Jaime hurriedly explained, “Dorothy, don’t get so worked up first. I know that I have no right to make any changes to your performance execution plan, but I only did it out of the goodness of my heart. After all, this will be Miss Golding’s first performance for her concert tour this year. I only wanted to make this performance even more perfect, and that is the reason why I took the liberty to adjust the overall plan without informing you in advance.”As he spoke of this, Jaime then assured her, “But Dorothy, you can rest assured. I specifically invited the best lighting and sound engineer from the United States this time. They are liaising with your original executive team, and the equipment has been fully optimized according to your previous execution plan. So, you can rest assured that the performance effect will only be enhanced, and it would not be compromised in any way.”Dorothy looked at Jaime and said seriously, “Young Master Schulz, this matter is not just a matter of good
That night, after checking all the hardware and equipment at the venue, Dorothy returned to the hotel upon making sure that there were no problems.When she had just arrived at the room, Dorothy immediately made a video call to Quinn.When the call was connected, Quinn was wearing her pajamas, and she had a facial mask on as she rested in her bedroom.She then spoke up and asked Dorothy, “Dorothy, is everything at the venue done?”Dorothy nodded. “Everything’s done. You can rehearse immediately after you arrive tomorrow.”“That’s great!” Quinn heaved a sigh of relief, and she had a serious expression on her face as she said, “I’ve held so many concerts before, but I’ve never felt as nervous as I do this time. There must be absolutely no mistakes during my concert!”Dorothy then thought of Jaime’s matter. So, she said, “By the way, Quinn, there is something that I have to report to you.”“Speak up.”Dorothy then said, “This is what happened. Jaime Schulz bribed the executive com
Quinn spoke up, “I should be taking off at around eight o’clock in the morning tomorrow, and I should be landing at around nine fifty in the morning. However, I’ve already made an appointment with Brother Charlie, and he will come to the airport to pick me up at that time. So, you don’t have to worry about me.”Dorothy said, “Today, Jaime kept asking me when you would be coming. I suspect that based on his method of getting things done, it is very likely that he will find a way to come and pick you up at the airport. So, you have to pay more attention to this matter in advance.”Quinn was immediately depressed as she said, “He would not be that idle, right?”Dorothy curled her lips. “He could even personally make a trip to the airport just to pick us up when we are just staff, let alone you, then? I estimate that he has already begun paying attention to Aurous Airport’s inbound information. Perhaps he would have already seen the information regarding the application of your route pe
When Charlie heard that Charlie had a new client, he did not think much of it.There were a total of two business lines under Claire’s company. One of them was renovation design, and the other one was renovation undertaking.Amongst these two, renovation design was Claire’s main business because she was good at designing.As for renovation undertaking, the role that Claire played was more of that of a supervisor, and she had to outsource the specific work to a renovation company to get it done.Now that the renovation design work for Emgrand Group had already been long completed and since the renovation undertaking had already been carried out in an orderly manner and was already gradually getting on track, a part of Claire and her staffs’ time were free, so they had begun looking for other projects.After breakfast, the couple left the house together in the car. Charlie drove Claire to the old town.After driving for some distance, Charlie then said to Claire, “Wife, why don’t y
Helen nodded and pointed at Sophie, who was next to her, as she said to Claire, “Miss Wilson, let me introduce you to my daughter, Sophie.”As she spoke, she also said to Sophie, “Sophie, this is Claire Wilson, the boss of the design studio that I told you about.”Sophie nodded slightly and said politely, “Hello, Miss Wilson!”Claire hurriedly said, “You don’t have to call me Miss Wilson. You can just call me Claire.”As she spoke, Claire saw that Helen had already introduced her daughter to her. So, Claire naturally had to introduce her husband to them out of courtesy. So, she hurriedly turned her body sideways and said to Charlie, who was still in the car, “Husband, you should also come out and greet Aunt Dunn and Miss Schulz.”In fact, Charlie, who was sitting inside the car, had already seen Helen and Sophie through the car’s rearview mirror.Just as he was thinking about quickly driving away, he would not have expected that his wife, Claire, would actually ask him to go down
Sophie’s words suddenly made Claire feel even more embarrassed.She stroked the hair between her temples before she hesitated as she said ambiguously, “This… Well, I don’t know if it’s considered an arranged marriage…”Sophie could not help but say, “The both of you did not know or understand each other before you got married. So, there is naturally no emotional foundation between the both of you. At the same time, the both of you only got married at your grandfather’s request. Isn’t that a typical arranged marriage? This is just like Marie Antoinette’s marriage to Louis XVI in ancient history. The both of them did not have any feelings for each other, and they only got married at Louis XVI’s mother’s request.”With that said, Sophie suddenly thought of something as she asked offhandedly, “It seems as though Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette never had any romantic feelings between them throughout their whole lives. Could it be the same case for the both of you?!”Claire felt even more
