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Novel Catalog
Chapter 96
“Hello, I’m Titus Peel, the chief’s son from Dawnpol Village. My father is a bit busy at the moment, so I’m here to greet you on his behalf.”
While Matthew was distracted, watching Veronica interact with the villagers, a tall, dark-skinned man approached them. Titus, who looked to be in his early twenties, greeted them with a warm smile. His friendly aura made it clear he was someone trustworthy.
Reaching out for a handshake, Matthew responded with a casual, “I’m Matthew. Matthew Kings.”
As Veronica finished handing out snacks to the children, the group was replaced by the villagers, who began to gather around them. Each villager offered a silent but welcoming presence.
“I’m Veronica Murphy,” she introduced herself, extending her hand to Titus.
“Welcome to Dawnpol Village,” he greeted her with a smile, before turning his attention back to both of them.
“I’m here representing the Konig Company. More items for the children will be arriving soon,” Veronica added, explaining the purpose of their visit.
“Thank you, thank you! I sincerely thank you on behalf of my village,” Titus responded with a bow. “Please, I’ve prepared lunch at my home. You two should join us.”
While the villagers were quiet, their smiles spoke volumes of their gratitude. They didn’t speak much English, but the warmth in their eyes made it clear they appreciated the visit.
Veronica and Matthew followed Titus to his home, which was nestled at the base of the mountain. As they walked, Titus passionately spoke about the village, describing its current situation, which helped them understand the place better.
When they reached Titus’ home, Veronica spotted Quincy and Matthew’s two bodyguards standing by the entrance. She wasn’t entirely sure of their roles, but their muscular builds made it clear they weren’t ordinary people.
Titus’ house, like much of the village, was modest. The richest family in Dawnpol Village lived in five mud-brick houses, all with roofs covered in green tiles. Behind the house was a large bamboo forest, and in front, a small pond created a peaceful atmosphere. The sounds of roosters, barking dogs, and flowing water made the place feel like a little slice of paradise, even though the mountains blocked any path to the outside world.
The house was simple but welcoming. As they entered, they sat down and exchanged pleasantries until the village chief returned.
The chief was a dark-skinned man with a wrinkled forehead, a slightly hunched posture, and a warm smile. His attire consisted of a sleeveless white vest, baggy black pants, flip-flops made from grass, and a dark blue towel wrapped around his head. He was holding a smoking pipe in his hand.
“Welcome to my home,” he said with a thick accent, his English not perfect but understandable. “Sorry for the delay, I had some matters to attend to.”
After greeting the chief, everyone sat down and began to eat. The lunch was extravagant, with dishes of goose and chicken served in large portions, making the meal feel like a special occasion.
After the meal, the chief turned to Veronica. “You can stay in my home as you are a girl. I have a room with a door, it’ll be more convenient for you. As for the men, they can stay with my neighbors, Mrs. Ritz and Mr. Dune.”
“Thank you, Chief,” Veronica replied gratefully. “We’ll go along with your arrangements.”
With her luggage in hand, Veronica entered the room designated for her. The room had only a small window, so it was a little dim, but it was neat and clean, offering a cozy space.
Just as she turned around to place her things down, she saw Matthew standing by the door, looking at her in a way that seemed… mysterious.
“What, are you jealous?” Veronica teased with a smirk. “Don’t tell me you’re going to fight me over a room now?”
She glanced at him and shook her head. “Let’s go and see your room then.” With that, she dragged him out of the room, still poking fun at him.
The trio made their way to Mrs. Ritz’s house. It was a modest home with three rooms—one for the bedroom, one for the main hall, and another for the kitchen. Mrs. Ritz greeted them enthusiastically, laughing as she ushered them inside.
“Come in, come in! I’ve already tidied the rooms. Just make yourselves comfortable!”
Quincy, looking slightly perplexed, asked, “If we’re staying here, where will you be sleeping?”
Mrs. Ritz smiled warmly. “It’s fine. We’ve set up a bed in the cow shed for us. We’ll sleep there tonight.”
The group was speechless at first. While they wanted to decline, the villagers insisted, so they reluctantly agreed.
Later in the afternoon, as Veronica rested, more people began arriving in the village. Veronica soon found out that it was the Crawfords who had come—Xavier’s father Hendric and his sister, Melissa.
Curious, Veronica asked Melissa, “Hey, I heard from Titus that nobody’s ever visited Dawnpol Village before. Why are there so many people here all of a sudden?”
Matthew, who had been quietly observing, replied with a cold look in his eyes, “I don’t know.”
His sudden shift in mood confused Veronica. She followed him, trying to get a response. “Are you mental? Why are you angry for no reason? What did I do to offend you?”
He stopped, and with a cold expression, he snapped, “I told you to stay away from Xavier.”
Suddenly, it clicked. So that’s why he’s mad. Veronica’s anger flared. “You’re only my godbrother, not my parent! You didn’t birth me, and we’re not even romantically involved. Why should I listen to everything you say?”
Veronica’s voice was sharp, her patience running thin. “What a control freak!”
She stormed past him, leaving him standing there, her words hanging in the air.
By the time evening arrived, the village was buzzing with activity. Reporters had shown up, despite there being no signal in the village. They would broadcast the event after leaving the area. Meanwhile, the donated goods were slowly being transported to the village, bit by bit.
Veronica was caught up in the flurry of activity, but as night fell and she returned to the village chief’s home, she found something unexpected.
“Who… Who’s in here?” she muttered as she flicked the lights on.
A woman in pajamas sat up, glaring at Veronica. To her surprise, it was Melissa, Xavier’s sister.
“What are you doing in here?” Veronica asked, confused.
Melissa, looking slightly embarrassed, answered, “There was no room left in the village. The chief said I could crash in here since I’m a VIP.”
Veronica was taken aback. She didn’t know what to make of it but decided to let it go for the moment.
