As Claire didn't answer, Stephen continued, "And what if I told you that the enemy's dead soldiers are stationed everywhere across the world, hiding in places that no one would ever think to find? That they are ready to kill—even if it means getting killed in return? Do you still think the law can protect Master Charlie?"And what if I told you that the enemy is an endlessly sadistic demon who lived four hundred years strong, whose mystical powers stand above the rest of the world? Do you still think the law can protect Master Charlie?"Claire blurted in shock, "T-That's impossible! This is the real world, not some fantasy! No one could live for four hundred years, or wield mystical powers!"Pausing, her expression cooled as it soon occurred to her, and she said solemnly, "You can be frank if you believe that I don't deserve Charlie, or it's Charlie who thinks that. I can leave anytime you need without dragging my feet, so don't you think it's ironic you'd use such excuses to beguil

Stephen smiled wryly. "Far as I know, even ten Master Charlie as he is now won't stand a chance."His face was wrinkled, but his eyes were clear looked Claire straight in the eye and sighed, "Please, Mrs. Wade. That is why I'm asking that you leave Master Charlie for the time being. He never told you anything because he didn't want to get you involved—to protect you. "However, it also puts him under a lot of pressure and distracts him. Surely you remember the time when your mother went missing for a while?"Claire nodded. "Yeah, she was tricked into a pyramid scheme…""That's not actually the case," Stephen smiled, shaking his head. "Your mother stole Master Charlie's debit card, which contained ten billion Oskian dollars that Jeremiah Wade entrusted me to wire into his account. Once your mother managed to find the pin code, she wired all the money to herself."Master Charlie was therefore worried he would be exposed, and lied that it was a fake debit card to cover his tracks. He

After thinking about it for a while, Stephen sighed and said, "Since you've taken the trouble to ask, then I shall give you the truth… Ms. Golding's parents were best friends with Curtis Wade and Ashley Acker, and they've mutually decided to betroth Ms. Golding to Master Charlie."And since she was a child, Ms. Golding always considered herself Master Charlie's fiancee. Even though he had gone missing for decades, she still held on to that conviction."Claire was shocked by the answer.But more than that, her heart hurt—not just because Charlie hid his heritage from her, but because she knew for a fact that Charlie and Quinn were reunited! Why else would Charlie bring her along to have dinner with Quinn?! That left Claire even more troubled.To some extent, she could understand why Charlie would hide his heritage from her.But he brought her along to meet another woman, with whom he was engaged to! All while she was still kept in the dark!That part was a bit too much to take.

Hence, Claire bowed at Jeevika again. "Thank you, Master Jeevika!"Reluctant to stay, she took two steps backward, nodded and said softly, "I'll be going now."As she turned to leave, a curious Momo went up to her. "Ms. Wilson? What took you so long?"Claire had no idea Momo was a part of the conspiracy, and forced a smile. "I guessed I asked too many questions and it really dragged on. Go on in—I'll wait outside." Momo nodded, and then exclaimed in surprise, "Ms. Wilson? Where did you get those flowers?""I-It's a present from Master Jeevika," Claire replied awkwardly. "He said we seemed connected, and told me to take them home and care for them."Momo's eyes widened in curiosity. "Whoa, that sounds so mystical… But I guess I should go in now. I'll be right back, Ms. Wilson!"Claire nodded, watching as Momo headed into Feather Hall.Once inside, Momo found both Stephen and Jeevika around, and hurried over, asking in a hushed voice, "What should I do now, Mr. Thompson?"Steph

Claire locked herself in her office the whole day and never left.She also never ate or drank, merely sitting alone on her office chair and reminiscing about her marriage with Charlie.There was no telling how many times she cried through it all, and her eyes were left red and swollen from tears.As evening arrived and everyone else left, Momo knocked on Clarie's door and asked softly, "Ms. Wilson? Aren't you leaving?""In a minute," Claire replied. "Just go for now—are there still others outside?""No, it's just me left."Claire sighed in relief, and said, "Alright, just go on ahead. I'll be leaving soon too.""Yes, Ms. Wilson. I'm going now."After Momo left, Claire waited for another ten minutes until everyone was gone, before dragging her weary self out of her office.Looking around at the clean, spacious office, she found herself really reluctant to leave.Leaving Charlie meant anonymity and briefly disappeared from this world.When that happened, her company would be s