The Cherished Wife

Noelle shook her head, unsure what she should say in response. When she looked up at Charles, she felt that he looked even better than he usually did. She also noticed that he had a perpetual grin on his face. “Are you in a great mood?"

Charles raised an eyebrow. "Should I be unhappy instead?"

That stumped her, and she did not have an answer for him. She pursed her lips as she pointed at his lips and then at hers. "Did something happen last night that I'm unaware of?"

A smile that reached Charles' dark brown eyes tugged at the corner of his lips. His smile was as warm and beautiful as springtime.

Noelle gave an involuntary shudder. Charles' smile was too beautiful for his own good. "Why are you smiling?"

"Did you forget what you did last night, Noelle?" Charles asked, a look of interest settling across his features as he balanced one hand on the dining table and drummed his elegant-looking fingers against the tabletop. The way he looked at her made her feel like there was nowhere she could hide. Noelle felt anxiety creep over her, and she did not like that feeling because it meant things were spiraling out of her control. She had regretted asking that question the instant it left her mouth. Why did she ask such a foolish question?

Hence, she said in despair, "I was knocked out yesterday, so how am I supposed to remember anything?! I don't remember anything, and I bet you did something bad!"

Charles let out a chuckle, and that aggravated Noelle. “Isn't that so? I wasn't even conscious, so it's not like I could pounce on you, could I?"This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org: ©.

Charles raised an eyebrow as he watched Noelle throw a temper tantrum that reminded him of a toddler's stubbornness. He had a rueful look on his face as he shook his head and said, "Whatever you say, Madam!"

"You..." Noelle was stumped for words and felt embarrassment wash over her. "I was unconscious and had no idea what was going on!" She gave up arguing and pulled a seat out for herself.

Charles shook his head and handed Noelle a bowl. After taking it, Noelle had a vexed look on her face as she got herself a bowl of oatmeal before pretending that Charles was not within her line of sight.

Charles did not say anything and merely glanced at Noelle with tender love in his eyes. She lowered her head in embarrassment, almost burying her entire face in the bowl. Charles was tapping on the table while looking at her, and she raised her head, meeting his gaze.

Just then, his phone rang, forcing the couple to break their moment. “What's the matter?" Charles' voice immediately turned several degrees colder as he answered the call.

Ronald's heart skipped a beat. A layer of cold sweat formed on the back of his neck as he gulped. “Am I interrupting you, Mr. Hoffman?"

"You may speak!" Charles spoke in a clipped tone. Then, his voice turned syrupy sweet as he got Noelle another bowl of oatmeal and said, "Eat up." Both Noelle and Ronald marveled at Charles' ability to switch between being sweet and frosty so seamlessly. Then, Charles' cold voice rang out once again. "Nothing important?"

"It's not that, Mr. Hoffman. Mr. Smith has already used the most painful methods he has, but that person is extremely tight-lipped and insists that it was all on Winter Shaw's instructions.

"However, we checked his bank

records and noticed he had received two payments recently. One of them was indeed from Winter Shaw, but the other came from an overseas account that we have no way of tracing!"

Ronald relayed all the problems they were facing before he added, "I'm sure you know what Mr. Smith is like, Mr. Hoffman. He's always preferred those who are more docile, which is why..."

"Hm?" Charles narrowed his eyes.

"He shattered the man's kneecap!" Ronald shuddered thinking about it. "Mr. Smith said it's been a while since the white shark was fed."