As she spoke of this, Vera suddenly raised her head somewhat unwillingly and asked the old man, “Is there a possibility that his identity has been encrypted within the system?”“Encrypted?” The old man frowned and thought about it, then spoke up and said, “There are indeed cases of encryption. The relevant information for people with special identities will be encrypted, but the system itself is unable to access the encrypted content directly in order to ensure that this encrypted information will not be found out.”Vera asked him, “What is the general encryption logic?”The old man said, “As far as I know, there are two kinds of encryption logic. The first is that his identity information is completely erased from the system and his information is stored in another system that is mutually isolated. The latter will not have any connection with the network, which means that his real information only exists in the latter system and no one outside will be able to find out any clues abo
When the old man heard Vera’s question, he pursed his lips and sighed. “Miss, there is actually a very troublesome underlying logic behind this matter.” Vera said, “Tell me about it.” The old man said, “Whether it’s the first or second kind, the number of people who are hidden is not small. Some special talents, military experts, intelligence personnel, and secret service personnel have their identities encrypted. This adds up to tens of thousands of people in the country.” As the old man said this, he added, “But the trouble is that although there is a database for these two kinds of hidden people, the vast majority of people who have access to this database do not have the highest authority over this database.” “That is to say that even if I used these two methods to hide the information of these two people back then, and even if I have access to the database, I would only be able to access information related to these two people and I have no right to access information of o
So, she hurriedly told the old man, “I’ll review the information about the missing persons first. If I still can’t find anything, you should help me retrieve information about the relevant persons who have died.” The old man nodded. “No problem!” Vera looked at the laptop again and returned to the information about the first person before she began screening them one by one. Soon, a black and white photo appeared in front of her eyes, causing her eyes to widen. The boy in this black and white photo looked just about six or seven years old. The boy looked handsome, and his features and charm seemed familiar to Vera. She then looked at the boy’s information and muttered, “Charlie Wade, a native of Eastcliff, the son of Curtis Wade and Ashley Acker…” “Charlie studied in Eastcliff Second Experimental Primary School twenty-one years ago, then transferred to Aurous Hill First Primary School twenty years ago. He then disappeared, and information in his file was never updated agai
After saying that, she could not help but answer her own question, “The odds are that this should be the case!” Vera’s guess was correct. After Stephen arranged for Charlie to be placed in the orphanage, he gave Charlie a new identity. Although his new identity was still Charlie Wade, it was no longer the Charlie of the Wade family from Eastcliff. Instead, he was a boy with no parents and was adopted by Aurous Hill Welfare Institute. His household registration was placed on the collective household registration of the Aurous Hill Welfare Institute, which was the case for all children adopted by the orphanage. Therefore, he naturally had a new identification number that belonged to Aurous Hill. This way, neither the Wade nor the Acker families would be able to find him anymore, and the only person who could find him was Stephen. The old man said, “If someone changed his identity, this previous information would not reveal any details then. You have to know his new identity
“Miss, the Charlie you saw looks exactly like Curtis?!” The old man had an incredulous expression at this point. Vera nodded slightly and said faintly, “I can’t say that they look a hundred percent similar, but there’s at least a ninety percent resemblance.” “Ninety percent…” The old man said in shock, “In that case, there shouldn’t be any deviation then. The appearance of the two adults is similar, coupled with the fact that the person’s name is also Charlie Wade. So, there shouldn’t be any problems…” As he spoke of this, he could not help but murmur, “Then… this means that… Curtis and Ashley’s son is still alive?!” Vera’s previous gloom disappeared, and she said with a smile, “Not only is he alive but also living very well! He is very strong, and the members of the Armed Calvary Guards from the Qing Eliminating Society were like carrots piled on a chopping board before him. They didn't have any ability to resist, which was really impressive!” “Is that so?!” The old man wa
“It doesn’t matter.” Vera said with a smile, “I’m already halfway there since I already know his real identity!” After saying that, Vera added, “I’m going to look for him in Oskia first, and if I really can’t find him, I’ll go overseas to look for him then.” The old man hurriedly asked, “Miss, where will you look for him?” Vera smiled and said, “I’ll naturally go to Aurous Hill as that is where he disappeared twenty years ago. All the clues must start from there!” The old man subconsciously said, “Miss, the Wade and Acker families also started looking for him from Aurous Hill back then. After looking in Aurous Hill and searching all over the world for so many years, they still couldn't find him. Yet, you still intend to look for him in Aurous Hill after a lapse of twenty years. Wouldn’t your efforts be in vain?” Vera said seriously, “Since the Wade and Acker families started the search in Aurous Hill and looked all over the world but still couldn't find him, I think Aurous Hi
