The Cherished Wife (Noelle and Charles)
Chapter 359

"I thought you just weren't taking things seriously with me, but now I see you don't care about anything at all. You promised to marry Winter, yet here you are telling me you want to back out? Xavier, you're not acting like a man who stands by his word!"

Noelle's eyes were icy as she spoke. "I'm done talking to you. Today is supposed to be you and Winter's big day. You should be at the wedding, not here blocking my way! Step aside!"

Xavier would not budge, and Noelle was at her wit's end. Right then, her phone rang. She stepped back, dug through her purse, and saw it was Charles calling. She hesitated but answered, "Hello!" "Where are you?"

"In the bathroom!" Noelle replied. "What's up?"

"I'm with Grandpa and Granddad. They want to see you," Charles said. "Is someone with you?"

Noelle, realizing how perceptive Charles was, glanced at Xavier, who was still standing there. She felt a wave of annoyance. "Yeah, my brother-in-law."

Charles's mood seemed to turn icy instantly. "Stay there. I'm on my way!"

"Wait, no..." Before Noelle could finish, Charles had hung up.

Noelle stared at her phone, feeling a mix of confusion and uncertainty. With Xavier there and Charles on his way, was a showdown brewing? Considering how things were with Charles back then...

"Who's on the line?" Xavier's sudden question made Noelle jump, and she nearly dropped her phone. She

quickly took a couple of steps back, eyeing Xavier warily. "That's none of your business!"

"How can you say it's none of my business, Noelle? I'm your..."

"Brother-in-law." Noelle cut him off, her voice sharp. "I know you're my brother-in-law. You don't need to keep reminding me. And just because you are, it doesn't mean I have to tell you who I'm talking to!"

"Noelle!" Xavier's voice was tight as he grabbed her hand. "Why do you have to be like this? You know how I feel about you. Why are you treating me this way? Is there someone else?"

"Let go!" Noelle tried to pull away, her

wrist aching from his grip. "Stop it, Xavier. Let go of me! You made your choice when you chose Winter. You and I will never happen, so let go!"

Noelle's voice was a low growl, but Xavier would not release her. "Noelle, you belong to me. I'm telling you, I'm not letting go. Not now, and not ever!"

"What's going on here?"

Charles's voice cut through the tension like ice. Xavier and Noelle both froze. Taking advantage of Xavier's shock, Noelle shoved him away and hurried to Charles's side. "Mr. Hoffman!" Charles looked down and locked eyes with Noelle. He saw the red marks on her wrist, and his eyes grew serious. "Ms. Shaw!"

Xavier stared at Charles, puzzled. "Charles! What are you doing here?"