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."

eyes and took Anna from Chloe.

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

raised an eyebrow, his eyes hiding a

"You've found

only shrug. "Well, it's your business. Just know that unlike our mother and the others, I'll support

previous

despite Charles'

If he not

would not be chatting so comfortably

is right, I'll certainly bring her over

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

Charles exclaimed,