"What are you two chatting about?"Sean was the first to push the door open and walk in. He saw Noelle and Kelly talking, and the sisters seemed to be in a good mood.Charles followed with a plate of pumpkin pie. When he saw the child in Noelle's arms, his expression softened.Noelle was softly touching Seth's cheek. When she saw Charles and Sean enter, she smiled and said, "Oh, it's just girl talk. That's not something for you guys to worry about.""Okay!" Charles nodded and walked over with the pumpkin pie. He cut a couple of slices and handed them to Noelle. "Margaret said this was okay for you to eat!" Then he gave the rest to Seth.At first, Seth was shy around Charles and seemed too nervous to speak. However, after seeing Noelle and Kelly's encouraging glances, he reached out, took a slice, and popped it into his mouth.The pie must have been delicious because after Seth finished one slice, he could not resist reaching for another, though he still looked at Charles cautious
Kelly was a bit surprised initially, but then she got what Sean was asking and nodded. "Sure. We can do it anytime!""Great. Come with me for a bit!"When Sean whispered something to Kelly and she started to leave, Noelle stopped them. "What's happening?""Oh, I'm just taking Kelly to the lab to check on something. Don't worry," Sean explained to Noelle. "Kelly is your real sister, and her blood type is a perfect match for yours."Noelle looked at Kelly with mixed feelings. "Kelly, the truth is...""Don't worry. Charles, can you please watch Seth for a little while? I'll be back in no time!" Kelly said as she gently caressed Seth's cheek. "Seth, I'm going to run some errands with your uncle, okay? You stay here and have fun with your aunt and uncle Charles, alright?""Mommy, where are you going?""Just to the hospital. I'll return before you know it!" Kelly gave Seth's cheek a soft squeeze. "I've got my phone with me. If you miss me, just give me a call!""Alright!"Once Seth
Sean was not worried at all. Kelly was part of the Smith family now, and she had not done anything really bad. He had no hard feelings toward her, and deep down, he was actually happy to see her getting along with Noelle."We'll head over in a bit! However, just so you know, we won't get the test results until tomorrow at the earliest, and I can't promise how well you and Noelle will match up."Kelly nodded. After popping a candy in her mouth, her dizziness started to fade. She looked at Sean with a serious face. "About what Charles said... The virus injection thing..."Sean was caught off guard. "You... You know, you could say no. Noelle wouldn't agree to it if she knew."Kelly shook her head firmly. "Please,l don't tell Noelle!"“But...""I'll be okay, I've already talked it over with Charles."Sean realized arguing was pointless, Kelly had made up her mind. He gave a resigned smile. "Alright, but we have to wait a little longer. Noelle still needs to have her blood taken, and
Kelly laughed softly in agreement. "Yeah!" With the way Charles treated Noelle, he was sure to be wonderful with kids too! She just had not expected him to go so far for Noelle's sake.With a casual glance, Sean suggested, "Let's head inside."Their movement caught the attention of the people inside. Noelle looked up to see Kelly, and Seth spotted her too. He shouted, "Mommy!" and scrambled down from Noelle's lap, eager to run to Kelly.Charles was quick to catch Seth, saying, "Careful!""Everything good?"Charles asked Sean if everything was set, and Sean nodded. "Yep, we should have the results by tomorrow morning!" Then he added, "Noelle, I need to give you a quick check-up now." As he said that, a nurse came in with a cart. Sean grabbed a syringe and looked at Noelle.Noelle nodded and held out her arm without flinching.Sean smiled. "You're so brave. I almost don't want to do this.""Come on. Less talking, more doing!" Charles said, getting a bit impatient. Sean raised a
Tania shook her head. "It's nothing. I just thought Kelly was acting a little weird, that's all. Come on. Let's go see how Noelle is doing!""Sure!" Peter agreed with a nod. He watched Tania take Bran by the hand and head into the hospital room. Peter's eyes lingered on the spot where Kelly had just been, and it took him a moment before he turned and followed them inside.Sean had finished drawing blood and noticed Noelle looking a bit pale. "Why don't you lie down for a bit or have some candy?" Sean offered, pulling a few pieces from his pocket and reaching out to Noelle. However, Charles blocked his hand. "They're so dirty. You can't give those to Noelle!""Hey! Who are you calling dirty? What's dirty about them?" Sean was clearly annoyed by Charles's fussiness. "Look at you, all finicky. Kelly didn't mind when I gave her some after her blood test!"Charles squinted at him. "They're dirty.""Come on, you..." Sean said, rolling up his sleeves like he was ready to throw down with
"Hey, come over here and see me," Noelle said, waving them over to sit down. Peter had taken Sean and Charles outside, leaving Tania feeling relieved and at ease. She sat down with Bran next to Noelle and asked, "So, Kelly knows what's going on with you too?"Noelle nodded. "Yes, she does. That's why she didn't just come to visit."Tania nodded, understanding. She glanced at Noelle's belly, her eyes filled with concern and a bit of worry.Noelle caught the look and reassured her with a smile. "I'm not too worried, you know. You've been okay for three years now."Tania's smile faded a little. She kept to herself that she had not had any problems because she had not faced any triggers. However, Noelle had faced something that set off her condition last time, which was why she got sick so quickly."Right, then it should all be fine. I think my brother just wants to make sure you're okay by having you in the hospital. So, you might as well make the most of it and get him to spoil you
Peter left the next morning, bright and early. Tania knew where he was headed, but she could not shake off a feeling of unease.Before he left, Peter had a serious talk with Charles. Tania knew things were serious, even though Peter and Charles had not told her everything.Charles had a lot on his plate, looking after both Noelle and Collosus Group. Lately, Collosus Group had been rocked by chaos, from outside attacks to internal strife. Charles realized that was not like the minor troubles of the past. The enemy had come prepared, secretly placing many of their own inside Collosus Group. If Steven had not led a team to breach the enemy's firewall and uncover some clues, Charles might have been clueless about the infiltration.Worried that Tania might be in danger, Charles decided to place her and Bran under the protection of the Hoffman family.The Hoffman estate might not look like much from the outside, but Maxwell had been busy over the years, gathering a strong team of guards.
