The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming

Chapter 678 Giving a Heads-Up in Advance

Lynette wiped her eyes. After she finished speaking, Zachary and Sophia fell

silent. They exchanged a glance, and from the look in their eyes, they understood what the other was thinking.

"We want to be part of this too," Zachary said. "We'll provide targeted sponsorship, but we do have some conditions.

"We'll put together a full proposal once we're back, and we'll assign a team to follow up. Mr. and Mrs. Holden, may I officially represent the Holt family in joining your charitable work?"

He smiled slightly, his gaze sincere and steady as he looked at Marcus and Natalie. "We truly care, and we'd like to do whatever we can to help."

Natalie smiled warmly. "We'd be honored. Having the Holt family involved is a blessing for us. Really, thank you."

She reached out to shake Zachary's hand, but Marcus gently held her hand back and extended his own to Zachary instead.

Natalie noticed what he did and found it a little amusing, but she didn't say anything.

"Sophia, what about you?" Natalie turned to her. "Do you want to be part of this with us?"

Sophia nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely! Nat, you helped me before, and now I want to help other girls who are struggling too."

"Great. Then let's do it together."

"Yeah. Together."

There was a new energy in Sophia's smile now-brighter, more determined. "Zachary and I talked, and we've decided to stay here a few more days.

"Sue told me there's an even smaller village over the mountain you haven't reached yet. We want to go check it out, but Mr. Cole advised against it."

"I don't think you two should go there alone, either," Natalie said, her expression serious. "I worked with some officials before to scout a path into that area.

"The truth is, they're even harder to deal with than the people in Ashford Vale. At least in Ashford Vale, we could still use force to take control if necessary.

smear themselves in animal fat and set themselves on fire, turning themselves into human fireballs to attack us.

terrifying," Sophia said, glancing at Zachary. His face had

all our efforts on Ashford Vale so far. That other village... we've had to put it on

reject us or treat us as

we save her. But if they respond with violence, with death

no matter how noble the cause, our priority is

the case, then we won't go. We'll just focus on learning more about Ashford Vale while we're

heading out soon. I'll be taking Lynette, Sue, and Ann with me. As for Daniel and Denzel, they've already spoken to Taylor. They'll stay behind for a bit, help

"Let's grab something to eat,

"Sounds good."

and Ann, then took Marcus with her.

food was simple, but most of it was made from fresh, organic

Marcus gathered their things and called for the three girls. Elijah helped carry their bags. They then said their

traveled light this time and hadn't brought much with them. They would be traveling light on the

and Ann stepped onto the path leading out

they could remember, this was

once we're out, we'll study even harder. We'll make sure we live up to

emotional they became. They couldn't stop themselves from making promises to Natalie again

said. "First, you need to live well-really live.

reached out and gently patted each of their

but it's also full of temptations. Life out there won't

with others,

matter. I'm telling you this now so you'll

of who you are, if you give in to temptation or go down the wrong

three girls nodded

to ourselves. We won't let you down. Mr.

this far in such a short time means I believe

is tough, but no matter

gets, it'll never be as painful as being traded away