When the elevator door opened, Sheldon took the lead and stepped out of it.When Charlie saw the elevator coming, he was about to gesture Nanako beside him to go in first. At this moment, Sheldon had already stepped out.Upon stepping out of the elevator, Sheldon and Charlie’s eyes met.At this moment, Sheldon subconsciously frowned slightly as a familiar yet ambiguous aura suddenly burst in his heart and made him nervous.As for Charlie, although he did not know the man in front of him, he couldn’t help but steal another glimpse at him after seeing the man’s eyes full of wariness and surprise.The man, in his early fifties, had an ordinary look and figure but dressed very lavishly. There was a dash of hostility over his brows, indicating that he was a ruthless and vicious person.Their encounter happened within a blink of an eye.Since Charlie was with Nanako, he did not pay too much attention to the man. After brushing against him, he entered the elevator with Nanako.When th
Since Curtis had a fiancée yet unmarried, Helen felt a ray of hope and was unwilling to give up, hoping to marry Curtis.This humiliation was vivid in Sheldon’s memory as the woman that he had proposed to did not only rejected his marriage proposal but also announced publicly that she was still waiting for another man. Ever since then, he hated Curtis to the core of his soul.Not long after, Curtis got married in Eastcliff.That night, Helen cried devastatingly and then refused to leave the house for a month.Every day, Sheldon would go to the Dunn residence with flowers to see her, and it went on for thirty-nine days. With thirty-nine roses, he finally won Helen’s heart.Helen, who had lost nearly twenty pounds, walked out of her room and out of the house. She said a sentence to Sheldon, who was holding a bouquet of roses outside the door.She asked Sheldon if he was still willing to marry her if she might not be able to forget Curtis for the rest of her life.Sheldon agreed
While going up in the elevator, Charlie was still thinking of the man he met at the elevator lobby earlier.He was sure that he did not know the man, but why did his eyes contain hostility as soon as he saw him?He originally thought that the man was a reclusive expert who saw something unusual about him. However, on second thought, he felt something was not right because the man did not have the aura of a strong person. From the point of view of his strength, he seemed like an ordinary person.Nevertheless, he did not think too much about it. After leaving the elevator, Nanako dragged him to the ward where Yahiko was.At this moment, Yahiko, who was lying on the hospital bed, was cursing at the top of his lungs. He said to Emi, “Sheldon Schulz is really hypocritical son of a b*tch! I will be on pins and needles if I spend one more second with him!”Emi nodded and said, “Indeed. Sheldon always gives people a very sinister feeling. Moreover, his so-called friendly smiles send c
Unfortunately, even with his great ability, it was impossible to turn back the clock.He could only hope for their next encounter.At the moment, he pledged from the bottom of his heart, Sheldon Schulz, if I have another chance to meet you face to face, I’ll definitely not let you off the hook!***When Charlie returned to the ward, Yahiko asked in astonishment, “Wade-san, do you know Sheldon Schulz? Or do you share some kind of connection with him? Why do you seem sensitive toward him?”Both Emi and Nanako also looked at Charlie curiously, expecting his answer.Seeing this, Charlie smiled and said in exasperation, “Have you forgotten? I inadvertently rescued his children, and he is so rich. Logically he should have at least given me 10 billion dollars as a reward, right? However, never did I imagine that guy would just turn around and run…”Yahiko was immediately dumbfounded.He did not find Charlie’s words skeptical at all, because, in his eyes, Charlie was nice overall excep
Charlie simply smiled at Nanako’s remark and did not say anything.After chatting with Hiroshi for a while, Nanako said apologetically, “Tanaka-san, Charlie-kun will be going back to Aurous Hill tonight. I have to accompany him to do some shopping, so we’ll leave now and I’ll visit you again tonight!”Hiroshi hurriedly said, “Miss, please go ahead with Wade-san to run your errands. You don’t have to particularly come and visit me. It’s too much trouble for you!”Nanako smiled and said, “No, it’s no trouble at all. We’ve known each other for so long, there’s no need to be so courteous.”Hiroshi nodded gratefully, then looked at Charlie and said seriously, “Wade-san, I’m sorry that I won’t be able to see you off as you will return to Oskia tonight. I wish you a safe journey!”Charlie smiled faintly. “Thank you, Tanaka. Let’s meet again sometime.”“Okay, Wade-san. See you!”After leaving Hiroshi’s ward, Nanako accompanied Charlie to Tokyo Ginza.It had been a few days since he cam
The moment the ring went through the knuckle and onto her ring finger, Nanako’s eyes were already flooded with tears. She hurriedly lowered her head, so that Charlie could not see her current look.She liked Charlie very much, but she did not want to give him too much emotional burden.This was because, deep inside her heart, she knew that Charlie came to Japan this time and visited her in Kyoto not because of how much he liked her. Instead, he sympathized with her and felt sorry for her.She could understand Charlie’s feeling — the kind of empathy among martial artists.What is empathy?It is the emotion of putting yourself in the other person’s shoes and being able to empathize with them.This is like when a racing driver witnesses another racer, who is gravely injured or even perishes on the race track, in a car crash; his empathy for the victim must be stronger than ordinary people.Similarly, if a soldier sees his comrades or the other soldiers being injured or rendered d
