good as yours. Hahaha!¡±


    Laughter echoed through the line, the sound grating on Sadie¡¯s ears.


    Anxiety clutched her heart, a cold dread seeping through her.


    Left with no alternatives, she conceded.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be there soon,¡± Sadie replied, her voice quivering imperceptibly. As she left the hospital, the cold wind struck her, scattering her hair across her face.


    Pressed for time, she bypassed the bus and dismissed the idea of a taxi due to cost.


    Resolutely, Sadie headed for the subway.


    The car was nearly empty, a relief given the hour.


    She found a vacant seat and settled in, her tension easing momentarily. Yet, difort soon pricked at her as she felt unsettling stares from around the car.


    Curious eyes lingered on Sadie, some intentional, others merely coincidental.


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    As she touched her face, Sadie questioned if her makeup was smudged.


    ¡°Hey, where did you buy that suit jacket? It¡¯s quite chic and looks expensive. Could you tell me where I might get one?¡± Suddenly, a voice from a young girl pierced the quiet of the subway car.


    It was only then that Sadie remembered she was still wearing Noah¡¯s suit jacket.


    Crafted from fine ck cashmere, the jacket was luxurious yet subtle.


    The urge to remove it came over her, yet she hesitated.


    What would she do with it if she took it off? What if it disappeared?


    This jacket seemed costly, and she couldn¡¯t risk miscing it. Smiling uneasily, Sadie said, ¡°Actually, I don¡¯t know where to buy this jacket; it¡¯s not mine.¡±


    The girl¡¯s knowing nce and her slightly gossipy tone followed.


    ¡°Ah, did your boyfriend cover you with it to keep you cozy?¡±


    With admiration in her voice, she added, ¡°He must really care for you! Does wearing his jacket make your heart feel warm?¡± Sadie felt a sting from the girl¡¯s words.


    Warm? Perhaps it once was.


    Now, all that remained was a cold and sharp ache.


    If Noah truly cared, why would he leave her for K?


    Sadie tried to respond, meeting the girl¡¯s expectant look, but she found herself torn between a lie and a truth too painful to utter.


    Fortunately, the subway pulled into the station, and Sadie seized the moment to escape.


    Inside the Night Owl Bar, the sh of loud music and vibrant lights overwhelmed the senses.


    As she navigated through the crowded space, the mix of perfume and alcohol in the air unsettled her.


    Upon reaching Room 317, Sadie paused, inhaling deeply to steady her nerves.


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 Chapter 60

    ?Chapter 60:


    The door burst open just as she raised her hand to knock.


    A disheveled woman was forcefully ejected,nding on the floor with a painful groan.


    From inside, a man¡¯s harsh, rough voice reached Sadie¡¯s ears. ¡°If you can¡¯t handle the game, stay out of it. You¡¯re just spoiling my fun!¡± A slight tension gripped Sadie¡¯s frame as she pieced together the scene inside.


    A wave of fear washed over her.


    She was about to turn away when the man caught sight of her. ¡°Hey there, prettydy. First time here?¡± he inquired, eyeing her with evident predatory interest.


    With quick thinking, Sadie said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m just passing by.¡±


    The man¡¯s gaze narrowed suspiciously on her. When he noticed the suit jacket she wore, his expression momentarily stilled.


    The jacket, dark and meticulously tailored, clearly spoke of wealth.


    Her appearance in a man¡¯s jacket suggested she wasn¡¯t alone. And the quality of the jacket implied its owner was influential and not to be trifled with.


    The man was here for fun, not for trouble.


    Yet, the allure of Sadie¡¯s beauty made it hard for him to dismiss her. Finally, he shoved down his frustration and gave the woman on the floor a kick, muttering, ¡°What a killjoy!¡± He then forcefully shut the door.


    Breathing a sigh of relief, Sadie knelt to assist the weeping woman, gently asking, ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    Tears streaming, the woman said, ¡°They¡¯re just dreadful¡­¡±


    As Sadie soothed her, she simultaneously gathered useful information.


    ¡°They¡­ they made me do things¡­¡± The woman¡¯s voice trembled, each word a broken shard of terror.


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    Sadie listened patiently, slowly reconstructing the chaos of events. Inside the private room, a man in his forties reigned supreme, a center of gravity around which every sycophant swirled. Drink-sellers were coerced by these sycophants into performing provocative acts, yet the man in the center didn¡¯t seem interested.


    ¡°He didn¡¯t even look at me¡­¡± The woman sobbed, her anguish deepening. ¡°They told me I was worthless¡­ then discarded me like refuse.¡±


    In that moment, Sadie was convinced Roy was a man of principles. If she could avoid the sycophants surrounding him and speak to him directly, she¡¯d face far less peril.


    Exiting the Night Owl Bar, Sadie lingered at the entrance, her eyes scanning every departing silhouette, determined not to miss sight of Roy. The cool night wind whispered over her exposed skin, teasing stray hairs on her forehead. Even in the murk of night, Sadie¡¯s beauty shone unmistakably¡ªa silent ma drawing attention from every corner.


    A man with glossy hair and an ostentatious ir stepped forward and flirtatiously said, ¡°My dear, would you care to join me for a drink inside? Just name your price.¡±


    Sadie merely shook her head, her voice cool and unyielding. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I must decline¡ªI¡¯m awaiting someone.¡±


    The man¡¯s expression darkened as he snapped, ¡°Why do you have to y hard to get?¡±


    When he lunged forward, attempting to seize Sadie and pull her into the bar, her rm surged. In a burst of defiance, she dered, ¡°This is a public ce; stop making a scene!¡±


    A harshugh escaped the man as he sneered. ¡°You parade your allure openly¡ªwhy act so righteous? Attend to me, and your rewards shall be generous.¡±


    Undeterred, he reached out once more, his eyes glinting with greed and desire. But Sadie fought back fiercely¡ªa resounding p crashing into his leering face.


    The man staggered, his shock quickly turning to rage as he shouted, ¡°Damn, you bitch¡ªhow dare you hit me?¡±


    Enraged, he roughly grabbed Sadie¡¯s neck, pinning her hard against a nearby car. A crushing wave of suffocation hit her; she struggled for breath as her vision began to blur.


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 Chapter 61

    ?Chapter 61:


    Then, one of the man¡¯spanions, looking terrified, warned him, ¡°Mr. Natt, that suit she¡¯s wearing looks custom-made. Only Noah Wall would have one like that. Could she¡­ could she be with him?¡± Jorma Natt paused, his grip loosening ever so slightly.


    Grasping the fleeting opportunity, Sadie managed to stammer, ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m Noah¡¯s wife¡­ just let me go¡­¡±


    Jorma snorted with disbelief, his eyesced with sarcasm. ¡°Wife? Since when did Noah ever get married? Howe I didn¡¯t know? Noah¡¯s true love is back¡ªand the only person he¡¯s going to marry is K. Who do you think you are, pretending to be his wife?¡±


    With that, he yanked the suit jacket off Sadie and threw it aside with disdain. ¡°You¡¯re not talking your way out of this!¡± The jacket fell onto the dirty ground.


    The faint trace of Noah¡¯s cologne stood in stark contrast to the grimy air.


    Sadie knew, deep within her, that there was no escape from this moment.


    Jorma grabbed a fistful of her hair and pulled her toward the Night Owl Bar with ruthless force.


    Despair haunted Sadie¡¯s eyes. Her attempts to resist and her cries proved futile. The sounds of the bar seemed to filter through from another dimension.


    In secrecy, Jorma¡¯spanion snapped a photo of the suit on the ground and messaged Samuel, saying, ¡°Is this Noah¡¯s suit? A woman iming to be his wife was just taken into the Night Owl Bar by Jorma.¡± ns began to form in the man¡¯s mind.


    Whether or not this woman was connected to Noah, it presented an opportunity for him to demonstrate his loyalty and get closer.


    Samuel quickly forwarded the message to Noah.


    A heavy scent of perfume filled the dimly lit room. Sadie found herself harshly tied to a bed adorned with romantic motifs, her wrists and ankles bound so tightly that they caused her pain. Despite her struggles, she was immobilized.


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    ¡°Do you prefer it rough or gentle?¡± Jorma sneered, retrieving several whips from a tool cab and approaching her.


    Tears of anger welled in Sadie¡¯s eyes as she red back at him. ¡°You¡¯re a monster! Release me now!¡± she shouted.


    If her re could inflict harm, Jorma would have been in pieces.


    Jorma¡¯s smile only grew more sinister. ¡°You¡¯ve got spirit; that¡¯s what I like to see,¡± he replied casually, pinning her down on the bed.


    The silence was broken by the faint sound of fabric rustling.


    ¡°No!¡± Sadie¡¯s shout was a mix of panic and despair.


    Her instinct was to fight, to push back, but she felt utterly powerless. Jorma relished her vulnerability, delighting in it like a predator with its captured prey.


    Bending over, he tried to nt a kiss on Sadie¡¯s neck.


    In that instant, Sadie found a sliver of opportunity. Gathering all her strength, she bit hard into Jorma¡¯s ear.


    ¡°Ah!¡± Jorma howled in pain, his hands flying to his ear as blood spilled between his fingers. He touched his ear, only to discover a piece was missing.


    Driven by searing pain, his rage escted. ¡°You bitch! You¡¯re going to die today!¡± he yelled, grabbing a whip and striking Sadie brutally.


    Thesh struck Sadie, and a sharp cry escaped her as pain red through her. With relentless force, the whip continued its assault, each strike etching a line of agony into her skin.


    As the torture persisted, Sadie¡¯s mind clouded with pain, reducing her responses to mere survival. Initially, she could still cry out, but her cries soon diminished to weak whimpers.


    Overwhelmed by the continuous pain, Sadie gradually lost consciousness. A soft moan escaped her as her eyelids fluttered weakly.


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 Chapter 62

    ?Chapter 62:


    Through the haze, a vague shape began to emerge in her blurred vision. A sense of being rescued flickered through her mind, anchoring her fading awareness. She silently vowed to forever be grateful to this savior.


    As Sadie regained consciousness, the pungent scent of disinfectant filled her nostrils. She opened her eyes to find herself in a hospital room, the walls adorned with green and white stripes.


    Noah was seated beside the bed, his forehead creased with weariness.


    Was it him?


    Her heart raced, hope flickering in her eyes.


    Feeling her stare, Noah looked her way and gently said, ¡°You¡¯re awake.¡±


    Oddly, his words enveloped Sadie with aforting warmth. She gave a small nod, hesitating to voice her questions.


    At that moment, K entered, bearing a container of food, her expression warm. ¡°Here¡¯s some soup for you, Noah. You must be starving,¡± she said, passing the container to Noah with a familiarity that spoke of closeness.


    As K turned to Sadie, her voice held aforting tone. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Sadie. The police caught that man yesterday. What would you like to eat? I can bring it for you.¡±


    Her words were soft, soothing like a gentle breeze, yet they caused Sadie¡¯s spirits to plummet.


    It was the police who had rescued her, not Noah.


    The spark in her eyes dimmed, reced by a growing bitterness.


    How could Noah have been her rescuer?


    While she had endured her ordeal, he was likely with K.


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    ¡°Thanks, but I don¡¯t feel like eating,¡± Sadie murmured.


    At her words, K¡¯s eyes filled with tears, her expression teetering on the edge of breaking down.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for intruding and causing you distress. This is all my fault,¡± she murmured, her lip quivering and her shoulders shaking, as though she had been deeply wronged.


    Sadie watched her, the feigned vulnerability from K unsettling the peace in her heart.


    She found herself at a loss for words, sensing that whatever she might say would be inconsequential.


    Suddenly, the silence of the room was broken by the health monitor beside the bed, which started beeping sharply.


    Jim entered swiftly, a look of concern etched on his face.


    ¡°The patient needs to be undisturbed for her rest,¡± he said firmly.


    A flicker of irritation crossed Jim¡¯s face as he nced pointedly at K.


    Caught in her act of exaggerated frailty, K seemed ufortable. She hadn¡¯t anticipated her actions would lead to usations of disturbing Sadie.


    Her eyes welled up again as she looked to Noah for support, biting her lip in apparent distress.


    Noah remained focused on Sadie, ignoring K¡¯s emotional disy, as he asked Jim, ¡°Have the test resultse in yet? What¡¯s the status of Sadie¡¯s health?¡±


    Sadie felt a pang of despair at his words.


    Tightly gripping the quilt, she attempted to sit up, her movementsced with anxiety. ¡°Dr. Archer¡­¡±


    She harbored a secret she didn¡¯t want Noah to discover¡ªher pregnancy. Jim nced at Noah and then at K, allowing a heavy silence to settle before he said, ¡°Her life isn¡¯t in danger. She needs to focus on resting.¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression darkened with concern, his voice tinged with skepticism. ¡°She¡¯s been experiencing nausea and fainting. Are you sure she¡¯s fine?¡±


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 Chapter 63

    ?Chapter 63:


    Jim met Sadie¡¯s anxious gaze, took a deliberate breath, and affirmed with certainty, ¡°She¡¯s alright, just overly fatigued and in need of rest.¡±


    Noah¡¯s frown deepened. He sensed something was off in Jim¡¯s assessment but respected his medical expertise.


    The room fell into a tense silence.


    Sadie felt a slight burden lift from her shoulders. She exhaled wearily and murmured, ¡°Please, everyone, leave. I need to rest.¡±


    Noah hesitated, words on the tip of his tongue, but he restrained himself, recalling Jim¡¯s earlier advice. He rose, his presence looming over Sadie, and whispered reassuringly, ¡°Rest now. Don¡¯t worry about anything. The man fromst night won¡¯t bother you again; he¡¯s been arrested.¡±


    Sadie was momentarily stunned, a mix of emotions flickering in her weary eyes.


    For a fleeting moment, she nearly convinced herself that Noah had rescued her, yet K¡¯s earlier remarks echoed in her mind¡ªthe police were the true rescuers, not Noah.


    As Noah exited, K trailed behind him. The echoing click of K¡¯s heels on the floor slowly receded, and with them, the fleetingfort brought by Noah¡¯s seemingly concerned words dissipated from Sadie¡¯s heart.


    She then looked toward Jim, who had purposely stayed behind, and summoned her strength, calling out, ¡°Dr. Archer¡­¡± Her voice was raspy. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Jim paused and turned, caught off guard. ¡°For what?¡±


    ¡°For keeping the baby a secret from Noah.¡± Her grip on the quilt intensified, whitening her knuckles.


    Jim wore a look that conveyed mixed emotions. He paused, weighing his words, then asked, ¡°Sooner orter, the truth will surface. What¡¯s your next move?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s eyes lingered on the pristine white of her quilt. A resolve solidified within her as she said, ¡°I will divorce Noah as soon as possible. And this child? I¡¯m raising them by myself.¡±


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    Jim, visibly startled, struggled to grasp her resolution. ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re nning to raise the baby on your own?¡± he asked, stunned. ¡°That won¡¯t be easy.¡±


    Beneath the quilt, Sadie caressed her abdomen, feeling the stir of new life. A small, yet resolute smile formed on her lips. ¡°Each child is a blessing,¡± she said softly, her voice resonant with determination. ¡°This child picked me to be their mother, and I will shoulder that responsibility. They may not have a father, but I will make sure they feel double the love from me.¡±


    After a brief silence, Jim nodded, epting her choice. ¡°Okay, if you¡¯re sure that¡¯s what you want.¡±


    Sadie nodded in return, a small smile of gratitude forming on her face.


    Jim exited the hospital room quietly, softly clicking the door shut. He pondered whether Noah would one day regret losing such a remarkable woman. Unlikely.


    Recalling Noah¡¯sck of empathy, Jim shook his head in disappointment and sighed softly. He pulled out a prescription pad and wrote down the names of some medications. On the surface, they appeared to be simple vitamins to help Sadie recover, but in reality, they were meant to protect her pregnancy.


    Later that day, as Sadie sat in the hospital canteen, her phone rang with an unexpected call from a nurse.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, your grandmother is now awake.¡±


    At the news, Sadie felt a surge of happiness rece her grief instantly. ¡°Is that true? I¡¯m on my way!¡±


    She rushed toward Laura¡¯s hospital room.


    A clinical scent lingered in the air, and the stark white linens contrasted sharply with Laura¡¯s paleplexion.


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 Chapter 64

    ?Chapter 64:


    As Sadie gripped Laura¡¯s delicate hand, her tears began to flow.


    ¡°Grandma, it¡¯s such a relief to see your eyes open! I was terrified when you copsed. What caused your heart attack?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice trembled with emotion.


    Laura had always been healthy, with no history of heart issues, making the attack even more baffling to Sadie.


    With her other hand, Laura reached out to brush away Sadie¡¯s tears. Her own eyes brimmed with tears, too.


    ¡°Sadie, have you been keeping secrets from me?¡± Laura whispered weakly.


    Frozen by the question, Sadie responded, ¡°What?¡±


    Laura¡¯s eyes searched Sadie¡¯s, filled with deep concern.


    ¡°Have you been involved with another woman¡¯s man?¡± Laura¡¯s words were heavy with grief, and her tears flowed freely. ¡°It¡¯s my fault. I failed to keep you safe.¡±


    Confusion clouded Sadie¡¯s expression, and her anxiety mounted. ¡°Grandma, why would you think that? Who has been filling your head with such lies?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice rose in frustration.


    Laura continued, ¡°Someone delivered photos and a letter to my doorstep. They showed you being held by a man as you entered his car.¡±


    Sadie gasped.


    A man was holding her? Entering a car?


    ¡°And the letter used you of stealing this woman¡¯s husband,¡± Laura said with effort, each word seeming to drain her strength. ¡°It warned that you must end it, or suffer the consequences.¡±


    A chill crept down Sadie¡¯s spine, leaving her momentarily speechless as she scrambled for the right words.


    Laura¡¯s eyes locked onto Sadie¡¯s forehead, and her face paled with horror. ¡°You¡¯re injured? Did that persone after you to settle the score?¡±


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    Her voice quivered, thick with fear and panic. ¡°Sweetheart, listen¡ªstay out of someone else¡¯s marriage. You need to cut ties with that man immediately.¡±


    With each word, Laura¡¯s anxiety swelled, her breaths growing ragged as her chest rose and fell in frantic waves.


    Sadie felt as though an invisible fist had clenched around her heart, squeezing until it became hard to breathe.


    ¡°Grandma, it¡¯s not like that,¡± she said, her voice shaky despite her best efforts to steady it.


    But Laura¡¯s doubtful gaze didn¡¯t waver, and Sadie exhaled deeply, the weight of misunderstanding pressing down on her. ¡°Where are the photos?¡± she asked softly.


    Laura pointed towards her clothes. ¡°In my pocket.¡±


    After she left the resuscitation room, a nurse had swapped her clothes for a sterile patient gown. The nurse had then ced her belongings in this ward.


    Sadie stepped over to the clothes, her hands fumbling through the fabric until her fingertips brushed against something stiff and glossy.


    She pulled out the photos.


    There, frozen in glossy stillness, were images of her and Noah.


    His arm was wrapped around her waist, shielding her in a way that felt far too intimate. The closeness between them was undeniable, almost tender.


    Sadie¡¯s breath caught in her throat.


    She couldn¡¯t even recall a moment when she¡¯d been that close to Noah.


    A bitter knot twisted in her chest, rising like bile.


    How was she supposed to exin this to Laura?


    If she confessed the truth¡ªthat the man in the photos was her husband¡ªthen when the inevitable divorce happened, it would only make the situation worse.


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 Chapter 65

    ?Chapter 65:


    But lying wasn¡¯t any easier.


    Sadie clutched the photos tighter, her mind racing for an answer.


    After a shaky inhale, she forced a smile and walked back to Laura. ¡°The man in the photos is my boss, Noah Wall,¡± she said, trying to sound casual. ¡°He¡¯s still single.¡±


    Every word that slipped from Sadie¡¯s lips was the truth.


    Her marriage to Noah was a well-kept secret, buried so deeply that no online search could unearth their marital records.


    But Laura¡¯s skeptical gaze lingered, her clouded eyes narrowing with concern. ¡°I hope you¡¯re not lying to me.¡±


    Without missing a beat, Sadie pulled out her phone and began typing, searching for proof right then and there.


    The loading icon spun in circles before the results popped up. Noah¡¯s public profile stared back at them, his marital status boldly stamped: Single.


    Sadie shrugged, forcing an easy tone. ¡°See? There¡¯s no truth to that rumor about me interfering in someone else¡¯s marriage.¡±


    Laura¡¯s frown deepened, her thoughts clearly racing. ¡°So someone¡¯s out to smear your name.¡±


    Sadie gave a tight nod, a sharp glint flickering in her eyes. ¡°You said there was a letter with the photos? Did you keep it? Maybe we can trace the handwriting and figure out who¡¯s behind this.¡±


    Laura froze for a moment, then let out a frustrated sigh and patted her head. ¡°I tore up the letter and tossed it in the trash.¡±


    Sadie reached for Laura¡¯s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. ¡°It¡¯s okay. No one else has been home, right? The letter should still be there. I¡¯ll head backter and dig it out.¡±


    They talked for a little while longer, with Sadie making sure Laura¡¯s nerves had settled before finally getting up to leave.


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    But as she approached the door, she nearly collided with a slender figure¡ªK.


    Sadie hadn¡¯t nned on giving K a second nce, but K¡¯s panicked, guilty expression made her stop in her tracks. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    K¡¯s eyes darted away, her words tumbling out in a stammer. ¡°Well, um¡­ my¡­ my heart¡¯s been acting up. I came for a check-up.¡±


    Then, as if a switch had flipped, K¡¯s tone turned defensive, her eyes narrowing. ¡°But what¡¯s it to you, anyway?¡±


    K turned around and stormed off, her footsteps echoing hastily down the corridor.


    Sadie stood there, watching her retreat, her brows knitting together as a profound unease settled heavily in her chest.


    There was something about K¡¯s panicked gaze and her fumbled, half-hearted excuse that felt like sharp thorns digging into Sadie¡¯s thoughts.


    Determined, Sadie sought out Jim to arrange her discharge, eager to rush to Laura¡¯s apartment and find that letter.


    However, Jim firmly objected. ¡°You¡¯re pregnant, and you were really shaken up yesterday. It¡¯s crucial that you rest to maintain your pregnancy¡¯s stability. Wandering about is thest thing you should be doing now.¡±


    But Sadie was resolute. ¡°There¡¯s something pressing that I need to attend to immediately. As for the baby, I have a strong feeling¡ªthey¡¯re just fine.¡±


    Despite his reservations, Jim could not sway her; eventually, he gave in.


    On her way out of Jim¡¯s office, Sadie unexpectedly encountered K again.


    Their paths crossing so frequently seemed almost orchestrated.


    Had she not known of K¡¯s heart condition and her urgent need for medical attention, Sadie might have suspected K of snooping on her conversations.


    .


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 Chapter 66

    ?Chapter 66:


    With her patience wearing thin, Sadie brushed past K, barely acknowledging her presence.


    ¡°Sadie!¡± K¡¯s voice,ced with urgency and a tremor of panic, halted her.


    Sadie stopped dead in her tracks but didn¡¯t turn to face K.


    ¡°Y¡ªyou¡¯re pregnant?¡± K stammered, her voice a mix of disbelief and fear.


    At that moment, a cold dread washed over Sadie, her heart plunging into an abyss of worry.


    Under K¡¯s icy re, a shiver skittered down Sadie¡¯s spine, her posture rigid with unease.


    ¡°What does that have to do with you?¡± she demanded, her voice edged with defensiveness.


    Sadie instinctively wrapped her arms around her stomach, a protective gesture that didn¡¯t go unnoticed.


    ¡°Then why haven¡¯t you told Noah you¡¯re pregnant?¡± K snapped, her fingers mping around Sadie¡¯s wrist with a force that bordered on painful, her nails threatening to break skin.


    ¡°Let me guess¡ªyou¡¯re going to have the baby behind his back and then shove them in his face to ckmail him?¡± she went on, pure contemptcing her words.


    The sharp pinch forced a grimace onto Sadie¡¯s face as she wrenched her arm free, her scorn palpable. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m as desperate as you? Clinging to Noah by any deceitful means necessary?¡± Sadie retorted, her disdain for K¡¯s touch evident in her shudder of revulsion.


    K, momentarily unbnced by the force, steadied herself and sneered. ¡°Pathetic. You actually believe having his child will keep Noah by your side? If he couldn¡¯t care less about you now, what makes you think he¡¯ll give a damn about that baby?¡±


    She paused, her voice dropping colder with each word. ¡°If you¡¯re hoping this baby will boost your standing, you¡¯re living in a fantasy. A man of Noah¡¯s caliber could father countless heirs if he chose.¡± With a mockingugh, Sadie shot back, ¡°Then I sincerely wish you luck in bearing Noah¡¯s child soon!¡±


    With a final, dismissive nce at K, Sadie turned around and strode away.


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    All she wanted now was to get that letter and put an end to this nightmare once and for all.


    K watched, her chest burning with pure rage as Sadie¡¯s silhouette faded into the distance.


    The sting of Sadie¡¯s parting words lingered, as sharp and sudden as a p across her face.


    Noah hadn¡¯t evenid a damn finger on her¡ªnot even once! What would happen if Noah found out that Sadie was carrying his child?


    The mere possibility made her shiver, her mind refusing to ept the oue.


    Despite trying to convince herself otherwise, K knew in her heart that Noah harbored feelings for Sadie.


    His fleeting looks and subtle, unconscious gestures were undeniable¡ªsilent testaments to his care.


    No, this child had no ce in this world¡ªthey had to be dealt with. K¡¯s resolve hardened, and she sprinted after Sadie, her decision crystallizing with every step.


    She scanned her surroundings in panic, only to catch a glimpse of a self-driving car pulling away from the curb.


    Sadie¡¯s voice, distant and icy, floated back to her. ¡°Take me to Everhart Gardens.¡±


    Everhart Gardens. Of course. That was where Laura, Sadie¡¯s grandmother, resided.


    A memory shed in K¡¯s mind: the hushed tones of a conversation she had overheard between Sadie and Laura.


    .


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 Chapter 67

    ?Chapter 67:


    The letter. That damning, handwritten letter.


    If Noah everid eyes on it and recognized her handwriting, the fallout would be catastrophic.


    A sharp pang gripped K¡¯s chest, a cold wave creeping up from her toes to the crown of her head.


    Her gaze locked onto the self-driving car vanishing into the distance. Without hesitation, she scribbled down its te number.


    She slipped into a quiet corner, pulled out her phone, and dialed. The call connected instantly. Aid-back male voice came through the line. ¡°Well, well, it¡¯s been a while. Miss me? Let me guess¡ªanother hotel? I promise, you won¡¯t regret it.¡±


    K¡¯s fingers tightened around the phone, her tone sharp. ¡°I need to discuss something important with you.¡±


    ¡°Oh? And what pressing issue made you reach out first?¡± the man teased.


    ¡°Can you hijack a self-driving car and make it crash?¡± K asked without preamble.


    A brief silence followed, then a soft chuckle. ¡°Naturally. Have you forgotten who you¡¯re talking to? But¡­ my skills don¡¯te cheap.¡±


    K inhaled deeply. ¡°Two hundred grand.¡±


    ¡°For that price, I can guarantee minor injuries, but nothing fatal,¡± the man countered smoothly.


    K realized she was being taken advantage of.


    Her jaw clenched. ¡°What do you want?¡±


    ¡°Simple. A night with you.¡±


    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????


    K didn¡¯t respond immediately. She already knew this wasing.


    After a brief pause, her voice turned cold. ¡°Fine. But not tonight. I have something important today.¡±


    ¡°Deal.¡± The man agreed without hesitation. ¡°Just don¡¯t think about backing out, or I might feel inclined to expose your secrets.¡±


    K gave an indifferent ¡°understood¡± and sent over Sadie¡¯s license te.


    Keystrokes echoed faintly over the call.


    Momentster, he spoke. ¡°In ten minutes, that car will collide with another self-driving car at a traffic light. The probability of fatality? Around eighty percent.¡±


    A slow, pleased smile spread across K¡¯s lips. ¡°Perfect.¡± She ended the call and immediately swallowed a pill.


    The pill was designed to strain her heart¡ªmimicking a severe cardiac episode that would fool any medical scan.


    She had kept it as a safeguard, anticipating the day Noah might suspect her illness was a facade.


    Now, it was time to make the act real¡ªto ensure Noah stayed by her side instead of running to Sadie¡¯s rescue.


    The drug worked fast. Pressure built in her chest, her breaths turningbored.


    Supporting herself against the wall, she staggered toward the hospital.


    The busy outpatient hall blurred before her eyes.


    A final inhale¡ªthen she crumpled to the floor.


    ¡°Someone copsed!¡±


    ¡°Nurse!¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s not breathing!¡±


    ¡°Blood pressure¡¯s plummeting!¡±


    ¡°Her heart¡¯s out of rhythm!¡±


    ¡°Increase the dosage, now!¡± Inside the oxygen chamber, rms shrieked as medical personnel scrambled to stabilize K.


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 Chapter 68

    ?Chapter 68:


    K¡¯s face was ghostly pale, her brows knitted, her lips trembling as if she were on the verge of death.


    Noah arrived in a rush the moment he received word.


    He stormed into the oxygen room, the sharp scent of antiseptic hitting him immediately.


    His eyes found K on the hospital bed¡ªbarely hanging on.


    A doctor turned to him. ¡°Mr. Wall, Miss Wade¡¯s condition is critical. We¡¯re doing everything possible.¡±


    A nurse spoke to Noah, ¡°Are you a rtive? Hold her hands¡ªshe might remove the oxygen mask.¡± Noah¡¯s gaze fell on K.


    Inside the mask, condensation had gathered, making each breath a struggle. She fought to stay conscious.


    Noah moved quickly, following the nurse¡¯smands. His strong, slender hands pressed firmly on K¡¯s, ensuring she remained still. K¡¯s voice was a fragile murmur. ¡°Noah¡­ I feel terrible¡­¡±


    Noah¡¯s brow furrowed in immediate concern. ¡°K, stay with me. The doctors will take care of you.¡±


    K¡¯s fingers twitched as she weakly attempted to hold his hands, but Noah intentionally pulled away. Instead, he pressed her wrists down firmly, making sure she didn¡¯t remove her oxygen mask.


    His focus was absolute; his eyes locked on K with an intensity that made everything else in the room seem distant and irrelevant. It was as if the world had narrowed down to just the two of them.


    Despite the pain, K felt a twisted satisfaction deep inside. As long as she kept Noah upied, Sadie wouldn¡¯t get the help she needed. She would die.


    Meanwhile, Sadie sat in the self-driving car, unease gnawing at her. Something didn¡¯t feel right. Was it just a coincidence that she ran into K twice at the hospital? And who had sent her grandma those photos and the letter? Who could know so much about her life, her family? It had to be¡­ K, right?


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    Before Sadie could process the thought, a car ran a red light and mmed into the side of her vehicle with a deafening bang!


    Everything flipped; Sadie was thrown around like a rag doll, her body violently jolted with every impact.


    Panic surged through her as she instinctively wrapped her arms protectively around her abdomen.


    Her head hit the window hard, sending a jolt of searing pain through her skull. Blood streamed down her forehead, and her vision blurred as she struggled to focus.


    Through the pain, Sadie noticed mes licking at the car¡¯s exterior, getting dangerously close.


    Fear gripped her heart, freezing her in ce. Her breath caught, shallow and quick. The seatbelt and airbag had trapped her, and the door was pinned to the ground.


    Sadie¡¯s fingers twitched, the only part of her body still free. She could feel the warmth of the fire creeping closer, and a cold realization hit her: if she didn¡¯t escape, the mes would consume both her and the baby.


    ¡°Help¡­¡± Sadie¡¯s voice was barely audible, a faint whisper against the overwhelming roar of the mes.


    Each breath felt like she was inhaling fire itself, the smoke stinging her lungs and clouding her thoughts. Her body felt numb, but she forced her trembling fingers to find her phone. The screen was smeared with her blood, a cruel reminder of the danger she was in. Desperation surged through her as she pressed the power button three times with frantic urgency.


    The phone dialed Noah, her emergency contact. She had set this up long ago, believing he would always be there when she needed him most.


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 Chapter 69

    ?Chapter 69:


    Now, in this burning wreck, he was her only hope.


    Each ring seemed to drag on forever, the silence more deafening than the mes. The car was slowly being consumed by fire, and the smoke was choking her. Time was running out.


    Sadie dialed again, panic wing at her chest. Every ring felt like a knife twisting in her heart. Her pulse raced, her thoughts frantic. Please, just pick up.


    Then, atst, the call connected.


    ¡°Are you serious? Can¡¯t you leave me alone?¡± Noah¡¯s cold and impatient voice snapped through.


    Before Sadie could speak, Noah continued, his tone clipped, ¡°K¡¯s in critical condition. I don¡¯t have time for this. If you have something to say, then wait.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m dying, Noah¡­¡± Sadie¡¯s voice was barely a whisper, weak and strained. ¡°For everything we were, please, save me¡­¡±


    The smoke filled Sadie¡¯s lungs, a burning ache that made her vision swim and everything around her fade into a blur. She held the phone tightly, clinging to it as if it were herst thread of hope.


    Noah¡¯s brow furrowed as he heard the desperation in Sadie¡¯s voice. ¡°What¡¯s happening, Sadie?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s words sounded hollow and distant, and Noah felt a flicker of concern. But before he could press further, K suddenly gasped, coughing violently, and she tried to tear the oxygen mask off her face.


    ¡°K!¡± Noah¡¯s voice rang out, his tone full of urgency. He quickly grabbed her hands and tried to soothe her. ¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m here. Just breathe.¡±


    Noah turned his head toward his phone, his voice taking on a sharp, frosty edge. ¡°K can¡¯t be left alone. Sadie, enough with these childish games.¡±


    The word ¡°childish¡± echoed, tightening an invisible grip around Sadie¡¯s heart, the pain almost suffocating her. Words failed her as she struggled to respond.


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    Then, with a harsh beep, the line went dead. The relentless busy signal hammered in Sadie¡¯s ears, each tone driving deeper into her dwindling hope.


    Her gaze dropped. She was utterly crushed, her phone slipping through her trembling fingers. Even if she were gasping for herst breath, she would never hold a ce in Noah¡¯s heart like K did.


    How the hell could he be this cruel? After all these years, it dawned on Sadie that her love had been tragically misced.


    As her consciousness began to fade, a silhouette darted through the encroaching mes toward her.


    ¡°Sadie!¡± The voice, urgent andden with profound concern, pierced the chaos.


    Sadie¡¯s eyes fluttered shut.


    When she regained consciousness, she found herself lying in a hospital bed. Opening her eyes, Sadie was greeted by the stark, blinding whiteness of the ceiling above, the acrid scent of disinfectant assaulting her nostrils.


    She attempted to shift her position, but a sharp sting from her injuries made her grimace painfully.


    ¡°Stay still. You¡¯re hooked up to an IV.¡± A stiff, uneasy voice broke the silence beside her.


    Turning toward the source, Sadie saw Alex. Strands of his hair were burnt at the tips, his face was smudged with grime, and the cor of his shirt was charred.


    There was no doubt¡ªhe had walked through hell itself for her. A rush of warmth flooded Sadie¡¯s heart at the realization.


    ¡°You came for me, didn¡¯t you?¡± she asked, her voiceden with certainty.


    Catching a flicker of disappointment in her eyes, Alex nodded, his voice soft. ¡°Yes, I did.¡±


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 Chapter 70

    ?Chapter 70:


    He paused, as if he had more to say. ¡°Noah must be caught up in something urgent; don¡¯t think too much about it.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to cover for him,¡± Sadie said, a gentle shake of her head dismissing his excuse as she let her eyes drift closed once more.


    She had reached out to Noah, yet at her most desperate hour, he had chosen K. The pain of that realization was sharper than any physical wound.


    A moment of panic touched her features as she gingerly felt her abdomen. ¡°Thank you for saving me,¡± she murmured, anxiety threading through her voice. ¡°Is my baby¡­?¡±


    The thought of harming to her child was unbearable, the weight of potential guilt as a mother heavy on her soul.


    Alex leaned in, his eyes alight with concern as he gently reassured her. ¡°Your baby isn¡¯t seriously injured, thankfully, but your pregnancy is somewhat precarious right now. You¡¯re on medication to help stabilize things. The doctor mentioned that a few days of bed rest should set things right.¡±


    Sadie exhaled, her shoulders dropping as the weight of her worry lifted slightly.


    The baby was safe¡ªthat was all that mattered.


    As she opened her mouth to express her gratitude, the abrupt ring of Alex¡¯s phone cut her off.


    He answered swiftly, his face contorting with concern, his eyebrows knitting together in a mix of confusion and frustration as the conversation unfolded.


    Feeling a knot form in her stomach, Sadie watched him closely, sensing the gravity of the call.


    ¡°What happened?¡± she questioned, unable to contain her anxiety.


    After ending the call, Alex faced her, his voice thick with unease. ¡°It appears there¡¯s more to the crash than bad luck. The self-driving car that hit you¡ªit showed clear signs of external tampering. Someone hacked its system, causing it to veer off course at the intersection and collide with your car.¡±


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    He paused, letting the words sink in, his gaze intensifying as he studied Sadie¡¯s reaction. ¡°It seems like this wasn¡¯t just an ident, Sadie. It was orchestrated.¡±


    ¡°Orchestrated?¡± Sadie repeated, her voice barely above a whisper as a cold shiver raced down her spine.


    First, the unnerving incident with Laura¡ªso close to being catastrophic¡ªand now this. Someone was clearly after her. But the haunting question remained.


    Who the hell would go this far just to hurt her?


    Fear gripped Sadie¡¯s heart, her entire being encased in its icy hold. ¡°Who is the hacker? Have you found out yet?¡± Her voice quivered, barely masking the panic beneath it.


    Alex exhaled heavily, the weight of the situation clear in his drooping shoulders. ¡°We¡¯re still digging, Sadie, but it¡¯s like chasing shadows. Nothing solid yet.¡± He rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration.


    A heavy silence filled the hospital room.


    Sadie¡¯s restless fingers wandered to her belly, tracing the faint, reassuring pulse of the tiny heart within. The reality of her pregnancy¡ªher fragile secret¡ªmade her all the more anxious.


    It had been a miracle that both she and the baby had emerged unscathed from the harrowing car crash. With the stakes higher than ever, she resolved to keep her pregnancy a secret, fearing it could be used as leverage against her.


    Turning her earnest, worried eyes toward Alex, she made a bold request. ¡°Alex, could you do something for me? Can you change my medical records to show that I had a miscarriage?¡± Her gaze was resolute, a stark contrast to the fragility of her condition.


    Alex paused, considering the gravity of her words, then nodded slowly. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it, don¡¯t worry,¡± he assured her, his voice firm.


    He rose, his tall frame slicing through the lingering tension as he exited.


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 Chapter 71

    ?Chapter 71:


    Momentster, the door creaked open again.


    K stepped inside, her presence like a gentle breeze, carrying a basket brimming with fresh fruit. A smile, tinged with concern, yed on her lips.


    ¡°Is it done?¡± Sadie murmured, her eyes still closed against the dull throb in her temples, mistaking K for Alex.


    ¡°Done what?¡± K¡¯s voice floated softly, tinged with confusion.


    Sadie¡¯s eyes flew open to find K standing beside her bed, her expression unsettlingly sweet as she held a fruit basket.


    ¡°What the hell are you doing here?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice was frosty, her brow furrowing in suspicion.


    Unperturbed, K perched on the edge of the mattress, gently setting the basket on the nearby table.


    ¡°I came to see you,¡± she replied, her tone dripping with feigned concern, which only deepened Sadie¡¯s unease.


    Sadie hadn¡¯t mentioned her car ident to anyone. How on earth had K found out?


    Her fingers twitched beneath the quilt, curling into a fist.


    Could K have orchestrated this crash?


    K¡¯s light, eerieugh cut through the tension. ¡°When you called Noah for help, guess what? I was right there with him. He was too busy taking care of me to talk to you.¡± The realization hit Sadie like a cold wave.


    K had been with Noah when she had desperately called him for help.


    A shiver of fear trickled down Sadie¡¯s spine as the implications of K¡¯s words chilled her to the core.


    In her darkest hour, when she needed help most, Noah had turned his back on her¡ªall for K.


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    The bitter truth gnawed at her as Sadie found herself ncing at the hospital room door, foolishly wishing Noah woulde.


    ¡°Don¡¯t waste your time looking,¡± K remarked, her voice tinged with a mirthless chuckle. She casually draped a hand over her mouth, her smirk evident. ¡°Noah had to rush back to hispany for some urgent business.¡±


    The words stabbed at Sadie¡¯s heart, spreading a cold, numbing pain throughout her body.


    Yet, beneath herposed exterior, K was far from the triumphant figure she portrayed.


    The moment her condition stabilized, Noah had rushed back to his responsibilities, not sparing another moment by her side.


    Why? Why did Noah¡¯s indifference cut so deeply?


    As K mulled over his cold detachment, a tide of disappointment and bitterness threatened to overwhelm her. But she couldn¡¯t let Sadie see her weakness.


    Maintaining herposed fa?ade, K arched an eyebrow and spoke with forced nonchnce. ¡°You know, I told Noah about your pregnancy, urging him toe to your side. But he refused. He chose to stay with me.¡±


    She picked up an apple, her knife gliding smoothly as she began to peel it, her gaze fixed intently on Sadie¡¯s ashen face.


    ¡°You see, Sadie, in his eyes, you and your child don¡¯t weigh as much as I do.¡±


    Her tone was soft, almost tender, but each word sliced through the air, sharp and merciless.


    As Sadie observed K¡¯s smug grin, a shiver of dread crept across her heart.


    So, Noah was already aware that she was pregnant.


    He had known all along and had heartlessly allowed her to perish in that tragic car ident.


    .


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 Chapter 72

    ?Chapter 72:


    She had once harbored the naive hope that Noah¡¯s heart was just unreachable, that perhaps his love was something she could earn through persistence and sacrifice.


    But now, the truth was painfully clear¡ªhis icy indifference and calcted cruelty were directed solely at her.


    In contrast, his demeanor towards K was tender and considerate; he was even willing to sacrifice her for K¡¯s happiness.


    This realization shattered herst vestige of hope, like fragile ss swept away by relentless winds.


    With a heavy sigh, Sadie closed her eyes, her eyshes quivering as they veiled the despair welling up inside her.


    Well, just let it be.


    It was time to let go.


    Her fingers, cold and trembling, tenderly brushed over her t abdomen, connecting with the faint but determined heartbeat within¡ªa tiny life striving to blossom against the odds.


    ¡°Sweetie,¡± she murmured with a gentle resolve. ¡°Your father doesn¡¯t want us, but we have each other. Together, we¡¯ll make it through.¡±


    As Sadie lifted her gaze once more, her eyes mirrored nothing but steely resolve.


    ¡°So what if he wasn¡¯t there to save me? I survived, didn¡¯t I? He¡¯s not that important to me.¡±


    K¡¯s expression transformed in an instant, her meticulously applied makeup failing to mask the predatory glint in her eyes.


    Her carefullyid ns were unraveling before her.


    Fixating on Sadie¡¯s belly, hidden only by a thin quilt, K seemed to be searching for a glimpse of her greatest fearing to life beneath the fabric.


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    The air thickened with tension as Sadie caught the lethal intent flickering in K¡¯s gaze. Her defenses rose instinctively.


    She could already tell¡ªK wasn¡¯t going to back down that easily. Faking vulnerability, Sadie let her eyes droop sorrowfully as tears began to spill, tracing damp trails down her cheeks.


    ¡°But it was because of him that I lost the baby. His child is gone. Maybe this is his retribution,¡± she murmured, her voice a mix of grief and maniption, cleverly leaving her words open to K¡¯s interpretation.


    ¡°The child¡­ is gone?¡± K¡¯s voice cracked, a mix of disbelief and sudden tion coloring her tone as she shifted her focus back to Sadie, searching her face for confirmation.


    Sadie offered no reply, allowing the silent tears to gather and fall, leaving moist traces on her nose.


    She portrayed the image of utter devastation.


    As K observed Sadie¡¯s breakdown, a flicker of doubt shadowed her triumph.


    Sadie had always presented a facade of toughness in her presence.


    Since when had she be so visibly broken?


    Yet K quickly brushed aside the flicker of doubt.


    Sadie¡ªa pathetic fool. What kind of schemes could she evene up with?


    She had Sadie figured out¡ªdumb as a rock and twice as stubborn. Surely, if Sadie had been feigning weakness, she wouldn¡¯t have been so thoroughly bested in the rivalry that simmered between them. With this realization, a weight seemed to lift from K¡¯s shoulders, a liberating exhale after holding her breath. What did it matter if Sadie survived?


    The child was dead, and divorce loomed on the horizon like an inevitable dawn.


    Suppressing a victorious grin, K inhaled sharply, her joy bubbling just beneath the surface, yet her exterior remained a mask of concern. ¡°Sadie, don¡¯t take it too hard,¡± she murmured, her voice gentle as she wrapped her fingers around Sadie¡¯s hand. ¡°This loss doesn¡¯t mean you won¡¯t be a mother again.¡±


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 Chapter 73

    ?Chapter 73:


    Sadie responded only by pulling her hand away, her head turning as her shoulders trembled slightly.


    ¡°Rest well.¡± With a final nce at the pitiful figure on the bed, K turned and left the room.


    Her steps were quick and purposeful as she approached the nurse¡¯s station, grabbing the arm of a young nurse with a sense of urgency that bordered on desperation. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m a friend of Sadie¡¯s. Could you please tell me how her baby is?¡±


    The nurse, after a brief nce at the medical records, confirmed the tragic news. ¡°The patient had a miscarriage. The child is gone.¡±


    At those words, K felt thest bit of worry melt away, leaving her truly at ease.


    Noah strode into his office.


    Outside, beyond the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, the urban sprawl pulsed with life, its bustling traffic flowing like a vibrant, ever-moving painting.


    Yet, he spared no nce for the view. His forehead was creased in concentration, fingers tapping a restless rhythm on the smooth surface of the desk.


    His heart thumped with a foreboding sense of dread, a silent rm signaling that something dire loomed on the horizon.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± he muttered, yanking at his tie with a mix of irritation and restlessness.


    Throughout the earlier meeting, his mind had been elsewhere. The memory of Sadie¡¯s phone call haunted him¡ªher voice frail and fraught with desperation, her words a tangled plea for help.


    ¡°Noah¡­ help me¡­¡±


    Back then, he had dismissed her with a curt hang-up, annoyed. Now, the echo of her fear gnawed at him, a relentless reminder that he might have overlooked something critical.


    ¡°Samuel!¡± he barked into the internal phone line, his voiceced with urgency.


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    ¡°Yes, Mr. Wall?¡± Samuel¡¯s prompt reply came.


    ¡°Check on Sadie. Find out what¡¯s going on with her,¡± Noahmanded, his tone clipped and decisive.


    ¡°Perhaps it would be best if you reached out to her yourself, sir,¡± Samuel advised, his tone tinged with confusion.


    Noah¡¯s fist clenched tightly, his knuckles nching. He brought it to his lips and coughed discreetly, a feeble attempt to mask his growing anxiety. His voice, sharp and clipped, broke through the strained silence. ¡°Just go look into it!¡±


    He mmed the phone down and began pacing his office, each step echoing his restlessness.


    Calling Sadie now to show he cared? That was never going to happen! He had been dismissive, almost harsh, when he hung up on her. To reach out now would only wound his pride.


    Deep down, Noah began to rationalize his hesitation.


    Unbeknownst to him, his defenses were slowly crumbling; he had, though unwittingly, started to harbor genuine concern for the woman he had so casually brushed aside earlier.


    A soft, hesitant knock at the door pulled him from his reverie.


    ¡°Come in,¡± he called out, his tone more subdued than before.


    Samuel entered, his posture rigid with formality as he stopped before the desk. ¡°Mr. Wall, Mrs. Wall was in a car ident. She¡¯s currently at the city hospital.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± The word burst from Noah, his face draining of color as he leaped to his feet.


    The news hit him like a physical blow.


    Sadie¡¯s desperate call for help reyed like a ghost in his mind, gripping him with a newfound panic.


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 Chapter 74

    ?Chapter 74:


    ¡°Is it serious?¡± His voice quavered despite his best efforts to remainposed.


    Samuel¡¯s eyes held a grave light as he responded, ¡°Her injuries are quite severe. The doctors are still evaluating her condition.¡±


    Restlessness took over¡ªNoah grabbed his coat and hurried out of the office without a second thought.


    ¡°Get the car ready!¡± he bellowed, themand sharp in the quiet of the hallway, his mind a whirlwind of regret and confusion.


    What the hell was he thinking, hanging up on her like that? Why had he been so cruel?


    And if¡ªGod forbid¡ªsomething were to happen to her, how would he ever forgive himself?


    An unfamiliar fear, cold and suffocating, clenched around his heart. Samuel watched from the doorway as Noah disappeared down the hallway.


    It was painfully clear to him that despite Noah¡¯s own denials, he harbored deep feelings for Sadie. Yet, Noah was blind to his own heart, trapped in a stubborn lie he had crafted around himself. Samuel shook his head sadly.


    If Sadie were to truly walk away, Noah¡¯s regret would be immense. Behind the wheel, Noah drove with mechanical precision to the city hospital, his face set in a stoic, imprable mask.


    Yet, the sweat gathering on his palms as they gripped the steering wheel betrayed the chaos roiling inside him.


    Meanwhile, in the hospital room, after K had left, Sadie finally allowed the tears she had been holding back to fall.


    She was shattered, unable to fathom how Noah could have be so callous, wishing death upon her and their unborn child.


    ¡°Sadie¡­¡± As Alex walked back in, a sharp pang clenched his heart at the sight of her misery.


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    He tenderly offered her a tissue, his touch gentle. ¡°There¡¯s more to life than this heartache. You¡¯re not trapped by a single choice.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s head bowed low, and from her lips escaped a frail, whispery admission. ¡°I don¡¯t want him anymore. I just want this ache in my heart to fade away.¡±


    Alex hesitated, his words catching in his throat. ¡°Well¡­¡±


    He trailed off, the weight of his thoughts manifesting in a heavy sigh. Slowly, he reached out, drawing Sadie into a tender embrace, his hand patting her back with a steady,forting rhythm.


    ¡°Sadie, there¡¯s no need to pretend you¡¯re not hurting,¡± he murmured gently.


    The warmth from his embrace seemed to dissolve the barriers Sadie had built around her emotions, and tears cascaded down her cheeks, each drop heavier than thest.


    In that vulnerable moment, the door to the hospital room mmed open with a jarring bang.


    ¡°Sadie! How are you?¡± The urgency in Noah¡¯s voice was palpable, his wordsced with a tremor that betrayed his concern.


    Caught in the midst of her tears, Sadie froze, her sobs suspended.


    Noah¡¯s tone shifted suddenly, the warmth seeping out to leave a chill. ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡± he demanded, his eyes narrowing into a frosty re as they swept across Alex¡¯sforting hold on Sadie, fixating on Alex¡¯s arms encircling her.


    That sight struck Noah like a thorn, his gaze stinging with betrayal and a burgeoning rage ring within him.


    Alex let Sadie go and turned to confront Noah.


    Despite their history of close friendship, Alex¡¯s anger was palpable, fueled by Noah¡¯s absence when Sadie faced her darkest hours. ¡°So you finally decided to show up?¡± Alex¡¯s tone was icy, each word dripping with contempt and unspoken usations.


    With rage simmering in his eyes, Noah marched toward him, his steps like a predator closing in.


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 Chapter 75

    ?Chapter 75:


    His formidable presence loomed over Alex, his eyes piercing with an unyielding intensity.


    ¡°Sadie is my wife,¡± he yelled, his voice a blend ofmand and raw emotion. ¡°Keep your hands off her!¡±


    Unfazed, Alex held his ground, his retort sharp and biting. ¡°Is that your definition of a husband? Becausest I checked, Sadie was¡ª¡± He stopped short, his voice choked with a mix of sorrow and anger clouded Alex¡¯s face. Regaining hisposure, he said, ¡°Listen, Noah, if you¡¯re not going to look out for her, stay the hell out of her way. You don¡¯t deserve her!¡±


    Every word struck deep, making it harder for Noah to keep himself together. The anger building inside him erupted, shattering his once calm exterior.


    With a roar, Noah threw a punch at Alex. ¡°And you think you deserve her? Dream on, Alex. You really think you can take her from me? Go ahead and try¡ªI¡¯ll rip you apart!¡±


    Jealousy and rage roiled within Noah, untamed and ferocious, threatening to consume him entirely.


    Alex, taken aback, barely had time to brace himself before the punchnded. His head whipped to the side, and a thin line of blood traced down from the corner of his mouth.


    Calmly, Alex wiped the blood away, his gaze steady and unflinching, a silent promise of retaliation gleaming in his eyes.


    Sadie, her heart pounding with shock at the sudden violence, stepped in hurriedly. Her voice, though firm, trembled slightly as she said, ¡°Noah, stop it right now!¡±


    Noah, however, seemed unfazed by her plea. He turned to face her, his smile cold and mocking. ¡°What? Scared for your lover?¡± he sneered.


    ¡°What bullshit are you even saying?¡± Sadie snapped back, disbelief filling her. She couldn¡¯t believe the once-dignified man she knew could descend into such pettiness.


    Seizing the moment, Alex grabbed Noah¡¯s cor and pulled him close. ¡°If you have a problem, take it up with me. Leave Sadie out of this,¡± he hissed, venom seeping through his clenched teeth. This only served to stoke the fires of Noah¡¯s fury further.


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    The air between the two men crackled, charged with hostility, their stares locked in a ferocious battle of wills.


    Amidst the escting tension, Sadie felt a crushing wave of helplessness wash over her. Her voice, weary yet resolute, broke through the standoff. ¡°I was in a car ident, and Alex saved my life. He¡¯s my savior.¡±


    Then, bitterness red within her as she recalled Noah¡¯s callous indifference during her time of crisis.


    With a surge of emotion, her voice rose in volume, her words sharp with bitterness. ¡°You can¡¯t even appreciate what Alex did for me, and here you are, throwing punches as if you wish he hadn¡¯t saved me! Noah, is that what you think? That I should have died instead?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s words wereced with an agonizing sorrow, each syble cutting through Noah¡¯s heart.


    Noah stood motionless, stunned. His grip on reality seemed to loosen, just as his grip on Alex did. He let go, turning to face Sadie, emotions swirling in his eyes. He felt an urgent need to exin himself. ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant. The moment I heard about your ident, I¡ª¡±


    But Sadie sharply interrupted him, her voice thick with biting sarcasm. ¡°So I should be grateful?¡±


    Her eyes squeezed shut, as if trying to block out the painful memories that came rushing back. She recalled her desperate call for help during the car ident, amplifying the pain that still lingered.


    Drawing a shaky breath, Sadie opened her eyes and fixed them on Noah, her voice quivering with a mix of grief and resentment. ¡°Right after my ident, I reached out to you first. I begged for your help, for you to save me. And how did you respond?¡± Her words were like a cold gust, chilling the space between them. ¡°You used me of disturbing your precious time with K.¡± The hurt in her voice was clear, and she paused, struggling to regain herposure.


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 Chapter 76

    ?Chapter 76:


    Taking a deep, steadying breath, Sadie continued, her tone steady but filled with unrestrained anguish. ¡°While I was facing the most dangerous moment of my life, you cut off my only lifeline. And now, here you are, pretending to care, as if nothing happened. Do you even realize how ridiculous that is?¡±


    Each usation hit Noah like a dagger. A sinking feeling gripped him¡ªsomething important was slipping through his fingers.


    ¡°Sadie, please understand, it wasn¡¯t like that,¡± Noah pleaded, his voice breaking. ¡°At that time, K was¡­¡± His voice cracked, his regrets choking the words before they could escape.


    K had had a heart attack, and he needed to be there for her, to hold her hand so she couldn¡¯t remove the oxygen mask¡ªbut it didn¡¯t have to be him. At the same time, Sadie was on the verge of death, her life hanging by a thread, and he was the one who could have saved her.


    Noah¡¯s forehead glistened with cold sweat as the weight of his mistake began to settle in.


    Filled with regret, Noah¡¯s voice faltered, his words tumbling out in a desperate plea for redemption. ¡°If only I¡¯d known about the ident, I would have been there to save you.¡±


    But Sadie¡¯s face remained stoic, her voice cutting through the air like ice. ¡°There¡¯s no room for what-ifs here. The reality is what it is. You should go. I need to rest.¡±


    Fear gripped Noah, a fear that leaving might sever their bond forever. Resolute, he positioned himself at Sadie¡¯s bedside, his voice steady but soft. ¡°I¡¯ll stay right here. I¡¯ll take care of you.¡±


    As he spoke, a delicate fragrance lingered around him¡ªunmistakably K¡¯s perfume¡ªadding an unspoken tension to the air.


    Sadie¡¯s stomach roiled with unease. She was deeply unsettled by the thought that Noah, after spending time with K, had the audacity to feign concern for her.


    With a sharp twist of her body, she faced away and snapped, ¡°Get the hell out of here!¡±


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    Alex wasted no time stepping in. He firmly grasped Noah¡¯s arm, pulling him aside while his voice carried a stern warning. ¡°Sadie just regained consciousness after the ident. If you actually care about her, don¡¯t make this harder on her right now!¡±


    Noah¡¯s brow furrowed deeply, his face a mask of impassivity as he settled into a chair beside the bed, simmering silently. Alex¡¯s words felt like a deliberate taunt, stoking the embers of resentment within him.


    Without hesitation, Sadie pressed the emergency call button.


    Within moments, a nurse hurried into the room, her expression one of concern. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Are you in pain?¡±


    Pointing an using finger at Noah, Sadie dered, ¡°He¡¯s disturbing my peace. Could you please ask him to leave?¡±


    The nurse¡¯s demeanor shifted to one of professional firmness as she turned to Noah. ¡°This is a hospital. We prioritize our patient¡¯s recovery above all else. I must ask you to leave now. If you refuse, we will have to prohibit you from future visits.¡±


    With a reluctant heave of his shoulders, Noah stood up and took a few begrudging steps towards the door. Pausing, he threw a challenging look back at Alex and demanded, ¡°Aren¡¯t you leaving too?¡±


    Alex¡¯s response was cool and measured. ¡°Sadie asked for you to leave, not me.¡±


    Noah¡¯s fury surged once more, his fists clenching tightly as he turned back, ready to confront Alex again.


    The nurse grabbed Noah¡¯s arm. ¡°This is a hospital, not a stage for your drama!¡±


    With a decisive tug, she escorted Noah out of the room. The door mmed shut with a resonant thud, sealing him off.


    The corridor was silent, save for the whistle of the cold wind that seeped through an open window at its end. The chill it brought barelypared to the deeper cold spreading through Noah.


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 Chapter 77

    ?Chapter 77:


    He was ustomed to being shielded by his privilege, and such dismissive treatment was unfamiliar to him.


    He peered through the door¡¯s ss, his gazending on Alex, who was dabbing at the blood trickling from his lip. The stark red against his skin was jarring.


    Nearby, Sadie offered him a tissue, her eyes filled with concern¡ªa look that was once reserved for Noah.


    A sharp pain carved through his heart.


    His fists balled at his sides, knuckles nching, Noah lingered outside, the weight of his thoughts anchoring him in ce.


    Eventually, he turned away, his figure stretching beneath the corridor lights, exuding an unmistakable sense of solitude.


    Settling into his car, he dialed Samuel. ¡°Who runs this hospital?¡± he began, his voice a mix of frustration and determination. ¡°Let them know that the Wall Group wants to coborate. As for the terms¡­ I want a seat as a partner in this hospital.¡±


    He continued the conversation with Samuel, plotting his next moves carefully.


    After hanging up, he reclined in his seat, his fingers rhythmically tapping on the steering wheel. The pace was controlled, almost casual, but the tension simmered beneath.


    He would step through that door again soon¡ªnot as someone the hospital could throw out, but as a partner they couldn¡¯t ignore. No one, not even Sadie herself, would have the power to make him leave her ward¡ªhe could stay as long as he wanted.


    The thought made Noah pause.


    Did he really spend over ten million dors just to make sure no one could keep him from Sadie¡¯s bedside?


    The thought clung to him stubbornly, refusing to dissipate.


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    Rubbing his temples, Noah felt a nagging ache spread across his forehead.


    Confusion clouded his mind.


    Was this surge of panic solely about Sadie¡¯s ident, or was it the deep, piercing concern in her eyes that had thrown him off bnce?


    No, that couldn¡¯t be it.


    His heart belonged to K.


    As he wrestled with his thoughts, his phone shattered the silence, its abrupt ringtone slicing through the air.


    ¡°Mother¡± shed across the screen.


    He hesitated, then answered with a tentative, ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°I heard K had a heart attack. How is she? Is she feeling better?¡± Isabel¡¯s voice crackled through the line, each wordced with palpable urgency.


    Noah¡¯s irritability peaked as he gave a terse, ¡°Yes,¡± in response.


    Isabel¡¯s voice sharpened with concern. ¡°Why this cold indifference, Noah? K developed a heart condition saving your life. You should be by her side, caring for her deeply!¡±


    Noah¡¯s mind shed back to the harrowing moment when Sadie called for help after her ident, and he had been steadfastly supporting K. Wasn¡¯t that proof enough of his dedication?


    ¡°Mom,¡± Noah began, his voice tinged with frustration. ¡°Sadie got into a car ident. I just went to check on her condition.¡±


    Isabel let out a dismissive scoff on the other end. ¡°Well, as long as she¡¯s still alive, I guess that¡¯s all that matters.¡±


    A frown marred Noah¡¯s face as he registered his mother¡¯s tant disregard for Sadie, sparking an irritation within him that he couldn¡¯t suppress. Compelled to defend his wife, he said, ¡°Mom, Sadie is your daughter-inw. You should Isabel cut him off sharply, her voice slicing through the tension. ¡°I¡¯ve never epted her as my daughter-inw! Didn¡¯t you promise to divorce her? So what¡¯s the holdup? Don¡¯t tell me you actually like her now.¡±


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 Chapter 78

    ?Chapter 78:


    A heavy weight seemed to press down on Noah¡¯s chest, squeezing the air from his lungs. He quickly countered, ¡°Of course not!¡± There was no way he could have feelings for Sadie.


    The mere thought was absurd.


    A woman who was inferior to K in every way could never capture his heart.


    Relieved by his response, Isabel let out a soft sigh. ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. Just remember, Noah, beneath Sadie¡¯s seemingly innocent exterior lies a cunning woman. She¡ª¡±


    Noah ended the call abruptly, cutting off Isabel¡¯sints with a frustrated swipe. He knew that if she found out he¡¯d spent ten million just to secure ess to Sadie¡¯s hospital room, she¡¯d lose her mind.


    Rubbing his temples to ease the mounting stress, Noah summoned Samuel to drive him home. Throughout the ride, he noticed Samuel ncing at him through the rearview mirror, a hesitant look on his face.


    ¡°Samuel, if you¡¯ve got something on your mind, just say it,¡± Noah said as he closed his eyes to rest.


    Samuel took a deep breath, choosing his words with caution. ¡°Mr. Wall, considering Mrs. Wall¡¯s ident and her condition, perhaps it might help if you were tofort her. If you show genuine care, she will surely forgive you.¡±


    Noah¡¯s eyes snapped open, his gaze sharp as he stared back at Samuel through the mirror. ¡°Who told you I¡¯m interested in making up with Sadie? We¡¯re on the brink of divorce!¡±


    Samuel¡¯s expression briefly stiffened before he quicklyposed himself. ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall. I shouldn¡¯t have assumed.¡±


    Silence enveloped the car, thickening the already tense atmosphere. Samuel kept his focus on the road, not daring to break the silence. The only sound was the low hum of the engine.


    After about ten minutes, just when Samuel assumed Noah might have dozed off, Noah suddenlymanded, ¡°Find out what Sadie likes.¡± Startled, Samuel nearly lost control of the wheel. ¡°Huh?¡± he eximed.


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    Noah¡¯s eyes opened slowly, his gaze piercing. ¡°Why does that surprise you?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Mr. Wall. I¡¯ll get on it right away,¡± Samuel replied stiffly, his focus returning to the road, though internally, he questioned Noah¡¯s stubbornness.


    Meanwhile, in the hospital, Sadie looked at the bruise on Alex¡¯s lip, her voice soft with remorse. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry,¡± she murmured. ¡°It¡¯s my fault Noah misunderstood you, and you ended up hurt.¡±


    Alex wiped away the trickle of blood from his mouth and offered Sadie a gentle, reassuring smile. ¡°Don¡¯t me yourself for what he¡¯s done. His mistakes aren¡¯t your responsibility.¡±


    Stunned by Alex¡¯s words, Sadie momentarily lost herself in thought. Over the years, she had melded her identity sopletely with Noah¡¯s¡ªsacrificing her dreams, managing their home, and constantly putting herself in danger for his sake. Yet, the stark reality was that Noah seemed indifferent to her life and the life of their unborn child.


    What did she truly mean to him? Was she just an expendable part of his life?


    A sharp, lingering pain throbbed in Sadie¡¯s heart. She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing herself to push the bitterness down. This time, she wouldn¡¯t let it consume her. This time, she wouldn¡¯t cling to someone who treated her like she was disposable.


    Alex stood and walked to the IV stand, adjusting the nearly empty infusion bottle. The soft, rhythmic drip of the liquid filled the quiet room.


    After a moment, he spoke, his voice calm and steady. ¡°You¡¯ve done enough for him, Sadie. It¡¯s time to do something for yourself.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s eyes dulled with resignation. ¡°I¡¯m nning on divorcing him,¡± she admitted.


    She sighed deeply, her brow furrowing with concern. ¡°But there¡¯s aplication. My grandmother desperately needs funds for her medical treatment, and I need a lucrative project to cover the costs. If I made too much of a scene with Noah, he could make things difficult for me.¡±


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 Chapter 79

    ?Chapter 79:


    Alex¡¯s expression grew thoughtful as he processed her words. After a brief pause, he inquired, ¡°What project are you considering?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a fashion brand that¡¯s embracing ssic styles,¡± Sadie answered, a spark of enthusiasm in her tone despite the circumstances. ¡°It perfectly matches my design skills. I¡¯ve been trying to connect with them, but it¡¯s been tough to break through.¡±


    Alex raised an eyebrow, his voice tinged with curiosity. ¡°Which one?¡±


    ¡°The Maple Group,¡± Sadie replied, her voice a gentle whisper, as if confiding a secret. ¡°The CEO¡¯s surname is Dominguez. Does that ring a bell?¡±


    A mischievous grin slowly spread across Alex¡¯s face, his eyes lighting up. ¡°You should¡¯ve led with that. Our families have been friends for generations. Consider it done.¡±


    A flicker of excitement danced in Sadie¡¯s eyes, igniting them with hope. ¡°Really? Help me get that project, and I¡¯ll owe you a dinner at the finest restaurant in town!¡±


    Alex¡¯sughter echoed in the room, warm and infectious, enhancing his already striking features.


    ¡°It¡¯s a promise!¡± he dered. ¡°Once you¡¯re on your feet again, I¡¯ll arrange a meeting with Mr. Dominguez myself.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s spirits lifted, a soft blush tinting her pale cheeks. ¡°It¡¯s a deal!¡±


    Alex reached over to press the call button beside her bed, signaling the nurse to attend to the finished IV drip.


    As he stood to leave, his voice softened, filled with a tender earnestness. ¡°Rest up. I¡¯ll be here tomorrow to keep youpany again.¡±


    A wave of warmth washed over Sadie, her heart swelling with gratitude, yet burdened by the thought of the inconvenience she was causing Alex.


    ¡°That¡¯s sweet, but really, I¡¯ll be fine on my own,¡± she murmured gently, turning down the offer.


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    The concern in Alex¡¯s eyes deepened, reflecting sincerepassion as he gazed at her. ¡°Sadie, don¡¯t shut yourself away from the kindness others offer. This world has its harshness, but there¡¯s also a lot of kindness. Let yourself ept it; you deserve that much.¡±


    The words made Sadie¡¯s eyes brim with unshed tears again.


    With a quick, shaky breath, she lowered her gaze to mask her vulnerability and managed a subdued nod. Her voice, thick with emotion, barely whispered, ¡°Okay.¡±


    After Alex¡¯s departure, a heavy silence reimed the room.


    Sadie pulled out her tablet, her fingers brushing over its surface before she immersed herself in crafting her presentation and refining her documents.


    Next time she met Roy, she wanted to be ready¡ªimpressive enough to win him over.


    The weight of her decision to part ways with Noah pressed heavily on Sadie, reminding her that, from now on, she needed to be her own anchor. Once a vibrant and promising designer, she had allowed her talents to dim in Noah¡¯s shadow.


    But that was about to change. Determined, she vowed to herself that she would reim the value she had once ced on her own worth.


    The following day, as the noon sun cast stark light through her window, Sadie¡¯s eyes fluttered open. Groggy and disoriented, she squinted against the bright light and noticed a shadowy figure looming nearby. Assuming it was Alex, she called out, ¡°Alex, is that you?¡±


    But the response came in a harsh, irate tone that chilled the air. ¡°Sadie, look carefully at who I am!¡±


    Sadie¡¯s eyes snapped into focus, her brow furrowing in distress as the figure before her became clearer.


    Noah stood tall in his impably tailored suit, his presencemanding and his expression unyielding. Confidence and power radiated from him, but the fire of displeasure flickered in his gaze.


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 Chapter 80

    ?Chapter 80:


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice cut through the tension, her tone cool and detached.


    ¡°Oh, so I¡¯m not supposed to be here?¡± Noah shot back, irritationcing his words. ¡°Or is it just that you¡¯d rather see Alex? Sadie, let me remind you¡ªyou¡¯re still my wife!¡± His voice, though steady, betrayed a flicker of vulnerability.


    A tremor of emotion fluttered through Sadie¡¯s heart.


    She remembered Alex¡¯s gentle words from the previous night, ¡°You deserve that much.¡±


    Alex¡¯s voice carried a warmth that stood in sharp contrast to Noah¡¯s cold indifference, wrapping around her like aforting embrace.


    Yet, she dared not let her guard down.


    Dodging the brewing storm of their confrontation, Sadie steered the conversation. ¡°When will you sign the divorce agreement?¡± she asked, her voice a mix of resolve and weariness.


    Noah was at a loss for words, hisplex gaze locking onto hers.


    His eyes, deep and tumultuous, seemed to churn with a storm of unsaid words, but he swiftly quelled the rising emotions.


    With a deliberate clearing of his throat to mask his unease, he slid a small box across the bedside table toward her. ¡°Open it and see.¡±


    Sadie didn¡¯t care what Noah was up to¡ªshe just wanted him gone, the sooner, the better. So, she yed along and opened the box. Inside, nestled among the soft fabric,y a set of gleaming pink car keys for a Mercedes. They caught the sunlight and twinkled mesmerizingly.


    ¡°You¡¯re giving me a car?¡± she inquired, her voice steady and devoid of any real shock.


    Noah gazed at her, his lips slightly parted in anticipation. ¡°Do you like it?¡± A subtle tremor of nervousness lingered in his voice, almost imperceptible.


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    Before Sadie could muster a reply, the door to the hospital room burst open. K strode in with effortless grace, her white dress flowing, a serene smile on her face.


    ¡°Sadie, Noah took me along to pick this for you. It¡¯s pink¡ªabsolutely your color.¡±


    Her voice carried a tinge of pride, bordering on arrogance.


    At those words, Sadie¡¯s grip on the box tightened momentarily, irritation shing across her face before she forced herself to rx. With a swift motion, she snapped the box shut and extended it back toward Noah. ¡°Take it back,¡± she demanded calmly.


    Noah¡¯s expression morphed into one of confusion. ¡°You don¡¯t like it?¡± His eyebrows knitted together, surprise evident in his voice.


    Before Sadie could respond, K inserted herself into the conversation, her tone overly sweet. ¡°Sadie, you really should ept this. It¡¯s Noah¡¯s gift to you, and if you don¡¯t, he¡¯ll always feel guilty.¡±


    Guilty?


    Sadie¡¯s mind raced to the reason why. It was because when, battered from her ident, she had called for help, and Noah had hung up on her. What made it worse was his decision to bring K here now, unting their bond as if to spite her.


    As these thoughts swirled in her head, Sadie fixed K with a sardonic smile and said with deliberate nonchnce, ¡°Do you like it? I certainly don¡¯t care for it anymore, so you might as well have it.¡±


    Her words carried a hidden edge, hinting not just at the car, but at Noah as well.


    K¡¯s face flushed with a mix of surprise and embarrassment. She was clearly stung by the implication that she was merely taking Sadie¡¯s unwanted things. She bit her lip in visible distress and tugged at Noah¡¯s sleeve, her eyes pleading. ¡°Noah, did you hear what she said?¡±


    Noah, catching the undercurrents of Sadie¡¯s disdain, bristled with indignation. ¡°Is it that you don¡¯t like this car, or just the one I chose for you?¡±


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 Chapter 81

    ?Chapter 81:


    ¡°Does it make a difference?¡± Sadie retorted, her voice dripping with icy detachment. ¡°You¡¯ve delivered your gift, now you can leave. And don¡¯t make me press the call button to have you escorted out likest time.¡±


    Noah gave a casual shrug, arching an indifferent eyebrow before settling into a chair beside Sadie¡¯s hospital bed. With deliberate slowness, he picked up an apple and started peeling it, seemingly unaffected by the gravity of the moment.


    ¡°Just so you know,¡± he said, his tone effortlesslyposed. ¡°I¡¯m now a major shareholder of this hospital. If I run into a problem, a quick call to the director will take care of it.¡±


    Sadie couldn¡¯t mask her incredulity. ¡°What the hell do you want?¡± she demanded, fixing him with a piercing stare that seemed to search his soul. ¡°You made it clear you wanted a divorce, which I agreed to, yet you refuse to sign the papers. You ignored my calls for help during my ident, and now you won¡¯t leave my hospital room. Noah, do you even realize how much you¡¯re contradicting yourself?¡±


    At her words, Noah¡¯s hand stilled on the apple, a sudden difort gripping him. He was at a loss, torn between his feelings and his pride.


    Remembering Sadie¡¯s distant demeanor the previous day sent a jolt of pain through him, spurring a desperate need to mend things between them. Yet, his pride wouldn¡¯t allow him to acknowledge how much he still cared about her.


    His voice turned icy as he replied, ¡°Don¡¯t read too much into it. I¡¯m here merely to offer somefort, nothing more than a gesture of goodwill for the sake of our marriage.¡±


    A sharp pang struck Sadie¡¯s heart at his words. Her eyes welled up with unshed tears, but she fought them back fiercely. ¡°I don¡¯t want your pity,¡± she dered, her voice breaking slightly. ¡°I¡¯ve cried over you for thest time.¡±


    As Sadie¡¯s sorrowful confession hung in the air, Noah¡¯s attention wavered. The fruit knife he was holding slipped, gouging a deep wound into his fingertip. A stream of blood trickled down, staining the apple¡¯s flesh and spattering the pristine white bedsheet with startling crimson drops. Oblivious to the pain, Noah remained transfixed by Sadie¡¯s deste tone until K¡¯s rmed voice broke through his reverie.


    ¡°Oh, Noah, you¡¯ve hurt yourself!¡± she eximed, her concern palpable.


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    Yet, Noah paid her no mind. His gaze remained intensely fixed on Sadie, his eyes shimmering with unspoken agony. It was as though he was searching for a clue in her features, but he hesitated to meet her gaze directly, fearing the vulnerability it might expose.


    K tugged gently at Noah¡¯s sleeve, her voice sweet yet insistent. ¡°We should clean that wound and maybe get a tetanus shot. It looks pretty deep, and it definitely needs some bandaging.¡±


    Noah, however, didn¡¯t respond, his gaze still fixed on Sadie, seemingly oblivious to K¡¯s concern.


    With a subtle bite of her lip, masking her rising jealousy, K turned to Sadie and pleaded, ¡°Sadie, could you please tell Noah to see a doctor? He¡¯ll listen if it¡¯sing from you.¡±


    Sadie offered K a mocking smile before her eyes settled on Noah with a serene expression, as if untouched by the tension.


    Looking at Noah with a cold indifference that was uncharacteristic of her, she dered, ¡°Noah, whether you¡¯re bleeding is entirely your own issue. You could bleed out for all I care; it wouldn¡¯t matter to me one bit.¡±


    Noah stared at her, eyes wide with shock. Sadie had never spoken to him with such disdain before.


    K¡¯s brow furrowed in disapproval as she turned to Sadie, her toneced with reproach. ¡°Sadie, how can you be so indifferent? Noah cut himself while peeling that apple for you. Shouldn¡¯t you show a little concern?¡±


    Sadie scoffed, amusement twinkling in her eyes. ¡°Concern? Really, K, let¡¯s not be dramatic. How did Noah react when I was in that car ident? And now you expect me to fuss over his minor cut?¡±


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 Chapter 82

    ?Chapter 82:


    She stared at Noah, her gaze icy and detached. ¡°Noah, really, do you think you deserve my concern after all that?¡±


    Noah averted his eyes, a flush of guilt washing over his face. He clenched his jaw, inhaled sharply, and stood up. His voice was firm, devoid of warmth as he addressed K. ¡°We should head to the trauma department.¡±


    It was as if the vulnerability he briefly showed had been nothing but a fleeting shadow.


    Sadie watched their retreating figures, a smirk ying on her lips as they approached the door. Her marriage seemed nothing more than a bitter joke. In her heart, she wished she could erase these two from her lifepletely.


    Just as she relished the newfound calm, a familiar voice rang out. ¡°Sadie, I¡¯m here. It¡¯s time for your IV. I¡¯ll keep an eye on it so it doesn¡¯t run dry¡ªjust like I promised.¡±


    At the sound of that familiar voice, Sadie¡¯s gaze darted toward the door where she spotted Noah, K, and Alex in a standstill. Noah and K seemed on the verge of departing as Alex made his attempt to enter.


    The moment was charged with an ufortable silence, the tension almost tangible in the air. Sadie exhaled a weary sigh. Memories of yesterday¡¯s sh between Noah and Alex shed in her mind, fueling her concern that Noah might lose hisposure once more.


    ¡°Come on in, Alex,¡± Sadie called out, her voice tinged with urgency, breaking the stillness.


    Noah¡¯s expression soured, his brows knitting together in clear annoyance. Despite everything, he was still her husband, and here he was, openly dismissed by Sadie! His ego bruised deeply.


    Just as he opened his mouth to retort, Alex stepped inside and mmed the door with a resonant thud, narrowly missing Noah¡¯s face. The sound echoed, marking the severity of the moment.


    Noah¡¯s anger red, his usually calm demeanor crumbling as he felt the slight. He reached for the door handle, only to find it firmly locked from the inside.


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    The door was shut and secured, a deliberate move to keep him out. His frustration boiled over into rage.


    Giving his sleeve a small tug, K said in a quiet, concerned tone, ¡°You¡¯re hurt. Let¡¯s get that wound looked at.¡±


    K said, her voice heavy with suggestion, ¡°We¡¯re in a hospital, crowded with people at all hours. Even if they were overwhelmed by their desires, they wouldn¡¯t dare cross the line here.¡± She was subtly throwing shade at Sadie with her sly remarks. Noah¡¯s expression darkened, his voice tinged with impatient disbelief. ¡°Sadie isn¡¯t the type to act inappropriately,¡± he said firmly.


    He didn¡¯t believe Sadie would behave immorally. What truly irked him was the sharp contrast in how Sadie treated himpared to Alex.


    K hadn¡¯t anticipated Noah¡¯s instinctive rush to defend Sadie. A sh of jealousy surged through her, her fingertips pressing into her palm hard enough to leave marks, though her face remainedposed with a gentle, considerate smile.


    ¡°Perhaps I¡¯m overthinking things. Sorry about that,¡± she murmured, her voice soft but strained.


    Together, they continued walking toward the department of traumatology. With each step, K¡¯s resolve hardened. She shifted her strategy subtly. ¡°Sadie might not be the concern, but Alex could be a different story. I¡¯ve noticed the way he looks at her,¡± she noted quietly, nting seeds of doubt.


    This time, Noah fell into a troubled silence. K¡¯s insinuations acted like thorns pricking at his heart. He recalled his confrontation with Alex just the day before, prompted by the very suspicions K voiced now. The memory of Alex¡¯s tender, longing gaze directed at Sadie shed before his eyes. It was the look of a man irrevocably in love, a look all too familiar to Noah, echoing his own deepest fears.


    K observed Noah carefully, her eyes narrowing slightly as she went on, ¡°When a man is truly in love, he¡¯ll pull out all the stops. Sadie¡¯s just been through a traumatic car ident. She¡¯s fragile right now. Don¡¯t you think Alex might seize this chance to deepen his bond with her?¡±


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 Chapter 83

    ?Chapter 83:


    Noah brushed off the suggestion with a wave of his hand, his voice resolute. ¡°That¡¯s out of the question. Sadie¡¯s heart has belonged to me for years. The idea of her turning to someone else is unthinkable.¡±


    His conviction seemed unwavering, but a shadow of doubt flickered across his face.


    However, K¡¯s calm demeanor masked the sharpness of her words as they pierced through his defenses. ¡°But just yesterday, Sadie asked you to leave her hospital room and chose to keep Alex by her side. Earlier, you came with a present and she barely cracked a smile. But Alex? She weed him with open arms. Doesn¡¯t that seem odd to you?¡±


    Noah¡¯s response stalled, caught in his throat. K¡¯s words struck a nerve, cutting deeper than he expected. Sadie¡¯s disregard for him and her attention on Alex felt like salt in an open wound, stinging with every moment.


    As the antiseptic seeped into his skin, it drained the wound of its color, turning it a bleak, ghostly pale. The wound looked excruciating, but he didn¡¯t make a sound, as if pain was nothing to him. The pain in his heart outweighed the one on his body. He looked distant, trapped in his own thoughts.


    In the days that followed, Noah¡¯s visits to Sadie became more frequent, each one marked by increasinglyvish gifts. From dazzling designer jewelry to one-of-a-kind antique artworks, the tables in the ward were adorned with opulence.


    One day, he arrived with a jade-carved statue of the Virgin Mary in his hands.


    ¡°Sadie, I got this to keep you safe and at ease,¡± Noah murmured tenderly, setting the statue down beside Sadie.


    Sadie cast a brief, indifferent nce at the statue, her eyes clouded with unspoken thoughts, and remained silent.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you like it?¡± Noah probed cautiously, his eyes searching her face for any sign of affection.


    She lowered her gaze, her voice steady but distant as she responded, ¡°Thank you.¡±


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s£®?§àm takes you away


    A heavy weight settled in Noah¡¯s chest. It was clear to him that Sadie was marking a boundary between them. The increasing feeling of detachment ate away at him, leaving him uneasy.


    ¡°Sadie, we need to talk,¡± Noah said, sitting close to her on the bed, desperate to close the emotional distance that had formed.


    Sadie recoiled subtly, her body tensing as she sidestepped Noah¡¯s reaching hand.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing left to discuss,¡± she stated tly, her voice icy and detached, as if speaking to a distant acquaintance rather than her husband.


    Noah¡¯s features twisted, his brow furrowing deeply.


    ¡°Sadie, are you still ming me? About that day¡­¡±


    ¡°That day?¡± Sadie cut in sharply, her toneced with biting sarcasm. ¡°The day you abandoned me to fend for myself, while I was barely clinging to life?¡±


    Noah was speechless, his mouth agape. He had noeback; her words struck a nerve.


    With a heavy sigh, Sadie shut her eyes and inhaled deeply, gathering herposure. When she reopened them, a new rity and determination shone through.


    ¡°Noah, I want a divorce,¡± she dered softly, her voice low yet carrying an undeniable ring of finality.


    Noah was taken aback, the word ¡°divorce¡± reverberating in his mind like a sudden p of thunder. He was utterly unprepared for her resolute deration.


    ¡°Sadie, you¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m beyond exhausted,¡± Sadie interjected, her voice tinged with fatigue. ¡°I can¡¯t keep living like this.¡±


    Noah had more to say, his words poised on the brink of spilling out, but Sadie turned her back to him, her gaze defiantly averted. It was clear she had made her decision.


    In the subsequent days, Noah¡¯s presence remained steadfast. He visited her every day, each time with a new gift. Sadie no longer pushed his gifts aside in rejection. Instead, she collected them, listing each item on a popr online second-hand marketce, selling them off one by one.


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 Chapter 84

    ?Chapter 84:


    The money garnered from these sales found its way into Laura¡¯s medical ount. She harbored no guilt; in her mind, it was merely iming what she deserved.


    On the morning of her hospital discharge, Alex was already there when she woke up.


    He had taken care of all the discharge formalities and was holding a bouquet of lilies, their fragrance subtly permeating the air.


    ¡°Congrats on getting out of the hospital,¡± Alex said, his voice tinged with relief as he extended the flowers toward Sadie.


    Sadie epted them, a faint smile ying at the corners of her lips. ¡°Thank you,¡± she murmured.


    ¡°So, where are you staying now?¡± Alex asked, worry flickering in his eyes.


    Sadie¡¯s voice carried a trace of uncertainty. ¡°With my apartment canceled by him, I¡¯m left without a ce for now.¡±


    Alex paused, considering her situation. ¡°Not far from here, a friend of mine has a lovely guesthouse. It¡¯s cozy, and she offers reasonable rates. I can talk to her about giving you a discount if you¡¯d like.¡±


    The idea of staying somewhere less conspicuous, somewhere Noah might not think to look, seemed appealing to Sadie.


    She nodded slowly. ¡°Okay,¡± she said softly. ¡°Could you tell me where it is? I¡¯d prefer to get there on my own, to avoid any further trouble for you.¡±


    Alex¡¯s smile widened, radiating warmth as he spoke with his characteristic gentleness. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. It¡¯s practically next door to me¡ªwe¡¯re going the same direction anyway.¡±


    Sadie hesitated, her lips parting slightly in uncertainty.


    She had initially nned to decline, feeling uneasy about the proximity to Alex¡¯s ce. The idea of staying so close to him seemed fraught withplications. Yet, with nowhere else to go¡ªevery hotel or guesthouse she contacted seemed under Noah¡¯s influence, ready to turn her away at his behest¡ªshe found herself without options.


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    ¡°Well¡­¡± She faltered, the word hanging in the air.


    Alex, perceptive as ever, noticed her difort and inquired softly, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    As Sadie nibbled her bottom lip, her resolve weakened. ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± she replied, managing a strained smile. ¡°Thank you for your kindness.¡±


    She thought she¡¯d stay at the guesthouse Alex suggested until she found something more permanent.


    With the owner¡¯s rxed attitude and reasonable rates, Sadie had no trouble reaching an agreement.


    As sunlight streamed through the window, its rays filled the room with the earthy scent of polished wood. Sadie inhaled deeply, feeling the knots of tension in her shoulders begin to unwind.


    She turned to Alex, her expression softening with genuine gratitude. ¡°Alex, I can¡¯t thank you enough for all your support during this ordeal,¡± she said.


    Alex¡¯s smile turned tender, his gaze lingering on her face with an unspoken promise of protection. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, really,¡± he replied, his tone smooth andforting, like a quiet reassurance.


    Reflecting on the countless ways Alex had been her unwavering support, Sadie felt a surge of warmth spread through her.


    ¡°There¡¯s an upscale restaurant nearby with great reviews. Are you avable? My treat,¡± Sadie offered.


    Alex hesitated briefly. ¡°Your doctor rmended a light diet for now¡ªno seafood, among other restrictions.¡±


    His gaze held a flicker of concern as he studied her.


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 Chapter 85

    ?Chapter 85:


    Sadie chuckled and said, ¡°I won¡¯t order anything I¡¯m not supposed to. Come on, you¡¯ve done so much for me. Let me show my appreciation.¡±


    Her voice was light, yet firm, making it clear she wouldn¡¯t take no for an answer.


    A brief look of disappointment crossed Alex¡¯s face, but he quickly masked it with a warm smile. ¡°It¡¯d be rude to decline, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± Though his expression remained gentle, a quiet sadness lingered in his eyes.


    They arrived at the restaurant and stepped through the grand revolving door. The glow of an opulent crystal chandelier bathed the space in dazzling light.


    That was when the evening took an unexpected turn.


    Sadie¡¯s eyes immediatelynded on Noah and K, walking towards a private dining room together. Noah¡¯s tailored suit and confident posture gave him an air of quiet authority, while K, clinging to his arm, wore a sweet, knowing smile.


    Sadie¡¯s chest tightened. She instinctively wanted to avoid them, but K¡¯s sharp gaze had already spotted her.


    ¡°Sadie? Weren¡¯t you supposed to be resting in the hospital? What brings you here?¡± K¡¯s voice carried a mix of surprise and something far less innocent.


    Her eyes flickered toward Alex, and a smirk yed on her lips. ¡°You sure have time for romance, even while recovering.¡±


    Noah¡¯s attention shifted to Sadie, his expression darkening. His gaze held a storm of emotions¡ªjealousy, frustration, and something unreadable. Sadie exhaled slowly, steadying herself. Thest thing she wanted was to show weakness in front of K.


    ¡°Is that really all your mind can process? Maybe you should get it checked,¡± Sadie said coolly, her toneced with quiet defiance.


    K¡¯s smile faltered. She clutched her chest theatrically, her voice suddenly soft and fragile. ¡°I was just worried about you. Shouldn¡¯t your healthe first? I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d snap at me like that¡­¡± The sickly-sweet tone was suffocating.


    The silence that followed was thick with tension.


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    Before Sadie could fire back, Alex spoke up. ¡°You¡¯re the one who sounds unwell. Maybe you should see a doctor before it turns into an emergency.¡±


    His voice was mild, but his protective stance made his meaning unmistakable.


    K¡¯s face grew even more somber, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as if she were weighed down by an overwhelming sense of injustice.


    She bit her lip, her shoulders quivering ever so slightly, casting a pleading nce at Noah, hoping he would take her side.


    Yet, Noah¡¯s gaze remained fixed on Sadie. His eyes were unreadable, his voice low and controlled as he asked, ¡°Why are you and Alex here?¡±


    Sadie responded evenly, ¡°The same reason you¡¯re here with K.¡± Though her tone wasposed, there was an unmistakable edge of defiance.


    Internally, she scoffed. They were at a restaurant¡ªwhat else would they be doing if not eating? Did Noah think she was a fool?


    Noah¡¯s expression hardened at her words. His sharp features grew taut, his eyes shing with a mix of frustration and jealousy.


    Today was K¡¯s birthday.


    To celebrate, Noah had brought her to a high-end dining establishment.


    Was Sadie perhaps celebrating Alex¡¯s birthday as well?


    He wondered how Sadie and Alex had grown so close.


    Jealousy gnawed at him.


    A recent conversation with K came to mind.


    She had mentioned that Sadie and Alex were often seen together. At that moment, Noah hadn¡¯t thought much of it.


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 Chapter 86

    ?Chapter 86:


    Now, however, the thought consumed him.


    A heavy feeling pressed on his chest, suffocating him.


    Hisposure shattered.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go home now!¡± Noah demanded, grasping Sadie¡¯s wrist forcefully.


    Sadie faltered and nearly fell from the sudden pull.


    She resisted vehemently, her expression tight with frustration.


    ¡°Release me!¡±


    Her wrist throbbed painfully.


    Annoyance surged within her.


    How dare he manhandle her in such a manner?


    Noah¡¯s gaze was intense, his voice brooking no opposition. ¡°You don¡¯t have a choice, Sadie.¡±


    He contained his fury, his grip on her wrist unyielding, as if trying to fuse her into his existence.


    Just as Noah tried to pull Sadie closer, Alex intervened, grasping her other wrist.


    ¡°Sadie¡¯s not going back with you. Stop forcing her!¡± Alex said resolutely, meeting Noah¡¯s eyes without faltering.


    As he felt the tremor in Sadie¡¯s wrist, Noah¡¯s heart swelled with empathy for her.


    He spun around, his eyes sharp and focused intently on Alex. ¡°Release Sadie now!¡±


    The air crackled with tension, charged with an unspoken threat.


    Suddenly, a loud ¡°Bang!¡± shattered the silence.


    K had copsed to the floor, gripping her chest.


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    Herplexion turned ghostly, her lips colorless, and her breaths shallow.


    ¡°K!¡± Noah immediately turned his focus to her.


    The sound startled Sadie, who instinctively nced over at K. With great effort, K murmured faintly, ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s alright¡­ Don¡¯t fret over me¡­ I¡¯ll¡­ I¡¯ll manage¡­¡±


    Her voice trailed off weakly, each word seeming to be herst.


    Noah¡¯s expression darkened with a hint of annoyance.


    The memory of K¡¯s chronic heart issue, a result of a past sacrifice to save him, shed through his mind.


    He quickly stifled his frustration.


    His gaze shifted from Sadie to Alex, finally settling back on Sadie with aplex look.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care what you and Alex are doing at the restaurant,¡± he said coldly, his voice sharp with authority. ¡°Just ensure you return by eight tonight.¡±


    A heaviness settled in Sadie¡¯s chest.


    His words pierced her like a sharp needle.


    She clenched her jaw, remaining silent.


    Alex continued to hold her wrist, feeling the slight shiver pass through her.


    He nced at her worriedly before easing his hold.


    Noah bent down to lift K, making his way toward the garage with a firm, unwavering stride.


    As Sadie watched them leave, her heart ached with a searing pain, and bitterness welled up in her throat.


    Despite his disloyalty in their marriage, Noah wasn¡¯t prepared to let go of her.


    He seemed determined to maintain control, keeping everything in his favor.


    Truly, he was cunning.


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 Chapter 87

    ?Chapter 87:


    Sadie felt a wave of sickness surge through her, and she struggled to hold back the nausea.


    She gently touched her abdomen, whispering reassurances to the unborn child. ¡°Little one, don¡¯t be scared. Mommy¡¯s here to keep you safe. Daddy or no daddy, you are my precious treasure, and I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re happy.¡±


    Sadie had managed to cover Laura¡¯s medical bills by selling the ¡°gifts¡± Noah had given her.


    Now, she needed to save money for the baby.


    She knew that to raise her child alone, she would need a reliable source of ie.


    The ambiance in the restaurant was set by soft lighting and soothing music.


    Taking a deep breath, Sadie looked across the table at Alex and said, ¡°Alex, I need to talk about that project with Mr. Dominguez. Could you set up a meeting for us soon?¡± Her voice was soft yet insistent, her eyes conveying her resolve.


    Alex¡¯s expression softened with understanding. He recognized her need for financial freedom as a step toward cutting ties with Noah.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do it tomorrow. I¡¯ll organize a get-together and make sure he¡¯s there,¡± Alex responded, his tone smooth and supportive. ¡°Roy won¡¯t say no to family friends.¡±


    A thankful smile crossed Sadie¡¯s face. ¡°That means a lot. Thank you, Alex.¡± She reached to pour herself wine, but Alex stopped her.


    ¡°Remember, Sadie, you¡¯re pregnant; you shouldn¡¯t be drinking,¡± Alex cautioned gently.


    Sadie¡¯s hand paused, and her eyes momentarily flickered.


    Alex then gestured to a waiter. ¡°Please bring us some orange juice instead.¡±


    Soon, the waiter brought the orange juice, and Sadie epted it, tasting the sweet-sour liquid. While it refreshed her, it did little to alleviate the lingering sadness.


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    She lifted her ss of orange juice, toasting Alex. ¡°Thank you, truly.¡± With a warm smile, Alex raised his ss and quickly finished his wine, appreciating Sadie¡¯s resilience and her silent perseverance.


    Later, Alex drove Sadie back to her temporary home at the guesthouse. When they arrived, Alex looked at Sadie as he parked the car.


    ¡°Noah has demanded you return. Do you n to go back?¡±


    Sadie firmly shook her head. ¡°I like it here at the guesthouse. Please keep my location a secret from him.¡±


    Respecting her wishes, Alex simply nodded and asked nothing more.


    Leaving the guesthouse, Alex felt a lightness in his step. Despite her fatigue, Sadie exuded a captivating resilience tonight. He liked this side of her, reminiscent of a flower weathering a storm with grace.


    ¡°Hey there, young man,¡± called out Katie Rivera, the innkeeper, a chubby woman surprisingly nimble on her feet. She greeted him with a sly smile. Alex stopped and gave her a respectful nod. ¡°What can I do for you, Katie?¡±


    With a yful yet serious look, Katie asked, ¡°So, do you have a crush on that youngdy?¡±


    Alex quickly nced back to make sure Sadie was out of earshot, relieved by the cover of night.


    ¡°I¡¯m just helping a friend,¡± he responded quickly, his gaze shifting away from Katie to hide his difort.


    Katie let out a knowingugh. ¡°Really, just a friend? Then why did you pay triple the amount to get the people who booked this ce to cancel?¡±


    Alex felt his cheeks warm under Katie¡¯s teasing, his expression turning awkward.


    He cleared his throat, eager to change the subject. ¡°By the way, I¡¯ll arrange a banquet for tomorrow and invite Roy.¡±


    ¡°Roy? Roy Dominguez from the Dominguez Group?¡± Katie¡¯s voice was filled with surprise and disbelief.


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 Chapter 88

    ?Chapter 88:


    Alex nodded, his expression serious. ¡°That¡¯s right. He¡¯s your uncle, isn¡¯t he? I need you to find a way to bring him to the banquet.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me this is about her again.¡± A yful smirk spread across Katie¡¯s face, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she looked at Alex. ¡°You do realize my uncle is a very busy man, right? Getting him to show up isn¡¯t exactly easy.¡±


    Alex touched his nose, a subconscious gesture that betrayed his unease. A faint blush tinged his cheeks as he felt Katie¡¯s gaze piercing through his schemes, yet he struggled to maintain hisposure. ¡°Let¡¯s cut to the chase, Katie. How much do you want to help me?¡± he asked.


    Katie¡¯sughter filled the air as she teasingly held up five fingers. Without missing a beat, Alex, determined not to haggle over details, transferred $500,000 to her ount.


    The chime of the transaction notification echoed between them.


    Katie¡¯s eyes lit up with sheer delight as she nced at her phone, her lips curling into a satisfied grin as though she could almost taste the sweetness of the money. ¡°Wow, hitting the jackpot feels just like this, huh? I could definitely get used to it.¡±


    Alex¡¯s patience began to wear thin at her overt disy of greed. With a slight frown, he brushed past her, his parting words carrying a stern warning. ¡°Remember, Katie, fraud involvingrge sums can lead to prosecution. You¡¯ve just pocketed half a million from me. If Roy doesn¡¯t show up tomorrow, I¡¯ll have no choice but to report this as fraud.¡±


    Alex¡¯s voice, though calm, was tinged with steely authority thatmanded attention.


    Katie felt a wave of surprise wash over her as the light from her phone screen danced across her features, revealing a tumult of emotions. The device in her hand suddenly seemed to burn her skin like a piece of scalding coal.


    ¡°Um¡­ well¡­¡± Katie stammered, her eyes darting around as she desperately searched for the right words.


    She watched helplessly as Alex walked away, her heart pounding in a frenzy of rm. In that moment, she realized that Alex was not someone to be underestimated.


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    Snapping back to reality, Katie quickly dialed a number. ¡°Hello, Uncle Roy¡­¡± she choked out, her voice trembling. ¡°I need help!¡±


    Meanwhile, Noah found the sterile scent of disinfectant in the hospital almost suffocating. After settling K, the clock neared ten o¡¯clock. He wearily pulled out his phone and dialed Samuel¡¯s number.


    ¡°Has Sadie gone home?¡± he asked, his voice a quiet murmur, barely concealing his exhaustion.


    Silence lingered on the other end of the line, stretching for a moment. ¡°Uh, what? Mr. Wall, should I drive over and check?¡± Samuel¡¯s voice wavered with uncertainty.


    Noah hung up without responding, his heart racing as he rushed to Sadie¡¯s ward, only to find it empty. He assumed she had already gone home.


    Just then, his phone rang¡ªit was Samuel. ¡°Mr. Wall, Mrs. Wall hasn¡¯te home.¡±


    Noah¡¯s brow furrowed, annoyance bubbling up inside him. It was already ten o¡¯clock at night; how could Sadie and Alex still be out having dinner?


    With a growing sense of unease, Noah drove to the upscale restaurant. A polite waiter greeted him at the door and informed him that Sadie and Alex had left quite some time ago.


    Frustration mounting, Noah stepped into the cool night air, massaging his temples as he dialed Sadie¡¯s number.


    ¡°Where are you?¡± he muttered under his breath, his voice icy and sharp with barely contained fury.


    Meanwhile, Sadie¡¯s phoney abandoned on the nightstand, drowned out by the sound of running water from the bathroom. She remained oblivious to the relentless ringing.


    The calls went unanswered, one after another, deepening the scowl on Noah¡¯s face.


    ¡°She¡¯s doing this deliberately,¡± he muttered, his teeth clenched in anger. Images of Sadie with another man flickered through his mind, unbearable and tormenting.


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 Chapter 89

    ?Chapter 89:


    A sharp, sudden fear coiled around his heart, squeezing it mercilessly. With a swift turn, Noah made his way toward the elevator, his steps firm and unwavering.


    ¡°Samuel, locate Sadie immediately! I expect an update in ten minutes,¡± Noah instructed, his voice cold and firm, leaving no room for opposition. Samuel, sensing the urgency in Noah¡¯s tone, wasted no time in getting to work.


    Shortly after, Noah¡¯s phone buzzed with a new message containing the guesthouse¡¯s address. Without hesitation, he set off toward the location.


    Fresh from the shower, Sadie stood with a towel wrapped around her, droplets of water glistening on her shoulders. Suddenly, loud knocks echoed through the room, startling her and causing her heart to skip a beat.


    She wondered who could be visiting her sote. Fear crept over her. For a moment, she considered calling out to ask who it was, but hesitated, not wanting to reveal she was alone. Instead, she opened an app on her phone to disguise her voice as a man¡¯s.


    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡±


    At the door, Noah paused, his hand frozen in mid-air. The unexpected voice shook him, even though he had prepared himself for any scenario. A surge of anger obliterated hisposure.


    ¡°Sadie, let me in!¡± he growled, his voice icy with fury.


    Inside, Sadie¡¯s annoyance grew as she recognized Noah¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± she retorted sharply, her annoyance clear.


    Noah responded by banging on the door even harder.


    ¡°Open it!¡±


    His knocks grew louder and more determined. As the situation escted, Sadie¡¯s grip on her phone tightened.


    ¡°We¡¯re about to get a divorce. Stop bothering me,¡± she said, trying to soundposed.


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    ¡°Focus on getting the divorce papers ready instead.¡±


    In Noah¡¯s mind, Sadie¡¯s words hinted at a deeper motive.


    Noah suspected that Sadie¡¯s urgency to cut ties with him was due to the presence of another man, whom he presumed was in her room. He suspected that man was Alex, the one Sadie had left the upscale restaurant with.


    His face reddened with rage, his teeth gritted. ¡°You¡¯re not opening, huh?¡± he spat.


    Suddenly, with a powerful kick, Noah forced the door open. Splinters flew as the door hung precariously on its hinges.


    ¡°Stop! I¡¯m calling the police!¡± Sadie screamed, gripping her bath towel tightly, fear evident in her eyes.


    The sight of Sadie in a bath towel only fueled Noah¡¯s fury further. His expression hardened, his features set cold and forbidding. He was now convinced more than ever that Sadie was having an affair with Alex.


    Feeling utterly betrayed and furious, Noah ignored Sadie¡¯s protests and barged into the room, scanning it intensely.


    ¡°Where is Alex?¡± he growled, his voice thick with menace.


    He swept aside the curtains in his frantic search. Sadie¡¯s disbelief grew. She tightened her grip on her bath towel and met his gaze fiercely.


    ¡°How would I know where he is? Are you out of your mind?¡± she snapped, her voice filled with frustration.


    Noah scoffed, his scorn evident.


    He stepped closer, his grip tightening on her wrist rmingly. His gaze was so intense it felt suffocating.


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 Chapter 90

    ?Chapter 90:


    ¡°You think you can fool me?¡± he seethed.


    Without warning, he pushed Sadie onto the bed, towering over her, trapping her.


    ¡°Tell me! What¡¯s going on between you and Alex?¡±


    ¡°Noah, this is ridiculous,¡± Sadie said, her voice trembling but defiant.


    With every ounce of her strength, Sadie shoved Noah forcefully to the floor. Anger and disgust were clearly visible in her eyes.


    Rising from the floor, Noah brushed off his suit, now speckled with dirt. Despite the mess, his confidence remained intact, formidable as ever.


    ¡°You think I¡¯m being ridiculous?¡± he sneered. ¡°Remember, Sadie, you are still my wife.¡±


    As he spoke, Sadie instinctively retreated, biting her lip in defiant silence, determined not to show any vulnerability.


    ¡°Your wife?¡± she scoffed. ¡°And what makes you worthy of being my husband?¡±


    With a scornfulugh, Noah abruptly tore away the bath towel she clung to, leaving her skin exposed to the cool air. Sadie shuddered, but she suppressed the urge to scream.


    ¡°What are you trying to do?¡± she asked, her anger rising as he grasped her waist, his breath hot and forceful against her neck. Despite her fierce resistance, his grip remained unyielding.


    ¡°Let me go!¡± she demanded.


    Fear overtook her, and tears carved trails down her cheeks as her hands feebly batted at Noah¡¯s shoulders. Her voice trembled with despair as she spoke.


    ¡°I despise you, Noah Wall. I really hate you!¡±


    Her deration of hatred stopped Noah in his tracks. He froze, a sharp pain striking his heart, so unfamiliar it left him momentarily dazed.


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    He couldn¡¯t understand why her loathing hurt him so deeply. Looking into her tearful eyes, his face showed a mixture of conflicting emotions.


    ¡°You were the one who cheated on me first,¡± he murmured, his voice shaking slightly.


    ¡°I never cheated on you,¡± Sadie said through her tears, both terrified and furious.


    She was baffled, unable toprehend why Noah would continue to use her in such a way.


    ¡°You know exactly what you and Alex did in this room,¡± Noah said through clenched teeth.


    Fury overwhelmed Sadie, and she swung her hand, striking Noah forcefully across the face.


    A loud ¡°Pak!¡± echoed through the room as her pnded.


    Noah¡¯s head turned to the side, his cheek quickly reddening from the impact.


    ¡°Alex isn¡¯t even here. How can you use me so falsely? Do you think everyone lies like you?¡± Sadie retorted, her voice sharp and filled with loathing.


    Stunned by the blow, Noah momentarily grasped the reality of the situation.


    It then dawned on him that Sadie¡¯s appearance showed no signs of wrongdoing, confirming her im.


    Observing Sadie beneath him, her cheeks streaked with tears, her sobs making it hard for her to breathe, Noah felt utterly bewildered for the first time.


    The pain on his cheek felt deeper than any loss he had ever experienced in his business dealings.


    Slowly, Noah rose and stepped back, his movements clumsy.


    His shirt, with buttons torn away, exposed his chest. His usual air of assurance was gone.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. It seems I was mistaken. I¡­¡± His voice was rough, carrying an undertone of unease he hadn¡¯t perceived before.


    Sadie, however, had no interest in listening to him any longer.


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 Chapter 91

    ?Chapter 91:


    To her, his apology seemed ironic and hollow.


    She clung to the quilt, gripping it as if it were a protective barrier. ¡°Just leave! I never want to see you again!¡± she cried out, her voice raspy with emotion.


    Noah, attempting to soothe her, moved closer.


    Reacting swiftly, Sadie grabbed the bedsidemp and threw it at him. Themp struck Noah and shattered on the floor, its breaking echoing sharply in the room.


    Noah released a muffled groan but held his ground.


    His gaze was fixed on Sadie, swirling with a tempest of unspoken emotions, eachyer moreplex and obscure than thest. Sadie clutched the quilt to her chest, her body quivering, the tremors of fear evident in her tightened grip.


    ¡°Come any closer, and I won¡¯t hesitate to call the cops,¡± she said, her tone as firm as it was fraught with anxiety.


    Noah¡¯s gaze remained on Sadie, unspoken words hovering on his lips before he forced them down.


    He ached to reassure her, to diffuse the tension with exnations. Yet, the shadow of his past indifference and questionable actions stripped his assurances of their strength, leaving them feeble and unconvincing.


    The rejection ring back at him from Sadie¡¯s eyes stung, a sharp pang of remorse slicing through him.


    He drew in a deep, steadying breath, trying to quell the ache spreading through his chest. epting the inevitable, he knew that nothing he said would bring them any closer.


    ¡°Get some rest,¡± he murmured, his voice a low echo of his internal defeat.


    With those parting words, Noah turned away, his departure marked by the soft click of the door closing gently behind him.


    The room fell silent, leaving Sadie alone with the echoes of the night. Only then did she allow her defenses to crumble, her face buried in the softness of the quilt as sobs wracked her body.


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    She didn¡¯t know when the tears finally stopped, but by morning, her eyes were painfully swollen and rimmed with red.


    As she brushed her teeth, her reflection caught her off guard¡ªa ghostly pale face with eyes puffed up like golf balls. Right at that moment, Alex¡¯s call lit up her phone.


    ¡°Sadie, everything¡¯s set for tonight¡¯s banquet. I¡¯ll swing by to pick you up before five this afternoon. No need to worry, Roy¡¯s definitely going to be there,¡± he said, his voice carrying a warmth that felt almost tangible.


    ¡°Thank you, Alex,¡± Sadie responded, her voice rough and slightly strangled by the emotions she fought to keep at bay.


    ¡°Think nothing of it,¡± Alex replied, his chuckle light andforting. ¡°Get yourself ready. I¡¯ll see youter.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Once the call ended, Sadie stared at her reflection, her fingers softly pressing against her puffy eyes. There was no chance she¡¯d show up at that event looking like a disaster.


    With a crucial meeting lined up with Roy to discuss potential business partnerships, she had to embody professionalism andpetence. She couldn¡¯t let personal feelings interfere with work.


    This was her moment to forge a new path after her split from Noah; she couldn¡¯t afford to stumble now.


    Determined, Sadie quickly ced an order for cooling eye patches through a delivery app and applied them diligently while working on the project files that Noah¡¯s disruption had left iplete. These were crucial for her meeting with Roy.


    Sadie kept going relentlessly, only stopping once everything was done ¡ª well past three in the afternoon.


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 Chapter 92

    ?Chapter 92:


    Soon, Alex arrived in his car.


    With a crisp ¡°click,¡± the car door swung open, unleashing a wave of stifling heat that enveloped Sadie. She grimaced slightly, her fingers clutching the door¡¯s edge with a faint tremor of difort.


    With a smooth stride, Alex approached her, offering his hand with a charming smile. ¡°Be careful.¡±


    Managing a weak smile, Sadie attempted to straighten up, only to be caught by a wave of dizziness.


    ¡°Ugh¡­¡± she groaned under her breath, her body reacting on its own, tipping slightly forward.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are you feeling alright?¡± Alex was quick to steady her by the waist, his touch brief yet firm, his eyes scanning her face for signs of distress.


    Sadie pressed a hand to her forehead, herplexion paling. ¡°I haven¡¯t eaten yet. It might be low blood sugar,¡± she answered, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Alex¡¯s brow creased with worry. ¡°That¡¯s not good. Tonight¡¯s banquet is all about mingling and making connections. You won¡¯t get a chance to eat properly. Let¡¯s grab something quick at a nearby restaurant first.¡±


    The word ¡°restaurant¡± echoed ominously in Sadie¡¯s mind, tightening her chest with sudden dread.


    A restaurant again.


    The memories ofst night¡¯s dinner at the upscale restaurant, where they had stumbled upon Noah, flooded back. That chance meeting had led to so many misunderstandings, and now, regret gnawed at her.


    Taking a deep, steadying breath, Sadie forced the rising turmoil down. There was no time to get lost in her thoughts¡ªshe had to pull herself together and get ready for the banquet.


    ¡°Would that make us toote?¡± She nced anxiously at her watch¡ªit was edging toward five. ¡°If we stop to eat, we¡¯ll certainly bete for the banquet.¡±


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    Alex¡¯s eyes darkened with concern as he studied Sadie¡¯s pale face. ¡°Is this banquet really that important?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely,¡± Sadie responded with conviction. ¡°I¡¯m meeting Roy to discuss a coboration. If it works out, I¡¯ll finally be able to open my own studio.¡± Her eyes briefly darkened with a touch of resentment. ¡°Having my own business is essential for my independence.¡±


    Seeing how important this moment was for Sadie, Alex decided not to press her about going to the restaurant. Instead, he fetched a small box of beautifully packaged candies from the car and handed it to her with an encouraging smile. ¡°Here, take these for a little energy boost.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Alex,¡± Sadie said softly, epting the candies. She carefully unwrapped each one and ced it in her mouth. The rush of sweetness spread across her tongue but did little to calm her nerves.


    Alex started the car, the engine purring as they pulled onto the road. The drive was smooth, and the streetlights cast fleeting shadows across Sadie¡¯s face as she leaned back, her eyes closed, trying to steal a moment of rest.


    From the rearview mirror, Alex observed Sadie¡¯s serene facade. His fingers tightened around the steering wheel, his jaw clenching slightly. He wasn¡¯t just going to stand by; he¡¯d do whatever it took to help her get through this.


    Meanwhile, unbeknownst to them, a Bentley trailed discreetly behind. Samuel kept a steady gaze on Alex¡¯s car. The Bentley¡¯s superior performance made it easy to maintain a close distance without drawing attention.


    Samuel clicked his tongue, watching the car with mild amusement. ¡°Well, well¡­ Mr. Howe seems quite devoted to Mrs. Wall,¡± he murmured, recalling the photo he had taken earlier.


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 Chapter 93

    ?Chapter 93:


    It showed Alex with his hand resting protectively on Sadie¡¯s waist. The sight had sent an uneasy chill down Samuel¡¯s spine.


    Samuel let out a quiet sigh. His boss waspletely oblivious, blind to how deeply he cared for his wife, unaware of the weight of his feelings.


    Samuel could almost foresee a future where Sadie, drawn in by Alex¡¯s unwavering care, slowly let her guard down until she finally leaned on him. By then, Noah would be left with nothing but regret, powerless to change anything.


    Maintaining a safe distance, Samuel trailed the car to Alex¡¯s neighborhood and parked a few houses down. He promptly sent Noah the location coordinates.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, I¡¯ve sent the location,¡± Samuel murmured, his tone measured as he recorded the voice message.


    When Noah received the photo of Alex resting his hand on Sadie¡¯s waist, he assumed Samuel had deliberately framed it to exaggerate their closeness. He was tempted to scold him for acting like a gossip-hungry paparazzo, twisting reality with angles that made things look more intimate than they really were.


    ¡°Samuel, you rascal¡­¡± Noah muttered, his voice tinged with annoyance.


    But when he saw the location Samuel sent, he was taken aback; it was the family estate where Alex had been raised, a ce full of memories and significance. Realizing that Alex had taken Sadie there stirred a deep unease in Noah. Was Alex introducing her to his family? The idea sent a chill through him.


    As this thought nagged at him, a surge of irritation overwhelmed Noah. His grip tightened on his phone until his knuckles turned white. ¡°Could she be meeting his parents?¡± he whispered to himself, his voiceced with a mix of shock and a budding jealousy he hadn¡¯t noticed before.


    The rest of his business meeting passed in a blur. Noah¡¯s mood cast a palpable shadow over the room, the atmosphere thick with tension. His presence, usuallymanding and poised, now made the air around him feel oppressively heavy.


    Finally, Noah said, his voice icy, ¡°We¡¯re done here.¡± He stood abruptly and exited the room, leaving a lingering chill behind.


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    In the grandeur of the banquet hall at the Howe family estate, the shimmering light from the crystal chandelier bathed the room, casting a warm glow over the elegantly dressed guests as they conversed in small clusters.


    The hall was teeming with notable personalities from various sectors. Sadie clutched a ss of champagne, her gaze sweeping across the sea of attendees, her eyes keenly searching for Roy.


    Atst, her eyes locked onto him; he was seated on a plush sofa in the far corner of the room.


    However, the scene before her didn¡¯t match her expectations.


    Roy¡¯s face was etched with discontent, his voice tinged with a sharp edge of reproach. ¡°Alex, using my niece to make mee? That¡¯s a bold move!¡±


    Across from him, Alex lounged with deceptive ease, his smile unwavering as he dismissed the tension in Roy¡¯s voice. ¡°I had no choice. You¡¯re a hard man to reach, Roy, and I had to make sure you¡¯d attend. There¡¯s someone here who¡¯s eager to coborate with you. Allow me to introduce you.¡±


    As his eyes shifted beyond Roy, spotting Sadie¡¯s approach, Alex¡¯s smile widened invitingly. He gestured for her to join them. ¡°Sadie, over here!¡±


    Roy¡¯s gaze snapped to Sadie. ¡°It¡¯s you?¡± he eximed, his expressionced with disbelief.


    Meeting his eyes, Sadie nodded politely, her voice steady. ¡°Hello, Mr. Dominguez.¡±


    Despite her calm demeanor, her grip on the champagne ss tightened, betraying a flicker of nervous tension.


    Roy¡¯s gaze darted between Sadie and Alex, his eyebrows knitted in suspicion. ¡°What is going on between you two?¡± The air thickened with his scrutiny.


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 Chapter 94

    ?Chapter 94:


    He had already picked up on something strange in the way Sadie interacted with Noah before.


    Now, with Alex in the picture, his suspicions deepened, urging him to probe further.


    A heavy weight settled in Sadie¡¯s chest as she registered the sharp edge in Roy¡¯s voice, an ominous premonition blooming within her.


    She opened her mouth to rify, but Alex was quicker.


    ¡°We¡¯re close friends,¡± Alex said smoothly, his smile easy and demeanor untroubled as if he were discussing the weather. ¡°If there¡¯s one thing about Sadie, it¡¯s that she delivers. Her business proposals speak for themselves. Mr. Dominguez, I assure you, listening to her pitch would be worth your time.¡±


    His voice carried a barely detectable note of protectiveness, and his eyes flickered to Sadie with a fleeting look of concern.


    Roy¡¯s attention snapped back to Alex, his expression hardening. ¡°You¡¯ve gone to such lengths¡ªhosting a banquet, even threatening my niece¡ªand you expect me to believe you are just friends?¡±


    Having encountered various personalities throughout his career, Roy was hardly the type to take someone at face value, and Alex¡¯s exnations did little to sway him.


    Roy had long understood that in the cutthroat world of business, deceit was moremon than sincerity, and Alex¡¯s demeanor suggested he was not doing all this just for a friend.


    Alex¡¯s smile faltered, freezing as he sensed the shift in atmosphere.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. If there¡¯s any need for cooperation, I¡¯ll contact Noah directly. I see no need for middlemen,¡± Roy stated, his voiceced with disdain. He continued, his tone sharpening, ¡°Miss Hudson, making connections is fine, but your attention should go toward more important matters.¡±


    At his words, Sadie¡¯s grip on her champagne flute intensified, her knuckles nching with the strain. She inhaled deeply, a practiced smile masking her brewing storm. Alex¡¯s face clouded with panic, and he stepped closer, urgency tinging his voice. ¡°Mr. Dominguez, please, you¡¯ve misunderstood¡­¡±


    But Roy was done with the conversation. He turned on his heel to leave when Sadie¡¯s voice, crisp and resonant, cut through the hum of the crowded banquet hall. ¡°Everyone praises your business acumen, Mr. Dominguez, but it appears you don¡¯t live up to your reputation.¡±


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    Roy halted, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. He was ustomed to admiration, and the sting of public rebuke ignited a sh of anger.


    He pivoted slowly, his eyes narrowing, a dangerous edge to his voice. ¡°Excuse me, what did you just say?¡±


    Gently pulling on Sadie¡¯s sleeve, Alex whispered urgently, ¡°Sadie, forget it.¡±


    He knew all too well how Roy preferred to handle things¡ªwith diplomacy rather than direct conflict.


    However, Sadie shrugged off his touch, her lips curling into a sarcastic smile. ¡°What¡¯s the issue? Isn¡¯t business all about usingworks and leveraging connections? Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve never leveraged connections, Mr. Dominguez?¡±


    Despite her casual tone, there was a sharpness to her words that was unmistakable.


    Roy paused, his expression darkening into a scowl. His jaw tightened, and his eyes narrowed, clearly teetering on the edge of anger.


    Sweat began to form on Alex¡¯s palms as he clenched his fists tightly. Without thinking, he moved closer to Sadie, positioning himself as her shield if needed.


    Despite the mounting tension, Sadie remainedposed and unyielding.


    ¡°Were my actions really that uneptable, Mr. Dominguez?¡± she challenged. ¡°You judge me as if I¡¯ve done something wrong. Is it simply because I¡¯m a woman?¡± She locked eyes with Roy, her gaze unwavering.


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 Chapter 95

    ?Chapter 95:


    ¡°Here we are in the 21st century, and yet a CEO of your stature still believes women advance only through their associations with men.¡± With a soft chuckle, she added, ¡°Isn¡¯t that a bit outdated, Mr. Dominguez?¡±


    Roy¡¯s expression grew colder as he responded, ¡°You think you have real talent?¡±


    His tone dripped with disdain, as if he considered all of Sadie¡¯s efforts a mere joke.


    Anticipating such a response, Sadie retrieved a folder from her bag and presented it to Roy. ¡°How can you judge my capabilities without looking at this?¡± she challenged. ¡°Or are you worried that you might feel guilty after reading these documents?¡±


    Roy¡¯s squint hardened as he faced Sadie¡¯s confident stance. He was aware that Sadie was deliberately provoking him.


    Walking away would have been the wiser choice.


    Yet, fueled by Sadie¡¯s provocations, his anger surged uncontrobly.


    The thought of being outsmarted by her was unbearable. Despite recognizing her strategy, Roy responded impulsively, ¡°You¡¯d better hope your skills match your confidence, or you¡¯ll regret it in the end.¡±


    Undeterred, Sadie locked eyes with him, her smile brimming with assurance. ¡°We¡¯ll just have to see what happens.¡±


    Alex soon prepared the lounge for their discussion.


    Roy settled into his chair, radiating authority with every movement. He casually took the folder from Sadie, ready to criticize its contents.


    Sitting opposite him, Sadie remained poised and focused, bracing herself for a challenging encounter.


    As Roy skimmed through the documents, his initial skepticism was evident. But with each page he turned, his demeanor shifted. His skepticism gradually faded as he became more intrigued.


    The thoroughness of Sadie¡¯s preparation and the rity of her presentation were undeniable.


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    After half an hour and having gone through all the documents, Roy acknowledged that Sadie was the most innovative and capable fashion designer he had encountered. He realized her designs would likely be highly sessful in the market. They were also a perfect match for the new direction hispany was aiming to take.


    Today¡¯s young people sought fashion that showcased their uniqueness and style. Previously, his brand had been synonymous with traditional elegance, which failed to resonate with the younger crowd.


    Sadie¡¯s fashion designs perfectly aligned with thetest youth trends. Roy set the folder aside, meeting Sadie¡¯s eager gaze as he said deliberately, ¡°Your designs are exactly what ourpany has been searching for.¡±


    A wave of relief washed over Sadie as she smiled brightly. ¡°I appreciate your approval, Mr. Dominguez. I¡¯m eager to coborate with you.¡± Victory seemed just within her grasp.


    Rising from his chair, Roy made his way to the door. ¡°However, we cannot proceed with a partnership.¡±


    ¡°May I ask why not?¡± Sadie asked, taken aback, her fingertips trembling slightly. Was Roy still upset? She quickly added, ¡°Please ept my apologies. I¡­¡±


    Roy gestured dismissively, a trace of resignation on his face. ¡°It¡¯s not about holding grudges. I realized I jumped to conclusions about you too quickly.¡±


    He sighed, looking back at Sadie¡¯s earnest, yet somewhat pale face. ¡°Noah spoke to me earlier. Any agreement should be discussed directly with him.¡±


    Pausing, he added apologetically, ¡°Attempting to bypass him to work directly with me would be inappropriate.¡±


    Roy exited through the door, his parting words lingering in the air. ¡°Miss Hudson, I regret this. While your designs are outstanding, we can¡¯t proceed under these conditions.¡±


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 Chapter 96

    ?Chapter 96:


    As he disappeared through the doorway, Sadie watched the door swing shut, her hand unconsciously clenching into a fist.


    Despair overwhelmed her. She had hoped that her hard work would free her from Noah¡¯s control and grant her independence. Yet, here she was, still bound by his influence.


    What was her next move? Was escape from Noah¡¯s grasp ever possible? Her hand rested on her belly, protectively guarding the growing life inside her. If she failed to leave Noah before her pregnancy became obvious, he might never allow the child to be born.


    The memory of Noah¡¯s cold expression and harsh words haunted her.


    Taking a deep breath, Sadie resolved not to give up.


    She had to leave, for the sake of her unborn child.


    Alex approached, his concern evident. ¡°Sadie, stay calm. I¡¯ll speak with Mr. Dominguez. Given the long-standing rtionship between our families, he might change his mind.¡± His voice was gentle and reassuring.


    With those words, Alex hurried off, urgency in his stride.


    Sadie wanted to call out to him, but the opportunity slipped away. Amidst the elegantly dressed crowd in the banquet hall, Sadie feltpletely out of ce. She turned and walked away.


    The night air outside was refreshingly cool. Her phone buzzed¡ªit was Alex calling.


    ¡°Sadie, Mr. Dominguez has agreed.¡± Alex¡¯s voice buzzed with excitement. ¡°He¡¯s set up an independent project for you, one that doesn¡¯t involve Noah¡¯s oversight. What do you think?¡±


    Clutching her phone, Sadie realized this was a more favorable oue than she had hoped for. Without Noah¡¯s knowledge, there would be no chance for him to interfere.


    ¡°Alex, I¡¯m so grateful,¡± Sadie responded earnestly. ¡°How can I ever thank you enough for this?¡±


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    ¡°Marry Alex, and you¡¯ll be even,¡± a cold, sarcastic voice cut through.


    Startled, Sadie looked up sharply.


    Noah stood a short distance away, impably dressed in a sharp suit. His handsome face showed no warmth, and his deep, cold eyes were fixed on her.


    A heavy feeling settled in Sadie¡¯s chest.


    Had he overheard their entire conversation?


    ¡°What, are you feeling guilty?¡± Noah stepped closer, his voice cold. ¡°You promisedst night there was nothing between you and Alex, yet here I find you together. What excuse can you offer now?¡± His voice was tinged with derision.


    Sadie¡¯s expression darkened as Alex¡¯s worried voice filled her ear through the phone. ¡°Sadie? What¡¯s happening there? I can hear Noah¡ª is he causing trouble? Tell me where you are, I¡¯ll be right there!¡± Sadie¡¯s heart sank. She dreaded another confrontation between Alex and Noah.


    ¡°Alex, listen¡ª¡±


    But before she could finish, Noah snatched the phone from her hand. With a swift motion, he ended the call and threw the phone into the nearbyke. The phone hit the water with a ssh.


    Despair gripped Sadie¡¯s heart. Her eyes snapped to Noah, filled with anger. ¡°Noah, have you lost your mind?!¡±


    Noah¡¯s eyes flickered with a chilling resolve as he gripped her wrist. ¡°I can¡¯t stand watching you talk to Alex!¡± he eximed, his words dripping with fury.


    The pressure on her wrist was painful, but Sadie stood her ground, defiant. ¡°We¡¯re just friends!¡±


    With a sneer, Noah taunted, ¡°Don¡¯t overestimate yourself, Sadie! Just because Alex introduced you to his family doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯re free. You¡¯re still my wife, and until I sign those divorce papers, you¡¯re not going anywhere!¡±


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 Chapter 97

    ?Chapter 97:


    A resounding p cut through the tension.


    With her free hand, Sadie struck Noah hard across the face. Noah covered his face with one hand and slowly turned to look at her, his expression dark.


    As her breath quickened, Sadie¡¯s anger surged. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I was ever in love with you,¡± she said, each word forced out painfully. ¡°Marrying you was the greatest mistake of my life! Let go of me!¡±


    Noah¡¯s breath hitched. The unexpected words from her left him stunned.


    The greatest mistake?


    His lips formed a thin line, and his gaze turned icy as he stared at her. ¡°You regret marrying me?¡± he taunted, his tone dripping with scorn. ¡°Just say you¡¯re dying to marry Alex! You¡¯re after a divorce, aren¡¯t you?¡± He suddenly tightened his grip on her wrist, almost crushing it.


    ¡°You¡¯ll get it only when I say so!¡±


    Noah then hoisted Sadie over his shoulder. For Sadie, the world seemed to flip, everything turning upside down. She feltpletely humiliated and overwhelmed. Despite her efforts to escape, kicking and iling, she achieved nothing.


    ¡°Noah, you bastard! Put me down!¡±


    The sound of the car door mming resonated with a deep echo. Sadie was thrown against the leather seat. Her head struck the window, disorienting her further.


    ¡°Noah! Have you lost your mind?¡± she cried out, trying to sit up. But Noah remained silent, flooring the gas pedal as the car zoomed forward. The outside world became a blur of lights and shadows as they sped past. Fear tightened its hold on Sadie, her heart racing.


    What exactly was he nning to do?


    The car came to an abrupt halt at Myrtlewood Estate, throwing her forward once again. Without hesitation, Noah unbuckled his seatbelt, got out, and pulled her from the car.


    ¡°Stop, let me go!¡± Sadie¡¯s resistance was fierce. Ignoring her protests, Noah maintained a tight grip as he pulled her toward the vi.


    Inside, Rosa paused her cleaning of an antique vase, looking up. Her face brightened at the sight of them. ¡°Mr. and Mrs. Wall, wee home! What would you like for dinner tonight? I¡¯ll get started right away.¡±


    Noah appeared to have heard nothing, effortlessly lifting Sadie and heading toward the bedroom. Rosa remained still, her expression a mask of bewilderment.


    With a loud thud, the door mmed shut.


    Sadie was thrown onto the bed with force, letting out a soft grunt. She attempted to rise, but Noah¡¯s firm hold kept her pinned. His tall frame pressed down on her,pletely immobilizing her. Panting, Sadie fixed a defiant gaze on him and mocked, ¡°Noah, isn¡¯t this a bit low, even for you?¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression remained dark; he tightened his grip on her wrist without a word.


    ¡°You¡¯re the one who wanted a divorce and the one who wanted to be with your true love,¡± Sadie¡¯s voice trembled, but her tone was resolute. ¡°I never stood in your way of the divorce, yet you won¡¯t sign. Could it be¡­ you¡¯ve developed feelings for me?¡±


    Herugh was bitter. ¡°Not that I care about your affections anymore.¡± Looking Noah directly in the eyes, Sadie said distinctly, ¡°I don¡¯t love you anymore.¡±


    These words struck Noah like a dagger to the heart. A throbbing pain filled his chest, confusion clouding his emotions. Still, he masked his vulnerability with a stern facade, retorting, ¡°Don¡¯t kid yourself. Who could possibly love you?¡± His voice was cold, his dismissal sharp.


    His gaze was devoid of any warmth, as if he saw Sadie as nothing more than a stranger.


    A cold swept through Sadie, her heart constricting with a frigid sensation. Struggling to maintain herposure, Sadie said with a nk face, ¡°Please move and let me go.¡±


    Her tone was quiet yet resolute.


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 Chapter 98

    ?Chapter 98:


    A line of tension formed on Noah¡¯s lips, his eyes briefly ring with anger. Instead of releasing Sadie, he pushed her wrists deeper into the mattress.


    ¡°You¡¯re my wife,¡± he said, his words tight with anger. ¡°I won¡¯t stand by and let you get involved with Alex and betray me. You¡¯re not leaving this house until you sever all ties with him.¡± His voice was quiet but menacing.


    Disbelief clouded Sadie¡¯s face as she looked up sharply. ¡°Are you imprisoning me?¡±


    Noah remained silent, his cold stare warning her of the seriousness of his intent.


    He then stood and exited, his tall silhouette casting a long shadow across Sadie. The door closed with a loud thud, making Sadie¡¯s heart jump.


    She instinctively reached for her phone to seek help, but it was missing.


    Then it hit her. Noah had tossed her phone into theke.


    Completely cut off, Sadie felt helpless.


    She rose and moved toward the window.


    From the window, Sadie observed the security guards, d in ck uniforms, positioned firmly at the vi¡¯s base, vignt and unyielding. Their presence effectively imprisoned her within the vi¡¯s walls, eliminating any possibility of escape.


    Retreating to the bed, Sadie felt the mattress envelop her like the confining bars of a cell. What was she meant to do?


    Fury consumed her, especially after Noah¡¯s rough handling hadpressed her abdomen, causing increasing pain.


    Sharp, consistent pains began to wrack her body. Beads of cold sweat emerged on her forehead as herplexion faded to a stark white.


    Curled into a tight ball on the bed, Sadie shook uncontrobly.


    As she wept, tears silently drenched her pillow.


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    ¡°My darling,¡± she murmured, her lips trembling as she spoke so softly it was almost a breath. ¡°Not now¡­ If your father discovers our secret, we¡¯ll be in danger¡­¡±


    sping her stomach, she tried to form a barrier to protect her unborn child.


    The relentless harshness of Noah,pounded by K¡¯s sharp words and relentless setbacks, had drained herpletely¡ªboth body and soul.


    She didn¡¯t know how much longer she could hold on.


    Yet, she clung to one clear purpose: safeguard her unborn child.


    That child represented her only beacon of hope.


    Despite the hours passing, the ache in her abdomen persisted relentlessly.


    Gradually, Sadie¡¯s surroundings blurred as weariness and pain clouded her consciousness.


    She cried until fatigue overtook her and she drifted into a deep sleep.


    Meanwhile, Noah brooded in his office, the golden whiskey in his ss catching the light as he moved, mirroring his troubled mood.


    Sadie¡¯s defiant words tormented him, echoing in his mind.


    ¡°Who does she think she is, telling me she doesn¡¯t love me anymore?¡± he muttered, scoffing as he swallowed his drink. Despite the warm trail it left, his anger remained unquenched. ¡°As if her words could affect me. Absurd!¡±


    With a forceful gesture, he set the ss down, its clink resounding in the quiet room.


    Suddenly, he grabbed his phone and dialed Samuel¡¯s number.


    ¡°Bring K to Myrtlewood Estate immediately,¡± he instructed, his voice cold and detached.


    Samuel¡¯s voice came through the phone,ced with uncertainty. ¡°Why? Myrtlewood Estate was meant to be a haven for you and Mrs. Wall. Isn¡¯t it wrong to have Miss Wade move in? Mrs. Wall would be devastated if she knew.¡±


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 Chapter 99

    ?Chapter 99:


    ¡°Devastated?¡± Noah scoffed, his voice thick with disdain. ¡°She won¡¯t be devastated. Better yet, I hope it crushes herpletely!¡±


    The fury in Noah¡¯s tone was unmistakable to Samuel, who sensed that something grave had upset him.


    Samuel feltpelled to urge Noah to reconsider. ¡°Mr. Wall, please¡­ try to calm down,¡± he suggested carefully.


    ¡°I am calm,¡± Noah insisted, taking a slow, deep breath to control his rising anger. ¡°Just do as I say and bring K to Myrtlewood Estate now, or consider yourself fired!¡±


    He abruptly ended the call, reaching for his ss to gulp down thest of his drink.


    Hearing the disconnect tone, Samuel exhaled a weary sigh.


    The situation was escting. Noah was determined to stir up trouble. Samuel had a sinking feeling about the impending fallout but felt powerless against Noah¡¯s direct threat.


    Noah poured himself another drink, seeking sce in alcohol, yet the inner chaos only intensified.


    Visions of Sadie¡¯s defiant stare and her biting words haunted him, each memory stabbing at his conscience like a relentless de.


    Frustrated, he yanked at his tie, feeling each breath growboriously heavy.


    He puzzled over his own rage. He had initiated their separation and been unfaithful, so why did Sadie¡¯s deration of lost love incite such bitterness?


    A fleeting thought crossed his mind¡ªcould he have feelings for her?


    He dismissed the notion almost instantly.


    He shook his head firmly, determined to banish such thoughts from his mind.


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    When Samuel arrived at Myrtlewood Estate with K, he found Noah already drunk¡ªsprawled across the study¡¯s sofa, eyes barely slits in his flushed face.


    ¡°Mr. Wall?¡± Samuel called out, his voice cautious.


    He moved to help Noah to his room, but a slender hand caught his arm. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of him,¡± K murmured.


    Samuel mustered a strained smile. ¡°Mr. Wall¡¯s not exactly light¡ªWade. Let me do it.¡±


    It was a flimsy excuse. The truth was, Samuel didn¡¯t want to be anywhere near Noah, especially while Noah was drunk.


    This wasn¡¯t because he favored Sadie over K; his loyaltyy squarely with Noah, not with Sadie or anyone else.


    As Samuel supported Noah, he felt like he was carrying a sack of bricks. The overwhelming blend of alcohol and Noah¡¯s usual heavy, woody cologne made his head swim.


    Noah groaned, his brow creased, as though even unconscious, he couldn¡¯t escape his troubles.


    K trailed silently behind them, her eyes glinting with a strange cocktail of satisfaction and unease she couldn¡¯t quite shake.


    ¡°Samuel, are you sure you can handle that?¡± K¡¯s voice dripped with a subtle mockery, just enough to grate on Samuel¡¯s nerves.


    Sweat trickled down his temple. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Miss Wade. I¡¯ve got it.¡± In truth, Samuel was silently cursing his misfortune. This wasn¡¯t assisting a boss¡ªit was like hauling deadweight uphill, with K¡¯s sharp gaze stabbing at his pride.


    ¡°Good,¡± K murmured, her eyes slicing through him with a cial re.


    A chill crawled up Samuel¡¯s spine. All he wanted was to dump Noah in bed and escape this ce.


    He knew Noah cared about Sadie¡ªeven if the man hadn¡¯t realized it yet.


    As his loyal assistant, Samuel¡¯s job was to keep Noah safe from opportunists, especially in this drunken stupor.


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 Chapter 100

    ?Chapter 100:


    K watched him struggle with barely concealed amusement, a cold smile tugging at her lips. ¡°Samuel, are you trying toe between me and Noah?¡±


    Samuel, now drenched in sweat, shook his head quickly. ¡°Of course not. It¡¯s just¡­ Mr. Wall is really heavy.¡±


    K chuckled, a sound devoid of warmth. ¡°Fine. Help me get him to the bed. After that, you can stop worrying.¡±


    Samuel swallowed a groan. He¡¯d have been better off staying out of this mess altogether.


    But with K making the request¡ªand knowing Noah rarely denied her anything¡ªhe couldn¡¯t exactly refuse.


    Reluctantly, he followed K¡¯s lead, helping Noah to the bedroom door, wishing he were anywhere else.


    Taking a steadying breath, Samuel nudged the bedroom door open.


    But as it creaked wide, both he and K froze in their tracks. There, sprawled across the master bed, was Sadie¡ªher breathing slow and even, lost in deep sleep.


    Her face, though pale and shadowed with fatigue, still held an effortless, delicate beauty that seemed to glow in the dim light.


    K¡¯s expression darkened instantly. The smug confidence she¡¯d worn like armor melted away, reced by a venomous mix of jealousy and rage.


    She bit her lip hard, so much so that it nearly drew blood.


    ¡°Well¡­¡± Samuel managed to say, his voice thin with shock. Sadie asleep in Noah¡¯s bedroom was thest thing he thought he¡¯d stumble upon tonight.


    K inhaled sharply, her fury simmering beneath the surface. She leaned toward Samuel, her voice a low, icy whisper. ¡°Take him to the guest room.¡±


    The warmth had bled from her tone, leaving nothing but cold steel.


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    She had believed Noah invited her to move into Myrtlewood Estate out of love, but finding Sadie¡ªsofortably ensconced in the master bedroom¡ªfelt like a p to the face.


    K¡¯s fists clenched at her sides, the bitter taste of regret rising in her throat. She should¡¯ve gotten rid of Sadie long ago.


    Samuel, however, felt an unexpected wave of relief wash over him. With Sadie here, the chances of anything reckless happening between Noah and K seemed slim.


    Without another word, he guided Noah¡¯s dead weight toward the guest room. The moment Noah was settled, K turned to Samuel with a sharp re, her voice t and final. ¡°You should get going.¡±


    K tiptoed toward the bed where Noahy, holding her breath as she neared him.


    Under the faint light, Noah¡¯s defined features became more pronounced.


    His eyes were firmly closed, longshes casting slight shadows. His lips remained just barely parted.


    Charm seemed to radiate from him even in sleep.


    Many times, K had imagined making her dreams a reality, yet Noah had never touched her.


    Atst, the moment she had yearned for was within reach!


    Her heart thudded loudly.


    K¡¯s fingers shook slightly as she reached for Noah¡¯s belt.


    The belt clicked open, but simultaneously, Noah¡¯s hand gripped hers. Her heart stuttered as panic flickered in her eyes, and she met his gaze, which was devoid of emotion.


    K froze, breathless with shock.


    As she braced for confrontation, Noah¡¯s raspy voice broke the silence, asking, ¡°Sadie?¡±


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 Chapter 101

    ?Chapter 101:


    That single question,den with confusion, stabbed at K¡¯s heart.


    It was Sadie he saw in his half-awake state, not her!


    K felt her heart shattering, as if cut by a sharp de.


    She stood there rigidly, clenching her fists tightly.


    A sudden stab of jealousy hit K.


    Internally, she cursed, wishing the recent car ident had killed Sadie.


    Yet, despite her bitterness, K recognized the crucial nature of the moment.


    She inhaled deeply, calming her anger, and murmured, ¡°Noah, you¡¯re drunk. Let me wipe your face.¡±


    Noah loosened his hold on her wrist, murmuring an indifferent ¡°Mm.¡± Thispliance was uncharacteristic; Noah was usuallymanding and assertive around her, yet now he seemed subdued and easy to sway


    K¡¯s fingers whitened as she twisted a towel dry, then gently dabbed at Noah¡¯s face.


    The cold water might have begun to wake him, as Noah¡¯s senses gradually sharpened.


    Upon opening his eyes and seeing K, he frowned, and his demeanor instantly chilled.


    He brushed her hand away and said bluntly, ¡°Get out.¡±


    K¡¯s small spark of hope crumbled with those few words.


    ¡°Noah, let me look after you¡­¡± K¡¯s voice faltered, her eyes welling up as she spoke.


    ¡°I said, get out.¡± Noah¡¯s voice grew even colder.


    A sting of pain shot through K¡¯s heart, prompting her to exit the room.


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    She copsed onto the sofa in the living room, her thoughts simmering with resentment.


    Rising abruptly, K began to pace, her frustration mounting. She slipped out to the garden, nced around to ensure privacy, and then pulled out her cellphone to make a call.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t Sadie die in the car crash you staged?¡± K demanded, her voiceced with restrained fury.


    From the other end came a leisurely, mocking reply. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, mydy? Why so upset? That mishap certainly caused enough drama.¡±


    Drawing in a deep breath to calm her rage, K said, ¡°Set up another ident. Make sure Sadie doesn¡¯t survive this time.¡±


    A chuckle resonated from the other end, amused and taunting. ¡°I can¡¯t.¡± K¡¯s temper red, and she raised her voice. ¡°And why not? How dare you refuse¡ª¡±


    She was abruptly cut off by the hacker.


    ¡°Have you forgotten the deal we made?¡± the hacker said, his voice calm, almost amused. ¡°You still owe me for that favor, and now you want me to stage another ident?¡±


    K froze, her fingers tightening around her phone.


    The memory hit her like a p. She had made a deal with him, hiring him to engineer a car ident. His price? A night with her. At the time, she hadn¡¯t flinched¡ªso desperate was she to erase someone from the picture.


    A flicker of shame bubbled up, but she shoved it down.


    They¡¯d been intimate more than once; there was no reason to act coy now.


    Besides, anger burned hotter in her chest, and she needed an outlet¡ªsomething raw and reckless to match the storm inside her.


    Pulling up her phone, she searched for the nearest luxury hotel to Myrtlewood Estate. Once she found one, she shot the hacker a message with the location. ¡°Go there. I¡¯ll book a room.¡±


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 Chapter 102

    ?Chapter 102:


    On the other end of the line, she heard the faint hiss of a cigarette being stubbed out, followed by a low chuckle. ¡°So eager? You¡¯ve always been wild.¡±


    K¡¯s lips curled into a bitter smile. Her voice was sharp, teetering between frustration and challenge. ¡°Are youing or not? If not, forget it!¡±


    There was a beat of silence before the hacker¡¯s amused voice returned. ¡°Oh, I¡¯ming. But it¡¯s been too long since ourst time. I¡¯m extremely horny now. You¡¯d better be ready.¡±


    The sound of his heavy breathing over the line sent a shiver down K¡¯s spine, her legs suddenly weak beneath her.


    She ended the call abruptly, her fingers trembling as she rushed to book the room.


    Impatience gnawed at her. She couldn¡¯t even wait for the hotel staff to hand over the key. Instead, she slipped into the public restroom, taking a hurried shower, as if washing away the residue of the night¡¯s frustrations.


    When she finally stepped into the room, the hacker was already there. The faint scent of tobo mingled with his distinct, musky cologne, filling the air and making her head spin. He stood by the window, his gaze flickering to her wet hair, and a hungry gleam lit up his eyes. Without a word, he crossed the room and pulled her into his arms.


    ¡°K, you¡¯re bing more irresistible every time I see you.¡±


    She let out a softugh, yfully pushing the hacker back, though her touchcked any real resistance.


    They tumbled into a night of reckless abandon.


    By the time dawn crept over the horizon, the hotel room was a chaotic mess of tangled sheets and discarded clothes.


    K groaned as she pushed herself up from the bed, her body aching, especially around her waist. Bruises mottled her skin, stark against the early morning light. She winced as she dressed, her movements stiff and deliberate.


    While she was buttoning her blouse, her voice cut through the thick, stale air. ¡°I¡¯ve repaid the favor fromst time. Now, make sure you arrange another ¡®ident¡¯ for Sadie. This time, I want her dead.¡±


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    The hacker, still loungingzily against the headboard, lit a cigarette. He took a long drag before releasing a plume of smoke into the room, his lips curling into a smirk. ¡°With all the effort you put inst night, I promise,¡± he drawled.


    K knew exactly what he meant by ¡°effort.¡±


    She shot him a look, equal parts annoyance and teasing. ¡°As long as you y your part, once I be Noah¡¯s wife, you¡¯ll be wellpensated.¡±


    The hacker chuckled darkly, hisughter low and taunting. ¡°Noah¡¯s reputation might be squeaky clean, but who would¡¯ve thought his beloved would turn him into a cuckold?¡±


    K rolled her eyes, ignoring his crude amusement. She had no time for his jabs. Her focus was razor-sharp now¡ªSadie had to be eliminated, and Noah would be hers.


    She finished dressing, grabbed her bag, and walked out without a backward nce.


    The hacker¡¯s grin faded as he watched the door click shut behind her. His eyes hardened, the amusement reced by a cold, calcting glint. ¡°Noah, your reckoning ising,¡± he muttered, flicking ash onto the floor.


    When K returned to Myrtlewood Estate, the first light of morning stretched across the sky. Rosa hadn¡¯t arrived yet, and the house was cloaked in silence.


    K slipped into an empty guest room, scrubbing herself clean of any lingering traces of the night. She dressed carefully in long sleeves and pants, making sure every bruise and mark was hidden from sight.


    As K emerged from the room, she caught sight of Noah lingering by the master bedroom door, his knocks soft and hesitant.


    ¡°Sadie, I get that you¡¯re upset with me, but neglecting your health just to make a point is reckless! Do you really think skipping breakfast will make me feel sorry for you?¡±


    There was an undertone of urgency in his voice, his brow slightly furrowed.


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 Chapter 103

    ?Chapter 103:


    His words carried a note of reprimand yet were underscored by genuine concern.


    K clenched her fists, her nails pressing into her palms.


    In her mind, if Sadie sumbed to her illness, all the better¡ªshe wouldn¡¯t have to get her hands dirty at all.


    At that moment, the master bedroom door creaked open.


    Sadie stood there, herplexion ghostly, a sheen of sweat glistening faintly on her brow, her body emanating frailty and fatigue.


    ¡°How many times do I have to repeat myself? I don¡¯t want to eat,¡± she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper, trembling with frustration.


    Noah¡¯s face softened immediately. He stepped closer, extending a hand to check her forehead.


    ¡°Are you feeling alright?¡± he inquired, concerncing his words. Yet, Sadie turned away sharply, her cheeks shadowed with a mix of hurt and defiance.


    A flicker of bitterness tightened her lips.


    Yesterday¡¯s harshness from Noah had left her reeling, not just emotionally but physically too, leading toplications in her pregnancy and a burning fever.


    All of it was his fault. Now he dared to show concern? Was she seriously supposed to let this go? No way in hell!


    ¡°Just leave me alone,¡± she said, her voice cold and t, slicing through the tense air.


    Noah shifted his attention to Rosa, who was standing nearby, unease written on her face. ¡°Rosa, make some in soup,¡± he instructed firmly.


    His gaze briefly met K¡¯s, who stood not far away. He acknowledged her with nothing more than a dismissive nce before turning back to Sadie with amanding tone that brooked no argument. ¡°Go back and lie down. I¡¯m calling the doctor now.¡±


    A pang of anxiety gripped Sadie¡¯s heart, pulling a rash, desperate response from her.


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    ¡°Don¡¯t!¡± The word escaped her lips with a tremor, betraying her fear.


    ¡°I¡¯ll just stay warm and sweat this thing away.¡±


    The looming threat of a doctor¡¯s visit terrified her.


    It would unveil her secret pregnancy, a revtion she feared Noah would never ept.


    This child was both herst beacon of hope and her deepest vulnerability.


    Noah¡¯s brow deepened into a troubled furrow as he pressed on,


    ¡°You¡¯ve been throwing uptely and are burning up with a fever now. You¡¯re clearly unwell, yet you stubbornly refuse to see a doctor. Are you hiding something from me?¡± His tone was demanding,ced with concern and frustration.


    Sadie averted her gaze, her eyes darting nervously, betraying her reluctance to confront his questioning.


    ¡°Of course not,¡± she replied, her voice a strained whisper of feigned calm. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ doctors tend to pry too much into my life.¡±


    On the sidelines, K observed the tense exchange with a simmering blend of jealousy and resentment.


    Her eyes lowered, masking the storm brewing within.


    Seriously? Sadie thought Noah would care about her with this act? She was dumber than she looked.


    Noah, his face a mask of stoic indifference, whipped out his phone. His long fingers danced across the screen with practiced ease as he made a call.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been in Jim¡¯s care before. It¡¯s just another check-up. Why act like it¡¯s a big deal now?¡± he questioned, his voice smooth.


    At the mention of ¡°Jim,¡± a visible wave of relief washed over Sadie. Jim was among the few who knew of her pregnancy and had vowed to keep it a secret.


    She trusted him implicitly, and the mere thought of his support seemed to soothe her fraying nerves.


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 Chapter 104

    ?Chapter 104:


    As Noah ended the call, his expression softened, his voice gentle. ¡°Just wait for a while. Jim will be here before you know it.¡±


    With a slight nod, Sadie¡¯s attention drifted toward the window, her thoughts swirling.


    Sadie knew she needed to reach out to Alex. He was herst chance to escape this ce.


    Jim¡¯s visit could be her break.


    K¡¯s eyes darted between Sadie and Noah repeatedly.


    Observing the shift from tension to ease on Sadie¡¯s face, K grew suspicious, sensing that something was off.


    Her instincts whispered that Sadie was concealing something important from Noah.


    But what could it possibly be?


    Interrupting her thoughts, Noah¡¯s voice resonated, ¡°K, you¡¯ve put in the effortst night looking after me. Why don¡¯t you grab a bite and refresh yourself?¡± His voice was deep and captivating.


    A flutter of warmth passed through K as her heart momentarily skipped a beat.


    He actually cared about her!


    It was unusual for Noah to show such personal concern, sparking curiosity about his different behavior today.


    Doubt briefly crossed her mind, but it was swiftly overtaken by a rush of satisfaction.


    With a sidelong nce at Sadie, K responded to Noah, ¡°I did what I should. Shall we head to the dining room together?¡±


    Agreeing with a nod, Noah began to walk with K toward the dining room.


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    He couldn¡¯t resist a backward nce at Sadie, as if searching for a sign of emotion.


    Finding none, he quickly turned and hastened to catch up with K. Upon entering the dining room, Noah courteously pulled out a chair for K.


    Caught off guard by the gesture, K released a victorious smile.


    She reveled in the attention, feeling more like his rightful partner.


    All the while, Sadie watched quietly.


    She had no resentment, only a deep sense of weariness.


    Turning away, she gently closed the door to the master bedroom, silencing the sounds from the dining room.


    Everything finally became quiet.


    Jim, carrying a medicine box, rushed into the house, his forehead dotted with sweat.


    Upon spotting Noah, he eased up a bit and inquired, ¡°Where¡¯s Sadie?¡±


    ¡°Just follow me,¡± Noah responded briefly.


    K quickly set her utensils aside, her eyes alight with eagerness as she whispered, ¡°Noah, I want toe along to see Sadie because¡­¡± She trailed off, seeming to search for the right words, then continued, ¡°There are some misunderstandings between us that need to be cleared up face-to-face.¡±


    Noah didn¡¯t object, simply saying tly, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Rising, he took the lead toward the master bedroom.


    K was right behind him, a subtle smile of anticipation ying on her lips.


    Catching sight of K, Jim froze for a moment before staring at Noah in disbelief. ¡°You¡¯ve actually put K and Sadie in the same house?¡±


    Noah stopped, giving Jim a look of mild annoyance. ¡°Why does it bother you? Sadie isn¡¯t bothered. She doesn¡¯t even care. What¡¯s got you so agitated?¡±


    Jim was momentarily speechless.


    He inhaled deeply, and after a pause, he shook his head and muttered, ¡°Never mind. You¡¯re truly blind, Noah. Just don¡¯te to regret this.¡±


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 Chapter 105

    ?Chapter 105:


    ¡°What do you mean by that? I¡¯m blind to what?¡± Noah¡¯s expression darkened.


    Jim remained silent, only gesturing towards the door as he told Noah and K, ¡°I have to go in and see to the patient. Wait here, please.¡±


    ¡°Why should I stay out? Sadie is my wife,¡± Noah retorted, puzzled.


    This was not the first time Jim hade to his house to attend to Sadie, and Jim hadn¡¯t asked him to leave them alone before.


    Noah eyed Jim with suspicion, his gaze piercing. ¡°You¡¯ve been close to Sadietely. Are you hiding things from me?¡±


    Jim felt a tightness in his chest, his gaze flickering.


    He doubted Noah¡¯s abilities as a father. Resolute, he was prepared to shield Sadie¡¯s secret pregnancy from him.


    Jim steadied himself, drawing in a deep breath to quell the turmoil churning inside.


    Lifting his gaze to Noah, he let out a sharp, pointed remark. ¡°Mr. Big Shot, of course, you can go in. But are you certain you won¡¯t make things worse? If the patient refuses to cooperate and I can¡¯t treat her, don¡¯te pointing fingers at me.¡±


    Noah¡¯s brows furrowed tighter, his eyes clouded with confusion and hesitation.


    His lips pressed into a thin line, but no words came.


    Jim didn¡¯t press. Instead, he simply swung open the door to the master bedroom, stepping to the side with a slight, almost dismissive wave. ¡°This is your house, your kingdom. Naturally, you can go in if you wish.¡± He met Noah¡¯s gaze with a steady one of his own. ¡°But if things go south, that¡¯s on you.¡±


    Noah¡¯s jaw tightened, his expression hardening. He could feel the weight behind Jim¡¯s words.


    Jim¡¯s forthrightness made Noah second-guess his own suspicions.


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    His mind shed back to that morning¡ªSadie refusing to open the door, her coldness gnawing at his patience. A surge of frustration bubbled to the surface.


    ¡°Forget it,¡± Noah snapped, his voiceced with defiance and something unspoken beneath. ¡°It¡¯s not like I wanted to go in anyway.¡± He spun on his heel to leave, but his steps weren¡¯t as sure as his words. There was a slight hesitation, a flicker of something uncertain in his stride.


    Through the ajar door, Sadie heard every word.


    Shey curled on the bed, her face ghostly pale, eyes staring into nothingness.


    She had long known Noah didn¡¯t care. Her heart, already numb, felt like it was being cut by a knife, yet she felt nothing.


    A bitter, self-mocking smile tugged at her lips, as if she wereughing at the foolish hopes she¡¯d once clung to.


    Without a word, Jim quietly closed the door, shutting out Noah¡¯s final, wavering nce.


    Silence settled over the room, broken only by the soft, shallow rhythm of Sadie¡¯s breathing.


    Jim¡¯s footsteps were soft as he approached the bed. His eyes filled with concern as he studied Sadie¡¯s pale, unmoving face. ¡°Are you all right?¡± he asked gently, his voice low and careful.


    Sadie remained silent, lying still as if she were nothing more than a hollow shell, a puppet with its strings cut.


    Jim let out a quiet sigh, sitting on the edge of the bed. He reached out to feel her forehead, his touch light. ¡°It¡¯s alright. The fever isn¡¯t too high.¡±


    But then, without warning, Sadie stirred.


    She shot up abruptly, her eyes wild, glinting with a desperate, almost frantic light.


    Before Jim could react, she seized his hand. Her fingers were ice-cold, but her grip was fierce, unrelenting.


    Then, to his utter shock, Sadie slid off the bed and dropped to her knees with a dull thud.


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 Chapter 106

    ?Chapter 106:


    ¡°Please.¡± The word tore from her throat, hoarse and raw, trembling with emotions she had buried for far too long. ¡°Help me.¡±


    Jim¡¯s heart lurched. He quickly reached down, flustered, and helped her back to her feet. ¡°Sadie, what¡¯s wrong?¡± he asked, his voice urgent but gentle. ¡°What happened? I was told you were just sick.¡± He held her by the arms, his steady hands trying to calm her.


    Sadie fought to keep her tears at bay, her voice trembling as she forced out the words. ¡°Noah has me trapped here¡­ cut off from everyone. I need to get out. Please, can you help me?¡± Her eyes locked onto Jim¡¯s, her desperation palpable.


    Jim froze, the weight of her plea pressing down on him. ¡°Well¡­¡± He trailed off, torn between empathy and concern.


    He knew all too well how ruthless Noah could be. If Noah ever found out he¡¯d helped Sadie escape, the fallout would be catastrophic. The mere thought of Noah¡¯s wrath sent a trickle of sweat down Jim¡¯s temple.


    Sadie saw the hesitation flicker across his face. She inhaled deeply, steadying herself, her voice soft but resolute. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t drag you into this any more than necessary. Just¡­ distract the guards downstairs. That¡¯s all I need. I¡¯ll take care of the rest.¡± Her tone was calm, but her eyes burned with fierce determination. She was ready to risk everything.


    Jim wavered, the logic gnawing at him.


    It wasn¡¯t much¡ªjust a simple diversion.


    Harmless enough, or so it seemed.


    As if sensing his internal struggle, Sadie pressed her advantage. Her trembling hand moved to her abdomen.


    ¡°Yesterday¡­¡± she whispered, her voice cracking. ¡°Noah carried me back. It¡­ it put the pregnancy at risk.¡± She swallowed hard, her words thick with emotion. ¡°And today, I¡¯ve been running a fever.¡±


    She lifted her gaze to meet Jim¡¯s, her eyes swimming with a mix of despair and silent pleading.


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    ¡°If I stay here any longer¡­ I¡¯ll either be forced into an abortion when he finds out about the pregnancy¡­ or I¡¯ll lose the baby from his neglect.¡±


    Her words hung heavy in the air. She squeezed her eyes shut, and the tears she¡¯d fought so hard to hold back finally broke free, trailing down her pale cheeks.


    ¡°Either way¡­¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible. ¡°I can¡¯t keep the baby¡­ For the sake of my child¡­ I have to leave.¡±


    Jim stood frozen, feeling as though two warring voices shed inside his mind.


    One screamed at him to back away, to avoid entanglement in this mess. Noah¡¯s wrath wasn¡¯t just dangerous¡ªit was catastrophic. Getting involved could ruin him.


    But the other voice, softer yet more insistent, tugged at his conscience. It was the voice ofpassion, of duty, reminding him of why he became a doctor in the first ce: to save lives.


    His eyes drifted to Sadie¡ªher haunted, pleading gaze, the tear-streaked cheeks, and her trembling hand resting protectively over her abdomen. It felt like something had pierced through his chest, striking the very core of him.


    Jim remembered his oath, the promise he¡¯d made to protect life in all its forms, no matter the cost.


    The battle within him settled. Compassion outweighed fear.


    ¡°Alright, fine,¡± Jim said, his voice low but unwavering as he gritted his teeth. ¡°I¡¯ll help you.¡±


    Sadie gazed at Jim, her eyes brimming with gratitude, tears gleaming as though she had clung to a lifeline in the midst of a storm.


    ¡°I won¡¯t forget this¡ªI¡¯ll pay you back when the timees,¡± she stated, her voice thick with emotion, each wordden with raw sincerity. Jim caught the shimmer of genuine thanks in her eyes, feeling an unexpected warmth bloom in his chest.


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 Chapter 107

    ?Chapter 107:


    He shifted his gaze away, an awkward gesture as he cleared his throat. ¡°We don¡¯t have to talk about that yet,¡± he replied, his voice striving for calm. ¡°How are you feeling right now?¡±


    He paused, a concerned look crossing his face before continuing, ¡°You need to focus on your health first.¡±


    As he spoke, Jim gently began to check Sadie¡¯s condition.


    His hands were careful as he listened to her heartbeat and delicately touched her slightly swollen belly. His brow furrowed deeply with concern.


    ¡°The fetus is showing signs of distress,¡± he announced, withdrawing his hand with a grave tone. ¡°If the situation worsens, you might start bleeding, and that could be dangerous.¡±


    At his words, a chill ran through Sadie, herplexion turning ghostly pale.


    She gripped the bedsheet tightly, her knuckles whitening, a storm of fear and anxiety swirling in her heart.


    Jim observed Sadie¡¯s tense posture, his heart twinging with sympathy. He considered her condition thoughtfully, then offered a gentle suggestion. ¡°It¡¯s a mild fever, nothing too concerning. Put on a cooling patch, and I¡¯ll prescribe something to help with the fever and keep your pregnancy stable. You have to take it,¡± he advised, his voice calm and reassuring.


    He hesitated briefly before adding, ¡°Once you¡¯re feeling better, I¡¯ll help you get out of here safely.¡±


    Sadie paused, absorbing his words, then gave a slow, determined nod. The child growing inside her was her anchor in this vast, uncertain world. She couldn¡¯t risk anything harming her unborn baby.


    She needed to forge a secure future for them both, a life far away from Noah¡¯s destructive reach. That meant vanishingpletely¡ªno traces left behind.


    However, there were things to settle first. She needed to ensure Laura¡¯s well-being and advance the secretive project Roy had promised to orchestrate for her, sidestepping Noahpletely.


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    Sess in these tasks would mean a steady ie, crucial for sustaining her and her child¡¯s future.


    As Jim began to pack his medical kit, signaling his departure, Sadie felt a surge of urgency.


    ¡°Dr. Archer!¡± she called out, her voiceced with hesitation and quiet desperation.


    Jim paused, turning back to face her with an expression of soft concern. ¡°What is it?¡± he inquired gently.


    Sadie chewed on her lower lip, her nerves fluttering. After a torturous pause, she mustered the courage to ask, ¡°Could I¡­ borrow one thousand dors from you?¡±


    She dipped her head, her gaze anchored to the floor, cheeks tinged with the soft blush of embarrassment. The silence between them stretched, fraught with her anxiety.


    She knew her request was bold, given the casual nature of her acquaintance with Jim.


    But desperation had backed her into this tight corner, and she had nowhere else to turn.


    Jim, for his part, seemed genuinely surprised, his eyebrows arching as he processed her unexpected plea.


    To him, a thousand dors was a mere pittance. But for Sadie, at this moment, that money was nothing short of survival.


    ¡°Absolutely,¡± Jim responded, his voice imbued with a warmth that underscored his willingness to help. ¡°But since you can¡¯t leave, what do you need the money for?¡±


    A weary sigh slipped from Sadie¡¯s lips as she cast her eyes downward.


    ¡°I need a phone,¡± she said, her words barely audible.


    She wanted to get in touch with Alex.


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 Chapter 108

    ?Chapter 108:


    Her n to vanish¡ªdisappear without a trace¡ªwould stand a better chance with Alex¡¯s help.


    With everything hanging in the bnce, he was the only one she dared to trust¡ªsharp-minded and always in control.


    Jim paused, his brow furrowed in thought as he seemed to grasp her intention.


    From the inner pocket of his crisply tailored suit jacket, he pulled out a phone, his slender fingers gliding smoothly over its screen to unlock it. He extended it toward Sadie with a steady hand, his voice even but imbued with quiet resolve.


    ¡°Here, take this,¡± he offered, the corners of his mouth lifting subtly in reassurance.


    Sadie¡¯s hand hovered, hesitant, not immediately epting the device. ¡°This is your phone. Are you sure it¡¯s alright for me to use it?¡± she murmured, her voice tinged with guilt. ¡°What if someone needs to contact you for work? It might cause you trouble.¡±


    Reluctance flickered across her face, betraying her worry about imposing on Jim or umting too many debts of gratitude. As Jim observed her cautious demeanor, his smile widened just a fraction, a spark of warmth in his eyes.


    ¡°It¡¯s my personal phone,¡± he assured her. ¡°Very few people know the number, so you¡¯ll be fine using it.¡±


    He took a thoughtful pause, his gaze locking with hers earnestly. ¡°Besides, if I were to buy you a phone and Noah discovered it, that could lead to unnecessaryplications.¡±


    Touched by his considerate words, Sadie felt a warmth spread through her chest.


    She finally epted the phone, her fingers brushing against his as she took it.


    ¡°Thank you so much,¡± she murmured, her gratitude resonating deeply in her quiet, heartfelt expression.


    Jim felt a surprising tenderness swell in his heart.


    He lingered in the room, observing as Sadie carefully slid his phone into the pocket of her soft pajamas.


    Letting out a quiet sigh, he turned on his heel and opened the door. As he walked out of the room, he was caught off guard by the sight of K.


    It was clear she had been standing there for a while, her posture tense and suspicious.


    Jim¡¯s brows knitted together, a shadow of annoyance crossing his features.


    ¡°Were you eavesdropping?¡± he asked, his voice tinged with cool reproach, his eyes narrowing slightly as they scanned K¡¯s flustered expression.


    Taken aback by his piercing stare, K instinctively stepped back, shaking her head vehemently. ¡°No¡­ it¡¯s not like that. I just happened to be passing by,¡± she stammered, her eyes darting away, betraying her difort.


    Jim, catching the slight quiver in her voice, let a sardonic smile y across his lips.


    ¡°Passing by?¡± he echoed, his tone dripping with skepticism. ¡°You care about Sadie quite a bit, Miss Wade. If I didn¡¯t know better, I¡¯d say you were sisters.¡±


    K¡¯s cheeks flushed a deep red, the sting of Jim¡¯s sarcasm palpable in the air.


    His words mocked her behavior, suggesting she was meddling in matters beyond her concern.


    Biting her lip, K clenched her fists at her sides, her nails pressing into her palms as she fought to control her rising irritation.


    Despite the anger simmering within, she managed a strained smile. ¡°I¡¯m just making sure she¡¯s alright,¡± she asserted, striving to soundposed even as her voice betrayed a faint tremble.


    Jim dismissed her words with a cold shoulder, striding away decisively. His towering silhouette soon vanished down the long, dimly lit corridor, leaving K frozen in ce, her fists clenched and shaking with suppressed fury.


    Her eyes, dark with resentment, followed Jim¡¯s fading figure. Taking a deep, shaky breath to calm her mounting anger, she snapped her wrist up, the door to the master bedroom clicking open sharply under her forceful push.


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 Chapter 109

    ?Chapter 109:


    Inside, Sadie was just about to dial Alex¡¯s number when the sudden noise of the door made her start. Her fingers fumbled, and she quickly shoved her phone under the quilt.


    As she looked up, her gaze met K¡¯s, who stood framed in the doorway, her expression unreadable yet undeniably stern.


    Sensing Sadie¡¯s flustered demeanor, K marched over, her steps echoing with authority.


    ¡°What are you hiding?¡± she demanded, her voice slicing through the tense air, bristling with suspicion. ¡°You¡¯re acting way too suspicious!¡± She reached forward, her hands grasping at the quilt.


    Sadie nched, her face draining of color as panic red in her eyes.


    The discovery of the phone would shatter her carefullyid ns.


    Desperate, she shoved K back, yelling, ¡°Stop acting crazy!¡±


    Her push was gentle, hardly more than a nudge, but K, already weakened by the intense night before, stumbled. Her legs gave way, and she crumpled to the floor, her clothing twisting and bunching up around her limbs.


    Sadie¡¯s eyes trailed over the red marks marring her skin¡ªmarks left by kisses that were too eager, bites that lingered too long, and touches that were far too rough.


    It was an undeniable trace of a night¡¯s untamed heat.


    The revtion sent a jolt through her, her breath catching in her throat.


    K staggered to her feet, her movements clumsy yet filled with an indignant energy.


    ¡°You actually dared to push me?¡± Her voice cut through the air,ced with sheer disbelief.


    When she caught the direction of Sadie¡¯s gaze, her lips twisted into a smug smirk.


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    She slowly adjusted her rumpled clothes, her eyes shimmering with unspoken stories of conquest.


    ¡°Did you see this?¡± she asked, drawing out the words with a tantalizing slowness, her voice dripping with provocation. ¡°Noah is always so¡­¡±


    K trailed off, her eyes darting as she searched for just the right description, finally settling with a flourish. ¡°Passionate,¡± she dered, the word tinged with a mix of coquettish delight and pride.


    Meanwhile, Sadie¡¯s hands balled into fists at her sides, her nails pressing painfully into her palms¡ªyet she felt nothing but a cold numbness.


    She shut her eyes and inhaled deeply to steady her racing heart. When she opened them again, her expression was serene, almost detached.


    Was there a hint of relief in her calm demeanor?


    Perhaps there was.


    She was relieved that she had fallen out of love with Noah before his darker sides had fully emerged into the light.


    How much more devastating would the betrayal have been otherwise?


    ¡°If you¡¯re done putting on a show, Miss Wade, then get the hell out.¡± Sadie¡¯s voice was a serene whisper, eerily devoid of emotion.


    K, momentarily stunned by Sadie¡¯s calm, gave her a once-over.


    Her eyes paused briefly on the cooling patch adorning Sadie¡¯s forehead.


    Was it just a fever, or was there something more?


    Skepticism flickered across K¡¯s face.


    ¡°Is it just a fever?¡± she probed, her voiceced with a sliver of concern so subtle it was almost imperceptible.


    Sadie¡¯s response was a sneer, sharp and biting.


    ¡°Thanks to you, I¡¯m still breathing,¡± she spat, her voice dripping with venomous sarcasm.


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 Chapter 110

    ?Chapter 110:


    K¡¯s features flickered with emotion, but she quickly put on a cid smile.


    ¡°What are you implying? I haven¡¯t done anything,¡± she said, her innocence feigned, her eyshes batting as if to ward off suspicion.


    Exhausted by the pretense, Sadie snapped, ¡°Get the fuck out!¡± Her finger jabbed toward the door, her tone icy enough to chill the air between them.


    K¡¯s lips tightened, a glimmer of spite shing in her eyes.


    Yet, she held back her words, turning sharply to exit the room, leaving the tension thick in her wake.


    K strode out of the master bedroom, her intuition screaming that something was amiss.


    There was no way Sadie and Jim didn¡¯t have something hidden between them.


    Their hushed conversation made it clear¡ªthey didn¡¯t want her to hear a word of it.


    Leaning against the wall in the dimly lit hallway, she stared at the closed door of Sadie¡¯s room, her resolve hardening.


    She was determined to bring their scheme to light.


    As minutes morphed into what felt like hours, her patience frayed at the edges.


    The fact that Sadie hadn¡¯t stepped out of her room yet only made her suspicions grow stronger.


    ¡°ying the innocent, are we?¡± K scoffed softly, her voice a whisper of venom. She was now certain; the duo was hiding something significant.


    She was no longer willing to stand idly by, a dark n beginning to crystallize in her mind.


    Pulling out her phone with a determined flick of her wrist, she dialed Isabel¡¯s number.


    ¡°Hello, Mrs. Wall! It¡¯s been quite some time since west spoke. Tell me, how have you been?¡± K¡¯s tone was dripping with feigned sweetness.


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    ¡°Oh, K! It¡¯s been a while. I¡¯m doing just fine. What about you?¡± Isabel¡¯s voice carried a genuine warmth.


    ¡°I¡¯m fantastic, Mrs. Wall. Actually, a friend of mine just returned with some lovely souvenirs from overseas, and I immediately thought of you. I¡¯d love to bring them over to you,¡± K said, her words coated in the thoughtful politeness one used with an elder.


    ¡°That¡¯s incredibly kind of you, K,¡± Isabel responded, her voice tinged with eager anticipation.


    ¡°It¡¯s truly my pleasure, Mrs. Wall. Are you avable sometime soon?¡± K probed, her tone light yet deliberate, weaving her n with practiced ease.


    ¡°I¡¯m free anytime, dear.¡±


    ¡°Perfect! I was actually nning to make dinner for Noah tonight. Why not join us? It¡¯s been ages since we all caught up, and I¡¯ve missed you terribly,¡± K continued, strategically. Dropping Noah¡¯s name, K knew well that Isabel¡¯s affection for him would make this an offer she couldn¡¯t refuse.


    Just as she anticipated, Isabel answered without hesitation, ¡°That sounds wonderful, dear. I haven¡¯t seen my son in what feels like forever. I¡¯ll make my way over soon.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s wonderful, Mrs. Wall. I¡¯ll be waiting for you at Myrtlewood Estate.¡± A subtle, victorious smirk danced across K¡¯s lips, her eyes gleaming with scheming delight.


    She hung up the phone with a sneer that barely touched her features, betraying her sense of imminent triumph.


    ¡°Sadie, just wait. I¡¯ll enjoy watching you fall,¡± she muttered under her breath.


    She pivoted slowly, her gaze drifting scornfully toward the master bedroom.


    Sadie could try all she wanted, but at the end of the day, she was just a fool ying chess with a grandmaster.


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 Chapter 111

    ?Chapter 111:


    It was only a matter of time before Sadie was forced out, banished from Myrtlewood Estate, disowned by the Wall family, and wiped from Noah¡¯s world.


    Inhaling deeply to contain her bubbling glee, K set her n into motion.


    She strode purposefully to the kitchen, her movements graceful and precise as she tied an apron around her waist, the picture of a perfect homemaker.


    Though the actual cooking was left to the servants, she flitted about with authoritative ease, issuingmands with the poise of a seasoned chef¡ªadjusting a seasoning here, lessening the sugar there.


    Every so often, she¡¯d pick up a spoon and stir a pot aimlessly, her facade as the doting wife wlessly painted, imagining herself preparing a loving meal for her husband.


    The sound of the entrance door alerted her to a new arrival.


    Her heart skipped in anticipation¡ªIsabel had arrived.


    Setting down the spoon, K rushed to the entrance with eager steps. ¡°Mrs. Wall, you¡¯ve arrived!¡± K eximed, her face lighting up with feigned joy and hospitality.


    Isabel looked on with a gentle smile, eyes brimming with apparent admiration.


    ¡°K, you¡¯re such a sweet girl. Are you really cooking all by yourself?¡± Isabel¡¯s eyes brightened at the sight of the apron on K.


    With a voice brimming with warmth, she insisted, ¡°Don¡¯t fuss over that, dear. Let the kitchen staff take care of it. Why don¡¯t youe and sit with me for a while?¡±


    ¡°Of course, Mrs. Wall,¡± K responded with a respectful nod. She carefully hung the apron on the back of a nearby chair before turning to address a servant lingering by the doorway.


    ¡°Kari, would you please inform Sadie that we have a distinguished guest awaiting her presence downstairs?¡± she instructed with polite firmness.


    ¡°Right away, Miss Wade,¡± Kari Lewis, the servant, replied as she headed upstairs without hesitation.


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    With a soft smile, K turned back, slipping her arm through Isabel¡¯s and guiding her smoothly to the sofa.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, how have you been these days?¡± she inquired with concern.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been doing just fine,¡± Isabel answered, her smile soft as she gave K¡¯s hand a reassuring pat.


    ¡°And how about you? How have things been with Noah?¡± she probed, her casual tone belying the keen sharpness in her gaze.


    ¡°Very well, Mrs. Wall,¡± K murmured, her head bowed in modesty while a faint smile danced on her lips. ¡°Noah has been wonderful to me.¡±


    She hesitated, her voice faltering slightly before she continued, ¡°It¡¯s just that he¡¯s been swamped with work and seldom finds time for us.¡± Her tone wavered with a softint, drawing Isabel¡¯s empathetic concern.


    ¡°That boy never stops working, does he?¡± Isabelmented, her head gently swaying in disapproval.


    ¡°Once he returns, I¡¯ll make sure to speak to him about this.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Wall,¡± K responded, her voice thick with emotion, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.


    ¡°I do understand, though. He has an enormous burden, keeping everything in a business this big running smoothly,¡± she exined with a forgiving smile. ¡°I¡¯m just grateful to stand by him through it all.¡±


    ¡°K, you really are such a kind-hearted girl,¡± Isabel dered, visibly touched as she sped K¡¯s hands in her own. ¡°No need to worry¡ªI¡¯ll take care of everything to get you and Noah married soon.¡±


    At Isabel¡¯s promise, a wave of tion swept through K, though sheposed herself with demure grace.


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 Chapter 112

    ?Chapter 112:


    ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Wall. Noah¡¯s happiness is my greatest concern,¡± she stated firmly, her gaze dropping modestly while a soft glow of joy illuminated her expression.


    The two women exchanged lighthearted words andughter, their voices asionally mingling in a melody that filled the room with aforting, weing aura.


    Meanwhile, Sadie reclined on her bed, enveloped in the solitude of her room.


    The distant hum of conversation floated up from below, but she didn¡¯t bother to listen.


    Isabel had never been fond of her, and having her around now would only make Sadie feel even more uneasy.


    With a weary sigh, she closed her eyes, seeking refuge in the fleeting escape of sleep.


    However, the serenity was abruptly pierced by a sharp knock at the door.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, Mr. Wall¡¯s mother is here. Pleasee downstairs.¡±


    The servant spoke politely at the doorway.


    Sadie hesitated, yearning for nothing more than solitude.


    She began to shut the door to escape the social obligations waiting outside. But the conversations drifting up from below paused her movements.


    ¡°K, have you noticed an increase in your weight? Could it possibly mean¡­?¡± Isabel¡¯s tone was filled with curious expectation.


    ¡°Really, Isabel? Do you think I appear heavier?¡± K responded, her voice tinged with shy happiness.


    Sadness washed over Sadie abruptly.


    Her hand instinctively moved to her abdomen.


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    ¡°Both you and Noah aren¡¯t getting younger. It¡¯s time to consider settling down.¡± Isabel¡¯s voice echoed once more, decisive and clear.


    ¡°I¡¯ll let Noah decide,¡± responded K, her voice both soft and determined.


    Color drained from Sadie¡¯s face.


    Breathing became aborious task for her.


    She mused over the irony¡ªher existence and that of her child seemed like some harsh jest, overlooked by all.


    Sadie forcefully closed the door, cutting off the sounds ofughter and conversation rising from below.


    Resting her back against the wood, she gradually slid down to the carpeted floor.


    Her hands wrapped around her abdomen, fingers quivering slightly. Within her, a new life was taking shape, its future as precarious as hers.


    Inhaling sharply, she fought to control the tears threatening to spill. Her hands shook as she pulled her phone from her pocket and dialed Alex.


    ¡°Hello?¡± Alex answered, his voice tinged with surprise and concern.


    ¡°Sadie? Is that you? Is everything okay?¡±


    There was a mix of worry and restrained joy in his tone.


    ¡°Has Noah been giving you a hard time? I¡¯ve been trying to reach you for days.¡±


    Sadie struggled to hold back her emotions, her voice breaking. ¡°Alex, I need your help. I¡¯m thinking of leaving the country.¡±


    Alex was shocked and responded, ¡°Leaving the country? Can you tell me what¡¯s going on?¡±


    With her eyes shut tightly, Sadie took another deep breath, trying to steady her overwhelming feelings.


    She said, ¡°I feel trapped. He monitors my every move. It feels like I¡¯m suffocating here.¡±


    She hesitated before adding, ¡°I won¡¯t forget this help you¡¯ve given me. And regarding my secret dealings with Mr. Dominguez¡ªI must step back from it. Please handle it yourself. I expect no gains from it.¡±


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 Chapter 113

    ?Chapter 113:


    The line went quiet.


    Then, after a considerable dy, Alex¡¯s response came, subdued and slow. ¡°Are you certain about your decision?¡±


    With unwavering resolve, Sadie replied, ¡°Absolutely.¡±


    A resigned sigh came from Alex. ¡°What should I do next?¡±


    There was a momentary pause as Sadie contemted, her expression tense. ¡°I¡¯m currently at Myrtlewood Estate. Could you arrange for someone to fetch me this evening? I n to escape through the window.¡±


    ¡°Please, think this through carefully!¡± Alex urged, concern evident in his voice.


    ¡°It¡¯s just the second floor; the fall won¡¯t be fatal,¡± Sadie replied with determination. ¡°I need to get out of here to build a better future for me and my child.¡±


    K lingered at the doorway, her face betraying no emotion.


    Her initial n had been to bring Sadie downstairs to unsettle her and witness her difort.


    But she ended up overhearing Sadie¡¯s conversation about leaving the country.


    A chill of satisfaction spread across K¡¯s face.


    This was indeed wee news.


    Naturally, she thought to herself, she would ¡°assist¡± Sadie in her ns. Without making a sound at the door, K quietly walked away, her lips curled into a cold smile.


    Soon after, Noah arrived back at Myrtlewood Estate.


    His brow furrowed when he noticed Isabel¡¯s presence.


    From the kitchen, K emerged bearing dishes, her smile bright as she invited Noah to dine.


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    ¡°Dinner is served, Noah,¡± K called out, her voice calm and gentle, masking any underlying issues.


    Noah¡¯s eyes shifted towards the staircase. ¡°Why isn¡¯t sheing downstairs?¡±


    Isabel¡¯s eyebrow arched, her voiceced with annoyance. ¡°Why is that woman still around? Weren¡¯t you going to divorce her?¡±


    K attempted to diffuse the tension. ¡°Sadie seems unwell today. I¡¯ll check on her.¡±


    ¡°No need,¡± Noah said.


    He ascended the stairs himself.


    Adjusting his tie, he approached Sadie¡¯s room, finding the door locked to his surprise.


    Frustration welled up inside him.


    Noah knocked on the door, a note of impatience in his voice. ¡°Sadie, open up.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s heart sank. She swiftly concealed her phone, inhaled sharply, and opened the door.


    As she faced Noah, her expression was cold. ¡°Do you need something?¡± she spoke with a detached tone, as though addressing someone she barely knew.


    Noah¡¯s irritation mounted at Sadie¡¯s aloof demeanor.


    ¡°Join us for dinner,¡± he demanded, his tone unyielding.


    Sadie let out a soft scoff, her gaze mocking. ¡°I¡¯d rather not interrupt your family meal.¡±


    She paused, her stomach churning, and revulsion threatened to break through herposure.


    ¡°Frankly, being around you all is nauseating,¡± she continued.


    Noah¡¯s expression hardened.


    This was a new, bitter sharpness in Sadie¡¯s voice that he hadn¡¯t encountered before.


    Could K have said something she shouldn¡¯t have to his mother? Noah was about to inquire when the door mmed shut abruptly, cutting off any opportunity for him to speak. The click of the lock echoed, firm and decisive.


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 Chapter 114

    ?Chapter 114:


    Noah stood outside the door, his expression dark and foreboding. Inside, Sadie pressed her back against the door, gradually sinking to the floor.


    She couldn¡¯t bear the sight of Noah anymore.


    She resolved to shut out his words from now on.


    Tonight, Sadie was determined to escape through the window.


    She anticipated the moment eagerly.


    Her careful watching had revealed a securitypse around nine o¡¯clock each evening during the guard shift change.


    It was an ideal opportunity.


    Inhaling deeply, Sadie sought to steady her nerves.


    She rose, approached the window, and quietly opened it slightly to survey the scene below.


    Meanwhile, Noah made his way to the dining room.


    The air was tense as Isabel and K sat at the table, their faces strained.


    Isabel set down her utensils sharply as Noah approached, her toneced with criticism. ¡°Noah, if you¡¯re divorcing, it¡¯s time that troublemaker left. Why keep her around?¡±


    Her words cut through the air, tinged with resentment.


    Noah¡¯s expression tightened, his impatience evident.


    ¡°Mind your own affairs,¡± he retorted coldly, his voice carrying a warning edge.


    Isabel bristled at her son¡¯s rebuff, her displeasure growing.


    ¡°So, when are you nning to get engaged to K?¡± she asked, turning expectantly to K.


    Noah¡¯s face immediately took on a sterner look, his eyes narrowing as he faced Isabel.


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    ¡°When did I ever say I was going to get engaged to her?¡±


    K, perceiving the escting tension, stepped in with a reassuring smile. ¡°Mrs. Wall, Noah just needs a little more time. We should pace ourselves.¡±


    Her tone was gentle, aiming to calm the charged room.


    Facing continuous rebuffs from her son, Isabel turned livid with anger, and she couldn¡¯t contain her frustration any longer. ¡°I¡¯m done with both of you!¡±


    She rose sharply and exited the dining room in haste, leaving Noah and K behind in a tense and awkward silence.


    K extended a delicate hand to lightly grasp Noah¡¯s sleeve, her touch grazing his wrist.


    Tears rimmed her eyes as she spoke in a tender voice, disying a touching vulnerability. ¡°Noah, Mrs. Wall was just showing her care for you. Please don¡¯t take her words to heart. We don¡¯t have to rush this, okay?¡±


    Her eyes met Noah¡¯s, filled with earnest emotion, pleading silently.


    Noah quietly pulled his arm away, irritation flickering in his nce. ¡°I have no appetite,¡± he responded tersely, then turned and walked toward the stairs.


    K¡¯s gaze lingered on his departing back, a flicker of reluctance in her eyes that she swiftly concealed.


    She quickened her pace to catch up, her smile seamlessly returning. ¡°Since you¡¯re not hungry, how about we try that new restaurant downtown? They serve excellent dishes.¡±


    She paused briefly, proposing with apparent nonchnce, ¡°Why don¡¯t we ask Sadie to join us? She hardly touched her lunch; she must be hungry.¡±


    Behind her friendly facade, K was plotting. She needed to keep Sadie from slipping away through the window.


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 Chapter 115

    ?Chapter 115:


    She had already set the hacker on standby, just waiting for the right moment to deal with Sadie.


    Her ns were too important to be abandoned now.


    Noah paused, her suggestion catching his attention as he furrowed his brows slightly.


    ¡°Why wasn¡¯t she eating?¡± he asked, his voice tinged with both curiosity and a subtle concern that was almost unnoticeable.


    ¡°Perhaps she finds the food at home too nd. I¡¯ve read that people who aren¡¯t feeling well sometimes prefer stronger vors,¡± K exined, her voice infused with a hint of concern that suggested genuine care for Sadie¡¯s well-being.


    Gracefully, she moved toward the staircase.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go see how Sadie is doing.¡± Casually throwing the remark behind her, K ascended the stairs, leaving Noah to ponder alone.


    Internally, K grinned. She was eager to see how Sadie would try to get away this time.


    Arriving at Sadie¡¯s door, she confidently raised her hand and knocked decisively.


    ¡°Knock. Knock. Knock.¡±


    Her knocking was persistent and forceful.


    ¡°Sadie? Sadie!¡± she called, her voice growing louder and infused with urgency as she knocked.


    In her room, Sadie scowled with irritation. What was K nning this time?


    As K¡¯s knocks echoed, Sadie¡¯s stress escted.


    ¡°Knock. Knock. Knock.¡±


    The knocks intensified, echoing louder through the room.


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    Unable to bear the incessant knocking, Sadie quickly stood, marched to the door, and flung it open.


    ¡°What is it you want?¡±


    Her tone was cold, her stare piercing, as though she could see right through K.


    Taken aback by Sadie¡¯s vehement reaction, K momentarily stepped backward.


    However, she swiftly regained herposure, her smile returning.


    ¡°Sadie, are you alright? Why were you taking so long to answer?¡± K¡¯s voice wasced with concern, her eyes twinkling with a hint of smug satisfaction.


    Sadie responded with a cold re, remaining silent.


    At that moment, Noah appeared.


    He caught sight of Sadie by the door, her expression tense and her eyes steely, which deepened his concern.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening here?¡± he inquired, stepping closer to Sadie with evident worry.


    Ignoring Noah, Sadie directed her cold tone at K, asking, ¡°What is it that you really want?¡±


    K maintained a feigned look of concern. ¡°I¡¯m just concerned about you, Sadie. You skipped lunch, and I thought I¡¯d check on you.¡± She added, ¡°Mrs. Wall suggested that those feeling unwell might prefer spicier, more acidic foods to stimte their appetite, given the ndness of our meals.¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression darkened slightly. He firmly said to Sadie, ¡°Go and eat.¡±


    He reached for her arm, intending to guide her downstairs.


    Sadie swiftly pulled her arm away and responded coldly, ¡°I¡¯m not going.¡±


    Noah lost his temper, his demeanor turning cold as he picked Sadie up in his arms and decisively carried her downstairs.


    ¡°Let me go!¡± Sadie fought back with all her might.


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 Chapter 116

    ?Chapter 116:


    ¡°Are you out of your mind?¡± Her eyes bore into Noah, filled with both anger and fear.


    Noah paid no attention to her protests, carrying her effortlessly and heading straight for the dining table. He ced her onto a chair with a firm but controlled motion.


    His stare was cold as he looked down at her.


    ¡°Is this some kind of threat, refusing to eat or drink?¡±


    Sadie was baffled by his actions. She had no desire to argue or engage with him; she only wanted to escape this oppressive environment as soon as possible.


    Her eyes quickly swept to the wall clock¡ªit read eight-thirty. The guards at the gate would switch shifts at nine o¡¯clock, which was her window for escape, coordinated with Alex¡¯s arrival.


    Noah took the seat opposite Sadie, his expression as cold as ever. ¡°You won¡¯t leave this table until you¡¯ve eaten,¡± he said, his voice leaving no room for negotiation.


    K observed the escting tension with growing annoyance.


    She had intended to thwart Sadie¡¯s n to flee, not anticipating that Noah would care so much about Sadie.


    He even got furious just because she had skipped a meal.


    A sharp pang of jealousy hit K, feeling excluded and unnoticed.


    Sadie clenched her jaw, silently working out her next move. Her only thought was to get out.


    Despite herck of hunger, Sadie feigned cooperation to minimize conflict with Noah.


    She reached for the serving spoon, selected a piece of fish steak, ced it on her te, and began eating without any real interest.


    The vor of the sauce coated her tongue, yet it failed to appeal to her taste buds.


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    As she chewed without enjoyment, her gaze flicked towards the clock intermittently.


    With each passing minute, her tension mounted.


    Once Noah observed Sadie consuming a few bites, he seemed to rx somewhat.


    He filled a ss with water and set it next to Sadie¡¯s hand.


    A spark of inspiration shed in Sadie¡¯s eyes.


    She feigned a casual gesture and identally knocked the ss over.


    Water cascaded out, saturating Noah¡¯s suit with a spreading dark patch.


    ¡°Argh! Are you alright, Noah? Did that scald you?¡± K sprang into action, pulling out paper towels and hastily trying to dry Noah¡¯s suit, her expression etched with worry.


    Her voice thick with disapproval, she scolded, ¡°Sadie, how could you be so clumsy?¡±


    Sadie dismissed K¡¯s criticism, ignoring herpletely, and continued with her meal as though the incident hadn¡¯t urred.


    A scowl formed on Noah¡¯s face, and he uttered a grunt of irritation before standing.


    ¡°I need to go change,¡± he said, his voice filled with cold fury.


    Immediately, Sadie ced her fork down.


    With determination, she got up, nning to shut herself in the bedroom and bar Noah from entering.


    But as she took her first step, K¡¯s sharp voice stopped her cold. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re heading, Sadie?¡± K¡¯s words were tinged with sarcasm.


    Caught off guard, Sadie stopped and turned around in surprise to face K.


    ¡°Trying to make a getaway through the window?¡± K sneered, her voice full of contempt.


    A wave of cold fear washed over Sadie.


    K¡¯s correct guess about her escape n unnerved her.


    Sadie¡¯splexion drained of color.


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 Chapter 117

    ?Chapter 117:


    Observing Sadie¡¯s distressed look brought a twisted sense of gratification to K.


    She moved closer to Sadie, towering over her with a mocking smirk.


    ¡°Really, Sadie, such a clumsy attempt. Jumping out of a window? Do you honestly think you¡¯ll manage to flee? Even if you manage the jump, escaping isn¡¯t certain.¡±


    K paused for a moment, her eyes shing with spite.


    ¡°Imagine if I inform Noah that you deliberately spilled water on him as a distraction to help your escape¡­¡±


    K left the threat hanging, confident that her words had hit their mark.


    Sadie inhaled sharply.


    ¡°What are you trying to imply?¡±


    K gave a dismissive shake of her head and exhaled, pitying Sadie as if she were a lost cause.


    K¡¯s eyes narrowed as she looked at Sadie. ¡°You¡¯re really unbelievable. Did you honestly think such a reckless n would work? You think you can just waltz in and out of this vi whenever you please?¡± She paused for a moment, her expression softening ever so slightly. ¡°But¡­ I can offer you help, if you agree to my terms.¡±


    Sadie was taken aback. She stared at K, suspicion written across her face. ¡°Help me? Why would you?¡± Her mind raced, trying to make sense of it. Still, she couldn¡¯t fathom what other connection could exist between her and K besides the animosity that had always been present.


    K¡¯s lips curled into a knowing smile, her gaze calcting. ¡°It¡¯s simple, really,¡± she said. ¡°I want to marry Noah. And you¡¯re standing in my way. If you vanish and promise never to appear in front of him again, I¡¯ll help you.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s heart dropped, a heavy weight settling in her chest. Her mind raced, her eyes flickering with doubt and conflict. She didn¡¯t trust K. Not for a moment. K was cunning, maniptive, and always scheming. What was she really after?


    Sadie bit down hard on her lower lip, silence filling the space between them. She didn¡¯t respond immediately, unsure how to handle the situation.


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    K didn¡¯t push further. Instead, she leaned back, observing Sadie intently, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Her voice was smooth, but there was an unmistakable edge to it. ¡°You can think it over,¡± she said, her toneced with subtle warning. ¡°But don¡¯t even think about trying to escape through the window. Even if you try, you won¡¯t get away.¡±


    Just as the tension thickened, Noah returned, freshly changed.


    K immediately took two steps back, her demeanor shifting instantly. The sharp, calcting woman from moments ago was gone, reced by someone calm andposed. She wore a gentle smile as if nothing had happened.


    Sadie¡¯s eyes flickered to Noah as he approached her. There was a faint look of confusion on his face. ¡°What are you zoning out for?¡± he asked, his voice deep and smooth,ced with a subtle hint of concern. ¡°Did you spill the water on purpose?¡± His tone was light, almost teasing, as though he were merely making casual conversation.


    Sadie scoffed quietly, a bitterugh escaping her. ¡°Yes, I did it on purpose,¡± she said, her voice sharp. The anger she¡¯d been holding back was now bubbling to the surface.


    Sadie turned her eyes away, her voice growing cold. ¡°The meal¡¯s finished. Can I go back and rest now?¡±


    Noah¡¯s gaze shifted to the small stain of soup at the corner of her lips, his brow furrowing in slight concern. Instinctively, he reached out to wipe it away.


    But Sadie quickly stepped back, a firm expression crossing her face. ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± she said, her tone dismissive as she avoided Noah¡¯s touch.


    Without another word, Sadie turned and left the dining room, her steps quick and deliberate. She didn¡¯t look back as she walked straight to her bedroom and locked the door behind her.


    Sadie walked to the window, staring out at the sprawling grounds of Myrtlewood Estate¡ªNoah¡¯s world. K¡¯s words reyed in her mind, taunting her.


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 Chapter 118

    ?Chapter 118:


    A bitterugh escaped Sadie¡¯s lips. ¡°I can¡¯t escape,¡± she murmured, her chest heavy. This was Noah¡¯s domain, surrounded by his people. She might never get another chance if anyone found her trying to leave.


    Sadie pulled out her phone, the light from the screen casting an eerie glow on her pale face. Her fingers trembled as the seconds ticked by, each moment pressing harder on her chest. Time was running out.


    Taking a steadying breath, Sadie dialed Alex¡¯s number.


    ¡°Hello?¡± Alex¡¯s voice sounded puzzled. He was confused by the sudden call.


    ¡°It¡¯s me,¡± Sadie replied, her voice low and hoarse, as though every word required immense effort.


    ¡°Sadie? What¡¯s wrong?¡± Alex¡¯s tone shifted instantly as he picked up on the unease in her voice. He sounded anxious, almost rmed.


    ¡°The n¡¯s canceled,¡± Sadie said, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath to steady her trembling voice. ¡°K found out. She won¡¯t let me leave.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± Alex¡¯s voice rose sharply. ¡°How did she find out?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Sadie admitted, her voice heavy with frustration. ¡°This n was too risky. I never agreed to it,¡± Alex said, his words sharp with regret.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t have a choice!¡± Sadie replied, bitterness crawling up her throat. ¡°There was nothing else I could do.¡±


    ¡°You need to get out of Myrtlewood Estate, somewhere public, somewhere crowded,¡± Alex advised, his voice calm but urgent. ¡°A mall, a big event, anywhere you can disappear into a crowd.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll figure it out,¡± Sadie murmured, her tone resigned.


    Sadie ended the call without another word, tossing the phone onto the bed in frustration. Helplessness wed at her chest.


    Downstairs, Noah sat on the sofa, his expression dark and unreadable. K approached with a sweet smile, settling beside Noah and curling close to him. Her voice dripped with sweetness as she said, ¡°Noah, the Maple Group CEO¡¯s wedding anniversary party is the day after tomorrow. Why don¡¯t we go together?¡±


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    Noah frowned, a flicker of impatience crossing his face. He gently pushed her hand away. ¡°No. I have other ns.¡±


    K¡¯s lips formed a small pout, her tone turning yfully whiny. ¡°But it¡¯s so boring here. A party would be so much more fun.¡±


    K paused momentarily, then, as if a thought had just crossed her mind, added, ¡°By the way, I heard Sadie has worked with Maple Group before. She should probably go too. Otherwise, she¡¯ll just stay locked in her room and get sick.¡±


    Noah¡¯s gaze shifted to K, his expression sharpening with suspicion. He studied her briefly before asking, his voice low, ¡°Since when did you start caring about her?¡±


    Though K was shaken, she maintained herposure and offered a strained smile.


    ¡°It would be best if we went together. I¡¯d prefer you not to bring anyone else. After all, your divorce is imminent.¡±


    Noah averted his eyes and responded tly, ¡°We can discuss that.¡± He got up and headed directly to the study, leaving K by the sofa.


    When the door to the study clicked shut, the forced smile disappeared from K¡¯s face, giving way to a chilling, calcting look.


    She checked the clock; it was almost nine.


    Rising, she made her way to the courtyard and gazed up at the lit window of Sadie¡¯s room on the second floor, her expression a mix of emotions.


    The light in the room was on, the window ajar, yet Sadie was out of sight.


    K¡¯s sneer emerged. Clearly, Sadie had abandoned her naive scheme. As the guards changed shifts, K covertly took out her phone and dialed a secured number.


    ¡°Hello, it¡¯s me,¡± she whispered, her voiceced with subtle tension. ¡°At the Maple Group CEO¡¯s wedding celebration in two days, it¡¯s time to act.¡±


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 Chapter 119

    ?Chapter 119:


    She paused, her voice hardening. ¡°You must not fail this time. I¡¯ll text you the detailster. If ns change, I¡¯ll update you.¡±


    Laughter tinged with sarcasm answered her from the other end. ¡°Ah, Miss Wade, surely you won¡¯t make me wait again?¡±


    K¡¯s irritation red.


    ¡°Just execute it wlessly. Don¡¯t botch it likest time,¡± she said, anger evident in her tone. ¡°Make sure she dies this time.¡±


    ¡°Make sure she dies?¡± the hacker repeated with a yful tone, amused by K¡¯s intensity. ¡°Wow, when a woman gets fierce, it¡¯s truly terrifying.¡±


    ¡°Stop the nonsense!¡± K eximed with a hint of impatience. ¡°Finish the job, and your reward will follow.¡±


    ¡°Okay, fine. You always keep it simple, Miss Wade. It¡¯s refreshing to work with you!¡± the hacker responded yfully, chuckling before disconnecting.


    K inhaled deeply, attempting to settle her nerves.


    Raising her eyes once more, K locked eyes with Sadie by the window of her room.


    With a chill in her smile and a casual wave, K greeted her. In two days, Sadie would meet her end; she should savor these final days.


    Meanwhile, in his study, Noah was engrossed in paperwork, his brow furrowed in concentration.


    The piercing sound of his ringtone shattered the silence.


    He picked up, his expression growing stern as he listened. ¡°What¡¯s that? Any leads?¡±


    The informant on the line updated him about the ongoing probe into Sadie¡¯s car ident.


    The prime suspect was a hacker known as Ryder Clifford, infamous for his elusive nature.


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    Although the police had pinpointed hisst known location, they found it deserted, suggesting he might be using multiple hideouts.


    Luckily, they managed to secure surveince footage and extracted several images, which they forwarded to Noah.


    As Noah scanned the blurry images on his screen, his gaze became more discerning.


    He stared at the familiar eyes in the photos, sparking doubt.


    Despite a mask and hat obscuring most of his features, something about the eyes struck him as familiar.


    Zooming in on the images, he scrutinized them until he noticed one in which Ryder was in an embrace with a woman.


    The photo¡¯s angle obscured her face, but her fashion sense, particrly her choice of designer wear, was unmistakably simr to K¡¯s usual style.


    Could K have orchestrated that car ident?


    A chill of dread crept through Noah, his heart heavy with suspicion.


    He wasted no time contacting Samuel. ¡°Continue the investigation. I want a detailed report on Ryder, especially his recent contacts.¡± His tone was icy, leaving no room for argument.


    The Myrtlewood Estate was brightly lit.


    All three upants were lost in their thoughts.


    By the next morning, Jim made an unexpected appearance.


    He marched into the living room, his gaze quickly settling on K, who sat with poised grace on the sofa. His eyes narrowed. ¡°Where¡¯s Sadie?¡± he asked, his tone casual yet tinged with concern.


    ¡°She¡¯s taking a rest upstairs,¡± Noah responded from behind, his voice carrying a cool undertone.


    Jim stopped, turned to Noah, and held his gaze for a moment. Then, pretending not to care, he said, ¡°I¡¯ll go check on her.¡±


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 Chapter 120

    ?Chapter 120:


    Noah stepped into his path. ¡°What¡¯s this sudden interest in Sadie? Are you keeping secrets from me?¡±


    Jim avoided a direct response. His eyes flicked to K, still seated, and with a knowing nce, he challenged, ¡°How long will you keep up this charade? Is it really amusing to have all three of you under one roof here at Myrtlewood Estate?¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression tightened. ¡°Stay out of my affairs.¡±


    With a casual shrug, Jim remarked, ¡°It hardly matters to me.¡± He then moved past Noah and made his way upstairs, leaving Noah brooding silently in the living room.


    Jim knocked softly on the bedroom door, the sound barely audible.


    ¡°Come in.¡± Sadie¡¯s response came from inside, her voice raspy and weak.


    As Jim eased the door open, he caught sight of Sadie perched on the edge of the bed, her face slightly drained of color.


    ¡°What happenedst night? Why did you cancel the n?¡± Jim approached her, his voiceced with concern, his brow creased with a trace of puzzlement.


    ¡°It was too risky to go through with,¡± Sadie murmured, shaking her head as a wave of exhaustion seemed to wash over her. ¡°I can¡¯t afford toplicate things further.¡±


    Her gaze lifted, eyes steeling with resolve. ¡°I need to figure out a way to step out in the next few days.¡±


    ¡°Step out?¡± Jim frowned slightly. ¡°Where do you n to go?¡±


    ¡°Anywhere but here,¡± Sadie stated, her voice quivering as she gripped the nket, her knuckles nching.


    ¡°There¡¯s no way Noah¡¯s letting you step out alone,¡± Jim pointed out.


    ¡°I know,¡± Sadie sighed deeply, her expression fraught with determination. ¡°That¡¯s why I need you. Could you possibly speak with Noah?¡±


    She gazed at Jim, desperation flickering in her eyes. ¡°Tell him I¡¯ve got work to handle, and if the business partners can¡¯t get a hold of me, they¡¯ll start getting suspicious.¡±


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    Jim held her gaze, a silent moment passing between them before he nodded, his expression solemn. ¡°I¡¯ll do what I can,¡± he assured her.


    ¡°Thanks, Jim,¡± Sadie said, her voice threaded with gratitude as a warm smile brightened her face.


    ¡°Don¡¯t stress yourself out over it,¡± Jim replied, his voice mellowing as he locked eyes with her. ¡°I¡¯ll do my best to help you.¡±


    He hesitated, his concern evident as he continued, ¡°Just make sure you¡¯re eating well and resting enough. It¡¯s not just about you anymore; the baby needs it too.¡±


    ¡°I know, I know,¡± Sadie murmured, her gaze drifting away thoughtfully.


    Jim¡¯s expression was aplex tapestry of emotions as he watched her, wanting to say more but ultimately holding back.


    With quiet resolve, he turned and left the room, gently closing the door behind him before making his way downstairs.


    Noah was still there, framed against the vast floor-to-ceiling window in the living room, lost in thought.


    As Jim¡¯s footsteps echoed softly, Noah turned, his gaze intense andden with unspoken words.


    ¡°What were you and Sadie discussing?¡± he asked, his voice a low rumble.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Jim answered, stopping to face him, his posture tense.


    ¡°But you were in there for a long time,¡± Noah pressed, skepticism sharpening his tone.


    ¡°Just some stuff about her health,¡± Jim replied, shifting ufortably. ¡°Sadie¡¯s¡­ she¡¯s not doing great.¡±


    He took a deep breath, steeling himself before adding, ¡°Noah, this isn¡¯t working. You can¡¯t keep going on like this.¡±


    Noah¡¯s frown deepened, a shadow falling over his features.


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 Chapter 121

    ?Chapter 121:


    ¡°The way things are between you two¡ªit¡¯s helping no one,¡± Jim continued, his voice firm with conviction. ¡°If you¡¯re set on divorcing, why dy it?¡±


    Noah¡¯s voice was thick with scorn as he sneered dismissively. ¡°Divorce? Who said we¡¯re getting a divorce?¡±


    He took a step closer, his piercing gaze locked on Jim. ¡°Do you have some kind of crush on her?¡±


    Jim bristled, his tone heated as he shot back, ¡°What bullshit are you spewing now? As someone not directly involved, I have to say this seems really unfair to her.¡±


    ¡°Unfair?¡± Noah echoed, dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Look, our issues are none of your concern.¡±


    ¡°I was merely trying to¡ª¡± Jim began, but Noah cut him off with an icy sharpness that left no room for argument.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have toe to Myrtlewood Estate anymore¡ªconsider this yourst visit.¡±


    His words hung heavily in the air as he turned sharply and ascended the stairs, leaving Jim frozen in ce, a storm brewing across his features.


    Watching Noah¡¯s determined departure, Jim felt a crushing wave of defeat.


    He pulled out his phone with a shaky hand and typed a message to Sadie. ¡°I did everything I could.¡±


    After confirming the message was sent, he pocketed his phone and walked away from Myrtlewood Estate, each step heavy with resignation.


    On her end, Sadie stared at the glowing text on her screen, a wave of destion washing over her.


    Uncertain of her next move, she was jolted from her thoughts by a sudden knock at the door.


    Panic flickered across her face as she stashed her phone away,posing herself before answering.


    Opening the door, she found Noah filling the doorway, his imposing figure casting a long shadow. His voice was emotionless, almost mechanical. ¡°Are you already bored of staying at Myrtlewood Estate?¡±


    A bitter chuckle escaped Sadie¡¯s lips, sorrow lingering in her heart. ¡°Bored? Mr. Wall, is that really what you think being trapped here feels like?¡±


    ¡°Noah Wall, I¡¯m a living person, not your caged pet,¡± Sadie said, her voice tight with anger. ¡°What gives you the right to take away my freedom?¡±


    Noah¡¯s eyes narrowed, taking in her defiance with a cold, calcting look.


    ¡°Answer my question,¡± he responded, his tone heavy and demanding.


    In her mind, Sadie clung to a sliver of hope for freedom from her confinement.


    ¡°I absolutely want out!¡± she replied boldly, challenging him. ¡°So, Mr. Wall, will you set me free?¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow marks the Maple Group CEO¡¯s wedding anniversary celebration,¡± Noah said. ¡°As Mrs. Wall, your role is to support me as my wife.¡±


    A spark of resolve shed in Sadie¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Fine,¡± she responded swiftly, her voice tinged with urgency.


    Noah studied her for a moment longer before exiting the room. As his silhouette vanished through the door, Sadie exhaled deeply, her shoulders dropping as the tension eased.


    She moved to the window, looking out at the sky, her emotions swirling.


    Just then, K approached with a sly grin.


    ¡°It was I who proposed the idea of letting you attend the anniversary party to Noah,¡± she said, her voiceced with pride. ¡°So, you should thank me.¡±


    Suspicion clouded Sadie¡¯s eyes, a tremor of unease stirring within her. ¡°What do you want?¡±


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 Chapter 122

    ?Chapter 122:


    K fixed her with a stern look. ¡°I¡¯ve made myself clear. Stay away from Noah,¡± she said, her voice sharp. ¡°If you don¡¯t, I¡¯ll sabotage your n.¡±


    A chill ran through Sadie as she realized K meant what she said. She clenched her jaw tightly. ¡°I¡¯m going to leave the country, and get as far away as possible.¡±


    A triumphant smile yed on K¡¯s lips. ¡°That¡¯s excellent.¡±


    Once K left, Sadie inhaled deeply, struggling to calm the storm of feelings within her, and picked up the phone to call Alex.


    ¡°Alex, could you book a ne ticket for me? I need to depart after the Maple Group CEO¡¯s wedding anniversary event tomorrow night,¡± she said with forced calmness, though her voice quivered slightly.


    ¡°The anniversary event? When does it start, and where is it happening?¡± Alex asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s set for eight in the evening at the Pearl Hotel,¡± Sadie responded quickly, thinking about her escape n.


    ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll take care of it. Stay safe,¡± Alex replied, concern evident in his voice.


    ¡°I will,¡± Sadie answered, hanging up the phone with a sense of reassurance. She now had a way out.


    The next day, Noah came back from work sooner than usual. A housemaid ascended the stairs to inform Sadie that she was needed downstairs.


    Sadie didn¡¯t refuse. She felt eerily calm.


    With each moment closer to her departure, she became moreposed.


    As she descended the stairs slowly, her steps were light yet resolute. In the living room, Noah was perched on the sofa, a document in hand, and a look of weariness etched on his face.


    On the dining tabley two beautifully wrapped gift boxes, theirvish packaging screaming luxury.


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    As she approached the table, Sadie¡¯s eyesnded on the gift boxes, her mind clouded with confusion.


    ¡°What are these?¡± she inquired gently, her voiceced with curiosity.


    Noah raised his eyes, his expression aplex tapestry of emotions, difficult to read.


    ¡°They are a dress and shoes for you,¡± he exined, his voice steady. ¡°Put them onter.¡± He paused before continuing, ¡°You mustn¡¯t bring shame upon the Wall family.¡±


    Without a word of protest, Sadie lifted the gift boxes and began ascending the stairs.


    From below, Noah observed her lithe form vanish around the bend of the staircase, a sense of unease tightening in his chest.


    This was uncharacteristic of Sadie; she was unusually calm today. K, her heels clicking assertively, sauntered toward Noah, her lips curved in a seductive smile.


    ¡°Noah,¡± she cooed, gracefully linking her arm with his. ¡°I¡¯d love to apany you to the anniversary celebration tonight.¡±


    Noah responded absentmindedly with a simple, ¡°Hmm,¡± his thoughts still lingering on Sadie¡¯s unusual behavior.


    ¡°Would you join me to choose a dress?¡± K pleaded, tugging at his sleeve.


    With a hint of irritation, Noah replied, ¡°I¡¯ll have the driver give you a ride.¡±


    K paused, taken aback, then nodded herpliance.


    She knew about the dress Noah had gotten for Sadie.


    Yet, after tonight, Sadie would vanish without a trace.


    Then, no one would rival her.


    Watching K walk away, Noah massaged his temples and made his way to his study.


    Having changed into the attire provided by Noah, Sadie observed herself in the mirror.


    The deep red gown made herplexion glow, its fine cut enhancing her elegant silhouette.


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 Chapter 123

    ?Chapter 123:


    Yet, staring down at the high heels, she felt a stir of unease.


    Escaping in high heels would prove challenging.


    Yet, going without them would surely raise Noah¡¯s suspicions.


    With a sigh, Sadie forced herself to put on the shoes.


    There was a knock at the door.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, you need to be going,¡± a servant¡¯s voice called respectfully from the other side.


    Taking a quick breath, Sadie concealed her phone against her chest securely and then opened the door.


    Noah was casually reclining on the sofa downstairs, examining some paperwork.


    At the sound of footsteps, he nced up, giving Sadie a thorough once-over.


    Today, there was a noticeable change in Sadie.


    She appeared more poised and self-assured.


    ¡°What a hassle,¡± Noah muttered under his breath, visibly annoyed yet unable to conceal a spark of admiration.


    Dismissing his remark, Sadie strode confidently towards the exit, pausing as she waited for the driver to open the door.


    At that moment, K descended the stairs, an elegant handbag in hand, her movements graceful and effortless.


    ¡°Noah, wait up,¡± K called out sweetly, hooking her arm through his as they walked.


    A slight frown marred Sadie¡¯s features; she wasn¡¯t in the mood to watch their flirtatious interaction along the way.


    Above all, Sadie needed a moment to slip away.


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    ¡°This car is too small,¡± she said decisively, her tone full of intent.


    Noah chuckled dismissively, thinking Sadie was just being difficult. ¡°Bring around a different car,¡± hemanded the driver, his voice tinged with derision.


    A stretch Lincoln soon rolled up to the front door. Sadiepressed her lips.


    Noah quietly relished Sadie¡¯s evident annoyance.


    ¡°Come on, what are you waiting for? Get in,¡± he said impatiently.


    Silently, Sadie climbed into the car and closed the door behind her. She watched the streets rush by, the outside world a blur as she meticulously nned her next move.


    Before they arrived at their destination, she had to devise a meticulous n.


    K remained close to Noah, her voice sweet as she said, ¡°Noah, these leather seats are sofortable. They must be imported from Ivernia, right?¡±


    Her hand subtly grazed Noah¡¯s, her tone flirtatious.


    Across from them, Sadie looked out the window with an impassive face, seemingly unaffected by her surroundings. She kept her gaze fixed outside.


    K, smirking at Sadie¡¯s indifference, teased, ¡°Noah, look. Sadie isn¡¯t even saying anything.¡±


    asionally, Noah¡¯s eyes wandered to Sadie.


    Tonight, her silence was deep, unsettling him.


    The car grew quiet, punctuated only by K¡¯s sporadicughter.


    Eventually, they pulled up to the Pearl Hotel¡¯s grand entrance.


    The entryway was brightly lit, swarming with guests in fine attire. As they disembarked, K naturally tried to link arms with Noah, but he deftly sidestepped her.


    He approached Sadie instead, taking her slightly cold hand in his. When Sadie instinctively pulled back, Noah tightened his hold and whispered, ¡°Remember your ce.¡±


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 Chapter 124

    ?Chapter 124:


    At that moment, Sadie realized she was still bound to him as his wife and reluctantly epted his arm.


    Her face remained unsmiling, her expressionced with sarcasm.


    She wondered who he was performing for. Was it K?


    Sadie nced at K.


    A flicker of resentment was evident in K¡¯s eyes.


    Inwardly, Sadie scoffed.


    Lights bathed both Sadie and Noah as guests gathered, praising their apparent harmony.


    ¡°Mr. and Mrs. Wall, what a beautiful couple you make!¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, you look marvelous today. That dress is a perfect fit for your style.¡±


    ¡°The love between Mr. and Mrs. Wall is truly something to behold.¡±


    While Sadie heard the ttery, it left her heart untouched.


    She was desperate for any reason to escape this overwhelming atmosphere.


    ¡°I need to use the restroom,¡± Sadie said coldly, avoiding Noah¡¯s gaze.


    Noah caught her wrist and, smiling enigmatically, suggested, ¡°Let me apany you.¡±


    Sadie briskly freed her hand, her voice low and tense as she hissed, ¡°Have you lost your mind?¡±


    Noah simply chuckled, casually draping an arm around her waist and steering her toward a quieter area.


    ¡°Something¡¯s off with you tonight,¡± he murmured, his voice carrying a probing undertone. ¡°What are you nning?¡±


    Sadie felt a pang of anxiety but masked it with defiance, retorting, ¡°What do you expect? Should I y the devoted wife? At a celebration, apanied by both your wife and your lover, are you not worried that people will think you¡¯re ying the field?¡±


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    Her voice dripped with sarcasm, and her eyes were cold as she suggested, ¡°Why don¡¯t you spend your time with your dear K instead?¡±


    With those words, Sadie forcefully shoved him aside and made her way to the restroom.


    Noah remained rooted to the spot, his face a mask of uncertainty as he watched her depart.


    K navigated the crowd effortlessly, her smile enchanting and her conversations with guests light, though her gaze often drifted towards Noah.


    When she noticed his stillness, a smirk secretly formed on her face. K realized that Sadie¡¯s attempt to slip away alone was futile and thought she might have to intervene for the fool.


    Circling the restroom, Sadie found no windows for a possible escape.


    The constant flow of people meant any unusual behavior would quickly draw attention and likely alert Noah.


    Feeling trapped, she decided it was best to leave the area for now.


    When Sadie emerged, Noah eyed her suspiciously but remained silent. At that moment, K approached, bearing two sses of champagne, her expression sweet.


    But as she reached Sadie, K¡¯s foot seemed to catch on something, sending her lurching forward, and the champagne sshed all over Sadie¡¯s dress.


    ¡°Oh no!¡± K let out a startled cry as she stumbled backward. Sadie fought the urge to roll her eyes. What a pathetic act. But K¡¯s over-the-top performance yed right into her hands.


    Sadie masked her disdain with feigned shock, ncing down at her champagne-soaked dress, her expression the picture of mild panic.


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 Chapter 125

    ?Chapter 125:


    ¡°My dress¡­¡± she murmured, just enough to sell the scene. ¡°K, are you alright?¡±


    Noah¡¯s attention snapped immediately, his concern surfacing in an instant.


    His voice was filled with worry, his eyes scanning her as if she might crumble at any second.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Sadie. I didn¡¯t mean to spill the champagne on you¡­¡± K let out a soft, breathy sigh, adding with a wince, ¡°I think I twisted my ankle.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Sadie said coolly, turning to leave. ¡°I¡¯ll just go get changed.¡± She seized the opportunity, eager to escape the suffocating tension. But just as she pivoted, Noah¡¯s hand shot out, his fingers wrapping around her wrist with surprising force.


    ¡°I¡¯lle with you.¡±


    A sh of panic darted through Sadie¡¯s eyes as she yanked her wrist, trying to break free from his grip.


    ¡°That¡¯s not necessary. I can handle it myself,¡± she replied, forcing a calm tone even as urgency wed at her. She needed to get out of there¡ªfast.


    But before she could make another move, K gasped sharply, her hand flying to her chest as she staggered, her face going pale.


    ¡°Noah¡­ my chest¡­ it¡¯s killing me¡­¡± Her voice was barely a whisper, strained and weak, like she might crumble to the floor any second.


    Noah¡¯s focus snapped to her instantly. His fingers loosened around Sadie¡¯s wrist as he rushed to K¡¯s side, slipping an arm around her to steady her wobbling frame.


    ¡°K, what¡¯s going on? Talk to me!¡±


    The guests, drawn by the suddenmotion, crowded in, their whispers quickly growing louder.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening to Miss Wade?¡±


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    ¡°Should we call for a doctor?¡±


    ¡°Maybe she should be escorted to the hospital¡ªnow!¡±


    While all eyes were on K and her dramatic disy, Sadie quietly edged toward the back of the hall. Without hesitation, she slipped through the door and into the cool night air.


    She broke into a run, her breath sharp and ragged, her heart mming against her ribs like it was trying to escape her chest.


    Every few steps, Sadie nced over her shoulder, worried that Noah might chase after her.


    But then she reminded herself¡ªwith K putting on such a show, Noah wouldn¡¯t have the presence of mind to think about anyone else. Sadie exhaled shakily, realizing her fears were running ahead of her.


    Once she¡¯d left the hotel¡¯s noise and lights behind, she slowed down enough to catch her breath. Pulling out her phone with trembling fingers, she quickly dialed Alex¡¯s number.


    ¡°Alex, I¡¯m at the back entrance of the hotel. Can you send someone to get me?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice wavered slightly, but she fought to steady it, trying to keep herposure.


    ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll handle it right away,¡± Alex replied, his voice calm and reassuring, a steady anchor amidst Sadie¡¯s growing anxiety.


    Just as she was about to end the call, a sudden screech of tires tore through the quiet night.


    A ck car barreled around the corner at an rming speed, its headlights blinding. Sadie barely had a second to react before a crushing force mmed into her, lifting her off her feet.


    Pain exploded through her body as she hit the ground hard, her phone flying from her grasp and skidding across the pavement.


    ¡°Ah!¡± A raw cry of agony escaped her lips as her vision blurred, darkness creeping in at the edges.


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 Chapter 126

    ?Chapter 126:


    Through the haze of pain, she saw a shadowy figure step out of the car. The man¡¯s face twisted into a sinister grin as he approached, his footsteps slow, deliberate.


    ¡°Noah really is an idiot,¡± the man said, his voice dripping with malice. ¡°Did he seriously think he could protect you?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s mind reeled. Noah? What did any of this have to do with him? She tried to speak, to ask the questions swirling in her fading consciousness, but the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. Her strength ebbed away, and the world around her dissolved into darkness.


    In the distance, the shrill wail of an ambnce siren pierced the night air.


    Ky on a stretcher, clutching her chest, her face contorted in pain and ghostly pale.


    Noah stood beside the ambnce, his eyes shadowed with worry as he watched the medics load K into the vehicle.


    His brows furrowed, his expression clouded with a mix of confusion, frustration, and something he couldn¡¯t quite name.


    K reached out with trembling fingers, clutching Noah¡¯s sleeve. Her voice was barely audible, a fragile whisper. ¡°Noah¡­¡±


    But Noah didn¡¯t respond. His eyes drifted past K, scanning the entrance of the hotel. Where was Sadie?


    Where had she gone?


    A sudden, sharp unease coiled in his chest. Without another thought, he jerked away from K¡¯s grasp and strode back toward the banquet hall, his steps quick and purposeful.


    ¡°Noah! Noah!¡± K¡¯s voice rose, tinged with panic and desperation. But she was too weak to follow, her pleas fading into the background as Noah disappeared through the door.


    His face was set, grim and determined, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios.


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    He grabbed the first person he saw, a startled waiter, his voice dropping to a cold, dangerous tone. ¡°Where¡¯s Sadie?¡±


    The waiter¡¯s eyes widened in fear. ¡°I don¡¯t know, Mr. Wall¡­¡± he stammered, his words trembling in the tense air.


    Noah shoved him aside, his unease now morphing into full-blown dread.


    He moved swiftly, his long strides carrying him through the hotel toward the back entrance. As soon as he pushed through the door, the stark contrast hit him¡ªthe quiet, almost haunting stillness outside felt miles away from the banquet hall¡¯s lingeringughter and music.


    Then he saw it. Under the flickering streetlight, a dark red stain smeared across the pavement, standing out vividly against the concrete.


    Noah¡¯s pupils constricted, and a heavy, suffocating weight dropped into his chest.


    Noah¡¯s body trembled as he crouched beside the chilling pool of blood, his fingertips grazing the surface. A shiver surged from his hands, coursing through him with icy dread.


    Just inches away, Sadie¡¯s handbagy discarded, its contents spilled out like silent whispers of the chaos that had unfolded.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Noah hissed, a storm of emotions swirling within him. In a sudden burst of fury, he stood and mmed his fist against the wall. Pain exploded through his hand as his knuckles split and blood mingled with the paint, a sharp contrast to the pale barrier.


    Taking out his phone, he dialed with unsteady hands.


    ¡°Find Sadie immediately! I need to see her, dead or alive,¡± hemanded, his voice a rough whisperden with barely contained rage and a tremor of fear.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­¡± A faint groan pierced the silence. Sadie¡¯s eyelids fluttered, fighting against the weight of her weariness.


    As her eyes cracked open, a harsh white light assaulted her senses, forcing her to squint against the brightness.


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 Chapter 127

    ?Chapter 127:


    She was enveloped by an endless white expanse, the sterile scent of disinfectant hanging heavy in the air.


    A venttor pressed ufortably against her face, hindering her breaths.


    Awareness slowly crept in¡ªshe was in a hospital.


    Her blurred sight slowly sharpened, forming the outline of a concerned figure standing over her. It was none other than Alex.


    Recognition flickered through her foggy mind, and a wave of relief washed over her. Her heart, which had been pounding in wild disarray, settled into a more steady rhythm.


    Thank goodness it wasn¡¯t Noah.


    ¡°You¡¯re awake, Sadie!¡± Alex¡¯s voice carried a trace of concern as he lightly brushed his hand against her forehead. ¡°How are you feeling?¡± he asked softly, his eyes searching hers for any sign of difort.


    Sadie gave a feeble shake of her head, her voice just a raspy whisper.


    ¡°Water¡­¡± she murmured weakly, her lips barely moving.


    Without hesitation, Alex grabbed a ss and filled it to the brim before gently assisting her in sipping.


    The cool water glided over her parched lips and down her throat, offering a fleeting respite from her difort.


    ¡°Take me away from here,¡± Sadie muttered urgently, gripping Alex¡¯s hand with surprising strength. Her voice was fraught with desperation. ¡°Please. Take me away.¡±


    Her eyes, wide and haunted, seemed to see something horrifying beyond the sterile hospital walls.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care if I die¡ªI just never want to see Noah again.¡±


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    Alex felt a painful squeeze in his chest, seeing her fear.


    ¡°The private jet is ready,¡± he assured with quiet confidence. ¡°We can leave anytime you want. But your condition¡ªit¡¯s precarious. It¡¯s best to rest here, under medical care, for a few more days. We¡¯re safe, Sadie. We¡¯re not in Jazmah anymore. This is my territory. Noah won¡¯t find us here.¡±


    But Sadie was shaking her head fiercely, tears cascading down her cheeks in silent testimony to her resolve.


    ¡°No. I want to leave now,¡± she insisted, her voice quivering with determination. ¡°I can¡¯t bear another minute here.¡±


    Seeing the resolve in her eyes, Alex realized that arguing would be pointless.


    ¡°Alright,¡± he said with a heavy nod. ¡°I¡¯ll arrange for us to leave immediately.¡± He stood, his silhouette framed by the window, and dialed the phone. His instructions were murmured into the receiver with an air of finality.


    Sadie¡¯s breath caught as the haunting memory of the crash reverberated through her closed eyelids.


    The ck car, the blinding headlights¡ªit had all collided with the force of a tempest.


    Everything had spiraled so quickly, a blur of moments that could have spelled her end.


    But here she was, breathing, her heart beating a fierce rhythm of survival, clinging to the hope of a brighter future¡ªa future where she could finally be free, with Noah out of the picture.


    ¡°Alex,¡± her voice cracked as she reopened her eyes, desperation shimmering within them. ¡°Please, you have to help me. Make Noah believe I¡¯m dead¡ªthat¡¯s the only way he¡¯ll¡­¡±


    ¡°Stop searching for me.¡±


    Alex turned to face her, his features softening, his heart twisting at the sight of her drained face and the sheer fear in her eyes.


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 Chapter 128

    ?Chapter 128:


    Meanwhile, in the chilling glow of the study at Myrtlewood Estate, Noah¡¯s fingers clicked the mouse in an impatient rhythm.


    The screen froze on a frame: a slender figure, Sadie, was caught in the merciless embrace of a ck sedan, the dim streetlight casting long shadows over the scene.


    Noah¡¯s heart clenched, his breath hitching as the vice-like grip of dread and realization tightened around him.


    As the footage yed on, a figure emerged from the driver¡¯s side¡ªa man shrouded in the anonymity of a hat and a mask.


    Despite the disguise, Noah¡¯s eyes narrowed, recognition dawning with chilling certainty. There he was again¡ªRyder.


    With steady steps, Ryder closed the distance, bent down, and said something in a hushed tone.


    Through the flickering glow of the screen, Noah could almost feel Ryder¡¯s smugness oozing through, as if the man were basking in the glory of his vile actions.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Noah¡¯s voice cracked the tense air as he mmed his fist down on the table, his knuckles whitening with the force.


    In that instant, the surveince footage sputtered and died, leaving the room cloaked in sudden darkness.


    Noah¡¯s fist struck the mahogany coffee table with a resounding ¡°Bang!¡± His frustration spilled out in a guttural roar.


    His teeth were clenched so tightly that it seemed the veins on his forehead might burst from the pressure.


    ¡°What happened to the rest of the surveince? Why did it suddenly stop? Where¡¯s Sadie? Is there still no news?¡± His questions flew like bullets, punctuating the heavy silence of the study.


    Noah stood up abruptly, his imposing figure casting a long, ominous shadow across the room.


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    Samuel, standing beside him, trembled slightly, holding his breath.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, we still haven¡¯t heard anything about Mrs. Wall. The surveince¡­ It appears to have been deliberately sabotaged. The tech team says it¡¯s beyond repair,¡± he stammered, his voice barely audible against the thick tension.


    Noah¡¯s expression darkened, a storm brewing in his steely eyes.


    ¡°Where¡¯s K?¡± he demanded, his tone icy.


    ¡°Miss Wade is in the hospital. She¡­ She¡¯s been hoping you¡¯d visit,¡± Samuel replied, his eyes darting nervously, cautious of Noah¡¯s impending explosion of wrath.


    ¡°Find Ryder as soon as possible and bring him to me,¡± Noahmanded, his voice low and dangerous, filled with a promise of retribution.


    ¡°This time, he won¡¯t escape again.¡± His menacing tone echoed ominously, as if sealing Ryder¡¯s fate with each syble.


    Meanwhile, at the city hospital, Ky in a private ward, her face pale and delicate, the very picture of fragility.


    The soft click of the door opening stirred her, and she immediately lifted her head. When her eyes met Noah¡¯s figure standing in the doorway, tears welled up in her gaze. ¡°Noah, you¡¯re finally here¡­¡±


    Her voice was faint,ced with subtle grievance, as though she had been abandoned in her moment of need.


    Noah approached the bed, his expression stern, his eyes cold and devoid of warmth.


    K¡¯s heart fluttered anxiously under his chilling stare. She struggled to sit up, her body trembling with effort. ¡°I¡¯m in a lot of pain¡­¡± K¡¯s voice was barely a whisper as she clutched Noah¡¯s hand, her tears spilling freely down her cheeks. ¡°Did you really have an episodest night?¡±


    The sudden shift in Noah¡¯s tone sent a jolt through K. Her eyes widened, and the little color left in her face drainedpletely.


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 Chapter 129

    ?Chapter 129:


    She bit down on her lip, trying topose herself, but her gaze flickered nervously. ¡°Noah¡­ what are you talking about? I¡¯m really not well. My chest¡ªit hurts so badly¡ª¡±


    ¡°Oh, really?¡± Noah let out a cold, humorlessugh, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. Without another nce at her, he turned to Samuel. ¡°Go get the doctor who was on dutyst night.¡±


    Samuel didn¡¯t hesitate. He spun on his heel and left the room, leaving a heavy silence in his wake.


    K¡¯s heart pounded in her chest, dread creeping in. She clutched the quilt tightly, her knuckles turning white, fighting to keep her breathing steady.


    Minutester, Samuel returned with a doctor in tow.


    ¡°Tell me, Doctor¡ªdoes Miss Wade¡¯s condition match the emergency she ims it is?¡± Noah¡¯s voice was like ice, his tone leaving no room for excuses.


    The doctor nced nervously between Noah and K before finally speaking, his voice cautious. ¡°Well¡­ there are some minor issues with her heart, but nothing severe. We can¡¯t entirely rule out the possibility of suddenplications, though.¡±


    His words were careful, measured, as if he were walking a tightrope.


    Noah gave a dismissive wave of his hand. ¡°Both of you, leave.¡± Samuel and the doctor didn¡¯t need to be told twice. They exchanged quick nces of relief before slipping out the door, closing it softly behind them.


    ¡°Noah¡­ why are you questioning me like this? Don¡¯t you trust me?¡± As soon as they were gone, K turned to Noah, her eyes welling up with fresh tears. Her voice wavered, thick with feigned hurt.


    But Noah¡¯s stare only grew colder, his jaw tightening. The pity in K¡¯s expression did nothing to soften him; in fact, it solidified what he already knew in his heart. ¡°Everything that happenedst night¡­¡±


    His voice was low, razor-sharp. ¡°It was all part of your n, wasn¡¯t it?¡±


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    K¡¯s face paled, the mask slipping as panic flickered in her eyes. ¡°No¡­ no, it¡¯s not like that, Noah. You¡¯ve got it all wrong!¡±


    ¡°Then tell me, do you know someone named Ryder Clifford?¡± Noah leaned in slightly, his gaze piercing through her.


    K¡¯s breath hitched. ¡°R-Ryder Clifford?¡± she repeated, her voice quivering. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know anyone by that name¡­¡±


    Noah watched her carefully, the guilt etched across her face dissolving any lingering doubt. In that moment, he knew¡ªshe was involved in what happenedst night.


    ¡°I¡¯ll find Ryder soon, and when I do, the truth wille out.¡± With that, Noah spun on his heel and left the room without a backward nce, his footsteps echoing down the hall.


    Back in the ward, K copsed against the pillows, her body trembling, her face as white as the hospital sheets. She never imagined Noah would suspect her¡ªnever thought he¡¯d be so cold, so unforgiving. Meanwhile, outside the room, Noah¡¯s expression hardened as he turned to Samuel.


    ¡°Keep an eye on K. I want to know her every move. If she so much as blinks suspiciously, report it to me immediately.¡±


    Samuel nodded sharply. ¡°Yes, Mr. Wall.¡±


    Without another word, Noah stalked out of the hospital and into his car.


    He pounded the steering wheel with such force that the veins in his hands bulged, his knuckles white from the pressure.


    Where the hell was Sadie? His mind kept reying the same image¡ªSadie¡¯s pale, fragile face and the horrifying pool of blood staining the pavement.


    Minutester, the car screeched to a halt in front of the bar belonging to Jim¡¯s family.


    Without hesitation, Noah jumped out, his stride purposeful and tense as he stormed through the bar¡¯s entrance.


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 Chapter 130

    ?Chapter 130:


    Inside, the bar pulsed with dim, flickering lights and pounding music. The air was thick with the sharp scent of alcohol and tobo. At the bar, Jim sat alone, nursing a drink, his posture rxed, as if the chaos around him didn¡¯t exist.


    When Noah stormed in, Jim¡¯s eyes flickered with brief surprise, but he quickly masked it with indifference.


    ¡°Hello,¡± he said tly, his tone devoid of emotion, as if he¡¯d been expecting this confrontation all along.


    ¡°Where is Sadie?¡± Noah shot back, cutting straight to the point. Jim chuckled quietly, swirling the amber liquid in his ss.


    ¡°How would I know?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t y games with me!¡± Noah snarled, lunging forward to grab Jim by the cor. His eyes burned with fury. ¡°You and Sadie were plotting something!¡±


    But Jim didn¡¯t flinch. He met Noah¡¯s re with calm defiance.


    ¡°ying games?¡± Jim scoffed, shaking his head. ¡°Noah, you give me too much credit.¡±


    With a swift, sharp motion, Jim wrenched himself free from Noah¡¯s grip, his eyes glinting with mockery.


    ¡°And why would Sadie be plotting with me? Hasn¡¯t she always been your loyal little shadow?¡±


    ¡°Damn you!¡± Noah spat, his chest heaving with frustration, but deep down, he couldn¡¯t find the words to argue.


    ¡°Noah,¡± Jim said quietly, his voice cutting through the tension, ¡°you only realize the value of something once it¡¯s gone. But by then¡­ isn¡¯t it toote?¡±


    Noah¡¯s fists clenched so tightly his nails dug into his palms, but the sharp sting didn¡¯t register. All he could feel was the weight of Jim¡¯s words.


    Noah¡¯s fist shot out with brutal speed, connecting squarely with Jim¡¯s jaw. The crack of the impact echoed over the thumping bass of the bar¡¯s music.


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    Jim staggered back, catching himself against the edge of the bar, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.


    ¡°Are you in love with Sadie?¡± Noah roared, his voice raw. His eyes were bloodshot, wild¡ªlike a caged animal teetering on the edge of losing control.


    ¡°In love with her?¡± Jim scoffed, shaking his head. ¡°Noah, you really do think too highly of yourself. I¡¯ve been with more women than I can count¡ªwhy the hell would I be interested in your wife?¡±


    ¡°Then why are you protecting her?¡± Noah barked, grabbing Jim by the cor, his grip like a vice. His knuckles nched as he pulled Jim in, his teeth clenched so tightly it looked like his jaw might snap.


    ¡°Because I can¡¯t stand watching you tear down a good woman like that,¡± Jim shot back, his voice sharp, cutting through Noah¡¯s rage like a de. ¡°Sadie¡¯s given up everything for you. And you¡ªyou¡¯re too blind and too fucking selfish to see it!¡±


    With a sharp shove, Jim pushed Noah back, his eyes gleaming with disgust. ¡°You¡¯ve changed, Noah. You¡¯ve turned into a selfish, hypocritical bastard, all for K. And in the process, you threw away someone who loved you without question, like she was nothing.¡±


    Noah¡¯s chest heaved, his breathing in ragged bursts. His fist shot up again, trembling in mid-air, ready tond another punch. Jim didn¡¯t move. He just shrugged, a knowing smirk tugging at his bruised lips, as if he¡¯d expected Noah to pull back all along.


    ¡°We¡¯re not friends anymore.¡± Noah¡¯s voice was low and hoarse, weighted with pain and disappointment he couldn¡¯t quite mask.


    Without another word, he turned on his heel and strode out of the bar, never once ncing back. Jim stood there, watching Noah¡¯s figure disappear into the shadows, the echo of his words lingering in the air long after he was gone.


    Sadie drifted in and out of consciousness, trapped in a fog of dizziness. Her vision was hazy, and a sharp, persistent ringing filled her ears. She blinked hard, trying to focus, and slowly, the sterile white of the hospital ceiling came into view.


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 Chapter 131

    ?Chapter 131:


    The sharp, clinical scent of disinfectant filled her nostrils, making her stomach churn.


    ¡°You¡¯re awake, Sadie?¡± A familiar voice broke through the haze, warm andced with concern.


    Sadie turned her head slowly, wincing at the effort. Her blurry gaze settled on Alex, sitting at her bedside. His face was lined with exhaustion, but relief flickered in his eyes.


    ¡°Where¡­ where am I?¡± Her throat was dry, the words barely a whisper.


    ¡°We¡¯re in Cairhienen,¡± Alex replied gently, reaching for a ss of water. ¡°I¡¯ve taken care of everything.¡± He handed her the ss, his tone soft but firm. ¡°Just focus on getting better. We¡¯ll deal with the restter.¡±


    Sadie epted the ss, sipping slowly. The cool water soothed her raw throat, offering a sliver offort amidst the lingering pain. ¡°Thank you, Alex,¡± she murmured, her eyes meeting his with quiet gratitude. ¡°I don¡¯t know how I¡¯ll ever repay you.¡±


    Alex smiled, though there was something unspoken behind his eyes¡ªa flicker of hesitation. ¡°Actually¡­ about Noah¡­¡± he started, his voice cautious.


    ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± Sadie snapped, cutting him off. ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear his name. I¡¯m done talking about the past.¡±


    Alex paused, the tension settling between them like a weight. After a beat, he nodded. ¡°Very well, just get some sleep then.¡±


    Alex stood up, his footsteps light as he made his way to the door. He paused for a moment, his hand resting on the doorknob, as if on the verge of saying something. But whatever words lingered on his tongue, he swallowed them, slipping out silently and closing the door softly behind him.


    Left alone, Sadie let out a shaky breath and gently ced her hand on her t abdomen. Beneath her fingertips, she imagined the fragile pulse of life growing inside her, a warmth blooming in her chest despite the lingering fear.


    If that ck sedan had swerved just a few more centimeters¡­


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    The thought wed at her mind. She could¡¯ve been lying in a morgue right now, her body cold and lifeless. The tiny life within her would¡¯ve been snuffed out before it even had a chance to begin.


    A tremor ran through her, the fear crashing over her in waves. But mingled with that fear was an overwhelming sense of relief¡ªa fierce, bittersweet joy that she had survived. They had survived.


    A single tear escaped, sliding down her cheek and soaking into the crisp white sheets, leaving a faint mark of everything she was feeling but couldn¡¯t say out loud.


    Sadie closed her eyes, drawing in a deep breath, steadying the whirlwind of fear and sadness swirling inside her.


    Tomorrow¡­ tomorrow would be a new beginning.


    Ryder was thrown onto the cold concrete floor, the impact jarring through his bound limbs. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, a stark contrast against his pale skin, pooling beneath him like a dark stain.


    Noah stood over him, his eyes cold and sharp, a predator circling its prey.


    ¡°Who ordered you to do this?¡± His voice was low, steady, butced with a dangerous edge.


    Ryder let out a guttural chuckle, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the floor, the crimson stter vivid in the dim light. ¡°Do whatever you want,¡± he said, defiance burning in his eyes.


    Without a word, Noah reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a photograph. He tossed it onto the floor in front of Ryder, the glossy imagending with a soft p.


    In the photo, a woman leaned intimately against a man, their faces obscured, but their closeness undeniable.


    ¡°Who¡¯s the man with her?¡± Noah¡¯s voice dropped, the words slicing through the tense air like a de.


    Ryder¡¯s gaze flicked to the photo. A twisted grin curled the edges of his bloodied lips, and a hoarse, almost manicugh escaped his throat. ¡°Care to make a guess?¡± he taunted, his voice dripping with mockery.


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    ?Chapter 132:


    Noah¡¯s patience snapped. He drove his foot into Ryder¡¯s chest with brutal force, the thud of impact echoing off the walls.


    ¡°Answer me!¡±


    Ryder doubled over, groaning in pain, coughing up more blood as his face drained of what little color it had left.


    ¡°I¡¯d rather die than tell you,¡± he hissed, his voice raw. His gaze bored into Noah¡¯s, filled with a dark, unrelenting hatred.


    ¡°You¡¯ll never be loved,¡± Ryder spat, his words like poison-tipped daggers. ¡°Just like me.¡±


    The curse lodged itself deep in Noah¡¯s chest, an unexpected thorn that pricked something raw and unspoken within him. He frowned, a wave of irritation and something darker rising beneath hisposed exterior.


    ¡°What grudge do you have against me?¡± Noah demanded, his voice a low growl.


    Ryder¡¯s lips curled into a bitter sneer. He spat out two words, each syble dripping with hatred. ¡°Johnson Group.¡±


    Noah¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Years ago,¡± Ryder continued, his voice seething with resentment, ¡°Johnson Group got caught in a corporate war.¡±


    ¡°It went bankrupt.¡± Ryder¡¯s voice was ragged, each word forced through clenched teeth, saturated with pure, unfiltered hatred. ¡°My parents couldn¡¯t handle the pressure. They jumped to their deaths. All of this¡ªevery bit of it¡ªis thanks to you, Noah Wall.¡±


    Ryder had hidden his true identity, letting his anger fester like an open wound. And now, his moment hade.


    ¡°And as for your wife¡­ I already killed her.¡± Hisugh was guttural, like something torn from the depths of hell.


    ¡°Serves you right!¡± he spat, his voice dripping with venom, each wordced with a satisfaction that cut deeper than any de.


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    Noah felt as though the ground had been ripped out from beneath him. Ryder¡¯s words mmed into him like a thunderp, reverberating in his skull.


    His pupils shrank sharply, and a wave of icy fear surged through his chest, suffocating and relentless.


    Without thinking, Noah lunged forward, seizing Ryder by the cor. His grip tightened with brutal force, his knuckles whitening as if he could crush Ryder¡¯s bones through sheer rage.


    ¡°What did you just say?¡± Noah¡¯s voice trembled, a mixture of disbelief and fury. ¡°Sadie¡­ is she¡­ really gone?¡± His voice was barely a whisper, each word feeling like shards of ss in his throat, slicing deeper with every syble.


    Ryder let out a wild, gutturalugh, the sound echoing like a twisted melody in the air. His eyes gleamed with wicked satisfaction, as he savored Noah¡¯s agony as if it were a prize he¡¯d long waited to im. Thatughter shattered whatever fragile thread of control Noah had left.


    Without thinking, Noah¡¯s fistshed out, mming into Ryder¡¯s face with bone-cracking force.


    The sickening crack of the punch was followed by a low groan as Ryder crumpled to the floor, unconscious.


    Noah¡¯s hand trembled as he let go. His knees buckled beneath him, and he sank to the cold floor. His eyes stared into nothing, hollow and ssy, as though the soul had been ripped from his body, leaving behind only an empty shell.


    At the same time, K¡¯s days in the hospital ward stretched into a slow, torturous blur. She wore the mask of a fragile patient, but beneath the surface, anxiety gnawed at her like a relentless parasite. The fear that Ryder might be caught¡ªthat he¡¯d expose everything¡ªhung over her like a noose tightening around her neck. It was suffocating. Finally, she couldn¡¯t take it anymore.


    ¡°Doctor,¡± she said, her voice heavy with exhaustion, ¡°I need to be discharged.¡±


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    The doctor gave her a cursory examination and, seeing no medical reason to keep her, nodded in agreement. The moment the paperwork was signed, K bolted from the hospital, her heart hammering against her ribs as she sped toward Myrtlewood Estate. She had to find Noah.


    Bursting through the study door, K froze. Noah sat slumped at his desk, his figure barely recognizable. The sharp,manding presence of Wall Group CEO was gone. In its ce was a man swallowed by grief, his eyes void of light, his face pale and gaunt, with stubble shadowing his jaw. The sight of him¡ªso broken, so hollow¡ªsent a chill down K¡¯s spine.


    She stepped forward carefully, her voice soft, almost hesitant. ¡°Noah¡­ are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Pack up your things. I want you out of here as soon as possible.¡± Noah¡¯s voice was like ice¡ªsharp, cold, and utterly devoid of emotion.


    K felt her stomach twist, a wave of dread rising in her chest.


    ¡°What¡­ what are you talking about, Noah?¡± she asked, her tone light, feigning confusion as if she hadn¡¯t heard him clearly.


    Noah slowly lifted his head. ¡°Let me be clear¡ªI want you out of my life.¡± His words were deliberate, each syble dropping like a hammer. ¡°It¡¯s over between us.¡± His voice was final, leaving no room for negotiation, no space for hope.


    K¡¯s face drained of color. She had anticipated many things, but Noah¡¯s sheer ruthlessness wasn¡¯t one of them.


    ¡°Noah, you can¡¯t do this to me! I saved your life, remember? Back then¡ªI risked everything for you.¡± She clung to the only leverage she had left, but Noah¡¯s expression didn¡¯t waver. If anything, his eyes grew colder, his jaw tightening.


    ¡°If it hadn¡¯t been for you, I wouldn¡¯t have been in danger at all.¡± His voice sharpened with anger as he suddenly stood, towering over her. ¡°If you hadn¡¯t insisted on following me into that dangerous ce, I never would¡¯ve crossed paths with those people.¡± His eyes zed with disgust and something even deeper¡ªhatred.


    K¡¯s body trembled, a slight but undeniable shiver running through her. She hadn¡¯t expected Noah to speak with such cutting finality. ¡°Noah, I¡­¡± she began, her voice fragile, but Noah didn¡¯t let her finish.


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    ¡°Enough!¡± he snapped, his voice like a whip cracking through the tension. ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear another word from you.¡±


    Without missing a beat, he barked an order toward the door, his tone ice-cold and authoritative. ¡°Keep searching for Sadie. I want her found¡ªdead or alive.¡±


    K stood frozen, her face drained of color, her entire body trembling. She felt the ground shift beneath her, realizing with a hollow ache that Noah¡¯s disappointment wasn¡¯t fleeting¡ªit was absolute.


    But as she quietly observed him, a flicker of realization sparked in her mind. He didn¡¯t know. He hadn¡¯t learned the truth about her from Ryder¡ªnot yet.


    Still, K knew better than to rx. Ryder was a ticking time bomb. As long as he was alive, he could destroy everything she¡¯d built. Taking a deep, steadying breath, she forced herself to push the fear down.


    The priority now was survival.


    With Noah¡¯s thoughts fully consumed by Sadie, his guard over Ryder had slipped. This was her chance.


    Seizing the opportunity, K sent some people to infiltrate the ce where Ryder was being held. The operation was swift, silent¡ªno one noticed his disappearance.


    ¡°You¡­¡± Ryder¡¯s voice cracked, thick with shock. He instinctively struggled against the ropes binding him, his body tense with confusion and suspicion.


    K¡¯s gaze swept over his disheveled, broken figure, a brief flicker of disdain crossing her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid,¡± she said smoothly, her tone gentle butced with hidden intentions. ¡°I¡¯m here to set you free.¡±


    Ryder clung to a sliver of hope, his eyes lighting up with renewed life. ¡°You mean¡­ you¡¯ll actually let me go?¡±


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    ?Chapter 134:


    ¡°Absolutely,¡± K responded with a smile that seemed warm, handing him a ss of water. ¡°Drink this. It¡¯ll calm your nerves.¡±


    Without hesitation, Ryder epted the ss and drank it down in one steady gulp.


    Unbeknownst to him, K had slipped a deadly, untraceable poison into the water.


    The poison took effect swiftly. Ryder grasped his chest in agony, his face contorting in shock, before he crumpled to the floor in a heap. K watched his convulsing body with a cold, emotionless gaze.


    ¡°Dispose of this,¡± shemanded her team, her voice void of warmth.


    Her subordinates quickly removed Ryder¡¯s body, erasing all traces of the incident. After adjusting her attire as if nothing had happened, K made her way to Noah.


    ¡°Are you still searching for her?¡± she asked, entering Noah¡¯s study with a false concernced with hidden intent.


    Noah, haggard and with worry etched into his face, looked up. ¡°K, hello,¡± he said weakly, overwhelmed by fatigue.


    ¡°Let her go, Noah,¡± K said, cing aforting hand on his shoulder. ¡°Weren¡¯t you two heading toward a divorce anyway? Maybe it¡¯s for the best if she just disappears.¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Noah eximed, standing abruptly and shoving K back. His eyes zed with rage. ¡°You don¡¯t understand anything!¡±


    K staggered from the push, anger shing in her eyes, but she quickly masked it with a hurt expression.


    ¡°Why are you so harsh with me?¡± she asked, feigning distress. ¡°I¡¯m just worried about you¡­¡±


    ¡°Get the fuck out!¡± Noah shouted, pointing toward the door, his voice thunderous.


    However, K wasn¡¯t easily dismissed. She left the study and hurried to find Isabel.


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    Tears streamed down K¡¯s face as she pleaded, ¡°Mrs. Wall, you have to talk to Noah! He¡¯s losing his mind over Sadie!¡±


    Already predisposed against Sadie, Isabel¡¯s irritation deepened after hearing K¡¯s words.


    ¡°Trouble seems to follow that woman wherever she goes!¡± Isabel erupted, mming her hand on the table in anger before storming off to find Noah.


    ¡°Sign this, Noah!¡± She threw the divorce papers at him, her voice firm andmanding. ¡°You¡¯re done with her after this.¡±


    Noah nced at the divorce papers, a mix of emotions crossing his face, but he remained silent.


    ¡°What are you thinking?¡± Isabel¡¯s voice grew harsher as she saw his reluctance to sign. ¡°Are you really going to disregard my advice because of her?¡±


    Noah remained silent, visibly torn by his decision.


    ¡°Just look at what she¡¯s done to you!¡± Isabel¡¯s words dripped with disappointment as she observed his conflicted demeanor. ¡°You¡¯re letting her destroy you.¡±


    ¡°Mom, I don¡¯t want to talk about this right now,¡± Noah murmured, massaging his temples, his voice tired.


    ¡°This needs to be discussed now. Your negligence at work, the past scandals¡ªhave you forgotten them all?¡± Isabel pressed, her voice sharp and filled with disdain for Sadie.


    ¡°Those issues are behind us, Mom,¡± Noah replied dismissively.


    ¡°Behind us? Do you realize the embarrassment she¡¯s caused the Wall family?¡± Isabel was furious. ¡°I¡¯ve always said she wasn¡¯t right for you. K is everything Sadie is not¡ªkind, moral, well-educated. How can Sadiepare?¡±


    ¡°Mom, about K and me¡­¡± Noah began, clearly conflicted.


    ¡°You and K belong together. It¡¯s a blessing that Sadie is out of the picture. She was nothing but a hindrance!¡± Isabel insisted firmly. ¡°Now, sign these papers and marry K. Do it quickly!¡±


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    ¡°I need to deal with something urgent right now, Mom. We can talk about the divorceter,¡± Noah responded, standing up to leave.


    ¡°Noah¡­¡± Isabel started, but he had already exited the room, leaving her alone with her frustrations.


    Noah slouched in his office chair at Wall Group, overwhelmed by a sense of defeat. The people he had sent to search for Sadie had returned with no updates.


    ¡°Where could you possibly be, Sadie?¡± he muttered to himself.


    Had she really managed to leave the city? Given her limited resources, escaping so quickly seemed unlikely. Perhaps she had help.


    Suddenly, an idea struck him. Alex must be involved.


    Springing from his chair, Noah grabbed his coat and rushed out.


    Arriving at Howe Manor, he found it eerily quiet.


    ¡°Mr. Howe left for a business trip days ago,¡± the butler exined, his face marked with unease.


    ¡°Days ago?¡± Noah¡¯s heart sank. His lead had vanished. It felt as if Sadie had disappeared from the world.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± he cursed under his breath, pounding his fist against a nearby surface, frustration boiling over.


    Later, in the dim lighting of a local bar, Noah sought sce in drink after drink. The alcohol dulled both his senses and his heart. Visions of Sadie, sometimes smiling softly, sometimes resolute in her departure, haunted him.


    ¡°Sadie¡­¡± he whispered, his voice raw with emotion.


    ¡°Noah?¡± The soft inquiry came from nearby.


    K approached, her presence marked by a subtle fragrance. She steadied the drunken Noah, a glimmer of triumph in her eyes.


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    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Noah asked, struggling to focus his eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯vee to take you home,¡± K replied, her smile gentle as she led him outside.


    Once inside a hotel room, K eased Noah onto the bed. Looking at his face, she felt a surge of excitement she couldn¡¯t contain. She began unbuttoning his shirt, leaning in close.


    ¡°Sadie¡­¡± Noah mumbled, still calling another woman¡¯s name.


    ¡°Noah, it¡¯s me,¡± K whispered, panic flickering in her eyes.


    As Noah¡¯s rity returned, he recoiled and shoved her away, his expression filled with disgust.


    K¡¯s face turned pale, her eyes shing with anger. ¡°It¡¯s me, K, Noah,¡± she said, stepping closer to him again.


    ¡°Leave now!¡± Noah¡¯s voice was cold, rejecting her again.


    K stood there reeling from the rejection, her eyes burning with fury. She hadn¡¯t expected that even now, Noah¡¯s heart was still with Sadie.


    With a furious re, she stormed out, mming the door behind her.


    In her car, K mmed the door, her frustration boiling over. She hit the steering wheel hard, her nails threatening to pierce the leather.


    ¡°Damn you, Noah!¡± she muttered under her breath.


    His thoughts were still with Sadie, not with her.


    K couldn¡¯te to terms with it. Why couldn¡¯t he see her instead? Why did all his affection belong to Sadie alone? Why was she constantly overshadowed by Sadie?


    K inhaled deeply, attempting to calm her pounding heart. She reminded herself to maintainposure.


    To her, Sadie¡¯s disappearance was a stroke of luck. If Sadie remained out of the picture, K was convinced she stood a chance.


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    She was determined to prove to Noah that she was a more suitable partner than Sadie.


    Her n was to erase Sadie from his heart and make him love her. Determination welled up in K¡¯s eyes, and a confident smile began to form on her lips. She ignited the car¡¯s engine and elerated away from the hotel.


    In Cairhienen, another country, the sun cast a brilliant glow. From the floor-to-ceiling windows, the skyline with its towering skyscrapers and the lively streets below portrayed a vibrant urban life. Standing by the window, Sadie drew in a breath of the fresh air, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief and liberation.


    She turned to survey her modest, yet tastefully decorated apartment, a slight smile ying on her lips. This was the space she had secured on her own; it was small, but it felt like home. Here, she could begin anew and embrace her true self.


    A series of knocks interrupted her thoughts.


    ¡°Come in,¡± Sadie said, turning to look at the entrance.


    Alex appeared, his armsden with fruits and health supplements. ¡°Sadie, how are you holding up? Feeling any better?¡± he inquired, his gazeden with concern.


    ¡°I¡¯m feeling much better, Alex. Thanks for all your support these days.¡± Sadie took a seat on the sofa and motioned for Alex to join her.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Being there for each other is what friends do.¡±


    After cing the items on the coffee table, Alex settled into a chair opposite her. ¡°What are your ns moving forward?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m determined to restart my career in design,¡± Sadie replied, her eyes shining with resolve.


    ¡°You¡¯ve always been passionate about design, yet¡­¡± Alex paused, aware of the sacrifices Sadie had made for Noah.


    ¡°Let me stop you there,¡± Sadie cut in. ¡°I¡¯ve given it a lot of thought. I can¡¯t continue sacrificing my own dreams for the sake of others.¡±


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    ¡°But, at the moment, you¡­¡± Alex expressed his concern with a furrowed brow. ¡°Do you have enough money? It takes significant funds to start over.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got it covered.¡± Sadie pulled out a sleek ck card from her purse andid it on the table.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Alex inquired, looking confused.


    ¡°Nigel gave me this,¡± she exined.


    Just then, Alex¡¯s phone began to buzz.


    Noah left a missed call and a voice message for Alex, inquiring if there was any update on Sadie.


    Alex¡¯s fingers tightened around his phone, but he chose to keep Sadie¡¯s situation to himself. He returned the bank card to the table and looked at Sadie with a cool expression.


    ¡°Alright. Since you¡¯ve decided, proceed. And remember, I¡¯m here if you need assistance.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Alex,¡± Sadie responded, her gratitude clear.


    ¡°Think nothing of it. We¡¯re friends,¡± Alex replied, mustering a smile as he stood to leave. ¡°I¡¯ll let you rest now, Sadie. Take care. I¡¯m off.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Sadie rose to escort him to the door.


    Once Alex departed, Sadie retreated to her room, where she gathered her drawing board and pencils. She inhaled deeply, her eyes filled with determination.


    This was her moment to prioritize her own life.


    She resolved to revive her passion for design. Sadie¡¯s pencil flew across the paper, bringing her innovative ideas to life. Engrossed in her work, she sketched tirelessly, channeling all her prior disappointments and frustrations into her art.


    As the days passed, Sadie finalized her portfolio. She then sent her resume to Majestic Ego, the most prestigious design firm in Cairhienen.


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    Before long, an invitation for an interviewnded in her inbox. On the day of the interview, Sadie donned a sleek, professional outfit and strode into Majestic Ego with confidence.


    During the interview, she passionately exined her design philosophy while showcasing her portfolio. Her evident talent and enthusiasm won over the interviewers, who offered her the job immediately.


    Thus, Sadie embarked on a new career path with Majestic Ego.


    Three yearster.


    Standing by a floor-to-ceiling window, Sadie gazed out at the lively night lights of Cairhienen. Despite the beauty before her, her attention was elsewhere. She gripped a ck pen tightly, her fingers tense and pale. Her face conveyed a turmoil of emotions, and she was lost in thought.


    ¡°Sandra, Averi is awake.¡±


    A soft knock on the study door interrupted the quiet, followed by the gentle voice of Nina Welch, the nanny. Startled from her reverie, Sadie set the pen down and moved toward the door.


    ¡°Coming,¡± she replied softly, a tender smile breaking across her face. She opened the door to find her young son, dressed in cartoon pajamas, sleepily calling out, ¡°Mommy.¡±


    Ovee with affection, Sadie quickly approached and lifted her son into a warm embrace.


    ¡°My sweet boy, did you have a good nap?¡± Sadie asked, nting a kiss on Averi Hudson¡¯s rosy cheek.


    Averi wrapped his arms around Sadie¡¯s neck, nestling closer. ¡°I did, Mommy. Can you hold me?¡±


    Sadie smiled and scooped her son up, walking him over to the living room sofa. ¡°Just watch some cartoons for a little while, Averi. I need to go work on some designs upstairs, okay?¡±


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    Averi gave a small nod, his attention already captured by the television.


    Suddenly, the doorbell rang.


    Nina moved to answer it, and soon Alex stepped through the door.


    ¡°Alex!¡± Averi shouted, his face lighting up.


    With a warm smile, Alex approached and lifted Averi into his arms. ¡°Have you missed me, Averi?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± Averi responded, hugging Alex tightly around the neck.


    After a few yful moments, Alex nced towards Nina.


    ¡°Is Sadie upstairs?¡± he asked.


    ¡°She¡¯s in the study, Mr. Howe,¡± Nina replied, her smile reflecting her familiarity with Alex due to his frequent visits.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go see Mommy, shall we?¡± Alex suggested, carrying Averi towards the staircase.


    ¡°Yes!¡± Averi cheered, pping his hands in excitement.


    As they neared the study, Sadie stepped out and saw them. ¡°Averi, why don¡¯t you have some dinner with Nina first?¡± she suggested, catching a glimpse of Averi behind Alex.


    ¡°Mommy, look, Alex is here!¡± Averi eximed, pointing at Alex with joy.


    ¡°Yes, I see him, Averi. Please go have your dinner now. Mommy needs to talk to Alex,¡± Sadie said, stroking her son¡¯s hair softly.


    Averi then walked to the dining room with Nina.


    Alex gazed at Sadie, his expression filled with concern. He approached her, paused, then said hesitantly, ¡°Sadie, there¡¯s something I need to tell you¡­ it¡¯s not good news.¡±


    A wave of dread washed over Sadie. ¡°What happened?¡± she inquired anxiously.


    ¡°It¡¯s your grandmother¡­ she¡¯s very sick.¡±


    Hearing this, Sadie turned ashen. ¡°How bad is it? What¡¯s happened to her?¡± Her voice quivered as she fought back tears.


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    ?Chapter 138:


    ¡°The doctors are not hopeful about her condition,¡± Alex replied, his voiceden with sorrow as he met her tearful gaze.


    Tears began to flow down Sadie¡¯s cheeks. Over thest three years, Alex had been instrumental in helping care for her grandmother, Laura, which made the news particrly devastating.


    ¡°I must go to her. I need to see Grandma,¡± Sadie responded, her resolve steeling.


    Alex stared at her, his face etched with empathy. ¡°Maybe we could bring your grandmother to Cairhienen,¡± he suggested.


    Sadie¡¯s eyes were red as she quickly responded, ¡°No, Alex.¡±


    She inhaled deeply, striving forposure, and exined, ¡°Grandma has lived her whole life in her hometown. She won¡¯t handle the change in climate and the time difference here in Cairhienen.¡±


    Sadie paused, her voice tinged with self-reproach. ¡°And I¡¯m so busy with work that I can¡¯t take care of Grandma properly.¡±


    Alex looked at her sympathetically, feeling a mix of sorrow and helplessness. ¡°Have you made up your mind?¡± he asked in a deep voice. ¡°If you go back, Noah¡­ he might find you.¡±


    At the mention of that name, Sadie shivered slightly, then crossed her lips. ¡°I¡¯m not the same Sadie from three years ago,¡± she dered, her voice sparking with resolve. ¡°I have the means and the confidence now. I won¡¯t let him control me anymore.¡±


    Alex felt a wave of relief seeing her determination. ¡°What about your job?¡± he inquired, concern evident in his tone.


    Sadie remainedposed; she had already strategized her next steps. ¡°I n to start my own brand,¡± she stated confidently. ¡°After three years at Majestic Ego, I¡¯ve gained invaluable experience. It¡¯s time.¡±


    Admiration flickered in Alex¡¯s eyes. He was aware of Sadie¡¯s capabilities. ¡°That¡¯s a great idea,¡± he expressed his support enthusiastically. ¡°If you need any help, just let me know. I could even invest and be a shareholder,¡± he added, half-jokingly, to lighten the mood.


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    Tears welled up in Sadie¡¯s eyes as she looked at him gratefully. ¡°Thank you, Alex,¡± she said sincerely. ¡°Without your support, I wouldn¡¯t have been able to be the renowned Sandra ore this far.¡±


    ¡°Why do you always have to be so formal with me?¡± Alexughed. ¡°Once you¡¯re back home, I won¡¯t have to keep traveling back and forth.¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡± Sadie seemed to miss his implication.


    Alex¡¯s expression flickered, and he coughed to cover up his slip. ¡°Nothing,¡± he quickly said, feigning ease, though his heart was pounding.


    He regarded Sadie with deep affection. Over the past three years, he had watched her ovee her challenges, growing stronger and more intriguing every day.


    Without realizing it, she had captured his heart. Yet, because of Noah, Alex had never been able to confess his feelings, always conflicted about his attraction to a friend¡¯s wife. But now, he sensed that an opportunity might be on the horizon.


    The next day, Sadie took a deep breath to steady her excitement and pushed open the door to the office of Majestic Ego¡¯s design director. ¡°What¡¯s up, Sandra?¡± Amy Flores, the design director, asked, setting aside her design draft and looking up.


    Sadie approached Amy¡¯s desk and gently ced a light gray envelope on it. ¡°Amy,¡± Sadie¡¯s voice faltered slightly. Over the past three years, she had dedicated so much effort and passion to her work here, and the thought of leaving filled her with a mix of emotions.


    Amy picked up the envelope, slid out the resignation letter inside, and quickly skimmed through it. Her blue eyes widened in surprise as she looked up at Sadie. ¡°You¡¯re resigning?¡±


    Sadie nodded, managing a small smile. ¡°Yes, Amy, I am.¡± She paused, gathering her thoughts. ¡°I want to return to Helva to further my career.¡±


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    ?Chapter 139:


    Amy set the resignation letter down, sped her hands together, and leaned forward, her expression serious. ¡°Sandra, I know your talents. You have a promising future here. Why choose to leave now?¡± Amy¡¯s voice held a note of regret; she truly didn¡¯t want to lose such a talented designer.


    ¡°I appreciate that, Amy. I¡¯m truly grateful for all the guidance and trust you¡¯ve given me these years.¡± Sadie¡¯s eyes conveyed her deep gratitude. Amy had been more than a boss; she was a mentor and a friend.


    ¡°But I need to start my own journey,¡± Sadie added.


    ¡°In Helva? Right, you came from Helva.¡± Amy thought for a moment before making an offer. ¡°How about this, Sandra? Ourpany has a branch in Helva. I could arrange for you to transfer there as the design director. The sry and benefits will be at least as good as here. What do you think?¡±


    Sadie was taken aback by Amy¡¯s proposal. After a moment of silence, she shook her head.


    ¡°Thank you for the offer, Amy, but I¡¯mmitted to starting my own brand.¡± Her voice was firm, reflecting a decision that had been carefully thought through.


    Seeing the determination in Sadie¡¯s eyes, Amy realized that any further persuasion would be futile. She sighed, her expression tinged with regret.


    ¡°Alright, Sandra. Since you¡¯re sure, I support your decision. But remember, my offer remains open.¡± Amy then picked up a pen and signed the resignation letter.


    ¡°I hope we have the chance to work together again in the future,¡± Amy said, handing the signed resignation letter back to Sadie, her voice sincere.


    ¡°We definitely will, Amy.¡± Sadie epted the resignation letter, a look of relief washing over her, apanied by a hopeful smile.


    Sadie stepped out of the director¡¯s office, her signed resignation letter clutched tightly in her hand. Returning to her desk, she began packing her belongings, while her colleagues gathered around her, their faces filled with reluctance at her departure.


    ¡°Sandra, are you really leaving?¡± a young designer asked, his voice tinged with regret.


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    ¡°Well, we won¡¯t be working together anymore,¡± another colleague added.


    ¡°How about we throw you a farewell party?¡± someone suggested.


    Sadie looked at the familiar faces around her, touched by their warmth. She gently shook her head, politely declining. ¡°No need. I appreciate the thought. Let¡¯s catch up another time.¡±


    Just then, Vivi Quinn, another designer from Helva, sauntered over, her high heels clicking sharply on the floor. A subtle smirk yed across her face.


    ¡°Oh, Sandra, are you leaving? I thought you¡¯d be more reluctant,¡± Vivi said, her voiceced with sarcasm.


    Sadie met her gaze, her expressionposed and poised. Vivi had always viewed Sadie as apetitor, enjoying any opportunity to overshadow her. Now, with Sadie leaving, Vivi couldn¡¯t resist the urge to needle her.


    ¡°Even if you¡¯ve made a name for yourself at Majestic Ego, don¡¯t overestimate your chances,¡± Vivi said, her disdain barely veiled. ¡°Going solo is no small feat.¡±


    Sadie responded with a calm smile. ¡°With me gone, you¡¯ll finally get that promotion you¡¯ve been after. Congrattions.¡±


    Her seemingly congrattory words struck a nerve with Vivi, who had long envied Sadie¡¯s position butcked her talent. Vivi¡¯s expression soured, and her retort was stifled as she red at Sadie, frustration clear on her face.


    ¡°You all shouldn¡¯t get too attached to her. You won¡¯t see her again,¡± Vivi said.


    The colleagues exchanged uneasy nces, torn between their regret over Sadie¡¯s departure and the need to maintain good terms with Vivi, their soon-to-be supervisor. One by one, they drifted away, leaving Sadie to finish packing in solitude.


    Sadie wasn¡¯t bothered. She had long understood the dynamics of workce politics. With a genuine smile at Vivi, she said, ¡°I wish you great sess.¡±


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 Chapter 140

    ?Chapter 140:


    Picking up her packed belongings, Sadie left the office for thest time. Behind her, Vivi watched, her face flushed with frustration, yet she was powerless in the face of Sadie¡¯s dignified exit.


    The next day, Sadie double-checked her suitcase, zipping it up, ready for her next chapter. Averi sat on the sofa, clutching his teddy bear, his eyes wide with curiosity.


    Sadie ruffled his hair gently. ¡°Averi, are you ready? We¡¯re about to leave.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m ready, Mommy!¡± Averi said, jumping off the sofa, his teddy bear bouncing along. They walked to the door, which rang just then.


    Sadie opened it to find Alex. ¡°Alex? What are you doing here? Weren¡¯t you supposed to be back in the country?¡±


    Stepping in, Alex took Sadie¡¯s suitcase. ¡°I came to pick you up,¡± he said. He ruffled Averi¡¯s hair. ¡°Hey Averi, have you missed me?¡±


    Averi hid shyly behind Sadie, peeking out to murmur, ¡°Hello, Alex.¡± Moved by Alex¡¯s gesture, Sadie felt a warm glow.


    They headed to the ck car parked outside. Alex loaded the luggage and held the door open for them.


    On the road, Averi asked, ¡°Mommy, where are we going?¡±


    Sadie looked into Averi¡¯s innocent eyes and smiled gently. ¡°We¡¯re going to see Mommy¡¯s beloved grandma,¡± Sadie replied softly.


    ¡°What¡¯s she like?¡± Averi asked, his eyes sparkling.


    ¡°She¡¯s kind-hearted and gentle. She¡¯ll tell you stories and y games with you,¡± Sadie exined, her voice tender.


    ¡°Wow, she must be wonderful!¡± Averi pped excitedly.


    Alex, watching Averi¡¯s joy in the rearview mirror, smiled. ¡°We¡¯re on our way,¡± he said. ¡°Her health has improved, and she was discharged yesterday. A caregiver is there, so don¡¯t worry.¡±


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    Relief swept through Sadie as she absorbed the news.


    ¡°Thank goodness,¡± she whispered, a mix of emotions stirring inside her.


    Three years had passed, and she was finally returning to that familiar ce, to see the person she had missed every day and night. With her eyes shut, she inhaled deeply, trying to steady her racing heart.


    As the ne touched down, the darkness enveloped Jazmah. Averi, sleepy, rested his head on Sadie¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Mommy, have we arrived?¡± he asked in his sweet voice.


    Sadie kissed his forehead gently. ¡°Yes, darling, we¡¯re here.¡±


    Alex parked his car outside the faculty housing where Laura resided. He took out the luggage from the trunk and opened the car door. Sadie, with Averi in her arms, got out of the car. Her shadow, long and slender, stretched under the dim streetlight.


    Alex pressed the doorbell. The door soon opened to show a middle-aged woman, Laura¡¯s caregiver.


    ¡°Mr. Howe, wee,¡± she said with respect.


    Acknowledging her with a nod of his own, Alex turned to Sadie. ¡°Let¡¯s head inside.¡±


    Taking a deep breath and clutching Averi¡¯s hand, Sadie stepped through the door.


    Laura¡¯s room, though small, was meticulously kept. There, Laura rested on her bed, looking notably pale. Tears filled her eyes as Sadie came into view.


    ¡°Sadie, my dear, it¡¯s been so long,¡± she said with a trembling voice, reaching out to sp Sadie¡¯s hand firmly.


    Sadie¡¯s cheeks were streaked with tears.


    ¡°Grandma¡­¡± she managed to say, her voice breaking with emotion. It had been three years since she hadst seen her beloved family member.


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 Chapter 141

    ?Chapter 141:


    Averi observed their tears, unsure of what to do. He slipped out of Sadie¡¯s arms, approached the bedside, and gently dabbed at Laura¡¯s cheeks with his small hands.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t cry, Great-Grandma and Mommy,¡± he said softly, his young voice soothing.


    Through her tears, Laura smiled at the sweet child in front of her. ¡°Is this lovely child?¡± she asked affectionately.


    Sadie¡¯s heart sank. Exining Averi¡¯s identity to Laura seemed daunting. After a brief pause, she chose to lie. ¡°He¡¯s¡­ Alex¡¯s son.¡±


    Taken aback for a moment, Alex quickly caught on. Approaching the bedside, he wrapped an arm around Sadie.


    ¡°Yes, he¡¯s my son,¡± he said firmly. ¡°Due to family objections to our rtionship, we had him overseas.¡±


    Laura gazed at Sadie, her eyes filled with empathy. ¡°My dear, you have endured so much,¡± she said, before shifting her gaze to Alex, her tone tinged with disapproval. ¡°Alex, how could you let Sadie face such difficulties?¡±


    Holding Sadie¡¯s hand tightly, Alex responded earnestly, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll marry Sadie soon and ensure she is recognized as she deserves.¡± Emotion tinged his voice, stirring a flutter in Sadie¡¯s heart.


    After soothing Laura, Alex got ready to leave. ¡°Laura, Sadie, it¡¯s time for me to head out.¡±


    At the doorway, Sadie bid him farewell. ¡°Thanks, Alex.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it,¡± he responded, smiling. ¡°You¡¯ve just gotten back. Have you thought about where you¡¯ll stay?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m still figuring that out,¡± Sadie quickly replied.


    Pausing, Alex then suggested, ¡°Maybe I could assist you in finding a bigger apartment? It might be more practical.¡±


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    Shaking her head, Sadie declined. ¡°There¡¯s no need, Alex. I can manage on my own.¡±


    She preferred not to impose any further on him.


    To help with Averi, Sadie hired a nanny, Carol Green.


    ¡°Mommy, where are you going?¡± Averi gripped her leg, his expression showing his reluctance to let her go.


    Bending down, Sadie caressed his head. ¡°I need you to be a good boy, okay? My grandma and I are going to the hospital for a check-up. I¡¯ll return soon.¡±


    ¡°Can Ie with you?¡± Averi looked up at her with hopeful eyes. Sadie smiled. ¡°Next time, sweetheart. This visit, Mommy needs to discuss some things privately with my grandma.¡±


    Averi nodded, though hesitantly. ¡°Alright, but pleasee back quickly.¡±


    ¡°I promise, I will.¡±


    As they left, Sadie held Laura¡¯s hand tightly.


    ¡°How are you feeling, Grandma?¡± she inquired.


    ¡°Much better now,¡± Laura answered, affectionately squeezing Sadie¡¯s hand. ¡°Having you here really calms me.¡±


    Tears welled up in Sadie¡¯s eyes as she softly said, ¡°Grandma¡­¡±


    Swiftly, Sadie averted her gaze to the window, concealing her emotional state from Laura.


    ¡°By the way, Sadie, have you and Alex set a wedding date yet?¡± Laura inquired unexpectedly.


    A heavy feeling descended upon Sadie¡¯s heart.


    ¡°Actually¡­ we haven¡¯t set a date,¡± she stammered.


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 Chapter 142

    ?Chapter 142:


    ¡°Why haven¡¯t you set a date yet?¡± Laura¡¯s voice carried genuine concern. ¡°You have a child now. Getting married soon would put my mind at ease.¡±


    ¡°We¡­ we¡¯ll definitely tie the knot,¡± Sadie responded, her tone nomittal.


