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 justremembered. 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 caneat before you leave!”

Ronald stopped for a second, feeling sharp eyes on him. He straightened up and let out a goofylaugh. “Madam, you’re too kind, but I really have to run. I’ve got some urgent things to handle. Enjoyyour dinner. I won’t keep you!”

Watching Ronald zoom off, Noelle paused, then turned to Charles and bit her lip. “Why did he rushoff 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?” Noelleasked 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 musthave misread. However, even after checking again, she was still amazed. Her jaw was practically onthe 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 achuckle.

You’re seeing it right!”

#

“But Winter is smart, and this contract seems so unfair. How could she agree to it?” Noelle bit herlip, struggling to believe it. She had always seen Winter as someone who would not let anything getpast her.

Noelle had been as close as sisters with Winter for so long, so she knew her well. She could notimagine 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 fromNoelle 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,” Noellesaid, a bit annoyed. “You won’t go to bed early, and you ignore me when I tell you to take yourmedicine. So, I guess I have to make sure you eat right.” She paused, then added, “And don’t try tochange 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 touchof 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.

1/2 +15 BONUS Charles let out a resigned sigh. “Maybe I need to think about what a married man should be carefulabout…”

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

P