When Nanako returned from the restroom, there were no signs of tears on her face except her slightly reddish eyes.She deliberately splashed her face with cold water so it would look a bit more natural.After returning to the store, Nanako took the initiative to ask Charlie with a smile, “Charlie-kun, Is the ring adjusted already? Do you want me to try it again?”Charlie smiled and nodded. “Yes, please! Thank you!”Nanako answered gently, “It’s my pleasure.”With that, she extended her right hand again and said with a smile, “Come on! Try it on again!”Without further ado, Charlie picked the adjusted ring up and once again put it on the ring finger of her right hand.This time, the size of the ring had become very suitable so that it was neither loose nor tight. At a glance, it fit perfectly on her finger.Nanako couldn’t help but shift her right hand to different angles and directions to look at the inexpensive diamond ring carefully under the reflection of the light.Althoug
Charlie gladly agreed. Soon, the salesperson called another girl over. “Sayu, this VIP wants to see the bracelet. Please recommend something to him.”When the girl named Sayu learned that Charlie was a generous tycoon, she donned a broad smile and cheerily exclaimed, “Sir, please follow me.”Nanako hurriedly asked, “Charlie-kun, do you need me to try on the bracelet for you?”Charlie smiled. “I intend to buy one for my mother-in-law. She’s a bit on the chubbier side, so there is no need to trouble you.”Nanako replied with a smile, “Right, then you go ahead. I would like to see the ring, is that okay?”Charlie nodded. “Sure. I’ll be over there to look at the bracelets.”Nanako smiled sweetly. “Okay!”Only when Charlie went to the bracelet section did Nanako whisper to the salesperson responsible of the rings section, “Excuse me, the ring I tried on just now, is it still in stock?”The salesperson nodded gently and said, “Yes. We have three of these rings. Two were sold, and the
Elaine may have led a life as if she was above the rules, but beneath that tough exterior lay crippling insecurities and a horrific inferiority complex.She was always afraid of being belittled—but more than that, of being ostracized and betrayed.Over the years, the greatest source of her complexes could all be traced back to Matilda.After all, Matilda had been a star back in their school days. Because Elaine was a close friend of hers, many boys would get chummy with Elaine, but only because they were interested in Matilda.Being from a poor farmer's family, Elaine had been scorned plenty and therefore felt exceedingly inferior around Matilda.It was from that sense of inferiority that Elaine had inadvertently developed a one-sided rivalry against Matilda, and she believed her greatest triumph over Matilda in this life was the moment she had stolen Jacob from her.However, while Elaine presumed that she could hold that victory over Matilda's head, Lady Wilson had soured that v
Moreover, given Elaine's ridiculous temper, Jacob knew she would definitely go overboard and destroy him.He wouldn't even have a place to live at that point, and it would really be game over if she held a grudge and stormed the Calligraphy and Painting Association!Under such circumstances, he couldn't ask for a divorce—hell, he might even refuse a divorce if Elaine asked for one!However, that was when Elaine laughed coldly. "Oh, my… You're really not going to divorce me?""Come on—how long were we married?" Jacob quickly reasoned. "Getting divorced at our age? People would laugh at us."Elaine scoffed. "Now I'm curious… Matilda's quite old too, and she's a divorcee marrying again. Won't people laugh at her?""Technically, she's a widow—"Jacob blurted out, but soon turned pale, tensing up again not a second after he had just calmed down, asking gingerly, "W-Why would you suddenly mention her?'Elaine stopped pretending right then and snapped, "It's actually impressive that y
Horrified, Jacob promptly grasped the steering wheel and brought the Cullinan back under control while not hesitating to snap, "Are you crazy?! We're on the highway—that could have killed the both of us!"However, Elaine ignored him and seized the moment to open the armrest box, pulling out the large white envelope.As she opened it, she muttered, "So, it really was a wedding invitation… You really are a terrible friend, Jacob Wilson, hiding a wedding invitation like this! What's the point? Just look at that nervous face of yours—would I suspect you of having an affair with the bride-to-be?"She flipped open the card and was experienced enough to check the names first while disregarding the usual preamble. She wouldn't care about the venue or the time either, focusing solely on the professor who had somehow made Jacob very nervous.That was how Elaine found the names in less than a second: Yolden Hart and Matilda Hall.Matilda?!The name could well be knives stabbing Elaine in th
