Aurora's coach leapt on stage and they hugged each other, and a crowd soon followed, while Heidi's team had to quietly get on stage to whisk her out of the ring.Still, Aurora's eyes were darting around the ring, searching for Charlie.Soon, she found him sitting in the front row and smiling at her.Thrilled, she gave him a big wave as she shouted, "Master Wade! Master Wade!"As their eyes met, Charlie nodded at her and pointed backstage, and Aurora understood right then that they should talk there.There was no way they could talk in the ring, and there was still a men's category match waiting.Aurora was now going to take a break backstage as the awards ceremony would be after the men's final, and everyone would go on stage to receive their prizes.Aurora promptly turned to the coach, smiling, "See that handsome face in the black shirt, sitting in the front row? He's my… uh…"She was suddenly stumped as she really wasn't sure what her connection to Charlie was.A friend? Tha

Charlie understood what Aurora meant and smiled, "Anything should operate within the confines of logic, or it'd just backfire."Aurora nodded in agreement. "I think so too. I'm not even demanding the sporting committee respect my choice, but the match just makes me uncomfortable. I guess I won't take part in the future."Poking out her tongue, she sighed as she complained, "I won't lie—I was thinking of quitting since it doesn't really help me improve. Martial arts is more direct and not bound by regulations… However, my father insisted, telling me I should gather more accolades under my belt before I graduate, so I can take part in the world championships and enroll in top universities. That's just how vain he is."Charlie chuckled. "Can't blame a man for having high hopes for his daughter. He has already made a ton of money for the family, so he would definitely hope you can succeed."Aurora nodded. "I get what you're saying, but I can't work concurrently with fighting and anothe

Charlie nodded. He had heard about Mitsui Group, as they were less a family than a conglomerate.And with members keen to shrug off the family label, most considered Mitsui a brand.That was when Loreeen remembered something and flashed a mysterious smile at Charlie, "Also, Tany has her own motives for attending the party. Her boyfriend is a baseball player, and baseball is the most popular sport in Japan, next to soccer. I'm sure Tanya's keen to help her boyfriend hook up with Mitsui Group and properly expand into the Japanese scene."Charlie smiled and nodded. "You sure are obsessed, studying that much into the game!"Loreen giggled. "Not really. Even if I am obsessed, there's no way I could get my hands on so much insider information. It was my friend who told me everything, since she's not just a distant member of the Mitsui lineage, but has prospered thanks to the Mitsui Group. She's besties with the Mitsui heiress and got us those tickets, after all."Even the party invite w

Loreen was envious of Claire, too, especially since she had had the hots for Charlie for a while now, and seeing how Charlie would dote on Claire in every way made her envy Claire even more.Still, she took a moment to compose herself as she told Charlie and Claire, "Meet Sasaki Sachiko. Her mother and my mother were friends in university, and we both go way back, too."Sachiko hugged Loreen's arm and smiled, "My mom was just saying that we should visit Oskia soon, and she wants to meet your mom. I'll join her if I have the time!""Great!" Loreen beamed happily. "Do tell me before you come—I will definitely arrange the best trip ever as your host, and we can share a bed at my place!"Sachiko smiled and nodded. "I was just thinking about inviting you as well as Mr. and Mrs. Wade over to my place, but you told me you booked a hotel."Loreen turned and smiled pointedly at Charlie just then, "Sorry, but Charlie here insisted that we shouldn't owe you too much. I mean, as soon as I tol

Charlie was stunned by Miki's bluntness—should she really say such things out loud?But she did, so Charlie wasn't planning to speak in riddles either, replying, "I am unemployed, only offering Feng Shui consultancy from time to time to make some money. If you have any such requests, I definitely can help."It was only then that Miki realized Charlie was not being humble.Frowning for a moment, she soon smiled in amusement. "There are similar things here in Japan, but I'm afraid it's a niche if not downright undesirable. You're not getting clients from the elite circles here."Then, turning to Claire, "And what do you do for a living, ma'am?""I have a design studio of my own. Just opened it recently," Claire replied."A workshop? Where? Oskia?" Miki pressed."Yes—in Aurous Hill," Claire replied.Miki actually considered for a moment that Claire was a famous fashion designer in Oskia, but she had never even heard of Aurous Hill. It could only mean that it was a second-rate ci