The Cherished Wife

Charles, with the utmost composure, peeled the last shrimp and handed it to Noelle. "Here, have this."

Noelle popped the shrimp into her mouth under everyone's watchful eyes. She watched as Charles casually wiped his hands with a napkin, his calmness unshaken. "Alright, take him to Nippori first. I'll follow shortly."

"Right away, Mr. Hoffman!"

Once the manager had left, Sean inquired, "Your uncle?"

Milo was the only person who would go to such lengths to track Charles down here, and the manager had mentioned someone with the surname Baker.

Charles nodded, a glint of determination in his eyes. "I'll be right back." He stood up and looked at Noelle. "Make sure you eat plenty."

Noelle's lips twitched, convinced Charles had lost his mind today, but she managed a composed nod in front of everyone. "Sure." Charles affectionately ruffled Noelle's hair before he exited the private room.

by the manager to a spot in Nippori and ended up waiting around ten minutes

room and ushered Charles in with utmost respect. "Mr. Hoffman, right this

Charles nodded. "Coffee, please!"

"Right away, Mr. Hoffman!"

Milo's annoyed eye. "Charles,

three days since everything went down, and Milo had not been able to see Janet or Clarisse in the hospital. He had come up against a brick wall witmet the Hoffmans and could not track Charles down either. Meeting him would have been a real challenge if

but I'm still your uncle!" Charles smiled, pulled out a chair, and sat across

of frost in his voice. He casually tossed his coat overthe chair's back, and just then, a server came in with a coffee set. "Mr. Hoffman, would you like us to prepare your coffee, or

"I've

set. He was choosy, taking his time before finally raising his eyes to Milo. "Uncle,

but here in Brookville instead. Did something urgent

to be playing dumb. How could