When Love Is a Lie (Whitney and Damian)

Whitney watched as Noel's car merged into traffic, slowly fading from view.

Only then did she recognize a strange feeling stirring within her. Why had she been so angry when Noel defended Rachel? Her anger was even stronger than it had been when she first discovered Damian's betrayal. And beneath that anger lay a confusing sense of disappointment as if an answer lingered just beyond her grasp. She forced herself to stop overthinking it.

...

The next day, Helena called, and they agreed to meet directly at the hotel entrance.

Whitney had taken a few days off work, with Damian's approval. He knew her reasons, and even if he hadn't agreed, she wouldn't have gone to the office anyway. When she met Helena at the hotel, Whitney relayed Noel's suggestions exactly as he had described them.

"Noel's lucky he didn't become a lawyer. Otherwise, there'd be no work left for me," Helena quipped.

They approached the lobby manager, and Helena introduced herself as a lawyer, explaining the purpose of their visit. The manager led them to the general manager's office.

Eugene Hill, the hotel's general manager, was a man in his early 40s with a receding hairline.noveldrama

After listening to the lobby manager's summary, Eugene looked troubled. "It's not that we don't want to cooperate, but questioning each of our staff would take a lot of time. We're extremely busy right now, and even a brief interruption could lead to guest complaints." Helena smiled. "It's just a few quick questions. It won't take long, Mr. Hill. If you could do us this favor..."

But despite her gentle persistence, Helena lacked the authority to compel questioning without a warrant.

Eugene chuckled politely, his refusal firm. "I'm sorry. If you come back with a warrant or bring the police along, we'll be happy to cooperate."

With that, they were escorted out of the hotel.

"That Mr. Hill is a slippery one," Helena muttered in frustration.

Without surveillance footage or witnesses, their investigation was looking increasingly difficult.

"Noel!"

Just as their spirits were sinking, Whitney heard Helena call out into the lobby. She looked up and saw Noel emerging from the hotel elevator.

Noel was dressed in a dark suit and silver-framed glasses. His sharp jaw turned slightly as he spoke with someone by his side.

Hearing someone call his name, Noel looked over, exchanged a few more words with his companion, and then headed toward them. "Noel, what are you doing here?" Helena asked.

"There's a design seminar being held here today," he replied.

As he spoke, Noel's gaze drifted to Whitney. He noticed her tense expression and Helena's frustrated look. "Ran into trouble?" he asked.

"Mr. Hill keeps dodging our questions. Bottom line, he just doesn't want to get involved," Helena replied with a sigh.

The situation was delicate as it involved the Howard, Jennings, and York families. Eugene didn't want to risk offending anyone, though he was unaware that Helena herself was part of the Howards.

Just then, Eugene came hurrying over, practically jogging.

"Ah, Mr. Howard! I didn't realize you were here. Apologies for not greeting you properly."

Noel extended his hand. "The city's new museum is about to break ground, and today's the final design seminar. It's hosted here. You seem well-informed, Mr. Hill."

Relieved and flattered by Noel's initiative to shake his hand, Eugene clasped it with both of his. "Someone saw you here and informed me right away. If you don't mind, would you like to come to my office? I'll make you a cup of coffee." Noel added, "I am feeling a bit thirsty. I'll take you up on that."

Then, he turned to Helena. "I still need to discuss Ms. Jennings and Rachel's matter with you. Can you wait for me for a moment?"

Helena understood immediately. "Whitney and I will wait here for you."

"Oh, no, no-there's no need for you ladies to wait out here. Please, come to my office as well," Eugene insisted, gesturing for them to follow.

Whitney tugged on Helena's arm. "We're here on official business. Mr. Hill said we'd need a warrant to question the staff about that night."

Hearing this especially in front of Noel-Eugene nearly broke into a sweat. "A warrant? That was just a little joke, ladies. No need for anything like that."

"A joke?" Helena raised her eyebrows in exaggerated surprise. "So, we're allowed to ask our questions?"

"Of course, of course! If you have business here, I'm more than happy to help." Eugene quickly called over the lobby manager and instructed him to gather all the staff who had worked in the banquet hall that night. It was true what they said it was good to have a powerful ally.

With Noel's presence, no one dared to refuse.

The waitstaff from that night were soon assembled in a meeting room, and Whitney and Helena split up to interview them individually.

An hour later, they finally emerged from the meeting room.

Noel was waiting for them in the lounge area of the lobby.

"How did it go?" he asked.