Chapter 1386: "Aunt Lena's Revelation: Unraveling the Truth Behind Charlie's Childhood"
"Correct!" Aunt Lena nodded vigorously, tears streaming down her face. "Back then, I wasn't stationed in Aurous Hill frequently. Instead, I was assigned to work in Zhonghai. One night, Steward Thompson sent someone to urgently bring me from Zhonghai to Aurous Hill. Then, he instructed me and another servant from the Wade family to take over this orphanage. After spending a few days, we replaced all the staff in the orphanage with servants from the Wade family. Only after arranging everything did I find you under Steward Thompson's instructions and bring you to the orphanage..."
Charlie was utterly shocked!
This was simply the most unbelievable thing he had ever heard since childhood!
He had entered this orphanage at the age of eight and lived here for ten years. And now, he only discovered that all the staff in this orphanage were originally from the Wade family?!
Could it be that he had spent his entire childhood and adolescence under the surveillance of the Wade family without knowing it?!
He couldn't accept such a reality.
But he was also well aware that Aunt Lena definitely wasn't lying to him!
Why on earth...
Suppressing his anger, he questioned her further, "Aunt Lena, I want to know, why did you go to such lengths to do this? And why did you go to such great lengths to conceal information from me? What exactly is your purpose?"
Aunt Lena sobbed, "Young Master! Your parents' deaths were not accidents but rather the result of someone intending to harm your family of three!"
"What?!" Charlie blurted out, "My parents were murdered?"
Aunt Lena, with eyes red from crying, continued, "Do you still remember the details from back then? Your parents were living incognito in Aurous Hill, renting an old mansion. They changed your name and enrolled you in Aurous Hill First Elementary School..."
Charlie nodded, "I remember. My parents died in a car accident when I was in school. So, you mean, my parents were actually murdered, right?"
To
"Yes!" Aunt Lena nodded firmly. "The group of people who killed your parents, after staging the scene of the car accident, immediately prepared to find you at Aurous Hill First Elementary and kill you too. Steward Thompson and his men arrived just in time at the gate of Aurous Hill First Elementary, captured all those people. He originally intended to keep one alive, but they all committed suicide by poisoning. Later, he investigated and found out that they were all foreign mercenaries, but the trail ended there."
Charlie pressed on, "So, does he know who killed my parents or not?"
Aunt Lena said, "Because they couldn't find out all this time who was behind those people, Steward Thompson feared that the mastermind might still want to harm you. Therefore, he decided to hide you incognito in Aurous Hill. So, he sent us over to manage the Aurous Hill Orphanage, protect and take care of you, while also concealing all information about you from the outside world, fearing that the other party wouldn't let you go!"
"Is Stephen acting on behalf of the Wade family in doing this?"
"No..." Aunt Lena shook her head. "Steward Thompson has always suspected that the one secretly harming your family might be someone from the Wade family. So, he has kept all these matters secret from everyone in the Wade family."
Charlie asked, "Then why did he suddenly come to find me some time ago?"
Aunt Lena replied, "The master has been looking for you for many years, but couldn't find you, assuming you were missing or lost. Last year, the master was preparing to formally draw up his will and make arrangements for the inheritance of the Wade family's property. Steward Thompson didn't want you to be excluded, so he informed the master of your whereabouts. The master hoped you would return to Eastcliff and compete with other heirs of the Wade family for the inheritance, but also knew that you might not agree, so he gifted Emgrand Group and ten billion ..."
Charlie couldn't help but ask, "Aunt Lena, was your uremia really needing a kidney transplant back then, or was it fake?"
Upon hearing this, Aunt Lena trembled all over, kowtowing repeatedly, confessing, "Young Master, my illness was fake... because I've watched you grow up, I understand your personality and temper. If I didn't push you a little, you wouldn't accept the Wade family's money. So, I conspired with Steward Thompson to employ a trick, pretending I was seriously ill, to force you to accept the Wade family's money. I deceived you, deserving of a thousand deaths, please punish me, Young Master!"
Chapter 1387: "The Cost of Compassion: Charlie's Sacrifice for Aunt Lena"
Aunt Lena's words were actually correct.
Charlie had experienced immense changes since childhood. He had experienced the best days and the hardest days in this world, and he had long since become indifferent to everything.
Even if he hadn't married Claire in the first place, even if he was still doing labor at the construction site, he would have had no complaints.
Because in his view, living on diligently after his parents passed away was the greatest comfort to them.
As for money and status, he had long ago put them aside.
During the years he was married to Claire, he endured humiliation, but he never once thought of seeking help from the Wade family.
Even if his own dignity was repeatedly trampled by the Wilson family, he could still accept it calmly.
Three years of unbearable humiliation passed, yet he, although at the center of this vortex, remained the most calm and composed.
But this calmness of his changed completely because of Aunt Lena's "serious illness".
At that time, he was terrified of Aunt Lena departing from this world.
Because, in his eyes, Aunt Lena was his savior, his surrogate parents. His biological parents were already gone, and he couldn't bear to watch her pass away helplessly.
He had once visited the hospital, wanting to undergo compatibility testing with Aunt Lena to see if his kidney could match hers.
If the matching was successful, he would simply donate one of his kidneys to Aunt Lena.
However, the hospital told him at the time that the compatibility test failed.
So, he had to do everything possible to raise money to find a kidney source for Aunt Lena and undergo kidney transplant surgery.
It was because of this that he gathered the courage to ask for money from Mrs. Wilson during her birthday banquet.
But unexpectedly, Madam Wilson not only heartlessly refused him but also ridiculed him along with the entire Wilson family!
At that time, Charlie was utterly disheartened.
It was also at that moment that Stephen suddenly appeared before him.
The moment he saw Stephen, he was filled with intense resentment.
Although he didn't know his parents had been harmed by someone, he always felt that the Wade family was to blame for his parents' death.
And Stephen, as the steward of the Wade family, could be said to be the one he resented the most.
