?Chapter 867:


    The voice on the other end responded promptly, assuring her that assistance was on the way.


    Sadie hung up and turned back to Noah, her gaze icy.


    “Will you leave on your own, Mr. Noel, or should I wait for security to escort you out?”


    She didn’t flinch. Not even slightly.


    Noah’s jaw tightened. His chest felt heavy, like something had dropped inside and refused to move.


    He clenched his fists, struggling to keep himself in check.


    But he didn’t say a word.


    He turned and walked out.


    After Noah left, Sadie’s rigid frame finally eased. She made her way to the couch and sank into it, lifting her fingers to soothe the pounding in her temple.


    Noah again. Always him.


    He already had Hailey and a picture-perfect household—why couldn’t he just stay away? What more could he possibly want?


    Still, even in his absence, a strange twitch in her right eyelid wouldn’t stop. A creeping dread settled in her chest, tightening like a knot she couldn’t undo.


    Then her phone lit up with a sudden ring. Tina’s name shed on the screen.


    Pushing down the irritation bubbling inside her, she answered.


    “Hello, Tina. What’s going on?”


    Tina’s voice carried tension.


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    “Ms. Hudson, Daren from Johnson Group reached out again. He said Jarrett requested a sit-down with you.”


    A meeting now? Sadie’s lips curved into a frosty smirk. Clearly, this was about her abrupt engagement with Nathan. She wasn’t going to waste energy on Jarrett right now.


    “I won’t see them. Keeping up with excuses to turn them down. Say I’m tied up for the foreseeable future.”


    Tina didn’t hesitate.


    “Got it, Ms. Hudson.”


    Once the call ended, Sadie tossed the phone aside.


    Jarrett was sharp and merciless, but it didn’t matter. Tomorrow, she would apany Nathan to Higgins Manor to meet the family. Their paths would inevitably cross. Whatever needed to be said could wait until then.


    Next door, in thevish suite, Nathany bruised and broken, blood staining his lip. Every limb throbbed, and he winced with each breath—the picture of defeat.


    Jack hovered close by, his expression unreadable.


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