Jacob's brain blanked out, leaving only a dull hum as soon as Walker mentioned 'Professor Hall'.Already feeling nervous in the first place, he quickly said, "Okay, okay—I got it. Anyway, I'm hanging up if there's nothing else!"With that, he promptly pressed the button to hang up.Nonetheless, Elaine was soon asking in curiosity, "Who's Professor Hall?"If Jacob had any semblance of composure, he would have said 'a colleague at Senior University' as if it was perfectly natural, and the matter would have been forgotten.But the reality was that he didn't—in fact, he was the champion when it came to dropping the ball as a casual question from Elaine left him sweating all over his brow.Even as he slid nervous glances at her face, he stammered uncontrollably, "N-Nobody…"Elaine promptly noticed his strange reaction and frowned. "I'm talking about Professor Hall. What do you mean, nobody? Who are they? And what's this about an invitation? Inviting you for what?"Seeing that he was
Jacob had really had too much to drink and couldn't remember the later parts of what had happened last night—even how he had gotten home was a blur.Naturally, he also forgot that Walker had brought Matilda's wedding invitation, and therefore didn't hesitate to answer the in-car answer button.Over the phone, Walker was positively fawning as he asked, "Mr. Wilson? It's Walker. Why didn't you come in today? Had too much to drink last night?""Uh-huh," Jacob grunted, lethargic. "I did—my head still hurts now… Anyway, what's up? Trouble at the association?""No, of course not," Walker quickly said. "I was just worried you're still hungover, so I called to ask. If you need a driver or anything, you just need to ask!"Then, before Jacob could answer, he continued, "By the way, my wife is somewhat knowledgable in Oskian medicine, and she has recipes for brews that cure hangovers and nourish the liver. I'm sure you'll need the latter since you're always drinking at social events, so I as
Fortunately, Elaine and Jacob's bickering never escalated.Even though Elaine was winning, Jacob found it tolerable.After Jacob finished his lunch and cleaned up, he never looked up as he said, "Charlie sent a text, saying Claire's flight would touch down earlier at three. We will leave at two."Elaine grumbled. "Why leave so early? She's coming back from abroad, and there'd be checkpoints she has to clear—she'd be lucky if she could leave by half past three. I'm sleeping a few winks now, and we'll leave at half past two."As she left the dining room, she didn't even look back as she said, "Clean up for me too."Jacob had a million complaints but said nothing as he kept his head down, throwing Elaine's lunchbox in the trash can as well.With Elaine gone, he sat on the couch as her hangover slowly cleared while his mood soured with the lack of alcohol.In the end, the pleasure of being fawned over at the Diamond Room was but temporary—the pain of his beloved leaving with someone
Vera kept her plan to investigate the identity of the abbess deep in her mind and told Charlie nothing.Instead, she smiled as she said, "It seems that it's both yours and Ms. Ito's good fortune that she has attained enlightenment. You've never had anyone who could attain enlightenment and master Reiki at the same time, so Ms. Ito will definitely be a great help to you in the future."Charlie chuckled and said calmly, "I'm not hoping for her to help. I'm simply happy for her with her enlightenment and excited to have another comrade in my solo ventures into the dark forests."Vera nodded in understanding, and she murmured emotionally, "I've lived for so long, and it's only when I opened my heart to you that I felt that sensation you described."There was a flicker of wistfulness in her eyes.She really did not expect to attain enlightenment before meeting Charlie.Years ago, she thought that she would eventually avenge her father.Now, she no longer hoped to murder Fleur Griffi
Vera was inwardly disappointed to hear that Claire was returning.That meant there were fewer chances of Charlie visiting the Scarlet Pinnacle Manor, as were her chances of seeing him again.Still, she didn't let it show, instead asking casually, "How are things at Champs Elys? Are the warriors improving at a rate to your satisfaction?""Well, most of everyone's improvement is within expectations…" Charlie explained, just as he remembered a certain someone. "By the way, there's something I haven't told you yet. Are you perhaps acquainted with the name Ito Nanako?""Yes," Vera smiled. "The Japanese lady who was with you. What about her?""She attained enlightenment days ago.""Enlightenment?" Vera did a double take and soon pressed, "Enlightenment in what sense? Essential Qi or Reiki?"After all, the former was the path to enlightenment in martial arts, while the latter meant enlightenment in cultivation.But despite the distinction between both domains, enlightenment was a comm
While Charlie had long since gotten used to Elaine and Jacob's bizarre marriage, being near the heart of the storm still took a toll on his senses—to the point that he felt physically sick.Leaving right away was therefore his best solution.Once he left, however, he realized he didn't have anywhere to go. Champs Elys was quite far, and it would take a lot of time.As he started to feel bored stiff, he remembered Vera for some reason and called her.Once Vera answered, she quickly asked in curiosity, "To what do I owe the pleasure? Lunch, perhaps?"Charlie chuckled. "Since you've put it that way… I haven't eaten either, so lunch it is!"Vera giggled. "Come over to my place, then. It's cold outside, and I was just lighting up a hot pot. I'll have Madam Marilyn prepare an additional portion.""Okay!" Charlie agreed to it without hesitation. "I can return her car too. Just wait, I'll be right there!"Once he hung up, he got on the Rolls Roycs he had borrowed from Scarlet Pinnacl