The Cherished Wife (Noelle and Charles)

Janet said that as she glanced at the man across her. The middle-aged guy was rocking a black coat and did not have a hair out of place. His hair was starting to show some silver, but he was as lively as ever. That was Janet's adoptive dad, Charles's Uncle, Milo. He was there to catch up with Janet and check out what was happening with Charles.

Milo eyed the photo, lost in thought for a moment. "Bob Smith. You're positive this is the guy?"

Janet nodded. "Absolutely. Jade was the one who played matchmaker for them, and I've got the snapshot from their blind date!" Janet whipped out the photo from when Sean and Noelle were set up and handed it to Milo. "These two have been in touch the whole time, but it looks like Noelle's mom, Jade, is clueless. Noelle's got to be sharp, probably looking to ditch the Shaw family with Bob's help, but without giving them any perks in return!"

Milo narrowed his eyes. "Call off the tail on Noelle, will you?"

"Why?" Janet was puzzled. "Dad, last time I tried to pull them back, you stopped me! You were convinced Noelle was trouble. What's changed?"

"Don't you know who Bob Smith is?" Milo's lips tightened. He had not expected to hit a snag like this.

"Bob, he's just one of the Smiths, right? He's not even on Charles's level in Brookville! Dad, are you scared of Bob or something?" Janet might have realized Noelle and Charles were over, but she could not shake off the unease. Noelle's face was a spitting image of that woman she loathed.

Even if Noelle was Bob's girl now, she worked at Collosus Group. There was no telling if Charles might see Noelle and start getting ideas. "Dad, I don't want her at Collosus Group. Make it happen, get her out."

"You're so impatient!" Milo scowled, giving Janet & sharp look. However, seeing her pout, he let out a sigh. didn't mean it like that, Janet. Listen, you can't touch her, not yet. You've got bigger fish to fry, like that Winter lady. Leave Noelle be for now."

"Why is she such a big deal all of a sudden? She's practically invisible in the Shaw family. And now, just because she's hanging out with Bob, we're supposed to be impressed?"

"Bob might not be a big deal, but the Jabs family? That's another story," Milo said, shaking his head. "Sweetheart, I know you've got eyes only for your Charles, but you need to get a grip on what's happening here. Do you even know who this Bob really is?" "Who?" Janet was confused. In their world, everyone knew everyone, and if she had not met them, she had at least heard their names. However, Bob Smith? That was a new one to her. "Dad, what's the deal with the Jabs family and Bob?"

"Andy. Bob is Andy," Milo revealed, massaging his temples. "He's the next in line for the Jabs Group throne in Cascade City, everyone calls him Mr. Andy. His mom is Vitty, the bigshot from the Smiths in Brookville. 'Bob Smith' is just the name they cooked up for him when he's out playing the marriage game."

"Andy?" Janet's expression shifted, a hint of worry creeping in.

Janet had never actually seen Andy in person, but she knew enough about his reputation. In Cascade City, he was a big deal, untouchable, with no one brave enough to even whisper a complaint about him. Then, there he was in Brookville, of albplaces, going by the name Bob Smith and dating Noelle.

"So..."

"That means we leave Noelle alone." Milo was not about to pick a fight with Andy without knowing what he was up to in Brookville. "She's just one woman. I doubt Charles would start trouble with Andy over her."