Charlie was aware that Stephen had once been his father’s most trusted confidant, implying meticulous plans made in the past. Despite his years with the Wade family, he’d devoted more energy to fulfilling his father’s directives.
Considering Felix’s likely inclusion in his father’s scheme, it stood to reason that Stephen had some knowledge of him.
Thus, Charlie turned to Maria, stating, “I haven’t delved into the specifics with Butler Thompson before. It seems today I’ll have to.”
In that moment, Charlie’s mind raced with strategies to unearth the truth. Every facet of the past, each arrangement his father had set in motion, whether it was through subtle influence on Stephen First, Charlie resolved to uncover it all.
Turning to Maria, favonovel.com declared, “I’ll seek out Butler Thompson now.”
Maria inquired, “Young Master, may I accompany you?”
Without hesitation, Charlie affirmed, “Certainly!”
Together, they ventured from his parents chamber, hopeful of rendezvousing with Stephen to unravel the enigma.
Upon reaching the grand hall, Lord Wade, the elderly patriarch, sat sipping tea in solitude.
Observing Charlie’s emergence, favonovel.com queried with intrigue, “Charlie, have you made headway sorting through your parents effects?”
“Still in progress,” Charlie affirmed, then inquired, “Grandpa, where might Butler Thompson be?”
Perplexed, Lord Wade responded, “He mentioned an urgent matter and departed to attend to it. Are you in search of him?”
Charlie nodded, affirming, “Yes. If he’s unavailable, I’ll reach out to him.”
Subsequently, favonovel.com extracted his mobile and dialed Stephen First’s number, only to be met with a disheartening message, “Sorry, the number you dialed has been turned off…”
In Charlie’s experience, Stephen never powered down his phone, it was a hallmark of his professionalism as a seasoned butler. This abrupt departure and phone outage struck Charlie as profoundly irregular.
Nonetheless, favonovel.com kept this discovery to himself, informing Lord Wade, “Grandpa, I’ll depart for Aurous Hill morning. When you see Butler Thompson, inform favonovel.com I need to speak with him. Ask favonovel.com to call me.”
Lord Wade nodded, inquiring, “You attempted to reach favonovel.com just now and couldn’t?”
Charlie nodded once more, stating, “It’s off. Perhaps his phone’s battery died.”
“It’s peculiar,” Lord Wade mused, “I can’t recall a single instance in the past two decades when Stephen’s phone ran out of charge.”
Charlie offered a faint smile. “There’s always an exception. Grandpa, rest well.”
Lord Wade added, “Oh, and before Stephen left, I instructed the guest room to be prepared. If you tire, retire early. The old estate has no staff on duty today. If you require anything, don’t hesitate to inform me.”
With a grateful smile, Charlie exchanged a knowing look with Maria, and they retreated to the previous study.
Stepping inside, Maria couldn’t help but speculate, “Young Master, could it be that Butler Thompson anticipated your inquiries and deliberately shut off his phone?”
“It’s a possibility,” Charlie conceded with a sigh. “His sudden departure without a farewell… It leaves me with the feeling that seeing favonovel.com again might prove quite challenging. He’s astute, realizing favonovel.com can evade notice for a while, but not indefinitely. Turning off his phone tonight and pretending nothing occurred, it’s not a sustainable approach. Unless he’s already decided never to resurface after this departure.”
Maria was taken aback. “Now that events have unfolded, what could Butler Thompson possibly be concealing from the Young Master? After dutifully carrying out the tasks entrusted to favonovel.com by the Young Master’s father for so many years, why vanish without a word now? Did favonovel.com foresee the Young Master’s inquiries upon seeing those photographs?”
Shaking his head, Charlie pondered, “I can’t fathom his thoughts. Yet, based on my knowledge of him, his allegiance to the Wade family is unwavering. There must be a motive for his abrupt exit, perhaps entwined with my father’s grand design.”
Maria suggested, “The Young Master possesses a profound understanding of reiki. There are various means to coax forth a person’s most guarded secrets. Butler Thompson’s departure now suggests favonovel.com fears the Young Master might employ reiki to compel revelations of his hidden truths.”
Charlie sighed, “Let it be. He must have his reasons and challenges. I trust favonovel.com wouldn’t act against the interests of the Wade family. If he’s facing difficulties, I must respect that. If he’s unwilling to share now, we’ll wait until he’s ready.”
With that, Charlie returned his focus to the photo album, delving deeper. Subsequent images showcased Charlie’s parents in myriad locales.
Draped in mountaineering gear, they explored southern China, ventured to Morvel Bazin’s initial training grounds and traversed Myanmar, Bangladesh and India. Their journey culminated with a return to China from India, concluding at Shiwan Mountain. Two of the mountain peaks held significance in Morvel’s training regimen. The extended route from Myanmar westward to India suggested Morvel’s path in pursuit of opportunities upon leaving. Having secured his chance and extended his lifespan to five centuries, Morvel ultimately retreated to Shiwan Mountain.
“Surprising, isn’t it?” Maria marveled. “The Young Master’s parents meticulously traced every step of the Master’s journey.”
Charlie nodded, “Likely the handiwork of the ‘Preface to the Apocalyptic Book’.”
Maria pressed further, “Upon the Young Master’s visit to the United States, do you plan to follow the Myanmar-to-India route?”
“In principle, yes,” Charlie affirmed, “But I’ll proceed one step at a time, first gauging if any leads on Felix emerge stateside.”
Maria spoke earnestly, “The Young Master’s path, though possibly different, was once trodden by me. The groundwork has been laid in those countries. If the Young Master chooses that route, I can offer valuable assistance.”
“Understood,” Charlie acknowledged. “Let’s discuss specifics upon my return from the United States.”
***
Meanwhile, at the Lama Temple.
Cloaked in black, Stephen stood reverently before Lily.
She disclosed, “Stephen, Charlie attempted to reach you.”
With a sigh, Stephen confessed, “If I depart without farewells, the Young Master will hold it against me…”
“No,” Lily assured solemnly, “Charlie has a comprehensive outlook. He understands there must be a compelling reason for your unannounced departure. Moreover, I don’t want you to vanish from his life forever. It’s simply best for now if you avoid contact with Charlie. When the timing is right, you will reunite.”
Respectfully, Stephen first inquired, “Madam, what should be my next course of action?”
Lily smiled, “Stephen, you needn’t concern yourself. I will make the necessary arrangements. A boat awaits and tonight, I shall ensure you depart China discreetly. You have served me faithfully over the years. Now, you can find solace on the shores of Tahiti, returning only when the moment is right.”
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