“The Takahashi family?!” Both of them were utterly shocked.Isaac blurted out, “Young master! Is the Takahashi family trying to harm you?”Charlie nodded. “They simply followed me first, and then waited for a suitable opportunity to kill me.”Isaac gritted his teeth and cursed, “A mere Takahashi family, whose strength is probably comparable to the Golding family from Eastcliff at best, actually has such audacity!”Charlie smiled as he said, “Their family is actually still considered very strong in this sphere of influence in Tokyo.”As he spoke, Charlie asked, “Did you find the refrigerator truck?”“We found it!” Isaac replied, “We simply bought a refrigerator truck that was used to transport seafood directly from the seafood market at a high price. We drove over here in a hurry without having time to unload the cargo from the truck.”Charlie asked, “If that is the case, then the carriage should still be frozen, right?”Isaac nodded. “It should be negative twenty degrees inside
Two of Masatetsu’s junior were keeping watch nearby the hotel lobby at this time.When they saw Charlie returning to the hotel as though nothing had happened at all, they notified Masatetsu immediately. At the same time, both of them could not help but feel a little surprised. It seemed as though this guy had just gone out for a walk. They could not see any trace of him getting into a fight with anyone at all. Could it be that Aota did not fight with him at all?The reason why they thought this way was because they felt that even if Aota was not as capable as Charlie, he would certainly not be powerless against him.If Aota had already met with a mishap, then his opponent should have also suffered from some injuries at the very least. It was completely impossible for him to look like nothing had happened at all.At this time, Masatetsu, who had already installed several bugs in Charlie’s room, surreptitiously slipped from Charlie’s room before telling his juniors, “Come up to my ro
Charlie replied seriously, “I just feel that something is wrong. When I went out for a walk just now, it seemed as though I inexplicably heard someone fighting behind me and there were sounds of weapon collision too. However, when I turned around to take a look, there was nothing at all.”Isaac thought for a moment before he said, “Young master, I think that you are being a little too sensitive. Perhaps you were having auditory hallucinations too.”“Something really seemed off.” Charlie smacked his lips together as he said, “The movements that I overheard were very chaotic and it seemed as though several people had been fighting for quite some time. And then, it seems as though someone was struggling and whimpering after getting his mouth covered. After walking towards the direction of the sound, I found a pool of blood on the ground and also a shoe. The shoe was also damn weird…”Isaac said, “Young master, the blood could possibly belong to an animal too. As for the shoe, what can
At this moment, Tokyo, Japan.Machi had just ended a whole day of discussion with Jaime and Sophie.The discussion between the both sides of the families could be said to be very in-depth and they were very satisfied with one another.This was mainly because Jaime and Sophie felt that Machi was a very sensible man. They did not even need to guide him to get rid of the Ito family but he already had his own plans and intentions to do so.Secondly, it was also because Machi intentionally released a few percentages of the profit sharing on the specific collaboration terms in order to finalize the cooperation between the two families as soon as possible.Jaime originally intended to discuss a thirty to seventy percent collaboration agreement. Regardless of discussion with the Takahashi family or the Ito family, they would only allow thirty percent of the benefits to be given to them.However, he really did not expect Machi to take the initiative to reduce his own share of the profit s
“What?!” Machi blurted out in shock, “Do you mean that Fujibayashi Aota is dead? Who did it? Was it that Oskian?!”“No.” Masatetsu had a gloomy expression on his face as he said, “There is a high probability that this was done by another ninjutsu family!”“Another ninjutsu family?” Machi frowned and asked, “Did any of you provoked anyone?”“No.” Masatetsu replied, “Mr. Takahashi, four of us fellow apprentices have been working for you throughout all these years. Aside from your enemies, none of us make enemies outside. So, I suspect the other party must be targeting you and acting against you instead!”“Targeting me?” Machi blurted out, “Who could possibly be targeting me? Moreover, if the other party is also using ninjas, then it seems as though he must come from a pretty strong background then!”Masatetsu replied, “Mr. Takahashi, do you think that this was done by the Ito family? As far as I know, out of the ninjutsu families, the famous and reputable Koga family had always been
Aman Hotel Tokyo.Having just taken a bath, Sophie turned on her laptop in her room. After that, she and her brother went on a video conference call with Sheldon, far away in Eastcliff.The siblings quickly reported the huge concession that Machi had made to Sheldon, who was extremely surprised.From Sheldon’s point of view, Machi knew what he was doing. He did not only have the determination to kill and destroy the Ito family, but he also had the consciousness to willingly give in and accept the lower end of the bargain, enabling Schulz family to gain a more favorable percentage in their collaboration. This kind of person could easily be taught and tamed.Sophie said, “Dad, we will also be meeting up with Yahiko from the Ito family tomorrow, as we have already agreed to this meeting in advance. However, I think that Yahiko has already lost his advantage and competitiveness in this collaboration. Moreover, it will be impossible for him to offer us an even better proposal compared
