Chapter 63: Chapter 63: There Are Some Things She Doesn’t Need to Know

"Tristan, are you there?"

It was Sophie Hughes.

Tristan Lawson rolled off of Noelle Sutton and pulled the covers over her body.

He had just carried Noelle in and hadn’t even closed the bedroom door.

The footsteps grew closer.

"Tristan."

Sophie Hughes was still calling from outside.

"I’m in the room. Wait for me in the living room for a moment."

"Oh, okay."

Tristan Lawson had only taken off his jacket.

He got off the bed and gracefully straightened his clothes.

He picked up his jacket, draped it over himself, and went out.

Noelle Sutton was mortified.

She’d been stripped of everything and could only hide under the covers.

But Tristan Lawson was still the picture of sanctimonious respectability.

He and Sophie Hughes were still sharing a suite.

Otherwise, there was no way Sophie Hughes would have come in without knocking.

He had just treated her like that.

’It’s disgusting just thinking about it.’

She would never believe that nothing had happened between him and Sophie Hughes, a man and a woman alone in a room together.

Tristan Lawson had dared to bring Sophie Hughes home right in front of her; what wouldn’t he dare to do?

"Tristan, have you seen Noelle Sutton?"

Hearing Tristan Lawson talking with Sophie Hughes, Noelle knew Sophie wouldn’t be coming in for the moment. She grabbed her clothes and went into the bathroom.

Tristan Lawson had left her a mess just now. She had to wash up before she could leave.

She turned on the shower, and the RUSH of water drowned out the voices outside.

"Yes, she’s in the bedroom."

Sophie Hughes saw the swan brooch on the coffee table in the living room.

She pretended not to see it.

’Tristan Lawson bought a swan brooch for Noelle Sutton? I can just pretend I don’t know.’

’In any case, I got the gift first.’

’Even if Noelle has one now too, she’s bound to overthink it.’

’And that’s enough.’

"Did you have a good talk with her?"

Sophie Hughes maintained her attitude of being deeply concerned about the harmony of Tristan Lawson’s marriage.

"You don’t need to worry about me. Nothing will happen between us."

’He really has no intention of separating or divorcing Noelle...’

A trace of bitterness surfaced in Sophie Hughes’s heart.

But she forced a smile and said, "Since I’ve been back, I haven’t had a proper meeting with her. It’s lunchtime now, why don’t I treat you two to a meal together?"

Tristan Lawson thought about how Noelle Sutton hadn’t been acting normal since the day of the parent-child event.

Sophie Hughes had already explained she was his aunt, but Noelle didn’t seem to believe it at all.

’Perhaps she’s still angry about the parent-child event.’

’After all, she cares so much about Joshua; she must have really wanted to attend with him.’

’This is a good opportunity to clear things up with her.’

"Alright, I’ll go talk to her."

Tristan Lawson went to the bedroom and heard the sound of water from inside.

He stood at the bathroom door and knocked.

"Finish up and come out soon. We’re having lunch together."

After saying his piece, Tristan Lawson left.

Noelle Sutton was drying herself off.

’Since I can’t speak, I can’t respond to him or even say the word ’no’.’

’That’s why he always just informs me of things.’

’He never asks if I’m willing.’

Noelle Sutton emerged from the bedroom, fully dressed.

When Sophie Hughes saw Noelle, she gave her a gentle smile and a wave.

"Noelle."

Her voice was gentle, too.

Noelle Sutton’s face was devoid of expression.

Sophie Hughes, however, had turned her whole body to face her, allowing Noelle to see at a glance the brooch pinned to her chest.

Sophie Hughes ignored Noelle’s reaction and turned to Tristan Lawson. "Tristan, Noelle’s out. Let’s go down and eat."

Tristan Lawson and Sophie Hughes both stood up.

It seemed they were ready to go to lunch together.

As Tristan Lawson walked past, Noelle Sutton tugged on his sleeve.

She couldn’t make a sound, so this was the only way she could get his attention.

She signed, "You two go ahead. I’m not hungry. I have something I need to take care of back in my room."

’I’m not going to ask for trouble by eating with the two of them.’

’Even less do I want to see them being so close.’

The handsome features of Tristan Lawson’s face darkened in an instant.

Sophie Hughes said cautiously, "Noelle, did I do something wrong to upset you? Is that why you won’t eat with me?"

Before Noelle Sutton could answer, Tristan Lawson said, "You’ve done wonderfully, always helping take care of Joshua. She, on the other hand..."

Tristan Lawson’s gaze on Noelle Sutton turned dark and inscrutable as he said in a low voice, "Has no manners at all when meeting an elder."

He had meant well, wanting the three of them to have a meal together, but she just had to put on a sour face.

It made him feel as if all his previous efforts had been for nothing, washed away like water.

"Tristan, how can you say that? You’re the one who never took her to your maternal grandfather’s house after you got married. That’s why when I told her I’m your aunt, she couldn’t believe it was true. After all, I’m the same age as you. A lot of people find it hard to believe. You can’t put the blame on Noelle."

As she spoke, Sophie Hughes even walked over, wanting to take Noelle Sutton’s hand in an attempt to get closer to her.

But Noelle Sutton pulled her hand back.

Sophie Hughes grasped at empty air, and the smile on her face froze instantly.

How could Tristan Lawson tolerate Sophie Hughes receiving such a cold shoulder?

Besides, Noelle Sutton was about to wear out his patience completely.

He grabbed Noelle Sutton’s wrist. "You’ve already spent a lot of time out. You will eat lunch with me today."

Tristan Lawson forcibly dragged her out.

Sophie Hughes immediately followed.

And just like that, Noelle Sutton was forced to sit at the same table with them.

Sophie Hughes chided Tristan Lawson, "Can’t you be a little gentler when you talk to Noelle?"

’I can’t anymore.’

’I’ve already been very gentle.’

’But she’s just pushing her luck, getting more and more unreasonable.’

It made him feel like he was about to explode with anger.

However, Tristan Lawson didn’t say a word.

’He really does care more about what Sophie Hughes says,’ Noelle Sutton thought.

’As soon as Sophie scolds him, his attitude immediately softens.’

Sophie Hughes looked at Noelle Sutton with a soft expression in her eyes.

"Noelle, I scolded him for you. Don’t lower yourself to his level. Men are all like that, with their bad tempers. It was only after I returned to the country this time that I realized Tristan never told you about his mother or her side of the family. It’s like this..."

"Sophie."

Tristan Lawson cut Sophie Hughes off. "Some things, she doesn’t need to know."

He had originally intended to use this lunch as an opportunity to tell Noelle Sutton that Sophie Hughes was, in fact, his aunt.

But Noelle Sutton’s attitude made him very uncomfortable.

He no longer wanted to say anything more about the matter.

Earlier, when he had found her at The Regent Hotel, he had told her very clearly that on the day of the parent-child event, he couldn’t get through to her on the phone, and since time was running out, he went in with Sophie Hughes.

He had notified her of the time for the event in advance.

It was her own fault she didn’t get to the school on time; she couldn’t blame him.

"Tristan!"

Sophie Hughes rebuked him coldly, "You always have this attitude. What do you expect Noelle to think? Can you please let me finish?"

Just then, Tristan Lawson’s phone rang.

It was a call from Director Ford.

Tristan Lawson answered the call.

"CEO Lawson, have you scheduled a time with your wife?"

Lately, Noelle Sutton had been very disobedient. He didn’t know if he’d be able to get her and Sophie Hughes together again next time.

This opportunity was perfect.