Chapter 118: Chapter 118: If You’re Annoyed, Then Get a Divorce

"Thank you for comforting me. Hearing you say that makes me feel much better. I was starting to think I really wasn’t good enough."

Sophie Hughes forced a smile.

"I’ll handle this. You don’t need to worry. Just focus on your own work."

Since Tristan Lawson had given his word, Sophie Hughes had nothing to worry about.

She knew Tristan Lawson would support her.

’Noelle Sutton is in a different situation than me. She’s on her own now, so she has time to build a career.’

’When Noelle married Tristan Lawson, he became her career. Why does she need to get into the rat race and compete with everyone else?’

’If I could marry Tristan Lawson, I wouldn’t bother with any career. Conquering him would be more than enough.’

’That Noelle Sutton, she really doesn’t get it.’

’But that’s fine. The more trouble Noelle stirs up, the better my chances.’

Tristan Lawson dropped Sophie Hughes off at her home and prepared to go find Noelle Sutton.

Only then did he realize that Noelle Sutton still hadn’t replied to his messages.

This displeased him greatly.

He had spent all that time placating her so she would understand her duty was to maintain their family, not create trouble for him.

Ever since he had found Director Ford to mentor Sophie Hughes, she had been opposing him at every turn. They had been married for seven years, and she had never once made a fuss about wanting to work. But the moment Sophie hit a bottleneck in her career and needed his help, she suddenly popped up.

First it was paper-cutting, then animation production. She even managed her time so perfectly, hitting her marks with such precision that it made Sophie Hughes start to doubt her own abilities.

He needed to have a serious talk with her about all of this.

Tristan Lawson dialed Secretary Shaw’s number.

"Track down my wife’s recent whereabouts. As soon as possible."

Tomorrow was the Mid-Autumn Festival. There was a mountain of things to do at home—honoring the ancestors, the family reunion dinner—all of which required her presence.

Half an hour later, Secretary Shaw called Tristan Lawson back.

"CEO Lawson, we found that your wife bought a high-speed rail ticket to Silverwood around 3 p.m."

’She went back to her hometown?’

’Makes sense, with the Mid-Autumn Festival coming up.’

Her relatives were all gone. She must have gone home to honor her ancestors.

Tristan Lawson got on the highway.

Two hours later, his car was parked in front of Noelle Sutton’s old family home. As he expected, the lights were on inside.

Tristan Lawson got out of the car and knocked on the door.

Noelle Sutton hadn’t expected Tristan Lawson to show up. Hearing the knock, she assumed it was a neighbor. The moment she opened the door, her calm, gentle gaze met Tristan’s bottomless eyes.

She froze. Just as she processed what was happening and tried to shut the door, Tristan had already stepped inside, grabbing her slender wrist and pinning her against the back of the door.

Their eyes locked. Defiance simmered in Noelle’s pupils, while his burned with anger.

Noelle had just started to struggle when Tristan gripped her jaw with his thumb and forefinger, and without a word, kissed her.

Noelle arched her back, trying to push him away. Her struggles caused the old-fashioned door panel to bang against the doorframe.

The jarring sound instantly killed Tristan’s interest, and he let her go.

Noelle seized the opportunity to turn away, breathing heavily.

When she caught her breath, she glared furiously at Tristan Lawson, raising her arm to slap his face.

This time, Tristan caught her hand firmly, giving her no chance to strike.

"Are you addicted to hitting me?"

’What could she do? She couldn’t speak, so she couldn’t fight him with words. And she was no match for his strength!’

Tristan held her wrist and pulled her further into the house.

Before she returned, Noelle had tidied up the house, putting away the dust cloths that had been covering the furniture.

Her home was nothing like Tristan Lawson’s Westhill Villa, but this small courtyard house had belonged to her grandmother. It was a bit old-fashioned, but her grandmother had a good eye for aesthetics, so the layout was well-designed. On top of that, Noelle had meticulously decorated it during previous visits, giving it a warm, homey feel.

Tristan didn’t find the house small. On the contrary, stepping inside seemed to calm his restless, irritated heart.

He released Noelle’s wrist and sat down on a Chinese-style luohan chair in the living room.

He looked up, his gaze deep and dark as he stared at Noelle.

"Come sit. We need to talk."

Tristan Lawson made himself right at home.

Noelle raised her hands, signing sharply, "Other than divorce, I have nothing to talk to you about."

The calm Tristan had just found was shattered by her words.

"Do you have any idea how annoying it is for a man when a woman brings up divorce at the drop of a hat?"

Her hands moved sharply. "If you’re so annoyed, then hurry up and divorce me."

Noelle was even more annoyed than he was.

’This marriage is a disaster.’

’He has a lifetime. But what about her?’

For her, every minute, every second, was a countdown.

She didn’t have any more time to waste on him.

After the ancestor worship ceremony tomorrow, she had to return to Glenwater, find Director Ford, and get in touch with Smith again as soon as possible. She needed to land the role and start preparing.

Her time was short. Before she died, there were still so many things she had to do.

Noelle’s defiance nearly sent Tristan’s temper, which he had just gotten under control, flaring.

He suppressed his chaotic emotions and said in a low voice, "We agreed on one month. What’s this new drama about?"

"Have you even followed the agreement?" Noelle signed. "How many times have you broken the rules?"

Even in her anger, Noelle’s flying fingers were still long and graceful.

Staring at her soft, pliant fingers, Tristan couldn’t help but recall the sensation of her touch against his hard muscles.

They hadn’t been intimate in a long time.

The thought hadn’t crossed his mind until now, but once it did, he couldn’t help but desire her.

In truth, he wasn’t keen on forcing her.

Intimacy between a man and a woman was always higher quality when it was mutual.

He pursued the highest quality in his life and work, and this was no exception.

Therefore, he didn’t want to make things any more tense between them.

His cold, stiff tone softened considerably. "Not even a kiss? Does that also count as breaking the rules?"

Noelle raised her hands. "You’ve broken rules one and five."

One: The husband shall not force the wife to perform her spousal duties.

Five: The husband shall not publicize his marital relationship with the wife.

Tristan’s lips curled into a faint smile. "You certainly remember it clearly."

’That agreement was just to placate her. He never had any intention of abiding by it.’

’In their relationship, and in all things, he was the one who made the rules.’

Noelle turned her head away, unwilling to look at him.

Tristan stood up, walked over to her, and pinched her jaw with his well-defined fingers, forcing her face back toward him.

"Since you remember it so clearly, let’s review it together. During the period of the agreement, have I forced you to have marital relations?"

Noelle swatted his hand away from her chin and signed, "And what about rule five?"

"I almost forgot to tell you. The lawyer made a typo when drafting the agreement—off by one digit. The effective date is next month. If you don’t believe me, you can look at your copy."

Noelle’s eyes widened in shock.

She scrambled for her bag, frantically unzipping it and pulling out the receipt and the agreement.

It was currently October. The effective date was indeed the day they had signed it, but the month was listed as November.

She wasn’t a lawyer. When she read the agreement, she had only focused on the content.

She had even trusted that Tristan Lawson’s lawyer must be extremely professional. It had never occurred to her that they would make a mistake with the date.

In an instant, she collapsed limply onto the sofa.