So when Stephen asked him to return home and inherit the family fortune, he refused.
When Stephen offered him the Emgrand Group and 10 billion, he still refused.
However, when Stephen told him that Aunt Lena's illness still needed two million to save her life, he compromised.
He knew that besides accepting money from the Wade family, there was no other way to save Aunt Lena.
So, he accepted the Emgrand Group and the 10 billion cash from the Wade family.
Since then, Charlie's life trajectory has undergone a major reversal.
It's just that he never expected all of this to be a bitter plan orchestrated by Stephen and Aunt Lena.
A plan that forced him to accept the "gift" or "compensation" from the Wade family.
At this moment, he felt a sense of indignation at being deceived and even betrayed.
Chapter 1388: "Concealed Truths: Stephen's Sacrifice"
His indignation was fleeting.
He knew that both Stephen and Aunt Lena were acting in his best interest.
Without their meticulous protection, he might have died more than a decade ago.
Stephen had replaced the entire staff of the Aurous Hill Orphanage with his own people to protect him, a testament to his genuine concern.
With this in mind, he quickly helped Aunt Lena to her feet, expressing his gratitude, "Aunt Lena, you don't have to apologize or ask for forgiveness. You and Butler Thompson are my lifesavers. I should thank you for risking your lives to protect me."
Aunt Lena waved her hand dismissively, "Young Master, you're too polite. We were just doing our duty."
Charlie sighed, "Aunt Lena, my mind is a bit chaotic right now. I need to call Butler Thompson and sort out these clues. Once I figure things out, I'll come back to you."
Aunt Lena quickly replied, "Of course, Young Master!"
Charlie, looking unsettled, said, "I must go now, Aunt Lena."
Aunt Lena insisted, "Let me see you out, Young Master."
Charlie gestured no need, "It's fine, I can go by myself."
After saying that, Charlie bowed slightly to Aunt Lena and left the office.
Pushing his electric bike, Charlie walked out of the welfare institute, looking lost.
Meanwhile, in the director's office on the fourth floor of the institute, behind a sliver of curtain, a middle-aged man in his fifties turned to the white-haired elder sitting at the desk, respectfully saying, "Butler Thompson, the Young Master has left."
The speaker was the director of the Aurous Hill Orphanage.
And the elder at the desk was Stephen, the chief butler of the Wade family.
Hearing that Charlie had left, Stephen nodded slightly, sighing, "I had planned for everything, but I never expected the Young Master to hire the Snow family's girl as a spokesperson (endorser). I rushed here from Eastcliff as soon as I heard, but it was still too late..."
The director asked, "Butler Thompson, there's something I don't understand."
"Go ahead."
The director continued, puzzled, "Lena didn't know anything. Why did you have her urgently memorize that script to deceive the Young Master?"
He added, "I had indeed proposed selecting a suitable woman from the trustworthy servants to take care of the Young Master closely, but you insisted on recruiting a volunteer from the public who knew nothing. That's why we brought in Lena, the only staff member in the dark. Why did you want her to lie? Without telling her anything, she wouldn't have any information to give, no matter how much the Young Master questioned her, making it impossible for him to detect anything amiss."
Stephen reflected, "The reason I disagreed with using a servant from the Wade family was precisely because I feared that being too close to the Young Master would reveal flaws."
"Imagine, someone looking after the Young Master day and night for ten years. What if they accidentally slipped up and called him 'Young Master,' or muttered something in their sleep? The Young Master was only eight years old back then; I absolutely couldn't let him realize that everything around him was orchestrated by others."
"That's why I wanted someone unfamiliar to him to take care of him, to let him live a truly ordinary orphan's life here. That's why, despite my heartache, I didn't dare give him any extra care; why he was bullied and isolated by other children in the orphanage, and why I didn't intervene..."
With that, Stephen sighed deeply, "If it weren't for him wanting to cure Lena's illness, I wouldn't have known how to convince the Young Master to accept the old master's gift."
"And now?" the director asked anxiously, "The Young Master will surely contact you after hearing this from Lena, and he'll try to find out who killed his parents. He might even return to Eastcliff, and if the Wade family tries to harm him, can he withstand it?"
Stephen calmly said, "The Young Master has a title in Aurous Hill, 'The True Heavenly Dragon Among Men.' It wasn't given by himself but by influential figures in Aurous Hill, proving he's no ordinary person and not easily targeted."
He continued, "The old master's health isn't great, but he can hold on for a few more years. I didn't want the Young Master to return to Eastcliff so soon, but meeting the Snow family's young lady was unexpected..."
"The Snow family has been searching for him for years. Once they met, they would inevitably tell him everything, and he would realize someone was behind it all. My guess was right, so why continue to hide it from him? Moreover, Lena, having been closest to him since childhood, speaking from her mouth is more effective than from mine. Only this way can inspire the Young Master to return to Eastcliff and stir up a storm in the Wade family."
Stephen, with tears in his eyes, trembled, "I am powerless to avenge the second son's deep-seated hatred. Now, let the Young Master personally avenge the second son and his wife. Then, even in death, I can rest in peace."
Chapter 1389: "Dialing for Answers: The Orphan and the Steward"
As soon as Stephen finished talking, his phone buzzed on the table.
It was Charlie calling.
He quickly wiped his tears, answered the phone calmly, and respectfully said, "Young Master!"
At the same time, Charlie was leaving the Aurous Hill Orphanage, holding his phone outside.
"Steward Thompson, thank you for everything over the years," Charlie said.
Stephen replied, "Young Master, what do you mean? I don't quite understand."
"I just left the orphanage," Charlie said.
Stephen smiled, "Ah, so you went back there. It's where you grew up, must hold a lot of memories for you."
Charlie chuckled, "No need to pretend. Aunt Lena told me everything. You're the one who arranged for her to save me and set up the orphanage to keep me safe. I'll never forget that kindness."
Stephen sighed, "Young Master, you know all this?"
