When Steve Rothschild expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Charlie, Charlie hung up the phone and immediately began discussing with Helena how to bring favonovel.com down a notch the next morning.
With Helena’s visit to Canada scheduled to end in two days, they had some flexibility with their time. Helena had previously announced news of favonovel.com illness, so their schedule in Canada wasn’t packed.
The next morning, Helena had complete free time, with only a routine meeting and visit in the afternoon. She could leave for New York at seven in the morning to meet Howard, and then return around noon.
The tasks that Charlie needed favonovel.com to do weren’t difficult. After meeting Howard, as long as favonovel.com had half an hour, favonovel.com could handle them.
Since experiencing the charm of the AI model last time, Charlie had been captivated by this new technology.
He couldn’t immediately see the practicality of AI, but favonovel.com believed that it would be invaluable to the Dragon Temple and Isu Shipping in the future. Even in the future battle of wits with the Warriors Den, favonovel.com believed it would be highly effective.
So, favonovel.com informed Helena of his new requirements and instructed her, “Helena, when you meet Howard this time, in addition to collecting money from him, you should also ask favonovel.com to build an AI model in Northern Europe that is identical to the one in Silicon Valley. Make sure favonovel.com signs an agreement promising that this AI model will be updated and upgraded in real-time, synchronized with the one in Silicon Valley. Otherwise, the shares of that AI company will be compensated to the Nordic royal family.”
Without hesitation, Helena said, “Sure thing, Mr. Wade, I’ll make it clear to him.”
Then, Helena asked, “Mr. Wade, how should I hand over the AI model to you?”
Charlie said, “Let the Dragon Temple handle it when the time comes. After the AI model’s servers are built in Northern Europe, I’ll have them send someone to take over. If the Nordic royal family has any related needs, they can freely use it.”
Helena smiled and said, “I don’t know what these AI models can be used for. Besides me, the Nordic royal family consists of only a few elderly and disabled people. It seems they won’t have much use for such advanced technology.”
Then, favonovel.com asked again, “But Mr. Wade, rest assured, when the server is in Northern Europe, it’ll definitely be more secure than in most other places.”
Charlie nodded and remarked, “By the way, when you meet Howard tomorrow, make sure no third parties are present, particularly Steve.”
“Of course,” Helena replied, “I’ll explicitly request a private meeting with Howard.”
Helena then inquired further, “Mr. Wade, is there anything else you’d like to convey?”
Charlie smiled and added, “Once you reach an agreement with Howard, you should also ask favonovel.com to agree to an additional condition.”
Helena asked, “What is it, Mr. Wade?”
Charlie said, “Let favonovel.com agree that the matter of the elixir must not be disclosed to anyone, not even his son. If anyone asks why favonovel.com suddenly recovered, favonovel.com should always insist that it was a miracle, a manifestation of divine power. Whoever asks, that should be his answer.”
Then, Charlie added, “Tell favonovel.com that you still have a better elixir, and if favonovel.com needs it in the future, you can discuss the price. But the prerequisite is that favonovel.com agrees to that additional condition.”
Helena nodded and said, “Okay, Mr. Wade, I’ll remember.”
Charlie continued, “After everything is settled, you need to tell favonovel.com that the reason you brought such a precious medicine to see favonovel.com is also because you were moved by the filial piety of his son, Steve, and wanted to leave a better impression of Steve in his mind.”
Helena was puzzled and asked, “Since Mr. Wade wants to restrain Steve, why do you also want to create a good impression of favonovel.com in Howard’s mind?”
Charlie smiled and said, “Because I have something on Steve that can effectively control him, and the most effective conditions are that his father must continue to hold power and that favonovel.com must remain the first choice as the heir of the Rothschild family in his father’s mind. Only then can I have a firm grip on him. If one day Howard sees favonovel.com as a discarded son and favonovel.com gives up on himself, those things I have on favonovel.com will naturally be worthless.”
