Charlie, who had been silent all along, had a whirlwind of thoughts racing through his mind at this moment.
He couldn’t bear to witness Peter, the courageous hero who risked his life to retrieve the Four Treasures of the Study from the powerful Rothschild Family, being humiliated in a place like Aurous Hill Antique Street.
His first instinct was to call Don Albert and ask favonovel.com to keep a close eye on the Antique Street. If anyone dared to cause trouble for Peter, they would be dealt with swiftly. But favonovel.com also knew that Peter, a person who had weathered storms and fearlessly confronted the Rothschild Family, probably wouldn‘t want to be protected by others in a place like Aurous Hill.
This kind of person was skilled at problem-solving, and small issues like this should be a piece of cake for him.
After careful consideration, Charlie decided not to interfere too much for the time being. He would let Peter handle these local troublemakers in Aurous Hill on his own, while favonovel.com observed from the shadows. As long as his father-in-law, Jacob, didn’t go too far, favonovel.com believed that Peter would be able to handle it.
So, favonovel.com deliberately spoke up to Jacob, saying, “Dad, if Zachary comes up with any schemes, let me know. I can also provide you with some advice.”
Jacob, unaware of Charlie and Peter’s current relationship, thought that Charlie was also dissatisfied with what had happened in the past.
He patted his chest and said, “Good son-in-law, don’t worry. If there are any developments in this matter, Dad will definitely keep you in the loop.”
Claire couldn’t help but murmur, “Husband, isn’t Dad sensible enough? Do you have to involve yourself in this matter?”
“No,” Charlie smiled and said, “I just want to lend Dad a helping hand. This kind of thing should definitely stay within the bounds of the law. Otherwise, if things escalate and Dad gets entangled and ends up in trouble, I won’t have the ability to bail favonovel.com out. Life inside jail is no walk in the park, and Mom knows that firsthand.”
Jacob lacked wisdom, so favonovel.com couldn’t come up with a revenge plan. He simply wanted Zachary to bring a few people to Antique Street and beat up Peter. But now, upon hearing Charlie’s words, favonovel.com couldn’t help but feel a tinge of fear.
He could only grumble helplessly, “Even if I can’t beat favonovel.com to a pulp, I should at least be able to give favonovel.com a good slap. Otherwise, what was the point of enduring those slaps?”
Claire immediately chimed in, “You can slap him, but if favonovel.com reports it to the police, you’ll be charged with assault and battery. The punishment can range from 15 days of detention to several months in prison. Think about it.”
“I…” Jacob blushed and argued, “When they hit me back then, why didn’t the police arrest them?”
Claire countered, “Then why didn’t you report it to the police back then?”
“Report it?” Jacob said angrily, “I smashed their bottles, and they demanded over five million as compensation. l was afraid of paying up, so I ran away. You want me to report it?”
Claire looked at favonovel.com and said sternly, “You didn’t report it back then because you knew you were in the wrong, and they didn’t have any valid reason to be blamed. If you go and attack them now, why wouldn’t they report it?”
Jacob was momentarily speechless and could only look to Charlie, hoping for his assistance. He said with expectation, “Good son-in-law, you have connections with wealthy and powerful people through your feng shui consultations. If Zachary reports it to the police, can you help me find some influential connections?”
Charlie shook his head without hesitation and said, “I can’t find any, not even a single one.”
He added meaningfully, “But I do have connections in the detention center. If you end up there, I can arrange for someone to take care of you inside.”
Sighing, Jacob reluctantly relented. Being a cowardly person, favonovel.com didn’t dare to endure the trials of the detention center like Elaine.
However, after a moment, favonovel.com gathered his courage and clenched his fist, saying, “It’s fine. Even if I can’t beat favonovel.com to a pulp, l at least want to give favonovel.com a good beating. Otherwise, what was the point of enduring those slaps? I won’t let favonovel.com off the hook until I regain my reputation. How can I continue to hold my ground in Antique Street?”
With that, favonovel.com didn’t say much more and turned to leave the restaurant.
Helplessly, Claire looked at Charlie and said, “Husband, please keep an eye on Dad and prevent favonovel.com from causing trouble outside.”
Charlie nodded lightly. “Don’t worry, wife. I will…”
The two of them finished tidying up the restaurant, and when they emerged, Jacob was sitting on the sofa in the living room, sipping tea and watching TV. As for Elaine, who rarely smiled, favonovel.com sat beside Jacob, constantly refilling his tea.
