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.

a mess, and you heard

ever…

confusion. “Once we

a note of surprise in his voice, “I thought you’d be all

it for me?” Noelle felt an odd twinge in her heart. “No need. I trust you, Mr. Hoffman!” She

“Well, if that’s settled, when do you want to make it official, Ms. Shaw?” He was all

her heart a whirlwind of

lo

her wedding day, certain she would be walking down the aisle to Xavier, the f her life, in a moment of pure bliss.

was, about to marry Charles. They had barely met a handful of times, hardly enough to understand

“The sooner, the better!”

most, she would at least marry by her own choice. Even if it

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

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