The Sway and Slide of Love by Jean Song

Chapter 44 Chapter 44

Noelle's relationship with Matilda was detached, but it was worse with Craig. It was so distant that calling it" distant" didn't even seem enough.

As the head of the family and chairman of the company, Craig naturally carried his work habits into his personal life-authoritative, commanding, and never to be questioned.

If Matilda made Noelle feel like she was endlessly favoring Sandra, Craig made her feel nothing at all— just cold indifference.

He was rarely home, and in Noelle's memories, he had never once fulfilled his role as a father. But what

he did do was maintain the authority of "the head of the family", and no one was allowed to challenge it. Despite having been back for years, this was Noelle's first time eating alone with him.

When she arrived, he was already waiting in the private room. He was looking at his wrist impatiently to check the time.

"Sorry that I'm late," Noelle said.

her a brief glance and then

on the table-including hers

us soon,"

quickly raced, and her voice tightened. "People from the Hawthorne

you know about them?" Craig replied, remarkably calm. "Did your mother tell you? That's even better. Mr. Hawthorne has

"I'm here today to make something clear-please stop interfering in my life. I have nothing to do with any of you anymore. So, please don't

out a

just because you want to? Don't kid yourself into

moment I speak up, that woman will be transferred to another hospital. And I can guarantee you,

A weakness-everyone had one.

friendship, or any number of other

never imagined that her own father would use her weakness as leverage against her one day. Her hands

down and behave," Craig said. "Besides, it's just a meal. You're divorced. The man might not even be interested in

her voice sharp. "You plan to keep setting me up with men, finding someone who'll buy into me, bleed me dry of

Chapter 44