The Cherished Wife

Chapter 552



"Clary!" Maxwell cut in, shaking his head with a hint of disapproval. "You can't talk to Joseph like that! Remember, he's the one who saved Layla's life. We, the Hoffmans, owe him for that."

Joseph bobbed his head eagerly. "You always see the bigger picture."

However, Clarisse just huffed, her eyes rolling over Joseph with clear contempt, and she did not spare Maxwell or Mateo either. "Hold on, it was Henry's family who racked up that debt, not us. Layla's not even a Hoffman anymore. She's Jordan's problem now. If you're looking to settle scores, you're barking up the wrong tree!"

Joseph's cheeks burned with embarrassment. "Madam Baker, that's not fair!"

"Look, it's not your place to tell me if I'm right or wrong. Our opinions don't matter here. If you've got a problem with how things are being handled, take it up with Charles. I'd love to see how he plans to thank you for your 'kindness"!" Clarisse said.

"Joseph." Maxwell let out a weary sigh. "My daughter-in-law might not have the sweetest way with words, but she's not wrong. I'm not the one in charge anymore, it's Charles who has the final say. However, I can assure you, what she offered is what you'll get. Are we clear?"

The Hoffmans were a tag team, one playing the sympathetic ear, the other laying down the law. No matter how thick-skinned he was, Joseph could not bear the humiliation and left with a storm brewing inside, his fury with nowhere to go.

Once Joseph was out of earshot, Clarisse let out a derisive snort. "Nice move, really smooth!"

"It's all thanks to your support, my dear," Maxwell replied with another sigh, turning to James. "Let's return these gifts. The Hoffmans don't need these trinkets."

"Right away, Sir Hoffman!"

James wasted no time carrying out the order, and Maxwell, feigning exhaustion, excused himself to rest. The grand living room was left to Mateo and Clarisse.

Clarisse, who had little patience for Mateo, stood up to leave. Mateo watched her go, a mix of words caught in his throat, but he simply shook his head and remained silent.

Word spread like wildfire that Joseph had stormed off to the Hoffman family's ancient abode, and Ronald spilled the beans to Charles.

"They say Joseph was so ticked off, he went pale as a ghost. Your mom's got some serious game!" Ronald's tone was a mix of awe and a jab, hard to pin down. Charles just smirked, a sly twinkle in his eye.

swn&

He snapped the file shut. "Let's roll with this. Ping Peter and tell him to fast-track the first phase of the project, pronto."

"The bidding, you mean?" Ronald frowned, confused. "We haven't kicked that off yet, have we?"

"Start of next month."

"That close to the holidays?" Ronald's eyes widened. "However, what about the Collosus Group's big anniversary bash and the year-end shindig? We'll be swamped!"

"The company is really busy, but you don't have to do it yourself!" Charles pointed a long, accusing finger at the desk, his icy glare a clear

warning. Ronald snapped to

attention. "No sir, boss, I'm ael

good!"

However, he soon licked his lips nervously. "Uh, Mr. Hoffman, J's been buddy-buddy with Becky lately. And, uh, Becky wanted me to hand this off to you. It's like, the tenth gift in three months!"

Ronald handed over a box, the latest peace offering from J to Becky.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

J had wised up in the past quarter, cozying up to Charles by buttering up his inner circle.