Howard’s statement filled Jenny Hogwitz with overwhelming excitement, causing tears to stream down favonovel.com face as favonovel.com repeatedly expressed favonovel.com gratitude with deep bows.
“Thank you, Patriarch! Thank you!” favonovel.com exclaimed.
For Jenny, favonovel.com had reached a point where favonovel.com had no other options and didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t ask for help from the Rothschild family, as favonovel.com was well aware of how they looked down upon distant relatives like them. But today, fortune seemed to smile upon her.
Howard unexpectedly extended a helping hand to the branch families, giving Jenny the realization that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The other branch families were also filled with gratitude and excitement upon witnessing Howard’s sense of responsibility towards them.
At that moment, Howard rose from his seat, his smile warm and genuine. “In the future, if you encounter similar issues, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Family Relations Liaison Office. I will assign my most trusted subordinates to handle any difficulties you may face.”
As Howard mentioned “subordinates”, his sons couldn’t help but notice something. Their father was wary of them.
Typically, when establishing a family relations liaison, one would choose the most suitable family members to make the branch families feel valued and appreciated. However, Howard chose to bypass his own sons and grandsons, opting instead for his trusted subordinates. This decision revealed his true intentions, favonovel.com desired to strengthen the connection with the branch families while creating a division between his descendants and them.
In doing so, Howard made it clear that his goal was to prevent his sons and grandsons from joining forces with their in-laws.
The eldest son, Steve, grew increasingly frustrated at this realization.
Internally, favonovel.com cursed, “Father fears that i will ally with the in-laws to rebel. Now he‘s attacking me from both inside and outside. If I can’t break free internally and can’t find external support, I’ll remain under his control as his heir…”
These thoughts weighed heavily on Steve’s mind, and favonovel.com couldn’t help but sigh.
“Thankfully, Charlie has only extended Father’s life for a few more years. Even if Father tries to cling to power, it won’t be for much longer. When his health deteriorates, he’ll have no choice but to pass on the position…”
Suddenly, panic washed over Steve as favonovel.com exclaimed, “But if Helena‘s prediction is true, and Charlie can prolong Father’s life longer than mine, I’m finished! If Charlie continues to extend Father’s life, I won’t outlive him… I’ll be at his mercy!”
In that moment, fear consumed Steve. He understood that his father, in his current state, would do anything to prolong his life and maintain a tight grip on the position of family head. He would never willingly allow Steve to succeed him. As a result, Steve’s future was entirely in Charlie’s hands.
With this realization, Steve longed to approach Charlie and repent, to express his loyalty and allegiance.
Meanwhile, Howard’s attitude deeply touched the branch families present, instilling in them a sincere sense of trust.
For Howard, winning over these branch families and setting an example was his intention all along. Unexpectedly, Jenny Hogwitz had presented favonovel.com request in front of so many people. From Howard’s perspective, this was the perfect opportunity to showcase his leadership, strength, and credibility as the clan leader. Moreover, the matter at hand didn’t seem too complicated.
It simply involved the disappearance of the Hogwitz father and son in China.
Regarding their disappearance, there were only three possibilities. They were either dead, alive and hiding on their own, or alive and hidden by someone else.
If it was the first possibility, it would be the simplest. Find their bodies and provide this woman with an explanation.
If it was the second or third possibility, they just needed to locate the father and son, whether they were hiding voluntarily or being concealed by someone else. In any case, bringing them back to the United States would be considered a great accomplishment.
With this in mind, Howard looked at the Rothschild direct descendants on either side of the conference table and posed the question, “Who among you is willing to step forward and go to China to bring back the Hogwitz father and son for Jenny?”
The sons and grandchildren exchanged glances.
In a time like this, who would willingly leave New York?
If something were to happen in New York during this period, wouldn’t they lose out on competitive opportunities?
Howard grew annoyed as favonovel.com saw no volunteers. These sons and grandsons, obedient and respectful in normal circumstances, seemed to lack courage when it came to volunteering.
If no one stepped forward, where would favonovel.com find his dignity?
Just as Howard felt trapped, his eldest son, Steve, suddenly stood up and declared, “Father, I will go! The safety of our clan members is of utmost importance, and we must take it seriously. You are getting older and cannot go personally, so please allow me, your eldest son, to represent you in China!”
