The Cherished Wife (Noelle and Charles)
Chapter 603

Ronald handed Charles the list from Royal Star Entertainment. Winter's name was nowhere to be found. Charles glanced at it and tossed it aside. "So, nobody at Royal Star Entertainment is into Winter, huh?"

Ronald shook his head. "Winter's like a lone wolf. She barely hangs out with the Royal Star crowd. She's too proud to learn from the veterans and too aloof for the newbies. Honestly, it's a wonder she's lasted this long in showbiz. It must be her agent's doing, because Winter wouldn't last long alone."

Charles smirked. "Well, let's shake things up. Add her to the list. Throw in Brielle and Lara, as well as... this one." He pointed at a random name. "I heard Winter's agent's been knocking on your door."

Ronald's mouth twisted in surprise. "Mr. Hoffman, you've got eyes everywhere!" He had not even reported it yet, but somehow, Charles was already in the loop.

Charles glanced up, giving Ronald an indifferent look. "Ruby was about to head downstairs to replace you when she spotted Winter's nanny car."

It was Ruby who had filled Charles in. Usually, Charles stayed out of the business at Royal Star Entertainment, but this time was different. He wanted Winter to make the cut for the guest list, or he would not have bothered to ask. "So, Jane wants Winter to go to the Colossus Group's big bash, huh? I don't get it. Why do you want Winter to go?"

"Some things are better left unexplained. Just follow orders," Charles said as he handed the list back to Ronald. "Let Ruby know it's just them four. Tell them to get ready and make sure they've got their act together for the event!" "Got it."

Once Ronald was out the door, Charles got a call from Clarisse. "Hey, Charles. I heard your uncle moved into your Phoenix Tree Residence?"

Charles quirked an eyebrow but did not bother to answer Clarisse's burning question, which only stoked the flames of her anger. Clarisse had been blissfully unaware until today when she accidentally caught wind of the servants at the Hoffman family's old house gossiping about Henry sending them to deliver some items to the Phoenix Tree

Residence. That's when it hit her:

Henry and Nancy had not just gone out for a breath of fresh air-they

had headed straight to Charles's place. The revelation was a punch to the gut.

Clarisse was Charles's mom, but they had drifted after, especially after that debacle three years ago that had Charles at the end of his rope with her. Clarisse was no pushover. The thought of her son not only drifting away from her but also cozying up to Henry and Nancy was too much to bear.

Nancy was the thorn in Clarisse's

side, the woman she loathed and envied. How could Nancy ever hold a candle to her? Howeve

Nancy had somehow managed to Henry against Clarisse with her

wifes. . Narugi

Clarisse's grip on her phone tightened, her teeth clenched in frustration. "Charles, you're my son, not Nancy's. All these years, you've showered her with kindness. Have you ever stopped to consider how that makes me feel?" She could not stand seeing Charles treat Nancy so well, watching everyone adore and praise Nancy.

What was so great about her? She had nothing to brag about, and she was always sick. Clarisse's voice rose in anger, her expression fierce. "Charles, I'm your real mother!"

"I know that, Mom. I've never forgotten or denied it," Charles shot back.