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.

began to bead on his brow and cheeks as he stammered,

aback and pressed, “Young master,

explained, “You mentioned his last name is Cole, and I had this strange

I told you my father-in-law had no idea what he was doing, insisted on visiting an antique shop to ‘broaden his horizons,’ and accidentally knocked over

Book’ from the remains of that very vase.

the man beside his father in the photo, muttering, “He

are you saying that the man in this photo from over 20 years ago, taken with your father in New York,

At the time, it

his spine

his parents had found the Preface to the Apocalyptic Book,’ hinting at a connection between the two texts. But now, he stumbled upon a revelation,

jade pot and spring

dialed Jasmine’s number. If anyone could shed

voice lighthearted,

if Felix, the former manager of Vintage Deluxe, still works for the

hesitation. “After that incident, he was utterly rude to you and your father-in-law, and he utterly failed to recognize the true

you have any idea where

Jasmine admitted. “I never saw him again after that

up with another question, “And when

“He was there for

like Felix had

the one who hired him?”

my uncle and cousin. So they handed me Vintage

probed further, “Why did

well-educated—the guy had a compelling demeanor. His answers during the

added with some frustration, “Little did I know he’d turn out so ill-tempered, insulting your father-in-law and failing to recognize your incredible restoration skills.

who appeared so knowledgeable, humble, and well-educated is likely

through the phone, “Jagoan, what sparked your sudden

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