The Cherished Wife

Chapter 360



Charles squinted, but he kept looking at Noelle as if he did not even notice Xavier standing there. Xavier felt awkward but did not know what to say. Noelle felt the tension in the air. "Mr. Hoffman, what brings you here?"

Charles gave her a small smile. "I was just talking to Sir Shaw, and he mentioned you." He did not exactly answer her question, but Noelle got the hint. "You're friends with my Grandpa? He just called me to come over."

"Really? Shall we go together?" Charles asked. Noelle nodded eagerly. "Yes, let's go!"

As Noelle was about to leave, Xavier could not hide his disappointment. "Noelle!" he called out. "You said you'd talk to me!"

Noelle's brow furrowed. She could not believe that even with Charles there, Xavier still would not back down.

Charles's eyebrows pinched together a bit. He had a way of commanding the room without even changing his expression. When he heard what was going on, he looked straight at Xavier and said in an icy voice, "If I'm not mistaken, isn't today your wedding to the Shaw family's daughter? Yet here you are, hanging out by the bathroom door to talk to your new sister-in-law. That's pretty funny!"

Even though Charles did not raise his voice, he still sounded super powerful. He did not have to get loud to be in charge. When he raised his voice just a little at the end of his sentence, it was the final nail in the coffin.

Xavier felt a weird jolt in his heart. Something felt off, but he could not put his finger on what it was.

He looked over at Charles and Noelle. They were not standing too close or too far apart. Noelle looked really small next to Charles, yet somehow, they looked just right together. That gave Xavier a sudden worry he could not shake off.

Xavier did not want to admit it, but Charles was right. "I..."

"We shouldn't be late," Charles said, glancing at Noelle. "It wouldn't look good ifthe groom was missing from his own party. Ms. Shaw, are you ready to head back?"

Noelle nodded. "I haven't seen my grandpa in a long time."

"Perfect, your maternal grandfather is there too," Charles said, his icy voice warming up a little. "They're so good at chess. They make me feel like a total beginner." Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Noelle looked up into Charles's eyes and teased, "Mr. Hoffman, you're too humble. My Grandpa and Granddad just play for fun. You're in a whole different league!"

Xavier, feeling totally ignored, huffed, "Charles, you..."

Charles gave him a chilly glance. "It's your big day, right? You should look the part. Did your dad invite me here just to see you lurking around other women?"

Xavier went pale. He glanced at Charles, then at Noelle, and mumbled, "Just kidding, Charles. I'll go say hi to the guests."

Noelle watched Xavier scurry away,

her gaze turning icy. She glanced at where Xavier had grabbed her wrist and decided to wash her hands again When she stepped out,

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Charles was there by the door, his deep eyes focused on her.

"What's up?"

Charles just smiled and waved her over. "Come here!"

Confused, Noelle walked over and found herself in a surprisingly warm embrace, a stark change from his earlier frostiness.