Aurora had also specially driven him around the lake on a speedboat back then.However, as the weather at this time was still cold, the scenery by the lakeside was more or less rather dull and depressing. It was not as lush and vibrant as the last time when he had come by.Therefore, Charlie said to Graham in passing, “Mr. Quinton, the vitality of this villa is a little lacking during the winter. Although the trees and grassland here are only withered temporarily, in terms of Feng Shui, they are still considered as dead objects. So, it would be better for you not to live here before spring begins because it will certainly have a little impact on your body and fortune.”When Graham heard this, he immediately said, “Oh! Thank you for your reminder, Master Wade! If that is the case, we will move back to the city tomorrow, then!”Aurora subconsciously asked, “Dad, why don’t we buy a villa at the Thompson First community, then? That place is not only big, but we can also be neighbors wi
Charlie handed the two wooden boxes over to Graham under Graham’s watchful gaze. After that, he said, “Mr. Quinton, these two pills inside these two wooden boxes are a small token from me. The one on the right is slightly larger and darker in color. That is the Healing Pill that I gave to all of you before this. As for the slightly smaller and brighter pill on the left, it is the Rejuvenating Pill that I have just refined this time.”Graham was so excited that he was completely at a loss for words. He said in a trembling voice, “Master… Master Wade… how could I be worthy of such a valuable and precious Rejuvenating Pill?! This… this Rejuvenating Pill could easily be sold for two to three billion dollars if you were to put it up for auction in the market. It is… it is really too expensive…”Although Graham had been longing for the Rejuvenating Pill for the longest time, he understood very well that the value of the Rejuvenating Pill was simply too high and expensive. It was far more v
The only reason why the purple ginseng had been sold for a sky-high price of one hundred million dollars during the last auction was entirely because Charlie had deliberately raised the price of the purple ginseng to provoke Kenneth Wilson on purpose. Even if Graham were to truly be a shareholder who had invested in the batch of pills, he could not possibly be expecting a return of two to three billion dollars in exchange for four to five million dollars. Therefore, no matter what it was, Charlie was doing him a great favor simply by giving the Rejuvenating Pill to him.As he thought about this, Graham stood up immediately as he stepped forward and fell to his knees. He clasped his hands together before he said respectfully, “Master Wade, I will never forget your great kindness and favor! Please accept a bow from me!”Charlie supported him with one hand before he smiled and said, “You should accept the pill and put it away in a safe place quickly. Out of all the people that I have
“Change a new route?”Aurora could not help but exclaim as she asked, “Master Wade, what do you mean by changing a new route? Do you mean… you want me to practice judo, taekwondo, or something else, then?”“Of course not!” Charlie smiled deeply before he said seriously, “Whether it is our country’s traditional martial arts, taekwondo, Jeet Kune Do, Sanda, combat and fighting, or boxing, all of these are focused on the same thing. Even if you continue changing back and forth between them, you would only be able to change the direction at best. It is simply impossible for you to take a new route entirely.”Aurora asked incomprehensibly, “Master Wade, I do not understand what you mean. These events are the most common competitive martial arts events now. If I am not going to practice all these, what should I be practicing, then?”Charlie casually replied, “Have you ever heard of inner family boxing?”“Inner family boxing? Aurora was dumbfounded. After that, she asked, “Could it be… t
As Charlie was willing to teach this kind of priceless and valuable technique to her, this was indeed a very precious gift.When Charlie saw that Aurora was not speaking, he smiled as he asked her, “Why? You don’t like it? Do you want me to teach you another technique instead?”“No! No! No!” Aurora’s eyes were filled with tears, and she waved her hand quickly as she said, “Master Wade, it is not that I do not like it. I am just in utter disbelief. For many martial arts families, inner family boxing is a family tradition and a valuable family heirloom as it is the foundation and foothold of the martial arts families. It will never be taught to any outsiders, and many martial arts families would only pass this kind of technique down from men to men. Yet, you are actually willing to teach such a precious and valuable inner family boxing technique to me…”Charlie smiled as he said, “In the eyes of others, inner family boxing might indeed be very precious and valuable. However, it is rea
When Aurora heard Charlie’s metaphor, she seemed to be able to understand it a little better.She asked curiously, “Master Wade, does that mean that I will be able to feel the presence of my qi and guide the qi around my body at will as long as I train and practice hard enough?”Charlie nodded before he smiled and said, “That’s right! You should not have the mentality that this kind of technique is very profound and unattainable. It is similar to a scenario where an ordinary person would just open their mouth to sing. However, professional singers would control their own breath and use a certain part of their body to control the resonance of their voice when they are singing.”“Some professional singers can resonate in their head cavity, whereas some others can resonate their voice in their thoracic cavity and abdominal cavity. In fact, it is not something mysterious or magical at all. As long as you can find the right and appropriate technique, and as long as you are willing to tra
