"I—" Helena's words made Julien wince. If the earlier statement had been a warning to him, the last remarks were a threat, through and through! Just a few words, and he could feel the intense intimidation! Julien was no fool. Figuring out the gravity of the current situation, he mumbled to himself, "Now that Dad has experienced a miraculous recovery from the elixir, he'll inevitably develop a strong dependence on it. The next time he gets sick or faces a life-threatening situation, he'll stop at nothing to get another one to extend his life." "Once he is in that 'at all costs' mindset, any rules will become meaningless to him." "Take the last incident with the treasure tower, for example. He didn't even consult me before issuing a decree—whoever finds the tower and brings it back would become the next heir. That was downright outrageous!" "With that precedent set, it's obvious that if he ever needs an elixir and can't obtain it, he'll make a similar decree—whoever brings him
Julien said rather respectfully, "Then, Your Majesty, I won't be accompanying you back to Canada." Helena gave a slight nod and responded with a graceful smile, her every expression exuding elegance, and her royal demeanor evident in every gesture. Seeing this, Julien felt a shiver in his heart. It wasn't that he was moved by Helena's beauty or poise, but rather, the more dignified she appeared, the more sinister she seemed in his eyes. She was only in her twenties, yet every word she spoke carried a murderous aura—this wasn't something just anyone could possess. However, Julien dared not show any dissatisfaction. He watched Helena board the helicopter and only breathed a sigh of relief once it had flown off into the distance. As he turned around to head back, he ran into Royce, who had come looking for him. "Dad!" Seeing his father, Royce hurriedly said, "Grandpa said for you to head straight to the conference room after seeing off the Queen. The meeting is about to start."
Royce felt very hurt. Despite that, he chose to purse his lips shut and not say another word to the angry Julien. Thus, Julien and Royce came to the meeting room one after the other quietly. Nearly all the family members had arrived at the meeting room, which resembled a medieval European palace. However, Harrison had not yet arrived. Everyone knew that today was the day when Harrison would pass the throne to Julien. Once Harrison made the announcement, Julien would officially become the head of the Rothschild family. Therefore, despite their agitated grimace, they were all thinking to themselves that they must find every possible way to flatter Julien as much as they could. From now on, all their resources, income, and their future would be in Julien's hands. As soon as Julien and Royce arrived, everyone, without exception, rose from their seats. The coordinated movement felt very much like the solemnity of military leaders standing at attention when they saw their comma
Royce, who was standing nearby, witnessed a textbook fence-sitter. Earlier, his uncles had surrounded Julien so tightly that he couldn't squeeze through. But now, they went to Harrison, and Julien stood there alone, which made him look a little lonely. Harrison couldn't help but feel relieved when he saw his sons running up to him in excitement. He was already moved by Julien's filial piety when he was in the medical center. Now, when he saw that his sons cared so much for him, he was moved and smug, thinking that he was a successful father and that his sons were devoted. So, with a fatherly smile on his face, he announced to everyone in a deep voice, "I want to deliver some good news. I have fully recovered." Upon hearing this, his descendants were excited, even though they didn't know how the stroke could be cured so quickly. Devin asked curiously, "Dad, did you call us here just to give us a surprise?" Harrison chuckled. "More or less. This time, I used some extraord
As soon as Harrison said this, the whole scene erupted in applause. Except for Julien and Royce, all the members of the Rothschild family almost jumped up and applauded wildly at the same time. Devin even involuntarily shed tears of excitement. None of them wanted Harrison to step down, let alone Julien to succeed him. Maintaining the status quo was their greatest luxury because it could ensure that their current interests would not be greatly affected. Perhaps in the future, if they made great contributions, they would have the chance to prove themselves, replace Julien, and become the new heir. Originally, they thought that maintaining the status quo was an impossible dream, but they didn't expect that dream to come true. Julien was beyond devastation. He had expected this outcome, but hearing Harrison say it out loud so promptly, he was pissed. However, the good news was that Harrison had listed him and Royce as the first and second heirs, so his chances of inheriting
Since Fleur was in the United States, when Charlie returned from Canada, he decided to take an inconspicuous business jet back to Oskia rather than the flashier Concorde, thus, his return journey was much longer. The plane's speed was slow, and it stopped in the middle of the journey to refuel, so he had yet to reach his destination despite being in the air for ten hours. Just then, his phone rang. It was a call from Helena. Charlie guessed that she was calling to deliver the good news, so he answered the call with a smile and asked, "Helena, have you left New York?" "Yes," Helena answered respectfully. "I've returned to Canada, and I'm calling to tell you what happened when I met Harrison." "Go ahead, I'm all ears." Charlie chuckled. Helena began to illustrate her meeting with Harrison in detail. When it came to the payment, she lied, "The price we finally reached was that he would pay 110 billion dollars in cash plus a complete AI model to be built in Northern Europe incl
It was already ten in the evening when Charlie finally arrived at Aurous Hill. After passing through customs and completing the entry procedures, Charlie went through the VIP walkway inside the airport. He would then take the private jet prepared by the Acker family and fly to Eastcliff. Because of his concern that Fleur's underlings would monitor his entry information since Keith was publicly conducting in-depth investment cooperation with the Oskian government in Eastcliff at the moment, Charlie decided to fly to Aurous Hill from the States. By entering the country through Aurous Hill and going to Eastcliff from there, he could bypass Eastcliff's international terminal and customs. There were hundreds and thousands of domestic flights coming in and taking off in Eastcliff every day, and these passengers would not be the target of the Qing Eliminating Society's surveillance. Charlie's only purpose for going to Eastcliff this time was to meet with Keith, update him on the situa
Christian then added, "Dad has been indulging in spending recently. The various collaborations he's been discussing have already totaled over a hundred billion dollars. They're all promising domestic industries with a very wide coverage. In a few days, Kaeden and I are heading to the south. We've invested in a lithium battery company and are planning to build a top-tier R&D base for power lithium batteries in the south, specifically for the high-density batteries needed for new energy vehicles." "Next, Kaeden plans to launch a new energy vehicle brand, leveraging the country's top-tier supply chain in the field of new energy to directly engage in vehicle manufacturing." Charlie asked curiously, "Grandpa doesn't seem to have been involved much in manufacturing before. Why jump straight into vehicle manufacturing this time? This industry has a long investment cycle, requires a lot of attention, and the profit margins aren't exactly promising." Christian smiled and explained, "New e
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
Jacob slept in the next day while Elaine got out of bed past ten as well.However, in the case of the latter, she wasn't drunk and was simply watching livestreams and video clips on her phone—a hobby she had picked up recently.As for Charlie, he had initially planned to visit the Champs Elys hot spring villa and train Nanako in her Reiki control. However, since Claire would be arriving in the afternoon, he stayed home, planning to leave for the airport when it was time.Elaine appeared groggy as she emerged from the elevator, rubbing her eyes while holding her phone in the other hand.Seeing Charlie cleaning the living room, she asked in curiosity, "Not going out today, Charlie? Aren't you usually going out to meet clients?"Then, she became concerned in an instant, "Wait, don't tell me—the Feng Shui business is falling off? Are we going to be affected altogether?"Charlie laughed. "You're just getting paranoid now. Things are going fine—I'm just giving myself a day's leave.""