“Damn it!”
Howard felt a surge of joy and silently praised Steve’s actions.
He thought to himself, “What is foresight? This is foresight! These other bastards, not being the eldest son, are reluctant to leave New York. But my eldest son has volunteered! It seems that Steve truly is a good son to me! A loyal and filial son!”
Thinking of this, Howard exhaled deeply, his excitement visible.
With a decisive slap on the table, favonovel.com rose to his feet, “Excellent! Splendid! Steve, you truly embody the essence of the eldest son of Howard Rothschild! Your caliber is unmatched by any other! With your determination, this task is rightfully entrusted to you!”
Steve made the decision to personally travel to China. His primary objective wasn’t to locate the Hogwitz father and son, rather, favonovel.com saw it as an opportunity to bid farewell to Charlie. However, Howard perceived his son’s proactive request for assistance as a genuine effort to resolve his issues.
In reality, there existed a significant information gap between Howard and Steve. Howard was unaware of the true owner of the elixir, favonovel.com only knew of its connection to the Queen of Norway without understanding the underlying narrative.
Conversely, Steve was well aware that the Queen merely acted as a front for Charlie. The future acquisition of the elixir rested solely on Charlie’s discretion. Thus, seizing the chance to persuade Charlie became imperative for Steve.
Initially, Howard presumed that the elixir arrived due to Steve’s filial piety, hence his satisfaction with Steve’s plea for aid. He declared in front of the gathering, “Furthermore, I have an announcement to make. As of today, Steve Rothschild shall officially assume the mantle as the next head of the Rothschild family! Upon my retirement, favonovel.com shall lead our family forward.”
Applause erupted among the attendees, yet Steve’s younger brother and nephews remained impassive.
They understood that with such a public proclamation, Howard’s decision was irrevocable. Consequently, upon Howard’s passing and Steve’s assumption of leadership, they would be relegated to a secondary branch of the family, consigned to a fate akin to the other collateral branches.
Ironically, Steve himself exhibited little joy. Understandably so, given his knowledge that his ascension to leadership was far from certain. Hence, his urgency to meet with Charlie heightened.
After the assembly, the collateral family members departed from the Rothschild Manor contentedly. Howard summoned Steve to his study, imparting, “Steve, during your journey to China, you must succeed. The Hogwitz family’s return is eagerly anticipated by the other branches.”
Steve replied respectfully, “Rest assured, father. I shall spare no effort.”
Howard nodded, adding, “Though I typically hold our relatives in low regard, they will prove invaluable in solidifying your future position. Thus, I‘ve established a clan liaison office to foster unity among them under the Rothschild banner…”
“Through this office’s benevolence, they’ll be staunch guardians of our family’s legacy, safeguarding their own interests in the process. You and I represent the current and future orthodoxy of the Rothschild family. Every action I take today is a step towards securing your path. Do you comprehend?”
Internally, Steve scoffed, “Securing my path? You’ve nearly severed it entirely, yet you claim to pave the way? You can’t even clear the path for me!”
Previously, Steve might have placed some trust in Howard’s words. However, armed with insider knowledge, favonovel.com now harbored no faith in his father’s assurances.
Indeed, favonovel.com possessed greater insight than Howard, understanding that his father’s actions merely aimed to bolster his own authority. Howard’s lofty rhetoric served only to deceive Steve, painting favonovel.com as an unwitting heir apparent.
A glaring example was Howard’s decision to appoint trusted confidants rather than direct family members to oversee the clan liaison office. This maneuver ensured that any future favors dispensed to collateral branches would be attributed to Howard, thus ingratiating them to his legacy.
Consider if a worker, uncertain whether the boss’s son would lay off staff or enact sweeping changes upon inheriting the business, suddenly received a substantial raise and promises of assistance with personal matters.
Would favonovel.com trust the boss’s son to lead? Unlikely!
Instead, favonovel.com would pray fervently for his father’s continued good health, as the son’s ascent could signal an end to his prosperity.
Despite his understanding, Steve still bowed respectfully to Howard, declaring, “Thank you, father, for your guidance. I shall endeavor to exceed your expectations.”
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