The Cherished Wife

Rowena was worried Noelle might not get it, so she went over it again and again. Noelle felt a bit lost but was warmed by how truly nice Rowena was to her. She was not fake like some of the Shaw family members.

"Why are you smiling?" Rowena caught Noelle zoning out after talking for so long. She gave Noelle a stern look. "This is important! You need to pay attention!"

"I understand." Noelle tucked the voice recorder into her bag and took a quick peek at the bag with the hidden camera that Rowena had nudged at, making a mental note. "Don't worry, I'll be careful!"

Rowena pouted. "Alright, I guess I got worried for nothing. Just be sure to watch out for yourself, and don't just drink anything, okay?"

"I know." Noelle would not make the mistake of drinking something strange again, but she appreciated Rowena's reminder. Sometimes, trouble came when she least expected it.

"They're here!"

Noelle spotted Julian and Jade stepping out of the car, and Winter was with them. She gripped Rowena's hand, and they hid behind a tree as they watched the three walk into the Golden Oasis Hotel. Noelle's face lost some color, but she remained composed.

"That's just too much. How could they bring Winter along as well," Rowena said, clearly upset. "This has got to have something to do with her!" "Of course." Noelle forced a smile and gave Rowena's shoulder a gentle pat. "I've got to go in now."

Rowena clutched Noelle's hand. "Hold on! Just a little longer until Simon gets here!"

Noelle shook her head. "I can't wait. I've only met Simon once, but he's not as straightforward as he seems. I've got to set everything up before he shows up!"

Rowena agreed with a nod, "You're right. You always think ahead. Go on, then. I'll be in the private room next to yours!"

Noelle was about to head off when her phone buzzed with a call from Jade. She bit her lip and answered, "Hello?"

"What do you mean, 'hello'? Listen, Noelle, don't count on your luck. You have to be here today. Where are you? It's nearly seven." Jade's voice was filled with annoyance.

A shadow crossed Noelle's eyes. "I'm on my way. Which room are you in?"

Jade snapped, "It's Room 3702. Get here now."

Noelle ended the call. "I'm heading in now." "Alright."

The private dining room was on the third floor, a place usually reserved for fancy gatherings, but the west wing had its own set of private rooms that were quite charming.

Noelle made her way to Room 3702. Before she could even open the door, she heard Winter's voice from inside. "Mom, didn't you say she was coming? Why isn't she here yet?

What if she doesn't show up?"

"That's impossible. She wouldn't dare not to come. Did you forget I still have that video of her?" Jade's chilly voice floated through the door.

Noelle's hand froze in mid-air, and her expression quickly turned sour.

Inside the private room were her parents and older sister, yet they held no regard for her. They were always trying to trick her. Today, they wanted to throw her into a really tough spot!

Taking a deep breath, Noelle finally knocked on the door. Inside, Jade and Winter looked at each other. Julian glared at them and snapped, "Go and open the door already!"

Winter jumped up and rushed to the door. Seeing Noelle outside, she breathed a sigh of relief and felt a little proud, but she did not let it show. "Noelle, you made it!"RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only