Chapter 16


    “Now that you put it that way, it makes sense.”


    “It is a fact, to begin with. What young mistress would work as a


    secretary?”


    “But I don’t get it. Why a fake marriage?”


    “I’m sure there’s a reason. Word is that Miss Selwyn and Mr. Cadogan grew


    up together. Back then, when the Selwyns went bankrupt, Mr. Cadogan


    started dating her probably because he wanted to help her out. I mean,


    look at it. Is there anyone who dares bully Miss Selwyn now?”


    “Is that so? Well, Mr. Cadogan sure is a great guy.”


    “I even heard that Mr. Cadogan has been waiting for udia Johnson’s


    return all these years. I swear, only our boss is that loyal.”


    As the people gossiped, Victoria stood behind them and listened instead


    of stepping away. She looked calm on the surface, as though she was not


    the topic of their gossip.


    Soon, Noel pulled over at the entrance and rolled down the window,


    revealing his dashing looks. “C’mon, get in.”


    Just like that, Victoria entered his car under everyone’s gazes, and it was


    not after the vehicle had gone far that the people who gossiped came to


    themselves.


    “That was… Miss Selwyn, wasn’t it?”


    “I think so.”


    “Then, do you think she heard what we said earlier?”


    “So what if she did? We’re not the ones who spread the rumor. We heard


    from them. Besides, there’s no wrong with what we’ve said. Are we not


    telling the truth? Otherwise, why wouldn’t she correct us? She must be


    hiding something.”


    “She probably didn’t know how to either. After all, that woman was sitting


    in Mr. Cadogan’s car when he passed by.”


    The group continued gossiping as they looked at the car which had


    already gone far.


    Meanwhile, Victoria rolled the window up impassively and watched the


    retreating trees and buildings with an extremely heavy heart as the


    employees‘ heated gossip reyed in her head, as well as… the ck


    Cayenne that shed past them.


    “What’s up? You look distracted,” Noel asked when he noticed her


    glumness.


    Victoria came to her senses at that and pulled a forced smile. “It’s nothing.


    Might just be the after–effects of being sick.”


    He sighed in response. “You… How long were you going to keep it from


    me?”


    His words rendered her frozen.


    “What are you talking about?”


    What have I kept from him? Can he possibly have found out that I’m


    pregnant? But who was it who told him? The only one who knows I’m


    pregnant is Summer, other than the doctors at the hospital.


    Of course, she ruled out the possibility at once.


    Because of her, Summer and Noel knew each other as well and kept an


    amicable rtionship. Both she and Summer thought of Nool as a big


    brother figure, but Summer would never reveal anything about her to him.


    Hence, what he knew might not be her pregnancy.


    “Why didn’t you tell me udia has returned?” he asked momentster.


    Victoria froze for a second upon hearing his question. He was not talking


    about her pregnancy.


    In truth, she had be jumpy for the past two days because of her


    pregnancy. At that, she breathed a sigh of relief and monotoned. “What


    does her return have to do with you?”


    Her words rendered him speechless, and he gazed at the young woman


    helplessly. Had he not known her well, he would have likely assumed she


    was retorting him.


    “You’re right. It doesn’t, but what about you? Does it have nothing to do


    with you too?


    Victoria fell silent at that, and Noel continued, “I already know you two


    were a no–show when you first started dating him. Especially when you


    know what he said, but you still…” The man left his words hanging, but his


    tone and emotions were enough to convey his message.


    He was disappointed in her.


    On the other hand, she was d that he did not know about her


    pregnancy, or his tone would be even more awful than it was now.


    Perhaps because she was mostly silent, Noel said nothing more after that.


    After taking her to a restaurant and ordering their lunch, he told Victoria,


    “Wait for me here. I’ll be back in ten.”


    “Alright.” She nodded, having no energy to bother with what he was up to.


    Ten minutester, he returned with a bag of stuff.


    “Here, take this.”


    “What is it?”


    “Medicine.” He revealed. “You’re sick, aren’t you? You’re already a grown


    woman. You should keep some regr medicine with you at all times, no?


    You can pop one in whenever you don’t feel well.”


    “But I’m already fine.” She fell into somewhat of a trance as she looked at


    the bag of items.


    “Keep it for next time, then.”


    “Okay.”


    With that, she put the bag away. In it was aprehensive pile of regr


    pills.


    “Thanks, Noel.”


    “Don’t mention it.” He poked her head. “Don’t shut me out, okay? Tell me if


    you’re met with whatever trouble.”


    “Got it.”


    Subsequently, the two fell silent and ate their lunch quietly.


    Momentster, Noel could not resist asking, “You’ve already met udia,


    haven’t you?”


    Victoria’s hands froze for a split second before she nodded. “Yeah.”


    “So, what is she trying now,ing right for ric as soon as shees


    back? She wants to rekindle their love?”


    ‘Rekindle their love‘ sounded like nails on a chalkboard for Victoria as she


    corrected. “Not rekindling. What real rtionship did they have from the


    start?”


    Sure, ric had said what he had said, but the two were not seeing each


    other at the time.


    Speaking of which, Victoria never understood this.


    Howe the two never dated back then? By right, the two would have


    be a couple when he dered that the spot next to his would


    forever be udia, who was also in love with him!


    Then again, it was useless even if she figured it out now.


    “Already defending him?”


    Noel could not help but quirk an eyebrow, leading the young woman to


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    purse her lips and mumble, “I’m just stating a fact.”


    He’s already brought her to the office and even let others badmouth you.


    yet you’re still defending him?” he argued with deeply furrowed brows.


    What was it that he overheard at the office pantry this morning?


    “You guys have heard about it, haven’t you? Mr. Cadogan’s rightful


    girlfriend has returned.”


    “Rightful girlfriend? Isn’t Mr. Cadogan already married? What rightful


    girlfriend are you talking about?”


    “The marriage is fake, of course. If it’s real, would Mr. Cadogan be willing to


    let his wife work as a secretary? This one is the real deal. Word is that she


    had saved Mr. Cadogan once. Plus, she’s from an affluent family and has


    finally returned from studying abroad. She and Mr. Cadogan are the real


    perfect match.”


    “What? If she’s seeing Mr. Cadogan, what about Miss Selwyn?”


    “Are you even hearing yourself? What else can she do other than to go


    back to her rags when she fails to go from rags to riches?!”


    Those words had probably ticked their funny bones as everyone in the


    pantry guffawed uncontrobly.


    Meanwhile, Noel, who was standing outside, clenched his mug grimly.


    Does she have to do with Victoria’s sudden illness? Or else, how can it be


    so coincidental?