    Exining herplex rtionship with Alex to Laura was beyond her.


    Laura exhaled a weary sigh. ¡°I don¡¯t quite understand you young people, but Alex is a catch. Don¡¯t let him get away.¡±


    Managing a strained smile, Sadie remained silent.


    In the hospital, Laura proceeded to her appointment.


    Seated in the corridor, Sadie absentmindedly scrolled through her phone.


    Out of the blue, her phone buzzed.


    It was a call from Amy, the design director at Majestic Ego.


    ¡°Hello, Amy.¡±


    ¡°Sadie, how are you? I heard you¡¯re back in Helva,¡± Amy said.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve returned.¡±


    ¡°Our Jazmah branch is really in need of a design director. Won¡¯t you reconsider your decision?¡± Sadie was taken aback. She hadn¡¯t expected Amy to invite her to work at thepany¡¯s Jazmah branch again.


    ¡°Well¡­ I¡¯ll think about it.¡±


    ¡°Sure, I await your decision. Please let me know as soon as you can.¡±


    Once the conversation ended, Sadie was lost in thought.


    Standing at a crucial decision point, she felt unsure of her next steps.


    Suddenly, she spotted Noah and K approaching.


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    In a rush, Sadie concealed herself behind some thick greenery, her heart pounding.


    She absolutely did not want to be discovered, especially here. K was close to Noah, her hand on his arm, speaking softly with the doctor about something.


    Sadie froze, trying to blend into the background.


    Looking more closely, she noticed they were near the gynecology and obstetrics department. Could K be expecting?


    A bitter smile crossed Sadie¡¯s face. Three years had passed; it made sense that K might be pregnant. Indeed, time had a way of changing things.


    Eventually, Noah and K departed.


    Taking a deep breath, Sadie prepared to retrieve Laura.


    ¡°Grandma, we can leave now,¡± she said, offering her arm to Laura.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Laura responded with a gentle smile, epting Sadie¡¯s support.


    Unbeknownst to Sadie, a familiar presence was back.


    It was K.


    Disbelief filled her. She blinked several times to ensure she wasn¡¯t imagining things.


    There was no mistake¡ªit was indeed K.


    K felt a sudden pang of anxiety. Despite all her efforts over the past three years, Noah had consistently resisted marrying her. With Sadie¡¯s return, K feared the stability of her rtionship with Noah was at risk.


    In a state of panic, K watched as Sadie walked away, her eyes alight with a fierce resentment. She was determined not to let Sadie win Noah back.


    Quickly, K grabbed her phone and made a call, instructing, ¡°Keep a close eye on Sadie. Report back on everything she does!¡±


    After ending the call, K gripped the medical report so tightly that her fingertips whitened. She got back into the car and nonchntly tossed the report aside, her facial expression smoothing out.


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 Chapter 143

    ?Chapter 143:


    Noah nced at his watch, an expression of impatience creasing his forehead.


    ¡°Drive me to the office,¡± he said to the driver, his voice devoid of warmth.


    ¡°Noah¡­¡± K called tentatively.


    She had imed a heart issue as an excuse to have him join her for the check-up, hoping to spend more time with him.


    However, once the check-up was over, his mind was set on returning to work.


    ¡°I¡¯m still not feeling well¡­¡± she said, clutching at her chest and turning pale.


    Noah nced at her briefly, his eyes cold and detached.


    ¡°Let the driver take you back to the hospital after dropping me off,¡± he said, his voice strictly professional and emotionally distant.


    A sense of despair washed over K. She pressed her lips together, attempting a smile.


    ¡°It¡¯s just fatigue. A little rest should help. I¡¯ll be okay.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Noah responded, his tone disinterested, his attention focused on the documents in his hand, not sparing K another look.


    The air in the car felt oppressively thick.


    Drawing in a deep breath, K struggled to contain her mounting frustration and worry.


    ¡°Noah, do you have any ns this evening? We could perhaps dine together,¡± she asked hesitantly.


    Noah, without raising his eyes from his work, refused.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m tied up with a meeting tonight.¡±


    Another meeting?


    K felt like she was on the verge of exploding with frustration. She managed to maintain aposed facade, but her nails dug deeply into her palms.


    ¡°I understand,¡± she said, forcing a smile that was more a grimace than anything genuine.


    The car sped along. When K returned to her vi, she wore a stormy expression. She tossed her bag onto the sofa with a huff.


    A servant approached cautiously and asked, ¡°Miss Wade, should I prepare dinner?¡±


    ¡°No need!¡± K snapped, causing the servant to flinch.


    Just then, a man in a ck suit entered and respectfully handed her a document.


    ¡°Miss Wade, here is the information you requested.¡±


    K snatched the document and quickly skimmed it. Her eyes widened in shock at one particr line, her hand trembling as she pointed at it.


    ¡°A child?! She actually has a child with her?!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Miss Wade. ording to our investigation, Sadie disappeared more than three years ago and only recently returned, apanied by a boy about three years old,¡± the man exined calmly.


    K stood abruptly, pacing the room as her high heels echoed against the floor, each step pounding like a drumbeat in her chest.


    ¡°Three years ago¡­¡± she muttered, remembering Sadie¡¯s odd behaviors back then, her expression growing darker. ¡°Could it be that Sadie didn¡¯t lose her baby at that time?!¡±


    She stopped, a fierce determination in her eyes. ¡°She came back with the child to win Noah back! I can¡¯t let her seed!¡±


    Jealousy red within her, nearly overwhelming her. She grabbed the car keys from the table and said icily, ¡°Get the car ready!¡±


    Determined to confront Sadie immediately, K arrived at the faculty housing and took a deep breath to calm herself before entering the building with poised steps.


    Inside, the soft, dim lighting of the hallway cast a warm glow on Sadie, who was holding the sleeping Averi and murmuring gently to him. She had hoped for a peaceful night, but K¡¯s unexpected visit disrupted that.


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 Chapter 144

    ?Chapter 144:


    Not wanting to worry Laura and Averi, Sadie whispered to Carol, ¡°Carol, please take Averi and my grandma back. I¡¯ll handle this.¡±


    Carol gave Sadie a worried look but nodded, gently carrying Averi and assisting Laura back into the apartment.


    Sadie turned to face K, who regarded her with a mocking smile. After three years, K still radiated mour but now carried a more assertive air, stripped of her previous innocence.


    ¡°Well, if it isn¡¯t the great designer Sadie? I thought you were dead!¡± K said, her arms crossed, her voice dripping with sarcasm.


    Sadie responded with a faint smile, her voice steady, ¡°Sorry to disappoint you, Miss Wade. I¡¯m very much alive.¡±


    Three years had changed much. Gone was the timid Sadie of the past. Now, she stood with firm confidence, her gaze steady.


    K felt a twinge of unease seeing Sadie¡¯s transformation. Was this really the same Sadie she once manipted so easily? The woman before her now wasposed and unflinching, her eyes reflecting a depth K found unnerving.


    However, K¡¯s unease quickly morphed into smug superiority.


    Sadie dropped her calm facade, her eyes turning icy as she looked into K¡¯s eyes. ¡°It¡¯s quitete. Why are you here?¡±


    K replied, ¡°I saw you at the hospital today and thought I¡¯d drop by. Didn¡¯t expect you¡¯d have a child with you¡­¡±


    She paused, her hand lingering over her t stomach, her smile loaded with implication.


    Sadie¡¯s expression hardened, her hands balling into fists¡ªa reaction K noted with vindictive satisfaction.


    ¡°The child is adorable. He looks just like you,¡± K said, continuing her provocation.


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    ¡°If you¡¯vee just to see the child, you¡¯ve seen him. Please leave. I don¡¯t want any trouble,¡± Sadie said, her voice icy, her anger barely contained.


    ¡°Trouble? Get this straight, Sadie. You¡¯re the one causing trouble. Three years, and you¡¯re still here in Jazmah. Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s not because you¡¯re still hung up on Noah.¡± K¡¯s voice was cutting. ¡°Take my advice and move on. He¡¯s with me now, and we¡¯re getting married soon.¡±


    Sadie took a deep breath, striving to keep her emotions in check. ¡°I returned solely to care for my grandmother. This has nothing to do with you or Noah.¡±


    K scoffed coldly. ¡°Really? You expect me to believe that? You abandoned Noah for money three years ago. Now, you¡¯re back, trying to rekindle old mes, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice rang out, every syble dripping with anger. ¡°I never nned to cross paths with Noah ever again!¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± K retorted, her toneced with skepticism. ¡°It¡¯s been three years, and not once has he tried to reach out to you, Sadie.¡± A glint of malice sparked in her eyes as she leaned in closer. ¡°Do you know what Noah said after your car ident three years ago? ¡®It¡¯d be simpler if she just disappeared.''¡±


    Sadie felt the sting of those words as if a de had sliced through her soul. Her entire body shook, herplexion turning ghostly, her jaw locked tight.


    ¡°Get out of my sight!¡± Sadie seethed, her fists tightening. ¡°I don¡¯t care about Noah, and I don¡¯t want you near me! I swear, I¡¯ll never see him again!¡±


    With those final words, she pivoted on her heel and strode away, her steps faltering but filled with fierce determination.


    K¡¯s eyes narrowed as she watched Sadie retreat. A shadow of doubt flickered across her face. She wasn¡¯t convinced Sadie had truly moved on.


    ¡°Keep watch over her,¡± she murmured icily to the empty space before turning to leave.


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 Chapter 145

    ?Chapter 145:


    ¡°K?¡± A deep voice shattered the stillness.


    Whirling around, K found herself facing Alex, who stood at the shadowy threshold of the corridor, his brow creased and his eyes reflecting a chilling frost.


    ¡°What the hell are you doing here?¡± Alex demanded sharply. His sudden presence seemed to snatch the smug grin right off K¡¯s face.


    K blinked, momentarily thrown off bnce, but she swiftly masked her surprise, her eyes flickering with defiance before settling back into their usual haughty re.


    ¡°Oh, Alex, what a coincidence,¡± she drawled, her voice dripping with feigned surprise. ¡°Still ying the gant knight for Sadie after all these years?¡±


    Alex¡¯s expression turned stormy, his voice cold and steely. ¡°K, what exactly are you up to?¡±


    With a sneer curling her lips, K¡¯s eyes sparkled with scorn. ¡°What am I up to?¡± she huffed, leaning in closer. ¡°Just paying a visit to an old friend. But you, Alex¡ªthree years and still chasing after Sadie¡¯s affection? How¡­ romantic.¡±


    She stretched the word, her voice thick with sarcasm, mocking Alex¡¯s unrequited devotion.


    Alex¡¯s hands balled into fists at his sides, his jaw tightening as he fought to keep his anger in check. ¡°K, whatever you think is going on with Sadie and me, you¡¯re wrong.¡±


    K¡¯s eyebrow arched maliciously, and her smirk widened. ¡°Oh? It isn¡¯t what I think? Then enlighten me, Alex¡ªwhose child is that?¡± Her gazended on the door to Laura¡¯s apartment, her question hanging heavily in the air like a charged usation.


    Alex inhaled sharply, his chest heaving as he struggled to maintain control. He was keenly aware that he couldn¡¯t let K uncover the truth, nor could he risk her spilling everything to Noah.


    With a tense voice, he shot back, ¡°This is Sadie¡¯s personal matter¡ªit has nothing to do with you.¡±


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    ¡°Personal matter? Sounds more like something scandalous,¡± K retorted, her voice dripping with scorn. ¡°Alex, you really should open your eyes. Don¡¯t let that woman fool you!¡±


    Alex felt a surge of frustration but restrained himself, fearful that Noah might appear out of nowhere, leaving him scrambling for an exnation.


    Steadying his voice, he warned, ¡°K, enough! Stay out of this! She¡¯s done with the chaos¡ªlet her have the peaceful life she deserves and don¡¯t bother her again!¡±


    Kughed harshly, disbelief clear on her face. ¡°A peaceful life? If peace is really what she¡¯s after, whye back to Jazmah? Face it, Alex¡ªyou¡¯re blind to how she¡¯s manipting you!¡±


    Alex¡¯s eyes narrowed, a cold fire burning behind them. ¡°That¡¯s none of your business! Get the hell out of here!¡±


    Turning around, K strode toward her car parked along the roadside. Pausing by the door, she threw Alex a loaded nce. ¡°If you¡¯re really in love with her, you¡¯d better stake your im fast. You¡¯re not the only one interested.¡±


    With those parting words, she slid into her car and sped off.


    Alex stood there, watching the red taillights fade into the distance, his brow creased with worry and contemtion. He lingered for a brief moment, then turned and made his way to Laura¡¯s apartment.


    With a gentle rap on the door, he waited, his heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and dread. When the door swung open, Sadie stood there, her smile tired but weing.


    ¡°Alex, what brings you here at this hour?¡± she inquired softly, her voice a gentle murmur.


    ¡°I needed to see how you and your grandmother were holding up,¡± Alex replied, stepping inside with concern evident in his voice. ¡°How is she?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s resting, already turned in for the night,¡± Sadie whispered, her gaze dropping slightly. ¡°K stopped by earlier.¡±


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 Chapter 146

    ?Chapter 146:


    Alex¡¯s brow furrowed deeply. ¡°What was she after this time?¡±


    ¡°Just her usual drama, trying to stir things up,¡± Sadie responded, her tone even, almost indifferent, yet a subtle strain hinted at the annoyance simmering beneath the surface. ¡°Alex, do you think she¡¯ll tell Noah about me?¡±


    Alex gave her a reassuring look. ¡°She probably won¡¯t. She¡¯s not that reckless. But I do think K could be a real threat. I have a hunch she was involved in that car ident three years ago. Remember, aside from us, she was the only one who knew about your n to slip away from the banquet.¡±


    Sadie¡¯splexion drained, her eyes wide with a flicker of fear. ¡°You mean¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll look into it,¡± Alex dered, his voice resolute with determination. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll keep you, your grandmother, and Averi safe.¡±


    After bidding Sadie goodbye, Alex drove back to his ce.


    As he unlocked the door, a pungent odor of alcohol hit him. Stepping into the living room, he found Noah slumped on the sofa, clutching an empty bottle, his gaze unfocused and distant.


    ¡°You¡¯re back,¡± Noah murmured, his voice rough and tinged with the bitterness of drink.


    Alex felt a sudden tightness in his chest, a sense of foreboding washing over him. ¡°Why are you here? And why have you drunk so much?¡±


    Noah gave a self-deprecatingugh. ¡°What, am I not wee?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that,¡± Alex replied, sitting down across from him and picking up the bottle from the coffee table to pour himself a drink. ¡°I¡¯m just surprised you found time to visit today.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been three years, Alex. You¡¯ve been hard to see,¡± Noah said, his gaze piercing as he watched Alex. ¡°What have you been so busy with abroad? So secretive.¡±


    Alex took a sip of his drink, keeping his tone casual. ¡°Just the usual business.¡±


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    ¡°Business?¡± Noah scoffed. ¡°What kind of business has you jetting off to different countries all the time?¡±


    Alex¡¯s eyes flickered momentarily, but he quickly regained hisposure. ¡°You know how it is¡ªexpanding globally is part of the process.¡±


    After a pause, Noah¡¯s gaze turned icy. ¡°Alex, be straight with me. Is Sadie hidden abroad by you?¡±


    Alex¡¯s heart skipped a beat, but he maintained hisposure. ¡°What are you talking about? Sadie left long ago, and I have no idea where she is.¡±


    Noah scrutinized his face, searching for any sign of deceit. ¡°Really? Your recent travels seem highly suspicious.¡±


    Alex shifted his gaze away and changed the subject. ¡°When are you nning to marry K?¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression darkened, and he fell silent, as if lost in thought. Seeing this, Alex fell silent as well. The two of them sat there, each holding their drink, enveloped in a heavy silence.


    Suddenly, a phone rang, shattering the stillness. Noah nced at it, noticing the caller ID read ¡°S.¡± He moved to answer it.


    But Alex was quicker. He snatched the phone and stepped outside. ¡°I¡¯ll take this call.¡±


    Outside, Alex answered and said, ¡°Hello, Sadie.¡±


    ¡°Alex, I¡­ I want to start my own brand and was hoping you could introduce me to some professionals in this industry. Is that okay?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice was tentative.


    ¡°Of course, no problem at all,¡± Alex responded promptly. ¡°I¡¯m free tomorrow. We can discuss it then.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Alex.¡±


    After ending the call, Alex walked back into the living room to find Noah staring at him with a cold expression.


    ¡°Who was that on the phone?¡± Noah asked, his voice icy.


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 Chapter 147

    ?Chapter 147:


    ¡°Just my secretary,¡± Alex replied.


    ¡°Secretary? A secretary calling at this hour? Alex, do you think I¡¯m a fool?¡± Noah¡¯s tone was sharp with sarcasm as he reached out, trying to grab Alex¡¯s phone.


    Alex sidestepped, holding the phone away from him. ¡°You¡¯re drunk. Stop making a scene.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not drunk!¡± Noah insisted, grabbing Alex¡¯s arm with surprising strength. ¡°Give me the phone!¡±


    ¡°Let go!¡± Alex snapped, pulling his arm free. ¡°Noah, enough! Stop this drunken spectacle!¡±


    He turned to the butler and said, ¡°Please take Mr. Wall home. He shouldn¡¯t be causing a scene here.¡±


    The butler hesitated, ncing between the two men, then stepped forward to assist Noah. ¡°Mr. Wall, perhaps it¡¯s best if you head home to rest.¡±


    Noah resisted, his gaze locked on Alex¡¯s phone, but the butler eventually led him out.


    Watching them leave, Alex exhaled deeply, quickly opened his phone, and changed Sadie¡¯s contact name to ¡°Allen,¡± vowing to be more discreet in the future.


    Noah woke the next day with a splitting headache, the previous night¡¯s events vivid in his mind. He summoned his assistant, Samuel. ¡°Investigate everything about Alex, especially his travels over thest three years. I want details. And keep an eye on him. Report back anything unusual immediately.¡±


    Samuel nodded and left to execute the orders.


    The same day, Alex met Sadie at her grandma¡¯s apartment as promised.


    ¡°Thank you, Alex,¡± Sadie expressed her gratitude warmly.


    ¡°It¡¯s the least I could do,¡± Alex replied with a smile. ¡°Let¡¯s not keep the professionals waiting.¡±


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    They had dinner at an upscale private club, where, thanks to Alex¡¯s connections, the professionals in the design industry were particrly weing to Sadie. They praised her portfolio and offered valuable advice. After dinner, Sadie thanked Alex again.


    ¡°Alex, I really can¡¯t thank you enough. Meeting these people wouldn¡¯t have been possible without your help.¡±


    ¡°It was the least I could do,¡± Alex said with a faint smile. ¡°By the way, have you thought about the studio? If you need, I can help you find a suitable ce to rent.¡±


    Sadie thought for a moment before refusing. ¡°I can handle it myself. Thank you.¡±


    Meanwhile, Samuel handed Noah a stack of photos.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, these are Mr. Howe¡¯s activities from this afternoon.¡±


    Noah took the photos and flipped through them. Suddenly, he paused at one. In the picture, Alex was walking alongside a woman. Though she wore sunsses, Noah recognized her instantly¡ªit was Sadie!


    A torrent of suppressed longing surged within him, and Noah could no longer contain himself. Snatching up his car keys, he rushed out, driven by a singr desire to see her.


    Outside Laura¡¯s apartment, Noah knocked forcefully on the door. The door swung open, and Sadie, taken aback, said, ¡°N-Noah?¡±


    Inside, Laura¡¯s voice echoed. ¡°Sadie, who is it?¡±


    Sadie didn¡¯t want Noah to find out about Averi. She managed to keep herposure. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ a friend. I¡¯ll just step outside for a moment.¡± Taking a deep breath, she stepped out and gently closed the door behind her.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± she asked, her voice tense.


    As Sadie descended the stairs, Noah grabbed her wrist with surprising force.


    ¡°Noah, what are you doing? Let go of me!¡± Sadie eximed, struggling to free herself.


    Without a word, he dragged her through the quiet campus roadside, beyond the gates. Ignoring her protests, he suddenly pressed her against the cold metal of the car and kissed her.


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    The kiss was forceful, marked by a fierce possessiveness that seemed to overpower Sadie.


    ¡°Mm¡­ let¡­ let go¡­¡± Sadie desperately twisted her head away. Noah¡¯s breathing grew heavier. He scooped her up and tossed her into the car.


    The car door mmed shut with a bang, muffling the sounds of the outside world.


    He leaned in closer, his presence pressing against her as he gently pulled her shirt open, exposing her delicate shoulders.


    Sadie¡¯s eyes widened in fear as she noticed the intense emotion in his gaze. She knew it all too well.


    A loud p echoed inside the car.


    Noah paused suddenly, his expression shifting to one of surprise. He looked at Sadie, a mix of emotions flickering in his eyes, quickly reced by anger.


    ¡°Noah, get a grip!¡± Sadie¡¯s voice trembled with fear and anger. ¡°We¡¯re already divorced!¡±


    ¡°Divorced?¡± Noah said, his face close to hers. ¡°The divorce papers aren¡¯t signed. You¡¯re still my wife, Sadie!¡±


    Sadie closed her eyes in despair, tears streaming down her face. Noah kissed her again, this time more gently, but the humiliation for her deepened.


    Feeling her tremble and the tears on her cheeks, Noah finally paused. He gazed at her, a tumult of emotions swirling in his eyes.


    ¡°Where have you been these three years?¡± His voice was low and hoarse.


    ¡°Where I¡¯ve been is none of your business,¡± Sadie responded coldly, regaining someposure.


    ¡°None of my business?¡± Noah said, his smile turning into a mocking sneer. ¡°Are you refusing to be intimate with me because of Alex? Did you ask him to take you away?¡± His tone was usatory.


    Sadie pushed him away with all her strength, her eyes shing with anger.


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    ¡°Noah, stop this madness! You have no right to control me anymore! From the moment you decided to get a divorce, everything between us was over,¡± she dered firmly.


    Noah opened his mouth to argue, but Sadie cut him off.


    ¡°Enough!¡± She took a deep breath to steady herself. ¡°Noah, it¡¯s over between us. Please don¡¯t disturb my life anymore.¡±


    With that, she pushed open the car door and walked away without looking back.


    Noah sat in the car, watching her depart, his expression unreadable. After adjusting her slightly disheveled clothes, Sadie walked back to her grandma¡¯s apartment slowly.


    As soon as she entered, a small figure rushed over, hugging her leg tightly.


    ¡°Mommy, where did you go? I missed you!¡± Averi¡¯s soft, childish voice carried a hint of sadness as he looked up with big, hopeful eyes. Sadie¡¯s heart melted. She bent down, lifting him into her arms and kissing his chubby cheek.


    ¡°I just had to run some errands. Were you a good boy?¡±


    ¡°I was!¡± Averi nodded enthusiastically, his arms tightening around Sadie¡¯s neck.


    Sadie smiled.


    ¡°Sadie, you¡¯re back? Why sote?¡± Laura appeared from the kitchen with a steaming bowl of soup. ¡°Come have some soup to warm up.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Grandma.¡± Sadie set Averi on the sofa and took the bowl, sipping the soup thoughtfully.


    Laura watched her with concern. ¡°Has Alex been busy recently?¡±


    Sadie paused. ¡°Yes.¡±


    Laura sighed. ¡°Alex is a good man. He¡¯s been very kind to both you and Averi¡­¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± Sadie said. ¡°But right now, I need to focus on my career, so I might not have much time to look after you and Averi.¡±


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    Laura looked surprised.


    Sadie nced at Averi, who was ying with his toys. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Carol wille during the day to help.¡±


    Laura nodded after a moment of silence.


    Back in her room, Sadie took a deep breath, trying to settle her thoughts. She opened herptop and continued refining her brand logo design. Thepany registration was nearlyplete and would be finalized in about two weeks. Time was pressing, and she needed to focus on preparing her brand.


    ¡°It has to seed,¡± she murmured to herself.


    Yet, the memory of Noah¡¯s forceful kiss haunted her. Frustrated, she rubbed her temples, struggling to focus. She spent the night restless and uneasy.


    The next morning, with dark circles under her eyes, Sadie grabbed her purse and headed out, determined to face the day.


    ¡°Grandma, I¡¯m going to check out some office spaces. I might not be back for lunch,¡± she said.


    ¡°Alright, be careful on the road,¡± Laura responded, her voice tinged with concern.


    Sadie then contacted the real estate agent she had previously spoken with, detailing her requirements.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, I found a few office spaces in the city center ording to your budget. Shall we take a look?¡± the agent suggested enthusiastically.


    Together, they toured several office buildings. One in particr caught Sadie¡¯s eye due to its ample lighting and suitable size.


    ¡°How do you feel about this one? If it¡¯s suitable, we can start the contract process,¡± the agent said.


    Sadie hesitated for a moment. ¡°It¡¯s not bad. But¡­¡±


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    ¡°Do you have any concerns, Miss Hudson? Actually, there¡¯s another one that might suit you even better. It¡¯s near Wall Group, prime location, and the price is about the same,¡± the agent added.


    Sadie¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and she almost blurted out, ¡°No, this one will do.¡±


    She wanted nothing more to do with Wall Group.


    ¡°Alright, Miss Hudson, I¡¯ll prepare the contract,¡± the agent said, noticing her reluctance to explore further options.


    Sadie took the documents for the chosen office space and went with the agent to the agency to sign the contract. Sitting in the waiting area, she reviewed the contract terms, trying to push aside the unease in her heart.


    ¡°What a coincidence, Sadie.¡±


    K¡¯s piercing voice shattered the silence. Sadie looked up to see K striding in on high heels.


    ¡°What brings you here, Miss Wade?¡± The agent quickly stood up, his face breaking into a polite smile.


    K nced at Sadie disdainfully, her lips curling into a mocking smile. ¡°Noah said he¡¯d buy me a ce and let me choose.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s fingers tightened slightly around the contract, but she kept her face impassive.


    ¡°Oh? Tired of living at Myrtlewood Estate?¡± Sadie asked.


    K¡¯s demeanor stiffened, her gaze sharpening. ¡°Sadie, stop with the sarcasm! What right do you have to be so arrogant now?¡±


    Sadie let out a soft, coldugh, locking eyes with her. ¡°I¡¯m just curious, Miss Wade. It¡¯s been three years, and you still haven¡¯t moved into Myrtlewood Estate?¡±


    The air grew heavy with tension, both women poised on the brink of a confrontation.


    The real estate agent shifted ufortably, his eyes darting nervously between K and Sadie as perspiration dotted his brow. ¡°Uh¡­ you¡¯re both my clients. Let¡¯s talk this over calmly¡ª¡±


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    K cut him off, her chin tilting defiantly, a hint of imperiousness in her posture. ¡°I¡¯ve made up my mind¡ªI want this office space, your price. I¡¯ll pay double.¡±


    Her eyes flicked towards the contract clutched in Sadie¡¯s hand, a wave of vindictive triumph washing over her.


    Sadie¡¯s gaze held a spark of sarcasm as she gently ced the contract on the table, her hands elegantly folded in herp. ¡°Do you understand the cost of renting office space in the prime downtown area, Miss Wade? Can you truly afford to pay double?¡±


    K was momentarily at a loss for words, her face flushing a deep shade of red. She hastily grabbed the contract to scan the figures, and when she saw the numbers, her expression turned to stone.


    She had blurted out her offer to demean Sadie, not expecting to be cornered by her own brash statement.


    Sadie rose, her presence imposing as she looked down at K and said with a serene yet foreboding tone, ¡°A piece of advice, Miss Wade. Think twice before putting on a tough act¡ªknow what you can handle first.¡±


    K¡¯s eyes flickered with surprise as she met Sadie¡¯s unwavering gaze, but she quicklyposed herself, her voice sharpening. ¡°What¡­ what are you renting this ce for, anyway?¡±


    Sadie took the contract back, throwing K a cool, disinterested look. ¡°What concern is that of yours?¡± she asked, her tone t and dismissive.


    Tired of the bickering, she was eager only to ink the deal and escape the stifling atmosphere of contention.


    She turned to the real estate agent with a resolute expression. ¡°Let¡¯s get on with the signing. If that¡¯s not possible right now, I need to leave.¡± Her voice carried a finality that brooked no argument, and she pivoted on her heel, poised to depart. The real estate agent, catching the urgency in her movement, was seized by a sudden panic.


    This was a coveted piece of prime office space in the city¡¯s pulsing heart, where leasesmanded top dor. Losing this transaction meant waving goodbye to a heftymission.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, don¡¯t worry about it. I¡¯ll get it done right away.¡±


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    Smiling warmly, the real estate agent steered Sadie toward a lounge. ¡°Take a seat and rx for a moment. I¡¯ll have the contract and paperwork ready soon.¡±


    Sadie settled into a plush sofa with a sigh of relief. Without K¡¯s prickling presence, the world seemed instantly more serene.


    Shortly, thendlord bustled in, documents in hand and a weing grin stered across his face. The signing unfolded without a hitch, and Sadie soon clutched her copy of the contract, ready to make her exit.


    But as she stepped out into the fresh air, her eyesnded on K, who was lurking under a nearby tree. K leaned casually against the trunk, arms folded, her lips curling into a sly, knowing smile as Sadie emerged.


    Finding the scene rather amusing, Sadie paused, shooting K a lookced with sarcasm. ¡°Well, well, a ¡®big-shot¡¯wyer like you lounging around here? You must be really worried about me staying in Jazmah, huh?¡±


    ¡°Worried? About you?¡± K¡¯sugh was sharp and dismissive. ¡°You¡¯re making a big deal out of nothing¡ªI was simply passing by.¡±


    Sadie arched an eyebrow, her tone brimming with irony. ¡°There aren¡¯t anyw firms for miles, K. Your ¡®simply passing by¡¯ doesn¡¯t make any sense.¡±


    A flicker of annoyance shadowed K¡¯s features, but she masked it quickly with a cool smirk. ¡°Don¡¯t get ahead of yourself, Sadie.¡±


    Uninterested in prolonging the confrontation, Sadie turned to leave, her steps firm.


    ¡°Stop!¡± In a swift motion, K lunged forward, her fingers mping around the contract in Sadie¡¯s hand.


    That was thest straw. Sadie¡¯s patience snapped. She seized K¡¯s wrist, pushing it away sharply.


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    Surprised, K lost her bnce, tumbling backward onto the soft earth with a heavy thud.


    ¡°I¡¯m warning you¡ªstop meddling in my affairs!¡± Sadie¡¯s voice sliced through the air, icy and stern.


    Stooping down, she picked up the contract, dusted it off with a flick of her hand, and strode away without a second nce.


    K¡¯s gaze lingered on Sadie¡¯s retreating silhouette, her eyes shadowed with a dark, brooding intensity. Rising smoothly, she brushed the stubborn dust from her clothes. A sly, knowing smile slowly curled the edges of her lips as she muttered under her breath, ¡°Oh, Sadie, do you really think you¡¯ve won?¡±


    Taking out her phone, she dialed a number with a determined tap. ¡°I need intel on Sadie¡¯s ns for that office space¡ªeveryst detail,¡± shemanded, her voice a mix of ice and steel.


    As the shadows of evening stretched across the city, Sadie trudged back to her grandma¡¯s apartment, her energy sapped. Her heart skipped a beat when she spotted a familiar ck car parked by the curb¡ªit was unmistakably Noah¡¯s.


    A knot of dread tightened in her stomach, urging her to evade him. With a hopeful breath, she attempted a stealthy detour around the building, only to collide with a figure at the entrance.


    Noah was there, casually leaning against the doorframe, hands buried in his pockets, his expression unreadable yet undeniably expectant. Sadie¡¯s brow furrowed, her grip on the folder tightening, her knuckles nching with the strain.


    ¡°What are you doing here again?¡± she demanded, her voice strained with frustration and weariness.


    Noah¡¯s eyes flickered briefly to the folder clutched in her hand. ¡°What? Have you taken up running errands for Alex now?¡±


    Taking a measured breath, Sadie fought to keep herposure. ¡°This has nothing to do with you, Noah,¡± she asserted firmly. Desperate to get away from him, she shifted to the side, longing to reach home.


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    However, Noah grabbed her wrist with sudden intensity. ¡°Three years, Sadie. Three whole years. You owe me an exnation¡ªwhy did you disappear? Was the idea of being my wife so repulsive to you?¡±


    With a forceful tug, Sadie freed her hand and let out a mockingugh, chilly and sharp. ¡°Yes, exactly! I couldn¡¯t care less about being your wife! Ha! Do you honestly think that¡¯s¡­¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that something everyone dreams of?¡± Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, a fiery defiance burning within them despite her efforts to remainposed.


    She shot back, her voice steady yet icy, ¡°We¡¯ve been apart for three years, Noah. In the eyes of thew, we¡¯re divorced. There¡¯s nothing left between us. Stop pestering me!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve changed, Sadie. Who¡¯s behind this newfound boldness? Alex?¡± Noah¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits, a menacing glint emerging as he scrutinized her.


    Sadie¡¯s eyes shed with open loathing, unwavering and intense. Noah was taken aback, never having encountered such a piercing stare from her before.


    Just then, their tense standoff was momentarily interrupted by a passerby¡ªa woman with a shopping basket¡ªwho greeted Sadie with a warm smile. ¡°Hi Sadie, just finished work?¡±


    Instantly, the hardness in Sadie¡¯s expression melted into a warm, radiant smile. ¡°Yeah, were you out shopping again?¡± Her tone lightened, filled with genuine cheer.


    Noah lingered in the background, his sharp gaze locked on her, irritation simmering beneath the surface.


    With a derisive snort, he remarked, ¡°Well done. You¡¯re getting faster at putting on a new face.¡±


    Saying nothing more, he turned sharply and walked away.


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    Meanwhile, Sadie¡¯s face, once a mask of shifting emotions, settled into a nk te as she watched his retreating figure. She understood Noah too well¡ªhe wouldn¡¯t stop here.


    He was just feeling things out. What would happen when he returned next time, or the time after that?


    The possibility of Noah discovering Averi¡¯s existence loomedrge in her mind, threatening the fragile peace she had pieced together. A chill raced down her spine, anxiety flooding her senses like a cold tide.


    She hastened into the apartment building, her fingers trembling as she fumbled for her phone and dialed Alex.


    The phone barely rang twice before Alex answered with a soothing voice. ¡°Sadie?¡±


    ¡°Can you do me a favor, Alex?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice wavered ever so slightly, almost unnoticeable.


    Alex¡¯s response was immediate and grave. ¡°What do you need? Just tell me.¡±


    Sadie paused, her breath catching. ¡°If Noah ever asks about Averi, could you¡­ could you please say Averi is your son?¡± Her plea hung in the air, heavy with unspoken fears as she awaited his reply..


    ¡°You¡­ You met with him?¡± Alex asked. ¡°Did he give you a hard time?¡±


    Sadie closed her eyes for a couple of seconds before taking a deep breath. ¡°Yes, we met. I¡¯m fine, I really am. You have nothing to worry about.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good, then.¡± Alex¡¯s relief was evident in his voice. ¡°You have nothing to worry about, either. If he asks, I¡¯ll say that Averi is mine. I¡¯ll protect you two.¡±


    Warmth surged in Sadie¡¯s chest. ¡°Thank you, Alex,¡± she choked out.


    A beat of silence passed before Alex spoke again. This time, his tone wasced with hesitation. ¡°So¡­ How is the preparation of your studioing along?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s going well. I found the perfect spot and managed to secure the lease. Thepany registration is almost done, too.¡±


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    ¡°That¡¯s great. I¡¯ll be there when you open shop.¡±


    ¡°Sure thing.¡± Sadie smiled. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure to reserve a seat for you in the VIP section.¡±


    They chatted a bit more about trivial matters.


    ¡°I¡¯ll hang up now. Get some rest,¡± Alex said, though it was quite clear he didn¡¯t want to end the conversation just yet.


    ¡°You, too. Good night.¡± In the end, it was Sadie who ended the call.


    She had barely put her phone down when a knock came at the door. ¡°Mommy! When are you taking me out to y?¡± a cute, whiny voice called out from the other side.


    Sadie got up and opened the door. Averi stood there, his feet bare, his eyes bright, and his hands perched on his hips.


    ¡°It¡¯s so boring here,¡± the little boyined. ¡°Let¡¯s go out and y!¡±


    Sadie crouched down to meet Averi¡¯s innocent eyes. She knew she would be busy soon, so she might as well spend more time with her son while she still could.


    ¡°All right,¡± Sadie said as she patted Averi¡¯s head. ¡°I¡¯ll take you out to y.¡±


    Just as she had promised, Sadie took Laura and Averi to a nearby mall the next day. It was a rare family outing, and the three of them made the most of it. It took a few more days before Sadie¡¯s studio was fully set up. All that remained was finding the right staff.


    She posted a job advertisement online, and it wasn¡¯t long before calls came in. Sadie wasted no time and got the recruitment and hiring process going.


    ¡°Alex! What brings you here?¡± Sadie looked up in surprise when Alex suddenly appeared at the studio¡¯s door.


    ¡°I thought I¡¯d drop by to check out your studio. Also¡­¡± Alex held up the lunchbox he was carrying. ¡°I brought lunch.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s very thoughtful of you. Thank you.¡± Sadie stood from her desk and took the lunchbox with a gentle smile.


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    ¡°Please, there¡¯s no need to be so formal with me.¡± Alex seemed to be in high spirits as he looked around. ¡°This ce is really nice, very much your style.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Sadie replied with a light sigh. ¡°I hope everything goes smoothly.¡±


    It was then that the first applicant arrived. ¡°Hello, Miss Hudson.¡± A young woman greeted Sadie nervously. ¡°I¡¯m here to interview for the designer position.¡±


    ¡°Yes, please have a seat.¡± Sadie gestured for her to sit down, then proceeded with the interview.


    Soon, other applicants arrived one after another. While waiting for their turn, one of the interviewees kept eyeing Alex.


    She eventually leaned close to the person next to her and whispered, ¡°Isn¡¯t that Alex Howe, the CEO of Howe Group? What is he doing here?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right. I think it¡¯s him. Maybe he and the owner of this studio¡­¡± The other person trailed off, but she didn¡¯t really need to finish her sentence for the implication toe across.


    Alex, sharp as he was, immediately noticed the subtle shift in the air. He cleared his throat and nodded at Sadie. ¡°It looks like you¡¯re going to have a busy day. I¡¯ll be taking my leave now.¡±


    ¡°Okay, take care.¡± Sadie waved and watched him leave the studio. The moment Alex was gone, the whispered discussions among the young women grew more animated.


    ¡°I knew it! Those two must be connected in some way. Why else would Mr. Howe make time for such a small studio?¡± One of the more fashionable of the girls winked at herpanion.


    ¡°I mean, who knows? Mr. Howe could well be an investor in this small business. Young women these days sure know how to use their charms to get ahead in life!¡±


    Sadie pressed her lips together and took a deep breath. She put down the resume she had been reading and swept a cold nce over the remaining candidates.


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    ¡°If you¡¯re more interested in my personal life than the actual job offer, then I think I should end the interview here.¡±


    Everyone was visibly shocked by the bite in her tone. They exchanged wary nces, not daring to speak another word.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean anything, Miss Hudson,¡± one of the interviewees hurriedly said.


    But Sadie held up a hand to stop her. ¡°No need to exin. I¡¯m looking for employees who will dedicate their attention and skills to their work, not vapid office gossip.¡±


    ¡°We understand, Miss Hudson,¡± the job applicants said.


    ¡°Good, then please wait for further notice,¡± Sadie responded firmly, leaving no room for negotiation.


    The applicants left the studio, their spirits low, and the room quickly fell silent.


    Sadie massaged her temples, feeling a surge of fatigue wash over her. As she flipped through the remaining r¨¦sum¨¦s, few stood out.


    However, one portfolio caught her eye¡ªbelonging to an applicant named Glenda Kelly. Her design style was understated yet elegant, marked by a creative ir.


    Just then, Glenda knocked and entered the office, her demeanorposed and her gaze clear. ¡°Nice to meet you, Miss Hudson.¡±


    ¡°Hello, Miss Kelly. Please have a seat,¡± Sadie said, her interest piqued as she began the interview.


    Throughout the discussion, Glenda demonstrated professionalism and a profound understanding of design, impressing Sadie further.


    Ultimately, Sadie decided to hire only Glenda.


    Meanwhile, at a caf¨¦, K listened to a report with a cold smirk. ¡°A studio? Does she really think she can make aeback? She should keep dreaming!¡±


    A man in a ck suit across from her bowed respectfully. ¡°Miss Wade, everything is arranged.¡±


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    ¡°Ensure there are no mistakes,¡± K said, taking a sip of her red wine.


    ¡°Absolutely,¡± the man answered before discreetly leaving.


    Unbeknownst to Sadie, K was plotting against her.


    The next day, Sadie reviewed the job applications with a furrowed brow, finding it challenging to locate suitable candidates.


    ¡°Oh well,¡± she sighed, rubbing her forehead. ¡°It looks like I¡¯ll have to wait a bit longer.¡±


    At that moment, there was a knock on the door.


    ¡°Come in, please.¡±


    The door opened, and a well-dressed young man entered, his confidence evident.


    ¡°Hello, Miss Hudson. My name is Byrum Smith, and I¡¯m here to apply for the designer position.¡±


    Sadie looked up, assessing the neer who presented himself neatly and efficiently.


    ¡°Mr. Smith, please have a seat.¡±


    Byrum sat down and handed over his r¨¦sum¨¦ and portfolio.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, I¡¯ve heard much about you. You¡¯re quite renowned in the design circles of Cairhienen.¡±


    Sadie offered a faint smile, taking the documents to review them closely.


    Byrum¡¯s work was bold, innovative, and practical, making a strong impression.


    ¡°Your work is quite impressive,¡± Sadie said, setting down the portfolio, her voice tinged with admiration.


    ¡°Thank you, Miss Hudson.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m looking for someone who can independentlyplete design projects and who takes responsibility seriously.¡± Sadie outlined her needs clearly.


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    ¡°No problem. I can handle that,¡± Byrum responded confidently. ¡°Additionally, I bring stable client resources.¡±


    He reached into his bag, pulling out a document. ¡°These are some of my recent coborative projects. Please have a look.¡±


    Sadie took the document and quickly scanned it, her expression showing a hint of surprise.


    Byrum¡¯s client list was impressive, featuring several well-known brands.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, I have one request,¡± Byrum said, his tone earnest. ¡°I hope we can finalize the contract soon.¡±


    Sadie looked up, meeting his gaze, her instincts slightly uneasy.


    Byrum¡¯s credentials werepelling, and she recognized his potential.


    Yet, something about his eagerness felt unsettling.


    After a brief pause, Sadie made her decision.


    ¡°Alright, I agree, but with a one-month probation period. Your sry will be as discussed, but we¡¯ll hold off on signing the contract until the probation isplete,¡± she stated firmly.


    Byrum¡¯s expression tightened slightly.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, I assure you of my sincerity.¡±


    ¡°And I respect that, Mr. Smith,¡± Sadie replied. ¡°But in business, precautions are necessary. If you ept these terms, start tomorrow at nine.¡±


    Byrum masked his irritation and nodded with a forced smile. ¡°No problem. I look forward to our coboration.¡±


    After he left the office, Byrum¡¯s smile faded.


    He quickly pulled out his phone and dialed a number, his voice betraying his tension.


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    ¡°Hello, Miss Wade, it¡¯s done. I¡¯m in, but Sadie insists on a one-month probation before signing the contract. She seems to trust me,¡± he said, his tone attempting to sound confident but revealing his anxiety.


    ¡°Byrum, I hope you¡¯re not deceiving me. If I find out you¡¯re up to any tricks¡­¡± K paused.


    ¡°No, how could I possibly?¡± Byrum quickly interjected, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead. ¡°Miss Wade, please rest assured. You can trust me. I¡¯ll start right away and get her design drafts as soon as I can.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± K¡¯s tone softened slightly. ¡°Remember, I want her reputationpletely ruined. She must never recover.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Miss Wade,¡± Byrum responded immediately.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be well rewarded once it¡¯s done,¡± K said before hanging up.


    Listening to the beeps as the call ended, Byrum exhaled a long sigh of relief.


    The next second, his phone chimed with a notification. He opened it to see a transfer of one hundred thousand dors disyed on the screen. A greedy smile crept across Byrum¡¯s face as he gazed at the substantial amount.


    Meanwhile, Sadie was deeply focused on preparing for the uing project in her studio.


    Suddenly, a shrill ringtone shattered the silence.


    ¡°Hello?¡± Sadie answered, her voice weary.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, Averi¡­ He¡¯s suddenly got a high fever. It¡¯s really severe, and he¡¯s been crying non-stop¡­¡± Carol¡¯s voice was fraught with tears and urgency.


    Sadie felt a pang of worry, and the documents she was holding dropped onto the desk.


    ¡°A fever? How bad is it? How is he now?¡± she asked, her voiceced with concern.


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    ¡°I took his temperature; it¡¯s already 40 degrees. I¡­ I don¡¯t know what to do¡­¡± Carol replied, her voice trembling with panic.


    ¡°I¡¯ming right now. Use warm water to sponge him down and make sure he drinks plenty of water,¡± Sadie said hurriedly, grabbing her coat and dashing out.


    ¡°What about Grandma? How is she?¡± Sadie remembered Laura as she reached the door, her anxiety deepening.


    ¡°Laura¡¯s okay, just worried about Averi. I¡¯ve asked her to stay in her room while I look after him,¡± Carol replied, sounding a bit calmer.


    ¡°Good. Take care of Averi and Grandma. I¡¯ll be there soon,¡± Sadie said, ending the call and sprinting to the parking lot. She started her car and sped toward home.


    Throughout the drive, Sadie¡¯s heart was racing.


    Averi was her world; the thought of anything happening to him was unbearable.


    When Sadie arrived home, she rushed into the room.


    Seeing Averi¡¯s flushed face filled her with concern. ¡°Averi¡­ Averi, Mommy¡¯s here. Everything will be alright.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s still burning up; we need to get him to the hospital right now,¡± Sadie said, quickly scooping Averi into her arms.


    ¡°I¡¯ll drive,¡± Carol said, following them swiftly.


    At the hospital, the doctor examined Averi and administered a fever-reducing injection.


    ¡°Doctor, how is he?¡± Sadie asked, her voice filled with worry.


    ¡°He¡¯s fine. It¡¯s just a reaction to the new environment and the recent weather changes that caused the fever. The injection will help, and he should recover quickly with some rest,¡± the doctor said.


    Relieved by the doctor¡¯s words, Sadie finally rxed.


    ¡°Thank you, doctor,¡± she said with heartfelt gratitude.


    ¡°You¡¯re wee. It¡¯s my duty,¡± the doctor replied with a smile before leaving the room.


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    Relief washed over Sadie, grateful it was not a serious situation. She asked Carol to return home to look after Laura, while she stayed with Averi.


    As night fell, Sadie dozed off beside Averi¡¯s bed.


    The next morning, Averi moaned softly and slowly opened his eyes.


    ¡°You¡¯re awake, Averi?¡± Sadie instantly sat up, feeling his forehead. ¡°How do you feel? Still ufortable?¡±


    ¡°Mommy, I¡¯m a bit hungry,¡± Averi murmured, his voice soft and slightly whiny.


    ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll get you something to eat,¡± Sadie replied, gently ruffling his hair.


    Just then, the door to the ward opened, and the doctor entered with a nurse to make their rounds.


    Sadie¡¯s gazended on a young doctor in a white coat who looked vaguely familiar.


    The young doctor paused, then smiled politely. ¡°Sadie?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s heart skipped a beat.


    ¡°Jim?¡±


    ¡°It really is you, Sadie.¡± Jim¡¯s voice was tinged with surprise and other emotions.


    The nurse behind him looked curiously at Sadie, her expression intrigued.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s been a long time.¡± Sadie managed a smile.


    Jim¡¯s eyes then drifted to Averi on the bed.


    The boy¡¯s rosy cheeks and long eyshes sparked a moment of recognition in Jim, but he quicklyposed himself.


    Jim hid the turmoil in his eyes as he looked away. The air thickened with tension for a brief moment.


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk in the corridor,¡± suggested Sadie, breaking the silence.


    Side by side, they walked to the corridor.


    ¡°Thank you for what you did three years ago. Without you, I don¡¯t know what I would have done. Averi might have¡­¡± Sadie¡¯s voice trailed off as her eyes shimmered with tears she fought to hold back. Jim saw her strained smile and felt a twinge in his heart.


    Three years earlier, Sadie had appeared frail and despondent, her eyes brimming with despair. Now, she stood before him transformed, vibrant and full of life.


    ¡°How have you been these past three years?¡± he asked quietly.


    Sadie replied with a smile, ¡°I¡¯ve been doing well. I¡¯ve started my own business, and I¡¯m staying with Averi. Life¡¯s tough, but fulfilling.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear.¡±


    ¡°When Averi gets better, I¡¯ll treat you to a meal to properly thank you,¡± Sadie promised earnestly.


    Jim nodded. ¡°Alright.¡±


    He checked his watch. ¡°I have other patients to attend to, so I should get going.¡±


    ¡°Okay, you go ahead,¡± Sadie said, watching him walk away. Her smile slowly faded.


    Averi¡¯s fever quickly subsided. Watching her son sleep peacefully, Sadie sighed deeply.


    Once he was discharged, she returned to her studio without pausing to rest. With the opening looming, she threw herself into her work.


    Managing with a small team, Sadie aimed for perfection in everything she did. Byrum proved to be a diligent worker, bringing in a batch of clients, which greatly reassured her.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, please take a look. I¡¯ve contacted these clients and sorted out their requirements,¡± Byrum said respectfully, presenting a file to Sadie.


    ¡°Thank you for your hard work, Byrum.¡± Sadie nced over the file quickly. ¡°These clients have high demands. We¡¯ll need to step up our game.¡±


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    ¡°Yes, they are quite influential in the industry. Securing their orders would greatly benefit our studio¡¯s development,¡± Byrum replied.


    Sadie nodded her agreement. ¡°I¡¯ll finish the design drafts as soon as possible to ensure their satisfaction.¡±


    In the subsequent days, Sadie practically sealed herself in the studio,boring tirelessly both day and night.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, you haven¡¯t slept for two days. You need to rest,¡± Byrum said, approaching Sadie with a ss of hot milk.


    Sadie rubbed her eyes, weary from exhaustion, and managed a smile. ¡°It¡¯s okay. I can handle it. This is our studio¡¯s first major project, and it needs to leave a strong impression.¡±


    Finally, the day before the deadline, Sadiepleted all the design drafts. She exhaled in relief and passed the drafts to Byrum.


    ¡°Byrum, I¡¯ve been abroad for some time, so I¡¯m not quite in tune with local tastes. Could you review these drafts and forward them to the clients? I need to rest,¡± Sadie said, her voice tinged with fatigue.


    ¡°Of course, Miss Hudson,¡± Byrum replied, his expression unreadable for a moment.


    Sadie nodded and walked to the lounge. Ovee with exhaustion, she needed to sleep soundly.


    As Sadie departed, Byrum¡¯s lips twisted into a smirk. He pulled out his phone and made a call.


    ¡°Miss Wade, I have the drafts.¡±


    ¡°Good, proceed as nned,¡± came the cold reply from the other end. Byrum then anonymously uploaded Sadie¡¯s design drafts to the inte.


    Meanwhile, at Wall Group¡¯s headquarters, Noah concluded his work and left his office. He rubbed his temples, preparing to end the day. Walking down the corridor, he stopped upon noticing K by the window, her voice cold as she spoke on the phone.


    Noah caught the name ¡°Sadie¡± and frowned.


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    ¡°Who are you talking to?¡± he inquired with a deep tone.


    K turned sharply, nearly dropping her phone at the sight of Noah. ¡°Oh¡­ it was¡­ It was Mrs. Wall¡­¡±


    Noah eyed her skeptically. ¡°Mrs. Wall¡­?¡±


    She took a deep breath to steady herself. ¡°She just called, inquiring about Sadie,¡± K exined. ¡°She heard Sadie was back¡­ and asked when you and I could visit Wall Manor for dinner.¡±


    K observed Noah¡¯s reaction carefully, her anxiety palpable.


    Noah¡¯s expression remained impassive. After a brief pause, he responded indifferently, ¡°Is that so?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ yes, that¡¯s right,¡± K said, managing a forced smile.


    Noah remained silent, giving her a prating look. ¡°Go by yourself, then.¡±


    He then turned and entered the elevator, not looking back. K watched as the elevator doors closed slowly and let out a breath.


    She gripped her phone tightly, her palms sweaty.


    In the underground parking lot, Noah settled into the back seat of his Maybach.


    ¡°Mr. Wall,¡± Samuel said respectfully, handing over a set of documents. ¡°Here¡¯s thetest update on Miss Hudson¡¯s studio.¡±


    Noah skimmed through the documents casually. The studio¡¯s location, staffing, and even details about the first batch of clients were all meticulously documented.


    ¡°She¡¯s moving quite fast,¡± Noah observed.


    ¡°ording to reliable sources, the first project of Miss Hudson¡¯s studio isplete, and the client is very satisfied,¡± added Samuel.


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    Noah paused, his fingers resting on the page as his eyesnded on the words ¡°Sadie¡¯s Studio.¡±


    ¡°Keep an eye on it and report any developments immediately,¡± hemanded.


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Wall.¡±


    Noah closed his eyes and massaged his temples. Sadie¡¯s decisiveness was unsettling for him. He had expected her to cling to him after the divorce, pleading as she used to. But she hadn¡¯t. She had left, as if he were merely a fleeting thought.


    ¡°Take me to Sadie¡¯s studio,¡± he instructed the driver, his voice almost involuntary.


    Upon arrival, Noah stayed in the car, observing the studio¡¯s entrance through the window. As time passed, the lights inside the studio went out one by one. A slender figure emerged at the door¡ªit was Sadie.


    She had changed from her professional attire into a simple white dress. Unaware of the Maybach parked by the roadside, she walked to the curb and hailed a taxi. She told the driver the address of her grandma¡¯s apartment. Inside the Maybach, Samuel cautiously watched Noah¡¯s expression through the rearview mirror.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, should we¡­?¡±


    Noah¡¯s eyes stayed fixed on the taxi ahead, his lips pressed tightly together. The driver, Omar Ruiz, also gauged Noah¡¯s mood through the mirror. Years of experience had taught him exactly what Noah was contemting. With a slight turn of the steering wheel, Omar smoothly began to follow Sadie¡¯s taxi.


    The taxi eventually stopped at an older faculty housingplex. Sadie paid the fare and stepped out. Noah watched her until she vanished into the building, then he slowly averted his gaze.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, shall we head back¡ª?¡± Samuel began, only to be cut off.


    ¡°Back to Myrtlewood Estate,¡± Noah said, his voice low and tinged with fatigue.


    Samuel and Omar exchanged nces, both puzzled. Noah had rarely gone back to Myrtlewood Estate since Sadie¡¯s departure. Without further inquiry, Samuel directed Omar to drive.


    Upon reaching the apartment door, Sadie felt an inexplicable unease wash over her. She nced at the dim streetlight, thinking she saw something move, yet nothing was there. The night breeze chilled her, prompting her to tighten her coat.


    ¡°Was it just my imagination?¡± she whispered, taking out her keys to unlock the door.


    ¡°Sadie, you¡¯re back!¡± Theforting scent of home-cooked dishes and Laura¡¯s warm smile weed her. On the dining table, dishes steamed invitingly, and Alex was setting the tableware.


    ¡°Grandma, why did you cook yourself?¡± Sadie quickly dropped her bag and hugged Laura.


    Laura patted Sadie¡¯s hand, looking at her affectionately. ¡°I invited Alex for dinner, so I wanted to treat the man I consider my grandson-inw well. Go wash your hands. Dinner¡¯s ready.¡±


    Caught off guard, Sadie hesitated, then looked at Alex, her voice polite. ¡°Alex, good to have you here.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m here to mooch a meal. Averi is already asleep,¡± Alex replied, pulling out a chair for her.


    They sat down, and Laura served Sadie food, talking about everyday matters.


    ¡°Sadie, you and Alex are at a good age to think about marriage. When do you n to get married?¡±


    Laura¡¯s question made Sadie pause mid-bite.


    ¡°We, uh¡­¡± Sadie began, but Alex cut in.


    ¡°We¡¯re considering it. We¡¯ll let you know when the date is set,¡± Alex said with a kind smile.


    ¡°That¡¯s wonderful,¡± Laura said, her face lighting up. ¡°I know you young people have your ways, so I won¡¯t meddle. But Sadie, Alex is a fine man. You should hold him dear.¡±


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    Sadie managed a smile, lowering her gaze to her te, her emotions tangled.


    Suddenly, a phone vibrated.


    Alex retrieved his phone and nced at the screen.


    ¡°Excuse me, I need to take this,¡± he said, standing and walking to the balcony to answer the call. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    His assistant¡¯s voice came through clearly. ¡°Mr. Howe, Mr. Wall¡¯s Maybach followed Miss Hudson all the way to her home just now.¡±


    Alex¡¯s grip tightened on the phone, his knuckles whitening.


    What was Noah nning?


    ¡°Got it,¡± Alex replied coldly before ending the call.


    He inhaled deeply, attempting to quell the turmoil inside him, and returned to the dining table.


    Sadie, sensing his distress, asked with concern, ¡°Is everything alright? Is there a problem at yourpany?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Just a minor issue,¡± Alex replied, managing a smile.


    Sadie didn¡¯t press further, though she felt uneasy.


    The next day, as Sadie arrived at her studio, she sensed something was wrong. Before she could determine the cause, a burly man with an angry expression stormed into the studio.


    ¡°Sadie Hudson! Come out here!¡± he bellowed.


    Heart racing, Sadie stepped forward. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Sadie. What seems to be the problem?¡±


    The man pointed usingly at her. ¡°You have the nerve to ask? Don¡¯t you realize what you¡¯ve done? You¡¯re deceiving consumers! A designer like you disgraces the industry!¡±


    Confused, Sadie responded, ¡°Sir, please calm down and exin what¡¯s happened.¡±


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    ¡°What¡¯s happened? Stop pretending! The design drafts Imissioned have been leaked online! How can mypany use them now?¡± The man mmed his phone down in front of Sadie, disying the design drafts she hadpleted the day before. Sadie¡¯s face nched as she realized the implication.


    The design drafts she¡¯d finished had been leaked online today¡ªsomeone was clearly trying to undermine her!


    ¡°Sir, please, don¡¯t worry. I will investigate this immediately and provide you with an exnation,¡± Sadie assured him, striving to remainposed and alleviate the client¡¯s fury.


    ¡°An exnation? How are you going to exin this? What am I supposed to do with my project now? Who willpensate for my losses?¡± The man was relentless, refusing to consider Sadie¡¯s exnations.


    ¡°I¡¯ll create new designs for you promptly, and I assure you they will meet your expectations. We still have time,¡± Sadie responded.


    ¡°It¡¯s toote! I want to cancel the contract now! And you mustpensate for my losses and pay a penalty, or I¡¯ll take legal action!¡± The man was inflexible, leaving no room for negotiation. Sadie inhaled deeply.


    After much effort, she managed to escort the man out of the studio. The office fell quiet, her colleagues watching her with mixed expressions.


    She fought to maintain herposure, her mind racing to determine what had gone wrong.


    She had been the only one to handle the design drafts yesterday¡­ No, that wasn¡¯t right.


    There was another person¡ªByrum!


    Yesterday, afterpleting the drafts, utterly exhausted, she had gone to the lounge to rest, leaving Byrum to handle the final details.


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    Realizing this, Sadie scanned the office quickly.


    Byrum was¡­ nowhere to be found.


    A chilling premonition washed over her, and her heart sank.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Byrum? Why isn¡¯t he here today?¡± she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.


    A young designer timidly raised a hand, responding cautiously, ¡°Miss Hudson, Byrum took a leave today, citing an emergency at home.¡±


    ¡°An emergency?¡± Sadie echoed, suspicion rising within her.


    Byrum¡¯s absence seemed too convenient.


    ¡°Did he mention when he¡¯d return?¡± she pressed.


    The young designer, clearly nervous under her scrutiny, stuttered, ¡°N-no, he didn¡¯t specify.¡±


    Taking another deep breath, Sadie said, ¡°Give me Byrum¡¯s phone number.¡±


    The designer quickly jotted down the number and handed it to her.


    Sadie dialed immediately.


    It went unanswered.


    Finally, an automated message stated, ¡°Hello, the phone you dialed is turned off¡­¡±


    Turned off?


    Sadie¡¯s heart sank deeper.


    Determined, Sadie tried calling again, only to be met with the same result.


    She instructed, ¡°Does anyone here have other contact information for Byrum?¡±


    Nothing came of Sadie¡¯s efforts.


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    Sadie bit her lower lip hard, striving to maintain herposure. At this point, panic would serve no purpose.


    ¡°Call the police!¡± shemanded decisively. ¡°Call them now!¡± Simultaneously, Sadie began urgently creating a new batch of drafts. Time was pressing, and every second was crucial.


    She worked relentlessly, foregoing sleep and rest. Reassuring the clients was also essential. Handling the smaller clients proved manageable, but therger ones, particrly Hank Lawrence, the CEO of Lawrence Group, posed the greatest challenge.


    ¡°Mr. Lawrence won¡¯t see me?¡± Sadie massaged her temples, fatigue evident in her voice.


    The assistant responded cautiously, ¡°Yes, Miss Hudson. Mr. Lawrence¡¯s secretary mentioned he¡¯s been extremely busy and can¡¯t spare time for a meeting.¡±


    This was the third time Sadie had been rebuffed.


    ¡°Find out what Mr. Lawrence has been involved intely! And check his social circles too!¡± she instructed.


    Shortly after, the assistant returned with information. Hank¡¯s wife, Leanna Lawrence, had her eye on a rare Hermes bag that was hard to acquire, even with ample funds.


    An idea sparked in Sadie¡¯s mind. Perhaps leveraging Leanna could provide a breakthrough.


    ¡°Contact the Hermes store,¡± she directed her assistant. ¡°Tell them I need that bag, regardless of the cost.¡±


    The assistant paused momentarily, then quickly grasped the urgency. ¡°Okay, Miss Hudson, I¡¯ll handle it immediately.¡±


    The assistant was prompt, and by the next day, there was good news.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, it¡¯s done!¡±


    Sadie felt a wave of relief. Securing Hank¡¯s order would provide the studio with much-needed stability.


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    ¡°Excellent, send me the address, and I¡¯ll head there right away,¡± she responded.


    Upon arriving at the Hermes store, Sadie encountered Isabel and K. Their presence was unwee, like an ill omen.


    Isabel, d in opulent attire, lounged on the sofa while store employees showcased thetest handbags. K stood elegantly beside Isabel, her smile poised and courteous. As soon as Isabel spotted Sadie, her expression soured, her eyes shing with open disdain. The atmosphere became tense.


    Taking a deep breath, Sadie, having already noticed them, strove to remainposed.


    ¡°Oh, isn¡¯t this Sadie?¡± Isabel¡¯s voice dripped with sarcasm. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to still be around after three years.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been a long time, Mrs. Wall,¡± Sadie responded, keeping her voice even.


    ¡°Well?¡± Isabel sneered, eyeing Sadie contemptuously. ¡°I thought you had disappeared. So, have you climbed another socialdder and decided it was safe to show your face again?¡±


    ¡°Please show some respect, Mrs. Wall,¡± Sadie countered, her own expression hardening. She was not the same person who could be easily intimidated like she was three years ago.


    Isabelughed mockingly. ¡°You were ousted from the Wall family. What right do you have to demand respect from me? If it hadn¡¯t been for Noah¡¯s momentarypse, did you really think you would have married into the Wall family?¡±


    Sadie inhaled deeply, knowing arguing with Isabel was futile.


    ¡°Why the silence? Lost for words?¡± Isabel taunted. ¡°What else can a woman like you do besides degrading yourself?¡±


    K attempted to intervene, tugging at Isabel¡¯s sleeve and whispering, ¡°Let it go. Don¡¯t stoop to her level.¡±


    Sadie scoffed coldly, fixing her gaze on K. ¡°You really have a heart of gold, Miss Wade. Anyone who doesn¡¯t know better might think you¡¯re a saint.¡±


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    ¡°What do you mean?¡± K¡¯s face fell.


    ¡°You know exactly what I mean,¡± Sadie shot back. ¡°Don¡¯t assume your actions are a secret.¡±


    ¡°Damn you!¡± K snapped, anger ring.


    Seeing K flustered made Isabel even angrier. ¡°You wretch, how dare you speak to K that way!¡±


    With that, Isabel raised her hand, aiming to p Sadie.


    But Sadie was prepared, smoothly stepping aside to dodge the p and catching Isabel¡¯s wrist in a firm grip.


    ¡°Please, Mrs. Wall, show some respect,¡± Sadie said icily.


    Isabel hadn¡¯t expected Sadie to retaliate. She winced as her wrist throbbed with pain.


    Flushing with fury, she demanded, ¡°Let go of me!¡±


    A sales assistant, caught in the unfolding drama, rushed forward to intervene. ¡°Ladies, please, let¡¯s keep calm. This is a public ce¡­¡± She found herself in a precarious position, caught between a member of the Wall family and the assertive Sadie, aware that she could not afford to offend either.


    The assistant faltered, unsure of how to proceed.


    Sadie, refocusing on her original intent, moved past Isabel. She addressed the sales assistant, her tone easing slightly. ¡°Excuse me, could you please bring me the orange Kelly? I called ahead about it.¡±


    Relieved, the assistant quickly brought the handbag and handed it respectfully to Sadie.


    Isabel seethed as she observed Sadie¡¯sposed manner. How could she stand being treated like this? Unable to ept the shift in their dynamics from three years ago, when Sadie was subservient to her, Isabel felt her anger intensify.


    ¡°Wait a minute!¡± Isabel called out sharply, pointing at the orange bag. ¡°I want that bag. I¡¯ll pay double.¡±


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    She mmed a ck credit card onto the counter with force.


    K, trying to defuse the tension, suggested softly, ¡°Sadie, since Mrs. Wall likes it, perhaps you could let her have it?¡±


    Isabel immediately approved of K¡¯s words, patting her hand. ¡°K, you¡¯re so sensible, unlike some whock any sense of decency.¡± She shot a scornful look at Sadie.


    Hearing theirments, Sadie scoffed. ¡°Why should I? I chose this bag first.¡±


    The sales assistant, caught in the middle, attempted to rify. ¡°Ma¡¯am, thisdy did choose the bag first¡­¡±


    Isabel¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°If I want something, it should be mine. If I say I¡¯m buying it, she should step aside.¡±


    Undeterred, Sadie held Isabel¡¯s re. ¡°I¡¯ve already decided to purchase this bag. I¡¯m not giving it up.¡±


    She then handed her bank card to the sales assistant. ¡°Please, proceed with the transaction.¡±


    The sales assistant, eager to avoid any furthermotion, quickly took Sadie¡¯s card to process the payment.


    Isabel, seething with anger, trembled as she pointed at Sadie. ¡°You¡­ you¡­¡± As Sadie neared her victory, K was determined not to let her win easily. Scanning the area quickly, K hatched a n.


    ¡°Ow!¡± she eximed suddenly, stumbling toward Sadie.


    Caught off guard, Sadie wobbled, nearly losing her grip on the bag.


    In the nick of time, a strong arm encircled Sadie¡¯s waist, steadying her.


    ¡°Careful!¡±


    The deep, resonant voice was familiar in her ear.


    Looking up, Sadie met Alex¡¯s concerned eyes.


    Meanwhile, K, failing to regain her footing, fell to the floor with a pained moan.


    ¡°K!¡± Isabel rushed over, helping her up. ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    K clutched her ankle, wincing. ¡°My ankle¡­ I think I twisted it¡­¡±


    Isabel shot an angry look at Sadie, her worry for K turning into scorn. ¡°You clumsy fool! Watch where you¡¯re going! You¡¯ve injured K!¡±


    Alex stepped in front of Sadie, his tone icy. ¡°Mrs. Wall, please mind your words. It was Miss Wade who lost her bnce first.¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± Isabel, overwhelmed with fury, struggled to find words. Sadie gently tugged at Alex¡¯s sleeve, signaling him with a shake of her head.


    She was tired of the endless disputes with these two women.


    ¡°Let¡¯s leave,¡± she whispered softly.


    Alex gave her a meaningful look but remained silent, escorting her as they turned to depart.


    K¡¯s gaze followed them, a fleeting glint of malice in her eyes quickly giving way to an expression of feigned vulnerability.


    ¡°Who would have thought, after three years, Alex is still by Sadie¡¯s side?¡± K said pointedly, stressing ¡°three years¡± as if to insinuate something deeper.


    Isabel, already irate from Sadie¡¯s resistance, felt her anger intensify at K¡¯s insinuation. She turned sharply, her tone usatory. ¡°K, what are you implying? Was Alex¡­ already involved with her three years ago?¡±


    Isabel struggled to grasp the notion that the seemingly unassuming Sadie had been connected with Alex even back then.


    To Isabel, Sadie was merely a gold digger who had married Noah for his wealth, and now, she suspected infidelity. K cast her eyes downward, her longshes concealing the cunning thoughts brewing within. She nibbled on her lip, appearing as though she was wrestling with whether to divulge more.


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    ¡°Tell me! What¡¯s really going on?¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, I heard¡­ Three years ago, Alex frequently visited Sadie and seemed to often take care of her¡­¡±


    ¡°Care? What kind of care? When a man and a woman are alone, what could they be doing?!¡± Isabel erupted, her anger spilling over. ¡°Noah must divorce her!¡±


    Outside the mall, Alex¡¯s concern was evident. ¡°Sadie, are you alright?¡±


    Sadie inhaled deeply, steadying herself, and mustered a weak smile. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    They walked in silence until Sadie broke it. ¡°How did you find me here?¡±


    Alex paused, then chose honesty. ¡°I saw the news about your studio¡¯s designs being leaked online. I was concerned about you, so I came to see if you were alright. Your assistant mentioned you were at Hermes¡­ What happened?¡±


    Sadie chuckled dryly. ¡°The usual schemes. But I won¡¯t be brought down so easily.¡±


    Isabel¡¯s words echoed in her mind, causing a sharp pain in her heart. ¡°Get in the car. I¡¯ll take you home,¡± Alex offered softly, pulling Sadie from her reverie.


    Sadie nodded, slipped into the car, and closed the door behind her. The ride home was quiet.


    Breaking the silence, Sadie suddenly asked, ¡°Alex, do you know where Mrs. Lawrence often goes?¡±


    Alex blinked, surprised by the question. ¡°Mrs. Lawrence? The wife of the Lawrence Group CEO?¡± Sadie nodded in confirmation.


    ¡°I heard she¡¯s quite fond of limited-edition handbags, and I happen to have one she¡¯s been searching for. I thought I¡¯d try my luck and see if I can meet with her.¡±


    ¡°I do know a few of her favorite spots¡­¡± Alex shared a list of ces, which Sadie noted carefully.


    Over the next few days, Sadie embarked on a thorough quest, visiting each venue Alex mentioned, hoping for a chance encounter. Her determination paid off. At a high-end art gallery, she finally crossed paths with Leanna.


    New adventures await at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s©q??o??


    ¡°Mrs. Lawrence, hello. I¡¯m Sadie,¡± Sadie introduced herself with polite assertiveness.


    Leanna gave her a brief look, her response brusque. ¡°I know who you are, the one whose designs have been leaked. If this is about work, you should speak with my husband.¡±


    Her voice was frosty, signaling herck of interest in further discussion. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Sadie produced the Hermes bag.


    ¡°I heard you appreciate this style, so I brought it for you.¡±


    Leanna¡¯s attention shifted to the bag, her expression revealing a hint of surprise, though she quickly masked it. She checked her watch.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you five minutes.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s excitement grew.


    ¡°Mrs. Lawrence, in addition to this bag, I have another gift for you,¡± Sadie continued withposure, retrieving a design portfolio from her bag.


    ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry about the leak. To rectify that and to demonstrate my sincerity, I¡¯ve created new drafts and also crafted an extra set¡­¡± She paused, gauging Leanna¡¯s reaction. Seeing no interruption, she continued. ¡°I understand that your ten-year wedding anniversary with Mr. Lawrence is approaching, and I¡¯ve taken the liberty of designing a special collection to mark the asion. I hope these can serve as a token of my apologies and goodwill from my studio.¡±


    Leanna finally showed some interest. She picked up the portfolio and began flipping through its pages. With each page turned, Sadie¡¯s heart raced faster.


    The portfolio was the culmination of her tireless efforts over the past few days. When Leanna finished, she ced the portfolio back on the table, her expression unreadable.


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    ?Chapter 164:


    ¡°Nice designs.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Lawrence.¡± A spark of hope ignited in Sadie¡¯s chest.


    ¡°These designs not only fulfill Mr. Lawrence¡¯s specifications, but I¡¯ve also introduced some innovative ideas¡­ They were inspired by the love story between you and Mr. Lawrence, symbolizing a decade ofpanionship andmitment. I hope they resonate as more than just jewelry, but as a testament to your journey together.¡±


    For the first time, a shift appeared in Leanna¡¯sposed demeanor. Her eyes lingered, and her fingers gently caressed the cover of the portfolio, as if touching a fond memory. ¡°How¡­ how did you know all this?¡±


    Sadie gave a modest smile. ¡°As a designer, understanding the stories behind my clients enriches my work. Your story with Mr. Lawrence, while not widely known, isn¡¯t exactly hidden. I did some research.¡±


    Leanna looked at Sadie more intently, her expression bing moreplex. The room¡¯s atmosphere tensed.


    After a significant pause, Leanna exhaled softly, a subtle but genuine smile appearing on her lips. ¡°You¡¯re very clever, and you¡¯re very thoughtful.¡±


    Relief washed over Sadie, calming her rapid heartbeat.


    ¡°Thank you for thepliment, Mrs. Lawrence.¡±


    ¡°I really like these designs.¡± Leanna¡¯s expression softened, showing a hint of appreciation. ¡°Considering your sincerity, I won¡¯t hold the leak against you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you so much!¡± Sadie nearly leapt from her spot in excitement but quickly regained herposure.


    ¡°As for my husband¡­¡± Leanna continued. ¡°I¡¯ll speak to him. What happens next¡­ well, that¡¯s in the hands of fate.¡±


    Leanna¡¯s reassurance brought immense relief to Sadie. The encounter had gone smoother than she had anticipated, and the weight she had been carrying was finally lifted.


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s takes you on a journey


    ¡°Mrs. Lawrence, I won¡¯t take up more of your time,¡± Sadie said as she stood, giving Leanna a respectful nod before leaving the VIP room. Upon her return to the studio, an employee approached immediately, her expressionden with worry. ¡°Sadie, how did it go? What did Mr. Lawrence say?¡±


    Sadie waved off the concern with a tired gesture and sank into a chair, pressing her fingers against her temples to ease the tension. ¡°It¡¯s resolved. Mrs. Lawrence won¡¯t push the issue any further.¡±


    Relief washed over the employees, smiles breaking across their faces. ¡°That¡¯s fantastic! Sadie, I knew you could handle it.¡± However, the sense of relief was short-lived.


    Before Sadie could fully embrace her moment of respite, she felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her chest.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t over yet,¡± she said gravely, dampening the brief jubtion around her.


    ¡°What? Sadie, didn¡¯t Mrs. Lawrence say she¡¯d drop it?¡±


    ¡°The issue with the design drafts is settled, but we can¡¯t just let this slide,¡± Sadie said, massaging her forehead, visibly drained. ¡°We need to find out who leaked the designs, or we¡¯ll continue facing problems.¡± She stood and walked over to the window, lost in thought.


    It had been days since she¡¯d had a proper night¡¯s sleep, leaving her physically and mentally exhausted. She had reported the incident to the police, but so far, they had no leads.


    After a moment of contemtion, she picked up her phone and dialed a number.


    ¡°Hello, it¡¯s me. I need to hire you for an investigation.¡±


    A deep, reassuring voice responded from the other end, ¡°Miss Hudson, please proceed.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s about the leak of my studio¡¯s design drafts.¡±


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 Chapter 165

    ?Chapter 165:


    Sadie detailed the situation. ¡°I need you to find the source of the leak and identify the person responsible.¡±


    ¡°Please rest assured, Miss Hudson. We will conduct a thorough investigation and provide you with results as soon as possible.¡± After she ended the call, Sadie¡¯s heart remained heavy.


    Sadie hadn¡¯t slept a wink that night, her thoughts dominated by the leak of the design drafts.


    The following morning, a knock sounded at the studio door. ¡°Sadie, someone from the Lawrence Group is here,¡± an employee informed her.


    Taken aback for a moment, Sadie quickly rose, adjusted her clothing, took a deep breath, and opened the door.


    A man in a sharp suit and gold-rimmed sses stood at the threshold, a document folder in hand and a professional smile on his face. ¡°Good morning, Miss Hudson. I¡¯m Edgar White, Mr. Lawrence¡¯s assistant.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. White. What brings you here?¡± Sadie inquired.


    ¡°Mr. Lawrence has sent me to deliver this to you,¡± Edgar replied, presenting the folder.


    Taking the folder with a mix of curiosity and apprehension, Sadie opened it to discover a proposal for a partnership.


    ¡°Mr. Lawrence mentioned that if you can handle this public rtions issue effectively, the Lawrence Group would be open to renewing coboration with you,¡± Edgar exined. ¡°Moreover, Mrs. Lawrence has expressed a high regard for your designs.¡±


    Sadie felt a surge of excitement at this unexpected opportunity.


    ¡°Mr. White, please extend my heartfelt thanks to Mr. Lawrence for his trust and support. I ammitted to resolving this crisis and eager to work with the Lawrence Group once more,¡± she said, her voice tinged with excitement.


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s is where your journey begins


    After Edgar departed, Sadie quickly convened a meeting with her team.


    ¡°Good news! Lawrence Group is interested in renewing our coboration.¡±


    Cheers erupted throughout the studio.


    ¡°That¡¯s fantastic, Sadie!¡±


    ¡°We can definitely ovee this challenge.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s give it our all!¡±


    As the team celebrated, Sadie¡¯s phone, whichy on the table, vibrated.


    She picked it up and saw it was the private detective she had hired.


    She swiped to answer. ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°Miss Hudson, we¡¯ve located Byrum,¡± the detective said in a low, serious tone. ¡°He¡¯s currently hiding in a rundown neighborhood in the west of the city. I¡¯ve sent the exact address to your phone.¡±


    A rundown neighborhood in the west of the city¡ªknown for its dubious reputation¡ªimplied Byrum likely felt guilty.


    ¡°Thank you, I¡¯ve received it,¡± Sadie said, taking a deep breath. ¡°I¡¯ll head over as soon as I can.¡±


    After ending the call, Sadie faced her team, managing a smile. ¡°Everyone, please stay focused here. I have an urgent matter to attend to. Sonia, I¡¯ll leave the studio in your care.¡±


    ¡°Sadie, what¡¯s going on?¡± Sonia Torres asked, concern in her voice, while the others looked on curiously.


    Sadie hesitated, then chose transparency. ¡°I¡¯ve found Byrum¡¯s location. I need to go and get some answers.¡± The room tensed immediately.


    ¡°Sadie, it¡¯s too risky for you to go alone.¡± Sonia expressed her worry. ¡°Let use with you!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Sadie. There¡¯s strength in numbers.¡±


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 Chapter 166

    ?Chapter 166:


    Sadie shook her head. ¡°I appreciate your concern, but this is something I must do on my own. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be careful.¡±


    Resolving the issue with Byrum quickly was crucial; dys couldplicate things further.


    In a dpidated rental house in the west of the city, Byrum¡¯s voice was obsequious and urgent. ¡°Hello, Miss Wade, about the final payment¡­¡±


    On the other end, K¡¯s voice carried clear impatience. ¡°Why are you still there? Didn¡¯t we agree you¡¯d leave immediately after the job was done?¡±


    Byrum stammered, ¡°I don¡¯t have the money for a ne ticket. Miss Wade, about the final payment¡­¡±


    K let out a sneer. ¡°Once you¡¯re out of the country, the payment will be transferred.¡±


    Byrum started to panic. ¡°Miss Wade, you can¡¯t do this. What if I get caught and expose everything?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare!¡± K snapped back fiercely. ¡°If you breathe a word, I¡¯ll make sure you regret it.¡±


    Byrum¡¯splexion turned ashen.


    ¡°Bang! Bang! Bang!¡± Loud knocking suddenly echoed, intensifying the already strained atmosphere.


    Byrum thought it might be a food delivery.


    He opened the door, only to find himself face-to-face with a familiar and intimidating figure: Sadie.


    ¡°You¡­ How did you find me?¡± Byrum stood frozen in shock.


    Sadie¡¯s expression was stoic. ¡°Byrum, why did you betray me?¡±


    L?t?st ?h¦Ápt?rs in g??lnov??l??.??o??


    In a desperate move, Byrum shoved Sadie aside and bolted.


    ¡°Freeze!¡± Sadie yelled, taking off after him.


    She quickly pulled out her phone and dialed the police. ¡°Hello, 911? I need assistance with a fugitive here. Please send officers immediately¡­¡±


    As Byrum ran, he darted onto a deserted street, his panic escting.


    ¡°Even if you catch me, so what? Got any proof? Can you prove I was the one who leaked the designs?¡± Byrum taunted over his shoulder,ughing wildly as he ran.


    Sadie chased Byrum onto the highway. Suddenly, a ck car appeared, speeding towards them. Byrum had no chance to react before it struck him, sending him flying through the air.


    ¡°Ah!¡± Sadie let out a horrified scream.


    The incident unfolded so quickly that she was left stunned. Byrum was now lying still, surrounded by blood. Shock overcame Sadie, and a piercing noise filled her ears.


    At that moment, the ck car spun out of control after smashing into the roadside barrier, heading straight for Sadie. Reality hit Sadie; she tried to move, but her legs wouldn¡¯t respond.


    Just then, a silver-gray Maybach charged across the highway.


    ¡°Hit it now!¡± Noah¡¯s voice cut through the chaos, icy and decisive.


    He was passing by just as the ident urred. The driver looked terrified.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, it¡¯s too risky!¡±


    ¡°Just do it!¡± Noah demanded, his gaze fixed on the ck sedan about to hit Sadie.


    With no time to spare, the driver swerved dramatically, and the Maybach mmed into the ck car with tremendous force.


    ¡°Bang!¡± The sound of the crash thundered through the air.


    The violent collision knocked Sadie out, and everything went dark for her.


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 Chapter 167

    ?Chapter 167:


    Ignoring everything else, Noah leapt from the Maybach and scooped up Sadie, who was lying unconscious. ¡°Sadie! Sadie!¡±


    Her face was pale, devoid of any color, and the wound on her forehead was bleeding. Noah¡¯s heart felt heavy with dread.


    ¡°Get us to a hospital, fast!¡± he shouted as he carried Sadie back to the Maybach.


    The driver, deeply shaken, quickly started the car and sped towards the nearest hospital.


    Noah burst through the hospital doors, Sadie in his arms. The smell of antiseptic hung heavy in the air as the bright lights of the emergency room bore down.


    Outside the emergency room, Noah paced, fraught with worry. ¡°Doctor, what¡¯s her condition?¡± Noah asked urgently as the doctor emerged.


    With a calm expression, the doctor removed his mask and replied, ¡°She¡¯s not seriously injured. The shock and fear caused her to faint. We¡¯ve treated the wound on her forehead. She needs rest now.¡±


    A sense of relief washed over Noah. ¡°Thank you, doctor.¡±


    He pushed open the hospital room door and approached Sadie¡¯s bedside, observing her in silence.


    ¡°Alex¡­¡± Sadie murmured faintly, breaking the silence.


    Noah¡¯s face clouded over instantly, his hands clenched tightly, his knuckles whitening.


    He left the room without saying a word.


    Stopping at the doorway, Noah took a deep breath and pulled out his phone to call Samuel.


    ¡°Samuel, manage the aftermath of the car ident. Keep it quiet, no media leaks,¡± he instructed, pausing briefly before continuing, ¡°And gather all the recent information on Sadie. I want every detail.¡±


    ¡°Will do, Mr. Wall,¡± Samuel responded respectfully on the other end.


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    After hanging up, Noah exited the hospital, not looking back.


    Back in the room, Sadie¡¯s eyshes twitched as she slowly regained consciousness.


    ¡°Water¡­¡± Her voice was hoarse and weak.


    ¡°You¡¯re awake, Sadie,¡± a gentle voice filled with underlying tension said near her.


    Sadie blinked open her eyes, her vision gradually focusing on Alex¡¯s worried face.


    ¡°Alex, was it you who rescued me?¡± she asked, her eyes brimming with gratitude as she gripped his hand.


    Alex was momentarily taken aback, remembering that when he arrived earlier, he had seen Noah leaving.


    In the end, Alex responded while holding Sadie¡¯s hand, ¡°I¡¯m just relieved you¡¯re safe¡­¡±


    Elsewhere, K was pacing worriedly.


    She fumed over Byrum¡¯s foolishness. He had actually managed to get himself killed in a car ident.


    K had only intended for Byrum to undermine Sadie. Who could have imagined it would end his life?


    ¡°That¡¯s good news, actually¡­¡± she murmured under her breath, a sinister smile forming on her pale face. ¡°The dead don¡¯t speak.¡±


    She could not let this incident trace back to her.


    Just then, a gentle knock sounded at the office door. Samuel stood at the entrance, his posture respectful. ¡°Miss Wade¡ªWall has requested to see you.¡±


    K felt her chest tighten, but she masked her anxiety with aposed expression. ¡°Got it,¡± she replied smoothly, taking a deep breath to calm her rising panic.


    She followed Samuel to Noah¡¯s office, where she immediately noticed him sitting on the sofa, a ss of red wine in hand, swirling it thoughtfully.


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 Chapter 168

    ?Chapter 168:


    ¡°Noah, you wanted to see me?¡± she inquired softly, her voice carrying a hint of flirtation as she took a seat beside him.


    Noah ced the wine ss down, his intense gaze fixed on her. ¡°How much do you know about Byrum?¡± he inquired.


    K¡¯s heart skipped a beat, but she maintained a facade of surprise. ¡°Byrum? Who is he? Is something wrong? Don¡¯t frighten me like that.¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression remained unchanged. ¡°He¡¯s dead. Hit by a car.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± K covered her mouth, feigning shock. ¡°That¡¯s horrible! How could such a thing happen?¡± She shivered, simting distress.


    ¡°The police ruled it an ident, but¡­¡± Noah paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. ¡°It seems he was trying to contact you before he died.¡±


    K¡¯splexion paled, but she struggled to appearposed. ¡°Contact me? I¡¯m not sure why. Maybe because I once helped him secure a job.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Noah¡¯s lips twisted into a faint, skeptical smile as he observed her.


    K swallowed hard, forcing a smile. ¡°Noah, are you suspecting me? How could I possibly¡ª¡±


    ¡°K.¡± Noah interrupted her. ¡°I need you to understand that I do not tolerate deception.¡±


    His intense gaze made it difficult for K to maintain herposure, but years of honing her deceitful skills helped her quickly recover.


    Tears welled up, her eyes reddening as she put on a pitiful look. ¡°Noah, do you truly suspect me? Byrum and I barely knew each other. How could I possibly¡­¡±


    K paused, taking a deep breath.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re upset because of what happened to Sadie, but¡­ have you forgotten who saved you back then? If not for me, you¡­¡± Her voice faltered, tears spilling over as her tone became more distraught. ¡°I¡¯ve done so much for you, and yet you¡­¡±


    M?????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????


    She covered her face, her shoulders trembling as she cried.


    She was gambling that Noah¡¯s sense of guilt and the memories of her past assistance would sway his judgment.


    Noah watched her cry, his expressionplex, and remained silent.


    The room was heavy with tension.


    After a lengthy silence, he finally spoke, his voice low and firm. ¡°Leave.¡±


    The door closed softly behind K.


    Once he was alone, Noah¡¯s indifferent facade disappeared.


    He picked up a file from the table, gripping it so tightly that the edges crumpled.


    It contained detailed records of every collusion between K and Byrum, including the leak of the design drafts from Sadie¡¯s studio.


    ¡°Samuel,¡± he called out sharply.


    Samuel entered the room promptly. ¡°Mr. Wall.¡±


    ¡°Take care of this situation and make Byrum bear all the me. Also, contact Sadie¡¯s studio. Inform them that Wall Group is interested in a coboration.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Wall¡­¡± Samuel hesitated. ¡°Byrum is¡ªI¡­¡±


    Noah¡¯s icy stare cut him off. ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll see to it immediately.¡±


    As Sadie slowly regained consciousness in the ward, a tender voice pierced the silence.


    ¡°Mommy!¡±


    A small figure jumped onto the hospital bed. It was Averi.


    His tiny hand gently touched Sadie¡¯s cheek, his big eyes brimming with concern. ¡°Mommy, you really scared me. Please don¡¯t leave me again, okay?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s heart melted at his words. She embraced Averi tightly and kissed his forehead softly.


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 Chapter 169

    ?Chapter 169:


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sweetheart, for making you worry. I promise I won¡¯t leave you again.¡±


    Alex, observing this tender moment, felt a twinge of sorrow. He had taken care of the discharge formalities.


    ¡°Sadie, the doctor said you¡¯re all set to go home now. I¡¯ve arranged for a car to take us.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Alex.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, Sadie.¡± Alex smiled warmly as he lifted Averi. ¡°Let¡¯s go, little guy. We¡¯ll take Mommy home.¡±


    The drive back was smooth, with Sadie holding Averi, resting against the seat, fatigued but relieved.


    As soon as the car pulled into the driveway, Sadie¡¯s phone rang.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, I have great news!¡± Pierre Bard, Sadie¡¯s assistant, could hardly contain his excitement. ¡°The online rumors havepletely subsided. Everyone now believes Byrum was solely responsible, clearing our name.¡±


    A wave of relief washed over Sadie, easing her nerves.


    ¡°What about our partnerships? Are they reinstated?¡±


    ¡°They are, and even better,¡± Pierre said. ¡°Mr. Lawrence from Lawrence Group personally reached out to apologize for the misunderstanding and affirmed theirmitment to strengthen our partnership. And there¡¯s even more exciting news. Several prominentpanies that were previously on the fence are now keen to work with us. Miss Hudson, your resilience has really paid off!¡±


    Sadie¡¯s hand trembled with emotion as she clutched the phone, overwhelmed by the turn of events.


    The rapid resolution of the situation couldn¡¯t solely be attributed to Byrum¡¯s exposure.


    Sadie knew someone must have been orchestrating things behind the scenes.


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s??????? brings great stories


    Instinctively, she turned to Alex, her eyes conveying deep gratitude. ¡°Thank you so much, Alex.¡±


    Alex cleared his throat, his smile slightly awkward. ¡°It was nothing, really.¡±


    Convinced of her suspicions, Sadie felt a surge of appreciation. ¡°Alex, why don¡¯t youe up for dinner? I¡¯d like to make something simple to thank you for all your help.¡±


    After a brief hesitation, Alex agreed. ¡°Alright.¡±


    The three of them went upstairs together.


    Post-dinner, Alex departed, and after putting Averi to bed, Sadiey down but found sleep elusive.


    The following morning, Sadie arrived at the studio early.


    ¡°Good morning, Miss Hudson.¡± Pierre greeted her with palpable enthusiasm. ¡°Great news! I stayedtest night and finalized all our partnerships. The contracts are signed, and we¡¯re ready to start coordinating today.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for your hard work, Pierre,¡± Sadie responded, her voice filled with relief.


    ¡°It¡¯s my pleasure, really. It¡¯s what I¡¯m here for,¡± Pierre replied, pping his hands excitedly. ¡°This was a team effort.¡±


    As the initial excitement diminished, Pierre¡¯s demeanor shifted, showing hesitation. ¡°Miss Hudson, there¡¯s one more thing¡­¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s about Wall Group¡­¡± Pierre said cautiously. ¡°They¡¯ve requested that you handle the negotiations personally¡­¡±


    Sadie¡¯s smile faded slightly.


    Wall Group, Noah¡­


    ¡°Why would¡­ Why do they¡­¡± Her voice faltered as she picked up the coboration proposal, her fingers quickly flipping through the pages until she saw ¡°Wall Group¡± emzoned across the document.


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 Chapter 170

    ?Chapter 170:


    Sadie never expected Wall Group, a giant in the industry, to offer a partnership with her budding studio.


    Just the previous day, her excitement had been so overwhelming that she neglected to inquire about the crucial detail¡ªwho were their partners?


    ¡°Exactly, Miss Hudson! Wall Group! It¡¯s the kind of chance most can only imagine,¡± Pierre eximed, unaware of the change in her expression. ¡°Our studio could skyrocket to incredible sess with this deal!¡±


    An unseen force seemed to constrict Sadie¡¯s chest, making it difficult to breathe.


    Wall Group. That implied Noah was involved.


    After painstakingly rebuilding her life after her divorce, thest thing she wanted was any reconnection with him.


    Sadie said with a strained voice, ¡°Pierre, about this partnership¡­ is it possible¡­ to back out?¡±


    Pierre¡¯s smile vanished.


    ¡°Back out? Miss Hudson, are you serious? We¡¯re talking about Wall Group here!¡±


    ¡°I understand¡­ but¡­¡± Sadie inhaled sharply. ¡°It just doesn¡¯t seem right for us. The penalty¡­ can we afford it?¡± she asked, getting straight to the point.


    Pierre¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°The penalty¡­ unfortunately, it¡¯s beyond our means¡­¡±


    Sadie shut her eyes, taking another deep breath to steady herself.


    Noticing Sadie¡¯s distressed look, Pierre grasped the gravity of his mistake. His voice shook as he murmured, ¡°Miss Hudson¡­ I¡¯m so sorry¡­ I thought this was an opportunity¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s alright, Pierre. I need to be alone to think this through.¡±


    Relieved yet regretful, Pierre hurriedly exited the office.


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    Silence enveloped the room as Sadie remained alone, clutching the coboration document so tightly that her nails threatened to pierce the paper.


    With eyes closed, she allowed herself a moment of respite.


    When she reopened her eyes, they had a newfound rity. Sadie knew avoidance was no longer an option. She had to confront the issue, even if it was thest thing she wanted to do. Taking a deep breath, she picked up her bag, resolved. She exited the studio and made her way directly to Wall Group.


    The bustling grand lobby of Wall Group was filled with rushing people, but Sadie¡¯s arrival seemed to stop them in their tracks.


    ¡°Is that¡­ Sadie?¡± someone murmured.


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s her! Wasn¡¯t she supposed to¡­?¡±


    ¡°Three years gone, and just like that, she returns?¡± Spections began to swirl around the lobby like wildfire.


    At that moment, Tina stepped out of the elevator, and when her eyesnded on Sadie, the file she was holding dropped with a loud ng. Her expression was one of pure shock.


    ¡°Sa¡­ Sadie?¡±


    Spotting Tina, Sadie managed a weak smile. ¡°Tina.¡±


    Rushing forward, Tina grasped Sadie¡¯s arm, inspecting her closely. ¡°It really is you! What happened these past three years? We all assumed you were¡­ ¡±


    Her voice trailed off, leaving the unspoken thought lingering in the air. With a fleeting shadow crossing her face, Sadie responded lightly, ¡°I needed some time alone to sort things out.¡±


    ¡°To sort things out? For three years?¡± Tina¡¯s skepticism was obvious.


    ¡°What¡¯s the real story, Sadie?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s not dwell on the past,¡± Sadie said, her voice soft but firm. She had no desire to revisit those difficult years, especially not within the walls of Wall Group.


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 Chapter 171

    ?Chapter 171:


    ¡°But¡­¡± Tina began, eager to get more details, only to be silenced by Sadie¡¯s determined look.


    ¡°I¡¯m here today because I have something to take care of,¡± Sadie said, quickly changing the subject.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Tina¡¯s tone wasced with concern.


    ¡°It¡¯s about¡­¡± Sadie paused for a moment. ¡°About a coboration.¡±


    Upon hearing what Sadie said, Tina eagerly pulled her along. ¡°Come on, Sadie, let¡¯s head to the meeting room first. I¡¯ll call the person in charge right away.¡±


    Guided by Tina, Sadie entered the elevator, feeling the weight in her heart increase with each floor they ascended. To her, Wall Group was less about business and more like a source of personal anguish.


    The elevator doors opened, and Tina led Sadie directly to the designated meeting room.


    ¡°Here we are.¡± Tina pushed open the door, only to halt abruptly at the sight of the upant inside.


    K was there, casually browsing through some documents. She was dressed in a pale-yellow suit that entuated her wless skin and elegant demeanor. Upon hearing the door, K looked up. When she spotted Sadie, her expression stiffened, and the documents she held tumbled to the floor.


    ¡°You¡­¡± K started, her voiceced with surprise and irritation.


    Tina, too, seemed surprised, momentarily speechless.


    The room was filled with tension instantly.


    ¡°Miss Wade, Sadie is here to discuss a potential coboration,¡± Tina finally stated.


    Before Tina could continue, K interrupted with a scornfulugh. ¡°Sadie, you¡¯ve got some nerve. Do you even understand your position,ing here to propose a partnership with Wall Group?¡±


    Tina shifted ufortably, unsure how to manage the situation.


    ¡°Miss Wade, I am here on behalf of my studio to discuss professional matters, not personal issues. My qualifications are not up for your judgment,¡± Sadie responded coolly, which seemed to aggravate K even more.


    K stepped closer, her voice low and biting. ¡°Stop the act!¡± she snapped. ¡°Are you here trying to rekindle old mes? Just don¡¯t even think about it.¡±


    A mocking smile flickered across Sadie¡¯s face as she met K¡¯s re with a chilling gaze.


    ¡°Miss Wade, you seem very interested in my personal life. It appears your feelings for Mr. Wall are quite intense.¡±


    ¡°Damn you!¡± K¡¯s face reddened with anger.


    ¡°Stop being so sarcastic! Do you really think you cane between Noah and me? Dream on!¡±


    ¡°Come between you? Is that necessary?¡± Sadie responded coolly.


    ¡°You¡­¡± K was at a loss for words, her frustration evident. With a final re, she stormed out of the room, mming the door behind her.


    The room quieted, leaving only Sadie and Tina.


    After a few seconds of silence, Tina cautiously asked, ¡°Sadie, are you¡­ okay?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. This isn¡¯t new to me.¡±


    Sadie had expected this kind of reaction from K.


    Tina looked at her, hesitating before voicing her curiosity. ¡°So¡­ you and Mr. Wall¡­¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing between us.¡± Sadie cut her off sharply.


    Tina exhaled softly.


    ¡°When Miss Wade came back from abroad three years ago, everyone thought they were getting married. After all, Mr. Wall is influential, and she¡¯s attractive¡ªthey seemed perfect for each other.¡±


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 Chapter 172

    ?Chapter 172:


    After a brief pause, she added, ¡°Everyone expected Mr. Wall to propose to Miss Wade soon.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Sadie replied, her voice detached, signaling her disinterest.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Tina continued, lost in the gossip. ¡°It¡¯s strange, three years and nothing has happened¡­¡±


    Inside, Sadie felt turmoil, but she maintained herposure. ¡°Perhaps they have their reasons,¡± she suggested, ready to focus on the business at hand and leave the past¡ªand the rumors¡ªbehind.


    Just then, the door to the meeting room swung open.


    Noah walked in.


    He was dressed in a perfectly tailored ck suit, entuating his tall, lean figure and making him appear even more imposing. His face was expressionless.


    Tina¡¯s face drained of color at the sight of him. She hurriedly stood up, stammering, ¡°M-Mr. Wall.¡±


    ¡°Leave,¡± Noah said in a cold tone, his gaze fixed on Sadie.


    Tina quickly exited the room, making sure to close the door behind her. Now alone with Noah, Sadie felt a chill. She had anticipated a meeting with someone from the marketing department, not expecting the CEO of Wall Group himself to attend.


    ¡°For such a minor coboration, it¡¯s really an honor for you to attend personally, Mr. Wall,¡± Sadie said, her voiceced with subtle sarcasm.


    Noah¡¯s expression darkened. He had overheard Sadie¡¯s conversation with Tina just outside the door. Three years had not changed her; she still maintained that nonchnt,posed demeanor. This indifference ignited an ufortable feeling within him.


    ¡°You misunderstood,¡± Noah replied, his voice steady but firm. ¡°Wall Group handles all partnerships with rigorous scrutiny, no exceptions.¡±


    ¡°Exceptions?¡± Sadie felt a sting in her chest. Yes, exceptions were only meant for K, right? She took a deep breath to quell the rising emotions within her, then pulled out a chair and sat down.


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    ¡°So, Mr. Wall, what type of design are you envisioning?¡±


    Noah¡¯s gaze was unreadable.


    ¡°This project is critical for Wall Group¡¯s future, and it necessitates a deeper coboration. I want you to start working at Wall Group tomorrow to streamlinemunication about the project.¡±


    ¡°Working at Wall Group?¡± Sadieughed. He wanted her to work at Wall Group? Was this invitation for convenience in coboration, for oversight, or perhaps¡­ to keep her close as a form of control?


    She began to gather her belongings, preparing to leave. ¡°Have you considered the penalty for breaching the contract?¡± Noah¡¯s voice remained even, yet carried an authoritative tone.


    Sadie¡¯s hand paused in mid-motion, a surge of anger flooding through her. The penalty! Given the current financial constraints of her studio, affording any penalties was out of the question.


    With reluctance, Sadie turned back around. ¡°Fine. I agree,¡± she said through gritted teeth, each word a struggle to get out.


    As she turned to leave, Noah spoke up. ¡°It¡¯s almost lunchtime.¡±


    Expecting him to delve further into project specifics, Sadie was taken aback when he instead mentioned lunch. She paused, then gave a bitter smile. ¡°Mr. Wall, I assume you¡¯ll be having lunch with Miss Wade? I wouldn¡¯t want to intrude.¡±


    Noah¡¯s brow furrowed, his displeasure evident at her tone. ¡°The business discussion isn¡¯t over, and lunch can be part of that discussion too.¡±


    A wave of frustration welled up inside Sadie. Was she just a pawn to him, to be used and dismissed at his convenience?


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 Chapter 173

    ?Chapter 173:


    ¡°Sorry, Mr. Wall, I have another appointment.¡±


    Noah¡¯s piercing gaze locked on her, trying to gauge her sincerity. ¡°With whom?¡±


    Sadie said, ¡°That¡¯s not your concern, is it? We¡¯re merely business partners. My personal life is none of your business.¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Sadie, remember, we¡¯re discussing a coboration here. Do you realize what partnering with Wall Group could mean for your studio? Are you really willing to risk this opportunity over a mere lunch?¡± His voice held a warning edge.


    Sadie clenched her fists. Noah was using their business coboration as leverage to manipte her!


    Sadie inhaled sharply, grappling with the reality that she had no real say in the matter. ¡°Alright, I agree.¡±


    At that, Noah¡¯s lips twisted into a smug smile. He then strode toward the elevator. In silence, Sadie trailed after him, feeling his dominance overshadow her independence. As they approached the elevator, its doors parted slowly, revealing K stepping out.


    K¡¯s face lit up with a joyful smile when she saw Noah,pletely ignoring Sadie. She quickly hooked her arm through his.


    ¡°Noah, how about lunch together? I¡¯ve booked a table at your favorite ce.¡±


    With a casual motion, Noah detached his arm. ¡°No, I¡¯ll pass.¡± For a moment, K¡¯s smile faltered, and it was only then she seemed to be aware of Sadie just behind Noah. Her eyes shed coldly before she adopted a gracious demeanor.


    ¡°Very well then. Sadie, you can borrow Noah for the time being.¡± She stressed the word ¡°borrow,¡± infusing it with disdain.


    Internally, Sadie scoffed but maintained a stoic facade. Uninterested in K¡¯s petty taunts, Sadie stepped into the elevator without responding. K¡¯s smile tightened. She hadn¡¯t anticipated such a dismissive response from Sadie. Anger welled up within her. She was determined not to let Sadie, that detestable woman, win Noah over.


    As the elevator doors sealed shut, they obscured K¡¯s resentful stare. Inside, Sadie drew a deep breath once more.


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    They arrived at the underground parking lot, where Noah exited first, followed closely by Sadie. The two walked in tense silence, the emotional weight between them almost suffocating.


    Noah¡¯s car, a sleek ck Maybach, stood out with its understated luxury. He opened the door, gesturing for Sadie to enter. Buckling herself in, Sadie settledfortably into the passenger seat. The parking lot faded behind them as Noah ignited the engine and pulled away.


    They came to a stop outside a trendy bistro, and Noah escorted Sadie through its doors. Inside, the restaurant radiated elegance, its soft lighting enveloping the space in a cozy ambiance. They were led by a server to a window-side table where menus awaited them.


    Noah promptly ordered from memory, choosing dishes Sadie once adored, without so much as a nce at the menu. Gazing upon the array of familiar dishes stirred a tempest of emotions within Sadie. Bittersweet memories, once cherished, now tinged her thoughts with irony.


    ¡°You¡­¡± began Sadie, her voice faltering briefly as she broached the heavy topic. ¡°When can we finalize our divorce?¡±


    Noah¡¯s cutlery hung in the air, his expression briefly betraying his surprise. He looked up, his gazending on Sadie¡¯s calm face.


    ¡°What¡¯s the rush?¡± asked Noah, a wry smile touching his lips, his words edged with a hint of scorn. ¡°Is it because you¡¯re in a hurry to wed Alex?¡±


    A wave of disappointment washed over Sadie; she hadn¡¯t expected him to see her in such a light.


    The abrupt ring of a phone pierced the mounting tension. With a slight frown, Noah retrieved his phone from his pocket and eyed the caller ID. Silently, Sadie observed the changes flickering across his face, emotions she couldn¡¯t quite name swirling within her.


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 Chapter 174

    ?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.¡±


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    She watched Noah¡¯s expression carefully, her voice tentative. ¡°I¡ªI 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.


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 Chapter 175

    ?Chapter 175:


    ¡°Sadie, let me drive you,¡± a familiar voice offered from beside her.


    Looking up, she saw Alex by his car, parked at the curb, watching her intently.


    ¡°That¡¯s kind of you, but I¡¯ll take a cab.¡± She declined politely, not wanting to be a burden.


    ¡°It¡¯ste, and it¡¯s not safe to be out alone. Please, get in,¡± Alex insisted. After hesitating, Sadie nodded, opened the passenger door, and climbed in.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to chauffeur me anymore, Alex. It¡¯s too much trouble for you,¡± she murmured, buckling up.


    As Alex started the car, his face showed concern and something else he kept hidden. ¡°You¡¯re going to work at Wall Group?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a joint project. I couldn¡¯t say no,¡± Sadie responded, her voice filled with reluctance.


    ¡°Sadie¡­¡± Alex started, then stopped, his hands tightening on the steering wheel. He knew too well the hurt Noah had caused her. The prospect of her facing that old torment bothered him.


    ¡°I know what you¡¯re worried about, Alex,¡± Sadie said, turning to face him firmly. ¡°But I need to do this for the studio. I¡¯ll be back once it¡¯s done.¡±


    Alex exhaled slowly. ¡°I still don¡¯t feelfortable with you being around Noah.¡±


    Sadie let out a bitterugh. ¡°Alex, Noah and I are over. He¡¯s just a business partner now. Besides¡­¡±


    She paused, her tone tinged with irony. ¡°His heart is with K. He doesn¡¯t care about me.¡±


    Alex clenched the steering wheel tighter, a twinge of pain crossing his face.


    ¡°Sadie!¡± He tried again, but the words stuck.


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    Sadie turned to the window. ¡°Thank you, Alex. I really value this.¡± Silence fell heavily in the car, punctuated only by the engine¡¯s soft rumble.


    As they reached Laura¡¯s apartmentplex, the car stopped smoothly. As soon as Sadie emerged, a small figure raced toward her, wrapping himself in her embrace. ¡°Mommy!¡± It was Averi. His face buried against her, he murmured, ¡°Mommy, you¡¯re home.¡± Sadie¡¯s heart warmed instantly. She knelt, lifted Averi into her arms, and kissed his cheek. ¡°Have you been good, Averi?¡±


    ¡°I have!¡± he replied, beaming, his arms tight around Sadie¡¯s neck, his eyes shining with delight.


    Noticing Alex exit the car, Averi offered a polite greeting. ¡°Good evening, Alex.¡±


    Alex smiled at the tender scene and gently tousled Averi¡¯s hair. ¡°Averi, you¡¯re such a good boy.¡±


    ¡°Sadie, have you been looking for a rental ce?¡± Alex inquired, concern evident in his tone.


    The question reminded Sadie of her neglected task. ¡°I¡¯ll start tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t I help you? You seem tired,¡± Alex said, his concern palpable.


    ¡°That¡¯s very kind, but I can handle it, Alex. You¡¯ve done enough,¡± Sadie replied with sincerity, her voice edged with guilt.


    She was grateful for Alex¡¯s generosity, yet she was determined not to depend on him continuously. She needed to be self-sufficient to safeguard both herself and her son.


    ¡°That¡¯s what friends are for,¡± Alex said, smiling weakly.


    He watched Sadie cuddling Averi, their tender interaction evoking a whirl of emotions in him. How he wished he could openly be at her side. But¡­


    He nced at Sadie, yet found himself speechless, the words he needed to say trapped in his throat.


    ¡°Go upstairs and rest,¡± he murmured gently.


    Sadie nodded, and with Averi snug in her arms, she headed upstairs.


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 Chapter 176

    ?Chapter 176:


    ¡°Bye!¡± Averi shouted.


    ¡°Bye.¡±


    Alex remained still, watching them until they vanished down the hallway, then he slowly walked away.


    The next morning, Sadie inhaled deeply and entered the Wall Group building. The receptionist weed her and pointed her toward the HR department.


    There, the HR manager, impably dressed, greeted her with a smile that didn¡¯t quite warm her eyes.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, wee. I¡¯m Ayanne Mitchell, the HR manager.¡±


    ¡°Hello, Ms. Mitchell,¡± Sadie responded, nodding courteously. ¡°Mr. Wall has mentioned you to me. Please,e with me to your office.¡±


    As Sadie followed Ayanne, she noticed the officeyout was unchanged from three years ago. They moved past busy workstations, the tter of keyboards echoing around them.


    Instead of leading her to a modern office, however, Ayanne took her down a quieter corridor to a in, weathered iron door. As Ayanne unlocked it, they were greeted by a musty smell.


    Inside was a cluttered storage room, dimly lit and dusty, almost stifling.


    Sadie stopped short.


    ¡°This is my office?¡±


    Ayanne dismissed her concern casually. ¡°Yes, Miss Hudson. It¡¯s all we have avable right now.¡± Her smile was sharp, with a flicker of mockery.


    Sadie¡¯s heart sank. This wasn¡¯t an office; it was a forgotten storeroom. But she quickly regained herposure, her eyes hardening. After years in the corporate world, she was all too familiar with these tactics.


    ¡°Ms. Mitchell, are you certain this decision came from Mr. Wall?¡±


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    Ayanne paused, caught off guard by Sadie¡¯sposed demeanor. She adjusted her sses, striving to sound authoritative. ¡°Absolutely, Mr. Wall personally arranged this.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Sadie¡¯s lips twisted into a skeptical smile. ¡°It seems more like someone is using Mr. Wall¡¯s name toplicate things for me.¡± She stepped forward, reducing the distance between them. ¡°Are you prepared to ept responsibility for someone else¡¯s misconduct?¡±


    Ayanne¡¯sposure wavered, and her eyes darted nervously. Sadie¡¯s direct challenge visibly unnerved her.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, I¡¯m not sure what you¡¯re suggesting.¡± Ayanne faltered, her confidence fading.


    ¡°Not sure?¡± Sadie¡¯s smile widened with a hint of derision. ¡°Let¡¯s be clear. I suspect K has bribed you, hasn¡¯t she? Wall Group isn¡¯t K¡¯s private empire, and you¡¯re jeopardizing your career over her schemes. Are you really willing to risk it all?¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t¡­¡± Ayanne¡¯s response weakened as she avoided Sadie¡¯s steady gaze.


    ¡°Really?¡± Sadie persisted firmly. ¡°Then perhaps you should verify this ¡®office arrangement¡¯ with Mr. Wall right now.¡±


    Ayanne nched, stepping back involuntarily, at a loss for words. Sadie observed her, a knowing smirk ying on her lips.


    Sadie¡¯s tone lightened suddenly, and she chuckled softly, her voice tinged with a hint of relief. ¡°Never mind.¡±


    Ayanne paused, perplexed. ¡°Miss Hudson¡­¡±


    Sadie looked around the room. ¡°This will do.¡±


    Confusion deepened on Ayanne¡¯s face. ¡°Miss Hudson, you¡­ you¡¯re not upset anymore?¡±


    Sadie faced Ayanne squarely, her expression calm and insistent. ¡°Upset? Why would I be upset? I just wanted to give you a few warnings.¡± She smiled subtly, her eyes glinting with mischief. ¡°This ce is quiet, away from certain distractions. It¡¯s exactly what I need.¡±


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 Chapter 177

    ?Chapter 177:


    Ayanne struggled to grasp the sudden shift in Sadie¡¯s attitude, finding it startlingly quick.


    ¡°Have someone clean up this room and equip it properly,¡± Sadie said.


    Ayanne opened her mouth as if to speak, then thought better of it.


    ¡°Understood,¡± she responded, nodding respectfully.


    Dismissing further interaction, Sadie walked over to the room¡¯s only window, opened it, and inhaled deeply, savoring the fresh air.


    While the team scurried to prepare the ¡°office,¡± Sadie checked her watch, took another deep breath to steady herself, and then headed to the Wall Group¡¯s design department.


    She tapped lightly on the meeting room door and, hearing a voice inside, pushed it open and entered.


    K was there, elegantly seated, browsing through a stack of documents. Her champagne-colored suitplemented her delicateplexion, and her sleek hair fell gracefully around her shoulders, giving her a look of innocence.


    When K saw Sadie, her lips curved into a faint smile, and she set the papers down.


    Caught off guard, Sadie momentarily paused.


    ¡°Miss Wade? I didn¡¯t know you¡¯d changed careers to design work,¡± she said with a forced casualness and a slight smile.


    K¡¯s smile briefly wavered before she regained herposure. ¡°Miss Hudson, surely you jest. Noah would never have me do such basic tasks.¡±


    A sharp twinge shot through Sadie¡¯s heart, like a needle prick.


    She suppressed her unease and asked evenly, without revealing any emotion, ¡°Then, Miss Wade, what brings you to the design department?¡±


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    K¡¯s eyes locked on Sadie. ¡°This time, the theme is ¡®Timeless Love,¡¯ a wedding jewelry collection.¡±


    ¡°Timeless Love¡­¡± Sadie echoed softly, the words hanging in the air. Visions of Noah looking at K with affection haunted her thoughts. Noah and K¡¯s wedding. The realization hit her forcefully, reverberating in her mind.


    It dawned on her that Noah had made her stay here to craft the wedding jewelry for his union with K.


    How ironic indeed.


    Sadie¡¯splexion momentarily lost color, but she quickly masked her feelings.


    K noticed the subtle shift in Sadie¡¯s demeanor, a slight smirk of victory ying on her lips.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are you considering withdrawing from the contract?¡± K¡¯s tone was gentle, but the underlying sharpness was unmistakable.


    ¡°You misunderstand,¡± Sadie responded, her voice steady. ¡°I was contemting what design would truly embody a concept as magnificent as ¡®Timeless Love.''¡±


    ¡°Remember, a wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event and requires exceptional attention. As for the budget, don¡¯t concern yourself with it. Just ensure it¡¯s unparalleled.¡±


    Sadie looked at her quietly, her expression thoughtful and enigmatic.


    ¡°Of course, this is part of my responsibilities. Miss Wade, you can rest assured,¡± Sadie said.


    K nodded with satisfaction and turned to exit the meeting room. As the door closed behind her, Sadie¡¯s polite smile disappeared, reced by a cool,posed expression.


    She recognized K¡¯s parting words for what they were¡ªa subtle maneuver to exert pressure and provoke a response.


    But Sadie was determined not to give K the reaction she sought.


    Upon returning to her office, Sadie found it had been tidied. Although still not perfect, it was far more organized than before.


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 Chapter 178

    ?Chapter 178:


    Meanwhile, in the CEO¡¯s office¡­


    ¡°Mr. Wall, the work reports for today have beenpleted,¡± Samuel reported, closing the folder as he stood respectfully before the desk.


    Noah¡¯s fingers tapped lightly on the desktop, the sound soft in the quiet room. ¡°Anything else?¡±


    Samuel blinked, momentarily confused. He had already reported everything from Wall Group¡¯s recent stock market performance to the initiation of new projects.


    Noah lifted his eyes, a hint of impatience flickering through them. ¡°Sadie¡­ has she settled in?¡±


    It took a moment for Samuel to catch Noah¡¯s drift. A bead of sweat formed on his forehead as he quickly answered, ¡°Everything¡¯s arranged, but¡­ her office is currently in the logistics warehouse.¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression turned even colder.


    ¡°Understood. You may leave now.¡± He dismissed Samuel with a wave of his hand.


    Relieved, Samuel turned to leave, but Noah¡¯s voice halted him.


    ¡°Wait.¡±


    Samuel¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Had he overlooked something? He turned back cautiously, his voice respectful. ¡°Mr. Wall, is there anything else?¡±


    ¡°The branch office in Amberhollow is negotiating a deal. They need someone with legal expertise,¡± Noah stated, his tone neutral.


    He paused briefly before concluding, ¡°Send K there immediately.¡± Amberhollow¡ªa remote and underdeveloped region known for its poor infrastructure and harsh conditions. Sending K there was more akin to punishment than an assignment.


    Samuel hesitated briefly but quickly grasped the implication. He nodded. ¡°Yes, Mr. Wall. I¡¯ll make the arrangements right away.¡± Without asking further questions, Samuel quickly left the office, sensing that Noah¡¯s directive was far from coincidental.


    Later, as Samuel ryed the message to K and turned to leave, a sharp crash resonated through the room. A delicate coffee cup had shattered on the floor, its fragments scattering everywhere.


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    K¡¯s face twisted with rage, her breathing quick and uneven.


    ¡°Amberhollow? How could Noah send me to that wastnd?!¡±


    ¡°Miss Wade, please try to calm down¡­¡± her assistant ventured cautiously.


    ¡°Calm down? How can I calm down?!¡± K snapped back. ¡°Amberhollow is a nightmare no one deserves!¡±


    Her hands balled into fists as she took a deep breath, attempting to regain herposure. She recalled seeing Sadie¡¯s calm,posed smile earlier that day in the design department.


    It dawned on her¡ªthis must be Sadie¡¯s influence. Noah was punishing her, perhaps at Sadie¡¯s behest.


    The more K pondered, the more her anger and jealousy grew.


    Resolved, she decided she would make Sadie pay for this.


    ¡°Miss Wade, are we going there or not?¡± the assistant inquired timidly, her eyes flicking around anxiously.


    K¡¯s gaze snapped up, her anger barely masked by her makeup. ¡°Samuel just personally delivered the message! Do you think Noah hasn¡¯t already decided? Why even ask?!¡± she barked.


    The assistant recoiled, quickly bowing her head.


    ¡°Yes, Miss Wade. I didn¡¯t mean to question it¡­¡±


    ¡°Get the deputy director of the design department here immediately,¡± Kmanded.


    The assistant, not daring to dy, hurriedly left to fulfill the order.


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 Chapter 179

    ?Chapter 179:


    Soon after, a young woman knocked and entered the room. It was Jordyn Vazquez, the deputy director of the design department. Jordyn¡¯s makeup was impably done today, and her professional suit entuated her confident demeanor.


    K¡¯s eyes briefly assessed Jordyn.


    ¡°Hello, Ms. Vazquez.¡±


    ¡°Miss Wade, hello.¡± Jordyn approached, bowing slightly in respect.


    She knew well that K was highly influential within Noah¡¯s circle¡ªand potentially his future wife. Crossing K could jeopardize her career at Wall Group.


    ¡°Noah has arranged for me to go on a business trip. Today, Sadie, who has just joined us, has been ced in the storeroom¡ªthat¡¯s my good friend. Do you understand what I¡¯m implying?¡±


    Jordyn felt a slight tension build, her forehead beading with sweat. The storeroom was known for its poor conditions¡ªa dark, damp space hardly suitable for anyone, much less for an office.


    It was clear that K intended to make Sadie¡¯s situation difficult.


    Jordyn caught on quickly, her expressionposed as she replied with a faint smile, ¡°Absolutely, Miss Wade. I will ensure Sadie is ¡®well taken care of.¡¯¡±


    K nodded, pleased. ¡°You¡¯re sharp. Handle this well, and the director position could be yours.¡±


    A spark of ambition shed in Jordyn¡¯s eyes as she assured, ¡°You can count on me. I won¡¯t disappoint you.¡±


    Meanwhile, in the dimly lit storeroom, Sadie sat at a simple desk surrounded by clutter. The faint musty smell of the room and the inadequate lighting made the space nearly unbearable.


    Design drafts were spread before her, and she held a pen, though she found it hard to begin working.


    Rubbing her temples, Sadie sighed deeply, overwhelmed by the oppressive environment.


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    Her frustration palpable, she dropped the pen onto the desk, where itnded with a crisp ck. Next to her, a wastebasket overflowed with crumpled drafts.


    Just then, a knock came at the door.


    ¡°Pleasee in.¡±


    The door creaked as it opened, and Jordyn entered.


    Sadie looked up, her expression unreadable, as she regarded her visitor. Three years ago, when she worked as Noah¡¯s secretary, Sadie had met Jordyn.


    Back then, Jordyn was just an ordinary employee. Now, in just three years, she had risen to the position of deputy director.


    Jordyn¡¯s eyes swept over the shabby office, and a mocking smirk briefly appeared on her lips before she reced it with a concerned expression.


    ¡°Sadie, are you settling in okay?¡±


    ¡°Thanks to Miss Wade, it¡¯s not too bad,¡± Sadie replied dryly.


    Jordyn feigned shock. ¡°How can it not be? This is one of the finest offices in Wall Group!¡±


    Sadie didn¡¯t reply, simply offering Jordyn a knowing half-smile.


    Feeling somewhat ufortable under Sadie¡¯s steady gaze, Jordyn cleared her throat and changed the subject. ¡°Would you like to join the department dinner tonight?¡±


    ¡°No, thank you,¡± Sadie answered without hesitation.


    ¡°Oh,e on! We were all colleagues once, and now we keep running into each other. It¡¯s only polite to meet everyone and say hello!¡± Jordyn¡¯s tone was light, yet there was an underlying insistence in her words.


    Sadie realized that declining might give Jordyn a reason toplicate her situation further.


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 Chapter 180

    ?Chapter 180:


    It seemed wiser to ept the invitation and gauge Jordyn¡¯s intentions. After a moment¡¯s pause, Sadie nodded. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll attend.¡±


    At that, Jordyn¡¯s expression transformed into one of triumph. ¡°Great! It¡¯s settled then. Six o¡¯clock tonight. Don¡¯t bete!¡± With a confident stride, she exited the room.


    Sadie watched Jordyn¡¯s departing figure, her gaze thoughtful and deep. A cold smile yed at the corners of her lips, hinting at her strategic mind at work.


    Later that afternoon, the storeroom door creaked open, revealing a bright and cheerful presence.


    ¡°Sadie, are you busy?¡± Tina stepped inside, her chestnut curls bouncing around her delicate, doll-like face.


    She carried two milkshakes in her hands.


    Sadie looked up and met Tina¡¯s gaze, which was filled with concern. Managing a small smile, she asked, ¡°Tina, what brings you here?¡±


    Tina approached, cing one of the milkshakes on Sadie¡¯s cluttered desk and sitting across from her. She lowered her voice as she said, ¡°I¡¯ve got some juicy gossip for you!¡±


    ¡°What gossip?¡± Sadie asked, stirring the milkshake absentmindedly, though a sense of unease began to stir within her.


    ¡°K is on a business trip!¡±


    ¡°A business trip?¡± Sadie¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. ¡°Isn¡¯t that normal?¡±


    ¡°Normal? Not at all! Guess where she¡¯s headed? Amberhollow!¡± Tina¡¯s voice was dramatic. ¡°That remote, deste ce! Can you believe Mr. Wall actually sent her there? It¡¯s so odd!¡±


    Amberhollow?


    A sudden chill ran through Sadie.


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    That ce¡­


    Sadie maintained aposed expression, feigning nonchnce as she inquired, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with Amberhollow? It¡¯s just another project.¡±


    Tina gave her a knowing look, leaning in and whispering mysteriously, ¡°That Amberhollow project is notorious for being a tough assignment! Manypanies have struggled there. And now Mr. Wall sent K to handle it? Doesn¡¯t that seem odd?¡±


    Sadie felt a flutter of anxiety, her grip tightening on the milkshake unwittingly. She lowered her eyes to conceal the unease flickering within them. Tina took a sip of her milkshake, let out a satisfied sigh, and then, as if struck by a sudden thought, looked up at Sadie.


    ¡°By the way, Sadie, are you free tonight after work? How about we go shopping?¡±


    Sadie pondered for a moment and then shook her head, her voice tinged with regret. ¡°I can¡¯t tonight. The design department is having a gathering event.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Tina¡¯s face fell slightly. ¡°Well, alright. Maybe another time.¡± She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a murmur. ¡°Just be careful around that Jordyn. She¡¯s trouble.¡±


    Sadie offered a wry smile at Tina¡¯s dramatic tone. ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind. Thanks for the warning.¡±


    After a bit more small talk, Tina left.


    ¡°Sadie, let¡¯s go. We¡¯re heading out for karaoke!¡± At around 5:30 p.m., Jordyn burst into Sadie¡¯s office.


    Before Sadie could react, Jordyn was pulling her away. A design draft still in hand, Sadie nearly collided with the desk edge. ¡°Wait, I haven¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°Oh,e on, what are you waiting for? Everyone¡¯s already waiting!¡± Jordyn eximed, dragging Sadie out.


    Jordyn, dressed in a form-fitting dress that highlighted her figure, led Sadie with a seemingly friendly grip that was surprisingly forceful. Sadie attempted to pull away several times but found it difficult to escape Jordyn¡¯s strong hold.


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 Chapter 181

    ?Chapter 181:


    Sadie had assumed that a gathering for the design department would be held at a restaurant.


    However, Jordyn led her to a karaoke bar in a bustling district instead. The neon lights of the karaoke bar shed rhythmically, and loud music red from inside, contrasting sharply with the type of dinner gathering Sadie had envisioned.


    Upon entering the private room, Sadie was dismayed to find it filled exclusively with male colleagues¡ªmany of whom were visibly overweight, some sporting potbellies¡ªengaged in raucous drinking games. The atmosphere was more rowdy than professional.


    A sense of unease washed over Sadie. She discreetly pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to Alex, hoping for some support or advice.


    Meanwhile, back at Wall Group¡¯s CEO office, Noah was wrapping up his day. He had just finished sending an email when he nced at the wall clock and noted it was six in the evening. He stood, ready to leave, but as he passed by Sadie¡¯s office and noticed its emptiness with the lights still on and an unfinished design draft on theputer screen, his brow furrowed in concern.


    He summoned Samuel. ¡°Where is the design department? They¡¯re leaving this early?¡±


    Samuel appeared equally perplexed. ¡°I¡¯m not sure either, sir.¡±


    Just then, Tina happened to walk by with a stack of documents. Catching sight of Noah, she quickly chimed in, ¡°Mr. Wall, the design department is at a gathering event tonight.¡±


    ¡°A gathering event?¡± Noah¡¯s voice carried a hint of suspicion. ¡°I wasn¡¯t informed about this.¡±


    Tina hesitated before responding, ¡°It seems¡­ it¡¯s organized by Jordyn.¡±


    A subtle shift flickered across Noah¡¯s expression. He turned and left the office without another word. Tina watched his departing figure and let out a quiet sigh.


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    Meanwhile, back in the chaotic atmosphere of the karaoke bar¡¯s private room, Sadie found herself encircled by several male colleagues, each one pressing her to drink. Despite her polite refusals, their persistence intensified.


    Jordyn observed from a distance, a smirk curling her lips as she relished Sadie¡¯s evident difort, her eyes shimmering with spite.


    ¡°Come on, Sadie, just one more drink!¡± urged a colleague, raising his ss. The strong scent of alcohol mingled with his cheap cologne, overwhelming her senses.


    ¡°I really can¡¯t drink anymore,¡± Sadie implored, angling her body away to avoid his proximity.


    Another colleague chimed in, snatching the ss from Sadie¡¯s grasp and filling it with more liquor. ¡°Oh,e on, it¡¯s just one drink. What¡¯s the big deal?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s expression tightened as she noticed an unusual, overly sweet odor emanating from the drink.


    She discreetly ced the ss down, scanning the room.


    Maintaining herposure, she declined once more. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, I have something important to take care ofter.¡±


    ¡°Something important?¡± Another colleague scoffed, reaching out to touch her face. ¡°Sounds like an excuse to me.¡±


    Sadie dodged swiftly, avoiding his hand and the ufortable situation escting around her.


    Sadie took a deep breath, struggling to suppress the anger surging within her. A sudden wave of heat flushed through her body, and her mind became foggy. She quickly realized something was off about the drink she had taken.


    ¡°Oh,e on, everyone. Let¡¯s not get so worked up,¡± Jordyn intervened with a sharine tone, feigning peacemaking. ¡°We¡¯re all colleagues here. Why make things difficult for Sadie? How about we y a game instead? Loser takes a drink. What do you say?¡±


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 Chapter 182

    ?Chapter 182:


    Sadie recognized Jordyn¡¯s so-called offer for what it was¡ªa veiled attempt to control the situation with ulterior motives lurking beneath. All she wanted now was to escape the increasingly oppressive atmosphere of the room. Each moment she stayed, the ordeal grew more unbearable.


    Attempting to stand, Sadie felt her body sway unstably. She gripped the table for support, her strength waning and her head spinning wildly. The drug in her system was taking effect.


    Panic set in, and she knew she needed to leave immediately.


    ¡°I¡¯m not feeling well. I need to go,¡± she said, her voice weak and shaky, as she turned towards the door.


    ¡°Hey, Sadie, don¡¯t rush off!¡± One man blocked her path, his gaze unsettling. ¡°The game hasn¡¯t even started yet!¡±


    Unable to tolerate any more, Sadie grabbed a wine bottle from the table and, in a desperate act, smashed it on the man¡¯s head. The sound of shattering ss echoed loudly as the man screamed, blood pouring from a wound on his forehead.


    Chaos erupted in the room.


    After injuring several men, Sadie managed to stumble out of the room. Jordyn, utterly shocked by Sadie¡¯s drastic response, sat frozen, staring at the bloody scene on the floor, her face pale with disbelief. She hadn¡¯t expected the normally reserved Sadie to react so violently.


    Stumbling out of the karaoke bar, Sadie felt her stomach churn, and her vision blurred.


    In her hurried escape, her high heels twisted, causing her to fall hard onto the pavement, pain shooting through her knee. Struggling to rise but overwhelmed by weakness, she could only curl up on the ground, fighting nausea. With determination, Sadie bit down on her lip, forcing herself to stay conscious.


    Then, a warm embrace lifted her up. The familiar woody scent enveloped her, soothing her frayed nerves.


    ¡°Sadie, what happened to you?¡± Alex¡¯s voice was thick with concern.


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s©qc??m has it all


    As Sadie looked up into Alex¡¯s worried face, the tears she had been fighting back finally broke free. ¡°Alex¡­ they¡­¡± She struggled to speak through her sobs.


    Alex¡¯s heart clenched at the sight of her distress. He removed his jacket and gently wrapped it around her shoulders, pulling her close into a protective embrace. ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. I¡¯m here,¡± he said softly.


    Carefully, he lifted her into his arms and hurried away from the disarray. Sadie rested her head against his shoulder, feeling dizzy yet immenselyforted by his presence.


    Back inside the karaoke bar¡¯s private room, chaos continued. Shattered bottles, spilled drinks, and the pungent mix of alcohol and blood permeated the air. Several men held their heads, groaning, their faces drained of color.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± Suddenly, Noah¡¯s authoritative voice cut through the turmoil as he appeared at the doorway. He was dressed impably in a ck suit, his imposing staturemanding immediate attention.


    The men looked at one another, uncertainty flickering in their eyes.


    Jordyn, attempting to regainposure, stepped forward with a forced calm. Wearing a face of contrived grievance, she began, ¡°Mr. Wall, this was supposed to be just a department gathering. We never anticipated¡ª¡±


    ¡°A gathering?¡± Noah¡¯s incisive gaze swept over the chaotic scene. ¡°A gathering could turn into this?¡± he questioned, gesturing towards the bloodstains sttered across the floor.


    Jordyn¡¯s heart raced, but she managed to maintain herposure. ¡°It¡­ it was an ident. Sadie identally fell, and then¡­¡±


    ¡°And then someone took her away?¡± Noah cut in sharply, his voice icy.


    Jordyn hesitated, then quickly nodded. ¡°Yes, a man took her away.¡±


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 Chapter 183

    ?Chapter 183:


    Noah¡¯s expression grew darker, his eyes narrowing.


    He issued a stern directive. ¡°From now on, I don¡¯t want to see any of these individuals in thepany.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Wall¡­¡± The men attempted to interject, but the stern look in Noah¡¯s eyes quelled any further pleas.


    ¡°The finance department will handle your settlements,¡± he stated dismissively before turning and striding away.


    Jordyn watched his retreating figure, releasing a relieved sigh. But then a thought struck her. Sadie was once Noah¡¯s secretary. His evident concern seemed unusual. Why would he care so much? Suddenly, Jordyn remembered a rumor she had once heard¡ªthat Sadie had been involved with Noah. Could there be any truth to that?


    Meanwhile, Noah got into his car and pulled out his phone to dial Sadie¡¯s number.


    ¡°Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently unavable¡­¡±


    Frustrated, Noah tossed the phone onto the passenger seat and mmed his hand against the steering wheel.


    That damn woman!


    The image of Sadie¡¯s pale, distressed face lingered in his mind.


    Inside the car, the air conditioning sted cold air, yet it failed to cool the heat radiating from Sadie¡¯s feverish body. She shifted ufortably, her mind wavering between confusion and moments of rity. The world outside blurred past her.


    Only the image of that chiseled face¡ªsometimes sharp, sometimes fading into obscurity¡ªdominated her fevered thoughts.


    ¡°Noah¡­ it¡¯s so hot¡­¡± Sadie murmured, fumbling with her shirt, struggling unsessfully to loosen it.


    Her fingertips identally brushed against warm skin, a sensation both unfamiliar andforting.


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    Alex gripped the steering wheel tighter, his knuckles whitening with the effort. He forced his gaze to remain fixed on the road ahead, though the rapidly passing scenery seemed to stand still. The heat of Sadie¡¯s breath filled the confined space of the car, intensifying the tension that already strained his nerves.


    A tumult of emotions swirled within Alex. He felt deep pity for Sadie¡¯s plight, yet he couldn¡¯t deny the burgeoning feelings he harbored for her.


    ¡°Noah¡­ water¡­¡± Sadie¡¯s voice was soft, weak, almost affectionate. Alex¡¯s heart skipped a beat, as he realized that in her delirium, Sadie mistook him for Noah.


    Taking a deep breath topose himself, Alex spoke with deliberate calmness. ¡°Sadie, hold on. I¡¯m taking you to the hospital right now.¡±


    But Sadie seemed not to hear him. She attempted to move closer, continuously murmuring Noah¡¯s name.


    Her flushed cheek rested against Alex¡¯s arm, her skin scorching where it touched him.


    Alex¡¯s breathing hastened, as he felt a heat rising within him, threatening to overwhelm his senses.


    He clenched his jaw, determined to maintain hisposure. He knew he couldn¡¯t exploit Sadie¡¯s vulnerable state. He couldn¡¯t betray the trust she ced in him, even in her delirium.


    He sped up, driving directly to the nearest hospital.


    The hospital¡¯s emergency room was brightly lit, bustling with activity. Alex carried Sadie in his arms, hurrying her into the examination room. The medical team quickly sprang into action, assessing her condition.


    ¡°She¡¯s been drugged,¡± one of the doctors announced gravely.


    Alex¡¯s expression turned grim immediately. His fists clenched tightly, knuckles whitening with rage. He silently vowed retribution for whoever was responsible for harming Sadie.


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 Chapter 184

    ?Chapter 184:


    Sadiey on the hospital bed, her face contorted with difort, brows knitted together in distress. Alex remained by her side, his watchful eyes softening with concern. He gently stroked her hair and whispered reassuringly, ¡°Sadie, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m here with you.¡±


    The sterile scent of disinfectant permeated the room. Gradually, Sadie¡¯s eyshes fluttered as she began to emerge from the drug-induced fog. She felt aforting warmth as a hand enveloped hers, instilling a profound sense of security amidst her confusion.


    Watching Sadie slowly regain her natural color, Alex finally allowed his tense muscles to rx slightly.


    Suddenly, the door to the room burst open with a loud bang. A tall frame filled the doorway, his presence charged with cold fury.


    Noah had arrived. His eyes, red and intense, scanned the room until theynded on Sadie. He moved purposefully towards the bed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch her!¡± Alex eximed, standing quickly to shield Sadie from Noah.


    Noah¡¯s eyes narrowed menacingly at the sight of Alex¡¯s hand gripping Sadie¡¯s. His face darkened with anger, setting the stage for a confrontation.


    He yanked at Alex¡¯s hand. ¡°Who do you think you are, blocking me?¡±


    Unfazed, Alex held Noah¡¯s challenging gaze. ¡°I¡¯m her friend¡ªthe one who stayed by her side when she needed help the most.¡±


    Noah sneered. ¡°Friend? Ha, I think you have ulterior motives!¡± He tried to reach for Sadie, but Alex stood firm, blocking him once more.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough, Noah!¡± Alex¡¯s voice carried a warning tone. ¡°What Sadie needs right now is rest, not yourplications.¡±


    Noah¡¯s patience snapped, his anger ring as his voice dropped to a dangerous timbre. ¡°Sadie is still my wife.¡±


    The escting argument startled Sadie awake. She slowly opened her eyes, the sight of the two men at odds over her leaving her bewildered. As Noah noticed Sadie¡¯s awakening, his eyes narrowed further. Her gaze flicked between Noah and Alex, the air thick with their mutual hostility.


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    She tried to piece together her fragmented memories¡ªkaraoke bar, forced drinking, her escape¡­


    She remembered.


    Why would Noah appear here so suddenly? Could it be that¡­ he orchestrated all of this?


    A chill ran through her.


    Propping herself up, Sadie forced a weak smile. ¡°Did you enjoy the show, Mr. Wall?¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression darkened, his lips pressed tightly together in silence. Sadie continued, her voice gaining strength. ¡°If you¡¯re done here, then please leave. As for the design drafts for ¡®Timeless Love,¡¯ I willplete them as soon as possible and conclude our cooperation.¡±


    Noah¡¯s gaze sharpened, the intensity directed solely at Sadie, rendering the air in the hospital room thick and stifling.


    He swallowed hard, the tension palpable. But ultimately, he remained silent, turned, and left the room abruptly.


    Alex watched Noah¡¯s retreating figure, then shifted his gaze to Sadie, whose face was pale and drawn, aplex mix of emotions flickering across his features.


    Sadie closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, attempting to steady the tumult within her. It was over between her and Noah. She harbored no desire to entangle herself further with him. It was time to move forward for her sake and that of her child.


    Noah strode quickly from the room, the harsh fluorescent lights of the hospital corridor casting stark shadows across his determined face. He pulled out his phone and dialed Samuel¡¯s number.


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 Chapter 185

    ?Chapter 185:


    ¡°Alex has been too idletely,¡± he said, his voice low, carrying a subtle chill.


    Samuel, understanding the implication, responded promptly, ¡°Understood.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± Noah said, his tone firm. ¡°Don¡¯t leave any traces.¡±


    He ended the call, a glint of ruthlessness shing in his eyes. Despite his actions, Noah wrestled with conflicting emotions. He didn¡¯t want Sadie to find happiness, nor did he want her close to any danger. This paradoxical sentiment left him feeling restless and even agitated.


    The next day, the design department was notably quiet, with only the sporadic sounds of keyboards ttering breaking the silence. Dressed in a sharp ck suit, Sadie sat outside Jordyn¡¯s office, a steaming cup of coffee in hand, her demeanorposed.


    Jordyn arrivedte, her high heels clicking on the floor as she rushed in, projecting confidence.


    Her makeup was impable, and there was a trace of smugness in her eyes, as if the previous day¡¯s events had been entirely forgotten.


    ¡°Sadie? What are you doing here?¡± Jordyn feigned surprise, her voice tinged with impatience.


    Sadie rose slowly, a cold smile ying on her lips. ¡°I¡¯m here to have a proper talk with you.¡±


    Jordyn¡¯s heart skipped a beat. She nced at the coffee in Sadie¡¯s hand and felt an inexplicable surge of unease. Though she had managed to cover up the chaos from the karaoke bar, a nagging feeling remained.


    Forcing herself to appear calm, Jordyn pushed open the door to her office. ¡°If you have something to say, let¡¯s talk inside.¡±


    Sadie followed her in and quietly shut the door behind them, the sound echoing sharply in the room.


    Just as Jordyn was about to speak, Sadie preempted her, sshing the coffee from her cup onto Jordyn¡¯s meticulously chosen light-colored suit.


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    ¡°Ah!¡± Jordyn screamed, jumping up both in shock and anger. The hot coffee drenched her expensive silk blouse, staining it instantly. Sadie watched, her expression unreadable, as Jordyn reacted.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be at Wall Group for at most half a month. During this time, you¡¯d better stay out of my way,¡± Sadie stated. Her voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable edge of warning.


    Jordyn, stunned and momentarily cowed, stood frozen, at a loss for words.


    Sadie continued firmly, ¡°You should know by now what kind of person I am. I¡¯d rather break than bend. Cross me again, and I assure you, you¡¯ll regret it.¡±


    The memory of Sadie¡¯s reputation for being a formidable designer and her decisive actions in the past sent a shiver down Jordyn¡¯s spine. Sadie was indeed capable of following through on her threats.


    Sadie¡¯s eyes held Jordyn¡¯s frightened gaze a moment longer, her lips curling into a scornful smile. ¡°And tell the person behind you not to worry. After I leave Wall Group, I¡¯ll have no further dealings with any of you.¡±


    With that, Sadie turned and walked out, leaving Jordyn still trembling and disheveled.


    Jordyn watched Sadie¡¯s retreating figure, her makeup unable to mask the fear in her eyes. Sadie exited the office. The design department was silent, colleagues averting their gazes, too intimidated to speak.


    She headed straight for her own office, her demeanorposed yet stern.


    At that moment, Tina stepped out of the break room with two cups of coffee. Noticing Sadie, she looked startled.


    ¡°Sadie, are you¡­ alright?¡± Tina asked, concern evident in her voice.


    Sadie paused, turning to face Tina. A bitter smile briefly crossed her lips. ¡°What could possibly be wrong?¡±


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 Chapter 186

    ?Chapter 186:


    Tina extended one of the coffee cups to Sadie. ¡°What happenedst night? I ran into Mr. Wall. He¡­ he asked me where you were.¡± Her voice faltered, her eyes darting nervously as if she was fearful of overstepping.


    Sadie¡¯s expression turned contemtive. Noah had asked about her whereabouts?


    Sadie had thought that Noah and K had deliberately arranged for those people to humiliate her.


    A chill ran down her spine, freezing her to the core, and her heart sank. Tina noticed the sudden change in her expression and grew even more uneasy.


    ¡°Sadie, are you¡­ are you okay?¡±


    Sadie took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she replied tly, epting the coffee Tina offered. The steam from the coffee warmed her face, but it couldn¡¯t melt the icy weight in her chest.


    She pushed open the door to her storeroom office, where a faint musty smell mingled with the scent of fabric. Setting the coffee down without taking a sip, she walked to the desk, pulled out her chair, and sat. Her slender fingers brushed the cold surface of the desk.


    Her gazended on a design draft at the corner of the desk¡ªa sketch she had created for Wall Group.


    Picking up the draft paper, she studied it carefully.


    ¡°Timeless Love.¡±


    What was she thinking? Even if Noah wasn¡¯t involvedst night, so what? He was married, yet promised another woman ¡°timeless love¡±? How absurd!


    A few dayster, the design drafts wereplete.


    During this time, Jordyn had been unusually quiet, refraining from picking on her. It seemed the warning fromst time had indeed worked.


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    Sadie organized the printed drafts and ced them on Jordyn¡¯s desk. Jordyn flipped through them absentmindedly.


    ¡°Not bad,¡± she remarked.


    Then, she pulled a gold-embossed invitation from her drawer and slid it across the desk toward Sadie.


    ¡°Here¡¯s the invitation for Vision sh; you¡¯ll be a judge, representing Wall Group.¡±


    Sadie picked up the invitation, her fingers tracing the intricate patterns on its surface. Vision sh was one of the top art and design selection programs in the country, with judges being the best masters in the industry. Her gaze calm and steady, Sadie said, ¡°But this is outside the scope of my work. My cooperation with Wall Group is strictly design-rted, nothing else.¡±


    Jordyn¡¯s lips curled into a cold smile. ¡°This is Mr. Wall¡¯s decision.¡±


    Sadie sneered inwardly. Perhaps it was K¡¯s idea too. Lowering her gaze, Sadie said, ¡°Since it¡¯s Mr. Wall¡¯s decision, I guess I have no choice but toply.¡±


    Jordyn¡¯s eyes glittered with a flicker of triumph as she observed Sadie¡¯sposed demeanor. She relished the thought of Sadie¡¯s forting embarrassment at Vision sh. Imagine, a woman barely out of her early twenties judging her peers ¡ª she wouldn¡¯t be taken seriously! Jordyn smirked.


    Her red-nailed fingers drummed a rhythmic, sharp pattern on the desk. Leaning forward, she said, ¡°Miss Hudson, I trust you won¡¯t disappoint us.¡±


    Offering a faint smile, Sadie responded with measured calm, ¡°I¡¯ll do my best.¡±


    She left the room, her movements measured and poised. Behind her, Jordyn¡¯s smile widened as she watched Sadie depart, the corners of her lips curling with satisfaction. Yet, as the distance grew, her smile waned, revealing a trace of concern. Turning to her phone, Jordyn dialed K¡¯s number.


    ¡°Hello, Miss Wade, it¡¯s done,¡± she said, her tone dripping with feigned sweetness.


    K¡¯s response was icy. ¡°Did she agree?¡±


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 Chapter 187

    ?Chapter 187:


    ¡°She had little choice against Mr. Wall¡¯s directive.¡± Jordyn chuckled.


    K¡¯sughter echoed softly, tinged with a clear note of satisfaction. ¡°Excellent. This time, ensure there¡¯s no escape for her. I want her downfall to be so severe that she can¡¯t recover.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Miss Wade,¡± Jordyn assured her swiftly. ¡°I¡¯ll oversee everything personally. She¡¯ll be cornered.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± K responded, contentment in her voice. ¡°And what of the Timeless Love design drafts? Has she turned them in yet?¡±


    ¡°They are already here, on my desk,¡± Jordyn confirmed promptly.


    ¡°Excellent,¡± drawled K, her voice rxed yet ominous. ¡°Keep in mind, her reputation must bepletely destroyed.¡±


    Ending the call, Jordyn set down her phone, her lips curving into a malevolent smile. She picked up the drafts from her desk, her gaze sharp and scheming. She was curious to see how Sadie would attempt to deflect thistest challenge.


    Meanwhile, Sadie was back in her office, her fingers brushing lightly over the intricate, gold-embossed details of the invitation. A subtle smile flickered across her face.


    ¡°Vision sh? They¡¯re truly desperate,¡± she mused quietly.


    Could they really believe she was oblivious to their schemes? They intended for her to humiliate herself at the event and tarnish her reputation irreparably.


    However, their schemes were on the brink of unraveling. Unbeknownst to them, she had secured her own invitation to Vision sh.


    After finishing her work, Sadie collected her belongings and exited the office. She made her way to the entrance of the Wall Group building, ready to hail a cab. Having recently returned to the country, she hadn¡¯t yet purchased a car. Since she finished work early today, she decided to seize the chance to explore some potential homes.


    The evening breeze carried a crisp hint of early autumn. Sadie tightened her coat and looked into the distance. At that moment, a man approached her. It was Samuel.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, Mr. Wall wants your presence.¡±


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    Sadie nced at the nearby parked Maybach. ¡°That¡¯s not necessary,¡± she responded with a cool detachment. ¡°I have other matters to attend to.¡±


    Samuel appeared troubled. ¡°But Mr. Wall specifically instructed¡ª¡±


    ¡°Mr. Ford,¡± Sadie cut him off. ¡°My personal time is my own after work hours. It¡¯s not subject to Mr. Wall¡¯s approval.¡±


    With that, she turned and walked to the curb, gged down a cab, and left in a swirl of dust. Samuel stood watching the cab vanish, then sighed helplessly. He pulled out his phone and called Noah.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, Miss Hudson declined.¡±


    In the back seat of the Maybach, Noah¡¯s expression turned icy. ¡°Find out where Sadie went.¡±


    Samuel nodded. ¡°Yes, Mr. Wall.¡±


    After ending the call, he stared out at the traffic, his lips pressed tightly together in frustration.


    Later, at a real estate agency, Sadie pointed to a photo of a property, her brow furrowed. ¡°This one doesn¡¯t have good lighting, and it¡¯s too far from Averi¡¯s school,¡± she noted.


    The agent quickly offered another option. ¡°How about this one? It¡¯s well-ventted, newly renovated, and located in a fantasticmunity. Plus, it¡¯s very close to an elementary school and several kindergartens.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s eyes lingered on the photo of the two-bedroom apartment, noting its simple and elegant decor. It was indeed quite appealing. But she still shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s slightly over my budget.¡±


    The agent tried to persuade her further, but Sadie had already stood up. ¡°I¡¯ll think about it.¡±


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 Chapter 188

    ?Chapter 188:


    She left the agency as the night deepened. House-hunting was indeed exhausting!


    Noah sat in his expansive office chair, his long fingers tapping a rhythmic pattern on the desk. Samuel knocked and entered. ¡°Mr. Wall, we¡¯ve located her. Miss Hudson visited several real estate agencies today. It appears she¡¯s looking for an apartment.¡±


    Noah stopped tapping. ¡°Which apartments did she consider?¡±


    Samuel handed him thepiled information. ¡°All the details are right here, Mr. Wall.¡± Noah skimmed the documents. All these apartments were far from Myrtlewood Estate.


    ¡°Arrange for someone to handle this,¡± he instructed.


    Samuel, momentarily surprised, quickly nodded in understanding. ¡°Understood!¡±


    ¡°Finally!¡± Sadie exhaled deeply, a smile of relief spreading across her face. After days of searching, she had secured a three-bedroom apartment. It was ideally located near the city center and a reputable public kindergarten, and best of all, it was within her budget.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, please review the contract. If everything¡¯s satisfactory, you can sign here,¡± the agent said, offering her the document with a beaming smile.


    Sadie examined each use meticulously. Satisfied, she signed her name on the dotted line.


    ¡°You¡¯re very decisive!¡± the agent remarked as he collected the signed contract. ¡°Just so you know, I¡¯m only the agent. Thendlord is someone else, but you can contact me directly.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Sadie responded, making a mental note of the information.


    With Averi¡¯s school documents in hand, she grasped his small hand and walked to the nearby public kindergarten.


    Averi, dressed in a neat blue shirt, blinked curiously at his surroundings. He clutched Sadie¡¯s hand tightly, his little face tinged with nervousness.


    The kindergarten instructors were intrigued by the lively young boy who had recently returned from abroad, eager to uncover more about his unique experiences.


    Averi, with his effortlessmand of a foreignnguage and his bright, sociable nature, quickly endeared himself to them. The interview process unfolded without a hitch, and Averi was officially enrolled.


    Sadie observed the warmth in Averi¡¯s radiant grin and felt a profound wave offort and satisfaction.


    Leaving the kindergarten behind, Sadie sped Averi¡¯s hand as they wandered along the shaded, tree-lined walkways of theirmunity.


    Once they stepped inside their home, Averi lifted his small face, gazing up at Sadie with wide eyes. In a soft, melodious voice, he asked, ¡°Mommy, are we staying here now?¡±


    ¡°Yes, this will be our home from now on,¡± Sadie reassured him, her fingers gently brushing through his hair, her voice both soothing and certain.


    Averi¡¯s face lit up with delight, his tiny teeth peeking through as he grinned.


    Golden rays of morning light streamed through the translucent curtains.


    Sadie stretchednguidly before pushing herself upright in bed.


    Relocating was far from simple. She had taken the day off specifically to manage the moving process.


    Her first order of business was to contact Carol.


    ¡°Carol, I¡¯m moving today. Could you drop by and lend a hand with the packing?¡±


    ¡°Of course, Sadie! I¡¯ll be there right away,¡± Carol responded with enthusiasm.


    Sadie rose, made her way to the window, and drew back the curtains.


    Sunlight spilled into the room, wrapping it in warmth. She exhaled slowly.


    A new residence¡ªa nk te brimming with opportunities.


    Sadie headed to Laura¡¯s room, tapping lightly on the door. ¡°Grandma, are you up?¡±


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 Chapter 189

    ?Chapter 189:


    ¡°Come in,¡± Laura answered, her voice slightly raspy.


    Sadie stepped inside and found Laura sitting upright, a distant look in her eyes.


    ¡°We¡¯re moving today!¡± Sadie informed her.


    ¡°Moving? To where?¡± Laura asked, her brow knitting together in confusion.


    ¡°To the new ce. It¡¯s more spacious andfortable,¡± Sadie exined gently.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going,¡± Laura dered firmly. ¡°I¡¯ve been here forever¡ªthis ce means too much to me. I won¡¯t leave.¡±


    Sadie knew Laura well¡ªonce she made a decision, changing her mind was nearly impossible. Having spent decades in the faculty housing, Laura had developed a deep attachment to her surroundings. Asking her to move was no small request. Though frustrated, Sadie also sympathized with Laura¡¯s reluctance. For the elderly, familiarity often held more value than anything else. Taking a measured breath, Sadie softened her tone. ¡°Alright, I understand.¡± Laura remained silent.


    Sadie stepped out of the room and called Carol once more. ¡°My grandmother won¡¯t being with us for now. Stay here for a few days to look after her. Let me know if anything happens.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Sadie. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll take good care of her,¡± Carol assured.


    Ending the call, Sadie felt as if a burden had been lifted.


    Meanwhile, in the design department of Wall Group, tension hung thick in the air, interrupted only by the rhythmic tapping of keyboards. Noah emerged from the elevator, his tailored charcoal suit fitting him wlessly, his imposing presence bringing an abrupt hush to the room. He swept his gaze over the office, but the person he was searching for was nowhere to be seen.


    His brows knitted slightly, and in a crisp tone, he asked, ¡°Where is Sadie?¡±


    Jordyn had been idly pretending to work, but in reality, her thoughts had long since drifted far away. Noah¡¯s arrival sent a thrill through her. This was an unexpected stroke of luck! K was nothing inparison to Noah. If she could capture Noah¡¯s heart, everything could change.


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    She immediately abandoned her pretense of working, her heels clicking as she swayed gracefully toward him. Today, she had deliberately chosen a fitted blush-pink dress that gave her a delicate, alluring look. Lowering her gaze ever so slightly to highlight her elegant neckline, she spoke in a syrupy voice, feigning shyness. ¡°Mr. Wall, Sadie requested the day off.¡±


    Noah¡¯s eyes flicked toward her briefly, his face unreadable. ¡°She took a day off? For what reason?¡±


    Jordyn¡¯s pulse quickened, but she softened her expression. ¡°She¡­ mentioned she was relocating.¡± Noah¡¯s frown deepened.


    Without another word, he turned on his heel and strode out of the office, leaving Jordyn standing there, her smile stiffening. She watched his retreating figure, frustration simmering inside her. She had hoped to seize this opportunity to leave asting impression, yet he had walked away without a second nce.


    Jordyn clenched her jaw, her lips pressing together in irritation. With an annoyed huff, she spun on her heel and stormed back to her desk, snatching up her phone.


    Just then, the device buzzed in her grip.


    ¡°Hello?¡± She answered, her toneced with annoyance.


    ¡°Jordyn, I¡¯ve got fantastic news for you!¡± an excited voice chirped on the other end.


    ¡°What¡¯s so fantastic? I¡¯m not in the mood for this,¡± she snapped.


    ¡°Vision sh will be attended by Sandra, the former lead designer of Majestic Ego! She will make a personal appearance as the event¡¯s chief judge!¡±


    Jordyn froze for a moment before a wicked grin stretched across her face. Sandra? The enigmatic genius who had taken the fashion world by storm? The only designer who had surpassed all designers in the industry in recent years? That name was legendary! No images of her had ever surfaced, adding to her elusive reputation. The public only knew her creations were masterpieces¡ªbut her true identity remained a secret.


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 Chapter 190

    ?Chapter 190:


    Sadie was about to be utterly humiliated. To judge alongside an icon of Sandra¡¯s caliber? She wasn¡¯t remotely qualified!


    ¡°Got it,¡± Jordyn murmured before ending the call.


    She grabbed herpact mirror from the desk, carefully adjusting her makeup. The bold lipstick entuated her striking features, enhancing her allure. A self-assured smile yed on her lips. She couldn¡¯t wait to witness Sadie¡¯s downfall.


    The Vision sh venue was a spectacle of radiance. Towering billboards shed in rapid session, while the red carpet buzzed with eager spectators. Excited cheers rang through the air, creating an electric energy. Jordyn donned a deep crimson gown that entuated her porcinplexion, making her look absolutely breathtaking.


    She entered the event alongside the head of the design department. ¡°You handled things well today, Jordyn. Be sure to make a strong impression on Sandra,¡± the director advised, giving her hand a reassuring pat.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    Jordyn¡¯s gaze swept across the room, noting her colleagues trailing behind. They were dressed impably, their eyes alight with anticipation.


    Everyone knew the true highlight of the evening¡ªSadie.


    ¡°Where is Sadie?¡± someone whispered. ¡°Do you think she chickened out?¡±


    Jordyn¡¯s lips curled in derision. She was about to respond when her eyesnded on a discreet sign in the distance¡ªSandra¡¯s Studio. Her pulse quickened. Without a word, she abandoned the conversation and strode purposefully in that direction.


    Her heart pounded with exhration. If she could secure a mentorship under Sandra, her career would skyrocket. Her prestige would soar, and she would be untouchable.


    Silently swearing to seize this opportunity, Jordyn moved toward Sandra¡¯s preparation room. The door stood slightly ajar. Through the narrow gap, she glimpsed a slender silhouette moving behind a curtain. Holding her breath, Jordyn gently pushed the door open.


    ¡°Ms. Sandra!¡± she called, stepping inside. ¡°I¡¯m Jordyn Vazquez, a designer from Wall Group. Your work has been my greatest inspiration¡ªI¡¯ve admired you for years! It¡¯s an honor to finally meet you!¡± She kept her voice steady, though excitement coursed through her veins.


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    With practiced poise, she sped her hands in front of her, embodying grace and humility. She awaited a response, hoping this moment would mark the beginning of an extraordinary journey¡ªone where she would rise under Sandra¡¯s mentorship.


    The figure behind the curtain stirred. Jordyn held her breath as they stepped forward.


    But the moment her eyes took in the person before her, her expression shattered.


    Standing before her was none other than Sadie. Draped in a sleek ck suit, her long hair cascading effortlessly over her shoulders, Sadie met Jordyn¡¯s gaze with quiet amusement. The soft glow of the lights outlined her silhouette, emphasizing her effortless elegance.


    Jordyn¡¯s thoughts came to a screeching halt.


    Impossible.


    The revtion hit like a tidal wave, knocking the air from her lungs. Her entire body tensed. Then, rage took over.


    With a sudden lunge, she swung her arm, aiming to strike. ¡°How dare you pose as Sandra?!¡±


    But Sadie had anticipated the move. She sidestepped smoothly, giving Jordyn a slight shove that sent her stumbling backward.


    Jordyn barely regained her bnce, her face burning with fury. She jabbed an usatory finger at Sadie, her voice sharp with outrage. ¡°You¡ªYou¡­¡±


    Sadie simply regarded her with a bemused smirk. ¡°Oh? Weren¡¯t you just full of admiration moments ago? Ready to pledge yourself as my apprentice? Is this the attitude of someone seeking guidance?¡±


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 Chapter 191

    ?Chapter 191:


    Jordyn stood in stunned silence. Sadie¡¯sposed demeanor only deepened the humiliation. She offered no further exnation¡ªjust a steady, knowing gaze. And that, more than anything, shattered Jordyn¡¯s resolve and herposure cracked.


    ¡°You¡¯re a fraud!¡± she screeched, her voice shrill with desperation. ¡°Aplete fraud! There¡¯s no way you¡¯re Sandra!¡± A storm of resentment churned within her. Everything she had schemed for had just copsed into nothing.


    Sadie exhaled lightly, stepping past her, but Jordyn wasn¡¯t finished. In a sh, she grabbed Sadie¡¯s wrist. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s brows knitted together, irritation flickering in her gaze. With a firm tug, she freed her arm from Jordyn¡¯s grasp, her tone cold.


    ¡°Let go.¡±


    Jordyn recoiled, almost toppling over. Her voice wasced with spite as she confronted Sadie. ¡°You¡¯re not blind. Three years ago, you climbed thedder by sleeping with Wall. And here you are, still entwined with him, even pulling strings to secure a deal with Wall Group. You im to be Sandra? You think you¡¯re fooling anyone? You¡¯d be a joke if this got out!¡±


    Sadie¡¯s response was a scornful smirk. ¡°Really, Jordyn, who do you think you are? You think you have any right to lecture me?¡±


    Seething, Jordyn found herself speechless with fury. Without another word, Sadie turned to leave.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going anywhere!¡± Jordyn stepped in front of her, blocking her path. ¡°You can¡¯t parade here pretending to be Sandra. You¡¯reing with me to themittee!¡±


    Sadie¡¯sugh was cold and dismissive as she ceased to engage. She gestured to the security guards nearby.


    ¡°Escort her out.¡±


    Two guards in ck swiftly approached, each taking hold of Jordyn by an arm. Jordyn struggled and shouted, ¡°Let me go! Do you know who I am? I¡¯m a designer at Wall Group! Touch me, and you¡¯ll regret it!¡±


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    The security team ignored Jordyn¡¯s protests, forcibly removing her from the premises without hesitation.


    Outside, the glow of neon lights and the noise of the bustling crowd filled the air. Jordyn found herself roughly dumped on the curb, her appearance disheveled, her dignity wounded.


    As she red back at the illuminated entrance of the venue, fury and resentment surged within her.


    From the doorway, Sadie observed as Jordyn was forcibly removed, maintaining aposed expression. After a moment, she returned inside.


    Calm settled over Sadie. She had foreseen Jordyn¡¯s disruption and was well-prepared.


    Meanwhile, the host took the stage.


    ¡°Wee to Vision sh,dies and gentlemen!¡± The host¡¯s voice, filled with excitement, echoed across the room. ¡°And now, please wee the chief judge of tonight¡¯s event¡ªSandra!¡±


    As the spotlight shifted to the side entrance, the audience¡¯s attention followed, filled with eager anticipation. Sadie emerged gracefully from backstage.


    A hush fell over the crowd momentarily, then it erupted into thunderous apuse.


    Sadie¡¯s design department colleagues were stunned, their expressions of disbelief in for all to see. Sandra was actually Sadie? How could this be possible?!


    Noah upied a seat in the front row, his intense eyes slightly narrowed, his focus unyielding as he watched Sadie on stage. She shone brilliantly, her presence even moremanding than it had been three years prior. Back then, she had always appeared slightly reserved around him, her demeanor tinged with deference.


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 Chapter 192

    ?Chapter 192:


    Yet now, shemanded the stage with undeniable confidence and grace. This was an image of Sadie he had never witnessed before.


    Their eyes connected, Sadie¡¯s gaze steady and unflinching. It had been three years, and now she was finally standing on an equal footing with him¡ªperhaps even higher. The days when she felt overshadowed by him were a distant memory.


    A cool smile briefly touched her lips, carrying no real warmth.


    Within herself, Sadie felt calm, even a hint of self-satisfaction evident. ¡°Thank you, everyone. It¡¯s an honor to be here today as the chief judge of Vision sh¡­¡±


    With elegance, she approached the judges¡¯ table and sat down.


    Noah watched Sadie shine on stage, his emotions a tangled mess. ¡°Sandra? How could she possibly be Sandra?¡± A piercing voice shattered the silence in the hall.


    Melina Barker, known in the design department for her close ties with Jordyn, couldn¡¯t hide her shock. She eximed sharply, ¡°We¡¯ve never seen Sandra before. Who¡¯s to say this is truly her? Could this be an impersonator exploiting the situation?¡±


    No sooner had she spoken than murmurs rippled through the crowd. Skeptical eyes turned towards Sadie. Contestants whispered to each other, puzzled over the authenticity of this young woman iming to be Sandra.


    Themittee members appeared unsettled. Having never encountered Sandra in person, they were at a loss on how to handle the rising skepticism.


    Sadie¡¯s demeanor did not waver. She rose gracefully and advanced to the center of the stage.


    ¡°I recognize that my presence here today mighte as a surprise. Given that Sandra has remained out of the public eye, your skepticism regarding my identity is understandable,¡± she said.


    Sadie¡¯s eyes swept the room, finally resting on Melina. A soft smile yed on her lips. ¡°Since there seems to be some doubt about my identity as Sandra, I¡¯ll let the quality of my work do the talking.¡±


    Melina squirmed under Sadie¡¯s steady gaze but managed to maintain herposure. ¡°That sounds fine in theory, but what assurance do you have that your designs aren¡¯t just imitations?¡±


    Stories live now on g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s.c¦Ïm


    With a lightugh, Sadie responded, ¡°Imitations? How about this: I design something on the spot. Let¡¯s take ¡®Neo Metropolis¡¯ as the theme. Both the judges and the audience can be our witnesses.¡± She looked around, addressing thepetitors. ¡°Anyone feeling confident in their skills is more than wee to participate.¡±


    This challenge stirred excitement throughout the venue. From his seat, Noah watched Sadie intently, admiring her confidence on stage.


    The next three hours flew by, filled with an evident blend of tension and energy. Seated at the judges¡¯ table, Sadie was a picture of concentration, engrossed in her crafting.


    As time expired, one by one, contestants presented their designs. Disyed on therge screen were a variety of futuristic, urban-themed jewelry designs.


    When Sadie¡¯s creation was revealed, it stood out with its innovative use of tourmaline, creating a piece thatbined rity with a futuristic aesthetic, making it almost seem to leap out at the viewer. The room initially fell into a hushed awe, soon reced by a resounding round of apuse.


    Sadie¡¯s colleagues from the design department at Wall Group exchanged looks of disbelief, their expressions revealing their astonishment. Melina¡¯splexion drained of color, her lips trembling, yet she found herself speechless.


    Throughout it all, Sadie remained cool and collected, her thoughts clear and undisturbed. She had anticipated such a result. To her, the contest was merely a minor hurdle.


    Breaking the prevailing silence, Noah rose to his feet.


    ¡°Melina¡¯s design deserves recognition too. It¡¯s quite creative.¡± His voice resonated deeply, tinged with a subtle hint of advocacy.


    Sadie¡¯s eyes lingered on Noah momentarily. He retained his polished, suave demeanor, yet his gaze seemed more enigmatic now. A faint stir of emotion rippled through Sadie. Naturally, he was speaking up for his employee¡ªperfectly understandable.


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 Chapter 193

    ?Chapter 193:


    The host swiftly intervened to smooth any ruffled feathers, proceeded to announce the results, and expressed gratitude to the judges and contestants for their exceptional contributions.


    Jordyn lingered awkwardly at the roadside outside the venue, hastily calling K. ¡°K, you¡¯ll never guess who I just saw! Sandra! The elusive designer Sandra, and guess what? She¡¯s actually that bitch Sadie!¡±


    There was a brief silence on the other end before K responded cautiously, ¡°Are you saying Sandra is Sadie?¡±


    ¡°Yes, exactly! I was there, I saw everything! She¡¯s at the Vision sh event, acting as the chief judge! We need to do something; we can¡¯t let her have all the glory!¡± Anxiety surged through Jordyn.


    Simrly, K felt a tidal wave of disbelief hit her. Could it really be that Sandra was Sadie? This revtion was nothing short of explosive for her.


    ¡°Understood, I¡¯ll take care of it.¡± She ended the call and sank into contemtion.


    In Amberhollow, K¡¯s hands balled into fists. She couldn¡¯t bear the thought that Sadie, the person she loathed and considered a nuisance, was in fact Sandra, a celebrated designer worldwide. This revtion was uneptable! She feltpelled to act.


    Taking a deep breath, K attempted to regain herposure. She reached for her phone and made a call.


    ¡°Check the background of every contestant in ¡®Vision sh.¡¯ I want a full rundown.¡±


    The voice on the other end responded with deference, ¡°Certainly, Miss Wade. I will begin immediately.¡±


    After hanging up, K moved to the window, her eyes scanning the dim cityscape. The following morning, a man in ck entered the room. ¡°Miss Wade, here¡¯s the information you requested,¡± he said, presenting K with a file.


    K epted the file and quickly reviewed the contents. By Quimby, an aspiring designer hungry for recognition but short on talent, was the ideal tool for K¡¯s ns.


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    ¡°Contact By Quimby for me. Offer her a chance at fame, on the condition that she follows my directives,¡± Kmanded. The man nodded and exited promptly.


    The preliminaries kicked off. Beneath the dazzling lights, stunning jewelry pieces were unveiled one after another.


    Sadie, with a discerning eye, evaluated each entry, marking her scores. The ¡°Gxy¡± ne particrly drew her attention. Its meticulous craftsmanship and stunning design showcased the designer¡¯s talent. Sadie allowed herself a small smile, appreciating the piece before assigning it a high score.


    Among the generally unremarkable entries, this piece shone brilliantly, undeniably captivating.


    The preliminaries concluded, and the backstage was teeming with activity. Just as Sadie was about to depart, a hesitant voice reached her ears.


    ¡°Hello, Sandra! My name is By Quimby.¡±


    Turning, Sadie encountered a young woman with a ponytail, her expression a mix of nervousness and hope. This young woman had designed the ne named ¡°Gxy.¡± By held a small box carefully, her cheeks tinged with pink and eyes brimming with admiration.


    ¡°I¡¯ve looked up to you for so long. Your designs have greatly inspired me. It means so much to receive your endorsement today,¡± she said. With a bit of bravery, she offered the box to Sadie. ¡°I baked these pastries myself. I hope you like them.¡±


    Taking the box, Sadie was greeted by the sweet aroma of fresh pastries. She met By¡¯s earnest gaze, touched by her gesture.


    With a warm smile, Sadie responded, ¡°Your design showed great creativity and charm. Continue to dedicate yourself, and you¡¯ll find remarkable sess.¡±


    Tears of joy welled up in By¡¯s eyes. She took a deep breath and asked, ¡°Could I possibly study under you?¡±


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 Chapter 194

    ?Chapter 194:


    Sadie paused, touched by By¡¯s earnestness but wary. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I don¡¯t take students.¡±


    By, a bit taken aback, quickly recovered. ¡°I¡¯ll keep striving!¡±


    Suddenly, photographers swarmed, their cameras shing, capturing the exchange. Once the media had moved on, Sadie declined the staff¡¯s invitation to linger and exited the bustling venue by herself.


    As she stepped outside, a cool evening breeze hinted at theing autumn, prompting her to wrap her coat more snugly around herself. Having not seen Alex for several days, she contemted calling him but then hesitated, wondering if he might be too busy, and ultimately decided not to.


    Fatigue crept up on her as she massaged her temples. Pulling out her phone, she nced at the time. It was already time to fetch Averi from school.


    At the entrance of the kindergarten, the air buzzed with the lively chatter of children.


    Upon seeing Sadie, Averi dashed towards her with glee, leaping into her embrace. ¡°Mom!¡±


    Sadie crouched down, picked Averi up, and kissed his cheek gently. ¡°How was your day at kindergarten?¡±


    Averi swelled with pride and responded, ¡°Fantastic! My teacher told me my drawing has improved!¡± Sadie¡¯s face lit up with a tender smile.


    Together, they strolled back to their home, hand in hand. After they finished eating, Sadie spent some time ying games with Averi before reading him a bedtime story. Listening to Sadie¡¯s calming voice, Averi slowly drifted off to sleep. She gently tucked him in and left a kiss on his forehead. After turning off the light, she quietly left the room.


    The night had deepened, and silence nketed the world beyond the window. The sharp ring of the phone abruptly woke Sadie the following morning. Her phone on the nightstand showed ¡°Tina¡± on the disy.


    She wiped her sleepy eyes and picked up.


    Fresh updates now on g?ln¦Ò¦Íe??s


    ¡°Sadie, are you aware of thetest headlines?¡±


    ¡°What headlines?¡±


    ¡°About you and By! Photos of you receiving her gift have surfaced, sparking rumors online that you favored her unfairly!¡± Alertness reced Sadie¡¯s sleepiness in an instant.


    A gift from By? usations of favoritism?


    She leapt out of bed, her feet hitting the cold floor, and strode to the window to yank back the curtains. The bright morning sun was piercing, yet it paled inparison to the turmoil brewing within her.


    A heavy feeling settled in Sadie¡¯s chest as she realized the implications. ¡°I¡¯m on it now.¡±


    Ending the call, Sadie quickly grabbed her phone to check the headlines. The hashtag #SadieHudson&ByQuimby dominated the trending topics.


    She clicked on the link, and her screen filled with articles and the incriminating photo of her receiving the gift from By. The photo was taken from a maniptive angle, implying a secretive exchange. Thement section was a turmoil of spection and condemnation.


    ¡°I knew it looked too perfect! How else could By¡¯s design have stood out so much?¡±


    ¡°What did Sadie get for this? She¡¯s too audacious!¡±


    ¡°I thought Sadie was above this, but she¡¯s just like any otherpromised designer!¡±


    Sadie browsed thements with a sinking heart and a hardening expression. She exited the news app and dialed her assistant.


    ¡°Pierre, we need to get to the bottom of this. Find the source of those photos. Someone¡¯s orchestrating this chaos.¡±


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 Chapter 195

    ?Chapter 195:


    ¡°Understood, Miss Hudson.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s stilettos clicked against the tiled floor of the Wall Group building. She looked sharp and sophisticated in her beige pantsuit as she walked across the lobby with her head held high.


    She entered the elevator, and as it slowly made its way up, she felt her heart pick up its pace. An inexplicable sense of trepidation began to creep into her chest. This was definitely not going to be a calm day.


    The elevator doors opened with a soft ding, and Sadie made her way to her office. As soon as she entered the door, she was greeted by a shrill, mockingugh.


    ¡°Well, well, if it isn¡¯t our big-shot designer, Sadie! How brave of you to show up for work today!¡± Jordyn was lounging in a chair, her legs crossed in front of her as she eyed Sadie up and down.


    Sadie paused in her tracks and pinned her gaze on Jordyn. They stared at each other for a few seconds before Sadie turned away and went to her desk. She set her purse down and sat in her chair, ignoring Jordyn¡¯s provocation.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Cat got your tongue? Or did all those nastyments online finally get to you?¡± Theck of reaction to her taunts had emboldened Jordyn.


    Sadie looked up, met Jordyn¡¯s gaze, and finally spoke. ¡°If your concern is genuine, Ms. Vazquez, then I appreciate it. But if this is just another way to mock me, I¡¯d really rather be left alone to focus on my work.¡±


    ¡°Work? You¡¯ve got some nerve to talk about work! Do you even realize what you¡¯ve done? Taking bribes, using connections to get ahead¡­ You¡¯vepletely ruined thispany¡¯s reputation!¡±


    Sadie gave her a tight but polite smile. ¡°The investigation is still ongoing, but I see that you¡¯ve already made your own judgments. Don¡¯t you think that¡¯s a little bit hasty of you? Or is it because you¡¯re actually the one pulling the strings from behind the scenes? You seem so eager to see me confess to things I didn¡¯t do.¡±


    Jordyn¡¯s expression shifted, her eyes flickering in what looked like panic, but she managed topose herself in a matter of seconds. ¡°What nonsense are you spewing now? I¡¯m not pulling any strings. I am simply stating facts!¡±


    ¡°Is that so? Let¡¯s wait for the results of the investigation, then, shall we?¡± Sadie¡¯s tone was a little icy. She turned her attention back to the files on her desk.


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    ¡°Sadie Hudson,¡± Jordyn spat out, her eyes burning with rage. ¡°I advise you to give up while it¡¯s still early. You will never beat me!¡±


    ¡°Well, the winner is yet to be determined,¡± Sadie replied tly without even looking up.


    Gritting her teeth, Jordyn jabbed a finger in her direction and said, ¡°Fine! Just you wait. I¡¯ll make you regret this!¡±


    Then she shot to her feet and stormed out of the office, mming the door behind her.


    Atst, the office was quiet and peaceful. Sadie put down the documents she had been trying to read and massaged her forehead.


    At that same moment, in the CEO¡¯s office on the top floor, Samuel was standing before Noah¡¯s desk, offering up a file. ¡°This is all the information you requested, sir.¡±


    Noah took the file and flipped it open, his eyes quickly skimming through the contents. The more he read, the deeper he frowned. ¡°How¡¯s it going with the usations of bribery against Sadie? Has it been cleared up yet?¡±


    Samuel hesitated for a moment. ¡°There¡¯s no concrete evidence to present at the moment, but I¡¯m afraid public opinion is highly unfavorable toward Miss Hudson.¡±


    Noah pped the file against his desk. ¡°I want you to find out the truth as soon as possible. I don¡¯t want any more of these baseless rumors to make rounds.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir,¡± Samuel replied with a slight bow, though a cloud of doubt hovered at the back of his mind. He wasn¡¯t quite sure what to make of Noah¡¯s attitude when it came to Sadie. On the surface, he didn¡¯t seem all too concerned about her affairs, yet he would go to such lengths to get her out of trouble. As a result, Samuel himself was confused about which stance to take in tackling this matter.


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 Chapter 196

    ?Chapter 196:


    Noah absently tapped his fingers against the desk before speaking again. ¡°Keep a close eye on K. Dig around and see if she is involved in any way.¡±


    Samuel¡¯s heart skipped a beat at that, but he didn¡¯t let it show on his face. ¡°Understood, sir.¡±


    Noah plopped back in his seat, grabbed a pen, and signed his name on the file.


    Samuel took that as his cue to leave. He quietly exited the room, closing the door behind him with a soft click.


    Later, Sadie was walking out of the elevator when she spotted a group of employees from the marketing department gathered nearby. They were having a hushed discussion, and although they spoke in whispers, their voices were loud enough for Sadie to catch bits of their conversation.


    ¡°She is Sandra¡ªthe former secretary.¡±


    ¡°I heard she used connections to get ahead, and now she¡¯s back.¡±


    ¡°Who knows what kind of things she did to get to this point.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s expression remained nk as she walked past them, her gaze fixed straight ahead.


    Sadie was unfazed by the rumors swirling around her. In any office, gossip was asmon and unavoidable as the air we breathe. She chose to ignore such idle chatter, preferring instead to dedicate herself to her work and let her achievements speak for themselves.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, long time no see,¡± the voice was sharp and biting.


    Sadie came to a halt and nced toward the voice. It came from Melissa Frazier, the marketing department¡¯s manager.


    Sadie recalled that during her days as a secretary, Melissa had frequently gone out of her way toplicate her life. Today, Melissa was d in a bright red dress and overdone makeup, which only entuated her showiness. With her arms crossed and a self-satisfied look on her face, Melissa eyed Sadie.


    ¡°Do you need something, Ms. Frazier?¡± Sadie asked.


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    ¡°Is it wrong to say hello without any particr reason?¡± Melissa retorted. ¡°I just wanted to remind you that you¡¯re in the marketing department now, not the secretarial department. It might do you some good to remember our rules.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for the heads-up, Ms. Frazier,¡± Sadie replied, maintaining a courteous yet distant smile. ¡°I¡¯ll take note.¡±


    Without another word, Sadie continued on her way, leaving Melissa behind.


    Melissa, fists clenched, watched as Sadie walked away. Just then, Tina, passing by and witnessing the exchange, hurried over to Sadie and took hold of her arm.


    ¡°Sadie, ignore them,¡± Tina whispered gently. ¡°They¡¯re envious, that¡¯s all.¡±


    With a mild smile, Sadie responded, ¡°I¡¯m aware. It really doesn¡¯t bother me.¡±


    ¡°How can it not bother you?¡± Tina¡¯s voice grew louder with incredulity. ¡°Their behavior is absurd!¡±


    Facing the marketing team directly, Tina spoke with a firm tone. ¡°Why the whispers? Sadie is now a partner of Wall Group and leads her own studio! She¡¯s not your subordinate. Have some decency!¡±


    The marketing team members visibly recoiled, intimidated by Tina¡¯s assertive stance, and fell silent.


    Sadie softly touched Tina¡¯s hand, reassuring her. ¡°Tina, it¡¯s okay.¡± Tina, observing the genuine peace on Sadie¡¯s face, understood she was truly unbothered.


    With a sigh, Tina linked arms with Sadie and steered her toward the break room. ¡°Let¡¯s have some coffee.¡±


    They settled into the break room, sinking onto the sofa.


    Cradling her own steaming coffee, Tina looked at Sadie with a mix of concern and admiration. ¡°What¡¯s your strategy? Are you just going to let them continue like this?¡±


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    ?Chapter 197:


    Sadie maintained herposure. ¡°I¡¯ll handle things as they unfold. The rumors will cease once people see they have no impact on me. Ultimately, the truth will prevail.¡±


    Tina admired Sadie¡¯s calm demeanor, though it also stirred a touch of sadness within her.


    At that moment, Sadie¡¯s phone buzzed.


    She looked at the caller ID to see it was Pierre, her assistant.


    ¡°Hello,¡± Sadie answered.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, I located the paparazzo. He¡¯s willing to meet this evening at Azure Mist Cafe.¡±


    ¡°Okay, understood. I¡¯ll meet him at seven. You¡¯lle with me.¡±


    ¡°Will do, Miss Hudson.¡±


    After ending the call, Sadie set her phone down on the desk.


    Tina nced at her, uncertainty clear in her expression.


    ¡°Sadie¡­¡± she said tentatively.


    Looking up, Sadie offered a slight smile. ¡°I¡¯m okay. Just some matters to address.¡±


    As dusk settled, the city¡¯s lights flickered to life.


    The ambiance inside Azure Mist Cafe was cozy, illuminated by gentle, warm lighting.


    Seated by the window, Sadie and Pierre awaited the arrival of the paparazzo.


    Pierre looked around nervously, while Sadie perused the files she had brought with a calm demeanor.


    Soon, a man d in a ck jacket and a baseball cap approached and took the seat opposite them.


    He took off his cap, revealing a rather untrustworthy face. ¡°Hi, I¡¯m Jarrod Bates.¡±


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    Sadie looked up. ¡°You¡¯re the one who took those photos?¡±


    Jarrod¡¯s expression carried a hint of arrogance. ¡°Yes, I took them.¡±


    ¡°Who put you up to it?¡± Sadie inquired, her gaze piercing as she fixed her eyes on him.


    Caught off guard by her directness, Jarrod hesitated.


    ¡°I decided to take them on my own¡­¡±


    Sadie scoffed. ¡°Really? Mr. Bates, do you expect me to believe that?¡± She leaned in a bit closer.


    Jarrod shifted ufortably, recoiling slightly from her intense scrutiny.


    ¡°The technique was sophisticated, the angles carefully chosen. You¡¯re clearly professional; such precision isn¡¯t typical of random paparazzi, who prefer clear, simple shots. You focused on blurring my face and capturing the exact moment By handed me the gift, evidently aiming to sway public opinion against me.¡±


    Sadie paused to let her words sink in. ¡°So, who paid you? Five hundred thousand dors? A million? More?¡±


    Sweat formed on Jarrod¡¯s brow as he squirmed, his eyes flickering with unease.


    He had imagined a straightforward job: snap some photos, collect the cash, and vanish.


    Yet, here he was, caught in what seemed like an inescapable snare.


    Pierre remained quiet, attentively watching the interaction unfold.


    He found himself impressed by Sadie¡¯sposed manner.


    Sadie allowed the moment to breathe, patiently awaiting Jarrod¡¯s reply.


    ¡°You know how it goes in this business, right, Miss Hudson?¡± Jarrod attempted a calm demeanor, but his voice betrayed his nervousness.


    He rubbed his hands, concealing his inner turmoil.


    Nonchntly, Sadie pulled out a bank card from her purse and slid it across the table toward him.


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    ?Chapter 198:


    ¡°I¡¯m quite familiar with the rules. Now, tell me¡ªwho directed you to do this?¡±


    Jarrod gulped, his eyes greedily darting to the card, then forcefully reined in his desires.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure who she was. A woman approached me, handed me some money, and instructed me to keep an eye out at that ce. All she wanted was photographs of you and By together,¡± Jarrod exined.


    ¡°A woman?¡± Sadie furrowed her brows, deep in thought.


    She was surprised. How could Jarrod have predicted she would receive a gift from By at that precise moment? Was the gift from By part of a setup too?


    Questions flooded Sadie¡¯s mind.


    What she had dismissed as a mere misunderstanding now appeared to be aplex scheme.


    Noticing Sadie¡¯s silence, Jarrod misinterpreted it as intimidation and became more audacious.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, I implore you to forgive me just this once. I was only trying to earn some money.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s response was firm and dismissive.


    ¡°Leave now.¡±


    Jarrod snatched up the card and quickly exited.


    ¡°What¡¯s our next move, Miss Hudson?¡± Pierre inquired with concern.


    Sadie averted her eyes, her decision made.


    ¡°I need to see By.¡±


    Pierre nodded, silently agreeing, and followed Sadie out.


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    Once in her car, Sadie attempted to contact By.


    The phone emitted a series of beeps.


    It rang persistently, yet there was no answer.


    Sadie¡¯s expression showed her frustration as her brows drew together, a feeling of disquiet settling over her.


    She tried calling several more times, each attempt meeting with the same recorded message.


    ¡°Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently unavable.¡±


    Unavable?


    A cold shiver ran through Sadie¡¯s heart.


    It appeared she was already toote.


    Turning to her assistant, shemanded, ¡°Pierre, track down By immediately. We need to act quickly.¡±


    ¡°Right away, Miss Hudson,¡± Pierre responded, then hurried off.


    Sadie put her phone back into her purse.


    She had notified Averi¡¯s kindergarten teacher earlier that she might bete today.


    Upon arriving, Sadie found Averi alone, quietly ying with some building blocks, his expression a bit somber.


    His outfit consisted of a light blue T-shirt and khaki shorts, which made him look particrly cute.


    A slight heaviness weighed on Sadie¡¯s heart.


    Typically, Averi was vibrant and joyful, rarely subdued. She approached swiftly, knelt beside him, and softly inquired, ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Averi?¡±


    Raising his tear-filled eyes to hers, Averi murmured, ¡°Mom, the other kids¡­ they said I don¡¯t have a dad¡­¡±


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 Chapter 199

    ?Chapter 199:


    Thement pierced Sadie¡¯s heart with a sharp pain.


    She enveloped Averi in a warm embrace, whispering reassurance.


    ¡°Ignore what they say, sweetheart.¡±


    Averi nestled his head against her, his shoulders shaking gently. Embracing him closely, Sadie felt a surge of protectiveness mixed with a sense of helplessness.


    She stroked his back tenderly, each pat meant tofort and calm him. Averi¡¯s tears slowly subsided, though he still let out a sniffle now and then.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we head home and cook something tasty?¡± Sadie suggested. Nodding, Averi pulled away from her hug, his eyes still brimming with tears.


    Together, they left the kindergarten, Sadie holding Averi¡¯s tiny hand.


    Once at home, Sadie donned an apron and started on dinner. The kitchen came alive with the sounds of cooking, and delicious smells began to waft through the air.


    Averi, seated on the living room sofa, toyed listlessly with a Transformer, his attention drifting.


    asionally, he looked towards the kitchen, his expression tinged with sadness.


    The hurtful words from his ssmates earlier that day lingered in his mind, causing his heart to feel heavy.


    Deep down, he felt a profound longing for his dad.


    Averi quietly approached Sadie¡¯s bag and searched it for her phone.


    He was trying to reach Alex.


    To Averi, Alex had always been kind, filling the role of the father he yearned for.


    As he attempted to make the call, Averi¡¯s small finger identally hit a number from the recent calls.


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    The call connected.


    Averi anxiously waited.


    ¡°Hello?¡± A low, steady voice with a cool edge came through the line.


    It was Noah.


    At the other end, Noah paused, mistaking the caller for Sadie, suspecting she wanted toe back to him.


    His eyebrows knitted together slightly. ¡°Sadie, what do you need?¡± After a brief pause, the sound of quiet crying filled the silence.


    ¡°It¡¯s Averi¡­¡± came a small, muffled voice. ¡°I really miss you.¡±


    Noah was taken aback.


    He realized then that it wasn¡¯t Sadie, but a child on the line. He quickly stood up from his office chair.


    ¡°Time to wash up, Averi. Dinner is on the table.¡± Sadie¡¯s voice floated softly from the kitchen.


    ¡°Alright!¡±


    Averi¡¯s cheerful reply came, but he stayed where he was instead of moving toward the living room.


    Confused, Sadie shut off the stove and stepped out of the kitchen. There, she spotted Averi by the sofa, quietly speaking into the phone. A sinking feeling gripped her heart.


    Approaching quickly, she glimpsed the name on the phone screen¡ªNoah.


    Why was he on the line?


    Her expression shifted suddenly. She swiftly snatched the phone from Averi¡¯s hand and disconnected the call.


    Standing there, Averi looked up, hisrge eyes clouded with confusion. ¡°Mom¡­ what did I do wrong?¡± he asked in a small voice.


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 Chapter 200

    ?Chapter 200:


    Sadie hesitated, gathering herself to calm the turmoil inside and maintain aposed exterior.


    She knelt down, touching Averi¡¯s head tenderly. ¡°You haven¡¯t done anything wrong, Averi,¡± she assured him, though her voice betrayed a hint of tension.


    Sadie deliberately avoided meeting Averi¡¯s searching eyes, not wanting him to notice the distress on her face.


    What had Noah heard just now? What if he decided toe right over? The thought of him discovering Averi¡¯s existence was too overwhelming for Sadie to entertain.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go have dinner,¡± she suggested, gently guiding Averi by the hand to the dining table.


    Steam rose from the dishesid out. Sadie managed a forced smile while serving Averi, but her own meal tasted nd to her.


    At Myrtlewood Estate, Noah was fixated on his phone screen where the call had just been cut off. His features hardened.


    He was convinced he¡¯d heard a child¡¯s voice. He was just about to leave for Sadie¡¯s ce to seek the truth when the door quietly swung open. Isabel entered the room.


    Her outfit was understated yet sophisticated, and she moved with poise, though her eyes revealed underlying concern.


    ¡°Noah, why are you still working at this hour?¡± Isabel approached him, concern evident in her tone.


    Noah looked up briefly, his voice detached. ¡°I need to step out for a bit.¡±


    Isabel settled into the chair across from him with a heavy sigh. ¡°K called earlier today.¡±


    A trace of annoyance crossed Noah¡¯s face, his brow tightening slightly. Catching the shift in his expression, Isabel continued earnestly, ¡°Noah, K has been waiting for a long time. Maybe it¡¯s time to consider marrying her. I¡¯m getting older, and my only wish is to see my grandchildren.¡±


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    Noah¡¯s face hardened, his lips thinning into a tight line. He said, his tone sharp, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t meddle in my life.¡±


    He left without another word, his tall figure receding through the doorway, while Isabel remained in the study, her face etched with loneliness.


    Later that evening, Averi snuggled into Sadie¡¯s arms after dinner, his breaths deep and rhythmic. Sadie caressed his hair tenderly, her face softening with affection. She got up, gently ced Averi into his bed, and snugly tucked the nkets around him.


    Right after she had finished tucking him in, a knock came at the door, simultaneously with her phone ringing. It was Pierre calling, as she saw on the caller ID.


    Sadie moved to the door and looked through the peephole, her eyebrows knitting together. Outside stood Noah.


    As she took the call and opened the door simultaneously, Noah was there in a neatly tailored ck suit that enhanced his tall frame, the dim porch light casting dramatic shadows across his chiseled features, underlining his stark, almost severe handsomeness. Yet, his deep-set eyes carried an unspoken chill.


    ¡°What are you doing here sote?¡± Sadie asked.


    Without responding, Noah stepped inside, his eyes briefly meeting hers.


    Sadie, in herfortable home clothes with her hair freely draped over her shoulders, looked unusually gentle and less formal.


    At the same time, Pierre¡¯s voice came hurried and anxious through the phone, saying, ¡°Miss Hudson, the person who took By away is Samuel Ford.¡±


    Samuel Ford, a name well known as Noah¡¯s right-hand man.


    Sadie¡¯s hand clenched the phone a little tighter.


    It seemed Noah was involved. But what was his intention?


    A shiver of apprehension ran through her.


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 Chapter 201

    ?Chapter 201:


    She ended the call and confronted Noah. ¡°Why did you take By away?¡±


    An unsettling thought shed through her mind¡ªhad Noah uncovered the mastermind behind all this?


    Could Noah have taken By away to protect someone else? Who would Noah protect with such stamina?


    Sadie¡¯s gazended on Noah¡¯s face. K was the only one who had ever elicited such protectiveness from him. Who else could it be? A cold smile crept across Sadie¡¯s face, her eyes reflecting the coldness.


    ¡°Mr. Wall,¡± she said, her toneced with sarcasm, ¡°what urgency brings you here tonight? Are you here to prevent me from uncovering truths that might embarrass your lover, or perhaps your fianc¨¦e?¡±


    Noah¡¯s forehead creased, and he opened his mouth to respond, but Sadie cut him off.


    ¡°I¡¯m quite busy. Please show yourself out,¡± she said briskly, nodding towards the door.


    A shadow crossed Noah¡¯s face. He studied Sadie, curiosity tinged with surprise evident in his expression. She seemed altered somehow tonight. He hesitated, then nced towards the bedroom.


    ¡°About that child earlier¡­¡± His voice was soft yet tinged with bewilderment.


    Sadie¡¯s heart raced, and she instinctively moved to block the bedroom door.


    ¡°This is not your concern.¡±


    ¡°Are you hiding something from me?¡± Noah¡¯s tone softened, yet it held a sharp undertone.


    Sadie felt her heartbeat hasten, but she regained herposure swiftly. The call with Averi must have raised Noah¡¯s suspicions.


    Sadie met Noah¡¯s eyes firmly. ¡°Mr. Wall, our marriage has ended. You have no say in my personal affairs anymore.¡±


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    Noah¡¯s expression darkened further.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t consent to our divorce, Sadie.¡±


    A rush of profound sadness overwhelmed Sadie. He had been the one pushing for it, and now he was contesting it? The absurdity of it struck her deeply.


    Noah scrutinized her closely, seeking any sign of vulnerability. He was on the verge of saying something, his anger nearly boiling over, when an unexpected knock at the door halted him.


    The noise cut through the tension hanging between them.


    Both Sadie and Noah turned their attention toward the door.


    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± Sadie called out.


    ¡°Sadie, it¡¯s me, Alex,¡± answered a gentle voice.


    Sadie moved to open the door. As she reached for the handle, a strong hand mped around her wrist, squeezing painfully. She grimaced, looking down at Noah¡¯s grip.


    Despair gripped Sadie. What was his intention?


    ¡°Release me,¡± she said sharply.


    Silently, Noah fixed his intense gaze on her while his hold remained firm.


    A heavy stillness filled the hallway, as if time itself had paused.


    From outside, Alex¡¯s concerned voice reached them. ¡°Sadie? Are you okay?¡±


    Sadie felt a deeper drop in her heart. She didn¡¯t want anyone to see her in such a messy, tangled situation with Noah.


    ¡°Noah, release my hand now!¡±


    ¡°Mom?¡± From the bedroom came a sleepy murmur.


    A small figure stood in the doorway, blinking slowly. ¡°Mom, why can¡¯t Dade in?¡±


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 Chapter 202

    ?Chapter 202:


    Averi, in his cartoon bear pajamas, his hair tousled, looked bewildered at the sight of Noah.


    ¡°Who is this man?¡±


    Noah was taken aback, his attention shifting to Averi. As he observed the boy, who was about two or three, with deep, dark eyes resembling his own, his brow creased in thought.


    Sadie felt a pang of anxiety. It was the wrong moment for Averi to emerge and pose such a question. She quickly stepped back, pulling Averi to her side to protect him from Noah¡¯s intense stare.


    Alex¡¯s voice rose from outside, concerned. ¡°Sadie, what¡¯s happening? Should I call the police?¡±


    Maintaining her calm was crucial; Sadie knew she must not let the situation escte.


    ¡°Whose child is this boy?¡± Noah asked, his tone deep and stern, eyes never leaving Averi.


    Sadie clenched her fists. ¡°As you see, he¡¯s my son with Alex.¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression turned visibly colder. Firmly, Sadie held his gaze.


    Averi was clutching Sadie¡¯s shirt, his eyes shifting uneasily from her to the tall figure in the doorway, visibly confused by the tension. He gently tugged on Sadie¡¯s sleeve, his face marked by confusion and concern.


    Wishing to end the confrontation, Sadie turned decisively toward the door, her voice resolute. ¡°Mr. Wall, you need to leave now.¡±


    Noah¡¯s face contorted into a mix of disbelief and sarcasm. He swiftly grabbed her wrist.


    As Sadie felt the sharp pain from his grip, she instinctively tried to wrench away. ¡°Release me!¡±


    Noah¡¯s eyes hardened, piercing as he slowly demanded, ¡°You owe me an exnation, Sadie.¡±


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    The pain in Sadie¡¯s wrist intensified where his fingers mped. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to exin. We are divorced. You have no say in my affairs,¡± she replied.


    Noah scoffed coldly.


    Abruptly, he drew her close, eliminating any gap between them, his breath warm against her skin.


    Sadie¡¯s heart thumped wildly with apprehension.


    ¡°Mom¡­¡±


    Averi copsed suddenly, his small body hitting the floor with a faint groan. The color drained from Sadie¡¯s face, her expression one of stark rm as she eximed, ¡°Averi!¡±


    Noah, too, was caught off guard, his hand slipping from Sadie¡¯s in shock.


    Rushing to Averi¡¯s side, Sadie scooped him up, her voice quivering with fear as she repeatedly called out, ¡°Averi, Averi, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Averiy in her arms, his face ghostly pale and his eyes shut, offering no response.


    A wave of dizziness overcame Sadie, her vision briefly clouding. All concerns about Noah faded as she clutched Averi close and opened the door of the apartment.


    ¡°Sadie!¡± As the door swung open, Alex, standing outside, was taken aback by the unfolding scene. The sight of Noah there was unexpected.


    Spotting Alex, Sadie said, her voice shaking, ¡°Alex, Averi is¡­¡± Without hesitation, Alex quickly took Averi from her arms, noticing how pale he was. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    They sped downstairs, Noah left behind, standing alone.


    Outside the hospital¡¯s examination room, Sadie and Alex waited anxiously.


    ¡°Why hasn¡¯t the doctore out yet¡­¡± Sadie whispered.


    After ten anxious minutes, a doctor in a white coat emerged from the room.


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 Chapter 203

    ?Chapter 203:


    Rushing forward, Sadie asked, her voice rough with worry, ¡°Doctor, how¡¯s my son?¡±


    The doctor, mask in hand, looked serious. ¡°His fever isn¡¯t subsiding, and the situation is concerning. It¡¯s not a simple cold or fever. We rmend a bone marrow puncture to identify the cause.¡±


    ¡°A bone marrow puncture?¡± Sadie froze, filled with fear.


    ¡°The procedure is crucial for a quick diagnosis and effective treatment,¡± the doctor continued with patience. ¡°It¡¯s best we act swiftly.¡±


    Dizziness hit Sadie again, her body nearly giving way.


    Averi seemed too fragile for such an invasive test.


    Sadie¡¯s heart ached with an unbearable weight, making it hard to breathe.


    Overwhelmed by worry, she managed to ask, ¡°Isn¡¯t there any other option? Must we do a bone marrow puncture?¡±


    The doctor¡¯s sigh indicated the gravity of the situation. ¡°This is our best option at this moment.¡±


    Alex approached, his handforting on Sadie¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Sadie, trust that the doctors will do their best for Averi.¡±


    As Sadie looked into Alex¡¯s eyes, her tears flowed freely. In the end, she signed the consent form with a trembling hand.


    An hour had passed when Averi, still under anesthesia, was gently wheeled into his hospital room. Sadie, seated beside his bed, clutched his tiny hand, her eyes wide open throughout the night.


    Outside the hospital, a sleek ck Maybach sat silently by the curb, its interior bathed in soft light. Noah, brooding in the driver¡¯s seat, held a cigarette loosely between his fingers. The echo of Sadie¡¯s revtion haunted him: ¡°Averi is my child with Alex.¡±


    In a burst of anger, Noah flicked the cigarette butt into the night and pounded the steering wheel with his fist. He refused to ept this.


    Taking a deep breath, he grabbed his phone and hastily dialed Samuel.


    ¡°Find out everything about Sadie¡¯s child.¡±


    Samuel¡¯s confusion was palpable. ¡°Child? What child?¡±


    Impatiently, Noah rified, ¡°Sadie¡¯s child. He¡¯s in the hospital. Investigate him! And fire Jordyn.¡±


    With a heavy sigh, he ended the call and massaged his temples. Samuel, still bewildered, knew better than to probe further and started his investigation without dy.


    In the morning, K¡¯s heels clicked sharply against the floor as she made her way back to Wall Group. Havingpleted her business trip, K had arranged to return on the first avable flight.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Noah?¡± She nced around, but the office was empty.


    She tried calling him, only to be greeted by the monotonous tone of an automated message, saying, ¡°Sorry, the number you¡¯ve dialed is temporarily unavable.¡±


    With each repetition, a sinking feeling grew in K¡¯s chest, her unease mounting.


    Stowing her phone, K made her way toward Jordyn¡¯s office. It was also empty, the desk neatly tidied up. A wave of apprehension caused K¡¯s heart to skip a beat.


    She halted a colleague passing by. ¡°Where¡¯s Jordyn?¡± she inquired. The colleague paused briefly, then answered with caution, ¡°She¡¯s been fired, Miss Wade.¡±


    ¡°Fired?¡± K was stunned. Jordyn¡¯s sudden dismissal didn¡¯t make sense. A nagging suspicion crept into her mind. Had Noah discovered something significant already?


    At the hospital, Sadie remained beside Averi¡¯s bed, her gaze fixed on her son¡¯s small, pale face. Alex stayed beside her in silence, asionally handing her a ss of water and murmuring a few reassuring words.


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 Chapter 204

    ?Chapter 204:


    ¡°Sadie, Averi is going to be alright,¡± Alex said gently.


    She gave a slight nod, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. ¡°Alex, I really appreciate you staying. I don¡¯t know how I would do this alone.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re friends. It¡¯s the least I can do. And to me, Averi is like my child,¡± Alex replied.


    Sadie hesitated for a moment but chose not to say anything. A brief stillness settled in the room before she returned her focus to Averi.


    Meanwhile, Noah had been sitting in his car near the hospital entrance for hours, his frustration intensifying with each passing second. The idea that Averi was Sadie and Alex¡¯s child seemed unthinkable, yet Sadie¡¯s unwavering stance made him question everything. No matter what, he needed rity.


    Turning the key, he drove toward the hospital¡¯s parking area. Throughout the drive, he couldn¡¯t shake the image of Averi¡¯s delicate features and Sadie¡¯s anxious expression from his mind. His grip on the wheel tightened, his foot pressing harder on the gas as his thoughts spiraled.


    Just as K was about to exit the office, Samuel rushed inside. He halted upon spotting her but quickly masked his surprise.


    ¡°Miss Wade, why are you here?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m looking for Noah. Do you know where he went?¡±


    Samuel hesitated slightly before responding, ¡°Mr. Wall¡­ he¡¯s likely in the hospital.¡±


    ¡°The hospital? Why would he go there?¡±


    K¡¯s pulse quickened, an uneasiness creeping over her.


    Samuel lowered his head, offering no exnation.


    Noticing his reluctance, K grew even more confused. She didn¡¯t press further, instead spinning on her heel and hailing a cab straight to the hospital.


    A whileter, inside the hospital room, Averi slowly regained consciousness. His eyelids fluttered open, and he saw his mother¡¯s tear-streaked face. In a faint voice, he asked, ¡°Mom, what happened?¡±


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    A rush of emotion filled Sadie¡¯s chest when she heard his voice, and tears streamed freely down her cheeks. She embraced him tightly. ¡°Averi, you¡¯re awake! You had a high fever, but everything is fine now.¡±


    Averi blinked drowsily. ¡°Mom, I feel okay. Where¡¯s that man?¡±


    Sadie tensed for a second. She knew exactly who he meant¡ªNoah. Not wanting him entangled in theplicated situation, she replied, ¡°He had to leave for something important. Don¡¯t worry. Just rest.¡±


    Though confused, Averi nodded obediently. He nestled into his mother¡¯s arms and soon drifted back to sleep.


    Sadie gentlyid him back down before stepping into the corridor for some fresh air. As she reached the corridor¡¯s end, she spotted Noah striding toward her.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± Sadie frowned, her expression guarded.


    Noah¡¯s eyes locked onto hers, his tone cool and unwavering. ¡°I came to get answers about the boy.¡±


    ¡°I already told you. It¡¯s none of your business. Just go and don¡¯te back.¡±


    Sadie turned to head back to the ward, but Noah caught her arm firmly. ¡°Sadie, you won¡¯t shake me off that easily. I need to know the truth about this child,¡± he said, his voice firm.


    ¡°Let go of me!¡± Sadie struggled to break free from his grip. ¡°Noah, we¡¯re no longer married. You have no say in my life anymore.¡±


    Just as the tension between them was at its peak, K arrived at the hospital.


    The moment she saw Noah and Sadie together, her temper red. ¡°Noah, what¡¯s going on? Is she bothering you again?¡± K asked, her tone deceptively sweet butced with irritation.


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 Chapter 205

    ?Chapter 205:


    Noah cast a fleeting nce at her but remained silent. His thoughts were entirely upied with Averi, leaving K¡¯s presence barely registering in his mind.


    When K noticed his indifference, her hands balled into tight fists. She then turned to Sadie, eyes burning with contempt, as if silently using her of being shameless. How could this woman, already divorced from Noah, still be entangled with him?


    Sadie let out a short, derisiveugh, her lips curling into a smirk. ¡°K, let¡¯s get one thing straight. He came to me. I¡¯m not the one running after him.¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± K¡¯s fury spiked so intensely that words failed her.


    Her gaze flickered toward the slight opening in the door, and she caught a glimpse of the child inside. So, Noah had met the child. No, she couldn¡¯t just stand by and let things be!


    ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± Noah¡¯s voice cut through the tension, sharp andmanding.


    He turned to Sadie, his expression a storm of emotions. ¡°I¡¯ll ask you onest time¡ªwho is this child¡¯s father?¡±


    Sadie drew in a slow breath, forcing herself to stayposed. Locking eyes with him, she responded evenly, ¡°I¡¯ve already told you. Averi is my child with Alex. If you don¡¯t believe me, get a paternity test done.¡± A flicker of tension passed through Noah as he registered the unwavering certainty in her gaze.


    Nearby, K pursed her lips before speaking in a honeyed tone. ¡°Noah, your mother invited us to dinner at the Wall Manor tonight. Since Sadie has personal matters to handle, why don¡¯t we go on ahead?¡±


    Noah, frustration mounting, turned to her. ¡°Go without me.¡±


    ¡°Noah¡­¡± K began, but catching the irritation in his tone, she decided against pushing further. Instead, she shot one final re at Sadie before spinning on her heel and marching out of the hospital. Noah watched her retreat, then exhaled heavily, rubbing a hand over his face.


    Noah turned to Sadie and said, ¡°I¡¯ll investigate this thoroughly. If¡­¡±


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    ¡°There¡¯s no ¡®if,''¡± Sadie cut him off sharply. ¡°Alex and I are Averi¡¯s parents. Stop daydreaming.¡±


    Noah fell silent, turned, and left the hospital without another word. Sadie¡¯s gaze lingered on his departing figure, a tumult of bitterness and determination swirling within her. She knew this wasn¡¯t the end of it, but her resolve to protect Averi remained unwavering.


    In the hospital room, Alex noticed the redness and swelling around Sadie¡¯s eyes, feeling a twinge of concern. ¡°Sadie, what happened?¡± he asked softly.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, just a misunderstanding,¡± Sadie replied.


    Meanwhile, after leaving the hospital, K was gripped by panic. How had things escted so quickly during her brief absence? Noah had even refused dinner at Wall Manor for that woman.


    Impatient, K urged the driver, ¡°Sir, please, can you go faster?¡± Catching her anxious expression in the rearview mirror, the driver wordlessly elerated.


    K¡¯s heart raced as she pondered the potential fallout if Noah discovered the truth about the child. The implications were dire, and she feltpelled to intervene before things spiraled further.


    Upon arriving at Wall Manor, K hurriedly paid the fare and dashed inside.


    Isabel was in the living room, appearing serene with a cup of coffee in hand. Noticing K¡¯s rushed entrance, Isabel offered a warm smile. ¡°K, there you are. Why are you sote? Where¡¯s Noah?¡± she inquired, her concern evident as she ced her coffee cup down.


    Approaching Isabel, K took her arm and said softly, ¡°Mrs. Wall, Noah was held up by an urgent matter at the office. He¡¯ll be a bitte.¡±


    Isabel patted K¡¯s hand reassuringly, her tone bothforting and assertive. ¡°That boy is always buried in work. He really needs to watch his health.¡±


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 Chapter 206

    ?Chapter 206:


    K let out a forced smile, yet her eyes reddened slightly as if she were holding back tears.


    Isabel, ever perceptive, immediately sensed something was amiss. ¡°K, what¡¯s wrong? Did Noah upset you?¡± she asked, her voiceden with concern.


    K shook her head slightly and sighed, hesitating.


    ¡°If something¡¯s bothering you, you should tell me. Don¡¯t keep it all to yourself,¡± Isabel urged, patting her hand gently.


    K seemed to muster her resolve, biting her lip before speaking in a hushed tone. ¡°Mrs. Wall, I¡­ I ran into Sadie at the hospital today.¡±


    ¡°Sadie?¡± Isabel¡¯s expression tightened, her voice tinged with displeasure.


    ¡°Yes, Sadie. She¡¯s with Alex. And¡­ and¡­¡±


    ¡°And what?¡± Isabel pressed, her impatience mounting as she picked up her coffee cup again.


    K took a deep breath, looking like she was gathering her courage.


    ¡°They have a son. He¡¯s about three years old.¡±


    ¡°A son? Are you certain?¡±


    Isabel¡¯s hands trembled, causing her coffee cup to tilt, spilling some of its contents onto her hand, but she seemed not to notice.


    K quickly snatched a few tissues and dabbed at Isabel¡¯s hand. ¡°Be careful, Mrs. Wall,¡± she murmured softly.


    Isabel sat stunned, her eyes zed as if struggling to grasp the revtion.


    K bowed her head, and tears finally spilled over, dotting Isabel¡¯s hand.


    Isabel, jolted back to reality, sped K¡¯s hand tightly, her grip firm. ¡°What did you say? Say it again!¡±


    L??€$? ???t??§ñ? I¦Ç ?a?n?¦Í¦Ål?.c?m


    K stifled a sob and said, ¡°I saw it myself. They had a child with them, a little boy, about three years old. He¡­ he resembles Alex.¡±


    Isabel¡¯s face paled, her breathing heavy with rising anger. She stood abruptly and began to pace the living room, murmuring, ¡°How could this happen¡­ How could something like this happen?¡±


    Tears rolled down K¡¯s cheeks.


    Isabel stopped in her tracks, gesturing toward the door as she yelled, ¡°That shameless bitch! She¡¯s aplete seductress! I knew she was up to no good with Noah!¡±


    K gently took hold of Isabel¡¯s sleeve and whispered, ¡°Please, don¡¯t be upset. It¡¯s not worth it.¡±


    Angrily, Isabel jerked her hand away, asking, ¡°How can I not be? Sadie has tricked Noah, and she even¡­¡±


    Ovee with anger, Isabel found herself unable to finish her thoughts, her cheeks flushed with fury.


    Quick to offer sce, K ced a gentle hand on Isabel¡¯s back, trying to calm her. ¡°Please, calm down. We don¡¯t have all the details yet. Perhaps there¡¯s been some mistake.¡±


    Rejecting thefort, Isabel shoved K¡¯s hand away, retorting, ¡°A mistake? She has a child with her! How could that be a mistake?¡± The force of Isabel¡¯s push made K stumble, fresh tears gathering in her eyes.


    Bowing her head, K murmured softly, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It might merely be a coincidence.¡±


    With a dismissiveugh, Isabel replied, ¡°A coincidence? Are we really to believe that such coincidences exist? Sadie has always been a schemer. I figured her out a long time ago!¡±


    K chose silence, pressing her lips together. Isabel, noticing her vulnerable expression, felt a twinge ofpassion. She enveloped K in a warm embrace, rubbing her back gently as she said, ¡°Could this be the reason why Noah didn¡¯te with you? Don¡¯t worry. You have my full support, K.¡±


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 Chapter 207

    ?Chapter 207:


    A slight smirk passed fleetingly across K¡¯s face as she leaned into Isabel¡¯s hug.


    Taking K¡¯s hand firmly, Isabel led the way with urgency, pulling her along.


    K struggled to keep pace with Isabel, her breathing uneven. Despite this, she managed a serene smile and asionally said, ¡°Let¡¯s slow down a bit. We wouldn¡¯t want you to trip.¡±


    Isabel seemed deaf to K¡¯s concerns. Visions of Sadie and Alex, with their three-year-old child, fueled her growing rage. She was eager to confront Noah and demand answers directly.


    The sprawling Myrtlewood Estate loomed majestically ahead. Upon their arrival, the butler, Breck Wagner, immediately approached them with a swift greeting. ¡°Mrs. Wall, Miss Wade, wee.¡± He was about to call Noah when he heard the sound of footsteps at the grand entrance.


    Noah had returned.


    Dressed in a sharp, dark gray suit that entuated his lean stature, Noah looked both weary andmanding. Though there was a slight weariness in his eyes, he still carried an air of authority.


    Isabel¡¯s temper reached its peak when she saw him. Abruptly releasing K¡¯s hand, she marched straight to Noah, her voice filled with usation. ¡°Noah! You need to exin now! What is this mess with Sadie all about?¡±


    Noah¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion. He was taken aback by both Isabel¡¯s tone and her unexpected question. ¡°Mom, why are you so upset? What happened?¡±


    Isabel¡¯s sneer was sharp as she retorted, ¡°You¡¯re asking what happened? Tell me, Noah, did Sadie cheat on you and have a child with Alex?¡±


    Noah¡¯s face hardened, and his eyes narrowed. ¡°What nonsense are you talking about?¡±


    At that moment, K moved closer to Isabel, gently pulling at her sleeve and whispering, ¡°Please, try to stay calm and speak with Noah without being angry.¡±


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    Isabel turned to K, her face twisted in distress. After a deep breath, she managed to regain control and, pointing towards K, she turned to Noah. ¡°Take a good look at how great K is. She¡¯s gentle, virtuous, and well-mannered. When do you n to marry her so we can finally be at peace?¡±


    Noah nced at K briefly before addressing Isabel. ¡°Mom, let me manage my own affairs.¡±


    Isabel¡¯s temper red again. ¡°Let you? And how well has that worked out for you? Sadie has tricked you! She¡¯s had a child with another man, yet you continue to defend her!¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression darkened, his lips tightly sealed as he chose not to respond.


    Tears began to well up in K¡¯s eyes as she whispered, ¡°Please stop fighting. This is all my fault¡­¡±


    Isabel pulled K into an embrace, shooting a stern look at Noah. ¡°You¡¯ve let me down! I insist you divorce Sadie and marry K immediately!¡±


    The atmosphere in the living room grew heavy and oppressive.


    ¡°Mom, I¡¯ll handle it. Please, go back and rest.¡±


    Isabel¡¯s anger escted when she heard his calm response. ¡°What kind of attitude is that? I¡¯m just worried about you, and here you are¡ª¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Wall¡­¡± K interrupted softly, halting Isabel¡¯s words. ¡°Noah surely has his reasons. Let¡¯s go back now and not make this harder for him.¡±


    K spoke softly, gently tugging at Isabel¡¯s sleeve.


    Isabel felt a pang in her heart, recognizing K¡¯s sensibility and consideration. She sighed and turned to Noah, her voice heavy with resignation. ¡°Noah, you are on your own now. Take care.¡± With those parting words, she left.


    Just as K was about to follow, Noah¡¯s cold voice halted her.


    She paused and turned back, her expression filled with confusion.


    ¡°About what Jordyn and By did, are you involved?¡±


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 Chapter 208

    ?Chapter 208:


    K froze for a moment, a brief flicker of panic crossing her face before she masked it with an innocent expression. ¡°Noah, what are you talking about? I¡¯ve just returned from Amberhollow. I don¡¯t know anything. What did Jordyn and By do?¡±


    Her eyes widened as she feignedplete ignorance.


    Noah studied her carefully, searching her face for any sign of deceit. After a moment, he let it go.


    K¡¯s act was convincing as always.


    He sneered inwardly but maintained a stoic exterior. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. You can leave.¡±


    Relieved, K exhaled softly and said gently, ¡°Then get some rest. Good night.¡±


    She exited the vi, her high heels echoing against the floor.


    Outside, K quickly pulled out her phone and made a call. The line connected, and a tearful voice filled her ear. ¡°Miss Wade¡­¡± It was Jordyn.


    K¡¯s voice turned cold, devoid of any sympathy. ¡°Stop crying! Did youplete the task or not?¡±


    ¡°Miss Wade, I¡¯ve lost my job, and By has been taken away. I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Idiots!¡± K snapped mercilessly. ¡°You couldn¡¯t even manage something this simple.¡±


    Her fingers tightened around the phone, her nails digging into her palm. K had nned everything with precision to tarnish Sadie¡¯s reputation, yet Jordyn hadn¡¯t done her part properly.


    Subdued by K¡¯s rebuke, Jordyn stifled her sobs, reducing them to quiet sniffles.


    ¡°Enough! Stop crying!¡± K snapped, her impatience clear. ¡°Crying won¡¯t fix this. Listen carefully to what you need to do next¡­¡±


    She lowered her voice to a sinister whisper, outlining the subsequent phases of her scheme.


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    As the night deepened, the streetlights cast K¡¯s shadow across the pavement, elongating it into a sinister silhouette.


    She ended the call, her expression swiftly shifting back to one of calm poise, the very image of refined elegance.


    Regaining herposure, she walked toward the car waiting by the roadside. She needed rest; tomorrow promised another scene in her borate scheme.


    K slid into the car, and the driver ignited the engine.


    Meanwhile, in the hospital, the stark white lights bathed Sadie in a pale glow, making herplexion appear almost ghostly.


    Her hands gripped the bone marrow puncture report, her knuckles turning white.


    The doctor adjusted his sses, his voice heavy with gravity. ¡°Miss Hudson, your child¡¯s condition is quite severe. He¡¯s been diagnosed with acute lymphostic leukemia. A bone marrow transnt is imperative at this stage.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s lips quivered, her voice barely a whisper. ¡°Doctor, is there truly no alternative?¡±


    The doctor exhaled deeply. ¡°I¡¯m afraid there¡¯s no other viable treatment. We need a transnt, and the best chance for a matches from the child¡¯s biological father.¡±


    ¡°Biological father¡­¡± Sadie murmured the words, the realization hitting her like a thunderp, echoing in her mind.


    Her heart clenched painfully, the ache radiating through her chest.


    The child¡¯s biological father was Noah.


    But she couldn¡¯t let him find out Averi was his son. Not ever. If Noah knew Averi was his, based on his current attitude toward her, Sadie feared he would take Averi away.


    And with his uing marriage to K, Averi would inevitably be caught in the crossfire.


    As Sadie struggled to control her emotions, her voice came out hoarse. ¡°Doctor, is there any alternative aside from the child¡¯s biological father?¡±


    The doctor met her gaze, his eyes reflecting a trace of pity. ¡°We can search the bone marrow registry, though it¡¯s less likely to find a match.¡±


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 Chapter 209

    ?Chapter 209:


    ¡°Find a match quickly.¡± Sadie slumped back into her chair, feeling a profound exhaustion wash over her.


    What was her next step?


    ¡°Please start with the registry search,¡± she managed to say, her voice dry and strained.


    The doctor nodded sympathetically.


    Seeing such a young mother, weary and anxious, stirred a deep sympathy in him.


    Sadie returned to Averi¡¯s hospital room and pushed the door open.


    Averiy on the bed, hisplexion pale and delicate.


    Alex was beside him, a storybook in hand, though his eyes weren¡¯t moving across the page. His expression was etched with worry. At the sound of the door, Alex looked up and stood immediately upon seeing Sadie.


    ¡°You¡¯re back, Sadie,¡± he murmured gently.


    Sadie mustered a weak smile and walked to the bedside, tenderly stroking Averi¡¯s cheek.


    Alex noticed the test report in her hand, took it, and read through it quickly. His face paled as the gravity of the situation set in. He understood perfectly what it meant.


    Acute lymphostic leukemia¡­ Bone marrow transnt.


    Alex¡¯s gaze met Sadie¡¯s,den with a swirl of emotions. ¡°Sadie, I¡¯ll do everything I can to find a donor match.¡±


    Tears welled up in Sadie¡¯s eyes, but she fought to keep them at bay.


    ¡°I¡¯ve caused you so much trouble, Alex,¡± she whispered.


    A wave of bitterness washed over her. She knew she could never repay his kindness in this lifetime.


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    Alex offered a weak smile, maintaining a light tone. ¡°Please, don¡¯t worry about it, Sadie. We¡¯re friends.¡± He nced toward Averi, who was resting quietly on the hospital bed. ¡°I¡¯m going to leave now. Take care of yourself and try to rest.¡±


    Sadie nodded, too overwhelmed to speak.


    Alex turned and left, closing the door softly behind him.


    The tears Sadie had been suppressing finally cascaded down her cheeks.


    Her phone¡¯s shrill ring cut through the silence of the ward that afternoon.


    Exhausted, Sadie answered the call. The caller ID showed ¡°K.¡±


    ¡°Sadie, the design drafts for Timeless Love need revisions. You need toe back immediately,¡± K demanded.


    Sadie was stunned by K¡¯s words.


    Averi was still lying in his hospital bed; leaving him was unthinkable. ¡°I can¡¯t leave right now. I¡¯ll have one of my studio¡¯s designers handle the revisions.¡±


    ¡°The coboration isn¡¯t finished, and you think it¡¯s appropriate to send a designer in your ce?¡± K¡¯s tone was cutting, filled with disdain.


    Sadie clenched her fists, quelling the anger bubbling inside her. ¡°When I submitted the drafts, there were no objections. Now, a weekter, you demand revisions? Miss Wade, your request ispletely unreasonable.¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± K was so furious she could barely speak. ¡°You¡¯ll regret this, Sadie Hudson. Mark my words!¡±


    ¡°Miss Wade, I will address the design draft issue as soon as possible, but right now, my priority is to be at the hospital with my son.¡±


    A long silence followed, then K¡¯s voice returned, oozing malice. ¡°Fine, Sadie. Just you wait.¡±


    The call ended with a series of sharp beeps reverberating through the room.


    Exhausted, Sadie slumped against the bed¡¯s edge, her phone slipping from her grasp.


    She was certain K wouldn¡¯t let this go easily.


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 Chapter 210

    ?Chapter 210:


    Meanwhile, K, ovee with fury, mmed her phone down on the desk. She hadn¡¯t expected Sadie to challenge her so boldly. Yet Sadie¡¯s defiance unwittingly yed into her hands. Knowing Sadie couldn¡¯t leave the hospital, K had strategically timed her demand to maximize the pressure, hoping to throw Sadie off bnce.


    Regaining herposure, K picked up her phone and dialed another number. ¡°Hello, Korbin. Proceed with the Timeless Lovewsuit. Use the materials I prepared to sue Sadie¡¯s studio for breach of contract. im the drafts are substandard and use them of unprofessionalism. I want her reputation destroyed, dragged through the mud.¡±


    She paused, her tone growing even colder. ¡°Do it swiftly and without mercy. I want her to face severe consequences, and quickly.¡±


    The voice on the other end responded with deference, ¡°Understood, Miss Wade. I¡¯ll initiate the proceedings immediately.¡±


    K ended the call and turned to her desk, pulling out a folder. She flipped through the pages one by one, a triumphant smile spreading across her face.


    K wasn¡¯t merely intent on ruining Sadie¡¯s career; she aimed to strip her of everything.


    Clutching the documents for the Amberhollow project, K prepared to update Noah.


    ¡°Noah, about the Amberhollow project¡­¡± She pushed open the door to the CEO¡¯s office, but her voice faded.


    Noah was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, his tall figure silhouetted against the backdrop of light. His back was to her as he issued instructions to Samuel in a low,manding tone.


    ¡°Ensure this ispleted promptly. I expect nothing but the most precise results.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall,¡± Samuel responded with deference, then turned to leave. He acknowledged K with a brief nod as he passed her at the doorway.


    K paused, her grip on the documents tightening.


    The snippets of Samuel¡¯s earlier conversation with Noah echoed in her mind, stirring a wave of dread.


    Noah turned and noticed K lingering at the door, his expression shifting to slight confusion.


    K masked her anxiety with a forced smile. ¡°Noah¡ª¡±


    Before she could continue, Noah interrupted. ¡°I was just about to call you in.¡±


    He approached his desk, retrieved a file, and handed it to her. ¡°Review thetest proposal for the Amberhollow project.¡±


    As K took the file, her thoughts still lingered on Samuel. Could it be possible? Was Noah contemting a paternity test?


    ¡°K, is something wrong?¡± Noah¡¯s inquiry snapped her back to reality.


    ¡°No, nothing,¡± she responded quickly, putting on another smile. ¡°I¡¯m just a bit tired.¡±


    K ced the file on the desk. ¡°Noah, I have something to handle. Please excuse me.¡±


    With that, she turned and hurried out of the office, her steps faltering slightly under the weight of her thoughts.


    Meanwhile, at the hospital, Sadie¡¯s slender fingers clutched her phone tightly, the screen disying a news article about Wall Group suing her studio.


    They¡¯ve actually gone through with suing my studio¡­ Was this all part of their calcted n?


    Just then, Pierre burst through the door, clutching a tablet, urgency marking his voice. ¡°Miss Hudson, bad news! Wall Group has officially filed awsuit against our studio, demanding astronomicalpensation. It¡¯s all over the inte.¡±


    Pierre¡¯s face mirrored his concern as he noted Sadie¡¯s pallor, his anxiety intensifying.


    Sadie took the tablet from him. ¡°I already know. There¡¯s no need to panic. We¡¯ll tackle these challenges as theye.¡± Pierre paused, taken aback by her calm in the face of crisis.


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 Chapter 211

    ?Chapter 211:


    Sadie rose to her feet. ¡°Pierre,¡± she said, her voice firm, ¡°contact ourwyer immediately and prepare for thewsuit. Also, gather all the original design drafts and rted materials for Timeless Love. I want to review everything personally.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Miss Hudson.¡± Pierre nodded, his initial panic easing.


    To manage the workload, Sadie set up a makeshift workstation beside the hospital bed. She sat beside the bed, one hand softly stroking Averi¡¯s hair, while her other hand held a stylus. She sketched intently on the worktable.


    The studio had been reeling from one crisis to another. The project with Lawrence Group was herst beacon of hope. Completing this project was crucial to preserving her studio¡¯s reputation.


    ¡°Mommy¡­¡± Averi¡¯s soft, sleepy voice interrupted the silence as he blinked open his groggy eyes.


    ¡°You¡¯re awake, sweetheart?¡± Sadie set down her stylus and leaned over to kiss his forehead. ¡°Are you feeling okay?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Averi nodded his head, his small hand gripping the hem of her blouse. ¡°Mommy, what are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Mommy¡¯s working. Be a good boy and go back to sleep, okay?¡± Averi nodded obediently and closed his eyes again.


    Watching her sonply so sweetly filled Sadie¡¯s heart with warmth. She picked up the stylus once more, her expression one of unwavering determination.


    As time passed in the silent ward, the only sound was the soft scratching of Sadie¡¯s stylus on the paper.


    Outside, the sky darkened, and the room¡¯s light faded into twilight. Yet, Sadie remainedpletely engrossed in her designing, oblivious to the passage of time.


    Gradually, her hand became heavy, and the stylus wavered, tracing an uneven line across the paper. Dizziness overwhelmed her suddenly, blurring the room into a swirling haze.


    ¡°Sadie!¡± Alex¡¯s voice broke through the fog, sharp with urgency.


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    Sadie¡¯s body began to slump backward, powerless to resist the fatigue. Just in time, Alex caught her, easing her gently into the chair beside the bed.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± His voice was thick with concern.


    Sadie tried to focus, nodding her head weakly. ¡°I¡¯m fine, just a bit tired.¡± Her voice was faint, her face ashen.


    Alex frowned, his concern deepening as he touched her forehead, finding it unexpectedly hot. ¡°You have a fever.¡±


    As Sadie¡¯s awareness faded, her breaths bing shallow andbored, she struggled to keep her eyes open.


    Alex watched helplessly as she drifted into unconsciousness, his heart aching with worry.


    He carefully lifted her and moved her to the other hospital bed, tucking her in gently.


    At a testing facility, a woman cloaked in secrecy moved swiftly through the corridor. She was disguised in oversized sunsses and a scarf that hid most of her face, leaving only a small patch of skin visible.


    Her steps were quick, punctuated by nervous nces over her shoulder, as if she feared being recognized.


    Jordyn¡¯s heart raced, and her palms were damp with perspiration. She couldn¡¯t fathom why K had tasked her with such a dubious act¡ªswitching files? It certainly didn¡¯t seem like it could lead to anything benign.


    She paused in front of an office door, inhaled deeply, and pushed it open.


    The office was deserted, except for a sealed man envelope on the desk.


    Jordyn swiftly pulled an identical envelope from her bag, swapped it with the one on the desk, and tucked the original into her bag.


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 Chapter 212

    ?Chapter 212:


    Without wasting another moment, she exited the office.


    The corridor was unsettlingly silent.


    Jordyn rushed to the stairwell, checked to ensure no one was in sight, and then sighed in relief.


    She removed her disguise, revealing a delicate face framed by long, jet-ck hair that fell over her shoulders, entuating her beautiful features. Yet, at this moment, her face was marred by confusion and apprehension.


    Jordyn pulled the swapped file from her bag, hesitated, then opened it. Inside was a single sheet of paper, prominentlybeled ¡°Paternity Test Report.¡±


    Paternity test?


    Why would K involve her in swapping such a document? What was really going on?


    Jordyn¡¯s mind was tangled with conflicting thoughts.


    K had instructed her to swap the documents, indicating that something underhanded was afoot.


    Whose paternity test was this?


    K¡¯s deep involvement suggested it concerned Noah¡ªshe wouldn¡¯t go to such lengths for anyone else.


    But how was this paternity test connected to Noah?


    Chewing on her lower lip, Jordyn entertained a bold suspicion.


    It was always wise to have a backup n.


    She quickly hid the genuine paternity test report in apartment of her handbag, then ced a nk document she had prepared earlier into the file bag.


    Once everything was in ce, Jordyn pulled out her phone and called K.


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    ¡°Hello, K. The task isplete,¡± Jordyn said in a subdued tone, her voice tinged with a hint of anxiety.


    On the other end, K¡¯s response was warm with satisfaction. ¡°Excellent. Well done! Your payment will be processed shortly.¡± Jordyn breathed a silent sigh of relief.


    ¡°Oh, by the way, Jordyn,¡± K added after a brief pause, ¡°regarding the design director position at Alice Design Studio I mentioned before, I¡¯ve put in a good word for you. Expect a call for an interview in the next few days.¡±


    Alice Design Studio?


    That was a premier firm in the design industry.


    Joy surged through Jordyn, and she couldn¡¯t help but smile broadly. ¡°Really? Thank you so much, K! I¡¯m incredibly grateful!¡±


    ¡°There are more opportunities ahead if you keep up the good work,¡± K concluded before ending the call.


    As Jordyn clutched her phone, a subtle smile yed on her lips. Standing by the roadside, she observed the lively flow of traffic, her mind racing with thoughts.


    She nced at the authentic report hidden in her handbag.


    This document might just serve as valuable leverage in the future.


    A brisk wind caused Jordyn to shudder.


    She pulled her coat tighter around her, gged down a taxi, and disappeared into the city¡¯s ceaseless traffic.


    The following morning at Wall Group, Noah sat behind his expansive desk, his long fingers rhythmically tapping the surface.


    Samuel respectfully ced a document in front of him. ¡°Mr. Wall, here¡¯s the paternity test report you requested.¡±


    Noah picked up the document, his expression tightening as a hint of anticipation flickered in his eyes.


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    ?Chapter 213:


    He quickly scanned the paper, his eyes settling on the final conclusion: no biological connection.


    The document slipped from his grasp,nding softly on the polished desk.


    Noah¡¯s face clouded over instantly.


    He closed his eyes, struggling to contain the surge of emotions within him.


    No biological connection¡­


    Was the child truly Alex¡¯s?


    The sound of high heels approached, growing louder. K entered, her elegant white suit highlighting her poised figure.


    Her lips curled into a controlled smile, her eyes gleaming subtly.


    ¡°Noah, I¡¯ve just finalized the proposal for the Amberhollow project¡­¡± She stopped mid-sentence as her gazended on the document on the desk.


    ¡°Is this¡­ a paternity test report?¡± She feigned shock, bringing a hand to her mouth, a quick sh of satisfaction in her eyes.


    Noah remained silent, his icy stare fixed on her.


    K approached the desk, lifted the report, and nced over it before looking up with a pretense of concern.


    ¡°No biological connection?¡± she murmured. ¡°Noah, what¡­ what does this mean?¡±


    The atmosphere in the office turned icy, time seeming to stand still. Noah stood abruptly, his movement sending his chair skidding back with a screech.


    His face was pale, his lips pressed tightly together.


    K¡¯s voice softened as she feigned concern. ¡°Noah, are you okay?¡±


    Ignoring her, Noah strode towards the office door, his steps resolute.


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    Samuel hastened after him, his footsteps echoing in the tense silence. K watched Noah¡¯s departure, a subtle smirk ying at the corners of her mouth.


    She gently ced the paternity test report back on the desk.


    Everything was unfolding exactly as she had nned.


    However, as long as that boy was alive, he remained a potential threat.


    K pulled out her phone and dialed a number.


    ¡°Hello, has it been taken care of?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been done as you instructed. The information has been spread,¡± responded a respectful voice from the other end.


    Meanwhile, in Alex¡¯s office, the faint aroma of coffee filled the air. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the bustling cityscape of Jazmah stretched out impressively.


    Alex set down his phone, a satisfied smile touching his lips.


    He had just reached out to a top transnt specialist overseas. Now, Averi had a real chance, and a weight lifted from Alex¡¯s shoulders.


    He turned to look at Sadie, who was seated on the sofa.


    Her face was pale, and despite her efforts to look strong, her weariness was evident.


    ¡°Sadie, good news. I¡¯ve secured a consultation with Professor David Miller in Maradeiris for Averi. It¡¯ll happen soon,¡± Alex said softly, his voice soothing.


    Tears welled up in Sadie¡¯s eyes at his words. She looked at Alex with deep gratitude. ¡°Alex, thank you. I can¡¯t tell you how much this means.¡±


    ¡°No need to thank me,¡± Alex said, his smile gentle. ¡°I consider Averi as my own.¡±


    He moved to sit next to Sadie and reached out for her hand, only for her to subtly withdraw it.


    With a lowered gaze, Sadie¡¯s longshes concealed the emotions in her eyes.


    The warmth of Alex¡¯s kindness touched her heart, yet it deepened her guilt. She knew she was deeply indebted to him.


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 Chapter 214

    ?Chapter 214:


    Suddenly, the office door burst open with a resounding bang, slicing through the silence.


    Noah appeared in the doorway, his expression stormy, resembling a tempest poised to burst.


    His gaze locked onto Sadie and Alex, who were seated close on the sofa, their hands almost touching. Noah¡¯s breath caught at the sight.


    He marched over, grabbed Sadie by the arm, and pulled her up so forcefully that she cried out in pain.


    ¡°How dare you, Sadie?¡± Noah eximed, each word slicing through the air with fury.


    Sadie¡¯s face contorted in pain as she pulled her arm away from Noah. ¡°What are you thinking, Noah?¡± she demanded, her voice cold yet defiant.


    Her body was frail, but her stare was resolute, betraying no fear.


    Alex stood quickly, positioning himself between Sadie and Noah. ¡°Calm down, Noah. Sadie is unwell,¡± he said, his voice calm but assertive.


    Noah¡¯s sneer was venomous as he red at Alex. ¡°Back off. This is between her and me.¡±


    He pushed Alex away and drew Sadie back to him, his eyes burning into hers.


    ¡°Answer me! Who is Averi¡¯s father?¡±


    Sadie returned his intense gaze without flinching.


    Yet, she hesitated briefly. Had Noah done a paternity test?


    ¡°What makes you think that I would lie to you? Averi is my child with Alex. Do you have an issue with that?¡±


    The look on Noah¡¯s face turned even more ominous.


    He tightened his grip on Sadie¡¯s wrist.


    Discover more on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv????s


    ¡°You need to be honest with me, Sadie! Or else¡­¡±


    With a scornful scoff, Sadie jerked her arm away from him. ¡°Or else what? We are no longer married, Noah. You don¡¯t get to control my life anymore!¡±


    Shock widened Noah¡¯s eyes.


    He seized her wrist once more, forcefully pulling her away from Alex.


    ¡°Come with me!¡±


    His voice was cold, carrying an air of finality.


    He began to pull her towards the door without waiting for her to reply.


    With a powerful tug, Sadie freed her arm, staggering but quickly regaining her bnce.


    Noah paused, his hand freezing in midair.


    It seemed he hadn¡¯t anticipated resistance from Sadie.


    Panting, Sadie fought to stabilize her breathing and keep her emotions in check as she tried not to cry.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t make this harder for yourself,¡± Noah said with clear warning. ¡°Do you still want to keep your studio?¡±


    Despair gripped Sadie. Her studio was her passion, built with immense effort and dedication. Noah¡¯s threat pierced her deeply. He had the means to ruin her studio without breaking a sweat.


    Sadie¡¯s hands clenched tightly, her nails pressing into her palms. Looking Noah in the eyes, she spoke with measured calm. ¡°Do you actually think I¡¯m scared of you, Noah?¡±


    Her voice was low yet resonant, each syble delivered with undeniable power.


    A hush fell over the room, the only sound their quickened breathing. Noah¡¯s eyebrow quirked upwards. ¡°Your precious little studio¡­ Do you honestly believe you can keep it?¡±


    ¡°No matter what, I won¡¯t let you get your way,¡± she replied, her tone imbued with fierce determination.


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    The resolve in her eyes only served to aggravate Noah further. ¡°Wake up and face reality, Sadie!¡± he retorted sharply.


    ¡°You need to leave,¡± Alex said, his worry for Sadie apparent as he noted the reddening of her wrist from Noah¡¯s grip.


    He moved to shield Sadie from Noah, his voice solid andmanding. ¡°Noah, this is way out of line.¡±


    A scoff escaped Noah, cold and mocking. ¡°Mr. Howe, why are you so eager to meddle?¡±


    Sadie gave a slight shake of her head, gently pulling at Alex¡¯s sleeve. Engaging further with Noah seemed futile now.


    K¡¯swsuit against her studio had been suspiciously timely. Sadie was now convinced it was all orchestrated by Noah to bend her to his will.


    Turning to Alex, Sadie murmured, ¡°We should leave.¡±


    With a subtle nod, Alex gave Noah a final stern look before leading Sadie away from the confrontation.


    Noah remained stationary, his gaze following them as they left, yet he made no move to follow.


    Once outside, Sadie breathed more freely, the weight of the confrontation lifting slightly.


    ¡°Alex, I¡¯m sorry for causing you more trouble,¡± Sadie murmured, her voice tinged with fatigue.


    Alex studied her, concern evident in his gaze.


    His hand lifted slightly, almost touching the faint bruise on her wrist where Noah had grabbed her, but he hesitated midway. He simply exhaled and shook his head. ¡°Enough with the apologies. Do we really need to act so distant?¡±


    Sadie looked away, avoiding his stare.


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    Alex caught the flicker of sorrow in her expression, and his worry grew. ¡°Let me take you home. You don¡¯t seem well.¡±


    Sadie shook her head, her tone unwavering. ¡°No, I need to check on Averi at the hospital. I hired a caregiver, but I still can¡¯t put my mind at ease.¡±


    K¡¯s swift actions had kept Sadie on edge, and Noah¡¯s involvement had only made the situation even more unbearable.


    Alex hesitated briefly before saying in a quiet voice, ¡°Just¡­ be cautious, alright? And if you need anything, don¡¯t think twice about reaching out to me.¡±


    He knew better than to argue¡ªonce Sadie made a decision, nothing would sway her.


    She offered a faint, weary smile. ¡°I will.¡±


    Turning on her heel, she stepped into the elevator.


    As the doors slid shut, Noah emerged from Alex¡¯s office, his imposing frame casting a cold shadow. His expression was unreadable, sharp, and distant.


    Alex remained still, a hint of irony in his smirk.


    ¡°The Floral Whisper Project¡­ appreciate it, Mr. Wall,¡± he remarked, his tone edged with sarcasm.


    Noah¡¯s stare was frigid, cutting through the space between them like a knife. The tension in the air thickened.


    ¡°Stay out of her life. Otherwise, I¡¯ll ensure your family disappears from Jazmah.¡±


    Without another word, he turned and walked away, never ncing back.


    Alex watched him go, his smirk fading, reced by a contemtive expression. Noah¡¯s threats didn¡¯t intimidate him¡ªhis only concern was Sadie. A cautious voice broke the silence. ¡°Sir, are you sure you want to stay involved with Miss Hudson? Our partner¡¯s withdrawal from the Floral Whisper project is a clear warning from Wall Group.¡±


    The quiet of the office was punctuated only by the rhythmic ticking of the clock.


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    Alex remained motionless, lost in thought for a brief moment.


    ¡°So what if they back out? Do you think I¡¯m scared of Noah?¡± His voice was calm yet resolute. ¡°Sadie and Averi need my support, and I refuse to abandon them.¡±


    His assistant observed him with newfound respect. Though Alex often seemed indifferent, deep down, he was a man who valued loyalty and cared deeply for those close to him.


    At the hospital, the elevator doors slid open, and as Sadie stepped out, the sharp scent of antiseptic filled her lungs, adding to the weight in her chest. The hospital corridor was bustling with people. Pulling her coat tighter around herself, she quickened her steps toward Averi¡¯s room. Beneath the sterile hospital lighting, her slender frame appeared even more delicate.


    She focused on steadying her breath, determined not to let Averi see the unease she was struggling to conceal.


    Just as she neared the pediatric ward, a familiar voice called her name.


    She nced up to see Jim approaching.


    He was dressed in a white coat and holding a patient¡¯s chart, his expression gentle but filled with concern.


    ¡°Dr. Archer,¡± Sadie greeted with a strained smile.


    Thest thing she wanted was for Jim to notice how vulnerable she felt.


    But he caught the exhaustion in her eyes, the forced curve of her lips, and his brow creased slightly. ¡°You¡¯re here again? Are you alright?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Averi¡­ He¡¯s unwell and had to be admitted.¡±


    Jim¡¯s face turned serious in an instant. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Is it severe?¡±


    ¡°The doctors diagnosed him with acute lymphostic leukemia¡­¡± Sadie¡¯s voice wavered, barely audible by the end.


    Jim was stunned. He knew exactly what that disease was.


    Sadie was momentarily taken aback by Jim¡¯s words.


    She lowered her head, her voice rough. ¡°Dr. Archer, I¡¯m aware.¡±


    Jim studied her carefully, his eyes searching for rity. He knew she was smart¡ªthere was no way she was unaware.


    ¡°You are?¡± he asked.


    Sadie lifted her chin, meeting his concerned stare. A bitter smile yed at her lips. ¡°Of course I am, but¡­ I just can¡¯t go through with it.¡±


    Jim¡¯s confusion deepened. ¡°Why not?¡±


    Sadie exhaled heavily.


    If Noah discovered the truth about Averi, everything would spiral out of control.


    Three years ago, he had abandoned both her and the child she carried without a second thought. Why would he suddenly change now?


    She couldn¡¯t take that risk¡ªit wasn¡¯t an option.


    ¡°There are things that are tooplicated to exin right now,¡± she murmured, her tone distant as she avoided Jim¡¯s gaze.


    Jim studied her hesitation, a thought forming in his mind.


    Sadie, sensing his scrutiny, became even more unsettled.


    ¡°Dr. Archer, I appreciate your concern for Averi. I¡¯ll do my best to find a suitable bone marrow donor as soon as possible.¡± With that, she turned and walked toward Averi.


    Jim watched her retreating figure, emotions churning inside him. He had wanted to say more, to convince her, but the words wouldn¡¯te.


    With a heavy heart, he turned and left the hospital room.


    Sadie was always like this¡ªfragile yet incredibly strong-willed.


    And for some reason, that only made him want to help her even more.


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    Back in his office, Jim picked up the phone and called a colleague, William Carter.


    The line connected, and a familiar voice answered amid the background noise of machinery and muffled conversation.


    ¡°Hello? William, it¡¯s Jim.¡±


    ¡°Jim? What¡¯s going on?¡± William¡¯s voice carried a note of exhaustion.


    ¡°I have a young patient in critical condition. We need a bone marrow donor immediately,¡± Jim said, getting straight to the point.


    ¡°There¡¯s a long list of urgent cases ahead of you,¡± William responded. Jim recognized the challenge William faced, but Averi couldn¡¯t afford any dys.


    ¡°This kid has acute lymphostic leukemia. His health is deteriorating fast. We¡¯re running out of time,¡± Jim said.


    A brief silence followed. William seemed to be considering his options. ¡°Alright, send me his details. I¡¯ll see if I can move him up the list, but you know my hands are tied to some extent.¡±


    ¡°I really appreciate it, William. Thank you.¡±


    At the Wall Group headquarters, Noah stood by the towering window, a cigarette resting between his fingers, its ember glowing and fading with each breath.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, Miss Wade has instructed the legal team to proceed with the case against Miss Hudson¡¯s studio. The paperwork is already in motion,¡± Samuel reported as he stepped into the office, breaking the silence.


    He studied Noah¡¯s face carefully.


    Noah turned sharply, his hand pausing midair. Ash crumbled onto the carpet.


    Sadie¡¯s stubborn yet fragile expression shed through his mind, stirring an inexplicable irritation.


    The rhythmic sound of heels clicking against the floor echoed as K entered, carrying an insted food jar and a gentle smile.


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    ¡°Noah, I made you some soup. Have it while it¡¯s still hot,¡± she said softly, setting the container on the desk.


    Noah¡¯s gaze settled on her.


    Sensing a subtle shift in his expression, K felt a flicker of unease but quickly concealed it.


    ¡°What¡¯s thiswsuit about?¡± Noah¡¯s voice was calm, but there was an underlying edge to it.


    K¡¯s fingers tensed. ¡°I was just followingpany protocol. I wanted to help Sadie, but there have been ongoing issues with Timeless Love. She refused to make the requested changes, and the design team¡­¡± Her words trailed off, growing quieter,ced with hesitation.


    But Noah had already stopped listening. He stubbed out his cigarette, grabbed his coat, and walked toward the door.


    ¡°Drop the case against Sadie¡¯s studio,¡± he ordered.


    Samuel hesitated briefly before nodding. ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall.¡±


    Without another word, Noah left, leaving K standing alone, her face turning pale.


    She couldn¡¯tprehend why Noah would go to such lengths for Sadie.


    Everything she had orchestrated was unraveling before her eyes.


    She clutched the silk scarf in her hand, her nails pressing into her skin. Losing to Sadie was not an option. She had to win Noah¡¯s heart.


    Lost in his thoughts, Noah found himself at the hospital without even realizing how he got there.


    Averi sat quietly on the bed, absentmindedly toying with a Transformer figure.


    His wide eyes held a maturity beyond his years.


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    The door creaked open, and a tall figure stepped inside.


    Noah¡¯s arrival shattered the quiet of the room.


    Dressed in a charcoal-gray suit, he exuded an air of authority. His striking features remained unreadable, a cold distance in his gaze.


    Averi looked up, curiosity flickering in his round eyes as he studied the unfamiliar visitor.


    Yet, there was something oddly familiar about him.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Averi asked.


    Noah hesitated, momentarily caught off guard. He hadn¡¯t expected the boy to be alone.


    His eyes scanned the room, searching for Sadie.


    When Noah didn¡¯t respond, Averi spoke again. ¡°Hello?¡±


    Noah¡¯s heart softened slightly at the sound of Averi¡¯s voice.


    He stepped closer to the bed, his gaze resting on the boy, a quiet softness in his expression.


    Interacting with children wasn¡¯t something Noah was ustomed to, and Averi¡¯s pure, expectant eyes left him momentarily at a loss.


    Noah hesitated, deliberating before saying, ¡°I¡¯m a friend of your mom¡¯s. My name is Noah Wall.¡±


    Averi blinked, momentarily puzzled, but epted the reply without question. He lifted his Transformer figure and held it out to Noah. ¡°Will you y with me?¡±


    Silence settled over the room.


    Noah studied the boy, emotions swirling beneath the surface. Slowly, he lowered himself to meet Averi at eye level. The child¡¯s round face and clear, innocent gaze bore a striking resemnce to Sadie. Taking the toy from Averi¡¯s hand, Noah let out a small breath. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s y.¡±


    Read all updates on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv??ls


    Down the hospital hallway, Pierre¡¯s voice rang with disbelief and enthusiasm. ¡°Miss Hudson, the Wall Group has dropped thewsuit! The legal documents have been rescinded!¡±


    Sadie paused, momentarily caught off guard. What was Noah up to? Was this some sort of strategic maneuver? This wasn¡¯t like him.


    ¡°I see,¡± she responded evenly, though turmoil brewed beneath herposed tone. ¡°Set up a meeting with the CEO of Lawrence Group for tomorrow afternoon.¡±


    Pierre acknowledged the request before taking his leave.


    Sadie turned and headed toward Averi¡¯s room.


    As she approached the door, her steps softened. She hesitated, peering through the narrow opening. Noah? What was he doing here?


    An inexplicable tightness gripped her chest, her heartbeat quickening. Without thinking, she pushed the door open. Then, she froze.


    Inside, Noah was crouching on the floor, fully engaged in a game with Averi. The usual iciness in his demeanor had been reced by something almost¡­ tender.


    Averi¡¯sughter filled the room, his dimpled cheeks glowing with delight.


    Holding up Optimus Prime, he called out excitedly, ¡°Dad, look! The Autobot has transformed!¡±


    The sudden call of ¡°Dad¡± left both Sadie and Noah stunned.


    A sharp pang shot through Sadie¡¯s chest, as if something had constricted around her heart. She hadn¡¯t anticipated this. Could it mean¡­?


    Noah, equally shocked, remained still.


    His intense gaze flickered between the child and the woman standing in the doorway, his lips pressing into a firm line.


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 Chapter 219

    ?Chapter 219:


    Sadie fought to keep her emotions in check. Forcing a smile, she asked, ¡°Averi, what are you ying with?¡±


    The moment he saw her, Averi abandoned his toy and ran straight into her arms. ¡°Mom!¡±


    He turned to nce at Noah, curiosity in his wide eyes. ¡°Mom, this¡ª¡±


    Before he could finish, Sadie gently covered his mouth, stopping him mid-sentence.


    Averi blinked up at her, confusion evident, his tiny hands attempting to pull hers away. ¡°Averi, he¡¯s not your dad.¡±


    The little boy hesitated, clearly wanting to say more, but one look at Sadie¡¯s firm expression made him fall silent. Still, his gaze kept drifting back toward Noah.


    Noah remained crouching, his sharp eyes locked onto Sadie as if searching for an answer in her expression.


    Suppressing the chaos of emotions within her, Sadie straightened and spoke, her voice measured. ¡°Mr. Wall, we need to talk. Outside.¡±


    She refused to let this conversation unfold in front of the child. Averi didn¡¯t need to witness the tension brewing between them.


    Noah stood, his towering presence casting a long shadow across the room. Without a word, he followed her out.


    The moment the door shut behind them, Sadie¡¯s carefully constructedposure crumbled.


    ¡°Noah, what exactly do you think you¡¯re doing?¡±


    The warmth Sadie had shown moments ago had vanished, reced once again by cold detachment.


    Noah¡¯s brows knitted together in confusion. ¡°Why did Averi call me Dad?¡± he asked, his voice tinged with concern.


    Fresh stories here g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c?m


    Sadie paused, then responded with a mockingugh. ¡°Mr. Wall, you know children. They say whateveres to mind. Why overthink it? Or is this just another one of your games?¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression grew somber, but he maintained his calm. ¡°Sadie, I¡¯m asking for the truth,¡± he said firmly.


    ¡°The truth?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice wasced with derision. ¡°What truth could you possibly want from me, Mr. Wall? Remember, we¡¯re divorced. Affairs have nothing to do with you anymore.¡±


    As Sadie turned to walk away, Noah reached out, his grasp firm on her wrist. ¡°Sadie, don¡¯t push me,¡± he said quietly, his voice carrying a dangerous edge.


    Sadie jerked her arm away, her eyes shing. ¡°Please, Mr. Wall, keep your hands to yourself.¡±


    She didn¡¯t look back as she walked into the hospital room, where Averi was ying with his toys cheerfully. He looked up and smiled brightly at her return.


    Noah lingered in the deserted corridor, a tumult of emotions churning behind his intense gaze. He took out his phone and made a call. ¡°I need to know what¡¯s happening with Averi.¡±


    The response came swiftly, carrying grave news. ¡°Mr. Wall, Averi has been diagnosed with leukemia and urgently requires a bone marrow transnt. The most likely match would be his biological father¡­¡±


    Noah clenched his jaw, a flicker of concern crossing his face as he thought of Alex. What was Alex thinking?


    The following day, Sadie was the epitome of professionalism in her beige suit, her demeanor calm and poised. Her ride pulled up in front of the towering Lawrence Group building, and she stepped out gracefully.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, it¡¯s been a while,¡± greeted Hank¡¯s secretary, who was waiting for her at the entrance. His smile was warm and weing. Sadie returned the gesture, her expression calm yet cordial. ¡°Hello.¡±


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 Chapter 220

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    The secretary ushered her into Hank¡¯s office, a spacious room bathed in natural light from the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows.


    As Sadie approached, Hank turned with a weing smile. ¡°Miss Hudson, please take a seat,¡± he offered, gesturing towards a plush chair.


    Sadie settled into the chair, and Hank promptly served her a cup of coffee. ¡°My wife absolutely adores the jewelry set you designedst time. She¡¯s constantly praising how unique the design is,¡± he shared, his tone conveying genuine appreciation.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Sadie replied, her smile softening. ¡°It¡¯s always wonderful to hear such positive feedback, especially from Mrs. Lawrence.¡±


    Hank¡¯s expression grew thoughtful. ¡°I¡¯ve heard about the challenges your studio has faced recently. I¡¯m very sorry to hear that.¡±


    He paused, then reached into his desk drawer and produced a gold-embossed invitation, which he extended towards Sadie. ¡°We¡¯re celebrating our tenth wedding anniversary in ten days with a small gathering. I¡¯d be honored if you could join us.¡±


    Taking the invitation, Sadie felt a surge of hope. This was more than just an invitation; it was a lifeline. Her studio needed a tform to restore its reputation, and Hank¡¯s event could provide just that.


    Sadie met Hank¡¯s gaze confidently, her voice calm and clear. ¡°Mr. Lawrence, I¡¯m honored to ept your invitation to the anniversary celebration. I will ensure the ¡®Ten Year Promise¡¯ jewelry set ispleted to the highest standard. I sincerely hope it will meet Mrs. Lawrence¡¯s expectations.¡±


    Hank looked back at her, a flicker of respect in his eyes.


    Sadie knew this event was an opportunity she couldn¡¯t afford to let slip away.


    After leaving the Lawrence Group, she stepped into the lively street, her thoughts whirling with ns and possibilities.


    She quickly pulled out her phone to call her assistant, Pierre.


    Latest chapters g@ln¦Òv??ls?c©–m


    ¡°Hey, Pierre, it¡¯s me,¡± Sadie said as soon as he picked up.


    ¡°Sadie! How did everything go? What did Mr. Lawrence say?¡± Pierre¡¯s voice buzzed with curiosity and excitement.


    ¡°He invited me to his 10th wedding anniversary party,¡± Sadie responded with a subtle note of triumph.


    ¡°That¡¯s incredible, Sadie! I knew it would go well!¡± Pierre¡¯s enthusiasm was palpable, lifting Sadie¡¯s spirits even higher.


    Sadie allowed herself a brief smile of satisfaction, but her expression quickly shifted back to one of focus. ¡°We can¡¯t celebrate just yet. The ¡®Ten Year Promise¡¯ collection requires very specific gemstones, with the centerpiece being a Cardi Pink Diamond. They¡¯re scarce in the market, but we need to find one.¡±


    ¡°These diamonds are rare in the country, so we need to airlift one from abroad immediately.¡± Sadie¡¯s fingers danced across her phone screen as she spoke, visualizing the radiant pink diamond in her design sketches. ¡°Got it, Sadie. I¡¯ll contact our international suppliers immediately,¡± Pierre assured her.


    ¡°Ensure the quality of the gemstones is up to standard. We have some flexibility with the price, but we need to keep it within our budget,¡± Sadie instructed, her tone firm.


    ¡°Understood!¡± Pierre replied.


    After ending the call, Sadie quickly caught a taxi and headed to the hospital.


    Half an hourter, Sadie was sitting by Averi¡¯s bed in the hospital room. Hey quietly, holding the picture book she had brought him. His small face looked pale and delicate under the soft light.


    Sadie¡¯s heart tightened with concern. Suddenly, she heard an anxious voice behind her. ¡°Sadie!¡±


    Turning, Sadie saw Jim hurrying toward her, his expression a mix of urgency and excitement. Confusion washed over Sadie.


    ¡°Dr. Archer, what¡¯s happened?¡± Sadie asked.


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    Jim¡¯s face broke into a smile as he reached her. ¡°Sadie, it¡¯s good news! We¡¯ve found a bone marrow match for Averi!¡±


    For a moment, Sadie was stunned, the words not quite sinking in. A match meant a chance for Averi¡¯s recovery, an opportunity for life. ¡°Really? Are you certain?¡± Sadie asked, her voice a mixture of hope and disbelief.


    Jim nodded emphatically. ¡°Absolutely sure. It¡¯s a perfect match. We can start nning the surgery very soon.¡±


    ¡°K, I owe you so much. Without your help, I never would have secured the position at Alice Design Studio,¡± Jordyn said, her voiceced with sincere appreciation and a hint of ttery.


    K, feeling somewhat impatient, was poised to dismiss her with brief acknowledgments before ending the call.


    As Jordyn shared news of her new role, she only offered a nonchnt ¡°Mm¡± in response.


    ¡°Today is my first day, K. There was someone in the department who took leave to donate bone marrow¡­¡± Jordyn sounded unsure, as if she was pondering whether to say more.


    ¡°Bone marrow donation? It¡¯s really no big deal,¡± Kmented dismissively.


    ¡°But¡­ K, I happened to see the name of the person receiving the donation¡­¡± Jordyn lowered her voice, adding ayer of intrigue.


    ¡°And that name was?¡± K felt a jolt of apprehension.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ Averi Hudson.¡±


    ¡°Averi?¡± K sat bolt upright.


    What were the odds? The world seemed too small at that moment.


    K pondered how Sadie seemed to be continually favored by fortune. As K struggled to maintain herposure, her voice softened. ¡°Jordyn, are you certain? Was it Sadie¡¯s son, Averi?¡±


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    ¡°Absolutely, K. I saw it myself! The file for the donor clearly listed Averi Hudson as the recipient, diagnosed with acute lymphostic leukemia¡­¡±


    K nervously bit her bottom lip.


    She recognized a rare chance she had to seize.


    If the boy were to pass away, even if Noahter discovered the truth about the child¡¯s parentage, it would be irrelevant.


    Her position would remain secure.


    ¡°Well done, Jordyn. Set up a meeting with your colleague for me.¡±


    ¡°Right away, K!¡± Jordyn responded, her voice filled with passion.


    With a satisfied grin, K hung up.


    At the hospital, the potent scent of disinfectant pervaded the halls.


    Sadie¡¯s grip on Averi¡¯s small hand was firm, her fingers chillingly cold.


    Wearing an oversized hospital gown, Averi looked wan but offered Sadie a reassuring smile, his dimples showing.


    ¡°Mom, I¡¯m not scared!¡±


    Sadie leaned in and kissed his forehead tenderly, whispering, ¡°I know. You¡¯re the bravest, my Averi.¡±


    Since a donor match had been found, a persistent unease gnawed at Sadie, a premonition that trouble was brewing.


    The medical team from Maradeiris had arrived, and Jim had gone over the surgical details more than once. Everything appeared to be on track. As a nurse took Averi¡¯s blood samples, Sadie stayed close, her watchful eyes fixed on him, not looking away even for a moment.


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 Chapter 222

    ?Chapter 222:


    Suddenly, Jim hurried toward her, his face marked by urgency.


    ¡°Sadie, there¡¯s aplication. There¡¯s something you need to hear.¡±


    Dread filled Sadie¡¯s heart. ¡°What¡¯s happened, Dr. Archer?¡±


    Jim paused, evidently searching for the right way to break the news. ¡°The donor¡­ has backed out.¡±


    ¡°They what?¡± Disbelief clouded Sadie¡¯s face as her voice climbed in pitch.


    Her ears began to ring, and her surroundings seemed to blur.


    Why now?


    They had been so close to moving forward. What made the donor reconsider at thest minute?


    Sadie¡¯s face lost all color, her lips quivering, but she found herself speechless.


    Averi, sensing her unease, looked up with concern. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Mommy?¡±


    Holding back tears, Sadie smiled weakly. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s just a little hup, honey. Mommy will fix it.¡±


    She led Jim out into the hallway to speak privately, away from Averi¡¯s prying ears.


    ¡°Sadie, I assure you, we¡¯re scrambling to find another donor,¡± Jim said, trying to soothe her.


    Sadie was desperate and asked, ¡°Could I possibly contact the donor myself? Maybe I could change their mind. We don¡¯t have much time.¡±


    Jim¡¯s face showed sympathy, but he hesitated. ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry, Sadie. I can¡¯t reveal that information. It¡¯s against our policy.¡±


    Feeling her legs weaken, Sadie nearly stumbled.


    She expressed her gratitude to Jim, holding onto herposure.


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    After steadying herself, she returned to Averi¡¯s room.


    ¡°Mommy, you look sad,¡± Averi said, his voice full of worry.


    Forcing another smile, Sadie stroked his hair tenderly. ¡°I¡¯m just a bit worn out, my love. Don¡¯t worry.¡±


    Darkness had enveloped the city, and Averi¡¯s fever had spiked once more. His cheeks radiated a feverish glow, while his small hands gripped Sadie¡¯s shirt tightly.


    ¡°Mom¡­ Pizza¡­¡±


    Each word from Averi tugged at Sadie¡¯s heartstrings, filling her with a turbulent mix of worry and fear that clouded her thoughts. She caressed Averi¡¯s hot forehead gently, her voice a calm whisper.


    ¡°Hang in there, Averi. Mommy¡¯s going to get it for you right now.¡±


    Near the hospital was a pizzeria, and Sadie made her way there swiftly. She bought Averi¡¯s favorite pizza and hurried back, moving quickly and with purpose.


    As she rounded a corner by the hospital¡¯s back garden, she overheard a conversation.


    K and Jordyn were talking nearby.


    Sadie instinctively took cover behind a tree blooming with fragrant flowers.


    ¡°That¡¯s a brilliant n, K! Sadie¡¯s child won¡¯tst much longer,¡± Jordyn remarked, her voice dripping with vile satisfaction.


    K responded sharply, ¡°Enough! Just take the money and keep quiet.¡±


    Peering through the tree¡¯s leaves, Sadie watched as K handed over a thick envelope of cash to Jordyn.


    A gleeful smile spread across Jordyn¡¯s face as she took the envelope, nodding repeatedly. ¡°You can trust me, K. I won¡¯t say a word.¡±


    Sadie pressed her hand to her mouth, muffling any inadvertent noises. A cold shiver ran through her as she realized the gravity of their conversation. She knew she had to get to the bottom of it.


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 Chapter 223

    ?Chapter 223:


    Sadie turned around and slipped away silently from the area. Jordyn, unbeknownst to Sadie, shifted her eyes toward the very ce Sadie had vacated moments before.


    Finding herself in a quiet corner, Sadie retrieved her phone and made a call to a private detective. ¡°Hello, Leif. I need your help to follow someone¡­¡±


    Returning to the hospital room, Sadie entered with the pizza, its delicious scent filling the air.


    Curled up on the hospital bed, Averi¡¯s small frame struggled under the weight of his fever, which left him both groggy and weak.


    Maintaining herposure, Sadie brought a slice of pizza to Averi¡¯s lips. ¡°It¡¯s pizza time, Averi,¡± she said, encouraging him to eat. After managing a few bites, Averi drifted back into a feverish slumber.


    At that moment, a buzz from Sadie¡¯s phone broke the silence.


    Opening it, she saw a message from the detective, Leif Perez.


    ¡°The woman Jordyn met after leaving the hospital is named Kairi Torres, who works at Alice Design Studio. Jordyn has just been made the design director there. Interestingly, Kairi was also Averi¡¯s donor.¡±


    As she read the message, Sadie¡¯s hand clenched around her phone, her veins pronounced against her skin.


    She wasted no time calling Leif back. ¡°I need to see Kairi Torres as soon as you can arrange it.¡±


    Leif¡¯s voice wavered slightly as he replied, ¡°Miss Hudson, I must warn you¡­¡±


    ¡°This is about my son¡¯s life. It won¡¯t be easy, but I have to know more. I¡¯ll double your fee.¡±


    After a pause, Leif replied decisively, ¡°I understand. Meet her tomorrow at ten at Starbucks, on the second floor by the window.¡±


    Ending the call, Sadie massaged her eyes, raw fromck of sleep.


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    She spent the night awake, restless with worry.


    By dawn, Averi¡¯s fever had finally subsided.


    Once the caregiver arrived, Sadie gave her detailed instructions before she departed from the hospital.


    Dressed in a beige trench coat that reflected her somber mood, her long hair flowing freely, Sadie looked every bit the part of a woman on a mission.


    She arrived early at Starbucks, securing the specified spot, her heart racing with nervous anticipation.


    She would give up everything for Averi, without a second thought.


    A woman dressed in a sleek ck business suit entered the shop. She was Kairi.


    Though her makeup was wless, it barely concealed the weariness in her eyes.


    Taking a seat opposite Sadie, Kairi wasted no time. ¡°Miss Hudson, I¡¯m aware of who you are.¡±


    A slight nod came from Sadie, her hands mmy with nervous sweat. ¡°Likewise, I know you as well, Miss Torres.¡±


    A flicker of emotion crossed Kairi¡¯s eyes as she chuckled bitterly. ¡°I sympathize with your situation, Miss Hudson, but I was offered a substantial amount, and I need the money.¡±


    With almost desperate urgency, Sadie responded, ¡°I¡¯m prepared to offer you double that amount.¡±


    Kairi, caught off guard by Sadie¡¯s straightforward approach, briefly let excitement sh in her eyes before regaining herposure. ¡°I¡¯ll ept that, but under one condition.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the condition?¡± Sadie asked immediately. ¡°If it¡¯s reasonable, I¡¯ll agree.¡±


    ¡°No one can know about this, especially¡­ K.¡±


    Pausing briefly, Sadie nodded in understanding. ¡°You have my word.¡± She understood Kairi¡¯s concerns.


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 Chapter 224

    ?Chapter 224:


    If K found out about Kairi¡¯s change of heart, the consequences could be disastrous.


    Such a revtion could even threaten the sess of Averi¡¯s impending surgery.


    When Kairi saw Sadie¡¯s nod of agreement, her shoulders, previously knotted with tension, rxed slightly.


    With a gentle sp, she lifted her coffee cup, allowing herself a cautious sip. The unexpected sess of her n brought a faint, pleased smile to her lips.


    Jordyn had been right¡ªthere was indeed more money to be made, and it was now within their grasp.


    After setting a date for the surgery, they parted ways, each wrapped in their own thoughts.


    Back at the hospital, Sadie sought out Jim.


    Finding him in his office, she didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Dr. Archer, we¡¯re ready to proceed with the surgery,¡± she announced with firmness.


    Jim, adjusting his gold-rimmed sses, met her certainty with a contemtive look. ¡°Are you sure about this? The donor¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m certain,¡± Sadie cut in, her tone leaving no room for doubt. ¡°Everything¡¯s arranged.¡±


    Standing, she straightened her elegant coat and exited with a decisive turn, leaving Jim to ponder.


    On the day of the surgery, Sadie found herself on a bench outside the operating room, her eyes fixed on the silent doors.


    Time seemed to crawl, each tick of the clock stretching longer than thest.


    The agreed time had slipped by, and yet there was no sign of Kairi.


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    A knot of unease began to form in Sadie¡¯s stomach.


    Suddenly, the side door swung open. It wasn¡¯t Kairi who emerged, but Jordyn, her appearance a sharp contrast in the sterile hallway with her bright red ensemble and vividly painted lips. Her smile was anything but warm; it was a chilling curl of disdain.


    ¡°Sadie, you made the wrong move,¡± Jordyn dered ominously.


    Sadie sprang to her feet, her eyes wide with panic, as if she had sensed the bad news before it was even broken.


    ¡°Where is Kairi?¡± Her voice cracked with urgency.


    ¡°Kairi?¡± Jordyn¡¯sughter rang out, sharp and mocking, as though she had just heard the punchline of a cruel joke. ¡°I knew you¡¯de looking for her. There was no way I¡¯d ever let her show up. Right now, she¡¯s probably boarding a ne to some far-off ce.¡±


    Jordyn stepped closer, towering over Sadie with a menacing grin. ¡°I knew someone was tailing me. I dangled Kairi like bait, and, predictably, you snapped it up. Sadie, you¡¯re still as clueless as ever.¡±


    A loud buzz filled Sadie¡¯s ears, her mind spiraling into a whirlwind of shock and disbelief.


    She stumbled back, her hand scrabbling on the wall to find something¡ªanything¡ªto steady herself.


    ¡°Sadie, you might want to start nning your son¡¯s funeral,¡± Jordyn sneered, her voice dripping with venom.


    She turned sharply, her high heels clicking decisively against the floor as she walked away, leaving a stunned Sadie to grapple with the darkness encroaching on the edges of her vision.


    Kairi was gone. Without her, what would be of Averi?


    Sadie¡¯s heart thudded painfully in her chest. She couldn¡¯t afford to lose him now!


    Averi was teetering on the brink; time was running out. Desperation wed at her. Was Noah the only one she could turn to? Would he even agree to help, after everything that had happened?


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 Chapter 225

    ?Chapter 225:


    Despair clung to her with a crushing intensity, its grip as tight and suffocating as a shroud.


    Herplexion turned ghostly pale, every hint of color washed away by the tidal wave of her anguish.


    Her heart ached, feeling as though it were being shredded piece by piece.


    The cruel twists of fate seemed unending¡ªwhy were she and Averi subjected to such relentless suffering?


    With her parents gone and her divorce, now she faced the terrifying possibility of losing Averi too.


    Biting down hard on her lower lip, she fought to hold back the tears brimming in her eyes.


    At that moment, the doors to the operating room creaked open. Jim strode out, peeling off his surgical mask with a grave expression etched on his face.


    He spotted Sadie instantly, a solitary figure slumped against the wall, her form barely holding up against the weight of her misery. A jolt of concern pierced him as he quickened his steps toward her, his hands reaching out to offer support.


    ¡°Sadie,¡± he called softly, his voice tinged with worry. His fingers brushed against her icy skin, sending a ripple of unease through him. He had intended to inquire about the donor¡¯s arrival, but the sight of her, so visibly shattered, halted his words.


    Sadie¡¯s gaze was distant and unfocused, the light in her eyes dimmed by pain.


    The hollow, haunted look in her eyes sank Jim¡¯s heart further, a heavy dread coiling in his stomach. Gently, he guided her to sit on the nearby bench.


    Her voice, when she spoke, was a fragile whisper, raw and broken. ¡°Dr. Archer¡­ Averi¡­¡±


    Jim¡¯s gaze locked onto her, his stomach twisting into a tight knot as the full weight of her fears sank in.


    With urgency quickening his steps, he hurried back to the operating room to manage the crucial follow-up procedures.


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    Momentster, the sterile light of the operating room flicked off, and the doors creaked open slowly.


    Jim emerged, his expression etched with gravity, clutching a report marked ¡°Critical Condition.¡±


    Meanwhile, Averi was wheeled out by a nurse, his small frame appearing hauntingly pale on the bed, his breaths so shallow they were barely noticeable.


    ¡°Averi¡­¡±


    Sadie¡¯s voice broke as she extended trembling hands toward her son. She yearned to caress him but hesitated, her fingers suspended in mid-air before they fell limply at her sides.


    Jim observed her turmoil, his own heart heavy. After a moment¡¯s pause, he extended the report toward her.


    Sadie didn¡¯t ept it; her gaze remained transfixed on Averi, her eyes hollow with despair.


    Later, in the solitude of Averi¡¯s hospital room, Sadie sat unmoving beside his bed, her face a mask of numbness.


    A shaky hand reached into her pocket, pulling out her phone. Her eyes lingered on ¡°Noah Wall¡± in her contact list, her thoughts tangled in indecision.


    She despised the idea of begging, of reopening old wounds with him.


    Yet, for Averi¡¯s sake, she felt cornered into a decision she loathed. Her finger trembled as she hit the dial button, each ring echoing like a drumbeat against her chest, amplifying her dread.


    Doubts swirled in her mind¡ªwhat if Noah refused to help? The thought was unbearable.


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 Chapter 226

    ?Chapter 226:


    With a deep breath, she squeezed her eyes shut, her heart pleading for a miracle.


    The phone continued to ring, each second stretching into an eternity.


    Just as despair was about to im her, the line connected. ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°Hello?¡± On the other end of the line came a gentle yet distant female voice.


    Sadie¡¯s grip on the phone tightened instinctively.


    It was K.


    The hospital room was silent apart from Averi¡¯s soft breaths and the steady beeps of the medical monitors. Why was K on the line instead of Noah?


    With rising anxiety suppressed within her, Sadie managed a steady tone. ¡°Where¡¯s Noah?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s had too much to drink. He¡¯s not in a state to talk right now.¡± K¡¯s voice was soothing, apologetic, yet carried an undertone of satisfaction.


    A heavy feeling settled in Sadie¡¯s stomach.


    Drunk?


    Memories of Noah¡¯s indifference toward her, contrasting with his affection for K, filled her with a painful bitterness.


    Naturally. Noah and K were set to marry. It was logical for them to be together.


    A rueful smile crossed Sadie¡¯s lips.


    Why should she expect anything different?


    The soft hospital lighting threw her weary features into stark relief, entuating her fatigue.


    She bit her lip with such force she nearly drew blood.


    For Averi¡¯s sake, she had no choice but to swallow her dignity.


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    ¡°K, what is it that you want?¡±


    After a pause, K¡¯s voice returned, softer yet puzzled. ¡°What do you mean? I just picked up the phone. Why are you speaking to me this way?¡±


    Sadie shut her eyes tightly.


    The false innocence in K¡¯s voice was revolting to her.


    She was aware that K was deliberately taunting her, basking in her own triumph.


    Opening her eyes, Sadie retorted, ¡°Enough with the act. I¡¯m well aware of who you are. You¡¯ve secured your ce beside Noah. And about Kairi, aren¡¯t you worried about karma?¡±


    K¡¯sughter was light, mocking, as if Sadie¡¯s words were a joke. ¡°Karma? Sadie, such naivety. Do you actually believe in divine justice? Strength rules, that¡¯s the onlyw. You left the country once; you should have stayed away. What brought you back?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s hands balled into fists.


    She had to bear this for Averi¡¯s sake.


    ¡°I¡¯m pleading with you. Save Averi, and I¡¯ll do whatever you ask. I¡¯ll leave this instant and disappear forever.¡± Her voice was strained,den with despair.


    After a brief pause, K responded, amusement in her tone, ¡°Disappear forever? Show me you mean it, Sadie.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s heart was in her throat.


    But before she could respond, K hung up abruptly, deleting the call log right after.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± A deep male voice suddenly broke the silence, startling K so much that she nearly knocked over the ss on the table.


    She turned quickly to see Noah standing at the staircase.


    He was dressed in casual loungewear, the cor of his shirt slightly open, revealing his seductive corbones.


    His handsome face was unreadable, giving nothing away.


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 Chapter 227

    ?Chapter 227:


    K suppressed the panic rising in her chest and hurried over to him, slipping her arm around his. ¡°Your phone fell on the floor earlier. I just picked it up for you.¡±


    Today, Isabel had invited them over for dinner.


    It had taken all of K¡¯s effort to convince Noah to agree.


    Earlier, Isabel had pulled Noah upstairs to talk, leaving his phone downstairs, which was how K received Sadie¡¯s call.