Albert hurriedly nodded and said, “Master Wade, I already know about it. That b*stard, Jayden, has already told me about this matter. I slapped him twenty times as punishment for helping Hebron to abuse and mistreat those girls. I have already given him a stern warning. If he dares to participate in anything related to forcing girls into prostitution in the future, I will certainly abolish him!”Charlie nodded before he said seriously, “From now on, inform all of your subordinates and men in the underground world. Everyone can work together and earn money together. However, you should maintain your morals. You should not do anything related to porn, gambling, or drugs! You should not get involved in those matters at all no matter how much money you can make from it!”Albert hurriedly said, “Master Wade, don’t worry about this matter. I have already spoken to all of my subordinates. After hearing about what Hebron did in the etiquette company, I have already warned all of my subordina
When Liam heard Charlie asking about the Apothecary Stomach Pill, Liam became very excited, and he blurted out, “Master Wade, the Apothecary Stomach Pill has already occupied the entire Japanese, Korean, and also Southeast Asia market now! After incorporating Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, the many production lines of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical are now fully operational and producing the Apothecary Stomach Pill at full scale. Besides Asia, we are already preparing more stock to enter into the European and American markets next month!”Charlie nodded in satisfaction before he smiled and said, “The European and American markets have always been resistant to traditional medications. Are you confident?”“Yes!” Liam replied without any hesitation at all. “Although Europe and the United States are the birthplaces of many modern medications, Europe and the United States are also the main forces in alcohol consumption. The top twenty countries in per capita alcohol consumption are all European coun
Ares LLP was the biggest law firm in the States, and only the best of the best were recruited as associates.If Jimmy got to pick ten of their partners, he was basically taking a huge chunk out of their human resources.Moreover, the partners' salaries would be very expensive. With Jimmy included, eleven of them meant over a hundred million US dollars at minimum. Ares would definitely be maimed if they had to pay that much money while losing ten of their elites! Naturally, Jimmy didn't feel confident about achieving that, and he asked Charlie, "Mr. Wade… Don't you think it's too much? Would Nate even agree to that?"Charlie shrugged. "Of course he won't agree if you're the one asking, but he would definitely say yes if it were Julien."Julien almost rolled his eyes.The man was truly ruthless, ready to inflict so much damage at the drop of a hat.Worst of all, he was going to play the villain for Charlie.Still, he said confidently, "Don't worry, Mr. Wade! I will pressure him
However, Jimmy realized something important even as he sighed in relief. "Wait, Mr. Wade… I know I should settle things in the family Stateside, but won't I be arrested upon arrival?""That's Julien's department," Charlie chuckled and turned toward the man. "Tell your butler not to send the evidence to the feds. If it has reached them already, ask to have it back and tell the feds they saw nothing."Julien promptly nodded. "I'll text him right now. You have nothing to worry about, Mr. Wade."Jimmy remained worried. "But sir, I think Nate's not going to let this slide. The man is cunning—he deliberately dug a pit so we'd fall into it, and he gathered all the dirt he could on us to be used as leverage when necessary."Charlie shook his head. "That's no big deal. Julien can make sure that you're fine even if the feds get the evidence."Julien nodded nearby. "Don't worry, Mr. Wade. The decision remains in your hands, either way. Just say the word, and it's 25 to life… otherwise, not e
The fact that Jimmy was a partner in Ares LLP already meant he had skill, while Matilda had herself been retired for years and definitely had lost her touch a little. So, having someone like Jimmy who had stayed on the frontlines all this while would definitely be no issue.And in turn, it was a good thing for Jimmy as it was better than the kennels either way.Charlie then asked Jimmy pointedly, "You say you're interested, but are you sincere about it?"Jimmy nodded without hesitation. "Yes, absolutely!""No regrets? We're talking about ten years here.""None, absolutely none!""Do you know what to say if anyone asks?""Yes, of course! I chose to further my career here in Oskia, and it was absolutely voluntary! That's what I'd say even if my family asked!"Charlie nodded. "Good. Then, you will have two weeks. Go home and set your affairs in order and report in for work afterward.""No problem!" Jimmy nodded repeatedly, actually surprised and grateful that Charlie would let hi
