"You still haven't given me a straight answer," Noelle pressed, her determination bordering on stubbornness.Charles paused, then offered a smile. "It’s no big mystery, really. You just happened to show up at the right time and place. That was all there was to it."Noelle searched Charles's eyes for something more, but their locked gazes offered no further clues. Feeling a bit let down, she averted her eyes. "Got it.""So, what’s your verdict, Ms. Shaw?"Noelle chewed on her lip for a moment. "You were well aware of where I stood with the Shaws. I was never going to see a dime of their fortune, nor was I going to get a foot in the door of their company. You knew that from the beginning, didn't you?"He nodded. "A guy's got nothing if he's waiting for a woman to bring him wealth."Noelle let out a small laugh. "You’re one of few who think that way.""Any other questions?" Charles was the picture of patience. Whether it was business or anything else, he could outwait anyone. With
After hanging up, Charles caught Noelle's gaze on him. He lounged against the sofa, legs casually crossed, the picture of relaxation. "All done?"Noelle nodded, stood up, and began to tidy up the dishes. Charles just observed, making no move to assist.He watched her move about, the angled sunlight streaming through the window, bathing her in a glow that made her seem effortlessly at ease and content.Charles had always reveled in the quiet of his life. Phoenix Tree Residence had stood empty for years as his own personal haven. Now, with another soul wandering its halls, it did not seem too bad.He was not exactly put off by this woman's arrival. Perhaps having her around would spice up his days. Then again...A shadow flickered across Charles's eyes, the hint of a smile giving way to something sharper, more guarded.Ronald was on the ball, zipping back to the Phoenix Tree Residence in less than thirty minutes with company in tow. Charles swung the door open, and Ronald, standing
Charles had just seen Ronald and the others out. Coming back, he caught Noelle's incredulous question and chuckled. "Yep, we're married now."Noelle's hands flew to her cheeks, surprised to find Charles right behind her. Flustered, she got to her feet quickly. "It's late. I should head back.""Noelle!" Charles's voice stopped her in her tracks, and she halted, her steps halting just as quickly. She turned around stiffly, a puzzled "Huh?" escaping her lips.Charles was barely holding back a laugh at Noelle's adorably confused look. "It's actually morning," he said.Noelle's cheeks flamed even hotter. "Morning?" It was probably the most embarrassed she had ever been around Charles.Ever since meeting Charles, Noelle felt like her life had become a series of increasingly embarrassing moments. Every encounter with him seemed to leave her more flustered than the last.Charles watched her, the teasing mood fading. He stepped closer and gently pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
Meanwhile, Ronald escorted two colleagues away when a sudden chill crept over him, a gut feeling that something was off. "Seriously? Mr. Hoffman can't be that ruthless, can he?"Noelle listened as Charles did something he hardly ever did: he admitted he was wrong. She had to admit that part of the blame was on her for not being more alert. She glanced down at how close she and Charles were standing and felt her cheeks heat up again.She gently pushed away Charles's hand and turned her head to hide her flushed face. "Where are my clothes?"Charles narrowed his eyes, feeling the loss of warmth from his hand, and looked away. "Head upstairs first.""Okay."Noelle's emotions were a tangled mess. Could she really have just married Charles like that? It all had happened so fast that it still felt like a dream to her.She made her way to Charles's bedroom. Earlier, she had noticed that his house was tastefully decorated, with a simple yet sophisticated style that did not quite match the
"Deal!" Noelle felt a weight lift off her shoulders; she was not keen on visiting the Shaw family anyway. "If I want to catch up with you, Grandpa, we’ll just meet up somewhere!"After hanging up, Noelle looked up to see Charles returning after a long absence, a gift box in hand as he strolled up to her.Her phone was still in her hand, her heartbeat erratic with anticipation.Charles offered the gift box to Noelle, "Your clothes haven't dried yet. I picked this up for you to wear in the meantime. I hope it works for now!""Thanks!" Noelle snatched the package and eagerly tore it open to find a long, flowy dress that seemed to shimmer with magic. She inspected it, noticing the tag was missing. However, the faint outline of a logo and the feel of the fabric gave it away. It was a Saint Di creation, a brand famed for their exclusive designs."You don't like it?" Charles inquired, catching Noelle off guard. She shook her head. "No, it's gorgeous. But how did you guess my size?"Th
Noelle watched her phone disappear into Charles's hand, let out a little sigh without even realizing it, then caught his teasing look. "Having second thoughts?"Noelle bit her lip, her face a shade paler than usual. Charles's words had thrown her for a loop. Deep down, she knew the truth, though. Ever since Xavier's betrayal with Winter, her heart had checked out. "No way!""Is that so?" Charles let out a skeptical chuckle, clearly not buying it.Noelle caught the disbelief in Charles's eyes and sighed inwardly. What was she expecting? Charles was a tough nut to crack, and their relationship had taken a turn into uncharted territory. "Believe it or not, Xavier and I are done," she declared, pausing for emphasis. Since she was his wife now, she would not step out of line. "You have my word."Charles quirked an eyebrow, his eyes revealing a flicker of surprise before he gave a half-smile. "Good to hear. Let's get you home.""Okay."Noelle knew better than to argue. Charles was set
