Noelle offered, "What can I get you to drink?"Sean winked at Charles, clearly enjoying the moment, and said, "I'd love a drink from our gracious hostess. How about...""He's not having a drink. Sean, you're not tired, are you?" Charles's eyebrows knitted together, his piercing gaze sliding over Sean with an unmistakable warning.A playful glint danced in Sean's eyes. He could tell Charles was on the verge of losing his cool, so he dropped the act. "I'm good, really. No need to bother you. Just point me to the stuff that needs moving!"He made a mental note to tell the big guy and Peter later how Charles had kept picking on him.They had decided to keep the house, so Noelle had put some things back in their places, only taking what she used daily. After watching Sean huff and puff as he collapsed onto the couch, Noelle handed him a glass of water. "Thanks a ton. You've been a huge help today!""Don't mention it, really. No need for thanks!" Sean gave Noelle a quick once-over. She
Charles shot Sean a quick look, a hint of a smirk on his face. "Come on, you know I don't kid about stuff like this.""You've lost your mind!" Sean couldn't wrap his head around the fact that Charles had actually tied the knot with Noelle. He peeked into the kitchen, still in disbelief. "You know she's... she's not the one!"A glint of steel flashed in Charles's eyes as he smiled, his gaze sharpening as he looked at Sean, obviously not a fan of his words.Sean knew Charles had a serious hang-up about that woman, but he pressed on. "Look, Noelle's got nothing to do with this, and if she ever finds out...""I know exactly what I'm doing," Charles cut in, his voice icy. "Stay out of it. All you need to know is that Noelle is now mine.""Would the Hoffman family even take her in?" Sean was not buying it. "It’s easy for you to say, but you and I both knew how messy your family politics were."Charles arched an eyebrow, a cool edge to his look. At Sean's words, the corners of his mouth
Sean took a whiff. "Wow, that smells amazing. It's rare to find girls who can cook these days.""Thanks!"Noelle dished out some rice for them. "Dig in! If you like it, help yourselves to seconds!"When Noelle passed the bowl to Charles, she caught him staring at her. Feeling a bit self-conscious under his gaze, she chuckled. "What's up? Not hungry?"Charles squinted slightly, accepting the bowl. His long fingers grazed Noelle's hand, sending a flutter through her chest. She quickly pulled back, a bit flustered, and served herself some rice. "Come on, eat before it gets cold."Charles's eyes twinkled with mischief at Noelle's bashful reaction, clearly enjoying the moment. He casually stretched his legs and gave Noelle a playful nudge under the table.Noelle straightened up immediately, her eyes darting to Charles with a mix of surprise and nervousness, as if to say, ‘Hey, focus on your food. Stop kicking me!’Charles could not help but let out a grin at her adorable bewilderment
Charles shook his head with a chuckle, while Sean was left speechless, clicking his tongue in mock disapproval before nodding in agreement. "Sounds good to me. I'm free as a bird these days. If you can get Peter to come, it'd be awesome for the gang to get together.""Got it!"Once Sean had left, Charles came up behind Noelle and gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.Noelle spun around, her lip caught between her teeth, "When you say ‘the gang,' are you talking about the Four Young Masters of Brookville?""Four Young Masters of Brookville?" Charles chewed over the title, a playful glint in his eyes. "Who told you about that?""Come on, who needs to be told?" Noelle's eyes went wide with mock surprise. "In Brookville, you guys are celebrities. Back when I was in school, you were all everyone would talk about.""Really?" Charles quirked an eyebrow, clearly amused. "That's just a label others slap on us. We're just a bunch of guys with the same hobbies. We’re brothers. We’ve ne
Charles led Noelle to his home, the Phoenix Tree Residence.Noelle had visited this place before, so it was not entirely new to her. Nevertheless, as they pulled into the driveway, she could not resist taking in her surroundings with wide eyes.She remembered hearing ages ago how the prices in this neighborhood had shot through the roof, and someone later went all out and bought a huge chunk of it. Back then, Noelle had been in awe, wondering who could afford such a splurge—it turned out to be Charles.After Charles had parked in the garage, Noelle stepped out and was immediately struck by the sight. "Wow! Look at all these cars!" It was like stepping into an auto show.Charles caught her comment and paused, a grin spreading across his face, "You've got a driver's license, right?"She nodded. "Got it back in college with some friends!" It had been more of a spur-of-the-moment thing. Although she had her license, she hardly ever got behind the wheel.Ever since she graduated and s
Charles could not help but laugh and shake his head. He playfully flicked Noelle's forehead. "Looks like I'm not really on your radar, huh?"Noelle was speechless. She truly had no idea, and since she had not known Charles before, how could she have randomly looked up his birthday?"It's on the marriage certificate, Mrs. Hoffman. Try to remember these things from now on!"Charles hauled Noelle's suitcase up the stairs, leaving her alone at the door. Her expression was a mix of emotions as she watched him go.She touched her forehead where Charles had flicked her, a faint sting lingering. She bit her lip, a wave of discomfort washing over her.Everything had happened so fast with this relationship, and she was still trying to catch up. Charles, on the other hand, seemed to be adjusting just fine.Noelle followed him upstairs and saw that he had taken her luggage to the master bedroom. She rushed in, "You know... you could've put my stuff in the guest room."Charles stopped unpack
Charles was right next door in the guest room. Noelle knocked and knocked; however, there was no answer, which left her confused. When she passed the study and saw the light on, she paused at the door.The study door was slightly open, and there was Charles, lounging on the couch, buried under a mountain of paperwork.He must have heard her because he looked up, and suddenly, they were eye to eye. Noelle felt her cheeks heat up and gave him a sheepish half-smile. "Aren't you tired?"Charles quirked an eyebrow, paperwork in hand. "Just finishing up some stuff," he replied. "What about you? Couldn’t sleep?"Noelle felt like a kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar, her gaze dropping to her slippers. Charles let out a soft chuckle. "Having trouble sleeping?"She nodded. "Can I come in?""Sure thing." Charles snapped his folder shut with a smile. "Come on in!"Stepping inside, Noelle's eyes widened in awe. Charles's study was a world of its own, lined with shelves of books on ec
With a mutual understanding in place, Noelle headed off to bed, her mind at ease. Charles, left alone, watched her leave and felt his carefully controlled emotions begin to bubble up again. He was not Mr. Perfect, but he had bent over backward for Noelle time and again. His phone suddenly rang, displaying Peter's number. Charles was caught off-guard. "What's going on?" Peter, hearing Charles's voice, could not resist a smirk. "Just a friendly call to pass the long night."Peter's voice, edged with a challenge, buzzed through the phone, and Charles squinted his eyes, a hint of suspicion flickering through them. "Did Sean spill the beans?" That had to be it. Peter was not the type to ring up in the dead of night without a good reason.Peter's tone dropped. "I didn't picture you tying the knot with her. Are you sure about this?""Of course I'm sure," Charles replied, rising from his chair. His long fingers swept across the desk, tapping it assuredly. "I know what I'm doing.""If you