Lunch 2  

"Did you work at a corporate or win a jackpot price in a game?" Jonathan inquired while laughing a bit. His laughter hid a superior smile. Their family was not rich, but they were ahead of Ren's family. And he was a straight-A student taking up a doctorate, which explained why he thought highly of himself.

"Because I can't see how a college student could afford this," he said before looking at Helen and Troy. "Auntie, Uncle, did you sell all you owned back in Zone C?"

Roni's parents and Hazel all breathed a sigh of relief. That must be it. There was no way that Helen and Troy suddenly became wealthy and could now waste money like this.

Margaret was itching to tell the newcomers the truth, and she was about to open her mouth, but Leon shut her up with a quick glare, silently saying not to butt into another family's affair.

"That reminds me." Roni's mother flicked her attention to Helen. "Where are you staying right now?"

"At Ren's place," Helen said with a timid smile.