The look on Charles’ face changed slightly. However, he merely shook his head and said, “Nothing!” before he continued standing beside her instead of taking a seat. Noelle gave Charles a long look and then turned to look at the stool before she accepted her fate and began wiping it down. When she was done, she said to him, “It’s clean now, Mr. Hoffman!” Charles gave Noelle a pointed look. Did she think he found the place dirty?His long stares made goosebumps rise on Noelle’s arms. “What’s the matter? Shall we eat somewhere else instead? I know there’s another restaurant nearby that’s got pretty good reviews. Should we go there instead?” She was starting to regret bringing Charles here. Upon hearing that, he immediately sat down, his lips curving ever so slightly into a smile as he said, “That’s alright. This place is fine!” Noelle heaved a sigh of relief and watched as the shop owner approached them. She was stunned when she saw Noelle. “It’s been so long since you last came
The stew was not particularly tasty. It was nothing compared to the delicacies someone as rich as Charles could enjoy in high-end restaurants. However, Noelle had never been a picky eater and would eat anything so long as it filled her stomach. Besides, she was only here for old times’ sake. It was almost time for classes to be let out, so Noelle was worried the crowd would grow larger. Thus, she hurriedly finished her beef stew and suggested they head back. “It’s getting late!” Charles nodded as his phone began ringing. It was from Ronald. “We’ve gotten things ready for Ms. Shaw, Mr. Hoffman!” “Alright. We’re at Vista University right now,” Charles said as he glanced at Noelle. “Do you have any more plans for the night, Ms. Shaw?” “I’m heading home,” Noelle answered. “It’s alright, I can stay here and wait for your assistant. You can take your leave first if you’re busy, Mr. Hoffman!” “No worries!” Charles said as he got to his feet to pay the bill. Noelle hurried after him
Ronald instinctively looked toward Charles, but the nonchalant look on his face made it evident he did not plan to say anything. He felt a headache forming, but he put on a bold face and said, “No, there’s no way it’s a mistake. Definitely not. This is the correct price!” “That can’t be right!” Noelle might not be an expert in the field, but she was no idiot either. There was no way something from Curio Corner could be purchased at that price. Besides, Charles had picked it out, and he would not have picked out something inexpensive. Noelle did not believe it one bit. Sweat pooled on Ronald’s forehead, and he could not help thinking to himself, ‘You’re right that it wasn’t cheap. It was so expensive!’ However, he did not dare say that aloud and merely laughed stupidly. “You probably don’t know this, Ms. Shaw, but Mr. Hoffman often purchases extremely valuable antiques from Curio Corner. The shopkeeper is a smart man, and he knows what discounts he can afford to offer. This pen isn’
“You’re right, but you know what happened the other day. Winter has already begged her multiple times, but she always returns sobbing, doesn’t she? That girl is so cruel. Is there really anything she won’t do?!” Jade said with gritted teeth, her disdain for Noelle evident. “Anyway, we can’t mess up today. Call Noelle and tell her she has to be here because Sir Shaw misses her!” Jade would not allow her precious daughter, Winter, to suffer the slightest. However, Sir Shaw flew into a terrible rage after learning about Noelle and Xavier’s relationship, which meant that he would not give his blessing to Winter and Xavier’s marriage unless Noelle agreed as well. That angered Jade so much that she nearly got into an argument with Sir Shaw. However, she knew what was going through his mind then and knew he was still calling the shots in the Shaw family. “Alright, alright. I know what to do!” Julian felt annoyed as well. The marriage arrangements had been going smoothly, but Noelle had
"Has Noelle arrived?"The Shaw family's long-time butler, Mr. Thompson, was the first to catch sight of Noelle. He had a welcoming grin on his face. "Come on in. Don't just stand there! It's not winter yet, but it’s still cold. Hurry inside and see Sir Joshua. He's been missing you!"Mr. Thompson had been by Samuel's side for ages, tending to him and dedicating his life to the Shaw family. He knew all the ins and outs, especially how much Sir Shaw doted on Noelle.Noelle’s eyes lit up, and her hand was comforted by Mr. Thompson's warm grip. "Okay, I'll go with you to see him! How has he been? Is he eating enough?""He's been eating great and full of energy!" Mr. Thompson chuckled. "You're the one he's been waiting for, Noelle. Sir Shaw has been over the moon knowing you would be back today."Mr. Thompson, knowing that Noelle preferred the quiet, steered her away from the bustling crowd, taking a shortcut through the backyard and straight upstairs to find Samuel.It was Samuel's b
