Chapter 480


    "Sorry," Henry interrupted risse, his gaze somewhat cold and distant. "This is your and Mateo''s


    personal affair. It''s hard for an outsider like me to say anything."


    "Outsider?" risse''s face paled slightly, bing tinged with bitterness. "Henry, you''re actually


    saying that we..."


    Henry said pointedly, "risse, we should go down for dinner. You haven''t been to Brookville in a


    long time. The Hoffman residence''s chef isn''t the same as before."


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    With that, risse''s expression grew even more unpleasant.


    Then, risse watched Henry leave while standing motionless with her fists clenched, staring


    nkly at his retreating figure.


    J stood nearby for a while, not fully understanding risse''s earlier words. However, just


    thinking about how Charles treated her made her upset.


    "Aunt ry, you must help me. You watched me grow up, and you know how I feel about Charles.


    Kelly used to be in the picture. Now that she''s gone, why won''t Charles ept me?"


    risse''s eyes flickered, shing with intensity as Kelly''s face crossed her mind. "Don''t worry,


    J. I''ll definitely help you."


    J then helped risse downstairs, where most of the Hoffman family members had gathered.


    Charles sat opposite Maxwell''s seat of honor. Henry and Nancy sat together, leaving two seats next


    to Mateo for risse and J.


    risse''s gaze first fell on Henry and Nancy before moving to Mateo. "After all these years, the two


    of you are still so close!"


    Henry, who was adjusting Nancy''s sleeve, paused briefly. A sense of coldness shed across his


    eyes.


    It was Nancy who looked up with a faint smile at risse. "It''s been years, yet you remain charming


    as ever, risse. I''m still the one with a sickly body, still troubling Henry to care for me."


    Nancy''s tone was casual as if she was making small talk. Nheless, risse''s facial features


    nearly twisted with anger as she sat down next to Mateo while clenching her fists.


    J looked at Charles longingly, intending to sit beside him, but Chloe arrived with Anna in her


    arms. "Mother, what brings you here this time?"


    Anna fussed to be held by Charles, so he made room and ced her next to him. Meanwhile, Chloe


    sat on Charles'' other side. "Quite a gathering today. How lively!"


    Chloe nced at risse, then at J. "J, why are you still standing? Sit down quickly.


    Everyone''s waiting for you to start the meal."


    J''s face fell, but she could not argue with Chloe. She was risse''s daughter and Charles''


    older sister, after all.


    Reluctantly, she sat next to risse. "It''s been a long time, Chloe."


    "Indeed, it has." Chloe smiled before asking a maid to bring two more ce settings. "I came by


    chance. Anna heard Charlie was here and insisted oning."


    Chloe said this while looking at risse, whose expression darkened again. Though Chloe did not


    say much, her meaning was clear.


    She was pointing out that risse only informed Charles of her return, not her. She was simply


    using her mother of favoritism.