When Love Is a Lie (Whitney and Damian)
Chapter 26

Each in the morning, Whimey was waiting the the elevator when she heard the sound of a door opening behind her.

Out of the corners of her eyes, she saw Noel approaching but chose not to greet him. As soon as the elevator doors opened, she stepped inside without a glance back

The murred walls reflected the hs of them, one standing in front of the other. The silence was almost suffocating, broken only by the sound of the elevator descending Feeling the tension, Whimey couldn't hold back any longer," man arks you over again, could you please re She really didn't want to face the same we situation as hast time.

"Am I that en bewable Noel asked back.

"No, I just think or shouldn't get too close. You know what I m

Nel towed over her by almost a hood and a halt. He good down at her through the mirror. "There's only one way not to get close. Either you don't marry into the Howard

amily or 1culties with them."

In other words, she could only word him if she broke off her engagement or if Neleased to be part of the Howard family.

Whime bebeved there had to be other solutions. Noel was clearly making things difficult for her

She met his gaze in the mirror and said indignantly, "But you're already estranged from the Howard family, aren't you? That should make it easier. Just avoid me or stay away

whimey knew that ever since Noel and his parents had moved out of the Howard residence, they rarely went back. There was no need to go to such extremes.

Noel's sled into a mocking smile. "You're just unwilling to give up the title of Mrs. Howard."

His words cot deep, pleating her heart like a sharp blade.

we for the Spencer family and her mother, would she still be compromising for Damian? What did their eight years together mean he kept betraying her? She felt like a fool, knowing her Hance was unfaithful and still staying with him. But Noldn't know any of this all he did was judge and mock her..

Whimey felt wronged but didn't want to show her vulnerability to Noel Sheered, "Yes, you're right, I'm just too attached to the title of Mrs. Howard. Is that so wrong?" Just then the elevate reached the underground parking level, and Whitney stopped out quickly. Het frustration, anger, and sell-lothing all bolledower, tristing painfully inside her. The years of suppression seemed to reach a breaking point.

In her haste, she didn't see the car approaching behind her.

Suddenly, she was worked back by a strong force. Then, she fell into a warm, solid chest.

Are you trying to get yourself killed? Noel scolded above her head.

15

Perhaps due to his regular works, his arms were strong. He held her tightly with one hand while his other arm wrapped around her slender waist

The memory of that wild night flashedthrough Whitney's mind, and her face flushedbright red.

Seeing her rosy cheeks, Noel released her. After a brief pause, he said coldly, "I'll consider what you said "

He then turned and walked toward his black G-Wagon.

Whimey stood there in a daze, watching him drive off. She didn't move until his car had disappeared from sight and then finally made her way to her car.

After sheld the parking lot, the Black Rolls-Rayre hidden in the conser finally drove out

Sensing the tension, the driver asked cautiously, "Mr. Howard, where to now?"

Taman's expression was grim, his mind still replaying the scene of Noel holding whimney.

Allough he couldn't see Whimney's face, he had seen Noel's expression all too clearly-ball of longing yet tempered by restraint. His dear com had been coveting his fiancéeall along Rage simmered inside Damian, but his expression grew eerily calm. "Go to the company."

At the Howard Groupbuilding. Whitney had just parked her car and was waiting for the elevator when Damian walked me, carrying a paper bag.

"I brought you baklast," he said with a grille smile, handing it to her.

Whitney immediately looked around, then said in a low voler, "I don't want to expose our relationship in the company."

"know. But they made your favorite sourdough bread and tomato soup at home this morning, so I thought you might like some," Damian replied, adopting a pleading tone just this once *

Afraid of being seen by colleagues, Whitney quickly took the paper bag Then, they entered the elevator together.

Rachel, who had just entered the building, happened to the scene.

After quarreling with Damian yesterday, she thought he would come after her, but he hadn't chased after her and hadn't even called. She had cried all night and had to be careful not to let the Howards notice.

Now, seeing Damian bring whimney breakfast, her art burned with resentment,

She took out her phone and dialed a number. When the call was connected, she said, "If you don't want to get kicked out, we need to meet."