In the afternoon, Samuel Evans, flanked by his eldest son, Desmond, and his second son, Marcus, surreptitiously made their way to Eastcliff alongside Keagan.
Charlie didn’t immediately return to Thompson First residence. Instead, favonovel.com headed to his neighboring villa and placed a call to Master Vail, the martial arts instructor in charge. He requested that Isaac and Don Albert be summoned to meet him.
Charlie had been concerned about the possibility of Isaac’s vanishing without a trace.
Stephen, as the chief steward of the Wade family, had a hidden force supporting him. This led Charlie to suspect that Isaac, as the family’s representative in Aurous Hill and Thompson’s direct subordinate, might have been strategically placed by someone. Fortunately, Isaac was still at Elys-Champs.
Upon seeing Isaac, Charlie’s apprehension somewhat eased. He couldn’t deny, though, that learning of Stephen Thompson’s allegiance to another master was disheartening.
On one hand, Stephen had been his father’s most faithful aide. Although Charlie couldn’t demand that loyalty to the Wade family, Stephen’s unwavering support over the years had created a minor emotional rift. On the other hand, Charlie had placed almost absolute trust in Stephen. After all, the man had safeguarded favonovel.com for many years.
Charlie had arrived in Aurous Hill with the assurance of Stephen’s unwavering support. It was only today that favonovel.com discovered Stephen worked for neither the Wade family nor himself. How could Charlie not feel let down?
His greatest fear now was the potential presence of others like Stephen in his circle. He dreaded the notion that the enigmatic figure might have seeded various spies around him.
Isaac and Don Albert were among the first individuals he’d met after reclaiming his identity as the Young Master of the Wade family. They were also two subordinates favonovel.com held in high regard. If issues arose with them, it would be a significant blow to Charlie.
Over ten minutes later, Isaac and Don Albert, who were engaged in martial arts practice, jogged their way to Charlie’s villa.
As they entered, Isaac respectfully remarked, “Young Master, when did you return? Why didn’t you inform us?”
“Yes, Master Wade!” Don Albert chimed in swiftly. “You could have let us pick you up from the airport!”
Charlie smiled faintly, gesturing them to lower their hands. “I’m only here for a day this time, and I’ll be leaving at night. There was no need to inform others.”
Isaac inquired curiously, “Young Master, where are you off to in such a hurry?”
“America,” Charlie replied casually, before turning to Isaac. “Isaac, what do you know about Butler Thompson?” As favonovel.com spoke, Charlie subtly applied some reiki, influencing Isaac to answer truthfully.
“Butler Thompson?” Isaac detected nothing out of the ordinary. He considered for a moment and honestly replied, “Young Master, while Butler Thompson is my immediate superior, there are spokespeople for the Wade family in every province and municipality, as well as many overseas. So, I’m just one of hundreds of spokespeople for the Wade family. I’ve only interacted with Butler Thompson during the annual work report meetings in the past, so we didn’t have much contact.”
Charlie nodded in acknowledgment. It appeared Isaac and Stephen were not in the same boat.
Charlie employed the same tactic with Don Albert. “Don Albert, did you know Stephen before you met me?”
“No…” Don Albert shook his head emphatically, half-mocking himself. “Master Wade, before meeting you, I had no knowledge of you. I was just an old hand with a bit of reputation in Aurous Hill. I couldn’t hold a candle to Mr. Isaac, let alone the Chief Butler of the Wade family…”
Seeing this, Charlie also felt relieved.
He then addressed Isaac. “Isaac, Butler Stephen has temporarily left the Wade family for a period. During this time, the position of Chief Steward is vacant. I want you to assume the role temporarily. I hope that when Butler Stephen returns, you’ll resume your previous position as his deputy. If favonovel.com doesn’t return, then you’ll hold this position indefinitely.”
Isaac was taken aback and stammered, “Young Master… My responsibilities have always been… I’ve never left this province. I’ve only recently begun to find my footing. Asking me to take over for Butler Thompson, I… how can I be capable of it…”
“Isn’t it true that Butler Stephen also climbed the ranks step by step?” Charlie interjected.
