Everyone was stunned by Keith’s sudden anger, and looked at each other in dismay.They knew Keith could never get over it. He couldn’t understand why Curtis insisted on returning to Eastcliff. The Acker family was powerful enough to keep him and were sincere towards him, yet Curtis staunchly refused to stay. Even so, everyone knew how egoistical Keith could get. When dealing with Curtis, he was always arrogant and unyielding. He was akin to a superior eager to poach a good talent. He was willing to pay ten million or more for a talent who could only make one million in another company.In his view, the other party had no reason to reject him.He never imagined that Curtis would be unwilling to accept his offer and ended up rejecting him. The thought frustrated and infuriated Keith to no end.Initially, Keith admired Curtis very much. Curtis’s family might be less significant than the Acker family, but Curtis had potential in him. He could be better than Keith’s three sons combi
Holly sighed, helpless.She solemnly reminded her father, “Keith, I have to make this clear to you. I can’t curb your hatred for Curtis, but you have to change how you feel about him.” Keith, however, remained stubborn and lost his temper. “No! I won’t change! Even if I die, I won’t change how I feel about Curtis!”At that, Holly grew furious. “Good! Keep acting stubborn and don’t change, Dad! When Charlie comes home, the family will mention Ashley and Curtis. How about you say all that to him? He’ll definitely sever all ties with you after hearing what you’ve said about his father. If you send my grandson away, I’ll cut ties with you too! Just wait and see!”Keith’s anger immediately dissipated as Holly’s warning hit him.He knew it was unlikely for Holly to cut ties with him, but it was different with his grandson. Charlie might not forgive him if he insisted on hating Curtis. After all, no children could bear to hear others humiliating their late parents.As Keith thought of
Listening to Merlin’s reply, Keith sensed there were a lot of stories behind Merlin’s hardships.Keith said, “It’s alright, I don’t mind listening. We can have a long chat at the table later.” Keith had just recovered from a close brush with death. He had serious memory problems, and he was wholly unaware of the current happenings in the United States.However, he understood Merlin well and knew Merlin to be a stubborn brat who couldn’t admit defeat. Therefore, he found himself getting more and more curious about what Merlin had to say. Merlin knew it was impossible to explain everything to Keith with just a few words. Therefore, he said vaguely, “Alright, Uncle Keith. I shouldn’t bother you with my troubles. Why don’t I join you for a couple of drinks later?”At this, Holly said, “Merlin, you mustn't drink with Keith. If Keith drinks again, I’m afraid he might not even recognize me!”“Right, right, right.” Merlin realized what he had just said and hurriedly amended his words.
Christian explained, “The cost of replacing a carpet like this only accounts for a small proportion of assets in our family. It’s the same as you changing a new garbage bag for your trash can. Do you feel distressed when you change the garbage bag?”“F*ck...” Merlin smacked his lips and grumbled, “You people are disgusting.” Christian sulked. “I’m just telling the truth.”They gradually moved to the dining area as they talked. Keith invited Merlin to sit next to him.Kaeden had informed the staff in advance. As soon as everyone was seated, the staff immediately served the prepared meals one after another. Kaeden offered a bottle of whiskey, wanting to have a few rounds of drinks with Merlin and Christian.Keith appeared concerned about how Merlin was currently doing and kept asking the latter about his latest troubles.Merlin, however, refused to elaborate any further and only gave Keith vague explanations pertaining to several unresolved major cases that had been going on l
The confirmation of Janus’s identity disappointed Merlin somewhat.He looked forward to hearing some unusual information, the kind that made people feel that something must be going on.However, he dispelled his doubt about Janus after receiving the news from his informant. As an old detective, he knew that a person could disguise the present well, but not their past.Many criminals might be successful at clearing their names and becoming successful figures. However, most of the time, many were eventually apprehended for their past crimes. With the revelation of Janus’s long history from about three decades ago, it was enough to explain his relationship with Quinn Golding. There was nothing wrong with Quinn having a meal at his restaurant. It was perfectly normal.When Quinn was having a meal there, she happened to overhear Christian talking about Keith’s illness. It made sense that she traveled far just to deliver medicine.Merlin also found a reason as to why Janus deliberatel
Shawn had a lot of romantic affairs in Hong Kong over the years. All the women who had a relationship with him praised him as a rare good gentleman, even if they parted ways in the end.There were many rich and romantic people all around, but it was almost impossible to find a man like him.It was late at night in Hong Kong, and Shawn was in his study, dressed in a nightgown. It was then when he discovered the latest information about Janus from his butler, Ken.As he flipped through the information, his face gradually turned sour. He sneered, “I’ve been searching for him for years. I didn’t expect him to be running a restaurant in Oskiatown, of all places! Just look at him now! He looks so haggard. Even if I run into him, I definitely won’t recognize him!”Ken said, “Sir, Janus hid well. I heard he has hardly shaved for two decades and let his hair grow out. His temperament had become more reserved and restrained. If the police in the United States didn’t investigate him, it’ll be
