The Cherished Wife



Noelle suddenly understood. "So, it was the bodyguards you secretly sent who told you? But you arrived way too quickly!" She blinked in disbelief. "I had barely sat down with Clarisse, and you were already busting in. Did you fly here or something?"

Charles chuckled softly. "That's right. I couldn't stand the thought of you getting hurt, not even a little. So I made sure to get to you as quickly as possible."

"Charlie, you're amazing," Noelle murmured, leaning against his shoulder and rubbing her cheek against his chest. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of myself too. No matter who it is, I won't let anyone push me around."

Charles teased with a smile, "Really? I find that hard to believe. Every since I've been with you, have you ever given me a moment's peace?" Noelle blushed with embarrassment. "You don't need to bring up the past! That was before. I mean from now on, nobody will be able to bully me." "Alright, I'll believe you this time," he said indulgently.

When they returned home, Charles disappeared into his study to work while Noelle busied herself in the kitchen.

However, the events of the day weighed on her mind. So many unexpected things had happened, leaving her feeling overwhelmed.

She had thought her own family background was already tragic enough. However, the Hoffman family's secrets ran far deeper than she ever imagined. It was hard to comprehend how Charles had grown up in such an environment.

Noelle sighed as she washed the vegetables, her mind drifting back to her conversation with Clarisse. There was something odd about what Clarisse had said, but she could not quite pinpoint what it was. Also, Clarisse's hostility toward her felt strangely out of place.

The more Noelle thought about it, the more her head ached.

When she emerged from the kitchen, she found Nancy sitting in the living room. Noelle made her way over. "Aunt Nancy."

Nancy smiled warmly and motioned for her to sit. "What's the matter, Noelle? You've seemed distracted ever since you and Charlie came back. Did something happen?"

"Huh? No, it's nothing, really," Noelle replied, shaking her head. However, after glancing toward the stairs and knowing Charles was still in the study upstairs, she hesitated. "Aunt Nancy, can I ask you something?"

"Is it about Charlie? Or the Hoffmans?" Nancy asked, perceptive as ever.

Noelle nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed. She sat upright and said, "It's nothing major. It's just... Charlie's mother spoke to me today."

"Clarisse?"

At the mention of Clarisse, Nancy's expression darkened slightly, though she remained composed. "What did she want? Did she want to cause trouble after finding out about your relationship?" noveldrama

"Aunt Nancy, you always seem to know everything," Noelle said, feeling sheepish.

Nancy said with a shake of her head, "It's not that. It's just how she is. Whatever she said, don't take it to heart. Both your Uncle Henry and I fully support you and Charlie."

"I know. If you didn't, you wouldn't be sitting here talking to me," Noelle replied with a smile.

Nancy frowned slightly, her gaze lingering on Noelle's face. After a long pause, she finally said, "She's like that with everyone—especially with people who get close to Charlie or Henry."