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…”

of them are works from the Aurous Hill School of Painting in the late Ming and

in the Painting and Calligraphy Association. Isn’t that hypocritical? In the past, everyone played along to hide the fact that you

nerve, earning her a disdainful look from Jacob. He retorted angrily, “Elaine! I’m talking to my good

Elaine replied, “Yes, I’m quite satisfied. Just finished my meal, why? Do you

“Whether you’re satisfied or not, I don’t care. I don’t want to

not. But you, the executive vice president, might not hold that position for long. Why would anyone seek your opinion? It’s because everyone knows you’re an

turned even uglier, and he quickly grabbed Morine’s arm, whispering, “Good son-in-law,

nodded and followed Jacob to the

There are many rumors circulating in the association, and many people claim that I lack real talent and only hold

been seeking his advice lately, and everyone wants to impeach me. If I can’t come up with something substantial, it

easy fix. My client has a vast collection of paintings, and it so happens that your Painting and Calligraphy Association is organizing an exhibition. I asked him if he could lend some

your

a special status, and many of his collections aren’t easily shown. However, he was quite interested. When he learned that you were

Morine handed the painting tube to

to the exhibition?! What

It has no signature or seal. There’s only a line of