"Hating your own child and even wanting to watch her die?" Noelle shouted."Yes, I did say I'd try to be a good father, but it's obvious I can't do it." Hendrix's tone was calm and direct. He was plainly telling Noelle that he had gone back on his word. He simply couldn't do it.But, so what? The hospital required the consent form to be signed in person. The decision was in Hendrix's hands, and as long as he refused, no one could force him to sign it.Honestly speaking, Noelle had never anticipated such an outcome. In her mind, no matter how cruel Hendrix could be, she always believed there was still a shred of humanity in him. So surely, he wouldn't just stand by and watch his own child die, right? But reality proved her wrong. As it turned out, he truly could be that cold-blooded.Suddenly, Noelle found herself at a loss for words. Her mind was completely blank. Her lips trembled, but no sound came out.Finally, she said, "Hendrix Freeman, I will hate you for the rest of my li
After Noelle finished speaking, Seline was visibly stunned. Clearly, her mind was struggling to process what Noelle had just said.After several seconds, she finally asked again, "What did you just say?""Hendrix said he doesn't want to go through with the surgery anymore," Noelle repeated in a hoarse voice.Seline immediately yanked off her headphones. "Has he lost his mind?"Her voice was sharp, loud enough to wake Rosie, who had been sleeping in the hospital bed.Rosie blinked sleepily at them. "Mommy…"Noelle quickly stepped forward and took Rosie's hand. "Did we wake you? I'm sorry."Rosie looked at her, then at Seline. The latter's face was still flushed with anger."Mommy, are you and Seline fighting?" Rosie asked."No, we're just discussing something. It's okay. Go back to sleep, Rosie," Noelle replied while gently stroking Rosie's cheek.Rosie wanted to say more, but Noelle quickly changed the subject. It took a while, but after some coaxing, Rosie eventually drifted
Noelle fell silent. What Seline knew, she knew, too. In fact, she understood it a hundred times more clearly than Seline did.But right now, her mind was completely blank. She knew Hendrix hated her. Whatever he wanted to do to her, Noelle didn't care. Yet, he chose to do nothing. And precisely because he did nothing, he had her completely at his mercy.Noelle knew he was doing this on purpose. Playing with people's emotions and manipulating everyone like puppets were things he excelled at and enjoyed.So, he also knew exactly what would hurt Noelle the most. This time, his strike was precise and devastating.Seline was still talking beside her, but Noelle could no longer hear her. She just stared blankly at Rosie lying in the bed.Rosie was still so young. Her warmth and vitality were still thrumming. But now, it felt like Noelle could only watch helplessly as Rosie slowly moved toward decline."Noelle? Noelle!" Seline called out to her, gripping her shoulder.But Noelle couldn
Noelle ended up visiting Rosie first.Beatrice had planned to accompany her, but perhaps sensing Noelle's resistance—and realizing that it was her first time meeting Rosie—she felt it inappropriate to enter the room empty-handed after arriving in such a hurry.So, when she reached the doorway of the hospital room, she stopped and decided not to go inside.Through the slightly opened door, she could hear Rosie's soft, childlike voice. Unable to resist, she took a few glances inside. But all she saw was Rosie's back, her round little head, and a pair of fair arms.Beatrice could tell with just that one look how well-behaved Rosie was. Her gaze softened.Just then, Noelle came out of the room. She had wanted to remove her IV drip earlier, but Seline firmly refused to allow it. So, she still had the needle in her hand when she stepped out."What do you want to discuss with me?" Noelle asked after returning to her own hospital room."I just received this today," Beatrice replied, han
"I saw some news about you recently. You're unable to work for the time being, right?" Beatrice slowly said. "Although Ms. Swift is a loyal friend and her family has a solid background, at the end of the day, Rosie is still my granddaughter."So, I don't want to see her depending on someone else for her life. And I know you feel the same way. Besides, she'll need time to recuperate after the surgery. The medical resources in Coppersville are among the best in the country, so staying here is the most logical choice."As for my home, you've been there. It's quiet—just me and a few household staff. You can rest assured that Hendrix rarely goes there. So, why don't you think it over?"Beatrice's tone was calm and measured. It was clear she had prepared in advance. Every word was deliberate, laying out all the pros and cons for Noelle to consider.Noelle stared at her for a moment before asking, "Why?""What?""Why would you want us to move in with you?""I've already told you. It's
Hendrix stood just outside the hospital room.He was dressed in black again today. He seemed thinner, and his features were more defined. And combined with his tall, commanding figure, he gave off an intense sense of oppression.But Noelle wasn't intimidated in the slightest. She simply stood calmly in front of him.Hendrix swept his gaze over her from head to toe, then asked, "When did you go see my mother?"Noelle didn't answer.His voice tightened. "Do you know how old she is this year?""I know.""And you're still going to let her go through with this surgery?"Noelle remained silent for a moment before slowly curling her lips into a faint smile. "Then, do you know how old Rosie is this year?"Hendrix frowned."She's two and a half years old. Or to be exact, she's 29 months and 7 days old," she said. "The doctor told me that now is the best time for her treatment. So, Mr. Freeman, what do you think I should do? Should I just stand by and watch her—"Noelle couldn't conti