The expression on Sophie’s face turned solemn as soon as she heard this.In fact, she had only mentioned that man earlier just so that she could piss her father off. However, when she thought about that man, Sophie could not help but feel a little worried for him.When she thought about the fact that Machi might not be letting him off so quickly, Sophie immediately blurted out.“The next time we meet Machi, I’ll be giving him a warning. If he dares to secretly attack that man after we have reached an agreement, then I will terminate our collaboration and partnership with him at any time!”“Nonsense!!” Sheldon reprimanded Sophie sternly. “As the Schulz family representative, everything should be done and negotiated for the sole interest of the Schulz family. How can you possibly allow a stranger and an unknown man to affect the interests of the Schulz family?! As long as we can get Machi to agree to the biggest concession clause, then what has the life and death of that stranger g
At the hotel lobby of Aman Hotel Tokyo.Yoshito, who had not even turned forty yet, was already looking forward to meeting the Schulz family.He made this trip to the hotel today because he had been hoping to use his humble attitude and personality to gain an opportunity to meet up and speak with the Schulz family. Although the Matsumoto family’s strength was not as grand or capable as that of the Takahashi family or the Ito family, Yoshito felt that his abilities and capabilities were not weaker than anyone else. He was young and bold, and he would be an ideal partner to collaborate and work together with the Schulz family.As the Matsumoto family was still weaker some years ago, they were far behind compared to that of the Takahashi and Ito families.Although Yoshito had already led the Matsumoto family to develop rapidly and achieve greater heights to catch up with the Takahashi family and Ito family, they were still relatively falling short behind.The Matsumoto family could
Charlie chuckled. "Don't sell yourself short, Mr. Hart. There are plenty of business folk who got so used to their comfort zone that they became caught in the illusion that they can be successful in anything they do. It's a mindset that leads to them blindly developing new projects and new competition, and then they end up losing big."If memory serves, there have been real estate businesses that started mineral water brands, search engines that tried the car industry, e-commerce sites attempting social media, and vice-versa. All of them are multi-billion-dollar companies venturing into new frontiers, but all to unimpressive outcomes."Pausing, Charlie then continued, "You've mentioned rising above the competition amidst the development of the new energy industry. That would get anyone's attention, and it is why I believe that you definitely will make a strong impression with your strategizing and knowledge of the basic principles."Yolden found it hard to refuse, seeing that Charli
Having lost it all, Jacob really looked like he wouldn't be getting back up.But fortunately, he had a pillar in the form of Elaine.In fact, Elaine would serve to be a container, whipping Jacob into shape if he got too full of himself.But on the other hand, now that Jacob was utterly despondent, she would be forcing him to smile and function in general.Elaine's attitude to the entire issue was clear as well. Even though Jacob had just lost his job, she would make him go shopping with her in Dubai even if he fell into a coma. Even if he was dead, she'd just cremate him and bring his ashes along.Hence, with Elaine's firm grip around Jacob's leash, he went on strolls, going shopping and taking selfies with Elaine everyday, eventually easing the toll on his mood and spirit.-Back at Aurous Hill, Charlie was preparing for Yolden Hart and Matilda Hall's wedding as it approached.Yolden was a schoolmate of his mother, Ashley Layna Acker, as well as Charlie's elder.And while Cha
"See you." As soon as Charlie hung up on Matilda, Don Albert's call came right after.He sounded nervous as Charlie answered the phone, saying, "Master Wade, I think I might have gone too far…""Wait, what's this about?" Charlie asked."Your father-in-law, of course…" Don Albert sighed. "You asked me to leave him hanging for a while, so I did. I even refused when he asked to book a room in Heaven Springs.""Well, that's not a problem, is it?" Charlie shrugged. "He and Zachary ganged up for some real mischief. As you are Zachary's boss, it's right that you refused him because you didn't appreciate what he did.""That's just it. I thought that approach was just right as well," Don Albert quickly said. "I wasn't playing nice when Mr. Bay of the Calligraphy and Painting Association called me either. That's when he said he'd try to save Jacob's position as vice-president, but I told him it's none of my business."I then hung up on him without much thought, only for Zachary to tell m
