The Cherished Wife

"Right!" Cody nodded with determination. "I'm taking you to meet Charles!"

"Meet him?" Annie's voice trembled. "Brother, do I have to go?" Fear gripped her at the thought of Charles.

Since she learned that Noelle's husband was Charles, Annie had even started to fear Noelle. She knew firsthand the kind of terror Charles could unleash. It was a fate so grim it made death seem merciful. That was exactly what Charles would do. "Don't worry. You're practically a hero for saving Noelle this time. He won't lay a finger on you!"

"But..."

"Believe me. Besides, we might need his help with Suzy's situation. You don't want Suzy to spend the rest of her life hiding away in that villa, unseen, do you?" Cody saw the hesitation in Annie's eyes and gently urged, "Listen to me."

Cody led Annie to The Majestic Lounge, which haunted her memories. It was the very spot where her nightmare had begun. Stepping out of the car, she felt that old fear creeping in, but Cody was with her, gripping her hand firmly. "Don't be scared." Ronald escorted them to Charles's exclusive lounge, where Charles and Sean were in the midst of a card game. Charles looked up, his eyebrows arching slightly at their arrival.

his cards before tossing them onto

but only a few people in Brookville had the right to hang out with Charles casually. Taking a quick look at Sean, Cody figured out who he was in no time. "Mr. Hoffman, Mr.

pointing at

raised an eyebrow. "You

her

lips quirked into a half-smile, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. "Charles, now that everyone's here,

aside his cards and glanced at Cody and Annie. "Mr. Adams, Ms. Adams, no need to

Mr. Hoffman!" Cody said, guiding Annie to sit down before asking, "So, Mr. Hoffman,

eyes narrowing slightly. "Ms. Adams, you did a great job last