Chapter 66

After Sophia and Harlan climbed into Gilmore's Mercedes, they were astonished by its luxury. They examined the car with admiration. It wasn't that they hadn't seen luxury cars before; their surprise stemmed from the fact that Gilmore owned such a vehicle. They treated it with the reverence usually reserved for a treasure.

Finally, Sophia, puzzled, asked Gilmore, "Son, why didn't you drive this luxurious car into town for everyone to see?"

Gilmore smiled. "Sophia," he said, "only the nouveau riche with no taste flaunt their new purchases."

Harlan added disapprovingly, "Our son graduated from a top university. He wouldn't act so unrefined."

Gilmore's parents' words amused him. His father was right; he didn't want to show off like the nouveau riche. That's why he'd asked them to meet him at the town's entrance. He preferred a low profile.

"By the way, son," Sophia pressed, "where did you get the money for such a car?" She had many questions, especially after Gerald's claim of having made a fortune. Initially skeptical, she now believed Gerald, having witnessed Gilmore's luxury car firsthand. She yearned to know her son's secret.

Harlan, too, looked at Gilmore with curiosity.

Gilmore smiled, "I was just lucky," he said as he began driving. "Everly, tell Mom and Dad how I made my fortune."

Sophia and Harlan immediately turned to Everly in the back seat. Could she know the source of Gilmore's wealth?

Everly looked at her parents and said, "Before I tell you, promise you won't get overexcited and will stay calm."

Sophia, impatient, nearly jumped out of her seat. "Silly girl, what are you talking about? Tell me! How did your brother get rich?"

"Okay, okay," Everly conceded. "Gilmore won the lottery recently—two million dollars!"

Sophia's eyes widened, her mouth agape.

Chapter 66

Harlan was equally stunned.

Everly, concerned, repeated her plea, "Mom, Dad, remember? Don't get overexcited—stay calm."

Her words seemed to work; her parents, though still breathless from the shock, were regaining composure. Two million dollars! A lottery win of two million dollars! Few ordinary people could remain calm faced with such a windfall.

Sophia and Harlan nearly fainted with joy, their excitement only curbed by Everly's warning.

"Gilmore," Sophia asked, regaining her composure, "is Everly telling the truth?"

Gilmore nodded. "That's right. I won two million dollars. I've already bought a house in Oakhaven so you, Dad, and Everly can have a better life."

Harlan was touched. "Gilmore, you're a great son."

"Dad, what about me?" Everly asked, feigning hurt.

Gilmore and Sophia exchanged smiles. "You're a great daughter, too!"

Everly smiled. Gilmore laughed. Even Gerald, the passenger, was moved by the family's warmth and smiled.

However, Gerald was puzzled. Why hadn't Gilmore mentioned his billion-dollar stock investment? Why the lottery fabrication? (Though, unbeknownst to Gerald, it wasn't a fabrication.) It seemed Gilmore simply preferred discretion. This only increased Gerald's respect for him.

Elmwood was 250 miles from Oakhaven, the Vane capital. Four hours later, Gilmore drove into Oakhaven, a bustling city. Harlan and Sophia, accustomed to rural life, were awestruck by the tall buildings and crowds. They pointed out interesting sights, chattering excitedly.

Soon, they arrived at the Palazzo. Harlan saw the massive gates and the imposing guard in beret and uniform. He whispered to Gilmore, "Gilmore, this place looks expensive. Did we take a wrong turn?"

Gilmore had already reached the gates. The guard stood at attention, saluting. "Mr. Reed, welcome back!" he said politely.

Harlan was shocked. Why was the guard saluting his son?

Gilmore rolled down the window. "Thanks, Captain!" he said. The guard was the Palazzo's security captain, and Gilmore remembered his assistance during a previous incident involving intruders. Christine, of Evergreen Group, had specifically instructed the captain to protect Gilmore, making him a VIP.

The gates opened automatically, and Gilmore drove into the residential area under the guard's watchful gaze. Harlan and Sophia were stunned by the opulence of the villas. Even Everly was excited.

"Did Gilmore really buy a house here?" she wondered.

Their unease eased as they entered the courtyard of a large villa. Gilmore announced, "Mom, Dad, Everly, we're home!"

The final section, beginning "Last time" to the end, is already well-written and requires no changes. I have removed the extraneous chapter numbers and other non-text characters from the original passage.