The Charismatic Charlie Wade

When Morine returned to Thompson First, he found Jacob engaged in a heated argument with Elaine.

As he entered the house with the cylinder containing Morvel Bazin’s portrait, he overheard Jacob complaining, “You claim you do nothing all day, not even cooking breakfast. If you don’t want to cook, fine, just order some extra portions. You’re full after ordering, and you don’t even leave me any leftovers. I have to rush to the association, and you can’t let me go hungry!”

Elaine responded confidently, “Didn’t you hear me? Cook for yourself. You have enough food and clothing. Why don’t you wake up early and cook for me? It’s wishful thinking to expect me to cook for you! Besides, ordering doesn’t cost much. If you give me a monthly allowance of 180,000, I’ll arrange three meals a day for you. Clear enough?”

Angrily, Jacob retorted, “You’re obsessed with money!”

After venting his frustration, he made his way to leave the living room but was surprised to see Morine entering. He quickly asked, “Good son-in-law, why are you back so early?”

Morine smiled and replied, “The business with the client is almost done, so I hurried back.”

Taking the opportunity, Morine asked, “By the way, Dad, how is the calligraphy and painting exhibition of your Painting and Calligraphy Association coming along?”

Sighing, Jacob responded somewhat dejectedly, “The calligraphy and painting exhibition is still in preparation. The Cultural Department has been very supportive and provided significant assistance. The association members have also found some excellent paintings. We have finalized over 300 exhibits.”

Morine smiled and commented, “That sounds great. Why the frown then?”

Downcast, Jacob explained, “I’m worried because while everyone can find exceptional works, I can’t seem to find any. They’ve been in this business for a long time, and they have connections with collectors. If they just speak a good word, they can borrow paintings for the exhibition. I feel helpless and don’t know where to borrow from! I went to Zachary, but he’s no longer involved in calligraphy and painting. Now he deals in wood, selling them for millions. He’s even more money-minded than your mother. Apart from him, I don’t know anyone else…”

it. Many of them are works from the Aurous Hill School of Painting in the late Ming and early Quintong Dynasties, but the Aurous Hill School of Painting is not

in the Painting and Calligraphy Association. Isn’t that hypocritical? In the past, everyone played

from Jacob. He retorted angrily, “Elaine! I’m talking to my good son-in-law. What’s your business here?

finished my meal, why? Do you have a

Jacob dismissed her, saying, “Whether you’re satisfied or not, I don’t care.

for long. Why would anyone seek your opinion? It’s because everyone knows you’re an amateur, and they want

quickly grabbed

smile, Morine nodded and followed Jacob

Jacob confided in Jordan, “Good son-in-law, my current situation is quite disadvantageous. There are many rumors circulating in the association, and many people claim that I lack real talent and only hold the executive vice president position because of Chairman Price’s support. They say I’m a nepotistic appointment, and now Chairman

Jacob continued, “Chairman Price invited me for a meal yesterday and dropped a few cryptic remarks. It seems that many people have been

and it so happens that your Painting and Calligraphy Association is organizing an exhibition. I asked him if he

asked, “Good son-in-law, what did your client say?

interested. When he learned that you were organizing an exhibition, he

that, Morine handed the

to

or seal. There’s only a line