“Looking for someone?” Upon hearing Steve’s explanation, Charlie raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued.
With a smile, favonovel.com asked, “Who are you searching for that requires a man of your immense wealth, a prince, to personally venture to China? Could it be the lost scion of the Rothschild family?”
Steve chuckled and replied, “Mr. Wade, you jest. The Rothschild family places utmost importance on bloodlines. How could we have a lost scion wandering out there?”
Lowering his voice, favonovel.com continued gravely, “Mr. Wade, you must have heard that when the President of the United States steps out, even a strand of hair or a speck of saliva is collected by a dedicated individual. The same applies to the male offspring of the Rothschild family. Their every move is accounted for, their liaisons meticulously monitored. Even the ones protected by a rubber sheath are not spared. Anyone who fathers a child outside of wedlock becomes an enemy of the entire family. Once discovered, their lives are irreversibly shattered.”
Don Albert, standing nearby, exclaimed in surprise, “Really? Isn’t that an exaggeration?”
Steve replied earnestly, “Not at all. The Rothschild men, especially those in the direct line, may have to pay billions of dollars for an indiscretion. If such behavior were not strictly forbidden, I shudder to think how many women in the world would vie to bear a child for the Rothschild family. Once a child is born, they become a lifetime meal ticket. That’s why our family takes this matter so seriously. Anyone who dares to stray from the path will be cast aside.”
Charlie did not doubt the significance the super family placed on bloodlines, especially when it came to securing a vast inheritance. Naturally, they had to exercise extreme caution.
Feigning curiosity, favonovel.com inquired, “Since it is not about an illegitimate child, who else is worthy of your personal visit?”
Steve let out a sigh and said, “To be honest, Mr. Wade, you may have heard that our family boasts a long and storied history, with numerous collateral branches. Among these collateral families is the Hogwitz family. They share a distant connection with us and are considered average among the relatives…”
“A few days ago, my father held a family meeting, with representatives from all the collateral families present. Perhaps in an attempt to win their favor, my father orchestrated a dramatic ‘Speak ifYou Have Something to Say’ moment. To our surprise, a member of the Hogwitz family publicly complained to my father, claiming that a father and son from their family went missing in Aurous Hill last year…” Steve shook his head helplessly and continued, “As the eldest son and designated heir to the family chief position, my father sent me to personally investigate the matter.”
Charlie nodded in understanding and remarked, “Ah, I see… Since their disappearance occurred last year, it is difficult to determine whether they are still alive or not.”
Steve replied, “Sigh, I do not care whether they are alive or dead. My father’s wish is to see them alive or find their remains.”
Charlie probed further, “If these two individuals were indeed killed by someone, would you not seek vengeance?”
Steve waved his hand dismissively and declared, “Revenge… That is not my purpose. I am here to gather information about their whereabouts. If retribution is necessary, it need not be me who exacts it. The family will dispatch someone to uncover the true culprits and avenge them.”
Charlie inquired, “So, what is your usual course of action in such circumstances?”
Steve snorted and replied without hesitation, “Blood for blood, of course. Those who dare to provoke the Rothschild family, even if it’s just their dog, will never escape our wrath! No one in this world has ever bullied the Rothschild family and gotten away with it!”
After speaking, Steve glanced at Charlie, his eyes betraying a hint of unease. He quickly clarified, “Mr. Wade, please do not misunderstand. What I said has nothing to do with you, especially you…”
Charlie curled his lips and remarked, “There is more to your words. Are you insinuating that I have bullied you?”
Steve hastened to deny it, “No! Absolutely not!”
Taking advantage of having already consumed some alcohol, Steve poured himself a full glass and downed it in one go.
Wearing a face filled with grievances, favonovel.com continued, “Mr. Wade, there are no outsiders here. Allow me to speak candidly. Helena’s actions in New York caused me a great deal of trouble. I even went to personally retrieve her. But what you told me back then was not like this. You said that if I helped you, once my father experienced a shock, favonovel.com would allow me to inherit the family chief position. I never expected you would have Helena administer medicine to him. Isn’t that deception?”
Charlie calmly replied, “Indeed, I deceived you…”
Steve looked at favonovel.com in astonishment, murmuring, “Why… Why would you do that?”