"Yes, and that's why I'm calling to thank you."
Charlie didn't know there were still more secrets.
But right now, he was truly grateful to Stephen.
Stephen hurriedly said, "Young Master, your kindness is too much. I couldn't save your parents, and I'll always regret it, let alone accept your thanks..."
"I'm not just calling to thank you, but also to ask about my parents' death. Any leads?" Charlie asked.
Stephen sighed, "I've been looking for years, but found nothing..."
"And those assassins had cyanide capsules in their mouths..."
"Cyanide's a deadly poison, used by special agents. Just a tiny bit can kill, and there's no antidote..."
"I saw them die from it, but I couldn't do anything. I tried to check their fingerprints, but they'd been wiped clean. No clues on them, not even their identities."
Charlie asked, "Any suspects?"
Stephen said, "I'd say there's a fifty-fifty chance it was someone from the Wade family."
"Why's that?" Charlie asked sharply.
Stephen explained, "Your dad was powerful and rising in the Wade family. But he made enemies with some big Western families. He got framed and left in anger..."
"The old master felt guilty and wanted to find you, bring you back, and make you the successor."
Chapter 1390: "Duties and Devotion: The Steward's Story"
"But, I'm afraid someone from the Wade family might still harm you. The old master is getting old, and bringing you back to the Wade family, exposing you to the Wade family members, he may not be able to protect you completely. So, I took the liberty of settling you in Aurous Hill and completely concealing your information. When Master Snow from the Snow family came looking for you before, I didn't let him know you were here."
Charlie asked again, "Then why did you call me back recently?"
Stephen replied seriously, "Young Master, I won't hide it from you. The old master's health has been deteriorating over the past two years. However, he is dissatisfied with the current situation of the Wade family heirs not making progress and unwilling to hand over the Wade family to them. So I told him that you were still alive. Naturally, the old master was extremely excited and wanted to groom you as the successor. The Emgrand's Group and the 10 billion were just a warm-up. In the future, when you are willing to return, the trillions of assets of the Wade family may all be entrusted to you!"
Charlie said lightly, "I understand, Steward Thompson. You have been taking care of my affairs for so many years, and I appreciate it."
Stephen hurriedly said, "Young Master, I dare not take credit! Your father's kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain. Even if it's just a small matter, I will never hesitate!"
Charlie sighed, "I'm not interested in the assets of the Wade family. However, when the time is right, I will definitely investigate the hidden truth behind my parents' death. When that time comes, those who need to settle accounts will be settled."
Stephen was extremely excited, his voice trembling, "Young Master! With your words, I can die without regrets! You are now the supreme in the Southern Province, a true dragon among men. I believe with your strength, you will definitely avenge Second Master and Second Madam!"
At this point, Stephen was already in tears.
Back then, Stephen was not yet the head steward of the Wade family. He was just an assistant beside Charlie's father. Due to his considerable income, he was targeted by unscrupulous friends and ended up in Macau, where he lost everything at the gambling table.
Stephen then descended into becoming a gambling addict, borrowing high-interest loans everywhere to try to turn the tables in Macau, only to sink deeper and deeper.
In the end, not only did Stephen lose everything, but he was also chased by loan sharks. When he was desperate, he pressed his own hands on the gambling table, but unexpectedly, even his hands were lost.
According to Macau's underworld rules, in the casino, regardless of what you lose, you must be willing to accept the outcome of the bet. As a result, in the corners near the casino, countless crippled gamblers begged to survive.
Yet even so, these gamblers scrimped and saved, hoping to save up a little money to gamble again, completely ruining their lives.
Stephen almost fell to this level back then.
Later, it was Charlie's father who spent millions to redeem him from the casino unharmed, then forced him to swear never to gamble again.
To ensure that he completely quit gambling, Charlie's father promoted him, making him his personal steward, always keeping him by his side, never allowing him to touch any gambling table again.
Since then, Stephen woke up and wholeheartedly assisted Charlie's father. Not only did he spare no effort to relieve Charlie's father's worries, but he also learned a lot of valuable management and development experience from Charlie's father. In a few years, he grew into the most capable subordinate of the Wade family.
After that, he was appreciated by Charlie's grandfather. Although the old master intended for him to become the head steward of the entire Wade family, he refused adamantly. In the end, it was Charlie's father who forced him to accept the position.
In Charlie's father's words, Stephen had reached a level of capability where he shouldn't confine himself to being a mere personal steward. He should have broader development opportunities.
In his view, being the head steward of the entire Wade family was the highest position that the upper class could give to an outsider. If Stephen could occupy this position, he could guarantee prosperity and wealth in his lifetime. He didn't want Stephen to give up this heaven-sent opportunity for his own sake.
Although Stephen was no longer Charlie's father's personal steward, his loyalty to Charlie's father grew stronger, even regarding him as the object of his lifelong admiration and assistance.
Unfortunately, Charlie's father passed away too early, which was Stephen's biggest regret in life.
He always felt that if he were still Charlie's father's personal steward, perhaps Charlie's parents wouldn't have died.
Even if he could have taken a few bullets for them at a critical moment, they might have had a better chance of surviving...
Chapter 1391 - "Plots and Pains: Charlie's Quest for Justice"
Thinking about the past, Stephen Thompson couldn't help but cry.
Listening to his heartbreaking sobs, Charlie felt a pang in his heart too.
Though many years had passed, the thought that his parents didn't die accidentally but were murdered filled Charlie with immense pain and resentment.
As a son, he couldn't bear his parents' enemies!
He swore to himself that he would avenge his parents no matter what.
"If those who conspired against my parents thought they could escape, they were wrong. I won't spare any of them," Charlie declared coldly.
"That's good!" Stephen said excitedly but also seriously cautioned, "Young Master, you mustn't act rashly. There are many clues behind this matter that I haven't sorted out yet. We must plan carefully and not reveal ourselves too soon."
"I understand. You can trust me," Charlie nodded.
