Hamed scratched his head. “The information in my place is relatively closed. It was only until you said that you were going to bring Porter Waldron over here to negotiate that I especially inquired about the current situation of Ten Thousand Armies. I heard that they have taken over one of the big families in Oskia, forcing that big family to give up half of their family assets. I wonder if that’s true?”Charlie said proudly, “Actually, they did not take over that family. Instead, that family had taken over them, and I am the head of that family.”After saying that, Charlie turned his head and looked at Hamed, who was in shock, and he smiled as he said, “Brother, with Ten Thousand Armies around, you can just be a landlord at ease, and no one will be able to do anything to you.”Hamed soon came back to his senses and hurriedly said, “Brother, to be honest, I really do not understand how I should be developing in the future. Can you show me a clear path?” Charlie laughed and said, “
Hamed really admired Charlie from the bottom of his heart.It was not only because Charlie had cured his leg, and it was not only because Charlie had guided him in resisting Ten Thousand Armies’ attack, but it was also because of Charlie’s ability to easily turn the tide around in big situations.Before this, the country had frequently been at war, and the parties who were at war were always fighting incessantly. The intervention of Ten Thousand Armies had also placed Hamed and his camp at stake.However, after Charlie’s guidance, both sides had actually ceased fire for a long time, and during this period of time, everyone had been completely relieved. Now, Charlie had positioned Ten Thousand Armies back in and placed him in a coordinated defensive position, which just made up for the weak defensive problem on Sayid's side.After all, you should know that if this problem was not solved, in front of the huge pressure of survival as well as defensive pressure, Sayid’s side would be
Porter had already arranged for Ten Thousand Armies’ financial staff to complete the money transfer immediately, and Sayid had personally started preparing for the release of the men, expecting to transport all fifteen thousand men to Damascus as early as in the evening.Porter planned to let the fifteen thousand soldiers from Ten Thousand take a week's vacation first. So, they would be allowed to return to their respective countries of permanent residence from Damascus by plane to take a good rest before he would then arrange their next tasks after a week.Charlie did not have any opinion on his arrangements and so, he allowed Porter to make his own full arrangements.Since then, all the important issues in the Middle East had been satisfactorily resolved. As for how high Porter could lead Ten Thousand Armies, the future would mainly depend on himself.***Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Liam arrived in Washington with twenty boxes of the Apothecary Restoration Pills.
Because he realized that the other party might have truly encountered a difficult matter of great magnitude, Liam was not angry at all about the other party’s tardiness. On the contrary, he nodded in understanding and said politely, “It’s okay, Mr. Smith. I didn’t have anything else to do, so there’s no rush.”“Thank you!” Jameson thanked him and smiled politely before sitting down in front of Liam.After the both of them had casually ordered some dishes, Jameson asked Liam, “Mr. Weaver, you’ve come so far from Oskia. Is there something important?” Liam smiled and said, “Mr. Smith, you should have heard of The Apothecary Pharmaceutical, right?” “I've heard of it.” Smith nodded and said, “You have a drug under review by our FDA, right?”“Yes.” Liam said, “The review cycle has passed for quite a long time, but it has not entered the next stage yet. So, I would like to inquire if there is any way to speed up the process?” Smith said with some difficulty, “The FDA is very
As Smith spoke of this, he then added, “This is just like a kind of hemorrhoid suppository that is very popular in Oskia. Some patients in the United States bought it through online shopping as well as through some black-market channels. The patients feel good after using it, and they have been hoping that this medication will pass the FDA’s review, but we have not been able to approve its application. Do you know why?”Liam was confused, so he asked, “Why exactly?” Smith said, “Because, in our opinion, that kind of hemorrhoid suppositories is just the use of some cooling analgesic ingredients. This kind of ingredient can let patients relieve their pain, but that’s as far as it goes. In our opinion, these ingredients cannot really treat the illness, but will also probably cover up the disease, thus delaying the scientific treatment for patients. So, we have also issued a warning some time ago reminding patients using this drug to pay attention to screening and not to ignore the core
