At this time, Jacob had already brought Matilda and her son, Paul to walk through the courtyard.As soon as they met, Claire was really shocked by Matilda’s appearance. She had already heard Charlie saying that Matilda’s temperament and appearance was simply amazing but she really did not expect it to be so good.At the same time, Claire could not help but feel a little envious of Matilda.After all, it was really amazing for a woman to be able to maintain such a good level of her temperament and appearance when she had already reached the age of fifty or so.Matilda was also a little surprised when she saw Claire. She really did not expect Jacob and Elaine’s daughter to turn out to be so beautiful and outstanding.At this time, Paul, who was standing next to Matilda, was also a little stunned. He was really surprised at Claire’s beauty and temperament.Jacob hurriedly introduced them to one another. “Matilda, this is my daughter, Claire.”After that, he looked at Claire again b
Charlie nodded as he said, “Alright, Dad. I got it.”Jacob hurriedly said, “Also, don’t forget about the thing that I reminded you about!”Charlie knew what he was talking about. Jacob wanted him to pay more attention to the situation and to make sure that he would not allow his mother-in-law to enter the villa if she came back. Jacob did not want Elaine to see Matilda in the villa.So, he smiled before he said, “Don’t worry, Dad. I won’t make any mistakes since you have already given me military orders for this matter.”Jacob gave him a thumbs up before he exclaimed, “You’re really my good son-in-law. I won’t treat you badly in the future!”After he was done speaking, Jacob hurriedly brought Matilda to the kitchen.Claire asked Charlie curiously, “What did Dad tell you? Both of you are acting so mysteriously as if you are engaged in some sort of shameful conspiracy.”Charlie thought to himself, ‘It’s impossible for me to tell you that your father asked me to stay guard and watc
Charlie looked at Paul before he asked curiously, “Paul, did you come to Oskia often previously?”Paul shook his head before he smiled and said, “I only visit for business purposes occasionally but I’ve never stayed here for more than a week for each trip.”Charlie had a puzzled look on his face as he asked, “Then, how do you know so much about tea, furniture, and wood?”Paul smiled before he said, “It’s mainly because my mother really likes these things. Therefore, I have already come into contact with these ever since I was a young child.”After that, Paul continued speaking, “Although I am mixed race and even though I resemble an American more, I am a downright Oskian down to my bones. I’ve been particularly influenced by my mother ever since I was a child. I especially love the culture, food, and traditions here.”“I see.”Charlie nodded slightly as he boiled some water for the tea. After that, he began to prepare the tea leaves that his father-in-law had been tricked into bu
At this moment in the kitchen, Matilda had put on an apron as she started preparing and processing the ingredients that she was going to cook with Jacob’s help.Jacob was standing at the side as he helped her as diligently as he could.He had always been dreaming of this day where he could finally prepare a hearty dinner in the kitchen, together with his beloved Matilda.However, he really did not expect his dream to finally come true after more than twenty years.Matilda was also feeling very emotional at the moment. She had been living in the United States with her husband for more than twenty years and though the two of them would often cook and prepare meals together, she had never felt this way before.She felt that as long as this man was standing next to her and as long as he was staying by her side, he would always be able to bring her an infinite sense of intimacy.Therefore, she was filled with joy and satisfaction because she was able to cook for him and be busy in the
Matilda’s body stiffened instantly when Jacob came forward and suddenly hugged her from the back.She had always been hoping from the depths of her heart throughout the past twenty over years for Jacob to hug her tightly in his arms.After all, this was the only man that she had ever loved in her life.At this time, her first love from more than twenty years ago was hugging her tightly in his arms. As his hands were clasped tightly around her belly, Matilda felt as though she had already regained the feelings that she had from more than twenty years ago.Matilda’s true feelings suddenly surged deep in her heart and she could not stop herself from placing her hand on his hand gently.However, as soon as she placed her hand on Jacob’s hand, she suddenly realized that it was really wrong for her to do this.She quickly broke away from Jacob’s embrace as she straightened out her hair in a panic. After that, she said unnaturally, “Jacob, we shouldn’t be doing this. You’re still a marr
”Therefore, this isn’t something that we can decide as if we’re still teenagers. We have to think carefully and consider everything before we come up with a mature decision.”Jacob replied immediately, “I can’t accept what you’ve just said. I know that you still have feelings for me deep down in your heart and I have feelings for you too. Since we still have feelings for each other, why can’t we get through this together then?”As he spoke, Jacob forcefully asked, “Matilda, I want you to tell me the truth. Do you have any feelings for me now?”Matilda was slightly embarrassed as she replied, “How do you expect me to answer your question? After all, we were both deeply in love and we had such a good relationship back then. We were each other’s first loves and we have already been deceiving ourselves for more than twenty years now.”After that, Matilda replied, “I’ve already told you what I feel about this matter. We shouldn’t only be considering our own feelings in deciding our rela
Jacob suddenly became very emotional as they spoke about this matter.He stared right into Matilda’s eyes before he said emotionally, “Matilda, I’m not joking with you. Every word that I am saying comes from the bottom of my heart. For the past twenty over years after you left me, I have never been happy at all. Not even for a single day. We’re both already so old, so why can’t we put aside all of these scruples and focus on pursuing our love instead?”Matilda sighed faintly before she said, “Jacob, I’ve also thought about everything that you’ve just said. To be honest, I have such illusions and thoughts in my heart too. However, our current situation really isn’t the same as it used to be. The thing I hate the most in my life is a third party. Therefore, I do not wish to become a third party in anyone’s relationship. That’s all the more why we shouldn’t be so anxious and act so hastily in this matter. You should give me some time and I’ll also give you some time to think about us.”
As both of them continued talking, a burning smell suddenly spread throughout the kitchen.Matilda exclaimed, “Oh no! My stir-fried shrimp!”After that, she hurriedly pushed Jacob away and she was blushing as she ran towards the side of the stove. She looked at the pan and she suddenly wailed, “It’s over! It’s gone! The shrimp is burnt now!”Jacob hurriedly reminded her, “Turn off the fire quickly! Otherwise, it’ll get even more burnt!”Matilda hurriedly turned off the gas on the stove. The shrimp in the pan was completely burnt at this point. She could only say helplessly, “This is all your fault! The stir-fried shrimp was originally my best dish but now it is completely destroyed…”Jacob also felt very guilty and embarrassed. Therefore, he hurriedly said, “Should I go out to buy you another bag of shrimp?”At this time, both Charlie and Paul who were enjoying their tea outside also smell the burning smell coming out from the kitchen. Charlie subconsciously asked, “Do you think
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