Chapter seventeen
At a shopping mall, Pete meets Mary coincidentally
Days had flown by quickly since Charley, Pete, and Jenny moved into their golden mansion, the property that once belonged to Mr. Tolen before his passing had been transformed by these three heroes. They had turned the old house into a golden paradise on their street, attracting many visitors to the Tolen's mansion, as it was known in Zinatano city. It was truly a sight to behold, like a tourist attraction.
Their philanthropic actions in Zinatano led to Charley being nominated as the next governor of the city. Pete had graduated as a medical doctor specializing in optometry, opening his own private hospital. Jenny had earned her doctorate in pharmaceutical sciences and had set up her own chain of pharmaceutical laboratories in major towns in Zinatano. The Tolen children, who had once gone missing, had now achieved great wealth and fame despite their challenging past.
Mary left early that day to go shopping and check on their family house in Zinatano. She had moved north with her husband after their marriage, along with her mother. Mrs. Tolen, facing health challenges from aging, had stopped visiting the family house. Mary, an expert driver, visited old friends in Zinatano before heading to the shopping mall, just a kilometer from their family house, to buy groceries and her mother's medication.
At the same mall, Pete was also shopping when he noticed Mary nearby. Approaching her, he introduced himself and struck up a conversation. Unaware they were siblings; they chatted and laughed together, with Pete offering to pay for Mary's items along with his own. Mary was grateful for his kindness and they continued talking as they left the mall.
Pete, intrigued by Mary, invited her to work with him in his NGO focused on helping orphans and widows. Mary, a freelance artist, was interested and gave Pete her contact information. They parted ways, with Pete realizing Mary was his sister.
Excited, Pete rushed home to share the news with Charley and Jenny. They planned to invite Mary and their mother to their mansion. After contacting Mary, they arranged a dinner for them. Pete sent a car to pick them up, and Mary and her mother arrived at the golden mansion, amazed by its beauty.
Inside, they were reunited with Charley, Jenny, and the police officer who had helped them since their return. Mrs. Tolen and Mary were emotional, realizing they had found their long-lost family. Pete revealed their story of escaping the land of gold, leaving Mrs. Tolen in tears as she understood everything. The family was finally together again.