I heard you dropped by unexpectedly tonight, so I quickly asked someone to prepare some wine and food. You can enjoy a few drinks with grandpater.


    “Okay,” Charlie replied with a slight nod. “Let’s head in to eat and chat.”


    As Charlie returned to the old house where he spent several years of his childhood, he felt a mix of familiarity and strangeness.


    While the house looked just as it always had, unchanged on the surface, it felt different. When Charlie lived here, the atmosphere was lively and bustling.


    Back then, his father, Bruce, was a prominent figure in the Wade family.<h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    Although Lord Wade had not yet formally passed the title of family head to him, Bruce had effectively be the leader of the entire Wade n.


    Under his guidance, the Wade family flourished, enjoying unparalleled unity and progress.


    During that time, both Corran and Cynthia Wade willingly yed supporting roles beside Bruce, understanding that aligning with him would yield greater benefits than vying for the spotlight themselves. Thus, everyone was content to follow Bruce, waiting for him to allocate resources.


    However, following Bruce’s passing, the Wade family lost the unifying force that had once held them together. Each member began to pursue their own interests. Corran was eager to inherit the family headship, while Cynthia Wade and others sought to divide the family to secure their own stakes as quickly as possible.


    Since then, the Wade family has never regained the unity and prosperity it once enjoyed.


    In recent years, with thepletion of the new Wade family manor, most have moved away from the old house, leaving behind only a few servants to maintain the ce, making it feel quite lonely now. As they entered the restaurant, they found the dinner table set with an array of sumptuous food and wine.


    Lord Wade invited Charlie and Lin Wan’er (ni) to sit down. Stephen Thompson, who was nearby, promptly opened a bottle of liquor, pouring a drink for both grandfather and grandson before taking his ce respectfully behind Lord Wade.


    Looking at him, Charlie said, “Stephen Thompson, please, sit down and join us for a meal.”


    Stephen Thompson quickly replied, “Thank you, Young Master. It’s been a while since we saw each other, so let’s take this opportunity to enjoy a drink and have a good conversation. I won’t impose further! Besides, as a servant, it’s against the rules for me to dine at the same table with you and the master.”


    Charlie waved his hand, saying, “Butler Stephen, there’s no need for such formality. I remember when I was a child, my father often invited you to drink with us. You saved my life, and because of your discreet care over the past twenty years, I’ve always wanted to toast you. Today, please don’t be so formal.”


    With sincerity, Stephen Thompson replied, “Young Master, you’re being too generous. The reason I was able to bring you out twenty years ago and hide you in the Aurous Hill Orphanage was all thanks to your father, Young Master Bruce. I was merely executing his ns.”


    As he spoke, his eyes reddened with emotion. “Even now, I can only say I was fortunate to fulfill my mission, and that’s all…”


    Charlie felt a pang in his heart and asked, “Stephen Thompson, you mentioned it was my father’s n to take me away and ce me in the orphanage?”


    “Yes!” Stephen Thompson replied without hesitation. “The entire team at the orphanage was selected and trained by your father, including the director. Lao Zhang was one of your father’s trusted generals back then.”


    Charlie sighed deeply, realizing, “It seems my father anticipated that one day, Po Qing woulde looking for me…”


    Pointing to the empty seat next to him, Charlie added, “Stephen Thompson, let’s sit down together. I’d like to share a drink with you.” Stephen was about to refuse again when Lord Wade interjected, “Sihai, there are no outsiders here. You don’t need to hold back. Charlie’s father raised you as a secret guardian, and you deserve this toast from him.”


    Seeing that both the elder and the younger were encouraging him to sit down, Stephen Thompson finally epted and took a respectful seat beside Charlie.


    Noticing a faint scent of incense, Charlie casually asked Stephen, “Butler Stephen, did you go to the temple today?”<h3 ss="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center" id="chapter-list"><strong></strong><fn1f51> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? findnovel</fn1f51>