Noelle's hands relaxed, and she settled back into her seat. Her fidgety movements gave away her inner turmoil.Feeling anxious, her palms started to sweat. She gripped her hands tightly, then let go a little, "I... I'm sorry. I'm just not ready yet!"Even though they were married, Charles was practically a stranger to her.She knew he was the big boss of Collosus Group, one of the infamous Four Young Masters of Brookville, Mr. Hoffman, and that he was not someone people in Brookville crossed lightly. However, that was the extent of her knowledge. She was clueless about his likes, his family, or who he hung out with.It was only now that Noelle was facing these facts, realizing she had been pretty bold to marry a guy she barely knew. Rubbing her forehead to ease the headache, she gently tapped it and asked, "Mr. Hoffman, is it too late to back out of this marriage?"Charles arched an eyebrow and turned to give Noelle a look.In just a couple of minutes, he had seen every emotion p
Charles' slender hand picked at the seatbelt on Noelle, then he smiled and said, "I hope you were joking."Noelle gazed at Charles, her breath catching in her throat. She could not read him, he was way too close for comfort. His presence and unique scent were overwhelming. A crisp blend of passionfruit and lemon lingered in the air, light yet impossible to ignore.She turned away, her heart racing. "I get it," she said with a quick nod.She knew she was no match for Charles in this game they were playing.Charles noticed her unease and softened his expression. "Hey, I didn't mean to freak you out. Look, stuff happens, right? Why run from it? Face it head-on, accept it, and who knows? You might see things in a new light."Noelle inhaled deeply, trying to steady her nerves. "Fine. I'll give it a shot. Three days, right? You promised me three days."A hint of a smile played on Charles's lips. He found Noelle's mix of fear and feistiness amusing, not the usual reaction he got. "I'm a
Charles nodded.Linda immediately brightened and picked up one of the dead rats to examine it. "I need to go to the lab. Oh, right, you should strengthen security at Phoenix Tree Residence. Also, be extra cautious with food and any outside contact. I think it's best to avoid unnecessary interactions. This virus spreads through wounds."Charles made a mental note before quickly calling Sean. "Come over right away!"At that moment, Sean was still at the Smith residence. Since Kelly and Noelle were both married now, he and Bob had become the main targets of the Smiths' relentless scrutiny.Sean found it agonizing, but Bob, on the other hand, appeared completely at ease. It was as if none of it concerned him.Sean slumped in his seat, fully aware that Bob's indifference came from the fact that he was not just a member of the Smiths—he was also the heir to the Jones family. He had nothing to be afraid of.Frustrated, Sean ruffled his hair and was about to leave when Savannah stopped h
Charles paused. "What's wrong?"Linda walked over, her brows furrowing even deeper."When did this package arrive?" she asked the housekeeper.The housekeeper replied unsuspectingly, "This afternoon, after Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman went out. There were only a few of us at home, so I took the liberty of accepting it on Mrs. Hoffman's behalf. Is there a problem?"She glanced cautiously at Linda, unable to understand why such a small package had created such a tense atmosphere. However, Charles understood. He frowned at Linda, who nodded in confirmation.Charles turned to Noelle, Tania, and Liliana. "Tania, Liliana, take your sister-in-law upstairs!""Why?" Noelle asked immediately.She had a bad feeling. Linda's reaction just now, coupled with Charles' behavior, made her uneasy. "Charlie?""Be good. Go upstairs," Charles said, exchanging a glance with Tania and Liliana.Tania and Liliana led Noelle upstairs. Once they were gone, Charles' expression darkened like never before. "What's
Noelle shot Charles an annoyed glance, but he simply held her hand and asked, "What's wrong?""Nothing!" Noelle did not feel like talking to him anymore.Charles studied her profile with a faint smile. "Sleepy? If you are, just rest for a bit. We'll be home soon."Noelle wanted to say she was not tired, but her body betrayed her. She yawned, exhaustion washing over her, and she leaned against Charles and closed her eyes for a quick nap without much thought.Half an hour later, the driver pulled the car into Phoenix Tree Residence and carefully glanced at the rear-view mirror."Mr. Hoffman, we've arrived.""Shh," Charles hushed the driver and glanced down at Noelle.He then gently gathered her into his arms and stepped out of the car.Noelle had actually woken up the moment the car stopped, but before she could open her eyes, she heard Charles instruct the driver to stay quiet.Now, being cradled in his arms, she felt warm and comforted but also a little guilty. She slowly open
