The Cherished Wife (Noelle and Charles)
Chapter 667

Ronald breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe Charles was not going to make a big deal out of it.

It turns out Ronald was right. Charles was not looking to make a fuss, considering the situation's urgency. Charles pocketed his phone and glanced over at Noelle. The stew had just been served, its surface not yet bubbling. Noelle watched the pot with a look of longing and impatience, its fiery red contents promising a spicy kick. Noelle noticed Charles had ended the call and curiously asked, "What's up? Aren't we on a break right now? Why are you still trying to reach Ronald?"

"Oh, it's no big deal!" Charles replied. He could not help noticing Noelle fidgeting with the silverware in her right hand, looking like she could not wait to dig in. Feeling a bit self-conscious when she caught Charles's gaze, Noelle sheepishly pulled her hand back. However, Charles was quicker. He caught Noelle's right hand, his dark eyes locking onto hers. He seemed captivated, inspecting her fingers as if they held some secret.

Noelle, puzzled and slightly amused by his intense focus, tapped on the hand that Charles held. "Hey, why are you dilly-dallying? The stew's ready! It might even be overcooked by now. Let go, will you?"

Charles's eyes narrowed, a storm brewing in their depths, before he finally nodded. "Yeah, it's time to eat. Dig in!"

With that, Charles let go of her hand. Noelle was left wondering about his odd behavior, but before she could dwell on it, she noticed her bowl was piled high with meat. "What's your deal? I can serve myself, you know. You'd better start eating too!"

Head bowed, Noelle could not help but feel a warm glow inside. She was touched by Charles's gesture, and the stew was just perfect.

They ate in comfortable silence until

the meal was over. Then, Charles

suggested a stroll through the nearby mall, prompting Noelle to blurt out, "Since when did you start liking the mall?"

"Wait, when did I say that?" Charles reached out, a bit annoyed, and grabbed Noelle's hand to pull her closer. As he did, he could not help but notice her fingers. Noelle's fight hand was plain, her fingers stark and unadorned.

"We should take a stroll and maybe do a bit of shopping."

"Huh?" Noelle was clueless, not catching on to what Charles was hinting at. However, it clicked as they stepped into the jewelry section on the third floor. She trailed a half step behind Charles, who had not released her right hand. Glancing down at her hand again, a subtle smile crept onto her face. Charles missed the smile, but they turned heads as they entered the jewelry area.

"Sir, how can I assist you? Are you looking to buy a ring?"

The salesperson eyed Charles's clothes. The brand was a mystery, but the quality screamed expensive Noelle skone brightly too, her outfit simple yet sophisticated. However, her hand in Charles's was a stark contrast to her polished look.

"Sir..."

"Hold on!" Charles cut in, stopping the salesperson mid-sentence, and turned to Noelle. "Check these out. Which one catches your eye?"

"So, you were actually serious about taking me ring shopping!" Noelle chuckled, her voice tinged with a mix of surprise and understanding. "Is that why you kept eyeing my hand at dinner?"