Caleb was the first, besides Lisa and Mrs. Lewis, to raise a toast to Charlie, expressing gratitude for his generous donation to the orphanage.


    Others toasted Charlie not for the orphanage but because they had learned of his apparent wealth. There was a stark contrast between these two motivations. The individuals who toasted in honor of the orphanage genuinely cared about its welfare, while the others were primarily interested in forging a connection with someone they perceived as affluent.


    For everyone at the gathering, a person who could casually donate a million dors to an orphanage was certainly not an ordinary individual; such generosity surpassed theirprehension.


    Charlie and Caleb lifted their sses and shared a drink. Caleb spoke earnestly, “Charlie, it truly brings me joy to see how far you’vee! Even back then, I sensed you were different from the rest of us. I always believed you were destined for greatness, but I never imagined you’d achieve so much!”


    Charlie smiled mildly, reflecting, “When we were both working on that construction site, we were just happy to have enough food each day. Once payday came, we would splurge a little, maybe enjoy a couple of extra dishes and some beer. Those moments, drinking in the shed, felt incredibly satisfying.”<h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    After a brief pause, he added, “Because of those experiences, I don’t ce much value on material things now. Whether I’m eating gourmet meals or living in a nicer house, it doesn’t really change my perspective.”


    Caleb nodded thoughtfully. “I understand what you mean, brother. We were in the same boat, earning the same wages. Yet, I saved every penny, hoping to change my life one day. You, on the other hand, donated your earnings to the orphanage. Back then, I felt I could never measure up to you!”


    With a sigh, Caleb chuckled and remarked, “The reality is clear—I’m not much at all.”


    Charlie responded with gravity, “Brother, never underestimate your worth. If you can live in a way that honors the world, your conscience, and yourself, you can find happiness even without abundant material wealth.”


    He continued, “Just look around. Many wealthy individuals have amassed their fortunes through hical means, disregarding their moralpass. There are few who maintain a clear conscience!”


    ire listened intently, feeling a newfound admiration for her husband at that moment.


    From the moment Charlie decided to donate to the orphanage, ire had been impressed, and his words now resonated deeply with her.


    Having consumed quite a bit of wine, Caleb, feeling emotional, took Charlie’s hand. With tears in his eyes, he confessed, “Charlie, I’ve drifted through life for over twenty years. I finally grasp the essence of living. Reflecting on my choices, I regret leaving. I thought moving to Lancaster would lead me to sess and wealth. Yet, in all these years, I never considered how to give back to the orphanage that raised me. I feel guilty about my past…”


    Charlie smiled gently, saying, “Caleb, we must first take care of ourselves before we can help others. If you can’t support yourself, I wouldn’t want you to give away what little you have to the orphanage. We’ve both faced significant hardships, with no family to rely on except ourselves. So, it’s essential to treat yourself well and improve your own situation first.”


    Caleb, overwhelmed with emotions, cried, “You advise me like this, but what about you? I remember when Mrs. Lewis became ill, you desperately raised funds and gave everything you could to help her. Why didn’t you prioritize your own well-being first?”


    Charlie replied, a bit sheepishly, “We are in different circumstances. I’m married now, while you’re not.”<fn956b> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?</fn956b>


    Then, holding ire’s hand, he continued, “Everyone in Aurous Hill knows me as the well-known live-in son-inw. My wife provides for mepletely—I don’t spend a dime on meals or shelter because of her generosity. So, having a lot of money wouldn’t mean much for me.”


    When Charlie grasped her hand, ire felt a mix of restlessness and warmth.


    His words touched her deeply, and she began to see her husband in a new light.


    At that moment, ire realized she was beginning to understand Charlie more, even as he seemed like a stranger to her.


    Previously, she had viewed him as aimless andcking ambition, someone who passively epted mistreatment. Now, however, she perceived him as more profound and enigmatic than she had ever imagined.