The Cherished Wife (Noelle and Charles)
Chapter 422

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, what's this about hiding someone? For your information, I'm a gentleman, alright? I'm swamped as it is. I can barely look after myself, let alone Arnold. And let's not forget, Arnold was yours to begin with. You and that woman... Look, it doesn't matter.

Arnold can't go back now, period!"

With those words, Sean took the opportunity to bolt out of there.

He had only himself to blame, though. Why did he even mention that woman? Everyone knew she was a sore subject for Charles.

Sean might not know the whole story, but ever since that woman left, no one had dared to bring her up around Charles. Just the mention of her name would ruin Charles' mood, though it was not enough to make him lose his temper. Meanwhile, Charles sat in the living room for a long while before he finally looked down at Arnold by his feet. Arnold seemed to sense his mood, nuzzling against Charles's leg, whimpering softly for attention.

Fresh from the shower, Noelle stepped out of the bathroom and caught Charles walking in. She flashed a smile and teased, "Wow, that was a quick talk, huh?"

Charles gave a nod and beckoned Noelle with a wave of his hand. "Over here!"

Noelle scampered over and stood before Charles. Her bathrobe hung loosely around her, her long hair still dripping, a towel clutched in her hand. She looked up at Charles with a beaming, playful smile. "What's going on?"

A shadow passed over Charles's eyes, but he took the towel from Noelle, guided her to sit on the sofa, and moved behind her to dry her hair.

Noelle squinted contentedly and leaned back into the couch. "Charles, you're acting so fussy right now."

"Hmm?" Charles perked up at that, his eyebrows arching, a smile playing on his lips. "Fussy?"

"Totally! You're all up in my business!" Noelle chuckled with delight. "I've never had anyone treat me this well before. You're even drying my hair for me!"

Charles gently nudged Noelle's nose with his finger. "You're being extra sweet today. Are you up to something?"

Noelle hesitated for a moment, then

replied, "Not at all." She quickly followed up with, "But I did have dinner with another guy todays that considered being up to something?"

"You're such a tease!" Charles lightly tapped her forehead in mock annoyance, and Noelle swatted his hand away. "Hey, no poking my head. She added, "But seriously, there's something I've been wanting to talk to you about."

"Hmm?" Charles continued to pat her hair gently, encouraging her to unwind. "I'm listening."

Noelle bit her lip, a troubled look in her eyes. "It's my mom... She's dead set on me getting hitched. I bet she's not just freaked out about me being a risk to Winter. She's playing me like a chess piece. If I end up with Bob, the Shaws will be hitching a ride on the Smiths' coattails, and that's a way better deal than siding With Frotconn. You've seen how my folks treat me. They've always seen me as a pawn, first with Xavier, now Bob. Their game plan's pretty obvious. Though, if Mom had her way, she'd rather not marry me off to Bob at all. In her eyes, I'll never stack up to Winter."