At the same time, in Oskiatown, New York.Janus’s restaurant was doing well because it was lunchtime. Him and his staff were busy going around to and fro as they served the customers. All the while, Janus had been quietly looking out the door.Ever since this morning, he noticed something strange. There was always a random car parked across the road in front of the shop. To top it off, the other party had changed four cars and parked at different spots. Although they were parked differently, Janus knew they could all see the main entrance of his restaurant.This knowledge made him a little anxious. He was restless.He knew the New York police must be after him.Being targeted by the police made Janus even more nervous. Meanwhile, one of his staff noticed that he had been acting strangely. “What’s the matter, sir?”“I’m fine…” Janus replied. “Get on with your work and just let me be.”The staff member nodded. “If you’re tired, take a break. I can work alone.” Janus was pleased
Angus was shocked, not expecting these words from Janus. “Janus… W-Why are you returning to Hong Kong? That Shawn guy will kill you!”Janus smiled. “Back then, I extended my stay in the United States through illegal means. I’m an illegal immigrant. Now that the police have found me, it won’t be long before they deport me. Even if I don’t want to leave, I don’t have control over my circumstances.” Angus blurted out, “Even so, you can’t just sit here and wait until you’re deported! Why don’t you leave New York and hide somewhere else?”“No need.” Janus shook his hand, indifferent. “I’ve been hiding for two decades. If I continue, I’ll just hate myself more.”After that, he looked at Angus and said seriously, “I’ve always wanted to go back, but I never had the courage. I’ll take this opportunity to return. Consider this something that helped me make a decision.”Angus was nervous. “You can still live if you hide. What if that Shawn guy doesn’t want to let you go? If you go back, you
Though Jacob had nothing going for him, he had always had a huge ego, and he had never once admitted that he would lose to anyone in the presence of his wife and daughter.That was why both Elaine and Claire were shocked when he suddenly openly admitted that he was a piece of shit in front of them. They had never heard such a thing from him in the decades they had lived with him!In fact, Jacob himself was reluctant to insult himself like that.However, Charlie told him repeatedly that he absolutely must say it before he came here—because Charlie was dead sure that this line was the key to getting over this impasse, and it truly did put this crisis to rest.Even as Jacob finished, his heart was bleeding as he felt like he had just put his pride on the floor and trampled all over it until it was crushed to oblivion. Even though it was to clear any suspicion Elaine held toward him, to call himself a piece of shit—to say it himself that his beloved woman would think him beneath her,
Before Elaine knew it, she was reading the website she had just read again, and she did indeed find Yolden's name on it.With that, everything Charlie had said snapped together into a perfect chain of logic.Seeing the troubled look on her face, Charlie quickly added, "I'm not going to lie—Dad told me right away when he was told Matilda was getting married. We even discussed if we should tell you, and now you know why." "Matilda is doing so well for herself and got such an amazing husband, and they've picked Shangri-La's Sky Garden—something an average Joe could never hope to reach. And since she invited our whole family and not just us, Dad had to really think about it.""Eventually, he told me to hide it from you or it'd leave you devastated, so none of us said anything. We just didn't think you'd find that invitation and then end up having a big fight about it."Sighing, Charlie then continued, "But if you really want to go, we can go together for their wedding to put your min
Bitterness swelled in Elaine's heart as she really didn't think that Matilda was doing so well for herself.The fact that Matilda was worth millions alone made her far superior.At the same time, she was also rejoicing that she had never actually met Matilda. If Matilda asked how she was doing directly, how would she respond?In the end, Matilda was no Hannah Queen.Elaine would actually feel accomplished if she compared herself to Hannah.On the other hand, Matilda eclipsed Elaine in every way—she was more beautiful, kind, smart, and knowledgeable. Even her figure left Elaine dead in the water!It was as pointless as comparing a hen to a peacock!Whenever she thought of her, she could comfort herself that she had stolen her man even if she couldn't measure up in any way.But now, Jacob was completely insignificant to Matilda while Elaine still treated Jacob like a trophy.Even as a sense of inferiority seized her, Charlie sighed. "Come on, you should understand where Jacob is
