Chapter 6107

That night, as the humid and warm sea breeze mingled with the sound of waves on the tropical islands, Charlie found a rare moment of tranquility. Claire, who was beside him, went to bed early. As she slept with her back turned to Charlie, he noticed nothing unusual. The next morning, while Charlie was still asleep, Claire quietly got out of bed. Though she tried to be silent, Charlie's instincts quickly kicked in, and he awoke. After Claire got up, she left the bedroom. In this water villa, both the bedroom and the living area had a door facing the sea. When opened, it revealed a shimmering, jelly-like blue sea. Exiting the bedroom, one found a water terrace enclosed by a wooden fence, offering complete privacy. The entire villa was constructed over underwater islands and reefs, and the waves lapped gently at Charlie's feet. On the terrace, there were two outdoor lounge chairs, and below, a large freshwater swimming pool awaited. As Claire stepped out, the horizon was just beginning to lighten, though the sun had yet to make its appearance. She settled into a recliner, resting her chin on one hand, and gazed dreamily at the brightest spot in the sky. In that moment, Charlie opened the door and stepped outside. Claire turned to look at him, surprised, and asked, "Are you awake? Did I wake you?" "No," Charlie replied with a smile. "Why did you come out to watch the sunrise without calling me?" Claire answered, a bit awkwardly, "I didn't want to disturb you. You’ve been so busy lately, and I thought you could use the extra rest while you're finally enjoying yourself." Charlie nodded and took a seat beside her. As the morning glow turned red across the sea, it cast a rosy hue on Claire's fair face, making her look as lovely as a freshly picked apple. For a moment, Charlie felt a wave of confusion wash over him. He glanced around and, instead of feeling calm, found himself growing more restless. Since the tragic murder of his parents in Aurous Hill when he was just eight, he had never experienced a normal life. Even in the picturesque Maldives, he felt compelled to wear a mask in front of his wife, all the while mentally fixated on seeking vengeance for his parents. The deep-seated hatred lingered in his heart, making it hard to truly relax even while on vacation. He yearned to eliminate Morgana quickly, so he could shed all pretenses and enjoy a peaceful life with Claire, free from thoughts of the Warriors Den and Morgana. However, he remained uncertain about how long achieving that goal would take. Lost in thought, he noticed the sun rising in the east. Both Charlie and Claire were captivated by the sight of the sun. As the sun fully emerged from the sea, a seaplane appeared on the skyline. Noticing the plane drawing nearer and lower, Claire remarked to Charlie, "Someone's arriving at the island so early. Could it be Miss Tawanna Sweet?" "That's possible," Charlie replied nonchalantly. The thought of Tawanna was a bit of a headache for him. Claire couldn't resist teasing, "It seems you and Miss Sweet are quite fated to see each other. After working together for so long, now you bump into her here." Charlie waved his hand dismissively. "I really don't want to see any familiar faces while on vacation." "It's fine," Claire said. "Our stay is just four nights, and now there are only three left. The days will fly by." The soon-to-land plane was indeed carrying Tawanna and her family, along with their bodyguard team. Her private jet had taken off from Los Angeles and, after nearly 15 hours covering almost 15,000 kilometers, had landed in Male, the capital of the Maldives, just before dawn.

Even though she had managed to rest during the flight, she was still somewhat disheartened. As the seaplane approached her destination, she complained to her mother, "I thought the flight to the Maldives would only take seven or eight hours! I can't believe we were in the air for so long. I regret this decision. If I had known that the agent would choose the Maldives, I should have checked the distance first." Her mother smiled and replied, "The Maldives isn't very well known in the United States, mainly because of how far away it is. The climate in the Caribbean is actually quite similar, and the scenery isn't too different either. Next time you think of a tropical vacation, consider the Caribbean instead." Tawanna's father quickly interjected, "Don't even think about the Caribbean again. Its reputation in the U.S. is already tarnished. We can't allow our daughter to become associated with those places." "That's true!" her mother said, recalling the infamous islands with unease. "It’s better to avoid the Caribbean altogether." Tawanna felt quite embarrassed. Her parents were unaware of her connection to those islands. If they found out about her past ties to notorious individuals, they would likely be very disappointed in her. ... The seaplane touched down on the water before gliding towards the dock. Staff had received the news and arrived early to prepare a welcome. Even the general manager of White Horse Island and Bernard Arnault's assistant were present at the dock to receive the international superstar arriving on behalf of Bernard Arnault and the entire White Horse Island Group. Once the plane came to a stop, Tawanna stepped off first, followed by her parents, with four bodyguards closely trailing them. Bernard Arnault's assistant approached her respectfully, saying, "Hello, Miss Sweet. I’m Mr. Bernard Arnault’s personal assistant, Alexander Renault. On behalf of Mr. Arnault and his wife, I extend a warm welcome to you!" Tawanna felt a spark of curiosity. If Bernard Arnault's personal assistant was here, did it mean that he was also on the island? With that thought in mind, she asked, "Is Mr. Arnault here on the island?" "Yes," Alexander affirmed with a smile. "Coincidentally, Mr. Arnault and his wife just arrived on the island shortly before you. However, due to their age, they cannot greet you personally at this early hour. We hope you understand." "That's very kind of you. I’ll be sure to pay Mr. Arnault a visit at a convenient time." Being a top star in the entertainment and music industry, Tawanna regularly interacted with the influential figures behind luxury brands and had collaborated with many. Bernard Arnault held a unique status as the premier figure in the luxury sector, commanding significant respect in the entertainment world, which necessitated that she show him due regard. Alexander smiled and added, "Miss Sweet, Mr. Arnault has asked me to convey his desire to host a party on the island tonight, inviting you and guests from across the island to attend. Would you be interested?" As Tawanna was on vacation, she had little desire to attend any parties. Moreover, the party would likely attract amateurs rather than industry insiders, which would make her feel out of place. However, she felt it would be inappropriate to decline Bernard Arnault's gracious invitation upon her arrival on the island, so she agreed and said, "That sounds wonderful! I’d love to join the party!"