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?"

introduce him to my sister? It's always good to meet

that! Let me make this clear: you don't get a say in this Bob situation. Be at Mooncliff

massaged her temples, exasperated.

weight of the conversation as Jade hung up. She dialed Charles's number. "Hey,

concern. "Do you have to

on the whole Jade debacle. "I bet she's trying to get in with the Smiths, but she messed up. She thought she was impressing Bob, but

his eyes narrowing, a glint of ice

was taken aback by how easygoing Charles was being. "But

sly grin. "Don't sweat

Noelle felt a weight lift off her