Chapter - 5725

"True love?!" Elaine exclaimed, "What are you trying to say?"

Charlie replied earnestly, "Mom, Matilda came back to China because of her true love, her current fiancé."

He continued, "Her fiancé's name is John Riley. I did some research on him. He is a renowned economist who was specially invited by Aurous Hill University of Finance and Economics from the United States. He used to work on Wall Street and was a top-notch professional. He could easily become the CEO of any Fortune Global 500 company."

Elaine scoffed, "Just a worker, a professional manager!"

Charlie said, "Don't underestimate professional managers. Look at the CEO of Apple, for instance. He earns around 100 million US dollars a year."

Elaine's eyes widened in shock at the amount. She couldn't fathom earning over 100 million dollars in just one year.

Charlie continued, "Although Professor Riley may not earn as much as the CEO of Apple, he still makes around 30-50 million US dollars a year. Do you know what that means? He can earn 100,000 US dollars in a day if he wants to. But he values integrity and doesn't want to make money in Fortune Global 500 companies, so he came to Aurous Hill University of Finance and Economics to teach."

He continued, "Now you understand why Matilda came back to Aurous Hill, right? She didn't come back to rekindle her old relationship with Dad. She came to pursue love because her true love came to Aurous Hill to teach."

Elaine was immediately convinced by Charlie's words.

Although she knew Matilda was getting married, she suspected there was something unclear between Matilda and Jacob when she first returned.

But now, hearing Charlie's explanation, it turned out that Matilda came back to Aurous Hill not to find Jacob, but to find her current fiancé?

In confusion, she asked Charlie, "Is what you're saying true?"

Charlie looked at Elaine and asked, "Mom, let me ask you a question. Do you think, given Dad's current situation, he can attract a wealthy woman worth over 1 billion US dollars, who would come all the way from the United States to rekindle their old relationship with him?"

He continued, "Although he is Claire's father, although I am his son-in-law, although what I'm saying may be disrespectful, I still have to say it. Mom, do you think Dad is worthy?"

With this soul-searching question, Charlie left Elaine speechless.

Was Jacob worthy?

To say that he was worthy? That would be too much praise for Jacob.

With his appearance, there probably wasn't a retired woman with a pension of over 5,000 dollars who would look at him.

Elaine couldn't help but scoff, "Hmph! He's worth nothing! Who else would even look at that weakling Jacob, let alone someone worth over a billion dollars? She's a wealthy woman!"

"Absolutely!" Charlie seized the opportunity, "Frankly, given Dad's current state, if Matilda were to spare him another glance, her thirty years in the States would be for nothing! She's well-acquainted with Wall Street, accustomed to excellence. How could she possibly admire an old failure like Dad? Thirty years in the U.S. and she returns without a thought to help the poor? Is that fair?"

With a heavy sigh, Charlie continued, "Let me tell you, the only one who could ever like Dad is you."

Meanwhile, Jacob, listening in from outside the door, felt like his face was ablaze with humiliation, his heart wracked with anguish.

He knew Matilda, worth over 100 million, had returned for him.

It was a pity he lacked the courage to divorce Elaine and be with her. He had thought he could take it slow, maybe have a silent standoff with Elaine, hoping she'd initiate a divorce. Then, he could naturally be with Matilda.

But Matilda, whom he had assumed to be a constant, turned out to be a variable. She wasn't waiting around forever for Jacob. She had found someone better, someone more committed, more suitable for her, and she had moved on.

Yet, Jacob understood that Charlie's mockery in front of Elaine was a form of rescue. Even if it meant bearing the brunt of the blame, he had to accept it.

As Elaine absorbed Charlie's words, her competitive spirit flared up. She retorted defiantly, "Don't think Matilda is the only one who scorns him, I despise him too! If he hadn't done what he did to me back then, how could I have mustered the courage to marry him after such a disgraceful act? I was left with no choice!"

Jacob's heart ached even more, his soul steeped in sorrow, "Even Elaine claims to be coerced... What have I become?"

At this moment, Charlie immediately agreed, saying, "Mom, I think you're right. You are brave and straightforward, not afraid to love or hate. It's a pity that you married such an unworthy man in your life. It's such a waste! Such a waste!"

Elaine's eyes welled up with tears, "My dear son-in-law, you've touched a chord in my heart! I just told off the traffic police, declaring that in ancient times, I, Elaine, would've been the number one heroine. Why did I end up marrying such a waste?"

Quickly regaining her composure, she continued, "I see myself as the protagonist in The Legend of the Condor Heroes. And Jacob? He's nothing but the waste, clueless about martial arts. It's one thing not to have skills, but to lack wit? What a complete buffoon."

Charlie nodded in agreement, "Precisely! So, Mom, why hold onto this anger? You suspect Dad's involvement with Matilda, but it's clear he's not up to par. Even if Dad desired it, he wouldn't stand a chance. By dwelling on this, aren't you only causing unnecessary turmoil for yourself?"

Elaine's anger towards Jacob had already eased a lot, but she suddenly realized something was wrong and said, "Then why did he hide Matilda's return from me? Why didn't he tell me directly?"

Charlie sighed, "Ah, Dad didn't tell you because he wanted to protect you. When Matilda first came back, she kept saying she wanted to invite you and Dad for a meal together. Dad didn't want you to be hurt by meeting Matilda, so he didn't tell you. I was there at the time."

Elaine frowned and asked, "Why did Jacob take you to see Matilda?"

Charlie explained, "At first, Matilda told Dad that she was returning to China. Dad didn't want to get involved, but when I heard about her situation, I thought her son might be a potential big client. So, I asked Dad to help me introduce myself. That's why Dad took me to meet her and her son."

He continued, "You may not know, but when Matilda returned to China, her son also came back. Her son's name is Paul, and he is the head of Smith Law Firm. He moved their law firm to Aurous Hill and was also looking for someone to help with feng shui when choosing the location. Dad introduced me to him, and he did become my client. I earned over millions from that deal."

Charlie added, "Matilda later arranged for both families to have a meal together. She wanted Dad to bring you, me, and Claire, but Dad didn't agree. He was afraid that you would be hurt, and he also worried that Matilda would feel superior to you and you wouldn't be able to handle it."