"Exactly!"Charlie agreed, striking the metal while it was hot. "To be honest, the years Matilda spent in the States would be wasted if she was actually still interested!" "She's a Wall Street veteran who'd definitely have met so many successful men! Why would she be interested in a loser like Jacbo Wilson? It's not like she returned from the States after thirty years to help the poor, don't you agree?"Charlie then finished with a sigh. "The way I see it? You're the only one who'd be interested in him."Jacob heard that from behind the wall and was left absolutely fuming and humiliated.He was the only one who knew that Matilda had come back for him—even if she was worth millions now.However, he just didn't have the spine to divorce Elaine and get together with Matilda.He presumed that it was no rush and that he could just give Elaine the silent treatment—who knew, she might just give in and ask for a divorce herself, and then, he would have no issues getting together with M
"Her real lover?!" Elaine exclaimed in shock. "What are you talking about?"Charlie put on a serious face as she said, "Matilda came back to Oskia for her one true love, who is now her fiance. His name is Yolden Hart, a top economist who's now a lecturer at Aurous Hill University, who was invited all the way from the States. He's a professional manager and used to work in Wall Street, so he'd be qualified to be a CEO in any Fortune 500 company…""Professional manager?" Elaine pouted. "That still means he's a wage slave!"Charlie laughed. "Don't underestimate professional managers now. Just look at Apple Inc.'s CEO—the man earns around a hundred million USD per year, and that's over seven hundred million in Oskian dollars!"Elaine was left gaping, unable to imagine how a wage slave could earn so much.At the same time, Charlie continued, "To be fair, Professor Hart wouldn't earn that much, but 50 million per year is still no sweat for him. Do you get the amount of money we're talki
Elaine appeared taken aback, and she promptly demanded, "You've met Matilda too?!"It was only then that Claire realized she had let the cat out of the bag, and she suddenly didn't know what to say. "Oh… Uh… Mom… I, uh… didn't?"Nonetheless, Elaine was suddenly pressing her menacingly, "If you've never met her, how would you know she's a serious person?!"As Claire stayed silent, Elaine broke down in tears. "No… You're lying to me too! Aren't you?!"While Claire was left at a loss of how she should salvage this mess, Charlie suddenly entered and said, "Claire didn't—but I did.""What?!" Elaine was left staring at Charlie, stunned.Still, she soon demanded, "Y-You've met Matilda?! Did Jacob take you with him to see her?""Yes," Charlie admitted, nodding.Elaine snapped right then, and she bellowed, "Then why didn't you tell me?! To think that I've always done right by you, treating you like my own son, but you wouldn't tell me that Jacob is cheating on me! Y-You disappoint me!"
Jacob certainly left Charlie speechless—the man might get kicked out of the house, but he was more worried about his car.Sighing in exasperation, he told Jacob, "Look, if it fails, I won't be able to get you a nice place, let alone leave the Cullinan with you."Jacob blurted out, "But why—""Don't forget—I'm still living in this house even if you're gone!" Charlie explained, his expression dead serious. "If I let you have a nice place and the Cullinan, God knows how terrible a grudge your wife would hold against me. I need to have a sense of self-preservation too!""If I got you a rundown apartment, I could at least defend myself even if she gets upset about that. I mean, I can't let you sleep in the streets, can I? Claire and I would be guilty of abandoning our elders."Seeing the serious look on Charlie's face, Jacob breathed a long sigh as he clapped him on the shoulder, groaning mournfully, "Oh, I get it. I wouldn't want to upset Elaine if I were in your shoes too…"Charlie
Charlie sighed. "I told you it'd blow up, Dad, but you had to doubt me.""I wasn't doubting you," Jacob promptly defended himself. "I thought I might catch a lucky break—"Charlie cut him short, "Fair enough. Then, how are you going to handle this? I can try to stop Mom from going to that wedding and prevent her from getting in the hall even if she went, but what's going to happen to the both of you? Do you want a divorce or do you want to stay with her?"The light in Jacob's faded as he shrugged and sighed. "If I could divorce her, I would've—and I would be living happily with Matilda now. What company would I have if I did it now? Do you think Elaine would let me stay in Thompson First, with that attitude of hers?""In the end, I'd be chased out without a place to stay, and I can't suffer the humiliation of moving back with my mom and brother, can I? Hell, they might not even take me back!""So, that's a no?" Charlie pressed.Jacob smiled wryly. "At my age, even if I could, I w
Hearing that Elaine was threatening suicide, Claire exclaimed urgently, "Take me to her now!"The traffic police officer quickly nodded. "Come on!"As the traffic police officer quickly led Claire to Elaine, Charlie arrived just then and gave chase after leaving the luggage by the entrance.Stopping them, he asked, "Excuse me, officer—where's the gentleman who came with Madam Parker? May I see him?""And who are you?" The traffic police officer asked."I'm his son-in-law," Charlier replied. "I was thinking that while my wife talks to her mom, I can talk to my father-in-law, make peace, and take them both home.""Oh, that'd be great!"The traffic police officer exclaimed and quickly beckoned at a colleague, "Come over. Take this gentleman to Jacob Wilson!""Okay!" The other traffic police officer was also quite enthusiastic.Charlie entered the room where Jacob was first, immediately seeing a disfigured Jacob taking deep puffs of his cigarette.Another traffic police officer w