When Love Is a Lie (Whitney and Damian)

"What's up? Go ahead," Helena said, looking up from her paperwork.

"Given the current situation, what are Yvette's chances of winning this case?" Whitney asked.

Helena paused, considering carefully. "With no physical evidence and no witnesses, things don't look good for Yvette. That said, it's not a guaranteed loss. If we lose the first trial, we can appeal and keep searching for new evidence. But that would take a lot of time." Whitney felt a sinking feeling in her chest.

If the case dragged on for a year or more, Yvette's studio might not survive.

After a moment of silence, Helena asked, "Is something going on?"

Whitney snapped out of her thoughts. "The court summons arrived."

"Already?" Helena sounded surprised. It had only been a few days. Something felt off. "Rachel seems to be in an awful hurry like she really has it out for Yvette. Do they have some kind of deep-seated grudge?"

Whitney hadn't told Helena about the affair between Damian and Rachel, so Helena had no idea that Rachel's real target was Whitney, not Yvette.

If she told Helena, she was worried about how disappointed she might be in her own brother.

Whitney decided to keep it to herself. It was not to protect Damian's image but because she didn't want Helena to feel torn between her and her brother.

For the same reason, she had also asked Yvette not to tell Helena about it.

Before they ended the call, Helena encouraged her not to lose hope, promising to do everything she could. "You never know-there might still be a breakthrough," she said.

When Whitney returned to the hospital ward, Thomas had already left.

"What took you so long?" Yvette asked casually.

"I didn't want to walk in on something I shouldn't see," Whitney joked.

Yvette pretended to be annoyed. "Look at you, getting cheeky!"

Whitney peeled a banana and handed it to her. "I think we misjudged Thomas. He seems to care about you quite a lot."

"Caring about me and liking me are two different things." Yvette took a bite. "He told me himself he doesn't like me. Should I still be holding out hope?"

"Maybe he loves you but just doesn't realize it yet?"

"Hah. That's not something that would happen with him."

Yvette took a deep breath, forcing herself to sound cheerful. "It's fine. Once this is all over, I'll throw myself into my career. They say if you're unlucky in love, you'll be lucky in other things, right? So I'll forget about love and focus on being successful in my career!" Seeing the determined look on Yvette's face, Whitney smiled and said, "Then, I'd better hold tight to your coattails."

Yvette still needed plenty of rest, so after chatting a bit longer, Whitney left the hospital.

Once she got home, she began packing. Helena had been realistic-this case could drag on for a long time.

Whitney dreaded to think of what this might do to Yvette if it stretched on for a year or more. The strong, confident Yvette could end up worn down and defeated.

This wasn't just an ordinary case with a quiet resolution.

When powerful families went to court, even the smallest scandal could stir up the media. And this was a full-blown lawsuit.

The public didn't care about the truth; they only wanted to watch the drama unfold.

Yvette would be under constant scrutiny. And when that happened, how would she cope? If that was the reality, Whitney would rather move back into Damian's house. He said he'd drop the charges as soon as she moved back in, so the sooner, the better. If she packed tonight, she could move back in tomorrow.

Whitney took all her clothes out of the closet and began folding them into boxes. As she turned, her gaze fell on the neatly folded gown in the corner. It was already cleaned and ready to return.

Noel was reviewing architectural plans in his study when he heard a knock on the door. He stood up and went to answer it.

When he opened the door, Whitney was standing there, holding a rectangular gift box.

"I've gotten the gown cleaned. I should've returned it sooner, but with everything that's happened, it got delayed."

Noel kept his hands in his pockets, making no move to take the box. His voice was cool and distant. "Why?"noveldrama

Whitney understood he was asking why she was returning it.

"I don't need anything from you. I'd prefer it if we didn't see each other anymore. And the gown is too expensive-I can't accept it.

"I meant to return it right away, but my own gown got stained that night, and there wasn't time. I had no choice but to wear it. If you're hesitant to take it back since I've already worn it, just tell me how much it costs, and I'll buy it from you." From beginning to end, Whitney's expression remained calm. Her face, bare of makeup but strikingly beautiful, held a hint of stubborn resolve.

Noel looked at her, paying no attention to the box in her hands.

His dark, midnight eyes held no warmth. His voice was low and cool as it drifted over her head. "If you don't want it, then throw it away."