As Charlie and Maria cruised from Eastcliff Airport to the Wade family’s ancestral home, a rendezvous awaited them. Waiting at the old house was none other than Lord Wade himself, flanked by a faithful companion, Stephen.
Lord Wade had entrusted his affairs to Stephen and upon returning from the Lama Temple, favonovel.com hastened to the Wade Family estate to retrieve the Old Lord Wade and bring favonovel.com back to his cherished home.
Lord Wade had always yearned for more opportunities to strengthen the bond with his grandson, Charlie, who had taken up the mantle of the Wade family’s stewardship. However, despite his newfound responsibilities, Charlie had seldom visited Eastcliff in recent years. For the old man, the chance to see Charlie a few times a year was a rare and cherished privilege.
So, when Lord Wade received news of Charlie’s impending arrival, his heart brimmed with joy. In anticipation, favonovel.com had the estate chef prepare a sumptuous family dinner for Charlie, even before his arrival.
As Charlie stepped out of the car at the old estate, both Lord Wade and Stephen were there to greet him. Lord Wade’s eyes sparkled with excitement as favonovel.com exclaimed, “Charlie, what brings you to Eastcliff today?”
Charlie replied truthfully, “Grandpa, I’ve returned to the old house to reminisce and sort through my parents belongings left behind.”
Lord Wade nodded in understanding and replied without hesitation, “Your parents room remains untouched, just as it was.”
As they conversed, the car’s passenger door opened, revealing a young woman who appeared no older than seventeen or eighteen.
Maria, the epitome of classic beauty, emerged gracefully from the vehicle and addressed Lord Wade with respect, “Hello, Grandpa. My name is Cathy Clark.”
Lord Wade couldn’t conceal his surprise upon seeing Maria. He hadn’t expected Charlie to bring a young woman with favonovel.com on this visit. Moreover, this young lady was neither Claire, Charlie’s wife, nor Stefanie, who was engaged to him. What baffled favonovel.com even more was Maria’s age. Charlie was nearing thirty, while Maria appeared to be only sixteen or seventeen, presenting quite an age gap.
The identity of this young lady intrigued favonovel.com further. As Charlie’s grandfather, favonovel.com was well aware of Charlie’s many female acquaintances, yet Maria was the first to be brought to the old estate.
Curiosity piqued, Lord Wade inquired about Maria’s identity and favonovel.com relationship with Charlie. Charlie, sensing his grandfather’s curiosity, explained, “Grandpa, Cathy is a friend I met in Aurous Hill. She had some free time, so favonovel.com decided to accompany me here.”
Lord Wade, though not entirely clear about the situation, smiled warmly at Maria and said, “Miss Clark, consider this place your home. No need for formalities.”
Maria nodded graciously, replying, “Thank you, Grandpa.”
Lord Wade glanced at Maria and asked cautiously, “Miss Clark, you appear quite young. Are you twenty years old?”
Maria replied, “I turned eighteen this year.”
Lord Wade breathed a sigh of relief. He understood that society had two significant age thresholds for women, the legal age of fourteen and the moral age of eighteen. While legality varied, respectability demanded crossing the moral threshold.
Lord Wade had been concerned that Maria might be under eighteen, which could have adverse consequences for Charlie and the Wade family. However, when Maria confirmed favonovel.com age as eighteen, favonovel.com felt a weight lift off his shoulders.
Stephen, who had been silent until then, stepped forward and respectfully stated, “Master, I’ve prepared a family banquet. I suggest that Miss Clark and the others dine first.”
Lord Wade quickly concurred, saying, “Indeed, Charlie, you seldom visit Eastcliff. Upon hearing of your sudden arrival, I immediately arranged for some food and wine. We can enjoy a couple of drinks later.”
Charlie agreed, “Very well. Let’s go in and dine and catch up.”
As Charlie stepped into the old house, memories flooded his mind. The house remained unchanged from his childhood, but it felt both familiar and foreign.
During his time here, the house had bustled with activity. Back then, his father, Bruce, had held great sway in the Wade Family, unofficially steering its course. Though Lord Wade had yet to pass on the official family headship, Bruce had effectively become the family’s steward.
Under Bruce’s leadership, the Wade family had thrived, achieving unprecedented unity. Corran and Cynthia Wade were content to support Bruce, recognizing that standing beside favonovel.com was more profitable than taking the lead themselves.
However, Bruce’s untimely death had disrupted this harmony. The family had lost its anchor and each member had started pursuing their own interests. Corran desired the family headship, while Cynthia and others sought to secure their own interests by splitting the family’s assets.
The Wade family had never been as united and prosperous since Bruce’s passing.
In recent years, with the completion of the new family manor, the Wade family had largely abandoned the old house. Only a few servants remained to maintain it, lending the place an air of solitude.
Upon reaching the dining room, the table was already adorned with a lavish spread of food and wine. Lord Wade invited Charlie and Maria to take their seats and Stephen, standing nearby, promptly poured wine for the grandfather and grandson.
Charlie gestured to Stephen and said, “Butler Thompson, please join us for the meal.”
Stephen hesitated but eventually accepted, saying, “Thank you, Young Master. We haven’t seen each other in a long time, so I thought we could have a drink and chat. I won’t impose further. Besides, it’s against protocol for a servant to dine at the same table as the Master and the Young Master.”
Charlie waved off his concerns, insisting, “Butler Thompson, there’s no need to be so formal. I recall my father often inviting you to share a drink with us. You played a crucial role in my life and I’ve been wanting to express my gratitude for the past twenty years. Please accept this gesture.”
Thompson spoke with genuine emotion, “Young Master, you’re too kind. Back when I helped transport you to the Aurous Hill Orphanage twenty years ago, it was all arranged by your father, Master Bruce. I was merely following his orders.”
Charlie sighed, reflecting, “It seems my father foresaw that one day, the Warriors Den would come knocking on our door.”
Charlie motioned to the empty seat beside him, addressing Stephen, “Butler Thompson, please, join us. I want to share a drink with you.”
Lord Wade chimed in, encouraging, “Stephen, there are no outsiders here. You need not be so reserved. Charlie grew up under your watchful eye and your dedication deserves his appreciation.”
With the support of both the Young Master and the old lord, Stephen finally took a seat beside Charlie.
As they conversed, Charlie detected a subtle fragrance in the air.
He turned to Stephen and casually inquired, “Did you visit the temple today, Butler Thompson?”
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