The Cherished Wife



Peter caught Tania's hand. "Tania."

Tania flinched at his touch. "Let go!"

Peter held her gaze, and after a long pause, he let out a deep sigh. "Come back to Five Elements Residence with me! Zara misses you!"

Zara?

Tania's heart skipped a beat. She looked up at Peter. "Is Zara alright?"

"Yes, she's thrilled you're back!" Peter gave a knowing smile, confident in Tania's inherent kindness. "Come back with me!"

Tania pulled her hand away. "I just need to know that Zara is fine. Tell her I'll visit when I find the time."

Zara had always been a rock for her. Back when she was at the Five Elements Residence and Peter was nowhere to be found, Zara stuck by her side. She cared for Tania like she was her own daughter. Tania could not forget Zara's kindness, but that did not mean she owed Peter anything. Peter's brow creased with worry. "The Five Elements Residence is your home..."

"Mr. Lennon, it looks like you've got a selective memory," Tania cut in sharply. "I cut ties with you a long time ago. I'm with the Hoffman family now. Their home is my home. Did that slip your mind, Mr. Lennon?"

Peter's lips tightened, and his face turned a shade paler. "But Brandon might be in trouble."

"How many times do I have to drill this into your head, Peter? Brandon's none of your business. His dad's Trevon, not you!" Tania's voice spiked with every mention of Brandon from Peter. "I'm warning you! Keep your schemes away from Brandon. Whatever we had is over, so drop it!"

"Is that so?" Peter shot back, his voice icy as his gaze locked onto Tania. "Tania, I've told you before that I'm not backing down. Since you came back, you can forget about ever leaving again!"

"You..."

"Charles, do you think they'll start fighting?" Noelle leaned over the upstairs balcony, her eyes fixed on the two figures below, a crease of worry etched on her forehead. Peter looks super mad, and Tania'sall worked up too!"

"No way." Charles gave Noelle's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Stop stressing about them. We've done our part, and now it's Peter's turn to handle it."

"Okay, if you say so!" Noelle reluctantly nodded and added, "We left Steven and Eloise down there. Isn't that a bit rude?"

"Why don't you go chat with Eloise? I've got to talk to Mr. Fischer about something."

"So, you're the reason Steven's here today?" Noelle's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you even know he was still in Brookville?"

"I've got my ways!" Charles said with a playful tweak of Noelle's nose. "Go on, Eloise is waiting."

"Alrighty!" Noelle mumbled, a bit confused, but she quickly scampered down the stairs to find Eloise. Meanwhile, Steven, sensing the solitude, approached Charles with purpose. "You wanted to ask me something?"

Charles nodded, gesturing to a chair. "Have a seat."

Steven arched an eyebrow, a sly smile playing on his lips. "You're usually straight to the point. What's with the suspense today?"noveldrama

He sauntered over to Charles's bookshelf, gave it a cursory glance, and then his attention landed on the chessboard. He picked it up with a flourish. "How about a quick game?"

The two set up the chessboard and began their silent battle. Steven was a master of keeping his cards close to his chest, and his chess style was nothing like Charles's.

Charles and Peter played a similar game, but Steven was all about the details. He played chess with the same precision, leaving no room for his opponent to escape.

The match between Charles and

Steven was a stalemate. Neither could claim victory just yet. "You're not going to spill the beans?" Steven dropped a chess piece, his lips

barely parting. "You're dyip erd

to know

what I'm up to, huh?"