Douglas said with a gentle laugh, “She has gone to the hair salon. Why?”Charlie smirked. “Hair salon? Was that what she told you?”“Yes!”“And you believe her?”Douglas asked in a peculiar tone, “Charlie, what are you trying to say? Just spill it out, stop beating around the bush.”Charlie gave a hum and started, “Alright. I saw Lily at the BMW showroom with a man named Jerome Hunt. They were cuddling and hugging, and she even called the man ‘dear’. I think she’s cheating on you.”“No way!” Douglas blurted loudly. “Lily is not like that at all! Did you get the wrong person?”Charlie said firmly, “No, I didn’t. It was her.”“No! I don’t believe it!” Douglas growled coldly, “Charlie, we are good buddies but you can’t say bad things about my fiancée just because we’re close!”“Douglas, wake up! Your fiancée is cheating on you with another man and that piece of crap Jerome even promised to buy her a BMW X6. They’ve gone back to his house now and she’s going to break up with you t
After lunch, Jacob, Charlie’s father-in-law, was already dressed up neatly and urging Charlie, “Hey, hurry up and get ready, we’re going to drive in our new car and go to Antique Street. A shop there has imported a Tang Dynasty kiln vase and I want to check it out.”Charlie persuaded, “Dad, you’re starting with the antique thing again? We don’t have much money and it’s a lavish hobby to have right now.”Jacob didn’t have money-earning skills but he dreamed a lot about get-rich-quick schemes. He loved hanging out at Antique Street for the hope of getting a rare piece of antiquity at a low price but in the past few years, the experiences he gained were nothing but scams and deceit.He had stopped for a while but now, not only did he pick up the hobby again but he also started to get itchy hands again.Jacob was annoyed by Charlie’s goodwill remark. He snorted in disdain and said, “Stop your nonsense, just drive me there now.”Charlie was helpless but he could not disobey his father-
Raymond stomped his feet furiously. “He’s your father-in-law, isn’t he?”Charlie nodded. “Yes, he is my father-in-law, but he’s the one who broke it, not me. You go and look for whoever is responsible for the broken vase. ‘Find the real perpetrator, don’t involve their family’—have you heard of that saying before?”Raymond’s blood was boiling, but he pondered upon what Charlie had said and figured that he was right.If the news of him asking compensation from innocent people spread out, then Vintage Deluxe’s reputation would be tarnished.Hence, he urged his men standing at the side, “You, go and get the old man back here!”Charlie curled his lips into a silent smirk as he watched the guys chasing after the old man in a hurry.Actually, he could simply swipe his card and get it over with, but it would be too easy for his shameless father-in-law then, wouldn’t it?It would be better to let the old man suffer and learn his lesson rather than cleaning his a*s for him. Otherwise, he
Thrilled and overjoyed, Charlie quickly stuffed the Apocalyptic Book into his pocket, but the book instantly turned into powder and disappeared into thin air.Miraculously, every word in the book was clearly imprinted in Charlie’s brain.At this moment, Jacob, who ran away like a coward, was brutally apprehended by several big and strong men and was hurled back to the shop.Looking at his puffy and swelling cheeks, Charlie figured that he must have been beaten vigorously before he was carried back here.Charlie found Jacob’s piteous look very funny and amusing.How dare this old coot label him as a scapegoat after getting into trouble! It was outrageous! A little beating was necessary as a punishment for him to learn his lesson.Jacob was in a particularly dreaded and shaky position right now. Due to his desperate escape earlier, he was panting profusely like a dog, trying to catch his breath. His chubby and fragile body made it impossible for him to outrun those young people.
Charlie nodded. “What if I fix it?”Raymond snorted. “I’ll need to check with the appraisers. If they verify that you’ve fixed it and recovered most of the damage, I’ll let both of you go!”“Alright!” Charlie nodded. “It’s a deal!”He quickly turned back to the workstation and quietly started his work. He took the brush and sketched the outline of the vase on the Chinese rice paper.Then, he knocked the egg lightly to crack a small opening, dipped his index finger into the egg to get some egg white, wiped it on a fragment of the vase, and pressed it against the paper model. Then, he repeated the same process for the next fragment, and another, until the paper model was gradually covered with the vase’s pieces…Everyone watched silently while holding their breaths in for fear of interrupting his restoration process.Half an hour passed very quickly.When Charlie stood upright again, what appeared in front of everyone was a Tang Dynasty Yuhuchun vase that seemed to be rejuvenated
Raymond was dumbstruck!He never would have imagined, not even in his wildest dreams, that the vase would transform into a more precious treasure after being restored by a few eggs!He pointed to Charlie and said, “Miss, this is the man who fixed the vase…”As Jasmine glanced at Charlie, she couldn’t help but wonder how such a young man would know the long-forgotten cultural relic restoration technique!Despite her doubt, she managed a polite smile and asked, “Hi, I am Jasmine Moore. How should I address you? May I know from whom you have learned the relic restoration technique?”Jacob, who was still shivering at the side, was dumbfounded when he heard Jasmine Moore’s name!The Moore family!The Moore family was the most elite family in Aurous Hill! Their influence was not comparable to those of Eastcliff’s elite families, but in Aurous Hill, they were at the top of the pyramid where no one could ever reach!He didn’t expect that he would meet one of their family members here!
