The Cherished Wife

"Indeed, you're no worse than I am. In fact, you're even better than I am, and there's nothing about me that's better than you. Winter Shaw, is there something wrong with you?"

Noelle did not understand how Winter's prejudices toward her had formed. "Whatever. I can't be bothered talking to you."

"What do you mean you can't be bothered? I think you're just scared! Makes sense, though. I heard Simon has some odd in-bed fetishes. You and him.......” Winter grinned, the evil look in her eyes difficult to disguise. "You'll never be able to escape, Noelle Shaw!"

"You're not the one who gets to decide whether I escape or not!" Noelle countered, her eyebrows knitting themselves together. "Good luck does not always favor you, Winter!" Noelle said as she walked past Winter and into the bathroom.

As Winter stood at the entrance and watched Noelle walk away from her, the corner of her lips curved up into a long, knowing smile.

The fact she had to interact with Winter when all she wanted to do was go to the bathroom had Noelle thinking she had terrible luck. However, something about the interaction had struck her as odd because Winter was not the kind of person who would let her off the hook that easily.

When outsiders were present, Winter would pretend a deep sisterly bond existed between the two and only let her true colors shine when no one else was there. The fact she had bothered to tail her all the way here meant things were not as innocent as they seemed. Why had she left after only exchanging a few sentences with her?

Noelle thought that was strange. As she walked out of the cubicle and washed her hands at the sink, a figure abruptly materialized behind her and clapped a hand over her mouth.

They moved so quickly that she did not even have any time to react. A pungent odor entered Noelle's nose, and she passed out.

A glint flashed through the man's eyes as he gazed at Noelle's unconscious body before dragging her out of the bathroom.

Winter had already returned to the private room for some time. She swept her gaze across the room and soon received a text message. The corner of her lips curved upward as she turned to Simon and said, "Mr. York, Noelle said she has a surprise for you."

Simon was here to find out where the Shaw family stood since they had not done anything about the fact he had gotten knocked out previously. However, he still swept a glance at Winter, where sure enough, he spotted a gleeful grin on her face.

The corner of Simon's mouth curled upward as he pressed a palm into the table and gazed at Winter lazily. That half-smile caused Winter's heart to begin racing as she gulped and called out, "Mr. York?"

"Is that so?" Simon asked, his lips curling upward.

Jade immediately understood what Winter was trying to hint at and hurriedly added, "Mr. York, there's plenty you haven't seen yet. My younger daughter is shy, but she's told me previously that she's

interested in you.

"I'm sure you understand how shy girls can be and how panicked that can make us parents. It's why this gathering even came to exist in the first place, Mr. York. Noelle

genuinely has feelings for you, Mr. York!"

Genuine feelings?

Simon frowned but did not say anything.

BUMS

Winter did not know what exactly was running through Simon's mind then, and that made her feel nervous. However, when she

recalled the state that Noelle al

then she felt gleeful once again. "Mr. York?"

"Alright!" Simon smirked. "Since Ms. Noelle has expressed her heartfelt feelings to me, it would not be chivalrous of me to refuse to acknowledge them!"Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Winter's eyes immediately lit up when she realized things were looking promising. "This way, please, Mr. York."

Winter got to her feet and smiled flirtatiously as she whispered into Simon's ear, "Noelle is shy, so you may need to make the first move, Mr. York."

Simon got to his feet and gave Winter a long, knowing look. "You really do love your sister, Ms. Winter!"

However, there was no warmth in the look in his eyes as he spoke.