"Yes," Charles confirmed."Why are you asking about her?"Nancy knew Charles' personality. He would not ask unnecessary questions unless something important was at stake.Meanwhile, Clarisse, who was sitting beside Nancy, grew restless. "Is that Charlie? Can I say a few words to him? What does Charlie want to know?"Charles could hear Clarisse's voice on the other end and instinctively wanted to hang up, but then he heard her say, "Shirley? Charlie, are you asking about Shirley?"Charles hesitated. "Aunt Nancy, let her take the phone."Nancy handed the phone to Clarisse. Her heart pounded, and she felt it might leap into her throat. "Charlie, um… How are you and Noelle today?""We're fine," Charles replied, holding onto his patience. "Do you know Shirley?""Yes, I do." Clarisse nodded, despite knowing he could not see her. "Back when I lived in Capiton, Shirley often spent time there too. The circle was small, so many of her affairs were well-known. What do you want to ask?""
"Why are you suddenly asking about him?" Sean sounded surprised. "You have to understand, I was just a kid when my uncle left home. He hasn't returned since."Charles frowned. "And all these years, you've heard nothing about him?""What news could there possibly be? My old man said that since Uncle Harrison didn't want to come back, he could just die out there. So, over the years, no one from the Smiths has even tried to find him."Besides, my uncle was never the kind to stick around. He didn't have any real ties to Brookville.""Hmm?" Charles pressed further. He was too young to have a clear impression of Harrison back then, so he was unsure if he had even met the man. Now, he had to rely on Sean for information.Yet from Sean's tone, it did not seem like he knew much more than Charles did."My uncle left Brookville early on and moved to Capiton. As for how he did over there, I was too young to know. It wasn't until later, when the Smiths declared that they had disowned him, tha
Noelle leaned against Charles's chest, brushing her teeth with her back to him. Suddenly, a thought seemed to strike her, and she paused. "Charlie, how about we go back to the Hoffman residence today?""Hmm?" Charles looked up. "Why?""I feel like it's too much for you to take care of me alone. You still have to work during the day." She was not a child anymore, and relying on him all the time seemed unreasonable. "Look, you've even lost weight lately!"As she spoke, she pinched his face gently. "It's my fault.""You!" Charles sighed, lightly pinching her nose. "Alright, hurry up and wash your face. After breakfast, we'll head to the office.""Really? You're taking me to the office?""Weren't you the one who suggested it?" Charles dampened a towel and handed it to her. "How's the temperature?""Perfect!" After Noelle finished washing her face, Charles carried her out of the bathroom. Dangling her legs as he held her, Noelle moved her head close to his ear and blew softly while
Noelle could not help but smirk and shake her head. "Okay, Sean." She had just spaced out for a second. "But why are you looking for Charles? He's tied up in a meeting right now!"As she started to stand up, she asked, "What can I get you to drink?""Whoa, hold up! Don't even get up. If Charles hears that I had you, a pregnant lady, fetching coffee and water for me, he'd have my head!" Sean's face twisted into a comically horrified expression, making Noelle laugh and roll her eyes at him."Seriously, take a seat. I know my way around here like the back of my hand. I'll help myself!"With that, Sean grabbed a glass of water for himself and poured a warm cup for Noelle. "Remember, no cold water for you now that you're expecting!""Got it!"Noelle nodded. "You still haven't spilled the beans. What's up with Charles?"Sean was the type who would not show up without a good reason, so it must be something pressing.He glanced up casually. "Oh, it's nothing major. I just felt like dro
"No way!" Noelle quickly gestured with her hands. "That's not me!"She hesitated. "Well, do you think it's me?"Sean quirked an eyebrow. "If it’s not you, then who would it be?" The answer hit him almost instantly—Kelly. That woman.How had he overlooked it? Kelly and Noelle shared such a striking resemblance, so she looked a lot like Shirley too. “Did you go to that press conference yesterday about the scandal that’s all over the news?"Noelle nodded quickly, and just like that, everything clicked for Sean.That explained the late-night call from Charles. Even though Kelly was the one in the spotlight, Noelle must have had her doubts, prompting Charles to reach out to him.Putting two and two together, Sean got straight to the point. "Are you trying to figure out how you're connected to this Shirley? Or are you curious about your connection to Kelly, Grant, and the Andersons?"Noelle had harbored all these suspicions, but Sean's candidness still made her cheeks warm with embarr
"What?""Uncle had a fiancée back in the day.""Who?""Get this! It was Noelle's mom, Jade.""What?" A flicker of shock crossed Charles's narrow eyes. "You're telling me Uncle Harrison was engaged to Jade?""Yeah," Sean said, taking a sip of water and pausing momentarily. "I mean, it's wild how small our world is, right?" He was just as shocked when he first heard. "Jade is the last person you'd picture as a high-society debutante. But my aunt really thought she would be perfect for the part. Back in the day, Jade and my aunt were really close. I guess Jade wasn't as fiery back then! My aunt mentioned that Jade had a bit of a crush on my Uncle Harrison. But something went down, and Uncle Harrison took off to Capiton while Jade got married, as we know.”Charles squinted, caught off guard by the backstory. "What happened next?" He leaned in, eager for the rest of the story."There's not much to tell. Uncle Harrison never really came back after heading to Capiton. Word is that he s
