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. They're not afraid of pain or death. We

glancing at Zachary. His face had darkened too after hearing what Natalie

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

if they reject us or treat

if they respond with violence, with death threats, or

the cause, our priority is always our own safety and

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

and Ann with me. As for Daniel and Denzel, they've already spoken to Taylor. They'll stay behind for a bit, help their

glanced at her phone to check the time. "Let's grab something to eat, then we'll hit

"Sounds good."

called for Lynette, Sue, and Ann, then took Marcus with her. Together,

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

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

her team had traveled light this time and

path leading out of the mountains,

as long as they could remember, this was their first time leaving

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

they became. They couldn't stop themselves

to live well-really live. Only when you can stand on your own

out and gently patted each of

but it's also full of temptations. Life out there won't be as hard as it was in the village,

might feel pressure to keep up with

telling you this

sight of who you are, if you give in to temptation

three girls nodded

ourselves. We won't let you down. Mr. Cole already warned us about a lot of this,

far in such a short time means I believe you

tough, but no

never be as painful as being traded away just

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