Charles led Noelle to his home, the Phoenix Tree Residence.Noelle had visited this place before, so it was not entirely new to her. Nevertheless, as they pulled into the driveway, she could not resist taking in her surroundings with wide eyes.She remembered hearing ages ago how the prices in this neighborhood had shot through the roof, and someone later went all out and bought a huge chunk of it. Back then, Noelle had been in awe, wondering who could afford such a splurge—it turned out to be Charles.After Charles had parked in the garage, Noelle stepped out and was immediately struck by the sight. "Wow! Look at all these cars!" It was like stepping into an auto show.Charles caught her comment and paused, a grin spreading across his face, "You've got a driver's license, right?"She nodded. "Got it back in college with some friends!" It had been more of a spur-of-the-moment thing. Although she had her license, she hardly ever got behind the wheel.Ever since she graduated and s

Charles was right next door in the guest room. Noelle knocked and knocked; however, there was no answer, which left her confused. When she passed the study and saw the light on, she paused at the door.The study door was slightly open, and there was Charles, lounging on the couch, buried under a mountain of paperwork.He must have heard her because he looked up, and suddenly, they were eye to eye. Noelle felt her cheeks heat up and gave him a sheepish half-smile. "Aren't you tired?"Charles quirked an eyebrow, paperwork in hand. "Just finishing up some stuff," he replied. "What about you? Couldn’t sleep?"Noelle felt like a kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar, her gaze dropping to her slippers. Charles let out a soft chuckle. "Having trouble sleeping?"She nodded. "Can I come in?""Sure thing." Charles snapped his folder shut with a smile. "Come on in!"Stepping inside, Noelle's eyes widened in awe. Charles's study was a world of its own, lined with shelves of books on ec

"Don't worry about it. I've got my routine," Charles said, unfazed. "Grab some cutlery, will you?""Alright!" Noelle ran into the kitchen to figure out where to set the bowls and cutlery, with Charles right on her heels. He pointed to a spot. "Just remember, this is where we keep them.""Got it!" Noelle grinned, noticing that Charles had every room—from the kitchen to the living room and even the bedroom—arranged in perfect order.She stole another glance at Charles, puzzled. Who would've guessed that a guy like him would be into cooking?Charles quirked an eyebrow, leaning casually in the kitchen doorway. "Something on your mind?"Noelle shook her head, a touch of sheepishness in her voice. "I just feel a little silly. I was the one who said I'd cook yesterday!"Charles flashed a playful smile. "Time to eat!"After breakfast, Charles flicked a set of keys to Noelle, who caught them with a surprised look. "Why are you giving me these?""Like I said yesterday, you'll be driving

Noelle was truly taken aback by Xavier's behavior. It was obviously him and Winter who wronged her, but somehow, she had been twisted into the one to blame.Noelle shot Xavier a withering look. "I'm going to act like today never happened. I won't tell a soul, but don’t pull this again, okay?" She tossed these words over her shoulder as she breezed past him and out the door.Xavier's gaze lingered on Noelle's fading silhouette. The sweet scent that lingered when he had held her earlier left him momentarily lost in thought. Noelle always smelled amazing. Back when things were good between them, he would hold her hand, and they would walk for hours on end together.His hands balled into fists, his eyes reddening with intensity.Noelle was his. She had to be his. Even if his feelings had changed, she was meant to be with him and only him!Noelle rushed upstairs, feeling a wave of nausea at the memory of Xavier's embrace. She dropped her bag and made a beeline for the bathroom, scrubbi

"To be honest, I'm having a hard time believing it myself, but this is what I stumbled upon this morning. Please, take a look," Noelle said, highlighting several problems. "Orders from Collosus Group have dropped off suddenly, and our products in department stores are being sent back."Noelle paused, "It might not look like much right now, but at this rate, I'm worried there could be some serious issues brewing at Collosus Group."At the mention of Collosus Group, Joseph and the other directors' faces darkened.Some in the room might not have been aware, but the chairman and directors knew all too well. Without Collosus Group's support over the years, Frotconn would never have grown so large. Orders from Collosus Group were their lifeline.When Noelle dropped that bombshell, truth or not, it rang alarm bells in Joseph’s head. Noelle's comment was like a public diss to Joseph and the crew in the middle of the company's morning meeting. "Ms. Shaw, what are you saying? We've had noth