Charlie removed his hat and wiped sweat from his brow.
“Sorry,” he said gently. “North field needed finishing. Didn’t want to miss seeing you.”
“You could’ve at least changed,” Savannah sighed. “We had the same opportunities. Scholarships. Degrees. You chose to stay stuck.”
Charlie didn’t argue. He simply nodded and walked inside to help their elderly mother in the kitchen.
While the three city professionals posed for photos beside their SUVs, Charlie washed dishes in silence.
Dinner was filled with talk of hedge funds, surgical conferences, and tech developments. Charlie was barely acknowledged.
Then sirens pierced the air.
Several black SUVs with county insignias roared up the driveway, covering the luxury cars in a cloud of dust.
Ryan’s eyes lit up. “That’s County Commissioner Alvarez! This could be huge for business connections.”
Savannah straightened her dress. Ethan adjusted his tie.
Commissioner Alvarez stepped out — flanked by aides and deputies — and walked straight past the three polished professionals without even slowing down.
He headed directly toward the back porch.
Toward Charlie.
What happened next froze everyone in place.