Then he asked, "I have another question, and I need an honest answer from you."
Stephen immediately replied, "Young Master, feel free to ask."
After a moment of contemplation, Charlie asked, "Was my wife, Claire, also arranged by you?"
Stephen hurriedly explained, "I do know your wife's grandfather. I didn't expect him to meet you at the construction site where you work and propose his granddaughter to you. Although I knew his granddaughter wasn't worthy of you, I didn't intervene because I only wanted to ensure your safety and didn't want to interfere with your life."
Charlie felt relieved.
He knew that Stephen had arranged his childhood in the orphanage, so he was afraid that meeting Claire might also be his arrangement.
So he said to Stephen, "Let's stop here for now. I have plans tonight. Help me sort out the clues you have, and we'll talk in person if there's a chance."
"Of course, Young Master!"
Charlie hung up the phone and realized tears were streaming down his cheeks without his notice.
Today he learned that his parents were killed by evildoers over a decade ago.
Today he learned that the orphanage where he grew up was entirely arranged by Stephen to hide all his information.
The world seemed to have turned upside down again, just like the moment he unexpectedly obtained the Nine Mystical Heavens Scripture, or when he was eight and learned of his parents' death.
Lost in thought, Lorden called, "Master Wade, when will you come over? Do you want me to pick you up?"
"No need," Charlie replied. "I'm going to pick up my wife first, then I'll come over. Just wait for me."
After hanging up, he rode his electric bike to Claire's studio.
Meanwhile, in the office of the director of Aurous Hill Orphanage...
Chapter 1392 - "Orderly Departures: The Orphanage's Final Chapter"
The director saw Stephen finish his phone call and respectfully asked, "Steward Thompson, what should we do now?"
Stephen sighed and said, "Since the young master already knows, there's no need for you all to stay at the orphanage. You should return to your positions at the Wade family. I will make arrangements for you. You've worked hard all these years!"
The director immediately bowed and said, "Steward Thompson, the young master treated us with great kindness during his lifetime. We are willing to serve Master Charlie wholeheartedly, even at the cost of our lives!"
Stephen nodded and said, "You are all elites cultivated by the young master for many years. It's been over a decade since you humbled yourselves at a small orphanage. It's been not only hard but also unfair for you. Take this time to rest well."
"When the young master inherits the Wade family in the future, you will all be his loyal servants. Until then, serve him faithfully!"
"The young master has been raised by you all since childhood. He is kind-hearted, upright, and just. If one day he takes over the Wade family, I believe he will never mistreat you."
The director immediately nodded and said, "That's because the young master has endured many hardships since childhood, which has shaped his invaluable qualities. These qualities are something I haven't seen in all the rich second-generation individuals."
Stephen smiled slightly. "So, making the young master endure hardships at the orphanage back then might not have been a bad thing after all. The young master is ultimately the only son of the second master. As the saying goes, 'Like father, like son.' I believe the young master's achievements in the future will not be inferior to the second master's!"
With that said, Stephen waved his hand and said cheerfully, "Alright, I'm going back to Eastcliff. Hold a meeting with everyone these days, then hand over the orphanage to the relevant local departments in Aurous Hill. Tomorrow, I will give you all some money. Go back and see your families first, then find a comfortable holiday destination to rest."
The director bowed again, saying, "Thank you, Steward Thompson!"
After that, he asked again, "By the way, Steward Thompson, what about Little Lena? She didn't know anything before, but now she knows some inside information."
Stephen said, "Little Lena has spent many years taking care of the young master and has devoted a lot of effort. She's not young anymore, so it's time for her to retire and enjoy her later years. I have a manor in Canada, I'll give it to her for retirement. Let's not let her see the young master again until he successfully inherits the Wade family."
The director said, "Little Lena has an adopted daughter who also works at the orphanage. She grew up with the young master and doesn't know anything about these matters. I'm afraid Little Lena won't bear to leave her."
Stephen sighed and said, "Have a talk with that girl, selectively tell her some things, and then let her accompany her adoptive mother to Canada. There are many Chinese people there, and the language requirements are not high. The mother and daughter can start a new life there quickly. I've investigated the girl's background; it's clean, and she likes the young master. She won't do anything harmful to him."
"Good!"
That night, the Aurous Hill Orphanage suddenly underwent a major change.
Everyone packed their belongings quietly, and the municipal staff also came to hand over duties with the original team.
No one knew why the entire management team of a orphanage, from the director to the cook, suddenly had to be replaced. Did these people make some major mistakes?
But they couldn't imagine that these people, like a disciplined army, had already finished this prolonged battle. Now, it was time for an orderly retreat from the battlefield.
Although Aunt Lena was reluctant, she also knew that, like Charlie before her, she had been completely unaware of these matters. But now, she knew some insider information, including Charlie's true identity as the young master of the Wade family.
So, she also understood that she couldn't continue to stay here.
Now that she knew this information, she couldn't say she was innocent anymore.
Her current self had been drawn into this group, and she had to obey the orders of the Wade family.
So, she made a decision to follow the director's instructions and temporarily go to Canada for recuperation.
As for Natasha, Aunt Lena didn't tell her the truth. She just told her that the kind person who had previously helped her with medical expenses was now helping her go abroad for a while. Since she had no relatives, she hoped Natasha could accompany her.
Natasha regarded Aunt Lena as her own mother, so she naturally agreed without hesitation. She began to pack her bags and prepare to go abroad with her.
Aunt Lena thought that she would tell Natasha the truth after they arrived in Canada.
Chapter 1393 - "Revelations and Reservations: The Dinner Guest"
Charlie rode his electric bike to his wife's studio. As soon as he entered, Claire asked in surprise, "Honey, why are your eyes red?"
"Really?" Charlie replied, rubbing his eyes and laughing. "The sandstorm on the way here irritated my eyes."
Claire said with concern, "You shouldn't always ride the electric bike. We have two cars at home, yet you still choose the bike every day. I feel guilty about it."
