CHAPTER 179: CHAPTER 179- HE’S BACK

"No, no, it’s fine. Let’s just go back to the company!" Janice quickly waved her hand. Seeing how tense Charles was, she thought that if it had been up to him, even something minor would’ve been blown out of proportion.

Still, under Charles’ firm insistence, Janice was taken to the hospital for a thorough brain scan. The doctor confirmed the blood clots in her brain had been completely cleared a year ago. The only issue was some damage to the optic nerves. With multiple surgeries and proper care, it wouldn’t affect her anymore.

Hearing the doctor’s assurance, the weight hanging over Charles’ heart finally lifted.

"Feeling better now?" Janice pushed him gently as they walked out of the hospital, her heart overflowing with sweetness.

"I’m sorry. I know you’ve suffered so much this past year, Janice. Thank you for coming back to me," Charles said softly. No matter what changes she’d gone through, she was still the woman he loved—the one he wanted to cherish for life. The past year hadn’t been easy for either of them, but even without him by her side, she had endured.

"Charles, we won’t be apart again. I promise you," Janice stopped and looked up at him, placing her small hand firmly in his palm. This time, their hands intertwined meant no more goodbyes.

Back at Amos’s side in the company, Charles appreciated Janice more than ever. But before she could get used to her new work, Charles summoned her to his office.

"Boss, you called for me?" Janice knocked and stepped inside. Charles sat composed on the sofa, eyes sharp as they landed on her. Usually, at work, they called each other by name, but seeing him so serious, Janice felt a little unsure how to respond.

"Why did you refuse when I asked you to come work right by me?" Charles raised a brow and patted the seat beside him, beckoning her over. Janice hesitated briefly, then obediently walked toward him.

"Don’t you already have a secretary?" Janice met his gaze bravely. When she returned, Charles hadn’t acknowledged her presence, acting as if nothing had happened. Though everyone at the company knew she was the boss’s wife, and she had been his secretary before, Charles hadn’t made any immediate moves to reinstate her. Now, two days later, he suddenly called her over again, which annoyed her.

"I’m just not used to it yet. We worked so well before—I still prefer you as my secretary," Charles said with a smile, tugging her down to sit on his lap as if it were the most natural thing in the world. After all, it was just his word.

"Do you like me better as your secretary or as your wife?" Janice mimicked his raised eyebrow, half teasing, half annoyed.

Before, working beside Amos made her feel valuable. But with Charles, she felt like nothing more than an ornament—doing nothing yet always there to satisfy his ego. Maybe that was the real reason.

"What about you? Do you prefer me as your boss or as your husband?" Charles smirked mischievously, tossing the question back at her. His large hand squeezed her waist playfully, making Janice cry out in surprise as she tried to stand up—but he held her tighter, pulling her closer.

"I like both—okay?" Janice sighed, realizing she had no room to resist him. Just as she felt the heat of his body pressing against her legs, one of Charles’s hands mischievously slipped beneath her clothes. Flushed with embarrassment and irritation, she swatted his hand away.

"Charles, stop it!"

There was still his secretary outside the door, and here he was openly making such inappropriate moves.

"Then are you coming or not?" Charles grinned victoriously, clearly delighted by her shy and flustered expression.

"Whatever you say, you’re the boss!" Janice rolled her eyes helplessly. He was always so willful, never minding if others at the company saw and learned to blur the lines between work and private life.

"Good girl." Satisfied, Charles released her and pressed a firm kiss onto her pale neck, leaving a vivid mark. His smile turned devilish.

"You—" Janice covered her neck in shock, knowing full well that mark was his deliberate claim. Was this his way of declaring ownership?

"You’re mine!" Charles teased, pinching her cheek affectionately. When Janice glared at him in protest, he scooped her up into his arms and headed toward the lounge.

"Hey, Charles, what are you doing? It’s still daytime!" Janice protested as he carried her, but Charles simply laid her down on the lounge’s wide bed, just like the one at home.

She hastily wrapped herself in a sheet, glaring at him. "Charles, no funny business! This is the office!"

By now, everyone in the design department probably already knew what they got up to.

"What do you think I’m going to do?" Charles leaned on his arms beside her, amused by the fearful look on her face.

"What?" Janice blushed at his playful eyes—nothing like the wildness of last night. Had she misunderstood?

"The doctor said you shouldn’t strain your eyes. You’re going to stay here and rest," Charles said, gently covering her eyes with his hands, full of concern. After last night’s exhausting session, she must be worn out.

"Well, I still have to hand over things to Secretary Xu..." Janice murmured, secretly smiling at his caring tone.

"No need. I’ll teach you what you need to know." Charles kissed her forehead, then winked flirtatiously. Janice scolded him with a glare but blushed as she pulled the blanket up and turned away.

Charles gazed lovingly at her flushed cheeks. Having her nearby brought his heart back to life.

Exhausted, Janice drifted off to sleep, breathing in the scent of Charles on the bedding. When she woke, it was already time to leave, and Charles arrived just then to call her.

Charles was efficient. By the time they left the office, the secretary’s room was empty—and naturally, that spot was still Janice’s.

Just as they stepped out of the elevator, a familiar figure emerged from another elevator and called out excitedly, "Charles! Janice!"

Janice recognized August immediately—he had known she was Janet’s replacement since day one. She waved happily. "August!"

"Charles... he’s back," August said quietly.

The sudden mention darkened the faces of the two men, and Janice knew exactly who August was referring to: Derrick...