Meanwhile, Winter's face did not show any improvement, and she stayed in the hospital for about a week. During that week, the situation involving Winter and Janet stirred up a lot of noise online.The media outlets, all managed by Ronald, knew exactly what to say and what to avoid. Meanwhile, the reporters hired by Janet at the event harshly criticized Winter, sparking outrage among Winter's fans.They flooded the reporters' social media accounts and websites with angry comments. Janet's personal websites and information were also targeted, and she was quickly exposed.It was undeniable that the power of netizens was impressive. Within a week, the media narrative completely shifted. Initially, they criticized Winter, calling her shameless. Yet now, they were attacking Janet, labeling her as twisted and narrow-minded.Since the relationship between Charles and Winter was never confirmed, and Charles was not someone people dared to offend, discussions about him online were minimal.
"What are you thinking about?"Charles came out of the shower and saw Noelle looking troubled while clutching her phone. He walked over and gently took the phone from her hand, glancing at the recent call log. There was a faint glimmer flickering in his eyes.Noelle snapped back to reality and saw Charles in a white bathrobe. His hair was damp, with a strand still dripping with water.She stood up, grabbed a towel, and started drying his hair while guiding him to sit on the couch. With a soft sigh, Noelle said, "Grandpa just called, and then my mom called right after."Charles' dark eyes narrowed slightly. "Hmm."He had seen Jade's number earlier, which explained the sour look on Noelle's face. "What did she say?""She talked about going home for New Year's." Noelle paused before continuing, "I need to tell you something, but promise you won't get angry.""Why would I be angry? What did she say?" Charles shifted, took Noelle's hand, and gently squeezed her fingers. "Hmm?""They
"Silly girl." Charles squeezed Noelle's hand gently. "Don't worry. Even if your mom has such intentions, she won't succeed. The Smiths' status is too high to be swayed by just her words." He paused, looking at Noelle. "Having Sean accompany you is far better than sending someone we can't control.""You mean if Sean doesn't go, my mom will find someone else?" Noelle frowned slightly.Seeing Charles' noncommittal expression, she suddenly felt a bit powerless. She had to admit that Charles was right. Given Jade's nature, she really would find someone else.Charles reached out and gently smoothed Noelle's frown, tapping her forehead. "Alright, don't furrow your brows. This isn't something you can change."He knew what troubled her and shook his head. "Having Sean go with you is the best choice right now, and your mom won't immediately push for Sean to marry you.""That's true." Noelle sighed, still feeling that things would not be that simple.If Jade was asking her to come back, s
The Shaws typically held the celebration on New Year's Eve, but this year, they switched to celebrating New Year's itself, all to accommodate Winter.Since it was her first year being married into the Harris family, she was expected to spend New Year's Eve with them. Julian and Jade decided that the family would celebrate New Year's itself from now on.Noelle did not mind. New Year's was New Year's. If she had a choice, she would have preferred not to go back at all.However, as a member of the Shaws and out of respect for Samuel, she knew she had to be there no matter how reluctant she felt.Knowing she could not return empty-handed, Noelle went shopping for gifts to bring to the Shaws. However, since her relationship with Charles had not been made public, they could not go out together.Charles did not feel comfortable letting her shop alone, so he called Sean to help out as the designated "porter".To call Sean a porter was putting it nicely. He was essentially dragged over to
Noelle and Sean entered the Shaw residence one after the other. As soon as the maid saw Noelle return, she quickly came out to greet her, "Ms. Noelle you're back!"The maid took a good look at Noelle and Sean. "And this must be Mr. Smith! Madam mentioned that you'd be bringing her new son-in-law today!"The maid extended her hand, saying, "Please let me take these things for you!"Sean squinted slightly, casting a sideways glance at Noelle. She felt both helpless and embarrassed. "Fay, just call him Mr. Smith," Noelle said while glancing at Sean."Bob, give Fay the bags."Sean's expression immediately softened with a harmless smile, his narrow eyes lingering on Noelle as he curled his lips."Alright!" He handed all the gifts over to Fay and felt much lighter, then gestured for Noelle to join him.Noelle pursed her lips and walked over to take Sean's arm. Leaning closer, she whispered, "Don't mind it. I don't know why my mom said that either."Sean smirked, his lips twitching sl
Autumn had painted Brookville in shades of gold and crimson when Noelle Shaw stepped off the plane. She grabbed her suitcase and walked out into the crisp air, a familiar sense of home wrapping around her.A whole year had passed since she left to pursue a corporate training program overseas, and now, she was back just in time.Her third anniversary with her boyfriend Xavier Harris was just days away, and she had been working nonstop to make it back early enough to surprise him.She hailed a cab and headed straight for Xavier's office. The moment she walked through the front doors, Alice, the receptionist, gave her a look of total shock. "Ms. Shaw? You’re back? Are you here for the CEO's engagement party?"Noelle's brow creased in confusion. "The CEO's engagement party? What are you talking about, Alice?""It's Mr. Harris's engagement party with your sister!""What?" Noelle's heart skipped a beat, and the happiness drained from her face. "Whose engagement party?"Alice seemed to
Noelle bolted from the hotel, her previously defiant face now streaked with tears.Out of nowhere, a black Cayenne screeched to a halt, its tires screaming against the pavement. Caught off guard, she tumbled to the ground.The driver gulped, his eyes darting to the man in the back seat, "Sir... Sir?"The man in the back, unfazed by the nearby accident, merely glanced at the passenger seat beside him. "Ronald, go see what happened.""Right away, sir." Ronald was out of the car in a flash, checking the front for any damage.About six feet ahead of the car, a woman sat on the ground with her eyes wide open, looking totally freaked out. Her cheeks were streaked with tears, and she had obviously been crying. "Miss? Are you okay? Do you need a ride to the hospital?"Noelle was scared out of her wits. She just gazed at Ronald, lost in shock, until she finally managed to pull herself together and stand up. Without a word, she tried to sidestep him, eager to get away.Ronald was puzzled
Trapped in the man's grip, Noelle struggled to break free, her body refusing to cooperate. Her vision was blurry as she glared at him. "What are you trying to do?""Just having a bit of fun..." He chuckled, his voice dripping with sleaze as he steadied her. "Let's go somewhere more entertaining, shall we?"Noelle might have been out of it, but she could still sense the danger in the man's tone. However, her whole body ached, and she knew she was no match for them. She scanned the area for anyone who could help her, but she was invisible to the passersby.She spotted a figure approaching through her haze. Acting instinctively, she shoved the two men aside and bolted, slamming right into the newcomer. "Save me!" she gasped.Her fingers dug into the fabric of the man's shirt, and she inhaled a sharp, clean scent. "Please, save me," she pleaded.Charles squinted, taking in the woman who had just collided with him. There was a flicker of something sharp in his gaze.Noelle did not let