When Noelle put it that way, Samuel could only let out a resigned sigh and gently pat her hand. "Don't you worry, kiddo. Your grandpa's got your back. And if you've got a thing for that Xavier, I'll see what I can do...""Grandpa!" Noelle cut him off, her head shaking just a bit. "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. I know that much. Besides, he's spoiled goods now. I'm done with him!""There, there! Our Noelle knows her worth!" Samuel was proud that Noelle was not letting it get to her. However, he was not letting Winter and Xavier get away with pulling a stunt like that."I'll get them to apologize to you and clear up the whole mess!"Hand in hand, Samuel led Noelle downstairs, where all the guests were buzzing with curiosity about the girl he was with.The recent scandal had not gone unnoticed. All this time, the Shaw family was known for Miss Winter, with no mention of a Miss Noelle. After the last bit of gossip hit the airwaves, people started whispering abo
Noelle was no fool. She knew she was not exactly the family favorite, but she had not expected them to stoop this low. Her dad, who was usually so composed, was showing his true colors at Grandpa's birthday, of all places. It was a real eye-opener for Noelle."Grandpa, how about I hang out with you for a bit?" Noelle flashed a smile. "Check it out. We've got a full house today, all here to party for you." She gently took Samuel's hand, ready to head off.Julian was fuming, his face red and his mustache practically bristling. With the crowd watching, however, he bit his tongue.Then, out of nowhere, the crowd started buzzing, and a wave of gasps rolled through the room. Noelle peeked through the sea of people and spotted someone making an entrance at the door the Shaw family had been keeping an eye on. The guy was tall and striking, walking with a confidence that said 'keep your distance,' completely stealing the spotlight from Noelle and her grandpa.Dressed to the nines in a sleek
"Mr. Hoffman sends his best to Sir Shaw. He wishes him all the happiness of the endless oceans and a life as enduring as the ancient mountains."Joseph could butter anybody up. Spotting Charles, he could not resist the chance to strut his stuff in front of the crowd. He shot Xavier a look and sidled over. "Mr. Hoffman! Xavier, aren't you gonna say hi? Your uncle's here because of you!""Uncle, you're here too!"Xavier might have been stewing on the inside; however, in front of Charles, he had to swallow his pride. After all, Charles was a big deal, and showing up here was a big honor...Once Joseph spilled the beans, the dots connected for everyone. Xavier was Charles' nephew, and it looked like Joseph had the mighty Hoffman family in his corner.Charles squinted, a sly grin playing on his lips. It was a grin that said more than words could. His gaze fixed on Xavier with such intensity that Xavier felt a shiver run through him. Standing there with Charles, he was hit with a wave o
"Gosh!"Julian was stunned, completely unprepared for the revelation that Winter was involved.Noelle, too, was unaware of the footage, and her fists clenched tightly as she watched. "It was Winter? She caused Grandpa to be hospitalized, and now, she's the reason he's dead?""Mrs. Hoffman, please keep watching," Ronald urged, signaling Noelle to stay calm. But her whole body was trembling with anger—she was livid.Even Grant, seated beside Noelle, could sense her fury. He reached out, gently holding her hand, and shook his head slightly.Feeling the warmth of his hand, Noelle glanced up at Grant. Her expression was conflicted, and her eyes were red and teary."Uncle Joshua…" she blurted out.In her heart, Grant was Joshua at that moment—the one she had clung to as a child. She was at her most vulnerable, and all decorum fell away.Grant sighed. "The dead can't come back to life.""But Grandpa didn't die naturally. This was murder!" Noelle could not suppress her anguish, and he
When Noelle said this, the room fell silent. Though her words carried a tone of warning, they also carried undeniable truth.Handing City Ring Corp. back to Julian would likely result in the same mismanagement—or worse.City Ring Corp. had already been drained to the point of near collapse. For the shareholders, most of whom had merely been holding their titles, it seemed almost inevitable that the company would soon face bankruptcy.However, with Noelle at the helm, the prospects were entirely different. Behind Noelle stood the Hoffmans, the Smith family, and the Anderson family. Any single one of these entities stepping in would be enough to pull City Ring Corp. out of its dire straits.While it might not guarantee the company would surpass its former glory, it would certainly ensure survival and safeguard its investments.Smart individuals knew how to choose wisely. Moreover, it was clear that Samuel had long foreseen this outcome. His decision to allocate shares in his will no
Everyone was handed a copy, including Julian. As soon as he glanced at the first page, his face underwent a subtle but noticeable change.His fingers trembled as he turned the pages, and the further he read, the more his heart raced with fear.Suddenly, Julian slammed the documents onto the table, his face pale as he struggled to maintain composure. "What's this? You expect us to believe this nonsense? Did you fabricate all this to mislead everyone?""Fabricated?" Ronald countered, calm and unflustered in contrast to Julian's agitation. His cold gaze was fixed on Julian."Mr. Shaw, this data is solid and verifiable. Take the Foyer Project from three years ago, for instance. City Ring Corp. invested a hundred million dollars. So, where's the return?""You're lying! This is confidential internal data. How did you even get your hands on it? You've stolen proprietary information!""Stolen?" Ronald scoffed at the accusation, his confidence unshaken."Mr. Cook, would you say that Ms.
