Elaine nodded and said casually, “That’s almost the same as my husband before he left. He smoked one and a half packets a day, and as a result, he was gone in his early thirties. After saying that, she looked at the taxi driver and asked curiously, “Mister, I think you’re forty or fifty years old, right?”The taxi driver laughed and said, “I... I’m fifty-two years old...”“Awesome.” Elaine gave him a thumbs up and said seriously, “You’re doing pretty well. If you clench your teeth and persist for a dozen years, you would have lived twice as long as my husband.”The taxi driver’s expression at this time was much uglier than crying.At this time, Elaine could not help but sigh as she said, “In fact, what’s the point of living so long? My husband left early and didn’t have to worry about anything unlike me, where I had to assume both the role of a father and mother. Sometimes, I think that it’d be better if the person who left was me. In that case, I would die earlier and be reborn
The three of them walked into the neighborhood with their luggage when they heard a short car horn sound from behind.The three subconsciously looked back only to see a large Mercedes-Benz SUV slowly drive over. The window was rolled down, and a woman poked her head out and said in surprise, “Oh, Elaine! When did you come back from the United States?!”When Elaine heard this, she was surprised and said, “Hannah?! Is it really you?!”Hannah drove the car forward again, stopped directly beside Elaine, then leaned on the window with a smug expression as she said with a smile, “Elaine, you’re really funny. You don’t recognize your sister-in-law after going to the United States to stay for a month?!”Elaine’s brows immediately furrowed. Several voices were rising and falling in her heart at this moment. The first voice was, “Damn it! How is this bitch, Hannah, driving a Mercedes-Benz? Wasn’t she so poor that she even had to starve? Two disabled people are lying in her house, and the
It was also at that time that Elaine truly realized that Hannah and Christopher really had the courage and intention to destroy others!Therefore, Elaine had always held a grudge against Hannah and had always been wary of her!The reason why Elaine was close to Hannah was because Hannah would flatter her and compliment her all the time, which gave Elaine a sense of superiority. Elaine also enjoyed the feeling of trampling all over Hannah when Hannah had still been flattering her. However, even though she had brought Hannah out to eat, drink, and have fun every day, she would always remember how cunning Hannah was. So, she had always guarded herself against Hannah in order to prevent getting tricked again. She had originally thought that it would be impossible for Hannah to turn things around again in this life, but she never expected this bitch to turn things around so quickly!She recalled the logo she had seen on the rear of the car and could not help but ask Charlie, “My dear
Hannah’s inexplicable rise messed with Elaine’s emotions, and she suddenly felt extremely disappointed. Although she was living in a luxury house and drove a luxury car, she knew very well that these things were not directly related to her.In other words, when it came to money, Elaine only knew how to spend money in addition to getting cheated out of her money. If one were to count the money that she had earned on her own, it would be nothing in fifty years.Therefore, she was very anxious to figure out one thing. How had Hannah gotten the money to buy the Mercedes-Benz G500?Elaine would feel better if Wendy had earned the money because Hannah would simply be spending her daughter’s money the way she was spending her son-in-law’s money. Hannah would not be any better compared to her. What’s more, Hannah was only driving a Mercedes-Benz G500 that cost more than two million dollars. The car that she drove some time ago in Aurous Hill was a Rolls-Royce Cullinan that cost tens of mi
Jacob was already very drunk at this time. He was wearing a boxer on his lower body, and his upper body was naked. He was collapsed on the sofa, and there was a bottle of vodka with a high alcohol content that was almost emptied. So, Charlie walked over quickly to check on Jacob’s state, but when he got closer, he was taken aback by the person in front of him. The man in front of him was indeed Jacob, but he had a scruffy beard, and his body smelled. He was in an extremely disheveled state. If he was thrown on the street, he would fit right in like a proper vagrant. He quickly said, “Dad, wake up. Dad, it’s me, Charlie.”Jacob was in a daze from his sleep. When he heard someone calling him, he cursed angrily, “I... I’m telling you... Leave me alone! Don’t bother me! I’m in a bad mood!” Elaine controlled the electric wheelchair, knocking into an unknown number of beer cans along the way as she rushed to the sofa angrily. When she saw Jacob, who was lying on the sofa like a begg
Jacob was flustered by Elaine’s question. Furthermore, he was guilty, so he suddenly did not know how to explain himself. At this time, Charlie hurriedly asked, “Dad, are you feeling upset because you did not perform well in the cultural exchange to Korea this time?”After getting Charlie’s reminder, Jacob nodded in a panic and said, “Yes, yes, that’s right... It’s because I did not perform well...”After saying that, he sighed deeply and said angrily from the bottom of his heart, “I’ve been preparing for this cultural exchange for a long time, and I thought that I would be able to do a good job in Korea so that I could also bring glory to Aurous Hill and Oskia. Unexpectedly, after arriving in Korea, the other members of my own group stole the limelight from me. I was in Korea for more than twenty days but did not have any room for development at all. I’ve never felt so humiliated in my life...”When Elaine heard this, she was half-convinced, but she was still very angry and curse
“Who else could it be?!” Jacob wiped his tears away and sobbed as he said, “Of course, it’s Matilda!”Charlie frowned and asked, “Aren’t the two of you confidants? When did you get together?”Jacob quickly explained, “We’re not together. I haven’t divorced your mother-in-law yet...”Charlie said helplessly, “You guys are not together, so how can you be lovelorn?”Jacob felt as if he had been humiliated, so he blushed and argued, “We have always loved each other deep down in our hearts! Do you remember the time when she and her son, Paul, came over to our house for dinner when she had just come back to Oskia?”“I remember.” Charlie said casually, “Wasn’t that just a reunion between old classmates? What’s so special about it?”Jacob said solemnly, “Of course, it was special! You don’t know this, but I confessed my love to her when we were in the kitchen that day! I not only confessed my love to her affectionately, but I even hugged her, and she hugged me back!”“Really?” Charlie a
After hearing Jacob’s words, Charlie could not help but ask in surprise, “How did Professor Hart get together with Aunt Matilda? When did this happen?” Jacob said indignantly, “Didn’t it happen during the cultural exchange to Korea this time? The two of them somehow ended up together for some reason!”Charlie asked him, “Are you sure they are together? Have they made an official announcement?”“Yes...” Jacob’s eyes were red and swollen, and he said in distress, “Matilda spoke to me about this matter before. She said that Professor Hart had always been interested in her, and it was not just for a day or two. In fact, he had always been interested in her since we ran into him that time.”After saying that, Jacob then added, “Professor Hart had always been stalking Matilda, and I don’t know what’s wrong with Matilda that she actually agreed to be together with him.”Charlie laughed and said, “Dad, I’m going to say something that you won’t like to hear. I actually think that the two
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