The Cherished Wife

"Uncle Charles, it's been a long time since you've seen me. Did you miss me?"

"Of course, I did!" Charles playfully pinched Anna's nose. "Did you miss me, Anna?"

"Yes, I missed you very much." As if afraid Charles would not believe her, Anna took his hand and planted a big kiss on his cheek, making everyone in the Hoffman family burst into laughter.

"Now that everyone's here, let's start dinner," Maxwell said. As the head of the family, he understood the situation between his children but chose not to mention it.

Fortunately, Anna's presence helped ease the tension. With the child around, the conversation topics became much lighter.

After dinner, Chloe carried Anna over to Charles. "Was the urgent phone call just about this?" She glanced at Clarisse and Janet in the living room. "Mother really shouldn't have brought her along." Chloe harbored no goodwill toward Janet, stemming from an incident years ago. "It's getting late, and Anna needs to sleep," she said.

"Yes, I should be going too. Let's leave together," Charles replied. He had never planned to stay overnight at the Hoffman residence.

Chloe smirked. "You've become quite cunning lately."

his eyes and took

not getting any younger. When are you going to bring a woman home for

his eyes hiding a hint

paused. "You've

business. Just know that unlike our mother and the others, I'll

the previous

that despite

mercy. If he

so comfortably with him now, given her

nodded slightly. "When the time is right, I'll certainly bring her

there really is someone? That's great. I was worried you'd be stuck in the past, but now..."

Charles exclaimed, seemingly