The Amazing Son-in-Law: Chapters 946-950

Chapter 946

"Mom, think about it alone," she said to Elaine Ma. "Charlie and I will leave first. He made you noodles; don't forget to eat them."

Turning to Charlie, she said, "Let's go."

Charlie nodded, helped Claire Wilson out of the house, and drove her to the orphanage. En route, he bought flowers, a fruit basket, and wrote a greeting card for Mrs. Lewis.

At the Aurouss Hill Welfare Institute, Charlie parked. Looking at the slightly outdated gate, he felt a wave of nostalgia, a sense of time slipping backward. He was momentarily transported back to cherished memories—the softest, happiest, and most precious moments of his childhood.

He remembered his first visit to the orphanage at age eight, after losing his parents. Mrs. Lewis, an angel to him, brought him in, holding his hand and pointing to the gate, lovingly saying, "Child, don't be afraid; this will be your home."

Even years later, the warmth of that memory remained. A rare smile touched Charlie's face.

Noticing his smile, Claire said, "You seem very happy today."

Charlie nodded. "Since Mrs. Lewis became ill, I've worried constantly. I tried to raise money for her kidney transplant, but I couldn't afford it. If not for a stroke of luck, she would have…" He trailed off.

Claire recalled Charlie's whispered plea for money to help Mrs. Lewis. She felt sorry for him, his past hardships and misfortunes. She hadn't been able to help then. Fortunately, someone had covered Mrs. Lewis's medical expenses, sending her to the best hospital in the country.

"Who paid for it?" Claire asked. "How could they be so generous? Treatment at Fairview Hospital costs at least two or three million, right?"

Charlie nodded. "Three million dollars, I heard. I'm not sure who paid, but I believe it was someone Mrs. Lewis saved in the past."

He couldn't reveal that he'd paid for it. He was, after all, once penniless. He sighed, "If only I'd known I could make money through feng shui, I would have tried it when your aunt was ill."

As they spoke, a voice exclaimed, "Brother Charlie Wade!"

It was Lisa, taller and thinner than before.

Chapter 947

Lisa's face lit up. Running to Charlie, she grabbed his arm, just as she had years ago. "Brother Charlie Wade, why haven't you been back to the orphanage?"

Charlie felt no discomfort. "I've been struggling since I left, so I was ashamed to return."

Lisa's eyes welled up. "Mrs. Lewis told us you worked at a construction site, sending all your money to her to buy us books, clothes, and food, but you never visited. It's been so many years" She burst into tears. "When Mrs. Lewis was ill, she said you visited often, but always left before we saw you. We felt awful."

Charlie sighed. Life had been hard. He'd worked tirelessly, sending almost everything to Mrs. Lewis. He'd avoided the orphanage out of shame, not wanting the younger children to see him struggling.

Later, joining the Wilson family, he became even more reluctant to return. He’d worried about Mrs. Lewis more than anyone. Even with his newfound wealth from the Wade family (10 billion) and Emgrand Group, he hadn't returned until now. He’d planned to donate anonymously.

This was Claire’s first visit to the orphanage and her first meeting with Lisa. While surprised by Lisa's beauty, she noticed their closeness. She reassured herself; Lisa considered Charlie a brother.

"Lisa, I've had a tough time," Charlie said, seeing her tears. "I didn't want you to see me struggling, but things are different now. I'm doing well." He took Claire's hand. "This is my wife, Claire. Isn't she beautiful?"

Claire felt nervous, despite their three-year marriage, their intimacy was limited. But she didn't pull away.

Chapter 948

Lisa looked at Claire with envy. "Sister-in-law, I envy you!" she said. "I envy you for finding such a good man!"

Charlie was taken aback. He expected her to envy Claire's beauty, but not this.

Claire chuckled.

Lisa continued earnestly, "Sister-in-law, Charlie Wade is the best man in the world. You must treat him well! He's always cared for us. Since he was 18, he’s worked hard, sending all his money to help us. He's the best brother. Isn't he?"

Claire was stunned. She knew of Charlie's past hardship, but not the extent of his sacrifices.

"Why didn't you tell me this?" she asked.

"What's there to tell?" Charlie shrugged. "It was just a hard life." He quickly changed the subject, asking about Mrs. Lewis.

Lisa said Mrs. Lewis was speaking with the dean and asked Charlie to wait. She then asked, "Brother Charlie Wade, will you visit the orphanage? You haven’t been back in so long!"

Chapter 949

Charlie, having lived there for ten years, felt a deep affection for the place. He'd been ashamed to return, but now, he wanted to see what the orphanage needed.

He agreed.

Lisa excitedly grabbed his arm, pulling him inside, with Charlie holding Claire's hand.

The Aurouss Hill Welfare Institute, with its decades-old buildings, seemed much the same as he remembered. "Hasn't the orphanage expanded or been renovated?" he asked Lisa.

"We've wanted to, but funding is tight," Lisa replied. "We have more children now. The dean and Mrs. Lewis prioritize spending on the children."

Charlie saw the rusted swings, seesaws, and merry-go-round. He felt a pang of guilt. He'd focused on Mrs. Lewis and regaining his dignity, forgetting the orphanage's needs.

He decided to donate tens of millions for renovations, new toys, learning materials, computers, and iPads.

Claire observed the orphanage with curiosity and a growing sense of fondness, understanding more of Charlie's past.

Chapter 950

Lisa led Charlie to his old dormitory. Looking in, he saw young children playing.

"Why are there so many young children?" he asked.

Lisa explained that many children were abandoned due to disabilities or being girls. Others were trafficking victims, rescued but too young to find their parents.

Charlie noted several children with disabilities. Lisa revealed they were victims of trafficking gangs who maimed children to increase their begging yields.

Claire was furious. Charlie mentioned similar beggar gangs from his time working at the construction site, some even poisoning children. They discussed the harsh realities of child exploitation.

Lisa shifted the conversation, suggesting they go to the dining area to meet other people.

Before leaving, Charlie asked Lisa about the orphanage's needs. Lisa mentioned the need for renovations to classrooms, dormitories, and the cafeteria. Charlie silently noted this.