Maria’s question sent a shockwave through Jagoan, leaving him deep in thought. Her words resonated
with him, how could such a meticulously planned scheme spanning over two decades hinge on
someone as unreliable as Jacob?
Jagoan knew Jacob better than anyone else. Though he was his father-in-law, Jagoan could attest to
his irresponsible nature. Entrusting the success or failure of such a significant plan to Jacob was a
recipe for disaster.
Without wasting any time, Jagoan dialed Jacob’s number. At that moment, Jacob lounged in Thompson
First’s room, engrossed in his mobile phone. His life had lost its spark ever since Matilda and Mr. Riley
had gotten together. Plus, the presence of Elaine at home was nothing but an irritant. His preferred
escape was to seclude himself in his room, spending his days scrolling through his phone.
So when Jagoan’s call came in, Jacob felt a tinge of surprise. After all, Jagoan had been out, working
with clients, as he had mentioned earlier. They hadn’t spoken in days. Why the sudden call now? He
answered the phone, curiosity lacing his voice. “Hello there, dear son-in-law. What’s the occasion for
calling me this late?”
Jagoan quickly replied, “Dad, I’ve been out of town for a while now and I might be away for a bit longer.
I may not be able to come home, so I thought I’d check on how you and Mom are holding up at home.”
Jacob grumbled, “What’s there to say? She and I have little in common, so we mostly ignore each
other’s quirks.”
Jagoan then asked, “By the way, Dad, do you remember Felix from Vintage Deluxe?”
“Felix?” Jacob’s surprise was evident. “I do. Why do you suddenly bring him up? Is he coming?”
Jagoan explained, “I’m currently working with a client who’s interested in antiques. During our
conversation, Vintage Deluxe came up and it turns out he knows Felix as well. I wanted to hear from
you how you met him.”
Jacob responded with irritation, “I met him at Vintage Deluxe back when I was interested in antique
calligraphy and paintings. I frequented Vintage Deluxe during my free time, hoping to find some
treasures on Antique Street. You know, you find a lot of knowledge there. When Felix first started as
the manager at Vintage Deluxe, he was polite and attentive to me. Every time I went there, he’d
personally assist me and even added me on WeChat. But soon enough, that guy turned against me
quicker than flipping a page. It happened when I accidentally broke the jade spring vase and he had his
men rough me up. A real about-face.”
Jagoan seized upon this mention of the jade spring vase and delved deeper, asking, “Dad, about that
day when the jade spring vase broke, I never really asked for details. You mentioned it just slipped from
your hand, but you’re not the type to be careless. You’ve always been cautious, especially with
antiques. So, what happened that day?”
Jacob grumbled, “You know our financial situation, Jagoan. Elaine manages all the money in the
household, so I have to be careful. Even eight thousand dollars is a lot for me. I handle it all. So,
whether I’m looking at antiques or not, I’m very cautious. I’m afraid of dropping, touching, or damaging
anything. But that day, it was as if the jade spring vase had a mind of its own. As soon as I touched it, it
slipped from my grasp like it had been oiled. It fell to the ground with a crash. Maybe that Felix had put
oil on it, deliberately, even.”
Jagoan pressed on, “Dad, I remember fixing the jade spring vase with egg whites afterward. It didn’t
seem oily to me and its surface wasn’t particularly smooth. Given that it’s a Tang Dynasty artifact, the
glaze should have been a bit rough, with a matte texture when touched. It has good shock absorption
properties. How could it slip from your hand?”
Jacob hesitated on the other end of the line, unable to offer an explanation.
Jagoan guided him gently, saying, “Dad, don’t worry. The matter was resolved and you don’t need to
feel burdened by it. We’re just having a chat. I’m curious, that’s all. Tell me what happened that day.”
Jacob sighed, “Jagoan, to be honest, I was afraid you wouldn’t believe me if I told you the truth. I
thought you’d think I was making up stories.”
Jagoan assured him, “Dad, we’re just chatting here. Even if you tell me the bottle sprouted wings and
flew away, I’d believe you.”
