The Cherished Wife

Noelle glanced back and saw Winter holding her hand. “Noelle, can we please talk?”

Noelle pulled her hand away, feeling a bit annoyed. “There’s nothing to talk about. I can’t stay with Grandpa tonight, so I’m heading home. I’ll visit Grandpa tomorrow!”

Noelle tried to leave, but Jade wouldn’t have it. “Noelle, stop right there!”

Noelle hesitated, then kept walking without looking back. Jade, who was in a huff, yanked Noelle’s hand so hard she nearly stumbled. Noelle braced herself against the wall and looked at her with a frown. “What do you want now?”

“We’re going to clear this up today, or you’re not going anywhere!” Jade was fuming. Feeling ignored by Noelle, she remembered the upsetting things Samuel had said that evening again. Her anger flared up. Spill it! Did you trick Grandpa into giving you City Ring Corp.’s shares?”

Noelle squinted her eyes. “Trick?” She thought Jade was being ridiculous. “What are you trying to say, Mom?”

”

“What do you think I’m trying to say? Grandpa’s old, yet you’re taking advantage of him? Don’t play dumb with me. You’re not close to us, so you sucked up to Grandpa for his shares, right?”

thought you didn’t like me because I did something wrong. But now, it’s clear that it’s not me who’s in the wrong–it’s you.

Decause he’s my

Noelle’s words. “Give

sad. She never imagined she would have to use such tactics to get even a little bit

had been quiet the whole time. They were looking at her with the same expression, and Noelle realized just

all seem to want the shares so badly, so just wait for Grandpa to wake up. He can give them to

about his decision. But for now, I won’t give anything to you, be it

hit Noelle but was

sure even you know that, Mother. I have some patience, but it’s not endless. It’s been wearing thin over

as ice, just like Charles‘. She

then released them. “You people better

her demeanor so different from when she first arrived at the hospital. Her heart, which was once warm with affection for Julian and Jade, now