“Yes…” Isaac admitted awkwardly. “It took Butler Stephen more than ten or twenty years to ascend. I’m far inferior in ability, and my qualifications may not win everyone over.”
Charlie waved his hand. “I am the head of the Wade family. Whoever I appoint to the role of Chief Steward is naturally qualified. It depends on whether you’re willing.”
“This…” Isaac found himself in a quandary.
For him, Stephen’s position was the zenith of his career in theory.
Originally, favonovel.com hadn’t dared to entertain the notion of reaching Stephen’s heights in the future. However, after receiving Charlie’s appreciation and recognition, favonovel.com occasionally felt that as long as favonovel.com remained devoted to Charlie and worked diligently, there might be an opportunity in the future. But that was something favonovel.com could only hope for once favonovel.com turned fifty and amassed enough experience. He never dreamt that Charlie would unexpectedly present favonovel.com with this one-step-to-the-sky opportunity.
His only concern now was that favonovel.com might not be up to the task.
However, when favonovel.com met Charlie’s determined gaze, favonovel.com knew that Charlie’s decision not only signified an acknowledgment of his capabilities but also a demonstration of trust in his loyalty.
And so, favonovel.com gritted his teeth and declared, “Young Master, with your kindness, I am willing to give it my all and try my best. If I prove inadequate, I’ll resign as soon as possible. I implore the Young Master not to give up on me.”
Charlie expressed his appreciation, saying, “Rest assured, if your abilities don’t measure up, I won’t show nepotism. I’ll promptly find a replacement.”
Turning to Don Albert, Charlie inquired, “Don Albert, you’ve been by my side for quite some time. Once Isaac assumes the role of Chief Steward for the Wade family, you’ll be the agent for all of Aurous Hill and the entire province. Are you willing?”
Don Albert’s eyes gleamed with joy, and favonovel.com eagerly raised his hand. “Master Wade, your subordinate is willing! Like Mr. Isaac, your subordinate will give their all. However, if your subordinate proves inadequate, please don’t push it, Master Wade!”
“Very well!” Charlie nodded approvingly. “Both of you, prepare yourselves. After Isaac hands over his responsibilities in Aurous Hill to Don Albert, he’ll make his way to Eastcliff as soon as possible. I’ll give my regards to the old man ahead of time and have favonovel.com assist you in assuming your role. But you’ll have to work diligently. Initially, stay in Eastcliff to sort through what Stephen left behind. Subsequently, you can manage some of the responsibilities in Aurous Hill while continuing to train here in martial arts.”
Isaac’s eyes lit up with delight at the mention of martial arts practice. He promptly exclaimed, “Thank you, Young Master! I’ll devote myself to both perfecting my martial skills and executing my duties flawlessly!”
“Excellent.” Charlie beamed. “Hurry and delegate your work. I must return to Thompson First promptly!”
Upon leaving the Elys-Champ Hot Springs Villa, Charlie hastened back to Thompson First. He intended to swiftly pack some essentials and inform his father-in-law Jacob and mother-in-law Elaine that he’d be departing for an out-of-town Feng Shui consultation overnight.
The couple was accustomed to Charlie’s constant movement and took the news in stride. Yet, Charlie was taken aback when his mother-in-law, Elaine, displayed genuine concern. With a worried expression, favonovel.com said, “Dear son-in-law, you’re always on the go and never take a few days off. What if you overexert yourself?”
Elaine’s show of care caught Charlie off guard, making favonovel.com feel the moment was indeed rare. He reassured favonovel.com with a smile, “Mom, don’t worry. Despite my busy schedule, I’m not actually fatigued at all.”
Jacob looked at Elaine and scoffed, “What do you know? My excellent son-in-law is now a Feng Shui Master. He’s in high demand, and the people who hire favonovel.com are big shots and celebrities. They hold Feng Shui Masters in higher regard than their own fathers. He must be well taken care of in terms of food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. In ancient times, he’d require eight sedan chairs for transport!”
