Noelle wondered if everyone in the Cole family was this courteous. If so, they truly had the air of a
distinguished family.
After resting for a while, Noelle felt better. Still, she struggled to get up from the bed.
Then, Sebastian stopped her and said, “I told Mrs. Spencer that you’ll be staying at the Cole residence.
tonight. The weather outside is bad, so it’s not safe for you to go back.”
Noelle quickly waved her hands, flustered. She was a rather conservative person, after all. “N–No way. Nothing’s official yet. Staying here wouldn’t be good for your reputation. People will talk.”
The Ashfords were already annoyed with her. Given how formidable they were, who knew how they would
twist any rumor to their advantage?
Yet, Sebastian looked completely unfazed. “What do you mean by ‘nothing’s official yet‘? You’re my soon-
to–be wife. Besides, I’ve never cared about what people outside say. If you care though, then I have 100 ways to shut them up.”
The subtle dominance Sebastian was showing gave Noelle a strong sense of security, and eventually, she felt at ease staying at the Cole residence.
While Sebastian went to check on the guest room, Noelle took a moment to look around his bedroom.
The classic black, white, and gray palette felt grounded but not dull. A painting by a postmodern artist
also hung on the wall, and Noelle immediately recognized the hand behind it.
It was a painting by Chester Pearson.
They were never easy to buy. Some of his works had even been auctioned for nearly eight figures.
Noelle’s thoughts then drifted back to the past.
Chester had been her senior at the Norland Academy of Fine Arts at the time. After graduation, he went
on to Iridale to further his studies while she married Conner.
Conner found painting to be messy and dirty, so Noelle had rarely painted at home. She only had a small space on the bedroom balcony where she would occasionally write and paint when she was alone.
Conner didn’t understand her artwork and never praised her. He would only occasionally pinch her nose and ask if she was tired.
But how could doing something you love be tiring?
Outside the bedroom, muffled thunder could still be heard from time to time. However, with the doors and windows tightly closed and even the curtains drawn, the sound seemed less like thunder and more like wooden boards being knocked on.
Chapter 45
2/2
Noelle felt helpless. The weather had been quite nice when she’d left home. Why did it have to turn into a storm when it’d been time to go back?
Yasmine soon returned to the hospital after causing trouble at the Spencer residence.
She hadn’t gained much from it, but at least she’d achieved her goal.
Now, everyone knew Noelle couldn’t have children.
Meanwhile, Conner was keeping watch by Sabrina’s bedside. Upon learning about what Yasmine had
done, he was actually secretly delighted.
This was perfect! If that old man found out that Noelle couldn’t have children, he would definitely cancel
the wedding. Not to mention, even if the wedding went ahead, Noelle’s life after marriage would be
miserable. Then, she’d realize just how good she’d had it in the Ashford family.
Upon noticing Conner’s expression, Sabrina sweetly asked, “Honey, what are you thinking about? You’re
even smiling.”
It was then that Conner realized his reaction had been too obvious.
He reined it in and brushed it off. “Nothing. It’s just that the company’s partnership negotiations are going
pretty well.”
Sabrina was a little puzzled, but mostly, she was relieved. Back when Conner was alive, he’d handled
most of the Ashford Group’s affairs. But now that he was dead, Caleb was free to take over everything.
For Sabrina, this was undoubtedly good news.
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