Upon hearing Stephen Thompson’s words, Charlie’s expression turned serious. He inquired, “If Manar instigated my father first and my father defeated him fairly, how could he possibly take his own life?”
He continued, “What connection did he have with my father?”
With conviction, Charlie asserted, “My father bears no responsibility for his death!”
He added, “As for Manar’s wife, who succumbed to poisoning, that is unrelated to my father! If Manar was weak and chose to end his life, that’s on him. His wife’s death should be attributed to him, not my father!”
Stephen Thompson sighed, remarking, “Master, your father has always been known for his benevolence and integrity. He often holds himself to standards that exceed moral expectations.”
Curiously, Stephen asked, “What prompted your inquiry?”
Charlie responded casually, “It’s nothing significant; I just encountered a Chinese individual overseas who happened to know something about him.”
Then, Charlie inquired, “By the way, are you aware of his current situation?”
Stephen Thompson replied, “The Manar family has been completely dismantled. Following the deaths of the Manar couple, the Bandung Group went bankrupt and is currently in liquidation. They not only lost all their assets but also accrued substantial debts. Many associates have distanced themselves, severing ties altogether.”
He continued, “Additionally, Manar had a son, who would be around your age or perhaps a couple of years older. When your father learned of his wife’s suicide, he considered adopting that child. However, he couldn’t locate him, as Manar’s relatives were aware of the family’s downfall and chose to distance themselves from the Manar lineage. If you hadn’t asked about this, I wouldn’t have recalled anything about the Wanjia family for over a decade.”
Charlie pondered this information, forming initial conclusions in his mind.
“The Wan Po Army from Wanlong Palace is likely Manar’s son…”
“Moreover, the names ‘Bandung Group’ and ‘Wanlong Temple’ sound quite similar, further supporting my theory…”
“Abbas must believe that my father was responsible for the deaths of his parents…”
“That would explain his desire to avenge them against the Wade family…”
“Yet, given the current prominence of his Wanlong Palace, he surely must know that my father has passed away.”
“If he knows my father is gone and still seeks revenge from the Wade family, it could either be to provoke the entire family or to channel his anger for the loss of his parents.”
With the ancestor worship ceremony approaching, Charlie’s demeanor shifted to one of cold determination.
He clenched his fists, vowing silently, “If this Wan Po Army dares to target my parents, I will ensure he pays for it!”
At that moment, Stephen Thompson asked, “Master, have you come across any information regarding him?”
Charlie replied, “I’ve heard a few rumors, but they aren’t significant.”
He then added, “Steward, I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll hold off on discussing this further until I reach Eastcliff.”
“Understood,” Stephen Thompson said with a smile. “All the heads of the collateral families in the Wade clan have arrived in Eastcliff, and Princess Helena, your cousin Jon’s fiancée, is also here. There’s much anticipation for your arrival!”
“Princess Helena?” Charlie asked with curiosity. “Where is she from?”
“She hails from Northern Europe,” Stephen explained. “This is the match your father discussed for your cousin some time ago. Among the eligible candidates from various families, Helena was deemed the most suitable. After Jon marries her, the Wade family’s prospects in Europe will significantly improve. They plan to hold the engagement ceremony right after the Ching Ming Festival.”