    Noah said nothing, merely giving her a brief nce before picking up his phone and walking out.


    K felt a wave of relief, yet a lingering sense of unease remained.


    ¡°Noah, dinner is ready. Why don¡¯t you stay and have dinner with your mother before you go?¡± She took a few steps after him.


    But Noah didn¡¯t stop. He didn¡¯t even look back, leaving without a word.


    K stood frozen in ce, the smile on her face slowly fading.


    Her hands balled into fists, her nails digging into her palms.


    It was fine, she reassured herself. Once Sadie waspletely out of the picture, Noah would eventually be hers. Sadie must be frantic now, like a cat on a hot tin roof.


    The thought brought a cold smile to K¡¯s lips once more.


    She would make sure Sadie understood¡ªSadie could never win against her.


    A sharp sound of porcin shattering came from upstairs, piercing through the air.


    K¡¯s heart skipped a beat, a sense of foreboding washing over her.


    She hurried upstairs, gently pushing open the slightly ajar door.


    Inside, Isabel sat by the bed, her face ashen.


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    K approached cautiously, her voice filled with concern. ¡°Isabel, are you alright? What happened?¡±


    Isabel suddenly looked up, her eyes red with anger. ¡°Noah¡¯s defying me again, all for that wretched woman!¡±


    Isabel¡¯s well-maintained face was now twisted with pain and fury.


    K¡¯s heart leapt with joy, but she put on a worried face as she gently held Isabel¡¯s shoulders and softlyforted her. ¡°Please don¡¯t be upset. It¡¯s not worth it to harm your health over this. Noah must have been momentarily blinded¡ª¡±


    ¡°Blinded? He¡¯spletely bewitched by that woman!¡± Isabel shook K¡¯s hands away, her tone sharp.


    K lowered her gaze. She gently patted Isabel¡¯s back as she said, ¡°Please calm down. Maybe Noah is just acting on impulse. Once he cools down, he¡¯ll understand your good intentions.¡±


    She paused for a moment, then added, ¡°You¡¯re the closest person to him after all.¡±


    Isabel¡¯s anger gradually subsided. She reached out and took K¡¯s hands. ¡°K, you¡¯re so understanding, unlike that cursed woman, Sadie, who¡¯s always trying to drive a wedge between me and my son!¡±


    Noah strode out of the vi with a determined pace. Samuel, who had been lingering by the door, quickly followed. He opened his mouth to speak several times, each attempt faltering before words could form.


    Finally, gathering his courage, he managed to break the silence. ¡°Mr. Wall¡­¡±


    Noah paused, turning slightly, his intense gaze sharp with impatience. ¡°Yes, what is it?¡±


    Gathering himself, Samuel continued, ¡°There¡¯s been a report from the person watching Miss Hudson. He reported¡­ he reported that Averi is facing someplications.¡±


    ¡°What kind ofplications?¡± Noah¡¯s voice was stern, demanding rity.


    Samuel shifted uneasily, his eyes darting away as he stuttered, ¡°It¡¯s¡­ the donor, sir¡­ They¡¯ve decided to back out.¡±


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 Chapter 228

    ?Chapter 228:


    Noah stopped dead in his tracks, clearly shaken by the news. He wasn¡¯t Averi¡¯s father, but the thought of the boy in jeopardy tightened his chest with visceral pain as if his heart was being squeezed. A deep frustration surged through him. He closed his eyes for a moment, battling to maintain hisposure. Gritting his teeth, he whispered, ¡°Sadie¡­ Averi¡­¡±


    Noah then snapped his eyes open, his resolve hardening. Turning to Samuel, hemanded, ¡°Get the car ready. We¡¯re heading to the hospital immediately.¡±


    Samuel didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall,¡± he responded swiftly before hurrying to the car.


    Noah turned on his heel and strode toward the ck Maybach parked by the roadside. Without another word, he got in, and they sped off toward the hospital.


    Inside the hospital room, the atmosphere was heavy with exhaustion. Sadie sat by Averi¡¯s bed, her body slumped forward in restless sleep. The faint beeping of the monitors was the only sound filling the silence.


    Noah¡¯s entrance disrupted the deep silence enveloping the room. His imposing presence filled the doorway, Samuel following closely like a faithful shadow.


    Jim, already in the room, nced up from the sofa. His eyes briefly met Noah¡¯s, and there was a fleeting flicker of something¡ªsomething like distance or perhaps regret. The friendship they once shared had long since eroded, reced by a quiet, tense estrangement.


    Noah¡¯s voice cut through the tension, calm yet carrying an underlying urgency. ¡°How is the boy now?¡±


    He stepped closer to the bed, his eyes fixed on Averi¡¯s pale, delicate features. An unexpected tightness gripped his chest as he looked down at the boy.


    Jim¡¯s gaze flickered with fury and helplessness as he looked at Noah.


    The impulse to knock him out and force him to undergo the procedure himself, to get the bone marrow by any means necessary, was almost too much to bear. But Jim held himself back, his jaw clenched tight in restraint.


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    ¡°The donor¡­¡± Jim¡¯s voice faltered as he struggled to contain his anger. ¡°She took the money from Sadie and fled the country.¡±


    Noah¡¯s head snapped up, his sharp, cold gaze locking onto Jim. ¡°What did you say?¡±


    Jim¡¯s voice dropped into a grim tone. ¡°Averi¡¯s condition¡­ isn¡¯t looking good. We¡¯re running out of time.¡±


    Noah¡¯s eyes drifted over to Sadie, who was resting, her face pale and etched with exhaustion. His expression hardened. Without a word, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the room.


    Samuel quickly followed, his steps hurried. ¡°Mr. Wall, where are we going?¡±


    Noah¡¯s pace didn¡¯t falter as he spoke. ¡°Find that donor. Every lead, every scrap of information, now.¡±


    Samuel didn¡¯t waste a second, pulling out his phone to start making calls. He was used to Noah¡¯s urgency, but this felt different. This time, there was no room for failure.


    Jim lingered in the doorway, watching Noah leave. His emotions were a twisted knot in his chest. Perhaps, with Noah¡¯s involvement, they could finally make some progress in this desperate situation.


    Jim left the room, closing the door gently behind him.


    The soft click of the door shutting was enough to stir Sadie from her sleep. Her eyelids fluttered open. She was groggy and disoriented. The room was empty, and the sterile scent of disinfectant hung in the air, mingling with the moment¡¯s heaviness.


    Sadie slowly sat up, her neck stiff and sore. She rubbed it absentmindedly as she struggled to steady herself, gripping the side of the bed to keep from toppling over.


    Her eyes now shed with a fire of determination.


    For Averi, Sadie would do whatever it took. She would give up everything¡ªher pride, her peace, even her sanity¡ªif it meant he could survive. Sadie lingered at Averi¡¯s bedside, her hand gently brushing his soft cheek.


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 Chapter 229

    ?Chapter 229:


    ¡°Mommy will make sure you get better,¡± she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.


    Sadie knew K¡¯s motive well; K wanted to remove her from Noah¡¯s life, and nothing would stop her. Then, she would just leave. Nothing mattered more than Averi¡¯s life.


    Sadie picked up her phone, her hand steady despite the gravity of the situation. She dialed K¡¯s number, her heart pounding as the call rang through.


    The line connected, and K¡¯s smug voice came through, dripping with satisfaction. ¡°Sadie, have you finallye to your senses?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s voice remained calm, her tone betraying no emotion. ¡°I want to talk to you.¡±


    K¡¯sughter echoed on the other end. ¡°Fine. Tomorrow morning, I¡¯ll meet you at the cafe beside the hospital,¡± she said before abruptly hanging up.


    Sadie put the phone down with a quiet exhale, her gaze returning to Averi. The weight of her decision settled heavily on her chest, but there was no turning back. For Averi, she would endure anything.


    The following morning, Sadie stood before the mirror, adjusting her coat and gathering her thoughts. With a final nce at Averi, she opened the door to the hospital room and stepped into the corridor. The corridor was eerily silent, the faint click of her heels echoing as she made her way toward the elevator.


    As the elevator descended, an unexpected calm washed over Sadie. She had prepared herself for what was toe, ready to face whatever K threw her way.


    The cafe smelled of fresh coffee and pastries, but Sadie barely noticed. She sat by the window, lost in thought as she waited for K to arrive. K arrivedte, walking into the cafe like she owned it. Her ck business suit was impably tailored, and her makeup wless. She carried a Hermes Birkin bag in her hand, symbolizing her wealth. She approached Sadie with an air of superiority and sat across from her.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s your decision?¡± she asked.


    Sadie met K¡¯s gaze, her expression unflinching. ¡°I¡¯ll leave Noah. Forever.¡±


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    K arched an eyebrow, a hint of disbelief shing across her face. ¡°Forever?¡± she repeated, her toneced with skepticism.


    Sadie raised her eyes to meet K¡¯s intense gaze, her voice steady, yetced with a finality that chilled the air. ¡°I¡¯m leaving for abroad and I won¡¯t return. Noah already believes Averi isn¡¯t his child, so you have no worries now.¡±


    K regarded Sadie intently, her eyes narrowing as she tried to decipher the truth in her words.


    There was a tense silence before K¡¯s lips curled into a small smile. ¡°So, you¡¯ve finally seen reason. You should have done this a long time ago.¡±


    Sadie lowered her eyes.


    ¡°Keep in mind what you¡¯ve promised.¡± K took a sip of her coffee, leaving a vivid crimson mark on the cup¡¯s edge.


    Sadie remained silent, her features masked in stoicism as she observed K, her thoughts veiled.


    After what seemed like an eternity, Sadie gave a slight nod and stood to leave, her movements stiff with resolve.


    Just as she walked out the door, a warm, familiar voice pierced the tension.


    ¡°Sadie!¡±


    Sadie¡¯s body locked in ce as she lifted her gaze inch by inch.


    Alex was standing nearby, his expression etched with deep concern. He hurried over, his gaze instantly drawn to Sadie¡¯s slightly ashenplexion, the anxiety clear in his eyes.


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s going on? You don¡¯t look so good,¡± Alex murmured, his voiceced with worry. He reached out, as if to gently caress her cheek, but hesitated, his hand hovering in the air.


    Sidestepping his touch, Sadie mustered a weak smile and said, ¡°I¡¯m fine, really.¡±


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    ?Chapter 230:


    But Alex wasn¡¯t fooled. He saw right through her brave facade, his concern only intensifying.


    Sadie knew she couldn¡¯t bear to add to his worries, so she deftly shifted the conversation. ¡°What brings you here?¡±


    ¡°I was just passing by,¡± Alex replied, though his attention remained fixed on her. ¡°How¡¯s Averi? Did you run into someone?¡± His tone held a mixture of curiosity and unease.


    Sadie averted her eyes, falling silent, the weight of unspoken words hanging between them.


    Alex watched her closely, torn between pressing for answers and respecting her silence.


    He sensed she was withholding something crucial, yet he chose not to pry.


    After all, he had witnessed her encounter with K, and the pieces were slowlying together in his mind.


    Sadie adjusted her coat with a sharp tug, turning on her heel to leave. Just then, Alex¡¯s voice pierced the chilly air. ¡°Sadie!¡± he called, desperation tinting his tone.


    She paused mid-stride, her back to him, the tension in her posture palpable.


    ¡°No matter what happens, I¡¯ll always be by your side.¡± His words hung heavy between them.


    For a fleeting moment, Sadie¡¯s resolve wavered, her shoulders tensing further under the weight of his promise.


    She recognized his feelings all too well, but she couldn¡¯t let herself feel the same.


    Her mind was consumed with the safety of Averi; there was simply no room left for her own desires.


    With silent resolve, she continued forward, her silhouette gradually fading as she vanished behind the corner.


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    Alex¡¯s gaze lingered on her fading silhouette, emotions twisting inside him.


    He took a deep breath to steady himself before pushing open the cafe¡¯s ss door.


    Inside, K¡¯s eyes sparkled with unspoken understanding as she caught sight of him. A sly smile yed at the corners of her lips.


    ¡°Mr. Howe, what brings you here? Looking for Sadie?¡± she teased, her voice dripping with curiosity. ¡°Unfortunately, she just left. Why do you care so much about Sadie?¡±


    Alex sat across from her, his gaze sharp as he cut straight to the chase. ¡°What did you say to her?¡± he demanded, his tone firm.


    K gently set down her coffee spoon, the metallic clink echoing sharply in the hushed atmosphere of the cafe.


    She arched an eyebrow, her voiceced with a mix of amusement and challenge. ¡°What¡¯s this, Mr. Howe? Are you interrogating me now?¡±


    Alex leaned forward, his brow creased with concern. ¡°What exactly did you say to her to make her that upset?¡±


    A light, almost mockingugh escaped K. ¡°Oh, Mr. Howe, aren¡¯t you the smart one? Can¡¯t you see? I¡¯m actually doing you a favor.¡±


    Alex furrowed his brows even deeper, confusion and suspicion mingling in his eyes. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±


    K¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°You really think I¡¯m oblivious to how you feel about Sadie?¡±


    Alex¡¯s face showed a fleeting mix of surprise and resignation that he didn¡¯t bother to hide.


    K noted his reaction with a glint of triumph in her eyes. ¡°All I¡¯m doing is showing her how things really are¡ªgetting her to walk away from Noah. When she finally does, won¡¯t that clear the path for you?¡±


    Alex¡¯s grip on the table tightened, his knuckles whitening as a storm brewed within him.


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 Chapter 231

    ?Chapter 231:


    As he struggled to maintainposure, his voice dropped to a chilling whisper. ¡°K, watch your step. Sadie isn¡¯t a chess piece in your little games.¡±


    K¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, the edge in her voice sharp as a de. ¡°Is that a threat, Mr. Howe?¡±


    Alex¡¯s stare hardened, his tone resolute and menacing. ¡°Consider it a warning. I don¡¯t give a damn what you¡¯re trying to do. You mess with Sadie again, and I¡¯ll personally make your life a living hell.¡±


    With a tense grunt, he stood, his imposing figure casting a long, ominous shadow over K, his aura charged with a palpable, threatening energy.


    Alex turned and walked out of the cafe with determination. K watched him go, her eyebrows knitting together in frustration.


    That Alex¡­ He could be so dense!


    In the hospital, Sadie waited until Averi¡¯s IV drip wasplete. After instructing the caregiver to keep an eye on Averi, she left the hospital.


    It had been a while since shest visited Laura.


    By the time she arrived at Laura¡¯s apartment, night had fallen.


    The air was scented with the inviting aroma of home-cooked food, and a soft, cheerful tune hummed from the kitchen where Laura was cooking. Her movements were fluid and practiced.


    Since her surgery and the period of recovery that followed, Laura¡¯s health had seen a significant improvement.


    As Sadie entered, the warm and weing atmosphere enveloped her, stirring a mix of emotions.


    ¡°You¡¯re back, Sadie. Why are you alone? Where are Averi and Alex?¡± Laura called from the kitchen, wearing a floral apron and holding a spat.


    ¡°Alex took Averi out,¡± Sadie replied, forcing a smile and striving to sound casual.


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    Laura set a freshly prepared dish on the dining table and looked at Sadie with a perceptive gaze. ¡°Sadie, are you keeping something from me?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s heart fluttered, and she averted her eyes to hide her inner turmoil. ¡°Of course not, Grandma. What would I possibly hide from you?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve never been good at keeping secrets.¡± Laura sighed, approaching Sadie and gently patting her hand. ¡°I¡¯m getting old, Sadie. All I want is to see you happy. Alex is a good man. You¡¯re at the right age to settle down. Marrying Alex would really put my mind at ease.¡± Laura¡¯s words touched a tender spot in Sadie¡¯s heart.


    Sadie fought back tears and managed a weak smile. ¡°Grandma, what are you talking about? Alex and I¡­ We¡¯re not rushing anything.¡±


    ¡°Silly girl,¡± Laura said warmly, tousling Sadie¡¯s hair.


    ¡°Alex treats you well. I can see it. He¡¯s dependable and cares deeply for Averi and you. It¡¯s rare to find someone who cherishes you so. Don¡¯t let this opportunity pass by.¡±


    Sadie felt a tightness in her throat as if a lump was lodged there, making it difficult to speak.


    She couldn¡¯t bring herself to tell Laura about Averi¡¯s illness, fearing the news might be too overwhelming for her.


    With clenched fists, Sadie pressed her nails into her palms, barely feeling the pain. She took a deep breath, trying to maintain herposure.


    ¡°I understand, Grandma. I¡¯ll think about it carefully.¡±


    Laura smiled, content, and ushered Sadie to the dining table.


    ¡°Come, let¡¯s eat. I made your favorite¡ªseasoned pork chops.¡± Sadie looked at the dishes spread out on the table but felt no hunger.


    Mechanically, she began to eat, finding no taste in the food.


    ¡°Grandma¡­¡± Sadie eventually set down her utensils and called out softly, her voice quivering.


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 Chapter 232

    ?Chapter 232:


    Laura looked at her with affection. ¡°What is it, dear?¡±


    Gathering her courage, Sadie hesitated before asking tentatively, ¡°Grandma, would you¡­ would you be willing toe with me?¡±


    ¡°Come with you? Where to?¡± Laura asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.


    Under the soft, warm light of the room, Sadie¡¯splexion appeared pale, her eyes reflecting fatigue.


    She bit her lip, her eyes darting nervously. ¡°To¡­ to another country. To start fresh in a new environment,¡± she murmured hesitantly.


    Laura paused, her fork hanging in midair, as she stared at Sadie, her face etched with surprise.


    Sadie struggled to hold back tears, forcing a smile. In a voice half-pleading, she added, ¡°Grandma, I want to start over somewhere new. Pleasee with me. Will you?¡±


    Laura reached out and sped Sadie¡¯s hand, her rough palm warm andforting. She sighed, her eyes soft and caring.


    Knowing Sadie as a strong, independent woman who seldom asked for help since childhood, Laura gently squeezed her hand and spoke tenderly. ¡°Sadie, I¡¯m old now. I don¡¯t¡­¡±


    ¡°Wish to move. But whatever you decide, I¡¯ll support you. Just promise to take good care of yourself. That¡¯s all I want.¡±


    Tears escaped Sadie¡¯s eyes, streaming down her cheeks.


    She wrapped her arms around Laura, burying her face in her shoulder, and wept quietly.


    Laura softly stroked her back,forting her as one would soothe a child.


    Guilt weighed heavily on Sadie¡¯s heart.


    After a long moment, she lifted her head and managed a weak smile.


    ¡°Grandma, I¡­ I need to go now.¡±


    ¡°Alright, dear. Be careful out there,¡± Laura responded gently.


    Sadie turned and walked slowly toward the door.


    At the threshold, she hesitated, not daring to look back. She feared that a nce might break her resolve to leave.


    With a deep breath to steady herself, Sadie opened the door and stepped out into the cool night.


    Sadie dashed down the stairs swiftly. The motion-sensor lights flickered on in sequence, illuminating her path before fading just as she passed.


    Upon reaching the small flowerbed, Sadie sat on the chilly stone steps.


    She hugged her knees tightly and hid her face in them.


    Nearby, a sleek ck Maybach stood silently by the roadside. Inside, Noah tapped his fingers on his thigh, a sign of his unease as he watched Sadie¡¯s delicate form from afar. In a moment of frustration, he tugged at his tie.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, aren¡¯t you going to step out?¡± asked Samuel from the passenger seat, his voice filled with caution.


    Noah looked away, his voice devoid of emotion. ¡°Why should I?¡±


    Samuel found himself without a response and chose to remain silent.


    A heavy silence settled in the car.


    Despite the silence, Noah¡¯s thoughts were restless.


    ¡°When will she arrive?¡± he asked after a pause, his tone edged with annoyance.


    ¡°The ne willnd in two hours,¡± Samuel responded promptly.


    Acknowledging this with a slight nod, Noah said nothing more, and his eyes drifted back to Sadie, still curled up on the steps.


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 Chapter 233

    ?Chapter 233:


    As time dragged on, Sadie finally stood, dusting off her clothes. She walked towards the hospital, her steps uncertain. Unseen by her, the ck Maybach began to follow at a careful distance, ensuring not to get too close org too far behind.


    Noah continued to watch her intently, his expression drawn into a tight frown, his lips pressed into a straight line.


    What was he really doing? Even Noah himself couldn¡¯t exin. Sadie made her way back to the hospital, straining to maintain herposure.


    There was no room for sorrow now. She needed to pull herself together and handle the situation that awaited.


    She took out her phone, nning to text Pierre about booking the international flight and sorting out the handover of her studio.


    Her fingers moved quickly over the screen.


    Time seemed to blur until the hospital room door swung open abruptly. Jim burst in, urgency written all over his face. ¡°Sadie, Kairi has returned.¡±


    Startled, Sadie looked up, but she quickly regained herposure.


    She ced her phone aside and asked evenly, ¡°What did you just say?¡±


    Exhaling heavily, Jim ryed, ¡°Kairi¡¯s at the airport. She¡¯s agreed to donate her bone marrow, and the hospital has already dispatched someone to bring her here.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s heart jolted.


    Tears she had restrained for so long suddenly spilled over.


    Hand over her mouth, Sadie trembled as she wept quietly, overwhelmed by a torrent of relief.


    This news seemed to dissolve the heavy burden she had carried. Hope for Averi had been restored.


    Jim, standing beside her, watched as Sadie cried uncontrobly. Unsure of how to providefort, he simply offered a gentle pat on her shoulder.


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    Time seemed to slow as Sadie¡¯s crying eventually eased.


    A shadow of doubt then crossed her face.


    She had only met K at the cafe earlier that day; now, Kairi had abruptly returned from abroad, ready to donate?


    That was fast.


    However, Averi¡¯s well-being was the immediate concern.


    Everything else would have to be secondary.


    Another hour passed, and Kairi was led into the hospital by the medical staff.


    Her face was pale, and she appeared worn out, barely resembling her former self.


    Upon seeing Sadie, Kairi dropped to her knees with a heavy thud, overwhelmed by guilt. Tears cascaded down her cheeks as she pleaded, ¡°Miss Hudson, I¡¯m so sorry. I was terribly wrong. Please forgive me!¡±


    Holding tightly to the fabric of Sadie¡¯s blouse, Kairi cried with such intensity that her voice strained.


    Sadie¡¯s face showed a mix of emotions. ¡°You¡­¡±


    ¡°Sadie, taking your money and leaving the country was wrong. Greed blinded me. I¡¯ll return every penny. Just give me a chance to make things right!¡± Kairi pleaded between sobs, her voice growing raspy.


    Sadie watched her, her emotions a tangled mess.


    The sudden change in Kairi¡¯s attitude seemed too drastic.


    The idea of someone having an overnight moral revtion was too much for Sadie to ept.


    Moreover, the timing seemed too coincidental.


    Could someone other than K be involved?


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 Chapter 234

    ?Chapter 234:


    She helped Kairi to stand, her voice even. ¡°Get up. We need to discuss this properly.¡±


    Tears welled up in Kairi¡¯s eyes as she looked at Sadie with a desperate hope. ¡°Miss Hudson, I¡¯ll donate my bone marrow for Averi. But please, intercede with Mr. Wall for me. Ask him not to ban me in the industry.¡±


    Sadie froze at her words. She instinctively withdrew her hands.


    ¡°Ban you?¡± Sadie frowned slightly. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±


    Kairi faltered, taken aback by Sadie¡¯s reaction. She bit her lip, uncertain if she should disclose more.


    After a brief silence, Kairi seemed to make up her mind. Her voice shook as she said, ¡°Please, Miss Hudson, you know what Mr. Wall¡¯s capable of. I¡¯m just a designer, and being ostracized is what I fear most. If he chooses to destroy me, my career is finished.¡±


    As she continued to implore Sadie, her voice became even more strained.


    Fists clenched, Sadie wondered, was Noah the one behind this?


    Sadie reyed the memory of Noah¡¯s cold, aloof expression in her mind.


    Had he ever offered her a shred of affection?


    The thought of him lending her a helping hand seemed ludicrous.


    The sharp scent of disinfectant assaulted her senses.


    ¡°Sadie, are you ready?¡±


    Jim¡¯s voice gently pulled her from the depths of her reverie.


    He was dressed in a sterile suit and mask, and only his kind eyes were visible through the protectiveyers.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m ready,¡± Sadie replied, mustering a forced smile.


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    Jim gave a nod toward Kairi. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Kairi cast a thankful look Sadie¡¯s way before a nurse guided her out.


    Following closely, Averi was also wheeled away.


    Sadie remained standing, her gaze fixed on the now vacant doorway, her mind tangled in a tumult of confusion and doubt.


    She couldn¡¯t fathom it. Why on earth would Noah offer his help?


    Shaking her head, she attempted to rid herself of the ridiculous notion. To Noah, she was nothing but an annoyance¡ªa mere obstacle he wished would vanish without a trace.


    How could someone who harbored only disdain and indifference possibly reach out to help her?


    Sadie¡¯s slender fingers clutched the hem of her coat, her knuckles turning pale from the pressure.


    The red surgical light outside the operating room zed like a warning signal, piercing Sadie¡¯s eyes.


    Restlessly, she paced the corridor, her anxiety swelling with each step. Visions of Averi¡¯s delicate, pale face haunted her¡ªhow bravely he had whispered, ¡°Mom, don¡¯t cry,¡± trying to be theforter despite his own fear.


    The memory tightened a vice around her heart, making each breath a battle against the sorrow threatening to overwhelm her.


    She longed for the cruel reality to dissolve into a mere bad dream, yearning to wake up to Averi¡¯s livelyughter, to see him scampering around, his small hand gripping hers, his cherubic face alight with mischief.


    Time crept by, underscored by the intermittent flicker of the corridor lights.


    Atst, the operating room doors swung open, and a doctor emerged, d in green scrubs. He peeled off his mask, revealing a weary but reassuring smile. ¡°The surgery was a sess,¡± he announced.


    Relief washed over Sadie like a soothing balm. Her heart, which had teetered on the brink of despair, found its footing. Exhausted, she leaned against the cool wall for support, her voice a fragile whisper. ¡°Thank you¡­ thank you, doctor¡­¡±


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 Chapter 235

    ?Chapter 235:


    The doctor gave a gentle nod, his expression softening with empathy before he turned away.


    Momentster, the doors parted again. Therey Averi, serene and still on the bed, hisplexion pallid yet peaceful.


    Sadie approached, her steps tentative, and tenderly enveloped his small hand in hers. The familiar warmth spread a quiet assurance through her veins.


    Thank goodness, he was safe.


    Meanwhile, at Wall Group, the quiet office was disrupted by a sudden knock at the door.


    ¡°Come in,¡± Noah called out in a steady tone.


    Samuel entered, closing the door gently behind him and approaching Noah with a deferential air. ¡°Sir, I¡¯m pleased to report that Miss Hudson¡¯s son¡¯s surgery was sessful.¡±


    Noah turned around to face Samuel, his eyes fixed on him with an unreadable expression.


    He nodded curtly, his lips forming a tight line, and remained silent. Samuel averted his eyes, masking the bewilderment that flickered across his face.


    Noah¡¯s way of treating Sadie was a mystery Samuel couldn¡¯t figure out. He had acted like he didn¡¯t care, yet he had quietly made sure her child received the donation.


    Noah strode to his desk and snatched up a document, flipping through it. ¡°Anything else?¡± he asked, his voice t.


    Samuel paused, gathering his courage. ¡°Sir, regarding Kairi¡­¡±


    ¡°Make sure I never have to see her again,¡± Noah ordered, his voice cutting.


    Bowing his head, Samuel responded, ¡°Understood, sir.¡±


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    ¡°Wait.¡±


    As Samuel reached the door, Noah¡¯s voice stopped him dead in his tracks.


    Pivoting in surprise, Samuel found Noah with his brows knitted in deep thought.


    ¡°Sir, may I assist you with anything else?¡± Samuel inquired, his toneced with respect.


    Noah turned around and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window, his back to Samuel. His voice floated over, cold and detached. ¡°Do another thing for me.¡±


    A chill crept up Samuel¡¯s spine¡ªNoah¡¯s icy tone was a harbinger of upheaval.


    ¡°What would you have me do, sir?¡± Samuel braced himself for themand.


    ¡°Fire K.¡±


    The words struck Samuel like a physical blow, his eyes widening as he stared at Noah¡¯s rigid back.


    K¡ªNoah¡¯s once beloved, who had swiftly ascended to a position in the legal department upon her return from abroad. And now¡­ Doubt clouded his thoughts. Hesitating, he ventured, ¡°Sir, just to be clear¡­ you want me to fire Miss Wade?¡±


    Without turning, Noah confirmed firmly, ¡°Indeed. Take care of it now.¡±


    Samuel bit his lip, stifling further questions. Despite his bewilderment, he knew better than to challenge the order.


    With that, he bowed slightly and made his quiet departure from the office.


    Meanwhile, K was humming to herself in her kitchen, unaware of the storm brewing.


    As steam filled the kitchen, the sudden vibration of K¡¯s phone sliced through the mist.


    Casually drying her hands, K reached for the phone. Her heart sank as she read the termination email from Wall Group¡¯s HR department. The message was brief and cold, informing her that she was fired, effective immediately.


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 Chapter 236

    ?Chapter 236:


    Shock flickered across K¡¯s face, quickly giving way to sudden anger.


    Her fingers clenched around the phone, her knuckles whitening with the force.


    Overwhelmed with anger, K punched in Samuel¡¯s number. ¡°Samuel, what is the meaning of this email?¡± K blurted out, not giving him a chance to greet her.


    Gone was her usual gentleness, reced by irritation.


    From the other end, Samuel¡¯s voice was courteous yet distant. ¡°Miss Wade, please try to remain calm. I regret to inform you that this directive came straight from Mr. Wall.¡±


    ¡°From Noah? Why on earth would he fire me? What have I done to deserve this?¡± K¡¯s voice trembled with confusion and hurt, especially after her recent efforts to show her devotion through a meticulously prepared soup.


    After a slight hesitation, Samuel replied, maintaining hisposure, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Miss Wade, but I don¡¯t know the reasons. I¡¯m only carrying out orders. You might want to speak directly with Mr. Wall.¡±


    Samuel hung up abruptly.


    The phone beeped monotonously, each sound slicing through K, sharp and painful.


    She shook with anger, her grip on her phone so intense it seemed it might shatter.


    Confused and hurt, she wondered why Noah was treating her this way. Was it because of Sadie?


    No other name came to mind as someone who could prompt Noah to act so decisively against her.


    It must be Sadie¡¯s doing!


    As she pondered, K grew increasingly certain that Sadie was involved. Or could it be that Noah had uncovered something?


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    A chilling fear washed over her.


    Eager for answers, K decided to call Kairi right away to get to the bottom of things.


    In a rush, K skimmed through her contacts, selected Kairi¡¯s number, and made the call. The line beeped repeatedly.


    After a lengthy wait, it became clear that no one would pick up.


    K¡¯s heart sank. A chill of dread washed over her.


    Determined, she switched to WhatsApp to message Kairi. ¡°Where are you? This can¡¯t wait. We need to talk.¡±


    Her message was sent without issue, yet there was no immediate response.


    K¡¯s heart pounded with anxiety.


    When she tried to message Kairi again, she only saw a single grey check mark. She realized she had been blocked.


    At Wall Group, the lights in Noah¡¯s office shone brightly, intensifying the stern lines of his face.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, I¡¯ve finished the tasks,¡± Samuel stated formally, standing straight before the desk.


    With a subtle nod, Noah remained expressionless.


    Samuel watched him closely, trying to gauge his thoughts.


    Noah tapped his long fingers rhythmically on the desk, making a deliberate sound. ¡°Samuel, you can go home.¡±


    Samuel responded quickly, ¡°Yes, Mr. Wall.¡± He promptly exited the office.


    With Samuel gone, Noah was the only one left in the spacious office.


    He rose slowly and moved toward the window.


    As he massaged his temples, a wave of irritation swept over him. The surgery for the boy was over. Perhaps now, Sadie might find some peace.


    Noah let out a soft sigh, picked up his suit jacket from the chair¡¯s back, and departed from the office.


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 Chapter 237

    ?Chapter 237:


    Echoing footsteps filled the deserted hallway, underscoring his solitude. Making his way to the elevator, Noah pressed the button for the underground parking lot.


    At Myrtlewood Estate, K perched on a cream-colored leather sofa, her slender fingers nervously ying with the hem of her in white dress.


    She had hurried here immediately after receiving her dismissal notice and had been waiting ever since.


    Footsteps she knew all too well resonated from the doorway, causing her to look up sharply, her eyes filled with tears.


    Noah entered, pushing the door open. His ck suit contrasted with his stoic, chiseled features, which showed no emotion.


    ¡°Noah,¡± K¡¯s voice broke as she rose unsteadily, moving toward him. Vulnerability tinged her natural grace, rendering her appearance rather pitiful. ¡°Tell me, why are you doing this to me?¡±


    Ignoring her tearful appeal, Noah headed straight for the bar to pour himself a ss of whiskey.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand what I¡¯ve done to make you despise me so much. I can leave this instant and vanish from your life¡­¡± K turned to leave, her heart making silent calctions.


    She was sure Noah wouldn¡¯t let her leave.


    Yet, Noah didn¡¯t respond and just stood there, merely continuing to sip his whiskey, seemingly oblivious to the drama unfolding.


    K¡¯s lip quivered as she bit it.


    She clutched her chest and suddenly copsed to the floor in a faint. When Noah saw this, his expression tightened, a jolt of concern shing through him.


    He rushed over, lifting K carefully andying her on the sofa. ¡°K! K!¡±


    Tears brimmed in K¡¯s eyes as she slowly opened them. ¡°Noah¡­¡± she whispered, her voice faint, barely audible. ¡°My heart¡­ it hurts so much¡­ Remember the time when I saved you? That was when¡­ when I first got hurt¡­¡± She spoke with pauses, her voice heavy with sadness. She was ying her trump card, betting on Noah¡¯s sense of indebtedness from their past.


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    Observing her frail appearance, Noah let out a sigh. ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry. I¡¯ll be here for you.¡± He carefully lifted K in his arms and strode toward the door.


    The hospital hallways carried the potent scent of disinfectant.


    Approaching a doctor, Noah inquired, ¡°Doctor, how is she?¡±


    Removing his mask, the doctor responded, ¡°She needs to remain under observation. We must wait for her test results to learn more.¡±


    As Ky on the hospital bed, herplexion washed out, she managed a weak smile. ¡°Noah, could you¡­ get me something to eat?¡±


    Noticing the expectation in her eyes, Noah assured her, ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll find you something to eat.¡±


    He then exited, his tall silhouette disappearing down the corridor. K watched him leave, then slowly sat up, the fragility of before absent. She walked to the doctor¡¯s office and tapped on the door.


    ¡°Please,e in.¡±


    K stepped inside, pulling out a thick envelope from her bag and setting it on the doctor¡¯s desk.


    ¡°This is just a small token of my gratitude. I¡¯m sure you know how to report on my condition, right?¡±


    The doctor took the envelope discreetly, his face breaking into a smile. ¡°Rest assured, Miss Wade. I¡¯ve got this under control.¡±


    K gave a nod of approval and exited the office.


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 Chapter 238

    ?Chapter 238:


    After she left, a subtle noise came from a hidden door within the room. Emerging from behind it was Jim, his height and gold-rimmed sses lending him an authoritative air. His eyes, keen and observant behind the ss, missed nothing.


    He had been sorting through documents and had inadvertently caught the exchange between K and the doctor.


    Walking up to the doctor with aposed demeanor, Jim said, ¡°I believe I just caught a rather intriguing conversation.¡±


    The doctor¡¯s smile stiffened, and he nced around anxiously, sweat beginning to bead on his brow.


    He attempted to hide the envelope in a drawer, but Jim swiftly intervened, pinning his hand down. ¡°And what might this be?¡± Jim held the envelope, noticing its weight and grasping its significance. The doctor looked uneasy, fumbling for words.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s nothing. Just a small gift¡­¡±


    ¡°A small gift?¡± Jim scoffed coldly, tossing the envelope back onto the desk. ¡°A small gift to skew medical opinions? What happened to your professional integrity?¡±


    The doctor felt overwhelmed by Jim¡¯s domineering stance, struggling to find his voice.


    He got up hurriedly, trying to move past Jim to escape.


    ¡°Stay where you are!¡± Jim eximed, his voice stern and authoritative. Rooted to the spot, the doctor shuddered, unable to move.


    Jim closed in slowly, cornering the doctor until he was backed against the wall with no way out.


    ¡°What¡­ what do you want from me?¡±


    ¡°What exactly did K request of you?¡± Jim pressed.


    Trying to mask his desperation, the doctor shed an insincere smile, his eyes scanning for an exit. ¡°It¡¯s merely a small token for my efforts, really. Dr. Archer, you¡¯ve got bigger things to worry about. Why fuss over such trivial matters?¡±


    L??€$? ¡é??t??§ñ? ?¦Ç ?@ln?¦Í¨ºl?.¡é??


    He tried once again to slip past Jim.


    But Jim caught his arm firmly, his hold inescapable.


    ¡°A token for your efforts? Your definition of ¡®efforts¡¯ seems quite unique.¡±


    Beads of sweat streamed down the doctor¡¯s face, the chill from the air conditioning unit failing to alleviate his tension.


    With a forced chuckle, he tried to lighten the mood. ¡°Oh, Dr. Archer, you must be kidding me. I wouldn¡¯t dream of stepping out of line.¡±


    Despite his efforts to free himself, Jim¡¯s grip remained as steadfast as steel.


    Tightening his hold slightly, Jim saw the doctor¡¯s face turn pale.


    ¡°Stop ying dumb. If you value your career, you¡¯ll tell me the truth.¡±


    Grimacing from the difort, the doctor drew a sharp breath. He was well aware that although Jim looked just like another doctor, his family actually owned the hospital.


    Jim¡¯s authority was not to be underestimated.


    ¡°Look, Dr. Archer, you know, some women aim to seem frail to garner sympathy from men. Miss Wade isn¡¯t really sick; she simply instructed me to exaggerate her condition.¡±


    Jim furrowed his brow, knowing that such tricks might deceive Noah. He decided not to delve deeper into the issue.


    He said, ¡°You can¡¯t keep this money. The hospital will take it, and someone from the medical affairs department will reach out to you tomorrow.¡±


    Jim took the envelope and exited.


    Emerging from the hospital¡¯s convenience store with a jar in hand, Noah collided with Alex as he rounded a corner.


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 Chapter 239

    ?Chapter 239:


    The encounter with Noah was unexpected for Alex as well.


    ¡°You appear quite rxed. Despite being the child¡¯s biological father, you didn¡¯t donate bone marrow. Instead, you were actively searching for a donor. It¡¯s¡­¡± Noah¡¯s voice wasden with irony as he continued, ¡°Remarkable.¡±


    Alex¡¯s smile disappeared in an instant.


    Noah didn¡¯t wait for a reply and turned on his heel to leave.


    Alex¡¯s shoulders drooped, a feeling of defeat washing over him. Pausing at the hospital¡¯s entrance, Noah seemed uncertain for a moment.


    Eventually, he gave the insted food jar to a nurse. ¡°Could you please give this to K Wade?¡±


    epting the jar, the nurse nodded and said, ¡°Of course, Mr. Wall.¡± Noah then departed without further dy.


    The nurse wheeled a cart towards K¡¯s room and knocked softly on the door.


    ¡°Come in.¡± K¡¯s voice was weak, tinged with a faint trace of anticipation.


    She had hoped it might be Noah.


    Upon entering, the nurse ced the food jar on the bedside table.


    ¡°Miss Wade, Mr. Wall asked me to bring this to you.¡±


    K looked at the jar, the spark in her eyes quickly fading.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she responded coldly, no longer carrying the weakness from before.


    Nodding politely, the nurse exited the room.


    K eyed the food jar with a mix of anger and disgust, her delicate features contorting in frustration.


    With a forceful yank, she removed the lid, and the aroma of chicken soup filled the air.


    Her face twisted in distaste as her stomach churned.


    Your escape begins with ga ln ov els .


    With a m, the food jar hit the floor, and the soup spilled out, staining the pristine sheets beneath it.


    In a fit of rage, K ripped at her IV, her breathing heavy and uncontrolled.


    Dizziness overwhelmed her as she sat up too quickly.


    She gripped the bed frame, taking deep breaths to regain herposure.


    She left her room, her walk shaky, her eyes empty.


    She had believed that Sadie¡¯s absence would heal her bond with Noah, but instead, things had only gotten worse.


    Upon reaching another ward¡¯s open doorway, K froze.


    It was Kairi.


    K stormed in, eximing, ¡°Kairi!¡±


    Leaning against the head of the hospital bed, Kairi appeared pale and weak from her recent bone marrow donation.


    Startled by the noise, Kairi flinched, dropping her apple to the floor with a thud.


    Hatred seethed from K as she closed the distance, every step charged with the intent to confront.


    Terror widened Kairi¡¯s eyes as she instinctively moved backward, finding herself cornered with no escape. Her hands clenched the nket, knuckles bleaching under the strain, eyes flitting about anxiously. ¡°Wh-what do you want?¡±


    K sneered, looking down at her. ¡°What do I want? Isn¡¯t it obvious? You took my money, and yet you have the audacity to return?¡±


    K grabbed Kairi by the cor, pulling her close. Too weak to fight back, Kairi could only tremble in fear.


    ¡°Miss Wade, I had no choice!¡± she eximed. ¡°I couldn¡¯t afford to cross Mr. Wall. If I¡¯d known you were going against him, I never would have agreed. I¡¯ll give back every penny you paid me.¡±


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 Chapter 240

    ?Chapter 240:


    With a jolt, K let go of Kairi¡¯s cor, wiping her hands as if to rid herself of the filth.


    Her voice dropped to a menacing whisper. ¡°If you utter a single word about this¡­¡± She let the threat hang in the air, her eyes conveying a clear warning.


    Cowering, Kairi retreated further into the bed.


    K turned around, her high heels clicking sharply against the floor. As the door to the ward mmed shut, it obscured Kairi¡¯s terrified expression.


    Anger swelled within K.


    Kairi hadpletely shattered all of her careful arrangements!


    Diving into her designer handbag, K retrieved her phone and quickly dialed Jordyn¡¯s number.


    As the call connected, Jordyn¡¯s overly sweet tone filled the phone. ¡°What can I do for you, Miss Wade?¡±


    ¡°Jordyn, didn¡¯t you promise to send Kairi abroad?!¡± K¡¯s voice sliced through the air, sharp as a de.


    A hesitant silence followed before Jordyn replied, noticeably unnerved, ¡°I have made those arrangements, Miss Wade, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°But what?!¡± K¡¯s frustration erupted. ¡°She was right in front of me! How am I supposed to handle this now?! You can kiss your future as the design director at Alice Design Studio goodbye!¡±


    The line went silent, leaving only the sound of Jordyn¡¯s rapid breathing.


    ¡°Miss Wade¡­ Miss Wade! You have to hear me out¡ªwe still have an option!¡± Jordyn¡¯s voice wavered,ced with desperation.


    K¡¯s tone was cold. ¡°And what option is that?¡±


    ¡°Alice Design Studio is tied to Sadie¡¯s business through a coboration. If we pull the right strings, she¡¯ll be out of the picture¡ªeasily.¡± Jordyn¡¯s words dripped with urgency, clinging to thisst sliver of hope.


    Stay updated g?ln¦Ò¦Íe??s


    ¡°Oh?¡± K¡¯s interest was piqued. ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡±


    Jordyn wasted no time,ying out her n, every move meticulously calcted.


    ¡°Sadie¡¯s studio is handling a critical project right now. All it takes is one well-ced disruption and¡­¡±


    Silence stretched between them. Then, K exhaled slowly, her voice cutting through the air like a de. ¡°Jordyn, this is yourst chance. If this fails again, consider your career buried.¡± Without another word, the line went dead.


    Meanwhile, in Averi¡¯s hospital room, Sadie leaned against the headboard, holding a fairy tale book in her hands. Her voice was soft, soothing, as she read aloud, coaxing the restless child in her arms to sleep.


    Averi¡¯s flushed cheeks and flutteringshes made him look impossibly delicate, his tiny fingers clutching at Sadie¡¯s cor as he murmured something iprehensible. Sleep eluded him, his grip firm, as if he feared she might disappear.


    Then, a gentle knock echoed against the door.


    ¡°Come in,¡± Sadie murmured softly.


    The door opened, and Alex stepped inside, his tall frame silhouetted against the dim light. In his hand, he carried a delicate thermos box.


    ¡°Averi¡¯s still awake?¡± he asked quietly, his gaze settling on the small boy nestled in Sadie¡¯s arms.


    Sadie let out a weary sigh, her lips curving into a faint, resigned smile. ¡°He just won¡¯t settle tonight.¡±


    The exhaustion in her voice was unmistakable. Her once-vibrant eyes had lost some of their luster, and the pallor of her skin made her seem even more fragile. Lately, her health had been faltering, and though she tried to hide it, the weight of it lingered in the air.


    Alex ced the thermos on the nightstand. ¡°I brought you something to eat. You should have it while it¡¯s still warm.¡±


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 Chapter 241

    ?Chapter 241:


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Sadie said, a flicker of gratitude passing through her tired gaze.


    Averi stirred in her arms, his tiny fingers gripping her cor with surprising strength. His wide, glossy eyes darted around the room, his lips parting as if he was searching for the right words. Then, in a tiny, drowsy voice, he whispered, ¡°Mommy¡­¡±


    Sadie¡¯s heart clenched. She tilted her head, brushing her fingers gently through his soft hair. ¡°What is it, sweetheart?¡±


    Averi lifted a small hand and pointed toward the window. Outside, the city pulsed with life. Neon lights flickered against the night sky, their colorful glow painting soft patterns on the walls. ¡°Go out¡­ y¡­¡± he murmured, his voice still thick with sleep, his little face full of longing.


    Sadie¡¯s breath hitched. For a moment, she couldn¡¯t speak. How she wished she could take her little boy outside, let him feel the crisp night air, hear hisughter echo through the quiet streets. But¡­ he had juste out of surgery.


    Sadie¡¯s hesitation was brief but noticeable. Alex caught it immediately.


    His voice was warm, reassuring. ¡°Where do you want to go, buddy?¡± He crouched slightly, meeting Averi¡¯s gaze. ¡°Once you feel better, I¡¯ll take you wherever you want.¡±


    Sadie blinked, surprised. She hadn¡¯t expected that.


    Averi¡¯s face lit up instantly. He pped his tiny hands in excitement. ¡°Great! Alex will take me out!¡±


    In the next second, he wriggled free from Sadie¡¯s arms, wrapping his small arms around Alex¡¯s leg.


    Sadie watched them, her heart a tangled mess of emotions¡ªgratitude, warmth, and something far moreplicated.


    Comforted by the promise, Averi stopped fussing and finally drifted into sleep, his tiny breaths even and soft.


    Ten minutes passed.


    The room fell into a hush, the quiet only broken by the rhythmic sound of the little one¡¯s breathing.


    Sadie adjusted Averi¡¯s nket with a gentle touch before rising to her feet. She walked toward the window, drawn to the city lights flickering beyond the ss.


    Alex followed, his steps light, his gaze never leaving her. She looked¡­ fragile. Too thin. Too pale.


    ¡°Sadie.¡± His voice was quiet, careful. ¡°Let me take care of you. Both of you.¡±


    She turned. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to still. Then, she shook her head. A slow, gentle refusal.


    ¡°Alex¡­ please don¡¯t.¡± Her voice was barely above a whisper. ¡°These past three years, I¡¯ve already relied on you too much. I know you mean well, but¡­¡± She exhaled, the words heavy on her tongue. ¡°But I¡¯ve learned to take care of Averi on my own. I don¡¯t want to be a burden to anyone else.¡± Her voice softened further, almost breaking. ¡°Besides¡­ between us¡­¡±


    She didn¡¯t finish, but Alex heard everything she didn¡¯t say.


    There were too many gaps between them.


    A dull ache spread through Alex¡¯s chest, sharp and relentless. He reached out instinctively, his fingers hovering just inches from Sadie¡¯s cheek. But then he hesitated¡ªpaused midair¡ªbefore letting his hand drop.


    A faint, bitter smile flickered across his lips. ¡°Sadie,¡± he murmured, his voiceced with something raw. ¡°You always carry everything alone. Have you ever considered¡­ that you don¡¯t have to?¡±


    Sadie lifted her gaze, meeting his eyes¡ªthe quiet sincerity in them, the unspoken plea. A warmth stirred in her chest.


    But she buried it just as quickly.


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 Chapter 242

    ?Chapter 242:


    ¡°I¡¯ve already made up my mind, Alex,¡± she said gently but firmly. ¡°I want to restart my career. I want to build something better for Averi. A future he can be proud of.¡±


    A long, quiet sigh left Alex¡¯s lips. For a moment, he seemed as if he wanted to say more, to argue, to convince her. But instead, he simply nodded, retreating. ¡°Alright,¡± he said finally. ¡°I respect your decision.¡± Then, with a quiet kind of devotion, he added, ¡°But if you ever need anything¡­ anything at all, just say the word.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s lips curved into a small, grateful smile. ¡°Thank you, Alex.¡±


    A few dayster, Sadie sat by the hospital bed, her eyes fixed on Averi as he slept with a serene expression. A smile gently yed at the edges of her mouth.


    ¡°He¡¯s doing much better and can go home today,¡± Jim said as he stepped through the door, his face breaking into a warm smile. ¡°Just remember, he needs lots of rest. Don¡¯t let him get too tired.¡±


    Standing up, Sadie expressed her gratitude. ¡°I appreciate everything, Dr. Archer,¡± she said, a sense of relief in her voice.


    Averi¡¯s quick recovery over the recent days was a testament to the excellent care he had received.


    Gently caressing Averi¡¯s soft cheeks, Sadie whispered excitedly, ¡°Sweetie, we¡¯re heading home today!¡±


    Averi opened his eyes slowly, his face lighting up with a radiant smile upon seeing his mother. ¡°Mommy, let¡¯s go home!¡± he eximed.


    The joy in Averi¡¯s voice melted Sadie¡¯s heart instantly.


    She lifted him in her arms, nting a soft kiss on his cheek. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s head out.¡±


    With the discharge paperworkplete, Sadie carried her son out of the hospital.


    Once home, she carefully ced Averi on the floor. He scurried off, his little legs carrying him unsteadily toward his toys.


    Keep reading g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s


    Turning to Carol, Sadie outlined some precautions. ¡°Averi¡¯s juste home, so let¡¯s keep his meals light and steer clear of anything heavy or spicy. And no rough y for a while. Make sure he stays safe, please.¡±


    Carol nodded a few times. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Miss Hudson. I¡¯ll take good care of Averi.¡±


    As she watched Averi ying with pure joy, warmth spread through Sadie¡¯s heart.


    The following morning, Sadie dressed in a crisp off-white suit thatplimented her slim frame. She had her long hair neatly pulled back into a bun, showcasing her graceful neck.


    Her makeup was subtle yet effective, concealing her recent tiredness and entuating her soft features and poised demeanor.


    As the elevator climbed quietly, a flutter of nervousness touched Sadie¡¯s heart.


    Ding¡ª


    With the sound, the elevator doors slid open and Sadie stepped out.


    She had just approached the door to the design department when a familiar figure hurried toward her, linking arms with her in an excited gesture.


    ¡°Sadie! You¡¯re back!¡± eximed Tina, her face alight with enthusiasm as she drew Sadie into the department. ¡°So much has happened here¡ªit¡¯s like something out of a TV drama!¡±


    Tina pulled Sadie along, causing her to stumble slightly as she tried to match Tina¡¯s brisk pace.


    ¡°What happened? Exin it to me, but take your time,¡± Sadie said.


    In a quieter section of the area, Tina leaned in and whispered with a hint of mystery, ¡°You won¡¯t believe this¡ªK¡¯s been fired!¡±


    Sadie stopped cold at the news.


    Her brows, perfectly arched, knitted together slightly as astonishment flickered in her eyes. ¡°Fired? Why?¡±


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 Chapter 243

    ?Chapter 243:


    Tina moved even closer, her voice dropping to a hush. ¡°From what I¡¯ve gathered, she mishandled a major project! Mr. Wall was so outraged that he dismissed her right then and there!¡±


    For a brief moment, Sadie remained silent, her feelings a tangled web. She averted her eyes, concealing the inner chaos. ¡°I see¡­¡±


    Recognizing Sadie¡¯s subdued reaction, Tina jumped to conclusions, mistaking it for concern. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, though. Yes, the partnership faced some challenges, but we¡¯ve managed to stabilize things.¡± A light nod was Sadie¡¯s only response.


    ¡°By the way, where have you disappeared totely? You¡¯ve been missed!¡± Tina said, her round eyes filled with both concern and curiosity.


    Sadie quietly gathered her thoughts and offered a faint smile, keeping her tone steady. ¡°My child fell ill and had to be hospitalized.¡±


    Concern washed over Tina¡¯s face. ¡°Oh no, is it serious? Is everything alright now?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s doing much better. Thanks. He was discharged and is back home now.¡± Sadie offered reassurance.


    It appeared Tina had more questions, but their conversation was interrupted as a man in a dark blue suit, with sses, approached. He offered Sadie a polite nod and said respectfully, ¡°Miss Hudson, Mr. Zane would like to meet with you.¡±


    Sadie hesitated, then recognition dawned upon her.


    That referred to Gregory Zane, the head of design at Wall Group. With a regretful smile at Tina, Sadie excused herself. ¡°We¡¯ll talk moreter, okay?¡±


    Tina gave a nod and watched as Sadie departed.


    Sadie tapped lightly on Gregory¡¯s office door, which was slightly open. A firm male voice responded, ¡°Come in.¡±


    She nudged the door wider and stepped inside. A middle-aged man was reviewing documents at the desk.


    ¡°Mr. Zane, you asked to see me?¡±


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    Gregory raised his head, his gaze assessing Sadie briefly, admiration flickering momentarily.


    Her demeanor exuded elegance, and there was a subtle resilience in her expression, marking her as distinctlypetent.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, please take a seat,¡± Gregory said, motioning to the chair across from him.


    The client is beyond pleased with ¡®Timeless Love.''¡± Gregory set down the documents with a satisfied nod. ¡°A coboration between Wall Group and you is nothing short of extraordinary, Miss Hudson. No wonder you¡¯re being hailed as the rising star on the international stage. The jewelry was sessfully handed over to the client yesterday.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s slender fingers tightened around her handbag, her expression clouding. ¡°Timeless Love?¡±


    Her clear eyes met Gregory¡¯s, and for some inexplicable reason, her heart skipped a beat at the faint admiration in his gaze.


    ¡°Yes. Is something wrong?¡± Gregory adjusted his sses, his brows slightly furrowed in confusion.


    Sadie hesitated for a breath before speaking. ¡°Mr. Zane¡­ isn¡¯t Timeless Love the theme of Mr. Wall and Miss Wade¡¯s wedding?¡±


    The room fell into a brief silence.


    Gregory stiffened, his usuallyposed demeanor cracking for a fraction of a second. His eyes widened slightly behind his sses before he blinked, quickly recovering. ¡°Wedding?¡± he echoed, a beat toote. ¡°No!¡± He paused to clear his throat, before exining, ¡°This was a business project personally approved by Mr. Wall. I¡ªI assumed you were aware of it¡­¡±


    A flush crept up Sadie¡¯s cheeks.


    She forced a small nod, her lips curving into a barely-there smile. ¡°Oh right. Of course. I must have mixed things up.¡±


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 Chapter 244

    ?Chapter 244:


    She dropped her gaze, her thickshes veiling theplex emotions swirling behind her eyes.


    K lied to her¡­


    Gregory¡¯s voice pulled her back. ¡°Miss Hudson, are you absolutely sure about not renewing the contract?¡± His tone was measured, but there was an unmistakable hope lingering beneath it. ¡°Wall Group would be lucky to keep someone of your caliber.¡±


    Sadie inhaled slowly, steadying herself before meeting his gaze. ¡°Mr. Zane, I truly appreciate the opportunity,¡± she said, her voice unwavering. ¡°But this chapter is closed. It¡¯s time for me to move forward.¡±


    There was no hesitation, no room for negotiation.


    She rose from her seat with quiet grace, offering a polite nod. ¡°I¡¯ll be taking my leave now.¡±


    Gregory watched her go, exhaling a sigh as his fingers drummed against the desk.


    Such a pity.


    Her storeroom office smelled of dust and aged metal, the dim, flickering light above casting eerie shadows along the walls. Sadie stumbled in, gripping the nearest shelf to steady herself.


    Her head swam, her thoughts spiraling into a tangled mess.


    Kairi¡­ That name felt like a dagger, lodged deep in her chest.


    If it hadn¡¯t been for Noah¡­ perhaps, Averi¡­


    A sickening thought wed at the edges of her mind, but she refused to let it take form. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing it away. A long, slow breath escaped her lips. It was over. At least¡­ for now.


    She made her way to her desk, moving with quiet determination. Rolling up her design drafts with careful precision, she secured them with a rubber band and slid them into a worn canvas bag.


    Then¡ª


    The newest releases are at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s


    A soft creak echoed through the storeroom.


    The door edged open, light spilling into the dim space. A shadowed figure stepped inside. It was Samuel.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, Mr. Wall requests your presence in his office.¡± Samuel¡¯s voice was calm and respectful.


    Sadie lifted her gaze, ice glinting in her eyes. ¡°What does Mr. Wall want now? Our cooperation should be over by now, right?¡±


    Samuel hesitated, the briefest flicker of unease crossing his face before he regained hisposure. ¡°I¡¯m just following instructions, Mrs. Wall.¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Wall?¡± Sadie let out a dry, humorless chuckle. She repeated the title, rolling it on her tongue as if it were something absurd. ¡°Mr. Ford, do me a favor¡ªdon¡¯t call me that again. A name that was never acknowledged three years ago means even less now.¡±


    Her voice was steady, but beneath ity a quiet storm of emotions she refused to let surface. She exhaled sharply, unwilling to waste another second in this ce. The air itself felt stifling.


    ¡°Fine,¡± she muttered. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± She turned on her heel and strode toward the exit.


    Samuel followed closely behind, wisely keeping his silence.


    The top-floor office was drenched in warm sunlight, streaming through vast floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city skyline. Noah sat behind his massive desk, his back to the door, shoulders squared, posture rigid.


    A soft knock disturbed the heavy silence. Samuel stepped inside. ¡°Mr. Wall, she¡¯s here.¡±


    Slowly, Noah turned his chair, locking his eyes with Sadie.


    ¡°Just tell me why I¡¯m here,¡± she said, her voice calm but devoid of warmth. ¡°Oh, and one more thing, if you have time, let¡¯s finally finalize the divorce.¡±


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 Chapter 245

    ?Chapter 245:


    Three years. That was how long this had been left unresolved.


    Noah¡¯s expression flickered¡ªjust for a second. A shadow of surprise crossed his eyes before his face hardened, his jaw tightening. His voice wasced with something unreadable. ¡°You¡¯re that eager to leave?¡±


    Sadie felt an ironicugh bubble up inside her. Was he being serious?


    He had been the one to propose the divorce in the first ce. And now he was acting like this? Did he even realize how contradictory he sounded?


    ¡°What¡¯s this, Mr. Wall?¡± Her tone wasced with quiet amusement. ¡°Are you reluctant to let me go now?¡±


    Noah rose to his feet, his movements slow, deliberate. He stepped toward her, his imposing frame casting a long shadow across the room. Sadie¡¯s breath hitched as her instinct kicked in, and she took a step back.


    ¡°What are you doing? Noah, don¡¯t¡ªdon¡¯t try anything reckless.¡±


    Noah fixed a deep, questioning look on Sadie. ¡°Are you so desperate to get away from me?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s heart missed a beat as she lifted her gaze, her hands clenched. ¡°You are well aware of what urred three years ago. There is nothing remaining for us.¡±


    Abruptly, the sound of the office door mming open echoed through the room.


    Isabel, radiating elegance and authority, strode in furiously.


    Her expertly done makeup did little to hide the anger on her face as she stared down Sadie. ¡°You¡¯re such a seductress! A curse on everyone around you! How dare you appear here? What kind of spell have you cast on Noah?¡±


    Silently, Sadie stood her ground, her expression calm and detached. She had already be immune to Isabel¡¯s biting words three years ago.


    Now, such remarks merely blended into the background, insignificant and dismissed.


    Stay connected at g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s?c?m


    With a subtle suppression of her feelings, Sadie turned to leave.


    This action caught Isabel off guard.


    How dare Sadie show such audacity!


    Three years ago, Sadie had always been timid and submissive around her.


    Now, she didn¡¯t even let her finish speaking before she started to walk away!


    Isabel¡¯s anger red, boiling to the surface.


    She reached out, aiming to seize Sadie and give her a stern reprimand. Feeling Isabel¡¯s approach, Sadie hastened her steps.


    She had no desire to remain entangled with the Wall family any longer.


    As he observed the unfolding drama, Noah¡¯s expression grew tense. He quickly moved, catching Sadie¡¯s wrist and leading her swiftly out of the office.


    Sadie grimaced from the tight grip but offered no resistance.


    Any struggle now would only add to her embarrassment.


    Isabel was left speechless, watching Noah lead Sadie away. Momentarily, she was too taken aback to respond.


    ¡°Samuel, make sure my mother gets back to Wall Manor,¡± Noah instructed without looking back at Isabel.


    Isabel, recovering from her initial shock, pointed at Noah¡¯s departing back and yelled, ¡°Noah! Have you lost your senses? Are you really choosing her over your own mother?!¡±


    Noah disregarded Isabel¡¯s furious rant, guiding Sadie firmly towards the elevator.


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 Chapter 246

    ?Chapter 246:


    As the elevator doors closed, Isabel¡¯s shouts were abruptly silenced. Once inside, Noah released Sadie¡¯s wrist.


    She quietly massaged the reddened skin where his grip had been, casting her eyes downward, remaining silent.


    The air between them in the elevator grew thick with tension. Noah¡¯s gaze remained fixed on Sadie, emotions swirling uncertainly in his eyes.


    Feeling his stare, Sadie raised her eyes to meet his intense, unreadable look. The depths of his emotions were a mystery to her.


    Her voice was low yet distinct when she spoke. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Wall. I¡¯m merely an outsider. There¡¯s no need topromise your rtionship with your mother on my behalf.¡±


    A shadow crossed Noah¡¯s face, his mouth set in a firm line, and he remained silent.


    The only sound in the elevator was their subdued breathing, adding to the stifling atmosphere.


    A surge of bitterness welled up in Sadie¡¯s heart.


    She chuckled ruefully to herself.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you at the courthouse at nine tomorrow morning, Mr. Wall.¡±


    Ding¡ª


    Slowly, the elevator doors parted, revealing a crack of light.


    Sadie didn¡¯t pause; she stepped out of the elevator and continued on her way.


    Leaving the premises of Wall Group, she went straight for her studio. Upon opening the door to the studio, she was immediately taken aback by the scene before her.


    Stay tuned for more g¦Áln¦Ò¦Í??s.c¡ðm


    The air was alive with floating streamers, and twinkling fairy lights added a festive glow.


    The table wasden with an array of fine pastries and bottles of champagne, while her colleagues surrounded it, smiles lighting up their faces.


    ¡°Wee back, Sadie, our queen!¡± Tina held up her champagne ss, her eyes crinkling with joy.


    ¡°Sadie, we¡¯re all so d you¡¯re safe!¡±


    Caught off guard, Sadie blinked, still trying to grasp the scene unfolding before her. ¡°What¡¯s all this about¡­?¡±


    Her gaze swept over her colleagues, marked by a look of bewilderment.


    ¡°The Wall Group just transferred the final payment¡ªten million, no less! It¡¯s more than we initially agreed upon. They included extra for emotional distress and revision fees,¡± Tina said, approaching with a wide smile.


    Hearing the figure, Sadie felt her heart leap. The amount was beyond what she had anticipated.


    ¡°Noah¡­¡± Sadie muttered under her breath, lost in a whirlwind of emotions.


    Tina beamed with visible enthusiasm, her eyes sparkling as she gushed, ¡°Sadie, you have to admit Mr. Wall is not only generous but also ridiculously handsome and wealthy!¡±


    She sped her hands together as if in awe. ¡°He truly values what your studio created.¡±


    ¡°Absolutely! His generosity is unmatched!¡±


    Sadie¡¯s colleagues joined in with equal enthusiasm, the studio echoing withughter and infused with a warm, familial vibe.


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 Chapter 247

    ?Chapter 247:


    Sadie scanned the room, her heart swelling with a sense of belonging as she absorbed the cheerful scene.


    However, the light-hearted atmosphere soon gave way to hushed whispers and spective murmurs.


    A young designer leaned in close to the one next to her, voice dropping to a secretive whisper. ¡°Did you hear? K was let go from the Wall Group.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding. K is one of the best, isn¡¯t she?¡±


    ¡°I swear it¡¯s true. A friend working in Wall Group¡¯s legal department told me personally.¡±


    ¡°Does this mean¡­ Mr. Wall and K are finally getting married? Is she stepping down to be Mrs. Wall?¡±


    Curious eyes suddenly turned towards Sadie, their expressions a mix of intrigue and expectation.


    One particrly bold colleague, a mischievous grin tugging at her lips, ventured, ¡°Sadie, you¡¯ve been with Wall Group for a long time. You must have heard some juicy stories, right? What¡¯s the real scoop with Mr. Wall and K?¡±


    Sadie froze for a moment, caught off guard by the sudden inquiry. She forced a smile onto her lips but didn¡¯t respond. With a quick turn, she stepped back into her office.


    ¡°Everyone, stop wasting time on gossip and get back to work!¡± Tinamanded, her voice cutting through the mounting whispers with clear authority. As the office door clicked shut behind her, it muffled the bustling chatter outside.


    Leaning against the cool, sturdy door, Sadie released a long, weary sigh. She massaged her temples gently, her expression creased with evident exhaustion.


    K got fired. And¡­ Noah seemedpletely out of character today. Suddenly, a series of soft knocks echoed at the door. The sound snapped her out of her reverie.


    ¡°Come in,¡± she called out while walking towards her chair.


    The door opened to reveal Tina, who stepped in with aforting presence, her hands cradling a cup of steaming coffee. ¡°Sadie, are you alright?¡±


    Her voice dripped with concern as she set the coffee down on the cluttered desk.


    Sadie managed a weak nod and a subdued smile. ¡°I¡¯m fine, just feeling a bit tired. What¡¯s up, Tina? What brings you here?¡± she inquired, her tone lightening a touch.


    With a yful wink, Tina settled into the chair across from her. ¡°Of course I¡¯m here to celebrate with you. Also, I¡¯ve brought the payment receipt.¡± She paused, her eyes twinkling with mischief. ¡°You know, every time I step into this studio, it makes me want to leave Wall Group and join your team. Everyone here is so talented and supportive, and the clients? Incredibly generous.¡±


    With a theatrical flourish, Tina pretended to count stacks of bills, her voice tinged with awe. ¡°Ten million dors! Holy crap! I couldn¡¯t make that in a hundred lifetimes!¡±


    Just as theughter was fading, the studio door mmed open with a jarring crash.


    Pierre, Sadie¡¯s assistant, stumbled in, his usualposure shattered, his face drained of color.


    ¡°Miss¡­ Miss Hudson, there¡¯s bad news,¡± he stammered, breathless from urgency.


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    The light-hearted atmosphere snapped like a fragile thread.


    Tina¡¯s smile faded into a mask of concern, mirroring the sudden tension that gripped the room.


    Sadie¡¯s stomach clenched with a sinking feeling, an ominous premonition creeping up her spine.


    She drew a deep, steadying breath, her brows furrowing with determination. ¡°Pierre, slow down. Breathe. Then tell me, what¡¯s going on?¡±


    Pierre inhaled shakily, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°The¡­ the Cardi Pink Diamond¡­ it¡¯s gone, missing.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice cracked in disbelief, her hand identally sweeping a pile of documents off her desk. Papers fluttered to the floor like fallen leaves, scattering in a chaotic dance as herplexion paled.


    The Cardi Pink Diamond, the irreceable gemstone that was the heart of Leanna¡¯s ¡°Ten Year Promise,¡± priceless in both value and prestige.


    Dread pooled in Sadie¡¯s chest as the room seemed to tilt around her, her vision dimming with the weight of the catastrophe.


    If they had to find a recement now, especially from an international source, meeting the looming deadline would be nothing short of a miracle.


    Sadie shut her eyes for a fleeting moment, summoning every ounce of her will to maintain herposure. Panic was not an option here.


    ¡°What in the world has happened? Lay it out for me¡ªclearly,¡± she demanded, her voice quivering yet imbued with an unmistakablemand. ¡°When did we discover it was missing? And who was thest one to handle it?¡±


    Pierre, visibly flustered, scoured his memory. ¡°This morning, I checked the safe, intending to take it to the production room. The lock seemed untouched, but when I opened it¡­ it was empty. The diamond¡ªgone.


    I also checked the surveince footage, but it seemsst night¡¯s recordings have vanished.¡±


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    Sadie¡¯s breath hitched as an eerie coldness washed over her entire body.


    The surveince footage had vanished?


    How the hell did that happen?


    Her fists clenched unconsciously, nails biting into the flesh of her palms.


    Tina, witnessing the ghostly pallor of Sadie¡¯s face, stepped closer and gently took her hand, offering aforting squeeze. ¡°Sadie, don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ll figure this out and get the diamond back.¡±


    Managing a strained smile, Sadie replied, ¡°Thank you, Tina. I just need a moment to process this. You should head back now.¡±


    With a sympathetic nod, Tina exited the office, leaving Sadie and Pierre alone.


    Silence enveloped the room, punctuated only by the rhythmic tapping of Sadie¡¯s fingers against her desk¡ªa sharp, insistent sound that seemed to echo her inner turmoil.


    ¡°Pierre, just stay calm. It already happened. Losing yourposure isn¡¯t going to help us fix this.¡±


    Despite the turmoil that raged inside her, Sadie¡¯s voice was steady and resolute. ¡°Our main priority right now is solving the problem at hand. Contact all the jewelers we know abroad. We need a pink diamond of the same grade shipped over as soon as possible. Tell them price is not an issue, but they need to send it over at the earliest avable time.¡±


    Pierre paused for a moment before snapping back to his senses and nodded eagerly. ¡°Yes, Miss Hudson. I¡¯m on it!¡±


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    ¡°Reach out to the local jewelers as well. See if they have anything simr. It might be a long shot, but it¡¯s better to cover all the bases.¡±


    Pierre nodded again before dashing through the door, leaving only silence in his wake.


    Barely a minute had passed when the door burst open again, and in walked Nte Barton from the PR department. She rushed over to Sadie, her face pale, her expression tight.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I have bad news, Miss Hudson! It¡¯s all over the Inte! Someone leaked the matter to the press, and now, everyone¡¯s talking about the missing Cardi Pink Diamond. People are making bets on whether we¡¯re able to deliver on time or not, and it looks like the consensus is against us.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s expression turned even more grim.


    She had no time to check who was responsible for the leak. She needed to take control of the ongoing narrative and reassure everyone involved.


    ¡°Give all the major media outlets a call. Issue an official statement saying that we are in the process of remedying the situation and we shall deliver on time. Also, keep a close eye on the online forums and prepare for crisis management as the story develops.¡±


    Nte bobbed her head and left in a hurry.


    Sadie took a deep breath as she leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes, relishing the brief respite.


    She should have known it wouldn¡¯tst for more than a moment. The peace was once again broken by the shrill ringing of her phone. She opened her eyes and nced at the caller ID. When she saw Hank¡¯s name on the screen, her heart sank.


    Sadie took another deep breath before answering her phone. ¡°Hello, Mr. Lawrence,¡± she said in a careful tone.


    ¡°Miss Hudson,¡± Hank said, his voice low andmanding. ¡°I¡¯ve seen the news going around the Inte. Naturally, I expect a reasonable exnation from you.¡±


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    Sadie told herself to remain calm. ¡°Mr. Lawrence, please rest assured. Our contingency n is already underway. You have my word that we will deliver on time.¡±


    She had barely finished speaking when Hank interjected. ¡°Miss Hudson! I¡¯ll have you know that my wife has been looking forward to this party for months. It¡¯s our tenth anniversary. You only have two days left. If anything goes wrong with this coboration, I¡¯m afraid there is nothing more I can do for you.¡±


    ¡°Like I said, Mr. Lawrence, I guarantee that the ¡®Ten Year Promise¡¯ will be worn by your wife in two days¡¯ time.¡±


    Instead of responding, Hank hung up on her.


    Sadie¡¯s hand trembled as she ced the phone back on her desk. She leaned back in her chair again and massaged her temples in sheer exhaustion.


    Clearly, this wasn¡¯t just about a missing pink diamond. Someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes to sabotage her.


    The diamond hadn¡¯t even been missing for a day, yet news of its disappearance was already spreading far and wide.


    And then there was one thing she dreaded more than anything¡ªthe very real possibility that they had a mole in the studio.


    Sadie¡¯s mind was still racing with these dark thoughts when Pierre rushed back, his face as white as a sheet.


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    ¡°Miss Hudson,¡± he began in a shaky voice. ¡°There are no pink diamonds of the same caliber in the local market¡­¡±


    ¡°What about abroad? Have you called our contacts?¡±


    Pierre seemed to pale even more, swallowing a couple of times before he could get the words out. ¡°I did reach out to them like you instructed, but¡­ It¡¯s been pouring since nightfall, and all flights have been canceled. There¡¯s no way we could get a recement here in time.¡±


    Sadie let out a sardonic scoff. Whether it was the universe¡¯s doing or that of some vicious mastermind, it seemed like everything was going against her.


    Not that she would let this single setback stop her. She was going to weather this storm, no matter what.


    ¡°Call again,¡± she said. ¡°Keep negotiating with them. Remind them that money is not a problem.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Miss Hudson.¡± Pierre stumbled out of the office, only to be osted by his anxious colleagues.


    ¡°Pierre, what did Miss Hudson say?¡± a young designer asked timidly, her eyes wide with a mix of worry and hope.


    ¡°There are no avable recements for the pink diamond in the domestic market.¡±


    The words hit like a thunderp, and the group erupted into chaos. ¡°What? Nothing at all?¡±


    ¡°What are we supposed to do now?¡±


    ¡°This is the studio¡¯s biggest project. If we mess this up, what will be of us?¡±


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    An older designer, Patty Byrd, grabbed Pierre by the arm. ¡°Think harder,¡± she said, sounding desperate. ¡°Is there no other way? This studio¡ªall the employees¡ªwe are depending on this project for our livelihood.¡± Patty¡¯s eyes glistened with unshed tears. The others quickly chimed in, their voices devolving into a chaotic cacophony.


    Pierre helplessly shook his head.


    ¡°This project is doomed. We¡¯re all doomed!¡± someone cried out before crumbling to the floor in utter defeat.


    ¡°Is that true? Are we really doomed?¡±


    Instead of answering, Pierre turned and walked away, his palms slick with sweat as he reached a quiet corner.


    Meanwhile, elsewhere¡­


    ¡°Something terrible has happened, Mr. Howe,¡± Alex¡¯s assistant called out urgently as he barged into the CEO¡¯s office.


    Alex was seated behind his desk, his attention fixed on hisputer.


    He looked up from his screen, irritation flickering in his deep-set eyes. ¡°What¡¯s got you so worked up?¡±


    ¡°The Cardi Pink Diamond from Miss Hudson¡¯s studio¡­ It¡¯s gone missing! Everyone is talking about it online, and it¡¯s already causing a huge bacsh against the studio.¡± The words tumbled out of the assistant¡¯s mouth in a rush, as if he was directly affected himself. Scowling, Alex shot to his feet. ¡°And you¡¯re absolutely sure that this information is urate?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir! The Inte is in an uproar. Netizens keep saying that Miss Hudson¡¯s studio is facing its inevitable end¡­¡± The rest of the assistant¡¯s words died in his throat as he studied the thunderous look on his boss¡¯s face.


    ¡°Immediately get in touch with the Howe Group¡¯s PR team, and tell them to pull out all the stops to support Sadie¡¯s studio in swaying public opinion. We need to soften the blow of this scandal!¡± Alexmanded with urgency.


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    ¡°Right away, Mr. Howe.¡± The assistant nodded briskly, turning to exit the room.


    ¡°Hold on a second!¡± Alex¡¯s voice halted him in his tracks just as his hand touched the door handle. ¡°Check with our business contacts to see if they can source another Cardi Pink Diamond.¡±


    The assistant froze, his eyes widening slightly. ¡°Mr. Howe, are you suggesting¡ª¡±


    ¡°Just give it a shot,¡± Alex interjected firmly.


    The assistant lingered at the door, uncertainty flickering in his eyes before he ventured, ¡°Mr. Howe, if my memory serves me right, your mother has a ne featuring a Cardi Pink Diamond. It was the birthday present you gave herst year.¡±


    Alex¡¯s head snapped up, a flicker of realization crossing his face. How could he have overlooked that?


    With the stakes high and no time to waste, his resolve hardened.


    Alex rose from his chair, a determined glint in his eyes.


    ¡°Prepare the car. We¡¯re heading to Howe Manor immediately.¡± Not daring to stall, the assistant quickly turned and rushed off to handle the arrangements.


    Under the vast, star-speckled night sky, a sleek ck Lincoln rolled to a graceful stop in front of the stately Howe Manor.


    ¡°Alex, you are home!¡±


    As Alex entered the living room, a voice filled with joy greeted him.


    It was his mother, Susannah Howe, perched elegantly on an antique mahogany sofa, her fingers absentmindedly caressing a bracelet. Her face was a portrait of warmth and kindness, lit by a gentle, weing smile.


    She wore a deep purple silk dress that draped gracefully over her frame, a testament to her timeless elegance. Her hair was coiffed into a perfect bun at the nape of her neck, and her poise was the epitome of grace and refinement.


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    Alex hastened to her side, bending slightly to bring himself closer to her. ¡°Mom, why are you still up sote?¡± he asked, his toneced with concern.


    ¡°I got word of your return and couldn¡¯t possibly sleep until I saw you with my own eyes. You never take proper care of yourself, you know. How many times have I told you to meet a nice girl and start a family? But no, you never listen.¡±


    Susannah chided her son yfully, though her eyes twinkled with unspoken affection.


    With a mix of concern and motherly fuss, she inquired, ¡°Have you had dinner? Should I have the kitchen whip up something for you, perhaps ate-night snack?¡±


    With a faint smile, Alex shook his head ever so slightly. ¡°No, thanks, Mom. Actually, there¡¯s something I need to talk to you about.¡±


    Susannah¡¯s eyes captured Alex¡¯s anxious demeanor. ¡°What¡¯s on your mind? Is everything alright?¡±


    Alex paused, gathering his thoughts. ¡°Mom, do you still have the Cardi Pink Diamond ne I gave youst birthday?¡±


    Susannah¡¯s eyebrows lifted in mild surprise before she nodded affirmatively. ¡°Of course, I still have it. Why do you ask?¡±


    ¡°I have a friend who¡¯s in a tight spot and desperately needs a Cardi Pink Diamond¡­¡± Alex began, his voice trailing off as he searched for the right words.


    Before he could get to the point, Susannah swiftly interrupted.


    With a perceptive look, she watched Alex closely, the corners of her mouth curling with quiet amusement. ¡°A friend, you say? This wouldn¡¯t be a young woman, would it?¡±


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    Alex¡¯s face tensed subtly, a clear sign he was caught off guard. He shifted ufortably under Susannah¡¯s scrutinizing gaze. ¡°Mom, it¡¯s not like that. She¡¯s really just a friend, and she¡¯s in trouble. What do you think I should do?¡±


    Years of knowing him inside out made it easy¡ªSusannah instantly spotted the unease creeping into his normallyposed demeanor. It appeared that Alex, typically detached around women, might indeed have a crush on someone.


    She chuckled softly, reaching out to give his hand a reassuring squeeze. ¡°Just look at you¡ªso worried and tense.¡±


    Turning around to address a maid who stood at the ready, Susannahmanded in a clear voice, ¡°Go grab the Cardi Pink Diamond ne and bring it to me.¡±


    With swift movements, the maid fetched the ne. Under the gentle glow of the chandelier, the resplendent pink diamond emitted a brilliant sparkle.


    Susannah took the ne box herself and extended it towards Alex with a gentle flourish. ¡°Here, take this,¡± she offered.


    Alex¡¯s fingers tightened around the box, his gaze deliberately avoiding Susannah¡¯s inquisitive eyes.


    ¡°Alex, when do you n to introduce this youngdy to me?¡± Susannah inquired, her voiceced with a mix of curiosity and expectation.


    Alex gripped the box even tighter, skillfully dodging her question. ¡°Mom, it¡¯s gettingte. You should rest now.¡±


    With those words, he turned and hurried out of Howe Manor.


    From the doorway, Susannah watched her son¡¯s departing silhouette, her head gently shaking in a mix of amusement and resignation, yet her eyes shimmered with undisguised affection. Alex remained distant, his demeanor reserved as ever.


    The ck Lincoln melted away into the shadowy embrace of the night once more.


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    In the quiet sanctuary of the back seat, Alex gently lifted the lid of the small, elegant box, revealing the glimmering pink diamond nestled within. His eyes lingered on its radiant hue.


    ¡°Take this ne to the studio first thing tomorrow,¡± he said crisply to his assistant seated in the front.


    ¡°Understood, Mr. Howe.¡±


    While the night deepened into inky ckness, the lights of Sadie¡¯s studio zed defiantly against the dark.


    Inside her expansive office, Sadie sat alone, her silhouette sharply etched by a deskmp.


    Her desk was a chaotic spread of design drafts, each a testament to her relentless passion and meticulous craftsmanship.


    Prominently among the cluttery a sketch of an exquisite ne, the crown jewel of her ¡°Ten Year Promise¡± collection and undoubtedly the most crucial.


    Yet, the absence of the Cardi Pink Diamond left a gaping void in her ns. Absolutely not! She couldn¡¯t put all her hope in that one diamond¡ªthere had to be another option.


    With the design draft in hand, determination burned in Sadie¡¯s eyes. If the Cardi Pink Diamond was out of reach, she¡¯d carve out another way forward.


    Sadie had spent the entire night awake. Her eyes were red and sore, giving her a worn-out look, yet her gaze retained a piercing quality. The light aroma of coffee hung in the air. In the stillness of the room, only the gentle rustling of design papers could be heard.


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    Suddenly, a knock disrupted the silence.


    ¡°Come in,¡± Sadie called out, her voice rough from exhaustion. As the door swung open, Pierre entered, cradling an elegant velvet box in his hands.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, this was sent over by Mr. Howe,¡± Pierre said, presenting the box with formality.


    Surprise flickered across Sadie¡¯s face as she epted the box, her expression turning to one of puzzlement as she lifted the lid.


    Nestled inside was a breathtaking diamond ne, featuring arge Cardi pink diamond as its stunning centerpiece.


    Sadie¡¯s heart jolted, and for a moment, she froze.


    It was the very pink diamond she had been desperately seeking throughout the city, missing from hertest design draft. How had Alex found one?


    Without hesitation, Sadie blurted out, ¡°Where did thise from?¡±


    Pierre paused momentarily before responding, ¡°This belonged to Mr. Howe¡¯s mother. He presented it to her on her birthdayst year.¡±


    In an instant, Sadie¡¯s face took on aplex expression. Alex had taken his mother¡¯s ne¡­ and given it to her? Her grip on the box tightened, her knuckles whitening.


    After a lengthy silence, she said, ¡°Please extend my gratitude to Mr. Howe.¡±


    With a nod, Pierre exited the studio.


    Holding the ne, Sadie let out a deep sigh. She realized that Alex was attempting to support her through this challenging time. With deliberate care, Sadie nestled the ne back into its box, knowing it wasn¡¯t hers to keep.


    The significance of the piece was too great¡ªoriginally a heartfelt gift from Alex to his mother; it wasn¡¯t something she could rightfully ept.


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    She had already developed a new solution that would help her navigate her current difficulties.


    The reason she hadn¡¯t rejected the gift immediately was to prevent any additional stress for Alex.


    Once the present issue was resolved, she nned to return the ne.


    Soon after, a soft knock interrupted her thoughts again.


    Pierre stepped back into the room, his face etched with regret.


    ¡°No change at the airport, Miss Hudson. All flights remain dyed.¡±


    Gently shaking her head, Sadie let her dark hair fall forward, shading one side of her pale face.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for further contact,¡± Sadie said firmly.


    Pierre hesitated, seeming on the verge of speaking, then reconsidered.


    ¡°Tell the team to take a two-day break. They need some rest,¡± Sadie instructed.


    ¡°A two-day break?¡± Pierre responded, his surprise evident.


    Could they afford to pause everything during such a critical time?


    With determination in her voice, Sadie replied, ¡°Yes, just go ahead and arrange it.¡±


    Despite his worries, Pierre gave a concerned look, then nodded and exited.


    He proceeded to themon area, where employees were gathered, discussing the situation around the missing diamond under a cloud of tension.


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    ?Chapter 254:


    ¡°Everyone,¡± said Pierre, his voice carrying a hint of dryness, ¡°Miss Hudson has granted us two days off.¡±


    The moment Pierre announced the time off, murmurs swept through the studio.


    ¡°Two days off? Right now?¡± someone questioned incredulously.


    ¡°Does this mean the studio is on the brink?¡± another pondered aloud.


    ¡°Considering the magnitude of our problems, resolution seems impossible,¡± a voice added somberly.


    Quiet whispers spread among the employees, intensifying the already somber mood.


    With a sense of resignation, they gathered their belongings and departed with heavy steps.


    Before long, Sadie was left alone in the studio.


    Meanwhile, K was seated near a floor-to-ceiling window, idly swirling her wine ss.


    As she sipped her wine, a sardonic smile yed across her lips. ¡°Sadie, do you genuinely believe you can salvage this situation?¡± K mused darkly. ¡°I¡¯m curious to see how you n toplete the ¡®Ten Year Promise¡¯ design without the Cardi Pink Diamond.¡±


    cing her ss aside, K walked to the desk and picked up a red velvet box.


    Upon opening it, she saw a three-carat pink diamond nestled inside.


    The following day.


    Bright light from the sparkling crystal chandelier enveloped the Lawrence Group¡¯s banquet hall.


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    Distinguished guests from various sectors converged to celebrate the 10th wedding anniversary of the Lawrence Group¡¯s founders. d in a wine-red gown that entuated her slim figure, K was a vision of radiance and allure.


    Holding a champagne ss elegantly, she kept a vignt watch on the hall¡¯s entrance, seemingly anticipating someone¡¯s arrival.


    Catching sight of Alex in the crowd, she began to navigate her way toward him.


    Alex, dressed in a sleek ck suit, exuded an air of even greaterposure and restraint.


    ¡°Mr. Howe, have youpletely dismissed the idea of partnering with me? We both stand to benefit,¡± K said.


    Alex¡¯s response was a subtle furrow of his brow, his eyes meeting K¡¯s with a cold detachment.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for that,¡± he replied curtly, not hesitating before he turned to walk away.


    As Alex departed, K¡¯s grip on her champagne flute grew tighter, her eyes following his every step.


    Sadie arrivedte.


    As she entered the banquet hall, every head turned toward her. d in a stunning white gown that elegantly emphasized her silhouette, Sadie drew attention effortlessly.


    K, swirling her champagne, approached with a sneer.


    ¡°So, the great designer has finally decided to grace us with her presence.¡±


    As Sadie faced K with aposed expression, her eyes showed no sign of distress. ¡°Miss Wade, do you need something from me?¡±


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    K¡¯s sneer deepened as she said, ¡°Why, can¡¯t I say hello without an agenda?¡± She paused, her tone sharp. ¡°I¡¯m curious, though. How do you n to deliver the ¡®Ten Year Promise¡¯ to your client without the Cardi Pink Diamond? Can you afford to pay the penalty fee?¡±


    A hush fell over the banquet hall as all eyes shifted to Sadie, their faces etched with curiosity.


    Rumors about her predicament had already spread, and contrary to expectations, Sadie had appeared, surprising everyone.


    Despite K¡¯s attempt to corner her, Sadie maintained herposure. She had prepared for this moment, fully aware of K¡¯s intentions to embarrass her, and she was determined not to falter.


    Sadie offered a faint smile. ¡°Miss Wade, you appear overly interested in my business. But you don¡¯t have to concern yourself with the penalty fee and the ¡®Ten Year Promise.''¡±


    Her eyes moved across the gathering, finally settling on K¡¯s ss. ¡°Miss Wade, perhaps you should concern yourself with the ss in your hand more. Don¡¯t drop it.¡±


    A cold seemed to creep into K¡¯s heart, unsettling her unexpectedly. Theposed and assured look in Sadie¡¯s eyes stirred an uneasy feeling in her, leaving her puzzled as to why Sadie appeared so confident.


    ¡°Really? Sadie, it¡¯s you who ought to be concerned.¡±


    K lifted her chin, wearing a smirk filled with mockery.


    ¡°I shall see,¡± Sadie said, her tone even and unruffled.


    Just then, Alex moved to stand by Sadie, his presence like a shield from the curious stares around them. His look of concern was directed toward her.


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    The hall immediately filled with whispered spections.


    ¡°What is going on between Alex and Sadie?¡±


    ¡°Do they have a rtionship?¡±


    The crowd was abuzz with various theories and conjectures.


    K¡¯s features subtly altered in response.


    At that moment, the doors to the banquet hall were opened again.


    Hand in hand, Hank and Leanna made their appearance.


    Adorned in a sapphire blue gown, Leanna was decked with matching sapphire essories¡ªne, earrings, and a ring. Her jewels sparkled under the bright lights, drawing the gaze of every attendee. Silence enveloped the hall.


    The dazzling jewels adorning Leanna captured everyone¡¯s gaze, leaving the crowd speechless with admiration.


    K stood motionless. She had assumed Sadie would present the ¡°Ten Year Promise¡± design with a Cardi Pink Diamond. She hadn¡¯t anticipated this twist.


    A chill of apprehension crept over her.


    All eyes in the hall shifted among Sadie, Alex, and Leanna, filled with bewilderment and curiosity.


    Breaking the hushed atmosphere, K gestured sharply towards the sapphire ne on Leanna¡¯s neck and demanded, ¡°Wasn¡¯t this supposed to be the Cardi Pink Diamond? What¡¯s happening here? Is Miss Hudson pulling a fast one on Mrs. Lawrence?¡±


    K was stunned. She had meticulously plotted Sadie¡¯s downfall, targeting her career and public standing.


    However, things had not gone ording to n¡ªhow could she reconcile with this turn of events?


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    With aposed look, Sadie¡¯s eyes met K¡¯s, her lips curving into a knowing grin. ¡°Miss Wade, this isn¡¯t your fault.¡±


    This response caught K off guard; she had not anticipated such a remark from Sadie.


    ¡°Everyone has their ws. It seems you¡¯re just missing a littlemon sense,¡± Sadie continued, her tone light yet piercing.


    Fury marred K¡¯s visage, her expression souring instantly. The sting of Sadie¡¯s words hit sharply.


    Sadie¡¯s attention casually shifted to the brilliant sapphire ne around Leanna¡¯s neck, her smile subtly spreading.


    ¡°This exquisite sapphire represents eternal love, a perfect reflection of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence¡¯s enduringmitment to each other.¡± Leanna caressed the ne, her expression aglow with joy. ¡°Sadie has impable taste; this ne is truly wonderful.¡±


    The color drained from K¡¯s face, her cheeks flushing with a heat akin to a stinging p. Her hands balled into fists, her nails pressing into her palms.


    Overwhelmed, she abruptly turned and hurried away from the gathering.


    Sadie¡¯s gaze followed K¡¯s hasty departure, her face a portrait of calmposure.


    Alex¡¯s eyes dropped, reflecting his thoughts. He had thought he had helped Sadie, but now it seemed¡­ she didn¡¯t need his help.


    Hank took the moment to express his gratitude publicly. ¡°I want to extend a special thanks to Miss Hudson. Her studio and she have proven themselves exceptional. It is with great pleasure that I announce the next jewelry exhibition for the Lawrence Group will be exclusively managed by Miss Hudson and her team.¡±


    Hank¡¯smanding voice reverberated across the vast banquet hall. A brief silence fell over the crowd before it burst into more lively discussions than before.


    Stay tuned for more g??lno¦Íe??s.c?m


    The management of the uing jewelry exhibition for the Lawrence Group was such a prestigious opportunity that it was fiercely contested.


    And yet, Hank had handed it to Sadie without a second thought. Sadie was also surprised by such a significant gesture of trust. She hadn¡¯t seen iting.


    The banquet hall buzzed with the clinking of sses.


    A middle-aged man sporting a meticulously groomed hairstyle and dressed in a sharp deep blue suit approached Sadie with a beaming smile, wine ss in hand.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, so much praise has been sung about your work! Having seen you now, I¡¯m sure the praise was well-founded!¡±


    Sadie, with a polite nod, raised her ss to meet his in a delicate toast. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Hammond. It¡¯s a pleasure, and I hope our paths continue to cross,¡± she said with modesty, her smile subtle but genuine.


    Jonathan Hammond admired Sadie, his eyes reflecting a deep respect as theynded on her gracefully slender neck.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, you are quite remarkable,¡± he said, pausing thoughtfully before cautiously asking, ¡°May I inquire if you are married?¡±


    Sadie was taken aback for a moment but soon responded with a smile and a shake of her head. She had long moved on from her rtionship with Noah.


    ¡°Not yet,¡± she responded simply.


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    Joy sparkled in Jonathan¡¯s eyes, and his grin widened.


    ¡°That¡¯s fantastic!¡± he eximed. ¡°My son is both talented and handsome, and together, you¡¯d make an excellent pair! What do you say to¡­¡±


    Before he could continue, a sudden cold interrupted him.


    Alex appeared silently beside Sadie, his imposing presence obstructing Jonathan¡¯s line of sight.


    A subtle frost seemed to ze Alex¡¯s striking features, his gaze intensely fixed on Jonathan.


    The scene struck Sadie as rather humorous.


    Looking kindly at Jonathan, she spoke. ¡°I appreciate your suggestion, but I prefer to follow my own heart when ites to these matters.¡±


    Feeling the tension, Jonathan chuckled nervously and, taking the hint, walked away swiftly.


    With Jonathan gone, Sadie¡¯s initial shock subsided.


    A sharp gleam appeared in her eyes, and she murmured with a hint of resolve, ¡°Now, it¡¯s time to clean house.¡±


    Alex, by her side, looked on with concern. He leaned in and murmured, ¡°Do you need help with that?¡±


    Turning to face him, Sadie offered a reassuring smile. ¡°Thank you, but I can handle it on my own.¡±


    Meanwhile, tucked away in a quiet corner of the banquet hall, Pierre clutched his phone, his hands slick with cold sweat, hisplexion ashen, and his lips quivering. He struggled to muster the courage to take the call.


    The relentless ringing of the phone echoed ominously, pushing him to act.


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    With a tight grip on his resolve, he finally pressed the answer button.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?! Why didn¡¯t you report the change in the design draft immediately?!¡± K¡¯s voice pierced through from the other end, sharp and filled with barely contained fury, as if ready to burst through the phone.


    Startled, Pierre nearly let the phone slip from his grasp.


    Struggling forposure, he said, ¡°Miss Wade, Miss Hudson gave the whole studio two days off¡­ I¡¯ve only just returned to work today¡­ I assumed she was out of alternatives¡­ It never crossed my mind¡­ It never crossed my mind that she would choose a sapphire over the pink diamond¡­¡±


    ¡°Idiot, we¡¯ve been ensnared in her scheme!¡±


    Before Pierre had a chance to speak, his phone was swiftly taken from him.


    Turning in rm, Pierre saw Sadie standing silently behind him, her presence casting a shiver through him.


    As the hall¡¯s din seemed to recede, Pierre¡¯s pounding heart seemed to be the only sound remaining.


    With assured calm, Sadie brought the phone to her ear and said firmly, ¡°K, I rmend you turn yourself in willingly. If not, things will get messy for you, and a peaceful solution will be unreachable.¡± Her words carried a forceful authority.


    Sadie quickly ended the call and nonchntly threw the phone back to Pierre.


    Pierre caught the phone awkwardly, his face a mask of fright.


    ¡°Mi¡­ Miss Hudson¡­¡± Pierre stammered, his forehead drenched in sweat that soon soaked his cor. His trembling lips tried to form a plea for mercy, yet he was at a loss for where to start.


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    Sadie gazed down at him with a look of disdain.


    ¡°People often say that the deepest betrayals are thosemitted by the ones we trust the most.¡±


    As she spoke, Pierre¡¯splexion turned a shade paler. He found himself unable to meet her eyes, his gaze darting about restlessly. ¡°There are only two keys to the safe that housed the Cardi Pink Diamond; one is with me, and the other with you. Could there be any exnation other than you having taken it?¡±


    At this revtion, despair washed over Pierre; he had beenpletely unaware of that fact.


    Without giving him a chance to recover, Sadie continued, ¡°I¡¯ve had a detective check your financial activities. Just before the pink diamond went missing, your ount showed several mysterious transactions.¡± Sadie remainedposed. She had predicted such a scenario, though she hadn¡¯t expected Pierre to be involved.


    At that moment, two police officers in uniform entered the banquet hall and made their way straight toward her.


    Pierre¡¯s eyes grew wide with rm as he looked at Sadie, his voice trembling. ¡°Did you call the police on me?¡±


    Sadie offered no reply, merely regarding him with a look thatcked any semnce of sympathy.


    Upon reaching Sadie, the officers shed their badges and one addressed her. ¡°Miss Hudson, we¡¯re here about a theft report.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Sadie responded with tranquility. ¡°He¡¯s the perpetrator.¡±


    The officers didn¡¯t hesitate, swiftly handcuffing Pierre.


    As they escorted him away, Pierre shouted loudly, ¡°I¡¯m innocent! This is a setup!¡±


    His objections and attempts to resist were futile, easily subdued as he was taken out of the room.


    After themotion settled, Sadie gracefully returned to the mingling crowd, her demeanor calm and undisturbed. The sound of clinking sses and ongoing conversations filled the air around her.


    Sadie lingered by the champagne tower, holding a ss of champagne without taking a sip.


    Leanna moved through the crowd to approach her.


    ¡°Sadie, why are you standing here all by yourself? I¡¯ve been searching for you everywhere,¡± Leanna said, her voice warm and concerned.


    Looking up, Sadie managed a strained smile. ¡°I¡¯ve just been dealing with some personal issues. I didn¡¯t mean to cause you concern.¡±


    Leanna touched Sadie¡¯s hand reassuringly. ¡°I¡¯m aware of the challenges you¡¯ve facedtely.¡±


    Sadie lowered her gaze, choosing to remain silent.


    With a sigh, Leanna reached into her stylish handbag and retrieved a business card, handing it to Sadie.


    ¡°An old friend of mine just returned from overseas. She works with apany even more renowned than the Lawrence Group. It might be a good move for you to secure a deal with them if you¡¯re looking to make a significant impact.¡±


    Sadie took the card from Leanna.


    With a grave expression, Leanna continued, ¡°Sadie, your talent is truly exceptional. All you need is the right opportunity. Remember, chances like this are rare¡ªmake sure you seize it.¡±


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    Sadie nodded. ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Lawrence. I will give it some serious thought.¡±


    Relief washed over Leanna, her eyes softening with a gentle smile. ¡°Don¡¯t linger here on your own. Go have some fun.¡±


    As Sadie held the card, she admired the elegant script that read, ¡°Eva Shaw, Stonemont Estate.¡±


    Renowned for its exclusivity, Stonemont Estate sat on the city¡¯s outskirts, and Eva Shaw was known worldwide as a savvy investor.


    Sadie was familiar with her impressive reputation.


    She carefully ced the card in her pocket.


    In stark contrast, the mood in K¡¯s apartment was tense. She paced back and forth, frustration evident in her every movement.


    The idea of turning herself in felt utterly ridiculous to her. Her slender fingers gripped the phone tightly, her manicured nails nearly digging into her flesh.


    The silence was shattered by a sudden knock.


    K halted, steadying herself to project calmness.


    Approaching the door, she nced through the peephole and spotted two police officers. Her heart dropped, a wave of cold dread washing over her.


    With a forced smile, she swung the door open. ¡°Officers, how can I assist you today?¡±


    ¡°Miss Wade, we need to discuss a matter with you. Your cooperation would be appreciated,¡± said one officer, his voice carrying a blend of seriousness and formality.


    K¡¯s smile wavered as she stepped aside, weing them into her home. ¡°Absolutely. Please,e inside.¡±


    As the officers stepped inside, K closed the door, battling the surge of panic within. She elegantly proceeded to the living room and gestured towards the sofa, inviting the officers to sit.


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    ¡°How may I be of assistance, officers?¡±


    One officer presented his badge, holding it steadily before her. ¡°We¡¯ve received allegations of your involvement in the theft of a Cardi Pink Diamond. We require your assistance with the ongoing investigation.¡±


    K¡¯s polite smile solidified into a mask of shock. Her eyes widened as she looked at him incredulously. ¡°Theft? That¡¯s utterly ridiculous! Surely, there¡¯s been some error!¡±


    ¡°Miss Wade, we ask for your cooperation as we proceed with our inquiries,¡± the officer said firmly, allowing no room for debate.


    K clenched her fists, knowing that resisting would be futile at this point.


    ¡°I agree to cooperate.¡±


    The officers set about meticulously searching her apartment, rifling through each nook and cranny, filling the space with a tense and oppressive air.


    The sound of the fire crackling in the firece filled the silent, darkening night.


    ¡°Miss Wade, what is this?¡± asked one of the officers, pulling a ck velvet box from the safe in K¡¯s bedroom.


    K froze in ce.


    As the officer lifted the lid of the box, a sparkling pink diamond was revealed, resting silently within.


    It was indeed the lost Cardi Pink Diamond!


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    K¡¯splexion turned ashen; her lips quivered, yet no words came out.


    ¡°Miss Wade, would you like to exin this?¡± the officer asked as he shut the box.


    K inhaled deeply, trying topose herself. ¡°May I make a phone call?¡±


    After a brief pause, the officer nodded. ¡°You may.¡±


    With her fingers quivering, K grasped her phone, her thoughts whirling.


    She considered calling Noah but stopped herself abruptly.


    Noah was currently overseas on business. Telling him what she had done might onlyplicate matters further. She decided it was best not to inform him.


    She had to find someone who could get her out of this immediately.


    Eventually, she opted to call Isabel.


    As the call went through, Isabel¡¯s soothing voice filled the line. ¡°K, it¡¯s quitete. Is everything okay?¡±


    Tears choked K¡¯s voice as she replied, ¡°Isabel¡­¡± She struggled to speak through her sobs. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m in a real mess¡­¡±


    Isabel¡¯s tone shifted to concern immediately. ¡°Tell me what¡¯s happened? What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Between uncontroble sobs, K spoke, painting herself as an unwitting victim of Sadie¡¯s scheming.


    ¡°Sadie orchestrated this against me¡­¡± Her story was far from the truth and overly dramatized.


    ¡°Really? She did that to you?¡± Outrage colored Isabel¡¯s response. ¡°Hang tight, K. I¡¯m on my way to help. Where are you right now?¡± K whispered her address, then let out a shaky whimper. ¡°Isabel, I¡¯m really scared¡­¡±


    ¡°Stay calm, K. I¡¯m on my way!¡±


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    At that moment, the two police officers exchanged looks. One stepped forward, saying, ¡°Miss Wade, please follow us.¡±


    Standing, K responded simply, ¡°Alright.¡±


    Her eyes burned with a raw, undisguised malice.


    K silently vowed to herself, determined to never let Sadie live a peaceful life.


    Across town, Sadie had just arrived back at her home.


    The living room was enveloped in silence, broken only by the gentle, rhythmic sound of Averi¡¯s breathing.


    Tucked on the sofa, Averiy wrapped in a cozy nket, deeply asleep. Moving softly across the room, Sadie carefully adjusted the nket to ensure Averi stayed warm.


    Averi¡¯s calm expression eased some of Sadie¡¯s tension.


    She then walked to the window and drew back the curtains to look out at the city lights twinkling in the night, her thoughts swirling. Pulling out her phone, Sadie looked at the calls she had tried to make to Noah.


    She had intended to finalize their divorce at court soon, but Noah hadn¡¯t responded to any of her attempts to reach him.


    She wondered, where could Noah be? Why wasn¡¯t he picking up?


    A sinking feeling took hold of Sadie, apanied by a rush of anxiety.


    Pausing briefly, she resolved to call Samuel instead.


    After two rings, the call connected.


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    ¡°Hello, Mr. Ford, where¡¯s Noah?¡± Sadie inquired.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, Mr. Wall is currently overseas on business and won¡¯t return for some time. Should you have an urgent matter, it will need to wait until his return,¡± Samuel replied, his tone unyielding and detached.


    Sadie stood motionless, her thoughts ceasing entirely.


    Noah was on a business trip abroad? Not returning anytime soon? She started to mention the divorce, ¡°But¡ª¡± However, Samuel disconnected the call before she could finish.


    With a sense of defeat, Sadie threw her phone onto the table.


    ¡°Damn this Noah!¡±


    As night enveloped Zupren, a foreign country, Noah was framed against a floor-to-ceiling window, a cigarette dangling from his fingers. The silence was broken by the sharp ring of his phone.


    Turning his attention, Noah picked up the phone and saw the caller ID sh¡ª¡±Mother.¡±


    Noah clicked the answer button, responding with a detached, ¡°Mom.¡±


    ¡°Noah.¡± Isabel¡¯s voice rang with urgency. ¡°K¡¯s in trouble!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s going on with her?¡± Noah asked, his eyebrows knitting together.


    Although a sense of impatience crept up on him, he kept listening.


    Isabel delivered a dramatized ount of K¡¯s predicament, her words heavy with emotion and punctuated by usations against Sadie and sympathy for K.


    ¡°They¡¯ve arrested K, iming she stole a pink diamond. That can¡¯t be right. I¡¯m sure it¡¯s Sadie setting her up! Noah, you need to do something,¡± Isabel said, her voice cracking with emotion, pushing Noah¡¯s frustration higher.


    A pink diamond?


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    Noah extinguished his cigarette.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it,¡± he said.


    ¡°Are you really going to help K? Noah, she¡ª¡± Isabel began, but Noah interrupted her.


    ¡°I need to go, Mom. Ending the call now.¡± He promptly disconnected the call.


    His fingers lightly tapped the screen as he searched for Samuel¡¯s contact.


    ¡°Samuel, get me on the next flight home.¡±


    There was a brief pause, as if Samuel was caught off guard. ¡°But Mr. Wall, you mentioned¡ª¡±


    ¡°Just book it,¡± Noah interjected sharply, his voice firm.


    Samuel hesitated no further, responding quickly, ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall.¡±


    The interrogation room was stifling, the air thick with tension that weighed heavily on K¡¯s shoulders.


    Her face was pale, her hands sped tightly in herp.


    Why hadn¡¯t Isabel arrived yet?


    Just as K¡¯s anxiety peaked, the door swung open.


    ¡°K!¡± Isabel¡¯s voice trembled as she quickly closed the distance, enveloping K in a reassuring embrace.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright. I¡¯m here now.¡±


    K leaned into Isabel, her tears flowing silently. She bit her lip to stifle a sob.


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    Isabel rubbed K¡¯s back gently, her voice calm and soothing as she said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s over. I¡¯ve posted your bail; we¡¯re going home.¡±


    As K stepped out into the cool night, the fresh air seemed to help clear her mind a bit.


    Isabel¡¯s eyes, red from crying,nded on her with concern. ¡°K, you¡¯ve endured so much. I¡¯ve told Noah; he¡¯ll be back soon.¡±


    A pang of worry shot through K. She hadn¡¯t expected Isabel to involve Noah.


    This was troubling. Ever since Sadie¡¯s return, Noah had subtly shown signs of favoring her. If he delved into this incident¡­


    K feared she mightpletely lose her ce in his heart.


    She mustered a weak smile, attempting to appear nonchnt. ¡°Isabel, I¡¯m okay, really. Maybe we shouldn¡¯t bother Noah. I¡¯d rather not blow this out of proportion.¡±


    Isabel sighed deeply, her frustration evident. ¡°You silly girl, why do you insist on being so selfless? After what that woman has done, and you¡¯re still concerned about overreacting? Noah deserves to know her true nature!¡±


    K¡¯s gaze flickered, betraying her internal conflict. ¡°Isabel, I just¡­ don¡¯t want Noah to worry over me.¡±


    Seeing K¡¯s soft-heartedness made Isabel¡¯s heart clench.


    She pulled K into a tight embrace, her own anger simmering.


    K was too selfless, always considering others¡¯ benefits, even now. Sadie, on the other hand, was ruthless, willing to do whatever it took to get her way.


    When Isabel took K back to Wall Manor, the night had deepened into a quiet stillness.


    K sat opposite Isabel, cradling a cup of hot tea, the warmth seeping into her chilled hands.


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    ¡°K, I¡¯ve heard about your dismissal. Don¡¯t me Noah. He tends to make quick decisions in business,¡± Isabel sighed gently.


    K felt a tightness in her chest, her fingers curling into her palms reflexively.


    ¡°K, I¡¯ve arranged for you to start a new role. Tomorrow, you¡¯ll take over a branch office.¡±


    ¡°Take over?¡± K looked up sharply, a mix of surprise and excitement in her eyes.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Isabel affirmed with a nod.


    ¡°You and Noah will eventually get married. It¡¯s time you learned to be his support, to effectively manage the branch.¡±


    K¡¯s joy was palpable. ¡°Thank you, Isabel. I can¡¯t thank you enough¡­¡±


    Leading a branch office had been her longstanding aspiration.


    ¡°K, just do your best. I have every confidence in you. Remember, if it hadn¡¯t been for your intervention, those frauds would have tricked me!¡±


    Isabel reflected on the past with a sigh.


    K¡¯s eyes briefly showed a flicker of guilt, but she quickly masked it with a smile. ¡°Isabel, let¡¯s not dwell on the past. I just did what I should do.¡±


    The next morning, K entered the Wall Group branch office wearing a perfectly tailored champagne-colored suit.


    ¡°Miss Wade, good morning!¡±


    The receptionist greeted her with clear respect.


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    K nodded slightly, enjoying the spotlight.


    As she moved through the office, each employee she passed acknowledged her with a nod or a bow, their voices carrying a tone of respect.


    ¡°Good morning, Miss Wade!¡±


    ¡°Hello, Miss Wade!¡±


    ¡°Wee, Miss Wade!¡±


    The chorus of greetings bolstered K¡¯s self-esteem, and with each step, her satisfaction grew.


    It was evident that Isabel¡¯s endorsement had circted through the office.


    With her posture straightened, K walked with increased confidence. Upon reaching the marketing department, she found the spacious and bright office buzzing with activity.


    ¡°Miss Wade!¡± The marketing department manager greeted her with considerable respect. ¡°What brings you here today?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just taking a look around.¡± K¡¯s response was cool, her postureposed.


    Her eyes swept across the office, pausing on a document on one of the desks. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    The marketing department manager quickly retrieved the document and presented it to K with both hands.


    ¡°This is the partnership proposal we¡¯ve been working on with Stonemont Estate. However¡­¡± He paused, seeming hesitant.


    ¡°However, what?¡± K pressed, her toneced with impatience.


    ¡°Ms. Shaw has declined our proposals repeatedly. Despite our best efforts, we¡¯ve been unable to secure her agreement,¡± the manager exined carefully.


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    K thumbed through the document, her expression tightening.


    Stonemont Estate was a renowned, high-end resort in the suburbs. Landing a partnership with them would be a significant win for the branch.


    ¡°I believe Mr. Wall might know Ms. Shaw personally¡­¡± the manager hinted tentatively. ¡°Perhaps he could intervene¡­?¡± A spark of opportunity lit up K¡¯s eyes.


    That was indeed a promising angle.


    She masked her eagerness with a measured smile and said, ¡°Leave this to me.¡±


    Relief washed over the manager. ¡°It¡¯s all yours, Miss Wade! Thank you!¡± A thrill of anticipation surged through K.


    This was her chance to distinguish herself before Noah and solidify her standing within thepany.


    Within a secluded members-only club, a circle of elegantly attired socialites were engaged in light chatter andughter. Susannah stood among them, draped in a dark green gown that highlighted her elegant and regal air. Holding a champagne flute, she sipped lightly, her politeness masking a distracted mind.


    ¡°Have you heard thetest rumor? A new jewelry design studio is causing quite a stir. It¡¯s led by a designer named Sadie Hudson. I¡¯ve heard her pieces are truly remarkable!¡± a woman in a red gown whispered excitedly.


    ¡°Sadie? Wasn¡¯t she the one who designed jewelry for the Lawrence Group but lost that Cardi Pink Diamond?¡± inquired another, her voice tinged with contempt.


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s the one! Imagine the audacity of substituting it with a sapphire!¡±


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    ¡°Indeed! And though the sapphire is also valuable, its worth doesn¡¯t evene close to the Cardi Pink Diamond¡¯s!¡±


    The group around them nodded their heads in agreement. While Susannah had only been half-listening, the mention of the ¡°Cardi Pink Diamond¡± made her brows furrow in concern. She recalled that Alex had approached her, requesting a ne, iming it was for a special friend. A chill of apprehension washed over her.


    She gently set her champagne ss down and quietly excused herself from the gathering, exiting the banquet hall. Her mind was a whirlwind of confusion and concern. Without dy, she dialed her team, directing them to investigate the issues surrounding Sadie and the Cardi Pink Diamond. The response arrived swiftly.


    ¡°Mrs. Howe, our investigation confirms that Sadie Hudson was indeed involved in a design project for the Lawrence Group. Prior to itspletion, the Cardi Pink Diamond disappeared, and she substituted it with a sapphire. We also found that during that period, Mr. Howe¡¯s assistant made a visit to Sadie¡¯s studio, apparently to deliver an item.¡±


    Hearing this, Susannah felt a jolt of shock. Could it be possible that Alex¡¯s ¡®important friend¡¯ was this very Sadie? And¡­ Hudson?


    She recognized the surname, but her recollection was vague, blurred by the years.


    ¡°Continue the investigation! I need aplete background on this woman,¡± shemanded.


    Sadie returned to her apartment after a tough day. She walked over to Averi and affectionately tousled his soft hair.


    ¡°Averi, would you like to visit Great-Grandma today?¡± she suggested gently.


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    Averi nodded in agreement, his little hand gripping Sadie¡¯s shirt firmly. Taking his hand, Sadie guided him to the exit. As she opened the door to leave, she unexpectedly encountered a poised and elegant woman.


    Taken aback, Sadie paused briefly and instinctively retreated a step.


    Susannah observed the child sping Sadie¡¯s hand. Her face registered mixed emotions, and after a lengthy silence, she exhaled softly. ¡°You are Sadie, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    With a puzzled expression, Sadie acknowledged politely. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s me. And you are?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Alex¡¯s mother,¡± Susannah replied.


    This revtion made Sadie blink in astonishment.


    Alex¡¯s mother? What could have brought her here?


    Susannah assessed Sadie carefully, pondering her next words. Her gaze briefly shifted to Averi, then back to Sadie. ¡°Might we talk more privately downstairs in the cafe? It¡¯s best not to have this discussion in front of the child.¡±


    Initially hesitant, Sadie soon agreed with a nod.


    ¡°Please go ahead, Mrs. Howe. I¡¯ll take a moment to talk to my child and join you,¡± she responded softly.


    With a slight nod, Susannah turned and departed.


    As Susannah walked away, Sadie felt a stir of unease. She went back to her room and pulled out a jewelry box from a drawer¡ªthe very one delivered by Alex¡¯s assistant. After asking Averi to stay put and y quietly, she took the box and made her way to the cafe.


    There, Susannah was seated by the window, maintaining an elegant posture as she sipped her coffee, her attention seemingly captivated by the scene outside.


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    Sadie joined her, taking the opposite chair.


    ¡°Can I get you a drink?¡± Susannah inquired, shifting her focus to Sadie.


    ¡°Just a ss of water. Thanks,¡± Sadie answered.


    Susannah signaled for the waiter and ordered water for Sadie.


    After the waiter departed, silence briefly enveloped the table.


    Susannah retrieved a check from her finely crafted leather handbag and ced it smoothly before Sadie. The paper bore a prominent seal and an elegant signature, yet the amount remained unfilled.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, state your price.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s gaze lingered on the check, uncertainty flickering in her eyes.


    ¡°Mrs. Howe, what is this about?¡±


    Susannah set her coffee spoon down with a sharp tter, the sound slicing through the hushed atmosphere of the cafe.


    ¡°I will not allow a descendant of the Howe family to live outside the family.¡±


    Sadie blinked, confusion deepening.


    Susannah continued, ¡°I¡¯m aware of your circumstances. The Hudson name¡­ no longer holds weight. You¡¯re a young mother, raising a child alone¡ªlife can¡¯t be easy. This check guarantees that you will never struggle again. Think carefully, Miss Hudson. This is the wisest decision for both you and Averi.¡±


    A realization dawned on Sadie. Susannah had misunderstood things.


    ¡°Mrs. Howe, you can rx. I don¡¯t have any improper intentions like you think. Regarding Averi¡¯s parentage¡­ I believe there¡¯s been a misunderstanding.¡±


    Susannah stiffened, clearly unprepared for this response. Her expression darkened.


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    ¡°What do you mean by this? My investigators were thorough. Averi is yours and Alex¡¯s, born in Zupren three years ago.¡±


    The discovery had left Susannah shocked. Beyond that, her sources uncovered that Sadie had previously admitted¡ªon multiple asions¡ªthat Averi was Alex¡¯s child. And now, she was refuting it? Was she angling for more than money?


    Sadie exhaled slowly. It was time to clear things up.


    Sliding the velvet box across the table, she said, ¡°Alex¡¯s assistant gave me this. I believe it should now be returned to its rightful owner. As for Alex and me, we were never more than friends. He¡¯s helped me before, but nothing beyond that.¡±


    Sadie lowered her gaze, her thickshes veiling the turmoil in her eyes. The past wasn¡¯t something she wished to revisit.


    ¡°And Averi¡­ he is not Alex¡¯s son. Due to personal matters, I once asked him to pretend to be Averi¡¯s father. I apologize for the confusion.¡±


    Susannah¡¯s eyes narrowed, skepticism evident. She studied Sadie intently, searching for any trace of deception. The woman before her appeared delicate, yet there was an underlying resilience in her stance.


    After a moment, Sadie spoke again. ¡°If you still doubt me, I¡¯m willing to have my son take a DNA test to put this matter to rest.¡±


    With that, she grabbed her purse, rose from her seat, and left without another word.


    Susannah watched her retreat, lost in thought. She couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that things might not be as simple as they seemed.


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    Her attention drifted to the jewelry box Sadie had returned. She reached for it and flipped it open. Inside, the pink diamond ney untouched.


    Anyone else in Sadie¡¯s position would have epted such an offer without hesitation. But she didn¡¯t. That, at the very least, was bold.


    Aside from her origins, the girl seemed¡­ decent.


    Outside the cafe, Sadie inhaled deeply, steadying herself. She had done her part¡ªwhether Susannah believed her was another matter.


    Back at Howe Manor, Susannah handed off her shawl to a waiting servant. Pressing her fingers to her temples, she exhaled, weariness seeping into her posture.


    ¡°Wee back, Mrs. Howe,¡± the butler said respectfully, stepping forward.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Susannah responded, making her way to the sofa.


    Before she could settle in, hurried footsteps echoed from outside. Alex strode in, concern written all over his face.


    ¡°Mom, I heard you met with Sadie?¡±


    Susannah nced up, amusement flickering in her eyes. ¡°Why do you look so troubled?¡±


    Alex stopped before her, his voice firm. ¡°What did you say to her? Is she alright?¡±


    Susannah lifted the cup a servant had just ced before her, blowing lightly over the surface before taking a measured sip.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so dramatic. I simply had a conversation with her.¡±


    Alex didn¡¯t look convinced, his jaw tightening. ¡°Just a conversation? You didn¡¯t pressure her to do anything, did you?¡±


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    Setting the cup down, Susannah studied her son. ¡°You seem quite invested in this woman, Alex.¡±


    Alex fell silent for a moment before finally speaking. ¡°She¡¯s a good person. She doesn¡¯t deserve to be treated unfairly.¡±


    ¡°Alex, I know you have apassionate heart, but not everything is as straightforward as you think,¡± Susannah said calmly.


    Alex met her gaze. ¡°What are you trying to say?¡±


    Susannah¡¯s gaze locked onto Alex, her eyes narrowing as she studied him. ¡°Have you fallen for Sadie?¡± she asked, her voice cutting through the air.


    Alex hesitated, his jaw tightening as he struggled to find the right words. After a moment, he finally spoke. ¡°I have, Mom.¡±


    Susannah¡¯s perfectly sculpted brows furrowed, and despite the wless makeup that adorned her face, it couldn¡¯t conceal the anger brewing beneath. ¡°This is unbelievable!¡± she snapped. ¡°A single mother with a child? And you¡¯ve fallen for her? Have you lost sight of your responsibilities as the heir of this family?¡±


    Alex took a deep breath, his voice steady but pleading. ¡°Mom, Sadie is strong,passionate, and worthy of happiness. Why can¡¯t you ept that?¡±


    Susannah¡¯s eyes narrowed in disbelief. ¡°So you really think she¡¯s someone worth considering?¡± Her voice dripped with disdain. ¡°No matter how amazing she is, she¡¯s a single mom. She made choices that ruined her reputation; how could you even think she can be a part of our family?¡±


    The air in the living room grew thick with tension. Alex¡¯s heart sank, the weight of Susannah¡¯s words pressing down on him.


    Susannah studied her son, seeing the determination in his eyes. Her tone softened, but the frustration still lingered. ¡°Look, Alex, I only want what¡¯s best for you. You¡¯re not a kid anymore, and it¡¯s time you start thinking about getting married. I¡¯ve already arranged meetings with some respectable young women from good families. At least give them a chance¡­¡±


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 Chapter 267

    ?Chapter 267:


    ¡°Stop!¡± Alex cut her off sharply, his voice strained with frustration. ¡°I¡¯ll decide what¡¯s best for my life! And when ites to Sadie, I don¡¯t need your interference!¡±


    Alex turned and stormed out of the room, leaving Susannah alone, stunned on the sofa.


    Susannah watched her son walk away, her emotions a whirlwind. She knew Alex wasn¡¯t backing down.


    Rubbing her temples, she felt the weight of exhaustion press down on her. She closed her eyes, her mind racing.


    The Howe family was no ordinary household. It had traditions as rigid as stone. How could a single mother, no matter how remarkable, ever be epted into their world?


    Even if she could somehowe to terms with it, what about Alex¡¯s father? And his grandfather? Would they ever look past Sadie¡¯s past?


    Sadie walked hand in hand with Averi, who was bouncing energetically beside her. In her other hand, she carried a thermal food jar given by Laura, her expression calm and content.


    ¡°Mom,¡± Averi said, his wide, curious eyes looking at her. ¡°When is Alexing to y with us again?¡±


    Sadie chuckled softly, her hand gently ruffling his hair. ¡°Alex is a very busy man, sweetheart. But I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll visit us again soon when he has some free time.¡±


    As they reached their apartment building, Sadie saw Alex standing at the entrance as if he had been waiting for them. Dressed in a crisp white shirt, he looked effortlessly handsome, his presence both striking andforting.


    At the sight of Sadie and Averi, Alex¡¯s face lit up with a warm smile. He approached them, his voice filled with genuine warmth. ¡°Sadie, Averi,¡± he greeted, his eyes lingering on Averi with unmistakable fondness.


    When Averi spotted Alex, he broke free from Sadie¡¯s hand and dashed toward him, his little feet carrying him as fast as they could. ¡°Alex!¡± he called out, his voice brimming with excitement.


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    Alex bent down gracefully and scooped Averi up into his arms, lifting him high above his head. Averi¡¯s pure and joyfulughter filled the air, echoing around them.


    ¡°Well, well,¡± Alex teased, his voice yful. ¡°Someone seems happy to see me. Did you miss me, buddy?¡±


    Averi nodded vigorously, his excitement barely contained. ¡°I did! Alex, can you y with me today?¡± he asked, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.


    Alex nced at Sadie, his expression softening as he spoke gently to Averi. ¡°I need to have a quick chat with your mom first, okay? How about you y on your own for a little while?¡±


    Though a flicker of disappointment crossed Averi¡¯s face, he nodded obediently. He slid out of Alex¡¯s arms and dashed off to explore the nearby yground. The neighborhood was tightly secured, allowing Sadie and Alex to chat without worrying about his safety.


    Once Averi was out of earshot, Alex turned to Sadie, his expression tinged with guilt. ¡°Sadie,¡± he began, his voice low and careful. ¡°Can we talk?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s eyes met Alex¡¯s, a flicker of uncertainty passing through them before she gave a quiet nod. She also sensed that some things needed to be said between them.


    They walked over to a bench beside a vibrant flowerbed and sat down. The air between them felt heavy, charged with unspoken words.


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    ?Chapter 268:


    Alex inhaled deeply, his hands sped tightly in hisp as he gathered his thoughts. ¡°Sadie, about what my mom said earlier¡­¡± He paused, searching for the right words. ¡°Please don¡¯t take it to heart. She¡¯s just¡­ she doesn¡¯t always understand.¡±


    ¡°Your mom is right,¡± Sadie interjected softly, her gaze dropping momentarily as she carefully chose her next words. ¡°My situation is¡­plicated. Alex, I¡¯m truly grateful for all you¡¯ve done for me and Averi recently. But¡­¡± She hesitated, her voice gentle yet firm. ¡°I haven¡¯t considered anything beyond that.¡±


    Alex met Sadie¡¯s gaze, recognizing the soft rejection in her clear eyes. He swallowed the disappointment that began to rise. ¡°Sadie, I understand your concerns, but¡­¡±


    He attempted to continue, but Sadie interrupted him softly, shaking her head. ¡°Alex,¡± she said, her tone kind but firm. ¡°You¡¯re an amazing person. But right now, my life is about Averi. He¡¯s my priority, and I don¡¯t have the energy or the heart to focus on anything else.¡±


    Alex¡¯s throat tightened as he watched Sadie, his eyes filled with a quiet frustration he couldn¡¯t hide.


    As Sadie looked at Alex, her heart ached. The sincerity in his eyes was unmistakable, and she could feel his genuine care for her. Yet, despite her appreciation for him, she couldn¡¯t reciprocate his feelings. Her past experiences, a failed marriage, and the emotional burden of raising Averi alone loomedrge in her mind.


    Moreover, the fear of hastily entering a new rtionship weighed heavily on her. For Sadie, Alex had always been a supportive friend, nothing more, and she wasn¡¯t prepared to change that perception.


    Nearby, Averi had been ying by himself for a while, but the fun was starting to fade. He nced over at Sadie and Alex, sitting on the bench, talking in hushed tones. They seemed so absorbed in their conversation that they hadn¡¯t noticed him.


    Averi nudged a small stone with his foot, causing him to trip and nearly tumble to the ground.


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    ¡°Watch out!¡± a deep voice called out from behind, and a strong hand quickly stabilized Averi.


    Raising his eyes, Averi recognized the distinctly defined face above him.


    Standing there was Noah.


    Dressed sharply in a suit, Noah looked more imposing than ever, his deep-set eyes giving him an aloof air.


    As Noah¡¯s eyesnded on Averi, his stern expression melted into a gentler one. He signaled for Samuel, who was close behind, to proceed to the car without him.


    With a silent nod, Samuel headed toward the sleek ck sedan at the roadside.


    Averi, who remembered Noah from a fun day at the hospital where they had yed with toys, grinned widely and reached up eagerly.


    ¡°Noah!¡±


    Feeling a sudden warmth in his heart, Noah bent down, lifting Averi into his arms.


    ¡°What are you doing here all by yourself? Where is your mom?¡±


    ¡°Mom¡¯s over there!¡±


    Averi directed his little finger towards Sadie and Alex, who werefortably seated on a bench beside the flowerbed.


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    Following Averi¡¯s gesture, Noah¡¯s gazended on Sadie and Alex sitting intimately under the dim glow of a yellow streetlight.


    The sight caused Noah¡¯s fist to tighten reflexively, a wave of bitterness washing over him.


    So Sadie left her child alone to be close with another man?


    When Alex noticed Noah, his expression changed abruptly, the smile vanishing from his face.


    Surprise also shed across Sadie¡¯s face; she had not expected to see Noah here.


    Samuel had informed her that Noah was on a business trip overseas and wouldn¡¯t return soon. Yet, here he was.


    When Alex saw Sadie lost in thought as she looked at Noah, a stab of pain hit him. ¡°Sadie, you still haven¡¯t moved on from him?¡±


    Taken aback, Sadie was not prepared for Alex¡¯s question. Noah, cradling Averi, was close enough that every word was clearly audible to him. Silently, he watched the interaction, a subtle flicker of expectation visible in his eyes.


    What was he expecting? What was he hoping Sadie would say?


    Chaos churned within Sadie¡¯s heart. For a brief moment, she was at a loss for words in response to Alex. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    Her voice carried a tone of detachment, and she avoided looking at Noah. Swiftly, she got to her feet and gestured for Averi to leave Noah¡¯s embrace.


    ¡°Averi, we¡¯re heading home.¡±


    With urgency, she guided her son towards the elevator, eager to leave the heavy air behind them. Her heart thudded violently, threatening to break free from her chest. It felt as if an unseen force clutched at her heart, squeezing the breath from her lungs.


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    Once Sadie vanished inside the building, Alex approached Noah.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, I wasn¡¯t aware you still enjoyed unsettling your ex-wife.¡±


    Noah responded with a cold chuckle, ¡°Ex-wife? Alex, she and I are still legally bound. Moreover, this property belongs to Wall Group.¡± He stressed ¡°Wall Group¡± pointedly, his voiceced with a veiled threat.


    Only then did Alex take a moment to observe his surroundings. It dawned on him that he was standing on a property developed by Wall Group the previous year. A silence fell over Alex as he recognized his oversight.


    It just so happened that Sadie¡¯s apartment was located within a Wall Group property. It seemed unlikely to anyone that this wasn¡¯t orchestrated by Noah.


    ¡°Noah, the two of you are over. Why can¡¯t you just move on?¡± Alex asked.


    Noah offered no reply, merely scoffing before he walked away.


    The sound of the car door shutting echoed as Noah settled back into the leather seat, his expression shadowed, the atmosphere heavy with an undeniable mncholy.


    ¡°She said she didn¡¯t know, did she? How ridiculous!¡±


    ¡°Mr. Wall, without even pausing to rest after your flight, you came directly to see Mrs. Wall. Should we return to the office or head to Myrtlewood Estate?¡± Samuel, positioned in the front seat, voiced his concern.


    Initially, Samuel believed Noah¡¯s haste was due to concerns about the situation with K. But the moment Noahnded, he headed straight to see her. It was then that Samuel understood his error.


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 Chapter 270

    ?Chapter 270:


    Noah sighed, pressing his fingers to his temples. ¡°She¡¯s out on bail. Mrs. Wall has arranged a position for her at the branch office.¡±


    Acknowledging the update with a nod, Noah instructed, ¡°Get in touch with K. Tell her to meet me at Myrtlewood Estate.¡±


    Samuel hesitated momentarily before saying, ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall.¡± Casting a surreptitious nce at Noah in the rearview mirror, Samuel noted the deepening shadow over his features. Opting not to say more, Samuel promptly made the call to K.


    Meanwhile, K¡¯s carefully maintained calm was shattered by the sudden ring of her phone. It was Samuel.


    K¡¯s chest tightened as a wave of unease crept over her. She gathered herposure and epted the call.


    ¡°Miss Wade, Mr. Wall requests that youe to Myrtlewood Estate now,¡± Samuel said, maintaining a formal yet distant demeanor.


    K¡¯s hand clenched around her phone. The inevitable was unfolding. She had anticipated that this matter wouldn¡¯t blow over so easily. Facing her mirror, she altered her pristine makeup, intentionally adding redness to her eyes to appear more distressed and pitiful.


    Lights zed across Myrtlewood Estate as K rushed in.


    Seatedfortably on a leather sofa, Noah had his legs crossed, a ss of red wine in his grasp. His cold, hard stare created a thick air of tension that K sensed intensely.


    Tears swiftly gathered in her eyes as she bit her lower lip.


    ¡°Noah¡­¡± Her voice shook. ¡°I realize¡­ you think it was me.¡±


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    Before Noah could reply, she hid her face in her hands, her sobs breaking through quietly. ¡°But I swear, I didn¡¯t do it. I didn¡¯t take the pink diamond. I don¡¯t know how it got into my possession¡­¡± Tears streamed down her face as she quivered slightly, her appearance one of vulnerability and despair.


    Noah observed her quietly, his expression inscrutable, his eyes revealing nothing of his thoughts. He gently ced the wine ss on the table, the faint sound breaking the stillness of the room.


    ¡°K,¡± he said in a calm, measured tone. ¡°There¡¯s nothing I despise more than dishonesty.¡±


    K looked up, her face wet with tears, her eyes filled with hurt. ¡°Noah, how could you think I would lie to you? My love for you is so deep.¡±


    Her hand trembled as she reached out to him, pausing uncertainly in the air. Noah¡¯s eyes shifted to her outstretched fingers, maintaining a stoic facade.


    The room felt increasingly oppressive, the air heavy with a mix of perfumes, including K¡¯s distinct scent. Noah found his thoughts in disarray.


    Recent events, especially those concerning the pink diamond, forced him to harbor doubts about her. He detested the notion of being misled, yet his reluctance to distrust her gnawed at him even more. He should trust K.


    However, the image of Sadie¡¯s delicate, pale face repeatedly intruded on his thoughts, causing a persistent throb in his head.


    Eventually, K¡¯s crying began to quiet. Noah approached her, looking down at her. ¡°I hope you¡¯re telling the truth.¡±


    Trying to steady herself, K insisted, ¡°I swear, I really didn¡¯t take that pink diamond!¡±


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    ?Chapter 271:


    K subtly watched as Noah¡¯s stern expression began to soften.


    Her pounding heart started to settle.


    What hold did Sadie have over Noah?


    Tightening her fists, K decided to change the subject.


    ¡°Um, I have to go to Stonemont Estate tomorrow to talk about a project with Ms. Shaw, but¡­¡± She hesitated, her lip caught between her teeth, tears welling up in her eyes again. She added, ¡°But she won¡¯t agree to meet with me. I¡ªI¡¯m at a loss.¡±


    K lifted her gaze to Noah, her eyes filled with helplessness, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Could you possiblye with me?¡±


    Noah paused briefly. He was familiar with the Stonemont Estate project. This project was minor, the branch office¡¯sst project for the year, and had minimal effect on overall profits. Eva, known for her tough demeanor, posed challenges that were infamous within the industry, exining K¡¯s difficulties. K¡¯s involvement seemed to be a strategic move to strengthen her standing. So it seemed.


    Following a thoughtful silence, Noah responded in a professional tone, ¡°At what time?¡±


    Feeling a wave of relief, K rxed and answered promptly, ¡°At ten in the morning.¡±


    Noah nodded in agreement.


    K raised her head, managing a grateful smile. ¡°Thanks, Noah.¡±


    Noah left the room and made his way up to his study. As he ignited a cigarette, smoke began to curl around the space, the tip of the cigarette casting a weak glow in the muted lighting.


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    Sadie¡¯s hesitant voice haunted him, repeating, ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡± He inhaled deeply from the cigarette before crushing it out in a crystal ashtray.


    In his agitation, he yanked at his tie.


    Meanwhile, in Sadie¡¯s bedroom, the only light came from a bedsidemp. Lying awake on her bed, Sadie was lost in thought. She gazed up at the ceiling, pondering her next move. Wasn¡¯t she supposed to let go of Noah?


    They had shared years of life together, which ultimately led to their divorce. It seemed right to let go. After all, his heart belonged to K, not to her.


    A sad smile appeared on her lips as tears silently streaked down her face, dampening the silk pillowcase. She then turned to her side, pressing her face into the pillow.


    Light rain persisted throughout the night and continued as dawn broke. Clouds covered the skypletely, leaving the roads wet and shiny.


    Carol showed up early. Sadie asked her to take care of Averi as she got ready to leave. She had an important task today. She was dressed in a dark trench coat with her hair loosely tied back, strands softly outlining her finely shaped face. As she gripped the business card Leanna had provided, her face was set with determination.


    ¡°Take me to Stonemont Estate, please,¡± she said to the cab driver. The cab driver looked hesitant as he scrutinized the blurry mountain road through the windshield.


    ¡°The road up the mountain is dangerous, especially with all this rain. If we run into trouble¡­¡± he exined, his voice trailing off.


    ¡°I¡¯ll pay extra,¡± Sadie promptly responded.


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 Chapter 272

    ?Chapter 272:


    After a brief pause, the driver started the engine.


    Stonemont Estate was already on Sadie¡¯s mind. The estate was owned by Eva, who was well-known for being a tough negotiator. Securing a partnership would not only solidify but possibly enhance her studio¡¯s standing significantly.


    As they drove up the winding path, the rain grew heavier. Even with the windshield wipers moving fast, the thick fog remained difficult to clear.


    Upon reaching the midpoint of the ascent, the driver abruptly hit the brakes.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, miss, but it¡¯s too risky to continue. The road is too slick,¡± he said, fear evident in his pale face and trembling voice.


    Despair gripped Sadie as she realized the driver¡¯s concerns were valid. The mountain path was both narrow and steep, made treacherous by the rain.


    Attempting to maintain herposure, she said, ¡°Sir, I¡¯ll pay triple. Would you please take me to the top?¡±


    But the driver was resolute in his refusal.


    ¡°It¡¯s not about the money, miss. I have a family to think about, and I can¡¯t risk our lives over this.¡±


    Sadie opened her mouth to protest, but the driver continued, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, miss, but this is as far as I go.¡±


    A wave of anxiety washed over Sadie, though she understood his point. After paying him, she watched as the cab turned and vanished into the rainy mist.


    Standing alone at the roadside, Sadie paused, her gaze fixed on the mountain path now shrouded in rain and fog, feeling a surge of helplessness. Her umbre was up, but it hardly kept the relentless rain at bay. Her coat was quickly drenched, sending chills deep into her bones. With each step she took, the muddy road became tougher to tread.


    Yet, she pressed on, her jaw set firmly.


    From the misty haze, a ck Maybach glided silently toward her. Hope sparked in Sadie¡¯s chest. She might still find a way forward! She stepped boldly into the road, waving down the approaching vehicle.


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    The car slowed to a halt and the window slid down, revealing a face that was familiar yet unsettling.


    Noah was inside, looking as refined and unruffled as always. His gaze, unreadable as ever,nded on the soaked figure of Sadie standing in the rain. Sadie stood still, shocked. What shocked her even more was that K was sitting beside him, her sleek hair cascading over her shoulders, her makeup impable, dressed in a white gown that entuated her allure.


    Seeing K free so soon from the police station was beyond Sadie¡¯s expectations. A heaviness descended upon her heart.


    She remembered the previous evening when Noah had shown up outside her apartment building, likely there to confront her about K. K¡¯s eyes shifted toward Sadie, radiating a smug satisfaction.


    However, her expression quickly changed to one of fake concern. ¡°Sadie, what brings you out here? Where are you headed all by yourself? Let Noah and me give you a lift. He won¡¯t mind,¡± she suggested with feigned sweetness.


    Yet Sadie remained motionless.


    Noah¡¯s gaze was fixed on her, deep and intense, as it always had been, his thoughts unreadable. When he saw Sadie¡¯sck of response, his face grew stern.


    ¡°If you¡¯re noting, then just stay here,¡± he said coldly.


    Samuel, behind the wheel, nced at Noah in the rearview mirror, then at Sadie in the rain. He seemed hesitant about what to do next.


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 Chapter 273

    ?Chapter 273:


    As the car started moving, Sadie¡¯s anxiety surged. She thought about the coboration with Eva and realized that if she had to ascend the mountain on foot, it would only make things worse and potentially put her in danger. Even if she did make it to the Stonemont Estate, it would likely bete into the evening.


    Taking a deep breath, Sadie opened the passenger door and got into the vehicle.


    The vehicle was filled with a subtle fragrance, unmistakably K¡¯s favorite perfume. Feeling slightly suffocated, Sadie shifted ufortably.


    K¡¯s eyes lingered on her drenched form, a sense of pleasure apparent in her expression. Without a word, Samuel ignited the engine and steered toward the mountaintop. Warmth enveloped the car¡¯s interior.


    The rain had thoroughly drenched Sadie¡¯s attire, causing it to cling to her figure. Her trench coat, altered by the rain, now sported darker shades, staining the cream-colored leather seat beneath.


    K, noticing the discoloration, feigned innocence as shemented, ¡°Sadie, it looks like your coat is staining.¡±


    Catching K¡¯s nce, Sadie inspected the edge of her damp coat, noticing the change herself. Today, she had chosen a dark blue trench coat¡ªnot a luxury item but still costly. It seemed unlikely to bleed.


    Embarrassment flushed through Sadie, yet she maintained herposure and responded, ¡°Oh, is it?¡±


    With a suppressed giggle, K acted concerned. ¡°I¡¯ve brought extra clothes. Why not change into one of them? You might catch cold in those. And don¡¯t worry, Noah selected these, so they¡¯re sure not to bleed color.¡±


    Internally, K smirked, well aware that Sadie would never ept her clothing; the offer was merely a calcted insult.


    Sadie was well aware of K¡¯s motives. She managed a slight, bitter smile and said, ¡°No, thank you for your offer.¡±


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    K, realizing Sadie was not provoked, changed the topic. She shifted her gaze towards the window before inquiring, ¡°By the way, Sadie, what¡¯s your destination?¡±


    ¡°Stonemont Estate,¡± Sadie answered tersely.


    ¡°Stonemont Estate?¡± K echoed, caught off guard.


    A heavy feeling settled in Sadie¡¯s chest.


    What a coincidence. Could it be that Noah and K were on their way to Stonemont Estate for the same purpose?


    Sadie shivered, a cold sensation creeping up her spine.


    From the rearview mirror, Samuel saw Noah¡¯s countenance darken and, grasping the situation, promptly said, ¡°Mrs. Wall, we¡¯re on our way to Stonemont Estate as well.¡±


    Hearing Samuel address her that way deepened Sadie¡¯s difort. With aposed and firm voice, she corrected him, saying, ¡°Please, I am not ¡®Mrs. Wall.''¡±


    K¡¯s expression soured at once.


    That Samuel¡ªwhy did he still refer to Sadie as ¡°Mrs. Wall¡±?


    A tense, cold silence enveloped the car.


    K¡¯s hands formed fists so tight that her nails dug painfully into her palms.


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 Chapter 274

    ?Chapter 274:


    She fantasized about casting Sadie from the vehicle right at that moment.


    Finally, the Maybach smoothly halted at the ornate iron gates of Stonemont Estate.


    The rain continued unabated, its heavy drops beating a rhythmic pitter-patter against the windows.


    Samuel was quick to exit the car, unfurling arge ck umbre and courteously holding the door open for Noah and K.


    Noah emerged, his tall figure d in a ck suit, looking striking yet emotionless.


    K, dressed elegantly in a white gown, tightly gripped Noah¡¯s arm, her makeup wless.


    Sadie exited the vehicle from the other side, managing her umbre by herself.


    Awaiting their arrival was the estate¡¯s butler, who promptly advanced with a respectful bow as he spotted Noah and K. ¡°Mr. Wall, Miss Wade, wee.¡±


    Spotting Sadie, drenched from the rain, the butler momentarily registered surprise beforeposing himself and quietly asking, ¡°And¡­ who is thisdy?¡±


    Noah gave Sadie a cold look and remained silent.


    With K poised to speak while still linked to Noah, Sadie quickly interjected, ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Sadie Hudson, referred by Mrs. Leanna Lawrence of the Lawrence Group. I¡¯m here to visit Ms. Shaw.¡± The butler¡¯s confusion resolved into rity.


    Smiling apologetically at Sadie, he said, ¡°Oh, Miss Hudson. You¡¯re quite wet¡ªit¡¯s easy to catch a cold in that state. Please,e inside and change into dry clothes.¡±


    Sadie paused briefly before agreeing with a nod.


    The butler continued, ¡°Mr. Wall, a servant will escort you and Miss Wade to the gazebo, and I¡¯ll inform Ms. Shaw immediately.¡±


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    After a final look at Sadie, Noah walked away in the other direction.


    The butler guided Sadie through the opulently decorated hall, and they reached a guest room filled with warmth and the soothing scent ofvender.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, please make yourselffortable here while I fetch some fresh clothing,¡± he said before exiting the room.


    Exhausted, Sadie grabbed a towel from the bathroom and sank into the soft sofa to dry off her hair.


    The butler had seemed to be familiar with Noah and K earlier. Most likely, they were here for a business coboration too. But why would Noah be interested in working with Eva?


    Shortly, the butler returned with clothing¡ªa cream cashmere sweater and light gray pants.


    ¡°Miss, these belong to Ms. Shaw. They should fit you for the time being,¡± he said politely.


    Sadie expressed her gratitude, and the butler departed.


    After slipping into the provided clothes, Sadie felt the cashmere¡¯s gentle warmth against her skin, though it did little to loosen up the coldness settling in her heart.


    Despite knowing her studio stood little chance against the might of Wall Group, Sadie was determined not to back down now that she was here.


    She was just smoothing the oversized sleeves when K entered, her heels clicking authoritatively on the floor, radiating an air of dominance. Her face was twisted into a mocking sneer.


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 Chapter 275

    ?Chapter 275:


    ¡°Well, look at the great designer, Sadie Hudson, wearing someone else¡¯s clothes,¡± K said, scanning the room with a sarcastic tilt of her head. ¡°This estate isn¡¯t open to just anyone. Don¡¯t tell me you actually think cozying up to Lawrence Group will suddenly make you important.¡±


    With her head lowered, Sadie chose not to engage with K. All she wanted was to get out of there as quickly as possible.


    K¡¯s smugness grew as she observed Sadie¡¯s reticence. She stepped closer, her expression filled with scorn.


    ¡°Noah¡¯s attention is focused solely on me. No matter my actions, he will always defend me. You, however, are insignificant to him.¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± Sadie struggled to contain her rising fury. ¡°Stay out of my rtionship with Noah.¡±


    K¡¯s sneer deepened. ¡°And who might you be? You¡¯re just a passing amusement for him. Once he grows bored, he¡¯ll discard you without a second nce.¡±


    With her lips pressed tightly together, Sadie¡¯splexion turned ashen.


    Deep down, she acknowledged the harsh truth in K¡¯s words.


    After all, it had already been proven right three years ago.


    Suddenly, a rxed voice floated in from the doorway, sounding almost as if the speaker was just strolling by.


    ¡°Why all the animosity, youngdy?¡±


    Both Sadie and K whipped their heads around.


    At the entrance stood a woman in gardening attire, smeared with dirt, yfully wielding a pair of pruning shears, her smile teasing. Loose strands of her long, dark hair framed her face, enhancing her sultry, captivating appearance.


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    K¡¯s face clouded over, and she retorted sharply, ¡°Shut up. What concern is it of yours? When did we start letting servants speak up?¡± A heaviness settled in Sadie¡¯s chest; she didn¡¯t want to draw someone else into her dispute with K.


    ¡°Miss Wade, if you are that remarkable, why haven¡¯t you be Mrs. Wall after three years yet?¡±


    Sadie gazed at the ¡°gardener.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for what happened, and thank you for your intervention.¡± The woman, mistaken for a gardener, wore a yful yet slightly puzzled expression as she nced between Sadie and K.


    A mix of anger and humiliation colored K¡¯s cheeks.


    The audacity of Sadie!


    ¡°Typical. You¡¯re both lowly people. Sadie, you¡¯re destined to remain among those servants!¡±


    Now, K¡¯s disdain was fully evident.


    Before Sadie could formte a reply, the butler emerged at the entrance.


    ¡°Ms. Shaw, Mr. Wall is here.¡±


    Ms. Shaw?


    Both Sadie and K turned to stone, their eyes fixed on the woman standing in the doorway.


    This woman, disheveled with mud, was actually Eva, the estate¡¯s owner?


    Color drained from K¡¯s face; she had not anticipated insulting Eva directly.


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    ?Chapter 276:


    Eva passed the pruning shears to the butler and brushed the dirt off her hands. She then strolled towards them, her lips curved in a subtle smile.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, could you repeat what you said earlier? I didn¡¯t quite hear you.¡±


    K attempted to speak, but no words came. Overwhelmed with embarrassment, she felt a burning desire to disappear right there and then.


    Sadie was equally stunned; she hadn¡¯t anticipated running into Eva in this setting.


    Eva, a globally recognized investor and a formidable businesswoman, was known for her keen intuition and ruthless strategies in the corporate world.


    Yet here she was, d in the humble attire of a gardener.


    Her presence instantly transformed the room¡¯s tension into an evident difort.


    K was unnerved.


    She now regretted her earlier harsh words, worried that Eva might mention the incident to Noah.


    What would happen if Noah learned of this?


    K managed a strained smile, attempting to formte an apology, but found herself speechless.


    Eva gave K a measured look, then turned and departed silently.


    Left behind in the guest room, Sadie and K felt the oppressive silence envelop them.


    K clenched her jaw, clinging to her dwindling dignity.


    ¡°Just you wait, Sadie! Sooner orter, Noah will uncover your true colors!¡± With those words, she hastily exited, her heels echoing sharply against the floor.


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    The door to the guest room closed loudly, echoing through the hallway. Exhausted, Sadie massaged her temples.


    Her recent sh with K had been an exhausting and futile disy. Her only desire now was to exit the room swiftly.


    She approached a servant and inquired softly about the way to the gazebo.


    The servant directed her with a polite gesture, and she walked down a ss-walled corridor.


    Located by a man-madeke and surrounded by lush trees, the gazebo offered a calm and refined retreat.


    From afar, Sadie could see Noah and Eva, who had changed clothes, enjoying a rxed conversation in the gazebo.


    They sharedughs in a sociable and light-hearted exchange.


    Eva lifted her coffee for a sip, her gaze yfully fixed on Noah as she joked, ¡°Noah, I thought you were overseas on business. I tried contacting you but you were always unavable! What brings you here today? And with two beautiful women no less¡ªare we expecting a spectacle at my estate?¡±


    Just then, K also reached the gazebo.


    Herplexion was ashen, and she looked visibly anxious. Approaching Eva, she bowed deeply. ¡°Ms. Shaw, I apologize for my earlier behavior.¡±


    Eva responded to her apology with a lukewarm half-smile, turning her attention back to Noah.


    Observing this, Sadie moved closer as well.


    She said, ¡°Ms. Shaw, I have no personal ties with Mr. Wall. I was merely sharing a ride with him.¡±


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    ?Chapter 277:


    Noah looked up at her, his expression enigmatic, and he said nothing.


    Eva regarded Sadie with appreciation, clearly intrigued.


    Sadie appeared much morepelling than Eva had initially thought. Previously, the butler had already ryed to Eva that this was the Sadie Leanna had mentioned.


    Now seeing her firsthand, Eva could understand why Leanna had spoken so highly of Sadie. Sadie truly stood out, especiallypared to someone who was merely superficial.


    Besides, Noah¡¯s strikingly handsome features typically drew admiring nces from many women. Sadie, however, wasn¡¯t one to be easily swayed.


    Sadie handed over a meticulously prepared coboration proposal to Eva.


    ¡°Ms. Shaw, please review this coboration proposal from our studio.¡±


    Eva took the document and flipped through it casually.


    ¡°The proposal is quite standard, though you¡¯ve obviously given it considerable thought,¡± Evamented, her voice neutral, giving nothing away.


    Without showing much reaction, she shut the proposal and ced it to the side. ¡°I tend to avoid the conventional. I¡¯m already familiar with the operations of your studio and the Wall Group.¡±


    Indeed, Wall Group¡¯s branch office had been relentlessly in touch with her, so much so that it had be somewhat overwhelming.


    Eva¡¯s eyes shifted yfully between Sadie and Noah as she suggested, ¡°Here¡¯s my offer. Tonight, you¡¯ll both have the opportunity to impress me. Use Stonemont Estate as your inspiration to create a design. The one whose design captivates me more will earn a chance at partnership.¡±


    Noah¡¯s brow knitted together, and just as he was about to respond, Eva lifted a hand, silencing him. ¡°Mr. Wall, I understand the time is tight, but genuine talent thrives under pressure, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡±


    Eva¡¯s lips, tinted red, curved into a smile as she lifted her coffee cup, motioning as though inviting Noah to a toast.


    L¦Ët??¦Ó §éh¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?r? ¦Én g??l?ov?ls.??????


    Noah remained silent, merely taking a sip of his coffee.


    K¡¯splexion turned paler.


    How could anyone be expected to create a design sophisticated enough to secure Eva¡¯s favor in such a short time? It seemed like an obvious setup for failure!


    Just then, the butler rushed towards them, his face etched with concern. ¡°Ms. Shaw, there¡¯s been an incident! The mountain road ispletely destroyed by the rain. We¡¯re cut off. It¡¯s unlikely the path will be cleared before noon tomorrow.¡±


    Eva¡¯s eyebrow arched as she pondered the news. ¡°Well then, it seems you three will need to stay here at the estate for the night.¡±


    Observing that Noah raised no objections, Eva instructed, ¡°Please have someone prepare the guest rooms.¡±


    As the butler departed to follow Eva¡¯s orders, she watched Noah and Sadie with an expressive look.


    Noah¡¯s attention subtly drifted toward Sadie, while hepletely ignored K by his side.


    Eva was aware of the whispers suggesting K was the love of Noah¡¯s life. However, the current dynamics hinted otherwise.


    Her interest in the real connection between Noah and Sadie deepened. All the while, Sadie was deeply engrossed in refining her design proposal, unaware of Eva¡¯s scrutinizing eyes.


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    ?Chapter 278:


    Sadie narrowed her eyes, her brows knitted.


    K and Sadie each departed to prepare for the designpetition. In the gazebo, Eva and Noah were the only two left.


    ¡°Noah, who do you think will win?¡± Eva inquired, her incisive gaze fixed on Noah as though anticipating significant insight.


    Noah gazed toward the distant mountains, his face a mask of detachment, his lips sealed. He offered no answer.


    Eva let out a softugh and shook her head. ¡°You haven¡¯t changed¡ªstill as dull as ever.¡±


    From the first time Eva encountered Noah, she recognized his demeanor. He was a man known for guarding his emotions closely.


    Meanwhile, K rushed into an adjacent corridor and quickly called the Wall Group¡¯s design team.


    As she paced back and forth, she issued orders as soon as someone answered. ¡°Start working immediately. I want designs that reflect elements of Stonemont Estate. Send several drafts to my inbox by tonight.¡±


    There was a pause on the line.


    ¡°Miss Wade, with such short notice¡­ I¡¯m not sure if¡­¡±


    ¡°Just make it happen, no matter what it takes!¡± Kmanded, abruptly interrupting the other person.


    She was determined not to be outdone by Sadie.


    At that moment, the butler rounded the corner, three room keys in his hand.


    K¡¯s thoughts quickly aligned, and she approached him. ¡°Could you please pass me those cards? I¡¯m going in that direction and can easily deliver them to Noah and Sadie,¡± she said, offering a convincingly sweet and courteous smile as if she were extending a kindness.


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    The butler paused momentarily but then relinquished the cards.


    Given her proximity to Noah, he found it difficult to deny her request. K subtly traced her fingers along the edges of the cards, already devising a strategy.


    Tonight could offer the chance she had been anticipating¡­


    Now was the moment for Sadie to understand her true ce. Inside her, a spark of hope was kindled¡ªtonight could potentially change everything.


    When Sadie returned to her guest room, she discovered the door slightly open, rendering the need for a room card unnecessary.


    She found a peaceful spot to sit, unfolded the paper, and began her design.


    The quiet scratch of her pencil against the paper filled the room as she diligently outlined sleek, graceful curves.


    Deeply focused on her task, Sadie blocked out all distractions.


    This was her opportunity to demonstrate her capabilities.


    At noon, the dining room boasted a grand disy of various dishes.


    Eva had already taken her seat, and Noah was there too, his gaze lingering on the empty seat beside him, his expression tinged with concern.


    K, caught up in her evening¡¯s scheming, missed the fleeting expressions in Noah¡¯s eyes.


    She retrieved three room cards from her purse and ced them on the table.


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    ?Chapter 279:


    ¡°Noah, you are staying in Room 316.¡±


    As Eva started to speak, she identally brushed a cup, tipping it over. Water cascaded across the table and onto the cards.


    ¡°Oh dear, I¡¯m terribly sorry,¡± Eva said, grasping a napkin to dab at the mess.


    ¡°No worries, Ms. Shaw,¡± K responded, masking her initial panic with a smile.


    K sifted through the now slightly wet cards and handed what she believed was the card for Room 316 to Noah.


    Unbeknownst to her, the card she handed over was actually for Room 319¡ªthe room assigned to Sadie.


    A subtle thrill of triumph fluttered in K¡¯s heart. They would be staying at Stonemont Estate tonight, seemingly guided by fate itself!


    Noah took the card with a subtle nod, not examining it too closely.


    Eva watched the interaction, an intrigued smile creeping onto her face. The unfolding drama intrigued her more with each passing moment.


    As dusk settled, the lights of Stonemont Estate began to twinkle against the night sky.


    At the bar, K held a crystal ss, delicately swirling its contents.


    With no one watching, K smoothly retrieved a small vial from her purse and tipped its contents into the drink, her actions quick and discreet.


    The powder dissolved instantly, leaving no sign it had ever been there. Spotting a servant nearby, she slipped him a stack of hundred-dor bills.


    ¡°Please, bring this drink to Mr. Wall,¡± she instructed.


    The servant¡¯s eyes lit up at the cash, and he eagerly agreed.


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    ¡°Absolutely, Miss Wade. I¡¯ll ensure it reaches Mr. Wall.¡±


    Content with her arrangements, K turned and left for her room. She slipped into a light purple silk nightgown, her hair flowing down her back, enhancing her seductive appearance.


    Tonight, if she could sleep with Noah, the title of Mrs. Wall might soon be hers.


    And if the night ended with her carrying his child? Even better.


    Noah was enveloped in warm, yellow light as he stood in the kitchen. He took off the slightly damp apron and casually hung it over the back of a chair.


    Eva, with a yful glint in her eyes, leaned against the doorframe, her lips a striking red.


    ¡°Are you trying to impress someone with your cooking, Mr. Wall? It¡¯s unusual to see you in the kitchen. Who are you doing this for?¡±


    Her yful tone contrasted with her gaze, which wandered in the direction of Sadie¡¯s room.


    Without a word, Noah nced at her indifferently and proceeded toward the dining room. His tall stature cast a long shadow under the light, enhancing his imposing presence.


    Eva smiled softly, recognizing his silence as a sign of deep thought. She chose not to delve deeper, knowing when to leave him be. At that moment, a servant entered, carefully bncing a tray as he approached Noah.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, here¡¯s a fresh whiskey cocktail from the bar, meant to aid rxation and sleep,¡± he said, bowing his head to avoid Noah¡¯s gaze.


    Noah¡¯s eyebrow arched as he eyed the amber liquid on the tray, the whiskey¡¯s rich, subtly sweet aroma filling the air.


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 Chapter 280

    ?Chapter 280:


    He grabbed the ss without hesitation and downed its contents in one swift motion.


    Eva observed him with a trace of confusion flickering across her face.


    After setting the ss back down, Noah felt an unusual warmth coursing through him. He frowned, puzzled by the odd sensation washing over him.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Noah? Are you feeling okay?¡± Eva asked, her voiceced with concern.


    He nodded his head, dismissing her worries. Just as he was about to respond, a wave of dizziness overwhelmed him. His vision blurred, and the room seemed to whirl around him. Noah staggered, clutching the table¡¯s edge to keep himself upright.


    Sadie was engrossed in her design sketches,pletely oblivious to the time slipping by.


    Only when the sky outside turned pitch ck and the room¡¯s light dimmed did she finally pause, rubbing her weary eyes.


    A loud growl from her stomach signaled that it was dinner time. Stretchingzily, Sadie rose to relieve her stiff muscles. Her long, dark hair framed her face, entuating her natural beauty as she moved.


    A knock at the door interrupted the silence.


    ¡°Come in.¡±


    The door swung open, and a uniformed servant stepped in, a tray in hand and a respectful smile on his face. ¡°Miss Hudson, your dinner is served.¡±


    He set the tray on the table, lifted the lid, and unveiled a spread of delicate dishes, a tempting scent wafting through the air.


    Sadie¡¯s eyes widened in recognition of her favorites. A hint of surprise crossed her face. Had Eva nned this surprise?


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    ¡°Thank you,¡± she said warmly, rewarding the servant with a smile. She then settled at the table and reached for her fork.


    She bit into the zed chicken, letting the tangy-sweet sauce coat her tongue. The tender meat practically melted in her mouth.


    The meal was delicious, and Sadie relished each bite. Yet, during the meal, a curious thought struck her. She puzzled over how Eva could know her favorite dishes, as she had never mentioned them.


    Once her te was clean, Sadie returned to her work. The design was finallying together, prompting a deep sigh of relief from her.


    The peacefulness of the room was suddenly shattered by the ringing of her phone.


    As Sadie picked up her phone, she saw Alex¡¯s name on the disy. She paused, then decisively pressed the answer button.


    ¡°Sadie, where are you?¡± Alex¡¯s voice rang out, tense with urgency.


    ¡°I¡¯m at Stonemont Estate,¡± Sadie responded briefly. ¡°I¡¯m here to discuss a potential coboration with Ms. Shaw.¡±


    ¡°Stonemont Estate?¡± Alex¡¯s confusion was evident. ¡°And you¡¯re still there at this hour?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m stranded; the mountain road was destroyed by the rain. I won¡¯t be able to return until tomorrow,¡± she exined. Silence followed from Alex¡¯s side for a moment.


    ¡°I¡¯ll drive over to pick you up tomorrow,¡± Alex finally said.


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    ?Chapter 281:


    Sadie let out a gentle sigh. ¡°Really, Alex, I¡¯m okay. There¡¯s no need to worry.¡±


    Alex started to speak, but Sadie cut him off, saying, ¡°I need to get back to work now. I¡¯m going to hang up.¡±


    She ended the call before Alex could reply, setting her phone beside her sketches. Her eyes returned to her design, but her mind wandered.


    Ding¡ª


    The abrupt ring of the doorbell jolted Sadie from her thoughts. Frowning slightly, she assumed it was just a servant and rose to answer the door.


    Her fingers had just grazed the doorknob when she heard the distinct sound of a door card being used.


    As the door swung open, she was surprised not to see a servant but Noah standing there instead.


    His towering presence dimmed the hallway light, and his gaze, dark and intense, was fixed solely on her.


    A cold dread swept through Sadie, weighing down on her heart. ¡°Why¡­ why are you here?¡± she stammered, her voice shaking as she instinctively retreated a step.


    Noah hesitated, his expression one of confusion as he seemed to wonder why Sadie was in ¡°his¡± room.


    He remained silent, his intense stare making Sadie increasingly ufortable.


    The familiarity of his look unnerved her; it was identical to the one he had often given her three years earlier¡ªthe fiery intensity in his eyes¡­ Overwhelmed, she turned her head away, trying to escape the overwhelming atmosphere.


    However, Noah quickly closed the distance.


    In a swift motion, he encircled her waist with his arm, drawing her close against him.


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    ¡°Sadie¡­¡± His voice was a soft murmur against her ear.


    Completely rigid, Sadie tried to push him away. His grip tightened in response.


    ¡°Release me!¡± she demanded, her voice filled with desperation.


    Rain tapped softly against the windows, contrasting sharply with the charged atmosphere inside the room,den with a tense, ambiguous intimacy.


    To Noah, Sadie¡¯s resistance seemed merely a feeble attempt to hide her true feelings for someone else.


    Abruptly, he bent down and kissed her, forcing her onto the bed. The kiss was harsh, tinged with a punishing intensity, with biting and deep pulls.


    Sadie, caught off guard by his sudden aggression, fought back as he gripped her firmly, refusing to let go. ¡°Mm¡­ release me¡­¡± she managed to gasp out.


    Her efforts to push him away proved ineffective.


    His overpowering kiss left her breathless, her energy fading as tears rolled down her cheeks uncontrobly.


    Feeling her tears on his skin made Noah halt, and after a brief pause, he finally let her go.


    Breathing heavily, Sadie looked up at him with eyes blurred by tears, her voice shaky. ¡°What do you take me for? You¡¯re with K. Why do you keeping back to haunt me?¡±


    His expression wasplex. Noah felt a surge of unspeakable frustration. Without a word, he turned and strode into the bathroom, where he turned on the cold tap and let the cold water cascade over him.


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 Chapter 282

    ?Chapter 282:


    The cold of the water offered Noah only temporary rity; it did little to extinguish the persistent, unsettling heat that simmered within him. Sadie copsed onto the floor, curled up, her face hidden in her arms as tears silently spilled down her cheeks.


    Eventually, she raised her head, her eyes drawn to the bed.


    The warmth of Noah¡¯s presence lingered on the sheets, and the air was subtly tainted with a sweet, cloying scent.


    A thought struck her, and she leapt up, walking briskly to the bed. She reached out, touching the sheets that radiated residual heat. Remembering the odd heat of Noah¡¯s skin when he had held her, she wondered if perhaps he had been drugged.


    Stunned by her own suspicion, Sadie considered who might drug Noah within this estate. Could K be involved? That thought seemed far-fetched¡ªthey were, after all, a couple.


    Why would K resort to dragging Noah? Such an action seemed wholly unnecessary.


    Her eyes shifted toward the bathroom, torn between the urge to check on him and her own trepidation. Noah¡¯s unpredictable state unnerved her profoundly.


    As the silence stretched from the bathroom, Sadie¡¯s concern eventually overpowered her fears.


    ¡°Noah?¡± Sadie¡¯s knock on the door was hesitant, met with silence. ¡°Noah!¡± she called out more forcefully, yet theck of response only heightened her anxiety.


    With a surge of concern, she no longer held back and burst through the bathroom door.


    Inside, Noah was slumped against the tiles, drenched and unconscious, with water still cascading down on him and steam clouding the air. Instinctively, Sadie clenched her teeth and mustered all her strength to pull him from the slick floor.


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    He proved far heavier than she anticipated, making each step toward the bedroom a burdensome effort.


    Finally managing to get him onto the bed, Sadie caught her breath, visibly exhausted. She quickly dried him off, her eyes fixed on his closed ones as her brows knitted together in worry.


    The urgent need for medical assistance became clear in her mind.


    She reached for the bedside telephone, dialing the butler¡¯s number. ¡°Hello, this is Sadie. Could you please call the doctor? I¡­ I need a doctor here.¡± Her voice shook with urgency.


    ¡°Understood, Miss Hudson. I¡¯ll arrange it right away,¡± came the butler¡¯s steady, reassuring reply.


    After hanging up, Sadie remained seated by the bed, her anxiety evident as she awaited help. She frequently checked Noah¡¯s forehead, her anxiety intensifying with each passing second.


    Meanwhile, in the adjacent room, K had be sleepy from the long wait. Dressed meticulously, she grew increasingly restless as Noah had not yet appeared, a sense of unease taking hold.


    ¡°Why hasn¡¯t Noah shown up yet?¡± she muttered while applying anotheryer of makeup in front of the mirror.


    Suddenly, a knock sounded from the neighboring room.


    K got up and opened the door. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the butler was about to enter the neighboring room with a doctor.


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 Chapter 283

    ?Chapter 283:


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± K inquired, stepping closer.


    ¡°Miss Wade, Miss Hudson has requested a doctor,¡± the butler said. K¡¯s eyes darted to the room behind the butler, where she saw Noah lying on the bed.


    ¡°Why is Noah in Sadie¡¯s room?¡± she whispered under her breath.


    A sudden realization struck her, causing her to clench her fists tightly. She hurried back to her room, her pulse racing.


    ¡°Could they have found out about my n?¡± K wondered, herplexion turning ashen as she clutched her dress.


    The butler, looking quite bewildered, entered Room 319 and paused by the door, watching as the doctor administered a sedative to Noah. Amid themotion, Sadie was frantically trying to help him.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, please take a moment to rest. I can look after Mr. Wall,¡± the butler suggested.


    Sadie quickly shook her head.


    ¡°I need to do this myself,¡± she insisted, her eyes fixed intently on Noah, without realizing it.


    Recognizing her resolve, the butler stepped back without objection.


    The doctor finished his examination and confirmed that all was in order.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, Mr. Wall has only been drugged. He will be fine after some rest.¡±


    Relief washed over Sadie, and she copsed exhaustedly onto the edge of the bed.


    ¡°Thank you, doctor,¡± she murmured faintly.


    Once the doctor had left, the butler departed to inform Eva of the incident.


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    ¡°Drugged?¡± Eva set her ss of red wine aside, her lips curving into a knowing smile. ¡°Such a crude tactic. It¡¯s surprising Noah would be involved with a woman like that.¡±


    After a brief pause, shemanded, ¡°Fetch the servant who served Mr. Wall his drink.¡±


    The butler acknowledged with a nod and quickly departed to carry out her orders.


    As Eva idly yed with her wine ss, her gaze drifted, deep in contemtion.


    Outside, the rain continued to pour heavily, yet the warmth of the room created a cozy atmosphere.


    Sadie remained seated at the edge of the bed, gently arranging the nkets around Noah. Hey there, deeply asleep, his features rxed under the soft light, exuding a tranquility that made him appear less formidable and unexpectedly gentle.


    Sadie let out a soft sigh before rising and moving to the desk. She flipped open herptop, its screen casting a pale light that highlighted the weariness in her eyes.


    Compelling herself to concentrate, she resolved to continue working¡ªthere was still a task that awaitedpletion. She had alreadypleted the initial design draft; the next steps were to digitize it, apply color, and fine-tune the details.


    Her fingers glided over the drawing tablet, lines emerging fluidly under her deft touch. Despite her focus, her thoughts frequently drifted to the figure resting on the bed¡ªthe man who had once held her close, yet now felt so distant. The whirlwind of emotions swirling within her was intense and defied expression.


    She shook her head, attempting to clear away the distracting thoughts. Her focus needed to be sharp; her mind needed to be at peace. As time slipped away, the darkness outside gave way to the first light of dawn.


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 Chapter 284

    ?Chapter 284:


    Morning light seeped through the curtains, softly illuminating the room and revealing the untidy state of the bed.


    Sadie had no idea when sleep had taken over. She woke up groggy, rubbing her stiff neck as she pushed herself upright. Theptop remained active, disying the finalized design draft on its screen.


    Relief flooded Sadie as she saw thepleted draft. She had managed to finish right on schedule.


    Noah was not in the room when she looked around. Apparently, he had left, which brought her a subtlefort. The closeness they had experienced the previous night had been slightly confusing.


    Carefully, Sadie closed herptop and picked it up, ready to take it to Eva.


    As she reached for the doorknob and began to turn it, the door suddenly burst open from the outside. In the doorway stood K.


    Seeing Sadie, K raised her hand as if to strike her.


    Quickly, Sadie caught K¡¯s wrist, her gaze cold. ¡°Miss Wade, what is this behavior?¡±


    K attempted to pull her wrist away, but Sadie¡¯s grip remained firm.


    K¡¯s eyes zed with anger, and she bared her teeth. ¡°Sadie, you are disgusting! You and Noah are divorced, yet you¡¯re still chasing after him? How pathetic!¡±


    With a mocking sneer, Sadie released K¡¯s wrist. ¡°Miss Wade, aren¡¯t you the disgusting one, considering you¡¯re the mistress?¡±


    ¡°You¡ª!¡± K¡¯splexion nched with fury, her finger shaking as she pointed at Sadie. ¡°What makes you so confident? Do you think you can change how things stand? You¡¯ll see¡ªyou¡¯ll achieve nothing!¡±


    Sadie chose not to continue the confrontation and turned to walk away.


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    ¡°Think you can just walk away? Think again!¡±


    In a sudden move, K lunged at Sadie, shoving her aggressively. At the end of the hallway, there was a small step that Sadie hadn¡¯t noticed. Caught off guard, she stumbled backward.


    As she lost her footing, theptop flew from her hands, tracing a parabolic path through the air beforending heavily in the rain outside the hallway.


    ¡°No!¡± Sadie cried out, horrified as she watched the rain drench herptop, its screen going dark immediately.


    K looked on, a smug grin spreading across her face.


    ¡°Much appreciated, Sadie. Looks like Eva¡¯s project just became mine.¡± With that, she turned and walked away confidently, radiating triumph.


    Sadie stood frozen, her thoughts racing.


    The design draft¡­ was gone. What was she to do now?


    Carefully, Sadie bent down to retrieve theptop, drenched from the rain. Its screen remained dark, the device feeling cold and heavy¡ªa reflection of her heavy heart.


    Nearby, the hibiscus flowers shone brilliantly, revived by the rain. Their petals, dotted with dew, contrasted with the dull backdrop, their vivid hues standing out.


    A spark of inspiration lit up Sadie¡¯s eyes as she began to devise a n.


    At the same time, down the corridor, K strode forward, her confident smile intact, her high heels echoing crisply against the floor. As she turned the corner, she caught sight of Noah.


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 Chapter 285

    ?Chapter 285:


    He stood by the window, engaged in a phone call, his face set in a stern expression.


    ¡°¡­Carry out my instructions. Tomorrow morning, I expect the secretarial team at the branch office.¡±


    His voice wasmanding as he issued orders to Samuel on the line. K paused, taken aback.


    Such a move usually suggested management problems at a branch office.


    She hastened her steps, yet as she approached, Noah concluded his call.


    ¡°Noah¡­¡± K¡¯s voice was soft, her eyes wide with feigned naivety. ¡°I don¡¯t even know what I did wrong¡­¡±


    As Noah faced K, his gaze was piercing. ¡°Eva has already taken care of the servant who delivered me the drink.¡±


    K¡¯s expression twitched, the urge to defend herself rising, to assert that Sadie was the real schemer.


    But before she could speak, Noah¡¯s voice cut through with chilling finality.


    ¡°Next time, there will be no mercy.¡±


    As soon as he finished speaking, he turned and walked off.


    K remained rooted in ce, her fists clenched tight.


    Why did Eva have to meddle so much? And Sadie was just as bad!


    Noah¡¯s breakfast was a disy of refined grace, each movement showcasing his natural poise.


    Eva, resting her chin on her hand, watched him with an amused sparkle in her eyes and a cunning smile on her lips.


    ¡°You look quite lively today, Mr. Wall. Did you get some good restst night?¡±


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    As Noah looked up, his deep eyes met hers. He replied softly, ¡°Fairly well.¡±


    Herughter was gentle, yet her words carried a teasing undertone. ¡°Only fairly well? The butler informed me you spent all night in Miss Hudson¡¯s room and only left this morning after getting the whole story aboutst night,¡± she teased, her smile broadening for effect. ¡°I heard you even tried not to wake Miss Hudson when you left. Looks like I¡¯ve figured out the special someone for whom you were cookingst night.¡±


    Noah¡¯s grip on his knife and fork ckened briefly, and his expression grew somber, though he offered no reply.


    Setting aside his cutlery, he gracefully took a napkin and dabbed at his lips.


    ¡°You seem to have quite a bit of spare time, Eva,¡± he said, his tone detached.


    With a rxed shrug, Eva responded, ¡°What can I do? Life¡¯s spectacles are too interesting to ignore, particrly yours.¡±


    Noah then calmly took a sip of his coffee, showing no sign of irritation at Eva¡¯s remarks.


    At that moment, K approached with a tablet in hand and positioned herself next to Eva.


    ¡°Ms. Shaw, I¡¯ve received the initial designs from the branch¡¯s design team,¡± K said, her voice maintaining a professional softness.


    Eva examined the tablet briefly.


    Disyed on the screen were severalvish and garish dress designs, each excessively ttering. Beneath the images, sycophantic words praised Eva¡¯s elegance and unmatched grace.


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    ?Chapter 286:


    ¡°It¡¯s adequate,¡± Eva said ndly, handing the tablet back to K. She stole a quick nce at Noah, noting his continuedposure, which puzzled her.


    Logically, after spending the entire night with Noah, Sadie should have been by his side by now.


    Eva spected silently. Could Noah have exhausted the poor girlst night? Yet, she maintained a poker face, casually addressing the servant nearby. ¡°Why hasn¡¯t Miss Hudson arrived yet?¡±


    Eva¡¯s abrupt inquiry about Sadie took K by surprise, causing her to hesitate. Her eyes briefly met Noah¡¯s, but noting hisck of reaction, she cautiously said, ¡°She might have lost track of the time.¡±


    Eva simply arched an eyebrow, her suspicions deepening. She mused that the previous night might have been more thrilling than she¡¯d initially thought.


    Leisurely, Eva took her wine ss, swirling the contents lightly while her gaze darted between Noah and K, as though watching an intriguing drama unfold.


    Soon, Sadie made her entrance into the dining hall. Soaked from the rain, her hair stuck to her face, and her nearly see-through white shirt entuated her slender figure.


    Despite her appearance, Sadie maintained her poise, her demeanor calm, and her presence radiantly defiant. She carried no design drafts, only a hibiscus flower, its petals dotted with raindrops that sparkled like tiny pearls.


    Eva momentarily paused at the sight of Sadie entering in such a state. ¡°Miss Hudson, what happened?¡± she asked, cing her wine ss down.


    Sadie approached the table and delicately set the hibiscus on it, watching as the droplets formed subtle patterns on the cloth.


    ¡°This represents my design,¡± she said.


    ???€?? ¡é?¦Át?¦Å§ñs 1n ga?n?¦Í¦Ål?.???


    K burst intoughter. ¡°Sadie, is this a joke? Do you think a single flower will satisfy Ms. Shaw?¡±


    Noah¡¯s attention subtly shifted, his eyes lingering on Sadie with a hint of curiosity.


    ¡°The hibiscus, freshly kissed by the rain, showcases its beauty effortlessly,¡± Sadie responded with measured rity, disregarding K¡¯s scoff. ¡°Ms. Shaw¡¯s grace mirrors the hibiscus¡ªboth are subtly vibrant and strikingly delicate. This flower embodies that spirit.¡±


    A spark of interest flickered in Eva¡¯s eyes. She had anticipated typical design drafts from Sadie, yet was met with the unexpected choice of a real hibiscus to symbolize her design philosophy. This bold disy of creativity captivated Eva instantly.


    ¡°Fascinating¡­¡± Eva murmured, picking up the hibiscus to study it more intently, her expression one of genuine admiration.


    K gripped her tablet with such force that her knuckles turned white. Sadie held Noah¡¯s attention for a moment, his expression unreadable as emotion flickered in his deep eyes.


    Instead of announcing the results immediately, Eva instructed everyone to proceed with their breakfast. The mood in the dining room carried a subtle tension, everyone absorbed in private contemtions.


    As the meal concluded, Eva used her napkin to dab the corner of her mouth gracefully. She looked meaningfully at Sadie and Noah before standing to leave.


    Sadie followed closely behind her.


    Soon, only Noah and K remained in the dining hall.


    K was unable to contain herself any longer, her eyes brimming with tears as she approached Noah, her voice breaking. ¡°This coboration means so much to me, Noah. If our branch loses this project, I might lose my job. The senior staff have never taken me seriously.¡±


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    Tears glittered in her eyes as she sniffled, looking deeply distressed.


    ¡°Do you remember how I saved you¡ª¡±


    Cutting her off, Noah responded, ¡°I do.¡±


    His voice was cold, his eyes briefly showing impatience. He remembered what had happened back then, but K¡¯s repeated reminders wore on him.


    Her lip caught between her teeth, K yearned to speak further, yet Noah¡¯s cold gaze silenced her.


    ¡°I¡¯ll think about it,¡± he said, before turning to leave.


    K¡¯s eyes lingered on his departing figure, filled with reluctance. Meanwhile, Sadie stood by a floor-to-ceiling window in the corridor, whispering into her phone.


    ¡°Alex, I¡¯m really fine. The coboration seems solid.¡± A subtle smile emerged on Sadie¡¯s face, her voice tinged with relief.


    Noah approached, pausing abruptly behind her.


    Was Alex the one she was speaking to?


    Feeling his presence, Sadie spun around, her surprise fleeting before she regained her calm.


    Their gazes locked, the air between them charged with unease. Without a word, Noah simply gave Sadie a prating look, then continued on his way.


    As he walked off, Sadie¡¯s eyes followed him, her hand tightening on her phone, a trace of loneliness appearing in her gaze.


    She wrapped up the call with a few light-hearted words to Alex, then hung up.


    Rain slid from the eaves, forming soft ripples on the wet soil below. The view through the floor-to-ceiling window sharpened, infused with the earthy aroma of the rain.


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    By noon, the dining room buzzed again with the presence of diners.


    Seated at the head of the table, Eva abruptly shared the news. ¡°The Shaw Group¡¯s project will now be managed by the Wall Group¡¯s branch.¡±


    The news stunned Sadie; her folder nearly slipped from her trembling hand. Disbelief filled her; Eva hadplimented her design that very morning.


    Across from her, K¡¯s face broke into a victorious grin, her pride evident for all to see.


    She nced at Sadie with a challenging look, her eyes gleaming with triumph.


    A heaviness overwhelmed Sadie¡¯s heart, sinking it with disappointment. The reason eluded her.


    Noah was absent from the dining room.


    K took her time as she walked past Sadie, her voice dropping to a murmur. ¡°Did you hear Noah just met with Ms. Shaw? Not everything can be won by trying hard. Sometimes, you¡¯re just meant to be a supporting yer.¡±


    After her cutting remarks, K walked off, leaving Sadie to wrestle with her sense of defeat.


    Trying to stay poised, Sadie inclined her head and was about to exit.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, please wait,¡± Eva called out, her voice reaching Sadie from behind.


    Sadie halted and faced Eva, her eyes clouded with confusion.


    ¡°Yes, Ms. Shaw is quite impressed with my design concept,¡± she murmured into the phone.


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    ?Chapter 288:


    cing her silver fork down, Eva inquired, ¡°You have no objections?¡±


    With a calm smile, Sadie responded, ¡°I respect your decision, Ms. Shaw.¡± Her brief response was impactful.


    Eva¡¯s lips curved into a yful smile, a spark of admiration in her gaze. ¡°Your directness is refreshing, Miss Hudson.¡±


    With a discreet nod, she signaled her assistant to fetch a document. ¡°While the Wall Group secured the major project, I have something special for you.¡±


    Tentatively, Sadie took the document and opened it, her eyes widening in astonishment.


    It was about the jewelry design for Eva¡¯s appearance at the Starlight event.


    The document detailed every requirement Eva had for the jewelry, from the materials to the styles.


    Overwhelmed, Sadie murmured, ¡°This is¡­ amazing.¡±


    She looked up, her expression one of utter disbelief, her lips quivering. Eva lightly said, ¡°Don¡¯t disappoint me, Miss Hudson. I believe in your capabilities.¡±


    With a wave of her hand, she instructed her assistant, ¡°Please arrange transportation for Miss Hudson back to town.¡±


    Holding the document close, Sadie felt a rush of emotions.


    She affirmed with a firm nod and a clear voice, ¡°I won¡¯t disappoint you, Ms. Shaw!¡±


    Meanwhile, K approached the familiar ck car, still smiling triumphantly. She attempted to open the passenger door, but it remained stubbornly closed.


    Pausing, K murmured, ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± She tugged at the handle again, but the door refused to open.


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    A flicker of confusion crossed her face. Was the central locking system activated?


    The car window slowly rolled down, revealing Noah¡¯s chiseled face. His expression was grim, however, and his gaze was cold as ice.


    ¡°Noah?¡± K¡¯s smile froze, and a wave of unease surged in her heart.


    Noah¡¯s lips parted slightly as he spoke in a deep, authoritative voice. ¡°This is thest time, K.¡±


    The words were short and few, but they left K reeling. The color drained from her face, and her eyes widened in a mix of shock and confusion. ¡°What? I¡¯m sorry, what did you just say?¡±


    Noah didn¡¯t spare her another nce, nor did he address her again. Instead, he looked ahead and said to the chauffeur, ¡°Drive.¡±


    The ck sedan sped away, leaving K standing alone, hurt and bewildered. She had carefully chosen her outfit and dolled up her face, but her efforts ended up feeling like a mockery of her hopes.


    She reached out without thinking, but there was nothing to grasp in front of her except the cold, empty air.


    K felt a chill run through her body. It left her weak and unsteady, and she found herself swaying slightly under the weight of it all.


    She couldn¡¯t process what had just happened.


    Everything had been fine a few moments ago. How had it all changed so suddenly?


    Noah had even gone to negotiate a deal with Eva on her behalf. Was it because of Sadie?


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    ?Chapter 289:


    Meanwhile, Sadie was sitting in the car Eva had arranged for her. Her mind was swirling with thoughts about her uing design project.


    Ding!


    Her phone chimed with a new notification. It was a message from the kindergarten teacher, reminding her that it was a school open day and that parents could pick up their children earlier than usual.


    Sadie nced at the time and asked the driver to speed up.


    The car weaved through the winding mountain road and headed straight for the kindergarten. A group of children was already gathered at the entrance, likely waiting for their parents while chattering noisily.


    Sadie immediately spotted Averi in the crowd. He was standing next to the teacher, all prim and obedient, even as his eyes scanned his surroundings.


    ¡°Averi!¡± Sadie called out, prompting the boy to turn in her direction.


    His little face instantly lit up with a huge smile. He dashed over and threw himself into her arms. ¡°Mommy!¡±


    Sadie gathered him in a tight embrace, relishing the warmth that filled her chest. No matter how tough her situation got, Averi¡¯s innocent smile always made everything worth it.


    ¡°Mommy, my teacher praised my drawing today!¡± the boy said proudly, his lips stretched into a wide grin.


    ¡°Really? That¡¯s amazing!¡± Sadie smiled indulgently and ruffled his hair.


    She held his hand as they walked home, chatting andughing all the way.


    They were passing by the supermarket near their apartment when Sadie made ast-minute decision to grab some groceries. She gently guided Averi inside.


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    ¡°Sadie!¡± A familiar voice suddenly called out from behind them. Sadie turned to see Alex standing a few feet away, his face wrought with concern.


    ¡°Alex?¡± She blinked in surprise. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    Alex rushed over, his eyes scanning her body as if to confirm she was unharmed. After taking a moment to assess, he breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°I was worried, so I thought I¡¯de and check on you.¡± Alex chose not to mention that he had heard Noah and K had also been at the Stonemont Estate.


    Sadie couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m sorry to have made you worry, though.¡±


    Just then, Alex¡¯s phone buzzed. His expression changed when he saw the caller ID.


    ¡°Excuse me. I need to take this call.¡± He gave Sadie an apologetic smile before stepping away to answer his phone.


    Sadie just nodded and took Averi into the supermarket. From Alex¡¯s reaction, she figured something urgent hade up.


    A faint sense of foreboding came over Sadie, but she brushed it aside as Averi continued with his lively prattling.


    ¡°Mommy, what are we having for dinner today?¡± the little boy asked, his eyes eager and hopeful.


    ¡°What would you like to eat?¡±


    ¡°I want zed chicken!¡± Averi answered without a second¡¯s hesitation.


    ¡°All right, zed chicken it is!¡± Sadie dered, yfully pinching his cheek.


    Alex¡¯s call didn¡¯t take too long, and soon he was jogging back to Sadie¡¯s side.


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    ¡°Hey, something happened at work. I need to go.¡±


    ¡°Okay, off you go, then. Good luck.¡± Sadie nodded at him in understanding.


    But Alex didn¡¯t leave right away. Instead, he gave her a long, meaningful look thatsted a moment. Then he turned on his heel and left.


    Sadie watched him disappear into the crowd outside, perplexed by that lingering gaze. Another wave of unease swept over her. She shook her head, pushing that inexplicable feeling aside.


    The mother and son finished their shopping and headed home. Sadie settled Averi on the sofa to watch cartoons while she went into the kitchen to start dinner.


    Out of nowhere, Averi asked, ¡°Mommy, where did you gost night?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s hands froze mid-movement. She had her back to the living room, so she had a few seconds to think about what to say. In the end, she replied, ¡°I had some work to dost night.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Averi replied with a hint of disappointment in his voice. ¡°Please don¡¯t stay out at night anymore. Okay, Mommy?¡±


    Sadie finally put the vegetables down and walked back to the living room. She knelt in front of the sofa so that they were eye to eye.


    ¡°I promise, I¡¯ll try toe home every night. And tonight, I will make your favorite egg custard, too. How does that sound?¡±


    Averi¡¯s chubby face broke into a delighted grin. ¡°Great!¡±


    Silence reigned in the apartment soon after dinner.


    Sadie took Averi for his bath, then tucked him under the nkets before gently lulling him to sleep. It wasn¡¯t until he was fast asleep that she quietly left the room.


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    She walked over to her desk and opened herptop. The bright glow of the screen illuminated her face, highlighting the traces of exhaustion that were all the more noticeable in her features.


    Sadie took a deep breath and opened a design file entitled ¡°Free Hibiscus.¡±


    When she woke up the next morning, Sadie went through her usual routine of washing up and getting dressed. Then she padded over to Averi¡¯s bedside.


    The little guy was still sleeping soundly, his longshes casting shadows on his chubby cheeks.


    ¡°Averi, sweetheart?¡± she called out softly. ¡°Wake up. We need to go to the hospital for your checkup.¡±


    Averi stirred. ¡°Mommy,¡± he mumbled as he rubbed his eyes and stretched. ¡°Are we going to see Dr. Archer again?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Sadie replied with a smile as she helped him out of bed to get dressed. ¡°Once we¡¯re done at the hospital, I¡¯ll take you to eat something yummy.¡±


    Less than an hourter, Jim was carefully examining Averi and taking notes on the boy¡¯s condition post-surgery.


    ¡°He¡¯s recovering very well, and the wound is healing up nicely too,¡± Jim said as he set his stethoscope down. ¡°This little warrior is pretty tough.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Dr. Archer.¡± Sadie sighed in relief, feeling a burden lift from her shoulders.


    ¡°Mommy, may I have ice cream?¡± Averi chirped as soon as they stepped out of the consultation room.


    Sadie thought about it for a while. ¡°Well, a little bit wouldn¡¯t hurt.¡±


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 Chapter 291

    ?Chapter 291:


    ¡°Yay!¡± Averi squealed in excitement.


    A whileter, Averi was holding his ice cream as if it were a precious treasure. He savored every lick, and his eyes twinkled with delight.


    Sadie¡¯s heart was filled with warmth and affection as she watched her son enjoy the simple things in life.


    ¡°Mommy, look!¡± Averi suddenly pointed at the television propped up in the hospital lobby. ¡°Look at that man!¡±


    On the screen was the live broadcast of a press conference for the Wall Group. Noah looked as dashing as ever in his tailored suit as he stood on the tform, addressing the media.


    Sadie felt her heart clench. Yesterday¡¯s events came rushing back in full force, recing her earlier joy with bitter resentment.


    She turned away from the screen and her son. She couldn¡¯t let Averi see her misery.


    At that same moment, K was limping out of the emergency area.


    She had to walk down the mountain in her high heels after Noah left her, and her feet ended up getting cuts and blisters. She had no choice but to seek treatment at the hospital.


    ¡°Damn that Sadie! Why is it her again?¡± K muttered under her breath, her anger ring once more as she spotted Sadie and Averi in the distance.


    But before she could do anything about it, her phone rang.


    ¡°K,e to Wall Manor for dinner tonight. Nigel wants to host a family dinner,¡± Isabel said kindly through the phone.


    ¡°Sure thing! I¡¯ll be there,¡± K replied as cheerfully as she could under the circumstances. After hanging up, she threw onest seething re in Sadie¡¯s direction, then limped out of the hospital.


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    K was determined to make a good impression on the Wall family during tonight¡¯s dinner. If she won Nigel over and gained his approval, her social status would rise significantly.


    Sadie waited until Averi finished his ice cream, then they left the hospital hand in hand.


    They were by the entrance when a sleek, ck Maybach pulled up in front of them. Sadie acted on reflex, stepping in front of Averi and blocking him from view.


    The car window rolled down to reveal Noah¡¯s handsome face. The mere sight of him brought all the anger and frustration she felt rising to the surface.


    The way Noah had pulled strings for K the previous day was still painfully fresh in Sadie¡¯s mind.


    Well, she couldn¡¯t me him, since the two were a couple, after all.


    ¡°Get in,¡± Noah ordered in his signature domineering tone.


    Sadie gritted her teeth and inhaled sharply. ¡°What do you want from me, Mr. Wall?¡± she asked icily.


    Noah¡¯s brows furrowed. He didn¡¯t like her attitude at all. ¡°My grandfather wants you toe over for dinner.¡±


    Sadie froze. It had been three years. She had no idea how Nigel was doing these days.


    The old man had always treated her well and cherished her like he would his own granddaughter.


    Sadie felt her heart soften, if only a little.


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 Chapter 292

    ?Chapter 292:


    Sadie¡¯s heart softened a little.


    A mix of emotions clouded her eyes. ¡°Well¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll have the driver take Averi home,¡± Noah offered. He had sensed her hesitation and chose to make the decision for her.


    Sadie hesitated some more, but eventually nodded.


    She leaned down and stroked Averi¡¯s hair. ¡°Sweetheart, we will drop you off first, okay? I¡¯ll be hometer.¡±


    Averi obediently agreed.


    After dropping off Averi and making sure he was safely inside his apartment, the car drove toward the suburbs.


    No one spoke throughout the journey, and the air inside the car grew so thick it was almost suffocating.


    Atst, the car pulled over in front of Wall Manor.


    Sadie hadn¡¯t even stepped out of the vehicle yet, but she was already ovee with a heavy sense of foreboding.


    The intricately carved wooden gate and the massive courtyard were a testament to the Wall family¡¯s obscene wealth.


    They entered the manor and found Isabel chatting warmly with K in the living room. The two women were smiling from ear to ear, painting a perfect picture of a close mother-daughter rtionship.


    The moment Isabel spotted Sadie, however, her expression turned icy.


    ¡°Noah, why did you bring that cursed woman here? Outsiders are not wee at our family gathering!¡±


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    Beside her, K was also fuming with resentment.


    She had called Noah beforeing to the Wall Manor, but it was Samuel who had picked up. He told her that Noah had other matters to attend to and couldn¡¯te to the phone, so K had driven there all by herself.


    Despite her frustrations, she deftly kept up the act.


    Taking Isabel¡¯s hand, she said, ¡°Don¡¯t be upset. I¡¯m sure Sadie is just worried about Nigel¡¯s health¡­¡±


    But Isabel shoved K¡¯s hand away and red at Sadie. ¡°Who cares about what she thinks! Get her out of here, right this instant!¡±


    Sadie was no pushover. She opened her mouth to defend herself when a deep,manding voice suddenly boomed. ¡°I¡¯d like to see who dares to throw my granddaughter-inw out!¡±


    With the help of the butler, Nigel slowly descended the stairs. Despite his bowed figure, he still exuded an aura of unmistakable authority. Just like that, Isabel¡¯s outburst fizzled out, and what followed was an awkward silence.


    Quick as a sh, K rushed forward to support Nigel. ¡°Please be careful on the stairs,¡± she said in a sickly sweet tone.


    Unfortunately for her, the old man was having none of her antics. He shook off her arm as though disgusted by her touch. ¡°You are not part of our family. What are you doing here?¡±


    Isabel¡¯s expression tightened. ¡°Nigel,¡± she hurriedly exined. ¡°K and Noah¡ª¡±


    ¡°Know your ce,¡± Nigel barked, pointing a finger at K, then at Isabel. ¡°And enough with your schemes! Sadie is the only granddaughter-inw I will acknowledge. No one else will take her ce!¡±


    Sadie froze at that, though her heart was pounding furiously inside her chest.


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 Chapter 293

    ?Chapter 293:


    She never imagined that Nigel still held her in such high regard after three years.


    She felt a wave of warmth inside her, and tears suddenly sprang to her eyes.


    ¡°How are you, Nigel?¡± Sadie asked as she stepped forward, her voiceced with concern.


    Nigel turned away from her with a huff, clearly feigning annoyance. ¡°You wayward girl! It¡¯s been ages since you¡¯vee to see me. If I didn¡¯t know any better, I might have thought you¡¯d forgotten all about me!¡±


    ¡°Of course not,¡± Sadie quickly replied in a cating tone. ¡°I was just busy with work. Once things have settled down, I¡¯ll be sure to visit more often. I promise, okay?¡±


    ¡°Humph!¡± Nigel stubbornly kept on with his act, even as a smile began tugging at the corners of his mouth. ¡°That¡¯s more like it, I suppose.¡±


    Standing off to the side, K seethed as she watched their affectionate interaction.


    She had spent thest three years going out of her way to win Nigel¡¯s favor. She had sent him carefully chosen health supplements and expensive gifts¡ªnone of them cheap! And yet, not once had she received a kind word from him.


    Sadie, on the other hand, just had to say a few words, and the old man was practically beaming. How was that fair?!


    K¡¯s hands clenched into fists.


    Noah cleared his throat then, breaking the ice. ¡°Is dinner ready yet?¡±


    One of the servants immediately peeled himself from the wall and bowed. ¡°Yes, Mr. Wall. The table has been set.¡±


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    Hearing this, Nigel grabbed Sadie¡¯s hand and pulled her to the dining room. He didn¡¯t even spare Noah a nce.


    ¡°Just look at you, my dear! You¡¯ve lost so much weight!¡± Nigel examined Sadie, his gaze worried yet tender at the same time. He turned to the butler and said, ¡°Fetch all my health supplements and have them sent to the Myrtlewood Estate, so that Noah can take good care of Sadie!¡±


    When he turned his attention back to Sadie, his gaze fell on her t stomach.


    ¡°You two have been married for so many years now,¡± Nigel said with heartfelt sincerity. ¡°It¡¯s about time you have a child together.¡±


    Sadie felt her cheeks burn at that, and her heart picked up its pace again.


    Instead of answering, she picked up the serving spoon and ced a piece of fish on Nigel¡¯s te. ¡°Please try this!¡±


    Isabel and K quietly observed from the side, noting how much Nigel cared about Sadie. Their faces soured at the sight.


    The meal proceeded in silence for the two women, the food tasting like tasteless dust in their mouths.


    After they had eaten, Nigel said decisively, ¡°Sadie, let¡¯s visit the memorial hall.¡±


    Isabel¡¯s expression shifted dramatically when she heard this. Despite her many years as a member of the Wall family, she had never been invited to the memorial hall. What made Sadie so special?


    Ovee with emotion, Isabel interjected, ¡°Nigel, are you sure¡­?¡±


    Nigel¡¯s stern look quickly silenced her.


    He then took Sadie by the hand and rose from his seat. ¡°Gabriel, join us,¡± hemanded Gabriel ck, the butler.


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 Chapter 294

    ?Chapter 294:


    Ignoring Noahpletely, Nigel led the way. Noah¡¯s expression darkened slightly, signaling his desire to speak up, though he chose to remain silent.


    Confusion clouded Sadie¡¯s thoughts as well. The memorial hall was a revered ce dedicated to the Wall family¡¯s ancestors. Given her and Noah¡¯s impending divorce, her presence there seemed out of ce, even improper.


    Nigel held her hand firmly, his warmth providing Sadie with a surprising sense offort.


    On several asions, Sadie nearly shared the news of her impending divorce from Noah. Yet, each time she nced at his fragile form, the words stalled in her throat.


    Positioned just behind Wall Manor, the memorial hall was a venerable structure that radiated dignity and age, typical of the family¡¯s longstanding heritage.


    As they neared, a subtle scent of sandalwood filled the air, its solemn fragrance setting the tone for the visit.


    Inside the hall, soft lighting illuminated many photos, adding to the reverent mood.


    Quietly, Nigel gestured toward a specific photo and murmured, ¡°Sadie, please,e see this.¡±


    Following his instruction, Sadie moved closer. As her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she could discern the name inscribed on the frame.


    Absolon Stewart.


    Sadie expressed her astonishment.


    ¡°Is this my grandfather?¡± Her eyes widened in disbelief, and she turned to Nigel. A torrent of shock overwhelmed her. How could her grandfather¡¯s photo end up in the Wall family¡¯s memorial hall?


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    Nigel released a weary sigh. ¡°Absolon was my dearest friend during our college days,¡± he exined.


    He paused, a distant look crossing his face. ¡°We bumped into each other unexpectedly after we had finished our studies. By that time, he had be a distinguished financial expert, highly respected, while the Wall Group was facing serious difficulties. It was Absolon who assisted in resolving the turmoil at Wall Group. He eventually became a member of our board of directors.¡±


    Nigel¡¯s eyes revealed a mix of emotions as he spoke.


    ¡°Our paths diverged after a series of disagreements, leading him to resign from the board.¡±


    Listening in silence, Sadie felt a tumult of emotions stirring within her. Laura had never shared any of these details about her grandfather.


    ¡°Life often deals us harsh cards,¡± Nigel said, his voiceden with grief as he shook his head. ¡°Absolon died not long after our parting. He was a genuine friend, and his passing has left a wound in my heart that no amount of time can heal.¡±


    Nigel took a deep breath, then continued, ¡°Later, Absolon¡¯s daughter, your mother, married into the Hudson family, whoter faced bankruptcy. Then, Absolon¡¯s only remaining descendant, his granddaughter, joined our Wall family through marriage five years ago.¡±


    ¡°The intricacies of these events are known only to a select few within thepany, myself included. Noah also remains unaware.¡±


    Stunned, Sadie finally understood why Nigel had been so insistent on her marriage to Noah five years ago. It was all beginning to make sense.


    With a look blendingpassion and determination, Nigel then turned to Sadie and asked, ¡°Sadie, do you remember I wanted to transfer some shares to you three years ago?¡±


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    Sadie gave a nod. ¡°Yes, I do recall that.¡± She had dismissed it as a fleeting fancy of his at the time and hadn¡¯t given it much thought.


    ¡°My time is running short,¡± Nigel said, his voiceden with gravity as he clutched his cane more firmly. ¡°Noah has a habit of rash decisions. You¡¯ve matured, Sadie. The shares originally belonging to Absolon were always intended for you.¡±


    The gravity of his statement overwhelmed Sadie, rendering her speechless for a moment.


    Nigel then addressed Gabriel, saying, ¡°Gabriel, please arrange a meeting with our legal team and start preparing the necessary paperwork. Make sure it remains confidential.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall,¡± responded Gabriel, nodding respectfully.


    ¡°I¡¯ll inform you once everything is set,¡± Nigel added, his eyes alight with anticipation as he looked at Sadie.


    With a numb nod, Sadie struggled to process the news.


    After a prolonged silence, she finally mustered the courage to speak, her voice shaky. ¡°Nigel, do you have any information about where my parents might be?¡±


    Nigel shook his head and responded, ¡°I¡¯ve dispatched search parties, yet we¡¯ve heard nothing back.¡± He let out a deep sigh.


    Feeling drained, he said, ¡°I need to rest now, Sadie. Please, take a moment to speak to your grandfather. I will excuse myself.¡±


    Sadie lingered in the memorial hall for what felt like an eternity before finally dragging herself back to the living room. Her mind was a storm of tangled thoughts, each one colliding with the next.


    As she reached the center of the room, a figure stepped into her path¡ªIsabel.


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    Arms crossed, her sharp eyes cut through Sadie like a de. ¡°What exactly did Nigel drag you to the memorial hall for?¡±


    Sadie had no interest in engaging and tried to sidestep her. But before she could slip past, Isabel¡¯s hand mped down on her arm with startling force.


    ¡°Is this what passes for manners where youe from?¡± Isabel sneered, her grip tightening. ¡°I asked you a question.¡±


    Pain shot through Sadie¡¯s arm, and with a sharp tug, she wrenched herself free. ¡°What Nigel and I discuss is none of your business.¡±


    Isabel¡¯s face twisted in fury, her hand trembling as she pointed at Sadie, words failing her. ¡°Don¡¯t think Nigel¡¯s favor gives you free rein to do as you please!¡±


    Isabel spat, her voice dripping with contempt. ¡°What makes you think you¡¯re worthy of being part of the Wall family? Do you actually believe you deserve Noah?¡±


    Sadie met her re with an unsettling calm, her eyes cold and unreadable. ¡°There is nothing between Noah and me,¡± she said, her voice steady. ¡°And there never will be.¡±


    At that moment, Noah descended the staircase, his usual air of cool detachment vanishing the instant he caught Sadie¡¯s words. His expression darkened, a storm brewing behind his eyes.


    Trailing just behind him was K, her soft yellow dress flowing effortlessly around her as she took in the unfolding scene with an amused smirk.


    Sadie, unbothered by the thickening tension, strode toward the front door without a backward nce.


    Noah¡¯s gaze followed her retreating figure, his jaw tightening, his hands curling into fists.


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    Sensing the shift in her son¡¯s demeanor, Isabel clutched his arm. ¡°Noah, Sadie and Nigel were in the memorial hall for quite some time. Could it be¡­ was it about the shares transfer?¡±


    Noah wrenched free from her grasp, his gaze turning icily sharp. ¡°My business is none of your concern. And don¡¯t forget¡ªshe¡¯s still my wife.¡± With that, he strode toward the door.


    Each step was heavy with intent. K blinked in surprise, watching him brush past her without so much as a nce.


    Panic shed across her face, and she hurried after him. ¡°Noah! Wait for me!¡±


    But he didn¡¯t pause, not even acknowledging her voice.


    K came to an abrupt halt, frustration twisting her features as she stomped her foot on the floor.


    The night breeze carried a quiet chill.


    Sadie stepped past the towering gates of Wall Manor. She reached for her phone, intending to call a cab¡ªonly to realize the futility of it.


    The Wall Manor was isted, surrounded by endless stretches of private roads and towering trees. Walking out on foot would be an ordeal.


    She stood there, unsure of what to do, when the sound of measured footsteps echoed behind her.


    She stilled. She didn¡¯t need to turn around to know who it was.


    ¡°What did you mean just now, Sadie?¡± Noah¡¯s voice was low, taut with barely restrained anger.


    Sadie turned, meeting his gaze with cool indifference.


    ¡°Exactly what I said. Or are you struggling with basicprehension, Mr. Wall?¡±


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    Noah¡¯s jaw tensed. ¡°You¡¯d better be very clear about what you¡¯re implying.¡±


    Sadie let out a short, humorlessugh, her expression turning icier. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m crystal clear, unlike some people, who prefer to live in delusion.¡±


    Her words sliced through the space between them, sharp and unyielding.


    ¡°You¡¯ve already helped K secure the deal with Shaw Group. What else do you want?¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression darkened, his jaw tightening. Before Sadie could step away, he seized her wrist in one swift motion.


    She inhaled sharply, a flicker of pain shing across her face, but she refused to lower her gaze.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Mr. Wall?¡± she said, her voiceced with mockery. ¡°Did I strike a nerve? You¡¯ll do anything for K, no matter who gets hurt. Tell me¡ªwhat part of that isn¡¯t true?¡±


    Noah¡¯s fingers unconsciously tightened around her wrist. His eyes locked onto hers, turbulent and unreadable. He wanted to deny it, but nothing came out.


    Sadie struggled, her frustration mounting.


    ¡°Let go of me!¡± she snapped, her voice trembling with anger.


    Noah didn¡¯t respond. Instead, he pulled her toward the sleek ck Maybach parked by the curb.


    ¡°What the hell do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice sharpened, a sh of unease flickering in her eyes.


    Still silent, Noah yanked open the car door and pushed her inside before climbing in after her.


    ¡°Drive,¡± he ordered, his voice cold.


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    The driver hesitated only for a split second before obeying, not daring to question themand.


    Sadie stared out the window as the car sped through the quiet roads, the estate fading into the distance. Slowly, she forced herself to steady her breathing, knowing she needed to pick her battles.


    The ride was steeped in tension, the silence between them stretching unbearably.


    Finally, as the city skyline loomed ahead, Sadie saw her moment.


    ¡°Stop the car,¡± her voice was firm, unwavering. ¡°Whatever point you¡¯re trying to make, it ends here. I can get home just fine on my own, Mr. Wall.¡±


    Noah¡¯s gaze flicked toward her, cold and unreadable. He said nothing. The driver hesitated, eyes darting to Noah through the rearview mirror, unsure whether to follow the order.


    Sadie¡¯s stomach twisted. Something wasn¡¯t right.


    The city lights blurred past as the car moved farther and farther from the subway station. Panic gripped her. Averi was waiting at home¡ªshe needed to get back.


    ¡°I said stop the car!¡± Sadie¡¯s voice sharpened,ced with anger. She pounded against the door. ¡°Let me out!¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression darkened further, his silence more unsettling than words. Outside, the towering silhouette of the Howe Group¡¯s headquarters loomed closer.


    Noah finally spoke, his voice cold and cutting. ¡°Is Alex really that important to you?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s breath hitched. She clenched her fists, frustration boiling over as she met his gaze with burning defiance.


    ¡°Yes!¡± she blurted out, her eyes reddening with unspoken emotion.


    ¡°He¡¯s very important to me.¡±


    As soon as those words left Sadie¡¯s mouth, Noah pulled her to him with such force that it knocked the wind out of her.


    Shock widened Sadie¡¯s eyes as she looked at the man before her, puzzled by his sudden aggression.


    Noah panted heavily, his chest rising and falling rapidly. His stormy, unreadable gaze bored into hers.


    He suddenly bowed his head and captured her lips with a punishing kiss.


    The kiss was overpowering and fierce, filled with a punitive intensity, as if he sought to devour her.


    Sadie attempted to free herself, pushing against him, but his unyielding arms held her tightly, making her struggles ineffective.


    The driver, witnessing the scene in the rearview mirror, was so shocked that he promptly averted his gaze. He silently activated the privacy screen, enclosing them in a secluded, intimate space. Only the subdued sounds of Sadie¡¯s restrained cries and Noah¡¯sbored breathing filled the car.


    The atmosphere wasden with an evident tension, tinged with a confused, almost sensual energy.


    A soft whimper of pain escaped Sadie, and she suddenly became aware of her predicament.


    In a desperate move, she bit down on Noah¡¯s lip, tasting the sharp vor of blood that quickly spread between them.


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    Noah groaned in pain and instantly let her go.


    In the heat of the moment, Sadie quickly raised her hand andnded a resounding p across his face. The sound, ¡°Pak!¡± echoed starkly within the car¡¯s confines. Silence immediately enveloped them. Upon hearing the p, the driver instantly became rigid, his breath held in anxious anticipation.


    The force of the p turned Noah¡¯s head aside, leaving a stark red mark from Sadie¡¯s palm on his cheek.


    He slowly turned his head back toward her, his face revealingyers of shock mingled with a darker, more sinister emotion.


    Sadie¡¯s breathing was heavy; her body vibrated with the intensity of her emotions.


    ¡°Stop the car right now, or I¡¯ll jump out!¡± she shouted, her voice quivering with intense anger.


    A brief softness passed over Noah¡¯s features, pain momentarily flickering in his eyes as he met her gaze. His hoarse voice broke the tension. ¡°Stop the car.¡±


    Relieved, the driver quickly maneuvered the vehicle to the roadside. As soon as the door unlocked, Sadie leapt from the car, dashing toward the subway station, never once ncing back.


    Noah¡¯s gaze followed her resolute departure. With chilling indifference, he murmured, ¡°You¡¯ll regret this, mark my words.¡±


    A brief hesitation interrupted Sadie¡¯s stride, a cold dread creeping up on her. Yet, she continued her sprint to the subway station, her determination steadfast.


    Meanwhile, the sleek ck Maybach merged back into traffic, vanishing among the stream of vehicles.


    In the soft light cast by the bedsidemp, Sadie quietly closed the door to Averi¡¯s room. Averiy on the bed, peacefully asleep with his cheeks flushed and his eyshes casting delicate shadows over his features. She exhaled a gentle sigh and approached the bed to snugly tuck the quilt around him.


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    In his slumber, Averi mumbled, ¡°Mommy,¡± his tiny fingers gripping the quilt¡¯s edge.


    Pain pricked Sadie¡¯s heart as the memory of the recent event in Noah¡¯s car reyed, raw and unfiltered.


    She reflexively touched her cheeks, as a surge of bitterness welled up within her.


    At the same time, the atmosphere at Howe Manor was thick with tension.


    ¡°Alex, be honest with me. Do you truly want to be with Sadie?¡± Susannah asked, her voice quivering with frustration and her eyes reflecting a blend of despair and disappointment.


    Alex remained seated on the sofa, his expression tense, his brows knitted together in silence.


    ¡°You¡¯ve ignored my calls repeatedly thesest few days,¡± Susannah continued, her voice escting with a hint of a sob. ¡°Do you still regard me as your mother? Look at your¡­¡±


    ¡°Actions! You¡¯re always at her ce, even picking up her child from school. What are you trying to prove? You¡¯re the heir to the Howe family, yet here you are, ying stepfather to another man¡¯s child. Can¡¯t you see how much disgrace you¡¯re bringing upon our family?¡±


    ¡°Mom, I understand the implications of my choices,¡± Alex said, his voiceposed yet determined.


    ¡°Do you really think you know what you¡¯re doing?¡± Susannah sprang up, her tone incisive. ¡°You¡¯re ready to abandon your family for her?¡±


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    At that instant, Alex¡¯s assistant entered swiftly, his face marked by a look of grave concern. ¡°Mr. Howe, we¡¯ve got serious problems!¡±


    Turning in rm, Alex and Susannah faced him.


    Panting slightly, the assistant exined, ¡°It¡¯s about our partnerships¡­ They¡¯re withdrawing. Even those who have been with us for decades are now backing away¡­¡±


    Color drained from Susannah¡¯s face. ¡°What? Why? What¡¯s happening?¡±


    ¡°I tried to understand the partners¡¯ perspective¡­¡± The assistant¡¯s voice faded with each word. ¡°They mentioned¡­ Mr. Wall has directed them ordingly. They fear offending him¡­¡±


    ¡°Noah Wall?¡± Disbelief etched itself across Susannah¡¯s face as she turned to Alex, her eyes wide with astonishment. ¡°Alex, is there a rift between you two?¡±


    Susannah remembered that Alex and Noah had been close since childhood, almost like brothers.


    Alex rose abruptly, his expression darkening. His lips formed a tight line, his jaw set firmly. He walked swiftly toward the door.


    ¡°Alex, where are you headed?¡± Susannah¡¯s voice cracked as she called out to him. Alex didn¡¯t reply. He yanked the door open and vanished into the night.


    ¡°Alex! Don¡¯t go!¡± Susannah¡¯s plea echoed behind him, tinged with desperation.


    However, Alex elerated instead of stopping.


    As he exited, the grand gates of Howe Manor closed with a definitive bang, sending a shudder through Susannah¡¯s heart.


    Ovee with emotion, she sank into the sofa, herplexion ashen, her gaze empty.


    The behavior of Noah was extraordinarily suspect. Something hidden had to be at y.


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    She called out to the butler, who quickly appeared. ¡°What do you need, Mrs. Howe?¡±


    ¡°Call ud Glyn, the private investigator, at once!¡±


    Firm in her resolve to uncover the truth, Susannah waited expectantly. With a brief nod, the butler responded, ¡°Understood, Mrs. Howe.¡± He departed hastily, wasting no time.


    Sadie had no clue about what had transpired.


    For days, she had been buried in work, pouring every ounce of energy into the design drafts for the Starlight G. She had pushed herself to the brink¡ªso much so that even remembering to breathe felt like a luxury.


    Now, after countless sleepless nights, her eyes were bloodshot, and herplexion ghostly pale.


    The desk was a battlefield of discarded sketches, crumpled like fallen soldiers. Empty coffee cups were stacked precariously, a sign of her exhaustion.


    But atst¡ªit was done.


    Her hands trembled slightly as she carefully ced the finalized drafts into a folder. A long breath escaped her lips, heavy with relief. Without wasting another second, she climbed into her newly acquired ck SUV and headed toward Stonemont Estate.


    It had been a long time since she returned to Helva, and she had finally managed to renew her driver¡¯s license.


    At Whitewood Estate, sunlight poured over the lush grounds, the air carrying the faint, sweet scent of blooming flowers.


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    Inside, Eva lounged on the sofa in a silk robe as vibrant as her personality.


    Withzy elegance, she swirled the amber liquid in her wine ss, watching Sadie approach with a glint of amusement. ¡°Well, well, well. Look who is here¡ªour star designer.¡±


    Setting down her ss, Eva took the folder from Sadie¡¯s hands, her eyes flickering over the exhausted woman before her.


    ¡°What have you done to yourself these past few days?¡± Eva clicked her tongue. ¡°Honestly, if I didn¡¯t know any better, I¡¯d think Mr. Wall was mistreating you.¡±


    Sadie let out a faint, weary smile¡ªone that didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes. ¡°Ms. Shaw, Mr. Wall and I have nothing to do with each other.¡±


    Eva said nothing at first, leisurely flipping through the pages, her slender fingers tapping against the paper now and then.


    The room was silent, save for the soft rustling of sheets as she took her time examining the designs.


    Sadie stood motionless, palms slightly damp, watching every flicker of Eva¡¯s expression, every subtle movement.


    ¡°Elegant. Fresh.¡± Eva nced up, a glimmer of approval in her eyes. ¡°Like the first bloom of spring.¡± She closed the folder with a satisfied hum. ¡°You¡¯ve outdone yourself, Sadie. These designs are breathtaking¡ªexactly what this year¡¯s Starlight G needs.¡±


    Then Eva¡¯s lips curled into a smirk. ¡°Let¡¯s move forward with this.¡±


    Relief crashed over Sadie, tension melting from her shoulders.


    ¡°Thank you, Ms. Shaw,¡± Sadie said, her voice steady with gratitude. ¡°I¡¯ll ensure everything is wless.¡±


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    Eva rose gracefully and stepped closer, resting her hand on Sadie¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°I never doubted you,¡± she said, her voice smooth as silk. ¡°Keep it up. I expect great things from you.¡±


    Then, with a knowing smile, she added, ¡°But do try to take better care of yourself. A woman should never let work rob her of her glow.¡± She lifted her wine ss, taking anguid sip, her gaze drifting toward the window, as if lost in thought.


    Sadie stepped out of the estate, her heart lighter than when she arrived. But just as she reached her car, a sharp, mocking voice sliced through the air.


    ¡°Well, well¡­ look who it is. What are you doing here? Taking a scenic stroll?¡±


    Sadie stilled, her expression cooling as she turned toward the voice. Not far away, K stood with a folder tucked under her arm, a smug smirk ying on her lips.


    d in a perfectly tailored business suit that entuated her figure, she might have looked poised and elegant¡ªif not for the malice darkening her expression.


    Sadie¡¯s brows furrowed slightly. She was puzzled by K¡¯s persistent hostility. She had already stepped aside from Noah¡¯s life. What more did K want?


    Maintaining herposure, Sadie asked coolly, ¡°Miss Wade, is there something you need?¡±


    K scoffed, closing the distance between them, her gaze sharp with provocation.


    ¡°Some people are so self-absorbed,¡± she said with a sneer. ¡°Poor Alex¡ªhe¡¯s given everything, only to end up saving an ungrateful bastard.¡± With that, K swept past Sadie, head held high, her heels clicking against the pavement as she strode toward the estate.


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    Sadie stood frozen.


    Alex?


    Ungrateful bastard?


    What was K talking about?


    A sudden wave of unease coiled in Sadie¡¯s stomach.


    Her fingers instinctively tightened around her phone.


    Without hesitation, she dialed Alex¡¯s number.


    ¡°Beep¡­ beep¡­ beep¡­¡± The ringing droned in her ear, each second stretching unbearably.


    No answer. Sadie¡¯s pulse quickened, her grip on the phone tightening. She redialed. Again. And again. Each call met with the same cold silence.


    ¡°Alex¡­ what¡¯s going on with you?¡± Sadie whispered, her voice trembling as worry drained the color from her face.


    She couldn¡¯t just barge into Howe Group.


    That would only upset Susannah.


    Forcing herself to breathe deeply, she knew she needed to understand what had happened before taking action.


    She marched over to her car, pulled open the door, and slid into the driver¡¯s seat.


    The engine roared to life, and the ck SUV tore away from Stonemont Estate, speeding toward her studio.


    Inside the car, Sadie¡¯s grip on the steering wheel was unyielding, her knuckles turning ghostly white.


    The tension radiated from her in waves as K¡¯s taunting words echoed relentlessly in her mind. What the hell happened to Alex?


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    As Sadie swung open the door to her studio, a tense silence enveloped her.


    The typically lively studio was unnervingly quiet. A handful of employees whispered among themselves, their faces etched with tension and unease.


    ¡°Miss Hudson¡­¡± A young designer approached her hesitantly, a piece of paper gripped tightly in his hand. ¡°I¡¯m resigning.¡±


    Caught off guard, Sadie took the resignation letter from him. Before she could even look at it, several more employees came forward, presenting their own letters.


    Their expressions were uneasy, and their eyes darted around. Clearly, they were holding back words they couldn¡¯t quite bring themselves to say.


    ¡°I¡¯m resigning too, Miss Hudson.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Miss Hudson.¡±


    Within minutes, the studio had cleared out, leaving only a few behind. Holding a stack of resignation letters, Sadie felt a surge of inexplicable difort.


    ¡°What is happening? Why is everyone leaving?¡± Sadie tried to stifle the panic welling up inside her and inquired as calmly as possible.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, there¡¯s really no option left for us,¡± an older designer said with a heavy sigh.


    ¡°We¡¯ve just secured a deal with Shaw Group, and our partnership with Lawrence Group is ongoing. But still, you¡­¡±


    The remaining staff exchanged looks, their eyes filled with defeat. ¡°In any case, we can¡¯t stick around any longer.¡±


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    With these words, they all bowed their heads and hurried out of the studio, leaving Sadie alone in the suddenly deserted space, feeling like she was caught in a surreal moment.


    The clock on the wall continued its relentless ticking, each second stretching out endlessly.


    Noticing the time, Sadie remembered Averi would soon be out of school.


    Gathering her strength, she grabbed her car keys and headed out.


    Sadie drove mechanically, her mind a chaotic mess.


    Upon reaching the vicinity of the kindergarten, she parked and walked towards the entrance, lost in thought.


    ¡°Beep!¡± The sharp sound of a horn rang out.


    Jolted back to the present, Sadie saw a truck barreling toward her.


    She froze, attempting to stop, but it was toote.


    ¡°Argh!¡± Just then, a strong arm pulled her back forcefully, saving her in the nick of time.


    Her heart raced as she staggered backward, nearly losing her bnce. Tina¡¯s familiar features came into view as she lifted her gaze.


    ¡°Are you out of your mind, Sadie? What were you thinking?¡± Tina¡¯s concern was evident in her wide eyes and the rapid rise and fall of her chest.


    In a daze, Sadie could only stare back, her mind wiped clean of thoughts. The fear of death had gripped her just moments before.


    ¡°Tina, I owe you my life,¡± Sadie said, her voice trembling and herplexion pale as she clutched at her chest.


    Tina looked exhausted, rubbing her sore eyes as she grumbled, ¡°How could you be so careless, Sadie? You frightened me to death. I¡¯ve been working overtime so muchtely I¡¯m barely standing, and when I finally have a day off, I nearly end up nning your funeral.¡±


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    A faint smile crossed Sadie¡¯s face. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, Tina. It¡¯s just that I¡¯ve been out of sorts.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s quite clear,¡± Tina responded, her lips pursed in a frown as she gave Sadie a worried once-over.


    ¡°Are you okay? What¡¯s going on with you? You¡¯re looking awful, and those dark circles? They might as well be bruises.¡±


    Sadie sighed. ¡°My studio¡¯s in chaos. Everyone quit, and I can¡¯t get in touch with Alex.¡±


    ¡°Your design studio?¡± Tina¡¯s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. ¡°What? How did that happen? You secured the Starlight G project recently, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that was before everything fell apart,¡± Sadie murmured, her expression growing more somber.


    ¡°And what brings you here, anyway?¡± Tina¡¯s gaze swept their surroundings, her toneced with curiosity.


    Pointing toward the nearby kindergarten, Sadie replied, ¡°I¡¯m here to pick up Averi from school.¡±


    ¡°Ah, that exins it,¡± Tina said, a light of understanding dawning in her eyes.


    ¡°I actually live nearby. And, by the way¡­¡± she whispered, leaning closer. ¡°I¡¯ve heard something interesting. It appears the Wall Group is nning to take over the Howe Group.¡±


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    ¡°What? Can you repeat that?¡± Sadie stood rooted to the spot, feeling as though she had been doused with cold water, chilling her to the bone. ¡°How could that be? The Howe family and the Wall family have been close for generations, and the Howe family isn¡¯t exactly powerless¡­¡±


    Tina gave a confused shrug. ¡°Who can say? The motives of those at the top are often a mystery.¡±


    Suppressing a yawn and blinking back tears, Tina murmured, ¡°I¡¯ve got to get some sleep. I¡¯m exhausted.¡±


    With a wave of her hand, Tina departed, leaving Sadie alone with her thoughts swirling.


    Could the Wall Group really be aiming to acquire the Howe Group?


    How could this be happening?


    She was unable to get in touch with Alex¡­ Was it linked to Noah somehow?


    The chill of the wind, now mingled with light rain, whipped across Sadie¡¯s face, snapping her back to reality.


    The Wall Group¡¯s potential takeover of the Howe Group, the resignation of her staff¡­ It all seemed to converge on a single, ominous point.


    Inside, Sadie fought to contain the turmoil swirling within her.


    ¡°Is all this happening because of me?¡± she muttered to herself. She suddenly recalled what happened in Noah¡¯s car, his chilling words echoing in her mind. ¡°Sadie, you¡¯ll regret this. Mark my words¡­¡±


    Only then did she grasp the full picture. It was because she had refused his ¡°generosity.¡±


    Was Noah seeking vengeance against her and Alex?


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    A sharp pang constricted Sadie¡¯s chest, as though her heart was being wrung, rendering her breathless. ¡°No, I must uncover the truth.¡±


    Gritting her teeth, Sadie pulled out her phone and quickly dialed a number.


    ¡°Look into the staff who left my studio. I need to know where they¡¯ve gone.¡±


    The waiting period seemed endless.


    Ten minutes passed before her phone started ringing.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, we¡¯ve found out. All your former employees have moved to Wall Group.¡±


    This was exactly what Sadie had suspected. Her grip on the phone tightened, her knuckles nching.


    Anger began to swell in her chest, threatening to consume her.


    Meanwhile, the sound of the kindergarten bell pierced the air, marking the day¡¯s end as children¡¯sughter filled the background.


    Seeing Sadie at the edge of the crowd, Averi dashed over on his tiny legs and leapt into her arms, eximing, ¡°Mommy!¡±


    With effort, Sadie mustered a smile and embraced her son with all her might.


    ¡°Mommy, are you okay? You seem sad,¡± said Averi, his small hand tenderly caressing her face.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, sweetheart. Mommy¡¯s just feeling a bit worn out,¡± Sadie reassured him, holding back her tears as she kissed his forehead.


    Once they were home, Sadie passed Averi to Carol.


    She quickly ryed some instructions and then rushed out. Finding Noah was imperative. She was determined to confront him and demand the truth.


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    The SUV hurtled down the city streets before halting sharply in front of the towering structure of Wall Group.


    Exiting the vehicle, Sadie marched into thevish lobby.


    ¡°I need to see Noah Wall,¡± she said decisively to the receptionist.


    ¡°Is there an appointment scheduled, ma¡¯am?¡± the receptionist inquired courteously.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t made one,¡± Sadie replied.


    ¡°Unfortunately, ma¡¯am, Mr. Wall is currently out of the office.¡±


    Out of the office?


    A wave of disappointment washed over Sadie. Then, a specific location popped into her mind.


    Considering Noah wasn¡¯t at his office, it was likely he could be at that particr ce.


    Without a moment¡¯s dy, Sadie turned and exited the Wall Group building.


    As the rain poured, the SUV raced through the nighttime streets.


    Her phone buzzed, disying ¡°Alex¡± as the caller ID.


    With a shaky hand, Sadie picked up the call. ¡°Hello, Alex¡­¡±


    ¡°Sadie? You don¡¯t sound like yourself. What¡¯s the matter?¡± Alex¡¯s voice came through, as kind as always, yet unmistakably weary.


    ¡°Alex, are you all right?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice wavered as she spoke. ¡°I¡¯ve heard about Noah causing problems for Howe Group¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just a small setback, Sadie. I¡¯ve got it under control,¡± Alex interrupted, his tone artificially light. ¡°What¡¯s up? Why did you call?¡±


    ¡°Alex¡­¡± Sadie struggled to hold back her tears. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. It seems I¡¯ve pulled you and the Howe family into this mess¡­¡±


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    ¡°Don¡¯t talk like that,¡± Alex responded gently. ¡°You¡¯re not to me here. Business is just business. Don¡¯t worry about it too much. I¡¯ll handle everything.¡±


    ¡°Alex, I promise I¡¯ll find a solution. I won¡¯t let you or the Howe family suffer.¡±


    Three years ago, Alex had been her savior in a car ident.


    Now, as the Howe family faced destruction from Noah, Sadie couldn¡¯t simply be a bystander.


    After she hung up the phone, Sadie shut her eyes briefly.


    Myrtlewood Estate had once felt like a prison to her. Now, she was forced to walk through its doors once more.


    The SUV pulled up to the gates of Myrtlewood Estate. Sadie exited the vehicle and made her way forward.


    The rain persisted.


    At the entrance, Samuel waited with a ck umbre, acknowledging her with a subtle nod.


    ¡°Good evening, Mrs. Wall. Mr. Wall is waiting for you,¡± he said, his voice even, suggesting that all was proceeding as he had expected.


    With a cold look, Sadie passed by him without a word.


    Internally, she scoffed. What was this setup?


    Was she walking into a trap?


    And what exactly did Noah have up his sleeve?


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 Chapter 305

    ?Chapter 304:


    The air inside the vi felt thick and heavy, the faint scent of alcohol mixing with a stifling stillness that made it hard to breathe. The silence pressed down on Sadie¡¯s chest like an unseen force.


    Noah lounged on the leather sofa, his posture deceptively rxed yet exuding undeniable authority. He swirled the amber liquid in his ss, the ice clinking softly against the crystal.


    The chandelier¡¯s warm glow cast sharp shadows across his figure, entuating the slight part of his unbuttoned cor and the sharp lines of his corbones.


    The moment Sadieid eyes on Noah, something inside her snapped. Her nails dug into her palms, her teeth sinking into her lower lip as she fought to steady herself. But the storm inside her refused to be silenced.


    ¡°Noah Wall!¡± Sadie burst out, her voice unsteady with fury. ¡°What the hell do you think you¡¯re doing?¡±


    Noah¡¯s gaze lifted slowly, his dark eyes locking onto Sadie with an intensity that made her breath hitch. He didn¡¯t respond immediately, his silence only fueling Sadie¡¯s anger.


    Sadie¡¯s heart pounded, her words spilling out in a rush. ¡°Why are you going after the Howe Group? You know Alex has helped me before; why are you doing this?¡± Her eyes reddened, unshed tears shimmering, but she refused to let them fall, clinging desperately to herposure.


    Noah swirled the ss in his hand again, the amber liquid catching the light and casting a cold, almost predatory gleam.


    ¡°It¡¯s just business,¡± he said, his tone indifferent. ¡°In the world ofmerce, there¡¯s only room for one winner. Surely you understand that.¡±


    Noah¡¯s words struck Sadie like a dagger, sharp and unrelenting, piercing straight through her.


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    ¡°Just business?¡± Sadie echoed, her voice fracturing under the weight of disbelief. ¡°Noah, why do you keeping after me? We settled everything between us; there¡¯s nothing left. So why can¡¯t you just let me go?¡±


    Sadie couldn¡¯t understand why Noah kept pulling her back when she had already walked away.


    Noah stood, his movements steady, each step punctuating the thick silence between them. Stopping just inches away, he locked eyes with her, a quiet menacecing his voice as he murmured, ¡°Sadie, are you asking me to spare the Howe Group and alter my thepany¡¯s entire strategy?¡±


    He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. ¡°You¡¯ll need more than words to make that happen.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s breath caught in her throat as her mind shed back to the night when Noah had been drugged.


    Her hands shook, and her nails dug into her palms as she fought to hold herself together. The bag she had been holding slipped from her fingers,nding with a dull thud on the floor, its sound echoing in the silence.


    Sadie raised her head slowly, her eyes meeting Noah¡¯s with a quiet but firm defiance. A single tear fell, but she refused to let it break herposure.


    For a moment, the world seemed to stand still, and Sadie knew the decision she had to make. She couldn¡¯t let the Howe family crumble under Noah¡¯s pressure, nor could she allow her studio to be dismantled. Sadie¡¯s hands trembled, but an unshakable resolve anchored her. She began unfastening each button of her blouse. The room seemed to shrink around her, the air thick with an unspoken weight.


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 Chapter 306

    ?Chapter 306:


    A chilling frost settled in Noah¡¯s eyes, his expression turning unreadable. The lengths Sadie had gone to for another man ignited something cold within him that he hadn¡¯t expected.


    Noah¡¯s ss slipped through his fingers, crashing onto the floor in a violent shatter. The sharp sound sent a ripple through the tense air.


    ¡°I have no interest in someone like you,¡± Noah said, his voice low and controlled.


    Sadie froze, her body going rigid as the full weight of his words crashed over her like a tidal wave, swallowing her whole in a suffocating tide of shame.


    Noah took a step closer, his presence looming over her like a shadow. ¡°I¡¯m not finished yet,¡± he murmured, his tone edged with finality. ¡°There¡¯s been no hostess at this house for too long. And the position, well, it¡¯s yours, whether you like it or not.¡±


    Without waiting for a response, Noah bent down, picked up Sadie¡¯s fallen bag, and threw it at her. His next words left no room for argument. ¡°You¡¯ll stay here at Myrtlewood Estate.¡±


    Turning away, Noah walked upstairs but paused midway. ncing back at Sadie, who had copsed onto the floor, he spoke with chilling calm. ¡°If you try to run again, I¡¯ll make sure Howe Group ceases to exist.¡±


    With that, Noah turned and continued his ascent, vanishing from Sadie¡¯s sight without a second nce.


    Sadie stayed where she was, tears slipping down her cheeks in a steady stream. Her chest felt hollow, as though her very soul was being chipped away, piece by piece. She had returned to this gilded cage, this suffocating prison, the one ce she had sworn never to enter again. Time seemed to stretch into eternity as she sat there, her mind numb, lost in the oppressive silence of her surroundings. She had no sense of how long had passed. Eventually, the sound of footsteps broke through her trance.


    The butler stepped into the room, his presence both gentle and uncertain. ¡°Mrs. Wall, are you alright?¡± he asked, his voice careful, his gaze flickering over her with quiet concern.


    Sadie nodded faintly, her eyes distant and unfocused as they traced the intricate patterns of the crystal chandelier above. When she finally spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper, rough and unsteady. ¡°Averi. Can you bring him here? Please.¡±


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    Sadie¡¯s heart ached at the thought of her little boy. He was still so young, so fragile, especially after his recent surgery. The idea of being separated from him now was unbearable.


    The butler shifted ufortably, his face clouded with unease. ¡°Mrs. Wall,¡± he began carefully, ¡°I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t have the authority to make that decision. For now, please try to rest. We can address this matterter.¡±


    The butler helped Sadie up the stairs, a mix of persuasion and firm insistence guiding her toward the master bedroom. As soon as the door swung open, she went rigid.


    Theyout, the furnishings, even the shade of the drapes¡ªeverything was precisely as it had been three years prior, as if this space had remained untouched by time.


    Not a speck of dust marred the surfaces. It was clear that someone had been meticulously tending to the room all along.


    But why?


    She had left. Wouldn¡¯t Noah have weed her absence?


    How was this possible?


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 Chapter 307

    ?Chapter 307:


    When she first got married, she had entered this very room brimming with optimism. Now, all that remained was emptiness and shattered hope. After mechanicallypleting her shower, she settled onto the bed, but rest evaded her.


    Noah¡¯s detached, emotionless stare lingered in her mind, refusing to fade. She had no sense of how long she hadin there before the mattress shifted beside her.


    A familiar presence enveloped her.


    Noah had returned.


    Without a word, he drew her into his embrace, his warm breath skimming her neck, sending an involuntary tremor through her body.


    Sadie tensed instinctively, hands clenched so tightly that her nails bit into her palms.


    Yet she neither resisted nor pulled away. Shey still, as if stripped of her will, allowing him to hold her.


    ¡°Averi is still little. He needs me.¡± At some point, her voice, barely more than a breath, broke the silence.


    Noah¡¯s eyes flickered open, his expression unreadable. A hint of something unspoken ghosted across his face.


    ¡°Tomorrow, I¡¯ll have someone bring that bastard here.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s head snapped up, fury igniting in her pale features. ¡°My child is not a bastard.¡±


    Each word was slow, deliberate, brimming with defiance.


    ¡°Oh? Not a bastard?¡± Noah¡¯s lips curled into a smirk, cold and taunting, as if he had just heard the punchline of a cruel joke. ¡°He¡¯s the child you had with Alex. What else should I call him?¡± His voice sharpened, barely concealing his rage.


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    In an instant, he moved on top of Sadie, pinning her in ce. ¡°You care that much about the son you had with him?¡± His gaze burned into her, sharp and unrelenting. ¡°If it¡¯s a child you want, I can give you one myself.¡±


    How ridiculous.


    A chill seeped into Sadie¡¯s bones, numbing her from the inside out.


    Three years ago, he had said that if she ever conceived, he would make her abort the child.


    Now, after all this time, he imed he¡¯d give her one.


    The bitter irony of it stole her breath.


    She shut her eyes, refusing to acknowledge him.


    No fight. No tears. Just an overwhelming void.


    Noah studied the woman beneath him, herck of reaction stirring an inexplicable frustration in his chest.


    Without another word, he pushed himself away and stormed out.


    ¡°Bang!¡± The door mmed behind him, the sharp sound echoing through the silent room.


    Sadie pulled the nket tighter around herself, curling into a ball.


    She didn¡¯t sleep at all.


    By dawn, golden light streamed through the sheer curtains.


    Sadiey motionless, her face pale, her vacant eyes unblinking.


    Memories of the night before reyed in an endless loop, constricting her chest.


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 Chapter 308

    ?Chapter 308:


    ¡°Tap. Tap. Tap¡­¡± Soft, hurried footsteps approached, followed by an eager, naive voice. ¡°Mommy!¡±


    Averi barreled into Sadie¡¯s arms, a burst of warmth in the cold, heavy air.


    Sadie clung to him, as if holding on for dear life.


    At that moment, exhaustion and despair melted away.


    ¡°Mommy, I missed you so much.¡± Averi buried his face in her neck, his voice a sweet melody easing her pain.


    A faint smile touched her lips. ¡°I missed you too, my love.¡± A maid quietly ced Averi¡¯s luggage aside before slipping out.


    Sadie stroked Averi¡¯s soft hair, her emotions a tangled mess.


    How could she exin this chaos to him? How could she shield him from what was toe?


    A sudden knock pulled her from her thoughts.


    The door creaked open, revealing K holding a thermal food jar.


    She wore a delicate yellow dress, the soft colorplementing her charming appearance.


    But the moment her gazended on Sadie and Averi, her smile stiffened.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Her voice held an edge of disbelief and usation.


    Sadie remained silent, tightening her grip on her son, her eyes cold as they met K¡¯s.


    She had no interest in engaging with that woman.


    K¡¯s frustration red at Sadie¡¯s unbothered stance.


    How could this woman, discarded by Noah, still have the audacity to appear in his vi?


    ¡°Sadie, you¡­¡±


    ¡°K, what brings you here?¡± Noah¡¯s voice rang from the doorway, cutting her off.


    Dressed in a sleek charcoal-gray suit, he exuded an imposing presence.


    At the sight of him, the anger in K¡¯s eyes vanished, reced by softness.


    ¡°Noah, I made soup for you. You must be tired from work, so I brought it over.¡± Her voice was sweet, her smile gentle as she held out the jar.


    Noah didn¡¯t say anything, his gaze briefly flicking to Sadie and Averi, his expression unreadable.


    The air grew heavy with unspoken tension.


    ¡°Noah,¡± K bit her lip, hesitation creeping into her voice. The food jar in her hands felt heavier, as if suddenly burdensome.


    The soup she had so carefully prepared now seemed worthless.


    Noah¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. ¡°Just leave it there,¡± he said, tone indifferent.


    Those words struck K like ice water, dousing the flicker of hope in her chest. Her grip on the food jar tightened, frustration simmering beneath the surface.


    ¡°But, Noah¡­¡± K paused, her words teetering on the brink of her lips.


    Noah cut her off with a calm yet decisive tone. ¡°K, there are other matters I need to handle.¡±


    A chill raced through K¡¯s heart, her unspoken words retreating back into silence.


    It was clear; Noah was pushing her away.


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 Chapter 309

    ?Chapter 309:


    Her eyes flicked to Sadie, then back to Noah, her heart burning with envy. Why? Why was it that Sadie and her child could remain while she was sent away?


    Though K resisted the idea, she felt powerless to change her situation.


    Finally, she clenched her jaw and said, ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll leave now.¡±


    With these words, she left, her departure marked by a rigid posture that masked her raging emotions.


    Throughout this, Sadie said nothing, clutching her son closely.


    The way Noah had just treated K was unexpected, sparking a hint of astonishment within her.


    Noah had always shown a soft, yielding side to K in her recollections, never dismissing her so outright.


    Yet today, his attitude hadpletely changed. It was now cold and steady.


    Half an hourter, in the living room, Noah moved towards the door, seemingly ready to leave.


    Observing his firm, poised stance, Sadie felt a spontaneous urge to keep him there a little longer.


    Rising to her feet, she suggested, ¡°It¡¯s still quite early. Maybe you could have some breakfast before leaving?¡±


    Halting abruptly, Noah turned around.


    His gaze met Sadie¡¯s, a brief look of confusion crossing his face as he processed her earlier words.


    ¡°Alright,¡± he said with a lightness that masked his feelings.


    A soft sigh escaped Sadie in response.


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    She approached the dining table.


    Aromatic steam from the oatmeal and fresh pastries wafted through the air, filling the room with inviting scents.


    Noah took a seat, his eyes appreciating the breakfast before him, and a subtle smile touched his lips.


    The table was set with a heartier fare than usual. This breakfast bore aforting, homemade quality unlike the standard offerings she had prepared before.


    He picked up a spoon, scooped up some oatmeal, and tasted it.


    ¡°Not bad,¡± he said, his voice infused with an unexpected warmth.


    With a cheerful tone, a maid said, ¡°Indeed. Mrs. Wall prepared this herself.¡±


    Watching Noah relish the meal, Sadie felt a sense of ease wash over her.


    Though she had prepared the breakfast mainly for Averi¡¯s sake, worried that the usual fare in the vi wouldn¡¯t suit the child, she hadn¡¯t anticipated this misunderstanding with Noah.


    Nevertheless, it was of little consequence. She had more pressing matters to address with him.


    Pausing briefly, Sadie gathered her thoughts. ¡°Um, I was thinking about going back to the studio to work. And about Averi¡¯s kindergarten¡­¡±


    Noah ced his spoon down and gave her his full attention. ¡°You should talk to the butler for such matters.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Sadie responded with a nod, feeling a sense of relief.


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 Chapter 310

    ?Chapter 310:


    Noah didn¡¯t reject the proposals. His direction to consult the butler effectively meant his consent was given.


    Rising to his feet, Noah straightened his suit jacket.


    ¡°I must attend to some matters. Enjoy your day.¡±


    With those words, he exited the estate, never once looking back.


    As Sadie watched his silhouette vanish through the doorway, her feelings were aplex whirl of emotions.


    She didn¡¯t know what Noah was thinking, nor could she predict what the future held for them.


    Her immediate priority, however, was to look after Averi.


    Meanwhile, K made her way furiously to the branch office and violently shut her office door, the sound echoing loudly.


    Her chest heaved with anger.


    ¡°Why? Why does Sadie get to live at Myrtlewood Estate?¡± She seethed in silence, her voice dripping with fury. ¡°I am the rightfuldy of Myrtlewood Estate.¡±


    As she paced her office, K¡¯s hands were clenched so tightly that her nails threatened to pierce her skin.


    At that moment, there was a hesitant knock on the door from the design department manager.


    ¡°Come in.¡± K forced herself to suppress her fury, trying to make her voice sound calm.


    The manager walked in cautiously, holding a pile of documents, and moved toward her hesitantly.


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    ¡°Miss Wade, we have Ms. Shaw¡¯s jewelry design drafts ready. Additionally, the invitation for the Starlight G has arrived.¡±


    Receiving the documents, K skimmed them quickly, her expression changing as an idea began to form.


    ¡°The Starlight G¡­¡± she muttered to herself as a n started taking shape in her mind.


    ¡°Send out the order. elerate the production of Ms. Shaw¡¯s jewelry. Ensure it¡¯s ready before the Starlight G,¡± K instructed unequivocally, leaving no space for debate.


    The manager¡¯s face tensed, revealing his uncertainty. ¡°Miss Wade, achieving that might be impossible. We initially nned for delivery a month from now, and the g is just three days away¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care!¡± K¡¯s hand mmed down on her desk, producing a resounding snap that silenced him instantly. ¡°I expect results, not excuses. Fail to meet the deadline, and you¡¯re all fired, starting with you!¡±


    The design department manager shuddered, beads of sweat forming on his brow.


    Fully aware of K¡¯s fierce disposition, he dared not contest her demands. With a hesitant nod, he said, ¡°Y-Yes, Miss Wade. I¡¯ll organize it immediately.¡± He exited the office, each stepden with the weight of impending consequences.


    K watched him go, a chilling smirk tugging at the corners of her lips.


    ¡°Now, Sadie, let¡¯s see how you manage against me.¡±


    Despite Sadie working with the Shaw Group through Eva¡¯s secret assignment on another project involving the Starlight G, K was intolerant of anypetition.


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 Chapter 311

    ?Chapter 311:


    She just couldn¡¯t tolerate it.


    Should Wall Group manage to deliver the jewelry to Eva ahead of the Starlight G, their strong connection would undoubtedly ensure Eva wore it. K eagerly anticipated witnessing Sadie¡¯s response when the limelight inevitably remained on her.


    In her studio, Sadie put down the draft she had been reviewing and rubbed her tired eyes.


    She had nned on stepping out for a quick break, but when she saw Nte and Mindy Gordon still working, she paused in confusion.


    She thought everyone had already left.


    ¡°Why are you two still here?¡± Sadie asked.


    Nte finally looked up from her desk, adjusted her sses, and smiled. ¡°Of course, we¡¯re staying, Miss Hudson! We built this studio from the ground up together. How can we just leave you alone?¡±


    Mindy nodded and echoed her sentiment. ¡°Exactly! And honestly, where else can we find a boss as amazing as you?¡±


    Their words made Sadie feel all warm and fuzzy. She smiled at them, her eyes misting slightly. ¡°Thank you. We will definitely seed with this project.¡±


    Unexpectedly, Nte leaned closer, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. ¡°Miss Hudson¡­ The car that dropped you off this morning was a top-of-the-line Maybach. Very impressive!¡±


    Sadie froze for a second as the memory of the butler arranging her ride that morning shed in her mind.


    She shrugged off Nte¡¯sment, saying, ¡°Oh, it¡¯s my friend¡¯s car.¡± But Nte gave her a knowing look, her lips curling into a mischievous smile.


    Thankfully, Nte didn¡¯t press the issue any further.


    Sadie sighed to herself. She had wanted to drive herself that morning, in her own car, but the butler insisted it was safer to have a driver give her a ride. He had arranged for one of Noah¡¯s cars to take Averi to the kindergarten before dropping Sadie off at the studio.


    Sadie knew the real deal, though¡ªthe butler, and likely the entire staff at the vi, was simply taking precautions to keep her from running off.


    ¡°All right, then. Let¡¯s get back to work.¡±


    Sadie gathered her bearings and went back to her office. The studio was silent apart from the sound of cking keys as her employees typed nonstop on their keyboards.


    Sadie picked up the draft she had set aside. The Starlight G was just around the corner.


    As the night deepened, Myrtlewood Estate was brightly lit.


    Sadie entered Averi¡¯s room and found him sound asleep under the covers.


    ¡°Mommy¡­¡± the boy mumbled, his tiny hand reaching out and clutching hers. Sadie smiled and leaned in to press a kiss on his forehead. ¡°Sweetheart, it¡¯s time for dinner. You need to wake up ande downstairs.¡±


    She waited until Averi got out of bed before padding out of the room.


    Averi could already dress himself ande downstairs on his own.


    As Sadie reached the staircase, she heard a group of servants whispering amongst themselves below.


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 Chapter 312

    ?Chapter 312:


    ¡°The boy¡¯s parentage is highly questionable. Who¡¯s to say whose child he really is?¡±


    ¡°Shh! Keep your voice down! If anyone hears us, we¡¯d be in big trouble!¡±


    ¡°Please, what¡¯s there to be afraid of? That boy is a bastard. Did they really expect us to treat him like the young master of this estate?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s right. And who¡¯s to say that woman didn¡¯t use some ploy to trick Mr. Wall into her clutches? Why else would he be so obsessed with her?¡±


    Sadie stopped in her tracks, her brows furrowing tightly.


    It seemed that the new servants knew nothing about her rtionship with Noah. She continued down the stairs and called out, ¡°What are you guys talking about?¡±


    Although her voice was calm, it carried an unmistakable hint of authority. The maids immediately shut their mouths and turned in her direction. When they saw that it was Sadie, they didn¡¯t seem all too worried.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, we¡ª¡± one started to say, only to be interrupted by another servant.


    ¡°What business is it of yours? You¡¯re nothing but a fraud, anyway. Did you actually think you¡¯re the mistress of this house?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s face turned grim. She was just about to give the impertinent maid a piece of her mind when a male voice boomed from behind her.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡±


    Noah appeared at the doorway, with the butler closely trailing behind him, his expression anxious.


    The maids fell silent, and this time, they looked genuinely nervous.


    The butler quickly stepped forward. ¡°I will handle this right away, Mr. Wall.¡±


    Noah swept a cold nce over the maids. ¡°I don¡¯t like gossipers in my house. Fire every single one of them.¡±


    Then he turned to Sadie, his eyes deep and unreadable.


    Sadie didn¡¯t know what to make of it. She could barely process what had just happened.


    Was Noah actually defending her?


    Dinner was soon served. The table wasden with a variety of dishes in exquisite porcin tes, their mouthwatering aroma filling the dining hall.


    Averi sat in his high chair with a small bowl of mashed potatoes and a te of diced chicken in front of him. He poked at the food with his spoon, his chubby little face tight with displeasure.


    ¡°Mom, this doesn¡¯t taste good,¡± heined, pouting as he set his spoon down.


    Averi wrinkled his nose.


    Sadie reached out and stroked his hair. ¡°Sweetheart, try to eat a little, okay? The cook made this just for you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want it¡­¡± Averi pouted. ¡°I want fried chicken and fries.¡±


    Sitting at the center of the table, Noah watched the interaction between mother and son in silence.


    Averi¡¯s words made his brows furrow. ¡°The kitchen here at Myrtlewood doesn¡¯t serve unhealthy snacks.¡±


    Averi¡¯s small body shuddered. He looked down at his fingers, his expression pitiful, and didn¡¯t dare to make another sound.


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 Chapter 313

    ?Chapter 313:


    Sadie didn¡¯t like that at all. She knew Noah meant well, but it was only natural for a child to crave snacks and junk food every once in a while. ¡°He¡¯s still young. It¡¯s fine to indulge him asionally.¡±


    Noah directed his narrowed gaze at her. ¡°Indulging a child isn¡¯t in their best interests. You¡¯ll be spoiling him before you know it.¡±


    Sadie pressed her lips into a tight line and bit back her words. There was no point in arguing with Noah about this.


    Needless to say, the atmosphere in the dining hall grew tense.


    ¡°There will be a party in three days,¡± Noah finally said. ¡°Go with me as my date.¡±


    Sadie was visibly taken aback, but she still nodded and said, ¡°Okay.¡± As the night grewte, peace eventually fell over Myrtlewood Estate.


    Noah was in his study, buried in a pile of documents.


    ¡°Mr. Wall¡­¡± A soft, childish voice suddenly broke the silence in the room.


    Noah turned toward the door with a frown.


    Averi was rubbing his drooping eyes, his feet bare, his gait a little wobbly as he entered the study.


    ¡°Mr. Wall¡­¡± the little boy called out again, his other hand clutching a fistful of his bear-patterned pajamas.


    Noah set aside the papers he had been reading and took a good look at the little figure approaching him. He couldn¡¯t help the wave of tenderness that swelled inside his chest.


    Before he knew it, he had stood up and walked around his desk. ¡°Why are you awake?¡± he asked, barely noticing that his voice had instinctively softened.


    Averi was obviously still a little groggy, as he all but pounced on Noah¡¯s leg, hugging it before rubbing his tiny face against the fabric of Noah¡¯s trousers. ¡°I want Mommy¡­¡±


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    Noah looked down at the little guy and rxed.


    He bent and picked Averi up with ease. The boy¡¯s small, chubby body was soft and carried a faint scent of milk.


    An emotion surged in Noah¡¯s heart, something he was unfamiliar with and could therefore not name.


    He carried Averi out of the study and into the master bedroom.


    Inside, Sadie was fast asleep,pletely oblivious to her son¡¯s nighttime escapade.


    Noah carefully tucked the boy beside her.


    Averi immediately turned over and snuggled into Sadie¡¯s arms, his little fist now clutching at her pajama shirt.


    Noah lingered for a while, just watching the scene before him with a gentle smile on his face.


    Then he turned the bedsidemp off andy down on the other side of the bed. Heid his arm over Sadie so that he was cupping Averi¡¯s side, gathering them into a huge embrace.


    It was quiet in the room, apart from the soft, steady sounds of their breathing.


    Noah craned his neck and nced at the sleeping mother and son. He could feel something else blossoming inside his chest, and this one he could name ¡ª peace.


    Morning came, and sunlight filtered through the curtains and fell into the room in bright, narrow beams.


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 Chapter 314

    ?Chapter 314:


    Sadie opened her eyes to the sight of a cute face just inches away from hers. Averi¡¯s cheek was pressed against her arm, his mouth hanging open slightly as he slept.


    Sadie shifted, only to realize that someone else was sleeping behind her. Noah. She found the situation quite surreal, and if she hadn¡¯t felt the warmth of both their bodies, she might have thought she was only dreaming.


    Sadie¡¯s chest welled with emotion.


    There was a time when all she had wanted was to live an ordinary life with Noah and their child, just like any other couple. But then, everything changed.


    She would still feel her heart soften at such poignant moments, but she no longer yearned for them tost.


    She gently extracted Averi from her arms and got out of bed as quietly as she could.


    ¡°Good morning, Mrs. Wall. Have you seen Averi?¡±


    Sadie had just gone out the door when the butler hurried over with a worried expression, his forehead dotted with sweat.


    ¡°Slow down. What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Averi is missing! We¡¯ve searched the entire estate, but we couldn¡¯t find him.¡± The butler¡¯s voice was trembling, and he looked like he was on the verge of tears.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s all right,¡± Sadie quickly reassured him. ¡°He¡¯s in the master bedroom.¡± Noah had probably brought the boy overst night. How else would Averi end up there when he had his own room?


    The butler paused, staring at her for a couple of seconds, then let out a long sigh of relief.


    ¡°Goodness, I was so scared! I thought he¡¯d been taken or something.¡± The poor man patted his chest and took several deep breaths.


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    Sadie couldn¡¯t help but feel guilty. ¡°I apologize for worrying you.¡±


    But the butler waved it off. ¡°Nothing to apologize for, Mrs. Wall. The important thing is that Averi is safe. Anyway, breakfast is ready.¡±


    Watching the butler¡¯s retreating figure, Sadie let out a soft sigh of relief. Swiveling around to head back to the master bedroom and check on Averi, she felt her phone buzz in her pocket.


    Pulling it out, she saw Alex¡¯s name sh across the screen, causing her to pause.


    ¡°Hello?¡± Sadie answered tentatively, uncertainty threading her voice.


    ¡°Are you all right, Sadie? I heard¡­¡± Alex¡¯s voice, thick with concern, trailed off as he waited for her reply.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Sadie cut in, her tone a delicate bnce of reassurance and tension. ¡°What about the Howe Group? Everything okay there?¡±


    A sigh of relief echoed from the other end. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Everything¡¯s under control. Thepany¡¯s stable now. No need for you to stress.¡±


    After a slight pause, Alex¡¯s voice softened. ¡°Where are you now? Are you safe?¡±


    Just as Sadie opened her mouth to reply, a deep, unexpected voice chilled the air behind her.


    ¡°She¡¯s right here in Myrtlewood Estate¡ªwhat danger could possibly exist here?¡±


    Startled, Sadie turned to find Noah looming close behind her, his expression unreadable and his presence almost suffocating.


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    A shiver raced down her spine, her grip tightening on the phone. She nced at Noah in panic, her eyes shing with fear.


    ¡°I have something urgent to handle. I need to go,¡± she stammered hurriedly, her voice faltering as she dared not meet Noah¡¯s intense gaze.


    With a quick tap, the phone call ended, leaving Sadie staring at her own pale reflection on the darkened screen.


    Noah took a deliberate step forward, his shadow encroaching as Sadie instinctively backed away, until the chill of the wall seeped through her clothes, trapping her.


    His towering figure loomed oppressively close, overwhelming her with its sheer bulk.


    ¡°You¡­¡± Sadie¡¯s voice faltered, her lips quivering as she mustered the courage to speak.


    However, before she could form the words, Noah interrupted with a swift motion, snatching the phone right out of her trembling hand.


    He cast a cursory nce at the screen, his eyes narrowing when he saw Alex¡¯s name. In that instant, his expression turned cold, his piercing gaze seemingly cutting straight through Sadie.


    With a flick of his wrist, he threw the phone over the railing of the second floor. It plummeted, crashing onto the marble floor with a resounding ¡°Pak!¡± The device shattered, its pieces scattering like shards of ice.


    Stunned by the sheer suddenness of his action, Sadie could only stare in horror at the remains of her phone, her mind reeling from the shock.


    As the initial disbelief faded, a fierce wave of anger surged within her, igniting a fiery protest.


    ¡°What in the world did you just do? Have you gonepletely insane, Noah Wall?¡± Sadie¡¯s gaze shot up, her voice unsteady butced with fury.


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    Noah looked down at her, his expression unwavering.


    ¡°It¡¯s mine. I can do as I please with it.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me! That is my phone!¡± Sadie snapped, her voice rising with frustration. She couldn¡¯t believe how overbearing he was.


    ¡°It¡¯s not yours anymore. It¡¯s mine,¡± Noah stated firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. ¡°Just like you, Sadie. You belong to me now.¡±


    He reached out, his fingers tightening around her chin, forcing her eyes to meet his.


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget who you are, Mrs. Wall.¡±


    Despite the sharp pain from his grip, Sadie¡¯s resolve didn¡¯t waver, her eyes fierce with defiance.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall? Is that what being your wife means? To be trampled and humiliated at your whim?¡± she retorted, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger.


    Noah¡¯s response was a low, rough whisper. ¡°Don¡¯t test my patience, Sadie.¡± His words carried an unmistakable warning, though beneath the surface, a storm of emotions threatened to break free.


    With one final, piercing look, he turned and strode away, leaving Sadie in the echoing silence of the aftermath.


    Leaning against the cold, unyielding wall, Sadie felt thest of her strength ebb away. She slid down to the floor, her body folding into itself as she hugged her knees tightly to her chest.


    Sadie rested her chin on her knees, staring vacantly at the broken pieces of her phone scattered across the floor, like fragments of her shattered resolve.


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    Then, the butler¡¯s gentle voice reached her, interrupting her somber reflection. ¡°Excuse me, Mrs. Wall,¡± he said, his tone cautious and soft.


    Sadie took a deep breath, gathering thest remnants of herposure before lifting her head to respond. ¡°What is it?¡±


    The butler stepped forward, holding a brand-new phone box. ¡°Mrs. Wall, Mr. Wall asked me to deliver this to you.¡± He extended the box toward her with both hands, his posture respectful.


    Sadie paused, her expression unreadable for a moment before she met his gaze. She took the box with a slight tremble in her hands, her eyes flicking over the butler as he continued softly, ¡°Mr. Wall mentioned your previous phone was broken. This is its recement.¡±


    With mechanical movements, Sadie peeled open the box. Insidey thetest model, identical to her previous device. She switched it on, her heart sinking as the screen lit up to reveal a single contact¡ªNoah.


    A suffocating weight of despair settled over her, making it difficult to breathe.


    Elsewhere, the mood was starkly different.


    ¡°I finally found something!¡± ud eximed, his voice crackling with a mix of triumph and a craving for approval.


    Impatient, Susannah tapped her nails against the table, each click echoing sharply in the room. ¡°What is it, ud? Just say it already!¡±


    ud thrust a stack of glossy photos toward her. They depicted Sadie¡¯sings and goings at the Myrtlewood Estate with undeniable rity.


    ¡°Mrs. Howe, Sadie has been staying at Myrtlewood Estate thesest few days,¡± he stated.


    One by one, Susannah flipped through the images, her expression contorting into a scowl that deepened with every photo.


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    Abruptly, she mmed the stack down, the impact resonating like a gunshot.


    ¡°Myrtlewood Estate! That¡¯s Noah¡¯s private residence.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mrs. Howe,¡± ud responded, his tone cautious as he gauged her stormy demeanor, bracing for the tempest that might follow. ¡°Well¡­¡±


    Susannah¡¯s hand crashed down on the table, a thunderous p in the tense silence of the room. Her cheeks burned red with fury as she spat out her suspicion. ¡°Noah is targeting the Howe family. Could it be because of that woman?¡±


    Without waiting for an answer, she shot up from her chair, her movements erratic as she paced the room like a caged lion.


    ¡°But¡­ isn¡¯t K Noah¡¯s true love?¡± ud ventured, his voiceced with hesitation, breaking the charged atmosphere.


    At his words, Susannah halted mid-stride, her expression morphing into sheer contempt. ¡°K¡­ Is it possible Sadie is toying with both Noah¡¯s and Alex¡¯s feelings? Who is this woman, really?¡±


    She whirled around, her gaze sharp and using as she locked eyes with ud. ¡°Don¡¯t stop until you¡¯ve uncovered everything about Sadie,¡± she demanded, her voice sharp and unwavering.


    ¡°Understood,¡± ud replied, his voice barely above a whisper as he exited swiftly.


    Moments after ud¡¯s departure, Alex made a hurried descent down the stairs. Susannah, now seated and sipping her coffee, watched him intently. Her voice was deceptively calm as she called out, ¡°Heading out, Alex?¡± She had just learned Sadie was staying at Myrtlewood Estate.


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    As she watched Alex get ready to leave, a nagging suspicion crept into her mind.


    Alex paused, not turning around. ¡°I¡¯m heading out for a bit,¡± he replied, his tone detached.


    ¡°At this hour? You¡¯re not headed to the office, so where might you be off to? And without even a word to your mother?¡± Susannah¡¯s voice carried a gentle reproach as she tried to weave in a maternal concern, her words soft yet deliberate, aiming to dissuade him from his ns to leave.


    Rising from her chair, she leaned heavily on the table, her stance faltering slightly, feigning unsteadiness. ¡°Oh, my head is spinning¡­¡± she murmured, her toneced with difort.


    At the sound of her strained voice, Alex instinctively pivoted back to face her. The sight of Susannah¡¯s ashen face and deeply furrowed brows painted a clear picture of her distress.


    A pang of worry tightened his heart, propelling him to her side in swift strides. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Mom? You don¡¯t look well,¡± he asked, his voice thick with concern.


    With a trembling hand pressed to her forehead, Susannah gripped his arm with her other hand, leaning on him as if he were her lifeline.


    ¡°I¡¯m just a bit dizzy¡­ It might be my blood pressure spiking again,¡± she said, her voice quivering, hinting at the severity of her difort.


    Alex¡¯s resolve to leave crumbled as he witnessed her weakened state. He gently helped her sit on the sofa, his tone imbued with urgent worry. ¡°I¡¯m calling the doctor right away,¡± he dered, reaching for his phone.


    But Susannah, with a weak but firm grasp, caught his hand and slowly shook her head. ¡°No need for that. It¡¯s an old problem. I just need to rest a while. Stay with me, just for a bit?¡± Her eyes pleaded more earnestly than her words.


    Torn, Alex paused, the weight of his mother¡¯s plea anchoring him firmly at her side. Softly patting her hand, he relented with a tender smile. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll stay. Just rest.¡±


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    The tension in the room thickened to an almost palpable fog, punctuated only by Susannah¡¯s breathing, which was uneven and a bit strained. The air hung heavy, pressing down like an unseen weight.


    As the clock struck noon, K made her entrance into Noah¡¯s office, d in a sharply tailored business suit that hugged her graceful curves perfectly. She settled onto the plush leather sofa, crossing her legs with deliberate elegance, her lips curled into a poised, self-assured smile.


    ¡°Noah, what do you say we have dinner together tonight? There¡¯s a new spot that just opened up¡ªI hear the cuisine is out of this world.¡±


    Noah remained anchored behind his desk, his long fingers absentmindedly drumming on the desk.


    He seemed engrossed in the documents sprawled before him, seemingly oblivious to her invitation.


    The office was eerily quiet, the relentless ticking of the wall clock slicing through the silence like a knife.


    K¡¯s smile briefly wavered, a shadow of disappointment flickering across her face. Sheposed herself swiftly, clearing her throat gently. ¡°Noah?¡± This time, Noah lifted his gaze, his deep-set eyes locking onto hers.


    His voice was t, almost dismissive. ¡°I have ns tonight.¡±


    K¡¯s heart dropped, but her resolve didn¡¯t waver.


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    ¡°What ns? Anything you can¡¯t possibly reschedule?¡±


    At that moment, Noah¡¯s phone buzzed. He nced at the caller ID¡ª¡±Sadie¡±¡ªand read the iing text.


    ¡°I¡¯m cooking tonight. Will you be home for dinner?¡±


    The corners of his mouth betrayed him, curving into a subtle smile as he quickly typed back, ¡°Yes.¡±


    cing the phone down, Noah met K¡¯s gaze again, his expression unchanged.


    ¡°Sorry, K, but tonight¡¯s really not a good time.¡±


    K¡¯splexion turned pale as she gripped her handbag, her nails digging painfully into her palm.


    Her effort to appear calm was in vain, her shaky voice betraying her. ¡°Could it be¡­ Sadie?¡±


    Noah simply gave a faint nod, confirming her suspicion without a word.


    K tried to stifle the overwhelming surge of emotions, rising to her feet with a forced smile. ¡°I see.¡±


    As she turned around, her smile faded, reced by deep resentment. The sound of the office door mming echoed through the room with a sharp ng.


    Noah¡¯s face remained stoic, his deep eyes reflecting an array of unspoken thoughts.


    The soft light from the phone screen cast a glow on Sadie¡¯s face, revealing the turmoil within her.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


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    That single word on the screen felt unexpectedly sharp. She kept staring at it, her emotions swirling inside her. Words failed to capture her feelings.


    Such a response from Noah was unexpected. After their harsh exchange in the morning, she had anticipated that he would ignore her for days, maybe even weeks.


    Considering the confrontation and wishing to avoid further confinement, Sadie had deliberated all day before deciding to diffuse the situation and sending that message.


    She tucked her phone into her bag and reached for her coat.


    ¡°Nte, I need to handle something. I¡¯ll leave the remaining tasks to you,¡± she said to Nte.


    Nte looked up, taken aback. ¡°Oh? Sadie, it¡¯s still early. Is there an emergency?¡±


    A fragile smile crossed Sadie¡¯s lips. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s just something personal. Also, please monitor the progress on the Starlight G project.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Sadie.¡± Nte, still somewhat confused, gave apliant nod.


    With that, Sadie exited the studio in a hurry.


    Throughout her journey home, she pondered the best way to approach Noah. Upon arriving at Myrtlewood Estate, Sadie paused to collect her thoughts before stepping inside.


    The living room was eerily silent. A maid bowed respectfully and said, ¡°Wee home, Mrs. Wall.¡±


    Acknowledging her with a nod, Sadie proceeded to the kitchen to inspect it.


    Everything was in perfect order.


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 Chapter 319

    ?Chapter 319:


    Opening the refrigerator, she checked the stock of ingredients.


    ¡°Tap, tap, tap¡­¡± From a distance, the sound of quick, light footsteps echoed. Turning, Sadie saw Averi joyfully running towards her, his backpack bouncing with each hop, closely followed by the butler.


    ¡°Mommy!¡± Averi eximed, jumping into Sadie¡¯s arms and nting a loud kiss on her cheek.


    ¡°Sweetheart, did you have a good day at kindergarten?¡± Sadie asked, her voice soft as she embraced her son.


    ¡°Yes!¡± Averi said eagerly.


    Laughing, the butler said, ¡°Today, Averi was praised by his teacher at school.¡± Sadie gently ruffled her son¡¯s hair, her eyes shining with pride and affection.


    Suddenly, a disturbance at the front door signaled Noah¡¯s return.


    He passed his coat to a servant and made his way directly to the dining room. ¡°Mr. Wall!¡± As soon as Averi spotted Noah, he slipped from Sadie¡¯s embrace and dashed towards him.


    Noah¡¯s heart softened immediately. He knelt to lift Averi into his arms. ¡°Have you been a good boy for Mommy today?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Averi replied clearly.


    They gathered at the dining table when dinner was ready. The servants brought out dish after dish, each more inviting and beautifully arranged than thest.


    In silence, Sadie piled food onto Averi¡¯s te, while Noah ate quietly. A subtle, almost unnoticeable tension filled the air around them.


    Suddenly, Noah¡¯s phone broke the silence with its ring.


    He checked the caller ID to see K¡¯s name.


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    After picking up, he heard K¡¯s frail voice. ¡°Noah, I feel terrible¡­¡±


    Sadie¡¯s grip on her utensils tightened, her eyes drifting towards Noah, despite herself.


    Maintaining hisposure, Noah responded, ¡°What seems to be the problem? You should consult a doctor.¡± Sadie was stunned.


    In the past, whenever K reached out, Noah would immediately drop everything to be by her side, regardless of the hour or his current activities. This time, however, he made no move to leave.


    K¡¯s voice carried a note of distress over the phone. ¡°But¡­ I want to see you¡­¡±


    Noah responded with detached coolness, ¡°If you¡¯re unwell, it¡¯s best to rest. I¡¯m upied right now.¡±


    After ending the call, he returned his phone to his pocket.


    A pang of curiosity hit Sadie, and she secretly observed Noah, searching for any sign of change in his demeanor.


    His expression remained unreadable, betraying no sign of the conversation that had just urred.


    Tension at the table thickened evidently.


    Even Averi picked up on the mood, eating his meal in silence.


    After a while, Sadie found the nerve to address the issue, her tone tentative. ¡°If Miss Wade is truly sick, perhaps you should visit her. What if¡­¡±


    She paused, her voice quivering a bit. ¡°What if something serious is wrong? That would be awful.¡±


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 Chapter 320

    ?Chapter 320:


    Sadie realized the bravery it took to voice those concerns. She knew well how much Noah cared about K. Should anything befall K, Sadie feared she might be the one being med.


    As she finished speaking, her heart raced.


    She nced once more at Noah, searching his face for any sign of a reaction. Noah¡¯s face, which had been calm, suddenly turned grim, his expression cold. He ced his utensils down forcefully, the noise resounding sharply in the silent dining room. His eyes, intense and cold, were fixed on Sadie.


    ¡°Sadie, are you trying to push me away?¡±


    Stunned by his response, Sadie was left speechless, unsure of how to reply.


    At that moment, the sharp ringing of a phone shattered the quiet tension in the dining room. Pulling her phone from her pocket in a swift motion, Sadie nced at the screen and saw it was from Laura¡¯s caregiver, Lexi Chavez. A knot formed in her stomach.


    ¡°Hello? Lexi, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice shook as she spoke.


    From the other end of the line, Lexi¡¯s voice,ced with anxiety, replied, ¡°Mrs. Stewart has copsed in the bedroom. I¡ªI¡¯m at a loss!¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± Sadie¡¯splexion drained of color, her hand clutching the phone so tightly her knuckles turned white. ¡°Don¡¯t lose your head. Check if my grandma is breathing and make sure the room is aired out. I¡¯ll be there as soon as I can!¡± With a sudden surge, she rose, knocking her chair to the floor with a muffled crash.


    As Noah observed her agitated movements, his brow creased. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± he inquired.


    ¡°My¡­ my grandma has fainted!¡± Sadie stammered, her eyes brimming with tears.


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    Clutching her handbag, she turned swiftly to leave.


    ¡°I¡¯ll drive you,¡± Noah said, standing decisively.


    Without a word, Sadie epted; time was of the essence.


    Approaching Averi, she knelt before him, her voice trembling yet calm. ¡°Sweetheart, I need to see Great-grandma because she¡¯s unwell. Stay good for me here at home. The butler will look after you, okay?¡± Averi, though young, felt the gravity of Sadie¡¯s distress.


    He gave a solemn nod, his small fingers gripping hers. ¡°Mommy, pleasee back soon,¡± he whispered in his gentle voice.


    Holding back her tears, Sadie kissed Averi¡¯s forehead and hastened away with Noah through the gates of Myrtlewood Estate.


    From a distance, the butler watched their departure, exhaling a soft sigh. In the car, Sadie¡¯s grip on her phone was so tight that the veins on her hand protruded, herplexion ghostly pale.


    Despite her deep breaths, the turmoil within her refused to subside. Her vision clouded with tears that cascaded down her pale cheeks. Softly, she whispered, ¡°Grandma¡­¡± The thought of losing Laura was unbearable to her.


    With one hand on the steering wheel, Noah reached out with the other to cover Sadie¡¯s chilly hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. ¡°We¡¯re nearly there. Don¡¯t be scared,¡± he murmured, his voice a gentle balm. Gripping his hand as if clinging to a lifeline, Sadie silently implored for Laura¡¯s safety.


    Outside, thendscape blurred as they sped forward. Atst, the car jerked to a stop outside Laura¡¯s apartment building. Barely pausing, Sadie flung open the door and raced up the steps, Noah right on her heels.


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 Chapter 321

    ?Chapter 321:


    Lexi, anxiety clear on her face, was waiting. She rushed toward Sadie, saying, ¡°You¡¯re here, Sadie! Mrs. Stewart is still in the bedroom.¡± Without pausing for questions, Sadie rushed into the bedroom.


    Laura was lying on the bed, herplexion ghostly pale, her breaths faint. ¡°Grandma!¡± eximed Sadie, rushing to the bedside, her hands shaking as she grasped Laura¡¯s.


    Noah didn¡¯t hesitate; he immediately called 911. He calmly said, ¡°The ambnce ising. We need to move your grandma gently off the bed.¡±


    Working together, Sadie and Lexi delicately maneuvered Laura, lifting her to carry her downstairs. Noah went downstairs first to ensure the security team cleared a path for the ambnce¡¯s arrival.


    Soon after, the ambnce arrived, and paramedics swiftly transferred Laura onto a stretcher. Throughout the ordeal, Sadie stayed glued to Laura¡¯s side, following each move.


    Turning to one of the medics, she inquired, ¡°Doctor, how is she?¡±


    ¡°The situation is still unclear. We¡¯ll conduct more tests at the hospital,¡± responded the doctor.


    With urgency, the ambnce then sped toward the hospital.


    Inside the ambnce, Sadie kept a firm hold on Laura¡¯s hand, her heart silently calling for a miracle. Next to her, Noah sat, his face a mask of calm with underlying concern. Back at the apartment, Lexi lingered by the door, her hands sped tightly, her anxiety evident.


    As the ambnce faded into the night, she finally managed topose herself enough to dial Alex¡¯s number. The phone barely rang twice before he answered.


    ¡°Hello, Lexi, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Alex¡¯s weary voice came through,ced with a hint of worry.


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    ¡°Mr. Howe, it¡¯s Mrs. Stewart. She¡­¡± Lexi¡¯s words were stifled by her emotions, as she struggled to articte the gravity of the situation.


    ¡°What happened to her? Please, breathe and exin what urred,¡± replied Alex, his voice tightening.


    ¡°Mrs. Stewart fainted. A man and Sadie have taken her to the hospital,¡± Lexi responded, her voice faltering.


    A pause filled the other end before Alex spoke again, his voice unsteady. ¡°Tell me which hospital they¡¯re at. I¡¯m heading there right now.¡±


    With urgency, Lexi ryed the name of the hospital, feeling her anxiety mount. She was uncertain if contacting Alex had been the correct decision. But in her view, Alex¡ªLaura¡¯s future grandson-inw and father to Averi¡ªdeserved to be fully informed.


    The identity of the man with Sadie earlier remained a mystery to her, and considering thete hour, it seemed quite unsafe for Sadie to be with him. Once the call ended, Lexi began to pace the living room, anxiety causing her heart to race.


    In the hushed atmosphere of the hospital¡¯s emergency room entrance, Sadie murmured, ¡°Grandma¡­¡±


    A pair of warm hands gently pulled her into aforting embrace. Noah¡¯s presence steadied her in the midst of uncertainty. She leaned into him, her head resting on his chest, seeking sce.


    ¡°Everything will be okay,¡± he reassured her, his hand gently stroking her back.


    Silently, Sadie gripped hispel, her knuckles pale with tension. Her tears soaked his shirt quietly as they fell. In those moments, her thoughts were consumed by Laura; overwhelmed by the dread of losing her. Noah¡¯s support was crucial to her right then.


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 Chapter 322

    ?Chapter 322:


    As they waited, time seemed to crawl. The emergency room lights remained on.


    The stillness was shattered by the sound of quick steps echoing down the hallway. Alex rushed to the scene and was struck by the sight before him. Noah had Sadie in his arms, holding her tightly. That sight caused Alex deep pain.


    He stopped short, with his nned words catching in his throat.