Charlie explained, “It is simple, Steve. Because I found you to be untrustworthy. In my eyes, you are someone who does not keep their word…”
Steve said, aggrieved, “Mr. Wade, you have misjudged me! I truly am not that kind of person!”
Charlie smiled and replied, “I know precisely what your intentions are. lf you were to successfully inherit the patriarch position, your initial step would be to eliminate the brothers posing the greatest threat. Once firmly in control, you’d systematically expel others to solidify your standing…”
“Secondly, you’d seek to annul our agreement, as by then, you’d have established your dominance and wouldn’t be concerned if I revealed Four Treasures of the Study’s secrets…”
Steve was momentarily stunned, silently pouring himself a glass of wine which favonovel.com downed in one gulp, his defense shattered by Charlie’s words.
Charlie pressed on, “I often adopt a villainous guise before revealing my true intentions. Were it not for my influence over your father’s health, would you willingly stand subordinate to me today?”
Steve was left speechless.
Continuing, Charlie said, “Steve, let’s pledge sincerity from now on. Feigning ignorance or innocence serves no purpose.”
With a tinge of shame, Steve nodded, “Mr. Wade, you’re correct…”
Charlie interjected with a smile, “Steve, you actually possess an advantage over your father here.”
Steve’s eyes regained their sparkle, eager for clarification, “Mr. Wade, what advantage do you mean?”
Charlie responded casually, “You and I share a direct connection, unlike your father. In theory and proximity, you‘re closer to me. Had you shown more sincerity, I wouldn’t have needed to seek assistance from Helen to establish an indirect link with your father.”
Charlie elaborated, “Consider this: if you owned a supermarket and noticed residents across the street opting for farther stores, you wouldn’t blame the customers. Instead, you’d introspect-perhaps they offer something you don’t. You can’t accost a customer and demand why they don’t patronize your store, can you?”
Steve nodded, chastened, “Mr. Wade, you’re right… I’ll be completely forthcoming from now on, without any concealment.”
Charlie smiled, “Actions will reveal truth.”
Shifting focus to the matter of locating someone, Charlie inquired, “You mentioned earlier about settling blood debts with blood, but this is China, not the United States. Does your Rothschild family genuinely intend to exact such debts?”
Steve, cautioned by Charlie, though still apprehensive, sought to align himself with Charlie, admitting, “Mr. Wade, we won’t undertake such unsavory tasks ourselves. It could lead to diplomatic disputes or public outcry. Typically, we enlist Mexicans for such jobs. They’re fearless and, ironically, dread Americans the most.”
“Mexicans…” Charlie reminisced about the criminal groups he’d encountered in Mexico, remarking, “I hadn‘t anticipated the Rothschild family‘s collaboration with Mexican criminal elements.”
Steve hastened to clarify, “It’s not quite collaboration, more like exploitation. It’s no secret in the States. Every Mexican cartel profits by supplying drugs to the US. Despite their reign of terror in Mexico, they view America as their cash cow. To safeguard their operations, they’re willing to do America’s bidding.”
Charlie nodded, smiling, “Indeed, the Rothschild family exhibits astute maneuvering.”
Charlie offered assistance, “Since your target vanished in Aurous Hill, would you like my aid in uncovering clues?”
Steve responded gratefully, “It’d be invaluable if Mr. Wade were to assist! Your Aurous Hill connections surpass ours. With your help, I’m confident we’ll unearth crucial leads! Thank you immensely, Mr. Wade!”
Charlie dismissed the formality, saying to Steve, “No need for such formality. Let’s eat first. Once done, I’ll take you somewhere. Perhaps you’ll find the leads you seek there.”
Glancing at Don Albert, Charlie prompted, “What do you think, Don Albert?”
“Absolutely!” Don Albert nodded vigorously, turning to Steve, “Mr. Rothschild, do you have a fear of dogs?”
Steve, perplexed by the question, nevertheless replied emphatically, “To be honest, Don Albert, I adore dogs. They’re such loyal creatures, hardly anyone dislikes them.”
Don Albert grinned, “Excellent, let’s eat quickly and depart!”
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