Wife 52

Chapter 52

“You still haven’t given me a straight answer,” Noelle pressed, her determination bordering on

stubbornness.

Charles paused, then offered a smile. “It’s no big mystery, really. You just happened to show up at

the right time and place. That was all there was to it.”

Noelle searched Charles’s eyes for something more, but their locked gazes offered no further clues.

Feeling a bit let down, she averted her eyes. “Got it.”

“So, what’s your verdict, Ms. Shaw?”

Noelle chewed on her lip for a moment. “You were well aware of where I stood with the Shaws. I

was never going to see a dime of their fortune, nor was I going to get a foot in the door of their

company. You knew that from the beginning, didn’t you?”

He nodded. “A guy’s got nothing if he’s waiting for a woman to bring him wealth.”

Noelle let out a small laugh. “You’re one of few who think that way.”

“Any other questions?” Charles was the picture of patience. Whether it was business or anything

else, he could outwait anyone. With women, however, his patience was off the charts.

Noelle took a deep breath, her thoughts tangled like a knot. “My ties with the Shaws are a mess,

and you heard it yourself last night. My dad… he basically sold me to Simon for two hundred million,

so if they

ever…

“Don’t sweat it, Ms. Shaw,” Charles chimed in, his voice lifting with a touch of confusion. “Once we

tie the knot, I’ll sort all that out. You do trust me, don’t you?”

Charles said, a note of surprise in his voice, “I thought you’d be all about what was in it for you!”

“In it for me?” Noelle felt an odd twinge in her heart. “No need. I trust you, Mr. Hoffman!” She really

did not like the idea of her marriage being all about deals and trades.

Charles flashed a sly grin. “Well, if that’s settled, when do you want to make it official, Ms. Shaw?”

He was all charm when it came to this topic.

Noelle’s gaze dimmed, her heart a whirlwind of emotions.

lo

She had always dreamed of her wedding day, certain she would be walking down the aisle to

Xavier, the f her life, in a moment of pure bliss. Xavier was supposed to give her a day to

remember. Instead, he had left her with a memory that cut deep, leaving scars.

Her dream wedding was off the table, and here she was, about to marry Charles. They had barely

met a handful of times, hardly enough to understand each other, much less talk about liking or love.

“The sooner, the better!”

If she could not marry the one she loved most, she would at least marry by her own choice. Even if

it all went south, she would not have any regrets.

I don’t want my marriage to be just another cliche,” she declared. “If I don’t marry you, I’ll never be

free from my parents‘ plotting.”

1/2

Charles’s gaze turned icy, a hint of frost in his eyes. “Alright. Let’s do it today!”

+15 BONUS

“Today?” Noelle was taken aback. “My ID is still with the Shaws!” she exclaimed, her voice laced

with a hint of panic.

She had promised to retrieve it quickly, but she had not expected Charles to be so urgent. “Can it

wait a few days?” Getting her ID from the Shaws was no walk in the park. If Julian and Jade got

wind of her wedding plans, they would surely put up a fight.

I

Noelle was in a bind. “There is no way I can get my ID from the Shaws today!”

“Don’t worry about that!” Charles interrupted her with a wave of his hand. “I’ve got it covered.”

Noelle was doubtful, but Charles just gave her a look. “Come on, eat before it gets cold.”

He ladled another bowl of porridge for Noelle, then got up and strode into the living room to make a

call. It sounded like he was talking to Ronald. “Do me a favor, will you? Bring them here!”

US