Wife 108


    Noelle’s cheeks flushed bright red, especially when Rowena started teasing her. She felt her face


    burning and shot Rowena a joking look of annoyance. “You’re the one to me!”


    “What are you talking about? Why me me?” Rowena asked with a teasing smile. “Looks like you


    and your husband are getting along well!”


    Noelle bit her lip, a little embarrassed. She had called Charles her husband without realizing it until


    afterward. “Well, he’s pretty nice,” she admitted. She thought about how Charles had always been


    there for her, helping her constantly since they first met.


    Rowena grinned. “As long as he treats you well, that’s all that matters. I was worried about Xavier


    and Winter getting you down, but you seem just fine. Don’t be shy. You’re married now! Live a


    happy life and


    bring him out sometime to meet us!”


    “Sure!”


    It had been years since Noelle and Rowenast caught up, so they had plenty to talk about.


    However, Noelle was worried about Charles not having dinner at home. Since she had promised to


    bring him something to eat, she quickly made ns for another meet–up with Rowena.


    Seeing Noelle so focused on her new man, Rowena felt reassured. “I guess I don’t have to worry


    about you two! You’re really a couple of lovebirds. Let’s meet up again soon!”


    After dropping Rowena off at her hotel, Noelle got a call from Charles on her way back. “What’s


    up?”


    “Go on. Enjoy your time out with your friend a little longer!” he said.


    “Huh?” Noelle frowned. “Didn’t you skip dinner? I got takeout for you.”


    “No need. I’ve got to head out now!” came Charles’s voice, mixed with the sound of shuffling. Noelle


    paused, not knowing what to say. When Charles did not hear a reply, he added, “I need to make a


    trip back to the old Hoffman ce. There’s some business to take care of.”


    “Oh!” Noelle nced at the takeaway box in the front seat and managed a weak smile. “That’s


    okay, you can go on. I’ll just spend some more time with Rowena!”


    After hanging up, Noelle felt an unexpected wave of sadness.


    She knew she meant nothing to Charles, but hearing him refuse the meal still made her heart sink.


    Charles quickly changed and drove to the old Hoffman house, nestled near Mystic Crystal Hill in the


    suburbs. Sir Hoffman loved peace and quiet, so he had moved the family home there over thirty


    years ago.


    -As Charles pulled up to the gate, a servant hurried to let him in. “Young Master, you’ve returned?”


    Charles nodded through the rolled–down window. “Who’s here?”


    “The master and the old master are in, along with the second master.”


    Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Charles nodded again and went to park in the garage. As he stepped out, a small figure wrapped


    around his leg. Startled, he looked down to see a child with a round, bowl–cut hairstyle looking up at


    him. “Uncle, did you bring me a present?”


    This little girl was his sister Chloe’s daughter, Anna. She was his niece. Most people in the Hoffman


    family


    1/2


    were a bit wary of Charlès, but not Anna.


    +15 BONUS


    Charles quirked an eyebrow and bent down to scoop Anna into his arms. “Hey there! What are you


    doing


    here?”


    “I came with Mom.” Anna’s big eyes sparkled as she looked up at Charles. “Uncle, did you miss


    me?”


    “Of course I missed you!” Charles directed a rare smile toward her. “What about you? Did you miss


    me?”


    “Yes!” Anna giggled and nted a kiss on Charles’s cheek. “Mom says you don’t have a wife yet, so


    only Anna can kiss you for now!”


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