In his utter despair, Julien could only say respectfully like a submissive servant, "Please rest assured, I will make the most of this opportunity. I will do everything I can to maintain the businesses your grandfather has left in the U.S., and I guarantee the return will not fall short of your expectations." Upon hearing his pledge, Charlie's tone softened slightly, and he replied indifferently, "Then, I'll be watching your performance." With that, Charlie ended the call. After listening to Charlie's conversation with Julien, Keith, Christian, and Kaeden were left somewhat stunned, unable to fully comprehend what had just transpired. Keith eventually came to his senses a while later and said, "Charlie, I don't mind losing those assets. If it doesn't work out, we can sell them at a discount. It's a one-time solution. Julien is arrogant and overbearing. If you piss him off, he might cause you trouble one day." "Don't worry, he won't." Charlie shook his head. "Julien has no lev
This trip to New York made Charlie realize the truth. No matter how strong a person was, they couldn't stay strong under all kinds of circumstances, neither Charlie nor Fleur. Fleur had to keep a profile as low as possible whether in Oskia or New York. What impressed Charlie the most was that in the video footage he had obtained from the Rothschild family, it was clearly visible that Fleur, while in New York, was confined to the helicopter with the registration number N77DT, fully cooperating with the Rothschild family's inspection. Her four-hundred-year cultivation, which she prided herself on, was tightly suppressed by modern AI models and contemporary weaponry, leaving her no opportunity to catch her breath. The reason she was suppressed so completely was that at that time and in that environment, she had no subordinates available for mobilization. If she had to fight head-on, she could only take the risk of relying solely on her personal strength. If Charlie could destr
Merlin was concerned that Charlie would not want him to help, so he said, "I have an idea, and we can discuss it together if you don't mind." Hearing this, Charlie urged, "Of course, not. Please go ahead." Merlin said in a serious tone, "Based on some of your previous explanations, I personally understand that the Five Military Governor Offices hold the same significance to the Qing Eliminating Society as the five fiefs did under ancient emperors. The ones in charge of these fiefs are the five major lords within the Qing Eliminating Society's administrative structure. Within their respective territories, they establish their own economic and military systems, using centuries of accumulated resources and strategies to generate profit while secretly raising a large number of dead soldiers. In doing so, they not only provide military strength to the organization but also supply substantial funding. Is that correct?" "Yes." Charlie nodded. Merlin continued, "Although the Five Milit
"Holy crap!" Christian exclaimed excitedly, slapping the table. "You're impressive! You've taken your case-solving skills right to the Qing Eliminating Society's doorstep! With this screening method, you can instantly filter out over 99% of potential targets, saving a lot of effort. Narrowing it down to a thousand or even just a hundred companies and verifying them one by one won't take much time, and the target will become much clearer!" Charlie couldn't contain his excitement and exclaimed, "You are truly incredible, Detective! The way you explained it has given me a whole new perspective!" He continued, "I think we could add a few more filtering criteria. For instance, we can eliminate any companies that don't have an airport within a hundred kilometers. The Qing Eliminating Society relies on swift and flexible global movement. If there isn't an airport nearby, it would significantly hinder the mobilization of their dead soldiers." "You're right!" Merlin said, "There are fewer
"AI?!" Keith didn't know much about AI since he had just recovered from a serious illness, but Christian and Kaeden had a deep understanding of the trends in various industries around the world. As a detective, Merlin had been exposed to high-tech equipment, so he knew a little something about AI too. When they heard that Charlie wanted to use AI technology to search for the locations of the Qing Eliminating Society's dead soldier bases, they felt that the direction was feasible but also difficult to achieve. Kaeden, who was well-versed in the American business landscape, began, "Now, the AI technology is almost entirely concentrated in the hands of American companies. Other countries may be trying to catch up, but the gap is just too vast. These countries want to build their own AI models, but the practical challenges are enormous. It's like the chip industry—not something you can just create overnight. Moreover, our current business setup doesn't even cover the AI sector. So, h
Charlie reassured with a firm expression, "Don't worry, Grandpa. I'll do my best to completely eradicate the Qing Eliminating Society." - Charlie was excited after the conversation. Seeing that it was late at night and Keith should have retired long ago, Charlie said to the crowd, "It's getting late. Grandpa, you should rest early. Uncle Christian, Uncle Kaeden, and Detective Lammy, please be with Grandpa to make the investment perfect. I'll return to Aurous Hill first." "Are you leaving now?" Keith asked in surprise. "Yes." Charlie explained, "I have some business to tend to when I get back, so I need to return now." "But you took more than ten hours to get here." Keith suggested, "Why don't you spend the night here and leave early tomorrow morning?" Charlie smiled and said, "It's already past 2 am. I'll head to the airport now, and by the time I fly to Aurous Hill, it'll almost be dawn. If I spend the night here, I probably won't get back to Aurous Hill until tomorrow aft
As soon as the call was answered, Charlie said to Helena, "You have to push Harrison on the AI model, the sooner the better." Helena said, "Okay, Mr. Wade. I'll call him right away." She then asked, "Have you read the latest technology news? The AI company controlled by the Rothschild family has just completed a new upgrade, and it has caused a sensation in European and American technology circles." "Really?" Charlie asked curiously, "What new functions have been upgraded?" Helena answered, "I looked it through, the upgraded new feature is video generation. Now, the computing power they open to enterprise users has supported the generation of a 60-second AI video through the specified text. Although the video effect has not yet reached the point of being real, it is much stronger than many animation effects that cost a lot of money to use virtual engine 3D modeling. It is very powerful." Charlie suddenly thought of what Vera had told him when he was in the United States two d
In his excitement, Charlie was very clear that this brilliant move did not come from him, but from Vera. Thinking of this, he felt particularly grateful to Vera. If it weren't for her reminder, he would never have thought to extort an AI model from Harrison. After all, his original intention was merely to use the Healing Pill to control Harrison and Julien. As for the money from the sale of the Healing Pill, he wanted to do a favor for Helena, which would be her reward and also help the Nordic royal family improve their strength. But now, the AI model he had unintentionally acquired might be his biggest reward from this trip to America. Hence, he immediately said to Helena, "Urge Harrison to speed up. If he can complete the setup of the AI model in the shortest possible time, I will give him the right to purchase half the pill. Once the AI model is up and running, he can pay and get the pill anytime." "Okay, Mr. Wade," Helena replied with a chuckle. "With your words, I thi
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