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?”

his shares?” Noelle was shocked to hear those words from Jade. “I 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. I care

Decause he’s my

the shares,” Jade challenged, not buying Noelle’s words. “Give them to your sister, then I’ll believe you. I’ll start treating you

let out a bitter laugh. She felt so sad. She never imagined she would have to

her lip, Noelle struggled to stay calm. She looked up at Julian and Xavier, who had been quiet the whole time. They were looking at her with the same expression, and Noelle realized just how much she

seem to want the shares so badly, so just wait for Grandpa to wake

I won’t give anything to you, be it shares or anything

tried to hit Noelle

not endless. It’s been wearing thin over the years, and once it’s

Charles‘. She was

fists tight, then released them. “You people better

from when she first arrived at the hospital. Her heart, which was once warm with affection for Julian