"Even if I did forge it, it can't be proven just by your words. But as long as I show this evaluation to the doctors, the consent form my mother signed will become invalid immediately," Hendrix said.Noelle's expression immediately vanished. There was no anger, sadness, or even disbelief.She just stood there, quietly staring at him as though he were a stranger—someone entirely disconnected from her life."Why?" Noelle finally asked. "Hendrix, are you really going to let your daughter die?"At this moment, she couldn't care less about jinxing the situation. The only thing swirling in her mind now was an endless barrage of confusion.She was truly and utterly confused as to why Hendrix would do something like this. Even if he felt no love for Rosie, even if he hated Noelle for the choices she made in the past, this was still a life they were talking about. Rosie was his daughter. She should have called him "Daddy", yet here he was, forcing her into a dead end. Just… why?"It hu
At that moment, Noelle suddenly thought of her mother—not the one who resented her for not undergoing the transplant surgery even on her deathbed, but the one who was still lying unconscious in the hospital.Noelle wondered if Cynthia had considered the consequences when she threw herself in front of Noelle to save her. Did she think about how that single action would leave her in a coma?But she knew, if given the chance to do it all over again, Cynthia would probably make the same choice.Just like Noelle now, who didn't care that she had to kneel and bow before Hendrix. Her dignity and life—none of these matter anymore to her. She only wanted one thing—for Rosie to live.Afterward, she couldn't recall what Hendrix had said before he left, but she did remember him tossing a piece of paper toward her on his way out.It was a consent form with his signature on it. Noelle had no idea when he had signed it, but that was of no importance.The moment she held that form in her hands,
Noelle's expression changed at that moment. It took her a while to find her voice to ask, "Is that what really happened?""Hendrix definitely hasn't told you all these, right?" Dylan smirked. "It's because he's too afraid to mention them. So, tell me. How could someone like him possibly deserve a happy life? "Don't worry. I'll make sure to take him down this time. Once I get your passport, you can go whenever you want."When he finished speaking, there was sincerity and seriousness in his eyes as he looked at Noelle. He really hoped she would stay. Of course, he wanted victory. But if he could have her by his side when he achieved it, that would be even better.Although once he reached the top, anyone could stay by his side. But the person he wanted most was Noelle."Thank you," Noelle said in the end.That wasn't the answer Dylan was most satisfied with. But he knew he couldn't afford to rush things just yet. For now, it was enough that Noelle was on his side."Alright, go to
As Dylan spoke, his teeth clenched tighter. It was unclear whether he was trying to convince Noelle or himself.Noelle remained silent, quietly watching him.After staring at her for a while, Dylan suddenly laughed. "So, do you know why we were celebrating tonight?"Noelle shook her head."Because we stole Fuer Fund's opportunity! It's all thanks to the plan you sent me before. Now, no matter what Fuer Fund does next, we'll know about it. "George is really happy, too. He used to doubt my abilities, worried that I'd drag down his fund, but you should've seen how he treated me tonight."Not just him, but the whole industry now recognizes me. I've finally established myself here!"Dylan's voice grew more excited as he spoke.Noelle, however, remained calm.The only sign of change was when she heard that he succeeded because of the plan she had given him—her brow slightly lifted. But it was just for a moment.She quickly regained her calm and nodded.Her reaction made Dylan fro
George didn't care about being cautious. He was too excited. He had clashed with Fuer Fund a few times before, but when faced with absolute power, he had barely gotten any scraps from the table.Now, to be able to seize such a large slice of the pie from Fuer Fund and force them to back off, how could George not be thrilled?Thus, the drinks kept coming, one after another.Even if Dylan hadn't planned on getting drunk, it was hard to refuse the goodwill of so many people. In the end, he was thoroughly drunk.When he returned to the apartment, his steps were unsteady. Seeing the light still on inside, he paused for a moment. Then, he suddenly remembered he didn't live alone anymore. Noelle also lived with him now.Though Dylan was well aware, and his rational mind reminded him repeatedly that he had essentially kept her here as a hostage. If Hendrix made any further moves, he would have no choice but to kill her.But when he saw the light she had left on for him, Dylan couldn't he
