The Cherished Wife (Noelle and Charles)

"Grandpa!" Noelle's face flushed with embarrassment. "Why are we talking about this during dinner?" Despite her words, she looked eagerly at Charles.

Charles smiled and said, "Once things settle down, I plan to make my marriage to Nelly public."

Sebastian smiled with satisfaction. "Good!"

Noelle lowered her head and took a few bites of her food, which now tasted sweet to her.

Suddenly, a warm sensation brushed past her knee. Looking down, she noticed Charles' restless hand roaming her leg.

She frowned slightly and swatted his hand away before shooting him a glare. "Behave yourself!"

Charles smirked. "You seem happy."

Noelle raised an eyebrow and pretended to be upset as she turned away. "You're overthinking it!"

"Really? I can see it as clear as day, though." As he spoke, he tried to place Noelle's hand over his heart.

Noelle glanced up and saw that Sebastian and May were both watching them intently. Feeling both embarrassed and annoyed, she slapped Charles' hand away. "What a smooth talker you are. Focus on your meal!" she scolded him, then placed a piece of pork on his plate.

Charles gave a resigned smile as he glanced at the piece of pork. Though reluctant, he dutifully swallowed it in one bite.

After dinner, Noelle helped May clean up in the kitchen while Charles played a few games of chess with Sebastian. Later, the family sat in the living room for a while. As it grew late, Noelle suggested they head home.

Sebastian nodded in agreement. "Yes, it's getting late. But Charlie, are you planning to go to the Hoffman residence tonight?"

Sebastian had hoped that if Charles left, Noelle would stay with him at the Jones residence and keep him company. Unfortunately, this wish was about to be dashed.

"I'm not going over tonight. Now that Nelly and I are married, Phoenix Tree Residence is our home. Tonight, I plan for us to celebrate New Year's there it's our first as a married couple, and I want to spend it with just the two of us."

Charles spoke so confidently that even Sebastian, a professor, could not argue with him. However,

inwardly, he could not help but think that Charles was not giving him much respect, especially

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considering Sebastian was still an elder.

Seeing Sebastian's expression, Noelle chuckled. "Grandpa, I promise I'll come to see you on New Year's to give you my best wishes!"

"Go on, go on!" Sebastian said with a sigh, though he was unable to stay upset. He then motioned for May to bring two gifts from the room.

"Here, I don't have much, but it's given with love. Since Charlie just mentioned that you're newlyweds, consider these wedding gifts from me. Take them."

"Thank you, Grandpa!" Noelle accepted the gift for both her and Charles, slipping the gifts into her bag. She then naturally linked her arm with Charles'. "Grandpa, we'll be heading out now."

After bidding farewell to Sebastian,

Noelle could not wait to open the

gifts he had given them. Inside the box, she found a small lock. She paused in surprise and then looked at Charles' gift box, which contained nothing but a blank sheet of paper.

"What does this mean?"