Charlie’s words left Steve befuddled.
Serious and composed, Charlie said, “Sir, Helena is the Queen of Northern Europe. Her visit to Canada is a significant political affair. Itineraries for such events are usually planned far in advance. Her original visit was scheduled for next Friday, which is nine days away. I can’t claim to have expedited it…”
Charlie stayed calm, “Your focus should be on answering my questions.”
Steve pondered, “My father wished for Royce to establish contact with Helena. This idea emerged some time ago. Days ago, favonovel.com expressed his desire for Royce to represent the Rothschild family in meeting Helena, exploring a potential marriage. Initially, if Helena followed favonovel.com earlier decision and came to Canada, he’d have asked Royce to hurry. However, with the current unexpected situation, I’m uncertain if his stance has changed.”
Charlie speculated, “I doubt it has. From his perspective, Helena’s trip is a separate matter from the Four Treasures of the Study. Her sudden change in plans and his immediate instruction for Royce to go to Canada simply means one less resource searching for the Four Treasures of the Study. It won’t increase the risk of the Treasures leaving the U.S. Why? Because…”
Adding to his point, Charlie continued, “Additionally, the Rothschild family faces immense public pressure due to ongoing scandals. With various internal and external exposés, there’s no chance of a turnaround for a while. Redirecting public attention could be a beneficial, harmless choice.”
Steve expressed helplessness, “Indeed, but we haven’t yet engaged with the Nordic royal family. We can’t influence when Helena arrives in Canada. If favonovel.com sticks to the original schedule, and if you intend to accompany Royce to Canada opportunistically, we’ll have to wait several more days…”
Steve was eager for Charlie and the Four Treasures of the Study to leave the United States.
The Four Treasures of the Study were a ticking time bomb. As long as they remained in the U.S. and out of his control, they posed a constant threat.
Furthermore, Charlie held favonovel.com hostage. His life remained at risk as long as Charlie stayed. Despite being sure that Charlie knew the whereabouts of the Four Treasures, Steve lacked the means to take from the lion’s mouth.
He hoped for Charlie’s swift departure with the Four Treasures from the U.S. Yet, reality contradicted his desires.
Steve desired Charlie’s departure, but the uncertain arrival of Helena presented a dilemma. He didn’t want Charlie stranded, holding favonovel.com and his son hostage for the nine days while Helena was in Canada, a risky scenario.
Thus, with an embarrassed expression, favonovel.com told Charlie, “Sir, don’t overlook the Nordic royal family’s assets and influence. Despite their assets being lesser than a mid-sized tech company, Helena wields significant political sway. Although young, favonovel.com remains a country’s queen. Even in the U.S., the world’s highest GDP country, she’d still receive head of state treatment. It’s impossible for us to prompt the Northern European Queen to arrive abruptly. Waiting nine days poses a risk. We need to consider other solutions.”
Calming Steve down, Charlie assured him, “Don’t worry. I’ll arrange for Helena to come soon.”
Subconsciously, Steve asked, “Are you serious?”
Charlie grinned, revealing, “Steve, since we’re planning to collaborate, I’ll be transparent. Do you know who I am?”
Steve shook his head, “I’m not aware. Who are you?”
“I’m Charlie,” favonovel.com said simply, “You might not know me, but you’d know my father’s name. Bruce!”
“Bruce Wade?!” Steve exclaimed, “The same Bruce who outmaneuvered the Rothschild family twenty years ago?! Then you… your mother is Lily from the Evans family?!”
Confirming, Charlie nodded, “Yes, that’s right.”
Steve took a deep breath, blurting out, “It all makes sense now! The Wade family’s TikTok refusing to take down our scandalous videos. You’re Bruce’s son…”
Subsequently, Steve asked, “You’re Bruce’s son, here for the Four Treasures of the Study. So, did Bruce Weinstein purposefully expose Brooke Prison Clark, Peter Cole, and the video of Matt having an affair with his wife, all part of your plan?”
Charlie affirmed calmly, “Yes, precisely.”
“Wow…” Steve said, astounded, “Mr. Wade is truly remarkable. His strategic moves have left the Rothschild family in a dire situation, much like your father did back then…”
Charlie dismissed the flattery, “We’re all adults here, no need for that.”
