Chapter 11

The Ashfords sent Noelle off like she was the black sheep of the family. As the driver, Max Steele, pulled away from the Ashford residence, Noelle glanced back at it. Three years ago, she'd entered that house under the same dazzling lights, and now, she was being driven out in such a wretched state. The car had barely left the gates when someone stopped them. Noelle looked out and noticed that it was Conner, who carried a trace of guilt on his face. After the car pulled to a stop, he came forward and leaned down to the open window. Then, he hesitantly asked, "How's your arm? Do you need it treated?" But Noelle didn't spare him a single glance. She simply fixed her eyes on the road ahead. "It's none of your business." Conner inhaled sharply, then let out a slow breath. "At least let me clean it." With that, he slipped into the backseat, pulled out a band-aid, and pressed it over the bleeding scrape. "You shouldn't have pushed Sab," he murmured. Perhaps sorry for having lost h