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!"

but he straightened his back further. "I already told

seeing how tense things had become between Charles and Maxwell, quickly chased after

caught up, she blocked the car door, preventing him from getting inside. "Charlie, how could you

scrutiny and

means that your wife must be someone capable of supporting

Noelle Shaw?

Noelle. She acknowledged Noelle's competence, but in her eyes, Noelle was not fit to become the matriarch of the Hoffmans. It was not that she was prejudiced but that the family had rigorous standards for leadership. Charles was not an ordinary man. From the

need their wives to assist them with their

thought I made myself clear last time. If you choose to stand with me, I'll welcome it. But if you stand with the Hoffmans, I won't oppose you.

paled, and she bit her lip lightly. "We're family. Why does it

me be clear-I have no desire for the position of head of the Hoffman family. You can

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