Charlie sighed and said, “I didn't find any concrete clues, and I was persuaded to turn back when I was halfway there.”

Keith asked in surprise, “Persuaded? Who persuaded you to turn back?”

Charlie replied, “Grandpa, it's a long story. Let's go inside and talk slowly.”

Keith readily agreed. “Okay, let's go in and talk.”

Charlie and the Acker family members entered the villa and settled in the dining room. Since there were no outsiders present, Charlie truthfully recounted his recent trip to Mount Tason and disclosed Stephen's situation.

Upon hearing that Charlie was persuaded back by a fake abbess from Quiant Monastery, everyone was greatly shocked. They couldn't believe that someone had anticipated Charlie's actions and waited for him while he was on the way up Mount Tason. What was even more surprising was that Stephen, who had silently guarded Charlie for nearly twenty years, actually served another master.

After Charlie was done speaking, his uncle, Christian, asked incredulo