The Cherished Wife

Time flew, and before Noelle knew it, she had been at Collosus Group for a solid few weeks. She had picked up a lot shadowing Brian. He was a brainstormer and a real deep thinker. Initially, Noelle thought he was tough to deal with kind of a stickler for the rules-but Just as Noelle wrapped up her day's work, her phone buzzed with a call from Jade, which caught her off guard. Ever since Winter's wedding, things had been quiet on the Shaw family front. Noelle had half-expected they had written her off.

Answering the call, Jade's icy voice cut straight to the chase. "Come to Mooncliff tonight."

Noelle paused, taken aback. "Is something up, Mom?"

Given Jade's usual chill, Noelle braced for the worst. Right on cue, Jade's next words confirmed her hunch. "You've been acquainted with Mr. Smith for a while now, right? How's that going?"

"Mr. Smith?" Noelle chewed on her lip, puzzled. Was her mom talking about Bob? She had not even met the guy, much less hung out with him. "Nope, I've been swamped lately!"

"What could you possibly be swamped with? Winter told me you've left Frotconn, and you're not working now. What's keeping you so busy?" Jade's voice dripped with disbelief. "Listen up. Bob is my bestie's son, and he's a catch. He's got a great personality, a good family, and top smarts. Don't blow this chance. If Winter wasn't already hitched, do you think I'd be setting you up with him?"

through. "Well, why not introduce him

to believe Noelle's cheek. "How dare you talk to your mother like that! Let me make this clear: you don't get a say in this Bob situation. Be at Mooncliff at seven tonight,

massaged her temples,

throbbed with the weight of the conversation as Jade hung up. She dialed Charles's number.

concern. "Do you have to work late

Jade debacle. "I bet she's trying to get in with the Smiths, but she messed up. She thought she was impressing Bob, but it was Sean she met that day Her little plan

Charles replied, his eyes narrowing, a glint of ice

easygoing Charles was being.

out a sly grin.

Noelle felt a weight lift off her