The Cherished Wife (Noelle and Charles)
Chapter 700

Charles' attitude that day had said it all. He mentioned that he only came because of Samuel, but that old man meant nothing to Jade.

He had been out of the picture for so many years that Jade barely thought of Samuel. Little did she know, Samuel actually knew someone as significant as Charles.

As Jade thought about it, she felt increasingly resentful about this marriage. It was not Joseph's Frotconn that had elevated them. Rather, it was Joseph's family who had latched onto the Shaws.

The Shaws might have seen better days under Samuel's leadership. Although Julian was not as capable as Samuel, the Shaws were still a wealthy family. They were unlike Joseph's family, which had only recently risen to wealth. Thinking about Winter's scandal with Charles, an idea suddenly popped into Jade's head, and it startled even her.

Lost in her thoughts, she failed to notice Julian standing up, staring at her suspiciously. "What are you thinking about?" he asked.

Startled, Jade's shoulders jerked slightly. "I... I was just thinking how great it would have been if Winter had married Charles instead. Xavier can't even begin to compare to him-not at all.

"Charles is the head of Collosus Group. In the future, he'll be in charge of not just Collosus Group but the entire Hoffman family's vast empire."

The more Jade thought about it, the more overwhelmed she became. How could Winter prefer Xavier, who was just a general manager?

He did not even have real power in Frotconn. However, Charles was different-he was the CEO of Collosus Group.

"Stop it!" Julian scolded her sharply, glaring with a serious expression. "How can you even say such things? Are you suggesting Winter might actually be involved with Charles, just like all those rumors say?" "I..." Jade faltered.

"Do you understand how disastrous that would be if it were true? You think becoming the lady of the Hoffman family is that easy?

"They have incredibly high standards, and not just anyone can join their family. Winter has married before, and she's in the entertainment industry. Do you think the Hoffmans would ever accept that?" Julian, always the rational one, remained firm. "You're never to bring this up again."

"But haven't you ever thought about it?" Jade protested, still unwilling to let go of the idea. However, when she saw the severe look on Julian's face, she fell silent and did not dare to continue. Julian rarely spoke to her like this, and she knew he was dead serious this time.

Julian had indeed considered it, but only briefly. If Winter had not married Xavier, then maybe this idea might have been feasible. However, it was impossible now.

"Instead of obsessing over this, why don't you focus on helping Winter get out of her current mess? This situation is more complicated than it seems" Julian had been thinking about this for days. "Who do you think Charles really is?"

"You mean..."

Jade was taken aback. "Charles' status in Brookville speaks for itself, so anyone bold enough to provoke him so openly must either be his rival or someone with ulterior motives against him or the Hoffmans."

Jade finally understood. "I remember that day when Winter was talking with Suzy. I overheard something.

"Apparently, Charles' cousin isn't his biological cousin. She's the adopted daughter of Charles' uncle, Milo Baker. The story goes that Milo had a first love, and this girl, Janet, is her daughter.

"After Milo's first love passed away,

he took in Janet, who looks exactly like her mother. Though Milo and his first love both went on to marry others, Milo never forgot about her. And when she died, he brought her daughter back to the Bakers to care for her."