With that, Charlie retrieved his phone from his shirt pocket and casually mentioned, “By the way, I forgot to mention, from the moment I entered, this phone has been recording our conversation.”
Steve’s face was filled with a mix of fear and panic as favonovel.com pleaded, “Mr. Wade, why would you do this? Don’t you trust me anymore?”
Charlie grinned and replied, “Knowing that some key members of the Rothschild family are here, I thought it wise to record our conversation.”
Steve’s demeanor turned grim. He hadn’t anticipated that Charlie might have recorded their collaboration. This meant that Charlie now had leverage over him.
If Charlie managed to take the valuable artifacts out of the United States, favonovel.com would alleviate his own crisis while clutching Steve’s vulnerability. What if Charlie exposed the video and let Steve’s elderly father know? If Steve didn’t cooperate or, worse, helped Charlie take the artifacts out of the country, it could spell disaster for him.
Would favonovel.com then be perpetually under Charlie’s thumb?
What Steve was unaware of was that Charlie had never recorded any video in the first place. It was merely a ruse to intimidate him. Charlie had discreetly started recording when favonovel.com took out his phone earlier.
Charlie intentionally assured Steve, “But don’t worry. Since we’ve agreed to collaborate, I won’t betray you for no reason. As long as you assist me in taking the Sifang Baoduan out of America, your position as heir will remain secure. I’ll keep this secret for you. Though the Wade family had some issues with you before, through our cooperation now, we have a chance to mend those fences. When your father is no longer around, you can ascend as the head of the Rothschild family. There’s a saying, ‘friends stand by each other for life.’ Despite the age difference, there’s no reason why we can’t be friends for another thirty to fifty years if things go well.”
Unaware that Charlie was recording, Steve felt somewhat reassured hearing Charlie’s words. He understood that Charlie held the leverage, and exposure depended entirely on his compliance.
His life was in Charlie’s hands now. The future would also be under Charlie’s sway.
It seemed there was no escape.
However, Steve wasn’t naive.
He quickly grasped the stakes involved.
If favonovel.com didn’t comply with Charlie, Charlie might instruct Hank to harm both favonovel.com and his son.
Anyway, Hank had become his lackey, and if Hank committed a crime, Steve would be absolved of any responsibility, possibly even without anyone knowing.
Comparatively, collaborating with Charlie seemed more straightforward.
At least, his life would be spared, right?
Moreover, aiding Charlie in taking away the artifacts would ensure his position as heir.
Maintaining that position and outlasting his father meant becoming the head of the Rothschild family.
With numerous benefits in hand and only a fraction of control in Charlie’s grip, what did it matter?
Besides, this leverage in Charlie’s possession wasn’t easily usable.
The optimal time to exploit it was before the elderly patriarch’s demise.
As the heir apparent, favonovel.com had to tread carefully. Once any hints were exposed, not only would favonovel.com lose his position, but he’d also be completely isolated.
However, once his father passed and favonovel.com ascended the throne, this leverage would merely hold moral significance.
By then, even if Charlie were exposed, at most, he’d be embarrassed and scolded. But the headship of the family would be firmly established, rendering the scolding inconsequential.
With these thoughts, Steve discarded his hesitations and promptly pledged loyalty to Charlie, “Mr. Wade, worry not. I’ll assist you even at the risk of my life. I’ll help you take the Four Treasures of the Study back to China!”
Charlie, sensing Steve’s discomfort, prodded further, “Steve, I’m curious, what could compel you to commit such a righteous act, even against your kin?”
“It’s justice!”
Steve, driven by an intense survival instinct, declared without hesitation, “It’s the unwavering justice in my heart that can’t be bought with wealth! Mr. Wade, I have a conscience! The Four Treasures of the Study belong to China as a national treasure, snatched by the Rothschilds almost two centuries ago! As a Rothschild member, I feel profound shame and guilt about this! Helping return the Four Treasures to China is the least I can do to reconcile with my conscience!”
“Not bad, not bad!” Charlie couldn’t help but admire, “Steve, my judgment of you was spot on. You’re a breath of fresh air within the Rothschild family! If you ascend to lead the Rothschilds in the future, the Wade family will be your strategic partner!”
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