Chapter 517


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    "Is that really okay?"


    "Absolutely! Let''s go!"


    Mr. Hoffman was met with an update as soon as he stepped into the foyer. Ronald, who had just witnessed risse and J''s departure, approached him. "Your mom took J out," he informed Mr. Hoffman, a questioning look in his eyes. "What''s your take on this?"


    "Let her be. When J finally shows up for work, just mark her down as a no-show," Charles said as he hung up the phone, then dove back into the stack of papers on his desk. However, the phone was relentless, ringing again-this time it was risse on the line. "Charles, I''m out grabbing a bite with J. Look, I''m not trying to nag, but you''ve got to bnce work with a little self-care. J''s been looking thinner since she started at Collosus Group. You''re not working her to the bone, are you?"


    "Mother, unless my watch is ying tricks on me, it''s only eleven-thirty. Lunchtime hasn''t even started," Charles replied, his voice cutting through the phone like ice. "J''s part of Collosus Group now, and that means ying by our rules. If she''s not up for it, she''s free to walk away."


    "Charles, Charles!" risse called out, but the line was already dead. She red at her phone, her anger simmering. "That boy is really starting to ignore his own mother."


    "Aunt ry, is Charles mad? Maybe I should head back to work..."


    "Sit down, J. I won''t stand for this. I''m his mother; he can''t just push me around! Go on, eat!" risse was seething with anger at Charles''s audacity. "I''ll drive you back to Collosus Group myself. He wouldn''t dare cross me!"


    After Charles ended the call, he did not waste a second. He grabbed his coat and bolted from the Collosus Group offices. He had ns that afternoon and had already told Becky to issue a warning to J the moment she got back-no exceptions, no mercy.


    Meanwhile, Noelle had just wrapped


    up her tasks when Brian, who was out sick today, had left her and Arya


    to deal with thetest survey data e


    They had been at it for days, double-checking everything, and now it was ready for Charles''s final say.


    With Brian out, Noelle had no choice but to call Charles herself.


    Charles had just slid into his car when Noelle''s number shed on his screen. "What is it?"


    "Are you still at the office?" Noelle drummed her fingers on the desk, a hint of urgency in her voice. "Remember the West City survey data? You mentioned some issuesst time. We''ve gone over it again, and I''d like to get it to you."


    "Now? I''m in the parking garage," Charles replied, eyeing his watch. "Come down here."


    "You''re heading out?" Noelle asked, a quick follow-up. "Well, if you''re busy, I can just give you the datater tonight."


    "That won''t be necessary. Come down. I can take you with me," Charles offered, making it sound like a done deal. "You''ve got ten minutes to get ready and meet me downstairs."


    "Okay, got it!" Noelle zipped through organizing her papers into a folder and tidied up her bag in a sh. She strode over to Arya. "I''ve got to run out, and I''m not sure when I''ll be back. If anythinges up or if our supervisor needs me, just give me a ring!"


    "Sure thing!" Arya, buried in her work, did not even nce up. "You go on. I doubt there''s much left for us to do today. Mr Parker won''t be back for a couple of days, and we''re pretty much done with everything else. Mid-sentence, Arya''s memory jogged, and she abruptly looked up. "Oh snap, Mr. Parker mentioned we need to get the survey report to Mr. Hoffman today. You have it, don''t you?"


    Noelle grinned, tapping the stack of papers beside her. "Right here! I''m actually on my way to drop it off with Mr. Hoffman. He''s got to head out for something and wants me to tag along."