The Charismatic Charlie Wade

Sensing that his mother didn’t want others to know his middle name, Paul smiled politely and said, “Everyone, please enjoy your
gathering. Excuse me.”
Jacob hurriedly said, “Hey, Paul, what’s the hurry? How about joining us for lunch?”
He intentionally talked to Paul as a hint for the rest to realize that he and Paul knew each other so they could assume that he
had already met Matilda before the reunion.
It was also to suggest to them that both of them shared an extraordinary connection and to chase away Matilda’s suitors.
Indeed, when the others heard their conversation, they found it rather odd and peculiar. They wondered how and when Jacob
and Paul had become so close.
Paul smiled and said, “Thanks, but no thanks, I have a meeting in the afternoon.”
Then, he said to Jacob in a moderate voice, “I have an appointment with Charlie. He’s coming to my new office to check out the
Feng Shui there, so I have to be there to entertain him.”
Jacob nodded with a smile. “My son-in-law has no other skills than his pair of good eyes in Feng Shui. Let him take a look at it. I
bet he won’t charge you after last night’s dinner and the wine.”
Then, he continued, “Wait, let me call him and ask him to waive your bill!”
Greyson frowned in confusion and depression when he listened to their exchanges.
What was going on? Did Paul, Jacob, and his son-in-law already have a drink together?
When did all of this happen? Was it yesterday?
Didn’t Matilda just arrive in Aurous Hill yesterday? Did it mean that she had met Jacob yesterday when she arrived? This was
indeed exceptional!
Greyson was feeling rather upset and dejected. He couldn’t help but wonder if Matilda still had feelings for Jacob.
Paul stopped Jacob and said with a smile, “Uncle Wilson, please don’t. It’s not very nice and professional if you ask Charlie to
waive the bill, you don’t have to do that.”

Matilda also uttered with a smile, “Yes, Paul’s right. Jacob, let the kids handle their own affairs.”
Jacob took a glimpse at Greyson in the middle of the exchange. He grinned gleefully when he saw the tinge of disappointment
on his face, knowing that he had achieved his goal, so he nodded to Paul and said, “Alright then. Go ahead, I will take care of
your mom, don’t worry.”
Greyson felt even more infuriated at the remark. ‘What do you mean by that? Why do I feel as if you’re Paul’s stepfather, you
freak?’ he thought angrily.
‘Oh, Jacob Wilson, you snatched Matilda away from me twenty years ago. If you dare to ruin my happiness again this time, I’ll kill
you!’ Greyson threatened, hoping that he could murder Jacob with his mind.
Thus, he deliberately said loudly, “By the way, Jacob, where is your wife? You know, the wicked shrew who was infamous
throughout our college. What’s her name, though? Her last name is Parker, right? What’s her first name, guys?”
An old friend answered, “Elaine!”
“Oh right! Elaine Parker!” Greyson teased, “Jacob, I heard that you and Elaine share quite an affectionate and intimate
relationship, I bet you guys must have loved each other so badly over the years! Where is she? Why didn’t you bring her here
today?”
Jacob’s face twisted in an agonizing grimace upon the mention of Elaine’s name. He blurted indignantly, “Greyson, stop rubbing
it in. Elaine isn’t from our class, what business does she have here anyway?”