As Charlie flew with Vera toward Champs Elys hot spring villa, Merlin, Isaac, Albert, and others heaved a sigh of relief, stopped their search, and headed back to Champs Elys hot spring villa ahead of time.Merlin knew that the Ackers were worried about Charlie’s safety, so he hurried back to the villa as soon as he got off the plane. The Acker family members were anxiously waiting in the living room, hoping that Merlin would bring back good news. After all, Charlie was of great significance to the Ackers and had been a great concern for them for twenty years. Furthermore, Charlie’s other identity was actually the benefactor who once saved the Ackers, which further elevated Charlie’s status in the eyes of the Acker family members. When they saw Merlin walking in briskly, the Acker family members instantly stood up and looked at him eagerly. Lady Acker subconsciously walked toward him and murmured, “Merlin, have you found Charlie’s whereabouts?”Merlin smiled and said, “Lady Acker
Lord Acker chuckled and said, “You deserved to get kicked out. Charlie already said that the pill must be taken directly on the spot, but you challenged his rules, so isn’t it natural for him to kick you out?” Christian was depressed and said, “Dad, who was I challenging Charlie’s rules for?”Kaeden, who was aside, patted Christian’s shoulder and said with a smile, “Come on, Christian. Although you were kicked out of the auction by Charlie, we should all be grateful for that incident. If it weren't for you, the Ackers might not have caught Charlie’s attention so soon. It's a good thing, and our whole family benefitted from it!”Christian sighed and said sincerely, “Oh, it’s not a big deal for me to get kicked out by my nephew. I just didn’t expect that my nephew would be so capable and end up being our benefactor. I just feel a little embarrassed when I think back to my words and behavior back at the auction.” At this moment, the sound of a helicopter could be heard outside the v
Vera subconsciously said, “That’s different…”Charlie asked her, “How is it different? You can accept it when you call me Charlie, but you can't accept it now that you’re addressing me as ‘Young Master’?”Vera replied awkwardly, “I… I didn't mean that… I just feel that these pills are too precious. The reason I accepted the remaining part of the pill before this was because I was afraid that you would encounter danger one day. In that case, I could keep the remaining part of the pill for emergency use. Now that you’re safe and sound, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to accept any pills from you anymore, Young Master.”Charlie said unequivocally, “Then you'd better adjust your perspective as soon as possible and tell yourself that there's nothing inappropriate about it.”With that said, Charlie stuffed the pill into her hand directly. After that, he did not wait for her response and took out another Rejuvenating Pill, handed it to her again, and said, “This is a Rejuvenating Pill.
As Vera piloted the light helicopter into the air again, Charlie took the opportunity to take the Regeneration Pill. Meanwhile, thousands of miles away at the headquarters of the Qing Eliminating Society, Fleur paced anxiously in her room. She was already four hundred years old this year, but she looked like she was only in her thirties. Although she was charming and spirited, her current state of agitation and restlessness caused her ruthlessness to be etched on her face, making anyone who looked at her feel intimidated. The last time Fleur felt this restless was when she was chased into the mountains by the Qing army for the first time together with Elijah. Over the years, although she hadn't found Vera, it was, after all, a cat-and-mouse game that had lasted for three hundred years. She had always played the role of the cat, so she did not feel so anxious even when she could not find Vera. However, the source of her anxiety and uneasiness at this moment was that her two great
Fleur also felt somewhat worried at this moment as she muttered to herself, “Mr. Chardon’s strength is already remarkable, and he’s already even more powerful with the magical instrument I gave him. If he really sacrificed himself in the explosion, then the person who forced him to do so must be much stronger than him.”As she spoke, Fleur couldn't help but exclaim, “I never expected that there would be such a skilled master in Aurous Hill. Based on my understanding of the Ackers, they couldn't possibly have any contact with someone this powerful. So, who exactly is this person?”Tarlon couldn't help but say, “British Lord, I believe that person should be acquainted with the Ackers. Otherwise, why would he save them at the critical moment?”Fleur shook her head with a gloomy expression and said, “I don't know either. If Mr. Chardon really perished in the explosion, his opponent must be a cultivator with even greater strength. However, I've had people secretly monitoring the Ackers f
After pausing for a moment, Tarlon continued, “Moreover, in the recent period of time, they have been gaining one victory after another with unstoppable momentum. If we don't stop them now, I’m afraid there might be even more trouble in the future! British Lord, this crisis is unprecedented, so you can't hesitate anymore!”Fleur fell into a momentary silence.Tarlon’s concerns added to her anxiety and unease. She knew that what Tarlon said made sense. If they allowed the other side to continue growing in secret, it would probably pose a huge threat to her in the future!With this in mind, she clenched her teeth and said, “Inform the Central Governor Office immediately and get them to send the best scouts on a plane to Aurous Hill immediately to investigate this matter!”“If Mr. Chardon really perished in the explosion, the tremendous force will inevitably leave traces of the explosion within a radius of several hundred meters. After dawn tomorrow, as long as they fly over Willow Ma
