The Cherished Wife

Wife 28

The stew was not particularly tasty. It was nothing compared to the delicacies someone as rich as Charles could enjoy in high–end restaurants. However, Noelle had never been a picky eater and would eat anything so long as it filled her stomach. Besides, she was only here for old times‘ sake.

It was almost time for classes to be let out, so Noelle was worried the crowd would grow larger. Thus, she hurriedly finished her beef stew and suggested they head back. “It’s getting late!”

Charles nodded as his phone began ringing. It was from Ronald. “We’ve gotten things ready for Ms. Shaw, Mr. Hoffman!”

“Alright. We’re at Vista University right now,” Charles said as he glanced at Noelle. “Do you have any more plans for the night, Ms. Shaw?”

“I’m heading home,” Noelle answered. “It’s alright, I can stay here and wait for your assistant. You can take your leave first if you’re busy, Mr. Hoffman!”

“No worries!” Charles said as he got to his feet to pay the bill. Noelle hurried after him while saying. “We agreed that I’d be buying you dinner today, Mr. Hoffman. It wasn’t anything special, but I should still be paying!”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s not right to have a woman pay for her food after enjoying dinner with her!” Charles said as he stopped Noelle and retrieved a crisp bill from his wallet. He strode out of the shop after paying.

Unable to do anything else, Noelle followed him. She always felt like she could not carry herself with confidence with him. No matter what she said, he would never do as he wished. Strangely, it did not feel as off–putting as it should have.

Since they were waiting for Ronald, Charles suggested they walk around Vista University. It had been a while since Noelle last visited, and she felt the campus had changed significantly. She was curious which batch of her grandfather’s students Charles had been.a

“You don’t seem to be very old, and I know practically all of my grandfather’s students, so why have I never seen you before this? Which graduating class were you a part of?”

Noelle was walking behind Charles, and she stepped on the shadows of him that the setting sun created.

Charles seemed startled by that question. “You were probably still a child when I attended university!”

That’s impossible!” Noelle did not believe him. I’m twenty–five this year, and you don’t seem that much older than I am. How could I have been a child?”

Charles grinned, finding the slightly childish expression on Noelle’s face amusing as he said, ”

You can ask him if you don’t believe me. I spent two years attending university when I was around… Hmm… fifteen. You would have been seven or eight then, so wouldn’t that have mado

you a child?”

“T–that’s impossible!” Noelle exclaimed. Then, in an even more incredulous voice, she said, So, you’re a genius!”

“Genius?” An odd look appeared in Charles‘ eyes turning his previously lofty expression into a gloomy one. When Noelle noticed, she could not figure out what kind of person Charles was. Noelle remembered how her grandfather had mentioned ‘a genius‘ to his colleagues when she followed

him around as a child. She recalled him saying he could have been the pride of Vista University and it was a shame he had chosen to leave the country. Her grandfather had been so disappointed. It turned out that the student was Charles.

Upon sensing Charles‘ guarded emotions, Noelle realized this might not be the best

conversation topic. T conversation topic. Thankfully, Ronald’s phone call soon arrived. Charles put his phone away before he glanced at Noelle and said, “Let’s go. Ronald’s waiting for us at the parking lot.”

They walked in a single file. The journey was not far, but it was not particularly short either. Ronald was waiting for them by the entrance, and he handed a wrapped package to Noelle when he saw them. “This is for you, Ms. Shaw.”

“Thank you!” Noelle said as she nodded appreciatively and asked, “How much is this?”

Roland handed Noelle the receipt, and she asked in astonishment upon reading it, “Is it really

that cheap?” She could not stop herself from staring at Ronald as she asked, “Has it really

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