"Grandpa!" Noelle set her things aside and rushed over. Seeing how frail Samuel looked, tears welled up in her eyes. "I'm sorry. I got here late.""Don't be silly, my dear," Samuel said, taking Noelle's hand in his. Noelle squeezed his hand. "Grandpa, are you feeling any better?""I'm doing quite well," Samuel replied, though it seemed hard for him to speak. He glanced outside. Noelle nodded. "Everyone's waiting outside. Grandpa, they found out you gave me the shares!" Noelle said. "Did Mom argue with you about it?""I saw it coming." Samuel shook his head. "I've been expecting it, but I'm not as strong as I used to be," he sighed. "Noelle, I gave you the shares, so I won't take them back. I know they'll give you a hard time, but I can't do much about it. I'm getting old, and one day I'll be gone. If I don't give them to you, they might end up with strangers, and then our City Ring Corp. won't belong to the Shaw family anymore. You understand, right?"Noelle stopped talking, her fi
Samuel sounded startled again as he asked, “Royal Star Entertainment?” Samuel was not in the entertainment industry, but he had heard of Charles’ name. Charles was involved in plenty of industries, so he was not unfamiliar with Royal Star Entertainment. However, he had never imagined Charles would go to this extent for Noelle. Finally, Samuel felt the stress that had been weighing him down recently lifting off his shoulders. He patted Noelle’s hand as he smiled in relief. “Alright, my dear child. I always knew you’d be able to find someone who treated you much better than that detestable man before.” “I did, Grandpa. He’s really good to me,” Noelle said as she smiled shyly. “Grandpa, once you’re all better, shall I arrange a meeting so you guys can get to know each other officially?” “Of course!” Samuel was delighted to hear his granddaughter willingly offering to introduce his grandson-in-law to him. He suddenly felt like there was nothing wrong with his health anymore, and he
Noelle continued talking to Samuel, but he soon fell asleep because of his frail health. She pulled a blanket over him and gazed at him for a while before taking her purse and leaving the room. Both Julian and Jade were still outside when she left the room. Upon seeing her, Jade hurried over and asked, “What did your grandfather tell you? Did you talk to him about the shares?” Jade grabbed Noelle by the arm and shook it violently. “Come on! Say something. Has he agreed to transfer ownership of the stocks to your sister?” “Let me go!” If Noelle had harbored any hope for Jade to eventually start treating her better, she could admit now that she had been a blind fool. Jade’s intentions were obvious. She could not care less about Noelle or about Grandpa’s health. All she wanted was the shares. “Grandpa is still unwell, yet all you care about are those shares and not his health.” Noelle gritted her teeth. “I’ve already told you that I won’t help you with that. It’s up to Grandpa h
Noelle began laughing all of a sudden. She gazed coldly at Jade as she said, “You guys should just give up. I’ll never let you guys have ownership over these shares!” “Does that mean you really do own them now?” Winter caught the point Noelle was trying to make, and a sinister look settled across her features as her hatred intensified. She had not expected that old geezer to actually give Noelle, that b*tch, ownership over those shares. How could that be allowed? If Noelle owned shares in City Ring Corp., it would mean she had a voice within the organization. If that were the case, Noelle would take away everything that rightfully belonged to her.Winter glanced at Xavier, who had remained silent all this while, as she gritted her teeth and curled her hands into fists. However, she soon drew in a deep breath and smiled as she turned to Noelle and said, “Noelle, I don’t think you have much use for those shares anyway, right? How about I buy them from you? What do you think?”