The cell phone was completely shattered and deformed, and even the battery bulged due to the deformation. When she saw this, she finally heaved a sigh of relief, realizing that the cell phone couldn't possibly continue to relay her position to the British Lord.After about ten minutes, Charlie finally recovered thanks to the effects of the Regeneration Pill. He stretched his neck, lazily stretching his body in the narrow cabin, looking nothing like a person who had just been heavily injured and weak.Vera, who was aside, exclaimed in surprise, “Young Master, you've already recovered?!”Charlie nodded slightly and said, “My body has recovered, but I haven’t recovered my Reiki yet.”As he spoke, he took out two Cultivating Pills and popped them into his mouth. As soon as the pills entered his stomach, they turned into pure Reiki, flowing through his repaired meridians and elixir field, spreading throughout his body.Charlie felt the surging Reiki returning, immediately experiencing
When Vera saw Charlie point in a certain direction, she didn't even look and pulled the control lever directly, making the helicopter fly accurately in the direction Charlie’s finger was pointing.At this moment, Ruby, who was hiding in the crevice of the boulders, still didn't know she had been targeted by the other party. She just wanted to do her best not to move her body, not to make any noise, and wait for the people on the helicopter to inspect and naturally leave this place. She was absolutely confident that she wouldn't be discovered by the other party.The helicopter circled the valley several times, but the people above never came down to search, and the boulder blocking Ruby’s head was very thick. Even if the other party used equipment such as thermal imaging, they couldn't possibly discover her whereabouts through this boulder. What caused Ruby to feel increasingly uneasy was that the helicopter was actually roaring toward her direction! As the helicopter approached clo
Zachary chuckled and continued, "Well, I went to Antique Street and asked around. Turns out our mutual friend only brought a few hundred thousand grand with him. If he messes up and loses all his money, won't it be over for him?""He won't just be broke either—he'd be humiliated and forced to fuck off from Antique Street. You'd get even then!"Jacob was at once excited.Just yesterday, Claire and Charlie were warning him that assault meant doing time.As the vice president of the Calligraphy and Painting Association and the next presidential-hopeful, he would lose his place if he was charged with assault or being an accessory to a case.However, Zachary's plan was much better. Jacob wouldn't have to take responsibility, and the damage on Raymond would be even worse!In comparison, slapping Raymond meant nothing. Watching him go broke and get humiliated would really ease his heart!With that in mind, he promptly pressed Zachary, "Are you sure that prick will mess up?""I can't a
Jacob Wilson was in his office at the Calligraphy and Painting Association, planning his itinerary in Dubai.Still, he was immediately thrilled when Zachary told him that there was progress, and he quickly said, "Come see me at the Calligraphy and Painting Association. We'll talk in my office!""Alright!" Zachary agreed to it happily. "Just wait, Mr. Wilson. I'll be right there!"Jacob then quickly told him, "By the way, remember to address me as the vice president when you're here. Got it?"Zachary was naturally sharp enough to understand why, especially around other members of the Calligraphy and Painting Association.Smiling, he said, "Don't worry, chief. You can always be at ease when I'm on the job!"Once he hung up, he drove to the Calligraphy and Painting Association at top speed.There were just a dozen people around the dozens of work cubicles although Zachary was curious about the personal effects or office tools in the cubicles.After asking around, a staff member le
Then, Mick continued, "I won't lie—Moore Group's bean counters have been eager to get rid of Vintage Deluxe for a while now. It's only Miss Moore's insistence that keeps them at bay, even occasionally coming to check on how business is going. That means she holds sentiment for this place, but if she knows that Raymond is back and doing well, she might hire him again!"Zachary could laugh right then. After all, Mick was terrible at gathering information—he could worry about anyone taking his palace, but not Raymond. The man was fired because he had insulted Master Wade's father in-law, and Miss Moore was endlessly respectful—even obedient to Master Wade. There was no chance that she would hire Raymond back after what he had done, and Mick was just being paranoid.However, Zachary did not tell Mick that.As Mick was begging him to intervene and thus owing him big time, he would also be helping Jacob Wilson get even.Two birds with one stone, so why not?With that in mind, Zachar