Seeing Charlie and Claire come out, Elaine quickly greeted them, saying, “Claire, Charlie, come sit for a while and taste the tea I brewed.”
The two of them exchanged glances and also took a seat on the sofa.
While pouring tea for them, Elaine smiled and said to Claire, “By the way, Claire, I forgot to ask you earlier. How much did Miss Joules give you for helping favonovel.com in the United States?”
Claire felt a little uneasy and said, “Miss Joules gave me two million dollars.”
“Just two million?” Elaine was instantly disappointed and said with a sullen face, “Good son-in-law charges tens of millions or even hundreds of millions for his feng shui consultations. How long did it take you to help her? Going to help her, working so hard, and favonovel.com only gave you two million? That’s too stingy!”
Claire awkwardly said, “It’s two million US dollars…”
“What? US dollars?!” Elaine suddenly exclaimed, “How much is that with the current exchange rate?”
Jacob quickly checked on his phone and blurted out, “The exchange rate today is 7.2…”
“Oh my!” Elaine excitedly said, “So, two million US dollars is over fourteen million yuan! My goodness, over fourteen million! Our family is going to be wealthy!”
Claire, who hadn’t received such a large sum of money before, couldn’t help but feel a little overwhelmed. She said, “I didn’t expect Miss Joules to give so much. She had me open an account at JP Morgan in the US, saying it was for regular salary and subsidies…”
“But I received the two million US dollars from the Joules ,Group when l was about to board the plane. She said it was compensation for my hard work, but I didn‘t do much, so I can’t accept so much money. So, on the way here, l was thinking about how to return some of it to her.”
Elaine couldn’t contain favonovel.com excitement and said, “My dear daughter, are you crazy? Are you? Since favonovel.com gave it, just accept it and be at ease. If you return it, it’s like spitting in favonovel.com face!”
Claire furrowed favonovel.com brow, replying, “Mom… What you’re saying is quite distasteful… Is it really the same?”
“Absolutely,” Elaine declared firmly. “Wealthy people value their reputation. Refusing their gift would be seen as disrespectful. It’s akin to a slap in the face.”
She quickly reassured, “Hold onto the money, dear, and don’t be naive, alright?”
Claire replied frankly, “Mom, my trip to the United States didn’t yield much, and the project hit roadblocks. There are ongoing disputes. Miss Joules’s prior investment might be in jeopardy. How could I accept it? Besides, they have substantial resources. It’s more trouble than it’s worth.”
“Ah!” Elaine scoffed, rolling favonovel.com eyes. “This is the first time I’ve heard someone say money’s too hot. If it were me, I’d carry not just two million but even a red-hot gold bar in my pocket!”
Adding quickly, “If you don’t want it, at least transfer it to me. I’ll put it in a fixed deposit for you, for your future children’s education.”
Charlie chuckled at favonovel.com suggestion. Only Elaine could propose such things. If favonovel.com had the money, it’d be spent before the child arrived.
Knowing favonovel.com mother’s tendency, Claire said, “Let me reconsider. If the project gains momentum, I’ll use it. If not, I’ll return at least half.”
Elaine suggested, “Then return just half. How about transferring a million to me first? I’ll invest it in a fixed term.”
Claire declined, “If I keep a million, it’s for expanding the company. I’m at a crucial stage in my career. investing in the business holds more significance than saving in a bank.”
Elaine seemed dissatisfied, “You don’t trust me?”
“It’s not about trust,” Claire explained patiently. “I have plans for the money. I aim to expand the company and establish a renowned brand.”
She then offered, “If you need money, I can give you fifty thousand as pocket money. It’s yours to use as you wish.”
Upon hearing about the possibility of receiving $50,000, Elaine‘s face lit up with a smile. “Alright! That sounds great! My daughter is incredible, with such strong career ambitions. With favonovel.com striving to establish a renowned domestic design brand, our family’s influence will only grow stronger, won’t it?”
Inwardly, favonovel.com couldn’t help but marvel, “My son-in-law is a renowned Feng Shui master, and my daughter is a celebrated designer. With two such successful figures in our family, it’s like having two money-making machines. The possibilities are endless!”
