Chapter 6090

Stephen Thompson said, "Mrs. Wade, please don’t worry. We can’t keep this matter from the Young Master. Once everything is settled and his revenge is achieved, we servants will naturally update you on the situation truthfully." Claire pursed her lips and thought for a long time before nodding and saying, "If this is what’s best for Charlie, then as you suggested, we will first remove ourselves from his world." Stephen Thompson then inquired, "Mrs. Wade, when do you plan to leave? I will make all the necessary arrangements ahead of time." Claire hesitated momentarily. After contemplating for a while, she finally replied, "Charlie has planned a trip for us to the Maldives to celebrate New Year together. We’ve never traveled together in all these years and I don’t want to miss this chance. Also, a month after New Year is the second day of the second month, which is Charlie’s birthday. I want to celebrate it with him. I hope this request isn’t too much to ask." Stephen Thompson nodded in understanding and said, "Mrs. Wade’s plan is very reasonable. However, I’m curious about what you have in mind for the second day of the second month or where you might be at that time. We should arrange things in advance." Claire shook her head and responded, "I’m not sure how Charlie intends to celebrate his birthday next year. I will ask him first and once I have made a decision, I will inform you." Stephen Thompson quickly replied, "During this time, I will stay at Lama Temple. If you need anything, Mrs. Wade, feel free to come and find me here." "Alright." Claire sighed softly, her face reflecting confusion. She then said, "Mr. Thompson, I’m feeling a bit worn out today. If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back now." Stephen Thompson bowed eagerly and said, "Thank you, Mrs. Wade!" Claire managed a bitter smile. As she turned to leave, she subconsciously recalled the date of February 2nd, suddenly thinking of something else. She immediately asked Stephen Thompson, "By the way, Stephen Thompson, I have a question and I hope you can answer honestly." Stephen Thompson responded immediately, "Of course, Madam Wade, please ask!" After contemplating for a moment, Claire began, "There’s a singer I admire greatly named Stefanie Sun. She is the only daughter of a prominent family in Eastcliff and her family possesses assets worth billions without any scandals over the years. She has always claimed that she entered the entertainment industry to find her fiance. I just realized she is holding a concert here in Aurous Hill on February 2nd, the very day of Charlie’s birthday. Initially, I thought it was just a coincidence, but now it seems to have some connection to Charlie." As she spoke, Claire paused, looking intently at Stephen Thompson. She asked, "Can you tell me honestly what the relationship is between Stefanie and Charlie?" Stefanie is Claire’s favorite singer, not just for her beautiful voice and looks, but primarily because she is the only female star in the entertainment industry who has remained scandal-free and has never had a public relationship. Just then, Claire recalled Stefanie's concert scheduled for February 2nd this year. First of all, February 2nd is Charlie's birthday and Stefanie chose to perform on this date in Aurous Hill. Initially, Claire saw it as mere coincidence, but after discovering Charlie's background, she felt that the probability of this being just a coincidence seemed slim. Moreover, Stefanie has always claimed to be looking for her fiance, which is well known in the entertainment industry. Claire had never considered Charlie before, but now she felt it connected to Charlie's past, marked by his disappearance from his social circle when he was younger. Lastly, when Stefanie performs on that day, she sings a song titled "I Want to Marry You Tomorrow," dressed in a wedding gown. Claire hadn’t thought much about it at the time, but now these details made her feel certain that that wedding dress was meant for Charlie and the song was a message for him.

She had just told Stephen Thompson of her desire to celebrate Charlie's birthday before stepping out of his life. Now, the thought of that concert weighed heavily on her mind; the more she considered it, the more something felt off. Stephen Thompson was a bit surprised by her probing question and hadn’t anticipated Claire would ask this. After a moment of contemplation, he sighed and responded, "Given that Mrs. Wade has asked, I will answer truthfully. Stefanie’s parents are close friends with the Young Master’s family. When they were children, both families arranged a marriage contract to unite them. Stefanie has always believed she is the Young Master’s fiance, even though he disappeared early on, she has held steadfast to this belief." Claire felt a jolt of shock. It wasn’t so much the information that surprised her but rather the emotional weight it carried. Not only did it shake her that Charlie had concealed his identity and past from her, but she was also distressed to know that he and Stefanie had already recognized one another. How else could Charlie have shared a meal with Stefanie? At that moment, Claire’s emotions grew increasingly tangled. While Charlie’s mysterious origins had some degree of understanding on her part, it was far harder to accept that he was involved with someone already engaged, while keeping her completely oblivious. She knew her own background and status were inadequate for Charlie. Even her grandfather had once served as a subordinate to Charlie's family. In contrast, Charlie’s connections to the Wade family, along with the far-reaching influence of the Evans family from his mother’s side, put her at an almost insurmountable distance from him. This divide felt as vast as the antipodal points on a globe, each standing at either end of the earth, an immense gulf between them. In observing Stefanie, Claire couldn’t help but feel that she was a more fitting match for Charlie. They shared wealth, family history, and had known each other since childhood, bolstered by their marriage contract. In every aspect, they seemed far more suitable for one another. Claire’s mood plunged into despair. In the presence of Stefanie, she felt incredibly insignificant and ashamed. How could she ever compare to someone like her? If that were the case, what did her marriage to Charlie signify? Upon marrying him, she realized she hadn’t truly loved him. Yet, feeling obligated to honor her grandfather's promise kept her from considering divorce. Reflecting on it now, it felt more like a commitment to fulfill a promise made to her grandfather than a genuine relationship. Back then, she had told Charlie that she would marry him, primarily because her grandfather had asked her to agree. They had a mutual understanding that the two wouldn’t necessarily become husband and wife. If Charlie was amenable to it, that would be fine, but if he disagreed, she wouldn’t push him. In reality, she had hoped Charlie would choose to opt-out on his own accord. Instead, he had unexpectedly accepted without hesitation. Even after years of living together, he never complained despite working hard. Over the years, Claire’s feelings for Charlie evolved from indifference to something deeper. However, she had always regarded him as family, unable to discern the presence of romance in her heart. But at that moment, she suddenly experienced heartache. It was then she realized that there was indeed a spark of love hidden within her, although she had been unaware of its existence all along.