"It's okay," Charlie smiled, casually saying, "I like riding the electric bike. It's convenient, simple, and eco-friendly."
Claire sighed helplessly. "You always seem indifferent about everything you say."
She closed her computer and stood up, saying, "I just finished a case for Emgrand Group today. Doris York, was generous enough to approve the payment promptly. How about I buy you a car? That way, you'll have another means of transportation."
"No need, no need. If I really want to drive, I would have taken one of the sports cars owned by White or Ward, the CEOs."
Seeing he wasn't joking, Claire reluctantly said, "Alright, just let me know when you're done with the electric bike."
Charlie said, "Darling, we need to hurry. I have a dinner appointment tonight."
Surprised, Claire asked, "Who did you arrange to meet tonight? You never tell me anything; it's always so mysterious."
Charlie chuckled, "I've invited an important guest. You'll find out when we get there."
"Important guest?" Claire puzzled, "Is it another one of your feng shui clients?"
Charlie smiled, "This one is a secret for now. You'll know once you come with me."
"Alright," Claire nodded. "Then I'll just tag along for dinner tonight."
Later, the couple left the studio and headed to the parking lot. Charlie put his foldable electric bike into the trunk of Claire's BMW, and then they drove together to Shangri-La.
Meanwhile, Lorden was chatting with Haidee and Lilah in the most luxurious private room.
When Lorden mentioned that Master Wade was hosting a banquet here tonight, Isaac, being the spokesperson for the Wade family in Aurous Hill, knew about the prestigious families in Eastcliff, naturally recognized Haidee's background.
To his astonishment, he saw Haidee seated in the private room.
He never imagined that the person in the room would be Haidee, the eldest daughter of the Snow family in Eastcliff and one of the hottest actresses in China.
Isaac, as a high-ranking member of the Wade family, was aware that Haidee's family had been searching for their young master, who was childhood friends with Haidee. Seeing her here, he couldn't help but feel shocked.
Was tonight's esteemed guest her?
The entire capital knew that Haidee was the childhood sweetheart of their young master, and her family had been searching for him.
Seeing this situation, it seemed that their young master had been found by her.
However, their young master was already married. Wouldn't this be awkward?
Chapter 1394 - "Gossips and Guests: A Night with Charlie"
Caught off guard, Haidee looked at him with a dark face and blurted out, "Isaac! Did you already know that my brother Charlie was in Aurous Hill?"
"Uh? Um, well..." Isaac suddenly didn't know how to respond, stuttering and unable to make sense of it.
Haidee bit her little white teeth and said angrily, "You're really not honest at all! I've asked you so many times about Charlie's whereabouts, and you never said a word of truth!"
Embarrassed, Isaac said, "Miss Snow, you've misunderstood me. I only found out recently that the young master was in Aurous Hill. I've been representing the Wade family here for quite some time, and I had never heard about it before."
Lilah, standing nearby, asked in surprise, "What the heck?! Haidee, are you saying that Charlie, Mr. Wade, is the brother you've been looking for?"
Haidee nodded seriously, "Yes, it's him! This scoundrel made it so difficult for me to find him!"
Lilah exclaimed excitedly, "Wow! That's fantastic! You've finally found him, does that mean you can get married soon? I remember you've always said that once you find your brother Charlie, you'll immediately leave the entertainment industry and marry him to have children."
Haidee's face immediately turned red, embarrassedly saying, "I, I would like to, but, but that scoundrel is married."
"Oh my god!" Lilah exploded, blurting out, "What's wrong with this Wade guy? Doesn't he know he's engaged? Doesn't he know he has a stunning fiancée who's been looking for him? How dare he marry another woman? When he comes, I'll definitely scold him to his face! He's a modern-day scoundrel!"
Lorden and Isaac exchanged glances, both looking very embarrassed.
Lorden also only just found out about the relationship between Haidee and Master Wade, naturally feeling shocked.
At this moment, Haidee said, "Lilah, Master Wade's wife will also come later. I promised Master Wade not to reveal our relationship at the dinner table, so you mustn't speak out of turn."
"How can that be!" Lilah said indignantly, "While that jerk's wife is here, you should seize the opportunity and directly tell her in front of her that you and Master Wade have a relationship. Make her aware and voluntarily step back. I don't believe any woman would dare to compete with you, Haidee, for a husband!"
"Oh no!" Haidee said solemnly, "I've promised Master Wade about this matter. If you dare to make me break my word, I won't let you off the hook later!"
"Hey, Haidee, are you kidding me?" Lilah blurted out, "This dinner is the perfect opportunity for you to drive away his original wife. You must seize it well, or you will regret it in the future."
"Enough, enough." Lilah said helplessly, "It's your decision, but don't regret it in the future."
At this moment, Charlie and Claire had already arrived outside the private room.
Before entering, Claire asked him, "Who is the distinguished guest we're meeting? It's so mysterious."
Charlie smiled, "Don't worry, it's definitely one of the people you most want to see."
"The person I most want to see?" Claire's beautiful eyebrows furrowed slightly, "I can't even think of who I most want to see right now."
Charlie smiled, "You'll find out once we go in."
With that, he lightly knocked on the door, then pushed the door of the private room inward.
Claire immediately saw Haidee, who was sitting facing the door in the luxurious private room, and she was instantly stunned!
"Oh my god, is it Haidee Snow? Is it really Haidee Snow?"
Chapter 1395 - The Idol and the Fan: Claire's Awkward Meeting with Haidee
Claire couldn't believe her eyes even in her dreams. The stunning beauty in front of her was none other than her favorite female celebrity, Haidee Snow.
Haidee was currently the hottest female celebrity in the country, with the most influence. Even many other celebrities were her fans, openly expressing their admiration for her on Weibo and other social media platforms.
This was mainly because Haidee not only had a beautiful appearance and outstanding external conditions but also possessed excellent acting skills and confidence in front of the camera, which was closely related to the aristocratic temperament she had cultivated since childhood.
