The Cherished Wife by Chweety

Mateo narrowed his eyes as he placed his hands on the armrest and huffed cooly. "Come on, Clarisse Baker. You're from a noble family, and should know to use your brain in deciding what to do in places like these!"

"You... You have no right to criticize me, Mateo Hoffman. A man who pulled nothing but lowly tricks from his sleeves is not even the slightest bit trustworthy to me!"

The corner of Mateo's lips curved upward. "Which one of us do you think is more lowly? I'll let what happened today slide, but some incidents have happened many years ago, and you should stop harping over what will never belong to you."

"Mr. Mateo and the others have settled in. Mr Hoffman. Also..." Ronald leaned toward Charles as he spoke, and Charles narrowed his eyes slightly before he nodded and asked, "Alright, got it. Where is Mrs. Hoffman?"

...

"Mrs. Hoffman is over there," Ronald said as he pointed at the woman in conversation with Arya and Brian. "Mrs. Hoffman has been with her department colleagues all this while!"

at her. She turned around, and their gazes met

noticed what Charles was doing, she reached out to gesture mid-air before lowering her hand and turning around to resume

Charles' eyes as he looked away. "When will the artists from Royal Star

Ruby on the phone. They're on the way, and will be arriving soon." As Ronald spoke, he

another commotion

Star's it girl. Given her standing within Royal

done to the nines

attracted everyone's attention, and they all began talking about the artists

between themselves.

were considered ordinary working-class employees and did not often get the chance to meet celebrities, let alone

was