"No need. Where was the secret Lifebringer seen two days ago? Email me all the details, and get a high-performance car ready." Peter got into the car after speaking. Jeremy was shocked for a second, then hurried to follow, taking the seat next to the driver. "Mr. Lennon, I'm on it right now!"Half an hour had passed, and Jeremy had emailed all the details about the secret Lifebringer to Peter. Meanwhile, Peter's team had quickly arranged for a rugged Hummer to be at his disposal. "Mr. Lennon, is this to your liking?" they asked.Without even a sideways glance at Jeremy, Peter hopped into the vehicle and clicked his seatbelt into place. "Get everyone on it right away. Search every nook and cranny, and keep in touch with me non-stop by phone," he instructed.Just as Peter was about to zoom off, Jeremy called out, "Mr. Lennon, shouldn't you bring some backup? It's been pretty dangerous in Francoria lately."Peter shook his head. "No need. More people just means more problems." He was
This wedding was nothing short of spectacular. Every moment was meticulously recorded by a dedicated team, with cameras set up throughout the venue to capture every detail of the ceremony from all angles.Charles and Noelle barely had a moment to rest as they moved from table to table, toasting guests with endless glasses of wine. The atmosphere remained lively and joyous deep into the night. It was not until the early hours of the morning that Noelle finally helped Charles to a private lounge on the second floor of the hotel.Though many had stepped in to shield them from excessive drinking, there was no avoiding the celebratory nature of the occasion. The alcohol had inevitably taken its toll. After settling Charles onto the couch, Noelle fetched some honey water and a warm towel before returning to his side.Charles lay slightly on his side, propping his chin up with one hand. Noelle sat beside him and handed him the towel, but he did not reach for it.Sighing, she called soft
Sean clicked his tongue, shaking his head in amusement. "Charles, your body is here, but your heart is clearly somewhere else."Then, as if making an even bigger discovery, he gestured toward a spot not far away. "Oh, I say, Charles, this is a real crisis. See that?"With the enthusiasm of someone who thrived on drama, Sean pointed at Noelle and Grant. "I don't know, man. That guy doesn't look like he's here with good intentions."Charles raised an eyebrow, his gaze darkening as it settled on Noelle and Grant. He gripped his glass a little tighter, but his eyes refused to move away from them. Still, his words were dismissive. "He's just another big brother-in-law. That's all.""Yeah, right. Just admit it—he's a strong rival."The second Sean finished speaking, he felt an icy stare pierce through him. Charles' glare was sharp enough to cut. "Hmm? What did you just say?""Nothing!" Sean swallowed hard, instantly backtracking. Dear god, a jealous man was terrifying!"You think he's
Grant's eyes carried too many emotions—too many things unspoken. Noelle could not fully understand, but she could sense that there was something significant behind his words.The diary in her hands had to hold something important that was possibly related to the past she had forgotten. Perhaps they were the lost pieces of her memory that she had always assumed were not crucial.She had assumed so because otherwise, she would have recalled them after all these years. Besides, they had not seemed to affect her life in any meaningful way.Over time, she had gradually let go of the idea of remembering.Yet now, with Grant handing her this diary, an unsettling feeling crept over her as if she had forgotten something incredibly important—something she could not afford to lose.Holding the diary tightly, Noelle felt a strange mix of emotions that she could not quite describe.She hesitated before murmuring, "Thank you."In the end, she did not ask Grant where he had gotten the diary. I
"Alright!" Charles took the glass from Bob's hand and downed it in one go.Standing beside him, Noelle opened her mouth slightly and reached out to tug at Charles' arm. "Charlie… Take it easy!"With so many guests around, Charles had already had quite a bit to drink. If they kept pushing more onto him, how would he handle it?Noelle looked at him with concern, but Charles simply smiled and gently patted the back of her hand. "I'm fine.""Oh, wow, are you showing off your love for each other right in front of us? Are you trying to make us single folks suffer?"Simon chimed in, fueling the lively atmosphere. He had always been the laid-back type, and now, paired with Sean, the two seemed to hit it off instantly. They were like long-lost partners in crime. They exchanged a knowing glance, clearly set on making Charles drink more.Noelle wanted to say something, but seeing the calm look Charles gave her, she hesitated and eventually let them have their fun.With that, Charles was dr
