The Cherished Wife

Charles looked up. "Back in the day..." He trailed off, "This girl isn't Kastor's daughter. If you're planning to get evidence from Aunt Nancy, you realize she'll get dragged down too, right?" Steven's eyebrow quirked up, but he kept silent.

Charles took a breath. "Is that why you haven't struck yet? Aunt Nancy doesn't have much time left, and you want to use her to spin your tale?"

Steven set down his chess piece and stood, his gaze icy as he faced Charles. "Looks like you're trying to talk me out of this chance!"

"No, it's not that. Whatever you decide, Peter and I have your back. However, Aunt Nancy is Tania's mom, and we can't just watch you go through with this." Charles stood too, hands buried in his pockets. "Just give us a little time. And remember, that girl is innocent." "Innocent?" Steven's laugh was sharp as ice. "No one's innocent in this world. She's got her agenda, and I've got mine. I'll hold off for now, but don't expect me to wait forever."

Steven muttered something under his breath and strode out of the Phoenix Tree Residence.

Charles's brow creased as he surveyed the chessboard before him, his frown growing more pronounced with each passing second.

locked in a tense standoff for what felt like an eternity. No matter what Tania threw at him, Peter had a comeback that left her without a retort. With a sigh of resignation, Tania scooped up Brandon and retreated to the living room, only to find that Steven and the others had already departed.

part of him yearning to follow, but Tania's cold shoulder quelled that

Brandon down than her phone erupted into life. She glanced at the caller

peek at her watch, she

call, gave Brandon a hurried look, and dashed out the

Noelle emerged from their room just in time to catch Tania's frantic exit. "Where are you off to

giving Noelle

with concern. "Tania, it's getting late. It might not be safe for you to go out by yourself. Maybe Charles could

already at the hotel. I just want to check on him, he seems to be under the weather Tania replied, turning to Charles

expression was serious, his eyes intense.

approval, Tania did not waste a moment. She snatched up her coat and hurried