Chapter 6038

The night in Eastcliff is clear, accompanied by a biting cold. Charlie lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to find any sleep. Thoughts of the past, present, and future collided in his mind like three converging rivers, leaving his heart in disarray. Meanwhile, thousands of kilometers away on Putuo Mountain, a striking woman sat in a rattan chair within the temple's blue brick courtyard, gazing up at the expansive starry sky. She possessed exquisite features and an extraordinary presence; even after fifty years, only fine lines had formed at the corners of her eyes. This woman is Charlie's biological mother, Lily. Sister Turk, an elderly but strong woman, hurried into the yard and respectfully addressed her, "Madam, Stephen has a matter to report. The head of the Wade family had an extensive discussion with Charlie today." "Oh?" Lily replied curiously, "What did my father-in-law and Charlie discuss?" Sister Turk maintained her respectful demeanor: "They discussed Miss Sun." "Stefanie." Lily inquired further with a gentle smile, "What about Stefanie?" Sister Turk provided a detailed report of the news to Lily. The more Lily listened, the more surprised she became, and she finally exclaimed, "Orrin is truly doing his best." Sister Turk nodded in agreement: "I think so too. The Sun family really holds Young Master in high regard." Lily sighed, "My father-in-law is correct. One day, Charlie will return to the Wade family as its heir and re-enter the public eye. By then, Claire might struggle to accept this." Sister Turk asked, "Madam, what do you believe is the best way to handle this situation?" Lily felt a tremor of uncertainty, pondering for a moment before stating seriously, "There is more than one optimal solution, but none of them involve maintaining the current status quo." Sister Turk hastily inquired, "Are you suggesting that the Young Master and Claire are not suited for each other?" "Indeed," Lily confirmed with a nod. After a brief pause, she sighed, "Their relationship lacks purity, bearing too many hidden dangers. Once Charlie resolves Morgana's issues and reclaims his position in the Wade family, he will be greeted with the combined support of the Wade family, the Evans family, and his own strength. At that point, he will shine as the brightest new star in the world. If his marriage to Claire were to change at that moment, it would not bode well for him." Sister Turk nodded, then asked respectfully, "Madam, do you have any solutions in mind?" Lily was quiet for a moment before responding, "Claire's parents are uncontrollable factors, but Claire herself should still be manageable. I'm considering whether to let her discover Charlie's true identity by chance." "Ah?!" Sister Turk asked nervously, "Wouldn't that put the Young Master in danger if she learns about his background?" Lily replied earnestly, "That's why I said it should be manageable. If Claire were to learn of Charlie's identity, the deceptions he has held from her, and the mission he is on, what do you think her reaction would be?" Sister Turk reflected for a moment, "She would probably divorce the Young Master, right?" "Yes," Lily affirmed. "If she does not act against her nature, with her character, she would most likely choose to leave Charlie. On one hand, there's the disappointment from being deceived for so long, and on the other hand, the deep-seated hatred tied to Charlie's past. If she truly loves him, I believe she would choose to quietly share in Charlie's struggles, keeping his secret to herself without informing her parents." Sister Turk quickly asked, "Madam, are you suggesting we reveal the entire situation to Claire?"

"Yes." Lily replied with conviction, "It’s time for her to know. Moreover, given Charlie’s current circumstances, he cannot afford to carry excessive worries. If she can leave him, even if only temporarily, it would ultimately benefit Charlie." Sister Turk posed another question: "How should Claire find out? It must be someone highly credible to ensure she is convinced." After a moment, she added, "Madam, why not let me find an opportunity to speak with her directly?" "You’re mistaken." Lily firmly denied the suggestion and stated seriously, "You've also been a missing person for many years. If you approach her to deliver this news, she might not believe you." Sister Turk asked, "Who do you think would be more suitable?" Lily replied, "There is only one person for this task: Stephen Thompson." She continued, "If the Wade family or the Evans family were to inform Claire, it would carry weight, but Charlie would surely resent them once he finds out. Those people are his relatives and should not be the ones to convey this difficult truth. We can let Stephen bear that burden instead. He has been with the Wade family for many years and can gather information easily from the internet. If he delivers the news, Claire won’t doubt it." Sister Turk suddenly understood, nodding slightly as she said, "Madam, it makes sense for Stephen to handle this." She then asked, "But what if Claire decides not to leave the Young Master after finding this out?" Lily stated calmly, "If that’s the case, it doesn’t matter if she stays. Charlie tends to be resolute in any situation. However, if this matter lingers, hesitancy from not revealing the truth can lead to significant hidden dangers in their relationship. If Claire learns the truth and chooses to stay with Charlie, she will likely commit to him fully and live a good life together. That outcome would certainly be better than the current situation." As a mother-in-law, Lily harbored some grievances toward Claire. Putting aside other considerations, after several years of marriage without any steps forward may not sit well with any mother-in-law. If Claire were willing to separate from Charlie, Lily would gladly offer her a significant sum as a parting gift, ensuring she would never have financial worries. This way, Charlie would also be liberated from this unusual marital situation, regaining his complete freedom. If Claire refuses to leave, then her actions will exert a considerable pressure on Claire, compelling her to solidify her connection with Charlie, at least establishing the reality of their marriage. Thus, Lily believed that either of these outcomes would be a vast improvement over the current state. Since Charlie was reluctant to take that step himself, she, as an ardent mother, would find a way to help him make that leap! She then said to Sister Turk, "Prepare Stephen to return to China quietly." Sister Turk nodded, "Understood, Madam. I will contact Stephen right away." Lily added another instruction: "Tell him not to return by plane but to find a reliable waterway route. Charlie now has an AI model; traveling through regular channels could easily attract the notice of his AI system." Sister Turk responded, "Madam, the waterway might be considerably slower, possibly delaying his arrival in China until next month." "That’s fine." Lily reassured her, "Delay is acceptable. The only priority is to avoid leaving any traces. If Charlie discovers him, it would be akin to finding me, and he has the means to obtain my location through Stephen!"