He was well-known in Japan and even regarded as an inspirational idol by many people. He had singlehandedly built the Ito family into one of the top families in Japan, and he was also in his prime at the age of fifty. He should have been at the age where he could be exercising his ambitions to the fullest. However, at this time, he had suddenly lost his legs and become a disabled person who had to rely on someone to take care of him at home, and he had to use a wheelchair when he went out. It would be difficult to fill this gap in his heart for the next three to five years.So, she said to Hiroshi, “Tanaka-san, please invite the manufacturer of the billiard table to come here tomorrow to let them see if there is any way to upgrade the table so that it can be more suitable for my father’s current situation, such as making its height as adjustable as possible, and the legs supporting the table should be tucked inward as much as possible to avoid collision with the wheelchair. In any cas
Nanako pulled the door open gently and then left her slippers outside the door as she walked in barefoot.When Yahiko saw that Nanako was dressed up like a fairy, he could not help but say proudly, “Nanako, I can’t wait to see you when you get married. You will definitely be even more beautiful than you look now. I’m afraid that the whole of Japan will be stunned by you then!”Nanako smiled slightly and said, “My Eminent Father, I’ve never thought about getting married so soon.”“Oh...” Yahiko responded and said emotionally, “You still cannot forget Charlie?”Nanako did not hide her feelings and said earnestly, “My Eminent Father, I’m still unable to let Charlie-kun go. Aside from him, there is no place in my heart for anyone else. Even if I can forget him, it would be impossible for me to like anyone else.”Yahiko was stunned for a moment and then said with some distress, “Nanako, Charlie is a good man, but I don’t know how long you will have to wait for him. A woman’s golden per
So, she quickly answered the phone, walked over to an unoccupied corner, and spoke up as she asked excitedly, “Charlie-kun, aren’t you in the United States? Why are you calling me?”Charlie smiled slightly and said, “Nanako, I have something very important to tell you.”Nanako hurriedly said, “Charlie-kun, please speak up!”Charlie instructed, “You should put down all matters at hand right now and bring your father and Hiroshi to meet me in New York. The sooner, the better.”“Huh?” Nanako asked in surprise and astonishment, “You want me to bring my Eminent Father and Tanaka-san to New York right now?”“Yes.” Charlie said, “It’s a long journey, so it’d be best for you to leave for the airport now. You don’t need to bring any luggage or anything like that, just come as fast as you can.”Nanako wanted to say that it was her father’s birthday tonight and whether they could leave two hours later so that her father could at least finish his meal first before leaving.However, she coul
After Yahiko had put on the uncomfortable prostheses, several male servants helped him change into the hakama.As Yahiko stood on the spot dressed up in a new way, he did seem to have regained some of his former elegance.However, he was the only one who knew the pain involved.He just stood there for two or three minutes while putting on clothes, and he felt pain, numbness, and some itching where his body was in contact with the prostheses.He really wanted to throw this pair of prostheses immediately and return to the wheelchair again, but he had no choice but to resist the urge to do so when he thought about what his daughter had said about taking pictures.He had originally wanted to walk out on his own, but he did face some difficulties after taking a few steps due to the inconvenient movement of the prostheses, so he had to let the servant help him out of the room.However, he did not know that no one in the entire Ito family was still busy with his birthday. Instead, every
“How can we do that?!” Nanako said, “Charlie-kun asked me to take you and Tanaka-san with me!”“I still won’t go even if that’s the case.” Yahiko said angrily, “I haven’t left home for so long because I don’t want to go out and embarrass myself, let alone go to the United States.”Nanako said firmly, “This is Charlie-kun’s intention.”Yahiko said with some anger, “So what if it’s his intention? You’re the one who likes him, not me. You can go by yourself. I’ll stay here. I’m not going anywhere!”Nanako was a little angry, and her tone was even a little stern, and it seemed as if she was reprimanding him a little as she blurted out, “Otou-san! Have you forgotten Charlie-kun’s kindness to the Ito family?!”“I haven’t forgotten!” Yahiko said resentfully, “But don’t forget that Charlie has also taken quite a sum of money from me! He did not give the billions of US dollars to me after he said that he would not do it. Did I mention this after that? No, right?”Nanako said seriously, “O
Yahiko still looked a little sullen until the plane took off.Before boarding the plane, Nanako especially took a photo of Yahiko wearing the hakama as he stood on the prostheses under the plane and got the servant to carry him onto the plane immediately afterward. Half an hour after the plane took off and started flying smoothly, Nanako and her aunt hurriedly brought up the food and cake that they had brought with them to celebrate Yahiko’s fiftieth birthday in the air. Nanako lit the candles and sang the birthday song before coaxing Yahiko and saying, “Otou-san, blow out the candles!” Nanako did not realize that at this point, she had already changed the way she addressed her father from Eminent Father to Otou-san.She had even used a slightly reprimanding tone a couple of times without realizing it.Unexpectedly, this actually suppressed Yahiko’s original arrogance. After being reprimanded by his precious daughter, he lost his original temper, and it was replaced with a chi
“Okay.” Charlie quickly said, “I’ll see you later, then.”“Okay, Mr. Wade. See you later.”Fifteen minutes later, Kathleen’s helicopter landed on the top floor of Shangri-La.Charlie took Rosalie, Isaac, and Albert with him into the helicopter.Half an hour later, the helicopter flew over a remote building on the outskirts of New York City.The Fox family’s medical technology center was located here.This building was the only building within a two-kilometer radius. It was twenty-five stories high, and the surroundings were heavily guarded.After getting off the helicopter, Kathleen took the initiative to walk in front as she led the way and said to Charlie, “Mr. Wade, we established a medical technology center mainly for research and development as well as the testing of some relatively high-end and advanced treatment methods and drugs, which includes the most advanced proton therapy system and cellular immunotherapy for cancer that are available here, and they are the best in
When Jameson saw Charlie, he was very pleasantly surprised. At the same time, he felt very excited, almost as if he had grasped his final hope in a desperate situation.Charlie asked curiously, “Mr. Smith, why are you here?”Jameson subconsciously replied respectfully, “Mr. Wade, the FDA has several clinical projects in collaboration with the Fox Medical Technology Center. I came here today to complete some routine work...”After saying this, before Charlie could speak, he knelt on the ground and said with tears in his eyes, “Mr. Wade, I have been hoping to meet you again for a long time, but I have never had the chance to do so. I have been to Aurous Hill a few times, but the people from the Apothecary Pharmaceutical and Don Albert were unable to connect me to you... Don Albert kept charging me several introduction fees, but he simply kept procrastinating without helping me run the errands...”Albert curled his lips behind Charlie and said, “You simply want to see Mr. Wade because
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