The Cherished Wife by Chweety

Noelle had whipped up tonight's dinner, and Charles, right after stepping into his home office, dove straight into work. Lately, he had been making a point of riding to and from the office with Noelle, a change that had him clocking out on the dot-a stark contrast to his usual late hours. Ronald, who was used to shadowing Charles, could not help but raise an eyebrow at this new routine. However, it was not completely out of the blue for him.

After all the time Ronald had spent by Charles's side, he had come to see that Charles's feelings for Noelle were the real deal.

Charles used to practically live at the office, sometimes not even bothering to head home and crashing there instead. His office even had a crash pad, stocked with all the essentials.

Ronald had once thought Charles's workaholic ways were over the top, even a bit out there, but now, seeing Charles settling into something resembling a normal life, he could not help but feel a bit of relief.

Turning on his phone, Charles was greeted by a barrage of missed calls-Janet, Clarisse, and a couple from his dad, Mateo. He did not need to guess twice; trouble was obviously brewing on Janet's end.

With a slight hardening of his gaze, Charles brushed aside the missed calls and hit up Ronald instead. "Give me the Mansfield Group files."

did not waste a second as he quickly sent over the Mansfield Group's files to Charles. "Mr. Hoffman, the Mansfield Group is based in Cascade City. Does this mean Colossus Group is looking to branch out there too?" Charles's brow creased slightly,

Andy, isn't holding down the fort in Cascade City right now. It's the eldest son, Franklin, who's in charge," Ronald explained, pausing for a moment. "I've looked into Franklin, and he doesn't seem like someone we can work with. What do you

a mystery what he was really plotting, considering his own family gave him the cold shoulder, and now he

and Mr. Hoffman, after you and your wife left today, Janet swung by your office. She didn't find you there and seemed pretty ticked off. Ended up setting off the security alarm, too." Ronald recalled the two guards who had come to him, scared

Charles on the latest. "Mr. Hoffman, what should

ladder!" Charles rapped

loud and clear. "Absolutely, Mr. Hoffman. I'll get on it right away. We'll make it so tight, not even

hanging up, Ronald

a big shot like the Colossus Group meant dealing with top-notch security and there were specific

was determined to nail it this time. If he could

ended the