The Cherished Wife



Just then, Peter and Sean walked up. Peter glanced at Charles and asked, "So, we're not doing this?"

Charles nodded. "Yeah. There's something up at the family residence that I need to check out. I've got no clue what it's about!" He glanced at Noelle. "Looks like I can't stick around with you. You might have to head back alone."

"It's fine. Your stuff is more important. Besides, you can hang out with me anytime!" Noelle was pretty chill. Charles could not help feeling a bit bummed, his eyebrows knitting together before he turned to Peter and Sean. "I'll catch you guys later."

Peter nodded. "Definitely. We'll hang out another time." He eyed Noelle. "If you're okay with it, how about Sean and I get dinner with you since it's getting late? We can drop you off after."

Peter's question seemed casual, but he was clearly asking for Charles's approval.

Charles caught on and nodded. "That sounds good. I appreciate it." He gave Noelle's shoulder a reassuring pat. "I'd feel better if you went with Peter and Sean."

Noelle snorted with laughter. "You're worried about me? I'm a grown-up, you know. I'd be fine even without them sending me back. Just go handle your thing, and don't fret about me."

With Charles gone, Noelle flashed a light smile at Peter and Sean. "I guess I'm in you guys' hands now."

"We'll take good care of you," they replied.

Noelle sat in the passenger seat of Sean's car, cruising down the road with a sense of familiarity between them. Sean was closer to Noelle and knew she was not one for small talk. He figured she and Peter, who was just as much of a deep thinker, might find it awkward to hang out alone. Also, Peter was the kind of guy who did not really go out of his way for anyone except Steven, so Sean was a bit worried that he might not give Noelle the attention she deserved and leave her feeling out of place. This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.

Noelle, however, did not seem to mind. She did not just brush it off, even with Sean's obvious concern.

"Doesn't it make you wonder?" Sean glanced at Noelle, who was the picture of serenity, even in his presence.

Noelle stopped scrolling through her phone and looked up. "Wonder what?" She had been busy admiring the snapshots she had taken at the horse ranch—shots of Charles and the action-packed race between Peter and Sean.

With her phone still in hand, she met Sean's gaze. What should I be curious about?" Sean tapped rhythmically on the steering wheel a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

"Don't you wonder why Charline

g

got

called back to the Hoffman family estate out of the blue? He hasn't taken you to meet the Hoffman family, right?"

At that, Noelle's brow creased ever so slightly, and she nodded. "That's right."

Sean's lips twisted into a sly grin. "Don't you want to know why?"

"I've decided to keep our relationship under wraps for now," Noelle replied, her tone matter-of-fact. "If we're not going public, meeting the family is off the table. Is that an issue?"

Sean nearly lost his balance and hit the gas pedal. "Wait, what? You're the one keeping your relationship with Charles under wraps? It's not Charles who's holding back?"

Noelle's eyes flickered with surprise.

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"Does that sound so odd? Yes, I'm the one who's not ready to go public. You know my family's situation. I don't think it's a good idea to let the world in on my thing with Charles right now. I don't want my family trying to cozy up to Charles and dragging him into unnecessary drama!"