Colin said seriously, “It must be real. The texture of the bank card does not feel like something that can be imitated. Moreover, this kid even knows our information and movements. He must have investigated our situation long ago.”Lionel asked nervously, “He can’t possibly be an undercover police officer, right?”“No, he can’t be...” Colin waved his hand. “How could an undercover police officer play such tricks? This kid looks like he is very experienced. He is completely fearless even when there are so many of us with guns. He even managed to scare me to the point that my two legs are trembling. Do you think that this is the kind of psychological quality an undercover police officer could have?”Having said that, Colin looked around and said again, “I even seriously suspect that this kid had already gotten his men to secretly surround us, but we can’t see it.”Lionel became even more nervous when he heard this. He looked left and right as he said, “By the way, Mr. Madron, did you
Juarez’s full name was Rafael Corona Juarez. Coincidentally, the place where he was born was in the northern border city of Mexico, and the name of the city was also called Juarez. For many years now, Mexico’s largest criminal syndicate had always been active in the city of Juarez, which was ranked as the city with the most serious violent crimes in the world. To say that he was the real version of Gotham would be an insult to Gotham. After all, there were superheroes in Gotham aside from supervillains, but there was only one supervillain here who was more vicious than the others. Juarez grew up in the city that shared his name, and even though both his parents were not members of criminal syndicates, they worked under criminal syndicates to support their families. His father, who had been driving a truck for a criminal syndicate, sometimes carried guns, sometimes drugs, and sometimes even corpses in the vehicle.Meanwhile, his mother had been working in the cartel’s drug ma
Juarez spoke up and said, “I have something important to do. You can continue playing here first, I’ll leave all the chips to you.”After saying that, he turned to his four bodyguards and said, “Carlos, go and get the car. Hector, call everyone and tell them to drop whatever they are doing and gather at the operating room immediately. Remember, everyone must be fully armed!” The subordinate named Hector asked in surprise, “Boss, what’s so serious that you want everyone to rush over there?”Juarez said, “It might not be a bad thing, but it might not be a good thing either. We will still have to go over there to find out the exact details, and we must be fully prepared regardless of whether it’s good or bad.”From Juarez’s point of view, he would have to grasp this chance if Charlie was indeed a good opportunity for him to make a fortune. He would not only let Charlie see his sincerity, but he would also allow Charlie to see his strength.However, if Charlie came with bad intention
Just as Juarez’s subordinates were flocking to the operating room, Colin took Lionel back to the operating room. Colin put on a flattering expression all the way as he walked toward Charlie courteously, took out a box of domestic cigarettes from his pocket, walked up to Charlie, and then handed him a cigarette as he said respectfully, “Mr. Wade, our boss is already on his way here. Boss told me that I have to treat you well. Please have a cigarette first!”Charlie waved his hand and said indifferently, “No.”“Oh.” Colin hurriedly said in a flattering manner, “It’s good that you’re not smoking. It’s not good to smoke cigarettes, so it’d be best not to touch cigarettes if possible.”Having said that, he reached out and put the cigarette case back into his pocket before turning around and saying to Lionel, “Give the order that no one is allowed to smoke in front of Mr. Wade!”Lionel hurriedly nodded courteously and said, “Yes, okay!”After saying that, he turned around and spoke to
Charlie nodded and then looked at Hugo, who hadn’t come back to his senses, and he frowned immediately as he said to Colin, “I thought that you were a rather discerning person. So, why haven’t you cut the cable tie for my buddy yet?”Colin instantly came back to his senses when he heard this.He had originally thought that Charlie had just been using Hugo to come here, and he thought that Charlie was a big shot that he could not afford to offend. Furthermore, he thought that Hugo was simply a donor who would be undergoing surgery soon, and both Charlie and Hugo would definitely have nothing to do with each other in the future.However, after hearing Charlie’s words, Colin realized that Charlie was protecting Hugo. So, he slapped himself without hesitation and said with chagrin, “Oh, Mr. Wade, I’m so sorry. I was so focused on serving you that I forget all about your friend. It's my fault, it’s all my fault!”After saying that, he hurriedly said to Lionel, “Hurry up and untie Mr. Li
Meanwhile, Juarez’s six teams had already arrived at the entrance of the village one after the other and assembled at the designated location.Along the way, they observed the surroundings cautiously but did not find any abnormalities. Juarez’s car drove to the east entrance of the village under the protection of three cars after all six teams were already in position.Upon arriving, Juarez did not get out of the car immediately. Instead, he said to one of his bodyguards, “Hector, go in and have a look first. Remember to record a video all the way in. After you go in, ask the people inside to turn off the signal shield. Then, send the video to me so I can see what’s going on inside. We have to be prepared in advance in case this is a trap and Colin and the others are being controlled by the other party.”The man named Hector nodded lightly and then took out his cell phone, turned on the video, and walked in alone.Both Atric and Mateo, who were guarding the operating room, knew H
As soon as Rafael appeared, Porter instantly realized that this must inevitably be the leader of the entire criminal syndicate.So, he acted according to Charlie’s instructions and instructed his men, “Attention everyone, start shrinking the encirclement immediately. Once the target enters the courtyard where Mr. Wade is, start the five-minute countdown immediately. When the time is up, be sure to kill all the enemies and leave no one behind!”***A few minutes later, Juarez was already in the courtyard where the operating room was located. He did not have the slightest fear or worry because of Hector’s previous scouting, and he walked down the stairs of the operating room directly. When Colin saw Juarez walking down, he immediately said to Charlie excitedly, “Mr. Wade, our boss is here!”After he was done speaking, he hurriedly ran over to Juarez and spoke attentively in Spanish, “Boss, Mr. Wade who is here today is a great God of Wealth! We must seize this opportunity!”Juar
When Colin heard this, his heart tightened, and he could not help but subconsciously laugh and say, “Mr. Wade, you’re really good at making jokes. Aren’t you looking to negotiate a collaboration with us? Our boss is not as humorous as you are, so he will probably take your words seriously.”Juarez, who was aside, was looking at Charlie with a cold expression.Although he had not attended school or learned any foreign languages, Mexico was still very close to the United States, after all. Juarez had also had to live with Americans most of the time, so like the vast majority of Mexicans, he also understood some English.Therefore, he understood the sentence that Charlie had spoken in English immediately. Subsequently, he could not help but look at Charlie immediately, and he also caught a glimpse of the murderous intent in Charlie’s eyes at that moment. After all, Juarez had been playing the field for a long time, and he was well-experienced. He could tell at a glance when a perso
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