The Charismatic Charlie Wade

Chapter 5518

Upon seeing the cryptic text, Maria wasted no time chiming in, her voice laced with curiosity, “Maria, I’m pretty sure the borough in question here is Queens, New York. That photo? Yep, definitely Queens. Now, this guy “Cole”, is obviously a last name. And I can tell by his look that he has Chinese descent. The catch? We don’t have a clue what his first name is.”

“You’re spot on,” Jagoan concurred, his brow furrowing in deep thought.

He mused, “There’s something oddly familiar about this Cole fellow. But, try as I might, I can’t put my finger on where I’ve seen him before.”

Maria reassured him, “Don’t rush it, Master. That sense of familiarity might stem from a fleeting memory. It’s there, just beneath the surface. All you need is to give it some time, let it simmer. Trust me, the answer will come to you.”

She probed further, “Besides the familiarity, anything else about this whole scenario that strikes you as odd or strangely familiar?”

Jagoan, still massaging his temples, replied, “You know, Maria, there’s more to it than just the familiarity. Looking at this picture, I sense something deeper, something profoundly familiar. But the specifics, they elude me.”

Maria breathed a sigh of relief, “Master, don’t fret. Let’s piece this puzzle together. First, let’s talk about the attire of your dad and this Cole character. Anything noteworthy there?”

Jagoan scrutinized the photo and replied, “Dad’s sporting late 20th-century gear, a bomber jacket—pretty trendy back then. Cole, on the other hand, has on a regular woolen windbreaker, typical attire for the time.”

Maria probed further, “And what about Queens? Your parents lived in the States for years. Did Queens ever come up in your conversations or visits?”

Jagoan pondered for a moment before responding, “In my recollection, the States trips with my folks or visits to relatives with Mom usually centered around Long Island. Apart from that, we were Manhattan regulars. Queens? It’s all a bit fuzzy.”

Then, he added, “Even this antique shop—I only learned about it from my uncle a few days back. Never heard a peep about it from my parents.”

At this point, Jagoan’s expression froze suddenly.

Unaware of his abrupt change, Maria remained focused on the photo and suggested, “Perhaps we could contact your father’s former colleagues. They might recognize this person.”

But Jagoan, deep in thought, didn’t respond.

Perplexed, Maria prodded, “Master?”

Jagoan snapped back to reality at Maria’s query.

to bead on his brow and cheeks as he stammered, “I… I think

aback and pressed, “Young master, do

last name is Cole, and I had this strange sense of déjà vu. And then, there’s that

what he was doing, insisted on visiting an antique shop to ‘broaden his horizons,’ and accidentally knocked over that jade pot

Book’ from the remains of that very vase.

his father in the photo, muttering, “He was the manager of

she exclaimed, “Young master, are you saying that the man in this photo from over 20 years ago, taken with your father in New York, later worked at an antique shop in

Moore family. At the time, it wasn’t a prominent part of the Moore family’s business empire. Jasmine Moore, the current

his spine

uncle mentioned that his parents had found the Preface to the Apocalyptic Book,’ hinting at a connection between the

was Felix who had handed the jade pot

phone and dialed Jasmine’s number. If anyone could shed light on Felix, it would be

voice lighthearted, “Why the late-night

inquired, “Jasmine, can you tell me if Felix,

to recognize the true value of the jade pot and spring vase you repaired.

go?” Jagoan probed further. “Do you

“I never saw him again after

another question, “And when

long,” Jasmine recalled. “He was there for just over a month,

deliberate, like Felix had joined Vintage Deluxe for a

one who hired him?”

and cousin. So they

probed further, “Why did

humble, well-educated—the guy had a compelling demeanor. His answers during the interview were smooth, eloquent, and he didn’t demand an astronomical salary. It seemed

father-in-law and failing to recognize

guy who appeared so knowledgeable, humble, and well-educated is likely Felix’s true identity. The rude, jade-vase-dropping Felix

phone, “Jagoan, what sparked your sudden interest in

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