Chapter 382


    +25 BONUS


    “Hey, hey, hey!” Sean protested, his normally yful eyes narrowing in frustration. The humor was


    gone from his expression.


    “Charles, what are you doing? Don’t mess around. I only agreed to pretend to be my brother this


    one time. You can’t keep dragging me into this. Besides, this involves your wife. Are you sure about


    this?”


    Sean felt a chill run down his spine, realizing he might have been outmaneuvered by both Charles


    and Bob. He was irritated. “I consider you guys my brothers. You can’t treat me like this!”


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    Charles smirked, watching Sean’s panicked reaction with calcted amusement. His long, narrow


    eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief as he patted Sean on the shoulder. “I trust you. I know you’ll


    cooperate. Alright, it’s gettingte. You should head home.”


    Just like that, Charles unceremoniously kicko


    Sean out.


    Upon returning to the bedroom, Charles saw that Noelle was still in the bathroom, so he turned and


    headed to his study.


    Due to the wedding banquet today, he had postponed a lot of work, and the documents needed for


    tomorrow’s meeting were still iplete. Charles quickly immersed himself in his work.


    Noelle finished her bath and lingered in the bedroom for a while, waiting for Charles to return. When


    he did not, she checked the hallway and noticed that the downstairs lights were off. She then made


    her way to the study, where she found Charles busily working.


    She smiled and was about to turn back when Charles noticed her. “You’re not asleep yet?”


    Noelle stopped in her tracks and walked over, ncing at the documents on Charles‘ desk. “What


    are these?”


    “The West City Development Project,” Charles replied, not hiding anything from Noelle. He pointed


    at the documents. “It’s not finalized yet. The bidding starts next month, so I’m just getting ahead on


    some work.”


    He then closed the file and gestured for Noelle toe closer. “Come here.”


    Noelle approached, and Charles immediately pulled her onto hisp, his long arms wrapping


    around her. She ced her hands on his shoulders to steady herself. “What are you doing?” she


    asked, blushing as she looked down. “Don’t you still have work to finish?”


    “I’m almost done,” Charles replied, his voice calm yet tinged with a hint of restraint. “Can’t sleep?”


    Noelle nodded. “I seem to have a lot of energy tonight,” she admitted. “Maybe it’s because I’ve been


    lazy recently, lounging around at home too much. I’ve gotten used to being idle.”


    “Is that so?” Charles chuckled softly, cing a quick kiss on her lips.


    Hisrge hand yed with her fingers, gently massaging the bones. “Or maybe it’s because of


    tonight?”


    “Hmm?” Noelle blinked, raising her head to meet Charles‘ deep, dark eyes. She was not surprised


    to find an unusual emotion swirling in them.


    Pausing, sheughed softly, rxing her shoulders against his. “Are you jealous, Charlie?”


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    A rare flicker of emotion appeared in Charles‘ usuallyposed eyes. “Who said I was jealous,


    hmm?”


    He tightened his arm around her waist and squeezed her fingers a little more firmly. “I’m not jealous


    at all.


    Noelle stifled augh, but she was forced to straighten up to look into Charles‘ eyes.


    She bit her lip. “Okay, you’re not jealous.” However, theughter in her eyes betrayed her real


    thoughts. Charles‘ gaze deepened, and he leaned in to quickly capture her lips.


    Before Noelle could even gasp, he had already imed her lips in a kiss. She blinked a few times


    before closing her eyes, letting herself be guided by him as she slowly responded to his kiss.