04

Noa hailed a cab to Skymit. However, she was stopped at the front desk by the receptionist. "You don't work here, Miss. Do you have a scheduled appointment?”

Due to her shotgun wedding four years prior, she and Czar obtained the marriage license ahead of schedule and scheduled the ceremony for after the baby was born. However, she ended up behind bars before the wedding could take place.

Only the Holland family, the Streep family, and a few close acquaintances were aware that she and Czar were essentially in a covert marriage.

"I'm here to see Czar."

The receptionist frowned. She contacted security to escort Noa out after assuming she was simply another Czar admirer based on her simple attire.

Czar emerged from the elevator at that moment.

After releasing herself from the security guard's hold, Noa hurried over to him.

"Czar, we need to talk."

Czar was surprised to find her here. His eyebrows furrowed in frustration. "This is where I work. It can wait until I get home, whatever it may be.”

"Last night, I waited for you, but you never returned. You didn't have your phone on too.”

The divorce papers were set on the table by Noa. "I've signed it. Gia will handle everything; just sign yours. I'm not requesting anything, not Eli, not your money. You ought to be happy. This is what you've always wanted, right?”

Czar looked down, but he did not pick up the papers. She was no longer the submissive girl she had been after four years apart. She had become adept at making requests and standing her ground.

He refused to cooperate, though.

"Don't put pressure on me with this, Noa. I won't fall for your ploys." He said. Coldly.

He then moved past her and made his way to the door.

Security barred Noa route and threw her out of the building when she attempted to follow him.

Noa was astounded by how difficult it was to even get a divorce. She gazed over the documents, contemplating whether she ought to confront Czar’s grandma, Heidi Holland, personally.

However, Heidi might not permit it.

She was deep in contemplation when she suddenly recalled Elodie and hurried outside to stop Czar’s car.

"Czar Holland, stop!"

When Czar noticed her sprinting in their direction, the driver had just accelerated. Panicked, he turned to Czar and jammed on the brakes. "Mr. Holland, what should I—"

The screen of Czar’ tablet broke when it fell. He became enraged as he looked up and saw Noa obstructing the automobile like a crazy person. His voice became frigid. "Go through. Hit her if she continues to obstruct us. I'll pay for the hospital expenses."

The driver didn't think twice after getting his boss's approval. He accelerated and took off.

Noa never thought Czar could be so callous. She was taken by surprise and knocked aside, her entire body hurting as if it had been ripped apart. There was no time to consider whether or not she was seriously injured.

She clambered to her feet and pounded on the car window. "Bastard, tell me where Elodie’s grave is!"

Czar never rolled down the window to gaze at her, though.

Noa clinched her hands as she watched the Maybach vanish into the distance.

What a total jerk!

She was unable to comprehend his thoughts.

If Mya had his heart, why won’t he grant her request for a divorce.

What on earth did he want?

With her back hurting, Noa hobbled to the side of the road on her twisted ankle and called a cab to return to Orange manor.

~~

Gia was devastated to hear what transpired when she visited Noa that afternoon and Noa told her. She applied ointment to Noa’s bruised back while sitting behind her.

"Noa, I'll forward the documents straight to his attorney so they can take care of the legal matters. If nothing else, you won't have to deal with being rejected once more.”

Noa flinched in agony. “Yes, that is most likely preferable. However, I still need to locate Elodie’s tomb."

She considered her options and decided to go see Heidi at the Holland estate.

Concerned, Gia insisted on taking her there by car.

"I'll wait for you outside. Just give me a call and I'll jump right in if something goes wrong," Gia assured.

Noa’s cold heart began to melt. She nodded and grinned. "Okay."

Everyone had harassed Noa throughout her childhood, with the exception of Gia, who stood up for her like a feisty little leopard, willing to suffer harm in order to protect her.

Noa felt safe whenever Gia was around.

…

After taking a deep breath and gathering her courage, Noa entered the Holland estate.

Although they were shocked, the servants did not try to stop her. She saw Heidi and Eli watching TV in the living room, with Mya seated close by.

The truth of the car tragedy four years ago was only known to Czar and the Streep family. Heidi had no idea. Mya’s presence wasn't unusual because Eli was attached to her and the Streep and Holland families had always been close.

After a long period of silence, a servant eventually said, "Madame, Miss Streep is here."

The three of them turned to look. Noa forced herself to smile. "Grandma, hope I'm not interrupting?”

She gave the tea set that she had brought to Heidi. "This is a modern glass tea set. I hope you like it.”

Heidi’s expression brightened. With tears in her eyes, she sprang up and grasped Noa’s hands. "You're out at last, Noa! How have you been?”

Noa gave a headshake. "I’m fine.”

"Come seat,” Heidi said. Then she waved at Eli and said, "Come here, Li. This is your mother. Come and—"

"She's not my mother!” Eli yelled and rushed into Mya’s hands, "She's a murderer!"

Heidi’s expression tightened. She turned to Noa. "My dear, it’s—"

But Eli interrupted Heidi before she could say anything. “She didn't raise me; she just gave birth to me. Besides, I would be made fun of at school if my friends find out my mother is a murderer. I don’t want her.”

With a fierce stare at Noa, Eli clung to Mya.

Noa smiled bitterly.

"He's just a child, Noa," Heidi whispered. "Unintentionally, children say hurtful things. Now that you're home, you can mend your relationship, so give him some time."