    Catching sight of Alex, Sadie instinctively tried to withdraw from Noah¡¯s embrace. Noah¡¯s face became cold, and he held her even tighter, as if silently dering she was his. He shot a chilly look at Alex and asked him, ¡°What brings you to the hospital sote, Mr. Howe?¡±


    A shadow fell over Alex¡¯s face. Torn by his emotions, he stared at Sadie. ¡°Sadie, how is your grandma?¡±


    Just as Sadie was about to respond, Noah cut her off sharply, saying, ¡°This has nothing to do with you, Mr. Howe.¡±


    Alex balled his hands into fists. ¡°You seem very considerate, Mr. Wall, but I wonder, is Laura familiar with you? You might just add to her distress.¡± At that moment, Noah¡¯s expression soured, but before he could reply, the emergency room doors swung open.


    A doctor in a white coat stepped out, mask in hand. ¡°The patient¡¯s condition is very unstable. We need to transfer her to the ICU immediately. Who here is a family member? I need a signature now.¡±


    Hearing this, Sadie wavered as if all her strength had been drained. She staggered over to the doctor, her hands shaking as she epted the pen and paper. Tears clouded her eyes, making it hard to see as she signed; her grip on the pen was so unsteady it nearly fell.


    ¡°Sadie¡­¡± Alex began, moving to assist her.


    Yet, Noah was quicker, stepping in to steady her by the shoulders. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m right here.¡±


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    ¡°Get your hands off her, Noah!¡± Alex reached his breaking point.


    Noah¡¯s voice was thick with anger. ¡°She¡¯s my wife!¡± The tension between them grew sharper.


    With her eyes shut tight, Sadie tried to find her inner calm. Suddenly, she jerked away from Noah, her voice raspy with emotion. ¡°Stop it! Both of you, go back. I¡¯m staying here with Grandma.¡±


    Noah¡¯s hands froze in mid-air, his face a mask of mixed feelings as he stared at Sadie. A look of pain swept over Alex, yet he remained silent. A heavy silence fell over them.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡± Noah broke the silence first, his eyes fixed on Sadie with no room for protests.


    Alex stood his ground as well. ¡°If he stays, then I¡¯m staying too.¡±


    Opening her eyes slowly, Sadie exhaled a frail sigh. The dispute around her lost all its meaning. While Laura fought valiantly for her life, Sadie found herself too drained to deal with them.


    She pressed her back against the wall for support and shut her eyes once more. Neither Noah nor Alex spoke another word.


    Silently, they remained by Sadie¡¯s side, offering their quiet presence.


    At a different location, K¡¯s frustration was evident as she mmed a few design drafts down on the table, her anger piercing through her impable makeup. The delicate crystal ornaments nearby quivered gently.


    Before, regardless of his schedule, Noah would never neglect her for this long. However, Sadie¡¯s return and subsequent move into Myrtlewood Estate had altered everything significantly.


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 Chapter 323

    ?Chapter 323:


    ¡°Damn that bitch Sadie!¡± K hissed, clenching her teeth in rage. Her restlessness had her pacing the room relentlessly.


    Suddenly, the light from her phone pierced the tension in the room. A news alert shed on the screen¡ª¡°Wall Group¡¯s CEO Spotted at a Hospital Late at Night, Reportedly with an Unidentified Woman.¡± This news only soured K¡¯s mood further. She snatched up her phone to inspect the news more closely.


    The photo was unclear, capturing just a man¡¯s back, tall andmanding¡ªclearly Noah. The woman beside him was indistinct, yet her slender figure sent a chill through K.


    ¡°Could this be Sadie?¡± K froze, her breath hitching.


    A wave of difort overwhelmed her, tightening her chest with anxiety.


    K zoomed in on the image, scrutinizing the woman¡¯s silhouette, the cut of her outfit, and the length of her hair. The longer she examined it, the more it looked like Sadie.


    ¡°No way! That¡¯s impossible!¡± she muttered, refusing to believe what she saw. Why would Noah be at the hospital with Sadie? What had transpired between them?


    No. She needed to find out herself!


    Jamming the brakes, K shoved open the car door, her stilettos clicking sharply against the pavement. She nearly lost her bnce but quickly steadied herself.


    She strode into the bustling downtown hospital.


    From afar, her eyes locked onto a familiar figure standing by the ICU entrance¡ªNoah.


    He carried himself with his usual poise and grace, yet something about him feltpletely foreign to her.


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    Next to him stood Alex and¡­ Sadie.


    K¡¯s breath hitched.


    All three of them together? What was going on? How shameless Sadie could be? A wave of irritation surged through her. No, she couldn¡¯t just storm over recklessly.


    Fishing apact from her purse, she flipped it open and meticulously applied powder to her face until it appeared deathly pale.


    Then, she ran a fingertip over her lipstick, smudging it slightly to give herself a frail, sickly look.


    Taking a slow, uneven breath, she staggered toward the ICU entrance, her movements deliberately weak.


    Reaching the group, she coughed softly twice, her body swaying as though she might copse.


    Noah turned, his brows knitting together at the sight of her.


    ¡°K? What are you doing here?¡±


    Feigning shock, K covered her mouth. ¡°Noah? You¡¯re here too? I wasn¡¯t feeling well, so I came to see a doctor.¡±


    She leaned against the wall, her gaze flitting among the three people as if puzzled by the situation.


    ¡°So¡­ what¡¯s going on?¡± she asked, her toneced with curiosity.


    Alex, supporting Sadie, gave her a hard-to-read look but remained silent. Noah¡¯s expression darkened as he nced toward the closed ICU door, his lips pressing into a firm line.


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 Chapter 324

    ?Chapter 324:


    ¡°Just a private matter,¡± he replied curtly, showing no interest in borating.


    K¡¯s chest tightened. Swallowing her frustration, she kept up the act. ¡°Oh¡­ I understand.¡± She let out another feeble cough, her face growing even paler. ¡°I-I should probably go see the doctor now.¡±


    Turning unsteadily, she began walking away, though her eyes shed with something venomous the moment she nced at Sadie.


    Her steps were so feeble it seemed she might copse at any second.


    Biting her lip, she forced a fragile smile, her voice trembling as though she was on the verge of tears.


    ¡°Noah¡­ I feel dizzy. I-I can¡¯t walk¡­¡±


    Her words were barely above a whisper, light enough to be carried away by the air.


    She shot a discreet look at Sadie, a glint of triumph in her eyes.


    There was no doubt in her mind¡ªNoah would drop everything and escort her to the doctor.


    Sadie¡¯s heart clenched.


    She lowered her gaze, her longshes masking the emotions swirling beneath them.


    To her, K was Noah¡¯s priority. There was no way he would leave her behind. Sadie¡¯s fingers curled into tight fists, her nails digging into her palms. The sting reminded her to stayposed.


    Alex, watching K¡¯s performance, narrowed his eyes in silent disdain.


    His grip on Sadie¡¯s arm tightened.


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    Noah studied K, his frown deepening.


    A heavy stillness settled over them, thick with tension.


    After several seconds of silence, Noah finally spoke, his voice cool and detached.


    ¡°Nurse!¡±


    A nurse hurried over. ¡°Mr. Wall, how can I assist you?¡±


    Without shifting his focus, he gestured toward K. ¡°Escort Miss Wade to her doctor.¡±


    K¡¯s expression froze.


    She stared at him, stunned.


    This was supposed to be her moment¡ªher chance to draw Noah away from Sadie. Yet, instead of rushing to her side, he had dismissed her without hesitation.


    Swallowing her disappointment, she forced a faint smile at the nurse. ¡°Sorry to trouble you.¡±


    The nurse took her arm, leading her away.


    Even as she walked, K kept ncing back at Noah, hoping for a sign¡ªany sign¡ªthat he cared.


    But his eyes never wavered from the ICU door, not sparing her even a second¡¯s nce.


    As she finally disappeared down the hallway, the suffocating tension in the air seemed to ease ever so slightly.


    Sadie sat on a bench just outside the ICU, her limbs heavy with fatigue. A day and night of worry had sapped her of all energy, both physically and mentally.


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 Chapter 325

    ?Chapter 325:


    Finally, the click of the ICU door opening cut through the hushed corridor as the afternoon sun streamed in, casting long shadows. A doctor, his face lined with exhaustion, emerged and removed his mask, revealing a faint smile. ¡°The patient¡¯s condition has stabilized. We can move her to the VIP ward now,¡± he announced, his voice tinged with cautious optimism.


    A profound sense of relief washed over Sadie, lightening the burdensome weight that had clung to her shoulders. Her body, though drained, flooded with a transient strength at the news.


    ¡°That¡¯s such wonderful news!¡± Beside her, Alex exhaled deeply, the tension in his shoulders unwinding as he processed the doctor¡¯s words. His face softened, the lines of strain smoothing into relief.


    Later, in the quieter, morefortable setting of the VIP ward, Sadie remained a constant vigil at Laura¡¯s bedside.


    When Laura¡¯s eyelids fluttered open, revealing her clouded gaze, she squinted, trying to bring the familiar faces into focus. When she recognized Sadie and Alex, a frail smile tugged at her lips. ¡°Sadie¡­ and Alex,¡± she murmured, her voice hoarse but filled with warmth.


    Sadie grasped her grandmother¡¯s hand, her eyes glistening with tears that threatened to spill. ¡°Grandma, you¡¯re awake! How are you feeling?¡± she asked, her voice thick with emotion.


    Laura responded with a tender pat on the back of Sadie¡¯s hand, her touch light but reassuring. ¡°I¡¯m feeling much better now, sweetheart. No need to worry,¡± she said, her voice as gentle as a warm embrace.


    As she turned her attention to Alex, her eyes shimmered with gratitude. ¡°Thank you for everything, Alex.¡±


    Alex¡¯s response was a warm,forting smile. ¡°It¡¯s what I should do, Laura. Please rest well,¡± he replied, his voice soft yet firm.


    Just then, the room¡¯s atmosphere shifted subtly as Noah entered.


    Dressed in a well-tailored suit that entuated his dignified and elegant demeanor, Noah approached the bedside with a respectful nod.


    Laura gazed at Noah, her eyebrows knitting together in visible confusion. She turned toward Alex, her voice tinged with uncertainty. ¡°Alex, who is this?¡± The room plummeted into a heavy silence. Both Sadie and Alex stiffened, their eyes fixed on Noah.


    Sadie felt her heart hammering against her chest, unsure of how to unveil herplicated ties with Noah or how Laura would react. In a moment of panic, she blurted out, ¡°He, um, he¡¯s just a friend.¡±


    ¡°Friend?¡± Laura¡¯s voice carried a note of skepticism, her eyes clouding over with doubt as she scrutinized Noah and then Sadie, as if piecing together a puzzle. Her wrinkled hand tenderly brushed the back of Sadie¡¯s. ¡°A friend, huh.¡±


    Noah remained still, hisplexion ashen, his lips a tight line, jaw clenched in tension. He remained silent, his intense gaze locked on Sadie,den with unsaid emotions.


    Sadie, overwhelmed, avoided his piercing stare and focused on the reassuring warmth of Laura¡¯s hand in hers, her palms slick with sweat. She could feel Noah¡¯s eyes on her, their sharpness slicing through the heavy air around her, making her entire frame tense with difort.


    The oppressive silence hung thickly around them until Laura exhaled a soft sigh, her touch on Sadie¡¯s hand gentle yet firm. ¡°Sadie, you¡¯re an adult now, and it¡¯s not my ce to dictate your choices. Just promise me you¡¯ll be careful and protect your heart.¡±


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 Chapter 326

    ?Chapter 326:


    Sadie¡¯s nose twitched, a telltale sign that she was on the verge of tears. Her voice caught as she nodded, barely managing to whisper, ¡°I get it, Grandma.¡± Behind her, Noah remained silent, his presence like a shadow.


    With a long, piercing gaze that seemed to search her soul, he turned abruptly and departed from the ward, his footsteps echoing in the stark silence. Sadie felt a pang of emptiness as he left, the sterile scent of disinfectant suddenly suffocating.


    She walked out softly, her footsteps barely making a sound in the deserted corridor¡ªNoah was nowhere to be seen. Her gaze lingered on the deste stretch before her, a heavy, unspoken sorrow settling in her chest.


    She blinked fiercely, battling the surge of tears threatening to spill.


    ¡°Sadie.¡± Alex¡¯s voice, warm with concern, broke through her reverie.


    She turned, a strained smile tugging at her lips. ¡°Alex, why haven¡¯t you left yet?¡±


    Alex¡¯s heart constricted at the sight of her forced cheerfulness, a sharp pang twisting inside him. He closed the distance between them, his voice a gentle murmur. ¡°Your grandma is alright now, and that¡¯s a relief for both of us. But if there¡¯s anything I can do for you, just let me know.¡±


    His words were tentative, and he was mindful of her fragile state. It was clear to him that Sadie was deeply affected by Noah¡¯s abrupt departure, the shadow of which seemed to linger around her like a cold mist.


    Sadie nodded appreciatively. ¡°Thank you, Alex.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± he replied, his voice low. A pause followed, during which Alex¡¯s gaze lingered on her slightly reddened eyes. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re fine?¡± he asked, concern weaving through his words.


    Sadie fought to mask the pain shing in her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m just a little tired. You should get going before it gets anyter.¡±


    Alex seemed to wrestle with his words, ultimately choosing silence.


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    Sadie turned away, her footsteps echoing softly as she returned to the ward. She picked up an apple and started peeling it for Laura, but her hands fumbled, leaving the skin to fall in uneven, ragged strips.


    Laura, half-reclining in her hospital bed, watched Sadie with kind eyes that carried a hint of worry.


    ¡°My dear, you¡¯re so distracted that you can¡¯t even peel an apple properly. What¡¯s troubling you?¡± Laura inquired gently.


    Jolted back to the present, Sadie quickly masked her emotions with a forced smile. ¡°Nothing, really. I¡¯m just tired, that¡¯s all.¡± She handed over the clumsily peeled apple.


    Laura epted it and nibbled thoughtfully, her gaze never straying from Sadie¡¯s face. ¡°Sweetheart, I can see right through you. Does this have something to do with Mr. Wall?¡± Her voice was soft yet probing.


    Sadie¡¯s fingers twitched involuntarily, and her eyes flickered with a hint of something unspoken. ¡°Grandma, he¡¯s just¡­ a good friend.¡±


    Laura¡¯s response was light, yet pointed. ¡°Would just a good friend go to the lengths of transferring me to this VIP ward and ensuring the finest doctors were at my side?¡±


    Her words hung in the air, a gentle but incisive challenge to Sadie¡¯s dismissals.


    The sharp scent of disinfectant permeated the ward, tightening Sadie¡¯s chest with difort.


    Laura¡¯s probing gaze intensified Sadie¡¯s anxiety, making it difficult for her to remainposed.


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 Chapter 327

    ?Chapter 327:


    Doing her best to steady her trembling voice, Sadie reassured her, ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it, Grandma.¡±


    ¡°Sadie, I¡¯m getting old and not much help anymore. I just want to see you well,¡± Laura said softly, her tone shifting into a gentle plea. ¡°Well¡­ does Mr. Wall treat you well?¡±


    At this, Sadie¡¯s posture stiffened momentarily. She gripped the curtain beside her so tightly that her knuckles turned white. ¡°Grandma, your health is my only concern right now. We can talk about everything elseter, okay?¡±


    ¡°My sweetheart,¡± Laura sighed, her voice tinged with resignation. ¡°You¡¯re always like this¡ªtrying to handle everything on your own. I know you¡¯re strong, but some things aren¡¯t meant to be borne alone.¡±


    Sadie closed her eyes, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill.


    She turned to face Laura and forced a smile. ¡°I¡¯m really okay. Don¡¯t worry about me. I¡¯ll take good care of myself, and take good care of you too.¡±


    Laura observed Sadie¡¯s strained smile and, with a pained shake of her head, chose not to press further.


    Sadie then returned to the bedside, picked up another apple, and began peeling it.


    Her movements were slower and more deliberate this time, the peel falling away thin and even.


    Yet her hand still trembled slightly, betraying her inner turmoil.


    Meanwhile, Noah pushed open the front door of his vi to be met with a cold, deste atmosphere.


    The silence in the empty living room was so profound he could almost hear his own breathing.


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    He removed his coat and tossed it casually onto the sofa, a frown etching his brow.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t there something¡­ off today?¡± he mused aloud.


    Breck, the butler, paused his polishing of an antique vase and nced around, then shook his head in confusion. ¡°No, Mr. Wall, nothing seems out of ce.¡± Noah walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing down at the garden under the night sky, his voice tinged with barely noticeable irritation. ¡°I mean¡­¡±


    Breck suddenly realized what was going on, setting down the cloth he was holding. ¡°Oh, Mrs. Wall has been at the hospital these past few days caring for her grandmother and hasn¡¯t returned yet.¡±


    Noah¡¯s gaze shifted to a small figure eating alone in the dining room. A cold smile flickered at the corner of his mouth. ¡°How trusting of her¡­ leaving her child here all alone.¡±


    He walked purposefully into the dining room.


    Averi was eating his cereal methodically, one spoonful at a time. His little face appeared calm, but his eyes reflected a profound loneliness.


    Hearing the footsteps, he looked up. When he saw Noah, he swallowed his mouthful of cereal and said softly, ¡°Mom used to take me to KFC every Saturday for a treat.¡±


    His voice was quiet, almost wistful.


    Noah looked into Averi¡¯s eyes¡ªso reminiscent of Sadie¡ªand felt a surge of mixed emotions.


    After a brief pause, he sighed, his tone unexpectedly gentle. ¡°Let¡¯s go. Today I¡¯ll take you there.¡±


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 Chapter 328

    ?Chapter 328:


    Averi¡¯s face brightened, and a smile spread across his features as he quickly set down his bowl and spoon. ¡°Really?¡±


    Noah simply nodded, reached out, and tousled Averi¡¯s hair. ¡°Finish your meal first, then we¡¯ll go. Make sure to clear your bowl.¡±


    Averi nodded enthusiastically, eagerly resuming his meal, his face glowing with anticipation.


    Noah observed him with aplex expression.


    At KFC, the scent of fried chicken enveloped them. Averi sat across from Noah, happily gripping a chicken leg, his face shiny with grease.


    Noah studied the boy, and for a moment, a gentle softness crossed his face as a slight smile emerged.


    He was rarely seen in such informal settings. His crisp, business-like attire stood out in the casual atmosphere of the fast-food restaurant.


    ¡°This is so good!¡± Averi eximed, holding up a half-eaten chicken leg enthusiastically.


    ¡°Take your time. No one¡¯s going to take it from you,¡± Noah said, pulling out a tissue to gently wipe the grease from Averi¡¯s mouth.


    In a quiet corner of the restaurant, Jordyn¡¯s eyesnded on the unexpected scene.


    She had onlye to grab an ice cream and had never imagined she¡¯d stumble upon Noah here.


    Noah was with a child?


    Jordyn narrowed her eyes, studying Noah and the boy across from him. She recognized Noah, the prominent CEO of Wall Group, but the child seemed familiar too.


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    Acting on a hunch, Jordyn discreetly pulled out her phone, aimed it at Averi, and snapped a photo.


    Once she captured the image, she swiftly opened WhatsApp, located the contact, and sent the photo along with a message. ¡°Guess who I saw at KFC?¡± After sending it, Jordyn anxiously watched her phone screen, her heart pounding.


    Meanwhile, Noah was oblivious to the fact that he¡¯d been photographed. He was focused on teaching Averi how to use ketchup properly.


    ¡°Squeeze it out like this. Be careful not to get it on your clothes,¡± he instructed.


    ¡°Got it,¡± Averi replied, concentrating as he mimicked Noah¡¯s actions, carefully squeezing ketchup onto his fries.


    Watching Averi¡¯s focused demeanor, Noah felt an unexpected warmth wash over him. Maybe bringing Averi to KFC was indeed a good idea.


    Back in her apartment, K stared intently at the photo on her phone. The man in the picture was a side of Noah she had never seen before.


    ¡°Impossible¡­¡± she murmured, her fingers trembling as she zoomed in on Averi¡¯s face, which grew clearer by the second.


    A cold shiver ran down her spine.


    ¡°It¡¯s him¡­ that bastard¡­¡± K¡¯s voice was shaky, the words barely escaping her clenched teeth.


    Could it be that Noah already knew? Did he know that Averi was his son? Was that why he continued to endure Sadie¡¯s presence, even taking the time to go to KFC with the boy?


    In a sudden fury, K sprang to her feet, spilling her coffee. The hot liquid sshed onto her leg, but she barely flinched.


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 Chapter 329

    ?Chapter 329:


    ¡°Sadie, you bitch!¡± K growled, throwing her phone onto the sofa.


    She began to pace, agitation mounting with each step. ¡°No, I can¡¯t just sit here and do nothing!¡± K stopped abruptly.


    ¡°Noah is mine¡ªmine alone! No one will ever take him from me!¡±


    Seizing her handbag, she stormed out of the door, driven by rage.


    At KFC, while Noah and Averi were still enjoying their meal, a figure approached their table.


    ¡°Noah, what a coincidence¡ªyou¡¯re here too,¡± K said, her smile strained, her eyes fixed intently on Averi.


    Noah¡¯s brow furrowed slightly as he responded coolly, ¡°Mm.¡±


    Ignoring Noah¡¯s reserved reaction, K walked straight up to Averi, crouched down, and spoke in an overly sweet tone. ¡°Hey there, little one, what¡¯s your name?¡±


    Averi eyed her warily and moved closer to Noah without responding.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be scared. I¡¯m a friend of Noah,¡± K continued, still smiling as she reached out to pat Averi¡¯s head.


    Averi ducked away from her hand, gripping Noah¡¯s arm tightly, and stated in a small, firm voice, ¡°I don¡¯t like thisdy.¡±


    For a moment, K¡¯s smile froze, but she quickly recovered, masking her irritation. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re such a shy little one.¡±


    She then pulled a neatly wrapped toy from her purse. ¡°I brought you a gift. Do you like it?¡±


    Averi nced at the toy but shook his head and retreated behind Noah, his voice soft yet resolute. ¡°My mom said not to take things from strangers.¡± K¡¯s expression darkened momentarily. She hadn¡¯t anticipated such a direct rejection from Averi.


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    Attempting to maintain herposure, she insisted, ¡°I¡¯m not a stranger.¡±


    ¡°Anyway, I don¡¯t know you!¡± Averi retorted loudly, his face flushing with emotion.


    Noah, observing Averi¡¯s defensive reaction, felt a surge of protectiveness. He tousled Averi¡¯s hair affectionately and addressed K firmly. ¡°We¡¯ve got to go.¡±


    With that, he took Averi¡¯s hand and swiftly exited KFC.


    K stood frozen for a moment, watching their retreating backs, her forced smile dissolving into a look of sheer venom. ¡°Sadie, just you wait!¡± K hissed through clenched teeth, her fist so tightly balled that her fingernails dug into her palm.


    Noah, with Averi¡¯s hand securely in his, walked out of KFC with deliberate, long strides.


    Behind them, K¡¯s resentful gaze followed, igniting a flicker of annoyance within him.


    ¡°Thatdy is so scary,¡± Averi murmured in a small, frightened voice, gripping Noah¡¯s hand more tightly.


    As Noah looked down at the child, his expression softened.


    He offered a reassuring smile and said gently, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m here.¡± Just as he spoke, a sharp cry cut through the air.


    Noah quickly turned around to see K copsing to the floor. Her high heelsy askew beside her, and blood flowed from a gash on her forehead down her cheek¡ªa startling sight.


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 Chapter 330

    ?Chapter 330:


    A crowd began to form around her, murmurs rising.


    Despite his exasperation with K¡¯s relentless meddling, the sight of her injured invoked a sense of concern in Noah.


    He moved back towards K without a second thought.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± he asked as he approached her.


    K¡¯s face was ghostly pale, and blood still trickled from the wound on her forehead.


    Weakly, she reached out and clutched Noah¡¯s sleeve, her voice shaking. ¡°Noah¡­ it hurts. Can you take me to the hospital?¡±


    Noah looked down at her pained expression, hesitating.


    His gaze then shifted to Averi, who was watching the scene unfold with wide, worried eyes.


    ¡°Mr. Wall¡­¡± Averi tugged gently at Noah¡¯s sleeve, his voice tinged with concern.


    Noah furrowed his brow and, after hesitating briefly, decided to take K to the hospital.


    He took out his phone and called Samuel. ¡°Get to KFC right away and take Averi back to the Myrtlewood Estate.¡±


    After a brief pause, Samuel responded, ¡°You¡¯re at KFC right now, Mr. Wall? Should I bring anything?¡±


    ¡°Just hurry over,¡± Noah replied, ending the call and turning his attention to Averi. ¡°Averi, I need to take her to the hospital. You¡¯ll go home with Samuelter, okay?¡±


    Averi, young but understanding the gravity of the situation, nodded. ¡°Okay. You should hurry.¡±


    When K heard Noah¡¯s n, joy washed over her.


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    She clutched Noah¡¯s arm, whispering, ¡°Noah, thank you.¡± Noah said nothing in reply.


    As the minutes passed, Samuel arrived at KFC.


    He spotted Noah and K seated, with Averi standing close by.


    ¡°Sorry, Mr. Wall. Traffic held me up,¡± Samuel apologized as he approached.


    ¡°No problem, just take Averi home,¡± Noah directed, gesturing towards Averi.


    Samuel nodded, crouched down by Averi, and asked, ¡°Ready to go?¡± Averi looked from Noah to K and then followed Samuel out of KFC.


    Watching Averi leave stirred a blend of emotions in Noah.


    ¡°Noah¡­¡± K¡¯s voice pulled him from his thoughts.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go to the hospital,¡± Noah said, helping K to her feet and guiding her towards the exit.


    He assisted her into the car and then climbed in beside her.


    The car pulled away, heading for the hospital.


    Inside, the air was tense.


    K rested against the seat, herplexion pale.


    The scent of disinfectant filled the space.


    The doctor treated K¡¯s wound with precision, eliciting soft gasps from her.


    ¡°All done,¡± the doctor announced, securing the bandage and removing his gloves. ¡°It¡¯s not a deep wound. Just keep it dry and change the dressing regrly to prevent scarring.¡±


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 Chapter 331

    ?Chapter 331:


    K offered a weak smile. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Noah stood by, silent and contemtive.


    As he turned to leave, K swiftly caught the hem of his shirt with her slender fingers.


    K was determined not to let this chance escape her.


    ¡°Noah,¡± she murmured, her voice carrying a plea, weak yet clear. ¡°Could you stay with me for a while? I feel a bit scared.¡±


    Noah paused, his eyes flickering with uncertainty as he faced her.


    ¡°Just for a bit,¡± K said, sensing his reluctance.


    With a deep sigh, Noah acquiesced.


    He moved to the chair next to her bed and sat down, his eyes resting on her.


    ¡°Alright,¡± he said.


    A hush fell over the room.


    K remained silent on the bed, her eyes staring nkly at the ceiling. After a lengthy silence, she said, ¡°Noah, do you remember our times together before?¡±


    Noah stayed quiet, absorbing her words.


    ¡°Back then, we were so young.¡± She reminisced, pausing to gather her thoughts. ¡°I felt as though I was on top of the world.¡± A crease formed on Noah¡¯s forehead.


    ¡°Then we drifted apart¡­¡± K¡¯s voice wavered with emotion. ¡°I moved abroad, and the space between us widened.¡±


    ¡°K,¡± Noah interjected, his tone resolute. ¡°We need to leave the past behind.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t seem to forget,¡± K confessed, turning to face him, her eyes brimming with tears as she met his gaze.


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    ¡°I¡¯ve never stopped loving you, Noah¡­¡± K¡¯s voice quivered, raw and vulnerable. ¡°Every day, I wonder if you¡¯lle back to me¡­ if we could have another chance.¡±


    Noah exhaled, his gaze lingering on her for a moment¡ªimpassive, detached.


    ¡°Could you find it in your heart to¡­ give me one more chance?¡± K¡¯s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she looked at him, searching for even the smallest flicker of warmth. ¡°Please, Noah,¡± she whispered. ¡°I swear I¡¯ll be better this time. I¡¯ll take care of you, love you the way you deserve. I will¡ª¡±


    ¡°K.¡± Noah¡¯s voice cut through her desperate pleas like a de¡ªsteady, final. ¡°There is no going back.¡±


    A sharp breath hitched in K¡¯s throat before the tears came, spilling down her cheeks. She covered her face with trembling hands, sobs breaking through thest of herposure.


    ¡°Get some rest.¡±


    With that, Noah turned and strode out of the ward without looking back. K¡¯s tears seeped into the pillow as she bit down on her trembling lower lip, trying in vain to suppress the sobs wracking her body.


    ¡°Why¡­ why¡­¡± The words fell from her lips in a broken whisper, barely audible over the sound of her own shuddering breath.


    It wasn¡¯t supposed to be like this.


    Suddenly, she gripped the nket tightly, nails digging so deeply into the soft fabric that her knuckles turned white.


    ¡°Sadie! This is all because of you!¡±


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 Chapter 332

    ?Chapter 332:


    If Sadie had nevere back, Noah wouldn¡¯t be like this¡ªso cold, so distant. He was supposed to be hers. He should shield her and protect her. Not Sadie. Never Sadie.


    ¡°I won¡¯t give up. I will never give up!¡± she snarled, her voice thick with determination.


    Meanwhile, Sadie approached the hospital entrance, carrying a thermal lunch box.


    Laura had been in the hospital for some time now, and today Sadie had gone out of her way to bring her favorite pot roast and fish soup¡ªsomething warm, somethingforting.


    But as she stepped closer to the hospital entrance, her steps faltered. A familiar ck luxury car was parked there. Noah. Her pulse quickened unexpectedly.


    What was he doing here?


    Shaking off the unease, Sadie walked through the hallways until she reached Laura¡¯s ward.


    Just as she was about to step inside, a familiar low voice drifted through the door. ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry. I¡¯ll make sure you get the best doctors. Whatever it takes.¡±


    Sadie froze. Pushing the door open, she took in the sight before her. Noah was seated beside Laura¡¯s bed, his gaze soft, his voice full of quiet reassurance.


    ¡°Ah, there you are!¡± Laura¡¯s face brightened with a warm smile the moment she saw Sadie step in.


    Noah turned as well, his gazending on her.


    For a fleeting second, their eyes met¡ªcharged with something unspoken, something electric.


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    Sadie hesitated at the doorway, caught off guard by the sudden wave of emotions stirring inside her. But she quickly steadied herself, forcing down whatever it was threatening to surface.


    She stepped forward, setting the thermal lunch box on the bedside table.


    ¡°How are you feeling, Grandma?¡± she asked gently.


    Laura gave her hand a reassuring pat. ¡°Much better,¡± she said, her voice filled with warmth. ¡°I only just realized how lucky I am. Noah helped arrange my transfer to this ward. The doctors and nurses here are incredible. They¡¯ve been taking such good care of me.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s fingers curled slightly, her gaze drifting toward Noah before she could stop herself.


    He stood off to the side, silent but present. When he heard what Laura said, a barely perceptible smile touched his lips¡ªso fleeting, it almost wasn¡¯t there.


    ¡°Yes¡­ Mr. Wall has been very considerate.¡± Her voice held a touch of stiffness, betraying the emotions she was still trying to suppress.


    Noah¡¯s eyes met hers again, filled with something she couldn¡¯t quite decipher. ¡°It was the least I could do,¡± he replied, his tone calm, devoid of any sentiment. Silence settled over the room. The faint scent of disinfectant mixed with theforting aroma of the food Sadie had brought¡ªa strange, almost surreal contrast.


    After a beat, Noah turned to Laura. ¡°Get some rest. I¡¯ll be going now.¡±


    Laura nodded. ¡°Take care on the road.¡±


    With a brief nod, Noah turned and strode out of the room.


    ¡°Sadie, why don¡¯t you walk Noah out?¡± Laura¡¯s voice was light but firm.


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    Sadie hesitated. ¡°But, Grandma¡­¡±


    Laura smiled knowingly, patting Sadie¡¯s hand. ¡°Go on. He¡¯s a good kid.¡±


    For a brief moment, Sadie considered refusing. But under Laura¡¯s gentle yet insistent gaze, she sighed and gave a small nod.


    She stepped out of the ward and spotted Noah walking in the hallway, his posture rigid, his back carrying an air of quiet solitude.


    As if sensing her presence, he turned. Their eyes met.


    ¡°Is there something you¡ª¡±


    Sadie shifted slightly. ¡°My grandma asked me to see you off.¡±


    Noah was silent for a beat, then gave a small nod.


    They walked side by side down the hallway, neither saying a word. The quiet between them stretched, thick with unspoken thoughts.


    Sadie finally broke it. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Noah didn¡¯t slow his steps. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± His tone was calm, almost dismissive.


    ¡°I, um¡­¡± Sadie hesitated, wanting to say something¡ªanything¡ªbut the words tangled in her throat.


    Before she could gather her thoughts, a sudden ringtone shattered the tense silence between them.


    She instinctively reached for her phone. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the caller ID: Breck.


    ¡°Hello?¡±


    Breck¡¯s slightly hesitant voice came through the line. ¡°Mrs. Wall, Averi hasn¡¯t returned yet. Did Mr. Wall take him to the hospital after eating at KFC? Are they with you?¡±


    Discover more


    Sadie¡¯s breath hitched. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a cold chill creeping down her spine.


    Her gaze darted to Noah, panic flickering in her eyes.


    Noah, sensing something was wrong, furrowed his brows.


    ¡°Averi¡¯s not with me.¡± Sadie¡¯s grip on the phone tightened.


    She struggled to steady herself, forcing her breath to even out.


    ¡°He¡¯s not there?¡± Breck¡¯s concern deepened. ¡°That¡¯s strange¡­ Mr. Wall took Averi out for KFC this afternoon, but he never came back.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s breathing turned shallow, and her thoughts spiraled into a blur.


    Averi was missing!


    The realization hit Sadie like a punch to the gut, knocking the breath from her lungs. She locked eyes with Noah, and his expression immediately shifted to one of grave concern.


    Without a word, he took the phone from Sadie¡¯s grasp, his tone steady and firm. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll check immediately.¡±


    As soon as the call ended, he swiftly contacted Samuel. ¡°Where is Averi? Wasn¡¯t he brought back?¡±


    A frantic voice answered on the other end, ¡°Mr. Wall, I swear I followed your orders! I dropped him off at Myrtlewood Estate and watched him go inside before I left. I¡­ I have no idea where he went after that!¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°Myrtlewood Estate? Are you absolutely certain?¡±


    ¡°Yes! I saw him enter with my own eyes!¡±


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    Noah abruptly ended the call, his jaw tightening. He turned toward Sadie, his gaze unreadable.


    A wave of dizziness washed over her, and she nearly copsed. ¡°How could this happen? Where is he?¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible.


    Noah gripped her arm, his voice urgent. ¡°Stay calm. I¡¯ll send a team to search immediately.¡± Sadie gave a weak nod, barely able to hold herself together.


    Without wasting any more time, Noah dialed security. ¡°Pull up all surveince footage from Myrtlewood Estate. I need to see Averi¡¯sst known movements in ten minutes.¡±


    Without another word, he strode out of the hospital.


    Sadie clenched her hands into fists, the thought of what might have happened to Averi unbearable.


    Just then, K emerged from the emergency room, herplexion pale, a thick bandage wrapped around her head. She had intended to leave, but she was surprised to see Sadie there. When she noticed Sadie¡¯s distressed state, a smug smirk yed on her lips.


    She deliberately slowed her steps, stopping just in front of Sadie.


    ¡°Well, look who it is. What¡¯s wrong, Sadie?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s head snapped up, her teary and reddened eyes ring at K.


    Seeing the raw emotion in Sadie¡¯s eyes only fueled K¡¯s satisfaction. She tilted her head, her voice dripping with mockery. ¡°So, it seems Noah doesn¡¯t care much about you or that brat. Look at me¡ªI got a minor injury, and he rushed me to the hospital himself. Meanwhile, your precious son? Left in the care of an assistant.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s breath hitched.


    So this was what had happened!


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    K chuckled, her toneced with cruelty. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did that sting? Feeling pathetic? Too bad. Noah¡¯s heart belongs to me. You¡¯ll never be anything more than a ceholder.¡±


    Sadie trembled, her clenched fists turning ghostly white.


    K relished the reaction, lifting her chin as she strutted away, pleased with herself.


    Sadie stood frozen, her body wavering, on the verge of copse. She staggered back a step, barely steadying herself. Her vision blurred, her strength threatening to give out.


    But she couldn¡¯t break down. Averi was still missing. She had to find him! Summoning every ounce of willpower, she spun around and bolted from the hospital.


    She had to find him!


    She gged down a taxi and urgently gave her old address.


    The moment the vehicle stopped, she practically flung the door open and dashed inside. She sprinted up the stairs, fumbling with her keys before unlocking the door.


    The apartment was empty and silent.


    Without wasting a second, she rushed to Laura¡¯s unit. Still no sign of him. Panic surged through her as she stumbled outside, standing helplessly by the curb. She had no idea where to go next.


    Just then, a sleek ck Maybach rolled to a stop in front of her.


    The door opened, and Noah stepped out.


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    His face was etched with worry, his brows knitted in frustration. The moment he saw Sadie, he closed the distance between them.


    Their eyes met, and the emotions Sadie had been suppressing erupted all at once. She screamed, her voice raw with desperation, ¡°Where¡¯s Averi? Where is my son?!¡±


    Noah halted, something unreadable flickering in his gaze.


    ¡°I¡¯m looking for him,¡± he murmured, his voice rough and exhausted.


    ¡°Looking?¡± Sadie¡¯s breath came in ragged gasps as she choked out, tears spilling down her cheeks.


    ¡°Was it because of K?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice was sharp, usatory. ¡°Because she got hurt, you just threw Averi aside?!¡± Her eyes bored into Noah, demanding answers.


    Noah¡¯s jaw tightened, his expression clouding over. Silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t throw him aside,¡± he finally muttered. ¡°Samuel took him home. It¡¯s just¡­¡±


    ¡°Just what?¡± Fury overtook Sadie. She seized Noah¡¯s cor, yanking him closer.


    ¡°Just that you were too busy taking care of your girlfriend to care about me,¡± she spat.


    Noah¡¯s face went rigid. ¡°Sadie¡­¡±


    Sadie staggered backward, her legs giving way as she crumpled to the ground. Her hands covered her face, muffling the sob that tore from her throat. ¡°You don¡¯t care about him at all,¡± she choked out, her voice breaking. ¡°All that matters to you is K. No matter what I do, no matter what Averi does, we¡¯ll never mean as much to you as she does.¡±


    All this time, she had clung to the belief that somewhere in Noah¡¯s heart, there was a ce for her and Averi, that he felt something¡ªanything¡ªfor them.


    But she had been wrong. It had been nothing more than a cruel illusion. The storm of emotions raging in her heart might have meant nothing to him¡ªbut her lips trembled as she sobbed, the weight of it all crushing her.


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    Noah said nothing. He simply stepped forward, his arms encircling her, lifting her from the cold ground and pulling her into a firm embrace.


    ¡°Sadie, I¡¯m going to find him and bring him back to you,¡± his voice was low, steady. ¡°I swear.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s breath hitched as she struggled against his hold, shoving at his chest. ¡°Let go of me!¡± Her voice was raw, thick with anguish.


    But he only held her tighter, his chin resting gently against her head. ¡°I won¡¯t let go¡ªneither of you,¡± he whispered, as if it was all he had left to cling to.


    Suddenly, a sharp ringtone sliced through the tense air.


    Noah tensed before lifting his phone.


    ¡°Mr. Wall,¡± someone said on the other end, voice hushed but urgent. ¡°Earlier this evening, Mrs. Isabel Wall arrived at the Myrtlewood Estate, saw Averi, and took him with her.¡±


    The words hit Sadie like a physical blow. Her head snapped up, eyes wide with shock and growing rage.


    ¡°Isabel!¡± The name left Sadie¡¯s lips like a curse. She was trembling with fury and disbelief.


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    Noah¡¯s face darkened. He ended the call and gripped Sadie¡¯s hand tightly. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± A shiver crawled down Sadie¡¯s spine, leaving her momentarily frozen. What did Isabel want from Averi?


    Neither Sadie nor Noah spoke during the drive. The silence in the car was thick, suffocating.


    The sleek ck vehicle came to a smooth stop before Wall Manor. Without hesitation, they stepped out, pushing open the heavy, carved wooden doors.


    Laughter spilled from the living room, warm and lively,pletely at odds with the turmoil in Sadie¡¯s chest.


    ¡°Averi, have another bite¡ªah!¡± Isabel¡¯s voice was dripping with affection. ¡°It¡¯s so sweet!¡± Averi¡¯s delighted giggle followed, his tiny voice light and carefree.


    Isabel¡¯sughter rang out, full and unguarded, making her seem years younger. Sadie¡¯s heart clenched. ¡°Averi!¡± she called out.


    Theughter died instantly. Isabel¡¯s head snapped up. The moment her eyesnded on Sadie, her face darkened.


    ¡°You again?¡± Her voice was sharp, venomous. She turned to Noah, eyes zing. ¡°Why did you bring this jinx here again?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s breath hitched, her face draining of color. Noah¡¯s brows knitted together, his stance shifting as he instinctively positioned himself in front of her.


    ¡°Mom, why is Averi here with you?¡±


    Isabel looked perplexed for a moment, her affectionate eyes resting on Averi¡¯s adorable features. She said, ¡°I discovered this child by the gate of the Myrtlewood Estate. I intended to visit you today, but then I found him there, so alone and forlorn, and I feltpelled to bring him home.¡±


    Her gaze shifted to Sadie, her face hardening instantly. ¡°Why are you here again? You just won¡¯t leave. Listen to me, give up! Our family cannot ept a person like you!¡±


    Noah started to respond, his brow furrowed in disapproval, but Averi¡¯s voice cut him off, saying, ¡°Mrs. Wall, please don¡¯t be angry with my mommy!¡± Clutching Isabel¡¯s hand, Averi looked up earnestly, hisrge eyes brimming with sincerity.


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    Isabel paused, her expression of anger momentarily frozen. Turning her gaze from Averi¡¯s earnest face to Sadie, Isabel appeared bewildered.


    ¡°Mommy?¡± Isabel echoed, her voice tinged with astonishment. ¡°Are you his mother?¡±


    With a shaky voice, Sadie answered, ¡°Yes, I am.¡±


    A heavy silence then settled over the room. Isabel¡¯s face cycled through emotions rapidly: shock gave way to confusion, which in turn yielded to disbelief. Her gaze then fell on Noah,den with inquiry and scrutiny.


    Noah, for his part, bore aplex look. Gazing at Sadie and Averi, he remained silent, his lips sealed shut.


    Breaking the heavy silence, Sadie said, ¡°It¡¯ste. I¡¯ll take Averi home now.¡± She was eager to leave without dy.


    Gently, she lifted Averi into her arms, and he clung to her, his face hidden in the crook of her neck.


    Sadie moved toward the exit. Upon reaching the door, she paused. Without turning around, she murmured, ¡°Sorry for the intrusion.¡±


    With those words, she departed, not looking back. The moment Sadie vanished from view, Isabel whirled to face Noah, her eyes alight with a fierce intensity. ¡°Noah, I need to know¡ªIs that child yours?¡± Noah remained still, rooted to the spot.


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    Isabel¡¯s frustration mounted as he failed to reply. ¡°Have you lost your voice?! Answer me! Is that your child?!¡± Finally, Noah looked at Isabel. He took a deep breath before replying, ¡°It¡¯ste, Mom. You should go to bed.¡±


    Isabel got angry, pointing a finger toward Noah. ¡°What is this response? I demand to know¡ªis that child¡­¡± Noah, pretending he didn¡¯t hear anything, turned and made his way to the door.


    ¡°Stop, Noah!¡±


    He halted, his head angling slightly. ¡°I have things to attend to.¡± Continuing, he opened the door and strode out toward his car without a backward nce. The door mmed loudly, echoing through the room as Isabel stood shaking with rage.


    The darkness of the night enveloped everything. Clutching Averi, Sadie treaded carefully down the cobblestone pathway. Abruptly, a sleek ck Maybach halted before her. As the window descended, a strikingly handsome face appeared.


    ¡°Come inside.¡±


    Sadie remained silent, frozen in ce with Averi in her arms. Noah¡¯s intense, inscrutable eyes were fixed on her.


    ¡°I won¡¯t ask again.¡±


    Reluctantly, Sadie climbed into the car with Averi. The engine hummed to life as the car glided through the night.


    The air inside the car was oppressively thick, making each breath a struggle. Noah kept his gaze fixed on the road, enveloped in silence. Sadie sat quietly, her gaze lowered, cradling Averi.


    Meanwhile, at Wall Manor, lights still zed in the living room. Isabel¡¯s face was stormy as she sat on the sofa, her demeanor frightening. The butler remained close by, too afraid to utter a word.


    ¡°Check on that child! I want every detail,¡± Isabelmanded, her voice cutting through the silence as she pounded on the table.


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    ¡°Right away,¡± the butler replied promptly.


    As Isabel remained seated, her eyes betrayed a flicker of doubt. She had yearned for a grandchild for many years. Should this child prove to be a Wall, there was no way he could be ignored, given his good manners and charm.


    The next morning, a small collection of dinosaur figurinesy scattered in the corner of the sofa.


    Draped in an elegant beige ensemble, K moved with poise into the living room, a pristine Hermes Birkin dangling from her arm. As always, a soft,posed smile adorned her face. Yet, the moment her eyesnded on the toys, that expression faltered.


    ¡°What¡­ what is this?¡± she asked, gesturing toward the toys.


    Nearby, the butler had been carefully polishing an antique vase. Upon hearing K¡¯s voice, he set it aside and answered with deference, ¡°Miss Wade, those belong to Miss Hudson¡¯s child. He was herest night.¡±


    ¡°Miss Hudson¡¯s child?¡± K froze, a flood of questions crashing into her mind. Sadie hade to Wall Manor with her child?


    ¡°What exactly happened?¡± K¡¯s voice remained measured, but beneath the surface, unease swirled.


    The butler hesitated, aware of the trust Isabel ced in K. After a brief pause, he chose to be forthright. He recounted the events of the previous evening before adding, ¡°Mrs. Wall has instructed me to look into the child¡¯s origins¡ªto determine if he is Mr. Wall¡¯s son.¡±


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    K¡¯s stomach twisted. She had never anticipated things to escte to this point. Sadie had not onlye to the manor with her child, but now Isabel was actively seeking confirmation of his parentage.


    ¡°Where is Mrs. Wall now?¡± K managed to keep her voice steady, masking the turmoil within.


    ¡°She is in the garden, taking a walk,¡± the butler replied respectfully.


    ¡°I see. You may carry on with your tasks.¡± With a small wave, K dismissed him.


    The butler gave a slight nod before returning to his duties.


    K remained where she stood, her eyes fixed on the abandoned toys. Had all her meticulous efforts been for nothing? If Isabel found out the boy was Noah¡¯s, what leverage would she have left?


    Isabel had long desired a grandchild. The moment she confirmed Averi¡¯s parentage, she would stop at nothing to ensure his ce in the Wall family.


    No. K clenched her fists. She couldn¡¯t allow that to happen.


    Outside, the garden was in full bloom, the scent of fresh petals wafting through the air¡ªyet it did nothing to calm her rising anxiety.


    Seated in a wicker chair, Isabel absent-mindedly twirled the bracelet on her wrist, her gaze distant, lost in thought. She didn¡¯t even notice K¡¯s presence. Stepping forward, K called gently, ¡°Isabel.¡± There was no response.


    A bit louder this time, K tried again. ¡°Isabel?¡±


    Atst, Isabel stirred from her thoughts, her expression vacant as she looked up. ¡°Oh, K. I didn¡¯t see you there.¡±


    K forced a pleasant expression. ¡°Is something wrong? You seem troubled.¡±


    Isabel exhaled and rubbed her temples.


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    A twinge of unease gripped K. Carefully, she probed, ¡°Is it because of¡­ the boy?¡±


    Another weary sigh escaped Isabel¡¯s lips. She wasn¡¯t surprised K knew.


    Meeting K¡¯s gaze directly, Isabel said firmly, ¡°Let me be clear¡ªif that child is my grandson, he will be brought back where he belongs. But don¡¯t worry, K, you are still the one I¡¯ve chosen for Noah. No one can take that from you.¡± She paused, then added, ¡°When the timees, I¡¯ll ensure Sadie leaves. She will bepensated well, but the boy will stay¡ªand he will be raised by you.¡±


    A suffocating pressure gripped K¡¯s chest, leaving her breathless.


    Raising Sadie¡¯s child? Why?


    Her every action had been calcted to secure her ce as Noah¡¯s wife, the future matriarch of the Wall family¡ªnot to be a guardian for someone else¡¯s son!


    ¡°Well¡­¡± K struggled to steady her voice, searching for the right words.


    But Isabel didn¡¯t let her finish. ¡°I know you have a kind heart, and I know how much you¡¯ve longed for a child of your own. Just think of this as doing me a favor. I¡¯m getting older, and all I want is to have a grandchild.¡±


    Swallowing her resentment, K forced a smile¡ªone that felt more painful than any tears. ¡°Of course. I¡¯ll do as you ask.¡±


    Pleased, Isabel patted K¡¯s hand. ¡°That¡¯s my girl. I knew you¡¯d understand.¡± Lowering her gaze, K concealed the storm raging inside her. She would not surrender so easily.


    Stepping out of Wall Manor, she approached a ck Mercedes parked by the curb. The chauffeur promptly exited and opened the door. ¡°Miss Wade.¡±


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 Chapter 339

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    Sliding into the seat, K tugged at her cor, irritation simmering beneath her skin. ¡°Drive.¡±


    The vehicle eased onto the road, leaving the estate behind.


    ¡°Keep a close watch on Sadie and her child. I want to know their every move.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Miss Wade,¡± the driver replied quietly.


    K shut her eyes. She would not allow them to ruin everything she had built!


    One day, Sadie quietly got out of bed and changed into a simple beige outfit.


    The shock of Averi¡¯s recent disappearance had kept her on edge for the past few days. She insisted on taking him to and from kindergarten herself, every single day.


    ¡°Mom, we have crafts ss today at kindergarten. I¡¯m going to make a toy car to give to Mr. Wall!¡± Averi was seated at the table, his short legs dangling over his chair as he spoke with excitement. His plump little face was beaming as he poked at the bowl of food in front of him with his spoon.


    Sadie smiled and reached out to wipe some stains from the corner of his mouth. ¡°All right. I¡¯ll get to see your masterpiece when I pick you up this afternoon.¡±


    After dropping Averi off at kindergarten, Sadie drove to the studio.


    The atmosphere at the studio was still rather depressing, as most of the employees had left for Wall Group.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, the Starlight G has been postponed,¡± Nte said as she knocked on the office door and entered with a piece of paper in hand. ¡°It¡¯s now scheduled for next month.¡±


    Sadie, in the middle of revising a design, frowned and put the draft down. ¡°Postponed? Did they say why?¡±


    ¡°Apparently, a big-shot guest will attend then. But the organizers haven¡¯t revealed who it is yet.¡± Nte ced the file on Sadie¡¯s desk. ¡°This is the updated schedule for the event.¡±


    Sadie nced at it before saying, ¡°Got it. For now, just focus on the work at hand.¡±


    She was preupied not only by the studio¡¯s current operations but Averi¡¯s safety as well. She didn¡¯t have more attention to spare for the Starlight G.


    ¡°Oh, and one more thing.¡± Nte paused in her tracks to look back at Sadie. ¡°Ms. Shaw has asked about the pieces for the Dewy Hibiscus series several times now. How about sending them over this afternoon?¡±


    ¡°Sure. You can take the pieces to Stonemont Estate yourself.¡± Sadie nodded, adding, ¡°Be careful with Ms. Shaw¡¯s order. Make sure there are no mistakes.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Miss Hudson,¡± Nte replied before exiting the office.


    Sadie leaned back in her chair and massaged her temples. She was tired. There had been so many eventstely, and all the hustle and bustle was taking a toll on her.


    When noon rolled around, Sadie headed to the hospital to visit Laura. Thankfully, the olddy¡¯s condition was improving significantly.


    ¡°Sadie, you¡¯ve been working too hardtely. You need to rest,¡± Laura chided as she took Sadie¡¯s hand and squeezed it.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Grandma,¡± Sadie said with a forced smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m taking care of myself.¡±


    Later on, as she was leaving the hospital, Sadie felt a heavy weight settle in her heart.


    She buried herself in work as soon as she returned to the studio.


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    ?Chapter 340:


    ¡°Miss Hudson, I¡¯m heading to Stonemont Estate.¡± Nte stood at the door of Sadie¡¯s office, holding a package containing the Dewy Hibiscus series.


    ¡°Drive safely,¡± Sadie called out without looking up from her desk.


    After Nte left, the studio became even quieter. The only sound that could be heard was the ticking of the clock and the asional taps on the keyboard. Sadie¡¯s focus was on herputer screen as she pored over design after design.


    Her concentration was broken when her phone chimed with a new WhatsApp message.


    It was from Amy.


    Sadie¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and a keen sense of foreboding came over her.


    She hadn¡¯t had much contact with Amy since she left Majestic Ego.


    Sadie opened the message and froze as she processed the words Amy had sent. ¡°Vivi resigned.¡± Vivi?


    Sadie¡¯s breath hitched, and her fingers instinctively tightened around her mouse.


    Vivi had been her rival back at Majestic Ego and had always been hostile towards her. After Sadie left, Vivi had wasted no time taking over her position as the lead designer.


    Why would Vivi resign out of the blue?


    Sadie¡¯s heart began to race as her thoughts became a tangled mess.


    Was there trouble at Majestic Ego, or was Vivi moving on to something else? ¡°It can¡¯t be¡­¡± Sadie muttered to herself, even as she struggled to dismiss the suspicions that formed in her mind. Try as she might, however, that feeling of unease from earlier seemed to rush back in full force.


    She quickly typed out a reply for Amy. ¡°What happened? Do you know why she resigned?¡±


    ???§ÁE ??P?¦«T¦®? I§ª G¦«?§ª?V¦®??.???


    Sadie hit send and stared at her phone screen intently. The rhythmic ticking of the clock only served to heighten her anxiety. And then¡ªDing!


    Sadie frantically opened the new message.


    Amy¡¯s reply was short. ¡°She¡¯s returning to her home country, your country.¡± Vivi wasing back?


    It felt like a bucket of ice had fallen over Sadie¡¯s head. The timing of Vivi¡¯s return¡­ It couldn¡¯t have been a mere coincidence.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Sadie typed with trembling fingers.


    Needless to say, Vivi¡¯s return was not good news for her.


    She nced at the time; Averi¡¯s sses were about to be dismissed. She needed to pick him up.


    Sadie saved her revisions and closed herputer. Then she grabbed her purse and coat and left the studio, her mind still a jumbled mess.


    As Sadie and Averi left the kindergarten, their hands intertwined, Averi clutched a handmade pinwheel. It spun with each skip he took, hisughter filling the air. ¡°Look, Mommy! See how fast my pinwheel spins?¡± Averi shouted joyfully, holding it up.


    Warmly, Sadie smiled and tousled his hair. ¡°It truly is amazing. You¡¯re so talented, Averi!¡±


    However, the sudden ringing of her phone interrupted their moment. With a slight sense of dread, Sadie nced at her phone, seeing Nte¡¯s name on the caller ID.


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    ¡°Hello, Nte?¡±


    Nte¡¯s voice, heavy with tears, barely made it through the line. A tightness formed in Sadie¡¯s chest. ¡°Sadie¡­ Boohoo¡­¡±


    ¡°Nte, what¡¯s happened? Calm down and talk to me,¡± Sadie said, her concern audible.


    ¡°It¡¯s Dewy Hibiscus¡­ they are broken¡­ Boohoo¡­ What do we do now?¡± Nte said through her tears.


    ¡°Broken? How on earth did that happen?¡±


    Tears uncontrobly escaped Nte as she stammered, ¡°I was just¡­ I bumped into someone from Wall Group¡­ He was also delivering jewelry¡­ Boohoo¡­¡±


    Maintaining herposure was a struggle for Sadie.


    ¡°Take a breath, Nte. What exactly did the Wall Group staff member do?¡±


    ¡°He pushed me¡­ and then¡­ the jewelry pieces fell and shattered¡­ Boohoo¡­ Sadie, what should we do now?¡±


    Paleness washed over Sadie¡¯s face swiftly.


    Could it have been K¡¯s subordinate?


    Deliberate, not idental, she suspected.


    ¡°Nte, tell me where you are. Stay calm. I¡¯ming to you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m still at Stonemont Estate¡­¡±


    ¡°Stay there. I¡¯m on my way.¡±


    After ending the call, Sadie knelt to meet Averi¡¯s gaze, managing a reassuring smile. ¡°Honey, Mommy has to handle something important quickly. We¡¯re going to make a stop first, alright?¡±


    Averi responded with a nod, his voice soft, ¡°Okay, Mommy.¡±


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    With urgency, Sadie sped towards Stonemont Estate. The shattered Dewy Hibiscus had been intended as the grand showpieces for the uing Starlight G, representing countless hours of effort from her team. What were they to do now with them in pieces? This had Wall Group¡¯s fingerprints all over it.


    Sadie¡¯s resolve hardened; she wouldn¡¯t let them get away with this.


    Upon reaching Stonemont Estate, she found Nte by the entrance, sobbing uncontrobly. Swiftly, Sadie approached and enveloped Nte in a warm embrace, soothing her with gentle pats on the back. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Nte. I¡¯m here now.¡±


    Tears streaked Nte¡¯s cheeks as she gazed up at Sadie, her face a mask of sorrow. ¡°Sadie, what are we going to do?¡±


    The sight of Nte¡¯s despair wrenched Sadie¡¯s heart.


    ¡°Show me where it happened.¡±


    Nte guided Sadie to the scene, where the remnants of gemstonesy scattered like colorful tears on the ground. What had once been the magnificent Dewy Hibiscus nowy in ruins.


    A sharp pain twisted in Sadie¡¯s chest, cutting deeper with every breath. ¡°Where is the Wall Group staff member?¡± she asked.


    ¡°There,¡± Nte said, pointing towards a man in a suit nearby.


    Turning her attention to where Nte pointed, Sadie observed the man engaged in a phone conversation, his back to them. His build and stance struck a familiar chord in Sadie as she squinted, trying to make out his features.


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    The moment he turned, Sadie¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    There stood Percy Webster, K¡¯s right-hand man.


    As Percy ended his phone conversation, a self-satisfied smirk appeared on his face. He approached Sadie and Nte, jewelry box in hand, the lid slightly open, revealing hints of the treasure inside.


    ¡°Enough with the drama already,¡± Percy said arrogantly, scanning Sadie and Nte with evident disdain. ¡°Look, I neverid a finger on her. She¡¯s the one who dropped it, and now she wants to me me? Really, know your ce.¡±


    As her tears streamed down her face, Nte replied, ¡°That¡¯s a lie. You definitely pushed me. I had the Dewy Hibiscus in my hands, and you just barged into me. There was no chance for me to even react.¡±


    Percy snorted mockingly, his face contorted with scorn. ¡°Be careful with your usations, youngdy. Words like those cannd you in hot water. Best to own up to your own clumsiness now, or you¡¯ll find yourself deeply regretting itter.¡±


    Nte recoiled, her hand gripping Sadie¡¯s arm for support.


    As Sadie¡¯s face turned stormier by the second, she barely contained her rising anger. ¡°What are you implying, Percy Webster?¡±


    Undeterred, Percy locked eyes with Sadie, his smirk growing. ¡°It¡¯s quite straightforward. Your employee caused the damage herself and now she points the finger at me, correct?¡±


    He gazed at Nte dismissively, his voiceden with derision. ¡°Quite attractive for someone so clumsy, aren¡¯t you? If you¡¯re aiming to climb thedder, try a more legitimate approach.¡±


    Nte¡¯s cheeks burned with humiliation and rage at the overt insult, and she cried even louder than before.


    Nte used Percy, ¡°You¡­ you have no shame!¡± Her body quivered as she pointed at him, consumed by fury.


    L??t??st ch??pt??rs in g¦Ál??ovels.c?m


    Sadie¡¯s patience had worn thin with Percy¡¯s arrogance and insults, pushing her to her limit.


    In a swift motion, she snatched the jewelry box from Percy¡¯s grasp and hurled it to the ground. The box hit the ground with a sharp snap, breaking apart and scattering its contents, including a diamond ne, which clinked noisily as it rolled across the ground.


    A look of horror washed over Percy¡¯s face as he scrambled to gather the diamonds. ¡°Have you lost your mind? Do you realize the value of these?!¡±


    Standing over him with a steely gaze, Sadie said, ¡°Percy, I will make sure you face the consequences for your actions!¡±


    The butler at Stonemont Estate, alerted by the noise, hurried to the scene, shocked by what he saw. He stepped forward, eager to understand the disturbance.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, what¡­ what has urred here?¡± The butler¡¯s tone was urgent as he surveyed the chaotic scene.


    ¡°Just in time, sir. This man deliberately destroyed my pieces and then proceeded to berate my team member!¡± Sadie exined, her voice cold as she used Percy.


    While Percy was still desperately gathering the scattered diamonds, he abruptly raised his head, his eyes burning with animosity towards Sadie. ¡°You¡¯re falsely using me¡ª¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Sadie interrupted him sharply. ¡°The truth is clear to everyone. Please, sir, call the police immediately.¡±


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    The color drained from Percy¡¯s face as he hadn¡¯t anticipated Sadie would involvew enforcement.


    In a state of panic, he leapt to his feet, attempting to intercept the butler. ¡°Please, don¡¯t¡­ don¡¯t call the police! It was not intentional.¡±


    Sadie scoffed loudly. ¡°Not intentional, you say? Do you honestly expect me to fall for that? I will pursue this matter to the very end!¡±


    Percy was too slow to prevent the butler from acting; he watched helplessly as the butler dialed the police, clearly exining the incident and their location. Percy¡¯s expression turned grim. With a look of intense loathing, he bared his teeth and hissed, ¡°Just you wait¡ª you¡¯ll regret this!¡±


    He then hastily retrieved his phone and dialed K. Once the call connected, Percy didn¡¯t dare admit to damaging Sadie¡¯s jewelry. Instead, he twisted the truth, casting all the me on Sadie.


    ¡°Miss Wade, you must get to Stonemont Estate immediately! Sadie has lost her mind! She¡¯s made a huge scene and smashed the jewelry box I brought. Now, she¡¯s trying to have me arrested! You need toe and sort this out!¡±


    On the other end of the line, K¡¯s anger ignited. ¡°What?! I¡¯m on my way!¡±


    K quickly disconnected the call and hurried towards Stonemont Estate. Images of Sadie¡¯s indifferent expression yed in K¡¯s mind, igniting a spark of jealousy. She resolved that Sadie wouldn¡¯t get away with acting so superior!


    The atmosphere was charged with tension at the entrance of Stonemont Estate. Calm andposed, Sadie and Nte stood to one side, seemingly in control of the situation. Contrastingly, Percy was visibly agitated, pacing back and forth and continuously checking the entrance in anticipation of K¡¯s arrival.


    The police arrived promptly and set about evaluating the circumstances, beginning by questioning those present.


    The butler was the first to testify, offering a thorough recount of the incident.


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    ¡°Upon hearing the disturbance, I immediately rushed there. I encountered Mr. Webster and Miss Hudson amidst a dispute, surrounded by the remnants of shattered jewelry boxes and loose diamonds. Mr. Webster used Miss Hudson of breaking his jewelry box, whereas Miss Hudson insisted that an intentional bump from Mr. Webster led to her employee dropping their box.¡±


    The police then turned their attention to Percy. ¡°Mr. Webster, what is your response?¡±


    Nervously shifting his gaze, Percy attempted to maintain a calm demeanor. ¡°She intentionally smashed my box! I didn¡¯t even touch her!¡±


    Just then, K arrived, her tone filled with anger. ¡°What¡¯s happening here? Who¡¯s harassing my assistant?!¡±


    Percy, seeing his boss arrive, quickly approached her, his expression one of distress. ¡°I¡¯m so relieved you¡¯re here, Miss Wade!¡±


    K then fixed her intense re on Sadie, her voice cutting and confrontational. ¡°Sadie, this is too much! What gives you the right to do something like this?!¡±


    With aposed and cold smile, Sadie replied smoothly, ¡°Miss Wade, perhaps you should get your facts straight first. Your assistant intentionally bumped into my employee, causing her to drop our jewelry box. We¡¯re actually the injured party here.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s absurd!¡± K eximed, pointing usingly at Sadie, her features twisted in fury. ¡°You¡¯re just trying to create trouble! Percy would never behave like that!¡±


    Sadie¡¯s expression cooled, her words firm. ¡°The police will handle the investigation. But I¡¯m curious, Miss Wade, why do you so passionately defend your assistant? Is there something between you two?¡±


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    K was caught off guard, left without words by Sadie¡¯s sharp challenge. She hadn¡¯t anticipated such a forceful and articte defense from Sadie. Meanwhile, police officers took statements from witnesses and reviewed security footage from the estate.


    The video clearly depicted Percy bumping into Nte, which led her to drop the jewelry box inadvertently. This indisputable evidence caused both Percy¡¯s and K¡¯splexions to nch.


    ¡°The evidence is quite clear,¡± Sadie said, her voice calm yet incisive. ¡°Miss Wade, do you have any furtherments?¡±


    K found herself speechless, unprepared for Sadie¡¯s tactical shrewdness andprehensive handling of the situation.


    K wobbled, herplexion turning ghostly white. With a hand over her heart, she emitted a soft, feeble moan. Then, she fell backward.


    Percy was swift to react, catching her just before she hit the ground. His expression was one of sheer rm as he shouted, ¡°Miss Wade! Miss Wade, can you hear me?¡± Chaos ensued at once.


    Observing K¡¯s theatrical disy, Sadie couldn¡¯t help but scoff inwardly. So typical, the same old trick.


    Her eyes grew cold as she mockingly inquired, ¡°Miss Wade, do you need medical assistance? Should I call for an ambnce?¡±


    Percy red at Sadie with intense loathing, as if she were a notorious criminal. ¡°You¡¯ve caused this. Miss Wade wouldn¡¯t be in this state if it weren¡¯t for your provocation.¡±


    Unruffled, Sadie responded with a tone of mock surprise, ¡°How is this rted to me? I only said a few words. I never touched her. Surely, if her condition is this delicate, the me can¡¯t possibly fall on me.¡±


    She then addressed the butler, her demeanor calm. ¡°Please, could you call for an ambnce? It seems wise to be cautious.¡± Though the butler was suspicious of K¡¯s abrupt faint, he quickly made the call to emergency services without hesitation.


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    ¡°No need for an ambnce,¡± Percy replied abruptly, cutting through the tension with a sharp voice. ¡°I¡¯ll take her to the hospital myself.¡± With K in his arms, he swiftly departed the scene.


    Sadie¡¯s lips curled into a knowing smirk as she watched them hurry away, sensing their fear of exposure.


    Turning to Nte, she suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s depart now.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡± Nte hesitated, ncing at the ruined Dewy Hibiscus on the ground.


    ¡°The police will take care of it,¡± Sadie assured her with conviction. ¡°We should head back.¡±


    She then bent down to collect the scattered jewelry fragments, each one tenderly ced into a velvet pouch.


    The fragments, though broken, retained their immense worth. Not merely a masterpiece, the Dewy Hibiscus symbolized Sadie¡¯s dedication and dreams.


    Nte observed Sadie meticulously collecting the pieces, her admiration for her calm andposed demeanor growing amidst the ordeal. Such was the essence of true strength.


    They left Stonemont Estate behind and approached the car parked nearby. Inside, Averi was deeply engaged with a toy. Upon noticing Sadie entering the car, he set his toy aside and leapt into her embrace, his voice tender and concerned. ¡°Mommy, are you alright?¡±


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    Embracing her son, Sadie felt a surge offort. ¡°I¡¯m alright, my love,¡± she reassured him softly, caressing his hair. ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I worried you.¡±


    Averi tightened his embrace, pressing a kiss to her cheek. ¡°I love you more than anything, Mommy.¡±


    Joy lit up Sadie¡¯s face at his words. With Averi close, she felt ready to face any challenge.


    As the car started, it gradually moved away from Stonemont Estate. Sadie watched through the rearview mirror as the estate dwindled behind them. Inside, she steeled herself, resolved to make K pay for what happened today. Her grip on the steering wheel tightened, eyes fixed on the road ahead. Next to her, Nte shifted uneasily in the passenger seat, ncing at Sadie, her mouth opening and closing without words.


    Eventually, Nte¡¯s restraint broke, her voice quivering. ¡°Sadie, what are we going to do?¡±


    Sadie remained silent for a moment, inhaling deeply before she let out a slow exhale.


    ¡°We¡¯ll know,¡± she finally responded.


    ¡°But¡­¡± Nte began, only to be interrupted.


    ¡°Listen, I understand your concerns,¡± Sadie said, offering a calming nce. ¡°I¡¯ve poured my heart and soul into every detail of Dewy Hibiscus. I¡¯m more heartbroken than anyone for its ruin. Trust me, I¡¯ll handle this.¡±


    Nte nibbled on her bottom lip, falling silent.


    A hush fell over the car again, broken only by the engine¡¯s gentle purr slicing through the night.


    When they finally arrived at Nte¡¯s home, Sadie said to her, ¡°Head inside. Rest up.¡±


    ¡°Take care of yourself too, Sadie,¡± Nte responded, nodding in acknowledgment before she exited the vehicle.


    At her doorstep, she lingered, watching as Sadie¡¯s car faded into the night, silently wishing for her friend¡¯s sess and safety.


    Sadie ced the broken pieces of Dewy Hibiscus into a meticulously crafted wooden box. Her frequent handling had polished the box¡¯s edges, reflecting her calm exterior despite the emotional turbulence within.


    ¡°I must find an expert capable of mending this,¡± she muttered.


    For the following two days, Sadie scoured the city, visiting every esteemed jeweler and antique shop she could find. Yet, she encountered the same verdict everywhere. Restoration was nearly impossible.


    ¡°Is repair really an impossibility?¡± Sadie¡¯s grip on the box tightened, her knuckles whitening. ¡°There has to be a way.¡±


    She expanded her search through every conceivablework.


    Atst, a promising lead emerged: Lionel Morgan, a reclusive but supremely skilled jeweler whose abilities were nearly mythical.


    Tracking down Lionel¡¯s residence proved challenging. His home was a remote vi on the city¡¯s outskirts, nestled in istion.


    Sadie made her way there, her journey marked by serpentine mountain roads framed by stunning vistas that did little to soothe her nerves.


    ¡°Knock. Knock. Knock¡­¡± She knocked on the door of the vi.


    The door was answered by an elderly butler who scrutinized her. ¡°May I help you, ma¡¯am?¡±


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    Sadie was direct. ¡°I need to speak with Mr. Lionel Morgan regarding a jewelry repair.¡±


    The butler paused, cautious. ¡°Have you scheduled an appointment?¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t managed to secure one,¡± Sadie said. ¡°However, I have with me fragments of the Dewy Hibiscus, which might interest Mr. Morgan.¡±


    As soon as Sadie opened the box, the pieces shimmered subtly in the sunlight, their former luxury peeking through.


    Moved by the fragments¡¯tent beauty and Sadie¡¯s earnestness, the butler eventually invited her in.


    Lionel scrutinized the pieces with intense focus, his expression one of deep thought. ¡°Such exquisite workmanship¡­ it¡¯s truly tragic.¡±


    ¡°Is there any possibility of restoration?¡± Sadie inquired, her voice tinged with hope.


    Regrettably, Lionel shook his head. ¡°The challenge is formidable. The Dewy Hibiscus was crafted with highly specialized techniques and rare materials, which are now almost unobtainable,¡± he exined.


    Feeling disheartened yet still holding on to a flicker of hope, Sadie pressed, ¡°Is there absolutely no possibility?¡±


    After a thoughtful pause, Lionel responded, ¡°Restoration might be feasible, albeit with slim odds. I¡¯m willing to attempt it, though sess isn¡¯t assured.¡±


    Brightened by even the slightest chance, Sadie replied enthusiastically, ¡°Your willingness to try means everything to me.¡±


    Lionel hesitated before adding, ¡°There¡¯s a condition, though. Repairing it might be possible, but it would require sourcing scarce substitutes for the original materials. These are exceptionally difficult to find, and it would demand considerable effort on your part.¡±


    Immediately, Sadie responded with determination, ¡°Please list the materials you need. I¡¯ll move heaven and earth to get them.¡±


    L¦Á¦Ó??¦Ó ?§ß¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?l??.??om


    Lionel provided a list of the gemstones required, each one rarer than thest.


    Upon departing from the vi, Sadie wasted no time initiating her quest. She reached out to every known jeweler and collector, leveraging all her contacts. Meanwhile, she tasked Nte with overseeing the studio¡¯s ongoing projects to maintain uninterrupted operations.


    Watching Sadie in constant motion, Nte expressed her concerns. ¡°Sadie, is it wise to manage so many tasks simultaneously? Aren¡¯t you concerned about the strain?¡±


    ¡°The Dewy Hibiscus is too precious to me; I must restore it, yet the studio cannot afford to pause. We need to bnce both,¡± Sadie exined resolutely.


    In the ensuing days, Sadie dedicated herself to acquiring the necessary materials and assisting in the restoration efforts of the Dewy Hibiscus. Her efforts were relentless, mirroring the non-stop operation of a well-oiled machine.


    As the Starlight G approached, Sadie had sessfully secured almost all the needed materials. However, the Starlight Stone remained elusive, its rarity making it almost mythical.


    ¡°Starlight Stone,¡± Sadie whispered, her gaze fixed on thest unchecked item on her list.


    ¡°Ring, ring, ring¡­¡± The studio¡¯s telephone echoed with persistent ringing.


    Nte answered it, her face tensing as the call unfolded. ¡°Hello, Sadie¡¯s Studio¡­ What? Cancel the coboration? Why?¡±


    Nte¡¯s disbelief was evident in her elevated tone.


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    Once the call ended, she quickly approached Sadie, worry etched across her features. ¡°Sadie, we have a problem.¡±


    Putting aside the design draft, Sadie met Nte¡¯s gaze. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°Our partners have been calling to withdraw from their agreements with us,¡± Nte said, her voice quivering.


    A cold shiver ran through Sadie as dread took hold. ¡°Why are they pulling out?¡±


    ¡°They said our studio¡¯s reputation ispromised; they¡¯re using us of copying designs, and¡­¡± Nte paused, finding it difficult to proceed.


    Sadie, sensing the gravity, urged her on. ¡°What else?¡±


    Nte whispered, almost inaudibly, ¡°They said your personal life is in disarray, which is damaging our studio¡¯s reputation.¡±


    Color drained from Sadie¡¯s face as she tightened her grip on her pen, her knuckles turning white. ¡°Who is behind these rumors?¡±


    Nte shook her head, her expression one of despair. ¡°I¡¯m not sure. They kept their sources confidential.¡±


    Sadie fought to keep her emotions in check. ¡°Got it. Let¡¯s make sure our other partners feel secure for now. I¡¯ll find out what¡¯s really going on here.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡± Nte nodded and left the office.


    Sadie leaned back in her chair, her brows knitted as her mind raced with endless possibilities. Then a name suddenly popped into her head¡ªK. She couldn¡¯t think of anyone else devious and determined enough to ruin her life.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see what you¡¯re really up to!¡± Sadie muttered.


    She grabbed her phone and made a call. ¡°Hello, Leif. I need you to help me with something¡­¡±


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s is your story source


    Sadie recounted everything to Leif and asked him to trace the source of all the rumors as quickly as he possibly could.


    Shortly after she hung up, her phone rang. It was Eva.


    ¡°Sadie? I heard there¡¯s been trouble with your studio. Is that true?¡± Eva¡¯s voice was filled with concern.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Sadie said with a small sigh.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry! I¡¯ve already had someone investigate the matter,¡± Eva reassured her. ¡°I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll have answers soon.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Sadie said sincerely.


    Eva just chuckled and brushed it off. ¡°Please, don¡¯t mention it. By the way, we can¡¯t have any room for mistakes during the Starlight G. This mysterious person you¡¯re meeting is a big shot in the design industry. You¡¯ll get your chance to show off your skills.¡±


    ¡°I understand,¡± Sadie murmured.


    When she ended the call, her heart felt heavier.


    Meanwhile, in another part of the city, K was sitting in a cafe across from Percy.


    ¡°How is everything going?¡±


    ¡°Everything is going ording to n, Miss Wade. I¡¯ve spread the word far and wide in the world of jewelry. The reputation of Sadie¡¯s studio has plummeted, and most of her partners have¡­¡±


    ¡°Already canceled their impending coborations.¡± Percy¡¯s lips curled into a cunning smile.


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    ¡°Good.¡± K nodded in satisfaction. ¡°All that¡¯s left for us to do is continue pressuring her from all sides. We must make sure that she never recovers from this.¡±


    ¡°No problem,¡± Percy replied readily. ¡°I will follow your lead.¡±


    K picked up her cup and took a sip of her coffee. Her eyes glinted with malice as she stared off into the distance. ¡°This time, Sadie, I will see to it that you disappear for good!¡±


    It didn¡¯t take long for Leif to report back to Sadie. ¡°I¡¯ve found the culprit, Miss Hudson. The person behind the rumors is named Percy Webster. He bribed several journalists to publish nderous articles about your studio.¡±


    ¡°Percy¡­¡± Sadie¡¯s eyes shed. ¡°Just as I thought.¡±


    She took a deep breath and tapped her finger lightly against her desk. ¡°Forward his report to the police.¡±


    Nte turned to her in surprise. ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°With solid evidence on hand, the police will have no reason not to go after Percy,¡± Sadie said firmly. ¡°They should be able to deal with him. Our priority right now is finding the Starlight Stone and fixing the Dewy Hibiscus.¡±


    Nte nodded and immediately contacted the authorities, while Sadie opened herputer and began to look for information on the Starlight Stone.


    She was browsing on a certain website when a message popped up on the screen. A private auction was happening in three days at the Cloud Summit Club, and one of the items up for bidding was the Starlight Stone.


    A flicker of hope sparked in Sadie¡¯s chest, but it died out almost instantly. The Cloud Summit Club was a famous private club frequented by the elites. No one could get in without an invitation.


    ¡°Starlight Stone¡­¡± Sadie muttered to herself as she tried to work around this new setback.


    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s is your escape to fiction


    Just then, the door to the studio opened, and Alex sauntered in.


    ¡°Hey, Sadie. What are you working on?¡± Traces of concern lined his face.


    ¡°I¡¯m looking for the Starlight Stone,¡± Sadie replied with a faint smile.


    ¡°Starlight Stone? That¡¯s a rare gem, isn¡¯t it? It would be hard to get your hands on it.¡± Alex walked around her desk and nced at the auction details that were still on her screen. ¡°Cloud Summit Club¡­ That ce isn¡¯t easy to get into, either.¡±


    Sadie let out a defeated sigh. ¡°Yeah, I know. But apart from this auction, I don¡¯t know where to find the Starlight Stone.¡±


    Alex gazed down at her troubled face for a moment, his expression slowly breaking into a mysterious smile. ¡°As it happens, I¡¯m going to attend the auction at the Cloud Summit Club.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s eyes brightened. ¡°Really? Would you mind if I came along?¡±


    Alex caught the eager anticipation in her expression and offered a reassuring smile. ¡°Of course not.¡±


    Gratitude surged in Sadie, and she quickly responded, ¡°Thanks so much, Alex!¡±


    Alex observed her excitement, a warmth blossoming in his chest. ¡°It¡¯s no trouble at all; don¡¯t mention it.¡±


    Immediately, Sadie began to prepare for the uing auction. She diligently went through the auction catalog, noted the initial price for the Starlight Stone, and devised her strategy for bidding. Resolved, she muttered to herself, ¡°The Starlight Stone will be mine.¡±


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    Three dayster, Sadie and Alex headed to the Cloud Summit Club. The club exuded grandeur, its opulence glowing.


    ¡°Are you nervous?¡± Alex whispered, picking up on the tightness in Sadie¡¯s features.


    ¡°A bit,¡± Sadie replied, inhaling deeply to soothe her nerves. ¡°The Starlight Stone is incredibly important to me.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m here to help,¡± Alex assured her with a supportive nce.


    Arm in arm with Alex, Sadie entered thevishly decorated auction hall. Upon their entrance, her eyes roamed the room andnded on a face she recognized. It was Noah. He stood out among the attendees, d in a sleek, impably fitted ck suit, exuding an air of dignity and elegance.


    Beside him was K, wearing a flowing white evening gown. She stood close to Noah, her smile soft and tender.


    Their gazes locked, and the atmosphere around them seemed to turn cold. Noah¡¯s face quickly soured, his look bing sharp and cutting.


    He approached Sadie with confident, long strides, K keeping pace beside him. ¡°What brings you here, Sadie?¡± Noah inquired.


    A heavy feeling settled in Sadie¡¯s heart, and she instinctively tightened her hold on Alex¡¯s arm. ¡°I¡¯m here to participate in the auction.¡±


    ¡°And who are you apanying?¡± Noah¡¯s eyes flicked to Sadie¡¯s hand, which was on Alex¡¯s arm, his expression growing colder.


    ¡°Alex, as you can see,¡± Sadie replied confidently.


    Noah¡¯s features turned even more severe. He took a firm hold of her wrist, his voiceden with authority. ¡°You need toe with me.¡±


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv???s hosts exclusive updates


    ¡°I will not,¡± Sadie firmly said, pulling her wrist away from his grip.


    ¡°You¡­¡± Noah was incensed by her defiance. ¡°You two¡­¡±


    ¡°Noah, calm down, please,¡± K said in a soothing tone, her words appearing caring but subtly stoking the tensions. ¡°Sadie is probably just here to experience a bit of luxury.¡± She paused, then seemingly casually added, ¡°Alex has always treated Sadie well, after all.¡±


    ¡°K Wade!¡± Sadie exploded, her rage ignited. ¡°Stop trying to stir up trouble here!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got it wrong, Sadie,¡± K replied, putting on a look of distress, her eyes beginning to tear up. ¡°I just don¡¯t like seeing you guys argue.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± Noah interjected, fixing his intense gaze on Sadie. ¡°Once more,e with me.¡±


    ¡°I will not!¡± Sadie responded boldly, refusing to break eye contact. ¡°Why should I follow your orders?¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± Noah tensed up, his veins throbbing visibly.


    ¡°Noah,¡± K said gently, tugging at his sleeve. ¡°Perhaps Sadie simply doesn¡¯t wish to leave Alex¡¯s side. They¡­¡± She paused purposefully, shooting a pointed look at Sadie.


    Feeling a rush of anger, Sadie struggled to maintain herposure.


    ¡°Enough, K!¡± she said sternly, her teeth clenched.


    Alex, no longer able to remain silent, stepped in front of Sadie and confronted Noah. ¡°Mr. Wall, Sadie can make her own decisions. You should respect that.¡±


    Noah red at him coldly.


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    ¡°This is a family issue, Alex. You¡¯d do well to keep out of it.¡±


    ¡°A family issue?¡± Alex scoffed. ¡°Mr. Wall, are the ways you¡¯ve been treating¡ª¡±


    ¡°Sadie really just family matters¡¯?¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± Noah was close to exploding.


    ¡°Stop, Noah.¡± K intervened once more, gently pulling at his arm. ¡°The auction is about to start.¡±


    Collecting himself with a deep breath, Noah controlled his anger. He shot Sadie a final,plex look, then walked away.


    K nced back at Sadie with a look of victory before following Noah.


    As Sadie watched them walk away, her emotions were a whirlwind.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Alex asked, his voice full of concern.


    Sadie nodded slightly, mustering a smile. ¡°I¡¯m okay. Let¡¯s go to the auction.¡±


    Sadie had never expected to encounter Noah at this event.


    Side by side, she and Alex proceeded to their seats.


    The auction then officially kicked off.


    Echoing through the hall, the auctioneer¡¯s voice energetically announced each lot, while bidders eagerly snapped up item after item. Every gavel strike sent Sadie¡¯s heart racing even faster.


    She was anxiously anticipating the moment the Starlight Stone was presented.


    ¡°Coming next, the evening¡¯s crown jewel¡ªa 10-carat natural Starlight,¡± announced the auctioneer, unveiling a breathtakingly beautiful gemstone that dazzled the audience.


    The stone¡¯s deep blue hue shimmered, emitting six radiant beams that seemed to capture stars within its essence.


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    Sadie caught her breath, her heart squeezing tight; the Starlight Stone was finally before her.


    ¡°We¡¯ll start the bidding at five million!¡±


    ¡°Six million!¡± someone called.


    Without hesitation, Sadie raised her paddle. ¡°Seven million!¡±


    Across the room, K¡¯s voice followed. ¡°Eight million!¡± Her tone was full of challenge.


    Turning sharply, Sadie locked eyes with K.


    Determined, she raised her paddle again. ¡°Nine million!¡±


    K was relentless. ¡°Ten million!¡±


    Sadie felt the pressure but was undeterred, her hand shaking slightly. She knew K was intentionally provoking her, yet she remained resolute.


    ¡°Eleven million!¡± Alex¡¯s voice rang out, strong and supportive beside her.


    K, momentarily surprised by Alex¡¯s intervention, quickly regained her poise and bid. ¡°Twelve million!¡±


    With a firm squeeze of Alex¡¯s hand, Sadie expressed her deep appreciation through her gaze.


    Alex didn¡¯t falter, bidding again. ¡°Thirteen million!¡±


    Then, breaking through the escting tension, Noah¡¯s authoritative voice boomed. ¡°Fifteen million!¡±


    Murmurs swept through the room as all eyes turned in surprise to Noah, who had dramatically entered the bidding.


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 Chapter 351

    ?Chapter 351:


    Sadie felt a wave of disappointment. She hadn¡¯t expected Noah to align with K in the auction.


    Softly, with a hint of appeal in her voice, Sadie said, ¡°Noah¡­¡±


    However, Noah paid her no heed, his eyes cold as they remained fixed on the auctioneer.


    Alex, with determination etched on his face, raised his paddle again. ¡°Eighteen million!¡±


    Unyielding, Noah countered with a firm, ¡°Twenty million!¡±


    Pushing further, though his voice showed signs of strain, Alex bid, ¡°Twenty-two million!¡±


    Tension thickened in the air, with every attendee holding their breath in anticipation.


    Noah decisively shouted, ¡°Fifty million!¡±


    Defeated, Alex put down his paddle, his shoulders drooping.


    With a heavy thud, the auction gavel struck, announcing the final owner of the Starlight Stone.


    Overwhelmed, Sadie sank back into her seat, herplexion washed out as if the energy had been drained from her.


    Concern painted Alex¡¯s face as he looked at her, at a loss for words on how to provide sce.


    Behind the stage, K clutched the ornate box with the Starlight Stone, her expression radiant with victory.


    She drew closer to Noah, whispering, ¡°Thank you, Noah.¡±


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    Taking the box, Noah lifted the lid to peer at the luminous stone within. He spoke without emotion. ¡°This gem wasn¡¯t bought for you.¡±


    A chill swept through K as her smile stiffened, her voice trembling. ¡°What did you say?¡±


    With a snap, Noah shut the box and began to walk away. ¡°You should understand that I never had any romantic feelings for you.¡±


    K¡¯splexion turned pale, her fingers tightening around the crushed velvet clutch.


    Alex wore an expression of remorse as he said, ¡°Sadie, I¡¯m sorry. I couldn¡¯t secure the Starlight Stone for you.¡±


    With a feeble smile, Sadie shook her head and responded, ¡°It¡¯s okay, Alex. You¡¯re not to me. I appreciate all your efforts.¡±


    Pain filled Alex as he observed her attempt to stayposed.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Sadie said as she stood.


    Together, they exited the auction hall, walking shoulder to shoulder. A night breeze brushed against Sadie¡¯s face, yet it failed to blow off the cold in her heart.


    The loss of the Starlight Stone indefinitely postponed the revival of the ¡°Dewy Hibiscus¡± series, and her studio¡¯s crisis remained unresolved.


    ¡°Let me drive you home,¡± Alex suggested, his voiceden with worry.


    Sadie shook her head gently. ¡°Thanks, Alex, but I need some time to myself right now.¡±


    Alex watched her deste figure walk away, feeling a mix of emotions. Sadie went back to her studio and stared nkly at the jewelry designs strewn across her desk.


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 Chapter 352

    ?Chapter 352:


    Now, without the Starlight Stone, she wondered, what next?


    After spending some quiet time in the studio, Sadie returned to the Myrtlewood Estate.


    As she pushed the door open, the familiar aroma of natural wood weed her back.


    The estate was quiet and somber, only the dim light from crystal chandeliers filling the vast living room, intensifying the solitude.


    Weary, she moved towards the sofa but stopped dead in her tracks.


    There sat Noah, an ornate velvet box in his grasp.


    In that moment, time seemed to freeze.


    shes of K¡¯s triumphant smirk at the Cloud Summit Club and Noah¡¯s dismissive departure shed through Sadie¡¯s mind.


    Sadie¡¯s mind was vivid and relentless, as if someone had pressed y on a film she had no power to stop.


    ¡°You¡­¡± Her voice barely made it past her lips, a fragile whisper lost between them.


    Noah lifted his head slowly, his eyes locking onto hers with a chilling stillness, unreadable yet charged.


    ¡°Why?¡± It wasn¡¯t just a question¡ªit was raw disbeliefced with betrayal. She had fought for the Starlight Stone, and yet he had helped K take it like that.


    Noah said nothing. He only stared, an enigma wrapped in silence.


    Sadie felt a tightness in her chest, so heavy it made breathing difficult. ¡°So¡­ you and Alex?¡± His voice was low, edged with something sharp¡ªsomething dangerous. ¡°Back together?¡±


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    Sadie was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood what he meant.


    ¡°What does it matter to you?¡± She forced the words out, steeling herself, but the impact of his usation still stung.


    Noah moved¡ªsudden, deliberate. In an instant, he was in front of her, his arms locking around her, pulling her into his world of contradictions.


    ¡°Sadie, look at me!¡± Noah¡¯s voice was rough, raw with barely restrained frustration.


    Sadie reluctantly lifted her gaze. A storm brewed in her eyes¡ªdefiance shing with something more fragile.


    ¡°Why did you go to that auction?¡± Noah¡¯s voice was sharp, edged with suspicion. ¡°Why do you want the Starlight Stone so damn much?¡±


    Sadie felt the burn behind her eyes, the weight of everything pressing down on her.


    He knew. He knew she wanted that stone, yet he had let K walk away with it. And now, he had the audacity to interrogate her?


    ¡°Let go of me!¡± she snapped, thrashing against his hold.


    But Noah didn¡¯t loosen his grip. If anything, he pulled her closer¡ªcloser than she could stand.


    Then, without warning, he kissed her.


    Tears slipped down her cheeks, mixing with the taste of his breath, the salty bitterness of betrayal and longing tangling into something unbearable.


    She shoved him¡ªhard. Noah staggered back just enough for her to tear herself away. Without a word, she turned and ran, mming the door behind her as if trying to shut him outpletely.


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 Chapter 353

    ?Chapter 353:


    For a long moment, Noah stood frozen, staring at the closed door, his pulse hammering.


    Then, with a heavy exhale, he pulled out his phone and dialed.


    ¡°Samuel,¡± he said, his voice cold, unreadable. ¡°Find out why Sadie wants the Starlight Stone.¡±


    The call ended. Noah dragged a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply.


    He didn¡¯t know what frustrated him more¡ªthe way Sadie looked at Alex, or the way it made him feel. Restless. Possessive. It was like he¡¯d lose something vital if she slipped through his fingers.


    Then, his phone buzzed. Samuel was calling back.


    ¡°Sir, I have the information. It¡¯s for the Dewy Hibiscus, the jewelry series. Mrs. Wall needs the Starlight Stone to restore it.¡±


    Noah¡¯s jaw tensed. ¡°Dewy Hibiscus?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s been damaged. From what I gathered, the Starlight Stone is the only thing that can fix it.¡±


    Noah ended the call without another word. His mind was filled with images of Sadie¡ªlost in her work, hands covered in paint and dust, her brows drawn in fierce concentration.


    No wonder he hadn¡¯t seen her around often these past few days.


    The next morning, Sadie¡¯s reflection in the mirror was proof of a sleepless night¡ªswollen eyes, pale skin, a heaviness that clung to her like a shadow.


    She sat at the dining table, moving her fork absently.


    Across from her, Noah ate with effortlessposure, as if the night before had never happened.


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    His knife cut through his pancake with deliberate precision, each movement calm, controlled. Too controlled.


    The silence between them thickened, suffocating. The rhythmic clink of his silverware against the te felt deafening in the stillness. Sadie finally set down her utensils, pushing her te away.


    ¡°I¡¯m done.¡±


    Her voice was quiet but firm.


    Without another word, she rose from her chair and walked away, her steps echoing in the silence.


    Noah exhaled slowly, watching her go, his fingers tightening around his fork.


    Sadie went straight to her room and shut the door, pressing her back against it as she drew in a slow, unsteady breath. Lifting her chin, she straightened her shoulders and moved toward her closet.


    Just then, her phone buzzed.


    An unfamiliar number shed across the screen.


    Sadie hesitated, her thumb hovering over the answer button. Something about it made her pause. Then, with a deep breath, she picked up.


    ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°Miss Hudson?¡± The voice was deep, unfamiliar.


    ¡°Yes, who¡¯s this?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a jeweler. Word is, you¡¯ve been searching for a rare stone¡ªthe Starlight Stone.¡±


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 Chapter 354

    ?Chapter 354:


    Sadie¡¯s breath hitched. Her grip tightened around the phone. Could this be¡ª


    ¡°Yes,¡± she said, forcing her voice to stay calm. ¡°Do you have one?¡±


    ¡°I have a stone that fits the description of the Starlight Stone.¡±


    Excitement surged through Sadie, nearly making her forget to breathe. ¡°Really?¡± she asked, her heart hammering. ¡°Can I see it?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± the voice replied smoothly. ¡°Let¡¯s set up a meeting.¡±


    ¡°Fantastic, thank you so much!¡± Sadie eximed.


    Once the call ended, she wasted no time getting ready for the meeting. She meticulously chose her outfit, aiming to present herself well. Later that day, Sadie met the enigmatic jeweler at a quiet cafe.


    Dressed in schrly gold-rimmed sses, the middle-aged jeweler had an academic demeanor.


    From a sleek ck briefcase, he produced a stone and presented it to her. She epted the stone with care and scrutinized it thoroughly. Remarkably, the stone was clear, bathed in a soft blue light, and bore a resemnce to the Starlight Stone.


    ¡°How much are you selling this for?¡± Sadie inquired, her voice edged with anxiety.


    With a reassuring smile, the jeweler responded, ¡°Miss Hudson, your design skills are well-known, and I understand the importance of this stone to you. I have no interest in exploiting that. Just offer what feels right to you.¡±


    Overwhelmed by his kindness, Sadie responded hesitantly, ¡°How could I possibly ept such generosity?¡±


    ¡°Please, it¡¯s a gesture of respect for your talents.¡±


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    Ultimately, Sadie acquired the stone for a surprisingly modest sum.


    Sadie¡¯s tion was evident as she left the cafe, clutching the stone that felt like a tangible piece of hope in her palm.


    The jeweler watched her departure before dialing Noah¡¯s number. ¡°Mr. Wall, the task is aplished.¡±


    Noah¡¯s response was neutral. ¡°Very good.¡±


    ¡°The stone was instantly recognized by Miss Hudson,¡± the jeweler said. With a thoughtful look, Noah ended the call and stared out the window, his expression unreadable.


    Back at her studio, Sadie carefully set the Starlight Stone on her workbench.


    Lionel had been waiting there for some time.


    With a quick adjustment of his sses, his eyes sparkled with anticipation.


    ¡°Sadie, you really found it,¡± Lionel said, his voice filled with excitement. ¡°Let¡¯s begin, Mr. Morgan.¡±


    They knew precision was crucial for the restoration of the Dewy Hibiscus. The studio air was charged with focused intensity.


    ¡°Begin by gently polishing the Starlight Stone¡¯s edges with diamond dust, Sadie. Take great care to preserve its internal structure,¡± Lionel offered, guiding from the sidelines.


    Sadie inhaled deeply, her movements cautious as she applied the diamond dust to the stone. The faint sound of grinding filled the silent studio, amplifying the tension around her.


    Sweat beaded on her brow, yet she remained steadfast, not allowing herself to rx even for a second.


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 Chapter 355

    ?Chapter 355:


    Looking up with concern, Sadie addressed Lionel. ¡°The Starlight Stone is considerably harder than the original material. My fear is that it might crack during the fusion.¡±


    After a brief pause to consider, Lionel responded, ¡°Incorporate nephrite powder into the adhesive. The nephrite powder¡¯s flexibility might buffer the impact due to the differing hardness.¡±


    Heeding his suggestion, Sadie carefully blended the nephrite powder with the adhesive, ensuring the mixture was just right.


    Dipping a fine brush into the adhesive, she delicately attached the Starlight Stone fragments to thepromised sections of the Dewy Hibiscus.


    Time moved slowly as Sadie and Lionel focused intensely on their delicate task.


    ¡°Mr. Morgan, the adhesive appears to be setting more slowly than anticipated.¡± Lionel considered the possible cause as he approached the thermostat. ¡°The low room temperature might be dying the setting process.¡±


    He adjusted the temperature by several degrees and added, ¡°We should give it more time.¡±


    The wait always seemed to drag on.


    With apprehension evident in their expressions, Sadie and Lionel monitored the adhesive¡¯s progress, worried about potentialplications.


    Gradually, the adhesive hardened, ensuring the Starlight Stone fragments were securely attached to the Dewy Hibiscus.


    ¡°It¡¯s done!¡± Lionel said, smacking his thigh with excitement.


    A deep sigh of relief escaped Sadie as her previously tense nerves began to unwind.


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    Raising her hand, she rubbed her weary eyes, her gaze fixed on the wlessly restored ¡°Dewy Hibiscus¡± with a profound sense of achievement. ¡°It¡¯s truly a masterpiece!¡±


    Holding the ¡°Dewy Hibiscus¡± up to the light for a closer examination, Lionel scrutinized every detail.


    cing the ¡°Dewy Hibiscus¡± back down, Lionel turned to Sadie, his expression filled with curiosity. ¡°How were you able toe across the Starlight Stone, Sadie? It¡¯s incredibly rare, almost never seen on the market.¡±


    Sadie hesitated briefly. ¡°I was contacted by a jeweler. He mentioned having a Starlight Stone and inquired if I wanted it.¡±


    ¡°Which jeweler was this?¡± asked Lionel.


    ¡°I¡¯m, the ce is called Luxe Jewelry,¡± Sadie answered, before recounting her purchase in detail.


    Lionel¡¯s face took on a grave expression as his brows knitted together.


    ¡°That¡¯s a subsidiary of Wall Group, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    A cold wave swept over Sadie, her heart sinking.


    The mention of Wall Group brought Noah to mind. Could this really be happening?


    Sadie¡¯s breathing quickened, her mind in chaos.


    Lionel looked at Sadie¡¯s reaction, his suspicions beginning to form. His tone was contemtive as he said, ¡°You bought the Starlight Stone, an incredibly rare gem, at a suspiciously low price, from a jeweler tied to Wall Group. Doesn¡¯t that seem a bit orchestrated to you, Sadie?¡±


    As realization dawned, Sadie grew paler. Her lips quivered, but words failed her.


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 Chapter 356

    ?Chapter 356:


    Lionel¡¯s words hit Sadie like a tidal wave.


    The air around her felt thick, the buzzing in her ears drowning out everything else. She could hear the frantic pounding of her own heart¡ªheavy, erratic, panicked.


    Wall Group¡­ Noah¡­ a low price¡­ coincidence¡­


    The words tangled together, forming a truth too sharp to ignore. ¡°This¡­ this can¡¯t be right¡­¡±


    Her voice was barely more than a whisper, fragile and unsteady. The color drained from her face.


    Why would Noah do this? He had helped K win the Starlight Stone, only to sell it to her for next to nothing. Was this some twisted game? A way to humiliate her?


    Or¡­ was there something more to it?


    Lionel exhaled, his voice softer now. ¡°I know this is a lot to take in, but the facts speak for themselves. Whether you believe it or not, Mr. Wall isn¡¯t as indifferent as you think.¡± His hand rested lightly on her shoulder, a small gesture offort.


    Sadie forced herself to breathe, to push through the chaos in her mind. She straightened slightly, finding her voice. ¡°Thank you for telling me this, Mr. Morgan. I¡¯ll handle this myself.¡±


    After Lionel left, Sadie remained in the studio, her gaze fixed on the restored ¡°Dewy Hibiscus.¡± With deliberate care, she ced it into a sleek, velvet-lined box. Then, without hesitation, she grabbed her car keys and headed for Stonemont Estate.


    The estate was as opulent as ever, with its towering gates and immacte garden. Pulling into the driveway, Sadie took a steadying breath before stepping out. She rang the doorbell.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, wee!¡± The butler greeted her with polished civility, opening the gates.


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    ¡°Is Ms. Shaw home?¡±


    ¡°Yes, she¡¯s expecting you in the garden.¡±


    Sadie walked through the marble-d corridors, her heels clicking against the polished floor. The grand interior led her to an open garden, where Eva sat like a vision of effortless elegance. A ss of red wine rested in her hand, her crimson gown draping around her like a waterfall of silk.


    At the sight of her, Eva¡¯s lips curved into a knowing smile. ¡°Sadie, you made it.¡±


    She set down her ss, her eyes flickering with interest. ¡°So? Do you have it?¡±


    Sadie gave a small nod, handing over the box. ¡°Here.¡±


    Eva¡¯s fingers moved with precision, lifting the lid as if unveiling a masterpiece. For a moment, she simply stared. Then, admiration lit up her features. ¡°It¡¯s exquisite. The craftsmanship, the detail¡ªevery part of it is breathtaking.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m d you think so.¡± Sadie forced a polite smile.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Eva asked, tilting her head slightly. ¡°You don¡¯t look like someone who justpleted a masterpiece.¡± Eva¡¯s gaze sharpened as she studied Sadie.


    Sadie hesitated. A part of her wanted to keep everything bottled up, to deal with it alone¡ªbut another part needed to say it out loud. She took a breath and told Eva everything. About Noah. About K. About the Starlight Stone.


    ¡°Noah¡­ he actually did that?¡± Eva leaned back slightly, brows drawn in genuine surprise.


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 Chapter 357

    ?Chapter 357:


    Sadie swallowed, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ I just¡ª¡± She sighed sharply, shaking her head. ¡°I can¡¯t believe he would do this.¡±


    Eva reached over, her touch light but steady as she ced a reassuring hand on Sadie¡¯s. ¡°Don¡¯t jump to conclusions,¡± she murmured. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s not as bad as it looks. Maybe he has reasons he couldn¡¯t tell you.¡±


    ¡°Reasons?¡± Sadie echoed, her voiceced with disbelief. ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡± Her fingers curled into tight fists, nails pressing against her palms as she fought to keep the tremor in her body under control.


    ¡°He¡¯d do anything for K,¡± she muttered.


    She couldn¡¯t fathom why Noah was treating her this way. Did she truly mean so little to him?


    Eva watched her in silence, reading the way she held herself¡ªrigid, as if forcing the pain to stay buried.


    This woman was stubborn, that much was clear. She was breaking, but she refused to let anyone see the cracks.


    With an effortless grace, Eva lifted her wine ss, taking a slow sip.


    ¡°Sadie.¡± She set the ss down, the faintest hint of curiosity in her gaze. ¡°Are you ready for the Starlight G tomorrow?¡±


    Sadie stilled. The Starlight G. She had nearly forgotten.


    Everything that had happened recently had consumed her, pushing the event to the very back of her mind.


    Sadie opened her mouth, but the words didn¡¯te.


    Even with the ¡°Dewy Hibiscus¡± restored, the weight of the Starlight Stone still clung to her like a thorn, impossible to ignore. It festered beneath the surface, making it impossible to feel at ease.


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    Eva watched her carefully, amusement flickering in her gaze. Then, a knowing smile curved her lips.


    ¡°Sadie,¡± she said smoothly, her voice both gentle and firm. ¡°I know this hurts. But you can¡¯t let it break you.¡±


    Sadie blinked, startled by Eva¡¯s sudden intensity.


    ¡°You need to pull yourself together,¡± Eva continued, leaning forward slightly. ¡°Show them what you¡¯re made of.¡±


    She met Sadie¡¯s gaze head-on. ¡°The Starlight G is your chance. Let the world see your talent. Let Noah see it too.¡±


    Her words struck like a hammer, reverberating through Sadie¡¯s mind.


    Exactly! She couldn¡¯t let this crush her! She had to stand tall no matter what!


    ¡°Thank you, Ms. Shaw,¡± Sadie said, her voice steadier now, the spark of determination returning.


    Eva let out a soft chuckle, tilting her head. ¡°Oh, darling, why thank me?¡± Her smile was effortless,ced with quiet confidence. ¡°I believe in your talent. Of course, I want to see you seed.¡±


    She paused, then added smoothly, ¡°I¡¯ve taken the liberty of arranging for a dress to be delivered to you tomorrow morning. Consider it a small gesture. Prepare well¡ªI¡¯ll be expecting you at the Starlight G tomorrow night.¡±


    Sadie met her gaze and nodded, determination flickering in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll be there.¡±


    Eva¡¯s lips curled into a satisfied smirk. ¡°That¡¯s what I like to hear.¡± She leaned back in her chair, the glow of the evening lights casting soft shadows over her features. ¡°It¡¯ste. Go home and get some rest. You¡¯ll need your strength for tomorrow.¡±


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 Chapter 358

    ?Chapter 358:


    Sadie straightened, offering a grateful nod. ¡°Got it, Ms. Shaw. You should rest too.¡±


    The butler led Sadie to the entrance, then gracefully held the car door open for her.


    Sadie got into the car, started the engine, and drove slowly away from Stonemont Estate. The night had deepened, yet Myrtlewood Estate was brilliantly illuminated. Sadie pushed open the front door and rubbed her temples, weary. She halted abruptly, taken aback by the sight before her.


    In the living room, Laura sat on the sofa, serenely peeling an apple. ¡°Grandma? What are you doing here?¡± Sadie eximed, turning her gaze to Breck, who stood by respectfully. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡±


    Before Breck could respond, Laura offered a warm smile, her face creased with kindness. ¡°Sadie, I was discharged from the hospital today. I met Noah, and he mentioned your concerns about me, so he brought me here to recuperate.¡± Laura handed the peeled apple to Sadie, her eyes probing. ¡°Sadie, what exactly is your rtionship with Noah?¡±


    Taking the apple, Sadie felt as if she were holding a hot potato. She bit into the apple, but its sweetness did little to alleviate the bitterness swelling within her.


    ¡°He¡¯s¡­ he¡¯s just my boss,¡± Sadie stammered, avoiding Laura¡¯s prating gaze.


    ¡°Boss?¡± Laura seemed skeptical, deftly tossing the apple core into the trash bin. ¡°Why would your boss bring me back to his home? Why would he show such concern for you?¡±


    Sadie struggled to articte a response. She could not reveal to Laura that Noah had once been her husband, that he now seemed like a stranger, and that he even deliberatelyplicated her life.


    ¡°Sadie,¡± Laura continued earnestly, setting down the fruit knife. ¡°I¡¯m old, and my only wish is for you to find someone with whom you can build a joyful future. Noah appears kind. He¡¯s dynamic, sessful, and shows genuine care for you.¡±


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    ¡°Grandma, it¡¯s not as you think,¡± Sadie cut in, her voice tinged with urgency. ¡°There really is nothing between us.¡±


    ¡°Then why is he so concerned for you?¡± Laura inquired, gesturing to the flowers and fruit on the table. ¡°He had these delivered to nourish you.¡±


    Sadie gazed at the vibrant flowers, her emotions a tangled web of confusion and frustration.


    Indeed, Noah¡¯s gestures had bred these misunderstandings.


    ¡°Grandma, you really misunderstood¡­¡± Sadie murmured, her voice fading to a whisper.


    Laura sighed and patted Sadie¡¯s hand. ¡°Sadie, I know you have your reservations, but love cannot be coerced. If you truly don¡¯t harbor feelings for him, I¡¯ll refrain from pressuring you.¡±


    Sadie fell silent, her gaze fixed on the apple in her hand as she pondered.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll say no more,¡± Laura dered with a smile, easing the tension. ¡°You look exhausted. Go rest.¡±


    Without responding, Sadie left the living room and retreated to her bedroom. She closed the door, leaned against it, and slid to the floor. Clutching her knees to her chest, she buried her face in them, tears streaming down silently.


    She couldn¡¯t fathom Noah¡¯s motives. Why had he brought Laura here and shown such concern? Was he seeking retribution for her departure years ago?


    Morning light seeped through the curtains, casting slender beams across the floor. Sleep had eluded Sadie; dark circles marred her eyes. The digital clock on her nightstand disyed 6:37 in a harsh glow.


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 Chapter 359

    ?Chapter 359:


    Noah hadn¡¯te home all night.


    She rose slowly and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. Aware that Laura was still in the guest room and not wanting to cause her concern, Sadie suppressed her own unease.


    After freshening up, she descended the stairs and found breakfast prepared.


    ¡°Mr. Wall¡­ didn¡¯te backst night?¡± Sadie asked Breck, her voice steady yet betraying a slight tremor.


    Breck shook his head slightly. ¡°No, Mrs. Wall.¡±


    ¡°Um, did he mention when he¡¯d return?¡±


    ¡°He did not,¡± Breck replied, his demeanor respectful yet conveying an unspoken tension.


    Sadie bit her lower lip, struggling to swallow the lump forming in her throat.


    Sadie walked to the table, absentmindedly picking up a piece of toast. She took a bite, but it tasted like nothing¡ªjust another motion in a morning that felt hollow. From the staircase, Laura appeared, radiating energy, as if the weakness from her hospital stay had been nothing more than a passing shadow.


    ¡°Sadie,¡± she called out warmly. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you sleep a little longer?¡±


    Sadie hesitated before forcing a small, tired smile. ¡°Couldn¡¯t get any.¡±


    Laura slid into the seat beside her, studying her carefully. Then, she softened. ¡°This is about Noah, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s fingers clenched slightly around her silverware. She didn¡¯t answer.


    ¡°Oh, sweetheart,¡± Laura said with a light chuckle. ¡°Matters of the heart have a way of working themselves out. Don¡¯t overthink what you can¡¯t control.¡±


    Sadie exhaled slowly, her chest rising and falling as she tried to absorb those words.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Grandma,¡± she said softly.


    Laura studied her for a moment, then sighed before turning to head back upstairs.


    Sadie knew she meant well, but inside, she was a whirlwind of emotions¡ªsweetness, bitterness, uncertainty¡ªall tangled together.


    Just then, Breck stepped forward, cing a beautifully wrapped gift box on the table with precise care.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, this has just arrived from Ms. Shaw,¡± he announced.


    Sadie blinked, her gazending on the package.


    Already? She remembered Eva mentioning the dress for the Starlight G, but she hadn¡¯t expected it to arrive so soon.


    A warmth spread through her chest. Eva never did things halfway.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Sadie murmured, nodding at Breck before reaching for the elegant ribbon. Her fingers worked delicately, untying the bow, anticipation stirring inside her.


    As she lifted the lid, a breathtaking silver gown was revealed, shimmering under the morning light. Tiny diamonds adorned the fabric, catching every glimmer like captured stars.


    Sadie ran her fingers over the smooth silk, the softness like liquid against her skin. She carefully lifted the dress, holding it against herself, unable to resist the pull of its beauty. A breath escaped her lips.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ stunning,¡± she whispered to herself.


    With a maid¡¯s assistance, Sadie slipped into the gown. The fabric molded to her frame like a second skin, entuating every curve with effortless elegance. It was neither too tight nor too loose¡ªjust perfect.


    She stepped in front of the full-length mirror, her breath catching as she took in her reflection.


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    ?Chapter 360:


    ¡°It¡­ fits so perfectly,¡± she murmured, almost in disbelief.


    The gown wasn¡¯t just a good fit¡ªit felt as if it had been crafted for her. The cut, the drape, the delicate way it hugged her form¡ªit was wless.


    Behind her, Breck observed with quiet admiration.


    ¡°Ms. Shaw truly thinks of everything,¡± he remarked, clearly impressed.


    Sadie nodded slowly, her fingers grazing the bejeweled fabric. But a thought nagged at the back of her mind. How had Eva known her exact measurements? They¡¯d spoken briefly over a video call, and size had never been discussed.


    Meanwhile, after Noah pulled an all-nighter at work, exhaustion clung to him like a shadow. Then came K¡ªbreezing in like a force of nature, her arm sliding around his with practiced ease.


    ¡°Noah,e with me to pick out a dress,¡± she said, her voice sweet, almost syrupy. ¡°We have to attend the Starlight G together tonight. Please? Help me out?¡±


    Noah nced down at her, fatigue dulling his usually sharp gaze. He wasn¡¯t in the mood for this. But then, with a sigh, he relented.


    ¡°Alright,¡± he muttered, rubbing his temples. ¡°Where do you want to go?¡±


    K¡¯s face lit up instantly, a gleam of excitement shing in her eyes.


    ¡°Celeste Couture!¡± she chirped, already tugging him toward the exit. ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted to try on their moonlight tulle gown!¡±


    Celeste Couture was the definition of extravagance. Crystal chandeliers dangled from the ceiling, scattering a dazzling glow over the boutique¡¯s pristine interior. Mannequins adorned in breathtaking gowns stood like silent models, each dress more exquisite than thest. K flitted between racks like a butterfly, her energy boundless as she sifted.


    Throughyers of silk,ce, and tulle, K sifted through the gowns. Every few moments, she plucked one from the collection, holding it up against herself with a twirl.


    ¡°Noah,¡± she called, spinning around with a strapless pink gown in hand. ¡°What do you think of this one?¡± She posed dramatically, as if already picturing herself at the Starlight G, dazzling under the lights.


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    Noah¡¯s gaze lingered on K for a brief moment before he gave a small nod.


    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful. It suits you.¡±


    But K pouted, twirling the fabric between her fingers.


    ¡°Mmm¡­ but I still think the moonlight tulle gown would be even better!¡±


    Before Noah could respond, a uniformed attendant approached, bowing slightly in his direction.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, the moonlight tulle gown you ordered has already been delivered to Myrtlewood Estate.¡±


    K¡¯s smile vanished. She turned to Noah, eyes widening in disbelief.


    ¡°You¡­ gave it away?¡±


    A moment of silence passed before Noah realized his mistake. His fingers flexed at his side before he cleared his throat.


    ¡°That gown¡­ it isn¡¯t really suited for you.¡±


    ¡°Not suited for me?¡± K repeated, her voice rising.


    ¡°Then why did you order it? And who did you give it to?¡±


    Noah pressed his lips into a thin line, a flicker of irritation shing through his deep-set eyes. He didn¡¯t answer. He didn¡¯t have to.


    ¡°Noah, have you forgotten¡­?¡± K¡¯s voice wavered,ced with a desperate attempt to pull Noah back¡ªto remind him of what they once shared.


    Noah exhaled sharply, his patience wearing thin.


    ¡°K, don¡¯t push this.¡±


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 Chapter 361

    ?Chapter 361:


    K¡¯s breath hitched as tears welled up, glistening under the boutique lights like shattered ss. She bit her lip, struggling to hold back a sob, her eyes pleading.


    ¡°I¡­ I just want to understand why¡­¡±


    ¡°There is no why.¡± Noah cut in, his tone edged with finality. ¡°Go home.¡± He turned to leave, but before he could take a step, K lunged forward, wrapping her arms around him from behind, clinging to him as if letting go would tear her apart.


    ¡°Noah, don¡¯t go¡­ please don¡¯t leave me like this¡­¡± Her voice broke, raw and desperate.


    Noah stiffened. A flicker of something unreadable passed through his eyes, but it vanished just as quickly. His fingers curled into fists before he reached down to pry her hands off, his voice cold as ice.


    ¡°K. Let go.¡±


    K only held on tighter, her grip unrelenting, her body trembling against his.


    ¡°I won¡¯t let go¡­ I can¡¯t let go¡­¡±


    ¡°K!¡± Noah¡¯s voice turned sharp, a warning cutting through the air.


    She flinched. The fight drained from her as she slowly loosened her grip, gazing at him with tearful eyes.


    Her lips parted, her voice barely above a whisper.


    ¡°You really have¡­ changed.¡±


    Noah said nothing. He simply walked out.


    The boutique¡¯s extravagant glow suddenly felt hollow. Left standing in the middle of it all, K remained frozen¡ªalone, her world closing in on itself.


    The Starlight G shimmered with extravagance¡ªcrystal chandeliers spilled golden light over a crowd draped in luxury. A velvet-red carpet stretched ahead, a celestial path leading straight into the realm of the elite.


    Sadie stepped inside, her floor-length gown a masterpiece of sophistication. Every stitch and fold seemed sculpted toplement her silhouette, effortlessly disying poise and confidence.


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    ¡°Never thought I¡¯d see Sadie here.¡±


    ¡°That gown must have cost a fortune.¡±


    ¡°I heard hertest designs are turning heads again. Maybe she¡¯s reiming her throne.¡±


    Murmurs drifted toward Sadie, heavy with curiosity and judgment. She barely acknowledged them, offering only a knowing smirk as she moved through the hall, each step as measured as a queen¡¯s.


    Cameras erupted in shes, their relentless bursts carving her presence into the night.


    Then, just as she settled into her seat, the air shifted. A subtle but unmistakable ripple of awe swept through the room.


    Noah had arrived.


    True to form, Noahmanded the room the moment he stepped in. His custom-tailored suit draped wlessly over his broad frame, every detail entuating his quiet dominance. There was an effortless grace to the way he moved¡ªcalcted yet natural, a presence both maic and inescapable.


    At his side, her arm delicately intertwined with his, stood K.


    Draped in a champagne-colored gown that shimmered under the lights, she was the picture of elegance, her poised demeanorplemented by a soft, practiced smile. Together, they looked almost surreal¡ªa portrait of perfection, effortlesslyposed.


    ¡°They¡¯re breathtaking, like something out of a fairy tale. Mr. Wall and Miss Wade¡ªwhat a wless match.¡±


    Admiration rippled through the crowd, their voices hushed yet brimming with envy and awe.


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 Chapter 362

    ?Chapter 362:


    Sadie lowered her gaze, her thickshes casting faint shadows across her cheekbones, concealing whatever flicker of emotion might have surfaced. Three years ago, she had already seen this sight unfold time and time again.


    Three years ago, she had already stopped longing for what could have been.


    ¡°Strange, though¡­ why aren¡¯t they married yet?¡±


    ¡°Who knows?¡± A sly chuckle followed. ¡°Maybe Mr. Wall isn¡¯t done enjoying the game.¡±


    The spective whispers slithered through the air, brushing against Sadie¡¯s ears like unwee ghosts. Her grip tightened around her handbag, her knuckles nching from the force.


    She willed herself to shut it all out¡ªnot to look, not to listen.


    Under the banquet hall¡¯s shimmering lights, she sat alone at her table, her postureposed, but her mind an unsteady battlefield.


    Then, without warning, someone slid into the seat beside her¡ªa figure draped in champagne silk¡ªK. To Sadie, she was the woman Noah had chosen, the one who still stood by his side after all these years.


    The faint scent of jasmine followed K as she idly tapped her crimson-painted nails against the table, each click deliberate, calcted.


    ¡°Three years, Miss Hudson,¡± she murmured. ¡°And yet, you¡¯re still lingering like a shadow.¡±


    Sadie met her gaze, her expression unshaken. ¡°I could say the same, Miss Wade.¡±


    For a fraction of a second, K¡¯s polished exterior cracked, her lips pressing into a thin line before she released a low, mirthlessugh.


    ¡°What exactly do you think you are?¡± she sneered. ¡°A discarded woman shackled with a child? Do you honestly believe you stand a chance against me?¡±


    A slow, knowing smile yed on Sadie¡¯s lips.


    ¡°What I am is irrelevant,¡± she said coolly. ¡°What matters is that Noah has never once admitted you are his.¡±


    The air between them turned electric, hostility simmering beneath their exchange.


    Then, as if on cue, a banquet staff member approached their table, bowing slightly before addressing K with crisp politeness.


    ¡°I apologize, Miss Wade, but this section is reserved for the top international designers. Your seat is further back.¡±


    K¡¯s smile faltered, stiffening into something unnatural. She turned, pointing straight at Sadie.


    ¡°Her?¡± K¡¯s voice dripped with disbelief, her perfectly arched brows drawing together in disdain. ¡°You¡¯re telling me she¡¯s a top international designer?¡±


    The staff member gave a polite nod.


    ¡°Yes, Miss Wade. Sandra is one of our distinguished guests this evening.¡±


    A flush of humiliation crept up K¡¯s neck, burning as though she had been struck.


    She turned back to Sadie, her eyes zing with jealousy.


    ¡°How on earth did you earn a seat here?¡±


    Sadie remained unfazed. With effortless elegance, she lifted a ss of champagne, her slender fingers tracing the delicate stem as she took an unhurried sip.


    ¡°It appears you¡¯re out of the loop.¡± A pause, deliberate. ¡°I am Sandra.¡±


    K froze, recalling that Jordyn had mentioned this to her months ago.


    She still couldn¡¯t ept that Sadie, the woman she had scorned for years, was the renowned jewelry designer, Sandra.


    Her lips parted, but no words escaped.


    Sadie set down her ss with quiet finality, her expressionposed yetced with an unmistakable edge.


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 Chapter 363

    ?Chapter 363:


    ¡°Is there anything else, Miss Wade?¡± she asked, her voice smooth as silk, yet sharp enough to cut. ¡°If not, I¡¯d prefer not to be disturbed.¡±


    K¡¯s jaw clenched. The sting of defeat was unbearable, but she had no choice but to swallow it. With a sharp flick of her wrist, she stood up and strode away.


    The murmurs surged almost instantly.


    ¡°So she¡¯s Sandra? She¡¯s even more striking in person.¡±


    ¡°K just gotpletely humiliated. She won¡¯t recover from this anytime soon.¡±


    As the whispers spread like wildfire, a man with slicked-back hair and an amused smirk sauntered over, a ss of champagne twirling between his fingers.


    ¡°Hey, gorgeous. Sitting all alone?¡± The man got closer, shing what he clearly believed was an irresistible smile. ¡°Mind if I join you?¡±


    Sadie barely spared him a nce, her polite demeanor unwavering.


    ¡°I¡¯d rather not. Thank you.¡±


    But he wasn¡¯t one to take a hint.


    ¡°Waiting for someone?¡± he pressed, his toneced with unwee persistence. ¡°Maybe I can keep youpany.¡±


    As he spoke, his hand moved toward Sadie¡¯s, fingers hovering just close enough to make her skin crawl.


    Sadie¡¯s expression darkened. In one swift motion, she withdrew her hand, her voice turning to ice.


    ¡°Sir, I suggest you conduct yourself properly.¡±


    The man¡¯s smirk faltered, his expression tightening with irritation. Just as he opened his mouth to fire back, a firm, steady voice cut through the tension.


    ¡°Sadie, sorry to keep you waiting.¡±


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    Alex stepped in with effortless confidence, positioning himself squarely between Sadie and the unwee intruder. His sharp, assessing gaze flickered over the man, silent yetmanding. Whatever bravado the man had left quickly withered under Alex¡¯s piercing stare.


    ¡°What a bore,¡± he grumbled before turning on his heel and walking away into the crowd.


    Alex exhaled lightly before turning to Sadie.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    Sadie nodded her head, herposure intact.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Thank you.¡±


    Alex¡¯s gaze lingered on her.


    ¡°These events always attract a few entitled idiots,¡± he remarked, his voice calm, though edged with quiet irritation.


    The surrounding guests began whispering among themselves again.


    ¡°Who is that man? He seems quite familiar with Sandra.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that Alex, the CEO of Howe Group? They look like they¡¯re meant to be together.¡±


    ¡°A pair that match well in both talent and beauty!¡±


    Noah overheard those whispers, and his expression immediately darkened. His grip tightened around his wine ss.


    From a distance, he watched Sadie and Alex, a whirlwind of emotions in his eyes.


    Sadie and Alex sat close, conversing in hushed tones.


    ¡°Thank you for your help earlier,¡± Sadie said, expressing her gratitude once again.


    Alex responded with a faint smile, ¡°It was nothing, really. How have you been? And how¡¯s Averi?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re both doing well. Thanks for asking,¡± Sadie replied, her voice softening.


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 Chapter 364

    ?Chapter 364:


    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear.¡± Alex looked at Sadie, his gaze filled with a subtle warmth that was barely noticeable.


    However, this scene was like a dagger to Noah¡¯s heart. He gulped down his wine in one go, feeling a surge of indescribable frustration.


    At that moment, Eva approached, her presence marked by a graceful sway. She offered a captivating smile.


    ¡°Well, well¡­ Isn¡¯t this Mr. Wall? Why are you drinking alone?¡±


    Noah ignored her, his attention still on Sadie.


    Following his gaze, Eva noticed Sadie and Alex.


    She raised an eyebrow andmented with a hint of meaning, ¡°It seems you¡¯re not with me, Mr. Wall.¡±


    Noah shifted his gaze and gave Eva a cool look.


    Evaughed softly.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, don¡¯t be so distant. I just wanted to remind you. Some opportunities, once lost, are lost forever.¡±


    Noah remained silent, continuing to sip his wine as his expression turned even grimmer.


    Evaughed again and walked away to get ready for her show.


    K rejoined Noah, sitting down with elegance. She ced her hand on his arm, her eyes on Sadie with a barely detectable smirk.


    She was convinced that Sadie wouldn¡¯t be smiling soon.


    The jewelry from Wall Group had already been delivered to Eva the previous day.


    Tonight, Eva would wear it, ensuring Wall Group had the spotlight.


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    Sadie¡¯s creations risked being overshadowed entirely.


    Aware of K¡¯s probing gaze, Sadie didn¡¯t retreat.


    Instead, she confronted it with aposed, subtle smile, her demeanor unppable.


    ¡°Noah, look! Sandra appearspletely unfazed,¡± Kmented.


    Noah remained mute, offering only a fleeting, enigmatic nce in Sadie¡¯s direction.


    As the evening progressed, the banquet hall¡¯s lights dimmed, shifting everyone¡¯s focus to the center stage under a solitary spotlight.


    ¡°The moment has arrived to wee tonight¡¯s most esteemed guest, Ms. Eva Shaw!¡± the host announced, his voice filled with vigor.


    As music swelled and lights danced across the room, all eyes diverted to the hall¡¯s grand entrance.


    K, brimming with premature triumph, clung to Noah¡¯s arm, anticipating Sadie¡¯s disgrace.


    However, Sadie¡¯s smile persisted, barely wavering even as her grip on her wine ss tightened.


    A buzz of astonishment swept through the attendees when Eva made her entrance. d in a stunning red gown that entuated herplexion, Eva captivated everyone.


    Yet, there was a fluffy white Samoyed by her side, sporting a gaudy diamond ne from K¡¯s team.


    K¡¯s confident smile stilled, her features etched with disbelief.


    ¡°What the¡­¡± she gasped, stunned. ¡°How could this have happened?¡±


    The spectacle was far from over.


    Eva gracefully ascended the stage, her presencemanding attention. The ne she wore sparkled under the lights, its diamonds like droplets of water, encapsting a delicate, lively charm.


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 Chapter 365

    ?Chapter 365:


    ¡°Dewy Hibiscus is simply breathtaking!¡± eximed a notable socialite. ¡°Truly, its design marvelously merges diamond brilliance with the essence of femininity,¡± remarked a gentleman from the crowd.


    Color drained from K¡¯s face as she absorbed the reality¡ªthe ne was Sadie¡¯s work.


    She whipped her head towards Sadie, only to find her still sporting that serene, knowing smile, as if she had orchestrated the evening¡¯s events.


    ¡°Ms. Shaw, your ne is absolutely stunning!¡± a reporter called out eagerly. ¡°Could you reveal the mastermind behind its design?¡±


    With a subtle smile, Eva turned her attention to Sadie.


    ¡°The creator of the Dewy Hibiscus is none other than Sandra,¡± she announced, directing all acim her way.


    As the apuse thundered throughout the hall, all eyes turned to Sadie, celebrating her design.


    K¡¯s cheeks burned with embarrassment. She felt utterly humiliated by the turn of events.


    All her meticulous preparations had turned into a joke.


    She bit her bottom lip so fiercely it nearly drew blood, her fingernails pressed into her palms.


    ¡°Ms. Shaw, the Dewy Hibiscus ne you¡¯re wearing is simply stunning,¡± a well-dressed gentlemanmented as he approached Eva. ¡°May I ask how you chose this jewelry set?¡±


    Eva ran her fingers over the ne, her eyes alight with appreciation.


    ¡°The Dewy Hibiscus isn¡¯t just beautifully designed. It also incorporates elements from Helva¡¯s traditional art. Sandra¡¯s sketches brought a wonderful surprise to the set.¡±


    ¡°And this adorable Samoyed apanying you¡­¡± The gentleman¡¯s attention shifted to the dog, adorned with a ne by K.


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    Eva feigned surprise, raising her eyebrows.


    ¡°This little one? It¡¯s dressed up especially for tonight.¡±


    ¡°I meant its ne¡­¡± The gentleman faltered, his query fading into awkwardness.


    ¡°This piece?¡± Evaughed, stroking the Samoyed¡¯s head. ¡°It¡¯s from a young designer. Although the design might be somewhat borate, the quality of materials is superb. It suits my furry friend perfectly here.¡±


    Eva¡¯s offhandments seemed to make the floor beneath K disappear. She felt the weight of scornful, pitying, and even gleeful nces from around the room.


    Noah¡¯s face grew stern.


    ¡°Noah¡­¡± K whispered, tugging at his sleeve, her voice quivering with emotion.


    Noah, however, ignored her.


    Just then, a sharp voice pierced the air, tinged with sarcasm.


    ¡°Ms. Shaw, don¡¯t you find this somewhat disrespectful?¡±


    All eyes turned toward the source, spotting a woman d in a sleek ck gown striding elegantly toward them.


    Her features exuded confidence, and the crowd recognized her as Vivi, the chief designer at Majestic Ego.


    Vivi¡¯s presence added to the already electric atmosphere.


    Eva responded with a dismissive look, her voice dripping with condescension.


    ¡°This belongs to me. How I use it is my concern alone. Miss Quinn, perhaps you should keep your opinions to yourself and focus on your own matters.¡±


    Vivi was caught off guard by Eva¡¯s forthrightness, her expression hardening.


    She inhaled deeply, attempting to keep herposure intact.


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 Chapter 366

    ?Chapter 366:


    ¡°Ms. Shaw, I didn¡¯t mean to offend. I just find it somewhat demeaning to use Miss Wade¡¯s design on a dog.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with adorning a dog?¡± Eva cut her off. ¡°It¡¯s my pet, and I¡¯ll essorize it as I see fit. Maybe, Miss Quinn, you should pay more attention to enhancing your own designs rather than critiquing my choices.¡±


    Eva¡¯s authoritative tone rendered Vivi momentarily speechless.


    Vivi bit her lip, her eyes flickering toward Sadie, revealing a whirlwind of emotions.


    Sadie, who had been watching the exchange silently, allowed a subtle smile to y at the corners of her mouth.


    When Vivi approached and took the seat next to her, her voice carried a sharp edge.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Sandra.¡±


    Sadie turned her head, meeting Vivi¡¯s gaze with a steady one of her own.


    ¡°Indeed, it has.¡±


    The air crackled with tension as their eyes locked.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to find you here,¡± Vivi remarked, her toneced with envy.


    Sadie¡¯s smile was faint yet confident.


    ¡°I was invited.¡±


    ¡°Humph!¡± Vivi scoffed, her voice bitter. ¡°It seems you¡¯ve been prospering since your return to Helva.¡±


    ¡°I appreciate thepliment,¡± Sadie responded, her postureposed and resolute.


    Vivi observed Sadie¡¯s serene poise, feeling her resentment grow.


    ¡°Sandra, don¡¯t assume a single victory gives you the upper hand. We¡¯ll see how long thatsts.¡±


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    Sadie raised an eyebrow, her tone even.


    ¡°I¡¯m always prepared.¡±


    While she maintained herposure outwardly, Sadie felt a sense of inner tension.


    The banquet transitioned to a buffet-style dinner, under the gleam of chandeliers.


    Elegant guests mingled, sses clinked, and the rich aroma of gourmet dishes filled the air. Yet, beneath the surface, a subtle tension simmered, fueled by unseen rivalries.


    Navigating the crowd with a champagne flute, Vivi engaged various designers with a charming smile, subtly disparaging Sadie¡¯s work.


    ¡°Sadie¡¯s designs, well, they¡¯re rather avant-garde, not really aligned with mainstream preferences,¡± shemented with a feigned sigh of regret, her smugness thinly veiled.


    ¡°Indeed, an excessive focus on artistic ir oftenpromises practicality,¡± one designer concurred, his eyes shing with envy.


    Another added in a hushed tone, ¡°I heard rumors of giarism in hertest drafts, but who knows the truth?¡±


    From a distance, Sadie watched the scene unfold, recognizing Vivi¡¯s familiar tactics of istion and character assassination.


    ¡°Sadie, why are you standing here by yourself?¡± Alex approached, te in hand, his concern palpable.


    Sadie replied, managing a smile, ¡°I just need a moment to breathe.¡±


    Following her gaze, Alex quickly grasped the situation.


    He leaned closer and whispered, ¡°Ignore them. They¡¯re just spreading gossip.¡±


    Sadie simply shook her head, choosing silence over engagement.


    Meanwhile, a man in a sharp suit approached Vivi, presenting her with a business card.


    ¡°Miss Quinn, hello. I¡¯m an editor from Modern Muse magazine. I¡¯ve long admired your work and would love to discuss a potential coboration.¡±


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 Chapter 367

    ?Chapter 367:


    With a glowing smile, Vivi took the card.


    ¡°That sounds wonderful.¡±


    She then shot a provocative look towards Sadie, as if to highlight her own sess.


    Struggling to stayposed, Sadie felt the weight of the evening¡¯s events. The banquet continued, though undercurrents of tension simmered beneath the surface.


    ¡°Sandra, it¡¯s been a while,¡± a sleazy voice whispered in Sadie¡¯s ear.


    Sadie turned to find a middle-aged man leering at her.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I don¡¯t recall knowing you,¡± she responded coldly.


    ¡°Oh,e on, don¡¯t be so cold. I¡¯m the owner of Westvale Group, and I¡¯m very interested in your designs,¡± the man said, reaching out to touch her hand. Sadie swiftly pulled away, her expression darkening.


    ¡°Please, keep your hands to yourself.¡±


    The man scoffed.


    ¡°Oh? A bit temperamental, aren¡¯t we? Do you know who I am? Cross me, and your career is over.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± a calm voice interjected.


    Noah had quietly approached, his icy stare chilling the man.


    ¡°Mr. Wall¡­¡± The man¡¯s face drained of color.


    ¡°Leave,¡± Noah stated tly.


    The man scurried away in a panic.


    Noah turned to Sadie, his tone softening.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡±


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    Sadie nodded, then thanked him.


    ¡°Yes, thank you.¡±


    Noah¡¯s gaze then turned towards Vivi, who was observing from a short distance, his expression inscrutable.


    As the banquet wound down and guests started leaving, Vivi sidled up to Sadie, a cold smirk on her face.


    ¡°Sandra, we¡¯ll see whoes out on top.¡±


    Sadie faced her without flinching.


    ¡°Anytime.¡±


    As the banquet hall emptied, Sadie declined Alex¡¯s offer for a ride and stood alone by the hotel entrance.


    Her phone buzzed with several unread messages¡ªoffers from prestigious jewelry brands eager to coborate.


    The sessful debut of her ¡°Dewy Hibiscus¡± collection had opened up unprecedented opportunities.


    The following day, Sadie was immersed in back-to-back business meetings.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, we find your design philosophy quite exceptional,¡± a representative from Lusso Jewelry, a sophisticated Montrevian woman,plimented. ¡°However, we would like some adjustments to the ¡®Dewy Hibiscus¡¯ collection to better fit our market and appeal to mainstream preferences.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s brow furrowed.


    ¡°Adjustments? Could you specify what changes you¡¯re considering?¡±


    ¡°For example, you could simplify some of theplex details and add moremercial elements,¡± the Montrevian woman replied with a smile. ¡°There has to be bnce between art andmerce, wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s fingers tightened on the draft. Further revision of the design meantpromising her original artistic vision.


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 Chapter 368

    ?Chapter 368:


    ¡°I shall take your suggestion into serious consideration,¡± Sadie said politely.


    After leaving Lusso Jewelry, she hurried off to her next appointment with a famous local brand called Starluxe.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, we are very interested in the Dewy Hibiscus series,¡± Conroy Beckett, the representative of Starluxe, said. He was a shrewd, middle-aged man who didn¡¯t beat around the bush. ¡°We are willing to buy out the rights for the derivative design for five million.¡±


    Five million?


    Sadie would have been amused, if not for the bitterness that rose in her chest. This price was far below her expectations.


    ¡°I beg your pardon, Mr. Beckett,¡± she said calmly. ¡°But you might be severely underestimating the market value of Dewy Hibiscus. Its potential far exceeds five million.¡±


    Conroy chuckled condescendingly. ¡°Miss Hudson, you are a very talented designer. However, I don¡¯t think you understand just how cutthroat this business is. Five million is the highest we can offer.¡±


    Sadie got to her feet without saying another word.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, please wait,¡± Conroy called after her as she walked to the door. ¡°We are open to negotiations. Let¡¯s talk about this more.¡±


    Sadie paused, but did not turn around.


    ¡°Six million is our absolute limit,¡± Conroy continued firmly.


    Sadie took a deep breath. ¡°I see. There¡¯s no need for us to discuss anything, Mr. Beckett. Good day.¡±


    Sadie spent the next few days meeting with several other jewelry brands, but her efforts were all futile.


    Some brands tried to impose stringent conditions on the terms of the prospective coboration, either restricting her creative freedom or lowering herpensation.


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    Others had obvious internal power conflicts that posed numerous uncertainties to the coboration itself, let alone the performance of Dewy Hibiscus in the market.


    Although she was exhausted, both physically and mentally, Sadie had no choice but to forge ahead.


    She pushed through the front door of Myrtlewood Estate and was immediately greeted by the familiar scent of sandalwood. Some of her stress immediately fell away.


    ¡°You¡¯re back, Mrs. Wall,¡± Breck greeted her respectfully as he took her purse and the stack of documents she had been holding.


    Sadie could only hum in reply, changing into slippers and kneading her throbbing temples.


    ¡°Averi is already asleep,¡± Breck said quietly as he took in the weary look on her face.


    Sadie nodded and headed toward the living room.


    ¡°Mr. Wall is in the study,¡± Breck added, as though he had read her mind.


    Sadie hesitated for a brief moment before changing directions and heading to the study instead.


    She needed to talk to Noah.


    Sadie knocked softly on the door.


    ¡°Come in,¡± Noah called out in his deep voice.


    Sadie entered the study to find him behind arge desk, engrossed in a pile of paperwork.


    He nced at her, his expression calm and unreadable.


    ¡°Do you need something?¡±


    Sadie took a deep breath before walking closer.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


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 Chapter 369

    ?Chapter 369:


    Noah leaned back in his seat and raised an eyebrow at her.


    ¡°What for?¡±


    ¡°For helping me back at the Starlight G,¡± Sadie spoke softly, as if she was afraid raising her voice might break something rare and fragile.


    That day, shortly after Noah had dealt with that troublesome man from the Westvale Group, he was called away to attend to other business.


    Both of them had been so busy in the past few days that she hadn¡¯t had the chance to thank him until tonight.


    ¡°And¡­ for the Starlight Stone,¡± Sadie added, her voice barely above a whisper now. ¡°I also wanted to thank you for that.¡±


    The Starlight Stone was crucial to the restoration of Dewy Hibiscus. Without Noah¡¯s intervention, Dewy Hibiscus might have been tarnished beyond repair.


    A flicker of emotion crossed Noah¡¯s eyes, but it was gone in the next second.


    ¡°That stone was yours to begin with.¡±


    After saying that, he lowered his head and got back to the documents, not wanting to dwell on the subject.


    The study fell silent, apart from the sound of pages turning. Soon, the air grew tense and heavy.


    Sadie clutched a fistful of her dress, her grip so tight that the tips of her fingers turned white.


    For a long while, she just stood there. Then, she finally said, ¡°I¡¯ll get going then.¡± Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible.


    Sadie turned and walked to the door, the sound of her heels tapping against the wooden floor painfully loud against the silence of the room.


    It wasn¡¯t until the sound of her fading footsteps was finally gone that Noah put the papers down and ran a palm over his face. He stared at the closed door and whispered a sigh.


    Then he picked up his phone and dialed a number.


    ¡°Samuel, I need you to handle something for me.¡±


    ¡°Please go ahead, Mr. Wall,¡± a steady voice replied on the other end.


    ¡°Clear up all the rumors online about Sadie as well as¡­ the rumors about her alleged affair with Alex. I want them all gone by tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Wall,¡± Samuel began, sounding a little apprehensive. ¡°Regarding Mr. Howe¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about him,¡± Noah interrupted in a tone that brooked no argument. ¡°And remember, I want this to be cleaned up thoroughly. No traces left behind.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Samuel replied sinctly.


    Noah ended the call, tossed the phone on his desk, and leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed.


    Meanwhile, K hurled a wine ss at the firece, sending the crimson liquid sttering in all directions.


    ¡°That damn Eva! She put our design on a dog! She was mocking me!¡±


    The director of the design department stood at a cautious distance, not daring to make a single sound.


    ¡°Those imbeciles! They¡¯re all useless!¡± K¡¯s voice was shrill and biting, and the director had to wince. K then pointed to the door and ordered, ¡°Bring me the designer of the ne on the Samoyed! Now!¡±


    The director of the design department wasted no time and hurried out to ry the urgent message.


    Soon after, a young designer entered, shaking and noticeably terrified, hisplexion ashen and lips trembling.


    ¡°Miss Wade¡ª¡± His greeting was cut short by a sharp p.


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    K¡¯s fury was evident as she gestured towards the photo fragments scattered on the floor.


    ¡°Is this what you call a ¡®masterpiece¡¯? It¡¯s being ridiculed everywhere! How could you show your face here?¡±


    Holding his cheek, the designer broke down, tears flooding his face.


    ¡°Miss Wade¡­¡±


    ¡°Enough! You are fired! Leave mypany at once!¡± Kmanded coldly, dismissing him without a trace of sympathy.


    Reeling from the dismissal, the designer stumbled and hurried out of the room.


    K¡¯s anger only grew.


    ¡°Eva! This isn¡¯t over! You will pay for this!¡±


    The design department director remained silent, cautiously observing.


    K halted suddenly, as if struck by a sudden thought.


    ¡°Vivi¡­¡± she whispered, her gaze sharpening. ¡°She and Sadie aren¡¯t exactly friends, either.¡±


    A scheme began to crystallize in her mind.


    She instructed, ¡°Get in touch with Vivi. Tell her I¡¯d like to meet her for lunch tomorrow to talk.¡±


    The director nodded earnestly and went off to arrange the meeting.


    K gazed out at the evening sky, her lips twisting into a sinister smile.


    ¡°Sadie, just you wait. The real game is about to begin.¡±


    Meanwhile, Vivi was engrossed in her work at her studio.


    The recent Starlight G had left her frustrated. Eva¡¯s unexpected defense of Sadie at the event had made Vivi feel humiliated.


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    ¡°Damn Eva! Damn Sadie!¡± she eximed, crumpling a design draft and throwing it into the bin.


    Just then, her assistant entered the room.


    ¡°Miss Quinn, Miss Wade has extended an invitation for lunch.¡±


    Vivi paused, surprised, then smirked.


    ¡°K wants to see me? Interesting indeed.¡±


    After a moment¡¯s consideration, Vivi decided to ept the offer. She instructed, ¡°Please tell her I¡¯ll ept her invitation.¡± The assistant acknowledged with a nod and departed.


    Vivi looked out the window, her expression a mix of contemtion and intrigue as she whispered, ¡°Sadie, K¡­ This will certainly be something to see.¡±


    The following day, in the secluded elegance of a restaurant¡¯s private room, K and Vivi faced each other.


    ¡°Miss Quinn, so much has been said about you,¡± Kmented, toasting with a fake smile.


    ¡°You¡¯re very generous with your words, Miss Wade,¡± Vivi responded, her ss echoing K¡¯s, her eyes alight with keen interest.


    Their sses met with a soft chime before they each indulged in a sip of the rich red wine.


    ¡°Miss Quinn, I presume you¡¯re clear on why we¡¯vee together today,¡± K said with clear intent.


    ¡°Please, enlighten me,¡± Vivi answered, her tone steady andposed.


    ¡°Sadie, as it turns out, poses a problem for both of us,¡± K replied, her voice devoid of warmth.


    Setting her ss aside, Vivi absently adjusted her ring, her eyes seeming to search the distance for answers. She gave a theatrical sigh, affecting a tone of reluctant eptance.


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    ?Chapter 371:


    ¡°It¡¯s a delicate situation, Miss Wade,¡± she said, her forehead creasing slightly as if she was grappling with an ethical dilemma. ¡°Given that Sadie and I were once colleagues and still meet often, it wouldn¡¯t be right for me to just turn on her.¡±


    Without a word, K watched the nuances of Vivi¡¯s expressions, understanding that this was not a dismissal but rather an opening to bargain.


    With a sardonicugh, K responded, ¡°Miss Quinn, our meeting today is rooted in our shared goal, correct? Sadie stands in the way of both our ambitions. Isn¡¯t it time we cleared our paths?¡±


    Vivi stopped twirling her ring and locked eyes with K, her look intense.


    ¡°What are you implying, Miss Wade? I am not without principles, and I¡¯ll need a justifiable cause to proceed.¡±


    ¡°Justifiable cause?¡± K echoed, her voice as cold as a razor¡¯s edge. She let out a humorless chuckle, as if someone had just told the most absurd joke.


    Then, fixing her gaze on Vivi, she said, ¡°Have you already forgotten what happened at the Starlight G? Eva¡ªoh, that meddling busybody¡ªshamed me in front of everyone, all to defend Sadie. I¡¯ve been stewing over that ever since. And Sadie¡­¡± K scoffed. ¡°She acts like she¡¯s the world¡¯s prodigy, forever upstaging you and sabotaging your career. Is that something you¡¯re willing to put up with?¡±


    A flicker of anger crossed Vivi¡¯s face.


    Her expression hardened, and for a moment, she said nothing at all.


    ¡°I¡¯m open to working together, Miss Wade,¡± Vivi said atst, her voice steady, her gaze sharp and unwavering. ¡°But I need proof of your sincerity.¡±


    K lifted her wine ss with practiced grace, taking a slow sip. The deep red liquid left a seductive stain on her lips as she set the ss down, her fingers trailing over the stem. A flicker of something dangerous¡ªamusement, perhaps¡ªdanced in her eyes.


    ¡°And what, exactly, would sincerity look like to you?¡± she asked, her tone velvety smooth.


    ¡°I¡¯m not interested in pretty words,¡± Vivi said bluntly. ¡°I need something real. Something that proves you¡¯re serious.¡±


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    K arched a perfectly shaped brow, intrigue sparking in her expression. ¡°Oh? And what might that be?¡±


    ¡°The Wall family¡¯s resources.¡± Vivi didn¡¯t hesitate. She leaned forward slightly, her intent crystal clear. ¡°I intend to win the International Jewelry Design Competition. For that, I need funding, influence, and the right connections. The Wall family has all of that¡ªand more.¡±


    K chuckled, a rich, knowing sound, as if Vivi had just revealed a particrly entertaining secret.


    ¡°Ambitious, aren¡¯t you, Miss Quinn?¡± She tilted her head, regarding Vivi like a predator sizing up its prey. ¡°But tell me¡­ why should I believe you¡¯re capable of bringing Sadie down?¡±


    Vivi¡¯s lips curled into a slow, confident smile. ¡°Sadie¡¯s designs may be distinct, but wless? Hardly.¡± Vivi¡¯s voice dripped with contempt. ¡°I¡¯ll have whispers of giarism circting before she even realizes what¡¯s happening. Other designers will turn against her, brands will distance themselves, and her credibility will crumble.¡±


    She paused, letting the venom settle in the air.


    ¡°I won¡¯t just tarnish her reputation¡ªI¡¯ll erase her from the industry entirely.¡±


    A flicker of approval lit up K¡¯s eyes. She leaned back, a satisfied smile ying on her lips.


    ¡°Good. I like your audacity,¡± she said, as if sealing an unspoken pact. ¡°I¡¯ll give you what you want. Once I marry Noah, the Wall family¡¯s resources are yours tomand.¡±


    Vivi arched a skeptical brow.


    ¡°Marry Noah?¡± Her tone wasced with doubt. ¡°Miss Wade, do you really think you can pull that off?¡±


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    ?Chapter 372:


    ¡°Of course!¡± K smirked, the picture of unwavering confidence. ¡°Noah has always wanted me. Sadie is nothing more than a temporary distraction. The moment she¡¯s out of the picture, he¡¯lle back to where he belongs.¡±


    Vivi didn¡¯t question her further.


    Whether K seeded or not was of little concern. What mattered was securing her own victory.


    ¡°In that case, we have a deal.¡± Vivi lifted her ss, her expression unwavering. ¡°Here¡¯s to a sessful partnership.¡±


    K met her gaze, raising her own ss in turn. The crystal clinked between them, the sound crisp, almost celebratory.


    ¡°To a sessful partnership!¡± K echoed, a triumphant glint in her eyes.


    With the pact sealed, the two women wasted no time in plotting, dissecting every angle of their scheme. They mapped out each move with surgical precision¡ªfrom how the rumors would be nted to the designers they would enlist in their quiet campaign to dismantle Sadie.


    ¡°I¡¯ll start by dropping subtle hints, just enough to stir curiosity and gauge others¡¯ reaction,¡± Vivi said, tapping her manicured fingers against the rim of her ss. ¡°Once the whispers gain traction, I¡¯ll reach out to designers who¡¯ve had grievances with Sadie¡ªstoke the fire, push them toward a boycott.¡±


    K nodded in approval.


    ¡°Smart. We¡¯ll move forward with that.¡± She swirled her wine, watching the deep red liquid coat the sides of the ss. ¡°I¡¯ll have my people monitor the online chatter. The moment the tide shifts in our favor, we strike the next blow.¡±


    Vivi¡¯s lips curled in satisfaction.


    To them, Sadie was nothing more than an obstacle¡ªa name that would soon be erased from the industry¡¯s memory.


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    K sat by the floor-to-ceiling window, her silhouette bathed in the light. She took a slow sip of wine, her smile smug, confident. Everything was unfolding exactly as she had envisioned.


    It was only a matter of time before Sadie was reduced to nothing but a cautionary tale.


    A few dayster, K sat on the edge of her seat, her manicured fingers tapping impatiently against her phone screen as she refreshed the news feed. Any moment now, she expected to see scathing headlines about Sadie, the rumors she and Vivi had so carefully nted taking root and spreading like wildfire.


    But the screen remained stubbornly quiet. Her brow furrowed as she scrolled¡ªnothing. No whispers of scandal, not even a hint of controversy. It was as if the rumors had evaporated into thin air, leaving no trace behind.


    Her stomach twisted with unease.


    This wasn¡¯t how it was supposed to go.


    By now, Sadie should have been drowning in condemnation, her career teetering on the edge of ruin.


    The sharp click of heels against the floor yanked her from her thoughts. Her assistant burst into the room, flustered and breathless.


    ¡°Miss Wade, something¡¯s wrong!¡±


    K turned, irritation shing across her face.


    ¡°Why are you panicking? Compose yourself.¡±


    The assistant swallowed hard.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s about Miss Hudson. The negative posts¡ªthey¡¯re gone! Wiped clean from the inte! And now¡­ now people are praising her.¡± The assistant¡¯s voice wavered. ¡°She¡¯s being hailed as a visionary designer, a woman of impable talent and integrity. Industry leaders are rallying around her!¡±


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 Chapter 373

    ?Chapter 373:


    K¡¯s blood turned to ice.


    ¡°What did you just say?¡± she demanded, her voice razor-sharp.


    The assistant held out a tablet, hands trembling. K snatched it and scanned the screen furiously.


    Sure enough, the smear campaign had vanished¡ªevery carefully ced whisper, every nted seed of doubt¡ªgone.


    In their ce were glowing endorsements for Sadie, professionals in the field voicing their unwavering support, calling her brilliant and inspirational.


    ¡°What the hell is going on?¡± she roared, the force of her rage rattling the air.


    The assistant flinched.


    ¡°I¡ªI don¡¯t know for certain, but¡­ it looks like Mr. Wall¡¯s team is behind this.¡±


    ¡°Noah?¡± K hissed, her expression twisting with fury. ¡°He actually helped her?¡± Her fingers curled around the tablet in a white-knuckled grip before she flung it to the floor. The screen shattered on impact, the sharp crack slicing through the tense silence.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe he¡¯s choosing Sadie over me!¡± K shouted in disbelief. Silently, the assistant bowed his head, too fearful to make anyment.


    K worked to soothe her own nerves.


    Meanwhile, within the CEO office of Wall Group, Noah was sitting at his desk, absorbed in a document, with a concerned look knitting his brow.


    ¡°Samuel, give me an update,¡± he said.


    Samuel stood before him, beginning, ¡°Mr. Wall, we¡¯ve effectively removed negative reports about Miss Hudson from the web. Public perception has turned favorable.¡±


    Noah¡¯s eyes flickered with a trace of satisfaction as he responded, ¡°Good.¡±


    Samuel hesitated slightly, then continued, ¡°There¡¯s another issue¡­ It appears the root of these rumors may be connected to Miss Wade.¡±


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    Noah¡¯s head snapped up.


    ¡°What did you say?¡±


    ¡°Numerous ounts behind the rumors trace back to the assistant of Miss Wade.¡±


    A shadow fell over Noah¡¯s face.


    ¡°K¡­¡±


    His tone was deep, with a dark edge.


    Setting aside the document he was reviewing, he sped his hands together and fixed his gaze on the investigation results on hisputer screen.


    ¡°ording to our findings, Miss Wade¡¯s assistant was involved, but it¡¯s likely that Miss Wade was the mastermind,¡± Samuel said, his forehead beading with sweat.


    Noah remained quiet, the room heavy with silence, as the air thickened with tension.


    ¡°Very well,¡± Noah eventually said. ¡°Have K oversee the project in Slimron.¡±


    Samuel blinked in surprise.


    ¡°Slimron?¡± Although the project was important, its location was notoriously challenging and isted. This looked like a punishment.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, about the project in Slimron¡­¡± Samuel began.


    Noah¡¯s gaze snapped to him sharply.


    ¡°What? Is there something wrong with my decision?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely not.¡± Samuel quickly bowed his head. ¡°I will handle it immediately.¡± He refrained from furtherment and exited the office promptly.


    Noah¡¯s decision was final, and any effort to change his mind seemed pointless. Back at K¡¯s luxurious home, the tension was clear.


    ¡°How can he treat me like this for her sake!¡± K seethed, her usually impable makeup doing little to conceal her rage.


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    ?Chapter 374:


    Her assistant stood silently, terrified to utter a word or even breathe too loudly, in case he became the target of her wrath.


    ¡°Prepare the car! I need to see him!¡± Kmanded sharply, snatching her purse and heading for the door.


    She was determined to confront Noah and demand answers for his decisions. Upon arrival at the Wall Group headquarters, K wasted no time and headed directly for the CEO¡¯s office.


    ¡°Miss Wade, entry is not permitted at this time!¡± A secretary guarded the office door resolutely.


    ¡°Step aside!¡± K shouted, pushing the secretary as she tried to get past.


    Surprised by K¡¯s forceful attempt, the secretary quickly barred her way again.


    ¡°Miss Wade, Mr. Wall is in a meeting. You cannot interrupt him now!¡±


    ¡°In a meeting?¡± K applied more force to her push. ¡°I need to see Noah immediately!¡±


    ¡°Please, Miss Wade, calm down¡­¡± The secretary, repeatedly pushed aside, showed a mix of anxiety and helplessness on her face.


    Just then, Samuel stepped out from the office, noticing themotion and frowning slightly.


    ¡°What seems to be the problem?¡± he asked, his voice deep andmanding.


    Grateful for the intervention, the secretary hurriedly exined to Samuel, ¡°Miss Wade is demanding to see Mr. Wall, but he¡¯s currently in an important meeting.¡±


    ¡°I need Noah toe out here now!¡± K demanded, gesturing emphatically towards the office door.


    Samuel responded, ¡°Miss Wade, it¡¯s impossible to see Mr. Wall at this time.¡±


    ¡°Impossible?¡± K scoffed. ¡°So he dismisses me for Sadie, and now he won¡¯t even meet me?¡±


    g ? ln¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s, your storytelling home


    K¡¯s voice grew louder and more agitated, drawing the attention of the employees nearby.


    ¡°Please mind your words, Miss Wade,¡± Samuel said, his expression darkening.


    ¡°Mr. Wall asked me to ry a message to you.¡±


    K¡¯s head jerked up, and her eyes lit up with hope.


    ¡°He did? What did he say?¡±


    Samuel took a deep breath and spoke slowly.


    ¡°Mr. Wall said that he hoped you would have the good sense to know where you stand.¡±


    The words struck K like a bolt of lightning from the sky. All the color drained from her face, and all her strength seemed to have left her body too, as she swayed slightly from side to side.


    ¡°Where I stand?¡± Was that his way of reminding her that he had chosen Sadie? No! She refused to ept it!


    ¡°Impossible!¡± she cried. ¡°He can¡¯t treat me like this! After all these years, how can he just cast me aside like this?¡±


    She made another attempt to rush into the office, but Samuel blocked her path.


    ¡°Miss Wade, please don¡¯t make this any more difficult for the both of us.¡±


    K finally crumpled to the floor. Tears streamed down her face, ruining her previously wless makeup. She looked utterly defeated.


    The employees loitering around began to whisper among themselves as they stared and pointed at her. Their reactions varied from curiosity to pity. Samuel himself wasn¡¯t sure what to feel upon seeing K in such a state.


    ¡°Let me have the secretary take you home, Miss Wade,¡± he offered.


    Instead of responding, K hugged her knees and curled into a trembling mess in the middle of the hallway. The murmurs around her grew louder.


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 Chapter 375

    ?Chapter 375:


    ¡°Look at Miss Wade, she¡¯s crying so hard.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, she used to have it all, you know. But now¡­¡±


    ¡°I heard that she and Mr. Wall were childhood sweethearts. They grew up together. Who would have thought¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shh! Keep it down! Don¡¯t let anyone else hear what you¡¯re about to say.¡± Theirments cut deep, humiliating K further.


    Tina lurked among the crowd, and she had seen everything unfold before her eyes. Needless to say, she was astonished by this turn of events.


    Her colleagues had told her that K was Noah¡¯s fianc¨¦e, and that they were to be married soon. But it was clear from K¡¯s outburst that that wasn¡¯t the case at all.


    Samuel turned to the secretary and gestured for her to help K up.


    ¡°Please, Miss Wade,¡± the secretary said cautiously.


    K still said nothing, but she allowed herself to be taken away from the top floor.


    As soon as she disappeared into the elevator, the busybodies gradually dispersed and returned to their desks.


    This included Tina, who immediately grabbed her phone and called Sadie.


    ¡°Hey, Sadie! Guess what just happened?¡± She sounded all too eager to share some fresh gossip.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Sadie said in a weary voice.


    ¡°We just saw K bawling her eyes out in front of Mr. Wall¡¯s office. He didn¡¯t even open the door! A secretary had to take her away.¡± Tina could barely contain her excitement as she recounted the event. There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line.


    ¡°What?¡± Sadie asked in obvious disbelief.


    ¡°She was crying so hard, her foundation turned into mud, and her mascara was running down her cheeks. Oh, oh! And everyone was watching, too! Apparently, Mr. Wall refused to see her and instructed Samuel to tell her to know where she stands.¡±


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    ¡°Know where she stands?¡± Sadie repeated with growing unease.


    ¡°Yes! Then my colleagues started talking about how they always thought K was Mr. Wall¡¯s fianc¨¦e. But now¡­¡± Tina lowered her voice before continuing, ¡°It looks like Mr. Wall never saw her that way.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s grip tightened around her phone. She couldn¡¯t bring herself to say anything at the moment.


    ¡°Sadie, are you still there?¡± Tina prompted. ¡°Did you hear what I just said?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± Sadie said, snapping back to the present.


    Tina chattered away for a while longer, then they hung up.


    Sadie put her phone down and gazed out the window, looking lost and confused.


    Had Noah really treated K like that?


    She was the woman he used to cherish and protect with everything he had.


    How could he be so cold to her now?


    Sadie couldn¡¯t quite wrap her head around it.


    What was going on inside Noah¡¯s head?


    Sadie¡¯s mind was swirling with unanswered questions that refused to go away. It was like a thick fog had descended over her, clouding her vision. She couldn¡¯t understand Noah¡¯s heart.


    Soon, she became overwhelmed, struggling to breathe properly.


    She shut her eyes and told herself to calm down.


    Her office door suddenly opened, and Nte walked in.


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 Chapter 376

    ?Chapter 376:


    ¡°Sadie, I¡¯m almost done with the revisions for the Lawrence Group¡¯s design drafts. Can you take a look and see if there¡¯s anything else that needs adjusting?¡±


    Just like that, the suffocating weight of Sadie¡¯s chaotic thoughts was broken.


    Sadie inhaled deeply, doing her best to maintainposure.


    ¡°Okay, let me see,¡± she said with a forced smile.


    Nte passed her the design sketches, her eyes lingering on Sadie¡¯s unusually pale face.


    ¡°Are you alright? You don¡¯t look well.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Probably just didn¡¯t get enough sleep,¡± Sadie replied, avoiding Nte¡¯s gaze and beginning to study the sketches.


    ¡°Make sure you rest. Nothing is more important than your well-being,¡± Nte advised with genuine concern.


    ¡°Yeah, I know,¡± Sadie replied absentmindedly, her mind far from the papers in front of her.


    ¡°Oh, by the way, Sadie.¡± Nte suddenly remembered something and spoke excitedly. ¡°Have you noticed? All the bad press about our studio is gone!¡±


    Sadie¡¯s fingers froze. Her attention shifted from the sketches to Nte¡¯s face.


    ¡°Gone?¡± she murmured, her voice hoarse, almost as if she were talking to herself.


    Nte nodded enthusiastically. ¡°Yeah! I checked this morning. Every single post andmentpletely wiped out, like they never existed.¡±


    A heavy feeling settled in Sadie¡¯s chest, unease creeping up her spine.


    That level of erasure wasn¡¯t natural.


    Someone was behind this.


    But who? Her thoughts immediatelynded on one name¡ªNoah.


    Once the idea took root, it refused to leave.


    Her breathing grew uneven, palms mmy with sweat.


    If Noah was responsible, what was his motive? Was he trying to protect her? Or did he have an entirely different reason?


    She shook the thought away and forced herself to focus on the sketches.


    ¡°Alright, I see.¡±


    Flipping through the pages quickly, Sadie skimmed over the details without truly absorbing them.


    Clearing her throat, Sadie returned the drafts to Nte and said, ¡°These revisions work. Let¡¯s proceed with them.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡± Nte epted them, then added, ¡°You should head home early. You need rest.¡±


    ¡°You too,¡± Sadie replied, struggling to sound normal.


    As soon as Nte left, Sadie leaned back in her chair, shutting her eyes. After a long pause, she opened them and nced at her phone to check the time.


    The workday was far from over, but she couldn¡¯t stay any longer.


    Grabbing her bag, she rose to her feet and left the office, her steps unsteady.


    Meanwhile, K and Vivi were talking on the phone.


    ¡°K, you¡¯re pathetic!¡± Vivi¡¯s voice crackled through the phone, dripping with mockery. ¡°Slimron? That¡¯s all you amounted to?¡±


    K¡¯s grip on her phone tightened, nails digging into her palm. ¡°Vivi, knock it off! The project in Slimron may not be on the same level as those here, but it¡¯s still a key assignment for Wall Group. Noah entrusted me with this challenge to train me!¡±


    ¡°Train you?¡± Vivi scoffed. ¡°He dumped you in a deste town, and you¡¯re actually grateful? You¡¯re so blinded by your feelings for Noah that you can¡¯t even see what¡¯s right in front of you! He sent you away because he¡¯s done with you.¡±


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 Chapter 377

    ?Chapter 377:


    K¡¯splexion drained, her lips turning pale.


    She wanted to dismiss Vivi¡¯s words, but deep down, she knew there was some truth to them.


    ¡°Vivi,¡± her voice trembled. She was unable to form a coherent thought.


    ¡°What?¡± Vivi pressed on, relentless in her verbal attack. ¡°Do you still think you¡¯re influential? Look at you now¡ªyou¡¯re nothing! Noah doesn¡¯t care about you anymore. To him, you don¡¯t even exist!¡±


    K¡¯s tears finally spilled over.


    Vivi listened to the muffled sobs on the other end, unmoved. Instead of pity, she felt an odd sense of triumph.


    ¡°What¡¯s the point of crying? Do you think that will bring Noah back?¡± Vivi spat. ¡°I suggest youe to terms with reality. Noah no longer belongs to you. Even if you cry yourself blind, it won¡¯t change a thing.¡±


    As K¡¯s sobs echoed through the line, Vivi¡¯s mind started working.


    Teaming up with K offered no advantages.


    The woman was unraveling, too unstable to be useful.


    If she could secure a job at Wall Group and find a way to win Noah over, everything would shift in her favor.


    A cunning smile yed on Vivi¡¯s lips as the idea took shape.


    ¡°Enough with the tears,¡± she suddenly said, her voice gentler. ¡°Not all hope is lost.¡±


    K sniffled, slowly regainingposure.


    ¡°Really?¡± she whispered, her voice raw. ¡°You¡¯ll help me?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Vivi assured her smoothly.


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    ¡°K, do you know Noah well?¡± Vivi¡¯s voice was soft, almost coaxing,ced with subtle intent. ¡°I mean¡­ what does he like? What does he hate?¡±


    K hesitated. For a moment, uncertainty flickered across her face before she exhaled, allowing years of carefully gathered knowledge to spill out. Every preference, every pet peeve¡ªsheid them bare, as though offering up Noah¡¯s world.


    Vivi listened, nodding thoughtfully, her responses measured, her mind filtering through what was useful and what was irrelevant.


    Then, just as K¡¯s voice wavered, Vivi¡¯s lips curled into a slow, knowing smile.


    ¡°Alright, enough with the tears.¡± Her tone remained gentle, yet a dangerous undercurrent ran beneath it. ¡°I¡¯ll help you. Don¡¯t worry¡ªI¡¯ll make sure you get Noah back.¡±


    As soon as the call ended, the warmth in Vivi¡¯s expression vanished like a fleeting illusion.


    ¡°K, you really are a fool,¡± Vivi sighed, barely suppressing her disdain. Then, with a calcted air, she dialed another number.


    ¡°Hello. Can you check Noah Wall¡¯s schedule for tonight?¡±


    After a while, Vivi ended the call, her lips curling ever so slightly.


    ¡°Mountmend Manor¡­ a charity g¡­ I see.¡± A flicker of determination lit her eyes as she whispered to herself, ¡°Seems like tonight is the perfect opportunity.¡±


    With quiet deliberation, she made her way to her wardrobe, letting her gaze sweep over an array of exquisite gowns. After a moment¡¯s contemtion, she reached for a champagne-colored dress.


    The fabric draped over her curves like liquid gold, wlessly tailored to entuate every contour of her frame. Its soft hueplemented her porcin skin, exuding both grace and allure.


    Turning to her vanity, Vivi applied her makeup with practiced precision¡ªher eyes lined just enough to captivate, her lips painted a subtle yet enticing shade. With a delicate touch, she twisted her long hair into an elegant updo, leaving just enough strands loose to frame her face in effortless sophistication, Vivi admired her reflection in the mirror. As the finishing touch, she reached for a bottle of perfume, letting a mist of refreshing fragrance settle over her skin.


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 Chapter 378

    ?Chapter 378:


    Satisfied, she studied her reflection, tilting her head slightly as a slow, knowing smile spread across her lips. ¡°Noah, tonight, you will definitely notice me.¡±


    Meanwhile, across town, Sadie pushed open the doors of Myrtlewood Estate, instantly enveloped by the familiar,forting scent of home-cooked dishes. From the kitchen, Laura emerged, an apron tied neatly around her waist, carrying a steaming bowl of soup. A gentle smile softened her features.


    ¡°You¡¯re home, Sadie. You must be exhausted,¡± she said, setting the bowl down with care. ¡°Come, have some soup. I made your favorite.¡±


    Sadie took the bowl in her hands, its warmth seeping through her fingertips. She lifted the spoon and took a small sip, letting the rich, velvety vor settle on her tongue.


    ¡°Grandma, you didn¡¯t have to cook again,¡± Sadie said, setting the bowl down with a sigh, her voiceced with exhaustion. ¡°I could¡¯ve just grabbed something simple.¡±


    Laura clicked her tongue, her warm eyes filled with quiet reproach. ¡°You silly child. No matter how busy work gets, your health should alwayse first.¡± She reached out, gently cupping Sadie¡¯s face, her touch soft yet firm. ¡°Look at you¡ªyou¡¯ve lost so much weight.¡±


    Sadie offered a tired smile. Before she could protest, Laura continued, ¡°Oh, that reminds me¡ªNoah¡¯s back. He should be in the study.¡±


    The wordsnded like a stone in still water, sending ripples through Sadie¡¯s thoughts.


    ¡°He¡¯s¡­ back?¡±


    Laura nodded, her tone light. ¡°Yes, just a little while ago. He¡¯s probably drowning in work again.¡± She gestured toward another steaming bowl. ¡°Take this to him, will you? The man needs to eat.¡±


    A beat of silence passed before Sadie drew in a quiet breath and nodded.


    ¡°Alright.¡±


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    She turned, steadying herself before stepping toward the study.


    The door stood slightly ajar, a sliver of light spilling into the dim hallway. Sadie paused, her heartbeat a quiet drum against her ribs, before she gently nudged the door open.


    Inside, Noah sat at his desk, his attention fixed on the glow of hisptop screen. The light cast sharp shadows along the nes of his face, entuating the strong, chiseled angles.


    His dark gray shirt clung to his broad frame, sleeves pushed up just enough to reveal the sculpted lines of his forearms.


    The creak of the door broke the silence.


    His gaze lifted.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Noah¡¯s voice was cool, devoid of warmth.


    Sadie stepped forward, cing the bowl gently on his desk.


    ¡°Grandma made soup. She asked me to bring it to you.¡± Her tone was soft, almost hesitant, as though she was afraid of disturbing him.


    Noah¡¯s gaze flickered to the bowl, then back to her. For a fleeting moment, something unspoken passed through his eyes¡ªsomething unreadable.


    ¡°Just leave it.¡± His attention dropped back to hisptop, fingers poised over the keyboard.


    The air in the study grew heavier. Sadie shifted on her feet, searching for something to say.


    ¡°How was your day?¡± The question formed in her mind but felt pointless¡ªlike a bridge too fragile to cross.


    She exhaled lightly, her voice quiet. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll just leave you to it.¡± She turned toward the door.


    ¡°Hold on.¡± Noah¡¯s voice stopped her mid-step.


    She turned back, meeting his gaze.


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    ¡°Where¡¯s Averi?¡±


    ¡°He¡­ went to Slimron for an educational trip. He¡¯ll be away for a few days.¡±


    Noah gave a small nod. He said nothing more.


    Noah reached for an exquisite box on the desk, its surface gleaming under the soft light. He held it out to Sadie, his movements deliberate yet effortless.


    ¡°There¡¯s a charity event tonight,¡± he said, his voice low and steady. ¡°I¡¯d like you toe with me.¡±


    Sadie froze, her eyes darting between the box and Noah¡¯s impassive face.


    ¡°Me?¡± she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She pointed at herself to confirm he wasn¡¯t mistaken. The idea seemed absurd, almost surreal.


    Noah gave a slight nod, his expression unreadable, but his tone left no room for argument.


    ¡°Yes. I need a date.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s first instinct was to refuse. But then, Nte¡¯s words echoed in her mind, a reminder of what Noah had done for her and her studio.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Sadie heard herself say, the word escaping before she could second-guess it.


    Her heart skipped a beat as she reached for the box, her fingers brushing against the plush velvet, a strange mix of anticipation and unease swirling in her chest.


    Noah¡¯s eyes lingered on her, dark and inscrutable, as if he were trying to decipher something Sadie herself couldn¡¯t quite understand.


    ¡°We¡¯ll leave at seven,¡± Noah said, his tone final. Without another word, he lowered his head, his attention shifting back to the glowing screen of hisptop. Sadie left the study, clutching the box in her hands.


    Once back in her room, she carefully opened it, revealing a breathtaking deep blue evening gown. Tiny crystals were scattered across the fabric, catching the light like stars scattered across a midnight sky. Her heart quickened as her fingers glided over the smooth, luxurious material, and a flutter of anticipation and nervousness stirred in her chest.


    Time seemed to slip away as Sadie prepared herself. She slipped into the gown, the fabric draping perfectly over her figure as though it had been made just for her. Standing in front of the mirror, she carefully styled her hair and applied a touch of makeup, her hands trembling slightly with nervous anticipation.


    Your escape begins at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s


    At precisely seven o¡¯clock, there was a knock at her door.


    Sadie took a deep breath, steadying herself, before she walked toward the door.


    When she opened the door, Noah stood there, looking every bit the picture of distinction in a sharp ck suit. His gaze immediately locked on her, and for a brief moment, she saw something like admiration sh in his eyes¡ªsomething deeper than simple politeness. The starry gown she wore only seemed to enhance her natural elegance, the crystals catching the light in a way that made her appear almost otherworldly.


    ¡°You look stunning,¡± Noah said, his voice warm and sincere.


    Sadie¡¯s cheeks flushed, and she lowered her gaze momentarily. Her heart fluttered in response to thepliment, and she whispered softly, ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Noah extended his arm with a subtle, inviting gesture. ¡°Shall we?¡±


    Sadie hesitated for the briefest moment, her heart pounding in her chest. Then, with a small nod, she ced her hand gently on his arm, her touch light but deliberate.


    Together, they walked out of the vi, the night air cool and crisp around them. The chauffeur stood beside the sleek car, its engine humming softly, ready to carry them.


    The car ride was charged with an undercurrent of tension.


    Sadie couldn¡¯t help but steal asional nces at Noah, who sat beside her, his demeanor asposed as ever. His face revealed nothing, and his thoughts were inscrutable, like the darkening night outside the window.


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 Chapter 380

    ?Chapter 380:


    ¡°Feeling a little nervous?¡± Noah¡¯s voice broke the stillness, his tone light.


    Sadie hesitated for a moment before nodding. ¡°A little,¡± she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Noah¡¯s lips quirked slightly, a reassuring smile ying at the corners. ¡°Rx. I¡¯m with you.¡±


    Sadie nodded, trying to steady her racing heart. Outside the window, the city blurred into a mix of lights and shadows, but inside, her mind swirled with uncertainty.


    When they arrived at Mountmend Manor, the venue¡¯s grandeur took Sadie¡¯s breath away. The manor was a vision of elegance, its towering facade illuminated by soft golden lights. Inside, the banquet hall was a dazzling spectacle of chandeliers, flowing gowns, and the low murmur of polished conversation. Sadie stepped inside, her arm linked with Noah¡¯s. She could feel the weight of curious nces, some admiring and others spective, as they made their way through the crowd.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, it¡¯s been quite some time.¡± A woman in an extravagant gown greeted Noah, her smile warm but calcted.


    ¡°Indeed, Ms. Lindsay,¡± Noah responded politely.


    Maria Lindsay turned her attention to Sadie, her gaze sharp with curiosity. ¡°And who might this be?¡± she asked, her tone revealing a keen interest.


    Noah looked at Sadie for a moment before answering. ¡°This is my wife, Sadie,¡± he said with quiet finality, his words deliberate and calm.


    The words hit Sadie like a thunderp, leaving her momentarily frozen. Her mind went nk, and her breath caught in her throat.


    My wife¡­ The phrase echoed in Sadie¡¯s ears, each syble reverberating through her chest like a heavy hammer.


    Maria¡¯s smile faltered briefly, a shadow crossing her face before she quickly recovered, her expression brightening even further.


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    ¡°Ah, so this is Mrs. Wall,¡± she said, her voice dripping with forced sweetness. ¡°A pleasure to meet you! Mrs. Wall, you truly have an extraordinary presence. You and Mr. Wall make quite the pair.¡±


    The words hung in the air, and Sadie could feel the room¡¯s attention shifting toward her. Whispers rippled through the crowd, and the guests exchanged nces, their curiosity palpable. Sadie¡¯s grip tightened on her small clutch, her knuckles turning white as she fought to maintain herposure. She felt like a deer caught in headlights, exposed and vulnerable under the scrutiny of so many eyes.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, you¡¯re truly fortunate to have such a beautiful wife,¡± a man in a tailored suit remarked as he approached, raising his ss in a toast to Noah.


    Noah offered a faint smile, raising his ss in acknowledgment. ¡°Thank you,¡± he replied, his tone calm and unbothered. He offered no further exnation, nor did he nce at Sadie to gauge her reaction. It was as though his earlier deration had been nothing more than a casual remark.


    For the rest of the evening, Sadie felt like a marite, mechanically following Noah¡¯s lead as they mingled with the guests. She forced herself to smile, her lips stretching into a gesture she hoped looked natural. But the stiffness in her shoulders and the tightening of her chest betrayed her inner disquiet. The unease gnawed at her, a constant undercurrent beneath the facade she desperately tried to maintain.


    A woman, her gown sparkling in the light, leaned in with a curious glint in her eyes. ¡°Mrs. Wall, that ring you¡¯re wearing is simply stunning,¡± she remarked, her voiceced with intrigue. She reached for Sadie¡¯s hand, drawing it closer for a better look. ¡°Did Mr. Wall give it to you?¡±


    Sadie instinctively wanted to pull her hand back, but the woman¡¯s grip was firm, her fingers cold against Sadie¡¯s skin.


    ¡°I bought it myself,¡± Sadie replied, her voice steady despite the difort.


    ¡°Really?¡± The woman¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°Mrs. Wall, you have exquisite taste. This ring may seem simple at first nce, but there¡¯s a unique elegance to it.¡±


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 Chapter 381

    ?Chapter 381:


    The woman remained oblivious to Sadie¡¯s difort, continuing to gush over the ring with unrelenting enthusiasm.


    Sadie could only muster a wry smile, choosing silence over an unnecessary response.


    Then, a familiar voice cut through the air. ¡°Sadie,e here for a moment.¡± Noah¡¯s voice. Relief washed over Sadie like a breath of fresh air. Without hesitation, she turned and quickly made her way toward him.


    ¡°What is it?¡± she asked, her voice quieter now that she was standing beside him.


    ¡°Eva¡¯s here. Let¡¯s go say hello.¡±


    It was only then that Sadie noticed the striking woman in a crimson gown standing nearby. Eva Shaw.


    The deep red of her dress clung effortlessly to her figure, the rich waves of her hair cascading over her shoulders. Her lips, painted a bold scarlet, curled into a knowing smile.


    Sadie straightened herself and approached with practiced grace. ¡°Ms. Shaw, it¡¯s a pleasure to see you.¡±


    ¡°Oh my! If it isn¡¯t Sadie, the brilliant designer!¡± Eva said, pulling her into a light embrace. ¡°You look absolutely breathtaking tonight, darling.¡± As she pulled back, her gaze flitted yfully between Sadie and Noah, the corners of her lips curving into something unreadable¡ªhalf amusement, half intrigue.


    ¡°And Mr. Wall¡­¡± She smirked, tilting her head slightly. ¡°You look exceptionally dashing tonight.¡±


    Noah responded with a faint, unreadable smile, offering no words in return.


    Eva¡¯s eyes sparkled with mischief. ¡°My, my¡­ You two standing together like this¡ªit¡¯s almost unfair.¡± She let out a teasing sigh. ¡°Such a perfect pair. A picture of elegance, really.¡±


    Sadie wasn¡¯t sure if she wanted to acknowledge them¡ªor pretend she hadn¡¯t heard them at all.


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    Eva, ever perceptive, raised her champagne flute in a casual toast, her gaze flitting mischievously between Sadie and Noah. A knowing smile yed on her lips, brimming with amusement.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, no matter how much I pried before, you never gave anything away. Turns out, you¡¯ve been keeping a secret all this time.¡± She took anguid sip of her champagne, the teasing lilt in her voice unmistakable. ¡°Finally decided to bring her out and introduce her to the world, huh?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s blush deepened. She shifted ufortably, tugging lightly at the fabric of her dress as if it could somehow shield her from the attention.


    A fleeting nce at Noah offered no relief¡ªhis expression remained infuriatinglyposed.


    Then, unexpectedly, his gaze flicked toward the ss in Eva¡¯s hand, his tone effortlessly smooth. ¡°I¡¯ve heard you¡¯ve taken quite a liking to Enrique Craig.¡±


    Eva¡¯s confident demeanor faltered. Her fingers tensed around the delicate stem of her ss, the champagne inside wobbling precariously.


    Her eyes widened, the yful sparkle in them momentarily reced by shock. ¡°How¡­ how did you know?¡±


    Noah didn¡¯t answer. He merely lifted an eyebrow, a faint, knowing smirk curling his lips.


    Eva¡¯s throat bobbed as she cleared it, quickly regaining herposure. She exhaled, waving a dismissive hand before changing the subject. ¡°Sadie, darling, your ne is lovely! Where did you get it?¡±


    Before Sadie could respond, a waiter rushed past, bncing a tray of wine sses.


    Perhaps due to nerves¡ªor sheer bad luck¡ªhis hand trembled, and the tray tipped just enough to send a ss of deep red wine tumbling.


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 Chapter 382

    ?Chapter 382:


    Time seemed to slow as the liquid sshed across Noah¡¯s crisp white shirt.


    ¡°Oh no, Mr. Wall! I¡ªI didn¡¯t mean to!¡± The waiter¡¯s face turned ghostly pale, his voice frantic as he fumbled for words. ¡°I¡¯m terribly sorry!¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression darkened as he attempted to brush away the deep red stain, only for it to smear further across the white fabric.


    Before he could say anything, the event manager rushed over, his toneced with urgency. ¡°Mr. Wall, I sincerely apologize for this mishap. Please, allow me to escort you to the lounge so you can change.¡±


    Noah exhaled slowly, annoyance flickering across his features. Then, with a brief nce at Sadie, he gave a small nod. ¡°I won¡¯t be long,¡± he muttered.


    Sadie nodded back, watching as he strode away, a strange unease settling in her chest.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, what an unexpected pleasure.¡± A poised, melodic voice drifted through the air.


    Sadie turned to see a striking woman approaching, her gown a cascade of shimmering fabric that caught the light with every measured step. There was an effortless grace to her.


    Sadie offered a polite smile. ¡°Good evening, Mrs. Lawrence.¡± It was Leanna, the wife of the Lawrence Group¡¯s CEO.


    Leanna¡¯s crimson lips curved slightly, amusement dancing in her eyes. ¡°Your designs left quite the impression on me thest time we met.¡± She tilted her head slightly, studying Sadie with quiet intrigue. ¡°And now, fate brings us together again. How delightful.¡±


    Sadie met her gaze, poised andposed. ¡°That¡¯s very kind of you to say, Mrs. Lawrence. I appreciate it.¡±


    ¡°Your designs have such a distinct spirit¡ªelegant yet undeniably bold,¡± Leanna mused, her gaze appraising. ¡°I truly admire young designers with a vision as unique as yours.¡±


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    Sadie smiled politely. ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Lawrence.¡±


    Yet, even as she responded, her mind was elsewhere¡ªon Noah. It was just a simple matter of changing clothes, nothing worth overthinking. And yet, unease curled in her chest.


    ¡°I love the Ten Year Promise collection you designed so much,¡± Leanna continued, tilting her head slightly. ¡°If you¡¯re avable, I¡¯d love the opportunity to discuss your creative process in more depth.¡±


    Sadie met her gaze with aposed nod. ¡°Of course, Mrs. Lawrence. It would be an honor.¡±


    The hall shimmered under the golden glow of chandeliers, the hum of lively conversation and the delicate clinking of sses weaving through the air like a melody.


    Eva caught the flicker of unease on Sadie¡¯s face. With a quick sip of champagne, she quipped, ¡°Why is Mr. Wall taking so long to change? Did he lose his way?¡±


    Sadie managed a forced smile. ¡°I doubt it. He¡¯s with the manager.¡±


    Eva ced her ss down and grasped Sadie¡¯s hand. ¡°Let¡¯s go check. Perhaps we can assist!¡± Her eyes sparkled with yful mischief.


    Before Sadie could protest, Eva was already leading her toward the lounge.


    Inside, Noah, with his wine-stained shirt removed, revealed a toned chest. He reached for a clean shirt on the hanger.


    Just then, the door burst open.


    Vivi appeared at the threshold, a look of feigned surprise on her face. ¡°Mr. Wall? What are you doing here?¡±


    Noah paused, frowning slightly. He recognized her¡ªit was Vivi, whom he had met before at the Starlight G.


    Vivi sped her hand over her mouth, feigning shock. ¡°Oh! I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Wall, I must have entered the wrong room!¡±


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 Chapter 383

    ?Chapter 383:


    Yet, she made no move to leave, stepping further into the room, her eyes boldly scanning Noah.


    ¡°It was such a pleasure to meet you at the Starlight G. I didn¡¯t expect our paths to cross again,¡± she cooed, her voice dripping with sharine sweetness.


    Noah gave her a frosty look, his voice icy. ¡°I don¡¯t recall that.¡± He continued dressing, disregarding Vivi¡¯s flirty demeanor.


    Her smile stiffened as she felt a surge of resentment. She hadn¡¯t anticipated such indifference, himpletely ignoring her presence.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, your memory seems quite selective.¡± Vivi pressed on, masking her irritation. ¡°I¡¯m Vivi from the Quinn family, and the chief designer of Majestic Ego.¡±


    Noah finished buttoning his shirt and met her gaze, his patience wearing thin. ¡°Is there something you want?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ nothing really.¡± Vivi felt a pang of guilt under Noah¡¯s scrutinizing gaze but refused to back down. ¡°I just wanted to say hello. It¡¯s fate that we meet here.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe in fate,¡± Noah replied coldly, turning and walking towards the bathroom to freshen up.


    Vivi¡¯s face paled, then flushed with embarrassment.


    Just then, the lounge door swung open again.


    ¡°Noah, why are you taking so long to change¡ª¡± Eva¡¯s voice halted abruptly when she saw Vivi in the room.


    Behind Eva, Sadie entered, her heart dropping at the scene.


    Vivi, caught off guard by their presence, quickly masked her panic.


    ¡°Ms. Shaw, Sadie, hello,¡± Vivi eximed, feigning surprise.


    Eva gave Vivi a knowing smile, her voice dripping with insinuation. ¡°Hello, Miss Quinn, what a coincidence.¡±


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    ¡°I must have entered the wrong room,¡± Vivi stammered, her face stiffening. She knew Eva was a formidable presence and wanted to sidestep any conflict.


    ¡°Oh? Really?¡± Eva raised an eyebrow. ¡°This lounge is reserved for Noah. How could you have made such a mistake?¡±


    Caught off guard, Vivi struggled to find an excuse.


    Noah stepped out of the bathroom, immediately sensing the tension in the room, his frown deepening.


    Sadie felt a suffocating pressure in her chest, standing motionless.


    She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms, yet she felt no pain.


    Vivi noticed Sadie¡¯s distress and allowed a slight smirk to cross her face.


    She cast a flirtatious look at Noah, her voice soft. ¡°Mr. Wall, I¡¯ll be leaving now.¡± With that, she turned and sashayed out of the lounge, her high heels clicking against the floor.


    Eva nced at Sadie and Noah, her eyes sparkling with yful amusement. ¡°Oh dear, young people are always so impulsive. I¡¯m just an old-timer, so I¡¯ll leave you to it.¡±


    With a graceful turn, she gently closed the door behind her, leaving Sadie and Noah alone.


    The lounge was now thick with an awkward and tense atmosphere, so stifling it was hard to breathe.


    Sadie bit her lip, striving to maintain herposure.


    She reminded herself that she and Noah were on the brink of divorce.


    None of this should matter anymore. Taking a deep breath, she turned to leave. But in the next instant, a strong hand sped her wrist tightly and pulled her back. Her back hit the door with a thud.


    ¡°Noah, what are you doing?¡± Sadie eximed, struggling to free herself.


    Noah remained silent, instead leaning in to capture her lips in a forceful kiss. It was a dominant and intense kiss, charged with pent-up anger and unspoken feelings.


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 Chapter 384

    ?Chapter 384:


    Sadie¡¯s mind reeled. She pushed against him, but he was immovable. His presence was overwhelming, leaving her breathless and unable to think clearly.


    Gradually, her resistance waned. She closed her eyes, yielding to the intensity of his embrace.


    After a prolonged moment, Noah finally let her go, his gaze intense and his breathing heavy.


    Sadie¡¯s lips felt tender, her breathing ragged, her eyes wide with confusion.


    ¡°Noah¡­¡± She started to speak, but he cut her off.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask?¡± Noah¡¯s voice was low and raspy.


    Confused, Sadie paused, unsure of his meaning.


    ¡°Vivi.¡±


    Noah¡¯s voice was low and rough,ced with something unspoken¡ªan emotion buried deep, restrained yet unmistakable.


    Sadie snapped back to the present, suppressing the whirlwind inside her. ¡°Mr. Wall, what does your affair with Miss Quinn have to do with me?¡±


    The words were delivered with a chilling detachment, but beneath them, she held tightly onto the unraveling threads of her emotions. Vivi. Or anyone else. It had nothing to do with her.


    Noah¡¯s expression darkened. This wasn¡¯t the reaction he had expected. He had braced himself for anger, for usations, for the fire that once red in her eyes three years ago.


    His jaw tightened as he studied her face, searching for something¡ªanything¡ªbeneath thatposed mask. But there was nothing.


    ¡°Sadie.¡± Her name slipped from his lips, quieter this time. ¡°Do you really not care?¡±


    ¡°Care?¡± Sadie tilted her head slightly, her lips curling into something dangerously close to mockery. ¡°And why would I?¡± She held his gaze, unwavering. ¡°Should I concern myself with your fleeting indulgences, Mr. Wall?¡± Her voice was velvety smooth, but her words were razor-sharp. ¡°Or your feelings?¡±


    Noah¡¯s breath hitched for half a second¡ªjust long enough for her to notice. Before he could respond, there was a knock on the door.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, the charity auction is about to begin. Will you and Mrs. Wall be taking your seats now?¡± The manager¡¯s voice,ced with careful deference, drifted from outside the lounge.


    Sadie seized the moment like a lifeline. Without hesitation, she stepped past Noah, pushing the door open with a sense of urgency. ¡°We¡¯re heading over now,¡± she responded smoothly.


    Noah remained where he stood for a moment, watching her slip away from him like sand through his fingers. A quiet ache settled in his chest¡ªa weight he couldn¡¯t quite define.


    He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair before following her out.


    As they stepped into the grand banquet hall, the air seemed to shift. Eyes turned toward them instantly, conversations dimming under the weight of their presence.


    Across the room, Eva lounged in her seat, swirling her champagne with a knowing smirk. Her gaze flickered between them, amusement dancing in her eyes.


    Ah, now this was getting interesting.


    Meanwhile, Vivi sat rigid, her nails digging into her palms.


    She had just found out that Sadie was actually Noah¡¯s wife.


    For three years, women had flitted in and out of Noah¡¯s orbit. Some lingering, most forgotten. But never¡ªnever¡ªhad Vivi heard a whisper of him being married.


    The buzz of excitement swirled through the elegantly dressed guests as bids were ced one after another.


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 Chapter 385

    ?Chapter 385:


    Sadie absently flipped through the auction catalog, her mind elsewhere¡ªuntil her fingers froze mid-turn.


    Staring back at her from the glossy page was an image of a vintage string of beads¡ªintricately carved, uniquely designed.


    A piece unlike any other.


    Her pulse quickened.


    A sharp tremor ran through her fingertips as she traced the photo in disbelief. It had belonged to her mother. The very string of beads that had disappeared with her all those years ago.


    Sadie had scoured everywhere, searched endlessly¡ªbut the string had vanished without a trace. She had long abandoned the hope of ever seeing it again.


    And yet, here it was. On disy. For sale.


    Her chest tightened, a flood of emotions crashing over her¡ªshock, disbelief, and an ache so deep it nearly stole her breath.


    Noah, ever observant, noticed the shift in her demeanor. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Sadie inhaled sharply, forcing herself to steady her racing heart. She pointed to the image, her voice barely above a whisper and trembling with restrained emotion. ¡°This string of beads¡­ It belonged to my mother.¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression darkened slightly as he followed her gaze to the catalog. His brow furrowed. ¡°Are you certain?¡±


    ¡°Without a doubt. My mother carved this herself. I would never mistake it.¡±


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    The auctioneer¡¯s voice rang out across the hall, smooth andmanding.


    ¡°Starting bid, 500 thousand.¡±


    Sadie barely hesitated. ¡°One million.¡±


    A collective murmur spread through the room, surprised gasps punctuating the air.


    One million¡ªfor a simple string of beads? It wasn¡¯t an antique, nor a piece of fine jewelry. And yet, Sadie had doubled the starting bid in an instant. Because for her, this was more than just an auction item.


    It was a clue to the mother she had spent years searching for.


    But just as the auctioneer was about to speak, a slow, sharine voice chimed in. ¡°One million one hundred thousand.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s gaze snapped toward the voice. Vivi?


    Amusement flickered in Vivi¡¯s eyes, her red lips curving into a knowing smirk. ¡°Sadie, it seems you are also quite interested in this item.¡±


    Sadie met her gaze head-on, her expression unshaken. ¡°This string of beads holds great significance for me.¡±


    Vivi let out a quiet chuckle, tilting her head. ¡°Oh? What a coincidence.¡± She tapped her paddle lightly against her fingertips. ¡°I¡¯ve suddenly decided I must have it as well.¡±


    ¡°One million five hundred thousand.¡± Sadie¡¯s grip tightened around her paddle.


    But Vivi arched an eyebrow, her smirk deepening. ¡°One million six hundred thousand.¡±


    ¡°One million seven hundred thousand.¡± Sadie¡¯s voice quavered slightly.


    ¡°One million eight hundred thousand,¡± Vivi countered with a sneer of disdain. As Sadie inhaled, preparing to bid again, arge hand pressed her paddle down.


    Turning, she met Noah¡¯s intense gaze.


    ¡°Two million,¡± he stated calmly, his voice resonating with authority.


    A murmur of astonishment rippled through the room.


    Two million for a string of beads of dubious authenticity was nothing short of madness.


    Vivi¡¯s face twisted with surprise; she hadn¡¯t anticipated Noah¡¯s involvement.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, what is the meaning of this?¡± she demanded.


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 Chapter 386

    ?Chapter 386:


    Noah ignored her, his eyes softening as he looked at Sadie. ¡°If you like it, we should get it.¡±


    A wave of warmth flooded Sadie, her heart fluttering with gratitude.


    Noah was clearly supporting her.


    Vivi¡¯s expression darkened, her hands balling into fists, nails digging into her palms.


    ¡°Two million one hundred thousand!¡± she spat, teeth clenched.


    Noah regarded her with cool detachment. ¡°Two million five hundred thousand.¡±


    Vivi gasped, unprepared for his unwavering determination. Her eyes shot daggers at Sadie, brimming with poisonous jealousy.


    What made Sadie so special?


    ¡°Two million six hundred thousand!¡± Vivi yelled, bordering on hysteria.


    ¡°Three million,¡± Noah replied, his tone as calm as ever.


    A hush descended upon the hall.


    Three million far exceeded the item¡¯s true value.


    Vivi¡¯splexion nched; she was outmatched.


    Dejected, she slumped in defeat as Noah clinched the auction at three million.


    The auctioneer¡¯s gavel sounded, finalizing the purchase.


    Noah turned to Sadie, his smile gentle. ¡°How do you like it?¡±


    Tears shimmered in Sadie¡¯s eyes as she nodded emphatically. ¡°I love it.¡±


    Noah carefully put the string of beads on her wrist, his touch tender. ¡°It suits you perfectly.¡±


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    Vivi observed the tender scene, her jealousy boiling over.


    With a harsh scrape of her chair, she stood and stormed out of the banquet hall.


    Noah¡¯s phone vibrated, shattering the quiet of the room.


    He nced at the caller ID, his eyebrows knitting together.


    Leaning toward Sadie, he murmured, ¡°I need to take this call.¡± Stepping away, he answered with a firm voice.


    Watching him move away, Sadie felt a stir of unease.


    She gripped the bead string, her fingertips turning cold.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Noah¡¯s tone was terse,ced with impatience.


    The voice on the other end sounded rushed, reporting something urgent.


    Noah¡¯s face hardened as he listened.


    ¡°I understand,¡± he responded coolly, ¡°I¡¯ll be there shortly.¡± After hanging up, Noah turned back to Sadie.


    ¡°There¡¯s an urgent issue at thepany,¡± he exined. ¡°I have to leave.¡±


    Sadie paused momentarily before nodding. ¡°It¡¯ste. Be careful on the road,¡± she said, her voice carrying a trace of concern.


    Noah looked at her intently, his expressionplex.


    He lightly ruffled her hair, his voice softening. ¡°Wait for me.¡± With that, he swiftly exited the banquet hall.


    Sadie watched him go, her emotions tangled.


    Once Noah had left, her thoughts drifted back to the bead string.


    Eager to uncover its origins and possibly find clues about her mother, she approached a staff member. ¡°Excuse me, could you tell me who consigned this bead string for auction?¡±


    Initially indifferent, the staff member¡¯s demeanor changed to one of respect when he noticed the bead string on Sadie¡¯s wrist, implying her significant rtionship with Noah.


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 Chapter 387

    ?Chapter 387:


    ¡°Good evening, Mrs. Wall,¡± the staff member said, his tone deferential. ¡°This bead string was consigned by our boss.¡±


    ¡°Your boss?¡± Sadie pressed on. ¡°Could you give me their contact information? I¡¯d like to speak with them.¡±


    The staff member pulled a business card from his pocket and handed it to Sadie. ¡°This is our boss¡¯s private number. Feel free to contact him directly.¡±


    Sadie took the card, offered her thanks, and dialed the number immediately.


    ¡°Hello, who¡­¡±


    ¡°This is Sadie Hudson,¡± Sadie responded crisply. ¡°I¡¯m inquiring about the origins of the bead string from today¡¯s auction.¡±


    A pause hung on the line before a deep male voice answered, ¡°I¡¯m aware of who you are, Mrs. Wall. We should discuss the bead string in person.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Sadie agreed promptly. ¡°You set the time and ce.¡±


    The man provided an address and time, which Sadie noted carefully. After the call ended, the slight quickening of her pulse betrayed Sadie¡¯s anticipation.


    She secured the business card in her purse.


    As she was about to leave the auction venue, a sharp voice halted her. ¡°Well, if it isn¡¯t the renowned designer, Sadie?¡±


    Sadie stopped, recognizing the voice instantly.


    It was Vivi.


    Turning slowly, Sadie fixed a steady gaze on her.


    ¡°Do you need something?¡± Her tone was cool, indicating her disinterest in any conversation.


    Vivi stepped closer with a sneer, her eyes scanning Sadie provocatively. ¡°So, you think you¡¯ve made it big now that you are married to Noah? Remember, you¡¯re just a¡­¡±


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    ¡°Miss Quinn,¡± Sadie cut her off firmly. ¡°You seem to be confused. It¡¯s not about who I am. The point is, you¡¯re blocking my way.¡±


    Vivi, taken aback by Sadie¡¯s assertive response, flushed with anger. ¡°What are you implying? Who do you think you are? Noah¡¯s wife? Ha! Do you really believe he loves you? He¡¯s just using you.


    Do you honestly think you can take K¡¯s ce in Noah¡¯s heart?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s gaze turned icy as she tightened her grip on her bag.


    ¡°What goes on between Noah and myself is not your concern, just as K¡¯s affairs are her own,¡± she dered with resolve.


    ¡°Keep up the facade!¡± Vivi sneered. ¡°Do you really think that string of beads means anything? It¡¯s worthless! You¡¯ll never possess what K does!¡±


    A shadow crossed Sadie¡¯s eyes, yet her lips curled into a mocking smile.


    ¡°Worthless? Miss Quinn, your familiarity with the items K owns is curious. It¡¯s almost as if¡­¡± Sadie paused deliberately, her eyes locked on Vivi¡¯s, which stiffened. After a moment, she concluded, ¡°You¡¯re K¡¯s spokesperson.¡±


    Color rose in Vivi¡¯s cheeks, then drained away as though Sadie¡¯s words had struck deep.


    ¡°You¡¯re talking nonsense! I¡¯m not involved with K!¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Sadie raised an eyebrow. ¡°You¡¯ve been bringing up K repeatedly since we started talking. Are you trying to defend her, or to chase after Noah?¡± Sadie let the question hang in the air, giving Vivi a meaningful nce before she moved to step past her.


    Vivi, visibly shaken by the insinuation that touched on her hidden secret, reacted sharply.


    ¡°Stop right there!¡± She reached out, seizing Sadie¡¯s arm. ¡°What right do you have to make such usations?¡±


    Sadie wrenched her arm away, her expression steely. ¡°Miss Quinn, it¡¯s not for you to decide if I have the right. But your continual provocations¡ªdo you really believe they will go unanswered?¡±


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    ?Chapter 388:


    Vivi, taken aback by Sadie¡¯s intense demeanor, struggled for words.


    Ignoring her, Sadie turned and strode away.


    Vivi watched her go, shaking with fury.


    She had always been the center of attention and had never been so publicly humiliated.


    At Majestic Ego, it had always been Sadie who outshone her.


    Now that she was back in the country, Vivi had hoped for revenge against her old rival. However, Sadie remained a formidable adversary. Gritting her teeth, Vivi pulled out her phone and dialed a number.


    ¡°Hello, I need a thorough investigation of Sadie¡¯s studio, and I need it done quickly,¡± Vivi ordered, her tone brooking no dissent.


    On the other end of the line, a voice responded with deference, ¡°Absolutely, Miss Quinn. I¡¯ll handle it right away.¡±


    Half an hourter, Sadie pushed open the door to her home.


    ¡°Grandma, I¡¯m home.¡±


    In the living room, Laura was seated on the sofa, knitting. She looked up, her face lighting up. ¡°Oh, Sadie, wee back.¡±


    Crossing the room, Sadie embraced her grandmother gently. ¡°Thanks for everything, Grandma.¡±


    ¡°My dear, no need for formalities with me.¡± Laura chuckled, warmth in her smile as she touched Sadie¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Tomorrow¡¯s ns might keep me outte; I have an important meeting.¡±


    Laura¡¯s eyebrows rose with concern. ¡°Who will you be meeting?¡±


    Sadie paused, her expressionplex, hinting at the weight of the meeting. ¡°Someone crucial. If it goes well, I might finally find Mom.¡±


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    Laura stopped knitting, her eyes brightening with a mixture of hope and excitement.


    ¡°Really? Do you believe you can find her?¡±


    Grasping Laura¡¯s hands reassuringly, Sadie nodded firmly. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m going to find Mom. And I¡¯ll make sure you both are with me.¡±


    Laura¡¯s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she gently nodded, her voice filled with quiet conviction. ¡°Good. I¡­ I believe in you, Sadie.¡±


    The next morning, golden sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting delicate patterns across the wooden floor. Sadie stood before the mirror, her reflection poised yet contemtive. Dressed in an understated professional ensemble, she carefully smoothed the fabric, ensuring every detail was in ce. With a measured breath, she adjusted her cor, exhaling softly before reaching for her bag.


    The car rolled to a stop in front of an elegant cafe, its castle-like facade exuding timeless charm. Sadie shifted into park, lingering for a moment as she took in the sight before her. Her gaze lifted to the cafe¡¯s sign¡ªGentle Breeze.


    Following the address given to her the night before, Sadie had arrived. Taking a steadying breath, she pushed open the door, immediately greeted by the rich,forting aroma of freshly brewed coffee.


    The cafe¡¯s interior was simple yet refined. The soft lighting and serene atmosphere made one feel instantly at ease. A waitress in a neatly pressed dress approached with a polite smile. ¡°Good day, ma¡¯am. Do you have a reservation?¡±


    Sadie returned the smile briefly. ¡°Yes, I have an appointment in Room Serenity.¡±


    The waitress nodded. ¡°Right this way, please.¡±


    They moved past a series of elegant booths and toward the more private section of the cafe. ¡°Excuse me, sir. Your guest has arrived.¡±


    ¡°Pleasee in,¡± a deep, measured voice responded from within.


    Sadie inhaled quietly, steeling herself before pushing open the door.


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    Inside, the scent of coffee deepened, mingling with the faint notes of polished wood and aged books. A middle-aged man sat at a sleek coffee table, his movements precise as he carefully poured coffee from a silver pot.


    He was dressed in a simple gray suit, his hair neatlybed back, and his expression carried a quiet warmth. At the sight of her, he set the coffee pot down and rose to his feet with an easy grace.


    ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you in person, Miss Hudson. I¡¯m Matthew Duncan.¡±


    Sadie dipped her head slightly in greeting, her voice poised and polite. ¡°Nice to meet you as well, Mr. Duncan.¡±


    Matthew gestured toward the chair opposite him. ¡°Please, have a seat.¡± Without hesitation, Sadie settled into the chair.


    Matthew wasted no time. ¡°Miss Hudson, you want to know the origins of this string of beads?¡±


    Sadie nodded and handed over the string of beads. ¡°Yes. This piece¡­ it¡¯s more than just jewelry to me.¡±


    Matthew turned it over in his hand, studying the delicate carvings with quiet reverence. After a pause, he spoke slowly. ¡°I acquired it three years ago¡­ from a woman.¡±


    ¡°That woman¡­ do you still have any way of reaching her? A phone number? An address?¡± Sadie leaned forward instinctively, her grip tightening on the leather bag in herp.


    Matthew sighed. ¡°That woman was a cautious one¡ªreserved, deliberate.¡± He reached into a drawer, rifling through its contents before retrieving a single, yellowed piece of paper. ¡°This is all I have.¡± He slid the fragile slip across the table. ¡°Three years is a long time. I can¡¯t say for sure if the number is still active.¡±


    Sadie clutched the paper, her grip tightening as if it might disappear. This¡ªthis lone set of digits¡ªwas the key to finding her mother.


    Her voice was thick with emotion as she whispered, ¡°Thank you, Mr. Duncan.¡±


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    Matthew offered her a kind smile. ¡°I hope this number leads you to the answers you¡¯re looking for.¡±


    Sadie rose to her feet, bowing her head slightly in gratitude before turning toward the door.


    Outside, the air felt different now¡ªheavier with possibility. She walked to her car, slid into the driver¡¯s seat, and closed the door behind her with a soft click. For a long moment, she simply stared at the numbers in her hand. A thin sheen of sweat dampened her palm. She took a deep, trembling breath as she pressed the start button, the engine humming to life.


    Her hands clutched the steering wheel, but her mind was elsewhere¡ªlost in a whirlwind of memories. Her mother¡¯s voice. Her mother¡¯sughter.


    The drive felt endless. Finally, she pulled over, the car rolling to a slow stop at the roadside. For a moment, she just sat there, gripping the piece of paper as though it held the answers to her past.


    A single call. That was all it took to find out if this was a real lead¡ªor another dead end.


    Sadie¡¯s fingers trembled as she pressed the dial button and lifted the phone to her ear.


    Beep¡­ Beep¡­ Beep¡­


    Each ring stretched into eternity, her breath catching in her throat. The anticipation was suffocating.


    ¡°Hello, you¡¯ve reached the receiver¡¯s voice mailbox. Please leave a message or try againter¡­¡±


    The t, automated voice hit Sadie like a punch to the gut. Her heart plummeted, the glimmer of hope she had clung to dimming like a candle in the wind.


    No answer.


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    ?Chapter 390:


    She stared nkly at the screen for a second before stubbornly redialing. But the result was the same. Her grip ckened, and the phone slipped from her hand,nding on herp with a soft thud.


    Could it be¡­ another dead end?


    No. She refused to believe this was it.


    She had spent years searching, hoping. She wouldn¡¯t stop now. Her mother was out there. And she was going to find her. No matter what it took.


    Sadie pushed open the door to her studio, and the familiar scents of leather and fabric enveloped her.


    Her steps were heavy, as though she were trudging through mud, her body both light and burdened by an unseen weight.


    Inside, Nte was engrossed in herptop, managing orders. She nced up at the sound of the door, shing a bright smile.


    ¡°You¡¯re back, Sadie!¡±


    But her smile faltered when she noticed Sadie¡¯s ghastly pallor. Even her lips were drained of color.


    Sadie nodded stiffly, wordlessly making her way to her office where she slumped into her chair, ovee with fatigue.


    Nte set aside her work and approached with a worried frown.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Sadie? You don¡¯t look well.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s eyes settled on the design drafts scattered across her desk. Her voice was a hoarse whisper.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay.¡±


    ¡°Okay?¡± Nte¡¯s skepticism was evident. ¡°You¡¯re ashen. You can¡¯t be okay. Are you pushing yourself too hard? Maybe you need a break.¡±


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    Sadie shook her head, too overwhelmed to articte her feelings.


    The unanswered calls loomedrge, constricting her breathing. Her mother had always been a deep, unresolved ache in her life, a longing that persisted despite the years. She had finallye close to a breakthrough in her search, only for it to elude her grasp once more.


    The weight of her crushed hopes was nearly suffocating.


    As Nte observed Sadie¡¯s forlorn look, her voice shook with emotion.


    ¡°Sadie, please, tell me what¡¯s happening. I¡¯m really worried about you.¡±


    Gathering a shred ofposure, Sadie said, ¡°I met someone today who had news about¡­ about my mom.¡±


    ¡°Your mom?¡± Nte was taken aback.


    Sadie nodded, her eyes quickly filling with tears.


    ¡°I found a lead, a phone number. I thought¡­ I thought this time¡­¡± Her voice faded. She was unable to continue.


    Nte gently patted her shoulder, offering silentfort.


    Sadie picked up her phone, her hand shaking as she pointed to the phone number on the screen. ¡°I called, but¡­ but there was no answer¡­¡± Her voice dwindled into a whisper, then a sob.


    Witnessing her distress, Nte felt a deep sympathy. ¡°Don¡¯t lose heart, Sadie. Perhaps they were just unavable?¡± She tried to console Sadie.


    ¡°No, it can¡¯t be that simple,¡± Sadie muttered, tears streaming down her face. ¡°All these years, every lead I followed¡­ I thought it was finally the right one, but¡­ but it always ended in disappointment.¡±


    She buried her face in her hands, her shoulders quaking with each sob.


    The studio fell quiet, with only Sadie¡¯s stifled cries echoing in the air.


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 Chapter 391

    ?Chapter 391:


    Nte remained beside her, feeling helpless but present.


    Eventually, Sadie¡¯s sobs subsided. She wiped away her tears, her face set with resolve.


    ¡°I can¡¯t give up. I must find her.¡±


    Nte¡¯s expression softened with admiration. ¡°Sadie, I believe you will.¡±


    Sadie nodded, returning her attention to the design drafts on her desk, her determination clear. She couldn¡¯t afford to be swallowed by grief; she had too much to achieve.


    Picking up a pen, she began to draw.


    ¡°Nte,¡± she said suddenly, looking up. ¡°Could you help me trace this number?¡±


    Nte nodded, her response immediate. ¡°I¡¯ll do it right away,¡± she promised, then left the office.


    One hour passed, and Sadie remained distracted, until a knock at the door pierced the silence. Nte entered.


    ¡°I found it, Sadie,¡± she said. ¡°It¡¯s a number from Slimron.¡±


    Sadie felt a sudden drop in her heart.


    ¡°Is there any more information?¡± Her voice was a hoarse whisper, barely audible.


    Nte shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Sadie, just the location.¡±


    Sadie slumped into her chair, overwhelmed by a sense of defeat.


    The greater the hope, the sharper the disappointment.


    How many times had she felt this hope surge, only to be crushed?


    In her quest to find her mother, she was reaching her breaking point.


    ¡°Sadie¡­¡± Nte¡¯s voice was tinged with sympathy.


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    After a long pause, Sadie looked up, her eyes red and swollen. ¡°I need to go to Slimron.¡±


    ¡°Now?¡± Nte¡¯s eyes widened in surprise.


    Sadie nodded. ¡°Yes, now.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t dy. Her heart pounded with resolve. She had to go to Slimron.


    Returning to Myrtlewood Estate, she quickly packed a small suitcase with essential items and a few changes of clothes.


    As she was about to step out, she took onest look at the empty vi. Noah had been away for a while.


    She nned to make a quick trip and return within two days.


    She grabbed her phone and texted Nte. ¡°I¡¯m off to Slimron now. Please look after the studio.¡±


    Without waiting for a reply, she left.


    Night had fallen, and the city lights sparkled.


    The airport terminal buzzed with activity, filled with the sounds of hurried travelers.


    Dragging her suitcase, Sadie navigated through the crowd, her determination clear in her stride.


    ¡°Excuse me, ma¡¯am. Do you need any help?¡± a uniformed airport staff member approached and asked.


    Sadie shook her head. ¡°That¡¯s very kind of you. Thanks, but I¡¯m okay.¡±


    She proceeded directly to the check-in counter andpleted her boarding procedures.


    In the waiting lounge, Sadie found a secluded corner, took out her phone, and dialed the mysterious number again.


    Still, there was no answer.


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 Chapter 392

    ?Chapter 392:


    Out of frustration, she tossed her phone back into her bag, closed her eyes, and inhaled deeply.


    ¡°Where are you, Mom?¡± she muttered under her breath.


    The ne ascended smoothly, slicing through the clouds.


    As she gazed out at the enveloping darkness of the night sky, Sadie¡¯s thoughts churned relentlessly.


    Hourster, the aircraft touched down at Slimron International Airport.


    As Sadie stepped out of the airport, a brisk breeze weed her.


    She wrapped her coat tighter around herself and gged down a taxi. ¡°To the Fairview Hotel, please,¡± she instructed the driver.


    The taxi pulled up to the entrance of the Fairview Hotel. After paying the fare, Sadie heaved her suitcase into the grand lobby.


    Chandeliers twinkled above like celestial bodies, and a delicate scent lingered in the air.


    Approaching the front desk, she said, ¡°I have a reservation under the name Sadie Hudson.¡±


    The receptionist offered a professional smile and began checking the system, but her expression slowly changed.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, I¡¯m terribly sorry, but there¡¯s a problem with your room.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°What problem?¡± She had confirmed earlier that everything was in order.


    The receptionist appeared uneasy as she exined, ¡°The hotel has been fully booked by a VIP tonight, and we are unable to amodate other guests.¡±


    Sadie was stunned. ¡°Fully booked? But I have a confirmed reservation.¡±


    At such ate hour, where could she possibly find another hotel room?


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    ¡°I deeply apologize, Miss Hudson.¡± The receptionist¡¯s tone was apologetic. ¡°The VIP made ast-minute decision, and it has put us in a very difficult position¡­¡±


    Taking a deep breath to calm her mounting irritation, Sadie responded firmly, ¡°I don¡¯t care who the VIP is. I expect my room to be avable as I have already paid for it.¡±


    The receptionist nervously wrung her hands, her eyes darting around. ¡°Miss Hudson, perhaps we could arrange for you to stay at a nearby hotel, and we¡¯ll cover the cost¡­¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Sadie replied firmly. ¡°I need to stay in this hotel. I have critical engagements tomorrow and relocating is not an option.¡±


    At that moment, a man dressed in a perfectly tailored suit with meticulously styled hair approached. He was the hotel manager.


    Despite his apologetic smile, his voice conveyed firm authority. ¡°Ma¡¯am, I regret to inform you that the hotel is not amodating any other guests tonight.¡±


    Sadie met his gaze, her voice steady. ¡°I reserved my room in advance. Why am I being denied my stay?¡±


    The manager¡¯s polite smile remained. ¡°I apologize for the inconvenience, but this decision was made by the hotel owner, and unfortunately, we cannot override it.¡±


    ¡°Who is the hotel owner? I need to speak with them,¡± demanded Sadie, her frustration escting.


    The manager¡¯s demeanor stayed calm. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but the owner is not avable to meet with guests at the moment.¡±


    ¡°Not avable, or simply unwilling?¡± Sadie retorted sharply. ¡°This ispletely uneptable! I will be filing a formalint.¡±


    The manager¡¯s expression did not change. ¡°You are certainly within your rights to do so, but I must inform you that you will not be able to stay here tonight.¡±


    As Sadie¡¯s anger intensified, the manager added, ¡°Please, let¡¯s handle this without causing a disturbance.¡±


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 Chapter 393

    ?Chapter 393:


    ¡°A disturbance?¡± Sadie gestured toward the front desk. ¡°I made a reservation in advance, and now I¡¯m being told I can¡¯t stay here. Isn¡¯t that the real disturbance?¡±


    As the standoff continued, the hotel¡¯s revolving door turned slowly and a figure emerged.


    The man was dressed in a custom-tailored dark gray suit, his appearance marked by deep-set eyes, a high nose bridge, and slightly pursed lips, exuding a sense of detached elegance.


    It was Noah.


    The hotel manager, noticing him, quickly approached with a deferential smile. ¡°Mr. Wall, I apologize for this unfortunate scene. I¡¯ll take care of it immediately.¡±


    As he spoke, he cast a stern nce at Sadie and addressed the staff behind him.


    ¡°What are you doing, just standing there? Escort thisdy out!¡±


    Two staff members immediately stepped forward, each grabbing one of Sadie¡¯s arms, and began to drag her out.


    ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing? Let go of me!¡± Sadie struggled with all she had, but she was no match for two burly men.


    Noah¡¯s brows furrowed, his gaze narrowed in confusion as he looked at Sadie.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    Sadie froze at the sound of his voice. She even forgot to struggle. She hadn¡¯t expected to run into Noah.


    Before she could answer his question, the manager interjected. He addressed Noah with the utmost respect as he pointed at Sadie.


    ¡°Apologies, Mr. Wall. This youngdy is causing a scene. She insists on staying at our hotel, but you have booked the entire ce for the night. I have exined to her countless times that we are not epting guests, but she wouldn¡¯t take no for an answer. Her outburst is damaging the hotel¡¯s reputation.¡±


    Noah nced back and forth between Sadie and the manager, his gaze deep and inscrutable.


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    ¡°Do you know thisdy, Mr. Wall?¡± the manager asked carefully, trying to read the situation.


    Noah fixed him with a cold nce and said in a calm but authoritative voice, ¡°She is my wife.¡±


    ¡°You¡ªYour wife?¡± the manager gasped, his voice rising sharply. His earlier arrogance was now reced with shock and fear.


    He had never considered that the woman he had branded as a troublemaker would turn out to be Noah Wall¡¯s wife!


    His knees buckled under him, and he copsed on the floor. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead and back.


    He had made a grave mistake¡ªperhaps the worst mistake of all.


    ¡°M-Mrs. Wall! I am terribly sorry, Mrs. Wall. I¡ªI had no idea¡­¡± the manager stammered in a trembling voice.


    Sadie gave him a look that was far from forgiving.


    ¡°Release Mrs. Wall right this instant!¡± the manager barked at the staff holding her. ¡°You fools, are you blind? You didn¡¯t even recognize Mrs. Wall!¡±


    The two staff members quickly let Sadie go, their heads lowered with fear. They didn¡¯t even have it in them to defend themselves.


    The manager wiped the sweat from his forehead and bowed in front of Sadie.


    ¡°Please ept my sincerest apologies, Mrs. Wall. I was blind and failed to recognize your status. I implore you to be the bigger person and forgive me, just this once.¡±


    Sadie continued to look at him without saying anything.


    A few seconds passed, and the manager became more anxious. He turned to direct his pleas to Noah.


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 Chapter 394

    ?Chapter 394:


    ¡°Mr. Wall, I really didn¡¯t mean to¡ª¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re fired,¡± Noah said without ceremony.


    ¡°What?¡± The color drained from the manager¡¯s face as he gaped at Noah in disbelief.


    Seeing that he made no move to leave, Noah barked, ¡°Get out!¡±


    That snapped the manager back to his senses. All things considered, getting fired was as good as getting a second shot at life. He scrambled out of the building in a panic. The two staff members followed suit and also fled.


    Only Noah and Sadie remained in the now quiet lobby.


    Noah slowly approached Sadie, his eyes never leaving her face.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡±


    His tone was gentle and carried a subtle hint of concern.


    Sadie took a deep breath and looked up to meet Noah¡¯s gaze, unsure of what she was feeling at the moment.


    ¡°I¡­¡± Sadie began, only to realize that she didn¡¯t know what to say.


    Noah didn¡¯t rush her, though. He simply stood there and waited for her to find her bearings.


    ¡°I came to look for my mother,¡± Sadie finally said, her voice choked with emotion.


    A flicker of surprise appeared in Noah¡¯s eyes. He ced a hand on Sadie¡¯s shoulder and squeezed it lightly.


    ¡°Take your time. Tell me what happened.¡±


    Sadie took another deep breath to calm herself.


    Then she recounted the investigation on her mother¡¯s whereabouts that had led her to Slimron and this hotel.


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    The more Noah listened, the more serious his expression became.


    ¡°This string of beads belonged to my mother,¡± Sadie said. ¡°ording to Mr. Duncan, a wealthydy sold it to him. He gave me a number, which was registered in Slimron¡­¡±


    ¡°Come on. You should get some rest upstairs,¡± Noah said, his voice low but firm.


    Sadie hesitated for a fraction of a second before allowing him to guide her. They stepped into the elevator together. As the doors slid shut, sealing them inside, the sounds of the bustling lobby faded into silence.


    The small, enclosed space suddenly felt heavier, charged with an unspoken tension.


    Sadie kept her gaze down, her fingers anxiously twisting the hem of her coat. The subtle pressure in her chest made her uneasy¡ªwhether from exhaustion or from Noah¡¯s presence beside her, she wasn¡¯t sure.


    Noah studied her from the corner of his eye before shifting his attention to the changing numbers on the panel.


    Then¡ªding!


    The elevator reached the top floor and with a soft hum, the doors slid open.


    The moment Noah stepped out, Samuel moved forward, prepared to deliver his report¡ªbut the words died on his tongue the instant he noticed Sadie following behind.


    His expression stiffened, his usual efficiency faltering as his gaze flickered between them.


    He parted his lips, grasping for the right words, but uncertainty clouded his thoughts.


    In the end, all he managed were two words. ¡°Mr. Wall¡­¡±


    Noah nodded slightly, his toneposed, as if nothing was amiss. ¡°Is the room ready?¡±


    Samuel blinked, snapping back into focus. ¡°Ah¡­ Yes. It¡¯s prepared. The presidential suite.¡±


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 Chapter 395

    ?Chapter 395:


    His words came instinctively, though his mind still reeled with silent questions. Why was Mrs. Wall here? And why did she look¡­ lost?


    Sadie, however, seemed oblivious to his scrutiny. Her head remained down, her posture distant, as if she were present in body but far away in thought.


    Noah¡¯s eyes swept over her, catching her difort. Without a word, he reached out, resting a hand gently on her shoulder.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    The warmth of his touch startled Sadie. She forced a faint smile, willing herself to appearposed.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine¡­ just a little tired.¡±


    Noah studied her for a moment before giving a small nod. ¡°Alright.¡±


    He didn¡¯t press further, instead leading the way toward the suite.


    Samuel stood motionless, watching them disappear down the hallway. His brows knitted together. Something was definitely off.


    After a brief hesitation, he pulled out his phone, his fingers moving swiftly as he dialed a number.


    ¡°Breck, did you know Mrs. Wall is in Slimron?¡±


    There was a pause on the other end. Then Breck, the everposed butler, spoke, a note of surprise in his tone. ¡°Mrs. Wall is in Slimron? I wasn¡¯t informed. And Mr. Wall¡­ never mentioned it either.¡±


    ¡°I just found out myself,¡± Samuel murmured, lowering his voice. ¡°She returned to the hotel with Mr. Wall, but¡­ something seems off. She doesn¡¯t look well. Like something happened.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡± Breck¡¯s voice carried a note of contemtion. ¡°I¡¯ll keep an eye on things. You should do the same. Report anything unusual to me.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡± Samuel ended the call, his mind now a storm of questions with no clear answers.


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    Inside the presidential suite, luxury exuded from every corner¡ªelegance without excess, refinement in every detail.


    The soft glow of the city lights spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows as Sadie sat motionless on the plush sofa, her gaze drifting over the glittering skyline, though she wasn¡¯t truly seeing any of it. Her thoughts were far away.


    Noah had poured a ss of water and stepped toward her before extending it.


    ¡°Drink.¡±


    Sadie took the ss, sipping lightly, but the dryness in her throat remained.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she murmured, her fingers tightening briefly around the cool ss. Then she asked, her voice slow and hoarse, ¡°What brings you to¡­ Slimron?¡± She didn¡¯t look at Noah, her gaze anchored to the ss in her hands, as if bracing for an answer she wasn¡¯t sure she wanted to hear.


    Across from her, Noah settled into an armchair, his movementsposed and deliberate. His long legs crossed, exuding a quiet, effortless authority.


    For a moment, he said nothing. Then finally, he answered.


    ¡°I have matters to handle here.¡± Simple. Direct. Imprable.


    Yet the weight of those words settled heavily in Sadie¡¯s chest.


    She lowered hershes, exhaling softly.


    ¡°I see.¡±


    And with that, silence reimed the space between them.


    Noah watched her, his gaze unreadable. The way Sadie sat there, her posture weighed down by an invisible burden, stirred something deep inside him. He knew she had questions. He knew she was searching for something¡ªanswers that had eluded her for too long.


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 Chapter 396

    ?Chapter 396:


    Yet the truth¡­ he couldn¡¯t give it to her.


    Not yet.


    ¡°About your mother¡­¡± His voice wavered slightly before steadying. ¡°I¡¯ll help you uncover the truth.¡±


    Sadie stiffened. Her head snapped up, eyes wide, searching his face for sincerity.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    Noah met her gaze without hesitation.


    ¡°Yes.¡± His tone was resolute, unwavering. ¡°I¡¯ll do my best.¡±


    She fought back her tears, biting her lower lip as she struggled to steady her trembling voice.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression remainedposed, but there was a quiet warmth beneath his words.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to thank me. I am your husband. Just get some rest and let me handle the rest.¡±


    His promise settled over Sadie like a soothing balm, chasing away the darkness that had clung to her heart for so long.


    With the Wall family¡¯s influence behind her, the possibility of finding her mother was no longer just a fragile hope.


    For the first time in what felt like forever, her tense nerves began to loosen. A deep exhaustion washed over her, heavier than she had anticipated.


    Sadie curled up on the sofa and, without realizing it, fell asleep.


    As the night deepened, silence enveloped the room, punctuated only by the asional honk of a distant car.


    Noah finished handling some emails and nced over at Sadie, who was sleeping soundly on the sofa. Her long eyshes cast delicate shadows over her cheeks, and the soft lighting highlighted her gentle features.


    Quietly, he stood, walked over, and carefully lifted her from the sofa. After tucking her in, he sat by the bedside, watching her sleep. A faint crease marred her serene expression, hinting at her inner turmoil.


    He reached out, gently brushing her cheek with the back of his fingers, marveling at the softness of her skin.


    ¡°Mmm¡­¡± Sadie murmured, stirring slightly in her sleep.


    Noah withdrew his hand and left the bedroom, heading to the study where he dialed Samuel¡¯s number.


    ¡°Look into the whereabouts of Sadie¡¯s mother. I need it as soon as possible,¡± he instructed in a low, firm tone.


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Wall,¡± came Samuel¡¯s respectful response.


    ¡°Mmm¡­¡± Sadie murmured, slowly awakening.


    Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting patterns on the floor and awakening her fully.


    She blinked away the remnants of sleep and looked around, realizing Noah was no longer in the room. The suite feltrge and empty, intensifying the loneliness enveloping her.


    A pang of loss hit her as she rose from the bed, walked to the window, and drew back the curtains. The morning sun flooded the room, brightening every corner.


    Outside, the city buzzed with life, its tall buildings and bustling streets a stark contrast to the emptiness she felt inside.


    Turning away, she noticed her bag on the sofa. As she moved to pick it up, a note caught her eye. Ity on the coffee table, an address scribbled on it along with the words:


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 Chapter 397

    ?Chapter 397:


    ¡°Your mother once lived here.¡±


    Her heart leaped, a mix of hope and excitement coursing through her. She gripped the note tightly, took a deep breath, and attempted to steady her emotions.


    Eager for answers, she quickly dialed Noah¡¯s number.


    The phone rang endlessly, but there was no answer.


    Refusing to be deterred, she tried again, but still, no response came.


    Uncertain of Noah¡¯s whereabouts or when he might return, she felt a deep resolve to take the next steps on her own. She knew she had to find her mother urgently.


    Grabbing her bag, Sadie quickly left the hotel and hailed a cab, giving the driver the address on the note.


    Throughout the journey, a blend of anxiety and anticipation churned within her. She clung to the hope of finding her mother, yet feared another disappointment.


    After about an hour¡¯s drive, the cab stopped at the entrance of an old neighborhood.


    Sadie paid the driver, stepped out, and took a deep breath before walking into the dpidated area.


    The buildings were run-down, with peeling paint and trash strewn about. The air carried a damp, musty smell that was nearly suffocating.


    She located the building from the address and ascended the crumbling stairs. Her heart raced with each step, nearly out of control.


    Upon reaching the third floor, she paused before a closed door. After hesitating, she knocked gently.


    The sound echoed down the silent hallway.


    After a long pause, the door creaked open.


    Your favorite stories are on g?ln¦Ò¦Íe??s?c?m


    An elderly woman with graying hair peered out, looking rmed.


    ¡°Excuse me, I¡­¡± Sadie began cautiously.


    The woman examined her intently before responding, ¡°Who are you looking for?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m looking for¡­¡± Sadie paused, took a deep breath, and continued, ¡°My mother, Jean Hudson.¡±


    The woman¡¯s face flickered with surprise.


    ¡°Your mother?¡± she echoed, her voiceced with skepticism.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Sadie affirmed, her eyes brimming with hope.


    The woman fell silent for a moment, then delivered the disheartening news.


    ¡°Your mother no longer lives here.¡±


    Sadie felt her heart drop, a tide of disappointment sweeping over her.


    ¡°Do you know where she might have gone?¡± Sadie pressed, her voice tinged with desperation.


    The woman shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s eyes welled up with the threat of tears. She bit her lip, fighting back the emotion.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she murmured softly, then turned to leave.


    ¡°Please wait,¡± the woman called out suddenly.


    Sadie paused and looked back, puzzled.


    The woman hesitated, then offered a glimmer of hope. ¡°I don¡¯t know where your mother went, but she used to frequent a certain ce.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Where is that ce?¡± she asked eagerly.


    The elderlydy responded, ¡°A temple on the outskirts of the city.¡±


    ¡°A temple?¡± Sadie echoed, confused.


    The elderlydy nodded. ¡°Yes. Your mother often prayed there.¡±


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 Chapter 398

    ?Chapter 398:


    Hope sparked within Sadie. She expressed her gratitude to the elderly woman and quickly departed from the area.


    She gged down a cab and directed it to the temple on the city¡¯s edge.


    As Sadie entered the temple, the air was dense with the aroma of incense, a ritualistic element of the temple¡¯s practices. The scent permeated the ancient structure.


    With each step toward the main hall, Sadie¡¯s pulse raced.


    She pushed the heavy wooden door open; a wave of sandalwood scent weed her. In the subdued light, the deities¡¯ statues stood solemn and majestic.


    ¡°Excuse me. Have you seen this woman?¡± Sadie presented a photo of her mother to a monk mid-prayer.


    The monk studied the photo, then slowly shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I have never seen this woman.¡±


    Disappointment washed over Sadie, dousing her flicker of hope. Could her mother have vanished without a trace?


    ¡°However¡­¡± The monk hesitated, a memory surfacing. ¡°A few years ago, a woman resembling her stayed here briefly. She left something behind.¡±


    Hope sparked in Sadie¡¯s eyes again. ¡°What did she leave?¡±


    The monk disappeared into the inner hall and returned with an old key. ¡°This key. She mentioned it might be useful in the future.¡±


    The key, cold and styled in an ancient design,y heavy in Sadie¡¯s hand. She turned it over, searching for clues yet finding none.


    Just then, her phone rang, shattering the temple¡¯s serene silence.


    It was Noah. ¡°Sadie, where are you?¡± His voice wasced with urgency.


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    ¡°I¡¯m at the temple on the outskirts,¡± Sadie replied, her voice slightly hoarse.


    ¡°I¡¯ll pick you up,¡± Noah said, and then the call ended.


    Standing at the temple entrance, Sadie gazed out at the distant mountains, her emotions swirling.


    What secret did the key her mother had left behind hold?


    A ck Maybach soon pulled up. Noah stepped out and quickly approached Sadie.


    ¡°Did you find anything?¡± he asked, his voice full of concern.


    ¡°Just this,¡± Sadie said, handing him the key.


    Noah took the key, examining it intently as his brows knitted together.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get in the car first,¡± he suggested.


    He assisted Sadie into the vehicle and then got in himself.


    As the car pulled away from the temple, Sadie looked back at the receding structure, her heart heavy with uncertainty.


    K, hidden in the shadows, watched the car disappear into the distance, her eyes flickering with a mix of jealousy and curiosity.


    She hadn¡¯t expected to run into Noah and Sadie in Slimron.


    She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms.


    ¡°Sadie, what is it about you that makes Noah care about you so deeply?¡± she muttered bitterly.


    Inside the car, Noah held the aged key, deep in thought.


    The design of the key was oddly familiar.


    ¡°This key looks a lot like the one from a pendant my grandmother used to wear,¡± he remarked suddenly. ¡°But that pendant has long been missing.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s heart raced. Could this key have ties to the Wall family?


    ¡°Your grandmother?¡± she inquired, her voice tinged with curiosity.


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 Chapter 399

    ?Chapter 399:


    Noah nodded. ¡°Yes. My grandmother spent some time in Slimron when she was young. For reasons unknown, she left and never came back here.¡±


    A daring hypothesis sparked in Sadie¡¯s mind.


    Could there be a connection between her mother and Noah¡¯s grandmother?


    The thought stunned her.


    If her spection held any truth, the mysteries surrounding her mother¡¯s disappearance and the enigmatic key might be rted to the Wall family.


    She nced at Noah, wanting to delve deeper but hesitant about where to start.


    Noah then took her to a quaintly decorated restaurant.


    ¡°Try this,¡± he suggested softly, cing a piece of roasted rib on her te.


    Distracted, Sadie nibbled on the rib, her mind preupied with the key.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Noah noticed her absent gaze and expressed his concern.


    ¡°Just a bit tired,¡± Sadie replied, offering a forced smile to mask her deep thoughts.


    Noah didn¡¯t push the issue, instead quietly pouring her a cup of coffee.


    The remainder of their meal passed in silence.


    Later that evening, when they arrived back at the Fairview Hotel, the lobby was brightly lit, the polished marble floors gleaming under the lights.


    As they entered, the new hotel manager quickly recognized Noah and approached with deference, bowing slightly.


    ¡°Good evening, Mr. Wall.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡± Noah acknowledged the manager with a slight nod, his tone indifferent.


    ¡°Mr. Wall.¡± The manager hesitated before continuing. ¡°There¡¯s ady here iming to be your friend who wants to see you.¡±


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    ¡°Ady?¡± Noah¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. ¡°Who is she?¡±


    ¡°She said her surname is Wade.¡± The manager watched Noah¡¯s reaction carefully.


    Wade?


    K immediately came to Noah¡¯s mind.


    Why was she here?


    Noah nced at Sadie, catching her uneasy expression.


    K had always been a cause of tension between them. Why had she suddenly appeared now?


    ¡°Let here to the top floor,¡± Noah instructed calmly.


    The manager nodded quickly and departed.


    Sadie stood, feeling a wave of difort, her palms sweaty.


    Momentster, the elevator doors on the top floor parted, and K stepped out gracefully.


    She was dressed in a striking red gown, her appearance meticulously put together, radiating allure.


    ¡°Noah.¡± Her voice was soft and enticing as she approached.


    Noah nodded slightly, maintaining a neutral tone. ¡°Why are you here?¡±


    ¡°I came to see you,¡± K replied, her gaze shifting to Sadie, scanning her with an almost imperceptible edge of hostility.


    Sadie tightened her grip on her bag, trying to appearposed.


    ¡°Noah, I know I¡¯ve made many mistakes,¡± K said, looking at Noah with a pleading expression. ¡°I truly regret them. Can you forgive me?¡±


    Her eyes brimmed with tears, poised to spill.


    Sadie¡¯s breathing becamebored.


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 Chapter 400

    Chapter 400:


    She felt like an outsider, witnessing the scene unfold with a storm of emotions.


    ¡°Let bygones be bygones,¡± Noah responded tly, showing no emotion.


    K seized on his words as if they were a lifeline.


    She turned to Sadie with an inquisitive look. ¡°Sadie, you¡­ don¡¯t mind, do you?¡±


    Caught off guard by K¡¯s direct address, Sadie took a deep breath to steady her voice.


    ¡°I¡­¡±


    She clenched her fists, her nails pressing into her palms. As she struggled to maintain herposure, her voice wavered slightly.


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Wall, for your kindness. I won¡¯t impose any longer.¡±


    A flicker of triumph passed through K¡¯s eyes, quickly masked by a feigned look of concern.


    ¡°Sadie, what¡¯s wrong? Did I say something to upset you? Please don¡¯t misunderstand. I just¡­¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no misunderstanding,¡± Sadie interjected firmly.


    She turned to Noah, managing a forced smile.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, I¡¯ve booked my flight home for tonight. Averi¡¯s educational trip will end soon, and I need to pick him up.¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression tightened, a hint of displeasure crossing his features.


    ¡°Why rush back tonight? Tomorrow would be just as fine.¡±


    ¡°But I need to leave now,¡± Sadie insisted, her voice steady and resolute. ¡°There are many things I need to handle.¡±


    Staying any longer felt unbearable to her, each moment more suffocating than thest.


    K¡¯s presence was like a thorn in her side, each breath sharpened with difort and pain.


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    K reached out to gently grasp Noah¡¯s arm, her eyes brimming with tears.


    ¡°Noah, is Sadie still upset with me? I know it¡¯s my fault. I shouldn¡¯t have¡­¡±


    Noah, however, was focused on Sadie.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go back with you.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Sadie declined sharply. ¡°I can manage on my own.¡±


    She was eager to leave, to distance herself from the weight of the current situation.


    ¡°Sadie¡­¡± Noah began, but Sadie cut him off.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, please show some respect.¡± Her tone was icy.


    Without another word, she turned and walked away, her steps brisk and determined.


    Noah watched her leave, his face aplex mask of emotions, irritation bubbling beneath the surface.


    K, sensing an opportunity, leaned closer to him, her voice a whisper.


    ¡°Noah, don¡¯t be upset with Sadie. It¡¯s probably because of me¡­¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Noah snapped, pushing her away abruptly. His voice was icy as he added, ¡°Don¡¯t mention this again.¡±


    He then turned and walked away, leaving K alone, her expression one of shocked pallor.


    Back in her room, Sadie quickly gathered her belongings, her mind set on leaving without dy.


    She called Nte.


    ¡°Nte, please book me a flight home tonight. Thanks.¡±


    ¡°What happened, Sadie? You don¡¯t sound like yourself.¡± Nte expressed her concern.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I just need to return earlier than nned,¡± Sadie replied, her tone strained as she fought back her emotions. ¡°Averi¡¯s vacation will begin soon, and I want to be there for him.¡±


    .


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    .<hr>


    Message from Noah:


    I hope you¡¯re enjoying the new chapters! More novels are on the way this week, so stay tuned to the website for updates.


    I¡¯m also working on a new section featuring VIP novels. This initiative is meant to help protect some of the website¡¯s content, since a few sites have been copying everything I publish¡ªeven my messages.


    In the near future, I¡¯ll introduce a subscription model that will grant ess to all these VIP novels. But don¡¯t worry¡ªfree content will still be avable. For example, if we release 10 novels, 6 will remain free while 4 will be VIP.


    The idea behind the VIP novels is not only to prevent other websites from copying everything, but also to thank the people who support this project and help us keep the website running. I truly appreciate the kind messages you send me on WhatsApp and your constant support¡ªthank you for being part of thismunity.


    Lastly, my goal is to publish 1,000 novels, and I hope you, dear reader, will continue to enjoy this website along the way. God loves you, and Noah wishes you all the best. (=?=)/


    .

 Chapter 401

    ?Chapter 401:


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll handle it right away,¡± Nte reassured her, setting to work immediately.


    After the call, Sadie sank into the sofa, her energy drained, feeling utterly exhausted.


    Sadie had thought that these past few days had meant something, had changed something between her and Noah.


    Now, it was painfully clear that it was all just her one-sided fantasy.


    She stood up and walked out of the hotel with her luggage. Not once did she nce back.


    In front of the hotel, Samuel bowed his head slightly and opened the car door for her.


    ¡°Are you all right, Mrs. Wall?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Sadie said with a forced smile as she got into the back seat.


    Sadie looked out the window as the vehicle slowly pulled away, her heart roiling with confusion and unease.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, Mrs. Wall has left,¡± Samuel reported from behind Noah. Although his tone was respectful as always, he couldn¡¯t help the touch of doubt and hesitation that came with it.


    Noah spun around abruptly, panic shing across his eyes before disappearing the next second. His lips pressed into a thin line, his jaw clenching as he gritted his teeth.


    ¡°When?¡± he rasped.


    ¡°Just a few minutes ago.¡± Samuel cautiously studied Noah¡¯s expression before adding, ¡°Mrs. Wall seemed upset. She¡­ she left in quite a hurry.¡±


    A long, tense silence followed.


    L?t??¦Ó §éh?¦Ñ¦Ó?r? ¦Én g¨»l??¦Ïv?l?.§ão??


    Noah raked a hand through his hair and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window on one side of the room.


    ¡°Some respect,¡± he muttered under his breath, a wave of frustration rising in his chest.


    He closed his eyes and took a deep breath in a bid to clear his mind, but his efforts were futile.


    When he finally opened his eyes a couple of momentster, he was still far from calm.


    ¡°Arrange for someone to tail and protect her. Make sure they¡¯re discreet.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall.¡±


    With that, Samuel exited the room, gently closing the door behind him.


    Sadie¡¯s flight was smooth and uneventful. As she prepared to dene, she unbuckled her seatbelt and kneaded her throbbing temples.


    The trip had left her exhausted, both physically and mentally. All she wanted was to return to her studio and get some much-needed rest.


    Suddenly, her phone vibrated inside her pocket¡ªNte was calling.


    ¡°Have younded, Sadie? Something big has happened!¡± Nte¡¯s voice was urgent, and the words spilled out of her in rapid-fire session.


    A sense of foreboding came over Sadie. ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°Our system¡­ well, it looks like we had a glitch or something. We have no idea how it happened, but your name was registered for the International Jewelry Design Competition somehow.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s breath hitched. The International Jewelry Design Competition?


    It wasn¡¯t her¡ªshe hadn¡¯t signed up for it at all. And theputers in the studio had just been recently serviced. They were clean and protected. How could they have a sudden glitch out of nowhere?


    ¡°What did you just say? How did this happen?¡± Sadie tried to stay calm. ¡°How¡¯s the system now? Does it function normally?¡±


    ¡°As far as I can tell, everything is back to normal, but the registration has been submitted sessfully. There¡¯s no way we can withdraw your name.¡±


    Nte sounded like she was about to cry.


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 Chapter 402

    ?Chapter 402:


    ¡°Sadie, what should we do? The International Jewelry Design Competition is no joke. There¡¯s a lot you will have to prepare. And we just took on the Lawrence Group¡¯s project for this quarter, too! We don¡¯t have the time or the resources to spare for thispetition.¡±


    Sadie took a deep breath, still telling herself to remain calm.


    Participating in the International Jewelry Design Competition wasn¡¯t a big deal in itself, but current circumstances at her studio did not allow for it.


    The Lawrence Group¡¯s project was a crucial endeavor, and any dy, regardless of the reasons, could have dire repercussions for their business.


    ¡°All right, I understand. Don¡¯t worry, Nte. I¡¯ll be back at the studio soon. We¡¯ll figure out what to do, okay?¡±


    Despite her words, Sadie felt as though her heart had been tossed into an abyss by the time she ended the call.


    The system¡¯s mysterious glitch, the sudden registration for the International Jewelry Design Competition¡ªno matter which way she looked at it, the timing was very suspicious.


    Soon, another call came in. When Sadie nced at her screen, the caller ID disyed Vivi¡¯s name.


    Sadie had barely picked up when Vivi¡¯s shrill voice immediately came through.


    ¡°So, I heard you signed up for the International Jewelry Design Competition. You¡¯re really trying topete with me, aren¡¯t you, Sadie?¡±


    Sadie scoffed, her lips curling into a sneer. Just as she had thought¡ªit was all Vivi¡¯s doing.


    ¡°Vivi, let¡¯s cut to the chase, shall we? Did you do this?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it was me,¡± Vivi replied smugly. ¡°What are you going to do about it?¡±


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    ¡°Sadie, I¡¯ve always wanted to surpass you. This International Jewelry Design Competition is our final showdown! I¡¯ll prove I¡¯m the true queen of design!¡± Vivi dered.


    ¡°Vivi, you¡¯re so childish!¡± Sadie managed to suppress her anger. ¡°Even if you resorted to underhanded tactics to drag me into thispetition, it doesn¡¯t change the fact that you¡¯re not as skilled as I am!¡±


    ¡°Oh, really? Then let¡¯s see whoes out on top!¡± Vivi retorted, ending the call abruptly.


    Sadie clenched her phone, her grip tightening in frustration.


    Vivi¡¯s challenge had ignited a fiery anger within her, yet she recognized that impulsiveness would not serve her well now.


    She needed to remainposed and strategize effectively.


    Upon leaving the airport, she hailed a cab and directed the driver to her studio. During the ride, Sadie mulled over her ns.


    The International Jewelry Design Competition and her partnership with the Lawrence Group were both pivotal. She needed a solid n to excel in both arenas.


    ¡°Sir, please hurry,¡± Sadie implored, her anxiety evident.


    The cab driver noticed her tense expression in the rearview mirror and elerated quietly.


    Trying to gather her thoughts, Sadie leaned back, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath to calm herself.


    When the cab arrived at her studio, Sadie quickly exited.


    The studio door was slightly open, light pouring out onto the sidewalk. She pushed the door open and was immediately met by the sight of Nte pacing anxiously.


    The studio was in chaos, with design drafts strewn about, fabrics and tools cluttering the tables, and a palpable tension filling the air.


    ¡°Sadie, you¡¯re back!¡± Nte eximed, her relief evident as she approached like she had found a lifeline.


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 Chapter 403

    ?Chapter 403:


    ¡°What¡¯s the current situation?¡± Sadie asked, striving to keep her voice steady despite her urgency.


    ¡°It¡¯s the same. We can¡¯t cancel the registration!¡± Nte responded, close to tears. ¡°We don¡¯t even have time to prepare for the International Jewelry Design Competition, and we haven¡¯t evenpleted the first draft for our partnership with the Lawrence Group!¡±


    She gestured to the scattered design drafts, her voiceden with despair. ¡°Look at this mess. All these were preparations for the partnership, and now everything¡¯s in disarray!¡±


    Sadie surveyed the studio, noting the chaos¡ªa testament to the stress Nte had been under.


    Approaching a table, Sadie picked up a few drafts and studied them carefully.


    ¡°These designs are quite innovative. You¡¯ve clearly been working hard on them,¡± she said, her voice softening as she sought tofort Nte.


    ¡°But there¡¯s no time to refine them now!¡± Nte¡¯s voice broke slightly. ¡°The International Jewelry Design Competition is just a month away. We¡¯re not going to be ready!¡±


    Sadie set the drafts back down, inhaled deeply, and fixed Nte with a determined gaze.


    ¡°We¡¯ll tackle both challenges together. We¡¯ll manage both the partnership project and the International Jewelry Design Competition,¡± Sadie dered.


    ¡°Both?¡± Nte looked at her, incredulous.


    ¡°How can that be feasible? There are only three of us, and we have just one month toplete two major projects. It¡¯s impossible!¡±


    Sadie stepped closer, cing her hands reassuringly on Nte¡¯s shoulders.


    ¡°Nothing is impossible. Nte, trust in me and in yourself. We¡¯ve pulled through countless challenges and all-nighters together. We can do this too.¡±


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    Seeing the resolve in Sadie¡¯s eyes, Nte let her panic ebb away. She nodded firmly, wiped away her tears, and her voice steadied.


    ¡°Alright. We¡¯ll tackle both projects! If we need to, we¡¯ll pull a few more all-nighters!¡±


    A faint smile appeared on Sadie¡¯s lips, a bright spot in the cluttered studio.


    ¡°First, let¡¯s reorganize our schedule.¡±


    Sadie grabbed a pen and a nk sheet of paper and began quickly outlining a n.


    ¡°We need toplete the first draft for the partnership with the Lawrence Group within two weeks. Then we can make revisions and improvements. Thest two weeks will be dedicated entirely to preparing for the International Jewelry Design Competition.¡±


    Nte joined her at the table, her brows furrowing as she took in the ambitious schedule Sadie was sketching out.


    ¡°Two weeks for the first draft? That¡¯s incredibly tight!¡±


    ¡°I know it¡¯s a tight schedule, but we have to make it work. We need to maximize every minute, enhance our efficiency, and ensure we work seamlessly as a team.¡±


    ¡°Alright!¡± Nte agreed, her resolve renewed.


    With renewed vigor, Sadie and Nte began to organize the scattered design drafts, sorting them ording to the respective projects.


    As they worked, they discussed their immediate next steps, the studio buzzing with a blend of tension and the dynamic energy of urgent work.


    Time marched on relentlessly, each tick of the clock urging them forward.


    Sadie pushed open the grand doors of Myrtlewood Estate and was immediately enveloped by its familiar warmth.


    The tension from the studio began to dissolve, reced by aforting sense of relief. She slipped into her slippers and casually ced her bag on the entryway cab.


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 Chapter 404

    ?Chapter 404:


    ¡°Mom!¡± A crisp voice echoed from the living room, followed by the sound of small feet rushing toward her.


    Averi, her beloved son, had just returned from his study trip in Slimron.


    ¡°Sweetheart, I missed you so much!¡± Sadie enveloped Averi in a tight hug, nting a kiss on his soft hair.


    ¡°Mom, I missed you too!¡± Averi looked up with bright, joyful eyes. ¡°Slimron was so much fun. Let me tell you all about it¡­¡±


    Averi grabbed Sadie¡¯s hand, his excitement palpable as he began to recount his adventures.


    ¡°We went to the aquarium and saw so many fish, and dolphins that danced¡­¡±


    Averi¡¯s hands fluttered as he mimicked the dolphins, his enthusiasm infectious. As Sadie watched her son¡¯s animated expressions, her heart swelled with affection.


    The stress of the studio and Vivi¡¯s provocations faded into the background, reced by the simple joy of being with her son.


    ¡°And we also visited the science museum where they had amazing robots¡­¡± Averi continued, barely pausing for breath.


    Sadie listened intently, interjecting with questions and reveling in his excitement.


    The delight in Averi¡¯s voice and the sparkle in his eyes filled her with profound happiness and contentment.


    ¡°Mom, guess what? I made a new friend named Leon Powell. We yed games and did experiments together.¡±


    Averi beamed as he produced a photo from his pocket.


    The picture showed two little boys standing shoulder to shoulder, smiles wide. Seeing the photo, Sadie felt a warm surge of joy.


    She was thrilled that Averi had made a new friend and experienced such enriching adventures.


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    ¡°Mom, can youe with me to Slimron next time? We can visit the aquarium, the science museum, and more!¡± Averi pleaded, tugging at her hand.


    ¡°I promise, sweetheart. Once things settle down, we¡¯ll go together, okay?¡± Sadie stroked Averi¡¯s hair, her voice soft with a touch of apology.


    ¡°Okay!¡± Averi eximed, leaping up to give Sadie a big, joyful hug.


    Sadie hugged her son tightly, her heart swelling with love. She knew she had to surmount all challenges for Averi¡¯s sake and win this battle.


    ¡°Mom, I¡¯m so hungry!¡± Averiined, rubbing his tummy and giving her a pitiful look.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get something to eat,¡± Sadie replied, taking Averi¡¯s hand and leading him to the kitchen.


    ¡°Could you please prepare dinner for us?¡± Sadie requested of the cook.


    The cook nodded and quickly set to work.


    Sadie and Averi took their seats at the dining table, chatting happily as they awaited their meal.


    Soon, the table wasden with an array of delicious dishes, the soft light from the crystal chandelier casting a warm glow over the elegant tableware.


    Averi inhaled the enticing aromas, his eyes alight with excitement.


    ¡°Wow! It¡¯s zed chicken! I love zed chicken the most!¡± Averi beamed, his hands ready to dive in.


    Sadieughed and gently chided him. ¡°Wash your hands first, my little foodie.¡±


    Averi hopped down and scampered to the bathroom.


    The sound of running water filled the air as Sadie looked on, her heart filled with affection for her energetic little boy.


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 Chapter 405

    ?Chapter 405:


    Once his hands were clean, Averi hurried back to the table, grabbed a fork, and eagerly took a bite of the zed chicken.


    ¡°Mmm! So delicious!¡± Averi mumbled through his bites.


    Sadie smiled warmly, watching her son eat with such gusto, her heart brimming with happiness and contentment.


    ¡°Mom, why doesn¡¯t Mr. Wall join us for dinner today?¡± Averi suddenly asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.


    Sadie¡¯s smile wavered slightly, her grip on her fork tightening.


    She paused, unsure how to exin Mr. Wall¡¯s absence.


    The atmosphere at the table shifted subtly.


    Noticing the change, Breck discreetly exited, giving mother and son some privacy.


    Sadie took a deep breath, striving to sound casual.


    ¡°He has important work at hispany today, so he couldn¡¯t make it for dinner.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± Averi nodded, his understanding apparent, and he returned his focus to his meal.


    Sadie observed her thoughtful son, feeling a twinge of sadness in her heart.


    As the night deepened, the estate quieted down.


    Lying in her bed, Sadie drifted in and out of sleep.


    Moonlight streamed through the curtains, casting soft shadows across the room.


    Suddenly, the piercing ring of the phone broke the silence, startling Sadie awake.


    She reached for her phone, noting it was from Wall Manor¡¯sndline.


    ¡°Hello?¡± she answered, her voice still coated with sleepiness.


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    ¡°Good evening, Mrs. Wall. This is Gabriel from Wall Manor,¡± the voice on the other end said respectfully. ¡°Mr. Nigel Wall would like to invite you to lunch at Cloudridge Estate next Monday.¡±


    Perched on the city¡¯s edge, Cloudridge Estate belonged to the Wall family. Nestled against the mountains, it offered tranquility and breathtaking scenery. A faint unease began to stir within Sadie¡¯s heart.


    She responded withposure, ¡°Got it. Please inform Nigel that I will arrive on time.¡±


    ¡°Very well,¡± said Gabriel, then disconnected the call.


    cing her phone down, Sadie inhaled deeply.


    The unexpected invite from Nigel threw her for a loop, filling her with a tension she couldn¡¯t quite shake.


    Turning her gaze, she saw Averi, whoy peacefully sleeping next to her, his features rxed into a contented smile.


    Her hand gently stroked his cheek, and warmth flooded her heart.


    ¡°I love you, Averi,¡± she whispered, as though to reinforce her resolve.


    Seeing that Averi was deep in sleep, Sadie rose and made her way to the study.


    Dim light washed over the desk, highlighting the fatigue on her face.


    Opening herptop, she started working.


    As minutes morphed into hours, Sadie remained absorbed in her tasks, seeking to alleviate her difort through diligence.


    Frustration mounting, she stood and went to fetch a ss of water.


    identally, her hand brushed a file folder on the desk¡¯s edge.


    As the folder tumbled to the floor, papers flew out.


    As she kneeled to gather the papers, her eyesnded on a photo.


    Disyed was a ck sedan, its license te indistinct. A crease formed on her brow, suspicion stirring within her.


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 Chapter 406

    ?Chapter 406:


    What could this be?


    She continued to sift through the documents, encountering more photos and reports.


    Among them, she uncovered the specifics of a vehicr ident, including the driver¡¯s identity and screenshots from the surveince footage at the scene.


    Sadie¡¯s heart raced, her breath catching.


    ¡°Ryder¡­¡± she whispered, staring at the driver¡¯s name.


    The name Ryder sparked an intense reaction.


    Three years earlier, she had been the victim of a hit-and-run, leaving heratose for an extended period.


    She had longed to uncover the identity of the driver and their reason for fleeing.


    Now, the answer was right in front of her.


    Ryder had been behind the wheel during her traumatic ident.


    These were evidently the fruits of Noah¡¯s investigation.


    Had Noah been investigating this since she left three years ago?


    Overwhelmed by her findings, Sadie felt a surge ofplex emotions.


    Caught in this whirl of feelings, she found herself bewildered.


    She carefully returned the documents to the folder and ced it back where it belonged.


    She returned to her desk but found concentrating on work impossible. What drove Noah to dig into this case? Was he doing it for her, or was there something else at y?


    Her mind buzzed with endless questions, creating a chaotic whirl of thoughts. Theputer screen¡¯s glow illuminated Sadie¡¯s weary face.


    Rubbing her tired eyes, she tried to refocus, yet her thoughts kept returning to the folder, to that name¡ªRyder.


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    Ovee by fatigue, she eventually drifted off to sleep at her desk.


    In her half-asleep state, she felt someone lift her gently; the familiar scent of cologne enveloped her,forting and warm.


    The next morning, when Sadie awoke, she found herself lying in bed under a light nket.


    Just then, Breck came in with breakfast.


    ¡°Thank you forst night,¡± she said, assuming it was Breck who had carried her back to her room and covered her with the nket.


    Breck wore a puzzled expression and asked, ¡°Mrs. Wall, what did you say?¡±


    Sadie responded, ¡°I was thanking you for carrying me back to my room.¡±


    Breck¡¯s confusion deepened. ¡°I haven¡¯t done that, Mrs. Wall. I only arrived this morning.¡±


    Sadie froze. If not Breck, then who?


    Breck seemed to recall something and hurriedly said, ¡°Ah, Mr. Wall came homest night.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s back?¡± Sadie asked, her voiceced with surprise.


    ¡°Yes, Mrs. Wall. Mr. Wall returnedtest night. He must have seen you asleep in the study and carried you back to your room,¡± Breck exined.


    Sadie felt a rush of warmth andfort at the realization that it had been Noah, after all.


    ¡°Mr. Wall also mentioned that he would be back on time this evening for dinner with you and Averi,¡± Breck added.


    Sadie was even more taken aback by this, and her fingers instinctively tightened around her coffee mug. Noah wasing back for dinner?


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 Chapter 407

    ?Chapter 407:


    Confusion flickered at the back of her mind. Wasn¡¯t K in Slimron? Noah should be spending his time with her, shouldn¡¯t he? Why would hee back?


    Sadie bit her lower lip, her emotions all over the ce.


    ¡°I see,¡± she muttered somewhat absentmindedly.


    Downstairs, Averi¡¯s cheerfulughter rang out, apanied by the gentle, loving coos from Laura.


    The sound did nothing to ease the confusion in Sadie¡¯s heart, though.


    ¡°Mommy!¡± Averi eximed as he broke free from Laura¡¯s embrace and came hurtling toward Sadie.


    ¡°Good morning, sweetheart.¡± Sadie mustered a smile and ruffled her son¡¯s hair. After breakfast, Sadie drove to her studio. Her mind was still a tangled mess, even during the drive.


    Noah¡¯s actions left her lost and confused.


    Just what on earth was that man thinking?


    As soon as she settled behind her desk, Sadie immediately buried herself in work, just to escape her burgeoning thoughts.


    Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm glow on the antique mahogany furniture of Wall Manor. A subtle hint of sandalwood permeated the air.


    K sat gracefully on the sofa in her cream-colored pantsuit, a cup of coffee in her hand as she engaged in pleasant conversation with Isabel.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been looking much better recently, Isabel. The tonics are doing wonders on you,¡± K remarked softly.


    Isabel patted K¡¯s hand, her eyes filled with affection. ¡°You¡¯re always so considerate. You know exactly what I like. If only Noah were as attentive as you. I¡¯ve been hearing a lot of rumors these past few days. How could Noah send you to Slimron?¡±


    K smiled slightly, but her mind was already making devious calctions. Isabel hadn¡¯t said a single word when she was practically banished to Slimron, yet here she was, looking all worried and concerned.


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    ¡°Noah is busy with work. He¡¯s doing it for the sake of the Wall family, so I hope you can spare him some understanding.¡±


    ¡°That boy works too hard,¡± Isabel said with a sigh. ¡°I was just about to go out, by the way. Why don¡¯t you keep mepany, K?¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± K put her cup down. ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    Isabel hesitated for a moment before saying, ¡°The paternity test results for Noah and that child are out. I¡¯m nning to go and get the report.¡±


    ¡°Paternity test?¡± K was visibly taken aback, and a keen sense of foreboding rose in her heart. Still, she maintained herposure. ¡°You haven¡¯t fully recovered yet, Isabel. Why don¡¯t I go and get it for you?¡±


    Isabel thought about it for a moment. She saw no harm in K¡¯s offer; if anything, it made sense. ¡°All right, if you¡¯re sure it¡¯s not too much trouble. Be careful at the hospital, K. It¡¯s usually crowded this time of the day.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Isabel. I¡¯ll be careful.¡±


    K got the address from Isabel, her suspicions now running wild.


    Before she left, Isabel retrieved a thermos from the kitchen. ¡°I made this soup for Noah. Can you swing by thepany and give it to him on your way?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± K took the thermos, struggling to keep her smile from faltering.


    Isabel nodded in satisfaction and saw her off at the door.


    In her mind, K was the ideal daughter-inw. The young woman was gentle, cultured, and very considerate¡ªa stark contrast to Sadie¡¯s apparentck of refinement. K exited Wall Manor and got into her car, her smile giving way to a grim expression.


    A paternity test report¡­


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 Chapter 408

    ?Chapter 408:


    Her fingers clenched tightly around the note containing the hospital¡¯s address. So, all this time, Isabel had been paying attention to that child.


    K started the engine and drove to the hospital. On the way, images of Sadie and Noah kept shing in her mind, fueling the jealousy burning in the pit of her stomach.


    Upon arriving at the hospital, K sought out Dr. Arnold Gray.


    ¡°Excuse me, Dr. Gray,¡± K said. ¡°I was sent by Mrs. Wall to pick up a DNA report.¡±


    Arnold adjusted his sses. ¡°Oh! Mr. Wall¡¯s DNA report, right? Please wait here a moment.¡±


    The man went to his file cab and took out a sealed envelope, which he handed over to K.


    K¡¯s heart raced, and her palms were sweaty as she took the envelope. She took a deep breath and told herself to calm down.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she said to the doctor.


    She could barely wait to see the file; she yanked the folder open the moment she stepped out of the hospital.


    When she saw the results of the test, she felt her entire world shift. The ground beneath her feet seemed to disappear.


    ¡°The probability of paternity is 99.99%.¡±


    The words echoed in her mind over and over.


    She clutched the report so tightly that her fingernails almost tore through the paper. After a while, Kposed herself and returned the report to the folder. Once again, she forced herself to stay calm as she walked to her car and started the engine. She drove straight to the Wall Group building.


    The Wall Group towered over most other skyscrapers, looking grand and imposing from every angle.


    K strode across the lobby, her high heels cking loudly against the marble floor. She was carrying the thermos of soup Isabel had prepared especially for Noah.


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    ¡°Miss Wade?¡± the receptionist called out in obvious surprise. ¡°You¡¯re back.¡± It caught the attention of the other employees nearby, and they soon cast curious nces in K¡¯s direction.


    News of her transfer to Slimron had long since made the rounds within thepany, so her sudden appearance was understandably causing a stir. K mustered a faint smile and raised the thermos. ¡°I¡¯m here to see Noah.¡±


    Everyone immediately understood, and they looked like they collectively sighed to themselves. Old mes were quite hard to extinguish, despite the missteps that might have urred. To their minds, Noah still wasn¡¯t able to let K go.


    And so, K made her way to Noah¡¯s office unimpeded. She knocked at the door.


    ¡°Come in,¡± came the deep, maic voice from inside.


    K pushed the door open and entered. Noah was sitting at his desk, his brows furrowed as he stared at hisputer screen.


    ¡°Noah, I brought you some soup,¡± K said softly, cing the thermos on the other side of his desk.


    Noah looked up then. Something shed across his eyes when they fell on K, but it was gone in an instant. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°Your mother asked me to bring you soup and check on you,¡± K replied, sounding gentle and considerate as she stepped closer.


    ¡°How is she?¡± Noah inquired.


    ¡°She¡¯s doing well, just worried you¡¯re working too hard.¡± K studied him for a few beats before cautiously asking, ¡°Shall we have dinner together tonight?¡±


    Noah pinned her with a deep, unreadable gaze. ¡°This is yourst chance, K. If you cross the line again, don¡¯t bothering back.¡±


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 Chapter 409

    ?Chapter 409:


    K froze, her smile turning stiff. ¡°I understand.¡±


    ¡°Leave,¡± Noahmanded before turning his attention back to hisputer. Biting her lower lip, K turned away and left the office.


    As soon as she was back inside her car, K¡¯s pleasant expression morphed into one of utter malice.


    She took out the DNA report again. It must never reach Isabel, no matter what, or all her efforts would go to waste.


    K took out her phone and dialed a number. ¡°I need you to forge a paternity test, and I want the results to show up negative.¡±


    ¡°No problem, Miss Wade,¡± a deep, male voice responded.


    K ended the call and proceeded to tear the DNA report into pieces. Then she rolled her window down and tossed the pieces out.


    Just then, Samuel happened to be exiting the building. He instantly spotted K¡¯s car parked nearby, and was just in time to see her throw out paper scraps to the ground.


    His curiosity was piqued, so he waited until she had driven away before going over. He picked up a handful of the scraps and was able to make out the words, ¡°paternity test.¡±


    A chill ran through Samuel. His instincts told him that something was not right. He didn¡¯t waste any time and immediately called for security. ¡°Collect all these scraps and bring them to my office.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Ford,¡± a security guard responded, already bending over to gather the paper scraps.


    That afternoon, K ced the forged paternity test report into a neat man envelope. She couldn¡¯t resist running her manicured nails over its p as her lips curled into a triumphant smile.


    Then she drove to Wall Manor.


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    Isabel was in the garden, pruning flowers. She beamed upon seeing the younger woman. ¡°K! Come here.¡±


    ¡°Isabel,¡± K greeted politely before handing over the man envelope. ¡°This is¡­ well¡­¡±


    Puzzled, Isabel took the envelope and pulled out its contents. When she saw the words, ¡°The alleged father is excluded as the biological father¡± at the bottom of the report, her face turned ashen. Then she dropped the garden shears she was holding, and theynded on the concrete footpath with a loud, metallic ng.


    ¡°How¡­ How is this possible?¡± Isabel cried out in a trembling voice, her eyes wide with disbelief. She tried to read the report again and again, but the results did not change.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t be too upset,¡± K said, pretending to be concerned. ¡°Here, take a seat first.¡±


    K helped Isabel sit down on a wicker chair and gently stroked thetter¡¯s back. ¡°Actually, I¡¯ve been feeling like something was off for a while now.¡±


    ¡°Off? What do you mean?¡± Isabel clutched K¡¯s hand tightly.


    K bit her lower lip and pretended to debate with herself before saying, ¡°Well, think about it. That child is almost three years old.¡±


    Isabel blinked at her at first, until realization hit her. Then her eyes widened, and the color drained from her face. If the child was almost three years old, that meant Sadie had been pregnant with the boy three years ago!


    ¡°That means when she was still with Noah, she¡ªshe got¡­¡± Isabel choked on her words and didn¡¯t get to finish her sentence.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a spection on my part,¡± K said quietly, lowering her head, though she looked like she had more to say on the matter.


    ¡°That disgrace of a woman!¡± Isabel shot to her feet, her entire body trembling with rage. ¡°How dare she turn my son into a cuckold! How dare she!¡±


    ¡°Please calm down, Isabel,¡± K said gently. ¡°Our priority for now is to find a way to resolve this issue.¡±


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 Chapter 410

    ?Chapter 410:


    ¡°Resolve the issue?! How in the world are we supposed to do that? Noah ispletely under her spell. He won¡¯t even listen to me!¡± Isabel slumped back into the chair, huffing in a mix of anger and helplessness.


    ¡°You have a point there. After all, Sadie is still staying at Myrtlewood Estate. Perhaps Noah is actually willing to raise another man¡¯s child.¡± K¡¯s words were deliberate, and her goal was to provoke Isabel further.


    ¡°Myrtlewood Estate? That shameless bitch!¡± Sure enough, Isabel¡¯s anger red up again. ¡°I can¡¯t believe she still has the nerve to stay there after what she¡¯s done! Let¡¯s go there, right now!¡±


    Isabel stormed off, and K was only too eager to go with her.


    It was a slow and peaceful afternoon at Myrtlewood Estate, and everything seemed to have lulled after the rush of midday activities.


    An elderly woman with graying hair sat in the living room, her attention focused on the piece she was knitting. Laura was making a cozy new sweater for her adorable great-grandson in preparation for theing winter.


    The sudden, shrill ring of the doorbell disrupted the calm atmosphere in the vi. Breck went to open the door.


    Before him stood two imposing women, each portraying a different picture of style and luxury. ¡°Mrs. Wall, Miss Wade,¡± he greeted with a respectful bow.


    Isabel ignored Breck, shoving past him to storm into the estate. K was quick on her heels, a cunning smile ying on her lips.


    The unexpected intrusion startled the servants, who retreated closer to the walls, as if to make themselves unseen.


    ¡°Get out, all of you!¡± Isabel suddenly yelled, her voice reverberating throughout the house. She then pointed at Breck and red. ¡°You, too!¡± Breck froze for a moment before lowering his head. ¡°Yes, Mrs. Wall.¡±


    He gestured at the other servants, taking them out of the vi with him, then closed the door behind him.


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    Isabel swept her gaze over the living room until itnded on Laura.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Isabel demanded in a decidedly hostile tone.


    Laura looked up, bewildered by the two women¡¯s presence. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, who are you? Are you looking for Sadie? She¡¯s not home at the moment.¡±


    K stepped forward and stered a surprised expression on her face. ¡°Oh, you must be Sadie¡¯s grandmother.¡±


    Laura nodded. ¡°That¡¯s right. Is there anything you need from Sadie?¡±


    K nced at Isabel before turning to Laura with a look of pity. ¡°Well, you may be unaware¡­¡±


    ¡°Of what?¡± Laura prodded when K trailed off. She had no idea what was going on and had to put her knitting down.


    Isabel suddenly let out a cold, humorlessugh. ¡°Your granddaughter has no morals to speak of!¡±


    Laura¡¯s brows drew into a frown. ¡°What are you talking about? Did something happen to Sadie?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re asking what happened?¡± Isabel shrieked. ¡°Well, she cheated on her husband and gave birth to a bastard, and now she expects my son to raise the child!¡±


    Laura was stunned. She couldn¡¯t quite process what she was hearing.


    ¡°Cheated? What bastard? What are you saying? Do you mean that Sadie¡¯s child¡­¡±


    ¡°What do you think?¡± Isabel spat out disdainfully. ¡°That boy is the son of some nameless stranger!¡±


    ¡°Does she really believe she¡¯s worthy of being part of our family? She ought to reflect on where she truly belongs!¡±


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 Chapter 411

    ?Chapter 411:


    Laura¡¯splexion paled, her lips quivering. ¡°You¡¯re wrong! Sadie isn¡¯t like that.¡±


    Isabel scoffed, unwilling to engage further with Laura. She turned sharply. ¡°I came here solely to advise you to keep your granddaughter away from my son. She¡¯s not fit for him.¡±


    K stayed behind as Isabel left. She approached Laura, her expression feigning concern. ¡°Mrs. Stewart, try not to be too distressed. Actually, there¡¯s something Sadie hasn¡¯t told you. I just discovered it recently¡­¡±


    ¡°What are you implying?¡± Laura asked, her pulse quickening.


    K exhaled deeply. ¡°You might not be aware, but Averi¡­ he isn¡¯t Noah¡¯s son. He¡¯s Sadie¡¯s child with another man.¡±


    Laura¡¯s breathing intensified. She gripped the armrest of the sofa, herplexion turning ghostly.


    Wasn¡¯t Alex Averi¡¯s father? Since when was he Noah¡¯s son? What was happening? How could Sadie have done this?


    ¡°Consider this: Averi is nearly three years old. That means, three years ago, Sadie¡­¡± K paused for effect, then added, ¡°Noah and I share true love. Sadie is the other woman.¡±


    ¡°No¡­ it can¡¯t be¡­¡± Laura whispered, her vision blurring, her heart weighed down by sorrow.


    ¡°Are you all right, Mrs. Stewart?¡± K asked, her toneced with false concern as a glint of satisfaction flickered in her eyes.


    Laura tried to respond, but words failed her. She leaned back slowly, falling onto the sofa.


    ¡°Mrs. Stewart! Mrs. Stewart!¡± K shouted, pretending to be rmed, yet she made no move to assist.


    Laura eventually slumped onto the sofa, her face ashen, her breaths shallow. Meanwhile, in her studio, Sadie was engrossed in herptop, her fingers dancing across the drawing tablet.


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    She was so focused that the world around her seemed to vanish, leaving only the design before her. Then, a sudden unease crept over her, causing her to furrow her brows in concern.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Sadie?¡± Nte, noticing her unusual demeanor, asked with worry.


    Sadie massaged her forehead. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, really. I¡¯m just feeling a bit worn out.¡± She attempted to push aside the difort, trying to focus on her work, yet the feeling lingered, like a persistent sting in her heart.


    Suddenly, her phone rang, piercing the quiet of the studio.


    Sadie saw that it was from Myrtlewood Estate, and a chill ran through her.


    ¡°Hello?¡± she answered, her voice shaky.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, your grandma¡­ she suffered a heart attack, and we¡¯ve rushed her to the hospital,¡± Breck said, his voice breaking with emotion.


    ¡°What?¡± Sadie¡¯s head spun, as if struck by something hard. The tablet ttered to the floor from her grasp.


    ¡°My grandmother¡­ what happened? How could this be?¡± Sadie stammered, her words barely holding together.


    ¡°Mrs. Stewart copsed suddenly at home. You need toe quickly!¡± Breck urged.


    Her vision blurred, but Sadie steadied herself against the desk, inhaling deeply to regainposure.


    ¡°Which hospital? I¡¯m on my way,¡± she managed to say, her words deliberate.


    After receiving the details, Sadie hung up, grabbed her coat, and rushed out.


    ¡°What happened, Sadie?¡± Nte, rmed by her friend¡¯s ghostly pallor and frantic manner, asked, pressing for an exnation.


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 Chapter 412

    ?Chapter 412:


    ¡°My grandmother had a heart attack. I have to get to the hospital,¡± Sadie exined, hurrying.


    ¡°I¡¯lle with you.¡± Nte offered immediately.


    They quickly hailed a cab and sped toward the hospital.


    In the cab, Sadie gripped her phone, her hands slick with perspiration.


    Her thoughts raced, nearly overwhelming her.


    Laura had been fine this morning. A heart attack? So sudden?


    Was there an underlying cause?


    She recalled that morning¡¯s goodbye, with Laura contentedly knitting sweaters for her and Averi, her face warm with a tender smile. That image now pierced her heart sharply.


    Throughout the journey, Sadie pleaded with the driver to hurry, desperate to get to the hospital as quickly as possible.


    Upon arrival, Sadie and Nte rushed toward the emergency room, asking for directions along the way.


    Breck was pacing outside the emergency room, clearly wracked with worry. Spotting Sadie, he hurried over.


    ¡°You¡¯ve arrived, Mrs. Wall!¡± he said, his voice cracking. ¡°They¡¯re still trying to revive Mrs. Stewart¡­¡±


    A wave of dread overwhelmed Sadie.


    ¡°How could this happen¡­¡± she whispered, her legs nearly buckling.


    Nte quickly steadied her. ¡°Sadie, hold on. It¡¯s going to be alright.¡±


    Sadie gripped Nte¡¯s hand tightly, her knuckles turning white. She trembled and found herself speechless.


    Sadie¡¯s hands were clenched into tight fists, her fingernails digging painfully into her flesh. Her heart seemed lodged in her throat, pounding loudly.


    Suddenly, the doors to the emergency room swung open.


    A weary doctor appeared, pulling down his mask and massaging his temple. ¡°Doctor, how is my grandma doing?¡± Sadie stepped forward, urgencycing her voice.


    The doctor let out a heavy sigh, his face drawn with concern. ¡°Her condition is critical. She¡¯s barely breathing, and her heartbeat is faint. Immediate life support is crucial, or¡­¡± His voice trailed off, leaving the unspoken words hanging in the air, which Sadie understood all too well.


    ¡°Please, do whatever you can to save her!¡± Sadie pleaded, tears streaming down her face, her voice trembling.


    ¡°The situation isplex. She¡¯s elderly, and her health issues are severe. It¡¯s best to prepare for any oue,¡± the doctor exined gravely.


    ¡°A family member needs to sign this.¡± He handed over a document. With shaky hands, Sadie quickly scanned it and signed without hesitation.


