Chapter 11: The Old Crowd
The real test came in early spring.
Word had spread across social media that Carter had vanished from his usual nightlife spots and was seen working in an industrial warehouse. Sensing an opportunity for viral content, his old crew—led by a lifestyle influencer named Brock—decided to stage a surprise visit.
The warehouse door swung open loudly. Brock strode in, holding a high-end gimbal camera, flanked by two familiar faces from that fateful afternoon on 5th Avenue.
"Yo, check it out!" Brock yelled into his microphone. "We found him! The fallen prince working like a mechanic! Carter, bro, what happened to you? Did your dad cut your trust fund?"
They pointed their lenses directly at Carter, who was standing beside a drill press, wearing an oil-stained apron.
Old Henry frowned and stepped forward, but Julian placed a hand on the old man's shoulder, waiting to see what Carter would do.
Carter didn't hide his face. He didn't look down in shame, nor did he rage with anger.
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He wiped his hands on a clean cotton rag, walked calmly toward Brock, and looked straight into the camera lens.
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