Wife 18


    On the twenty–seventh floor of the Collosus Group,nald shot Becky a quick ‘hey and snagged the


    stack of papers she was buried in before rapping on the president’s door.


    “Come in!”


    The voice that cut through the silence was all business. Ronald stood tall and swung the door open,


    finding the man buried in paperwork. He did not even bother to look up.


    “Mr. Hoffman, I’ve got the monthly numbers here. Director Lore from the Finance Department


    mentioned that the Public Rtions Department’s over budget. It’s your call, Ronald rattled off his


    report and passed the papers to Charles.


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    Charles’s brow creased ever so slightly, his fingers drumming a steady beat on the desk. ” Don’t


    sweat the small stuff. If they can handle it, no need to bring it to me,” he said, barely ncing at the


    report before flicking it back to Ronald. “I didn’t bring them on board to stir up trouble.”


    “Got it.” Ronald let out a quiet sigh, then dropped another update, “Ms. Shaw’s back at the office


    today.”


    “Mm–hmm.” Charles nodded. “Anything else?”


    “Yes, here’s the scoop on Ms. Shaw, Ronald said, recalling Charles’s request for the full lowdown


    on Noelle. At first, Ronald thought it was odd–was it about that fender bender the other day? Maybe


    the big boss had a crush? However, after seeing Charles’s gentle side with Noelle, Ronald figured


    he might have jumped to the wrong conclusion.


    Charles took the papers with a look that said more than words ever could. Ronald snapped to


    attention, realizing he had spaced out in front of the boss. “Mr. Hoffman, I’ll get out of hair now.”


    your


    “Wait.” Charles stopped him, rapping his fingers on the desk again. It was a sure sign he had more


    on his mind. “Mr. Hoffman, do you need me to handle something?”


    “Ease up on the deals with Frotconn.”


    That was all Ronald needed to hear to know Charles was about to shake things up.


    Once Ronald was gone Chad.


    dove back into the paperwork. It was not until a bitter that he picked up the file Ronald had just


    passed him on Noelle’s details. It was packed, chronicling Noelle’s life from day one to now.


    Charles gave it a quick once–over but froze when he hit a photo of Noelle and Xavier from three


    years back. His eyes turned icy in an instant. He looked up and yanked the photo out.


    The edges of his lips curled up just a touch as his long fingers traced the face of the girl in the


    photo, outlining her delicate brows and eyes. However, the moment he saw her radiant


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    smile, his warmth vanished like a snuffed candle. In a swift move, he ripped the photo in two,


    severing the connection between them. Xavier’s half was discarded, while Noelle’s was tucked


    safely into his wallet.


    He lingered on Noelle’s profile, which spelled out her rocky rtionship with the Shaw family. She


    had moved out years ago, thanks to the trouble stirred up by Winter and Jade.


    Despite the bad blood with Winter and Jade, the Shaw family patriarch was totally smitten with


    Noelle, spoiling her rotten. Except for Joshua, the rest of the Shaws saw her as the ck sheep of


    the family.


    Charles rubbed his chin thoughtfully and snapped the file shut. Picking up the phone, he buzzed


    Ronald. “I need Winter’s file, and you’ve got thirty minutes.”


    Ronald, who was buried in work, nearly dropped his phone. “Thirty minutes?” he muttered in


    disbelief. Could the boss be serious?


    Charles had already hung up, which left Ronald fighting back frustration. Where on earth was he


    supposed to dig up info in just thirty minutes? After a moment’s hesitation, he dialed a number. “Mr.


    Lennon, could I possibly borrow your assistant for half an hour?”


    D