Chapter 399 - It isn’t an Orphanage

"We shouldn't remain standing here. This way please." Then Steph leads them to the room where she came from.

Once inside the room, J looked around. The room looks like a family room. There were two blue sofas at the center. On one corner is an office desk. On one side of the wall is a bookshelf, on the other side is a white drawer. The walls were filled with photos, some were black and white while somewhere colored. J guessed that this must be the family's personal space.

"Please have a seat. What do you want to drink? Coffee, tea, juice?" Steph busied herself getting glasses at one of the drawers. On top of the drawer was a coffee maker machine, a pitcher of water and glass containers.

"Just water, please. Thank you." Lance replied.

Soon, Steph places a tray with glasses of water in a coffee table in front of them.

J took a glass and sips from it. "This isn't an orphanage." She said as she puts back the glass of water to the coffee table.

Steph was taken aback. This is the first time that J speaks since she came and she sounds intimidating.

Lance cleared his throat and forced a smile. "Uhm…What she meant is that, we thought that this is an orphanage. Because it is what's been stated by GBC Auction Ball's website."

"We are indeed registered as an orphanage, but our main purpose is to provide support and basic needs to the children of Mt. Celandine since most of the children here have a family of their own. Thou we are keeping a couple of kids here but not because they are abandoned but because their parents are away working. We also have a couple of kids here that are really orphans and is permanently residing here." Sitting in one of the armchairs, Steph said with her arms crossed to each other.

J finally understands. But this organization doesn't look like they needed a lot of funding. She thought internally. Which is the same as Lance's thoughts?

"So, you are one of GBC Auction Ball's beneficiary. May I know what was your proposal?" Lance asked. Every organization who wished to be GBC Auction Ball's beneficiary must submit a proposal indicating how are they going to use that one-time grant from the said Charity Auction.

Steph furrowed her brows. "May I know sir, are you from GBC Auction Ball?"

Lance smiled charmingly. He sensed that Steph has started to suspect them so he is starting to use his charm. "No. Actually Miss J here has been regularly giving donations to different orphanage around the country and this happens to be the first time that she had heard of The Children of Mt. Celandine. So, she wanted to know about the organization and your needs."

Steph looked at J and seemed to be calculating her. J stared back without blinking.

Finally, Steph lowered her head. "The Children of Mt. Celandine was founded by my parents 20 years ago. Both of them were born here but their parents both died in a landslide that happened not far away from here while trying to salvage their crops before a storm destroys it. Since then, they became an orphan and were sent into an orphanage in Lotus City. But, 20 years ago, they went back here and establish The Children of Mt. Celandine."

"They build this house for them. Although, five years ago, I and my sister decided to settle here to manage The Children of Mt. Celandine."