The Sway and Slide of Love

Finally, Noelle clenched her fist and looked up at Sandra, who flashed her a doelike, innocent smile. After some staring, Noelle broke out in laughter. Then, she spat, "You're a bastard child."

Everyone had their sore spot. She had hit Sandra where it hurt. The bastard child insult was taboo for Sandra, whose expression soured.

Without thinking, she shoved Noelle to the ground. Engulfed in anger, she lost her calm and acted impulsively. It wasn't until she had lashed out that she realized she had done wrong

However, it was too late.

They heard Matilda's shocked gasps. "What did you do?"

Sandra froze on the spot. She quickly turned around to explain herself, but Matilda passed her by. Sandra's outreached arms hung awkwardly in the air.

Noelle was quick to recover. She got up from the ground with a chuckle. "I'm fine."

Her actions were reminiscent of Sandra's usual tactics, but her smile was more sarcastic than Sandra's.

Matilda missed the sarcasm in Noelle's expression. She merely glared at Sandra in dissatisfaction.

"Mom, it wasn't what it seemed. I-"Sandra attempted to explain herself, but a maid interrupted with an announcement.

"Mrs. Swanson, Mr. Freeman is here."

Tears immediately streamed down Sandra's cheek. Hendrix happened to run into Sandra crying when the maid ushered him to the second floor.noveldrama

"Alright, now. Wipe your tears away," Matilda instructed Sandra.

Then, she turned to Hendrix. "Hendrix, you're here."

"Hello, Mrs. Swanson." He nodded at Matilda before asking, "What just happened?"

"Oh, it was nothing. Noelle... She accidentally fell." Matilda was clearly trying to cover up for Sandra.

Noelle raised her gaze and asked, "Mom, did 1?"

"Yes," Matilda insisted.

Matilda's behavior reminded Noelle of the child she lost. Her family made up an excuse, claiming the tragedy was an accident.

Smiling weakly, she mumbled, "If you say so."

However, Sandra immediately confessed, "No, Mom. I-I shoved Noelle, but..."

Sandra sobbed even more as she began to speak. Although she was the perpetrator, she was good at playing the

victim

Matilda wanted to comfort Sandra, but Hendrix interjected as his icy gaze swept past Noelle's face, "I believe Sandra will not hurt the others for no good reason."

He declared with such determination, and his burning gaze seemed to pierce through her existence.

What remained of the smile on Noelle's pale face vanished in totality. The blood in her veins froze. Her arms, which hung limply by her side, started to shake violently, but she had a steely look in her eyes. She stood there, meeting Hendrix's gaze.

At that moment, a maid stood forward. "Mrs. Swanson, I heard Ms. Noelle and Ms. Sandra quarreling just now.'

Matilda turned to the maid. "What did you say?

Hendrix's harsh gaze landed on the maid.

The maid kept her head low. She revealed, "I heard Ms. Noe le calling Ms. Sandra a... bastard child."