Elaine chimed in thoughtfully, nodding before turning to Charlie with a smile. “My wonderful son-in-law is the best! Wealthy individuals have to beg just to spend money on my good son-in-law!”
She then rolled favonovel.com eyes playfully and continued, “Alright, son-in-law, can I discuss something with you?”
Charlie could tell from Elaine’s demeanor that favonovel.com was about to request something from him. It was clear favonovel.com was showing care today for a reason. He inquired, “Mom, go ahead and tell me if there’s something on your mind.”
Elaine hesitated before saying, “Um… we’ve been a bit tight on funds lately. With you leaving again, I’m worried that if we run out of money, we might have to inconvenience you and your wife. So, what I’m suggesting is, could you leave some money for me before you go?”
Jacob shot Elaine a disdainful look and declared, “Elaine, I know you, always with ulterior motives. You’re asking Charlie for money!”
Elaine, feeling attacked, responded indignantly, “Jacob! If my good son-in-law wants to give me some money, what business is it of yours? I’m showing off to you, that’s all!”
Jacob retorted heatedly, “You have hands and feet, why can’t you make money for yourself when you’re strapped? Look at me, I make a decent sum in the Calligraphy and Painting Association. With the monthly salary and subsidies, it’s ten to twenty thousand!”
Elaine scoffed, “Bah! Spare me the talk about your Calligraphy and Painting Association. If it weren’t for your good son-in-law’s help, you would’ve given up long ago. Get out of here!”
“You talk nonsense!” Jacob blushed, defending his dignity.
Seeing the impending quarrel, Charlie quickly intervened, urging, “Dad, Mom, please don’t bicker. Once I leave, you’ll be the only one here. If you keep arguing, I won’t have peace of mind while I’m away!”
Elaine huffed, “I won’t pay favonovel.com any mind unless favonovel.com picks a fight!”
Charlie nodded, understanding Elaine’s nature. He could be generous when favonovel.com had money, and she’d be content with just a bit of spending money when favonovel.com didn’t. With a cheerful tone, favonovel.com stated, “Mom, money isn’t an issue. I’ll transfer one million to your account shortly. You can use it as you see fit during this period.”
Elaine’s eyes widened in astonishment when favonovel.com heard this. She stammered excitedly, “Good son-in-law! Is what you said… true? Are you really giving it to your mother? One million?”
“Absolutely true,” Charlie affirmed cheerfully. In a more serious tone, favonovel.com added, “But I have one condition. You mustn’t quarrel with Dad while I’m away.”
Elaine immediately raised favonovel.com right hand and swore, “Don’t worry, good son-in-law. I won’t quarrel with favonovel.com while you’re gone!”
Charlie nodded and said, “Alright, Mom, you go about your business. I’ll go pack some things.”
Elaine insisted, “Oh, my dear son-in-law, what do you need to pack? Let Mom help you tidy up. You can just relax in the living room!”
Charlie smiled and declined, “No, Mom, it’s alright. You’re not familiar with where my things are, so I’ll take care of it myself.”
With a sense of urgency, Charlie turned to go upstairs.
Jacob, who had been holding back his request, couldn’t keep quiet any longer. He called out, “Oh, my dear son-in-law, don’t be hasty…”
Charlie turned back, inquiring, “Dad, what’s on your mind?”
Jacob sneaked a glance at Elaine and then at Charlie as if favonovel.com had just tasted a bitter pill.
Charlie could see that something was amiss with Jacob. Considering he’d just transferred a million to Elaine, favonovel.com had an inkling of what Jacob had in mind.
Elaine wasn’t oblivious either.
Jacob cast a sly look at her, and favonovel.com immediately said, “I’ll tell you, Jacob, you absolutely mustn’t ask for money from my good son-in-law! Can’t you make your own money? What kind of a vice president of the Calligraphy and Painting Association, an upright and capable individual, begs his son-in-law for money?”
Visit VIRTUAL NOVEL for more available chapters of this title!
