Chapter 286
The awards ceremony ended smoothly,
In the evening, the villagers gradually moved into the community.
Everyone’s noses tingled when they looked at the luxurious and beautiful neighborhood. They never thought that they would one day live in such a place.
The families returned to their homes, preparing to celebrate by whipping up a feast.
Stephen and George watched from outside.
The photographer broadcasted the event live, and the audience in the stream was full of admiration.
“They’ve worked hard for all their lives and can finally enjoy some peace.”
“Although I’m a bit envious that they can live in such big houses, I know they’ve earned it.” “The community is so lively. It feels like a New Year celebration.”
“It really is lively, but has anyone else noticed that no one is inviting George and Stephen in?”
“Yeah, even Dr. Rodman was invited in, but why not George and Stephen?”
“I can understand George not being invited, but isn’t Stephen the Grand Marshal’s mentee? He’s done so much for Riveria before, so he shouldn’t be left out like this.”
Everyone found it strange.
Who was Stephen? He was the young master of the Quinns from Metropolis as well as the Grand Marshal’s mentee, the one who brought peace to Riveria three years ago. Some of the villagers might even have been Stephen’s subordinates three years ago. Furthermore, Stephen had provided them with such generous compensation. Why were they treating him so coldly?
Just then, they recalled what the village chief had said during the awards ceremony. “Unfortunately, you’re not him.”
They were all confused. What did that mean?
Stephen was not who?
Was Stephen not invited because he was not ‘him‘?
In the community, Stephen and George stood there for a while and also felt awkward.
“Why hasn’t anyone invited us in?”
+25 BONU
Chapter 286
They could already smell the aroma of food drifting from the houses.
These days, they had been busy dealing with Celestial City and running back and forth for the village chief’s treatment. They had no time for a proper meal at all. Now, they could not help but gulp with such tempting smells in the air.
Stephen was hungry and exhausted, so he took the initiative to visit the villagers on the pretense of asking if they were satisfied with their new homes, hoping they would ask him to stay.
He knew that the livestream audience was watching his every move. It would be humiliating if he was not invited.
However, after visiting a dozen homes, no one invited him.
The sky darkened.
At 7.30 p.m., Stephen arrived at the village chief’s house and saw the latter slowly walking out with Dr. Rodman by his side.
At first, the village chief needed to be hospitalized, but due to the special nature of the day, he strongly requested to return home. The hospital did not want to release him, but Dr. Rodman assured them that he would stay by the chief’s side, so they finally agreed.
When the village chief and Stephen came face–to–face, Stephen clearly felt an awkwardness in the air around them. He had falsely accused the villagers and caused the chief to nearly die. For a moment, he did not know what to say.
Just as the atmosphere became tense, a shout suddenly came from the middle of the community.
“Everyone, come look! Someone has delivered a gift!”
At those words, the people came out of their homes and looked at the center of the community area. At some point, a truck had arrived.
Everyone ran over and surrounded the truck.
Stephen and George, as well as the audience in the livestream allooked at the truck
curiously.
“Who drove it here?”
“What a large truck. What’s inside?”
Several brave young men stepped forward and noticed that the truck’s cargo door was not unlocked.
“It’s unlocked! We can open
it!”
Chapter 286
They reached out and pulled the door open.
Instantly, all eyes focused on the inside of the truck.
As the doors were open, the bright lights from the community shone inside.
Inside was a box no larger than one cubic meter.
