Secret Scion

Candace exploded, furious. "Asher's going too far. Does he have no respect for the love between a husband and wife?! Don't cry, Noelle. Asher is a heartless and unrighteous man. There's no need for you to grieve for him. He's just one man. There's plenty of fish in the sea for you to pick from with your social standing. It's his loss for leaving you."

Perhaps it was the alcohol taking effect, making Noelle let go of her inhibitions. Her tongue loosened as she admitted things that she would have been too embarrassed to say on any other normal day.

"But I don't want to lose him. Sob..."

It was the first time in years that Candace was witnessing Noelle sobbing her heart out. Noelle had always maintained the image of a strong woman. No man could ever sway her emotions, let alone have her crying on her friend's shoulder.

Candace had no choice but to finally speak her mind after seeing her friend so down in the dumps. "If you really don't want to lose him, go to him right now and tell him exactly what is on your mind. Even if he ends up rejecting you, at least you won't have any regrets."

Go to Asher?

Noelle could not possibly pull that off. It was far too embarrassing for a woman of her character. But Livia had sent the text with implications that Asher would truly be taken away from her if she chose to not stop Dove.

After a moment's hesitation, Noelle abruptly got to her feet, took the glass of red wine that she had yet to finish and downed it in a single breath. Then, she grabbed her bag and walked out. Candace did not feel comfortable with Noelle driving, so she took the initiative to drive her there instead.

When the vehicle pulled into the private parking lot, Candace said, "I won't be going in, Elle. Trust in yourself. You can do this."

Noelle was left striding forward in the cold which quickly sobered her up. She sucked in her breath and mustered the courage to walk in.

As soon as she stepped into the dining hall on the first floor, Noelle was faced with the five tables of young men and women who were familiar to her. Her gaze was soon fixed on Asher, and her expression was extremely complicated.

Those inside also noticed Noelle at the door.

"Huh? Isn't that Noelle? She's also here?"

"Noelle? Mr. Crawford's ex-wife?"

"It really is her. Why is she here? It's fortunate she didn't hear anything about the confession or we'd have a good show on our hands."

Many could not help but give Noelle odd looks.

Julian and Freya both frowned when they noticed her. For Noelle to have shown up was not good news.

Dove could not help but furrowed her brows when she observed how Noelle had her eyes fixed solely on Asher. What was she doing here? Did she want Asher back?

"Ash, Elle is here." Livia tugged on Asher's shirt and stood up to wave. "Elle, we're over here!" Asher had long noticed his ex-wife. He had just chosen to keep mum about it.

He was immediately overcome by the feeling of guilt after having her stare so directly at him. "You're here just in time, Elle. Come sit." Castor was quick to respond and was already approaching her as he spoke.

Dove, likewise, got up and turned around to smile faintly at the Steward. "I wasn't expecting you, Noelle. I'm glad you're here."

Noelle, however, did not pay a shred of attention to the Yaeger siblings and went straight for Asher. Many present could not help but get to their feet when they took notice of the

indescribable feeling she gave off.

"Elle, you... you're drunk?" Livia frowned.

Noelle still did not speak but instead stared unblinking at Asher.

Asher felt flustered by the sight. He finally gave in and popped the question as he licked his chapped lips. "Why are you here?"

"I'm here to catch a thief."

"Thief?" Asher was taken aback.

Noelle's appearance once again disrupted Dove's plan and left her greatly uncomfortable. She felt even worse when she heard that Noelle was here to catch some thief. "You must be mistaken, Noelle. We're all friends here. How could there be a thief? Besides, we're all powerful people here. Who would resort to thievery?"

"Are only those who steal material goods called thieves? Are those who steal people not also thieves?" Noelle met Dove's gaze with great tenacity.

Noelle was giving Dove a meaningful look, but anyone who was not a fool could tell that the thief she was calling out was none other than Dove.

