Chapter 22 Our Innocence
A chill ran down my spine, and I knew I must have looked a sight.
Henry seemed to be oblivious and wanted to continue
I pushed against Henry’s chest, my expression icy. “Are you trying to test me again?”
My words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing the lust in Henry’s eyes. He stared at me for a few seconds, then turned over to sleep. The whole episode was brief and indifferent, as if it had been nothing more than a figment of my imagination.
Silently, I turned to my side and fell asleep, my heart heavy with melancholy.
Once, I had seduced Henry, dreaming of bearing his child and living a simple, happy life. Now, I wished for nothing more than a divorce, to be free of him.
Since I had gone to bed late, I didn’t wake up until noon. Upon waking, I found several messages on my phone.
One was from Grace, informing me that they had returned to Charon City.
Another was from Elly, asking if I was interested in a concert gig.
There was also a message from an unknown number. I didn’t recognize the sender, but the content shocked me. It was a photo of me helping Harper out of the parking lot the previous night. We looked like a couple, and Harper appeared pitiful with injuries all over his body.
I pondered for a moment, considering all possibilities. Had I been caught by the paparazzi? Or had the three thugs from last night secretly filmed us?
Despite my father and husband’s high–profile identities, I had always maintained a low profile. Especially after marrying Henry, even Lilly and the others couldn’t get a date with me. How could I have attracted the attention of the paparazzi?
Unable to come up with a plausible explanation, I decided to call the unknown number. But the call was abruptly ended as soon as it connected.
Left with no other choice, I sent a message. “Who are you? Can you tell me your name?”
If that photo were to leak, even if Harper and I were innocent, it would lead to misunderstandings. I just wanted to maintain a low profile, not become a trending topic.
Soon, I received a reply. It was Noah.
I felt like I was going to explode. Noah had been in the parking lot last night! He had taken a photo of Harper and me!
Noah had previously suspected my relationship with Harper when we were in the hospital, and now it seemed impossible to clear the air.
I quickly replied, “Yes, that’s me in the photo, but youve misunderstood the situation. Let’s meet for a
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Chapter 22 Our Innocence
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meal, and I’ll explain everything”
Noah didn’t respond immediately. Unable to bear the suspense, I called him again. This time, he picked up. “Just text me the time and place.”
He sounded as if he had been waiting for my invitation.
“Okay. I hung up the phone. After much thought, I decided to meet him at the Crescent Hotel.
Noah replied with a simple, “Okay”
I spent the rest of the day in a state of anxiety. At 7:00 pm, I changed into fresh clothes and headed to the Crescent Hotel. I chose the most luxurious Flower Hall and ordered a menu of eighteen dishes.
I was confident that I could convince Noah with my culinary choices.
“Ms. Xander, here is the surveillance footage. The general manager appeared again, respectfully handing me a USB drive containing the copied surveillance video from the parking lot the previous night.
Thank you.” I replied with a faint smile.
After a while, Noah finally arrived. He was dressed in a brown shirt, exuding an air of elegance.
He sat across from me and said, “You can explain now
“Don’t rush. Let’s chat while we eat,” I replied with a calm smile.
“What’s your relationship with Harper?” Noah asked, ignoring my suggestion.
“He’s a friend. I also know his girlfriend!” I replied.
Noah’s expression shifted slightly. “He has a girlfriend?”
I nodded, knowing that soon Harper would be single. Noah would be competing with Henry for Harper’s girlfriend.
Looking at the handsome Noah, I thought of Henry’s perfect face. These two exceptional men, adored by women everywhere, would soon be at odds over Violet. I couldn’t imagine what that would look like.
“Look at this!” Seeing Noah deep in thought, I quickly connected my phone to the USB drive and played the surveillance video. I was confident as I said, “From this angle, you can see all my interactions with Harper after I entered the parking lot. We’re innocent!”
However, we might not remain innocent in the future.
The angle of Noah’s photo didn’t capture my confrontation with the thugs.
Noah took the phone and watched the video intently I craned my neck slightly to observe his reaction.
He raised his eyebrows slightly when he saw me slap the thugs, a hint of amusement in his eyes. After watching the video, he handed the phone back to me You’re quite bold.”
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Chapter 22 Our Innocence
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“I can’t let myself be taken advantage of. I’m Henry’s wife, and my father is a man of some standing,” I replied with a nervous laugh, quickly putting the phone away.
“Does Henry know Harper?” Noah asked again.
He was worried that his best friend’s wife was being unfaithful.
I had known that Henry and Noah were friends, and that Noah was his best friend. But I didn’t know him well, so I had no idea how they had become such close friends.
Now I understood. Noah was deeply concerned about Henry’s marriage.
However, they would soon become enemies over a woman. What a shame.
I shook my head. ‘I don’t know. Harper isn’t a close friend. It doesn’t matter whether Henry knows him.
or not.”
Noah took a sip of water and didn’t respond.
I didn’t know whether he believed me or was just pretending to. He didn’t say anything else and left after sampling a couple of dishes.
“What a waste, I muttered, looking at the array of dishes that had been served. I called the waiter to pack them up and headed home with the food boxes
As I was driving back, an address popped into my head. It was the home address listed in Amber’s information. Their family was native to Amurica and lived at the border of Amurica and Charon City. Although it was technically in Amurica, it was far less prosperous, and housing prices were low.
Violet’s situation was slightly better than Harper’s. Harper’s home was in a small town in the provinces.
Today, my in–laws had returned to Charon City. Henry would have no reservations about getting close to Violet.
It would be easy for him to find Violet’s information. He must have already known her home address.
Violet didn’t have a part–time job these days, but before university started, she might go home and rest for a couple of days.
On a whim, I turned the car around and headed towards Violet’s neighborhood.
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