The Cherished Wife

With New Year's approaching, the dinner gathering at Charles's house was in full swing. Guests were everywhere, drawn in by the holiday cheer and the Hoffman family's reputation for hosting events that combined business and pleasure. As the future head of the

Hoffman empire, Charles was the man of the hour, and everyone was eager to get on his good side.

The Hoffmans' dinner gathering was pretty much the same as always, except this year, Clarisse and Janet were new faces in the crowd. However, for Charles, it was just another day at the office.

Lounging at the banquet table, Charles had barely taken a sip of his drink when his phone buzzed to life. He narrowed his eyes-a bad sign-and his expression turned even more intense when he spotted Sean's name on the screen.

With a swift move, Charles was on his feet, and the room went still, all eyes on him. His face was a mask of shock as he clutched his phone.

Janet had been keeping tabs on Charles since the moment he walked in. As he rose, her eyes clung to his every move.

tone clearing

a quiet corner, phone to his

calling Charles, which immediately raised alarm bells. Something had to be up with the Shaws-Sean was too sharp to be thrown off by just any

said with a crease in his forehead, "Yeah,

old house was swarming with folks today, and as the guy in charge, he

brow was

know is that Noelles a mess right now, and I can't figure

I saw Noelle at the door of the study, looking like she'd been hit by a ton of bricks. I've hidden her away for now, but

that Julian and Jade had blabbed something they should not have, and