However, the discovery just now had given Sophie a little more confidence deep in her heart.This was because the biggest obstacle did not seem to be as difficult to overcome as she had initially imagined. This instantly gave Sophie the feeling as though she could see the light at the end of the tunnel.Therefore, Sophie walked out of the house and went into the courtyard while her mother was busy chatting with Claire about the plan. After that, she took out her cell phone before she sent a text message to Charlie on WhatsApp: [Benefactor, I really would not have expected you and your wife to be in an arranged marriage!]Meanwhile, Charlie had just left the old town, and he was driving toward the airport.Charlie was still thinking about the circumstances of his meeting with Helen and Sophie when he was on the way there. He could not help but sigh as he thought to himself, ‘It seems as though Aurous Hill is indeed very small. If everything were to continue developing this way, th
While Charlie was heading to the airport, Jaime had also learned of Quinn’s private jet’s departure time from his own channels.It just so happened that his spy at the venue had also told him that Quinn would only be arriving at the venue for the rehearsal after one o’clock in the afternoon.The timing of the plane take-off and the timing of her rehearsal happened to coincide perfectly, giving him full confidence in regards to Quinn’s itinerary.He felt that since Quinn would only land after twelve o’clock and close to one o’clock in the afternoon, he did not need to rush to the airport so early.So, he instructed his subordinates that he would be departing on time, at half-past eleven, to leave for the airport to pick Quinn up. However, what he did not know was that Quinn was already on a plane to Aurous Hill.Charlie arrived at the airport at half-past nine in the morning. Isaac had already arrived by the time he reached.Charlie drove his car inside the airport under Isaac’s
The cabbie chuckled. "You're a local yet you're heading to Antique Street right away as soon as you land instead of going home? And you're still saying you're not trying to pick up a killer bargain deal?"Come on, man—it's not just you, I want that too. We cabbies work ourselves to death only for ten thousand per month at best while our friend over there made twenty million in one night. I could keep driving cabs for the rest of my life and still not make that much money."Jacob knew that the cabbie must be talking about Raymond and became even more miserable then, grumbling unhappily, "I'm going to Antique Street for business—I'm not trying to pick up some missed bargain.""No? Then you didn't hear what happened yesterday?"The cabbie was immediately curious, and without waiting for Jacob's answer, he exclaimed happily, "Look, man—it was so ridiculous not even Hollywood would put it in their script. There were these fools who were trying to sell an antique trader a replica, but th
It was nighttime in Dubai as Jacob dragged his weary body from the hotel back to the airport.As he was flying economy this time, he was left sitting at the hard bench near the boarding terminal, waiting for it to open.While he waited, his heart was torn as he tapped into the website of the Aurous Hill Charity Fund, found their donation account, and wired the entire 300 thousand he had made over to them.He had picked the Aurous Hill Charity Fund because the circles of antique collectors in Aurous Hill were all discussing how Raymond had donated half of the 20 million he had made to that same charity fund.After Raymond skyrocketed to prominence in Antique Street and became a star, it could not be denied that people admired his profound ability.However, there were also people who envied his skill in turning the tables just as there were those who were jealous he had made twenty million in a single night.Still, Raymond moved fast—soon after word spread that he had made twenty m
Elaine quickly asked, "Well, what if you can't get it done?"Jacob was apprehensive even as he sighed. "If they really pressed the issue, guess I can't even stay at the Calligraphy and Painting Association now… We will see. If things get bad, I'll just resign. I won't ask for much right now, just as long as I don't have to go to jail."Elaine nodded. "Then you should try to reason things out with Raymond Cole or ask for Charlie's help if push comes to shove. Being humiliated is still better than prison.""Okay!"-It was nighttime at Aurous Hill by the time Elaine and Jacob arrived at their hotel.Charlie and Claire had just had dinner, and Claire pulled out her phone, saying, "I just checked my flight app, and it says my parents should have landed two hours ago. They are probably at the hotel, so I'll check in on them with a video call."She had yet to open her WhatsApp when Elaine called her on a video call.Jacob was planning to check in with Claire and Charlie to put their