And yet, Julien was suddenly clapping his hands, and exclaiming excitedly, "Yes, right! We should get his wife and son over too for a happy reunion!"He then paused and quickly corrected himself, "Wait, no! I mean, they should each be caged with one empty cage separating each of their cages. They can see each other and talk, but there will be no touching. How dare he flex on me—I gotta teach him a lesson to remember!"Jimmy dropped limply on his rump, and Matilda beckoned for Paul to help him up while turning toward Julien as she pursed her lips. "Please, Mr. Rothschild… Even if you don't accept his apology, don't bring his family into this. It's against Oskian tradition—you'd insult your family's name!"Julien shrugged, not hesitating to retort, "What do your traditions have to do with me? If I mean to hurt him, forget his family—I'll drag his dogs over too!"Seeing that Julien was so furious, Charlie decided to stop him, or he might actually go through with it."That's enough, J
Holding up a thumb at Charlie, Julien exclaimed in approval, "You're right, my friend! That's far more exciting than having him jailed!"Just hearing that he would be sent to a kennel, Jimmy knew nothing would come of it—even if he didn't know the details, it was so obvious that Julien was thrilled by the very idea!Turning nervously toward Charlie, he was sobbing as he asked, "Mr. Wade…? What's this about a kennel…?"Julien chuckled coolly even before Charlie said a word. "A kennel is where you keep dogs, of course. Though there are literal dogs and metaphorical dogs, and you are the latter."Oh, don't worry. It's a really nice place where you get your own cage, and you'll be fed every day. You don't even have to work, so just sit tight and keep eating until the day you die."Jimmy's soul left his body in that instant.He was going to be locked in a cage?! That was way worse than being locked up and sent to jail! Where was the humanity around here?!Even as the thought struck h
Matilda was actually caught off guard by Jimmy's pleas, and even Paul found it hard to watch.Turning to Charlie, he said, "Please, Mr. Wade—my uncle can be a little despicable, but he is my father's brother. Please, let him have a chance to turn over a new leaf, seeing that he's earnestly repenting."While Paul spoke with Charlie, Jimmy was still confused and wondered why Paul would plead his case with Charlie instead of Julien. If there was anyone Paul should ask, it was Yolden since he was Julien's friend. So, why would he ask some young man instead of Yolden?That was when Charlie asked in curiosity, "You want to let him off? After he tried to take away your parents' legacy?"Paul smiled awkwardly. "I mean, I know the guy. He made sure to travel all this way to make a scene because he had nothing legal that could help him claim Smith Group Corporate Law from us. Otherwise, he'd have already filed the lawsuit in the States. Sure, it's a dirty move, but that's basically a des
As Julien finished, he realized something was wrong and turned toward Charlie before he knew it.Charlie held his gaze in turn, his expression quizzical and amused.Julien cleared his throat right then. "See, there are people who can order me around, but they have my utmost respect. However, a third-rate lawyer like you? Who do you think you are?"That was when Julien's butler called, and he reported respectfully as soon as the call was answered, "Sir, I've spoken with Nate Ellis, the owner of Ares LLC. He has since agreed to fire Jimmy Smith right away as well as disbar him nationwide."Julien asked, "Good. Anything else?""Well, Mr. Ellis also delivered some documents that can be used as evidence against Jimmy Smith, which he claims is enough for a lifetime sentence. If you deem it necessary, we can have it sent to the FBI.""Yes, let's go with that!" Julien replied, his tone satisfied. "And ask the director to handle it personally—I want this prick to never set foot stateside
Jimmy was sweating profusely in fear, but he argued back before he knew it, "That's impossible! Everything you say is bullshit! Gaiman simply thought he had a fair chance of winning and didn't want to pay Ares that much, and I have no idea who he partnered with, and I'm certainly not involved. Don't you try to slander me!"Nate chuckled. "Come on, Jimmy. We're all adults here, so there are things we shouldn't have to be so direct about. Mills Gaiman and your old classmate met in private many times, not to mention the private conferences you three had in secret, discussing your overall strategy and decisive points. Just so you know, Gaiman recorded every conversation, and I have the tapes with me."Jimmy's heart was left pounding as he blurted, "B-Bullshit! That's impossible!""Grow up, Jimmy," Mr.Goodman chuckled. "Every partner in every law firm always strives to rise higher, so I'm going to need as much leverage as I can. Otherwise, I'm not about to let them advance any further, e
Although the ringtone and vibration frequency were the ones Jimmy always used, this call somehow felt more urgent, leaving him exceedingly uneasy.When it abruptly stopped and left a missed call on his log, Nate Ellis soon sent a text: [Answer your damn phone this instant!]Just seeing the text left Jimmy feeling like his throat had gone dry, and as he gulped, it felt like his throat was being ripped, leaving him hurting.Still, he couldn't care less as his boss called again.Having seen the text, Jimmy didn't hesitate this time and promptly answered, watching Julien's smug face as he started tentatively, "Y-Yes, boss...?"Nate immediately yelled at him hysterically, "What the hell did you do?! Why did the Rothschilds call to complain about you?! And the complaint was from their heir apparent, at that! I worked hard for them and always toed the line for years, and I still haven't gotten a chance to meet the man, so how the fuck did you upset him?!"Jimmy's heart sank to rock bott