After he finished speaking, he turned to Charlie and said, “By the way, I just realized I haven’t asked you—aren’t you supposed to be in Lancaster? How did you make it to Aurous Hill so quickly?”


    Caleb smiled and replied, “It’s quite a coincidence! Mypany arranged for me toe to Aurous Hill for a business trip, and I just arrived earlier this afternoon. As soon as I stepped off the bus, I noticed all of you chatting in the group chat, which prompted me toe here right away!”


    Charlie, intrigued, asked, “Didn’t you start your own business? Why are you working for someone else now?”


    With a bittersweet smile, Caleb responded, “Business hasn’t been great. Honestly, how can anyone be thriving right now? The economdscape over the past two years has been quite challenging, making it tough to run a business.”


    After he spoke, Caleb looked at ire and said with a smile, “Charlie, is this my younger sister-inw?”<fn7333> Fresh chapters posted on find{n}ovel</fn7333><h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    Charlie nodded, saying, “Yes, this is my wife, ire.”


    Then he introduced Caleb to ire, adding, “ire, this is Caleb, my best friend from the orphanage.”


    Caleb smiled again and remarked, “Charlie, you are truly lucky! Your sister-inw is gorgeous.”


    ire smiled back and replied, “Thank you.”


    Caleb then pretended toin to Charlie, saying, “Charlie, you’re such a bad friend! You haven’t contacted any of us for years. When Mrs. Lewis was suffering from uremia, I heard she mentioned that you often visited her in the hospital, but it felt like you were purposely avoiding all of us! Why would you do that?”


    Charlie chuckled and replied earnestly, “I had been going through a tough time these past few years, and I didn’t want anyone to see me in such a vulnerable state.”


    Charlie had his own pride. Ever since marrying ire, he had faced ridicule from those around him, beingbeled as a loser, a pathetic husband, and a worthless son-inw. Although he generally brushed off their opinions, he didn’t want his childhood friends, who had grown up alongside him, to witness his struggles.


    Caleb responded sincerely, “My dear brother, we’ve shared a lot over the years—living together in that old shack at the construction site, even splitting a steamed bun between us. Why would you feel embarrassed around me? Besides, I haven’t had it easy either, but just look at me! I still manage to find joy in each day.”


    Charlie nodded slightly in acknowledgment.


    At that moment, Lisa looked at Caleb with a bright smile and said, “Brother Caleb, why aren’t you saying hello to me?”


    Caleb gazed at Lisa for a long moment before a surprised expression crossed his face. “You… are you Lisa?!” he eximed.


    Like Charlie, Caleb had never returned to the orphanage after leaving at eighteen. Back then, Lisa was just a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl. Now, she had blossomed into a stunning young woman, showcasing a significant transformation.


    Lisa smiled and replied, “Yes, it’s me! Why are you so surprised?”


    Calebughed, saying, “A young woman truly grows into someone different! You were once so pale, thin, and short, looking like a tomboy. I never expected you to turn into such a beautiful young woman!”


    Lisa blushed and said shyly, “Brother Caleb, please stop ttering me. How could I be considered pretty with my sister-inw here?”


    As she spoke, her gaze drifted towards ire, disying an envious expression.


    Caleb encouraged her, “Don’t sell yourself short. You are a beautiful young woman in your own right.”


    Feeling a bit embarrassed and at a loss for words, Lisa was suddenly interrupted by a phone call.


    After answering, her expression shifted to one of concern. “The owner of the restaurant just called to inform me that the power went out due to aging wiring. It can’t be repaired today, so they won’t be able to open until tomorrow…”


    “Oh no!” Caleb eximed. “That means we need to find another ce for dinner!”


    Lisa, looking anxious, added, “It’s already dinner time, and I’m worried that finding a table on such short notice will be challenging…”


    Hearing this, Charlie was about to call Don Albert to check for any avable rooms at Heaven Springs.


    At that moment, a ck Mercedes-Benz suddenly pulled up beside the group…