The Cherished Wife

Charles and Noelle spotted Gerald too, and the woman with him, her delicate arm linked with his, came over.

"Mr. Hoffman, got some free time to shop today?" Gerald asked, eyeing the ring on Noelle's finger before nodding knowingly. "Your wedding was so lowkey, Mr. Hoffman. You haven't even thrown a ceremony dinner yet! Did you just come to pick out this ring today?" Gerald's gaze lingered on the simple band on Noelle's finger. It was nothing flashy or expensive, just a plain ring. "Mr. Hoffman, surely you're not pinching pennies? Couldn't you have splurged a little for Mrs. Hoffman?" Gerald's eyes flicked meaningfully toward the sales associate they had encountered earlier.

The clerk's face went ghost-white in a flash, and the other clerks who had been sneakily watching started sneaking each other looks after Gerald dropped his bombshell.

They did not recognize Charles, but they could tell from how Gerald was practically bowing that Charles was a big deal.

Charles just arched an eyebrow and shot Gerald a look that could freeze lava, but Noelle jumped in before he could get a word out. "You know, I'm actually fond of this plain ring. Getting married is about me and Charles, not how pricey the bling is. It's the thought that counts, right?" Noelle held up the ring, shook her head, and said, "We've been hitched for ages, so it's no sweat to skip the ring. It's getting late, so I think we'll make our way home."

"Sounds good!" He glanced back at

and was all set to jet, Noelle in tow, when Gerald's fiancée Aurora piped up, "Mr. Hoffman, hold up! I haven't even had a second to meet your other

together who Noelle was from the bits of conversation she had

Hoffman, hey there. I'm

stuck out her hand, and Noelle went ahead and shook it though she was not

each other is such a rare treat.

not. It's getting pretty late!" Charles checked his watch and nodded at Gerald. "We'll

Charles was not exactly thrilled, so he did not push it. "Just make

bet!" Charles nodded quickly and walked away with Noelle's hand in his. Once they were gone, Gerald's expression darkened. "Get your manager out here,