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    Charlie walked back to his room with ire before joining Stefanie on a video call. He greeted her with a warm, “Hey, Stefanie.”


    “Charlie!” Stefanie eximed, waving enthusiastically from her end of the screen. She was dressed in a cozy nightgown, looking rxed at home.


    Without a hint of makeup, her long ck hair cascaded casually over her shoulders. In this moment, she seemed less like a morous star and more like the charming girl next door.


    With a bright smile, she asked, “Charlie, what are you up to?”<h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    Charlie returned her smile and replied, “I’m just getting ready for the Chinese New Year. Not too busy, just preparing some festive goods at home.”


    Stefanie beamed, “Hehe, me too! This year, we’re heading back to the old house in Heathbrook to celebrate!”


    She then shifted the camera to show her surroundings, revealing she was in the spacious courtyard of the Banks family.


    Charlie couldn’t help but inquire, “Daisy, your courtyard is enormous! Doesn’t it feel a bit empty for just three of you to celebrate the New Year?”


    “Not at all!” Stefanie replied with a cheerful grin. “This year, I’ll be celebrating with my second and third uncles. We’ll have three big families together, so it’ll be quite lively!”


    Charlie nodded, thinking about her uncles. He asked, “How have your second and third uncles beentely? No issues with the family, I hope?”


    Stefanie quickly reassured him, “No, no! They’ve been behaving well. Theye home every few days, bringing all sorts of gifts each time!”


    “Oh, and by the way, since we’re going back to the old house for the New Year, they suggested it to my dad. They said it’s been ages since the family gathered for a lively celebration, and my dad agreed!”


    Charlie recalled that Stefanie’s second uncle Hank and third uncle Carl had been struggling with infertility, and understood that their recent good behavior was likely an effort to please Orrin’s family and mend rtions.


    They had previously signed an agreement with Orrin,mitting to follow his leadership going forward, so they couldn’t afford any missteps now.


    Feeling satisfied, Charlie said, “That’s good to hear. If your uncles start acting up again, let me know right away.”<fn2d60> Discover more novels at f?ndnovel</fn2d60>


    Stefanie nodded eagerly, “Charlie, hold on a second! I’ll go to my parents’ room; they want to talk to you too!”


    Concerned, Charlie advised, “Make sure to put on something warmer! That outfit looks more suited for summer; you don’t want to catch a chill.”


    Stefanie smiled sweetly, “I won’t freeze! The entire courtyard has underfloor heating, and it stays around 28 degrees in the room.”


    Charlie felt relieved by her response.


    In his mind, Stefanie was not merely a fiancée bound by a marriage contract; she was like a little sister who had been by his side since childhood.


    Thus, Charlie was genuinely concerned for her well-being.


    In the video, Stefanie hurried through therge hall towards Orrin and Angie’s room.


    At that moment, Orrin was seated at his desk, sipping tea and engrossed in a book, while Angie had lit a small sandalwood incense burner and was cing it on Orrin’s desk. Noticing Stefanie rush in, he cautioned, “Daisy, be careful! Don’t fall!”


    Stefanie, full of excitement, responded, “Mom, I’m on a video call with Charlie!”


    At the mention of Charlie’s name, Orrin immediately set his book aside and eximed, “You’re video chatting with Charlie? Let me talk to him!”


    Stefanie quickly positioned the phone on the desk so that Orrin could see the screen.


    Orrin looked vibrant and youthful as he smiled at Charlie and asked, “Charlie! How have you been in Aurous Hilltely?”


    “`