When fate plays its hand

This time, Joli didn’t stop them. He watched as they retreated into the house. Tears blurred his vision, yet a warmth filled his chest.

Miranda approached the bedroom door. Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks. Madison paused behind her. “What’s the matter?”

Miranda gestured toward the door of the adjacent room. Madison instantly understood her intentions and quietly pushed it open a crack.

Good heavens!

Sebastian was fast asleep, snoring loudly. He hadn’t even bothered to get up and put on a performance!

Madison sighed. “It’s just like him to do that.”

Miranda muttered, “Joli probably really thought he went to the bathroom. No wonder…”

Bathroom break? More like he crawled back into bed for more sleep.

Madison suddenly froze at the thought. “Wait, didn’t this mean we got the short end of the stick? We even got up, put on clothes, and walked all the way to the door.”

Miranda nodded meaningfully. “We did.”

The rooster crowed, heralding the dawn. The morning light shone through, though the mist hadn’t cleared. Opening the front door revealed vast stretches of land. In the distance were endless mountain ranges.

Madison exclaimed, “They weren’t lying when they said Yalemont is also known as the City of Mountains!”

Their journey there was filled with mountainous sights. This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

A streak of red appeared on the horizon. Joli saw it and remarked, “It might be sunny today.

Madison’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

Finally, she wouldn’t have to freeze anymore!

At that moment, Joli’s parents also woke up. The village doctor had advised that Wanda shouldn’t be lying in bed all the time. She should take some light walks occasionally.

Every morning, Ollie would help her outside to the yard for a couple of laps, The couple panicked when they saw that Miranda and the others hadn’t left. “Did Micah refuse to send them? Ollie, go and ask Leonard, or maybe Mrs. Gardner’s grandson…‘

“Mrs. Clifford, don’t trouble yourself. We chose not to leave,” Madison explained.

Wanda was stunned. “You… You kids! Why won’t you listen? You have to leave, you can’t stay here… Joli, say something! Convince your friends!”

Miranda, Madison, and Sebastian looked at him at the same time.

Joli was silent for a moment. Then, he slowly raised his head. “Mom, let them stay. They won’t leave.”

“You… This is a disaster! They came all this way to find you. Given our family’s situation, we can’t provide much hospitality to them, but at least we can’t let them be in danger!” she exclaimed.

Joli nodded. “I know, but they want to help us.

In the past, Joli never accepted anyone’s help. He didn’t need any pity from others, and his aloofness was a turn–off for some people. He felt secure because he owed no one.

However, Miranda and the others were different. She said they were friends. True friends…

In the end, Ollie could only sigh in resignation and head to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. If the Sneider brothers came again, then so be it.

If it came to that, he would protect them with a knife, just like yesterday. Ollie vowed silently that he wouldn’t let any harm happen to them, even if it cost him his life!

At 10:00 am, the Sneider brothers returned.

Miranda, Madison, and Sebastian exchanged glances. At that moment, they were unexpectedly calm, as though the dust had settled.

If they came for them, so be it. They weren’t afraid!

The three showed no panic after mentally preparing themselves.

When Kenny entered the house, he kicked over a stool in the corner with a loud clang.

Shawn followed closely behind him. He swung his bat around recklessly and knocked over the washstand behind the door.

Madison nearly couldn’t hold her temper back, but she remembered what Miranda said last night. She took a deep breath and forced herself to sit back down.

Kenny scanned the group. “Well, everyone’s here? Perfect!”