    ¡°Doctor, please, I¡¯m depending on you,¡± she said, her voice cracking under the strain.


    With a nod, the doctor turned and went back inside the emergency room.


    Leaning against the wall for support, Sadie felt the weight of the day bearing down on her as the doors closed again.


    Checking the time, she saw it was nearly five o¡¯clock.


    She whispered, ¡°Averi¡­¡± A sudden realization hit her¡ªAveri was still at kindergarten, waiting for her.


    She turned to Nte, her voice raspy with fatigue. ¡°Nte, would you mind picking Averi up from kindergarten for me?¡±


    Seeing Sadie¡¯s worn-out expression and swollen eyes, Nte¡¯s heart went out to her.


    She reassured Sadie confidently. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Sadie. I¡¯ll take care of Averi. You stay here with your grandmother. Just call me if you need anything.¡± Sadie squeezed Nte¡¯s hand tightly, grateful beyond words.


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 Chapter 413

    ?Chapter 413:


    ¡°Thank you so much, Nte. I really appreciate it.¡±


    Nte patted her hand gently. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Everything will be alright.¡± After offering a finalforting nce, Nte left the hospital.


    As Sadie watched Nte walk away, a profound sense of gratitude washed over her. Her legs trembled, barely able to hold her up.


    Seeing her struggle to stay upright, Breck quickly moved to steady her as she swayed.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, are you okay?¡± Breck asked, his voice filled with concern.


    Sadie¡¯s face was ashen, her lips quivering. She fought to find her voice, but dizziness overwhelmed her, blurring her vision momentarily.


    Gently, Breck helped her to a nearby bench in the corridor where they both sat.


    Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes, trying to steady her breathing.


    Barely above a whisper, she said, ¡°I need some water¡­¡±


    Without hesitation, Breck handed her a cup of warm water.


    Her hands trembled as she took the cup and sipped slowly, feeling a slight revival with each sip.


    When she opened her eyes, she looked up at Breck, her expression one of confusion and vulnerability. ¡°Can you tell me what just happened?¡±


    With a heavy sigh, Breck began to exin.


    ¡°Your grandmother was fine until Mrs. Isabel Wall and Miss Wade arrived. We were told to stay outside, but we could hear raised voices from within. It sounded like quite a heated argument. Once they left, your grandmother¡­¡±


    He trailed off, but Sadie immediately understood the implication.


    Her hands balled into tight fists, her nails biting painfully into her palms, veins standing out against her skin.


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    K was involved, of course. Why had she appeared at Myrtlewood Estate, and with Isabel in tow? What could they possibly have said to upset Laura so deeply?


    As these thoughts raced through her mind, Sadie¡¯s anger surged, intensifying with each passing moment.


    Bolting upright, Sadie swiftly headed towards the exit of the hospital.


    ¡°Where are you headed, Mrs. Wall?¡± Breck asked, quickly following her.


    ¡°I need to see Isabel and K!¡± Sadie shouted, her words sharp and biting. Breck watched with concern as Sadie¡¯s determined figure disappeared into the distance.


    He felt the urge to stop her but understood that persuading her otherwise would be futile.


    Quickly exiting the hospital, Sadie hailed a cab and instructed the driver to take her directly to Wall Manor.


    As the taxi sped along, Sadie was haunted by memories of Laura¡¯s warm, affectionate smile, recalling the years of care and nurturing she had provided.


    Laura had been her sole refuge, her anchor in a world full of uncertainty. Protecting Laura from harm was Sadie¡¯s unwavering mission.


    Meanwhile, at Wall Manor, the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive. The light from the crystal chandelier harshly illuminated the mahogany furniture, only adding to the somber mood.


    Entering the manor, Noah was immediately enveloped by the thick scent of polished wood, which today seemed to tighten around him, overwhelming his senses.


    He handed his coat to a servant and, with unease, asked, ¡°Where¡¯s my mother?¡±


    ¡°She is waiting for you in the living room,¡± the servant replied quietly, his voice tinged with apprehension.


    Noah¡¯s brows furrowed slightly as he strode toward the living room.


    Isabel sat rigidly on the sofa, her body tight with tension. Her face was dark, and she clutched a document tightly in her hand.


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 Chapter 414

    ?Chapter 414:


    Beside her was K, looking concerned as she patted Isabel¡¯s shoulder in a gesture offort and support.


    ¡°Noah, you¡¯re finally home! I thought you were going to abandon this family altogether for that woman!¡± Isabel¡¯s tone was sharp with fury.


    Noah calmly seated himself across from her. ¡°What seems to be the matter, Mother?¡±


    Isabel let out a bitterugh before mming the document onto the table. ¡°See for yourself!¡±


    It was a paternity test report.


    It only took Noah a brief nce to recognize the document. His expression remained nk as he reached for the report and tore it into pieces without a second¡¯s hesitation.


    ¡°If this is all you wanted to discuss, I¡¯ll be taking my leave,¡± he said in a t tone, as though the matter were of no consequence to him.


    ¡°Noah!¡± Isabel screamed. She grabbed a ss of water from the coffee table and hurled it to the floor. The sound of ss shattering rang out in the living room as the shards scattered across the tiles. ¡°Why are you acting like this? You know full well that child isn¡¯t yours, and yet you still¡ª¡±


    ¡°Please, calm down, Isabel,¡± K interjected softly. ¡°Noah is just confused. He¡¯lle around.¡±


    She stroked Isabel¡¯s back as she spoke, her cunning gaze flitting over to Noah. Isabel took a deep breath in an obvious attempt to curb her rage.


    ¡°Noah, I will ask you onest time. Who will you choose? Either you kick that woman and her illegitimate child out of your life and marry K, or you can stop calling me your mother!¡±


    Noah¡¯s eyes darkened. A moment passed before he spoke.


    ¡°Samuel.¡±


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    ¡°Yes, Mr. Wall.¡±


    Samuel promptly entered the living room.


    ¡°My mother is throwing a tantrum again. Take her to the estate on the outskirts to cool off. We will revisit this discussionter.¡±


    ¡°You¡ªYou are actually casting your own mother aside for the sake of a scheming adulteress and her bastard son?¡± Isabel¡¯s voice quivered in disbelief as she raised a trembling hand and pointed at Noah.


    K seized the moment to walk up to Noah and grab his arm, as if she had every right to. ¡°Come on, Noah,¡± she coaxed, ¡°don¡¯t be upset with your mother. She only wants what¡¯s best for you¡ª¡±


    Noah pulled his arm free, his gaze icy. ¡°Take my mom away,¡± he said to Samuel in amanding tone.


    Just then, a servant hurried over. ¡°Mr. Wall,¡± he cried out in a panic. ¡°Your wife is here.¡±


    Noah¡¯s face twitched. Before he could react, a slender figure barged into the living room. Sadie was here.


    She wore a simple white dress, and though her face was pale, her eyes carried an icy sharpness that sent chills down Noah¡¯s spine.


    ¡°How dare you step into my house!¡± Isabel ranted as soon as she caught sight of Sadie. ¡°You bitch! You¡¯re a cursed wretch that brought ruin to your own family! And now you¡¯re clinging to my son! Tell me, do you n on destroying him, too?!¡±


    Every word that spilled from Isabel¡¯s mouth cut deep into Sadie¡¯s heart. She gritted her teeth until her gums almost bled. Her gaze had turned murderous.


    The air grew thick with tension, and it felt like they were all waiting for a bomb to detonate.


    Still staring at Sadie, Noah felt a ripple of unease. He had never seen her like this before. A strange sense of foreboding washed over him.


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 Chapter 415

    ?Chapter 415:


    What Sadie did next left everyone in the room stunned.


    In one swift movement, she grabbed the fruit knife from the table with one hand, while yanking K by the hair with the other.


    ¡°Ah!¡± K¡¯s scream rang out through the house.


    Then Sadie lunged forward and pressed the de against Isabel¡¯s neck, the de glinting under the light as it rested on the older woman¡¯s fragile skin.


    Isabel was paralyzed with fear. All the color drained from her face, and her body went cold. She could feel the icy chill of the de against her skin.


    ¡°What did you do to my grandmother?¡± Sadie demanded in a trembling voice, each word biting through clenched teeth. It was clear she was barely holding back all the pent-up rage and pain she had suppressed.


    Her voice seemed to bring Isabel back to her senses. A flicker of doubt appeared in her eyes before they narrowed in anger, and she red at Sadie, shouting in return, ¡°You¡¯re insane! How dare you press a knife against me? You lunatic! You wretched woman! My grandmother¡¯s condition has nothing to do with me! It was her own¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡± Sadie snapped, her voice shrill and grating. ¡°Did you have something to do with my grandmother¡¯s heart attack?!¡± she demanded.


    Tears streamed down K¡¯s face as Sadie tightened her grip on her hair. She lifted her eyes to Noah and pleaded for help.


    ¡°Noah¡­ Save me! Remember, it was me who¡­¡± she choked out the words, hoping to invoke Noah¡¯s sympathy.


    Noah¡¯s frown deepened as he took in the chaotic scene before him. To say that he was shocked by Sadie¡¯s recklessness would be an understatement, but he could do nothing more than stare at her in fear and concern.


    ¡°Sadie, calm down,¡± he said slowly, his voice low and steady. ¡°Let K go and put the knife down, okay? We can talk about this.¡±


    ¡°Talk?!¡± Sadie snarled, then let out a mockingugh. ¡°You expect me to talk to the people who tried to murder my grandmother? What the hell do you take me for?!¡±


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    The knife in her hand trembled slightly, a sign that she might cut Isabel at any moment, whether she intended to or not.


    ¡°Sadie, listen to me¡­¡± Noah held up his hands and took a step toward her, but Sadie¡¯s fiery re stopped him dead in his tracks.


    ¡°Don¡¯te any closer!¡±


    The air in the living room was suffocating, and everyone¡¯s breathing had turned short and shallow.


    Sadieughed again, just as cold and humorless as before. She suddenly let go of K, then swung her arm and delivered a resounding p to K¡¯s face. The sound of flesh hitting flesh was particrly loud in the otherwise silent room.


    Caught off guard, K stumbled backward with a scream. She cupped her stinging cheek, her head spinning from the force of the impact.


    Noah felt a pang in his heart when he saw K get hit. His eyes were clouded with a mix of emotions as he turned to look back at Sadie. The pain in his gaze was like another dagger to Sadie¡¯s chest. Even now, after all that had happened, he still cared about K.


    ¡°Noah,¡± Sadie said, her voice devoid of warmth or feeling. ¡°You¡¯re still protecting her, huh? What is she to you, really? Your true love? The one you always wanted? What does that make me? A ything you can use and throw away as you please?¡±


    ¡°Noah¡­¡± K sobbed loudly. ¡°My face hurts so much¡­¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression was a mix of worry and frustration. ¡°I¡¯m not trying to protect her, Sadie. I just¡ª¡±


    ¡°Just what?¡± Sadie cut him off. ¡°You just can¡¯t bear to see her hurt? Just don¡¯t want her to get upset? For once, Noah, ask yourself¡ªdid you ever truly care about me?¡±


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 Chapter 416

    ?Chapter 416:


    Her hand, still holding the knife, twitched, prompting Isabel to let out a terrified scream. ¡°Ah! No, don¡¯t kill me! Please don¡¯t kill me!¡±


    ¡°Sadie!¡± Noah¡¯s voice grew louder and more urgent, though there was an unmistakable note of warning too. ¡°Just calm down, okay? Let go of the knife!¡±


    Sadie ignored him and turned her attention to Isabel. ¡°My grandmother loves me so much. She¡¯s the only one who cares about me. Why did you hurt her? Why?!¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t! I didn¡¯t do anything to your grandmother!¡± Isabel¡¯s voice was hoarse and cracked with fear. ¡°She just¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡± Sadie screamed in her face. ¡°Do you think I¡¯ll believe your lies? You must have done something to trigger her heart attack! You¡¯re all murderers! And I¡¯ll make sure my grandmother gets the justice she deserves!¡±


    Noah could see that Sadie was spiraling out of control, and he knew he couldn¡¯t afford to wait any longer.


    He took a deep breath and issued an order. ¡°Samuel, now!¡±


    Samuel hesitated for a moment, ncing between Noah and the frantic Sadie. In the end, he gritted his teeth and rushed forward with a team of bodyguards.


    Sadie was quickly overpowered and subdued.


    ¡°Let me go!¡± she struggled and iled, but it was useless.


    The knife fell to the floor during the scuffle.


    Ovee by her emotions and the tension that had built up, Sadie finally copsed, losing consciousness.


    Before sumbing to the darkness, she caught a glimpse of Noah cradling K in his arms. The tenderness on his face was the final blow Sadie could endure. In that moment, her heart turned into a cold, empty shell.


    Noah strode out of the estate, K cradled in his arms. His grip was firm, unyielding, and his pace relentless.


    Against his chest, K rested limply, her pale cheek brushing against the fabric of his shirt. But beneath her fragile exterior, there was a faint smirk¡ªsubtle, victorious.


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    The night beyond the estate was thick with shadows, swallowing the dim glow of the streemps.


    A sleek ck sedan waited by the curb, its presence eerily silent. As Noah stepped out, he wasted no time, pulling the rear door open with a curt nod.


    Noah didn¡¯t hesitate. With little care, he tossed K inside.


    She tumbled onto the plush leather seat, a sharp gasp escaping her lips. The sting of impact barely registered before the door mmed shut with brutal finality.


    K¡¯s breath hitched.


    Noah wasn¡¯t getting in?


    Uncertainty flickered in her eyes. Her fingers trembled as she reached for the window, rolling it down just enough to peer outside. Swallowing her unease, she softened her voice,cing it with feigned weakness.


    ¡°Noah¡­ my chest is hurting. Please,e with me to the hospital.¡±


    Noah stood still, his gaze locked onto hers. The warmth she sought in his eyes was absent¡ªreced instead by something far colder.


    Without a word, he leaned in, his movements slow, deliberate. Then, in one swift motion, his hand shot through the open window, fingers tightening around her slender throat.


    K¡¯s eyes widened in sheer terror as crushing pressure seized her windpipe. Panic surged through her veins.


    She wed at Noah¡¯s wrist, struggling, gasping, thrashing¡ªfutile. He didn¡¯t flinch.


    ¡°Listen to me carefully.¡± His voice was empty. Hollow. Devoid of anything human. ¡°If I find out you had anything to do with what happened to Sadie¡¯s grandmother¡­¡±


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 Chapter 417

    ?Chapter 417:


    Then, in a voice as cold as death itself, he murmured, ¡°I¡¯ll kill you myself.¡± K¡¯s entire body went rigid.


    The look in Noah¡¯s eyes¡ªit was unlike anything she¡¯d ever seen before. Raw, unfiltered, murderous intent. A silent promise of something far worse than pain.


    Just as suddenly as he had grabbed her, Noah released his grip. K copsed against the seat, gulping in air, her body trembling violently. Straightening up, Noah turned to the driver. ¡°Take her to the hospital.¡±


    The driver obeyed instantly, starting the car and pulling away without hesitation. K shivered, her arms wrapping around herself. She could still feel the ghost of Noah¡¯s fingers around her throat. And the way he had looked at her¡­ It was a look that would haunt her forever.


    Back inside the estate, the living room was a wreck¡ªfurniture overturned, shards of ss glinting under the dim light.


    On the sofa, Sadiey unconscious, her face ghastly pale. Nearby, Isabel sat slumped, herplexion no better, her entire body trembling.


    Then, the moment Noah stepped inside, Isabel snapped out of her stupor. She lunged toward him, gripping onto his arm with desperate, shaking hands. ¡°Noah, please¡­ I didn¡¯t do anything.¡± Isabel¡¯s voice wavered, panic seeping into every syble. ¡°When I left, her grandmother was fine. I didn¡¯t say anything cruel¡ªI swear. I was only looking for Sadie, but she wasn¡¯t there, so I left. That¡¯s all! You have to believe me!¡±


    Her words tumbled out in a desperate rush, her wide eyes searching Noah¡¯s face for any sign of belief. Noah didn¡¯t so much as blink.


    He walked past her without a word, his focus solely on Sadie. Bending down, he gathered her into his arms, lifting her as if she weighed nothing at all. His jaw clenched as he looked down at her, unreadable emotions flickering across his face before vanishing behind his usualposure.


    Then, he lifted his gaze to Isabel, his voice cutting through the silence like a de. ¡°No one touches Sadie.¡±


    Isabel felt the blood drain from her face. There was something chilling in the way he said it.


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    ¡°Samuel.¡± The door creaked open, and Samuel stepped inside, his posture crisp, awaiting instruction. Noah didn¡¯t take his eyes off Isabel as he spoke. ¡°Take my mother to the estate on the outskirts. She does not return unless I say so.¡±


    Samuel gave a small bow.


    ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall.¡± Turning to Isabel, he extended an arm toward the door, his voice respectful but firm. ¡°Mrs. Wall, if you¡¯lle with me.¡±


    Isabel¡¯s lips parted as if to protest, but one look at Noah¡¯s expression told her there was no use. He wasn¡¯t negotiating. Swallowing hard, she bit back her words, nodding stiffly, and turned on her heel, following Samuel out without another sound.


    Noah exhaled slowly, then carried Sadie outside, his movements steady and deliberate. The Maybach was already waiting. He opened the door and ced her carefully in the back seat.


    Sliding in beside her, he shut the door. His voice was calm but firm. ¡°Drive. Take us to the hospital.¡±


    The car eased onto the road, slipping into the quiet night.


    Noah held Sadie¡¯s hand, his fingers tightening instinctively around hers. She was cold. Too cold.


    Without thinking, he pressed her hand against his chest, hoping to transfer some of his body heat to her.


    Then, suddenly, a sharp vibration cut through the silence.


    Noah pulled a phone from Sadie¡¯s pocket and nced at the screen. An unfamiliar number.


    He hesitated for a fraction of a second before answering.


    A woman¡¯s voice, hurried, came through the line. ¡°Sadie? It¡¯s Nte. I¡¯ve got Averi. I¡¯m taking him to the location you sent¡ªMyrtlewood Estate. Don¡¯t worry. Everything¡¯s fine.¡±


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 Chapter 418

    ?Chapter 418:


    Noah¡¯s grip on the phone tightened.


    His voice was low, steady. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    There was a brief silence on the other end.


    ¡°Eh?¡± Nte¡¯s tone shifted, confused. ¡°Wait¡­ Who is this?¡±


    She blinked, momentarily thrown off by the unfamiliar voice.


    Her lips parted to ask, but before she could get a word out, the call abruptly disconnected.


    She pulled the phone away from her ear, staring at the screen in confusion. Who was that? Sadie had never mentioned a husband. Not once.


    Noah exhaled slowly, slipping the phone back into Sadie¡¯s pocket. His gaze returned to her, her delicate hand still enveloped in his own.


    He didn¡¯t know exactly what had happened to Laura. Not yet. But he would find out. And he would give Sadie the answers she deserved.


    The next morning, a sharp, sterile scent of disinfectant burned at Sadie¡¯s senses.


    Her eyelids fluttered. Her fingers twitched against the crisp sheets. A stark white ceiling. Fluorescent lights ring overhead.


    A hospital.


    Panic hit her in waves. Memories crashed into her all at once¡ªshattered fragments piecing themselves together in a violent rush.


    The knife in her hand. Pressed against Isabel.


    Her breath caught, a sharp, suffocating ache spreading through her chest. Grandma!


    Sadie jumped out of bed, her feet tingling from the cold, hard floor.


    Not bothering to put on her shoes, she stumbled out of the hospital room.


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    The corridor was alive with activity, filled with people moving in every direction. She grabbed a nurse by the arm, her voice trembling and barely audible. ¡°Excuse me! How is Laura Stewart?¡±


    Taken aback by Sadie¡¯s urgency, the nurse paused before responding. ¡°Co¡ªwhat? Did you say Stewart?¡± She searched her memories. ¡°You must be referring to Laura Stewart, right? She¡­ she didn¡¯t make it,¡± the nurse murmured, her voice dropping to a hushed tone. ¡°We couldn¡¯t revive her. She¡¯s gone.¡±


    The nurse¡¯s words blurred Sadie¡¯s vision momentarily.


    Suddenly weak, Sadie felt her legs give way, and she began to fall.


    ¡°Sadie!¡± A strong arm caught her just in time, and a familiar, crisp scent enveloped her.


    It was Noah.


    Seeing him triggered a flood of sadness and frustration. Tears that she had been suppressing streamed down her face.


    In a surge of emotion, she struck him across the face.


    The p echoed down the corridor. A vivid handprint marked Noah¡¯s cheek. He didn¡¯t flinch, nor did he react. His eyes conveyed deep sorrow.


    ¡°Why¡­ why did you intervene¡­¡± Sadie barely managed to say through her tears.


    Her cries became uncontroble.


    Noah embraced her firmly, trying to offerfort.


    With a forceful push, Sadie shoved him back, yelling through her sobs, ¡°She¡¯s dead! My grandmother is dead! I me myself; it¡¯s all my fault!¡±


    Overwhelmed by grief, she sank to the floor, covering her face as she wept bitterly.


    Noah knelt before her, attempting to draw her into an embrace. She recoiled, shoving him away with fierce determination.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare touch me!¡± she screamed, her eyes red and filled with anger, fixed on him. ¡°You¡¯re to me! Your whole family is! You¡¯re the reason she¡¯s gone! I swear I¡¯ll make you regret what happened to my grandmother!¡±


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 Chapter 419

    ?Chapter 419:


    She pulled herself to her feet, her face marked with deep despair. ¡°My life¡­ it has meant something¡­¡±


    Watching her copse back onto the floor, Noah forced himself to keep hisposure. He motioned to the nurse, who was still stunned by the scene unfolding. ¡°You¡¯re free to go now,¡± he whispered.


    With a swift nod, the nurse seized the chance to escape, leaving Noah and Sadie alone in the thick air of grief.


    Noah made another attempt to help Sadie up, extending his hand cautiously, but she pped it away sharply.


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch me!¡± Her voice cracked through her tears.


    Noah¡¯s eyes remained on her tear-streaked face, and a deep ache filled his heart. He kept his voice steady, trying to break through her distress. ¡°Sadie, please, calm down. Averi is still at Myrtlewood Estate, waiting for you toe back.¡±


    Hearing her son¡¯s name, Sadie showed a brief moment of confusion, which quickly turned to intense hatred. ¡°Are you using Averi to threaten me? Trying to make me forgive your mother and K?¡± Her voice was thick with contempt.


    Just then, Alex rushed into the corridor.


    When he saw Sadie in turmoil, his expression softened with profound sadness. He enveloped her in his arms, his whispers tender. ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, Sadie. I¡¯m right here.¡±


    Grasping Alex¡¯s sleeve desperately, Sadie seemed to find a brief sense offort.


    A chilling smile crept onto Noah¡¯s face as he watched, his eyes briefly shing with disdain. The sight of Sadiepletely reliant on Alex for support sparked an intense fury inside him.


    ¡°Yes, I am threatening you,¡± Noah said coldly, his voice tinged with malice. ¡°Behave yourself if you care about Averi¡¯s safety.¡±


    At his words, Sadie experienced a sudden shock.


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    Lifting her head quickly, she fixed her gaze on Noah, her eyes wide and fearful.


    She tried to speak, but her words faltered, leaving her lips quivering silently. ¡°What?¡±


    Noah raised an eyebrow.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t¡­¡± Sadie began, but Noah quickly interrupted her.


    His hands clenched into fists as he looked into Sadie¡¯s eyes and said deliberately, ¡°Your grandmother is alive.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Confusion swept over Sadie, unsure if she had heard him correctly.


    ¡°She¡¯s in the adjacent ward, still unconscious.¡± Noah¡¯s voice softened slightly as he continued, ¡°It¡¯s time you took responsibility for her care, instead of leaving it to my maid.¡±


    With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Sadie and Alex standing there.


    Stunned, Sadie remained motionless, her mind struggling to process the news. Her grandmother was still alive?


    Acting on impulse, she brushed past Alex and hurried to the next ward. There, Lauray in the hospital bed, her delicate frame surrounded by medical equipment that beeped softly.


    Tears welled up in Sadie¡¯s eyes as she tenderly touched Laura¡¯s face. She nced at the monitors, which disyed the rhythmic patterns of Laura¡¯s heartbeat, proof that she was still fighting for her life.


    ¡°Grandma¡­¡± Sadie murmured, her voice trembling as she bent over the bed, crying uncontrobly.


    Alex remained a few steps behind, silently observing the emotional scene. His sympathy for Sadie deepened as he watched her sorrow unfold. He gently touched her shoulder, whispering, ¡°Don¡¯t cry, Sadie. Laura will recover.¡±


    Grateful, Sadie looked up at Alex through her tears.


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 Chapter 420

    Chapter 420:


    Meanwhile, Noah stormed out of the hospital, his expression clouded with frustration.


    From a distance, Samuel, ever attentive, noticed his boss¡¯s sudden exit and hurried over. ¡°Mr. Wall.¡±


    He was puzzled. Noah had just entered the hospital ten minutes earlier. What had caused him to leave so quickly?


    Noah kept walking, offering only a brief ¡°Hmm¡± in response.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, I was bringing you the soup,¡± Samuel said, following him with a thermos in hand.


    ¡°This morning, you asked the chef at Myrtlewood Estate to prepare soup for Mrs. Wall. You left it behind when you went in, and now you¡¯re leaving already¡­¡±


    ¡°No need for that now. Just throw it away,¡± Noah said dismissively.


    Samuel hesitated before asking, ¡°So, should I not deliver it to Mrs. Wall?¡± Noah massaged his temples, his weariness evident.


    ¡°Just discard it,¡± he instructed firmly.


    Before Samuel could respond, Noah halted abruptly. His tone softened unexpectedly. ¡°Wait.¡±


    Samuel tensed, anxiously watching Noah.


    ¡°Deliver it to the nurses¡¯ station,¡±manded Noah, his voice still cool but slightly gentler than before.


    ¡°Right away, Mr. Wall,¡± Samuel responded promptly, though he silently wondered what recent event might have caused the change in Noah¡¯s mood.


    Noah walked briskly to the curb where his sleek ck Maybach was parked. He pulled open the door and settled into the back seat.


    Inside, the cold air from the air conditioning couldn¡¯t soothe his agitation. With his eyes closed, images of Sadie¡¯s despondent look and her grip on Alex¡¯s sleeve haunted him.


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    An intense wave of irritation washed over him, sudden and fierce. He opened his eyes, his stare piercing.


    ¡°To the office,¡± he instructed the driver sharply.


    The driver, without a word, ignited the engine and drove smoothly from the hospital.


    As the car moved, Noah¡¯s fingers drummed a steady beat on the armrest. He reyed Sadie¡¯s biting remarks, the venom in her gaze, and her apparent dependency on Alex in his mind.


    His hands balled into fists, the skin over his knuckles stretching taut.


    Why did this anger consume him so deeply?


    He had merely intended to scare her into submission.


    Yet, seeing her so broken and reliant on another was like a vice grip on his heart, making it difficult to breathe.


    In frustration, Noah loosened his tie, but the tightness in his chest persisted.


    What had he been hoping for? Did he expect her to yield? To plead with him?


    No, that wasn¡¯t his desire. But what did he truly want?


    The pungent smell of disinfectant clung to the air around K. She adjusted the IV needle in her arm, her expression one of annoyance.


    ¡°Why isn¡¯t he here yet?¡± she muttered under her breath, her gaze flicking toward the door.


    ¡°Miss Wade, there¡¯s no need for concern. Mr. Wall has many responsibilities; his dy is probably due to urgent matters,¡± the caregiver reassured her, offering a freshly peeled apple.


    K epted the apple, taking a bite, but itcked any vor for her.


    ¡°Doctor, I¡¯m still not feeling well. Is it possible to extend my stay here for further observation?¡± she asked the doctor who was making his rounds, her voice soft and delicate.


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    The doctor reviewed her medical records, his brow furrowing slightly. ¡°Miss Wade, your health indicators are all within normal ranges. You¡¯re medically fit for discharge. We must keep beds avable for those who really need them¡­¡±


    ¡°Doctor, I insist I¡¯m not well. I¡¯m suffering from dizziness, nausea, and extreme fatigue¡­¡± K detailed her symptoms, pressing her fingers to her forehead, her face pale as if she were on the brink of copse.


    The doctor hesitated, aware of K¡¯s significant influence and cautious not to displease her. ¡°But¡­¡±


    K then added, ¡°I¡¯d like to express my thanks with a small gift,¡± as she subtly handed a thick envelope from under her pillow to the doctor.


    The doctor bnced the envelope in his grasp, and his initial hesitation quickly shifted to aplicit grin. ¡°Well then, if you¡¯re still feeling under the weather, we can extend your observation period, Miss Wade. Please, let me know if there¡¯s anything else you require.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, doctor,¡± K replied, mustering a frail smile. However, once the doctor departed, her demeanor shifted to one of cunning calction. ¡°He muste¡­ he will,¡± she whispered quietly to herself, her eyes sparking with both anticipation and cold resolve.


    In Laura¡¯s hospital room, Sadie sat beside the bed, her fingers gently wrapped around Laura¡¯s delicate hand, her face etched with both concern and exhaustion.


    Lauray quietly, her breathing steady, and herplexion looking far better than before.


    Alex, visibly relieved, said,


    ¡°It was a close call this time. Fortunately, she pulled through.¡±


    He nced at Sadie and added,


    ¡°Sadie, you need some rest. Let me drive you home.¡±


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    Sadie gently shook her head.


    ¡°No, thanks, Alex. I¡¯d rather you go on without me. I¡¯ll stay here with Grandma.¡±


    Alex observed the weariness in her eyes, the way her frame had slimmed from the strain of the past weeks.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay,¡± Sadie said, forcing a small smile to reassure him.


    ¡°Please, go back. The Howe Group relies on you.¡±


    Alex hesitated, clearly torn, but eventually nodded.


    ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll have my cook prepare some dishes and bring them here. You¡¯ve lost too much weight. Take care of yourself, Sadie.¡±


    Sadie walked him to the doorway of the ward.


    ¡°Be careful on the road,¡± she said softly.


    ¡°Got it,¡± Alex replied, giving her a long, meaningful look before turning to leave.


    As Sadie turned back into the room, her eyes fell on Laura, peacefully asleep. A rush of emotion flooded her chest. Everything she had endured in recent days felt like a blur¡ªso draining, so surreal.


    Just then, a nurse approached.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, there¡¯s a delivery for you.¡±


    Curious, Sadie stepped forward and epted a thermal container.


    ¡°Someone just left this for you,¡± the nurse exined.


    Sadie held the container, her brows furrowing with confusion.


    Back inside the room, she opened it carefully. The savory aroma of chicken broth wafted out, instantly transporting her to the kitchen of Myrtlewood Estate.


    Why would the estate¡¯s cook send her soup so unexpectedly?


    The thought that Noah might be behind this briefly crossed Sadie¡¯s mind, but she quickly pushed it away.


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 Chapter 422

    ?Chapter 422:


    Could Noah really show such kindness? That seemed far-fetched.


    Their rtionship had crumbled into nothing more than lingering bitterness. What more was there to hope for?


    Sadie clutched the thermal container tightly, her heart heavy with confusion and anxiety.


    The scent of chicken broth filled the room, yet she didn¡¯t take a single sip. She merely held the container until her knuckles turned white.


    Eventually, she set it aside on the table and turned her attention to Laura, who slept with a peaceful expression.


    Waves of guilt surged within her, crashing over her already-frayed emotions.


    Her mother was missing. Her grandmother was ill.


    Sadie felt utterly powerless in the face of everything.


    She thought of the immense power the Wall family wielded¡ªoverwhelming, unreachable.


    What could she possibly do against them?


    ¡°Grandma¡­¡± Sadie whispered, her voice breaking as she pressed Laura¡¯s hand to her cheek.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I feel so helpless¡­¡±


    Tears slipped down her cheeks, soaking Laura¡¯s frail hand.


    Just then, the door to the ward opened softly, and several unfamiliar doctors stepped inside.


    Dressed in crisp white coats, none of them were familiar to Sadie.


    An elderly specialist led the group, distinguished by silver hair and gold-rimmed sses. He carried himself with quiet authority.


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    Sadie rose, her eyes wide with surprise.


    ¡°Good evening, Miss Hudson,¡± the specialist said gently. ¡°We¡¯ve been assembled by the hospital as a specialist team to consult on your grandmother¡¯s case.¡±


    Startled, Sadie instinctively looked at their name tags.


    ¡°International Cardiology Association¡­¡±


    ¡°Mayo Clinic, Maradeiris¡­¡±


    Her breath caught.


    These weren¡¯t just any doctors¡ªthey were world-renowned experts.


    A flicker of hope stirred within her. Could it be¡­ Noah?


    She immediately shook the thought off.


    It seemed impossible. Why would Noah help? He¡¯d probably rather see her grandmother disappear from their lives.


    ¡°Miss Hudson?¡± the elder doctor¡¯s kind voice pulled her back from her thoughts.


    Sadie wiped her tears and gave a small bow.


    ¡°Oh¡ªhello. Thank you all so much foring.¡±


    The specialists gathered around Laura¡¯s bed, beginning their thorough evaluation.


    Sadie remained close, watching every move with her heart pounding.


    Time slowed as she waited for their conclusion.


    Finally, the examination ended.


    ¡°Miss Hudson,¡± said the elderly specialist, removing his sses with care. His voice was steady and reassuring.


    ¡°Your grandmother¡¯s condition is stable for now. Continued observation and treatment are necessary, but we¡¯ve developed aprehensive n. With care, her chances of recovery are high.¡±


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 Chapter 423

    ?Chapter 423:


    Relief swept through Sadie like a wave. She bowed deeply, her voice thick with gratitude.


    ¡°Thank you. Thank you so much.¡±


    ¡°This is what we do,¡± the specialist replied warmly. ¡°Just remember to look after yourself too. Your grandmother needs you strong.¡±


    After the team departed, Sadie slumped into the chair beside the bed.


    She watched Laura¡¯s calm expression, her breathing steady, and for the first time in days, the tightness in her chest began to ease.


    Overwhelmed by exhaustion, Sadie slipped into a deep sleep next to the hospital bed without realizing it.


    The sounds in the ward slowly faded to silence.


    Meanwhile, in another VIP ward, K shifted ufortably.


    She had been waiting all afternoon for Noah, who had yet to appear.


    ¡°Noah, what on earth is keeping you?¡± K muttered, flinging the magazine she was reading onto a nearby table in frustration.


    At that moment, a nurse came in with a medical cart to change K¡¯s IV.


    ¡°Miss, do you happen to know where Noah is?¡± K inquired, unable to hide her curiosity.


    The nurse hesitated before responding cautiously. ¡°Mr. Wall¡­ I believe he visited Mrs. Stewart earlier today.¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Stewart?¡± K¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°What was he doing there?¡±


    ¡°The word is he brought a team of specialists to consult on Mrs. Stewart¡¯s case. I heard her condition was quite serious, but it has since stabilized, and there¡¯s talk she might regain consciousness soon,¡± the nurse exined as she expertly changed the IV.


    ¡°She might regain consciousness?¡± K¡¯splexion lost all color as she turned to face the nurse.


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    The possibility of Laura waking up filled her with dread. Would Laura tell Noah what she had done to her?


    At the time, K had merely intended to rattle Laura with some sharp words. Little did she anticipate that the elderly woman would be so shockingly frail, copsing into a heart attack.


    K refused to ept me for the incident.


    However, recalling the cold stare Noah had given her still made K shudder. She was determined not to let Laura regain consciousness.


    A terrifying notion crossed K¡¯s mind.


    Struggling to steady her nerves, K walked over to the bedside table, grabbed her phone, and dialed a number she hadn¡¯t used in a while.


    ¡°Hello, Wird? It¡¯s me,¡± she whispered, her voice barely steady.


    From the other end came a rough voice, saying, ¡°Ah, Miss Wade. To what do I owe the pleasure today? Need something else taken care of?¡±


    ¡°I need a favor¡­ I need someone gone,¡± K replied, her voice tense.


    ¡°Gone?¡± The voice chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s a serious request, Miss Wade. Let¡¯s talk about the terms¡­¡±


    ¡°Five million,¡± K said firmly, without a moment¡¯s hesitation.


    There was a brief pause before the other end responded with a scoff. ¡°Five million for a life? You¡¯re not serious, Miss Wade.¡±


    Desperation crept into K¡¯s voice.


    This was no simple task, and the person on the line wasn¡¯t easy to persuade.


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 Chapter 424

    ?Chapter 424:


    ¡°Eight million.¡± K raised the offer.


    ¡°Still too low for the risk.¡±


    ¡°Ten million. That¡¯s myst offer,¡± K responded tersely.


    The tone on the other end shifted from dismissive to obliging.


    ¡°Well, Miss Wade, that¡¯s more like it. I¡¯ll take the job. Who¡¯s the target?¡±


    K articted each syble with precision.


    ¡°Laura Stewart, at the downtown hospital.¡±


    ¡°Consider it done, Miss Wade. It will be handled discreetly, without anyplications.¡±


    K hung up the phone and slumped onto the bed, her body shaking uncontrobly.


    The ward was heavy with the pungent smell of disinfectant.


    Gradually, Sadie stirred, blinking away the grogginess of her nap.


    On the hospital bed, Lauray still, the IV drip marking time with its consistent ticks, filling the quiet room with its sound.


    ¡°Grandma¡­¡± Sadie¡¯s voice was faint, her throat parched.


    She tried to sit up, but her strength failed her; she could only manage to turn her head, her eyes catching sight of the white lilies arranged on the bedside table.


    Then, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a presence.


    A doctor, fully garbed in a white coat, mask, and cap, was almost entirely obscured except for his eyes.


    He was holding a syringe, moving toward Laura¡¯s bed.


    Sadie felt a surge of unease.


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    Her alertness sharpened. She attempted to get a clearer view of the doctor¡¯s face, but he remained bowed, his features hidden.


    As he reached the bedside, he silently lifted Laura¡¯s IV tube, poised to inject the contents of the syringe.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Sadie mustered all her energy to shout. ¡°What are you administering to my grandma?¡±


    The doctor froze, his posture tensing for a moment before he slowly faced Sadie.


    Sweat was visible on his forehead under the bright lights of the ward, and his eyes betrayed a flicker of panic.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s just a nutrient solution,¡± he stammered, voice shaking.


    A heavy dread settled in Sadie¡¯s stomach.


    If it was just a nutrient solution, what was with all the cloak-and-dagger stuff? Sadie recognized all the doctors who treated Laura, but this one was a stranger.


    What legitimate doctor acted so visibly nervous?


    ¡°Which department are you from? I¡¯ve never seen you around before,¡± Sadie said, keeping her voice steady despite the fear building inside her.


    The man averted his eyes, his voice shaky as he replied, ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m new. Today is my first shift.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s suspicion escted.


    A new doctor? On his first day?


    Why would such a neer be administering an injection without the consent of her grandma¡¯s regr doctors?


    ¡°Show me your identification badge,¡± Sadie demanded, her tone icy as her eyes bored into him.


    The doctor¡¯s agitation increased. He frantically checked his pockets, but his search was futile.


    His breathing became more erratic, and sweat began to bead on his forehead.


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 Chapter 425

    ?Chapter 425:


    ¡°I¡­ I must have forgotten it,¡± he stuttered, clearly panicking.


    Sadie¡¯s instincts screamed that something was terribly amiss.


    ¡°Who are you really? What are you trying to do?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice grew louder and trembled with fear.


    Abruptly, the man revealed a gleaming dagger hidden under his coat. The de shimmered threateningly as he lunged at Sadie.


    ¡°Argh!¡± Sadie yelled, recoiling toote as the de sliced her arm, sending a jolt of pain through her and drenching her sleeve in blood.


    With his disguisepromised, the man¡¯s expression turned malevolent. He turned and dashed away.


    ¡°Help! Someone help me!¡± Sadie shouted for help as her strength faded and her vision grew dim.


    Blood spilled onto the clean white sheets, spreading quickly.


    As her consciousness slipped away, Sadie copsed onto the floor, sumbing to the darkness enveloping her.


    At Wall Group.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, bad news!¡± Samuel burst into Noah¡¯s office, his entrance hasty, his face ashen.


    Noah continued his paperwork, seemingly undisturbed.


    ¡°What¡¯s causing your panic?¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Wall got injured at the hospital,¡± Samuel exined, his voice cracking, his forehead beaded with sweat.


    Noah¡¯s pen stopped abruptly, leaving an ink blot on the paper.


    He looked up sharply, his eyes cold and piercing.


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    ¡°Repeat that.¡±


    ¡°There was an attempt on Mrs. Wall¡¯s and Mrs. Stewart¡¯s lives,¡± Samuel said, his voice trembling, avoiding Noah¡¯s intense gaze.


    The cold in Noah¡¯s office was evident, as if his very presence had caused the temperature to drop sharply.


    As he sprang from his seat, his pen tumbled from the desk, unnoticed, and hit the floor.


    His voice was low and filled with barely restrained fury as he demanded,


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°A man posing as a doctor sneaked into Mrs. Stewart¡¯s room,¡± Samuel blurted out, his words rushing to keep pace with his thoughts. ¡°Mrs. Wall caught him attempting to inject Mrs. Stewart with something unknown. He attacked her with a dagger and escaped.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the situation now?¡± Noah¡¯s voice was cold.


    Samuel froze for a moment, not understanding which part Noah was asking about. After a while, he replied,


    ¡°The attacker¡­ he got away.¡±


    Noah¡¯s look was piercing.


    ¡°I¡¯m not asking about him. How is she?¡±


    Realizing his mistake, Samuel quickly replied,


    ¡°Mrs. Wall¡¯s condition has stabilized; it was just a minor cut. She¡¯s already been treated and bandaged. The doctors said because she reacted so fast, the cut was shallow and missed any vital areas.¡±


    Noah¡¯s voice was cold and firm as hemanded,


    ¡°Get guards to the hospital now. I don¡¯t want so much as a fly getting through.¡±


    ¡°Absolutely, Mr. Wall,¡± Samuel answered, preparing to leave.


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 Chapter 426

    ?Chapter 426:


    Just as he reached the door, he hesitated, turning back slightly.


    ¡°Sir, Miss Wade has been asking for you. She¡¯s hoping you could visit¡­¡±


    After a tense pause, Noah curtly dismissed him.


    ¡°Get out.¡±


    With a sigh of relief, Samuel quickly left the office, eager to escape the oppressive atmosphere.


    ¡°Beep¡­ Beep¡­ Beep¡­¡±


    Frustrated by the relentless busy tone, K flung her phone onto the plush sofa.


    ¡°Fools! All of you are fools!¡± Her body shook with fury.


    The phone rang abruptly. She grabbed it, her rage intensifying when she saw ¡°Wird¡± on the caller ID.


    ¡°How dare you call me after your blunder?¡±


    From the other end of the line, a rough voice responded with annoyance.


    ¡°Miss Wade, that¡¯s hardly fair. I put my neck on the line for that task, and now you owe me for the effort, even if it didn¡¯t pan out. Wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡±


    ¡°I owe you? And what exactly are you expecting?¡± K spat the words out.


    ¡°Just a modest two million. Think of it as payment for my effort.¡±


    ¡°Two million? You¡¯re delusional!¡± K retorted. ¡°You failed the job and then have the cheek to demand a payment?¡±


    ¡°Miss Wade, you should really consider paying, or you might just find yourself regretting it¡­¡± Wird¡¯s voice ominously hinted at a threat. ¡°Remember, I¡¯m capable of a lot.¡±


    K paused, drawing a deep breath to manage her rising anger.


    Understanding all too well Wird¡¯s dangerous potential as a criminal, she knew defiance might lead him to reveal her dark secret of attempting murder.


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    ¡°Alright, you¡¯ll get your two million. Just stay out of sight for a while.¡±


    ¡°Deal.¡± Wird quickly ended the call.


    K slumped back onto the sofa, her eyes staring emptily at the ceiling.


    First, it was ten million gone, and now, another two million was on its way¡ªthese were significant sums for her.


    Since Isabel¡¯s relocation to the estate on the outskirts, K had lost her regr financial support.


    Money was getting tight, and it was critical that she figured out her next move soon.


    K agitatedly tousled her hair and paced to the window, staring out at the lively night lights of the city, overwhelmed by a sense of defeat.


    ¡°Why doesn¡¯t Noah even look my way? What is it about Sadie that I don¡¯t have?¡± she muttered.


    The mere thought of Sadie sparked a surge of bitterness within her.


    There was no way she would let Sadie go.


    The next day, having finalized her discharge paperwork, K picked up her bag and walked shakily from the hospital.


    She squinted against the harsh sunlight, her hand raised to shade her eyes, though the darkness within her didn¡¯t lift.


    ¡°Miss Wade?¡± A crisp voice caught her attention.


    Lowering her hand, K saw Vivi standing there, impably dressed in a business suit, a wrist brace in ce.


    ¡°Miss Quinn?¡± K expressed her surprise. ¡°What brings you here?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m here for a check-up,¡± Vivi exined, gesturing to her wrist. ¡°This old injury acts up sometimes, especially after long periods of drawing.¡±


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 Chapter 427

    ?Chapter 427:


    She looked K up and down thoughtfully. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect your return from Slimron to be so quick. It seems Mr. Wall still holds you in high regard.¡±


    K¡¯s face tensed, then she managed a forced smile. ¡°You must be joking, Miss Quinn.¡±


    Vivi raised an eyebrow. ¡°How about we grab a coffee? There¡¯s something I want to discuss.¡±


    After a brief hesitation, K agreed.


    They chose a table by the window in a nearby caf¨¦.


    ¡°Twottes, please,¡± Vivi said to the waiter before turning to K. ¡°Since you left the city, Sadie¡¯s grown even more arrogant.¡±


    K felt a knot in her stomach. ¡°What has she done?¡±


    Viviughed lightly. ¡°She¡¯s now seen as Noah¡¯s better half by everyone in the elite circles. Her influence is growing; she¡¯s feared. Having been Majestic Ego¡¯s chief designer and now Mrs. Wall, she¡¯s be quite the figure.¡±


    K clenched her coffee cup, which had just arrived, her fingers pressing into the porcin. ¡°What makes her feel so superior?¡±


    ¡°Exactly.¡± Vivi took a sip of her coffee, setting the cup back down gently. ¡°Men always pursue what¡¯s fresh and exciting. Once the excitement fades, Noah will surely return to you.¡±


    K hesitated, biting her lip. ¡°It seems like Noah genuinely cares for Sadie.¡±


    ¡°Care for her? That¡¯s merely a facade.¡± Vivi scoffed. ¡°Do you think men are sincere in their affections? You¡¯ve changed so much for him¡ªlook at what it¡¯s brought you.¡±


    Vivi¡¯s words stung, and K sat in pained silence, feeling each word like a stab to her chest.


    ¡°Will you just stand by and let Sadie take everything?¡± Vivi¡¯s tone was coaxing. ¡°Are you willing to lose to Sadie?¡±


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    A fire ignited in K¡¯s eyes as she raised her head sharply. ¡°No, I refuse to let that happen. Noah belongs to me.¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± Vivi responded, nodding approvingly. ¡°We have a mutual enemy. Why not join forces once more?¡±


    K stared at Vivi, conflicted emotions flickering across her face.


    ¡°What kind of coboration are we talking about?¡± K inquired.


    ¡°Do you know about the International Jewelry Design Competition?¡± asked Vivi.


    K remained silent and waited for her to continue, her grip on her coffee cup tightening slightly.


    ¡°There¡¯s a potential for her to shine there¡­ or for us to intervene,¡± Vivi said, her eyes twinkling with mischief.


    K furrowed her brows, perplexed. ¡°What exactly are you implying?¡±


    Vivi leaned in closer. ¡°Imagine if something unforeseen were to ur during the contest. Consider the implications.¡±


    A chill ran through K as she envisioned scenarios of Sadie¡¯s potential misfortune.


    ¡°You mean to suggest¡­¡±


    Vivi raised her hands defensively, feigning innocence. ¡°I¡¯m merely pointing out that idents happen, right?¡±


    K¡¯s grip tightened on her coffee cup, her knuckles turning white as her mind raced with thoughts.


    Would Noah remain by Sadie¡¯s side if her reputation suffered during thepetition?


    The answer seemed clear.


    ¡°I appreciate your advice, Miss Quinn.¡± K exhaled sharply. ¡°I¡¯ve made up my mind about my next steps.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wee,¡± Vivi responded, sipping her coffee with a subtle smile ying on her lips.


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 Chapter 428

    ?Chapter 428:


    K stood up, her posture stiff, but her steps were filled with determination.


    From her seat, Vivi observed K walking away, her eyes shining with mischief as she enjoyed her coffee.


    This time, she wouldn¡¯t need to get her hands dirty.


    She had cleverly manipted K into a pawn against theirmon enemy, Sadie.


    Sess for K would be ideal. But if K failed, it wouldn¡¯t cost her anything. Vivi had steered the situation in her favor without direct action, simply guiding K¡¯s decisions.


    As she set her cup down, her smile widened.


    In the downtown hospital.


    The sound of knocking echoed softly, interrupting the tranquility of Laura¡¯s hospital room.


    Startled awake, Sadie adjusted her eyes to the dim light.


    ¡°Please,e in.¡±


    The door swung open smoothly as the Howe family¡¯s butler stepped in, a thermos in hand and a gentle smile on his face.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, Mr. Howe asked our chef to make this soup, insisting it is good for your health.¡±


    As the butler set the thermos on the bedside table, the room was quickly filled with a delicious scent.


    As Sadie looked at the soup, her feelings were mixed¡ªappreciative yet ufortable.


    ¡°Please extend my gratitude to Mr. Howe,¡± she said, managing a polite but reserved smile.


    ¡°Of course, Miss Hudson. Mr. Howe also mentioned that if you or Mrs. Stewart need anything at all, we¡¯re here to help,¡± the butler replied as he opened the container and poured a bowl of soup for Sadie.


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    Sadie eyed the steaming bowl hesitantly.


    Alex¡¯s attentiveness left her uneasy; she was wary of bing too indebted to him.


    ¡°Really, there¡¯s no need. I¡¯m already feeling much better.¡±


    ¡°Please, Miss Hudson, this is a kind gesture from Mr. Howe,¡± the butler urged warmly. ¡°And don¡¯t forget, Mrs. Stewart could use the nourishment as well.¡±


    Finally giving in to the butler¡¯s earnest plea, Sadie epted the offering.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    He smiled in response and departed from the room.


    Holding the bowl in her hands, Sadie found herself unable to start eating. She felt overwhelmed by Alex¡¯s concern and the intricate connections it brought up among herself, Noah, and him.


    ¡°Ahem¡­ Ahem¡­¡± A gentle cough sounded from the bed.


    Sadie¡¯s eyes darted to her grandmother.


    Laura¡¯s eyelids began to flicker, signaling she might soon rouse from sleep.


    ¡°Grandma!¡± Sadie shouted, abandoning the bowl to sp her grandmother¡¯s hand by the bedside. ¡°You¡¯re awake, Grandma!¡±


    As Laura¡¯s eyes slowly fluttered open, her gaze seemed a bit clouded.


    ¡°Is that you, Sadie?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s me, Grandma. It¡¯s really me,¡± Sadie responded, her voice thick with emotion as tears streamed down her cheeks.


    Seeing Laura awake brought a wave of relief to Sadie, calming her previous worries.


    She promptly pressed the call button near the bed.


    Shortly thereafter, a doctor arrived to thoroughly assess Laura.


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    ¡°Although she¡¯s out of immediate danger, she remains very weak and needs to rest. It¡¯s critical that she avoids any stress to avert less favorable oues in the future,¡± the doctor warned gravely.


    ¡°Thank you, doctor,¡± said Sadie, expressing her gratitude.


    After escorting the doctor out, Sadie resumed her vigil by Laura¡¯s side, eyeing her grandmother anxiously.


    ¡°How are you feeling, Grandma? Any difort at all?¡±


    Laura gazed at Sadie with affection, her eyes clouded with concern.


    ¡°Sadie, you need to tell me the truth. Have you interfered in someone else¡¯s rtionship?¡±


    The question caught Sadie off guard.


    She was perplexed by Laura¡¯s sudden inquiry.


    ¡°Grandma, what are you talking about? I¡¯ve done nothing of the sort¡­¡±


    ¡°But that woman told me you did such a thing,¡± Laura whispered, her voice quivering slightly.


    A chill ran through Sadie, realizing Laura was talking about K.


    Laura¡¯s memory of that conversation was clear.


    ¡°She used you of being the other woman, of meddling in her rtionship. And Averi¡­ who is his father?¡±


    Sadie bowed her head, choosing silence.


    She was reluctant to reveal those harrowing details to Laura, yet the concern in her grandmother¡¯s eyes demanded answers.


    ¡°Grandma,¡± Sadie said, inhaling deeply to steady her voice, ¡°I never interfered in anyone¡¯s rtionship. And Averi is Noah¡¯s son.¡±


    Her tone was gentle yet resolute.


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    Laura¡¯s expression turned sorrowful as she looked at Sadie.


    ¡°My dear, the burdens you¡¯ve carried have been heavy.¡±


    ¡°Grandma¡­¡± Sadie¡¯s voice broke as tears gathered in her eyes, her grip on Laura¡¯s hand tightening. ¡°Please, keep this between us. Don¡¯t tell anyone who Averi¡¯s father is.¡±


    With emotional eyes, Laura responded,


    ¡°I promise, my dear.¡±


    At that moment, in the CEO¡¯s office on the top floor of Wall Group¡¯s headquarters, a knock disrupted Noah¡¯s concentration.


    ¡°Enter,¡± Noahmanded.


    Samuel walked in with deference, stopping at the desk.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, I¡¯m relieved to report that Mrs. Stewart¡¯s condition is now stable, and she¡¯s no longer in any danger.¡±


    Relief softened Noah¡¯s features ever so slightly.


    ¡°Furthermore, your grandfather has scheduled a meeting with your wife tomorrow at ten a.m.,¡± Samuel continued.


    ¡°Understood,¡± Noah answered, his voice steady despite the brief shadow of concern crossing his thoughtful gaze. ¡°Ensure that the meeting goes undisturbed.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall.¡±


    With that, Samuel exited the office.


    Noah shifted his attention back to the darkening view outside the window.


    Suddenly, a phone¡¯s abrupt ring pierced the stillness.


    He reached for the speaker button and pressed it.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, Miss Wade is downstairs demanding to see you,¡± came the slightly tense voice of the receptionist.


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    A frown marred Noah¡¯s features, irritation evident in his voice.


    ¡°I¡¯m not avable. Ask her to leave.¡±


    ¡°But Miss Wade is adamant she won¡¯t depart without a meeting.¡± The receptionist sounded increasingly distressed.


    Feeling a headacheing on, Noah massaged his temples, his expression showing a hint of resignation.


    ¡°Alright, send her up.¡±


    Shortly after, the door swung open, and K entered with an elegant stride.


    Today, she donned a white dress, her hair flowing over her shoulders, her makeup understated yet charming.


    ¡°Noah,¡± she said gently, her eyes betraying a sense of grievance.


    Her lower lip quivered as her eyes showed hints of tears.


    ¡°I need you to understand, I never meant to cause Sadie¡¯s grandma any harm. That incident¡ª¡±


    ¡°No need to exin; I¡¯m not interested,¡± Noah interrupted sharply.


    K attempted to continue, but a stern look from Noah stopped her.


    ¡°If that¡¯s all you came for, I suggest you leave,¡± Noah replied firmly, leaving no room for further discussion.


    Taking a deep breath, K tried to keep herposure.


    ¡°In a few days, it¡¯s my birthday. I¡¯d love for us to celebrate it together, just like old times.¡±


    After a brief silence, Noah gave a slight nod.


    ¡°Fine.¡±


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    Joy briefly illuminated K¡¯s expression.


    ¡°Thank you, Noah.¡±


    ¡°Is there anything else?¡± Noah asked, his demeanor still detached.


    K paused, choosing her words carefully.


    ¡°Your mother said something she shouldn¡¯t have that day. Please, don¡¯t hold it against her. She was just concerned about you.¡±


    Remaining silent, Noah lowered his gaze back to his paperwork, indicating his desire to end the conversation.


    Recognizing his reluctance to talk further, K turned and quietly left the office.


    The office returned to a heavy silence, broken only by the rustling of paper. Noah¡¯s eyes remained on the documents before him, yet the words blurred together, refusing to make sense.


    His thoughts were consumed by Sadie¡ªher piercing yet resolute gaze lingering in his mind.


    In the evening, Noah stepped through the grand entrance of Myrtlewood, pulling at his tie with exhaustion.


    The living area felt unnaturally still, a stark contrast to the usual lively energy that filled the space when Sadie was present.


    Without hesitation, he headed straight to the study, determined to tackle the mountain of paperwork waiting for him.


    ¡°Mr. Wall?¡± a small voice called from behind.


    Noah halted, turning to find Averi seated on the carpet, idly toying with a collection of miniature cars.


    Confusion shimmered in Averi¡¯s wide, innocent eyes.


    ¡°Has my mom left me behind?¡± His voice was quiet, carrying the faintest quiver.


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    Noah stiffened, momentarily caught off guard.


    He crossed the room and crouched beside the child.


    Averi was dressed in pajamas patterned with cartoon characters, his slightly messy hair and tear-streaked cheeks making him look even smaller.


    Noah had never seen this side of him before.


    Sadie had always made sure Averi was happy and content.


    Averi sniffled.


    ¡°Breck said Mom had something to do and told me to be good and sleep. But¡­ but I can¡¯t sleep.¡±


    Noah reached out, running a hand gently through the boy¡¯s soft hair.


    ¡°She¡¯ll be back soon,¡± Noah reassured him.


    Averi¡¯s gaze lifted, full of cautious hope.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Really.¡± Noah nodded affirmatively.


    He picked up a red toy Ferrari from Averi¡¯s hand.


    ¡°This one¡¯s your favorite, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Averi nodded, a small spark returning to his eyes.


    Noah set the toy on the floor and gave it a gentle push, watching it glide across the carpet.


    ¡°Look how fast it goes.¡±


    Averi¡¯s focus shifted, a grin forming as he watched the car roll forward.


    For a while, Noah sat with him, ying along. Soon, the boy becamepletely absorbed in his toys, no longer bringing up Sadie.


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    As Noah watched him, a wave of unspoken emotions washed over him.


    The darkness outside pressed against the windowpanes.


    Sadie sat beside Laura¡¯s bed, her gaze resting on Laura¡¯s peacefully sleeping face.


    Laura¡¯s breathing was steady and even.


    Sadie exhaled quietly, though the weight in her chest remained.


    She had no desire to return to Myrtlewood Estate¡ªa ce that felt suffocating, filled with nothing but heartache.


    All she wanted was to take Laura and Averi somewhere far from it all, where they could live a quiet, uplicated life.


    The small apartment she had rented, though modest, at least offered them shelter.


    There, she didn¡¯t have to navigate the endless conflicts with the Wall family or fend off K¡¯s maniptions. It would just be her, Laura, and Averi¡ªlooking after one another.


    The thought sparked a fragile glimmer of hope in her heart.


    She picked up her phone and dialed Samuel¡¯s number.


    The ringing tone echoed in the silence, making her pulse quicken.


    ¡°Samuel, it¡¯s me.¡± Her voice was soft, carrying the slightest tremor.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, good evening,¡± came a polite response.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to go back to Myrtlewood Estate anymore.¡± Sadie took a steadying breath, forcing herself to say it aloud.


    A pause stretched between them before Samuel finally responded, his tone uncertain.


    ¡°Pardon?¡±


    ¡°I mean, I want to bring my grandmother and Averi to stay with me in the ce I¡¯m renting,¡± Sadie replied, her voice firm with determination.


    ¡°Well, this is¡­¡± Samuel hesitated, clearly uneasy. ¡°Mrs. Wall, I don¡¯t have the authority to decide that. Mr. Wall¡¯s consent is necessary.¡±


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    A heavy weight settled in Sadie¡¯s chest, cold dread creeping through her.


    Indeed, she had no choice.


    ¡°I see,¡± she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, tinged with disappointment.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall¡ª¡± Samuel began, but Sadie cut him off.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough,¡± she said, ending the conversation.


    Leaning back in her chair, she shut her eyes, allowing silent tears to slip down her face.


    The once-idyllic Myrtlewood Estate had be nothing more than a gilded prison she yearned to escape.


    She shouldn¡¯t let herself hope.


    Noah¡¯s heart wasn¡¯t with her, so what was the point of holding on?


    Rather than enduring the suffocating mood at Myrtlewood Estate, leaving with Laura and Averi to build a life of their own was what she really wanted.


    Samuel stared at his phone, the screen shing Call Ended, his brows knitted together. The tone of Sadie¡¯s voice unsettled him, and he grasped the weight of the situation.


    Without wasting time, he drafted a message to Noah, rying the news:


    ¡°Mr. Wall, Mrs. Wall just called. She said she has no intention of returning to Myrtlewood Estate and ns to move into her rented ce with her grandmother and son.¡±


    The moment he hit send, unease gnawed at him. He knew Noah¡¯s temperament, especially when it came to Sadie.


    With a quiet sigh, he hoped¡ªprayed¡ªthat Noah would see Sadie¡¯s struggle and not let things spiral further.


    In the dim glow of his study, Noah sat buried under stacks of paperwork, his expression grim, concentration unwavering.


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    Then his phone buzzed. ncing at the screen, he saw Samuel¡¯s message.


    As he read the words, his pupils contracted sharply, and the papers in his grasp slipped from his fingers, scattering across the floor with a sharp rustle.


    ¡°She¡¯s refusing toe back?¡± he muttered under his breath, disbeliefcing his tone.


    He shot to his feet, pacing in agitation, shes of Sadie¡¯s face tormenting his mind.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± His fist mmed onto the desk, the sound echoing through the room.


    Reaching for his phone, he nearly dialed Sadie¡¯s number¡ªbut hesitated.


    Instead, he sank back into his chair, dragging a hand down his face, exhaling deeply.


    What was he supposed to do?


    Was he really about to lose her?


    Inside his study, Noah tossed his phone onto his desk in utter irritation. The screen disyed a message from Samuel.


    Sadie wanted to leave, and she wanted to take Laura and Averi with her. She wanted to leave his life for good.


    He tugged at his tie while huffing in frustration, then walked to the floor-to-ceiling window that overlooked the city.


    The lights from the establishments and the streets looked bright and cozy, but Noah only felt more isted at the sight of them.


    ¡°How,¡± he muttered in disbelief, ¡°how can she leave, just like that?¡±


    His mind was filled with Sadie¡¯s gentle smile and Averi¡¯s innocent voice, and a dull ache began to spread in his chest.


    He couldn¡¯t lose them.


    The thought of Averi suddenly gave Noah an idea. Perhaps he should start with the little boy.


    Noah strode back to his desk and grabbed his phone to call Breck.


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    ¡°Hello, Mr. Wall,¡± Breck greeted respectfully.


    ¡°Is Averi asleep?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Wall.¡±


    ¡°All right. Listen, I need you to go to the hospital tomorrow.¡± Noah¡¯s tone was firm as he gave his instructions.


    When he finally hung up, there was determination in his eyes.


    As long as Averi wanted to stay with him, Sadie had no choice but to stick around as well.


    Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains of the hospital room as a new day began.


    The door opened softly, and a middle-aged man in a neatly pressed suit walked in. It was Breck.


    Sadie blinked at him in surprise. The air in the room immediately grew tense, and she herself felt like a tightly wound spring.


    Sadie stood up and asked politely,


    ¡°Is there something Mr. Wall wishes to convey?¡±


    Breck gave her a slight, respectful bow.


    ¡°Mr. Wall has asked me to bring you to Wall Group. Averi misses you, Mrs. Wall.¡±


    ¡°The Wall Group?¡± Sadie echoed, her brows furrowed in confusion.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Breck replied. ¡°Mr. Wall took Averi to thepany.¡±


    Sadie felt her heart sink and a chill run down her spine.


    Noah had taken Averi to thepany?


    What was that damn man up to now?


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    Sadie pressed her lips into a thin line, her mind racing.


    She didn¡¯t want to see Noah¡ªthat much hadn¡¯t changed. But his sudden attention on Averi left her feeling a mix of confusion and apprehension.


    She kept wondering what could possibly be going on.


    Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she looked at Breck.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, please,¡± Breck prompted, his tone as respectful as ever.


    Sadie nced at Laura one more time, then finally nodded.


    As things stood, she would have to see Noah to understand his intentions, whether she wanted to or not.


    Leaning over, she whispered to her grandmother,


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back soon, Grandma.¡±


    Then she followed Breck out of the hospital room.


    Less than an hourter, Sadie stepped out of the elevator onto the top floor of the Wall Group building. She followed Breck and entered a striking reception area located just outside the CEO¡¯s office.


    The city skyline was visible through towering ss walls, and the d¨¦cor was simple yet elegant. It reminded her of a five-star hotel.


    ¡°Please wait a moment, Mrs. Wall,¡± Breck said before knocking on the CEO¡¯s office door.


    ¡°Come in,¡± came a deep, familiar voice from inside.


    Breck opened the door and stepped aside, gesturing for Sadie to enter.


    She stepped into the office¡ªand froze.


    The furniture in Noah¡¯s spacious office had all been pushed aside. In the center of the carpeted floor was a massive pile of toys¡ªcars, robots, building blocks, even plush animals. The colorful collection was spread out chaotically.


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 Chapter 434

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    And there, in the middle of it all, was Averi. He was happily ying with a Transformer toy, hisughter echoing through the room.


    Noah sat beside him, holding a remote-controlled car and patiently teaching Averi how to use it.


    He wore a gentle, almost tender expression¡ªa stark contrast to his usual stern demeanor.


    Standing at the doorway, Sadie was stunned as she watched the joyful scene unfold before her eyes.


    ¡°Mom!¡± Averi, with his sharp eyes, spotted her instantly. He dropped the toy in his hands and scampered toward her on his tiny legs.


    Sadie bent down and scooped him into her arms, holding him close.


    ¡°Mom, look! So many toys!¡± Averi eximed, his face alight with excitement as he pointed at the mountain of toys on the floor.


    Sadie nced at Noah, her expression a mix of emotions.


    ¡°Why are you doing this?¡±


    Noah stood up and walked toward her, a faint smile on his face.


    ¡°Sadie, I think Averi really enjoys it here. Don¡¯t you think?¡± His voice was gentle as he tested her reaction.


    Sadie¡¯s heart sank. She understood Noah¡¯s underlying intentions all too well.


    ¡°Averi, do you like it here?¡± she asked softly, looking into her son¡¯s eager eyes.


    Averi nodded enthusiastically. ¡°I like it! There are so many toys!¡±


    A sharp, lingering pain spread through Sadie¡¯s chest.


    ¡°But we can¡¯t stay here just because of that,¡± she managed to say, trying to keep her voice steady.


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    ¡°Why not?¡± Averi¡¯s confusion was clear.


    Seizing the moment, Noah interjected,


    ¡°Averi, if you stay here, all these toys will be yours. But if you leave with your mom, you won¡¯t have them.¡±


    Averi¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Really?¡±


    Noah nodded. ¡°Of course.¡±


    Averi turned to Sadie, his face filled with hopeful anticipation. ¡°Mom, can we stay here? Please?¡±


    The pain in Sadie¡¯s heart deepened. She faced Averi¡¯s innocent gaze, torn by his request.


    She knew Noah was using Averi, but she couldn¡¯t bring herself to say no to him.


    ¡°Averi, these toys won¡¯tst forever. We can¡¯t make decisions based just on them,¡± she exined gently.


    ¡°Sadie.¡± Noah cut in. ¡°I just want to provide Averi with a stable environment where he can be happy. Isn¡¯t that what you want for him?¡±


    Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Sadie gently put Averi down.


    ¡°Noah, what exactly are you trying to achieve here?¡± She met his gaze squarely, her voice tinged with a hint of defiance.


    Noah remained silent at first, then knelt to meet Averi¡¯s eyes, speaking with gentle sincerity.


    ¡°Averi, tell your mom. Do you want to stay here?¡±


    Averi looked between Sadie and the colorful pile of toys. After a brief pause, he nodded, his voice small but hopeful.


    ¡°I do.¡±


    Sadie felt her heart drop.


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    Seeing the simple joy in Averi¡¯s eyes¡ªa joy rooted in the yful allure of toys¡ªtangled her emotions into a painful knot.


    From the moment he was born, Averi had never had the chance to spend time with his biological father.


    Now that he finally could, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to take it away from him.


    Even if Averi didn¡¯t yet know that Noah was that man.


    Sadie clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms until they nearly broke the skin.


    She was determined not to let Laura stay in Noah¡¯s house any longer, fearing that more harm mighte to her.


    To Sadie, Noah¡¯s home was a beautiful prison¡ªopulent and inviting, yet ultimately restrictive and suffocating.


    Noah, observing her inner turmoil, furrowed his brows.


    ¡°Sadie, please, let¡¯s talk about this.¡±


    ¡°Talk? What¡¯s there to talk about?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice cracked, tears threatening to spill.


    ¡°Do you think you can make mepromise with toys? Do you think I can just overlook everything that¡¯s happened?¡±


    ¡°No, let me exin,¡± Noah said quickly, his tone earnest. ¡°You misunderstood me three years ago. I never meant to hurt you.¡±


    ¡°I misunderstood you?¡± Sadie¡¯s tears spilled freely down her cheeks.


    ¡°What about what happened to my grandmother recently? Was that also a ¡®misunderstanding¡¯?¡±


    Her voice trembled with emotion, barely holding back her sobs.


    ¡°Noah, you owe me. You owe my grandmother. How do you n to make amends?¡±


    The sight of her tears pained him.


    He reached out instinctively tofort her, but Sadie swatted his hand away.


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch me!¡± she snapped, stepping back with a fierce re.


    Then, resolutely, she turned to her son.


    ¡°Averi, we¡¯re leaving.¡±


    Averi hesitated, his eyes lingering on the pile of toys.


    ¡°But Mom, the toys¡­¡±


    Sadie crouched down to look Averi in the eyes. She was holding back her tears as she said,


    ¡°These toys are great, sweetheart, but we can¡¯t give up our principles for toys. We need our own home. We can¡¯t keep relying on other people.¡±


    ¡°But I like it here¡­¡± Averi whined, his lips pursed into a pout.


    Sadie¡¯s heart ached seeing him like this, but she refused to be swayed.


    ¡°I promise you, okay? I¡¯ll buy you lots and lots of toys in the future, even better ones than these.¡±


    With that, she picked up Averi and carried him to the door.


    ¡°Wait, Sadie!¡± Noah called out frantically after them.


    But Sadie ignored him and kept walking forward.


    The office door closed with a loud bang behind her, making Samuel flinch.


    Standing just beside the door, he nced over the scattered toys.


    Noah had each toy specifically airlifted from overseas, and every single one was as expensive as the transportation costs.


    Averi had been ying so happily just moments ago, and now¡­


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    Samuel took a cautious step toward the desk, his voice hushed.


    ¡°Mr. Wall¡­¡±


    Noah leaned back in his leather chair, his fingers tented in front of him, his eyes still fixed on the closed door.


    The look on his face made Samuel hesitate.


    ¡°The toys¡­¡± he tried again, his voice barely above a whisper.


    ¡°Send them back to Myrtlewood Estate,¡± Noah said, his voice low andced with exhaustion.


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Wall.¡± Samuel didn¡¯t dare ask any further questions. He quickly dropped to a crouch and began picking up the toys, one by one.


    The office was eerily silent, broken only by the muffled rustling as Samuel gathered the toys into a neat pile.


    Not once did Noah take his gaze off the door. His mind kept reying Sadie¡¯s figure as she walked out¡ªher straight back, her resolute stride.


    He had thought he could make amends. Clearly, he was wrong.


    Noah¡¯s hands clenched into fists so tight his knuckles turned white and the veins on the back of his hands bulged.


    ¡°Samuel,¡± he said after a long pause, his voice rough.


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Wall?¡± Samuel stood up and dusted off his trousers.


    ¡°Which kindergarten does Averi go to?¡±


    Samuel was visibly surprised. He hadn¡¯t expected that question.


    He thought for a moment before replying carefully,


    ¡°Well, Averi used to attend one abroad. Since returning to Helva, he¡¯s been attending Sunshine Kindergarten.¡±


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    Noah¡¯s brows knitted into a frown.


    ¡°Actually, Mr. Wall¡­ well, I heard from Breck that next Monday is Parents¡¯ Day at Sunshine Kindergarten. It¡¯s when parents take their kids to kindergarten and stay for the day.¡± Samuel¡¯s tone was cautious. Judging by Noah¡¯s mood, he knew he needed to tread carefully.


    Noah tapped his fingers on the desk, and Samuel could almost feel each dull thud echoing in his own chest.


    The air grew thick with tension.


    ¡°Cancel all my appointments for next Monday,¡± Noah finally said, his voice filled with renewed determination.


    ¡°Everything?¡± Samuel repeated.


    In response, Noah turned and shot him a sharp look.


    ¡°Got it, Mr. Wall.¡± Samuel quickly nodded and lowered his head, silently repeating the word everything in his mind.


    He made quick work of packing up the toys, then quietly exited the office.


    The moment he stepped into the reception area, he let out a long, heavy breath. It felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.


    But then a thought struck him. There was a problem.


    Samuel hesitated, debating with himself for a moment before finally knocking on the office door again and stepping inside.


    ¡°Excuse me, Mr. Wall¡­¡±


    ¡°What is it now?¡± Noah asked impatiently.


    ¡°Next Monday is also Miss Wade¡¯s birthday,¡± Samuel said, then held his breath, bracing for the response.


    A heavy silence fell over the room, thick with unspoken tension.


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    Samuel¡¯s heart pounded in his chest. He feared it might leap out at any second.


    ¡°I know,¡± Noah said atst, his voice cold and emotionless.


    Samuel was stunned. Mr. Wall had known¡ªand still, he had ordered everything canceled?


    ¡°Leave,¡± Noah snapped.


    Without another word, Samuel turned on his heel and exited.


    Once outside, he paused and took another deep breath to steady himself before returning to his tasks.


    The apartment carried a faint, musty smell. Sadie set her suitcase down, took a deep breath, and tried to swallow the bitterness rising inside her.


    Thankfully, Averi¡¯s attention was immediately captured by the cartoon ying on the TV.


    Sadie took a moment to call Carol, the nanny who had previously cared for Averi. She briefly exined her situation, and Carol readily agreed toe over as soon as possible.


    Sadie nced at Averi, who was nowpletely immersed in the show, and began tidying up the apartment.


    She dusted the furniture and unpacked her suitcase, methodically sorting through her belongings. Her movements were mechanical, her mind numb.


    While wiping the table, she suddenly remembered Nigel¡¯s invitation. Picking up her phone, she was just about to call him when it rang. The caller ID disyed Wall Manor¡¯sndline.


    ¡°Hello?¡± Sadie answered.


    ¡°Hello, Mrs. Wall. This is Gabriel,¡± the butler said respectfully, just as he always did. ¡°Mr. Nigel Wall has an urgent matter to attend to and needs to travel abroad. I¡¯m afraid today¡¯s meeting must be canceled.¡±


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    Sadie¡¯s fingers tightened slightly around the phone.


    ¡°I understand,¡± she replied, trying to keep her voice calm. ¡°Do you know when he¡¯ll return?¡±


    ¡°That is uncertain at the moment. I will contact you once he¡¯s back in the country,¡± Gabriel replied.


    ¡°Alright. Thank you.¡±


    Sadie hung up and slumped against the wall.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Mommy?¡± Averi asked with concern, having noticed her unusual demeanor.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, sweetheart.¡± Sadie exhaled deeply, forcing a smile. ¡°Mom¡¯s about to make dinner. What would you like to eat?¡±


    The boy¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement. ¡°I want zed chicken!¡±


    ¡°Alright, then. Mom will make it for you.¡± She ruffled his hair before heading toward the kitchen.


    Sadie¡¯s thoughts wandered as she prepared dinner, only snapping back to reality when a knock came at the door.


    ¡°That must be Carol.¡± She wiped her hands and went to answer it.


    She was relieved to see the familiar face on the other side.


    ¡°I¡¯m here, Miss Hudson!¡± Carol greeted cheerfully, but then her brows knitted with worry. ¡°Are you alright? You look pale.¡±


    Sadie mustered a smile.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, just tired. Averi is watching TV. Please look after him for a while. I need to be somewhere.¡±


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 Chapter 438

    ?Chapter 438:


    ¡°Go and do your business. I¡¯ll take care of the little champ,¡± Carol said with a smile as she walked into the apartment.


    Sadie returned to the kitchen and packed some of the chicken and sd into a thermal food container.


    She was greeted by the chilly autumn breeze as soon as she stepped outside. Shivering in her coat, she hailed a cab and gave the driver the hospital¡¯s address.


    Throughout the ride, her mind remained a tangled mess.


    She didn¡¯t even notice when they arrived at the hospital until the driver called out to her. Startled, she paid the fare and got out.


    Sadie entered the hospital and headed straight to Laura¡¯s ward.


    She found the elderly woman sitting up in bed, staring nkly out the window.


    ¡°Grandma,¡± Sadie said softly as she approached.


    Laura slowly turned her head, her eyes lighting up when she saw who it was.


    ¡°You¡¯re here, Sadie,¡± she said in a weak, quiet voice.


    ¡°Yes, and I brought you some food.¡± Sadie opened the thermal container and ced it on the bedside table.


    ¡°Oh, vegetable sd and zed chicken!¡± Laura beamed. ¡°You always know what I like.¡±


    ¡°Then please eat a lot, Grandma.¡± Sadie scooped a portion onto her te.


    Laura had only taken a few bites when she suddenly paused, her gaze fixed on Sadie.


    ¡°How are things with Noah?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s breath hitched.


    Updates loaded at g@lno¦Íe??s


    ¡°It¡¯s over,¡± she replied, avoiding her grandmother¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Over?¡± Laura echoed, bewildered. ¡°Why?¡±


    Sadie took a deep breath before recounting everything that had happened.


    Laura remained silent for a long time.


    ¡°Sadie,¡± she finally said, her voice heavy with sorrow. ¡°You¡¯ve been through a lot, my dear.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s eyes turned red with unshed tears.


    ¡°I¡¯m all right, Grandma. As long as you get better, I¡¯m not afraid of anything.¡±


    ¡°My silly girl.¡± Laura reached out with her frail hand and gently stroked Sadie¡¯s cheek.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid your grandmother is old and useless now. You¡¯ll have to walk the path ahead on your own.¡±


    ¡°Grandma, please don¡¯t say that.¡± Sadie clutched Laura¡¯s hand in both of hers.


    ¡°You will get better, I promise. We¡¯ll live a happy life and watch Averi grow up together.¡±


    Laura¡¯s expression softened with love. She embraced her granddaughter tightly, their quiet sobs echoing softly through the ward.


    A few dayster, the light from crystal chandeliers cascaded through the banquet hall like a waterfall. The champagne flute tower sparkled under the light, and the exquisite tableware reflected a dazzling brilliance. The air was perfumed with the scent of expensive fragrances, mingling with the fresh aroma of flowers, all signaling the luxury and grandeur of the event.


    K, dressed in a fiery red gown as vibrant as a blooming rose, examined her reflection in the mirror, ensuring every detail of her makeup was wless. ¡°How does this dress look? Does itplement myplexion perfectly?¡± she asked Vivi, her voice tinged with pride.


    Vivi offered a perfunctory smile, replying, ¡°It¡¯s beautiful. You¡¯re definitely the standout today.¡±


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 Chapter 439

    ?Chapter 439:


    But internally, Vivi sneered. K was so assured, thinking a red dress would sway Noah.


    ¡°Of course,¡± K responded, unaware of Vivi¡¯s insincerity. She adjusted the diamonds on her dress, her eyes alight with ambition. ¡°Today is my birthday. Noah will surely surprise me.¡±


    She walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out at the bustling crowd below.


    ¡°K, do you really think Noah will propose to you?¡± Vivi probed, joining her by the window.


    K turned, a brief flicker of doubt crossing her features before she restored her confident smile. ¡°Of course, he loves me. He¡¯ll propose, sooner orter.¡± Vivi observed her feigned poise, sneering inwardly.


    K was prematurely counting her blessings, thinking she had everyone fooled.


    ¡°Really? But I¡¯ve heard that Noah has been quite close to Sadie recently,¡± Vivi mentioned deliberately, watching K¡¯s reaction.


    Predictably, K¡¯s expression darkened immediately. She bit her lip hard, anger ring in her eyes.


    ¡°That wretched Sadie! How dare she try to take Noah from me!¡± K¡¯s voice became shrill, her fists clenching until her knuckles whitened.


    ¡°Calm down, K,¡± Vivi said, patting her shoulder.


    ¡°I won¡¯t let her win. I¡¯ll make sure she stays away from Noah,¡± K seethed.


    ¡°And how do you n to do that?¡± Vivi inquired, her interest piqued.


    K took a deep breath, trying topose herself. She walked over to the table, picked up a ss of red wine, and downed it in one gulp.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already made ns. Tonight, I will ensure that Noah and¡­¡± K paused, her eyes burning with resolve. ¡°I will be pregnant with his child.¡±


    L?t??st ch¦Ápt?rs in g??lnovels.c??m


    Vivi observed her with a sneer hidden behind a polite smile. K believed that having a child would secure her position with Noah. How naive!


    ¡°Good luck with that,¡± Vivi said dryly, raising her ss to clink against K¡¯s with a hint of irony sparkling in her gaze.


    As the banquet hall filled up, the atmosphere buzzed with the chatter andughter of arriving guests. K, maintaining aposed facade, greeted each guest with a practiced smile, though her eyes kept darting towards the entrance, searching for Noah.


    Time ticked by, and with each passing minute, Noah¡¯s absence gnawed at herposure.


    ¡°Why isn¡¯t he here yet?¡± she whispered to herself, her expression tinged with worry.


    Vivi approached, feigning concern. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, K? You seem uneasy.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Just feeling a bit tired,¡± K replied, masking her anxiety with a strained smile.


    Just then, the doors of the banquet hall swung open, and a tall figure stepped in. K¡¯s face instantly brightened with relief and happiness.


    ¡°Noah!¡± She moved elegantly toward the entrance, her heart swelling with anticipation of Noah¡¯s arrival.


    But reality struck harshly.


    The neer was not Noah, but his assistant, Samuel. Dressed sharply, Samuel nodded with formality, ¡°Happy birthday, Miss Wade.¡± He presented her with a beautifully wrapped gift box. ¡°This is from Mr. Wall.¡±


    K¡¯s smile stiffened. She kept herposure as she took the gift, though her fingers quivered slightly. Whispers spread through the guests in the banquet hall, and the once lively atmosphere grew tense.


    Many attendees had hoped to meet Noah, aiming to forge connections with Wall Group. His absence left them visibly disheartened.


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 Chapter 440

    Chapter 440:


    ¡°Isn¡¯t K Noah¡¯s beloved? Why didn¡¯t he show up himself?¡± ¡°Could it all be just a rumor?¡±


    Those whispers stung K¡¯s ears sharply, her cheeks flushing with humiliation. She inhaled deeply, stifling her frustration, and faced Samuel, her voice steady. ¡°Where is Noah? Why isn¡¯t he here?¡±


    Samuel¡¯s expression carried a trace of regret as he answered, ¡°Mr. Wall has an urgent matter to attend to.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the urgent matter?¡± K practically spat the words through gritted teeth.


    She had poured her heart into meticulously nning her birthday banquet, eagerly anticipating Noah¡¯s arrival. However, instead of the joyous encounter she had envisioned with Noah, she faced a crushing disappointment. How could she endure this humiliation?


    Samuel bowed slightly, his voice tinged with regret. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Miss. I don¡¯t know the details.¡± His words felt like a p.


    Around them, guests began whispering, their gazes filled with open mockery.


    ¡°Seems Miss Wade isn¡¯t as important to Mr. Wall as she thought.¡±


    ¡°I thought they were close. Guess not.¡±


    ¡°We should leave. There¡¯s nothing interesting happening here.¡±


    One by one, the guests made excuses to depart. The once vibrant banquet hall soon echoed with eerie silence.


    K stood frozen, her face ghostly pale.


    Vivi approached with deliberate steps, her heels clicking on the marble. Her expression held a trace of disdain, thinly veiled by concern.


    ¡°Are you all right, K?¡± Vivi asked, her tone dripping with false sympathy as she gently patted K¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t take it too hard. Maybe Mr. Wall has a critical issue to handle.¡±


    K¡¯s head snapped up, her eyes zing.


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    ¡°I heard he cleared his schedule for today,¡± she hissed.


    A flicker of something unreadable crossed Vivi¡¯s face. She paused, feigning a sudden realization. ¡°Oh, today seems to be the Parents¡¯ Day at the kindergarten Sadie¡¯s son attends.¡±


    Confusion shed across K¡¯s face.


    Vivi¡¯s voice was casual, yet pointed. ¡°Maybe¡­ Mr. Wall went to the kindergarten?¡±


    K¡¯s breath hitched.


    Impossible!


    She shook her head violently, as if trying to dispel the terrifying thought. A wave of difort surged through her chest, her hands clenched into fists, nails digging into her palms.


    ¡°I need to see for myself,¡± she muttered through gritted teeth, spinning on her heel and storming toward the dressing room.


    Vivi watched her departure, a cold smirk ying on her lips.


    Driven by curiosity and with nothing better to do, Vivi decided to follow and witness how the drama would unfold.


    K quickly changed into a simple outfit, grabbed her bag, and hurried out of the hall. She drove through the streets, thoughts of Noah and Averi swirling in her mind.


    She couldn¡¯t lose. She couldn¡¯t let Sadie take Noah away from her.


    The sun shone brightly, colorful gs fluttered in the breeze, and the sound of cheerful children¡¯s songs filled the air at the kindergarten.


    Noah stepped onto the scene, his casual attire doing nothing to diminish his inherent sophistication. His arrival caught the attention of many parents, and even the young teachers found themselves stealing nces.


    .


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    .<hr>


    Message from Noah:


    Double chapters are up¡ªone for yesterday and one for tomorrow!


    New chapters drop next Wednesday, and fresh novels arrive this Monday at g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s.


    God loves you, and Noah wishes you all the best! (=?=)/


    .

 Chapter 441

    ?Chapter 441:


    A young teacher with a ponytail and a shy smile approached him. ¡°Excuse me, sir. May I ask which child¡¯s parent you are?¡±


    ¡°Averi Hudson,¡± Noah answered simply.


    ¡°Averi¡­¡± The teacher, Betsey Vargas, was stunned for a moment, then said, ¡°Please, follow me.¡±


    She led Noah toward a corner of the yground.


    From a distance, Noah saw a small figure engaged in a heated argument with another child.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t your dade? Do you even have a dad?¡± taunted a chubby boy, arms akimbo.


    ¡°My dad¡­ My dad is just busy,¡± Averi insisted, his face flushing red as he stood his ground.


    ¡°Hah! I bet you don¡¯t even have a dad. Maybe your mom¡­¡± The chubby boy¡¯s taunt was cut off by his mother, a woman d in a fur coat and dripping with jewelry, who said with a sharp, disparaging tone, ¡°Maybe your mom had you with some random man. You¡¯re nothing but a bastard.¡±


    Averi¡¯s fists clenched tightly, his eyes brimming with tears he refused to shed. ¡°You¡¯re lying! My mom isn¡¯t like that,¡± he burst out, shoving the chubby boy with all his might.


    The boy stumbled and fell, bursting into dramatic sobs.


    ¡°How dare youy a hand on my son!¡± the woman in the fur coat shrieked, advancing towards Averi.


    At that moment, Betsey intervened, quickly stepping between the two children. ¡°What¡¯s going on here? Why are you fighting?¡± Betsey asked, her voice filled with urgency.


    ¡°Ms. Vargas, he started it. He insulted my mom,¡± Averi exined, his voice trembling.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t. He hit me first,¡± the chubby boy countered, his wails growing louder. Caught in the middle, Betsey struggled to determine who was at fault. It was then that Noah stepped forward.


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    When Averi saw him, his resolve crumbled. He ran to Noah and threw his arms around him, clinging desperately.


    Noah¡¯s heart melted. He gently rubbed Averi¡¯s back, asking softly, ¡°What happened, Averi?¡±


    Between sobs, Averi managed to say, ¡°They¡­ they said awful things about Mommy¡­¡±


    Noah¡¯s face hardened, his eyes narrowing sharply as he turned towards the chubby boy and his mother.


    ¡°What did they say about your mother?¡± Noah¡¯s voice was quiet but carried amanding presence that seemed to weigh down the atmosphere around him.


    The chubby boy was so scared by Noah¡¯s imposing presence that he scampered behind his mother with a whimper.


    The woman herself froze in her luxurious fur coat the moment she caught sight of Noah, her earlier arrogance dissipating into the air. She recognized him¡ªherpany had business dealings with the Wall Group. She knew she couldn¡¯t afford to offend the business tycoon before her.


    Just then, the chubby boy¡¯s father also arrived at the scene. He had been furious on the way, and was all too ready to berate the boy who had attacked his son. Predictably enough, he froze at the sight of Noah, color draining from his face.


    ¡°M¡ªMr. Wall¡­¡± the father stammered, cold sweat beading on his forehead.


    Noah drew Averi closer in his arms and swept a cold nce over the family of three. He said nothing, and the atmosphere only grew thick with tension and a keen sense of impending danger.


    After a long beat of silence, Noah finally spoke. ¡°I am Averi¡¯s father.¡±


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 Chapter 442

    ?Chapter 442:


    That one, simple statement fell like a bomb, exploding in front of everyone present. Both parents of the chubby boy trembled with fear. Neither could have imagined that the child they had looked down on was actually the son of the mighty Noah Wall.


    ¡°Apologies, Mr. Wall. We were unaware¡­¡± The father rushed to apologize as he yanked his son from behind his wife and pushed the boy toward Noah. ¡°Hurry and apologize to Mr. Wall and his son!¡±


    The poor boy was too scared to even lift his head, and all he could do was mutter a weak, ¡°Sorry.¡±


    Noah ignored their pathetic pleas and turned to walk away. ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, Averi,¡± he said, stroking Averi¡¯s head. ¡°I¡¯m here for you.¡±


    Averi clung tightly to Noah and sobbed in the crook of his shoulder, though he did feel a wave of relief wash over him atst.


    Meanwhile, the parents of the chubby boy watched with dread as Noah disappeared into the distance, knowing that they had just made an enemy out of a very powerful man.


    Noah looked around, but he didn¡¯t see Sadie anywhere.


    ¡°Averi, where¡¯s your mom?¡± he asked, his voice softening without him even noticing.


    ¡°Mom¡­¡± Averi sniffled, pulling back slightly in Noah¡¯s embrace. ¡°Mom isn¡¯t here yet.¡±


    Noah¡¯s heart faltered a little.


    He set Averi down and took the boy¡¯s hand before leading him to the edge of the yground, where a bunch of toys and several trays of y dough wereid out.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we y for a while?¡± Noah asked.


    Averi nodded promptly and grabbed a chunk of blue y dough. He let go of Noah¡¯s hand and began to mold it.


    Discover more at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í??s


    Noah sat quietly beside him, watching the little boy¡¯s hands work as his thoughts drifted elsewhere.


    Wasn¡¯t Alex the father of Averi? That bastard had always acted so caring toward Sadie and Averi, but now, it seemed like it was all for show.


    No one in this kindergarten seemed to even know who Averi¡¯s biological father was.


    At that same moment, Sadie was frantically tapping at her steering wheel. It was the lunchtime rush hour, and the traffic hade to a standstill. She didn¡¯t want to miss Parents¡¯ Day.


    When she finally pulled over in front of the kindergarten, she all but jumped out of her car and sprinted toward the yground. Then, she saw Noah, and she immediately stopped in her tracks. He was sitting calmly with Averi, tinkering with y dough.


    Sadie¡¯s breath caught in her throat.


    What was he doing here?


    ¡°Sadie,¡± Noah called out, pulling her back to her senses.


    She walked over just as he stood up. ¡°Why are you here?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I was just passing by and thought I¡¯d drop in,¡± Noah replied with a shrug. Their conversation was interrupted when Betsey pped her hands and announced, ¡°Children, it¡¯s time to gather round!¡±


    Sadie walked past Noah and waved at Averi. ¡°Go ahead, sweetheart. Your teacher is calling for you.¡±


    Averi obediently stood up and toddled away to join the group of kids. Sadie was about to head over to the parents¡¯ waiting area when Noah took her wrist in a gentle grip.


    ¡°I guess Alex doesn¡¯t care that much about you and Averi, huh?¡±


    Sadie whirled around, stunned by his words. ¡°That¡¯s not true,¡± she said, awkwardly pulling her hand free. ¡°Alex is just busy.¡±


    The look Noah gave her was piercing. ¡°Have you ever thought about getting a stepfather for Averi?¡±


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 Chapter 443

    ?Chapter 443:


    Sadie¡¯s head jerked up, her heart suddenly racing as she met his gaze. ¡°What are you talking about? That¡¯s not an appropriate question.¡±


    She turned away and strode to the waiting area. Noah watched her go without protest, a meaningful smile ying on his lips. He waited for a few moments before following her.


    The games had alreadymenced by the time he sat down next to her.


    Sadie was settled in the parents¡¯ area, her eyes fixed on Averi as she tried to swallow the anxiety that threatened to overwhelm her.


    Then, Noah plopped down beside her, making her tense up even more.


    Today¡¯s event included a family interaction section.


    Sadie looked at the handbook in her hand and read the rules for the umpteenth time. She had never been good at public activities like this.


    She had considered not participating, but she couldn¡¯t bear to disappoint Averi, not when he had such an expectant look on his face.


    Averi ran over to her and took her hand. ¡°Mom!¡± he said, hopping in excitement. ¡°Let¡¯s y a game together!¡±


    Just like that, Sadie¡¯s fears melted away. She ran a hand through the boy¡¯s soft hair and smiled. ¡°Sure.¡±


    Noah lingered on the sidelines, observing the interaction between Sadie and Averi, an unintentional smile forming on his face.


    ¡°In this game, parents will carry their kids and hop toward the finish line,¡± Betsey announced through a loudspeaker.


    Sadie inhaled deeply, crouching down so Averi could climb onto her back. ¡°Hold on tight, sweetheart.¡±


    ¡°Okay!¡± Averi eagerly wrapped his arms around Sadie¡¯s neck, his small body pressing against her back, basking in her warmth. ¡°Ready, set, go!¡±


    M??? ??d???? ?? g????????.????


    The whistle pierced the air, and the parents, clutching their children, sprang forward with determination.


    Despite not being athletic, Sadie pushed herself for Averi¡¯s sake.


    Noah trailed closely, his focus fixed on Sadie, a flicker of worry in his eyes. ¡°Go, Mommy! Go, Mr. Wall!¡± Averi shouted excitedly, waving his tiny hands in encouragement.


    Sadie gritted her teeth, sweat trickling down her forehead, refusing to slow down.


    Atst, they crossed the finish line.


    Averi bounced up and down with excitement. ¡°Mommy, we won!¡± Sadie panted, but satisfaction radiated through her smile.


    As thepetition continued, they worked in perfect sync, dominating each round.


    The final challenge was the ¡°Three-Legged Race.¡±


    Sadie and Noah stood side by side, their ankles securely bound.


    ¡°Stay in rhythm with each other,¡± Betsey reminded thepeting parents.


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    Sadie and Noah exchanged a determined look.


    ¡°Ready, set, go!¡±


    At the sound of the whistle, they cautiously moved forward.


    Initially, their movements were clumsy, nearly causing them to stumble.


    ¡°Watch out!¡± Noah steadied Sadie by gripping her waist.


    Her heartbeat quickened, and a faint blush crept up her cheeks. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wee,¡± he murmured, his voice low and gentle.


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 Chapter 444

    ?Chapter 444:


    Gradually, they synchronized their paces, gaining confidence and speed.


    ¡°Go, Mommy and Daddy!¡± Averi cheered from the sidelines.


    They surged ahead, winning the race by afortable margin.


    Averi squealed with joy, grabbing the trophy from Betsey and eximing, ¡°Mommy, Daddy, we did it!¡±


    Then, beaming, he bolted toward Noah, wrapping his arms around him. ¡°Daddy, you¡¯re the best!¡±


    Sadie froze. She hadn¡¯t expected Averi to call Noah ¡°Daddy¡± so openly. She instinctively wanted to hush him, but seeing his pure joy, she hesitated.


    Conflicting emotions swirled within her.


    Noah embraced Averi firmly, his deep gaze locked on Sadie, amusement flickering in his expression.


    Beyond the kindergarten¡¯s iron fence, K gripped the cold metal tightly, her knuckles turning pale. Her furious stare bored into the trio on the yground. Noah¡¯smanding presence, Sadie¡¯s warm smile, Averi¡¯s carefreeughter¡­ everything in front of her felt like sharp daggers to the heart.


    Vivi stood beside her, arms crossed, smirking at the scene.


    ¡°Tsk, tsk, tsk. What a touching sight! Looks like Sadie yed her cards well¡ªusing her son to tie Noah down. And you, K, the brilliantwyer, might just end up losing everything,¡± Vivi said.


    K¡¯s head snapped toward her, eyes zing. ¡°Shut up! This isn¡¯t over. Nothing is set in stone. Noah¡­ Noah would never leave me.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Is that what you think?¡± Vivi arched an eyebrow, her tone dripping with mockery. ¡°Today, he publicly epted Averi as his son. He spent the whole day ying with Sadie and the boy, looking every bit the devoted father. Anyone watching would assume they¡¯re a real family.¡±


    She paused before twisting the knife deeper. ¡°And you? What¡¯s your role now? A discarded ex?¡±


    I??€?? ¡é§ß?¦Ñ§ä¦Å?? ?¦Ç g?l§Ú¦Ò¦Í¦Å??.c?m


    K¡¯s face drained of color, her lips trembling. ¡°He won¡¯t abandon me! He made a promise¡­¡± Her voice broke. She was unable to continue.


    Vivi watched K¡¯s distressed expression and felt nothing but satisfaction.


    A few hourster, the kindergarten¡¯s event wrapped up. The once-lively atmosphere quieted as families packed up to leave.


    Sadie held Averi¡¯s tiny hand, walking alongside Noah. The boy had enjoyed himself thoroughly, his cheeks flushed with excitement as he clutched a handmade toy transformer.


    ¡°Mommy, today was amazing! Can we do this again next time?¡± Averi asked eagerly, skipping along.


    ¡°Of course,¡± Sadie replied warmly, her gaze softening as she took in her son¡¯s happiness.


    Just then, her phone buzzed, breaking the moment. She nced at the screen before stepping aside to take the call.


    Averi watched her go, then turned to Noah, his eyes gleaming with curiosity¡ªas if contemting something important.


    After a brief pause, he nodded solemnly, as though making a decision. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a folded piece of paper and a small pencil. Carefully, he scribbled down a series of numbers and handed the paper to Noah.


    ¡°This is my phone number,¡± Averi said in his sweet, childish voice. ¡°You can call me if you need anything.¡±


    He puffed out his small chest in pride, looking unbearably adorable.


    Noah nced at the slip of paper in his hand and felt warmth surge in his chest. He couldn¡¯t help but reach out and ruffle the little boy¡¯s hair. However, at that moment, he caught sight of a delicate figure in the distance.


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 Chapter 445

    ?Chapter 445:


    K was walking toward them with a vulnerable expression, the corners of her eyes red, presumably from crying.


    K had witnessed the intimate exchange between Noah and Averi, and instantly felt a wave of jealousy. She was cunning enough to mask it, though.


    Noah frowned as she drew closer.


    ¡°Noah,¡± K called softly. ¡°I received the birthday gift you had Samuel send over. I really like it.¡±


    She paused for a few seconds before asking, ¡°Do you have some time? I was hoping we could have a meal together, since today is my birthday. Back when we were together, you always celebrated my birthday¡­¡±


    K¡¯s voice carried a hint of a sob, her eyes wide with expectation.


    Meanwhile, Sadie had finished her phone call just in time to overhear K¡¯s words. Her chest tightened with trepidation.


    Assuming that Noah would leave with K, Sadie quickly took Averi¡¯s small hand. ¡°You should go,¡± she said to Noah. ¡°You¡¯ve already been a lot of help today. We won¡¯t keep you any longer.¡±


    Noah didn¡¯t know how to feel. His eyes followed Sadie as she pulled Averi away and began to turn. He opened his mouth to stop her, but the words died in his throat.


    His internal conflict did not escape K¡¯s notice. ¡°Sadie,¡± she said, ¡°why don¡¯t you join us for dinner?¡± Then, when Sadie didn¡¯t respond, she added softly, ¡°Are you still upset with me? I really didn¡¯t do anything to your grandma¡­¡±


    Sadie clenched her free hand tightly, her nails digging into her palm.


    She whirled around to face K, her tone cold and threatening. ¡°You should be grateful my grandmother is okay. Otherwise, I would stop at nothing to make you pay.¡±


    With that, she picked up Averi and walked away without a backward nce.


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    The air grew increasingly tense as Noah and K were left alone. ¡°Noah,¡± K said, her eyes shimmering with tears. She looked even more pitiful than she usually did. ¡°Did you really forget about our past?¡±


    Noah turned to her then. He almost got swayed by her words yet again, but reason quickly took over.


    ¡°K,¡± he said in a tone that was gentle but distant at the same time. ¡°I still have work to finish at the office. Let¡¯s have dinner some other time.¡± He paused to choose his words carefully before adding, ¡°Today¡­ is not the right time.¡±


    K could feel the color drain from her face. She gaped at Noah, unable to believe her ears. ¡°But¡ªBut today is my birthday. In the past, you would always¡­¡± She choked up and couldn¡¯t finish her sentence.


    Noah averted his gaze, suddenly focused on adjusting his cuff. ¡°I should go.¡±


    He didn¡¯t wait for a response before walking away, his strides firm and resolute. K was rooted to the spot as she watched him go. Every step he took felt like a hammer to her heart.


    She couldn¡¯t ept this. Why did Sadie get to have everything?


    Sadie had Noah¡¯s love and a lovable son, while she was left with nothing.


    The resentment that had long since festered within her red up, and K gnashed her teeth together as her gaze turned fierce. She was going to ruin Sadie, one way or another. And then, she would take what was rightfully hers.


    While all of this was going on, Vivi had been standing in the shadows, watching everything unfold. She now sneered at K¡¯s deste figure. That was just the beginning. The real drama was yet toe.


    She intended to watch K and Sadie tear each other apart, then she would swoop in to reap the benefits.


    Meanwhile, Noah hurriedly caught up with Sadie and Averi.


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 Chapter 446

    ?Chapter 446:


    Sadie was walking at a brisk pace, her figure casting long shadows under the streetlights.


    Averi nestled himself against her chest, his chubby little face filled with worry.


    ¡°Sadie!¡± Noah called out, his voice tinged with a hint of panic.


    Sadie slowed to a stop, but she didn¡¯t turn around.


    ¡°I need to talk to you,¡± Noah said, stopping a couple of feet behind her.


    Sadie took a deep breath before turning to look at him. ¡°What else do you have to say, Mr. Wall?¡± she asked coolly.


    Noah¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°I will uncover the truth about your grandmother¡¯s heart attack. As for K¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, K is your first love. Your one true love, even. So?¡± Sadie took a deep breath and let it out in a small, defeated sigh. ¡°I¡¯m tired, Noah. Please, just let me go.¡±


    She gathered Averi closer and started to leave, but Noah seized her wrist.


    ¡°Sadie, listen to me!¡± His voice was pleading this time.


    But Sadie just shook off his hand as her tears finally fell. ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear a single word from you. It¡¯s over between us, Noah.¡±


    Suddenly, a loud growl from Sadie¡¯s stomach cut through the tense atmosphere.


    Her face turned crimson, her embarrassment reaching all the way to her ears.


    She wished she could vanish from the spot.


    Her stomach had chosen the worst possible moment to betray her.


    She awkwardly covered her belly, shooting it a resentful look.


    Noah¡¯s previously stern expression softened at the unexpected noise, a faint smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.


    Get thetest g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s


    He found Sadie¡¯s reaction rather endearing.


    Averi, observing the exchange with wide eyes, quickly piped up. ¡°Mommy, are you hungry?¡± His innocent question broke the awkward silence.


    Embarrassed, Sadie nodded, her cheeks flushing even more.


    All she wanted was to flee the scene, to put as much distance between herself and Noah as possible.


    ¡°Then¡­ Let¡¯s go eat!¡± Averi said brightly, his eyes shining with excitement.


    Sadie instinctively wanted to decline, but meeting her son¡¯s hopeful look made it impossible to refuse.


    ¡°Mommy, let¡¯s go have something yummy, okay?¡± Averi pleaded, tugging at her arm.


    With a resigned sigh, Sadie gave in. She couldn¡¯t say no to her son.


    ¡°Alright¡­¡± she whispered, her voice soft and resigned.


    A glint of amusement appeared in Noah¡¯s eyes.


    His decision to win Averi¡¯s favor first seemed to be right.


    ¡°What would you like to eat?¡± Noah asked, his voice deep and inviting. He looked at Sadie as he awaited her response.


    Sadie kept her gaze lowered, avoiding his eyes. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m fine with anything,¡± she muttered.


    Her thoughts were too scattered to focus on food choices.


    Noah¡¯s expression shifted slightly, a frown forming as he sensed Sadie¡¯s distance.


    Turning to Averi, he asked, ¡°What would you like to eat?¡±


    ¡°I want¡­ hmm¡­ I want KFC!¡± Averi dered eagerly, his eyes alight with anticipation.


    ¡°KFC?¡± Noah frowned deeper. ¡°Choose something else.¡± He refused without a second thought.


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 Chapter 447

    ?Chapter 447:


    ¡°Why?¡± Averi¡¯s expression drooped, his disappointment palpable.


    ¡°Fast food isn¡¯t the best choice,¡± Noah exined gently.


    ¡°But¡­ but I really want it¡­¡± Averi¡¯s voice trembled, his plea tinged with the onset of tears.


    It had been ages since hest enjoyed fried chicken and fries, and he was really craving them.


    Seeing her son on the verge of tears, Sadie quickly intervened. ¡°It¡¯s okay to have it once in a while.¡±


    She didn¡¯t want to disappoint her son or argue with Noah over something so minor.


    Noah¡¯s gaze rested on Sadie¡¯s face, and he felt his resolve melting.


    ¡°Alright. Just this once,¡± he finally said.


    ¡°Yay! Mr. Wall, you¡¯re the best!¡± Averi eximed, his excitement bubbling over as he hugged Noah¡¯s leg.


    Noah tensed slightly at the unexpected embrace.


    The sensation was¡­ unusual.


    He looked down at the little boy, his features rxing into a gentle smile.


    As she observed this, Sadie¡¯s emotions tangled inside her.


    She was torn, unsure whether to be happy or concerned.


    She wanted Averi to bond with Noah but was wary of their ties deepening.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Noah said, snapping her out of her reverie.


    He took Averi¡¯s hand and led him toward the parking lot.


    Silently, Sadie followed, her heart aching with a bittersweet pang.


    Your next chapter awaits g?ln¦Ò¦Í??ls?c?m


    Noah¡¯s car, a sleek ck Rolls-Royce Phantom, stood parked by the curb, its presence a quiet statement of elegance and power.


    He opened the door for Averi, then turned to Sadie.


    ¡°Get in,¡± he said, his tone even.


    After a moment¡¯s hesitation, Sadie climbed into the car.


    The drive was quiet, charged with an unspoken tension.


    Only Averi filled the silence, his youthful chatter a stark contrast to the adults¡¯ muteness.


    The KFC was alive with noise and activity.


    Averi, holding Noah¡¯s hand, pointed excitedly at the menu pictures. ¡°Mr. Wall, I want this! And this! And this!¡±


    Noah listened with a patient nod, his lips curving into a soft smile.


    Sadie stood aside, observing quietly.


    How perfect things would be if her rtionship with Noah were lessplicated.


    A pang of longing touched her heart.


    Once seated by a window, Averi eagerly tore into his meal, his delight evident. ¡°¡®Yummy! So yummy!¡± he said through mouthfuls.


    Noah watched the boy¡¯s enthusiastic eating, his expression thoughtful, yet he remained silent.


    He took a tentative bite of a burger, his brow furrowing. Was this stuff really that good? He doubted it.


    Noah couldn¡¯t understand why Averi liked such food so much.


    Seeing Noah¡¯s hesitant look, Sadie burst intoughter.


    Noah gave her a quick look but remained silent.


    He continued eating his burger quietly, asionally ncing out the window. Nearby, under a towering tree, a figure lingered silently, seemingly waiting for something.


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 Chapter 448

    ?Chapter 448:


    This figure was Samuel, Noah¡¯s trusted assistant.


    With a knowing wink from Noah, Samuel caught on quickly and nodded in acknowledgment.


    Once the meal was over, Noah suggested driving Sadie and Averi home.


    Sadie hastily refused. ¡°There¡¯s really no need. We¡¯ll manage on our own.¡± She was cautious about bing too involved with Noah.


    ¡°It¡¯s quitete, and I¡¯d rather you two don¡¯t travel alone at night,¡± Noah insisted with calm assurance.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright. We¡­¡± Sadie began, but was cut off by Noah¡¯s resolute interjection.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take you home.¡± His voice left no room for further discussion.


    Reluctantly, Sadie consented.


    Exiting the restaurant, they headed toward Noah¡¯s car. Upon trying to start the car, Noah found the engine unresponsive.


    Noah, feigning confusion, muttered, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with this thing?¡± Despite multiple attempts, the car remained silent.


    ¡°Could it be broken?¡± Sadie asked.


    ¡°That looks to be the case,¡± Noah said, his expression one of genuine dismay.


    Sadie, growing concerned, wondered aloud, ¡°What do we do now?¡±


    ¡°No worries. It¡¯s a short walk to your ce from here,¡± Noah suggested, surveying the surroundings.


    ncing at her watch, Sadie noted theteness of the hour.


    After a brief pause, she agreed. ¡°Okay, walking sounds good.¡±


    ¡°Just one second,¡± Noah said unexpectedly.


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    Sadie, puzzled, asked, ¡°What seems to be the problem?¡±


    Noah replied, his voice tinged with concern, ¡°Given the hour, it¡¯s unsafe for you and Averi to walk home alone. Allow me to apany you until you¡¯re home.¡± His eyes conveyed true concern.


    This unexpected offer left Sadie momentarily speechless.


    This behavior was uncharacteristic for the Noah she thought she knew.


    Emotions swelled within Sadie.


    Facing Noah¡¯s earnest gaze, she found herself at a loss for words.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure about this n,¡± Sadie said, her voice wavering.


    Noah responded confidently, ¡°Why hesitate? As Averi¡¯s¡­ friend, it¡¯s my responsibility to ensure you both get home safely.¡± His face bore a look of obvious certainty.


    Sadie opened her mouth as if to protest, but then thought better of it.


    Reluctantly, she responded, ¡°Okay, fine.¡±


    She grasped Averi¡¯s hand, and together with Noah, they started their walk home. The streetlights cast long shadows of them on the ground.


    With one hand in Sadie¡¯s and the other in Noah¡¯s, Averi walked between them, his expression filled with joy.


    A subtle smile yed on Noah¡¯s lips, his eyes reflecting a trace of contentment.


    All of a sudden, Averi halted and said, ¡°Mommy, I¡¯m too tired to walk.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll carry you,¡± Sadie said, bending down swiftly.


    ¡°No, allow me,¡± Noah interjected, lifting Averi into his arms effortlessly.


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Wall,¡± Averi sweetly expressed his gratitude.


    Noah replied with a gentle voice, ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡± Continuing their journey, he carried Averi.


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 Chapter 449

    ?Chapter 449:


    Eventually, they reached Sadie¡¯s apartment building.


    ¡°Alright, you can go up now. I¡¯m leaving,¡± said Noah.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Sadie responded, beginning to enter the building.


    ¡°Hold on, Sadie,¡± Noah halted her.


    Turning, Sadie inquired, ¡°Is there something else?¡±


    Noah, with a hint of embarrassment, asked, ¡°I¡¯m a bit thirsty. May Ie up for a ss of water?¡±


    This caught Sadie off guard.


    She hadn¡¯t anticipated such a request from Noah.


    Wasn¡¯t this a bit too much?


    Sadie¡¯s expression grew stern.


    ¡°You should head home, Mr. Wall. It¡¯ste,¡± she said, her voice cold. Observing Sadie¡¯s aloof demeanor, Noah felt a sting of disappointment.


    Yet, he persisted.


    ¡°After walking you home, I think I¡¯ve at least earned a ss of water, don¡¯t you agree? Is that too much to ask?¡± he argued, his voice tinged with reproach.


    Confronted with Noah¡¯s seemingly pitiful look, Sadie felt her annoyance rise.


    She held back her frustration and asked, ¡°Mr. Wall, what are you really after?¡±


    ¡°Just a ss of water, as I said,¡± Noah replied, his face the picture of innocence.


    Gazing into his earnest eyes, Sadie found her resolve softening.


    ¡°Fine,e up,¡± she replied, leading the way to the elevator and pressing the button.


    Behind her, Noah¡¯s lips twisted into a satisfied grin as he followed swiftly.


    Uncover new worlds at g   alnov els


    Inside the elevator, the silence between Sadie and Noah made the air tense and ufortable.


    Outside the building, Samuel shivered as the cold wind hit him.


    asionally, he nced toward Sadie¡¯s apartment window, his mind swirling with bewilderment.


    ¡°To go as far as sabotaging his own car just for more time with his wife? What time is it anyway? Mr. Wall is truly pulling out all the stops. And I¡¯ve also gone to great lengths for Mr. Wall¡¯s happiness. It¡¯s so cold. Why hasn¡¯t Mr. Walle back down? What¡¯s taking so long?¡±


    As the cold wind persisted, Samuel drew his coat tighter around himself, grumbling inwardly.


    His gaze fixed on the elevator doors, he awaited Noah¡¯s return with growing impatience.


    The life of a CEO¡¯s special assistant was indeed a challenging one.


    The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime. Sadie was the first to step out, followed closely by Noah, who was carrying Averi in his arms.


    As soon as they entered the apartment, Averi wiggled free and dashed into the living room. ¡°Mr. Wall, look! This is my building block castle.¡±


    Noah¡¯s gaze followed the direction of the little boy¡¯s stubby finger,nding on theplex-looking castle made of colorful blocks in the corner of the living room. It stood nearly as tall as an adult.


    ¡°Wow! That¡¯s amazing!¡± Noah¡¯s praise was genuine, his voice filled with the right amount of surprise and admiration. ¡°Did you build that all by yourself?¡±


    ¡°Uh-huh!¡± Averi nodded, his eyes sparkling with pride. ¡°And over there! Look, Mr. Wall! Look at my drawings.¡±


    He pulled Noah over to the wall, where several vibrant drawings were disyed. Noah knelt down to get a better look. The wall was adorned with childlike sketches of flowers, trees, and imaginative depictions of the universe, as well as one drawing of a family of three, holding hands in a park.


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 Chapter 450

    ?Chapter 450:


    Noah felt a pang in his heart. He pointed to thest drawing and asked, ¡°Is this you, your mom, and your dad?¡±


    Averi nodded at first, then shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s my wish. I wish my mommy and daddy and I can always be together.¡±


    Sadness clouded the boy¡¯s cheerful expression.


    Noah felt the weight of Averi¡¯s words like a blow to the chest. He nced over at Sadie, who was standing to the side with a tight expression. She immediately looked away, no doubt avoiding his gaze.


    Noah turned his attention back to Averi. ¡°Your wish will definitelye true,¡± he said with a smile.


    ¡°Really?¡± Averi eximed, his face lighting up again.


    ¡°Of course. As long as you behave and do well in school, your mommy and daddy will love you very much.¡±


    Sadie tensed when she heard that. She couldn¡¯t resist calling out in a warning tone, ¡°Noah¡ª¡±


    ¡°Averi.¡± Noah smoothly cut her off. ¡°Can I y building blocks with you?¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡± The little boy pped his hands with glee and pulled Noah toward his castle.


    Sadie¡¯s emotions were in turmoil as she watched them interact. Part of her knew that Noah was simply putting on an act, yet she couldn¡¯t deny the other part of her that longed for moments like this¡ªthe part that wished time would stop so they could remain this way.


    Noah took the opportunity to study the entire apartment. It was a two-bedroom unit with old furniture, a sofa with worn patches, and a desk in the corner piled high with design sketches and various professional books. Every corner of this apartment was a testament to the fact that Sadie¡¯s life had been far from easy. The realization brought another pang to Noah¡¯s heart. He couldn¡¯t even begin to imagine how she had managed these past few years, raising a child on her own while building her career.


    ¡°Averi, will you y by yourself for a bit? I need to talk to your mom.¡± Noah excused himself and walked over to Sadie, who stood by the window, watching the city lights outside, seemingly lost in her thoughts.


    ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± Noah asked softly, sidling up next to her. His voice jolted Sadie back to her senses.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± she muttered, throwing a brief nce his way.


    ¡°Are you still mad at me?¡± Noah asked gently.


    Sadie said nothing.


    He knew then that she was still harboring a grudge over recent events. Noah sighed. ¡°I know you¡¯re still upset with me. But I had my reasons three years ago.¡±


    ¡°Reasons?¡± Sadie scoffed. ¡°So you¡¯re saying you were justified in teaming up with K to deceive me and hurt my family?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not it¡ªI never intended to hurt you or your family.¡±


    ¡°Then tell me, what really happened back then?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice rose with her emotions. ¡°What made you investigate the car ident? And why did you hide it from me?¡±


    Noah hesitated, biting back the words that were already on the tip of his tongue.


    ¡°Well?¡± Sadie demanded sharply. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you saying anything? You don¡¯t actually have a reasonable exnation, right? You were just lying to me.¡±


    ¡°Sadie, please trust me. I¡¯m not lying to you.¡± Noah¡¯s eyes were filled with sincerity. ¡°It¡¯s just that¡­ there are certain things I can¡¯t tell you right now.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Sadie asked sarcastically, almostughing at his face. ¡°Just what do you take me for, Noah? A child?¡±


    ¡°Enough! I don¡¯t want to hear any more of your lies. I already told you¡ªit¡¯s over between us. Stop showing up in my life from now on.¡±


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 Chapter 451

    ?Chapter 451:


    ¡°Sadie, I know you hate me, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°I said, stop talking!¡± Sadie¡¯s breath grew heavy with rage. ¡°I don¡¯t want to waste any more of my time on you. Please leave. You are not wee here.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Mommy?¡± Having heard themotion, Averi ran over from the living room. He looked up at the adults, his cute little face filled with concern.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, sweetheart.¡± Sadie¡¯s voice softened as she mustered a strained smile. ¡°Mommy was just talking to Mr. Wall.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Averi said slowly, bobbing his head, though he barely understood what was going on.


    Noah could only swallow the lump of emotion lodged in his throat.


    Noah knew there was no point in arguing further.


    ¡°Fine. I¡¯m leaving.¡± His eyes lingered on Sadie, filled with unspoken emotion. ¡°But remember this¡ªI won¡¯t give up on you.¡±


    With that, he turned on his heel and walked out.


    Sadie stood frozen, watching his silhouette disappear. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she could no longer hold them back. They spilled down her cheeks in streams.


    She sank to the floor, clutching Averi tightly as sobs racked her body.


    ¡°Mommy, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Averi¡¯s small hands patted her back hesitantly. ¡°Please don¡¯t cry¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m okay, sweetheart¡­¡± Sadie forced a weak smile, trying to steady her voice. But the tears kept falling.


    Just then, chaos erupted outside.


    ¡°Sadie Hudson, get out here!¡±


    ¡°You home-wrecking witch! You stole my man, and I¡¯ll make sure you regret it!¡± The night was shattered by angry voices and cruel usations.


    Your imagination starts at g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s?conn


    Sadie wiped her face, her expression hardening. She recognized the voice. It was K, cursing.


    ¡°Stay here, baby,¡± she murmured to Averi before rising to her feet and striding toward the door.


    Downstairs, K stood with a small crowd, hostility radiating from them.


    Sadie¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°What do you want, K?¡±


    K scoffed, folding her arms. ¡°What do I want? You really have the nerve to ask that? You shameless snake. How dare you seduce Noah? You need to be taught a lesson.¡±


    Sadie let out a bitterugh. ¡°Seduce him? Have you lost your mind? Whatever was between Noah and me ended ages ago. Stop making up stories.¡±


    ¡°Ended?¡± K¡¯s expression twisted with fury.


    ¡°Do you think I¡¯d believe that? You can¡¯t stand to see me happy. You want to take everything from me!¡±


    Sadie¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°Take from you? K, don¡¯t y the victim. You were the one who took everything from me. You even nearly made me lose my grandmother!¡±


    ¡°I did no such thing!¡± K shot back, her voice rising. ¡°Whatever happened, you brought it on yourself!¡±


    Sadie exhaled sharply. ¡°You know the truth. You just don¡¯t want to admit it.¡± She stepped forward, her tone unwavering. ¡°This is myst warning, K. Leave now, or deal with the consequences.¡±


    K let out a mockingugh. ¡°Oh? And what exactly are you going to do? Do you think I¡¯m scared of you? Today, I¡¯ll show you what happens when you cross me.¡±


    With that, her eyes flicked to the group behind her. ¡°Teach her a lesson!¡± At hermand, the crowd surged toward Sadie.


    But before they could reach her, a tall figure stepped in front of her, shielding herpletely.


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 Chapter 452

    ?Chapter 452:


    ¡°I dare you toy a finger on her!¡± Noah¡¯s voice was icy and authoritative, leaving no room for doubt.


    His sharp gaze swept over the aggressors, his mere presence enough to make them hesitate. Those who had been aggressive moments ago shivered involuntarily under Noah¡¯s gaze and stopped in their tracks.


    K¡¯s face drained of color instantly.


    ¡°N-Noah?¡± Her voice trembled. ¡°Why are you here?¡±


    ¡°If I hadn¡¯t shown up, would you have torn this ce apart?¡± Noah¡¯s voice was frigid, void of any warmth.


    K opened her mouth but found herself at a loss for words.


    Noah¡¯s tone darkened. ¡°This is yourst warning. Stay away from Sadie. Next time, you won¡¯t get off so easily.¡±


    K trembled, knowing full well he wasn¡¯t bluffing. Gritting her teeth, she spun on her heel.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± K stormed off with her followers, humiliated.


    As soon as they disappeared, Noah turned back to Sadie. Seeing how pale she looked, something flickered in his eyes¡ªsomething almost like pain.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± he asked softly.


    Sadie nodded. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    Noah hesitated before murmuring, ¡°I should havee sooner.¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t your fault.¡± She inhaled deeply, pushing down the whirlwind of emotions. ¡°Still¡­ thank you.¡±


    Noah¡¯s gaze softened. ¡°Do we really need to say that to each other?¡±


    Sadie looked away, unable to meet his eyes. A simple ¡°thank you¡± could never solve theplexity between them. She wanted to run, to put distance between them before she got pulled in too deep.


    ??? ??????? ?? ?????????.???


    But Noah¡¯s presence, his unwavering gaze, wrapped around her like an invisible force, making escape impossible. And she knew¡ªbeneath all his kindness, there was danger. K¡¯s insanity, Isabel¡¯s cruelty, and most of all¡­ Noah¡¯s uncertain heart.


    With deliberate steps, Sadie entered the elevator, her thoughts a chaotic swirl. She gripped the handrail tightly, her knuckles turning white under the pressure. She constantly reminded herself to stayposed and think logically. She couldn¡¯t afford to fall for Noah again.


    Upon reaching her apartment, Sadie quickly locked the door, shutting herself away in her small space.


    Outside the building, Noah remained motionless, his gaze fixed on the path she had taken. He stood there, lost in thought. Exhaustion and regret forced a heavy sigh from his lips.


    For him and Sadie, there was no path to reconciliation. The wounds from three years ago had carved a deep divide between them. Despite his efforts, the pain Sadie had endured still lingered.


    Noah pulled out his phone and called Samuel.


    ¡°Samuel, I need you to assign people to watch over Sadie. Make sure she stays safe.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall,¡± Samuel responded dutifully.


    Even after hanging up, Noah¡¯s mood remained heavy. His mind wandered back to the warnings from years ago, echoes of advice that now haunted him. ¡°Noah, you¡¯ll regret this. You¡¯ll regret losing Sadie forever.¡± At the time, he had brushed them off,ughing at the thought.


    Now, he couldn¡¯t deny the truth. The regret was profound.


    Had he not misjudged Sadie three years ago, had he not driven her away, Averi might have been his child, and they could have been a happy family.


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 Chapter 453

    ?Chapter 453:


    But life doesn¡¯t bend to ¡°if only.¡±


    His opportunity was lost, and the past was irreversible.


    A rueful smile appeared on Noah¡¯s face as he turned to walk down the road.


    But soon, he was abruptly stopped by a figure.


    Under the glow of a streemp stood K, her expression ghostly and sorrowful.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± Noah asked, his tone cold and detached.


    ¡°I just wanted to exin what happened. I didn¡¯t mean to¡­¡± K¡¯s voice shook, her eyes brimming with tears.


    Noah interjected sharply, ¡°Stop. I don¡¯t want to listen to any excuses.¡± He tried to move past her, but K, persistent, grabbed his sleeve.


    ¡°Please stay, Noah. Hear me out¡­¡±


    Noah abruptly pulled his arm away, causing K to lose her bnce and fall to the cold ground.


    ¡°Ouch!¡± she eximed, hitting the pavement, her hand scraping against it and starting to bleed.


    ¡°How could you do this to me?¡± K looked up at Noah, tears streaking down her face, her voice a shaky mix of pain and desperation. Noah¡¯s expression remained cold as he looked down at her.


    Feeling his cold stare, K shivered, herplexion growing paler.


    ¡°Noah, I admit my mistakes. I was wrong to treat Sadie that way. It¡¯s just that my love for you is so strong, I feared I might lose you¡­¡± Her words faded to a whisper.


    ¡°Love for me?¡± Noah scoffed dismissively.


    ¡°Noah¡­¡± K attempted to continue, but he interjected. ¡°K, let¡¯s be clear. If you hadn¡¯t saved my life once, do you really think you¡¯d still be here? You would have been gone a long time ago.¡±


    Your next chapter is here g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s


    K felt as though a knife had pierced her heart at his words.


    Her face turned even paler, and her lips quivered, but she found herself speechless. She was determined not to let the situation spiral out of control. There had to be a solution.


    ¡°Noah¡­ I¡¯m pleading with you, please don¡¯t do this.¡± K¡¯s voice faltered as she pleaded with him. ¡°I¡¯ll go away. You won¡¯t have to deal with me again.¡± Noah¡¯s expression shifted, his eyebrows knitting together in mild surprise.


    ¡°Really, I¡¯ll go. You have my word,¡± K said vigorously, almost as if she feared he doubted her sincerity.


    ¡°You need to assure me you¡¯ll never show your face to me or Sadie again,¡± Noah demanded.


    ¡°I give you my word. I swear it,¡± K replied, her voice shaking with earnestness.


    Pausing briefly, she looked up at Noah warily. ¡°And one more thing¡­¡± She hesitated before continuing, ¡°About the International Jewelry Design Competition, could you possibly¡­ Could you consider letting my friend Vivi win?¡±


    Noah was taken aback by the request. Unaware that Sadie was also apetitor, he casually consented. ¡°Proceed as you wish. It¡¯s merely a minor contest.¡±


    He considered the oue of thepetition trivialpared to his primary concern: Sadie¡¯s well-being.


    ¡°Thank you, Noah. Thank you so much¡­¡± K¡¯s face brightened as she repeatedly expressed her gratitude.


    Without saying a word, Noah turned and walked away, not looking back. As he left, K¡¯s gaze lingered on him, her face soon twisting into a slight, sinister smirk.


    ¡°So, Sadie, you think you¡¯ve won, huh?¡± she murmured to herself. ¡°If I can¡¯t be with Noah, I¡¯ll make sure you won¡¯t be either.¡±


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 Chapter 454

    ?Chapter 454:


    Standing up, K wiped away her tears and straightened her attire. She then retrieved her phone and dialed Vivi.


    ¡°I¡¯ve taken care of it. Noah has given his approval. You¡¯re set to win the contest¡­¡±


    Back at his car, Noah slumped into his seat, closed his eyes, and let the fatigue wash over him.


    At the stately Howe Manor, the grand redwood doors, carved with intricate designs, stood firmly closed, radiating a sense of age-old sophistication.


    In the living room, Alex stood tensely, gripping his car keys, a look of urgency on his face.


    ¡°Mom, I need to leave. There¡¯s a pile of work waiting for me at thepany,¡± he said, his voice edged with impatience.


    His mother, Susannah, was seated across the room on an elegant sofa, dressed in a dark red ensemble. Her hair was swept up neatly, and her wrist was adorned with a jade bracelet¡ªsymbols of her refined and privileged lifestyle. However, today, her usual poise was reced with a look of concern. With a gentle sigh, her voice carried a mix of weariness and exasperation.


    ¡°Alex, why must you be so headstrong? Do you think I would deceive you? I felt a tightness in my chest when I woke up, which is why I asked you toe back.¡±


    ¡°Mom!¡± Alex raised his voice slightly. ¡°If you¡¯re really not well, shouldn¡¯t you be at the hospital instead of calling me back here?¡± Susannah¡¯s expression darkened a touch. She ced her ss of water on the table with a soft ¡°clink,¡± watching the surface ripple quietly.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to cause you undue worry. Just having you here reassures me,¡± she replied, her tone softening.


    Alex studied his mother, understanding her motives clearly. Susannah was not sick; she had merely lured him back under false pretenses.


    ¡°Mom, let¡¯s cut to the chase. You had mee here because of Sadie, didn¡¯t you?¡± Alex stated bluntly.


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    For a moment, Susannah¡¯s face stiffened, but then she regained herposure. Realizing her son had seen through her ruse, she dropped the pretense.


    ¡°Alex, you have feelings for Sadie, I understand, but¡­ she has a child. Our family¡¯s standing could bepromised if this bes public.¡±


    ¡°Mom!¡± Alex cut her off, his voice filled with irritation. ¡°What is the issue with Sadie? She¡¯s independent, earning her way honestly. She¡¯s done nothing to deserve scorn. What right do you have to judge her?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not judging her,¡± Susannah replied, attempting to justify her stance. However, the protective expression on Alex¡¯s face made it clear he was immovable.


    ¡°Mom, I¡¯m telling you this for thest time. Stay out of my personal affairs,¡± Alex responded firmly.


    ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re trying to give me a heart attack!¡± Susannah eximed, dramatically clutching her chest, her face a picture of anguish and despair.


    When Alex saw his mother so visibly upset, his demeanor softened.


    ¡°Mom, please¡­¡± His voice became tender. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure to visit more. Will that help?¡±


    Susannah looked at her son, acutely aware that his reassurances were merely tofort her. She was powerless to sway him. He had always been stubborn, and once his decision was made, it was final.


    ¡°Alex, I¡¯m not asking for much,¡± Susannah said, her voice tinged with soft desperation. ¡°I just don¡¯t want you to make a decision you¡¯ll regret.¡±


    Alex paused for a brief moment, then nodded in acknowledgment. ¡°I get it, Mom. But I really need to leave now.¡±


    He then turned and began walking toward the door.


    ¡°Alex!¡± Susannah called after him urgently.


    He halted his steps and looked back toward her.


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 Chapter 455

    ?Chapter 455:


    ¡°Isn¡¯t today Parents¡¯ Day at the kindergarten Sadie¡¯s child attends?¡± Susannah inquired cautiously.


    Alex tensed up unexpectedly. His mother¡¯s mention of the event caught him off guard.


    ¡°It is,¡± he answered, his voice devoid of emotion.


    ¡°Were you going to participate?¡± Susannah asked.


    Alex remained silent, his gaze fixed on his mother.


    Susannah interpreted his look and felt a twinge of unease. ¡°Alex, I understand you¡¯re upset with me, but I was only trying to¡­¡±


    ¡°Mom, please.¡± Alex interjected sharply. ¡°I¡¯m not upset. Just¡­ disappointed.¡± With that, he left the manor, not once ncing back.


    Susannah remained motionless on the sofa, her eyes following Alex until he disappeared from view. Tears began to stream down her face.


    ¡°I¡¯m doing this for his own good¡­¡± she muttered to herself, struggling with her emotions. ¡°Why must it be so hard?¡±


    Alex¡¯s car sped away, vanishing down the roadway.


    That night, Susannah was left to wrestle with her thoughts, unable to find sleep. She tossed and turned in her bed, the silk covers in disarray around her, haunted by visions of her son¡¯s determined stride and Sadie¡¯s challenging stare. With a heavy sigh, Susannah sat up, grabbed her coat, and moved toward the window. The night enveloped everything, with the streetlights casting soft glows into the surrounding darkness.


    She massaged her temples, overwhelmed by the chaos in her mind.


    Alex, her only son, had been the apple of her eye since birth, always protected from hardship. Yet now, he was ready to defy her for a woman who already had a child. The more she thought about it, the greater her disappointment and distress became, bringing tears to her eyes.


    ¡°I cannot let this stand,¡± she whispered, clenching her jaw, her expression hardening with resolve.


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    ¡°Sadie, I must meet you myself and see what magic you¡¯ve cast over my son.¡±


    Determined, Susannah nned an early visit to Sadie the following morning.


    Susannah was the mistress of the Howe household, and she firmly believed that she could handle a single mother. Despite Alex¡¯s affection for Sadie, she would never consent to their rtionship. But what if Alex persisted? Susannah thought about his stubbornness and reconsidered.


    She exhaled deeply, beginning to devise a strategy. Maybe a little give-and-take could work for both of them. If Sadie were willing to let go of her child and be part of the Howe family, it could be possible after all.


    The following morning, Sadie was holding a trash bag in one hand and Averi¡¯s tiny hand in the other, preparing to take him to kindergarten.


    ¡°Mommy, can I have two ice creams today?¡± Averi looked up at Sadie with hopeful eyes.


    ¡°No, you can have just one, sweetheart,¡± Sadie answered, yfully squeezing his little nose.


    ¡°You¡¯re so mean, Mommy!¡± Averi pouted.


    Sadieughed softly, saying nothing further.


    As they neared the road, an unexpected figure appeared in their path.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, may we have a word?¡± Susannah stood next to a ck vehicle, addressing Sadie with a polite, yet firm tone.


    Sadie was taken aback, not expecting to run into Alex¡¯s mother here. ¡°Mrs. Howe, what brings you here?¡± she asked, startled and somewhat ufortable.


    Averi eyed Susannah curiously, unsure of who the well-dressed woman was.


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 Chapter 456

    ?Chapter 456:


    Susannah¡¯s eyes lingered on Averi briefly before shifting back to Sadie.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, I¡¯m here to discuss you and Alex,¡± she said bluntly.


    Sadie¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and she had a strong sense of what Susannah¡¯s intentions were.


    ¡°Mrs. Howe, I think you¡¯re mistaken. There¡¯s nothing between Mr. Howe and me¡­¡± Sadie tried to rify, but Susannah cut her off.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to exin, Miss Hudson. I¡¯m not here to cause trouble.¡± Susannah¡¯s voice remained calm, but it carried undeniable authority.


    ¡°I just want to make it clear that Alex is my only child, and I want him to be happy. However, I cannot approve of your rtionship.¡±


    She paused before adding, ¡°Of course, I¡¯m not unreasonable. If you¡¯re willing to part with this child, I might still consider allowing you to marry Alex.¡±


    The impact of Susannah¡¯s words hit Sadie like a shockwave.


    Sadie blinked, barely processing what had just been said.


    ¡°Mrs. Howe, what did you just say?¡± she asked, sure she had misunderstood.


    ¡°I said, if you¡¯re prepared to let go of this child, I might allow you to marry Alex,¡± Susannah repeated, her voice even firmer.


    Sadie felt a surge of frustration. She clenched her fists, trying to contain her emotions.


    ¡°Mrs. Howe, I believe you¡¯re confused. Mr. Howe and I are only friends. As for Averi, he is my world, and there¡¯s no way I would ever give him up.¡±


    Susannah¡¯s expression grew more serious; she hadn¡¯t expected Sadie to be so resolute.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, you should reconsider. As a single mother with a child, what future awaits you? Bing part of our family would assure you wealth and security. Why turn that down?¡± she asked, trying to tempt Sadie with the promise of material wealth.


    Sadie scoffed, finding Susannah¡¯s arguments ridiculous.


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    ¡°Mrs. Howe, your offer means nothing to me. I don¡¯t need assistance to raise Averi. Please leave¡ªthere¡¯s nothing further to discuss.¡±


    With that, Sadie grabbed Averi¡¯s hand and walked around Susannah, making her way to the road.


    Susannah stood, watching them walk away, her face darkening with rage.


    ¡°Fine! You turn down a good opportunity, and you¡¯ll have to face the consequences,¡± she muttered through clenched teeth, turning back to her car.


    ¡°If you¡¯re going to be this stubborn, don¡¯t me me for what happens next!¡± Susannah spat, her jaw tightening.


    Just then, a moving truck entered the residential area, cruising slowly. Inside the vehicle, Vivi sat in the front seat, her eyes narrowing as she watched the scene unfold outside. A sly grin spread across her lips.


    ¡°Well, well, what a spectacle,¡± she muttered with a mocking tone. ¡°Who would have guessed? Sadie certainly knows how to y her cards. Not only has she ensnared Noah, but now Alex ispletely smitten. And now, Alex¡¯s own mother has stepped in? What a turn of events!¡± Jealousy and resentmentced Vivi¡¯s words.


    To her, Sadie had always been a nuisance¡ªsomeone she wished would just disappear. But now, watching her rival thrive while she struggled was unbearable.


    Turning to the driver, Vivi motioned toward a nearby apartment building. ¡°Pull over right there,¡± she instructed coolly.


    The choice to move into this particr neighborhood wasn¡¯t by chance¡ªshe knew Noah frequented the area. Creating opportunities to ¡°identally¡± run into him was all part of her n to win him over.


    However, she hadn¡¯t expected to stumble upon such an intense confrontation on her first day here. Rather than discouraging her, the scene only fueled her determination. Her eyes gleamed with cold resolve.


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 Chapter 457

    ?Chapter 457:


    ¡°Sadie, your downfall is inevitable,¡± she muttered under her breath. ¡°Soon, your reputation will be ruined, and everything you hold dear will slip through your fingers. Just wait and see.¡±


    The truck came to a stop. Vivi stepped out, tilting her chin upward as she gazed at the upscale building before her. A smug satisfaction curled at the corners of her mouth.


    She was certain it wouldn¡¯t take long for her to destroy Sadie¡¯s life and take everything that should be hers, including Noah.


    After dropping Averi off at kindergarten, Sadie went to her studio, but an uneasy feeling gnawed at her all day.


    ¡°Nte, how¡¯s the progress on the design?¡± Sadie inquired, massaging her temples as she nced at Nte, who stood nearby.


    Nte, carrying a thick folder, let out a relieved sigh. ¡°Everything¡¯s been finalized. We¡¯re just waiting on yourst review.¡±


    Gxy was Sadie¡¯sbor of love, a ne she had meticulously crafted for the uing International Jewelry Design Competition. Every detail mattered. Taking the folder, Sadie carefully examined the sketches and notes inside. ¡°Looks good,¡± she remarked approvingly. ¡°The deadline is fast approaching. We can¡¯t afford any errors.¡±


    Nte nodded with determination. ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll submit the finalized version first thing in the morning.¡±


    With a satisfied nod, Sadie issued a few more instructions before allowing Nte to return to work.


    As the office settled into silence, she leaned back in her chair, exhaling deeply. The exhausting workload of the past few days had taken its toll.


    The uingunch of the Gxy collection stirred an eager excitement within her. She was convinced that with Gxy, she would stand out at the International Jewelry Design Competition andpletely overshadow Vivi.


    As dusk settled, the city skyline flickered with countless glowing lights. Nte, having worked overtime, packed up her things and prepared to head home.


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    Just as she exited the office and reached for a shared bike, a red sports car screeched to a sudden stop right in front of her.


    The tinted window slid down gradually, revealing a breathtaking face.


    It was K.


    Though she wore oversized sunsses that concealed most of her features, Nte recognized her instantly.


    ¡°Miss¡­ Miss Wade?¡± Nte stammered, caught between shock and unease.


    K removed her shades, exposing a pair of captivating eyes. She studied Nte carefully, a faint yet unreadable smile gracing her lips. ¡°You¡¯re Nte, aren¡¯t you?¡± Her voice was soft and sugary, but beneath it lurked an unmistakable chill.


    A nervous jolt ran through Nte. Why was K here?


    ¡°Y-Yes, that¡¯s me,¡± she murmured, lowering her gaze, afraid to meet K¡¯s piercing stare.


    ¡°I heard¡­ your mother got into serious trouble with gambling debts and was nearly beaten to death. She¡¯s still in the ICU, isn¡¯t she?¡± K¡¯s tone was light, as though she were speaking about something insignificant.


    But to Nte, it felt like a thunderp. Her entire body stiffened, and her eyes widened in shock. She gaped at K in disbelief. ¡°H-How do you know that?¡± Her voice quivered with fear.


    Nte had concealed her mother¡¯s financial crisis and hospitalization from everyone, even Sadie. So how had K found out?


    K chuckled but didn¡¯t offer an exnation. Instead, she reached into her designer handbag and pulled out a check, waving it teasingly in front of Nte.


    ¡°Fifty thousand. Enough to cover the hospital bills?¡±


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 Chapter 458

    ?Chapter 458:


    Nte¡¯s gaze locked onto the check, longing and desperation reflected in her eyes. To her, fifty thousand was an enormous sum. With that money, her mother¡¯s medical expenses would be covered¡ªno more humiliating pleas, no more borrowing from others. Yet, she knew generosity rarely came without conditions.


    If K was offering this, there had to be a catch.


    ¡°Miss Wade¡­ what exactly do you want?¡± she asked warily, forcing down the flicker of hope in her chest.


    K stepped out of her car, pressed the check into Nte¡¯s trembling fingers, and leaned in, her voice a soft murmur in Nte¡¯s ear. ¡°It¡¯s simple. I need you to do something for me.¡±


    Her voice was low, almost hypnotic.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Nte¡¯s pulse quickened, an uneasy feeling creeping over her.


    ¡°I want you¡­¡± K deliberately paused, then enunciated each syble with chilling precision. ¡°To hand over Sadie¡¯s design draft.¡±


    Nte¡¯s face turned ghostly pale. She instinctively stepped back, the check fluttering to the ground.


    ¡°No¡­ Absolutely not!¡± Nte cried, her voiceced with fear as she shook her head frantically. ¡°I can¡¯t do that!¡±


    Sadie had been the only one to believe in her talent when no one else would. How could she possibly betray that trust? Besides, taking the draft without permission wasn¡¯t just immoral¡ªit was a crime. If she got caught, her entire future would be destroyed.


    K scoffed at Nte¡¯s reaction, her gaze cold and calcting. ¡°You might want to reconsider. Your mother is still in the hospital, isn¡¯t she? And her fate¡­ well, it¡¯s entirely in your hands.¡±


    Nte¡¯s whole body trembled, her heart caught in a merciless tug-of-war. On one side stood Sadie¡ªthe person who had given her a chance and ced faith in her. On the other was her mother, clinging desperately to life in a hospital bed. How was she supposed to make that choice?


    K¡¯s smirk widened as she savored Nte¡¯s torment. The deeper Nte¡¯s distress, the more satisfaction K seemed to derive from it.


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    The night was pitch ck. However, Sadie¡¯s studio was as bright as day. She rubbed her sore temples and shifted her gaze from theputer screen.


    ¡°Carol went to pick up Averi tonight,¡± she murmured, a smile curving her lips. With Carol looking after Averi, she could finally focus on her work, feeling a kind of happiness.


    ¡°Knock. Knock. Knock¡­¡± A sudden knock at the door broke the silence. ¡°Who could it be?¡± Sadie frowned, assuming it was her delivery, and rose to open the door.


    ¡°Come in, please,¡± she called, pulling the door open.


    But it wasn¡¯t the delivery guy at the doorway; it was Nte, who had unexpectedly returned. Nte stood there, her head lowered, her body trembling. Her face was pale, her eyes red and swollen as if she had been crying. She looked distressed, a stark contrast to her usual poised self.


    Sadie froze, having never seen Nte like this. A sense of foreboding filled her, and her heart sank.


    ¡°Nte? What¡¯s wrong?¡± she asked, her voice trembling as she stepped forward, her concern clear. ¡°What happened?¡±


    Nte slowly lifted her head. ¡°Sa¡­ Sadie¡­¡± Her voice was so hoarse it was barely audible. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words wouldn¡¯te.


    Sadie¡¯s heart clenched. She sensed something serious had happened. ¡°Nte, don¡¯t be afraid. Tell me, what¡¯s going on?¡±


    Nte¡¯s tears finally overcame her restraint. As they cascaded down her cheeks, she faced Sadie, her lips quivering, struggling to find the words.


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 Chapter 459

    ?Chapter 459:


    ¡°Nte, don¡¯t cry. Take your time. No matter what¡¯s happened, I¡¯m here for you,¡± Sadie reassured her, gently patting her back.


    Her words seemed tofort Nte a little.


    ¡°Sadie¡­¡± Nte finally said, her voice still raspy. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡±


    Sadie¡¯s heart jolted.


    An hourter, K lounged in her luxurious vi, sipping red wine. She wore a silk robe, her wless skin and long legs enhancing her allure.


    ¡°Ding¡­¡± The chime of a text message interrupted the silence. K ced her wine ss on the table, grabbed her phone, and nced at the screen nonchntly.


    The message was from Nte, concise yet profound. ¡°Miss Wade, I¡¯m willing to work with you.¡±


    A smug smile crept across K¡¯s face. She had known all along Nte wouldn¡¯t refuse her.


    ¡°Sadie, just you wait! The real show has just begun,¡± she whispered, setting her phone down and once more picking up her wine ss, the liquid swirling elegantly.


    Meanwhile, in the CEO¡¯s office of Wall Group, Noah stood by a floor-to-ceiling window, whiskey ss in hand, staring into the ckness outside. Documents piled on his desk awaited his attention, but his mind wandered.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± he muttered, gulping down the whiskey.


    It scorched his throat but failed to quell his frustration. Annoyed, he loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top of his shirt, exposing his corbones and the firm lines of his chest.


    Compelled by a sudden urge, he snatched his car keys and exited the office. His ck Maybach sliced through the night, halting on the road beside Sadie¡¯s neighborhood.


    From the driver¡¯s seat, Noah looked up at Sadie¡¯s window, where a warm light flickered in the darkness, stirring something within him.


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    ¡°What am I doing?¡± He scoffed at himself, a bitterugh escaping his lips. ¡°I¡¯m like a lovesick teenager.¡±


    He was ready to drive away when a movement caught his eye¡ªa familiar figure not far away.


    Vivi? What was she doing here?


    His brows knitted together as he rolled down the window for a clearer view.


    Vivi was maneuvering a shopping cartden with household items when her foot suddenly slipped, sending her tumbling forward.


    ¡°Ouch!¡± she eximed, crashing to the ground as her belongings scattered around her.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s what you get,¡± Noah remarked coldly, preparing to look away.


    Just then, Vivi lifted her head and saw Noah. Their eyes met, and for a fleeting second, surprise shed across Vivi¡¯s face. Quickly, she scrambled to her feet, brushing off her clothes and hastily smoothing down her tousled hair. She strode toward Noah¡¯s car with a radiant smile.


    Leaning slightly against the car window, she shed him a bright, sharine grin. ¡°Mr. Wall, do you live around here too? What a small world.¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression remained unreadable, his gaze sharp and indifferent. A shiver of unease curled in Vivi¡¯s stomach, but she refused to let it show. She tilted her head, feigning innocence. ¡°So¡­ are you here to visit someone?¡± She let the question linger, her voice dripping with meaning, as if she already knew the answer.


    Noah barely spared her a nce before his voice cut through the air like a de. ¡°That¡¯s none of your concern.¡±


    Without another word, he pressed the button, and the car window slid up, shutting her out in one seamless, dismissive motion.


    Vivi¡¯s smile wavered, then vanished. She clenched her jaw, biting her lip to keep the sting of humiliation at bay.


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 Chapter 460

    Chapter 460:


    Noah spared Vivi not a second nce. He drove through the gates of the residentialplex, his focus unshaken, his mind set. The car eased to a stop outside the building where Sadie lived, but he made no move to step out.


    Instead, he sat in silence, his gaze locked onto the illuminated window of her apartment. The glow from inside spilled faintly onto the night, steady and warm. Yet, no shadows flickered; no sign of movement stirred behind the curtains.


    A quiet unease crept into his chest. ¡°What is she doing?¡±


    For a long moment, he hesitated, but the gnawing sense of something unspoken finally pushed him into action. He stepped out of the car, the night air cool against his skin, and made his way to the elevator.


    Pressing the doorbell, he waited. The chime cut through the hush of thete hour, the only sound in the stillness. Seconds stretched, heavy and slow. Then, atst, the door cracked open. But it wasn¡¯t Sadie. Carol stood in the doorway, blinking up at him, her surprise unmistakable.


    ¡°Mr¡­ Mr. Wall?¡± Her voice wavered slightly. She was caught between confusion and curiosity. ¡°What brings you here?¡±


    Noah¡¯s eyes barely lingered on her. Instead, they flickered past her shoulder, scanning the apartment. His voice was low, firm. ¡°Where¡¯s Sadie?¡±


    ¡°Sadie is¡­¡± Carol faltered, her voice unsteady. ¡°She¡¯s¡­ not home.¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression darkened. His brows knitted together. ¡°Not home? At this hour? Where did she go?¡±


    Carol averted her gaze, her hesitation speaking louder than words.


    Just then, a small, excited voice rang out from inside the apartment. ¡°Mr. Wall!¡±


    Noah froze. His sharp gaze softened instantly as he turned toward the sound. Standing in the living room, eyes bright with delight, was Averi.


    ¡°Hey, Averi!¡± A rare smile curved Noah¡¯s lips as he strode forward, scooping the boy effortlessly into his arms.


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    Averi giggled, wrapping his tiny arms around Noah¡¯s neck in an affectionate squeeze. ¡°What are you doing here, Mr. Wall?¡±


    Noah ruffled the boy¡¯s hair, his smile lingering. ¡°I came to see you because I¡¯ve missed you.¡±


    Averi beamed. ¡°I¡¯ve missed you too!¡± He nted a small, warm kiss on Noah¡¯s cheek, hisughter bubbling with pure joy.


    Carol stood to the side, watching the exchange with a conflicted expression. She opened her mouth as if to speak, but hesitated, uncertainty flickering across her face.


    Then, suddenly¡ªher phone rang.


    She was startled by the sound, fumbling to answer. As she listened, her face quickly drained of color.


    ¡°What?¡± Her voice tightened. ¡°Alright¡­ I understand. I¡¯ll be there right away.¡± Ending the call, she turned back to Noah, visibly tense. ¡°Mr. Wall, I¡¯m so sorry, but there¡¯s an emergency at my home¡ªI have to leave immediately.¡±


    Noah nced between her and Averi, his expression unreadable. ¡°What about him?¡±


    Carol hesitated. Then, gathering herself, she looked at him pleadingly. ¡°Mr. Wall, could you watch over Averi for a little while? Please¡­ I¡¯ll be back as soon as I can.¡±


    Without hesitation, Noah gave a firm nod. ¡°Go. I¡¯ve got this. Don¡¯t worry.¡±


    Relief flooded Carol¡¯s face. ¡°Thank you so much, Mr. Wall. I really appreciate it.¡± After rattling off a few hurried instructions, she grabbed her things and rushed out the door.


    Now, it was just Noah and Averi.


    The little boy tilted his head, blinking up at Noah with wide, curious eyes. ¡°Mr. Wall, are you hungry?¡±


    It was only then that Noah realized the emptiness gnawing at his stomach¡ªhe hadn¡¯t eaten dinner yet.


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 Chapter 461

    ?Chapter 461:


    He rubbed his stomach absently and let out a low chuckle. ¡°I suppose I am.¡±


    Averi¡¯s face lit up with excitement. ¡°Then¡­ can you cook?¡±


    Noah stilled.


    The expectant sparkle in Averi¡¯s eyes made it impossible to ignore the question. ¡°Mr. Wall, you can cook, right? I really want to taste something you make.¡±


    Noah exhaled slowly. He wasn¡¯t exactly a chef, but when he was faced with that hopeful gaze, refusing wasn¡¯t an option.


    Taking a deep breath, he rolled up his sleeves. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll give it a shot.¡± With that, he marched into the kitchen, fully aware that he was stepping onto dangerous ground.


    A short whileter, he emerged¡ªwith a bowl of mashed potatoes.


    The mashed potatoes were smooth and velvety, rich with butter and cream, their golden surface speckled with vibrant green scallions. A warm, savory aroma filled the air, wrapping the room in aforting embrace.


    ¡°Averi,e try this,¡± Noah said, setting the bowl on the dining table.


    With an excited cheer, Averi dashed over, his wide eyes locked onto the dish as if it were the greatest treasure.


    Noah scooped up a spoonful, blowing gently to cool it before holding it up to Averi¡¯s lips. ¡°Careful¡ªit¡¯s still hot. Blow on it first.¡±


    Averi obediently puffed at the spoonful before taking a bite. The moment the creamy potatoes hit his tongue, his face lit up with pure delight. ¡°Wow! It¡¯s so yummy!¡±


    Noah found himself smiling¡ªan easy, genuine expression that rarely found its way to his face.


    But before Noah could say anything, the sharp click of a key turning in the lock interrupted the moment. The door swung open.


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    Both Noah and Averi turned their attention toward the entrance. Standing there quietly in the doorway was Alex.


    Noah¡¯s smile vanished instantly, reced by a shadow of irritation. He hadn¡¯t expected Alex to show up at the door, entering with a key.


    Alex was equally stunned to find Noah in Sadie¡¯s apartment. He hesitated briefly before his expression settled into an ufortable calm. He had rushed over after receiving Carol¡¯s call, concerned for Sadie and Averi.


    ¡°Alex!¡± Averi beamed, his excitement clear as he greeted Alex.


    Noah¡¯s brow furrowed deeper. He was puzzled why Averi referred to Alex, his biological father, so easily. Yet, Noah could feel the deep bond between them, which sparked an unexinable irritation within him.


    He set down the bowl he was holding, his voice cold as he addressed Alex. ¡°Mr. Howe, isn¡¯t it a bit inappropriate to show up unannounced at this hour?¡±


    Alex¡¯s hands tightened into fists at his sides. Clearly, Noah was sending a warning.


    Taking a controlled breath, Alex managed to keep his anger at bay, responding evenly, ¡°Mr. Wall, I was just concerned for Sadie and Averi.¡±


    ¡°Concerned?¡± Noah¡¯s scoff was sharp. ¡°Mr. Howe, don¡¯t you think your ¡®concern¡¯ is rather excessive? Sadie and Averi are under my care.¡±


    ¡°Your care?¡± Doubt clouded Alex¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother yourself, Mr. Howe,¡± Noah continued, his tone edged with a challenge. ¡°You seem to find reasons to show up often. Could it be that you have¡­ ulterior motives?¡±


    Alex looked visibly annoyed. He struggled to maintain hisposure, replying sharply, ¡°Watch yournguage, Noah!¡±


    ¡°Watch mynguage?¡± Noah mocked. ¡°Mr. Howe, remember this is Sadie¡¯s home, not your domain. What right do you have to tell me what to say?¡±


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 Chapter 462

    ?Chapter 462:


    Alex started to respond, but was interrupted by a familiar voice. ¡°What are you two arguing about?¡± Sadie had just walked in.


    She lingered in the doorway, her expression one of puzzlement as she absorbed the charged atmosphere of her apartment.


    Upon seeing Sadie, Alex immediately tempered his demeanor, his frustration yielding to a tender concern. ¡°You¡¯re back, Sadie.¡±


    He approached her, his tone warm. ¡°Are you okay? I was worried about you.¡±


    Sadie met his gaze briefly, her response detached. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°Sadie.¡± Alex paused, struggling with his words. ¡°About earlier today¡­ I¡¯m sorry. My mother didn¡¯t mean any harm.¡±


    Sadie¡¯splexion nched. She steadied herself, replying, ¡°Alex, the issue was a misunderstanding on your mother¡¯s part.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡± Alex attempted to borate, but Sadie interrupted him. ¡°That¡¯s enough. Let¡¯s drop it.¡± Her voice bore exhaustion. ¡°I¡¯m tired. I need to rest.¡±


    Alex looked at her, his face etched with worry. He opened his mouth to speak, seeking tofort her, but found himself at a loss for words.


    Noah observed from a distance, his demeanor cool. He could sense the special bond between Sadie and Alex, a connection he felt excluded from. Jealousy gnawed at him, fueling wild spection that Sadie and Alex might have discussed seriousmitments, like marriage. This thought only deepened his irritation.


    ¡°Pak!¡± Abruptly, Noah snapped his fingers.


    Instantly, men in ck suits burst in, their movements swift and coordinated, as they encircled Alex.


    ¡°What are you doing, Noah?¡± Sadie eximed, panic rising as she stepped forward to intervene.


    But Noah was quick to seize her wrist, drawing her close. His eyes were cold as he stared at Alex. ¡°Take him away.¡±


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    ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall,¡± the men in ck responded in unison, moving to apprehend Alex.


    ¡°Let me go! Let go of me!¡± Alex struggled in vain.


    ¡°Release him, Noah!¡± Sadie tried to break free from Noah¡¯s firm grasp, but he held fast.


    ¡°Pak!¡± Noah snapped his fingers once more. This time, a new group of men surrounded Averi.


    ¡°Averi!¡± Sadie¡¯s scream tore through the air as panic overwhelmed her. Driven by instinct, she lunged toward her son.


    But the men were quicker. One scooped up the confused boy from the dining table.


    ¡°What are you doing? Put him down!¡± Sadie cried out, her voice sharp with desperation as she attempted to advance. Noah stood firm, blocking her path.


    He wrapped his arms around her waist, pinning her against him.


    ¡°Have you lost your mind?¡± Sadie yelled, struggling violently, her nails leaving trails of blood on his arm. Yet Noah seemed impervious to the pain.


    ¡°Mommy¡­ Mommy¡­¡± Averi¡¯s terrified voice cut through the chaos. He squirmed in the man¡¯s grasp, his cries adding to the heartbreak of the scene.


    Sadie stopped struggling, her face streaked with tears as she looked up at Noah. Her voice was shaking. ¡°Noah¡­ What¡­ What do you want?¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression was dark and unreadable as he leaned close, his breath warm against her ear. His voice was low,pelling, and dangerously seductive. ¡°Sadie, do you really¡­ crave a man that much?¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± Sadie¡¯s voice faltered. She couldn¡¯t find the words.


    Noah¡¯s grip tightened, pulling her closer as if trying to fuse her to him.


    Noah leaned close and whispered in Sadie¡¯s ear, ¡°If you ever need a man¡­ you know where to find me.¡±


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 Chapter 463

    ?Chapter 463:


    A wave of embarrassment washed over Sadie, making her want to disappear right then and there.


    With all her strength, she shoved Noah away, shouting, ¡°Noah Wall, have you lost your mind? You¡¯repletely insane.¡±


    Noah, taken aback, stumbled but quickly recovered, his lips twisting into a smirk.


    Straightening his cor, which Sadie had rumpled, he retorted coolly, ¡°You¡¯re the best judge of whether I¡¯m insane?¡±


    Sadie trembled, struggling to regain herposure.


    ¡°Give me back my son!¡± she demanded, her voice firm despite her shaking.


    Noah¡¯s gaze was inscrutable¡ªdeep and dark. ¡°Sadie, just return to Myrtlewood Estate and I promise, no harm wille to any of you.¡±


    His tone was threatening, with a hint of anticipation barely detectable beneath the surface.


    Sadie froze.


    Myrtlewood Estate¡­ the ce that had once been her and Noah¡¯s home, the site of so many past terrors. How could she possibly consider returning there?


    But Noah had Averi.


    Her mind whirled with turmoil, fear shing with resolve.


    She couldn¡¯t risk Averi¡¯s safety.


    She had to protect him.


    Yet, considering the n already in motion, perhaps returning to Myrtlewood Estate could offer her a front-row seat to a good show.


    Sadie clenched her fists, her resolve hardening.


    Slowly, she raised her head.


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    ¡°Alright¡­¡± Her voice was faint, barely audible. ¡°I agree¡­¡± She capitted.


    Noah¡¯s expression softened as he gazed into her weary eyes. He pulled her close, resting his chin on her head, and murmured, ¡°That¡¯s my good girl. I won¡¯t hurt you. Everything will be fine.¡±


    Sadie bit her lip to stifle her tears, her body as tense as stone.


    ¡°Wee back, Mr. and Mrs. Wall,¡± Breck¡¯s voice echoed through the grand entrance of Myrtlewood Estate. Alongside him, a line of servants bowed deeply.


    It was a reception befitting esteemed guests rather than the estate¡¯s rightful residents.


    Noah escorted Sadie into the vi, his grip firm and unyielding. She remained silent, her thoughts a chaotic whirl.


    ¡°Mommy!¡± Averi¡¯s voice snapped Sadie out of her reverie.


    She turned to see Averi at the dining table, delighting in a piece of exquisite cake. His face was yfully smeared with cream, reminiscent of a kitten that had dipped its whiskers into milk.


    Relief washed over Sadie at the sight of her son safe and content.


    ¡°Averi,¡± she murmured as she approached him, her voice soft as she stroked his hair.


    ¡°Mommy, you¡¯re finally here! I¡¯ve been waiting so long,¡± Averi said, his smile bright, showing off his small white teeth.


    Sadie¡¯s heart twisted with a mix of joy and sorrow.


    ¡°Averi has been very well-behaved, waiting for you two to return,¡± Breck added timely, bringing a formal tone to the warm moment. He turned to Noah with a deferential bow. ¡°Mr. Wall, dinner is served. It includes all the favorite dishes of you, Mrs. Wall, and Averi. Shall we begin?¡±


    Noah gave a subtle nod of approval. He led Sadie to the dining table and personally served her a bowl of soup. ¡°Try some soup to warm up,¡± he suggested, his tone gentle, a stark contrast to his earlier demeanor.


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 Chapter 464

    ?Chapter 464:


    Sadie looked down at the creamy soup before her, feeling no hunger. She held the bowl, her fingers trembling slightly, unable to lift the spoon.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Not to your taste?¡± Noah inquired, an eyebrow arched.


    ¡°Not exactly,¡± Sadie replied, managing a weak smile. ¡°I don¡¯t feel like eating.¡±


    ¡°At least eat a little. I wouldn¡¯t want you to go hungry,¡± Noah said casually, continuing his meal.


    The dinner atmosphere was tense and heavy. Meanwhile, Averi ate with uninhibited joy, his giggles filling the room, oblivious to the strained silence between the adults.


    After the meal, Noah excused himself, retreating to the study to attend to business. Sadie followed Breck to the master bedroom.


    It was the very room she had once shared with Noah. As she nced around, each corner, each piece of furniture, seemed to echo with memories of their past together.


    The weight of those memories became too much, and she turned to leave.


    ¡°Where are you going, Mrs. Wall?¡± Breck blocked the doorway, his tone polite but firm.


    ¡°I just need some fresh air,¡± Sadie replied, her voice betraying her frustration.


    ¡°Mr. Wall has instructed that you are not to leave Myrtlewood Estate tonight,¡± Breck informed her, his face expressionless. ¡°Perhaps you should consider retiring to bed.¡±


    Sadie trembled slightly, resigned.


    ¡°Alright. I understand,¡± she said quietly, turning back to the room.


    She walked to the bed, sat down slowly, and took out her phone.


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    It disyed a missed call from Carol, Averi¡¯s nanny and one of her most trusted confidants.


    Returning the call, she was greeted by Carol¡¯s anxious voice.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, are you alright?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Carol. How about you? Is everything alright at home?¡± Sadie managed to keep her voice steady.


    ¡°Everything¡¯s settled. I just got back to your apartment, but¡­ there¡¯s no one here. Where are you and Averi?¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± Sadie hesitated, then chose not to reveal her true situation. ¡°Averi and I had something unexpectede up. We might not be back for a few days. Please take a few days off.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ Alright then. Just remember to call me if you need anything.¡± Carol sounded puzzled but didn¡¯t press further.


    ¡°Thanks, I will. Take care of yourself, too.¡± Sadie ended the call, her mood sinking further.


    She looked out the window. Night had deepened, the lights twinkling, yet the vibrant scene only deepened her sense of istion.


    A bitterugh escaped her lips.


    ¡°K, do you really think this will break me?¡± she whispered into the darkness, her eyes hardening with resolve.


    The International Jewelry Design Competition loomed ahead, her one opportunity to change her fortunes. Sadie was determined not to let K win.


    She would turn the tables, give K a taste of her own medicine, and show everyone that Sadie Hudson was not to be underestimated.


    Noah stood in the center of the living room, his gaze fixed on the tightly shut door upstairs, his face a mask of conflicting emotions.


    ¡°Mr. Wall.¡± Breck approached Noah quietly, breaking the heavy silence. He bowed slightly and spoke in a hushed tone, cautious not to disturb the stillness. ¡°The tonic soup you requested has been prepared. Should we send it up to Mrs. Wall now?¡±


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 Chapter 465

    ?Chapter 465:


    Breck paused, observing Noah¡¯s expression intently, awaiting his decision. Having worked for Noah for many years, Breck was familiar with theplexity of his employer¡¯s moods, which were particrly enigmatic when it came to matters involving Sadie.


    Noah¡¯s behavior could swing between attentive care and aloofness, leaving his true feelings opaque.


    Noah¡¯s response was dyed as his attention drifted to Averi, who was looking at him with wide, curious eyes. Averi was in cartoon-patterned pajamas, his chubby cheeks still bearing traces of dinner¡¯s cream, giving him the appearance of an endearing, messy kitten.


    When Noah¡¯s eyes met Averi¡¯s, they softened. He walked over and crouched to be eye-level with him.


    ¡°Averi,¡± Noah said, his voice softer than usual as he brushed Averi¡¯s hair gently. ¡°Could you do me a favor?¡±


    Averi cocked his head, his clear eyes filled with inquiry. ¡°What kind of favor?¡± His voice was sweet and innocent.


    A subtle smile formed on Noah¡¯s lips. He gestured upstairs. ¡°I need you to take something to Mommy, okay?¡±


    ¡°Take something to Mommy?¡± Averi blinked, his face showing a hint of reluctance. He nced from Noah to the staircase, torn between his desire to y with his toys and his reluctance to disappoint Noah.


    ¡°Be a good boy, Averi. I know you¡¯re the best boy,¡± Noah encouraged, his tone patient and gentle. ¡°You take this to Mommy, and then you can sleep with her tonight. What do you think?¡±


    At the mention of sleeping with his mom, Averi¡¯s face lit up. He nodded enthusiastically, his voice determined. ¡°Okay! I¡¯ll help you, Mr. Wall.¡±


    Noah¡¯s smile broadened with satisfaction. He straightened up and directed Breck, ¡°Please bring the soup here.¡±


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    Breck acknowledged with a quick nod and hurried to the kitchen. Returning shortly, he carried a tray adorned with an exquisite white porcin bowl. The tonic soup inside exuded a delicate sweet aroma.


    Handing the tray to Averi, Noah cautioned, ¡°Be careful, Averi. The soup is hot.¡± Averi grasped the tray firmly with both hands, his expression serious. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mr. Wall. I won¡¯t spill it.¡±


    Noah affectionately ruffled his hair. ¡°Good boy.¡±


    He watched Averi ascend the stairs with careful steps, disappearing around the corner. As Averi vanished, the smile on Noah¡¯s face slowly dissolved into aplex expression. He turned to Breck, his voice dropping to a chill tone. ¡°Sadie is allowed to go out. There¡¯s no need to stop her.¡±


    Breck, caught off guard, quickly recovered and bowed slightly. ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall.¡±


    The upper floor remained silent. Noah¡¯s expression tensed slightly. He was concerned Sadie might have hurt herself. He stood, intent on going upstairs to check on her.


    Just then, Averi¡¯s cheerful voice echoed down the stairs. ¡°Mommy, Mommy,e out! I brought you something delicious.¡± Noah halted, a smile reappearing. He resettled on the sofa and resumed watching TV, though his attention stayed fixed on the upstairs. He was waiting, anticipating Sadie¡¯s appearance.


    Upstairs, Sadie sat on the edge of the bed, her body tense. Then, she heard Averi¡¯s voice outside the door. Her body trembled slightly. She quickly spun to face the door. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she hurried to open it.


    Outside, Averi awaited her, tray in hand, where the white porcin bowl sat, the sweet aroma of the soup filling the air. When Averi saw her, his face lit up.


    ¡°Mommy, you finally came out! I¡¯ve been waiting for a long time,¡± he said, his voice brimming with excitement and joy.


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 Chapter 466

    ?Chapter 466:


    Sadie¡¯s gaze fell on Averi, her heart warming with affection.


    Sadie crouched down and gently stroked Averi¡¯s hair, her voice enveloping him like a warm hug. ¡°What¡¯s this, Averi?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s tonic soup, Mommy.¡± Averi held up the tray proudly, his eyes shining. ¡°Mommy, try it! It¡¯s really good.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s heart sank. She knew all too well who had sent the soup through Averi. And she understood precisely why Noah had done so. It was his tactic to soften her, to break her resolve.


    Taking the tray from Averi¡¯s hands, Sadie set it on the nearby table without tasting it.


    ¡°Averi, Mommy¡¯s not hungry right now. Why don¡¯t you go y for a bit?¡± Her voice was gentle, yet there was a firmness to her words.


    Averi looked at the bowl briefly, his disappointment evident, but he nodded obediently. ¡°Alright, Mommy. Just call me when you need anything.¡±


    ¡°Will do.¡± Sadie smiled and affectionately pinched Averi¡¯s chubby cheeks.


    Averi scampered out of the room with youthful energy. Sadie watched him leave, her smile slowly fading. Turning back to the table, she picked up the bowl of soup, her face expressionless. She knew this soup was Noah¡¯s way of reaching out, a siren song of sorts.


    The next morning, Sadie slowly opened her eyes. Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting dappled light across the room. She shifted, immediately feeling a deep ache in her body. Struggling to sit up, she looked around. The bedroom was opulent yet alien. Her heart sank with each ticking second.


    She threw off the covers, rose from the bed, and walked to the window. Outside, a meticulously maintained garden unfolded¡ªlush and vibrant, filled with the cheerful chirping of birds. Despite the idyllic scene, Sadie felt an intense sense of suffocation.


    Feeling like a bird trapped in a gilded cage, Sadie turned and walked to the door, touching the handle. It was locked, just as she expected. Her face drained of color.


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    With desperation rising, she pounded on the door, her voice hoarse as she shouted, ¡°Let me out! Let me out!¡± There was no response. Her cries echoed down the vacant hallway, met only by silence.


    Suddenly, a faint noise at the door caught her attention. Sadie¡¯s head snapped up. The door slowly creaked open.


    Breck appeared, his expression unreadable. ¡°Good morning, Mrs. Wall.¡±


    Sadie eyed him with suspicion. ¡°What do you want?¡±


    ¡°Mr. Wall instructed me to inform you that Averi has been taken to kindergarten,¡± Breck said tly.


    A chill ran through Sadie as she processed this information. Unmoving, Breck continued, ¡°Mrs. Wall, Mr. Wall has also arranged for a car to take you to the studio.¡±


    Sadie was stunned. She gazed at Breck, her expression one of disbelief, questioning if she had heard him correctly.


    ¡°What did you just say?¡± she questioned, her voiceced with confusion.


    ¡°Mr. Wall has arranged a car for you to go to the studio,¡± Breck repeated.


    Sadie struggled to make sense of the situation. She had braced herself for Noah to confine her indefinitely, using Averi as leverage to break her spirit. But now he was allowing her to leave for the studio?


    What was going on?


    What could Noah possibly be nning? Her thoughts swirled with uncertainty and suspicion. She couldn¡¯t decipher his thoughts or understand his true motives.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, you may leave now,¡± Breck stated, his voice unchanging.


    Sadie gave him a searching look, her expression a mix of confusion and caution. After a brief pause, she took a step forward and followed Breck out of the room and down the stairs.


    Outside, a ck car waited in front of the vi, the driver standing by respectfully, holding the door open for her. Sadie inhaled deeply and slid into the car. As the vehicle pulled away from Myrtlewood Estate, thendscape outside blurred past her window, her mind racing yet feeling empty.


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 Chapter 467

    ?Chapter 467:


    ¡°Take me to Stonemont Estate,¡± Sadie instructed abruptly. The driver nodded after a brief pause. ¡°Understood, Mrs. Wall.¡± The car veered toward Stonemont Estate.


    Gradually, Sadie felt a semnce of calm returning. There was much she needed to address. She resolved not to let Noah dominate her decisions. It was time to regain control and assert her independence.


    The car soon pulled up to Stonemont Estate. Sadie alighted swiftly and made her way into the vi.


    Inside, Eva was arranging a bouquet of fresh flowers on the sofa, her movements leisurely and graceful. She looked up, startled, as Sadie entered. ¡°Sadie? What brings you here?¡± Eva put down the flowers and stood to greet her.


    Sadie¡¯s face was a mask of conflicting emotions. ¡°Good morning, Ms. Shaw. I¡­¡± Her words faltered. She was unsure of how to exin her situation.


    Eva¡¯s expression shifted to one of concern as she observed Sadie closely. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Sadie? You look so pale. Did something happen?¡±


    ¡°Ms. Shaw¡­¡± Sadie tried to steady the turmoil churning within her, aiming for a voice that was both calm and determined. ¡°I need to ask you for a favor.¡±


    Eva¡¯s eyebrow arched, a flicker of intrigue crossing her refined features. She motioned for Sadie to take a seat, her tone both gentle and inquisitive. ¡°Oh? What kind of favor would make youe to me in person?¡±


    Taking a seat on the sofa, Sadie sped her hands tightly together. She pulled out a tablet from her bag, turned it on, and smoothly navigated the touchscreen. A jewelry design soon illuminated the screen.


    It featured a ne, elegantly designed with a rare pear-shaped diamond at its heart, encircled by a myriad of tiny white diamonds that resembled a celestial array entuating the pink gem¡¯s radiance. The design married ssical elegance with modern sensibility, radiating breathtaking grace.


    Eva¡¯s gaze sharpened at the sight, her years of experience in jewelry design allowing her to immediately recognize the design¡¯s exceptional quality. ¡°Is this¡­¡± Eva looked up at Sadie, a trace of confusion in her voice. ¡°Your creation?¡±


    Sadie nodded, remaining silent. She watched Eva anxiously, awaiting her judgment.


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    Eva scrutinized the design again, then spoke slowly. ¡°This design is quite impressive. The creativity,position, and attention to detail are exemry. It¡¯s remarkable for someone your age to produce such work.¡±


    Hearing Eva¡¯s praise, Sadie felt a momentary relief, but her anxiety quickly resurfaced.


    Eva¡¯s tone shifted as her expression grew incisive. ¡°However, Sadie, you didn¡¯te here just to showcase your design, did you? Please, be direct. What exactly do you need my help with?¡±


    Eva set the tablet down, folding her hands in herp as she waited for Sadie¡¯s exnation.


    Sadie bit her bottom lip, keenly aware that she couldn¡¯t keep any secrets from such an experienced individual.


    She openly shared her current dilemma and her n for the International Jewelry Design Competition with Eva, without embellishment or omission. ¡°And that¡¯s it,¡± Sadie concluded, releasing a deep breath as if a heavy burden had been lifted.


    She looked at Eva, her eyes a mix of hope and apprehension. If Eva declined to help, Sadie doubted she could find another suitable ally.


    The room fell into a profound silence.


    Eva remained quiet, her expression contemtive instead of immediately revealing her position. After a significant pause, she finally spoke, her voice measured and profound.


    ¡°Sadie, do you realize the magnitude of what you¡¯re asking?¡±


    A chill ran through Sadie, as though she were plummeting into an icy abyss. It was clear Eva was indicating that the favor was no small task.


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 Chapter 468

    ?Chapter 468:


    ¡°I know,¡± Sadie responded, her voice slightly hoarse yet her eyes resolute. ¡°But, Ms. Shaw, I really have no other option. I need to win. I must safeguard my child and stand up for myself.¡±


    Her voice quavered towards the end, verging on a sob.


    Eva regarded her with aplex expression, emotions flickering in her gaze. ¡°You, my dear¡­¡± Eva sighed softly, her smile tinged with resignation. ¡°It seems¡­ too hard to refuse you.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s head shot up, a flicker of hope in her eyes. She gazed at Eva, barely daring to believe what she had heard.


    ¡°However¡­¡± Eva¡¯s tone shifted again. ¡°Sadie, you must understand, assisting you means I¡¯m opposing the Wall family and K directly. That poses a significant risk for me.¡±


    ¡°I understand, Ms. Shaw,¡± Sadie quickly said, her voiceced with urgency. ¡°Ms. Shaw, I¡­ I won¡¯t expect you to help without something in return.¡±


    She wanted to offer Eva money, but the gesture seemed inadequate. Given Eva¡¯s stature, mary rewards likely held little appeal.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to mention that,¡± Eva interjected, waving her hand dismissively. ¡°I¡¯m helping you not for money or any other gain. It¡¯s simply that I admire your talent and empathize with your situation. More importantly¡­¡±


    She paused, her gaze intensifying. ¡°I refuse to watch a promising designer like you be suppressed and wasted.¡±


    Tears sprang to Sadie¡¯s eyes. She looked at Eva, her heart swelling with gratitude and respect.


    ¡°Thank you, Ms. Shaw,¡± she managed to say, her voice shaky. ¡°Thank you for your trust and for your willingness to help.¡±


    ¡°Alright, no need for tears, Sadie.¡± Eva smiled, shaking her head as she passed a tissue from the coffee table. ¡°Wipe your tears. You¡¯repeting in the International Jewelry Design Competition. You need to show your strength, not your tears.¡±


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    Sadie epted the tissue, dabbed at her eyes, and took a deep breath to steady herself.


    ¡°I won¡¯t let you down, Ms. Shaw.¡±


    Eva nodded, pleased. ¡°I believe in you.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­ I should go now, Ms. Shaw.¡± Sadie stood, giving Eva a deep bow. ¡°After the contest, I will express my gratitude properly.¡±


    ¡°Go on,¡± Eva said with a smile. ¡°I¡¯ll be looking forward to your sess.¡±


    With one more word of thanks, Sadie turned and left the living room. She exited the vi and approached the ck car that waited outside. Her expression tightened involuntarily at the sight of it. She hadn¡¯t expected it to still be there.


    With no other transportation options avable on the mountain, she sighed in resignation, opened the car door, and slid inside.


    ¡°Where to now, Mrs. Wall?¡± the driver inquired respectfully.


    Sadie gazed out the window, her mind adrift.


    ¡°Back to my studio, please.¡±


    The driver started the engine. Sadie leaned back, closing her eyes slowly, trying to distance herself from the emotional weight of her recent conversation with Eva.


    ¡°Buzz¡­ Buzz¡­¡± Her phone¡¯s sudden vibration jarred her from her thoughts. Opening her eyes, Sadie retrieved her phone from her bag, noticing an unfamiliar number on the disy. She hesitated briefly before answering. ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°This is Vivi.¡± The voice was familiar yet distant, tinged with a mix of arrogance and challenge.


    Sadie furrowed her brows. Vivi? Why was she calling now?


    ¡°Vivi? What do you want?¡± Sadie¡¯s tone was icy, edged with caution. She and Vivi werepetitors, typically staying out of each other¡¯s way.


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 Chapter 469

    ?Chapter 469:


    ¡°What, Sandra? Can¡¯t I just call for a friendly chat? We were colleagues once, weren¡¯t we?¡± Vivi¡¯sugh was overly sweet, her voice oozing insincerity.


    Sadie cut to the chase. ¡°What are you really after, Vivi?¡±


    ¡°Ah, Sandra, always so direct.¡± Vivi chuckled, her voice now smug. ¡°I just wanted to share some good news. My studio officially opens today.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± Sadie¡¯s reply was t, disinterested. Vivi¡¯s news was irrelevant to her. She couldn¡¯t care less.


    ¡°Sandra, you don¡¯t seem surprised at all?¡± Vivi¡¯s voice carried a note of irritation. She was unhappy with Sadie¡¯sck of reaction.


    ¡°Why should I be?¡± Sadie shot back, her sarcasm palpable. ¡°Your studio opening¡ªwhat does it have to do with me?¡±


    ¡°How could it not?¡± Vivi¡¯s tone became sharp, deliberately provocative. ¡°Sandra, you¡¯re an internationally renowned designer, yet your studio remains unseen. Don¡¯t you want¡­ to let it shine too?¡±


    Sadie immediately grasped the dual nature of Vivi¡¯s words¡ªboth a boast and a challenge.


    ¡°Vivi, there¡¯s no need to show off to me.¡± Sadie¡¯s response was frostier than before. ¡°The sess of your studio is your concern. My interest, orck thereof, is my own.¡±


    ¡°Sandra, don¡¯t be like that.¡± Vivi¡¯s voice softened, seemingly cajoling. ¡°I¡¯ve invited almost every prominent designer to my opening. Everyone is expecting you.¡±


    ¡°Not interested.¡± Sadie dismissed her tly, her tone unwavering. ¡°Vivi, we walk different paths. Please, don¡¯t contact me again.¡±


    With that, she ended the call and dropped the phone back into her bag.


    ¡°Humph!¡± On the other end, Vivi was left listening to the disconnect tone. Her expression darkened, and a sneer crossed her lips, a glint of malice in her eyes. ¡°Think you can avoid the storm by ignoring me, Sadie? Just wait. The real show hasn¡¯t even started.¡±


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    Unaware of Vivi¡¯s scheming, Sadie felt a wave of irritation wash over her. The call had only added to the weight she already felt.


    The car continued swiftly toward the city center.


    Soon, Sadie reached her studio. She walked to her desk, sat down, and powered up herputer, ready to immerse herself in work. But as soon as sheunched the browser, a slew of headlines captured her attention.


    ¡°Majestic Ego¡¯s Chief Designer Vivi Quinn Launches First Domestic Studio with a Bang.¡±


    ¡°Vivi Quinn¡¯s Studio Opening Ceremony Dazzles, Industry Elites Gather.¡±


    ¡°Vivi Quinn¡¯s Studio Overwhelmed with Orders on Opening Day, Promising Future Ahead.¡±


    Each headline and every stunning photo underscored the triumph and allure of Vivi¡¯s studio.


    Sadie clicked on an article, rapidly scanning its contents. The piece featured Vivi in a breathtaking gown, surrounded by flowers and apuse, her expression one of undeniable confidence and joy. She addressed the reporters with poise and assurance, her words brimming with ambition.


    ¡°My studio is set to be the premier design brand in Helva, offering unparalleled design services to our clients¡­¡±


    ¡°I envision my studio as a beacon in the domestic designndscape, setting the trends in fashion¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m confident that soon, we will be recognized as one of the top design brands, both here and abroad¡­¡±


    In the article¡¯sment section, the conversation buzzed.


    ¡°Vivi¡¯s studio just opened, but where¡¯s Sandra?¡±


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 Chapter 470

    ?Chapter 470:


    ¡°Where¡¯s Sandra? Has anyone seen her?¡±


    ¡°Is she too proud to show up?¡±


    ¡°Vivi is now Majestic Ego¡¯s chief designer. How can Sandra evenpete?¡±


    ¡°Exactly! Sandra¡¯s designs are decent, but she¡¯s no match for Vivi.¡±


    ¡°Vivi¡¯s studio secured several major orders on its first day. Has Sandra¡¯s studio created any buzz?¡±


    ¡°It seems Sandra ispletely overshadowed by Vivi this time.¡±


    ¡°Knock. Knock. Knock¡­¡±


    At that moment, a knock at the door pulled Sadie from her reverie.


    ¡°Come in, please,¡± she responded, her voice slightly raspy.


    The door swung open and Nte entered.


    ¡°You¡¯re back, Sadie,¡± Nte said, her tone respectful.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Sadie acknowledged her. ¡°By the way, please deliver this design draft.¡±


    Nte examined the draft carefully and nodded. ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll see to it immediately.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Sadie nodded. ¡°Go ahead.¡±


    With the design draft in hand, Nte exited the office.


    ¡°Nte, you¡­¡± K¡¯s gaze remained fixed on the crisp design draft glowing on her phone screen, her eyes alight with barely contained exhration. She abruptly lifted her head, her voice quivering with emotion. ¡°You really managed to get it!¡±


    Nte said nothing, merely offering a silent nod, her expression betraying aplex mix of emotions.


    ¡°This is incredible! You¡¯re amazing!¡± K eximed, throwing her arms around Nte in a burst of excitement. ¡°Now let¡¯s see what tricks that scheming Sadie has left to challenge me.¡±


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    A slow, devious smile curled on K¡¯s lips as she turned away. ¡°You did well, Nte. Rest assured, your mother will be taken care of. I¡¯ve already spoken to the hospital and arranged for top specialists to oversee her treatment.¡±


    Nte stiffened for a brief moment, her smile faltering. Clenching her fists, she lowered her head slightly. ¡°Thank you, Miss Wade.¡±


    Wasting no time, K eagerly opened WhatsApp and sent Vivi a voice message. ¡°Vivi, I have it.¡±


    The moment the message was sent, a victorious grin spread across K¡¯s face. She could already envision Sadie¡¯s downfall at thepetition¡ªher reputation in tatters.


    Momentster, Vivi replied with a voice message. ¡°K, you¡¯ve done a great job. Everything¡¯s set on my end. Come here immediately.¡±


    ¡°Got it. I¡¯m on my way.¡± K ended the call, grabbed her bag, and dashed out the door.


    At Vivi¡¯s studio, the grand opening event had just wrapped up. Guests trickled out while a few staff members lingered, tidying up the aftermath. The red carpet remained in ce, and floral arrangements on either side stood fresh, their delicate scent still lingering in the air.


    As K arrived, she spotted Vivi at the doorway, seemingly awaiting her.


    ¡°Vivi!¡± K hurried over, handing her phone to Vivi. ¡°Here¡¯s the design draft.¡±


    Vivi tapped the screen, pulling up the image and skimming over it swiftly.


    ¡°Well, well¡­ K, you are really amazing.¡± Amusement flickered in Vivi¡¯s eyes as she nced up. ¡°Infiltrating Sadie¡¯s studio and snatching this from under her nose? That¡¯s ruthless!¡±


    ¡°Hmph! That woman deserves nothing less.¡± K scoffed, her gaze glinting with malice.


    ¡°But¡­¡± Vivi hesitated, her tone shifting slightly. ¡°K, I have no personal grudge against Sadie. Perhaps it¡¯s best if you handle this draft yourself. What do you say?¡±


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 Chapter 471

    ?Chapter 471:


    ¡°No personal grudge?¡± K sneered, as if she had just heard something absurd. ¡°Vivi, don¡¯t fool me. Are you seriously going to pretend you don¡¯t want to surpass Sadie? That you don¡¯t dream of making your studio the most prestigious in Helva?¡±


    Her expression hardened. ¡°And now, you¡¯re telling me to handle it alone? Vivi, do you take me for a fool? What¡¯s the n¡ªif this backfires, you¡¯ll wash your hands of it and pin the me on me? Do you think I¡¯m that easy to fool?¡±


    Vivi was momentarily stunned by K¡¯s sudden sharpness. She hadn¡¯t expected the usually gullible K to catch on so quickly.


    ¡°K, you misunderstand.¡± Vivi quickly regained herposure, shing a warm, reassuring smile. ¡°I would never do that to you. We¡¯re a team, remember? We¡¯re in this together.¡±


    She stepped forward, linking arms with K and leading her to a nearby sofa. ¡°K, I know you¡¯re frustrated. Don¡¯t worry¡ªI¡¯ll take care of everything,¡± Vivi said soothingly, gently taking the phone from K¡¯s grasp.


    ¡°Leave the draft with me. Just sit back and enjoy the show. This time, Sadie won¡¯t recover from the disgrace she¡¯s about to face at thepetition.¡± K¡¯s tense expression finally rxed. She gave a small nod. ¡°That sounds more like it.¡±


    ¡°K, trust me,¡± Vivi assured her, patting her chest confidently. ¡°When this is over, we¡¯ll celebrate properly.¡±


    ¡°Alright. It¡¯s a deal!¡± K grinned.


    ¡°Deal!¡± Vivi echoed with a smirk.


    Satisfied, K exited the studio.


    The moment she stepped outside, Vivi¡¯s sweet smile vanished, reced by a cold, contemptuous look.


    ¡°Fool,¡± she muttered with disdain. ¡°Does she actually think she¡¯s worthy of negotiating with me?¡±


    She nced down at the draft on the screen, a shadow of confusion crossing her mind. Something about it felt¡­ off.


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    Though meticulously designed, the piececked a certain brilliance¡ªa distinctive spark that had always defined Sadie¡¯s creations.


    Was she overanalyzing?


    Frowning, Vivi reyed memories of Sadie¡¯s previous masterpieces. Each had been striking, bursting with originality and ir¡ªimpossible to forget. Yet the draft before her, while impressive, fell short of that level.


    Could it be that Sadie¡¯s talent had declined?


    Vivi shook her head, pushing the thought aside.


    Impossible!


    Then what exactly was happening?


    No matter how much she strained her mind, the situation refused to make sense.


    She studied the design draft for what felt like an eternity. The more she examined it, the more something felt off. Could it be¡­ a fake?


    Vivi¡¯s heart skipped a beat. She abruptly lifted her gaze toward the doorway, but K had already disappeared into the night.


    Vivi¡¯s expression darkened further. She tightened her grip on her phone, her fingers turning pale from the pressure.


    If the draft was fake, did that mean K had been deceived?


    No, that couldn¡¯t be right.


    K mightck sharpness, but she wouldn¡¯t be oblivious enough to mistake a fake, would she? Besides, the draft came from an employee of Sadie¡¯s studio¡ªhow could it possibly be fake?


    Unless¡­ Sadie had orchestrated this deliberately.


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 Chapter 472

    ?Chapter 472:


    Realization struck Vivi like a thunderp. A glimmer of understanding shed in her eyes. So that was it.


    Sadie must have nted the fake design to bait them.


    ¡°Clever move, Sadie. But you think you can fool me?¡± Vivi¡¯s lips curled into a sneer, her eyes gleaming with malice.


    Initially, she had nned to use the draft to disgrace Sadie at the uingpetition. But now, that tactic wouldn¡¯t work.


    She would have to adopt a more ruthless tactic.


    ¡°Saylor!¡± Vivi suddenly called out.


    ¡°Yes, Miss Quinn? How can I assist you?¡± a young woman hurried inside, her posture respectful.


    ¡°Use this draft to create a prototype,¡± Vivi instructed, handing her phone to her assistant, Saylor Warren.


    ¡°Understood, Miss Quinn,¡± Saylor responded, taking the phone.


    ¡°And make sure it¡¯s done under K Wade¡¯s name,¡± Vivi added coolly.


    ¡°K Wade?¡± Saylor hesitated, puzzled. ¡°Miss Quinn, why are we using her name?¡±


    ¡°Just follow instructions! No more questions,¡± Vivi snapped, her re sharp with irritation.


    ¡°I understand, Miss Quinn,¡± Saylor murmured, lowering her head as she suppressed a shiver. She dared not question further.


    ¡°Go now,¡± Vivi ordered with a dismissive wave.


    ¡°Right away,¡± Saylor replied, quickly leaving the office with the phone in hand.


    As the door closed, a wicked smile yed on Vivi¡¯s lips.


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    ¡°Sadie, you really think such a petty trick will save you? How naive. This time, I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯repletely humiliated.¡±


    A ruthless glint flickered in her eyes. She could hardly wait for Sadie¡¯s downfall at thepetition.


    Meanwhile, Nte rushed back to the studio, her face drained of color, still shaken.


    The moment she stepped inside, she made a beeline for Sadie¡¯s office.


    ¡°Sadie!¡± Nte gasped, gripping the doorframe as if to steady herself. ¡°K and Vivi¡­ they¡¯ve teamed up.¡±


    Sadie sat at her desk, staring nkly at herptop screen, her expression distant, as though lost in thought.


    At Nte¡¯s words, she slowly lifted her head. But there was no surprise on her face, as if she had already expected this.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Sadie? Did¡­ did you already know?¡± Nte¡¯s voice wavered in confusion.


    She stepped closer, concern etching her features.


    Sadie¡¯s gaze shifted from the screen to Nte¡¯s worried expression.


    A soft sigh escaped her lips, tinged with fatigue. ¡°I forgot¡­ How could I forget¡­¡± she murmured.


    ¡°Forget what?¡± Nte asked, utterly bewildered.


    Sadie¡¯s voice was almost a whisper. ¡°Vivi and I worked side by side for three years. She understands me too well¡­ She would have seen through the fake draft instantly.¡±


    Nte¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°Wait¡­ Are you saying¡­ they would figure out our n? Then¡­ wouldn¡¯t we be in serious trouble?¡±


    A bitter chuckle left Sadie¡¯s lips. ¡°If K were the only one involved, I wouldn¡¯t be concerned. She¡¯s maniptive, but when ites to design, she¡¯s no threat to me. Vivi, though¡­ she¡¯s different.¡±


    ¡°Vivi¡­¡± Nte echoed, dread creeping into her voice. ¡°Then¡­ what will she do?¡±


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 Chapter 473

    ?Chapter 473:


    Sadie¡¯s voice remained steady, but a heaviness lingered in her words. ¡°She won¡¯t use the fake draft as it is. No, she¡¯ll find another way to twist it to her advantage.¡±


    ¡°What is that supposed to mean?¡± Nte asked urgently, her voice tense. Sadie remained silent, her gaze deep and contemtive as if she were lost in thought or anticipating something.


    Nte¡¯s anxiety heightened with Sadie¡¯s prolonged silence. Unable to contain herself, she burst out, ¡°Sadie, what should we do now? We can¡¯t just sit here and wait for disaster, can we?¡±


    Sadie shook her head slowly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Nte. Let¡¯s just introduce another twist to our n.¡±


    ¡°Another twist?¡± Nte paused, perplexed. ¡°How?¡±


    A subtle smile appeared on Sadie¡¯s face, her eyes twinkling mischievously. ¡°Issue a statement.¡±


    ¡°A statement?¡± Nte¡¯s confusion grew.


    ¡°Yes, a statement,¡± Sadie affirmed with a nod. ¡°Announce that our studio¡¯s unfinished design draft has been stolen.¡±


    ¡°Our unfinished design draft has been stolen?¡± Nte echoed, still trying to understand. ¡°Sadie, what are you suggesting?¡±


    ¡°Just release it quietly,¡± Sadie said calmly, ¡°and remember, timing is crucial.¡± Nte looked at Sadie, confusion in her eyes, but ultimately, she decided to trust her. She nodded. ¡°Alright, Sadie. I¡¯ll handle it immediately.¡±


    ¡°Good. Go now,¡± Sadie directed.


    Nte turned and hurried out of the office.


    Sadie watched her leave, her smile slowly giving way to a solemn expression. As night fell, the city lights sparkled like distant stars.


    Outside the studio, a sleek ck car was parked discreetly. The driver stood by the car, awaiting Sadie¡¯s departure.


    Read thetest updates at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s


    Taking a deep breath and straightening her attire, Sadie exited the studio. ¡°Good evening, Mrs. Wall,¡± the driver said, hastening to open the car door for her.


    ¡°Mm,¡± Sadie murmured quietly as she entered the car.


    The car left the studio, heading toward Myrtlewood Estate.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, Mr. Wall informed me he¡¯d be attending a work-rted social event tonight and might returnte,¡± the driver said as he drove.


    At the mention of ¡°Mr. Wall,¡± Sadie tensed slightly, her expression remaining neutral.


    She responded evenly, ¡°I see.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Wall is very attentive to your well-being, Mrs. Wall,¡± the driver remarked, aiming to reassure her.


    Sadie was momentarily startled by hisment.


    Aplex emotion shed across her eyes before disappearing just as swiftly.


    Sadie remained silent, turning her gaze toward the window instead.


    The night was alive with bright lights and bustling streets.


    Yet, Sadie felt no desire to appreciate it.


    Noah was attentive to her well-being?


    The irony of those words stung her.


    Bitterness swelled within her heart.


    The car smoothly made its way into Myrtlewood Estate and halted at the vi¡¯s entrance.


    The driver got out and opened the door for Sadie.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, we¡¯ve arrived,¡± he announced with respect.


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 Chapter 474

    ?Chapter 474:


    ¡°Mm,¡± Sadie murmured, stepping from the car.


    She paused at the entrance, her eyes scanning the familiar structure, emotions swirling within her.


    Sadie crossed the threshold into the house.


    A familiar warmth enveloped her, yet it did little to soften the chill in her heart.


    The living room was aglow with light.


    A figure on the sofa turned slowly at the sound of her steps.


    It was Laura.


    When Sadie saw her, her eyes filled with tears. She moved quickly toward Laura, her voice shaky. ¡°Grandma¡­¡±


    ¡°Sadie, you¡¯re home,¡± Laura¡¯s voice was soft.


    Clutching Laura¡¯s hand, Sadie felt theforting warmth but couldn¡¯t stop the tears that now freely flowed.


    ¡°Grandma, why¡­ Why are you here?¡± Sadie stammered, her voice still trembling.


    Laura gently stroked her hand, signaling her to calm down.


    ¡°It was Mr. Wall¡¯s decision,¡± Breck interjected timely. ¡°Mr. Wall mentioned that Mrs. Stewart was well enough to leave the hospital. Staying at Myrtlewood Estate ensures she receives proper care.¡±


    Breck¡¯s revtion struck Sadie hard, like a blow to her heart.


    Noah¡­


    Always him!


    A storm of emotions brewed within her¡ªanger, helplessness, and grief.


    She understood that Noah¡¯s motives weren¡¯t entirely benevolent.


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    It was a warning, a stark reminder that he still had control over her vulnerabilities.


    Laura¡¯s safety, Averi¡¯s safety¡­ These were the tools Noah wielded to keep her tethered.


    Noah manipted those around him like a puppeteer with his strings, while Sadie found herself a mere pawn in his borate game, powerless over her own destiny.


    ¡°Grandma, how are you? Are you still in pain?¡± Sadie asked, suppressing the bitterness within her.


    She watched Laura intently, not wanting to overlook any detail.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine now, Sadie. Really,¡± Laura assured her with a kind smile. ¡°I love you and Averi.¡±


    The mention of Averi renewed the pain in Sadie¡¯s heart.


    Sadie strove for calm, but her voice still betrayed a hint of emotion. ¡°Grandma, both Averi and I are well.¡±


    ¡°Good. Good.¡±


    A gentle pat from Laura on Sadie¡¯s hand conveyed her affection and encouragement.


    Sadie nodded and managed a forced smile.


    She hid her vulnerability from Laura, not wanting to add to her worries.


    With resolve, Sadieposed herself, aiming to show strength.


    Meanwhile, in avish banquet hall, the clinking of sses and the low murmur of conversations filled the air amid the rustling of fine gowns.


    Noah, impably dressed in a tailored suit,manded attention with his authoritative presence, attracting every eye in the room.


    He held a ss of red wine, swirling it slowly, his expression unreadable.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, you truly are a rising star!¡±


    ¡°With you at the helm, Wall Group will surely soar to new heights.¡±


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 Chapter 475

    ?Chapter 475:


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t agree more.¡±


    The crowd keptvishing Noah with praise.


    He responded with a polite, distant smile, his demeanor cool and detached.


    Just then, a familiar figure made her way toward him.


    Vivi, in a stunning red gown that highlighted her elegant posture, approached. Her makeup was perfect, enhancing her striking beauty.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, what a coincidence to see you here,¡± she said, her voice softly flirtatious.


    A business associate, unaware of the truth, asked, ¡°Mr. Wall, is this your wife?¡± With a slight frown, Noah cast a nce at Vivi and stated tly, ¡°No, she is not.¡± His words quenched the room¡¯s enthusiasm.


    The business associate¡¯s smile faltered, and he uttered an apology. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Wall. That was presumptuous of me.¡± He quickly excused himself.


    Vivi¡¯s confident demeanor slipped, but she swiftly recovered, teasing, ¡°Mr. Wall, you¡¯re as unromantic as ever.¡±


    Noah remained silent, his gaze fixed on her.


    Under his scrutiny, Vivi appeared slightly ufortable. She changed the subject. ¡°Do you know, while I was abroad, Sadie and I worked together at Majestic Ego for three years?¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression tightened.


    ¡°What¡¯s that look for? Are you intrigued now?¡± Viviughed yfully, noticing his reaction.


    ¡°It¡¯s too noisy here. Shall we go upstairs to talk?¡± she suggested, catching a glint of interest in Noah¡¯s eyes.


    Noah¡¯s frown deepened. He was diforted by being seen through. Yet, he agreed, nodding slightly.


    They ascended the staircase, the room¡¯s eyes trailing them, filled with curiosity. In the VIP lounge above, Vivi poured a ss of wine for Noah.


    Your imagination thrives at  punt


    ¡°Mr. Wall, try this. It¡¯s specially prepared for you,¡± she said, offering Noah the ss with a smile.


    Noah took a tentative sip. The wine was bold and spicy, with a lingering richness.


    ¡°Back at Majestic Ego, Sadie and I were inseparable,¡± Vivi reminisced, her voice colored with nostalgia. ¡°We worked, shopped, and dined together¡ªalmost like sisters.¡±


    Noah listened without interruption.


    ¡°Sadie is exceptionally talented and diligent,¡± Vivi continued, a hint of envy in her tone. ¡°Her designs were alwaysuded, and she had this allure that just drew people to her¡­¡± Time seemed to stretch on.


    ¡°Take your time, Mr. Wall,¡± Vivi whispered, her voice cutting through the quiet with a flirtatious edge.


    Noah seemed tipsy, his frown indicating a struggle to piece his thoughts together.


    The alcohol numbed Noah¡¯s senses, leaving his mind scattered. The only thing he could clearly recall was Vivi endlessly chattering about Sadie and Majestic Ego. Yet, deep down, just one name upied his thoughts¡ªSadie.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, are you okay?¡± Vivi noticed the way Noah fixated on her in silence, his stare unwavering and intense, sending a chill down her spine. She hesitated before cautiously resting her hand on his arm, testing for a reaction. ¡°Did you¡­ have too much to drink?¡±


    Noah remained unresponsive. His body felt heavier with each passing second, his eyelids drooping. Instinct urged him to move away, but his limbs refused to obey.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, you¡­¡± Vivi¡¯s hand trailed up to his chest, her fingers toying with his shirt buttons, teasingly. She sensed a faint tremor run through him. A thrill sparked within her¡ªthis was her chance!


    She inched closer, lips slightly parted, her warm breath brushing against his skin as she whispered, ¡°Mr. Wall¡­¡±


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 Chapter 476

    ?Chapter 476:


    Just as she was about to press a kiss to his cheek, Noah abruptly swung his arm with force. ¡°Get lost!¡±


    His voice was rough,ced with irritation. Vivi¡¯s hands froze midair, herplexion paling. She hadn¡¯t expected such a harsh rejection.


    ¡°Mr¡­ Mr. Wall¡­¡± Her voice wavered, her confidence shaken. ¡°Did I do something wrong?¡±


    Noah¡¯s brows knitted together as he struggled to open his eyes, his gaze falling on the blurred figure before him. ¡°Who are you?¡±


    Vivi¡¯s body stiffened, a chill creeping up her spine. She swallowed her embarrassment and forced a smile. ¡°Mr. Wall, you¡¯ve had too much to drink. It¡¯s me, Vivi¡­¡±


    ¡°Vivi?¡± Noah¡¯s eyes remained clouded with confusion. ¡°I don¡¯t know you¡­¡± With that, he shut his eyes again and attempted to get up, his body unsteady.


    rmed, Vivi rushed forward to steady him, worried he might copse. ¡°Careful, Mr. Wall¡­¡± Her tone was gentle, as though nothing had just urred. But her hands clenched into fists, nails biting into her palms.


    Suppressing the frustration rising within her, sheposed herself. Then, her gaze flickered with an idea. ¡°Mr. Wall, did you¡­ drop something?¡± Her voice carried a yful undertoneced with intrigue.


    Noah frowned slightly, his irritation evident, but he reluctantly opened his eyes. ¡°What?¡± His voice remained low and hoarse.


    His reaction made Vivi¡¯s heart race with anticipation. ¡°I think something fell just now¡­¡± she murmured, her tone dripping with implication.


    Noah¡¯s gaze turned hazy as he followed Vivi¡¯s line of sight, looking down at himself. His shirt was slightly undone, exposing a glimpse of his defined corbone.


    Vivi¡¯s stare lingered there for a moment before trailing further down. Noah¡¯s breathing became heavier.


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    ¡°Mr. Wall¡­¡± Vivi¡¯s voice turned even softer, sultry. ¡°You really did drop something¡­¡±


    As she spoke, she leaned in closer, her hand reaching for his belt. Just before her fingers could touch the buckle, Noah shoved her away with unexpected force.


    ¡°Stay away from me!¡± His voice was ice-cold,pletely devoid of warmth.


    Caught off guard, Vivi stumbled back, nearly losing her bnce. Her face drained of color. She never imagined Noah would reject her so ruthlessly.


    ¡°Mr¡­ Mr. Wall¡­¡± Her voice shook, barely above a whisper.


    Noah said nothing, his piercing gaze fixed on her.


    Under his sharp scrutiny, Vivi¡¯s confidence shattered. She quickly averted her eyes, unable to meet his.


    She knew then¡ªher n hadpletely failed.


    Frustration churned within her, but she could do nothing.


    Noah¡¯s devotion to Sadie ran far deeper than she had anticipated.


    If she wanted his heart, she¡¯d have to find another approach.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, you¡­ you¡¯re drunk. Let me take you home¡­¡± Vivi steadied herself and spoke.


    Her voice was calm again, as if nothing had ever happened.


    Noah remained silent, offering only a faint nod in agreement.


    Seeing his response, Vivi quickly stepped forward, securing an arm around him as she led him out of the lounge.


    Downstairs, the banquet hall was still brimming with energy, the atmosphere unbroken.


    However, the moment Noah and Vivi appeared, every gaze turned toward them. Noah¡¯splexion was pallid, his movements sluggish, and the effects of the alcohol were undeniable.


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 Chapter 477

    ?Chapter 477:


    Vivi, wearing an expression of deep concern, held onto him firmly. Their proximity suggested an almost intimate connection, setting tongues wagging.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Is Mr. Wall drunk?¡±


    ¡°Looks like it, but why is Vivi the one with him?¡±


    ¡°Could there be something more between them?¡±


    ¡°Wow. That¡¯ll be interesting¡­¡±


    Spection spread like wildfire, filling the space with hushed murmurs and eager whispers.


    At the hotel entrance, Noah¡¯s personal vehicle was already stationed, waiting. Vivi carefully assisted Noah outside, ensuring he remained steady as they approached the car.


    Just before reaching the door, she suddenly hesitated.


    Her gaze flickered toward the nearby reporters, and then, in a calcted move, she adjusted her dress.


    Her movements were slow and deliberate, clearly orchestrated to draw attention and spark spection.


    The once-wless evening dress now had a slightly ruffled appearance, its neckline subtly shifted, revealing a glimpse of smooth skin.


    A few loose strands of hair framed her face, adding a touch of effortless allure.


    ¡°Click! Click!¡± Cameras fired in rapid session, capturing the scene with fervor.


    The reporters believed they had struck gold¡ªthis was the kind of material that made headlines.


    ¡°CEO of Wall Group and Former Majestic Ego Chief Designer Caught in Late-Night Rendezvous, Suspected Drunken Indiscretion!¡±


    The story practically wrote itself, a guaranteed sensation.


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    Vivi had achieved exactly what she wanted¡ªspreading the impression of a deep connection between her and Noah, specifically to ignite Sadie¡¯s jealousy.


    ¡°Miss Quinn, thank you for escorting Mr. Wall back¡­¡± Samuel approached respectfully, though his expression betrayed his confusion.


    He had no idea what had unfolded between the two, but Vivi¡¯sposed demeanor suggested something far from ordinary.


    ¡°You are wee, Mr. Ford,¡± Vivi responded smoothly. ¡°Mr. Wall had a bit too much to drink, so I thought it only right to assist him.¡± Fixing Samuel with an unreadable look, she added, ¡°Since he¡¯s still unsteady, perhaps I should apany him the rest of the way.¡±


    Samuel hesitated for a moment. Supporting Noah into the vehicle, he hadn¡¯t anticipated Vivi¡¯s suggestion.


    He struggled for an appropriate response.


    Before he could decline, Vivi acted decisively. She opened the opposite car door and slid in gracefully, settling beside Noah as if she belonged there. Samuel paused, his eyes locked on Vivi, who had already positioned herself in the car with quiet resolve. For a brief second, uncertainty gripped him.


    He couldn¡¯t exactly force her out, could he?


    Besides, she had a point. Noah was severely drunk, and having another person around to watch over him wasn¡¯t the worst idea.


    With a resigned sigh, Samuel slid into the driver¡¯s seat, turned the ignition, and pulled away from the hotel.


    The silence in the car was heavy, tinged with an underlying tension.


    Vivi sat beside Noah, stealing asional nces at him.


    The vehicle moved smoothly through the dimly lit streets, and soon, they reached Myrtlewood Estate.


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 Chapter 478

    ?Chapter 478:


    After stopping the car, Samuel stepped out and opened the rear door.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, we¡¯re here,¡± he murmured.


    There was no response. Noah¡¯s eyes remained shut, his breathing steady, as though he was lost in deep slumber.


    ¡°Mr. Wall?¡± Samuel tried again, raising his voice slightly.


    Still nothing.


    Left with no alternative, Samuel ced a hand on Noah¡¯s shoulder and gave it a light shake. ¡°Sir, wake up. You¡¯ve arrived.¡±


    Noah stirred slightly, his eyelids fluttering before he finally opened his eyes. His gaze was unfocused, hazy, as though he was struggling to process his surroundings.


    ¡°Where¡­ is this?¡± His voice was raspy, barely above a whisper.


    ¡°You¡¯re home, sir. This is Myrtlewood Estate,¡± Samuel replied.


    ¡°Home¡­¡± Noah echoed, his voice trailing off. A flicker of recognition surfaced in his eyes, shadowed by longing and confusion.


    He remembered. This was where he belonged. The ce he shared with Sadie.


    But where was she?


    Why wasn¡¯t she here?


    ¡°Sadie¡­ Sadie¡­¡± His voice trembled with emotion, his desperation evident.


    He attempted to get out of the car, as if determined to find Sadie.


    ¡°Sir, please stay still. Let me assist you,¡± Samuel said, quickly moving to support him.


    Vivi stepped out as well, watching Noah, her expression a mix of emotions.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, let me help you inside,¡± she offered softly.


    With Samuel and Vivi nking him, Noah was carefully led into the house.


    The well-lit living room radiated warmth, yet an unspoken tension lingered in the air, as if the space itself was bracing for what was toe. Sadie sat on the sofa, waiting.


    Sleep had eluded her. She couldn¡¯t rest¡ªnot tonight.


    Then, the sound of footsteps reached her ears.


    Sadie¡¯s heart skipped a beat.


    She stood abruptly, her gaze fixed on the entrance.


    And there they were¡ªSamuel and Vivi guiding Noah inside.


    Noah¡¯splexion was pallid, his steps unsteady, the unmistakable effects of alcohol weighing him down. And Vivi¡¯s grip on him was firm, her concern evident. The way their bodies leaned into each other sent an unsettling message, a sight that invited whispers and assumptions.


    Sadie¡¯s breath caught in her throat, and her eyes widened in disbelief.


    ¡°Oh, Sadie, don¡¯t take it the wrong way,¡± Vivi said, her tone a careful blend of sweetness and feigned innocence. ¡°Noah just had a little too much to drink tonight, so I made sure he got home safely.¡±


    She stood close to Noah, her hand lingering on his arm before easing him onto the sofa. A polite smile yed on her lips, but her eyes carried an unmissable challenge, daring Sadie to react.


    Sadie¡¯s expression remained unreadable. Her gaze flicked over Vivi briefly before settling on Noah¡ªmotionless, reeking of alcohol.


    She recalled what the driver had mentioned earlier. ¡°Mrs. Wall, Mr. Wall informed me he¡¯d be attending a work-rted social event tonight and might returnte.¡±


    A work-rted social event? Sadie almostughed. So this was it? Getting drunk with Vivi and letting her drag him home like a trophy? Some event.


    Vivi, taking Sadie¡¯s silence as a sign of difort, felt a wave of satisfaction. Theck of resistance only fed her confidence.


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 Chapter 479

    ?Chapter 479:


    With deliberate ease, she took a step forward¡ªpositioning herself directly between Sadie and Noah, as if staking her im.


    ¡°Sadie, why are you staring at me? Don¡¯t just stand there!¡± Vivi¡¯s voice carried across the room, louder now,ced with an air of authority she had no right to im. ¡°Noah¡¯s drunk. Help him to his room.¡±


    She moved as if she owned the space, exuding the effortless confidence of a hostess directing a servant. In her mind, Sadie was merely an afterthought, a figure to be dismissed.


    But Sadie didn¡¯t budge. She remained still, her expression unreadable, her gaze resting on Vivi with unsettling calm¡ªlike ake so still it became impossible to tell how deep it ran. For the first time that night, Vivi felt something shift, a barely perceptible crack in her certainty. Still, she pressed on, forcing a sweet, knowing smile.


    ¡°Sadie, you¡¯re not mad at Noah, are you?¡± she asked, her voice coated in manufactured sympathy. ¡°I know things might look bad, but you should trust him. He¡ª¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s enough from you.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s voice cut through the air like a quiet storm, stopping Vivi mid-sentence. Then, in a voice far softer but infinitely colder, Sadie spoke again. ¡°Miss Quinn, please get out of my way.¡±


    Their eyes met¡ªSadie¡¯s gaze steady, unwavering, and tinged with something Vivi hadn¡¯t expected: impatience, as though this entire exchange had already tested her limited tolerance.


    Vivi faltered.


    She had anticipated meekness, hesitation¡ªperhaps even quiet resentment. But this? This cool, detached dismissal? It left her unmoored.


    She opened her mouth, searching for a retort, but under Sadie¡¯s gaze, the words died before they could take shape. And just like that, Sadie was done. Without sparing Vivi another nce, she stepped past her, moving toward Noah with an ease that made it clear¡ªVivi had never been an obstacle to begin with.


    I@?e$t ¡é§ß@???§ñ$ ?¦Ç ???§Ú?v¦Å??.c?m


    Seeing Sadie move toward Noah, Vivi hurried after her, lowering her voice to a whisper, her words dripping like poison meant for Sadie alone. ¡°Sadie, can¡¯t you see it? Noah doesn¡¯t love you at all. Do you really think he got drunk for no reason? That he asked me to bring him back for no reason? Wake up, Sadie! He¡¯s just using you to keep up appearances.¡±


    Vivi leaned in closer, her voice trembling with barely contained excitement, her breath warm and intrusive against Sadie¡¯s skin.


    ¡°He told me himself¡ªhe¡¯s only with you out of obligation. The only person he truly loves is me. And soon enough, he¡¯s going to divorce you and make it official.¡±


    Vivi¡¯s words slithered through the air, a cruel incantation meant to shatter.


    She waited, eager for the fallout¡ªthe telltale quiver of Sadie¡¯s lips, the sharp intake of breath, the flicker of devastation in her eyes. She wanted to see Sadie crumble, to watch her shatter piece by piece.


    But nothing happened. Sadie didn¡¯t so much as flinch.


    Her expression remained eerilyposed, as if Vivi¡¯s venomous confession was nothing more than background noise, a passing breeze.


    She didn¡¯t even look at Vivi. Her gaze remained fixed on Noah, her focus unwavering.


    ¡°Miss Quinn¡­¡± Sadie¡¯s voice was calm, steady, and, to Vivi¡¯s growing unease,ced with the faintest trace of amusement. ¡°I appreciate you bringing my husband home.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s words were light, almost cordial¡ªyet theynded like an invisible p, sharp and deliberate.


    Vivi¡¯s breath hitched. The color drained from her face as she stared at Sadie, stunned. This wasn¡¯t the reaction she had expected. No anger, no heartbreak, no desperate attempt to defend her marriage. Just¡­ indifference.


    Why?


    Did Sadie truly not care about Noah? Did she feel nothing at all?


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 Chapter 480

    Chapter 480:


    No. That was impossible.


    Vivi wasn¡¯t going to buy into that act!


    Sadie had to be pretending, forcing herself to stayposed. She had to be swallowing back her pain, burying the devastation that was surely eating away at her.


    ¡°Sadie, you¡ª¡± Vivi spoke, her voice faltering.


    But Sadie had already moved past her.


    ¡°Excuse me? Can someonee here?¡± Themand was effortless, yet it carried the weight of someone who expected to be obeyed. ¡°Please, show our guest to the door.¡±


    From the back, two maids stepped forward and stopped just before Vivi, heads slightly bowed, waiting. ¡°Miss Quinn, this way, please.¡±


    The maids¡¯ voices remained impably polite, yet distant. Vivi¡¯s face flickered between pallor and flushed fury. She lingered for a moment, her eyes burning with venom, but Sadie remained unshaken.


    Without another word, Vivi turned on her heel and stormed out. Only when the sound of her retreating footsteps had fully faded did Sadie shift her gaze back to Noah¡ªstill slumped, still oblivious to the quiet storm that had passed over him.


    ¡°Breck! Where are you?¡± Her voice carried through the vast living room, tinged with fatigue, quiet helplessness woven into it.


    She pressed her fingers to her temples, massaging away the dull ache forming there. Silence.


    Sadie¡¯s breath hitched. She straightened, scanning the dimly lit space. ¡°Breck? Samuel?¡± Nothing.


    A strange, uneasy stillness settled over her. Only then did she realize that it was just her and the unconscious Noah left in the living room.


    Her brows knitted together, frustration creeping into her otherwise serene expression.


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    With a measured inhale, she bent down, bracing herself as she tried to lift Noah¡¯s dead weight. But even unconscious, Noah¡¯s tall frame was impossibly heavy¡ªlike a mountain she had no hope of moving.


    Sadie used every ounce of strength she had, but she barely managed to shift him.


    ¡°Noah, wake up!¡± she ground out between clenched teeth, her voice trembling with the effort of both physical strain and sheer exasperation.


    He was going to drive her insane.


    ¡°Ugh¡­¡± A low, sluggish groan escaped Noah¡¯s lips, his body stirring slightly, though his eyes remained stubbornly shut.


    Sadie seized the moment, shaking his shoulders hard.


    ¡°Noah! Can you hear me? Open your eyes!¡± Her voice sharpened,ced with a desperate edge she couldn¡¯t quite suppress.


    But he didn¡¯t wake. His brows knitted together, his expression twisting as though he were caught in some unseen agony.


    Sadie stared at him, her emotions warring between anger and exasperation. A part of her wanted to walk away, leaving him there to deal with the consequences of his own reckless indulgence.


    But she couldn¡¯t. She was living in his house, after all.


    Exhaling slowly, she forced herself to push the frustration aside. She needed a different approach.


    Instead of attempting the impossible¡ªlifting Noah entirely¡ªSadie shifted tactics. She draped one of Noah¡¯s heavy arms over her shoulder and began the painstaking task of dragging him forward, inch by agonizing inch. It was grueling.


    Within moments, beads of sweat formed on her forehead, dampening her hairline. Her arms trembled under the strain, her muscles screaming in protest. Her entire body felt like a tightly wound spring, stretched to its limits, threatening to snap. But she couldn¡¯t stop.


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    Message from Noah: Hi, dear ones! Sorry for being a dayte. New chapters will be avable tomorrow night. God loves you, and Noah wishes you all the best. (=?=) /


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 Chapter 481

    ?Chapter 481:


    Grinding her teeth, she pressed forward, step by excruciating step. Her breathing grew ragged, her legs unsteady beneath her, but somehow, she managed to haul him through the living room, finally reaching a guestroom on the first floor.


    Relief crashed over her like a wave. She was just about to lower him onto the bed when¡ªher foot suddenly slipped.


    ¡°Oh, shit!¡± A startled gasp escaped her as she tumbled backward, bracing herself for the inevitable impact.


    But it never came. Instead, she felt warmth. A pair of strong arms tightened around her waist, catching her before she could fall, holding her firm.


    Dazed, she lifted her gaze and found herself staring into Noah¡¯s eyes. They were no longer closed, no longer lost to unconsciousness. Instead, they were open¡ªhazy, yet locked onto hers with unwavering intensity.


    ¡°Wait¡­ you¡¯re awake?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice wavered, barely more than a whisper.


    Noah didn¡¯t answer.


    He simply stared, his deep, unreadable eyes brimming with emotions she couldn¡¯t decipher. Unspoken. Heavy.


    The intensity of his gaze sent a jolt through her chest, making her heart race.


    Instinctively, she tried to pull away, needing space between them.


    ¡°Let me go.¡± Her words were soft, barely audible. A plea, a warning.


    But Noah didn¡¯t release her. If anything, his grip tightened.


    Before she could protest, he leaned in, his head resting lightly against her shoulder. The warmth of his breath brushed her neck, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine.


    ¡°Don¡¯t move.¡± His voice was low, hoarseced with a quiet tenderness so fleeting, so subtle, she almost doubted she had heard it at all.


    Sadie¡¯s entire body tensed.


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    Why this sudden gentleness? Why now? Not only did she not understand his motives, but she also wasn¡¯t sure if she wanted to.


    ¡°Noah, let me go. I need to go to sleep,¡± Sadie said, her voice soft yet firm.


    Noah didn¡¯t release her. Instead, he tightened his embrace, burying his face deeper into her shoulder.


    His breath became erratic, and his body started to tremble.


    rmed, Sadie felt a surge of concern. ¡°Noah, what¡¯s wrong?¡± she demanded.


    He didn¡¯t reply, only held her closer.


    His breathing grew heavier, his trembling worsened, and heat radiated from his body, burning Sadie¡¯s skin like an unrelenting me.


    Sadie, perceptive as ever, quickly realized the truth.


    Noah had been drugged.


    The color drained from her face.


    Her hands clenched into fists, nails digging into her palms, the sharp pain a faint echo of the rage and humiliation now flooding her.


    Vivi!


    It had to be her.


    How dare she drug Noah!


    Fighting to control the fury rising inside her, Sadie forced herself to stayposed.


    If¡­ if Noah and Vivi had been together¡­


    No!


    She shook her head fiercely.


    If that had happened, Noah wouldn¡¯t be like this now.


    ¡°Noah, let me go! We¡¯re going to the hospital,¡± Sadiemanded, her voice turning cold.


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 Chapter 482

    ?Chapter 482:


    She pushed against him with all her strength, desperate to break free from his grasp.


    But the drug¡¯s effect had made Noah unnervingly strong.


    His grip tightened even more, restricting her breath.


    A low, guttural growl rumbled from Noah¡¯s throat. His eyes, wild and unfocused, mirrored those of a man lost to desire, devoid of all reason.


    He lowered his head, his lips grazing Sadie¡¯s neck in a fevered, aimless search for sce.


    ¡°Noah! Come back to yourself!¡± Sadie¡¯s voice rang out, sharp and urgent, as she struggled in vain to escape his grasp.


    ¡°I¡¯m burning up¡­ I feel so hot¡­¡± Noah murmured, his voice husky and faint. His body pressed against Sadie¡¯s, as if trying to merge with her.


    Suddenly, he pushed Sadie onto the bed.


    Sadie gasped in shock, her back mming against the mattress. The impact sent pain shooting through her, bringing tears to her eyes. Noah¡¯s weight bore down on her, immobilizing herpletely.


    ¡°What are you doing, Noah?¡± Sadie asked, her voice shaking with fear.


    Without a word, Noah¡¯s lips found hers, sealing them with a forceful, iming kiss.


    Shock widened Sadie¡¯s eyes. She pushed against him with all her strength, but he was immovable.


    His kiss was intense, filled with raw desperation and possessiveness.


    Tears spilled from Sadie¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Noah, please, let go of me¡­¡± she pleaded in broken whispers, but Noah seemed deaf to her cries.


    He clung to her, kissing her with wild fervor. His hands moved over her body, pulling at her clothes.


    ???€$? ¡é????€?$ ?? g??l??ov?l????o??


    In moments, Sadie¡¯s casual attire was in tatters, her wless skin exposed.


    ¡°No, stop¡­¡± Sadie¡¯s voice was stifled by sobs, her spirit sinking into fear and despair.


    She realized the gravity of the situation¡­


    At that critical moment, a flicker of recognition crossed Noah¡¯s eyes.


    He abruptly stopped, his breathing ragged in the silent room. As if burned, he released Sadie and staggered toward the bathroom.


    Swoosh!


    The sound of water filled the air, masking Sadie¡¯s quiet, trembling sobs.


    Curled up on the bed, Sadie clutched the remains of her clothing, trying to cover herself.


    Tears silently streamed down her face, soaking the pillow beneath her.


    The sound of running water persisted from the bathroom.


    For an extended period, it didn¡¯t stop.


    Unease mounted within her.


    She nced toward the bathroom, her gaze locked on the frosted ss door that veiled her view.


    Was Noah okay?


    The thought struck her forcefully,pelling her to action.


    Disregarding her disheveled appearance and bare feet, she hurried to the bathroom.


    ¡°Noah! Noah, are you alright?¡± Sadie pounded on the door, her voiceden with panic and urgency.


    But the only sound was the continuous rush of water; no reply came.


    A heavy dread settled in her heart.


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 Chapter 483

    ?Chapter 483:


    She gripped the doorknob and turned it forcefully.


    With a soft click, the door swung open.


    A wave of cold air rushed out, causing Sadie to shiver, but she pushed forward without hesitation.


    The scene inside halted her in her tracks.


    Noahy submerged in the bathtub, his body fully under the cold water.


    The bathtub was filled to the brim, the coldness emanating sharply.


    Noah¡¯s face was deathly pale, his lips tinged with blue. His body trembled lightly, and his eyes were shut, his expression one of unconsciousness.


    ¡°Noah!¡± Sadie¡¯s rm turned to action as she dove into the freezing water to haul him out with all her might.


    ¡°Noah, wake up! Don¡¯t do this to me!¡± Her voice broke, thick with tears, as she repeatedly pped his cheek, trying to rouse him.


    Noah remained unresponsive.


    Panic overtook Sadie.


    With every ounce of her strength, she dragged Noah from the tub.


    She grabbed a towel, wrapping it around him, then staggered out of the bathroom.


    ¡°Somebody! Help!¡± Her cry was sharp and desperate, echoing through the quiet vi.


    Momentster, Breck appeared at the door, his face contorted in shock.


    ¡°What¡­ what has happened here?¡± he asked, his eyes darting between Sadie and Noah¡¯s motionless body.


    ¡°Stop asking questions and call the doctor¡ªnow!¡± Sadie¡¯s voice was ragged, her urgency unmistakable.


    Breck quickly snapped out of his shock and responded, ¡°Okay, Mrs. Wall. I¡¯m on it right away.¡±


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    He turned and sprinted away, his footsteps echoing his urgency.


    Seated beside the bed, Sadie watched over the unconscious Noah, her heart pounding with anxiety.


    She gripped his hand, noting its ice-cold touch.


    ¡°Hang in there, Noah. You¡¯re going to be okay,¡± she whispered, shaking with emotion.


    The family doctor entered briskly, dressed in a white coat and a mask, carrying a medical kit.


    Breck followed, his face etched with concern, apanied by a few servants who peeked inside the room.


    A faint scent of disinfectant permeated the air, enhancing the room¡¯s sterile chill.


    Sitting by the bed, Sadie clutched Noah¡¯s hand, her pale face and quivering lips a stark contrast to the resolve in her eyes.


    ¡°Doctor, please, he needs attention. He just¡­¡± Her voice broke, tinged with emotion, but sheposed herself to exin Noah¡¯s situation.


    Without a word, the doctor set his kit down, approached the bed, and started checking Noah¡¯s vital signs.


    He lifted Noah¡¯s eyelids to shine a shlight into his pupils, then used a stethoscope to listen to his heart and breathing.


    As time slowly ticked by, each second stretched interminably.


    Sadie felt her heart rise to her throat, her hands cold and sweaty.


    She watched the doctor intently, fearful of missing any detail.


    Eventually, the doctor set aside the stethoscope, looked at Sadie gravely, and spoke. ¡°Mr. Wall¡¯s condition is serious. He appears to have suffered significant stimtion, disrupting his nervous system, which has led to this unconscious state.¡±


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 Chapter 484

    ?Chapter 484:


    ¡°Is he in danger?¡± Sadie asked, her voice even more tremulous, her fear palpable.


    ¡°It¡¯s difficult to say right now. I need to administer a sedative to stabilize him first,¡± the doctor answered. He took a vial and syringe from his kit, filled the syringe, and moved to Noah¡¯s side, rolling up his sleeve to prepare for the injection.


    ¡°Hold on!¡± Sadie¡¯s voice halted the doctor just as he was about to inject Noah. ¡°Doctor, could¡­ his condition be caused by some kind of drug?¡± Her words were deliberate, each one heavy with the weight of her concerns. Though she suspected as much, she sought validation from the doctor.


    The doctor paused, taken aback by her direct question.


    After a moment¡¯s hesitation, he nodded. ¡°It¡¯s a possibility I cannot exclude, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°What kind of drug could it be?¡± Sadie interrupted, her urgency palpable.


    Caught off guard by her intensity, the doctor responded, ¡°At this moment, I can¡¯t identify the specific substance. We¡¯ll need further tests to determine that.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Vivi had left Myrtlewood Estate in a cab. Her expression was dark, her mood sour.


    The evening¡¯s events had initially unfolded seamlessly. She had crafted a convincing facade of closeness with Noah, capturing the media¡¯s attention.


    Vivi was sure it wouldn¡¯t be long before Sadie sumbed to the pressure of public scrutiny. She envisioned herself effortlessly taking Sadie¡¯s ce as Noah¡¯s wife.


    Just then, her phone rang.


    She nced at the caller ID, and herplexion nched.


    The call was from a waiter at the banquet.


    With a moment¡¯s hesitation, Vivi answered. ¡°Hello?¡± Her voice betrayed a hint of unease.


    ¡°Miss¡­ Miss Quinn¡­¡± The waiter¡¯s voice trembled with panic. ¡°I¡­ I identally took the wrong drink¡­¡±


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    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Vivi felt a sudden drop in her stomach, a wave of dread washing over her.


    ¡°I mean¡­ the wine Mr. Wall drank¡­ It wasn¡¯t the one you asked for¡­ It was¡­ it was Miss Weisenfluh¡¯s. The one she tampered with¡­¡± The waiter¡¯s voice faded, barely a whisper.


    ¡°What did you just say?¡± Vivi¡¯s tone spiked, a mix of shock and anger. ¡°Repeat that!¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to¡­ I don¡¯t know how it happened¡­ I just¡­ picked the wrong one¡­¡± The waiter¡¯s voice trembled. He was on the brink of tears.


    ¡°You¡­ you¡­¡± Vivi was shaking with rage, her voice strained as if she were holding back screams. ¡°Do you realize what you¡¯ve done?¡±


    ¡°I understand¡­ Miss Quinn, please¡­ I need your help¡­¡± the waiter begged frantically.


    ¡°Help you? How can I possibly help you now?¡± Vivi¡¯s response was cold and unforgiving. ¡°Just wait. If thises out, you¡¯re going to prison.¡± With that, Vivi ended the call abruptly.


    Her face turned pale, her expression one of sheer horror. Her heart pounded wildly with fear and despair.


    The situation had spiraled beyond her control.


    If the Wall family uncovered the truth, she risked losing everything, and her very life could be at stake.


    Vivi clutched her phone so tightly that her nails left deep indents in her palm.


    Yet, she felt no pain.


    Her mind was a whirlwind, scrambling for a solution. She was at a loss for what to do next.


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 Chapter 485

    ?Chapter 485:


    The next morning, golden sunlight seeped through the thick curtains, spilling across the room and casting a warm glow on Vivi¡¯s perfectly made-up face.


    With an irritated sigh, she turned over, trying to escape the unwee brightness. But just as she was about to slip back to sleep, the shrill sound of her phone shattered the morning stillness.


    Annoyance prickling beneath her skin, she sat up abruptly and snatched the device from the nightstand.


    The screen shed with a name: K.


    Suppressing a wave of frustration, she pressed the answer button, though the lingering edge of exhaustion and irritation still clung to her voice. ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Vivi Quinn, you better start exining! Do you have any idea what¡¯s blowing up online right now?¡± The sharpness in her voice made Vivi wince.


    She pulled the phone slightly away, rubbing her temple as her headache worsened. When she finally spoke, her voice carried an unmistakable edge. ¡°K, unless the world is ending, lower your voice and get to the point. What¡¯s with the hysterics so early in the morning?¡±


    Of course, Vivi already knew exactly what K was fuming about.


    The entertainment headlines were stered with her name¡ªhers and Noah¡¯s. Bold, attention-grabbing titles screamed spection, apanied by carefully curated snapshots from the night before. The kind that left just enough room for the imagination to run wild. The images were impossible to ignore.


    One shot captured Vivi with her head tilted slightly, her gaze soft, almost dreamy¡ªas if she were looking at Noah with unspoken affection.


    The calcted space between them¡ªthe subtle tension, the lingering intimacy¡ªwas enough to set the inte aze with spection.


    ¡°Hysterics? I think you¡¯re the one who¡¯s lost it! Vivi, don¡¯t you dare y games with me. Have youpletely lost your mind? Trying to seduce Noah? Are you insane¡ªor just asking for trouble?¡±


    Vivi let out a cold sneer, her fingers tightening around the phone.


    ¡°Seduce?¡±


    As if she, Vivi Quinn, needed to seduce Noah.


    The mere thought wasughable. Her mood soured further as memories ofst night¡¯s infuriating waiter resurfaced, fueling her frustration.


    ¡°K, get a grip.¡± Her voice remained cool, but a flicker of unease curled in her chest. ¡°I¡¯m warning you¡ªwatch your words. ¡®Seduce Noah¡¯? Don¡¯t be ridiculous. Last night was aplete ident.¡±


    ¡°ident?¡± K¡¯s tone turned downright mocking. ¡°Do I look like I was born yesterday? Spare me the act!¡±


    Her disbelief was palpable, dripping with contempt.


    ¡°Vivi, you¡¯d better start talking!¡± K¡¯s voice was razor-sharp, cutting through the line with barely contained fury. ¡°What exactly did you do to Noah?¡±


    ¡°What could I have possibly done?¡± Vivi said, her toneced with amusement. ¡°K, instead of interrogating me, maybe you should focus on something more important¡ªlike figuring out how to actually win Noah over. Because at the end of the day, that¡¯s all you are, isn¡¯t it? His precious first love¡­ cherished, but never acknowledged.¡±


    ¡°What did you¡ª!¡± K¡¯s breath hitched, her words catching in her throat. She hated this. Hated the way Vivi so easily exposed her biggest insecurity¡ªthe painful truth she tried so desperately to ignore.


    Yes, she was Noah¡¯s first love. The one he had held in his heart for years.


    But that meant nothing when she was forced to remain in the shadows, watching as Sadie¡ªthat undeserving woman¡ªstood in the ce that should have been hers.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get ahead of yourself, Vivi,¡± K shouted, her voice low and seething. ¡°Let me make one thing clear. Noah is mine. No one¡ªnot you, not Sadie¡ªcan take him from me.¡±


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 Chapter 486

    ?Chapter 486:


    Vivi¡¯s expression softened just a touch. ¡°K, let me say this against night was an ident.¡± Her voice carried an almost gentle persuasion. ¡°I didn¡¯t seduce Noah, nor do I have any intention of recing you. I was just trying to help you. That¡¯s all.¡±


    K scoffed, unconvinced. ¡°Help me? You expect me to believe that?¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡± Vivi chuckled, the sound light, almost yful. ¡°K, we¡¯re partners, aren¡¯t we?¡± Her voice took on a silky smoothness, dripping with persuasion. ¡°Naturally, I want to help you. After all, we both want the same thing, don¡¯t we?¡±


    K said nothing, but she didn¡¯t have to.


    Because she knew Vivi was right.


    Their goal was the same.


    Sadie was the obstacle standing in their way. And once she was out of the picture, K could finally take her rightful ce as Mrs. Wall.


    ¡°No need to worry, K,¡± Vivi¡¯s tone turned almost soothing, like a luby whispered to a restless child. ¡°I keep my promises. I¡¯ll help you win Noah¡¯s heart and make sure you be the real Mrs. Wall.¡±


    ¡°You mean it?¡± A flicker of something dangerous shed in K¡¯s eyes. Hope.


    Vivi chuckled. ¡°Of course.¡±


    Then, after a calcted pause, she added, ¡°But you have to trust me. Stop acting impulsively and let me handle things. If you stir up trouble, K, even I won¡¯t be able to help you.¡±


    K hesitated for only a moment before exhaling sharply. ¡°I get it. Fine. From now on, I¡¯ll listen to you¡ªI won¡¯t mess things up.¡±


    ¡°Good. That¡¯s better.¡± A satisfied smile curled Vivi¡¯s lips. ¡°Alright, take a deep breath and wait for my call.¡±


    With that, Vivi ended the conversation. She tossed her phone onto the bed, exhaling slowly, as if releasing the weight of the interaction. She had managed to pacify K for now, but unease still coiled deep within her chest, refusing to fade.


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    Meanwhile, at the Myrtlewood Estate, Noah¡¯s eyes fluttered open. The morning light filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting fractured beams across the room. He winced, shutting his eyes briefly before squinting against the brightness. Instinctively, he reached out to the side. Cold sheets. Sadie wasn¡¯t there.


    Pushing himself upright, he scanned the room, his sharp eyes sweeping across the empty space. He was alone.


    Then, like a tide breaking against the shore, the memories ofst night came rushing back. Disjointed. Blurred. Yet oddly vivid. He remembered the drinking. The wine. Something had been off about it. Then, Sadie. The way she had looked at him¡ªconcern etched in her delicate features.


    The light touch of her fingers against his skin. The way his body had grown heavier, his senses slipping away into darkness. And then¡ªthe bathtub. Thest thing he remembered before the world went ck.


    Noah¡¯s brows furrowed tightly. He was not just drunk the night before. Knowing his alcohol tolerance better than anyone, Noah was certain he wouldn¡¯t have passed out from a single drink, much less ended up unconscious in a bathtub. The only usible exnation was that someone had tampered with his drink.


    But who?


    Vivi?


    The image of Vivi¡¯s delicate face, masking her deceit, shed through his mind. The previous evening¡¯s banquet, her contrived actions, and that insinuating farewell¡ªit all seemed too orchestrated. He remembered Sadie, and how she seemed to be close with Vivi. Aplex mix of emotions clouded Noah¡¯s gaze. If Vivi was indeed responsible, what was her aim? Was it merely to create a scandal and hurt Sadie?


    ¡°Someone,e here!¡± Noah¡¯s voice was low andmanding, resonating with authority.


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 Chapter 487

    ?Chapter 487:


    ¡°Good morning, Mr. Wall. What do you need?¡± Breck entered swiftly, standing attentively by the bed.


    Noah, buttoning his shirt, asked icily, ¡°Who brought me homest night?¡±


    ¡°It was¡­ Miss Quinn,¡± Breck hesitated before responding honestly.


    Noah paused, his expression growing colder. ¡°Did she say anything?¡±


    ¡°Miss Quinn mentioned you had consumed too much alcohol and instructed me to take good care of you,¡± Breck replied, eyes downcast, avoiding Noah¡¯s gaze.


    ¡°Consumed too much alcohol?¡± Noah scoffed, his voiceden with sarcasm. ¡°Send a warning to the Quinn family. Let them know not to underestimate us.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Wall.¡± Breck nodded and promptly exited.


    Noah finished dressing and approached the window. The sunlight was bright outside, yet his eyes were shadowed with dark thoughts.


    A few dayster.


    Sadie sat at her desk, staring nkly at the design draft on herputer screen, unable to concentrate. She had been keeping her distance from Noah, whether intentionally or subconsciously. Facing him felt daunting. The events of that night haunted her, a constant, painful reminder.


    Meanwhile, in the Wall Group¡¯s CEO office.


    ¡°Come in, please,¡± Noah¡¯s voice was weary as he looked up.


    Samuel entered, holding a file.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, I¡¯ve brought the information you requested,¡± Samuel said, handing over the file.


    Noah epted it, flipping through the pages, his brow furrowing as he read. ¡°It¡¯s the project between Wall Group and Howe Group. Is there an issue?¡± Noah asked, his voice calm, revealing no emotion.


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Wall,¡± Samuel nodded. ¡°A batch of goods from the Howe Group was found substandard and has been detained by customs.¡±


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    ¡°Really?¡± Noah raised an eyebrow. ¡°What does the Howe Group have to say about such a significant issue?¡±


    ¡°They im someone set them up,¡± Samuel replied, his voice hesitant.


    ¡°How could anyone set them up like this?¡± Noah scoffed coldly. He ced the file down and looked up at Samuel. ¡°You¡¯re quite familiar with the Howe family, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Samuel tensed slightly, quickly exining, ¡°Mr. Wall, since the Howe family is our partner, perhaps it¡¯s wiser to resolve this quietly rather than escte to court.¡±


    ¡°Resolve it quietly?¡± Noah¡¯s tone became even colder. ¡°Samuel, have you forgotten the rules of Wall Group?¡±


    ¡°Mr. Wall, I¡­¡± Samuel began, but Noah interrupted him. His voice was firm, leaving no room for debate. ¡°This issue will be handed over to the legal department. Follow the standard procedures.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall,¡± Samuel lowered his head, not daring to add more.


    Sadie didn¡¯t return home until after eight in the evening.


    She walked into the living room, finding it deserted.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Averi?¡± she asked Breck.


    ¡°Averi¡­ Mr. Wall took him out,¡± Breck replied, his voice quivering.


    ¡°Took him out?¡± Sadie¡¯s heart sank. ¡°Did he say when he¡¯d bring Averi back?¡±


    ¡°No, he didn¡¯t,¡± Breck replied, shaking his head.


    Blood drained from Sadie¡¯s face. She reached for her phone to call Noah, but there was no response.


    Suddenly, the doorbell rang, cutting through her mounting anxiety. She leaped from the sofa and rushed to the door.


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 Chapter 488

    ?Chapter 488:


    ¡°Mommy!¡± Averi¡¯s cheerful voice filled the air as heunched himself into Sadie¡¯s arms with boundless energy.


    ¡°Averi¡­¡± Sadie embraced her son tightly, tears welling up as she breathed in his familiar scent.


    Noah stood in the doorway, observing the tender scene silently. His expression was deep and inscrutable. Behind him, Samuel stood respectfully, holding several shopping bags.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t all these Averi¡¯s belongings?¡± Sadie inquired, noting the bags in Samuel¡¯s hands printed with familiar cartoon patterns, clearly the ones she had prepared for Averi and sent to the kindergarten as his daily supplies.


    Noah gave a slight nod, his voice deep and steady, carrying that effortless maism that always made people listen. ¡°Yes. I took care of Averi¡¯s school transfer today.¡±


    ¡°What school transfer?¡± Sadie lifted her head, her gaze snapping to his, eyes clouded with confusion. ¡°To where?¡±


    ¡°A nearby international kindergarten,¡± Noah replied, his tone calm and matter-of-fact. ¡°The security there is top-notch. It¡¯s the safest ce for Averi.¡±


    Sadie fell silent. She couldn¡¯t argue with that.


    That particr kindergarten was the most prestigious in the city¡ªrenowned not just for its elite curriculum but also for its imprable security. It was nearly impossible to get in, and yet¡­ Noah had made it happen for Averi.


    But at the same time, why did he do this without even consulting her? Sadie swallowed the knot of irritation rising in her throat, her fingers curling slightly.


    She was thankful for everything Noah had done for Averi. Truly, she was. But at the same time, why did he make such decisions without even consulting her?


    ¡°I see.¡± She kept her voice neutral.


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    Sadie forced herself to stayposed. She didn¡¯t want to let any frustration slip¡ªnot in front of Averi.


    ¡°Mommy! The new kindergarten is amazing! They have a huge slide, a few swings, and so many kids to y with!¡± Averi¡¯s voice was bright with excitement as he lifted his head from her embrace.


    His eyes shone as he recounted every little detail, his joy spilling over with every word. Clearly, he loved it there.


    Sadie felt some of her irritation fade.


    At least he was happy. And in the end, that was what truly mattered.


    Just as she was about to say something, Averi suddenly stopped, tilting his little face up with a serious expression. ¡°Mommy, you should say ¡®thank you¡¯ to Mr. Wall.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s lips twitched.


    Ugh! Averi¡­


    She let out a soft sigh and nced at Noah, only to find him watching her with that familiar, faintly amused smile. His gaze seemed to ask, ¡°Did you hear what your kid said?¡±


    Sadie exhaled, running a gentle hand over Averi¡¯s head. ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± Then, she softened her voice. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go upstairs and y for a bit? Mommy needs to talk to Mr. Wall, okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay!¡± Averi chirped, nodding enthusiastically before dashing up the stairs, his tiny legs carrying him as fast as they could.


    Samuel, who had been standing nearby, took the moment to set the items he was holding at the base of the stairs. Then, turning to Noah with a respectful nod, he spoke. ¡°Mr. Wall, I¡¯ll take my leave now. Please excuse me, Mrs. Wall.¡±


    Noah returned the nod. ¡°Alright.¡±


    With that, Samuel left, closing the door softly behind him. And just like that, Sadie and Noah were alone. The atmosphere shifted instantly.


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 Chapter 489

    ?Chapter 489:


    Sadie, feeling a sudden unease, instinctively took a step back, trying to create some distance. But Noah moved forward, closing the gap in an instant. The faint scent of his cologne¡ªwarm, deep, unmistakably his¡ªdrifted toward her, wrapping around her senses. Her pulse quickened.


    Sadie steadied herself, meeting Noah¡¯s gaze head-on, though a flicker of wariness lingered in her eyes. ¡°Is there something else you want to talk about?¡±


    Noah studied her for a moment, then let a slow, knowing smile tug at the corners of his lips. ¡°Well, I¡¯m sure you haven¡¯t forgotten what Averi said.¡±


    Sadie felt warmth creep up her neck. Of course. She should have known Noah wouldn¡¯t let this go so easily.


    ¡°And how exactly would you like me to thank you, Mr. Wall?¡± Taking a measured breath, she lifted her chin slightly, forcing herself to hold her ground.


    Noah¡¯s gaze flickered¡ªjust for a moment¡ªbefore a trace of admiration passed through his eyes.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be the one deciding that?¡± His voice was low, husky, edged with yful teasing.


    Then, he stepped closer. The space between them disappeared in an instant, and suddenly, Sadie was hyper-aware of the warmth radiating from his body, the quiet intensity in his gaze, the way the air between them seemed to shift. Her heart pounded even faster.


    The logical part of her brain told her to move, to step back. But she didn¡¯t. Instead, she forced herself to remain still, to appear unfazed¡ªeven as her breath grew unsteady.


    ¡°What happened that night¡­ I¡¯m willing to move past it. Let¡¯s just pretend it never happened.¡±


    She turned her head away, refusing to meet Noah¡¯s gaze, as if this would make the conversation easier. Noah¡¯s expression darkened. He knew exactly what she was referring to.


    ¡°Move past it?¡± His voice, once teasing and controlled, turned cold. ¡°Sadie, do you really think you can just erase something like that from your heart?¡±


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    Sadie¡¯s breath caught in her throat. Why was he reacting like this? Shouldn¡¯t he be relieved that she was willing to let it go? To not dwell on the past?


    Then¡ªan unexpected voice drew their attention away from their conversation.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, Mr. Wall¡­ dinner is ready!¡±


    At the door of the dining room, a maid spoke, her posture stiff, clearly uncertain whether she had chosen the worst possible time to speak. Perhaps she had, indeed, interrupted something she shouldn¡¯t have.


    Sadie grasped the moment as though her life depended on it, quickly responding, ¡°Alright. We¡¯ll be there right away.¡± She pushed Noah away forcefully and rushed out of the living room, unable to endure another second. Noah watched her depart; the smile on his lips slowly vanished. His expression turned dark and unreadable.


    At the dining table, a heavy silence hung between Sadie and Noah. Averi had finished his meal and retreated upstairs, leaving them alone. Sadie ate in silence, her gaze fixed on her te,cking the courage to meet Noah¡¯s eyes. Her heart raced uncontrobly, and she struggled to find calm. Noah remained silent as well. He simply stared at Sadie, his piercing gaze unsettling her.


    ¡°I¡¯m done eating, Mr. Wall,¡± Sadie announced, cing her fork down and standing to leave. She was eager to escape Noah¡¯s presence.


    ¡°Hold on, Sadie,¡± Noah called out, halting her. She paused, turning slowly to face him, her expression one of confusion and apprehension. She wondered what he could possibly want now.


    Noah retrieved a white envelope from his suit jacket and presented it to her.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Sadie asked, eyeing the envelope with suspicion. The in, unmarked envelope offered no hints of its contents. Noah remained silent, merely holding the envelope closer to her. His inscrutable gaze revealed nothing.


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 Chapter 490

    ?Chapter 490:


    After a brief pause, Sadie took the envelope. She opened it and examined the contents¡ªa beautifully crafted card. Shock crossed her face.


    It was an admission notice for the international kindergarten Averi would attend. The card, elegantly inscribed with the school¡¯s name, included detailed enrollment instructions.


    As Sadie read through the document, her expression darkened with each word. Her eyes stopped on a line that made her heart sink: ¡°Both parents are required to attend the new student orientation at 10 a.m. tomorrow.¡± Sadie looked up sharply, her gaze meeting Noah¡¯s.


    ¡°The school requires it!¡± he stated indifferently. ¡°You can let Alex know.¡± With those words, Noah turned and ascended the stairs, his demeanor detached.


    Sadie remained still, the notice in hand, her mind reeling. Averi¡¯s parentage¡­ Alex¡­ Noah¡­ What was her next step?


    She began to retreat to her room but stopped suddenly at the base of the stairs. Someone was there. It was her grandmother, Laura.


    Laura held a jacket, pausing as if she had been about to descend. Worry and understanding marked her features.


    Sadie¡¯s spirits fell. It was clear Laura had caught the tail end of her conversation with Noah. Laura¡¯s affection for her and Averi had always been profound. She must be concerned¡­


    Tears welled up in Sadie¡¯s eyes. She approached Laura and whispered, ¡°Grandma, shouldn¡¯t you be asleep?¡±


    ¡°Sadie¡­¡± Laura¡¯s sigh wasden with worry and tenderness. ¡°You and¡­ Mr. Wall, it¡¯s¡­¡± Laura hesitated, struggling for words.


    The dynamics between Sadie and Noah were intricate. Laura recognized Sadie¡¯s resilience. She had always borne her burdens alone, sparing her family any worry.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Grandma,¡± Sadie reassured her with a forced smile. ¡°Don¡¯t fret. Noah and I will manage.¡±


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    ¡°Sadie, you¡¯ve endured so much,¡± Laura said, drawing her into a gentle hug. The calming aroma of essential oils and the gentle strains of soft music filled a luxurious spa, creating a serene atmosphere.


    K reclinedfortably on a massage bed, her eyes closed, savoring the expert touch of the beautician. She had invited Vivi for a spa day, needing to ease the tension that had developed since the banquet incident and the scandal over the photographs. Vivi appeared to be on the verge of broaching a topic when a phone interrupted them.


    K checked the caller ID¡ªit was her friend from the legal department at Wall Group. K answered the phone, and her friend¡¯s worried voice filled her ear. ¡°K, something¡¯s happened. Mr. Wall has initiated action against the Howe Group.¡±


    ¡°What? Really?¡± K jumped up from the massage bed, herplexion draining of color. She was shocked. Noah had indeed moved against the Howe family. The Howes had been long-standing allies of the Wall family, with Alex previously as close to Noah as a brother.


    ¡°What exactly is happening?¡± K asked, her voice filled with urgency.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have all the details yet, but Mr. Wall¡¯s approach is particrly aggressive this time,¡± her friend exined.


    ¡°Why would Noah take such a step?¡± K inquired further.


    ¡°It appears to stem from some business disagreement in their partnership.¡± Vivi, having caught parts of the conversation, also looked concerned. She vividly remembered the confrontation between Alex¡¯s mother and Sadie. What on earth was going on?


    The atmosphere grew heavy with tension, each woman absorbed in her thoughts.


    K quickly got dressed and offered Vivi an apologetic nce. ¡°Vivi, I just remembered there¡¯s something urgent I need to handle. Please, enjoy the rest of your day here,¡± she said, rushing off.


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 Chapter 491

    ?Chapter 491:


    Vivi watched K leave, a wave of disquiet washing over her. After a brief pause, she decided to follow suit and left as well.


    As K stepped out of the spa, she ended the call with a sharp tap, her fingers trembling ever so slightly. Her heart pounded in her ears, but she forced herself to steady the whirlwind of emotions threatening to consume her.


    ¡°Noah actually went after the Howe family¡­¡± she murmured, the words barely above a whisper. A flicker of exhration danced in her eyes, though she kept her expression carefully neutral.


    If¡ªno, when¡ªSadie found out, how would she react? The image of Sadie crumbling under the weight of devastation, everything crashing down around her, sent a surge of satisfaction through K. She could almost taste the moment, savor the despair that would undoubtedly grip Sadie¡¯s heart.


    But she wouldn¡¯t be reckless. No, unting this openly would be a mistake. A sudden thought struck her, and without hesitation, she snatched up her phone and dialed.


    ¡°Nte,¡± she said smoothly as the line connected, ¡°where are you? Meet me at our usual spot. Now.¡±


    She didn¡¯t wait for a reply before ending the call. Sliding into her car, she pressed her foot to the gas, a slow smirk tugging at the corners of her lips as she sped off.


    Vivi¡¯s expression was a thundercloud, dark and brooding.


    ¡°Sadie¡­¡± She spat the name like venom, her jaw clenched so tightly it ached. Her eyes burned with raw jealousy.


    Why? Why did Sadie get to have both Noah and Alex wrapped around her finger? What did she have that Vivi didn¡¯t?


    In terms of family background, talent, and looks, Vivi knew she was every bit Sadie¡¯s equal, if not superior. And yet, Noah saw only Sadie. Even Alex treated her as though she were something special.


    The memory of Susannah¡¯s confrontation with Sadie that day reyed in Vivi¡¯s mind, reigniting her frustration all over again.


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    NO. She refused to ept this. She would not stand by and watch Sadie revel in her undeserved glory.


    A thousand schemes raced through her mind, twisting and shifting like a storm¡ªuntil her gaze settled on the glowing screen of her phone. Without hesitation, she dialed. The moment the call connected, her voice was crisp, cutting through the silence like a de.


    ¡°Saylor, it¡¯s me.¡±


    ¡°Vivi? What can I do for you?¡± Saylor¡¯s response was polite, so Vivi didn¡¯t waste time.


    ¡°Did our studio take on a project from the Ellis family yesterday?¡± Vivi cut straight to the point.


    ¡°The Ellis family?¡± Saylor hesitated for a beat, then something clicked. ¡°Ah, I see. You¡¯re talking about Lamont Ellis¡¯s wedding¡ªthe son of Philip Ellis, right? Yes, they ced an order for a full jewelry set with our studio.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the one!¡± Vivi confirmed, her tone chilling by the second. ¡°Move that project up. I want to meet the Ellis family tomorrow¡ªI¡¯ll be discussing the details with them personally.¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow?¡± Saylor sounded caught off guard. ¡°But, Vivi, that project was scheduled for next month. Isn¡¯t this a bit rushed? Won¡¯t it be¡ª¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Vivi snapped, slicing through Saylor¡¯s concerns with cold impatience. ¡°Just do as I say. Stop wasting my time.¡±


    A brief silence followed before Saylor¡¯s reluctant response. He didn¡¯t dare challenge Vivi any further. ¡°Okay. Consider it done.¡±


    Vivi ended the call with a slow, satisfied smirk curling at the edges of her lips.


    ¡°Sadie¡­ you love the spotlight, don¡¯t you?¡± she murmured, her fingers lightly tracing the phone screen. ¡°Then I¡¯ll make sure you get all the attention you could ever want.¡±


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 Chapter 492

    ?Chapter 492:


    She could already picture it¡ªthe mortification on Sadie¡¯s face, the way she would crumble under the weight of the Ellis family¡¯s scrutiny. It would be justice. Retribution for the way Noah had disgraced the Quinn family, all for Sadie¡¯s sake. His actions had been brutal, leaving the Quinns in a precarious position within the industry.


    Vivi had never forgotten. And she never forgave.


    The next morning, soft golden sunlight filtered through sheer curtains, casting a warm, gentle glow over Averi¡¯s room.


    Sadie carefully pushed open the bedroom door, her lips curving into a tender smile as she took in the sight before her¡ªAveri, rolling across the bed in a fit ofughter, clutching a small dinosaur.


    ¡°Mommy!¡±


    The moment Averi spotted Sadie, his face lit up like the morning sun. With an excited squeal, he scrambled off the bed, his little legs wobbling as he dashed straight into her arms.


    Sadie caught him effortlessly, lifting him up and pressing a soft kiss to his chubby cheek.


    ¡°Sweetheart, today¡¯s your first day at your new kindergarten. Are you excited?¡± she asked, her voice warm with affection.


    ¡°Yes, I am!¡± Averi cheered, waving his tiny hands with boundless enthusiasm. ¡°I¡¯m going to make lots of new friends!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s my boy!¡± Sadieughed, tapping his nose yfully. ¡°Alright then, let¡¯s get you ready.¡±


    After dressing for the day, Sadie and Averi stepped outside, their hands sped together.


    The morning sunlight bathed them in a golden glow. Sadie¡¯s tailored business suit, simple yet elegant, entuated her graceful figure. Loose waves of chestnut hair cascaded over her shoulders, adding to her poised and professional aura.


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    Beside her, Averi was the picture of charm, dressed in a crisp blue shirt and suspenders. With his bright eyes and endearing smile, he looked every bit like a tiny prince, effortlessly drawing smiles from the passersby.


    But as mother and son walked on, unaware, a pair of eyes observed them from a second-floor window.


    The gaze was deep, unreadable¡ªits emotions locked away in an imprable silence.


    Soon, Sadie and Averi arrived at the prestigious international kindergarten, its high-security measures ensuring a safe and exclusive environment. At the registration desk, a young teacher greeted them with a warm smile.


    ¡°Good morning! Are you Averi¡¯s mother?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am,¡± Sadie replied, her tone polite yetposed.


    ¡°Wonderful. Please fill out this form.¡±


    The teacher handed Sadie a document requesting essential details¡ªAveri¡¯s name, age, home address.


    Sadie took the form with a nod and began filling it out carefully. Her pen glided smoothly over the paper¡ªuntil she reached the sectionbeled ¡°Father.¡±


    A quiet hesitation settled over her, invisible to everyone but herself. Then, with a measured breath, she wrote ¡°Deceased¡± in the empty space.


    ¡°Miss, I¡¯d like to request that any details regarding my son¡¯s father remain confidential,¡± she said to the teacher, her voice calm but firm.


    ¡°My¡­ My son¡¯s father has passed away.¡± Sadie lowered her gaze, concealing the sorrow and frustration in her eyes. She didn¡¯t want Averi to be ostracized or ridiculed for growing up without a father. Also, she didn¡¯t want to drag Alex into this matter again. Cutting ties with him was the best way to avoid unnecessaryplications.


    ¡°Oh¡­ I see¡­¡± The female teacher hesitated, clearly taken aback by the revtion. Her expression softened with sympathy as she looked at Sadie.


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 Chapter 493

    ?Chapter 493:


    ¡°I understand, ma¡¯am. I¡¯ll keep this confidential,¡± the teacher quickly assured Sadie.


    ¡°I appreciate it,¡± Sadie replied with a grateful smile before crouching down to gently stroke Averi¡¯s hair. ¡°Averi, be good and listen to your teachers, okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay, Mommy! Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll behave!¡± Averi nodded eagerly.


    ¡°That¡¯s my boy.¡± Sadie kissed his forehead tenderly. ¡°I¡¯lle pick you up after work.¡±


    ¡°Alright!¡± Averi replied obediently.


    With reluctance, Sadie walked out of the kindergarten. Standing at the entrance, she watched as Averi¡¯s small figure disappeared into the ssroom, and a mix of warmth and mncholy filled her chest. He was growing up¡ªsooner orter, he would be independent and no longer need her as much.


    Letting out a quiet sigh, she finally turned to leave.


    Just then, a ck Rolls-Royce Phantom glided to a halt in front of her. Her heart clenched¡­


    Noah.


    Why was he here?


    She instinctively stopped in her tracks, frozen in ce.


    The tinted window rolled down slowly, revealing Noah¡¯s strikingly handsome features. He sat inside, tilting his head slightly as he studied her with an unreadable expression. His dark eyes betrayed nothing, making it impossible to gauge his thoughts.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Sadie asked warily.


    ¡°Get in.¡± Noah didn¡¯t bother answering her question¡ªhe simply issued themand in a calm, authoritative tone. His voice was low and maic, carrying an air of control that was impossible to ignore.


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    Sadie hesitated but eventually obeyed.


    Inside the car, the familiar scent of Noah¡¯s cologne lingered in the air, a fragrance she had long associated with him.


    The silence was abruptly broken by Noah¡¯s unexpected question. ¡°Where¡¯s Alex?¡± Hearing this, Sadie tensed immediately. She hadn¡¯t expected Noah to bring up Alex out of the blue. Just moments ago, she had told the kindergarten teacher that Averi¡¯s father was no longer alive. Now, Noah was asking about Alex. What was she supposed to say?


    Her thoughts scrambled for an answer. She lowered her gaze, hoping to mask the panic flickering in her eyes.


    Lies only led to more lies. She hated deception, but more than anything, she couldn¡¯t allow Averi to be part of the Wall family. That cold, unfeeling household would only bring him pain. She had to protect him.


    ¡°He¡­ he had something urgent to take care of and willeter,¡± she stammered, her voice barely steady. She tried her best to control her emotions, not wanting Noah to see through her.


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Noah¡¯s sharp gaze flickered with something unreadable. His long fingers tapped rhythmically against the armrest. The soft but deliberate sound filled the quiet car, heightening her unease.


    He didn¡¯t say anything further, simply watching her in silence.


    Just a while ago, Lara Waddy¡ªone of the teachers from the prestigious international kindergarten¡ªhad contacted him. After all, the school was funded by the Wall Group.


    ¡°Are you hiding something from me, Sadie?¡± Noah asked directly, causing Sadie¡¯s heart to plummet.


    Sadie parted her lips but found herself unable to speak.


    What could she possibly say? That Averi was hers alone and had nothing to do with him? That she had fabricated a lie about his father being gone just to keep him away from the Wall family?


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 Chapter 494

    ?Chapter 494:


    Either exnation would only enrage Noah further.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take you to the studio,¡± Noah said coldly, dropping the topic without pressing further. He then instructed the driver to start the car.


    The vehicle eased forward, gliding toward its destination.


    Sadie stared out of the window, watching the scenery blur past. Her mind was in turmoil, yet Noah acted as though nothing had happened.


    He simply leaned back, shutting his eyes to rest.


    Meanwhile, Sadie sat stiffly, feeling like a guilty child caught in a lie.


    When the Rolls-Royce finally rolled to a stop at the studio entrance, Sadie unfastened her seatbelt and stepped out.


    Noah didn¡¯t speak. Instead, he pulled out his phone and made a call.


    ¡°Samuel, it¡¯s me. I need you to take care of something immediately. Get a DNA sample from Averi and Alex. I want you to run a paternity test. And make sure no one finds out.¡±


    ¡°Do it as soon as possible,¡± Noahmanded, his voice low and detached, carrying an unmistakable chill that brooked no argument.


    ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall. I¡¯ll take care of it immediately,¡± Samuel responded with respect, his voiceing through the phone.


    After he ended the call, his expression betrayed a moment of confusion. He struggled to understand why Noah had suddenly instructed him to arrange a paternity test for Averi and Alex. Shaking his head, Samuel decided not to dwell on the reasons. His priority was to execute the task given to him. He grabbed his coat, preparing to leave.


    Just as he was about to exit, his phone vibrated with an iing call.


    The screen showed an unlisted number.


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    Samuel paused, then answered cautiously. ¡°Hello. Who is this, please?¡±


    ¡°Mr. Ford, it¡¯s me, Barnes Mabb, the specialist in reconstructing torn documents.¡± The voice on the other end was both unfamiliar and unexpectedly enthusiastic.


    ¡°Specialist in reconstructing torn documents?¡± Samuel, momentarily caught off guard, asked. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you remember the torn-up paper you sent mest time, Mr. Ford?¡± Barnes reminded him quickly. ¡°I hope you haven¡¯t forgotten!¡±


    Samuel then remembered the incident. Previously, he had found a shredded document belonging to K that seemed suspicious, and he had sent it to an expert for reconstruction.


    ¡°Ah, right. I remember now,¡± Samuel said. ¡°How is that going?¡±


    ¡°To be honest, I haven¡¯t made much headway,¡± Barnes confessed apologetically. ¡°The paper was torn into very small pieces, and some parts are missing. It¡¯s quite a challenge. I¡¯ll need more time toplete it.¡±


    ¡°How much longer do you need?¡± Samuel inquired.


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to say, Mr. Ford,¡± Barnes answered with hesitation. ¡°I need at least another week.¡±


    ¡°Another week?¡± Samuel¡¯s frown deepened.


    ¡°That¡¯s the best I can do, Mr. Ford,¡± Barnes exined helplessly. ¡°I¡¯m already pushing the limits of my capabilities.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± Samuel sighed. ¡°Just do your best.¡±


    ¡°OK, Mr. Ford. I¡¯ll do my best,¡± Barnes assured him.


    After ending the call, Samuel shook his head in frustration. He decided to set the matter aside for now and concentrate on the task Noah had assigned him.


    Sadie had just entered her studio and was yet to set down her bag when Nte rushed in, breathless and frantic.


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 Chapter 495

    ?Chapter 495:


    ¡°Sadie! I¡¯m so d you¡¯re here!¡±


    Nte leaned against the doorframe, panting heavily. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead, a testament to her rush.


    Seeing her in such anxiety, Sadie quickly moved to support her, her expression marked with concern.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Nte? What¡¯s happened? Why are you in such a hurry? Look at you, you¡¯re soaked in sweat.¡±


    Nte took several deep breaths before she could articte her words. ¡°Last night¡­ K¡­ she asked to see me¡­¡±


    ¡°K?¡± Sadie¡¯s expression sharpened. ¡°What did she want?¡± Her voice chilled, tinged with suspicion.


    Nte managed to steady her breath and whispered, ¡°She was asking about something¡­¡±


    ¡°What was it?¡± Sadie urged, her attention fixed.


    Nte swallowed hard, her voice barely audible. ¡°She mentioned something went wrong with the major joint project between Howe Group and Wall Group¡­ and Mr. Wall¡­ was ming Howe Group¡­¡±


    ¡°What? Is that true?¡± Sadie¡¯s face fell, her eyes widening with concern. Though she wasn¡¯t directly involved in the project, she was aware of its significance. It was a massive undertaking, crucial to both families. Alex was always meticulous. How could something have gone wrong?


    And Noah wasn¡¯t one to hastily oppose the Howe family. There must be deeper secrets involved.


    A torrent of thoughts and concerns overwhelmed Sadie, leaving her feeling unsettled. She took a deep breath, pulled out her phone, and dialed Alex.


    ¡°Beep¡­ beep¡­ beep¡­¡±


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    The phone rang on and on, but no one answered. With each unanswered ring, Sadie¡¯s heart sank a little more. A dark premonition enveloped her, squeezing her chest with anxiety.


    If Alex wasn¡¯t picking up, it likely meant trouble.


    Sadie grabbed her bag and said, ¡°Nte, keep an eye on the studio for me. I need to go to Howe Group immediately.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re heading to Howe Group?¡± Nte¡¯s voice wasced with concern. ¡°But¡­ Is that wise at this moment? What if you¡­¡±


    Nte¡¯s voice trailed off, her hesitation clear. She was concerned that Sadie might be entangled in the escting conflict between the Wall and Howe families.


    Despite understanding Nte¡¯s apprehensions, Sadie couldn¡¯t afford to dy. Alex was her friend. She couldn¡¯t just sit by idly if he was in trouble.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be cautious,¡± Sadie reassured Nte, giving her aforting pat on the shoulder. ¡°The studio¡¯s in your hands for now. Call me if anything happens.¡±


    As soon as she was done speaking, Sadie turned and left, her strides hurried and resolute.


    ¡°Sadie¡­¡± Nte had more to say, but Sadie didn¡¯t bother to look back.


    Nte could only watch in worry as Sadie¡¯s figure disappeared into the distance. She knew Sadie carried a strong sense of duty toward the people she cared about. Once Sadie made up her mind, there was nothing anyone could do to change it.


    Howe Group.


    Sadie stood in the opulent lobby, her heart knotting with anxiety as she watched the hustle and bustle of the employees. She headed straight to the reception desk.


    ¡°Hello,¡± she greeted, her tone sounding urgent. ¡°Is Mr. Alex Howe in? My name is Sadie Hudson. I have an appointment with him.¡±


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    The receptionist gave her a polite smile. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Miss Hudson, but Mr. Howe is not seeing anyone today.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Sadie frowned and pressed, ¡°Why not? Did something happen to him?¡±


    The receptionist¡¯s pleasant expression turned stiff. She hesitated for a brief moment, only to shake her head in the end. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, Miss Hudson, but I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t help you. I am simply following Mr. Howe¡¯s instructions.¡±


    Unwilling to give up, Sadie asked, ¡°Do you know where he is? Or perhaps, can you help me contact his assistant instead?¡±


    The receptionist pressed her lips into a thin, hard line and shook her head again. ¡°Apologies, Miss Hudson. There is nothing I can do. We are not in a position to make queries on Mr. Howe¡¯s whereabouts. His assistant isn¡¯t here, either.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s heart sank. Alex wasn¡¯t seeing anyone, and even his assistant was absent. This only confirmed her suspicions¡ªsomething had happened to Alex. But she couldn¡¯t even talk to him; what could she do to help?


    Sadie spent the next few seconds pacing in front of the reception desk, her thoughts racing. She couldn¡¯t just give up. She had to find a way to see Alex. Just then, her gazended on the lounge area situated on one side of the lobby. It was littered with plush-looking couches and coffee tables to amodate waiting clients or guests.


    Steeling herself, Sadie made a decision.


    She strode over to the lounge area and chose a seat by the window. Settling down, she fixed her eyes on the elevator banks. Alex couldn¡¯t possibly hide forever. She would just have to wait until he appeared.


    The receptionist watched Sadie, noting thetter¡¯s obvious anxiety beneath herposed demeanor. She couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit sympathetic. She had encountered all sorts of people in her line of work, but Sadie was quite rare¡ªclearly a woman of status, yet well-mannered and down-to-earth. After thinking about it for a while, the receptionist picked up thendline phone and dialed.


    ¡°Hello, is this the CEO¡¯s office? ¡­Yes, it¡¯s from the reception on the first floor. There¡¯s a Miss Hudson in the lobby, iming that she has an appointment with Mr. Howe¡­ Yes, Sadie Hudson. She seems very anxious and keeps asking about Mr. Howe¡¯s situation¡­ Oh. Well, I did as instructed and told her that Mr. Howe isn¡¯t seeing anyone today, but she refused to leave. She is waiting in the lounge area as we speak. It looks like she has something important to discuss with Mr. Howe.¡±


    She stole another nce at Sadie before lowering her voice. ¡°Perhaps you could let Mr. Howe know? I see. I understand. All right, thank you.¡± The receptionist hung up and sighed to herself. At the end of the day, she was just an employee, and she had no desire to get tangled up in the messy lives of the wealthy elite.


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    Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside Alex¡¯s office was tense. He sat behind his huge desk, his brows furrowed while his fingers drummed a stato beat on his desk. Alex had just finished a rather intense meeting over the phone, where he had to go over crisis management strategies with severalpany executives. He had barely ended the call when his assistant came in to ry the message from reception.


    ¡°Sadie?¡± Alex¡¯s lips twitched, a mix of emotions crossing his tired face. ¡°What is she doing here?¡±


    ¡°Apparently, Miss Hudson is very worried and kept asking about you,¡± the assistant replied cautiously. ¡°The receptionist thinks she has something urgent to discuss with you.¡±


    Alex fell silent. After a long while, he heaved a sigh and said, ¡°No. I won¡¯t see her.¡± His voice was low and firm. ¡°Tell her I¡¯m not here, and don¡¯t say anything else.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡± The assistant hesitated. ¡°Miss Hudson seems unwilling to leave. She is currently waiting in the lobby.¡±


    ¡°Then let her wait.¡± This time, Alex¡¯s voice carried a hint of frustration. ¡°She¡¯ll eventually leave on her own.¡±


    Alex didn¡¯t want Sadie to worry, much less get her involved in the dispute he was facing. He understood her nature all too well¡ªshe was loyal and generous to the people she valued. If she caught wind that the Howe family was in trouble, she would no doubt do everything she could to lend a hand.


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    But Alex couldn¡¯t let her do that. After all, this matter was between the Wall family and the Howe family. He didn¡¯t want to drag her into the mess.


    Alex kneaded his throbbing temples and forced himself to focus on the documents before him. He needed toe up with a solution as soon as possible and keep his family¡¯s legacy from copsing under his watch.


    At that same moment, in the Howe Manor, the spacious and bright living room was filled with the rich aroma of food. Susannah stood in the dining hall in an exquisite dress, supervising the servants as they set the table.


    Susannah looked much younger than her age, her figure well-maintained and her skin glowing with vitality. Today marked the return of her husband, Terrance Howe, chairman of Howe Group, from overseas. She had arranged for a grand family dinner to celebrate his return.


    ¡°Mrs. Howe, dinner is ready. Would you like anything else?¡± a servant inquired respectfully.


    Susannah nodded, pleased. ¡°Hmm, very good. Ensure the K?tl Free¡ªTerrance¡¯s favorite¡ªis perfectly cooked; not too tough, yet not underdone.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Mrs. Howe. We will take care of it.¡±


    Susannah gave the table setting a final inspection, only rxing when everything met her exacting standards.


    Suddenly, hurried footsteps resounded in the living room.


    ¡°Aunt Susannah! Aunt Susannah!¡±


    Her nephew, Lamont, appeared, urgency etched on his face. He was employed at Howe Group and maintained a good rapport with Alex.


    ¡°Lamont? What brings you here?¡± Susannah questioned, her surprise evident. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Why such anxiety?¡±


    Catching his breath, Lamont blurted out, ¡°Aunt Susannah, there¡¯s a major problem. The Howe Group is facing a crisis.¡±


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    ¡°What?¡± Susannah paled, her hand nearly dropping her silk handkerchief. ¡°What did you say? A crisis? How?¡± Her voice rose sharply, trembling with panic.


    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m not entirely sure¡­¡± Lamont hesitated, his voice faltering as he tried topose himself. ¡°I was with my wife at Vivi¡¯s studio. You remember Vivi, former chief designer at Majestic Ego, the renowned jewelry brand?¡±


    Susannah nodded for him to proceed.


    ¡°We were there to discuss some bespoke jewelry we¡¯d ordered. During the visit, I identally overheard Vivi on the phone. She mentioned Sadie¡­ it seemed to be connected to the Howe family¡­¡±


    ¡°Sadie?¡± The name echoed in Susannah¡¯s thoughts.


    ¡°Sadie Hudson?¡± she eximed, her toneced with disbelief.


    ¡°Yes! Exactly! That¡¯s the name.¡± Lamont confirmed with a p to his thigh.


    ¡°Vivi indicated that because of Sadie, the Howe Group has encountered trouble. She also mentioned the Wall Group has targeted us¡­¡±


    ¡°The Wall Group?¡± Susannah¡¯s face grew somber. The name Noah Wall was practically legendary in business circles¡ªeverybody knew it. He was known for his ruthless and decisive strategies, his reputation preceding him. If the Wall Group was indeed targeting the Howe Group, the implications were dire. Susannah shuddered at the thought, her body beginning to quiver.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Alex? Is he aware of this issue?¡± she demanded, urgency coloring her voice.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Lamont admitted, his expression one of confusion. ¡°I came straight here to inform you after overhearing Vivi¡¯s phone call. Alex hasn¡¯t spoken to me about thepanytely¡­¡±


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    Unable to remain seated, Susannah rose swiftly, snatched her designer handbag from the sofa, and strode toward the exit.


    ¡°No! I must go to thepany. I need to find Alex and uncover the truth.¡±


    ¡°Aunt Susannah, I¡¯ll apany you,¡± Lamont offered, hastening to keep up. Together, they left the vi, climbed into the car, and drove off toward Howe Group.


    Meanwhile, in the lobby of Howe Group, Sadie sat on a couch, her gaze locked on the elevator doors. Her heart burned with anxiety and impatience. She could not just sit idly by; she needed to act.


    Reaching for her phone, she dialed Alex¡¯s number once more.


    ¡°Beep¡­ beep¡­ beep¡­¡±


    The same long, monotonous tone continued to y. With each passing second, Sadie¡¯s heart sank further.


    Just as she was about to lose hope, the elevator from the parking garage chimed. A group of people emerged, among them a figure Sadie recognized instantly.


    It was Susannah.


    Why was Susannah here?


    Surprise and confusion washed over Sadie. Before she could rise, Susannah had already seen her.


    The moment their eyes met, Susannah¡¯s shed with icy fury. The click of her high heels echoed against the marble as she approached rapidly. Reaching Sadie, Susannah raised her hand and delivered a stinging p across her face.


    ¡°Pak!¡±


    The sound reverberated through the lobby, drawing all eyes to them. Holding her reddened cheek, Sadie stared at Susannah, stunned.


