Lucian’s explanation made Charlie feel even more puzzled about Vera’s identity.He even had some regrets.He regretted letting Vera and her grandfather go.Although in his opinion, he had already used psychological hints on them, so Vera and her grandfather must not have hidden anything from him. However, he had been short of time at the time and had not had enough time and opportunity to ask more questions. Still, it was too late for regrets now, and he could only ask for as much valuable content as possible from Lucian. So, Charlie looked at Lucian and continued to interrogate him. “Do you know why the British Lord wanted to capture her? Is it for her as a person or for something she has on her?”Lucian shook his head. “I’m not sure about this matter, and even my superiors in Turkey are not sure. We only knew that the mission could be assigned to the Right Military Governor Office, so it was a heavenly opportunity. If the mission had been successful, the British Lord would ha
When Charlie heard this, he could not help but feel admiration for this organization’s meticulousness.Generally speaking, the larger the organization, the more difficult it was to take care of details. However, the Qing Eliminating Society could handle all kinds of details very well even with such a huge scale, and this was indeed remarkable. Once they were targeted by a party who was interested, it would be easy for clues about things such as energy consumption to reveal many things. Often, by analyzing the electricity consumption data of residential buildings, police officers could find that the power consumption of a certain household was several times more compared to that of other neighbors of the same household type. Upon investigation, they would find that they were using high-powered fluorescent lamps to cultivate prohibited plants in their homes.That kind of three-bedroom house used water and natural gas that would accommodate more than ten or twenty people a month.
“No.” Lucian shook his head and said, “The organization does not use the internet. Instead, it uses its own satellite communication network, and it’s not ordinary civilian communication. It is a military communication satellite that was bought from senior Soviet officials through special channels when the Soviet Union collapsed.”“Military communication satellite?” Charlie asked in shock, “Can this be bought?”Lucian explained, “Under normal circumstances, no one would be able to buy military communication satellites no matter how rich an individual or company is. However, it was a special period, and the entire Soviet defense system was in chaos. The disintegration of the distribution between these countries was also muddled, and there were a lot of bad debts. At the time, a large part of Ukraine’s heavy weapons were sold. Even the Tu-160 bomber and nuclear bombs were sold, let alone the satellites in the sky. Back then, no one would notice that a few satellites were missing, and as
Charlie’s pupils constricted when he thought of this. He immediately asked Lucian, “What happened twenty years ago that would make your British Lord execute thousands of people directly?!”Lucian shook his head blankly. “I don’t know the specific reason... I only know that the British Lord was furious at their failure at the time, so he killed them...”Charlie raised his brows and asked coldly, “Do you know where they met their defeat, then?”Lucian shook his head and said, “I don’t know either.”Charlie thought of what Lucian had mentioned about the five military governor offices earlier and how the one responsible for Asian affairs within the Qing Eliminating Society was the Central Military Governor Office. So, he asked him, “Which military governor’s office was the one that experienced defeat? Was it the Central Military Governor Office?”Lucian shook his head and said, “I don’t know, but I’m certain that it’s not the Right Military Governor Office.”With that said, Lucian ad
Charlie was slightly startled and asked with a frown, “What other industries are there in this closed loop of yours besides the copper refinery in Turkey and the copper mine in Cyprus?”“Many.” Lucian replied, “There are natural gas companies, large farms, and shipyards in Turkey. In addition, there are also some garment and stone processing factories. Basically, all walks of life are involved, and the overall market value is about eighty billion US dollars or so.”In Turkey, an organization with a total market value of eighty billion US dollars could already be called a super business empire, and this was only the industry under the responsibility of a deputy governor under one of the five military governor offices under the Qing Eliminating Society. If any deputy governor was assigned to the economically developed Western Europe, the closed loop he was in charge of may have a market value of more than hundreds of billions of US dollars. This way, the asset strength of a Right M
As he said that, Lucian then added, “However, they receive better treatment compared to that of the Armed Calvary Guards. Firstly, they don’t need to practice martial arts hard, and secondly, they do not need to take the antidote weekly but they only need to take it once every six months. If they study hard and have real talents, they will be able to live in society as white-collar elites or even well-known entrepreneurs after taking over the company in the future, so their living conditions are definitely much better compared to that of the Armed Calvary Guards.”When Charlie heard this, he could not help but come to a realization.From this point of view, his aunt-in-law as well as her family members should not be regarded as high-end members of the Qing Eliminating Society. They were probably descendants of the Armed Calvary Guards, but they had the opportunity to live a normal life in real society.As Charlie thought of this, he asked Lucian, “During your years in the Qing Elimi
At this time, Charlie could not help but think of his own third aunt-in-law whom he did not know.In Charlie’s mind, he could not help but rely on the clues provided by Lucian and his own imagination to outline the woman’s tragic life.During her teenage years as well as her youth, it was likely that she had studied hard in order to change her whole family’s fate.Her father may have experienced the tragedy of being a dead soldier firsthand, so he must have instilled the belief to study hard to save the whole family in her since she was very young.She must have lived up to expectations and was admitted to a top university.At this time, the Qing Eliminating Society had given her the difficult and significant task of approaching his uncle, Jaxson, because of her excellent academic performance and outstanding external conditions. Merlin had once told Charlie about the process of how his aunt-in-law had gotten acquainted with his uncle.Back then, his uncle was in the second year
Charlie frowned and asked, “Does your assistant usually meet your needs in that area?”Lucian replied, “He wanted to join the Hubbert Battalion, but to join the Hubbert Battalion, he needed a recommendation from someone who had been trained in the Hubbert Battalion. That’s why I used that as a condition to ask him to satisfy my...”Charlie reached out a hand to interrupt him. “Okay, you don’t need to say anything else.”Lucian shut his mouth immediately.Charlie then asked again, “Is there any way for you to let me sneak into the copper mine with you?”Lucian said without hesitation, “That would be simple. You’d just need to wrap yourself up in a black robe with me.”“A black robe?”“Yes.” Lucian stood up, took off two black robes from the hanger behind the door, and said to Charlie, “Because I am a special envoy, only my superiors and my assistant can see my true face. I’m always wrapped in a robe so that no one can see any of my features.”Charlie nodded and asked again, “Has
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