The Sway and Slide of Love

Once Noelle entered the cab, Matilda's call came. "Get home right now."

Matilda then ended the call without waiting for a response.

Noelle had no objections to that. Her original plan was to return to the Swanson residence anyway. Evidently, Matilda was one of sheer exasperation. Noelle had barely set foot inside the house when the former delivered a vicious slap.

The impact was so forceful that it sent Noelle's hair-once neatly tucked behind her ear-flying, followed by a ringing buzz in her ears.

"Do you know what you've done?" Matilda thought the slap wasn't enough and was ready to deliver another one.

Right then, a deep voice sounded and interrupted her movement, "Stop it."

Matilda frowned, and her hand eventually dropped. When she looked up, she saw the person descending the stairs.

The man was dressed in a neatly pressed shirt and a gray waistcoat, his hair showing strands of white. Yet, his posture remained straight, and his face showed no sign of age.

Noelle watched as Craig pulled Matilda to the side. "She's not a kid anymore. What's the use of hitting her?"noveldrama

"Do you think I want to? Look at what she's done!" Matilda gritted her teeth at Noelle. "You were against me when I said Sandra should've married Hendrix back then. Now, you're divorcing him? Are you trying to make our family into a joke?"

"Enough. Take a deep breath" Craig appeared much calmer compared to Matilda's hysteria.

After consoling Matilda, he turned to Noelle. "Come with me to meet the Freemans now. Once you apologize to them, I'll forget today ever happ—"

"I'm not going with you." Noelle's answer was resolute.

Craig's gaze dimmed. "What do you think you're doing, Noelle?"

"This isn't a rash decision. The divorce is something I've been contemplating for a long time."

"Well, have you tried talking to us about this? Do you think your marriage only concerns the two of you? You should know your limit, Noelle!"

Craig's tone turned solemn at that point, and his naturally sharp, commanding presence made one unable to refute him.

Yet, Noelle merely stood and stared at him. "I've made up my mind. As for salvaging the family

interests... Well, that's your problem to solve. If it comes to the worst-case scenario, remember that you still have another daughter."

Sandra happened to return home at that very moment. Noelle's words made her heart pound in excitement, but she feigned shock. "What are you saying, Noelle?"

Noelle flashed her a faint smile. "Shouldn't you be elated that you can marry Hendrix?"

Matilda interjected, "Never! Are you nuts, Noelle? Hendrix is her brother-in-law! You honestly want our family to be a joke, don't you?"

Her statement paled Sandra's countenance slightly. She muttered, "Mom..."

"Stay out of this!" Matilda harshly interrupted her, then turned to Noelle. "So, did you do all this today to vent your frustration? Is it because you think we're biased toward Sandy?

"In that case, you should reflect on yourself. Try thinking about why everyone adores her and not you." Today's Bonus Offer