With that, the cabal was suddenly on their feet, motionless and silent.

As Charlie and Julien sat down alongside Tanya, Charlie looked around and said, "Thank you all for traveling halfway around the world to Oskia, both to celebrate Tanya's success and to bring prestige to my friend's restaurant."

The cabal was dumbstruck.

Who on earth was his friend?

Charlie, however, did not care if they were keeping up.

Stretching his back and reclining against his seat, he spoke, "I think I recognize a