The woman was taken aback by Serena’s sudden scream. As a result, her fingers slipped and the bag landed with a loud thud
on the ground.
Serena did not care if she was still feeling light-headed. She rushed forward to look over her belongings. When she realized the
extent of the damage, her face turned pale.
“What happened?” Leah asked in concern when she noticed Serena’s frozen expression. The latter reached into the bag for a
palm-sized glass bottle. Unfortunately, the bottle had broken, allowing the white cream to leak into her hand.
“My miracle cream... it’s gone...” Serena whimpered, sadness clouded her features.
“I didn’t mean to break it.” The burly woman hurriedly waved her hand and continued nervously, “I was curious and decided to
take a look. Your sudden scream frightened me.”
Serena’s expression hardened as she chided, “How can you search through others’ belongings without permission?”
The woman protested, “I didn’t mean to. I apologized for the mistake didn’t I?”
“Can I slap you and apologize for my actions?” Serena retorted.
The duo could not stop bickering and the atmosphere turned tense. Suddenly, Rebecca interjected, “Can you stop being so
unreasonable, Serena? It’s just a broken bottle of cream. You won’t be needing it in the mountains anyway.”
“That’s easy for you to say. Who the hell are you?” Serena mocked with a sidelong glance and a poker face. “Oh yes, you are
Rebecca. Do you know how much a bottle of this costs? 115 thousand dollars. I don’t think you can even earn that much for the
rest of your life. What gives you the right to suggest letting the matter off so easily?”
Serena’s revelation stunned everyone as they could not believe that such a small bottle would be so expensive. They wondered
in unison, this costs 115 thousand dollars?
“Don’t worry.” Leah patted Serena’s arms and assured her, “I’ll get a bottle for you once we get back.”
Sunny pursed his lips and hardened his expression. He had nearly offered to compensate Serena for her loss, but decided to
rescind the offer once he heard it was 115 thousand dollars. He grimaced further when he heard Leah calmly offer to buy another
bottle for Serena.
“I’ll hold you to your words. I want another soap along with it.” Serena requested as she clung to Leah’s arms.
“Sure, I’ll get it for you.” Leah chuckled.
The rest of the group looked fondly at the two ladies who willingly forked out 115 thousand dollars for a small bottle of cream.
After the episode, no one dared to go near Serena’s belongings. Despite having a load of items to carry herself, Leah offered to
help her friend with her luggage.
After seeing Leah trudge for a few steps, Sunny walked toward her and offered, “Let me help you with it.” Leah glanced at the
man and replied, “Thank you.”
Sunny smirked to himself as he attempted to project a gentlemanly demeanor. He purposefully brushed his fingers against
Leah’s arm as she passed over the items. This caused goosebumps to appear on the woman’s arm.
Leah raised her head and looked at Sunny with a poker face. The man acted as though nothing had happened and looked
quizzically at her through his shades. He asked, “What’s the matter?”
Leah shook her head and replied, “Nothing.” Perhaps I’m being overly sensitive, she thought to herself.
It took the group approximately two hours to make it to the top of the mountain. Serena no longer had the strength to speak by
the time they arrived. The village chief had arranged for them to stay at two of the best houses in Rock Hill Village. One of the
houses belonged to the village chief while the other belonged to a widow, Alyssa Thazer.
Alyssa’s husband had been working abroad for a long time. As a result of his passing from a work injury, Alyssa received
compensation of 40 thousand dollars from his superior. The woman used the money to build a large house and led a comfortable
life with her son.
The seven visitors congregated at the village chief house to discuss their living arrangements.
“Why don’t the four ladies stay with Alyssa while the three men stay at the village chief’s house?” Bryan suggested.
The rest agreed in unison, “I’m fine with this arrangement.”
“Me too.”
It was the first time Alyssa was hosting guests from the city. Hence, she put on her best smile and warmly received the four
ladies. She was especially kind to Leah and Serena as she noticed that their appearance and demeanor were distinct from the
rest.
Once they were settled at Alyssa’s house, Serena announced that she would be skipping dinner. She was void of energy and
chose to return to her room to rest. She did not have the mood nor the stamina to examine her poorly furbished surroundings.
Meanwhile, the remaining three guests, Leah, Rebecca, and Gracia Perez, decided to help Alyssa prepare dinner.
Just then, Sunny called out from outside the house. “Are you there, Ms. White?”
“Yeah,” Leah responded without looking at the man.
Sunny walked into the house and saw that the ladies were busy preparing dinner. He asked in astonishment, “You know how to
cook, Ms. White?”
Leah smiled politely and said, “A little.” She had intentionally given a cold and distant reply. However, Sunny did not seem to take
notice as he hovered behind her and probed, “What are you making?”
There was barely enough space in the kitchen. As a result, when Sunny stood behind her, he appeared to be hugging her from
behind. Leah furrowed her brows and turned around to widen the distance between them. She asked curtly, “Why are you
looking for me?”
A sinister look flashed across Sunny’s face. He said casually, “Oh it’s nothing serious. The village chief said that we shall feast
together tonight. Hence, I thought to come and see if I could be of any help.”
“There’s no need to. You can wait outside,” Leah nodded her head and urged.
“All right,” Sunny replied helplessly.
Dinner was served shortly thereafter. Owing to the limited ingredients available, there wasn’t an assortment of dishes available.
However, it was considered a lavish meal for the locals at Rock Hill Village. The village chief even pulled out his prized
possession, a bottle of white wine that he had kept for quite some time.
Leah went to Serena’s room to inform her of dinner. However, the latter waved her hand and said, “I have no appetite. You guys
can enjoy your meal. I want to sleep.”
“All right. I’ll keep some food for you, in case you are hungry in the middle of the night. You can warm it up by yourself if that
happens.”
After speaking, Leah exited the room. As she was about to step out of the door, she bumped into Sunny, who was about to enter.
Upon noticing Sunny’s troubled expression, she asked, “What’s the matter?” Her heart was filled with skepticism at his sudden
appearance.
“I’m here to collect something, Ms. White.” Sunny approached Leah slowly. His eyes became ferocious and remained fixed on
the woman. Leah began to back away, concerned about the man’s demeanor.
“Ahh! I’m having a headache,” Serena complained lazily as she sat on the bed and held her head. “Forget it. I’m getting up.”