The Cherished Wife (Noelle and Charles)
Chapter 756

After that display, everyone got the message loud and clear about how Charles felt toward Clarisse, Janet, and the whole Baker family. Anyone who had been scheming to cozy up to Clarisse today suddenly put their plans on hold. The heir of the Hoffman family had

spoken, and the Bakers were off the list of allies.

The room fell into a hushed silence. This was Hoffman family drama, and no one wanted the fallout to land on them.

As Charles turned to leave, Janet scrambled to her feet, wanting to follow, but Clarisse caught her by the arm. "Janet."

"Aunt, Charles was just spinning tales, wasn't he? He tricked me, right?"

Clarisse's face was stormy. She was the Baker family's darling, but today, her own son had made her look like a fool. Clarisse, who always wanted to look her best, could not stand it.

Mateo was about to call Charles back, but Chloe cut him off with a subtle shake of her head. "Dad, don't."

Mateo stopped in his tracks, watching Charles walk away, a frown creasing his forehead. "Chloe, about Charles..."

"Charles isn't a little kid anymore. He's got his reasons for everything he does. What happened today..." Chloe's eyes flicked to Janet, still crumpled on the ground, and to Clarisse, who was staring at Janet.

With an icy look, Chloe mockingly laughed in her heart. That was her real mom. She could do without this kind of mother, just like Charles. "Maybe it's not such a bad thing after all!"

Mateo went quiet. Henry walked over, clapping him on the shoulder. "Bro, the kid's grown up, and he's got his own ideas. Chloe's got a point. Charles always knows what he's after, and maybe today's drama is actually a good thing. It might just shake some sense into the Bakers!"

Mateo nodded. "Alright, let's get back to the guests. About Dad..."

"I'll handle Dad. You take care of the guests!"

Charles strode out of the Hoffman family's old house with urgency, hopping into his car without missing a beat. Ronald trailed behind him. "Mr. Hoffman, is something wrong?"

"Don't tag along. Keep an eye on the Hoffmans for me. I'm curious to see who'll still have the guts to mess with the Bakers after today." Charles's face was a mask of shock. He fired up the engine and glanced back at Ronald. "If you have to, turn up the heat!"

Ronald's face registered surprise at the command, but he nodded in agreement after one look at Charles's grim expression. "Got it!"

It was not until Charles's car disappeared down the road that Ronald allowed himself to wonder what could have pulled Charles away from the Hoffman house at such a crucial time. Had something gone terribly wrong?

Lost in thought, Ronald's gaze lifted just in time to catch Janet stepping outside. His eyes narrowed slightly, a smirk touching his lips.

Janet, of course, spotted Ronald.

She had never really seen him as anyone significant, and recalling how Ronald had dared to offer Charles a handkerchief, her irritation with him deepened. "Where's Charles off to?"

Ronald's smile was icy as he replied, "Ms. Baker, you might as well head back inside. Mr. Hoffman's word is good, after all."

Janet's face twisted in anger. "Who do you think you are, talking to me like that? You're just Charles's lackey!"

Ronald's expression remained

ve

impassive, his eyes filled with pity for this foolish girl. He brushed his lips with a fingertip and let out a mocking laugh. "Ms. Baker, you're not even good enough to be anyone's lackey. No, you're not even good enough to be anyone's dishrag!"