Chereads / A modern man in America 1930 / Chapter 46 - chapter 46

Chapter 46 - chapter 46

The Misadventures of Charlie Lee and Wister

The old man, Wister, was practically boiling with rage. His thick hands balled into fists as he glared at the workers, struggling to contain his anger. He feared he might lose control and pass out from the strain.

Juliana, watching the scene unfold, grew more and more intrigued by the Chinese man before her. It was her first time seeing Uncle Wister in such an unrestrained state, jumping and roaring like an ordinary man in the street.

"Stinky boy, you'll regret this. I'll tell all the ladies you're a shameless thief," Wister muttered, clutching his chest. His heart ached at the thought of losing his precious treasures.

Charlie Lee, however, remained unfazed, casually reaching for a jade piece from the shelf and waving it around with a smile. "Seems good. It's mine now."

Wister's face paled as he looked at his prized jade in Charlie's hands. "Oh, no! My favorite jade!" he groaned in despair.

Juliana, amused by the spectacle, turned to Charlie. "Do you want me to go with you?" she asked.

"No way!" Wister roared from the middle of the shop, still fuming. He stood like a knight guarding his castle, glaring at them both.

"Of course." Juliana covered her lips with a hand, amused at his frustration.

"No, Marianne, he's a devil. You can't go with him!" Wister shouted, trying to stop Juliana.

Unperturbed, Juliana smiled at her uncle. "I'll see you again tomorrow, Uncle Wister." She chuckled, knowing her exit would leave him despondent.

Wister's face deflated like a balloon, his body sinking with the weight of his disappointment. "I must have been forsaken by God. Damn this bastard!" he grumbled.

"Goodbye, Uncle Wister." Juliana elegantly bent her knees in a mock curtsy before walking out of the shop, leaving behind the calls of her defeated uncle.

Once outside, Charlie, ever the curious one, turned to her. "Is Marianne your middle name?"

"No," Juliana answered, "my middle name is Nathan. It comes from my grandfather. I know, it's a bit cumbersome."

Charlie smiled, thinking it was quite a distinguished name. In his mind, only important people had such complex names, like "Charlie Jo Moyen Bujinqu Louskey" or "Teddy S. Lebley M. Falk."

The world of the elite was one Charlie was starting to understand. He was worth a small fortune now—over $500 million—and that made him feel more powerful and confident.

"How about lunch together?" he asked. With his newfound wealth, he felt he had the upper hand. The money gave him a certain ease, a belief that things would go his way.

Juliana, intrigued by his proposal, smiled. "That sounds good. Maybe we can talk more about you and Uncle Wister while we're at it," she teased, eager to dive into the drama that had just unfolded.

Despite the distraction of the elderly man's tantrum, Juliana found herself enjoying the lunch with Charlie. She was fascinated by the ongoing saga with Wister, but the lunch was a nice break from the chaos.

At the restaurant, as they finished their meal, the topic of conversation continually circled back to Wister and his antics. Charlie's attentiveness and Juliana's sharp wit made the lunch an enjoyable experience despite the odd subject matter.

After the meal, Juliana waved goodbye, her smile as bright as ever. "Thank you for lunch, Charlie. I had a great day."

Charlie stood there, his face a mix of disbelief and irritation, as if he had just eaten something unpleasant. He watched Juliana leave, feeling as if he had somehow been outplayed.

"Go back to the club," he muttered to himself. His mind was still on Juliana and the strange feelings she stirred in him, but life went on, and he had business to attend to.

As he entered the club, passersby greeted him. "Hi, Charlie!" they called, and Charlie waved back, his smile now more genuine. He had become something of a local celebrity. His origins—a child born out of wedlock to the president—were no longer a secret, and the media had latched onto him, creating an air of mystery.

But despite the attention, Charlie was content. The country was mired in the Great Depression, and he found solace in the fact that he wasn't as affected by the economic turmoil. The news was consumed with bankruptcies and stock market crashes, and Charlie could sense that the public was searching for a distraction.

In the midst of all this, Charlie's identity began to evolve. The press had started to refer to him as the "Oriental Tycoon," a mysterious heir from a royal family, and rumors began swirling about his enormous wealth.

"Wait a minute," Charlie thought as he read the latest newspaper. "Am I really a royal heir? Could I be?" He couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. It wasn't true, of course, but the idea had a certain appeal. It made him seem more important, more untouchable.

However, Charlie quickly dismissed the thought. The Qing Dynasty was long gone, and his "royal" connections seemed nothing more than a fabrication.

The sensationalist journalism only deepened Charlie's skepticism about the media's integrity. He knew that the reporters, in their desperation for sales, would make up anything. His life had become a source of gossip, and he knew he needed to take control of the narrative.

As he sat down at the club with his business partner, Ben, Charlie's thoughts turned to acquisitions. The Chicago Tribune, New York Daily Times, Washington Post—all targets for potential purchase. But after giving it some thought, Charlie realized that buying such influential newspapers wouldn't be a simple matter.

"Ben," Charlie said, his voice steady. "I've made up my mind. Let's go for the Los Angeles Times. Hollywood, California—the whole world's eyes are on them. I can feel it. It's the perfect move."

Ben seemed unsure but nodded. "Well, if you're sure."

Charlie's mind was made up. The acquisition was just the beginning. He had big plans ahead, and once he had control of the media, he could shape his own destiny. The world was his oyster, and nothing could stop him.

The thought of becoming a media mogul excited him. He admired the way consortia in certain countries played the game—how they manipulated the media and shaped public opinion. He believed he could do the same, and in doing so, rise to the top.

As Charlie made his way back to his office to prepare for the next steps, he reflected on his life's journey. From a nobody to a rising tycoon, he had come a long way. And now, with the acquisition of the Los Angeles Times, his true ambitions could be realized. The world would soon see just how powerful Charlie Lee could become.