Elaine opened the door and prepared to make some noise outside the door. However, when she suddenly saw Charlie standing outside the door, her ugly expression immediately became extremely happy as she said excitedly, “Oh, my dear son-in-law! When did you return? Why didn’t you tell us in advance?”Charlie smiled slightly and said, “I didn’t tell you guys in advance because I did not want you both to worry.”Elaine smiled and said, “I know that it must be because you want to give Claire a surprise!”When Claire, who was inside, heard the commotion, she walked toward the door and asked, “Mom, is Charlie back?” Elaine hurriedly turned her head and shouted inside, “Claire, my dear son-in-law is back! Come quickly!”As she spoke, she saw that there was a bellboy who was pushing a luggage cart behind Charlie. When Elaine saw that there were three suitcases on the luggage cart, she immediately asked excitedly, “My dear son-in-law, I remember that you didn’t seem to bring any luggage wit
After saying that, she did not forget to say to Charlie, “My dear son-in-law, I’m already very happy and satisfied that you have this intention, but you have to remember not to buy things indiscriminately, okay?!”Charlie smiled faintly and nodded gently. “Okay, Mom. I know.”Elaine had a somewhat melancholy expression, but she still had the sense to forget about the Van Cleef & Arpels topic, and she quickly focused her attention on the jewelry box in her hand. As she opened the box, she thought to herself, ‘I just bought a Bvlgari Emerald Goddess Dream necklace a few days ago. I wonder what kind of jewelry Charlie is giving me from Bvlgari this time? If it’s a bracelet from the Emerald Goddess Dream, it can be paired with my necklace, which would be really great, then!’Elaine opened the box joyously with this in mind.Right after that, however, the item that caught her eye then caused her to be stunned.“This... This...” Elaine looked at the familiar necklace nestled quietly i
“Homesick?!”Claire was completely stunned and confused by Elaine’s sudden outburst, and she asked inexplicably, “Mom, Dad is still in South Korea, and Charlie and I are in the United States. How can you be feeling homesick?”Elaine had an embarrassed expression as she said, “I’m just thinking of Aurous Hill. It is indeed a little difficult to adapt, and it feels a little uncomfortable to live in a foreign country. It seems that Aurous Hill is still the best for me. Why don’t you take a look and see when there’s a flight back to Aurous Hill, and you can book a ticket for me to go back, then.”Claire looked at Elaine in astonishment and blurted out, “Mom, didn’t you say that you could not sleep because you missed us and couldn’t stand being alone at home in such a big house? Isn’t that the reason why you came to the United States to find us? It’s only been a few days, yet you already want to go back to Aurous Hill? Wouldn’t you still be alone when you go back to Aurous Hill? Wouldn’t
In truth, Charlie did not want Elaine to stay here and disturb his time alone with his wife.The reason why he had tried every possible way to get Elaine to come over before this was mainly because he was going to Hong Kong and could not bear to leave his wife here alone. So, he had tricked Elaine into coming over to the United States so that she could keep Claire company and take care of her during the few days when he was in Hong Kong. Now that Charlie was back, there was naturally no need for Elaine to continue to stay here.After all, Claire did not know of Elaine’s current economic situation, but Charlie knew it very well. Claire felt that Elaine definitely would not leave the United States, and she would continue staying with them if she didn’t have any money. Elaine would only return to Oskia after Claire was done with her training course. Therefore, it was now Charlie’s top priority to let Elaine leave on her own accord as soon as possible.It was also because of this th
Claire felt somewhat helpless when she saw Elaine’s firm attitude.However, after a little consideration, she also felt that it was indeed more convenient and comfortable for her mother to go back instead of staying in the United States. Furthermore, she had to attend classes five days a week, so she did not have much time to spend with Elaine. Since that was the case, Elaine would definitely cause trouble for Charlie, then.So, Claire said, “Mom, we’ll drive to New York after class the day after tomorrow, which is Friday. I’ll book you a flight ticket for Sunday.” “That’s great!” Elaine was suddenly very excited and blurted out, “Hurry and help me book the flight ticket. Otherwise, it might already be sold out.”Charlie, who was aside, spoke up and said, “Mom, I’ll book it for you.”Elaine hurriedly nodded and said, “Okay! Thank you, my dear son-in-law!”Charlie was also very straightforward, and he took out his cell phone immediately, found a flight back to Oskia from New Yo
Charlie did not expect that Claire could predict Elaine’s behavior so accurately. So, he smiled and said, “Oh, you should not worry too much about this. Since it’s a gift for Mom, she has the freedom to do whatever she wants with it, and we have no right to interfere.”“Besides, I don’t think Mom would do such a thing. If you don’t believe me, you can check and see if she still has this necklace with her when we return to Oskia.”Claire could not help but sigh and say helplessly, “I don’t want to interfere in her affairs, but what she does sometimes can be really disappointing. After all, you gave her this necklace, so I hope that she will not be so materialistic and sell it.”Charlie smiled and said, “Don’t worry. This necklace will definitely still be there when we get back.”Claire did not know why Charlie was so certain, but it would not be good to discuss this kind of hypothetical issue too deeply. So, she nodded and sighed, “I hope so...”***The Fox family, New York.When
