The Cherished Wife

When Winter entered the banquet hall, Xavier had already calmed down most of the guests, with many having already left.

Only a few remained, including Noelle, who seemed to be waiting for her.

Winter took a deep breath and approached. "Noelle."

Noelle curled her lips into a smile. "You look upset, Winter. It's understandable. After all, having something like this happen at your birthday party would upset anyone. Especially when the main person involved is your best friend!" She smiled. "But are you more upset that your birthday party was ruined or that your good friend was taken advantage of?"

"Noelle, how could you say that? I didn't want something like this to happen either. I can hold my birthday party anytime, but... I didn't know this would happen.

"I'm sad because Suzy is my best friend, and she was hurt like that. But I'm also relieved that you weren't the one involved. Otherwise, it would've been you..." "Yes, I'm relieved and happy too." Noelle smiled brightly at Winter.

too. But I'm really relieved that it wasn't

have known about the plan. She was deliberately saying these things to provoke her. "But Noelle, even so, my best friend was hurt, so you..." "I know, you want me to stop smiling, right?" Noelle

her gaze turning cold.

"What?"

to hide a misdeed is not to commit it." Noelle's smile deepened, and she noticed Winter's

about shooting yourself in the foot. That shot you took, it must

in any longer. "Noelle, you wretch! You knew all along,

raising a hand to rub her forehead, her face paling. "Yes, I knew. You drugged

to bring me away, you were acting like you were being so thoughtful. Winter, you might get off drugging people once or twice. But any more than that, and it's bound to