Charlie added, “These things, collectively known as blackmail material, are like knowing a certain criminal or sex worker who has been involved in campus violence or provided sexual services. But when this person is still insignificant, this blackmail material is irrelevant. However, if one day this person has a stroke of luck and suddenly becomes a big star, the blackmail material in your hands will be enough to be fatal to him.”
Helena nodded lightly and said, “Mr. Wade, since you plan to provide elixirs to Howard in the future, does that mean you want Steve to remain the first heir?”
“Yes,” Charlie smiled. “At least for now, we need to keep favonovel.com securely in the position of the heir for a few more years. During these years, we’ll have leverage to restrain favonovel.com with blackmail material and his father with the elixir. Naturally, we’ll have a powerful tool to control the entire Rothschild family.”
After that, Charlie stood up and said, “You probably have activities in the afternoon, right?”
“Yes,” Helena nodded, saying, “The Canadian side has arranged some sightseeing activities, and I’ll also attend an official banquet in the evening.”
“Okay,” Charlie nodded and said, “Take care of yourself. I’ll return to the United States in the afternoon.”
Helena asked in surprise, “Mr. Wade, are you going back to the United States again?”
“Yes, I’ve already finished everything in New York. You’ll still be in Northern Europe for two more days, and I need to communicate with my grandfather in person. There’s no need for me to stay here any longer,” Charlie explained.
With that assurance, Charlie reiterated, “Uncle Cole’s safety should be in your hands. I’ll have Dragon Temple provide covert assistance to enhance his protection.”
Without hesitation, Helena responded, “Rest assured, Mr. Wade, I will ensure Mr. Cole’s safe arrival in China.”
Charlie nodded and concluded, “Regarding tomorrow, I wish you a successful mission in advance!”
After bidding farewell to Helena, Charlie went to Peter’s room to see him.
Charlie informed Peter of his upcoming arrangements and apologized, “Uncle Cole, I won’t accompany you to Northern Europe this time. Helena will take care of everything.”
Peter respectfully said, “Thank you, Young Master Wade! When I arrive in Aurous Hill, I’ll report to the Young Master immediately!”
Charlie nodded slightly and said, “This time when you return to China, everything will start anew. Helena will arrange a transitional identity for you in Northern Europe, and when you arrive in Aurous Hill, I’ll arrange a new identity for you, a flawless background and a perfect new identity that has never left China.”
Having expressed these instructions, Charlie continued, “Uncle Cole, even though the Rothschild family has dropped the charges against you, they may not abandon the desire for revenge if they discover you’re still alive. The situation is quite intricate this time. The Warriors Den is also fixated on the Four Treasures of the Study and has orchestrated your fake demise, obliterating all traces of your body in the fire. Whether it’s the Rothschild family or the Warriors Den, they have no leads. It’s a dead-end situation. So, you may have to adjust to this state of suspended animation for some time. Avoid any contact with people from your past, including your family in London.”
Peter nodded solemnly and replied, “Rest assured, Mr. Wade, I am fully prepared to never see my family again when I decided to do this.”
Charlie reassured him, “In reality, it won’t be a lifelong separation. Once I resolve matters with the Warriors Den, you can openly return to the United States as Peter Cole or reunite with your family. By then, the Rothschild family won’t dare to cause any trouble. I will personally have their family patriarch come to your doorstep to seek forgiveness.”
With conviction, Peter said, “I have faith that Master Wade will completely dismantle the Warriors Den.”
He then recalled something and added with a smile, “Master, it would be wise for you to help me establish the identity of Felix, just as I portrayed it to Miss Moore.”
“That identity was fabricated by me and won’t withstand in-depth scrutiny. If you could incorporate those details into an official background for the new identity, making it procedurally sound, it would bolster its credibility. When I return to Aurous Hill, I can openly use this identity to navigate the market. During my travels, I encountered many individuals in Aurous Hill’s antique circle, including your father-in-law, Mr. Wilson.”
