Chapter 224


    Charlie chuckled, giving Jonathan


    a knowing nce, and remarked, “What’s the need for exnations between the two of you? Are there


    some secrets I should know about?”


    Jonathan maintained a serious expression and responded, “Friends should always be open and hones


    t with each other.”


    “Friends?” Charlie scoffed. “Don’t tarnish the word ‘friend,‘ okay?”


    Heughed after he finished, saying, “Don’t worry, I’m not like you. I have morals; I won’t touch a pure


    girl like this. If she doesn’t mind, I can be pals


    with her!”


    Jonathan gave him a disgusted look and said, “I think you’re fine. Go home, man. If you can’t manage


    on your own, your girlfriends can take care of you!”


    Charlie frowned and said, “My injury is internal. The doctor said I need at least a week of rest. Plus, I pr


    omised not to approach Emily. Why are you always trying to kick me out?”


    Jonathan


    calmly replied, “Before, Estelle used toe over here to eat dinner with Emily every night. How can s


    hee with you here?”


    Charlie showed a shocked expression, shook his head sadly, and said, “I see now –


    twenty years of friendship with you, but I can’t even match one of Estelle’s hairs!“.


    Jonathan snorted coldly, “Why would a living personpare themselves to hair? Did your brain get da


    maged?”


    Charlie raised his hand to cover his head, fell back onto the sofa, and made a ‘nothing left to live for‘ ex


    pression.


    Jonathanughed lightly and said, “Get up, I need to discuss something serious with you.”


    “Right,” Charlie sat up and asked, “How did the cooperation talks with Schilder go? What about the And


    erson family?”


    Jonathan feclined on the couch, a sense of pride evident on his face. “If Schilder prefers to align himsel


    f with the Anderson family, then he is not worth considering for a partnership,” he dered confidently.


    Charlie wore a satisfied smile as he remarked, “Old Anderson trulycks discernment, entrusting the fat


    e of the Anderson family to someone like Baldrick. It’s simply a recipe for their own downfall, destroying


    their own legacy.”


    Continuing the conversation, Charlie inquired, “Now that the agreement has been signed, when can we


    mence our work?”


    Jonathan responded, “That’s precisely what I wanted to discuss with you. Our initial project revolves ar


    ound developing highly advanced simtion robots. Given your expertise in this field, I believe our coll


    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    aboration would be invaluable.”


    Charlie perked up at this, saying, “We’ve been researching for many years but haven’t made significant


    progress. If we could get the core technology from the Merk family, I guarantee we’ll do even better!”


    The two talked for nearly an hour about future coborations with Schilder, and it gradually got darker.


    Charlie extended a cigarette to Jonathan and remarked, “Bringing Estelle along was a smart move!”


    Jonathan maintained aposed expression as he replied, “Even without Estelle, I would have ousted


    Baldrick. She has no involvement in the business negotiations.”


    Politely declining the offered cigarette, Jonathan added, “I’m quitting smoking.”


    Charlie paused momentarily before bursting intoughter. “Why the sudden decision to quit? Are you pl


    anning to have a baby or something?”


    Jonathan nced at him coldly, humming, “You’ve already had a baby, so why would I?”


    As he was saying this, he turned his head and saw Estelle and Emily standing behind them. Emily look


    ed shocked, as if she had heard something earth–shattering.


    Estelle remainedposed, but her eyes held aplicated look.


    Jonathan thought, “…”


    What was with that look? Didn’t she know if he liked guys or girls?


    Charlie rushed to exin, “He’s joking! Don’t take it seriously! I only like women; I’m not interested in m


    en!”


    Estelle smiled awkwardly, “You don’t need to exin it to me.”


    Jonathan’s anger simmered within as he nced at his watch, abruptly standing up from his seat. “I ha


    ve some urgent matters to attend to at home. I must take my leave,” he stated tersely.


    Estelle swiftly rose from her seat as well, politely chiming in, “I’ll apany Jonathan. Mr. Dulle, pleas


    e take good care and have a pleasant rest!” In a monotone voice, Jonathan


    interjected, “Why bother returning? Stay here for dinner, and then you can head back upstairs.”


    Estelle’s eyes widened slightly, silently asking him, “Is this your ce? Who are you to decide?”


    Emily quickly said, “Estelle, please stay. I have to cook dinner anyway.”