The Queen They Buried

Chapter 551

Bowen knew Aubree wasn’t someone who got knocked down easily, but he still couldn’t help worrying. He couldn’t stop thinking, ‘Man, I’m really in deep with her. At the same time, he was already running through backup plans in his head in case Aubree’s negotiation ended up falling flat.

The elderly man they were looking for lived at the far end of the village, right next to Josephine, whom they’d heard about the previous day.

Ridgehaven Town was filled with vast fruit orchards. As they walked along the road, they could see fruit trees lining the roadside everywhere.

Coincidentally, the far end of the village was the most remote and spacious area, and that’s where most of the orchards were clustered together.

Aubree said in high spirits, “Even if the negotiation falls through, we can still take the chance to check out the orchards.”

Hearing that, Bowen realized he was probably overthinking things. Even if Aubree failed this time, she’d just keep pushing forward like a weed growing through the cracks. After all, she was tough and relentless.

They walked for a while, making their way from the busy town entrance all the way to the far, quieter end. As the people thinned out and they passed through a whole orchard, they finally found the home of the toughest holdout in the village.

The old man’s front door was wide open. He sat alone at the entrance, leaning on his cane, quietly watching the world go by. Only when he noticed someone approaching did his cloudy eyes flicker with a hint of awareness.

Aubree took the initiative and walked up with a friendly smile. “Hi, Grandpa! We are here to buy fruits, and we have come here to explore the village and see what kind of place it is like. We were wandering around and ended up here.”

She made sure to speak up, just in case the old man had trouble hearing.

But to her surprise, the elderly man was full of energy and sharp as ever. He replied, “You’re looking to buy fruit? You’ve come to the right place! The fruit from our village is the tastiest you’ll ever find.

“Back in the day, my kids and grandkids all loved eating the fruit we grew right here at home.”

As he spoke, the aged man pointed at a fruit tree out front, motioning for Aubree to check it out.

There was a tree there, but it was so old and dead that it was impossible to determine what it had once been.

Aubree felt like she was starting to piece things together. She crouched down so she was eye level with the old man, and asked, “So, Grandpa, how old are your kids? Why aren’t they here with you? Do they come back for Christmas?”

son left to work in the city and lives far away now. My daughter got married to someone from another place that is even farther away. It’s not easy for

safe for you to live here all by yourself?”

just

as he continued, “A few years back, they said the houses here would be torn down. I thought maybe my kids would come back for a visit, but they were all too busy. All they did was ask where I’d live

torn down. They just

there’s talk of demolition again, they said they might come back if they ever get the time. So I end

hot these days, so I put a watermelon in the well every day so if they come

a sigh, “Are

in with them, but they were still hoping for the demolition payout. As such, they just left him here as the holdout, probably figuring that if

stepped up. “There is no need to trouble yourself, Grandpa. Thank you for offering us

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Chapter 552

Chapter 552

in the well, the watermelon was cool, and it quenched their thirst.

were always sweeter than

they learned that the elder

Ridgehaven Town

a spoon, and pushed half of it into her hands. He shared, “The watermelon here is super sweet and tasty. Eat as much

As she met Pontus’s warm, gentle gaze, she scooped up a big piece

smile grew

a few bites, Aubree winked

asked, “Mr. Nelson, you mentioned you don’t want to move because you’re worried you

“That’s part

don’t want to move anymore. If I move in with my children, I can tell they don’t really want me there with

but whatever he wanted

here, and there were other issues hiding beneath the

resort, and preserved some of the village’s original character? If they let the elderly who really don’t want to leave stay here, keep living their lives, and even have a job, would you be okay with the renovation