The Cherished Wife



After hashing things out, the group split up and headed home. Charles patted his pocket before turning to Steven with a grateful look. "I owe you big time!"

Steven chuckled. "Here I was, thinking you'd be mad at me for giving her a scare." He remembered how Noelle's eyes widened when she witnessed him in action. "Luckily for us, it was me she saw, not you." He paused, then added, "She's got guts, though. She didn't budge an inch!"

Most people would have lost it in that kind of situation, but not Noelle. She looked a little out of it, but she kept it together otherwise. Steven squinted, his mind drifting to the first time he saw Eloise's face.

Charles's brow creased, but he managed to say, "Anyway, I really appreciate what you did today."

"It's late. You'd better sleep," Steven said.

Once Charles was upstairs, Steven fished a pack of cigarettes from his pants pocket. He deftly plucked one out and held it between his fingers, his gaze drifting aimlessly out the window.

That night, Ronald, Andrew, Lareal, and the rest of the crew took care of the ambushers lurking around Phoenix Tree Residence. There were not many of them, but they were all pretty tough cookies. If Charles had returned that night, he would have been hard-pressed to take on a whole gang, even with his slick moves. It would have been too many fists for just one guy to handle.

"Mr. Hoffman, we've dealt with everyone on that end. What do you think we should do next?"

"You guys did great. Take the rest of the day off!" Charles ended the call, glanced back, and saw Noelle still out like a light. He smiled, tiptoed over, and gently pulled the blanket back over her. He was about to sneak away when Noelle, still halfway in dreamland, clutched at Charles's hand. "Charles, don't go."

"Alright, I'm staying. I won't leave!" Charles reassured her, settling down on the edge of the bed. He kept one hand on the newspaper and let Noelle hold onto the other.

When Noelle finally woke up, it was past ten. She had been out cold for the past few hours. The recent brush with danger, followed by Charles's presence, must have given her the peace of mind she needed

She blinked open her eyes to find Charles propped up by the bed, newspaper in hand, with the morning sun casting a cozy glow across the room. Noelle stirred, and Charles instantly tuned in, setting aside the paper. "You up?"

With a sheepish grin, Noelle nodded. Realizing she was still holding onto Charles's hand, she quickly let go, a little embarrassed. "Uh... Why didn't you wake me?"

"You looked so peaceful sleeping," Charles said as he gently pushed a few strands of Noelle's hair behind her ear. "How'd you sleep?"

"Pretty good. Hey, why are you up

with the birds?" Noelle tossed off the covers and hopped out of bed. glanced at the clock on theThis content © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.

nightstand and gasped. "Is it

that late? Why didn't you wa

up sooner?"

S

me

Feeling sheepish, Noelle scanned the room, remembering that it was not her usual place at Phoenix Tree Residence but Steven's place. "Oh, right. About last night..."

"Well, you're up now. Get a move on and freshen up. We've got breakfast waiting downstairs!"

"Okay!"

Noelle quickly patted down her

bedhead and dashed for the

bathroom. The towels and toiletries were all brand new. As she brushed her teeth, her mind replayed the events of the previous evening. Then, stepping back toward the door, she caught Charles changing his shirt, and her cheeks flushed a soft pink.

Charles gave her a teasing squint and a laugh. "Come on. It's nothing you haven't seen before. Still shy?"