What made her fans even more devoted was her aloof personality. She never indulged in the vices of the entertainment industry nor compromised with its people.
This was mainly because of the formidable strength of the Snow family. No one or company in the entire Chinese entertainment industry could suppress her.
Her entry into the entertainment industry was like a princess leaving the palace in ancient times. Whether in terms of status, position, or power, she far surpassed the entertainment industry. Therefore, no one could touch her, and she could naturally maintain her true self without any contamination in the entertainment industry.
Haidee was also somewhat shocked to see Claire.
She never expected Charlie's wife to be so beautiful.
Of course, Charlie, whom she had admired for so many years, was indeed handsome enough to match a woman like Claire. However, he had never publicly acknowledged his identity as the young master of the Wade family.
And a perfect woman like Claire was not someone many prominent families in Eastcliff could marry.
It seemed that her competition was quite formidable!
Claire was still a bit nervous at this moment. She whispered to Charlie, "Honey, do we really have to have dinner with Haidee tonight?!"
Charlie nodded and smiled, "How about that? Is it a surprise?"
Claire, excited and incoherent, asked in a low voice, "Can I take a photo with her and ask for an autograph later?"
Charlie smiled and said, "Of course, you can sit next to her directly."
Claire was overjoyed, clenching her fists with excitement, her face full of excitement.
At this moment, Haidee stood up. Although she was somewhat annoyed in her heart, she still politely smiled and said, "Is this Mrs. Wade? Come in, please!"
Claire didn't expect Haidee to speak to her so kindly, making her even more excited and unsure of what to do.
It was Charlie who gently pushed her from behind and said with a smile, "What are you standing there for? Your idol has invited you. Come in quickly."
"O-Okay!" Claire finally regained her senses and stepped into the private room, nervously saying to Haidee, "Miss Snow, I never expected to have the chance to meet you in person. I-I'm your fan!"
Haidee smiled generously and said, "Mrs. Wade is too polite. Please, have a seat."
Seeing that Haidee didn't show any unusual behavior, Charlie finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He wasn't afraid that his wife would find out about his childhood betrothal, but he was afraid she would discover his true identity.
He had been worried all along that after the Wade family found him, besides bringing him the Emgrand Group and billions of dollars in funds, they might also bring him unimaginable troubles and threats.
Everything Stephen and Aunt Lena told him today confirmed his suspicions.
The situation of the Wade family was indeed unfathomable, and even the enemy who had killed his parents was among them.
Chapter 1396 - "Feng Shui and Frivolity: The Art of Awkward Explanations"
Looking at it this way, keeping the decision to hide from Claire was indeed very wise, otherwise it could have put her in danger.
At this moment, Lilah looked at Charlie with a somewhat fierce gaze. In her eyes, Charlie was the unfaithful man who betrayed Haidee. Naturally, he was a thorn in her side.
She even had the impulse to directly speak out the truth at the dinner table, but when she thought of Haidee entrusting her, she could only hold back for the time being.
At the dinner table, Claire sat next to Haidee, while Charlie sat next to Claire.
Haidee glanced at him and deliberately smiled as she asked Claire, "Mrs. Wade, may I ask how many years you and Mr. Wade have been married?"
Claire hurriedly replied, "It's been more than three years, almost four years."
Haidee nodded gently and asked again, "Do you have any children?"
Claire shook her head and said, "Not yet."
Haidee pretended to look surprised and asked, "It's been four years of marriage and still no children. Are you and Mr. Wade part of the DINK group?"
Claire felt a bit embarrassed and said, "It's not exactly DINK, it's just that, you know, we..."
Seeing Claire struggling to answer, Charlie quickly leaned over and said, "We're not ready to have children yet."
Haidee was naturally intelligent. Seeing Claire's shy appearance and Charlie's hasty intervention, she knew there must be something hidden behind it.
So she nodded slightly, smiled, and said, "Not having children is also fine."
Suddenly, Charlie thought of Haidee's remark about not wanting to be a stepmother at a young age, feeling a bit uncomfortable. But he wasn't really angry, after all, it was his own fault for letting Haidee down, not the other way around.
At this moment, Claire asked in surprise, "Miss Snow, you're a big star and have been developing in Eastcliff and overseas. Why did you come to Aurous Hill? And how do you know my husband?"
Haidee smiled and said, "I actually came to be the spokesperson/endorser for Mr. Weigard."
Lorden, who was busy at this time, introduced himself, "Mrs. Wade, hello, I'm Lorden, the general manager of Weigard Pharmaceutical."
Claire politely nodded to Lorden, asked a few questions, and then whispered to Charlie beside her, "Did you again help someone with feng shui?"
Charlie smiled and said, "Yes! Mr. Weigard asked me to check the feng shui of his pharmaceutical factory. Since he also invited Miss Snow to be the spokesperson, and I know you've always admired Miss Snow, so I brought you here to meet her."
Claire suddenly realized.
It turns out that it wasn't her husband who knew the big star Haidee, but her husband helped Lorden with feng shui, and Lorden just happened to invite Haidee to be the spokesperson.
This way, the logical relationship made sense.
At this moment, Haidee on the side said very seriously, "Mrs. Wade, Mr. Wade is indeed very proficient in the art of feng shui, which is admirable. So I plan to invite him to come to my house in Eastcliff to help me with feng shui in a few days. It might take three to five days. Mrs. Wade, do you have any problems with that?"
Claire immediately smiled and said, "No problem, no problem, as long as Miss Snow doesn't mind his average ability and limited skills."
Haidee breathed a sigh of relief in her heart, smiled, and said, "How could it be, Mrs. Wade? I believe Mr. Wade is exceptional, his skills must be extraordinary!"
Chapter 1397 - "Poses and Puzzles: A Portrait of Intrigue"
At this moment, Claire had no guard up against Haidee, who appeared like a celestial being descending to earth.