Charlie nodded. “Understood.”The old man let out a deep sigh. Rubbing his face, he grumbled, “If I knew that you had such skill, I wouldn’t have rushed to you! Now, I’m not just tired to the bone, I was even slapped multiple times! Damn, how unlucky!”He then continued, “Is my face still red?”Charlie replied, “A little.”The old man grumbled once more. “Tell your mother that I ran into a pole if she ever asks.”Upon reaching home, Charlie immediately rushed to the supermarket to get some groceries and make dinner for the family.He then called his wife, Claire Wilson, in case she was craving for something. However, it turned out that she had to plan an upcoming project with Doris Young that night and so, she had invited Claire to have dinner at Emgrand Group.Upon hearing those words, Doris had tested him at the same time as well by saying, “Sir, the project is in progress, so your wife might be quite busy from now. I hope you don’t mind.”Charlie was an understanding person,
Upon arriving at Silverwing Hospital, Douglas could be seen lying on one of the beds in the ward, covered in wounds and bruises. There was a cast on his right leg as well, and he looked miserable. Charlie couldn’t help but sympathize. This fully grown man had been cheated on, had his heart broken, and was now covered in wounds. At the sight of Charlie’s arrival, Douglas’s swollen eyes began to tear up, tears flowing down his cheeks like a river stream.“Charlie…” Douglas broke down crying.Charlie approached him slowly and said softly, “It’s okay, she’s just a b*tch, she’s not worth it.” Douglas continued, “I pursued her for three years, basically throwing my dignity into the dumpster for her! I feel like a lowly dog trying to latch on to everything I could, but now, I realize that I’ve never had anything in the first place…” Douglas seemed to be choking on his tears. “That b*tch didn’t just break up with me, she wanted me to lose absolutely everything! I’ve spent every penny I
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
Fuming, Jimmy snapped at Julien, "If you insist on playing it like that, I will call my boss, and you can talk to him yourself!"Julien chuckled. "That's unnecessary. I've never met him. He would never recognize my voice."Jimmy laughed and nodded despite himself. "Impressive—you can really come up with anything! You don't have his number because he's beneath you, you refuse to call him because he's beneath you, and when I say I'll call him for you, you say he won't recognize your voice. Well, how do you suppose we should sort this out? At least prove you're a Rothschild, or anyone could claim that they are—"Julien held up a hand to stop him. "Then, how about this? I'll ask my butler to talk to your boss."Jimmy laughed even more loudly as if it were the best joke ever. "Hahaha!!! Butler, you say?! You really know how to talk! Alright, I'll wait and see what your 'butler' can do… I mean, what you can do. We'll see whether my boss calls me!"Julien ignored him and whipped out his
Naturally, Jimmy couldn't care less about Julien's suggestion, even looking at him pointedly from head to toe while smirking in contempt, "What, do you think I'd just do what any nutjob tells me to do just because they're claiming to be the Rothschilds' heir apparent?"Julien nodded, still smiling. "Good point, but don't worry—it's the same whether you call him or he calls you."Jimmy laughed. "I was offering you a way out, but you want to keep pressing your luck? Since you don't care to back off, let's see how you're going to finish this fight."Then, he shrugged while pointing at Yolden. "Well, it's the perfect chance to measure Matilda's husband, I guess."Based on what he saw of Yolden, there was no way he would buy Julien's claims, and thus labeled him an impostor in his mind.An ordinary lecturer in Aurous Hill, being friends with the Rothschilds' heir apparent? Not to mention that there had been plenty of fraudulent cases outside the States where the Rothschild name was use
Jimmy was taken aback since he didn't recognize Julien at all, mainly because the Rothschilds had always kept out of the public eye.In fact, it was basically impossible to gather genuine information about the Rothschilds online, as it was a mix of press releases and gossip. Most online biographies would only be about the older generations or certain frivolous figures. Any information about key members like Steve would never be searchable online.Matilda was confused as well, not quite understanding who Julien was since he wasn't on the list of guests invited.Seeing that she was confused, Julien turned and smiled at Yolden, "So, Professor, shouldn't you introduce me to the bride?"Yolden finally remembered that and quickly nodded, "Sorry, it slipped my mind."Turning toward Matilda, he smiled, "Darling, this is Julien Rothschild… A friend of mine from the states…"Julien's full name left everyone within earshot gaping as the Rothschild name was way too famous across the globe.
Seeing that Jimmy was getting a little nervous, Charlie smiled and assured him, "Please, you have nothing to worry about. No one's going to do anything to you, but if you feel threatened in any way, you can call the cops. The Oskian emergency hotline is 110, by the way."Jimmy was slightly relieved as he could see that Charlie really wasn't trying to make things awkward for him, and he straightened his collar as he said, "Actually, I didn't mean to cause trouble—I'm pleased that Matilda has found true love once more, and if we can be friends, I can set aside my claim and stay for the rest of this wedding, offering the newlyweds our best wishes as a representative of my family."Still, his expression showed contempt as he turned toward Yolden. "Also, I'm really curious and looking forward to seeing what connections Professor Hart might have that you say could be better than Bill.""You'll see soon enough," Charlie smiled and nodded.Jimmy remained skeptical and scoffed, "I really do