Jacob grumbled, “Well, I suppose… I’ll tell you, Jagoan and you probably won’t believe me. At the time,
it was entirely different from what I said before. That damn bottle, it felt like someone had installed a
vibration motor inside it. The moment I picked it up, my hands were jolted and they went numb. I
couldn’t hold onto it anymore and it fell. I tried to reason with Felix, saying there must be something
wrong with it, that it had given me a shock. But he accused me of being reckless, making up excuses.
At that point, I didn’t have much of an argument left, so I thought I’d better get out of there and ask for
your help.”
Jacob hastened to clarify, “Jagoan, please don’t misunderstand me. Back then, I didn’t want you to take
the blame for me. I wanted you to help me out initially and then I’d find a way to repay you later. But
you turned out to be so capable that you repaired the jade spring vase.”
Jagoan didn’t take offense and kept the conversation flowing. “Dad, you mentioned that the jade spring
vase vibrated in your hand. Can you tell me more about it? Did Felix personally hand you the jade pot
and spring vase?”
Jacob replied, “No, it was that guy named Crator who opened the package containing the jade spring
vase. He gave me a pair of white gloves and asked me to take it out and have a look myself. I didn’t
think much of it at the time, so I reached in and took it out. I was about to snap a photo for WeChat, but
then he suddenly touched it in my hand. That’s when it vibrated and slipped.”
As he spoke, Jacob added, “Now that I think about it, it was most likely a trap set by that Crator guy.
Perhaps the vibration was his doing too.”
Jagoan registered this information and said with a smile, “Alright, Dad, it’s been a while and we have
nothing to lose by talking about this now. By the way, Dad, I have some other business to attend to
right now, so I won’t keep you on the phone.”
Jacob eagerly asked, “When are you coming back, good son-in-law? I’m getting bored to death without
you around.”
Jagoan reassured him, “I’ll be back soon, just a day or two.”
“Great,” Jacob said. “When you’re back, let’s go out for a drink.”
Jagoan agreed and after some more pleasantries, they ended the call.
Turning to Maria, Jagoan asked for her thoughts. Maria responded, “I don’t think your father-in-law is
lying, Young Master. His account aligns with our suspicions. I believe that your father may have been
preparing for you to obtain the ‘Apocalyptic Book’ more than 20 years ago. Your father-in-law’s account
of the jade spring vase breaking on its own is highly suggestive. It’s possible that the vibrations he
mentioned were coming from the ‘Apocalyptic Book’ itself.”
Maria continued, “So, our speculation is that it’s not just anyone who can obtain the ‘Apocalyptic Book’
by possessing the jade spring vase. Instead, that person must meet certain criteria defined by the
‘Apocalyptic Book.’ Only when those criteria are met can the ‘Apocalyptic Book’ be activated.”
Jagoan sighed, “Your analysis makes sense. It seems like my father might have paved the way for me,
but it doesn’t entirely boil down to fate. It’s possible that only I can trigger the ‘Apocalyptic Book.’ Even
without my father’s intervention, I might have encountered a jade spring vase at the right moment.”
Maria nodded and remarked, “Precisely, Young Master. Perhaps you are the only one in the world who
can awaken the ‘Apocalyptic Book’. Your father’s arrangements might have been to ensure you were in
the right place at the right time.”
Jagoan acknowledged her words and said resolutely, “We must find Felix. I plan to do so shortly,
starting with a visit to that antique shop in the United States.”
Maria suggested, “Before you go to the United States, should we have a thorough conversation with
Butler Thompson First? Since he was arranged by your father, he might also know Felix.”
Jagoan considered her advice and said, “You’re right. I should talk to Jagoan before heading to the
United States. They might have crossed paths.”
Read The Charismatic Charlie Wade - the best
manga of 2020
Of the Lord Leaf stories I have ever read, perhaps the most impressive thing is The Charismatic
Charlie Wade. The story is too good, leaving me with many doubts. Currently the manga has been
translated to Chapter 5520. Let's read now the author's The Charismatic Charlie Wade Lord Leaf
story right here
62fb1bb41dcb31934bd49bda
The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and
continue reading tomorrow, everyone!