Zachary then said, "By the way, I have some friends who have a lot of stock. How much capital do you have, Mr. Cole? I'll check if they have stuff that suits you, and you can partner with them."When Zachary asked how much capital, he was basically asking Raymond how much he would invest in his own business and how much he could spend on taking new stock as he was buying.As such, Raymond replied modestly, "I've been chasing my tail for a while, so I didn't earn more than a few hundred thousand. I definitely would have no issue taking items with rebates, but I'm afraid I can't afford premiums.""Alright!" Zachary nodded, having discerned the scale of Zachary's capital."I'll check on what's available and see if we can get a few personal deals."Raymond nodded. "Thank you, Zachary!"Zachary smiled, shaking his head. "Mr. Crane, please buy another fruit basket for Mr. Cole—I'll pay you later."Mick quickly said, "Oh, you don't have to, Mr. Evans! It's my pleasure, no worries!"Zach
With the last stroke, Raymond got on a ladder to reach the old signboard, pasting the banner over the old shop sign.Then, he added a notice by the entrance: We buy all antiques and measure all treasures.As soon as the makeshift sign and notice were up, Mick was the first to arrive with a fruit basket to celebrate the occasion.The instant they met, he greeted Raymond warmly, "Ah, Mr. Cole! You sure are efficient—you just came back yesterday evening, and you're already setting up shop today at noon!"Raymond smiled, "Doing a small business by myself is naturally much quicker."Mick shook his head disapprovingly as he put the fruit basket by the door, "Now, now. Don't be a stranger, Mr. Cole—almost everyone in Antique Street is a friend, but you didn't tell the gang when you opened the shop! It'd hype things up when everyone comes bringing you gifts!"Raymond quickly shook his head. "Thanks for the suggestion, but I don't know if this humble trade will last. It's better to keep m
To not lose three months' worth of rent on top of that, Donald called over the owner at top speed while getting some of the friends in the antique trade to appraise what merchandise he had left.Taking losses had always been the hardest pill to swallow, but once the decision was made, there really was nothing that couldn't be given up.The owner was plenty pleased as well since that meant someone was picking up on his rental. He promptly had Donald sign the agreement transferring the last three months for the rental to Raymond while signing a new rental contract with Raymond.Raymond didn't have to pay up immediately either—he just had to start paying rent to the owner once Donald's three-month rent was up.Once the agreement was signed, every stall owner as well as owners of businesses resembling the Pearl House swarmed the premises.After all, they loved to take stock from people in the same line of business. Once a business owner decided to close shop, they wouldn't be bothered
If Donald had to maintain his business under such circumstances, the next three months would be even worse.Hence, instead of doing that, he really wanted to stop this business altogether.As for what remaining merchandise, he'd just get some fellow in the same business to take them off his hands at a lower cost while he gained his freedom sooner.Hence, he stopped Raymond, "Wait, my friend! Let's talk about this… if the hundred fifty grand transfer fee is too much for you, why don't I cut it down even more—say, a hundred grand instead?"Raymond turned and told him solemnly, "I'm not paying a transfer fee at all."Frustrated, Donald blurted, "At least give me ten grand for my troubles! My shop is good—you'd definitely make bank once you take it off my hands!"Raymond thought about it and eventually said, "How about this—if you can clear up the place by the end of the day, I will pay you five grand on top of the forty five grand that is your remaining rent, but not one cent more."
The reasoning was simple too—with businesses failing, most shops were losing money.With months left on Donald's rental contract, all he could do now was keep his business afloat while attempting to transfer the rental to someone else. At the same time, he must be prepared for the situation where no one would rent it from him, and he must honor his contract to the very last second.With the losses he had sustained up until the contract expires, he definitely wouldn't extend it. That meant packing up to leave while returning everything to the owner to claim the deposit that the owner was holding.Even now that he was asking for a transfer fee, his mindset was to get whatever he could get. By the last month, Donald would naturally give up on such pipe dreams regardless.Still, when Raymond saw the lack of merchandise in the shop, he could tell Donald's business was at its final stretch. What little he sold would serve to recuperate his losses, and there was no chance in hell he would
Elaine thought that it would be fine even if Jacob couldn't put aside his pride so soon.Right now, she had become more considerate of Jacob and could understand that men valued their pride. As such, she could just wait until they went traveling together, and they'd definitely be staying in the same room. With that, it would be more natural for them to share a room together again when they return.-Early the next day, Raymond arrived at Antique Street, coming over from an express hotel nearby.Although he had asked Trippy to look for a shop, he knew that Trippy might not really help him—he had to rely on himself for everything.But during his stroll yesterday afternoon, he had noticed plenty of shops that were being offered on rent or sublease. Business in Antique Street was likely poor, so Raymond came early to make inquiries about the rented properties.When Oskia's antique market was at its peak, Antique Street too enjoyed its golden age. Even now, the eyes of any antique p