After dinner, Charles took Noelle home. Initially, Noelle had wanted to stay longer, but given her pregnancy and how late it was, the Smiths did not insist on keeping them.Just as they were about to leave, Yves caught up with Charles at the door. "Thanks."Charles smirked. "No need for thanks. I prefer something more tangible."Yves raised an eyebrow, and Charles chuckled. "As her brother-in-law, you should be more considerate. Nelly is due soon, and I won't have time to oversee Collosus Group. So..."Yves let out a cold laugh. "You're playing this well. Aren't you afraid I'll just swallow up the entire Collosus Group?""That would still take some skill, wouldn't it?" Charles' sharp eyes glanced back at the house. "On the surface, things might look stable, but I suggest you take it easy. You'd be better off making use of Sean and Bob. A good relationship with your brothers-in-law will only help you. Anyway, I'm off."Yves watched Charles walk away, rubbing his chin. It was no
"Is it really not possible?" Seth's voice trembled. "Mommy, is it really not okay? But isn't he my daddy? Why can't I be with Daddy? Mommy, am I a child you just picked up? Does no one want me?"The moment Seth finished speaking, he burst into tears.Kelly's heart nearly shattered. She could not bear to see Seth cry like that. She immediately crouched down and wrapped her arms around him."Seth, baby, don't cry. I love you more than anything! How could you think that way?""But what about Daddy?" Seth still was not satisfied. His big eyes that were filled with hope turned toward Yves.Before Yves could say anything, Kelly raised her head to look at him. Their gazes locked, and for a moment, too many emotions swirled in those dark eyes. Feeling overwhelmed, Kelly quickly looked away."Daddy loves you too," she said softly."Really?" Seth still looked doubtful and turned back to Yves.Yves nodded. "Daddy loves you very much.""Then can Daddy live with Mommy and me?" Seth's eyes
Bob's sudden gesture nearly blinded everyone with its extravagance. No one had expected him to be so generous.It was Kelly who reacted first, quickly standing up to refuse."Bob, this really isn't necessary. Seth is still young; he doesn't need something like this. We're all family, so there's no need to give money or gifts."Even though no one here lacked money and Bob's gesture was not a big deal to him, Kelly still felt uneasy accepting it. But Bob simply shook his head."I'm giving it to Seth, not to you," he said before crouching down to meet Seth's gaze."Call me Uncle Bob, hmm?"Seth seemed a little nervous but blinked his big eyes and gathered his courage."Uncle Bob!" he said clearly.Bob smiled and handed the card to him. "This is from me, your uncle.""Thank you, Uncle Bob!" Seth happily took the card, then looked at Kelly.Since Bob had already insisted, Kelly felt it would be inappropriate to refuse again."If your uncle gave it to you, then you can keep it," s
"Sean, Bob, you're back?" Savannah was the first to stand up.Seeing her son return naturally made her happy.A moment ago, it had been all about Harrison's two daughters and their husbands. Savannah could not help but feel a little jealous.The Smith family was gathered so neatly, while her side had been somewhat neglected. Especially when she met Charles' cold gaze—she truly could not stay any longer.Sean noticed the entire family gathered together and saw Savannah walking toward him.However, he subtly stepped aside, letting Savannah lunge at nothing but air. Savannah immediately froze in embarrassment.It was Bob who stepped in to ease the tension."Aunt Savannah," he greeted."Bob, when did you get here?""Not long ago." Bob glanced at Sean before stepping inside."It's quite lively here," he remarked with a smile.His clear, observant gaze landed on Noelle first. He gave her a slight nod before shifting his attention to Kelly.Kelly had been a little nervous at first
Harrison smiled as he looked at Kelly and Noelle, clearly pleased."Sean is still busy right now, so we'll wait for him. Kelly, let me introduce you to the family. This is your second uncle, Hayes, and your Aunt Savannah."Over there is your Aunt Yitty, and you also have a third aunt, but she's not in Brookville at the moment. Your grandfather had some business to attend to today—he went to see an old comrade but will be back later. And, of course, you already know Noelle and Charlie.""Hello, Uncle Hayes, Aunt Savannah, Aunt Yitty," Kelly greeted politely.Yitty smiled warmly and nodded. "How wonderful!"She then pulled out an envelope with some allowance and handed it to Kelly. "When Noelle first came home, I gave her one, so I can't treat you any differently.""Thank you, Aunt Yitty!"Following her lead, Hayes and Savannah also handed Kelly envelopes. Then, seeing how delighted Seth looked, they gave him several as well.Seth had always been a reserved child, shy and withdra
Kelly froze as she stared at Seth in shock—especially at the moment he ran toward Yves and wrapped his little arms around Yves' leg. A strange wave of loss surged through her.She did not even know where this emotion came from, but it hurt. She never expected that in just a short time, Seth would already be calling Yves 'Daddy'.Kelly was not the only one stunned as everyone in the room seemed momentarily speechless.Even Yves himself had not anticipated Seth's sudden display of affection.Although he had spent the past few days bonding with Seth and knew the child liked him, Seth had always been a bit shy.He had never once called him 'Daddy' before. Yves felt a mix of emotions at that moment. Surprise, confusion—but mostly joy.He glanced at Seth before instinctively turning to Kelly, and just as he expected, her expression was tangled with conflicting emotions.Squatting down, Yves reached out and gently ruffled Seth's hair. "Be good. Mommy is coming home today, hmm?"Seth's