At Mrs. Lewis’s invitation, Charlie and ire settled into their seats to her right, followed by the others who joined them one by one.


    Once everyone was seated, Mrs. Lewis looked around the table and smiled warmly. “Kids, I’m so grateful that after all these years, you still remember me ande to visit!”


    The group quickly chimed in, “Mrs. Lewis, we wouldn’t miss it! It’s the least we could do.”


    Curious about their lives, Mrs. Lewis asked, “How have you all been over the years?”


    With smiles, they responded, “Thanks for asking! We’re doing quite well.”<h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    Years after leaving the orphanage, each of them had forged their own paths. While they had once harbored dreams and ambitions, time and reality had nudged them towards a more ordinary existence.


    As they shared stories about their lives, their casual demeanor masked a deeper silence among the listeners. It was clear that not everyone was thriving.


    Lacking family support, they had to navigate a challenging world on their own. While they had achieved some measure of sess, the idea of aspiring for something greater seemed distant.


    Someone inquired, “Jeff, I heard you’re the director of a publicly listedpany now. Is that true?”<fn15d8> Fresh chapters posted on f?ndnovel</fn15d8>


    Jeff’s face lit up with pride. “Yes! I’ve held that position for six months!”


    Gasps of surprise filled the room. “Wow, a director! You must be making a hefty sry. No wonder you can afford a Merc!”


    In a somewhat boastful tone, Jeff replied, “Well, it’s decent. My sry is only a few hundred thousand, just enough to get by!”


    He feigned a sigh and added, “You might think it sounds impressive, but it barely covers my essentials. I really rely on mymission and bonuses.”


    Taking a deep breath, he continued, “I’ve got a big project I’m overseeing, and if it goes well, I could earn a bonus of a million dors!”


    The group stared in disbelief. “A million dors? That’s incredible! Where do you work?”


    With a smug grin, Jeff revealed, “I’m with the renowned White Group. They have diverse business sectors; for instance, Spikeworth Corps is one of their subsidiaries. Some projects generate profits in the tens of millions, and my bonus is considered modest!”


    Charlie’s brow furrowed. The White Group—wasn’t that associated with Zeke White’s family?


    Was Jeff really an employee of the White family? This was getting intriguing.


    Noticing Charlie’s silence, Jeff mockingly asked, “So, Charlie, what are you up to these days? Don’t tell me you’ve been living off your wife since you married into her family.”


    His followers snickered at the jab.


    Even Charlie, known for his patience, felt irritation bubbling up due to Jeff’s relentless taunting. He shot back, “Actually, yes. I’m busy doingundry, cooking, and cleaning every day. It’s a full schedule, and I haven’t had time to look for a job.”


    Though Charlie was speaking the truth, Jeff found itughable. He burst intoughter and scoffed, “Ohe on, Charlie! Stop acting like being a househusband is a dreame true. We all know it’s probably rough for you!”


    With a smirk, he added, “Since we’re childhood friends, I have a proposition for you. I’m on the lookout for an assistant. Why note work with Harry and help me out?”