Chapter 6082

Charlie took a few days to rest in Aurous Hill before setting off once again for Newport in the south. Coincidentally, with the lunar calendar year coming to an end, the weather had begun to turn colder. However, the temperatures in Newport were still manageable, making it relatively comfortable for performances. According to the plan, Fairmont would be the final stop. After the last performance there, Charlie intended to return directly to Aurous Hill and fly to the Maldives with his family the following day. After several exhausting days managing Tawanna's performances, Charlie felt mentally drained. He was looking forward to a restful Chinese New Year—not out of physical fatigue, but rather a longing for spiritual rejuvenation. While Charlie was busy supporting Tawanna's performance in Newport, a freighter docked at Pudong Port in Shanghai. This freighter, which hailed from China, had just returned to harbor. The crew members had disembarked for a break, and once the ship was reloaded with the next batch of cargo, it would set sail for Europe. Among the crew was a middle-aged man known affectionately as Chef Ma, whose true identity was Stephen Thompson, the longtime butler of the Wade family. All the crew members on this ship worked for Charlie's mother, Lily. She owned a Chinese shipping company, which, although smaller than BAIT Shipping, boasted a fleet of dozens of container freighters, providing her with substantial cash flow while enabling global logistics. After leaving the freighter, Stephen Thompson was discreetly escorted to Aurous Hill via a secret route. Aurous Hill is not far from Shanghai, typically within a three to four-hour drive. Lily had arranged for Stephen Thompson to stay at Lama Temple due to the fact that all of Aurous Hill was filled with Charlie's associates and enterprises, making it unsafe for him to be seen. Traveling in a completely opaque business car from Shanghai, Stephen Thompson arrived at Lama Temple late at night. While Lama Temple is typically closed to pilgrims and lay Buddhists at night, they opened a side door for his arrival, promptly closing it after the business car entered. The vehicle drove directly to the hillside, where a unique courtyard, previously occupied by Lily, lay. Several monks quietly cleared the area and guest rooms. The moment the car entered the courtyard, they bowed their heads and began to disperse. From the vehicle emerged two men dressed in black, who checked the surroundings before securing the door. They then opened the sliding door on the back seat, respectfully addressing Stephen Thompson: “Mr. Thompson, we have arrived. You may exit the vehicle.” Stephen Thompson nodded slightly. As he stepped out, he recognized an elderly figure approaching from the main room of the courtyard—Sister Turk, who frequently accompanied Lily. Sister Turk smiled warmly at Stephen Thompson and said, “Stephen, you have worked so hard this whole way.” With a smile, Stephen Thompson replied, “I’ve actually been enjoying the tropical vibes in Tahiti lately, so it hasn’t been hard at all. It’s truly Sister Turk who has endured more while staying with my lady.” After speaking, he paused to gaze at the dim moonlight overhead, inhaling the damp, cold air of winter and sighed, “Sister Turk, to be honest, southern winters still feel a bit uncomfortable, which reminds me of the Young Master. I often think back to that first winter he spent in the welfare home, curled up in a quilt, shivering in the night. The home was so old that there was no heating or air conditioning, and even the windows had just single panes of glass. At the time, I wished to assist the Young Master, but I refrained, fearing it would raise his suspicions or draw attention, leaving him to suffer frostbite instead. Looking back on that winter, I shed many tears for the Young Master in Eastcliff...”

Sister Turk nodded in understanding, sighing, “The president of the Welfare Institute has shared some photos. The Young Master’s hands, feet, and ears were all frostbitten at that time. My lady often cried upon seeing those images. But now, reflecting on it, those hardships were indeed crucial training for him. Without them, how could he have grown into the principled Master Wade he is today?” Stephen Thompson nodded in agreement, lamenting, “Sister Turk speaks the truth. The Young Master has fought through so much adversity and has finally emerged triumphant. The muck of Aurous Hill hasn’t been able to hold him back from soaring.” Sister Turk smiled knowingly, saying, “Yet the muddy circumstances remain just that—mud. My lady believes it’s time for the Young Master to break free from these limitations entirely.” Stephen Thompson then inquired, “You mean the Wilson family related to the nickel business, right?” “Exactly,” Sister Turk confirmed earnestly. “You’ve served as a steward in the Wade family for many years. Everyone must have heard of your name, and there’s plenty of information about you online. If you can meet with Claire and explain the Young Master’s true background to her, I believe she won't have any doubts.” Stephen Thompson asked, “If Claire learns about this, does my lady wish for her to divorce the Young Master?” “Correct,” Sister Turk replied. “Given Claire's nature, if she discovers the Young Master has concealed things from her for so long, especially after all the recent events, she would undoubtedly leave him.” She hesitated before continuing, “However, what my lady is uncertain about is whether the Young Master will willingly let Claire go. It’s crucial that you find a good moment to talk with Claire to make her understand that staying with the Young Master would not only be an added burden for him but could also pose unnecessary risks for her and her family. It would be best to help her willingly part ways with him.” Stephen Thompson expressed concern, “The Young Master cares deeply for her. If I can convince her to leave, tracking her down might not be too difficult given her capabilities. After all, the Young Master has established a comprehensive AI system and developed a network at airports and docks worldwide.” Sister Turk smiled reassuringly, “If she chooses to leave the Young Master, my lady will ensure she and her family can exit China discreetly without the Young Master ever finding her. Once my lady is able to meet with the Young Master, she will explain everything. If he still wishes to pursue Claire after that, my lady won't stand in his way.” Continuing, she added, “By the way, you may return to China at that point. If the Young Master requires you, you can go back to serve him. If he doesn’t, you're free to retire and live a peaceful life.” Stephen Thompson nodded thoughtfully, adding, “I wonder if the Young Master will feel resentful towards my lady for this separation from Miss Wilson.” Sister Turk sighed helplessly, “Even if he does blame her, my lady has no other choice. Otherwise, he will never be able to free himself from his attachments. That girl from the Wilson family and Aurous Hill would only serve as chains for him.” Then she asked, “Do you think the Young Master would hold a grudge if he realized that my lady has been quietly orchestrating this for all these years?” “Probably not,” Stephen Thompson speculated. “After all, my lady has endured a challenging life for many years as well.” “Exactly,” Sister Turk smiled and said, “Both my lady and the Young Master are driven by the same goal. Only by achieving this goal swiftly can they be reunited as mother and son!”