Noelle gritted her teeth and glanced at the arm Julian was gripping before she looked up. "What do you think, Dad?” “Did you really give them to Joshua? Have you gone mad? Your grandfather adopted him as a child, and he’s not even an actual Shaw! How could you transfer ownership of those shares to an outsider? Do you know just how many shares your grandfather owns? If you’ve really given them to Joshua, City Ring Corp. will have to undergo an entire structural change!” “I don’t think it’s that serious!” Noelle chuckled, placing a hand on Julian’s before shoving it away with great force. “Uncle Joshua has lived with Grandpa for many years, and Grandpa is genuinely fond of him. He’s long treated Uncle Joshua like a member of the Shaw family! Dad, are you denying that he’s part of the family when not even Grandpa is doing that?” “What do you know? At the end of the day, he’s not related to the family by blood. Your grandfather might be nice to him, but who knows what’s actually goin
“Noelle, wait!” Noelle was already at the hospital’s main entrance when Xavier’s voice rang out from behind her. She paused and watched as he made his way toward her. Xavier hurried over to stand before Noelle. He smiled at her. "Noelle, was everything you said true?” Noelle narrowed her eyes and gave Xavier a wary look. “What are you referring to?” Based on the look in Xavier’s eyes, she had already figured out what he was talking about. Sure enough, he asked, “Did Grandpa Shaw really give those shares to you? You were lying when you said you’d given ownership of them to someone else, weren’t you?” Noelle’s eyes remained narrowed as she burst into laughter. “Do you think I was lying or telling the truth?” She chose to answer his question with another question, and that visibly stunned Xavier. He frowned, seemingly displeased by her attitude. “I asked you first.” Noelle pursed her lips, a sudden wave of annoyance toward Xavier washing over her. She wondered how she had such
Noelle turned away without hesitating and drove off. She had never imagined Xavier would go this far and pull such disgusting moves. How dare he come buttering her up now that he knew she was a shareholder of City Ring Corp? Did he really think she was an idiot he could summon as he pleased?She had not reached the point where she had that little self-respect!Winter stood in a corner and watched the exchange between Xavier and Noelle. Her hands were gripping the wall tightly as she gritted her teeth and glared at Noelle until she finally left. For a moment, Winter wished to herself that the wall in her grasp was actually Noelle so that she could strangle her to death. Why? Why were both her paternal and maternal grandfathers so nice to that bitch? Her paternal grandfather had even transferred ownership of his shares to Noelle! As for Xavier… Well, she had always known he had only gotten together with her because he had his eyes set on the shares she owned. However, she did
What did Noelle have that would make them equals? She was nothing more than a mere employee at Frotconn. “Oh, that’s right, Xavier,” Winter said as she chewed on her lip. “Given how tense my relationship with Noelle is, do you think it’ll bring any harm to Frotconn if she continues working there?” An odd look appeared on Xavier’s face. He had not even considered this problem. However, it seemed tough to have Noelle fired from Frotconn when she had not done anything wrong. “What are you thinking about, Xavier?” Winter asked as she shook Xavier’s shoulder lightly. “Do you think I’m being too harsh on Noelle?” “No, don’t overthink things!” Xavier began thinking about what Winter had just brought up. An ugly look settled across his features when he realized Frotconn seemed to be experiencing a decline in orders recently. “You’re right. I must discuss this with my father. Given how much Noelle hates me, I don’t think it would be good for Frotconn if she continues working there!”
Bran's innocent comment had everyone laughing. "Oh, Bran, they just haven't opened their eyes yet. When they grow up, they'll be as cute as you!""Really?" Bran asked, tilting their head, "Okay then!"Liliana had been quiet the whole time, just watching the babies in the incubator.She had not really wanted to come, since the Hoffmans and the Smiths were not exactly her biggest fans. However, she wanted to see those babies, to see the little ones who belonged to Charles and Noelle.Today, both families were filled with joy, and nobody paid much attention to Liliana. Even if they were not fond of her, they would not send her away on such a happy day.Liliana gazed at the two little babies in the warm nursery, and her eyes quickly filled with tears. She placed her hands gently on the glass, a small smile spreading across her face as she whispered to herself, "They are so beautiful."Clarisse watched Liliana and felt a mix of emotions stirring within her.She did not feel very clos
Yves gave a gentle smile and stroked Seth's hair. "Are you having a good time?""Yes!" Seth bobbed his head enthusiastically. "Bran and Bobby are really nice!" Seth had clearly made friends, and Yves' smile grew wider. However, then he turned to Kelly. "Would you like to visit the hospital?"Kelly's eyes lifted. "Is that okay?" She had been worried about Noelle's safety, but she knew that her presence might not help and might even be a hindrance. Besides, the kids needed someone to watch over them, so she had been trying to stay calm.When Yves made the offer, Kelly wanted to go. "How's Noelle doing?""Charles just called. The mom and babies are all doing great!" Yves told Kelly with a big smile, looking really happy. "It's a boy and a girl, but they came a bit early. They're still in their cozy incubators for now.""And how's Noelle?" Kelly asked quickly."She's fine too, just getting some rest," Yves replied, softly touching Kelly's forehead. Kelly blinked in surprise, looking