In her eyes, Haidee epitomized contemporary femininity at its finest, a woman flawless in every aspect, devoid of any worldly concerns.
Therefore, she never even considered that such a woman could potentially be her rival in love.
Charlie, at this moment, also felt relieved. He planned to quietly make a trip to Eastcliff after Dianne finished the finals, to secretly meet Haidee's father, Geraldo Snow.
Meeting Geraldo wasn't the sole purpose; curing his advanced pancreatic cancer was his true intention.
He was his father's good friend. Over the years, not only did he visit his own parents' graves every year, but he also tirelessly searched for his whereabouts. He was determined to repay this debt of gratitude.
Coincidentally, he could also use this opportunity to meet Stephen in Eastcliff, to gain more clues and information.
So, if he were to go to Eastcliff, he'd need at least a day.
Being away for a day without arousing any suspicion from his wife required a perfect excuse. The best one was to accept Haidee's invitation to visit her family in Eastcliff to assess Feng Shui.
With Haidee personally inviting him in front of his wife, there would be no room for doubt.
Haidee, seeing Claire readily agree, nodded happily and said, "I didn't expect Mrs. Wade to be so agreeable. I was worried you might object."
Claire quickly responded, "Miss Snow, if you approve of my husband's abilities, I couldn't be happier. How could I object? But just in case my husband falls short in any way, I hope you'll bear with him."
"Why would that happen?" Haidee smiled and said, "I have great faith in Mr. Wade's abilities, and I'm sure my father and my family feel the same. So, I must thank Mrs. Wade for her cooperation!"
Claire felt pleasantly surprised and said hurriedly, "Miss Snow, you're too kind."
Charlie watched as Haidee kept making such calculated remarks, sending some kind of signal covertly, and couldn't help but feel helpless and frustrated.
He knew Haidee was speaking for his benefit but also indirectly sending a message to Claire, almost as a demonstration in front of him.
However, he couldn't do anything about it.
After all, he owed Haidee, having betrayed the engagement set by both parents all those years ago. He had no right to blame her.
What's more frustrating for Charlie was that he couldn't refuse Haidee outright, as he did with Elsa.
Because Haidee was different.
She had been waiting for him for years, hoping for his return. He had let her down, and in this matter, he couldn't justify himself.
At this moment, Claire, who was unaware of the situation, mustered up the courage to ask Haidee, "Miss Snow, could I take a picture with you?"
Haidee readily agreed and said with a smile, "Sure! Shall we take it now?"
Claire nodded eagerly, "If you're okay with it, let's take it now!"
Haidee nodded and moved her chair closer to Claire, saying with a smile, "Mrs. Wade, you're so beautiful. It's intimidating to take a picture with you."
"How could that be?" Claire said somewhat nervously, "I'm the one feeling intimidated. Miss Snow, not only are you beautiful, but you're also one of the top celebrities in the country. I can't help but feel inferior in your presence."
Chapter 1398 - "Social Significance: WeChat Friendships with Celebrities"
Haidee gave a faint smile. "Come, I'll stand a bit in front. This way, it'll make your face look smaller and prettier."
The two women, as intimate as sisters, took a selfie together.
After taking the photo, Claire held her phone, excitedly asking, "Miss Snow, can I post this photo on my Moments?"
Claire herself wasn't someone who cared much about vanity.
When Charlie bought her a BMW, she didn't post it on Moments;
When Charlie organized a wedding for her in the Shangri-La Sky Garden, she didn't post it on Moments either;
When Charlie took her to experience million-dollar supercars, she still didn't post it on Moments;
Even when they moved into the top-tier luxury apartment of Thomson Elite, she didn't post it on Moments.
The only thing she ever posted on Moments to "show off" was the vegetable garden her husband Charlie built for her overnight.
But this time, she was really finding it hard to resist.
After all, Haidee was her favorite female celebrity, her idol. Being able to have a meal with her idol, and even taking a photo together, how many times in a lifetime could you experience something like this?
Haidee also generously nodded with a smile, "Of course, Mrs. Wade, go ahead."
With Haidee's permission, Claire immediately thanked her happily and then opened her WeChat to post the photo on Moments.
Her caption for the Moments post read: "Never in my dreams did I think I'd have the chance to meet my idol and take a photo with her!"
The photo was posted and received countless likes and comments.
Claire's social circle had always been within Aurous Hill. For a second-tier city like Aurous Hill, opportunities to meet A-list celebrities were rare.
Especially top-tier celebrities like Haidee were extremely difficult to come across.
So, Claire's Moments post triggered numerous exclamations and envy from people.
Many even privately messaged her, asking for details of her meeting with Haidee, such as where she was now, if Haidee had come to Aurous Hill, and if she could help get a signed photo of Haidee, and so on.
Haidee, on the side, smiled and said, "Mrs. Wade, I didn't let the public know about my visit to Aurous Hill this time. So if anyone asks, you mustn't say I'm in Aurous Hill."
Claire hurriedly nodded, "I understand, Miss Snow. You can trust me, I won't reveal it to anyone!"
Haidee nodded and said with a smile, "By the way, Mrs. Wade, how about we exchange WeChat contacts? In the future, if there's anything, we can directly contact each other on WeChat."
"Exchange WeChat?!" Claire exclaimed, "You want to add me as a WeChat friend?"
Claire couldn't believe her idol, Haidee, was actually asking to add her as a WeChat friend. She had entertained this thought before. If she could add Haidee as a friend, even if she didn't have much time to chat with her, she could often see her Moments and keep up with her latest updates.
But then, she thought about the vast difference in status between herself and Haidee. Being able to have a meal together was already a great fortune. How could she dare to ask someone like Haidee to add her as a WeChat friend?
Yet, she never imagined that Haidee would actually take the initiative to add her as a friend on WeChat. Becoming WeChat friends with her idol was truly something she wouldn't dare to dream of!
Chapter 1399 - "WeChat Formalities: Navigating Social Media Connections"
After Haidee and Claire added each other as WeChat friends, they turned to Charlie with a smile and said, "Oh, Master Wade, let's also add each other as friends."
