The Cherished Wife

"You..." Maxwell never imagined Charles would speak to him this way. "Are you serious? Aren't you afraid I'll strip you of your authority? Aren't you worried I'll take away your right to inherit the Hoffman family?" Charles turned fully to face Maxwell, his gaze calm and unwavering. He stood tall, looking down at the older man.

Once ruthless in his youth, Maxwell now showed signs of aging, though his sharpness remained.

"Of course, I'm serious." Charles' tone was indifferent, almost lazy. "But it seems you've underestimated me, Grandfather."

"What do you mean by that?"

"All these years, do you really think I care about becoming the head of the Hoffman family?"

Charles shot a sideways glance at Mateo. "Dad, Uncle Henry, take good care of Grandfather. I have other things to attend to, so I'll be going."

"Charles, I won't recognize that woman. The Hoffman family will never accept her!"

straightened his back further. "I already told you I

seeing how tense things had become between Charles and Maxwell,

preventing him from getting inside. "Charlie, how could you speak to

uneasy under his scrutiny and rushed to explain, "Dad asked me to

means that your

Noelle Shaw?

not that she was prejudiced but that the

without ability need their wives to assist them

stand with the Hoffmans, I won't oppose you. Just know that from here on, I'll

"We're family. Why

"You probably think I'm bluffing, but let me be clear-I have no desire for the position of head of the Hoffman family. You can tell Grandpa this. If he wants to choose someone else, I have

and slid inside, giving Chloe one last glance. "Jordy