The plan Hendrix had given Dylan was, of course, real. Though he had been tempted to lace it with a trap and watch him walk right into it, he knew better—Dylan wasn't that stupid.More importantly, what Hendrix truly wanted wasn't just to bait Dylan into a trap. Even if Dylan didn't trust the plan, it didn't matter. Their team would still move forward with the plan. But if he did trust it, all the better.Fuer Fund wouldn't tolerate anyone messing with their slice of the pie. And what Hendrix wanted was to drag Erwin and the rest of them into the game.Dylan might have found himself a solid backer, but this wasn't Coppersville. Taking him down alone wouldn't be easy. But what if Fuer Fund collapsed with Hendrix? That would change everything, and that was Hendrix's real goal.Thus, Hendrix didn't even panic when Erwin called him out on it. He simply raised an eyebrow."If this gets out, do you still think you'll have a place in this business?" Erwin slammed his hand on the desk. "O
"Stay at your place?" Noelle asked."Yeah," Dylan said with a smile. "Hendrix already has another woman now, doesn't he? But don't worry. Unless it's something you're willing to do, I'll never touch you.""Alright."Dylan had planned to say more but was caught off guard by how readily Noelle agreed. Her response made even him freeze for a second. Then, he narrowed his eyes slightly."Do you need me to do anything else?" Noelle asked.She looked completely sincere and serious, like they were truly on the same side now.But Dylan still held on to a shred of suspicion. Regardless, Noelle was in his hands for the time being. If all of this really was an act, and she was lying to him, then she shouldn't blame him for what came next.With that thought, Dylan smiled slightly and gently took Noelle's hand. "Alright. I'll have someone make arrangements right away."Just as he finished speaking, his partner George called to inform him that Hendrix's side had already started moving."Tha
Dylan took Noelle out of the hospital. She truly wasn't feeling well. After Dylan drove for a while, her complexion turned even paler.In the end, Dylan had no choice but to take her to another hospital. While the doctor reported her condition to him, Dylan's gaze slowly fell on the person lying in the hospital bed.Noelle had fallen into a sleep. Her face was still pale, and her brows were tightly furrowed. She looked so fragile and delicate. But at that moment, Dylan couldn't be sure if she was scheming something.Ultimately, he didn't do anything. He just quietly sat by her side. He didn't know how much time had passed before Noelle finally woke up.When she saw him, she seemed momentarily startled. Then, a flicker of disappointment passed clearly through her eyes.Noticing this, Dylan narrowed his eyes slightly but said nothing."Thank you," Noelle said softly.Dylan looked at her without responding."Can I see my phone?" she asked.He handed it to her in silence.Noelle
Dylan's gaze darkened. Just as he was about to step forward, someone else beat him to it.Hendrix crouched down in front of Noelle. "What happened?"Seeing this, Dylan almost laughed. He knew things wouldn't be that simple. With how devoted Hendrix had been to Noelle before, how could he possibly fall out of love so quickly?As expected, this was just a show the two of them had put on for Dylan. With that though, he didn't linger. He turned and was about to leave when he heard Noelle's voice."Let go of me!"Her voice wasn't loud in the noisy hospital, but Dylan heard it clearly. He immediately turned his head.Hendrix was holding onto her other hand, seemingly trying to take her away.But Noelle kept struggling. "Let go of me!""Noelle Swanson!""You already have another woman, so why do you still care about me?" Noelle gritted her teeth and glared at him. "Let me tell you—I don't want anything you gave me! And I don't want to see you right now, either!"As she spoke, she tr
Dylan still didn't believe what Noelle had said, including the plan she gave him. He thought the whole thing was just an act staged by Hendrix and Noelle together. But now, Hailey's words were starting to make him waver.Hailey was one of his people. He had deliberately instructed her to approach Amy today—something Hendrix definitely didn't know about. If this really was all an act, would they really go this far?More importantly, the plan Noelle gave him was airtight. It detailed Fuer Fund's upcoming plan to acquire and merge with Julius Fund. From strategy to step-by-step execution, everything was laid out with incredible detail.He had even gone over it with George Hardin. If the plan was genuine, they could move on Julius Fund before Fuer Fund did—selling it off at the right time.This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.Even if the plan was fake, it must have cost Hendrix an enormous amount of time. Dylan didn't believe he would waste so much effort crafting this elaborate
Amy spun around instantly and saw Hendrix walking toward her.Even though their relationship was purely transactional—and even though Amy knew better than anyone that catching feelings for a client was the worst mistake she could make—she still had to admit something.Even without Hendrix's status, his looks and presence alone were enough to make any woman blush and her heart race. Being able to call him her boyfriend, even if only on the surface, gave Amy a kind of prestige wherever she went.Seeing that Hendrix was about to reach her, Amy was about to greet him when Hailey suddenly stepped ahead of her."Hi! Are you Amy's boyfriend?" she asked.Hendrix narrowed his eyes at her. "And you are?""I'm her friend. We were out shopping together today. What a surprise to run into you like this!" Hailey said with a grin. "Amy's always bragging about you. Now, I finally see why she's been hiding you from us."As she spoke, Hailey moved to slip her arm through Hendrix's. She was wearing