The Cherished Wife

"Nonsense! What are you blabbering about?" Julian banged his hand on the table when he heard Noelle's words. "Mr. York is right here! Stop talking rubbish and apologize to him!"

"Dad, can't you say anything else?" Noelle's voice dripped with sarcasm. "If you're so worried about Mr. York getting the wrong idea, you shouldn't have brought me here."

She then glanced at Winter, who was sitting in silence, her eyes growing colder. "Since your precious daughter is here, she can be the one to look after Mr. York."

"What nonsense are you spouting?!" Winter cried out, "Mom!"

"Noelle, come with me!"

Jade shot Noelle a fierce look and yanked her hand, trying to pull her out of the room. Noelle was not having it and kept fighting back. The room turned into total chaos in no time, and only Simon was sitting back, calmly sipping the coffee Noelle had made earlier.

"Mr. Shaw, your family sure knows how to make a scene!"

Julian's face turned a shade of gray. He could not believe a dinner that was supposed to be about making up had turned into this mess, and he was even more shocked that Jade and Noelle were being so rude and causing trouble right this moment.

He gave Jade a hard stare, dragged her to his side, and then shot a look at Noelle before turning to Simon. "Mr. York, I'm sorry about this. It's my wife's and daughter's fault. I hope you won't hold it against us."

"Hold it against you?" Simon squinted his eyes and gave his cup a little shake. "If I'm not mistaken, Mr. Shaw, you were the one who invited me here today. Do you need something from me?"

Simon's lips curled up as he looked at Noelle with a meaningful glance. "Your daughter doesn't seem too happy to be here!"

Noelle bit her lip. "I'm sure you wouldn't want to force anyone, Mr. York. It wouldn't be right for you to dine with someone as rough as me."

Julian snapped, "Be quiet! It's not your turn to talk!"

"Mr. Shaw that's not fair. I think Ms. Shaw seems really into it," Simon said, taking a sip of his coffee. His eyes were narrow slits, shining like he was about to catch his prey as he stared at Noelle.

Noelle shuddered. Simon was definitely not as simple as he seemed.

Simon noticed Noelle's reaction and raised an eyebrow. He tapped his fingers on his knee, asking, "Won't you sit down, Ms. Shaw?"

Biting her lip, Noelle thought about

the video that Julian and Jade had of her. She had no choice but to sit down, feeling trapped. Simonsmiled slightly. "Let's eat!"

In the room next door, Rowena was eavesdropping against the wall. When she heard Jade threaten to get physical with Noelle, she almost lost it and wanted to rush in and confront her.

However, she thought of Noelle and held back. Listening to the bits and pieces of the Shaw family's threats to Noelle, Rowena felt sure they were bad

news.

Rowena's hands balled into fists, especially when she heard Simon talking to Noelle. Her heart raced with worry.

All of a sudden, the private room door burst open. A bunch of people rushed in, startling Rowena so much she bumped into the wall. "Who are you guys?"

Ronald, who led the group into the room, was surprised to find someone else there. He asked, "Who are you?"

Rowena's eyes darted around. Rowena stood her ground, her voice full of confidence. "Why did you just walk into someone's private room like that?" Ronald lifted an eyebrow and let out a laugh. "This room is Mr. Hoffman's. Are you sure it's yours?"Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.