The Cherished Wife (Noelle and Charles)

"Alright then!" Nancy set down her teacup. "It smells delicious. I didn't expect you to cook so well, Noelle!"

"Not at all. It's mostly Charlie cooking. I just help out here and there. Uncle Henry, Aunt Nancy, come this way to wash your hands."

With six people around the table, the atmosphere felt especially lively. Although Noelle credited Charles for the meal, Henry and Nancy knew better; Noelle was just being modest.

They truly felt Noelle was a good match for Charles, and any worries they had were now fully put to rest.

After dinner, Steven left with Eloise, and Noelle and Charles went for a walk outside. Henry helped Nancy upstairs to the guest room.

Noelle had prepared the guest room well in advance, and it looked quite cozy. After Nancy showered, she came out with a towel in her hand, and Henry got up to help dry her hair. "This Noelle is really something; it seems like Charlie is serious this time."

"When is Charlie not serious? I think he's sharper than any of you. The old matters are just things you keep dwelling on; Charlie moved on a long time ago." Nancy was very pleased with Noelle. Regardless of who she resembled, Noelle had certainly won Nancy over. Henry nodded with a smile. "I was overthinking it. Since that's the case, let's keep this quiet from the Hoffmans for now. Everyone knows how the old man is, and Charlie should be the one to handle this himself. Besides, when dealing with those two..." Henry always felt a headache just thinking about the issues between Mateo and Clarisse.

Nancy understood Henry's concerns. "All of that happened so many years ago. You don't need to keep holding onto it. It never really had much to do with you."

"Right. Since we're here, we might as well settle in. Let's stay at Charlie's for now. I know you'd rather not run into Clarisse at the Hoffmans'."

"That's exactly what I was thinking. Besides, I'd like to see more of Elly. Stevie already promised he'd visit often while he's in Brookville." Nancy glanced at Henry's face, relieved to find no hint of displeasure before she continued.

Stevie's had a tough life. He lost his parents young; the Fischers were gone overnight. Thankfully, he survived and kept a piece of the Fischers alive. Don't worry, Stevie would never harm me."

"Yes," Henry agreed, noting how respectful Steven was toward Nancy. Whatever Steven intended to do, even if it meant dismantling the Naylor family, it did not matter much to Henry. He cared only about Nancy and their daughter, Tania.

On the way back, the car was unnervingly quiet. Eloise, who had been reserved earlier, now wore her usual calm, composed expression. "You brought me here just to meet her?" Steven glanced sideways at her, but he did not answer. His silence spoke volumes.

Eloise suddenly felt a surge of frustration. "She's a kind woman. I can tell you respect her, but you're exploiting her kindness. Don't you think that's cruel to her?"