What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 134

He stepped right up next to Noelle, his calm but deeply oppressive gaze sweeping over the four men. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried undeniable weight. "Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Wagner. I need to borrow Noelle for a moment."

With that, Finnian took the wine glass from Noelle's hand and raised it slightly. "Have a good night, gentlemen."

He downed the drink in one go, then reached out and patted Noelle's rigid arm. "Let's go."

The tightly wound string in Noelle's chest finally snapped, releasing a flood of complicated emotions.

She quickly schooled her expression, stood up, and offered a polite smile to the men. "My apologies. I have an urgent matter to attend to. We'll pick up this conversation another time."

All four men stood up in a panic, hurriedly raising their glasses to finish their drinks, silently accepting Finnian's 'favor.'

Finnian led Noelle out of the private room, leaving the four men standing frozen, too afraid to even breathe heavily as they sat back down to their drinks.

Finnian's status and the conglomerate backing him were not things they could afford to mess with.

"Finnian..."

Finnian walked ahead, his face dark and his strides long, radiating anger.

Noelle tried to follow, but in her high heels, she couldn't possibly keep up.

"Ugh..." Noelle couldn't take another step. She leaned heavily against the wall, her eyes clouded with intoxication, pressing a hand to her temple.

Finnian stopped, took a few steps back, and stood beside her. "Since when does the head of Aethelstan need to bow and scrape in front of people like that? Humiliating yourself for a deal?"

Noelle looked stunned for a moment. Then, she bit her lip tightly, looking intensely guilty.

Finnian's handsome face was etched with displeasure. "Why aren't you saying anything?"

Noelle's eyes turned red. Being scolded by Finnian made her nervously grip the edge of her skirt. Finally, she confessed about her mother showing up, and how that led her to meet with the raw material suppliers tonight.

Finnian looked surprised for a split second before his features hardened in anger. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? You think you can handle those kinds of people in a place like that all by yourself?"

Under the weight of his reprimand, Noelle's tears finally spilled over. She bit her lip and whispered, "I can't rely on you for everything. You're not Rafael. I can't keep bothering you with every little problem..."

Saying that, she slowly slid down the wall and crouched on the floor, hugging her head in a display of vulnerable defiance.

Finnian sighed. He pulled his custom handkerchief from his pocket, crouched down beside her, and handed it over. "From now on, when something like this happens, tell me directly. The Sanders family has your back. Don't go to these sleazy dinners again."

The Bentley merged seamlessly into the traffic.

"Finnian, I feel sick. Can we pull over by the bridge up ahead?" Noelle clutched her chest, her face completely pale.

Finnian instructed Dexter to pull the car over. Noelle immediately rushed toward a nearby public restroom and threw up for several minutes before washing her face and stepping back out.

The tears she had just dried were now wet on her cheeks again from the exertion.

The cold wind blowing off the river brought a sharp chill.

Noelle didn't get back into the car immediately. Instead, she stood by the wooden railing overlooking the water.

Without looking at Finnian, she stared at the city lights reflecting on the river, her voice soft. "Finnian, I always thought my mother was dead. I never expected her to come looking for me."

Finnian was surprised as well. He had heard about Noelle's background from his parents long ago. Her mother had gone out to sea and was robbed. Noelle's father had bravely intervened. Although her mother lost her money, her father was severely beaten and left with a permanent leg injury. Later, for reasons unknown, her parents were in a car accident out of town. Her father died on the spot, and her mother vanished.

Nine-year-old Noelle had called the Sanders family for help, which was how she ended up being taken in by them.

"Did she say why it took her so long to find you?" Finnian asked, his brows furrowing.