The Sway and Slide of Love

Chapter 216

Hendrix gazed at her in silence.

Noelle could barely stand at this point. She was relying entirely on the last thread of willpower left in her mind to hold herself up. But the moment the elevator doors opened and she saw Oliver standing outside, that last thread of willpower instantly snapped.

Noelle knew precisely what Dominic's intentions were. Although she had come alone tonight, she had sent Oliver a message earlier, informing him that he would need to pick her up when the time came. Oliver, knowing exactly where to find her, had been anxiously scanning the restaurant lobby. So when he finally spotted her in the elevator, he let out a sigh of relief.

Ignoring Hendrix standing nearby, Noelle staggered a few steps toward Oliver before collapsing entirely. Without a second thought, Oliver rushed to catch her.

"Take me to the hospital," Noelle managed to whisper through the pain before everything went black and she passed out.

Oliver didn't have the chance to ask what had happened. He immediately scooped her into his arms and rushed out the door. Throughout the entire process, Oliver didn't even notice there was another person standing in the elevator.

Hendrix stood frozen in place, his hand still suspended in midair, as if he had been about to catch Noelle just moments before. After a long while, once Noelle and Oliver were completely out of sight, Hendrix slowly retracted his hand.

Then, he let out a sudden laugh. Though his lips curled into a smile, there was no warmth in his eyes- only an endless, brooding darkness.

When Noelle woke up, she found herself lying in a hospital room. Oliver was by her side, along with his girlfriend." The young woman, likely uneasy about the two of them being together, sat nearby. Every now and then, she would. glance up from her phone to check on Noelle.

It was she who first noticed that Noelle had woken up. Oliver quickly pressed the call button to notify the doctor.

"What time is it?" asked Noelle. It was only when she spoke that she realized her voice was hoarse, but she didn't have the luxury to care about that now. "How long have I been asleep?"

"It's been a day," Oliver answered her. "You had alcohol poisoning. The doctors had to pump your stomach. You'll need to rest in bed for the next few days."

"What about the company?

"Don't worry. Nothing's happened."

Noelle nodded, then glanced over at the young woman sitting beside them.

The young woman stood up and stared intently at Noelle with eyes devoid of any emotions,

"Find me a caregiver and head home," Noelle said to Oliver

"I don't think that's a good idea, Ms. Swanson. You-

"It's not really convenient for you to stay here and take care of me," Noelle said with a smile. "Besides,

I'm fine now, aren't I? Getting a caregiver to take care of me would be just the same."

Chapter 216

As Noelle spoke, she glanced at Oliver's girlfriend, Wanda Cross, several times. The implication was unmistakable. It was only then that Oliver caught on, and after giving Noelle a quick "okay", he left with Wanda.

Lying on her hospital bed, Noelle was about to drift off to sleep again when the phone beside her suddenly rang. It was Craig, calling to check on how things were going on her end.

Noelle regularly updated him on her work progress, so she didn't think much of it when he called. She gave him the usual update, and he listened quietly on the other end.

At first, Noelle didn't sense anything out of the ordinary until Craig suddenly asked, "I heard Hendrix has been in Vinton City recently?"

Noelle's voice faltered for a moment when she heard that name. Then, as if by reflex, her stomach twisted in pain.

Unsure of how to respond, she answered vaguely, "I think so. I'm not really sure.