Charles opened the gift box, revealing a pair of crystal flats. Noelle was surprised, but before she could react, Charles had already removed her heels and was carefully helping her into the new shoes.Gasps of astonishment rippled through the crowd, and Noelle could not help but feel a little embarrassed. However, Charles remained completely focused, his movements gentle and precise as he secured the flats on her feet before helping her stand again.The moment Noelle stood up, she immediately felt much more comfortable. However, a new problem arose.Her wedding gown had been tailored for the height of her heels, and now, with the flats, she had suddenly lost nearly three inches. It caused the hem of her dress to drag awkwardly on the floor. It looked far from elegant.Noelle shot a troubled look at Charles. Without hesitation, he crouched down once more. With a few effortless movements, he gathered the outer layers of her gown, tying them into a casual knot at the side.Noelle's
"Grandpa, Granddad!" Noelle called out, holding Charles's hand as they approached. Sebastian waved them over, "Noelle, come to my side!" Holding Charles's hand, Noelle walked up to Sebastian and let go to hug his arm, "Granddad!""There's my sweet girl!" Sebastian's eyes twinkled with joy as he looked at Noelle and Charles.Charles's lips were always tipped with a gentle smile, and he joined Noelle, saying, "Granddad!""Yes, wonderful!"Finally, the big day came—a wedding with a beautiful ceremony.Sebastian was really proud of Charles, his star student. Then, Noelle married Charles, and Sebastian felt a huge relief, as if a weight had been lifted from his heart.Sebastian felt a little sad thinking about Noelle getting married for real. He pulled a small box from his pocket and said, "Your grandma got this from her family when she was alive. Now, I want you to have it!""No, I can't take this!" Noelle said quickly when she heard it was from her grandma.However, Sebastian sh
"Wow, I can't believe that just happened!""Look at that! Charles is actually so considerate and gentle—it’s hard to believe!”Charles slipped the crystal shoes onto Noelle's feet and then scooped her up in his arms. With that, the noisy crowd made their way out of the place.Outside the place, a line of fancy cars waited. People climbed in, and they all set off for the hotel.As the luxury cars rolled away from the Smith residence, reporters followed, eager to capture every moment of the spectacle.Even though the Hoffmans and the Smiths had told the press to stay out of certain areas, they could not stop them from snapping pictures on the public streets. So, the day's big moments ended up all over the internet.In front of the hotel run by the Nexus Group, car after car pulled up and parked. The whole street had been cleared out just for today's wedding party.Charles, looking sharp in his white suit, stepped out of the car and turned his back to the door. A pretty figure in w
The church was alive with love and happiness, the air buzzing with laughter, congratulations, and heartfelt connections. For a moment, Charles stood still, holding Noelle’s hand, soaking in the overwhelming joy that surrounded them. It wasn’t just the ceremony that made the day special—it was the people they loved, the memories they’d shared, and the future they were about to build together.As the crowd slowly began to disperse, the newlyweds, still smiling and basking in the glow of their love, made their way out of the church, ready to begin the rest of their lives together.Just then, the bridesmaids—Kelly, Liliana and Linda—and the groomsmen—Sean, Peter, and the others—emerged from the church. They were all smiling, but especially Sean, who had his usual carefree, playful attitude. He walked up behind Charles as if he were about to give him a friendly shove.However, before Sean could do anything else, it was obvious that Charles was not pleased with him at all. With a quick mo
Meanwhile, Charles caught sight of his mother, Clarisse and father, Mateo, both of them beaming with pride. Clarisse's eyes were bright with tears as she dabbed at them with a tissue, while Mateo's face was etched with a quiet, proud smile."Charles!" Clarisse called out, her voice thick with emotion. She was barely holding it together, and her hands trembled as she waved him over for a hug. Charles went to her, his heart swelling, and pulled her into his arms. "I'm so proud of you," she whispered, and the emotion in her voice made his chest tighten. He pulled back, giving her a soft smile, and then hugged Mateo, who patted him on the back."Don't you go breaking her heart, Charles," Mateo said with a wink, making everyone nearby laugh. It was a comment Charles had heard many times before, but today, it carried a deeper, more heartfelt meaning.He turned to Noelle, and she smiled at him, her eyes crinkling at the corners in that way he loved. Her parents were waiting for her, and