When Love Is a Lie

hapter 122 Der Agree to Grandpa's Request

The maid had just unlocked the door and was about to ten the hwhen the dont was suddenly bed open from

the inside.

Noel ribbed his temples, his face full of displeasure “Whorisit?”

The mais immediately lowered their heads in a hurry when they saw him, trembling with fear. They knew better

than to upset someone like him, whose presence in the Howard fandy was almost godlike. Even Samuel's and

Derek’s families dared not anger him, and certainly, the maids didn't have the courage to either.

“I-I'm so sorry, Mr Howard We didn’t know you were inside “amaid stammeerdermoly.

Noel's twas thick with exhaustion. “This mom kempty. | was just resting here.

- por tanit for disturbing you. We leave right away, the two mais apologized and quickly bourried out of the

room.

The half-open door was shut with a soft thod, and Whitney, who halbernhading behind it, let out a sigh of relief.

She plated at Nort. “We're at the Howard residence. How dace you?-

opened the door himself did they avoid bring

Earlier, when the maids were about to enter, she had nearly panicked, poly when Moletantly released her at

opene discovered

Noel penthetouched the spot on his lower lip that Whitney had battemeller, feeling a slight

“Don’t you date agree to Grandpa's request,” he said as he wiped the blood with at

Whitney hamowed her brows before realizing what he meant. “Do you think | can avoid marrying Damian as long

as | don't agree? Do you think they'll listen to me?

If it were as simple as host rebusing, thenthis whole matter would have been easy she wouldn't be so

mentallyhausted.

“I'll say it again—don’t agree to Grandpa's request. Noel goed her helplessness and rocked the bloody tissur into

his pocket.

Whutney was completely frustrated. She couldn't raise her voice, so she lowered hertone and said angrily, “What

gives you the right to demand anything from me! Noel, I'm not one of your family members. | don’t need to live

by your miles.

“Do you know how much pain I'm in. I've tried everything to avoid marrying Damian. But in the end, he

threatened me. How could | not care about my mother?” Whitney telt helpless at those words.

Damian threatened her, her father pushed her, and now, this man in front of her was pressuring her as well.

Herdark eyes were filled with emotion, and the comers of her eyes reddened. She took a deep breath a choose

between my marriage and my mother, I'd rather my mother wake up.”

Asformanlage, she didn’t care anymore,

and said,

“If the outccan’t be changed, and | have to

Seeing her resolute expression, Noel's lips cuced into a mocking smile. “You've done your best? Or is it that you

just don’t want to resist? Ask yourself-have you Ined everything?

Whitney trembled slightly, confusion flashing an her eyes. “Then tell me, what more can | do?”

Noel paused for a moment before responding with another question, “Back in Grandpa’s room, your gare kept

shutting between Damian and Rachel. When Jenny mentioned the 20 million dollars, Damian didn’t seem worried

In fact, he almost seemed relieved. Why do you think that is?”

At that moment, Damian and Rachel exchanged several glances while Whitney kept glancing in their direction.

Her expression wasn’t one of jealousy or pain bur one of clear understanding. She knew that the issue jenny

raised wasn’t something Damian was truly concemed about.

Whitney tumed her head slightly and said, “Rachel is pregnant.”

Noel's eyes narrowed for a moment. After a pause, he spoke, his tone heavy with implied meaning, “Does it

hurt?”

He knew she had loved Damian for eight years. Hearing that another woman was carrying his child, her heart

had to have ached

Whitney felt a rush of frustration at his almost mocking one in a tit of defiance, she let out a hitter laugh. ”

course, it hurts. It's heartbreaking. | even hate him.” Noel's gaze darkened further, as though something was

stirring beneath the surface. “Hate only comes when there’s love. Do you still love him?

Whitney didn’t lie. When she first heard the news, it did hurt-briefly, But the hate wasn’t bom of love.

It was because of the shameful threats Damian had made, not because of any lingering affection for him.

She looked up at Noel, her eyes meeting his A silent acknowledgment passed between them. He still didn’t

understand her

I don’t need to explain myself to you,” she said only before turning and pilling open the door. Seeing that the

hallway was empty, she quickly walked away

then moved to the window. Watching her figure retreat toward Grand Manor, he took out his phone. “Is there are

news ontlut

Thomas’ voice cracked through the phone. “I couldn't make a direct approach, so | had someone gather

information quietly. The professor kept a tight lip, but afterdriding, he let something slip. Damian has bought up

the second batch of the new medicine. Anyone who wants to buy it has to go through him.”

| was quiet at Grand Manor

del wasn't there, and Helena was still on her way back from a business trip. Only Damian and Emily were seated

at the table. When Whitney entered, Emily's voice cut through the silence with a sharptone. “Weren't you

supposed to cstraight from Mr. Howard Senior's room? What Look you so long You wait.”

Damian, sitting at the head of the table, lifted his gaze. His darkeyes were locked on her.

A