The Cherished Wife (Noelle and Charles)
Chapter 518

"Then you'd better hurry!" Arya gestured a quick goodbye to Noelle. It was only after Noelle had left that Arya's head popped up again. "Mr. Hoffman asked Noelle to join him?" Something felt off to her, but she could not quite figure out what it was. With the documents in hand, Noelle made a beeline for Charles's reserved parking spot and found Charles casually leaning against his car, apparently caught up in a phone conversation.

Charles caught sight of Noelle as she jogged up to him, slightly breathless. He glanced at his watch and quirked an eyebrow. "Right on time-nine minutes and fifty seconds!" Rolling her eyes, Noelle grumbled. "Where are you heading off to?" She handed over the documents to Charles. "Here are the papers. You know what? I think I'll pass on going." With one hand, Charles accepted the documents and with the other, he gently grabbed Noelle's arm. He quickly wrapped up his phone call with a "Catch you later," and ended it.

He took a brief look at the documents before swinging the car door open, signaling Noelle to hop in. Noelle hesitated. "You've got something important, don't you? Is it really okay for me to tag along?"

With a soft laugh, Charles tousled Noelle's hair. "Come on, get in. If I'm bringing you, it means there's nothing to worry about."

He ushered Noelle into the car and leaned over to buckle her seatbelt. All the while, Noelle sat stiff as a board, her gaze fixed on the back of Charles's head. Even after all their time as a married couple, she sometimes found his tender gestures a bit embarrassing, especially here. This might be Charles's private parking spot, but she never knew who might pop up-like that pesky Janet.

Once he secured the seatbelt, Charles caught Noelle's unblinking stare and playfully caressed her cheek, giving it a gentle pinch. "What's up? Just realized how good-looking your husband is and can't look away?"

"I've met people who love themselves, but you take self-love to a whole new level. And hey, you still haven't said where we're actually headed!"

"Just hang tight. You'll see soon enough." Charles gave Noelle's nose a playful scratch and circled the car to hop into the driver's seat. He gave Noelle a thoughtful look that did not go unnoticed.

Noelle, a bit wary, checked herself out, mirroring Charles's gaze. "What's up? Is something off?"

Charles shook his head with a smile. "Nothing's off. But we've got a quick pit stop to make before our final destination." With that, he smoothly backed the car out and zoomed off from the parking lot.

Noelle blinked, giving herself another once-over. "Is it my outfit? Is it not up to par?" Charles quirked an eyebrow. "Looks like my girl's catching on quick."

"I'm not sure it's me being quick. You're just not very subtle!" Lately, Noelle had been opting for comfort over style, especially with the chiffin the airwhich meant her current

getup was a little... less than trendy.

"So, what's the plan? Are we heading back to change?"

"No time for that," Charles replied. "We'll swing by the mall near Collosus Group!"

Just as Charles's car rolled away from the Collosus Group skyscraper, Clarisse and Janet's ride pulled up. Janet eaught a glimpse of Charles's departing vehicle and called out in a rush, "Stop the car!"