"Winter mailed the package. I thought Mrs. Hoffman would open it, but she didn't!" The maid's face showed a flicker of disappointment. "Winter promised the item would surely frighten Mrs. Hoffman, so...""So, you tried to scare her?" Yves thought that Winter must really hate Noelle, especially since she was pregnant.Yves squinted and asked, "What happened next?""When Winter heard that it didn't work, she met with me and handed me a lamp. She said it was from Mr. Baker and told me to light it while Mrs. Hoffman was fast asleep. She said that it would go unnoticed!"After she spoke, the maid fell to the ground, too much in pain to stand. The guard service member, seeing that, stabbed her thigh with a knife, "Ahh..."The maid screamed again, but the guard service member quickly covered her mouth.The pain had nearly knocked her out, but then she was wide awake again, "I've told you everything I know, I don't know anything else, I really don't.""How do you two keep in touch?" Yve
"Mr. Yves Hoffman, I swear it wasn't me!"The woman was so terrified of Yves that she trembled all over. She could not bring herself to look at him, and his powerful presence left her feeling lost. She hung her head low. "Mr. Yves Hoffman, it wasn't me. I swear it wasn't me! I'm just a lowly servant, I don't know anything about this!"However, the more she denied it, the sharper Yves's gaze became, pinning her down so she did not dare look up.She felt a sharp sense of fear, but it was not as bad as the kind that Charles could make her feel."So it wasn't you?" Yves said with a smirk. "Maybe you don't realize what I'm capable of." He gestured to one of his guard service members."Yes, Mr. Yves Hoffman!"Since Charles had left Yves in charge, all of the guard service members guards in the Phoenix Tree Residence heeded his command.One guard stepped forward, and as he reached the woman, she started to shake like a leaf. "Yves, who do you think you are to do this to me... ah..."S
After the baby was born, Margaret carefully placed the twins in their warmers. Then, dragging her tired feet, she stepped out to find Charles.Charles stood up when he heard her, "How did it go?""The babies are safe, a boy and a girl. Congratulations, Mr. Hoffman," Margaret said, a smile of relief spreading across her face. "However, they were born early, so they need to stay warm for now. Is that okay?""I want to know about my wife. How is she?" Charles cut in, his concern for Noelle evident in his voice."Um... there's a gentleman still in there operating on Mrs. Hoffman," Margaret really wanted to ask who that man was, but after seeing the look on Charles's face, she did not dare to ask.After Margaret left, Charles glued his eyes to the operating room door.An hour later, Saxon emerged from the operating room. He was sweating, but otherwise, he looked fine. Charles got up and hurried over, "How's my wife?""The poison's out, but she breathed it in for quite a while, so she
"What's that smell in the room?"Charles and Yves both caught a whiff of something unusual, a scent so light that Charles could not place it. His eyes darted to an aromatherapy lamp on the nightstand, narrowing slightly. "What's that?""The SN virus!" Saxon's gaze locked onto the lamp. "They were smart to use it in the lamp, lighting it when people are most vulnerable.""However, doesn't the SN spread through cuts?" Linda mentioned that just the other day."That's only at first. She didn't finish her research, so she wouldn't know. I can't believe they got their hands on it. Who did you cross?" Saxon moved to check Noelle's pulse, his forehead creasing. "We need to get to the hospital, now.""Okay!"Charles hurriedly took Noelle and Saxon to Sean's hospital. With Sean and Linda away, Saxon was their only hope.Saxon was a bit of an oddball, helping people only when he felt like it.Charles stole a glance at Saxon, who was resting with his eyes closed, and let out a relieved bre
"Mommy!" Seth saw Kelly and ran to her, hugging her legs. "Mommy, you were gone so long! Daddy and I were waiting for you!"Kelly was surprised and glanced at Yves. Their eyes met, and she felt a little embarrassed.Yves looked away, nodding at Charles.Charles had been about to go downstairs when he suddenly felt something strange. He turned and hurried back up."Come out!"He did not see anyone, buthe had felt a presence he had not noticed before.Charles had always been on his toes, so when he felt something was off, he quickly made his way to the second-floor hallway. To his surprise, it was deserted.Squinting his eyes, Charles pulled a military knife from his side and tiptoed toward the bedroom. As soon as he nudged the door open, a shadow darted at him, and they tumbled into a scuffle.Whoever this person had been, they had slipped past the Phoenix Tree Residence's tight security without a sound—a clear sign they were no amateur. Charles did not know who he was up agains
Charles quirked an eyebrow. "What do you want to talk about?""We can't afford to keep Janet around, she's trouble. You might ignore her because of the Bakers, but she won't stop stirring up problems. Now that Noelle's pregnant, we can't risk it!" Kelly's eyes were locked on Charles, searching for a hint in his expression.However, Charles simply observed her, his hand on his chin, his eyes filled with curiosity.Sensing his intense gaze, Kelly grew uneasy. She always felt this way in Charles' presence, as if she harbored a secret."Well, if there's nothing else, I'll head out."Charles lifted an eyebrow. "What's going on with you and Yves?"At his question, Kelly tensed up. "I...""I'm thinking of inviting him to join the Collosus Group, so I'm counting on you to help with this!" Charles finished. Kelly turned around, surprised, and looked at him in disbelief. "I don't get what you mean!" Even though they had cleared up the current issue, Kelly did not think Charles would welco
"Not getting it? Then think harder!" Charles ended the call, a cigarette hanging unlit from his fingers. He had not smoked in ages, especially since he began dating Noelle. However, today, the old craving hit him, and he found himself reaching for a smoke.A knock on the door pulled Charles from his thoughts. He looked up, surprised to see Kelly. Squinting, he asked, "What brings you here?"Kelly gave a small nod, "Got a minute to chat?"Charles nodded and gestured for her to take a seat. Kelly stepped inside. "I came with Yves. He's downstairs playing with Seth and Bran!" Kelly said, playing with her hair nervously. When Charles nodded, she took a deep breath. "I didn't really have anything important to talk about today. I just heard from Yves that something happened. Was it about Noelle?"Since Kelly was Noelle's sister, it made sense for her to be worried.Charles nodded again. "Sort of.""Do you know who did it?""You know them too!" Charles said, tossing his cigarette awa