The Cherished Wife

Julian's brows creased with worry. "What about Noelle?"

"She has never repaid us with anything. It's only fair she helps the Shaw family now," Jade's biting words floated to Winter, who was surprised but kept listening.

Julian was getting upset. "You've lost it! I told you we're not talking about this again. Do you want the whole world to find out?"

Jade shrugged. "Why worry? I'm over it, and it's not even your problem."Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

She added with a scowl, "We never should've brought that troublemaker home. Look how Dad's acting now."

Julian cut her off, "That's enough! I need to think this over."

"What's there to think about? Don't forget about the Yorks..."

"Enough. I've got to figure out how to bring Noelle back home!" Julian glared at Jade. "I know you don't like her, but do you think I do? Dad's no fool, and he knows what's going on."

Jade stopped talking, though she was clearly upset. She could not help but take her anger out on Noelle.

Winter lingered outside the door, listening. She did not catch the news she was hoping for, but she pieced together that Noelle was someone important and her parents were not fans of her.

Her dad had even agreed to send Noelle off to Simon. Hence, all Winter could do was wait.

...

Noelle was worried even though Charles had said he would handle things. She could not focus at work and was lost in her thoughts until Ava had to call her name a few times.

She asked, looking at him with a puzzled expression, "What's up? Any problems?"

"Not really Just this," Ava said,

handing her some papers. "These are from before you came back. You might not know how things work

ad here now since you've been

gone for a while..."

Noelle nodded. "Got it. Give them to her, okay? We should always finish what we start, right?" Noticing Ava still hesitating, she asked, "Something else on your mind?"

"Well, about the company..." Ava trailed off, thinking about the recent rumors that had been circulating. She felt sorry for Noelle.

Noelle lifted an eyebrow, prompting her to continue, "Yes? What's going on with the company?"

After a long pause, Ava blurted out

"It's just some silly stuff. I don't get what's going through people's beads here Everyone knows you and Mr. Harris used to be close."

Noelle looked down, a shadow crossing her eyes. "Ava, he and I are over," she said, not wanting to bring up that person's name.

"I get it, but the others at work don't.

They keep saying you're the one who came between Mr. Harris and Winter, even accusing you of trying to steal your own sister's fiance. They've got it all wrong." Ava's voice rose with frustration.

Noelle gave a small, sad chuckle. "Is that what's bothering you?"

Ava shook her head. "They're also calling you shameless, saying you're still chasing after Mr. Harris. But I know better. It was Mr. Harriss who came to you."

Her words were fierce, and she seemed even more upset than Noelle herself.

Noelle's frown deepened as she forced a smile. "People will talk. What can we do about it?"

"But..."

"Let it go. If they want to gossip, we can't stop them."