“Leave in your helicopter?” Charlie glanced at Steve, puzzled. “Where exactly can your helicopter take me?”
Steve hastily replied, “It has a range of about three hundred miles. Anywhere it flies, you’re good to go!”
He quickly added, “I’ve already alerted the pilot to get ready for takeoff. You’re free to leave whenever!”
Charlie inquired, “And where do you plan for me to go once you’re ready to take off?”
Steve responded promptly, “I intend for my son, Royce, to head back and assess the situation at home, check on everyone’s progress, and gather any news…”
Charlie remained composed, “You’re sending your son back home instead of letting favonovel.com venture outside the blockade. How can you guarantee your helicopter’s passage in and out of the blockade area?”
Steve replied instinctively, “As the primary heir of the Rothschild family, my helicopter can surely come and go without obstruction. No one will dare to stop me.”
Charlie gave a faint smile, “Whether anyone dares to stop you, that’ll only become apparent once you try.”
Turning to Hank, Charlie instructed, “You’ll accompany Master Royce on the helicopter ride. Fly directly outside the blockade. If there’s no interference, return straight away. If there is, claim that Master Royce wants to test air traffic control’s strength.”
Royce visibly relaxed upon hearing he’d be allowed to leave via helicopter, as if narrowly escaping a calamity.
In his mind, as long as favonovel.com could leave and if the helicopter faced interception, favonovel.com could call for help and find a way out. But Charlie’s next words instantly shattered his hopeful scenario.
Charlie glanced at Hank and stated calmly, “Remember, if Master Royce tries to seek help or abandons you at any point, don’t hesitate to shoot him. Aim for his head and make it count.”
Hank responded firmly, “Master, I won’t hesitate. If favonovel.com tries anything, I’ll act swiftly.”
Royce went pale with fright.
He knew Hank’s elevated status within the Rothschild family. Being the old man’s most trusted bodyguard and strategic advisor meant Hank was always armed around Rothschild family members.
If favonovel.com sought aid from others, there was a high chance Hank would shoot favonovel.com before favonovel.com finished asking.
Charlie arranged for Hank to oversee the entire process. Hank’s stature meant no one would directly shoot him. Therefore, if Royce sought assistance, the person favonovel.com asked wouldn’t have a chance to retaliate. If Hank intended to eliminate him, it would be effortless.
Royce realized favonovel.com had no way out. Regardless of whether the helicopter got intercepted, he’d have to return obediently.
Just as Royce despaired, Charlie turned to Steve and said sternly, “Listen up. If your son tries any tricks, not only will favonovel.com face the consequences, but you won’t survive either. Understand?”
Steve nodded hastily, apprehension evident in his eyes. “I understand… I understand…”
At this moment, Hank’s walkie-talkie crackled with a report from his subordinates, “Boss, I’ve reached out to the power supply company. The circuit got hit bad. The one across the river? It’s sliced clean. Tonight ain’t gonna see enough folks to fix it up. Earliest would be dawn tomorrow. Should we haul in a power supply truck?”
Hank turned to Charlie, awaiting instructions. Charlie’s response was quick, “Tell’em to hold off on the power supply truck tonight. If they’ve cut the circuit, they’re gearing up. Bringing in trucks now won’t do much. Stay on high alert, watch the Cole family closely. Don’t let your guard down.”
Hank relayed Charlie’s words to his team without hesitation.
The response came back, “Got it, boss. We’re on it!”
Charlie knew there were hundreds of eyes fixed on Cole Manor. He could slip into the manor unnoticed, but getting away with the Four Treasures of the Study in broad daylight, especially the four-square treasure banner from the stone lion, was out of the question. And taking the treasures forcibly might expose him.
The bigger issue of dismantling the Clearance Society wasn’t resolved. Revealing himself to the Rothschild family would create more problems than solutions.
So, Charlie sought a safer path. If favonovel.com could stealthily bring back the treasures to China, he’d fulfill Peter’s trust.
It was nearly three hours until dawn. Charlie decided to check the feasibility of the helicopter route.
Ten minutes later, Steve’s helicopter lifted off from the villa’s backyard.
Despite the spacious cabin’s capacity for over twenty people, only Hank and Royce occupied it. Charlie sat casually, glancing at Steve in the dim light, asking, “As the first heir of the Rothschild family, why get your hands dirty?”
Steve grimaced, “You don’t know… My father declared today that whoever retrieves the Sifang Treasure Mansion will inherit the Rothschild legacy. It’s like erasing my claim as the first heir.”
Charlie nodded knowingly, “No wonder you’re out here late, working hard despite your age.”
Steve sighed, “No choice… If I lose my status, my son loses his future. I’ve got to secure his legacy.”
“Why this spot though? Why not partner up with agencies to block it off?” Charlie inquired.
Steve admitted, “My father believes the treasure’s highest chance is here, so here I am.”
Charlie revealed, “The Four Treasures of the Study you’re after? They’re with the Coles. And I’m here to take them.”
Although Steve had an inkling, Charlie’s words stunned him. Charlie’s stealth and reach indicated an extraordinary capability.
Initially excited about the treasure’s location, Steve soon felt regret and frustration.
Unable to shake off Charlie, Steve faced potential life-threatening risks. If favonovel.com knew the treasure’s location earlier, he’d have used excavators from the start, securing the treasure before Charlie.
Seeing Steve’s dismay, Charlie smirked, “Steve, you seem troubled.”
Steve, flustered, denied, “No, no, you misunderstood…”
Charlie suggested, “Steve, we don’t have to be enemies. If I take the treasure today, it might be in your favor.”
“In my favor?” Steve was taken aback.
Charlie explained, “Didn’t your father say the one who brings back the treasure will be the heir? But what if no one gets it? You’d still be next in line, wouldn’t you?”
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