    ¡°You¡­ Why did you hit me?¡±


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    Around them, onlookers whispered in shock at the sudden incident.


    Anger contorted Susannah¡¯s features, and her voice was sharp and usatory. ¡°Why did I hit you? You dare to ask? Shameless!¡± Susannah hissed, her voiceced with usation. ¡°Sadie Hudson, you¡¯ve brought nothing but trouble! You¡¯re the reason the Howe Group is in trouble. How could such turmoil befall us if not for your actions? Humph! You deceitful schemer! Was ensnaring Alex not enough? Now you aim to tear down the Howe Group as well?¡±


    As Susannah spoke, her agitation increased. Her voice grew louder, attracting more onlookers.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t!¡± Sadie shouted, struggling to hold back her tears. ¡°I¡¯ve done nothing wrong.¡±


    The receptionist¡¯s face drained of color in fear. She had never seen such an event unfold. Susannah, usually so dignified andposed, was now uncharacteristically shouting and had even struck another person in public.


    Quietly, the receptionist took out her phone and hastily messaged the CEO¡¯s assistant. ¡°Mrs. Howe has hit Miss Hudson in the lobby. The situation is out of control. Pleasee quickly!¡±


    After sending the text, she looked around nervously, fearing she might be caught.


    Sadie¡¯s body trembled, not from fear, but confusion. She straightened, attempting to regain someposure.


    ¡°You still dare to deny it?¡± Susannah sneered, her gaze cutting into Sadie like a poisoned de. ¡°Sadie Hudson, stop your act! Do you think no one sees the disgraceful things you¡¯ve done? You toyed with Alex¡¯s feelings, yed both sides, and made fools out of our Howe family, didn¡¯t you? Now, because of you, the Wall Group is after us. Are you happy? Did you get what you wanted? You shameless bitch!¡±


    As Susannah spoke, she became increasingly upset, tears streaming down her face and her voice turning hoarse.


    ¡°Our Howe family¡­ What did we do to deserve such turmoil? To be involved with someone like you¡­¡± Susannah cried out, her hands clutching her chest in distress.


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 Chapter 499

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    ¡°What? The Wall Group is targeting the Howe Group because of her?¡±


    ¡°Is that true?¡±


    ¡°Who is she, exactly? How can one person cause so much chaos?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe this¡­¡±


    Whispers spread through the crowd, and all eyes were fixed on Sadie, scrutinizing her as if she were under a harsh spotlight.


    Feeling exposed and judged by every gaze, Sadie experienced a crushing sense of vulnerability. The pressure felt suffocating.


    She staggered back a step, bumping into the couch behind her and nearly falling.


    ¡°Noah¡­ Is it really because of me that he¡¯s targeting the Howe Group?¡± Sadie¡¯s mind reeled as she spoke to herself, her voice tinged with disbelief. The realization struck her like a sudden, harsh blow. She had never anticipated that the situation would escte to such a degree.


    ¡°What¡¯s with that look now? Are you scared?¡± Susannah mocked Sadie¡¯s dazed and devastated expression, deriving a twisted satisfaction from it and feeling no sympathy. ¡°Stop ying the victim! Do you think that looking innocent will clear you of guilt? No chance! You owe our Howe family!¡±


    Susannah¡¯s relentless tone overwhelmed Sadie.


    ¡°I really don¡¯t understand¡­¡± Sadie stammered, attempting to defend herself, but Susannah¡¯s biting usations and the judgmental res from the crowd left her feeling utterly helpless.


    ¡°You don¡¯t? You think ignorance excuses your actions? Do you believe you can deceive us that easily?¡± Susannah scoffed, her gaze intensifying. ¡°Listen, Sadie, you¡¯re not going anywhere until you tell the truth.¡±


    ¡°Aunt Susannah, please, take a moment to calm down. Don¡¯t let this overwhelm you¡­¡± Lamont interjected, standing close and supporting Susannah cautiously, worried she might spiral out of control. While he harbored some resentment towards Sadie, the sight of her so distressed evoked a hint of sympathy. After all, Sadie was the woman his cousin Alex cared deeply about.


    Just then, rapid footsteps approached from the elevator.


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    ¡°What is going on here?¡± A deep,manding voice cut through the lobby¡¯s turmoil.


    Alex hastened in, urgency and concern marking his features. When he saw the palm print on Sadie¡¯s face and the tears in her eyes, his heart plummeted. He grasped the situation immediately.


    ¡°What are you doing, Mom?¡± Alex confronted Susannah, his voice tinged with reproach. ¡°Sadie is not to me. Why did you hit her?¡±


    His expression softened as he turned to Sadie, radiating pain and regret.


    ¡°Not to me?! You¡¯re still defending her?¡± Susannah¡¯s anger intensified when she saw her son side with Sadie. ¡°Alex! Have you lost your senses over this woman? Don¡¯t you see that it¡¯s because of her the Wall Group is targeting us? Do you understand how merciless Noah can be? Our Howe family¡­ We might not survive this¡­¡± Susannah¡¯s voice faltered. She was overwhelmed by her emotions.


    She pointed at Alex with a shaking finger, her face etched with fury and despair.


    ¡°Mom! Please, try to calm down! It¡¯s not as dire as you imagine,¡± Alex attempted to pacify her. ¡°Don¡¯t overreact. I¡¯ll take care of it¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll take care of it? How? With what means?¡± Susannah¡¯s control shattered.


    She pushed Alex aside, her stance unsteady.


    ¡°Alex! You¡¯re driving me to despair!¡±


    Susannah suddenly felt dizzy, her vision blurred, and she copsed to the floor.


    ¡°Mom!¡±


    ¡°Aunt Susannah!¡±


    Alex and Lamont cried out in unison, rushing to her side.


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    ¡°Are you okay, Mom? You¡¯re scaring me.¡± Alex had never seen his mother so overwhelmed or vulnerable.


    Lamont, visibly shaken, tried to revive Susannah by gently tapping her face. His voice was urgent. ¡°Alex, what do we do? Aunt Susannah has fainted.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s take her to the hospital!¡± Alex responded instantly, lifting Susannah¡¯s arms and heading for the door.


    Before he left, he gave Sadie a deep, apologetic, and concerned look. ¡°Sadie, I¡¯m sorry¡­ You should leave¡­ I¡¯ll take care of everything here.¡±


    With that, he hurried out with Susannah.


    Sadie remained frozen, watching Alex disappear, her emotions in turmoil. She longed to follow, to demand exnations, but found herself unable to move.


    The crowd around her didn¡¯t disperse with Susannah¡¯s copse; their chatter intensified.


    ¡°Oh my! Isn¡¯t she the one involved with Mr. Wall three years ago?¡±


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s her! I remember now. The newspapers had photos, used her of wrecking K and Mr. Wall¡¯s rtionship, branding her the other woman.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s surprising, isn¡¯t it? She appears so innocent, yet she¡¯s been involved in such scandals.¡±


    ¡°Exactly! After Mr. Wall, now Mr. Howe? She¡¯s quite the character.¡±


    ¡°Women like her just have a way with men, don¡¯t they?¡±


    ¡°TSK, TSK. How brazen! And to think she¡¯d show up here, as if she can do whatever she wants with the Howe family.¡±


    ¡°I agree¡­¡±


    Each biting remark struck Sadie like a sharp jab.


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    She bit her lower lip tightly.


    Desperately, she wanted to refute the usations, to proim to all that she was not the other woman. Yet, her throat tightened, rendering her speechless. In such a hostile environment, any defense seemed feeble and futile, only inciting further attacks.


    In the crowd, a woman in a business suit observed Sadie with cold detachment. Her name was Aliza Perry, a secretary in the CEO¡¯s office at Howe Group and a secret admirer of Alex. Additionally, she was an heiress of the Perry family, who had concealed her true identity to work closely with Alex.


    Aliza had watched silently as Alex repeatedly faced problems because of Sadie, fueling a fierce jealousy within her. Today, when she saw Alex defend Sadie against his own mother, resulting in Susannah¡¯s copse, her jealousy red uncontrobly. She could not bear seeing the man she loved suffer for a woman she believed to be shameless.


    She refused to lose to someone she considered vastly inferior.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Aliza? You seem very upset,¡± a colleague, familiar with her feelings, inquired with concern.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Aliza responded sharply, turning her back on the unfolding scene. Her eyes narrowed, her lips curling into a sneer. ¡°Sadie, you seem to thrive on attention. Well, I¡¯ll ensure you receive more than you can handle. I¡¯ll see to it that you¡¯re thoroughly disgraced, unable to show your face again,¡± Aliza vowed silently.


    Sadie felt utterly forsaken, isted in the midst of the crowd. Her body shook, her legs nearly giving way beneath her. She didn¡¯t know how she managed to exit the Howe Group building. The piercingments followed her, offering no respite.


    By the time she reached her studio, it was noon. The employees had left for lunch, leaving the space empty. She staggered to her desk and copsed into her chair, overwhelmed.


    Her mind was a tumultuous whirl of thoughts, intensifying her headache. She struggled to understand how everything had unraveled so disastrously. Noah¡­ Alex¡­ These names pressed heavily on her, suffocating her.


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    .<hr>


    Message from Noah:


    Hello, dear readers! Sorry for the dy this week ¡ª my birthday was two days ago, and I didn¡¯t have much time to release the chapters.


    Two new novels will be released tomorrow. I hope you enjoy them!


    God loves you, and Noah wishes you all the best. (?O?=)? ?


    .

 Chapter 501

    ?Chapter 501:


    Her toxic dynamic with Noah was exhausting enough¡ªnow Alex was caught in the crossfire. Sadie was at a loss.


    She slowly closed her eyes, tears tracing her cheeks. She reminded herself that she couldn¡¯t afford to lose herposure; she needed to discern the truth.


    Alex had been a significant support; she couldn¡¯t abandon him now. She couldn¡¯t just sit idly by. She had to do something for him.


    Sadie abruptly stood, the chair screeching against the floor. She was determined and resolved to confront Noah about everything immediately. Grabbing her bag, she rushed to the door. Just as she reached for the handle, the door burst open with a violent kick.


    Several burly men with tattooed arms entered, their presence menacing. The leader, his hair bleached blonde and a cigarette dangling from his mouth, eyed Sadie disdainfully.


    ¡°You¡¯re Sadie Hudson?¡± he asked, exhaling a smoke ring arrogantly.


    A chill of premonition ran through Sadie. She steeled herself and asked icily, ¡°Who are you? What do you want?¡±


    ¡°What do we want?¡± The manughed coldly, flicking his cigarette to the floor. ¡°You¡¯re Noah Wall¡¯s little secret, aren¡¯t you? We¡¯re here to teach you a lesson because someone has a problem with you,¡± he said ominously.


    The term ¡°little secret¡± infuriated Sadie. Her face paled with anger as she replied sharply, ¡°You¡¯re spreading falsehoods! What I have with Noah is none of your business!¡±


    ¡°Wow, she¡¯s fiery!¡± one of the thugs said, amused by her spirit. ¡°But we like that.¡±


    The thugs started trashing the studio. They wreaked havoc, overturning tables, demolishingputers, and ripping documents apart.


    ¡°Stop! Just stop!¡± Sadie screamed, her eyes fiery with defiance as she attempted to stop them.


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    She fought valiantly to protect her workspace. But as a single woman against such brute force, what could she do?


    ¡°Move!¡± one of the thugs barked, pushing Sadie to the floor. Her head struck the ground sharply; pain shot through her, and her vision blurred, nearly rendering her unconscious.


    Ovee and exhausted, Sadie tried to grab her phone to call for help, her hands shaking.


    The leader acted swiftly, grabbing the phone and crushing it underfoot. The screen burst with a loud crack, fragments flying.


    ¡°Thinking of calling the police? How dare you!¡± he sneered, advancing towards Sadie menacingly.


    Sadie¡¯s heart sank. She gritted her teeth, fighting back the fear as she red at him.


    ¡°You dare re at me?¡± Infuriated by her defiance, the leader grabbed her hair, yanking her up from the floor.


    ¡°Let go of me, you jerk!¡± Sadie struggled desperately, her strength no match for the man¡¯s firm grip.


    ¡°I¡¯ll show you who¡¯s in charge!¡± he bellowed, striking her across the face. Instantly, Sadie¡¯s cheek swelled, and blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.


    Her ears rang, and dizziness overwhelmed her, leaving her barely able to stand.


    ¡°Good hit!¡±


    ¡°She brought it upon herself!¡±


    ¡°Teach her a lesson for messing with us!¡±


    The other thugs yelled, encouraging the leader.


    Emboldened, the leader picked up a baseball bat and swung it at Sadie¡¯s head. Sadie closed her eyes in despair.


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    Bang!


    With a dull thud, pain exploded in her forehead, and blood streamed down her face.


    Sadie copsed to the floor, knocked out cold.


    ¡°Boss¡­ She¡­ She doesn¡¯t seem to be moving¡­¡± one thug said nervously, ncing at the motionless Sadie.


    ¡°Did we¡­ did we kill her?¡± another thug asked, his voiceced with rm.


    The leader felt a chill run through him. He nudged Sadie with his foot, but she didn¡¯t respond, heightening his anxiety.


    ¡°Enough!¡± he spat. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here.¡±


    Relieved, the thugs quickly followed him out of the studio, leaving chaos behind.


    The studio was a disaster zone: papers, drawings, shattered ss, and broken wood scattered everywhere, the air thick with the smell of blood and dust. Sadiey sprawled on the floor, bloodied and battered, a distressing sight.


    Two hourster¡­


    ¡°Those fools must wish for death, daring to touch Mr. Wall¡¯s woman.¡± Having worked with Noah for years, Arlo ke, the head of the bodyguard team, was ustomed to big scenes. But the sight before him made his scalp tingle. He had thought that, in broad daylight, with Mr. Wall¡¯s specific instructions to protect Sadie, nothing could go wrong.


    His team had been nearby, unwinding and chatting, not anticipating such rapid chaos.


    Sadie¡¯s studio looked as though it had been plowed by a herd of wild bulls. The ce was devastated, littered with papers, shattered ss, and broken wood, thick with the smell of blood and dust.


    Sadiey amidst a pool of blood, her pale face and wounded body painting a gruesome scene.


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    Blood stained Sadie¡¯s white blouse.


    Arlo¡¯s mind went nk, as if struck by lightning.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall? Mrs. Wall!¡± The usually stoic bodyguards now spoke with trembling voices and teary eyes. They were Noah¡¯s most trusted protectors, responsible for his safety as well as the safety of his loved ones. Yet, under their watch, Sadie had suffered serious injuries. Would they even survive Noah¡¯s wrath?


    Arlo pped himself hard. ¡°What are you doing standing there? Call an ambnce now!¡± He regained his senses and barked the order at the other stunned bodyguards.


    Snapping out of their daze, they scrambled to dial emergency services. ¡°Mrs. Wall, wake up! Hang in there! The ambnce is on its way.¡± Arlo knelt beside Sadie, his voice shaking as he tried to wake her.


    But Sadiey still, her eyes closed, her breathing barely perceptible.


    ¡°Alert! Everyone, go to full alert and lock down the area!¡± Arloposed himself and began issuing orders with precision. ¡°You¡ªretrieve all surveince footage from here! And you, ask the locals if they noticed anything unusual. The rest of you, stay here and secure the scene until the police arrive.¡±


    The bodyguards sprang into action, and the studio¡¯s atmosphere tensed.


    The sharp ring of a phone pierced the solemnity of the boardroom where Noah was leading a shareholders¡¯ meeting. Everyone had been sitting upright, listening intently to his speech. Noah frowned; interruptions during meetings irked him.


    But when he saw the caller ID¡ªSamuel¡ªhis heart raced. Samuel, his most trusted aide, would only call now for an urgent matter.


    Noah gestured for a pause, stood, and left the boardroom to answer the call.


    ¡°Mr. Wall¡­¡± Samuel¡¯s voice came through, urgent and shaky.


    ¡°What¡¯s happened?¡±


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 Chapter 503

    ?Chapter 503:


    A wave of apprehension washed over Noah.


    ¡°Mr. Wall¡­ Mrs. Wall¡­ Something¡¯s happened to her¡­¡± Samuel¡¯s voice quivered as he struggled to remainposed.


    ¡°What?¡± Noah¡¯s voice spiked with disbelief and anger. ¡°What did you say? Say that again!¡±


    ¡°Mr. Wall, Mrs. Wall was attacked in her studio. She¡¯s now unconscious and has been rushed to the hospital for emergency care¡­¡± Samuel¡¯s voice faded to a whisper.


    The phone slipped from Noah¡¯s grasp and crashed to the floor.


    He stood motionless, his mind reeling.


    Sadie was attacked? Unconscious? How could that be possible?


    Hadn¡¯t he assigned bodyguards to protect her in secret? What had they been doing?


    Noah was overwhelmed with fury, his chest heaving.


    He turned sharply and strode back into the boardroom.


    ¡°The meeting is adjourned!¡± he announced coldly. ¡°Everyone, stay here.¡± Without looking back, he exited, leaving the shareholders in a state of confusion.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°No idea. I¡¯ve never seen Mr. Wall so unsettled¡­¡±


    ¡°Can he just leave a shareholders¡¯ meeting? Like this?¡±


    ¡°Shh! Just wait here, like he said.¡±


    ¡°s¡­¡±


    Your next story begins at  .


    The whispers filled the room as the shareholders spected, but no one dared to say too much.


    Noah¡¯smand in Wall Group was unchallenged.


    Thus, they sat silently, awaiting his return.


    The Rolls-Royce Phantom sliced through the quiet night.


    Noah, sitting in the back, exuded an air of tension and menace.


    His lips were set in a firm line, his eyes aze with both intense anger and palpable concern.


    ¡°Give me the full story. What happened?¡±


    Samuel, seated in the passenger seat, wiped the sweat from his forehead.


    He turned hesitantly and said, ¡°Mr. Wall, the details¡­ I¡¯m not entirely sure¡­¡±


    ¡°Not sure?¡± Noah¡¯s voice sharpened as he mmed his hand onto the seat. ¡°You¡¯re my chief assistant, and you can¡¯t get information on something this critical?¡±


    ¡°Mr. Wall¡­ I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m still gathering details¡­¡± Samuel¡¯s voice faltered, as he nearly broke into tears.


    Noah¡¯s fury was unlike anything Samuel had witnessed before.


    Usually strict, Noah now seemed like a volcano on the verge of eruption.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t have answers by the end of today, be ready to resign.¡±


    ¡°I understand, Mr. Wall. I will find out,¡± Samuel responded, his voice trembling with the promise.


    ¡°What about the security detail for Sadie?¡± Noah asked, his tone slightly controlled yet still intense.


    ¡°It was apse by the bodyguards,¡± Samuel replied cautiously.


    ¡°Apse?¡± Noah¡¯s eyebrows knitted together tightly. ¡°They¡¯re utterly ipetent!¡±


    ¡°Get rid of them all,¡± Noah said.


    ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall,¡± Samuel replied immediately, fully aware of the weight behind Noah¡¯s directive.


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 Chapter 504

    ?Chapter 504:


    In Noah¡¯s world, mercy held no ce.


    His decisions were absolute, designed to eliminate any future threat. Now, with Sadie¡¯s safetypromised, Noah had reached his breaking point. Samuel knew the oue for the bodyguards would be grim, but he obeyed without hesitation.


    As the car sped down the highway, Noah sat in the back, fists clenched, veins prominent¡ªclear signs of his mounting anxiety.


    Images of Sadie gued his mind.


    He couldn¡¯t bear the thought of losing her.


    Three years ago, he had already lost her once. He wouldn¡¯t survive it again.


    ¡°Faster,¡± he urged the driver in a hoarse whisper, desperate to be by Sadie¡¯s side.


    At the hospital, the red glow of the emergency room sign burned into Noah¡¯s vision.


    He stood rooted outside the door, paralyzed.


    Every passing second dragged like an eternity.


    It felt as though something were crushing his chest, making it hard to breathe.


    This kind of fear was unfamiliar to him¡ªthe fear of losing her.


    Suddenly, the doors creaked open. Noah snapped to attention.


    ¡°Doctor! How is she?¡± he asked, his voice raw with urgency.


    The doctor removed his mask, his expression grim.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, her condition is precarious.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Noah¡¯s heart dropped.


    ¡°What did you say? Please repeat that.¡±


    ¡°She has suffered a severe head injury and significant intracranial bleeding, which has caused arge clot impacting her nervous system¡­¡± the doctor exined, his tone grave. ¡°We¡¯ve done all we can, but whether she wakes up remains uncertain¡­¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by uncertain? Are you certain of your uncertainty?¡± Noah¡¯s tone intensified. ¡°I need assurances, doctor. She must survive. Understand?¡± Noah seized the doctor by the tie, hoisting him into the air, his eyes fiery with fury.


    ¡°If she dies, this hospital will be held ountable,¡± he said, his voice icy and unyielding.


    The doctor struggled for breath under Noah¡¯s intimidating presence. Trembling with fear, he had never witnessed such a terrifying side of Noah and was certain of the dire consequences if Sadie¡¯s condition worsened.


    ¡°Mr¡­ Mr. Wall¡­ please¡­ let¡¯s remain calm!¡± the doctor said. ¡°We¡­ we will do everything we can.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not enough; ensure she survives. I need her unharmed! Do you understand?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I understand.¡± The doctor nodded hastily, too frightened to contradict. ¡°Then get back to work! Keep trying to save her!¡± Noah thrust the doctor back towards the emergency room.


    ¡°Bang!¡±


    With a loud bang, the doors swung shut, the red light ring once more. Noah remained at the door, fists clenched so tightly that his nails drew blood from his palms, though he was unaware of the pain.


    ¡°Samuel!¡± he called out in a raspy tone.


    ¡°Right here, Mr. Wall,¡± Samuel said promptly.


    ¡°Contact the top neurosurgeons globally. Bring them here immediately, regardless of the cost. We must save Sadie.¡±


    ¡°Absolutely, Mr. Wall. I¡¯m on it,¡± Samuel said, quickly dialing numbers on his phone.


    Eighteen hours ticked by.


    During that time, Noah didn¡¯t eat or drink; he stood guard, unflinchingly vignt outside the emergency room.


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 Chapter 505

    ?Chapter 505:


    His appearance was gaunt, eyes bloodshot, face ashen, and lips cracked, showing signs of severe exhaustion.


    Yet, he remained undeterred, eyes glued to the sealed doors, his mind solely on Sadie.


    After what seemed an eternity, the ominous red light finally turned off.


    ¡°Squeak!¡±


    The doors creaked open.


    The doctor emerged, his face etched with a weary but hopeful smile. ¡°Mr. Wall, the surgery was sessful. We¡¯vepletely removed the blood clot from the patient¡¯s brain, and she¡¯s no longer in immediate danger.¡±


    ¡°Currently?¡± Noah¡¯s expression tightened, his voice rough. ¡°What does that mean?¡±


    ¡°The immediate threat is gone, but due to the severity of the brain injury, it¡¯s uncertain when, or even if, she will regain consciousness,¡± the doctor exined in a somber tone. ¡°You should brace yourself for all possibilities.¡±


    Noah remained silent for a moment. ¡°Move her to the best ward. I¡¯ll oversee her recovery myself,¡± he stated firmly.


    ¡°Certainly, Mr. Wall,¡± the doctor replied promptly.


    In the VIP ward, Sadiey still, herplexion ghostly, her vitality seemingly drained. Her head was swathed in thick bandages, and her body was connected to a series of tubes, presenting a picture of vulnerability.


    Noah sat next to her, holding her hand with a steadfast grip.


    ¡°Sadie, I¡¯m so sorry¡­¡± His voice broke, filled with regret. ¡°This is my fault. Please wake up. You have to wake up, okay? There¡¯s so much more I need to tell you¡­¡±


    He paused, his voice thick with emotion, and added, ¡°When you wake up, we¡­ you, Averi, and I¡­ we¡¯ll never be separated again.¡± Noah gently kissed Sadie¡¯s cold forehead.


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    At that moment, his phone disrupted the solemn silence of the room. He checked the caller ID¡ªit was Samuel.


    Regaining hisposure, Noah answered.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, we¡¯ve apprehended those thugs,¡± Samuel said.


    ¡°Good,¡± Noah responded quietly, his tone t.


    After ending the call, he stood, looking down at Sadie with aplex mix of emotions. He tenderly held her hand, then brought it to his lips for a gentle kiss.


    ¡°Sadie, just wait for me here, okay?¡± His voice was soft and reassuring. ¡°I¡¯ll be back soon.¡±


    With onest lingering kiss, he left the ward.


    ¡°Guard her well. Allow no disturbances,¡± Noah said with an icy, authoritative tone that brooked no argument.


    ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall,¡± the bodyguards at the door replied in unison, their voices resonating with firm resolve.


    The corridor outside the VIP ward was lined with Noah¡¯s men, each positioned like a sentry, their presence forming an imprable barrier. Their vignce was unyielding.


    Noah¡¯s steps were steady as he walked down the corridor, his presence exuding a palpable tension. His expression was grim and intimidating. If Noah had once resembled a refined gentleman, he now radiated a dangerously lethal aura.


    He was resolute in seeking retribution against those who had hurt Sadie. Exiting the hospital, Noah entered his ck Rolls-Royce Phantom, which swiftly carried him towards the city¡¯s outskirts.


    At a deste, abandoned factory, once a bustling site for manufacturing mechanical parts but now a shell due to mismanagement, the atmosphere was thick with neglect. Cobwebs and dust adorned the walls, while the floor was strewn with debris and rusted parts. The stench of decay pervaded the air.


    A few dim incandescentmps flickered weakly, casting just enough light to illuminate a small section of the factory.


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 Chapter 506

    ?Chapter 506:


    ¡°Argh! Stop hitting me! Please, just stop!¡±


    ¡°It hurts so much¡­ I swear I don¡¯t know anything¡­ Please¡­¡±


    ¡°We wouldn¡¯t dare wreck Mrs. Wall¡¯s studio¡­ We¡¯re innocent¡­¡±


    The intive sounds echoed off the factory walls.


    Eight thugsy bound on the floor, their faces swollen and marred by blood and grime, their expressions one of abject misery.


    Encircling them were a dozen of Noah¡¯s bodyguards, d in ck suits, who wielded steel pipes and clubs with ruthless efficiency.


    ¡°Tell me, who sent you?¡± Samuel demanded harshly, standing to the side with his arms crossed.


    As Noah¡¯s right-hand man, Samuel managed not just business affairs but also Noah¡¯s security and the darker, more secretive aspects. ustomed to dealing with the grim realities of his role, Samuel had be cold and calcting, devoid of sympathy for those who threatened Noah¡¯s domain.


    ¡°We¡­ we honestly don¡¯t know¡­¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re just small-time thugs, used to hassling local businesses and brawling¡­ We wouldn¡¯t dare cross the Wall Group.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re truly innocent¡­ Please, show us some mercy¡­¡±


    The leader pleaded, his face bruised and swollen beneath bandaged wraps, tears streaming down his cheeks. Known on the streets as ¡°Scarface,¡± he had a reputation for his arrogance and for bullying the weak. Today, however, he faced a grave reversal of fortune. He never envisioned such a dire predicament.


    ¡°Still acting tough, huh?¡± Samuel sneered, his impatience evident. He nodded to the bodyguards.


    ¡°Continue until they confess.¡±


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    ¡°Understood, Mr. Ford,¡± the bodyguards replied in unison, their strikes resonating through the air.


    ¡°Bang! Bang! Bang!¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    Groans of pain and the sound of blunt force filled the factory, a chilling symphony. The thugs were battered severely, their features almost unrecognizable.


    ¡°I¡¯ll talk¡­ we were paid to trash Sadie Hudson¡¯s studio¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it was just for the money¡­ we don¡¯t even know who Sadie Hudson is¡­¡±


    ¡°Please¡­ spare us¡­ It won¡¯t happen again¡­¡±


    Under severe duress, the thugs capitted, pleading for mercy.


    ¡°Who hired you?¡± Samuel¡¯s tone was icy as he narrowed his eyes.


    ¡°It was¡­¡± Scarface began, then hesitated, his eyes widening with fear. He mmed up, terrified. Speaking that person¡¯s name meant not only his death but danger to his family as well.


    He knew the person¡¯s cruelty firsthand¡ªa ruthlessness far exceeding the pain inflicted now.


    ¡°Speak! Who sent you?¡±


    Seeing Scarface hesitate, Samuel grew even more certain of arger conspiracy at y.


    He stepped forward, seized Scarface by the cor, and hoisted him off the ground, demanding fiercely, ¡°Talk now! Or it ends here for you!¡±


    Scarface shivered, hisplexion ghostly. He opened his mouth but failed to speak the name.


    ¡°Bang!¡±


    Suddenly, the factory door burst open with a resounding crash, jolting everyone inside.


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 Chapter 507

    ?Chapter 507:


    A tall, imposing figure appeared in the doorway, outlined against the backlight. He wore a ck shirt, slightly unbuttoned at the top to reveal a glimpse of his corbone and muscr chest.


    His expression was steely and detached.


    ¡°Mr. Wall?¡± Samuel was taken aback by Noah¡¯s unexpected arrival.


    He had not anticipated Noah woulde himself.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, what are you doing here?¡± Samuel approached quickly, his tone deferential.


    ¡°Have they spoken yet?¡±


    Noah disregarded Samuel¡¯s question, his gaze fixed on the subdued thugs.


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    Samuel appeared embarrassed and uneasy.


    He averted his eyes, unable to meet Noah¡¯s stern look.


    ¡°Not yet¡­¡±


    ¡°Useless!¡± Noah¡¯s rebuke was sharp and unforgiving.


    Samuel¡¯splexion went from pale to flushed. He clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms, yet he held back any response.


    Aware of Noah¡¯s irritable mood, he knew better than to further provoke him.


    Noah then turned away from Samuel and approached Scarface directly. The bodyguards, grasping the situation, hoisted Scarface to his feet, holding him tightly.


    Scarface, gripped by fear and despair, looked up at Noah, his eyes filled with dread.


    He realized he was doomed.


    Noah¡¯s overwhelming presence pressed down on him, making it difficult to breathe. It felt as though Noah¡¯s piercing gaze could reduce him to ashes.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ It¡¯s¡­¡± Scarface stammered, his lips quivering.


    Noah watched him silently, his gaze devoid of emotion.


    ¡°Please¡­ have mercy¡­ I¡¯ll talk¡­ someone paid us¡­¡± Crushed by the weight of Noah¡¯s stare, Scarface spoke, his words a desperate, incoherent plea.


    Observing this, Samuel picked up a nearby baseball bat and handed it to Noah. He examined the bat, then slowly pressed it against Scarface¡¯s neck, the cold metal making him shiver with fear.


    ¡°I¡¯ll talk¡­ I¡¯ll tell you everything¡­¡± Overwhelmed, Scarface confessed all he knew. ¡°It was Susannah Howe¡­ She sent us¡­¡±


    ¡°Susannah Howe?¡± Noah¡¯s expression darkened slightly. He was puzzled.


    ¡°She¡¯s Alex Howe¡¯s mother,¡± Scarface hurriedly exined, worried about any misunderstanding. ¡°It was her¡­ She paid us a lot¡­ told us to vandalize Sadie¡¯s studio¡­ and also to¡­¡±


    ¡°To do what?¡± Noah¡¯s tone dropped, chilling the air.


    ¡°To¡­ disfigure Sadie¡­ she said¡­ even to kill her¡­¡± Scarface¡¯s voice trembled in terror as he spoke.


    Bang!


    With a swift motion, Noah swung the bat, striking Scarface¡¯s head.


    ¡°Ah!¡± Scarface screamed sharply before copsing, his condition unclear.


    Noah looked on impassively.


    He coldly surveyed Scarface on the ground, as if he were mere debris.


    ¡°Sever the hand that harmed Sadie, and his legs too,¡± Noah said emotionlessly. He tossed the bat back to Samuel; the tter of metal resounded through the stark factory.


    ¡°Take the others to the police. Make sure none escapes,¡± Noah added firmly.


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 Chapter 508

    ?Chapter 508:


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Wall,¡± Samuel replied, motioning to the bodyguards who promptly began to drag the thugs away.


    ¡°No¡­ please¡­ Have mercy!¡±


    ¡°We won¡¯t do it again, we promise! Please!¡±


    ¡°Please¡­¡±


    The thugs screamed in terror, their cries desperate and hopeless.


    They struggled fiercely, but the bodyguards¡¯ firm grip rendered their efforts futile.


    Samuel, understanding the urgency, quickly caught up to Noah, who had already begun to walk away.


    He matched Noah¡¯s pace and spoke in a hushed tone. ¡°Mr. Wall, on the morning of the incident, Mrs. Wall visited the Howe Group.¡±


    Noah¡¯s stride faltered briefly, but he continued forward, his tall figure casting a long shadow in the dim light.


    Samuel added, ¡°It¡¯s rumored that Mrs. Wall was humiliated by Mrs. Howe at the Howe Group.¡±


    ¡°Humph!¡± Noah let out a sharp, coldugh, filled with mockery and disdain. ¡°The Howe Group¡­ seems they wish for their end.¡±


    He stopped abruptly, turned to Samuel, and said with measured emphasis, ¡°Cease all civility with the Howe Group.¡±


    Feeling the weight of Noah¡¯s intense gaze, Samuel bowed slightly and said, ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall.¡±


    He recognized the depth of Noah¡¯s fury this time.


    The Howe Group¡¯s fate seemed sealed.


    Without another word, Noah turned and swiftly exited the abandoned factory.


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    Noah mmed the gas pedal as he got into the car.


    He gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles turning white with the force of his hold.


    He sped down the road toward the hospital, consumed by anger, unable to contain it.


    The humiliation Sadie had suffered at the Howe Group gnawed at him. Moreover, he couldn¡¯t forgive himself for letting her face it alone.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± he yelled, hitting the steering wheel with a loud ¡°bang.¡±


    The car screeched to a stop at the hospital entrance.


    Noah burst from the car and strode toward the inpatient department, his icy demeanor parting the crowd around him.


    Approaching the floor where Sadie was, he noticed amotion ahead.


    ¡°Why won¡¯t you let me in? I¡¯m Sadie¡¯s friend!¡± a frantic male voice called out.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sir. Mr. Wall has instructed that no visitors are allowed without his permission,¡± a bodyguard replied in a detached tone.


    ¡°Her friend? Humph!¡± Noah scoffed, quickening his stride.


    It was Alex.


    Noah immediately recognized the man heatedly arguing with the bodyguards at the department door.


    Alex looked wild-eyed and unkempt, his eyes red and swollen.


    He was shoving against the guards, desperate to get inside.


    ¡°Move! I need to see Sadie! How is she now? You bastards! Fuck off!¡± His voice cracked with rage as he struggled against the bodyguards¡¯ hold.


    ¡°Please calm down, Mr. Howe!¡±


    Despite the bodyguards¡¯ efforts, Alex¡¯s strength made him difficult to restrain.


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 Chapter 509

    ?Chapter 509:


    ¡°Calm down? How can I calm down? You¡¯re all just Noah¡¯sckeys. I want to see him. I want to know why he¡¯s done this to Sadie,¡± Alex bellowed, continuing to fight.


    He had rushed to the hospital after a distressing call from Nte about the studio incident.


    Upon arrival, police updates about Sadie¡¯s condition had driven him to frantic efforts to see her.


    Alex, stopped outside Sadie¡¯s room, was nearly driven to madness.


    He was eager to see Sadie and learn of her condition, his emotions boiling over.


    ¡°Bang!¡±


    In a moment of fury, Alexnded a solid punch on a bodyguard¡¯s face.


    Caught off guard, the guard staggered, nearly copsing.


    ¡°You¡­¡± the guard hissed, clutching his face.


    ¡°Mr. Howe, quite the disy of strength!¡± a cold voice called out.


    Noah had arrived, standing at the end of the corridor, hands in his pockets, his gaze icy.


    His slightly tousled hair added to his intense presence.


    ¡°Noah Wall!¡±


    Seeing him, Alex¡¯s eyes reddened, and he gritted his teeth. ¡°You finally show up.¡± He shrugged off the guards and charged at Noah.


    ¡°Noah, are you even a man? Attacking a woman instead of facing me?¡± Alex shouted, seizing Noah by the cor, his voice thick with anger and frustration.


    ¡°Let go,¡± Noahmanded, his voice unnervingly calm.


    ¡°I won¡¯t!¡± Alex bellowed. ¡°You owe me answers today! What happened to Sadie? What did you do to her?¡±


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    ¡°Answers?¡± Noah scoffed. ¡°What im do you have to demand them from me?¡± He quickly broke free from Alex¡¯s grasp.


    ¡°You¡­¡± Alex faltered, nearly falling over.


    ¡°Listen, Alex Howe,¡± Noah advanced, his tone menacing. ¡°Sadie is my wife. You have no right to interfere.¡±


    ¡°Your wife?¡± Alexughed bitterly. ¡°Noah, don¡¯t forget, Sadie¡­¡±


    ¡°Bang!¡±


    Before Alex could finish, Noah struck him squarely in the face.


    Alex reeled back, crashing against the wall with a heavy ¡°thud.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Wall!¡±


    ¡°Mr. Howe!¡±


    The bodyguards stood frozen, shocked by the confrontation unfolding before them. They hesitated, uncertain of what to do next.


    Two influential figures¡­ actually brawling.


    What were they supposed to do now?


    ¡°You¡­¡± Alex clutched his face, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth as he stared at Noah in disbelief.


    ¡°Surprised I hit you? I wish I could do worse,¡± Noah¡¯s voice seethed with anger as he stepped closer to Alex, his gaze fierce.


    ¡°Alex, how dare you question me? How was Sadie hurt? Don¡¯t you know? Ask your dear mother! Ask her what she¡¯s done to Sadie!¡±


    ¡°My mother?¡± Alex¡¯s confusion was palpable, his expression bewildered. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°What do I mean?¡± Noah scoffed, suddenly seizing Alex by the cor and hoisting him off the floor.


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 Chapter 510

    ?Chapter 510:


    ¡°Listen carefully, Alex. If you weren¡¯t Averi¡¯s biological father, you¡¯d be dead already.¡±


    Noah¡¯s enunciation of ¡°Averi¡¯s biological father¡± carried a venom that underscored his deep loathing.


    He hated Alex to the core.


    He despised Alex for the anguish Sadie endured.


    And he resented even more that Alex was Averi¡¯s father.


    This fact was a thorn in his heart, a source of relentless agony.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Overpowered by Noah¡¯s dominating presence, Alex opened his mouth but found himself speechless.


    ¡°Fuck off!¡± Noah pushed Alex away with force.


    ¡°You have no right to see her. From this moment on, stay away from Sadie and me, or I won¡¯t hold back.¡±


    Reeling from the shove, Alex staggered back, hisplexion ashen, his lips trembling. ¡°Noah¡­ you¡­¡±


    He tried to speak, but it was as if his throat was sealed, no sound escaping.


    ¡°You all, keep watch!¡± Noahmanded the bodyguards stationed at the door. ¡°Without my express permission, no one is allowed to approach this hospital room. Anyone who tries, break their legs and throw them out!¡±


    ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall!¡± the bodyguards answered in unison.


    Their gazes upon Alex were filled with vignce and undisguised hostility. Alex looked from Noah to the formidable bodyguards, realizing he wouldn¡¯t get past them today.


    With a heavy heart, he turned and slowly walked away.


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    The harsh, clinical lights of the hospital corridor cast long shadows behind his retreating figure.


    His footsteps echoed, growing fainter until they were swallowed by the silence of the corridor, the tension finally beginning to ease.


    At the Howe family¡¯s elegant vi, the soft glow of a crystal chandelier bathed the living room in warm light.


    Susannah reclined on a plush leather sofa, delicately using a silver fork to enjoy a slice of cantaloupe.


    ¡°Mmm. This cantaloupe is so sweet,¡± she murmured, closing her eyes in delight, a content smile ying on her lips.


    Beside her, Terrance was engrossed in a financial newspaper, casting asional admiring nces her way.


    ¡°If you enjoy it, have some more,¡± Terrance¡¯s voice was deep and gentle.


    ¡°Certainly,¡± Susannah replied, picking up another slice.


    Nearby, a young girl in an off-white dress sat quietly, her long hair flowing over her shoulders, radiating a serene grace.


    This was Aliza. She watched Susannah and Terrance with a gentle smile, appearing every bit the obedient daughter.


    ¡°Aliza, try some too,¡± Susannah suggested warmly.


    ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Howe,¡± Aliza responded, taking a small bite of an apple.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. We¡¯re like family here,¡± Susannah said, teasing her lightly.


    Bang!


    Suddenly, the tranquility was shattered by a loud crash as the vi¡¯s front door was violently swung open.


    Alex stormed in, his face marred by bruises and a blood-stained lip. His suit was wrinkled, reflecting his disarray. Yet, more rming than his disheveled appearance was the cold fury in his eyes.


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 Chapter 511

    ?Chapter 511:


    ¡°Alex? What happened to you?¡±


    Startled, Susannah dropped her silver fork, the tter sending a cantaloupe slice rolling off the table.


    ¡°Alex, who did you get into a fight with?¡± Terrance set down his newspaper and frowned deeply at his son.


    Aliza rose, her expression etched with concern for Alex.


    Ignoring their reactions, Alex approached Susannah, his re as cold as ice. ¡°Why did you hurt her?¡± he demanded, his voice a low growl of suppressed anger.


    ¡°Hurt who?¡± Susannah responded, bewildered. ¡°Alex, what are you talking about? Who did I hurt?¡±


    ¡°Sadie!¡± Alex¡¯s voice escted into a roar. ¡°Why did you hurt Sadie?¡±


    ¡°Sadie?¡± Confusion clouded Susannah¡¯s face. ¡°When have I ever hurt her? Alex, are you sure you¡¯re not misunderstanding something? Did Sadie say something to you? Is she trying to drive a wedge between us?¡±


    Tears began streaming down Susannah¡¯s cheeks as she spoke, her face the picture of distress.


    ¡°Enough!¡± Alex cut her off with another roar. ¡°You¡¯re still denying it? You think I¡¯m unaware? Sadie almost died because of what you did.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Shock widened Susannah¡¯s eyes. ¡°Alex, what are you talking about? How could I possibly have¡­?¡±


    ¡°Enough! I¡¯ve heard enough denials!¡± Disgustced Alex¡¯s words.


    Overwhelmed, Susannah tried to speak but faltered, her fear evident.


    ¡°Alex! How can you speak to your mother this way?¡± Terrance rose abruptly, his finger jabbing in the air towards Alex as he scolded, ¡°Your mother is frail, and you should be more thoughtful. Are you trying to give her a heart attack?¡±


    ¡°Dad! How can you still defend her?¡±


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    Disappointment was clear in Alex¡¯s voice as he faced Terrance. ¡°Do you even know what she¡¯s done? She¡­¡±


    ¡°What did she do? Tell me now!¡± Terrance¡¯s demand echoed louder. ¡°She¡¯s your mother, Alex. Whatever she¡¯s done, she did it for you. Can¡¯t you see that?¡±


    ¡°For me?¡± Alex¡¯sugh erupted suddenly, filled with bitterness. ¡°Really now? So hurting the woman I love is for my own good? Is that what you call it? Huh?¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± Terrance, at a loss for words, trembled as he pointed at his son. ¡°Fine. Fine¡­¡±


    Alex¡¯s eyes grew colder, his voice deeper. ¡°Since you say so, I have nothing more to add. If you ever hurt Sadie again, I won¡¯t forgive you.¡± With that, he turned away.


    ¡°Alex! You¡­ stop right there!¡± Susannah finally reacted, screaming as she tried to grab him.


    ¡°Alex¡­ Alex¡­¡± She broke down in tears.


    She had never imagined things would turn out this way.


    She had only pped Sadie twice across her face. How had it escted to this? That troublemaker! She must be behind all this.


    ¡°Mrs. Howe, please don¡¯t cry¡­¡± Aliza approached Susannah and gently patted her back, offeringfort.


    ¡°Please, Mrs. Howe, don¡¯t cry. Alex was just acting on impulse. He¡¯lle around,¡± Aliza whispered.


    ¡°Really?¡± Susannah looked up, her eyes brimming with hope.


    ¡°Yes, truly,¡± Aliza assured her, nodding. ¡°I¡¯ll speak with him.¡±


    Alex gazed at Aliza, his expression nk.


    ¡°You¡­ why are you here?¡± he asked, his voice hoarse and his eyes clouded with confusion.


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 Chapter 512

    ?Chapter 512:


    ¡°Alex.¡± Terrance cleared his throat with two sharp coughs before continuing, ¡°Aliza is Elbert¡¯s daughter, and now she¡¯s your fianc¨¦e.¡±


    Though Terrance spoke quietly, his words struck Alex like a thunderp.


    ¡°My fianc¨¦e?¡± Alex¡¯s shock was palpable; he looked from Aliza to his father, his face ghostly.


    ¡°Dad, what are you talking about? What fianc¨¦e? Why am I only hearing about this now?¡±


    ¡°This arrangement was made long ago between Elbert and me,¡± Terrance exined, his voice steady with authority.


    ¡°NO!¡± Alex responded instantly.


    ¡°No?¡± Terrance¡¯s sneer was tinged with disdain. ¡°Remember, Alex, you are a howe. You don¡¯t get to choose your bride.¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± Alex began, only to be interrupted by Aliza.


    ¡°Alex, please stay calm.¡± She stepped in front of him, speaking softly, as though she were cating a child. ¡°I know you¡¯re upset right now, but our families have decided this. We need to respect that.¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡± Alex shot her an icy re. ¡°This is my personal business, nothing to do with you.¡±


    He shoved past the servant who stood in his way and stormed out of the house without a single backward nce.


    Behind him, Aliza¡¯s cries and Terrance¡¯s furious shouts echoed, but Alex didn¡¯t care.


    In the end, Aliza could only stand there in a daze, desperate tears streaming down her face. She had never imagined that Alex would cause such a scene at home¡ªall for a woman.


    ¡°Aliza, don¡¯t be upset.¡± Terrance walked up to her and patted her shoulder. ¡°Alex is just confused at the moment. Once he cools off and thinks things through, he wille to ept you.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Howe¡­¡± Aliza looked up at him, her eyes brimming with fresh tears. ¡°Do you really think so?¡±


    ¡°Definitely,¡± Terrance dered. ¡°This marriage was decided between our families a long time ago. It¡¯s set in stone, a done deal. Nothing can change it.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡± Aliza trailed off and bit her lower lip.


    ¡°No buts!¡± Terrance¡¯s voice rose slightly. ¡°Look, don¡¯t worry, all right? The Howe family will only recognize you as Alex¡¯s future wife.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Howe,¡± Aliza choked out, though his reassurance did nothing to calm her heart. She knew Alex all too well. He wasn¡¯t the type to relent once he made up his mind. If he was truly determined to be with Sadie, what was she to do? No. She couldn¡¯t let that happen. She had waited so many years for this moment. She refused to lose to Sadie.


    The thought brought a newfound determination to Aliza, and her eyes shed with a surprisingly ruthless glint. Gradually, she calmed down and wiped away her tears.


    ¡°I¡¯ll head back now,¡± she said. ¡°Have a good night, Mr. and Mrs. Howe.¡±


    ¡°All right, my dear. Be careful on your way,¡± Terrance replied with a kind nod. Aliza left the vi and got into her car. However, instead of starting the engine, she took out her phone and made a call.


    ¡°Hello?¡± A nervous voice came through the line after just one ring.


    ¡°Something terrible has happened, Miss Perry!¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°The people we sent to trash Sadie¡¯s studio,¡± the other person said, their voice trembling with fear. ¡°They were caught by Noah.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± All the color drained from Aliza¡¯s face. ¡°That can¡¯t be true!¡±


    ¡°But it is, Miss Perry. None of our men escaped. Noah rounded them all up.¡±


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    ¡°How is that possible?¡± Aliza muttered, her mind going nk. Hadn¡¯t she paid those thugs to leave town? How did Noah catch them all?


    ¡°What¡¯s the situation now?¡± Aliza forced the words out, her heart hammering in her chest.


    ¡°Sadie is still in the hospital,¡± came the reply. ¡°As for our men, they managed not to implicate you.¡±


    ¡°What did they say?¡± Aliza¡¯s voice was barely above a whisper.


    ¡°They¡­ They said it was Mrs. Susannah Howe who sent them.¡±


    ¡°Susannah?¡± Aliza repeated, momentarily taken aback. Then she understood. Earlier, when Alex returned home, he had angrily questioned Susannah about why she had hurt Sadie. So that was why.


    Aliza finally breathed a sigh of relief as her tense nerves rxed. ¡°At least they had the sense not to mention my name.¡±


    Things were fine as long as those thugs kept her name out of the matter.


    ¡°Miss Perry, what should we do now?¡± the person asked, worry and trepidation clear in their voice.


    ¡°What do you mean, what we should do?¡± Aliza snapped. ¡°Since they said it was Susannah, let Noah and the authorities believe it was her.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear any buts!¡± Aliza interrupted sharply. ¡°From now on, the incident has nothing to do with us. Do you understand?¡±


    ¡°Hmm. I understand.¡±


    ¡°Good. I have to go.¡± With that, Aliza hung up.


    She leaned back in her seat, closed her eyes, and let out a long breath.


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    Sadie¡­ Aliza wished that the woman would never wake up again.


    Meanwhile, at the hospital, the steady sound of the heart monitor echoed: Beep¡­ Beep¡­ Beep¡­


    The piercing sound of the rm shattered the tranquil silence inside the room.


    The once steady EKG line suddenly went wild, moving in an erratic pattern.


    ¡°Oh, no! The patient is going into cardiac arrest!¡±


    The doctor on duty turned pale as he rushed to Sadie¡¯s bedside, quickly assessing her condition.


    ¡°Prepare the defibritor! Administer one milligram of adrenaline intravenously!¡±


    The nurses sprang into action. In the blink of an eye, an entire team was working rapidly inside the room, and the air grew heavy with tension.


    Noah jolted awake from the cot, his eyes immediately going to the monitor. It felt as though his own heart struggled to beat as he watched the fluctuating line on the screen.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± he shouted in rm, barely recognizing his own voice amid the panic.


    ¡°Please stay calm, Mr. Wall. We¡¯re doing everything we can for the patient,¡± the doctor tried to reassure Noah, keeping his focus on the defibritor equipment they were setting up.


    ¡°What the hell!¡± Noah shoved a nurse aside and scrambled to Sadie¡¯s side. His eyes were red and wild with desperation as he reached for her pale face.


    ¡°Wake up, Sadie! Do you hear me? You can¡¯t die. I can¡¯t lose you. Wake up!¡±


    Noah couldn¡¯t even begin to imagine what he would do if Sadie left him like this. He didn¡¯t dare to think about it.


    ¡°Stand back! Ready!¡± The doctor adjusted the voltage before positioning the paddles on Sadie¡¯s chest.


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    ¡°Clear!¡± Bang!


    Sadie¡¯s body jerked violently. The line on the monitor remained erratic.


    ¡°Second charge. Ready! Clear!¡± Bang!


    The medical team repeated the process once more.


    Each time Sadie jerked, Noah felt a spark of hope, but then she would fall back onto the bed, limp and lifeless, and his heart would sink with hers.


    Noah could feel his legs weakening beneath him. The tips of his fingers had gone cold and mmy.


    He sped Sadie¡¯s hand and whispered over and over, ¡°Sadie, wake up¡­ Please¡­ Wake up¡­ Sadie, I was wrong¡­ I was so wrong¡­ I shouldn¡¯t have treated you like that..I shouldn¡¯t have doubted you¡­ Wake up, please. I swear, I will do anything you ask. Just open your eyes¡­ Please¡­¡±


    His words faltered toward the end, his tears streaming freely down his face.


    It was the first time he allowed himself to be vulnerable in front of others¡ªin front of a woman, no less.


    ¡°Third charge. Ready!¡± The doctor¡¯s voice rang out again, sounding more grave now. It was theirst attempt. If Sadie¡¯s heart didn¡¯t stabilize, they might lose her.


    ¡°Clear!¡± Bang!


    Noah¡¯s heart seemed to stop in time with Sadie¡¯s body. He felt time itself freeze.


    One second, two seconds, three seconds¡­


    It felt like a lifetime, a century, an eternity.


    Beep¡ªBeep¡ªBeep¡ª


    The monitor showed a steady heartbeat, a normal line.


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    ¡°The patient is stable!¡± a nurse cried out.


    A collective sigh of relief swept through the medical team. The doctor leaned against the bed, wiping the sweat from his forehead.


    Noah, however, was still in a daze. He stared at the monitor, unable to react.


    ¡°Are you all right, Mr. Wall?¡± the doctor asked, his concern evident.


    But Noah didn¡¯t respond. He just tightened his grip on Sadie¡¯s hand and pressed his thumb gently against the faint pulse on her wrist. Sadie wasn¡¯tpletely out of danger yet, but she was alive.


    That was enough. It had to be enough¡ªfor now.


    As long as she was alive, there was still hope.


    Noah stayed by Sadie¡¯s bedside for the next three days. He didn¡¯t eat or drink, his attention never straying from the heart monitor. He didn¡¯t want to miss even the slightest change.


    He sat motionless, like a statue. The only signs that he was alive were the steady rise and fall of his chest and the asional flutter of hisshes as he battled his inner demons.


    His eyes were sunken, and the stubble on his chin had grown, making him look haggard and deste.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, you haven¡¯t been back to thepany for several days now,¡± Samuel said quietly from the doorway. ¡°The board isn¡¯t pleased.¡±


    He had tried to persuade Noah multiple times to at least stop by Wall Group to handle urgent matters, but Noah remained steadfast in his refusal.


    ¡°How are things at thepany?¡± Noah croaked.


    ¡°Everything is more or less normal. However¡­¡± Samuel trailed off, obviously hesitant.


    Noah¡¯s brows furrowed in suspicion. ¡°However?¡±


    ¡°The board is extremely dissatisfied with your absence. Word is that they are conspiring behind your back to¡­ well, to overthrow you.¡± Samuel finished, bracing himself for Noah¡¯s fury.


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 Chapter 515

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    A cold, cruel glint flickered in Noah¡¯s eyes. ¡°What about the Howe Group?¡±


    Samuel¡¯s expression turned grim. ¡°The Howe Group has reached a coboration agreement with the Perry Group. Aliza and Alex are engaged to be married.¡±


    ¡°And Susannah?¡± Noah spat out, his voiceced with venom.


    ¡°Susannah has been staying at home for the past few days. She hasn¡¯t gone outside, so our men¡­ well, they had no reason to act.¡± Samuel lowered his head.


    Noah fell into a heavy silence.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, perhaps it¡¯s best if you return to thepany for now,¡± Samuel urged once more. ¡°The doctors and nurses here are verypetent. Everything will be fine. Besides¡­¡± His voice dropped to a whisper as he added, ¡°We¡¯ve been keeping Mrs. Wall¡¯s situation from Mrs. Stewart and Averi, but the boy keeps asking where his mother is. I¡¯m afraid we may not be able to keep it a secret for much longer.¡±


    Noah stiffened when he heard that.


    He had been so consumed by Sadie¡¯s condition that he hadpletely forgotten about her son.


    ¡°How is Averi?¡± Noah asked.


    ¡°He is doing well, but he misses his mother,¡± Samuel replied softly. ¡°Every day, hees up to me and asks when she will be back. At this point, I¡¯m running out of excuses to give him.¡±


    A flicker of guilt passed over Noah¡¯s face. He owed Sadie so much.


    He slowly got to his feet. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    He took onest nce at Sadie before turning away and walking out of the hospital room.


    Samuel followed quickly on his heels.


    ¡°Bring Averi over,¡± Noah suddenly said as they strode down the hallway.


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    ¡°What?¡± Samuel was momentarily stunned, but soon understood Noah¡¯s intention. ¡°I understand, Mr. Wall.¡±


    ¡°Wait.¡± Noah stopped short. He looked like he wanted to say something but second-guessed himself at thest second. ¡°Never mind. Let¡¯s wait until she wakes up.¡±


    Samuel stared at Noah¡¯s back and sighed to himself. He knew that Noah was worried about Averi¡¯s reaction if he saw his mother in such a state. They didn¡¯t want to frighten the child.


    Once back at Wall Group, Noah dove right in, handling the backlogs with his usual efficiency.


    Just as Samuel had warned, several senior shareholders made their move during the next shareholders¡¯ meeting. They criticized Noah for his absence and bluntly called for his removal from the position of CEO.


    ¡°Where have you been these past few days, Mr. Wall? Thepany is facing so many issues, yet you, the CEO, disappeared without a word. How can we entrust the future of thispany to you?¡± This came from a senior shareholder with gray hair.


    ¡°He is right, Mr. Wall! Your actions have been highly irresponsible.¡±


    ¡°Indeed. We chose you to be the CEO because we have faith in your abilities. That doesn¡¯t give you the right to just up and go as you please.¡±


    ¡°I agree.¡±


    Soon enough, the other shareholders chimed in with simr sentiments. They collectively attacked Noah and questioned his qualifications as CEO.


    Noah sat silently at the head of the long table, his face nk as he listened to their usations.


    These geezers were simply trying to seize more power, and they all knew it.


    ¡°Are you done?¡± Noah finally spoke once themotion started to die down. Although his tone was calm, itmanded the room with his distinct air of authority.


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 Chapter 516

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    ¡°If you¡¯re done, then I suppose it¡¯s my turn.¡± He swept his gaze over the room, his eyes like a scythe shing over the fields. ¡°As long as I keep thepany afloat, I will do things my way. It is not for you to interfere with my affairs. If you have any objections, speak to my assistant, and I will buy out all your shares, once and for all.¡± With that, he mmed his palms against the table and stood. ¡°Meeting adjourned!¡±


    He walked out of the conference room without a backward nce, leaving the shareholders exchanging furious nces with each other.


    ¡°Are you all right, Mr. Wall?¡± Samuel asked with concern as he trailed after Noah.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Noah waved off his concern. ¡°Look into the specifics of the Howe Group¡¯s coboration with the Perry Group.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir,¡± Samuel replied immediately.


    Noah returned to his office and began reviewing urgent documents.


    The next morning. The hospital¡¯s VIP ward.


    ¡°Mm¡­¡±


    Sadie slowly opened her eyes, though her vision was slightly blurred, as if she was looking through a thin mist.


    She blinked in an attempt to clear her vision, but her efforts had no effect.


    ¡°You¡¯re awake?¡± a gentle voice asked beside her.


    Sadie turned in its direction and vaguely saw a figure in all white, likely a nurse, changing her dressing.


    ¡°Where¡­ Where am I?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice was hoarse and weak.


    ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re awake, Mrs. Wall. You¡¯re in the hospital,¡± the nurse said softly, her hands moving with practiced efficiency as she tended to Sadie.


    Sadie fell silent.


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    She tried to squint and open her eyes wide, but everything around her remained a blur. What was happening?


    Panic set in immediately.


    No matter how hard she tried, Sadie could only make out indistinct outlines of her surroundings.


    ¡°I¡­ I can¡¯t see anything¡­¡± she said, her voice trembling.


    ¡°Please stay calm. I¡¯ll call the doctor.¡± The nurse quickly set down what she was holding and hurried out of the room.


    A few momentster, the doctor rushed in, followed by several nurses.


    The doctor conducted a thorough examination, carefully checking everything from Sadie¡¯s pupil response to the interior of her eyes. He was meticulous, not overlooking even the smallest detail.


    Once he finished, Sadie swallowed nervously and asked, ¡°How is it, doctor?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, ma¡¯am. It¡¯s just a side effect of the trauma,¡± the doctor said calmly as he put away his equipment. ¡°Your brain suffered a severe impact, which caused temporary damage to your optic nerve. It should recover on its own over time.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Sadie felt a wave of relief, but the worry still lingered. ¡°How long will it take?¡±


    ¡°It varies from person to person. Some recover in a few days, while others may take months,¡± the doctor exined patiently. ¡°The most important thing right now is for you to rest well and maintain a positive outlook. That will greatly aid your recovery.¡±


    Sadie nodded, finally feeling a sense of ease. As long as she could recover, the time it took didn¡¯t matter.


    It was only then that she remembered something else. ¡°How long have I been unconscious?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been in aa for four days. Mr. Wall has been by your side the entire time. He just left a little while ago.¡±


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 Chapter 517

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    ¡°Noah?¡± Sadie¡¯s heart skipped a beat, a mix of emotions rising in her chest.


    Had he really stayed with her? Why? Was it out of guilt, or¡­ something else? Sadie didn¡¯t dare to think about it, afraid she might read into things that weren¡¯t there.


    ¡°Doctor,¡± Sadie began, hesitating for a few seconds. ¡°Would it be possible if you didn¡¯t tell him I¡¯ve woken up? Not yet, anyway.¡±


    The doctor looked concerned. ¡°I¡­ understand, but why?¡±


    ¡°I just need some time to clear my head,¡± Sadie replied softly. ¡°There are things I need to figure out on my own.¡±


    ¡°I see. I suppose it¡¯s fine,¡± the doctor said, nodding in agreement.


    Sadie breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Her biggest concern at the moment was the situation with the Howe family.


    ¡°Doctor, have you heard any news about the Howe family?¡± she asked tentatively.


    ¡°Well¡­¡± The doctor cocked his head to the side before shaking it. ¡°I¡¯m a doctor, not someone who keeps up with the financial world.¡±


    Sadie felt disappointed by the response, but she knew she couldn¡¯t me him. ¡°In that case, can I be discharged? I¡¯d like to look into the current news myself.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid that¡¯s impossible, ma¡¯am,¡± the doctor replied immediately. ¡°Your current physical state absolutely forbids you from leaving the hospital. Like I said, your brain suffered severe damage trauma. You needplete rest, or there could beplications, and they could be very serious.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡± Sadie began to protest, but the doctor raised a hand to stop her. ¡°I will not budge on this,¡± he said firmly. ¡°You need to stay in the hospital for further observation until your condition ispletely stable.¡±


    ¡°All right,¡± Sadie replied with a resigned sigh. She had no choice but to ept staying in the hospital for now.


    Then another thought crossed her mind. ¡°In that case, may I see someone, doctor? I¡¯d like to see my colleague, Nte Barton.¡±


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    The doctor paused, considering it for a moment. ¡°Your colleague?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Sadie nodded.


    ¡°I¡¯ll need to get approval for that. Given your condition, you can¡¯t meet with just anyone.¡±


    ¡°Thank you in advance, doctor,¡± Sadie said softly.


    ¡°You¡¯re wee,¡± the doctor replied with a smile before turning to leave the room.


    The nurses followed him out, leaving Sadie alone.


    Shey back in bed, staring at the ceiling as her thoughts raced. She had no idea what had been happening while she was unconscious.


    How was the Howe family doing? What else had Noah done?


    As the minutes dragged on, Sadie¡¯s anxiety only grew.


    How long would she have to wait to learn the truth?


    Later, when the sky had darkened, the door to her room opened again, and a familiar figure entered.


    ¡°Sadie!¡± Nte cried, her eyes welling with tears when she saw Sadie on the bed. ¡°You finally woke up! You had me worried sick.¡±


    ¡°Hello, Nte.¡± Sadie mustered a smile, a surge of emotions rising in her chest. ¡°Don¡¯t cry. I¡¯m all right now.¡±


    Nte hurried to Sadie¡¯s bedside and took her hands, looking her over carefully, as if to ensure the medical staff hadn¡¯t made her condition any worse. ¡°You have no idea how worried I was!¡± Nte said, her voice thick with emotion.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for worrying you,¡± Sadie replied softly.


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 Chapter 518

    ?Chapter 518:


    Nte shook her head and wiped away her tears. ¡°All that matters is that you¡¯re okay now.¡±


    ¡°Nte¡­¡± Sadie paused, her voice steady but filled with concern. ¡°Have you heard anything about the Howe family? How are they doing?¡±


    Nte¡¯s expression grew grim. She hesitated for a moment, then chose to tell Sadie the truth.


    ¡°The Howe family has allied with the Perry family,¡± she said in a low voice. ¡°They¡¯ve struck a marriage agreement and are now teaming up against Wall Group.¡±


    ¡°What? Are you sure?¡±


    Sadie bolted upright, a sharp jolt of pain shooting through the back of her head. She quickly brushed it off. None of that mattered now.


    ¡°And Noah? How is he¡ªhow is he handling this?¡±


    Nte reached out, steadying her with gentle hands. ¡°Sadie, please, take it easy. You¡¯re still recovering. The doctor insisted you rest.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care¡ªI need to know!¡± Sadie shrugged off Nte¡¯s touch, her fists clenched. ¡°Tell me, what happened next?¡± Her pulse raced, her breath uneven.


    The Howe and Perry families¡ªpowerhouses in the business world¡ªhad formed an alliance.


    But that wasn¡¯t why she felt this gnawing unease. Wait. Was she actually¡­ worried about Noah?


    Nte hesitated for only a moment before deciding toy it all out, seeing the worry etched on Sadie¡¯s face. ¡°Sadie, don¡¯t stress yourself. Mr. Wall is a master tactician. Even with the Howe and Perry families joining forces, his strategy ensured that Wall Group didn¡¯t take a single loss. In the end¡­ it was a stalemate. Neither side gained the upper hand.¡±


    ¡°A stalemate¡­¡± Sadie repeated the words under her breath, a flicker of relief easing the tightness in her chest. But something about that didn¡¯t sit right.


    Noah Wall¡ªepting a draw? No. That wasn¡¯t his nature. He didn¡¯t operate on equal terms with anyone.


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    He dictated the rules, controlled the board, and yed the long game to win. Always.


    Her brow furrowed as unease crept back in. ¡°Nte¡­ are you absolutely sure about that?¡± She fixed her gaze on Nte, searching for any trace of uncertainty.


    Nte shifted ufortably. ¡°Well¡­ I can¡¯t say for sure. I don¡¯t have direct ess to Mr. Wall¡¯s inner dealings¡­¡±


    Taking a slow breath, Sadie shifted gears. ¡°And the studio¡­ the vandalism. Have the police found any leads?¡± Her voice was softer now.


    Her fingers twisted the bed sheet unconsciously, her knuckles turning white. She barely noticed¡ªtoo caught up in the storm of thoughts swirling in her mind. Even here, in a hospital bed, she couldn¡¯t shut out the weight of work, the gnawing worry pressing against her chest.


    Nte watched her closely, concern evident in her sigh.


    ¡°Sadie, please¡­ don¡¯t stress yourself. This is in capable hands. Mr. Ford¡ªMr. Wall¡¯s assistant¡ªhas been handling it from the start. If the police uncover anything, Mr. Ford will be the first to follow up.¡±


    ¡°Samuel¡­¡± Sadie uttered the name, her brows knitting together in thought. Samuel was Noah¡¯s most trusted confidant¡ªsharp, efficient, and unwaveringly loyal.


    If he was on top of things, then surely, nothing could spiral out of control¡­ right? Nte¡¯s voice softened. ¡°Sadie, please. Just focus on getting better. That¡¯s what matters most right now.¡±


    Sadie murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, her gaze distant. She knew Nte was only trying tofort her, but her mind wouldn¡¯t settle. Thoughts of Noah spun endlessly in her head, refusing to be ignored.


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 Chapter 519

    ?Chapter 519:


    Nte¡¯s voice cut through the silence. ¡°Sadie, is there anything you¡¯d like to eat? I can bring you something tomorrow.¡±


    Sadie blinked, forcing a smile. ¡°I don¡¯t really have an appetite. Don¡¯t trouble yourself.¡±


    How could she think about food when all she could think about was Noah? Then, like a switch flipping, something inside her snapped. ¡°NO. I can¡¯t just sit here and do nothing.¡±


    Her eyes were sharp with sudden resolve. Without another thought, she flung off the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed.


    ¡°Sadie! What are you doing?¡± Nte¡¯s startled voice rang out as she lunged forward to stop her.


    ¡°I¡¯m getting out of here.¡± Sadie¡¯s voice was steady, unyielding. ¡°I can¡¯t just lie here waiting¡ªI need to find out what¡¯s really going on.¡±


    Nte¡¯s face paled. ¡°But your health¡ªSadie, you¡¯re still recovering!¡± Her voice wavered, thick with worry, her eyes ssy with unshed tears.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Sadie pushed Nte¡¯s hand away, her voice firm, unwavering.


    ¡°Nte, don¡¯t try to stop me. I have to go.¡±


    Her body was weak, every movement a battle against her own frailty, but she forced herself upright, her steps unsteady but determined.


    ¡°Sadie! Stop!¡± Nte¡¯s voice cracked, thick with tears and frustration. She knew Sadie too well¡ªonce her mind was set, there was no changing it. Stubborn didn¡¯t even begin to describe her.


    Sadie didn¡¯t acknowledge the desperation in Nte¡¯s tone. She just kept moving.


    Reaching the wardrobe, she yanked it open, rifling through her clothes with single-minded determination. Every motion, though slightly shaky, was deliberate.


    Nte could only watch, worried, her heart sinking as Sadie braced herself to walk out into whatever storm awaited her.


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    ¡°Doctor! Doctor! Please, stop her! She¡¯s trying to leave the hospital!¡± Nte¡¯s panicked cry rang through the corridor, her voice trembling as tears welled in her eyes.


    Within moments, the doctor rushed in, only to find Sadie already dressed, her determination as clear as day. His expression darkened with concern. ¡°Miss Hudson, you¡¯re in no condition to be discharged. If you leave now, you¡¯ll risk seriousplications.¡±


    Sadie met his gaze, unwavering. ¡°Doctor, I understand my condition perfectly. But I have something far more important to do.¡±


    The doctor opened his mouth to protest, but was cut off.


    ¡°Don¡¯t waste your breath, Doctor.¡± Sadie¡¯s tone was final, cutting through the room like a de. ¡°My decision is made. Nothing will change it.¡±


    ¡°Sadie, you really are something.¡± A low, cold voice sliced through the air like a sudden gust of winter wind. Sadie¡¯s breath caught. The certainty in her chest wavered, her entire body freezing mid-step.


    Slowly, she turned. Noah stood at the doorway, tall, imposing, his broad shoulders framed by the crisp lines of his impably tailored ck suit. Every inch of him radiated quiet authority.


    But his eyes¡­ Those deep, prating eyes locked onto her with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.


    Without breaking his gaze, he stepped forward.


    ¡°Noah?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice wavered, barely above a whisper. She hadn¡¯t expected to see him. Not here. Not now.


    Her mind scrambled for words¡ªan exnation, anything¡ªbut nothing came.


    ¡°Everyone. Out.¡± Noah¡¯s voice was ice¡ªcold,manding, absolute.


    His gaze was unreadable, his presence suffocating, heavy as a storm about to break.


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 Chapter 520

    Chapter 520:


    The doctor and Nte exchanged uneasy nces, a flicker of fear passing between them.


    Defying Noah was not an option. Silently, they obeyed, slipping out of the room, the door clicking shut behind them.


    The sound echoed in the vast stillness. Sadie¡¯s heart clenched.


    Now, it was just the two of them.


    The air in the room thickened, charged with intensity as Noah took a slow, deliberate step forward. Then another. And another.


    ¡°Sadie, are you really so desperate to leave me?¡± His deep voice shattered the silence.


    ¡°That¡¯s not¡­¡± She wanted to deny it, to exin¡ªbut the words barely left her lips before Noah cut her off. ¡°That¡¯s not what you were doing? Then, what the hell were you doing? Come on, tell me!¡± Noah pointed at Sadie¡¯s outfit, his tone stern and angry.


    ¡°Do you even understand the state you¡¯re in? Your head wound hasn¡¯t healed, and yet you¡¯re trying to walk out of here? What are you trying to do¡ªkill yourself?¡±


    Sadie flinched, momentarily stunned by the sheer force of his anger. She parted her lips, but no words came out.


    ¡°Lie down. Now.¡± Before she could react, Noah¡¯s hands were on her shoulders, pushing her back onto the bed.


    ¡°Hey¡ª¡± A sharp gasp escaped her as pain red at the back of her head.


    Her body tensed, her vision momentarily blurring.


    Noah¡¯s jaw tightened. The moment he saw her wince, saw the color drain from her face, something shifted in his expression. His anger wavered, a flicker of regret surfacing in his dark eyes. He¡¯d been too harsh. Too forceful.


    For a brief second, his fingers hovered as if he wanted to check on her, to see if she was okay. But then the memory of her reckless attempt to leave reignited the fire in his chest.


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    Clenching his jaw, he forced himself to rein in his frustration. His tone, though still firm, softened¡ªjust slightly. ¡°Sadie, listen to me. You¡¯re not going anywhere.


    You will stay in this bed and recover. Understood?¡±


    Sadie opened her mouth, but before she could get another word out¡ª


    ¡°Enough!¡± Noah cut her off.


    ¡°Not another word. You don¡¯t need to exin anything. You don¡¯t need to do anything. Just stay put and rest.¡±


    His tone, though less harsh than before, carried finality.


    Sadie stared at Noah¡¯s stern face, frustration and grievance swelling in her chest.


    ¡°Can you at least hear me out, Noah? What exactly happened between Wall Group and the Howe Group?¡±


    She locked eyes with him, searching for answers, determined to uncover the truth.


    Noah exhaled sharply, irritation flickering across his features.


    He didn¡¯t want her involved in this¡ªdidn¡¯t want her anywhere near the chaos brewing beneath the surface.


    But he knew Sadie. If he kept her in the dark, she wouldn¡¯t stop until she uncovered everything herself. And that¡­ that was far too dangerous.


    Better she heard it from him than risk her life chasing after it.


    ¡°The Howe Group¡­¡± His words were deliberate. ¡°They got exactly what they deserved.¡±


    He didn¡¯t borate. He didn¡¯t soften the blow. He simply delivered the truth in a voice devoid of sympathy.


    ¡°Deserved?¡± Sadie echoed his word, eyes widening.


    She had known the Howe and Perry families had joined forces against Wall Group, but still¡ªhearing what Noah said sent a chill down her spine.


    .


    .


    .<hr>


    Message from Noah:


    Hello, dear readers! Sorry for the dy this week ¡ª my birthday was two days ago, and I didn¡¯t have much time to release the chapters.


    Two new novels will be released tomorrow. I hope you enjoy them!


    God loves you, and Noah wishes you all the best. (?O?=)? ?


    .

 Chapter 521

    ?Chapter 521:


    Her fingers curled into fists at her sides. ¡°Noah¡­ have you misunderstood something?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s voice trembled slightly, and disbelief clouded her expression. ¡°You must have misunderstood, Alex.¡±


    ¡°Misunderstood?¡± Noah¡¯s sneer cut through the air. ¡°Sadie, don¡¯t be so naive. Do you actually think Alex is decent? He¡¯s a businessman, driven purely by family interests. To achieve his goals, he¡¯ll stop at nothing, regardless of the consequences.¡±


    Noah¡¯s harsh words struck Sadie like a series of blows, wounding her. ¡°No¡­ That can¡¯t be¡­¡± she murmured, her tears now uncontroble, streaming down her face.


    Noah¡¯s expression hardened. He grasped Sadie¡¯s chin, forcing her eyes to meet his.


    ¡°Listen, Sadie. You¡¯re to stay in this hospital and avoid causing any trouble! Step out of line again, and you can say goodbye to your studio.¡±


    His threat widened Sadie¡¯s eyes with shock.


    ¡°What¡­ What are you saying, Noah?¡±


    ¡°My point is clear.¡± Noah¡¯s look was icy as he spoke.


    He then turned and left the room without a second nce.


    ¡°Noah, wait!¡± Sadie attempted to rise from her bed, but a sharp pain from her head wound made her gasp and fall back.


    Powerless, she watched Noah walk out of the room.


    ¡°Noah¡­ You bastard!¡± Sadie copsed back onto the bed, her tears unabated. She understood Noah¡¯s serious tone; defying him would mean the end of her studio.


    Her studio was her passion, her life¡¯s work¡ªshe couldn¡¯t afford to lose it.


    Noah exited the hospital room, the door mming behind him.


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    In the corridor, he took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, trying to quell the rising irritation and anger inside him. He acknowledged his loss of control. He shouldn¡¯t have attacked Sadie verbally or made such harsh threats.


    But his emotions had gotten the better of him.


    He couldn¡¯t bear to see Sadie constantly endangering herself or maintaining secrets and distance.


    The Howe family had hurt his woman, and he wasn¡¯t about to let them off the hook easily. No way!


    He turned to Nte, who stood nearby with her head bowed, clearly avoiding his gaze.


    ¡°Mr. Wall¡­¡± Nte¡¯s voice quivered.


    Noah remained silent, gesturing for her to go on.


    ¡°Sadie¡­ She insisted on being discharged early, and we¡­ we couldn¡¯t stop her,¡± Nte stammered, her fear of Noah¡¯s reaction palpable.


    ¡°I understand,¡± Noah replied, his tone even and emotionless.


    He walked to the corridor window, lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag. The nicotine soothed his nerves and helped clear his mind.


    Staring into the night sky, he seemed lost in thought.


    Soon, a doctor in a white coat approached, holding a medical record.


    ¡°Excuse me, Mr. Wall,¡± the doctor said with respect.


    Noah faced him and inquired, ¡°How is she?¡±


    The doctor opened the medical record. ¡°Mrs. Wall has awakened and is past the critical phase. She needs rest, but¡­ but¡­¡±


    ¡°But what?¡± Noah interjected, his brow creasing.


    ¡°Her emotional state is very unstable, which hinders her recovery. She¡¯s also experiencing temporary blurred vision, though it should resolve on its own,¡± the doctor exined earnestly. ¡°Since waking, she¡¯s been inquiring about Wall Group and the Howe family. We¡­ we haven¡¯t disclosed anything¡­¡±


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 Chapter 522

    ?Chapter 522:


    Noah nodded, signaling hisprehension. ¡°Ensure she receives excellent care and update me immediately with any changes.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Mr. Wall,¡± the doctor affirmed and then departed.


    Noah finished his cigarette and disposed of it in the trash.


    He turned to Nte with a stern expression. ¡°Stay here and watch over her. She is not to leave the hospital without my permission. Understood?¡±


    ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall,¡± Nte replied promptly.


    With nothing more to say, Noah exited the hospital.


    He slid into his car, ignited the engine, and sped away.


    At the hospital entrance, a ck car lingered quietly.


    The window rolled down slowly, unveiling a face both exquisite and cold. Aliza watched Noah¡¯s car vanish into the darkness, her lips twisting into a sneer.


    ¡°The hospital is now under the watch of Noah¡¯s bodyguards, so it looks like there¡¯s no chance to take another shot at Sadie for the time being¡­ Lucky her.¡± Aliza scoffed softly, clearly displeased with the situation.


    ¡°Drive to Willowbranch Vi,¡± shemanded the driver, her tone icy and determined.


    ¡°Right away, Miss Perry,¡± the driver responded, firing up the engine and pulling away from the hospital.


    Nestled at the foot of a mountain on the city¡¯s outskirts, Willowbranch Vi was Alex¡¯s private sanctuary. The property was ensconced in lush greenery, providing a tranquil setting.


    Aliza¡¯s intent in visiting was clear: she needed to see Alex.


    Following a significant rift with his father, Terrance, over Sadie, Alex had retreated here, isting himself from everyone.


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    Aliza was aware of Alex¡¯s deep feelings for Sadie, which she found intolerable. She could not ept Alex forsaking their families¡¯ nned marriage alliance for Sadie, nor his apparent betrayal.


    Determined to sway Alex back to her side, Aliza arrived at the gates of Willowbranch Vi and stepped out of the car.


    The security guards, recognizing her, swiftly opened the gates.


    ¡°Good to see you again, Miss Perry,¡± one guard greeted with respect.


    Aliza nodded silently and continued inside. In the vi, Alex was found in the living room, seated on the sofa with a ss of red wine in hand, deep in contemtion.


    Hearing footsteps, Alex looked up to see Aliza entering. His expression tightened.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± His tone was cool.


    Aliza approached and sat down on the sofa across from him, her smile charming yet calcted.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Alex? Aren¡¯t you pleased to see me?¡± she teased.


    Alex remained silent, focusing instead on his wine.


    ¡°Alex, must things reallye to this?¡± Aliza¡¯s voice softened. ¡°I understand you¡¯re upset, but you can¡¯t discard what we have over Sadie.¡±


    ¡°What we have?¡± Alex scoffed. ¡°What do we really have, Aliza? We¡¯re just pieces in our families¡¯ schemes.¡±


    ¡°How can you say that?¡± Aliza¡¯s smile faded, her tone turning sharp. ¡°You know my feelings for you.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± Alex acknowledged. ¡°But my feelings aren¡¯t the same.¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± Aliza was momentarily speechless, herplexion paling.


    ¡°Alex, remember our families¡¯ expectations for this marriage. Aren¡¯t you concerned about defying your father with such behavior?¡± she pressed, attempting to sway Alex with the weight of family obligations.


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 Chapter 523

    ?Chapter 523:


    ¡°My father?¡± Alex¡¯sugh was bitter. ¡°He¡¯s only interested in our family¡¯s gains. Since when has he considered my feelings?¡±


    Aliza trembled with anger. ¡°Alex, you¡¯ll regret this!¡±


    ¡°Regret?¡± Alex shook his head dismissively. ¡°My only regret is ever meeting you.¡± He finished his wine in one gulp and left the room.


    Aliza stared after him, her eyes seething with fury and defiance.


    ¡°Alex, you won¡¯t get your way. And Sadie, she won¡¯t escape my wrath either,¡± she hissed, her voiceced with venom.


    Meanwhile, Sadiey restless in her hospital bed, her mind tormented. Noah¡¯s words pierced her like thorns, leaving her feeling trapped and breathless.


    The next morning, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, bathing Sadie¡¯s pale face in a gentle glow.


    Her eyelids fluttered open, yet her vision stayed blurred.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, you¡¯re awake?¡± A nurse walked into the room, her toneced with concern.


    ¡°How are you feeling? Any difort?¡±


    ¡°My eyesight seems to be getting worse¡­¡± Sadie¡¯s voice quavered.


    The nurse¡¯s expression shifted to rm. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Miss Hudson. I¡¯ll call the doctor immediately.¡±


    Shortly after, an ophthalmologist arrived to examine Sadie.


    After a thorough examination and a few questions, the ophthalmologist offered a reassuring conclusion.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, try not to worry. Your condition is reversible. I¡¯ll prescribe some medication. Follow the directions, rest well, and stay positive. Your vision should improve gradually.¡±


    Relieved, Sadie nodded.


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    The doctor offered some advice and then exited the room.


    The nurse handed Sadie a ss of warm water to help her take her medication. ¡°Miss Hudson, please rest. If you need anything at all, just let me know,¡± the nurse advised warmly.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Sadie murmured.


    Once alone, Sadiey back, but sleep eluded her.


    Her mind churned with thoughts, tangled and jumbled, keeping her from finding peace.


    ¡°Noah¡­ What do you really want from me?¡± she whispered, her voiceden with emotion.


    Outside her door, the muted tones of a conversation caught her attention. Sadie strained to listen, her blurred vision making out two nurses at the doorway, murmuring to each other.


    ¡°I heard Mr. Wall is deeply concerned about Miss Hudson¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, he even brought in a top ophthalmologist from abroad. Not just anyone gets that kind of treatment¡­¡±


    ¡°Hey, what do you think about Miss Hudson¡¯s background? To have Mr. Wall so devoted¡­¡±


    ¡°Who knows? But judging by Mr. Wall¡¯s actions, she must be special to him¡­¡±


    ¡°That makes sense¡­¡±


    The quiet conversation of the nurses reached Sadie¡¯s ears.


    A wave of bitterness washed over her.


    Did Noah truly care about her?


    Possibly.


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 Chapter 524

    ?Chapter 524:


    Yet, how enduring could his concern be?


    Sadie smiled ruefully at herself, her mood darkening.


    She would prefer Noah¡¯s indifference over this superficial concern.


    Such care only intensified her pain and confusion.


    Meanwhile, in avish vi on the city¡¯s outskirts, Alex slowly awoke. He rubbed his eyes, groggy, his head throbbing.


    The night before, he had drowned his sorrows in alcohol, hoping to numb the pain and escape his problems.


    However, the effects of the alcohol had worn off, and reality was waiting for him as he awoke.


    He rose from bed, walked to the window, and pulled open the curtains.


    Bright sunlight flooded the room, momentarily blinding him.


    Squinting, he looked out at the familiarndscape, feeling utterly lost. Uncertain of his next steps, he pondered how to face Sadie, handle the pressure from Aliza, and navigate the demands of his family.


    ¡°Ring. Ring. Ring¡­¡± His phone¡¯s sudden ring jolted him from his thoughts. Alex picked it up and saw it was his assistant, Stan Cabot. After hesitating for a moment, he answered. ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°Mr. Howe, you finally answered!¡± Stan¡¯s voice wasced with concern. ¡°Where have you been these past few days? I¡¯ve been calling repeatedly, worried sick.¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± Alex¡¯s voice was rough.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Stan. Just needed some time alone.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Howe, I¡¯m d you¡¯re okay,¡± Stan replied, his voice heavy with relief. ¡°But if you don¡¯t return soon, there¡¯s going to be significant trouble at Howe Group.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡± Alex¡¯s brow furrowed.


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    ¡°Miss Aliza Perry has been appointed as the general manager of Howe Group,¡± Stan replied. ¡°Now, the Perry and Howe families are joining forces, preparing to take on Wall Group together.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Alex was shocked. ¡°How is this possible? Why would my father agree to this?¡±


    ¡°Your father waspelled by the circumstances,¡± Stan exined, his voice heavy. ¡°The Perry family is now fully cooperating with Howe Group.¡±


    Alex was silent for a moment.


    He knew Stan was telling the truth.


    Ever since his disagreement with Terrance, Terrance had been utterly disappointed in him.


    Terrance¡¯s decision to form an alliance with the Perry family for the sake of their family interests was predictable.


    However, Alex hadn¡¯t expected things to escte so quickly.


    ¡°What are you nning to do now?¡± Stan inquired. ¡°Do you want toe back and see for yourself?¡±


    After a brief hesitation, Alex responded, ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll return immediately.¡± Ending the call, Alex felt the weight of his decision.


    He quickly freshened up, changed into clean clothes, and left his vi.


    Shortly thereafter, he drove directly to Howe Group headquarters.


    His mind was burdened, haunted by thoughts of Sadie.


    In the general manager¡¯s office at Howe Group headquarters, Aliza sat behind her desk, stirring her coffee with a slight, triumphant smile.


    Since being appointed as the general manager, she had been tightening her grip on thepany.


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 Chapter 525

    ?Chapter 525:


    She had rallied a group of loyal employees around her while marginalizing her detractors.


    Now, she had firmly taken control at Howe Group, bing its de facto leader.


    ¡°Knock, knock, knock.¡± The sudden sound interrupted Aliza¡¯s thoughts.


    ¡°Come in,¡± she said calmly.


    The door opened, and an employee entered.


    ¡°Miss Perry, here¡¯s the coffee you requested,¡± said the employee respectfully.


    ¡°Thank you; just leave it there,¡± Aliza directed him.


    After the employee ced the coffee on the desk and left, Aliza took a sip, smiling in satisfaction.


    She savored the feeling ofplete control, relishing her newfound authority. She felt a surge of pride, finally shedding thebel of ¡°Mr. Howe¡¯s secretary¡± to embrace her true role as a leading figure in thepany.


    She even allowed herself to daydream about someday being known as ¡°Mrs. Howe.¡±


    ¡°Good morning, everyone.¡± Aliza stood up and addressed the employees outside her office. ¡°I¡¯ve brought coffee for everyone today. I hope you all enjoy it.¡±


    Her announcement was met with a burst of enthusiastic apuse from the staff.


    ¡°Thank you, Miss Perry!¡±


    ¡°Miss Perry, you¡¯re amazing!¡±


    ¡°Thank you so much, Miss Perry.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how to express my gratitude¡­¡±


    The employees shared their thanks, their faces glowing with excitement and appreciation.


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    They were surprised to learn that the former secretary to Mr. Howe was actually a member of the Perry family and likely the future wife of Howe Group¡¯s CEO.


    ¡°You¡¯re wee. Thank you all for your hard work,¡± Aliza responded with a smile. ¡°From now on, we¡¯re one family. I hope we can all work together to make Howe Group even better.¡±


    ¡°We will!¡± the employees replied in unison, their voices strong and spirited.


    Aliza nodded, pleased with their reaction.


    She felt confident that she had gained the employees¡¯ support.


    ¡°Miss Perry, you¡¯re incredible!¡± an employee eximed. ¡°You¡¯ve transformed thepany atmosphere since your arrival. I admire you so much.¡±


    ¡°Exactly, Miss Perry, you¡¯re our role model!¡± another added.


    ¡°I agree¡­¡±


    Amid the praise, Aliza offered a subtle smile, choosing to remain silent. Suddenly, the office door burst open.


    Alex entered with a stern look.


    ¡°Alex? What¡­ Why are you here?¡± Aliza¡¯s smile faltered, a flicker of panic in her eyes.


    She hadn¡¯t anticipated Alex¡¯s sudden appearance.


    ¡°Good morning, Mr. Howe.¡±


    ¡°Hello, Mr. Howe.¡±


    The employees greeted Alex with surprise and confusion.


    ¡°What are you doing here, Aliza?¡± Alex¡¯s tone was icy and charged with anger.


    Aliza faltered under Alex¡¯s intense gaze, stammering, ¡°I¡¯m here for work, of course¡­¡±


    ¡°For work?¡± Alex said with a sneer.


    Words failed Aliza as Alex¡¯s derision washed over her, herplexion turning from pale to flushed.


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 Chapter 526

    ?Chapter 526:


    ¡°Alex, remember, I am now the general manager of Howe Group.¡±


    ¡°General manager?¡± Alex¡¯s sneer deepened. ¡°You know exactly how younded that position!¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± Anger made Aliza¡¯s voice quiver. ¡°Don¡¯t push me too far, Alex!¡±


    ¡°Aliza, I¡¯m here to inform you that as of today, you are no longer the general manager of Howe Group.¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± Aliza¡¯s expression shifted drastically at Alex¡¯s deration.


    ¡°You can¡¯t do this to me, Alex! You have no right to treat me this way!¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Alex shouted. ¡°Leave now! From this moment, I never want to see you again.¡±


    ¡°You asked her to leave? Where should she go?¡± Terrance¡¯s voice boomed through the corridor like a p of thunder. He approached with long, determined strides.


    Even in his advanced years, his tall andmanding presence still reflected the handsome, upright man he once was.


    Time had etched its marks on his face, yet his enduring authority rendered him naturally imposing.


    His piercing gaze swept the room, finallynding on Alex with undisguised anger.


    ¡°Come here, Alex,¡± Terrancemanded, pointing towards the chair in the office nearby. ¡°You too, Aliza.¡±


    Aliza followed without hesitation, her demeanor subdued. As she passed Alex, she turned slightly, offering him a look filled with mixed emotions, as though she wanted to speak but restrained herself.


    Alex felt a sinking feeling.


    It was rare for Terrance to address him with such severity, especially in front of the employees.


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    It seemed this issue might not be resolved easily.


    Taking a deep breath to quell his frustration, Alex followed them.


    The chairman¡¯s office at Howe Group was spacious and opulently furnished.


    Terrance sat behind arge desk, his expression stormy.


    His hands were sped on the desk, his knuckles whitening with tension.


    Alex stood firmly, meeting his father¡¯s gaze with unwavering determination. Aliza stood slightly to the side, her head bowed, projecting an image of obedience and calm, her thoughts unreadable.


    ¡°Exin yourself. What are you attempting to do?¡± Terrance¡¯s voice was low and controlled.


    ¡°Dad, I¡¯m only trying to do what¡¯s best for thepany,¡± Alex replied, his voice calm yet assertive. ¡°The issues with Wall Group¡¯s maritime trade project were our fault, leading to dys and a breach of contract. We should proactively reach out to Wall Group to negotiate and find a solution, instead of escting conflicts that could lead to mutual ruin.¡±


    ¡°Negotiate? Find a solution?¡± Terrance scoffed, his eyes brimming with disdain. ¡°Do you think Noah is some kind of saint who will easily forgive us? You¡¯re too naive.¡±


    ¡°Dad, in business, there are no eternal enemies, only interests that never die. Wall Group may be powerful, but they are not unbeatable. As long as we¡­¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Terrance mmed the desk, cutting Alex off. ¡°Quiet! You know nothing. You think you understand the business world better than I do? Ridiculous!¡±


    ¡°Dad, I¡­¡± Alex began to counter, but the sharpness in Terrance¡¯s gaze silenced him.


    ¡°Aliza has conducted an investigation. She uncovered the true cause.¡± Terrance¡¯s tone softened but retained its firm authority. ¡°The issues with the maritime trade weren¡¯t idental. Noah orchestrated it. They set us up to force us into a corner, aiming to take over Howe Group.¡±


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 Chapter 527

    ?Chapter 527:


    Alex, stunned, turned to Aliza. ¡°Is this true?¡±


    Aliza looked up, her eyes steady, her voice resolute. ¡°Alex, I wouldn¡¯t deceive you. All the evidence I¡¯ve gathered points directly to Noah; he¡¯s been manipting everything from behind the scenes.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    Alex struggled with the revtion. He knew Noah to be ruthless, yet he had always conducted himself with integrity. How could he be involved in such deceit?


    They had grown up together, and he thought he understood his old friend.


    ¡°No buts!¡± Terrance interjected firmly. ¡°Alex, this is not the time for rash decisions. Howe Group and Wall Group are at a point where it¡¯s either us or them. You need to cooperate with Aliza, confront the Wall Group, and safeguard Howe Group.¡±


    Alex remained silent.


    He understood his father¡¯s resolve; once Terrance made up his mind, it was nearly impossible to sway him.


    The evidence Aliza presented also made him reconsider his perspective on Noah.


    ¡°I understand, Dad.¡± Alex¡¯s voice was low, slightly rough. ¡°I¡¯ll give it my all.¡±


    ¡°You must prevail!¡± Terrance¡¯s voice hardened. ¡°Alex, you¡¯re my son. You cannot afford to lose, especially not to Noah.¡±


    Alex responded only by tightening his fists.


    ¡°Also,¡± Terrance said, his voice softening, ¡°be kinder to Aliza. She has been instrumental to you and Howe Group. Don¡¯t disappoint her.¡±


    Aliza trembled slightly at these words. She looked at Alex, her eyes conveying both hope and a trace of grievance.


    Alex nced at her, a wave of irritation washing over him.


    He was aware of her feelings for him and everything she had done on his behalf, yet he couldn¡¯t shake his feelings for Sadie.


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    ¡°Dad,¡± Alex began, attempting to rify, but Aliza cut him off.


    ¡°Mr. Howe, please,¡± she said, shaking her head, ¡°Alex is simply overwhelmed with work. It¡¯s alright.¡±


    Aliza¡¯s voice quivered with suppressed emotion, casting her in a particrly sympathetic light.


    Terrance regarded her, a fleeting trace of sympathy appearing in his eyes. ¡°Aliza, you¡¯re a good girl. Don¡¯t worry. As long as I¡¯m here, I won¡¯t let Alex mistreat you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Howe.¡± Aliza bowed her head, the corners of her lips twitching into a faint smile.


    ¡°Alright, Aliza. You may leave now. I need to speak with Alex,¡± Terrance said.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Aliza replied meekly and turned to leave the office.


    As she closed the door behind her, the faint smile disappeared, reced by a steely expression.


    Inside the office, Terrance turned his cold gaze on Alex.


    ¡°Alex, are you still thinking about that woman?¡± he asked sharply.


    Alex tensed; he knew his father was referring to Sadie. ¡°Dad, I¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m warning you, Alex!¡± Terrance¡¯s voice rose sharply. ¡°If you get involved with that woman again, if you hurt Aliza, I assure you that woman and her child will find themselves in a dire situation.¡±


    Terrance¡¯s words pierced Alex like icy des.


    Alex stared at his father in disbelief. ¡°Dad, how can you say such a thing?¡±


    ¡°Why shouldn¡¯t I?¡± Terrance retorted coldly. ¡°Who does she think she is? What makes her worthy of you?¡±


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 Chapter 528

    ?Chapter 528:


    ¡°Dad! Sadie isn¡¯t¡­¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Terrance cut him off. ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear another word in her defense. You¡¯re my son. I will dictate your future, and it involves marrying Aliza. She is the only one suitable for you, the right choice to be my daughter-inw.¡±


    ¡°Dad¡­¡± Alex tried to protest, but it was clear Terrance was no longer listening.


    ¡°Enough. You may go now.¡± Terrance dismissed him wearily. ¡°Remember my words; don¡¯t disappoint me again.¡±


    Alex looked at his father, a mixture of pain and resignation in his eyes.


    He knew arguing was futile.


    For Sadie¡¯s safety, he would have to bide his time.


    ¡°I understand, Dad,¡± Alex said, his voice rough with emotion. ¡°I promise you.¡±


    At Alex¡¯s acquiescence, Terrance¡¯s tense features softened slightly. He closed his eyes and massaged his temples, visibly aged by the confrontation.


    Silently, Alex left the office, closing the door gently behind him.


    The hallway was deserted except for the echoing click of Aliza¡¯s high heels against the floor.


    She walked to a secluded corner, pulled out her phone, and dialed a familiar number.


    The call was swiftly answered, and a middle-aged man¡¯s deep, authoritative voice filled her ear. ¡°Hello, Aliza.¡±


    ¡°Hello, Dad.¡± Aliza¡¯s tone was suddenly sweet andpliant, a stark contrast to the restraint she had shown in front of Terrance. ¡°It¡¯s done.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Her father¡¯s voice carried a hint of excitement. ¡°Did the Howe family fall for it?¡±


    ¡°Yes, they did.¡± Aliza¡¯s lips twisted into a smug smile. ¡°I presented the fabricated evidence as you instructed, and both Alex and his father believed Noah was behind everything.¡±


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    ¡°Ha ha ha¡­¡± Elbert Perry, Aliza¡¯s father,ughed heartily, his voice brimming with satisfaction. ¡°Excellent! Aliza, you¡¯ve done well.¡± A gleam of cunning shed in Aliza¡¯s eyes.


    Her father had always held a grudge against Noah.


    Noah, a renowned figure in the business world, had elevated Wall Group to amercial titan at a young age, outshiningpetitors.


    Meanwhile, despite its prominence, Perry Group alwaysgged behind Wall Group.


    Elbert had long aspired to outdo Noah and seize control of Wall Group butcked the means to do so.


    ¡°Dad, haven¡¯t you always wanted to bring down Noah?¡± Aliza asked, her voice soft. ¡°Now, the chance is ours.¡±


    ¡°Ha ha ha¡­¡± Elbert¡¯sughter echoed again. ¡°Aliza, rest assured. Together, we will topple Noah and im Wall Group for ourselves.¡±


    ¡°I believe it, Dad.¡± Aliza nodded vigorously. ¡°We will seed.¡± Her smile widened as she ended the call.


    Meanwhile, Alex felt like a marite, his steps heavy as he trudged back to his office.


    His father¡¯s menacing words rang in his ears, Aliza¡¯s smug expression haunted him, and the image of Sadie kept surfacing in his mind, stabbing his heart with relentless pain.


    Alex pondered what he should do.


    How could he ensure Sadie¡¯s safety?


    Was he really prepared to give up the woman he loved for his family¡¯s interests?


    He doubted he could go through with it.


    Yet, what power did he have to defy his father¡¯smands and withstand the entire family¡¯s pressure?


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 Chapter 529

    ?Chapter 529:


    ¡°Knock, knock, knock.¡±


    Loud knocks jolted Alex from his reverie.


    He looked up, his voice weary and strained. ¡°Come in!¡±


    The door burst open, and Stan entered, his expression marked by urgency, panting for breath.


    ¡°Mr. Howe! Bad news!¡±


    A heavy sense of dread sank in Alex¡¯s chest.


    He steeled himself against his rising anxiety and asked with a grave tone, ¡°What¡¯s happened? Why are you so agitated?¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Howe¡­ Mrs. Howe has¡­¡± Stan said, his voice tinged with panic, ¡°Mrs. Howe has gone missing.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Alex leaped to his feet, hisplexion nching.


    He seized Stan¡¯s arm, his voice trembling with urgency. ¡°What did you say? My mother is missing? When did this ur?¡±


    ¡°Just¡­ just moments ago,¡± Stan replied, visibly shaken by Alex¡¯s intensity. ¡°I got a call from your family¡¯s butler. He said Mrs. Howe went out this afternoon and hasn¡¯t returned. Her phone is off, and though people have been sent to search, there¡¯s still no word¡­¡±


    Alex¡¯s world seemed to spin, his vision blurring as he struggled to maintainposure.


    His mother was a cornerstone of his life; he couldn¡¯t bear the thought of losing her.


    ¡°Find her!¡± Alex growled through clenched teeth. ¡°Find out where my mother went at once! Spare no expense to ensure her safe return.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Mr. Howe. I¡¯m on it immediately.¡± Stan nodded, wasting no time as he turned and hurried out.


    Alex slumped back into his chair, his hands clenched into fists, nails digging into his palms. Blood seeped from the wounds, unnoticed.


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    The disappearance of his mother was surely no ident.


    At such a critical time, her sudden absence might suggest she had been kidnapped.


    Meanwhile, in the CEO¡¯s office of Wall Group, Noah was engrossed in a pile of documents, his brows furrowed in concentration.


    ¡°Ring, ring, ring¡­¡±


    An urgent phone call broke his focus.


    Noah nced at the caller ID and saw it was Samuel.


    He answered, his voice low. ¡°Hello, Samuel. What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°Mr. Wall, it¡¯s done,¡± Samuel replied, his toneced with a hint of pride.


    ¡°Hmm,¡± Noah responded, his voice neutral, betraying no surprise.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, what are our next steps?¡± Samuel inquired cautiously.


    A cold sh passed through Noah¡¯s eyes, his tone icy and firm. ¡°I want everyone who harmed Sadie to face consequences, one by one.¡± This included Susannah.


    Noah¡¯s long fingers tapped rhythmically on the desk.


    Samuel, having worked for Noah for many years, was intimately familiar with his character and style.


    Noah was decisive and swift in his actions; once he made a decision, it was final.


    Above all, Noah¡¯s deep concern for Sadie was a driving force behind his actions.


    For Sadie, Noah would go to any length.


    Samuel knew that those who had harmed Sadie were in for serious repercussions this time.


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 Chapter 530

    ?Chapter 530:


    ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall,¡± Samuel responded with respect.


    Noah said nothing further and abruptly ended the call.


    As dusk settled and the city lights cast a warm glow, Myrtlewood Estate was enveloped in a cozy yellow light, creating a tranquil atmosphere throughout.


    Returning home exhausted, Noah draped his coat over the sofa and loosened his tie, attempting to alleviate the day¡¯s tension.


    He had spent the day resolving a conflict with Howe Group at the office and ndestinely nning against those who had hurt Sadie, leaving him both physically and emotionally spent.


    Yet, thoughts of Sadie softened his expression.


    She constantly filled his thoughts and tugged at his heartstrings.


    ¡°Tap¡­ Tap¡­ Tap¡­¡± The sound of light footsteps broke through Noah¡¯s reverie. Looking up, he saw Averi running out of the yroom, his arms brimming with colorful building blocks.


    ¡°Mr. Wall!¡± Averi¡¯s voice was soft and innocent, a melody to Noah¡¯s ears.


    He scampered to Noah¡¯s side, looking up with wide, eager eyes. ¡°You¡¯re back, Mr. Wall!¡±


    Noah¡¯s heart melted immediately. He crouched down, lifted Averi into his arms, and affectionately nuzzled his cheek.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m back,¡± Noah replied, his voice deep and soothing, with a touch of fondness.


    Averi nestled into Noah¡¯s embrace, finding a snug spot, and resumed his y with the building blocks.


    He carefully ced a red block atop a blue one, then added a yellow block on top, murmuring to himself, ¡°A house. A tall house¡­¡±


    Observing Averi¡¯s earnest expression, Noah couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    Your favorite tales live at g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s£®??????


    He found the little boy utterly charming.


    He reached out and gently patted Averi¡¯s head, savoring the softness of his hair.


    Suddenly, Averi paused, looked up with wide eyes, and asked innocently, ¡°Mr. Wall, where¡¯s Mommy?¡±


    Noah¡¯s smile faltered, and his heart sank.


    He was at a loss for words.


    How should he exin?


    How could he tell Averi about his mother¡¯s condition?


    His throat tightened, and he struggled to find the right words.


    Looking into Averi¡¯s trusting eyes, Noah felt a sharp pang of guilt.


    ¡°Mr. Wall?¡± Averi¡¯s soft voice broke through the silence, filled with confusion. Noah snapped back to the present, pushing down his emotions to maintain a calm appearance.


    He tousled Averi¡¯s hair affectionately, his voice melting into a tender whisper.


    ¡°Mommy¡­ Mommy is on a business trip.¡±


    He paused, then said, ¡°She¡¯s gone to a ce far away and will be back after a little while.¡±


    ¡°A business trip?¡± Averi tilted his head, puzzled by the term.


    ¡°When will Mommye back?¡± he asked, his voiceden with hope.


    ¡°Very soon,¡± Noah reassured him, striving to sound upbeat. ¡°She told me she would bring you lots of gifts.¡± Noah spoke, aiming to keep his voice light and cheerful to prevent Averi from sensing anything was wrong.


    ¡°Really?¡± Averi¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement, and he pped his hands joyfully. ¡°That¡¯s great! Mommy¡¯s going to bring me gifts. I have to tell Ewing; he¡¯ll be so jealous.¡±


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 Chapter 531

    ?Chapter 531:


    Ewing Racey was Averi¡¯s best friend from kindergarten.


    Watching Averi¡¯s ted face, Noah felt a swirl of emotions wash over him.


    ¡°Mr. Wall?¡± Averi tugged gently at Noah¡¯s sleeve, noticing his silence. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are you okay?¡±


    Noah snapped back to reality, masking his sadness with a smile. ¡°I¡¯m fine, Averi. I was just thinking about what gifts your mommy might bring you.¡±


    He shifted the conversation, hoping to distract Averi.


    ¡°What could they be?¡± Averi¡¯s curiosity was piqued.


    He tilted his head as he spected. ¡°Maybe a red toy car, like a fire truck? I want one!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s possible,¡± Noah replied, his voice slightly hoarse.


    ¡°And a Transformer? I want Optimus Prime!¡±


    Averi¡¯s excitement mounted, his cheeks glowing with enthusiasm. ¡°That¡¯s possible too,¡± Noah murmured, his voice softening, unable to meet Averi¡¯s eager eyes.


    ¡°And¡­¡±


    ¡°Averi,¡± Noah interjected, his voice steady. ¡°Your mom¡¯s business trip might take a while. Why don¡¯t you head to bed, okay? When she gets back, I¡¯ll make sure she tells you a bedtime story. Alright?¡± He was aware he was misleading Averi, but it felt necessary.


    He wanted to shield Averi from worry and the harsher truths.


    ¡°Fine¡­¡± Averi nodded, somewhat disappointed. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll go to sleep now. Good night, Mr. Wall.¡±


    With that, he hopped off Noah¡¯sp, his building blocks in hand, casting longing nces back as he walked to his bedroom.


    Noah watched Averi¡¯s small figure vanish through the door, his heart heavy with sorrow.


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    The first rays of morning light filtered through the curtains, illuminating Alex¡¯s handsome yet weary face.


    He rubbed his eyes, haunted by thoughts of his mother¡¯s disappearance.


    Getting out of bed, he walked to the window and flung the curtains open.


    The bright sunlight made him squint, but his mind was too fraught with anxiety to mind.


    Alex quickly freshened up, dressed sharply, and headed to his study. He powered up hisputer and pulled up the surveince footage from the previous night.


    On the screen, Susannah appeared at the entrance of their vi.


    She paced anxiously, waiting for something.


    Suddenly, a ck car pulled up. The door opened, and several men in ck dragged Susannah inside.


    She struggled and shouted, but it was futile.


    The car sped away into the night.


    Alex watched the screen, fists clenched, anger and worry making his face pale, his teeth grinding.


    ¡°Mom¡­¡± he whispered, his voice trembling.


    He scrutinized the footage repeatedly, searching for additional clues.


    When he noticed the license te of the ck car, his pupils narrowed sharply.


    ¡°Wall Group¡­¡± he muttered through gritted teeth, his voice ice-cold. The te was registered to Wall Group.


    Fury surged within Alex. He wanted to confront Noah and demand an exnation.


    ¡°Noah Wall, what are you up to?¡± Alex mmed the desk, scattering papers.


    He took a deep breath, calming himself.


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 Chapter 532

    ?Chapter 532:


    This wasn¡¯t the time for rash actions; he needed the truth.


    Picking up his phone, he dialed Noah¡¯s number.


    The phone rang unanswered.


    A foreboding feeling settled in Alex¡¯s heart.


    He set the phone down, resolved to confront Noah in person to seek justice for his mother and address their failed coboration.


    Alex strode to the vi¡¯s entrance, reaching for the car door when a familiar voice stopped him.


    ¡°Where are you going, Alex?¡±


    He froze and turned around.


    Terrance stood there, stern, with Aliza beside him, smiling sweetly.


    ¡°Dad¡­¡± Alex¡¯s voice was hoarse, mixed feelings in his eyes.


    ¡°I already know about your mother¡¯s abduction,¡± Terrance said gravely.


    ¡°Dad, you know?¡± Surprise flickered in Alex¡¯s eyes; he hadn¡¯t expected his father to be informed so swiftly.


    ¡°Yes, I do.¡± Terrance nodded, his expression grim. ¡°I¡¯ve sent people to investigate. Don¡¯t worry.¡±


    ¡°Dad, I¡­¡± Alex began, but Terrance cut him off.


    ¡°What are you nning to do?¡± Terrance asked Alex with a serious tone.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to confront Noah about my mom¡¯s abduction and discuss our family¡¯s coboration with him,¡± Alex responded without hesitation.


    ¡°That¡¯s nonsense!¡± Terrance roared. ¡°You think he¡¯ll just admit to it? Do you really think he¡¯ll have a civil conversation with you? Wall Group has already made their move, which means they¡¯ve broken ties with us. Why should we hold back?¡±


    ¡°Dad, are you saying¡­¡± Alex began, sensing more behind his father¡¯s words.


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    ¡°I¡¯ve decided,¡± Terrance said coldly, ¡°Howe Group will go to war with Wall Group. They will pay for their actions.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t do this, Dad. We¡­¡± Alex protested.


    ¡°Enough!¡± Terrance cut him off. ¡°My decision is final.¡±


    ¡°Dad, did Aliza say something to you? She¡­¡± Alex asked, turning to Aliza with suspicion.


    He believed she was the one causing trouble and stirring chaos. Aliza, upon hearing Alex¡¯s words, adopted an innocent expression, gently shaking her head. She softly said, ¡°Alex, what are you talking about? I haven¡¯t done anything. How could I possibly speak ill of you to your father? Why don¡¯t you trust me?¡±


    As she spoke, her eyes slightly reddened, giving her a pitiful look.


    Terrance, observing Aliza¡¯s demeanor, felt a surge of sympathy.


    He walked over to her, gently patting her shoulder tofort her. ¡°Aliza, don¡¯t mind him. He¡¯s been misled by that woman and can¡¯t distinguish right from wrong.¡±


    ¡°Dad, you¡­¡± Alex grew even more upset as his father sided with Aliza.


    ¡°Guards!¡± Terrance called, and bodyguards quickly appeared.


    They stood attentively before him, ready for his instructions.


    ¡°Take Alex to his room and make sure he stays there. He¡¯s not to leave without my permission,¡± Terrance said coldly.


    ¡°You can¡¯t do this, Dad!¡± Alex shouted, struggling against the guards.


    ¡°Take his phone too,¡± Terrance added.


    The bodyguards quickly stepped forward, taking Alex¡¯s phone from his hand.


    ¡°Let me go, Dad! I need to find my mother and confront Noah!¡± Alex shouted, struggling in vain as he was forcibly taken back to his room. The door closed with a heavy thud, leaving Alex slumped on the floor, defeated.


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 Chapter 533

    ?Chapter 533:


    Terrance watched, a mix of emotions in his eyes, then turned to Aliza with a gentle tone.


    ¡°It¡¯s been tough on you, Aliza. Alex is just confused right now; don¡¯t take it personally.¡±


    Aliza nodded, managing a weak smile.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Mr. Howe. Alex is just overly concerned about Mrs. Howe. I¡¯m sure he¡¯lle to understand my intentions eventually.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m d to hear that,¡± Terrance responded. ¡°It¡¯s so good that you¡¯ll be a member of the Howe family.¡± He handed Alex¡¯s phone to Aliza. ¡°Take this phone, Aliza. Move forward with our agreed n.¡±


    Aliza epted the phone, her eyes flickering with a subtle gleam of satisfaction.


    She nodded firmly, reassuring Terrance, ¡°Please rest assured, Mr. Howe, I won¡¯t let you down. I¡¯ll ensure that Howe Group not only surpasses Wall Group but also bes a leader in the business world.¡±


    Terrance looked at her, nodding with satisfaction.


    He was confident that with Aliza¡¯s help, Howe Group would defeat Wall Group and reim its former glory.


    He also believed that Alex, currently blinded by love, would eventually recognize who truly cared for him.


    ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Sadie groaned softly as she regained consciousness.


    Her head throbbed painfully, and her vision was blurry, reflecting the physical turmoil she had endured.


    She sat up despite the soreness racking her body.


    Despite the bright sunlight streaming through the window, a chill settled in her heart.


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    The room was silent, and then, a text message alert cut through the quiet.


    Struggling, Sadie reached for her phone, the screen¡¯s glow harsh on her Squinting, she tried to make out the words on the screen.


    The new message was from Alex.


    She steadied herself, carefully reading each word of the message.


    ¡°Sadie, something has happened to your grandmother. She¡¯s currently being treated in a hospital. Noah has intentionally kept this from you.¡±


    The message struck Sadie like a bolt of lightning, sending shockwaves through her mind.


    Her grandma was in a hospital?


    Sadie¡¯s pupils suddenly contracted, and an overwhelming mix of fear and sorrow engulfed her. Her chest felt heavy, and she suddenly found it hard to breathe.


    Impossible¡­ This couldn¡¯t be happening!


    Her grandmother had been perfectly fine just a few days ago. How could something happen to her so suddenly?


    Sadie refused to believe the news. Her hands began to shake, and the phone nearly slipped from her grasp.


    She stared at the screen, wishing that it was all just a nightmare, that Alex¡¯s next message would tell her that it was all a misunderstanding. She was yanked out of her daze when the second message arrived.


    ¡°I¡¯ve arranged for someone to pick you up. Be careful!¡± It was brief, but the urgency was in and unmistakable.


    Sadie¡¯s heart sank.


    Alex would never joke about something like this. If he said that Laura was in critical condition, then it must be so.


    Why had Noah kept this crucial information from her?


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 Chapter 534

    ?Chapter 534:


    Her earlier gloom morphed into confusion and anger.


    Why would Noah do such a thing?


    But there was no time to dwell on it. Sadie took a deep breath to steady herself and calm her mind.


    She couldn¡¯t waste her energy ming Noah; she needed to get to her grandmother as soon as possible.


    Laura was her only source of support in this world. She couldn¡¯t lose her.


    When Sadie was finally calm enough to think clearly, she began to figure out a way to leave the hospital without a hitch.


    Noah had gone to great lengths to prevent her from hearing such important news. It was only par for the course for him to have set up surveince around her room, the entire hospital even, just to keep an eye on her.


    If she acted rashly, she might be discovered before she could actually do anything.


    Just then, a series of knocks came at the door.


    Sadie¡¯s heart skipped a beat. She felt her body tense up, and her fingers tightened around her phone.


    ¡°Come in,¡± she called out in the calmest voice she could manage. The door opened, and a young nurse walked in. She gave Sadie a professional smile as she walked over with a tray of medications.


    ¡°I¡¯m here to change your dressing, Miss Hudson,¡± the nurse said kindly.


    Sadie said nothing and just watched her with wary eyes.


    Sensing her apprehension, the nurse smiled again and said, ¡°Please rx, Miss Hudson. I was sent by Mr. Howe to assist you.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Howe? Did she mean Alex?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s eyes widened slightly. She peered at the nurse, trying to figure out whether thetter was lying or not.


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    The nurse seemed to read her mind. She produced a note from her pocket and handed it to Sadie.


    ¡°Mr. Howe asked me to give this to you.¡±


    Sadie took the note and quickly nced at it. The handwriting was indeed Alex¡¯s.


    ¡°Follow the n, and be careful.¡±


    Those few words were all it took to dispel most of Sadie¡¯s doubts.


    She looked back up at the nurse and nodded. ¡°I see.¡±


    The nurse breathed a small sigh of relief.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t worry, Miss Hudson. I will help you leave the hospital.¡± She drew closer and added in a quieter voice, ¡°I brought an extra nurse¡¯s uniform. Change into it, put on a mask, and follow me. The guards posted outside your door are changing shifts. They won¡¯t be paying much attention. I already nned the route you¡¯re going to take. Just do as I say, and you¡¯ll be out of the hospital in no time.¡±


    The nurse pointed outside, and Sadie¡¯s gaze followed the direction of her hand.


    ¡°You will go from here, walk straight down the corridor, then turn left at the end. You will go down the stairs and exit through the back door on the first floor. Someone is already waiting there for you.¡±


    Sadie listened carefully and made sure to memorize the nurse¡¯s instructions.


    She was going to take the risks¡ªall for her grandmother¡¯s sake.


    ¡°I understand,¡± Sadie said with resolve.


    Getting out of bed, she quickly shed her hospital gown and slid into the nurse¡¯s uniform. It was a bit loose on her, but it had no significant impact on her movements.


    Next, she put on the mask, which covered most of her face.


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 Chapter 535

    ?Chapter 535:


    Sadie took a moment to stand in front of the mirror and observe her reflection.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, we need to go,¡± the nurse urged softly.


    Sadie nodded and followed her out of the room.


    Just as the nurse had predicted, the corridor was quiet except for their footfalls.


    Even so, Sadie¡¯s heart was pounding furiously inside her chest, and her palms had started to sweat.


    She forced herself to stay calm, at least on the surface, and act like nothing was amiss.


    She had no way of knowing what would happen next, or if she could even pull this escape off.


    But she refused to back down. She couldn¡¯t.


    Laura was waiting for her, and Sadie was determined to get to her as soon as possible.


    Atst, they reached the end of the corridor.


    She made a left turn, went down the stairs to the first floor, and made a beeline for the back door.


    Sadie followed the nurse¡¯s directions to a tee.


    Although her body was trembling slightly, her sense of purpose never wavered.


    There, the back door, finally!


    She was almost free.


    Sadie quickened her pace, almost breaking into a run.


    But then something unexpected and totally unnned urred.


    A ck sack was suddenly dropped over her head.


    Everything went dark, and before Sadie could even react, she lost consciousness.


    The hours ticked by, and someone entered Sadie¡¯s hospital room.


    Nte entered Sadie¡¯s hospital room with a thermos in hand, her face bright with a caring smile.


    ¡°Sadie, I brought your favorite chicken soup. Have some,¡± she said, approaching the bedside.


    Her smile disappeared when she noticed the empty bed.


    ¡°Sadie? Where are you, Sadie?¡± Nte¡¯s voice trembled with worry as she set the thermos down and began searching the room.


    ¡°Sadie! Where are you? This isn¡¯t funny.¡± Her voice escted with urgency and fear.


    Nte searched every corner of the room but found no trace of Sadie. She realized the gravity of the situation, her heart sinking.


    She rushed to the door and confronted the two bodyguards stationed there.


    ¡°What happened? Where is Sadie? Where did she go?¡±


    The bodyguards exchanged confused looks.


    ¡°Miss Barton, we¡­ we don¡¯t know¡­¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve been here the whole time and didn¡¯t see her leave.¡±


    ¡°What? You¡¯ve been here the whole time and didn¡¯t see her leave?¡± Nte¡¯s voice sharpened, her finger pointing usingly at the bodyguards. ¡°Ipetent! You can¡¯t even keep an eye on one injured person. What will you do if something has happened to Sadie?¡±


    The bodyguards, chastened and flustered, remained silent.


    They too were panicking; Sadie¡¯s disappearance was no trivial matter.


    If Noah found out, they knew they¡¯d be in deep trouble.


    ¡°What are you waiting for? Go find her!¡± Ntemanded.


    The bodyguards hurried off to search for Sadie.


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 Chapter 536

    ?Chapter 536:


    Nte¡¯s anxiety escted.


    She pulled out her phone and dialed Samuel¡¯s number.


    The call connected immediately.


    ¡°Mr. Ford, Sadie is missing,¡± she said, her voice breaking.


    ¡°What? Miss Hudson is missing?¡± Samuel responded, his tone rmed. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll inform Mr. Wall right away, and we¡¯ll organize a search immediately.¡±


    After ending the call, Nte slumped into a chair, her hands covering her face as she began to cry.


    Meanwhile, Samuel struggled to maintain hisposure.


    He understood that losing his temper wouldn¡¯t help; finding Sadie was the priority.


    He immediately called Noah. As soon as the call connected, Samuel urgently said, ¡°Mr. Wall, Mrs. Wall has disappeared from the hospital.¡±


    Noah, who had been lounging on the sofa idly caressing a wine ss, stiffened upon hearing the news, his demeanor turning imposing.


    ¡°What did you say?¡± His voice was low and ominous.


    ¡°Nte just informed me that Mrs. Wall is missing from the hospital. The bodyguards insisted they were at the door the entire time and didn¡¯t see her leave, yet she¡¯s gone.¡± Samuel¡¯s voice trembled, as he anticipated Noah¡¯s reaction and the possible repercussions.


    Noah stood abruptly, his movements swift as he grabbed his coat. The wine ss shattered in his hand, red wine seeping through his fingers ¡ª a stark and foreboding image.


    Yet, he seemed unfazed by the pain, his eyes icily focused.


    ¡°Lock down the hospital! Check every exit thoroughly!¡± Noahmanded, his voice grave andmanding. ¡°Leave no stone unturned. Find her!¡±


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    Pausing for a second, he added, his tone even more foreboding, ¡°Also, seal all exit routes from the city. Highways, railways, airports ¡ª inspect every mode of transport. Don¡¯t let any suspicious individual or vehicle escape!¡±


    ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall. I¡¯ll coordinate the search immediately,¡± Samuel responded, knowing better than to dy.


    Noah donned his coat and strode out of the office with a fierce aura. Three years ago, he had lost Sadie once.


    Now, she had vanished again on his watch.


    Noah clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his palms, drawing blood.


    ¡°Sadie, you better be safe¡­ or I¡¯ll make anyone who harmed you pay dearly,¡± he vowed, his voice low and hoarse.


    Noah stepped into the elevator, hitting the button for the underground garage.


    As the doors closed, they enclosed his surging wrath and determination.


    The elevator began its rapid descent, mirroring the sinking feeling in his heart.


    He couldn¡¯t bear the thought of anything happening to Sadie. He was determined to prevent any harm froming to her at all costs.


    Samuel and his team arrived at the hospital, entering the room from which Sadie had disappeared.


    Nte was on the floor, sobbing uncontrobly, while the two bodyguards stood nearby, visibly shaken.


    ¡°Mr. Ford, you must save Sadie¡­ She must have been abducted by malevolent people¡­¡± Seeing Samuel, Nte grasped him desperately, her voice choked with tears.


    ¡°Miss Barton, please calm down. We are doing everything in our power to find Miss Hudson.¡± Samuel reassured her, his face set with determination.


    He then turned to the bodyguards, his tone sharp. ¡°Exin how Miss Hudson disappeared on your watch!¡±


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 Chapter 537

    ?Chapter 537:


    ¡°You¡¯ve been on duty here the whole time, right? How did you not hear anything? Exin!¡± Samuel demanded sternly.


    The two bodyguards trembled with fear. One stammered, ¡°Mr. Ford, we¡­ we really didn¡¯t see Miss Hudson leave. We¡¯ve been here the entire time, not even blinking¡­¡±


    ¡°Exactly, Mr. Ford! We swear we weren¡¯t negligent. But Miss Hudson just¡­ vanished,¡± the other bodyguard quickly added.


    ¡°Idiots! How could you let this happen?¡± Samuel exploded in anger. ¡°You can¡¯t even keep an eye on one injured person. What¡¯s the point of having you here?¡±


    Frustrated, Samuel began to search the hospital room meticulously.


    He checked the windows but found them untouched.


    Looking under the bed revealed nothing unusual.


    The room was spotless, indicating no struggle or disturbance had urred.


    Yet, Sadie was nowhere to be found.


    Samuel¡¯s heart sank.


    He realized Sadie must have been taken by someone well-prepared, who left no trace behind.


    ¡°Start investigating immediately! Check for any suspicious individuals entering or leaving the hospital recently. Also, review the surveince footage. Don¡¯t overlook any corner!¡± Samuel instructed his team.


    ¡°Got it, Mr. Ford!¡± His subordinates sprang into action.


    Samuel stood there, his brows furrowed, deep in thought.


    Meanwhile, Noah¡¯s car sped toward the hospital, disregarding traffic signals and likely umting fines.


    But Noah was unconcerned about the penalties; his only focus was on Sadie¡¯s safety.


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    Feeling as if his heart was being constricted, he silently prayed for Sadie¡¯s well-being and safe return.


    Soon, his car screeched to a halt at the hospital entrance.


    He burst out of the car, his presence intense andmanding. As he strode into the hospital, his presence made others feel a heavy pressure, prompting them to step aside quickly.


    Noah¡¯s face was set in a grim expression, his eyes alight with a potent mix of anger and concern.


    He rushed to Sadie¡¯s hospital room, only to find the bed empty. His heart dropped, a wave of fear overtaking him.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Sadie? Where has she gone?¡±


    Noah¡¯s voice was low and hoarse, tinged with a tremor of panic.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, what should we do now?¡± Samuel approached him and asked in a low voice.


    Noah forced himself to remain calm.


    ¡°It¡¯s not the time for rash actions; we need to analyze the situation methodically to find Sadie,¡± he stated.


    ¡°Investigate immediately! Check if the Howe or Perry family has made any unusual moves recently. Also, track their financial transactions for any suspicious activity,¡± Noah said to Samuel.


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Wall!¡± Samuel quickly got to work.


    Noah stood there, his fists clenched, his nails digging into his palms, drawing blood.


    He closed his eyes, attempting to stabilize his emotions.


    ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Meanwhile, Sadie groaned softly, her eyelids heavy. Struggling, she managed to open her eyes.


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 Chapter 538

    ?Chapter 538:


    Instead of the familiar hospital room, she found herself in a dimly lit room.


    The things around her were blurred.


    The air was heavy with the smell of oil and smoke, causing her to cough.


    ¡°Ahem¡­ Ahem¡­¡±


    Trying to sit up, Sadie felt pain and weakness throughout her body, as if she had been crushed.


    She realized she was lying on a worn, greasy sofa.


    ¡°Where¡­ am I?¡± she murmured.


    She remembered being ready to leave the hospital, and then nothing.


    A wave of anxiety swept through her, causing her heart to race. Sadiepelled herself to remain calm, attempting to piece together the events that led up to her losing consciousness. She recalled receiving a text from Alex, saying her grandmother was in danger, then¡­ a strange smell, and then darkness.


    ¡°Grandma¡­¡± Sadie¡¯s heart sank.


    She attempted to stand but discovered her hands and feet were tightly bound with ropes.


    ¡°Hello? Is anyone there?¡± she shouted, her voice echoing through the empty room, but there was no reply.


    Fear engulfed her, and her body began to tremble slightly.


    Sadie didn¡¯t know where she was or who had taken her, but she knew she was in serious danger.


    Just then, the sound of high heels clicking on the floor shattered the oppressive silence, echoing from a distance. The sound drew nearer, and Sadie¡¯s heart raced.


    She strained to see who was approaching, but her vision was as if obscured by a thick fog.


    Discover what¡¯s next on g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s???o??


    The footsteps halted a few steps away from her.


    Then, a woman¡¯s voice,ced with sarcasm, said, ¡°You¡¯re Sadie Hudson, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    That voice¡­ Sadie racked her brain but found no trace of recognition. She was sure she had never heard this voice before, nor did she know this woman.


    Yet, the malice in the woman¡¯s tone was unmistakable.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Sadie asked, her voice steady despite her fear.


    She straightened her back, striving to seem less vulnerable.


    Though she couldn¡¯t see clearly, she was determined to maintain herposure and not reveal her fear.


    ¡°Who I am doesn¡¯t matter,¡± the woman said, her tone thick with disdain.


    The woman said, ¡°You just need to know that you¡¯re now under my control.¡±


    ¡°What about my grandmother? What have you done to her?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice was urgent.


    That was her primary concern.


    She might neglect her own safety, but not Laura¡¯s.


    ¡°Your grandmother?¡± The womanughed shrilly, amused by the question. ¡°You should be more concerned about yourself right now.¡± Sadie felt a crushing pain in her chest, as if an invisible hand were squeezing her heart, making it difficult to breathe.


    She mustered her courage and asked with a trembling voice, ¡°What have you done to my grandmother?¡±


    The woman ignored the question. Instead, she approached Sadie, crouched down, and gripped her chin with icy fingers, forcing Sadie to look up. ¡°Well, well, well¡­ You¡¯re quite the beauty. No wonder men are taken with you.¡±


    There was jealousy and resentment in the woman¡¯s tone. ¡°But it¡¯s a pity. No matter how beautiful you are, you¡¯re still blind.¡±


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 Chapter 539

    ?Chapter 539:


    Sadie stiffened. She hadn¡¯t expected the woman to be aware of her blindness.


    This revtion made her even more uneasy. She didn¡¯t know who this woman was or what she intended.


    ¡°What¡­ What do you want from me?¡± Sadie tried to sound bold despite her fear.


    The woman stood, then called over her shoulder, ¡°You guys,e here.¡± Following hermand, Sadie heard multiple footsteps approaching, intensifying the sense of danger around her.


    Though she was unable to see, she could feel a menacing presence radiating from them.


    ¡°These are my friends,¡± the woman said, her voice oozing malice. ¡°They haven¡¯t had thepany of a woman in a long time. They¡¯ll have their fun with you today.¡±


    Sadie turned pale, understanding the woman¡¯s vile intentions. She couldn¡¯t believe someone could be so malevolent, wanting to degrade her in such a manner.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare!¡± Sadie shouted, her voiceced with defiance but also fear. ¡°Do you know who I am? You will regret this.¡±


    ¡°Who are you?¡± The woman cackled, as if Sadie¡¯s im was a joke. ¡°Who do you think you are? You¡¯re just a woman who¡¯s been abandoned. A blind one, at that. A nobody.¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± Sadie¡¯s voice trembled with anger at the woman¡¯s taunts, her desire to retaliate stifled by her helplessness.


    ¡°Enough talk. Let¡¯s start,¡± a rough male voice said impatiently. ¡°I¡¯m eager to have my fun with her.¡±


    ¡°Right, boss. She¡¯s quite the prize. This is going to be enjoyable,¡± another voice added, thick with lewd anticipation. Sadie¡¯s entire body began to shake with fear.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, sweetheart. We¡¯ll take good care of you,¡± a third man said as he advanced towards Sadie, reaching out to touch her face. Sadie¡¯s eyes snapped open, her face contorted with fury and despair. ¡°Get back! Don¡¯t touch me!¡± she screamed at the top of her lungs, her voice raw with desperation.


    ¡°Wow! You¡¯re quite fierce, aren¡¯t you?¡± the man eximed, visibly startled by Sadie¡¯s reaction, yet quickly breaking intoughter. ¡°But I like it.¡±


    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????


    As he spoke, he reached out to grab Sadie¡¯s arm.


    Just then, the woman interrupted. ¡°Hold on.¡±


    The man paused, his hand mid-air, and turned to the woman in confusion. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, boss?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t rush into it.¡±


    The woman approached Sadie, crouched down, and with icy fingers, gripped her chin, forcing her to look up.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you curious about your grandmother¡¯s condition? Your grandmother¡­ she¡¯s already dead.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s pupils narrowed sharply, and a wave of pain pierced her heart, overwhelming her, leaving her struggling to breathe.


    ¡°What¡­ What did you say?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice trembled as she spoke.


    ¡°I said, your grandmother is dead,¡± the woman said slowly, her tone cold and harsh. ¡°She was hit by a car, and it was gruesome.¡±


    ¡°No¡­ impossible¡­ This can¡¯t be true¡­¡±


    Sadie began to shake, disbelief and denial coursing through her.


    She murmured to herself, ¡°You¡¯re lying¡­ You must be lying¡­¡±


    ¡°Lying?¡± The woman scoffed. ¡°Why would I need to lie to you? Your grandmother¡¯s death frees you from her care; you can chase after any man you want now.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ You¡¯re spouting nonsense!¡± Tears streamed down Sadie¡¯s face. ¡°My grandmother loves me dearly; how could I ever wish for her death? You¡¯re evil, and karma will find you!¡±


    ¡°Karma will find me?¡± The womanughed, a sound devoid of warmth. ¡°Sadie, you¡¯re in no position to threaten me. Think about what you¡¯ll do next.¡±


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    Chapter 540:


    She then stood and signaled to the men behind her. ¡°Take good care of Miss Hudson, but don¡¯t kill her. She still has her uses.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, boss, we¡¯ve got this,¡± one of the men replied with a malicious grin, advancing towards Sadie. ¡°NO¡­ please don¡¯t Swoosh!¡± With a swift motion, rough hands tore at Sadie¡¯s clothes, the sound of fabric ripping echoing in the bleak warehouse. ¡°Stop struggling, sweetheart. We¡¯ll take care of you,¡± one man sneered, his expression almost predatory.


    ¡°Your grandmother¡¯s gone, and you might as well join her,¡± another man said, his movements growing more aggressive.


    Sadie fought back with the ferocity of a trapped animal, summoning strength she didn¡¯t know she had.


    She couldn¡¯t give up; surrendering meant plunging into a dark void. ¡°Let me go, you beasts!¡± Sadie¡¯s voice was raspy with despair, but her eyes were sharp, piercing the men who dared to assault her.


    ¡°She¡¯s got fire, but I like her even more,¡± one man said, irritated by her resistance, and pped her hard.


    Reeling from the blow, Sadie tasted blood at the corner of her mouth but clenched her teeth, refusing to show any weakness.


    Even if it meant her life, Sadie would never yield to those brutes.


    ¡°Bitch!¡± the furious man shouted, grabbing her by the throat.


    ¡°You think you¡¯re still a high and mighty designer? You¡¯re nothing now, just a blind fool!¡±


    As suffocation set in, Sadie¡¯splexion paled, yet her gaze remained defiant.


    She had too much to live for¡ªa child and unfinished business. She couldn¡¯t die here.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have crossed our boss. Better start praying,¡± another man said, reaching for her belt.


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s has stories worth exploring


    At that desperate moment, Sadie¡¯s fingers found a brick.


    With every ounce of her strength, she swung it hard at the nearest man¡¯s head.


    ¡°Bang!¡± With a dull thud, the brick connected, and the man copsed, blood spraying.


    ¡°Shit!¡± The scream reverberated around the warehouse, halting everyone in shock.


    ¡°You dare to kill?¡±


    Regaining their senses, the men¡¯s eyes zed with fury as they advanced on Sadie like enraged animals.


    ¡°I¡¯ll kill you!¡± One of them kicked Sadie in the stomach, sending her crashing to the floor.


    Sadie curled up, the excruciating pain threatening to overpower her, but she bit her lip hard, determined not to cry out. ¡°Get her! Finish her off!¡±


    Blinded by rage and fear, the men unleashed a brutal assault of punches and kicks.


    Sadie¡¯s consciousness wavered; she knew she was on the brink.


    Just as despair nearly overtook her, a resounding bang filled the air.


    ¡°Bang!¡± The warehouse door flew open with a crash, revealing a tall, imposing figure framed against the backlight, an aura of menace emanating from him.


    It was Noah.


    In her confused state, a moment of rity sparked within Sadie. Emotions tangled within her¡ªhope, relief, and¡­ was it resentment?


    She wasn¡¯t sure.


    All she knew was that Noah always showed up when she was in dire straits.


    Noah¡¯s gaze hardened as he took in the scene: Sadie lying in a pool of her own blood, her clothes torn, her body battered and on the edge of life.


    He witnessed the thugs continuing their assault, their wordsced with malice.


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    Message from Noah: Hope you liked the chapters dear readers! New novels releases in a few minutes. God loves you and Noah whishes you all the best. . (?O?=)? ?


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 Chapter 541

    ?Chapter 541:


    ¡°You¡¯re dead meat!¡±


    Noah¡¯s voice cut through the chaos, cold and hard. He moved toward the thugs, each step emitting an intimidating force that made them involuntarily step back.


    ¡°Who¡­ Who are you?¡±


    ¡°Who are you?¡± one of the thugs asked, his voice quivering as fear took hold. He was already shaken by Noah¡¯s intimidating presence. Noah didn¡¯t bother to respond. Instead, heshed out with a brutal kick, sending the man hurtling through the air.


    ¡°Bang!¡±


    The thug¡¯s body mmed into the wall with a sickening impact before crumpling to the floor, his fate uncertain.


    ¡°Get him!¡±


    The remaining men quickly realized there was no room for negotiation. They drew their daggers and lunged at Noah. Unarmed, Noah stood his ground, his expression unyielding.


    He moved with lethal precision, every strike packing the force of a battering ram. His blows sent the thugs sprawling, their cries of pain echoing through the air. They barely had a chance to counter.


    But even the strongest fighter can be overwhelmed when outnumbered and facing armed foes.


    Before long, gashes marred Noah¡¯s body, his clothes soaked with blood. Yet he showed no sign of pain, his gaze never wavering from Sadie, his eyes filled with anguish and determination.


    Then, the wailing of approaching sirens sliced through the air.


    ¡°The cops are here! Run!¡±


    Panic erupted among the thugs.


    If the police got them, they were finished.


    Without hesitation, they turned to flee,pletely ignoring Sadie.


    ¡°Think you can get away? Not happening!¡± Noah sneered, stepping forward to cut off their escape.


    There was no way he would let those who harmed Sadie get away.


    ¡°Take him down! No matter what!¡±


    One thug, seeing no way out, went all in, swinging his de toward Noah.


    Noah dodged effortlessly, disarming the man with a swift kick beforending a devastating punch that sent him sprawling. Seeing theirrade fall, the rest charged in desperation.


    Despite his skill, Noah struggled against the sheer numbers.


    More wounds tore into his flesh, crimson streaking down his skin. ¡°Noah¡­¡± Sadie¡¯s voice was barely above a whisper, yet he heard it as if it were a scream.


    He turned to her instantly.


    ¡°Stop! We give up!¡± One of the thugs suddenly dropped his weapon and fell to his knees, realizing they were outmatched.


    ¡°Fools!¡± their leader spat in frustration, but even he saw no other choice. One by one, they surrendered, throwing themselves at Noah¡¯s mercy.


    ¡°Sir, we made a mistake! It won¡¯t happen again!¡±


    ¡°We were forced into this by the Howe family!¡±


    ¡°Exactly! It has nothing to do with us.¡±


    Noah remained silent, his stare cold as ice.


    Then, one thug, desperate to save his skin, blurted out something unforgivable.


    ¡°We¡¯ve¡­ already slept with her¡­ We¡¯ve all had our turn¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ she¡¯s ruined¡­¡±


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 Chapter 542

    ?Chapter 542:


    ¡°Listen, we can get you other women¡ªbetter ones¡­¡±


    ¡°If you want her safe¡­ release Mrs. Susannah Howe¡­¡± The thugs stammered on.


    Noah¡¯s expression darkened. A murderous aura surged around him, suffocating the space.


    He stepped forward.


    ¡°Say that again.¡± His voice was deathly calm, devoid of any emotion.


    ¡°We¡­¡± The men shrank back, terror gripping them. They no longer dared to speak, only frantically bowing in submission.


    ¡°You know what?¡± Noah¡¯s voice was low but deadly. ¡°If even a single hair on Sadie¡¯s head is harmed, I swear¡ªeveryst one of you, and everyone connected to you, will pay. The Howe family, the Perry family will all bleed for it.¡±


    ¡°Wh-Who are you?¡± one of the thugs stammered, his voice shaky as he struggled to conceal his fear in Noah¡¯s presence.


    At that moment, Samuel entered with a team of police officers, addressing Noah with deep respect.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, the perimeter is secure.¡±


    The moment those words fell, the thugs went deathly pale, as if they¡¯d seen a ghost.


    ¡°Mr. Wall?¡±


    They never imagined that the man who had stormed in, risking his life for Sadie, was none other than Noah Wall¡ªthe CEO of Wall Group. They had assumed, at most, that he might be an assistant or a high-ranking subordinate of Noah.


    Never in their wildest dreams did they expect him to show up personally.


    Now, they realized they were doomed. Completely and utterly doomed.


    Everyone knew who Noah was.


    Even their own boss had to tread carefully around him.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, please! Have mercy on us!¡± one of them begged, his forehead nearly touching the floor.


    ¡°We swear¡ªwe won¡¯t ever do this again. Just let us go! We have families!¡± Kneeling before Noah, the thugs pleaded for their lives, trembling violently.


    But Noah remained unmoved, his gaze cold and unyielding.


    These men had asked for trouble. He had no intention of wasting another second on them.


    Without a word, he walked over to Sadie, gently lifting her into his arms.


    ¡°Sadie¡­ are you alright?¡± His voice, thick with emotion, trembled with both worry and pain.


    Sadie didn¡¯t respond.


    Her body hung limply against him, her face ashen, her breathing faint. Deep, raw wounds marred her fragile form, a sight that made Noah¡¯s heart clench.


    Holding her, Noah turned to leave.


    ¡°Take them all away. Under no circumstances should a single one escape!¡± Noah¡¯s voice was icy and resolute, leaving no room for doubt.


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Wall,¡± Samuel replied swiftly, sensing Noah¡¯s genuine fury.


    Noah held Sadie close as he hurried out of the factory.


    Half an hourter¡­


    ¡°Quick! Get the operating room ready! I need all department heads and specialists here now!¡±


    Upon exiting the car, Noah sprinted towards the hospital entrance, carrying Sadie.


    The hospital was already prepared for his arrival.


    Specialists and chief physicians stood in two solemn lines, their eyes fixed on Sadie as Noah carried her in.


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 Chapter 543

    ?Chapter 543:


    They remained silent, wary of provoking Noah, a man of formidable authority.


    The usuallymanding hospital director now appeared visibly shaken, standing at the front like a subordinate who had made a severe error.


    His face creased with worry, sweat dotting his forehead, his legs trembling uncontrobly.


    ¡°Mr¡­ Mr. Wall¡­¡± The director approached with apprehension but was silenced by Noah¡¯s stern look.


    Noah walked past him without a second nce, his focus solely on Sadie.


    The director, struck by Noah¡¯s silent disdain, hurriedly followed, exining as he tried to keep pace, ¡°Mr. Wall, we¡¯ve caught the nurse who misled Miss Hudson into leaving. We¡¯ll handle her strictly and provide a full report. Please¡­ don¡¯t hold this against our hospital!¡±


    Noah stopped abruptly.


    He turned, towering over the director.


    ¡°A report?¡± Noah¡¯s tone was deep and rough.


    ¡°If anything happens to Sadie, I will ensure that every single person in this hospital¡ªexecutives to janitors¡ªwill be sent to poverty-stricken wastnds without exception.¡±


    ¡°What? Please, show some leniency!¡± The director was so rmed he nearly copsed.


    Falling to his knees, he clutched at Noah¡¯s leg, pleading, ¡°Mr. Wall, please! Miss Hudson is¡­¡±


    Noah kicked him aside dismissively. ¡°Save your excuses. I expect results.¡±


    With that, he continued toward the operating room, still cradling Sadie.


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    The director, ignoring his own difort, scrambled to his feet and called out, ¡°Hurry! Follow them! Miss Hudson¡¯s safety is crucial, or we¡¯re all finished!¡±


    The medical team snapped to action, quickly following Noah to the operating room.


    Outside the operating room, the air was thick with tension.


    Noah stood rigid by the door, his gaze fixed on the sealed entrance.


    Memories from the abandoned factory reyed in his mind¡ªthe thugs¡¯ mockery, Sadie¡¯s cries, the terrible injuries she had suffered¡ªall shing before him like a tormenting slideshow.


    Each recollection sliced through him, causing unbearable agony.


    ¡°Sadie, you have to make it. You must,¡± Noah whispered repeatedly.


    As time dragged on, his heart pounded furiously, his breaths quickened, and his frame began to quiver.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, please, take a seat and rest,¡± a staff member murmured gently beside him.


    Noah paid him no heed.


    Atst, the doors to the operating room swung open.


    The hospital director stepped out, soaked in sweat, looking worn but with a trace of relief in his eyes.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, the surgery went well. Miss Hudson is out of danger and awake in the recovery room,¡± he said with careful optimism.


    Noah¡¯s tight chest rxed slightly.


    He exhaled deeply, feeling as though he had been pulled back from the edge of a cliff.


    ¡°However¡­¡± The director hesitated.


    Noah tensed again, fixing his eyes on the director. ¡°However, what?¡±


    ¡°Miss Hudson¡¯s condition¡­ it¡¯s not looking promising,¡± the director said.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Noah¡¯s voice turned icy once more.


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 Chapter 544

    ?Chapter 544:


    ¡°Physically, she¡¯s stable, but mentally¡­ it¡¯s clear she¡¯s been deeply shaken.¡±


    He continued delicately, ¡°We¡¯ve done aprehensive assessment, and it seems she¡­ she doesn¡¯t react to external stimuli¡­ She¡­ she¡¯s like¡­¡±


    ¡°Like what?¡± Noah interjected sharply.


    ¡°Like¡­ a lifeless statue,¡± the director finished reluctantly.


    Noah reeled, staggering backward.


    ¡°How could this be?¡± he murmured, struggling toprehend the reality of the situation.


    Noah rushed into the recovery room.


    There, Sadiey motionless on the bed, her eyes shut, her face ashen, unresponsive to his voice.


    ¡°Sadie! Sadie, wake up! Look at me! It¡¯s Noah,¡± he called, gripping her hand tightly in desperation. Yet, Sadie showed no sign of awareness.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, please, calm down. Miss Hudson needs her rest now,¡± the hospital director advised gently. ¡°We rmend consulting a psychologist.¡±


    ¡°A psychologist?¡± Noah murmured, a realization dawning on him.


    ¡°Yes, a psychologist! How did I not think of that? Quickly, get me the best psychologists from around the world!¡±


    ¡°Certainly, Mr. Wall. I¡¯ll arrange that immediately,¡± the director said, visibly relieved, and quickly exited.


    Noah watched Sadie on the hospital bed, feeling as if his heart were being ripped out.


    He tenderly stroked her cheek and whispered, ¡°Sadie, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m here for you. I¡¯ll make sure you get better. I promise.¡±


    Yet, Sadie remained unresponsive, her eyes closed, seemingly lost in a profound darkness.


    Noah sat beside her, burying his face in his hands and taking a deep breath.


    ¡°If only I had arrived sooner, you wouldn¡¯t have gone through so much¡­¡± His voice was heavy with regret and remorse. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Sadie¡­¡± Tears welled up in Noah¡¯s eyes.


    He held Sadie¡¯s hand, repeating his apologies, but there was no response from her.


    She was soon moved to a VIP ward.


    Shortly after, a team of doctors rushed in, led by a distinguished psychologist, Dr. Briggs Turner, who wore gold-rimmed sses and had graying hair.


    Behind him, several younger doctors carried medical equipment.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, this is Dr. Briggs Turner, a top expert in psychology in our country, specializing in post-traumatic stress disorder,¡± the hospital director said, mopping his brow.


    Noah nodded, motioning for Briggs to start the evaluation.


    Briggs carefully assessed Sadie, inquired about her history, and then performed a series of psychological tests.


    As time slowly passed, Noah waited outside the ward, his anxiety mounting, wishing he could do more to help Sadie escape her darkness. About an hourter, Briggs came out, removing his sses with a serious look.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, Miss Hudson¡¯s prognosis is quite concerning,¡± he said slowly, each word heavy with implication.


    ¡°What do you mean by ¡®concerning¡¯?¡± Noah¡¯s voice trembled, his mind racing with fear and disbelief.


    ¡°Miss Hudson is currently unresponsive to external stimuli. Our initial evaluation suggests she has severe post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD,¡± Briggs exined.


    ¡°PTSD¡­¡± Noah whispered. He was familiar with the term but never imagined it would be associated with Sadie.


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 Chapter 545

    ?Chapter 545:


    ¡°Yes. Miss Hudson has undergone significant psychological trauma, which has triggered a defensive shutdown in her brain. She¡¯s disconnecting from the outside world to protect herself,¡± Briggs continued. ¡°This condition isplex and will require long-term psychological counseling and careful management. We must avoid exposing her to any further stress, as the consequences could be severe.¡±


    ¡°Any further stress¡­¡± Noah echoed, his heart breaking.


    The damage inflicted by the thugs wasn¡¯t just physical; it was deeply psychological.


    ¡°I understand, Dr. Turner,¡± Noah¡¯s voice was rough with emotion. ¡°I¡¯ll take all precautions to shield her from further harm.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Wall, it¡¯s important to grasp the gravity of this situation,¡± Briggs nodded. ¡°Right now, Miss Hudson needs stability and trust. Patience and consistent care will be key to helping her step back into the light.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Dr. Turner. I appreciate your guidance,¡± Noah responded, striving forposure.


    ¡°That¡¯s our responsibility. Please excuse us,¡± Briggs said as he and his team departed.


    The hospital director approached cautiously. ¡°Mr. Wall, we¡¯ll step out now. Should you need anything, please let us know.¡±


    Noah dismissed them with a wave, signaling that they could leave. Alone outside the ward, Noah paused at the door, peering through the ss at Sadie lying on the bed.


    She was turned away from the door, curled up under the nket as though cocooning herself from the world. Quietly, he pushed the door open and entered.


    The room was silent except for the soft beeping of a monitor. Noah moved towards the bed, each step deliberate, wary of disturbing Sadie.


    He observed her back, her shoulders quivering slightly. It was as if she was holding back a deep-seated anguish.


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    ¡°Sadie¡­¡± Noah called gently, his voice soft as a whisper, a tremor barely perceptible.


    Yet, Sadie remained still, curled up and silent, unresponsive to his presence.


    Noah felt a heavy weight in his chest.


    ¡°Sadie, would you like to see Averi?¡± he asked gently.


    He understood that Averi was dear to Sadie, the one she cherished most.


    ¡°If you¡¯d like, I can arrange for him toe here immediately,¡± he added.


    Sadie¡¯s body tensed, yet she remained silent and unmoving.


    Noah felt a surge of disappointment.


    ¡°Sadie, I understand you¡¯re hurting and don¡¯t want to speak right now. That¡¯s okay¡­ Just rest. I won¡¯t bother you. I¡¯ll be right outside, not going anywhere. If you need anything, just call me,¡± Noah said softly, his voiceden with helplessness and sorrow.


    He gave Sadie a deep, meaningful look before quietly exiting the room and gently closing the door behind him.


    As soon as the door clicked shut, Sadie sat up abruptly.


    She sped her head in her hands, her body shaking as she cried without making a sound.


    Tears flooded down her cheeks, drenching her clothes, mirroring the anguish in her heart.


    She yearned to scream, to release all her pent-up pain, but no sounds emerged. She could only cry silently, enduring her torment in solitude.


    Outside, Noah leaned against the wall, listening to the faint sounds of Sadie¡¯s sobs, feeling as though his heart was splitting.


    He stayed outside her room all night.


    He didn¡¯t go back to the office or home, nor did he sit down to rest. Nurses approached several times, urging him to take a break, but he declined each offer.


    Noah knew Sadie needed someone, and even if she didn¡¯t want him close, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to leave.


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 Chapter 546

    ?Chapter 546:


    He believed being there was the least he could do for her.


    The harsh lights of the corridor cast a stark glow on his weary face.


    ¡°Mr. Wall,¡± Samuel¡¯s deep voice suddenly broke through Noah¡¯s reverie. ¡°The thugs have confessed. They were acting under orders from the Howe family.¡±


    Noah¡¯s hands clenched into fists.


    ¡°The Howe family¡­¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s more,¡± Samuel added, a hint of anger in his voice. ¡°They all had a unique perfume scent on them.¡±


    ¡°A unique perfume scent?¡± Noah¡¯s expression grew intense, sensing an unusual clue.


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s not amon brand,¡± Samuel confirmed. ¡°And we¡¯ve found out the abandoned factory is located onnd owned by the Perry family.¡±


    ¡°The Perry family¡­ You mean¡­¡± Noah murmured.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, I suspect it¡¯s Aliza Perry,¡± Samuel stated confidently, his voice low. ¡°She¡¯s known for her distinctive perfume, and she has both the motive and the means for this.¡±


    ¡°Aliza Perry¡­¡± Noah echoed thoughtfully.


    ¡°Unbelievable,¡± Noah said sharply, hisugh tinged with fury, as cold as shards of ice. ¡°The Howe family and the Perry family¡­ both will pay for this.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s another matter, Mr. Wall¡­¡± Samuel hesitated, then added, ¡°Terrance is here.¡±


    ¡°Terrance?¡± Noah¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°What does he want?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s¡­ at the hospital entrance. He¡¯s asking to see you.¡± Samuel¡¯s voice lowered, picking up on Noah¡¯s growing anger.


    ¡°To see me?¡± Noah scoffed, his tone filled with scorn. ¡°He has the audacity to face me?¡±


    g ¦Á? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s takes you away


    ¡°Tell him to get out of my face!¡± Hismand thundered through the corridor like a storm. ¡°Tell him I have no desire to see him. He needs to leave immediately!¡±


    ¡°Right away, Mr. Wall,¡± Samuel responded promptly, turning to carry out the order.


    At the hospital entrance, Terrance waited nervously, his face etched with lines of worry and his eyes dim, portraying a man much older than his years.


    He had not anticipated such a sharp esction.


    This time, Noah was genuinely enraged.


    Terrance realized he needed to defuse the situation quickly, or the Howe family would face severe repercussions.


    ¡°Mr. Howe, Mr. Wall refuses to see you,¡± Samuel delivered the message without warmth.


    ¡°Refuses to see me?¡± Terrance¡¯s heart sank deeper. ¡°Did Mr. Wall say anything else?¡±


    ¡°Mr. Wall told you¡­¡± Samuel paused for emphasis, before adding, ¡°to get out of his face immediately.¡±


    ¡°Get out¡­¡± Terrance staggered, nearly falling over.


    He understood that this was both Noah¡¯s final rebuke and his greatest disgrace.


    ¡°Mr. Howe, are you alright?¡± his butler asked, quickly supporting him.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Terrance said dismissively, steadying himself. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± He turned and slowly walked away from the hospital, each step heavy with defeat.


    Inside the hospital room, the space was softly lit by a warm yellowmp beside the bed.


    Noah sat by the bed, a hardcover edition of The Little Prince in his hands.


    His voice was deep and resonant as he read aloud.


    ¡°The fox said, ¡®To me, you are still nothing more than a little boy who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you, on your part, have no need of me. To you, I am nothing more than a fox, like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world.''¡±


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 Chapter 547

    ?Chapter 547:


    Sadiey quietly on the bed, her eyes closed, herplexion ghostly pale.


    It appeared she was sleeping, yet she seemed lost in a world of her own, unresponsive to her surroundings.


    Noah paused after reading each passage, his gaze lingering on her.


    ¡°Sadie,¡± he whispered gently.


    But still, there was no response.


    Her eyshes twitched slightly, reminiscent of a butterfly¡¯s delicate wings.


    A sharp pang gripped Noah¡¯s heart, as if it were being squeezed by an unseen hand.


    He resumed reading, also sharing snippets of the outside world.


    ¡°Sadie, the weather is beautiful today¡ªbright sunshine and a gentle breeze. The hospital garden is bursting with vibrant flowers. Once you¡¯re better, I¡¯ll take you there. What do you think? Also, the new project at mypany is going well. Everyone¡¯s putting in a lot of effort. We¡¯ll have a celebration when you¡¯re better, okay?¡±


    Noah¡¯s voice faded into silence.


    He took Sadie¡¯s hand in his, noting its chill.


    He sped it between his palms, trying to transfer some warmth.


    ¡°Ahem¡­ Ahem¡­¡± A discreet cough from the doorway announced Breck¡¯s presence. He was holding a bowl of steaming tonic soup while standing at the door.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, it¡¯s time for Mrs. Wall¡¯s tonic,¡± Breck said quietly.


    Noah nodded, epting the bowl. He gently spooned some soup to Sadie¡¯s lips.


    ¡°Sadie, try to have some soup. It¡¯s good for you,¡± he said softly, as ifforting a child.


    Stay tuned for updates at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m


    Sadie remained still, her eyes closed.


    Patiently, Noah continued to feed her, one spoonful at a time. The soup was bitter, causing Sadie¡¯s eyebrows to knit together slightly, though she offered no resistance or attempt to spit it out.


    A warm feeling spread through Noah¡¯s chest.


    After she had taken all the soup, Noah delicately wiped her mouth with a napkin.


    His touch was careful and tender, as if he were handling something precious.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, about Averi¡­¡± Breck began hesitantly.


    ¡°What about Averi?¡± Noah¡¯s brow furrowed.


    ¡°He¡¯s insisting on seeing Mrs. Wall. We¡¯ve tried to soothe him, but he¡¯s adamant,¡± Breck exined, his expression troubled.


    Noah paused for a moment before responding, ¡°Bring him here.¡± Breck hesitated, then voiced his concern. ¡°But, Mrs. Wall¡¯s current condition¡­ I¡¯m worried¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Noah said quickly. ¡°Let hime. Maybe he can reach Sadie.¡±


    Breck nodded and left to fetch Averi.


    Soon after, Breck returned with Averi in tow.


    Averi, d in pajamas adorned with cartoon characters, rubbed his eyes, looking puzzled.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, what¡¯s wrong with Mommy?¡± Averi asked innocently, standing beside the bed and gazing at Sadie.


    Noah lifted Averi onto the bed next to Sadie.


    ¡°Mommy is very sick and needs to rest,¡± Noah exined gently.


    ¡°Mommy is sick? When will she be better?¡± Averi¡¯s small face was filled with concern.


    ¡°Mommy will feel like herself again soon,¡± Noah reassured him, stroking his head.


    Averi gently touched Sadie¡¯s cheek with his little hand.


    ¡°Mommy, I miss you so much. Please get well soon,¡± he whispered, his voice breaking slightly.


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 Chapter 548

    ?Chapter 548:


    Sadie¡¯s eyshes fluttered more noticeably, and a tear escaped from her eye.


    A wave of hope washed over Noah.


    Sadie was responding; she could hear Averi, she felt his love.


    ¡°Mommy, remember? You promised to take me to the amusement park,¡± Averi continued, his voice hopeful. ¡°And you said you¡¯d buy me lots of toys.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s fingers twitched slightly.


    Noah, observing every minor reaction, whispered encouragingly, ¡°Sadie, Averi is here talking to you. Open your eyes and look at him, okay?¡±


    Gradually, Sadie¡¯s eyes fluttered open. Her gaze was vacant and unfocused, as though she had lost her connection to the world around her.


    ¡°Mommy!¡± Averi cried out joyfully, throwing his arms around her. Sadie stiffened for a moment, unustomed to the contact, but she didn¡¯t pull away. Instead, she slowly lifted her hand and tenderly stroked Averi¡¯s hair.


    ¡°Averi¡­¡± Her voice was faint and strained, as if echoing from a distant ce.


    ¡°Mommy, you woke up!¡± Averi eximed, hugging her tightly, afraid she might slip away again.


    As Sadie¡¯s eyes slowly began to clear, she looked down at Averi, cradled in her arms, her gaze softening with warmth.


    ¡°Mommy is here, Averi,¡± she murmured weakly.


    ¡°Mommy, promise you¡¯ll always stay with me,¡± Averi said, looking up at her with earnest eyes.


    Sadie nodded gently. ¡°I promise, Averi. I won¡¯t leave you again.¡±


    Noah stood to the side, watching Sadie and Averi embrace tightly, his heart a maelstrom of emotions.


    As Sadie¡¯s condition steadily improved, Noah returned to Wall Group.


    Latest updates at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s


    The atmosphere in the CEO¡¯s office was oppressively tense. Noah sat behind the expansive desk, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the surface, the dull thuds resonating ominously. His face remained as impassive as a frozenke, yet his eyes smoldered with an intense fire, casting a chilling presence.


    Standing before him, Samuel delivered thetest findings from their investigation.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, we¡¯ve discovered that the Howe and Perry families have been coborating closely, secretly acquiring various small- to medium-sized businesses. They are also attempting to lure away our core technology team.¡±


    Samuel spoke in a low tone, bracing for Noah¡¯s potential reaction.


    ¡°Really? They think forming an alliance against me will bring me down?¡± Noah scoffed, a sharp smile ying on his lips. ¡°Do they actually believe this will defeat me?¡±


    His voice, though not loud, carried a formidable authority that chilled the room.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, what¡¯s our next move?¡± Samuel inquired cautiously.


    ¡°What¡¯s our next move?¡± Noah pondered, rising slowly to approach the floor-to-ceiling window. ¡°If they want a game, I¡¯ll give them one,¡± he dered, turning to face Samuel with a piercing gaze. ¡°Let it be known that Wall Group is venturing into the new energy sector, focusing on key initiatives¡­¡± He paused, his eyes gleaming coldly. ¡°I want them to cough up everything they¡¯ve taken.¡±


    Samuel felt a surge of adrenaline. Noah¡¯s responses were always swift and decisive. He was determined to exact a steep toll on those who dared harm Sadie.


    As the stock market opened, a covert battlemenced. Wall Group unexpectedly announced its foray into the new energy market, pouring significant investment into several ventures. This move sparked widespread controversy.


    Stocks linked to the Howe and Perry families tumbled dramatically, leaving market watchers dumbfounded. Simultaneously, a deluge of negative publicity involving the Howe and Perry Groups¡ªranging from qualitypses to tax evasion and unfairpetition¡ªsaturated the media, plunging both corporations into a deep crisis.


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 Chapter 549

    ?Chapter 549:


    ¡°What¡­ What¡¯s happening?¡± Terrance stared at the plummeting stock prices on hisputer screen, hisplexion turning pale, sweat forming on his forehead. He had never expected Noah¡¯s counterattack to be so immediate and severe.


    ¡°He¡¯s trying to destroy us,¡± Terrance said, his voice quivering with a hint of despair.


    In the Perry Group¡¯s chairman¡¯s office, Elbert was simrly taken aback. He hadn¡¯t foreseen Noah¡¯s response to be so rapid and merciless.


    ¡°Dad, we can¡¯t keep going like this. We need to find a way to counteract Noah,¡± Aliza said, her voice tinged with worry.


    ¡°I know! I know!¡± Elbert responded irritably, waving his hand dismissively. ¡°But what can we possibly do?¡±


    Both Perry and Howe Groups were facing intense pressure.


    Just then, Elbert¡¯s phone rang; it was Terrance on the line.


    ¡°Hello, Terrance. What¡¯s the matter?¡± Elbert answered, his tone showing impatience.


    ¡°Elbert, this situation can¡¯t go on!¡± Terrance¡¯s voice was filled with urgency and panic.


    Elbert scoffed. ¡°Do you have a n?¡±


    ¡°We¡­¡± Terrance started, but Elbert cut him off.


    ¡°Terrance, listen. We¡¯re in this together, and there¡¯s no escaping it,¡± Elbert¡¯s tone was harsh and firm. ¡°If you even think about backing out now, don¡¯t expect any mercy from me.¡±


    A chill ran through Terrance.


    ¡°Elbert, what¡­ what do you mean?¡± Terrance stammered.


    ¡°What do I mean? My meaning is clear,¡± Elbert stated coldly. ¡°Either we stand together, or we fall together. The choice is yours now.¡±


    .c¨®m is the source


    ¡°You¡­¡± Terrance was so furious he trembled, yet he felt utterly powerless.


    ¡°Terrance, I suggest you act wisely. Know when to bend rather than continue futile resistance,¡± Elbert¡¯s voice carried a veiled threat. ¡°Or be prepared to face the consequences.¡± With that, Elbert ended the call.


    Terrance listened to the disconnect tone, his expression darkening as his despair deepened.


    Meanwhile, in the hospital¡¯s VIP ward, Sadie cradled Averi, softly humming a luby. Averi¡¯s face radiated joy as he gripped Sadie¡¯s gown tightly, secure in his mother¡¯s embrace.


    ¡°Mommy, your singing is so beautiful,¡± Averi said in his sweet, childish voice.


    ¡°If you enjoy it, Mommy will sing to you every day,¡± Sadie replied, her smile warm, her eyes shimmering with maternal love. She tenderly stroked Averi¡¯s hair, feeling her heart soften.


    As long as Averi grew up healthy and happy, she was prepared to sacrifice anything.


    ¡°Mommy, where¡¯s Mr. Wall?¡± Averi suddenly asked.


    Sadie¡¯s smile wavered slightly; she was uncertain how to respond to Averi¡¯s question. Her rtionship with Noah was fraught withplexities, difficult for her to understand herself, let alone exin to a child.


    ¡°He is very busy with work right now. He¡¯lle visit us as soon as he can,¡± Sadie said, managing a smile.


    ¡°I see,¡± Averi replied, epting her exnation without further question.


    Despite his young age, Averi showed remarkable maturity. He understood that if his mother chose not to discuss something, it was best not to press her.


    As Sadie observed Averi¡¯s considerate behavior, a wave of bitterness washed over her. She yearned to provide Averi with aplete family and a joyful childhood. Yet, reality was often unforgiving.


    The rtionship between her and Noah wasden with misunderstandings and pain. She doubted whether things could ever return to how they once were, nor did she know how to face Noah.


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 Chapter 550

    ?Chapter 550:


    Embracing Averi tightly, Sadie whispered into his ear, ¡°Averi, Mommy will always protect you. I¡¯ll never leave you.¡± Her voice was both resolute and tender. This was her vow to Averi and to herself. No matter what challenges the future might bring, she was determined to face them courageously¡ªfor Averi and for her own sake.


    Late into the night, Noah returned to the hospital. He entered the room silently and found Sadie and Averi asleep. Sadie clutched Averi close, her expression one of weary devotion.


    A surge of affection washed over Noah. He approached the bed, seated himself quietly, and gazed at Sadie. His look was soft and intense, as if he were trying to capture and preserve her image forever.


    He reached out to gently stroke Sadie¡¯s cheek, savoring the softness of her skin. His touch was feather-light. He was careful not to disturb her sleep.


    Meanwhile, at the Howe family¡¯s vi, the atmosphere was tense and silent. In the darkness of his room, Alex sat by the window, the glow of his phone screen the only light, disying the continuous flow of news. ¡°Sadie was kidnapped¡­¡±


    ¡°Damn it!¡± he muttered, his frustration manifesting as he punched the wall.


    He had never expected the situation to escte so dramatically. Furthermore, he found it hard to believe that his father, whom he had always looked up to, could be involved in something so drastic.


    ¡°This can¡¯t just be my father¡¯s doing¡­¡± Alex mused, his brow furrowed in thought. ¡°Aliza¡­ She must have orchestrated this. No, I need to uncover the truth.¡±


    With that resolve, Alex stood up abruptly. He couldn¡¯t sit idly by; he feltpelled to act on Sadie¡¯s behalf.


    Alex took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. He started to rey recent events in his mind, attempting to connect the dots. He recalled his mother¡¯s sudden disappearance, his father¡¯s shifting demeanor, Aliza¡¯s increasing presence, and those enigmatic phone calls.


    Gradually, one clue linked to another in his mind. The more Alex pondered, the more rmed and angry he became. It was hard to ept that the father he had trusted could be such a monstrous figure.


    ¡°I need to find proof.¡± Alex¡¯s hands clenched into fists, his nails digging into his palms. He was determined to reveal his father¡¯s and Aliza¡¯s true natures and to obtain justice for Sadie.


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s hosts captivating tales


    Alex quietly opened his door and stepped into the hallway. The hallway was deserted and unnervingly silent. His heart pounding, he tiptoed toward his father¡¯s study, convinced it contained many secrets.


    The door to the study was shut tight, making his heart beat even faster. He took a deep breath and gently pushed the door open. Inside, the room was enveloped in darkness, unlit and still. Guided by the meager moonlight, Alex felt his way forward.


    He reached the desk and started rummaging through it.


    ¡°What are you doing, Alex?¡± A cold voice suddenly cut through the silence.


    Alex froze, slowly turning around.


    Terrance stood in the doorway, his expression dark and foreboding.


    Alex was caught off guard; he hadn¡¯t anticipated his father¡¯s sudden appearance.


    ¡°I asked what you are doing,¡± Terrance¡¯s voice grew louder, tinged with anger.


    ¡°I was just looking for a book to read,¡± Alex said, his attempt at calmness faltering.


    ¡°A book?¡± Terrance scoffed. ¡°Do you really expect me to believe that?¡± He approached Alex, examining him with a prating gaze.


    ¡°Are you investigating me?¡± Terrance¡¯s tone was low and chilling.


    ¡°I¡¯m not!¡± Alex responded emphatically, denying the usation.


    ¡°Not?¡± Terrance grabbed Alex by the cor and mmed him against the wall. ¡°You think I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re up to? You think I¡¯m unaware of your involvement with that woman?¡±


    Alex¡¯s face nched.


    ¡°Listen to me. You¡¯d better behave!¡± Terrance¡¯s voice carried an unmistakable threat. ¡°Or you¡¯ll have no one to me but yourself if I take harsh measures.¡±


    ¡°Dad! Why are you doing this?¡± Alex¡¯s restraint broke, and he confronted his father loudly. ¡°Why did you kidnap Sadie? Why are you working with the Perry family? What are you trying to achieve?¡±


    ¡°Silence!¡± Terrance bellowed. ¡°You have no right to question my actions.¡± His voice was icy and unforgiving. ¡°Everything I do is for the Howe family and our future.¡±


    ¡°Our future?¡± Alexughed bitterly. ¡°Is this so-called future built on the suffering of others? Is it really worth sacrificing your morals for? I¡¯m so disappointed in you, Dad.¡±


    ¡°Shut your mouth!¡± Terrance raised a trembling hand, intending to p Alex.


    ¡°Mr. Howe, what are you doing?¡± the family butler called out, his sudden presence breaking the tension.


    The hapless man stood in the doorway, looking horrified as he processed the scene before him.


    ¡°Get out!¡± Terrance roared.


    The butler flinched and fled quickly.


    ¡°Come on, Dad, be rational!¡± Alex pleaded when they were alone again. ¡°You may think your n is for the good of the Howe family, but you¡¯re wrong. It will only lead us to ruin.¡±


    ¡°What do you know?¡± Terrance barked at him. ¡°You know nothing!¡±


    ¡°Nothing?¡± Alex sneered. ¡°I do know that you¡¯ve been making mistake after mistake. I don¡¯t want to see our family fall because of your actions!¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± Terrance sputtered, too furious to get the rest of his words out.


    ¡°Dad, please, just stop!¡± Alex softened his tone slightly. ¡°It¡¯s not toote to turn back.¡±


    ¡°Impossible!¡± Terrance dered. ¡°I won¡¯t back down, no matter what! Noah must pay!¡±


    ¡°Seriously?¡± Alex asked, utterly bewildered. ¡°But why? Why do you have such a deep-seated hatred for Noah? Is there something I don¡¯t know?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to know,¡± Terrance snapped. ¡°Just remember that I am your father. It may not look like it now, but everything I do is for your own good.¡±


    ¡°For my own good?¡± Alex echoed with a bitterugh. ¡°Do you think I¡¯d buy that nonsense?¡±


    ¡°Believe whatever you want, then!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve really changed, Dad.¡± Alex¡¯s voice had turned quiet. He paused and gave his father a look of utter disappointment. ¡°Somehow, you¡¯ve be someone I no longer recognize, someone I fear.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t changed!¡± Terrance boomed. ¡°I am still your father! I will always be your father.¡±


    ¡°No, you¡¯re not.¡± Alex helplessly shook his head. ¡°You¡¯re not the father I once knew.¡±


    Terrance gritted his teeth, his hands clenched into fists. ¡°I¡¯m not giving up, Dad.¡±


    Alex met his angry gaze with one of determination. ¡°I will stop you, and I will reveal your true nature!¡±


    ¡°I dare you!¡± Terrance yelled.


    ¡°You think I wouldn¡¯t?¡± Alex countered arrogantly. ¡°For Sadie, for the Howe family, I¡¯m willing to do anything!¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± Once again, Terrance was so ovee with rage that he could barely speak.


    In the end, he called for his men. ¡°Guards!¡±


    A group of tall, burly men rushed into the room.


    ¡°Take Alex back to his room and keep a close eye on him!¡± Terrance ordered. ¡°No one is allowed near him without my permission.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Howe!¡± the men responded in unison, stepping forward to restrain Alex.


    ¡°Let go of me! I said, let me go!¡± Alex tried to struggle, but he was outnumbered.


    The bodyguards practically hauled him away.


    Terrance watched them go, his expression dark and menacing.


    ¡°It¡¯s you who have disappointed me, Alex,¡± he muttered to himself. ¡°Since you refused to listen to me, you can¡¯t me me for using drastic measures.¡±


    He turned to his desk, grabbed the phone, and dialed a number.


    ¡°It¡¯s me,¡± Terrance¡¯s voice was cold and ruthless. ¡°Move the n up¡­ Yes, as soon as possible. I don¡¯t want to see that woman again¡­ What? Noah? Don¡¯t worry about him. He has his own problems to deal with¡­ Good. That¡¯s all.¡±


    When he hung up the phone, Terrance wore a sinister smile. ¡°Just you wait, Noah. I will make you regret ever crossing me!¡±


    Meanwhile, Alex had been safely locked inside his room.


    He suddenly remembered something.


    He strode across the room to his desk, opened a drawer, and fished out an old phone.


    It was his, from when he was much younger. It had gone unused for a long time.


    Holding on to a glimmer of hope, he pressed the power button. The screen immediately lit up, and the battery icon was full.


    A flicker of excitement crossed Alex¡¯s eyes. He quickly dialed a number.


    ¡°Hello?¡± he said in a shaky voice. ¡°It¡¯s me. My father has locked me up¡­ Yes, at home. Can you help me?¡±


    A familiar voice came from the other end of the line. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Alex. I¡¯ll find a way to get you out.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Alex choked out. ¡°You need to be careful. My father¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± the other person interrupted. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. I¡¯ll take care of everything.¡±


    ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll be waiting.¡±


    Alex ended the call and finally felt a modicum of relief.


    Sadie exhaled slowly, basking in the sense of peace and relief that surged in her chest. Sunlight streamed through the window, adding ayer of warmth to the room and to her heart.


    A nurse pushed a wheelchair into the room and gave Sadie a professional smile. ¡°Congrattions, Miss Hudson! You may be discharged today.¡±


    Sadie nodded gratefully. She had been through so much in the past few weeks and had endured a lot of physical and emotional stress. Now, it was finallying to an end.


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 Chapter 551

    ?Chapter 551:


    ¡°Mommy, can we go home now?¡± Averi asked with wide, hopeful eyes.


    ¡°Yes, sweetheart. We can go home now,¡± Sadie replied softly, stroking his head.


    At that moment, there was a knock on the hospital room door.


    ¡°Come in, please,¡± Sadie called out.


    Jim entered, wearing his white coat, a document in hand and a gentle smile on his face.


    ¡°Congrattions on your discharge,¡± he said.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Sadie responded with a smile.


    Jim paused, then turned to Averi. ¡°Little guy, are you happy to go home today?¡±


    Averi nodded enthusiastically, his face lighting up. ¡°Yes! I can go home with Mommy now!¡±


    Jim chuckled, then his expression turned serious as he faced Sadie.


    ¡°Sadie, there¡¯s something I need to discuss with you.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± Sadie asked, sensing the seriousness in his tone.


    ¡°Alex contacted me,¡± Jim revealed.


    Sadie¡¯s expression changed, a mix of emotions passing over her face. ¡°What did he say?¡± she inquired, her voice slightly wavering.


    Jim nced at Averi, then hesitated.


    Understanding the situation, Sadie said to Averi, ¡°Sweetie, can you wait in the car for Mommy? I need to talk to Jim for a moment, and then I¡¯ll be right there.¡±


    Averi, though slightly confused, nodded obediently. ¡°Okay, Mommy. I¡¯ll wait for you.¡±


    After Averi left, Sadie faced Jim, ready to continue their conversation.


    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????


    After parting ways with Jim, Sadie took Averi back to Myrtlewood Estate.


    Upon arriving, Averi hurried into the living room, eager to y with his toys.


    Sadie watched him go, her face softening into a gentle smile.


    ¡°Wee back, Mrs. Wall,¡± Breck greeted her respectfully as she entered.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Sadie replied, then asked, ¡°Where¡¯s Noah?¡±


    ¡°Mr. Wall came home early today; he¡¯s in the study,¡± Breck informed her.


    Surprised, Sadie raised her eyebrows slightly. It was rare for Noah to be home so early. What was happening today?


    A sense of unease settled in Sadie¡¯s heart, but sheposed herself and responded, ¡°I see.¡±


    She removed her coat, handed it to Breck, and then made her way toward the study.


    Pausing at the door, Sadie took a deep breath and knocked softly.


    ¡°Enter,¡± came Noah¡¯s deep, resonant voice from within.


    Pushing the door open, Sadie stepped inside.


    Noah was seated at his desk, a document in hand, his brow furrowed in thought.


    As the door opened, he looked up, his eyes meeting Sadie¡¯s.


    Sadie¡¯s heart skipped a beat.


    Noah¡¯s gaze was profound and enigmatic, like a vast, unreadable sea.


    ¡°You¡¯re back,¡± he stated simply, setting aside the document.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Sadie replied, taking a seat across from him.


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 Chapter 552

    ?Chapter 552:


    ¡°Why did youe back so early today?¡± she ventured cautiously.


    Noah fixed his gaze on her. ¡°I wrapped up early at thepany, so I returned,¡± he exined, his voice even and emotionless.


    Sadie observed him, her unease mounting.


    She sensed that Noah was withholding something.


    ¡°Noah,¡± she started, her voice tinged with hesitation, ¡°there¡¯s something I need to discuss.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± he inquired.


    Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Sadie revealed, ¡°Alex¡­ he wants to work with you.¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression sharpened immediately, his focus intensifying as he regarded Sadie.


    ¡°Alex?¡± His tone was edged with a chill. ¡°He wants to coborate with you?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Sadie confirmed. ¡°He mentioned that his father orchestrated the recent events, and he¡¯s looking to put an end to his father¡¯s n.¡±


    A wry smile appeared on Noah¡¯s lips.


    ¡°Put an end to his father¡¯s n? What right does he have to stop anything?¡±


    Sadie met his gaze earnestly.


    ¡°He ims he has evidence of his father¡¯s crimes and is willing to share it with you if you agree to coborate.¡±


    Noah paused, his expression unreadable as he considered her words. The study fell into an eerie silence, punctuated only by the soft ticking of the wall clock.


    Sadie observed Noah, her anxiety mounting with each passing second.


    ¡°What do you think?¡± Noah finally broke the silence.


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    Sadie was surprised; she hadn¡¯t expected him to seek her opinion.


    Sadie hesitated, searching for the right words. ¡°I think it¡¯s worth considering.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Noah¡¯s voice held a hint of amusement. ¡°Do you think I should trust him?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Sadie admitted, shaking her head slightly.


    Noah¡¯s gaze was intense, filled withplex emotions.


    Sadie¡¯s heart felt heavy.


    ¡°I just¡­¡± She paused, struggling to find the words.


    ¡°Just what?¡± Noah prompted.


    ¡°I just don¡¯t want you to be blindsided,¡± Sadie said, taking a deep breath and holding his gaze. ¡°There¡¯s a lot of bad blood between you and the Howe family, but I hope you can approach this calmly and not let anger cloud your judgment.¡±


    Noah watched her, his expression softening slightly.


    ¡°I see,¡± he said slowly. ¡°I¡¯ll think about it.¡±


    Sadie exhaled in relief.


    ¡°Thank you, Noah,¡± she murmured.


    Sadie exited the study, closing the door softly behind her.


    The gentle light in the hallway washed over her, yet it did little to lift the heaviness in her heart.


    A persistent barrier of unspoken words seemed to separate her and Noah, making him seem distant.


    As she descended the stairs, Noah¡¯s prating gaze lingered in her mind.


    .


    .


    .

 Chapter 553

    ?Chapter 553:


    Would he ce his trust in Alex?


    ¡°Mommy!¡± Averi¡¯s sweet voice pierced her reverie. She turned to see him at the entrance to the living room, hisrge eyes brimming with curiosity.


    Instantly, her heart warmed.


    She approached and crouched to his level, asking softly, ¡°What¡¯s up, sweetheart?¡±


    ¡°Mommy, what were you and Mr. Wall talking about? You were in there for a long time,¡± Averi inquired, his head tilted inquisitively, gently pulling at Sadie¡¯s sleeve.


    ¡°We were just discussing some work things, nothing for you to worry about,¡± Sadie reassured him, patting his head as she smiled.


    ¡°See?¡± Averi replied, his understanding partial.


    His expression then brightened with excitement. ¡°Mommy, I have good news! Great-grandma is back.¡±


    ¡°Great-grandma?¡± Sadie echoed, startled, her eyes immediately filling with tears.


    Her grandmother!


    It had been so long since she had seen her.


    Since her kidnapping, she had lost contact with Laura. The worry had tormented Sadie, keeping her awake at night, yet she hesitated to inquire, fearing the worst.


    ¡°Yes, Mommy!¡± Averi beamed, waving his little hands. ¡°Breck said Great-grandma wasn¡¯t feeling well a while ago, so he took her to the hospital. Now she¡¯s better and back home.¡±


    Sadie was overwhelmed by emotion, her tears streaming down her cheeks.


    She quickly stood and dashed toward the door.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, you¡­¡± Breck began, startled by Sadie¡¯s emotional state, but she was already past him, driven by an urgent need to see her grandmother.


    At the vi¡¯s entrance, a beloved figure stood, smiling warmly and waving.


    It was her grandmother, the woman who had raised her and cherished her dearly.


    ¡°Grandma!¡± Sadie cried out, running into her grandmother¡¯s open arms.


    ¡°Oh, my dear child! Why are you crying like this?¡± Laura gently stroked Sadie¡¯s back with concern. ¡°Has someone upset you? Tell Grandma, and I¡¯ll take care of it.¡±


    Clutching Laura tightly, Sadie let her tears flow unrestrained. She hadn¡¯t wept so deeply, even during the torment at the hands of those thugs or in her darkest moments of survival.


    Her deepest fear had always been harming to Laura, not her own suffering.


    ¡°Grandma, I¡¯m fine¡­¡± Sadie managed to say between sobs. ¡°I just¡­ missed you so much¡­¡±


    ¡°Silly girl! Am I not right here with you? Look, I¡¯m perfectly fine, aren¡¯t I?¡± Laura soothed her, tenderly wiping away her tears. ¡°Stop crying now, or you¡¯ll ruin your beautiful face.¡±


    Despite her efforts, Sadie found it impossible to stem the flow of tears.


    ¡°Grandma¡­¡± she choked out, her voice breaking. ¡°Where have you been all this time? I was so worried¡­¡±


    ¡°It was just my old condition ring up again. I had to stay in the hospital for a little while,¡± Laura exined lightly, trying to reassure her. ¡°See? I¡¯m back and better now. Don¡¯t worry, okay?¡±


    Knowing Laura was minimizing her own troubles to spare her worry only deepened Sadie¡¯s emotional pain.


    ¡°Grandma, I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Sadie whispered, her voiceden with regret and relief.


    ¡°Silly child, what are you apologizing for?¡± Laura gently stroked Sadie¡¯s hair, speaking with warmth. ¡°I never me you. As long as you¡¯re well, I¡¯m at ease.¡±


    .


    .


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 Chapter 554

    ?Chapter 554:


    ¡°Mommy, don¡¯t cry, Great-grandma said she¡¯s fine,¡± Averi chimed in, hugging Sadie¡¯s leg, his voice filled with sincerity.


    Sadie looked down at Averi, wiped away her tears, and managed a smile. ¡°Okay, Mommy won¡¯t cry anymore.¡±


    ¡°My dear, are you hungry?¡± Laura asked affectionately, turning her attention to Sadie. ¡°Tell me what you¡¯d like to eat. Grandma will make it for you.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s face brightened slightly. She sniffed and responded, ¡°Could I have your pot roast, zed chicken, and¡­¡±


    She listed several dishes, all favorites from her childhood.


    ¡°Of course, of course. I¡¯ll make them all.¡± Laura chuckled, her eyes twinkling with delight. ¡°Just rx, and let Grandma take care of the cooking.¡±


    With a sense of purpose, Laura rolled up her sleeves, prepared to head into the kitchen.


    ¡°Grandma, let me help you,¡± Sadie quickly said.


    ¡°No need, dear. You spend some time with Averi,¡± Laura declined gently, smiling. ¡°The kitchen will be all smoky. You won¡¯t like it.¡±


    ¡°But Grandma, I really want to help¡­¡± Sadie began, only to be interrupted by Laura.


    ¡°Be a good girl, will you?¡± Laura said with a kind smile. ¡°Go on now. I¡¯ve got this.¡±


    Sadie gazed into Laura¡¯s kind eyes and nodded. ¡°Alright, Grandma. I¡¯ll listen to you.¡±


    Laura hoped to ease Sadie¡¯s worries and wanted her to spend more time with Averi.


    ¡°That¡¯s my good girl,¡± Laura said, smiling as she gently patted Sadie¡¯s head before heading into the kitchen.


    Watching her grandmother walk away, Sadie felt a surge of warmth and gratitude.


    It wasforting to have her grandmother around.


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    Sadie took Averi¡¯s hand and led him to the living room.


    ¡°Averi, let¡¯s y with some toys,¡± she suggested, smiling.


    ¡°Great!¡± Averi eximed, pping his hands with excitement.


    Sadie spent some time ying with Averi, sharing a few stories with him.


    From the kitchen, the sounds of Laura cooking mingled with the enticing aroma of the food, soothing Sadie¡¯s spirit.


    In the study, Noah stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, a frown creasing his brow as he held his phone.


    He called Samuel.


    ¡°Hello, Mr. Wall,¡± Samuel¡¯s voice came through the phone, respectful as always.


    ¡°Contact Alex,¡± Noah instructed, his voice firm and cold. ¡°Tell him I¡¯m willing to coborate with him.¡±


    ¡°Coborate?¡± Samuel¡¯s voice betrayed his surprise. He was clearly not expecting such a decision from Noah. ¡°Mr. Wall, are you sure? Alex is¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure,¡± Noah cut him off, his tone decisive.


    ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall,¡± Samuel responded. ¡°I¡¯ll reach out to Alex immediately.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Noah concluded, ending the call.


    In his dimly lit room, Alex sat dejectedly on a sofa, the faint light barely illuminating the space through heavy curtains.


    He stared nkly at the floor, clutching his old phone¡ªhis only connection to the outside.


    Suddenly, the phone screen lit up with an anonymous message. ¡°Coboration is possible, and the Howe family foundation can be preserved, but the patriarch of the Howe family must change.¡±


    .


    .


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 Chapter 555

    ?Chapter 555:


    Alex sat up quickly, his eyes narrowing.


    This coboration offered a way out of his current dilemma and a chance to retaliate.


    The opportunity to preserve the Howe family foundation meant they wouldn¡¯t face total ruin, providing a chance for resurgence.


    However, the requirement that ¡°the patriarch of the Howe family must change¡± hit him hard.


    It meant he had to overthrow his own father and take his ce. Alex¡¯s breath quickened, and he gripped the phone tighter, his knuckles whitening with the strain.


    After a lengthy pause, Alex exhaled deeply, his expression hardening into one of resolve.


    He rose and approached the mirror.


    Reflected was a disheveled man with unruly hair and a rough beard, a stark contrast to his usually polished appearance. Taking a deep breath, Alex started grooming himself.


    Hebed his hair, shaved his beard, and changed into a crisp, clean outfit.


    He then opened the door and stepped out.


    ¡°Mr. Howe.¡± The two guards at the door blocked his path, their faces devoid of emotion. ¡°Your father has ordered that you cannot leave this room without his permission.¡±


    ¡°Step aside,¡± Alexmanded, his toneced with authority. The guards looked at each other but didn¡¯t move, loyal only to Terrance¡¯smands.


    ¡°Are you deaf?¡± Alex¡¯s voice escted, now marked by frustration. ¡°I am the CEO of Howe Group. Do you really dare to stop me?¡±


    ¡°Mr. Howe, we are simply following orders. Please don¡¯t make this difficult,¡± one guard implored, steeling himself.


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    ¡°Difficult?¡± Alex scoffed.


    He advanced a step, his eyes piercing, his presencemanding. ¡°Listen carefully. This isn¡¯t a negotiation. It¡¯s an order!¡± Alex emphasized each word sharply. ¡°Move aside now!¡±


    His formidable demeanor made the guards involuntarily step back.


    ¡°Go. Inform Terrance Howe,¡± Alex said, his voice steadier as he tried to regte his emotions. ¡°Tell him I¡¯ve reached a decision.¡±


    One guard nodded to the other, who then hurried off to convey the message to Terrance.


    Alex stood resolutely, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, causing him pain.


    At that moment, however, the pain was the least of his concerns.


    The wait seemed endless, each second stretched to its limit.


    Though he appearedposed, Alex¡¯s mind was stormy, reying potential dialogues with his father, anticipating every conceivable argument.


    The uing conversation would be treacherous, as a single misstep could spell disaster.


    Soon, the guard returned.


    ¡°Mr. Howe, your father would like to see you,¡± he reported respectfully.


    Alex proceeded, making his way to Terrance¡¯s study.


    Inside, the atmosphere was tense.


    .


    .


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 Chapter 556

    ?Chapter 556:


    Terrance sat behind hisrge mahogany desk in a wooden armchair, his expression stern, his eyes as sharp as a hawk¡¯s, locking on Alex as he entered.


    ¡°Have you thought this through?¡± Terrance¡¯s voice was rough, and he was weighed down by exhaustion. Alex stood firm before the desk, his gaze steady, unwavering.


    ¡°I have,¡± his words were quiet, yet resolute.


    Terrance studied him, searching his son¡¯s face for any sign of doubt, any hesitation.


    But Alex¡¯s expression was a locked vault¡ªdeep, imprable, unreadable.


    Atst, Terrance exhaled, his voice breaking the heavy silence. ¡°And what¡¯s your decision?¡±


    Alex met his father¡¯s gaze head-on. ¡°I want to stand with you.¡±


    For a fleeting moment, shock flickered in Terrance¡¯s weary eyes, swiftly chased away by something far stronger¡ªrelief, pride.


    He pushed himself up from his chair, crossing the space between them in two strides. His hands found Alex¡¯s shoulders, gripping them tightly.


    ¡°Alex¡­¡± His voice wavered, thick with emotion. ¡°You mean it? You truly mean it?¡±


    Alex nodded, his gaze steady, unwavering. ¡°Dad, I was reckless before. I see that now. I understand one thing¡ªfamily stands together. We row in the same boat, no matter how rough the waters.¡±


    A slow smile spread across Terrance¡¯s face, his eyes glistening with emotion. ¡°Good! Good!¡±


    He pped Alex¡¯s shoulder with pride evident in every gesture. ¡°That¡¯s the mark of a true Howe¡ªbrave, loyal, willing to bear responsibility!¡±


    Then, without hesitation, Terrance¡¯s voice rang out. ¡°Hey, someonee over here!¡±


    The butler, standing just beyond the threshold, stepped in without hesitation, his hands neatly sped.


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    ¡°Yes, sir? How may I help you?¡±


    ¡°Tell the security team¡ªthey no longer need to keep an eye on Alex. He goes where he pleases, without restriction.¡±


    The butler gave a crisp nod. ¡°Right away, sir.¡± He turned on his heel, disappearing down the hall.


    A weight seemed to roll off Alex¡¯s shoulders. He exhaled, the tension easing. It seemed he had made the right move.


    Terrance sat back down in his chair and gestured for Alex to sit as well.


    ¡°Getfortable,¡± he said. ¡°Tonight, I¡¯m taking you somewhere special.¡±


    As night draped itself over the city, neon lights flickered to life, and Gold Vibrant Club loomed in the distance¡ªa pce of wealth, excess, and whispered power.


    Inside a spacious private room, the air felt stifling, heavy with unspoken tension.


    At the head of the long table, Terrance sat in cold authority, his sharp gaze cutting through the room like a de.


    Behind him, Alex stood tall, his expression unreadable, a wall of quiet resolve.


    Across from them, Elbert sat rigid, his face pale with suppressed frustration.


    Aliza, pressed close to her father¡¯s side, her fingers digging into his sleeve, looked shaken¡ªher wide eyes flicking nervously between the men.


    ¡°Terrance, what do we do now?¡± Elbert¡¯s voice was raw, hoarse with barely contained desperation. ¡°Noah is tightening the noose. We¡¯re running out of options.¡±


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 Chapter 557

    ?Chapter 557:


    A slow, humorless chuckle escaped Terrance. ¡°Didn¡¯t you once im there was no need to panic? That whatever storm came, we¡¯d weather it? And now? One push from Noah, and you¡¯re already shaking?¡±


    Elbert swallowed hard, his fingers gripping the table¡¯s edge. ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°No buts.¡± Terrance¡¯s voice was final, sharp as steel.


    Elbert hesitated, then let out a slow breath, his gaze flickering toward Alex.


    For a long time, he had considered the young man an outsider, someone who would never truly stand with them. Yet now, in the moment of crisis, Alex was here¡ªsilent, steady, unwavering.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Elbert said through clenched teeth, ¡°Then let¡¯s figure out our next move.¡±


    The four leaned in, voices low, urgency sharpening their every word. The discussion turned ruthless, dissecting every possible path, every calcted risk.


    The room pulsed with tension as time slipped away. Then¡ªBang!


    The door burst open with a violent kick, mming against the wall. The sound jolted everyone in the room. All four turned sharply toward the entrance.


    Noah stood in the doorway, a storm incarnate. He was d in a sleek ck suit, his presence radiating cold authority, his sharp eyes scanning the room like a predator locking onto its prey.


    Behind him, a squad of men loomed, each gripping a baseball bat.


    The air inside the private room shifted¡ªthickening with tension. A sharp cry broke the silence. Aliza shrieked, clutching onto Elbert, her whole body trembling.


    Elbert¡¯s face drained of color, but he pushed down his fear, forcing himself to stand. His voice, though shaken, still carried weight. ¡°Noah, what the hell do you think you¡¯re doing?¡±


    Terrance was on his feet in an instant, eyes locking onto Noah, his expression a blend of fury and disbelief.


    Why did Noah show up here?


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    Could it be¡­?


    A terrifying possibility shed through Terrance¡¯s mind, but before he could voice it, a voice cut through the suffocating tension.


    ¡°Noah, you are finally here¡­¡±


    All eyes turned as Alex stepped forward, emerging from behind his father.


    His face was unreadable, his gaze steady¡ªtoo steady, as if he had seen this momenting long before it arrived.


    A smirk ghosted across Noah¡¯s lips, amusement flickering in his dark eyes as he met Alex¡¯s gaze.


    ¡°Mr. Howe, you should focus on handling Howe family matters. Leave this one to me.¡±


    Alex didn¡¯t say a word at first. Instead, he turned, casting a long, weighted nce at Terrance, a silent storm brewing in his eyes. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, he murmured, ¡°Take care, Dad.¡± And just like that, he walked away. Not once did he look back.


    Behind him, Terrance, Eliza, and Elbert stood frozen in stunned silence.


    ¡°You¡­ what¡­¡± Terrance staggered, his hand trembling as he pointed after his son, his lips parting¡ªbut no words came.


    The betrayal cut so deep, it left him speechless. His own son. His own flesh and blood.


    Alex had sided with Noah.


    .


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 Chapter 558

    ?Chapter 558:


    The realization mmed into him like a hammer, rage and devastation intertwining into something unbearable. His chest tightened, his vision blurred, and for a moment, the world around him swayed.


    His knees nearly buckled, but through the fury and heartbreak, a single thought anchored him. At least Alex was safe.


    Noah had left him in charge of the Howe family affairs, which meant he wouldn¡¯t destroy their family outright.


    There was still a sliver of hope.


    A bitter relief washed over Terrance.


    ¡°Noah! Are you out of your fucking mind?¡± Elbert¡¯s voice shattered the silence, raw with rage and desperation. ¡°Touch me, and you¡¯ll regret it! Do you have any idea who you¡¯re messing with? I¡¯m Elbert Perry¡ªthe head of the Perry family!¡±


    Noah cast a cold nce at Elbert, his eyes filled with disdain as though he were observing a worm squirming on a hook.


    Without uttering a word, Noah merely tilted his head slightly, signaling to Samuel beside him.


    Samuel immediately understood, his expression stoic as he approached Elbert. He grabbed Elbert by the cor and hoisted him as though he were lifting a lightweight object.


    ¡°Let go of me! Let go of me! You bastards! I¡¯m calling the police! I¡¯ll sue you!¡± Elbert shouted, struggling desperately and iling his legs in an attempt to escape Samuel¡¯s grasp. He had clearly underestimated Samuel.


    Samuel, Noah¡¯s long-time trusted aide, had faced numerous challenging situations over the years.


    He let out a cold chuckle and then forcefully pushed Elbert to the floor. ¡°Bang!¡± A dull thud echoed as Elbert¡¯s body hit the floor, apanied by a painful wail. ¡°Ah!¡±


    Unyielding, Samuel began to kick Elbert.


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    ¡°This is for your disrespect.


    This is for not recognizing your ce.


    This is for crossing Mr. Wall.¡±


    Each kick was delivered with chilling precision, Samuel¡¯s voice icy andced with menace.


    The room resounded with the sounds of Elbert¡¯s cries and Samuel¡¯s relentless admonishment, creating a grim atmosphere.


    Aliza, witnessing the sudden violence, was frozen in shock, her eyes wide and hands sped over her mouth, too terrified to utter a sound.


    Noah then turned his menacing gaze toward Aliza.


    Feeling a cold terror wash over her, Aliza instinctively retreated, her only thought to flee this frightening scene.


    Noah¡¯s eyes bore a deadly seriousness.


    It was no mere threat; his intent to harm was palpable.


    Aliza was certain that any sudden movement on her part might prompt Noah to act on his lethal intentions.


    ¡°Mr. Wall¡­¡± Aliza stammered, her voice quivering, tears welling up in her eyes. ¡°Please¡­ spare me¡­ I don¡¯t know anything¡­ I haven¡¯t done anything¡­¡±


    Noah remained silent, his gaze icy and unforgiving. His silence was more daunting than any verbal threat.


    Aliza¡¯s mental defenses shattered. She copsed to her knees, her sobs uncontroble.


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 Chapter 559

    ?Chapter 559:


    ¡°Mr. Wall, I beg you. I really don¡¯t know anything. Please, spare me. I¡¯ll even beg on my knees¡­¡±


    Her cries were loud and desperate. Her voice grew hoarse from pleading, yet she dared not stop.


    However, Noah remained impassive.


    He slowly raised his hand, pointing at Aliza, then dismissively waved it.


    At his gesture, several bodyguards in ck swiftly approached, seizing Aliza by the hair and pulling her to her feet.


    ¡°Let go of me! Let go of me! Help! Help!¡± Aliza screamed, struggling futilely against their iron grip.


    They dragged her into a small room within the suite.


    ¡°No¡­¡± Aliza¡¯s protests faded as the door closed behind her. Horrific screams, the heavy breathing of men, and crudenguage soon followed, painting a disturbing picture of the events unfolding inside.


    Terrance stood by, witnessing the entire scene.


    Hisplexion turned pale, his body trembling.


    He had not anticipated Noah¡¯s capacity for such ruthless cruelty.


    ¡°Mr. Wall¡­¡± Terrance¡¯s voice shook, tinged with desperation. ¡°Could you¡­ could you perhaps spare the Perry family?¡±


    Noah turned to look at Terrance, his expression still cold, utterly emotionless.


    ¡°What do you think, Mr. Howe?¡± Noah asked lightly, his tone indifferent.


    A heavy dread settled in Terrance¡¯s heart.


    Noah¡¯s actions today were driven by a desire for revenge, aiming to obliterate the Perry familypletely.


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    And Terrance had also be a target of that revenge.


    ¡°Take him away,¡± Noahmanded calmly.


    Immediately, two men in ck approached, each taking Terrance by an arm.


    ¡°Where are you taking me?¡± Terrance struggled as he asked.


    ¡°You¡¯ll see when you get there,¡± Noah replied coldly, offering no further exnation.


    Terrance was escorted to a secluded rehabilitation center on the outskirts of the city. The setting was peaceful yet heavily secured.


    His room was modestly furnished, clean, and orderly.


    Terrance sat on the bed, his expression grim, his emotions a mix of confusion and resignation. Suddenly, the door swung open.


    A familiar figure stood at the threshold.


    ¡°Susannah?¡± Terrance¡¯s eyes widened in shock.


    It was his wife, Susannah, at the door.


    She was dressed simply yet elegantly, her hair slightly tousled, and her face showing signs of weariness, but she appeared fine.


    ¡°Terrance¡­¡± Susannah¡¯s tears began to flow.


    She hurried to the bedside, threw her arms around Terrance, and wept uncontrobly.


    ¡°Susannah, how did you get here? What¡¯s happening?¡± Terrance embraced her, his mind racing with questions and unease.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Susannah cried. ¡°Someone brought me here, and I¡¯ve been here ever since¡­¡±


    .


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 Chapter 560

    Chapter 560:


    Terrance¡¯s thoughts were chaotic.


    Noah hadn¡¯t harmed Susannah.


    He had detained them both in this facility but hadn¡¯t subjected them to any physical cruelty. This was astonishing.


    Given Noah¡¯s known cruelty, he could have easily ordered them killed or subjected them to unbearable torture.


    Yet he hadn¡¯t.


    Instead, he had simply confined them to this rehabilitation center. Terrance was left wondering about the purpose behind Noah¡¯s actions. He waspletely baffled.


    The grandeur of Howe Manor was now cloaked in an air of destion. Alex, dressed in a ck suit, stood with a stern expression.


    The once gentle and refined aura he radiated had given way to an intimidating presence that unnerved those around him.


    He walked briskly through the long corridors, his footsteps echoing in the vast emptiness.


    Servants and bodyguards, standing to the side, remained silent and motionless, hardly daring to breathe under his gaze.


    In just a few days, Alex had decisively purged Howe Manor of any disloyalty.


    Anyone connected to Terrance or the Perry family had been mercilessly expelled.


    The fortunate ones were simply ousted, while others vanished without a trace.


    The entire estate seemed to resonate with an ominous scent of blood.


    Simultaneously, the Perry family¡¯s businesses across Helva toppled into bankruptcy, one after another.


    Themercial empire that Elbert had carefully built disintegrated overnight.


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    The remnants of the Perry family, like a defeated army, hastily fled abroad, vowing never to return.


    The once formidable Perry family had beenpletely dismantled.


    As night descended and the city lights twinkled, Alex stood alone before a floor-to-ceiling window, surveying the cityscape.


    He held a ss of red wine, gently swirling it, his expression unreadable.


    Soon, the door opened, and Noah entered.


    Despite showing signs of fatigue, his appearance was still impable.


    ¡°Sit,¡± Alex motioned to the sofa, inviting Noah to join him.


    Without hesitation, Noah took a seat across from Alex, the weight of the atmosphere palpable between them.


    Alex finished his wine in one gulp and then reached for the bottle to pour a ss for Noah.


    ¡°In the end, I owe you thanks,¡± Alex said, his tone light yet devoid of emotion. ¡°Without your assistance, I couldn¡¯t have neutralized the Perry family so efficiently.¡±


    He paused, then added, ¡°Regardless, you¡¯re my friend. This drink is for you.¡±


    He lifted his ss toward Noah.


    Noah regarded Alex, his expression deep and inscrutable.


    He remained silent, his ss untouched.


    .


    .


    .<hr>


    Message from Noah: Have a nice weekend dear ones! New novels releases in a few hours. God loves you and Noah whishes you all the best. (=?=) /


    .

 Chapter 561

    ?Chapter 561:


    Alex¡¯s smile faltered.


    ¡°Noah, I realize you¡¯re upset with me,¡± Alex began, setting his ss down, his voice tinged with bitterness. ¡°But I did all this for Averi and her.¡±


    Noah cut in, his tone icy and t. ¡°Alex, don¡¯t dress it up as nobility. You know the full extent of your actions. If not for Averi, why would I have assisted you?¡±


    Alex¡¯s demeanor shifted, his hands forming fists. ¡°What are you implying?¡± he asked, his voice rising slightly with anger.


    ¡°I¡¯m being clear,¡± Noah responded sharply, his stare unwavering. ¡°I can¡¯t overlook what you did to Sadie. My help was for Averi¡¯s sake, not yours.¡±


    Alex¡¯splexion darkened. He rose swiftly, his eyes locking on Noah. ¡°I love Sadie, and I won¡¯t just walk away from her. If you want me to step back to repay you, then I reject it,¡± he dered firmly.


    ¡°If ites down to a confrontation over her, I¡¯m ready. I don¡¯t fear you,¡± Noah said, his look bing frosty. ¡°Are you challenging me, Alex?¡±


    ¡°You might say that,¡± Alex retorted, standing his ground.


    ¡°Fine. So be it,¡± Noah said with a sneer. ¡°We¡¯ll see how this ends.¡± With those words, he stood and left.


    ¡°Noah!¡± Alex called after him. ¡°Are you really going to turn against me over a woman?¡±


    Noah stopped but did not turn around.


    ¡°Alex, you¡¯re mistaken. It¡¯s not about me turning against you; it¡¯s about you betraying me. From the moment you took Sadie away from me three years ago, you chose to be my enemy. She is neither a bargaining chip nor amodity. Remember that.¡±


    With those words, Noah walked away, not once ncing back.


    Alex remained where he stood, his expression dark and foreboding. His fists were clenched so tightly that his nails pierced his palms, drawing blood, yet he appeared unaware of the pain.


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    Meanwhile, at Myrtlewood Estate, Sadie had just returned from picking up Averi from kindergarten.


    Averi chatted excitedly, recounting his day at school to Sadie, who listened with a warm, attentive smile.


    Hand in hand, they approached their home, their presence painting a picture of warmth and contentment.


    As they reached the entrance of the vi, a familiar figure appeared. Samuel stood before them, his tall frame imposing, his gaze aplex mix of emotions as he watched Sadie.


    Sadie¡¯s expression shifted subtly.


    She harbored no warmth for Samuel, Noah¡¯s right-hand man, known for his involvement in many of Noah¡¯s darker deeds.


    Preferring to keep her distance, she gripped Averi¡¯s hand a little tighter and moved to pass by him, intent on entering the vi.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, please wait a moment,¡± Samuel called out to Sadie.


    Sadie paused, turning around slowly with a trace of detachment evident on her face.


    ¡°Is there something you need?¡± she asked, her voice steady, revealing no emotion.


    Samuel observed her for a moment, exhaling softly before speaking.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, I would like to have a word with you privately,¡± he said, ncing briefly at Averi, who blinked back with wide, curious eyes.


    .


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 Chapter 562

    ?Chapter 562:


    Sadie looked down at her son, her voice gentle. ¡°Averi, please go inside, Mommy needs to speak with Samuel.¡±


    Averi nodded and hurried into the vi on his small legs.


    Once he was inside, Sadie turned back to Samuel. ¡°Let¡¯s talk in the garden,¡± she suggested.


    They walked to the garden of Myrtlewood Estate, where flowers blossomed abundantly and trees cast cool shadows.


    They moved along the cobblestone path in silence until Samuel broke it.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, how have you been these past three years?¡± he asked tentatively.


    Sadie stopped and turned to him, her gaze icy.


    ¡°Whether I have been well or not is surely of little concern to you, Mr. Ford, isn¡¯t it?¡± she responded coolly.


    Samuel was taken aback, painfully aware of the resentment Sadie still felt about events from three years ago.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, regarding what happened three years ago, Mr. Wall¡­ He¡­¡±


    Samuel attempted to exin.


    ¡°Mr. Ford,¡± Sadie cut him off, her tone both calm and assertive. ¡°I am not interested in revisiting the past. If that¡¯s the reason for your visit, then perhaps our conversation is over.¡±


    She was determined not to dredge up old pain, having suffered enough already.


    Samuel watched her determined stance, sighing in resignation. ¡°Mrs. Wall, I realize you still hold grievances against Mr. Wall. But do you truly understand him?¡± he asked, his voice carrying a hint of urgency.


    Sadie stopped but didn¡¯t turn around.


    ¡°Three years ago, after you left, Mr. Wall¡­ He was frantic trying to find you. He searched the entire city, utilizing every connection. You know, during that time, he barely slept¡ªonly two or three hours a night¡ªand he lost a significant amount of weight. He¡­¡±


    Explore more on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s©q??????


    Samuel¡¯s voice faltered as if the memories of those days overwhelmed him.


    Sadie¡¯s body trembled slightly. She slowly turned to face Samuel, her eyes brimming with a tumult of emotions.


    ¡°Is all this true?¡± Her voice was hoarse, quivering almost imperceptibly.


    Samuel nodded earnestly. ¡°Absolutely, Mrs. Wall. Mr. Wall deeply regretted everything that happened three years ago. He¡­¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Sadie cut him off sharply, her emotions cresting. ¡°Don¡¯t say any more! I can¡¯t bear to hear it!¡±


    She covered her ears, shaking her head emphatically.


    She didn¡¯t want to hear about what Noah had endured for her, afraid it might sway her resolve, soften her heart.


    Yet, inside, her heart ached deeply.


    Samuel observed Sadie¡¯s anguished expression, feeling a deep sympathy.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, there¡¯s something else you need to know,¡± he said, taking a deep breath.


    Sadie lowered her hands and faced him, confusion clouding her eyes.


    ¡°Recently, your studio was vandalized, and there was your kidnapping¡­¡± Samuel spoke in a hushed tone, as if wary of eavesdroppers.


    Sadie¡¯s pupils dted in shock as she absorbed his words, her voice trembling. ¡°Why¡­ Why are you bringing these up now?¡±


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 Chapter 563

    ?Chapter 563:


    ¡°It was the Howe family and the Perry family working together,¡± Samuel revealed, emphasizing each word carefully.


    ¡°What? Are you telling me the truth?¡± Sadie eximed, her face instantly turning pale.


    She had never imagined the two families were the ones behind it all.


    ¡°The issues with the Howe Group¡¯s products were just the beginning. Mr. Wall reacted so fiercely because of these incidents,¡± Samuel exined.


    Sadie swayed slightly, almost losing her bnce.


    She bit her lower lip hard, her nails digging into her palm with enough force to draw blood, though she seemed unaware of the pain.


    It turned out that Noah had undertaken all those actions for her. Her heart was overwhelmed with aplex mix of emotions, too intricate to easily describe.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, Mr. Wall truly cares about you,¡± Samuel said gently, his eyes sympathetic as he watched her.


    Sadie slowly closed her eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks. The history between her and Noah was fraught with misunderstandings and pain.


    Could they ever return to how things once were?


    Sadie didn¡¯t know.


    She truly had no idea.


    ¡°Mr. Ford, thank you for telling me all this.¡± After a long silence, Sadie opened her eyes and looked at Samuel, her voice hoarse and tired. ¡°I think¡­ I need some time alone.¡±


    ¡°Of course, please¡­ take care.¡± Samuel nodded, then turned to leave.


    Left alone in the garden, Sadie felt the gentle breeze y with her hair. Her thoughts were chaotic.


    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s is your storytelling haven


    She needed time to carefully consider her future with Noah and what their path forward might look like.


    After what felt like an eternity, Sadie entered the vi slowly. Upon reaching the living room, she noticed Breck had already set the table for dinner.


    ¡°Good evening, Mrs. Wall. Wee back,¡± he greeted.


    ¡°Good evening,¡± she responded, her tone detached.


    ¡°Dinner is ready. Would you like¡­¡± Breck attempted to continue, but Sadie cut him off.


    ¡°I¡¯m not hungry. Please, go ahead without me.¡± She then turned and departed.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall¡­¡± Breck hesitated, wanting to continue but ultimately held back.


    Returning to her room, Sadie showered and changed her clothes.


    Approaching the dressing table, she gazed into the mirror.


    The reflection revealed her pale skin and tired eyes.


    She moved to the kitchen to cook some of Noah¡¯s favorite dishes.


    Her intention was clear; she wanted to do something special for him. In the kitchen, her expertise was evident as she chopped vegetables, stir-fried, and seasoned the dishes. Her actions were quick and practiced.


    Soon, several enticing dishes were ready.


    Sadie carefully arranged the dishes on the dining table, then went upstairs to put Averi to bed.


    She lulled him to sleep with stories and songs until he was deeply asleep.


    Afterward, she left his room silently.


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 Chapter 564

    ?Chapter 564:


    Back in her room, she noted thete hour.


    Noah had yet toe home.


    Worry crept in as she pondered if he was dyed by work.


    She picked up her phone to call him but hesitated and set it back down.


    Instead, she sat on the bed in silence, waiting.


    Time slipped by until she heard footsteps outside.


    Her heart quickened¡ªNoah was home.


    Downstairs, Noah entered, bringing with him a faint smell of alcohol and visible weariness.


    He paused upon seeing the dishesid out.


    Sitting at the dining table, he began to eat.


    ¡°Not bad. After all, you do have a heart,¡± he remarked, his smile teasing.


    The next morning, Sadie awoke early.


    After freshening up, she donned a smart business suit and applied light makeup, her appearance now refreshed and energetic. She proceeded to Averi¡¯s room and gently pushed the door open. Averi was sound asleep, his small form curled under the nket like a little angel.


    A gentle smile crossed Sadie¡¯s face as she approached the bed and softly stroked her son¡¯s hair.


    ¡°Rise and shine, my love.¡±


    Averi rubbed his eyes and opened them sleepily. When he saw Sadie, his face lit up with a sweet smile.


    ¡°Good morning, Mommy!¡±


    ¡°Good morning. Come on, get up! Mommy will take you to breakfast.¡± She lifted him from the bed, helped him get dressed, and they went downstairs.


    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s???§à?? opens doors to wonder


    Breck had prepared breakfast.


    ¡°Good morning, Mrs. Wall, Averi. Breakfast is ready,¡± he said with respect.


    ¡°Thank you, Breck.¡± Sadie nodded and settled at the table with Averi on herp.


    She served him a bowl of fruit cereal along with some of his favorite dishes.


    ¡°Sweetheart, eat slowly. Don¡¯t choke,¡± she cautioned.


    ¡°Okay!¡± Averi responded, beginning to eat his breakfast earnestly.


    Watching her son¡¯s delightful manners warmed Sadie¡¯s heart. During breakfast, she engaged him in conversation about his kindergarten.


    Averi excitedly recounted all the fun and interesting events from school.


    Sadie listened attentively, responding asionally; their exchange was warm and affectionate.


    After breakfast, she dropped Averi off at kindergarten.


    She watched him enter the gates, then turned to leave, heading to her studio.


    Driving down the road, Sadie felt conflicted.


    Samuel¡¯s revtions about Noah the previous day had unsettled her emotions.


    Uncertain about how to face Noah or whaty ahead, Sadie resolved to focus on her work for the time being.


    Her responsibilities awaited her.


    Upon arriving, Sadie noted the studio¡¯s transformation after urgent renovations.


    It was now spacious, bright, and stylishly modern.


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 Chapter 565

    ?Chapter 565:


    She nodded in approval; Nte had managed everything perfectly.


    ¡°Sadie, you¡¯re back to work!¡± Nte eximed with a bright smile upon seeing her.


    ¡°I see the studio¡¯s remodeling went well,¡± Sadie said with a smile.


    ¡°Of course! I made sure everyone worked hard. I even convinced them to put in extra hours toplete it sooner,¡± Nte replied, lifting her chin with pride. ¡°How are you feeling, by the way? Are you better now?¡±


    ¡°I feel perfectly fine. Thanks for asking.¡± Sadie patted Nte¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Any news regarding the International Jewelry Design Competition?¡±


    ¡°Oh, gosh, yes!¡± Nte pped her hands excitedly. ¡°Sadie, your work has been shortlisted. A small g will be held tomorrow night, and thepetition will officially start the day after. The organizers invited you to tomorrow¡¯s party.¡±


    ¡°I see. Great, then. Please prepare an evening dress for me.¡±


    ¡°No problem!¡± Nte patted her chest. ¡°Leave everything to me.¡±


    Sadie chuckled at her zeal, then walked over to her desk. She turned herptop on and began going through the work that had piled up while she was gone.


    She needed to finish everything as soon as possible, so she could fully focus on preparing for the contest.


    Sadie was determined to prove herself in the industry. More importantly, she wanted to make the people who had hurt her pay. They were going to find out that she was no pushover.


    Sadie buried herself in work andpletely lost track of time. She only stopped when Nte knocked on her door to remind her that it was time to clock out.


    Sadie sat back and stretched, then gathered her purse and coat.


    ¡°Make sure to dress yourself up for tomorrow, okay?¡± Nte said with a wink.


    Find exclusive stories at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv????s


    Sadie smiled. ¡°Yes, yes. Got it.¡±


    They parted ways outside the studio, and Sadie drove home.


    The next evening, Sadie arrived at the party¡¯s venue just before it started.


    She was wearing a ck, backless evening gown that entuated her silhouette. Her long, dark hair was pinned up, drawing attention to her slender neck. Her makeup was light and exquisite, and she carried herself with grace and elegance that made heads turn her way.


    Sadie glided through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries with designers and brand representatives. She maintained a polite smile throughout, one that exuded confidence and charm.


    ¡°Well, well, well.¡± A sharp, mocking voice suddenly broke through the mingling guests. ¡°Isn¡¯t this the famous designer, Miss Hudson?¡±


    Sadie turned to see Vivi standing behind her, wearing a sneer. Vivi wore a tight, red dress that matched her bold makeup. While she made for a striking figure, she looked somewhat garish next to Sadie.


    ¡°Miss Quinn,¡± Sadie greeted calmly. ¡°Long time no see.¡±


    ¡°Long time no see?¡± Vivi scoffed. ¡°I heard your studio ran into some trouble recently. To be honest, I thought you would be too ashamed to show your face at public events like this.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s lips curled into a subtle smile. ¡°Sorry to disappoint you, but my studio and I are actually doing pretty well. But I heard you¡¯ve been trying to secure a deal with Lawrence Group. That hasn¡¯t exactly worked out, has it?¡±


    Vivi¡¯s expression darkened. She wasn¡¯t expecting Sadie to know about this.


    The Lawrence Group was a renowned jewelry brand in Helva, and one of Sadie¡¯s long-time clients.


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 Chapter 566

    ?Chapter 566:


    Vivi had been trying to snatch them away, but the owner of Lawrence Group was indifferent to her offers, leaving her utterly frustrated.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get too full of yourself, Sadie Hudson!¡± Vivi snapped through gritted teeth. ¡°You think you¡¯ve won? Let me tell you¡ªit¡¯s not over until the fatdy sings.¡±


    ¡°Is that so? I guess we¡¯ll just have to wait and see.¡± Sadie¡¯s smile grew brighter. ¡°Feel free to reach out if you need anything, Miss Quinn. After all, I have excellent rapport with the owner of Lawrence Group.¡±


    With that, Sadie gracefully turned and walked away, leaving Vivi fuming in ce.


    ¡°Sadie Hudson, just you wait!¡± she muttered under her breath as she red at Sadie¡¯s retreating figure.


    Hatred and envy burned in Vivi¡¯s heart, and she vowed there and then that she would make Sadie pay.


    She refused to believe that she would lose to someone like Sadie.


    Meanwhile, Sadie plucked a ss of champagne from a passing waiter, then moved to a quiet corner.


    She thought about her recent encounter and couldn¡¯t help the sardonic smile that tugged at her lips.


    Vivi was no better than a trivial troublemaker, with her petty and shortsighted antics. She was barely worth any attention.


    Sadie swept her gaze across the crowd and soonnded on a familiar face¡ªAlex.


    He stood alone in another corner, a ss of red wine in hand. He looked distracted, like he was lost in his thoughts.


    Sadie hesitated for a moment. She had initially nned to avoid him, butter figured that some things were simply inevitable.


    Taking a deep breath, she steadied her emotions before making her way toward him.


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    ¡°Hello, Alex,¡± Sadie called out softly.


    Alex turned at the sound of her voice. A flicker of surprise shed in his eyes, only to be reced by guilt and regret.


    ¡°Sadie¡­¡± he rasped, his voice shaking slightly. He set his ss down and drew closer, stopping just a step away from her.


    ¡°I owe you an apology, Sadie,¡± Alex said, his voice quiet, his head lowered.


    Sadie could see his sincerity and remorse, and¡­ some other emotion she couldn¡¯t quite identify.


    ¡°About¡­ Aliza and my mother¡­ About the harm they caused you, I¡­ I¡¯m truly sorry.¡± Alex¡¯s voice seemed to grow softer with each word, and he never dared to look up to meet Sadie¡¯s eyes.


    The scars left behind would never truly heal.


    No matter how many times Alex apologized, the pain Sadie had endured could not be erased.


    ¡°And also¡­ thank you.¡± Alex raised his voice slightly. ¡°Thank you for passing the message to Noah.¡±


    He did not borate, but he believed Sadie understood his meaning.


    Sadie offered a gentle, faint yet sincere smile. ¡°Alex, it was not your fault. You don¡¯t need to apologize to me. You helped me a lot three years ago.¡± She met his gaze and continued slowly, ¡°Consider that my way of returning the kindness you showed me.¡±


    Alex felt a heavy weight in his heart, as if a massive stone pressed down on him, making it difficult to breathe.


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 Chapter 567

    ?Chapter 567:


    Returning the kindness¡­


    Was it merely kindness?


    Alex tried to speak, but a lump in his throat stopped him.


    Not willing to surrender, he whispered, clinging to a sliver of hope, ¡°Is this just¡­ returning my kindness?¡±


    His whisper was so soft it seemed only he could hear it, yet Sadie caught it.


    Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt a sh of awkwardness.


    She was aware of Alex¡¯s feelings for her, but¡­


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Alex.¡± Sadie lowered her gaze, avoiding his.


    She said no more, but those words were enough to show her feelings.


    A hint of sadness appeared in Alex¡¯s eyes, quickly concealed.


    He hade to terms with it, hadn¡¯t he?


    From the start, he knew Noah was the only man in Sadie¡¯s heart. Alex gave a bitterugh and changed the topic.


    ¡°Some people over there were asking about you; perhaps you know them.¡±


    He gestured towards a group on the other side of the banquet hall.


    Sadie followed his gesture and nodded slightly.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go say hello. Please excuse me.¡±


    She did not look back at Alex as she walked toward the group. Alex remained still, watching her leave, his eyes reflecting a deep sea of loneliness and unspoken sorrow.


    Approaching the group, Sadie smiled politely.


    ¡°Good evening.¡±


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c§à??, your storytelling home


    ¡°Good evening, Miss Hudson,¡± one of them began. ¡°I am¡­¡±


    He introduced himself, but Sadie did not catch his name clearly; she just nodded politely in response.


    Her mind lingered on the conversation she had with Alex earlier.


    She had hurt Alex, though she had no other option.


    ¡°Miss Hudson?¡± The person noticed Sadie¡¯s distraction and called to her softly.


    ¡°Oh, sorry.¡± Sadie snapped back to reality and offered an apologetic smile. ¡°What were you saying?¡±


    ¡°We wanted to ask¡­¡± The person repeated the question.


    Sadie listened intently, nodding at times in response.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, we¡­¡± The person continued, but Sadie suddenly felt a wave of dizziness sweep over her.


    Instinctively, she reached out to steady herself against the nearby table.


    ¡°Are you okay, Miss Hudson?¡± the person asked, noticing her difort.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Sadie replied, shaking her head as she tried to regainposure.


    She did not want to be seen in a weakened state.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, you look pale. Would you like to take a break?¡± another person inquired with concern.


    ¡°That¡¯s not necessary. Thank you.¡± Sadie managed a forced smile. ¡°Let¡¯s keep talking¡­¡±


    Before she could finish, a familiar voice called out, ¡°Hey, Sadie!¡±


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 Chapter 568

    ?Chapter 568:


    Sadie turned to see a tall figure approaching.


    It was Amy.


    She was dressed in a silver gown, her long hair flowing down her shoulders, her makeup impable, radiating an aura of authority.


    ¡°Amy?¡± Sadie expressed her surprise. ¡°What brings you here?¡±


    ¡°Why can¡¯t I be here?¡± Amy reached Sadie, examining her from head to toe. ¡°Wow! Even after a few months, you haven¡¯t changed at all, still as stunning as ever,¡± she remarked, lightly pinching Sadie¡¯s cheek. ¡°Have you lost weight? Are you on a diet?¡±


    Sadie was amused by the gesture, and it significantly lifted the gloom in her heart.


    ¡°Why did you suddenlye to Helva?¡± Sadie inquired.


    ¡°For you, of course.¡± Amy blinked yfully. ¡°I heard you made it to the next round of the International Jewelry Design Competition, so I had toe back to cheer you on.¡±


    She paused, then added, ¡°Plus, I¡¯ve been invited to be a judge for thepetition.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Sadie¡¯s eyes sparkled with delight. ¡°That¡¯s wonderful!¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± Amy lifted her chin with pride. ¡°With me here, you¡¯ll always have someone in your corner.¡±


    Her gaze swept over the others present, carrying a subtle warning. Those who had intended to approach Sadie sensed her aura and quickly withdrew.


    ¡°Sadie, are you alright?¡± Amy¡¯s tone softened as she turned her attention back to Sadie. ¡°You seemed a bit pale earlier.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m alright, Amy. Just feeling a little drained,¡± Sadie responded casually.


    ¡°If you¡¯re exhausted, you should rest,¡± Amy advised, gently taking Sadie¡¯s hand and guiding her toward a quieter spot.


    galn¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m opens doors to new adventures


    ¡°By the way, Vivi didn¡¯t give you any trouble, did she?¡± Amy suddenly inquired.


    Sadie shook her head. ¡°No, she didn¡¯t.¡±


    She chose not to mention her earlier dispute with Vivi, not wanting to worry Amy.


    ¡°That¡¯s a relief.¡± Amy exhaled, reassured.


    ¡°Thanks for caring,¡± Sadie said with a nod.


    ¡°Sadie, honestly, you shouldn¡¯t let Vivi get to you,¡± Amy stated firmly, meeting her gaze.


    ¡°I know,¡± Sadie replied with a small smile. ¡°I won¡¯t let her affect me.¡± She had no intention of letting anyone bring her down.


    ¡°If you¡¯re interested, the director position at Majestic Ego¡¯s Helva branch is always open to you,¡± Amy said sincerely. ¡°You¡¯re the most talented designer I¡¯ve ever met and the perfect fit for the role.¡±


    Sadie was caught off guard; she hadn¡¯t expected Amy to bring this up.


    ¡°Amy, I appreciate your kind words. It means a lot,¡± Sadie replied with a faint smile, gratitude reflecting in her eyes. ¡°But I want to seed on my own.¡±


    She paused for a moment, then continued firmly, ¡°I need to prove myself without relying on Majestic Ego¡¯s tform. I believe I can still reach great heights on my own terms.¡±


    Sadie had never been one to depend on others. She always preferred forging her own path rather than leaning on others.


    Amy studied Sadie¡¯s resolute expression and sighed in resignation.


    She knew convincing Sadie wouldn¡¯t be easy.


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 Chapter 569

    ?Chapter 569:


    ¡°You stubborn girl,¡± Amy murmured, lightly tapping Sadie¡¯s forehead. ¡°But that¡¯s just who you are, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Amy admired not only Sadie¡¯s creativity but also her unwavering spirit.


    ¡°Alright, since you¡¯re so set on this, I won¡¯t push anymore,¡± Amy said with a shrug. ¡°But I can¡¯t wait to see you shine in thepetition.¡± She hadplete faith in Sadie, certain she wouldn¡¯t disappoint.


    ¡°I will,¡± Sadie assured, confidence gleaming in her eyes.


    ¡°Alright then, I should go mingle. Let me know if you need anything.¡±


    Amy patted Sadie¡¯s shoulder before disappearing into the crowd. She had plenty to take care of and couldn¡¯t stay by Sadie¡¯s side the entire evening.


    As Amy walked away, Sadie felt a warmth spread in her chest.


    Having a friend like her was truly a blessing.


    Meanwhile, not far away, Vivi red at Amy and Sadie, resentment and envy burning in her gaze.


    She bit her lower lip and clenched her fists so tightly that her nails nearly pierced her skin.


    Why?


    Why was Amy still so partial to Sadie?


    After Sadie left Majestic Ego, she had be the chief designer, and she should have been the one standing beside Amy.


    Earlier, she had approached Amy for a brief conversation, but Amy had barely engaged before making an excuse to walk away.


    That dismissive attitude was humiliating. It filled Vivi with rage. She refused to ept this. She wouldn¡¯t allow Sadie to overshadow her.


    She would prove she was the superior designer¡ªthe one truly deserving of standing at the top.


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    Suddenly, the sharp sound of a ringing phone broke her thoughts.


    Vivi nced at the screen and saw her father¡¯s name¡ªMoses Quinn. She quickly answered, her tone respectful.


    ¡°Hello, Dad.¡±


    ¡°Where are you right now?¡± Moses asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m at a banquet. Is something wrong?¡± Vivi replied, puzzled.


    ¡°Come home immediately. There¡¯s something important we need to discuss,¡± Moses said with authority.


    ¡°But, Dad¡­¡± Vivi hesitated. ¡°I still have¡ª¡±


    ¡°No excuses!¡± Moses cut her off. ¡°Get back here now!¡± Then the line went dead.


    Vivi gripped her phone tightly, her face paling.


    Her father had always been strict and unyielding.


    She had no choice but to obey. Frustrated, she stomped her foot before storming out of the banquet hall.


    Upon reaching the Quinn family¡¯s residence, she stepped into the living room and immediately noticed Moses seated on the sofa alongside two unfamiliar men.


    One was an elderly gentleman with silver hair but amanding presence. The other was a striking young man who exuded confidence and prestige.


    Vivi blinked, caught off guard. She didn¡¯t recognize either of them.


    ¡°Dad, who are they?¡± she asked, perplexed.


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 Chapter 570

    ?Chapter 570:


    ¡°Come here, Vivi. Let me introduce you,¡± Moses said as he rose to his feet, gesturing toward the older man. ¡°This is Mr. Damian Olson from the Olson family.¡±


    ¡°This is Mr. Anson Olson,¡± Moses continued, pointing to the young man. ¡°The heir of the Olson family.¡±


    The Olson family?


    Vivi¡¯s heart skipped a beat. She had heard of the influential Olson family¡ªa well-known and powerful materials supplier in Helva. She quickly stepped forward and greeted the two men with a polite smile.


    ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Vivi.¡±


    ¡°Good to see you, Vivi. You¡¯ve be more and more beautiful,¡± Damian said, returning her smile. ¡°Moses, you¡¯re truly blessed to have such an outstanding daughter.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re too kind, Damian,¡± Moses replied modestly. ¡°Vivi is still young and has much to learn.¡±


    Damian waved a dismissive hand. ¡°Young people have all the time in the world. In any case, I¡¯ve heard that Vivi used to work at Majestic Ego as the chief designer. Is that true?¡±


    ¡°Yes, she did.¡± Moses nodded. ¡°Vivi is quite talented in that area.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s wonderful!¡± Damian¡¯s eyes gleamed with interest. ¡°The Olson family could benefit from someone like Vivi.¡±


    ¡°Damit, do you mean to say¡­¡± Moses trailed off, his toneced with both anticipation and uncertainty.


    ¡°I mean that our families can enter a partnership,¡± Damian said. ¡°We will provide quality materials, and Vivi can handle the design aspect. I must say, a powerful alliance like ours may well make a breakthrough in the jewelry industry.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡± Moses hesitated, sensing that Damian was suggesting more than just a business coboration. The man was hinting at a marital agreement.


    ¡°Gentlemen, please take your time discussing business. I¡¯ll go make you some coffee.¡± Vivi quickly found an excuse to leave. She didn¡¯t want to be a part of such conversations.


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    ¡°Go ahead, Vivi.¡± Moses nodded his agreement.


    Relieved, Vivi stood and scurried into the kitchen.


    Her thoughts were racing.


    A marriage alliance with the Olson family¡­


    Truth be told, she didn¡¯t want to marry someone she didn¡¯t love, much less marry for the sake of her family¡¯s interests.


    But what could she do?


    ¡°What are you thinking about, Vivi?¡±


    Moses had entered the kitchen without her noticing, and he now stood behind her.


    ¡°Dad, I¡­¡± Vivi turned around and was greeted by her father¡¯s grave expression. Her words died in her throat.


    ¡°Are you unwilling to marry into the Olson family?¡± Moses asked.


    Vivi was silent, but the look on her face said it all.


    Moses sighed. ¡°I know you don¡¯t want to do it, but this is going to ensure the future of the Quinn family. You need to make this sacrifice.¡±


    ¡°Is there no other way?¡± Vivi asked, her eyes welling up with tears. ¡°I don¡¯t want to marry someone I don¡¯t love.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Moses replied, shaking his head. ¡°There is no other way. The Olson family is our best option. We need them to climb the socialdder and rise to the next level.¡±


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 Chapter 571

    ?Chapter 571:


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say anything else, Vivi,¡± Moses interrupted, his tone firmer this time. ¡°Everything has been decided. You have no choice in the matter.¡±


    Vivi closed her eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks.


    ¡°Enough!¡± Moses suddenly snapped. ¡°Stop crying. Make the coffee and bring it out.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Dad.¡± Vivi wiped her tears away and swallowed the sorrow and indignation she felt.


    Once the coffee was ready, she prepared a tray and carried it out of the kitchen.


    Damian and Anson had made themselves at home in the living room, and they were happily chatting away with her father.


    ¡°Please have some coffee,¡± Vivi said as she ced the tray on the table in front of them.


    ¡°Vivi is such a dutiful and considerate youngdy,¡± Damian remarked with a smile. ¡°Anson, make sure you treat her well in the future.¡±


    ¡°Of course, I will, Grandpa.¡± Anson turned to Vivi, his eyes twinkling with something akin to admiration.


    Vivi felt awkward under his gaze. She lowered her head, avoiding eye contact.


    ¡°Moses, I think these two are quite a match. Why don¡¯t we¡­¡± Damian raised his eyebrows and shot Moses a meaningful look.


    ¡°Actually, Damian,¡± Moses said, ¡°Vivi has just recently returned from abroad. She isn¡¯t all that familiar with the situation in Helva yet. Why don¡¯t we let these two young ones spend some time together first? Once they get used to each other, then we can discuss¡­¡±


    Marriage.¡± Moses didn¡¯t want to pressure his daughter too much. She was his only daughter, after all, and he still wanted her to be happy.


    ¡°That sounds good,¡± Damian agreed. ¡°They do need some time to get to know each other.¡±


    ¡°Then it¡¯s settled.¡± Moses beamed. ¡°Vivi, see our friends out.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Dad.¡± Vivi rose and followed the two men to the front door.


    After seeing them off, Vivi turned and walked back to the living room.


    ¡°Dad, do you really want me to marry Anson?¡± she demanded, her eyes shing with defiance. ¡°Are they really worth that much?¡± Once she started speaking her mind, she couldn¡¯t seem to stop. ¡°They¡¯re just a materials supplier. They¡¯re practically nothingpared to the Wall family.¡±


    Vivi paused before continuing, her toneced with frustration. ¡°Dad, haven¡¯t you always wanted me to marry Noah? Why are you now asking me to marry Anson? Don¡¯t you remember that Noah is our ideal choice?¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Moses snapped, his voice sharp with anger. ¡°Do you think I don¡¯t want that? But do you even have what it takes?¡±


    His eyes bored into Vivi, disappointment evident. ¡°You¡¯ve had countless opportunities to win Noah over, yet what did you aplish? You couldn¡¯t even outshine someone as insignificant as Sadie.¡±


    ¡°Dad¡­¡± Vivi¡¯s words caught in her throat. She was unable to refute her father¡¯s scolding.


    ¡°Listen carefully,¡± Moses said, his voice firm. ¡°I¡¯m giving you just one more month. If you fail to secure Noah¡¯s heart, you will marry Anson withoutint.¡±


    ¡°Dad¡­¡± Vivi¡¯s eyes glistened with despair. ¡°You can¡¯t force me into this¡­¡±


    ¡°Why can¡¯t I?¡± Moses¡¯s tone turned icy.


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 Chapter 572

    ?Chapter 572:


    ¡°I¡¯m only looking out for your future. If you bring nothing of value to our family, then what good are you?¡±


    Vivi stood frozen, consumed by hopelessness.


    After the banquet, Sadie had no intention of lingering¡ªher mind was upied with thoughts of Averi.


    She changed out of her formal gown into something more rxed and stepped outside the hotel alone.


    The evening air carried a slight chill, prompting her to pull her coat tighter as she waited by the roadside to g down a taxi. A short distance away, Alex¡¯s vehicle came to a slow stop.


    He lowered the window, his gaze settling on Sadie with a trace of concern, about to speak.


    Just then, a sleek ck Rolls-Royce Phantom pulled up in front of her. The headlights dimmed, and the door swung open, revealing Noah¡¯s tall, poised figure.


    Alex¡¯s expression darkened instantly, his fingers clenching around the steering wheel.


    He stared at Sadie, emotions swirling in his eyes.


    Once again, he was a step toote.


    ¡°Get in,¡± Noah instructed, his deep voice calm and unreadable.


    Sadie hesitated, caught off guard by his unexpected arrival.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± she asked.


    Before he could respond, a cheerful voice rang out from inside the car, brimming with excitement.


    ¡°Mommy!¡±


    Sadie turned toward the sound, her eyes widening as she spotted Averi in the back seat, his face lighting up with pure joy.


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    ¡°Averi? What are you doing here?¡± she asked, both surprised and delighted as she moved closer.


    ¡°I missed you, Mommy.¡± Averi pouted, his voice endearing. ¡°I wanted to have a meal with you, so I asked Mr. Wall to bring me here.¡±


    He still called Noah ¡°Mr. Wall.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s heart warmed at his words. She reached out to stroke his soft hair, her voice gentle. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go eat something together.¡± She turned her gaze to Noah, seeking confirmation.


    He gave a slight nod, signaling his agreement.


    Without hesitation, Sadie climbed into the car, cradling Averi in her arms.


    As the Rolls-Royce glided away, Alex remained in his car, his face clouded with frustration.


    He mmed his fist against the steering wheel, the loud thud echoing in the silent cabin.


    Inside Noah¡¯s car, the atmosphere was lighthearted.


    ¡°What do you feel like eating, Averi?¡± Sadie asked, holding her son close.


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Averi tapped his chin, thinking seriously. ¡°I want a burger, fries, and ice cream!¡±


    ¡°Alright, whatever you want,¡± Sadie replied warmly, her expression full of affection.


    Noah observed their interaction through the rearview mirror, a subtle, unreadable smile forming on his lips.


    The car pulled into the underground parking lot of a luxury shopping center.


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 Chapter 573

    ?Chapter 573:


    Noah took Averi¡¯s hand while Sadie followed closely behind as they made their way inside.


    The mall buzzed with activity, its lights bright and inviting.


    Averi¡¯s eyes darted around, curiosity lighting up his small face. Soon, they arrived at a fast-food restaurant and chose a table by the window.


    Sadie ced an order for Averi¡¯s requested meal, adding a sd for herself and a steak for Noah.


    As they waited, Averi tugged at Sadie¡¯s sleeve, pointing outside.


    ¡°Mommy, look! Those dresses are so pretty!¡±


    Sadie followed his gaze and saw a bridal shop¡¯s disy, its elegant white gowns shimmering under the store lights.


    ¡°When I grow up, I¡¯ll buy you the most beautiful wedding dress,¡± Averi dered in his sweet, innocent voice.


    Sadie¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Her eyes softened as she looked at her son, emotions swirling inside her.


    She and Noah had already gone their separate ways. The thought of ever wearing a wedding dress again felt impossibly distant.


    ¡°That¡¯s so sweet of you, Averi. I¡¯ll thank you in advance,¡± she said with a gentle smile, masking the tinge of sadness in her heart.


    Just then, a young saleswoman from the bridal shop approached them, her tone enthusiastic.


    ¡°Excuse me, we¡¯re from True Love Bridal Shop, and we¡¯re currently running a special promotion. We can create a one-of-a-kind wedding gown for your beloved.¡±


    The saleswoman looked at Sadie and Noah, beaming as she continued, ¡°You two are truly a match made in heaven. And your son is just so adorable! What a nice family you have.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s cheeks flushed slightly. She started awkwardly, only to trail off.


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    She wanted to exin the situation, but she didn¡¯t even know where to begin.


    ¡°Mommy, let¡¯s go inside and take a look!¡± Averi excitedly grabbed Sadie¡¯s hand.


    Unable to resist his enthusiasm, Sadie could only follow him into the bridal shop.


    Noah watched them disappear through the door, a mix of emotions crossing his eyes. Pocketing his hands, he followed them in silence.


    A wide array of wedding dresses was disyed on seemingly endless racks. Each one looked magnificent, leaving anyone in awe at their masterful design and craftsmanship.


    ¡°Wow, Mommy! Look at this one! It¡¯s covered with so many sparkling diamonds! So pretty!¡± Averi eximed, pointing at a dress adorned with Swarovski crystals.


    ¡°You¡¯re right. It is beautiful,¡± Sadie replied with an indulgent smile.


    ¡°You two have great taste,¡± the saleswoman interjected. ¡°This wedding dress is our store¡¯s signature piece, the ¡®Starlight.¡¯ It symbolizes a love as brilliant and eternal as the stars in the sky. And this one, over here, is a piece we call ¡®Enchanting.¡¯ It is entirely hand-sewn, and thece is handmade by tradesmen in Maradeiris. No one can go wrong withce, especially with imported, high-qualityce. And this one¡­¡±


    The saleswoman went on to introduce every dress, detailing their main features and the meaning behind their designs.


    Sadie just smiled and listened, though her gaze would often linger on some of the dresses.


    She finally settled on a simple yet exquisite piece. The dress had minimal embellishments, just a thin band of delicate pearls around the waist. It screamed elegance and ss.


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 Chapter 574

    ?Chapter 574:


    Sadie was immediately fond of it.


    The entire time, Noah stood silently to the side, observing Sadie¡¯s expression and noting every slight twitch of her lips or widening of her eyes.


    Needless to say, he caught her interest on that particr dress, and made a mental note of it.


    ¡°What do you two think? Would you like to try one on?¡± the saleswoman finally asked, noticing that neither Sadie nor Noah had said anything.


    Her words snapped Sadie back to the present.


    ¡°We, uh¡­¡± She nced at Noah, then at Averi, her brows furrowed slightly.


    She and Noah were already separated, so trying on a wedding dress seemed inappropriate.


    ¡°Mommy, please try one on,¡± Averi pleaded, tugging at her sleeve. ¡°I want to see you in a wedding dress.¡±


    Sadie still hesitated.


    ¡°Mommy, please! Pretty please!¡± Averi used his ultimate weapon¡ªpursing his lips and giving his mother puppy-dog eyes.


    Sadie couldn¡¯t resist, of course.


    ¡°All right,¡± she said with a sigh. ¡°I¡¯ll try this one on.¡±


    ¡°Perfect!¡± The saleswoman happily pped her hands. ¡°Pleasee this way.¡±


    She led Sadie to the fitting room, while Noah and Averi waited on the sofa outside.


    Averi could barely sit still. He kept ncing toward the fitting room, then at Noah, looking anxious.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, what do you think Mommy will look like in a wedding dress?¡± he asked in his cute little voice.


    ¡°She will look stunning,¡± Noah answered without missing a beat, though his hands paused briefly from flipping through a magazine. His tone was tender, yet certain.


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    He still remembered their wedding from five years ago. The whole thing was rushed; they didn¡¯t even have a ceremony.


    ¡°Yeah!¡± Averi bobbed his head vigorously. ¡°I think Mommy will look beautiful, too!¡±


    Soon enough, the door of the fitting room opened.


    Sadie slowly stepped out in the simple, pearl dress.


    All at once, time stood still.


    Both Noah and Averi were stunned by the sight before them.


    Sadie¡¯s slender figure perfectly showcased the dress.


    Her face had a faint blush, a mix of shyness and joy in her eyes.


    ¡°You look great, Mommy!¡± Averi cried out as he bounded over to Sadie and hugged her waist.


    Noah stood up, swallowing the lump in his throat as he approached Sadie.


    ¡°You look gorgeous,¡± heplimented, his soft voice trembling ever so slightly.


    Sadie felt a bit uneasy under his gaze. She lowered her head, unable to meet his eyes.


    ¡°I knew it! You really are a perfect match! A couple made in heaven!¡± the saleswoman said again.


    Her words only made Sadie¡¯s face turn even redder.


    Noah was her ex-husband. How could they be considered a couple made in heaven? Or just a couple, even?


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 Chapter 575

    ?Chapter 575:


    ¡°Actually, we¡­¡± Sadie tried to exin again, but bailed in the end. She quickly turned away and escaped back into the fitting room. After changing back into her clothes, she grabbed Averi¡¯s hand and practically dragged him to the door.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Averi.¡±


    Noah didn¡¯t stop her, but his expression turned a little wistful. He turned to the saleswoman and nodded toward the dress Sadie had tried on.


    ¡°Please tailor that dress to fit her measurements.¡±


    ¡°Certainly, sir!¡± The saleswoman was so happy. ¡°How would you like to pay?¡±


    Noah handed over a ck card.


    ¡°Please wait a moment.¡± The saleswoman took the card.


    Noah said nothing more as she wrapped up the transaction. Then he walked out of the shop to catch up with Sadie and Averi. After having ate supper, they drove home in absolute silence.


    Neither Sadie nor Noah said a word, and the air inside the car soon grew heavy with tension.


    Averi kept ncing back and forth between his mother and Noah. Even at his young age, he could sense that something was not right.


    ¡°Mommy, why aren¡¯t you saying anything?¡± Averi couldn¡¯t help but ask.


    Sadie was at a loss for words.


    Then Averi turned his attention to Noah.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, did you do something to upset Mommy?¡±


    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t,¡± Noah replied calmly.


    ¡°Then why aren¡¯t you both talking?¡± Averi continued to probe. He was met with yet another stretch of silence as the adults unanimously opted to avoid the subject.


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    The next day.


    The first rays of morning sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a soft glow on Sadie¡¯s delicate face.


    She slowly opened her eyes and stretched. There was a spark of determination in her gaze.


    Today was the designpetition, the day she would face off against Vivi.


    Taking a deep breath, Sadie got out of bed. She washed up and went to her vanity to prepare herself.


    She looked at her reflection in the mirror¡ªher skin was wless as polished porcin, her eyes bright and clear. She pulled her lustrous ck hair into an elegant bun to entuate her slender neck. Sadie chose a white pantsuit¡ªsimple yet chic¡ªand paired it with nude heels. She was the picture of elegance and strength.


    She struck a confident pose in front of the mirror and smiled.


    ¡°You can do this, Sadie!¡± she whispered to herself, her voice ringing out with resolve.


    Just then, there was a soft knock on the bedroom door.


    ¡°Come in,¡± Sadie called out without thinking.


    Noah stepped into the room, already dressed in a tailored ck suit thatplimented his tall frame.


    He nced at Sadie in the mirror, his eyes shing with barely concealed admiration.


    ¡°Off to work?¡± Noah asked, his voice low and tender. He walked up to her and gently ced his hands on her shoulders.


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 Chapter 576

    ?Chapter 576:


    ¡°Yes.¡± Sadie nodded and met his gaze in the mirror. ¡°And you? Aren¡¯t you going on a business trip today?¡±


    ¡°I am,¡± Noah replied quietly. His gaze turned deep, revealing none of his thoughts. ¡°I need to fly out of town to take care of some things.¡± He paused for a few seconds before adding, ¡°I might not be back tonight, so don¡¯t wait up for me.¡±


    ¡°All right,¡± Sadie replied, ignoring the faint wave of disappointment that came over her.


    But Noah had noticed. He turned her around and pressed a soft kiss on her forehead.


    ¡°Take care of yourself. Averi, too.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    Sadie was taken aback by his actions, and her mind immediately raced back to their time in the bridal shopst night.


    She balled her hands into loose fists.


    ¡°You take care, too.¡±


    Noah gave Sadie onest, lingering look before turning to leave the bedroom.


    Sadie watched him go, only withdrawing her gaze once he had disappeared through the door.


    She took a deep, steadying breath, then reminded herself that this was not the time for personal matters. She had more important things to focus on.


    A ck car was waiting for Sadie when she stepped out of Myrtlewood Estate. She got in and headed to thepetition venue.


    The car smoothly navigated the wide roads, while Sadie peered out of the window and watched the passing scenery.


    Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, but one thing was clear¡ªtoday¡¯spetition was crucial.


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    About half an hourter, the car finally pulled over in front of the venue.


    As soon as Sadie got out of the vehicle, she was immediately struck by the scene in front of her.


    Arge crowd,prising mostly of reporters and fans, had gathered outside the building. Camera shutters were going off nonstop, and microphones were thrust toward the driveway in anticipation of the arrivals.


    ¡°Sandra! Sandra!¡±


    ¡°Miss Hudson! Miss Hudson!¡±


    A handful of people called out Sadie¡¯s name upon seeing her arrive.


    Reporters approached her, surrounding her from all sides.


    ¡°Sandra, are you confident about your performance in today¡¯spetition?¡±


    ¡°Sandra, do you think you can win the championship?¡±


    ¡°Sandra, can you give us a hint about your work?¡±


    ¡°Sandra¡­¡±


    Sadie maintained a courteous smile in the face of all their questions. She held up a hand, prompting them to fall silent.


    ¡°Everyone, thank you for all your attention and support,¡± she said into a microphone, her voice ringing clear and melodious throughout the crowd.


    ¡°All I can really say for now is, let us wait and see how thepetition turns out.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s lips curled into a charming smile, and her eyes sparkled with subtle confidence.


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 Chapter 577

    ?Chapter 577:


    ¡°I have faith in my work. I won¡¯t let you down.¡± Her response was the perfect bnce of boldness and humility, leaving asting good impression on the media.


    ¡°Sandra really is quite extraordinary, isn¡¯t she?¡±


    ¡°Indeed! Such confidence andposure under this level of pressure are rare.¡±


    ¡°I believe her. She will definitely surprise us, and I look forward to it!¡±


    They were all buzzing with admiration and anticipation for Sadie¡¯s piece.


    Just then, a sharp voice suddenly cut through themotion.


    ¡°Humph! What a nice little act you¡¯ve put on!¡±


    Everyone turned in unison to see K sauntering over, her face a mask of disdain.


    She wore avish gown, and her makeup was meticulously applied, but neither could hide the burning jealousy and resentment radiating from her.


    ¡°Do you really think you can win against me, Sadie? Dream on!¡± K snapped as she stopped in front of Sadie.


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Sadie said calmly, raising an eyebrow and peering at K with mild interest. ¡°It sounds like you¡¯re very confident about your performance in today¡¯spetition, Miss Wade.¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡± K replied with a haughty lift of her chin.


    ¡°Hmm. Let us wait and see, shall we?¡± With that, Sadie walked past K and made her way into the venue.


    K¡¯s expression turned even uglier as she watched Sadie disappear into the venue.


    ¡°Just you wait, you bitch!¡± she muttered through gritted teeth. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure you lose everything today!¡±


    Before long, thepetition finallymenced.


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    The stage was spacious and brightly lit, ensuring that the audience¡¯s attention was locked in on the participants.


    The participants took turns stepping onto the stage to showcase their designs.


    Vivi glided onto the stage in a fiery red gown, swaying her hips with every step she took.


    She disyed her piece, ¡°Heart of the me.¡± The main feature was a ruby centerpiece surrounded by tiny diamonds that glimmered under the lights.


    ¡°Wow, it¡¯s so beautiful!¡±


    ¡°This is a truly unique design!¡±


    ¡°Vivi is really exceptional in this field.¡±


    The audience erupted in praise and apuse, which naturally brought a triumphant smile to Vivi¡¯s face.


    The contest continued, and more participants presented their work, one after another.


    Each piece was a testament to its designer¡¯s dedication and creativity, with a distinctive feature that reflected its creator¡¯s personality.


    Despite the tightpetition, Vivi¡¯s smug smile never wavered. Every so often, she would nce over at Sadie, as if to gloat over what she believed would be her inevitable victory.


    Vivi could hardly wait for Sadie to present her design, fully convinced that it would mark the start of Sadie¡¯s downfall.


    Not only would Sadie lose her ce in thepetition, but she would also be theughingstock of the entire design industry.


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 Chapter 578

    ?Chapter 578:


    Vivi¡¯s smile widened into a grin.


    Atst, it was Sadie¡¯s turn to take the stage.


    All eyes were on her as the audience wondered what this designer, who had dominated the international scene for three years, had in store for them.


    Sadie held her chin high as she walked onto the stage¡ªthe epitome of gentle elegance and grace.


    Unlike the other contestants, however, she didn¡¯t ce her work on the disy table but held it up with her own hands.


    ¡°Good day, judges, fellow participants, and everyone who has taken the time to join us here today,¡± Sadie¡¯s voice was clear and pleasant. ¡°I present to you my work, titled, ¡®Rebirth.''¡±


    She slowly opened the box she was holding.


    By that point, everyone was on the edge of their seats, their eyes glued to the contents of the box.


    Nestled in velvet was a dazzling piece of jewelry.


    And it waspletely different from the design draft Nte had stolen from Sadie¡¯s studio. It was a new design altogether.


    The piece featured a rare blue diamond as the centerpiece, surrounded by countless small, white diamonds. From afar, it looked like a tiny constetion around a full moon.


    The concept was simple enough, but it was crafted in a way that screamed modern grandeur.


    ¡°Whoa!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s stunning!¡±


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    ¡°Now, that is a masterpiece!¡±


    The discussion among the crowd grew louder and more animated. Both Vivi and K were stunned in their seats, their jaws hanging open, their eyes wide with shock and disbelief.


    ¡°How¡­ How is this possible?¡± Vivi mused aloud. ¡°Her piece ispletely different from the one before!¡±


    ¡°What the hell is going on?¡± K eximed, equally bewildered by this unexpected turn of events.


    They had both assumed that Sadie would present the stolen design. But here she was, showcasing a whole new creation, catching Vivi and K off guard and effectively ruining their ns.


    ¡°Sadie, you¡­ You actually¡­¡± Vivi pointed a trembling finger at Sadie, too furious toplete her sentence.


    Sadie smirked at her. ¡°Are you disappointed, Miss Quinn?¡± she asked, her voice calm yet mocking. ¡°Did you really think I¡¯d be foolish enough to fall into your trap?¡±


    Vivi¡¯s face turned ashen.


    Not only had Sadie discovered their scheme, but she had also managed to thwart it altogether.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get too smug, Sadie!¡± Vivi spat out. ¡°So what if you made another design? That¡¯s not a guarantee that you will win against me!¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Sadie raised an eyebrow. ¡°Like I kept saying, let¡¯s wait for the results and see.¡±


    Then she turned away from Vivi and faced the panel of judges. She proceeded to exin her design, down to thest detail.


    As Sadie spoke passionately about her inspiration, a staff member suddenly rushed over to Garrett Schultz, the main judge, and whispered something in his ear.


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 Chapter 579

    ?Chapter 579:


    Garrett¡¯s brows immediately furrowed, and his expression turned grim. The judges, who had previously been quiet and stern, were now abuzz with hushed discussions.


    This did not escape the audience¡¯s attention, and they began to exchange spections on what might have urred.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening? Something seems off with the judges.¡±


    ¡°I have no idea. Perhaps there¡¯s been a change in thepetition results?¡±


    ¡°No way. The participants haven¡¯t even finished presenting their designs. How could there be results already?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s right. Don¡¯t be ridiculous.¡±


    The conversation continued, with everyone putting forth their opinions. Vivi had also noticed the strange behavior of the judges. An inexplicable sense of foreboding welled up inside her.


    ¡°Did something happen?¡± she murmured to herself.


    Just then, the same staff member stepped forward. He spoke into the microphone, his voice booming throughout the venue.


    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, we apologize for the interruption.¡± His voice was thick with tension. ¡°We have just received an anonymous tip using Miss Vivi Quinn of giarism, which disqualifies her from thepetition.¡±


    This, of course, caused an uproar among the crowd.


    All heads turned to Vivi, their faces ranging from astonishment to rage. Vivi¡¯s eyes were wide with horror and disbelief as she stared at the staff member.


    ¡°What¡ªwhat did you say?¡± she asked, her voice hoarse and shaky.


    ¡°Say that again!¡±


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    ¡°Miss Quinn, we received an allegation that you have giarized another designer¡¯s work. That makes you ineligible for thispetition,¡± the staff member repeated without batting an eye.


    ¡°That¡¯s absolutely impossible!¡± Vivi screamed. ¡°All my pieces are original! How dare you say I giarized? This is in nder!¡±


    Before anyone could react, she suddenly lunged at the staff member, shouting, ¡°How dare you use me of such a thing? What evidence do you have?¡±


    The man was unfazed, even in the face of Vivi¡¯s furious questioning.


    ¡°Miss Quinn,¡± he replied calmly, ¡°we are merely acting on a report we received. An investigation is still needed to verify the truth. In the meantime, we hope that you will cooperate as we go through the investigation.¡±


    Garrett chose to speak up as well.


    ¡°Please calm down, Miss Quinn. We will uncover the truth and provide you with a fair response.¡±


    Vivi noted his grave expression and grew even more panicked. She knew she couldn¡¯t get out of this one easily.


    ¡°But¡ªbut¡­¡± Vivi tried to argue, only to be interrupted by Garrett.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid this is not the time to plead your case, Miss Quinn. To ensure fairness in thepetition, we have decided to pause the event for thirty minutes as we investigate the matter.¡±


    He paused to let his words sink in, then added, ¡°Please apany us backstage to assist with the investigation.¡±


    Vivi tried to protest again, but two staff members had already appeared on either side of her.


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 Chapter 580

    Chapter 580:


    ¡°Miss Quinn, pleasee this way,¡± one of them said as they took hold of each of her arms.


    Vivi had no choice but to follow them backstage.


    As soon as she was out of sight, the venue descended into yet another round of chaos. This time, the discussions were louder and more frenzied.


    K stood below the stage, her expression dark. She couldn¡¯t believe things had escted to such a point.


    Their n had seemed seamless, but for some reason, Vivi was the one getting used of giarism.


    What bitter irony.


    ¡°Damn it! Just what on earth is going on?¡± K nibbled on her thumb, unwilling to ept defeat.


    She had invested so much in their n and had even gone over every detail to make sure it was foolproof. How could it all fall apart before her eyes like this?


    K gritted her teeth. One way or another, she was going to find out who was behind this sabotage.


    Sweat glistened on Garrett¡¯s forehead, and his hands were damp.


    He had never, not even in his worst nightmares, imagined that things would turn out like this. Despite strict instructions from his superiors to secure Vivi¡¯s victory, everything had unraveled at this crucial moment.


    ¡°What now?¡±


    Garrett felt a sinking certainty¡ªhe was in serious trouble.


    He couldn¡¯t afford to offend those in power, after all.


    The other judges exchanged nervous nces, clearly caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events.


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    ¡°Should we head backstage to investigate first?¡± one of the judges suggested hesitantly.


    Garrett nodded briskly, ¡°Good idea. Let¡¯s investigate right away.¡± Without hesitation, they abandoned their seats and made their way behind the scenes.


    Once there, they immediately started going through the documents.


    However, the more they examined, the more their unease grew.


    The evidence was undeniable.


    The jewelry Vivi had created for Siro Group bore a striking resemnce to an old design draft released by Sadie¡¯s studio. To make matters worse, Sadie¡¯s team had previously issued an official statement, calling out the ws in that very draft and making it clear that Sadie was the designer.


    ording topetition rules, any participant with a history of copying others¡¯ work would be permanently barred from entering.


    Garrett felt as if lightning had struck him.


    If the giarism was confirmed, Vivi¡¯s career would be over. Worse, he himself would be implicated.


    He cleared his throat twice, straightened his posture, and spoke with a serious expression. ¡°Everyone, we must proceed with great care. This concerns Miss Quinn¡¯s standing as well as the credibility of this event.¡± Then, after a brief pause, his tone took on a calcted vagueness. ¡°In my opinion, while there are certain simrities between these designs, it¡¯s difficult to call it outright giarism. After all, creative minds can sometimes arrive at simr ideas.¡±


    One judge frowned, seemingly about to challenge him, but in the end, he remained silent.


    .


    .


    .<hr>


    Message from Noah: Nice day for you dear readers! God loves you and Noah whishes you all the best. (>?=)


    .

 Chapter 581

    ?Chapter 581:


    Amy, however, couldn¡¯t stay quiet any longer. Having mentored both Vivi and Sadie at different points, she could tell immediately¡ªVivi¡¯s piece was nothing but a tant imitation of Sadie¡¯s.


    ¡°Enough!¡± Her expression hardened, and her voice was sharp as ice. ¡°How long do you all n to keep lying to yourselves? The truth is clear¡ªVivi copied Sadie¡¯s work. That¡¯s an indisputable fact.¡±


    Without waiting for a response, she turned and strode into the lounge, where Vivi was waiting.


    Looking at the student she had once ced so much faith in, Amy felt an overwhelming sense of disappointment.


    ¡°Vivi, be honest with me. Why did you do it?¡±


    Vivi¡¯s eyes turned red, as though she had suffered an unbearable injustice.


    She bit her lower lip, her voice trembling. ¡°I didn¡¯t do it, Amy. I swear, I didn¡¯t steal anyone¡¯s design. Please believe me! You¡¯ve always favored Sadie over me¡ªcan¡¯t you support me just this once?¡±


    Amy¡¯s frown deepened, frustration evident in her gaze.


    ¡°Vivi, I have never been biased toward anyone. Design is built on integrity and honesty. No matter who it is, if they cross the line, they must take responsibility for their actions.¡± Her voice softened as she sighed.


    ¡°Listen to me¡ªgo and admit what you¡¯ve done. If you wait until this explodes, things will only spiral out of control. Think carefully.¡±


    With that, Amy turned and left, leaving behind an air of deep disappointment.


    Vivi remained, her body trembling slightly. She had bitten her lip so hard that it was nearly bleeding.


    Why?


    Why should she admit it?


    Uncover your next story on g ? ln¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s,


    Sadie had simply yed her cards better than expected.


    Of course, it all made sense¡ªAmy had always preferred Sadie from the very start.


    As she stood there, consumed by her thoughts, K entered with a confident stride.


    As she took in Vivi¡¯s distressed state, a cold smirk curled on K¡¯s lips.


    ¡°What¡¯s with that face? Already falling apart?¡±


    At her words, Vivi¡¯s head snapped up.


    Her stare was sharp¡ªlike a poisoned dagger aimed directly at K. ¡°You knew, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    K flinched slightly under Vivi¡¯s intense gaze but quickly masked it with aposed smile.


    ¡°How would I have known?¡± she replied smoothly. ¡°If you want to me someone, me that snake, Nte! She had the nerve to turn on us and join forces with that little fox, Sadie. What a treacherous backstabber!¡±


    She patted Vivi¡¯s shoulder lightly, her tone dark andced with promise. ¡°But don¡¯t worry. Someone will make sure this situation is handled. That champion title will be yours¡ªno matter what.¡±


    One thing was certain¡ªK would never allow Sadie to take first ce.


    Meanwhile, Sadie made her way back to the lounge.


    The moment she pushed the door open, she spotted Nte standing there, guilt written all over her face, and her eyes were red as she stepped forward.


    ¡°Sadie¡­ I¡¯m sorry¡­¡±


    .


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 Chapter 582

    ?Chapter 582:


    Hearing this, Sadie waved her hand dismissively, unbothered. ¡°Forget it. Back then, you were only trying to save your mother. As for those with ill intentions, they¡¯ll face the consequences sooner orter.¡±


    Nte seemed like she wanted to say more, but in the end, she held back.


    Sadie had barely settled into a seat when Amy entered the room.


    Amy shot her a deep, searching look. Although her words were framed as a question, she was almost certain of the answer.


    ¡°Sadie, be honest. Could Vivi really have gotten ess to your designs? Did you orchestrate everything and put out that statement ahead of time?¡±


    Sadie didn¡¯t respond.


    Amy instantly understood. She sighed, her voice carrying a trace of resignation.


    ¡°Sadie, the design industry should be built on honesty and originality. I get it¡ªmaybe you had your reasons¡ªbut even so¡­¡±


    She hesitated, stopping mid-sentence. The Sadie she once knew¡ªthe one whose passion for design burned brightly, whose eyes shone with nothing but enthusiasm¡ªwas no longer the same.


    She had changed.


    The old Sadie would work tirelessly, sacrificing sleep just for a spark of inspiration. But now¡­


    Amy exhaled deeply.


    There was no use saying more.


    She looked at Sadie, disappointment flickering in her gaze.


    In the end, she didn¡¯t press further and simply turned to leave.


    As the door clicked shut, Sadie lowered her eyes, a storm of emotions brewing within her.


    Exclusive updates avable at g?ln¦Ò¦Íe?s?c?m


    She understood how Amy felt.


    But some things were simply beyond her control.


    Nte, who had remained quiet all this time, slipped out of the room.


    Perhaps Sadie needed some time alone.


    The short break flew by.


    Soon, it was time to head to thepetition.


    As Sadie stepped out, she identally bumped into a staff member.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, Mr. Schultz has requested to see you.¡±


    A faint unease crept over her, but she followed the staff member anyway.


    She was led to a quiet room.


    Garrett was already seated on the sofa, as if he had been waiting for her.


    He gestured toward the seat across from him, his tone courteous.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, please have a seat. I called you here to discuss something important.¡±


    Sadie met his gaze, already forming a few suspicions.


    ¡°What is it?¡± she asked, her voice cool as she discreetly activated the recording feature on her phone.


    Garrett leaned back slightly.


    ¡°Well, Miss Hudson, we all recognize your exceptional talent as a designer. However, thispetition¡­ the situation is rather delicate.¡±


    Dropping all pretense, he got straight to the point.


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 Chapter 583

    ?Chapter 583:


    ¡°We strongly advise you to acknowledge that your previous work was copied from Vivi¡¯s design.¡±


    A coldugh escaped Sadie¡¯s lips.


    ¡°So this is how the International Jewelry Design Competition operates? Throwing out baseless usations?¡±


    Garrett¡¯s face darkened.


    By now, the other judges had already ruled Vivi guilty of giarism.


    Sadie was the only one who could change the situation.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, there¡¯s no need to be so agitated,¡± he said smoothly. ¡°If you agree, I can arrange for you to receive a substantial sum¡ªenough to ensure you livefortably for the rest of your life.¡±


    Although Garrett wasn¡¯t particrly pleased with how things had unfolded, this was still preferable to jeopardizing his own position.


    Sadie arched an eyebrow.


    ¡°Oh? So you¡¯re telling me I have no choice but to confess to giarism?¡±


    When Garrett saw her reluctance, his expression hardened, his toneced with an unspoken threat.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, you¡¯re an intelligent woman. You should understand what¡¯s in your best interest. You¡¯re up against forces far beyond your control. The person backing us isn¡¯t someone you¡¯d want to antagonize.¡±


    Sadie narrowed her eyes slightly.


    Garrett was clearly siding with Vivi, and Vivi had K on her side.


    But who was supporting them from behind the scenes?


    A sudden realization struck her.


    Find what¡¯s next on g al no ve ls


    Her fingers curled into a fist.


    Garrett mistook her silence for hesitation and decided toy his cards on the table.


    ¡°There¡¯s no harm in telling you,¡± he said, his voice low. ¡°It¡¯s Mr. Noah Wall. He¡¯s already determined that Vivi will take home the championship. No matter what, the oue won¡¯t change. You¡¯d do well not to fight against it.¡±


    Sadie felt like the ground had disappeared beneath her feet.


    Noah?


    She should have seen thising.


    Garrett, unaware of her connection to Noah, assumed she was just another disposable piece in the game.


    He took a leisurely sip of coffee, amusement flickering in his eyes.


    ¡°Well, Miss Hudson, have you made your decision?¡±


    Sadie let out a sharp, derisiveugh.


    She lifted her head, her gaze cold, filled with mockery.


    ¡°I recorded every word you just said. This will go straight to the authorities. And if this is the kind of corruption the International Jewelry Design Competition runs on, then I want nothing to do with it.¡±


    With that, she pressed a button on her phone, withdrawing from thepetition.


    Then she made sure the recording was saved in several different emails.


    Garrett¡¯s face drained of color.


    His entire body trembled. He had never expected Sadie to record him. If that recording got out, not only would he lose Noah¡¯s favor, but his entire career woulde crashing down.


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 Chapter 584

    ?Chapter 584:


    Garrett¡¯s breath hitched, perspiration streaming down his temples. His entire body quivered as he copsed to his knees before Sadie, his sobs raw and desperate.


    ¡°Miss Hudson, you can¡¯t do this to me!¡± he choked out, his voice strained. ¡°I have people relying on me¡ªmy entire household depends on my support. I¡¯m begging you, erase that recording! Please, I¡¯m pleading with you!¡±


    Sadie¡¯s expression remained impassive as she recoiled from his grasp, revulsion curling in her chest.


    ¡°Actions have consequences.¡±


    Her voice was devoid of sympathy as she turned, preparing to leave. Garrett¡¯s heart pounded as the futility of his pleas sank in, his features contorting into something dark.


    This wretched woman!


    If she was determined to push him into a corner, she had no right to protest when he fought back.


    His gaze darted to a towering metal sculpture nearby, standing like a sentinel.


    Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, he seized it and swung with all the force he could muster.


    ¡°You bitch! Go to hell!¡± he bellowed, his bloodshot eyes zing with fury.


    The sharp movement caught Sadie¡¯s attention, her pupils constricting.


    Her thoughts went nk¡ªthere was no escape.


    She was done for.


    Just as the sculpture was about to connect, a figure lunged in front of her. ¡°Bang!¡±


    A sickening thud echoed through the room as Alex¡¯s head bore the brunt of the impact. Crimson spattered across his face.


    ¡°Alex!¡± Sadie shrieked, her voiceced with panic.


    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????


    Garrett stiffened, horror shing across his face.


    His fingers loosened, the sculpture slipping from his grip and crashing to the floor.


    How was this even possible?


    This woman had been fortunate enough to have someone shield her at thest second.


    Now, he was truly doomed¡ªthis had spiraled into something far worse than he had anticipated.


    Fear gripped his chest, and Garrett staggered backward before turning on his heel and bolting from the scene.


    Sadie didn¡¯t bother pursuing him.


    Her attention was solely on Alex, whose body swayed unsteadily. Hands trembling, she reached out to steady him.


    ¡°Alex, talk to me! Don¡¯t scare me!¡± she cried, her voice quivering.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Alex mumbled, though the crimson streaks running down his face told a different story.


    He attempted a reassuring smile, but it only came off as a pained grimace.


    ¡°Fine? You¡¯re bleeding so much!¡± Sadie¡¯s voice cracked as she frantically rummaged through her bag, pulling out tissues in a futile attempt to staunch the bleeding. The crimson kept flowing.


    Panic swelled in her chest as she fumbled for her phone. Her fingers barely functioned as she dialed.


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 Chapter 585

    ?Chapter 585:


    ¡°Nte! Get medical personnel here immediately! And call the authorities¡ªsomeone¡¯s been injured!¡±


    Hearing the urgency in Sadie¡¯s tone, Nte wasted no time, immediately setting things in motion.


    Given the nature of the event, a medical team was on standby.


    Within minutes, paramedics stormed in with a stretcher.


    ¡°Clear the way!¡± they called out, efficiently lifting Alex onto it. The pristine sheet beneath him darkened with red, the sight twisting a knife in Sadie¡¯s heart.


    After a brief assessment, a doctor made a quick decision.


    ¡°The injury is severe. We need to transport him to the hospital at once,¡±


    ¡°Do it,¡± Sadie said without hesitation.


    The medics sprang into action, swiftly organizing a group of strong young men to carry the stretcher out of the venue.


    ¡°Stay with me, Alex! You¡¯re going to be alright,¡± Sadie trailed after them, her emotions barely contained. Alex¡¯s consciousness was slipping.


    His eyelids fluttered as he struggled to stay alert. His lips parted, voice barely above a whisper.


    ¡°Sa¡­ Sadie¡­ don¡¯t¡­ don¡¯t worry¡­ focus on what you need to do.¡±


    His words were disjointed, yet his meaning was clear. ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ be fine¡­¡± Then, as if he had gathered thest of his strength, his voice rang out with surprising rity. ¡°Stan!¡±


    A broad-shouldered man rushed forward. ¡°Yes, Mr. Howe.¡±


    ¡°Ensure¡­ Miss Hudson¡¯s safety,¡± Alexmanded before his body wentpletely limp.


    Sadie¡¯s fingers curled into fists, a storm brewing in her eyes.


    Exclusive updates avable at g?ln¦Ò¦Íe?s?c?m


    This was far from over. She would see justice served.


    As the ambnce sped away, sirens wailing, the venue slowly returned to a semnce of normalcy.


    Garrett, still visibly shaken, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. Steeling himself, he forced his way back onto the stage.


    Gripping the microphone tightly, he cleared his throat, though his voice wavered.


    ¡°There was a minor disruption just now¡­ but we will now proceed with the results announcement.¡± He rushed through his words as if desperate to escape.


    ¡°The panel has reached a unanimous verdict. The winner of this contest is¡­ Miss Vivi Quinn. Regarding the giarism allegation, an investigation has confirmed that Miss Sadie Hudson copied Miss Quinn¡¯s work. Vivi¡¯s creation is entirely her own.¡±


    He blurted out the decision, as though lingering even a second longer would shatter what littleposure he had left.


    A stunned hush fell over the audience before erupting into murmurs of disbelief.


    ¡°What? Sadie giarized? That¡¯s ridiculous!¡±


    ¡°Sadie¡¯s designs are one of a kind. How could she possibly have stolen someone else¡¯s work?¡±


    ¡°Exactly! She even withdrew from thepetition earlier¡ªsomething¡¯s fishy.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, this doesn¡¯t add up¡­¡±


    ¡°Hold it right there!¡± A sharp, unyielding voice sliced through the noise. It was Sadie.


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 Chapter 586

    ?Chapter 586:


    She strode toward the stage, her movements measured, her demeanor unshaken.


    The color drained from Garrett¡¯s face as though he had seen an apparition. He nearly stumbled backward.


    ¡°You¡ªhow¡­ How are you here already?¡± His voice barely held together.


    Sadie¡¯s gaze was frigid, her lips curling into a slow, dangerous smile.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t think I¡¯d leave before setting the record straight, did you?¡± Without another word, she retrieved her phone and pressed y.


    A voice, unmistakably belonging to Garrett, echoed through the speaker. ¡°It¡¯s Mr. Noah Wall. He¡¯s already determined that Vivi will take home the championship¡­¡±


    Garrett¡¯sposure shattered. ¡°No! Lies! It¡¯s all fabricated!¡±


    In his desperation, he lunged forward, reaching for the phone, but Sadie sidestepped him effortlessly. He lost his bnce, toppling off the stage in an ungraceful heap.


    The room fell silent. Then, chaos erupted.


    ¡°Oh my God! So it was rigged all along!¡±


    ¡°Noah Wall from Wall Group? This is a massive scandal!¡±


    ¡°Sadie was framed! She never giarized!¡±


    ¡°This is disgraceful for the entire design industry!¡±


    Reporters went wild, cameras shing.


    They had just struck gold¡ªthis was the biggest expose of the year.


    The headlines would be explosive.


    Amid themotion, Nte quietly reentered the hall, nked by uniformed officers.


    The lead officer stepped forward.


    Find what¡¯s next on g al no ve ls


    ¡°Who is Garrett Schultz?¡± His tone was authoritative. The crowd eagerly pointed toward the cowering man.


    Garrett opened his mouth, but no words came out.


    The officers wasted no time. Handcuffs clicked into ce. ¡°We have received a report of assault. You¡¯reing with us.¡±


    Panic consumed Garrett.


    ¡°No! I don¡¯t want to go to jail!¡± he screamed, struggling desperately, but resistance was useless.


    His cries dwindled as he was hauled out, leaving behind an audience still reeling from the spectacle.


    Once Garrett was taken away by the police, the remaining panel of judges found themselves in a tough spot.


    Atst, an older judge with silver-streaked hair hesitantly announced the verdict.


    Vivi was permanently barred from thepetition.


    Sadie was dered the champion.


    Yet, triumph felt hollow.


    She had secured the win, but at the cost of Alex¡¯s injury.


    Turning to Stan, concern evident in her voice, she urged, ¡°Go to the hospital and look after him. I¡¯ll get changed and join you soon. Don¡¯t worry, everything¡¯s settled now, and I¡¯ll be safe.¡±


    Though reluctant, Stan was more worried about his employer. ¡°Miss Hudson, stay alert. Call me if anything happens¡ªI¡¯lle right away.¡±


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 Chapter 587

    ?Chapter 587:


    Gritting his teeth, he left.


    Wasting no time, Sadie hurried to the changing room.


    Just as she finished, Vivi barged in, fury radiating from her.


    ¡°Sadie, you bitch!¡± Vivi hissed, her hand raised to strike.


    But Sadie wasn¡¯t about to let her.


    She dodged effortlessly and responded with a p of her own. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you, Vivi?¡±


    Stunned, Vivi clutched her cheek, her re burning into Sadie. ¡°Did you just hit me?¡±


    Sadie smirked, her irritation giving way to amusement. ¡°You took the first swing. I just thought you should experience what it¡¯s like.¡± Without hesitation, she struck again¡ªthis time, with full force.


    Vivi¡¯s head snapped to the side, leaving her momentarily dazed.