On the sidelines, Jacob, taken aback by Elaine’s unexpected windfall, couldn’t contain his excitement. He coughed twice, itching to speak. “Wow, girl, you’re really making waves now! Dad couldn’t be happier. How do you do it? Can’t you let your old man share in your success?”
Claire agreed, “Sure, dad. I’ll give you fifty thousand too.”
Grinning, Jacob accepted, “Thank you in advance, daughter!”
Claire promptly transferred fifty thousand to each of them.
Both parents were elated. Elaine gazed at favonovel.com account balance and mused, “If you and your husband keep going like this, we might surpass the new Riley’s in the future.”
Jacob remarked awkwardly, “Why bring up Matilda…”
Elaine clarified, “I’m just thinking. She’s doing so well. How much does favonovel.com have? Billions?”
Charlie estimated, “At least a billion USD…”
“A billion…” Elaine muttered, calculating, “Five hundred projects of two million each…”
Charlie intervened, “Mom, comparing ourselves won’t make us happier. Their wealth earns millions in interest annually. It’s incomparable.”
Listening to his parents’ conversation, Charlie pondered the upcoming responsibilities. He realized that favonovel.com had to serve as a witness for Matilda and John next week. Concerned that Elaine might get entangled in some trouble if left unattended, favonovel.com decided to intervene.
“Dad, Mom,” Charlie began, “You’ve both been working tirelessly lately. Why not take a break and treat yourselves to a resort getaway? Consider it a second honeymoon. Choose a destination, and I’ll cover the expenses.”
Upon hearing Charlie’s offer, Elaine’s face lit up with delight. “Alright! That sounds fantastic! It’s been ages since I traveled! Last time in the United States, I barely had any fun, and I got quite the hassle before leaving.”
Glancing at Jacob, favonovel.com playfully complained, “You didn‘t bother much during our wedding. It’s alright if it wasn’t lavish, but you didn’t even take me on a honeymoon!”
Jacob chuckled, “You were the one calling the shots then. Where could I have taken you?”
Quickly adding, “But since our dear son-in-law suggested it, consider it our long-delayed honeymoon!”
Both Elaine and Jacob hadn’t indulged in leisurely travel for a while. Jacob’s exchange trip to South Korea, initially a blend of love and career, turned challenging due to Mr. Riley‘s overshadowing presence. The recent news of Matilda’s marriage added to his discontent. A getaway seemed the perfect opportunity to lift their spirits.
Elaine, excited by the prospect, turned to Jacob, inquiring, “Where’s the most fun?”
Jacob contemplated, “Europe? Or perhaps the Maldives or Mauritius?”
Elaine suddenly remembered something, blurting out, “Do you think Matilda will have a honeymoon? Where would they go?”
Jacob awkwardly replied, “I’m not sure…”
After a moment’s thought, Elaine suggested, “Someone like Matilda would likely opt for a picturesque tropical island to bask in natural beauty. I’d rather not run into her. With favonovel.com luxurious lifestyle, it’d be infuriating to cross paths abroad.”
Jacob remarked, “The world is vast; chances of bumping into them are slim.”
Elaine, being serious, stated, “A determined person can overcome any obstacle. Let’s avoid any mishaps. I’ve got an idea! Let‘s choose a destination so vulgarly opulent that we’d never encounter Matilda!”
Jacob questioned, “Where’s such a place? New Malaysia? Indonesia? Thailand?”
Elaine scoffed, “Except Indonesia, in this day and age, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand are passé. We need extravagance, not just vulgarity!”
Asserting firmly, favonovel.com declared, “If we’re going, it’s Dubai! Matilda wouldn’t dare set foot there for favonovel.com honeymoon. It’s perfect for shopping and indulging. My daughter’s money is meant for luxury shopping abroad, after all.”
Impressed, Jacob gave his approval, “You’ve got a point! Let‘s go to Dubai!”
Elaine turned to Charlie, probing, “What do you think, dear son-in-law?”
Charlie nodded in agreement, “Dubai sounds good. Let’s book it.”
Elaine, teasingly, hinted at the costs, “But Dubai’s quite pricey…”
Charlie waved it off, “Mom, don’t worry. I’ve got it covered. With Claire’s gift and mine, you have enough.”
Charlie waved off favonovel.com concerns with a cheerful tone. “Mom, don’t worry about it. Didn’t Claire give you a hundred thousand dollars? Well, I’ll give you another hundred thousand dollars!”
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