Everyone present broke out in cold sweat on Noelle's behalf. She was but a descendant of a third-rate household, and yet she had the guts to be so accusatory toward Dove, claiming that she was stealing her man. Even Julian Hoffman and Freya Sullivan, the darlings of the four great households, would not dare to disrespect Dove. Noelle must have plucked up some courage to do this.

Dove's expression turned ice-cold as the look in her eyes grew frosty. "I regard you as a friend, Noelle. I hope that you haven't come here to spoil my party."

Noelle snorted in disdain. "You treat me as a friend? You're so shameless. Would a friend actually go out of their way to seduce their friend's ex-husband?"

Her words had everyone frozen in their tracks as tensions rose.

Everyone present could not help but discuss in low whispers.

On the other hand, Dove's expression was glacial, and her eyes were clouded with anger. She retorted sharply, "Are you saying that I'm trying to seduce Asher? That's right. I do have feelings for him. I will actively pursue his affections, but I would never seduce him in the vile way that you're implying. I am NOT a cheap whore! On the contrary, the both of you are divorced. And as far as I know, it was the Stewards who looked down on Asher, so they tried every means to drive him away. Now that his true identity has been exposed, you want to marry him again now that you know he's a scion from the Capital City? It seems I never really knew you, Noelle Steward." Dove's counterattack was nothing to scoff at and that was exactly why Noelle could not find it in herself to bare her heart open to Asher. She was afraid that he would think of her as a snobbish

woman.

"I was married to Asher for two years. I fell for him a long time ago. My feelings for him have nothing to do with his status!" Noelle harrumphed.

"Then, what's your explanation for driving him out of the Steward household?" Dove sneered. "That's a matter between Asher and me. There's no need for you to know."

"Your inability to explain yourself proves that I was right. You never loved Asher. You've just changed your mind now that his true identity has come to light. And just for that, Noelle, you don't deserve his heart," Dove snapped mercilessly.

Accusatory words were immediately thrown around. The circumstances were overwhelmingly against Noelle, and she was now in a dilemma. All she could say in the end was, "I know my own heart. I don't need to prove it to anyone. Those who know me would trust in me."

Asher, who had been standing on the sidelines this entire time, was dumbfounded. He and Noelle had lived together and were spouses for two whole years. They had never consummated their marriage, let alone admit her love for him.

She might have been late in her confession, but Asher knew his efforts for the past two years

were not in vain. He had managed to warm this woman's heart.

Asher was absolutely certain that Noelle was not the self-serving woman everyone assumed she

was.

"I wasn't expecting this place to be quite so lively. It seems that we arrived just in time, Mr.

Schmidt. Otherwise, we would've missed all this. Haha."

That was when a cold sneer rang out from the entrance.

Everyone turned to the door to see Radley Leonard strutting in with a peculiar smile on his face. Beside him was Garrett Schmidt with Mikaela and several Leonard youngsters trailing behind. Castor could not help but frown as the group ambled in. There was a slightly complicated expression on his face. Radley was acting like he was pleased with himself and was above everyone.

"The woman in front of Dove is Asher's ex-wife, Noelle Steward, Mr. Schmidt," Radley jabbed a finger at Noelle as he explained.

Garrett's eyes lit up when he noticed Noelle. He chuckled. "I see why Asher was willing to marry into the Stewards' household. Ms. Steward is indeed a beauty. Haha."

"Why are you here, Radley? I have this place booked out for the day, and you're not welcomed!" Dove was seething. How could she not have a long face with Radley here to watch the bustle. "It doesn't matter if you call me names, Ms. Yaeger, but Mr. Schmidt is present. Could it be that you won't even show him some respect?"

Radley gave Dove a spurious smile. Dove had always relied on her household's might and had never taken him seriously. He had long found the Yaegers to be eyesores but could not express it solely because of their standing.

But now that he was under Garrett's wing, he no longer cared about what the Yaegers thought of him. His mood brightened.