At the boarding gate for the flight to Aurous Hill, after embracing Claire Wilson, Charlie wade watched her walk away, turning back every few steps.
In that moment, Charlie wade felt no sorrow, only a sense of melancholy.
He reflected that this was the true essence of a marital bond. After crossing that intimate threshold, everything had undergone a profound transformation. Claire Wilson was no longer the poised woman who always maintained her reserve; she had become a delicate bird nestling in his arms, a endearing figure who showed intense reluctance even at a brief parting, to the point of nearly bursting into tears.
However, he was still unaware that what he believed to be the full truth was, in fact, shrouded in hidden circumstances.
The instant Claire Wilson turned and stepped into the jet bridge, she could no longer hold back her tears, which flowed like rain.
Yet she dared not wipe them, fearing that Charlie wade might see from behind and sense something amiss.
When she rounded the corner ahead and descended the slope into the jet bridge, with the aircraft door mere steps away, she lost all control over her emotions. She shuffled forward like a walking corpse, weeping with tears streaming down her face like pear blossoms in the rain.
The cabin chief stewardess and two flight attendants were stationed at the door, greeting the priority-boarding business-class passengers. They already had details on every business-class traveller. This narrow-body jet had only eight business-class seats in total, and five had been sold for this flight, including two women: one was Claire Wilson, the other a six-year-old girl.
Thus, by process of elimination, the attendants deduced that the tear-streaked woman approaching must be Claire Wilson.
The chief stewardess hurried forward at once, asking with concern, “Ms Wilson, are you alright? Are you feeling unwell? Shall we liaise with airport staff?”
Claire Wilson hastily wiped away her tears and shook her head repeatedly, “No need, thank you.”
The chief stewardess said no more and guided her to her seat, then asked, “Ms Wilson, would you like something to drink? We have tea, coffee, or juice.”
Claire Wilson shook her head, “Nothing, thank you.”
The chief stewardess nodded and added, “If you need anything at all, just call me.”
Claire Wilson settled into her seat, forcing herself to compose her feelings. She then picked up her phone and contacted Stephen Thompson, telling him, “I’m already on the plane back to Aurous Hill. Can you arrange for me to leave with my parents?”
Stephen Thompson replied, “No problem at all, Mrs Wade. We have contingency plans in place. Once you land in Aurous Hill, our people will take you home. Then you and your family can pack up, and barring any unforeseen issues, we can set off tonight.”
Charlie wade’s flight with Don Albert and Isaac Cameron would depart two and a half hours later. Once it was confirmed that Charlie wade had boarded smoothly, he would be confined to that aircraft for the next ten hours. Arranging for Claire Wilson’s family to depart in the evening would then proceed seamlessly.
Claire Wilson had long since steeled her resolve, so she replied immediately, “Alright. I’ll go home and tell my parents that we’re leaving the country tonight.”
“Very good, Mrs Wade. Our people will be waiting at the airport for you; you’ll spot them as soon as you arrive.”
…
Meanwhile, after leaving Terminal T2, Charlie wade headed straight for T3.
The flight to Melbourne was departing from T3.
Once Claire Wilson’s plane had taken off, Isaac Cameron rushed to the airport.
Upon seeing Charlie wade, he voiced his lingering doubt, “Young Master, how did you track down Butler Stephen’s whereabouts? Wasn’t he missing?”
Charlie wade said, “A friend of my wife’s is in Australia and happened to forward a news item about a Chinese national being attacked there. It turned out to be Butler Stephen.”
