Chapter 257

Chapter 257

Ronald shook his head quickly. “Nope. I’m all done with my report!”

Charles gave Ronald a look, and Ronald clamped his mouth shut, then blurted out, “Oh, I just

remembered. I’ve got something else to do, Mr. Hoffman, Madam. I’ll be on my way!”

“Um…” Noelle, noticing Ronald’s rush, felt a bit puzzled. “I’ve cooked some food, Ronald. You can

eat before you leave!”

Ronald stopped for a second, feeling sharp eyes on him. He straightened up and let out a goofy

laugh. “Madam, you’re too kind, but I really have to run. I’ve got some urgent things to handle. Enjoy

your dinner. I won’t keep you!”

Watching Ronald zoom off, Noelle paused, then turned to Charles and bit her lip. “Why did he rush

off like that? Did you give him something urgent to do?”

Charles narrowed his eyes in thought, then stood up and waved Noelle over. “What’s up?” Noelle

asked as she came closer. She glanced at the papers on the desk and raised her eyebrows. “Is this

Winter’s contract?”

He nodded and handed her the contract. “Want to take a look?”

Noelle smiled, took the papers, and started reading. She looked up, shocked, thinking she must

have misread. However, even after checking again, she was still amazed. Her jaw was practically on

the

floor.

She touched her face in disbelief. “I can’t be seeing this wrong!”

“What do you think?” Charles teased, tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear with a

chuckle.

You’re seeing it right!”

#

“But Winter is smart, and this contract seems so unfair. How could she agree to it?” Noelle bit her

lip, struggling to believe it. She had always seen Winter as someone who would not let anything get

past

her.

Noelle had been as close as sisters with Winter for so long, so she knew her well. She could not

imagine Winter agreeing to such an unfair deal.

Charles smiled slyly. “It might seem unfair to you, but maybe not to her.” He took the contract from

Noelle and led her out of the study by the hand. “So, what yummy food did you make today?”

The dishes on the dining table were all pretty plain. “I’ve noticed you coughing a lot lately,” Noelle

said, a bit annoyed. “You won’t go to bed early, and you ignore me when I tell you to take your

medicine. So, I guess I have to make sure you eat right.” She paused, then added, “And don’t try to

change the subject. You said the contract might not be unfair for Winter. What did you mean?”

“Think about her situation right now,” Charles replied, his usually composed eyes revealing a touch

of warmth as he led Noelle downstairs. He glanced at the dinner table and raised an eyebrow.

“Noelle, this meal really is… incredibly plain!”

“If you’d just take your medicine, I wouldn’t have to do this,” Noelle shot back, her eyebrow raised.

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+15 BONUS

Charles let out a resigned sigh. “Maybe I need to think about what a married man should be careful

about…”

“Oh? And what do you think that should be?”

P