Hearing what Jacob had said, Elaine became anxious and pressed him as he hung up, "What's going on? You're leaving? But we just got here! My shoes have just caught Dubai dirt, so why are we leaving so soon—"However, Jacob was wiping the sweat off his brow as he mumbled quietly, "Well, at this point, I have to leave or I won't be vice president anymore."Elaine immediately fumed. "We've been married for half our lives, and this is supposed to be our honeymoon, yet we're just leaving? I've posted about this on social media too—there are plenty of people who're waiting for more posts on our trip!"And don't forget—we spent a lot on our flight tickets and our hotels! The hotel bookings can't be refunded either!"Jacob scowled dolefully. "Well, what can we do? Why don't you stay? I'll go home and get this sorted out first….""Well, how long would that take?" Elaine asked."How should I know?" Jacob sighed, uneasy and annoyed. "Don Albert is saying I have to go back and donate the 300
"But I spent 98 thousand on that bronze sculpture!" Jacob exclaimed in agitation before he knew it. "I made 300 thousand from it, and that means my profit was 200 thousand at best, but I'm supposed to return that to him as well?! That means I'd have lost my own capital too!""I can't help you if you can't bear to part with that money, Mr. Wilson," Don Albert said quietly. "In that case, you'll just have to handle it yourself.""Wait, wait, wait!" Jacob immediately became antsy and cried out right then, "Please, Don Albert! I'll return the money! I'll return it, alright?! The entirety of my profits—202 thousand, okay? At least let me keep the money I spent, okay?""By that reasoning, Mr. Wilson, when a phone scammer is told by the cops to return the money they've made from defrauding, should he be allowed to keep the money he spent on telco charges? ""Oh, I…" Jacob was left stumped and could not come up with an answer.Don Albert then pressed on, "Mr. Wilson, I've offered a prom
"Mr. Wilson, what you boys did was truly heinous!" Don Arnold growled. "I scolded Zachary myself when I found out, and I was the one who told him to post that statement!"Jacob was shocked. "But why, Don Arnold? Are you friends with Raymond Cole?""Never met the guy," Don Arnold replied.That left Jacob even more confused. "Then why are you taking his side?""I've been doing my best to clean up my image over the past couple of years," Don Albert replied coolly. "I rarely get involved in mob business or anything illicit, and everyone in Aurous Hill knows that Zachary is my right-hand man, yet he confessed to committing such a heinous crime behind my back. What is that if not sullying my reputation?"Jacob was left reeling as he didn't expect Don Albert to be so serious, but he quickly explained, "I'm sorry. I didn't expect it to affect you so terribly… It's all Zachary's fault! I wouldn't have been aware that Raymond had returned at all, but he just had to tell me and come up with
At this point, Don Albert could very well be Jacob's personal messiah.Even if he did threaten Zachary with calling Charlie persistently, he actually wouldn't dare call Charlie.After all, how would he start explaining that he was involved in a crime? And telling Charlie was basically telling his daughter—what would they think of him after this? Would he ever be able to hold his head high in the family again?As such, his only option now was to ask Don Albert and see if he would help.What he didn't know was that Don Albert was with Charlie, who had already anticipated Jacob's move.When Jacob realized he couldn't stop Zachary, Jacob would find someone who could, and Don Albert was the best man for the job!To no surprise, Don Albert's phone soon started ringing with a call from Jacob.Don Albert didn't answer right away, however, instead turning toward Charlie as he asked gingerly, "So, shall I stick to your script, Master Wade?"Seeing Charlie nod, he pressed on, "Should I
As soon as Jacob sent the voice message, Mr. Bay called.Jacob quickly answered, asking nervously, "How are things over there, Mr. Bay?""How, you ask…?" Mr. Bay sighed in exasperation. "The entire Calligraphy and Painting Association was demanding your dismissal as soon as Zachary Evans posted his statement, thinking that you have no business being the administrative vice president let alone have a place in the association."Even those officials came asking me questions, and you know how they are—gossipers, every last one of them, always finding out about the juicy stuff instantly even if it's really no big deal. The only excuse I have to stop them is that we don't have the facts, but this issue still needs to be taken care of."So, be straight with me. Were you a part of this? If you don't, do you have any definitive evidence that can refute Zachary's claims?""I… Uh…" Jacob stammered, unable to answer.He certainly wanted to say no, but he had no evidence to back himself up.
Jacob bellowed furiously, "Raymond Cole made over 19 million dollars! From my bronze sculpture! Yet you're telling me to refund that 300 thousand too?! You're just fucking with me, aren't you?!""Well, if you don't like it, just do what you like, then," Zachary replied calmly and quickly hung up before Jacob could answer.Jacob was left twitching and shaking endlessly, and there was no telling if it was from rage or fear.Beside him, Elaine quickly asked, "What did Zachary say, dear? Can he get that bronze sculpture back?"Caught by surprise at her question, Jacob flinched, and his phone slipped out of his grasp.As it seemed to hover in the air, he tried to catch it twice but failed, but Elaine managed to grab it.It was then that she noticed that he was sweating all over his face, and she promptly asked, "What's wrong, dear?"Coming to his senses, Jacob's eyes went wide with rage. "Zachary is trying to kill me! He leaked the whole thing to his Twitter page—it's like he's pulli