The Cherished Wife



With New Year's approaching, the dinner gathering at Charles's house was in full swing. Guests were everywhere, drawn in by the holiday cheer and the Hoffman family's reputation for hosting events that combined business and pleasure. As the future head of the Hoffman empire, Charles was the man of the hour, and everyone was eager to get on his good side.

The Hoffmans' dinner gathering was pretty much the same as always, except this year, Clarisse and J were new faces in the crowd. However, for Charles, it was just another day at the office.

Lounging at the banquet table, Charles had barely taken a sip of his drink when his phone buzzed to life. He narrowed his eyes-a bad sign-and his expression turned even more intense when he spotted Sean's name on the screen.

With a swift move, Charles was on his feet, and the room went still, all eyes on him. His face was a mask of shock as he clutched his phone. J had been keeping tabs on Charles since the moment he walked in. As he rose, her eyes clung to his every move.

"Keep the party going. I've got to take this," Charles announced, his commanding tone clearing a path through the crowd. They all looked away as if

on cue.

"What's the deal?" Charles ducked into a quiet corner, phone to his ear. "What happened?"

Sean should have been spending time with Noelle at the Shaw family's dinner gathering today, but instead, he was calling Charles, which immediately raised alarm bells. Something had to be up with the Shaws-Sean was too sharp to be thrown off by just any old problem.

With a concerned look, Sean glanced at Noelle, who seemed lost in space, and said with a crease in his forehead, "Yeah, we've got a problem. Noelle's asking for you. Can you slip away for a bit?"NôvelDrama.Org © content.

Not used to Sean sounding so grave, Charles instinctively scrunched up his face in worry. He took a quick look around. The Hoffman family's old house was swarming with folks today, and as the guy in charge, he definitely could not leave. "What's the deal? What's up with Noelle? Or is it Shaw family drama?"

Sean's brow was knitted with

concern. "I'm &lueless too. All I know

el?

is that Noelle's a mess right now, and I can't figure out what's got her so rattle I was just chilling with Sir Shaw playing chess. When I stepped out, I saw Noelle frozen at the door of the study, looking like she'd been hit by a ton of bricks. I've hidden her away for now, but do you know who I saw leaving the study?"

je

It was not like Sean to miss a beat. He had a hunch that Julian and Jade had blabbed something they should not have, and Noelle must've overheard something that knocked her sideways.

Sean was not part of the Shaw family, so he was not caught up on all the drama and could not even begin to guess what was up. Noelle was keeping quiet, so Sean had to call Charles out of desperation.

When Charles caught what Sean said, his expression turned stormy.

He had always pegged the Shaws as a disaster waiting to happen. It looked like Noelle had stumbled onto some secret about her origins for her to be so messed up.

"Hey, where are you guys?"

"We're heading back. Noelle's a mess. Charles... Man, you have to—"

Sean hardly ever got serious with Charles, which meant this was a big deal. Charles bit his lip, a frown knotting up his forehead. It took him a moment before he said, "I'm on my way!"

Charles cut the call short and spun on his heel, ready to bolt.

"Charles, where are you off to?"