07

Noa turned to see Mya and Czar entering together, both of them beaming.

"Hey dad." Mya said as they came in.

Mya saw Noa in the living room as soon as she was done speaking. "Noa, don't get the wrong idea," she said again, quickly release Czar’s arm. “It's only about the business; Czar has been really helpful to me, and as a thank you, Dad demanded that he come over for supper. That's all.”

Joshua interrupted, "Why explain anything to an outsider? Since from childhood, Czar has been visiting this place."

Joshua gave Noa another cold stare and then spoke kindly to Czar. "Make yourself comfortable, Czar.“

With a courteous nod, Czar said, "Thank you, Uncle Josh."

"Guards, show this irrelevant person out."

Noa was flanked by a number of bodyguards dressed in black suits as Joshua waved his hand.

Czar had been ignoring her since he entered, not even looking in her direction.

Noa balled her fists, shoved past the bodyguards, and approached Mya directly. "Give me back my money and the emerald earrings grandmother gave me. Don't pretend you didn't take them," she said.

“You threw everything I owned in Apple villa into the attic. The and earrings and some important files from Mr. Nash are missing , but everything else is still there.”

"Sister, I really didn't take your stuff," Mya said, her face turning white and her eyes welling with tears as she appeared innocent and aggrieved. “Perhaps Julia and the others tossed it out because they assumed it was garbage during cleaning. I apologize”

Sister? Noa scoffed.

"Noa, that's enough!" With his icy gaze fixed on her, Czar moved ahead of Mya. "I discarded your belongings. It is unrelated to Mya.”

Noa felt a thousand needles of pain shoot through her chest, spreading throughout her body until she was hardly able to stand.

He had just told everyone that, in order to keep Mya safe, he had thrown away everything she possessed as soon as she entered prison.

He must have been desperate to get rid of every evidence of her.

To these folks, was that all she was? Some illness they had to get rid of?

Czar said again perhaps recognizing he had gone too far, "Tell me what got thrown out," I'll buy a new one.”

Buy new ones? Wow!

"Wow?’ Noa had cold eyes. "Those were unique, irreplaceable items. You couldn't possibly replace them."

She looked across to Mya. "And you, you understand what I mean, even though they might not. I served four years in prison on your behalf. What more are you looking for? Do you even need to take my final priceless possessions? Do you—“

Czar grabbed Noa’s wrist and began dragging her to the door before she could finish her statements. "This is our last stop. Give up creating a commotion.”

Her creating a commotion? Wow!

Mya yelled with a fake sense of care in her voice, "Czar, please stay calm. I can see how my sister may misinterpret me. I do owe her for the last four years, after all. I won't hold it against her, no matter how much she hates me. Don't treat her too harshly."

"Let go of me!" Noa cried out in agony. "Let me go, Czar Holland! You can't control me; we're about to divorce! All I'm here for is what's rightfully mine. I promise not to interfere with your relationship after today.”

Czar”..”

Joshua rushed over and gave Noa a hard slap across the face before Czar could reply. "You whore, have you no shame? Even though everyone knows you were the one who drugged Czar here to take him away from Mya, you're acting as though your sister destroyed your marriage."

"Uncle Josh." Before Joshua could hit Noa again, Czar seized his hand and hurriedly shoved Noa out. "I'll take care of this.“

Noa struggles to free herself from his grip, but she was no match for Czar. He dragged her and shoved her into the car outside.

After getting inside, he gave the driver the all-clear.

Noa avoided making eye contact and slid as far away from him as she could. He actually halted that slap, which surprised her a little.

Czar’s icy voice interrupted her before she could think about it: "your sister gave up her youth and profession for four years due to her remorse. She has been taking care of your kids while you were away. Additionally, you continue to make things tough for her rather than expressing gratitude.”

Expressing gratitude? That bitch can go to hell for all Noa care.

"Noa, you're acting out of control. Why don't you learn how to be a good mother to Li if you have so much free time? Or a good daughter-in-law? Rather than attempting to harm your sister, go see Grandma and Li at the estate and spend time with them.”

Noa laughed bitterly, her heart aching. "Wow. You're obviously in love with your childhood sweetheart, Mr. Holland. "How dare I obstruct your path?"

"Stop the car!" she yelled at the driver as she grabbed the door handle. "Please let me out."

The driver swiftly stopped and applied the brakes, fearing that she could actually jump.

"Your attorney has received the divorce documents. Kindly sign them.” Noa said.

Czar’s irritated voice interrupted her as she turned to go, saying, "Noa, stop the games. It's not cute at all to play hard to get.”

"Go to your little love after that. She is sufficiently adorable.”

Noa then waved down a cab and slammed the car door.

Czar’s eyes were frigid and his brow wrinkled as her cab vanished.

He had misjudged her dramatic tendencies.

He wasn't concerned, though. Divorce was unlikely to be finalized by a lady who had schemed her way into his bed.

“Such a fool.” He murmured and told the driver to continue driving.

*****

"Miss, I made soup," said Sarah. “Have some.”

The bowl was set down on the table by Sarah.

"Who gave you permission to wear my belongings? Remove them. Now." Mya yelled and Sarah shivered.

Mya saw Sarah’s ensemble and the emerald earrings right away. She knew exactly who was responsible, recalling Noa’s previous response.

With haste, Sarah removed them and set them down on the table. "Miss, I just thought they were pretty, I didn't expect that little witch to show up today."

"Don't touch my things without asking."

Mya gave her a displeased glance. "And quit dressing in clothing that doesn't fit you. Recognize your position.”

"Yes." Sarah reluctantly forced herself to swallow her annoyance.

Mya dismissively waved. "I don't feel hungry.”

"But you should at least—"

"Take it away. Get lost!" Mya yelled.

Sarah saw the rage in Mya’s eyes, took the soup, and fled.

When she was by herself, Mya reached for the ashtray, wanting to break the earrings. But recalling Noa’s earlier look, she put it down and grinned icily as she picked up the earrings. "Ha, Noa. I have everything you desire, but what can you do about it?”

Her phone rang as she was putting the earrings away.

"Mommy, you weren’t here when I woke up and you haven't picked me up from school either," Eli said in a sorrowful voice. “Do you no longer like me? Do hate me now because of that murderer lady?”