Meanwhile, Charlie was downstairs in Claire's office, waiting to pick her up and head home.

That was when Matilda called him, asking as soon as he answered, "Charlie, do you know how Jacob is doing? He never answered any of my texts—is he going to be alright?"

"I wouldn't know," Charlie replied. "Both he and Elaine are in Dubai on a trip… What's wrong?"

"He resigned," Matilda sighed. "I only saw the public statement that the Calligraphy and Painting Association posted this afternoon. It says