Vera was silent momentarily, then spoke up and said, “Let me draw up a divination for you then. My level of divination is still much better than that of Oskian medication.” After saying that, she took nine copper coins from her pocket without waiting for the old man’s response. She then placed the nine copper coins on the coffee table before her. As before, she divided the copper coins into three rows and grabbed the first three coins in a diagonal manner before she threw them on the table. Immediately afterward, she looked at the hexagram of the copper coins, then frowned and said, “The hexagram shows that your life expectancy is coming to an end, and you only have half a year left at most.” “Half a year?” The old man’s expression froze and was rooted to the spot as if a spell had been cast on him. However, he quickly returned to his sense and smiled wryly. “Although it’s a little shorter than I expected, it’s fine. Half a year is enough time for me to settle my affairs an
“Aurous Hill?” The old man asked in surprise. “You mean that my birth gate is in Aurous Hill?” “Yes.” Vera nodded slightly and said, “It seems you should go to Aurous Hill with me!” The old man hurriedly asked, “Miss, may… may I go with you?” “Of course.” Vera nodded and said, “Since your birth gate is in the south and is related to me, Aurous Hill is the most likely place. Let’s go there together. You'll be able to live to a hundred years old if we can find your birth gate.” The old man was extremely excited and said reverently, “Thank you for your kindness, Miss!” After that, he trembled and was about to kneel. Vera quickly got up to stop him and said seriously, “You don’t need to kneel to me. Although this birth gate is related to me, it’s by no means something I can bring to you, so you still have to go to Aurous Hill to find your own chance encounter. What I can do for you is perhaps to wish you good luck in your search.” The old man nodded hastily and sobbed, “Thank
Jacob zipped toward Raymond, his attitude immediately subservient, "I'm sure you've seen what Zachary Evans posted on his Twitter page, and to be honest, it's so terrible that my position in the Calligraphy and Painting Association has been affected too. I mean, you've made a lot of money, right?"Hell, even if you donated ten million, you'd still have another ten million and 970 thousand in net profits. So, all I'd like to ask is for you to post something to disclaim Zachary's post.Jacob's words left Raymond in thought.For Jacob, just being suspected of fraud would definitely be terrible. In fact, his position in the Calligraphy and Painting Association would definitely be threatened—if not dismissed altogether—if he wasn't cleared of suspicion.Since Jacob was Charlie Wade's father-in-law, Raymond had reason not to drive Jacob over the brink.But that also begged another question—it must be under Charlie's intention for Zachary to post his confession, and that meant Charlie in
Raymond couldn't help chuckling just as Jacob finished—he had honestly never heard of anyone who demanded a refund after donating to charity, but he was certainly seeing one now.Still, the receptionist was clearly experienced and slowly explained, "Sir, it's a legal clause of the country that all donations for philanthropy purposes can not be refunded under most circumstances—""It truly was a mistake," Jacob quickly said, cutting the receptionist off. "I was going to donate thirty thousand but pressed an extra zero by mistake. Please discuss this with your management—you just have to refund 27 thousand, see?""Sorry, sir," the receptionist apologized. "But it's a strict rule that we ourselves do not get to access the funds that have been donated into our accounts. Every donation will be screened extensively, and if you consider that there was a major oversight on your part, you may seek legal counsel to appeal for a refund. If the courts back your appeal, our organization will the
Nonetheless, Jacob darted into Treasure Measure and plucked off his mask, asking nervously, "Excuse me, Mr. Cole? It's me… Jacob Wilson…"Raymond looked up, pausing for a moment before acting as if he was actually curious, "Mr. Wilson! What brings you here? Don't tell me—you want that bronze sculpture back too?""No, no, no…" Jacob quickly shook his head. "I would never… I returned all the way from Dubai to apologize!""Apologize?" Raymond smiled faintly, and he did not play dumb this time as he asked bluntly, "Did you come back because of Zachary Evan's post?"Knowing he couldn't deny it any longer, Jacob nodded, "Yeah…"Raymond nodded and said calmly, "That's unnecessary. I was the one who benefited in the end."Jacob wasn't quite keeping up—thinking that Raymond was just trying to be nice by telling him he didn't have to apologize, he quickly pulled out his phone.Tapping on it and bringing up his transaction records, he handed it to Raymond reverently, "Mr. Cole, I understan
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