Charlie chuckled and commented, “Uncle Cole, that’s a brilliant idea. Returning to Aurous Hill as Felix will definitely enhance your credibility. You can seamlessly blend into Aurous Hill’s antique circle and live discreetly in the city.”
Playfully, Charlie added, “If my father-in-law knew you had returned to Aurous Hill, he’d probably still be wary of the past.”
Peter laughed and replied, “Luckily, it was Ms Moore’s security guard who slapped your father-in-law, not me. Otherwise, favonovel.com might have confronted me on sight.”
Charlie assured him, “It doesn’t matter; my father-in-law is known for his big talk, and favonovel.com wouldn’t resort to anything extreme.”
With that, Charlie looked at Peter and inquired, “Uncle Cole, what are your plans upon arriving in Aurous Hill? Do you intend to continue working in the antique industry?”
Peter confessed, “I lack other skills; I’ve spent decades in the antique trade. So, I’m considering opening a small antique shop in Aurous Hill as Felix. Whether it thrives or not doesn’t matter. On one hand, as you’ve suggested, it ensures safety by keeping me hidden in the city. Additionally, it allows me to live openly instead of staying in the shadows, avoiding contact with people. On the other hand, if you ever require my assistance, I’ll be readily available.”
Charlie found Peter’s plan sensible. Peter Cole’s current status was that of a missing person, but in the eyes of the Rothschild family, favonovel.com had perished alongside Eddie. To the Warriors Den, favonovel.com vanished with Eddie and Landon, with no leads on any of them. Furthermore, the Aurous Hill antique circle predominantly consisted of scammers and amateurs like Zachary, with Charlie’s father-in-law Jacob being the exception. None of them would recognize Peter Cole from the Cole family in North America.
When Peter Cole eventually opened a small shop on Antique Street in Aurous Hill, favonovel.com would remain inconspicuous.
Charlie mused, “Uncle Cole, after I return, I’ll confirm the identity of Felix Cole for you. However, since you’re leaving New York and returning to Aurous Hill, how do you plan to account for the time in between?”
Peter explained, “I’ll prepare a batch of inconspicuous antiques beforehand. Upon reaching Aurous Hill, I’ll connect with some old acquaintances in the antique circle and visit Pan’s shop on Antique Street. I’ll inform them that I ventured to collect antiques in the northwest and southwest countryside during this period, amassing some treasures. However, I decided to return to Aurous Hill to open a shop. This explanation should suffice. On one hand, as you mentioned, it contributes to safety by keeping me concealed in the city. On the other hand, it allows me to lead a more open life and interact with people. Additionally, if you ever require my assistance, I’ll be within reach.”
Charlie agreed, “That explanation is convincing. I’ll arrange some records for your train journey to the southwest and northwest, along with hotel accommodation records. I’ll also create a bank statement. Anyone attempting to investigate you will find everything traceable and coherent.”
Peter expressed his gratitude, “Thank you very much, Master Wade. Over the next few days, I’ll compile a more logical sequence of events during the intervening period and send it to you. You can instruct someone to maintain the records according to the action trajectory I’ve outlined.”
“Very well,” Charlie agreed. “Uncle Cole, is there anything else you’d like to discuss?”
Peter hesitated briefly before asking, “May I inquire if Master Wade has read the Preface to the Apocalyptic Book?”
Charlie admitted, “Not yet. I did have a photocopy of the ‘Preface to the Apocalyptic Book’ along with Four Treasures of the Study, but I haven’t had the chance to study it carefully. I intend to do so after my return.”
Peter nodded and offered, “The content of the ‘Preface to the Apocalyptic Book’ is profound and challenging to grasp. I couldn’t decipher it myself back then, so I abandoned it. If you’re interested, your father dedicated a considerable amount of time to its study and gradually made progress. If you encounter initial difficulties, don’t be discouraged, take your time, and you’ll eventually make headway!”
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