The Cherished Wife

Noelle agreed, "Alright then, but I don't have much time. I have something to do later."

She remembered she had plans with Rowena and Teresa, who would be arriving soon. "My friends will be here shortly."

"Let's find a place to sit," Annie suggested, turning to Cindy. "Mom, I need to talk with Noelle. Why don't you head back first?"

Cindy gave Noelle a complicated look, recalling how her son had warned Annie not to offend Noelle. Though she did not see anything particularly threatening about Noelle, as Annie's mother, she instinctively wanted to protect her daughter.

She feared Noelle might bully her.

"Mom, it's okay. If you're worried, you can wait for me in the car. I'll be right there."

Noelle. "Let's go to that café over there."

wanted to discuss, but she was curious about what had happened that

ordered a lime soda at the café. When Annie noticed Noelle's indifferent demeanor, it made her feel somewhat anxious. "Noelle, do you know that

the straw, pausing. "Then again, whether you like me or not doesn't really affect me." Annie was taken aback. She was rendered speechless

Annie's face. "And what happened to

fists. "Who's backing

"I don't have any backers. If you're looking for an explanation, all I can say is that I don't

tightened and loosened repeatedly. "I don't like you, I really don't. But