"Don't worry. I'm on it. The Canfield family's after my project, and Yankel's gonna have to cough up something big in return.""Good, just hurry it up. Bobby's sickness isn't waiting for anyone." Sean's heart ached at the thought of Bobby in the hospital bed and Liliana's daily distress. "You don't want Liliana to go through another ordeal, do you? The nightmare from three years ago still haunts her. Bobby can't afford a crisis right now.""I've got it under control. Anything else?" Charles's tone was dismissive, clearly signaling the end of the conversation.Sean rubbed his nose, a bit miffed. "Don't get too comfy kicking people to the curb once they’re done helping you!"Charles's laugh was icy, his eyes glinting with a dare. "Oh, it can get even more satisfying. Do you want to give it a shot?"Grinding his teeth in frustration, Sean balled his fists and gave Charles a defiant wave. "You’re playing hardball, Charles. Just remember this when you come begging for a favor.""Isn't
Brian's expression turned odd, and he shifted uncomfortably under Noelle's steady gaze. "It's nothing, really. It's just that I've been trying to reach her, and she seems to be busy all the time. Or maybe she hasn't seen my messages?"Noelle's face lit up with realization. She figured that Teresa and Brian had not been in touch lately, and that was probably why Brian was on the lookout for her. Noelle's eyes twinkled with mischief, convinced that the pair must have good chemistry. She pretended to mull it over for a bit before saying with a touch of hesitation. "Well, it's not really a big deal. Teresa just went to some social event not too long ago, so she probably made a couple of new friends, you know?""A social event? New friends?"Brian zeroed in on those words, narrowing his eyes at Noelle. "Ms. Saunders went to some kind of social event?" He looked totally shocked, as if he could not wrap his head around the idea of Teresa going on what sounded like blind dates.Noelle ca
The Majestic Lounge was Charles's next stop after leaving Phoenix Tree Residence. He had agreed to meet there and went straight to the private room. Sean was there, drinking non-stop.Charles walked up, took Sean's drink from his hand, and looked over at Peter. "What's happening?"Peter's eyebrow shot up. "Wow, drama!" He could not help but chuckle. "This is the first time I've seen him so worked up, acting like it's the end of the world, and he won't even tell us why!"As he spoke, Peter poured a glass of wine for Charles. Charles squinted and shook his head. "No thanks, I've stopped drinking."Peter's mouth gave a quick twitch. "Come on, really?""For real, I've quit!" Charles insisted. "I've got kids now, and I need to be a good role model for them!"Charles said it with such a smug tone that Peter almost wanted to toss a wine bottle at him. Sean, with his heart recently broken, just could not take it. He looked up, his eyes red with emotion, glaring at Charles as if he was
Charles gently tousled Noelle's hair. "Weren't you just saying how tired you were? What happened? Not sleepy now?" He teased her as she acted all wiggly and giggly like a little kid.Noelle blinked her big eyes. "Nope, I just want to hug you!"Charles smiled softly. "Okay then!" He closed his eyes. "Time to sleep!""Alright!" Noelle closed her eyes, too.When she woke up, Charles was gone. Noelle looked around, got out of bed, and after getting ready, she went to check Ice and Glitter's room, but they were not there.She went downstairs and found Maxwell holding Ice and Glitter, playing together with a caregiver nearby.Noelle was surprised. "Grandpa, when did you get here?""Ah, Noelle, you're up?" Maxwell smiled warmly and waved her over. "Come sit with me!""Where's Charles, Grandpa?" Noelle asked since she had not seen Charles since she woke up."Oh, he just said he had some stuff to take care of and went out," Maxwell said, not too worried. "I haven't seen the kids for a
"You don't need to lose any more weight," Charles said, playfully squeezing Noelle's waist. His eyes grew serious. "It's not good to be too thin."He preferred her with a little more weight, looking strong and huggable. "Being a bit plump is nice. It's comfy to cuddle!""Oh, stop it!" she protested, feeling he was teasing her.Blushing, Noelle looked down, too shy to meet Charles's gaze.Even after being married for so long, whenever Charles playfully teased her, Noelle's heart would still skip a beat. It raced so fast she could hardly keep up."I'm doing all this for you!" Noelle snuggled against Charles's chest. "You only get one wedding day, and I want to be the most beautiful bride!" She sighed, tilting her head. "You wouldn't believe it, but the wedding dress and gown mom and Aunt Nancy picked out yesterday were all too tight!"Remembering yesterday's dress-fitting fiasco, Noelle felt a twinge of frustration. "I told Mom my size from before I got pregnant. I could fit into i
