Chapter 180
“If you’re free, why don’t you stay and chat with them? You can have sinner with us later.” Stellan said, extending an invitation
Francis, taken aback, didn’t expect that a simple task of kicking a rock would result in an offer for dinner.
Of course, he wasn’t about to turn down such an offer. At this point, food was a problem for him–he hadn’t had a decent meal in days.
“Alright, I’ll stay.” Francis nodded quickly
Stellan knew he couldn’t leave the girls alone in the living room. I Two women at risk.
He was worried that if the
that if they went out, someone might barge in again, putting the
“Good” Stellan said, nodding in agreement.
He turned and headed outside, where he saw Odalys picking through some wild game.
Stellan walked up to her but overheard Odalys chuckling softly. “Did you make up with Francis?”
“There was no real grudge, just some conflict over resources, Stellan replied nonchalantly, accepting the wild game she handed him.
He glanced at her curiously, as if he wanted to ask something but wasn’t sure if he should.
“If you’re wondering something, just ask,” Odalys said, her voice light, though she didn’t turn around. It was as if she already knew what he was thinking
Stellan besitated for a moment, then spoke in a low voice, “Why did you let Francis go? What if he doesn’t help you? IEI send him back and he runs away, won’t that ruin everything!”
“He won’t,” Odalys said firmly, her confidence surprising him.
Stellan raised an eyebrow. He hadn’t expected her to understand Francis so
so well
“He knows exactly what he’s doing and what he wants, Crossing me isn’t in his best interest. Plus, I told him to kick the rock. Whether he does it or not doesn’t matter. The formation is already in place. Once it’s set, it’s beyond the reach of the outside world, but still connected,” Odalys explained in a calm tone.
Stellan’s eyes widened in realization. “So, you’re testing him?
“It’s not really a test,” Odalys corrected. “If he kicks the rock, it make the formation last longer. Besides, we need all the help we can get.” Stellan chuckled quietly. “Alright, I get it now?”
“Good. I invited him to stay for dinner, Stellan added, eager to keep the conversation moving.
“Odalys had no objections. The two of them, with their catch of wild game, began cleaning and preparing the food, including the that had been given to them earlier by the glam python. The rain soon stopped, leaving behind a damp, cool air.
ng the pickled vegetables
Alter a le
a long shernoon of work, dusk fell.
The sky, latavy and overcast from the recent rain, cast a muted light over everything. In the kitchen, Odalys and Stellan worked together to prepare the meal, though most of the cooking was done by her while he focused on the side dishes.
Within no time, they had laid out a spread–live dishes and a soup, each plate a colorful mix of flavors.
Francis, when he saw the spread, couldn’t hide his amazer
amazement. Since arriving in the village, he hadn’t tasted anything this delicious,
“Well, i won’t be polite then, Francis said, grabbing his fork. He quickly returned to grab his own bowl and seamlessly joined the Group I crew. The atmosphere felt warm and welcoming
Froen a distance, Finnian watched the scene, a pan of baiteness in his chest. ‘If I hadn’t fallen out with Odalys he thought bitterly. I should be sitting next to her, not him”
(trapped
Chapter 180
“Sophia, are you okay!” Atlas’s voice interrupted Sophia’s daze. His eyes never left her face, and he noticed that she seemed lost, as if t wave of panic
Sophia jumse
jumped when he called her name.
out of her thoughts.
“What’s wrong? Is something happening?” she asked, sitting up quickly.
She looked around, noticing that the rain load stopped outside.
The laughter from the next rooms was unmistakable, and the tantalizing smell of food waited into the air. It was clear that dinner was being served next door. The contrast between the lively atmosphere there and the cold silence liere felt stark.
“It’s nothing” Atlas said, his concem deepening. “That I’ve been watching you. You’ve seemed off. Are you worried about something?
Seeing the once confident, sunny, and kind–hearted Sophia now reduced to someone constantly filled with fear and insecurity, with eyes that flickered with doubt, Atlas felt a sharp pang in his chest.
was painful to watch her unravel t
It was p
| this way. If it weren’t for the emerald pendant, they wouldn’t have ended up clashing with Odalys like this.
His thoughts twisted uncomfortably as he glanced over at Odalys, who sat across from him, smiling as she ate her meal with a carefree expression. She had even invited Francis over to join her at the table, yet not once had she asked him or his sister to join.
The contrast was stark, and it stung in a way he couldn’t quite describe
“I… I feel guilty” she confessed quietly, her voice shaky
“Since we started this show. I haven’t been much help. I’ve been dragging everyone down. If I were as capable as Odalys, maybe you wouldn’t have had to go through all this. We’re just barely managing with what we’ve found. The food we got today… It’s enough to keep us from starving, but it’s not ideal,” she said.
see the comments online, people
Sophia paused, her voice breaking slightly. “I know there’s been a lot of negative attention around me lately. I can see il „mocking me, not understanding what’s been happening. But if it were you, would you have done any better?
“I can’t help but wonder if I’ve really made a mistake… but where did I go wrong? What did I do to deserve all this criticism? Her voice cracked with emotion, and tears blurred her vision, though she fought to keep them at bay.
Finnian, who had been standing nearby, heard her words and felt a twinge of frustration.
“Silly girl, Atlas murmured softly, his voice warm. “Who cares if people misunderstand you? I’ll always beli
believe that you’re the kindest, most genuine
person out there”
Sophia managed a weak smile, her eyes still welling up with unshed tears. She bit her lip, trying desperately not to let herself cry, but she knew deep down that she was afraid.
If everything came
came to light, she felt like there would be no turning back. I regret it, but if 1 had
had to do it again, I’d still choose this path. “Let me check if there’s anything left from lunch. I’ll make you something.” Atlas said, his voice soft and caring
It wasn’t a good cook, but he wanted to help lier.
Atlas quickly went outside to check the leftovers. Moments later, be returned, looking stunned. He had accidentally knocked over all the food, sending it crashing into the fire, burning everything
ven paid a
attention.” Atlas muttered in frustration. “I held the pan like she did, but I must have
“How did this happent I saw how Odalys did it, I even missed something?
the flames.
Soplas nndard cautside when she heard the noise, only to freeze in surprise at the sight. The food was ruined, blackened and burnt in thur work upset, but she didn’t show it. With a strained unile, she walked over to Atlas. “It’s okay. I’m not hungry anyway. I don’t usually eat dinner because I’m trying to lose weight”
She tried to lighten the mood, but it was clear that her l
heart wasn’t in it. “You and Finnis must be starving though. Should I go ask if we can
Atlas reached out and
gralded her son gently, shaking his head. “No, it’s fine. I’m not But just as he spoke, Jis atonal graded loudly, betraying his words.
hungry cher.
His gaze shifted toward the next room, where he could hear the sounds of people enjoying their meal.
643 PM c
Chapter 180
His jealousy boiled over as he watched Francis, oblivious to his earlier stoic behavior, happily joining in with Group B. ez drinking down the meat soup without a care.
“Atlas” Sophia said suddenly, his voice low. Do you think the emerald pendant is still in her room!”
- eating with gusto, and