    As Sadie lowered her hand, her gaze remained sharp.


    ¡°The first was for breaking the rules. The second¡ªfor the humiliation you put me through.¡±


    Vivi snapped out of her shock, fury shing in her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t think too highly of yourself, Sadie. You may have won, but that doesn¡¯t make you better than me.¡±


    Leaning in, Vivi whispered smugly, ¡°You know what? A little charm was all it took to get Noah to hand me the championship.¡±


    Sadie arched a brow, her voice dripping with mockery. ¡°Is that so? If Noah treasures you so much, why hasn¡¯t he brought you to his side? Face it, Vivi¡ªyou¡¯re nothing special.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s words hit a raw nerve.


    While others might have been unaware, Vivi knew the truth¡ªNoah had never spared her a second thought.


    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????


    Sadie recognized the silence for what it was¡ªa direct hit.


    Smiling faintly, she brushed past Vivi and walked away.


    ¡°Sadie, you¡¯ll regret this! Just you wait!¡± Vivi shouted after her. Yet, the sting from those two ps kept her from following.


    Just then, her phone buzzed.


    Irritated, she snatched it up.


    ¡°Hello, Dad¡­¡±


    ¡°Vivi! You disgrace! Look at the mess you¡¯ve made! Because of you, our family became aughingstock! Get home immediately!¡± Moses bellowed before cutting the call.


    Vivi¡¯s hands trembled, her voice failing her.


    It was all because of Sadie. One day, she¡¯d make her pay.


    Meanwhile, Sadie had reached the parking lot, with Nte trailing behind her in silence.


    Just as she was about to enter the car, a familiar figure approached¡ªit was K.


    Nte stiffened, instinctively lowering her gaze.


    K sauntered past, hips swaying, and halted before Sadie.


    She smirked, her voiceced with contempt.


    ¡°Don¡¯t fool yourself, Sadie. Beating Vivi doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯ve actually won. Your little tricks don¡¯t impress me.¡±


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 Chapter 588

    ?Chapter 588:


    Sadie had no patience for K¡¯s games.


    She nced at her briefly, lips curling into a faint, taunting smile.


    ¡°Oh?¡± was all she said.


    K mistook her silence for fear and leaned in. ¡°Here¡¯s some advice¡ªdon¡¯t get ahead of yourself. Noah doesn¡¯t care about you anymore. Got it?¡±


    With that, she turned on her heel, purposefully brushing past Nte as she walked away.


    Nte¡¯s footing faltered, but Sadie was quick to steady her.


    ¡°Nte, are you okay?¡± she asked, concerncing her voice.


    Nte gave a shaky nod, though the tremor in her hands betrayed her.


    K halted mid-stride, turning back with a cial re. Her voice was razor-sharp, each wordced with venom.


    ¡°Enjoy this moment, Nte. Soon enough, you¡¯ll understand what it means to cross me.¡±


    Nte stood frozen, her mind spiraling. The weight of K¡¯s threat coiled around her like a vice.


    By the time she slid into the car, her strength gave out. She sank into the seat, her breath unsteady.


    K had never been one for empty threats¡ªhow far would she go this time?


    No matter what, she had to keep Sadie out of this.


    Sensing the tension radiating off her friend, Sadie spoke softly.


    ¡°I¡¯ve arranged for a general practitioner from abroad to see your mother. If everything went smoothly, he should be with your mother right now.¡±


    Nte¡¯s head snapped up, her eyes widening. ¡°Sadie¡­¡±


    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????


    Nte barely got the name out before Sadie reached into her bag and pulled out a check.


    ¡°Two hundred thousand. Use it to clear your debts,¡± Sadie said, her tone firm yet gentle. ¡°I¡¯m giving you tomorrow off¡ªtake the time to set things right at home.¡±


    Nte¡¯s chest tightened. What had she done to deserve such generosity?


    She quickly shook her head. ¡°Sadie, I can¡¯t take this.¡±


    But Sadie wouldn¡¯t hear it. She pressed the check into Nte¡¯s trembling hand.


    ¡°Take it,¡± she insisted. ¡°And if it¡¯s not enough, tell me.¡±


    Nte¡¯sposure crumbled. Hot tears spilled down her cheeks as she clutched the check, her voice thick with emotion. ¡°Thank you, Sadie. I swear, I¡¯ll pay you back¡ªno matter what it takes.¡±


    Sadie exhaled, long and deep, but said nothing more.


    Nte had wronged her. That much was undeniable. But Sadie understood¡ªK had backed Nte into a corner, using her mother¡¯s life as leverage. And in the end, Nte had chosen the right side.


    Without herst-minute defiance, Sadie might have been the one disgraced, falsely used of giarism, her career in ruins.


    The car slowed to a stop in front of the hospital. Sadie instructed the driver to take Nte home first, thene back for her.


    ¡°Understood, madam,¡± the driver responded with a respectful nod.


    As the car pulled away, Sadie turned toward the hospital entrance. She moved with quiet determination, stopping only to ask a nurse for directions. The room wasn¡¯t hard to find.


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 Chapter 589

    ?Chapter 589:


    The door was slightly ajar. She hesitated for a brief moment before gently pushing it open and stepping inside.


    Alexy in bed, his head wrapped in fresh bandages. A doctor stood beside him, speaking in a calm, measured tone.


    ¡°The wound was properly bandaged, but keep it dry and avoid any strenuous activity. It¡¯s best to stay overnight for observation¡ªjust in case of a concussion. Rest is crucial, and if you feel any difort, press the call button immediately.¡±


    Alex gave a small nod. ¡°Thank you, doctor.¡±


    The doctor returned the nod, then exited the room, shutting the door behind him.


    Now, it was just the two of them. Alex¡¯s gaze shifted to Sadie, and surprise flickered in his eyes. He struggled to sit up, wincing at the effort.


    ¡°Sadie? What are you doing here? You don¡¯t have to worry¡ªI¡¯m fine.¡± He hissed, his breath hitching.


    Sadie was at his side in an instant, pressing a gentle hand on his shoulder, helping him lie back down. A pang of guilt settled in her chest. She lowered her voice, her tone tinged with both concern and frustration.


    ¡°Next time, don¡¯t be so reckless. When there¡¯s danger, you have to think about protecting yourself first.¡±


    Alex met her gaze, his eyes gentle yet unwavering.


    He parted his lips as if to speak but hesitated, swallowing back whatever was on his mind. A long pause stretched between them before he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper, ¡°I won¡¯t let anything happen to you.¡±


    Something about the way he said it unsettled Sadie, a warmthced with an unspoken promise. Not wanting to dwell on it, she quickly redirected the conversation. ¡°Where¡¯s Stan?¡±


    Alex¡¯s expression darkened, his gaze drifting downward.


    ¡°I sent him back to thepany. There were a few things that needed handling,¡± he said, his voice quieter now. Sadie studied him, her concern deepening.


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    ¡°You should stay overnight. The doctor was clear¡ªno unnecessary movement. Someone should be here with you.¡±


    Alex simply shrugged, dismissing the worry with a half-hearted smile. ¡°I¡¯m not a kid, Sadie. I can manage.¡± His attempt at reassurance was thin at best. ¡°Worst case, I¡¯ll hit the call button and have a nurse fuss over me. Sadie, don¡¯t lose sleep over me. Just go home and rest.¡±


    Sadie couldn¡¯t shake the unease gnawing at her. The thought of leaving Alex alone in this condition felt impossible. ¡°No way, I¡¯ll have Jim help me hire a caregiver for you!¡±


    Alex opened his mouth to argue, but before he could get a word out, Sadie had already pulled out her phone, her fingers moving with determined urgency as she dialed Jim¡¯s number.


    As the call rang, Alex watched her, a quiet warmth stirring in his chest. She still cared.


    Jim, being the head doctor, should have had no trouble finding someone reliable to stay with him. But the seconds dragged on, stretching into a minute, then longer. No answer.


    Sadie slowly lowered her phone, a crease forming between her brows. She was torn. Leaving Alex alone in this state didn¡¯t sit right with her. ¡°Maybe I should stay. What do you think?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice carried a hint of hesitation.


    Alex¡¯s eyes lit up instantly, though he was quick to school his expression into something more neutral.


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 Chapter 590

    ?Chapter 590:


    ¡°That¡¯s really not necessary,¡± he said, keeping his tone casual. ¡°You¡¯ve got a lot on your te already. And Averi still needs you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll manage. I can finish my work tomorrow, and Carol can look after Averi for the night.¡± She crossed her arms, her decision final. ¡°So that¡¯s that.¡±


    A warmth spread through Alex¡¯s chest at her unwavering stance, though he yed it off with a resigned sigh. ¡°Well, if you¡¯re that determined¡­ I guess I¡¯ll have to trouble you then.¡±


    Sadie didn¡¯t waste another second. She pulled out her phone and tapped out a message to her driver.


    ¡°No need to pick me up. I¡¯m staying at the hospital tonight.¡±


    With that settled, she pocketed her phone and immediately busied herself, checking the room, adjusting Alex¡¯s nket¡ªdoing anything to make herself useful.


    At the Quinn family¡¯s vi, the moment Vivi stepped through the grand entrance, a blur of motion shot toward her. Instinct took over. She twisted to the side just in time.


    CRASH! A cup shattered against the floor, jagged shards skidding across the polished marble at her feet.


    Moses stood rigid, his face red with fury, his finger trembling as he pointed at her. ¡°You¡¯ve got a lot of nerve walking back into this house!¡± he bellowed. ¡°giarism? Do you have any idea what you¡¯ve done? You¡¯ve disgraced our family¡ªdragged our name through the filth!¡±


    ¡°Dad, I¡ªI swear, I didn¡¯t!¡± Vivi said, her voice barely above a whisper.


    ¡°Still lying?¡± Moses¡¯s voice rose to a roar, his eyes aze with fury. ¡°The entire inte is flooded with your scandal! Do you have any idea the humiliation I¡¯ve suffered? How am I supposed to exin this to the Olson family?¡±


    Vivi went still. The mention of the Olson family sent a chill crawling up her spine.


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    ¡°Dad, I told you¡ªI¡¯m not marrying Anson!¡±


    Moses¡¯s rage ignited like dry tinder. ¡°You think you have a say in this?¡± His voice cut like a whip. ¡°You¡¯ll do as you¡¯re told!¡±


    The shrill sound of his phone shed through the air before he could finish.


    Moses inhaled sharply, his fury momentarily caged. He nced at the screen¡ªDamian.


    His posture stiffened. A flicker of unease passed over his face before he forced on a fake smile and pressed the phone to his ear. ¡°Hey, Damian! My dear friend!¡±


    ¡°Moses, I¡¯ve heard about Vivi¡¯s¡­ situation,¡± Damian said, his wordsced with quiet authority.


    Moses swallowed, a bead of sweat forming at his temple. He had no choice but to push forward. ¡°Damian, this is nothing but a misunderstanding! You know Vivi¡¯s talent¡ªshe would never giarize. Someone is clearly trying to bring her down!¡±


    A low chuckle crackled through the receiver.


    ¡°Whether it¡¯s true or not is irrelevant now.¡± Damian¡¯s voice was cool, detached. ¡°My family cannot ept a granddaughter-inw with a scandal-ridden reputation. Moses, don¡¯t take this personally, but if Vivi¡¯s name isn¡¯t cleared, consider the engagement off.¡±


    Moses felt a jolt of panic, cold sweat breaking out along his forehead.


    With Vivi¡¯s situation as it was, any hope of securing a marriage with Noah was already lost. The Quinn family¡¯s ambitions, their future, all hinged on this connection to the Olsons now. Without it, their social standing would plummet.


    Desperate, he rushed to cate Damian.


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 Chapter 591

    ?Chapter 591:


    ¡°Damnian, you¡¯re absolutely right,¡± he said hastily. ¡°But don¡¯t worry¡ªI¡¯ll handle this. I¡¯ll make sure everything is resolved.¡±


    A heavy silence lingered on the other end of the line before Damian finally spoke again, his tone shifting. ¡°I hear the international film star Zoe Travis is returning to the country for her wedding. Vivi¡¯s mentor, Amy, happens to be a close friend of hers. You¡¯d be wise to seize this opportunity.¡±


    Moses¡¯s mind clicked into gear, his anxiety momentarily reced by a spark of hope. Zoe¡¯s wedding was a golden opportunity. If Amy could be persuaded to rmend Vivi as the designer for Zoe¡¯s wedding jewelry, it could be the lifeline they needed.


    A high-profile endorsement from Zoe would be enough to erase the scandal. Even if Zoe didn¡¯t speak on Vivi¡¯s behalf, simply having her jewelry featured at the wedding would give them the leverage to rebuild Vivi¡¯s shattered reputation.


    Moses¡¯s voice grew animated as the realization set in. ¡°Damian, rest assured¡ªI¡¯ll make sure Vivi gets this project!¡±


    As soon as he ended the call, he turned to Vivi, his expression a vtile mix of frustration and expectation.


    ¡°You heard everything, didn¡¯t you?¡± His voice cut through the air like a de, heavy with expectation. ¡°No excuses. Do whatever it takes to secure this project!¡±


    A tight knot formed in Vivi¡¯s stomach. Amy, her mentor¡ªthe one who had always favored Sadie. What were the odds Amy would entrust something so significant to her instead?


    For a fleeting second, doubt flickered in her eyes. But defiance wasn¡¯t an option. She pressed her lips together, forcing down the wave of unease rising in her chest. ¡°¡­I understand, Dad.¡±


    Moses studied her for a beat, then exhaled, his rigid stance easing ever so slightly.


    ¡°And one more thing¡ª¡± Moses¡¯s voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. ¡°Even if you refuse to marry Anson, you must keep the Olson family on our side. Once the partnership agreement is in ce, we¡¯ll handle everything else.¡±


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    Vivi tightened her fists at her sides. She bit her lip harder but, in the end, she could only nod.


    Without another word, she turned and retreated to her room, her body heavy with exhaustion. Amy? How was she supposed to face her now? But¡­ this project was her only way forward.


    Taking a steadying breath, she finally pressed the dial button. The call rang for what felt like an eternity before a weary voice finally answered.


    ¡°Hello, Amy.¡± Vivi swallowed, her voice barely steady. ¡°It¡¯s me, Vivi.¡±


    A brief pause. Then, Amy sighed. ¡°Vivi? It¡¯ste. What do you want?¡± Her tone was distant. Cold. Vivi¡¯s teeth clenched. But this wasn¡¯t the time for pride. She forced herself to stayposed.


    ¡°Amy¡­¡± She hesitated, then drew a deep breath. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I know I was wrong.¡±


    Silence. A long, weighted silence. Then, atst, Amy spoke, her voice carrying an unmistakable trace of relief.


    ¡°Vivi, it¡¯s good that you realize your mistake. The path of design leaves no room for dishonesty. Once you lose your integrity, it¡¯s hard to find your way back.¡±


    Vivi¡¯s fingers curled into the bedsheet, resentment simmering beneath her calm exterior. Amy was still siding with Sadie. But she had no choice but to y along. Her tone remained measured, respectful.


    ¡°Amy, I hear you. I won¡¯t repeat my mistakes¡ªI give you my word.¡± Before the conversation could linger on ufortable truths, Vivi smoothly changed the subject.


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 Chapter 592

    ?Chapter 592:


    ¡°By the way, when do you leave? I¡¯d really like to take you out for a meal¡­ as a proper apology. Face to face.¡±


    A beat of silence followed, heavy with unspoken thoughts. Amy¡¯s hesitation was almost palpable. Then, atst, she answered, ¡°My flight¡¯s tomorrow afternoon. If you¡¯re truly sincere about apologizing, meet me at Sawnard Estate. I¡¯ll be waiting.¡±


    Vivi exhaled, steadying herself, willing her voice to remain even.


    ¡°Understood, Amy. I¡¯ll see you there.¡±


    After spending the night under close observation, Alex was finally allowed to leave the hospital. Sadie sighed with relief, then left the room and headed straight for the discharge desk.


    Meanwhile, Alex stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his cor again and again. He twisted his lips, attempting to craft a charming smile. Still unsatisfied, he shifted his stance and inspected his reflection more intently.


    ¡°It looks a bit stiff,¡± he muttered, trying out a few more smiles. ¡°Forget it, it¡¯ll have to do.¡±


    After all, appearances never mattered much to Sadie.


    Just as he reached this conclusion, the hospital room door swung open. Alex spun around, his smile freezing when he saw the visitor.


    ¡°Stan? What are you doing here? Where¡¯s Sadie?¡± Stan hovered awkwardly in the doorway.


    ¡°Mr. Howe, Miss Hudson had to leave suddenly after a phone call. She asked me to drive you home.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Alex¡¯s tone spiked with disbelief. ¡°Where did she go? Did she say when she¡¯ll be back?¡±


    Stan, caught off guard by the questions, stuttered, ¡°I¡ªI¡¯m not sure, Mr. Howe. I just ran into Miss Hudson in the lobby. She didn¡¯t mention anything else.¡±


    Alex felt frustrated. Of course, Stan had to appear at this inconvenient time. And as luck would have it, he ran into Sadie. His wellid ns were now in ruins. He had hoped to take Sadie out for a meal after she finished the discharge formalities.


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    But now¡­


    Defeated, Alex slumped back into a chair and gestured feebly. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Stan, sensing Alex¡¯s disappointment, hastened to assist him out of the room without another word. Throughout the drive, Alex remained silent, staring somberly out the car window, his expression a blend of bitterness and mncholy.


    Meanwhile, Sadie was en route to Sawnard Estate.


    Just earlier, Gabriel, Nigel¡¯s butler, had called to tell her that Nigel had just returned from abroad and wished to see her.


    An hourter, led by a server, she entered avishly decorated private room.


    ¡°Nigel,¡± she said.


    Since she married into the Wall family, Nigel had been the sole member to show her kindness. Nigel was seated in a redwood chair carved with intricate designs, looking pale and visibly tired.


    ¡°Sadie, you¡¯re here,¡± Nigel greeted her softly.


    ¡°How are you feeling?¡± Sadie asked, her concern evident as she sat next to him.


    ¡°Just the usual, nothing serious,¡± Nigel replied, waving his hand dismissively.


    He then motioned to Gabriel. ¡°Bring it over.¡±


    Gabriel nodded and passed a document to Sadie.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± she inquired, taking the file.


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 Chapter 593

    ?Chapter 593:


    ¡°A stock transfer agreement,¡± Nigel exined calmly. ¡°It¡¯s your grandfather¡¯s share. It¡¯s time it went back to its rightful owner.¡±


    As Sadie opened the file, her eyes were immediately drawn to the words ¡°Effective Immediately¡± and the bright red seal. Her head snapped up, eyes shimmering with tears.


    ¡°Nigel¡­¡± she murmured, her voice thick with emotion.


    ¡°This is your due,¡± Nigel said, patting her hand gently. ¡°I¡¯ve never forgotten your grandfather¡¯s contributions to the Wall Group.¡± Nigel paused, as if remembering something else. ¡°Also, Sadie, my goddaughter Zoe is getting married soon. I¡¯d like you to design the jewelry. The wedding nner will be here shortly to discuss details.¡±


    Sadie, taken aback, blinked. She had never met this goddaughter before.


    As she mulled over this, the door opened again.


    A server ushered in a woman.


    ¡°Amy?¡± Sadie gasped, astonished.


    Amy paused, equally surprised. But then, it all made sense to her.


    Nigel, observing the interaction, smiled broadly.


    Amy looked at Sadie, hesitant to speak.


    A sharp pang of guilt struck Sadie. Over the three years they had known each other, she had never opened up about her personal life to Amy.


    ¡°Amy, I¡¯m sorry I¡¯ve kept this a secret all this time,¡± Sadie said, her voice heavy with regret.


    Amy sighed, her face showing her inner conflict.


    ¡°To be honest, I had my suspicions beforeing here. Nigel mentioned that his granddaughter-inw was a remarkably talented designer. Now it all makes sense that it¡¯s you.¡±


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    Sadie bit her lip, her guilt intensifying. It wasn¡¯t just her secret troubling her¡ªshe was also concerned that Amy might feel she had leveraged her connections unfairly. The jewelry designpetition she had participated in was still fresh in her mind.


    Amy sensed Sadie¡¯s unease and reassuringly patted her hand. ¡°There¡¯s no need to worry. Your talent stands on its own. I¡¯ve seen your work at the internationalpetition. It was outstanding.¡±


    Encouraged by Amy¡¯s words, Sadie looked up, thankful.


    ¡°Thank you, Amy.¡±


    Amy offered a warm smile. ¡°Let¡¯s not dwell on the past. One of my main reasons foring to Jazmah was to oversee the jewelry design for Zoe¡¯s wedding. Nigel rmended you, and Ipletely agree with his choice.¡±


    Effectively, Amy would have chosen Sadie regardless of Nigel¡¯s input. Sadie was slightly confused.


    ¡°Yes, Zoe Travis¡ªthe internationally acimed actress. Her wedding will be a high-profile event, and there are enormous expectations for the jewelry. Nigel considers this project very important.¡±


    Sadie nodded, her interest in the renowned Zoe piqued.


    Amy pulled a folder from her bag and handed it to Sadie.


    ¡°This has all the details for Zoe¡¯s wedding. Review it thoroughly and feel free to share your ideas with me.¡±


    Taking the folder, Sadie began to examine its contents closely.


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 Chapter 594

    ?Chapter 594:


    ¡°I hope you approach this design with the utmost seriousness, as it represents Nigel¡¯s trust in you.¡±


    ¡°I understand, Amy. I¡¯ll do my best,¡± Sadie assured her earnestly.


    Amy nodded in approval. ¡°I trust you will.¡±


    They continued discussing details until Sadie had all the information she needed. Then, she rose to leave. ¡°Amy, I¡¯ll take my leave now.¡±


    ¡°Alright, take care.¡±


    Sadie left the private room and the building.


    Just after her departure, Vivi arrived, pausing nervously outside the door to collect her thoughts. Since the giarism scandal, her studio¡¯s clients had either demanded refunds or canceled their orders. For someone as proud as Vivi, the blow to her reputation was intolerable. Zoe was her chance at redemption.


    Determined to secure the opportunity today, she abruptly opened the door. She walked directly to Amy and gave a slight bow.


    ¡°Amy, I apologize for myteness. I acted impulsively before, and I hope you can overlook that.¡±


    Amy offered her a cool nce, clearly not interested in dredging up the past. ¡°Take a seat.¡±


    Vivi sat, her demeanor subdued.


    As Amy perused the menu, Vivi said, ¡°I heard Nigel has entrusted you with Zoe¡¯s wedding jewelry design?¡±


    Amy looked up, her expression unreadable. She knew Vivi well enough to sense the ulterior motive behind her words. So the apology was just a facade¡ªthis was Vivi¡¯s true intent. Amy closed the menu, her disappointment palpable, and the mood soured instantly.


    Vivi felt the intensity of Amy¡¯s stare, her own nails pressing into her palms, but she maintained a polite smile. ¡°Amy, despite my past errors, I¡¯m sincere about starting anew.¡±


    She reached out for Amy¡¯s hand, her gesture one of desperation. ¡°Amy, I¡¯m your student too. It¡¯s unfair to treat us so differently! I can¡¯t be excluded from the designmunity!¡±


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    Amy stood and withdrew her hand.


    In that moment, realization dawned on Vivi.


    Tears sprang to her eyes, disbelief etching her features. She had humbled herself so deeply¡ªhow could Amy remain indifferent?


    ¡°Vivi, you¡¯re undeniably talented, but your temperament and character¡­¡±


    Amy shook her head, choosing not to continue.


    The implication of her words was unmistakable.


    Her disappointment in her once-promising student was irreparable.


    ¡°Vivi, some things are hard to change. You need time, reflection, and personal growth. I¡¯ve entrusted Zoe¡¯s design project to Sadie. Focus on improving yourself, and once you¡¯ve truly changed, I¡¯ll be here to support you.¡±


    It was always Sadie. That bitch.


    Vivi¡¯s facade crumbled, revealing a look of raw jealousy.


    ¡°Why, Amy? Why do you only help her? What makes her better than me? Why does she deserve everything?¡±


    Vivi¡¯s anger escted dangerously.


    In a rash act, she grabbed a nearby ashtray and hurled it at Amy.


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 Chapter 595

    ?Chapter 595:


    ¡°Are you insane?¡± Amy eximed, but she couldn¡¯t move away in time.


    Bang! The ashtray struck Amy, and blood began to flow from a wound on her head.


    Bang! Another loud crash echoed as Amy copsed to the floor.


    Reality hit Vivi hard.


    She knelt down, her hands trembling as she checked Amy¡¯s pulse.


    And Vivi realized the gravity of what had happened¡­ Amy was no longer breathing.


    In a state of panic, Vivi screamed and dashed from the room.


    As she exited, she collided with a waitress carrying a tray of food.


    The waitress stood frozen, her eyes shifting between Vivi¡¯s bloody hands and Amy¡¯s motionless body.


    The tray ttered to the floor.


    Vivi panicked. She had to keep this secret at all costs.


    The thought of prison terrified her.


    Checking to ensure they were alone, Vivi pulled the waitress into the room, her hands tightening around the woman¡¯s neck as she red menacingly.


    ¡°You saw nothing! Speak of this, and I¡¯lle after you and your family!¡±


    The waitress, struggling for air, nodded frantically, overwhelmed by fear.


    This exclusive restaurant was only for the wealthy and influential. She was merely a waitress. How could she confront someone so formidable?


    Vivi slowly regained herposure, her mind working furiously for a way out.


    She rxed her grip, her eyes turning cold and calcting.


    Since Amy favored Sadie so much, Vivi decided she would let Sadie join Amy.


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    ¡°If you follow my instructions, I¡¯ll give you a sum of money and ensure your and your family¡¯s safety,¡± she promised darkly.


    The waitress, desperate and swayed by the offer, nodded her agreement.


    Unbeknownst to Sadie, she was now in danger.


    Upon her return to Myrtlewood Estate, she immediately felt something was amiss.


    The servants lined the hallway silently, their eyes averted, as if under a spell.


    Even Samuel, usually so vibrant, appeared subdued, offering only a weak smile that seemed to wish her good fortune.


    Sadie¡¯s heart sank.


    Noah must have returned from his trip.


    Entering the living room, she found Noah sitting on the sofa, his demeanor stormy.


    He looked up, his voice icy, and said, ¡°Where were youst night?¡±


    Anger surged within Sadie, the memories of the previous day vivid in her mind.


    If not for Alex, she might have been the one in the hospital.


    She scoffed coldly.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask Vivi that question?¡± she challenged. Then she added with a pointed tone, ¡°Or perhaps you should ask Garrett, the chief judge of the International Jewelry Design Competition?¡±


    Confusion flickered across Noah¡¯s face.


    ¡°If you care so much about Vivi and decided she would win thepetition, why keep me around? Why not just finalize the divorce? I¡¯m more than willing to step aside for her.¡±


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 Chapter 596

    ?Chapter 596:


    Sadie often found Noah iprehensible.


    He had initiated the talk of divorce, yet balked when she agreed.


    Noah¡¯s face darkened further. He was clearly puzzled by her insinuations.


    Tired of the games, Sadie turned and walked upstairs, leaving the conversation behind.


    ¡°Samuel! Get in here!¡± Noah bellowed.


    With a heavy heart, Samuel entered the living room, his gaze downcast.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, what do you need?¡± Samuel asked, his tone polite but attentive.


    ¡°Find out what happened during the International Jewelry Design Competition!¡± Noah ordered, his voice firm.


    Without hesitation, Samuel set to work, quickly gathering the necessary details. When he returned, he reported back to Noah, his expression grave.


    Upon hearing the full ount, Noah¡¯s anger red. ¡°Unbelievable! This was K¡¯s doing!¡± he eximed, his frustration mounting. He had only agreed to K¡¯s request to let Vivi win thepetition¡ªafter all, it was just a title. But he hadn¡¯t known that Sadie waspeting too.


    ¡°No! Tell K to leave this city within three days!¡± Noah¡¯smand was clear, and Samuel wasted no time, immediately heading out with two ck-suited bodyguards.


    When K opened the door and saw Samuel standing with the bodyguards, her initial shock quickly shifted to a smug sense of pleasure. ¡°Samuel, did Noah send you?¡± she asked, her voice dripping with anticipation.


    However, her excitement quickly deted as Samuel spoke with cold formality. ¡°Miss Wade, Mr. Wall has ordered you to leave Jazmah.¡±


    K¡¯s smile faltered, then vanishedpletely. ¡°Why?¡± she demanded, her voice tinged with confusion.


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    Samuel¡¯s face remained impassive. ¡°I am not privy to Mr. Wall¡¯s reasons. Please make the necessary arrangements.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere!¡± K snapped, her anger rising. ¡°I need to speak with Noah directly!¡±


    As she attempted to push past Samuel, the bodyguards moved swiftly to block her path.


    ¡°Miss Wade, Mr. Wall will not meet with you. He has been more than clear. Your departure is a leniency you should appreciate,¡± Samuel stated, his voice unwavering. He knew that Noah had reached his limit with K¡¯s behavior.


    ¡°I saved him! He promised to look after me forever!¡± K¡¯s voice was desperate, her hands trembling as she faced the reality of the situation.


    K was hysterical, tears streaming down her face.


    ¡°Miss Wade, please maintain some dignity,¡± Samuel said, unshaken. ¡°If you persist, we will have to take stronger actions.¡±


    Suddenly, a thought struck K, and she began yelling in desperation.


    She couldn¡¯t leave Jazmah. She couldn¡¯t let that detestable Sadie win!


    ¡°I need to see Isabel! I must see her!¡± she cried out.


    Samuel¡¯s patience began to thin. ¡°Miss Wade, you¡¯re wasting time.¡± He turned to the bodyguards and ordered, ¡°Gather Miss Wade¡¯s things and escort her out of Jazmah.¡±


    The bodyguards immediately set to work, handling K¡¯s possessions roughly.


    K stood there, powerless, as her items were shoved into suitcases. A mix of despair and fury filled her, her hands trembling at the helplessness of the situation.


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 Chapter 597

    ?Chapter 597:


    Soon, everything was packed.


    Samuel motioned toward the exit. ¡°Please, Miss Wade.¡±


    K resisted.


    In desperation, she blurted out, ¡°I need to use the bathroom.¡±


    It was an urgent call of nature.


    Samuel paused but ultimately consented. ¡°Very well, but be quick.¡±


    K lowered her head, concealing the scheming look in her eyes. She walked slowly to the bathroom and locked the door behind her.


    Time passed, and K didn¡¯te out.


    Feeling uneasy, Samuel knocked on the door. ¡°Miss Wade?¡±


    Silence.


    Something was amiss.


    He forced the door open to find the window wide open.


    K had fled.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Samuel cursed softly.


    ¡°Start a search! Lock down the area and find her!¡± By then, K had already left the neighborhood. She gged down a taxi and instructed the driver to head to the Quinn family¡¯s vi. It was her only option now; she would figure out the next steps once there.


    Upon arriving at the Quinn family¡¯s vi, K paid the driver and nearly twisted her ankle as she got out of the car. She steadied herself using the car door and looked up to see Vivi sneaking around, clearly involved in something secretive.


    ¡°Vivi? What are you up to?¡± K inquired.


    Caught off guard, Vivi quickly hid her hands and averted her gaze. ¡°Why are you here?¡±


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    K¡¯s suspicion intensified, but she held it back. She needed Vivi¡¯s assistance.


    ¡°I need a ce to stay for a bit.¡±


    Vivi snorted, as if amused. ¡°Aren¡¯t you staying at Noah¡¯s ce? What, did he kick you out?¡±


    She scanned K from head to toe, her gaze dripping with derision.


    ¡°And looking so disheveled,¡± she added.


    K¡¯s face flushed with anger.


    ¡°Noah is just temporarily enchanted by that temptress Sadie! He¡¯ll realize his mistake and take me back!¡±


    Vivi felt a twinge of satisfaction seeing K flustered, but she remained silent. She then motioned toward the door.


    ¡°Come in.¡±


    K caught the sneer in Vivi¡¯s eyes but swallowed her pride. Realizing now was not the time to confront Vivi, she clenched her teeth and entered the vi.


    Vivi wasn¡¯t faring much better herself.


    As they stepped into the living room, they overheard Moses¡¯s obsequious tone.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Anson, I¡¯ll ensure she¡¯s ready for you.¡± It was clear who ¡°she¡± was.


    Vivi pressed her lips together, choosing to remain silent.


    Meanwhile, Anson, lounging across the room, noticed Vivi¡¯s entrance.


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 Chapter 598

    ?Chapter 598:


    His gaze swept over her,den with tant lust.


    ¡°Vivi¡¯s back,¡± he said.


    At that, Moses looked up from the contract he was scrutinizing.


    He saw the slender woman standing next to his daughter.


    He cleared his throat. ¡°Vivi, who¡¯s this?¡±


    Vivi shot a disdainful look at K before reluctantly introducing her. ¡°A friend. She¡¯s staying for a while.¡±


    ¡°That would be great.¡± Moses¡¯ eyes sparkled briefly with intrigue, but heposed himself swiftly. He nudged his daughter into a seat. ¡°Anson has brought many gifts for you. Don¡¯t let him down.¡±


    He then smiled at K warmly. ¡°Please, make yourselffortable.¡± K managed a strained smile.


    During lunch, K felt Moses¡¯ hand creep onto her thigh, which quelled her appetite. Was this just jumping from the frying pan into the fire? Yet, she restrained her anger. As a guest, causing a scene could leave her without a roof over her head.


    Moses, sensing no resistance, grew bolder. He poured wine for the group, tasting it first.


    ¡°Let¡¯s drink,¡± he said.


    He exchanged a knowing look with Anson.


    Anson smirked, lifting his ss toward Vivi. ¡°Join me?¡±


    Vivi was cautious, but seeing her father drink the wine confidently, she slowly picked up her ss. Despite the circumstances, she knew she couldn¡¯t afford to alienate Anson at this moment. With that in mind, she drank her wine. It was intoxicating.


    Before long, both Vivi and K started to feel the effects of the wine, bing lightheaded.


    Anson and Moses exchanged a look that clearlymunicated their intentions. Anson stood up first, lifting Vivi with ease. ¡°She¡¯s had too much to drink. I¡¯ll take her upstairs to rest.¡±


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    Moses nodded quickly, his anticipation barely hidden. ¡°Of course, Anson. Please, take your time.¡±


    As Anson carried Vivi away, Moses focused on K, who was slumped over the table, her posture more revealing than intended.


    Ovee with desire, Moses reached under her clothes.


    ¡°Noah¡­¡± K murmured, her response almost encouraging as she leaned into his touch.


    Moses took this as his cue, wrapping an arm around her waist. ¡°Let¡¯s go upstairs, darling,¡± he whispered.


    Meanwhile, outside the vi, Samuel had been watching. He confirmed that K had entered but had not left.


    After deliberating, he returned to Myrtlewood Estate.


    Upon entering, he found his boss alone, exuding a cold, distant aura. ncing upstairs at the closed master bedroom door, Samuel inferred the situation.


    It seemed Mr. Wall was once again disregarded by his wife.


    Approaching cautiously, Samuel reported, ¡°Mr. Wall, Miss Wade is at the Quinn family¡¯s vi.¡±


    ¡°The Quinn family?¡± Noah¡¯s response was sharp as he set down his wine ss, his expression sardonic. ¡°Then the Quinn family has to leave the city, too.¡±


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 Chapter 599

    ?Chapter 599:


    ustomed to his boss¡¯s harsh directives, Samuel was about to exit when Noah spoke again.


    ¡°Wait.¡±


    Samuel stopped, attentive.


    ¡°Order dinner from Nirvana,¡± Noah said, his tone even and emotionless.


    Samuel paused, surprised.


    Nirvana? Wasn¡¯t that the restaurant Mrs. Wall had adored three years ago?


    Since her departure, Mr. Wall had avoided it entirely.


    Though curious, Samuel knew better than to question.


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Wall.¡± He left to arrange the order.


    Back in the dining room, Noah lifted his wine ss, emptying it in one swift motion. His gaze swept over the deserted table, his thoughts hidden in the shadows.


    The table was soon filled with an array of steaming dishes.


    Samuel and Breck stood silently off to the side, neither daring to speak. They shared a brief nce, both sensing a shift in the evening¡¯s atmosphere.


    Noah then turned to Breck.


    Under Noah¡¯s intense gaze, Breck hesitantly made his way upstairs to fetch Sadie.


    Sadie was in the study, immersed in the documents Amy had provided. Since her return from Sawnard Estate, she had been feeling uneasy¡ªsomething bad was about to happen.


    The sound of a knock on the door interrupted her focus.


    Breck entered.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, dinner is served. Mr. Wall requests your presence.¡±


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    Noting the time¡ªwell past four in the afternoon¡ªand feeling a bit hungry, Sadie closed her folder, stood, and followed Breck downstairs. Upon seeing Noah at the dining table and dishes from Nirvana, Sadie halted abruptly.


    Three years ago, after every disagreement, Noah would order from Nirvana as a peace offering. Sharing a meal signified a chance to reconcile.


    The sight triggered a flood of emotions.


    She stood frozen, unsure of how to proceed.


    Just then, Averi returned from school.


    ¡°Wow, so much delicious food!¡± Averi eximed, pulling on Sadie¡¯s hand, which somewhat eased the tension. ¡°Mommy, let¡¯s eat!¡±


    Averi¡¯s simple enthusiasm thawed the chill in the air.


    With a resigned smile, Sadie sat down at Averi¡¯s insistent tug.


    Averi eagerly grabbed his knife and fork, sampling the food.


    ¡°Mmm! It¡¯s delicious! Mommy, you have to try it too!¡±


    Motivated by Averi¡¯s expectant eyes, Sadie picked up her knife and fork. The vors were a vivid reminder of times past, evoking deep-seated memories. Her eyes moistened with tears she struggled to hold back.


    Meanwhile, Noah ate quietly, his gaze fixed on her.


    Averi, after a few bites, jumped up and ran to Noah, clinging to his arm.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, do a puzzle with me!¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression softened as he looked down at Averi.


    ¡°Okay.¡±


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 Chapter 600

    Chapter 600:


    Soon after, Averi returned with his puzzle, and Noah stood to join him. Sadie watched them from the table, her emotions swirling.


    As Noah spent time assembling the puzzle with Averi, he nced up and noticed Sadie sitting alone, her head bowed, her shoulders quivering slightly as if she were crying.


    A tightness formed in his chest. He walked over and stood beside her.


    ¡°Sadie¡­¡±


    She looked up, her eyes rimmed red, as she fought back tears.


    Seeing her so upset, Noah was struck by a wave of remorse.


    ¡°Sadie, about thepetition¡­¡±


    Sadie hadn¡¯t expected him to bring up thepetition.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t fully aware of the details,¡± Noah said quietly. ¡°When K brought it up, I agreed without giving it much thought.¡± He paused, searching for the right words.


    ¡°If I had known you werepeting too, I never would have consented.¡±


    Sadie hadn¡¯t expected Noah to offer an exnation.


    She set her utensils down and stared at him, dazed, unsure how to respond.


    The door swung open suddenly, and Samuel hurried in.


    ¡°Mr. and Mrs. Wall,¡± he said, ncing at Sadie with a moment¡¯s hesitation. ¡°The police are here. They say they¡¯re here for you, Mrs. Wall.¡±


    ¡°The police?¡± Noah and Sadie exchanged confused looks. What could have happened?


    The police car sped toward the hospital.


    Sadie sat in the back seat, her hands clenched tightly, her knuckles white.


    Check the newest chapters on g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s


    Her mind was a whirl of confusion.


    As soon as they arrived, the sharp scent of antiseptic hit her.


    Sadie nearly ran to keep up with the officers as they led her to the ICU.


    Through the ss, she saw Amy.


    The once elegant and poised woman nowy still in the hospital bed, connected to various machines with tubes and wires. Her face was pale as paper, devoid of life.


    Sadie¡¯s heart tightened in anguish.


    How could this be?


    Amy had been in perfect health earlier that day.


    ¡°Amy!¡± Sadie gasped, her hands pressed against the cold ss.


    A doctor came over.


    ¡°She suffered severe head trauma and was in shock upon arrival.


    We¡¯ve done everything possible, yet¡­¡±


    He hesitated, clearly struggling to deliver more bad news.


    ¡°She¡¯s now in a deepa, in what we medically term a vegetative state.¡±


    ¡°A vegetative state?¡±


    Sadie echoed the term, her voice tinged with disbelief.


    At that moment, another officer approached Noah.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, we have information from a waitress at Sawnard Estate suggesting Miss Hudson¡¯s involvement in this case.¡±


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    Message from Noah: A new day with new releases! God loves you and Noah whishes you all the best. (?O?=)? ?


    .

 Chapter 601

    ?Chapter 601:


    Noah¡¯s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as he regarded the officer.


    ¡°What proof do you have?¡±


    ¡°The surveince video captured Miss Hudson leaving the private roomst,¡± the officer stated, carefully measuring his words. ¡°We need Miss Hudson toe with us for further questioning.¡±


    Not far off, Sadie overheard their conversation.


    She looked at Amy, struggling to breathe, and clenched her fists.


    In that moment, she made the decision.


    ¡°I¡¯m willing to cooperate with the investigation,¡± Sadie dered. ¡°Amy has been both a mentor and a friend for three years. I need to know who did this to her.¡±


    She began to walk away, then paused, turning back to Noah.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be okay. Please look after Averi for me.¡±


    Noah, seeing the determination in her eyes, simply nodded.


    ¡°I¡¯ll arrange for awyer to follow up.¡±


    Sadie departed with one of the officers.


    Another officer stepped forward to reassure Noah, ¡°Rest assured, Mr. Wall, we will take good care of Miss Hudson.¡±


    Left alone outside the ICU, Noah called out, ¡°Samuel!¡±


    Samuel approached immediately.


    ¡°Mr. Wall,¡±


    ¡°Find out what happened,¡± Noahmanded.


    ¡°Understood,¡± Samuel responded, quickly heading down the corridor.


    L§Ñ¦Ó??¦Ó ch?¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?ls.??????


    Sadie hadn¡¯t been in the interrogation room for long when a young female officer entered with a tray.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, your husband sent this for you.¡± She ced the tray on the table.


    Stunned, Sadie looked at the steaming dishes before her¡ªshrimp puff pastries, crab cake sliders, and mango parfait¡ªall her usual favorites.


    ¡°Did he say anything?¡± Sadie asked, her voice hoarse.


    The officer smiled.


    ¡°He told you to eat well and not to worry. He said he¡¯ll handle everything.¡±


    ¡°Everything.¡±


    She paused, a hint of envy in her voice.


    ¡°Your husband really cares about you.¡±


    A rush of mixed emotions swept through Sadie.


    Noah? He had sent her ate-night snack.


    Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Sadie, Noah was in the police station¡¯s lounge.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, we¡¯ve found something,¡± Samuel announced, breaking the silence.


    ¡°It was a waitress from Sawnard Estate who reported the incident. Mrs. Wall was there because Mr. Nigel Wall had arranged it, and Amy was invited by him too. But he left early.¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression darkened.


    ¡°What about the surveince footage?¡±


    ¡°The manager at Sawnard Estate reported that the cameras are broken and currently being repaired. As for the waitress¡¯s bank ounts, nothing unusual was noted, and there were norge transactions. The waitress is in the car now.¡±


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 Chapter 602

    ?Chapter 602:


    Noah stood and walked briskly out of the police station toward a ck car parked at the roadside.


    As the car door opened and he got in, Noah saw a young waitress sitting in the back seat, bound and sweating profusely.


    Seeing Noah, she kept her head down.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± Noah asked, his gaze fixed on the ropes binding her.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, she attempted to flee earlier,¡± Samuel exined.


    Noah¡¯s cold stare remained on the trembling waitress.


    ¡°Why did you try to run?¡±


    The waitress shivered.


    Though she was unaware of the identity of the imposing man before her, she sensed it was better not to provoke him.


    ¡°I just reported what I saw. I don¡¯t know anything else. Please, let me go!¡± she stammered, her teeth chattering.


    ¡°Take her out.¡±


    Seeing the waitress¡¯s refusal to cooperate, Noah signaled to the two bodyguards beside him.


    Without hesitation, they carried the waitress out of the car.


    ¡°Have someone keep an eye on her around the clock,¡± Noah instructed, casting a meaningful nce at Samuel.


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Wall,¡± Samuel responded with respect.


    Just then, he remembered something important.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, the team of neurology specialists from abroad has arrived at the hospital. They¡¯ve begun consulting on Amy¡¯s case.¡±


    ???¨¨?? ¡é?¦¤T?¦Å§Á? ?¦Ç ?a?§Úo¦Í???.???


    Noah nodded slightly in acknowledgment.


    Though the waitress had been removed from the car, fear still gripped her.


    As her anxiety mounted, her fingers trembled, and she pulled out her phone to dial Vivi¡¯s number.


    The phone rang endlessly without an answer.


    What was going on? Why wasn¡¯t Vivi picking up? Had something happened to her as well?


    With her heart racing, the waitress rushed to the curb and gged down a taxi.


    ¡°Take me to the Quinn family¡¯s vi. Hurry, please,¡± she said.


    The taxi elerated into the night.


    Unbeknownst to her, a nondescript ck car silently followed at a distance.


    Meanwhile, at the Quinn family¡¯s vi, Vivi jolted awake.


    In the darkness, she saw a man lying next to herpletely naked.


    Anson? How could this be?


    A chill coursed through her. She rubbed her eyes frantically, hoping she was mistaken.


    ¡°Why are you in my bed?¡±


    Anson stirred, his eyes opening slowly, his expression bewildered as if still piecing together the situation.


    Then Vivi noticed marks on her skin. She gasped, panic overtaking her.


    ¡°Get out! Now!¡±


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 Chapter 603

    ?Chapter 603:


    She snatched the nearest pillow and hurled it at Anson, her voice quivering with fury.


    Anson narrowly avoided the pillow, his expression shifting to one of irritation. ¡°Are you crazy?¡±


    Vivi was overwhelmed with emotion, sobbing and screaming, her breaths short and panicked amidst the rising hysteria.


    Suddenly, amotion erupted from the next room, punctuated by K¡¯s voice.


    Vivi¡¯s cries faltered.


    What was happening to K?


    Before she could gather her thoughts, there was a knock at the door.


    ¡°Miss, there¡¯s a young woman downstairs asking for you. She says her name is Tiana Thatcher,¡± the butler announced, urgency in his voice.


    Tiana?


    Vivi was startled.


    Hadn¡¯t she paid Tiana to leave?


    A chill of foreboding washed over her.


    With no time to dwell on K¡¯s situation, Vivi hurried downstairs.


    In the living room, Tiana stood, her demeanor anxious.


    Upon seeing Vivi, Tiana rushed over. ¡°Miss Quinn!¡±


    ¡°Why are you here?¡±


    ¡°Miss Quinn, I¡¯m scared,¡± Tiana said, tears brimming in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m in trouble¡­ A man was asking about what happened this morning,¡± she blurted out, her voice thick with fear.


    Vivi¡¯s stomach dropped.


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    A man?


    Could it be Noah?


    ¡°What did he look like? Was he tall? Handsome? Did he seem wealthy?¡± Vivi probed, trying to confirm her suspicion based on Tiana¡¯s description.


    Tiana nodded frantically, then hesitated, her certainty faltering under the stress.


    But Vivi was certain. It had to be Noah.


    ¡°Did youe here alone? Were you followed?¡± Vivi gripped Tiana¡¯s hand, her tone urgent.


    The stakes were high. If someone had followed Tiana, they were both in danger.


    Tiana blinked, overwhelmed, not fully grasping the severity of the situation.


    A wave of dizziness overwhelmed Vivi, nearly causing her to stumble.


    ¡°You disgusting old bastard! Let go of me!¡±


    Upstairs, the silence was shattered by K¡¯s enraged scream.


    She was d only in a flimsy camisole, her back marked suggestively. She struggled fiercely against Moses, whose face was unnaturally flushed with excitement.


    ¡°You disgusting creep, let go of me!¡± K shouted as she struggled.


    Vivi¡¯s eyes widened in shock as she instantly grasped what was happening.


    Fueled by rage, she stormed upstairs. When she saw K, her anger erupted, and she pped her forcefully.


    ¡°You shameless woman, how dare you seduce my father?¡± Vivi used, grabbing K by the neck with a firm grip.


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 Chapter 604

    ?Chapter 604:


    Stunned by the p, K momentarily lost her bearings. Regaining her senses, she shoved Vivi away, screaming in protest, ¡°That¡¯s absurd! Why would I seduce him? He¡¯s the one who should be ashamed!¡±


    ¡°Enough! Both of you, shut up!¡± Moses interjected, his voice booming as his temples throbbed visibly.


    He shifted his piercing gaze from Vivi to Tiana, who stood nearby.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on with her?¡± he demanded sternly.


    Vivi faltered, her eyes flickering as she stammered, ¡°She¡­ she just came to talk to me about something.¡±


    But Moses, having raised Vivi, saw through the excuse. His suspicion deepened the more she tried to deflect.


    ¡°Mr. Quinn.¡±


    A deep voice suddenly cut through the tension. Anson, buttoning his shirt, descended the stairs with casual indifference.


    ¡°Vivi hurt Amy and pinned the me on Sadie,¡± he stated calmly, as if discussing a trivial matter.


    Vivi¡¯s face drained of color at his words.


    She stared at Anson in horror, her voice quivering.


    ¡°How do you know?¡±


    Anson didn¡¯t respond directly, merely offering a nonchnt nce her way.


    Tiana moved to Anson¡¯s side, her head lowered, avoiding eye contact with Vivi.


    Struck by the revtion, Vivi felt as if lightning had hit her.


    Tiana wasn¡¯t there for help¡ªshe was working for Anson. It was all a setup.


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s£®?§àm takes you away


    Moses, in a sudden fury, backhanded Vivi, sending her sprawling on the floor.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you to talk to Amy and secure the deal with Zoe? How could you hurt Amy?¡± he roared, his eyes bloodshot with anger.


    Vivi clutched her face, tears streaming down her cheeks.


    ¡°Amy was biased. She never intended to help me. She deserved it!¡±


    At this point, further excuses were pointless.


    Moses suppressed his anger and turned to Anson, mustering a sycophantic smile.


    ¡°Anson, Vivi was just not thinking clearly. Please, be magnanimous and don¡¯t hold it against her. We need your support and the marriage alliance.¡±


    Anson regarded Vivi with a faint smile.


    ¡°My grandfather is concerned about Vivi¡¯s reputation, but I am indifferent. However, the Quinn family is now at odds with the Wall family. You should be aware of Noah¡¯s capabilities. He will find out what Vivi did.¡±


    Anson paused, seeming to consider the Quinn family¡¯s situation.


    ¡°If the Quinn family wants a chance at survival, there¡¯s only one way¡ªto ally with my family against the Wall family.¡±


    Moses furrowed his brows.


    Anson was correct. Moses had seen Noah¡¯s cruelty firsthand.


    But Anson was just the heir, not the head of the Olson family. Could he really make such decisions?


    Moreover, even the Howe and Perry families, when allied, hadn¡¯t managed any advantage over Noah.


    The Perry family had even relocated abroad entirely.


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 Chapter 605

    ?Chapter 605:


    What chance did the Quinn family have?


    ¡°Mr. Quinn, you¡¯re being short-sighted,¡± Anson said, looking at Moses with disdain. ¡°The Howe and Perry families failed because Alex betrayed his family. But if our two families work closely together, we can seed. Mr. Quinn, don¡¯t you want to achieve something great?¡±


    Moses stared at Anson, his gaze flickering with uncertainty.


    If they could genuinely challenge the Wall family, the Quinn family wouldn¡¯t have to be subordinate to anyone.


    ¡°Anson, are you serious? If our families unite, can we truly seed?¡± Moses asked, his voice tense.


    He swallowed hard, his throat tight.


    Anson looked confident. ¡°Of course, Mr. Quinn. You¡¯re a smart man. This is the best opportunity for the Quinn family. The decision to seize it is yours.¡±


    Moses¡¯s breathing quickened, but his years in business allowed him to maintain a semnce of rationality.


    Striving to appear calm, he inquired, ¡°Anson, you speak of cooperation, but what specific form should this take? You know dealing with Noah is no small challenge.¡±


    Anson had prepared for this question and responded smoothly, ¡°Rest assured, Mr. Quinn. True cooperation requires both parties to demonstrate sincerity and unity. Right now, Noah could crush you at any moment. We are also taking a significant risk. Thus, the Quinn Group needs to transfer sixty percent of its shares to the Olson Group.¡±


    Moses gasped.


    Sixty percent! That demand was exorbitant.


    ¡°Anson, isn¡¯t that a bit excessive?¡± Moses asked.


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    ¡°Dad, agree to it,¡± Vivi suddenly interjected, having been silent until now.


    Her mind was overwhelmed with the fear of Noah¡¯s retribution, and the possibility of imprisonment left her shaking. She rushed to Moses, grabbing his arm with urgency.


    ¡°Dad, please, we have to agree. We have no other choice!¡±


    Vivi leaned in closer to Moses, her tone persuasive.


    ¡°If we take Noah down, not just a portion, but the entire Wall Group will be within our grasp!¡±


    Moses hesitated.


    Anson watched from the side, a smirk ying on his lips.


    The trap had been set, and Moses had taken the bait.


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯m in,¡± Moses finally said through gritted teeth, making his decision.


    Money made the world go round. For the Quinn family¡¯s future, he was willing to take the risk.


    Anson chuckled, pping his hands.


    ¡°Mr. Quinn, you truly are a man of action.¡±


    Right on cue, a subordinate approached with a pre-prepared contract.


    ¡°Review it, and if everything checks out, sign here.¡±


    Moses skimmed through the document.


    Each use was harsher than thest, leaving him no way out.


    Still, he picked up the pen and scrawled his name.


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 Chapter 606

    ?Chapter 606:


    Satisfied, Anson tucked the contract away before turning to Vivi with a teasing glint in his eye.


    ¡°Darling, you were greatst night.¡±


    Vivi¡¯s cheeks burned. She wished the ground would swallow her whole.


    Without another word, Anson strode out, dragging along a trembling Tiana.


    Vivi clenched her fists.


    None of this mattered. As long as Noah was defeated, everything would be worth it.


    Once Anson took his ce, she could im the title of the most powerful and revered woman in the city.


    Holding onto that thought, she returned to her room, a victorious smile on her lips.


    K stood nearby, confused and oblivious to the scheme that had just unfolded.


    ¡°K, you don¡¯t have to worry. I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re taken care of,¡± Moses said as he stepped toward her, slipping an arm around her waist.


    ¡°Stick with me, and you¡¯ll never want for anything.¡±


    Suppressing her revulsion, K forced a yful smile.


    ¡°Mr. Quinn, aren¡¯t you afraid your wife will find out?¡±


    Moses let out a heartyugh, lifting her effortlessly and heading toward the bedroom.


    ¡°That old hag is nothingpared to you. Now, let me show you how much I appreciate you.¡±


    Momentster, the unmistakable sounds of passion filled the air.


    Meanwhile, outside the Quinn family¡¯s estate, in a sleek ck luxury car, Tiana curled up at Anson¡¯s feet, her voice trembling.


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    ¡°Mr. Olson, I was terrified back there.¡±


    Anson nced down, amusement flickering in his gaze.


    ¡°You handled it well.¡±


    Relieved by his praise, Tiana exhaled.


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Olson. If not for you, my siblings wouldn¡¯t even afford school, let alone have the jobs you arranged for them,¡± she said, her voiceced with gratitude, eyes glistening with emotion.


    The Olson family¡¯s kindness was something she would never forget.


    Anson reached out, patting her head lightly.


    ¡°Stay loyal, and you¡¯ll be rewarded.¡±


    Tiana nodded eagerly.


    Upon arriving at the Olson family¡¯s residence, Anson handed a document to Damian, who examined it with satisfaction.


    ¡°Perfect. Sixty percent of the Quinn Group¡¯s shares now belong to us,¡± the old man said, stroking his beard, pleased with their sess.


    Anson allowed himself a brief smile before regaining hisposure.


    ¡°Grandfather, what about the remaining shares?¡±


    Damian¡¯s eyes gleamed with cunning as he lowered his voice.


    ¡°Those fools have no idea that our deal is nothing but a snare. Once the partnershipunches tomorrow, the remaining forty percent will fall into our hands. It¡¯s time to face Noah. The Quinns are no longer of use.¡±


    Damian had waited a long time for this day.


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 Chapter 607

    ?Chapter 607:


    He motioned for Anson to take a seat.


    ¡°Your strategy was brilliant, Grandfather,¡± Anson mused, recalling Vivi¡¯s desperate determination, a cold smirk forming.


    Initially, Tiana was meant to act against Amy after Vivi had left, but surprisingly, Vivi had hurt her own mentor before Tiana made the move.


    ¡°Only an idiot like Moses would believe we¡¯d actually help him take over the Wall Group,¡± Damian sneered.


    From the beginning, he had never considered the Quinns as anything more than pawns.


    But Vivi¡¯s recklessness had not only secured them the Quinn Group¡¯s shares¡ªit had also created an opportunity to win Noah¡¯s trust. Two birds, one stone.


    At the entrance of the police station, Samuel climbed into a sleek business car, tablet in hand. ¡°Mr. Wall, we¡¯ve recovered the surveince footage.¡±


    Noah took the device, his gaze darkening as he watched Vivi enter the private room.


    Samuel continued, ¡°Also, the person monitoring Tiana confirmed she went to the Quinn family¡¯s residence.¡±


    The evidence was damning¡ªVivi was directly involved in the case.


    A bodyguard approached the car and leaned in to whisper, ¡°Mr. Wall, Anson has just arrived¡ªand he brought Tiana along.¡±


    Noah¡¯s eyes narrowed. Excellent timing.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for disturbing you at thiste hour, Mr. Wall,¡± Anson said, sliding into the plush back seat with a grin practically stered on his face. ¡°My family originally intended to partner with the Quinns, but we never imagined they¡¯d pull a stunt like this. It¡¯s an absolute disgrace!¡± He unleashed a theatrical sigh. ¡°I bumped into Tiana and learned that Vivi framed Miss Hudson. Can you believe it? Naturally, I brought Tiana straight to you so she could exin in person.¡±


    Beside him, Tiana trembled, fragile and pitiable.


    Anson¡¯s little monologue was impably crafted, exonerating himselfpletely.


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    ¡°Mr. Wall, it was Vivi!¡± Tiana wailed, tears streaming as she copsed to her knees. ¡°She forced me to go along with her n¡ªplease, forgive me! I had no idea what was happening!¡± What a show.


    ¡°How considerate of you, Mr. Olson,¡± Noah remarked, his voice giving nothing away.


    Realizing Noah wasn¡¯t pressing for details, Anson exhaled a discreet sigh of relief and seized the moment.


    ¡°Actually, Mr. Wall¡­ my family has a new project in the works. We¡¯ve been hoping to coborate with the Wall Group. Would you be open to talking it over?¡±


    He rubbed his hands together, finally revealing his true agenda.


    ¡°Come by Wall Group on Monday,¡± Noah said calmly. ¡°We¡¯ll discuss it then.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s wonderful news! Thank you, Mr. Wall!¡± Anson replied, grinning from ear to ear as he bobbed his head in gratitude. He¡¯d braced himself for a hard sell and was stunned by how easily things had gone.


    ¡°In that case, I won¡¯t keep you any longer, Mr. Wall. See you next week.¡±


    Not long after Anson left, Tiana was quietly led away by the bodyguards, and the car slid into silence once again.


    ¡°Samuel.¡±


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 Chapter 608

    ?Chapter 608:


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Wall?¡±


    ¡°Look into the Olson family,¡± Noah said, his voice frost-cold. ¡°This wasn¡¯t just some random coincidence.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Samuel replied. He cast a worried nce at Noah. ¡°Sir, would you like to get some rest? We won¡¯t be able to bail out Mrs. Wall until tomorrow anyway.¡±


    Noah, who had been waiting ever since Sadie was taken, just shook his head.


    ¡°No need.¡± He rubbed his temples, his voice husky with fatigue. ¡°Have everything ready. I¡¯ll catch up on the backlog of work in a bit.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    The next morning, at the Quinn family¡¯s estate.


    ¡°K, have you no shame? Are you seriously messing around with my dad now? Is there anything you won¡¯t do?¡± Vivi shouted, fixing K with a furious re as thetter sat calmly at the dining table.


    Unhurried, K ced her coffee cup on its saucer. ¡°Watch your tone, Vivi,¡± she replied. ¡°We¡¯re tied together now. If things start falling apart, we¡¯ll both go down.¡±


    Vivi bristled, her fury rattling in her chest, but she found herself at a loss for words.


    ¡°Don¡¯t waste your breath on her, K,¡± Moses interjected,ing down the stairs while neatly straightening his tie.


    He moved to K¡¯s side and kissed her cheek. ¡°Let¡¯s eat.¡±


    ¡°Dad!¡± Vivi shrieked, shooting to her feet and stamping in frustration. ¡°I¡¯m not hungry!¡±


    She still couldn¡¯t wrap her mind around the fact that her own biological father had orchestrated her encounter with Anson, and in the meantime, K had slept with her father.


    Moses was about to respond when frantic footsteps sounded in the hall.


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    ¡°Mr. Quinn, something terrible has happened!¡± Moses¡¯s assistant said, stumbling over himself in his rush, sweat pouring down his forehead.


    ¡°What¡¯s got you so worked up? Speak up!¡± Moses barked, though a flicker of dread began to tighten in his gut.


    ¡°The¡ªThepany, thepany has beenpletely taken over!¡± Moses¡¯s assistant sputtered, clearly on the verge of tears. ¡°The contract with the Olson Group was nothing but a trap. The Quinn Group is done for!¡±


    Moses felt a wave of despair wash over him. His vision blurred, and his body swayed for a few seconds before he copsed to the floor.


    ¡°Dad!¡±


    ¡°Mr. Quinn!¡±


    ¡°Moses!¡±


    The room erupted into chaos.


    ¡°What the hell happened?¡± Vivi rushed to the assistant and grabbed him by the cor. ¡°Was it Noah? Did he discover the truth and decide toe after us?¡±


    The assistant shook his head nervously,pounding the dizziness he felt from Vivi¡¯s violent shaking. ¡°It wasn¡¯t the Wall Group. It was¡­ the Olson Group!¡±


    Vivi froze.


    ¡°The Olson Group¡¯s new energy project has copsed. They are demanding us to fulfill the contract within three months, but all of our partnered manufacturers calledst night, one by one, to terminate their contracts with us. Even if we manage to find alternative suppliers, it¡¯s toote at this point. The Olson Group has invoked the terms of the contract and seized the remaining forty percent of the Quinn Group¡¯s shares. They own one hundred percent of thepany as we speak¡­¡±


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 Chapter 609

    ?Chapter 609:


    The assistant¡¯s voice grew weaker with each word, and toward the end, it was nothing more than a whisper. ¡°I¡¯ve sent people to look into the matter. ording to their report, those manufacturers acted under pressure from the Olson family.¡±


    A realization struck Vivi then, like a bolt of lightning from the sky. They had been yed from the very beginning¡ª it was a trap all along.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make you pay for this, Anson!¡± Vivi screamed as she stormed out of the vi to confront Anson.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± K balled her hands into fists. She needed to find a way out.


    Without wasting another second, she stuffed all the cash and jewelry she could get her hands on into a suitcase. After everything she had heard, she was convinced that the Quinn family was finished.


    As she drew near the second floornding, the noise downstairs grew louder and louder.


    ¡°Where is Moses? Get him out here!¡±


    ¡°No one leaves this ce until we get our money!¡±


    ¡°Enough of this! Let¡¯s just go in and take everything of value!¡± The creditors hade to collect their debts.


    K felt the color drain from her face. There was no telling what would happen to her if they caught her.


    She rushed down the stairs, but instead of using the front door, she bolted through the more covert back door, which led to the garden. She had been foolish to think she had secured herself a powerful backer. The Quinn family was as useless as they came¡ªthey failed at the most crucial of times.


    But K had no time to dwell on this setback.


    She had just snuck through the back door and was about to breathe a sigh of relief when several dark figures stepped out of the shadows and blocked her path.


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    ¡°Where might you be off to, Miss Wade?¡± the man in the lead asked with a look of indifference.


    K looked up at the sound of his voice and immediately recognized the team of bodyguards. They were Noah¡¯s men.


    Her heart sank. It was over for her!


    In the chaos that had unfolded, it had slipped her mind that Noah was still investigating the Quinn family. Now that they were facing their downfall, there was no way Noah would let her walk away.


    ¡°I¡­¡± K tried to speak, but the words wouldn¡¯te out of her mouth. Not that any of that mattered, since the men weren¡¯t interested in hearing her exnation. Without another word, they grabbed her and dragged her away.


    The police station.


    Sadie was released soon after Noah submitted the evidence. She spotted his car parked by the curb as soon as she stepped outside. Sadie hurried over and got in.


    ¡°What on earth happened?¡± she asked urgently.


    Samuel nced at Noah, who remained silent. He took the initiative to answer on Noah¡¯s behalf.


    ¡°Anson delivered the evidencest night. Vivi was behind everything.¡±


    But Sadie was even more puzzled by this development. She had heard about the Olson-Quinn marriage alliance¡ªwhy would Anson suddenly help her?


    ¡°Something doesn¡¯t add up,¡± she muttered under her breath, her brows furrowed.


    The car slowly pulled away from the police station.


    Up ahead, the road split into two¡ªone leading to Myrtlewood Estate, the other to the hospital.


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 Chapter 610

    ?Chapter 610:


    ¡°I want to visit Amy,¡± Sadie said, looking at Noah.


    Still, he said nothing, and his deep-set eyes remained unreadable. The driver hesitated at the fork, and the car stalled as he waited for Noah¡¯s instruction.


    The air inside the car immediately grew thick with tension, and Sadie felt her chest tighten. Would Noah let her see Amy? After all, he had never shown much interest in her affairs.


    In the end, the car moved forward in the direction of Myrtlewood Estate.


    ¡°You¡¯ll go after eating,¡± Noah said calmly, finally breaking his silence.


    Sadie blinked, momentarily caught off-guard by his gentle tone. Then, as if she had just realized her hunger, her hand went to her stomach. Everything had happened so fast, she hadn¡¯t even noticed how hungry she was.


    She nodded slightly and hummed, then leaned back in her seat.


    Once they were at Myrtlewood Estate, Sadie quickly finished her meal. ¡°May I go now?¡± she asked Noah, her eyes filled with hopeful expectation.


    She was worried about Amy¡¯s condition.


    ¡°Of course.¡± Noah set his cutlery down and stood up. ¡°Have Breck arrange for a car to take you.¡±


    With that, he turned and walked away. He likely had more important matters to take care of.


    Shortly after Sadie had left, Samuel walked into Noah¡¯s study with a document. His face was grim. ¡°We found something, Mr. Wall.¡±


    Samuel ced the document on the desk in front of Noah.


    Noah opened the file and skimmed through the report, his brows knitted into a frown.


    ¡°Tiana¡¯s younger siblings were sponsored by a foreignpany toplete their university education years ago. Thatpany was the Olson Group¡¯s branch.¡±


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    Noah set the file down and sat back in his chair.


    This piece of information wasn¡¯t unexpected, but he was not pleased nheless. The Olson family certainly knew how to extend their reach.


    ¡°What¡¯s the situation with the Quinn family?¡± Noah asked Samuel.


    ¡°The news broke early this morning. The Olson Group has the Quinn Group¡¯s shares now, making Moses nothing more than a figurehead chairman.¡±


    ¡°A coordinated scheme, huh?¡± Noah muttered, his lips curling into a mocking smile. He sure had underestimated the Olson family. They had used Vivi to work against Sadie, then eventually betrayed her and swallowed the Quinn Group in one go. Hit two birds with one stone, as the saying went, and they had executed that wlessly.


    Samuel shifted his weight and hesitated before asking, ¡°How should we deal with the Olson family, Mr. Wall?¡±


    Instead of answering him, Noah said, ¡°I heard that the Olson family has set their sights on that piece ofnd in the north of Jazmah. Is that right?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Give it to the Jenkins family,¡± Noah instructed calmly.


    Samuel immediately understood his boss¡¯s intention. The Jenkins family was the Olson family¡¯s greatest rival. For years, the two forces had been locked in a subtle yet fierce battle, with neither side ever gaining the upper hand for long. They had learned to use every trick in the book to undermine each other¡ªbehind the scenes, of course.


    It wasn¡¯t that long ago when the Olson family had orchestrated a scandal involving the Jenkins family heiress and a thug. The uproar that followed rocked the entire city and brought disgrace upon the Jenkins family.


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 Chapter 611

    ?Chapter 611:


    If the Jenkins family secured the project in the north of the city, their influence would significantly increase, and they would no doubt use the opportunity to retaliate against the Olson family. Just like this, Noah would be the one pulling strings behind the scenes.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it right away,¡± Samuel said, turning to leave. But when he reached the door, he hesitated again.


    ¡°Is there something else?¡± Noah called out, cocking his head to the side.


    ¡°Miss Wade has been restrained,¡± Samuel said warily. ¡°But she keeps struggling and insists on seeing you. She keeps mentioning the debt you owed her for saving your life years ago.¡±


    His voice was quiet. He knew all too well that Noah despised getting ckmailed using that one incident.


    Sure enough, Noah scowled. ¡°I¡¯ll go see her, then.¡±


    He stood from his chair and left the study with Samuel.


    Minutester, a taxi pulled up outside Myrtlewood Estate. Laura stepped out, a gentle smile on her face, a thermos in hand. She hadn¡¯t beenfortable staying at Myrtlewood Estate, so she had moved back to her old apartment a few days ago. Today, she had especially made some soup for Sadie and was just bringing it over.


    Laura nced at the car that had just driven away, then at the thermos she was holding. The soup wouldn¡¯t taste good if it got cold.


    Assuming that it was Sadie in the other car, Laura got back inside the taxi.


    ¡°Sir, please follow that car,¡± she said to the driver.


    He wasted no time and stepped on the gas while Noah¡¯s car was still within sight. They trailed after Noah¡¯s car as it drove down a secluded road and eventually stopped in front of a cafe.


    Laura paid the fare, got out with her thermos, and quickly made her way to the cafe.


    Just as she reached the entrance, she heard a heated argumenting from inside. A sharp, familiar voice rang out¡ªK.


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    ¡°Noah, you can¡¯t treat me like this! Have you forgotten who saved you back then?¡± she sounded hoarse and desperate.


    ¡°If it weren¡¯t for that debt, do you think you would still be alive right now?¡± Noah countered coldly. ¡°When you tried to kill Sadie three years ago, you were already dead to me.¡±


    K froze. Her eyes widened, and her trembling lips parted, but she couldn¡¯t muster a single word. So Noah knew everything? Her heart sank.


    ¡°Noah, I¡ªI was wrong!¡± Fresh tears streamed down K¡¯s face. She lunged forward and tried to grab at Noah¡¯s sleeve. ¡°Please, don¡¯t abandon me. I won¡¯t do it again! I won¡¯t, I promise! I¡¯ll apologize to Sadie¡ªI¡¯ll beg for her forgiveness!¡±


    But Noah was unmoved. ¡°I won¡¯t hold what Ryder did against you,¡± he said ndly, ¡°but don¡¯t you dare test my patience again.¡±


    He paused, and his next words were spoken with emphasis. ¡°Leave Jazmah. Live a quiet and honest life from now on.¡± After saying that, Noah turned to leave.


    ¡°Noah! Noah, wait!¡± K chased after him, unwilling to give up just yet. ¡°I still need to pack my things. Can I leave tomorrow?¡±


    She clung to a sliver of hope, praying that Noah would change his mind.


    Noah stopped in his tracks but didn¡¯t bother to look back at her. ¡°Samuel, take Miss Wade out of Jazmah tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Wall,¡± Samuel replied promptly.


    With that, Noah resolutely walked away.


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 Chapter 612

    ?Chapter 612:


    Thinking on her feet, Laura quickly darted behind some bushes just before Noah emerged through the door.


    Laura had overheard everything in the cafe. Three years ago? Her granddaughter Sadie had actually faced so much injustice three years ago!


    Determined not to let Sadie suffer any further, Laura resolved to confront K.


    K wiped her tears away. She couldn¡¯t just abandon everything in Jazmah; as long as she could buy some time, there was still a chance to turn things around. She staggered out of the cafe and headed toward the sidewalk. Laura stepped out from behind the greenery, thermos in hand, and quickly followed K.


    At the traffic light, K stood waiting impatiently.


    ¡°Miss, please wait a moment,¡± Laura, catching her breath, called out as she approached.


    K turned, annoyance creasing her brow at the sight of an elderlydy with a thermos. She didn¡¯t recognize Laura.


    ¡°Do you need something?¡± K asked, her tone brusque.


    ¡°I¡¯m Sadie¡¯s grandmother,¡± Laura exined, her voice as kind and gentle as she could manage. ¡°I overheard your conversation in the cafe just now.¡±


    K¡¯splexion turned ashen. She remembered Laura now. It was because of her that Noah had almost ended her life back then.


    ¡°Miss, please let it go,¡± Laura implored earnestly, ¡°Forcing someone¡¯s affection is futile. Noah doesn¡¯t love you. Clinging to him won¡¯t change his feelings.¡±


    A sinister look flickered in K¡¯s eyes. Let go? How could she let go? How could she possibly let go after everything she¡¯d sacrificed for Noah?


    ¡°Please, stop harming Sadie. She¡¯s innocent and doesn¡¯t deserve this. I¡¯m begging you, please!¡±


    ¡°Innocent?¡± K scoffed, her voiceced with scorn. ¡°She took everything from me, and you call her innocent?¡±


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    Her anger surged, and she red at Laura with intense disdain. In her mind, all her misfortunes were because of Sadie.


    ¡°Get out of my way!¡±


    K shoved Laura aside and attempted to leave.


    Laura lost her bnce and staggered, crying out as she nearly fell. ¡°Ah!¡± At that moment, a car sped toward them.


    Laura was struck and sent flying through the air,nding hard on the ground. The thermos she had been carrying tumbled from her grasp, its contents spilling across the pavement. It all happened in a sh.


    K stood frozen, her mind nk from shock. After a moment, she stumbled back, then turned and fled into the crowd.


    Laura¡¯s consciousness began to wane. She struggled to remain awake, her eyes on K¡¯s retreating figure. Finally, her eyes slowly closed.


    At the hospital, Sadie inquired urgently, ¡°Excuse me, how is Amy Flores doing?¡±


    The nurse checked her clipboard and offered a reassuring smile. ¡°Ms. Flores¡¯s surgery was very sessful. The brain specialists Mr. Wall brought from abroad managed to repair the damaged nerves. If her recovery goes well, she should be waking up soon.¡±


    Sadie was surprised. Noah had taken her back to Myrtlewood Estate for a meal before letting here to the hospital because he wanted to surprise her?


    A warm feeling surged in her heart.


    Suddenly, she felt a twitch in her chest. What was happening?


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 Chapter 613

    ?Chapter 613:


    Her chest tightened. It felt as though something significant had urred.


    Sadie walked away quietly, taking a moment topose herself. Since Noah had helped her, she pulled out her phone, dialing his number as she exited the hospital.


    As she walked past the emergency room, a gurney sped by. Something hard dropped onto the floor near Sadie¡¯s feet. Instinctively, she nced down. A familiar jade pendanty silently at her feet. It was a white magnolia, the very keepsake Laura always kept close¡ªa gift from her grandfather symbolizing their affection, never leaving her side.


    Trembling, Sadie reached down to pick up the pendant. She raised her eyes toward the gurney; an elderly persony atop it, their face covered in blood, beyond recognition. Sadie felt a violent tremor in her heart.


    ¡°Hello? Sadie, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Noah¡¯s deep voice sounded through the phone as the call connected.


    Sadie seemed unresponsive, her mind a void. The phone slipped from her grasp. Ignoring it, she dashed toward the resuscitation room.


    ¡°Grandma! Grandma!¡± In her heart, she called out to her grandma, yet her voice failed her.


    She arrived slightly toote. By the time she reached the resuscitation room, the gurney had been wheeled into it.


    Noah awaited Sadie¡¯s reply, but with her phone having fallen, all he could make out was indistinct noise, Sadie¡¯s voice absent. His brow creased deeply.


    ¡°Sadie? Sadie?¡± he repeated into the phone. There was silence from her end.


    ¡°Samuel? Where is Sadie?¡± Noah urgently inquired.


    Samuel nced at the clock and reported, ¡°Mr. Wall, the bodyguards have escorted Mrs. Wall to the hospital. I believe she¡¯s still there.¡±


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    ¡°To the hospital!¡± Noahmanded.


    Noah raced into the hospital and immediately noticed Sadie sitting outside the resuscitation room. She was slumped in a chair, her body trembling, her eyes red and swollen. She gripped something tightly in her hand. Seeing her like this twisted Noah¡¯s heart with pain.


    He was about to approach and inquire about the situation when the resuscitation room doors swung open. An exhausted doctor stepped out and removed his mask, his face etched with sorrow.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, ma¡¯am, but we did everything we could,¡± he said, his voiceden with regret. ¡°Mrs. Stewart suffered massive internal bleeding. Despite our efforts, she didn¡¯t survive. If she had been brought here 20 minutes earlier, there might have been a chance. Unfortunately, it was toote.¡±


    Sadie stood up quickly, but her legs, weakened by prolonged sitting and overwhelming grief, failed her, and she stumbled. Noah quickly stepped in to support her.


    However, Sadie pushed him away forcefully, as if jolted by an electric shock. Tears streamed down her face as she moved toward the resuscitation room.


    Inside, a body was concealed under a white sheet. With shaking hands, Sadie slowly drew back the sheet. Beneath ity Laura, her kind face now still.


    ¡°Grandma!¡± Ovee with grief, Sadie copsed beside the bed, weeping uncontrobly. Laura had been her sole support after the death of her parents. Now, with her grandmother also gone, the shock was too much for Sadie, and she fainted.


    ¡°Sadie!¡± Noah caught her just in time, holding her close.


    Her body was unnaturally cold, as if all life had left her, and Noah¡¯s heart ached intensely. He lifted her up and turned to Samuel.


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 Chapter 614

    ?Chapter 614:


    ¡°Find out exactly what happened!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Wall,¡± Samuel responded, quickly moving to carry out the orders.


    As darkness fell over the hospital, in a silent room, Sadie slowly opened her eyes to the stark white ceiling above. Her mind was nk, her memory frozen at the moment before she had fainted. Grandma!


    She sat up suddenly. Noah was beside her, resting in a chair. The noise woke him, and he turned to look at her.


    Ignoring the pain that racked her body, Sadie leapt from the bed, anxious. ¡°Where¡¯s Grandma? How is she?¡±


    She fixed Noah with a hopeful gaze, as if expecting him to reassure her, ¡°Your grandma is fine,¡± so she could cling to that belief.


    ¡°I had a dream that my grandma didn¡¯t make it,¡± Sadie whispered, tears gathering. ¡°That¡¯s not true, right? My grandma is still alive, isn¡¯t she?¡±


    Noah remained silent, his expression unreadable,den with emotions Sadie couldn¡¯t decipher.


    The light in her eyes faded, and tears began to fall.


    ¡°Say something! Tell me, my grandma is still alive, right? I can¡¯t believe it. I refuse to believe Grandma has died. I need to see her.¡± Sadie¡¯s emotions unfurled like a tightly wound spring suddenly released.


    She broke free from Noah¡¯s hold and dashed toward the door. Noah, taken aback, instinctively chased after her, catching her from behind.


    ¡°Sadie, calm down. Listen to me! You still have me, and I¡¯ll always be here for you.¡±


    He paused, his voice pleading. ¡°Sadie, please, try to calm down. Alright?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear it. I don¡¯t want to hear anything. Let go of me! I need to see Grandma!¡± Sadie shouted, her voice raw.


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    Her mind was consumed by a single thought. She had to see her grandmother; she refused to ept Laura was gone. Just days earlier, Laura had been full of life, asking what Sadie wanted for dinner, promising to make her favorite pot roast.


    How could death have parted them so abruptly?


    Tears streamed down Sadie¡¯s face.


    Just then, the door burst open. Samuel entered.


    ¡°Mr. Wall!¡± he began, then halted, taking in the scene.


    He hadn¡¯t expected Sadie to be awake. Noah caught his eye and subtly signaled for him to leave. Understanding, Samuel quietly exited, closing the door softly behind him.


    After what seemed like an eternity, Sadie¡¯s sobs began to subside.


    Sadie broke free from Noah¡¯s embrace and wiped her tears. She couldn¡¯t allow herself to fall apart. She believed Laura wouldn¡¯t want to see her this way. Gathering her strength, she walked out of the hospital room, step by step. Noah, feeling as if his heart were tearing, followed her at a distance. Samuel waited outside, visibly anxious.


    Noah approached him, his voice rough. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Samuel looked troubled and lowered his head, his toneden with guilt. ¡°Mr. Wall, it¡¯s my fault. I was careless. Please, punish me.¡± Noah¡¯s expression hardened, signaling for Samuel to continue.


    ¡°When we left to meet Miss Wade today, the taxi carrying Mrs. Stewart followed us. I checked the surveince on the road where the ident urred, but it had long been out of service. Nevertheless, the driver involved has turned himself in.¡± Noah¡¯s eyes narrowed, urging him on.


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 Chapter 615

    ?Chapter 615:


    Samuel steadied his voice and continued, ¡°The driver said at the moment of the ident, he saw a woman push Mrs. Stewart onto the road. He failed to stop the car in time. From his description, it seems the woman who pushed Mrs. Stewart was Miss Wade.¡±


    A sh of intense fury crossed Noah¡¯s face. ¡°Where is she?¡± he demanded.


    Samuel shivered, quickly replying, ¡°After the incident, Miss Wade went back to her old apartment. She¡¯s now detained.¡± Noah¡¯s face darkened further. He had not anticipated such a turn of events.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell Sadie yet. She¡¯s been through enough. We¡¯ll talk about thister.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall.¡±


    Noah turned to walk away, just as the elevator doors opened nearby. Alex and Stan stepped out. Alex had hurried to the hospital after hearing about Laura¡¯s ident and identally caught the tail end of Noah¡¯s conversation with Samuel.


    ¡°Mr. Howe, do you think Mr. Wall will choose Miss Wade or Miss Hudson this time?¡± Stan asked cautiously.


    Alex¡¯s brows knitted together tightly. He stopped and turned around. ¡°Sadie shouldn¡¯t be kept in the dark.¡± Three years earlier, Sadie had been emotionally scarred and humiliated because of Noah and K. Alex was determined not to let her suffer further harm.


    ¡°Find a way to bring K out,¡± hemanded.


    Stan hesitated, his expression troubled. ¡°Mr. Howe, exining this to Mr. Wall might be challenging.¡±


    Alex clenched his fists, his voice growing cold. ¡°We don¡¯t have time for hesitation.¡± If Noah was nning anything against Sadie, Alex would prevent it. For Sadie, he was prepared to take any action necessary.


    ¡°Alright, Mr. Howe. I¡¯ll take care of it immediately.¡± Stan quickly nodded, deciding not to protest further.


    In the hospital morgue, Sadie stood by the mortuary bed, looking at Laura, who appeared to be sleeping peacefully. This brought her a slightfort. With trembling hands, she ced the white magnolia pendant on Laura¡¯s chest.


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    ¡°Grandma, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll take good care of Averi and myself. Please rest in peace,¡± she whispered, biting her lip as she vowed, ¡°I will find out who did this to you and make them pay.¡±


    ¡°Laura, rest assured. I¡¯ll look after Sadie.¡± A voice suddenly broke the silence. It was Noah. He approached and stood next to Sadie.


    She ignored him.


    ¡°Will you really take good care of Sadie, Mr. Wall?¡± Alex¡¯s voice echoed in the room before he appeared. Striding in, he confronted Noah. ¡°If you truly care about Sadie, why protect the murderer?¡±


    At those words, Sadie spun around, her expression one of shock as she instinctively stepped back from Noah. Noah¡¯s face darkened immediately. He red at Alex, warning sharply, ¡°Stop spreading lies, Alex!¡±


    ¡°Am I wrong?¡± Alex retorted with a sneer.


    The room seemed to spin around Sadie. She leaned against the wall for support. ¡°What has happened?¡±


    Noah reached for her hand, his voice urgent. ¡°Sadie, you¡¯re distressed. Let¡¯s discuss thister, okay?¡± But Sadie was resolute. She yanked her hand away.


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait. Grandma¡¯s death is shrouded in mystery. I need to know the truth now.¡±


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 Chapter 616

    ?Chapter 616:


    Sadie paused, struggling to steady her emotions. ¡°The doctor mentioned a passerby on Belleley Road found my grandma and called for an ambnce. Why would she be there, all alone in the middle of nowhere? Who would do such a thing to her?¡±


    Noah realized he could no longer withhold the truth from Sadie. ¡°It was K.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s body tensed, her eyes widening in shock. In an instant, she turned, poised to run out. She was determined to make K pay for this.


    Noah acted quickly, grabbing her and pulling her back into his arms. He held her tightly, leaving no room for escape. ¡°Sadie, please calm down! I promise, I¡¯ll make this right.¡±


    ¡°Noah, will you protect her again?¡±


    With all her might, Sadie pushed him away and pped him across the face. She stumbled backward, tears streaming down her face. The sting in her palm paled inparison to the agony tearing through her heart.


    She faced Noah, her eyes brimming with disappointment. How absurd! She had once naively believed¡ªfoolishly hoped¡ªthat he would change for her. But he hadn¡¯t. He never would. K would always be his priority.


    Her voice shook with anger. ¡°My grandma is dead! Do you understand? She¡¯s gone! An eye for an eye¡ªthat¡¯s the only justice now!¡±


    Noah was momentarily taken aback, about to respond, but Alex intervened. ¡°My team is already on their way to get K. Sadie, trust me, she won¡¯t escape justice.¡±


    Sadie looked at Alex intently, then turned and walked away. She didn¡¯t need anyone else to seek vengeance for her grandmother; she would handle it herself. Alex followed her immediately.


    But as they exited the hospital morgue, a group of men in ck suits quickly surrounded them. Clearly, this was Noah¡¯s doing.


    Noah emerged slowly, his expression inscrutable.


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    Sadie faced him, disbelief in her eyes. Was he really going to stop her? Was he intending to confine her again?


    ¡°K won¡¯t escape the consequences. Thew will deal with her. But you, Sadie¡ªyou can¡¯t ruin your life over her.¡±


    Noah raised his hand slightly, signaling to the bodyguards. ¡°Take her home. She needs to rest.¡±


    Sadie was led away, her movements devoid of energy.


    Noah¡¯s expression hardened as he turned to Alex.


    ¡°And you¡ªif you act recklessly again, I guarantee the Howe family won¡¯t recover.¡±


    Alex¡¯s face tightened slightly.


    Noah strode past him, not looking back.


    As he walked, he issued another order. ¡°Arrange Mrs. Stewart¡¯s funeral. Ensure it honors her wishes.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Wall,¡± the bodyguards replied immediately, springing into action.


    Once in the car, Noah leaned back, closed his eyes, and pinched the bridge of his nose.


    After a long silence, he spoke, his voice icy. ¡°Take me to Beresrett Apartments.¡±


    The driver paused briefly but then started the car.


    At Beresrett Apartments, K was under house arrest, surrounded by several bodyguards in the living room. Their presence was oppressive.


    The memory of the earlier bloody incident reyed in K¡¯s mind.


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 Chapter 617

    ?Chapter 617:


    She trembled, cold sweat running down her back.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t my fault! That old woman was careless! I just gave her a little push!¡±


    She repeated this mantra, hoping to convince herself, but fear gnawed at her from within.


    Bang! Suddenly, the door burst open with a loud bang. K screamed, nearly falling from the sofa.


    It was Noah!


    Her eyes sparkled with hope. She scrambled toward him, desperate. But before she could reach him, the bodyguards blocked her way. Noah advanced, an overwhelming presence.


    An aura of authority surrounded Noah. His gaze was dark, intensely cold. K had never seen him like this.


    For the first time, she felt genuine fear.


    ¡°Noah! Please, you have to believe me! I didn¡¯t kill her! She fell on her own!¡±


    K was pinned down on the floor, sobbing uncontrobly, her face a mess of tears and snot.


    In the past, Noah had always been swayed by her tears.


    But now, he only looked down at her with cold detachment.


    K¡¯s desperation peaked.


    She struggled, but the bodyguards kept her firmly pinned.


    ¡°Noah, don¡¯t you believe me?¡±


    K screamed in desperation, pointing at the window.


    ¡°I¡¯ll end it all right here. I have a heart condition; the doctor said I wouldn¡¯t live long.¡±


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    She moved towards the window, making a false move as if to jump.


    Noah observed her with a cold, mocking smile.


    ¡°Go ahead. Jump!¡± he drawled.


    K paused, her gaze fixed outside the window, her legs shaking. High above the ground, she knew she couldn¡¯t really jump; she was merely trying to frighten Noah.


    She copsed to her knees with a loud thud, crawling to Noah¡¯s feet. Her tears fell freely as she clung to his leg.


    ¡°Noah, I was wrong. I¡¯m terribly sorry. Please, I beg you to spare me, for the sake of our past.¡±


    But before she could finish her plea, Noah bent down swiftly, his eyes fierce, and seized her by the throat.


    K¡¯s eyes widened in shock, her face turning purple as she gasped for air.


    Her legs kicked out in panic, her hands iling.


    Noah¡¯s expression was one of sheer menace, and K was filled with terror.


    At that critical moment, Samuel entered, oblivious to the scene before him.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, all of Howe¡¯s men have been captured. They¡¯re in the underground parking lot. What¡¯s the n?¡±


    Noah paused, then roughly pushed K aside.


    He turned slowly, his gaze cold and slightly impatient. ¡°Send them back to where they came from.¡±


    Samuel nodded. ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall.¡±


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 Chapter 618

    ?Chapter 618:


    As he turned to leave, he cast a nce at K, whoy on the floor, a mix of emotions crossing his face. He exited swiftly to execute the orders.


    ¡°Ahem¡­ Ahem¡­ Ahem¡­¡±


    K coughed violently, each breath feeling like a battle for life.


    Her body shook, and tears streamed down her face uncontrobly.


    It took her moments to regain her breath fully.


    Looking up at the unfeeling man standing over her, K pleaded once more, ¡°Noah, please! Spare me! I promise to leave this instant and never return¡­¡±


    Her voice was raspy and weak.


    Noah looked down at her, his eyes devoid of any warmth, filled only with contempt.


    ¡°Confessing is your only chance for redemption. Otherwise, no one can help you.¡±


    K shuddered violently, her reluctance palpable.


    She feared the ruin of her life, dreading the confines of a prison. Overwhelmed by fear, she saw no escape from the heartless man before her.


    Suddenly, she erupted into hystericalughter. ¡°Confess? Seriously? Noah, stop pretending to be the good guy. You¡¯re behind all of this.¡± K lifted her head and red at Noah with intense hatred.


    ¡°If anyone¡¯s guilty, it¡¯s you! You pushed all the me onto me, hoping to cover your crimes? Three years ago, without your indulgence, would I have even had the chance to harm that bitch Sadie?¡± she screamed, her voice heavy with resentment.


    ¡°As soon as I returned from abroad, I already found out you had fallen in love with that bitch. I couldn¡¯t face it then¡­ Now, with Sadie¡¯s grandmother gone¡ªkarma. She got what she deserved. She tried to steal what was rightfully mine. Without her meddling, I would have been your wife.¡±


    As she spoke, K became increasingly agitated, losing allposure.


    ¡°I wish she were dead too! Dead! They should all go to Hell!¡±


    Herughter turned maniacal, her voice sharp and unhinged. Noah observed the hysterical woman, his expression dark and menacing. He clenched his fists, his body shaking as he fought to control his emotions.


    He turned to the bodyguards, his voice measured but firm. ¡°No need to have her turn herself in. Take her to Boxing Street in Wheosia. Let her fend for herself there.¡±


    The bodyguards¡¯ eyes widened in disbelief.


    Boxing Street in Wheosia?


    It was a notorious slum, a haven for the most unsavory characters.


    Sending K there was tantamount to a death sentence.


    ¡°No! Noah, you can¡¯t do this to me! You can¡¯t!¡±


    K¡¯s eyes widened with terror at Noah¡¯smand. She screamed,


    ¡°Noah, I saved your life before. You can¡¯t be so cruel and ungrateful.¡±


    The two bodyguards were tall and broad-shouldered, but judging by the veins bulging on their arms, it was clear they were exerting considerable strength just to detain K.


    Even so, she continued to struggle, twisting and iling while shouting obscenities. Her behavior was a far cry from her usual gentle and delicate image.


    Noah paid no attention to her cries. He simply turned and walked away.


    ¡°No, don¡¯t! Noah, you can¡¯t do this to me!¡± K wailed in utter despair, her voice hoarse yet piercing at the same time.


    .


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 Chapter 619

    ?Chapter 619:


    But Noah never spared her a backward nce, and soon enough, he was out of sight.


    Deted, K was ultimately dragged away by the bodyguards.


    Momentster, Noah entered his house and was greeted by a frantic-looking Breck.


    ¡°Sir, you¡¯re finally back!¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡± Noah asked, feeling an inexplicable wave of dread washing over him.


    Breck hesitated and fiddled with his fingers before saying, ¡°Mrs. Wall has locked herself in her room. She hasn¡¯t eaten or drunk anything ever since she was brought back, and she refuses to answer the door.¡±


    Noah frowned in concern.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, what happened to Mom?¡±


    A soft, innocent voice suddenly rang out.


    Standing at the top of the stairs, Averi was clutching a dinosaur doll, his eyes wide with innocence.


    Noah¡¯s heart immediately softened. He walked over with a sigh and knelt in front of the little boy.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Averi. Mom is just a little tired and wants to rest. How about we do puzzlester?¡±


    ¡°Okay!¡± Averi lit up in an instant. He ran off, still hugging his precious toy.


    Noah¡¯s expression turned somber as he straightened and turned to Breck.


    ¡°Tell the kitchen staff to prepare some of Sadie¡¯s favorite dishes ¡ªlight ones. Send them up as soon as they¡¯re ready. Also, let her know that Mrs. Stewart¡¯s funeral is scheduled for the day after tomorrow.¡±


    Breck nodded and went to carry out his instructions.


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    Left alone, Noah could only stare at the closed door of the master bedroom.


    Frustration came over him.


    Meanwhile, inside the room in question, the atmosphere was dark and oppressive.


    Sadie was curled up on the bed, clutching a photo tightly against her chest. It was a picture of her and her grandmother from happier times, before Laura¡¯s health had begun to fail.


    Sadie bit her lower lip, desperately trying to hold back her tears, but her body trembled uncontrobly. Regret weighed heavily on her heart. Why had she allowed herself to lose control and marry Noah? If she hadn¡¯t met him, if it hadn¡¯t been for this absurd marriage, would her grandmother still be alive?


    A soft knock at the door interrupted her spiraling thoughts.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, Mr. Wall asked the kitchen to prepare your favorite zed chicken and pot roast, along with some warm milk. Please eat something, even if it¡¯s just a little,¡± Breck¡¯s gentle voice called from outside. ¡°Mr. Wall also mentioned that Mrs. Stewart¡¯s funeral is set for the day after tomorrow.¡±


    There was a long silence. Sadie didn¡¯t respond, lost in her sorrow, until Breck, sensing her hesitation, was about to leave.


    The door suddenly opened, and Sadie stood there, her eyes swollen from crying.


    ¡°Is Noah back?¡± she rasped.


    ¡°Yes, madam,¡± Breck replied, his voice caught off guard by her appearance. ¡°Mr. Wall is with Averi.¡±


    Sadie barely registered his words. Without another word, she turned and stormed down the hallway toward Averi¡¯s room. She had to see Noah¡ªshe needed to speak with him.


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 Chapter 620

    Chapter 620:


    Bang!


    Sadie flung open the door to Averi¡¯s room. Noah and Averi were sitting on the carpet,ughing together. Averi clumsily stacked blocks under Noah¡¯s patient guidance, his giggles filling the room.


    Sadie¡¯s steps faltered as she watched the scene unfold in front of her.


    She lingered in the doorway, just staring at them. All her earlier agitation seemed to fade away in an instant, reced by an overwhelming wave of love for her son.


    Sadie knew she couldn¡¯t lose control in front of Averi. She couldn¡¯t let him see her weakness, her brokenness.


    Sensing her presence, Noah turned his head, his gaze softening as their eyes met.


    ¡°Averi,¡± he said, gently patting the boy¡¯s head. ¡°Your mom and I need to talk. You can finish the blocks by yourself, right?¡±


    Averi nodded obediently and continued ying, unfazed. Noah stood up and walked toward Sadie. Without a word, he took her hand and gently led her into his study.


    Sadie offered no resistance, her hands icy cold to the touch.


    As soon as the door closed behind them, she spoke, her voice tinged with frustration. ¡°Where is K?¡±


    Noah sighed deeply, his voice low and quiet when he replied, ¡°I had her sent away.¡±


    Sent away?


    Sadie¡¯s anger red once more. She threw her head back and let out a bitter, humorlessugh, her chest rising and falling with the intensity of her emotions.


    ¡°Even now, you¡¯re still protecting K!¡± she eximed, her voice trembling with disbelief.


    ¡°Is this how you make things right for me?¡± Sadie demanded, her words sharp, cutting through the air.


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    Sadie took a step back, putting some distance between herself and Noah.


    The words she had spoken pierced Noah¡¯s heart like icy daggers, and he couldn¡¯t help but feel the pang of hurt as he tried to exin. ¡°K¡ª¡±


    But Sadie refused to listen to his excuses. ¡°Noah,¡± she interrupted, her eyes red-rimmed, her voice trembling. ¡°What exactly am I to you? Does my grandmother¡¯s life count for nothing in your eyes?¡±


    Noah parted his lips to defend himself yet again, but this time, he was at a loss for words.


    Ring! Ring! Ring! The sudden, urgent ringing of his phone broke through the tension.


    Noah fished it out of his pocket, his brows drawing into a frown when he saw the caller ID. It was from Wall Manor.


    He pressed the answer button, and Gabriel¡¯s anxious voice instantly came through the line. ¡°Mr. Wall, your grandfather fainted all of a sudden. He is being rushed to the hospital as we speak.¡±


    Noah¡¯s fingers tightened around his phone. ¡°See. I¡¯m on my way.¡± His voice was low and thick as he quickly ended the call.


    He turned to Sadie with aplicated expression on his face. ¡°Something urgent came up. I need to go. Please rest well. I¡¯ll exin everything when I return, all right?¡±


    Exin? What was there left to exin?


    Sadie noted his anxiety and chuckled to herself in bitter irony. She said nothing, though, and simply shot him a look of pure mockery. Noah didn¡¯t speak, either. After giving her onest, deep nce, he rushed out of the study.


    .


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    .<hr>


    Message from Noah: Happy weekend dear ones! God loves you and Noah whishes you all the best. (©¤??O)


    .

 Chapter 621

    ?Chapter 621:


    Sadie¡¯s hands slowly balled into fists. She presumed that he was running off to K again.


    Sadie had long since grown ustomed to such scenarios. No matter the circumstances, K¡¯s calls always seemed to have the power to pull Noah away from whatever he was doing.


    Sadie gritted her teeth. What did the time they spent together even mean to that man?


    Suddenly ovee with exhaustion, Sadie made her way to Averi¡¯s room.


    The boy¡¯s face lit up when he spotted her, and his chubby face broke into a sweet grin. ¡°Mommy, are you here to y with me?¡±


    Sadie settled down beside him and ruffled his hair. ¡°We¡¯re going home, sweetheart.¡±


    Averi blinked at her in confusion. ¡°Home? Aren¡¯t we already home?¡±


    Sadie stared at her son¡¯s innocent expression, and her throat tightened. Still, she fought back the tears and mustered a small smile. ¡°This isn¡¯t our home, honey. Mommy will take you to our real home, okay?¡±


    Averi didn¡¯t quite understand, but he bobbed his head like the good boy he was. ¡°Okay! If you say so, Mommy.¡±


    Breck loitered at the doorway the entire time, repeatedly trying and subsequently failing to speak up. In the end, he could only watch as Sadie finished packing her and Averi¡¯s things, took Averi out of the house, and left in a taxi.


    The moment they were out of sight, he grabbed the nearest servant and said, ¡°Hurry and inform Mr. Wall about this!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Wagner.¡±


    Before long, Sadie¡¯s taxi pulled over at Laura¡¯s apartment building. She stood downstairs for a while, just staring up at the familiar window. At that point, she could no longer hold back, and tears streamed freely down her face.


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    She took Averi upstairs and unlocked the door. Everything inside was as it had been¡ªworn down, but strangelyforting.


    ¡°Mommy, where¡¯s Great-grandma? Why isn¡¯t she here?¡± Averi suddenly asked, clutching her hand.


    Sadie stiffened at his questions. She gazed down at her pure son and felt her heart twist inside her chest. How should she go about exining death to a child?


    Sadie wrestled with her emotions for a moment before saying, ¡°Great-grandma has moved to a distant ce. It will be a long, long time before we see her again.¡±


    Averi nodded, only partially understanding. ¡°Like when Austin moved to another city?¡±


    Sadie paused and hummed quietly. She proceeded to unpack their things and tidy up the apartment a bit. Once Averi was fast asleep, she walked over to Laura¡¯s favorite rocking chair. She slowly sat down.


    The chair creaked gently, as Sadie rocked herself, almost as though her grandmother was still there, humming a tune to lull her to sleep. Sadie closed her eyes, savoring the sense of peace that had eluded her for the longest time. A few stray tears fell from her closed eyes and rolled down her cheeks.


    The night deepened, and the rocking of the chair gradually slowed to a stop. Before she knew it, Sadie had fallen asleep.


    Meanwhile, Noah had arrived at the private hospital owned by the Wall family.


    ¡°How is my grandpa?¡± he asked, worry etched on his face.


    The doctor removed his mask and heaved a heavy sigh. ¡°Mr. Wall, I¡¯m sorry to say that your grandfather has suffered a sudden heart failure. We did our best, but I¡¯m afraid he only has a few days left.¡±


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 Chapter 622

    ?Chapter 622:


    Noah swallowed the lump in his throat and was silent for a while. ¡°Keep this news under wraps for now. Tell Samuel to keep an eye on the family branch in Zupren.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall.¡±


    With that, the doctor took his leave, and Noah stepped into the hospital room.


    Nigel had an oxygen mask on, the shadow of mortality looming over his hospital bed.


    ¡°Grandpa,¡± Noah called out softly as he sat by the bed and took the old man¡¯s hand.


    Nigel slowly opened his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re here, Noah.¡± His voice was so weak, it was barely audible. ¡°And where¡¯s Sadie?¡±


    Noah¡¯s eyes flickered. He bowed his head to avoid his grandfather¡¯s gaze. ¡°Sadie hasn¡¯t been feeling welltely. I thought it would be best to let her stay home and rest.¡±


    Nigel peered at him for a few seconds, then sighed.


    ¡°Noah!¡± he chided, his voice suddenly clearer, louder. ¡°You must take good care of Sadie. Her grandfather was a benefactor to the Wall family. I have already failed him; you must not do the same to Sadie.¡±


    Nigel¡¯s voice rang out with authority, and he spoke each word with great emphasis.


    Noah¡¯s heart sank. His mind drifted back to three years ago.


    At the time, K had just returned from abroad, and she had used Sadie of spreading rumors overseas to ruin her reputation, allegedly because of jealousy. Out of the debt he owed K, Noah had always sought to take care of her, often at Sadie¡¯s expense. He had neglected Sadie all those times, only for K to conspire with Ryder to kill Sadie.


    Noah¡¯s expression darkened at thatst thought. He took a deep breath and squared his shoulders, as if he hade to an important decision. ¡°You have nothing to worry about, Grandpa. I will take good care of Sadie. I will never let her suffer any grievances in this lifetime ever again.¡±


    Nigel studied him for a moment before nodding in relief. Then he smiled, as if he were finally letting go of a long-held burden. ¡°Good! That¡¯s very good to know.¡±


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    In the days that followed, it seemed as though Noah had disappeared from the face of the earth. Sadie took care of all the funeral preparations on her own, relying on nothing but sheer determination.


    She had lost some weight, and her eyes were constantly red at the corners, but she hadn¡¯t shed another tear so far.


    At the funeral, Alex came by, his concern clear from the start. ¡°I offer my condolences, Sadie,¡± he said softly, his voice kind and gentle as ever. ¡°I hope you find peace amidst your loss.¡±


    When Sadie looked at him, her eyes were vacant and distant. ¡°Thank you, Alex.¡±


    Seeing her like this broke his heart. Alex wanted to gather her into his arms and offer somefort, but he stopped himself at thest second. He didn¡¯t want to make her ufortable.


    ¡°If you need help with anything, just let me know. Don¡¯t try to carry it all by yourself.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Sadie replied. ¡°Truly.¡± No matter how generous Alex was, she didn¡¯t want to burden him with her problems. More importantly, she didn¡¯t want to owe anyone anything.


    ¡°Thank you foring to see my grandma. You must be busy with work matters. You should head back.¡±


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 Chapter 623

    ?Chapter 623:


    Sadie was no longer looking at Alex, and her voice was hushed. She was dismissing him.


    Sure enough, she brushed past him without waiting for a response, never looking back.


    Alex¡¯s emotions roiled inside him.


    Once the funeral was over, Sadie went to the Social Security Bureau alone to handle the termination of her grandmother¡¯s social security benefits.


    When she left less than an hourter, she headed to her grandma¡¯s apartment in a daze.


    She was approaching the building when a familiar figure caught her eye: Samuel.


    He seemed to have spotted her at the same time, as he immediately walked up to her.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall¡­¡± Samuel began, only to trail off, as if weighing his next words.


    Not that it mattered to Sadie. She ignored him entirely and didn¡¯t even break her stride as she continued walking.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall!¡± Samuel called out, his tone urgent this time.


    That finally made Sadie pause, though she didn¡¯t bother to turn around.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, Mr. Wall has been preupied with very important matters these past few days. Hence, his absence at Mrs. Stewart¡¯s funeral.¡± There was a tinge of desperation in Samuel¡¯s voice as he exined. ¡°This apartment is not suitable for you and Averi. Why don¡¯t I arrange for some staff to take care of you and Averi?¡±


    Sadie turned around then, slowly, her face nk. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary. Tell Mr. Wall to spend all the time he wants with Miss Wade.¡±


    Whatever Noah did or whoever he did it with no longer mattered to her.


    ¡°As for K¡­¡± Sadie paused, unable to hide the hatred in her eyes. ¡°I will make sure she faces the consequences.¡±


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    Samuel wanted to say more, but Sadie had already walked off and soon disappeared from sight.


    He sighed heavily to himself. Some things needed to be exined by Mr. Wall himself. Samuel took out his phone and made a call.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall is at her grandma¡¯s apartment. Send some people here to watch over her. Tell them to be discreet. It¡¯s imperative that nothing happens to her and her son.¡±


    After giving the instructions, Samuel hung up and left the premises. Meanwhile, Sadie had already reached her floor and opened the door to the apartment.


    She padded into the living room. Everything was just as it should be. However, her grandmother would never sit there again, smiling at her with a greeting. ¡°You¡¯re home, Sadie!¡±


    Sadie¡¯s nose stung as the tears she had been holding back finally broke loose. She slid to the floor, where she crumpled into herself, hugging her knees and burying her face in her arms.


    ¡°Grandma, I miss you,¡± she whispered in between sobs.


    As she mourned her grandmother¡¯s death, her phone rang.


    Sadie wiped her face and took it out of her purse. The screen disyed an unknown number.


    ¡°Is this Miss Hudson? My name is Xavier Hobbes, from the detective agency. We¡¯ve made some progress on your case. When are you avable to meet up?¡±


    Shortly after Laura¡¯s incident, Sadie had reached out to a private detective agency and hired them to investigate K¡¯s whereabouts.


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 Chapter 624

    ?Chapter 624:


    Sadie steeled herself and replied, ¡°This afternoon at three, the Wiffenk Diner.¡± It was a restaurant she used to frequent with her grandmother.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you then, Miss Hudson.¡±


    When Sadie hung up, she was filled with a renewed sense of determination. No matter what it took, she had to find K.


    Three o¡¯clock. The Wiffenk Diner.


    Sadie caught sight of Xavier as soon as she entered the restaurant. He had settled on a window seat. He saw her at the same time and quickly got to his feet.


    ¡°Good afternoon, Miss Hudson.¡±


    Sadie was silent as she took her seat and studied the man in front of her.


    Without wasting any time, Xavier produced a stack of documents from his bag and ced them on the table.


    ¡°I understand how you must be feeling at the moment, Miss Hudson, but there are some things you need to see for yourself.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s eyes fell on the papers, but she made no move to pick them up. ¡°Where is she?¡± she asked bluntly.


    She wasn¡¯t interested in any long-winded condolences. All she wanted to know was K¡¯s location.


    Xavier sighed. ¡°I sincerely apologize, Miss Hudson. We haven¡¯t found the target yet.¡±


    As if sensing her displeasure, he quickly changed his tone. ¡°But we have uncovered some information about K¡¯s past that might prove useful to you.¡±


    Sadie nodded slightly, prompting him to continue.


    Xavier rifled through the report and pulled out a handful of photos, which he handed to her.


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    ¡°Six years ago, K went abroad and got involved with someone named Ryder Clifford. ording to our investigation, Ryder was responsible for the car ident you had three years ago. He¡¯s dead now, and thest person he saw was K.¡±


    Sadie stared at the pictures of the man with a menacing face. Her fingers tightened around the photos.


    So, it was all K¡¯s doing.


    Not only had she caused Laura¡¯s death, but she had actually attempted on Sadie¡¯s life before.


    ¡°What else did you discover?¡± Sadie asked.


    Xavier produced a few more photos and a document.


    ¡°There is also the matter from ten years ago involving Mrs. Wall, Noah¡¯s mother. Mrs. Wall was swindled and lost arge sum of money. K helped her win thewsuit and get amplepensation. In truth, however, K orchestrated everything from the start.¡±


    A look of irony crossed Sadie¡¯s eyes. If K had dared tomit murder, what wouldn¡¯t she have dared to do? It was likely because of that fake scam that Isabel¡¯s attitude toward K had changed.


    ¡°Rest assured, Miss Hudson, we are doing everything we can to find K.¡± Xavier gave her an apologetic look before rubbing his hands together. ¡°Anyway, about the expenses¡­¡±


    Sadie wordlessly pulled a thick envelope out of her purse and ced it on the table. ¡°Please keep our transaction confidential.¡±


    Xavier quickly pocketed the money, his lips curling into a broad smile. ¡°Of course, Miss Hudson. That goes without saying. I am very discreet with my operations.¡±


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 Chapter 625

    ?Chapter 625:


    Sadie stood up and left without responding.


    She had been busy with matters concerning Laura in the past few days, so she had hired a caregiver for Amy. That morning, the caregiver had called to say that Amy was out of danger and had been moved to a regr hospital room.


    Sure enough, Sadie found Amy sitting up on the hospital bed, flipping through a design magazine. Amy looked up at the sound of the door opening.


    ¡°You¡¯re here, Sadie,¡± she said, beaming.


    ¡°How are you feeling, Amy? Any better?¡± Sadie asked with concern as she took the seat by the bed.


    Amy¡¯s sigh wasced with disappointment. ¡°I¡¯m all right now. I just never expected Vivi to do such a thing.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t dwell on it. You¡¯ll only stress yourself out. It¡¯s all in the past.¡± Sadie didn¡¯t want her to worry about these things anymore.


    ¡°I heard from the nurse that it was Mr. Wall who found the best surgeon to operate on me,¡± Amy remarked. ¡°Please thank him on my behalf.¡±


    Sadie was momentarily taken aback by that. ¡°I will do,¡± she replied, somewhat evasively.


    ¡°And how are the designs for Zoeing along?¡± Amy asked, shifting the topic to work.


    Despite being overwhelmed by recent events, Sadie had still managed to make some initial revisions on the drafts for Zoe¡¯s jewelry.


    ¡°Please rest assured,¡± Sadie said. ¡°I won¡¯t hold up any progress on this project.¡±


    Amy looked at her, btedly noticing her paleplexion and the dark circles under her eyes. Clearly, the poor girl wasn¡¯t resting well. After some hesitation, Amy started to say, ¡°Sadie, you¡ª¡±


    ¡°I need to go and pick up Averi from school now. Please take care of yourself, Amy.¡± Sadie seemed to have sensed her concern and quickly took her leave before Amy could voice her worries.


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    The Wall family had just wrapped up Nigel¡¯s funeral. The vast hall was nearly empty, with just a few rtives loitering near the entrance.


    ¡°This is all Sadie¡¯s fault. She¡¯s a ck mark on the family, I tell you! It wasn¡¯t enough for her to bring misfortune upon the Hudson family; she just had to bring it to Nigel too,¡± Isabel was standing before the coffin, ranting on and on with a look of disdain on her face. She dabbed at her eyes as she spoke, though she didn¡¯t appear particrly upset by Nigel¡¯s death.


    ¡°Nigel was so fond of that woman when he was alive, but she didn¡¯t evene to see him onest time. That ungrateful wretch!¡±


    Noah stood a few steps behind Isabel, his face dark and ominous. ¡°Say one more word, and you¡¯ll return to the estate in the suburbs.¡± Isabel harrumphed. She knew Noah had long since been bewitched by that vixen, Sadie.


    She held back her words, however, and only said after a while, ¡°Do you know where K is? I haven¡¯t seen hertely.¡±


    Instead of answering, Noah silently approached his grandfather¡¯s coffin and bowed three times. Then he turned and left the hall without another nce at his mother.


    A car was already waiting for him in the driveway. Once settled in the backseat, Noah rubbed his temples and asked, ¡°How is Sadie?¡±


    ¡°Her bodyguards just reported back that she¡¯s headed to the kindergarten to pick up Averi,¡± Samuel answered from the passenger seat.


    ¡°All right.¡± Noah waved his hand¡ªa silent instruction to the driver to take them to the kindergarten.


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 Chapter 626

    ?Chapter 626:


    Then he leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes, relishing the brief respite.


    ¡°You need a break, Mr. Wall. You¡¯ve been dealing with your grandfather¡¯s funeral and other family matters these past few days. Perhaps you should head back to Myrtlewood Estate for now?¡± Samuel suggested, his concern evident in his tone.


    How could one man, even one as strong as Noah, endure so much strain in such a short time?


    Noah opened his eyes. ¡°Fine,¡± he said coldly. ¡°Any news about the Quinn and Olson families?¡±


    ¡°The Quinn family has filed for bankruptcy, while the Jenkins familyunched an attack on the Olson family. Anson disappeared in the aftermath, and now most of the Olson family¡¯s assets have fallen into the hands of the Jenkins family.¡±


    Noah hummed his approval.


    At the entrance of the international kindergarten, Averi, with a tiny backpack on his back, darted through the gates. ¡°Mommy!¡± he cried out as heunched himself into his mother¡¯s embrace.


    Sadie caught him and stroked his head. ¡°Let¡¯s go home, sweetheart.¡± Mother and son walked down the pavement hand in hand.


    They soon reached a less crowded area, and just as Sadie was about to ask Averi what he wanted for dinner, a disheveled woman suddenly charged at them from the alley. She was brandishing a small kitchen knife, aimed directly at Sadie¡¯s chest.


    ¡°Go to hell, Sadie Hudson!¡± the woman screeched, her voice filled with a frenzied hatred.


    Sadie¡¯s eyes shed.


    Her body reacted instinctively, and before she even knew it, she had pulled Averi behind her.


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    Before the de could evene close, however, a group of ck-d bodyguards emerged from the shadows and subdued the assant. It all happened so fast that it hadn¡¯t even urred to Sadie to fear the situation.


    It wasn¡¯t until the danger had passed that she realized her body was trembling.


    ¡°It¡¯s all right, Averi. We¡¯re all right. We¡¯re safe now.¡±


    The little boy looked terrified as he clung to his mother¡¯s neck. He was shaking as well, and his eyes were filled with tears, though he did his best to keep them from falling.


    With an aching heart, Sadie soothed Averi as best as she could. ¡°You did well, darling. You¡¯re such a good boy. Mommy will buy you some candyter. How does that sound?¡±


    Once he had calmed down and Sadie had made sure that he wasn¡¯t hurt, she gently set Averi down. He obediently nodded when she told him to stay put.


    Then, Sadie faced her attacker, only to realize that the crazed woman before her was none other than Vivi.


    The bodyguards had her pinned to the ground, but she continued to writhe and scream. ¡°You need to die, Sadie! You bitch!¡±


    Sadie scoffed and shook her head. She had no idea what she could have done to Vivi to garner this much loathing.


    ¡°Please keep your distance, Mrs. Wall,¡± one of the men warned her.


    ¡°This woman has obviously lost her mind.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s out of her wits; how much harm could she possibly do me?¡± Sadie countered in a mocking tone.


    Needless to say, the remark provoked Vivi further, and she struggled even harder.


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 Chapter 627

    ?Chapter 627:


    ¡°Stop acting like you¡¯re better than me! You are alwayspeting with me, fighting for everything, even back at Majestic Ego!¡± Her voice was painfully grating as she continued to berate Sadie. ¡°You are always favored by Amy! You had nothing to your name! You were a nobody! Why did you get to marry Noah while I was forced into a disgusting marriage?! Anson is aplete monster!¡±


    With the way Vivi talked, she truly believed her circumstances were all Sadie¡¯s fault.


    Sadie just watched her outburst in silence, her eyes slowly going nk and emotionless. ¡°Do you really think marrying Noah is such a blessing, Vivi? What kind of blessing would rip away your loved ones, leaving you battered and bruised?¡±


    ¡°Quit pretending to be pitiful, you two-faced bitch!¡± Vivi spat out, thinking that Sadie was unting her marriage.


    Sadie sighed. She couldn¡¯t be bothered to waste any more time with Vivi, so she turned to the bodyguards and said, ¡°Please take her to the police station.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mrs. Wall.¡±


    As the bodyguards hauled Vivi to her feet, she suddenly managed to break free. She lunged forward, grabbing Sadie by the cor. ¡°If I¡¯m going down, then I¡¯m taking you with me!¡±


    Vivi¡¯sughter rang out, wild and untamed, carrying a reckless determination. The bodyguards¡¯ expressions shifted abruptly as they surged forward to restrain her.


    Amidst the chaos, the sharp screech of tires echoed nearby.


    A sudden realization struck Sadie¡ªAveri was still at the roadside, and Vivi¡¯s attention was locked on him.


    ¡°Averi!¡± Sadie¡¯s desperate cry tore through the air.


    With an unexpected surge of strength, she sent Vivi sprawling. Almost at the same moment, a car hurtled toward Averi, seconds away from disaster.


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    Sadie¡¯s legs faltered¡ªshe wanted to reach him, but time was against her.


    Before she could move, a blur shot past, shielding the boy from harm.


    It was Noah.


    He shoved Averi aside but bore the full impact himself. His body was flung through the air before crashing onto the pavement. Blood immediately pooled beneath him. Sadie clutched Averi, too stunned to react, until the soft sound of the child¡¯s sobs snapped her back to reality.


    ¡°Noah!¡±


    Her emotions spilled over uncontrobly.


    She lowered Averi gently and sprinted toward Noah, whoy motionless in a pool of blood.


    ¡°Noah, wake up! Don¡¯t do this to me!¡± She dropped to her knees beside him, her hands hovering, unsure where to touch.


    Tears streamed down her face. His eyes remained shut, hisplexion ashen, his chest frighteningly still.


    ¡°Look at me! You can¡¯t leave like this. You owe me an exnation!¡± Her voice broke with anguish.


    Despite her earlier resentment, the sight of him sacrificing himself for Averi shattered the walls around her heart.


    ¡°Mr. Wall!¡± Samuel rushed over, his face drained of color.


    Moments ago, inside the vehicle, Noah had ordered an emergency stop and leaped out without hesitation.


    ¡°Get an ambnce! Now!¡± Samuel barked at the bodyguards, his senses snapping back into ce.


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 Chapter 628

    ?Chapter 628:


    If anything happened to Noah, he would never forgive himself.


    The guards, momentarily frozen in fear, scrambled to make the call.


    The operating room¡¯s red light flickered on.


    Sadie copsed onto the cold floor, her vision blurred by tears. Memories flooded her mind¡ªher grandmother had been taken behind those very doors, never to return.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be okay. It has to be,¡± she told herself, though her entire body trembled.


    She bit her lip hard, trying to stifle the sobs racking her chest.


    The hospital bustled with hurried footsteps and murmured voices.


    Sadie remained motionless, disheveled and hollow.


    Nearby, Samuel watched her in silence, uneasy at her distress.


    He wanted to offerfort but couldn¡¯t find the words.


    A piercing voice shattered the tension. ¡°You again, you wretched woman!¡± Isabel stormed toward them, her face ashen, eyes red-rimmed from weeping.


    Her fury ignited at the sight of Sadie sitting there, and without hesitation, she pped her hard across the face.


    Sadie¡¯s cheek burned instantly.


    Isabel pointed an usatory finger, her voice hoarse with rage. ¡°You ruin everything you touch! Was destroying your own family not enough? Now you¡¯ve dragged Noah into this. If anything happens to him, I swear you¡¯ll pay.¡±


    Sadie stared nkly at the hysterical woman before her, momentarily unable to react.


    Then, her expression turned cold. With a firm shove, she pushed Isabel away. ¡°Mrs. Wall, Noah is the reason the person responsible for my grandmother¡¯s death walked free. If not for him, she wouldn¡¯t have died without justice.¡±


    Isabel staggered, nearly copsing, but a bodyguard steadied her.


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    Her face shifted from pale to flushed, her entire body trembling. ¡°That¡¯s a lie! My son would never do something like this. Stop this nonsense!¡±


    Samuel, unable to remain silent, finally spoke up, his voice firm. ¡°Mrs. Wall, you¡¯re mistaken.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Wall didn¡¯t let Miss Wade escape. He had her sent to Boxing Street in Wheosia¡ªleft to fend for herself.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s breath caught. ¡°What?¡± Her voice wavered in disbelief.


    Could Noah really have done that?


    Hadn¡¯t he always shielded K?


    The world seemed to tilt, and she pressed a hand against the wall to steady herself.


    Samuel exhaled, continuing, ¡°And the reason Mr. Wall left so suddenly during yourst encounter¡­ was that his grandfather was critically ill. Today, we finished his funeral. He didn¡¯t tell you because he feared you couldn¡¯t handle more heartbreak.¡±


    ¡°Nigel has passed away?¡± Sadie felt thest of her strength drain away. She sank to the floor, silent tears spilling down her cheeks.


    Sadie sobbed uncontrobly. First, Laura was gone, and then Nigel had also left her. Why did those who cared for her always leave?


    Just then, the operating room doors flew open.


    A nurse rushed out, clutching a document marked ¡°critical condition.¡±


    ¡°Who here is Noah¡¯s family? Quick, sign this!¡±


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 Chapter 629

    ?Chapter 629:


    Sadie stumbled forward, her hands shaking so violently that she could barely grip the pen. Her signature was nothing more than a series of jagged lines.


    She wanted to ask about Noah¡¯s state, but her throat tightened, making it impossible to speak.


    The nurse, seeing no time to waste, turned and disappeared back into the operating room.


    The doors swung shut once more.


    Sadie lurched forward, but her knees buckled beneath her, sending her crashing to the floor in humiliation. Nearby, Isabel folded her arms, her lips curling in disdain. A sharpugh escaped her. ¡°How dramatic.¡± The endless night stretched on.


    Atst, the operating room doors reopened.


    A weary doctor stepped out, removing his mask with a deep exhale.


    Isabel¡¯s pulse quickened with fear.


    She staggered forward, clutching the doctor¡¯s arm, her voice raw with desperation. ¡°Doctor, my son¡ªhow is he?¡±


    The doctor regarded her trembling figure with sympathy. ¡°Mrs. Wall, we did everything possible. Mr. Wall suffered extensive injuries. We managed to stabilize him, but¡­¡± His voice grew heavy. ¡°The damage to his central nervous system was severe. The chances of him regaining consciousness are extremely low.¡±


    Isabel stood frozen, her mind rejecting his words. Her legs trembled as she nearly copsed.


    ¡°No¡­ That¡¯s not possible! You must be mistaken!¡±


    The doctor lowered his gaze. ¡°To be blunt, he is in a vegetative state.¡±


    Sadie, who had been clinging to thest shred of hope, felt her world shatter.


    All hope, all expectations, vanished in that instant.


    Her vision blurred, and before she could resist, she lost consciousness, her body copsing backward.


    ¡°Sadie!¡± Alex rushed forward, catching her just in time.


    The weight in his arms was rmingly light, her body drained of all strength.


    Pressing a hand to her forehead, he flinched¡ªshe was burning up. Alex¡¯s heart clenched. Without hesitation, he scooped her up and sprinted toward the emergency room.


    Isabel remained fixated on her own grief, too consumed to notice anything else. Forcing herself upright, she seized Samuel¡¯s arm. ¡°Samuel, I recall that in Zupren, there¡¯s a highly regarded facility¡ªRosewood Hospital. They specialize in treatinga patients. Arrange for Noah¡¯s immediate transfer.¡±


    Samuel hesitated briefly. ¡°Madam, should we inform Mrs. Sadie Wall?¡±


    ¡°Shut your mouth!¡± Isabel snapped, venom shing in her eyes. ¡°She doesn¡¯t need to know. Just handle it.¡±


    Samuel dared not protest. With a quick nod, he replied, ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll see to it at once.¡±


    He cast a nce toward the emergency room before hurrying away.


    Inside the emergency room.


    ¡°Mr. Howe, there¡¯s no need to worry. She copsed due to exhaustion and a high fever. An IV has been administered, and with enough rest, she should regain consciousness soon,¡± the doctor assured. Alex exhaled slowly, some of the tension easing from his face.


    ¡°Alright, you may leave now.¡±


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 Chapter 630

    ?Chapter 630:


    Once the doctor exited, shutting the door behind him, Alex reached for Sadie¡¯s hand. It was icy to the touch, her fingers twitching as though she was trapped in a nightmare.


    ¡°Sadie¡­ As long as you¡¯re safe, that¡¯s all that matters. I should have done more to protect you.¡±


    Hours turned into a full day, yet she remained unresponsive.


    A new wave of unease gripped Alex. He sought out the doctor again, his voice betraying his growing fear. ¡°Why hasn¡¯t she woken up? Is something wrong?¡±


    The doctor ran another set of tests, his brows knitting together.


    ¡°From all the indicators, the patient is indeed not in any critical condition. Her extended unconsciousness is most likely due to psychological distress.¡±


    ¡°Psychological distress?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a defense mechanism triggered by extreme emotional turmoil. Medication won¡¯t be very effective in this case. The best approach is to surround her with familiar faces andforting items¡ªsomething that might encourage her to wake up,¡± the doctor exined, his tone tinged with helplessness.


    Alex froze.


    Had Noah¡¯s condition been such a crushing blow to Sadie? Was the weight of it so unbearable that she preferred to remain unconscious rather than face reality?


    Suddenly, Alex straightened, realizing that Sadie¡¯s deepest concern had to be Averi.


    Without hesitation, he instructed Stan to bring the child over. Averi dashed to the bedside, his tiny voice repeatedly calling, ¡°Mommy,¡± while tears streamed down his cheeks.


    Yet, Sadie remained motionless.


    ¡°Alex, what¡¯s wrong with Mommy?¡± Averi¡¯s worried eyes, reddened from crying, searched Alex¡¯s face.


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    A pang of sorrow tightened Alex¡¯s chest. He knelt beside the boy, gently stroking his hair. ¡°Averi, don¡¯t worry. Mommy is just resting. When she wakes up, she¡¯ll y with you again.¡±


    Averi nodded, his small fingers gripping Alex¡¯s coat tightly.


    ¡°I¡¯ll wait with you until Mommy wakes up.¡±


    Sadie remained unconscious, her face contorted with distress.


    In the depths of her mind, only darkness existed.


    She ran frantically, searching for a way out, but there was none.


    Then, a faint light emerged ahead.


    She sprinted toward it, clinging to the hope it offered. As it drew nearer, its shape became clearer¡ªa tall figure.


    It was Noah.


    He stood there, his presencemanding attention, yet distant.


    Sadie¡¯s heart pounded. ¡°Noah! Noah!¡± she called desperately.


    But he didn¡¯t react. He remained still, as if unaware of her presence. She rushed forward, reaching for his coat, but her fingers passed through him.


    He wasn¡¯t real¡ªjust a shadow.


    ¡°Noah, please look at me!¡± she pleaded, her voice cracking with anguish. Slowly, he turned, his gaze cold and unfamiliar, as if she were a stranger.


    Then, he stepped back.


    ¡°No! Don¡¯t leave me, Noah!¡± Sadie screamed, chasing after him. But no matter how fast she ran, she couldn¡¯t reach him.


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 Chapter 631

    ?Chapter 631:


    She watched helplessly as he grew more distant, eventually disappearing into the darkness.


    Unable to hold on any longer, she copsed to the ground, sobbing.


    ¡°Noah¡­¡±


    A voice¡ªsoft yet familiar¡ªechoed around her.


    Suddenly, consciousness returned. The brightness of the hospital room overwhelmed her senses as her eyes fluttered open. Alex, Averi, and Samuel stood at her bedside.


    ¡°Mommy! You¡¯re awake!¡± Averi cried, throwing his arms around her. Samuel exhaled in relief. ¡°Thank goodness, ma¡¯am, you¡¯re awake.¡±


    Sadie blinked, her mind struggling to clear.


    Noah had been struck by a car, Nigel was gone, and she had lost consciousness.


    As her thoughts slowly pieced themselves together, a sharp pain gripped her chest, making it hard to breathe.


    ¡°Where is Noah? How is he?¡± she asked, her voice unsteady.


    Samuel hesitated, seeing the desperation in her pale face. It pained him to say it, but he had no choice.


    ¡°Mrs. Isabel Wall arranged for Mr. Wall to be transferred to Rosewood Hospital in Zupren.¡±


    Sadie froze, her entire body going numb.


    She knew that facility¡ªit specialized in treating patients in unresponsive states. Was Noah in a vegetative state now?


    No! She refused to ept it. She needed to see him, to confirm it herself.


    Without thinking, she threw the nkets aside and attempted to stand.


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    ¡°What are you doing? You¡¯re not strong enough to get up!¡± Alex moved quickly, blocking her path. Sadie was too shaken to listen.


    ¡°Let me go! I have to see him!¡±


    Her legs buckled the moment she tried to move, and she nearly copsed.


    Alex caught her just in time, holding her steady.


    ¡°Sadie, you need to stay calm. You¡¯re in no condition to go anywhere.¡± Samuel stepped in, his expression serious. ¡°Ma¡¯am, even if you try, you won¡¯t be allowed to see him.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡± Sadie demanded, her voice raw with anguish.


    ¡°Rosewood Hospital has strict entry regtions. Only medical personnel are permitted inside¡ªunless Mr. Wall regains consciousness.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s body tensed at those words. Overwhelmed, she slumped against Alex, her strengthpletely drained.


    Sadie squeezed her eyes shut, but the tears wouldn¡¯t stop.


    Would she never see Noah again?


    Suddenly, as if grasping onto thest thread of hope, she snapped her eyes open and clutched Samuel¡¯s arm. ¡°Take me to Isabel¡ªI have to see her!¡±


    Samuel hesitated, his gaze searching hers. Then, with a firm nod, he agreed. ¡°Alright,e with me.¡±


    The car rolled to a stop in front of Wall Manor.


    At first nce, nothing had changed, yet an eerie emptiness lingered in the courtyard, as though the life it once held had faded.


    Samuel cut the engine and stepped out, circling the vehicle to open the door for her.


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 Chapter 632

    ?Chapter 632:


    Sadie didn¡¯t move right away. She sat frozen, her eyes fixed on the iron gate.


    Once, Nigel had always weed her with a warm smile. Now, that warmth was gone.


    Swallowing the ache in her chest, she forced herself out of the car.


    The moment she stepped onto the courtyard, her gazended on Isabel. She stood among the servants, issuing orders as they loaded things into the waiting cars.


    They were leaving.


    The moment Isabelid eyes on Sadie, her expression darkened, disdain shing in her gaze.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Her voice was cold, sharp enough to cut through stone.


    ¡°Isabel¡ª¡± Sadie barely managed to choke out the word, her voice quivering with emotion. Her fists trembled at her sides as she stepped forward, desperation propelling her.


    She nearly dropped to her knees, ready to beg¡ªto plead for a chance to go to Zupren and care for Noah.


    But Isabel was quicker. Anticipating her move, she seized Sadie¡¯s arm before she could kneel and shoved her back with unyielding force.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother.¡±


    A tense pause followed before Isabel¡¯s lips curled into a bitter sneer. ¡°Now you remember Noah? Haven¡¯t you been having a good time with Alex all this time?¡±


    ¡°1 wasn¡¯t¡ª¡± Sadie tried to exin, frantic, but Isabel cut her off with a scornful re.


    ¡°¡®Enough, Sadie. Do you think I¡¯m as naive as Noah? I won¡¯t fall for your act!¡±


    Then, without hesitation, she barked an order. ¡°Someone, get her out of here!¡±


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    Themand sent servants rushing forward. Without mercy, they surrounded Sadie, hands gripping her arms, shoving her back.


    ¡°¡®Let me go!¡± Sadie thrashed against their hold, her voice raw with anguish. ¡°¡®Isabel, please¡ªplease let me go to Zupren! Let me take care of Noah¡ªI¡¯m begging you!¡±


    Her cries were hoarse, desperate.


    But Isabel didn¡¯t flinch. Her gaze remained cold. She was unmoved by Sadie¡¯s suffering. She didn¡¯t spare Sadie another nce. Without hesitation, she turned back to the servants, issuing orders with cold detachment.


    ¡°Hurry up. Get everything on the cars¡ªwe¡¯re leaving now.¡±


    The servants moved swiftly, while Sadie was manhandled out of Wall Manor.


    Rough hands shoved her past the threshold, and the heavy iron gate groaned as it swung shut behind her. Her legs gave out. She copsed onto the cold pavement, despair sinking its ws deep into her chest. Was this truly the end for her and Noah?


    Samuel rushed forward, catching her trembling body before she couldpletely fall apart. His voice was gentle,ced with concern. ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    Sadie didn¡¯t answer. She only nodded her head, her empty gaze fixed on nothing.


    Samuel sighed. The wind carried the scent of impending rain, thick and heavy in the air. ¡°It¡¯s about to storm any minute now. Let me take you back to Myrtlewood Estate.¡±


    She offered no resistance, no words¡ªjust silent surrender as he helped her into the car.


    Myrtlewood Estate.


    Everything was the same. The familiar walls, the furniture she once shared with Noah, the echoes of their life together¡ªyet now, it all felt hollow.


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 Chapter 633

    ?Chapter 633:


    This was their home.


    Now, she was the only one left.


    A fresh wave of sorrow crashed over her, and she couldn¡¯t hold it in anymore. Tears spilled down her face, an endless flood of anguish. Why? Why had Noah shut her outpletely? Why wouldn¡¯t he tell her anything?


    Sadie locked herself in her bedroom. She refused to eat, refused to speak¡ªcutting herself off from the world.


    Outside, Breck paced anxiously, torn between concern and fear of disturbing her.


    He even arranged for her favorite dishes from Nirvana, hoping to coax her out. But she never touched them.


    Days passed. Then, one evening, Samuel returned, his face grim as he stood at the door of the master bedroom. He hesitated, then knocked lightly. ¡°Mrs. Wall?¡± Silence.


    He tried again, his voice firmer this time. ¡°Mrs. Wall, since Mr. Wall¡¯s ident, thepany has been in chaos.¡± Still, nothing. No sound. No movement.


    Samuel paused briefly before speaking. ¡°Coyle Wall, Mr. Wall¡¯s uncle, has returned with his family and is exploiting Mr. Wall¡¯s absence to seize control of thepany.¡±


    His voice carried a sharp urgency. He was fully aware that Sadie was theirst hope.


    ¡°I realize you¡¯re in pain, but thepany is on the brink of ruin.¡± The silence in the room was heavy.


    Samuel¡¯s stomach tightened, fearing that Sadie might refuse to help.


    Just as he was ready to give up, the door swung open.


    Sadie appeared, herplexion drained, but her eyes burned with resolve.


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    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Relief flooded Samuel. Atst, she was stepping up. The Wall Group could still be saved.


    He quickly ryed the recent developments to her.


    Sadie gave a slow nod, swallowing hard, then rasped, ¡°Nigel transferred some shares to me as part of my grandfather¡¯s estate.¡±


    Samuel leaned forward. ¡°Coyle and his family control more shares than we can currently ess. To stabilize the situation, there¡¯s only one path left.¡±


    ¡°And what is that?¡± Sadie demanded.


    ¡°We must secure Mr. Wall¡¯s shares,¡± Samuel whispered, knowing it was a drastic measure.


    ¡°That requires Mrs. Isabel Wall¡¯s approval,¡± he added, dread weighing his tone.


    Given Isabel¡¯s prior attitude, persuading her seemed impossible. ¡°Mrs. Isabel Wall leaves for her flight tomorrow, the same day as the shareholders¡¯ meeting. Coyle will make his move then. Tonight is our final opportunity.¡±


    Sadie knew how much Noah valued thepany. She couldn¡¯t allow his uncle to dismantle everything in his absence.


    ¡°Let¡¯s move.¡±


    Wiping her tears away, she changed into a sharp business suit that radiated authority.


    In the mirror, her face was pale, but her gaze burned with unwavering determination.


    ¡°We¡¯ll go to the airport hotel where Mrs. Isabel Wall is staying,¡± Samuel informed her as they hurried out.


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 Chapter 634

    ?Chapter 634:


    Time wasn¡¯t on their side.


    But things didn¡¯t go as smoothly as Sadie had hoped.


    When they reached the hotel, Isabel¡¯s servant blocked their path.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall has no interest in seeing you,¡± the servant sneered.


    Sadie¡¯s jaw clenched.


    Without hesitating, she shoved past the servant and stormed inside.


    Samuel was right behind her, shielding her from interference.


    ¡°Sadie, what¡¯s the meaning of this?¡±


    Isabel, seated on the living room sofa, was furious. ¡°Samuel, are you betraying me too?¡±


    Sadie strode forward and mmed a document onto the table.


    ¡°This is a share transfer contract.¡±


    Isabel skimmed the paperwork, then exploded.


    ¡°Sadie, I never realized you were so ambitious! Noah isn¡¯t even dead, and here you are, scheming for his shares? Coyle, at least, bears our family name. I¡¯d rather entrust thepany to him than to an outsider like you!¡±


    Sadie¡¯s heart ached, but she bit back the anger.


    pping her palm on the table, she hissed, ¡°You¡¯ll sign today, whether you want to or not!¡±


    ¡°How dare you!¡± Isabel gasped, taken aback by Sadie¡¯s boldness.


    With a bitterugh, Isabel snatched the contract and tore it to shreds.


    ¡°Keep dreaming!¡± Isabel sneered and threw the torn pieces at Sadie. ¡°You¡¯re a disgrace¡ªyou betrayed Noah and gave birth to another man¡¯s child. You¡¯re unworthy of hispany shares. Walk away!¡±


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    Sadie trembled, her face drained of color as years of buried emotion surged forth.


    ¡°Averi is Noah¡¯s biological son!¡± Sadie shouted, her voice hoarse with desperation. ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, we can do a DNA test.¡±


    The room fell deafeningly silent.


    Isabel¡¯s eyes widened, her body swaying slightly as if struck.


    Samuel, frozen in ce, struggled to process the revtion.


    ¡°No¡­ that¡¯s not possible¡­¡± Isabel stammered after a long pause, her voice barely audible.


    ¡°You¡¯re lying!¡± Isabel shrieked, panic creeping in. ¡°Averi can¡¯t be Noah¡¯s child!¡±


    Sadie crossed her arms, a cold smile ying on her lips.


    ¡°Why not?¡± she countered icily. ¡°Three years ago, Noah didn¡¯t want this child, so I left the country to protect him. I have proof¡ªAveri¡¯s birth certificate, medical records¡ªall confirming Noah is the father.¡±


    Isabel¡¯s knees buckled as she struggled to stand. Her mind shed with images of Averi¡¯s innocent face. Could this boy truly be Noah¡¯s son? But she hadmissioned a DNA test before, which showed no blood rtion between him and Noah¡ªhow could that be exined?


    Her thoughts spiraled as confusion clouded her eyes.


    ¡°That DNA test report was brought to me by K!¡± Isabel shouted.


    ¡°There¡¯s no way it could be forged! You maniptive woman, stop fabricating lies!¡±


    Sadie¡¯s expression darkened, amusement flickering beneath her re.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t K ¡®help¡¯ you resolve a sticky situation ten years ago?¡± Sadie asked, her voiceced with sarcasm. ¡°Didn¡¯t you find it odd that a novicewyer had the ability to deal with the mob?¡±


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 Chapter 635

    ?Chapter 635:


    When Isabel heard this, her blood ran cold. Her head snapped up, eyes wide with horror.


    ¡°How¡­ how do you know about that?¡±


    The incident from a decade ago had been buried deep. After all, the Wall family had a long-standing aversion to gambling!


    Isabel had always believed that incident was a secret shared only between her and K. But now, Sadie was aware of it as well. Isabel found herself wondering how that had happened. Could it be¡­


    As stubborn as Isabel was, her confidence in her previous convictions began to falter. She had always trusted K the most. Was it possible that K had been deceiving her from the very beginning?


    Just then, Samuel¡¯s phone rang. He nced at the caller ID, and his expression shifted before he took the call. ¡°Yes, what is it? I see. All right.¡±


    Samuel hung up and walked over to Isabel. He wasn¡¯t quite sure what he was feeling when he handed her the phone. ¡°Please take a look at this,¡± he said, his tone grave.


    Isabel took the phone with trembling hands. On the screen was a photo of a document that had been torn apart, then pieced back together. Although the writing was somewhat blurred, Isabel recognized it instantly. It was a DNA test report.


    Her gaze immediately went to the bottom, her eyes widening in shock. It was right there, in and simple. ¡°The probability of a parent-child rtionship between Averi Hudson and Noah Wall is greater than 99.99%.¡± And the date of the test was the very same day she had had a paternity test done between Noah and Averi.


    Isabel¡¯s body swayed, her knees buckling beneath her. Samuel rushed forward to support her. ¡°Are you okay, Mrs. Wall?¡± But Isabel didn¡¯t respond. She couldn¡¯t. She was far too lost in her thoughts. Her eyes were still fixed on the report.


    What on earth was going on?


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    Samuel let out a heavy sigh. ¡°I happened to run into Miss Wade at thepany one day, and I saw her tearing up this document and tossing it on the ground. I felt that something was off at the time, so I gathered the pieces and had a puzzle expert put them back together. He only just got back to me today.¡±


    Isabel cast aplicated nce in Sadie¡¯s direction, then let out a long, weary sigh. ¡°Do you have another copy of the contract?¡± Samuel immediately produced a backup contract and handed it over. ¡°Here it is, Mrs. Wall.¡±


    Isabel didn¡¯t bother reading through the terms and went straight to thest page to sign her name. Watching her do this, Sadie didn¡¯t feel the relief she had been expecting. If anything, she only felt a pang of bitter irony. Eventually, she had to reveal Averi¡¯s blood ties with the Wall family in such a ridiculous way.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be taking our leave,¡± Sadie said softly, her voice sounding exhausted. She and Samuel turned to leave.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Isabel suddenly called out, her voiceced with urgency. ¡°I want to see my grandson.¡±


    Sadie did not refuse¡ªshe didn¡¯t think she should. ¡°Of course.¡±


    Averi was ying with his building blocks when they arrived home. He immediately ran over at the sound of the door opening and clung to Sadie¡¯s leg. ¡°Mommy!¡±


    Sadie bent slightly and ran her fingers through the boy¡¯s hair, her eyes brimming with affection.


    It was then that Averi noticed Isabel standing behind his mother. His eyes went wide with interest. He remembered this woman. She was very pretty, but she seemed to dislike him back then.


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 Chapter 636

    ?Chapter 636:


    Isabel, for her part, gazed at the charming little boy, and felt aforting warmth slowly spread across her chest. She crouched down so she could meet Averi¡¯s eyes and spoke in a gentle voice, ¡°Hello, Averi. I am your grandmother.¡±


    Now that she had the chance, Isabel studied Averi¡¯s face closely. The more she looked, the more she noticed the simrities he bore with Noah when her son was still a child. Isabel couldn¡¯t help but berate herself for her past foolishness. How could she have fallen for K¡¯s trickery so easily?


    Ovee with guilt and regret, she reached out and gathered Averi into her arms.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Averi,¡± Isabel whispered, her voice thick with emotion. Averi had no idea what his grandmother was apologizing for, but he could feel her genuine affection for him.


    He raised his tiny hand and touched her face. ¡°Don¡¯t cry, Grandma.¡±


    Isabel could no longer hold her tears back when he said that. Sadie watched Isabel embrace Averi, unsure of what she was feeling herself.


    She turned to Samuel and tipped her head toward the study. ¡°Come with me,¡± she said, her voice tired.


    Samuel nodded before trailing after her.


    Once inside the study, Sadie settled behind the desk and spoke bluntly. ¡°I need you to prepare a dossier containing detailed information on everyone from Coyle¡¯s family. I¡¯ll be going to thepany tomorrow, and I need to know the people I¡¯ll be dealing with.¡±


    Samuel understood her intentions in an instant.


    ¡°Copy that, Mrs. Wall. I¡¯ll get right on it.¡± He excused himself with a respectful bow and exited the study.


    Sadie wandered to her bedroom, intending to change her clothes. She had just pulled a beige suit from the wardrobe when the bedroom door creaked open.


    Startled, she clutched the clothes to her chest and whipped around. It was Isabel, looking far less cold and arrogant. If anything, she seemed oddly at peace.


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s£®?????? brings magic to life


    ¡°Do you need something, Isabel?¡± Sadie asked tentatively.


    The older woman nodded in response as she walked into the room and sat on the sofa.


    ¡°I¡¯m not leaving, Sadie,¡± Isabel said, sounding like an entirely different person.


    Sadie was so surprised that she nearly dropped her clothes altogether.


    Not leaving? What did that mean?


    As if reading her mind, Isabel added, ¡°I¡¯m nning to move back to Wall Manor. You¡¯re ted to take over the Wall Group, so you will no doubt be busy. You may not have time to spare for Averi. I¡¯ll stay and help take care of him while you¡¯re busy. I am his grandmother, after all.¡±


    Her tone was calm, but her gaze was earnest and sincere.


    For a while, Sadie could do nothing more than stare.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take Averi back to Wall Manor tonight,¡± Isabel said, noticing Sadie¡¯s silence.


    Sadie remained quiet for a moment before sighing softly. She had been through a lot recently and was exhausted. Indeed, she didn¡¯t have much energy left to take care of Averi. ¡°Alright,¡± she nodded, epting Isabel¡¯s suggestion.


    A faint smile appeared on Isabel¡¯s face, signaling her relief. ¡°Take care of yourself as well. Don¡¯t wear yourself out,¡± Isabel advised with a tone of concern. ¡°As for Noah¡­¡±


    Her voice dropped, and her expression turned somber. ¡°He¡¯s been admitted to Rosewood Hospital, and I can¡¯t visit him either. Now, all we can do is wait for him to wake up.¡±


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 Chapter 637

    ?Chapter 637:


    A wave of sadness washed over Sadie. She lowered her gaze, her longshes veiling the disappointment in her eyes. ¡°I understand.¡±


    Isabel looked as though she wanted to say more but ultimately left the bedroom silently.


    Sadie sat by the bed, her hands clenched so tightly her fingertips turned white. When would Noah wake up? She yearned for his embrace, for him to reassure her that everything would be alright. Now, he was lying in a hospital bed, his condition unknown to her.


    The buzz of her phone snapped her out of her thoughts. It was an email from Samuel, containing detailed information about Coyle and his family.


    Sadie forced herself to concentrate. She couldn¡¯t afford to break down; there was too much at stake. She had to protect Wall Group, safeguard Averi, and await Noah¡¯s recovery.


    She opened the document and scrutinized it intently. It wasn¡¯t until dawn that she hadmitted everything to memory.


    After freshening up, Sadie left early for Wall Group. Upon her arrival, Samuel greeted her.


    ¡°Good morning, Mrs. Wall,¡± Samuel said respectfully. ¡°The board meeting won¡¯t start for a while. Would you like to rest in Mr. Wall¡¯s office first?¡±


    Sadie was about to reply when a cheerful voice interrupted. ¡°Sadie! What brings you here?¡±


    It was Tina, who approached quickly, her face radiating happiness. ¡°Sadie, you look fantastic today!¡± she eximed, circling Sadie with genuine admiration.


    Sadie smiled and yfully pinched Tina¡¯s cheek. ¡°You¡¯re always so sweet.¡±


    Tina scratched her head sheepishly, then leaned in with a secretive air. ¡°Sadie, have you heard? Mr. Wall hasn¡¯t been to the office for days, and people are getting worried. Is something wrong?¡±


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    A wave of concern washed over Sadie. She managed a forced smile and said softly, ¡°Tina, don¡¯t overthink it. Mr. Wall is on a business trip.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Tina seemed skeptical.


    ¡°Absolutely,¡± Sadie replied, feigning ease. ¡°Now, please get back to work and keep focused.¡±


    ¡°Oh. Alright,¡± Tina said before leaving.


    Once Tina was gone, Sadie¡¯s smile disappeared. She knew she needed to stabilize the situation quickly and stop any rumors.


    ¡°You are Noah¡¯s wife, right? What brings you to thepany today? Shouldn¡¯t you be at home preparing for Noah¡¯s funeral?¡± A sharp voice suddenly rang out, dripping with sarcasm and hostility.


    Sadie turned to see who it was. A middle-aged man with a cane, nked by some others, was approaching. He was older, with a sullen and arrogant air that made him quite disagreeable.


    Sadie recognized him from the files she had studied the night before. He was Coyle Wall, the second son of Nigel, Noah¡¯s uncle.


    Apanying him were his son, Sutton Wall, and his daughter, Briley Wall. Sutton had a refined appearance but a calcting look, while Briley seemed haughty, looking down on Sadie as if she were insignificant.


    Sadie suppressed a snort.


    This family was evidently making their move.


    Sadie stepped forward with a calm smile. ¡°Uncle Coyle, I should be the one asking what brings you here. I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re still this energetic at your age.¡± Her voice was soft but carried a subtle sting. ¡°And about Noah, surely you aren¡¯t wishing ill on the chairman of Wall Group, are you?¡±


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 Chapter 638

    ?Chapter 638:


    Briley began to retort heatedly. ¡°You¡­¡±


    ¡°Briley!¡± Sutton quickly intervened, his gaze warning her to hold her tongue.


    Briley clenched her teeth, ring at Sadie but remained silent. Coyle was taken aback by Sadie¡¯sposure, and his expression grew stormy. Heughed coldly. ¡°Sadie, you certainly have a sharp tongue. No wonder Noah chose you.¡± His tone wasden with derision.


    With those words, he led his entourage past Sadie, heading toward the elevator.


    Sadie¡¯s expression was as cold as steel as she strode toward the elevator. Tina, who had barely taken a step away, stood rooted to the spot. Had she heard that right? Noah¡¯s wife? Coyle had called Sadie Noah¡¯s wife. But wasn¡¯t Noah involved with K? What on earth was happening here?


    Tina¡¯s thoughts spun wildly, tangled in a web of unanswered questions. And yet¡ªbeneath the confusion¡ªthere was a flicker of anticipation, a thrill she couldn¡¯t quite exin. Regardless of the spection, one fact remained indisputable¡ªSadie was thepany chairman¡¯s wife.


    Sadie stepped onto the floor where the conference room was, her quiet determination apparent. As the elevator doors slid open, her gazended on the closed conference room door. A murmur of voices filtered through from the other side. Adjusting her attire with a swift, practiced motion, she pushed the door open.


    Inside, the room was already brimming with people. Wall Group¡¯s shareholders and top executives filled the space, their hushed whispers swirling like an undercurrent of uncertainty. Their expressions ranged from wary to intrigued.


    Without hesitation, Sadie strode to the head of the table, Samuel following just a step behind. Under the weight of countless eyes, Sadie lowered herself into the chair¡ªunshaken,posed.


    Her presence radiated authority, her confidence unsettling some of the shareholders and executives, who exchanged curious nces. Some of them knew Sadie¡¯s rtionship with Noah, but most of them thought she had been just Noah¡¯s secretary once, and had resigned long ago. How could a mere secretary presume to sit in the president¡¯s chair?


    Coyle hadn¡¯t anticipated Sadie to be this audacious. Settled on one side of the conference table, he narrowed his eyes, a flicker of malice in his gaze. This woman was no ordinary pawn.


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    Sadie¡¯s gaze swept the room, her fingers drumming lightly against the polished wood.


    ¡°Samuel,¡± she said, her voice smooth and deliberate. ¡°Tell them who I am.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mrs. Wall,¡± Samuel responded with quiet reverence before stepping forward.


    ¡°Everyone, settle down. Thedy before you is Mr. Wall¡¯s legally wedded wife¡ªMrs. Sadie Wall. Mr. and Mrs. Wall have been married for six years, though it was never made public.¡±


    A collective gasp rippled through the room. Eyes widened. Murmurs swelled into a wave of disbelief.


    ¡°Noah was married?¡± someone whispered.


    ¡°And to Sadie?¡±


    The shareholders and executives exchanged whispers, their voices rising in shock.


    ¡°Mr. Wall has a wife? Since when?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ve hidden this well¡ªI had no clue.¡±


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t Sadie just his secretary? How could she¡­¡±


    ¡°This will be a nightmare for Coyle. He won¡¯t take this lightly.¡±


    Coyle¡¯s expression darkened, the corners of his mouth curling into a sneer.


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 Chapter 639

    ?Chapter 639:


    ¡°Sadie,¡± he said, his voice thick with condescension, ¡°you certainly know how to make an entrance. But allow me to give you some advice¡ªtitles mean nothing without experience. You¡¯ll need much more than a name to hold your ground.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. She met Coyle¡¯s gaze, her expression unshaken as she replied smoothly, ¡°Uncle Coyle, I¡¯ll be counting on your wisdom and guidance in the future.¡±


    Ignoring her, Sutton turned to the room. ¡°Let¡¯s get back to the matter at hand. Please review this document first.¡± He handed some files to his assistant, who swiftly moved to distribute them to the shareholders and executives.


    Sutton leaned back in his chair, exuding arrogance as he spoke. ¡°As you are all aware, my cousin Noah¡¯s current situation remains uncertain. The Wall Group cannot function without leadership, and as perpany regtions, the shareholder with thergest¡­


    ¡°Stake holds the final decision-making power.¡± His words were measured, but a hint of pride and challengeced his tone.


    ¡°Based on thetest figures fromst night, my father, Mr. Coyle Wall, now controls 26.31% of Wall Group¡¯s shares. Bypany rule, this grants him the right to assume the chairman¡¯s position. Does anyone have any objections?¡±


    His gaze swept the room, lingering on each shareholder, daring anyone to object.


    The regtion was clear.


    But everyone here knew the history. Coyle had been exiled overseas by his father years ago, stripped of influence and cut off frompany affairs.


    And now, he had resurfaced¡ªjust in time to stake his im.


    Tension thickened, the weight of unspoken thoughts pressing down on the room.


    Then¡ªlight and deliberate¡ªa soft chuckle broke the silence.


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    ¡°Well, now.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s chuckle was soft, yet carried an unmistakable edge.


    An older shareholder¡¯s brow furrowed as he turned to her, his voice heavy with scrutiny.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, care to exin what¡¯s so amusing?¡±


    All eyes locked onto Sadie.


    With effortlessposure, she epted a document from Samuel, then ced it t on the table.


    The crisp pages unfolded, drawing the attention of every shareholder and executive.


    One by one, they leaned in, their eyes scanning the contents, their expressions shifting from confusion to pure disbelief.


    It was thetest ranking of Wall Group¡¯s shares, updated at 8 A.M. sharp.


    Sadie¡¯s name was at the very top of the list. Her stake in thepany? 51.25%.


    Nearly twice the amount Coyle held.


    Sutton and Briley exchanged incredulous nces, their shock mirrored across the room.


    Coyle snatched the document, his eyes darting across the figures, taking in the brutal reality.


    His face remained schooled in practiced calm, but his clenched jaw and the sharp glint in his eyes betrayed the storm brewing beneath.


    Sadie looked at Coyle, a victorious smile ying on her lips. ¡°The rules dictate that the person with the most shares bes the chairperson, isn¡¯t that right? If there are no objections, let us end the meeting here.¡±


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 Chapter 640

    Chapter 640:


    ¡°Hold it right there!¡± Sutton cried out, clearly agitated. ¡°Sadie, do you really think you are qualified to run thepany? This file is fake, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°That must be it!¡± Briley chimed in excitedly. ¡°You¡¯re from a humble background, Sadie. You practically had nothing to your name! How can you possibly manage such arge conglomerate? Do you think the Wall Group is just some mom-and-pop store in the corner?¡± She deliberately raised her voice and gave Sadie a look of utter disdain in a tant attempt to provoke her.


    Sure enough, the other shareholders began to whisper among themselves.


    Indeed, it was hard to believe that a young woman like Sadie would suddenly possess so many shares and take over a powerful entity like the Wall Group.


    In their eyes, Sadie¡¯s existence was insignificant, apart perhaps from the fact that she was married to Noah.


    Coyle slowly rose to his feet and spoke like a caring elder, though his concern was fake. ¡°You should think this through carefully before you make any decisions, Sadie. Shouldn¡¯t your household take priority over business matters?¡±


    His words were unmistakably condescending, and perhaps a little threatening.


    Standing beside Sadie, Samuel felt his hackles rise. He was worried that Sadie might not be able to handle the pressure when these people attacked her from all sides. After all, these cunning shareholders were seasoned maniptors.


    To everyone¡¯s surprise, Sadie let out a light and carefreeugh. ¡°Coyle, have you forgotten how you lost your leg years ago?¡±


    Her question struck the room like a bolt of lightning, and the room fell silent all at once. Everyone seemed to be holding their breath.


    They were all aware of the incident¡ªseveral years ago, Coyle had tried to seize power in secret and ended up causing huge losses to thepany. As a result, Nigel had sent him overseas¡ªafter breaking his¡­


    The event was a taboo within the Wall family, a painful memory that Coyle never wanted to revisit. Now that Sadie had mentioned it, and in front of all these people, it made Coyle scowl. This young woman sure was bold!


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    Just then, one of the shareholders, who had been silently observing throughout the entire meeting, stood up.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall,¡± he said, peering at Sadie with an odd mix of caution and anticipation. ¡°Why do you look so familiar to me?¡±


    Sadie turned her attention to the elderly man and gave him a polite smile. ¡°Sir, Absolon Stewart was my grandfather, and he used to work for Wall Group.¡±


    Another pregnant silence followed her reply. The shareholders were now wide-eyed with disbelief. Some of the older ones were practically trembling in their seats with excitement.


    They had all fought alongside Nigel in the early days of Wall Group, when they had to w their way up from the ground. How could they not know who Absolon was?


    The man was a formidable figure in the business world, known for his excellent skills and foolproof strategies. To say that he had made great contributions to Wall Group during its early stages would be a gross understatement. Many of them had benefited from Absolon¡¯s wit and generosity, one way or another.


    Sadly, Absolon chose to leave thepany at some point, and no one had any news of him since.


    Never had they imagined that Absolon¡¯s own granddaughter would be standing before them today.


    The elderly shareholder seemed to be ovee with emotion. He reached out and sped Sadie¡¯s hand. ¡°It¡¯s no wonder you look so familiar! Rest assured, youngdy, no one on the board will bully you as long as we are here!¡±


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    Message from Noah: Happy sunday dear readers! God loves you and Noah whishes you all the best. (? ?? ? ¨C ? ) ?


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 Chapter 641

    ?Chapter 641:


    Although his eyes were misty and his voice shook, his tone rang out with conviction.


    Then, as if to prove himself, he turned and looked at his oldrades. ¡°I, for one, believe that no one is more suitable for the position of chairperson than Sadie!¡±


    ¡°I agree,¡± another shareholder chimed in.


    ¡°If she is Absolon¡¯s granddaughter, then she is certainly more than qualified to be the chairwoman.¡±


    Those who had known Absolon voiced their agreement, their voices growing louder and firmer. Soon, the other shareholders followed suit, until they were all on Sadie¡¯s side. If nothing else, Sadie¡¯s performance just now definitely showed them that she was capable of taking the helm.


    Coyle¡¯s hands balled into fists. How was he supposed to know that Sadie was Absolon¡¯s granddaughter? The possibility never even crossed his mind! Nigel really knew how to pick a wife for Noah! Coyle finally understood why Nigel had suddenly arranged for some random, nameless girl to marry the grandson he doted on.


    Sadie stared at Coyle, fully aware of her victory. But she also knew not to push too hard. Otherwise, she might provoke her opponent into immediate retaliation. So, Sadie softened her expression.


    ¡°I¡¯m still young, and there will surely be certain areas where I will fall short in my duties. I will need your guidance in the future, Uncle Coyle. Briley and Sutton are quite capable as well, not to mention the fact that they are part of the Wall family. I think keeping them in thepany would serve the business well.¡±


    Her words were carefully chosen, allowing Coyle some grace while also asserting her stance. She had given him a tough lesson, yet also extended an olive branch. Only a fool would still kick up a fuss after this.


    Coyle knew it, too. ¡°Fine!¡± he bit out through gritted teeth. Did he really have any other choice but to agree?


    With that, Sadie concluded the meeting and walked out of the room, Samuel close at her heels.


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    It wasn¡¯t until they were walking down the hallway that Samuel snapped out of his daze. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and marveled at Sadie¡¯smanding presence. She had managed to subdue those old foxes with just a few words!


    Without a word, Sadie paused and leaned against the wall, taking a few deep breaths.


    In truth, all her bravado earlier had been just an act. She knew she needed to appear strong to intimidate her foes. If she showed even the slightest hint of weakness, she wouldn¡¯t have a chance of continuing the discussion.


    Meanwhile, the tension from the meeting lingered as the shareholders returned to their respective offices. It didn¡¯t take long before rumors began to spread throughout thepany.


    ¡°Have you heard? Mr. Wall¡¯s secretary from three years ago, Sadie¡ªdo you remember her? Well, she¡¯s actually Mr. Wall¡¯s wife!¡±


    ¡°Really? I thought she was just a secretary. How did she suddenly be the chairwoman?¡±


    ¡°Who knows? Maybe she slept her way to the position, if you know what I mean.¡±


    ¡°Tsk tsk, how shameless! I always thought she acted all high and mighty, but I never imagined her to be this vulgar!¡±


    This came from a group of female employees who had gathered together. Although their voices were hushed, they were still loud enough for nearby employees to overhear them.


    Unbeknownst to them, the very person they were discussing was already walking in their direction.


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 Chapter 642

    ?Chapter 642:


    Sadie¡¯s expression was calm and unbothered, as though she couldn¡¯t hear herself being ndered by her subordinates. She wore a bespoke business suit, her hair elegantly pinned up on her head. She looked chic and professional at the same time.


    The women who had been gossiping immediately changed their expressions when they noticed her approach, stering smiles on their faces as they flocked to Sadie.


    ¡°Hello, Mrs. Wall!¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, you look beautiful today!¡±


    They were practically falling over themselves to sing her praises.


    Sadie swept an indifferent nce over them. ¡°If you want to be of support to me and thispany, the best thing you can do is to do your job well.¡±


    Her tone was nd and matter-of-fact.


    The women nodded eagerly, reassuring Sadie that they would work hard and not disappoint her.


    Sadie¡¯s gaze then shifted to Tina in the corner. ¡°Tina,e with me.¡±


    Tina stood still for a moment, stunned, before quickly jumping to her feet. She happily trailed after Sadie, while her colleagues could only watch in envy.


    Sadie walked into the CEO¡¯s office, her eyes immediately scanning the familiar surroundings. Nothing seemed to have changed, except for the fact that Noah was no longer there.


    Sadie settled into the chair behind the desk. ¡°Samuel.¡±


    ¡°Here, Mrs. Wall,¡± Samuel promptly replied.


    Sadie lightly tapped her index finger against the desk, her voice soft when she said, ¡°Your duties remain unchanged.¡±


    She then looked over at Tina. ¡°Starting today, Tina, you will be in charge of the secretarial department.¡±


    For now, these two were the only people Sadie could trust.


    Samuel and Tina exchanged a nce before responding in unison, ¡°Understood.¡±


    After Tina left, Samuel leaned over the desk and lowered his voice. ¡°Mrs. Wall, how should we handle the matters concerning Vivi and Anson?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s eyes turned cold at the mention of these two names. ¡°Send them to the police station for legal proceedings. Make sure to hire the bestwyers to prosecute them.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Mrs. Wall. I¡¯ll take care of it right away.¡±


    Samuel left the office and closed the door behind him, leaving Sadie in silence. She closed her eyes and massaged her temples. When would Noah wake up?


    Meanwhile, back in the conference room, Sutton mmed his fist against the long table, his face livid. ¡°Dad, are we just going to let that woman take control of us?¡± He gritted his teeth, his eyes burning with rage.


    Coyle¡¯s expression was equally sullen and resentful. ¡°What else can we do? Do you think I wanted things to turn out this way?¡±


    How could he have known that Sadie was Absolon¡¯s granddaughter? That old geezer had also given Coyle a hard time back in the day! Coyle had really thought the Stewart family had been wiped out, but it seemed that onest weed remained.


    ¡°Are we just going to let this go?¡± Sutton whined, still unwilling to ept the situation. ¡°The Wall Group should be ours¡ªno one else¡¯s!¡±


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 Chapter 643

    ?Chapter 643:


    Coyle took a deep, steadying breath. ¡°We have all the time in the world to create more opportunities in the future.¡±


    After all, Sadie had said it herself¡ªshe was still young. What could she really do?


    ¡°Did you make the necessary arrangements at Rosewood Hospital?¡± Sutton¡¯s eyes shed with malice.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve made all the necessary arrangements to ensure that Noah will never return.¡± They had waited a long time for this day toe. They refused to fail.


    Coyle breathed a sigh of relief but still cautioned his son. ¡°Keep a close watch on Noah. We can¡¯t have anything go wrong.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Sutton replied before taking out his phone to make a call.


    ¡°Everything¡¯s going smoothly. That woman has taken over Wall Group. We need you to deal with Noah.¡±


    ¡°You can count on me,¡± Hailey Burgess¡¯s voice sounded full of confidence from the other end. ¡°I¡¯ll keep my promise to you. But you¡¯d better not forget your promise to me, Sutton.¡±


    Sutton¡¯s brows furrowed in impatience, but he held his temper and said, ¡°As long as you get it done, you have my guarantee that the Burgess family will rise again. It shouldn¡¯t be that hard; Noah is already in aa. He¡¯s bound to die sooner orter. However¡­¡± Sutton paused and let out a derisive snort. His tone becameced with threat. ¡°If you dare y your little tricks, I¡¯ll see to it myself that you and the rest of the Burgess family meet your end.¡±


    Hailey gritted her teeth and hung up the phone without saying another word. Of all the forms of humiliation she had to face, she hated being threatened the most.


    But with the Burgess family¡¯s current situation, she didn¡¯t really have any other choice. She would just have to endure Sutton¡¯s arrogance for now.


    Hailey stood from her seat, donned her doctor¡¯s coat, and walked into a VIP hospital suite.


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    She was immediately greeted by the sight and sounds of advanced medical equipment that filled most of the space.


    Hailey gazed at the man lying on the bed. He had striking features and looked so handsome even when he was unconscious.


    She couldn¡¯t help but chuckle under her breath. No matter which way she looked, this man was far more attractive than Sutton. Regrettably, her sole mission was to save the Burgess family.


    Hailey walked over to the bedside and produced a syringe from her pocket. It contained a clear liquid, one that could make aatose person sleep forever.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but your life is the price for my family¡¯s future. You¡¯re almost dead anyway. Consider this a gift.¡±


    But as she drew closer, she saw the man¡¯s finger twitch.


    Hailey froze, her hand hanging in mid-air.


    Wasn¡¯t he supposed to be in a deepa? What was going on? Who was this man, and why did Sutton want him dead so badly, to the point that he enlisted her, his ex-girlfriend, to do the dirty deed?


    Hailey capped the syringe, pocketed it, and left the room to find the nurse stationed outside.


    ¡°I need the medical records for the patient in Room 302.¡±


    ¡°Certainly, Dr. Burgess,¡± the nurse replied.


    Before long, the nurse returned with a stack of files.


    Hailey flipped through the first few pages, her eyes immediately zeroing in on the name written in bold, capital letters.


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 Chapter 644

    ?Chapter 644:


    Noah Wall?


    Thatatose patient was Noah, the CEO of Wall Group and a titan in the business world?


    Compared to Noah, Sutton was nothing more than a rich boy with little power, selling her pipe dreams of saving her family when he had barely done anything to prove his worth. But this man¡ªNoah¡­ Now, he was different!


    With his help, not only could she restore her family, but they could rise to new, unimaginable heights.


    The fact that he was handsome was just an added bonus!


    Lately, her father had been pressuring her to marry the heir of the rk family, but that man was nothing but trouble.


    Hailey stared at the photo in the medical file. Noah¡¯s expression was stern, his gaze piercing. A weaker person wouldn¡¯t dare to look him in the eye.


    Heck, Hailey felt her heart skip a beat, even though she was only looking at a picture.


    She closed the file and returned to the room.


    She got there just in time to see the man¡¯s eyelids flutter, as if he was about to wake up.


    Hailey knew that a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity wasing her way.


    Wasting no time, Hailey bent over and pressed her fingers against Noah¡¯s temples. She proceeded to hypnotize him.


    ¡°You will slowly wake up, forget the past, and fall in love with me,¡± she said, her voice soft and alluring.


    The hypnosis worked, and Noah slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was ssy and unfocused.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± he asked, bewilderment written on his face.


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    Hailey hesitated for a second, then smiled.


    ¡°I am your beloved.¡±


    ¡°And who am I?¡± Noah asked, his brows knitted in confusion.


    ¡°You¡¯re my boyfriend, of course,¡± Hailey answered without batting an eye.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been taking care of you for a long time. Thank goodness you¡¯re finally awake!¡±


    Noah took a good look at Hailey, still frowning.


    He tried to rifle through his memories, but it was as if his mind was gued with tendrils of shadows.


    He did remember that there was someone he loved deeply, but her face¡­


    Noah narrowed his eyes and tried to match Hailey¡¯s face with the blurred one from his distorted memory.


    Was it her?


    ¡°You are my girlfriend?¡± he asked slowly¡ªdoubtfully.


    But Hailey just beamed and gripped his hand.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she nodded. ¡°It¡¯s me.¡±


    Three years passed.


    Sadie had just stepped out of her apartment when Breck walked up to her.


    ¡°Mrs. Isabel Wall has returned from her vacation abroad with Averi,¡± he reported respectfully. ¡°She asked that you dine at Wall Manor tonight.¡±


    Sadie nodded and said, ¡°Got it.¡±


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 Chapter 645

    ?Chapter 645:


    Her tone was calm, her face nk.


    By all appearances, she seemed detached from the affairs of the Wall family.


    As she exited the building, Samuel opened the door to the backseat of the car waiting in the driveway.


    He couldn¡¯t help but admire Sadie as he looked at her.


    After Noah fell into aa, she had transformed into someonepletely different.


    She managed to stabilize the turmoil threatening Wall Group with straightforward and decisive tactics. Then, she systematically dealt with the predators circling thepany, searching for a weak link to infiltrate. She had also subdued Sutton and Briley effortlessly, and now, they no longer dared to cause any trouble.


    The once sheltered young woman had be a formidable force in the business world.


    Yet behind her strong exterior, there were untold sorrows and heartaches¡ªchallenges that only Samuel had witnessed firsthand.


    Sadie, of course, was oblivious to Samuel¡¯s thoughts.


    She settled into the car and immediately opened her schedule. ¡°Has the marketing departmentpleted the preliminary selection for the overseas partnerpanies?¡±


    Samuel nodded in response.


    ¡°The marketing department has selected the Burgess family. They have rapidly developed over the past couple of years and are now one of the top families in Zupren. They¡¯ve emerged as an unexpected contender on the international scene, and sources say they are now on par with the Wall Group.¡±


    Sadie wasn¡¯t surprised to hear this.


    She had already heard of the Burgess family three years ago. Back then, they were on the brink of copse, struggling with overwhelming debts and an unrelenting swarm of creditors. Yet, in just three short years, the Burgess family managed to make aeback and even rise to join the elite.


    Discover more g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv???s


    They must have employed unconventional strategies to achieve such an aplishment.


    ¡°Coyle and Sutton seem to be in frequent contact with the current chairman of the Burgess Group, Patrick Noel,¡± Samuel continued. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that he is the husband of the Burgess family¡¯s heiress. But this Mr. Noel is very mysterious. There¡¯s no public information about him, not even a single photograph.¡±


    Sadie furrowed her brows slightly at that and tapped her finger on her knee.


    After a moment¡¯s consideration, she instructed, ¡°Arrange a meeting with Mr. Noel for me. In our line of work, it¡¯s always better to have more friends than enemies.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Ms. Hudson. I¡¯ll make the appointment right away.¡±


    Just minutester, the car pulled over in front of thepany.


    Instead of getting out, Samuel hesitated for a moment and then said, ¡°Ms. Hudson, the people we sent to Rosewood Hospital have reported back. Still no news.¡±


    Sadie seemed to fall into a daze for a brief moment but quickly regained herposure with a sharp intake of breath.


    She said nothing in response to Samuel¡¯s words, simply opened the door and entered thepany building.


    Tina approached Sadie as soon as thetter came into view. ¡°Ms. Hudson, the detective just delivered two sets of documents. They¡¯re already in your office.¡±


    Sadie nodded without breaking her stride. ¡°Briley still hasn¡¯te to thepany?¡±


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 Chapter 646

    ?Chapter 646:


    Tina nodded as she jogged to keep up with her. ¡°That¡¯s right. Briley hasn¡¯te in today.¡±


    Sadie finally slowed her pace. ¡°Notify the HR department that Briley is fired. Tell them to make apany-wide announcement to inform everyone.¡±


    Tina was visibly taken aback, but she wasn¡¯t one to question her boss. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll get right to it.¡±


    Once inside her office, Sadie sat behind her desk and picked up the documents sent by the detective. She spent the next half hour reviewing them.


    They contained information on the Burgess Group and its chairman, Patrick Noel.


    Much to Sadie¡¯s dismay, the information she received was limited, with only a few notes about this Patrick guy.


    Mysterious, low-key, and highly skilled.


    That was how he was evaluated by the detective she had hired. By the time Sadie finished reading everything, her brows were knitted into a tight frown.


    Whoever that man was, he really was mysterious to an excessive extent. Even the country¡¯s top detective couldn¡¯t find any useful information about his background.


    It looked like he would be more challenging to deal with than Sadie had initially anticipated.


    Still, the more elusive he was, the more determined she was to meet him.


    After finishing the day¡¯s work, Sadie clocked off and drove to Wall Manor.


    No sooner had she walked through the foyer than a small figure barreled into her.


    ¡°Mommy!¡±


    After three years, Averi had grown quite a bit. His baby fat had tapered into more refined features, and he looked more and more like Noah with each passing day.


    Sitting on the sofa, Isabel smiled and waved Sadie over. ¡°Come here, Sadie. Averi missed you so much.¡±


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    Sadie picked up her son and carried him into the living room, a rare smile gracing her face.


    ¡°Did you behave, Averi? Did you follow everything Grandma said?¡± Averi clung to his mother¡¯s neck and nodded vigorously. ¡°Yes! I always listen to Grandma¡¯s words.¡±


    Isabel¡¯s expression grew tender as she watched mother and son.


    Her attitude toward Sadie had changed drastically over the past three years. She used to dislike her daughter-inw, but now, she treated Sadie like her own biological daughter. After what happened to Noah, Isabel had pinned all her hopes on Sadie and Averi.


    Dinner was prepared by Isabel herself. The family sat around the dining table, enjoying a cozy and harmonious meal. They were still eating when a servant rushed in.


    ¡°Mrs. Wall, Mr. Coyle Wall and Mr. Sutton Wall have arrived.¡±


    He had barely finished speaking when Coyle and Sutton stormed in with a group of bodyguards. Isabel¡¯s smile vanished instantly. She mmed her utensils onto the table and demanded, ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing in my home? Do you think Wall Manor is a shelter for the homeless now?¡±


    Sadie met Gabriel¡¯s eyes and gave him a silent signal. Gabriel wasted no time and quietly whisked Averi upstairs. Sadie rose from her seat and walked to Isabel¡¯s side.


    ¡°Isabel,¡± she said softly, touching the older woman¡¯s arm. ¡°Don¡¯t get worked up. You¡¯ll make yourself ill with anger.¡±


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 Chapter 647

    ?Chapter 647:


    Isabel sneered, but she reached up to squeeze Sadie¡¯s hand. ¡°Just take a look at these two bastards!¡±


    Coyle¡¯s smile froze, and a flicker of malice crossed his eyes.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think you¡¯re being too harsh, Isabel? We are family, after all. Surely, we can have a civil conversation. There¡¯s no need to make a scene. It won¡¯t do any of us any good.¡±


    Isabel huffed. ¡°Family? A civil conversation? Please, it sounds even more ridiculousing from your mouth!¡±


    Isabel was direct, giving Coyle no room to save face. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for your injured leg, I would have had you thrown out long ago! Your mother, that shameless homewrecker, got Nigel¡¯s wife killed and tried to poison Nigel into removing Noah¡¯s father from his position as chairman! You deserved to get your leg broken and be banished from the country! How dare you barge into Wall Manor as if you own the ce? It looks like you¡¯ve forgotten the painful lessons from your past!¡±


    Sadie was unaware of this. All she knew was that years ago, Coyle had used unscrupulous methods in an attempt to take control of thepany, which led to Nigel breaking his leg and sending him abroad. She never realized that there was so much more to that story. Coyle was even more insidious and cunning than she had imagined.


    Isabel was still letting out a string of expletives, her anger growing with every word she said.


    ¡°Someone! Throw these shameless people out!¡±


    Coyle¡¯s face darkened, and he finally dropped all pretense.


    ¡°Isabel, whatever grudges existed between the elders have nothing to do with our generation. Why take them out on us?¡±


    Sutton was more blunt than his father. Shoving aside the approaching servants, he stepped forward and demanded in a harsh tone,


    ¡°You old hag, have you no sense of propriety? My father was speaking to you politely; don¡¯t take his courtesy for granted!¡±


    I/t?$+ ?h?pt?r? ?? g????v¨º??.c?m


    With that, the entire situation descended into chaos.


    Before things escted further, Sadie mmed her palm against the table, startling everyone into silence. All heads turned in her direction. Sadie¡¯s gaze was icy as she swept it over Coyle and Sutton.


    ¡°Coyle, Sutton, this is Wall Manor. It¡¯s not a ce for your dirty, petty antics. Take your people and leave immediately!¡±


    Although her voice wasn¡¯t particrly loud, it carried absolute authority. Right on cue, Samuel came into the living room with a team of bodyguards and surrounded Coyle and his men.


    Sadie turned to Isabel, her voice softening.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of this. You should head up and rest.¡±


    A servant instantly stepped forward and helped Isabel upstairs. When Sadie looked back at Coyle and Sutton, her eyes were cold and indifferent again.


    ¡°I¡¯ll say this onest time, Coyle. Take your men and leave Wall Manor.¡±


    Needless to say, Sutton was enraged by her attitude. They had tolerated her for three years, and their patience had worn thin. He pointed a finger at Sadie and yelled,


    ¡°You wretch! Who do you think you are? This is Wall Manor, not a ce for an outsider like you to act out!¡±


    Sadie¡¯s eyes narrowed, her gaze turning sharp as a de.


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 Chapter 648

    ?Chapter 648:


    ¡°An outsider?¡± she scoffed, her tone dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Have you forgotten who holds the power in Wall Group right now? Who is preserving thest bit of dignity for your branch of the family?¡±


    Sutton fell into silence at that, his face turning sour. He wanted to retort, of course, but found that there was nothing he could say.


    Sadie couldn¡¯t be bothered to waste any more of her time on them. She nced at Samuel and said, ¡°Escort them out. Drag them if necessary.¡±


    Samuel gave a brisk nod in response and signaled to the bodyguards to take action.


    Seeing this, Sutton grew even more incensed. He opened his mouth, no doubt to let out another rant.


    ¡°Sutton,¡± Sadie interrupted before he could utter a single word. ¡°It would do you some good to watch your mouth. Consider this a warning. If you dare speak to me with such disrespect again, I promise you, there will be consequences.¡±


    But he remained defiant.


    ¡°You bitch! Don¡¯t get too cocky! You think bing the chairman changes anything? I¡¯m telling you right now, the Wall Group will never be yours!¡±


    Sadie just stared at him, her heart calm and steady. These were nothing more than empty threats to her, and she didn¡¯t care in the slightest.


    ¡°Is that so?¡± she asked lightly¡ªdismissively. ¡°Go ahead and try, then.¡±


    By that point, Sutton¡¯s face was red with rage.


    ¡°Fine, Sadie! Remember, you asked for it!¡± He spoke through gritted teeth, but there was a new determination in his gaze, as though he had made a significant decision.


    Sensing that his son was about to act rashly, Coyle rushed to intervene.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough, Sutton!¡±


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    ¡°Did you hear what she just said, Dad? She doesn¡¯t respect our family at all!¡±


    Coyle sullenly red at his son, silently ordering him to stop talking. As much as he hated it, Sutton obediently shut his mouth and lowered his head.


    Coyle tried to look pained as he turned back to Sadie.


    ¡°Sadie, I know you are not satisfied with our branch. But if there are any misunderstandings, I¡¯m sure we can talk them out. Why blow things out of proportion and back us into a corner?¡±


    Sadie almostughed at thatst part. This particr family really had a talent for ying the victims. Wasn¡¯t it them who had been scheming and plotting against her at every turn?


    Unfortunately for Coyle, Sadie had already seen through his facade. She knew exactly what he was like¡ªhypocritical, insidious, and opportunistic. He would say anything and do anything to achieve his goals.


    Arguing with him would only be a waste of time and energy.


    ¡°You didn¡¯te all the way to Wall Manor just to question me about this, did you, Coyle?¡± Sadie cut straight to the point.


    Coyle¡¯s face stiffened, and his eyes flickered for a brief second.


    Since Sadie had more or less seen through his act, Coyle saw no reason to continue with the pretense.


    ¡°You¡¯re quite straightforward, aren¡¯t you?¡± he said with a light chuckle.


    ¡°Well, now that it¡¯se to this, I¡¯ll stop beating around the bush. What are you nning to do about Briley?¡±


    As expected, Coyle and Sutton had stormed over because of Briley¡¯s dismissal.


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 Chapter 649

    ?Chapter 649:


    Sadie smirked to herself.


    She had anticipated their reaction to Briley¡¯s firing, but she hadn¡¯t expected them to confront her so quickly, within a single day.


    Sadie exchanged a knowing nce with Samuel.


    Understanding the message, Samuel grabbed a folder from one of the bodyguards and tossed it onto the floor in front of Coyle.


    ¡°See for yourself,¡± Samuel said with obvious disdain.


    It was Sutton who bent down, grabbed the folder, and flipped through the documents inside. His expression grew increasingly grim as he read, and soon his eyes widened with shock.


    The documents contained all the information a private detective agency had uncovered about Briley. There were numerous photos, written records, and even a hospital report.


    The photos showed Briley frequenting nightclubs, living recklessly, and getting intimate with various men. Some of the photos were quite explicit.


    The written records detailed her regr activities¡ªwho she met and where she went. Every move was meticulously documented.


    Then there was the hospital report, which revealed that Briley had recently undergone an abortion.


    The more Sutton read, the more horrified he became. He couldn¡¯t believe his sister was leading such a reckless life behind the scenes. She had even had an abortion!


    These revtions shattered the image he had of Briley.


    ¡°What does this mean? Did you actually have someone investigate my sister?¡±


    Sadie scoffed. ¡°Do you honestly think you¡¯re in a position to question my actions, Sutton? Briley hasn¡¯t shown up at thepany for a week. As her boss, I am well within my rights to investigate her whereabouts. Or are you suggesting that you and your family can simply disregard thepany rules ande and go as you please?¡±


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    Sutton was at a loss for words. It was indeed wrong for Briley not to show up at thepany, but he couldn¡¯t bring himself to ept the consequences that followed.


    ¡°She might be wrong to skip work, but that doesn¡¯t mean you can just pry into her private affairs! You¡¯re not fooling anyone, Sadie. I know you deliberately did this to drive her out of thepany! You¡¯ve publicized this to the entirepany. How could Briley face anyone now? You ruined her reputation!¡±


    Coyle had also read the contents of the documents. He wasn¡¯t as agitated as Sutton, but his expression turned unpleasant. The photos of his daughter were particrly humiliating, and seeing her in such a state felt like a physical blow to his chest. Even so, he knew he needed to maintain hisposure¡ªfor now.


    Coyle heaved a deep, regretful sigh. ¡°Sadie, I know you¡¯ve had misunderstandings with Briley, but she is still young and naive. She is bound to make mistakes here and there. Why do you have to be so ruthless and ruin her future?¡±


    Sadie looked him up and down, her disgust clear on her face. Even now, the old fox was pretending to be a concerned and benevolent father. The hypocrisy of this family was truly something to behold.


    ¡°Misunderstandings?¡± she repeated in a mocking tone. She gestured at the documents now in Coyle¡¯s hands. ¡°Do you see those as mere misunderstandings, Coyle? I¡¯ll say it onest time¡ªBriley is fired from Wall Group. From today onwards, she is no longer an employee, and is in no way connected to thepany. Feel free to take this up with the board if you like. I don¡¯t mind presenting those documents as grounds for her termination, so everyone can see what kind of person your precious daughter really is!¡±


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 Chapter 650

    ?Chapter 650:


    Sadie then turned to Samuel. ¡°Show them out. And make sure to tighten the security around Wall Manor starting today. If you see any trespassers, throw them out! Consequences be damned.¡±


    The veins on Sutton¡¯s throat and forehead bulged when he heard that. This woman was truly infuriating!


    Coyle and Sutton were already in the car, but they still couldn¡¯t let the matter go.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t we going to do something, Dad? Are we just going to let Briley suffer like this?¡± Sutton grumbled. Sadie was bing more and more irritating, making their lives increasingly unbearable.


    Coyle¡¯s pent-up anger suddenly surged inside him, and with one swift motion, he pped Sutton so hard it knocked his head to the side.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention your sister again!¡± Coyle thundered. ¡°All of this is her fault!¡±


    Sutton cupped his swelling cheek and stared at his father in disbelief. Coyle¡¯s chest was heaving, and his face was a mask of pure rage. If it weren¡¯t for Briley¡¯s foolishness, things wouldn¡¯t have escted to this point.


    Coyle¡¯s hands balled into fists on hisp. ¡°Go find your sister, and bring her back to me!¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Sutton replied through gritted teeth.


    Once his men found Briley at the Night Owl Bar, Sutton rushed over. The bar was lively, with bright lights and loud music ring across the room.


    When the manager saw Sutton step through the door, he immediately paled. He hurried over, bowing incessantly as he said, ¡°Mr. Wall, it¡¯s an honor having you here. What brings you to our humble establishment?¡±


    Sutton swept a gaze over the group of people on the dance floor. ¡°Tell everyone to leave,¡± he ordered.


    The manager froze, thinking he had misheard.


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    ¡°Tell everyone to leave?¡± This was peak business hours for the bar. If he asked the customers to leave, their books would suffer significant losses.


    When the manager didn¡¯t move, Sutton scowled and snapped, ¡°Did you not hear what I just said?¡± His voice was cold andmanding.


    The manager shuddered in fright before bobbing his head in earnest. ¡°Yes, yes, of course. I¡¯ll handle it right away.¡± If he defied Sutton, he might as well close his bar down for good.


    The manager scampered off and made the necessary arrangements. The patrons were naturally displeased, but when they spotted the ck-d bodyguards nking Sutton near the entrance, they kept their heads down and left withoutint.


    Before long, the bar was nearly empty.


    Sutton found his sister locked in a sloppy kiss with a slick-looking man in the far corner of the bar. Briley was so drunk that her vision was blurry, and she waspletely unaware of the shift in the bar¡¯s atmosphere.


    Sutton stormed over and pulled them apart. The man was almost knocked to the floor. He shot to his feet, about to curse his assant, but when he recognized Sutton, his nerve evaporated. He awkwardly scooted to the other end of the booth.


    As for Briley, she was stunned but still very much under the haze of alcohol. ¡°Who dares to interrupt my¡­¡± she mumbled angrily, only trailing off when she saw Sutton standing before her. It was like a bucket of cold water had been thrown over her, sobering her up a bit. ¡°Sutton,¡± Briley mumbled, averting her gaze.


    Sutton¡¯s face was grim as he caught her wrist in a tight grip. ¡°You¡¯reing home with me!¡±


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 Chapter 651

    ?Chapter 651:


    He forcefully dragged her out, paying no mind to her stumbling behind him. To her credit, Briley knew she was in real trouble this time, so she wisely shut her mouth.


    It was midnight when they arrived at Riverside Vi, their family residence. Coyle was waiting for them in the living room, his expression dark and ominous as he sat on the sofa, arms crossed over his chest. He nced up at the sound of the door opening and red at his daughter.


    Briley felt a chill race down her spine. She lowered her head, like a child caught misbehaving.


    Sutton had briefed her on the recent events during their ride home. A ball of dread had formed in the pit of Briley¡¯s stomach, and the more she listened, the clearer it became how badly she had messed up. Now, facing her father, she felt even more flustered and lost.


    Coyle seethed as he studied his disappointing daughter. He raised his hand, intending to p Briley across the face, but he stopped when he noticed her trembling.


    In the end, he lowered his hand and sighed in defeat.


    ¡°You worthless fool!¡± he berated, unable to stop himself.


    Sutton sighed as well, but his anger had cooled since earlier.


    ¡°Now isn¡¯t the time, Dad. We need to think about what to do next.¡±


    Coyle threw his hands in the air in frustration. ¡°What can we do? That vicious bitch is determined to destroy us. It¡¯s only a matter of time before she takesplete control over the Wall Group.¡±


    Sutton fell silent. He knew all too well that the circumstances were not in their favor. But he refused to just sit back and watch as Sadie slowly took over their family business.


    An idea suddenly urred to him, and Sutton¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Dad, maybe we still have a chance.¡±


    Coyle frowned. ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


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    Sutton¡¯s lips curled into a devious smile. ¡°Alex.¡±


    Coyle was confused at first, but as his mind slowly caught on, his eyes glinted with excitement. ¡°You mean, a marriage alliance?¡±


    ¡°Exactly.¡± Sutton nodded. ¡°If we can secure a marriage between Briley and Alex, we can use his power and influence to strengthen our position in thepany. That way, no matter how arrogant Sadie gets, she won¡¯t be able to touch us.¡±


    Coyle¡¯s eyes flickered. It was a tempting prospect, but he wasn¡¯t entirely convinced yet. ¡°Will Alex agree? The Howe family is among the elite, after all. As a branch of the Wall family, Coyle and his children might be considered prominent in some circles, but they were still several levels below the Howe family.¡±


    A confident smile broke across Sutton¡¯s face. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that, Dad.¡±


    ¡°Leave it to me. I will make sure Alex agrees.¡± Then Sutton turned to Briley and said, ¡°I¡¯m counting on you to make this work, Briley.¡±


    Her head jerked up, and she stared at him in surprise and bewilderment. She wasn¡¯t expecting the conversation to suddenly shift in her direction. ¡°Me?¡± she squeaked.


    Sutton¡¯s tone was firm. ¡°Yes, you. You need to find a way to make Alex fall for you. If you manage to marry him, our family will have a shot at turning things around.¡±


    ¡°Briley,¡± Coyle chimed in eagerly, ¡°this is for the good of the family. Once you marry Alex, everything the Wall family has will be yours.¡±


    Briley frowned and bit her lower lip, but she eventually nodded. ¡°I understand. I will do my best.¡±


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 Chapter 652

    ?Chapter 652:


    Sutton pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to her. ¡°That¡¯s Alex¡¯s itinerary for the next week. Make sure you study it, then find a way to get close to him. Remember, we can¡¯t afford any mistakes this time!¡±


    Briley did just that, memorizing the schedule like it was the Bible. It wasn¡¯t that hard, really, since winning a man¡¯s heart was a skill she had long since mastered.


    Meanwhile, Sadie returned to Myrtlewood Estate.


    After three years, the once bustling property was now eerily silent. Breck approached as soon as she walked through the door. ¡°Good evening. Would you like us to cook something for you?¡± He assumed that she was going to workte again.


    Sadie paused for a moment, then nodded. ¡°Just something light, please. Thank you.¡±


    She changed into her house slippers and went upstairs to her study.


    She had barely sat behind her desk when her phone rang.


    It was Alex. ¡°Sadie, I¡¯ve booked a restaurant. Shall we have a meal together tomorrow?¡±


    He sounded so expectant on the line. Sadie¡¯s first instinct was to decline, but he quickly added, ¡°Oh, and I¡¯ve found another specialist known to be an expert in treatingatose patients.¡±


    The mention of this specialist made her pause, and after mulling it over, she finally agreed. ¡°Alright.¡±


    Alex had been helping her thesest three years, looking for experts and sending them one after another to Rosewood Hospital.


    Although the results were always disappointing, she was still very grateful to him.


    ¡°Great! See you tomorrow at lunch?¡±


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    ¡°Sure thing.¡±


    Sadie hung up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, her eyes distant and dazed. After three whole years, Noah still hadn¡¯t woken up. But she needed to be strong; she had to keep the Wall Group afloat while he was gone.


    When noon rolled around the next day, Sadie gathered her purse and went to the restaurant Alex had booked. It was a cozy establishment with an unmistakably romantic vibe. Not that Sadie had any interest in that sort of thing. Her eyes immediately went to the man sitting by the window.


    Today, he wore a cream-colored suit, looking elegant and refined. Beside him was a middle-aged man, presumably the specialist he had mentioned the previous night.


    Alex noticed Sadie as she drew nearer. He smiled and waved at her. The middle-aged man stood up when she reached the table and extended his hand to Sadie.


    ¡°Ms. Hudson, this is Quinton Ross,¡± Alex introduced with a pleasant smile. ¡°You can call him Dr. Ross. He¡¯s the one I told you about.¡±


    ¡°Please have a seat, Ms. Hudson,¡± Quinton said politely. He gestured to one of the empty chairs, and Sadie took the one opposite Alex.


    ¡°Thank you for giving us your time, Dr. Ross.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no trouble,¡± Quinton replied with a wave of his hand, then began speaking at length. He discussed various cases ofatose patients and medical theories. He did sound very knowledgeable in the area.


    Sadie listened quietly, nodding every now and then. When Quinton was finally done, she said, ¡°Thank you for your efforts, Dr. Ross.¡±


    It was then that Alex cast a pointed nce at Quinton. In response, he gave Alex a subtle nod.


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 Chapter 653

    ?Chapter 653:


    ¡°Oh dear, I¡¯m getting forgetful in my age!¡± Quinton suddenly eximed. ¡°I have a meeting this afternoon. I need to hurry over there before it starts.¡±


    He stood up to leave.


    ¡°I¡¯m terribly sorry about this, Ms. Hudson, Mr. Howe. But I¡¯m afraid I must go.¡±


    ¡°Take care, Dr. Ross,¡± Alex said nonchntly, standing up as well to see him off.


    A momentter, Sadie and Alex were left alone. The air between them was suddenly charged, and a love song started ying in the background. They suddenly looked like they were dating.


    Sadie felt a wave of unease and tried to look for a graceful exit. But Alex suddenly reached across the table and took her hand.


    ¡°Sadie.¡±


    Sadie stiffened at the contact.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Alex continued, his expression sheepish and apologetic. ¡°I didn¡¯t realize the restaurant¡¯s vibe before booking it.¡± He feigned ignorance.


    Sadie quietly withdrew her hand. ¡°I¡¯m very grateful to you for all your help these past three years, Mr. Howe. As for everything else¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Alex¡¯s smile froze for a few seconds, but he quickly regained hisposure. ¡°It¡¯s all right, no worries at all,¡± he said with a light-hearted tone. ¡°We can still share a meal, can¡¯t we? As friends?¡±


    Sadie finally allowed herself to rx.


    Before long, their table wasden with ssic dishes. Alex, ever the gentleman, offered to cut Sadie¡¯s steak for her. ¡°Is there still no news from Rosewood Hospital?¡± he asked, his tone concerned.


    Sadie shook her head. Three years, and there was still no news whatsoever. Noah seemed to have vanished into thin air.


    Alex carefully put the te of steak in front of her. ¡°Don¡¯t lose hope. We¡¯ll see him eventually.¡±


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    Sadie mustered a weak smile and thanked him.


    Unbeknownst to the two, a pair of eyes was watching them from the shadows.


    Briley was hiding behind a nearby pir, nibbling on her thumb as she watched Alex and Sadie. That faint, demure smile on Sadie¡¯s face drove Briley mad with jealousy.


    Who gave her the right to dine with Alex and smile at him like that? Briley gnashed her teeth together as a wave of resentment surged in her heart.


    Sadie was openly flirting with Alex! Just how shameless could she get? The fact that they looked like a perfect match only angered Briley even more.


    She hade here to try her luck and see if she would happen to run into Alex. Well, she did. The problem was, Alex was with Sadie!


    The more Briley thought about it, the more she hated Sadie.


    Meanwhile, Sadie had very little appetite, and after a few bites, she spent the rest of the meal pushing her food around on her te. Alex, on the other hand, was very talkative. He never failed to find a new topic to discuss. But even his enthusiasm had no effect on Sadie. She just smiled politely and gave him short responses every now and then.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to the restroom.¡±


    ¡°All right. I¡¯ll wait for you here.¡±


    Alex stood up to watch Sadie leave, his brows slightly furrowed. In the distance, Briley saw Sadie walk away and knew her chance hade. She adjusted her expression and pretended to act casual as she walked toward Alex.


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 Chapter 654

    ?Chapter 654:


    ¡°Oops!¡± Briley suddenly cried out, stumbling over a nonexistent object.


    ¡°Careful!¡± Alex reacted quickly, reaching out to steady her before she fell to the floor.


    Briley took advantage of the opportunity and practically threw herself into his arms. ¡°Thank you, sir,¡± she said in a soft voice.


    Alex frowned slightly as he helped her stand up straight and took a few steps back, putting some distance between them. ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    Briley looked up at him, her eyes widening as if she had only just recognized him. ¡°Oh! Mr. Howe.¡± Although she acted surprised, she couldn¡¯t seem to help the way her eyes glinted with delight. ¡°What brings you here?¡±


    Alex narrowed his gaze, and his tone was more aloof when he asked, ¡°Who might you be, Miss?¡±


    The question made Briley bristle. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you¡¯ve forgotten about me, Mr. Howe. We met at a charity g. I offered a toast to you, and you evenplimented me on my looks.¡±


    At this point, Alex was scowling, and he made no attempt to hide his impatience.


    ¡°I apologize. I have other things to attend to, so I¡¯ll be leaving now.¡± With that, he turned to leave, but Briley called out to him yet again.


    ¡°Mr. Howe, thank you so much for earlier.¡±


    She bit her lip and decided to take a chance. ¡°To express my gratitude, I¡¯d like to ask you out for dinner tonight.¡±


    Alex stopped in his tracks and nced back at Briley. ¡°There¡¯s no need. It was a small thing.¡± His rejection was short but firm, and his tone was chilly. It left her no room for negotiation.


    Briley¡¯s expression soured. She wasn¡¯t expecting him to reject her advances so sinctly. But she wasn¡¯t about to give up just yet.


    Before Briley could say anything else, however, the door to the restroom opened. Sadie walked out, only to stop short at the scene before her.


    New content avable g?ln¦Ò¦Íe??s


    Briley had been missing for a week. What was she doing here?


    Briley also noticed Sadie¡¯s presence. She acted quickly, rushing to Alex¡¯s side with a helpless look on her face.


    ¡°Oh, Sadie. You¡¯re here, too?¡± Briley asked with feigned surprise. ¡°I was just thanking Mr. Howe. He saved me from a fall just now.¡± Her tone was sickly sweet, and undeniably flirtatious. ¡°I¡¯ve heard you and Mr. Howe are acquainted, but I didn¡¯t realize you were this close.¡± Her implication was that there was more to Sadie and Alex¡¯s rtionship than met the eye.


    Sadie cocked her head to the side and shot Briley a look of disdain. ¡°Yes, we are close. Unlike you, I¡¯ve known Mr. Howe for a long time,¡± she replied. ¡°Mr. Howe and I are just friends. You, on the other hand¡­¡±


    Sadie¡¯s gaze was sharp as she sized Briley up.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been missing for days. I thought you found a new boyfriend and forgot your way home. So what happened? Did you get tired of him? Is that why you suddenly showed up again?¡±


    She was ruthless, exposing Briley¡¯s true nature without giving thetter any room to make excuses.


    Briley was visibly taken aback. Her cheeks and ears flushed red. She wanted to retort, but she wasn¡¯t sure how to counter Sadie¡¯s usation.


    Alex stood and watched the exchange, feeling a warm joy at seeing Sadie protect him. Then he quietly moved to Sadie¡¯s side until they were shoulder to shoulder.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± he said in a gentle tone.


    .


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    .

 Chapter 655

    ?Chapter 655:


    Sadie nodded, and they left the restaurant without sparing Briley another nce.


    Briley could only stamp her foot in frustration. ¡°Damn that bitch! Always calling me out and exposing me to other people!¡± she cursed through gritted teeth.


    Briley had heard rumors about Alex¡¯s supposed affection for Sadie. It seemed that those rumors were indeed true. Otherwise, why would he be so considerate toward Sadie, yet dismissive of her?


    Briley¡¯s chest heaved with indignation.


    ¡°It would be best if you keep your distance from Briley,¡± Sadie warned Alex as they stepped out of the restaurant. She had a feeling that Briley¡¯s sudden appearance wasn¡¯t as simple as it seemed.


    ¡°Are you jealous?¡± Alex asked, the ghost of a smile dancing on his lips. He presumed that Sadie was upset because he had helped Briley.


    ¡°Of course not,¡± Sadie replied, casting him a cool nce.


    ¡°I helped her out of reflex,¡± Alex quickly exined. ¡°I had no idea who she was. Don¡¯t worry, it won¡¯t happen again. I promise to steer clear of her from now on.¡± He raised his right hand as though he was swearing an oath.


    Sadie just nodded and said nothing more,pletely ignoring Alex¡¯s obvious joy.


    ¡°Shall I drive you back to the office?¡± he offered.


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary. I have other things to take care of. Let¡¯s part ways here.¡± Sadie didn¡¯t even wait for Alex to respond and got into the car parked by the road.


    Alex watched as the sports car sped away, a trace of disappointment flickering in his eyes.


    Momentster, Sadie was back at thepany.


    Samuel was upon her as soon as she entered her office. ¡°Ms. Hudson, Burgess Group has responded. Mr. Noel is willing to meet with you. The appointment is set for next Wednesday.¡±


    Keep reading at g¦Ál¦Çovels?c©–m


    Sadie nodded absentmindedly. ¡°In that case, please arrange the trip to Zupren.¡±


    ¡°Ah,¡± Samuel eximed. His tone was cautious when he continued, ¡°Well, as it happens, Mr. Noel is returning to the country next Tuesday.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯sing back?¡± Sadie was slightly surprised by this news, but she didn¡¯t dwell on it. ¡°Then make sure we give him a proper reception.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Samuel replied before going about making the necessary preparations.


    That afternoon, Sadie went down to the second floor. In order to better manage her work, she had integrated her studio into the Wall Group and turned the entire second floor into a massive design department. She had also promoted Nte to supervisor.


    Nte greeted her at the elevator banks. ¡°Ms. Hudson, the initial draft has been sent over,¡± she reported with a sigh of relief. ¡°Miss Travis is very satisfied. We can start with the final product.¡±


    Sadie nodded her approval.


    Nigel¡¯s death and Noah¡¯sa had urred back to back, which caused Zoe¡¯s wedding to be dyed. Now, three yearster, the wedding was finally back on the table. Sadie walked over to her workstation.


    She blocked all external distractions and focused on the draft in front of her. As her fingers brushed the cold drawing board, her mind gradually calmed.


    She had devoted thest three years to her work. It was the only way she could forget the painful memories and find a sense of purpose in life.


    .


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 Chapter 656

    ?Chapter 656:


    Before she knew it, dusk had fallen. She stretched her arms, ready to call it a day. She rubbed her weary eyes and gathered her belongings,pletely unaware of a hidden camera secretly aimed at her. The person in the shadows snapped a few quick photos and sneaked out of the design department.


    Retreating into the fire exit, hepiled the pictures he had taken and sent them to Hailey.


    At a vi in the suburbs, Hailey nced at the photo on her screen before turning her gaze to the distinguished man a few feet away. As always, Noah exuded an intimidating aura.


    Hailey walked over and sat down next to him, casually cing her hand in his. Noah¡¯s reaction was subtle yet immediate, moving his hand to dodge her touch.


    Hailey noticed, of course, but she didn¡¯t get upset. Instead, she handed him her phone.


    ¡°Look, Noah. This is Sadie Hudson, the granddaughter of Absolon Stewart and the current president of Wall Group.¡±


    Noah stared at the photo and was momentarily lost in his thoughts. The woman on the screen looked focused on her work but weary at the same time. Despite this, he couldn¡¯t deny the unique charisma she carried herself with. More to the point, he felt a sense of familiarity toward her, even though he couldn¡¯t recall where he had seen her before.


    Hailey silently observed the shift in his expression.


    ¡°If it hadn¡¯t been for this woman, you wouldn¡¯t have gotten into a car ident three years ago and fallen into aa. She wouldn¡¯t have seeded in taking all your shares.¡± She leaned close and added, ¡°But don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll be by your side, no matter what happens.¡±


    Noah locked the phone screen and tossed it aside with a humorlessugh.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been saying that for three years now.¡±


    L?t?st ch¦Ápt?rs in g??lnovels.??????


    He knew very well what Hailey was trying to convey. He knew what he needed to do.


    Hailey stiffened at his words. ¡°I¡¯m just concerned for you,¡± she said, sounding aggrieved.


    Noah pressed his fingers against his temples. ¡°It¡¯s gettingte,¡± he said in an indifferent tone. ¡°I¡¯d like to rest early.¡±


    Before Hailey could respond, he stood up and went upstairs.


    She sighed as she watched him go. Thanks to Noah, the Burgess Group had risen from the brink of bankruptcy. She was also able to utilize many of Wall Group¡¯s overseas resources, making her act of saving him quite worthwhile.


    In the past three years, Hailey hade to realize that Noah was a far better catch than Sutton. If he returned to the country and regained control of Wall Group, the Burgess Group would surely soar to even greater heights.


    Hailey had done her homework, investigating everything there was to know about Noah. She ultimately concluded that Sadie posed a constant threat to her ns.


    To counter that, Hailey had meticulously painted Sadie as an adversary in Noah¡¯s eyes, using his distorted memory to her advantage. Gradually, Noah had grown topletely despise Sadie.


    But to keep him for good, the best solution would be to have a child with him. Unfortunately for Hailey, Noah had never touched her in thest three years.


    What else could she do?


    Shey back on the sofa, feeling restless, when her phone rang. It was Sutton.


    Hailey¡¯s lips curled into a sly smile. ¡°Sutton,¡± she greeted yfully. ¡°To what do I owe this pleasure? Are you missing your old me?¡±


    .


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 Chapter 657

    ?Chapter 657:


    Sutton didn¡¯t mince his words. ¡°Let¡¯s meet up. I know you and Patrick returned to the country ahead of schedule.¡±


    Hailey was stunned to hear that, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing he had caught her off-guard. ¡°I must say, your intel is quite efficient.¡±


    ¡°What? Are you scared I would attack you or something?¡± Sutton chuckled. ¡°Rx. I just want to catch up with an old friend.¡±


    Hailey took a moment to consider it before eventually agreeing. ¡°Where?¡±


    ¡°Coastal Luxe.¡±


    Hailey hung up and threw a nce at the staircase. Noah had been busy in the past few days, relentlessly digging into Sadie¡¯s background.


    He looked just as tired as she had on the photo as he sat at his desk. Countless documents containing information on Sadie were scattered in front of him.


    Noah had lost count of the number of times he had gone over them. Even so, his instincts told him that there was more he needed to know. A part of his mind seemed to be shrouded in a thick fog, and whenever he tried to probe into it, his head would immediately get a dull ache. He was supposed to meet Sadie on Wednesday. He had to understand his opponent fully before then.


    Half an hourter, at Coastal Luxe.


    A pair of arms snaked around Hailey¡¯s waist as soon as she entered the room Sutton had booked for them. Her body stiffened at the contact.


    ¡°Still so sensitive,¡± Sutton whispered intimately into her ear. Hailey whipped around and pushed him away, causing Sutton tond on the soft bed.


    ¡°What exactly do you want?¡± Hailey asked coldly, her brows furrowing into a frown.


    ¡°Oh,e on. Don¡¯t be so distant,¡± Sutton said as he sat up and tried to reach for her face. ¡°We¡¯ve had good times, haven¡¯t we? We¡¯ve even tried every position in bed.¡±


    Hailey¡¯s expression turned even more aloof. ¡°If you have nothing else to say, I¡¯m leaving.¡±


    Read more at g¦Áln¦Ò¦Í???s


    She turned away, but Sutton grabbed her arm. ¡°Don¡¯t be in such a rush. I wanted to discuss a business deal with you.¡±


    Intrigued, Hailey looked back, her eyebrows raised. ¡°What business deal?¡±


    Sutton moved over to the sofa and gestured for her to join him.


    ¡°A coboration. The Burgess Group can join forces with my family, and once we bring Sadie down, we will split the Wall Group¡¯s assets equally.¡±


    Hailey burst outughing. She walked over to Sutton but didn¡¯t sit. Instead, she stood before him with a defiant glint in her eyes.


    ¡°Sutton, the Burgess Group is no longer what it used to be.¡±


    Undeterred, Sutton embraced her waist again and pulled her closer. ¡°I know the real reason the Burgess Group shifted its business back to the country. But you¡¯ve just returned. You need someone to teach you the ropes around the domestic market. This fifty-fifty split is quite suitable, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    Sutton¡¯s voice carried a seductive persuasion, and Hailey felt swayed. He was right. She and Noah had returned early for the express purpose of observing the local scene and assessing Wall Group¡¯s position. If she managed to get some information out of Sutton first, it would greatly benefit the Burgess Group. As for the division of assets that he was proposing, well, it might now be Sutton¡¯s decision to make in the future.


    Hailey smiled, her tone softening. ¡°You¡¯ve got yourself a deal.¡±


    Sutton shed her a triumphant grin before pushing Hailey down onto the sofa so she was beneath him.


    .


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 Chapter 658

    ?Chapter 658:


    ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± she cried out in rm. ¡°Let go of me!¡±


    When Sutton spoke again, his voice wasced with menace and danger.


    ¡°Did youplete the task I gave you three years ago? Did you make sure that Noah never wakes up?¡±


    Hailey paused and hesitated.


    At the end of the day, she needed what Sutton offered, so she lied to him.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    An idea suddenly urred to her then.


    Since Noah refused to touch her, why didn¡¯t she make use of Sutton instead?


    Coming to a decision right then and there, Hailey wound her arms around Sutton¡¯s neck to initiate a kiss.


    Sutton chuckled smugly.


    ¡°It looks like Patrick hasn¡¯t been satisfying you.¡±


    Then he swooped in to kiss her.


    The air inside the room soon turned thick and heavy.


    In the middle of the night, Hailey quietly slipped out of the bed.


    With only the light of the moon streaming through the windows, she tiptoed to where she had dropped her purse and took out her phone.


    She quicklyposed a message and sent it.


    Sutton was a deeply calcting person, and he was constantly suspicious of the people around him.


    He would eventually discover that Noah was still alive, and when that happened, Hailey knew he would not let her off easily.


    For now, she would just have to take a risk.


    ???l????v??????.c??m brings fresh updates


    Tuesday.


    Sadie had just wrapped up her morning meeting.


    Samuel was supposed to fetch Patrick from the airport, but he returned to thepany with an apologetic look on his face.


    ¡°I thought you went to pick up Mr. Noel,¡± Sadie said when she saw him.


    ¡°I was able to pick up some people from that particr flight, but it turned out to be a team from the Burgess Group. They are likely settling in at their hotel as we speak. As for Mr. Noel and Ms. Burgess, they apparently returned to the countryst Saturday.¡±


    Sadie frowned at that.


    She had dealt with difficult business partners before, but this was the first time she had encountered someone so unpredictable.


    ¡°I suppose it¡¯s fine,¡± she said, not all that concerned. ¡°We¡¯ll see him tomorrow anyway. We can discuss things then.¡±


    Samuel nodded in agreement.


    Sadie continued walking ahead, all while rattling off instructions for Samuel regarding the next day¡¯s schedule.


    Once she was in her office, Sadie settled behind her desk and reached for thendline. She was about to call for a meeting with the marketing department when her personal phone suddenly rang.


    The number shing on her screen was unfamiliar, but it showed that the call wasing from Zupren.


    Sadie¡¯s brows furrowed as she pressed to answer.


    .


    .


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 Chapter 659

    ?Chapter 659:


    ¡°Hello, is this Ms. Sadie Hudson?¡±


    A male voice came through the line, his tone calm yet tinged with regret.


    Sadie instantly felt an overwhelming sense of dread.


    ¡°Yes, this is she. May I know who¡¯s calling?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m calling on behalf of Rosewood Hospital. I¡¯m afraid we need to inform you of Mr. Wall¡¯s situation.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s breath caught in her throat. It felt as though a gigantic hand had mped around her heart and was slowly squeezing it.


    ¡°Did something happen to Noah?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s voice trembled with fear.


    ¡°I¡¯m very sorry, Ms. Hudson. Mr. Wall passed awayst night due to sudden heart failure. We did all we could to save him, but our efforts were in vain. Please ept our deepest condolences.¡±


    Noah had passed away?


    Sadie¡¯s mind went nk, and there was a ringing in her ears.


    How could Noah die, just like that?


    It had only been a few days since she had met with Isabel, who had mentioned that Noah was doing well.


    How could he pass away so suddenly?


    Sadie felt the color drain from her face, and her grip tightened around her phone until her fingers turned white.


    ¡°Samuel, book a flight to Zupren immediately.¡±


    Samuel had overheard most of the conversation, and his expression was just as grave.


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s is full of thrilling adventures


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it right away.¡±


    Then he hurried out of the office without a second to waste.


    Sadie ended the call and tried to stand, but as soon as she did, the room swayed around her.


    She clutched the edge of her desk in a bid to steady herself.


    Her vision was blurred with tears, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.


    She absolutely refused to believe that Noah had left her like this.


    The hospital must have made a mistake. She had to see for herself, to find out what truly happened.


    Her nended in Zupren at four the following morning.


    Sadie disembarked quickly, her face covered with dark, wide sunsses.


    Samuel followed closely behind her.


    They exited the airport and got into a car.


    ¡°My condolences, Ms. Hudson,¡± Samuel said softly.


    Sadie said nothing, her mind still a chaotic mess of thoughts and memories.


    She kept seeing scenes from her first meeting with Noah, and all the moments they had shared¡ªboth the good and the bad.


    They didn¡¯t seem all that long ago.


    And now he was dead?


    No, she refused to believe it.


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 Chapter 660

    Chapter 660:


    It didn¡¯t take long before they were pulling up in front of Rosewood Hospital.


    The entrance was under tight security.


    Sadie and Samuel had to give a lengthy exnation before they were allowed ess to the building.


    Inside, the hallways were silent and almost empty.


    Samuel approached the reception desk and exined their purpose for visiting.


    After verifying their identities, the staff member led them to an office door.


    ¡°Dr. Lopez is waiting for you inside,¡± she said politely before taking her leave.


    Sure enough, a middle-aged doctor in a whiteb coat and gold-rimmed sses was waiting for them on the other side of the door.


    He stood up and extended his hand to Sadie.


    ¡°Hello, Ms. Hudson. My name is Ansel Lopez. I was Mr. Wall¡¯s attending physician here at Rosewood Hospital.¡±


    Sadie shook his hand once.


    ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you, Dr. Lopez. I need to know¡ªwhere is Noah right now?¡±


    Ansel¡¯s expression was a cross between regret and sympathy.


    ¡°I¡¯m very sorry. We did everything we could, but Mr. Wall was ultimately brain-dead, and we couldn¡¯t revive him.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s heart, which had been hanging in suspense all this time, suddenly plummeted into a dark abyss.


    She felt her body grow colder by the second, as if she, too, had died.


    She lunged over the desk and grabbed Ansel¡¯s arm.


    ¡°Where is he?¡± she demanded. ¡°I need to see him!¡±


    Explore captivating tales at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s???o??


    The doctor shook his head.


    ¡°Mr. Wall¡¯s body was sent for cremation this morning. You may collect the ashes in an hour or two.¡±


    Cremated?


    Ashes?


    Sadie was frozen on the spot.


    That was impossible.


    She hadn¡¯t even seen him onest time, hadn¡¯t said her goodbyes.


    How could they cremate him without informing her first?


    Sadie finally broke down.


    Her hands traveled up to clutch Ansel¡¯s cor.


    ¡°How can you cremate him without his family¡¯s approval?¡± she screamed in his face while shaking him. ¡°Liar! I don¡¯t believe a word you just said!¡±


    Tears were streaming down her face, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed and choked on her words.


    Ansel tried to step back, startled by Sadie¡¯s outburst.


    ¡°Please calm down, Ms. Hudson.¡±


    ¡°It was part of the agreement that was signed upon Mr. Wall¡¯s admission¡ªhis body would be cremated immediately after he passed away,¡± Ansel said. ¡°I assure you, it was all in ordance with the hospital¡¯s regtions.¡±


    Agreement?


    Sadie shoved Ansel aside and stumbled out of his office.


    .


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    .<hr>


    Message from Noah: Nice weednesday dear ones! Tomorrow I¡¯m gonna publish two new novels on gal. God loves you and Noah whishes you all the best. (?O?=)? ?


    .

 Chapter 661

    ?Chapter 661:


    She wandered aimlessly down the corridor, her eyes dead and vacant.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe it,¡± she muttered under her breath. ¡°It can¡¯t be true¡­¡±


    Sadie refused to believe that Noah would leave her, just like that.


    She needed to find him. She would search every corner of the world if she had to.


    Meanwhile, Ansel straightened himself and waved at the security guards stationed nearby.


    Without a word, they stepped forward and escorted both Sadie and Samuel out of the hospital.


    Samuel could do nothing more than watch Sadie¡¯s despair unfold before him.


    He was just as devastated, and just as powerless to do anything.


    Just then, his phone rang. It was Tina.


    ¡°Mr. Ford, the people from the Burgess Group will be here at any minute. Where is Ms. Hudson?¡± Tina sounded anxious over the line.


    Samuel nced at the distraught Sadie beside him and let out a heavy sigh.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Tina. I¡¯m afraid today won¡¯t work. Ms. Hudson is currently in Zupren, dealing with a pressing emergency. The meeting will have to be postponed.¡±


    Tina also sighed, though hers was one of resignation.


    She quickly looked for the director of the marketing department and ryed the sudden development.


    The man was visibly taken aback by the news.


    How could Sadie be absent for such an important meeting?


    Left with no choice, the director braced himself and led his team to the building entrance.


    A few minutester, a convoy of luxury cars cruised through the driveway and stopped in front of the Wall Group.


    Check what¡¯s new on g?ln¦Òv???s?c?m


    Hailey stepped out of the first car.


    She had made sure to dress sharply today, picking out a white business suit that entuated her fine features.


    She wound her arm around that of the man beside her and leaned into him with obvious affection.


    The man wore a silver mask that concealed most of his face. Only the chiseled cut of his jaw and the firm set of his lips were exposed. Despite this, there was no mistaking his distinguished aura. He didn¡¯t even say anything, and already, he became the center of everyone¡¯s attention.


    The director approached with an awkward smile.


    ¡°Wee, Ms. Burgess, Mr. Noel. Thank you foring all this way.¡±


    His tone was polite, his posture humble. This was only natural, of course, considering Sadie¡¯s absence.


    ¡°I deeply apologize, but Ms. Hudson had to attend to an urgent matter overseas. I¡¯m afraid your meeting needs to be postponed.¡±


    The director was cautious all throughout.


    Beneath his mask, Noah¡¯s brows immediately knitted into a frown.


    This woman¡­ did she actually not care about their business coboration?


    The thought came with a surge of fresh anger. His already terrible impression of Sadie only worsened.


    ¡°If Ms. Hudson doesn¡¯t value this business prospect, then we might as well end any semnce of partnership here.¡±


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 Chapter 662

    ?Chapter 662:


    Before anyone could react, Noah broke away from Hailey and turned on his heel. The next thing they knew, he was back inside the car.


    Hailey hurried after him, while the director stood frozen in ce.


    Standing beside him, Tina was just as struck as she stared nkly at the car Patrick had disappeared into.


    Why did his voice sound so much like Noah¡¯s?


    No, she must be mistaken. It was impossible.


    Noah was still in the hospital.


    None of them noticed a low-level staff member retreating to an inconspicuous corner of the lobby. He took out his phone and dialed a number.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, Mr. Noel and Ms. Burgess have left thepany. They are very displeased with Ms. Hudson¡¯s absence, and it looks like the coboration haspletely fallen through.¡±


    In the logistics department manager¡¯s office, Sutton¡¯s lips slowly curled into a devious smile.


    He wasn¡¯t expecting Sadie to sabotage the coboration herself. He didn¡¯t even have to lift a finger.


    Even though she was Absolon¡¯s granddaughter, there was no way she wouldn¡¯t face bacsh after losing such a lucrative business partnership.


    Sutton was instantly in high spirits.


    ¡°Excellent. Be sure to spread this information around thepany. I want everyone in the Wall Group to know. Let¡¯s see how she handles this.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall.¡±


    The staff member hung up and went on to do exactly as he was instructed.


    ??????????????????.?????? ¨C more stories here


    At a suburban vi, Noah headed straight to his study after he got home. He approached the floor-to-ceiling window and lit a cigarette, the glow near his fingertips illuminating the room. The taste of nicotine filled his lungs, soothing the unrest in his heart. He picked up the phone and dialed.


    ¡°Find out where Sadie went.¡±


    Within ten minutes, he had an answer.


    ¡°Mr. Noel, Ms. Hudson went to Zupren.¡±


    Zupren? Noah paused, surprised.


    Why would she suddenly go to Zupren?


    ¡°Find out what she¡¯s up to there and report back to me.¡± After hanging up, Noah furrowed his brow. He couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that he was losing grip on something.


    Someone knocked on the study door.


    ¡°Come in,¡± he said indifferently.


    Hailey entered with a ss of red wine, smiling warmly.


    ¡°Noah, the day must have exhausted you. Rx a little.¡±


    Noah epted the wine but set it down on the table next to him. ¡°Hailey, is there something you need?¡± he asked, his voice still distant but polite.


    ¡°Noah, even though we married abroad, I¡¯ve heard the wedding customs here are quite different. What if we had another ceremony?¡± Hailey¡¯s eyes shone with hope as she looked up at him.


    Noah¡¯s mind was elsewhere.


    ¡°Okay,¡± he responded, distracted.


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 Chapter 663

    ?Chapter 663:


    At his agreement, Hailey¡¯s face lit up with joy.


    ¡°Really? Noah, you are so sweet!¡±


    Excited, Hailey hurried out to start nning the ceremony. She was eager to have her status as Noah¡¯s wife acknowledged at home too!


    Noah massaged his temples, feeling as if he had forgotten something important. A wedding ceremony? Why did he feel like he had already had one here?


    Two dayster, at Jazmah Airport, Sadie clutched a box, looking exhausted. She stepped out from the VIP passage, her slender figure cloaked in a ck coat, appearing even more delicate.


    ¡°Ms. Hudson,¡± Samuel hurried to her side and said, ¡°Everything is prepared at the Wall Manor.¡±


    Sadie nodded and gently caressed the box in her arms.


    ¡°Noah, we are back.¡±


    As she settled into the car, it slowly pulled away from the airport. Sadie stared out the window, her eyes vacant and forlorn. The cityscape rolled by, unchanged from when she left. But the person she had loved deeply was gone.


    As the car pulled into Wall Manor, Sadie noticed that the funeral preparations wereplete. White roses contributed to the solemn atmosphere.


    Isabel¡¯s eyes filled with tears when she saw the urn Sadie was carrying. ¡°Noah¡­¡±


    Gently, Sadie patted her back. Although Sadie¡¯s eyes burned, she fought the tears. Now was not the time for crying. There was still much to do.


    Isabel took Sadie¡¯s hand and led her into the living room, where Noah¡¯s portrait was prominently disyed. In the photo, Noah¡¯s eyes were kind, and his smile slight. He was truly gone.


    Isabel wept for a while before she began to settle down.


    She grasped Sadie¡¯s hand and sat beside her. ¡°Sadie, you¡¯ve been through so much these past days. You must be exhausted.¡± Her voice was raspy with deep concern.


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    Sadie shook her head. ¡°Isabel, I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°Poor girl¡­¡± Isabel understood that Sadie was maintaining a strong front, yet her grief was likely more profound than anyone could know. ¡°If you need to cry, just let it out,¡± Isabel said, her expression filled with worry. ¡°Don¡¯t hold it back.¡±


    Sadie shook her head again. ¡°I can¡¯t cry yet. The Wall Group and Averi still need me. I can¡¯t fall apart.¡±


    Tears filled Isabel¡¯s eyes as she squeezed Sadie¡¯s hand. ¡°You¡¯re such a strong child.¡±


    Sadie looked down, remaining silent.


    The funeral was ready. She stayed beside the urn, never leaving. She didn¡¯t eat, drink, or speak. She just stood vigil quietly.


    Isabel, worried for Sadie¡¯s health, kept urging her to rest. But Sadie refused, shaking her head.


    She was exhausted. Yet she didn¡¯t dare to rest. She feared that resting would make her crumblepletely.


    Eventually, the mental and physical strain overwhelmed Sadie. She became dizzy and fell to the floor. As she lost consciousness, it seemed she saw Noah. He was still smiling gently, reaching out to her.


    ¡°Sadie,e to me,¡± he said.


    Slowly, Sadie closed her eyes, a faint smile of relief on her face. Perhaps this was for the best.


    .


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 Chapter 664

    ?Chapter 664:


    ¡°Sadie has fainted! Call an ambnce!¡±


    The following morning, Sadie woke up in the hospital. Her body ached, and she feltpletely drained. She still couldn¡¯te to terms with Noah¡¯s death.


    Suddenly, the door to her hospital room burst open. Samuel entered hastily upon seeing her awake.


    ¡°Ms. Hudson, there¡¯s trouble at thepany,¡± he said urgently. ¡°Three days ago, Mr. Noel and Ms. Burgess visited the Wall Group, but you weren¡¯t there. Mr. Noel left immediately, and now the wholepany knows. The shareholders are meeting today, and they seem prepared to confront you.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s fog of confusion cleared. The Wall Group was Noah¡¯s, Absolon¡¯s, and Nigel¡¯s legacy. She was determined to defend it.


    She sat up, swung her legs off the bed, and slipped on her shoes. ¡°Let¡¯s go to thepany,¡± she dered.


    Samuel nodded, and they hurried back to the Wall Group.


    Upon arrival, they found Tina directing a subordinate. Spotting Sadie, Tina quickly came over.


    ¡°Sadie, be cautious. Coyle has just arrived as well.¡±


    Sadie acknowledged the warning with a slight nod. She took the elevator directly to the floor where the meeting room was.


    The sounds of dispute were audible even through the closed door.


    ¡°Ms. Hudson¡¯s disregard for thepany is uneptable!¡±


    ¡°The loss of such a crucial partnership is purely due to negligence!¡±


    ¡°I propose we remove Sadie from her position as chairperson!¡±


    It was Coyle¡¯s voice.


    Samuel, overhearing this, began to sweat.


    Sadie maintained herposure and pushed open the conference room door. The room instantly fell silent.


    Under the scrutinizing eyes of everyone present, Sadie walked confidently to the head of the table. Despite her pallor, her stance was firm. She looked around at the shareholders, her gaze finally resting on Coyle. A faint, mocking smile appeared on her lips.


    ¡°Coyle, it seems you¡¯re quite keen to see me removed from my position. I presume you have a recement in mind?¡± She paused, her tone lightly sarcastic. ¡°Or is it perhaps you?¡±


    Her words, tinged with irony, charged the atmosphere with tension and confrontation.


    Coyle¡¯s face turned a shade of red. He was both angry and embarrassed. He hadn¡¯t expected Sadie to be so forthright, stripping him of any pretense of dignity.


    ¡°Well¡­¡± He coughed, attempting to alleviate the tension. ¡°I¡¯m merely acting in thepany¡¯s best interests. It¡¯s a necessary measure.¡± His words carried a superficial righteousness.


    He added after a brief pause, ¡°Three days ago, Mr. Noel from the Burgess Group made the effort toe here, and you, Sadie, failed to meet him. This caused him to leave. Surely, this demands an exnation? If you¡¯re too preupied to manage thepany, as a senior member, I¡¯m prepared to step in.¡±


    Coyle¡¯s tone seemed concerned, as if he genuinely cared for thepany¡¯s welfare. He subtly boasted about his own capabilities, suggesting he was a more suitable chairperson.


    Listening to his drivel, Sadie couldn¡¯t resist pping. The sharp sound echoed starkly in the silent conference room. An elderly shareholder, who had been quiet, sighed regretfully. ¡°Sadie, this time you¡¯ve gone too far.¡±


    The older shareholders beside him looked simrly disappointed. They had once believed Absolon¡¯s granddaughter could steer the Wall Group effectively. Now, they doubted their judgment.


    Sadie took a moment, knowing all eyes were on her, then stood and addressed the room with confidence. ¡°Give me three days. I¡¯ll personally restore our partnership with the Burgess Group.¡±


    She added, her voice gaining intensity, ¡°If I don¡¯t seed within three days, I will step down as chairperson myself.¡± Her bold deration stirred the room.


    Nobody had anticipated such a forthright challenge from Sadie.


    Coyle was taken aback; he hadn¡¯t expected her audacity.


    Three days seemed too short a timeframe for her to devise a n. He decided to wait and see how Sadie would manage.


    Coyle managed a forced smile. ¡°Since Sadie has made her position clear, we¡¯ll await her good news.¡± The other shareholders exchanged looks, the mood turning slightly awkward. But ultimately, they agreed.


    As the meeting adjourned, Sadie suddenly said, ¡°Coyle, please stay.¡±


    Coyle stopped, turning with a confused look. ¡°Do you have something else to say?¡± His tone was hostile, edged with challenge. ¡°Or are you ready to concede defeat?¡±


    Sadie responded with a frostyugh. She walked up to Coyle, her gaze fixed on him. ¡°The head of the Wall family has passed, a major event for us all. As a member of the family, you ought to have paid your respects,¡± Sadie¡¯s voice was cold. ¡°We had arranged for the funeral and notified you, yet you chose not to attend. Are you considering distancing yourself from us?¡± Her tone was pointed.


    Coyle trembled with rage, his fists clenched tightly. Hisplexion paled, and his breathing grew heavy. He was incensed by her boldness to confront him so openly. She was clearly challenging his dignity.


    Before he could retaliate, Sadie added, ¡°If you fail to show up today, I¡¯ll announce tomorrow morning that you and your kids are no longer part of the Wall family.¡±


    With those final words, she turned and exited without looking back.


    Silence enveloped the conference room once again. The other shareholders exchanged uneasy nces, none wanting to be the first to speak.


    At that moment, Coyle¡¯s assistant approached him cautiously.


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 Chapter 665

    ?Chapter 665:


    ¡°Mr. Wall, shall we return to Wall Manor now?¡± the assistant asked quietly.


    Coyle, seething with anger, abruptly lifted his cane and struck the assistant¡¯s leg harshly.


    ¡°Do you need to ask that? Didn¡¯t you hear her say she would remove us from the family if we don¡¯t return to the Wall Manor?¡±


    The assistant grimaced in pain but remained silent, quickly wheeling Coyle out of the meeting room.


    Coyle tried to curb his fury, reassuring himself. Noah was gone, and Sadie would likely resign as chairwoman in three days. Then, he would see if she remained so bold!


    Meanwhile, Sadie was back in her office.


    ¡°Ms. Hudson, was that too impulsive in the meeting?¡± Samuel inquired, his toneced with concern.


    They hadn¡¯t figured out the situation with Patrick yet, and promising a resolution in three days was a gamble.


    What if they failed?


    Sadie understood his worries and sighed.


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    ¡°Do we have any other option to keep the shareholders in check?¡±


    Samuel fell silent. They were indeed cornered, with no room to retreat.


    Just then, Tina entered with a document.


    ¡°Sadie, here¡¯s Mr. Noel¡¯s schedule for the next week. Hailey has been in contact with Sutton, but Mr. Noel hasn¡¯t made any moves.¡±


    Sadie quickly reviewed the document.


    ¡°Go to Colnoque and bring Mr. Castro back to the Wall Group,¡± she instructed Samuel.


    Samuel grasped her n immediately. Sadie was trying to secure a backup.


    Ralph Castro had been a quiet supporter for the past three years and was an original member of the Wall Group, alongside Nigel and¡­


    Absolon.


    If things didn¡¯t work out with Patrick, Ralph¡¯s return would ease the situation.


    ¡°Understood, Ms. Hudson,¡± Samuel replied, recognizing the urgency as he departed swiftly.


    Exhausted, Sadie leaned back, her eyes closing as the weight of recent events pressed on her. She massaged her temples, trying to find some calm. Now was not the time for grief.


    Secluding herself in her office, she tirelessly worked through documents to distract herself from her sorrow.


    Concerned for Sadie¡¯s well-being, Tina poured a cup of coffee, knocked gently, and stepped inside.


    ¡°Sadie, take a break. You¡¯ve been working non-stop,¡± Tina whispered gently.


    Sadie looked up, her expression weary yet determined.


    ¡°Thanks, Tina, but I¡¯m fine,¡± she replied.


    Then, something seemed to click in her memory.


    ¡°Actually, prepare to join me at the Glory Jewelry Exhibitionter. I remembered Mr. Noel is expected to be there.¡±


    Tina nodded and began organizing Sadie¡¯s files.


    As they were about to leave, Samuel called.


    ¡°Ms. Hudson, Mr. Castro has agreed toe back,¡± he announced, his voice tinged with excitement. ¡°He¡¯s already en route and will be in Jazmah by tomorrow morning.¡±


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 Chapter 666

    ?Chapter 666:


    The news slightly eased Sadie¡¯s strained nerves.


    ¡°Good. Thanks, Samuel.¡±


    ¡°Oh, and one more thing,¡± Samuel added quickly, as though he had just remembered. ¡°Mr. Castro is bringing an old friend along as a surprise for you.¡±


    Sadie was intrigued. Her mind teemed with questions, but she decided to wait until the next day for answers.


    Sadie and Tina then arrived at the Glory Jewelry Exhibition.


    Rachael Howard, the organizer, greeted her with a yful remark.


    ¡°Sadie? I thought you were too busy for my little exhibition.¡±


    Sadie smiled, remembering their time at the international jewelrypetition three years earlier.


    ¡°I managed to make some time today,¡± she responded sincerely.


    ¡°I was only teasing. I¡¯m thrilled you¡¯re here,¡± Rachael said before linking arms with Sadie. ¡°Let me show you around.¡±


    As they walked, Sadie gave Tina a discreet look. Tina caught on immediately and veered off in a different direction. The exhibition venue was expansive, and as Rachael guided her through it, Sadie responded to her chatter with only half her attention. Her gaze continually swept over the crowd, but she saw no sign of the man she was looking for.


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    Just as she was about to give up, a man wearing a silver mask entered.


    His tall,manding presence instantly drew her attention.


    Sadie¡¯s heart fluttered, her pulse quickening. She stared, unable to believe her eyes. Despite the mask, the man¡¯s bearing and build were eerily reminiscent of Noah.


    It had been three years. She had believed she would never see him again.


    Driven by her emotions, Sadie hurried toward him. Nothing mattered except confirming whether the man was truly Noah.


    She reached out and took hold of his arm, her voice quivering.


    ¡°Noah?¡±


    He turned to face her, his expression distant and cold, as though he were regarding a stranger.


    A slight frown creased his brow, indicating his displeasure at her forwardness.


    Tina noticed the scene, taken aback for a moment, before quickly approaching Sadie.


    She spoke in a hushed tone. ¡°That¡¯s Patrick.¡±


    Rachael, observing Sadie¡¯s reaction, approached with a yful smile.


    ¡°Sadie, do you know Patrick too?¡±


    Sadie remained silent, her eyes beginning to well up.


    It was Noah.


    It had to be him.


    She was certain she would never mistake anyone else for him!


    Under her intense stare, Noah appeared slightly ufortable. He looked at Sadie¡¯s hand, which was holding his arm, not seeming to mind.


    It felt odd to him.


    Trying topose himself, he spoke in a detached tone. ¡°Ms. Hudson, holding my arm so openly might be viewed as inappropriate here, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    His words only deepened Sadie¡¯s sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu.


    That voice was unmistakably Noah¡¯s.


    ¡°Who are you, really?¡± she pressed, unable to contain her confusion.


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 Chapter 667

    ?Chapter 667:


    Noah¡¯s patience waned, and he withdrew his arm sharply, his voice chilling. ¡°Ms. Hudson, you gave up the partnership with the Burgess Group yourself. What is this about now?¡± With that, he turned and walked away.


    Rachael, who had been watching the exchange, gently patted Sadie¡¯s shoulder and sighed. ¡°I met Patrick while hosting an exhibition abroad.¡± Knowing the story between Sadie and Noah, she assumed Sadie was distraught because she had mistaken someone else for Noah.


    ¡°People often say they look alike,¡± Rachael tried tofort her. ¡°But Patrick is not Noah. I heard he¡¯s married. Sadie, try not to dwell on the past too much. I need to return to my duties.¡± With that, Rachael left.


    Standing there, Sadie felt a whirl of confusion engulf her.


    She tried to remember Patrick¡¯s voice, his manner, how he carried himself¡ªall strikingly simr to her memories of Noah.


    If he wasn¡¯t Noah, then who was he?


    She couldn¡¯t understand.


    She was determined to uncover whether Patrick was indeed Noah. The next thing she knew, Sadie was in the car, her mind a torrent of thoughts.


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    Tina, noticing her pale face and trembling lips, spoke cautiously. ¡°Sadie, try not to let this get to you.¡±


    Sadie simply shook her head, signaling that she was alright, though her mind was far from calm.


    ¡°Keep looking,¡± Sadie said softly, her voice quivering slightly. ¡°If we find nothing here, we¡¯ll hire a detective in Zupren.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll handle it immediately.¡±


    Tina nodded and promptly made a phone call.


    Sadie rested her head against the car window, her eyes hollow as she watched the city blur by.


    Over the past three years, Noah had appeared in her dreams countless times.


    In those dreams, he smiled gently and reached out to her.


    But each time she awoke, she was met with the stark chill of reality. Could it be that she missed Noah so much that she was seeing things and thought Patrick resembled him?


    Closing her eyes, Sadie tried to steady her nerves.


    Yet, her heart pounded relentlessly, refusing to be calmed.


    Meanwhile, back at his suburban vi, Noah removed his mask.


    His features were still handsome, albeit marked by weariness.


    Hailey greeted him as he entered.


    ¡°Noah, you¡¯re back,¡± she said softly. ¡°Weren¡¯t you at the jewelry exhibition? Why did youe back so soon? Oh, and I¡¯ve been meaning to ask¡ªwhat are your thoughts on Coyle and his son?¡± She posed the question tentatively, her eyes keenly observing his reaction.


    Noah scowled, annoyed by the memory of the woman who had clung to him at the exhibition.


    ¡°Coyle and his son are going nowhere,¡± he replied indifferently, his gaze distant. ¡°Sadie has even managed to dominate them for three years.¡±


    Hailey nodded, her expression thoughtful.


    ¡°So, should we still choose to work with Sadie?¡± she asked.


    At the mention of Sadie, Noah¡¯s expression darkened further.


    Her conduct at the exhibition had taken him by surprise.


    She didn¡¯t match the rumors.


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 Chapter 668

    ?Chapter 668:


    The mix of sadness and excitement in her eyes seemed genuine.


    Hailey handed him a document casually.


    ¡°Noah, here¡¯s a list of ongoing projects at the Wall Group. I managed to obtain it for you.¡±


    Noah looked at the document, his brow furrowing.


    ¡°How did you get this?¡±


    ¡°I have my ways,¡± she said with a hint of mystery. ¡°Don¡¯t ask. Just take a look.¡±


    Noah didn¡¯t press further and carried the document upstairs.


    Hailey poured herself a ss of red wine, a self-satisfied smirk on her lips.


    Her phone rang.


    It was Sutton.


    ¡°Sutton, what¡¯s up?¡± she answered, her tone nonchnt.


    Sutton¡¯s deep voice resonated through the phone.


    ¡°Hailey, remember your promise to me.¡±


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    She frowned, clearly annoyed.


    ¡°Sure, I remember,¡± she responded.


    With a few dismissive words, she ended the call.


    Sutton had outlived his usefulness to her.


    She had already secured the necessary insider information from the Wall Group.


    Now, all she needed was time to y her cards right.


    On the other end, Sutton seethed with anger.


    This woman, who had once been so reliant on him three years ago, now treated him with cold indifference.


    His chest heaved with anger as he grabbed a pack of cigarettes from the table, lit one, and inhaled deeply, letting the nicotine calm his fury.


    Hailey was bing increasingly dismissive of him.


    If she weren¡¯t still of some use, he would have cut ties with her long ago.


    Just then, the door opened.


    Seeing Coyle return with a grim look, Sutton cautiously walked over.


    ¡± Dad, what happened?¡±


    Coyle remained silent, his face set in a stern expression.


    Sutton immediately sensed something was wrong, a sense of dread weighing heavily on him.


    Then, his phone vibrated with a news notification.


    It announced that Coyle had been to Wall Manor to honor Noah with a solemn tribute.


    The apanying photo showed Coyle looking somber and respectful.


    A wave of anger surged through Sutton.


    In a fit of fury, he threw his phone to the floor, shattering the screen.


    ¡°Sadie has gone too far!¡± Sutton eximed, his voice sharp with anger. He couldn¡¯t ept it. Now, the whole city knew his father had bowed his head before Noah¡ª aplete humiliation.


    Coyle¡¯s face grew even darker at Sutton¡¯s outburst.


    ¡°Shut up!¡± he roared.


    Sutton recoiled, silenced by his father¡¯s explosive temper.


    Coyle¡¯s breathing was heavy with rage.


    He had not anticipated Sadie would publicly humiliate him like this. Such a disgrace was unprecedented in his life.


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 Chapter 669

    ?Chapter 669:


    He fought to control his anger.


    This was not the time for rash actions.


    Focusing on more pressing matters, he turned to Sutton with an icy tone.


    ¡°What¡¯s the status with our deal with the Burgess Group?¡±


    Sutton, feeling uneasy, knew he couldn¡¯t reveal Hailey¡¯s indifferent response.


    He mustered hisposure and responded, ¡°All is going well.¡±


    Coyle eyed him and then nodded, apparently appeased.


    ¡°The deal with the Burgess Group must seed,¡± he said firmly. ¡°And tell Briley to speed things up.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I understand.¡± Sutton bowed his head, concealing the worry in his eyes.


    Coyle dismissed him with a wave.


    Sutton felt a momentary sense of relief as he quickly left the room. As soon as the door shut behind him, he exhaled deeply, feeling the cold sweat soaking his back.


    He knew he had to find a way to manage Hailey effectively. He couldn¡¯t let Sadie enjoy her triumph for too long. Eventually, he was determined to reim everything he believed was rightfully his.


    Meanwhile, after a day¡¯s work, Sadie returned to Wall Manor.


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    Alex was already at the entrance when Sadie arrived.


    As her car pulled up, he stepped forward.


    ¡°Sadie, my condolences,¡± he said, his voice filled with concern. He had heard about the recent events and wanted to offer her aforting embrace, but he hesitated, unsure of her reception.


    ¡°Try not to dwell in sorrow for too long. The dead can¡¯t return. I know it¡¯s hard, but if you need anything, I¡¯m here for you.¡±


    He paused, then added more softly yet with resolve, ¡°I¡¯ll always be here for you.¡±


    For the past three years, Alex had been a constant presence by Sadie¡¯s side.


    Now, with Noah gone, he wondered if his opportunity had finally arisen.


    ¡°Sadie, I¡¯ve heard about the trouble with the Burgess Group,¡± he began, then hesitated before making a bold suggestion. ¡°If you¡¯d consider it¡ªI mean, only if you think it¡¯s right¡ªI could marry you. A union between us could deter any further schemes.¡±


    Alex knew his proposal might appear opportunistic, but he couldn¡¯t wait.


    He hoped to be more than just a friend; he wanted to be Sadie¡¯s partner for life.


    Sadie looked momentarily taken aback.


    She met his gaze, her eyes calm and distant.


    ¡°Alex, thank you,¡± she said gently. ¡°I appreciate your sincerity and all that you¡¯ve done thesest three years. But I cannot ept your proposal.¡±


    Her tone was firm, resolute.


    While grateful for what Alex had done for her, she did not love him.


    It wouldn¡¯t be right to marry out of gratitude.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been a true friend. I need to handle thepany issues myself. But thank you, really. Don¡¯t worry about me.¡±


    She then turned and walked into Wall Manor without looking back.


    Alex stood there, a bitter smile ying on his lips.


    He should have realized Sadie¡¯s heart was still with Noah. Despite his best efforts, he couldn¡¯t bridge the distance to her heart. A sense of defeat and helplessness washed over him.


    Meanwhile, unnoticed in the shadows, a sleek red sports car sat parked. Briley, inside the driver¡¯s seat, had watched the exchange quietly. She hadn¡¯t expected Alex¡¯s deep devotion, much less a marriage proposal in such circumstances. How utterly romantic!


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 Chapter 670

    ?Chapter 670:


    How did Sadie manage to attract such fortune? First with Noah, and now Alex? Both men were exceptional and devoted to her. What was her secret?


    The more Briley dwelled on it, the more a bitter jealousy coiled within her, her resentment festering.


    She craved what Sadie had¡ªthe adoration and attention of two remarkable men.


    As Alex drove away, Briley prepared to follow, hoping for a chance to draw closer to him when her phone interrupted her thoughts.


    It was her brother, Sutton.


    With a frown, she answered, her voice tinged with annoyance.


    ¡°What now, Sutton?¡±


    ¡°Briley, have you made any progress with Alex? I told you we need him on our side quickly.¡±


    Sutton¡¯s authoritative voice pressed through the speaker.


    Her irritation spiked at his urging.


    ¡°I¡¯m aware, Sutton! Don¡¯t pressure me,¡± she retorted sharply. ¡°I¡¯m handling it. Just give me some time¡ªhe¡¯ll be mine soon enough.¡±


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    Briley ended the call brusquely.


    However, Sutton was not easily deceived. He could detect the impatience in her response.


    ¡°Briley, I¡¯m telling you again, this is critical for our family,¡± Sutton said, his voice lowering to convey a serious warning. ¡°Make sure you¡¯re focused and don¡¯t botch this likest time.¡±


    The previous debacle had brought embarrassment to both Briley and their father, tarnishing their reputation within the family. This time, Sutton was adamant that there would be no errors.


    Taken aback by Sutton¡¯s stern tone, Briley softened her voice to reassure him.


    ¡°Sutton, rx. I won¡¯t let you down this time. Just wait for my good news,¡± she replied confidently.


    Sutton¡¯s demeanor eased slightly when he heard his sister¡¯s promise.


    ¡°Good,¡± he said before ending the call.


    Briley ignited her sports car, tracing the route Alex had taken.


    Under thete-night sky, neon lights flickered, casting their glow. The Night Owl Bar, a haven of indulgence, pulsed with the rhythm of music, its dance floor alive with the sway of men and women. In a secluded corner, a solitary figure nursed his drink, his posture betraying a sense of istion.


    It was Alex.


    ss after ss, he sought sce in the burn of alcohol, yet it provided no relief from the frustration boiling within him.


    Once more, Sadie had refused him.


    Was he destined to merely watch as she slipped further away?


    Then, a figure approached, her movements hushed.


    Briley eased into the seat next to Alex, ordering a drink while her gaze lingered on his profile, striking even in the dim light.


    The moment she had been waiting for had arrived.


    With her heart racing, a faint blush tinged her cheeks.


    She reached out hesitantly, her fingers grazing Alex¡¯s hand with a delicate touch.


    Unresponsive, lost in his thoughts, Alex gave no indication he noticed. Briley was emboldened, her touch bing more suggestive, her fingers tracing his hand with a gentle persuasion.


    Atst, Alex looked up, his eyes bleary from the alcohol, his focus drifting as he tried to make out her face.


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 Chapter 671

    ?Chapter 671:


    ¡°Alex, don¡¯t be sad,¡± Briley murmured, her voice full of tenderness.


    She enveloped his hand in hers, her gripforting.


    His gaze, clouded and uncertain in the low light, struggled to identify her.


    In his drunken state, he mistook her for Sadie.


    Was it really her?


    ¡°Sadie?¡± Alex murmured.


    Suddenly, he gripped Briley¡¯s hand with surprising force.


    A thrill of joy surged through Briley.


    He had fallen for it! It didn¡¯t matter that he had mistaken her for another woman.


    She chose not to correct him. Instead, she leaned in, her body nearly touching his.


    ¡°It¡¯s me, Alex.¡±


    Engulfed in the fog of alcohol, Alex struggled to recognize the person before him.


    All he knew was that he saw Sadie¡ªthe woman who haunted his every thought, the one he deeply missed.


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    ¡°Sadie, don¡¯t leave me.¡±


    Alex¡¯s voice, filled with a childlike fear of abandonment, made him cling to Briley.


    Briley initially tensed at his embrace but quicklyposed herself.


    A subtle, triumphant smile yed across her lips.


    She soothed Alex by gently patting his back.


    ¡°I won¡¯t, Alex. I won¡¯t leave you.¡±


    Alex¡¯s embrace tightened, his grip strong.


    He buried his face in the crook of Briley¡¯s neck, breathing deeply, taking in her scent.


    Over and over, he whispered, ¡°Don¡¯t leave me, Sadie, don¡¯t leave me.¡±


    Briley let him hold her, her smile growing more seductive,ced with excitement.


    For many women, being embraced by a man like Alex was a dream.


    Now, she had effortlessly made it a reality.


    Alex stayed in Briley¡¯s arms for a long time.


    Eventually, the alcohol took full control.


    He drifted into a deep sleep, his breaths heavy and irregr.


    Briley felt his body rxpletely in her embrace, and she carefully helped him sit up.


    His weight was a challenge to manage.


    She managed to take Alex to a nearby hotel, and with effort, ced him onto a soft bed.


    He remained unresponsive.


    Briley took in thevish suite, noting every luxurious detail.


    Feeling satisfied, she retrieved her phone from her bag and captured several suggestive photos of Alex and herself on the bed.


    She chose her angles carefully and used the dim lighting to enhance the allure of the images.


    After securing the photos, she stowed her phone away, a yful smirk ying across her lips.


    These images would give her leverage.


    ¡°Alex, you won¡¯t escape me,¡± she murmured.


    Briley turned to leave the room.


    As she reached the door, a sudden movement from behind made her pause.


    Alex had awoken.


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 Chapter 672

    ?Chapter 672:


    Her heart raced as she quickly turned back.


    He was sitting up in bed, his eyes clouded with confusion and the remnants of sleep.


    When he saw Briley near the door, panic red in his expression.


    ¡°Sadie, where are you going?¡± he called out, his voice tinged with anxiety.


    He leapt from the bed and stumbled toward Briley.


    Caught off guard, Briley stood frozen, unable to move as he reached her and forcefully pushed her back onto the bed.


    The room seemed to spin as shended on the soft mattress.


    The heat of Alex¡¯s body pressed against hers, his breaths quick and ragged, the sharp scent of alcohol mixing with the palpable tension in the air.


    ¡°Sadie, this time I won¡¯t let you leave me.¡±


    Briley was stunned, and her mind wentpletely nk.


    She hadn¡¯t expected Alex to react this way after waking up.


    ???????? ?????????? ???????? ???? ?????????¦Í??????©q?????


    His handsome face was so close to hers, his warm breath fanning her cheeks. She was enveloped in his unique masculine scent, making her heart race even faster.


    The next thing she knew, Alex was kissing her.


    It was a gentle kiss, a cautious exploration. It waspletely different from the kisses she had had with the boorish, self-centered men she had dated in the past.


    This was new to Briley, and she was utterly captivated.


    Whatever thoughts remained in her head flew out the window, her entire rationality broken by that kiss.


    She couldn¡¯t help herself from closing her eyes and kissing him back.


    ¡°Alex,¡± Briley whispered, her voice soft and alluring.


    She gazed at the man in front of her, her eyes brimming with desire and affection.


    ¡°I want you¡­¡±


    Alex¡¯s breath caught, his eyes suddenly aze with lust. His control seemed to snap right on the spot as he growled, ¡°Sadie.¡± Then, he went on to have sex with Briley.


    When morning came, the beams of sunlight that filtered through the room were harsh and punishing. Alex¡¯s brows furrowed as he slowly blinked his eyes open.


    His head was still pounding from the alcohol, but something felt different about his body.


    Then he turned his head to the side and was greeted by an unfamiliar face.


    All at once, memories of the previous night came rushing back to him¡ªthe bar, all the alcohol, and the warm body against his.


    Alex¡¯s face turned dark.


    He sat up abruptly before shoving the woman beside him away.


    Briley was still deep in slumber at that point, but she was rudely awakened when she rolled to the edge of the bed and eventually fell. She whimpered upon impact, and when she sat up, she was met with Alex¡¯s back.


    Her face broke into a shy smile as she recalled what had happened between them the previous night.


    ¡°Alex,¡± Briley called out softly, making sure she injected just enough sweetness and seduction into her voice.


    But Alex seemed oblivious to her presence. He shot out of bed and began to dress, his movements brisk and decisive.


    Briley¡¯s smile froze. Something was not right.


    .


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 Chapter 673

    ?Chapter 673:


    She climbed back into bed, holding the covers against her chest.


    ¡°Alex, what¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Alex finally turned around to face her, but his face was livid. Without warning, he lunged and grabbed her by the throat. His eyes glinted with murderous intent, echoed by the tightness of his grip.


    Briley¡¯s eyes practically popped out of their sockets from shock. She wed at his hand, her face already bright red from the loss of air.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you not to use such underhanded tactics?¡± Alex said, his voice low and thrumming with danger.


    Briley began to w at his arm, but no matter how much she struggled, she couldn¡¯t move him.


    She opened her mouth to try to exin, but no sound came out. Atst, Alex let go and tossed her aside. His face was filled with disgust, as if he had just touched something filthy. Briley fell onto the bed, coughing violently.


    ¡°No,¡± she choked out, tears streaming down her face. ¡°It¡¯s not what you think! Last night, you were the one who refused to let me go¡­¡± But Alex wouldn¡¯t hear any of it.


    He tugged at his tie, his expression menacing.


    ¡°Enough.¡± He didn¡¯t want to hear any exnations or see this repulsive woman again. ¡°I¡¯m warning you¡ªif this gets out or if Sadie even hears a peep of this, you won¡¯t live to see another day. Do you understand?¡±


    ???????????????? ???????????? @ g???????¦Í?????????????


    Briley shuddered, feeling a raw, genuine kind of fear.


    She knew he wasn¡¯t bluffing.


    But how could she just forget? She rushed forward and grabbed the hem of his shirt.


    ¡°Alex, don¡¯t treat me like this! We¡¯ve spent a night together. Are you really going to just forget about that?¡±


    Briley¡¯s tone was pleading; she hoped to gain at least a smidgen of sympathy from him.


    Alex only gave her yet another disdainful nce.


    ¡°Do you think you deserve any of my concern?¡± He forcefully shook off Briley¡¯s hand. ¡°Remember my words and keep your mouth shut.¡±


    With that, he left without a single backward nce.


    Briley copsed on the bed, her facade crumbling. Soon, the pain and humiliation fell away, reced by an endless sea of resentment.


    She clutched at the sheets.


    It was all because of that damned Sadie!


    If it weren¡¯t for her, Alex wouldn¡¯t treat her this way.


    Briley gritted her teeth and swore to herself that she would make Sadie pay for this.


    At that same moment, Sadie frowned as a prickle of unease washed over her.


    She didn¡¯t dwell on it, however, and finished changing her clothes before heading downstairs.


    Tina was waiting for her, and she handed over a document, saying, ¡°Updates from the detective in Zupren.¡±


    Sadie carefully read through the report. It was a detailed dossier on Patrick Noel¡¯s past.


    Apparently, he was an illegitimate son from the Noel family, and had married Hailey three years ago. When her father, Forest Burgess, resigned as the chairman of the Burgess Group, Patrick took over.


    His name and background bore no resemnce to Noah at all.


    Sadie sighed. It seemed that she had misunderstood.


    .


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    .

 Chapter 674

    ?Chapter 674:


    Perhaps she was missing Noah so much that she was mistaking a stranger for him now.


    Beside her, Tina asked in a careful tone, ¡°What should we do next, Sadie?¡±


    Sadie looked up. Then, her eyes regained their usual rity.


    ¡°We can¡¯t walk away from the coboration with the Burgess Group. What is Mr. Noel¡¯s schedule for today?¡±


    Tina quickly checked her notebook.


    ¡°He is set for a breakfast meeting at the Chroma Cafe this morning.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, then.¡±


    Gathering her purse and coat, Sadie led the way out, with Tina hurrying after her.


    They arrived at the Chroma Cafe half an hourter.


    Tina was tense throughout the drive, seemingly worried, yet hesitant to speak her mind.


    Sadie understood Tina¡¯s worry¡ªTina feared that she might lose control of her emotions again once she saw Patrick.


    After all, his facial features bore an uncanny resemnce to Noah¡¯s.


    ?????????????????? ?????????????????????? ??????????¦Í??????.??????


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Tina,¡± Sadie reassured her. ¡°I¡¯m perfectly capable of managing my emotions.¡±


    Getting out of the car, Sadieposed herself, squared her shoulders, and entered the Chroma Cafe.


    Her eyes immediately found Patrick. He was sitting by the window, his face mostly hidden behind a silver mask. He sat up straight, ever refined and dignified.


    His long fingers were tapping gently against the table, as though he was waiting for someone.


    ¡°Good morning, Mr. Noel,¡± Sadie greeted him as she approached. Her tone was courteous but considerably distant. ¡°Yesterday at the Glory Jewelry Exhibition, it was a huge misunderstanding,¡± she exined. ¡°I simply confused you with another person.¡±


    Noah nced up and swept an indifferent gaze over her, as though he had been expecting her to appear.


    He showed no reaction to her exnation. Instead, he rose from his seat and picked up the coat draped over the chair beside him.


    ¡°Since the misunderstanding is now cleared up,¡± he said coldly, ¡°you may leave, Ms. Hudson. I have other matters to attend to.¡± He turned away, only for Sadie to intercept him.


    ¡°Please wait, Mr. Noel,¡± she said, urgently this time. ¡°The Burgess Group is nning to expand into the domestic market, right? I¡¯m sure you wouldn¡¯t settle for anything less than the best of the best to partner up with on your endeavors. And I think we both know that only the Wall Group ticks all your boxes.¡±


    She spoke slowly, enunciating every word to express her conviction.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been holding back these past few days, haven¡¯t you? Waiting for me to initiate contact?¡±


    Noah paused at her words.


    This woman was clever.


    He sat back down, his deep eyes never leaving her face.


    ¡°Then how do you propose we go about our coboration, Ms. Hudson?¡± he asked, his voice now tinged with interest.


    Sadie sighed to herself in relief. Her gamble had paid off.


    She settled into the seat across from him, exuding confidence and grace.


    ¡°Before anything else, I¡¯d like to apologize for my behaviorst time. To make amends, the Wall Group is offering an additional five percent interest on top of the existing terms of the contract. If you are agreeable to this, we can arrange for a business dinner this Friday and finalize the details.¡±


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 Chapter 675

    ?Chapter 675:


    Noah¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly as he scrutinized the woman before him. She was assertive and unwavering, a stark contrast to the timid Sadie he had learned about before returning to the country.


    What was more, he felt an odd familiarity toward her, and it annoyed him for some reason.


    After a long pause, he finally said, ¡°I look forward to our coboration.¡±


    Sadie allowed herself to rx then. She had secured the partnership with the Burgess Group.


    Her lips curled into a faint smile.


    ¡°So do I, Mr. Noel.¡±


    She raised her coffee cup to seal the deal, and Noah picked up his to clink with hers.


    ¡°Do you have any other matters to discuss, Ms. Hudson?¡± he asked casually after taking a sip.


    ¡°Well, I heard from the grapevine that Coyle has also reached out to you,¡± Sadie leaned her elbows on the table and perched her chin on her intertwined fingers. ¡°What are your thoughts?¡±


    Noah raised an eyebrow.


    ???????????? ???????????? ???? ?????????¦Í?????????????


    ¡°What would you like me to do, Ms. Hudson?¡± he asked point-nk.


    Sadie met his gaze steadily.


    ¡°You are aware of Coyle¡¯s intentions, Mr. Noel. I only hope that our coboration proceeds smoothly and conflict-free.¡±


    Noah chuckled lightly, his gazeden with meaning.


    ¡°You want me to reject him?¡±


    ¡°Do you have a reason not to?¡± Sadie asked with a nonchnt shrug of her shoulders. ¡°You chose us for what we can offer you, not for the sake of insignificant yers in the field.¡±


    She caught Noah¡¯s interest now. This woman was more intriguing than he had anticipated.


    ¡°You are quite confident, Ms. Hudson.¡±


    ¡°I am not speaking out of personal confidence, I am simply conveying the power of the Wall Group.¡±


    Noah¡¯s eyes flickered with amusement. He did enjoy interacting with intelligent people.


    ¡°All right,¡± he said, not bothering to hide the smile in his voice. ¡°As you wish.¡±


    Sadie beamed. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Noel.¡±


    With everything out of the way, the atmosphere between them lightened significantly.


    Sadie pushed her cup away and made to leave. ¡°I¡¯ll see you this Friday, Mr. Noel.¡±


    ¡°Ms. Hudson,¡± Noah suddenly called out before she could take more than two steps away.


    Sadie paused and looked back, her brows furrowed with a silent question.


    ¡°How about joining me for breakfast?¡± Noah asked, his tone casual.


    Sadie hesitated and nced at her watch. It was actually toote for breakfast.


    But given the conversation they had just had, it seemed rather in bad taste to refuse his invitation.


    ¡°Why not?¡± Sadie sat back down and waved for the waiter, then ordered a few of her favorite brunch items.


    Just then, a burst of heartyughter came from the entrance.


    ¡°Patrick! So sorry to keep you waiting!¡± A man waved enthusiastically at Noah as he barreled into the establishment.


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    .


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 Chapter 676

    ?Chapter 676:


    Sadie¡¯s eyes widened in surprise.


    Barry Bet?


    Barry was a globally renowned jewelry designer. How did he know Patrick?


    The man was before them in an instant, his eyesnding on Sadie. He was stunned for a few seconds before breaking out into a delighted grin.


    ¡°Sadie? Is it really you? Oh, goodness!¡± Barry didn¡¯t hesitate to pull Sadie into a warm hug. ¡°What a coincidence! I didn¡¯t expect to see you here!¡±


    Sadie was taken aback at first, but she recovered quickly.


    ¡°Hello, Mr. Bet.¡±


    Barry smiled and waved a hand. ¡°There¡¯s no need for such formalities. Just call me Barry.¡±


    Then he turned to Noah, and his eyes sparkled with meaning.


    ¡°Patrick, you never fail to impress with your exceptional taste.¡±


    Noah cocked his head slightly to the side and said nothing.


    New updates in g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m


    Paying him no mind, Barry turned his attention back to Sadie. When he spoke again, his tone was filled with regret.


    ¡°Ever since you took over the Wall Group, Sadie, we¡¯ve been feeling the loss of your talents in the design industry. After all, you are Amy¡¯s most aplished student,¡± Barry said, shaking his head as he spoke. Then, as if he had just remembered something, he suddenly perked up.


    ¡°Patrick, aren¡¯t you and Ms. Burgess nning to hold your wedding here? Why don¡¯t youmission Sadie to design your jewelry pieces? It¡¯s been ages since west saw her work. I¡¯m sure whatever she makes will be stunning!¡±


    Sadie froze in her seat.


    Wedding?


    Designing wedding jewelry for Patrick and Hailey¡­


    A sense of difort stirred within her, one she could barely define, let alone exin.


    ¡°What do you think, Ms. Hudson?¡± Noah asked, his eyes now on Sadie. The question snapped her back to reality, and she blinked, meeting his gaze.


    For the sake of their future business partnership, she swallowed her difort and mustered a tight smile.


    ¡°It would be my honor.¡±


    Designing jewelry was her forte, and creating wedding pieces for the CEO of the Burgess Group would be an excellent opportunity for the design department¡¯s publicity.


    She justified the decision in her mind and ultimately convinced herself that she was doing the right thing.


    ¡°Then it¡¯s settled,¡± Noah said, his tone neutral.


    Barry pped his hands in delight.


    ¡°Wonderful! I can guarantee that Sadie¡¯s designs will make your wedding even more perfect!¡±


    He rubbed his hands together, his eyes twinkling as he envisioned the grand event.


    Sadie remained polite and said nothing, though she knew how awkward and forced her smile was.


    The rest of the meal went on with an underlying tension.


    Barry was lively and talkative as ever, and he never seemed to run out of design topics to discuss.


    Noah would respond asionally, but his interest was minimal. Sadie would interject now and then, but she was silent for the most part.


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 Chapter 677

    ?Chapter 677:


    When they were done, Barry left in a rush to attend to other engagements, leaving Sadie and Noah alone yet again. However, the atmosphere had turned quiet and heavy.


    Sadie¡¯s first instinct was to leave the scene as quickly as she could.


    ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, Mr. Noel, I shall be on my way.¡±


    ¡°Wait,¡± Noah suddenly called out, surprising both of them. ¡°About the jewelry design¡­ When do you n to start?¡±


    ¡°As soon as possible, if that¡¯s okay. Do you and Ms. Burgess have any specific requests? Any ideas?¡±


    Noah fell silent for a moment, his gaze growingplex.


    ¡°Hailey has always had a penchant for designs that are understated yet graceful. As for me¡­¡± He paused, as if thinking it over in his head. ¡°Anything is fine.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s eyes widened slightly. She had expected someone like Patrick to have high demands for something as important as his wedding, but he was just being casual about it.


    ¡°I see,¡± Sadie murmured with a nod. ¡°I¡¯ll draft a preliminary design and send it over for you to look through.¡±


    Noah hummed in acknowledgment and said nothing else.


    C????ck ?uthor¡¯s ?o???? h??r??: g???????¦Í?????????????


    Sadie bid him farewell again, just to be polite, and he didn¡¯t stop her when she walked away.


    Patrick shifted in his seat, his narrowed gaze fixed outside. As he watched Sadie get in the car and drive away, the strange, unknown feeling in his heart grew more pronounced.


    What was that just now? Why was he always reluctant to let her go? Why did he always have this nagging sense that she was special to him?


    Meanwhile, inside the car, Sadie¡¯s thoughts were in disarray as well. She had gone to meet Patrick to secure the coboration deal. How did she end up designing his wedding jewelry? More importantly¡­ Was he really not Noah?


    Even after seeing all the information on his backgroundid out in fine detail, Sadie couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that she was missing something. But for the life of her, she didn¡¯t know where to even begin looking.


    Sadie leaned back and closed her eyes.


    Tina suddenly spoke from the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°Oh, Samuel called earlier, by the way. Mr. Castro has returned home. Should we head straight over?¡±


    Sadie slowly opened her eyes. ¡°Sure.¡±


    She had sessfully secured the deal with the Burgess Group, and Ralph was finally back. Surely, that meant only good things ahead of her.


    They arrived at Ralph¡¯s house half an hourter.


    Sadie knew the ce like the back of her hand at this point. She let her feet carry her to the main hall and instantly spotted Ralph in his regal armchair.


    ¡°You¡¯re here, Ms. Hudson,¡± Samuel greeted respectfully.


    Ralph looked up. His stern face broke into a warm smile the moment he saw Sadie.


    ¡°Sadie, my dear! Come here,¡± Ralph¡¯s voice was loud and filled with excitement.


    Sadie quickly walked to his side and took his hand. ¡°I¡¯ve missed you, Mr. Castro,¡± she said in a yful tone.


    Unexpectedly, her words brought tears to the old man¡¯s eyes.


    Ralph had been among Sadie¡¯ste grandfather¡¯s closest friends, and after Absolon¡¯s passing, he had presumed that Absolon had no descendants.


    He was overjoyed when he met Absolon¡¯s granddaughter three years ago.


    Seeing Sadie felt like seeing a very old, very good friend every time.


    ¡°I was worried about you,¡± Ralph confessed as he patted Sadie¡¯s hand. ¡°With Noah passing away, and thepany left in turmoil¡­ I didn¡¯t like that you had to face it all alone,¡± he said, fighting back the tears.


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 Chapter 678

    ?Chapter 678:


    Sadie felt her own nose sting, though her chest was suffused with warmth. She knew Ralph truly cared for her.


    ¡°You must not worry, Mr. Castro. I¡¯m doing just fine. I¡¯ll handle thepany¡¯s matters.¡±


    Ralph looked at her, then nodded in satisfaction.


    As expected of Absolon¡¯s granddaughter¡ªof course, she wasn¡¯t an average person!


    ¡°Good, good. As long as I am still alive, no one can steal your position as chairwoman!¡± Ralph¡¯s deration rang out firmly around the room.


    Sadie was moved.


    ¡°But I¡¯m getting old,¡± Ralph continued, his tone softening. ¡°I don¡¯t have much time left.¡± He paused to heave a long sigh. ¡°I¡¯ve brought back someone from Colnoque with me, someone who can help you.¡±


    Sadie blinked. Ralph¡¯s smile had turned mysterious, leaving her bewildered and a little worried.


    Ralph waved his hand and gestured to someone behind him.


    ¡°ine,e over here!¡±


    C?????? ???????? ??t g??l??ov?ls.??¡ð??


    A man emerged from an adjoining room.


    Sadie¡¯s eyes widened slightly when she saw who it was¡ªine Castro, Ralph¡¯s grandson.


    He was young and handsome, just as one would expect. But the carefree and seemingly irreverent smile that yed on his lips gave the impression that he was more frivolous than ideal.


    ine grinned and nodded at her in greeting. ¡°Yo, Sadie! How you doing?¡±


    Sadie struggled to keep herself from raising an eyebrow. She wasn¡¯t used to anyone speaking to her in such a flippant manner.


    Ralph shot ine a disapproving nce. ¡°You rascal, mind your manners!¡± he scolded, though he didn¡¯t seem genuinely angry. ¡°Don¡¯t take it to heart, Sadie. He meant no offense.¡±


    Sadie smiled and shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s quite all right.¡±


    Ralph hummed and nodded. ¡°ine may be a bit loose with his words, but he¡¯s reliable. Keep him by your side, Sadie. If there¡¯s anything you need, you can let him handle it.¡±


    Sadie nced back and forth between grandfather and grandson.


    She knew the old man had only good intentions for her.


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Castro.¡±


    Ralph waved his hand dismissively. ¡°We¡¯re practically family. What¡¯s there to thank me for? In any case, you¡¯ve been standing there for a while now. I¡¯m sure you¡¯re tired. Come sit and rest for a bit.¡±


    Sadie then sat beside him.


    Ralph took her hand and asked about the goings-on at thepany and in her personal life.


    She kept herposure as she answered each of his questions. Ralph listened attentively, asionally expressing his thoughts with a hum or a nod.


    ¡°Sadie, why don¡¯t you stay for lunch today?¡± the old man suggested.


    ¡°Keep mepany, and we can talk some more.¡±


    Sadie checked the time. ¡°Sure. I appreciate the offer, Mr. Castro.¡±


    ¡°Oh, please. I¡¯m just so d to have you here,¡± Ralph said with a chuckle. ¡°Sharing a meal with you is always a delight.¡±


    They had avish lunch that day, and their warm, easy conversation continued to flow as they ate.


    Ralph never seemed to run out of topics to discuss, and ine would chime in here and there with yful banter that made the old manugh.


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 Chapter 679

    ?Chapter 679:


    Tina and Samuel, on the other hand, ate quietly, responding only when spoken to. All in all, it was a harmonious lunch.


    After coffee and dessert, Sadie bid Ralph farewell and took her leave.


    He insisted on escorting her to the door, leaving her no room to refuse.


    Samuel and Tina were already waiting by the car.


    When ine sauntered out after his grandfather, his eyes immediately zeroed in on Tina.


    ¡°Hey, Miss,¡± he said, his eyes gleaming with interest. ¡°May I know your name?¡±


    The cocky grin was back on his face as he sidled up next to Tina.


    Tina stiffened, visibly taken aback by his sudden attention.


    She took a beat to answer, and even then, her tone was reserved.


    ¡°My name is Tina Delgado.¡±


    ine raised an eyebrow.


    ¡°What a charming name. I have a feeling you and I will be great friends.¡±


    Feel the thrill at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s©q??o??


    He was teasing Tina, causing her to blush and turn away in a fluster.


    They drove back to thepany, with ine in tow.


    He maintained that airy demeanor as he walked into the building with his hands in his pockets, making him stand out in the midst of the formal, businesslike atmosphere within the Wall Group.


    Sadie cast a sideways nce at him but said nothing. She had grown used to his behavior.


    They paused at the reception area, and she finally turned to him.


    ¡°ine, for the next couple of days, I¡¯d like you to shadow Tina and familiarize yourself with thepany¡¯s operations.¡±


    ine raised an eyebrow. He nced at Tina beside him and let out a low whistle.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure it will be a pleasure.¡±


    Tina felt her face grow hot, but she mustered a small smile.


    Sadie could only shake her head in resignation. She hoped that ine wouldn¡¯t cause any trouble.


    ¡°As for your position,¡± she continued, ¡°we¡¯ll discuss it after the shareholders¡¯ meeting.¡±


    ine shrugged. ¡°Whatever you say. I¡¯m just here to do what you tell me to do.¡±


    Sadie ignored his quip and looked over to Tina. ¡°Take ine around to visit the different departments.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Tina replied before leading ine away.


    Sadie rxed, if only a little.


    ine might act like a dandy, but Ralph had told her that he could be of help, and she trusted the old man. Perhaps this rascal would prove to be capable, after all.


    Sadie headed to her office and threw herself into her chair. She was exhausted.


    The past few days had been overwhelming, jumping from one task to another before she could even catch her breath. This was a rare moment of respite, and she intended to take advantage of it.


    Sadie leaned back and closed her eyes. She slowly kneaded her temples and let the fatigue wash over her.


    Later that afternoon, she remembered that Isabel¡¯s birthday wasing up. She had yet to prepare a gift.


    So, she grabbed her purse and went to the mall.


    The mall always offered a lot of options, and while she found several dazzling items, none grabbed her interest.


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 Chapter 680

    Chapter 680:


    Eventually, Sadie found herself at a luxury handbag store.


    A particr bag on disy caught her eye. It looked simple yet elegant, and she could tell the design was also practical. It was just perfect for Isabel.


    Sadie entered the store and pointed at the disy. ¡°I¡¯d like to see that one, please.¡±


    After a closer inspection, she was even more satisfied with her choice. She was just about to ask the clerk to ring it up for her when¡ª


    ¡°I¡¯ll take that bag.¡± A sharp voice rang out from behind her.


    Sadie paused and turned to see who it was.


    It was Hailey. Sadie recognized her from the photos she had previously seen.


    Hailey was just walking into the store, her face twisted into a look of disdain.


    She hadn¡¯t expected to run into Sadie while shopping!


    Sadie¡¯s brows furrowed at the obvious hostilitying from the other woman. She had never interacted with Hailey before. Needless to say, this first impression was far from pleasant.


    Even so, she was courteous.


    ¡°With all due respect, Ms. Burgess, I chose this bag first. It¡¯s only fair that I take it, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    The rest on g?l????¦Í?????????????


    Hailey raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest.


    ¡°Fair?¡± she repeated, her tone more haughty now. ¡°Ms. Hudson, you should know that here in Jazmah, there¡¯s nothing that I can¡¯t get.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s expression darkened. There seemed to be an underlying message in Hailey¡¯s words.


    ¡°Ms. Burgess, I meant no offense,¡± Sadie remarked, not irritated but finding Hailey a bit too much. ¡°Since you¡¯re fond of this handbag as well, I¡¯ll choose a different one,¡± she added, unwilling to make a spectacle over a purse.


    She hade to purchase something for Isabel and wasn¡¯t interested in conflict.


    As she spoke, she moved to set the bag down.


    ¡°Hold on,¡± Hailey interjected sharply.


    Her smirk wasced with mischief. ¡°I¡¯ll keep this bag, but I¡¯m not a fan of sharing styles. Maybe you should browse somewhere else, Ms. Hudson.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s brows furrowed. Was Hailey intentionally picking a fight?


    She lifted her head, ready to respond.


    ¡°What¡¯s all this about?¡± A teasing male voice sounded from the entrance.


    Both women turned their heads.


    Sutton strolled in, linked arm-in-arm with a striking young woman.


