CHAPTER 492: CHAPTER 492: YOU STUBBORN BRAT, STILL TALKING BACK?

Got off the plane.

Ivana Monroe got into the SUV that Leon Keane had asked Derrick Stern to book in advance. The road was winding and twisting, taking a full hour and a half to reach the children’s hometown.

"Mom, Grandma, Grandpa, I’m back!"

Tiger was full of excitement. As soon as he got out of the car, he shouted loudly towards his home.

"Oh my! I thought some official had come to the village; turns out it’s Tiger from the Lu family."

"And Ella’s Nia, Nancy’s Joy..."

"I thought Don was lying, didn’t expect he wasn’t. Look at the clothes these kids are wearing, all high-end city clothes. Must have made a lot and come back."

The villagers gathered at the village entrance. In this remote, impoverished mountain area, cars were rare and symbolized "wealthy people." The car bringing the children back, they heard it was called an SUV, is something only officials could use when visiting villages; ordinary folks were not qualified to ride in it.

So initially, they mistook it for a city official visiting the countryside.

More and more villagers gathered, chatting noisily; some were envious, planning to send their children to Don, regretting not entrusting their kids to him earlier due to pity.

Now seeing Tiger and the others come back quickly, dressed fashionably, they thought that Don was treating the kids well outside, and that job must be promising.

After Ivana Monroe and Leon Keane got out after the kids,

the villagers’ gazes immediately focused on them, all showing amazed expressions.

Who is this woman? She’s so beautiful and dressed so nicely, unlike village women who have tanned skin. Even seventeen or eighteen-year-old girls, working in the fields year-round, have skin burnt dark red.

This woman’s skin is like a freshly peeled egg, perfect beyond words.

And this man, tall and handsome, like a noble son. Who exactly is he?

How come Don and the others didn’t come over?

The villagers gossiped randomly.

"Tiger."

An old woman, with a hunchback, ran over, ecstatic to see Tiger.

"Grandma."

Tiger called out happily.

"Joy."

Nancy came back from working in the field and saw her daughter, her face lighting up with joy.

"Mom~"

Tonia ran over and dove into Nancy’s arms.

"Nia."

"Worm."

Then two other adults ran over to hug Nia and the little Worm in their arms.

What a harmonious and warm picture?

Only one little girl was left alone, Tonia. She watched others reunite with their parents and grandmothers. Each child’s eyes were filled with joy, every elder’s eyes were filled with tenderness, and her expression showed fleeting sadness.

"Tonia, where is your home?"

Ivana Monroe noticed the little girl’s sad expression, took her small hand, and asked.

Not waiting for Tonia to answer,

a woman from the villagers flattered, saying, "I know, I know, I’ll take you to Tonia’s home."

The woman had a small plan in her heart. Since Don didn’t come this time, she wanted to entrust her child to Ivana Monroe, to take them out to earn money.

She wanted her child to dress like Tonia, becoming a city little prince or princess.

"Thank you."

Ivana Monroe politely thanked her.

"Oh~ what’s there to thank? We’re all neighbors here."

The woman led the way in front, chatting continuously, trying to build a relationship with Ivana Monroe. Seeing Ivana smile, looking easy to get along with, she rolled her eyes and said.

"Tonia certainly makes a lot of money outside, right? Dressing so differently from our rural kids. Can you take my child out too?"

Ivana Monroe’s smile froze.

"Outside isn’t as beautiful as you imagine. After taking Tonia home, I’ll tell you what exactly the kids went through outside."

These villagers know nothing; if they knew, would they still be willing to send their kids away?

She needed to tell all the villagers about this so that they wouldn’t be deceived again.

The woman looked suspiciously at Ivana Monroe. Could it be she didn’t want to take her child out, so she made up an excuse? Seeing what Tonia and Tiger were wearing, so well dressed, it must be a good life outside!

Hmph~

Must be this woman doesn’t want to take her child out.

The woman curled her lips, lost hope, and turned sour: "I have things to do at home, you find your way."

After saying this.

The woman turned and left, muttering angrily.

Leon Keane frowned, his dark eyes shooting a sharp glance at the woman, fingers clenched.

"Forget it."

Ivana Monroe tugged on Leon Keane’s arm, shook her head at him.

Most women here haven’t had much education, laboring under the sun daily, speaking straightforwardly, crudely, and harshly. Why bother with such unfortunate people?

"Send her back, and we’ll leave."

Leon really disliked this place; he didn’t want to stay a moment longer, especially after that woman earlier, her ugly behavior nauseating him.

"Okay."

"Auntie, don’t."

Just after agreeing with Leon, Tonia tightly hugged Ivana Monroe’s arm.

Leon Keane’s mouth twitched slightly: "Already sent you back, still want to cling to my wife?"

Tonia looked up, her eyes filled with tears while looking at Leon, as if deeply wronged.

But Leon wasn’t buying it.

"Don’t use that look on me; it’s useless. Sending you back is already my bottom line."

Ivana Monroe patted Leon on the shoulder, shaking her head at him.

This is really something.

Why bicker with a little girl?

Doing good and then playing the bad guy?

Leon pressed his thin lips together. Seeing Ivana glare at him, he turned his head, looked at the sky, pretending he hadn’t said anything.

Tonia’s home was a mud house, with a straw roof, surrounded by a courtyard wall of tree branches. Inside, two little boys were chasing and playing; they wore patched-up jackets.

"Who are you?"

"Mom, someone’s here."

The two boys saw strangers, and one wielded a stick towards Ivana and Tonia, the other turned and yelled into the house.

They didn’t recognize Tonia.

"Brothers, I am your second sister."

Tonia stood in front of Ivana, speaking to the boys.

"Second sister? You don’t look like her at all."

In the boy’s impression, Tonia should be wearing the poorest rags, not dressed like this.

The woman chopping vegetables inside stopped, came out, and without any joy on her face, she directly scolded Tonia: "You lazy girl, why back so early? Didn’t behave outside? Sent back in disgrace?"

"No... no." Tonia said with some fear.

"Lazy girl, still denying it? If you behaved, how could you have been sent back?"

The woman grabbed the stick from the boy’s hand, face full of anger, rushed over to beat Tonia.