Helena’s schedule would soon be officially unveiled, raising the question of whether Howard Rothschild would permit his eldest grandson, Royce, to make a hurried appearance.
If all went according to plan, Charlie could utilize Steve’s helicopter for a trip to Canada alongside Royce. These two men, now his involuntary passengers, posed no threat of divulging secrets. Charlie saw an opportunity to not only prevent leaks but also manipulate them for future gains. He found this collaboration more advantageous than relying on psychological tactics, which could eventually be detected by those closely associated with him.
As Charlie concluded his call with Helena, both Steve and Royce were taken aback. The fact that Charlie, in their presence, summoned Queen Helena of Northern Europe, someone whose schedule was packed with appointments from heads of states and prime ministers, was beyond their expectations.
Observing their astonishment, Charlie gestured toward Royce and addressed Steve, “If Howard denies permission for your son to join Helena’s early visit to Canada, I’ll ask you the sole question!”
Tiff interjected hastily, “Mr. Wade, please rest assured, the old man is more invested in this matter than I am!”
He continued, “You see, within our Rothschild family, there’s been a cherished desire over three centuries, an aspiration unfulfilled—to wed into a European royal family!”
Despite Helena’s fame, the Nordic royal household faced financial strain and insufficient population. Their situation mirrored internet celebrities: popular yet financially reliant. To secure a residence, they had to seek loans. This predicament, the old man felt, served their interests best. European royal families, conditioned by lineage and wealth, often looked down upon backgrounds not as noble as their own. Only in dire straits, when they couldn’t maintain aristocratic appearances, would families like ours stand a chance.”
Charlie nodded, acknowledging, “Your analysis is sound. Soon, we’ll ascertain if reality mirrors your assessment.”
He glanced out the window; the night had deepened.
The pre-dawn darkness felt more profound than midnight.
Charlie sensed it was time to acquire the Four Treasures of the Study. Regardless of Howard’s decision regarding Royce’s journey, obtaining these treasures was paramount. However, the Cole Manor was under close watch, demanding a meticulous approach to retrieve the treasures discreetly.
After pondering, Charlie turned to Hank and instructed, “Hank, activity at the Cole family’s estate will commence soon. Notify everyone that someone might infiltrate through a secret passage. Prompt them to apprehend the intruder; under no circumstance must they abscond with the Four Treasures of the Study!”
Confused, Hank queried, “Mr. Wade, how do you know about activity at the Cole family estate?”
Charlie retorted calmly, “If I say it will happen, it will!”
Hank nodded, complying, “Understood, Mr. Wade!”
Charlie added, “Once I leave, monitor the two Mr. Rothschilds closely. If they attempt to escape or elude your supervision, eliminate them. Is that clear?”
Without hesitation, Hank affirmed, “Crystal clear!”
Charlie nodded, then gazed at the Cole family manor. In silence, a surge of energy detached from him, rushing like a gust toward the villa.
Seconds later, an eerie silence enveloped the Cole estate. Suddenly, sounds akin to glass and metal clattering echoed—a commotion that startled the monitoring staff. An excited voice crackled through Hank’s intercom, “Boss, something’s happening at the Cole family estate!”
Hastily, Hank exclaimed, “Oh! They might have used a secret passage we’re unaware of! Hurry! Intercept them before they abscond with the Four Treasures of the Study! Everyone, charge in! A reward of $10 million to anyone capturing them! A reward of $100 million to whoever finds the treasure vault!”
These words spurred the staff, earning modest salaries in the Rothschild employ. Now, they had a shot at earning millions. Driven by the lure of wealth, they sprinted into the estate, eager not to miss their chance.
Meanwhile, Charlie turned to Hank, commanding coldly, “Begin with those two. No one is to glance out the window.”
Hank complied, “Understood, Sir Wade!”
Raising his pistol, Hank aimed at Steve and his son.
Leveraging the night, Charlie leaped through the window, joining the throng racing toward the Cole Manor.
Yet, Charlie stood apart.
While others surged toward the main villa, drawn by the commotion, Charlie halted at the manor gate. Diverting his energy, favonovel.com ensured no one noticed him. Then, favonovel.com channeled his energy into the massive stone lions flanking the entrance.
Soon, favonovel.com uncovered a concealed compartment within one lion’s base—a spot impossible to detect without specialized equipment.
The Rothschilds and their staff intuited that anything hidden within the Cole family manor would be within its walls, dismissing the gate. This conviction guided their searches, extensively scanning the courtyard and villa interiors but never the gate.
Charlie defied this belief, swiftly approaching the stone lion. Focusing his energy into his right arm, favonovel.com lifted the lion effortlessly, unveiling the secret compartment harboring a delicate rosewood box.
He knew this box safeguarded the Sifang Baobang and the “Preface to the Apocalyptic Book Sutra”.
Charlie refrained from immediately opening the wooden box, opting instead to make a swift decision.
His reiki brushed against the box, revealing two distinct objects within its confines. One was a hefty tome, likely a copy of the “Preface to the Apocalyptic Book Sutra.” The other seemed to be a pagoda-like metallic item.
After confirming their integrity, an urge surged within Charlie to retrieve his consciousness hastily and depart Cole Manor with these newfound items.
Yet, as his aura swept past the pagoda, an uncanny sensation pervaded the air. The pagoda, seemingly cognizant of his presence, ensnared his aura abruptly, without warning.
What startled Charlie even more was the pagoda’s ability to tap into his divine consciousness. As his reiki was drawn into the pagoda, it drew from his spiritual reserves, snatching a fragment of his consciousness forcefully.
Suddenly, the world around favonovel.com dissolved into chaos. Everything appeared dark, save for a faint glow directly ahead. A murky, suffocating mist enveloped the surroundings.
A thunderous rumble resonated, and the ground trembled incessantly. Confused and disoriented, Charlie witnessed the ground splitting, unleashing a brilliant golden radiance.
Amidst the upheaval, to Charlie’s disbelief, a golden square pagoda emerged from the crevice.
The pagoda gleamed with an ethereal golden light that intensified as more of its structure was unveiled. Charlie, initially gazing at its pinnacle, found himself dwarfed by its towering height, the apex vanishing from view.
Majestic and imposing, the square pagoda exuded an awe-inspiring aura.
As Charlie stood there, awestruck, the pagoda’s two golden doors swung open from within. The dazzling light emanating from the doors obscured the view of the interior.
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