The Cherished Wife (Noelle and Charles)

Although Noelle had encountered Arnold before and had gradually gotten used to him, Arnold's sudden dash toward her still startled her.

She quickly got up and tried to move away, but Arnold, thinking she was playing, continued to chase her around.

Noelle's face turned pale with fright while Arnold seemed to be having the time of his life.

"Arnold!" Charles' stern voice cut through the room as he swiftly moved to pull Noelle into his arms, casting a fierce glare at the overly enthusiastic dog. Sensing Charles' displeasure, Arnold immediately calmed down, looking up at Charles and Noelle with a pitiful expression as if he were pleading for forgiveness. Arnold whimpered softly, as if he were protesting Charles' harshness and lamenting that Noelle seemed to have forgotten him.

"It's okay, don't be scared. He won't hurt you," Charles reassured Noelle, gently patting her back to soothe her.

Noelle swallowed hard, taking a moment to regain her composure.

Feeling embarrassed, she glanced at Charles, then at Arnold. She hesitated before speaking, "Did I overreact? It's just... It felt like he was about to jump on me, so I panicked..."

"It's alright," Charles comforted her, still rubbing her back. "Arnold can be aggressive outside, but he's good with people he knows. You've spent time with him before, remember?" "Yes, I remember," Noelle replied, giving Charles a reassuring smile.

She then carefully released him and knelt down, extending her hand to Arnold.

The dog was excited but cautious. He approached her slowly, then gently nudged her palm with his nose. Arnold's adorable demeanor quickly melted Noelle's fear, and she found herself petting his back with a smile. "It's been a while, Arnold. I'm sorry for earlier. I didn't mean it."

Arnold barked softly in response, wagging his tail and circling around Noelle in excitement, clearly forgiving her.

Noelle chuckled. "See? I'm not afraid of him anymore."

Charles smiled warmly, affectionately brushing Noelle's hair as he said, "Yes, my Nelly is very brave."

Sean, who had been leaning against the wall and observing the sweet scene between the couple and the dog, finally cleared his throat to break the moment.

He immediately regretted coming, feeling a bit out of place.

Noelle turned her attention to Sean, suddenly feeling a bit awkward. "Mr. Smith, you're here too!"

Sean raised an eyebrow slightly. "Of course," he replied. After all, if he had not come, how could Arnold have found his way here on his own?

Still, Sean could not help but feel a

pang of disappointment-was his e

charm really less than that of a dog? It hurt a bit that Noelle only noticed him now.

Despite his sulking internally, Sean put on a harmless smile and said, "Noelle, I hope Arnold and I didn't intrude on your evening."

"If you knew you were intruding, why did you still come?" Charles grumbled, shooting Sean a displeased look. "What do you want this time?"

"Charles, don't look at me like that," Sean replied, clicking his tongue. "I really don't have any other motives... But wow, something smells delicious!"

He moved closer, rubbing his hands

together eagerly. "You've got it good with a lovely lady by your side, Charles, Meanwhile, I'm stuck in surgery all day with no end in sight. When I finally get a break, I don't even have a hot meal waiting for me!"

Sean lamented, casting a hopeful glance at Noelle.

Realizing what Sean was hinting at Noelle quickly responded, "Mr. Smith, you haven't eaten yet, have

you? Let me set another place at the table for you. Just a moment!"