The Cherished Wife

Chapter 52

“You still haven’t given me a straight answer,” Noelle pressed, her determination bordering on stubbornness.

Charles paused, then offered a smile. “It’s no big mystery, really. You just happened to show up at the right time and place. That was all there was to it.”

Noelle searched Charles’s eyes for something more, but their locked gazes offered no further clues. Feeling a bit let down, she averted her eyes. “Got it.”

“So, what’s your verdict, Ms. Shaw?”

Noelle chewed on her lip for a moment. “You were well aware of where I stood with the Shaws. I was never going to see a dime of their fortune, nor was I going to get a foot in the door of their company. You knew that from the beginning, didn’t you?”

He nodded. “A guy’s got nothing if he’s waiting for a woman to bring him wealth.”

Noelle let out a small laugh. “You’re one of few who think that way.”

“Any other questions?” Charles was the picture of patience. Whether it was business or anything else, he could outwait anyone. With women, however, his patience was off the charts.

tangled like a knot. “My ties with the Shaws are a mess, and you heard it yourself last night. My dad… he basically sold me to

ever…

confusion. “Once we tie the knot, I’ll sort all that out. You

surprise in his voice, “I thought you’d be all about what

Noelle felt an odd twinge in her heart. “No need. I trust you, Mr. Hoffman!” She really did

settled, when do you want to make it official, Ms. Shaw?” He was all

dimmed, her heart a whirlwind of

lo

be walking down the aisle to Xavier, the f her life, in a moment of pure bliss. Xavier was supposed to give her a

barely met a handful of times, hardly enough to understand each other,

“The sooner, the better!”

not marry the one she loved most, she would at least marry by her own choice. Even if it all went south, she would not have

my marriage to be just another cliche,” she declared. “If I don’t marry you, I’ll never be free from

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