Chapter 80

The next day, Charlie went home. After picking up Rebecca, they flew to the West Sea for a fun trip. Upon arriving and seeing Charlie's friends, Rebecca realized the purpose of his trip: he was showing off his newly found sister to impress them.

"I told you I'd find my little sister! And I did! Becky is my little sister!!!" he exclaimed. "Hurry up and give Becky gifts! Come on! No gift means you're a liar!"

In the cabin of the luxury cruise ship, Charlie asked two handsome young men, around his age, for gifts. They immediately began chattering upon meeting Rebecca. Ernest Darwin stared at her seriously, while Jarvis Barton looked back and forth between her and Charlie.

Rebecca felt a bit odd being stared at so intently. Hesitating for a moment, she cautiously said, "Hello, my name is Rebecca… Edwards."

"You're not surnamed Edwards," Charlie muttered. "Rebecca, your surname is Carter. Once you divorce that bastard, you can change it."

Rebecca was stunned, then smiled and agreed, "Okay!" As an adult, changing her surname was simple, requiring only her presence. However, she couldn't do it yet; otherwise, everyone would guess her relationship with the Carter family. She had to wait until she had the divorce papers.

Charlie was stunned, his eyes widening. He excitedly jumped up. "Rebecca, did you agree to change your surname? Are you willing to change your last name to ours?" They had only dared to dream of this before, afraid Rebecca wouldn't like it. But now, Charlie incredulously thought, 'Did Rebecca actually agree?'

Rebecca looked at Charlie and nodded. "Yes."

She thought, 'I am already a member of the Carter family. Mom, Dad, and my brothers treat me so well. Why should I use Edwards or Mitchell when I have my own family's surname? And the Mitchell family doesn't welcome me either!'

"Ernest! Jarvis! Did you hear that? Rebecca wants to take the surname Carter!" Charlie shouted. "Hurry up and bring out all the gifts! We agreed that as long as I find my sister, you must give her gifts. They are her birthday gifts!"

Ernest helplessly pulled a black velvet box from his pocket, holding it out to Rebecca with both hands. "Becky, my name is Ernest Darwin, and I'm a good friend of Charlie's. I got the Blue Tears by chance years ago. For years, Charlie has been trying every trick in the book to buy it from me, saying it's for his sister…"

Rebecca was touched. Just then, Jarvis whipped out his backpack like a universal treasure chest, clinking and clanging as he pulled out presents. In the blink of an eye, a small table was filled with expensive jewelry and handmade gifts.

"Becky, I'm also a good friend of Charlie. My name is Jarvis Barton. According to my agreement with Charlie, as long as he got you back, I have to make up for the birthday gifts you've missed over the past twenty-six years!"

Jarvis turned to Ernest and exclaimed loudly, "Ernest, we agreed to give twenty-six years' worth of gifts. How could you only give one? One gift can only count for one year's birthday present, no matter how expensive. What about the other twenty-five years?"

"Exactly! Ernest, don't be a sore loser!" Charlie, also dissatisfied, glared at Ernest and shouted.

Ernest helplessly replied, "I know… The gifts are all at my house; I'll send them to Becky later."

These gifts had been prepared over the years for Charlie's younger sister's birthday. Keeping them for themselves was useless. They had grown up with Charlie, and every year, on his younger sister's birthday, Charlie would forcefully take them along as he searched the world for a birthday present for her. Not only did Charlie buy a present, but he also pressured them to prepare one as well.

Wherever there was something good, Charlie went. And he never hesitated to spend money on birthday presents, as if it were worthless paper. Jarvis and Ernest both thought he was a bit too crazy.

However, what was even more surprising was that for a few years, Charlie became obsessed with crafting, believing handmade presents held a different meaning. As long as he put his wishes into it, maybe his sister would return! During those years, they were forced to learn crafting with Charlie to prepare handmade gifts.

Even after twenty years, they still remembered every time Charlie's sister's birthday came around, Charlie would secretly take them to pick out a present. As they chose, the young Charlie would sometimes cry pitifully. Out of kindness, they agreed over and over again and followed him to pick out a birthday present.

But the birthday gifts they had been preparing for so many years were never given away because Charlie's sister had gone missing and never been found again… They had considered giving these gifts directly to Charlie, but he refused, insisting they keep them. He said his sister would definitely be found and wanted them to personally hand these birthday gifts to her when she returned.

"Becky, congratulations on coming home. Now I am your friend, too. Let's add each other as WhatsApp friends. If you need anything, just tell me. Anything I can help with, I won't refuse!" Jarvis happily pulled out his phone, ready to let Rebecca add him as a friend.

Rebecca laughed as she accepted the phone, searched for her account, and sent a message. Ernest also handed her his phone.

"If you need anything, tell us directly. Just treat us like your friends," Ernest said concisely.

Rebecca didn't expect that after a short trip, she would gain two more friends. This feeling was surprising and made her very happy. "Okay, thank you," she said, smiling sincerely.

Everyone laughed, especially Charlie. He drank bottle after bottle and started laughing foolishly, bragging about finding his sister. "Who said I wouldn't find my sister in this lifetime? See, I did it! I have a sister now!"

Ernest and Jarvis looked at the drunken Charlie helplessly, but their smiles never faded. It was a day worth celebrating. Jarvis then began to chatter about Charlie's childhood with Rebecca.

At first, Rebecca was happy, but as he spoke, her sadness grew. When she returned to the Carter family, everyone was happy, but she seemed to forget the pain her loved ones endured during the years she was lost. Patrick, Debra, and her brothers all felt guilty and regretted not protecting her better, which led to her disappearance.