Chapter 130: Chapter 130: Tristan Lawson Raises His Hand to Slap

The first thing Noelle Sutton saw was the pearl necklace in Sophie Hughes’s hand—the one Tristan Lawson had once given her.

She couldn’t help a bitter sigh.

Just last night, Tristan had taken this very necklace to the Sterling Family’s home to give back to her, telling her she wasn’t allowed to sell it again.

Then he had followed her to her small apartment, intending to explain himself.

’Hah.’

’He must take me for a complete and utter fool.’

"Noelle, why are you at the hospital?"

Noelle Sutton gave Sophie Hughes an indifferent glance.

Kyle Sawyer had called Tristan Lawson, his voice frantic and loud, saying Sophie Hughes had accidentally fallen from a terrace at The Orchidelle.

He’d claimed that if he hadn’t gone over, Sophie could have died there without anyone ever knowing.

’Fallen from a terrace... and in just one night, Sophie has recovered this well.’

’A lie like that... only Tristan would be foolish enough to believe it.’

Noelle ignored Sophie and started to walk away.

"Noelle..."

But Sophie chased after her and blocked her path. "There’s really nothing going on between Tristan and me," she said, her voice full of apology. "I hope you won’t hold anything against him because of me. Can you please go back to Westhill Villa? Tristan and Joshua both need you."

Noelle’s gaze was completely flat.

As a woman, Sophie knew perfectly well that as Tristan’s wife, Noelle couldn’t possibly be indifferent to her repeatedly appearing in his life.

Noelle had looked displeased from the very first time they met.

Therefore, her "explanations" would only make matters worse—which was exactly the effect she was aiming for.

Noelle raised her hand and signed two words: "Move aside."

Sophie, who could understand sign language, turned pale. "You don’t believe me?"

Noelle repeated the same sign. "Move aside."

But Sophie showed no intention of moving. Instead, she looked troubled. "Noelle, I know you and Tristan have been giving each other the cold shoulder ever since I returned. I feel truly guilty. Tristan only let me stay at Westhill Villa because he was worried about my allergies in hotels. I’ve already moved out, and I promise I won’t get between you two. Could you please stop making him worry about you all the time and just go home? Please? I’m begging you."

Sophie’s words sounded so understanding and considerate.

But in reality, every word was a stab to the heart.

Noelle didn’t want to waste any more time on this pointless drama.

’Even if Sophie were sleeping in Tristan’s bed right now, I wouldn’t care anymore. Why should I?’

’From the moment I found out about Sophie, I’ve been preparing to step aside.’

And yet, just as was happening now, it was Tristan and Sophie who refused to let her go.

The man kept pestering her, and the woman did too.

’I really don’t understand. They’re obviously each other’s true love. I’m not fighting or making a scene; I’m stepping aside quietly. Why do they have to keep up this charade?’

Seeing Noelle’s cold expression and her silence, Sophie continued, "Also, since Smith and Director Ford prefer your work, I’ll go home as soon as I’ve recovered. I won’t compete with you for your spot, and I won’t take the role Smith reserved for you. My father is Tristan’s maternal grandfather, which makes us close relatives. We just happen to be the same age. Please, don’t misunderstand, okay?"

Every word was spoken with such gentle consideration.

Paired with that innocent-looking face of hers.

It made her seem so sincere.

Noelle didn’t want to sign anything else. It was useless. Sophie clearly had no intention of moving.

So, Noelle tried to walk around her.

But Sophie grabbed her wrist.

Just then, Sophie saw Tristan returning.

She dug her nails into the flesh of Noelle’s wrist. Wincing in pain, Noelle yanked her hand away.

Sophie let out a sharp cry and fell to the ground.

She deliberately held the pearl necklace in the hand she used to break her fall.

As her hand scraped against the floor, the pearl necklace snapped, and pearls scattered everywhere.

The breakfast Tristan was carrying suddenly dropped to the floor.

Noelle frowned and tried to walk away.

But Sophie, kneeling on the ground, grabbed Noelle’s pant leg. "I apologized so sincerely," she said, her voice trembling, "and you still won’t accept it?"

Tristan froze for a long moment when he saw the scattered pearls rolling on the floor. Only then did he stride over.

His thin lips were pressed into a hard line.

He radiated an icy aura, sharp as a blade.

He strode forward, pulled Sophie to her feet, and wrapped an arm around her. His sharp gaze shot toward Noelle, cold and hard.

He raised his hand and swung it at Noelle’s face.

Sophie, too frightened to watch, buried her face tightly against Tristan’s chest.

Tristan’s palm stopped just inches from Noelle’s cheek.

The force of it sent a gust of wind across her skin.

In the end, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

He had never laid a hand on her.

Even though she had slapped him several times.

Even though she had just destroyed such an important heirloom from his mother.

Tristan’s palm hovered a hair’s breadth from Noelle’s face.

The rush of air seemed to seep into her very pores.

Icy cold.

The chill spread from her cheek through every corner of her body.

’My husband.’

’The man I once loved more than anyone.’

’Was finally going to strike me...’

’...for the woman he loved.’

The slap never landed on her face.

But it struck her heart.

Tristan pulled back his hand, a single, explosive word escaping his throat through gritted teeth: "Get out!"

Noelle’s eyes welled with moisture.

She turned away in fury.

’After this,’ she thought, ’Tristan will surely agree to a divorce.’

Behind her, she heard Sophie say, "Tristan, it has nothing to do with Noelle. I was the one apologizing to her..."

Tristan cut Sophie off. "Is she worthy of you kneeling to her?"

Noelle was his wife.

Sophie was his aunt.

That made her Noelle’s aunt by marriage as well.

What right did a junior have to accept an elder kneeling before her?

Noelle stepped into the elevator. As the doors slid shut, they completely cut off her view.

Tristan let go of Sophie and slowly knelt to pick up the scattered pearls.

"Tristan, I’m so sorry," Sophie sobbed. "While you were out getting breakfast, I saw a necklace box under the chair. When I opened it, I realized it was my sister’s heirloom, so I rushed out to give it back to you. I never expected to run into Noelle right outside. She got really upset when she saw the necklace, so I had to explain. But no matter what I said, she refused to accept my apology. Tristan, it’s my fault. I’m so useless... I broke the necklace."

Tristan’s voice was heavy. "It wasn’t your fault. I saw everything."

’Noelle pushed Sophie down, and that’s why the necklace broke.’

Sophie helped Tristan pick up all the pearls.

The pearl necklace had a total of 52 pearls.

But from scraping against the ground, ten of them were now scuffed to varying degrees.

Tristan stared at the dust-covered pearls, his heart aching.

His mother’s final letter explained it all. The necklace was a Hughes family heirloom. Her own mother had passed it down to her when she married, with the instruction that it should one day be given to his wife.

But his wife... The first time, she sold it.

The second time, she destroyed it.

"Tristan..."

Seeing the anguish in Tristan’s eyes, Sophie started to cry pitifully, her face a mask of sorrow as she began to speak—