With that, the birthday banquet officiallymenced.


    Charlie was honored as a guest of distinction, seated beside the Lady along with Loreen and Trevor.


    As the festivities began, members of the Thomas family took turns raising their sses in Charlie’s honor, their faces and gestures overflowing with admiration.


    Charlie remained humble, readily epting drinks from anyone who toasted him. Even when Sam stepped forward to raise a toast, he drank without hesitation.


    During Trevor’s turn, he carefully raised his ss to Charlie, ingratiatingly saying, “Mr. Wade, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you, brother…”<h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    Charlie anticipated Trevor’s request but was determined to restore their abilities only after proper ountability.


    Given the poor choices made by Trevor and his family, along with Orrin’s family, Charlie was resolute in withholding any immediate restoration.


    Adults must face the consequences of their actions; otherwise, how will they learn their lessons?


    Therefore, without allowing Trevor to finish, Charlie interjected: “Trevor, you’ve seen everything that has transpired today. You should understand why I sent Sam to Aurous Hill for a year of reform.”


    “Absolutely!” Trevor nodded vigorously, replying, “Mr. Wade, you are fair and just, and we trust youpletely. But regarding this situation… Could you perhaps allow us the same opportunity as Sam? Maybe set a timeline? This would give us some hope, don’t you think?”


    Charlie nodded in agreement but rified, “You know that Sam’s offense was minor, just some reckless words. That’s why I asked him to reform for a year. However, the four of you went far beyond that. You even threatened your own lives before. Such actions carry a much heavier weight than Sam’s!”


    Trevor broke into a cold sweat, fully grasping Charlie’s meaning.


    While Sam had merely lost a fight and faced a year of reform, Trevor and his family had forced their uncle to relinquish trillions in assets, even going so far as to threaten his aunt and cousin after his death. Their misdeeds were undeniably more severe than Sam’s.


    Additionally, this uncle was a close friend of Charlie’s father, Bruce, and his aunt was a good sister to Charlie’s mother. The cousin had been betrothed to Charlie since childhood, making the betrayal hit even harder for him.


    If Sam was subject to a year’s reform, how could the four of them expect to escape with anything less than ten or twenty years of punishment?


    The thought of possibly spending the next decade or two without the chance to have children—and being unqualified to enjoy anyforts—made Trevor feel utterly defeated.


    With a sorrowful expression, he pleaded, “Mr. Wade, think of my uncle. Please forgive us this time… Or at least consider shortening our reform period…”


    Charlie replied coolly, “It all depends on how you conduct yourselves. If you perform well, your reform might be reduced to three to five years. If not, it could stretch to twenty or thirty years.”


    Trevor felt tears welling up, whispering, “Master Wade, I’ll be your brother-inw soon, and I just ask you to consider this rtionship. If word gets out that your brother-inw is impotent, it could tarnish your reputation, don’t you think?”


    Charlie chuckled, “I think that’s perfectly fine; there’s nothing shameful about it.”


    “Uh…” Trevor felt like he might copse.


    Charlie was resolutely unyielding!


    Trevor had hoped to leverage his cousin’s connection to sway Charlie, but he quickly realized there would be no opportunity for that.


    Even if they behaved well, three to five years of abstinence would still feel like a punishment—wasn’t that self-sabotage?


    With no other viable options, he could only grovel, “Brother-inw, I promise to be on my best behavior from now on. You won’t regret it.”


    Charlie, frowning, replied, “Don’t call me that. I’m not your brother-inw.”<fne3f0> Latest content published on findnovel</fne3f0>


    Trevor nodded earnestly, “I understand; it’s not official yet. But it will be, someday…”


    Charlie was disinterested in discussing such trivial matters, so he chose to ignore Trevor’sments.


    At that moment, Loreen approached and quietly asked, “Charlie, when do you n to return to Aurous Hill?”


    “Tomorrow,” he replied.