“Thank you, Alex,” Sadie expressed her gratitude warmly.
“It’s the least I could do,” Alex replied with a smile. “Let’s not keep the professionals waiting.”
They had dinner at an upscale private club, where, thanks to Alex’s connections, the professionals in the design industry were particularly welcoming to Sadie. They praised her portfolio and offered valuable advice. After dinner, Sadie thanked Alex again.
“Alex, I really can’t thank you enough. Meeting these people wouldn’t have been possible without your help.”
“It was the least I could do,” Alex said with a faint smile. “By the way, have you thought about the studio? If you need, I can help you find a suitable place to rent.”
Sadie thought for a moment before refusing. “I can handle it myself. Thank you.”
Meanwhile, Samuel handed Noah a stack of photos.
“Mr. Wall, these are Mr. Howe’s activities from this afternoon.”
Noah took the photos and flipped through them. Suddenly, he paused at one. In the picture, Alex was walking alongside a woman. Though she wore sunglasses, Noah recognized her instantly-it was Sadie!
A torrent of suppressed longing surged within him, and Noah could no longer contain himself. Snatching up his car keys, he rushed out, driven by a singular desire to see her.
Outside Laura’s apartment, Noah knocked forcefully on the door. The door swung open, and Sadie, taken aback, said, “N-Noah?”
Inside, Laura’s voice echoed. “Sadie, who is it?”
Sadie didn’t want Noah to find out about Averi. She managed to keep her composure. “It’s… a friend. I’ll just step outside for a moment.” Taking a deep breath, she stepped out and gently closed the door behind her.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice tense.
As Sadie descended the stairs, Noah grabbed her wrist with surprising force.
“Noah, what are you doing? Let go of me!” Sadie exclaimed, struggling to free herself.
Without a word, he dragged her through the quiet campus roadside, beyond the gates. Ignoring her protests, he suddenly pressed her against the cold metal of the car and kissed her.
The kiss was forceful, marked by a fierce possessiveness that seemed to overpower Sadie.
“Mm… let… let go…” Sadie desperately twisted her head away. Noah’s breathing grew heavier. He scooped her up and tossed her into the car.
The car door slammed shut with a bang, muffling the sounds of the outside world.
He leaned in closer, his presence pressing against her as he gently pulled her shirt open, exposing her delicate shoulders.
Sadie’s eyes widened in fear as she noticed the intense emotion in his gaze. She knew it all too well.
A loud slap echoed inside the car.
Noah paused suddenly, his expression shifting to one of surprise. He looked at Sadie, a mix of emotions flickering in his eyes, quickly replaced by anger.
“Noah, get a grip!” Sadie’s voice trembled with fear and anger. “We’re already divorced!”
“Divorced?” Noah said, his face close to hers. “The divorce papers aren’t signed. You’re still my wife, Sadie!”
Sadie closed her eyes in despair, tears streaming down her face. Noah kissed her again, this time more gently, but the humiliation for her deepened.
Feeling her tremble and the tears on her cheeks, Noah finally paused. He gazed at her, a tumult of emotions swirling in his eyes.
“Where have you been these three years?” His voice was low and hoarse.
“Where I’ve been is none of your business,” Sadie responded coldly, regaining some composure.
“None of my business?” Noah said, his smile turning into a mocking sneer. “Are you refusing to be intimate with me because of Alex? Did you ask him to take you away?” His tone was accusatory.
Sadie pushed him away with all her strength, her eyes flashing with anger.
“Noah, stop this madness! You have no right to control me anymore! From the moment you decided to get a divorce, everything between us was over,” she declared firmly.
Noah opened his mouth to argue, but Sadie cut him off.
“Enough!” She took a deep breath to steady herself. “Noah, it’s over between us. Please don’t disturb my life anymore.”
With that, she pushed open the car door and walked away without looking back.
Noah sat in the car, watching her depart, his expression unreadable. After adjusting her slightly disheveled clothes, Sadie walked back to her grandma’s apartment slowly.
As soon as she entered, a small figure rushed over, hugging her leg tightly.
“Mommy, where did you go? I missed you!” Averi’s soft, childish voice carried a hint of sadness as he looked up with big, hopeful eyes. Sadie’s heart melted. She bent down, lifting him into her arms and kissing his chubby cheek.
“I just had to run some errands. Were you a good boy?”
“I was!” Averi nodded enthusiastically, his arms tightening around Sadie’s neck.
Sadie smiled.
“Sadie, you’re back? Why so late?” Laura appeared from the kitchen with a steaming bowl of soup. “Come have some soup to warm up.”
“Thank you, Grandma.” Sadie set Averi on the sofa and took the bowl, sipping the soup thoughtfully.
Laura watched her with concern. “Has Alex been busy recently?”
Sadie paused. “Yes.”
Laura sighed. “Alex is a good man. He’s been very kind to both you and Averi…”
“I know,” Sadie said. “But right now, I need to focus on my career, so I might not have much time to look after you and Averi.”
Laura looked surprised.
Sadie glanced at Averi, who was playing with his toys. “Don’t worry. Carol will come during the day to help.”
Laura nodded after a moment of silence.
Back in her room, Sadie took a deep breath, trying to settle her thoughts. She opened her laptop and continued refining her brand logo design. The company registration was nearly complete and would be finalized in about two weeks. Time was pressing, and she needed to focus on preparing her brand.
“It has to succeed,” she murmured to herself.
Yet, the memory of Noah’s forceful kiss haunted her. Frustrated, she rubbed her temples, struggling to focus. She spent the night restless and uneasy.
The next morning, with dark circles under her eyes, Sadie grabbed her purse and headed out, determined to face the day.
“Grandma, I’m going to check out some office spaces. I might not be back for lunch,” she said.
“Alright, be careful on the road,” Laura responded, her voice tinged with concern.
Sadie then contacted the real estate agent she had previously spoken with, detailing her requirements.
“Miss Hudson, I found a few office spaces in the city center according to your budget. Shall we take a look?” the agent suggested enthusiastically.
Together, they toured several office buildings. One in particular caught Sadie’s eye due to its ample lighting and suitable size.
“How do you feel about this one? If it’s suitable, we can start the contract process,” the agent said.
Sadie hesitated for a moment. “It’s not bad. But…”
“Do you have any concerns, Miss Hudson? Actually, there’s another one that might suit you even better. It’s near Wall Group, prime location, and the price is about the same,” the agent added.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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