Chapter 162: Chapter 162: A Missing Piece of the Heart

Hugo Sterling got out of the car first, opened the passenger door, and helped Noelle Sutton out.

Tristan Lawson’s gaze immediately met Noelle’s broken, vacant eyes. She looked even more frail and helpless.

In that instant, his heart seemed to clench.

To his surprise, representatives from the Disabled Persons’ Federation and the Women’s Federation emerged from the car behind them.

Noelle Sutton no longer trusted Tristan Lawson.

Hugo Sterling had told her that Tristan had agreed to the federations’ demands and wanted her to come back to sign the divorce papers.

She knew it was just a ploy by Tristan to lure her back alone.

So, she had Hugo contact the Disabled Persons’ Federation and the Women’s Federation. With them present, Tristan couldn’t do anything to her.

Tristan Lawson’s brow furrowed. The moment he saw the people from the federations, he knew just how little Noelle trusted him.

Hugo Sterling supported Noelle as she approached, one step at a time.

Noelle’s steps were light, yet each one felt like it was trampling on Tristan’s heart.

Finally, Noelle came to a halt.

When Sophie Hughes saw the ID badges hanging around the necks of the people following them, she realized they were from the federations. She quickly said, "Noelle, I’m so sorry. My return to the country has caused a lot of trouble for you and Tristan. Please don’t be angry with him. I’ve booked a flight for tonight, and I’m leaving soon. Whatever is going on, please just talk it out with Tristan, okay?"

Tristan Lawson’s thin lips were pressed into a line as sharp as a knife.

He remained silent, his brows knitting deeply when he saw the teeth marks on both of Noelle’s cheeks.

’He was filled with self-reproach and regret.’

He had practically lost all reason, completely ignoring her feelings. And having held back for so long, it was the first time he had lasted for such an extended period.

’He must have hurt her.’

’His heart felt like a piece was missing, both empty and aching.’

Noelle Sutton raised her hand toward Sophie Hughes, extended her middle finger, and then turned it downward.

Sophie Hughes, who could understand sign language, instantly turned pale.

Noelle was mocking her, calling her useless.

Last night, Noelle had given her a chance to take Tristan away.

But in the end... Tristan had come back and violated Noelle.

Noelle had been with Tristan for seven years. She knew very well that nothing had happened between him and Sophie. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to go on until dawn.

Tristan Lawson could naturally understand Noelle’s gesture as well. It wasn’t appropriate for Sophie to remain in the country at this time. Tristan’s voice was mild but cold. "The driver is waiting for you. You should go."

Sophie Hughes felt completely humiliated in front of Noelle and got into the car, thoroughly dejected.

Tristan hadn’t wanted anyone else interfering in his and Noelle’s affairs, but since they were already here, he had no other choice for the moment but to invite them inside.

As he walked, Tristan Lawson sent a text to Secretary Shaw.

’These meddlers have to be reassigned at once.’

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to talk to Noelle.

Everyone sat down in the living room.

The Disabled Persons’ and Women’s Federations took the matter very seriously. The representative from the Disabled Persons’ Federation was especially anxious and spoke up first. "Mr. Lawson, Mrs. Lawson is back now. The matter of the divorce needs to be discussed as soon as possible."

"Mm," Tristan Lawson’s gaze shifted to Noelle Sutton, his eyes locking on hers with heartache. In a low, hoarse voice, he said, "Whatever your demands are, just name them."

Tristan’s cooperativeness left the representatives from the federations feeling quite satisfied with his attitude.

Noelle raised her hand. Her gestures were weak, and there were marks of varying depth on the back of her hand and wrist.

"I don’t want anything. Just a divorce."

Her gestures were faint, her expression bland. If she had spoken the words, her voice likely wouldn’t have carried any anger.

Only disappointment...

Tristan Lawson stood up. "I’ll go draw up the divorce agreement. Please wait a moment."

Then he instructed Mrs. Miller to serve tea, snacks, and fruit.

Tristan Lawson went into the study, opened his computer, and slowly began to draft the divorce agreement.

He was splitting all the assets under his name, giving half to Noelle.

Because his assets were extensive, listing them one by one was going to take a significant amount of time.

Partway through, the staff from the federations received a call about a more important task and had to leave. They said to Hugo Sterling and Noelle Sutton, "Mr. Lawson has been very cooperative tonight and is already drafting the divorce agreement. We have an urgent matter to attend to. If anything else comes up, contact us again, and we’ll help resolve it."

Noelle didn’t want them to go. Tristan Lawson couldn’t be trusted at all.

But they truly had official business to attend to and had no choice but to leave.

Not long after the personnel from the federations had left, Hugo Sterling’s phone also rang.

It was a call from Butler Sterling.

"Sir, you need to come back quickly! The old master suddenly collapsed and is in an ambulance right now!"

Hugo Sterling’s voice was urgent. "How could he suddenly collapse?"

"I don’t know either."

He and the old master were the only ones in the Sterling Family available; he couldn’t spare anyone else. With his grandfather having collapsed and being rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment, he had to go.

But Noelle...

He really didn’t feel safe leaving Noelle alone at Westhill Villa.

Just then, Tristan Lawson came out, holding the printed divorce agreement.

Seeing that Tristan had the agreement ready, Hugo said, "Tristan, hurry up and sign it."

Signing wouldn’t take long. Once it was done, he would take Noelle with him.

At that moment, Hugo Sterling’s phone rang again.

It was a call from his company.

The e-commerce platform under the Sterling Group had suffered a system failure. It was erroneously sending out cash gifts, and the news was now trending online. A flood of users were exploiting the glitch, and in just half an hour, the company had lost nearly two hundred million!

If he didn’t deal with it, the overnight losses would be terrifying.

He stared at Tristan Lawson with cold eyes.

Tristan Lawson gave him a mild look, waving the divorce agreement in his hand. "I will have a good talk with Noelle about the divorce."

His placid tone was laced with threat.

Hugo Sterling’s heart was in turmoil.

Noelle had witnessed Tristan’s methods before and had a good idea of what was happening. She typed a message on her phone and showed it to Hugo: "You have urgent matters to deal with. Go. I can handle this myself."

’If Tristan dares to try anything, I’ll take him down with me!’

"Noelle..."

Hugo Sterling’s voice was filled with worry.

Noelle smiled at him and showed him the text on her phone again.

"I’ll be fine. Go take care of your business."

It was only then that Tristan Lawson suddenly realized how long it had been since Noelle had smiled at him.

His heart sank lower and lower.

Hugo Sterling shot Tristan a fierce glare, but he had no choice but to leave and handle his affairs.

Everyone had left.

The villa’s living room fell into a cold silence.

"Mrs. Miller."

Tristan Lawson called out, and Mrs. Miller hurried over.

Tristan said, "You can all go and rest."

The servants all withdrew from the villa to the backyard, and in an instant, the villa grew even more desolate and silent.

Tristan Lawson sat on the sofa, still exuding the refined elegance of a man in a high position. His deep eyes were fixed intently on Noelle’s face.

Several minutes passed in absolute silence...