When Jordan arrived at the entrance of the main villa with the butler’s help, Kathleen’s convoy also happened to just arrive.The rest of the Fox family members also came out at this time.After Kathleen got out of the car and saw that her grandfather had come out to greet her in person, she understood her grandfather’s thoughts immediately. She then thought of how she had a Healing Pill that Charlie had given her in her pocket, and she instantly felt a little apprehensive and uneasy.She knew that her grandfather’s expectations for the Rejuvenating Pill and the Healing Pill had already surpassed everything. So, as his granddaughter, she should not hesitate to give this Healing Pill to her grandfather. However, when she thought of Charlie’s previous instructions, she could only hold back her urge to do so.So, she hurriedly walked to the old man’s side and said respectfully, “Grandpa, why did you come out in person?”The old man looked earnestly at Kathleen and smiled as he said
When Jordan saw Kathleen’s surprised expression, he smiled and said, “Kathleen, you’re the head of the Fox family now, so it’s only right that you sit in this position.”Kathleen hurriedly said, “Grandpa, this is your study room and desk. Even if I’m the head of the Fox family, I’m still your granddaughter at home. It would be an official business affair if I sat in the chairman’s office at the company, but how could I sit in your seat at home?”Jordan waved his hand and said solemnly, “The Fox family is a family business. Our home is a business, and business is our home. You’re the head of the Fox family, and this status is not only as the chairman of Fox Group but also as the leader of the entire Fox family. Even I have to listen to your command and obey you.”Upon saying that, Jordan sat down on one of the three chairs first without waiting for Kathleen to speak up. After that, he then said to Kathleen, “Please take a seat, Kathleen.”Kathleen felt a little stressed for a moment
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
Having sent his resignation letter, Jacob had no idea that it would be the catalyst for his dismissal.He didn't sleep well at the rundown motel either and had dark circles under his eyes as he rushed to the airport early the next morning.Clearing the checkpoint and boarding his flight, everything went smoothly until his flight to Dubai lifted off at 10 am.-Meanwhile, the other vice-presidents of the Calligraphy and Painting Association had arrived at Mr. Bay's office.They all had the same goal—pressure Mr. Bay and get Jacob kicked out of the association no matter what it took.Naturally, they knew that Mr. Bay most definitely would have to help Jacob since Jacob was close with Don Albert. If Mr. Bay insisted on protecting Jacob, they shouldn't insist, or Jacob would hear about it, and the man would bear a grudge.Even so, as the vice-presidents entered Mr. Bay's office and closed the door behind them, one of them couldn't help asking, "So, Mr. Bay—how do you intend to deal
Hence, Mr. Bay sent a reply in under five minutes after Jacob sent his resignation letter.As Jacob tapped on it, he immediately saw Mr. Bay's reply: Mr. Wilson's resignation is a huge loss to the association. However, we should also respect his individual situation and opinion. As such, to discuss our direction forward, all vice-presidents are required to attend a meeting at 10am tomorrow to discuss this matter.Jacob was still perplexed as to why Mr. Bay would reply to his mail and even summon the other vice-presidents for a meeting, and when he had a closer look, he saw that Mr. Bay had forwarded his mail to everyone else.Seeing that, Jacob thought to himself that Mr. Bay could just stick to a discussion involving just Mr. Bay and the vice-presidents instead of the entire association.As such, he sent a voice message on WhatsApp: "Mr. Bay, did you make a mistake and forward my mail to everyone else?"Mr. Bay soon replied, "Everyone already knows about your situation, so there'
Mr. Bay was left pursing his lips awkwardly. "T-That's way too despicable, don't you think? I'm the one who asked him to write a resignation and give up his place as vice-president while I handle the other vice-presidents and resolve the entire matter internally. Everyone can take a step back from escalation, and it's a solution that could please everyone."If I take that resignation at face value, won't it be like a bank goading a client into taking a scam loan? Won't he hate me to the bone if he finds out I screwed him over?""What are you worried about?" Mrs. Bay shot back in annoyance. "Are you that scared of Jacob Wilson turning against you? Hell, my own sister hates me to the bone—but what did you think I told her? That I'm never lending her the money no matter how much she hates me!"What do you think would have happened if I were worried about her feelings and loaned her the money she asked for? She wouldn't have to use a single cent to get herself a new house! She would say
"Don Albert… is giving up on Jacob Wilson?!"Mr. Bay exclaimed in shock. "B-But he was so respectful toward Jacob just the other day when we had dinner at the Heaven Springs… He gave us the best private room and even offered his best wine, filling our glasses personally…"Mrs. Bay waved him off. "You've been stuck with the retirees of the Calligraphy and Painting Association for so long that you've lost your nose for danger! Just think about it—married couples who were just sharing a bed one night could pull a knife on their partner the very next day. And these are men with priorities we're talking about."Also, you should take into account that Zachary Evans is Don Albert's right-hand man, and Jacob somehow dragged him into a fraud scheme. So, do you think Don Albert would be happy with that?"And according to Zachary's public statement, all the money they got went straight into Jacob's pocket—and what does that mean? It means Zachary is an accessory to a crime—at worst, an accomp