"Look at this, look at this, now you're mad at me!" Maxwell started to make a scene. Charles held his head, feeling a splitting headache, "Noelle and the kids are asleep, do you want to wake them up?"Hearing that, Maxwell immediately quieted down, "You little scamp, why didn't you say so sooner? If you wake Ice and Glitter, I'll tan your hide!"Maxwell pretended to swing at someone in the air while Charles gave him an annoyed glance and then asked the servants to bring Maxwell's bags inside.Then Maxwell started ordering the servants around to get his room just right. After a lot of commotion, he finally settled down and asked for some coffee.Charles, nursing a headache, asked Maxwell, "What brings you here?" "Hmph, didn't you hear? Your dad and Uncle Henry don't want me anymore. So what's it going to be? Are you going to start looking down on me too?""No way!" Charles thought Maxwell was really getting too cranky with age. "This isn't like the old family home. There's no one
Kelly got it, "So, Grandpa, you're planning to?""I'm going to stay with Charles for a bit." He added, "Or you could come with me. I could have the driver drop you off at the school to take a look first?""No need, Grandpa, I'll take Seth myself. I've already talked to the folks there.""Alright then!" Maxwell nodded, "That's fine, but does Yves know about the school thing for the kid?"Maxwell was not just concerned about Charles and Noelle's wedding. He was also anxious about Yves and Kelly's situation.Since Maxwell had made his feelings clear last time, he would not let Yves and Kelly leave the family home, insisting they stay. Kelly could not argue with Maxwell and had to agree.Kelly nodded, "He knows, he's been really busy lately, I'll go have a look myself!""Oh yes, he's swamped since he took over the Collosus Group. There's so much he has to do himself. However, dear, if you don't want him to overwork, just tell me, and I'll get Charles to go back and lend a hand!""N
"Okay."Seeing that, Ronald breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, I'll be off then, Mr. Hoffman."Once Ronald was gone, Noelle spun around and gave Charles a stern look. "Why don't you go to work? You're always just hanging around the house, getting in the way!" Noelle noticed that Charles had changed a lot since Ice and Glitter came into their lives.He used to be so passionate about his job, often bringing work home and staying up late in the study. However, then? He was always cuddling with Glitter, eating, napping, and not doing much else.Ronald was his assistant, after all. However, what about then? That look of disdain he had just given him.Charles squinted and raised an eyebrow. "Are you tired of me, Noelle? Don't want me around?"Noelle pressed her hand to her forehead. "That's not what I'm saying. I'm trying to have a serious talk with you, you should know...""I know, you're jealous!" Charles cut her off, stood up with Glitter in his arms, walked over to Noelle, and wrap
Although Charles and Noelle were not in a rush to plan their wedding, the Hoffman and Smith families certainly were. Everyone was eager to make sure every detail was perfect as no one wanted anything to go wrong.Clarisse, who had initially been preoccupied with the Bakers' situation, found herself too busy with the wedding preparations to think about anything else. Once she got caught up in the planning, there was simply no time to spare.Meanwhile, Nancy's health had improved significantly. Given how significant this wedding was for the Hoffman family, she naturally wanted to be involved.However, Henry remained concerned about her physical condition, only allowing her to oversee the decorations and review the guest list rather than taking on anything too strenuous.Charles and Noelle's wedding had become one of the grandest social events in Brookville's elite circles. Ever since the news of their marriage broke, countless socialites had secretly mourned the loss of another eligi
Sean felt a deep irritation rising within him. Savannah always assumed that Liliana was still clinging to him, unaware that she had long stopped loving him.Now, she probably wished he would disappear from her sight altogether. How could she possibly still be chasing after him?Yet every time Savannah spoke like this, it felt like a knife twisting in his heart, making it even harder to bear.He desperately wanted to find an escape, some way to let go, but he could not do it no matter what he did. He simply could not bring himself to let go.To Savannah, his impatience only added to her displeasure toward Liliana. "I'm talking to you! Are you even listening?" she snapped. I don't care what that woman does. I'll never approve of your relationship with her, so you'd better give up!"Sean's eyes remained fixed on his phone. On the screen was a private message from Charles. It was a video taken just moments ago in the Hoffman family's living room, where they had been discussing Liliana
Liliana flinched slightly. "Grandpa, I'm really not in a hurry right now.""How can you not be?" Maxwell sighed. "Look at the rest—they're all married. You're the only one still single in the Hoffman family. How can I not be worried?"He let out another heavy sigh, shaking his head. "I'm getting old. I've spent so much of my energy worrying about you all."Liliana could not help but smile wryly. "Grandpa, don't say that. I really have been thinking about it. Once Bobby recovers, I'll take my future more seriously.""Really?" Maxwell's eyes lit up. "Well then, don't you worry about Bobby's illness. If you don't want to go to the Smith family's hospital, that's fine. I'll find an even better hospital for him."I'll make sure someone takes care of it. You just focus on yourself, and leave the rest to me."Liliana chuckled. "Alright." She gently patted Bobby's back, soothing him as he drifted off to sleep.Once he was completely asleep, she stood up. "Grandpa, Bobby is asleep now. I