Scott hurried over and found five brand-new hundred-dollar bills stashed under the cutting board.

"Officer Chad, for just a few cherries, this is way too much."

Chad hadn't planned this with Molly. It was all her, sneaking over, grabbing his wallet, and leaving the money there.

"Molly really gets me, huh?"

Molly grinned, "Of course, only I truly understand you."

Looking for a lunch spot, Molly found a riverside picnic club on her phone.

Molly nibbled on her thumb, "Chad-"

"Henry's too young."

"He won't eat much anyway."

"The smoke will be strong."

Molly stopped pleading and got down to business, "Chad, if you take me to the picnic, I'll stay over at the Byrne family's house tonight."

Officer Chad, always ready to compromise, asked, "Where's it at?"

A half-hour drive later, they arrived at the bustling riverside, vehicles parked all around. It was a busy weekend. Walking down the slope, Andre carried his son and held his wife's hand, surrounded by dirt paths and the smoke from woodland barbecues. Kids played by the river, and a few high school students in uniforms were there too.

his daughter's choice. He always had a soft spot for the younger generation's

in handy, and Leo joked

supplies, nearby vendors sold all kinds of

the food's

found a spot to clear some stones. Mia, the mom, wandered around with her child, feeling the heat and Henry's fussiness from lack of sleep, whimpering

charcoal on the ground, "This was ordered by a

husband?" Mia asked, patting

to play on," the young man said, setting down the stove and

new cushion, unwrapping it and laying it on the

"He's not settled yet. I'll

skewers of meat and vegetables, placing

his cane, asked, "Young man, what's this river called? The current's pretty strong, and I've never heard of it before." He used to be a politician in Havenbrook, so he thought

and thin blanket on the cushion for her son to lie on. Anya, wielding insect repellent, sprayed it around to

he went to his exams and topped them. On his way back, he remembered the fish and ate it again. Since then, it's said that eating fish from this river brings exam success. Gradually, it became known as Scholar's River.

her spraying to listen, turned to the

visitors these past few weeks have

Chad, who was sitting on the mat, deep in

else noticed Anya's change in demeanor, as Mia remarked, "That explains

later explained to Hansen, "This used to be part of the neighboring county but was incorporated into Havenbrook during the expansion. It used to belong to City

place is

If it's true, I'll bring my grandson here to eat fish when he's taking his college entrance exams in 18 years." Henry, cradled by his

his dad's arms, instinctively clutching his dad's finger, miraculously

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