Noelle clenched her fists tightly. She had initially thought Jade simply disliked her, transferring her resentment toward Madison onto her. She also thought Jade was merely sharp-tongued and would take petty jabs from time to time.However, she never imagined Jade would escalate matters by accusing her of framing and even murdering someone. If she did not take a stand now, Jade might escalate further in the future."Jade Jones, I've been speaking to you respectfully because you're my grandfather's adopted daughter and my so-called aunt. But if you insist on rejecting a kind gesture and demanding a harsh response, don't blame me for being impolite.""Do you all hear this? Listen to her!" Jade screamed, her voice shrill as she pointed an accusatory finger at Noelle."This Noelle is completely unbridled now, relying on her backers to destroy me and my daughter, to ruin the Shaws! The old man—she killed him! She really killed him!"Jade's behavior in the conference room bordered on hy
Jade no longer cared about the consequences. All she could think about was how something that should have belonged to them was now being taken by an outsider like Noelle.Jade had never liked Noelle, and given the current situation, she was determined to oppose her.When she heard Noelle suggest she should leave, Jade refused. Pointing her finger at Noelle, she unleashed a tirade. "You ungrateful wretch! City Ring Corp. belongs to the Shaws. Who do you think you are? You think you can make me leave? I'm Jule's wife, I am—"Noelle's cold glare cut her off. She turned to Julian, her icy eyes devoid of any warmth.Caught in her piercing gaze, Julian felt an unexpected jolt of intimidation.Noelle narrowed her eyes, and said, "Mr. Shaw, is this how the Shaws handle things? Or has City Ring Corp become a place where anyone can walk in freely?"Noelle had originally harbored no ill will toward Julian. Out of respect for her grandfather, she had planned to approach things amicably. Ho
As Ronald's questioning continued, the shareholders grew increasingly suspicious. It became apparent that Julian had withheld much of this information from them.Hearing the escalating accusations, Julian started to fidget uneasily. His mind swirled with thoughts of the projects earlier in the year and the... complications that followed.Ronald's sharp and calculating gaze seemed to pierce through Julian, creating an overwhelming sense of pressure. Though Ronald was merely an assistant, his demeanor exuded an authority that left Julian struggling to breathe."Yes, Mr. Shaw," one of the shareholders spoke up, addressing Julian directly."What Mr. Wells just mentioned has raised questions for all of us. We should have been receiving regular reports—weren't we supposed to?""That's right!" another shareholder chimed in. "And wasn't it recently mentioned that our dividends this year were lower than expected?""Yes!" someone else agreed. "Mr. Shaw explained it was because the company
Ronald's statement immediately confirmed everyone's speculation about Noelle."Mr. Wells, so Noelle is…" someone asked, hesitating."Mr. Hoffman's wife," Ronald replied with a faint smile. "She's the future matriarch of the Hoffman family."The room immediately shifted. The shareholders exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of astonishment and the beginnings of flattery.She was Charles' wife—Charles Hoffman, the renowned figure of Brookville, future leader of Collosus Group, and head of the Hoffmans family. Forming ties with Charles could mean limitless opportunities.They turned their attention to Julian, bewildered. How could Julian possess such valuable connections yet oppose Noelle? Even Julian's close associates began to find his decisions questionable.They initially assumed Noelle was just an orphan, but now, realizing her true identity—and that Joshua was actually Grant Anderson—they wondered how Julian managed to squander such an advantageous position.While some
After watching the video Samuel had recorded before his passing, the crowd began to piece things together in their minds. Their gazes toward Noelle and Grant shifted subtly, reflecting new perceptions.Meanwhile, a glance at Julian revealed a different story. Many could not help but wonder—why had Samuel specifically asked Noelle to safeguard City Ring Corp.? What did he mean by that?Julian was clearly frustrated by the situation, and he was fuming. He glanced at Noelle and Grant, his displeasure intensifying. He slammed his hand on the table."You claim this video is authentic, but how do we know it's not something Noelle and Grant came up with together to steal the Shaws' assets? I'm Samuel's son. Why would the Shaws' shares be given entirely to two outsiders? Doesn't that strike anyone as suspicious?"Julian had initially thought Noelle might hand over the shares if she had any sense of propriety. But seeing her resolve to keep them only made him angrier.He could not fathom w
Kent finished speaking and cast a glance at his assistant, who immediately stepped forward and asked, "Is there a DVD player or projector available here?"Holding a USB drive, the assistant continued, "This contains a video recorded by Sir Shaw before his passing. It documents the entire process of drafting his will, along with Mr. Cook's involvement. If anyone has any doubts, you can watch it for yourself."The assistant located a DVD player and started the video. The room fell into an uneasy silence as everyone focused on the large screen.On the screen, Samuel appeared vibrant and full of life. His demeanor seemed spirited, indicating that the will was drafted some time ago.The video showed that Samuel's mind was clear, and even Kent interrupted him several times during the process to confirm his decisions. Samuel firmly stated his intent to allocate the shares to Noelle and Grant without any hesitation.As for other assets like properties and savings, Samuel casually mentione