The Cherished Wife

"Mr. Hoffman, here are your clothes," said the manager from Saint Di, a brand under the Collosus Group, as he delivered the attire. He tried to sneak a peek at the passenger seat, but the glass thwarted his curiosity, hiding Noelle from view.

Charles stepped out and accepted the clothes with a piercing look that sent the manager scurrying away. "I'll be on my way, Mr. Hoffman. You carry on with your day!" The manager nodded frantically, feeling an invisible blade at his back as he wiped the sweat from his brow, thoroughly intimidated.

Charles gave a slight squint, settled back into the driver's seat, and handed the clothes to Noelle with a casual, "Check them out. See if they're to your liking!"

Noelle accepted the bag, peeked inside, and found a modest yet stylish outfit. "Meeting someone important today?" she asked.

Charles gave a quick nod. "Go ahead and change."

"Right here?" Noelle glanced around the car interior, raising an eyebrow. "I mean, no one can see in, but..." She trailed off, the thought of changing in the car making her squirm. Charles flashed a sly grin, about to reassure her, when his expression suddenly hardened. Noelle followed his intense stare, shocked to see that the car tailing them was back.

the doors tight and change fast," Charles instructed, patting her shoulder. "I'll go

at his sleeve. "We don't even know who they are. Don't

my mom!" Charles squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Stay in the car. Don't

stepped out, she quickly locked the doors and scrambled into the back seat, ducking down to slip into

swiftly. His gaze locked onto the approaching vehicle with an intensity that could

glass. Inside, Clarisse and Janet tensed up, overwhelmed by the force of Charles's presence. His

narrowed his eyes as he watched Clarisse's car roll to a halt. He strode to the front of the

hands, her voice tinged with anxiety. "Aunt Clary, it's

"I'll check on him!"

shook off Janet's grip, swung the door open, and stepped