As Smith spoke of this, he then suddenly said, “Besides that, there are many things that we have in Western medicine that you don’t have in Eastern medicine! For instance, psychological and mental diseases, viral diseases, immune system diseases such as AIDs, and auto-endocrine system diseases such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism...”At this point, Smith shook his head and laughed as he said, “There are too many similar examples! I will not list them one by one, but in short, I think that it would not be a loss for our people if we refuse to sell and introduce your medicine into our market because we have better options at home!”Liam’s pride and self-esteem were deeply stung because of Smith’s deep pride. He was well aware of Smith’s attitude which appeared to be respectful to the other party on the surface, but in reality, Smith was full of contempt and disdain for Eastern medicine. When Liam saw that Smith was indiscriminately belittling Eastern medicine, he could no
“Otherwise, I’ll leave now!”“I will not return a single penny of your thirty thousand US dollars to you either!”Liam did not expect that there was such a thing in the other party's family, and for a moment, he also felt a little empathy.So, he said apologetically, “Mr. Smith, I’m very sorry to hear such a thing. Can I take the liberty to ask how is your son's condition now?” When Smith heard this question, all of the aggression that he had been feeling just now instantly disappeared. Instead, it was replaced by a heartfelt feeling of despair and helplessness.He let out a long sigh and muttered, “Half a month ago, he just received four hundred and seventy thousand US dollars worth of T-cell immunotherapy from Novartis Pharmaceuticals, but with little success...”“Now, his tumor has recurred, and it has spread throughout his body...”“Just three days ago, the largest tumor in his brain compressed his optic nerve and so, he is currently blind...”“The reason why I was late
After saying that, Liam grabbed his suitcase and strode out of the restaurant.At this time, Smith felt as if he had been humiliated.At that moment when he was still in a daze, Liam had already left the restaurant. He looked down at the box of Apothecary Restoration Pill on the table, and he felt so angry in his heart that he threw the box of pills into the garbage as he became consumed by his rage and said, “What kind of f*cking restoration pills are these?! It’s all f*cking bullsh*t! I've spent millions of dollars trying out all kinds of cutting-edge technology to cure my son! Even if the president had cancer, he would never get even more treatment than my son! He cannot even be cured after all these efforts, so how can he be cured by this kind of b*llsh*t Oskian medicine?!” At this point, the public relations person who had been hiding in the back and hadn't come out to disturb the two men hurriedly came out and asked after him, “Mr. Smith, what happened? Is Mr. Weaver
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
Charlie shook his head. "It's alright, Dad. You can go ahead if you're busy—I can pick up Claire on my own.""No way!" Elaine promptly snapped. "It's been so long since she came back. We are all going to the airport!"Jacob sighed in exasperation. "Well, I'm sticking to my schedule—first the Calligraphy and Painting Association, then I'll be back an hour before to pick you guys up before going together to the airport."Elaine was left fuming. "Is there no getting through to you? You really have to go to that stupid association, don't you? Okay, fine. If you must go, I will be going with you!""You're their honored vice president who will be promoted to president soon, no? As Mrs. Vice President and the future Mrs. President, is there an issue if I went for a look?"Jacob shuddered at the thought of Elaine going to the Calligraphy and Painting Association as he absolutely didn't want her to humiliate him with her antics. People would talk, asking how a proper gentleman like him c
Jacob yawned, stretching his arms and smacking his cheeks, before finally retorting in contempt, "For Pete's sake, woman—don't make dissing me a habit. Or does it please you so much?"Elaine pursed her lips. "You call that dissing? It's all facts—do you think I don't know you? Tell me, what qualifications do you have? Your knowledge about calligraphy is skin-deep, and even the frauds working on Antique Street could beat you.""Only you would have the audacity to take the role of vice president at the Calligraphy and Painting Association—heaven's above, how blind is the president to appoint you as his second fiddle? Still, you'll be packing your things as soon as he realizes the truth.""Oh, Elaine, poor Elaine…" Jacob grinned smugly at her right then. "I'm afraid things won't go the way you want. Mr. Bay's been chasing a promotion lately, and once he gets it, I will take his place as president. That means I'll be the top dog instead of second fiddle!""Bullshit!" Elaine snapped in