With that, she handed her WeChat QR code to Charlie.
Charlie had no choice but to take out his phone, scan it, and add her as a friend.
Haidee grinned triumphantly at him, then asked him seriously, "Master Wade, roughly when will you be setting off for Eastcliff? Can you give me an approximate time so I can prepare?"
Charlie replied, "Probably next week, but I can't set the exact time right now."
Haidee nodded, smiling, "Master Wade, then my father and I will await your arrival in Eastcliff!"
Suddenly, Charlie remembered what Haidee had said before, about how when they reached Eastcliff and met her father, he wouldn't beat him up.
Hmm, the more he thought about this, the less he wanted to face her father, Geraldo.
Just as Charlie was getting a headache over the Snow family father and daughter, in the special care ward of the People's Hospital of Aurous Hill, Nanako, her assistant Koichi, and Jiro of the Kobayashi family, all stood motionless on either side of Nanako's coach, Kazuki Yamamoto's hospital bed.
Kazuki Yamamoto on the hospital bed looked extremely haggard.
The doctor had just completed his third full-body examination, once again confirming that his entire nervous system had been severely damaged, with almost no chance of recovery.
As for the bloody words "East Asian weakling" on his forehead, they were still glaringly visible.
Nanako really hoped the doctor could use gauze to cover Kazuki Yamamoto's forehead, so as not to further upset her mentor.
However, Kazuki Yamamoto firmly refused the proposal.
The ugly words left on his forehead by Orvel were perhaps the biggest disgrace of his life, but also the deepest lesson.
Before Charlie defeated him with a single palm, Kazuki Yamamoto still thought of himself as a world-class martial arts master.
It wasn't until Charlie's single palm that he realized he was just a tiny ant on the path of martial arts.
However, anyone devoted to martial arts has a sense of honor. Even if they lose, most people can accept defeat gracefully, and some may even accept being accidentally killed in a competition without regret.
Although Kazuki Yamamoto's mind wasn't as broad, the terrifying strength displayed by Charlie also earned his utmost respect.
At this moment, Nanako looked at him with sorrowful eyes and said, "Master, I have already communicated with my father. He will contact the best hospitals and doctors in Tokyo to help you with treatment and recovery, and a special plane will come tomorrow to take you back to Japan!"
Chapter 1400 - "Tears and Tenacity: A Master's Mandate"
"No, I won't leave!" Kazuki Yamamoto couldn't move a muscle, but he could still shake his head gently.
"I can't be healed by any doctor, and going back to Japan won't make any difference. As your master, I can't leave you alone here. I want to accompany you through the competition and then return to Japan together," he said, his voice strained.
Nanako hurriedly responded, "Master, I might not be able to win this competition. After today's matches, I watched Dianne's recording. Her strength has improved significantly since last time. Even facing talented fighters like Joanna, I might struggle to win. But Dianne defeated Joanna with just one move. Her strength surpasses mine by far."
Kazuki Yamamoto sighed, "I watched Dianne's match live from the hospital and on Chinese video platforms. Her strength now is indeed formidable, much stronger than before! I can't believe someone could progress so much in such a short time! It's mind-blowing!"
Nanako said seriously, "I think it's because of her coach, Charlie Wade. He only became her coach since the last competition."
Thinking of Charlie, Kazuki Yamamoto couldn't help but admire, "Charlie is truly a master of martial arts! It seems he's the real deal when it comes to cultivating internal energy, as described in Chinese martial arts legends! I used to think it was all a hoax, but now I understand!"
Jiro interjected, "I've studied ancient Chinese medical texts. The earliest Chinese medical book, 'Huangdi Neijing,' (is a classical Chinese medical text that dates back to ancient China. It is also known as the "Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon" or "The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine") mentions internal energy. There's even a section on how to circulate internal energy in the body. This shows that the Chinese have been cultivating internal energy for thousands of years."
Kazuki Yamamoto, full of admiration, said, "I never imagined that there could be such a thing as internal energy in the world. If only I had known about this ten or twenty years ago, I would have come to China, visited all the famous mountains and rivers, and sought a true master to learn internal energy."
With a sigh, Yamamoto wiped his tears with his deeply wrinkled face.
Seeing her mentor in such a miserable state, Nanako couldn't help but shed tears as well.
At this moment, Yamamoto looked at her with a fiery gaze, "Nanako! I'm no longer qualified to be your master. If you want to make greater progress in martial arts, you must find a way to study under Charlie Wade!"
"What?!" Nanako exclaimed, "Study under him?! I can't! You are the only mentor I'll ever have! I won't accept anyone else!"
"Stubborn!" Yamamoto scolded, "What can I teach you now? Even if I were not incapacitated, I've already taught you everything. What's left is just some combat experience."
"But look at me now. Combat experience means nothing against real masters, against absolute strength. I'm nothing but a weakling. And you, my disciple, haven't surpassed me. It means you're just a weakling too!"
With passionate eyes, Yamamoto asked Nanako, "After nearly twenty years of obsession with martial arts, are you willing to remain a weakling?"
Nanako clenched her lips tightly and said, "Master, I refuse to be a weakling!"
Yamamoto immediately exclaimed, "Then go study under Charlie! Only then will you have a chance to become a true strong fighter. Otherwise, I advise you to give up on martial arts now because what we pursue, compared to Charlie, is simply rubbish!"
, and Claire had to deal with so much BS 'cause of him. He even had the nerve to ask for money during Grandma Wilson's big party, making Claire hella embarrassed 
. They kicked Charlie Wade out, but then plot twist! 
Some butler dude shows up. Turns out, Charlie Wade's actually from the uber-rich Wade clan. The butler's like, "Come home, fam." But since his parents were, like, done dirty by the Wade fam, he's like "Nah." But he did take his grandpa’s black card loaded with 10 billion. 
#MicDrop
