Chapter 5602

"Take your helicopter and leave?" Charlie gazed at Steve, his brow furrowed with confusion. "Where can your helicopter take me?" Steve responded swiftly. "It has a range of about 300 miles. You can go anywhere within that distance!" He added, with a hint of urgency in his tone, "I've already informed the pilot to prepare for takeoff. You can leave whenever you're ready!" Charlie inquired further, his voice calm and collected. "And where do you plan on going once the pilot takes off?" Steve replied without hesitation, his words rushing out. "I intend to send my son Royce back to check on the situation at home, gather information and see how things are progressing..." Charlie's smile was faint, his voice steady. "So you're sending your son back, not venturing beyond the restricted area. How can you be certain that your helicopter can enter and exit without any issues?" Steve instinctively responded, confidence in his voice. "As the first heir of the Rothschild family, I can assure you that my helicopter will face no obstacles in entering and exiting the restricted area." Charlie's smile remained. "Whether someone stops you or not, you'll only know once you try." Turning his attention to Hank, Charlie spoke in a measured tone. "You shall accompany Young Master Royce on the helicopter and fly outside the restricted area. Test whether anyone attempts to impede your progress. If not, return. If there is opposition, claim that Young Master Royce wishes to ascertain the extent of air control." Royce breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing that he would be departing on the helicopter. It felt like a narrow escape, a chance at freedom. He believed that if the helicopter were intercepted, he could seek help from the intercepting party and find a way to escape. But Charlie's next words shattered his hopes in an instant. Charlie's gaze fixed on Hank as he uttered coldly, his voice devoid of emotion. "Remember, if Young Master Royce dares to seek assistance or tries to abandon you at any point, do not hesitate to shoot him. Aim for his head and ensure a single, lethal shot." Hank responded immediately, his voice resolute. "Master, rest assured. If he makes any moves, I will take care of him." Royce's face turned pale with fear. He knew all too well that Hank held a position of power within the Rothschild family. After all, he was the trusted bodyguard and right-hand man of the patriarch. This meant that Hank had the authority to carry a firearm in the presence of the Rothschild family members. If Royce were to seek help, there would be no opportunity for the person he sought to retaliate. If Hank truly wished to kill him, it would be effortless. Escape seemed impossible. Regardless of whether the helicopter was intercepted or not, Royce would have no choice but to return obediently. While Royce grappled with frustration, Charlie turned to Steve and issued a stern warning. "Listen carefully. If your son attempts any tricks, not only will he lose his life, but you won't survive either. Do you understand?" Steve dared not hesitate, nodding quickly. "I understand... I understand..." In that moment, Hank's walkie-talkie crackled to life, his subordinate's voice breaking through. "Boss, I've contacted the power company. The circuits have been severely damaged. The circuits across the river have been cut off. We won't be able to gather enough manpower to repair them tonight. The earliest we can do it is tomorrow morning. Should we send a power truck?" Hank turned to Charlie, awaiting his orders. Charlie spoke calmly, his voice decisive. "Instruct them not to send a power truck tonight. The power outage indicates that action is imminent. Sending a truck now won't solve the problem. Stay focused on the Cole family and remain vigilant." Hank relayed Charlie's instructions to his subordinates without delay. One of the subordinates responded respectfully, "Understood, boss!" Charlie knew that there were over a hundred people surveilling the Cole family. He could infiltrate quietly, but it would be impossible to approach the front gate and seize the Four Treasures of the Study in plain sight. Furthermore, it remained uncertain whether he could even take the artifact with him. If he resorted to violence and forcibly escaped the restricted area with the banner, no one would be able to stop him. However, his identity would undoubtedly be exposed.

The issue with the Warriors Den had yet to be resolved. If his identity were revealed within the Rothschild family, it would be a significant setback. Thus, Charlie sought the safest route possible. If he could discreetly bring the Four Treasures of the Study back to China, he would have fulfilled Peter's request. Dawn was still three hours away. Charlie decided to first ascertain the feasibility of the helicopter route. Ten minutes later, Steve's luxurious heavy helicopter took off from the villa's backyard. Although the spacious cabin could accommodate more than twenty people, it currently held only Hank and Royce. Charlie sat on the sofa, observing Steve in the darkness. He posed a question, his voice filled with curiosity. "As the first heir of the Rothschild family, why are you personally involved in this matter?" Steve's expression turned bitter as he responded. "You have no idea... Today, my father suddenly announced that whoever retrieves the Four Treasures of the Study will become the heir of the Rothschild family, effectively undermining my rightful position as the first heir..." Understanding dawned on Charlie, a smile playing at his lips. "Ah, I see. That's why you're so desperate, going to such lengths at your age, staying up all night on the frontlines." Steve stumbled over his words, a hint of embarrassment in his voice. "No, it's not like that... I have no choice. If I lose my position as the first heir, my son won't have the opportunity to inherit the family business. I have to give it my all for his future." Charlie inquired further, his voice gentle. "Why did you choose to oversee things here instead of collaborating with other departments to set up checkpoints and blockades?" Steve answered honestly, his voice tinged with vulnerability. "My father informed me that the highest likelihood of finding the Four Treasures of the Study is here, so I came..." Charlie nodded, smiling as he revealed, "Actually, the Four Treasures of the Study you seek resides within the Cole family home! I came here specifically to retrieve the Four Treasures of the Study." Steve, though having anticipated this, felt a jolt of shock at Charlie's admission. He marveled at Charlie's audacity to infiltrate a perimeter guarded by hundreds, reaching his location unnoticed and exerting control. This alone indicated Charlie's strength was extraordinarily formidable. Initially, the realization that the Four Treasures of the Study was indeed in the Cole family sparked excitement in Steve. However, this quickly turned to profound regret and frustration. He understood that escaping from Charlie, a formidable adversary, was near impossible. Whether he would survive remained uncertain. Steve lamented not having sought the Four Treasures of the Study more aggressively from the start, perhaps by digging up the entire area. Had he discovered it before Charlie, his mission would have been a success. But now, he faced not only the failure of his mission but also a potential threat to his life. Observing Steve's crestfallen and remorseful demeanor, Charlie couldn't help but smirk. "Steve, you seem quite disheartened," he remarked. Startled, Steve hastily replied, "No, no, you've misunderstood..." With a knowing smile, Charlie suggested, "Steve, we don't have to be adversaries. Consider this if you still desire the Four Treasures of the Study, we could engage in a lethal duel. However, if you look at it differently, my discreet removal of the Four Treasures of the Study today could actually benefit you." "A benefit?" Steve, confused and overwhelmed, found his thinking and judgment significantly impaired by his nervousness. Charlie continued with a grin, "Remember what your father said? The one who returns the Four Treasures of the Study will be the primary heir. But consider the alternative, if no one returns with the Four Treasures of the Study, wouldn't you still remain the foremost successor?"