Meanwhile, Charlie was downstairs in Claire's office, waiting to pick her up and head home.That was when Matilda called him, asking as soon as he answered, "Charlie, do you know how Jacob is doing? He never answered any of my texts—is he going to be alright?""I wouldn't know," Charlie replied. "Both he and Elaine are in Dubai on a trip… What's wrong?""He resigned," Matilda sighed. "I only saw the public statement that the Calligraphy and Painting Association posted this afternoon. It says that he tendered the resignation himself, but it doesn't really feel that way. I wonder if he's at odds with other members of the association…"Charlie was actually surprised to hear that Jacob had resigned.He had told Zachary to expose the truth of the bronze sculpture fraud case to teach Jacob a lesson so that Jacob would understand the meaning of true pain.However, he anticipated that Mr. Bay would at least keep Jacob around with an unimportant job even if Jacob did lose some money and e
Falling apart in both mind and spirit, Jacob was crying as he disembarked and took a cab to the hotel.Elaine, who had been lying around for 24 hours, was stunned speechless as she watched him enter, crying like a child.In contrast, Elaine looked like a mother to Jacob just then as he threw himself into her arms and bawled, "Darling… That prick Mr. Bay screwed me over… I have nothing left now…"Taken aback for a moment that Jacob would bawl in her arms like that, Elaine soon came to her senses and patted his back as she comforted him, "Oh, stop crying already. Who cares about some Calligraphy and Painting groupies? We certainly don't! Just hear me out and don't ever go there again!"Jacob kept sobbing, "But I care… I want to go…"Annoyed, Elaine's hand that had been patting Jacob a moment ago slid down to his hip and pinched him viciously before he noticed."Ow!" Jacob yelped in pain, and he demanded indignantly, "What was that for?!""Shut up!" Elaine snapped, glowering. "I wa
Jacob couldn't even be bothered by the looks others were giving him, and he called Mr. Bay immediately.Mr. Bay had already gone home and was seated on the couch with his wife, watching his phone and waiting for Jacob to call and demand an explanation.Mr. Bay knew that he had to answer for this and that if he avoided Jacob, it may well be a confession that he had screwed Jacob over.So, to avoid unnecessary trouble, he decided to come clean with Jacob.Naturally, by coming clean, he meant passing the buck as his wife had suggested.Hence, as he answered Jacob's call, he immediately sighed in embarrassment, "Hey, Jacob. I'm so sorry about that…"However, Jacob was so furious he immediately started bellowing, "Mr. Bay! Are you fucking with me here?! You said that the resignation letter was more of a formality, but you just made it public instead! So, all those things you said about helping me were just a trap, was it?! You're despicable! And to think I've been so good to you, even
The repeated flights had left Jacob tormented.Even before he actually had the time to enjoy Dubai, he had already gotten sick of the place and didn't want to ever return.And on the flight, he couldn't stop his thoughts from going astray.Now that he was not getting back the money he had lost, his only hope was Mr. Bay.Fortunately, Mr. Bay was serious about his promise that he would at least save him a job as department head. That was why, despite his thoughts running astray, he never considered the thought that he would be kicked out of the Calligraphy and Painting Association.As soon as his flight landed, he didn't wait to turn off his phone's flight mode, waiting for the internet connection to return so that he could ask Mr. Bay about the meeting.Once he did, he received a ton of messages from public accounts to acquaintances—many had already found out that he had resigned from the post of administrative vice-president and wanted to ask how he was doing.And Matilda was
The Calligraphy and Painting Association was certainly efficient—soon after the meeting was dismissed, the news that the administrative vice-president had resigned was posted on their official page and social media.The notice was simple and never mentioned what Jacob had done, only that the administrative vice-president had asked to resign for personal reasons. The request had since been voted upon, and all members had agreed to it.And that was how a simple and short message kicked Jacob out of the Calligraphy and Painting Association entirely.In the city, other associations closely connected with the Calligraphy and Painting Association were the various cultural societies and circles of antique enthusiasts and the Senior University. In fact, most fans of the public page of the Calligraphy and Painting Association were from the Senior City, and every lecturer, student, and even guest lecturer were subscribed.As a matter of fact, that was entirely Jacob's doing. After his lect
There weren't that many members in the Calligraphy and Painting Association—just a handful over twenty.Hence, at Mr. Bay's request, everyone showed up at the conference at 1 pm.He chose the afternoon as there were a handful who were away on outreach, including Walker, who was subbing for Jacob's lectures.Once the entire Calligraphy and Painting Association save for Jacob was informed of the mandatory meeting, every member was there on the hour, seated primly and in attention in the huge conference room.Mr. Bay didn't waste his breath on the preamble either—as soon as he saw that everyone had arrived, he announced, "Everyone, I've gathered you here today because our administrative vice-president, Jacob Wilson, has been alleged to be involved in a certain malicious scheme."Last night, Mr. Wilson submitted his resignation to me, and after a discussion with my vice-presidents, we've all decided to hold a vote. It will be open to every member in the association as we will be decid