    Sadie was slightly taken aback; today just seemed cursed.


    With a smirk, Sutton observed them.


    ¡°Sadie, Ms. Burgess¡ªwhat an unexpected run-in,¡± he said with mock cheer, his eyes darting between the two.


    Thedy beside him noticed the bag and clung to his arm, her expression brightening.


    ¡°Sutton, this bag is stunning,¡± she said sweetly, her tone alluring.


    Sutton nced down at her with indulgence.


    ¡°Do you like it?¡±


    She nodded shyly.


    ¡°I¡¯d love to have it. May I?¡± she asked, tugging his sleeve. Sutton chuckled, tilting her chin with a finger.


    ¡°Of course. It¡¯s yours.¡±


    He turned toward the clerk.


    .


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    .<hr>


    Message from Noah: Hope you enjoyed the chapters dear ones. God loves you and Noah whishes you all the best. ?(?? ? ? )??


    .

 Chapter 681

    ?Chapter 681:


    ¡°We¡¯ll be taking this one.¡±


    The atmosphere grew tense as the clerk hesitated, clearly ufortable.


    Seeing this, Sutton raised an eyebrow. ¡°Is there a problem?¡±


    His voice carried the edge of impatience.


    ¡°N-no, sir. Just that both of thesedies were already considering it,¡± the clerk stammered.


    Sutton¡¯s grin widened, his toneced with something deeper. ¡°Oh? Seems this handbag is quite the prize.¡±


    He looked directly at Hailey, as if making a point.


    ¡°I remember I dated someone who also liked bags of this style.¡±


    Hailey¡¯s face darkened immediately.


    He was provoking her on purpose, and fury began to simmer.


    ¡°Sutton, cut it out,¡± she snapped, a warning in her voice.


    Sutton feigned ignorance, then turned to Sadie.


    g???????¦Í??????.??0??; ???????? ????????????????


    ¡°Sadie, in your opinion, who should have the bag?¡±


    He deliberately tossed the question her way, and Sadie felt her patience evaporate.


    She didn¡¯t want any part of this absurdity.


    She wanted to leave.


    ¡°Not interested anymore,¡± she said calmly, picking up her belongings and walking away.


    After she left, Hailey red daggers at Sutton.


    ¡°Have you lost your mind?¡± she hissed, turning on her heel.


    But Sutton grabbed her wrist.


    ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡±


    Hailey struggled, but he wouldn¡¯t loosen his grip.


    ¡°We need to talk.¡±


    Sutton pushed the woman in his arms aside.


    She stumbled and almost fell.


    ¡°Sutton!¡± she cried, her voice trembling with indignation. Sutton paid her no attention, dragging Hailey out of the shop.


    ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you, Sutton?¡±


    Hailey protested, wrestling against him, but his hold was unrelenting. He pulled her into a shadowy hallway and cornered her against the wall.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been acting outtely, Hailey.¡± His tone was deep and threatening.


    The sharpness of his voice caught Hailey off guard, and for a brief moment, she froze.


    Her eyes lifted to his, conflicted emotions swirling within them.


    ¡°What is it you¡¯re really after?¡± she questioned quietly.


    At that moment, a sh of pain crossed Sutton¡¯s expression.


    ¡°Must you always push me away like this?¡± he asked.


    Hailey let out a bitterugh and shoved him aside.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t I? Don¡¯t pretend you don¡¯t know where we stand now,¡± she replied with scorn.


    They had clearly grown apart.


    Sutton stood frozen, words escaping him, though frustration burned in his gaze.


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget the promise you made to me, Hailey,¡± he murmured.


    She chuckled coldly, eyes filled with ridicule.


    ¡°Promise? I must have forgotten,¡± she replied with mock innocence.


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 Chapter 682

    ?Chapter 682:


    Her pretense made Sutton¡¯s anger re instantly.


    ¡°You bitch!¡± he snapped, raising a hand in fury.


    But Hailey was faster¡ªher p rang sharply through the hallway.


    He staggered back, stunned, one hand pressed to his cheek.


    ¡°You hit me?¡± he asked in disbelief.


    Hailey smirked, her voice dripping with disdain.


    ¡°Why not? You need a reality check. I¡¯m now the heiress of the Burgess Group, far beyond what I used to be. And you? On the verge of being cast out by the Walls, under the thumb of a woman. A failure like you has no power over me anymore.¡±


    Her words were cutting, each oneced with contempt.


    ¡°Next time, I suggest you show proper manners around me.¡±


    Without sparing Sutton another nce, she strode away, leaving him behind.


    Sadie headed back to Wall Manor.


    Isabel was waiting for her in the living room, and as soon as she saw Sadie, she waved her over.


    ???????? ?????????? ???? g??????¦Í????????????


    ¡°Come here, Sadie.¡± Isabel¡¯s voice was noticeably softer than years ago.


    ¡°Isabel,¡± Sadie greeted with a nod as she sat next to her mother-inw. Isabel let out a sigh and took her hand.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s time for us to arrange for Noah¡¯s burial. He¡¯s been gone for some time now. We can¡¯t keep putting this off.¡±


    Sadie looked down and kept silent, her mind drifting off.


    No matter how hard she tried, she couldn¡¯t shake the image of Patrick from her mind.


    Noticing her dazed state, Isabel assumed that she was still grieving.


    ¡°I know it hurts,¡± she said, patting Sadie¡¯s hand. ¡°But we can¡¯t bring him back, and we need to move forward with our lives. I spoke with the priest. The tenth of this month is an appropriate day for the burial. Let¡¯sy Noah to rest in the Wall family¡¯s cemetery.¡±


    That snapped Sadie back to her senses.


    Noah¡¯s burial?


    The words cut like a knife through her heart.


    She turned to Isabel, her expression heavy, and finally nodded.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do that, then.¡±


    Isabel let out another sigh, this time one of relief. There wasn¡¯t much else to say after that.


    The next morning,


    The atmosphere in the Wall Group¡¯s conference room was so tense it was suffocating. They were having a shareholders¡¯ meeting, and it was far from a pleasant one.


    Coyle was barely hiding his smirk. He was pleased with himself, and he wanted everyone to know it.


    He was convinced that Sadie would meet her downfall today. There was no way she could turn things around at this point.


    He nced over at the empty seat at the head of the table, and his smirk widened. Sure enough, Sadie didn¡¯t even show up.


    She was scared, after all.


    Feeling all smug and giddy, Coyle leaned back in his chair and basked in his triumph. He could already picture her begging for mercy, and he knew he was going to love every second of it.


    Across the room, the other shareholders looked grim. Their brows were furrowed in concern as they brooded in silence.


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 Chapter 683

    ?Chapter 683:


    They had ced their hopes on Sadie to lead the Wall Group out of its crises.


    Now, it seemed that they had badly misjudged her capabilities. She was faltering at such a crucial moment, making them feel like their support had all gone to waste.


    Just then, the doors of the conference room swung open.


    Sadie stepped inside, followed by Samuel and another, unfamiliar young man.


    Everyone was caught off-guard.


    This young man was tall and striking, but the most distinct thing about him was the mischievous smile he was sporting. He looked like the typical spoiled, rich kid.


    ¡°Who is he?¡± they wondered among themselves.


    Sadie walked straight to her seat.


    Her expression was calm and unperturbed, but as her gaze swept across the room, they noticed the telltale signs of exhaustion in her.


    The past few days had truly been hard on her, but she couldn¡¯t afford to waver now. She refused to show any weakness, not when there were so many people waiting for her. She casually plopped down.


    The seat he had taken was to Sadie¡¯s right¡ªa position reserved exclusively for the Castro family. It had been vacant since Ralph¡¯s retirement.


    And now this young man just sauntered in and took it?


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    The whispers grew even more animated.


    Coyle said nothing, but his expression darkened as he fixed his narrowed eyes on ine.


    Who was this guy? What was Sadie up to?


    Malcolm Pierce, one of the shareholders, was livid. He shot up to his feet and pointed a finger at ine.


    ¡°Who do you think you are? Who gave you the right to sit there?¡± He was so furious, even his white beard seemed to tremble when he spoke.


    Not that it had any effect on ine. If anything, his smile turned even more devious, his eyes gleaming with amusement. He raised an eyebrow at Malcolm and replied, ¡°My¡­¡±


    ¡°My name is ine Castro.¡± His tone was light andzy, as if his name did not carry the weight that it did.


    A pregnant silence fell over the room for a few seconds before it erupted into hushed remarks of confusion and disbelief.


    They had heard of ine before, of course, but no one had ever seen him in person. All they knew was that he was Ralph¡¯s only grandson, that he was raised abroad, had a carefree approach to life, and was notoriously unconventional in his ways.


    Was the Castro family finally reiming their position among the ranks of the Wall Group? But how was that possible?


    Coyle¡¯s face twisted into an even uglier expression.


    The Castro family¡¯s sudden involvement was throwing a wrench in his ns. He couldn¡¯t allow this to happen!


    His upper lip curled into a sneer, and he scoffed loudly.


    ¡°What is this now, Sadie? Did you honestly think you could fool us by hiring an imposter? Frankly, I find that insulting.¡±


    Some shareholders bobbed their heads in agreement.


    After all, Ralph was a man of great stature. How could this frivolous young man possibly be his grandson?


    The way they saw it, Sadie had brought in a fraud in ame attempt to strengthen her fraying authority.


    Sadie didn¡¯t bat an eye at Coyle¡¯s questioning. She had anticipated this reaction all along.


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 Chapter 684

    ?Chapter 684:


    She gave them a faint smile and spoke in a steady, firm tone.


    ¡°If you have any doubts about his identity, you are more than wee to visit Mr. Ralph Castro and ask him yourself. Regardless, ine shall represent the Castro family starting today. Feel free to direct any relevant concerns you may have to him.¡±


    Her words left no room for argument.


    For good measure, Samuel stepped forward and began distributing a set of documents down the table.


    ¡°Please take a look at the document. It¡¯s an official authorization signed by Mr. Ralph Castro himself.¡±


    The shareholders pored over the document and scrutinized it from every angle.


    But no matter how hard they looked, the signature, the seal¡ªeverything was genuine.


    It was Ralph¡¯s signature on the document, right beside the stamped seal of the Castro family.


    Another wave of whispers swept through the room. Everyone was shocked by this development.


    That unruly-looking rascal was really Ralph¡¯s grandson? Was the Castro family actually stepping back into thepany affairs?


    ???????? ???????? ????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????


    What was going on?


    Coyle gnashed his teeth together. He had never seen thising, and he couldn¡¯t stomach the fact. It never urred to him that Sadie would enlist the Castro family¡¯s support. This was turning into a total disaster!


    The Castro family had been one of Wall Group¡¯s founding pirs. With their backing, Sadie¡¯s position would practically be untouchable. Coyle¡¯s fists clenched at his sides, his rage bubbling up to the surface.


    ¡°Is there a problem?¡± ine asked in obvious provocation. ¡°Still think I¡¯m an imposter?¡±


    ine¡¯s voice was rxed,ced with the entitlement of someone born into privilege.


    Instantly, Coyle¡¯splexion darkened even more.


    ine was mocking him.


    Fury surged in Coyle¡¯s chest, but hecked the courage to challenge the Castro name directly and was forced to suppress his rage.


    Instead, he channeled his bitterness toward Sadie.


    ¡°Sadie, you¡­¡±


    ¡°Coyle,¡± Sadie cut in, her tone sharp andmanding, ¡°In thispany, you will refer to me as Ms. Hudson.¡±


    Coyle was practically trembling with rage.


    That shameless woman!


    First ine, now Sadie¡ªhe¡¯d been thoroughly embarrassed. His jaw tightened as he scrambled to reim authority.


    ¡°Ms. Hudson, there¡¯s only one day left until the deadline you mentioned. And today happens to be the shareholders¡¯ gathering. Surely you¡¯re not about to read a resignation speech in this very room?¡± His voice was thick with mockery and challenge.


    Sadie¡¯s calm never wavered. Without a word, she nced toward Samuel.


    Catching her cue, Samuel ced a pile of papers on the polished conference table.


    ¡°Everyone,¡± he said firmly, ¡°please review these documents. They detail the partnership Ms. Hudson secured with Mr. Noel from Burgess Group. The formal celebration will be held this Friday.¡±


    Gasps filled the room as Samuel¡¯s announcementnded. Coyle snatched the papers, eyes darting across the pages.


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 Chapter 685

    ?Chapter 685:


    The contract was airtight¡ªthe deal wasplete.


    How was this possible?


    Sutton had promised Burgess Group would refuse Sadie¡¯s offer.


    What went wrong?


    Sadie cleared her throat, her voice soft yet audible to everyone present.


    ¡°Everyone, the general manager seat has been vacant for a while. Mr. Ralph Castro and I have agreed that ine will assume the role.¡±


    Shock rippled through the room.


    All heads turned toward ine, who shed a roguish grin and a yful wink.


    The shareholders exchanged knowing looks, murmuring softly amongst themselves.


    After all, ine was Ralph¡¯s grandson, and having a Castro in charge as general manager felt inevitable.


    Still, ine hardly fit the image of apetent leader.


    Coyle¡¯s hands balled into fists, his expression dark with fury.


    g???????¦Í??????.??0??; ????????  novels


    That scheming woman had crossed the line.


    He had carefully orchestrated this meeting to oust Sadie and appoint Sutton to the general manager position.


    Yet, Sadie had blindsided everyone by installing ine instead.


    His entire strategy was in shambles.


    Frustration surged within Coyle, pushing him to the brink.


    Meanwhile, Sadie, either unaware or indifferent to the storm brewing on his face, pressed on smoothly.


    ¡°Regarding the uing coboration with the Burgess Group, Sutton, the logistics department manager, will be solely responsible.¡±


    What? Was she offering Sutton a constion prize to soften the blow? Rage simmered within Coyle, but he bit it back, knowing he needed to endure it for the sake of his son.


    Satisfied with the oue, Sadie rose from her seat and concluded sharply, ¡°That will be all for today. Meeting adjourned.¡±


    Without sparing another nce at the attendees, she exited confidently.


    ine followed soon after, as carefree as ever.


    The gathering dispersed abruptly, leaving Coyle frozen, pale with anger and disbelief.


    He had spent months plotting, only to be effortlessly outmaneuvered by Sadie.


    He seethed with resentment, unwilling to ept the bitter taste of failure, but helpless to reverse it. No¡ªthere was no way he¡¯d let this slide. He would never surrender so easily.


    Outside, as Sadie and ine walked in the hallway, ine shifted into a yful mood.


    ¡°You were brilliant in there, Sadie. You made Coyle¡¯s face drain of all color.¡±


    Sadie kept her focus, striding steadily toward the elevator.


    ¡°Your office is on the 17th floor,¡± she stated curtly. ¡°I¡¯ve assigned an assistant to you. She¡¯s capable¡ªdependable.¡±


    ine wasn¡¯t the least bit concerned about who the assistant might be. What intrigued him was Sadie herself¡ªcalm, cool, and efficient, just as she had been at the shareholders¡¯ meeting, a stark contrast to his grandfather¡¯s description of a delicate woman in need of protection.


    Sadie was clearly a beautiful and formidable woman.


    Raising a brow in amusement, ine watched her walk away. He shed a wink at her retreating figure before heading downstairs.


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 Chapter 686

    ?Chapter 686:


    Sadie ignored his gesture entirely.


    Once inside her office, she turned to Samuel and instructed, ¡°Keep tabs on Sutton. Monitor him closely.¡±


    A momentter, she added, ¡°Also, arrange a meeting with Patrick.¡± Samuel, as always, asked no questions.


    ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll handle it right away.¡±


    Meanwhile, ine arrived at his new workspace on the 17th floor. The polished namete gleamed, and upon opening the door, he was greeted by an airy office with minimalist, tasteful decor.


    Towering ss windows showcased a sweeping view of Jazmah¡¯s skyline.


    Clearly impressed, ine gave a low whistle.


    ¡°This is miles better than my setup overseas.¡±


    Just then, a soft knock sounded.


    ¡°Come in,¡± he called, reclining casually in the chair.


    Tina stepped inside, offering a professional smile.


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    ¡°Good afternoon, Mr. Castro. I¡¯m Tina, your new assistant.¡±


    Her voice was smooth and measured, but as her eyes met ine¡¯s, she froze.


    Sadie never revealed that the general manager was ine¡ªshe had merely mentioned assigning her as the assistant to the general manager!


    Equally surprised, ine grinned broadly.


    His mood brightened as he stood from his seat and strode over to her.


    ¡°Well, well,¡± he said, eyes twinkling. ¡°Fancy meeting you here, gorgeous.¡±


    ine shed a wide grin, mischief dancing in his voice.


    Tina, flustered beneath his unwavering gaze, instinctively stepped backward to put some space between them.


    ¡°Hello, Mr. Castro,¡± she mumbled, barely audible.


    ine found her awkwardness utterly captivating.


    Leaning forward with deliberate ease, he murmured teasingly, ¡°Did anyone ever tell you how charming you look when you blush?¡±


    Mortified, Tina wished the ground would swallow her whole. She shoved him away and, mustering her courage, shot him a warning re.


    ¡°Mr. Castro, kindly show some decorum.¡±


    Wasting no time, she shifted gears, adding swiftly, ¡°Ms. Hudson asked me to remind you to first review the partnership between Wall Group and Burgess Group, then check in with Sutton.¡±


    ine¡¯s smirk faltered briefly.


    Sutton? Coyle¡¯s son?


    His brow creased, irritation shing across his features, but he held his tongue.


    After a beat, he chuckled and replied nonchntly, ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll follow Ms. Hudson¡¯s instructions.¡±


    Meanwhile, Coyle stormed into the logistics department manager¡¯s office, his cane striking the floor with a loud crack.


    The room was empty¡ªSutton was missing.


    His fury surged as he mmed the cane against the desk with force.


    The sudden noise prompted Sutton¡¯s assistant to rush inside.


    ¡°M-Mr. Wall, how may I assist you?¡±


    Coyle¡¯s breathing was heavy with rage.


    ¡°Where is Sutton? Where has he vanished to?¡±


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 Chapter 687

    ?Chapter 687:


    The assistant trembled, afraid to meet Coyle¡¯s seething re.


    ¡°I-I¡¯ll contact him right away.¡±


    Coyle¡¯s eyes narrowed like des.


    Ipetent fool! He couldn¡¯t even handle a simple task!


    The assistant¡¯s shaky fingers dialed Sutton¡¯s number.


    The line rang endlessly until a groggy, annoyed voice finally answered.


    ¡°Who¡¯s this? What¡¯s the reason for waking me? It¡¯s too early,¡± Sutton grumbled, half-asleep.


    The assistant broke into a cold sweat at Sutton¡¯s sluggish tone.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, where are you? Your father demands your presence immediately.¡±


    Silence lingered for a moment before Sutton sighed in irritation.


    ¡°My father is looking for me? Seriously? Doesn¡¯t he know I¡¯m busy?¡±


    ¡°He is furious. Please return at once,¡± the assistant pleaded desperately.


    ¡°Furious? What now?¡± Sutton snapped, still groggy.


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    ¡°It concerns the shareholders¡¯ meeting,¡± the assistant exined hastily, ending the call before Sutton could say more. Anxiously, he turned back to Coyle.


    ¡°Mr. Sutton Wall was¡­ sleeping. I told him to return immediately.¡±


    Coyle¡¯s expression darkened, his fury reaching a boiling point.


    Sleeping? That pathetic son of his! They were about to lose the chance to take over thepany, and this fool had the audacity to be sleeping? Worthless!


    Rage made Coyle¡¯s hand tremble as he clenched the cane. If Sutton stood before him now, he would¡¯ve beaten him senseless.


    Meanwhile, Sutton rubbed his aching head, the hangover clouding his thoughts.


    As he shifted to lie back down, a realization struck him¡ªshareholders¡¯ meeting!


    His eyes snapped open in horror. Today was the shareholders¡¯ meeting!


    ¡°Shit!¡± he cursed under his breath.


    Adrenaline surging, he sprang to his feet, scrambled into his car, and sped toward the office.


    Bursting into his office, Sutton spotted his father sitting like a storm ready to erupt.


    His stomach twisted in dread.


    Lowering his gaze, he approached cautiously, not daring to meet his father¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Dad, I¡­¡±


    Before Sutton could finish, a stack of papers flew at him, striking him squarely in the face and scattering across the floor.


    Flustered, Sutton knelt to collect them.


    Before he could even see what was written on them, his father¡¯s furious voice thundered above him.


    ¡°On your knees, now!¡±


    A cold shiver ran down Sutton¡¯s spine. He swallowed hard, his legs giving way as he knelt.


    Coyle loomed over him, gripping the cane tightly, anger in his eyes.


    ¡°Do you still remember what you promised me?¡± Coyle hissed, each wordced with venom. ¡°That woman is walking all over us!¡±


    Sutton¡¯s eyes darted to the papers.


    It was the partnership agreement between Wall Group and Burgess Group.


    Hailey had once vowed never to coborate with Sadie, yet she had broken that promise.


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 Chapter 688

    ?Chapter 688:


    A wave of cold dread washed over him, draining the color from his face.


    Sutton jerked his head upward, fury zing in his gaze.


    ¡°Dad, Hailey deceived me!¡± he rasped, jaw clenched tightly, barely restraining the urge to tear Hailey apart.


    Coyle observed Sutton¡¯s devastated demeanor, and though irritation remained, his anger eased somewhat.


    There was no sense in lecturing him now¡ªdamage control was the priority.


    ¡°Alright, get up,¡± Coyle ordered, his voice stillced with disapproval despite the more tempered tone.


    ¡°Luckily, Sadie passed the Burgess Group project to our department. ine showed up out of nowhere.¡±


    Coyle¡¯s mood soured as soon as he mentioned the name. His frown deepened, and bitterness seeped into his voice.


    ¡°But that spoiled young mancks any realpetence.¡±


    Contempt practically dripped from Coyle¡¯s words, leaving no doubt how little regard he had for ine.


    ¡°This time, don¡¯t get careless,¡± he warned, his voice sharp as a de. ¡°If you ruin things again, there will be consequences.¡±


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    Sutton had just risen to his feet, his entire frame shaking as he gave a rapid nod.


    ¡°Dad, trust me. This time, I won¡¯t fail you!¡±


    Coyle scoffed sharply, relying on his cane as he stormed out of the room.


    Sutton¡¯s eyes fixated on the partnership agreement in his grasp.


    Hailey! That wretched woman! He would make sure she paid!


    He seized his phone and hastily punched in a number.


    ¡°Mr. Wall?¡± came a deferential voice.


    ¡°Make sure Hailey understands what she¡¯s up against,¡± Sutton instructed grimly.


    Hailey waspletely unaware that Sutton was nning to retaliate against her. Her attention was on Noah, who seemed ready to leave.


    ¡°Noah, where are you headed?¡± she inquired with a hint of false concern.


    Noah calmly reached for his jacket and replied, ¡°I¡¯m going to meet Sadie.¡±


    A shadow crossed Hailey¡¯s expression at the mention of Sadie¡¯s name, but she quickly masked it with a soft smile.


    ¡°Mind if I join you?¡± she asked carefully, her toneced with hope.


    Noah hesitated briefly, eyeing her as though weighing his options.


    Hailey¡¯s pulse quickened.


    She wanted to see if Noah¡¯s attitude toward Sadie had softened. To protect her own interests, she needed to know whether Noah¡¯s loyalty remained with her. After a pause, he gave a small nod.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go together.¡±


    Relief and excitement surged through Hailey as she beamed.


    ¡°Thank you, Noah,¡± she replied sweetly, linking her arm with his. Soon, they arrived at George¡¯s Restaurant, greeted by its refined atmosphere and mellow tunes.


    A waiter promptly approached and led them to their table.


    Hailey nced around, but Sadie was nowhere in sight.


    Strange¡­ Was Sadie runningte?


    Noah settled into his chair with quiet confidence, exuding poise.


    Hailey mirrored him, though an uneasy feeling tugged at her.


    Something was definitely off.


    ¡°Noah, I need to use the restroom,¡± she said suddenly.


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 Chapter 689

    ?Chapter 689:


    He gave a slight nod.


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Hailey rose and headed toward thedies¡¯ room, which was outside the restaurant.


    At that moment, Sadie emerged from one of the stalls, neither aware of the other¡¯s presence¡ªor of the eyes lurking nearby.


    The men watching mistook Sadie for Hailey, given her matching silhouette and features from the photo.


    Without dy, the group sprang into action.


    The leader of the goons lunged forward, swiftly mping a hand over Sadie¡¯s mouth.


    Her eyes widened in terror as she tried to process the sudden attack.


    A pungent chemical scent suddenly flooded her senses.


    Oh no! Panic red¡ªshe knew she was in trouble.


    Sadie fought to scream, but the grip was too strong, and no sound escaped.


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    Within seconds, the drug took hold.


    The world spun, her vision darkened, and strength drained from her body.


    She wanted to resist but had no strength left.


    Helpless, she was dragged away.


    Meanwhile, Samuel had been waiting outside the restroom, anxiously ncing at his watch.


    Sadie had yet to reappear, and his unease steadily deepened. His steps grew restless as he paced.


    By all ounts, she shouldn¡¯t have been inside for this long. Had something gone wrong?


    Torn between concern and propriety, he wanted to check inside but hesitated¡ªit was the women¡¯s restroom, after all.


    While caught in indecision, a woman exited the restroom.


    Samuel swiftly approached her with polite urgency.


    ¡°Pardon me,¡± he began respectfully, ¡°did you happen to notice a striking youngdy inside?¡±


    The woman blinked, momentarily confused.


    ¡°A youngdy?¡± she echoed. ¡°No, there is no one in there now.¡±


    Samuel¡¯s stomach dropped.


    ¡°Are you certain?¡± he pressed, his voice tighter. ¡°No one at all?¡±


    She nodded, brows furrowed.


    ¡°Positive. I was the only one.¡±


    rm shed across his face, and his worry spiked.


    There was no one in the restroom, and Sadie wasn¡¯t outside either.


    Something was off.


    Wasting no time, he pulled out his phone and dialed her number.


    The ringtone stretched on endlessly¡ªno response.


    The repetitive beeping grated on his nerves.


    His heart dropped.


    Sadie would never ignore a call without reason.


    Unless¡­ something had happened to her.


    That was when he spotted several tall men in ck suits stationed near the restaurant entrance, their demeanor sharp and vignt. Samuel instantly recognized them. They were Burgess Group¡¯s security detail, often seen apanying Hailey.


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 Chapter 690

    ?Chapter 690:


    An idea struck him.


    He had treated this meal as a routine engagement, opting not to bring protection along.


    Now, his only option was to seek help from the Burgess Group.


    He quickly made his way inside the restaurant and looked around, spotting Noah seated by the window, calmly enjoying his coffee.


    Without hesitation, Samuel rushed over.


    ¡°Mr. Noel,¡± he said urgently, ¡°Ms. Hudson is missing. Could you assist me in locating her?¡±


    Noah froze mid-gesture, his fingers mped around the coffee mug.


    What was that supposed to mean?


    His eyes lifted, sharp and searching.


    Under the weight of Noah¡¯s unwavering gaze, Samuel felt a ripple of difort but forced himself to recount the situation briskly and clearly.


    Noah¡¯s brow knitted tightly as uneasiness surged within him. He carefully ced the mug down and sprang upright, knocking his chair aside in his urgency.


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    The crash of the chair hitting the floor shattered the restaurant¡¯s stillness, prompting nearby patrons to nce over curiously.


    But Noah paid them no mind.


    His expression hardened, his tone cold andmanding as he instructed his bodyguards, ¡°Find her now! Shut down the mall and review the security cameras!¡±


    The guards instantly sprang into action, the restaurant¡¯s air thickening with tension.


    Noah remained motionless, his demeanor shifting between emotions. Why did he feel so unsettled? Sadie was just a business partner. Her vanishing had no bearing on him.


    Yet the moment he learned of her disappearance, dread gripped him, as though something precious was slipping away.


    The feeling rattled him.


    Noah couldn¡¯t process it¡ªnor did he want to.


    Without dy, he exited the restaurant alongside Samuel, leaving behind the vacant table.


    When Hailey returned, she paused, puzzled.


    Where was Noah? Why had he left so abruptly?


    She slid into her seat, prompting a waitress to approach, her voice polite.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, can I help you?¡±


    Hailey steadied herself and asked with calm curiosity, ¡°The gentleman who was here earlier¡ªwhere is he?¡±


    ¡°The gentleman? Are you referring to Mr. Noel?¡± the waitress replied with mild confusion. ¡°Mr. Noel seemed to have an urgent issue and departed suddenly.¡±


    An urgent issue? What could have driven Noah to leave without notice? Hailey¡¯s confusion deepened. She needed answers.


    Without wasting another moment, she stood and hurried out of the establishment.


    Elsewhere, inside an apartment building, Sadie¡¯s captors ushered Sutton into an apartment.


    ¡°Mr. Wall,¡± the thug leader said with an oily smile. ¡°We delivered her just as you asked. Everything¡¯s been handled, and the drugs are working. You¡¯re in for a great time.¡±


    Sutton¡¯s lips curled into a satisfied grin.


    ¡°Nicely done. Here¡ªyour payment.¡±


    .


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 Chapter 691

    ?Chapter 691:


    He flung a thick stack of bills toward the thug leader, indifferent. The thug leader¡¯s eyes sparkled at the sight of the cash, his grin stretching wider.


    ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to work for you, Mr. Wall. We¡¯re always happy to assist.¡± With a wave of his hand, Sutton dismissed the thugs.


    ¡°Get lost.¡±


    ¡°Yes, of course. Enjoy yourself,¡± the thug leader said, bowing before retreating with the others, quietly closing the door behind them.


    Sutton adjusted his cor, a dark smirk ying on his lips.


    ¡°Hailey¡­ let¡¯s see how long you can keep up that pure facade,¡± he mused.


    Anticipation buzzed in his veins as he stepped into the dimly lit room. Shadows stretched along the walls, and a slender figurey still on the mattress.


    Sutton rubbed his palms together, eagerness radiating from him. With feverish impatience, he stripped off his clothes, hisughter low and scious.


    ¡°Come on, sweetheart, drop the act. I know you¡¯ve been waiting for this. Don¡¯t think I¡¯ve forgotten how wild you once were. Today, I¡¯ll make sure you have the time of your life.¡±


    He lunged toward the bed, but just as he did, the person stirred. Sadie felt feverish, her mind clouded and her senses blurred.


    She shifted, tugging at her cor in a bid to cool down.


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    That slight movement made Sutton freeze in ce.


    His muscles tightened as he finally saw the woman¡¯s face in the faint glow.


    It wasn¡¯t Hailey. It was Sadie!


    Shock mmed into him, snuffing out any previous desire.


    He recoiled, stumbling away from the bed, terror flooding his veins. How was this possible? How did Sadie end up here? He had clearly instructed the thugs to bring Hailey! Sutton¡¯s mind reeled in frantic confusion.


    As he nced down at his disheveled clothes, disgust rolled through him.


    He had almostid hands on Sadie¡ªmistaking her for Hailey.


    The thought alone made him sick.


    Without dy, he yanked his pants back on, fumbling as panic overtook him.


    His only goal now was to get the hell out of there.


    Outside, the thugs lounged, grinning smugly.


    When Sutton emerged so quickly, they exchanged knowing looks, assuming he¡¯d already indulged. Their faces lit up with excitement.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, done already? Want somepany? We promise you¡¯ll enjoy it even more,¡± the leader joked.


    Sutton¡¯s fury exploded at his words.


    His eyes zed as he mmed a vicious kick into the leader¡¯s gut.


    ¡°Shut up, you idiot!¡±


    The thug doubled over, stunned.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, what¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Sutton, breathing heavily, pointed furiously toward the room. ¡°I said to snatch Hailey! Open your damn eyes and look who you delivered!¡±


    Confusion swept over the group.


    Hadn¡¯t they grabbed Hailey? The woman¡¯s figure matched, and they¡¯d cross-checked with the photo. How could there have been a mix-up?


    The men exchanged uneasy nces, utterly rattled.


    Sutton was livid, his entire body shaking with anger.


    ¡°You¡¯re worthless! A bunch of goddamn idiots! You can¡¯t even handle a simple task! What on earth am I even paying you for?¡±


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 Chapter 692

    ?Chapter 692:


    The leader of the thugs was berated so harshly that he barely dared to breathe.


    After a while, he cautiously asked, ¡°Who is inside, Mr. Wall?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s that wretched woman, Sadie!¡± Sutton practically spat, his voice filled with venom. The thugs were stunned by his answer. Sadie? The chairwoman of Wall Group? How could it be her?


    Sutton was still fuming over the blunder when a thought suddenly crossed his mind. He rushed forward and grabbed the leader by the cor.


    ¡°Did anyone see you take Sadie?¡± he demanded.


    That was his biggest concern. If word got out that he had targeted his own cousin-inw, the scandal would be enormous. His father wouldn¡¯t let him off the hook either.


    ¡°No, no, absolutely not! Rest assured, Mr. Wall¡ªwe were extremely careful. No one saw anything,¡± the thug leader stammered, his face draining of color as he frantically shook his head.


    Afraid that Sutton might not believe him, he quickly added, ¡°We know how to keep our mouths shut. You can trust us. Not a word of this will ever get out.¡±


    Sutton finally rxed, though only slightly.


    As long as no one else knew about it, it didn¡¯t matter what he did to Sadie.


    His eyes flickered with dark malice.


    Since Sadie was already here, wouldn¡¯t it be a waste not to take full advantage of her vulnerable state?


    She had always acted cold and arrogant toward him, as if he could never touch her, as if nothing he did could ever gain her attention.


    Well, tonight, he was going to make sure that Sadie¡¯s tough act would crumble beyond recovery.


    He swept a nce over the goons, who still appeared clueless about the situation.


    ¡°She¡¯s all yours,¡± Sutton said, his tone chilling. ¡°Consider it a little reward from me. Make sure she has a good time with you boys.¡±


    The men froze, staring at him in shock.


    Was this for real?


    They exchanged nces, unable to believe their luck.


    ¡°Mr. Wall,¡± the thug leader asked, his voice tinged with hesitation. ¡°Are you really leaving her to us?¡±


    Sutton clicked his tongue and shot him an impatient re. ¡°Why the hell would I waste my time lying to you? But let me be clear about one thing¡ªif even a breath of tonight¡¯s events gets out, you bastards will have hell to pay!¡±


    It was a tant threat, and the thugs knew he was capable of following through.


    They nodded earnestly, swearing themselves to silence.


    Going against the Wall family was simply out of the question. Besides, spending time with such a stunning woman was a rare opportunity.


    Satisfied, Sutton took onest nce at the closed door of the bedroom before walking away with a sneer.


    It was about time Sadie learned what happened to those who made the mistake of crossing him.


    As soon as the door shut behind Sutton, the thugs began tittering with excitement.


    They had spent years toeing the line, doing all kinds of dirty work, and now this was proving to be a glorious windfall. More than that, a gorgeous woman was theirs for the taking. It felt like a gift from the heavens.


    ¡°Boss, what do we do?¡± one of theckeys asked, already rubbing his palms together in eager anticipation.


    The thug leader smirked, his face mirroring the excitement of his men. ¡°What do you think?¡± he asked with a dark chuckle. ¡°Have you seen the beauty in there? We¡¯d be fools to pass up this chance. Tonight, we shall enjoy to our hearts¡¯ content!¡±


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 Chapter 693

    ?Chapter 693:


    ¡°However¡ª¡± he quickly followed up before his men could erupt in cheers. He looked at each of them one by one. ¡°Not a damn word of this leaves this apartment. If I catch anyone running his mouth, I¡¯ll make sure he regrets it for the rest of his life.¡±


    His subordinates shuddered and swore silence on the matter. With that out of the way, the leader smacked his lips and stepped toward the door.


    ¡°After you, boss!¡± a thug eximed, clearly trying to curry favor. The leader turned to sh the men a wide grin, then bodily pushed the door open.


    A faint trace of incense lingered in the air inside the room.


    Even in the dim light, they could see Sadie clearly as shey on the bed, her delicate face tinged with a soft flush. She looked more alluring than ever, more desirable.


    The thug leader immediately felt a rush of heat course through his body, and his breathing grewbored.


    What a stunning beauty, indeed! Sutton must have been out of his mind to give her away without a second thought.


    The leader ran his tongue over his lower lip. He couldn¡¯t wait to indulge himself.


    But something was missing¡ªthe mood wasn¡¯t quite right.


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    He thought about it for a moment, then his eyes shed when an idea came to him.


    He whipped around to his men and ordered, ¡°Bring me my aphrodisiac incense. We¡¯re going to make this a very memorable night.¡±


    They all understood his intentions, and their faces broke out in simr, wicked grins.


    It didn¡¯t take long for one of them to bring a tray of incense.


    The thug leader lit one stick, and an odd scent instantly filled the room.


    This particr incense was known to heighten sexual desire and intensify the overall experience in the bedroom.


    The man closed his eyes and took a deep breath, feeling the heat surge within him.


    He let out a wickedugh and strode toward the bed.


    ¡°Well, well, well. It¡¯s time to give our little beauty some special attention,¡± the thug leader murmured, his hand already reaching out to Sadie.


    Just then, a soft chime echoed through the hallway as the elevator doors opened.


    The thugs loitering nearby instinctively turned, assuming Sutton had returned. However, when their eyesnded on the upants inside, their bodies stiffened.


    Inside the elevator stood a group of men, with a towering figure leading them.


    Even with most of his face hidden behind a silver mask, his presence exuded an intimidating authority that demanded immediate attention.


    His sharp gaze alone sent a cold shiver through their bones.


    It was Patrick, CEO of Burgess Group.


    Behind him stood Samuel and a squad of grim-faced guards d in dark attire.


    A suffocating tension filled the hallway, draining the color from the thugs¡¯ faces.


    None of them had anticipated Patrick¡¯s appearance here¡ªand from the aura he carried, it was clear he wasn¡¯t here for idle talk.


    A crushing dread weighed heavily on their chests.


    ¡°Deal with them,¡± Noahmanded, his tone steely and absolute, leaving no room for hesitation.


    Samuel¡¯s spine straightened as he snapped, ¡°Understood!¡±


    Without missing a beat, the guards surged forward, surrounding the thugs in a swift and coordinated strike.


    In a panic, the thugs copsed to their knees, frantically begging, ¡°Mr. Noel, please! We were only obeying orders! Spare us!¡±


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 Chapter 694

    ?Chapter 694:


    Noah remained unmoved, his icy stare directed at the door ahead. With a swift motion, he kicked it open, the crash reverberating through the room.


    A thick, suffocating odor assaulted his senses as the door swung inward. His expression darkened.


    Beneath the dim glow, Noah spotted a burly man sprawled across the bed, pawing at the woman beneath him.


    The frail figure beneath the brute trembled, her clothing in disarray¡ªit was Sadie.


    A surge of white-hot rage coursed through Noah, veins bulging at his temples.


    Fury consumed him.


    Without a moment¡¯s pause, he strode over, yanked the thug up by the cor, and hurled him across the room like a ragdoll.


    The man mmed against the floor, letting out a guttural scream.


    Noah¡¯s re grew colder as he turned back to the bed.


    Sadiey unconscious, her cheeks burning with redness, her breaths shallow andbored.


    Torn fabric exposed streaks of her skin, flushed with an unsettling redness.


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    His chest tightened painfully at the sight.


    Noah shrugged off his jacket and tenderlyid it over Sadie, shielding her from the cold air.


    The thug on the floor scrambled upright, terror etched into his face.


    Before he could make a move, Noah¡¯s piercing gaze locked onto him, freezing him in ce. His breath hitched, his entire body going rigid with fear.


    Momentster, Samuel entered, absorbing the grim scene in a heartbeat. Wordlessly, he grabbed the thug and dragged him from the room.


    In his frantic struggle, the thug identally mmed the bedroom door shut.


    Noah bent down, carefully lifting Sadie into his arms.


    Her feverish body pressed against him, her faint fragrance clinging to him like a spell.


    He instinctively tightened his grip, feeling a rush of emotion at the familiar warmth.


    As he gazed down at her, he couldn¡¯t help but notice her ethereal beauty¡ªthe wless lines of her face, her porcin skin glowing faintly in the soft light. Her parted lips trembled, a quiet whimper escaping as her fevered state deepened.


    That fragile image unlocked a vague memory buried deep within him, and Noah¡¯s heart skipped a beat.


    Just as he prepared to leave, Sadie stirred, heat coursing through her as she writhed weakly in his arms.


    Hershes fluttered open, revealing eyes clouded by fever. The first thing she saw was the silver mask¡ªand the dark, familiar eyes behind it. Something in them tugged at her, both foreign and familiar.


    She wanted to see the face hidden beneath, but before she could think, her body instinctively curled closer to the warmth holding her. A soft murmur escaped her lips. ¡°Noah¡­¡±


    Noah tensed.


    Had she just spoken his name?


    At the Glory Jewelry Exhibition, he thought it had been a hallucination.


    But this time, the sound was clear, undeniable.


    Did she somehow know his true identity?


    His pulse quickened, emotions in turmoil.


    Clinging to his cor, Sadie pressed herself against him, her voice small and fragile. ¡°Noah¡­ feel awful¡­¡±


    The desperation in her tone sent a tremor through Noah.


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 Chapter 695

    ?Chapter 695:


    The heavy, perfumed air clung to them,ced with suggestive tension. Even Noah could sense something amiss.


    A slow, insidious heat stirred within him, creeping through his limbs and pooling in his core.


    Sadie¡¯s restless movements made matters worse, pushing him to the brink.


    His breathing deepened, tension coiling in every muscle.


    In her haze, Sadie¡¯s fingertips brushed against the chilled surface of his mask, jolting her slightly.


    Her hand instinctively trailed along its edges before lifting it free, revealing the face hidden beneath.


    The face that had haunted Sadie¡¯s thoughts day and night suddenly materialized before her.


    She froze in ce, her gaze unfocused as she stared at Noah.


    It was indeed him¡ªNoah. Her Noah was back!


    Tears welled up in Sadie¡¯s eyes as the longing she¡¯d pent up overflowed.


    In a sudden move, she lifted her head, her eyes rimmed with red, and kissed Noah. Her lips met his with a fervent warmth.


    Noah shuddered under her touch.


    His mind nked out, every rational thought eclipsed by the intensity of the moment.


    His soul seemed to tremble. This sensation was both familiar and strange, yet irresistibly captivating.


    Desire overtook Noah¡¯s reason, overwhelming his restraint.


    He cradled Sadie¡¯s head as he deepened their kiss.


    Her response was a blend of raw passion and clumsiness, filled with deep longing and attachment.


    She clung to him, seeking sce in his warmth and theforting scent of him.


    ¡°Noah¡­¡± she whispered, her voiceden with emotion, ¡°I need you¡­¡± At that, Noah¡¯sst vestiges of control vanished.


    ¡°Sadie¡­¡±


    They embraced fiercely, their bodies entwining as they fell onto the soft bed.


    The room¡¯s temperature seemed to spike.


    Meanwhile, outside, Samuel returned to the hallway after finishing his tasks.


    Several bodyguards stood guard by the door.


    As he approached, strange noises emanated from the room.


    His heart raced.


    The sounds grew louder, unmistakably the deep, low tones of a man intertwined with a woman¡¯s soft moans.


    The man¡¯s voice¡­ it sounded uncannily like Mr. Noel¡¯s.


    Shock painted Samuel¡¯s face.


    What could Mr. Noel and Ms. Hudson possibly be doing?


    He nced back at the bodyguards, his expression betraying his astonishment.


    The bodyguards exchanged uneasy nces, their faces tense, as if they, too, had heard the sounds but were unsure how to react.


    Samuel paused, deciding it was best to withdraw.


    Theplexities of what was happening inside the room were beyond their ability to intervene.


    Moreover, Samuel sensed something different about Mr. Noel today. From the moment he learned of Ms. Hudson¡¯s disappearance at the restaurant, his demeanor had been unusually tense and agitated.


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 Chapter 696

    ?Chapter 696:


    All his reactions since then felt strangely familiar to Samuel.


    A troubling thought shed through his mind.


    Why did Mr. Noel¡¯s voice so closely resemble Mr. Wall¡¯s?


    Samuel¡¯s pulse quickened.


    He pushed the thought aside.


    With aposed gesture, he signaled the bodyguards.


    ¡°Let¡¯s step back for now. No one approaches this area without my say.¡±


    The bodyguards nodded in unison. ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Silently, Samuel led them away.


    Meanwhile, Hailey had returned alone to the suburban vi.


    The vi was aze with lights yet felt unsettlingly vacant.


    She pulled out her phone.


    Still no answer from Noah.


    Hailey¡¯s brow furrowed, a surge of worry washing over her.


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    What was happening? Why wasn¡¯t he answering? Could he possibly be with Sadie?


    The thought struck Hailey forcefully.


    No, that couldn¡¯t be right!


    Noah loathed that woman.


    Perhaps he was simply too busy to notice his phone.


    That had to be the exnation.


    Despite her attempts to reassure herself, a nagging unease persisted. She set down her phone and began pacing the living room, lost in thought.


    As morning arrived, sunlight crept through the blinds, gently illuminating Sadie¡¯s face.


    She blinked open her eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling above her. Her body felt as though it had been disassembled and pieced back together.


    Sadie frowned, slowly propping herself up into a sitting position.


    The air still held a faint, lingering fragrance.


    Memories of the previous night¡ªfamiliar yet elusive sensations¡ªgradually filled her mind.


    Suddenly, Sadie froze.


    She recalled being drugged, her consciousness bing foggy, then everything turning fragmented.


    She remembered seeing Noah.


    Yes, Noah!


    Her heart raced as she hastily threw off the covers.


    The white sheets bore vivid, unmistakable traces ofst night¡¯s fervor. Instinctively, Sadie scanned the room for Noah.


    She checked the bed, the bathroom, the walk-in closet¡ªno sign of anyone.


    Her heart sank.


    As she walked to the bedside, her eyes inadvertently swept across the floor.


    A silver masky there.


    It was identical to the one Patrick always wore.


    Could it be¡­ the manst night wasn¡¯t Noah, but Patrick?


    Yet, that blurred face¡ªshe couldn¡¯t have been mistaken.


    Sadie clutched the mask tightly, her heart heavy with confusion and dread.


    Just then, a knock at the door broke her contemtion.


    ¡°Ms. Hudson, are you awake?¡± Samuel¡¯s voice came through. She took a moment to steady her nerves.


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 Chapter 697

    ?Chapter 697:


    ¡°Come in,¡± she called.


    Samuel entered, carrying a neatly folded set of women¡¯s clothes.


    ¡°Ms. Hudson, these clothes have been prepared for you.¡±


    Sadie epted the clothes and retreated to the bathroom.


    After changing, she emerged, trying to maintain her usualposure.


    ¡°Aboutst night¡­¡±


    Samuel hovered on the edge of his words, visibly torn. Sadie¡¯s eyes narrowed, her voice low and unwavering. ¡°Say it. The truth, Samuel.¡± Only then did he muster the nerve.


    ¡°The men fromst night¡­ they talked. It was Sutton behind it. He nned to kidnap Hailey. But they took the wrong person.¡± Sadie¡¯s expression hardened¡ªlike a surface kissed by sudden frost.


    Sutton. Again.


    Relentless, venomous Sutton.


    Samuel shifted ufortably, his voice softer now. ¡°Also¡­ Ms. Hudson, I saw Patrick¡¯s car pulling away just as I got here.¡±


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    Silence mmed down between them.


    It wasn¡¯t Noahst night. It was Patrick.


    She should have known better. Should¡¯ve kept her walls high, her heart distant, especially when her husband¡¯s death still hung fresh in the air.


    How could she¡­


    Sadie¡¯s guilt deepened. She felt awful.


    Even after she returned to the office, her thoughts remained a chaotic tangle.


    ¡°Earth to Sadie,¡± came a voice¡ªsmooth, amused, and far too close.


    Sadie jolted, reality snapping back like a rubber band. ine stood beside her, wearing that trademark smirk, his eyes scanning her face like he was reading a page.


    ¡°What¡¯s got you so flustered this early? What happened?¡± He lifted a brow, yfully skeptical.


    Sadie shot him a look. ¡°Mind your own business.¡±


    She steadied herself with a breath and forced a shift in tone. ¡°Anyway, what are you doing here?¡±


    A quick subject change¡ªanything to avoid being bothered by ine.


    He offered a shrug, palms up.


    ¡°The Burgess Group called a meeting to move forward on the partnership.¡± He paused, letting irritation slip into his voice. ¡°Sutton¡¯s missing¡ªno calls, no texts, nowhere to be seen. And Patrick? He suddenly bailedst minute.¡±


    The mention of Patrick made Sadie flinch. Subtle, but there.


    She avoided ine¡¯s gaze, her words clipped. ¡°If Mr. Noel¡¯s not showing up, you¡¯ll have to handle it solo.¡±


    With that, she spun on her heel and vanished into her office, the door shutting behind her with a sharp finality.


    ine stared after her, brow furrowed, a little stunned.


    What was wrong with Sadie today?


    She seemed distant. Tense. Like a wire pulled taut and ready to snap.


    Behind the office door, Sadie sat motionless¡ªat least on the outside. She snatched up the internal line. ¡°Samuel,¡± she said, her voice as cold as cut ss. ¡°Those thugs fromst night¡ªdeal with them. And as for Sutton¡­ he¡¯s no longer worth keeping alive in this game.¡±


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 Chapter 698

    ?Chapter 698:


    That bastard actually dared to harm her.


    A beat of hesitation crackled over the line. ¡°Ms. Hudson¡­ those men were already taken by Mr. Noel¡¯s peoplest night. And Sutton¡­ well, he¡¯s vanished.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s lips parted slightly in shock.


    She slowly set the phone down, her fingers tightening around the sleek mask in her hand. She turned it over and over, unable to still the storm churning inside her.


    In an abandoned factory in the suburbs, the thugs from the night before hung by their wrists, suspended like grotesque marites, their cries echoing through the rusting beams.


    Just outside, a matte-ck Maybach idled. From within, Noah watched¡ªsilent, detached, cold.


    A man in ck approached the car, his steps crisp and precise.


    ¡°Mr. Noel,¡± he said, bowing slightly. ¡°Sutton¡¯s inside.¡±


    Noah stepped out, his movements deliberate. He took the wooden bat handed to him¡ªno words exchanged.


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    The factory was dark and wet, the stench of alcohol and rust in the air.


    Suttony slumped in a chair, hands bound. Drunk and unaware.


    Noah didn¡¯t hesitate. He lifted the bat.


    Crack!


    The sound was brutal, final.


    Sutton stirred, eyes fluttering open, fogged with alcohol and confusion. Shapes swam in his vision until one figure came into sharp focus¡ªtall,posed, and terrifyingly familiar.


    Noah stood over him, no mask, no disguise. Just cold, unforgiving rity.


    Sutton¡¯s breath caught in his throat. He didn¡¯t even scream. He couldn¡¯t. Terror strangled the sound before it could leave his lungs.


    But¡­ Noah was supposed to be dead.


    Then who¡ªwhat¡ªwas this?


    Sutton¡¯s eyes widened, the blood draining from his face. A cold sweat slicked his skin as reality began to twist around him.


    Noah¡¯s gaze shifted toward the bodyguard silently waiting beside him. His voice was ice wrapped in velvet. ¡°Since Mr. Wall enjoys women so much¡­ then let him enjoy himself to the fullest.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Mr. Noel.¡±


    The title hit Sutton like a hammer. Mr. Noel?


    Patrick was Noah?


    No. No, that couldn¡¯t be.


    His head thrashed in disbelief, panic setting in like wildfire.


    But Noah was already turning away, indifferent.


    He didn¡¯t even look back.


    Behind him, the bodyguards stepped forward, des drawn.


    And then came the screams¡ªraw, frenzied, helpless.


    Noah slid into the back seat of the Maybach, closing the door quietly. ¡°Mr. Noel, where to now?¡± the driver asked respectfully. ¡°Ms. Burgess has been waiting for you, having called several times.¡±


    Noah¡¯s brow furrowed faintly.


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 Chapter 699

    ?Chapter 699:


    Almost instinctively, he murmured, ¡°Myrtlewood Estate.¡±


    The words slipped out before he could stop them. A beat of silence followed.


    The driver blinked, confused.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sir¡­ there¡¯s no Myrtlewood Estate in Jazmah.¡±


    Noah caught himself. He exhaled slowly, pressing two fingers to his temple. ¡°Take me to the suburban vi,¡± he said atst, his voice low,ced with fatigue.


    The driver didn¡¯t say anything else. The engine hummed to life, and the car rolled forward.


    Noah leaned back, eyes closing, though his mind refused to quiet.


    Last night haunted him like smoke¡ªclinging to everything.


    Sadie.


    Just her name was enough to stir something vtile in him.


    He should¡¯ve hated her. And yet¡­ his thoughts pulled toward her like a tide he couldn¡¯t resist. He hated that he missed her presence. Noah¡¯s eyes snapped open, frustration simmering just beneath the surface.


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    He didn¡¯t want to face it. But the truth wed its way up anyway. What he felt for Sadie wasn¡¯t just disdain. There was something else¡ªsomething far more dangerous.


    Desire.


    The realization made his chest tighten with unease.


    He squeezed his eyes shut, as if darkness could drive her out of his head.


    But her image remained¡ªetched into the backs of his eyelids.


    Her curves, her breath, the way her body had arched beneath him¡­


    The memory red like a match strike in the dark.


    Noah exhaled sharply, forcing himself to regain control.


    It was nothing, he told himself. Just the drug. Just confusion.


    Nothing had happened. And nothing ever would.


    There would be no future between him and Sadie.


    The vi in the suburbs was brightly lit.


    Hailey had stayed up all night, anxiously waiting for Noah¡¯s return. The moment she heard the door open, her face broke into a joyful smile, and she practically scrambled to her feet to greet him.


    ¡°Noah, you¡¯re finally home! I was so worried about you,¡± Hailey pouted, her tone aggrieved.


    Noah was visibly taken aback by her behavior. He paused and studied the woman before him. The delicate makeup she had on and the gentle smile she gave did evoke a memory of the past.


    Deep down, however, he felt no romantic feelings toward Hailey. If anything, there was a keen sense of aversion, bordering on repulsion. He instinctively stepped to the side to put some distance between them.


    ¡°Some issues came up at thepany,¡± Noah said tly. ¡°I had to stay and take care of them.¡±


    Hailey¡¯s smile faltered. She could sense Noah¡¯s sudden coldness toward her, and it only fed into her growing unease. Just where had he beenst night? Who had he been with?


    Hailey forced herself to continue smiling.


    ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re okay. I was worried something happened to you. Why don¡¯t I make you something to eat?¡± she offered, already turning toward the kitchen.


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 Chapter 700

    Chapter 700:


    But Noah¡¯s words stopped her. ¡°There¡¯s no need. I¡¯m tired, so I¡¯ll head upstairs to rest.¡±


    Hailey paused mid-step. She pressed her lips into a thin line to keep herself from asking more questions. She managed a small nod.


    ¡°Right, you should rest. No matter how busy work gets, you need to take care of yourself.¡±


    Noah hummed in acknowledgment before heading up the stairs. Not once did he nce back at her.


    Hailey¡¯s smile finally dropped when he disappeared into the second-floornding.


    Something was wrong here, very, very wrong.


    Noah had acted aloof since he walked into the vi¡ªa sharp contrast to how he usually treated her.


    Hailey felt her heart sink.


    She turned her attention outside, where Noah¡¯s car was still parked. The driver stood by the vehicle, his stance measured and respectful.


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    Hailey headed outside to talk to him. ¡°Do you know where Noah wentst night?¡± She tried to keep her tone steady, not wanting to seem too anxious.


    The driver hesitated, clearly surprised by the youngdy¡¯s question. He wasn¡¯t quite sure how to respond.


    His apprehension didn¡¯t escape Hailey¡¯s notice. She softened her tone. ¡°It¡¯s all right. Just tell me the truth. I won¡¯t hold it against you.¡± The driver took a few more seconds to make up his mind. When he did speak, he sounded nervous. ¡°Well, Ms. Burgess, Mr. Noel went to deal with matters regarding Mr. Sutton Wall.¡±


    He nced at Hailey warily, afraid that he had said something wrong.


    Sutton? Hailey¡¯s heart skipped a beat. A voice in the back of her head told her that the matters in question might have something to do with her.


    ¡°What happened with Sutton? Tell me everything you know.¡± Feeling pressured now, the driver recounted the events of the previous night, including how Sutton had hired thugs to abduct Hailey, only for them to kidnap Sadie by mistake. He then went on to exin how Noah had arrived at the scene just in time to stop the men from doing anything to Sadie.


    Hailey¡¯s eyes widened with shock and horror as she listened. A lot had happenedst night, and she didn¡¯t even have any idea.


    So, Sutton had tried to harm her? That fool!


    A strange mix of fear and relief washed over her. On one hand, it was a good thing that Noah had dealt with Sutton, sparing her from future trouble with her previous paramour. On the other, Noah had ultimately done it all to save Sadie.


    So, what else happened? What did they do after Noah rescued Sadie?


    Hailey felt a ball of dread in the pit of her stomach.


    Struggling to keep her emotions in check, she pried further. ¡°Do you know what Noah and Sadie did afterward?¡±


    The driver looked even more flustered by the question. He shook his head vigorously. ¡°I don¡¯t know anything else, Ms. Burgess. My duty is to drive Mr. Noel to his destination, that¡¯s all. I would never dare to ask him about his private affairs.¡±


    Needless to say, this reaction only fueled Hailey¡¯s suspicions. The more the driver denied any knowledge, the more it seemed to her that he had something to hide.


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    Message from Noah: New chapters on wednesday dear readers. God loves you and Noah whishes you all the best. ????(? ?? ? ¨C ? ) ?


    .


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 701

    ?Chapter 701:


    All at once, she was ovee with a sense of urgency. Gritting her teeth behind her stiff smile, she retrieved a stack of cash from her purse and handed it to the driver. ¡°Thank you for today. Take this and treat yourself to a drink.¡±


    The driver drew back in surprise and waved his hands to refuse the money. ¡°I can¡¯t ept this, Ms. Burgess. I was only doing my job.¡±


    But Hailey insisted, going so far as to press the cash into his hands. ¡°Take it. You deserve it. If anythinges up in the future, let me know, all right?¡±


    Her voice was gentle and kind, with only the faintest hint of intention. It was enough for the driver to understand her meaning, though. He nodded gratefully. ¡°Thank you, Ms. Burgess. I¡¯ll be sure to keep you informed.¡±


    Hailey offered a satisfied smile. ¡°Go on, get some rest.¡± She gave a small wave, casually dismissing the driver.


    Relieved, he didn¡¯t hesitate¡ªslipping behind the wheel and pulling away from the vi, tires crunching softly against the gravel.


    Hailey stood still, her eyes following the car until it vanished into the horizon. The moment it was gone, her smile fell, like a mask dropping. In its ce¡ªice. Cold. Calcted. Unforgiving. She wouldn¡¯t let Sadie steal what belonged to her. Not now. Not ever.


    At Riverside Vi, the morning air was still. Briley emerged, half-awake,zily slinging her bag over one shoulder as she prepared to leave.


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    Coyle was sitting on the leather sofa, flipping through a stack of glossy photographs. Elegant smiles, poised stances¡ªyoung women from Jazmah¡¯s most influential families. Each was a potential match for his son, Sutton, in his grand n to secure the future of his family.


    Then¡ªA scream tore through the quiet.


    ¡°Ahhh!¡±


    Coyle¡¯s brow creased, irritation surfacing. What was this?


    He grabbed his cane and got up to check what was happening. His voice echoed down the hall, sharp and disapproving. ¡°What now, Briley? Why the hell are you screaming at this hour?¡±


    Briley stumbled back inside, her face drained of color, her finger trembling as she pointed toward the door.


    ¡°Dad¡­ outside¡­ there¡¯s someone¡ªcovered in blood¡ªit¡¯s awful! I think it¡¯s a vagrant or something!¡±


    A vagrant? Here?


    Coyle¡¯s frown deepened. He made his way to the entrance, his cane tapping steadily across the floor.


    And then he saw it¡ªA figure sprawled at the vi¡¯s threshold, crumpled and soaked in grime and blood. His hair was matted, clothes torn, face barely recognizable.


    ¡°Help¡­ please, help me¡­¡±


    Coyle leaned in, taking a closer look.


    His breath caught. It wasn¡¯t a vagrant. It was Sutton. His son.


    ¡°Sutton!¡±


    Coyle¡¯s roar echoed through the vi as he rushed forward, barking orders for someone to bring his son to the nearest hospital. Briley was pale as a ghost, barely registering the chaos around her.


    At the hospital, the antiseptic scent did nothing to mask the dread thickening in Coyle¡¯s chest. The doctor emerged atst, his expression grim.


    ¡°Mr. Wall,¡± he said gently, ¡°I¡¯m very sorry. We did everything we could. Your son has sustained multiple injuries¡ªfive broken ribs, a crushed femur. His left leg¡­ we had no choice. It had to be amputated.¡± The doctor hesitated, then added, more quietly, ¡°There¡¯s more. His reproductive organs were¡­ deliberately targeted. I¡¯m afraid this will impact the rest of his life in ways we can¡¯t yet fully measure.¡±


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 Chapter 702

    ?Chapter 702:


    Coyle staggered as if struck, his face draining of color.


    His heir¡ªhis only son¡ªwas destroyed.


    It felt like the sky had cracked open ande crashing down.


    Briley rushed to his side, catching his arm.


    ¡°Dad! Are you alright?¡±


    But Coyle couldn¡¯t answer. Words abandoned him. His lungs refused to draw breath.


    There was only the crushing weight of devastation pressing on his chest.


    Hours blurred into a sleepless night. At dawn, Sutton finally stirred.


    His eyes fluttered open¡ªand then he saw it.


    ¡°My leg¡­ What¡ªwhere¡¯s my leg?¡± His voice rose into a raw, animal scream. ¡°No¡ªno! It¡¯s gone! They took my leg! They¡¯ll pay for this! I¡¯ll make them pay!¡±


    Coyle stood at his son¡¯s bedside, trembling, tears silently streaking his weathered face.


    ¡°Sutton¡­ don¡¯t be afraid,¡± he choked out, gripping his son¡¯s hand. ¡°I¡¯m here. And I swear¡ªI¡¯ll make them pay for every drop of blood.¡±


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    Sutton clutched his father¡¯s arm, desperation turning into fury.


    ¡°Revenge, Dad! You have to get revenge for me! It was Noah!¡± Sutton¡¯s voice cracked with rage and disbelief. ¡°That bastard¡ªhe¡¯s not dead! He¡¯s alive! He¡¯s Patrick! Patrick Noel is Noah! He did this to me! He¡¯s the one who ruined me!¡±


    The words mmed into Coyle like a punch to the chest, Patrick¡­ was Noah?


    His blood ran cold. His mind raced.


    ¡°Shut your mouth!¡± Coyle barked. ¡°You¡¯re delirious¡ªhow could Patrick possibly be Noah? Have youpletely lost your senses?¡± Coyle tried to hide the shock within him.


    If it was true¡­


    If Noah had survived¡­


    And if he knew what they had done three years ago¡­


    Then his entire family was already living on borrowed time.


    Rage boiled in Coyle¡¯s throat. He nearly choked on it.


    Meanwhile, Sutton clung to his father like a man drowning, his voice rising into a manic plea.


    ¡°I swear it¡¯s true, Dad! I saw his face! I know it was him! He came after me¡ªhe made me like this!¡± Tears streamed down Sutton¡¯s face, raw and uncontroble.


    ¡°You have to believe me! You have to get revenge for me!¡± Coyle stared at his son, his expression unreadable.


    He wanted to dismiss it. Call it trauma-fueled nonsense.


    But Sutton¡¯s eyes¡ªwild, ssy, desperate¡ªweren¡¯t the eyes of a liar.


    Something inside Coyle twisted.


    If Noah was still alive¡­ Then who was in the urn?


    He took several slow breaths, gripping his cane like a lifeline. Then, with forced calm, he said, ¡°Tell me everything. Exactly what happened. No skipping details.¡±


    Sutton¡¯s breath rattled in his chest. His gaze was unfocused, distant. He began recounting the events of the previous night in detail.


    Coyle listened, his face growing darker with every word.


    But when he heard Sutton mention that Patrick called him ¡°Mr. Wall,¡± Coyle¡¯s heart instantly lifted.


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 Chapter 703

    ?Chapter 703:


    A flicker of something stirred in his chest.


    If Patrick was Noah¡­ why did he call Sutton that?


    Could it be¡­ he lost his memory? Three years ago, Noah had thrown himself in front of Sadie, taken that brutal hit, and fallen into aa.


    Now, he had reappeared as Hailey¡¯s husband, cold and hostile toward Sadie.


    It didn¡¯t seem like Sutton was mistaken.


    Amnesia¡ªit was the only exnation that made sense. And it changed everything.


    Coyle¡¯s thoughts shifted into overdrive, weaving strategy through shock.


    Everyone in their world believed Noah was dead.


    And for the sake of his family, Noah needed to stay that way. Coyle turned slowly toward Sutton, whoy broken in the bed, eyes zed with pain. Coyle¡¯s own eyes gleamed¡ªhard, calcting.


    He leaned in close, his voice barely above a whisper.


    ¡°Sutton¡­ listen to me carefully. You can¡¯t tell a soul. Not even Briley. No one. Not a word. Understand?¡±


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    Sutton hesitated, confusion clouding his face. ¡°Dad, why? After everything Noah has done to us, why should we help him keep his identity a secret?¡±


    Coyle chuckled darkly, eyes narrowing with a sinister glint. ¡°Fool! If Patrick steps into Noah¡¯s shoes, how do you expect us to gain anything from him? Do you want topete with Sadie alone or both her and Noah?¡±


    In that instant, realization washed over Sutton.


    ¡°But Dad, does this mean I have to endure all this quietly? My injuries, my thirst for vengeance¡ªshould I just let it all go?¡± Sutton struggled to ept his broken leg and the bitter reality that he must suppress his fury and act as if nothing had urred, despite all he had suffered.


    Coyle¡¯s lips curled into a malicious grin. ¡°Of course not, Sutton. Trust me, you will get your justice. He will pay dearly¡ªtenfold. But this isn¡¯t the right moment. We must bide our time.¡±


    A dangerous gleam flickered in Coyle¡¯s gaze, his wordsced with madness.


    Abruptly, he turned toward the doorway, signaling Sutton to hold his tongue. Sutton caught on immediately and mped his mouth shut.


    Footsteps echoed from the hallway. Briley stepped in, carrying a food tray. Concern shadowed her face as she looked at her brother lying weakly in the hospital bed.


    ¡°Sutton, you¡¯re awake. How are you feeling? Are you hungry? I brought your favorite¡ªchicken noodle soup.¡±


    She moved to hand Sutton the bowl, but Sutton smacked it away, sending the contents sttering onto the floor.


    Briley gasped, herplexion draining. ¡°Sutton, what¡¯s wrong? Are you in pain?¡±


    Sutton stared nkly at the ceiling, ignoring herpletely. Panic rising, Briley turned to Coyle. ¡°Dad, what¡¯s happening to him?¡±


    Coyle¡¯s tone was firm. ¡°Briley, leave us. I need to speak privately with him.¡±


    Sutton.¡±


    Hearing this, Briley hesitated for a moment before nodding, casting a worried nce at her brother before exiting. Earlier, while outside the room, she had overheard fragments of their conversation. Though much was unclear, the names ¡°Noah¡± and ¡°Patrick¡± stood out sharply.


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 Chapter 704

    ?Chapter 704:


    Briley took a deep breath, trying topose herself as she pretended nothing had happened. She quietly left the hospital room. Coyle shut the door gently behind her.


    ¡°Sutton, remember what I¡¯ve said. From this point forward, you know nothing. Keep your focus on healing. Let me handle the rest.¡± Sutton eyed his father with uncertainty. ¡°Dad, how do you n to strike back at him?¡± Coyle sneered, his voice low and deliberate. ¡°Strike back at Noah? Not yet. First, we stabilize things and gain full control over Wall Group. Once that¡¯s done, even if Patrick turns out to be Noah, there¡¯s little he can do.¡±


    Sutton¡¯s eyes widened with sudden understanding. ¡°Are you suggesting we use Sadie against him?¡± A cold smirk spread across Coyle¡¯s face, eyes sharp as a de. ¡°Sadie is both Noah¡¯s wife and Wall Group¡¯s current leader. If we aim to seize control, it starts with her.¡±


    Without wasting a moment, Coyle pulled out his phone and made a call. ¡°Dig into Sadie¡¯s and Patrick¡¯s every movest night. Also, prepare a resignation letter in Sutton¡¯s name and forward it to Wall Group.¡±


    ¡°Understood, sir.¡±


    Meanwhile, in the CEO¡¯s office at Wall Group, Sadie sat behind her desk, absently turning a mask over in her hand, her thoughts tangled. The events of the previous night still felt unreal, like fragments of a strange dream. Now that she was awake, all that remained was fatigue and a growing sense of unease.


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    Sadie rubbed her temples, trying to clear her head. Now was not the time to dwell on these matters. There were still many issues at Wall Group that required her attention. The phone on her desk rang.


    ¡°Ms. Hudson, the HR manager called. Sutton has submitted his resignation!¡± Samuel¡¯s voice came through clearly.


    Sadie¡¯s brow furrowed.


    ¡°Sutton? After clinging desperately to Wall Group, now he suddenly wanted out? It didn¡¯t add up.¡±


    ¡°Put him through,¡± she said evenly, hiding her suspicions.


    Momentster, the HR manager¡¯s voice filled the line.


    ¡°Ms. Hudson, Sutton¡¯s resignation letter just arrived. Should we ept or reject it?¡±


    The HR manager¡¯s voice was cautious, as he was confused by the situation.


    ¡°What reason did he give?¡± Sadie asked, her fingers rhythmically tapping her desk.


    ¡°Health concerns,¡± came the reply. ¡°He ims he needs to step down from all positions due to his poor health.¡±


    ¡°Seriously? Since when did Sutton be so delicate?¡±


    Sadie scoffed. Sutton was clearly lying¡ªhe wasn¡¯t sick; he was definitely scheming something.


    ¡°Hold off on processing the resignation for now. There¡¯s no rush,¡± she instructed coolly.


    ¡°Understood, Ms. Hudson,¡± the HR manager responded before ending the call.


    Sadie¡¯s gaze grew colder, suspicion brewing beneath the surface. What game was Sutton ying this time?


    A knock broke her train of thought, followed by Samuel¡¯s voice from outside the office.


    ¡°Ms. Hudson.¡±


    ¡°Come in,¡± she replied, masking her concerns with a neutral tone. Samuel stepped inside, holding a file, his demeanor calm and unreadable.


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 Chapter 705

    ¡°This document needs your signature today,¡± he informed her.


    Sadie took the file and flipped through it absentmindedly. Without signing, she peered up and questioned, ¡°Any updates on Coyle and his son?¡±


    Samuel hesitated for a beat before answering. ¡°Coyle is by Sutton¡¯s side at the hospital today. Nothing suspicious. Briley, however, has been seen near the Howe Manor a lottely, like she¡¯s digging for something¡­¡± Samuel reported truthfully.


    Sadie¡¯s frown deepened as unease settled in. Briley sniffing around Howe Manor could only spell trouble.


    ¡°Shadow Briley closely and report anything unusual.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Ms. Hudson,¡± Samuel replied before heading out.


    One day, Briley stood once again outside the grand entrance of Howe Manor. She had long lost track of how many times she¡¯d been turned away. The butler stood firm, his voice formal but clearly irritated.


    ¡°Miss Wall, I¡¯ve mentioned this before¡ªMr. Howe has no time for visitors. Please, go.¡±


    Briley forced a polite smile, struggling to keep her frustration in check.


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    ¡°I promise, this is something Alex would want to hear.¡±


    The butler, however, was unmoved, his patience thinning.


    ¡°Miss Wall, kindly don¡¯t press further. Mr. Howe¡¯s schedule is beyond my control.¡±


    Before Briley could argue, the butler gestured for security.


    Immediately, a guard approached, clearly ready to escort her away.


    Briley¡¯s expression turned sour, but arguing further would only disgrace her. Frustrated, she bit her lip and tightened her fists.


    In the end, retreat was her only option. Briley stifled her rage, determined to walk through the gates with confidence andposure one day, proving to all that she was not someone to be underestimated. She made her way back to her home.


    Inside the living room, Coyle satfortably, reviewing a document, a rare grin revealing his cheerful mood.


    Briley¡¯s curiosity got the better of her.


    ¡°Dad, what¡¯s the good news?¡± she inquired.


    Coyle lifted his gaze, his grin broadening at the sight of his daughter. He said enthusiastically, ¡°Come here, Briley. I¡¯ve got to show you this.¡±


    He passed the document to Briley.


    As Briley unfolded it, her eyes widened in disbelief. It was the Wall Group¡¯s share transfer agreement¡ªbearing Sadie¡¯s name as the recipient.


    Briley stared at her father, stunned.


    ¡°Dad, what¡­¡±


    Coyle¡¯s lips curled into a smug smirk. ¡°Sadie¡¯s cornered now¡ªthere¡¯s no escape.¡±


    Briley¡¯s heart raced. She had long harbored resentment toward Sadie, and now victory seemed within reach. The thought filled her with satisfaction.


    After a brief pause, Coyle added thoughtfully, ¡°By the way, you¡¯ll apany me to Wall Manor tomorrow.¡±


    Briley raised an eyebrow, confused.


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 Chapter 706

    ?Chapter 706:


    ¡°Wall Manor? Why?¡±


    A calcting glint shed in Coyle¡¯s eyes. ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon enough. We need everyone on our side to ensure Sadie is left with no allies.¡±


    Although still unclear on the details, Briley nodded. ¡°Alright, Dad.¡±


    The following day, Sadie entered thepany as usual, ready to tackle her daily tasks. Suddenly, Samuel burst in, visibly anxious.


    ¡°Ms. Hudson, we have a serious problem. Our team slipped up, and Coyle exploited the situation.¡±


    Sadie nced up from her paperwork, brows knitting. ¡°What are you saying?¡±


    Samuel¡¯s face was grim. ¡°Coyle quietly arranged for someone to dig into that night¡¯s events.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s expression hardened. The incident in the apartment¡ªthe one meticulously nned¡ªwhy was Coyle prying into it now? A ripple of unease passed through her.


    Just then, a Wall Manor servant, guided in by the receptionist, stepped forward. With a formal tone but clear authority, she said, ¡°Ms. Hudson, the family elders request your presence at Wall Manor. They have questions for you.¡±


    Sadie quickly grasped the gravity of the situation¡ªthis confrontation was inevitable now. Coyle had made his move swiftly.


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    Samuel¡¯s concern deepened. ¡°Ms. Hudson, this isn¡¯t looking good.¡±


    Sadie wasposed and faintly smiling as she scanned the office. ¡°Seems like there¡¯s going to be a change in leadership here.¡±


    Samuel¡¯s worry intensified. ¡°You could be in danger!¡±


    Sadie turned back to him with a calm smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll handle it.¡± She followed the servant toward Wall Manor.


    Outside the gates, the mood was tense. Many people had been denied entry, visibly displeased. Isabel waited by the entrance. Catching sight of Sadie, she quickly approached, subtly signaling caution.


    Sadie gave a slight nod, understanding the silent warning. She knew full well that today¡¯s confrontation would be anything but easy.


    Sadie walked into the grand hall of Wall Manor, her steps echoing through the room. Several family elders were already seated, their faces set into stern expressions. Coyle and Briley stood in the center of the room, with the former looking smug and arrogant, convinced he had finally cornered Sadie.


    There was another key person present¡ªSutton. He sat in a wheelchair, his left leg gone. His face was ashen, and his eyes were downcast.


    Sadie turned to him with feigned surprise. ¡°What happened, Sutton? Did you take a tumble somewhere?¡±


    Sutton red at her, gritting his teeth at her mocking tone. He wanted to stand up and rant at her, but the pain in his leg was unbearable, even while sitting. Coyle ced a hand on his son¡¯s shoulder and squeezed, silently telling him to calm down.


    When he looked back at Sadie, his expression was mournful, and a few tears even fell from his eyes. ¡°Sadie, I¡¯m aware that you have many grievances against my family, but why would you hurt Sutton? You should just take out all your anger on me.¡±


    Coyle choked on his words, deliberately trying to sound more pitiful. ¡°Sutton may make mistakes here and there, but he is still your cousin-inw. How could you be so ruthless and have him beaten like this?¡± He let out a dramatic sigh before adding, ¡°Well, I suppose I understand. The Wall Group is now fully under your control. My family and I are powerless against you.¡±


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 Chapter 707

    ?Chapter 707:


    He then turned to address the elders. ¡°Our family shall withdraw all participation in thepany and we will never interfere with Wall Group¡¯s affairs again. Rest assured, Sadie. Sutton has already submitted his resignation. He will no longer be an obstacle to you. All we ask is that you spare him from your cruelty and grant us the grace befitting the chairwoman of Wall Group.¡±


    As Coyle spoke thisst part, he stood before Sadie and began to crouch, as if he was about to kneel at her feet.


    Of course, Briley rushed forward to stop him. ¡°Dad, don¡¯t do this. Your health isn¡¯t the best.¡±


    They had perfected the craft of portraying themselves as the victims, and now Sadie looked like the unforgivable viiness.


    It was then that one of the elders, a man with significant authority, stood up. His expression was severe. ¡°Sadie, we received some photos this morning¡­¡± He gestured for a servant to bring the photos forward.


    Sadie gave them only a fleeting nce. The images showed her in thepany of a man wearing a silver mask, and from the angles of the camera, their behavior appeared intimate and suggestive. The shots had been deliberately framed to create the impression of something inappropriate taking ce.


    ¡°Who is the man in these photos?¡± the elder demanded. ¡°The Wall family has always treated you well, haven¡¯t we? It hasn¡¯t been long since Noah passed away¡ªthe mourning period hasn¡¯t even ended yet. Is this how you repay the Wall family¡¯s generosity over the years? Gallivanting with some dubious-looking man and starting a scandal? This is a vition of family rules, a disgrace to our family name!¡±


    The elder¡¯s words carried absolute authority, and the atmosphere in the hall grew cold with each one. Everyone stared at Sadie, waiting for her to exin herself.


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    Sadie took in the elder¡¯s self-righteous demeanor and couldn¡¯t help theughter that burst out of her. Her hands slowly balled into fists at her sides as she raised her chin, calmly sweeping her gaze over the room. ¡°Sirs,¡± she said, her voice calm, ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about.¡±


    Coyle¡¯s head jerked up in surprise, his eyes narrowing. He hadn¡¯t expected Sadie to remainposed under such pressure. ¡°Sadie,¡± Coyle spoke again, this time sounding anguished. ¡°Why are you still pretending? If the woman in the photos isn¡¯t you, then who is?¡±


    ¡°Saddie, you vile woman!¡± Sutton suddenly interjected. ¡°Even with the evidence before our eyes, you still dare to deny the truth? I¡¯m telling you, it¡¯s pointless! I¡¯ve already told the elders everything. I¡¯ve exposed your affair with that masked man! You and I both know that¡¯s the real reason my leg is now gone.¡±


    Hot, angry tears streamed down his face as he pointed to his bandaged leg. ¡°Sirs, you must uphold my dignity as a member of this family! This outsider is wicked, without any shame or remorse!¡±


    Sutton¡¯s cries echoed through the hall, raw and pitiful¡ªhis pain on full disy. Every sob, every word, only deepened the weight in the room. The family elders sat in grim silence, their expressions darkening with each passing second. Their eyes slowly turned toward Sadie,den with judgment, disappointment, and quiet condemnation.


    Sadie stood rigid, fists clenched so tightly that her nails bit into her palms. Her blood boiled beneath her skin.


    Shameless. Absolutely shameless. Coyle and Sutton had orchestrated every step, trapping her and then painting her as the viin. How despicable!


    But now wasn¡¯t the time tosh out. Not yet. She had no proof, no concrete evidence that Patrick was Noah. Nothing that could solidify her im. If she spoke out now, they¡¯d tear her apart¡ªand Coyle would be the first to twist the knife.


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 Chapter 708

    ?Chapter 708:


    So, she breathed¡ªslow, sharp, steady¡ªand lifted her head, her eyes locking onto Coyle¡¯s. Her voice was calm, but her gaze was icy. ¡°You use me of infidelity and disgrace upon the family, but where¡¯s your proof?¡± She gestured toward the photos on the table. ¡°You¡¯re ready to convict me based on some blurry images and Sutton¡¯s sob story? Absurd!¡±


    Coyle stepped forward, sneering. ¡°These photos are all the proof we need. Don¡¯t waste your breath defending yourself.¡± His voice rose with self-righteous fury. ¡°You¡¯ve always resented Sutton and me¡ªfine. But to throw the family name into the mud out of spite? It¡¯s beneath even you, Sadie.¡±


    Then, without warning, his voice dropped¡ªcold and quiet. ¡°I know. I know that Patrick¡­ is Noah. You thought you could keep it hidden? He¡¯s got amnesia. No memory, no clue who he really is. Right now, he¡¯s a nk te. If I were to expose his true identity¡­ tell me, Sadie¡ªwould he be your ally? Or just a victim in someone else¡¯s scheming?¡±


    Sadie stared at him, a flicker of disbelief in her eyes¡ªbut beneath that, a cold, rising rage. How did Coyle know that Patrick was Noah? She didn¡¯t even know for sure!


    What was going on?


    Her mind raced with questions. Every instinct screamed for her to voice them, but not yet. Not here.


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    Since Coyle already knew that Patrick was Noah and was using it to threaten her, it was clear he was ready for war.


    Sadie¡¯s fists clenched tightly at her sides, her pulse roaring in her ears. She had to tread carefully.


    If what Coyle said was true¡­ if Noah¡¯s memory loss was real¡­ then he was in danger.


    Exposing his identity now wouldn¡¯t save him¡ªit would destroy him. He¡¯d be torn apart by wolves.


    She bit her lower lip, forcing herself to hold her tongue. Her silence was calcted. Controlled. Strategic.


    But Coyle mistook it for surrender. His grin widened, smug and cruel.


    ¡°So¡ªyou¡¯ve got nothing to say? That says everything, doesn¡¯t it?¡± He turned toward the others, raising his voice with faux solemnity. ¡°Everyone, you¡¯ve seen it for yourselves. Sadie has effectively admitted to disgracing the Wall family¡ªwith scandal, infidelity, and betrayal. The evidence speaks for itself! A woman like this has no right to hold the reins of the Wall Group any longer. For the sake of the family¡¯s dignity, I suggest that Sadie be immediately removed from her position as chairwoman¡ªeffective today.¡±


    The elders exchanged uneasy nces, their expressions shadowed with dismay.


    Sadie, the once-unshakable figurehead of thepany, now stood used without defense.


    Such a disgrace!


    One of the elders finally rose, his voice grave with disappointment.


    ¡°Sadie, we entrusted you with the future of this family. We held you in the highest regard. But now? To see you stoop to such shameless behavior¡ªit¡¯s beneath even our darkest expectations. There¡¯s no room for sentimentality in the face of disgrace. Let it be known¡ªSadie is hereby removed from her post as chairwoman of the Wall Group, effective immediately. Coyle will assume the position for now.¡±


    Then came the final strike. ¡°And as for Sadie¡­ for dragging our family name through the mud, she will be punished ordingly. That is fifty whips.¡±


    It was a verdict, as final and cold as a judge¡¯s gavel striking stone.


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 Chapter 709

    ?Chapter 709:


    Across the hall, Isabel¡¯s eyes widened in horror.


    She stood up abruptly, her voice trembling.


    ¡°But, Sadie¡ªI¡ª¡±


    But before she could speak another word, Sadie shook her head slightly, a silent signal telling her not to speak.


    Coyle had sealed every exit and twisted every truth to deceive the elders.


    Any attempt to speak now would only dig the grave deeper.


    Sadie¡¯s silence wasn¡¯t surrender. It was strategy.


    Isabel saw it in her eyes. Her chest tightened, tears stinging her eyes as she slowly sat back down¡ªhelpless, aching.


    She could only watch as Sadie, unbowed and silent, was seized by the guards.


    Sadie felt an unbearable sting rip across her back, every strike threatening to crush her bones.


    She clenched her jaw, forcing herself to remain alert.


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    She refused to crumble before Coyle and those on his side.


    Onesh, then another¡­ The sharp crack of leather seared into Isabel¡¯s chest.


    She yearned to intervene, but the staff restrained her, holding her fast. Helpless, Isabel could only watch as Sadie endured the torment, her face streaked with tears of agony.


    What felt like an endless nightmare finally concluded after fifty brutalshes.


    Sadie was drenched in crimson, her limbs numb and her mind clouded. The staff hauled her away to a room, with Isabel trailing behind in haste.


    ¡°Sadie, speak to me!¡± Isabel¡¯s voice broke, thick with emotion.


    Sadie cracked her eyes open and forced a weak grin.


    ¡°I¡¯m alright, Isabel. Don¡¯t fret.¡±


    ¡°How can you say that?¡± Isabel whispered bitterly. ¡°I failed to shield you.¡±


    Sadie longed to reach out, to console her, but her strength had all but vanished.


    ¡°This is what they intended,¡± Sadie murmured. ¡°Go back. Rest. I¡¯ll recover soon.¡±


    Sadie didn¡¯t want Isabel burdened with her fragile state. Yet Isabel hesitated.


    Seeing this, Sadie added, ¡°If you remain, I won¡¯t find peace. Keep watch on Coyle and his team. We can¡¯t risk them making another move.¡±


    The words struck Isabel like lightning.


    Staying would only make things worse.


    Wiping away her tears, she nodded.


    ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll leave now. Call for me if you need anything.¡±


    Sadie gave a faint nod, watching Isabel depart, ncing back with every step.


    Once alone, Sadie finally let go of herposure as a wave of pain swept over her, stealing the air from her lungs. Momentster, Samuel arrived with a physician in tow.


    His expression darkened at the sight of Sadie¡¯s condition.


    ¡°Doctor, quickly!¡± he ordered.


    The doctor sprang into action.


    The injuries were ghastly¡ªher back raw and marred.


    As the ointment was applied, the doctor spoke gently. ¡°Ms. Hudson, your wounds are severe. Fiftyshes¡­ they were merciless. You must rest and avoid exertion.¡±


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 Chapter 710

    ?Chapter 710:


    Sadie bit down on the scream building in her throat.


    This pain was nothingpared to what she had already endured. After the doctorpleted the treatment and ryed his advice, he gathered his equipment and departed.


    Samuel saw him out, then quietly returned to Sadie¡¯s side, burdened with remorse.


    ¡°Ms. Hudson, forgive me. I didn¡¯t foresee their plot, and now this has happened.¡±


    Sadie gave a faint shake of her head, herplexion ghostly pale. ¡°You¡¯re not to me. Their snare was set long before today, simply waiting for me to stumble into it. There was no avoiding it.¡±


    Samuel¡¯s brows furrowed. He was unwilling to ept her reasoning.


    ¡°But Ms. Hudson, you didn¡¯t have to go through this. You could¡¯ve rified everything. Perhaps the elders wouldn¡¯t have sided with Coyle.¡±


    ¡°rify?¡± A bitterugh escaped Sadie¡¯s lips. ¡°Do you believe they would¡¯ve let me speak?¡±


    She paused, her toneced with bitterness. ¡°Coyle¡¯s family has long aimed to oust me from the chairwoman seat. Even if I had exined, they would¡¯ve devised another scheme. It¡¯s wiser to bide my time.¡±


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    Samuel still struggled to grasp her strategy.


    ¡°But Ms. Hudson, this price is steep. You¡¯re gravely wounded, and now Coyle has seized the chairperson role. Is it truly worth it?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s gaze turned cold, a sly smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. ¡°Only by doing this can I make them lower their defenses and eventually expose their ambitions. Coyle¡¯s hunger for the Wall Group is no secret. Let him enjoy his false victory¡ªI¡¯ll reim it when the time is right.¡±


    Additionally, whaty ahead required her to remain unnoticed. Samuel¡¯s eyes lit up with realization, admiration clear in his expression.


    Ms. Hudson was remarkable! Even in such a dire situation, she remainedposed, just like Mr. Wall in the past.


    ¡°Ms. Hudson, you can count on me. I¡¯ll see it through.¡±


    Sadie nodded approvingly.


    ¡°The next steps are yours. Keep a sharp eye on Coyle and his actions.¡± She paused briefly, her expression darkening as a memory surfaced.


    ¡°Also, tighten security around Patrick.¡±


    Samuel was puzzled by this instruction.


    ¡°Ms. Hudson, you¡¯re already navigating a dangerous path. Why worry about Patrick now?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s gaze fell, her features softening with a trace ofplexity. ¡°He¡¯s important. With his memory gone, he¡¯s vulnerable. I won¡¯t let Coyle get to him.¡±


    Patrick¡¯s true identity was still uncertain, so she shouldn¡¯t tell anyone about her suspicions now.


    Though not fullyprehending, Samuel gave a respectful nod.


    ¡°Understood, Ms. Hudson. I¡¯ll see to it.¡±


    Sadie quietly acknowledged him, weary, and motioned for him to leave. Once alone, she stared nkly at the ceiling, her mind adrift. Waves of sharp pain coursed through her, yet they were nothingpared to the heaviness weighing on her heart. Just then, the door creaked open once more.


    Briley strode in, document in hand, her smug demeanor filling the room. ¡°Sadie, sign this,¡± she ordered, tossing the papers onto the nightstand, her voice thick with disdain.


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 Chapter 711

    ?Chapter 711:


    Sadie¡¯s weary eyes drifted to the document¡ªa stock transfer contract. They weren¡¯t even pretending to be patient.


    A wry smile ghosted across her lips as she rasped, ¡°How kind of you, Briley, to deliver it yourself.¡±


    Without hesitation, Sadie grasped the pen and, with slow determination, signed her name.


    Sadie looked like she was half-dead at this point. Briley stared at her, feeling a fresh surge of anger.


    What a despicable woman! Why wouldn¡¯t she just give up pretending? The thing was, although Alex had already slept with Briley, his heart belonged solely to Sadie.


    There was nothing Briley wanted more than for her rival to disappear for good.


    Her eyes shed briefly with malice, but she stered a concerned look on her face as she approached.


    ¡°Sadie, do your wounds still hurt?¡± Briley asked, her hand reaching for Sadie¡¯s back.


    A cold glint appeared in Sadie¡¯s eyes. Such petty tricks were pathetic andughable to her.


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    Just as Briley¡¯s fingers were about to brush against her wounds, Sadie whipped around and shot out her arm.


    A sharp, cracking sound echoed in the room as her palmnded on Briley¡¯s cheek.


    Briley¡¯s eyes were wide with shock, her hand immediatelying up to cup her swelling cheek. ¡°How dare you p me!¡±


    Sadie gave her a look that said she didn¡¯t care.


    She grabbed the stock transfer contract from the table and flung it at Briley. A stray piece of paper drifted too close and cut her other cheek with its corner, leaving a thin trail of blood on her skin.


    ¡°I¡¯m warning you,¡± Sadie said in a chilling voice. ¡°If I die here today, none of you will get away unscathed. The world will think that you and your dear old father drove me to death just to get your hands on the family assets, and they wouldn¡¯t be wrong. When that happens, what do you think is going to happen to the Wall Group¡¯s stock price?¡±


    Briley gritted her teeth. Though she loathed to admit it, she was intimidated by Sadie¡¯s overwhelming presence.


    Moreover, if Sadie did die here in Wall Manor, the outside world would surely suspect that they had orchestrated it in one way or another. Wall Group¡¯s stock price would plummet, and it would possibly even attract regtory investigations.


    No, this wasn¡¯t what Briley or Coyle wanted.


    Still, Briley refused to back down. ¡°Your words are nothing more than empty threats. They don¡¯t scare me. The elders were right to punish you for the disgrace you brought upon this family. It has nothing to do with us.¡±


    Sadie sneered. ¡°Is that so? You¡¯d better hope that¡¯s the case. Otherwise, I promise, I will haunt you even from the grave.¡±


    Briley sputtered into silence, terrified by Sadie¡¯s sinister gaze. Furious at her reaction, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the room.


    Silence crept in.


    Sadie exhaled slowly, her tense nerves finally rxing. She was no longer the Sadie from three years ago, after all. Gone was the woman they used to bully, the one who would choose to take it all without putting up a fight.


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 Chapter 712

    ?Chapter 712:


    Meanwhile, Briley hurried back to the living room with the document. ¡°Dad, that bitch signed it.¡±


    Coyle reviewed the contract carefully, his lips curling into a smile when he saw the signature. This contract ensured that the Wall Group was entirely his.


    He let out a bark of triumphantughter.


    Coyle then made a call and instructed his assistant to prepare for a visit to Ralph¡¯s house. All he had to do now was win over the Castro family, and his position in thepany would be rock solid.


    ¡°Yes, sir,¡± the assistant replied and made the necessary arrangements. It wasn¡¯t until Coyle hung up that he suddenly remembered something. ¡°Where is your brother?¡±


    Briley¡¯s eyes darted around nervously. ¡°Sutton said he was going to get revenge on some wretch, but I¡¯m not sure who.¡±


    Coyle clicked his tongue and waved his hand dismissively. ¡°Oh, let him do what he wants. Let¡¯s not worry about him.¡±


    That afternoon, Coyle arrived at Ralph¡¯s ce with several gifts. The butler opened the door for him and his assistant, and they were led inside.


    Ralph was resting in the living room with his eyes closed. When he heard themotion at the foyer, his eyes flew open, his gaze instantly sharp and discerning.


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    Coyle forced a smile and approached respectfully. ¡°I¡¯ve long admired you, Mr. Castro. It¡¯s an honor to meet with you today.¡± Ralph¡¯s face remained nk, indifferent.


    ¡°This is an unexpected visit, Mr. Wall,¡± Ralph replied, not bothering with pleasantries.


    Coyle faltered, his smile turning awkward, but he quickly recovered. ¡°Here, Mr. Castro,¡± he said warmly. ¡°I¡¯ve brought some gifts as a token of my respect and admiration. Please ept them.¡± He signaled his assistant toe forward with the bags.


    Ralph didn¡¯t nce at the items. Instead, he turned to a nearby servant and waved his hand. ¡°Show them out.¡±


    This time, Coyle¡¯s smilepletely vanished, and his expression turned dark. He hadn¡¯t expected Ralph to be so short with him.


    ¡°Mr. Castro,¡± he said again, his tone firmer. ¡°Perhaps you aren¡¯t aware yet, but I am now the chairman of the Wall Group.¡± He ced the stock transfer contract on the table. ¡°Sadie signed it herself. Are you sure you want to keep that attitude around me?¡±


    Coyle assumed that the old man would change his tune, if only for thepany¡¯s sake.


    But Ralph only shot him a mocking smile. ¡°Do you think I¡¯ve gone senile just because I¡¯m old? Do you think I don¡¯t know your schemes? Have you forgotten that your father banned you and your children from leading the Wall Group?¡±


    Coyle¡¯s expression shifted at that, but he shamelessly plowed ahead. ¡°Let¡¯s be frank with each other, shall we? I came here with a proposition. What do you think about our two families joining forces to manage Wall Group together?¡±


    Ralphughed as though he had just heard the most ridiculous joke. Just then, a carefree voice joined the conversation. ¡°I heard barking from upstairs and wondered what it was. Turns out it¡¯s just Mr. Wall, gracing us with his¡­ presence.¡± ine sauntered in, looking like sarcasm incarnate. ¡°I can¡¯t believe the servants let you in to disturb my peace. What a nuisance!¡±


    ine nodded at the guards stationed by the door. ¡°What are you waiting for? Get this pathetic fool and hisckey out of here! The mere sight of them is ruining my day.¡± Coyle¡¯s face turned beet red with rage.


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 Chapter 713

    ?Chapter 713:


    This rascal had dared to call him names right to his face! It was outrageous! Absolutely uneptable! Coyle pointed a trembling finger at ine.


    ¡°Watch your mouth, kid! I¡¯m now the chairman of Wall Group. How dare you insult me like this?¡±


    ine poked his pinky finger into his ear and let out an impatient huff. ¡°The chairman? I don¡¯t give a damn. Who do you think you are, barging into our home and putting on airs in front of us? Get out before you taint this ce any further!¡±


    ine gestured at the guards, who immediately stepped forward and seized Coyle and his assistant. They were unceremoniously tossed out the door, along with their gifts.


    Ralph watched it all unfold, his expression unchanged, making no move to intervene.


    Once Coyle and his assistant left, Ralph turned to ine, his voice calm but weighted. ¡°Now, tell me¡ªwhat¡¯s going on?¡±


    He knew ine well. The boy could act like azy vagabond half the time, but when it came to serious matters, ine didn¡¯t y around. ine stepped forward, his usual smirk reced by a rare seriousness. Heid everything out¡ªwhat happened at Wall Manor; Sadie¡¯s brutal beating, the photographs used to smear her name.


    Ralph listened in silence. But when ine mentioned the violence Sadie had endured, Ralph¡¯s expression darkened. His brows drew together, and he let out a long, heavy sigh. ¡°Beaten that severely¡­ Those people¡­ the Wall family is colder than I thought.¡±


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    Still, he knew¡ªthis was the fire Sadie had to walk through. Coyle¡¯s hunger for power was insatiable. And Sadie? She was the greatest obstacle in his way. What troubled Ralph wasn¡¯t the attack itself¡ªit was the depravity of the method. He hadn¡¯t expected Coyle to go that far.


    ine, frowning, leaned in. ¡°Grandpa, what now? Are we just going to stand by? Shouldn¡¯t we help Sadie?¡±


    Ralph didn¡¯t answer right away. ¡°We shouldn¡¯t interfere too deeply in the Wall family¡¯s affairs. Sadie must learn to stand on her own,¡± Ralph said firmly, his voice measured. He paused, his eyes meeting ine¡¯s with quiet gravity. ¡°But ensure her safety. Stay in the shadows if you must¡ªbut help her when she needs it.¡±


    ine gave a slight nod, already understanding the unspoken meaning behind the words. This wasn¡¯t abandonment¡ªit was calcted support.


    Early the next morning, the atmosphere inside the Wall Group¡¯s boardroom was thick with anticipation. Executives whispered in corners. Then, Coyle entered and took the head seat.


    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, today¡¯s meeting is convened to address two critical matters,¡± he said smoothly, hands folded atop the polished table. ¡°First, there have been some¡­ unsavory rumors regarding my niece-inw, Sadie. Let me rify¡ªSadie is currently unwell and in need of rest. After an internal consensus, it has been unanimously agreed that she will be relieved of her duties as the chairwoman of the Wall Group.¡±


    The room erupted in stunned murmurs. Many had caught whispers of the drama the day before, but the news still shocked everyone. After all, everyone knew what Sadie had aplished. Since she took the helm of the Wall Group, her leadership had revitalized thepany. To see her ousted so abruptly left a bitter taste in everyone¡¯s mouths.


    But Coyle, drunk on power, was unmoved. He raised a hand, silencing the murmurs. ¡°Now, the second matter. Following a unanimous decision, I will be assuming the position of acting chairman effective immediately. I¡¯ll be overseeing all daily operations until further notice.¡± Finally, the title he¡¯d coveted for so long was his. And he didn¡¯t waste a second. He rattled off a string of new appointments¡ªcing his loyalists into every key department. One by one, he buried Sadie¡¯s legacy beneathyers of control.


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 Chapter 714

    ?Chapter 714:


    By the time he was finished, the Wall Group¡¯s upper structure was his in all but name.


    Noah¡¯s ears caught wind of this before long. In the quiet of his study, Noah sat behind a broad desk as his assistant delivered thetest report. Noah¡¯s expression was impassive, calm. Coyle¡¯s moves were bold¡ªbut predictable.


    Yet, when he heard that Sadie had been ousted¡ªand beaten so viciously¡ªsomething in his chest gave a quiet, involuntary jolt. A flicker crossed Noah¡¯s face. Almost imperceptible. His brow furrowed. He tried to dismiss the sudden weight pressing on his chest.


    Yet, despite himself, the words left his mouth before he could stop them. ¡°How is Sadie now?¡±


    The assistant blinked, clearly caught off guard. Since when did Patrick care about Sadie? Still, he recovered quickly and gave a respectful nod.


    ¡°She¡¯s resting in Wall Manor. Alive, but¡­ not in good shape.¡±


    Noah leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin.


    ¡°Proceed as nned.¡±


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    ¡°Yes, Mr. Noel.¡±


    The assistant gave a quick nod and exited the study. Just as the door clicked shut, the butler stepped in, his face taut with unease.


    ¡°Mr. Noel,¡± he said hurriedly, ¡°Ms. Burgess is missing.¡±


    Noah¡¯s head snapped up, his gaze sharpening like a de. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°She went out shoppingst night and never returned. We¡¯ve tried calling, but her phone¡¯s off. Our people are already searching, but¡­ no leads yet.¡±


    The butler swallowed hard.


    Noah¡¯s brows furrowed, tension rippling beneath his calm exterior. His mind shed to Sutton¡¯s failed plot against Hailey that had nearly destroyed Sadie instead. A chill crept down his spine.


    ¡°Keep looking. Turn the city upside down if you have to. Find her. Immediately.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Mr. Noel.¡±


    The butler bowed and rushed out, already barking orders into his phone.


    Meanwhile, in avish hotel suite, Haileyy crumpled on the cold marble floor, wrists and ankles bound cruelly tight. A dirty cloth was shoved into her mouth, muffling her cries into helpless whimpers.


    Terror swelled in her chest as she scanned the room. Severalrge men loomed nearby, their eyes gleaming with sadistic amusement, grinning like wolves circling prey.


    Then came the low creak of the door¡ªand slowly a wheelchair glided into the room, carrying Sutton.


    Hailey¡¯s heart stopped. Just seeing him¡ªlike that¡ªwas enough to shake her to her core. He was here for revenge. And he wasn¡¯t hiding it.


    Two of his subordinates stepped forward and hoisted her roughly off the floor. Her feet dangled, body thrashing against their grip, but she couldn¡¯t break free.


    Sutton rolled closer. He reached out, fingers brushing her cheek in slow, deliberate strokes¡ªeach touch colder than thest.


    There was hatred in his eyes.


    Hailey shivered, bile rising in her throat.


    Without warning, Sutton¡¯s hand shot to her throat. Hailey¡¯s eyes bulged as her breath vanished, her lungs burning. She kicked, thrashed, screamed against the cloth¡ªbut no one moved. No one helped.


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 Chapter 715

    ?Chapter 715:


    Sutton¡¯s voice was a venomous growl. ¡°You wretch! Noah¡¯s alive¡ªand you dared lie to me. Because of you, I ended up like this. You¡¯ll pay for what he¡¯s done to me!¡±


    Hailey shook her head desperately, panic overtaking her.


    He finally let go, and she gasped as the cloth was yanked from her mouth. She choked and coughed, struggling to fill her lungs with air again.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about!¡± she gasped, her voice weak and trembling.


    Sutton remained quiet, casting a sharp nce at the subordinates behind him. They understood the signal instantly and sprang into action. Their movements were harsh and aggressive, leaving no doubt about their intent. Sutton¡¯s goal was clear¡ªhe wanted to degrade and torment Hailey in front of everyone.


    With a keen interest, he positioned a camera to the side, carefully adjusting its angle. It was only then that Hailey truly grasped what he was nning, and an overwhelming wave of fear washed over her.


    ¡°No, Sutton, please, don¡¯t do this. I made a mistake¡ªI admit it. I¡¯ll do whatever you ask, I swear. We can work together again. I¡¯ll even help you deal with Noah.¡±


    Her voice wavered as she rambled desperately, saying anything that might change Sutton¡¯s mind. She was willing to do whatever it took to escape this nightmare.


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    Sutton shook his head, his expression devoid of warmth.


    ¡°Do you honestly think I¡¯d trust you again, Hailey? You¡¯ve deceived me over and over, treating me like a fool. You¡¯ve been out of controltely¡ªit¡¯s time you learned a lesson.¡±


    Without another word, he signaled for his men to continue.


    The next two hours were filled with Hailey¡¯s anguished cries and the mercilessughter of those around her. As time passed, her voice grew weaker until it was nothing more than a hoarse whisper. Eventually, she stopped struggling altogether, sinking intoplete despair.


    Sutton watched it all through the lens of his camera, a satisfied smirk forming on his lips. As he reviewed the recording, he sneered.


    ¡°Next time you step out of line, I¡¯ll make sure there¡¯s more waiting for you.¡±


    Hailey¡¯s head snapped up, her eyes burning with fury. Her voice, though strained, wasced with venom.


    ¡°What more do you want? You already have something to use against me¡ªwhat else could you possibly need?¡±


    Sutton chuckled, clearly amused.


    ¡°Rx, you¡¯ll be fine¡ªas long as you obey. y by my rules, and you¡¯ll have all the wealth you could desire. I¡¯ll contact you when the timees. Just follow instructions.¡±


    With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Hailey alone in the hotel room. She slowly shifted her gaze to the mirror. Bruises marred her skin, her appearance utterly ruined. Her fury simmered beneath the surface. Sutton¡ªthat despicable bastard.


    Why hadn¡¯t Noah finished him off when he had the chance? Letting him live had been a grave mistake. But if no one else would take care of him, she would. Sutton had to die!


    Her expression hardened as the murderous intent took root in her heart. She quicklyposed herself and returned to the suburban vi, arriving just as Noah was about to leave.


    When he saw her, his expression remained impassive, as if she were a mere acquaintance.


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 Chapter 716

    ?Chapter 716:


    ¡°Noah, where are you going?¡± she asked, keeping her voice soft, trying to mask her turmoil.


    ¡°Just rest at home.¡± Noah¡¯s tone was detached, uninterested. Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked out. Unease crept into Hailey¡¯s chest. Noah¡¯s demeanor had been increasingly distanttely. Was he beginning to suspect something? The thought sent a chill through her, but she forced herself to remainposed.


    ¡°Be careful on the road.¡±


    Noah gave no response as he stepped into his car. The sleek Maybach pulled away from the vi, leaving her standing at the entrance, her expression darkening. As the vehicle sped off, she turned and entered the house.


    Meanwhile, Noah sat in the backseat of the car, eyes closed. Hailey¡¯s face lingered in his mind. Her delicate makeup, her practiced smile¡ªit was the same as always. And yet, he felt nothing.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    His voice cut through the silence. ¡°To Wall Manor.¡±


    The driver nodded, and as the car changed course, Noah retrieved a silver mask, slipping it on without another word.


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    When he arrived at the grand estate, his sharp gazended on a familiar figure¡ªAlex. Before returning to the country, Noah had conducted thorough research. The Howe family ranked just beneath the Walls in power, and word had it that Alex had never married, waiting all these years for Sadie.


    Alex¡¯s eyes met Noah¡¯s, his expression unreadable.


    A momentter, the manor¡¯s butler emerged. Upon recognizing them, he stepped forward and addressed them with polite deference. ¡°Mr. Noel, Mr. Howe, pleasee in.¡±


    Noah and Alex exchanged a look before silently stepping into the estate one after the other.


    Sadie sat in the garden, tending to flowers from her wheelchair. The warm sunlight cast a soft glow over her, making the scene almost serene. As footsteps approached, she lifted her head, and her expression faltered slightly when she saw Noah. The memory of that night in the apartment resurfaced, making her momentarily uneasy.


    Alex immediately strode forward, concern evident in his tone. ¡°Sadie, how are you feeling?¡± His eyes reflected his worry.


    Sadie offered a faint smile. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Just minor injuries¡ªnothing a few days of rest won¡¯t fix.¡±


    Seeing Alex fuss over Sadie triggered an inexplicable irritation within Noah, a sharp stab of jealousy piercing his heart. He didn¡¯t understand why seeing Alex care for Sadie made him uneasy. Suddenly, his patience snapped. Without warning, he gripped the handles of Sadie¡¯s wheelchair and pushed it forward, his voice sharp. ¡°Ms. Hudson, we have important matters to discuss. Mr. Howe should leave.¡±


    The authority in his tone left no room for argument.


    Sadie blinked in surprise, caught off guard by his abrupt behavior. Yet, she didn¡¯t resist, allowing him to guide her away.


    Behind them, Alex¡¯s expression darkened.


    He had heard of this Patrick, but it had barely been two weeks since the man¡¯s arrival in the city¡ªhow had he already gotten so close to Sadie?


    And more importantly, why did Patrick seem strangely familiar?


    Alex¡¯s brow furrowed, a quiet tension settling over him like a tightening thread. A strange, creeping unease stirred in his chest¡ªand he couldn¡¯t shake it.


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 Chapter 717

    ?Chapter 717:


    Patrick¡ªhe couldn¡¯t put his finger on it, but something about the man didn¡¯t sit right with him. The way he looked at Sadie. The subtle energy between them. It gnawed at him.


    Still frowning, Alex pulled out his phone and quickly typed a message. ¡°Look into Patrick from the Burgess Group. I want everything on him.¡± With a tap, the message was sent.


    He stared at the screen for a beat before ncing up toward the side hall.


    Meanwhile, Sadie found herself in a quiet, shadowed corner with Noah.


    Her back throbbed dully. She winced, jaw tightening.


    Noah stood just behind her. And yet, he felt worlds apart.


    Sadie bit her lip, torn. Part of her longed to blurt it all out¡ªto tell him the truth he didn¡¯t yet remember. But the moment wasn¡¯t right. And she knew¡­ timing could mean everything.


    Coyle and Sutton had been watching them closely.


    With Noah¡¯s memory gone, bringing him back to the Wall family could mean disaster¡ªfor him, and for herself.


    She looked up at him, her expressionposed, her voice measured.


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    ¡°Mr. Noel, what is it you wished to speak with me about?¡±


    Noah¡¯s gaze flickered, a shadow of something unspoken crossing his face. The formal tone struck him strangely.


    She was speaking to him like a stranger. Like a client.


    Why did that bother him?


    They weren¡¯t close. They weren¡¯t anything.


    He was supposed to see her as maniptive, opportunistic¡ªa woman not to be trusted.


    So why did her distance sting?


    Noah pushed the thought aside, letting his expression settle into something cool and unreadable. ¡°You sound awfully formal, Ms. Hudson,¡± he said tly.


    Sadie offered a tight smile, brittle around the edges.


    ¡°You¡¯re the chairman of the Burgess Group¡ªour most valuable partner. I naturally treat you with the respect your position deserves.¡± She paused, her gaze lowering slightly. ¡°But with the Wall Group in chaos¡ªpressures from inside and out¡ªI don¡¯t have the luxury to focus on¡­ anything else right now. I hope you understand.¡±


    Her voice was polite. wless, like a mask carefully held in ce. But Noah could feel the wall she¡¯d just built between them¡ªbrick by brick. And for reasons he couldn¡¯t exin, it infuriated him.


    So this was the Sadie everyone warned him about. Calcting. Emotionless. Driven entirely by advantage.


    He let out a short, coldugh. ¡°So, are you going to just surrender the chairperson title to someone else like that?¡±


    Sadie lifted her gaze slowly, meeting his eyes head-on.


    ¡°That depends entirely on you, Mr. Noel,¡± she said coolly.


    The air between them turned razor-sharp.


    Seeing Sadie¡¯sposed facade, Noah didn¡¯t bother with subtlety.


    ¡°Only five percent of the profit, Ms. Hudson? Isn¡¯t that a little¡­ stingy?¡±


    Sadie didn¡¯t flinch. She had expected this. Without a word, she turned and began pushing the wheelchair herself, putting deliberate distance between them.


    .


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 Chapter 718

    ?Chapter 718:


    ¡°Then tell me, Mr. Noel, what percentage are you after?¡± Noah let her pull ahead¡ªonly to close the gap again, effortlessly.


    ¡°Can you even afford what I want, Ms. Hudson?¡± His words lingered in the air,ced with implication.


    Sadie¡¯s breath caught. Just for a second.


    The man before her¡ªhe was no longer the Noah from three years ago. Sharper. Bolder. Harder to read. And far more dangerous.


    But she held her ground. ¡°Then say it inly, Mr. Noel. If it¡¯s within my reach, I won¡¯t refuse. I know when I need help.¡± As much as she hated to admit it, she needed his help now.


    A flicker of something unreadable passed through Noah¡¯s eyes. Then came that smile. He leaned in, so close his breath grazed her cheek. ¡°Profits don¡¯t interest me much these days¡­ But you, Ms. Hudson¡­ now that¡¯s a different story.¡±


    His presence was all-consuming. Unmistakably invasive.


    Sadie¡¯s breath hitched, her pulse quickening despite herself.


    What was Patrick really after?


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    ¡°Again with the jokes, Mr. Noel? Why would you be interested in someone like me?¡±


    She forced a tight smile, wrappingposure around her like armor. ¡°Isn¡¯t the alliance between our families¡­ more valuable than a single person?¡±


    The yful glint in Noah¡¯s eyes dimmed, reced by something more guarded.


    This woman wasposed, strategic¡ªalways finding a way to turn the personal into business.


    Noah straightened, the heat between them cooling into something far more formal.


    ¡°Since we¡¯re being direct, Ms. Hudson¡­ Here¡¯s what I want¡ªthirty percent of the Wall Group¡¯s shares. And exclusive cooperation rights on all major projects for the next five years.¡±


    Sadie¡¯sposure faltered for a second¡ªjust long enough for her eyes to widen.


    Patrick¡¯s request really took her by surprise.


    Thirty percent. That would give him significant control. A stake in every decision. And five years of locked-in exclusivity¡­ It was quite an ask.


    She inhaled slowly, then narrowed her gaze, her tone cool and edged. ¡°That¡¯s quite a demand, Mr. Noel. I may be cornered right now¡ªbut I haven¡¯t lost everything. Are you leveraging my crisis now?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a small price to pay for helping you reim your position in Wall Group, Ms. Hudson.¡±


    Sadie remained silent.


    ¡°Ahem.¡± A cough suddenly shattered the tense silence that had fallen in the hall. It was Isabel.


    She walked closer, peering at the masked man with her brows furrowed.


    Why did he seem so familiar?


    Before she could ask, however, Noah excused himself.


    He made a brief reminder to Sadie to take care of herself and told her they would settle the division of profitster. Then he turned on his heel and left.


    Isabel just stood there, watching in a daze. By the time she returned to her senses, Noah was gone.


    She quickly grabbed Sadie¡¯s arm, her tone urgent when she asked, ¡°Who was that just now?¡±


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 Chapter 719

    ?Chapter 719:


    Sadie knew Isabel had some suspicions. Feeling conflicted, she averted her teary eyes.


    The more people knew about Patrick¡¯s identity, the more danger he would be in.


    After mulling it over for a few seconds, Sadie came up with a harmless lie. ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it, Isabel. That person isn¡¯t Noah. His name is Patrick Noel, and he is the chairman of the Burgess Group.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Isabel mumbled, still a little dazed from the encounter. She thought back to the man¡¯s figure and the tone of his voice. Sure enough, they weren¡¯t entirely like Noah¡¯s.


    Even so, that sense of familiarity lingered at the back of her mind. ¡°Really?¡± Isabel asked, still somewhat skeptical. ¡°Are you sure about that, Sadie?¡±


    Sadie saw the doubt in Isabel¡¯s eyes and spoke more firmly. ¡°I¡¯m sure. There¡¯s no way I wouldn¡¯t recognize Noah. Patrick resembles him to a small extent, but that¡¯s all. They¡¯re definitely not the same person.¡±


    Isabel was only half-convinced, but seeing how calm and unbothered Sadie was about the matter, she surmised that thetter wasn¡¯t lying. Isabel rxed. Perhaps she had been overthinking. After all, Noah had already passed away.


    She sighed and patted Sadie¡¯s hand. ¡°I might be overthinking.¡± Then she decided it would be best to change the subject. ¡°Sadie, this Patrick seems very concerned about your well-being,¡± she teased.


    Sadie smiled but didn¡¯t respond. Instead, she shifted the topic once more. ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. We should head out. Everything should be ready at the resort spa by now.¡±


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    Isabel nodded and reached out to adjust Sadie¡¯s shawl. ¡°Let¡¯s go, then. It will be good to clear our minds for a bit.¡±


    Sadie quietly strategized her next move.


    She couldn¡¯t wait to see how Coyle would go about clearing up the mess she had left behind.


    This would also be the perfect time for her to take a break after three grueling years. More importantly, she could have some much-needed quality time with Averi.


    A servant watched the car carrying Sadie, Isabel, and Averi leave and immediately took out her phone to dial Coyle¡¯s number. ¡°Mr. Wall, Sadie has left Wall Manor with Isabel and Averi.¡±


    Coyle was in his office, poring over thetest stock market trends. The servant¡¯s report brought a smirk to his face.


    Having those people leave was a very good thing, indeed. It would be even better if they never returned.


    Without the chairwoman position in thepany, Sadie was nothing more than a lion without its ws, powerless to do anything.


    The thought brought Coyle immense pleasure. ¡°Got it. Let them be. Have our people retreat.¡± With that, he hung up the phone.


    Sadie was no longer a threat.


    Now, he should focus on the progress from Sutton¡¯s side.


    Coyle picked up thendline and made an internal call. ¡°Go check on Sutton. How are the negotiations with the Burgess Group going?¡±


    ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall. I¡¯ll head over right away.¡± The assistant wasted no time and left to do as he was instructed.


    Coyle leaned back in his chair and surveyed his spacious office. He was living his best life.


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 Chapter 720

    Chapter 720:


    As long as Sutton managed to secure the deal with the Burgess Group, Coyle would have no reservations about appointing him as the Wall Group¡¯s heir.


    That way, the chairman position at the Wall Group would forever belong to his family. Meanwhile, the assistant had just arrived at Sutton¡¯s office and knocked on the door.


    ¡°Come in,¡± Sutton called out from the other side, sounding decidedly impatient.


    The assistant entered the room and approached with respectful caution. ¡°Mr. Wall, your father asked me to check on your progress with the Burgess Group.¡±


    Sutton was irritably flipping through documents. When he heard the assistant¡¯s words, his scowl only deepened. His temper was particrly vtile as ofte, ring up at the slightest inconvenience. He mmed the documents he had been reading on the desk.


    ¡°I know what I have to do! Stop pestering me about it! It¡¯s annoying!¡± The assistant was visibly startled, and he shrank back in fright. He was aware that Sutton had been stewing a lot recently, so he kept his head down and tried to make himself as small as possible.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t be upset, Mr. Sutton. Your father is only worried about you.¡±


    Sutton snorted and rolled his eyes. ¡°Get out!¡±


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    The assistant let out a small sigh of relief before scampering out of the office.


    Sutton red at the closed door, feeling more irate than ever. The Burgess Group couldn¡¯t afford to stir up any trouble, that much he was confident about. He held ample leverage over Hailey, after all. Whatever conditions the Wall Group proposed, the Burgess Group would have no choice but toply.


    Sutton took a deep breath, feeling slightly better. Then he picked up his phone and made a call. ¡°Arrange a meeting with Hailey and Patrick for tonight.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Mr. Wall.¡±


    Hailey¡¯s pulse raced as she discovered that Sutton intended to meet with her and Noah that evening. What if Sutton lost control and exposed the video? Anxiety gnawed at her as she paced restlessly in her room. She couldn¡¯t let him destroy everything she had built.


    Just then, Noah arrived home. Forcing herself to regainposure, she went to greet him.


    ¡°Noah, where have you been?¡±


    Noticing her pale face, Noah narrowed his eyes. ¡°You don¡¯t look well. What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Hailey¡¯s heart pounded, but she quickly masked it with a reassuring smile. ¡°Nothing. I was just concerned about you.¡±


    Carefully, she probed, ¡°Now that Coyle has taken over Wall Group, how do you n to manage our coboration?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll handle it. There¡¯s no need to worry,¡± Noah replied indifferently, brushing past her on his way to the study.


    A deep unease settled over Hailey. Something about Sutton¡¯s request didn¡¯t sit right with her. After weighing her options, she chose not to inform Noah about the meeting.


    She returned to her room, changed intofortable attire, and then hesitated before slipping a small firearm into her waistband. Standing before the mirror, she adjusted her outfit and took a steadying breath. No matter what, she had to put an end to Sutton¡¯s threats. She wouldn¡¯t allow anyone to dismantle what she had fought for.


    Upon arrival at the Eastwood Manor, Hailey noted the eerie silence¡ªa fitting setting for settling old scores. A cold smirk touched her lips as she stepped into the private suite. Sutton¡¯s expression was dark, his mere presence making her stomach turn, but she greeted him with a pleasant smile. ¡°Mr. Wall, I hope I didn¡¯t keep you waiting too long.¡±


    .


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    .<hr>


    Message from Noah: Happy wednesday dear readers. God loves you and Noah whishes you all the best. (=?=) /


    .

 Chapter 721

    ?Chapter 721:


    A low chuckle escaped Sutton, his gaze filled with mockery. ¡°Ms. Burgess, you¡¯ve got guts showing up alone.¡±


    His tone was taunting, as if he was sure he would always have the upper hand.


    Hailey moved closer with deliberate grace. ¡°Well, you asked for me, and here I am.¡±


    She deliberately softened her tone, feigning vulnerability.


    Sutton¡¯s smirk deepened as he tilted her chin. ¡°Smart girl.¡±


    Swallowing her revulsion, Hailey leaned in, her voice turning honeyed. ¡°Sutton, I¡¯ve missed you.¡±


    With that, she pressed herself against him, subtly reaching for the weapon hidden at her waist.


    Pleased by her sudden shift in demeanor, Sutton chuckled smugly and gestured for his men to leave. ¡°All of you, get out. No interruptions until I say so.¡±


    The bodyguards exchanged nces but followed orders, exiting the room.


    Outside, they gathered, speaking in hushed tones.


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    ¡°What do you think is going on in there?¡± one of them murmured.


    Another smirked. ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? Though¡­ isn¡¯t Mr. Wall unable¡ª¡±


    ¡°Keep your voice down! Do you want to get into trouble?¡±


    Though no one said it outright, they all knew Sutton had lost a certain capability.


    ¡°Maybe he just enjoys making her dance to his tune, feeding his twisted desires,¡± one guard chuckled, prompting crudeughter from the others.


    Just then, a waiter approached with a tray.


    ¡°Gentlemen, the manager has arranged refreshments for you. Please, this way.¡±


    The guards¡¯ eyes lit up.


    It seemed their boss wouldn¡¯t be done anytime soon, and they were more than ready for a break.


    ¡°Excellent service. Much appreciated!¡±


    They followed the waiter into the next room, oblivious to the scarlet liquid slowly seeping beneath the locked door.


    The next morning, at Riverside Vi, Coyle was leisurely enjoying his breakfast when he noticed the butler hesitating to speak. Setting his utensils aside, he frowned.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Sutton? Why hasn¡¯t hee down yet?¡±


    Normally, Sutton would have joined him by now, but today, he was absent.


    ¡°Sir, Mr. Sutton Wall didn¡¯t return homest night,¡± the butler replied cautiously.


    Coyle¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Where did that fool run off to this time?¡±


    That bastard had a habit of indulging in reckless behavior instead of handling serious matters.


    ¡°Sir, his security team reported that he met with someone from the Burgess Groupst night, supposedly to discuss a deal,¡± the butler hurriedly exined.


    Coyle¡¯s irritation faded, reced by mild amusement. He leaned back with a smirk.


    ¡°Well, well. Maybe the boy finally grew a brain. I might¡¯ve underestimated him.¡±


    His mood lifted as he finished breakfast. However, upon arriving at his office, he was met with his assistant, who looked visibly shaken.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, bad news!¡±


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 Chapter 722

    ?Chapter 722:


    Sensing something amiss, Coyle arched a brow.


    ¡°What¡¯s with the panic? The world¡¯s still standing, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    With a pale face, the assistant swallowed hard.


    ¡°Sir, we received a message from Mr. Noel¡ªhe intends to void our contract!¡±


    Coyle¡¯s expression shifted instantly.


    ¡°What nonsense are you spouting? Say that again.¡±


    The assistant¡¯s voice trembled as he repeated, ¡°Mr. Noel has officially informed us that the Burgess Group will only work with their chosen partner. Now that our leadership has changed, they see no reason to continue the agreement. They¡¯re sending someone over to finalize the termination, and they¡¯re willing to pay any penalty required. They refuse to proceed.¡±


    At the suburban vi, Noah¡¯s phone buzzed with a call from his assistant, rying that Coyle was eager to meet.


    A cold smirk yed on Noah¡¯s lips¡ªit was no surprise. The Burgess Group¡¯s abrupt termination of their partnership must have sent Coyle into a frenzy.


    Without hesitation, he rejected the request.


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    ¡°I¡¯m not seeing him.¡±


    A brief silence followed before the assistant cautiously inquired, ¡°Mr. Noel, about Ms. Hudson¡­¡±


    Sadie? What was she up to now?


    ¡°What about her?¡± Noah asked.


    The assistant hesitated before stammering, ¡°She¡­ went to a hot spring resort outside the city.¡±


    A hot spring resort?


    Noah arched a brow. She certainly knew how to indulge herself. Everything was in ce now¡ªall he had to do was watch the situation unfold.


    ¡°We¡¯re heading there too. Make the arrangements,¡± he instructed. With that, he ended the call and leaned back, a calcting gleam in his eyes.


    A short whileter, Hailey stumbled into the house, looking utterly shaken, her disheveled appearance hinting at a recent ordeal. A faint trace of blood lingered in the air, making Noah¡¯s brows knit together.


    The moment she saw him, she rushed forward, clutching onto him as if he were herst hope.


    Instinctively, he moved to push her away, but the way her body trembled made him pause.


    Instead, he eased her grip and spoke with measured concern.


    ¡°Hailey, what happened?¡±


    She didn¡¯t respond, merely shaking her head, her expression vacant¡ªlike a marite whose strings had been severed.


    Though irritation flickered in Noah¡¯s eyes, he remainedposed and turned to a servant. ¡°Help her clean up and let her rest.¡±


    Without protest, Hailey was led away. Watching her retreating figure, Noah made up his mind to leave as well.


    In the bathroom, thick steam curled around Hailey as she soaked in the warm water, her tense muscles slowly loosening. Yet, the memories of the previous night reyed in her mind, vivid and relentless. Sutton¡¯s lifeless body, blood pooling around him, still haunted her thoughts. A shudder ran through her, but she quickly steeled herself.


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 Chapter 723

    ?Chapter 723:


    He had only himself to me. If he hadn¡¯t constantly backed her into a corner, things wouldn¡¯t have escted to this point. He had iting.


    With Sutton gone, no one could hold anything over her anymore. That alone should have brought her relief.


    After bathing, Hailey changed into fresh clothes and stepped out. A carefully arranged meal was waiting, but Noah was absent. She nced at a servant and casually asked, ¡°Where¡¯s Mr. Noel?¡±


    The servant hesitated before replying, ¡°Ms. Burgess, Mr. Noel left for a suburban hot spring resort. He mentioned he won¡¯t be returning for the next few days.¡±


    Hot spring resort?


    Hailey¡¯s eyes narrowed. Why would Noah suddenly decide to go there?


    As if recalling something, the servant added, ¡°Oh, and I heard that Ms. Hudson is also at the hot spring resort.¡±


    Sadie!


    Hailey¡¯s expression darkened instantly, anger surging within her. She wanted nothing more than to storm off and confront Sadie immediately. But the thought of Sutton¡¯s demise kept her rooted in ce. She couldn¡¯t afford reckless actions¡ªnot yet. She needed a strategy. Careful nning.


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    Sadie wouldn¡¯t get away with this.


    Upon reaching the hot spring resort, Noah was about to enter when he suddenly felt somethingtch onto his leg. He frowned and looked down. A child was clinging to his leg.


    The child looked about six years old, his little face scrunched up, tears streaming down as he sobbed uncontrobly.


    ¡°¡®Mister, I can¡¯t find my mom,¡± the little boy whimpered, his voice choked with emotion.


    A peculiar sense of familiarity stirred within Noah¡­ which was strange. He was never fond of children¡ªespecially not strangers¡¯¡ªbut something about this boy unsettled him.


    Almost without thinking, he crouched down and lifted the child into his arms. The boy was warm, soft, and carried a faint, innocent scent.


    ¡°Take care of the luggage,¡± Noah instructed his driver, his tone clipped. Then, he prepared to find the child¡¯s mother.


    He focused on the child, his voice gentler than before. ¡°What¡¯s your name, kid? Do you know where your parents are?¡±


    Sniffling, the boy replied, ¡°¡®I¡¯m Averi Hudson. My mom is Sadie Hudson.¡±


    Noah¡¯s stride faltered, his grip tightening ever so slightly. That name¡­


    It was one he wished he could erase from his thoughts, yet it always found a way back. Inexplicably, he found the name quite distasteful.


    But the boy¡¯s next words stopped him cold.


    ¡°My dad¡¯s name is Noah Wall.¡±


    Averi wiped at his tear-streaked face and, despite his sniffles, spoke with absolute certainty.


    ¡°¡®Mommy told me¡ªmy dad is Noah Wall.¡±


    Noah felt as though he had been struck by a bolt of electricity, his mind wiped nk. He gawked at the small boy in his arms, utterly stunned.


    Averi was angelic, his delicate features carrying a faint resemnce to Noah¡¯s own. This couldn¡¯t be real. A pounding pressure built in Noah¡¯s skull, frustration and disbelief surging through him.


    Setting Averi down, Noah leaned against the wall, his expression tense. His temples throbbed intensely, as if his head might burst.


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 Chapter 724

    ?Chapter 724:


    Sensing his unease, Averi tugged at his sleeve, his innocent voiceced with concern. ¡°Sir, are you alright? Do you feel sick?¡±


    Just then, the hum of wheels rolling filled the air. Samuel hurriedly pushed Sadie¡¯s wheelchair toward them.


    Minutes ago, Averi had vanished, leaving Sadie in a panic. The tension in her shoulders eased only when she spotted her son, safe and sound.


    Seeing his mother, Averi rushed over, his face lighting up with pride.


    ¡°Mom, I¡¯m fine. This gentleman brought me inside.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s attention shifted to the man standing nearby. When her gazended on Noah¡¯s face, she froze. What on earth was he doing here?


    At the thought that they weren¡¯t far from her room, Sadie quicklyposed herself and instructed Samuel, ¡°Samuel, take Mr. Noel to Room 302 and call a doctor.¡±


    Without hesitation, Samuel supported Noah and led him away. Sadie followed shortly after, maneuvering her wheelchair while guiding Averi back to their suite.


    The doctor performed a quick assessment before stepping aside. ¡°Mr. Noel is experiencing symptoms of memory loss. Did he sustain a serious head injury in the past?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s breath hitched, but she nodded. The memories¡ªones she tried to bury¡ªwere inescapable.


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    The doctor acknowledged her response, prescribed medication, and advised, ¡°He should get plenty of rest and avoid emotional strain.¡±


    ¡°Understood. Thank you,¡± she replied.


    Just as the doctor turned to leave, she couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°Is there a possibility his memory could return?¡±


    The doctor¡¯s expression grew uncertain. ¡°I can¡¯t say for sure. Neurology isn¡¯t my specialty. Consulting a specialist would be best.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s eyes dimmed slightly, but she offered a polite nod. ¡°I appreciate your help.¡±


    After Samuel escorted the doctor out, silence settled over the room. Sadie attempted to stand, her back wounds aching as she steadied herself against the wall. Slowly, she made her way toward the bedroom.


    Noahy motionless on the bed, his silver mask reflecting the soft glow of moonlight.


    Hesitating briefly, Sadie reached forward, her fingers brushing the cool surface as she carefully removed it.


    As the mask slipped away, she found herself staring at a face she had known all too well. Three years had passed. Countless nights, this very image had haunted her dreams¡ªclear yet distant.


    Now, with him right in front of her, reality felt almost surreal.


    Her chest tightened.


    Eyes brimming with emotion, she lifted a trembling hand,pelled to touch the familiar contours of Noah¡¯s face. But before she could, Noah¡¯s eyes snapped open.


    His gaze was sharp, filled with reflexive suspicion.


    In an instant, he seized her wrist and, with swift force, flipped her beneath him.


    A sharp gasp escaped her lips as pain red from her back.


    ¡°Ouch!¡± She whimpered in pain.


    Realizing who he had pinned down, Noah stilled. The wariness in his expression faded, reced by something softer¡ªconcern.


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 Chapter 725

    ?Chapter 725:


    He quickly released Sadie, propping himself up and helping her sit.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    His voice carried an edge of worry, though he seemed unaware of it.


    Sadie inhaled sharply, rubbing her sore back. Her tears had yet to dry, and she wiped them away before meeting Noah¡¯s gaze. Her voice remained steady, though distant. ¡°Mr. Noel, what brings you here?¡±


    Noah hesitated, unable to answer. His assistant had mentioned Sadie¡¯s presence at the hot spring resort, and before he knew it, he had followed an inexplicable urge toe. It was as though something beyond his control had drawn him here. But he wasn¡¯t about to admit that. His tone remained detached. ¡°Just here for a break. You¡¯re reading too much into it, Ms. Hudson.¡±


    Sadie gave a slight nod, not pressing further. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, now that you¡¯re awake, please leave. This is my room.¡± Her words were polite but impersonal, as though she was addressing a stranger.


    Something inside Noah twisted. A strange, unexinable irritation crept in. She was in such a hurry to send him away?


    ¡°Apologies for the intrusion,¡± he said coolly, rising from the bed. Without another word, he turned toward the door.


    In the living room, Averi remained engrossed in his toys. When Noah emerged, the boy¡¯s face lit up with a bright, innocent smile. His eyes curved in a way that sent an eerie sense of familiarity through Noah¡¯s chest.


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    He halted mid-step. That strange feeling gripped him once again¡ªsomething he couldn¡¯t quite name. But before he could dwell on it, he shook the thought away and left, his steps surprisingly unsteady.


    Noah¡¯s driver had already moved the suitcases into his room. Noticing Noah¡¯s uneasy look, he felt perplexed but opted to keep quiet, refraining from asking questions. Noah stepped into his room, shutting the door behind him. He retrieved his phone and dialed his assistant. ¡°I need details on Sadie¡¯s son, Averi.¡±


    On the other end, though momentarily puzzled, the assistant promptly responded, ¡°Understood, Mr. Noel. I¡¯ll get on it right away.¡±


    Meanwhile, Sadie sat motionless in her suite at the hot spring resort. Since Noah was here, that meant her strategy at thepany must already be in motion. Suddenly, her phone rang¡ªit was ine. She answered, and his voice came through with a teasing lilt. ¡°How¡¯s the hot spring? Rxing, I hope?¡±


    As usual, ine started with a lighthearted remark. Sadie¡¯s lips curled slightly, her tone neutral. ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°Judging by your response, it doesn¡¯t sound too impressive,¡± ine sighed dramatically before shifting the conversation, his voice brimming with intrigue. ¡°But, you know, things at thepany are getting quite interesting.¡±


    A flicker of emotion stirred within Sadie, though she remainedposed. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡±


    ine said, his tone carrying a hint of mischief, ¡°That old fox, Coyle, is in serious trouble this time.¡±


    Sadie had anticipated this oue, so the news didn¡¯t shock her. Maintaining her usualposure, she replied, ¡°Give me the specifics.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Noel made it clear he has no intention of continuing their deal,¡± ine said, amusementcing his words. ¡°He didn¡¯t even grant them a meeting¡ªjust terminated the contract without hesitation. This morning, Coyle¡¯s office was aplete madhouse. Malcolm and the other shareholders wasted no time rushing over to ¡®express their concerns¡¯ once they learned Burgess Group was pulling out.¡± ine vividly recounted Coyle¡¯s predicament, his tone gleeful.


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 Chapter 726

    ?Chapter 726:


    Listening to him, Sadie couldn¡¯t help but smirk. Coyle had thising.


    ¡°Oh, there¡¯s something even more intriguing,¡± ine added, pausing as if savoring the moment. His tone turned cryptic.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Sadie asked.


    ¡°Sutton has vanished,¡± he said in a hushed voice, tinged with curiosity. ¡°Early this morning, Coyle¡¯s men were scouring everywhere, but they¡¯ve found no trace of him.¡±


    This revtion caught Sadie off guard. Sutton was missing? What was going on?


    A flicker of confusion crossed her features as her brows knitted together. ¡°Vanished?¡±


    ¡°Completely,¡± ine confirmed. ¡°Not a single lead on where he went. Nobody can figure out how he managed to disappear without a trace.¡± His voice carried a note of inquiry, making it clear that Sutton¡¯s sudden absence had left him equally perplexed.


    Sadie remained quiet, her thoughts racing. Who was responsible for this? And why?


    ine chuckled. ¡°Coyle must be losing his mind right now. Thepany is falling apart, and his son is nowhere to be found. He¡¯s probably tearing through the office in a fit of rage.¡±


    Despite the situation, Sadie felt no real sense of satisfaction. Something about Sutton¡¯s disappearance unsettled her.


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    ¡°Enough of these serious matters,¡± ine said, changing the subject with a yful tone. ¡°Enjoy your stay at the hot spring. I¡¯ll take care of things here. Don¡¯t worry, everything is under control.¡±


    ¡°Appreciate it,¡± Sadie said quietly.


    ¡°No need for formalities with me,¡± ine chuckled. ¡°Take it easy. Talkter.¡±


    As the call ended, Tina knocked on the door before stepping inside.


    ¡°Mr. Castro, Coyle has requested to see you.¡±


    ine adjusted his attire and made his way to the chairman¡¯s office. The moment he arrived, Coyle greeted him with exaggerated warmth, his expression overly eager.


    ¡°ine! d you came. Please, have a seat,¡± Coyle said, pouring a cup of coffee with great enthusiasm.


    ine, uninterested in small talk, got straight to the point. ¡°Mr. Wall, what do you need?¡±


    He leaned back, crossing his legs casually, exuding indifference.


    Coyle¡¯s smile stiffened momentarily. However, needing ine¡¯s cooperation, he forced himself to maintainposure. sping his hands together, he let out a strained chuckle. ¡°ine, ourpany is experiencing a bit of difficulty, and I was hoping you could lend a hand.¡±


    ¡°Lend a hand?¡± ine arched an eyebrow, his voiceced with amusement. ¡°You¡¯re referring to Burgess Group abruptly canceling the partnership, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Coyle¡¯s face grew tense. He hadn¡¯t expected ine to be so blunt.


    ¡°Yes, exactly,¡± he admitted reluctantly. ¡°That partnership was essential to us, and now the entirepany is in turmoil.¡±


    He paused for a moment before continuing, ¡°After considering the situation, I believe only Sadie has the ability to resolve this mess.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Wall, have you forgotten that you were the one who personally and publicly dismissed Ms. Hudson?¡±


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 Chapter 727

    ?Chapter 727:


    ine¡¯s words struck Coyle where it hurt the most. His already forced smile almost faltered.


    Asking Sadie toe back? No way! That woman was far too cunning forfort. If she regained any semnce of control, Coyle doubted he and his family would have any peaceful days ahead.


    Given the circumstances, however, it seemed that their only viable option was to use Sadie to maintain the partnership with the Burgess Group, if only temporarily. But at the same time, it was crucial that Coyle still kept his position as chairman. He understood his priorities.


    Swallowing his displeasure, he widened the fake smile on his face. ¡°Now, ine, be careful with how you phrase things. What happened back then was just a misunderstanding.¡±


    ine raised an eyebrow, his lips still curled into a faint smirk. He gave Coyle a sardonic look but said nothing else.


    Coyle bristled under his gaze, and had to clear his throat twice before speaking again. ¡°In any case, Sadie is still part of the Wall family. She couldn¡¯t possibly just stand by and do nothing while the Wall Group descends into chaos.¡±


    He paused, his tone taking on a subtle, underlying threat. ¡°Other than that, your family also has stakes in thepany¡¯s fate. If the deal with the Burgess Group falls through, your family would suffer the repercussions as well, wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡±


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    ine almost burst outughing at that. The old bastard was actually trying to use his family¡¯s benefits to pressure him now? How absurd!


    ine pretended to give it some serious thought, then he nodded. ¡°You make a valid point. We are all in this together. Bringing Sadie back wouldn¡¯t be impossible for me, but there is the matter of payment¡­¡±


    He trailed off meaningfully.


    Coyle understood, of course. Much like Sadie, ine wouldn¡¯t lift a finger without the promise of a reward.


    Coyle wanted to curse at the young man, but he kept his rants to himself. With obvious reluctance, he produced a ck card from his suit jacket and handed it over. ¡°Consider this a small token of appreciation. Once youplete your task, you will have a more generous reward.¡±


    ine¡¯s eyes lit up as he plucked the card without a second¡¯s hesitation. He flipped it between his fingers, his smile turning more genuine. ¡°Rest assured, Mr. Wall. You can leave this matter to me. I¡¯ll handle it.¡±


    With that, he stood up and sauntered out of the office with a wave of his hand.


    As soon as the door clicked shut, Coyle dropped his smile. His expression turned dark with barely contained fury. He kicked the coffee table in frustration, causing a dull thud to reverberate around the room.


    The table didn¡¯t move an inch, but his foot was throbbing with pain. Coyle grimaced and clutched the toe of his shoe, his rage ring up even further.


    ¡°That damn brat! How dare he extort me!¡± he growled, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. The way Coyle saw it, Ralph¡¯s influence had emboldened ine to the point of disrespect. And that wretched Sadie! Once he dealt with the current obstacles, he would make sure those two were dispatched as well!


    Coyle grabbed thendline and called his assistant. ¡°Have you found Sutton yet?¡±


    The other man¡¯s voice was trembling with trepidation. ¡°Not yet, Sir.¡±


    Coyle¡¯s anger surged again. ¡°Useless! All of you are just a bunch of useless fools! You can¡¯t even find one person? Are you allpletely ipetent? I don¡¯t care what it takes¡ªfind him!¡±


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 Chapter 728

    ?Chapter 728:


    He was all but roaring through the phone, and he mmed it down on the receiver before the poor assistant could respond.


    That reckless son of his was another headache!


    Coyle had sent Sutton to discuss the coboration with the Burgess Groupst night. Heaven only knew what sort of mess Sutton had ended up causing.


    Patrick had called this morning to cancel the deal outright.


    Coyle was certain Sutton had done something to upset him the previous night!


    The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, until the veins on his temples were bulging.


    Just then, his personal phone rang. Coyle nced at the caller ID and forced himself to calm down. He cleared his throat, picked up the phone, and changed his tone to one of humility and respect.


    ¡°Hello, Malcolm. Please don¡¯t worry. I can exin. The situation with the Burgess Group is just a minor setback¡ªa small misunderstanding. I assure you that the deal will not fall through. I¡¯m already handling it. We will have results soon.¡±


    Coyle reassured the senior shareholder as calmly as he could, his demeanor shifting from the outraged man moments ago to someone trying to maintain control of the situation.


    Meanwhile, ine was humming a tune as he walked toward the entrance of the Wall Group building, feeling quite pleased with himself. He was crossing the lobby when he spotted Tina at the front desk, turning over some documents to the receptionist.


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    ine brightened. He walked over and grabbed her wrist without a word, pulling her outside.


    Before Tina knew it, she had been shoved into the passenger seat of a sports car. She could only blink at the street view they were speeding past.


    ¡°Where are you taking me, Mr. Castro?¡± she asked, her voice filled with confusion.


    Instead of answering her question, ine casually tossed Coyle¡¯s ck card onto herp. ¡°Your sry.¡±


    Tina¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. What was going on?


    She reached over for the steering wheel, saying, ¡°Mr. Castro, please stop the car. I still have work to do.¡±


    ine easily dodged Tina¡¯s hand, amusement dancing in his voice. ¡°Right now, our priority should be locating Ms. Hudson,¡± he remarked lightly.


    He paused briefly before adding with yful dismissiveness, ¡°Thepany¡¯s mess? Let¡¯s generously leave that headache to Coyle.¡±


    Tina blinked, momentarily speechless. They were looking for Sadie? She wasn¡¯t sure about ine¡¯s full intentions, but she trusted Sadie implicitly. If they were seeking her out, it had to be something crucial. She quieted down, no longer protesting.


    At the hot spring resort, beside the open-air bath, Sadie reclinedfortably in her wheelchair, holding a tiny water gun as she enjoyed precious moments with Averi. Golden rays from the afternoon sun wrapped around them, creating an atmosphere of pure rxation.


    Averi squealed in delight, his youthful face sparkling with droplets of water, thoroughly absorbed in the fun.


    ¡°Sadie!¡± A voice she knew well rang clearly through the air.


    She lifted her eyes to find ine and Tina approaching. What brought them here?


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 Chapter 729

    ?Chapter 729:


    Apparently, Coyle couldn¡¯t hold on any longer. Perfect timing¡ªher n was already halfway there. Sadie¡¯s lips curled into a deeper, more satisfied smile.


    She nced sideways at Samuel, who stood dutifully beside her. ¡°Samuel, please escort Mr. Castro and Tina to the reception and ensure they¡¯refortably settled.¡±


    Samuel nodded respectfully. ¡°Of course, Ms. Hudson.¡±


    As they departed, ine cast Sadie a swift, reassuring wink¡ªa silent promise that he had everything under control. Sadie shook her head with an amused smile.


    She turned back, her gaze drifting upward to the balcony above, where she caught sight of a tall figure outlined against the sun.


    Noah stood casually, leaning against the railing, a silver mask obscuring part of his expression. His gaze rested solely on her.


    Their eyes locked, and Sadie¡¯s pulse quickened in surprise.


    How long had he been watching?


    Noah descended slowly, approaching her with an inscrutable smile that yed lightly at the corners of his mouth.


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    ¡°It appears your scheme is unfolding rather smoothly,¡± he remarked, his voice subtly tinged with teasing amusement.


    Sadie¡¯s heart skipped gently.


    Their eyes held, and Sadie remembered something crucial. Her expression sobered as she asked directly, ¡°Does Sutton¡¯s disappearance have anything to do with you?¡±


    Noah raised an eyebrow, visibly caught off guard by her suspicion. After a brief pause, he chuckled softly, his voice edged with gentle irony. ¡°Why would I bother with someone like him?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s brow furrowed in thoughtful confusion.


    If it wasn¡¯t Noah¡­ and she certainly hadn¡¯t orchestrated it either¡­ then what exactly had happened to Sutton? Could Coyle be responsible? A shadow of unease stirred in her chest.


    At that very moment, Averi, who had been absorbed in his yful antics, suddenly bounded over and grasped Noah¡¯s pant leg tightly, his wide, innocent eyes sparkling.


    ¡°Sir, will youe y water guns with me?¡±


    Noah lowered his gaze, looking at Averi¡¯s earnest face. A subtle yet undeniable warmth tugged at him again¡ªthis child stirred something strangely familiar deep inside.


    He hesitated but then found himself nodding without conscious thought.


    ¡°Alright,¡± he said gently.


    Averi let out a joyful cheer, immediately tugging Noah enthusiastically toward the hot spring.


    ¡°Hurry,¡± Averi urged eagerly.


    Noah stumbled lightly but held Averi¡¯s hand securely, letting himself be guided forward.


    Soon, the two were sshing freely in the water,ughter bubbling brightly between them.


    Sadie observed their carefree interaction, her expression softening yet deeply thoughtful.


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 Chapter 730

    Chapter 730:


    Just then, Samuel quietly returned to her side.


    ¡°Ms. Hudson, everything¡¯s arranged. Mr. Castro and Tina have settledfortably.¡±


    Sadie nodded lightly, reluctantly pulling her eyes from Noah and Averi¡¯s carefree scene back to Samuel.


    She lowered her voice, her expression solemn. ¡°I need you to quietly look into Sutton¡¯s disappearance.¡±


    This didn¡¯t bear the hallmarks of Coyle¡¯s methods; Sutton¡¯s sudden absence felt too peculiar. She wasn¡¯t particrly worried for Sutton himself, but Coyle and his family were too scheming. Better safe than sorry.


    Samuel immediately caught her drift. ¡°Consider it done, Ms. Hudson.¡±


    He turned swiftly to leave but hesitated after a few steps, remembering another matter.


    ¡°Oh, and Mr. Castro mentioned he¡¯s nning a barbecue tonight at the resort¡¯s outdoor area. He asked if you¡¯d care to join him.¡±


    At the word ¡°barbecue,¡± Averi¡¯s ears perked up instantly. Abandoning the water gun mid-game, he dashed over and wrapped his small arms around Sadie¡¯s arm, peering up eagerly through his water-slicked bangs.


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    ¡°Mommy, barbecue! I want barbecue, please!¡±


    Sadieughed softly, affectionately tousling his damp hair. Almost instinctively, her gaze wandered to Noah, who had already paused his game, apparently overhearing Averi¡¯s enthusiastic pleas. Though the mask concealed his features, Sadie sensed his curious gaze lingering on her, as if he was awaiting her decision.


    Before she could reply, Noah took a step toward her, his rich voice yfully smooth, carrying a subtle, inviting undertone. ¡°Why not? It sounds enjoyable¡ªthe more, the merrier.¡±


    Noah, to everyone¡¯s surprise, had no objections to participating in the group activity. Perhaps the memory loss had altered his disposition. Sadie pushed aside her thoughts and simply nodded. Averi instantly lit up. ¡°Yes! Time for barbecue!¡±


    That evening, the resort¡¯s outdoor grilling area glowed under bright lights. The air was filled with the enticing scent of sizzling meat. Sadie sat in her wheelchair, with the ever-energetic Averi by her side. Across from them, ine and Tina focused on flipping the skewers over the fire. Isabel, valuing her peace and quiet at this stage in life, had retired to her room early.


    ine grabbed a skewer of grilled chicken wings, handed it to Averi, and took a long drink from his beer bottle. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect to see everyone here,¡± hemented, his eyes eventually settling on Noah¡ªmore specifically, on the silver mask covering his face.


    ¡°Hey, Mr. Noel, it¡¯s not often we get a chance to unwind. Doesn¡¯t that mask get annoying?¡± ine teased. ¡°Why not take it off? We¡¯re all familiar faces.¡± He smirked, dragging out his words. ¡°Or are you hiding something?¡±


    His remark was direct. Sadie¡¯s chest tightened. She shot ine a sharp look, silently signaling him to drop it. ¡°Mr. Noel just prefers to keep a low profile¡ªunlike you, always demanding attention,¡± she said coolly.


    Before ine could respond, Tina snatched a freshly grilled beef skewer and shoved it into his mouth. ¡°Just eat! Why do you talk so much?¡± ine, mouth full, mumbled something incoherent but didn¡¯t take offense.


    Laughter rippled through the group, restoring the lighthearted atmosphere.


    As everyoneughed and enjoyed the rare moment of leisure, ine¡¯s phone rang on the table. The name ¡°Coyle¡± shed on the screen. ine arched an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his gaze. That cunning old fox was certainly impatient. Casually, he picked up the call, pressed the speaker button, and leaned back.


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    Message from Noah: Good night dear ones. God loves you and Noah whishes you all the best. ?(^?^ )? ¡ä-


    .


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 731

    ?Chapter 731:


    ¡°Hello? Who¡¯s this?¡± ine asked, feigning ignorance.


    On the other end, Coyle¡¯s voice carried a cautious yet overly polite tone. ¡°ine, it¡¯s me, Coyle. I hope I¡¯m not disturbing you?¡±


    ine chuckled. ¡°Oh, Mr. Wall. What¡¯s up?¡±


    Coyle hesitated before speaking again, his tone even more deferential. ¡°I wanted to ask if you¡¯ve seen Sadie. Has she agreed to return to thepany?¡±


    Feigning realization, ine dramatically pped his forehead. ¡°Oh! That totally slipped my mind, Mr. Wall! I got so caught up in the fun today that I haven¡¯t gotten around to it.¡± He paused before adding dismissively, ¡°Tell you what, I¡¯ll make sure to ask her tomorrow. Hello? Hello? Mr. Wall? The reception here is terrible¡ªI can barely hear you. Let¡¯s chatter!¡±


    Without waiting for a reply, ine promptly ended the call. With swift precision, he blocked the number and powered off his phone in one smooth motion.


    The group watched him, each reacting differently. Sadie sighed, shaking her head. ine was getting craftier by the day. Tina barely held back herughter. Noah, still masked, remained unreadable, though his grip on the wine ss stilled briefly.


    Meanwhile, in the chairman¡¯s office at Wall Group, Coyle stared at his phone in disbelief. Terrible reception? No¡ªine had intentionally hung up on him.


    Coyle dialed again, unwilling to give up. ¡°Sorry, the number you are trying to reach is currently unavable¡­¡± The robotic voice only confirmed what he dreaded. Even a fool would understand now. He¡¯d been yed! That little punk had deceived him¡ªand taken his ck card in the process!


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    ¡°Damn it!¡± Coyle¡¯s fury exploded. His forehead veins bulged as he hurled his phone against the wall, shattering it into pieces. ¡°ine! Sadie! Just wait and see!¡± he roared, pacing the room in frustration.


    With the partnership with Burgess Group in jeopardy, Sutton missing, and now ine making a fool of him, things were spiraling out of control.


    Just then, the office door burst open. His assistant stumbled in, face drained of color, panting heavily.


    ¡°Sir¡ªsir! There¡¯s trouble!¡±


    Coyle, still fuming, red at him. ¡°What now? Has the world ended?¡±


    The assistant swallowed nervously, his voice shaking. ¡°The shareholders¡ªthey¡¯re back! They¡¯re demanding an immediate solution for the deal with Burgess Group, or they¡¯ll start selling off their stakes! They¡¯re all waiting in the conference room!¡±


    Coyle swallowed his rage, tugged sharply at his tie, and strode purposefully toward the conference room. Even before reaching the entrance, he heard the agitated voices spilling from inside.


    Pushing open the heavy door, he stepped into pure chaos. Clusters of shareholders argued animatedly, faces twisted with dissatisfaction,ints rising louder by the second.


    ¡°Coyle is dragging the Wall Group straight into ruin!¡±


    ¡°Precisely! Did we ever face such disasters when Ms. Hudson was in charge?¡±


    ¡°He single-handedly botched the deal with Burgess Group¡ªhow can someone like him still be the chairman?¡±


    ¡°Sadie could do a far better job than this!¡±


    These people, who once bowed respectfully at every word Coyle uttered, were now openly casting me the moment trouble arose.


    With a stormy expression, Coyle marched to the head of the table and mmed his palm down sharply,manding the room.


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 Chapter 732

    ?Chapter 732:


    ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡±


    A stunned silence immediately filled the air.


    Coyle forced a strained smile, struggling to maintain aposed voice. ¡°Please, everyone, let¡¯s remain calm. I¡¯m already handling the situation personally. All I ask for is a little patience.¡±


    The moment he finished, Malcolm, seated just to his left, let out a disdainful snort and rose abruptly.


    ¡°Handling it, Mr. Wall?¡± Malcolm mocked coldly. ¡°Last I checked, Mr. Noel from Burgess Group won¡¯t even return your calls.¡±


    Coyle¡¯s smile froze stiffly on his face.


    Malcolm red openly at Coyle¡¯s silent embarrassment, his tone upromising. ¡°Let me be blunt: if the deal with Burgess Group isn¡¯t rescued within two days, I¡¯ll dump every single share I hold. I¡¯d rather take my money elsewhere than watch it vanish in this sinking ship!¡±


    With a sharp turn, Malcolm stormed from the room.


    The remaining shareholders exchanged uncertain nces. Gradually, they began rising as well.


    ¡°Malcolm has a point, Mr. Wall. Pull yourself together,¡± one shareholder said pointedly. ¡°Two days¡ªno satisfactory results, and we¡¯ll also be selling our shares.¡±


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    One by one, the shareholders filed out, leaving Coyle alone in suffocating silence. His chest rose and fell heavily with rage, a dark shadow passing over his face. These scheming, traitorous old foxes were cornering him!


    Unable to contain his fury, he violently swung out an arm, toppling the chair in front of him with a loud crash.


    Patrick! The Burgess Group! Sadie! ine! And now these faithless, backstabbing shareholders!


    He refused¡ªutterly refused¡ªto ept defeat! Was the Wall Group so fragile that losing the partnership with Burgess Group alone would doom it entirely? With countless projects in the pipeline, surely there had to be another opportunity he could seize!


    Coyle paced anxiously, thoughts spinning furiously. Suddenly, his memory sparked.


    The New Rise Corporation¡ªpart of the influential Howe Group¡ªhad just started an ambitious new energy project and was currently inviting bids.


    A fire ignited in his eyes. If he secured that deal, it would not only offset the current loss, but also pave the way to building ties with the powerful Howe family. Determined, Coyle quickly made a call.


    ¡°Bring Briley to me. Immediately.¡±


    ¡°Right away, Mr. Wall.¡±


    After a brief moment, Briley stepped into the room, looking tired and downcast.


    ¡°You called, Dad?¡± she asked quietly.


    Seeing his daughter¡¯s dispirited state, Coyle felt a flicker of irritation. But given the critical nature of his next step, he softened his voice deliberately.


    ¡°How are things progressing between you and Alex?¡±


    Briley immediately dropped her gaze, her voice carrying a trace of bitterness.


    ¡°¡®Dad, just forget about him. Ever since that night, he¡¯s been avoiding mepletely. I haven¡¯t even been able to get close,¡± Briley murmured unhappily.


    That night? Coyle¡¯s eyes sharpened immediately.


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 Chapter 733

    ?Chapter 733:


    ¡°¡®Did something happen between you two?¡±


    Briley¡¯s face grew warm, her voice dropping to a whisper, filled with awkwardness.


    ¡°¡®At a party, he drank a bit too much, and we ended up¡­¡¯¡± She trailed off, her silence heavy with meaning.


    For a brief moment, shock crossed Coyle¡¯s features, quickly reced by unrestrained delight. This was exactly the opportunity he¡¯d been waiting for!


    Careful to conceal his eagerness, heposed himself, adopting a gentle, understanding expression. If Briley were to be pregnant with Alex¡¯s child, the proud Howe family¡ªno matter how reluctant¡ªwould be forced into a marriage alliance to protect their lineage and dignity.


    With the Howes as inws, who would dare challenge the Wall Group then?


    Briley noticed the shifting emotions on her father¡¯s face, anxiety stirring within her as she quickly understood exactly what he was nning.


    ¡°¡®Dad, you¡¯re not thinking about¡­¡± Briley spoke hesitantly.


    Coyle met his daughter¡¯s gaze, finally abandoning any pretense. Leaning forward, he spoke quietly yet firmly.


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    ¡°Briley, we have no choice. This is ourst chance. Think carefully¡ªwithout support from the Howe family, how long can the Wall Group hold out, especially now? It¡¯s only a matter of time before Sadie crushes uspletely!¡±


    Briley¡¯s face paled at the thought. She was a Wall¡ªwhy should an outsider like Sadie overshadow her?


    ¡°¡®But¡­ Dad, what if everything backfires? Alex doesn¡¯t even like me. If he realizes I¡¯ve schemed against him¡­¡±


    She trailed off, dread pooling in her heart at the thought of consequences.


    Noticing her wavering resolve, Coyle pressed harder, his tone unyielding.


    ¡°¡®We must risk it all this time! Sess or ruin¡ªit hinges entirely on this. Once you¡¯re pregnant, even if the Howe family despises it, they¡¯ll be forced to ept you as Alex¡¯s wife. Don¡¯t you see? You could marry into one of the most powerful families!¡±


    His words resonated deeply within Briley, slowly igniting determination. If she married someone as influential and unattainable as Alex, wouldn¡¯t her status rise above everyone else¡¯s?


    After a tense pause, Briley finally lifted her chin, her eyes filled with newfound resolve. ¡°Alright, Dad. I¡¯ll follow your n.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s my girl!¡± Coyle praised her, cing a firm hand on her shoulder, his eyes glinting with cold calction.


    Early the next morning, Coyle convened an emergency shareholders¡¯ meeting. Despite their growing dissatisfaction, the shareholders reluctantly gathered once more, driven mainly by curiosity to see what new strategy Coyle had concocted.


    They sat stiffly around the table, their faces weary from a sleepless night, each expression wary and unsettled. Coyle took his ce at the head of the table, radiating an unmistakable confidence¡ªa stark contrast to his desperation just the day before.


    ¡°Everyone,¡± he said steadily. ¡°I know you¡¯re deeply concerned about our lost partnership with the Burgess Group.¡± He paused for effect, allowing everyone¡¯s unease to simmer briefly. ¡°But when one door closes, another always opens. I¡¯m pleased to announce that I¡¯ve arranged for us to coborate with New Rise Corporation instead.¡±


    Coyle paused dramatically, scanning the room in anticipation, hoping his news would spark some enthusiasm among the shareholders. Instead, he was met with a wall of icy skepticism.


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 Chapter 734

    ?Chapter 734:


    They regarded him warily, silently questioning what trickery Coyle was attempting this time. Aside from the deal with Burgess Group, what other deals could even begin to cover the huge gap left behind?


    Clearing his throat sharply, Coyle pressed on. ¡°I¡¯ve already initiated talks with New Rise Corporation. Their new energy initiative holds immense promise. Once we clinch this project, our crisis will naturally resolve itself.¡±


    His deration drew confused murmurs among the shareholders, their skeptical whispers rising audibly.


    ¡°¡®New Rise Corporation? I¡¯ve heard of that project¡ªit¡¯s hardly significant!''¡±


    ¡°¡®Exactly! That project¡¯s nothing but small potatoes. How could it possibly fill the void our lost deal left?''¡±


    ¡°¡®Are you just trying to fool us, Mr. Wall?''¡±


    As their doubts intensified into open usations, Coyle¡¯s forced smile crumbled entirely. His patience snapped, and he mmed his palm sharply onto the table, the sound echoing through the room.


    Instantly, silence engulfed the conference room.


    Coyle¡¯s face turned grim, his gaze icy and cutting as he swept it across the shareholders.


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    A room full of narrow-minded fools! All they saw were immediate losses¡ªthey couldn¡¯t fathom the bigger picture!


    New Rise Corporation might seem small, but behind it stood the mighty Howe family! With the Howe family¡¯s backing, what opportunities couldn¡¯t the Wall Group seize?


    Suppressing his anger, Coyle curled his lips into a cold smile.


    ¡°I admit,pared to Burgess Group¡¯s project, New Rise¡¯s might seem insignificant,¡± he said deliberately, watching as the shareholders¡¯ curiosity sharpened, their ears pricking up eagerly. ¡°But what if my family is soon to be bound to the Howe family by marriage?¡±


    Shock instantly rippled across the room.


    ¡°Marriage?¡±


    An alliance¡ªbetween Coyle¡¯s family and the Howes?


    Stunned silence fell heavily, eyes widening in disbelief. The Howe family¡¯s current prestige was practically equal to that of the Wall family. A marriage alliance between the two would instantly neutralize Wall Group¡¯s crisis.


    Witnessing the shareholders¡¯ stunned disbelief, Coyle felt a surge of satisfaction.


    ¡°My daughter Briley and Alex Howe, the president of the Howe Group, have fallen deeply in love and will soon be married,¡± he said confidently. ¡°Rest assured, everyone¡ªthe Wall Group has a bright and secure future ahead.¡±


    Casting a disdainful nce at the previously aggressive shareholders, he snorted quietly to himself. Once this alliance was solidified, these short-sighted troublemakers would be the first he¡¯d take care of!


    Thoroughly enjoying their shocked silence, Coyle straightened the cuffs of his suit jacket, turned around, and arrogantly strode out of the conference room without another nce.


    His assistant stood waiting anxiously in the hallway. ¡°Mr. Wall.¡± Without slowing his pace, Coyle headed directly to the elevator. ¡°Get the car ready. I¡¯m heading to the Howe family¡¯s residence.¡± He intended to visit his future inws personally.


    The assistant quickly followed.


    The car glided smoothly down the street. In the back seat, Coyle leaned backfortably, shutting his eyes to savor the moment.


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 Chapter 735

    ?Chapter 735:


    The driver hesitated slightly before handing over a document folder. ¡°Mr. Wall, here¡¯s the paperwork you requested.¡±


    Coyle opened his eyes, epted the folder, and pulled out a neatly printed pregnancy report. He scanned it carefully. The report clearly indicated that Briley was over six weeks pregnant.


    The smile on his face widened in triumph. Now that he was armed with this report, the Howe family wouldn¡¯t dare deny responsibility!


    Tucking the document securely into his jacket¡¯s inner pocket, Coyle rxed back into his seat, assured of victory. This was his ultimate bargaining chip.


    They soon arrived at the Howe family¡¯s vi. The car glided to a halt, and Coyle straightened his suit, stepping out with unshakeable confidence. He approached the door and pressed the bell.


    Momentster, a well-dressed butler answered, eyeing him politely.


    ¡°May I ask who you are?¡±


    Coyle lifted his chin slightly, his voice dripping with arrogance. ¡°I¡¯m Coyle Wall of Wall Group, here to meet Mr. Alex Howe.¡±


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    The butler politely but firmly assessed him. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Wall, but Mr. Howe isn¡¯t receiving guests today. If you have an appointment¡ª¡±


    Coyle harshly interrupted him, irritation ring instantly. ¡°Enough nonsense!¡±


    A mere servant had the nerve to stop him? Once Briley married into this family, the first person he¡¯d remove would be this insolent butler.


    With a disdainful smirk, Coyle pulled the pregnancy report from his pocket and threw it contemptuously at the butler¡¯s feet. ¡°Take a good look. My daughter is pregnant with Alex¡¯s child! Inform him immediately!¡±


    The butler¡¯s expression shifted visibly as his eyesnded on the report. Realizing the sensitivity of the situation, he quickly picked up the papers, concern crossing his usuallyposed features.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, please wait here for a moment,¡± the butler said politely, guiding Coyle to wait in the garden before quickly heading into the main building.


    Upstairs in the study, Alex sat behind his desk, immersed in documents, not bothering to look up when a knock sounded at the door.


    ¡°Enter,¡± he said calmly.


    The butler stepped inside, his expression unusually grave. ¡°Mr. Howe, Mr. Coyle Wall from Wall Group is waiting outside.¡±


    Alex immediately frowned. Coyle Wall? What business could he possibly have here? The Howe family had never had dealings with him.


    Alex waved his hand dismissively, turning back to his paperwork. ¡°I don¡¯t want to see him.¡±


    The butler hesitated briefly before carefully handing over the report he was holding. ¡°Mr. Howe, perhaps you should take a look at this first.¡±


    Alex paused, mildly annoyed, then epted the document. He nced down at it indifferently.


    Briley was pregnant?


    Indeed, one night, he¡¯d somehow ended up sleeping with a drunken Briley, but he¡¯d immediately sent someone afterward to give her emergency contraception. How could she have gotten pregnant?


    Disgust twisted sharply in his chest.


    With icy disdain, Alex tossed the report carelessly onto his desk. ¡°Send Coyle away¡ªnow!¡±


    The butler stood momentarily frozen, visibly startled.


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 Chapter 736

    ?Chapter 736:


    ¡°But Mr. Howe¡­¡±


    Alex sharply lifted his gaze, eyes fierce andmanding. ¡°Was I unclear?¡±


    The butler immediately lowered his head, heart pounding nervously. ¡°No, Sir, I¡¯ll take care of it immediately.¡±


    Alex then issued another firmmand. ¡°Also¡ªsend someone to ¡®invite¡¯ Briley here. Immediately.¡±


    He intended to question her personally and find out exactly what kind of game she thought she was ying.


    ¡°Understood,¡± the butler replied swiftly, hurrying to carry out Alex¡¯s orders.


    Meanwhile, in the garden, Coyle reclined leisurely, savoring his coffee with supreme confidence. With Briley carrying the Howe family¡¯s heir, perhaps Terrance himself would eagerly hand over the New Rise Corporation¡¯s project to Wall Group.


    The mere thought broadened Coyle¡¯s smile into smug satisfaction. His daydream was abruptly shattered by the sudden sound of heavy footsteps.


    Several towering bodyguards approached, their expressions stern and unyielding.


    Surprised, Coyle quickly set down his cup. Were they finally going to let him inside?


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    As he stood to greet them, two bodyguards roughly seized him by each arm and began forcibly dragging him toward the gates.


    ¡°Hey! What are you doing?¡± he roared, disbelief and fury overtaking him as he thrashed wildly. ¡°Let go! I¡¯m the grandfather of Alex¡¯s child! How dare you treat me this way? Where¡¯s Alex? Tell him toe out and face me!¡±


    His enraged shouts echoed through the garden until one irritated bodyguard produced a cloth and stuffed it firmly into Coyle¡¯s mouth, abruptly silencing his protests.


    Coyle¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief as he struggled furiously, but his resistance was futile. He was hauled mercilessly out of the Howe family¡¯s vi and flung onto the pavement like discarded trash.


    Bang!


    The heavy iron gates mmed shut.


    Coyley sprawled on the ground, the cloth falling from his mouth. He coughed violently, staring with humiliated fury at the now-closed gates, his entire body shaking with rage, his face scarlet with shame.


    This was a humiliation¡ªa huge one!


    How dare Alex and the Howe family humiliate him like this!


    Rising unsteadily to his feet, he angrily dusted off his clothes, venom burning in his narrowed eyes as he swore revenge.


    From a discreet ck car parked nearby, someone carefully recorded the entire humiliating episode. The person smiled coldly while observing Coyle¡¯s retreating figure, filled with bitterness and anger. Silently, the car started, quietly following behind Coyle.


    Meanwhile, in the serene hot spring resort, Sadie had just returned to her room after an enjoyable afternoon ying in the water with Averi.


    Samuel approached, discreetly handing her a phone. ¡°Ms. Hudson, some new information just came in,¡± he said quietly.


    Curious, Sadie opened the message to find a video along with a brief summary of events.


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 Chapter 737

    Chapter 737:


    The footage clearly showed Coyle being dragged from the Howe family¡¯s residence and tossed unceremoniously onto the ground. ¡°Coyle attempted to secure a marriage alliance by using Briley¡¯s pregnancy report. Alex rejected him and had him thrown out.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s eyebrows knitted together thoughtfully. Coyle actually had the audacity to provoke Alex? Clearly, he was desperate now. But¡­ Briley was pregnant?


    She frowned. How could this be? Alex was known to be sharp and cautious; how could someone of his caliber fall prey to such petty tricks? The whole affair seemed highly suspicious.


    At that moment, Noah appeared quietly beside her. His gaze fell on Sadie¡¯s phone screen, which disyed the message and video that had just been received.


    Sadie felt a subtle warmth brush against her senses¡ªthe faint scent of cedar and something refreshingly clean and masculine. She tensed slightly, instinctively aware of Noah¡¯s close proximity. A faint shiver raced up her spine.


    Noah was standing a little too close forfort. His gaze lingered on the screen, his eyes narrowing slightly beneath the mask as an almost imperceptible smirk touched his lips.


    Coyle¡¯s scheme was certainly bold, but hopelessly wrong. He nced at the video, a peculiar satisfaction surfacing. Yet, the moment his eyes drifted back to Sadie, his pleasure vanished. Her brow was delicately furrowed, her usually serene face clouded withplicated emotions. She was lost deep in thought.


    See more chapters at g??l no vels.??????


    An ufortable tightness crept into Noah¡¯s chest again. He leaned slightly closer, his voice dipping into a yful, teasing murmur near her ear. ¡°Ms. Hudson, don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re feeling jealous?¡±


    Caught off guard, Sadie swiftly tucked the phone away, her cheeks flushing slightly. She lifted her chin to meet his prating gaze¡ªeyes sharp even behind his mask¡ªand countered, a faint irritation coloring her voice. ¡°When did prying into others¡¯ personal affairs be a hobby of yours, Mr. Noel?¡±


    Noah raised an amused eyebrow, neither admitting nor denying her usation. Unwilling to dwell further on such dangerous territory, Sadie decisively changed the subject.


    ¡°At this moment, Coyle is cornered by the Burgess Group and desperately seeking a lifeline through New Rise Corporation,¡± Sadie exined evenly. ¡°It¡¯s no secret that New Rise belongs to the Howe family.¡± She paused briefly, carefully assessing the situation before continuing. ¡°And now, there¡¯s the sudden news of Briley¡¯s pregnancy, and Briley has actively pursued Alextely. But based on what I know about Alex, this pregnancy is most likely fabricated. It¡¯s probably just Coyle¡¯s desperate attempt to force an alliance with the Howe family and escape his current crisis.¡±


    Her analysis was calm and precise, but hearing the certainty in her voice regarding Alex, Noah felt an unpleasant sensation creeping into his chest. How was it that she knew another man so intimately?


    ¡°Oh?¡± Noah¡¯s voice lifted slightly, his tone subtly probing. ¡°Do you have that much faith in Alex, Ms. Hudson?¡±


    Surprised by the sudden change in Noah¡¯s tone, Sadie nced up at him, puzzled. She was merely analyzing facts objectively¡ªhow had he turned it into a matter of personal trust?


    ¡°I¡¯m simply drawing logical conclusions from the facts at hand,¡± she rified calmly, meeting his eyes directly.


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    .<hr>


    Message from Noah: Have a great week dear readers. God loves you and Noah whishes you all the best. (? ?? ? ¨C ? ) ?


    .


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 738

    ?Chapter 738:


    Noah didn¡¯t respond, but instead leaned in even closer. His silver mask hovered just inches from Sadie¡¯s flushed cheek, his warm breath softly brushing past her ear. A shiver shot through Sadie, her heartbeat faltering as warmth bloomed fiercely across her cheeks.


    Just as the tension became almost unbearable, a voice suddenly cut through the silence.


    ¡°Sadie!¡±


    Isabel stood frozen in the doorway, holding a bowl of steaming soup. Her eyes widened at the unexpectedly intimate scene she had stumbled upon. Although Patrick wore a mask, his stance and the way he leaned into Sadie radiated an undeniable intimacy.


    Quickly oveing her initial shock, Isabel smiled, a mixture of understanding and embarrassment crossing her face. She certainly understood what the scene meant. Despite the brief pang of difort at the thought of Noah, Isabelforted herself. This Patrick seemed like a decent man, and Sadie deserved to move on. Clinging to the past wouldn¡¯t do anyone any good.


    ¡°Oh dear! It seems I¡¯ve arrived at an inconvenient moment!¡± Isabel chuckled apologetically, already taking a step back. ¡°Please, carry on¡ªI didn¡¯t mean to interrupt!¡±


    She swiftly retreated, quietly closing the door behind her with care.


    Sadie stood there, stunned, her cheeks burning. She knew exactly what Isabel was thinking. Without thinking, she quickly raised her hand and pressed it firmly against Noah¡¯s chest, pushing him away¡ªnot roughly, but with unmistakable resistance.


    Noah allowed himself to step back gracefully, quietly noting the mix of embarrassment and irritation flickering across her flushed face. Beneath the silver mask, a faint smile briefly curved his lips.


    Sadie turned abruptly toward the window, avoiding his prating gaze as she tried to steady her pounding heart.


    Noah discarded his earlier teasing tone, his voice settling back into cool neutrality. ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry. New Rise Corporation will not partner with Wall Group,¡± he assured calmly yet firmly. ¡°Even if Briley truly were pregnant, such a scenario would be impossible.¡±


    His confident deration immediately piqued Sadie¡¯s curiosity. Turning back to face him, she regarded him inquisitively. Why was he so certain?


    First appeared in g??lnov els.??o??


    Noah didn¡¯t prolong the mystery, directly rifying the truth. ¡°Yesterday, New Rise Corporation signed an official strategic partnership with the Peterson family abroad. Their next move is expansion into the international market. Right now, they would never bind themselves closely to a domestic entity like Wall Group.¡±


    Understanding instantly dawned on Sadie. No wonder Alex had tossed Coyle out without hesitation. Alex had likely anticipated Coyle¡¯s tricks from the very start and must¡¯ve been thoroughly disgusted with Briley¡¯s attempts. Coyle¡¯s grand scheme¡ªleveraging New Rise Corporation and forcing a marriage alliance¡ªhad always been nothing but a fool¡¯s gamble. He had truly dug his own grave.


    Sadie silently absorbed the flood of information she¡¯d received, taking a moment to process it all.


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 Chapter 739

    ?Chapter 739:


    Seeing her deep in contemtion, Noah knew he¡¯d aplished what he¡¯d set out to do. Without another word, he quietly turned and made his way to the door.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    The words slipped from Sadie¡¯s lips before she even realized it, leaving her momentarily startled at her own reaction. Why did she care where he was headed?


    Noah paused, ncing over his shoulder with an amused, teasing gleam in his eyes, clearly savoring the rare moment of vulnerability she had revealed.


    ¡°Naturally, I have to go back,¡± he answered softly, his voice carrying a yful undertone. ¡°Our ns are almostplete.¡±


    He hesitated briefly, his eyes locked meaningfully onto hers. ¡°I¡¯ll see you soon in Jazmah.¡±


    Sadie immediately understood his implication, nodding calmly without pressing further.


    Once the door softly clicked shut behind him, she pulled out her phone and dialed a number, her voice quiet but firm. ¡°Find a way to have the news of New Rise Corporation¡¯s partnership with the Peterson family leaked¡ªdiscreetly¡ªto the Wall family elders.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Ms. Hudson.¡±


    As Sadie ended the call, her eyes turned cold and determined. Coyle¡¯sst hope was shattered. Now, it was the shareholders¡¯ turn to make their choice.


    In the chairman¡¯s office of Wall Group, Coyle stood rigid, his fingers trembling as they tightly clenched the papers in his hand. The document clearly detailed New Rise Corporation¡¯s recent strategic partnership with the Peterson family.


    His bloodshot eyes red at the words, veins bulging furiously on his temples. New Rise had already aligned itself with the Peterson family!


    Damn them!


    Alex Howe¡ªdamn that cunning brat!


    No wonder Alex had been so dismissive, tossing him out without a second thought. He had already found himself a stronger partner!


    Read exclusive stories at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m


    Coyle realized Alex had never taken him seriously at all! He had no intention of acknowledging the baby Briley was carrying! Very well, then! Since Alex was being so ruthless and heartless, he had no right to me him for ying hardball!


    A cruel glint appeared in Coyle¡¯s eyes. He picked up thendline and called his assistant. ¡°Get in here.¡±


    The assistant entered mere secondster, looking nervous and harried. ¡°Mr. Wall.¡±


    Coyle mmed the document on the desk. ¡°Spread the news that Alex abandoned Briley after getting her pregnant. Emphasize that he refuses to take responsibility. I¡¯m going to ruin that rascal¡¯s reputation once and for all!¡± Coyle couldn¡¯t believe the Howe family could simply brush off the situation.


    The assistant paled, his lips trembling as he said, ¡°Mr. Wall¡­¡±


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 Chapter 740

    ?Chapter 740:


    Coyle scowled at him. ¡°What are you dithering about? Spit it out!¡±


    The assistant swallowed audibly. ¡°Just¡­ I just received some news. Miss Wall has been taken away by Alex¡¯s men.¡±


    Coyle shot up to his feet, his eyes wide with disbelief. ¡°What the hell did you just say?!¡±


    The assistant shook with fright and nearly sank to his knees. The words tumbled out of him in a rush. ¡°Apparently, some people sent by Alex went to Miss Wall¡¯s apartment and took her by force. And¡­ well, Alex¡¯swyer is here to see you. He is waiting downstairs. He says Alex intends to sue us for fraud and nder.¡±


    Coyle felt the world spin around him, as if the floor had been pulled from under his feet. How could this happen? Hadn¡¯t he told Briley to hide? Now, what should he do?


    He slumped back into his chair, looking defeated.


    Just then, his private phone rang. The screen disyed the contact number of an elder in the Wall family, Soren Wall. Coyle¡¯s heart sank even farther into the abyss. Those old bastards sure got wind of the situation quickly!


    Coyle forced himself to calm down, though his fingers trembled as he picked up the call. His tone was submissive and measured. ¡°Hello, Soren. What an honor to receive a call from you when you¡¯re so busy. Rest assured, thepany is doing fine. This is just a minor issue. The problems with Burgess Group and New Rise Corporation will be resolved soon, I promise¡ª¡±


    A cold, elderly voice interrupted his titudes. ¡°Coyle Wall! Return to Wall Manor immediately!¡±


    Then, before Coyle could say another word, the call disconnected.


    Coyle¡¯s forced smile froze on his face. Secondster, he raised his hand, about to smash his phone out of sheer rage. But he stopped himself halfway through. He swallowed a couple of times, his chest heaving, his face red with anger.


    Those old bastards! Always banking on their seniority to throw their weight around!


    The assistant lingered by the door, watching Coyle carefully, not daring to even breathe. ¡°Mr. Wall,¡± he said after a while, ¡°Should we head to Wall Manor?¡±


    Coyle whipped around to re at him. ¡°Of course! What, should I just wait here until theye to us?!¡±


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    He had no choice but to face the music.


    At Wall Manor, the atmosphere in the meeting room was grim and oppressive, much like it had been the day they interrogated Sadie. The elders of the Wall family were all present, each of them wearing a stern expression.


    Coyle stood in the middle. Now and then, he would reach up to wipe the sweat from his brow. One of the elders sitting on the left suddenly stood up. ¡°Look at the mess you¡¯ve made!¡± he thundered. ¡°You haven¡¯t even been in charge of thepany for long, and you¡¯ve caused so much chaos! The deal with Burgess Group fell through! The New Rise Corporation project is out of reach! And now, we¡¯re facing awsuit from the Howe family! Let me ask you one thing¡ªwhat have you achieved?¡±


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 Chapter 741

    ?Chapter 741:


    ¡°As the chairman so far? I¡¯m starting to think you¡¯re not even half as capable as Sadie!¡±


    No sooner had he said this when another elder snorted in agreement. ¡°Ha! Before Nigel passed, he said Coyle and his family should never be allowed to take control of the family business. It looks like the old man was wise to make such a decision. Some people are just born losers!¡±


    Coyle felt the color drain from his face. His hands were cold as they clenched into fists at his sides. So, these old geezers were now using Nigel¡¯s words against him?


    Then why hadn¡¯t they spoken up when he had first schemed to seize power? They were only ming him now that something had gone wrong!


    And Sadie, that wretched woman! This must be her doing!


    Coyle gritted his teeth, suppressing both his anger and humiliation. Then he stered a pleading, pitiful smile on his face. ¡°Everyone, this is all a misunderstanding¡ªa huge misunderstanding!¡±


    He went on to make excuses for himself. ¡°I¡¯ve been framed by Sadie! She¡¯s the one who ruined the deal with the Burgess Group, and I¡¯m sure she is also behind this matter with the Howe family! She just can¡¯t stand seeing me and Sutton seed, so she deliberately set me up!¡±


    But no matter how he exined, the elders were not swayed.


    ¡°Framed?¡± Soren sneered as he mmed his cane against the floor. ¡°Coyle, do you think we¡¯re too old and senile to see sense? We all know Sadie is currently with Isabel and Averi, recuperating in the hot spring resort! How could that feeble young woman in a wheelchair frame you from there? But you! You faked a pregnancy test report and tried to force Alex to marry your daughter! You have utterly disgraced the Wall family name!¡±


    Coyle shuddered, feeling like a bucket of ice water had just been poured over his head. His ears were ringing, and he couldn¡¯t seem to manage a single coherent thought. He finally understood.


    Right from the start, it had all been a trap! Sadie had already dug the pit, and she had simply been waiting for him to fall into it.


    He had wondered once or twice why she would give up the chairwoman position so easily. It turned out that vicious woman had other ns in the works!


    Coyle¡¯s fists tightened, and his breathing grew even heavier.


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    ¡°Enough!¡± Soren brought his cane down again, effectively silencing Coyle.


    The meeting room was enveloped in a profound silence. Soren gave Coyle a chilling look, his voice firm and authoritative. ¡°The Wall family adheres to strict rules! Coyle, you are not suited for your role. Resign immediately! Effective now, you are no longer the chairman of Wall Group!¡±


    At Soren¡¯s cue, a bodyguard approached andid a document before Coyle.


    ¡°Sign this share transfer agreement and relinquish your stakes in Wall Group.¡±


    Coyle¡¯s gazended on the document, fury igniting in his eyes.


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 Chapter 742

    ?Chapter 742:


    Why should he? Why should he surrender what was rightfully his, especially after battling so fiercely to reach the top?


    ¡°I won¡¯t sign!¡± he dered, desperation coloring his tone. ¡°These are mine! They can¡¯t be taken from me!¡±


    Yet, such defiance proved futile against overwhelming power. Two formidable bodyguards advanced, securing him from each side. No amount of struggling or cursing could change his fate. One guard forcibly took his hand, pressed his thumb into the icy ink pad, and then mmed it down at the end of the agreement.


    Despair engulfed Coyle. All his efforts, every calcted move he had made, evaporated in seconds.


    Soren examined the signed document and nodded approvingly. He signaled the guards once more. With swift understanding, they gripped Coyle¡¯s arms and dragged him from the room, showing no mercy.


    ¡°Release me! What are you doing?!¡± Coyle¡¯s voice wasden with panic as he thrashed about. ¡°I am a Wall family member! You darey hands on me?!¡±


    His cries were met with silence from the guards, their hold unyielding.


    ¡°ording to the family rules, he receives thirtyshes as punishment!¡± Sorenmanded coldly.


    Forced to his knees on the cold stone, Coyle felt the strikes of the cane across his back. ¡°Ah!¡± His screams of agony pierced the air, eachsh pushing him closer to oblivion.


    Sadie! His current torment stemmed from her actions! As long as he lived, he vowed never to let her go. He would make her life a living hell!


    Inside the meeting room, the elders remained unmoved by the cries outside. With Coyle removed, the Wall Group faced a leadership vacuum, and the resulting turmoil required swift resolution.


    Soren scanned the room, his tone serious. ¡°The Wall family cannot be leaderless, not even for a day. Given our current predicament, leadership is crucial.¡±


    He paused, letting his gaze drift across the assembled family members. ¡°Who among you is prepared to take on this responsibility?¡± Silence enveloped the hall. Heads bowed, eyes averted to the floor as if they were in contemtion. They all harbored the same thought¡ªwho would dare assume control of Wall Group now? It was akin to walking into a zing inferno.


    With the issues with Burgess Group and Howe Group, and internal chaos, the sessor would likely meet the same downfall as Coyle. Only a reckless person would ept such a perilous role.


    New chapters now on g@?¦Ç¦Òv???s.c§àm


    As the silence lingered, Soren¡¯s expression darkened. This group, usually so keen to grasp at power, now hesitated to shoulder real responsibility!


    Finally, amidst the mounting tension, a tentative voice emerged.


    ¡°Esteemed elders, I propose a suggestion¡­ although I¡¯m uncertain of its propriety.¡±


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 Chapter 743

    ?Chapter 743:


    Attention shifted to the speaker, a member of a lesser branch of the family, typically unnoticed.


    Soren¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Speak.¡±


    The man gulped before proceeding with caution.


    ¡°Since no one seems ready to step forward, perhaps we could consider asking Sadie toe back?¡±


    The suggestion triggered a wave of shock.


    ¡°Absurd! How can we reinstate a woman who was expelled to lead Wall Group?¡±


    ¡°And what of the scandalous photographs?¡±


    At the mention of the photographs, the man raised his hands soothingly. ¡°Those photographs¡­ who can confirm their authenticity? It¡¯s possible Coyle framed Sadie! Besides, Noah is gone, and she¡¯s still young. Would remarriage really be so objectionable?¡±


    This revtion sparked a sudden understanding among everyone present. Indeed! Who else but Sadie had the capability to stabilize the situation? Under her leadership, Wall Group had flourished. Additionally, she retained theworks and assets left by Noah.


    With this proposal on the table, the other elders quickly warmed to the idea.


    ¡°Yes, that makes sense.¡±


    ¡°Sadie is undoubtedly capable.¡±


    ¡°She is Averi¡¯s mother. For her child¡¯s sake, she wouldn¡¯t allow Wall Group to fail.¡±


    ¡°This is a viable option! We should bring Sadie back!¡±


    The elders unanimously agreed.


    With urgency pressing them, they wasted no time in acting on their decision. Sorenmanded decisively, ¡°Prepare the vehicles! We¡¯re heading to the hot spring resort immediately to personally invite Sadie back!¡±


    A group of usually reserved and dignified elders set aside their pride for the future of Wall Group. They embarked in a grand convoy toward the suburban hot spring resort.


    Back at the meeting hall¡¯s entrance, Coyley forgotten and beaten.


    ???????????????? ?????????????? ????????: ?????????¦Í????????©q?????


    At the resort, Sadie was with Averi in the indoor y area, engaged in building blocks. Averi, focused, used his chubby hands to stack the colorful blocks.


    A resort staff member approached quickly, slightly panting. ¡°Ms. Hudson, several members of the Wall family are here to see you. They seem quite anxious.¡±


    Sadie checked her watch. The timing was as she had anticipated, with the elders showing even more urgency than she had expected.


    She ced the blocks aside and affectionately patted Averi¡¯s head. She then turned to the staff member, giving her instructions. ¡°Please look after Averi, and take him to his grandmother¡¯s room in ten minutes.¡±


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 Chapter 744

    ?Chapter 744:


    ¡°Understood, Ms. Hudson,¡± the staff member responded, staying near Averi.


    Sadie then calmly made her way to the lobby.


    In the lounge, several Wall family elders sat, having waited for some time. As soon as Sadie rolled into the room, the elders nearly leapt from their seats, their smiles strained with exaggerated sincerity. Sadie took in their expressions, not missing a beat. It was clear that Coyle had faced a severe setback. Otherwise, these elders, who had traditionally scorned her, wouldn¡¯t be behaving with such deference.


    Her expression remainedposed, tinged with just a hint of feigned bewilderment, as if she was unaware of the recent events. She moved her wheelchair forward gradually.


    ¡°What brings you here, gentlemen?¡± Her voice was gentle and courteous, maintaining the respect expected of the younger generation. ¡°Is there something you need?¡±


    The elders looked at each other, their difort apparent. Silence lingered among them.


    Finally, Soren stepped forward, clearing his throat as he struggled with his difort. His aged face looked particrly uneasy.


    ¡°Sadie,¡± he began, choosing his words with care. ¡°There¡¯s been some trouble at home and within thepany. Coyle¡­ he proved unfit for his role, and we¡¯ve addressed it following family protocols. Now, we find ourselves without a leader, and after much discussion¡­¡±


    He paused, his gaze fixed on Sadie with earnest desperation. ¡°We hope you can overlook past grievances and return to lead.¡±


    The effort of his plea colored his cheeks with a flush of unease. This was the same group that had once supported Coyle¡¯s ascent and facilitated Sadie¡¯s ousting. Now, humbled, they were imploring her toe back and rectify the chaos. The irony was not lost on her.


    Sadie listened in silence, her expression unreadable. She seemed to be weighing their plea thoughtfully.


    After a considerable silence, she slowly shook her head, her voiceden with weariness.


    ¡°I appreciate your intentions, but at this moment, my priority is my role as a mother.¡±


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    She lowered her gaze, her voice softening further. ¡°I just want to peacefully raise my child and spend time with Noah¡¯s mother. As for thepany¡¯s matters, I truly don¡¯t have the energy or desire to deal with them anymore.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the elders turned pale. Sadie was refusing to return? What would be of Wall Group? The legacy of the Wall family, nurtured over generations, was teetering on the brink of copse!


    With this realization, the elders set aside their dignity.


    ¡°Sadie! You can¡¯t just abandon us!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Sadie, Wall Group cannot survive without you!¡±


    A silver-haired elder spoke, his eyes welling up, his voice breaking with emotion. ¡°It was all our fault back then! We were misguided and believed Coyle¡¯s lies! We misunderstood you!¡±


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 Chapter 745

    ?Chapter 745:


    Another elder joined in, his remorse palpable as he clutched his chest. ¡°Yes! Coyle framed you! Even the scandal with Patrick was orchestrated by him out of jealousy. He was unable to bear your sess!¡±


    They all spoke fervently, hastily pinning all the me on Coyle, who had already suffered severely. Their past indifference, and even their contributions to Sadie¡¯s hardships, seemed forgotten in their current desperation.


    As they grew more distressed, some even looked ready to kneel.


    ¡°Sadie, we implore you! For Averi¡¯s sake, and in memory of Nigel, please return! We apologize deeply to you!¡±


    Sadie observed the unfolding drama with a concealed smirk. The act was nearlyplete, her strategy close to fruition.


    She remained silent for a long while, her expression reflecting a struggle with the decision.


    Finally, she sighed gently. ¡°Since you all insist, I¡¯ll consider returning.¡±


    At her words, the elders exhaled in unison, relief washing over them as smiles spread across their faces.


    ¡°That¡¯s marvelous!¡±


    ¡°Your graciousness is trulymendable!¡±


    ¡°Wall Group is saved!¡±


    Soren swiftly produced a document from his briefcase, presenting it to Sadie with a triumphant grin. ¡°Sadie, these are all the shares Coyle once held. They¡¯re finally back in the hands where they belong¡ªyours.¡±


    Sadie scanned the document, her eyes widening slightly. It wasn¡¯t just the shares she¡¯d given out to let Coyle¡¯s guard down; it also epassed every single share originally held by Coyle and his family. The wording was explicit, undeniable. Coyle had well and truly lost his grip this time.


    Not only had he lost his seat as chairman, but the shares he¡¯d desperately clung to were now stripped away entirely. He wouldn¡¯t pose any threat from now on.


    Sadie closed the document gently, a subtle, satisfied smile touching her lips. It was precisely what she¡¯d hoped for.


    A sense of relief visibly spread across the elders¡¯ faces as she epted the papers.


    ¡°Sadie.¡± Soren paused, choosing his words carefully. ¡°Thepany is facing a challenging time, so¡­¡±


    His unfinished sentence hung in the air, but everyone knew the implication. They were hoping Sadie would swiftly return to lead Wall Group back to stability.


    Sadie nodded resolutely. ¡°I understand. I¡¯ll be there first thing tomorrow.¡±


    At her confident assurance, the tension among the elders dissolved entirely, reced by dignifiedposure. Rising to their feet, they warmly exchanged goodbyes before hastening away, undoubtedly eager to deliver the reassuring news to those anxiously awaiting it.


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 Chapter 746

    ?Chapter 746:


    Outside the resort lobby, ine lounged casually against his sports car, amusement gleaming in his eyes as he watched the elders hurry toward their vehicles, radiating an air of triumphant urgency.


    A yful smirk curled his lips as he called out casually, ¡°Gentlemen! What¡¯s the rush? Why not stay a bit longer? I hear the dinner at this hot spring resort is quite extraordinary. Aren¡¯t you tempted to give it a try?¡±


    The elders paused briefly, ncing toward ine. When they recognized him, their expressions soured instantly into awkward difort. With dismissive snorts, they climbed swiftly into their cars and sped off without a word.


    ine chuckled coldly. What a bunch of sly geezers!


    He watched the vehicles disappear from sight before pivotingzily, hands deep in his pockets, and strolling leisurely back toward the lobby.


    Sadie was just about to return to her room when ine approached, wearing his familiar teasing grin.


    ¡°Hey there, Sadie,¡± he said lightly. ¡°So, how¡¯d it go? Those crusty elders didn¡¯t give you any trouble, did they?¡±


    Sadie shook her head gently, a subtle smile lighting her expression. ¡°It went perfectly,¡± she replied, waving the document lightly in her hand. ¡°I¡¯ve gotten everything I wanted.¡±


    ine¡¯s interest sparked immediately as he leaned in, eyebrows lifting in appreciation when he saw the document clearly. He whistled appreciatively.


    ¡°Would you look at that! Coyle¡ªthat cunning old snake¡ªreally hit rock bottom this time. Losing his chairman position was bad enough, but now he¡¯s lost practically everything else he had, too!¡±


    Heughed heartily, clearly reveling in Coyle¡¯s downfall. ¡°If he knew his plotting ultimately gave you such an advantage, he¡¯d probably keel over from sheer rage.¡±


    Meanwhile, inside a private ward at Jazmah Hopevale Hospital, Coyley helplessly on the bed, hisplexion drained of color and glistening with sweat. He groaned weakly, his voice broken and trembling.


    ¡°The pain¡­ it¡¯s unbearable,¡± he rasped, breath ragged. ¡°It¡¯s killing me¡­¡±


    The relentless agony radiating from his back nearly pushed him into unconsciousness. The brutal thirtyshes he¡¯d endured had left his skin shredded and his bones shattered.


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    Standing solemnly at his bedside, the doctor adjusted his white coat and spoke in a cautious, measured tone. ¡°Mr. Wall, your injuries are extensive. The damage to your spine is serious¡ªit¡¯s very likely you¡¯ll never regain the ability to walk.¡±


    The doctor¡¯s words struck Coyle like a thunderbolt, shattering his pride into countless pieces. Impossible. Him? Reduced to a cripple?


    His eyes snapped open fiercely, filled with unbridled fury as he red at the doctor.


    ¡°Get out!¡± he roared, his voice quivering with rage and desperation. ¡°You¡¯re all useless! Worthless quacks¡ªevery single one of you! Get out!¡±


    He couldn¡¯t ept this fate. Living out his days confined to a wheelchair? That was a punishment worse than death itself!


    .


    .


    .

 Chapter 747

    ?Chapter 747:


    Startled by Coyle¡¯s furious eruption, the doctor hurriedly stepped back, gesturing for the nurse to follow him out. Nearby, Coyle¡¯s assistant stood frozen, trembling silently, afraid to even breathe loudly.


    Chest heaving, Coyle red at the assistant, his eyes seething with rage.


    ¡°What are you standing around for?¡± he snarled viciously. ¡°Find another doctor! The best there is! If no one in Jazmah can help, search overseas¡ªspare no expense! Do whatever it takes to heal me!¡±


    The mere thought of permanent disability was utterly uneptable.


    The assistant jolted awake from his stupor, nodding vigorously. ¡°Yes, sir! I¡¯ll take care of it immediately!¡±


    He was already turning toward the door when Coyle suddenly remembered something and sharply halted him.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    The assistant froze mid-step, quickly turning back with a submissive bow, awaiting further instructions.


    Coyle¡¯s voice lowered, bing hoarse and thick with bitterness. ¡°Where is Sadie? That damned woman¡ªwhere is she now?¡±


    All of this suffering¡ªthis humiliation¡ªwas because of her!


    The assistant¡¯s forehead was slick with anxious perspiration. He shifted nervously, eyes darting everywhere except toward Coyle¡¯s fierce gaze.


    After an agonizing pause, he finally spoke, choosing his words cautiously. ¡°Sir¡­ Ms. Hudson returned to thepany this morning. They held a grand ceremony to wee her back.¡±


    He hesitated, swallowing hard before continuing. ¡°I¡¯ve heard representatives from Mr. Noel¡¯s Burgess Group visited personally, eager to renew their partnership with Wall Group.¡±


    His voice dwindled to barely a whisper, his eyes anxiously flicking toward Coyle¡¯s darkening expression. He wished desperately to stop there, but the words spilled uncontrobly from his mouth. ¡°And Ms. Hudson immediately removed everyone you¡¯d positioned within various departments. Not a single person was spared.¡±


    That final revtion was too much¡ªit shattered thest remnants of Coyle¡¯s fragileposure. His carefully orchestrated schemes, dismantled so effortlessly?


    Fury and despair surged together, rising uncontrobly, leaving a metallic bitterness in his throat. Coyle¡¯s vision blurred, his pulse thundered wildly, and suddenly, he spat out a mouthful of blood. His eyes widened with shock, fixating numbly on the nk white ceiling.


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    ¡°Sadie Hudson!¡± he hissed, his voice strangled with venom, his body convulsing violently, foam forming at the corners of his mouth as consciousness slipped away.


    The assistant watched, horrified, his face ghostly pale. He rushed frantically to Coyle¡¯s bedside, panic evident as he saw the spasms overtaking his boss.


    .


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    .

 Chapter 748

    ?Chapter 748:


    ¡°Sir! Sir! Someone¡ªDoctor! Quickly!¡±


    Coyle¡¯s assistant, Terrell Odom, shouted desperately, his voice cracking as tears threatened to spill.


    At that exact moment, the ward door swung open quietly.


    Sadie stood calmly in the doorway, herposed gaze sweeping across the room, pausing briefly as she took in the scene.


    On the bed, Coyley barely clinging to consciousness, his pale face contorted in pain, eyes squeezed shut, only the faint rise and fall of his chest indicating he still drew breath.


    Terrell froze, utterly stunned by Sadie¡¯s unexpected arrival. His eyes widened, fingers shaking nervously. Why was she here now? What was her intention? His mind went nk, panic surging within him, immobilizing himpletely.


    Sadie¡¯s lips curled into a subtle yet mocking smile as her eyes fell upon Terrell. ¡°What are you waiting for? Shouldn¡¯t you be fetching a doctor? Your boss looks like he¡¯s on the verge of death.¡±


    Her voice carried a deceptive sweetness edged sharply with sarcasm.


    Terrell, relieved to be given a reason to flee, hastily scrambled from the room.


    With deliberate steps, Sadie approached Coyle¡¯s bedside.


    She paused at Coyle¡¯s bedside, gazing down with aposed, almost serene expression. Her voice was soft, deceptively pleasant, as she gently inquired, ¡°How are you feeling now, Coyle?¡±


    At the sound of her voice, Coyle¡¯s eyelids twitched violently. With immense effort, he forced them open, locking his bloodshot, venomous stare onto hers. His body shook uncontrobly, lips trembling as he forced out a bitter, broken whisper.


    ¡°You vile woman¡­ you¡¯ll suffer a miserable end.¡±


    Sadie didn¡¯t bother responding¡ªthere was little point arguing with someone who was barely hanging onto life. Instead, she calmly retrieved a document from her bag.


    It was an official letter from Alex¡¯swyer.


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    With practiced ease, she ced it neatly on the bedside table.


    ¡°Oh, and there¡¯s something else I nearly forgot to tell you,¡± she continued softly, a faint chill edging into her voice. ¡°Briley has been officially expelled from the Wall family due to her reckless behavior and the disgrace she¡¯s brought upon us.¡±


    Her words hit like a devastating strike, crushing whatever fight remained in Coyle¡¯s weakened body. His eyes bulged, breath suddenly hitching, panic and fury tangling in his throat as he desperately gasped for air.


    He opened his mouth, struggling to utter a curse that never fully materialized, yet Sadie read his lips perfectly.


    ¡°You¡­ wretched woman¡­¡±


    Just then, a team of doctors and nurses hurriedly burst into the room, immediately surrounding Coyle¡¯s bed. The lead physician swiftly examined him, his expression turning grim after only moments.


    .


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    .

 Chapter 749

    ?Chapter 749:


    He straightened up, his voice solemn as he exined, ¡°The patient¡¯s severe emotional agitation has caused a rupture of the cerebral blood vessels.¡±


    ¡°Coyle¡ªyou¡¯ve just suffered a major stroke.¡±


    Sadie¡¯sposed smile remained firmly in ce, though a flicker of mock concern briefly touched her eyes. Reaching out, she gently patted Coyle¡¯s trembling shoulder.


    ¡°Rest up, Coyle. You don¡¯t need to worry about anything else,¡± she said softly, her voice soothing yet coldly triumphant. ¡°Thepany is safe in my hands now. I¡¯ll take good care of it.¡±


    Without bothering to spare another nce at Coyle¡¯s livid, helpless form, Sadie turned and strode calmly from the room.


    Outside in the corridor, Samuel was pacing nervously, anxiety etched deeply into his features. The moment he caught sight of Sadie, he quickly approached, lowering his voice as he ryed urgent news.


    ¡°Ms. Hudson, Sutton was found dead¡ªhis body was discovered by police at Eastwood Mountain.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s brows knitted slightly in surprise, her footstepsing to a halt as the gravity of the situation sank in.


    ¡°Dead?¡± Her voice turned grave. ¡°What exactly happened?¡±


    She had been aware of Sutton¡¯s disappearance¡ªbut how did he end up dead?


    Samuel shook his head solemnly. ¡°The details aren¡¯t clear yet. The police have sealed off the area and started their investigation.¡±


    He hesitated briefly before adding, ¡°Mr. ine Castro is already on-site.¡±


    Sadie paused thoughtfully, a dark suspicion beginning to form in her mind. Sutton¡¯s death¡ªit was undoubtedly suspicious. At this critical moment, there was no room for mistakes.


    ¡°We need to get there immediately,¡± Sadie said firmly, stepping swiftly into the car waiting outside the hospital.


    Samuel quickly followed, settling beside her. The car promptly merged into the bustling traffic, disappearing among the city¡¯s vehicles. Unnoticed, a sleek ck sedan started silently from a discreet distance behind them.


    Inside the car sat Noah. He carefully removed his mask, unveiling a striking yet weary face. He¡¯d visited the hospital merely for a routine check-up, never expecting to catch sight of Sadie. Seeing her there, clearly unsettled and in a hurry, sparked something restless within him. Something was wrong¡ªvery wrong.


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    After a moment¡¯s hesitation, he instructed his driver calmly yet firmly, ¡°Follow that car!¡± With a nod, the driver subtly shiftednes, quietly trailing Sadie¡¯s car at a safe distance.


    Half an hourter, Sadie¡¯s vehicle pulled to a halt outside Eastwood Police Station. She stepped out gracefully, her eyes briefly settling on the station¡¯s prominent sign.


    .


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 Chapter 750

    ?Chapter 750:


    Inside, ine stood conversing urgently with several police officers, his expression visibly tense. Spotting her arrival, ine quickly excused himself and approached, concern evident in his voice.


    ¡°Sadie, what are you doing here?¡± he asked earnestly, worry shading his eyes.


    This wasn¡¯t where Sadie should be at all.


    Sadie was momentarily taken aback. Her gaze flicked rapidly between ine and the group of officers standing nearby. Confusion clouded her thoughts¡ªwhat exactly was going on?


    Just then, the police officers approached her. Leading the group was a seasoned officer with a square jaw and a stern, unyielding gaze. He studied Sadie intently for a moment before pulling out a clear evidence bag, holding it up for all to see. Inside the bag was a peculiar-looking pendant stained with dark red¡ªa pendant Sadie didn¡¯t recognize in the slightest.


    ¡°Ms. Hudson, we found this item on the victim, Sutton Wall. Initial investigations show that this pendant belongs to an exclusive designer handbag¡ªregistered specifically under your name.¡±


    He paused deliberately, eyes narrowing slightly, sharp and piercing.


    ¡°We now have reason to suspect you are involved in Mr. Wall¡¯s murder. Please cooperate fully with our investigation.¡±


    Sadie stared nkly at the pendant in the bag, disbelief flooding her senses. Her mind raced, her heartbeat elerating as she struggled toprehend the situation unfolding before her. This was absurd. She had never seen that pendant¡ªit wasn¡¯t hers at all!


    Noah quietly entered the station, just in time to overhear the officer¡¯s startling usation. He froze in ce. His face remained unreadable behind his silver mask, but the air around him grew undeniably colder. Shock pierced through him like ice. Sadie¡­ used of murder?


    Noah furrowed his brows as he stepped forward. Clutched in the officer¡¯s hand was an evidence bag, and Noah could instantly tell what was inside¡ªthe pendant definitely belonged to the limited-edition handbag Hailey had recently bought. Why was it on Sutton¡¯s body? And what role did Sadie y in this?


    Noah¡¯s face set into a grim line, yet he remained silent. He had a gut feeling that something was off, and he needed time to piece it all together. Without saying anything, he turned and left the police station.


    Sadie watched the man wearing the silver mask. His retreat was marked by a chilling aloofness. When had he shown up? Why was he here? But now wasn¡¯t the time to ponder these questions.


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    She faced the officer again, aware that the situation was not in her favor. The evidence seemed to point directly at her, but she was sure the pendant didn¡¯t belong to her. Exining now might seem like she was scrambling to prove her innocence.


    Taking a deep breath, Sadie collected herself. She looked the middle-aged officer in the eye and said evenly, ¡°I¡¯m ready to cooperate with your investigation. However, before we head to the interrogation room, I need a moment to discuss some urgent business matters with my colleague.¡±


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 Chapter 751

    ?Chapter 751:


    She was referring to ine, who was standing beside her. The officer eyed her for a second, then nced at ine, who appeared anxious. After a pause, he agreed.


    ¡°Alright, you have twenty minutes.¡±


    Considering Sadie¡¯s position as chairwoman of Wall Group, the flexibility seemed justified. She signaled to ine toe closer.


    In a hushed tone, she instructed, ¡°ine, go back to the office and stabilize things. Coyle is out¡ªwe can¡¯t let things spiral.¡±


    ine nodded solemnly, his usually rxed demeanor now somber.


    ¡°Got it, Sadie. I¡¯ll handle it.¡±


    After a short pause, Sadie added, ¡°There¡¯s something else. Check on that pendant.¡±


    A vague memory shed through her mind¡ªan image of a day long past when she had been at that upscale boutique downtown, searching for a birthday present for Isabel. She was drawn to a newly released handbag, its design remarkably distinct. Dangling from the handbag was a pendant, looking exactly like the one sealed in the evidence bag.


    She vividly recalled preparing to have it gift-wrapped when Hailey and Sutton entered the boutique one after the other. Preferring to avoid any interaction with them, she had left the store without buying the bag.


    ¡°Head to that boutique and look up their sales records. See who purchased that handbag after I walked out.¡±


    ine paid close attention, his usual yful spark now reced by serious resolve. He grasped the urgency of the matter, recognizing the setup.


    Firmly, he pledged, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Sadie. You can count on me. Grandpa made me promise to keep you safe, and I intend to keep that promise.¡±


    Sadie felt a slight easing of her burden. She nodded. ¡°Alright. I trust you.¡± Time was pressing. She gave ine a final look. ¡°Thepany is yours to manage now.¡± She then turned decisively and followed the officer to the interrogation room.


    ine stood firm for a moment, his hands balling into fists. He was determined to uncover the mastermind behind this scheme. With resolve, he turned and exited the police station.


    Meanwhile, Noah arrived back at his suburban vi. The dining table wasvishly set, each dish carefully presented. Hailey, wearing an apron, weed him with a gentle smile.


    ¡°Noah, you¡¯re back.¡± Her voice carried a note of soft ttery. ¡°I¡¯ve prepared some of your favorite dishes today.¡±


    Noah nced at the table, his expression unreadable. Without a word, he walked over to the sofa and sat down.


    He addressed Hailey without looking up, his voice cool. ¡°Have you seen Sutton?¡±


    Hailey¡¯s smile stiffened. Her fingers gripped the hem of her apron tightly, and a cold fear crept up her spine. Had the body been discovered already?


    .


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    .

 Chapter 752

    ?Chapter 752:


    She maintained herposure, managing to keep her smile, though it was noticeably strained.


    ¡°Sutton Wall? No, I haven¡¯t seen him. I did hear he¡¯s been missing, though.¡± Her eyes betrayed a flicker of unease as she tentatively asked, ¡°Why? Has something happened to him?¡±


    Noah¡¯s expression was icy as he held her stare. A slight smirk appeared on his lips.


    ¡°The police found his body in Eastwood Mountain.¡±


    He paused, letting the gravity of his words sink in before continuing, ¡°And now, Sadie is being investigated for murder.¡±


    Hailey¡¯s expression betrayed no surprise; instead, there was a hint of relief. She was pleased that Sadie had been arrested.


    With a slight smile and a touch of regret in her voice, she said, ¡°Sutton was a Wall. Ms. Hudson is ruthless with her rivals¡ªshe didn¡¯t even spare her own family.¡±


    Noah¡¯s response was icy. ¡°I didn¡¯t say Sadie was the murderer. The investigation is still ongoing.¡±


    He reached into his pocket and ced a photograph on the coffee table. The photo disyed a distinctive pendant from a handbag.


    Hailey¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly at the sight. That pendant¡­ Her heart raced, a wave of dread sweeping over her.


    Pretending to be intrigued, she picked up the photo. ¡°Oh? Isn¡¯t this the pendant from my bag? I¡¯ve been looking for it for days. It turns out it¡­¡±


    She stopped, looking up at Noah with feigned confusion. ¡°Noah, where did you find this? Where is it?¡±


    Noah¡¯s look was frosty. ¡°It¡¯s with the police. Specifically, it was found on Sutton¡¯s body. They think it might have been left by the murderer.¡±


    Hailey¡¯splexion drained. The photo trembled in her hand and fell to the carpet. She couldn¡¯t hold Noah¡¯s gaze; her eyes flicked around, seeking an exit. Noah watched her closely, his face unreadable. His tone was sharp, pressing her. ¡°The truth will surface eventually. Hailey, what really happened?¡±


    Panicking, Hailey knew she couldn¡¯t keep up her facade. Tears filled her eyes, and she grabbed Noah¡¯s arm.


    ¡°Noah, I¡­ I had no choice! It was Sutton who cornered me first!¡± She sobbed uncontrobly, her body shaking. ¡°He approached me that day¡ªhe tried to¡­ he tried to assault me. I just reacted. I didn¡¯t mean to kill him!¡±


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    She deliberately omitted any reference to her past involvement with Sutton. Noah observed her breakdown, but his expression remained detached, the disappointment evident as any sympathy faded. Was this thepassionate woman he once knew?


    Hailey noticed his silence, her desperation intensifying.


    ¡°Noah, have you forgotten? Three years ago, I saved your life! If it hadn¡¯t been for me, you might still be in a hospital bed!¡± She attempted to manipte him with guilt.


    ¡°Besides, Sadie¡¯s been arrested, right? Can¡¯t we just let this go?¡±


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 Chapter 753

    ?Chapter 753:


    Noah couldn¡¯t suppress a bitterugh. Was Hailey really going to let someone else bear the me for her own actions? He had once believed Sadie to be cunning and ruthless. However, recent interactions had revealed a different side of her, while Hailey¡ªthe woman he thought he knew¡ªnow seemed the true viin.


    With a weary sigh, Noah summoned his bodyguards.


    ¡°Keep her confined to the vi. Make sure she doesn¡¯t leave.¡±


    Hailey¡¯s eyes widened in shock.


    ¡°Noah! What are you doing? How could you do this to me?¡± She struggled as two bodyguards held her firmly.


    ¡°Let go of me! Noah, let me exin!¡±


    Her pleas and screams fell on deaf ears as Noah turned away. The bodyguards then pulled Hailey away. Silence settled over the room.


    Noah massaged his temples, then walked into his study. He picked up the phone and called his assistant, Jack Ashton.


    ¡°Look into the details of Sutton¡¯s murder. Also, find out what Sutton had over Hailey that pushed her to this extreme.¡±


    Before Jack could reply, Noah added, ¡°And see to it that Sadie is treated fairly at the police station.¡±


    Jack paused, surprised by hispassion for Sadie. Despite his confusion, Jack responded, ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll handle them right away.¡±


    The call concluded. Noah leaned back, his face a mask of unreadable thoughts.


    Meanwhile, ine rushed back to the Wall Group headquarters. He entered the secretarial department, his expression serious. He quickly ryed instructions to Samuel.


    Samuel nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mr. Castro. I¡¯ll manage things here.¡±


    As an experienced and professional assistant, Samuel knew what needed to be prioritized. Without saying another word, ine left the office.


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    ine was acutely aware that he needed to quickly focus on the pendant to clear Sadie¡¯s name.


    Just as the elevator doors slid open, he collided with a small figure. Tina, clutching a stack of documents, staggered back, almost losing her bnce.


    ¡°Ouch!¡±


    She looked up, recognizing ine.


    After steadying herself and adjusting her sses, she began, ¡°Mr. Castro, where are you going? Aren¡¯t you aware there¡¯s a department meeting at three this afternoon? You¡­¡±


    Before she could finish, ine had brushed past, his rapid stride toward thepany¡¯s entrance signaling urgency.


    .


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 Chapter 754

    ?Chapter 754:


    Tina stood there, bewildered. What was happening? Was this some kind of emergency?


    Holding her documents tightly, she hurried after ine.


    ¡°Mr. Castro, wait up!¡±


    Reaching his car, ine swung the door open. He paused, noticing Tina had managed to catch up, panting. He realized that, as a man, he would attract too much attention inquiring about the bag at the luxury boutique. Tina would be the perfectpanion.


    He motioned for her to join him.


    ¡°Hop in.¡±


    Tina, slightly perplexed but noting ine¡¯s grave demeanor, climbed into the passenger seat without further questions.


    As they drove toward the city center, ine quickly filled her in on Sadie¡¯s arrest and the mysterious pendant.


    Tina¡¯splexion paled as she absorbed the news.


    Sadie? used of murder? How could that be?


    It had to be a setup. Anger tightened her grip on the documents.


    Thirty minutester, they pulled up in front of an opulent boutique.


    They exited the car, ine now sporting his customary sardonic grin. He casually draped an arm around Tina¡¯s shoulders, feigning intimacy. Feeling slightly awkward butmitted to aiding Sadie, Tina leaned into the role.


    They were greeted warmly by a uniformed clerk as they entered the boutique.


    ¡°Good afternoon, sir, madam. How may I assist you today?¡±


    ine¡¯s eyes sparkled as he gestured towards Tina, his posture rxed, his voice warm.


    ¡°Could you help my sweetheart find a lovely bag? We¡¯d like to see your newest and limited editions.¡±


    The clerk, ustomed to indulgent patrons and noting Tina¡¯s demure pose as she stood close to ine, quickly pegged them as a wealthy young couple on avish shopping spree. These types of customers were always the mostvish and easiest to please.


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    The clerk¡¯s smile brightened.


    ¡°Certainly, sir. We¡¯ve just received our spring and summer collections, which I believe would perfectlyplement thedy¡¯s style. Please follow me.¡±


    They were led to the disy area.


    With ine¡¯s arm casually draped around her, Tina felt a bit out of her element. He seemed fully invested in their cover story. She gave herself a small pinch to snap back into character, adopting a look of sweet anticipation.


    While the clerk enthusiastically showcased various bags, ine appeared casually interested, but his eyes darted around the store. He was on the lookout for that specific pendant.


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 Chapter 755

    ?Chapter 755:


    Then, he spotted it within a ss disy case.


    There it was¡ªa luxury bag with a simple yet elegant design, and the identical pendant dangling from it.


    He had found it!


    His heart surged, but he kept his excitement under wraps. He pointed towards the disy case.


    ¡°Could we take a closer look at that bag?¡±


    The clerk turned, following his finger, and then offered a polite yet regretful smile.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sir, but that particr bag is part of a limited collection and is just for disy.¡±


    She paused, then continued, ¡°Actually, we had a replica of this design made about half a month ago. It was bought by a customer then.¡±


    She reminisced briefly, ¡°I recall it was quite sought after; there was even a littlemotion among the interested buyers.¡±


    ine¡¯s heart raced at the revtion. But he still maintained his nonchnt demeanor, probing further.


    ¡°Really? It was that popr? Who was the fortunate buyer?¡±


    As he inquired, he gave Tina a subtle nod. Tina immediately picked up on the signal. Her eyes gleamed as she leaned in, almost touching the ss case.


    ¡°Darling, this one is gorgeous! I absolutely must have it! Could you get it for me?¡± she cooed, gently pulling on ine¡¯s arm with a yful plea.


    The clerk¡¯s smile widened.


    ¡°Thisdy certainly has excellent taste; that replica was¡­¡±


    Before she could continue, a middle-aged woman with a professional demeanor approached. She appeared to be the manager.


    She nced at ine and Tina, then addressed the young clerk. ¡°Please attend to other customers. I¡¯ll take over here.¡± The clerk nodded and stepped away.


    Turning back to Tina and ine, the manager said courteously, ¡°The bag was sold, but we do have other new items this season. Would you like to see them?¡±


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    ine maintained his smile, his approach amiable yet persuasive.


    ¡°My girlfriend has really set her heart on that one. How about you help us by providing the contact details of the purchaser? I¡¯d like to see if they¡¯re open to a negotiation.¡±


    ine kept his friendly demeanor.


    The manager¡¯s expression shifted subtly, a slight furrow in her brow revealing her hesitation.


    The sales manager had clearly never encountered such a request before, and her polite smile slipped into a cautious frown.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sir, but customer privacy is something we take very seriously here,¡± she exined firmly. ¡°We can¡¯t disclose that information.¡±


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 Chapter 756

    ?Chapter 756:


    ine¡¯s friendly demeanor faltered slightly, frustration creeping into his expression. This manager was proving tougher than he¡¯d anticipated.


    Just as he opened his mouth to argue, the manager discreetly nced toward two tall security guards stationed nearby. Immediately sensing her signal, the guards approached silently, positioning themselves imposingly beside ine and Tina. Their silent presence made the message unmistakable.


    With a cool and dismissive tone, the manager said, ¡°Sir, madam, it¡¯s best if you leave now.¡±


    ine clenched his jaw, muttering an irritated curse under his breath. Clearly, he wouldn¡¯t get anywhere here.


    Grabbing Tina¡¯s arm, who was still visibly stunned, he turned abruptly to leave. Lingering any further would only be a waste of time.


    The manager watched warily as the two hurriedly left, a faint crease appearing on her forehead. Something about their inquiry felt off.


    With a dismissive shake of her head, she turned and entered the employees¡¯ lounge.


    Outside, the street buzzed with afternoon activity as ine and Tina made their way briskly toward their parked car, frustration etched clearly on their faces.


    ¡°What now, Mr. Castro?¡± Tina asked anxiously, on the brink of tears. ¡°Without that customer¡¯s information, how can we prove Sadie¡¯s innocence?¡±


    ine exhaled sharply, struggling to maintain a calm facade. The direct approach had clearly failed, and sneaking in unnoticed was practically impossible given the store¡¯s tight security.


    They needed a different n¡ªand quickly.


    Meanwhile, inside the employees¡¯ lounge, the manager bowed slightly toward a man seated quietly, his expression unreadable, dressed impably in a ck suit.


    ¡°Mr. Ashton, they¡¯ve already left,¡± she reported respectfully.


    Jack, Noah¡¯s assistant, acknowledged her with a slight nod before casually pulling a bank card from his jacket pocket and cing it deliberately onto the nearby table.


    ¡°You understand clearly what you should¡ªand should not¡ªsay, correct?¡± His voice was calm yet chilling, filled with subtle menace.


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    Immediately understanding the card¡¯s implications¡ªboth aspensation for her silence and a stern warning¡ªthe manager quickly nodded inpliance.


    ¡°Absolutely clear, Mr. Ashton. Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s handled.¡±


    Without another word, Jack stood, quietly exiting the lounge.


    Stepping outside into a quiet corner away from prying eyes, he swiftly took out his phone, dialing a number he knew by heart. The call connected almost instantly.


    ¡°Mr. Noel,¡± he greeted calmly.


    On the other end, Noah¡¯s voice was steady and cool. ¡°Speak.¡±


    Jack reported sinctly, without hesitation, ¡°ine Castro visited the boutique today. Clearly, he¡¯s looking into the handbag.¡±


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 Chapter 757

    ?Chapter 757:


    Noah fell silent, absorbing the information before finally speaking in a cool, measured tone. ¡°And the investigation¡ªany developments?¡±


    Jack replied steadily, ¡°Thest people Sutton interacted with before his death were Ms. Burgess and a woman named Dottie Hatfield.¡± There might be more clues on this woman named Dottie.


    Noah exhaled softly, a faintly disdainful sound. This tangled web was bing increasingly troublesome, and he knew he had to tighten his grip quickly.


    ¡°Deal with it immediately,¡± Noah said, his voice firm and detached. ¡°Leave no traces. Nothing about this incident should reach the public.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Mr. Noel,¡± Jack responded promptly and respectfully. As the call ended, Jack¡¯s expression hardened, his gaze bing colder.


    His next priority was locating Dottie.


    Early the next morning, in a temporary holding room at Eastwood Police Station, Sadie was abruptly informed that she was free to go¡ªthe real perpetrator had surrendered.


    Bewildered but relieved, she silently followed an officer out of the station.


    Samuel was already waiting anxiously outside. The car door closed firmly, shutting out the morning noise. Sadie settled into the back seat, her eyes turning sharply toward Samuel.


    In a calm, controlled voice, she asked, ¡°Who turned themselves in?¡±


    Samuel started the engine, merging quietly into traffic before answering in a lowered, cautious tone, ¡°It¡¯s a woman named Dottie Hatfield.¡± His eyes were fixed firmly on the road ahead as he continued, ¡°She ims she was Sutton¡¯s girlfriend. ording to her statement, she killed him in a sudden burst of anger.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s delicate brows knitted together, a hint of suspicion flickering in her eyes. A crime of passion¡ªand an immediate confession afterward? That seemed far too convenient, too neatly arranged.


    She stared thoughtfully out the window, watching the city blur past.


    ¡°Have someone look into this ¡®Dottie¡¯ immediately,¡± she said decisively. ¡°Dig deeper into her background and her true connection to Sutton. Something about this doesn¡¯t sit right with me.¡±


    She paused briefly, then added, her voice softer, more cautious, ¡°Has anyone informed Coyle yet about Sutton¡¯s death?¡±


    Samuel shook his head gently. ¡°I don¡¯t believe so.¡±


    Sadie fell silent. No matter how disgraceful Sutton had been, he remained a Wall, Coyle¡¯s only son.


    Sadie sighed slowly, a quiet resolve filling her voice. ¡°Have someone inform Coyle. Respect for the dead muste first.¡±


    Samuel acknowledged softly, ¡°Understood.¡±


    .


    .


    .

 Chapter 758

    ?Chapter 758:


    In an upscale private ward, Coyley immobile, his face distorted grotesquely from the stroke, saliva dripping uncontrobly down his chin. His lips trembled as he strained futilely to speak, only managing indistinct, guttural noises. His eyes brimmed with bitter humiliation.


    Standing nervously by his bedside, Terrell watched his employer¡ªwho had once been formidable but was now reduced to this pitiful state¡ªboth anxious and fearful.


    After agonizing hesitation, he finally mustered his courage, leaning closer and whispering cautiously, ¡°Mr. Wall, there¡¯s¡­ there¡¯s news about your son. Sutton¡­¡±


    His voice trailed off, faltering. He was unable to finish.


    Coyle¡¯s cloudy, desperate eyes shifted sharply, meeting Terrell¡¯s gaze with a sudden, dreadful rity.


    Gathering all his resolve, Terrell drew a shaky breath, shut his eyes briefly, and forced the devastating words out.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, Sutton¡­ is dead. His body was discovered in Eastwood Mountain.¡±


    The words struck Coyle like a bolt of lightning¡ªsudden, brutal, and impossible to ignore. His eyes flew wide open, bulging with disbelief.


    Even with all of Sutton¡¯s ws¡ªhis recklessness, his arrogance, his constant string of scandals¡ªhe was still Coyle¡¯s son. His blood. His only heir.


    ¡°No!¡±


    With a strangled cry, Coyleshed out with his only working hand, seizing his assistant¡¯s arm in a vice-like grip. His mouth moved frantically, but the words that came out were garbled and unintelligible. Still, the urgency in his eyes screamed one thing. ¡°Tell me everything.¡±


    Terrell winced under the painful grasp but didn¡¯t dare to pull away. Swallowing his fear, he began to speak, his voice shaking.


    ¡°The police said Sutton was killed by his girlfriend¡­ supposedly in a fit of jealousy. The woman has already turned herself in.¡±


    He hesitated for a moment, then added in a softer tone, ¡°But¡­ there¡¯s more. I heard that Ms. Hudson was also taken in for questioning. They suspected her involvement¡ªbut she was released early this morning.¡±


    Sadie.


    ???? ?????????? ???? ???????????? ¡ª ???????? ???? ?????????¦Í????????????


    That wretched woman¡ªagain!


    Coyle¡¯s vision blurred with rage, his eyes bloodshot and wild. Froth gathered at the corners of his mouth, dripping more furiously now as his fury surged.


    Girlfriend?


    Some random woman dared murder his son?


    It couldn¡¯t be!


    It had to be Sadie.


    .


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 Chapter 759

    ?Chapter 759:


    In his mind, the narrative was crystal clear¡ªSadie killed Sutton and paid off some pitiful woman to take the me.


    She had already left him paralyzed, his body broken, his dignity in ruins. Now she had killed his heir¡ªhis future.


    She was hell-bent on annihting his legacy.


    Coyle trembled with the intensity of his rage, gasping for air, his chest rising and falling in violent waves. He stared daggers at Terrell, his slurred voice desperate and twisted by emotion.


    ¡°Th-the doctor¡­ have¡­ have you found one?¡±


    His legs couldn¡¯t be lost. He needed to recover. He needed revenge.


    Terrell nodded hastily, clutching at the glimmer of hope. ¡°Yes! Yes, I found someone! A doctor named Lennon Fowler. He said hees from a long line of traditional healers¡ªspecializing in bone injuries, rare cases, the kind other doctors can¡¯t treat!¡±


    Coyle¡¯s gaze calmed slightly, the storm in his eyes momentarily subsiding. If this man could restore him, even a fraction of his former strength¡ªhe would rise again. And when he did, Sadie would pay.


    ¡°Bring¡­ him in!¡±


    Terrell bolted from the room, eager to escape the suffocating tension. Momentster, he returned, escorting a man behind him.


    Coyle blinked, baffled.


    The figure standing at the door was dressed in worn, patched clothes, his shoes scuffed, his presence almostughable.


    His hands rubbed together nervously, and when he smiled, a row of yellowed teeth gleamed.


    ¡°Mr. Wall, I presume?¡± he said with a thick rural drawl. ¡°No need to worry. Healing folks is what my family does best. You break a bone, and we fix it right up¡ªeasy as cooking soup!¡±


    Coyle¡¯s lip curled in disgust. This was the miracle doctor? This bumpkin? He nearly ordered the man out then and there¡ªbut paused. The best specialists in Jazmah had already thrown up their hands.


    He had no options left. Right now, pride had to be swallowed. What he needed was a chance to strike back.


    g???????¦Í??????.??0??; ???????????? ??????????


    As Coyle remained silent, his eyes locked in a cold, assessing stare, Lennon¡¯s gaze flickered nervously. After a beat, he cleared his throat and spoke again, this time with a sheepish grin and a hint of opportunism.


    ¡°Well, you know¡­ treating someone like you ain¡¯t exactly cheap.¡± His voice carried a blend of awkwardness and quiet calction.


    Before Coyle could even attempt a response, Terrell jumped in, eager to smooth things over. ¡°Dr. Fowler, rest assured¡ªif you can help Mr. Wall walk again, you¡¯ll be handsomelypensated!¡±


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 Chapter 760

    Chapter 760:


    Lennon¡¯s grin widened, and a glint of greed lit up his eyes.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I like to hear! But, uh, just so you know¡­ where Ie from, there¡¯s a little rule¡ªpayment upfront, then the healing! I¡¯ll need to get herbs, prep the meds, you understand. All that costs money.¡±


    Coyle, unwilling to waste time on haggling, gave Terrell a slight nod.


    Terrell took the signal immediately. He reached into his bag, pulled out a bank card, and held it out.


    ¡°There¡¯s two million on this as a deposit. If Mr. Wall makes a full recovery, you¡¯ll be rewarded even more.¡±


    Lennon¡¯s eyes went wide with delight. He snatched the card like a child handed candy, cradling it as if it were made of gold.


    ¡°Now that¡¯s what I call sincerity! Don¡¯t worry, Mr. Wall¡ªonce I¡¯m through, you¡¯ll be walking like a colt in spring!¡±


    Lennon brightened, invigorated by the promise of wealth. He bowed beside the bed and began pulling odd, mismatched items from his battered cloth satchel¡ªeverything from murky pills to strange, jewel-toned powders, and a set of long, razor-thin needles that looked more threatening than medicinal.


    Muttering under his breath, he first handed Coyle a handful of chalky, bitter-smelling pills.


    With visible reluctance, Coyle swallowed them. Lennon then mixed the powders with a viscous, amber liquid into a paste and smeared it carefully across Coyle¡¯s bruised and battered back.


    The entire process looked questionable¡ªmore like folk magic than medicine. But to Coyle¡¯s astonishment, the throbbing agony in his spine began to dull. It didn¡¯t vanish, but the relief was noticeable¡ªreal.


    For the first time in days, he could breathe without gritting his teeth.


    Could this unrefined country quack actually possess some skill?


    Lennon¡¯s grin stretched across his weathered face, his expression sly beneath the deep wrinkles.


    The rest on g???????¦Í?????????????


    ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re feeling better, Mr. Wall,¡± he said, rubbing his hands together in satisfaction.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ve got some pressing business elsewhere, so if you¡¯ll excuse me¡­¡± With a final toothy grin, he slipped out of the room.


    The moment he stepped outside, Lennon pulled the bank card from his coat like a sacred treasure, holding it up to the light as if expecting it to glow. His eyes sparkled with unfiltered greed.


    Two million! From a paralyzed old goat! He chuckled to himself, pocketing the card like it was the crown jewel of his crooked career.


    A veterinarian by trade, he was used to setting farm animals straight¡ªcows, goats. But today? Today he had conned his way into high society and walked out with a fortune.


    .


    .


    .<hr>


    Message from Noah: Happy monday dear readers. God loves you and Noah whishes you all the best. ©d( ??? )? ? *?


    .


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 761

    ?Chapter 761:


    He turned to leave, already fantasizing about how he¡¯d spend the money. Then¡ªwhump! Out of nowhere, a ck bag dropped from above, swallowing him whole.


    He didn¡¯t even have time to scream.


    Lennon felt himself yanked off the floor, the bag muffling his surroundings as he was swiftly dragged into a vehicle. The entire abduction took mere seconds¡ªso sudden, so smooth, he didn¡¯t even get the chance to shout.


    In the office of Wall Group¡¯s chairwoman, Samuel had just finished delivering his update: the Burgess Group¡¯s dinner event had been rescheduled for Monday. He turned to leave, but something tugged at his mind. He hesitated, his steps slowing.


    Sadie, seated at her desk, caught the hesitation immediately. Her eyes narrowed slightly.


    ¡°What is it?¡± she asked, her voice even. ¡°Is there something else?¡±


    Samuel hesitated for a beat, then spoke, his tone holding an edge of uncertainty. ¡°There¡¯s word from the hospital¡­ Coyle has brought in a doctor. Apparently, he¡¯s seeking treatment for his legs.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s brow arched subtly, mild surprise flickering across her expression. Even after everything, Coyle¡¯s will to fight remained unshaken. That man clung to power like a drowning man to driftwood.


    She leaned back slightly, fingers tapping lightly on the desk. ¡°And the doctor?¡± she asked. ¡°Who is he?¡±


    At Sadie¡¯s question, Samuel¡¯s normallyposed expression cracked, his lips twitching as he barely suppressed augh.


    ¡°The so-called doctor is actually a veterinarian. He managed to scam Coyle out of two million as a ¡®treatment deposit.''¡± He couldn¡¯t help it¡ªhis shoulders shook slightly with amusement. Then, he added, a mischievous glint in his eye, ¡°And as soon as he walked out of the hospital, our people intercepted him. Let¡¯s just say¡­ he won¡¯t be scamming anyone else for a while.¡±


    Sadie blinked, momentarily speechless. Then she exhaled with a slow shake of her head, equal parts disbelief and exasperation.


    ¡°Coyle¡­ honestly.¡±


    Even lying half-paralyzed in a hospital bed, the man still found a way to create a spectacle.


    Check exclusive content g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s


    Aplete, ridiculous farce.


    ¡°What a piece of work,¡± she muttered under her breath, waving a hand dismissively. ¡°Forget it. He¡¯s not worth our time.¡±


    Samuel nodded. ¡°Understood.¡±


    He turned to go, but then paused again, something elseing to mind.


    ¡°By the way, Ms. Hudson¡ªMr. Howe from Howe Group reached out. He¡¯d like to meet with you tonight. Said there¡¯s something important he needs to discuss.¡±


    Sadie¡¯s hand stilled mid-movement, the pen in her fingers pausing on the paper. For a second, she considered saying no. Her instinct was to keep her distance from Alex. The lines between their families were already too tangled.


    .


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 Chapter 762

    ?Chapter 762:


    But then Briley came to mind¡ªand the weight of what had happened. The Wall family¡¯s branch had sparked the chaos that pulled the Howe family into scandal.


    As the head of Wall Group, she knew she couldn¡¯t ignore that.


    With a quiet sigh, she set the pen down. ¡°Alright. Let Mr. Howe know I¡¯ll be there on time.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Ms. Hudson.¡± Samuel gave a small bow of acknowledgment.


    That evening, Sadie arrived at the upscale restaurant as scheduled. A waiter greeted her with a courteous nod and led her through the elegant dining space to a private room tucked away from the noise.


    As she pushed open the door, she saw Alex already inside, rising from his seat the moment he heard her enter.


    He greeted her with a familiar, gentle smile.


    Sadie¡¯s gaze drifted briefly across the table. Almost every dishid out was something she liked. Alex hadn¡¯t forgotten. The same old attention to detail.


    But that kind of attentiveness wasn¡¯t something she wanted.


    She took the seat opposite Alex, careful not to meet his eyes directly.


    After a brief pause, she chose to speak inly. ¡°Mr. Howe, I want to begin by apologizing for what Briley did.¡± She finally met Alex¡¯s gaze, her expression serious. ¡°She and her father acted without responsibility or restraint. Their actions dragged the Howe family¡ªand you¡ªinto a mess you didn¡¯t deserve. I don¡¯t know what their motives were. But surely they had a reason behind fabricating such a story, didn¡¯t they?¡±


    That was the real reason she had agreed to meet. She needed to know what Coyle and Briley had been after. What did they want from Alex?


    Alex¡¯s smile faltered, reced by something bitter. His posture rxed slightly as he lowered himself back into his seat, his voice quiet when he replied, ¡°It was Briley.¡±


    He recounted the night when Briley had approached him while he was drunk. After that, she had faked her pregnancy to force him to marry her. He spoke as if narrating someone else¡¯s story¡ªdetached, controlled.


    Sadie lowered her gaze, a pang of guilt tightening in her chest. Briley and her father had gone after Alex not randomly, but with purpose. It was because of the Howe name and his connection to her. In the end, it all traced back to her. Another debt. Another wound.


    ????????????????: g????????????????.??????


    She looked up, her voice quiet but sincere. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Howe. This mess began because of me. I should be the one treating you tonight, not the other way around.¡±


    Alex stared at her across the table, the warmth in his eyes dimming at the formal distance in her words. Her apology, while genuine, felt like a wall. It made him restless. ¡°Sadie,¡± he said. ¡°Can¡­ can you forgive me?¡±


    Sadie blinked, caught off guard. Forgive him? For what?


    Her expression softened with confusion. After a pause, she spoke, her tone steady. ¡°Mr. Howe¡­ you have nothing to ask forgiveness for. If anything, I should be the one apologizing.¡±


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 Chapter 763

    ?Chapter 763:


    She reached into her bag and retrieved a document, carefullyying it on the table between them.


    ¡°This is a supplementary agreement between Wall Group and Howe Group¡¯s New Rise Corporation. It¡¯s for the Peterson family¡¯s project.¡± She met Alex¡¯s eyes briefly before continuing, her toneposed but distant, ¡°Consider it a smallpensation from Wall Group.¡±


    She hade prepared.


    If she owed a favor, she would repay it cleanly and efficiently¡ªwith business, not emotion.


    After all, benefits were measurable, emotions were not.


    Alex stared at the agreement, the air between them growing heavier by the second. His hands curled into fists atop the table, knuckles whitening.


    She was doing it again. Drawing that invisible line with cold professionalism. Rewriting the narrative between them into a mere exchange of debts.


    Sadie noticed his silence, the way his posture stiffened. For a moment, she hesitated, something flickering behind her usually unreadable eyes.


    Then, as if retreating behind her own defenses, she stood up and offered him a final, polite nod. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Howe. I have other matters to attend to. Thank you.¡±


    Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away, her heels tapping softly against the floor until the door shut quietly behind her.


    Outside, the night air was cool as she stepped out of the restaurant. The world felt still, unbothered. But from across the street, hidden in the shadows, someone watched her leave¡ªeyes sharp, filled with cold resentment. It was Briley.


    Briley¡¯s hands curled into trembling fists, a storm of resentment swelling inside her. In her mind, every misfortune traced back to Sadie. If not for that woman, she wouldn¡¯t have been cast out of the Wall family¡ªstripped of everything. And Sutton, her older brother, wouldn¡¯t have died.


    The weight of it all crushed her, but Briley refused to surrender to despair.


    Her eyes flicked toward the VIP room Sadie had just exited.


    With no other options left, she made a snap decision. She inhaled sharply, then swung the door open.


    Read exclusive content at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s


    Inside, Alex looked up at the sound. He had thought Sadie had changed her mind and returned. His gaze turned icy the moment he saw Briley. His jaw tightened, eyes narrowing in disgust.


    ¡°I warned you,¡± he snapped. ¡°Show up again, and you¡¯ll regret it.¡±


    Briley swallowed hard, forcing herself to keep calm. She needed this.


    ¡°Mr. Howe, I know you hate me,¡± she said with a faint, almost desperate smile. ¡°But if you¡¯re serious about winning Sadie over, hear me out.¡±


    She stepped closer. ¡°Sadie can¡¯t let go of Noah, even after all this time. Ever wonder why she¡¯s still out of reach?¡±


    .


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 Chapter 764

    ?Chapter 764:


    Alex¡¯s expression darkened, but his curiosity flickered to life.


    ¡°What are you getting at?¡± he demanded.


    Seeing she had piqued his interest, Briley felt a surge of hope and quicklyid out her cards.


    ¡°The masked man¡­ Patrick Noel. The one always near her? He¡¯s not who you think he is. That¡¯s Noah. He¡¯s alive.¡±


    Alex was stunned, the words ringing in his ears like a detonation.


    Patrick was Noah?


    It all clicked¡ªthe strange familiarity he had felt when he¡¯d seen Patrick at Wall Manor.


    So it was Noah. He hadn¡¯t died¡­


    Alex¡¯s eyes lifted slowly.


    ¡°You¡¯re suggesting a partnership?¡± His voice dripped with mockery. ¡°What makes you think you¡¯re even worth aligning with?¡±


    He turned as if to leave, revulsion etched across his face. Spending even a second longer with such a despicable woman would sicken him.


    Panic surged through Briley.


    She darted in front of him, arms spread. He was herst lifeline.


    ¡°Wait! Just listen¡ªplease! You want Sadie. My family wants thepany back. We can work together! No harm wille to her¡ªwe just each take what we need.¡±


    She pressed further, her voice rising with urgency.


    ¡°You resent Noah, don¡¯t you? Even dead, he had her heart. Now he¡¯s back. Think you stand a better chance?¡± Her gaze locked onto Alex¡¯s.


    ¡°Imagine the fallout if Sadie finds out Patrick is actually Noah. How on earth do you think she¡¯ll react?¡±


    What Briley didn¡¯t know was that Sadie had already uncovered the truth. How naive she was to think she was delivering a bombshell.


    ¡°Enough!¡± Alex suddenly surged forward, his hand locking around her throat.


    L??t??st ch??pt??rs in g¦Ál??ovels.c?m


    The grip was brutal. Briley¡¯s face flushed crimson as she struggled to breathe.


    How dare Briley use Sadie to threaten him!


    It was as if she had a death wish.


    Though Briley was on the verge of passing out, sheer survival instinct kept her hanging on.


    ¡°Ending me¡­ changes nothing,¡± she rasped. ¡°Even if I die, Sadie stays out of reach.¡±


    Alex¡¯s eyes darkened, the malice within them intensifying.


    Atst, he let go of her, tossing her aside as if she were nothing.


    She crumpled to the floor, gasping for air, hands around her neck as violent coughs racked her body.


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 Chapter 765

    ?Chapter 765:


    Alex stared down at her, contempt painted across his face.


    ¡°Working together? Sure,¡± he said, his lips curling with derision.


    Briley blinked, caught off guard. Just as hope sparked in her chest, his next words struck like ice water.


    ¡°But you¡¯ll need to show you bring something valuable to the table,¡± he added coolly, adjusting his sleeve. ¡°I don¡¯t invest in failures. Your family? No influence, no assets, no backing. What could you possibly offer the Howe Group? Partnering with you screams liability.¡±


    With that, Alex turned and exited, not bothering with a backward nce.


    Briley remained behind, disheveled and alone.


    Still, it wasn¡¯t a total loss¡ªhe hadn¡¯tpletely refused. That, in itself, was a small win.


    After Sadie slid into the backseat of her waiting car and gave a nod to the driver, the vehicle blended seamlessly into the flow of nighttimemuters.


    Resting against the headrest, she massaged her forehead. Coyle was now paralyzed following a stroke, Sutton was gone, and Briley had been cast out of the family. That faction posed no immediate threat. Coyle was little more than a relic clinging to the past.


    So, what now?


    Noah could finallye back home.


    But the problem remained¡ªhis mind was nk. It was strange. Three years earlier, he had been dered vegetative, and Rosewood Hospital had even issued a death certificate. What really urred during that gap in time?


    Sadie¡¯s instincts pointed toward Hailey as the missing link.


    But for now, there was something more urgent¡ªbringing Noah¡¯s memory back. She unlocked her phone and tapped Samuel¡¯s number.


    ¡°I need the best neurologists out there,¡± she instructed crisply. ¡°Internationally. I¡¯m talking pioneers in cognitive recovery with proven results.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Ms. Hudson. I¡¯ll start making arrangements,¡± Samuel replied without hesitation.


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    After ending the call, Sadie ced her phone aside.


    A sudden wave of queasiness struck her, catching her off guard.


    She furrowed her brows andid a hand over her stomach.


    Lately, she hadn¡¯t been feeling like herself¡ªasional exhaustion,ck of appetite, and now this nausea. Probably just the pressure piling up. She brushed off the thought.


    Briley walked out of the restaurant, feeling utterly dejected. A gentle night breeze greeted her, but it somehow felt chilly against her skin.


    In a city as big as Jazmah, she came to the sudden and ring realization that she didn¡¯t have anyone she could rely on.


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 Chapter 766

    ?Chapter 766:


    Briley¡¯s hands clenched into fists so tight, her nails dug into her palms.


    This was all Sadie¡¯s fault!


    She wouldn¡¯t be in this predicament if it hadn¡¯t been for that despicable woman! There was no way she was going to let this go so easily.


    A fierce glint appeared in her eyes as she shot her hand out and hailed a taxi.


    ¡°To Jazmah Hopevale Hospital.¡± Just like that, she was speeding away.


    Half an hourter, Briley was striding through the hospital toward Coyle¡¯s room. Her fathery in a pathetic, crooked position on the bed. Half of his body was paralyzed, his lips twisted to one side, and even his eyes were askew. Drool was trickling down steadily from his chin. It was a haunting sight to behold.


    His assistant kept vigil, diligently wiping away his drool.


    Briley pushed the door open and walked inside, her demeanor devoid of any hint of sympathy.


    And why should she be concerned when all Coyle ever cared about was his precious son, Sutton?


    Briley waved the assistant away. ¡°You can go now. I need to speak with my dad in private.¡±


    The assistant was visibly relieved, but he offered a respectful bow before exiting the room and closing the door behind him.


    Father and daughter were left alone.


    Briley approached the bedside, her eyes fixed on Coyle¡¯s gaunt face.


    Her nose suddenly stung, and tears fell down her cheeks in quick session. She threw herself on the edge of the bed, clutching Coyle¡¯s still functional hand.


    ¡°Dad,¡± Briley choked out. ¡°It¡¯s me. I¡¯m here to see you.¡± She did her best to act weak and helpless. ¡°Dad, what should we do now? We¡¯ve lost Sutton, and you¡¯re in such a dire condition. All of this suffering is Sadie¡¯s fault, that vicious woman! She wasn¡¯t¡­¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s satisfied with what she¡¯s done to you, so she went ahead and killed Sutton as well!¡±


    Coyle¡¯s murky eyes suddenly widened, and a hoarse, croaking sound escaped his mouth. He wanted to say something, but couldn¡¯t.


    ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????? g???????¦Í?????????????


    Briley ignored his agitation and carried on with herments. ¡°I went to say goodbye to Sutton¡­¡±


    She trailed off on purpose, banking on the pause to make her next words all the more dramatic. ¡°His death was so tragic! He was ck and blue with wounds and bruises, and his eyes remained open even when he was dead. I just know he won¡¯t be able to rest in peace! It¡¯s all Sadie¡¯s doing¡ªshe hired someone to kill Sutton, then found some nameless woman to take the me!¡±


    Coyle¡¯s face, already distorted from his stroke, grew even more grotesque. His eyes bulged, his gaze turning ferocious as he stared at the ceiling. His body began to tremble.


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 Chapter 767

    ?Chapter 767:


    His only son, the sole hope of his family¡ªgone, just like that! He believed everything Briley had said. If they didn¡¯t avenge Sutton¡¯s death, the poord would never rest in peace!


    Briley finally let up and watched quietly as Coyle processed everything she had told him. She smiled to herself in satisfaction, knowing that she was getting the effect she desired.


    Moving on with her ns, she wiped her tears and pretended tofort Coyle. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Dad. I¡¯ll avenge Sutton, and you.¡±


    She leaned closer and whispered into her father¡¯s ear. ¡°I¡¯ve already made all the necessary arrangements. Next Monday, at the coboration banquet of Burgess Group and Wall Group, everyone will witness Sadie¡¯s miserable ending! Once Sadie is dead, the Wall Group will be ours again!¡±


    Coyle¡¯s breathing quickened, and his eyes turned wild and crazed.


    Yes, Sadie should pay! This wretched woman deserved a brutal end!


    Seeing her father¡¯s reaction, Briley stered a troubled look on her face. ¡°The problem is, I can¡¯t be sure that the people I hired are reliable. If they fail or leave any evidence behind, the repercussions would be even more disastrous.¡±


    She held her breath and waited for Coyle to react. He understood what she was trying to say, of course.


    They were going to eliminate Sadie, once and for all, so it had to be a clean hit. They couldn¡¯t afford any loose ends.


    But there really wasn¡¯t anything Coyle could do in his current state. He could only entrust their n to Briley.


    He struggled to lift his still-functional hand and pointed a shaking finger at one of the drawers of the bedside cab.


    ¡°Take¡­¡± he started to say, his voice faint and garbled. ¡°Take¡­¡±


    But it was all Briley needed to hear. She stood and yanked the drawer open.


    Inside was an old phone with only one unmarked number in the contact list. Coyle mustered whatever strength he could to rasp out a few more words. ¡°Find¡­ him. Reliable¡­¡±


    ?????????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???? g????????¦Í?????????????


    This person was Coyle¡¯s hidden ace, one that he had kept from his earlier years. The man was ruthless and efficient, and above all, he was absolutely trustworthy.


    Briley¡¯s heart skipped a beat as she stared at the number. Her n had worked! She swallowed the joy and triumph she felt and maintained a worried expression.


    She clutched the phone against her chest and nodded. ¡°I understand, Dad. You can leave it all to me. I won¡¯t let you down. I will make sure Sadie pays with her life!¡±


    Time slipped by quickly, and before long, Monday arrived.


    The prestigious g celebrating the renewed partnership between Wall Group and Burgess Group unfolded in the grand ballroom of Jazmah¡¯s most luxurious hotel. Crystal chandeliers bathed the hall in golden light, and the room shimmered with elegance.


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 Chapter 768

    ?Chapter 768:


    Sadie stood poised among the sea of elite guests, a vision in her champagne-colored gown¡ªtailored to perfection, hugging her frame with effortless grace. A wine ss rested lightly in her hand as she exchanged polite words with the city¡¯s most influential figures.


    But then, her gaze drifted toward the entrance¡ªand froze.


    Noah had arrived.


    Wearing his signature silver mask, he stood tall, refined, andmanding in presence.


    And on his arm, Hailey¡ªdraped in a pristine white strapless gown¡ªclung to him with adoring affection. They looked like something from a polished fairytale: elegant, radiant, inseparable.


    Sadie¡¯s breath caught in her throat.


    Her grip on the wine ss subtly tightened, the cold bite of jealousy and pain blooming in her chest.


    She had known for some time now that Patrick was Noah¡ªand that Hailey was his current wife.


    But knowing something and seeing it were two very different things. And now, with the image burning vividly before her, the truth became inescapable. The bitterness she had so carefully buried wed its way to the surface.


    Across the room, Hailey¡¯s gaze locked with hers¡ªand a slow, calcted smile curled her lips.


    She released Noah¡¯s arm with practiced ease. With a gentle smile and graceful poise, she approached Sadie, her wine ss held delicately between her fingers.


    Gone was the woman who had acted haughtily in the luxury store¡ªthis version of Hailey was poised, warm, andposed.


    To anyone watching, it might¡¯ve seemed like a cordial meeting between two refined women for the very first time.


    ¡°Ms. Hudson, what a pleasure to meet you,¡± Hailey greeted with a smile, extending her hand gracefully.


    Sadie, despite the storm simmering quietly beneath the surface, returned the smile with perfect poise. Her expression was unreadable as she reached out and gave Hailey¡¯s hand a light shake.


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    ¡°Ms. Burgess, the pleasure is mine,¡± she replied coolly.


    Hailey¡¯s eyes scanned Sadie with an air of mock admiration, her tone dipped in just the right amount of ttery.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard so much about you. Young, brilliant, and decisive. Seeing you now, I must say, the praise is well-earned. To manage a massivepany like Wall Group so wlessly¡­ I¡¯m truly in awe.¡±


    Then she tilted her head, ncing ever so casually in Noah¡¯s direction, her eyes glinting with subtle triumph. Her next words wereced with gentle mockery, veiled behind sweetness.


    .


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 Chapter 769

    ?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¡ªeach word designed to unt her position, her rtionship with Noah, and her supposed blissful life¡ªall 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¡ªat 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¡ªan 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.¡±


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    Noah¡¯s brows furrowed beneath his silver mask.


    His gaze moved to Sadie, searching her face, bracing for a reaction¡ªdispleasure, 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.


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 Chapter 770

    ?Chapter 770:


    ¡°As agreed, Mr. Noel, I¡¯ll be transferring 30% of the shares of Wall Group and giving you the preferential cooperation rights for next year. I¡¯ll have the formal contract sent to your office tomorrow.¡±


    She was drawing the line¡ªwith ink, signature, and silence.


    Noah said nothing. Behind the mask, his expression was unreadable.


    But inside, something coiled tightly in his chest¡ªunspoken, unresolved.


    Hailey, oblivious¡ªor perhaps willfully ignorant¡ªof the simmering tension between Sadie and Noah, let her eyes dance between them before shing a graceful smile.


    ¡°Thank you, Ms. Hudson,¡± she said warmly, epting on Noah¡¯s behalf, perfectly content to pretend there was nothing beneath the surface.


    The air between the three of them, however, told a different story. No one else noticed. But between them, the silence was loud.


    Across the ballroom, a man in a ck suit moved casually through the crowd, a wine ss in hand, blending in like any other guest.


    But his eyes were sharp¡ªfocused¡ªand filled with something venomous. His gazended on Sadie.


    He closed in quietly, one step at a time, like a shadow slipping through light. At his side, his hand dangled loosely, the wine ss a mere prop. Beneath his sleeve, the faintest glint of metal caught the light¡ªa concealed de, ready.


    He was only steps away.


    Then¡ªhis expression twisted.


    The ss slipped from his hand, shattering with a loud crash that drew startled gasps¡ªthen chaos. In one fluid motion, he reached into his sleeve, yanking out a dagger, its steel glinting as it flew straight toward Sadie¡ªaimed viciously for her heart.


    The attack was sudden, violent, and utterly unexpected. Gasps echoed across the ballroom as panic rippled through the crowd.


    Noah reacted instantly¡ªbefore thought, before reason.


    His body moved on pure instinct. He lunged toward Sadie, intent on pushing her out of the way.


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    But in that split second¡ª Hailey screamed and flung herself at him, clinging tightly to his arm in mock panic, locking him in ce.


    ¡°Ah! Patrick! I¡¯m scared!¡±


    Hailey¡¯s actions perfectly blocked Noah from intervening.


    At the crucial moment, Noah was toote, and the shining dagger was inches from Sadie¡¯s skin.


    Suddenly, a small figure sprinted from the sidelines.


    It was Briley!


    She had disguised herself in a server¡¯s uniform and had been watching from the shadows.


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 Chapter 771

    ?Chapter 771:


    At the critical moment, Briley fearlessly jumped in front of Sadie.


    The chilling sound of the dagger piercing flesh was unmistakable.


    Blood quickly stained Briley¡¯s white uniform.


    Sadie stood in shock.


    Her eyes widened as she stared at Briley, who had taken the hit for her.


    Why was Briley here?


    Why would she save her?


    Briley¡¯s face grew pale, and she copsed.


    Barely conscious, she lifted her head, gave Sadie a faint smile, and murmured, ¡°Sadie, you¡¯re¡­ you¡¯re okay. That¡¯s what matters.¡±


    With those words, she closed her eyes and lost consciousness.


    The room descended into chaos.


    Samuel acted quickly, instructing a team of bodyguards to subdue the attacker and secure the weapon.


    Sadie, staring at Briley lying in a pool of her own blood, was momentarily paralyzed.


    Regaining her senses, she turned to Samuel, urgency in her voice.


    ¡°Quick, call 911!¡±


    Camera shes filled the chaotic banquet hall.


    Brileyy bleeding, and the attacker was restrained by bodyguards.


    Sadie, visibly shaken, took a deep breath to steady herself.


    She motioned for ine to manage the scene.


    She decided to apany Briley to the hospital.


    Briley¡¯s decision to intervene was mystifying.


    ¡°Ms. Hudson!¡±


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    Reporters converged on her, thrusting microphones forward.


    ¡°Was that Briley Wall who shielded you just now?¡±


    ¡°Why is she dressed as a server?¡±


    ¡°Does this incident mean the Wall family¡¯s internal disputes are resolved?¡±


    Sadie stopped, facing the press with herposure regained.


    ¡°We will issue a statement about tonight¡¯s eventster. For now, our focus must be on saving Briley.¡±


    With that, she brushed past the reporters and quickly exited the banquet hall, nked by her bodyguards.


    A car was already waiting. She climbed in and immediately directed the driver, ¡°To the hospital, please.¡±


    As the car blended into the night, Sadie leaned back, her eyes closing softly.


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 Chapter 772

    ?Chapter 772:


    The scene of Briley rushing to her aid and her faint voice echoed in Sadie¡¯s mind.


    The question nagged at her: Why would Briley save her?


    Soon, the car arrived at the hospital.


    Sadie hurried towards the emergency department.


    The ominous glow of the red light outside the emergency room set a somber tone.


    She paused at the door, her feelings aplex web.


    Two hourster, the doors swung open and a doctor in a white coat emerged, looking weary.


    He took off his mask, and seeing Sadie by the door, he let out a heavy sigh. ¡°Ms. Hudson, we¡¯ve done everything we could for Miss Wall. She¡¯s stable for now.¡±


    He paused, his expression grave.


    ¡°However, the wound was deep, and vital organs were affected. Even though the rescue was timely, she¡¯s likely to suffer serious long-term effects. She¡¯ll need extensive¡­¡±


    ¡°Rest and ongoing care are essential, and frankly, her recovery looks challenging.¡± The doctor¡¯s words were a hard truth to ept.


    Sadie nodded, her expression unreadable.


    ¡°Thank you. Please transfer her to a private room and ensure she has a skilled caregiver at all times. Wall Group will cover all costs.¡±


    Briley¡¯s actions, regardless of her reasons, had been to protect her, and Sadie felt both a rational and emotional obligation to support her.


    The doctor acknowledged her instructions and went to make the necessary arrangements.


    Just then, Samuel, having dealt with the chaos at the hotel, arrived.


    His face was serious as he approached.


    ¡°Ms. Hudson,¡± he began.


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    Sadie faced him.


    ¡°What have you found?¡±


    Samuel spoke in a low tone. ¡°The assassin isn¡¯t talking, but we¡¯ve made some progress. We found a significant deposit into his bank ount just days before today¡¯s incident. The funds came from one of Coyle¡¯s men, someone known for managing his dirty work. It looks like Coyle was behind this.¡±


    This revtion didn¡¯t surprise Sadie.


    A cold glint appeared in her eyes, and her lips twisted slightly in disdain. Coyle, even in his weakened state, continued his schemes, stooping to hire a hitman.


    Such a despicable man!


    At this point, any sympathy Sadie might have had for Coyle evaporated.


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 Chapter 773

    ?Chapter 773:


    He deserved no mercy.


    ¡°Ensure the assassin will never hurt anyone again. Leave no trace,¡± she instructed calmly, her voice carrying a frosty edge.


    ¡°As for Coyle,¡± she continued, ¡°send him back to Zupren. Have him watched closely. He¡¯s not to enter the country again without my explicit permission.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Ms. Hudson,¡± came the reply.


    Samuel nodded promptly, his agreement immediate. This decision was already a gesture of goodwill from Sadie, born from family ties.


    As he was about to leave, he paused as if recalling something and turned back. ¡°Ms. Hudson, there¡¯s something else,¡± he added, his toneden with implication. ¡°The media are buzzing about Miss Wall¡¯s act of bravery¡ªher selfless decision to save you. The coverage is quite touching, and many are apuding her generosity and forgiving spirit. Yet, there¡¯s curious spection about her attire at the event¡ªwhy she was in a waitress¡¯s uniform.¡±


    The revtion caught Sadie off guard, her brow furrowing in concern. Briley¡¯s actions had indeed cast her in a sympathetic light, boosting her public image.


    Samuel hesitated, then shared more news.


    ¡°Moreover, at Wall Manor, the family elders held an urgent meeting and have unanimously decided that Miss Wall epitomizes the Wall family¡¯s ideals because of her recent actions. They¡¯re prepared to wee her back into the family fold and are interested in your viewpoint.¡±


    Sadie fell silent, weighing her thoughts before exhaling softly.


    It was undeniable¡ªBriley had saved her life, an act that not only preserved her own but also reinstated Briley in the Wall family¡¯s good graces.


    Despite Briley¡¯s initial intentions, the current circumstances left Sadie with no choice. If she were to block Briley from rejoining the family, it could cast her in a harsh, unkind light, potentially damaging the Wall Group¡¯s carefully maintained reputation.


    Thus, Sadie feltpelled topromise.


    ¡°Let¡¯s honor the elders¡¯ decision,¡± she stated calmly.


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    ¡°Understood,¡± Samuel replied, then left.


    Meanwhile, in a plush room at Jazmah Hopevale Hospital, Coyley on his bed, his expression tense. Half his face was paralyzed, his eyes misty and turbulent with unease.


    He was overwhelmed with anxiety, wondering why he hadn¡¯t received any updates from the person he sent out.


    By this point, Coyle had expected the banquet scheme to be a resounding sess. Did Sadie die?


    He attempted to shift his gaze toward the assistant who stood nearby, barely breathing, head bowed in apprehension.


    With a raspy sound from his throat, Coyle signaled to the assistant, who quickly nodded and made to leave the room to fetch news.


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 Chapter 774

    ?Chapter 774:


    Just then, the door swung open forcefully.


    Samuel strode in, nked by a cadre of bodyguards d in stark ck suits. Their imposing presence seemed to chill the very air in the room.


    The assistant trembled, his legs nearly buckling from fear.


    Caught off guard, Coyle stared at the unfolding scene.


    Samuel, ignoring Coyle¡¯s strained gaze from the bed, signaled to the bodyguards. ¡°Do it.¡±


    Immediately, two bodyguards advanced and grabbed Coyle.


    Outraged and panicked, Coyle managed a weak protest.


    ¡°How¡­ how dare you! Samuel, who¡­ who do you think you are? You, just an assistant, darey hands on me?!¡±


    His attempt to wield his status was pitiful, undermined by his slurred speech and drooling mouth, stripping him of any semnce of dignity.


    Samuel finally met Coyle¡¯s eye, his expression stoic, but his eyes icy.


    ¡°At this point, Mr. Wall, pretenses are unnecessary.¡±


    A wave of dread washed over Coyle.


    Samuel¡¯s voice was both low and piercing.


    ¡°The assassin you dispatched was apprehended immediately. Regrettably for him, he failed to harm Ms. Hudson. Instead, Miss Briley Wall inexplicably intervened to shield Ms. Hudson from the attack, ensuring her safety.¡±


    He paused, watching Coyle¡¯s expression shift to confusion, then continued.


    ¡°Ms. Hudson has decreed that you are to be escorted back to your residence in Zupren, barred from ever returning to this country.¡±


    Coyle¡¯s eyes nearly popped from their sockets.


    His mouth agape, he struggled for words, but only his ragged breathing filled the silence.


    Why would Briley protect that detestable Sadie?


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    Wasn¡¯t she supposed to conspire with the assassin for a guaranteed oue?


    No, it wasn¡¯t supposed to unfold like this!


    A sudden realization hit Coyle like a thunderbolt.


    He understood now.


    That cursed Briley!


    It was all her maniption!


    She had cunningly staged the entire self-sacrifice!


    Using the assassin he had dispatched, she crafted her own scheme to win Sadie¡¯s trust and garner the elders¡¯passion!


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 Chapter 775

    ?Chapter 775:


    She had exploited him as merely a pawn in her ascent!


    That treacherous daughter!


    Despite his years of shrewd maneuvering, Coyle found himself outyed by his own daughter!


    A bitter taste of blood filled his mouth as Coyle shook violently, his eyes fluttering.


    His heart seethed with loathing!


    Samuel turned away dismissively.


    ¡°Take him away.¡±


    The bodyguards didn¡¯t hesitate. They promptly lifted the convulsing Coyle from the bed and dragged him out.


    The assistant slumped to the floor, hisplexion ashen.


    Silence reimed the room, leaving a heavy residue of despair.


    Meanwhile, in the Howe family¡¯s stately vi, Alex stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, his brow creased with concern.


    For some reason, he felt uneasy tonight.


    The phone on his desk rang abruptly. He picked it up to find his assistant on the line.


    ¡°Mr. Howe, there was an incident at the Wall and Burgess Groups¡¯ coboration banquet.¡±


    Alex¡¯s heart clenched.


    He immediately inquired, ¡°How is Sadie?¡±


    The assistant reassured him, ¡°Ms. Hudson is unharmed, Mr. Howe. Miss Briley Wall intercepted a dagger meant for Ms. Hudson and is now receiving emergency care. The assant, reportedly sent by Coyle, was apprehended.¡±


    Alex listened to the update, a wave of relief washed over him, allowing his tense muscles to rx slightly. Briley had taken a dagger for Sadie?


    Alex¡¯s fist clenched, his knuckles whitening.


    He had sorely underestimated Briley.


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    Exiled from the Wall family, she had still orchestrated such a desperate ploy to redeem herself, using this dramatic gesture of self-sacrifice to weave herself back into the Wall lineage.


    Such intricate plotting!


    Yet, her actions had endangered Sadie!


    The mere thought of the peril Sadie had faced chilled his gaze.


    No matter Briley¡¯s motives, her actions had jeopardized Sadie, and that was inexcusable.


    He strode to the coat rack, grabbed his jacket, and hurried out. He had to see Sadie.


    In the hospital, Briley regained consciousness and was moved to a standard ward.


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 Chapter 776

    ?Chapter 776:


    Propped up in her hospital bed, she still looked pale, but her demeanor had brightened.


    Holding her phone, she browsed thetest online news.


    The headlines were sensational, steeped in exaggerated drama.


    ¡°Briley Wall Risks Everything to Save Cousin-in-Law¡ªOld Rivalries Set Aside?¡±


    ¡°High-Society Drama Unfolds: Briley Wall¡¯s Life-Threatening Gesture Solidifies Family Ties!¡±


    Thements section buzzed with activity.


    A slight smirk yed on Briley¡¯s lips.


    Despite the pain from the stabbing and the relentless throbbing of her wound, the way the media spun her story¡ªfar surpassing her expectations¡ªmade the ordeal seem worth it.


    She was already plotting her next move.


    Suddenly, the hospital room door burst open.


    Startled, Briley nearly dropped her phone.


    Her eyes shot towards the doorway.


    Alex entered, his aura icy, his expression stormy.


    Fear gripped Briley, herplexion draining further as she clutched the nket.


    She opened her mouth to speak, but before a word could escape, Alex crossed the room in rapid strides.


    A firm grip encircled her throat, pulling her abruptly from the bed. Immediately, a crushing sensation of suffocation overwhelmed her.


    Alex¡¯s eyes bored into her with undisguised hostility¡ªicy and merciless. Briley¡¯s face turned red, her vision blurring from theck of oxygen. Driven by survival instincts, she struggled desperately. But her efforts were futile against Alex¡¯s strength.


    A hoarseugh escaped her.


    ¡°Alex¡­ kill me? And how would you exin it to Sadie? To the Wall family? I saved her life.¡±


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    At her words, Alex¡¯sugh was cold and mocking. He looked down at her disheveled form, still having the audacity to use Sadie as leverage. The lethal intent in his eyes remained, now mixed with overt scorn.


    How dare she bring up Sadie? Briley¡¯s so-called ¡°heroic sacrifice¡± had actually put Sadie in harm¡¯s way. She had exploited Sadie¡¯s safety as a means to manipte her way back into the Wall family¡ªa truly despicable act. A flicker of disgust crossed Alex¡¯s face as he abruptly let Briley go, sending her crashing back onto the bed like discarded refuse. Briley crumpled, coughing violently as she grasped her throat.


    Alex pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and meticulously wiped his hand, as if he had touched something vile.


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 Chapter 777

    ?Chapter 777:


    He stared down at Briley, his voice icy and piercing.


    ¡°Briley, take this as your only warning. If you dare endanger Sadie again orpromise her safety¡ªbelieve me, you¡¯ll deeply regret it!¡±


    Briley, struggling to regain her breath, listened to his threat. Yet, instead of fear, a slow, unsettling smile crept across her pale face, sending a shiver through the room.


    She propped herself up, edging closer to Alex by the bedside. Her voice was raspy.


    ¡°How could I? Sadie is my dear cousin-inw. I would never intend to harm her.¡± Her tone suddenly shifted, her eyes shing with a cunning and calcted light.


    ¡°And Alex, have you forgotten? Wasn¡¯t it you who challenged me to prove my sincerity? To demonstrate my innocence? Thatpelled me to take such extreme measures. Technically speaking¡­ we¡¯re in this together.¡± Alex¡¯s pupils narrowed, his stare intensifying.


    How dare she manipte the facts and implicate him in her plots?


    Briley boldly extended her uninjured hand, gently touching his arm.


    ¡°Alex, are you pleased with the oue? I followed your directives exactly. Not only did I clear my name, but I also became a savior within the Wall family. Now, the elders are reconsidering their decision to expel me. My return to the Wall family, reiming what I rightfully deserve, seems inevitable.¡± Alex¡¯s expression darkened, his instincts urging him to pull away.


    Briley was clever, ruthless¡ªand now, rmingly unpredictable.


    With her newfound status as Sadie¡¯s savior and the potential for reintegration into the Wall family, any hasty move against her might provoke even more reckless behavior¡ªbehavior that could put Sadie at risk.


    For now, it seemed prudent to proceed with caution and understand her true intentions.


    Alex¡¯s thoughts churned, his face clouded with concern.


    After a tense silence, the lethal look in his eyes softened slightly, though his tone remained frosty.


    ¡°I hope you keep your word.¡±


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    He didn¡¯t push Briley¡¯s hand away, tacitly acknowledging her im. ¡°I¡¯ll arrange for someone to look after you. Make wise choices.¡±


    With those words, Alex turned and exited the room, closing the door firmly behind him.


    The instant he departed, the smile on Briley¡¯s face vanished, reced by a steely expression.


    She gingerly sat up, her hand pressing against her throbbing wound.


    It was painful, but it was worth it.


    Alex¡¯s response had confirmed her suspicions.


    Sadie was his weak spot. And as long as she could leverage that, she was secure.


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 Chapter 778

    ?Chapter 778:


    Aplices? It seemed they were, at least for now.


    Briley grabbed the phone beside her and fired off a swiftmand.


    ¡°Increase exposure. Bring in additional press coverage. I want the story of me rescuing my cousin-inw to flood every tform online.¡±


    The following day, a glossy ck vehicle glided to a halt in front of Wall Group¡¯s main building.


    A crowd of buzzing journalists had already assembled, clearly anticipating a statement.


    From inside the car, Sadie peered through the window, her expression tightening.


    ¡°Take the basement route,¡± she instructed calmly.


    The driver redirected smoothly, steering the car away from the front entrance. Upstairs, the chairwoman¡¯s office basked in warm morning light. Sadie had barely taken her seat when the office door swung open. ine stumbled in, looking worn-out and sleep-deprived.


    ¡°Sadie!¡± he groaned, copsing onto the couch.


    ¡°My goodness,st night was insane. I got hounded by calls nonstop!¡± He rubbed his forehead, clearly overwhelmed.


    After a pause, he continued, ¡°By the way, how¡¯s Briley?¡±


    Lifting her cup, Sadie took a measured sip before replying evenly, ¡°She¡¯s fine. Nothing major.¡±


    ine exhaled in relief, pressing a hand to his chest. ¡°Thank goodness. If she had died, the press would¡¯ve gone wild. I even saw posts suggesting she should start a showbiz career.¡± He shook his head, half amazed, half annoyed.


    Then, as if remembering something, he sat up straighter.


    ¡°Also¡ªthe banquetst night? Total disaster. Patrick and Hailey didn¡¯t look pleased. Patrick left on his own, and I had to get Hailey a separate ride.¡± Sadie¡¯s fingers paused slightly on her coffee cup. Her brow furrowed. The chaos had clearly disrupted the evening¡¯s objective¡ªand left the Burgess Group delegation disgruntled.


    Both in terms of business and diplomacy, it needed smoothing over.


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    ¡°Got it. Have someone assemble a few gifts. I¡¯ll deliver them myself when time allows.¡±


    ine nodded. ¡°Understood.¡±


    He gave Sadie a thoughtful nce, inwardly impressed.


    Even after everything, she remainedposed and precise¡ªnever losing her grip on the situation.


    Once he exited, stillness returned to the room.


    Sadie walked toward the tall windows and gazed out at the crowd of reporters still lingering.


    The sunlight was sharp, casting the mass of people as tiny, stubborn shadows.


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 Chapter 779

    ?Chapter 779:


    She didn¡¯t believe for a second that Briley¡¯s so-called sacrifice had been genuine.


    And the media storm? It was far too consistent to be organic.


    Normally, attention would have faded overnight.


    But this narrative was gaining momentum¡ªclearly orchestrated by someone behind the scenes.


    Suppressing the coverage would spark suspicion, but letting it escte could tarnish thepany¡¯s image.


    A delicate dilemma.


    Sadie¡¯s lips curled faintly in ironic amusement.


    Since Briley was so invested in putting on a show¡ªand clearly had help¡ªit would be foolish not to make the most of it.


    Returning to her desk, she pressed the inte.


    ¡°Samuel,e to my office.¡±


    A knock followed shortly, and Samuel entered.


    ¡°Ms. Hudson.¡±


    Without looking up, Sadie spoke, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the table.


    ¡°Reach out to Starlight Entertainment. I believe they¡¯re currently looking for new faces.¡±


    Samuel paused briefly, and then a flicker of understanding passed through his eyes.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am. I¡¯ll handle it right away.¡±


    He didn¡¯t ask questions; he simply bowed slightly and exited.


    Sadie gathered her materials, picked up a folder containing a contract, and left. Roughly thirty minutester, she arrived at a quiet suburban residence. Upon entering, she immediately spotted Hailey slouched on the sofa, dressed casually and looking visibly worn.


    The moment Hailey saw her, she sprang up, eyes full of resentment.


    Since the night before, Noah had hardly said a word to her. He had kept his distance, cold and detached.


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    She knew exactly why. He med her¡ªfor holding him back when Sadie was in danger.


    Even when facing death, the only person he¡¯d thought to protect¡­ had been Sadie. But how could anyone be sure who the attacker was really after? What if Noah had been the target? Was it so wrong to shield her own husband?


    Still, he refused to see it that way. He believed she had done it deliberately.


    And all of this was because of Sadie!


    Hailey¡¯s breathing quickened. The sight of Sadie standing there¡ªserene, untouched¡ªmade fury w at her chest.


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 Chapter 780

    Chapter 780:


    A sharp smile curled her lips. Her tone wasced with venom.


    ¡°Well, if it isn¡¯t the great Ms. Hudson. To what do I owe this surprise? Was your little secret rendezvous with my husband at the hot spring resort not enough? Are you here now to snatch my husband in broad daylight?¡±


    Sadie paused mid-stride, faint amusement flickering in her gaze. This woman really was unhinged.


    Sadie¡¯s expression cooled, her voice low and edged with warning. ¡°Ms. Burgess, I suggest you be careful with your usations.¡±


    Hailey bristled, indignant. ¡°Careful? Which part was not true? Drop the act, Sadie. Can you honestly im you don¡¯t want my husband?¡±


    Hailey grew increasingly agitated as she spoke,pletely shedding the gentle andposed demeanor she usually disyed.


    Sadie saw no point in expending energy on a fruitless argument.


    Observing Sadie¡¯s silence, Hailey interpreted it as guilt, fueling her anger further.


    She let out a cold snort, finding Sadie¡¯s presence unbearable.


    Abruptly, she turned and stormed upstairs, mming the door behind her.


    Sadie remained still, her expression calm though her brow furrowed slightly. Just then, a middle-aged woman in a maid¡¯s uniform descended the stairs with a respectful posture.


    ¡°Ms. Hudson, Mr. Noel would like to see you in the study,¡± announced the maid.


    Acknowledging with a nod, Sadie ascended the stairs.


    She found the study door slightly open.


    With a gentle push, Sadie entered.


    The room was expansive and luminous, adorned with a subtle grace. A delicate scent ofvender filled the air, awakening deep-seated emotions.


    She hesitated briefly.


    This scent¡­ Even as Patrick, he preferred it.


    . is your storytelling hub


    Memories flooded her thoughts uncontrobly.


    Lost in thought, she didn¡¯t perceive the figure that had stealthily approached.


    A tentative yet warm touch grazed her forehead.


    Startled, Sadie tensed and returned to the present.


    Looking up instinctively, she met Noah¡¯s gaze. They were so near, they almost touched.


    Today, Noah¡¯s face was unmasked.


    The familiar, striking features that haunted her memories were unmistakably before her.


    Her heart stuttered, and her breathing paused.


    .


    .


    .<hr>


    Message from Noah: New novels in a few hours dear ones. God loves you and Noah whishes you all the best. (?=?=)? ?


    .


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!