The Sway and Slide of Love

Noelle lowered her eyes, staring at the photograph in the newspaper. In it, she looked disheveled and utterly

humiliated.

However, right now, she was calm. She did not say anything as she picked up the newspaper and threw it into a nearby trash can. Then, she opened the car door again.

"Let's go," she told Levi, her voice calm.

Levi did not dare start the car. He just looked at Hendrix cautiously.

Hendrix was staring at Noelle impassively.

Noelle did not look at him. She didn't even give him a second glance as she rolled the window up.

When that happened, Hendrix turned and went into the horse without hesitation.

He wasn't looking at Noelle, but Noelle was staring after him, watching his back as he left. She knew whatnoveldrama

he was telling her. He wasn't going to go to the party with her, so if she got ridiculed, she would be on her

own.

Then again, Noelle was used to this. After all, she'd always been alone.

The party was much livelier than Noelle had expected.

The Quinlans had never hidden Maxwell's identity. They were just cold toward him and clearly showed who their heir of choice was when they sent him abroad back in the day.

Now that he was back, they were throwing a lavish party for him.

There had to be some reason behind this, but Maxwell did not tell Noelle why. Noelle did not ask, either. After all, this had nothing to do with her.

While she was looking for Maxwell, a voice sounded, "Hey, you really came!"

Noelle did not need to look behind her to know who it was. She had no intention of giving her attention, but just as she was about to walk away, someone grabbed her arm.

"Why the hurry? Did you not hear me?" Ruth's voice was shrill. She usually traveled in a pack, so when she grabbed Noelle's hand, her other two friends went ahead and blocked Noelle's way.

Just like they did in high school.

Noelle clenched her fists and looked over at Ruth. "Do you need anything?" she asked calmly.

However, under Noelle's stare, Ruth suddenly found herself speechless.

Noelle wasn't as pretty as Sandra, but her skin was so fair it was almost glowing, especially when contrasted with her black gown. Her eyes weren't large, but they were clear, which made her seem aloof and haughty as she stared

at Ruth.

Rath couldn't help but pause for a moment. She recovered quickly with a scoff. "What's with that look? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Noelle laughed as well. "Are you trying to pick a fight with me here?"

She sounded calm, but her arms were tense on her side. She looked like she was ready to s warning Ruth without

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It was exactly what she'd done that day.

Ruth looked at her with an ugly expression. Just as she was about to say something, another voice sounded from her back, "Elle, you're here!"

Ruth's expression changed when she heard the voice.

At the same time, the cold look in Noelle's eyes softened.

"I was thinking of going to pick you up," Maxwell said, ignoring everyone else and walking right up to Noelle.

"This is a lavish party," Noelle said. "I can find my way just well."