The Cherished Wife (Noelle and Charles)
Chapter 451

Noelle's eyebrows lifted in surprise when she spotted Sean. She approached him with a curious tilt of her head. "What are you doing in Charles' car?" Sean's eyes crinkled with amusement. "Didn't expect me, huh?" He glanced over her shoulder, prompting her to turn and frown. "Why did he come too?" Sean shrugged off her concern. "Don't worry about it. Hop in!"

He swung open the passenger door. Noelle climbed in, only to replace Charles sitting in the back. "Charles!" she exclaimed, her surprise evident.

He just nodded. "Buckle up."

She clicked her seatbelt into place and turned to Sean, who was now in the driver's seat. "What are both of you doing here?" She paused, a lightbulb going off in her head. "Oh, are you still going by Bob today?" Sean spread his hands wide, a mock sigh escaping him. "Yep, I'm stuck with someone else's name for now. What a world!"

Noelle could not help but laugh. "You've got quite the sense of humor!"

"I appreciate the compliment!" Sean hit the gas, and they vanished into the night.

Simon watched from the doorway, a playful glint in his dark eyes as he watched the car fading into the distance.

"Master York, aren't you curious about who just picked up my sister?"

Simon turned around, giving Winter a quizzical eyebrow lift. Winter offered a small, composed smile in return. "That's Bob from the Smith family. Does that ring any bells, Master York? My sister loves getting close to rich kids. Her crew were all born with a silver spoon in their

mouths, and Bob's her favorite one."

The amusement in Simon's eyes frosted over in an instant, his lips quirking up. "Oh? Miss Noelle's quite the social butterfly, huh?"

Winter's heart did a weird flip. Simon's look was chilling. "Master York, what you said just now..."

Simon burst into laughter, closing the gap between them until Winter hit the wall in her attempt to retreat. Her hands pressed against the cold surface, her heart pounding with a fear she could not shake. "Master York, what's this about?"

"What's got you so spooked?" Simon's voice was a teasing murmur by her ear. "You see, I don't really like girls who are too eager." His fingers danced through Winter's hair, twirling her locks as his eyes met her wide, scared ones. "Your friend was too forward. Not my style."

Winter's mind raced with alarm. They both knew he was doing this on purpose. "Master York, how could you do that? Suzy, she..."

"Really?" Simon's voice dripped with sarcasm. "It seems like you don't quite get me, Ms. Shaw. I'm not into women that are too easy, and I don't let anyone play me. Those two guys I gave your friend are smart and from good families. She's probably thrilled with them!"

"Simon, you..." Winter's voice broke

as she shoved him away, her hand flying up to slap him. However, Simon was faster. He grabbed her wrist and squeezed it until she winced. "I don't go easy on anyone, especially not women. Ms. Shaw, consider this a warning. Just be thankful I didn't give you a more... personal demonstration."

Winter's whole body shook with fear as Simon roughly let her go, shoving his hands in his pockets and towering over her with a sneer. "I'm not lucky enough to have someone like you, but there might be others out there who'd take an interest. If you ever feel like it, Ms. Shaw, come replace me. I've got a whole group of

people that would like you very much."