The Sway and Slide of Love

During this period, rumors about Dylan and Noelle had been circulating within their social circle. Dylan was the rising star in the business world, while Noelle was Hendrix's ex-wife. The fact that these two were together naturally attracted a lot of attention, even without any deliberate embellishment.

However, both of them had kept a low profile. In fact, it was rare for anyone in their social circle to spot them together, leading many to wonder if the rumors were even true.

That was, until now.

What made it even more noteworthy was that today was the day of Ophelia's memorial service, and yet, Dylan and Noelle actually showed up together. What were they trying to signal?

The atmosphere, which had never been particularly quiet to begin with, suddenly became lively.

All eyes turned to Hendrix, as if everyone was eager to rush up to him and scrutinize his expression closely.

Noelle, however, seemed oblivious to the gazes fixed on her. She simply lowered her head to pay her respect to Ophelia before walking up to Hendrix with Dylan in tow.

"My condolences," she said to Hendrix in a perfunctory manner. Her face showed no emotion, and her voice was equally devoid of any fluctuation.

Hendrix stood there motionless, offering no response to her words.

Noelle didn't seem to care. Just as she was about to leave with Dylan, Hendrix suddenly spoke up, "I have something to ask you."

He knew full well that, at that moment, almost everyone in the room was watching their every move. Every word he said and every action he took would become evidence for their judgment.

Hendrix never liked being the subject of idle gossip. But if it involved Noelle, then that was a different story. So, he paid no mind to the people around him and simply stared at Noelle, waiting for her reply.

Dylan was still standing nearby, but Hendrix acted as if he didn't exist, his gaze fixed solely on Noelle as he waited for her answer.

"What do you want to ask?" Noelle asked.

Instead of answering her, he said, "Let's talk outside."

Noelle couldn't help but press her lips into a thin line. She had initially planned to reject him, but he stood in her way without any intention of moving. And the longer they

dragged this out, the more she could feet the increasing number of eyes on her.

She frowned lightly.

Dylan quickly stepped between them and said, "Mr. Freeman, you must be quite busy today, so it might be best if you have the talk with Noelle at a later time."

With that, he took Noelle's hand with the intention to leave together.

It was a simple gesture, but to

Hendrix, it felt like a provocation as if they could have chosen to come separately today, yet Dylan

deliberately brought Noelle with him.

Wasn't this just a way to publicly announce their relationship? That he was now her boyfriend?

Yet, Hendrix didn't feel much anger

at the moment. After all, only

someone feeling insecure would need to declare and prove their relationship status in such a way.

Thus, Hendrix ignored Dylan entirely and looked straight at Noelle. "Are you sure you want to leave?"

His tone was unmistakably threatening. And based on what Noelle knew of him, ifnoveldrama

she didn't comply, she wouldn't be surprised no matter what he did next.

In the end, she withdrew her hand from Dylan's grasp. Then, she turned to

Hendrix and said, "What exactly do you want to ask me?"