The Cherished Wife

"You... have quite the sharp-tongue!"

Clarisse had not expected Noelle to be this difficult to deal with. It was clear that Noelle had no intention of taking her seriously.

"Do you really think that by saying these things, you can compare yourself to me?"

Noelle smiled calmly. "I never thought that. In fact, I'd rather you compliment my eloquence. After all, Charlie thinks I'm quite articulate too."

"Insolent!" Clarisse slammed the table with a harsh thud. "It seems you really won't leave Charlie, will you?"

"I have no reason to leave my husband. So, I'm not sure what you hope to achieve by meeting me today. Which mother doesn't wish happiness for her child? Yet here I am, facing you-a mother determined to break her son's marriage. I find it... intriguing," Noelle replied, her tone firm and unyielding.

"Of course, I want him to be happy, but not with you!" Clarisse's gaze turned sharp. It was filled with hostility as if Noelle were her greatest enemy.

fact that she had not met or wronged Clarisse before, she might have believed she

pressed her lips together. "Why? I don't think I've offended

think Charlie fell for you? It's only because of that

the private room was violently kicked open, startling both women. Noelle turned toward the doorway.

Charles' face was shadowed with anger. His dark eyes held a storm of fury, his entire presence suffused with a suffocating pressure. His sharp gaze fixed on

gripping her. She staggered to her feet,

her son, yet she found herself terrified of the man he

expression was cold and unforgiving, as if he was barely holding back the storm within

radiating from him. He

slowly into the room, his long strides steady and deliberate.

his hand on her shoulder with firm pressure. His