Chapter 23 New Ventures
+8 Pearls
Given a second chance at life, Joshua had mapped out a meticulous plan for himself, determined not to live in mediocrity. If he could tackle test papers now, he would do as many as possible.
In the middle of his study session, his phone rang. It was Tom Loeb, an old friend from the orphanage.
Tom and Joshua had grown up together and had both gotten into 27th Street High. Joshua had a few other childhood friends who were also at the same school, and they had always been close.
But things had changed when Joshua found his parents. His family hadn’t wanted him to associate with his old friends, and over the past four years, those relationships had faded.
Now, with his fresh start, Joshua had recently reached out and rekindled his connection with them.
“Joshua, you mentioned that when the storm hits, the prices of fresh shrimp and live crabs will go up. Is that true?” Tom asked as soon as Joshua picked up the call.
Tom, like Joshua, was an orphan and had grown up poor. He worked hard, studied hard, and lived frugally. He washed dishes every day to scrape together a living.
Joshua had found a way to make money, and he had shared the opportunity with his old friends so they could benefit as well.
“Yes, I’m certain,” Joshua said confidently. “The prices will definitely jump, probably more than double. From 20 per catty to over 40! The storm is going to cause damage to fish and shrimp ponds, and a lot of the stock will die. That’ll push prices way up.”
“Are you really sure?” came a girl’s voice over the line, clear and curious.
In his mind, Joshua pictured a tall, pretty girl with a high ponytail–Gwen Lynch.
“Yes!” Joshua said. “By tomorrow, when the storm clears, prices will start rising. Just wait and see, Gwen.”
On the other end, Gwen’s excitement was obvious. “Joshua, we trust you! Honestly, I agree. This storm is too intense!”
This girl was Gwen Lynch, an old friend from the orphanage who also got into 27th Street High. Back when they were kids, they depended on each other just to get by, sharing everything. They were incredibly close.
When Joshua was reunited with his parents, the three of them felt a mix of envy and happiness, shedding a few tears together.
Now that Joshua had reconnected with them, excitement buzzed in the air.
“Hold on, guys! Keep up with your exercises! I’m guessing the storm won’t ease up until tomorrow afternoon. The day after, we can check the prices for live shrimp and crabs. Just make sure you’re keeping the tanks oxygenated. We can’t afford to lose any!” Joshua commented.
Gwen chuckled. “Don’t worry, Joshua, we’re on it! We’re super careful! Tom, Edith, and I each chipped in 20,000 for this.”
7:17 pm 444.
Chapter 23 New Ventures
“Make sure you look after them! Just wait till the day after tomorrow!” Joshua grinned.
“Got it!”
Gwen, Tom, and another girl named Edith Hearst were living together.
+8 Pearls
They were grinding hard, prepping for college, sticking close, and helping each other through everything.
If Joshua hadn’t been reunited with his parents, he would probably still be with them. But now that he had the chance to give them a hand, it felt good.
He wasn’t too caught up in these things, though. He had his focus on his exercises, determined to finish all the practice papers his teacher had given him today, move on to new ones tomorrow, and finally get those shrimp and crabs sold the day after.
Time was ticking, and he needed to make every second count.
“Mr. and Mrs. Fraser, we’ve got the surveillance footage! After Joshua left the neighborhood with his suitcase, it looks like he hopped on the bus number 956 heading toward the suburbs!”
In the Fraser Residence’s living room, a police officer stood in front of Maggie and David, delivering the
news.
As soon as Wendy heard the police were there, she rushed out of her room.
“He went to the suburbs?” Everyone looked shocked.
Yes. He got off the bus at Bane Road, and then we lost sight of him. We’re still waiting to get more surveillance from that area. With this storm, it might take two or three more days,” the officer explained.
“What’s he doing in the suburbs? Isn’t that a rural area?” Maggie asked.
“Joshua looked really sure of himself when he left. No hesitation at all. He probably planned to go to the suburbs a long time ago. Here’s the footage. Take a look,” the officer said.
Wendy leaned in and saw Joshua boarding the bus, still in the same sneakers and school uniform he had on earlier.
“Mom, doesn’t Joshua have a car and driver?” Wendy turned to Maggie and David.
Maggie commented, “Why would he need a driver? He can ride his bike to school!”
“But…” Wendy hesitated before continuing, “Frankie has his own driver and a car to get him to and from school. Why doesn’t Joshua have the same?”
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7:17 pm 444.
Promise to Punish My Ridiculous Family
