The Cherished Wife

After that display, everyone got the message loud and clear about how Charles felt toward Clarisse, Janet, and the whole Baker family. Anyone who had been scheming to cozy up to Clarisse today suddenly put their plans on hold. The heir of the Hoffman family had spoken, and the Bakers were off the list of allies.

The room fell into a hushed silence. This was Hoffman family drama, and no one wanted the fallout to land on them.

As Charles turned to leave, Janet scrambled to her feet, wanting to follow, but Clarisse caught her by the arm. "Janet."

"Aunt, Charles was just spinning tales, wasn't he? He tricked me, right?"

Clarisse's face was stormy. She was the Baker family's darling, but today, her own son had made her look like a fool. Clarisse, who always wanted to look her best, could not stand it.

Mateo was about to call Charles back, but Chloe cut him off with a subtle shake of her head. "Dad, don't."

his tracks, watching Charles walk away, a frown creasing his forehead. "Chloe,

anymore. He's got his reasons for everything he does. What happened today..." Chloe's eyes flicked to Janet, still

do without

got a point. Charles always knows what he's after,

let's get back to the

handle Dad. You take care

out of the Hoffman family's old house with urgency, hopping into his car without missing a beat.

see who'll still have the guts to mess with the Bakers after today." Charles's face was a mask of shock. He fired up the engine and glanced back at Ronald. "If

face registered surprise at the command, but he nodded in agreement after one look at Charles's

what could have pulled Charles away from the Hoffman house at