Chapter 6100

What happened to her mother led Claire to realize a fundamental truth: 'My dad, mom, and I are just ordinary people. Miracles won't happen in our very typical family of three, and we won't receive any sudden windfalls or strokes of luck from fate.' Thus, when reflecting on all the fortunate and remarkable events our family has encountered over the past few years, it’s clear that Charlie was the one behind it all. My father, who once felt like a nobody in the Wilson family, later became the executive vice president of the Calligraphy and Painting Association. This was undoubtedly due to Charlie's behind-the-scenes support. However, the most embarrassing part of this situation was that Charlie facilitated my father's position as executive vice president, only for my dad to create a scandal that resulted in him stepping down. After resigning, Charlie stepped in again and helped him secure another leadership role. So, while my father isn’t as arrogant or domineering as my mother, he has caused Charlie a fair amount of trouble. For a moment, Claire felt an overwhelming sense of melancholy and sat quietly in her seat, letting out a sigh. Noticing her low spirits, Charlie quickly inquired with concern, “What’s wrong, wife?” Looking up at him, Claire offered a reluctant smile and lied, “I’m fine. I think I just got up early, so I’m a bit tired.” Charlie suspected he knew the source of Claire's unhappiness, and quietly said, “You know how my parents are, so try not to take it too hard.” He believed that it was likely her in-laws who had upset her this morning, but little did they know that there were actually three people affecting her mood, including himself. The middle-aged man named Douglas Halbrook appeared rather subdued, and the first-class lounge became significantly quieter. Elaine was still wearing a proud smile, considering her recent victory a definitive win. This refreshing feeling of self-satisfaction filled her with pride. Jacob, feeling vindicated, occasionally shot provoking glances at the timid middle-aged man who now avoided looking their way, choosing instead to face away from them. While Charlie and Claire had lost their appetite for breakfast, Elaine and Jacob feasted heartily. They piled their plates high with food and drinks, chatting and snapping photos to share on WeChat Moments, clearly in high spirits. After sitting in the lounge for several minutes, the service staff approached and respectfully invited the four of them to the boarding gate to board the plane. With only eight first-class seats on the plane, four in each row, Charlie's family was seated in the first row, while the second row was occupied by the middle-aged man Douglas and his young wife. Once on board, the couple deliberately took their time, trailing behind Charlie's family. After Charlie's family had settled in, they awkwardly boarded and sat quietly in their seats for the duration of the flight. In an effort to maintain the stylish facade they had established before the two, Elaine and Claire refrained from taking photos or chatting on the way, deliberately acting as if they belonged in the first-class cabin. This made Charlie feel relieved; at least the two groups had been civil before boarding, and afterward, everyone grew significantly quieter. After several hours in the air, the plane finally touched down in Male, the capital of the Maldives.

Although the airport was small, the area was visually dominated by a variety of luxury private jets, creating a striking scene. As one of the world's premier resorts, the Maldives' economy may not be booming, and its per capita GDP is modest, yet it draws affluent visitors from around the globe seeking vacation bliss. The allure of this destination is its spectacular scenery, pristine waters, and favorable climate. More importantly, this archipelago comprises thousands of islands, both large and small, many of which are untouched. Some islands are designated for local residents, resembling densely populated slum areas, while others are rented out to top hotel chains and wealthy individuals worldwide. These elite guests invest significant resources to transform scenic islands into ultra-luxurious resorts. Besides brief stops at the capital of Male, these wealthy visitors rarely interact with local citizens, allowing the area's underdeveloped economy to have no bearing on their vacation experience. After disembarking from the plane, the family of four cleared customs and spotted a young man with dark skin dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, holding a sign that read "Mr. Wade and Family." He was accompanied by three colleagues who donned the same attire. One of them held a sign that offered an official greeting in Chinese, stating "Mr. Halbrook and Madam." The staff members, who appeared to be South Asians, wore embroidered logos from White Horse Island on their uniforms and badges featuring their names. The signs they carried were crafted from classic LV patterns, elegantly displaying the name of White Horse Island. Recognizing that these were their chauffeurs, Charlie waved to them, and the four of them approached quickly. When the young man with the sign saw them, he respectfully asked in fluent Chinese, "You must be Mr. Wade, correct?" Charlie nodded, saying, "Yes, that's me." The young man replied, "Hello, Mr. Wade. It’s an honor to provide services to you and your family. I’m Hani, your butler for the next four days at White Horse Island. These three are my colleagues. Two of them will assist in transporting your luggage to the seaplane while I escort you and your family to the VIP lounge for a brief rest. Once the seaplane is ready, I’ll accompany you to your hotel." Charlie smiled and replied, "Your Chinese is excellent." Hani respectfully responded, "Thank you, Mr. Wade. To better serve our Chinese guests, I have studied Chinese for many years. At White Horse Island, we offer services in the ten most widely used languages to ensure you and your family feel at home." Elaine chimed in, "Oh, this lavish island is impressive. Before we arrived, I was concerned about my English skills making communication difficult, but it seems that won’t be a problem." As they spoke, Douglas and his wife Camilla approached. Upon noticing Charlie conversing with the staff, he glanced at the White Horse Island logo on their uniforms. Realizing they were affiliated with the same prestigious resort, he frowned and said to his wife, "That old woman Elaine is on the same island as us. She might end up on the same seaplane. Pay attention to your words and try not to say anything foolish."