The Cherished Wife



The car had barely come to a stop when Clarisse turned to the visibly agitated J. "J, what's up?"

"Turn around, now! Follow that car!" J shouted at the driver, pointing ahead. "Do you see it? That's Charles's car!"

"Charles?" Clarisse squinted at the traffic, but all she saw were cars zipping by, none with a recognizable plate. "Are you sure you didn't get it mixed up?"

"I'm positive, Aunt Clary. I'd know Charles's car anywhere, and I've got the license plate memorized. We've got to catch up!" J's heart was pounding for reasons she could not explain. "What's Charles up to, heading out at this hour? And I'm pretty sure there was someone with him in the front seat!"NôvelDrama.Org is the owner.

"You're probably mistaken. If he's got company, it's likely just his secretary," Clarisse reasoned, though she had to admit she did not know her son as well as she might. Charles leaving the office at this time had to be business-related.

"J, look at the time. You've got work, remember?"

"No, I need to see where he's going. Something's off with Charles; he's never been like this. He used to be so sweet to me, but now... there has to be a reason for the way he's acting." J's determination was unshakable.

With a sigh, Clarisse gave in and instructed the driver to tail the mysterious car.

Meanwhile, Charles and Noelle were deep in conversation about a deal involving some West City property, trying to decide their next move. Out of the blue, Charles floored the gas pedal, his face set in a grim line.

Noelle's heart skipped a beat as Charles's foot slammed down on the accelerator. Papers in hand, she nearly lurched forward, barely catching herself in time. Once she regained her balance, she turned to Charles with wide eyes. "Charles, what's going on?"

Charles's lips were a tight line as he stole a glance in the rearview mirror. Noelle twisted around to see what had caught his attention and her brow furrowed when she spotted the car doggedly chasing them. "Are we being followed?"

"Yeah, buckle up," Charles replied with a nod, signaling Noelle to get ready for a high-speed chase. As he floored it, the car behind them did the

same.

Meanwhile, J was beside herself with urgency, convinced that Charles's car was harboring someone. "He knows!" she exclaimed. Then, in a rush of words, she said, "Step on it, we need to pass Charles's car. I have to see who that woman with him is!"

"Uh, we're in a speed-limited area,

and... well, I'm not exactly on par with the young master's driving." The driver, assigned by the Hoffman family to Clarisse, was well aware of Charles's driving prowess. Charles's car was a beast with all the bells and whistles, while Clarisse's, though pricey, was built for practicality, not speed.

Charles narrowed his eyes as he expertly shifted gears and swerved into a deserted alley, easily losing Clarisse and J who were hot on his tail.

"Just do as I say and speed up. Enough with the excuses!"

Noelle had always been impressed

by Charles's driving prowess. Ever since he had outpaced a rival's sports car with his own sleek Bentley, she had never questioned his abilities. Watching him weave through traffic with such finesse now only heightened her admiration.

Once they had lost J, Charles doubled back to a shopping center owned by Collosus Group. He casually dialed a number and

ordered, "Bring me a set of clothes, the usual kind. Make sure it's. He rattled off his size and soon enough, someone emerged from the mall with his request.