The Sway and Slide of Love

Ruth's tone was affectionate, as if she and Noelle were truly close friends. Without waiting for a response from the person in front of her, she walked straight over to Noelle.

Hendrix was in the middle of a conversation. Noelle remained standing beside him, seemingly smiling and nodding along, though her mind was clearly elsewhere. She didn't even react at first when Ruth greeted her.

Ruth, however, quickly linked arms with her in a familiar manner. "I thought you weren't coming. Didn't you say you don't like these kinds of events?"

Noelle frowned and promptly pulled her arm away.

Before she could say anything, Ruth turned her attention to Hendrix. "Oh, Mr. Freeman, you're here, too. It's been a while."

Anyone else would have exchanged a few polite words in a setting like this, even with mere acquaintances. But Hendrix was unwilling to do so, or rather, he was unwilling to make small talk with Ruth.

After all, seeing Ruth would only remind Noelle of the past. One could call it guilt or fear. Either way, Hendrix refused to let Noelle have any contact with Ruth-not even for a moment. Thus, he quickly pulled Noelle away.

He didn't even spare Ruth a single glance as he walked off with Noelle in his arms. In his eyes, Ruth wasn't someone worth speaking to. So, his lack of response was only natural. As for how Ruth reacted or how stiff her expression became, that had nothing to do with him.

Soon, someone else approached and eagerly greeted him, "Mr. Freeman!"

Hendrix smiled warmly at the newcomer and introduced, "This is my wife, Noelle."

"Hello, hello! Mrs. Freeman, you're absolutely stunning." The man immediately extended his hand, and Noelle shook it briefly.

But the moment she let go, Hendrix pulled her hand into his own, enclosing it securely in his grasp. Noelle couldn't help but roll her eyes inwardly, though she maintained her smile on the surface.

While they seemed perfectly at ease, Ruth remained rooted to the spot with a smile still plastered on her face. She simply stood there frozen in place like a statue.

"I knew it was all fake." Ruth heard someone say, snapping out of her daze. She turned around sharply, but everyone around her was busy chatting and smiling, seemingly oblivious to her presence.

Was it her imagination?

Ruth slowly turned back, but the voice came again.

"She claims to be Mrs. Freeman's close friend, but did you see how they just ignored her?"

"What a joke she is!"

Ruth clenched her teeth, about to turn around and confront the speaker, when a voice from the stage interrupted. The

announcement informed evene

that the auction was about to begin, and guests were asked to take their seats under the guidance of the attendants.

The attendants were only there to serve the most distinguished guests, and people like Ruth didn't have assigned seats. If they did, it was only in the back

rows.

Ruth had originally wanted to leave right away. After all, plenty of people had witnessed her getting snubbed by the Freemans just now. If she took her seat, she'd no doubt

become the target of ridiculed he

she left now, it might only confirm

their suspicions. So, she forcednoveldrama

if

herself to sit down.

To her surprise, no one seemed to be paying her any attention at all. Only then

did she finally breathe a sigh of relief.