The Cherished Wife

Noelle had waited in the living room for a good half-hour, but Sir Hoffman was nowhere to be seen. She frowned slightly, curious about what he was really up to.

Upstairs, Maxwell was glued to the surveillance screens, not missing a beat of Noelle's actions since she had walked in.

What he had not anticipated was Noelle's ability to stay so calm. Time ticked by, and she barely moved an inch, only having asked for water at the start. She had not shown the slightest hint of impatience so far. Beside Maxwell stood James, the seasoned steward of the Hoffman family. He had caught Noelle's act too, and it left him a bit taken aback by the girl's knack.

Maxwell's brow was creased with thought. "What's your take on her?"

He was clearly asking James, who looked surprised. He took a moment before replying, "Sir Hoffman, I'm just a steward. I'm not the best at sizing up people!" Maxwell let out a dismissive grunt. "We can't keep this woman around!"

"Why not?"

"She's got an even cooler head than Janet and Kelly."

Charles could really use someone with her level of calm by his side!" James was confused. Maxwell

wouldn't presume!" James was, after all, just the help.

drifted back

However, he was dead set against that marriage. The more

was plenty, and what Charles was looking for was a lady with the pedigree of Janet and Kelly, but without their backbone. It was clear Noelle was not the

"Right away!"

to help

had her come all that way and then kept her waiting. She could not get a read on him, so she decided

a while, but eventually, Maxwell appeared, leaning on James for

got to