Life Is So Much Sweeter Without You

"Winona!" Simon, who was beside Winona, caught her. "Chester, Winona looks like she's having an allergic reaction!"

Chester froze mid-stride, remembering that Noelle had ordered seafood broth during the meal. His expression went cold in an instant as he turned and stormed over to Noelle.

She'd already hitched up her skirt and was about to inject herself. Suddenly, a hand clamped down on her wrist without warning and yanked the EpiPen out of her grip.

She looked up in disbelief and met Chester's icy gaze. "You caused Winona to have an allergic reaction. She needs the medication first!"

With that, he marched straight to Winona and swiftly administered the injection without the slightest bit of hesitation.

Sensing Noelle's stare, Simon said coolly, "You're a doctor, Noelle. You should have other ways of saving yourself. Winona doesn't know anything—she needs the EpiPen more."

Chester finished the injection, scooped Winona into his arms, and rushed out. Simon chased after them. "I'll get the car!"

Noelle collapsed to the floor, her bloodshot eyes locked on their retreating figures. From beginning to end, none of them looked back.

As her consciousness blurred, she saw a waiter rush in. "Miss, are you okay?"

…

Noelle was unconscious for a full day. When she woke, Chester was seated at her bedside.

He took her hand, his voice soft with concern. "Elle, you're finally awake. Are you feeling any discomfort?"

She pulled her hand free and closed her eyes.

Chester didn't get mad. He brushed a stray lock from her temple. "Elle, I know you're mad at me, but the Gray and Johnson families have deep ties. We can't let anything happen to Winona on our watch.

"I had no choice. You're about to become a member of the Gray family—we have shared interests. You should be more understanding. You know I love you most, don't you?"

Simon appeared in the doorway. "Come on, Noelle. Chester had no choice. Affluent families like ours have our own problems; we have to put the bigger picture first. As your family, we can only ask you to bear with it for now."

Noelle's hands balled into tight fists under the blanket. She opened her eyes and fixed her gaze on the two men as she sneered inwardly. They were leaving no stone unturned to sweet-talk and brainwash her.

She didn't want to argue with them, so she shut her eyes again. "I want to rest."

Only when their footsteps faded did she open her eyes. She pulled out her phone and dialed a number. "Hello, am I speaking to a live-streaming company? I'd like to place an order…"

After hanging up, her hand moved on instinct to the pendant at her chest, only to grasp at nothing. The pendant containing Marie's hair and ashes was gone!

Panic surged. Noelle hurriedly searched the area around the hospital bed to no avail. She was about to go find a nurse when she received a text.

Winona had sent a photo of her necklace. "If you want it back, come now. Otherwise, I'll dump what's inside into the toilet."

A crushing fury washed over Noelle, almost making her vision go dark. Her chest heaved with rage as she rushed to Winona's hospital room.

Inside, Winona stood by the window, the necklace dangling from her fingertips. It swayed just outside the windowsill, ready to drop at any moment.

"Winona Johnson, give me back my necklace!"